Page 54 of Boss On Notice
We stared into each other’s eyes, letting my declaration sink in. The longer we sat there that way, the more something inside me clicked, and then locked, and then the key was given to someone else.
My smile and my soul felt full of resolve. “But maybe we have more of a friend connection.”
“I agree,” he said without pause and then asked, “By the way, are you hungry?” He rubbed his fabulous six-pack, which was perceptible through the shirt he’s wearing. “Because I’m starving.”
I told him I was too and then we got up to find the servers who were carrying the shrimp tempura, and that’s when I saw Orion. A wave of giddy energy rippled through me. I’m hit by another wave of that delicious energy as Orion’s gaze spreads through me and saturates my heart with his desire.
“You look really beautiful tonight.”
I lap him up with my own intense look. “So do you.”
He chuckles a little.
“O!” a guy calls.
We rip our gazes off each other. It’s Ben and he’s with two guys who look familiar.
His buddies are getting close, but Orion takes me by the hand and guides me in the opposite direction.
“Oh, it’s like that, O,” one of the guys says.
“Hello, Delilah,” Ben croons. I recognize his voice.
Every person we pass pays us special attention. Some say hello to Orion, and he doesn’t say it back. He’s focused on where he’s taking me. I can’t believe I’m letting him. All of my vital organs feel like they’re throbbing and my blood has warmed. I want to melt with Orion Lord and it behooves me to resolve this craving before I lose all self-restraint.
We make it to the grand foyer. Earlier I was too nervous to notice the chevron marble flooring, ceiling coffers, and a beautifully ornate chandelier. The design principle is so vintage but also modern. It’s odd that I’m noticing that while in such a heightened emotional state. I think it’s because the atmosphere is so rich, so alien. Suddenly, I get a flash of perspective. We’ve made it to the porch and by the way he’s looking at me, it’s clear what he wants. No matter what Orion says or does, no matter how much I crave him, there will be no sex with the notorious fuckboy.
* * *
“How about wego back to my place?” Orion asks, hands in his pockets as we stand on the porch. He’s leaning into me and I just might lose all my willpower.
I look away from his eyes and connect with tonight’s big beautiful full moon.
“Wow,” I say. “What a night.”
I glance to see that his eyes have followed mine. “It’s beautiful, like you.” But now he’s watching me again and with arousing intensity. “Were you about to go home with Lynx?”
I stiffen, caught off guard by his question. “No.”
Orion studies me as if he’s searching for truth. “Are you coming home with me?”
I’m sensitive to so much as the answer to his question sits on my tongue. I let my chest rise high with each breath reviving me as my pulse races around that moon we’ve just admired. My body craves making love to Orion tonight. But…
“No,” I whisper.
He steps closer, and draws me against him. “Are you certain?”
The hardness of his body is about to sink this determined ship. But I’m standing at a fork in the road. It’s incumbent upon me to make the right decision.
“Do you like me, Orion?” I whisper and then swallow. I watch him intently, feeling like the state of my heart depends on the answer to his question.
“Very much, Lila—very much.”
Ooh…the bliss I’m experiencing is like the best drug. “Then date me.”
When he smirks, a flash of his white teeth makes his mouth look so mouthwatering. I want to kiss him feverishly.
“Date you?”
