The air certainly smelled wonderful. Scents of roasted fowl filled it and lured hungry patrons like herself. King had obviously shelled out the cash for top of the line protein simulators. Only the best ones knew how important olfactory senses were to the sensation of taste.
All in all this was exactly the kind of restaurant she had often imagined King creating. Yet it was still surprising to see how he’d managed to pull off such magnificence in the short time he’d been restored.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Harrington. There’s absolutely nothing open for two and half hours, not even a table of one. You’re welcome to wait at the bar, but that’s such a long time to wait to eat.”
Seetha smiled which caused him to drift off in expressing his sympathy…or maybe it was his gaze once again admiring her short pink dress and tall heels. She knew what the man was thinking. He was thinking no normal woman would want to be alone for over two hours dressed to impress like she was. The man had no idea how much patience she’d gained in the last two years. Moving at a pace set by nearly antique AI bots had slowed her down significantly.
“Actually, I think I will be quite happy waiting at the bar. I have my portable with me. I promise I won’t be bored. Would you please tell Kingston I’m here when you get the chance?”
“Of course. I’d be happy to do so. Is Mr. West expecting you?”
Seetha chuckled at hearing King referred to as Mr. West. “What’s your name?”
“Franco.”
“Well Franco, your guess is as good as mine, but since I’m here anyway, he’ll want to know it. But don’t rush to find him on my account, I’m in no hurry. In fact, putting off seeing Mr. West until I’ve had a drink or two suits me just fine.”
After the man’s head nod in response to her speech, Seetha preceded him into a small alcove where tall stools let customers sit and lean on a gleaming composite stone surface while they chatted with a fully human bartender. The good-looking man behind the bar set down his drink mixer, greeted her, and took her order almost as soon as she slid her butt onto one of them.
Nearly as quickly, another good-looking man walked over.
“Hello. Mind if I occupy the stool next to you?”
Seetha shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’m here for a while.”
He climbed up beside her and snorted. “Me too. Two hour wait?”
Seetha nodded. “That’s what the man with the magic list said.”
When the good looking guy laughed, Seetha allowed herself a closer inspection. A few stools down from them, a couple of blondes in date clothes were giving him some serious consideration. They hadn’t taken their gaze off him since he sat down next to her. She knew she looked good in her dress and heels, but she didn’t draw men like this one. He wore his wealth all over and obviously liked his toys, given his hand-held was top of the line. He wasn’t bad if you liked the all-buttoned-down-Brooks-Brothers type with genuine leather on his feet. Personally, she was offended more than charmed. Real leather had been banned before she was born, but she bet the guy talking to her didn’t care one bit. He looked the type to own whatever he wanted just because he could.
Uninterested, Seetha watched as he sipped his drink and relaxed on his stool.
“I’ve become a regular, but my schedule doesn’t allow me to reserve ahead. I’m Dan Masterson, by the way.”
Seetha tilted her head when he put out a hand for her to shake. She reached out and shook it warily. Something about him fundamentally bothered her…and it was more than just his clothes. Maybe she was just nervous about seeing King after her outburst this afternoon.
“I’m Seetha Harrington. Nice to meet you.” Manners from her childhood rolled out without effort, even though her inner alarms were still going off.
After their handshake ended, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a gleaming disk. He passed it over with a fake reluctance. “Bio and business card,” she heard him say.
Seetha popped the disk into her portable and pulled up his info. “Masters of Design—we are builders of dreams,” she read aloud, slanting a glance his way.
His head nodded as he turned his attention to his drink. He was an engineer too, though environmental design was more lofty than the type of engineering she had pursued. She looked at his hands. His fingernails were manicured and not a callus was visible. His hands probably never got roughed up or dirty.
“I’m guessing you own the company instead of working for it,” Seetha declared, turning a brilliant smile his way.
When Dan Masterson looked off with fake modesty over her comment, she pressed a hotkey on her portable and discreetly copied the disk’s content to it. Her portable was streamlined and could do the task in an instant. She looked at her screen and pretended a great interest in the remaining text as she quickly scanned it. Then she popped out the disk and handed it back.
“Very impressive—Dan Masterson.”
He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I got lucky about a decade ago when Norton subcontracted a few global things to me. I still do some tasks, like researching new employees for one. In the interest of disclosure, and as a basis for our temporary friendship, I will admit I recognized you from the profile that slid across my desk this week.”
Seetha raised an eyebrow. “So you’re ignoring those two blondes over there giving you come hither looks because you recognized me from my work file?”
Dan laughed. “Well, I did recognize you, but I would have talked to you anyway. You seem both intelligent and capable of holding a real conversation. I’m ignoring the blondes because they’re not my type.”
“And I suppose next you’re going to tell me I am?”
“No…the restaurant owner is…but I can’t get a word in with him at all. I heard you tell Franco that Kingston West was expecting you. I thought if he showed up to see you…and I just happened to be sitting here…I could at least say hello to the man.”
Seetha snorted and picked up her own drink. “And the freaks come out at night. This is why I meet my dates for coffee instead of dinner.”
“Pardon?” Dan asked.
“Nothing,” Seetha said, making a face as the alcohol hit her system. God, she hated dating. The whole ‘get to know’ people process was horrid to her.
“Dan, I hate to tell you, but King is straight. I’m his ex—well, one of them anyway. But I can tell you beyond a doubt that the man only swings in one direction.”
Dan frowned as he looked at his drink. “Oh…I see. Well, that’s highly disappointing.”
Seetha chuckled, her husky laugh gaining her a second look from the bartender. Maybe she should just start coming to King’s restaurant to pick up guys. Not that her luck was changing. A good-looking guy was chatting her up, but it wasn’t because he wanted to see the color of her underwear. He wanted an introduction to the man she was after herself.
“You have good taste in men, Dan Masterson. Kingston West has been unforgettable for me.”
Dan snorted. “He must be special…since an ex is willing to wait two hours to see him. I’m at least not feeling so pathetic now.”
Seetha laughed again, ignoring her intuition. She’d been easily spooked ever since her return. She wasn’t going to let someone as harmless as Dan Masterson do it to her too.
“So tell me about your work—not what I saw on the bio—I want the real story,” she ordered, favoring the man with a friendly smile.
***
When Franco told him Seetha was there, King had trouble believing it at first.
Then he saw her at the bar, perched on a stool, her pink heels hooked over the footrest. Occasionally one stretched until her pointed toe touched the floor. Every movement had the net effect of sliding the short dress she wore farther up her thighs. If it kept going, pretty soon everyone in the bar would know the color of what she wore under it…if anything. The thought of a naked Seetha under her short dress had him twitching.
He ignored the greetings of several patrons as his feet carried him closer to w
here she sat. She still hadn’t seen him, likely because the man on the stool next to hers held her full attention. Who was the guy making her laugh? Even his bartender was popping down to her spot and doing every little thing he could to make her smile too. She’d had the same damn effect on Eric as well. It wasn’t like she was the best looking woman at the bar even. She was just the one who seemed most fun.
King snorted as he stacked menus and tidied the host station before moving to the bar. When Franco collected the two glaring blondes near Seetha, they gave her dirty looks as they passed on their way to their table. Seetha never even noticed them. She was doing things on her portable and sipping her drink. Once every minute or two, she lifted her head and talked to the guy next to her, who King had never heard shut up in fifteen minutes.
Finally, he’d had enough. Seetha swiveled when he got close. She peered up at him, looking into his gaze. One eyebrow arched in question. The excited feeling her direct gaze caused was just as disturbing as any other reaction he had ever had in her presence. She still upset his equilibrium. And he still wasn’t sure why.
“Your table is ready. Is it still just a table for one?” King asked.
Surprising herself, Seetha snorted at the terse question. “I don’t know. Let’s count,” she suggested, her real personality aided by the two very potent drinks King’s bartender had made her. “I’ve been here over two hours and you haven’t said hello until now. Ergo, two minus one interested male equals one female eating alone. Yes, I think the table is definitely still for one, though at the moment I’m inclined to give it up to my companion here who has also been waiting two hours. I guess you really didn’t mean it today when you said you wanted us to talk.”
King started to open his mouth, to explain he’d been busy in the kitchen. But he wasn’t going to waste his Seetha-caused headaches on petty things like lying about non-existent restaurant emergencies. The truth was his kitchen ran meticulously. He had taken his time hiring a chef and waited until he found the perfect one.
Besides…both he and Seetha knew damn well he’d been avoiding her…even though he was also glad she came. Feeling both urges simultaneously was scrambling his processor just as it always did.
“Well, it doesn’t have to be a table for one. I’d love to join you for dinner, Seetha.”
Her snort at Dan’s gallant offer earned him a definite glare from the man who hadn’t really acknowledged her yet. It would be nice if King was jealous, but she recognized his irritated look. He was probably just annoyed because the man had inserted himself in the middle of their debate. But what the hell…she’d come around to slightly liking Dan in the last couple of hours. Of course, the drinks had definitely helped.
“King, this is one of your regular customers…Dan Masterson. Dan says the food tastes better than it smells. He’s been hoping to meet you.”
King let his glare fade and inclined his head. “Thank you, Mr. Masterson.” He held out a hand which the man took. “It’s my pleasure to welcome you tonight. I hope you enjoy your meal.”
“The pleasure is all mine. I’ve been waiting for a chance to say hello,” Dan said.
Seetha grinned at his nearly breathless tone and his awed gaze. “Dan, I think I need to pass on dinner tonight. King is playing it cool, but he did actually invite me out. Now I know what you’re thinking…no, he’s not the most demonstrative person. I’ve learned not to read anything into how easily he ignores me.”
“I wasn’t ignoring you,” King denied, wincing as lights flashed in his brain.
Seetha slid off the stool and gathered her things. “Head hurting again, Pinnochio?”
“Am I supposed to feel insulted by that folk lore reference?” King asked.
Seetha shrugged. “No. Now if I’d called you Tin Man, then you would have had a reason.”
King snorted. “I refuse to apologize when I’ve done nothing wrong.”
She smiled at Franco when he appeared at King’s side. “Hello Franco. See? I told you I wouldn’t get bored.”
“Indeed, Ms. Harrington. But I still sincerely regret your long wait.”
Seetha gave King a look as she walked out of the bar. “I regret my wait too, but women can be stupid when they get obsessed with a guy. I can only say your bar’s outstanding drinks helped numb me to the pain. I hope the food doesn’t disappoint me.”
“I can assure you it won’t,” Franco declared, nervously checking out Kingston West’s reaction to the woman’s inebriated insults. “Mr. West? Would you like me to seat, Ms. Harrington?”
King shook his head. “No, Franco. I’ll take care of her. As she just reminded me, she’s my…date…for the evening. Thank you. Please see Mr. Masterson gets everything he needs.”
“Of course, sir.”
King watched Franco speaking softly to Masterson as he followed a slightly weaving Seetha. The dress left little to anyone’s imagination and several male patrons lifted their gazes to her as she walked by. He definitely needed to get some bread in her to soak up whatever the hell it was she’d been drinking. He also definitely needed to apologize whether he’d done anything wrong or not. Her multiple stress indicators were sure signs he’d hurt her feelings…again.
“If I had that damn husband chip, I might not be in this mess,” King said to himself. He caught her arm and chuckled as Seetha veered off toward the kitchen. “No, honey. This way,” he said to her, using his hold to gently steer her in the direction of her table.
“Oh, thank you,” she said. “Your bartender was as generous as he was attractive.”
King pushed in her chair as she sat and glanced at his bar. “Greg is attractive? I never noticed.”
“Now why am I not surprised at that revelation?” Seetha exclaimed, leaning her chin in her hand.
King sighed when one of his wait staff appeared with a basket of fresh bread and some herb butter. He took one of the seats at the table and picked out a piece. Slathering the fragrant treat with the special butter blend his grandmother used to make when he was a kid, he placed it on her bread plate. Seetha picked it up, sniffed it, and hummed in pleasure as she took a giant bite. She closed her eyes and chewed, noticeably enjoying each taste.
King saw her facial expression relax into a smile as the pleasure of the food took hold. Her gaze softened and she sighed as she finished the last bite. His slacks tightened painfully and his hands shook a bit as he buttered another piece of bread for her. His lingering presence at her table was garnering all sorts of attention for them, but he wasn’t going to let it bother him. He couldn’t stand up and leave until he was in better control of his reactions to her anyway.
He put the second piece of bread on her plate. Instead of eating it, Seetha looked ready to cry. Her reaction made him frown. “Something wrong with the bread?”
Seetha looked up, saw King’s total confusion, and sadly shook her head. She never knew what was going to set her off. Last night it had been the luxury of soaking in a hot bath. She’d cried for an hour, remembering the many times she’d barely been able to wash herself off in a rusty sink. Now here she was ready to cry over bread.
Swallowing hard, she shook her head again. “The bread is wonderful. I just haven’t had anything wonderful in a long time. Those kind of realizations sneak up on me now and again. Fortunately, they tend to pass quickly… well, most of them anyway.”
King rested his hands in front of him, staring at his fingers. “Imagine you had to feel them all in the span of one day. The only upside is I only had to feel them once. After the emotional tsunami passed, it was just picking up the pieces and deciding what to do with them.”
Seetha picked up the second piece of bread and took a bite. There was silence while she chewed and swallowed it. “Is that what it was like when you got the memories of your Cyber Husband years back?”
King nodded. “Yes. Only it wasn’t memories. It was just…data. What I call memories are those moments I remember throughout my life. Graduation. College. My parents dying. Joinin
g the military. That sort of thing. With all of those, I remember exactly how I felt.”
Seetha took another bite as she thought about it. She stared at his hands. “They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I find myself hoping like hell every day that it’s true. Now I’m hoping it for both of us. What Norton did to us was shit.”
“Yes, it was…major shit,” King agreed.
Seetha finished off the bread. Then she met his stare. “I am grateful you came to save me. I am convinced I would have died if you hadn’t.”
King nodded. “And I’m glad Annalise told me about our past.”
Seetha shrugged her shoulders and tried to smile. “King…you don’t have to feel obligated to help me get over you. I don’t need you to save me from my memories. In fact, I want to keep them. They were…”
She faltered when she noticed King listening intently to every word. It was hard to say the words aloud—but she needed to say them one last time—and she needed to say them to him.
“My time with you should never have happened. On some level, I knew the whole Cyber Husband program was morally wrong, but I was lonely. Buying you seemed a reasonable solution…at least to my logical mind. And as bad as this may make me seem, I’d do it all over again. My years with you were the happiest period of my life, even though I understand now that they weren’t real. Losing them…losing you…to Norton’s data wipe? Well, it taught me that lesson the hard way. But I truly have learned it. You don’t have to teach it to me again. It would be kinder of you to just stay away from me so I could get over you.”
King felt his fingers shaking against the tablecloth. He pressed them flat to stop the physical display of his emotional state. Inside, he was freaking out. The table was in danger of being pounded into pieces. He closed his eyes for a moment, searching for calm. When he opened them again, he was shaking his head.
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