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He’s still holding my fist in his hand, but he loosens his grip and directs my palm to the same spot on his thigh I tapped. My fingers rest far too close to his zipper to not make me think about what would happen if I were to reach out and touch it.
The damned windstorm spins anew in my belly. Thankfully, we’re interrupted by a knock on the door. Will calls, “Come in,” but doesn’t move my hand. A young man pushes in a trolly, and the smell of burgers and fried food fills the air. I inhale deeply, and Will tightens his grip. I pull my eyes from the food and see he’s staring at my breasts. When my gaze drops back to my hand, I notice the distance between my fingers and Will’s zipper has decreased by half. Oh, dear.
“Thanks, Pete. Have a good weekend,” he says, sounding entirely normal. How can he speak? I know if I try to say anything, I’ll manage only a squeak.
“You, too, Mr. Power,” the young man says, closing the door behind him.
“How do you know I’ll tell you the truth, that I won’t say it made no difference, even if I happen to sleep better tonight than normal?” Will asks, releasing my hand and reaching for a burger, as if nothing just happened between us.
I don’t answer right away, even though I don’t believe he’d lie to me. But I need to catch my breath, so I reach for the bottle of carbonated water on the trolly and pour us each a glass. I swallow a long drink, and then, when I trust my vocal chords to cooperate, I say, “Because you have integrity, and I trust you. Also, if it works, why wouldn’t you agree to do it again? It just makes sense.”
“I’ll take a walk in the park for you, Virginia.” Will grabs his phone and dials. “I need security to have a man ready in about thirty minutes. I’ll be taking a walk in the park … that’s right.” Will hangs up and returns his phone to the table. “Most eligible bachelors don’t need babysitters when they play in the park.”
Dinner is delicious.
“Is this unicorn meat or something? It’s the most magical burger I’ve ever eaten.”
“I’ve noticed you bring a bagged lunch. The restaurant downstairs uses the same recipes, same cooks. And staff get a discount. Next week, ask Savi to set you up with an account.”
Conversation over dinner is comfortable. Our shared moment of sexual tension dissipates as quickly as it came on, and I wonder if I imagined it or made it up. In some ways, I hope I did, since I don’t want to lose this job or risk ruining this unexpected, budding friendship with Will.
Once the burgers and onion rings are nothing but greasy stains on our plates, Will pulls two insulated cups from a thermos bag and hands me one. “Ready for dessert?”
“Ready to dig your toes in the dirt?”
“No, but now that I’ve pulled some poor guy from what I’m certain he expected would be a quiet Friday night, I guess we have to go.”
13. Will
TWEEZER TEETH
Idebate asking Virginia to wait in my office while I go upstairs to change into something a little more casual, but instead decide to let her ride to the penultimate floor with me.
“We’re going up?”
“Just for a minute. If I’m really going to be taking off my shoes and walking around barefoot like some pot-smoking, flower-loving hippie, I don’t think a suit and Berlutis fit the moment.”
Virginia looks up and smiles with her whole face. “Flower-loving hippies aren’t so bad, you know.”
“So I’m learning.” The elevator door opens, and I lead Virginia into my living room. “Give me five minutes. Make yourself at home.”
She walks to the wall of windows and stares out over the city, muttering single words, “Wow,” “Amazing,” and “Unreal,” to herself.
I shower quickly—something I do as soon as I take off my suit each day to draw a line between work and non-work hours—then dress in jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap, and I quietly return to the living room. I watch her from the hall as she runs her fingers along the spines of my books, humming and moving in that way she does to music she says she feels more than she hears. I want to wrap my arms around her, experience her ease and relaxation. I want to hold her and absorb her into me.
Instead, I say, “All set. Am I the perfect representation of a man who’s eager to connect with Mother Earth?”
“Don’t make fun of me until you’ve done it,” she warns, smiling. “The ball cap suits you.”
“Don’t forget your milkshake.” I point to the coffee table where she set her cup down.
“We should’ve ordered an extra for the security guy. I bet he’ll be sad he doesn’t get one.”
“If you’re willing to share, we can give him mine.” I picture Virginia sucking in the drink, licking her lips, passing her cup to me, and me tasting her on the straw. Dear god, it has been far too long since I’ve tasted a woman.
We ride down in silence and meet my security detail for the evening in the lobby.
“Nice to see you, Mr. Power. My name is Bruce. Where are you headed tonight?”
