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“Stalker?” Solon asks in mock horror. He puts his elbows on the table, large hands clasped up by his face, and tilts his head as he looks at me, a cunning smile curving his lips. “Tell me more about this stalker.”
I shake my head and look at Elle. “That was nothing.”
“I ran into Lenore at the Ferry Building, getting my morning coffee,” he says to her, the lie coming so easily to him. “Thought she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. Took my bloody breath away.”
My cheeks immediately go hot while Elle looks like she’s melting again.
That has to be a lie too.
And it shouldn’t matter if is, I remind myself.
Then I catch my thoughts, hoping he didn’t hear them.
I eye him and he’s still smiling at me, but his eyes have grown serious, and I feel the weight of them deep inside me, catching me off-guard.
“Is he the one who gave you the necklace?” Elle asks, breaking the moment. “Be honest. Because if so, then you know those gems are real.”
I blink and give her a quick smile, reaching for my champagne. I need more. Much more.
“Yes, I did,” Solon says, reaching over and grabbing the bottle for me, refiling my glass and Elle’s. “I got it at auction and thought it would be worthy of her.”
Elle’s mouth drops open for the second time in ten minutes.
Just then the waiter comes by and gives Absolon a look of admiration.
“Mr. Stavig,” the waiter says, straightening his shoulders. “It’s been a long time since you’ve graced us with your presence. Why, you don’t seem to age, do you?”
Solon grins at him. “Hector, you’re too kind. I’ve been quite busy these days.”
Meanwhile Elle and I are both watching the exchange, maybe impressed for different reasons. Hector is treating Solon like he’s royalty, and Solon is so damn comfortable in his role, I have to wonder how much power and influence this man has in the city of San Francisco.
“Well, I’m delighted you’re here. I’ll tell Andre that you’re back, your bill will be taken care of. Please give Ezra my
regards,” he says, giving us a nod before walking off.
“Don’t tell me you own this place,” I mutter under my breath.
“This place? No. I just used to come here a lot. Back in the day it was a lot better.” He grins at Elle. “Don’t tell Hector I said that, okay?” Then he winks and her eyes go round, like he just blew her mind with his handsomeness.
She blinks and gives me a sloppy smile that I know isn’t from the champagne.
“I need to use the restroom,” she says, getting to her feet, and gives me the kind of pointed glance that signals she wants me to go with her.
I’m about to get up, but Solon is quick and places his hand on my thigh, holding me down. “Sit,” he hisses at me under his breath.
I watch as Elle walks off, then I reach down and attempt to pry his hand off of me, but it’s like trying to move cement. “Don’t tell me to sit, I’m not a dog,” I hiss right back at him.
“Then why are you panting like one in heat?” he says, leaning in close, the scent of him overwhelming me.
“I am not…” I snipe at him, trailing off because I don’t even want to repeat it.
He slides his hand down to my inner thigh, wedging his fingers between my legs, and I automatically clamp them together, but I’m not really sure if I’m trying to keep him in or keep him out.
His nose brushes against my ear, inhaling deeply as his slides his hand further up my thigh. “Your smell when you’re aroused is the most intoxicating scent in the world,” he murmurs, his voice sinking right into me, pooling in the heat between my legs, the growing ache.
“Get your hand off me,” I tell him, my voice quiet and shaking, my eyes darting around the restaurant to see if anyone is watching. They aren’t.
“Are you telling me to stop?” he says, now pressing his fingers right up against me, the thin material of my leggings and underwear providing no barrier, the strong breadth of his finger pushing right up against my clit.
