Page 229 of The Skeikh's Games

She snorted. “Confident, much? Well, we’ll see about that, Mr. Shaw.”

They both laughed and went back to studying the menu. Ori had no idea what to choose, everything looked absolutely stunning. She leaned over to Milo, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Would this establishment frown on me having two entrees and eating them like a half-starved puma?”

Milo chuckled and put his menu up to hide what he was saying. “Stop talking like that, you’re getting me hot. Also, it’s the only way to eat at this restaurant.”

She grinned at him and sat back, ordering the steak when the waiter arrived. Mile ordered the same and a red for them to share then took her hand.

“Hey…I was wondering if you’d like to stay at my apartment tonight? It’s about time you saw it.”

Ori smiled and pushed away the instant rejection that came to mind immediately. Old habit. Not this time. “I’d love to. Can we stop by my place and pick up some clothes first?”

“Of course.”

They chatted easily throughout dinner – which was exquisite – and when dessert came to the table, they shared the indulgent chocolate ganache, swooning over the sugar rush.

They were enjoying their coffee when Milo suddenly cursed softly under his breath. Ori looked up to see a man with dark blonde hair, small flat gray eyes and a very expensive suit walking towards them. The man glanced at her briefly and Ori flushed as his gaze dropped to her cleavage. The man clapped Milo on the shoulder and greeted him with fake joviality. Ori hated him already. Milo, clearly uncomfortable, introduced them.

“Brandt, this is my girlfriend…Orianna Herd. Ori, this is Brandt Villiers, he manages the music division of the company.”

Brandt aimed his fake smile at her then – as Ori had feared – he rocked back a little when he saw her eyes. Dammit dammit dammit. Ori looked back at Milo nervously. His face was closed, annoyed.

Brandt cleared his throat. “A pleasure. I won’t keep you, my date is waiting. Nice to meet you…Ori. Milo, I’ll talk to you on Monday.”

Milo gave a tight nod then, as Brandt walked away, glancing back at Ori as if he wasn’t convinced he’d seen what he’d seen.

Ori felt sick. Milo signaled for the check and less than a minute later they were in his car.

“I’m so sorry about that, Ori, Brandt is…hell, he’s a jerk. It’s my fault he recognized you. I was listening to the record today and he came in and we were arguing about talent versus instant noodle-pop music.”

“You were talking about me?” Her voice was small, tight. He looked at her and reached for her hand.

“No, sweetheart. We were talking about Astoria Vine.”

And just like that, she relaxed. He got it, he really did. She lifted his hand and pressed her lips to it. “It’s okay….and, um, ‘Orianna‘?” Her voice amused, she grinned at him.

“I panicked. What is Ori short for anyway? I know it’s not Astoria.”

“Gloria.” She smothered a giggle. He looked vaguely appalled.

“Really?”

“No.” And he laughed with her. She linked her fingers with his. “It’s Orianthi.”

“That’s beautiful.”

“Thanks.” They smiled at each other and then Milo was driving into the underground garage of his building. Ori couldn’t help but be impressed at the stylish Art-Deco style of the old building and when they reached his apartment, the loft style of his home, expensively but tastefully decorated, lots of dark wood and muted colors. She walked around the large living room with huge windows, long sofas, a bookshelf stuffed with business books – and she noted with satisfaction – a large selection of fiction and vinyl records.

“You like it?”

She smiled back at him. “It’s gorgeous.”

Milo took her in his arms. “You’re gorgeous. This is just…home.”

“I really love it.”

“Good. Let me show you around the rest of the place.” He said that with a lust-filled smile and hand-in-hand, they walked slowly to his bedroom.

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