Page 53 of Love Not Qualified

“Good evening, Mr. Graves.” A woman small of stature nodded her head at him, a pleased smile playing on her lips. Her eyes found her way to me, a curious stare quickly analyzing me from head to toe. The woman didn’t give me much thought and turned her attention back to my boss. “I’ll take care of you,” she told him. “Wait here,” the woman directed the words at me.

She started walking away, and I tried my best not to feel ashamed, but it was hard to do so when she was right. I looked like an outsider in this place, especially next to him.

I bit my tongue, stopping any comments from escaping my mouth. I wasn’t here to embarrass him, but to present him with my idea.

“She’s with me,” I heard him say and watched how the woman turned around in shock.

She blinked a few times, her eyes jumping from me to Mr. Graves. “I’m so sorry, I’ll get you to a table of two right away.”

We followed the woman, and I couldn’t lie that the smallest ounce of satisfaction didn’t jolt through my body. Even though I was expecting him to say something like this—because what could’ve he done? Leave me at the door, eat, and then find me?

Mr. Graves took a seat on the white chair and I made my way to the couch in front of him with a shaky smile on my lips.

“See if there’s something you like.” He pointed at the integrated screen in the tables as soon as the waitress left us alone.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry.”

He was still looking at the menu as he talked. “A glass of wine, perhaps?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t like wine.”

Mr. Graves hit order on his tablet and met my gaze, his piercing eyes fixing me. “How do you feel about rum?”

NINETEEN

TRISTAN

And there went my attempt to last this one night without a single drop of alcohol. Initially, I suggested something to drink because Haelyn seemed so stiff it made me tense. Now, I couldn’t bring myself to stop. Maybe it was because neither of us said a word since we got inside. I felt the urge to put my lips to use, if not to talk about what she seemed so thrilled to communicate that it couldn’t wait until tomorrow.

Now she had a zipper on her mouth—that beautiful mouth, with rough edges and plumped lips, begged to be bitten. Even her dark skin smoothed under my eyes, a temptation that implored me to be experienced.

If it wasn’t for the circumstances of our relationship—which was entirely professional—I might’ve allowed myself to give this attraction between us a chance. Because I knew she was attracted to me. She might’ve not said it, but her eyes told me more than her mouth ever could.

I knew right there that the promise about not mixing work with pleasure was going to be hard to keep with her around. It would’ve been a lot easier if she was beautiful and nothing more, but Haelyn was different. She was smart, devoted, and unlike any other woman I spent my time with, a comfortable presence.

Bringing her to Yora ruined any ease between us and I knew I shouldn’t have when I looked at her. Haelyn’s gaze was in her lap as her teeth sank into her bottom lip, constant stress touching every feature of hers.

In all honesty, I didn’t give much thought to where to take her because most of my employees would’ve been over the moon to join me in a restaurant like this one. I was sure Haelyn would as well.

The last thing I wanted was to unintentionally insult her which I think I did by simply walking into this place.

I got up to my feet, buttoning my coat. “Let’s get out of here.”

Her round eyes snapped to mine as her mouth parted open. “What?”

“Come on.” I took out my credit card and glued it to the table, the beeping sound going off as the payment was done. “Wait for me in the car, I’ll grab something from the kitchen.” My hand stretched to her with the car key in it.

“Um…” She rolled it between her hands, probably looking for a button.

“It’ll open when you get close to it.”

“Got it.” Haelyn took her purse and marched to the exit, clearly eager to get out of this place.

I sighed, then walked to Sebastian’s office, stopping by the kitchen to order two meals. “Paulo.” I lifted a hand, and the chef looked at me. A warm smile instantly brightened him and Paulo walked to the small window.

“Tristan, what can I help you with?”

“Two of my favorite.”

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