Tearing my eyes away from him, I turned back to my computer. “Richard’s with a client, he’ll be free in ten minutes,” I told him. I felt him move as he came to stand beside me, his hand trailing slowly across my shoulders as he did so. Bastard, he knew what he was doing to me.
“I can wait—”
“You should go back upstairs—" We both spoke at the same time, and an awkward silence fell.
“I wish I knew what was going on between you two.” Nadine considered us both like we were a puzzle.
“How about you make me a coffee?” Aiden smiled at her.
“You gonna spill your secrets to me in the kitchen?” Nadine leaned forward as she asked him, giving us both a look down her shirt. I averted my eyes; I didn’t know if Aiden did.
“I’ll be right in, I just need Jemma for a minute.”
Nadine stood and smoothed her skirt over her hips. “I’ll be waiting,” she told him as she turned and headed to the kitchen area.
As she walked away, I almost called her back. I did not want to be alone with Aiden. You’re in an open-plan office, Jemma—what’s the worst that can happen? I almost rolled my eyes as my inner voice quoted Dr Pepper at me.
“You okay?”
“Yes,” I replied sharply.
“I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that the other week,” Aiden said softly.
I looked at him incredulously. “That’s what you’re apologising for?”
He sat on the edge of my desk and looked down at me. “Well, technically I haven’t apologised.”
“Are you for real?” I snapped at him.
He watched me in silence for a moment, and then he smiled. The butterflies erupted before I could catch them, and I hated myself for reacting to him. “You look different when you’re angry, more…alive.”
Was he actually kidding with me right now? “Are you flirting with me?” I asked in disbelief.
“No.” He smiled again.
“I was drunk,” I blurted.
Aiden’s laugh caught the interest of the entire office, and I noted that he didn’t give a damn if he drew attention to himself. His whole focus was on me. Aiden stood from my desk, and I looked up at him as he ran a hand through his gorgeous hair.
For God’s sake, will you stop it, Jemma!
He bent down, his lips caressing my ear, and the goose bumps were back. “Don’t lie to me, Jem, you knew exactly what you were doing when you wrapped those legs around me and begged me to fuck you.” His teeth nipped my ear before he straightened and watched me with amusement.
“I never begged you,” I croaked out. My mouth was dry from his proximity, every bead of moisture in my body had rushed to a place it had absolutely no right to be at his words.
“Maybe, maybe not.” Aiden winked at me before he turned and walked to the kitchen.
Rat bastard.
My fingers gripped the edge of the table as I tried to regain control of my breathing and my traitorous body. He’s married, he’s married, he’s married, I chanted in my head over and over. My eyes narrowed in the direction Aiden had walked. He had no right to pull that stunt on me. I could totally have been drunk. But I hadn’t been drunk. I did know exactly what I was doing when he kissed me. I knew exactly what I was consenting to. I had wanted him…badly. A shudder ran over me as I thought about the way he felt as he moved inside me, and I felt the flush creeping over my face. How could he still affect me all these weeks later, knowing what I did? I dropped my head into my hands as I rubbed my temples.
I had to get over him. It was that simple. I needed to move on and stop daydreaming about things I couldn’t have. I wasn’t that person. I had been cheated on, and I knew how shitty I felt when it happened to me. He was someone’s husband, for God’s sake.
I dug my phone out of my purse and pulled up Calvin’s number. We had exchanged numbers after coffee on Saturday, and he had texted me yesterday to ask how my Sunday was. No pressure. Nothing else. Just “are you having a good Sunday?” Easy. Simple.
Me: Without seeming too eager, can you tell me where we are going on Friday? I need to know what to wear.
I saw the dots appear instantly, and I smiled, hoping he had been waiting for me to text.
Calvin: I wanted to impress you and tried to get into a swanky restaurant with a waiting list…but I’m not swanky enough! So I thought Table Four Six?
My eyes widened as I read the text. He didn’t think Table Four Six was swanky enough? Was he being bashful? It was a stupid name for a restaurant, since you were lucky if you could get a table for four in the place. It was upper end of the market dining and prices. I bit my lip as I thought.
“Still thinking about me?”
I glared at Aiden. I hadn’t realised he had come back from the kitchen. He leaned against my desk again, and I hastily shut off my phone. “Go away,” I hissed at him.
“You’re sexy when you’re angry.” He took a drink of his coffee.
I winced as I watched him. He drank his coffee black. Like his heart. “Only psychopaths drink their coffee black,” I growled at him.
He laughed at me as Richard’s office door opened and he walked his client out. Aiden tipped his mug at me before he walked over to meet Richard.
“Give him a minute to get the guy out the door,” I muttered as I watched Aiden talk to my boss.
Nadine passed them as she carried two mugs of coffee. She sat one down in front of me. “So what happened with you and book cover dreamy?”
“Nothing,” I protested. “Oh, I texted Calvin, he’s booked us at Table Four Six,” I told her.
“Are you shitting me?” Nadine gasped as Aiden was quickly forgotten. “You definitely need to go shopping.”
I nodded in agreement before I realised I hadn’t replied to Calvin and groaned when I saw he had texted me again.
Calvin: If you don’t want to go, that’s alright. I can make reservations somewhere else?
Calvin: Was it too much? I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable
Me: Sorry! I had to take a call at work
Lying to him already? Perfect.
Me: TFS sounds great! I’m impressed :)
Calvin: Oh good! I’ll call you later?
Me: Ok
I put my phone away again. He really was a very sweet man, I reminded myself. He was trying so hard, it was flattering. My eyes found Aiden as he left Richard’s office, tall, gorgeous and sex personified. My fingers traced my lips as I thought about how he had tasted. He tasted like heartbreak and lies, Jemma! My inner voice was berating me again—as well she should. Married, married, married.
“Okay, I got it!”
“Huh?” Nadine looked at me over her mug. “Got what?”
“An idea what to wear on Friday.”
“I didn’t realise it was such a eureka moment.” She chuckled. “Give me two minutes to finish this, and then I’m all yours.” She turned her attention back to the file in front of her.
Think fast. I looked up as the elevator arrived on the floor. Aiden got in and turned to face the doors. His eyes met mine, and he smiled that slow sexy smirk at me as the doors closed.
I have got to get a grip. Yes, you do. I know…I know. Turning my own attention to the file in front of me, I let out a long silent sigh as I tried to focus. You need to let it go, Jemma.
I did, and I would. I just needed him not to be so…him.
Friday arrived quickly, and I was looking forward to my evening with Calvin. He had called me twice this week, and each time, we had enjoyed an easy twenty-minute conversation. There was absolutely no hard work or second guessing with Calvin. I had realised in our second conversation that what you saw was what you got with Calvin. I liked that. No frills. No pretence. I was beginning to understand how he had just sat down one day with his wife and talked through how their marriage wasn’t working. He seemed to be so rational and put together that I felt like an adolescent on the phone with him sometimes. He was a proper adult, and I was…not. I still liked ja
mmie day Sundays, cereal for dinner, and could quite easily lose a whole night’s sleep because I just couldn’t go to sleep without reading that one more chapter in a book. I just knew that Calvin went to bed at a reasonable time, was showered and dressed before breakfast, and probably only read autobiographies.
I looked at my dress that Nadine and I had gone shopping for. A grey woollen dress, mid-calf length, three-quarter sleeves. Nadine had been envious of it, as she said with her curves and boobs, she’d look like she was busting out of it. As I had no curves to speak of, the dress sat well on my thin frame. Nadine lamented over my slim figure, while I longed for her curves. Silly really.
I brushed my hair again, choosing to keep it down and simple. I had knee-high boots on with a sensible heel. I could walk in them in the snow and still look stylish. I hoped. Putting in my gold hoop earrings, I assessed myself one more time. Running a critical eye over my body, I was encouraged that the dress did accentuate the slight dip at my waist. I wasn’t a complete stick. I would do, I decided. Smart but casual.
My doorbell chimed, and I took a shaky breath. This was it—my first official date since my engagement ended. I laughed at my smile, and I was happy as I realised I was excited.
“Hi,” I greeted Calvin, and he smiled as I closed the door behind me.
“You look lovely,” he greeted me. I couldn’t see what he was wearing under his jacket, but he had dark grey dress pants on and shiny polished shoes, an accomplishment in the snow.
“I could have come down,” I said as we descended the stairs in my building to the waiting Uber outside.
“And what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t pick the lady up at the door?” Calvin asked me with a small smile.
“A complete rogue,” I teased.
“Exactly!” He laughed as he held the door open for me and then hurried forward to open the car door too. I could get used to this, I realised.
The drive to the restaurant was quick, and we made idle small talk in the car during the journey. Shortly after arriving at the restaurant, we were seated, and I tried not to look around too much, although it was hard not to. Everything was so white. White walls, white décor, vases and vases of white flowers. It was so white I wondered if the cleaning staff got sunglasses to work with when the full lights were on. Thankfully for the diners, there was a muted brightness to the restaurant. Not a place to eat with a hangover though, I would imagine. We were seated at a table for two in the middle of the floor. There were a few booths running on each side, with two rows of tables running between them. Quite utilitarian in layout, but with the décor and the fancy backed chairs, it worked.
“Do you like it?” Calvin asked as I looked around after we had ordered drinks and were looking at our menus.
“It’s so white,” I told him truthfully.
Calvin chuckled softly. “It is, but you get used to it.”
That caught my attention, and I looked at him speculatively. “Do you come here often?”
“Wow, what a cheesy line, Jem, I thought you would be smoother.” Aiden’s voice made my insides freeze.
No. Please God no, don’t do this to me. I fleetingly saw Calvin’s surprise at the comment, and I turned to look up at Aiden.
“Aiden.” I stopped. I had no idea what to say. Nice to see you? Lie. What a surprise? Truth. What a pleasant surprise? Definite lie.
“Jemma.” The smirk on his face made me want to slap it off. He was wearing a black button-down shirt—open at the collar, I noticed—with black slacks, and he looked gorgeous. His eyes flicked to Calvin before returning to mine, and I saw the laughter in his eyes. He’s going to be a dick. “Are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?”
“He isn’t my boyfriend.” No! Why would you say that? “Yet,” I hastily added. Jesus, Jemma, you’re making it worse! My cheeks were burning, and I wanted to flee. “This is Calvin. Calvin.” I gestured to Aiden. “Aiden.”
Calvin, like the gentleman he was, stood and shook Aiden’s hand, who returned it briefly. I waited with mounting horror for Aiden to speak, dreading what he would say.
“Not your boyfriend, yet?” Aiden was completely fixated on me.
“Not yet, but there’s hope,” Calvin said with an easy smile, seemingly oblivious to the tension.
“Is there?” Aiden’s attention didn’t move off mine.
“Well, this is our second date.” Calvin supplied him with more information. Was it rude to tell him to stop talking?
“Second?” Aiden’s smile had malicious intent, and I needed to cut this off before I accidentally stabbed him with my knife.
“Are you meeting someone?” I asked hastily.
“I am,” he replied. “Do you want me to go, Jem?”
I forced out a laugh that sounded exactly that. Forced. “I’m sure you don’t want to keep anyone waiting.” I almost said wife, but I knew I would choke on the word.
“They aren’t here yet,” Aiden answered me, amusement once again dancing in his eyes.
“Oh.” I had nothing to say, and thank all the angels in the heavens because he took pity on me.
“You have a good night.” With a short smile to Calvin, he walked away.
My head dipped down briefly to my lap as I fussed with my napkin on my legs before I raised my head to smile at Calvin and hope I hadn’t actually been as awkward as I felt. My smile stopped.
Are you freaking kidding me? Aiden’s table was behind ours, and because Aiden was Aiden, he took the seat facing me. Of course he freaking did.
“He seemed nice,” Calvin said as he picked up his drink, completely unaware that the devil sat behind him.
“Mm-hmm, yeah.” I took a hearty gulp of my white wine as I avoided looking at Calvin and Aiden.
“How do you know him?”
A reasonable question. “Work.” I studied my menu. “What are you thinking of ordering?”
“Are you okay, Jemma?” Calvin looked concerned, and I felt guilty.
“Yes.” This time my smile wasn’t forced. “Sorry, I actually think it’s a little bit awkward when people stop and chat at tables.” I heard the snort from the other table, and I marvelled at his bat-like hearing. Asshole.
I could see Aiden order a drink as he was handed a menu, and the other menu was placed in front of the empty seat. I hope you get stood up, I thought maliciously.
“Is he a lawyer?”
Oh, I have to actually talk about this, fantastic. “No, the upper floors in the building are being refurbished, and Aiden is the project manager.”
“Huh.” Calvin took a drink as he looked away from me.
“Huh? What is it?” I asked him curiously, the look on his face irking me.
“He doesn’t look like a construction worker.”
“Project manager,” I corrected. Are you defending him? Well, what’s wrong with construction workers?
Calvin gave a nonchalant shrug. “Same difference,” he said as he picked up his menu. “It’s not exactly rocket science.”
“But accounting is?” Jemma! What are you doing? My eyes drifted over Calvin’s shoulder and found Aiden watching me, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised and that freaking smirk hovering. Yeah, even he can’t believe you’re defending him.
“Well, it’s definitely a more educated job.” Calvin’s smile was condescending, and I leaned back slightly in my chair.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Aiden shook his head. He didn’t want me to defend him. I shouldn’t be defending him. I would tackle this another time when I didn’t have the man in question listening to every word. Your brother and dad work in construction, so who’s to say you’re defending Aiden? Because I was defending Aiden. Leave it, Jemma! “Anyway, what are you thinking of ordering?” I changed the subject.
As Calvin ran through his options, I forced myself to look at the menu. There were some tempting dishes, and it was with some consternation that when the waiter came to take our orders, Calvin ordered the same for both of us.
; “I don’t get to choose?” I asked as the waiter went to walk away.
“Do you not want that?” Calvin honestly looked surprised.
“I would have liked to have been asked,” I answered honestly.
“Is there a problem, miss?” the waiter asked me, and I could almost hear his eye roll.
With both Calvin and the waiter looking at me like I was causing a scene, I shook my head. “No, it’s fine.” As the waiter cast one questioning look to Calvin, who nodded his dismissal, I once again caught Aiden’s eye. He was frowning, but I got the impression it wasn’t at me.
“How was your week?” Calvin asked me.
“Oh, it was fine, busy—as always—but fine.” Calvin smiled perfunctorily as I answered. “Yourself?”
Calvin seemed to be much more enthusiastic about telling me the details of his week than hearing about mine. However, I was pleased his attention was no longer on Aiden. Aiden whose companion had joined him when I was being ordered for. A man. The realisation that a man was his dinner companion, and not his wife or any other female, made me strangely satisfied. Despite both the man’s head and Calvin’s head being there, I could still see Aiden perfectly. Because Aiden was the devil incarnate and moved purposely so I was still in his line of sight. Even if I shifted in my seat so I didn’t have to see him, he still managed to catch my eye.
Our starters arrived, and I looked at my scallops with pancetta in some form of sauce. I wasn’t a huge seafood fan, but the three scallops on my plate looked…good? Calvin had ordered a bottle of wine for the meal, which was being poured as I tried in vain to recall what the sauce was.
“These look delicious. They’re my favourite starter,” Calvin told me when the waiter had left.
I made some noncommittal noise, which seemed to satisfy him as he ate his food. I noticed with relief that Aiden’s full attention was on his companion, and they seemed to be saying little. My scallops were finished. Swallowing the pieces on my fork whole was probably a huge culinary sin, but the sauce was odd and I didn’t like it.
“Did you enjoy them?” Calvin looked at me expectantly.
Her Greatest Mistake Page 9
