Page 62 of Open To Negotiation

Okay. A lot.

“Because you like him,” she commented casually as she ate her dinner.

“Yeah, but I’ve hung out with him a handful of times. And he’s seen me when I was snotty and gross with no makeup on my face and hair that resembled a rat’s nest.” I tilted my head at my reflection and pulled on my skirt.

“The length is fine, Quinn.”

I was wearing a forest green skirt that went mid-thigh and had a small slit on the front. I’d paired it with a black long sleeve that had a sweetheart neckline, and I was going to pair it with my leather jacket and a pair of tall leather boots.

And maybe I was wearing a matching lacy bra and thong in case the night ended with us in bed. It had been a while for me so every kiss and lingering touch from him was driving me crazy. And maybe I’d touched myself last night and given myself an orgasm imagining it was his hands instead of my own.

Sue me, I had the hots for this man.

“Is it okay for dinner?” He didn’t tell me where he was taking me but I assumed it would be nicer, even though I tried to argue with him that we could go to a bar or regular restaurant. “He’s seen me in jeans too much.” I adjusted my gold necklace one more time and then fluffed my hair.

“You look great. Stop overthinking this. Don’t think of it as your first date. He knows you, you know him. Just have a good time, you won’t have any of the weird first date stuff.” I smiled at her as my doorbell rang. “Call me tomorrow.” She winked and then ended the call.

She was right, I did know and like him. There wouldn’t be any of the awkwardness associated with the first date. I’d already slept in his bed for crying out loud.

With those thoughts fortifying my resolve, I grabbed my purse and went to the door.

“How do you get in here?” I asked as I pulled it open, it was the third time he’d gotten into the building without me buzzing him in.

“Good timing,” he said with a smile. His gaze dropped from my face and roamed down my body and then back up.

“Is this okay?” I barely resisted the urge to pull the skirt down again.

“You look beautiful, Love,” he said quietly, almost reverently as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

“Well, you look pretty handsome yourself.” I looked him up and down as well.

He was wearing charcoal grey suit pants, a classic white button up but today he had it paired with a black coat. His suits never failed to be perfectly tailored to him and this coat was no exception.

“You’re going to need to stop looking at me like that or we might never leave.” His voice was rough.

I snapped my eyes up to his to see his heated gaze watching me. I smiled sheepishly and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Sorry.” I wasn’t at all convincing.

“Here.” He passed me a bouquet of flowers from behind his back that I hadn’t noticed.

“These are beautiful.” I smiled up at him as he passed them to me. They were yellow lilies. My favorite. “Come in, I want to get these in some water before we go.” Once they were in a vase, I grabbed my bag off the counter.

“You don’t need that.” He dipped his chin, looking at my purse. I clutched it to my chest.

“Why not? It has my phone, keys, an emergency book and—”

“Wallet,” he finished for me. “Which I don’t trust you with.”

“Theodore…” I started, earning a glare.

“I invited you on this date. I’m paying. I’m also driving, well Arthur is, so you don’t need a licence. I’ve got you, Quinn, you don’t need anything.”

When this man’s tone went all low and gravely, I’m pretty sure he could convince me to do anything.

“What if I leave my wallet, then can I take the purse?” I tried negotiating.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about the credit card on your phone.” He raised an eyebrow at me as I shook my head before I tossed the wallet back on the kitchen counter.

He didn’t know I had anticipated this and tucked a few cards in my purse, just in case.