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He surprises me when he reaches across the table and lazily rubs his thumb over my knuckles. “Eli,” he says, his eyes finding mine. “Just Eli.”
“We’re at work,” I state lamely. I’m reaching, and we both know it.
“You’re off the clock. We may be in the building, but neither of us are working.” He smirks, knowing damn well he’s got me.
“I’m your employee, and there are others around. It’s respect.”
He nods. “I know, but right now, you’re not my employee. Right now, you’re a beautiful woman consuming my every fucking thought.”
I open my mouth to reply but quickly shut it. I don’t know what to say to that. I try again, but the waitress interrupts me. Thankfully.
“Hi, I’m Amanda. I’ll be your server this evening. Can I start you off with a drink?” She looks at me and then turns to Eli. “Oh, Mr. Morrison.” She tries to act surprised. She’s a piss- poor actress and should definitely keep her day job. She’s all batting eyes and sticking her chest out.
Eli nods, but his eyes are trained on me. “Baby?”
I hide my surprise at his term of endearment and look over at our server. “A glass of wine. Red, whatever you have is fine.”
She nods and looks to Eli. “Mr. Morrison?”
“A bottle of our finest. Red,” he adds, still not looking at her.
“Yes, sir,” she answers and scurries off.
“I feel like we’re breaking the rules,” I say, looking around the restaurant.
He chuckles softly. “There are no rules against us dating. I’m the CEO. I know these things.” He winks.
“Da-Dating?” I cough.
“Are you seeing someone?”
“No.”
He nods. “You are now.”
“Eli,” I say on a sigh.
“You know, over the last week, I’ve dreamed a thousand times what it would sound like to hear you sigh my name.” His eyes are closed as if he’s memorizing the sound.
I take the time to look at him. His strong jaw, the way his hair is tousled from what I’m sure is a full day’s worth of running his hands through it.
“Here you are,” Amanda, our server, says, arriving back at our table. She fills the first glass and places it in front of Eli.
“My girl first,” he tells her.
“Oh— I— Yes, sir.” She slides the glass over to me and proceeds to fill the other with shaking hands. “A-Are you ready to order?” she asks.
Eli nods at me. “Uh… I’ll just have a grilled chicken salad.” Amanda nods, not writing anything down.
“And for you, sir?”
“I’ll have the same, and could we get some fresh bread, please?” he asks, gathering our menus and handing them back to her.
“Yes, sir. Right away,” she says, and disappears from our table like her ass is on fire.
“How was your day?”
“Good.” Reaching for my wine, I take a small sip.
“Just good? You settling in okay? I’ve met with you a few times, but I’ve failed to ask.”
“Yes.” I bob my head. “Everyone is so nice, and Jane is a lifesaver. She’s been great getting me set up and acclimated to the position.”
“Good.”
“How about you?” I ask politely, and because I really want to know. “You said you were celebrating a contract?”
“Yes, but it seems I have something even better than that to celebrate.”
“What’s that?”
“You. Here with me.”
“Eli—” I start when a shadow falls over our table.
“Hey.” Cameron’s voice washes over me. “I saw the two of you from across the room. Carla, this is my sister, Marley, and my best friend, Eli. They both work here at Morrison Hotels. This guy”—he points at Eli—“is the man in charge.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I offer Carla my hand, and she shakes it.
“You as well.”
“Keep this one in line,” Eli says, offering Carla his hand to shake as well.
Her eyes sparkle as she glances up at my brother. “Sounds like I’m going to have my hands full with you.”
Cameron whispers something that sounds like I hope so, making her smile grow wider. I turn away, not wanting that mental image.
“Do you guys want to join us?” Eli asks.
“Actually, that would be great. We were sitting at the bar waiting for a table. How did you— Never mind, CEO.” He shakes his head, laughing. “I guess we’re getting the celebratory dinner after all.”
Eli raises his hand, and Amanda is at his side in an instant. “Can we get two more chairs?” he asks her.
“Sir, this is a table for two,” she tells him.
“That’s fine. We don’t mind being close,” he says, his eyes flashing to mine.
“Do you mind, Mar?” Cameron asks.
No pressure. If I say no, I’m the bitch sister, and if I say yes, I’ll be tucked in close to Eli all night. Not that I mind that. But by the way my body reacts to him anytime he’s near, and the fact my brother will bear witness to it all, that’s a bad combination.
