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“Hey, Lili. What brings you here today?” I can’t help smiling when I see Ariel come around the corner. She and Drew kicked ass as bartenders at the afterparty. Zane’s very lucky to have them both.
“I had something of Zane’s I needed to drop off. Could I have a lemon seltzer please?”
“Sure thing, coming right up.” While she’s busy making my drink, I spin around in my chair. Mike just walked in and the minute he noticed me sitting at the bar, he ran like a coward. What the hell?
So I chase after him. “Mike, can I speak to you please?” I’m not going to take no for an answer. He better make time for me or he’ll see just how feisty I can be.
“Sorry Lili, but I just came in and I have tons to do. Maybe some other time.” Oh no. He’s not getting away that easily. I grab him by the arm and, like a pit bull, I don’t let go.
“Why did you give Zane my condo number, Mike?”
“Look, I’m sorry but he’s my friend. I didn’t think it would be a big deal. Besides, you were together the night of the afterparty, I didn’t think you’d mind. Now, I really need to get to work.” Is it me or is there a chill in the air? First Zane and now Mike. Apparently, I’ve overstayed my welcome.
Ariel gives me a great big smile when I sit back down. At least she seems happy to see me. The lunch crowd is coming in, so she won’t have time to chat. No biggie. I’m sure she’s loyal to her boss so she won’t divulge any info either.
I’m sipping on my drink and checking my messages when I sense someone standing off to the side. I know who it is before he even speaks. His woodsy scent is addictive and very familiar to me. “Grab your drink and come with me.” I take his warm hand in mine, slide off the stool and grab my seltzer. I had no expectations when I walked in today. All I wanted was to return what didn’t belong to me. If he wants to talk, I’ll gladly listen.
We step inside his office and I’m confused when I see a broken laptop sitting on the floor. Zane quickly picks it up and deposits it onto his desk without a care. Well, if he’s not upset about it then it’s not my place to ask. I really would like to know who gave him the lighter, though.
“Can I ask you something?” Apparently he’s uncomfortable, since he’s leaning against his desk while his hands clutch the rim.
“A question for a question?”
Zane shakes his head, but there’s a gleam in his eye that wasn’t there a moment ago. “Not today, but perhaps someday.”
“Okay, what’s your question?” His smirk makes me smile because we’re both aware that I just asked him a question.
“Would you do me the honor of having Thanksgiving dinner with me?”
What? Wow, that came out of left field. How did he know I was going to be alone? Lili, I scold myself. You’d be foolish to say yes when you just kicked him out of your apartment less than twenty-four hours ago.
My heart is racing when memories of my past come to the forefront. Do I want to jump off the deep end with Zane Sinclair? Because there’s no doubt in my mind if I said yes, I would drown.
I’m speechless as he saunters over, sits down and grabs my hand. “I’d understand if you said no, but believe me when I say you’re the only one I’ve been thankful for in a long, long time.”
What the hell do I say to that? Clearly the man’s delusional. We had lunch, one amazing kiss, and a misunderstanding. “I don’t know what to say. We really don’t know each other.”
“I promise if you say yes, we can play twenty questions. What better way to get to know one another? Say yes, Lili.”
Zane Sinclair is complicated and moody but sexy as hell. I’m afraid my raging hormones might be taking control because of the carnal dreams I’ve had about him.
How can I resist those penetrating eyes?
“I’d love to have Thanksgiving with you.” This is the first time I’ve ever seen him truly smile. Wow. His straight white teeth can only be the product of braces and those beautiful laugh lines are meant to be enjoyed. They only prove that he was happy at some point in his life. Maybe Zane Sinclair is human after all. “What would you like me to bring?”
“Just you. I’ll take care of the rest. Let me send a car to pick you up at two so I can cook.”
Seriously? Zane’s going to cook Thanksgiving dinner? “Oh, that won’t be necessary. Just give me your address and I’ll drive myself.” He quickly jots something down on a notepad and walks over to hand it to me. At a glance, I can’t help noticing he lives in a beautiful part of the city. I’m really excited about going. “Well, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll see you on Thursday then.”
I close my eyes when he wraps his arms around me. “Thank you for returning the lighter. See you soon.” My head is spinning when his lips gently press against mine. Sparks ignite and leave me breathless once again.
I don’t remember walking out of the bar or driving home. How crazy is that? I can still feel his lips against mine and it makes me feel alive but regretful. I haven’t been intimate with a man in so long and the thought scares me to death. I’m not too experienced—I can count all of my lovers on one hand. Some women I’ve talked to lost count over the years. That’s so not me. I need to care about someone before jumping into bed with them. Maybe that’s why I write erotic novels about promiscuous women because that’s the opposite of who I truly am.
Now I’m excited for Thursday since I won’t be alone. My family is scattered all over the globe and it’s almost impossible for all of us to get together. My sisters are both married with children and they’re spending Thanksgiving with their husbands’ families. Next year we’ll all meet at my parents’ home in Connecticut. I really love going there but it’s also bittersweet since I’m the only one who isn’t married with children.
It’s just a sad reminder of everything I lost.
I know I can’t continually live in the past but it’s hard not to when I had such happy memories with Ryder. We planned on spending the rest of our lives together, until one last covert mission cost him his life.
