Tempted

“Ready to get out of here and see the city?” I ask.

She laughs—a perfect laugh with a wide, happy smile.

After we get up from the bed, we head into the shower. Once we are done, we both grab clothes from our suitcases before we unpack. Neither of us brought much. I’m actually pleasantly surprised by how low maintenance Bailey is.

Once she’s dressed, I walk up to her and lean down and kiss the top of her head. Normally, Bailey wears heels, so I never really noticed how much shorter she is than me. It’s cute. I pull back and kiss her hard on the lips.

“What was that for?” She giggles.

“Just wanted to.”

“Um . . .” She turns around to face me. “Okay. What’s the plan?”

“Like I’m going to tell you.” I laugh.

There are no big plans. I just want to hold her hand and walk around a different city with her. Somewhere we can just be us. Without work. Without hiding from the staff at Silver.

I’m okay with everyone knowing we are dating. It’s been over a month. It’s time. But Bailey, on the other hand, I don’t think she’s ready for that. I understand. She doesn’t want the rumors to spoil what we have. Nobody needs to believe she got the job because she’s sleeping with the boss. Especially as it’s simply not the case. I don’t want anyone to demean the hard work she’s done to earn her position.

However, being here in Boston and having the ability to freely kiss her in public is a change of pace I could get used to.

We walk the streets hand in hand, taking in the sights and just enjoying ourselves. When we finally arrive at our destination, a restaurant well-known for not only its fantastic food but also the vibe, we head inside and head to the reception desk. We don’t make it before I see someone I know.

“Cavendish. What are you doing here?” I say to my old friend. I haven’t seen him since college. He’s a good guy and trustworthy, which is hard to come by in the circles I’ve run. Money muddies the water but not with Charles.

“Good to see you, mate. I’m on holiday. What brings you to Boston?”

“Needed the break. You know how it is.” I smile, looking down at Bailey. “Charles, this is my girlfriend, Bailey. Bailey, this is an old friend of mine, Charles Cavendish.”

I don’t even realize what I’ve said until I’ve said it. Bailey’s cheeks are pink, and her eyes are wide. I smother the smirk that threatens to take over my face at her reaction.

“Nice to meet you,” Bailey finally says, and the charming bastard Charles takes her hand.

“The pleasure is all mine.” He moves to kiss her hand.

“Kiss her, and I’ll have to kill you,” I warn.

“You always were a brut. Don’t mind him, dear, Andrew doesn’t like to share.”

She smiles at him when he calls me by my full given name. One I refuse to go by, seeing as it’s my father’s name, and I want nothing to do with that man.

“What brings you all the way to Boston?” I say, changing the topic.

“It’s not all the way anymore.” He grins.

I cock my head. That’s news to me. “You live here?”

“I’ve moved to New York.”

“Really?” I say, happy to hear the news. It’ll be nice having a true friend around.

“Yes, I’m opening an office there.”

“Advertising, right?”

“Yes. New York could use some new blood.” He smirks, and I laugh.

“I might be needing you soon.”

“For the club?”

“No, I have plans to open a couple of restaurants.”

“Nice.” He reaches into his pocket and hands me a card. “Ring me.”

“I will. Good seeing you.” We shake hands as he smiles and says goodbye to Bailey.

“We have a reservation under Lawson,” I say when we finally make it to the hostess.

“Table for two. Follow me.”

I turn back to take Bailey’s hand as we follow the hostess to our table.

It’s an intimate table tucked away from the crowds. Just how I like it.

“Who was Charles?” she asks once we are seated.

“An old buddy from college,” I say, picking up the menu and perusing the selection.

“He’s from England,” she muses, and I laugh.

“What gave it away?”

“Probably the accent.” She smiles wide, joining me in laughter.

Once we order, I turn to look at her. She’s lost in thought, browsing the menu. The pensive way her eyebrows meet between her eyes is adorable.

I want to know more about this amazing woman.

I want to know everything.

She’s an enigma I want to uncover. In more ways than one. I hope being relaxed and away Bailey will feel like she can open up to me.

“Tell me about your family,” I say, breaking the silence between us.

She places the menu down, looking at me with a frown. “What? Other than my sister likes to yell at nightclubs, what do you want to know?” She laughs, but it’s an uncomfortable noise. One that tells me she doesn’t want to go down this path of conversation. Too bad.