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I step into the doorway to block her in. “Lesson number one. When someone asks you what you want to eat, tell them. I don’t know any man who wants a doormat for a girlfriend, so you need to learn to express your opinions.”
Leaning my shoulder onto the door frame, I cross my arms and watch her. Her face goes white as soon as I started talking. “Ms. Parker. I asked you what you would like to eat. Please answer the question.”
“Fine,” she says, getting herself under control. “I’d like a steak cooked medium rare – more on the rare side than the medium, a baked potato loaded, and a caesar salad with extra croutons.”
“How simple was that?” I ask her.
“If you order from Braccos, tell Gio that KJ wants her regular.” Then she turns and begins unloading her bags.
“Then Braccos it is.” Turning, I walk away and into the kitchen to grab my cell off the charger.
I place the order quickly and let out a long breath. Regret isn’t an emotion I’m comfortable with and it’s what I feel as I listen to Kollyns talking to who I can only assume is that cat. After meeting her in person at my office, I realized I already knew quite a bit about her. Henley has talked about her for years. Now that I’ve met her, I wonder how the two of them are friends. Henley is outgoing, funny, and just goes with the flow. Kollyns walks around with an air of unease about her.
When the food arrives, I unpack our orders and set the table with a bottle of wine and our meals before walking down the hall to tell my houseguest dinner is served. She hasn’t left the bedroom since I dropped her bags in there. When I reach the door, I’m surprised to see it open but what shocks me even more is what I see. An explosion of suits all over the bed. Navy, black, brown, and gray everywhere. Not an ounce of color to be seen.
I understand the need for a good suit; for fuck’s sake, I wear them Monday through Friday. But on the weekend it’s chinos and golf shirts. I’ve been accused of being unable to relax since what I consider casual clothes are the same many would label “business casual.” The reality is, I’m always ready to do business and if I’m going to close multi-million-dollar deals, jeans and sneakers aren’t appropriate.
A quick tap on the door draws her attention as I say, “If you’d like to take a break from unpacking your basic, boring attire, dinner is ready in the dining room.” I probably shouldn’t antagonize her if I want to make this work, but I couldn’t care less. I seriously have my work cut out for me if this is her whole wardrobe.
The last time I met Kollyns she was wearing a simple sheath dress. I’m sure it’s what she wears to work with a jacket and heels. Tonight she showed up in a pair of gray slacks, a pale blue short-sleeved sweater, and heels.
I pour two glasses of wine and wait. If she’s not here in five minutes, I’ll eat without her. Making myself comfortable I watch the clock when she walks in four minutes later wearing the same navy slacks, cream top, and navy pumps much like the ones my grandmother wears. Then she takes her seat and begins eating without saying a word to me.
“I hope it lives up to your expectations,” I quip. My salmon and roasted vegetables are perfectly cooked and I eat slowly, watching her inhale her food.
“Don’t worry, you won’t starve while you live here. I’m not a big bad ogre who’s going to lock you in a tower.”
Then she laughs—a loud throaty laugh. My body reacts instantly. What the actual fuck? Don’t get me wrong, she’s a beautiful woman, but if she doesn’t have enough confidence to date on her own, then I’m not the right man for her. Manners and mollycoddling aren’t something that I’m known for. I’m a straight shooter and I don’t allow people to wonder what I’m thinking. In business and life I make sure to speak my mind and move on.
“I never thought you were the big bad wolf, but I don’t like being talked down to. I understand that this is going to be a process, but I expect you to treat me with respect and you will receive the same,” she says in between bites.
Hell. What have I gotten myself into? A quick inhale and I let it go. “I meant no disrespect and apologize if it came across that way. Over the course of your time here, I will ask things of you that will likely push your boundaries and even, perhaps, your buttons. We don’t know one another and I won’t know I’ve pushed too far if you don’t speak up. Communication and trust are key in any relationship. Romantic or otherwise.”
She takes a sip of her wine and then leans back in her chair. It’s obvious the wheels are turning in her head, so I wait for the barrage of questions to come. Kollyns twitches in her chair, moving around and trying to get comfortable. I give her space and clean up our dishes while she figures out what she wants to say.
A few minutes later when everything is put in the dishwasher, I bring the bottle of wine to the table and sit across from her. “Anything you’d like to talk about?” I ask her.
Her eyes move all over the room, taking in everything before she settles on me. “Please don’t make fun of my wardrobe. I wear suits every day for work, as I’m sure you do. It’s what I’m most comfortable in, outside of my gym clothes. Actually, does this building have a gym?”
Well, well. Ms. Parker likes to work out. That’s good to know. Maybe I can convince her to work out with me in the mornings, so I can see her voluptuous body rocking all tight-fitting clothes.
“There is one in the basement that is open to all residents, but you’re welcome to use the one here in the apartment. It’s the other door off the laundry room.”
Walking in, I top off both our wine glasses and watch her intently. A shiver runs down her spine and she shakes in her chair. Her eyes deepen from a honey color to a dark caramel.
“Thank you for that. If you let me know when you usually work out, then I’ll make sure to stay out of your way,” she says, finishing her glass of wine.
The hell she will. Making her work out with me will push her out of her comfort zone. Plus if the only place she wears something other than a suit, I’m all for it. She has curves for days and her ass will fit perfectly in my hands.
“Would you like another?” I pick up the bottle, preparing to pour her another. I need to stop thinking about her body or I’m going to spend the night taking a cold shower trying to get my dick to calm down.
“No, thank you. I’m going to finish organizing my room and getting ready for bed.” She stands, pushing in her chair and taking her glass to the sink.
“Kollyns,” I say, stopping her in her tracks. My voice comes out more like a growl and I don’t care. “Sit down. We have some things to talk about before you go hide out.”
She doesn’t move to her seat. My eyes stay locked on hers; neither of us blinking for seconds. She’s the first to blink and I smirk in victory. Resuming her seat, she crosses her arms over her chest and huffs.
“Fine. What is so important that it can’t wait until the morning?”
