Vittori smiles. “Yes, we’ll be here… to talk. You two run along now.”
Mark is scowling at me until Vittori and Reese look his way. That frown turns upside down, and a half-smile replaces it. “Sure. Give us a few. We’ll be right over.”
I help Reese up by pulling out her chair, and remark, “Great.”
As we walk away, Reese whispers to me over her shoulder, “I don’t know what you’re up to, but it better be good, Weston.”
“It was always good. You’ve just forgotten.”
“Please remind me then,” she challenges.
With my hand on her back, I lean down, really close to her ear and whisper, “Believe me, I intend to.”
7
REESE
He’s a perfect gentleman, maybe even more so than when he was in college. Danny helps me onto my barstool and then sits on the one next to me. After we place our order, an awkward silence creeps in.
Then he goes first, trying for casual chitchat like we don’t have a huge pink elephant of ten years sitting right between us. “How are you liking your visit to LA?”
I volley back with a polite and boring answer. “I’ve been several times over the years, and every time it’s a breath of fresh air from my gray Manhattan life.” When my eyes meet his, I see a concern that he must mean to hide. There’s no mistaking how he let Cherry Menger mark him with her red lips despite how flirty he’s been with me. His dislike of me will likely overpower all other emotions he’s capable of. Revenge is sweet and apparently he’s got a sweet tooth tonight. Sitting up straighter, I add, “I don’t mean to sound sullen. I think I’m tired from the travel. Europe, New York, and Los Angeles in four days wore me down.”
I watch him as he speaks, the way his lips form the words, and remember how they used to feel against mine. “That’s a lot of travel. I’m still not used to it and I travel all the time.”
Taking a sip of my drink, I let it hold my attention long enough to rethink what I’m doing, what we’re doing. I can’t pretend when we’re alone. Too much truth—of everything—exists between us to pretend it doesn’t. Is he trying to torture me by his hot and cold attitude? His eyes veer to my cleavage, then back up, and suddenly I’m very aware of every little innuendo between us. I touch the fabric, and now wonder if deep down, I wore it for him. Do I want his attention? God, am I that desperate to think I could get it even if I did? He’s got millions of female fans. What would he want with the girl who walked away? But he’s staring at me again like he might have forgiven me. I’m so confused. I shake my head and say, “You’ve done well, Danny. Congratulations on your success. It’s what you always wanted.”
“I wanted other things too.”
I can’t hold his gaze when it’s ingrained with his emotions. He always did reveal everything in his warm brown eyes. Looking away from him, I say, “I guess we can’t have it all.” I immediately regret the sarcasm. “I’m sorry. That was rude and uncalled for.”
“It’s different.”
“What is?”
“Us. We’re different. We’re learning how to navigate this new relationship. The one where we don’t know each other, don’t love each other any longer, don’t… One where we… where there was no us… where we never existed.”
The words slice through my heart, baring the feelings that I’ve held, but had buried. My chest feels cold. The exposure hurts more than I expected. “This is more difficult than I thought it would be.”
He nods, drinking the water he ordered instead of responding. I hope I didn’t offend him. Logically, I shouldn’t care… but I do. Ugh! Why do I care? I left for a reason. Don’t soften now. “We can do this. It will benefit us both if we do. You score a multi-million-dollar deal and launch a huge line. I land the promotion I’ve fought to earn for two years. It’s win-win.”
“If we can do it.”
Stealing a glance at him, I take my wine in hand. “We’re both professionals and I have no doubt we’ll be able to convince them.” After a shot of liquid courage, I try to tamp down these foolish notions I once held so tightly to. I’m not the girl who once fawned over him. I’m a professional ad exec and have worked hard to get where I am, to be able to handle accounts of this size and budget. My goals aren’t going to be pushed aside for a handsome face and a size thirteen shoe.
Glancing down, I can’t help but be a little in awe of the nice Italian shoes and the size. Were his feet that big back in college? My memories never underestimated… I cough. His size. He’s definitely a man now, not the boy I once loved.
His eyes meet mine, a determination filling them. “But can we convince ourselves?”
“I’m sure you’ll have no problem carrying on. You’ve always been very good at moving forward.”
He stares at me. Unabashedly stares directly into my eyes. My breath catches in my throat and I swallow hard. When I exhale, the air deepens, my body heating as my chest rises and falls. I turn to see Vinnie and Mark coming toward us.
His deep, dulcet tone draws me back in. “You can set down your weapons, Reese.”
“I hope so.” Putting a smile in place, I get up and walk to meet the others, not able to be the center of his gaze any longer. His eyes were always so alive, vibrant, filled with possibility, and so focused… on me. I once flourished under his adoring gazes, but now I feel small, weaker somehow. When I reach the others, I breathe easier under the reprieve and ask, “Are we ready to go?”
Vinnie smiles, a happy alcohol glaze covering his eyes. “We’re going back to the hotel for a nightcap.” He looks over my shoulder and I know who he’s looking at, so I don’t bother to turn. When he looks at me again, he wraps his arm through mine and we walk to the door. “Mark and I have a little more we’d like to discuss. I’m going to ride with him back to the hotel, so we’ll be done by the time we arrive.”
My arm tightens around his wrist in panic. “I don’t mind if you talk business in front of us. I’m sure Danny won’t mind. We should all ride together. It’s more economical that way too.”
“Oh honey, money is the least of my worries.”
“It’s killing the planet. It makes no sense to put those extra emissions out, destroying our Mother Earth. We should really save the gas.”
He finally stops, allowing Danny and Mark to walk ahead of us and out the door. “What’s wrong with you? Are you really worried about the gas emissions?”
“I am. I mean, yes, I am. I care about the planet, but please. I can’t be alone with him right now.”
“C’mon,” he says comfortingly. We walk outside and two Priuses are waiting for us. “See? No need to be worried. Electric cars on demand. How fantastic is that?”
“I thought—”
“I know what you thought, but trust me,” he whispers. “This is for the best.” Releasing me, he waves as he rushes to get in the first car. “See you back at the hotel.”
“It was a valiant effort,” Danny says, waving at the car driving Mark and Vinnie away. “I actually believed you cared about the Earth.”
“I do care about the Earth.”
He smiles. “Okaaaay.”
I give Danny a dirty look. “Don’t condescendingly ‘okay’ me.”
“Okay.” He chuckles. “Oops. That one just slipped out.”
I want to glare at him longer, but seeing him smile and hearing him laugh breaks me. Those things always did. “You’re ridiculous.”
“But cute.”
Teasing, I say, “Cute isn’t the word I ever used to describe you.”
“Was it sexy? Handsome? Hot? Great in bed? Virile?”
“Virile? Really? Who uses that word?”
“I do. You just did. To describe me, I might add.”
“Ugh. You’re incorrigible.”
“So there’s hope after all.”
“Hope for what?”
“Hope that maybe we can be friends again.”
“I was always too in love with you to be friends.”
That sile
nces him. The smile disappears from his face, the fun sucked right out of the Prius. He looks out the window while my mind races, running through what I said and what I meant and—
“I was also too in love with you,” he says, keeping his eyes averted, distracted by everything and anything outside this car.
“We were having a good time, civil even, and I go and ruin it. Danny, I’m so—”
“You’re worrying. Don’t. It’s fine.”
I sit back, feeling deflated and emotionally exhausted from the night. I’m glad the hotel isn’t too far. Leaning my head back, I close my eyes, resting them, and ready for this ride to be over.
But then something happens. Something I didn’t see coming.
His hand slides over my wrist and with our palms pressed together, our fingers entwine. I don’t open my eyes. I don’t know why, other than I don’t want his hand to leave mine. My gulp sounds loud to my ears. I hope he can’t hear how nervous I am. Then I hear him gulp and it makes me smile.
Lifting my head, I open my eyes and turn to look down at our joined hands. I don’t take this lightly. The heaviness is felt through our touch, the pressure, and the heat of our palms together.
Keeping his voice low, intimate between us, he says, “It’s okay. We’re going to be okay.”
“Sexy.”
He looks at me, puzzled by my response.
I continue, “Handsome. Hot. Great in bed. I’ve used them all to describe you.” I give him a small smile that feels good to share. “I might have even used virile once or twice.”
When a small smile appears on his lips, I feel okay again, just like he promised.
The driver speaks too soon. “We’re here.”
Danny’s eyes meet mine, a look exchanged, an understanding that everything might actually be okay. The door is opened and I reluctantly turn to get out. Vinnie and Mark are walking inside and Vinnie holds the door open for me. As I pass, he says, “All better?”
I poke him in the arm. “Revenge is sweet, my friend.”
He laughs. “You’re welcome.”
Turning back, I wink, and meaning it, I mouth, “Thank you.”
As we walk through the lobby, I kind of wish Danny would touch my back again. I don’t know why I found that so incredibly sexy, but I did. Makes me wonder if I should feel bad about liking it as much as I did. I wipe away the guilt that develops and decide one more drink will help me forget a lot quicker.
We reach the bar and find a round booth in the corner. I slip inside, following Vinnie, and Danny slides in right next to me. Mark settles in on the end after Danny. When the waitress takes our orders, Mark gives her a card to cover it all. “I want to settle this now. The drinks are on me.”
Vinnie covered dinner, which was very generous considering the insane bill, so it’s kind Mark is taking care of the rest. Perks of the business. Before I get too lost in my thoughts, Danny’s foot bumps against mine, catching my attention. I don’t say anything, but I also don’t move my foot away.
The night is easy, relaxed, something I never thought would happen with us. Vinnie and Mark take the edge off, making us behave, and keeping the conversation light. When asked what his favorite city is, Danny says, “Lincoln,” as if there is no doubt. Maybe for him, there isn’t.
As for me… I’ve not settled on my favorite city.
Mark asks, “Nebraska?”
“Yep.”
Vinnie squints in disbelief. “I’ve never been to Nebraska, but you have me intrigued. What is it about the city that makes it so special?”
The glass is spun slowly under his fingertips as he ponders his answer before speaking. “Maybe it’s not the city, but the people that are special.”
“Anyone in particular?” Mark asks, not understanding the Pandora’s box he’s opening.
With rapt attention I can’t take my eyes off him. His leg shifts under the table, his knee knocking into mine. He looks at me before turning back to Mark and replying, “No one in particular.”
I exhale a long held breath.
Loudly.
Everyone looks at me, but Vinnie takes the honors. “Are you all right?”
Hating the attention, I brush my hair behind my ear and smile. “Yes, fine.” I shift. “Tonight’s been fun, but it might be time for me to go to bed. The wine has gone to my head and the jetlag has caught up with me.”
Just as I’m about to faux-yawn, Danny stands allowing me enough room to escape. “I should escort you to the elevators.”
“Thank you, but you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. For safety.”
If Mark’s glare came with a sound effect, I think it would be the buzzer from Family Feud. Although it’s silent, I feel its intended effect loud and clear.
Danny ignores him and offers his arm to me. “Really,” I say. “This is too much. I’ll be fine.”
He doesn’t budge, so I give in and take his arm, wrapping mine around his, and glance to Vinnie who is practically clapping in excitement from this spectacle. After a short goodnight to the men, we walk through the bar and through the lobby. My heart is thudding so hard I’m afraid he’ll hear it over the clack of my heels echoing on the marble.
We don’t say anything. I don’t because I have no idea what to say. He doesn’t either until we reach the elevator. “You’re leaving tomorrow?”
“Yes, I have an afternoon flight back to New York.”
“Do you want to have a lunch?”
“With you?” I ask surprised, but realize that could be offensive. “I don’t mean it that way. I just… you just caught me off guard.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked.” He pulls his arm back slowly when we stop in front of the elevators.
“It might be good to catch up.” Too good, I sigh quietly. When I look at him, look into his gentle gaze, I’m more than attracted to him. It’s then I realize how easily I could fall for him. Again. I can’t go through that heartbreak twice. I shouldn’t even put myself in that kind of situation. “I’d love to catch up.” Wait what? Shoot!
“Good. I’ll pick you up at eleven. I can take you to the airport after.”
“Danny?” I sway, reaching for something solid. That just happens to be his bicep. My head may be spinning but damn, he’s rock hard… my mind goes to other rock hard places.
Grabbing my shoulders, he steadies me. “You okay?”
Touching my cheek, I shake my head free from the thoughts of his hard places and try to stabilize my mind, focusing on his face instead—his oh so handsome face. “I need to go to bed. I’m a little tipsy and these shoes are really high. Probably not a good combination for me.” The elevator door opens.
“How about I help you upstairs?”
Puffing out a big breath, hoping to miraculously sober up, I say, “I don’t think that’s safe. Not a good idea.”
“Safe?” He chuckles. “I’ll be a good boy.”
“That’s the thing, Mr. Weston.” I point at him, attempting to prove I’m not drunk, though my mouth seems to have a mind of its own. “I don’t think I can be a good girl around you.” I poke him in the chest, which makes me sway again.
With a firm hold on me, he backs me into the elevator and right into a corner. Usually I’d protest from the metaphor, but he leans forward to press the button and I’m flooded with naughty memories of when we were together in college. And curious to what we’d be like now… in bed.
“What floor?”
My ass is propped against the brass bar I’m holding on to. I give up the fake protests and start going with the flow, his sexy flow to be precise. “Four.”
He presses the button and leans back, our bodies pressed to each other’s sides. I’m smarter than this, but just like years ago, we’ve slipped into this level of comfort that makes me relax. “I should be mad at you.”
The back of his hand brushes against mine. “And why is that?”
“You know when I drink it sneaks up on me and then hits me hard.” I lean my hea
d against his shoulder. “Or have you forgotten?”
He laughs again, quieter, fitting of the small space. The elevator door opens and he takes my hand as if he owns it… something I’ll have to think about once I’m sober. For now, it feels too good. He feels too good for me to let go. As we walk, his strength steadies me. It always did. “I’m 404.”
“You were always a ten to me,” he replies casually and sends me a wink.
“Haha! Clever.”
“You still are, Reese.”
I elbow him. “Awww, and you, my friend, were always the charmer.” We stop in front of my door and I lean my back against the floral-papered wall behind me, feeling too at ease. I should really put some kind of guard up, but I’m too tired to try.
We stand there a minute before he glances back down the hall at the elevator. When his eyes land on mine again, he says, “I think we should get you inside.”
Reaching up, I touch the bridge of his nose and drag my finger down and tap the end when I reach it. “Should. Could. Would.”
His smile, the way the left side is raised slightly higher, is very sexy. His lips are sexy. I want to kiss them. I want them to kiss me. My finger runs across the plushness as I admire the way they look, move, and pucker. He’s so damn tempting. “I always loved your lips.”
“Your key, Reese. Is it in your purse?”
“My key?” He nods, and I realize he means my room key. “Oh! Yes, my key.” I reach down and open my clutch, pulling out the card. He takes it from me and slips it in the slot, making even the small action seem so much naughtier and sexier than it should, or I even thought possible.
The door is opened and he escorts me inside. I go for the bed, needing to lie down. As soon as I do, his fingertips slide down my shins, igniting my legs with a sexual energy, making me forget all about the shin splints I had the other day. Farther, farther. I barely breathe in anticipation of what he’s about to do to me.
Ah.
Aww. My feet feel so good, free from the spiked confines of the platforms.
He takes one heel off and then the other and I push up, moving myself into a sleeping position. “Thank you,” I murmur, my head melting into the comfy pillow.
Vote Then Read: Volume I Page 264
