Page 40 of Curvy Love

“I thought you agreed to call me Ezra.” He levels a look at me, those ridiculous lips of his curving just a little. “No, you were expecting me.”

“I don’t understand,” I say.

His jaw tightens and then he licks his lips. Those plump lips that I imagined kissing last night as I was falling asleep.

“PsychedelicAlmond, it is very nice to meet you in person,” he says. His rich baritone voice covers me like fudge on a sundae and I melt a little under the heat of it.

“You’re my ZMan?”

One brow cocks, as he nods slowly.

I realize what I said. I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. “TheZMan, not mine. Obviously.”

“I wasn’t complaining at your claim.” He spins my chair to face his, then scoots closer so that our leather executive chairs are pressed together with only my legs in between. His are spread and on either side of mine.

He’s so close, but I can’t quite bring myself to actually look at him.

Confusion is making my mind race and somehow I know actually looking into his Belgian chocolate eyes will not help.

Because as fast as my mind is racing, I’m still having trouble putting this all together.

How is it possible that my ZMan—myZman!—is business shark Ezra Carlisle?

How is it possible that the sweet, unassuming, witty man I’ve been communicating with for months isthisman? This powerful, rich, stupidly handsome god among men?

How did I not figure it out before? How did he not figure it out before? How did…

That’s when it hits me.

The preprinted badge waiting for me at reception—the one hanging around my neck right now—has the name Paisley McLeod printed on it. Which means that, even if I didn’t put it together until just now, the same is not true for him. ZMan did know who I was.

“You knew last night, didn’t you?” I ask.

“I did.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I squeeze my eyes shut again. “And then I said all those things about you, to you. Oh my God.” I think I’m going to hyperventilate. “I should go.” I try to stand, but he stills me with a hand on my knee.

“Paisley, don’t go.”

His thumb absently strokes over my knee making me aware that my skirt has risen slightly. I’m not flashing him by any means, but his hand is partially on my bare skin and it feels divine.

“You’ve made it clear, more than once, that you don’t think very highly of Ezra Carlisle, CEO. That and the anonymity of the app kept me from revealing myself before last night. Then last night I wanted to meet you, I wanted you to see me as a man who you could be attracted to.” He chuckles. “Then you messaged me that I might not have been as bad as you thought, but I was still arrogant and too pretty. I believe those were your words.”

I wince. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was you. Honest Paisley. It’s one of the things I like most about you.”

His thumb continues to slide against my bare flesh. The action is somehow calming and exciting all at the same time. I’m no longer in danger of hyperventilating, but my pulse is still pounding. And my panties have started to notice how good his touch feels. Okay, not so much my panties as my lady bits. It’s a sad testament as to how long it’s been since I’ve gotten any action that a little thumb action on the knee is making me wet.

“I’m the same guy you’ve been chatting with. That’s me. The slick image and photos you see of Ezra Carlisle, CEO are just image. They don’t mean anything.”

I laugh burying my face in my palms. “You’re a billionaire, Ezra. We come from very different worlds. I’m just starting out. You’re practically an icon.”

“You think any of that matters to me?” He reaches up and gently peels my hands from my face. “Why did you tell TheZMan you wanted to meet last night?”

“Because he’s special to me. We’ve become close and I—”

“Do you have feelings for him?”

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