by Alexa Riley
She smiles. “Worried something might happen to me and you’ll never find someone to replace me who can deal with you?” I ignore her because she’s probably right. I used to burn though assistants every two months before her. A cold insensitive jerk many had said.
“Call Ivy and have her come in. We have a few things to finally tie up.”
Chapter Six
Mallory
* * *
“How can you eat all that?” I ask paige as she shoves a giant piece of steak into her mouth before washing it down with a beer.
“What? We’re celebrating here.” She cuts another piece of her rib eye and sticks it in her mouth. I have no idea where she puts all this food. Her workouts must really work.
“So, dish. Who do we hate and who do we like?”
I laugh and give her a rundown of how my first day went. It was actually a lot easier and smoother than I thought it would be. I enjoyed everyone for the most part. Eric was a little odd and liked to stare a bit too long, but Skyler was cool. I could see myself easily getting along with her. Eric, I would have to keep an eye on. He seems like the type that would try to take credit for your work or throw you under the bus to save his own ass.
“I knew it’d be easy for you. Shit like that always is.” She picks up her beer and polishes it off. I play with my pasta, pushing it around the plate, not really that hungry. I’m energized and excited about everything that’s happening. Today went better than I could have imagined and I have plans with Oz tomorrow.
“What about you? Anything on the job front?”
A smile breaks across her face. “Actually yes. I was waiting to tell you, but I applied for a job at Osbourne Corp.”
“Really?” The surprise is clear in my voice. I honestly had no idea what Paige was going to do. She got a degree in criminal justice and a minor in cybercrime. She’d talked about doing security, but I had no idea what that entailed. For some reason, I kept picturing her in a car parked outside someone’s house, taking pictures and turning in cheating spouses. Maybe giving them an ass-kicking afterward. She’s incredible, though, so I know she’ll be great at whatever she does.
“They had an opening, so I went in and applied. Got the job right on the spot. Obviously,” she says, making me snort.
“Obviously,” I agree, smiling at her. “What will you be doing?”
“They’re going to train me in different areas and see what works best. I’m hoping to guard one of the higher-ups.”
“Like a bodyguard? That interests you?”
“I think it’s what I’d be best at,” she says, beaming. I can tell she’s super excited, which makes me excited, too.
Paige is always well aware of her surroundings, and she remembers everything. She has a photographic memory. It’s freaky sometimes, the things she remembers, but she doesn’t like people to know that either. It wasn’t until we were living together for two years that I finally busted her on it.
“Does that mean I’ll get to see you around? Have lunch together sometimes? Even walk to work together?”
I love the idea of us getting to work together. It might not be together-together, but I’ll take it. I don’t know anyone here, and I’d like having her at work with me, too. Almost like a comfort. We might be becoming codependent.
“That would be pretty kick-ass. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
The waiter stops at our table, dropping off another beer for Paige. I lift my wineglass and hold it out to her.
“To us. Adulting,” I say as we clink glasses and take a sip.
“This definitely calls for dessert,” she adds, unsurprisingly.
“When doesn’t it call for dessert?”
“Touché, but we aren’t splitting this time.” She says it like we do that all the time.
“We haven’t split a dessert since the snack bar incident, freshman year,” I shoot back, giving her a hard look.
“You’re never going to let that go, are you? It’s been almost four years and you’re still hanging on to that. I pity the guy who marries you. You’ll never let anything go.” She shakes her head like she can’t believe me, her auburn hair bouncing.
“You bit my finger.” I can’t even say it without laughing. When it first happened, I wondered who in the world I ended up rooming with and was a little scared. Now it’s just funny.
“Well, don’t grab things off people’s plates without asking and your fingers will be safe.” Her tone implies it’s common knowledge that people will bite your finger if you come near their plate.
The waiter comes by again, picking up her empty dish, and Paige immediately requests a dessert menu.
“You done with that?” She doesn’t wait for an answer, using her fork to pick bites of my pasta. The law of not taking food clearly doesn’t apply to her. Knowing Paige, though, she’d risk a finger bite for food.
I reach for my phone, wanting to see if I have any missed messages, but before I can check, I hear his voice.
“Mallory.” The sound rolls over my skin, making goose bumps rise on my skin. “I’m going to pretend you were looking to see if I texted you.” Turning my head, I stare up at him.
He looks like he came from the office, wearing the same kind of fitted suit he wore the last time I saw him. This time the suit is a deep maroon, almost black in color. His jacket is open, revealing a vest the same color as the suit, with a black tie over a crisp white shirt. It’s sexy as hell when a man has style.
The only thing that’s out of place is his hair. It looks like he’s been running his hands through it; the dark waves are a bit unruly, but it makes him look impossibly sexy. I’d love to see it long enough for some of the curl to come out. The short dark stubble on his face isn’t really a beard and isn’t really a day-old shave. It’s the kind of length that looks yummy and leaves a mark after kissing. Or so I’ve been told.
He places a hand on my bare shoulder, and the warmth spreads through my body. I changed out of my work clothes when I got home, putting on something more casual before we went to dinner. It’s so hot out that I put on a thin tank top and some shorts, leaving as much skin exposed as possible. Now I feel nearly naked as the simple touch turns almost intimate.
He leans down next to my ear as his thumb strokes my skin. “I did.”
“Oz. What are you doing here?” I ask, flustered by his presence.
He smiles, and it’s then I see he has dimples. I must have missed them in the dark club the other night. They make him look even more attractive, and I didn’t think that was possible.
“Sir,” I hear someone say, drawing my eyes to a man in a suit. I’m guessing he’s the restaurant manager or maybe even the owner. I’d seen him working the room while we ate dinner. “I didn’t know you were joining us this evening. I’ll get your table right away, Mr.—”
Oz holds out his hand, cutting off the man’s words. “I’ll sit here.” His voice is firm allowing no questions. He pulls out the extra chair at our table, sitting down without even being invited.
“Of course. I’ll have a drink brought over,” the manager says without even having to ask what he wants. It’s clear they know him here. It makes me wonder who he is. He seems to be more than some rich guy. Those kind of men are everywhere in New York. Part of me wants to ask who he is, but the other part doesn’t want to burst this bubble we’re in. He’s on a level I can’t compete with, and I don’t want to bring that to reality yet. I want to enjoy all the things he’s doing to me.
Oz places one hand on mine on top of the table and lazily strokes the inside of my wrist. Once again just doing what he wants. No question. It’s an intimate hold, like he’s been doing it forever. I stare at him, still shocked. I’m not sure if I’m excited about him being here or not. This wasn’t the outfit I had planned for when I’d see him again. I hadn’t come
up with things to talk about yet. I take a breath, trying to calm myself. Dating isn’t like studying for a test, I tell myself.
“I’m Miles,” he says to Paige, holding out his other hand to her. She shakes it.
“Miles?” I query. I guess I only know his first name, or what I thought was his first name.
“Only you have the pleasure of calling me Oz, Mallory.”
His soft smile—along with knowing that something is mine only—makes butterflies take flight in my stomach. It makes it sound like we’re a couple and I have my own little nickname for him. It’s ridiculous, and I have to bite my lips to keep from smiling.
“The guy from the club and the one who’s been texting Mal?” Paige asks, dropping his hand.
“You’ve been talking about me?” His eyes come back to mine, the smile still lighting up his face. I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about a man’s smile before, but his makes me warm inside. And knowing I’m the reason for it makes me all tingly.
“Yeah,” is all I can manage to get out. Jesus, I’m terrible at this. “What are you doing here?” I say hurriedly, trying to cover up my awkwardness. I never thought I was shy, but then again, I’ve never been attracted to someone like I am to him. Something about him is different. Maybe because he doesn’t take no for an answer. When I push him he only pushes back and for some reason I like that. Probably more than I should. Maybe it’s the sweet way he does it.
“I come here a good bit. It’s close to home, so I can pop in for a quick meal from time to time. It’s nicer than sitting at my desk or alone at home.”
I immediately regret asking what he’s doing here. I had assumed maybe he tracked me down or something, but I see that’s not the case. If it’s close to his home, then that means he lives close to Paige and me. We’re only about two blocks from our condo.
The manager appears again, Oz’s drink in hand. “Can I get you anything to eat, Mr.—”
“Dessert,” he says, interrupting him again. The manager almost seems flustered now.
“I’m down with that,” Paige chimes in.
“She doesn’t share,” I add.
“One of everything then,” Oz says, slowly running the tip of his finger over my wrist.
“There are eight desserts,” the manager says, like he can’t believe Oz is going to order them all.
“Should I order two of everything since she doesn’t share?”
I laugh, knowing that comment will definitely win him points with Paige.
“Oh, I like him,” Paige says, and I laugh.
“I like that sound.” Oz’s eyes are on me like no one else is at the table. His gaze is romantically possessive as his fingers continue to slowly caress me.
“Hmm?” I lean in a bit more toward him, moving closer without thinking. I want to see if he still smells like warm amber and honey, a smell I can’t seem to stop thinking about now.
“Your laugh. It’s lovely. I like it. I like even more that I made you do it.”
I’m in way over my head with him. He’s too charming, too consuming and already acts like I’m his. I could get lost in him far too easily.
“One of everything should be fine,” comes flying out of my mouth. My face heats, knowing everyone heard what he said. He’s so bold with his words. Uncaring of anyone hearing what he said. It’s a little intimidating. You’d think I’d be used to it living with Paige, but he keeps knocking me off my feet.
My eyes dart over to Paige, who’s studying us. She’s quiet, which isn’t like her. Even less so when a man is hitting on one of us. She’s normally quick to shut it down or even poke at something they said, trying to irritate them.
“Perfect.” His finger strokes across my cheek, like he’s touching my blush. I actually jerk back. He pulls his hand away, and the look on his face is as if I struck him. For a second he looks almost pained.
“Sorry. You caught me off guard,” I try to explain, hating my reaction. I’m not used to being touched.
“No, I’m sorry.” He gives me a long look, one I can’t read, before pushing back his chair. “I’ll leave you ladies to it.” He extends his hand to Paige once again. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” She shakes his hand and nods.
“You don’t have to go. Dessert is coming,” I protest, guilt growing, like I made him uncomfortable or something. Wow. Maybe I should have tried dating in college, because I’m seriously awkward at this. Then again, I don’t think anyone I’ve ever met would have had me tripping over myself like this. Not to mention no one ever piqued my interest like this either.
As he turns back to me, his sapphire-blue eyes have something hidden in them. He leans down and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and for a moment he lingers there, his soft lips grazing where he touched moments ago, and I finally get that warm amber and honey smell I’d been craving. Desire runs through my body, and a chill races down my back, making my nipples hard. An audible breath leaves my lips, and I close my eyes, completely taken by the slight contact.
“Enjoy your dessert, sweet Mallory. I’m sure it won’t be as decadent as you.”
With that, he’s pulling back and heading across the restaurant. I watch as one of the hostesses steps in front of him as he tries to leave. She looks like a model who moonlights here to make ends meet. She’s flawless with her straight blond hair and legs that go on for days in her short black dress. She reaches out to touch his arm, but he sidesteps her, giving her a firm head shake, clearly dismissing her, before exiting out the front of the restaurant. What was that all about?
“That was intense,” Paige says, pulling my eyes away from the door.
“Was that a goodbye?” Maybe my awkwardness was too much for him. He shot out of here rather fast.
“Well, yeah, he left.” She eyes me like I’m crazy and doesn’t get what I mean.
“No, I meant like goodbye-goodbye. No more texting me or whatever.” I wave my hands around like that might help explain what I mean.
“No.” Her eyebrows rise, and she shakes her head like I’m crazy. “That man is hooked.” She says it with such conviction that I’m almost afraid to doubt her. But yet I still do.
“How do you know?”
“Anyone with eyes could tell, Mal. He’s into you. Like really into you.”
Just then our desserts arrive. Three people drop them off, and the plates and bowls cover the entire table.
“Jesus.” Paige’s face lights up like it’s Christmas morning. “Marry him,” she says, picking up a fork and digging in.
“The check has been taken care of, ladies.” Without waiting for a response, the waiter scurries from the table.
I pick up my phone and see the text that Oz was talking about.
Oz: I spent an entire meeting not paying attention to anything that was being discussed, nodding along. If I agreed to give my company away, I blame it entirely on you. And if one of the questions my secretary asked me was about attending some charity event, then you’re coming with me. It’s the least you could do.
The words make me smile.
“Looks like someone is equally hooked.”
That’s an understatement. I’m far too gone for Oz. I’m already freaking out that I blew things.
My phone buzzes, a new text from Oz. My heart skips a beat.
Oz: I forgot to tell you how stunning you looked. I was too busy staring at you. I couldn’t help myself.
Me: You looked pretty handsome yourself.
Oz: I can’t wait to see you tomorrow and have you all to myself.
Me: Me neither.
I look up, and Paige is in a dessert fog. It’s then I see the hostess who tried to talk to Oz earlier giving me a death glare. I look away. I definitely don’t like that. What if this guy has a line of women I’ll always have to put up with? It makes me wonder who he
is, but dealing with women he’s left in his wake isn’t something I’ll do.
Me: Your hostess is giving me a death look.
Oz: Is Paige still with you?
His text comes fast.
Me: She has eight desserts to get through. We might never leave.
Oz: She isn’t my hostess.
Me: Okay. But I think she thinks she is.
Oz: I’ve never said more than table for one to her, so I’m not sure how she could be mine. The only thing I want to be mine has me on the chase for her.
His words calm me, and my jealousy dissipates.
Me: I’m not making you chase me.
Oz: Oh, but you are. It’s a chase I’ll enjoy every moment of, if it gets me you.
Chapter Seven
Mallory
* * *
I have a restless night, the nerves of anticipation keeping me up. I have dreams where I’m on the run and oz is hunting me. The last dream I remember is being in a grassy field, hiding among flowers. Oz finds me and holds me down while he kisses my body. I wake up covered in sweat and more turned on than I’ve ever been in my life.
Looking at the clock, I see it’s before six in the morning. I give up on trying to go back to sleep after that dream, so I reach over and grab my phone. There’s a text from Oz lighting up the screen, and I smile like a lunatic.
Oz: I can’t wait to see you today. It’s been too long.
Me: Did you forget you saw me last night?
Oz: You’re up too early. Go back to sleep, baby. And I would never forget seeing you.
My cheeks burn. Thank God he can’t see my violent blush.
Me: Maybe I can’t wait to see you today, too.
Oz: You have no idea what hearing you say that does to me.
Biting my bottom lip, I try to think of a sexy response, but he’s quicker.
