Closer(7)

“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.