Page 11 of Deny Me

Four

The following weekend, I sat across from a date, watching his lips move but not taking in any of the words he was saying.

Taylor had asked me on a date a couple of weeks ago. He was an amazing-looking man that I frequently ran into at the coffee shop close to my apartment. Finally, he had approached me and we’d started talking. He was nice, if not a little arrogant, in a pretentious way. He wore designer suits for whatever his job was had mentioned the brand to me a few times in passing. As a designer, I couldn’t help but be a little impressed.

I think he thought he was being subtle about sharing that he could afford Dolce and Gabbana. But other than his good tastes, I wasn’t impressed by his money. I was a successful woman who could make her own badass clothes.

But he looked like Scott Eastwood and I wouldn’t mind sleeping with him. So, I agreed to a date with him. When we first pulled up to a place that specialized in hot dogs, I thought I was going to turn around and tell him to not waste my time. But it ended up being a high-end place and I had to give him brownie points for originality. I’d been on a lot of dates, and not one had found such a unique place to take me.

I felt like his brownie points came in the form of my brand new red pumps that made my legs look fantastic. I knew they were the right choice when he greeted me at the door to my building, staring me up and down. “You look amazing,” he had greeted me with a soft kiss to the cheek. I tried to remember the way he made me feel when his eyes first took me in at the coffee shop, but sitting across from him, listening to him talk about his bank job, I was bored.

No matter how hard I tried to focus on the man in front of me, my mind kept wandering. I found myself looking around the restaurant, cataloging women’s dresses, running through ideas for Lu’s dress.

“So, Evelyn. Where do you work?” he asked, lifting his glass of red wine to his lips. His question pushed through the fog and pulled me out of my wandering thoughts.

“I’m a freelance fashion designer.” I put my fork down in anticipation of him allowing me to talk. In all fairness, it became easy to zone out when he did all the talking.

“Interesting.” His squinted eyes and tone implied interesting was not meant in a good way. “Why freelance?” I ignored his condescending tone and gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was just curious.

“I knew freelance was a risk, but I couldn’t resist the idea of being my own boss. I’m a powerhouse, running everything. I make my own rules and chose my career path. I have to admit that it’s worked out pretty damn well for me.”

“Of course you’re a strong woman. That’s what drew me to you. That, and the way those toned legs look in a pair of heels. That’s what caught my eye originally,” Taylor delivered smoothly, reminding me of the sexy, accomplished man before me, making me eager to move on into the main event of the night: to get laid. “But I can see the benefits of owning your own business. It’s very admirable to take on such an accomplishment. You know if you ever needed help getting a loan, I work at a bank and would love to help you set up a business.”

Typical man, thinking a woman needed him to reach her success. My mother taught me better to stand on my own and never rely on a man. I guess it was sweet of him to offer. He began talking again while I stuffed my face with hotdog and continued watching the women passing by on the street.

I like the way her straps cross in the back. What about that pencil skirt, except looser, in a chiffon and longer? I love that shade of rose. It would complement Lu’s dark hair perfectly.

Damn, I wished I’d brought my sketchpad.

“Have you lived in Cincinnati long?”

His question pulled my attention back to him. “For about ten years. I came here to go to college at UC.”

“Good college.” As if I needed his approval. The University of Cincinnati had one of the best design programs in the country. It was better than ‘good’. “But ten years isn’t long enough to know the best spots. Maybe I can show you around and let you in on the hidden gems of our city. You know Vine Street used to be a scary place, but now it’s got great restaurants. Like…”

I wonder if Lu would want gem-colored dresses for bridesmaids? Aquamarine would be fantastic for the beach.

I began questioning if I wanted to bother sleeping with Taylor since I couldn’t even keep my focus on him for a short conversation. Instead, I stared at his lips moving as he listed off his knowledge. We hadn’t even kissed yet. And while he was sexy like Scott Eastwood, his lips were a little thin. Jameson had full lips that felt like soft pillows pressing against your skin.

“Have you heard of King’s?” Taylor asked. Apparently he had moved on to listing off local bars.

The mention of King’s brought Jameson to the forefront of my mind. The past few days, I kept thinking back to the times he roughly covered my mouth with his hand and played back. The past few weeks had shown me a new side to him. At first I was sad to lose to him when he challenged me, but then I got excited about the bigger challenge. It was like a game of sexual chicken. Who would back down first? Not me, that was for sure. I wanted all up on that man. He was the one that wanted a relationship with the sex. I wondered if he would since he was dating that new chick.

Shit!He asked me a question. What was it? King’s! That’s right.

“Yeah, my best friend’s brother owns it.”

“Fascinating.” My face contorted in confusion. It wasn’t very fascinating, but okay. “Maybe we could finish up here and head there for drinks.”

Internally, I rolled my eyes, not wanting to drag out any more conversation. And I didn’t want to deal with Jameson’s judgy eyes. He always made his disapproval of my dating lifestyle be known. He was traditional, and according to Lu, he has only become more traditional, looking to settle down.

“Why don’t we just go back to my place for drinks,” I said making a decision to at least take it one step further to remind myself why I wanted to sleep with him. I reached over, dragging my finger down the back of Taylor’s hand sensually and biting my lip. When he looked up, I winked and licked my swollen lips. He talked a lot, but I could keep his mouth busy in other places. When he smiled, his dimple reminded me how much he looked like Scott Eastwood and it sparked my desire. Hopefully, when he kissed me, it would turn to into a roaring flame and could burn these thoughts of Jameson from my mind.

“Yeah, yeah. Okay,” he stammered, lifting his hand for the check.

When we stood to walk toward the car, I wrapped my arm through his and began stroking the inside of his bicep as my breasts pressed into the outside of his arm.

We made our way to where he’d parked his car and I stared at everyone walking past us. Some were dressed up for the night out, some were being catcalled by the homeless men lurking in the entrances of buildings. Despite my rush to have Taylor get me home, I slowed my pace and checked out more outfits.

When he reached past me to open his car door, he leaned down to press his lips to mine. In that moment, a tall brunette in a cream lacy crop top and mini skater skirt walked past, pulling my gaze toward her, which caused his lips to brush my cheek. He took advantage and trailed his lips down my neck, but I was too entranced with the ideas bombarding me for Luella’s wedding dress. She’d said unique and vintage and all of a sudden I knew what to do.

I pulled back from Taylor, pushing him back from me as I stepped backwards on the sidewalk. “Actually, I’m sorry, but never mind the drink.” He stood there with wide eyes, frowning at my retreating form. But I had to get home. I had to get this idea down. “Something came up. But let’s do this again sometime. ‘Kay?”

Lu was going to love this. Evelyn, you are a genius!

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