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“I know, but that’s in the past now,” she says with a glint in her eyes.
“Not everything has to be about business,” I say, reaching across for her hand.
She doesn’t withdraw her hand, but she doesn’t hold mine. We eat, chatting about her brother Pierce and his charity work. It’s all a cover for illegal business, but it’s smart.
The waitress takes away our dishes, and Shirley sighs. “This has been fun. It’s nice catching up, but I should get back. I have an early start tomorrow.”
“Don’t leave,” I say, trying to sound calm. “There are other ways we can catch up, you know.”
“Such as?” she asks, her eyes boring into mine.
“Drinks at my beach house. You loved it there.” I smile. “We can take it from there.”
She nods. “Okay, but I’m bringing my car. I have an early start and can’t wait for you to drive me around.”
“Agreed,” I say, raising my hand for the bill. I pay for our little catch-up and then stand.
“You remember where it is? Or do you want to follow me?” I ask.
She smiles. “I remember where it is. Let’s see who gets there first.”
We both hurry to our cars. I don’t even look for her as I race home, taking a route I know isn’t normally one the police watch.
I don’t know how she does it, but she’s parked in front of my house in her Mini Cooper when I arrive. I laugh. I forgot how much fun she is.
I get out of my car, handing the keys to my bodyguard. “Leave her car parked out front. She has an early start tomorrow.”
I walk toward her and offer her my arm. “Please, this way.”
She loops her arm through mine, and I lead her to the deck out back. It looks out over the ocean but is fenced off. There’s a bar out there, and I pour us each a cocktail and a shot of vodka.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” she teases.
“I never had to before,” I tease back. I cheers my shot against hers, and we down it. I instantly refill it.
“We were terrible together,” she says with a smile. “I was way too immature to be with you.”
We drink another shot.
“To be fair,” I comment, “I flirted with you first. You’re young enough to be my daughter.”
We drink another shot.
“You are seriously stubborn. It’s always your way or no way,” she retorts with a giggle.
We drink another shot.
“To be fair, you never defended or spoke up for yourself. You let people walk all over you.” I grin and move closer.
We carry on like this, steadily getting drunker.
Everything seems hazy, but I pull her unsteadily onto my lap. She looks down at me with her bright eyes, and I smile, leaning up to kiss her.
She’s hesitant for the first time tonight. For a moment, I’m reminded of that twenty-one-year-old whom I met years ago. Then we’re locked in a fierce kiss. She holds onto my face, and I grind up into her, holding her firmly in my lap.
We break the kiss, and she breathes hard. I lock my eyes with hers and then kiss her again before trailing kisses down her neck.
She groans softly as she tips her head back before I feel her pulling away.
