Chapter 7

7

F iona

Wine Down Wednesday

The set up at Charlene’s was cute. It was a wine bar owned by Mia that Elias used for what he called Wine Down Wednesday. I’d learned from one of the women I’d gravitated toward that the weekly mixer was how Elias kept his floor close and in good spirits. Everyone from our floor was in attendance, and all food and drinks were paid for by Elias. The kindness and gesture made me like him more.

Of the women I’d ingratiated myself with, Olivia was the quickest to gossip. Shayla and Ivy were more reserved about what happened at work, but they shared facts about themselves freely. If I had any hope of gaining information about Elias, it would come through Olivia. I’d been encouraging her to drink more, which made her even looser with her lips. So loose, Shayla and Ivy had left us to sit at the burgundy and gold bar.

“So,” I said, “tell me about Elias.”

“What do you want to know?” she asked with low eyes and a wide grin.

“Is he single? Does he have kids? How friendly is he with other women at the office?”

Her eyes widened as she gasped. “Oh…You like him?”

“Maybe, but I want to know what my chances are first.”

Her expression was playful as she took another sip of her wine. “I don’t know if he’s single or not. I think he is. If he isn’t, his girlfriend has never come to the office before. He does have a son though. As far as him being friendly…I mean…he is. I think you mean flirting, though, right?”

“Right.” I agreed with a nod.

“He doesn’t really flirt at all. He will look at women, but that’s it.”

“Hmm…” I nodded as I searched the dimly lit room for him. When my eyes landed on him, I took a moment to appreciate how damn good he looked this evening. He had on a burgundy suit that looked so good against his dark skin. Standing, I excused myself then walked over to where he stood at the bar.

As I sat next to where he stood, his eyes lifted from his phone.

“Hey, you good?” he checked.

“Yes. Are you good? You’ve seemed kind of distant since we got here. Unless you’re not as sociable as I thought you were.”

Elias gave me a smile as he sat on the empty barstool next to me. “I’ve been taking care of a few things that I didn’t want to put off until tomorrow.”

“Is there anything I can help you with?” I asked, leaning forward and gripping his wrist gently. “Maybe we can go back to the office since it’s empty and get a head start.”

Not responding right away, Elias eyed me intently. His smile lifted to his eyes before he chuckled.

“I can’t tell if you’re sincerely trying to work or if you’re flirting and trying to get me alone.”

“Then let me be more direct.” I paused and leaned in a bit more. “I want you, Elias.”

Elias loosened his tie and adjusted himself in his seat. “Is that why you wanted to work for me?”

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation.

I expected him to jump at the chance to have me like most men did. Instead, Elias kept his cool.

“I’m flattered, Fiona. You’re a very beautiful woman, and under circumstances that didn’t include you being my mentor’s daughter and my assistant—”

“If it means I can have you, I’ll gladly quit.”

His body relaxed more in my direction. “Let’s not make any decisions either way. I think we should at least get to know each other before you decide to quit a job you’re really good at.”

I knew all I needed to know, but if he wanted to take things slow, I was okay with that. As far as I was concerned, Elias was more than worth the wait. We continued to talk and drink, and when our time block was over, Elias walked me to my town car. Before Xavier could get out to open the door for me, Elias lifted his hand and told him to stay inside.

Instead of allowing him to open the door for me immediately, I leaned against it and looked up and into his eyes.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know you,” he said, twirling one of my curls around his finger. “You definitely surprised me tonight.”

“You mean, you really had no idea I was attracted to you?”

“Attraction is common. Having enough interest to want to quit your job just to date me is something altogether different.”

With a light giggle, I shifted my gaze before returning my eyes to him. “I’m sure women approach you all the time.”

“Yeah but…you’re different.”

“Good different or bad different?”

His head tilted as he eyed my frame. “I haven’t decided yet.”

We mirrored each other’s smiles. “Well…good thing you’ll have a chance to find out.”

Elias’s arm wrapped around me, and he pulled me close, causing me to pull in a sharp breath. The feel of his hard body pressed against mine felt as good as I imagined it would. My eyes fluttered as I bit down on my bottom lip. After placing the sweetest kiss to my cheek, he whispered, “Have a good night, aight?”

All I could do was nod because no words would come out. Elias opened the door and helped me inside. Then he stood and watched as we left the parking lot. A squeal erupted from the pit of my gut. I was finally about to get my man.