Chapter 5

"Ithought you said tomorrow?" I ask Lucas as he pushes off the sleek SUV he's leaning against.

He's got that cocky smile that has been driving me crazy. Though who could really blame me? Every model around can't keep their eyes off him. But I did notice that he didn't give them so much as a glance. Even though he was there to assess the models. I can"t wrap my head around him.

"I was never great at waiting for what I want."

"Or do you not like being told no? I bet you're not used to it." I don't wait for a response as I walk right past him. And god help me, I breathe deep as I pass, hoping to catch his scent. I'm losing my mind because of him. On one hand I wanted to smack him today, and on the other I fell a little more for him. What is wrong with me?

He falls into step beside me as I walk. "You're right, I'm not used to being told no," he admits with a shrug.

"I'm guessing it's even more shocking coming from a woman," I add with a shake of my head.

I walk faster because I'm already late. I have no idea how I forgot about my weekly happy hour with Benny. We've been doing it since our sophomore year of college. We like to call it happy hour, but in reality neither of us is great at holding our liquor, so we just meet at a coffee shop and get buzzed on espresso. We learned that lesson the hard way the night we met at our first college party. Since then, we've been best friends and skipping parties for coffee houses.

"I'm not talking about other women. I'm only talking about you." He runs a hand through his hair and looks frustrated. It somehow makes him even more attractive. I'm getting a glimpse of his vulnerable side, which I'm guessing no one sees.

"Well, you got what you wanted. I'm going out with you tomorrow, so if you don't mind I have somewhere to be," I tell him.

"I'm sure Benjamin won't mind if I tag along."

There's a trace of jealousy in his tone, and I stop midstep, turning to face Lucas. How the heck does he know where I'm going? Before I know what's happening, his hand goes to my elbow and he moves me forward.

"Close your mouth or I'll put it to use," he says close to my ear.

I'm so shocked for a moment I move with him, and it takes me a moment before I try to jerk my arm free. But he's got a firm grip. It doesn't hurt, but it's completely unbreakable.

"You're underhanded," I hiss.

I'm more annoyed with myself because right now I should not be feeling all this attraction pumping through me. I should be pissed. I don't want to be like one of those models who would have lain naked on the table for him today.

"If it means getting what I want? Yes. How do you think I've gotten where I am?"

I make a huffing noise because I can't think of a response. All I keep thinking about is the hold he has on my elbow. How does a businessman have rough hands, and why do I keep wondering what those rough hands would feel like as they glide along my body?

"Though I haven"t gotten much done today. You've proven to be very…" He pauses, as if he's reluctant to admit it. "Distracting," he finally finishes, and I see his jaw tighten.

"That seems far-fetched. You've been quite busy, as somehow in the short time since you left the photo shoot, you found out that I had plans tonight. And with whom." I didn"t even put it in my calendar because it's a weekly event. There's no need.

"If you have enough money you can find out anything you like as fast as you like."

"You know, you sound like a jerk," I throw back at him. "If you are as underhanded as you claim, wouldn"t you try to be smoother? Aren't you supposed to be charming?"

"You're throwing me off. Which I find refreshing."

I let his words bounce around in my head, reminding me that I'm more of a challenge to him. Once he gets what he wants he'll be bored and off to the next. While I'll be left brokenhearted and still have to see him because I work for his sister at a company he practically owns. Crap, that makes him my boss, doesn"t it?

"Avey!" Benny shouts when he sees me.

His eyes go to Lucas and then widen in surprise. He knows about my crush, which makes this a little embarrassing. Benny goes to pull me into a hug, but Lucas stops him. He steps in front of me and holds out his hand.

"Lucas Caldwell," he tells Benny, his face unreadable.

Benny laughs. "Oh, I know who you are. Seems we have a lot to catch up on this week, Avey." He takes Lucas's hand. "Call my Ben. Everyone does. Except my girl." He's smiling so big, not even caring that Lucas isn't letting me near him. In fact, I think my best friend is finding it funny.

"Your girl? Well, Ben, I thought instead of the coffee shop we could go next door to Per Se."

"I think I like him already if he can get us in there." Benny smiles even wider, showing off one of his dimples that always charm everyone.

"One of the perks of being an investor," Lucas says like it's no big deal he's part owner of one of the most popular restaurants in the city. It's impossible to get into, but I hear it has the best food. My mouth is already watering thinking about it.

"We don't like him," I tell Benny, and he throws his head back and laughs.

"I'll try harder to keep that in mind."

Lucas guides us across the street and we step into the restaurant. The cute hostess behind the desk perks up at the sight of Lucas, which is shocking because most of the time women fall all over Benny. He's fit and stylish and always well put together. Too bad for them he's into men. It just goes to show how much attention Lucas gets from the opposite sex.

"Three. A back booth." I peek up at Lucas, who doesn"t even look at the hostess. He's looking down at me.

"Of course," she says, picking up menus as she purses her lips. She doesn't like being dismissed.

"What do you think of the place?" Lucas asks against my ear, his warm breath tickling me.

I glance around, taking in the restaurant. "It's breathtaking. I'm not sure I'm dressed up enough to be in here," I confess.

"How could something so breathtaking not belong?" he asks as he leads me to our table. I scoot closer to him as we weave around the tables, and I hate how much I love the way he feels against me.

"There's the charm I've been wondering about. I knew you could do it."

"I'm just being honest." He leans down and steals a kiss against my neck.

I nearly fall off balance, but he's got a hold of me, and before I know it we've reached the table. When I glance over at the hostess, she's standing there waiting on us with a look of shock on her face. I assume it's because she's surprised that someone like Lucas would want someone my size.

I slide into the booth and Lucas follows in next to me. Even though it's a big booth he gives me no space. Benny slides into the other side and he's still smiling like a loon. We take our menus and I start to go over it while Lucas orders a bottle of wine for the table.

"There are too many things to choose from. I don't think I can pick," I admit.

"Don't worry, Ava. This won"t be our last time here if you enjoy it." I look over at him. He's not even opened his menu. "Allow me to order for you." He takes the menu from my hands and closes it. "I can do the same for you, Ben, if you like."

"I'm sure you know what's best." Benny closes his menu and sets it down. His blue eyes bounce between the two of us. He's enjoying this way too much.

When the waiter returns with our wine, Lucas orders for us in French, taking me once again by surprise. When he's finished he looks over and gives me a wink.

"Showoff," I mutter.

"I'm doing my best. You're hard to impress."

Benny snorts. "Or she's good at hiding it."

Lucas's hand goes to my thigh under the table. His fingers slide to the hem of my dress and pushes up the material so that he's touching me without my dress in the way. He absently strokes my skin as Benny fires questions at him. I can't keep up with what he's saying while his hand is rubbing me. The roughness of his fingers is even better than I thought it could be.

"I hear you're trying to open your own gym," Lucas says, and that catches my attention.

Benny has been trying to get capital to open his gym for a while. It's something he's passionate about. He does personal training in online videos, and it's super popular, but he wants a place of his own. It's what he went to college for—he busted his ass to double major in sports fitness and business.

"Yes, I'm working on it."

"Pitch me," Lucas says, and Benny looks taken aback for a moment.

"Right now?" His eyes are wide like he doesn"t believe him.

"Why not?" Lucas shrugs, taking a sip of his wine.

I pick up my wine glass and take a few big gulps. I'm feeling nervous for Benny because Lucas could make his dreams come true. And as much as Lucas is driving me crazy, I'd want nothing more than Benny to get what he's always wanted. Who doesn"t want that for their best friend?

Benny launches into his sales pitch, and I keep sipping on my wine. I'm trying to focus on what he"s saying, but Lucas's hand is too distracting as it ever-so-slowly slides up my leg. Shamelessly I spread my legs a little and blame it on the wine making me feel bold. Lucas's body goes rock solid beside me when I do it. Heat hits my cheeks, and I don't know if it's the wine or a true blush.

I'm thankful when the food arrives. Maybe I'll be able to think straight again because now Lucas will have to remove his hand. This is why I don't drink. I can't trust my judgment. But when the food is placed before him, he doesn"t remove his hand. Instead, he keeps on stroking me, clearly not wanting to let go.

He leans over towards me. "You should eat," he says into my ear while giving my thigh a squeeze. I pick up my fork and take a bite of the sliced beef. It melts in my mouth and I'm happy that I can finally let out a moan. But just as I do, the hand on my thigh tightens.

I decide to ignore it and keep eating. "This is wonderful," I say, bringing another bite to my mouth. I glance over at Lucas and I notice he and Benny have stopped talking. Lucas is watching me eat and hasn"t even touched his own food.

"Aren"t you going to eat?" I ask as I lick my lips, suddenly feel self-conscious.

Benny is chowing down and all his focus on his food. I don't blame him. I would be too if Lucas wasn"t so damn distracting.

"I enjoy watching you eat."

My face heats and I pick up my wine glass and take another big drink. Lucas pours me more when I finish the glass.

"Careful. She's a lightweight," Benny jokes, but I don't care. I need this right now.

Finally, Lucas looks back to Benny. "Do you have locations in mind?" he asks as he reaches for a fork. But instead of taking a bite to his mouth, he brings it to mine. I open for him and it's just as good as my dinner.

Then I blink and wonder what the hell just happened. Did I really just let him feed me? Okay, maybe I have had too much wine.

"Yeah. I was thinking—"

Lucas cuts him off. Reaching into his suit jacket, he pulls out his card. "Send them over to me and anything else you can think of. I think you've got yourself an investor." Lucas looks over to me. "If Ava thinks I should."

"Why are you asking me?" I say, looking between the two of them.

"I like hearing your opinion."

"Yeah, I think you should do it," I rush out. Benny is out of his seat before I even finish what I'm saying.

"I'm going to get on this right now. Thank you for the opportunity and for dinner. I'll be emailing you tonight," he tells him.

"No rush. I'll be preoccupied for the next few days." He looks over at me as he says it. Our eyes lock, and his hold so much promise.

I don't even notice Benny saying goodbye and leaving the table. But what I do catch is Lucas saying that he'd be distracted for only a few days. I guess his attention doesn"t last long.

"That doesn"t mean I'm going to sleep with you," I blurt out. "You can't buy me off."

What is this man doing this to me? Why is he working so hard for something he could get anywhere? Why doesn't he pursue someone who at least knows what they're doing with this flirting thing. I can't stop blushing every two seconds and losing my train of thought. I don't know if I want to run away or jump on him.

"What about blackmail? I learned a lot about you today. Rebecca even gave me your résumé." He smiles and says it teasingly, but it still hurts a little. I jerk back, but he pulls me against him. "Your secrets are safe with me. I promise you that." He leans in, his mouth brushing against mine. "Like the fact that you're going to let me finish what I've started."

He slides his hand up to my panties and runs his fingers along them before he pushes them to the side and slips into my wet folds. I should pull back. Maybe even smack him. But I don't because I'm lost in his eyes. I'm willing him to go further as my body begs for it, but I can't push the words past my lips.

My breath catches in my throat as his mouth comes down on mine.