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“Put your number in.” The charm was gone. This was an order. I didn’t chase women. If she said “no”... “no” meant “no” and that was the end of it. I’d find some other way to torment her brother.
She looked at the phone, her brow furrowed, and with a hand that only slightly shook, she picked it up and started typing.
That’s all it took? Getting her number made me feel like a conquering hero. What the fuck was that?
She finished and handed the phone back to me, anxiety written all over her face.
Her expression pissed me the hell off. I leaned forward across the tiny cafe table.
“What will it take to convince you I want to see you again? Hmmmm?”
I watched her throat move as she swallowed, but she didn’t speak.
“If we’re going to do this, Suzanne, you’re going to have to understand one thing about me.”
She looked down again and I couldn’t stop myself. With the pad of my index finger, I tipped her chin up until she looked into my eyes.
“When I ask a question, I expect an answer.”
I had deceit in my heart, but not when it came to being who I was. Everything that had passed between us that morning had been authentic. I stayed for two hours to talk with her over coffee because I wanted to. It wasn’t my intention when I arrived, but I didn’t have to force myself to enjoy her company. I wasn’t going to put on a show or adopt a persona just to impress her. If the demanding side of me bothered her, she’d have to speak up. It wouldn’t change anything about who I was, but she had the right to express herself. I’d never take that away from her.
My arrogance sparked some life in her. Apparently, she needed a bit of a challenge to perk up.
“Then your answer is that I’ll be convinced you want to see me again when it actually happens. I’m not delusional, Gabriel. I mean, look at you and look at me. Don’t get all narrowed-eyed at me. You asked.”
“You’re right. I did ask. And you were honest with me. I appreciate that. Now, I’ll be honest with you. My time is valuable. To me and to the men I blew off this morning because I chose to spend more time with you.” I stood up before I revealed too much. With feet that felt like lead, I started to walk away from her. “I have your number. I’ll be in touch.”
I took two steps then walked back to her. I leaned down, my lips hovering near her ear as I inhaled her scent. Lavender? No.Lilacs. She smelled like a fucking spring garden. “And Iamlooking at you, Suzanne. You’ll have to get used to it.”
I straightened and walked across the coffee shop, tossing my paper cup in the trash as I left. Would she watch me leave or duck her head down to hide behind her laptop? I resisted the urge to look back and find out.
I sat in the front seat of Lilly’s car, white-knuckling the steering wheel. For the first time in minutes, I was conscious of my breathing - heavy and shallow, unable to draw enough air into my lungs.
I was out of my element. Until I texted Andre, for two full hours, I forgot who I was. She did that - with smiles and laughter and eyes that made a man want to come clean. I forgot I was a fucking king of the underworld. It had been a long time since a woman had made me feel like that kind of man. She didn’t know me. She saw beyond the mask, beyond the appearance and the power.
She saw Gabriel.
I wanted more of that feeling.
I wanted more ofher.
