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“Come home with me, Reyna. We could have some fun.”
I swallowed harshly, knowing exactly what kind of fun we could have. My heart started racing, picturing everything that could happen next between us. Everything was just happening too fast tonight.
“Maybe next time, Bryce,” I said, patting the lapel of his jacket. “Goodnight. Thank you for dinner.”
I knew I was being a little hot and cold with Bryce, but I was allowed that reaction given this very strange situation. I was pretty sure Bryce’s ego would be wounded from my rejection, but I wanted him to know I wasn't that easy. I knew that if I went home with him, it would end with us sweaty and sated. Just not tonight. I just had to let my brain catch up to my body first.
I signaled to the driver that I was ready to go, hoping that my gut feeling about Bryce was right.
Chapter 6
Bryce
Reynawasprovingtobe a challenge. And she had me challenging my usual patterns. For the first time, Iwantedto chase a woman. I had a strong feeling that our connection and chemistry were not one-sided and there was some comfort in that knowledge that forced me to consider a different strategy.
As I leaned my head back in my desk chair with my feet propped on the desk in front of me, a million inappropriate ideas had swirled around my brain in the few days since our dinner.
I thought about scheduling a meeting for us in her office and laying on the seduction strongly, but deep down, I knew it would all be so much better allowing things to happen naturally and on her terms. The last thing I wanted was for her to be mired in regret and start to resent me.
Fuck, I hated this feeling. It was so much easier to just meet a gorgeous woman in a bar who was attracted to me, my money, and my status, and more than willing to go home with me for a night. Even though a night was all I ever had on offer.
And then I had a horrific realization: no matter what bullshit I threw at Reyna, she saw right through me and my charm. She wasn’t like those women from the bars. She wasn’t looking for money or status – well, not mine, anyway. She wanted those things for herself. Reyna was a force and I wouldn’t get anywhere just by trying to wear her down.
Shit. I was going to have to actuallytrywith Reyna. And part of me, no, most of me, had no argument with that scenario.
I dropped my feet from my desk and picked up my phone. I started typing out a text message, let out a deep sigh, and clicked on the phone icon. As I heard the tiny ringing sound in my ear, I wagered with myself the chances of this call being answered.
And then I heard Reyna’s voice on the other side, slightly surprised, but still smooth.
“Uh, hi. Reyna.” Real smooth, Bryce. “I just wanted to call and invite you to my place this evening for a drink. I think we need to talk about a few things before our engagement is officially launched. Dinner the other night got a bit… off track.”
That was an understatement. I remembered my hand on her thigh. Her smooth, tantalizing skin, the heat that urged my hand to slip under the hem of her tight dress. I swallowed hard, trying to pretend away the tightening in my pants.
The long, agonizing beat of silence forced me to look at my phone to see if the call was still connected. It was, and my entire body was tensed, waiting for her response.
“Yes, I agree,” Reyna finally said. My muscles relaxed in relief as I bit back a happy sigh. “We definitely have more to talk about. Text me your address and I’ll see you there.”
“I’ll have a car pick you up.”
Another long beat of silence.
“Okay.” That one lukewarm word had my body singing.
After we hung up, I paced my office, full of anxious energy I needed to burn. I decided I’d ditch work the rest of the day and head to the gym to try to chill out before my very important date with Reyna.
God, this woman was beautiful.
Somehow, I hadn’t seen Reyna since our dinner. I wasn’t completely sure that she hadn’t been intentionally avoiding me. But whatever the reason, the short absence made her even more striking.
Her hair was pulled up and she was dressed in simple black shorts that floated around her toned legs and a white, silky tank top. Delicate gold necklaces draped across her skin and it was the first time I’d seen her in flat sandals. She always commanded a room in her sky-high heels, but she still did even with no heels. Something about her still forced you to pay attention.
“Thanks for coming,” I said dumbly, wishing I could be my usual self around her.
“This place is amazing.” She scanned the large entryway of my midtown condo and I scrubbed the back of my neck with my hand as I looked around, trying to see it from her eyes. It was a pretty big condo and I loved the location. But looking around now, I realized that it looked a little cold, devoid of any personality. It looked like the decorator my mom had connected me with when I bought the place a few years ago. It was all clean lines, muted colors, and very modern. Luxurious, sure, and I guess comfortable enough for the amount of time I really spent here.
I cleared my throat nervously and mumbled, “Thanks,” before leading her deeper into the living space.
The one area I loved was my patio. It was the penthouse unit, so the patio had an expansive view of the city from just above the trees. There was a little landscaping with potted plants, a pergola, and a comfortable sitting area.
