Jealousy ripped right through me, and I was surprised to feel it when I hardly knew the guy. But I knew this woman was beautiful, and if she got to him first, I would miss my chance. He would go home with her, and they’d spend the night fucking while I went back to my apartment alone. I threw my napkin down and scooted my chair back. “Distract her.”
Christopher grinned from ear to ear. “Got it.”
I walked to his table with my head held high and my shoulders back. It wasn’t like me to chase after a guy, but he was the first guy to give me goose bumps, so I made an exception. His looks weren’t the only thing that attracted me. He commanded the room with his silence, he was chivalrous, and he did more charity work than even me. He was a catch and I knew it.
He was sitting at the table near the stage, his eyes on me the entire time I walked toward him. He didn’t even glance at the other woman who had just been heading his way. Now she was talking to Christopher, and judging by how long their conversation lasted, she was no longer interested in Calloway.
Just by sitting there he looked sexy. His head was tilted slightly to the left, and his blue eyes reflected the jewels in the chandelier above his head. One hand rested on the table next to his empty wine glass, and a black watch was wrapped around his wrist. Without moving his head, he watched me come closer to him.
My heart was beating fast, but I hid my anxiety. I wore the mask I always wore, appearing indifferent despite the range of emotions deep inside me.
He grabbed the chair beside him and adjusted it so I could sit—right next to him. The chairs were only inches apart, and our legs would brush against each other under the table. “I’ve been saving this seat for you.”
I lowered myself into the seat and kept a stoic expression, not reacting to what he just said. “You knew I was coming?”
“I wore my lucky tie, and that thing works like a charm.” He gave me that slight smile, the kind that reached his eyes and gave him a boyish aura. He crossed one leg and rested his ankle on the opposite knee. His chest and shoulders were large, covering the chair that supported his back. Even though he was covered in clothing, the details of his body could be determined by the hug of the fabric. He had a wide and powerful chest, muscled arms, and shoulders that could lift a mountain.
“You should let me borrow it sometime.”
“Not if you’re going to use it for another guy.” His hand rested on his thigh, and the top of it was corded in veins. His forearms were probably the same, masculine with tight muscles. “But I will if you use it on me.”
“I don’t need a tie.” I crossed my legs under the table then poured some wine into his empty glass. I brought it to my lips and took a drink.
He watched me, his eyes growing darker.
I was never this flirtatious with anyone, and I wasn’t even sure what was happening. My hormones took charge, and my mind was dulled.
“Congratulations on your award.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry I took it from you.”
He smiled again, the genuine kind that reached his eyes. “I’m not. You earned it.”
“That’s nice of you to say.”
“And sincere.” He took the wine glass from my hand and took a drink. “Where are you going to put it?”
“In my office at work. I think it’ll look nice.”
“I’m sure it will.”
“Where do you keep yours?”
“In my office on the bookshelf.”
“Want to know something interesting?”
He leaned closer to me, far too close for a work function. “As long as it’s coming from you—always.”
I wondered if he laid these moves on everyone. Even if he did, they worked. I was turning into a puddle at the very moment. “I applied to your company twice a few years ago. Never got an interview.”
His eyes narrowed in surprise. “That’s a shame. We missed out.”
“After that, I opened For All, so everything worked out. But I was so disappointed when I didn’t get the job. It was the first thing I applied for out of college. I’m such an admirer of your work. You do so much for so many people and never expect anything in return.”
“If you’re still interested, I could find you something.”
I smiled at his generosity. “That’s very nice of you, but I’m okay. I love my little company. In fact, I’m glad things worked out the way they did. I love having control in what we do.”
“It’s a great organization. I’ve respected your work for years.”
He might just be saying that, but I suspected he wasn’t. “Thanks. That means a lot.”