Christian:Now? I could organize something.
Satisfied I have him trapped, I go in big.
Me:Okay, great! Did you want me to beg you to leave me alone via text message, or would you like me to call you?
When my phone rings, my sassiness is foiled. My heart beats fitfully when I press my phone to my ear. “Hello.”
“I'd much prefer to hear you beg in person,” Christian informs me, his voice a deep, seductive purr.
I roll my eyes even though my heart is doing a weird flippy thing.
“Come on, baby, beg me.”
A giggle erupts from my lips over his audacity.
“I don’t know what I want to hear more: you begging or you giggling. I think I like them both the same.”
My pulse quickens. I know he’s a player, but what girl doesn’t like a confidence boost?
“Go out with me,” he pleads, confident my silence has me reconsidering. It does.
“On a real date. I promise I won’t try anything. . . unless you want me to.”
I giggle like the teenage girl I am.
“Please,” he pleas.
My flipping heart is audible in my voice when I reply, “Okay.”
Christian and I talk for nearly an hour before we arrange to go on a date the following weekend. . . . . .
Now today, I’ve just agreed to go on my fifth date with him. It’s not Emily’s fault. She didn’t realize the favor she was asking because I never told anyone what happened between Christian and me all those months ago.
* * *
The next morning, I assist Emily in preparing for her date with Zander. She's so excited about going on a date with the guy she’s been lusting over since Phillip’s party. She’s gone all out. Hair. Make Up. Sexy, yet casual clothes. By the time she finishes prepping, even I have a hard time recognizing her. She looks both glamorous and sexy.
I can’t be accused of putting in the same effort. I’ve gone for the minimalistic look, hoping to be as unattractive to Christian as possible. It’s not that I’m worried I’ll be under his spell in less than a minute. I just don’t want him to think he can fool me twice—even if he can.
* * *
Butterflies take flight in my stomach when Emily and I make our way to the movie complex. I spot Christian before he sees me. He and Zander are standing at the entrance of the cinema. Feeling the uneasiness roaring through my veins, Emily’s grip on my hand tightens. She maintains her death-like clutch until we stop to stand in front of them.
While Emily and Zander greet each other, Christian’s eyes scan my body. My heart rate doubles when his perusal ends at the exact moment his face lights up with a smile. The humorous sparkle in his eyes tells me he knows I dressed plainly on purpose, but he isn’t repulsed like I hoped.
When Emily introduces us as if we’re strangers, Christian tilts his head to the side and cocks his brow. When I refuse to correct her, he shakes his head before leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek. My stomach gurgles when his greeting leaves the scent of his aftershave in its wake.
Narrowing my eyes, I snarl at him. He did that on purpose. Like all the players in the world, he has a thing about marking his scent on women. Misreading my anger, Emily’s beautiful giggle fills the silence plaguing our gathering. “Come on, Jen, that was a grandma kiss.”
She can say that because she doesn’t know how skillful Christian’s lips are.
Hoping to get the show on the road, Zander purchases our tickets. I gag at his selection. He picked a dated movie that’s packed with action. Loving my newfound attitude, Emily giggles again. Although our double date isn’t off to a great start, I’m glad someone’s having fun.
Put-off by Zander’s unimpressed sneer, she mumbles, “I’ll grab snacks,” before dragging me to the snack bar.
Hmm. That was odd. Shouldn’t Zander want Emily to be happy?
While we gather food, Emily explains that Brad Pitt will be topless in a majority of the movie Zander selected. Her knowledge gives me a brilliant idea. Beaming with excitement, I snatch up the snacks I want, throw a bunch of notes at the cashier, then hightail it back to Zander and Christian. Although Christian’s body is more built than it was when I saw him naked, it’s not by much. I’m very much looking forward to making numerous comments about Brad Pitt’s incredible physique during the movie with the hope of bruising Christian’s arrogant, egotistical attitude.
