3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Zach

It's almost seven p.m. and I pace inside the lobby of my building as I wait for my date to arrive. She didn't feel comfortable being picked up at her home, which I understand, so Sandy arranged for her to meet me here at seven, and I'm a little early. The waiting seems longer, even though she's not late at all.

I tug on the sleeve of my suit jacket, fiddle with the cuff links, and lift my head when the front door opens. As a gorgeous woman walks into the lobby, I stiffen. Our eyes lock and it's as if my heart beats for the first time.

The most beautiful green eyes widen as she takes me in, and I can't help but do the same. She's wearing a yellow summer dress with a white flower pattern that vines up the dress. Her hair is in a soft updo, with tendrils of dark brown hair spilling around her face.

She's young, but I struggle to swallow as I take her in. Her cheeks flush and she takes her eyes off me as she looks down at herself, swiping her hand over her dress like she's trying to make sure she's dressed nice.

I have to say, she's dressed perfect, like an angel.

She fidgets a little, snapping me out of my trance, I would hate for her to be uncomfortable. I clear my throat and step closer to her.

"Hi, Help in New Hope?"

The gorgeous woman rolls her lips and nods. In a soft-spoken voice, she says, "Yes. Perpetual Bachelor?"

I cringe at the username Sandy created. If I didn't love the woman so much, I would've fired her on the spot. She thinks she's a comedian.

"Zach Whitmore." I reach my hand out, anticipating the touch of her skin against mine.

She blushes. "I know. Claire Adams."

We hold hands far longer than necessary as we gaze into each other's eyes and I don't want to let go, but my driver opens the front door to show he's here.

I step closer to Claire, wrap her hand through my arm so I can escort her to the town car. "You're exquisite, Claire. You look lovely."

She takes a breath, tips her head to the side so I get a gorgeous view of her enticing neck, and I wonder what her skin tastes like. "Thank you. I struggled to come up with a nice outfit, but you said it was elegant casual and I have very little of the elegance part." She giggles and fidgets while stroking her hand down her dress again.

"You're perfect. My assistant set up the profile."

"Ah. That makes sense. Perpetual Bachelor is a catchy name, but I wondered who would actually pick it for a matching site?" She laughs.

Waving off my driver, I want to open the door for Claire myself. I frame my hand on her lower back to guide her into the car, and run around the other side, eager to sit next to her.

"Mr. Whitmore, may I ask you a question?"

"Zach."

"Zach," she repeats my name, like she's tasting it on her tongue. I can't help the arousal it conjures.

"Of course. What's your question?"

"Well, I'm confused. Why do you need a Perfect Plus One? You're a well-established bachelor. Plus, you're wealthy and don't need to do the fake date swap."

I study her, she's so delicate looking, with her enhanced curves, I imagine tracing my fingers around every line and contour of her body as she inhales and moans. The car grows stuffy with the heat building inside me.

"Tonight is my best friend's anniversary, and my ex-wife will be there." Claire listens as I explain my predicament. "Since my ex knows all the women I have used on dates, she knows there's nothing going on. One of them is also my cousin." I laugh, causing Claire to give me a sweet smile. "My assistant convinced me to give this website a try. And I'm so glad she did."

Soaking in Claire, my heart heaves at the bashful grace in which she accepts my compliment. It makes me wonder how somebody so perfect needs to use a fake dating site.

Before I can speak, Claire rests her hand on my forearm and says, "Don't worry, Mr…"

I give her a stern stare causing her to pause for a second.

"Zach. I won't let you down. I studied our story inside and out. I even made flashcards." She opens her clutch and sure enough, there's a little stack of index cards. She can't get any more adorable.

"I know you'll do wonderfully, but if we need to, we can play it by ear. I don't plan on leaving you alone, so if something comes up that isn't in our story, then I'll answer, okay?"

Claire's shoulders slump a little and she doesn't appear as tense. "That's wonderful, thank you. I don't want to let you down."

With no impulse control, I lift her chin so she can look at me. Heat floods from her skin down my fingers and up my arm. "You could never let me down."

We're locked in our own little world as I watch her pink tongue swipe across her lips and I open my mouth slightly to lick my own as I want to occupy her mouth the way she occupies my mind—all-consuming.

The back door opens and I startle when I realize we're parked in front of Jason's home.

Wishing to be alone with Claire, I take a moment to bring myself back to the present and not have my driver turn this car around and head back to my place.

Clearing my throat, I lower my hand from her face. "Are you ready, Claire?"

She takes a deep breath and nods. "Yes, as ready as I'll ever be."