Page 10 of Night and Day
“Are you inviting me to dinner?” She batted her lashes.
Anton chuckled. “Maybe.”
“Don’t be shy now. Shoot your shot.”
He found himself smiling. Yeah, he was really digging this woman. She was unlike anyone else he’d ever met, and that was a good thing. She certainly wasn’t like some of the women he’d dated in the past, women he met in his line of work or through some networking event. Everyone put on airs, pretending they were more serious than they were because no one wanted a bad reputation in his field.
“If I shoot my shot, we might end up doing something you regret. And when we do something, I don’t want you to regret it.”
She inhaled slowly, chest lifting up and down. “Okay. So, are you definitely inviting me to dinner or is that still a maybe?”
“I’m inviting you to dinner.”
“Then I accept your invitation. Mind giving me a few minutes to change?”
“I don’t mind at all.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She spun around and he had the pleasure of watching her plump behind walk away and disappear into a room. Anton took a seat on the leather couch and waited, glancing at his watch to note the time.
Ten minutes later, Tamika returned, and he was hard-pressed to keep his mouth from dropping open. She’d done a lot in ten minutes. Blinking, he stared in admiration at the way the little black dress fit over her curves and flared out to swirl around her knees. Her short black hair was brushed flat on her head and glossy, giving her a sleek, sexy look. Strappy heels with gold rhinestones added height and showed off red-painted toenails, and she’d also put on more makeup, highlighting her eyes and adding bronzer to her cheeks.
“Don’t look so surprised, Anton. I know how to dress up every now and again.”
“I see,” he said, getting to his feet.
“I hope they have strong drinks at this place.” Tamika led the way to the door.
“I’m sure they do.”
“Good. I’m hungry and I plan to get my drink on.” She turned to face him. “I hope you have a high balance on that card.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “Don’t worry, I got you.”
5
The doorman, an older guy with a thick mustache and wearing a cap to match his dark blue uniform, greeted Tamika and Anton and held the door open for them as they walked into Madison Towers. Upon entering, Tamika blinked in shock, impressed by the stunning interior. The inside of Madison Towers was definitely luxurious and a huge step up from where she and Calvin currently lived.
Large chandeliers hovered above black tile that covered the floor all the way to the bank of elevators. To the right was the bar and restaurant Anton had mentioned. Soft piano music came through hidden speakers, and a couple of women sipped drinks on stools as they chatted up the buff, good-looking bartender.
“Nice, isn’t it?” Anton said.
“Real nice,” Tamika murmured.
They stepped off the tile onto the carpeted floor toward one of the empty round tables, each one surrounded by three orange leather chairs that looked more appropriate for a living room than a restaurant dining room. They sat down where they had a good view, close to a window that showed people rushing along to their destinations, and cars filled with commuters cruising by.
Right away, Tamika ordered a lemon drop, and Anton ordered a Black Russian. They agreed on the appetizer sampler of stuffed mushrooms, salt cod croquettes, and batter-fried cauliflower to start.
When the waitress walked away, Anton loosened his tie. “So, what’s the plan? We sit here and wait?”
“That’s it. Maybe we’ll see them. Maybe we won’t.” She shrugged, pretending to be unbothered.
“Well, since we have some time to kill, tell me about your cosmetics business.”
He faced the lobby, and Tamika sat to his left with her back to the window so she could also keep an eye on the lobby and the bank of elevators.
She sipped her drink, savoring the tart flavor before replacing the cocktail on the table and settling her tush more comfortably in the soft chair. “There’s not much to tell. Right now, my business is online and strictly mail order, but it pays the bills. One day I’d like to be in stores and have a distribution deal with Ulta or someplace like that. I started out mixing batches in my own kitchen, but now I rent space in a commercial kitchen.”
