“Hey,” I say, seriously. “Come here.”
“Nah ah ah,” he says shaking his finger at me. “I know exactly what will happen if I get in bed with you and it won’t be good for my business or reputation.”
I throw the sheet off me exposing my naked body to the sunlight. I definitely have his attention now. “Weaver,” he says, a warning in his voice. “Play fair.”
I stretch my body from head to toes on the bed, and then touch my breasts, rubbing them slowly. I run my hands down my body, past my tummy, and bring them to rest at my belly button. Chris’s eyes are laser-focused on my hands, and he’s completely forgotten about his coffee now.
“All I’m asking is for you to sit with me for a minute so we can talk. If you sit down, I promise these hands won’t move an inch. Cross my heart,” I say, drawing an X over my left breast.
Chris doesn’t look convinced, but he comes over and sits at the side of the bed. His hands folded in his lap. “I really do have to go to work, Weaver. I promise I don’t want to but…”
I stop him. “I’d love for you to get back in bed with me, but I don’t have the time either,” I say, pulling the sheet up and over me to let him know I’m serious. “I just wanted to say thank you. Last night was amazing. I haven’t been on a date in ages, and last night was perfect,” I say. “Actually, I could have done without the detour in the bar, but everything before and after…especially after, was special.”
“You’re welcome,” he says, taking my hands in his and kissing them. “Let me tell you, though, you haven’t seen anything yet. I have plans for us, baby.”
“What, like the girlfriend treatment Chris? Oh la la,” I jest, but he gets a weird expression on his face and I instantly regret so casually throwing out that word: girlfriend. “It’s just a joke,” I say quickly. “Why do you look so serious?”
He leans down and kisses me, and I feel it turning into something neither of us has time for. “It just seriously turns me on to hear you call yourself my girlfriend. I like it. That’s all. Say it again.”
“I’m your girlfriend,” I purr, trying to be extra sexy.
“I like it,” he says. He stands and grabs his coffee and briefcase and heads toward the door. Before he opens it, he turns back to me. “I’ll be back at five. Can you be here, wearing exactly that, when I return? I left the extra key by the bed.”
I get up on my knees, letting the sheet fall off of me, and salute him. “Aye, aye Captain Boyfriend. I’ll be right here.”
His eyes drag over me slowly, before he lets out a slow breath. “This day better fly,” he says as the door closes behind him.
As soon as Chris leaves, I hop out of bed and jump in the shower. As much as I’d like to enjoy the morning, lounging in a plush bathrobe in the Plaza Hotel, I have plans with Kate. As I zip myself back into my skirt, and stuff my stained tights in my purse, I try to make myself presentable in the mirror. This outfit doesn’t necessarily scream Walk of Shame, but really, I wouldn’t even care. Boyfriend. Girlfriend. Dating. Those words zip around my head and fuel me as I brush my teeth and comb my knotted hair. Even though Kate’s distrustful of Chris, I can’t wait to tell her all about last night. Sure, I’ll need to politely listen to all the latest truffle news from Arkansas first, but I’m sure Kate will share my excitement.
One final glance in the mirror and I’m ready to hit the freezing city streets for my trip uptown. But then there’s a knock at the door. I consider ignoring it, but whoever’s on the other side is persistent. As soon as I open the door, I regret it. It’s Ryan, Chris’s brother.
“Well hello, hello,” he says, laughter in his voice. “You weren’t what I was expecting. Is my brother here?” he asks, already walking into the room. I stay at the door and hold it open. I have to leave, and I also don’t trust this guy as far as I can throw him.
“You just missed him,” I say, not moving an inch. “He left for a meeting about twenty minutes ago.”
Ryan doesn’t acknowledge me at all. He walks around the room slowly, looking at the messy bed, peeking out the window. I’m holding my breath hoping he won’t sit down.
“I thought we could share a cab to the meeting. I didn’t realize that you two…” he gestures to the bed and then nods slowly, almost like he’s giving me his approval. “So how exactly do you two know each other? I didn’t exactly catch the entire story last night.”