Page 32 of The Charmer

“Yes."

"All right, then. But you tell me the moment you’re uncomfortable and we’ll leave, okay? Let's find a parking spot."

As I moved down the street, I said, "You want to tell me what happened between the two of you? How long were you going out?"

"Only six months. He seemed so charming and kept telling me that it was a completely new thing for him to date someone who... well, was in another social circle."

"What a jackass! He actually said that?"

"Well, yes, and worse. It was bizarre, but I was always up to my neck in work, so I didn't have time to second-guess anything or think about his remarks too often. He'd always make snide comments like 'your little business' or 'that one-woman shop.'"

"How did you decide to dump his sorry ass?"

"That's even more pathetic. I didn't. His new girlfriend broke up with me."

It took all my self-control not to punch the wheel. "You can't be serious."

"Unfortunately, I am.” She sighed. “I don't want to rehash the details."

"He's always been a little fucker. Believed himself to be better than anyone. He was insufferable in school and now in business as well. His chain of clubs is not nearly as big and profitable as his ego would like you to believe."

She seemed to perk up a bit at that. “Really? Because he wouldn’t stop bragging about it.”

“Sounds just like him.”

I finally found a parking spot two streets away. We walked to the mansion at a very slow pace. "By the way, if that moron accosts you again, how about we continue what we started at the bar?"

She straightened up, glancing at me. "What do you mean?"

"Do I need to remind you about us kissing?"

She gasped but then smiled and looked away. Even so, I could see color creeping up her cheeks. And it wasn't just a reflection of the red fabric of her dress.

"The look on his face was priceless," I went on. "And I did tell him you’re my girl. I’ll keep doing that. I mean, it’ll probably appear like that anyway, considering we’re arriving together."

"I thought you said everyone's free to bring a plus-one even if it's just a business partner."

"In theory, yes. But most people don't do that. They just bring their wife or girlfriend or whatever."

"Julian," she said. "You didn't tell me that."

"It's not a big deal."

We resumed walking, and I held her by the waist as firmly as before. Since she didn't make any move to free herself, I assumed she truly did need the support. Then again, the sidewalk was a bit of a death trap even without high heels. There weren't potholes in it per se, but some of the tree roots had grown completely out of control, cracking the pavement.

"I'm not sure what you have in mind," she said after a few moments.

"Neither do I. Let's just play it by ear."

"I don't like lying."

"We don't have to. We'll tell people exactly what happened. We met after I unfairly dropped your services. You gave me a piece of your mind. I found you so damn irresistible that we ended up kissing."

I felt her entire body shiver. She parted her lips, then looked down at the sidewalk again.

"You just came up with this?" she murmured.

"Yes. I'm a very spur-of-the-moment guy. It drives my family nuts. Some of my employees too."

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