Page 20 of Tarek

“My god this is beautiful. Are you sure it’s ok for me to be dressed like this here?” she asks. I look behind me only to see her brushing the lapels of her Jacket.

Without hesitation I reach for her small soft hand and place it into mine, not caring what the world sees.

Damon the greeter at the podium, nods and smiles as we enter.

“Damon, have security take care of the gentleman talking to the waitress at table twenty.”

With haste Damon gets to the job.

Penny’s hand tightens in mine while we walk through the dining room.

In my peripheral I can see a red dot moving closer, buzzing quickly between the chairs and tables. Shit what was her name?

The black hair beauty stops in front of me, with a wide wild smile, her eyes drifting to the person behind me.

“Hey, Bella.”

Finally, her stare turns back to me. “Um, we are still on for two right?”

“Is that crystal?” Penny soft voice interrupts.

I turn my gaze to see Penny pointing to the chandelier, one of many hanging from the roof.

Stepping closer I inhale the scent of clean linen, stale perfume and a hint of sweat. Her scent shouldn’t intrigue me, but it does.

“Actually, the chandelier is composed of one thousand hand pulled glass droplets,” I reply.

I feel a small tug on my jacket, it’s the other woman cleaving for my attention. “It was designed by Roman Atielor. Right Tarek?”

I don’t bother to reply, my focus is on Penny and her glittering eyes as she stares at the chandelier.

“You’re not wrong about the crystals. On the strings of the droplets, we do have tiny crystals embedded.” I observe her side profile closer, liking the pert nose, the sprinkle of freckles and her curly red hair line.

“It’s beautiful,” she says.

Not moving my eyes away from her I reply, “Yes, it is.”

Penny’s soft gaze meets mine and dark pink hue hints spreads on her cheek.

Someone clears their throat. Shit, I forgot the 2 a.m. chick.

Turning my body back to …what the fuck is her name?

A forced plastic smile stretches across her face as her eyes flicker from me to Penny and our clasped hands. I quickly pull our hands behind my back.

My fingertips lightly touch her chin, bringing her focus, “Is it two am yet Bella?”

“No but Tarek,” she bites her lips trying to be sexy but her worried gaze strays to my side. Dear god help.

“Well, what are you worrying about Bella,” I smirk knowing that she is simmering down.

“Hi, excuse.” Penny sticks her head out to the side of me and gives a small wave, “Listen, I don’t want to sleep with him. I am just here for the food.” Penny says as she comes to my side and drops her hands.

Both my two-am guest and I stare at her in shock. Why the fuck wouldn’t she want to sleep with me? Does she know who I am?

Penny shrugs. “It’s not like you are not cute, you are. But this is The Glasshouse. Reservations-have-to-be-made-in-advance-hard-to-get-into, a-thousand-dollar-a-course Glasshouse. I am here for the food.”

I blink rapidly, it’s as if my brain stops working from the mere fact that this woman…. doesn’t want to fuck me. Understandably, I don’t expect every woman to want to screw me…. but I expect some attraction, and she has none. Really?

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