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“Oh, is that what this is? You are a gentleman now?”
“I don’t know what you mean. I have always been a gentleman.” I placed the bottle back in the ice bucket and sat back on the sofa. She scoffed and took a seat at the other end. I frowned at the distance. She was too far away.
“Pouring me a drink doesn’t make you a gentleman any more than standing in a garage makes you a car,” she smirked, hiding behind her glass as she took a sip.
“Ouch!” I grabbed my chest and pretended to feel the stab to my heart. “You are right. You see straight through me bambola. I am no gentleman.” I gave her a seductive glance and she froze, her cheeks blushing slightly. “But I am trying to be... nicer. Better. So just cut me some slack please.”
Her pretty eyes widened as she realised, I was being honest and she looked a little sheepish as she stared down at her glass in her lap.
“Sorry. I know you are trying but...” She spoke so quietly, I struggled to hear her. “Why?”
“Why am I trying to do better? Or why am I being nicer to you?”
“Both,” she muttered, her beautiful eyes flicking up from her glass to mine, which made my heart start to beat a little faster. She had complete control over it, it seemed. Nothing ever made my heart race like she could, not even an open-fire gun fight which I had had a few of in my time.
“It’s simple. You deserve better.” Her eyebrows furrowed as she registered my words. She seemed confused by them. “I owe you an apology, Olivia. When we first met, your first impressions of me were spot on. I was an arrogant, sex-crazed playboy who thought he could get any woman he wanted. I didn’t treat you with respect and I’m sorry.”
I fought to keep a straight face as her features took on a look of utter shock. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before looking away from me and out the window. Ha, she was speechless. Even though it had the desired effect, and I could see the cogs frantically spinning in her mind, trying to understand who the hell I really was, I meant every word. “Don’t get me wrong. I am still all those things,” I smirked, and she glanced back at me. “And I will never stop teasing you because I fucking love watching you react, but I am trying to be more... decent. For you.”
It took her a few seconds to regain her composure and she nodded once before saying, “Thank you. I appreciate the effort.”
I smiled but it wasn’t exactly the response I was hoping for. I wanted her to open up to me. To tell me about why it was those traits in me that bothered her so much. About her past. But I forced myself to maintain some patience. I couldn’t push her too hard.
“Shall we continue our game?” I asked, standing up to pour myself another whiskey. I hadn’t finished my drink yet, but I just needed an excuse to sit back down closer to her.
“Twister?” The alarm in her voice made me laugh.
“God no! The question game?” I returned to the sofa, this time sitting only a few inches away from her and draped my arm over the back of the chair, so my hand was close to her head. She immediately turned her body to face me, bringing her legs up underneath her. Just that little move made her look so fucking adorable.
“Okay but play nice,” she smirked.
I smiled and settled myself down for another round. I had kept everything lighthearted and fun earlier, but I wanted to get to know her on a deeper level this time. But I knew I had to ease her into it. “Birthday?”
“22nd of May,” she answered quickly.
I nodded. “That makes you a Gemini,” I added, and she cocked her head to the side, studying me. “That makes sense.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“The feisty nature and split personality thing,” My lips twisted up into a cheeky smile as I took a sip of liquor. She playfully pushed my shoulder and giggled.
“I guess. You?”
“5th of November. Scorpio,” I winked.
She chuckled loudly. “Well that makes sense too!” Raising my eyebrows at her, I urged her to elaborate. “Determined, ambitious, intense and controlling.”
“True, but you also left out, deep, loyal, honest and we are known as the sexiest star sign,” I mused, causing her to roll her eyes. She regarded me with a thoughtful look which made me feel a little nervous. It was a strange feeling. I don’t think anyone has made me feel nervous before. “What?”
“Scorpios are also the most misunderstood sign.” She said carefully, her green eyes held mine as if she was searching every corner of my soul, trying to figure me out. “They come across as intimidating and tough-minded, but most are hiding behind that façade
and are deeply emotional and sensitive.”
I looked away and took a swig of my drink. “You seem to know a lot about star signs.”
“I find them fascinating,” she added. I could feel her eyes still burning into the side of my face and I coughed slightly to clear my throat. “I think you are fascinating too.”
My head snapped up to hers and she had a small smile playing on her full lips. I instantly wanted to lean forward and kiss them. “You find me fascinating?” I had managed to compose myself and felt my playfulness come back to the surface. This was where I was most comfortable; easy and cheeky conversation. But I knew if I wanted to gain her trust, I would have to start letting her in. Showing my vulnerability, which was fucking hard to do.
