Conceited (Crimson Elite 3)

“The response to the article has been overwhelming.” To say the least.

“That’s good, right?”

I nod my head, not letting him know about the emails. “Yes. So much so I was wondering if I could ask you just a few more questions.”

He sits back in his seat and looks at the table then to me. “How about, you eat and tell me more about yourself. Then after, for dessert, you can ask me whatever it is you please.”

I smile at him. “I like the sound of that.”

“You like chicken, right? Most women do, so I took the pleasure of ordering for you.”

Two plates arrive at the table and one is placed in front of me. I see the peas on the plate and automatically want to vomit. I look up to Tom, and he smiles as he starts cutting into his steak with mash and fries.

Damn, I want that.

He asks me a few questions, but mainly talks about himself. I bet he hasn’t been on a date before where a woman wasn’t the least bit interested in talking about him. I bet every other woman would pick his brain for every little detail there is to know. Me, well, the details I want to know have nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the club.

“You hardly ate.”

The waiter takes away my plate.

“I’m saving room for dessert.”

A short time later two cheesecake slices are placed in front of us.

Great, I hate cheesecake too.

Why can’t it be chocolate cake? Can you ever go wrong with chocolate? I think not.

“I just want to know… the guy you spoke of, could you describe to me what he looks like?”

“You sure you don’t want anything else? You aren’t even eating your cheesecake?” He avoids the question.

“No, thank you.”

He stands and walks around to where I’m seated, leans down and his mouth lingers on my cheek. “I would invite you back to my place.”

I turn ever so slightly but not so he can touch my lips. “I have to get home.”

“Maybe we can do this again soon?”

I cringe. This is not what I wanted. A damn date. I came for the sole reason to gain information from him. That didn’t happen. Well played, Tom, well played.

“We can see.”

Tom clicks his fingers and his bodyguard stands, opens up the curtain, and waits for him. “I would offer you a ride home, but you insisted to meet me here, so I suspect you drove. It was a pleasure to have you in my company tonight, Ariel. I hope you will allow me the same pleasure again. Until then, I bid you goodnight and sweet dreams.” He kisses my cheek, and I hold back the urge to wipe it off the minute his lips leave my skin. I smile at him when he leaves and stay seated until I see him and his entourage walk out the door.

Pressing call, I ring my boss. “He gave me shit all.”

“See him again.”

“I don’t want to, I don’t like him.” I shake the thought of him touching me off.

“If you want the story, these are the lengths you have to go to. Believe me, I have been through worse.” She goes quiet. “He can’t be that bad, he’s famous and good-looking.”

“Maybe you should meet him.”

“He won’t want me. I’m old. You’re young with great tits and awesome legs. You got this.”

“I don’t have this.” I shake my head. “He makes me cringe.”

The waitress, who I didn’t see come in, gasps softly at my words but enough so I can hear, and I turn to look at her.

“I have to go,” I say into the phone.

“Think of the promotion,” she yells as I hang up.

“Was there anything else you needed? Is the bill paid?” The waiter looks down, nods her head then she grabs the plates but won’t look at me.

“If that will be all miss?” She walks fast and I’m almost afraid she may drop the plates on the floor as she leaves. I forgot people’s love for him. Almost. Reaching for my cell, I pull it open to the work emails. When the waitress steps back in, I interrupt her clearing the table.

“Can you please get me the brownie that I saw on the menu?”

“But your bill has been paid.”

“I’ll pay for it. Please, get me one.”

She removes the cheesecake from in front of me then walks off, not once looking at me.* * *Dear Miss,* * *I see he didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear, that’s probably best.* * *Yours sincerely,

Concerned Reader9FalconI can’t believe she’s still pursuing this, and if I said anything it would just put the nail in the coffin. She could take this a whole lot further than it needs to be. If she took it further, I’m afraid of what might actually happen to her. Not for the fact that I want to fuck her. But because she’s Tracey’s best friend, and in being so, it’s part of my job to look after her as well. But how can I do that if she keeps digging her own damn grave?