Page 11 of Wildest Desire

“Thank you. I do have a sweet tooth.” I take a bite of chocolate mousse and never have I had anything that tasted so smooth in my life. It's so light and silky. I take another spoonful and smile at this simple pleasure.

“Oh my God, that’s good.” I can feel him watching me as I finish the mousse. Putting the small bowl down I look at him. He's leaning back in his chair with his arms across his chest.

“Do you have your planner with you?”

“Yes.” I get up and pull the book from my bag. “I'll let Ms. Jackie know which days I’m with you, so she can book my other clients around everything,” I say. Sitting back down, I notice his body tense.

“How many do you have?”

“Four, including you.” I open my planner up to this week. “So—”

“Tomorrow, I would like you for breakfast and dinner.”

I wish he would let me finish a sentence without cutting me off. “I can do breakfast, but I’m busy in the evening. What time, and where would you like breakfast?” My pen hovers above the page ready to write whatever he says next.

“Here, at eight. Are you with another client tomorrow night?”

I watch him carefully before I say anything else. He's still leaning back in his chair, but there's a visible clench of his jaw. “I don’t have clients in town, but I do have a date.”

His body relaxes a little, but then tenses back up again. “Cancel.”

I look at him in surprise. What? I don’t think so. I need to have sex. It's no longer a matter of want. It has been a few months and I'm now in the need category. I open my mouth to tell him, but he speaks first.

“Cancel it. End of discussion.” He stands up and walks away from me.

I’m left with my mouth wide open. How dare he? I can’t work with him if this is how it's going to be. I'll have to talk to Ms. Jackie about this.

I stand up and put my coat on. “I’ll be here for breakfast, but I won’t be canceling my dinner date.” I turn to face him. He wants to demand I cancel my date, but it’s not happening. I'll stand firm.

“See you at eight.” Ethan opens the door and when I get closer he hands me the bottle of wine I brought with me. “Don’t bring anything.”

Ignoring him, I walk out of the apartment and down the corridor. As I wait for the elevator to arrive, I take my phone out and send a quick message to Ms. Jackie.

Lexi– We need to talk!!

I know Ms. Jackie will fight me about this, but I have a gut feeling that he wants more than what we provide.

Ms. Jackie– Meet you at your place.

Even though it’s late, I knew she would come talk to me.

* * *

As soon as I walk in the door, I go to the kitchen and open the bottle of wine I took with me. I fill my glass up and take a huge gulp. God, I needed that. When the doorbell chimes, I open the door to let Ms. Jackie in. She sits down on the couch and I tell her what's on my mind.

“He wants more, doesn’t he?” I ask. I know he does, but he’s not outright asking for it. Walking over, I sit on the chair and watch her look through her bag.

She looks up and studies me. I can see the answer in her eyes. “I don’t know.” I

f he does want more from me, then why the hell is he being such an asshole to me? I mean, wouldn't you be nice to someone you liked? Does he like me? I finish the wine in one go. My decision is made. I can’t have him as a client anymore.

“He emailed me this. I think he sent it while you were still there.” Ms. Jackie looks down at the pile of papers. “I’ve canceled your breakfast with him and have told him you will need time to think about this. On Thursday, we'll all sit together and talk about it.” She puts the papers on the table and leans back in her chair.

“No.” I look at her. “Answer one question, Ms. Jackie. Why are you bending the rules for him?” Why is she willing to change everything for him when she hadn't for anyone else in the past?

“Ethan is a big businessman in town. His work is always top-notch.” She stops and leans forward. “I can see how much he likes you, but he also knows you would never give him a chance unless he was a client.”

“That's very true. He’s rude. He doesn’t even talk to me—”