A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

“I thought we could eat at this restaurant I know across town. It’s small and not so well-known, but the food is excellent and it affords privacy… That’s what you would prefer right? Privacy?” he asked.

He looked at her almost like the last was a challenge. She tilted her chin up and stared coolly at him. She hoped that she looked as unruffled as she wanted to portray.

“Is this business, Julian? What exactly are you doing? Why did you come to my office today?” she asked him.

His mouth tightened briefly before he relaxed and eyed her with thinly veiled amusement.

“Damn it, don’t act like that. We slept together, Red. We had an amazing time together… You can’t deny that. I don’t think lunch is that scandalous given that fact.” he replied. “… You can’t tell me you’ve forgotten everything we shared so fucking fast.”

She curled her fingers into tight fists. She wanted to close her eyes and moan her dismay. No, she doubted he’d understand why it was so important to her that there be no hint of impropriety between them. He was the type who’d never let what others thought rule his life. She hated that evidently she was the type. Hated it but couldn’t change it. And when she had come down here to start her life over, she hadn’t wanted any complications like this one.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Julian.” she began.

She stopped when her voice cracked. She felt like the worst sort of idiot. Around others she had no problem being blunt-and forceful when the occasion called for it. But with Julian, she was ridiculously tongue tied.

“Yes?” he prompted, his voice low and sexy.

He wore a curious smile, almost as if he found her and the situation amusing. He knew exactly what he was doing to her. It made her angry…. Knowing that whatever he was doing was working.

“We can’t do this. We simply can’t. This weekend was a huge mistake. I don’t want to be one of these women who say no, no, no, and then yes, yes, yes and then spend the next week castigating myself for my weakness. I shouldn’t have slept with you. I swear, I left my brain behind when we went to that island. I knew what I was getting into. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t blame you or think you manipulated me into having sex with you. I’m a big girl and I knew full well what I was doing. It doesn’t make me any less stupid, mind you…. I just…..”

Julian said nothing but simply hauled her into his arms and stifled her tirade with a kiss. Not just any kiss. He devoured her whole. She melted-positively melted-in his arms. She went limp against him. Yep, she was one of those silly women at the mercy of her hormones.

She placed both hands on his chest and shoved until they sat apart, both breathing raggedly. She probably looked demented sitting there, hair askew, chest heaving up and down as if she’d run a marathon.

“Julian, Stop kissing me and listen!” she said.

He smiled again, a lazy, sensual smile of a lion standing over its prey. She was lunch apparently.

“But I like kissing you and I try never to deny myself life’s little pleasures.” he replied. “Trust me, there was a time when I did that… Not anymore. And you like kissing me too.. Don’t deny it”

She rolled her eyes then caught herself before she laughed and gave in.

“Dammit, Julian. Let’s be serious for one minute. I mean it. Stop kissing me and stop touching me. This isn’t a joking matter.” Nina said.

He held his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I won’t touch you… At least for now. I can’t promise to keep my hands off you for the whole evening though. I think that weekend together on the island proved that.”

She crossed her arms protectively over her chest and moved as far over in the seat as she could. She knew he was right. She couldn’t keep her hands off him either. Why had she agreed to lunch with him? Why? Because you’re a masochist and you can’t resist him. There was that.

She’s always thought it was a myth. The out-of-control hormones that made an otherwise intelligent woman make waste of her brain cells every time she came into contact with ‘the one’ . She was certainly proving the waste of brain cells to be true.

The rest of the journey was spent in brooding silence. Julian was silent and Wendy Nina. When they finally pulled up to a restaurant that boasted the best seafood on the west coast, she raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“Try it first and then tell me if you disagree,” Julian said in amusement.

He was becoming way too adept at reading her and it annoyed her to no end, especially since she had no idea what went on in his head. She was afraid to find out…. And was unwilling to admit that even to herself.

When she stepped out and glanced around, she had to hand it to him. For a man who didn’t seemingly care if they were seen together or not and certainly didn’t have the objections she had, he’d chosen a restaurant where they weren’t likely to be seen by anyone who knew them.

Julian guided her into the rustic cedar building with its quasi-southern charm mixed with California décor. It was an odd blend that, to her surprise, worked well.

The two sat in the far corner where the lighting was so dim. A small kerosene lantern sat in the middle of the table to offer ambience.

“I feel like I’m on a first date,” she said ruefully after Julian had ordered the wine. And it had been a while since she had been on one, she thought.

He smiled and waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Would it make me less of a jerk to be up front about the fact I plan to have you in my bed tonight?”

She sucked in her breath until she felt curiously lightheaded. She suspected of course, but to hear him say it outright was way sexier than it should have been…. Stupid stupid hormones. She had to stop reacting like this to him.

“I have to go back to work,” she murmured. “I have things to do”

He nodded. “Of course. I didn’t intend to spirit you away for an afternoon tryst, though the idea has merit. I wonder if your coworkers would call the police?”

She glared at him-determined not to laugh. But even her scowl twitched.

Irreverent bastard.