He watched me. “Lunch date?”
“Yvette.”
He paused and nodded. “No car?”
I shook my head. “I don’t drive.”
He stopped moving. “At all?”
“Nope.”
He looked at me for a moment, then silently laughed once.
“What do you do on the weekends? South of France? Quick flight to Paris?” I teased.
He smiled. “Not this weekend. I have dinner plans,” he said nonchalantly but didn’t look at me. He grabbed his water again and took a sip.
His answer reminded me Crew was picking me up so he could try to win back my affections. My face fell. “Yeah, me too.” I moved a piece of lettuce around.
He chuckled. “Sounds like you forgot.”
“I guess I did.” I smiled at him, then sighed. Why I was even going through with this date was beyond me, but I’d deal with those thoughts later.
“Is it for business?” I blurted.
He looked at me. “I’m sorry?”
“Your dinner. Is it for business?”
He set his sandwich down. “No, it’s not for business.” He took a drink while watching me.
I nodded and shoved a piece of salad in my mouth so I wouldn’t embarrass myself further with stupid questions that were none of my concern.
He laughed and looked away.
From there, we spoke only about the company until we went back upstairs. I vowed I would keep from asking any more questions about his personal life. I was having a hard time not blurring the lines between us. He was the CEO of the company I worked for. I was dangerously close to overstepping and getting into trouble. The manager position was just given to me. I didn’t want it to be taken away just as fast.
The elevator doors opened, and he waited for me to exit. I brushed his arm as I walked by him. My skin immediately rose. I turned to wait for him to join me, then noticed he wasn’t following. He held the doors open with one hand, the other in his pocket.
“I have other meetings downstairs,” he answered my questioning stare.
I nodded. “Ah.” I moved closer to him. “Thank you for lunch.”
His eyes softened. “No, no. You can’t thank me for that barely edible food. I’ll have to make it up to you.”
We both laughed. The thought of spending more time with him excited me, which was frustrating. I was being careless. We lingered in each other’s space. I didn’t want to move away, fully aware of how wrong that thought was. I smiled, looking down, and started to walk away.
“If I don’t see you,” he said. I stopped moving and looked at him. “I hope your dinner goes well.” He didn’t move.
I smiled and looked away. “Yeah, you too,” I answered. I knew exactly what his dinner would be and would probably turn into. Playboy.
I moved back to my desk as the elevator doors closed behind me.
Six
The little time I had to think about Crew made me angrier. He sent me a text saying he couldn’t wait to see me. I narrowed my eyes at the screen with irritation. Although I couldn’t help but miss him—or maybe the idea of him—I was still licking my wounds from being dumped for another woman. At the drop of a hat and the bat of a fake eyelash, he left me to be with Nina—I was a placeholder for his bigger, better deal. I never wanted nor expected to be his second choice.
I wore my little black dress and stilettos to remind him how stupid he was to let me go. The plunging neckline made my cleavage pronounced, and the open back showing plenty of skin would make that point clear. I left my wavy hair down and upped the black mascara to make sure my sky-blue eyes stood out. The entire look would hopefully tell him he was an asshole for thinking I was expendable.
When Crew met me at my door at seven, for the first time, there weren’t any butterflies. No nerves or excitement when I saw him. I was more annoyed than anything. He kissed my cheek and tried to hold my hand as we walked towards the elevator.
“Crew, what are you doing?” I looked at him, befuddled, snatching my hand away.
“I’m just trying to hold your hand.” He smiled.
“This isn’t a date,” I said as I pushed the DOWN button. “This is you pleading your case.”
He chuckled. “I missed you.”
I stared at the elevator doors and exhaled audibly.
“You’re so beautiful, Farren. I’m so lucky.”
I stared at his profile with an incredulous look. This night was going to be impossible to get through without completely losing my shit on him, I could feel it.
Gianelli’s held a lot of amazing memories for Crew and me. He’d brought me here for our first date and every important occasion since. I loved that they only used candles at the tables, making it more intimate and personal. The last time I was here was for my twenty-ninth birthday. Crew gave me a gold necklace and ordered a bottle of champagne at an ungodly price. That was before the TV show—before Nina. I genuinely believed he loved me then. The restaurant’s ambiance was no longer comforting; it was a bitter reminder of what we used to have.
The hostess sat us and made eyes at Crew. She apologized but asked if they could get a selfie together. He obliged and then gave her a wink. She practically skipped away.
“Sorry about that,” he said as he beamed, looking at the menu.
I glared at him. He enjoyed the attention more than he’d admit.
He’d tried to drag me into the spotlight with him, but I’d continually refused. I’d wanted him to keep us private, but he’d fought against it, saying the world should love me as much as he did.
I didn’t bother opening my menu. I always got the same shrimp scampi and fettuccine with a white wine sauce. I looked around the restaurant and people-watched until Crew had decided.
“You look amazing tonight. Did I tell you that?” He leaned towards me.
“Thank you,” I said tightly.
Crew reached across the table and took my hand. “Farren, I know I messed up. I thought I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t. I got caught up with Nina and thought it was love.” He shook his head.
“So the whole time you two were working together, you were cheating on me?” I couldn’t believe I was sitting here listening to this.
He leaned back, releasing my hand. “I never slept with her, I swear. I kissed her…some other things, but I didn’t have sex with her.”
I looked away, nodding. “That makes it better.”
“Farren—” He came forward again.
I turned back to him. “What do you want from me, Crew? Why did you even bring me here?” I couldn’t keep my voice from rising.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Confusion colored his tone. “I want you back. I want to move in with you, everything you’ve been asking for. I’m ready to commit.”
I paused and narrowed my eyes. “She rejected you, didn’t she?”
“What?” he asked, flustered.
“Nina. She didn’t want to be in a relationship with you and told you to fuck off. That’s why you’re here.” I tilted my head to the side, daring him to lie.
Crew looked at his hands on the table and kept silent. I laughed once and shook my head at his mute confirmation.
I was about to excuse myself so I wouldn’t punch Crew in the face when I glanced up and met familiar eyes. My mouth fell open as the hostess led the CEO into the dining area. He locked eyes with me instantly.
“Oh, shit,” I whispered.
Crew looked at me. “What’s wrong?” He turned around and saw what I was staring at.
David Powers was in a black, tailored suit and it hung on him as if he were born in it. The lighting in the building made him more enticing, more delectable than ever. I couldn’t look away.
“Ms. Hallston,” he said in a surprised tone as he stopped by our table. I looked past him to see who I could only presume was his date. She was a gorgeous, black-haired woman with a body I’d pay good money to replicate, and she immediately intimidated me.
“Mr. Powers,” I
said and tried to smile.
“This is a pleasant surprise.” He smirked.
“It’s something,” I muttered and cleared my throat. I glanced at Crew, who was staring at Powers’s date. She, however, was looking at me. “Uh, David Powers, this is Crew Dawson.”
Crew stood and shook Powers’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Powers nodded at him. “This is Aurora Gianelli.” He put his hand on her lower back and encouraged her forward.
I shook her ridiculously soft hand. Her perfume was expensive and delicate, with a clean scent.
“Gianelli? Do you own the restaurant?” I asked.
“My family does, yes.” Her voice was low and raspy.
Crew took her hand and lingered with it.
Boredom covered her face as she stepped back, making Powers the front man again.
Powers studied Crew. “I feel like I’ve seen you before.”
Crew glanced at me, then looked back at him, smiling. “Yes, I’m on a show called Viking Point. I’m one of the four brothers in the tribe. Merrick.”
Powers’s eyes widen. “Yes, I’ve seen an episode. It’s…very interesting.” He nodded.
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at his sarcastic tone.
“Thanks, I appreciate that,” Crew said proudly.
“I’ll let the two of you continue with your evening.” He turned to me, running his eyes down my torso and up again. “Good to see you, Ms. Hallston.”
My face warmed, and I nodded once. “Mr. Powers.” He and his date walked past us.
“Who is that guy?” Crew asked.
“He’s my boss,” I blurted.
He made a sound through his teeth. “At least I don’t have to worry about you cheating on me with him. With that kind of girlfriend…”
My head snapped up to him. “Okay, first, that’s a shitty thing to say. Second, we are not back together for me to cheat on you. If I wanted to give him a blow job in his office, I’m well within my right to do that, Crew.”
Crew leaned back. “Farren, hey. I’m sorry. I’m just…I’m nervous. I really want to make this work.”
“Yeah, well, you’re not starting out very well, are you?” I got up, threw my napkin down on the table, and grabbed my purse.
I needed to take a minute. Between Crew acting like I was a second prize and seeing Powers here, my entire night was being shaken up like a snow globe. I walked into the bathroom, threw my purse on the counter, and leaned with my hands against the stainless steel. Every muscle in my face was tight with aggravation. I took a deep breath to calm myself and found my brick-red lipstick in my purse.
I couldn’t shake the shock of Powers being here and with a date. Not that it surprised me he was with an immaculate woman, but it bothered me—more than it should have. I shook out my hands and ran them under the cool water.
I left the bathroom and entered the long, high-ceiling corridor that led back to the restaurant. The moonlight peeked through the long roof window, causing mysterious shadows on the cobblestone.
A man stood at the end of the hall with his back to me, and I recognized him immediately. He was on the phone and turned towards the wall, showing off his structured profile. He looked stressed as he spoke.
“Did you call Johns Hopkins? Okay, they’re just going to have to deal until then… I know…I’m trying, just…try to make him understand.” There was frustration in his voice.
I approached him carefully. He did a double take when he saw me coming. I held my purse in my hands in front of me.
“Allison, I need to call you back… Alright.” He pulled the phone away from his ear and tapped on the screen.
I looked at him with concern.
The light from the moon hovered over him, making the sensual David Powers something more seductive, rawer. Those dazzling eyes ran down my body, and he nodded. “That’s a hell of a dress, Ms. Hallston.”
I tilted my head. “Careful, Mr. Powers. I could still go to HR,” I teased.
He closed the distance between us, keeping his focus on me. “We’re not at work right now.” His voice was husky.
I audibly sighed and felt my face glow.
He put his hand in his pocket. “So, Crew Dawson is your boyfriend.”
“Ex-boyfriend,” I clarified.
He chuckled. “You broke up with him at Gianelli’s? Ouch.”
I laughed softly. “We broke up a few weeks ago.”
He paused as a realization occurred to him. “He’s trying to get you back.”
“Something like that,” I answered.
His eyes wandered down me again. “That dress will do it.” He licked his lips. “Is it working?”
I looked down. “I don’t know,” I whispered.
He moved closer. His finger casually sat under my chin. He lifted it so we were eye-to-eye. His touch startled me, and my heart rate increased, as if I had broken into a sprint.
“Is he what you want?” He brushed the back of his hand lightly against my cheek, removing a piece of hair from my face.
Words escaped me, and I barely shook my head. He was close enough to where I could smell his breath, full of whatever liquor he was drinking. I should’ve backed away from him, told him this wasn’t appropriate, but he captivated me.
“Never settle, Farren,” he whispered. “If he’s not what you want, then don’t waste your time. Someone else will gladly take his place.” The tips of his fingers stayed at my neck, under my ear. He ran them lightly down to my collarbone.
I closed my eyes, and my breath became heavy. My open flesh prickled. I wanted to feel his hand travel down to my chest, his lips on mine, his body against me.
He removed his hand, and his presence became noticeably absent, forcing me to open my eyes. He had stepped away from me. “I’m sorry. Too much Cognac.” He looked down and shook his head. “I should let you get back.”
The CEO stepped to the side as I gathered myself. I carefully walked past him and glanced at his profile as I turned the corner. The same fingers that touched me were now grazing his bottom lip.
I returned to the table, hardly acknowledging Crew was there. My nerves were so frazzled from the encounter with the CEO, I dropped my linen napkin. Twice.
Powers walked back to his table, where his date was waiting. I didn’t want to watch him, but I couldn’t look away. Aurora Gianelli kept her phone in front of her when he returned, barely noticing when he sat. He put his arm around the back of her, his thumb lightly running against her outer bicep. I straightened my back as if he made that little connection on my skin instead of hers. He took a drink while peering around the restaurant. He found me watching him as he brought his glass to his lips. We locked eyes until his date leaned against him and whispered into his ear.
Jealousy crept in as I looked away.
The ride home with Crew was quiet. Visions of David Powers and the look he’d given me flashed in my thoughts. The scent of his cologne still hovered in my nose, the warmth from his touch still lingered on my face, and those hypnotic eyes heated my entire body. The man was nowhere near, but his existence was all around me.
As soon as we parked, I got out of the car, still in a daze. Crew followed behind me but I didn’t acknowledge him. I took out my keys and unlocked my door.
“Can I come in?” Crew asked, standing behind me.
I turned to him and saw that all too familiar look Crew wore. “Crew, no.”
He came closer and laid his hands on my waist. “I haven’t been with anyone else, Farren. I just want to wake up with you. I thought we had a good time.” He leaned down and kissed the side of my neck. Right in that spot he knew was almost sure to get him into my bed. The same spot Powers had touched.
I laid my hand on his shoulder and closed my eyes. For a moment, I imagined it wasn’t Crew, it was the tall CEO who paid rent in my head more than I wanted to admit. I imagined my hands in his hair, his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer.
I grabbed Crew, keeping my eyes closed,
and kissed him. Hard. Powers’s mouth on mine flashed in my thoughts, and I let a small moan escape. I opened the door with one hand behind me and pulled Crew in. For the night, I’d take Crew as a replacement for what I truly wanted.
“MORNING,” YVETTE SAID ABOVE me.
I tore away from my computer as she placed a coffee cup on my desk. “Morning. Oh, you’re a lifesaver, thank you.” I took a sip.
“How long have you been here?” She leaned against my desk.
I exhaled and glanced at her. “Since six.”
“Woman, why?”
“I have to get ahead of this presentation next Friday. I didn’t get a chance this weekend.” I focused back on my screen.
“Farren, I don’t know if anyone told you, but you’re not supposed to work on the weekends.” She chuckled.
“You do if you’ve just been promoted to manager and have to deal with Dumbass.” I glanced at her.
“Excellent point. Let me know if you need help,” she said as she left my cubicle.
I stared at the screen, then noticed the time. I’d been in my chair for the last two and a half hours. I needed to stretch and walk around.
I stood and glanced to the closed door on my right. Looking towards Powers’s office was becoming an annoying habit I needed to break before it got me in trouble.
I walked into the floor’s too-bright break room. Trevor sat at a table with his usual breakfast burrito before him.
“Hey,” I said.
He lowered his phone. “Well, hello, Little Miss Crew. How was your weekend?” he teased.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. Trevor must have seen Crew’s Instagram account. I begged Crew not to take any pictures of me, but he didn’t listen. He’d grabbed me into a hug after I’d awoken—both of us clearly naked from the waist up—and took a photo.
I walked to the table and sat. “You saw, huh?”
“Yep. So, I take it you’re back together?” He cut into his burrito with a plastic fork.
“Absolutely not,” I said diligently.
Trevor cocked his head. “He took a picture of you two in bed.” The sound of disbelief was loud and clear.
“Just because I slept with him does not mean we’re back together,” I countered.
The One of Many Page 5
