Once we’re in the restaurant, Chris finally lets me go to take off my coat. I’m annoyed I miss his touch. At least I don’t have long to think about it before Shelly steps toward me to take my coat. “Amelia, how have you been? Julie passed the bar.”
“That’s awesome. I’m happy for her. Is she working toda
y?”
“No, she isn’t back from vacation yet. She’s in Iowa for another few days. Follow me, we have somewhere quiet like you requested, Mr. Baldwin.”
I’m blushing at the wink she gives me. Then I tremble when Chris slides his hand down to the base of my spine as we follow her. In the back of the restaurant, an area I never come to, the seating is round booths and low lighting. Of course, there isn’t a single person back here, this area is usually only used in the evening.
Now that Chris is no longer touching me, my head clears and sanity screams at me to stop being such a wimp around him. “I want it clear I’m here under duress. If you are going to insist on this lunch meeting, I’m not going to argue with you, if I did I would have to charge you for it. However, as this is merely a short-term issue until Ethan gets back, I’m not going to risk him losing you as a client. And I’m hungry and this is one of my favorite places.”
He shakes his head as he chuckles. “You are so going to be a pain in the ass. Duress, sugar? The only duress you’re under is knowing you’ll have to wait to get your ass spanked. Your pussy creamed at the thought and that’s why you’re here. You’re hungry all right, only your appetite isn’t for food.”
Oh my god, he did not just say that. I am not wet at his dirty, naughty, hot as fuck words. Yes, yes, I am. “I cannot believe you. Do you talk like this to every woman? Is this a part of your witty enticements to get a woman into bed?”
His smile is slow, and the heat is building down there. Seriously, how does he do that? “You believe me, what you can’t believe is how wet I make you. Honesty is not your biggest strength, I’m learning. I don’t need to talk a woman onto my cock; women crawl over me because they want to come long and hard, using my cock to scratch that itch deep inside them. You have an itch, you’ve just never had it scratched before, have you? So it aches a little, you don’t know why, you don’t even know where it is. I do.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it all. And a bed is boring, sugar. I’ll take you up against a wall, bent over your desk, in so many places you’ll be ready for me to take you when I want you, wherever I want you, without you ever missing a bed.”
I’m drowning in his words, the images flashing through my mind, my whole body tight, aching, melting at what he promises. Then Mike is at the table, yanking me out of the storm so fast, it’s almost painful. “Mr. Baldwin, sir. Hello, Amelia. Are you ready to order, sir?”
Chris smiles as he looks to me. “Since you know this place so well, what’s good here?”
Fighting for composure, the words are tight and stilted. “Everything, it depends on what you want.
“Heavy on protein, easy on the carbs, delivers on flavor.”
“Then the chicken marsala, they use the most amazing wine that takes it to the next level. It comes with your choice of pasta or vegetable, they have asparagus, broccoli, and carrots in a honey glaze. They also have sausage and peppers.”
Chris nods to Mike. “I’ll have the chicken marsala, with the broccoli steamed.”
“Yes, sir. Amelia, what will it be today? In the mood for some calamari?”
“Not today, thank you. I’d like the sausage and peppers calzone.”
“Okay, wrap up half before I bring it out?”
“Yes, please, thank you. I’m sorry you had to stay in Chicago for the holidays. How was your Christmas? Did you get to see Miranda?”
He blushes. “No, she went home to see her family and isn’t back yet. My holiday wasn’t bad. Me and a bunch of guys got together and hung out. We did Chinese and we got into the show you recommended. Thanks for making me look cool.”
Mike finishes what he’s writing before taking the menu from Chris. “I will have those right out for you both.”
Chris runs his fingers over the back of my hand, fracturing my breath. “I don’t like seeing you smile at other men while you tease them. Even if you don’t mean anything by it.”
Excuse me? “Tough.” I spit the word out. “I didn’t ask for your interest. If you have a problem with me chatting with someone even though you know I don’t mean anything by it, then fuck you.”
His breath is a slow release, then he smiles. I’m hit in the chest by the heat in his eyes. “Amelia.” It’s that slow drawl again, wrapping around every letter. “I love the way your eyes go from hazel to a glittering green with anger. They do that when you’re aroused, too. All I can think of is what color they’ll be when I’m inside you. And it’s exactly why I want you so badly. You appear sweet and soft, only you hide a core of steel. It makes me wonder what else you’re hiding under your sweet, good girl façade.”
Exasperation with him, with what he’s doing to me has me rolling my eyes. “You want me because I didn’t fall at your feet the moment you said you wanted me. I’m a glitch in your Matrix, so you’re fascinated by it. Once I fold you’ll find something else shiny and new to play with.”
Tilting his head, he laughs. “Damn, you have a mouth on you. A glitch in my Matrix? I like that, I’m going to steal it. Yeah, you’re right, a huge part of your appeal is that a woman hasn’t made me wait longer than a few days in so long I can’t remember. I’m also not looking for anything more than fun for maybe a few weeks. But while I’m in it, I don’t fuck around with anyone else.” He pulls out a piece of paper from his back pocket. I open it and damn it, I’m blushing again. It’s the results from a panel of STI tests taken this morning, all negative. “I haven’t been with someone since before Christmas.” He laughs when my eyebrows go up in surprise. “Why is it hard to believe?”
“Because you said sex is like food, as important an appetite that should be fed with as much variety. I’m having a hard time believing you really went hungry for long.”
“It’s only been about two weeks. I was also twenty-five when I said that. The last few years I’ve been more into a nice sit-down meal, with a view toward quality over fast-food quantity.”
Right. “Pregnancy scare or STI scare?”