I take deep breaths as I try to ignore the feelings that Tristan Miles arouses in me.
Maybe that’s it-it’s just a bad-boy thing.
Yes, all women experience this at least once in their lives. I’m just doing it a little later than most.
Of course.
That is totally it. Why didn’t I realize this before?
I know I shouldn’t want him, and so therefore I do. Maybe if he were the perfect model citizen, I wouldn’t even want him at all.
I sip my wine in celebration about my epiphany. God . . . and I thought I really liked him. Stupid idiot. This is actually a relief.
My phone vibrates on the table as it receives a text. Tristan. Here we go.
Let me guess,
Gabriel Ferrara is offering to
help you financially?
I frown. What? Angered, I text back.
Gabriel is a good friend.
I’m offended.
Stop texting me before I block you.
A reply bounces back.
If you block me, who’s going to
nail you through the mattress tonight?
I bite my lip to stop myself from smiling. I write back.
I am on a date with another man.
I wouldn’t get too cocky if I were you.
An answer bounces back.
You don’t like him,
I know you don’t.
I roll my eyes; the arrogance of this man is next level.
Okay Siri,
if you say so.
I smirk as I hit send.
Siri?
I glance over to see him sitting on a stool, smirking back as he texts me.
Bastard. I like this game, and I really shouldn’t. I reply.
Well you seem to know everything,
so I assume you moonlight as Siri.
I look over to see him smile broadly as he reads my text. I bite the inside of my cheek as I act uninterested.
Lose the prick
and come buy me a drink.
I giggle before I can stop myself. Of all the nerve.
I don’t buy random men drinks.
Jealous?
I glance over to see him smiling as he texts back.
Of him?
You must be joking.
And you will do whatever I say.
Make it Scotch.
My eyes glance over to the bar at Gabriel as he waits. This is insane. I feel so naughty. I write back.
You are delusional and strange.
When I’m delusional I just
imagine I’m in Hawaii
drinking Mimosas.
Scotch is not a dream drink.
Gabriel walks back through the crowd with our two drinks and places them on the table. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.”
He takes a seat. “Are you serious?”
“Gabriel.” I sigh. Here we go-an hour-long lecture. “Fletcher wanted to work for them.”
“Why wouldn’t he come and work for me?” he snaps. “I’m offended. Ferrara Media is where he should be.”
“He applied without me even knowing. I have to let him choose his path.”
“With him?” he snaps again.
My phone beeps with a text. I glance at the screen.
That’s a great idea,
let’s go to Hawaii for the weekend.
We can practice tantric sex.