Page 6 of Mister Stark

I stood up and walked over to the window with my arms crossed. “He wants me to call him and take me out on a date.”

I kept my back to Paisley, but I heard the screech of excitement leave her lungs. A smile crept over my face, but soon faded. I had zero faith I even stood a chance with Dylan Stark. He was born rich, extremely gorgeous, and could have any woman he wanted.

But why would he want a nobody like me?

“You need to call him right away, Celeste.” Paisley announced and spun me around to face her with her hands on my shoulders. “What the hell are you waiting for?”

I let out a long sigh, and it blew right into her red locks. “He’s way out of my league, Paisley.”

Her eyebrows wrinkled together, and she shook her head. “No, he’s not, if he gave you his freaking phone number! You’re gorgeous and all the men want you. You just don’t give them the time of day because you’re always focused on school.”

It was true.

I had always been focused on finishing school and one day owning my own business. I didn’t want to lose focus on my goal. But now Dylan Stark has entered the picture and he could change everything.

The way he looked at me—his hunky handsome looks and those gorgeous eyes. It might be all I needed. But I was uncertain I was right for him.

“I don’t know, Paisley...” I groaned as I frowned and looked down.

“Well, you won’t know until you give him a chance.” She argued as she held the cell phone within eyesight and his business card. “You should call him.”

I scrunched up my face with uncertainty, but took them. “Okay, I will give it a shot, but get ready for utter failure.”

Paisley’s squeal filled my ears, and we sat down on the side of the bed together as I dialed Dylan’s Stark’s number. I held the phone with uneasiness, my nerves on edge, and listened to each ring. One, two, three.

But on the fourth ring, his rich tone charmed through the phone line.

“Hello, this is Dylan Stark.” He answered, and I melted under his spell.

He sounded so professional, upfront, and powerful. I was intimidated, nervous, and ready to hang up. But he’d wonder who was on the other line.

“Go on...” Paisley whispered in my ear with encouragement and poked me in my side.

“H-hi, this is Celeste Lovette. We met earlier at the business lecture at Lakeside University. I hope I’m not interfering with business matters.” I stammered with jitters and my stomach turned.

“Oh, no, you could never do that, Celeste.” He said as his husky tone took over the phone and my legs grew weak.

My cheeks blushed, and I fumbled with the conversation. “I-I was calling... I-I mean I was...”

Suddenly, his laughter filled the earpiece, and my palm hit my forehead. I was an utter failure and sucked at this shit. He deserved confidence but I was a mumbling wreck. I completely blew it and waited for him to hang up.

But his voice came back on the line. “You’re calling to accept my dinner invitation this evening?”

“T-this evening? But that’s in a few hours. I don’t even have anything to wear. I...” I grumbled in a nervous mess.

“Don’t worry about that. Text me your address and I will send you something to wear. A beautiful woman like you deserves extravagant things.” Dylan breathed as his voice charmed me and I was in disbelief by the turn of conversation.

I looked over at Paisley, who held her ear near the cell phone. A huge smile spread across her face as she squeezed my shoulders with encouraging excitement. His forward behavior and willingness to continue shocked me. I couldn’t believe he wanted me.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that, Mr. Stark.” I mumbled with flustered delight.

“Yes, I absolutely do, and you will accept my gift because you deserve it. But please call me by my first name.” Dylan Stark said and his tone held power. “I hate being called Mr. Stark. It belongs to my father, and we’re two very different people.”

Idiot.

“Oh, yes, Mr. Stark... I mean, Dylan.” I fumbled and hated myself for being out of practice with men.

“Good, now that sounds so much better.” He chimed, and I could imagine a smile spread out across his handsome face. “I will pick you up at quarter to five and wear that bright shade of red lipstick you wore earlier. It really brings out your eyes.”

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