Brazen Bachelor

Colton: Most women would pay a fortune for that view every day, and you get it for free, Sweet Treat.

Violet: Mmm, I hope most women aren’t going to dinner with you as well.

Colton: Are you jealous?

Violet: I don’t know what that word means.

I laugh. Sure she doesn’t. But then again, if she told me she was going out with some wanker for dinner, I wouldn’t be happy. Strangely enough, I know I have no claim on her. It’s not like we’re dating or exclusive, but I don’t like the thought of her with someone else.

Colton: Sure, you don’t. I’ll see you tonight, pick you up from your apartment, just text me the address. And don’t forget to wear something pretty.

I know she’s going to sass me for that comment, but I smile anyway before I head to the shower. If I can wake the hell up, I’ll be able to focus on where to take her tonight. Somewhere special, private, and romantic.

It’s not a date.

It’s just dinner.

But is it?

12

Violet

I twist and turn, looking at myself in the mirror for the hundredth time since I slipped on my underwear. It’s nothing special, because I’m most certainly not taking that step with him, but there’s still a niggling in my gut to put something sexier on.

For a long moment, I consider it but shake my head and, instead, decide against the sexier option.

A man like him and a woman like me would normally not be a great match. He’s in the spotlight constantly, whereas I prefer spending my time with my nose in a book.

Sighing, I tug at the waistband of my panties. The underwear is black, simple, and elegant. Not that Colton’s going to see it, but it makes me feel good.

I grab the dress and quickly slide it up my body. The material hugs my curves, and the thin straps slink over my shoulders. I went for black, just like Ida recommended. Slipping on the heels, I smile at my reflection. My shoes are black with a strap around the heel. They also give me some height, but also ensuring my calves look toned when I’m walking. And if he wanted to kiss me, it would put me at a perfect height to…

No.

What the hell am I thinking?

It’s not a date.

Our back and forth messages this morning were fun. I hadn’t really enjoyed texting someone in such a long time, I forgot how freeing it is. It’s not like talking on the phone, where they can hear you breathing, listening to your every word, and it’s not like being face-to-face.

A text message can be as simple and as complex as you want to make it. The only problem is, sometimes it can be taken the wrong way. Thankfully, with Colton, it’s not a problem. His light-hearted banter was what I needed to get through the day, and I couldn’t stop smiling as I wrote my article for the new line of purses that Versace is releasing for their summer line.

My phone rings the next second, startling me from my thoughts. Clarissa’s name flickers on the screen, and I know I have to answer it in the event it being something urgent.

“Hello.”

“Violet.” Clarissa says my name in her stoic, serious manner, and I can tell she’s not in a good mood by the tone of her voice. I close my eyes and wait for it, hoping nothing has happened to the articles I submitted for publication. But she shocks me when she says, “I’m flying to LA tomorrow, and I need you in the office until six to finish off both articles and get them to editorial as soon as possible. I’ll be checking my email, but I’m leaving you in charge of this. Can you handle it?”

“Of course,” I gush as my heart thuds wildly against my ribs. I’ve been waiting for months to show her I’m able to take on the responsibility, and one day, hopefully, be seated where she is. “You can count on me.”

She taps on her keyboard, and I hear the ping in my ear. She’s sent me a meeting request, I’m sure. I’m bouncing on my heels as I think about running her office for a few days. It’s not much, but it’s something. It shows she trusts me.

“There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about,” she says. My chest tightens with worry because I have a feeling I know what she wants to talk to me about. “This… situation,” Clarissa speaks while keeping her voice controlled, aloof, but tense with something I can’t quite put my finger on. “I don’t want it getting in the way of your job.”

I can only guess she’s talking about Colton. We haven’t even gone out yet, and she’s already worried. Tonight will be our first date, well, dinner. “I can assure you that my professionalism will not falter.” I hope I sound confident because I need her to know that my job means everything to me.