Page 7 of Three More Shots
“No, not at all. I just want…” Hell, I don’t even know what I want or why I’m doing this. Why I like this lady or care about her and her kid. I can’t explain it, but I’m doing it just the same. “…to have lunch with you.”
Yeah, she thinks the idea's as crazy as I obviously am. Blinking a few times to clear the tears I caused earlier, and maybe her head too from the anxiety and confusion I’m causing her. “You want to have lunch with me?”
My body relaxes too. She’s finally getting it despite the astonishment squeaking in her voice. Thank fuck. “Yes.”
Seconds pass, and she continues to stare at me. A growing frown draws down her gorgeous face. “Me and you?”
“Yes.”
Simple. Straight forward. Succinct.
“Thank you, Mr. Dominico, very much, but I…I probably should go and get back to work.”
But not successful. She said no. I’m the damn CEO of this company. The fucking boss of this city, and she turns me down so she can work? She’s got to be fucking kidding me.
No joke. She stands as if dismissed, and now I’m pissed. No one tells me no. “It’s not a request, Corinne.”
My words and tone are harsher than I intend with a timid woman like her. She must think so too from her stumbling back and bumping into her chair. Fuck.
“But my lunch break isn’t until noon, and it’s only…” She glances at the narrow silver watch on her tiny wrist. “…eleven fifteen. I’m not supposed to leave until then.”
Her flushed face lifts to mine, pleading with me to believe her. To accept her reason. To let her go. Someone this innocent, this sweet, this pure shouldn’t be with a man like me. But it’s too damn late to go back now. “No worries.”
I stride to the door and almost bump into Faye, who’s been hovering in anticipation of my failure and is ready to swoop in and rescue her friend. “Call Corinne’s boss to let him know she’s in a meeting with me, and let Roberto know we’re on our way.”
A small smile eeks out from my directives. I guess she’s pleased Corinne isn’t more harmed than just a few tears, realizing I’m not a total brute. Well, at least not in this exact second.
“Of course.”
I turn back to my date, who is already shaking her head.
“I really appreciate the offer, but I don’t think this is a good idea. Thank you for everything. Have a good day, okay?”
I’ve done nothing but make her fear me. Her expectations must be pretty low. Too damn low. I finally get to feel her soft skin when she tries to brush past me, and I grab her arms, not hard enough to hurt her, but enough to stop her. “Wait, Corinne.”
Both of us stare at my hands wrapped around her biceps. Huge compared to her slender form. Unable to stop myself, I brush my thumbs across the muscle, stifling a groan in my chest from her breathless gasp. I could get used to that response from my touch too. “Please come with me.”
Of course, she can’t say no now, not with me manhandling her. Not with her in my clutches. Changing tactics works a little. The politeness of my words seems to impact her even more than my insistent grasp, and she softens under my grip, giving me a small nod. Not enthusiastic, but not totally repulsed either. “Okay, but I need to get my purse first.”
Another perk of being located in the executive wing is very few people are in the hallway as we walk down the corridor together. Only one assistant glances up and returns to his work when he sees I’m not coming for him or his boss. For the best, since Corinne’s head hangs low, looking like a damn prisoner being marched to her death. Yet for as wrong as even a man like me knows this is, I can’t make myself release her. I slide my hand to the small of her back. My fingers fit perfectly, like I knew they would. “Thank you for accompanying me. It’s a great place. You’ll love the food.”
Silence. In the elevator, as we ride down. On her floor, when she grabs her bag and blushes violently from the stares of the other ladies in the cubicles around hers. In my vehicle, while I drive us to my favorite place that I hope will become hers soon too.
No questions or comments. Just stares straight ahead. Which somehow makes me like her even more. She doesn’t try to impress me or interrogate me. Lets me do all the work. Foreign to me as much as I am to her.
I remember to be chivalrous once we park and open her door for her. I don’t let go of her slight hand as I guide her through the bar to my booth. Surprise scrunches her expression to find the table empty in the already bustling restaurant, full of familiar faces, including three of my guys. While they take care of anyone who dares to interrupt, I can concentrate on her.
She slides quickly across the black leather, tucking her skirt around her legs. Well-mannered and ladylike. I sit as close as I can without actually touching her. My arm curls on the cushion behind her, while my other hand rests on the table, ensuring her I’m not going to fucking attack her in our secluded spot.
Already so tiny, she seems to shrink even farther into herself from me hulking next to her, fixated once again on her hands in her lap. I know I’m intimidating her, but I don’t give a damn. She’ll get used to me soon enough.
Kyle approaches, giving me a deferential nod and sets down my scotch. Full and neat just the way I want. “Good morning, sir. What can I get for the lady?”
That’s why I like this guy. No bullshit small talk, just focuses on why we’re here. “She’ll have?”
“May I have an ice water please?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
