"Oh, it's you."
The reluctant tone accompanying that simple statement nearly broke his heart, slapping him in the face.
Fuck! He wanted her to shout to the world in happiness when he showed up. This, however? It was as if she didn't give a toss if he were here or not.
Mia tilted her head to one side to take a peek behind him to see if her brother was there. When she didn't see any sign of Andy, she returned her attention to James and said, "I thought you were Andy just now."
It was hard to control this odd, envious feeling he had in his heart where Mia's love and devotion were concerned. It was alien to him, and fuck, he just didn't know what to do.
Andy! Andy! Andy! He had no doubt no one would ever be able to replace that beloved Andy's position in Mia's heart.
He cleared his throat. "Are you ready for lunch?"
She hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm waiting for Andy." Then she brightened up. "We could all go to lunch together when he arrives."
Like hell that's going to happen, James thought sourly. "He's busy with Matt."
He didn't bother to explain the circumstances. Matt was surely at this very moment fucking Andy senseless in the office.
"Is he?" she asked.
James didn't miss the look of disappointment on her lovely face.
"Well, he did say he has personal business," she said. "Maybe it's with Matt." She nodded in understanding.
"Come on," he urged.
"Hold on. I'll just get my things," she said and rushed away to retrieve her wallet.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 35
Mia
There was definitely something wrong about James. I could feel it in my gut. Though his face was as stern and expressionless as ever, I could still sense something was amiss.
Once again, I took a peek at him, and instantly, my heart skipped a beat. Gazing at that handsome man and standing so close to him in the small space of the elevator did nothing to ease my fascination and craving for him. My foolishness of molesting him in his sleep last night did nothing to soothe the sudden urge of wanting him the moment I'd seen him at the door just moments ago. Even though I did vow to myself last night would be the very first and last time I'd do such an embarrassing and naughty thing.
But it was quite nice to be naughty sometimes. The feelings of just letting go and doing whatever you desired most was quite nice. Apparently, making love to James while he was still deep in slumber was one of those things for me.
Even right now, all I wanted to do was to kiss him and throw myself into his arms. But of course, that was a stupid thing to want to do because it looked as though I didn't even exist at the moment. He was quiet and staring straight ahead, his expression dark, as though he had something troublesome on his mind.
I wanted to break the icy atmosphere hanging heavily between us and work to warm it up. The only subject I could think of was food. "Where are we having lunch?"
That drew his attention, and he flicked his eyes to me with an amused smile. Even if it was for the briefest second, it was still something, and I smiled in return, pleased.
"What do you feel like eating?" he asked.
My eyes brightened with delight. I hadn't had Chinese for ages, since Andy's nineteenth birthday last year in fact. Of course, Andy and I had hardly eaten out because, well, there just wasn't any money to do that.
"Chinese please," I said with glee.
He laughed. I knew I must have sounded like a kid who got very excited when she got her first smartphone for Christmas or something, but I couldn't help myself.
The door dinged open, and James and I stepped out into the busy lobby packed with guests. James was heading toward the entrance of the restaurant section of the hotel, and I happily followed.
In no time at all, we were seated in one of the fanciest Chinese restaurants I'd ever been to, which of course hadn't been many. Just two in my twenty-two years.
This particular establishment was called Beijing Fusion. The smell that greeted me as we came through the door was mouthwatering.
The staff, both front and back of house, were friendly and efficient. After we ordered, our food arrived promptly, still steaming hot. We had sweet-and-sour pork, crispy pork, Chinese green vegetables and mushrooms in oyster sauce, and chow mein.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the meal tremendously, though I couldn't say the same about my lunch companion. He kept watching me while I ate as though he found me fascinating. Or maybe he thought a little thing like me eating so much was disgusting. But I couldn't help myself. I loved food, so there. He could judge me all he wanted.
It was an hour and half later when we left the restaurant. I was making my way toward the elevator, intending to head back up to find Andy, when James caught me by the wrist and led me instead to the main entrance.
"Where are we going?" I asked, staring up at him.
"Shopping," he said. I noted the slight, amused smile on his lips.
"Why?"
He gave me a onceover. I could see the scowl on his face. He wasn't happy about something.
"So you don't like the dress I bought you? Or my shirt?"
I understood the meaning behind his words and blushed profusely. "It's too big for me." I defended myself. "The shirt I mean."
"So is that one," he said. "Andy's?"
"Yes," I replied. "But this one isn't as big."
We were outside now, and James's sports car was brought around for him. The valet handed him the key, and James ushered me into the passenger seat. A few moments later, he drove out.
We were in the midst of the thick traffic when James said, "Do you and Andy always share clothes?"
He sounded perplexed. I couldn't blame him. Normally, we didn't, but now and again, I'd wear Andy's shirt just because mine was in the wash or something. It was no big deal.
"Nope," I said.
James was quiet again after that.
Some twenty minutes later, I found myself in one of the coolest shopping malls ever. It was called The Nevada, the name of the state itself. It was humongous and six stories high, with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. It was busy, jam packed with happy people who couldn't wait to part with their hard-earned or not-so-hard-earned money.
James led me along the main lobby and then into the elevator with a group of other people. He pulled me close and made sure I stayed there by wrapping his arms over me. It was odd, but I had a nagging feeling at that moment, as if we were out as a couple on a date.
As the lift ascended, I turned my eyes to look up at him. He returned the gaze, even with a small smile for me. It was enough to make my heart flutter with joy and my body shiver with delight.
The door dinged open and people walked out, ourselves included. James led me along a series of women's clothing stores. Very expensive-looking shops. Then he stopped at about the fifth one. I glanced up and noted the name Fleur written in glittery pink. A very feminine name for a boutique. From the pieces I saw displayed in the window, the stuff here was so chic I knew in my gut it'd cost anywhere above the hundred-dollar mark per item.
"This one," he said.
"This one? Oh my God," I said under my breath. "James, I can't afford to buy clothes, let alone the ones in this shop. You know that."
With his hand tight around my wrist, he led me in. "I'm paying for it," he said in a tone that demanded no argument.
I was shocked yet pleased at the same time. Of course, I did tell him only yesterday I couldn't afford to replenish my wardrobe and was pleased he bought me the cute dress that was currently neatly folded and resting in Andy's section of the wardrobe. But surely James wasn't going to buy me more?
I couldn't say a word as he introduced me to the sales woman. Rose, who I assumed to be in her late thirties, smiled pleasantly at me and whisked me away for a grand tour of the fancy shop, taking out beautiful dresses and blouses and skirts for me to try on. James, on the other hand, made himself scarce the moment I turned my back on him.
>
Alone with Rose, in no time at all, I had a huge piles of clothing to try on. She ushered me around to the back where the changing rooms were located.
I stared wide-eyed in admiration, as the place was beautiful and classically decorated to make clients feel welcome and at the same time like a princess.
Rose opened the last door of the five changing rooms for me. She helped me hang up the clothes before leaving me to it.
Alone, I glanced around in appreciation. There was a long mirror to the back, allowing clients to admire themselves. Then, of course, I gazed at myself and sighed.
"Time to try these on," I said, knowing this would take a while. Perhaps that was why James had left? Because he knew it'd take a while. And perhaps he had business to attend to?