her genuinely happy. She nods and says, “Yes, I do believe you’re right.”
The moment between us is filled with comfortable silence as we each take a sip of our drinks.
“So you’re in construction, I believe?”
“I’m a developer,” I say, hoping she won’t ask too many questions. I don’t think she has any idea of the connections. I don’t intend to lie to her, but I don’t need to give her anything that would help her put the pieces together.
“In the city, right?”
“Brooklyn mostly, although we’re currently under contract with the city to renovate and rebuild some properties in Manhattan.”
“What’s that like?”
“Being a developer?” I’ve never had anyone ask me before and I take a moment to consider my reply. “It’s challenging at times and it pisses me off most days. A lot goes wrong and hardly anything goes the way it’s planned.” I smirk at her as she laughs into her glass at my answer. “Isn’t that what all jobs are like, though?”
She nods her head, setting the glass down but then her expression changes. “I’m not sure I should be doing this,” she tells me with her forehead scrunched.
“Doing what?”
“This,” she says and gestures between the two of us.
“We’re just having dinner.”
Her eyes narrow and I ignore the accusatory stare, picking up my bourbon and taking an easy drink of it. It burns just right on the way down, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.
“I just want to feed you,” I say in a tone that I hope comes out somewhat innocent.
“And fuck me,” she whispers so softly but with a roughness I haven’t heard from that sexy voice of hers. I stare into her gorgeous gaze, daring her to blush, to be embarrassed by it, but she only stares back with desire in her baby blue eyes.
“Yes, and fuck you,” I say. It doesn’t go unnoticed that she clenches her thighs. “You want that, don’t you?”
“I’m not sure I should be sleeping with you,” she says simply but with a firm resolve in her voice. My heart beats in a way that makes it feel tight. Like there’s not quite enough room for it to beat again.
“Are you seeing someone else?” I ask her. My knuckles brush against the white tablecloth as my hands start to fist. I stop them and try to keep my body from showing what I’m really feeling. She better not be fucking anyone else.
She loses the conviction in her voice when she answers, “No.”
“Then why shouldn’t we?” I say, glancing at the waiter as he makes his way toward us.
“Because—” Jules stops as soon as she notices him. She plasters on a fake smile that doesn’t reach her eyes and waits patiently for him to address her.
“Are you ready for me to take your order?” he asks me but I gesture to Jules, taking another sip to settle my irritation.
“For you, miss?”
“May I have the herb-grilled salmon, please?” She passes the menu to him and rests her hands in her lap, giving him her full attention. Meanwhile, I can’t take my eyes off her and wondering why the hell she thinks she shouldn’t be seeing me.
“Are the grilled vegetables all right with that?” he asks her.
“Yes, they’re perfect.”
The waiter scribbles on the notepad in his hand then turns toward me.
“Sirloin, medium rare. Vegetables are fine.” I preemptively answer his unasked question, still staring at Jules. The waiter takes the hint, nodding once and immediately leaving us.
“You were saying?” I say, picking up my bourbon.
“I—” Again she hesitates, sensing the change in my temperament. “I don’t know if I should really be seeing anyone.”
I wait for more, taking another sip.
“I’m not sure how to,” she says, waving her hand in the air, at a loss for words. “I’m still—” She can’t put a sentence together.
“I want to fuck you, Jules. Give me one good reason why there’s a problem with that.” I hold her gaze listing all the reasons in my head, but ignoring every last one of them. She needs someone to fuck, to hold her, someone to make her smile. I can do that; I can be that person.
“It’s just sex?” she asks and from the look in her eyes, I don’t know what answer she wants in return.
Fuck, I wish it were. I can’t explain why I want her this badly. It’s more than the physical attraction, but I’ll never admit the truth to her.
“Just sex,” I lie. “If that’s what you want.”
She licks her lush lips, peering down