Page 30 of Handle Me

Anders nodded. “We’ll start with the oysters.”

“Excellent. And for the main course, or would you like to wait to order?”

“Actually, I have a question.” Anders’s eyes flickered to me. “I didn’t see any chicken on the menu.”

I choked on my champagne and barely managed to keep myself from spitting it across the table. I placed my glass on the table, glaring at him.

“Unfortunately, the chef isn’t offering any chicken dishes at the moment.”

“That’s too bad.” Anders continued staring at me. “I’ve been thinking about chicken all day. You could say I was craving it.”

Oh my fuck.

“You know a plant-based diet might be good for you,” I said softly, half hoping the restaurant might deliver him a bunch of tofu just to shut him up.

“The veal is excellent,” the waiter suggested helpfully, completely oblivious to the tension growing at the table.

“Veal it is.” Anders’ eyes never left mine. “I’ll have to satisfy myself later. Maybe for dessert.”

The waiter said something else that sounded confused, or maybe it was just the hormones clouding my brain. As soon as we were alone, I realized I only had two choices.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ANDERS

I was an arse, and we both knew it. But I couldn’t help it. I’d seen Lola’s face when we’d pulled up to the hotel. She hadn’t done her homework. I’d caught the boss unprepared. Her flustered reaction, complete with flushed cheeks, had sent my brain into overdrive, thinking about all the other bits of her I’d like to see turn that shade. For someone who obviously needed to be in control, she kept accidentally putting the reins in my hands.

The waiter left, and Lola continued to glare at me across the linen-covered table.

“Spit it out, boss,” I said, reaching for my glass of champagne.

“I actually thought you were being chivalrous.” She lifted one shoulder as she spoke. The move was so dismissive that I wondered if she was actually trying to provoke me into spanking her.

“Look,” I said, leveling with her. “I know where you come from everyone has a scepter up their ass, but around here, people know how to take a joke.”

“Londoners can take a joke,” she said coolly, “when it’s funny.”

“Ouch.” I winced at the burn. “I thought it was funny.”

“That’s your first problem. You were thinking again.”

She thought she could get under my skin. Was that her plan? To annoy me until I was distracted from the tension between us? Lola could play ice queen all she wanted, but I knew she felt the same attraction I did. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t blush every time something suggestive happened.

And I hadn’t forgotten that it was my name she’d been moaning in bed this morning.

“So, no chicken,” I said meaningfully.

“No chicken,” she repeated firmly. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy the veal. But seriously, maybe you should consider going vegan.”

I suspected she wasn’t talking about my diet. She just wanted to be clear that she was off the menu. I played with my fork, purposefully keeping my eyes turned away from her. “It’s not just my craving I wanted to satisfy, you know.”

Lola breathed in sharply. I glanced up at her, and she quickly took a sip of champagne in an attempt to cover the reaction.

“Tell you what,” I offered. “I promise to be on my best behavior for dinner if you’ll keep your mind open about dessert.”

She studied me for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. It was clear she was trying to decide how to play this situation. If only she knew that any way she played it, she’d play right into my hands. I’d gotten a taste of Lola this morning. Now I wanted the full course.

Silence stretched between us, but finally, she took a deep breath. “Okay.”