Page 41 of Degrees of Control

Jemma left a second time and Charlie couldn’t help it, she giggled. “Come on, you have to admit, that was pretty funny.”

James scowled. Was he irritated a waitress had just hit on her, or just annoyed with her dietary choices? Oh God, what if he was homophobic? Just because Sophia was a bleeding heart liberal that didn’t mean anything. “You’re not…anti-gay or anything, are you?”

James’ jaw clenched. “That how I seem to you?”

Charlie wanted to throw wine in her own face. “No, God no. Just you’re from the south and you look so pissed and…” Her voice trailed off as she contemplated her own silliness.

“My older sister’s gay. I got no problem with gay people, unless they’re hitting on you in front of me.”

“Oh.” Charlie was unsure of how to respond. His sister was gay? The one whose lingerie catalogues he’d pilfered? Strange. She always imagined him being a part of the blondest, most apple pie American family possible. “Are you two close?”

He nodded. “We fell out of contact for a while when she left for college, but we reconnected when I was older. Speak all the time now.”

Holy shit, he’s confiding in you. Be cool.“Does she still live in Texas?”

“Naw, Texas still ain’t a great place to be gay. She lives in Minnesota about two hours outside the city. She’s married now, got a couple of kids.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

Charlie was brimming with questions about his family but James took a big gulp of wine and then fixed her with his hazel eyes. “So youthinkyou’re on a date, huh, Blue-Eyes?”

He used the stern tone he usually reserved for sex, and Charlie’s inner thighs clenched reflexively. “C’mon, don’t tease me. This restaurant makes me nervous.”

“When the man you’re sleeping with takes you out for a fancy lunch it’s a date. That’s all there is to it.”

Charlie squirmed under his too-direct gaze. “I just don’t want you to feel obliged to be my meal ticket.”

“I don’t feel obliged to do anything, ever. I invited you out because I like being around you.”

“Why?” The too-needy question fell from her lips before her brain could fully click into gear.

James shrugged, looking as though this was something he’d tried, and failed, to comprehend. “Don’t know why, just do.”

Ask him. Ask him if he wants to date properly.Charlie opened her mouth but when she looked at him, really looked at him, her bravery snuffed out like a candle. James was almost unbearably handsome in his suit, drinking wine and reclining in his seat like the prince of the universe. Revealing her crush on him at that moment felt not only presumptuous, but laughable.

Their food came and she knew it was delicious, though, in truth, she barely tasted it. Instead, her senses were fixated on the man who sat across from her as though he was the only nourishment she really needed. They were discussing his work when Jemma dropped off her fries with another appraising smile. “Maybe I’ll see you at yoga this week?”

Charlie beamed at her. “Sure.”

Maybe she was being a little devious, but the studio needed all the attendees it could get and a little flirting never killed anyone. James glowered after her for a moment and returned his attention to Charlie. “You always wanted to be a yoga teacher?”

“Pretty much, it’s the only thing I’ve ever really liked. Why?”

James brought a forkful of oxtail to his mouth. “You just seem more ambitious than that.”

Oh, you mean like you, working for your dad in the fancy pants, one percent building?

Charlie decided to keep that inflammatory comment to herself. She shrugged. “I need the experience for now, but I don’t want to work in a studio forever. I’ve got plans to do other things when I get the money and the time.”

“What plans?”

“Just stuff involving schools.”

James looked amused by her evasiveness. “Like what?”

Charlie wished she had some crayons so she could doodle on the tablecloth like a little kid. She knew she was being ridiculous, but James was poking around her dreams and she could barely talk about her dreams with her best friends, let alone someone as intimidating and well-to-do as him. “It’s—you won’t understand.”

“Tell me.” A flash of the power he wielded over her in bed had entered his voice.

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