I let out a frustrated huff and waved to the room. “Great, now we’re stuck with each other,” I whined, as I waved my hand toward the room. We were now the last ones remaining in a class of about 30 people.
He quirked his head to the side and gave me that damn half smile, his dimple showing full glory, “I don’t mind being stuck with you.”
Trying to shake off the smile I wanted to give, I whined, “It’s a getting to know each other exercise.”
“Well, we don’t know that much about each other outside of work,” he reminded me.
I rolled my eyes. “We’re already neighbors. Now this?”
“What is it with you? Do I piss you off that much? I was a little late, I’m sorry. I’m still not used to getting up so early on someone else’s time. And today started at 8 a.m. That’s pretty early.”
“It’s called an alarm clock, Matt. I even have an alarm on my phone. It’s not that difficult to be punctual,” I snapped back at him.
“Yeah, well, I forgot to set it last night, okay?” he shot back at me.
“No, it’s not okay,” I countered, angry that he was even trying to argue about this.
Evelyn was hosting today’s seminar. She approached Matt and I. Just like always she was impeccably dressed. Her gorgeous brown hair was pulled into a chignon again. I felt horrible for interrupting her session as I noticed the concerned look on her face as she asked, “Vanessa, is everything alright over here?”
“I apologize, Evelyn. Matt and I were just discussing an issue.” I threw him a glare. She gave me a comforting smile as she glanced from Matt back to me.
“I see. Well, we’re going to start the exercise now, if you could both take your seats.”
My face flamed red as I looked around the room and realized several people were glancing our way. Thankfully, Evelyn’s assistant was still setting up and wasn’t waiting for us also. I nodded and quickly took the nearest seat, as did Matt, right next to me.
Our first exercise was to find out three things about our partner and then stand up and introduce them in a manner that was informative and clear.
“I’m still confused as to why your brother’s name is Z,” I complained as Matt tried to give me information I didn’t know about him. I tried to hide the disgusted look on my face because his “name” was the last letter in the alphabet.
Matt gave a small chuckle as he responded, “Yeah. Zander. I was four and I kept calling him ‘ander’ My parents were trying to get me to say the letter Z in front of his name so they constantly said ‘Zzzeee’ and then ‘Zander’…so I said ‘Zzee’ and then ‘ander’…they gave up and we’ve called him ‘Z’ ever since.”
His explanation was so silly that I actually laughed and started to release some of the anger I had from his tardiness. I began to enjoy our small conversation and tried to quell my annoyance I had earlier. “Any idea why they chose the name Zander to begin with?”
Matt’s smile was irresistible as he provided a mini answer, “Mom lost a bet.”
“I’m sorry, what? You’re parents bet on their child’s name?” I laughed and was actually a little more anxious to hear this answer.
“Yeah. Dad wanted the name Zander. Mom wanted Theodore — she wanted to call him Teddy for short. Dad bet her a hand in poker that if she lost they could name him Zander.” Matt’s eyes glanced to the ceiling as he chuckled. “Mom thinks she’s great at poker, but she’s not.” He shrugged while laughing, “Dad won.”
I shook my head as I laughed at the reason behind his little brother’s name. Matt was also a great storyteller, I realized as I listened to some other things he told me about himself to help with my mini introduction. We both had agreed to make sure that we tried to stay clear of the normal “He has one brother” and where he lives type of introduction.
When the time was up, I stood up first and gave my standard introduction of Matt. It was good, not too lengthy, but made sure to give the required information for the activity. Then Matt stood up and gave his introduction of me. My jaw hit the floor.
“Good morning ladies and gentleman. It’s my honor to introduce Vanessa Hargrave. She is a woman of compassion, grace and beauty, full of intellect and wit. Growing up in a small town, Vanessa’s caring nature drove her to set up a charity for children with cancer at the local hospital. The same characteristics that led her to set up that virtuous charity at such a young age inspired her to seek her current field of Human Resources, where Vanessa is able to not only assist the employees of the company, but to facilitate the companies’ charitable initiatives helping those in need.”
After the applause in the room died down, we both took our seats and the presenter made sure to congratulate Matt on his introduction for me. I tried my best not to be jealous that something like this, just another thing, came so easy to Matt.
“I didn’t live in a small town and why would you tell them I set up a charity for children? I had a lemonade stand and gave my money to my Dad,” I furiously whispered to Matt while someone else gave their introduction of another attendee.
Matt smiled and leaned over. “You lived in a rich neighborhood that was basically like a small town. By giving the money you earned from your lemonade stand to your dad, you basically started your own charity,” he whispered back to me. “You had a giving heart, even at a small age,” he added with that damn half smile, making my heart skip a beat.
The session ended and Evelyn came striding up to us as we were both starting to stand. “Matt, that was a brilliant introduction. Maybe next year you could be one of our keynote speakers.” She reached anxiously to grab Matt’s hand, shaking it delicately. I had a slight tinge of jealousy, but I wasn’t sure if that was because Evelyn was touching him or because his introduction was so much better than mine. “Here is my business card if you might like to present. We are lining up our speakers for next year and we would love to have you on our team.”
“Wow. Well, thank you very much,” he gloated.
Evelyn left and Matt turned back to me, tapping the business card on his hand, smiling. “How about that! And here I thought I wasn’t so great speaking in front of people. Hmm, imagine that.”
“Yes, imagine that,” I mumbled under my breath.
“Are you upset?”
“No,” I lied. “Why on earth would I be upset?”
“I don’t know. You just seem upset.” He shrugged and then changed the conversation, his eyes lighting up again. “Hey, we’ve got a break for lunch. I heard about this great restaurant down the street. Feel like going?”
“Actually, I’m heading out to lunch with Bob.”
“Yeah?” I watched his jaw tighten and for some reason it made me laugh.
“What’s with the stern face? Jealous?” I mimicked him from our brief, annoying phone conversation last night.
“No,” he spat. “I just know what he’s after Vanessa.”
“Oh yeah? And how would you know that?” I taunted him as I chuckled. He seemed to enjoy having all his little reasons for everything.
He chuckled, “Because I’m a guy and I don’t care what you think, the first image any guy has when he meets an attractive woman is how he’s going to bend her over.”
I scoffed. “Yeah, okay. I’m sure guys like you think that way, but not business executive who are secure with themselves.”
Matt laughed, “Vanessa, they put their pants on one leg at a time just like you and me. And being a man, they get hard-ons the second they see a nice set of tits and a fantastic ass.”
“You’re so disgusting. Seriously, that’s how you think? About all women?”
“All men do. It’s in our blood.” He leaned in and in and grunted, “courses through our veins.” He pulled back and smirked at me.
I rolled my eyes. “I disagree with you. Maybe they have that thought at first, but most don’t act on it.”
“Well, no, most don’t act on it, but it’s definitely on their mind.”
I shook my head as I stood up, �
��I’ll see you after lunch. I’m sure you’ll be taking your new friends.” I glanced over his shoulder and nodded my head towards the two blondes. They were dressed a little more provocative than they were last night and were headed straight for Matt. He glanced over his shoulder and then back to me. “Jealous?”
I rolled my eyes and didn’t bother giving him a reply as I walked off to meet Bob for lunch.
My lunch with Bob was disheartening. Why? Because I seemed to be more in tune with where his eyes were going. I tried my best to ignore it, but he tended to linger a little longer on my cleavage. He also touched me a lot more than he ever has and that’s saying a lot, because I always considered him to be a touchy person. My heart sank knowing I was probably losing a good friend and mentor and gaining an admirer I wasn’t really wanting.
It’s not like I’ve never had to deal with advances before. However, usually my engagement ring and speaking of Charles constantly would ward off most or at least keep them at bay. The fact that Bob was now divorcing, coupled with his lingering eyes on my cleavage was a huge disappointment. His gentle touches to my arm gave me that jolt of realization that Matt was probably correct in his assumption. Hating that he was correct, I still remained cordial and business like in order to make sure I didn’t give off any signals that he might hang hopes on.
******
It was the last seminar of the day and I met up with Matt again, taking our seats right before the speaker began.
Matt leaned over and whispered, “I was right, wasn’t I?”
I pressed my lips together, hating that he was right. Hating the fact that Bob was always someone I valued for advice and never felt threatened by advances. Now I felt like I might have to avoid speaking with him so I wouldn’t have to deal with his advances. Frustrated with Matt and the situation I huffed, “Can we not discuss this, please?” I started to twirl my grandmother’s ring, upset that it took place just as Matt predicted.
Matt’s face was lit up as he excitedly asked, “Why? Because I’m right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Just stop, please.”
He looked at me and how I was fidgeting. He knocked into me with his shoulder, “Hey, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to upset you. I just wanted you to be aware of him. I also overheard Stan and Terry talk about your ass last night. I’m just letting you know how attractive they all think you are and just about all of them have noticed your ring is no longer there.”
Stunned, I jerked my head to look at him. “You…overheard all of that? When?”
“While you were talking with Evelyn and then with Bob. You told me to go mingle. I did. Most were sent here by their company and don’t really give a shit about having to sit through this.”
I glanced at him thoughtfully, wondering if he even cared half as much about seminars as I did? I always valued them and love attending to learn and further my career by networking. “And you?” I asked as I turned my head to see his face.
He gave me a caring smile. “You told me to and I know I could learn some stuff. Most of this is for gaining contacts, which I’m game for.” I turned back to listen to the speaker. We both sat there quietly pretending to listen to the speaker, both lost in our own thoughts. His, I’m sure, were consumed with the two blondes he probably had last night.
He leaned over and whispered, “Let’s cut loose and hit the casinos tonight.”
Still frustrated that I was here to learn and gain business contacts and everyone else seemed to be here only to hook up, I gave him a quick eye roll and huffed, “I’m not here to gamble, Matt.”
“Oh come on! I can tell you’re frustrated with all this crap. Cut loose and have some fun.”
“We’re not here to have fun, we’re here to learn,” I snapped back at him a little louder than I anticipated, garnering some looks from those around us.
Matt chuckled. “You’re being too uptight.” I gave him a brief look, noticing his gorgeous eyes smiling just as much as his full lips. “We’re going out tonight and that’s an order,” he teased.
I tried to remain firm in my stubbornness. “No, I’m not. Who made you in charge of my fun?”
“Oh and what were you going to do? Stay in your hotel room tonight and sulk?” I debated telling him my actual plan was to watch a movie and get to sleep early so I’d be alert for all the classes tomorrow. “You were!” he exclaimed, laughing with his eye brows raised.
Angry that he guessed what I was going to do, I asked him, “Do you enjoy teasing me?”
His eyes turned sultry and that damn smirk appeared. He licked his lips as he sweetly confirmed what I already knew, “I have lived for it on a daily basis since I met you, Vanessa.” I held his gaze, knowing he truly meant it.
The seminar ended and those around us stood up, some were glaring at us. Matt placed his hand at the small of my back, reminding me of when he did that at the wedding. Then I enjoyed it, but right now it was agitating me, just like his comment.
We entered the elevator and I didn’t speak a word to him, nor did he say anything to me. We each walked to our room and as I swiped my key card, Matt called over his shoulder, “I’ll see you in an hour, Vanessa.” It was that same teasing voice that just made me want to turn around and hit him, almost like he was telling me what to do.
I didn’t respond and entered my room, kicking of my heels the second I got inside. I sat on the edge of my bed and debated telling him I didn’t feel well enough to go out.
I stepped out of my hotel room an hour later, checking to make sure I had my key card before I shut the door completely. I decided to go ahead and go out, not wanting Matt to win this little argument. Not that it was really an argument, but it was more that he would probably be happy that I wasn’t going out. Then he would hook up with those blondes again. Not that I cared. Although the more I thought about it maybe, I did.
“Are you ready to have some fun, Vanessa?” I heard Matt ask from behind me.
I turned around to see his blue eyes sparkling like a kid’s on Christmas morning. “Why do you look so excited?” I asked with a slight annoyance to my voice. I was still thinking about the blondes he probably had last night.
“I’m excited to spend some time with you outside of work.” He tilted his head slightly and chuckled. “Or outside of a wedding.” He finished off his sentence with a wink that made me give him a small smile. That smile made me almost forget my agitation for him.
“I really should stay in. I have some policies I wanted to polish off before showing them to Evelyn tomorrow for her opinion and advice.”
“Oh come on. You’re not gonna sit in your room while everyone else is out there having fun.” He grabbed my hand and started pulling me down the hallway. I snatched my arm out of his grasp and stopped, gaping at him.
“What is with you? You don’t need to drag me,” I hissed at him.
“I wasn’t dragging you. I was just making sure you weren’t going to run back into your room.” His brows pinched together in confusion. “Don’t act like a bitch just for the sake of being a bitch,” he snapped at me. My jaw dropped as I put my hands on my hips.
“You wanted me to go! If you don’t want me to go, just say so!” I snapped back at him.
His arms went wide as he exclaimed, “Oh please don’t do me any favors. If you want to stay here, by yourself, in your hotel room feeling sorry for yourself, then be my guest.”
“I wouldn’t have sat here feeling sorry for myself. I’d have sat here relaxing instead of going out with slot machines blaring in my ears while everyone gets drunk,” I argued.
“Stop. You’re being irrational. Come on, let’s just go.” He waved his arm towards the elevators.
“Oh, so says the big guy. Oh are you trying to scare me into going too?” Yeah. Not sure why I said that, but it was more out of frustration that he was starting to push so hard.
“No, I’m saying let’s get the fuck out of the hotel and have a good time tonight,” he snarled at me, his brows pulled together probably as
much as mine were.
“Why so I can watch you flirt with the two blondes tonight?” Shit. Why did I just blurt that out? Why does he make me say the stupidest things?
His mouth quirked up on that one side and his eyes sparked excitedly. Dammit. “You are jealous.” He walked back to me and pushed his way into my “space” as I backed up against the wall. You know that bubble that most people know that you don’t invade. He was in my bubble. Close. So close I inhaled his amazing aftershave, which made my insides melt in two seconds flat. Spicy and woodsy. I couldn’t help but stare at his skin and how rugged it looked. I pressed my lips together remembering how he tasted, how my lips felt as I grazed it, feeling his slight stubble. Tasting his salty skin.
“Of what?” I shot back trying to shake myself out of thinking about my lips touching his skin again. My heart beat faster as he leaned in closer, barely touching my skin. My breathing picked up as excitement coursed through me, especially down “there.”
He softly whispered, “Are you jealous of another woman touching me, like you were going to on the dance floor?” His clean-shaven cheek brushed against mine, his lips grazed against my ear lobe as he gruffly whispered, “Are you remembering how you touched me that night? Your luscious lips brushed against my skin. Your tongue ran along my neck, wanting me; wanting to taste more of me. Your mouth wanted more than just the taste of my neck, Vanessa.” He growled, “You wanted me, all of me.” I swallowed, feeling so incredibly turned on and I kept trying to reign in my feelings that were now rushing out of control.
His lips ran along my jaw line and I let out a whimper. His tongue briefly touched my skin and his teeth grazed against me. I turned my head wanting him so badly I ached. In that one instant, I caught the breath of his soul right before our mouths collided hard against each other; forcefully, as if we’ve never kissed another person before. Hard, our lips pressed into each other as our tongues lashed recklessly with wanting…desire…hate…lust. Every emotion we’ve been feeling for each other was pent up in that one kiss. Searching for answers of how we really felt about each other.
Romantic Promises (Alluring Promises Series, #2) Page 21
