Page 17 of Bearly Breathing

“This is incredible,” she said as he poured her some more of the delicious dry white wine he’d ordered.

“Yeah, I love seafood, and it’s impeccable here,” he popped a shrimp into his mouth and she squirmed as he licked the tips of his finger, smiling at her the whole time.

“So, uh, do you travel a lot?”

“Sometimes. Lately, yes.”

“For work?” She asked, curious about him.

“Yes. This is kind of a working vacation. But what about you?”

“I was an administrative assistant for a PR firm in New York, but, uh, I just quit my job actually.”

“Really? Why?”

“Well, it’s kind of embarrassing.”

“Tell me, anyway, Leya,” he seemed genuinely interested, and she’d yet to get it off her chest.

She could trust him, she decided. It was fast and crazy, but she really felt she could. That settled, she went ahead with her tale.

“So, I very stupidly had a small crush on my boss,” the small growl from the other side of the table had her eyes shooting up, but the sound quit before she could question it, “anyway, he turned out to be an enormous jerk,” she noticed him tense, but he didn’t interrupt her.

She continued, and before they were finished eating, she’d told him the entire story. Even the embarrassing bits.

“Not to be a dick or anything, but I’m glad.”

“That my boss was an asshat?”

Confusion warred with anger over his blunt statement. Why would he be glad someone had treated her so shitty?

“Hell yeah, I am glad, Leya. If he’d been half a man, kind to you, or nice in any way, then you wouldn’t be sitting here with me. Of course, I’d happily kick the shit out of him for insulting you that way.”

Happiness welled up inside of her at his admission. He seemed to feel pretty strongly for having just met her. That was good. It meant whatever magic was making her feel this way, wasn’t one-sided.

How long does it take to fall for someone anyway? Fall in like, not love. Too soon for love.

“That’s a good answer, Marcus,” he returned her smile.

“So, I’ve decided to make this vacation a series of new experiences for myself. The first thing I did was dump my suitcase and buy new clothes. You might have noticed the way I looked when I first arrived-”

“Not to sound like a jerk, but I noticed you-”

“Oh no, in the green-couch outfit? It was hideous!” She hid her face and grimaced when he gently tugged her hands down.

“Not that I’m complaining about that sexy dress you have on, because fuck yes, it looks a damn sight better than that green outfit, but the truth is Leya, the way you dress isn’t as important as who you are.”

OMG. New panties needed at table five! Heat pooled in her belly and travelled to her core. He was absolutely perfect. The things he said! The way he looked. How he made her feel. My oh my, maybe, just maybe…

“I guess I always dressed according to what fit me. It’s not easy being a plus size in a size zero world.”

“I don’t know from sizes, I just know you look amazing. You should wear what makes you feel good about yourself.”

“Even if it leaves some parts of me exposed?” She blushed as she looked down at the ample cleavage on display and noted the way his eyes riveted to that exact spot and his lips parted.

“Honey, covering any part of you up is a goddamned crime.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, Marcus, it makes what I’m about to ask you a little easier.”

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