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Astrid is a twenty-five year old girl from an itty bitty town in East Texas. Her given name is Jennifer, but when she moved to Dallas she re-invented herself as Astrid, a wisp of a woman with bright blue hair and an adorable sleeve of tattoos.
“He should be here soon,” I say, looking at the only text I’ve exchanged with Maddox today.
We’re in the hotel restaurant, which features new Italian cuisine and is beautifully decorated with long red velvet drapes, high-end hardwood flooring and intricate chairs and tables. The idea was to do a quick video to gain traction on my TikTok and Insta accounts, and of course tag Dallas Proper and increase their visibility online.
“He must be a good friend of your dad’s,” Astrid says. “You had to bump that big client from this week’s three question post.”
I touch my hair, which is sleeked back in an intentionally severe top knot. I’m also wearing a long sleeved black shirt with matching pants. I am the epitome of professional—isn’t that what he wants?
When Dad reminded me of his birthday dinner, an idea took flight in my head.
I’ll go to that dinner. Oh, yes—and I’ll be in good company. My good friend Ashton will fit the bill just fine. Taking an attractive date to my father’s dinner will be a good way to measure Maddox’s interest in me—and if my assumptions are confirmed, see how much he cares.
But today, I’ll be the sexless professional that Maddox wants me to be.
“There he is,” Astrid says, then lets out a low whistle. “If my dad had any friends like that, I’d be rearranging my schedule too. Damn.”
I look at the man walking up to us, and my heart explodes in my chest in a million pieces. Then it immediately gets pieced back together well and beats again. He’s wearing a designer suit, with a sleek tie and crisp baby blue shirt underneath that accents his irresistible cobalt eyes.
The suit shows off his impressive large shoulders, his wide muscly chest, then the dip to his narrower waist and I don’t even need to have him turn around to know that his firm ass fills those pants nicely. Every part of me is instantly awake, perky, caffeinated like I just downed a double espresso shot.
I bite the inside of my cheek, and tell myself to behave. I’ve worked with incredibly attractive men before, but none of them ever made me feel so out of sorts like Maddox. Probably because I was never in love with them for years like I am for this man about to stand next to me.
“Maddox, this is Astrid, my assistant.”
“Nice to meet you,” he says.
She nods at him. “Pleasure.” I look at her, and a red wave spreads across her cheeks. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Astrid blush in the two years she’s worked for me. In fact, I wasn’t sure she could blush. Then again, Maddox has this effect on women…
“Where do you want me?” he asks.
A thrill of excitement runs up my spine.Naked, underneath me, or on top. Whatever floats your boat.
“There’s a good backdrop over there, and with the curtains drawn, the light will be perfect,” Astrid says. She does a killer job with editing videos and also creating them, so I trust her.
I immediately go open the curtain more until natural light casts over the restaurant, which is not full right now. Besides a couple of tables on the far corner, we have it all to ourselves.
I watch as Astrid asks him a couple of questions and directs the short videos. Maddox is a bit reluctant at first, his energy tense, shoulders tight.
“Try the next one without the tie,” I suggest.
Astrid shrugs. “Sure. You can take it off,” she says, then glances down at her camera.
“Is it necessary?” he asks, as if I’m asking him to peel off his clothes and parade in his birthday suit for us.
“You’re a bit stiff,” I say calmly, hands perched at my waist. “If you take off your tie and relax a bit, you’ll come across more approachable and we want people to click on the video. We need engagement.”
“Okay,” he says, and looks at me trying to figure out my angle. I’ve taken a step back until now, and have not darted any sensual glances or sexual innuendos his way. I’ve treated him like a regular client. If only my body parts got the memo and did the same.
He watches me in silence for a moment, his eyes darkening. Why is this tie such a big deal?
“Do you need help?” I ask, a pang of impatience in my voice.
He holds up his hand to keep me at bay. “No. I can manage,” he says, then undoes his tie and takes it off.
He’s about to stuff it in the pocket, when I grab it from his hand. “I’ll keep it. I don’t want for your pocket to look creased in the video.”
My gaze darts to Astrid, and she has a quizzical expression on her face, like she’s wondering what’s happening in this weird exchange between us. I slide the tie inside my tote for now.
