Page 13 of The Owner

“When you put it like that it seems impossible,” I say with a sad laugh.

“Almostimpossible,” he says with a sly grin. “But with you, it’s a certainty. You’ll accomplish it all, I’m sure of it. One day you’ll shock everyone, even yourself.”

I take a sip of wine as I stare at him.

Maybe it’s the wine or the nice atmosphere or the high of winning game one, but I’m feeling closer to him right now than I’ve ever felt with anyone else in my entire life. It feels like we’re connecting on levels I never knew existed.

Heseesme. Through all the bullshit and fake bravado and fear. He sees the real me. And he likes it.

He’s the only one who’s ever gotten me. And for the first time, I believe that he was talking about me when he mentioned soulmates, and for the first time, I believe he may be right.

“Where are you staying tonight?” I ask, trying to hide the desire in my eyes as I stare at him, but failing miserably at it.

“Wherever the wind takes me.”

I lick my lips and lean over the table. “Do you think the wind can bring you to my place?”

His sparkling eyes roam down to my cleavage that I’m shamelessly showing him. “I think I can arrange that.”

“Good,” I say abruptly sitting back up and making eye contact with the waitress. “Check please.”

“What a view,” Brantley says as he walks into my penthouse suite and looks out at the lit-up city sprawled out before us.

I walk over beside him feeling my heart beating in my chest.

“Beauty everywhere I look,” he softly says as he turns to me.

I swallow hard under the intensity of those beautiful blue eyes, wondering if he’s going to kiss me. My mouth waters as I look at his lips, remembering the taste of them.

“Drinks!” I say, suddenly stepping away from him and turning to the bar. “Can I get you a drink? What would you like? I have beer and wine and everything really. Beer. I have beer. Did I say that already?”

“Beer sounds delicious,” he says with a warm smile.

I’m a bit nervous. I’m all fidgety and I can’t seem to stand still. I’ve never done this before—bring a man back to my place.

I’m freaking out a little.

I open the mini fridge behind the bar and wince when I see some beer cans that I think were here when I moved in. I’m not much of a drinker. I’m not even sure if these have expired. Does beer expire?

I take two out, taking the chance.

“Have you lived here long?” he asks as I crack open the cans and pour them into glasses. I nearly spill one when I see him coming over, approaching like a silver fox panther. He’s so smooth. Everything about him is smooth from his looks, to his clothes, to his movements, to the way he paid the bill at the restaurant. He’s an experienced man who knows how to do it all.

“About seven years,” I say as I hand him the beer.

I hold my breath as he takes a sip, but even if it tastes horrible, he smiles and plays it off like it’s good.

“I’ve been to Cincinnati a handful of times.”

“How do you like it?”

“Much better now that I know you’re here.”

I’m feeling flustered as he watches me while he takes another sip. This man is making me dizzy. My brain seems to be glitching all kinds. It’s a new feeling for me and I don’t quite know how to handle it.

I’m usually good around men. I am a boss in a male-dominated field. I’ve called them into my office, chewed them out, fired them, hired them, inspired them… I’ve done everything but have sex with them.

I’m thirty-four, but it’s never happened.

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