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“Emma.” Grayson lifts my chin again to meet his gaze. His expression immediately tells me he means business. “Wear underwear tonight. At least to dinner.”
I giggle and Grayson frowns. “Of course I’m wearing underwear while having dinner with you father. Now stop fussing over me so I can go home and get ready.”
Cupping my face, he kisses me. “See you soon.”
Opening the passenger door, Grayson helps me out of the car.
“Did I mention how good you look?” He asks, hugging me close to him as walk to the entrance of Bellini’s.
“You did when you arrived, but I like hearing it. Tell me as much as you want.” I wink and he gives me that charming smile that makes my heart flutter.
Entering the dimly lit red and yellow restaurant, the cute brunette hostess greets us with a pleasant smile. Grayson gives his name and she quickly guides us to our table. Arnold stands, pulls a chair out for me, placing me between them.
“You look lovely, Emma,” Arnold compliments with an added smile.
Grayson’s gaze whips to him and his eyes darken.
Was that a silent threat I just witnessed? “Thank you,” I reply cordially.
Thankfully, the waiter’s arrival cuts the awkward tension.
After our drink orders are placed and the waiter tells us the specials, he leaves and I turn my attention to the menu.
“Emma, how do you like working for my son?”
Setting down the menu, I meet his curious gaze.
“I love working for him. Even if we weren’t dating, I still would. He has great management skills and is efficient at his job.”
Arnold nods and grins. “How long have you and Grayson been dating?” He glances at Grayson, then back at me.
“A month,” I reply, suddenly feeling self-conscious. I don’t even know why I’m feeling this way, maybe because Grayson and I still haven’t talked about what we are. All the boxes check off for being a couple though; only seeing each other, sex and intimacy, spending all our free time together, he bought me a diamond and sapphire bracelet. What doesn’t say you’re my girl like a thousand-dollar bracelet? Even Megan called him my boyfriend.
My heart starts pumping rapidly as Grayson appears tense while looking over the menu. He’s irritated. Why is he irritated? Is it what I said? This dinner is quickly becoming an epic failure.
When the waiter brings my wine, I sip several times trying to take the edge off my unease. The young man takes our orders and as soon as he’s gone, Arnold’s attention once again returns to me.
“That’s a lovely bracelet you’re wearing. Was it a gift from Grayson?”
Now I feel like a damn child under scrutiny. My cheeks burn and I know the blood is rushing to my skin, revealing how uncomfortable I am.
“Yes, it was a gift,” Grayson responds. His gaze now meeting Arnold’s.
“Excuse me. I’m going to the lady’s room.” I scurry away from the table, needing some distance from the awkward tension. This dinner is not going how I imagined.
Inside the bathroom, I take a breath and dab my face with a wet towel. Finding an empty stall, I use it, then wash up and gain the courage to return to our table. Stepping into the hallway, a hand grabs my wrist and I instinctively jump. Arnold releases my wrist, quickly closes the space between us, pinning me against the wall.
His fierce blue eyes center on mine. I try to move farther back, but there’s nowhere to go.
“You’re a lovely woman, Emma.” His hand grazes my jaw. “You seem to have captured my son’s affections. I can’t help wondering if you and I would have just as much fun.”
Vomit rises to my throat and I push his hand away. “I’m not interested in whatever you’re offering.”
He shrugs. “It wouldn’t be the first time Grayson and I shared a woman. If he’s okay with it, you should be too.”
Tears prickle my eyes and my body tenses, wanting out of this situation as soon as possible. The things he’s saying are churning my stomach and ripping a hole into my heart.
“I’m not Grayson’s plaything and I have no interest in being one for you,” I snap.
