Page 2 of Say You're Mine

“My mama loved Greek mythology.” He lets more of his Southern drawl flood out. “A lot of people don’t catch it.”

“The drawl, or the meaning of the name?”

“Both.”

2

EROS

Iwait, letting the one word hang in the air between us. It doesn’t bother me in the least. I can sit in silence next to her and take every inch of her in. I already have her features memorized, though.

The second I spotted the dark-haired beauty, I hadn't been able to take my eyes off her. Which annoyed me. Not because I didn’t want to watch her. Iverymuch did, but I didn’t want to come off as a creep.

Then when the groom, Caleb, filled me in on who she was, I thanked every god my mom ever taught me about. This is the girl that Caleb called in a favor for. He’d asked if I had an opening for work. He explained that he had accidentally gotten a girl fired and was trying to fix it to make it up to his fiancée. Said he’d owe me one if I did him a favor.

When I asked why he didn’t just hire her himself, he told me she was a bit different and that my office might be a better fit. That had intrigued me, but I’d agreed. Caleb never needs favors, and it would be worth the hire. I also knew he wouldn't send me someone completely incompetent.

We went to college together and have randomly kept in contact. I was shocked as hell when he told me he was getting married. The man is the grumpiest fuck I have ever known. That is also why when I got my invitation in the mail for the wedding, I RSVP’d instantly. There was no chance in hell I was missing him tying the knot.

I'm guessing with the way those dark eyes rimmed in full lashes, making them even darker, are assessing me and holding the hint of a glare that she has no clue who I am. I want to keep it that way for now.

I hope to understand the true essence of her before she finds out who I truly am. I don’t want the façade people often put on when interacting with their boss. My office doesn’t run that way, but it will take her time to get adjusted. I'm normally a patient man. Good things come to those who wait. Right now, I find myself lacking that virtue.

Caleb must be rubbing off on me. He's the bull in the china shop that growls. I take my time and enjoy the ride. It can take you a lot of places if you let it. However, I already know where I want to go this time.

Lev shifts in her seat again. She might be petite, but I can still see the slight curve of her breasts, the teal bra under her blouse teasing me. There is a flare to her hips that makes me want to reach over and grab them.

I’d easily pluck her up from her chair and put her in my lap. She has the kind of hips that make a man have ideas. Ideas that will lock you to them in every way. I’ve never felt that before today. Before her.

The lingering silence is affecting her, not me. Finally, a slow smile pulls at the corner of her plump, red, shiny lips. Lips I'm sure people pay out the ass for, but I can tell everything about Lev is all natural. Even the makeup she applied to accentuate her features remains authentic to who she is.

“Did you come over here to hit on me?”

“I came over because it’s easier to stare at you when I’m next to you than from across the room.” She posed a direct question, but I believe Lev is anything but straightforward. If she was, she wouldn’t be throwing up so manydon’t fuck with mesigns.

She’d simply say it when someone tried to talk to her. But I get the sense she wants you to be direct back or at least appear that way. If I told her all the things I have thought about doing to her since I saw her, she’d smack me across the face. Again, very not like me. My mother would have my ass. I’ll have to keep those thoughts locked up tight…for now.

"And why are you staring at me?" Her eyes roam up and down me. I wonder if my size bothers her. I’m at least a foot taller than her.

"You're a beautiful woman."

"Right." Lev rolls her eyes. She puts her elbow on the table, leaning closer to me. I match it, leaning over toward her. The smell of lilac and vanilla wafts off her. I take a deep breath, wanting to breathe her in. "I know I'm not"—she motions with her hand toward the reception—"like you guys, but that doesn't make me a cheap, easy lay."

"I'm not going to sleep with you." Yes, I know where I want to go, but still, as I said, the best things are worth the wait. And littledoes she know I don’t just plan to sleep with her; I plan for her to be my forever.

Lev starts to lean back, but I catch her, my hand cupping the back of her neck to keep her in place. Those dark eyes widen in surprise. I'm sure she didn't see that coming. When you’re calm and relaxed, no one ever expects it. Her silky hair brushes against my hand, and it's even softer than it looks. So is her skin. I think all of her is, inside and out, but she tries to hide it.

"Not tonight, and not until you ask." Her lips part in a small, silent gasp. One day I'll get it to make a sound. I stroke the back of her neck twice before letting her go. I lean back into my seat. Lev stays still for a moment before she scoots back into her own chair. I miss her smell already.

"Aren't you supposed to say beg?" She shakes her head, giving me another one of those eye rolls. "You're not going to fuck me until I beg."

"I never said fuck." Oh, I will fuck her, but not the first time.

"You know what I mean. Not till I beg you."

"No, Lev." I give her a soft smile. "I'd never make you beg. All you ever have to do is ask."

3

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