“I want your last ravioli.”
Her demand was amusing, and I speared my last bite of appetizer, feeding it to her. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“You know it, Rigid.” She picked up her wine. “Now talk.”
I waited until the server took our plates away, and refilled the glasses. I knew the entrees would take a bit longer since they made everything by hand and to order. There was plenty of time for her to leave if she decided, but I hoped she wouldn’t go. I was more comfortable with her than anyone I have ever met, aside from Aiden and Maddox.
Except I never wanted to kiss them.
“I’m wealthy, Emmy. It’s not a secret. People like me are always targets for some weirdos. I get jibes, threats, demands for my money all the time. Ninety-nine percent of them are harmless.”
“But?”
I sighed, running a hand along the back of my neck. “I’m working on a huge project—one that could potentially bring me billions. I have competition, and lately, it’s gotten a little personal.”
“How so?”
“Someone is bidding on the same pieces of land I am. I’ve gotten some threatening letters, and the last couple included pictures of me.” I swallowed before continuing. “One of them was taken the day I met you.”
“Was I in the picture?”
“You were in the background, walking away. The picture focused on me,” I stressed.
“Did my ass look fat?” she asked, her expression mischievous.
I gaped at her, then began to laugh. I didn’t know how I expected her to react, but that wasn’t it. She was amazing.
“Your, ah, ass, looked spectacular.”
She patted my hand. “Good answer.” She grew serious. “Aiden is worried?”
“He’s wary. The pictures bother him.”
“I don’t blame him. They would bother me, too.” She frowned. “Are you in danger?”
“I don’t think so. I think they’re trying to piss me off enough, so I’ll walk away. I’m not known for my patience,” I added with a wry grin. “The two small pieces of land I wanted were bought by whoever is behind this, I think, and I have a feeling they’ll go after the next parcel, too.”
“What happens if they do?”
“Then I’ll have to pay more to buy them back, or sell the piece I have to them and walk away. It all comes down to numbers.”
“I see. You don’t plan to walk away, I assume?”
“No. I’ve invested a lot of time and money in this project.”
“So, it’s about the money?”
“Partially. It’s my mark. My legacy. An entire development that will benefit the city, and change the landscape of the area. All done by BAM.”
“And make you richer.”
“Yes,” I admitted. “There is that.”
“I guess money is a good thing.”
“It doesn’t entirely suck,” I agreed, and drew in a deep breath. “I can understand if you would rather not take the risk. They might, ah, bother you, as well.”
“You mean, like, take my picture? Or talk to me?”
“I don’t know really, but I don’t want you to be worried, or feel unsafe.”
She pondered my words, then shrugged. “I appreciate you telling me, but I don’t think I have much to worry about.”
“Aiden is right; it’s a possibility you have to consider. We both have to consider.”
“Maybe it’s too late. Maybe they already got to me and I’m working for them.”
My lips quirked at her words. “Are you?”
She sniffed. “As if I’m going to break so easily. I’m an expert undercover agent, you know. I arranged the whole trip over the bag and sit at my table thing.”
“And I fell for it—hook, line and sinker.”
“You fell for it? Rigid, I’m certain you just made a joke.”
I arched my eyebrow. “Maybe.”
She surprised me with a fast kiss, which made me want another one.
“I like it.” She hummed. “You’re adorable when you’re being funny.”
That was a new one. I had never been called adorable.
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“Bentley, if someone approached me, I would walk away. If I were scared, I would tell you. I’m not interested in your business deals.”
“They may even offer you a lot of money.”
“Then, I guess you’ll have to counter their proposal, won’t you?” she teased. “I can be bought with fresh grapes, and Starbuck cards, just to give you a heads up.”
I shook my head at her quips. “You should think about this. Seriously think about it.”
At my words, she held up her hands. “Are you trying to scare me away?”
“No, I’m trying to be honest.”
“And you have been. I’m touched you’re worried about someone bothering me, but I think this time you’re the one overreacting. I’m an art student, not a business woman. They’d have to be pretty stupid to think I would have any sort of influence on you. Tonight is our first date, after all.”
“I know.”
“I doubt they think some woman you might potentially fuck has any say over your business dealings.”
Her words hit me. My cock stirred at her unwittingly sexy remark. I edged closer.
“Potentially fuck?” My voice was low as I repeated her words.
“If you play your cards right. Maybe.”
“I’m good at poker.”
Her giggle broke the bubble. “Another quip, Rigid? Poke her? You’re just full of surprises tonight.”
I shared her mirth. She brought the silliness out in me—even if it was unknowingly.
I conceded to her logic. “Maybe I’m overreacting, but I had to tell you.”
“Consider me warned.”
“I never let personal feelings interfere with business—ever, by the way.”
“Then, there isn’t a problem.”
“If anyone hassles you, you’ll tell me? I’ll get Aiden to assign someone to you.”
She looked horrified. “I don’t want a bodyguard.”
“You’ll tell me if someone bothers you, though?”
She pursed her lips, not replying.
“Shit,” I muttered. “Great first date conversation. Guess I blew that.”
Her hand slipped into mine, and I met her dark gaze.
“Thank you for being honest and giving me the choice. I don’t want to stop seeing you, and I don’t scare easily. If you aren’t worried about it, then neither am I.” She smiled. “As for first dates, it’s a great one, conversation or not.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I think we can move on now, though, okay?”
I lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“Yes.”
Chapter 7
Bentley
We left the restaurant after a thoroughly enjoyable evening. I put aside my worries, and concentrated on Emmy. She was as delightful and engaging as I hoped she would be, making me laugh and enjoy the time with her. She loved to talk about art and her studies, and had a keen interest in architecture. She liked to stroll around the many museums and galleries Toronto had to offer. She told me of her love for baking and how much she enjoyed trying out new recipes; although, she admitted, these days her time and budget didn’t allow for much of either.
After the whole security issue, we steered clear of anything too deep or personal. I knew her parents were deceased, and she had a brother she wasn’t close to. I told her my parents were gone too, but I had no siblings. Otherwise, we kept the topics general.
She made me chuckle with her stories of her best friend, and Cami’s sister, Dee. Obviously, she was close to them. I shared more humorous incidents about Aiden and Maddox.
“I think Cami has a crush on Aiden,” she told me with a grin.
“How could she? She never met him!”
“She has a thing for muscled guys with tattoos. He was in some of the pictures we saw of you, and
I told her about him.”
“Aiden doesn’t do the personal thing. He’s rather closed off when it comes to relationships.”
“Like you?”
I thought about it. “The three of us are close, but I guess you’re right. None of us has much outside our lives except the business and each other. I think we’re all loners.”
“That’s sad.”
I shrugged. “I don’t think it bothers any of us.” I huffed out a long breath of air. “At least until now.”
Emmy’s cheeks pinked under my gaze, and unable to resist, I ran my finger along the fullness of her cheek. “I’d like to try and step out of my comfort zone.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
I held her hand as we walked out, then I groaned at the sight of Aiden leaning against the car, talking to Maddox.
What the fuck was he doing here?
I glared at him as we approached. “Maddox?” My annoyance was clear in the one word.
As usual, my mood didn’t bother him. It never did. He grinned at me, his glasses reflecting his light-colored blue eyes. They were shrewd and sharp, rarely missing anything. He was tall and lean, his clothes hiding the fact underneath, he was all muscle. To most people, he was quiet and laid back. His aura hid the intensity he allowed few to see. It gave him an advantage. What people saw as easy going was his brain ticking and moving faster than they could understand. He preferred numbers to people—they made sense, and he could keep them in order. Maddox liked order. He had gone prematurely gray at twenty-five, and could never be bothered to do anything about it. Now the gray had tinges of silver, and the scruff he preferred on his jawline was the same color.
He tipped his chin. “Hey, Bent.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I followed you here. Been keeping Frank company and enjoying some food Aiden brought us.”
“What? You followed me? What the hell for?”
“Aiden wanted to see if anyone else followed you, so I tailed way behind to check for him.” He smirked. “I must be good at it, since you never noticed.”
Aiden clapped his shoulder. “Excellent stealth, Mad Dog.”
“And?” I demanded, ignoring their teasing remarks.
“You’re good. All clear.”
Emmy began warbling a familiar soundtrack. The sound made us all look at her.
“It’s like Mission Impossible,” she crowed. “So exciting!” She stepped forward, holding out her hand. “All of you suck at this, by the way. No wonder you’re all single. I’m Emmy.”
Maddox began to snicker, took her hand, bending low over it, and kissed her knuckles. “Happy to meet you, Emmy.”
“Oh, another charmer!”
I wrapped my arm around her waist, and pulled her close with another glare at Maddox. “You can go home now.”
“But I’m having a good time.”
I rolled my eyes, knowing my annoyance meant he was enjoying himself. Then, I had another idea. “So, no one followed us?”
“Nope.”
“Give me your keys.”
“Why?” he asked, as Aiden began to shake his head.
“I’m taking your car and Emmy and I are leaving. You go with Aiden.”
“Not a good idea.” Aiden growled.
I turned to him and spoke in a hushed voice. “No one is following. I want some time alone to say goodnight to my date.”
His eyebrows rose, and he nodded in understanding. “I’m driving ahead and checking it out. I won’t be far away.”
“Just give me some privacy.”
“I don’t like this, Bent.”
“I don’t care.”
“Stubborn bastard.”
Emmy spoke up. “Tree Trunk, he wants to kiss me without you watching. If anyone comes at us, I know karate.”
We all gaped at her. Maddox started to guffaw, and turned away to hide his amusement.
Aiden looked at her. “What color belt do you have?”
She blinked at him. “Okay, I’m totally bullshitting you. I have no idea, but I can yell loudly, and I think Bentley can handle himself. I want to kiss him too, frankly.”
It was Aiden’s turn to blink. Maddox pressed his keys into my hand and winked. “Good luck with this one. She’s a firecracker.” He pulled on Aiden’s arm. “Let’s go.”
I grabbed Emmy’s rucksack for her. They piled in the car, turning to watch while I held open the door for Emmy and helped her with the seatbelt. As I bent in, she grinned up at me.
“You better make this kiss worthwhile,” she teased. “I went against the hulk for you.”
I lowered my face to hers, feeling her breath on my skin. “It will be. I promise.”
“I’m counting on it. Take me home, Rigid.”
I slammed her door, and hurried to the driver’s side. Suddenly, her tiny apartment held great appeal.
**
I was a perfect gentleman until Emmy opened her door, and I followed her inside. She had left one lamp on, its glow casting a dim radiance on the room. For a moment, we stared at each other, then like mirror images, crashed together. I gripped her waist as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Our mouths met with a bruising ferociousness that startled and exhilarated me. There was no reticence in Emmy’s response—she gave as good as she got. I groaned low in my chest as her tongue touched mine—stroking, tasting, and exploring. Her blunt nails scraped the skin on my nape, making me hiss in pleasure. I traced her curves, feeling the delicate bumps and ridges of her spine, then settled my hands on her truly spectacular ass. I cupped the roundness greedily, and pulled her tight to my body, so she had no doubt what she was doing to me.
She whimpered, letting me lift her so her legs wrapped around my hips, her skirt trailing on the floor. Turning, I pressed her into the wall, trapping her close as I explored her mouth. I dragged my lips down her cheek, murmuring her name, discovering the softness of her neck, swirling my tongue on her fragrant skin. It had been beckoning me all night.
“Bentley,” she groaned. “You . . . I . . .”
I dropped my face to her shoulder, breathing hard. What was this girl doing to me? I wanted her. I wanted to carry her over to the little futon, and fuck her. Drive her deep into the mattress until she cried out my name. Feel the heat that radiated through her skirt encase my cock, until I came inside her in a blaze of intensity.
Except it was too fast.
Gently, I set her on her feet, kissed her cheeks, the end of her nose, and forehead with soft presses of my mouth. “You’re amazing,” I murmured.
She looked at me, her eyes wide and dark with desire. Her lips swollen from mine, and I had messed up her hair so it tumbled down one shoulder. I liked how she looked.
I traced the edges of her mouth. “Did I make it worthwhile?”
An indulgent, lazy smile curled her lips. “Pretty much.”
“Not a stellar recommendation.”
“Maybe you need to try again. Redouble your efforts.”
I crashed my mouth to hers, yanking her hard to my chest. Wrapping her hair in my hand, I tilted her head and kissed her, controlling every movement, commanding her mouth. She melted into me, succumbing in the most erotic of ways, following my lead and matching my passion.
With a groan, I dragged my mouth to her ear. “I have to stop, or I won’t be able to.”
“Maybe I don’t want you to.”
I stood straight, meeting her gaze. It was open, honest and steady.
“We don’t have to rush. I’m not going anywhere.”
A shadow crossed her face, but she nodded, and stepped back. I felt the shift in her, a small wall coming back between us at my simple words.
“Hey,” I said. “Emmy, what is it?”
She smiled, although it didn’t reach her eyes. “Nothing. Really.”
I let it go. We could revisit it at another time. All of a sudden, it was imperative I see her again.
“Sunday.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Sun
day. Brunch,” I stated. “Aiden will pick you up at eleven.”
Her eyebrow rose slowly in question. I waited for her response, then realized my mistake.
“I apologize. I did it again, didn’t I?”
She nodded, looking amused and exasperated.
“Emmy, would you have brunch with me on Sunday?”
“As tempting as the kind offer is, I have to refuse.”
My shoulders sagged, as disappointment flooded my body. “Why? Was the date that lousy? I promise not to talk about anything work-related.”
“No,” she assured me, cupping my cheek. “The date was amazing. Sunday, though, I’m having brunch with Dee and Cami.”
“They get you all the time.”
She chuckled at my petulance. “It’s an important day for them. I promised.”
“Important? How?”
“It just is.”
“I was going to make you coddled eggs.”
“What is that?”
“An old English thing. My father used to make them for my mother when I was young. Sandy grew up eating them, and taught me how to make them correctly. They are one thing I can cook that is edible. Trust me; they’re worth blowing off your friends for.”
“Maybe next week?”
“What is so important?” I pushed. I really wanted to see her again. “Couldn’t they wait until next week?”
She sighed. “You are impatient at times, aren’t you?”
“When I want something, yes.”
“It’s my birthday on Tuesday. They take me to brunch the Sunday before—it’s our tradition.”
**
Aiden shook his head. “Bad idea.”
“Why?”
“You’ve had one date with her and you want to buy her a three-thousand-dollar laptop for her birthday?”
I shrugged. “I buy shit like this all the time.”
“For yourself. You’re used to it. It’s too much.”
I stared at the screen. It was the perfect laptop for Emmy. Small, light, easy for her to carry, and it was loaded with every feature she would need. She had told me about her studies for graphic design, and how she often used the computers at school since hers was so old. It would make her life easier, and her rucksack lighter. Surely, she would appreciate the gesture.
I had been surprised when she told me it was her birthday. Aiden hadn’t mentioned it, and I hadn’t thought to ask when it was while we talked. I could understand she wanted to see her friends for their usual get together, but I also wanted to celebrate her birthday with her. Finally, she agreed to have dinner with me on Tuesday, and once again, I promised her a comfortable place.
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