Mr Spencer(13)

“What do you want from me then?”

He stares at me. “That’s what I’m here trying to work out.”

Our meal arrives, and we begin to eat in silence. He seems comfortable, but my mind is racing. What the hell is this date about? What does he want from me? For a long time, I eat in silence as I troll through my brain for a logical answer…

And then I get it.

This is how he does it.

This is how he gets women to sleep with him with no strings attached. He’s so honest and heartfelt, you want to slip straight into being one of his friends with benefits… because he assures you that there is no chance of getting hurt.

These women all know what they are signing up for and they don’t care.

And right at this moment, I would give my right arm for him to take me home for some of his so-called intimate relations. I get a vision of the all the images of him with women from Google, and I cringe. Being one of those stupid girls is the last thing I need.

Stop it.

Don’t fall for this crap.

He’s a player …and his game is strong.

I need to change the subject. “What do you do for work, Spencer?”

“Spence,” he corrects me.

“Spence.” I smile around my mouthful of food.

“I am an architect and I own a steel manufacturing company.”

I frown as I chew. “How do those two things merge together?”

“I used to design skyscrapers. In the designing process I found a niche in the market that wasn’t being met, so I designed a new form of steel. I now ship to most first-world countries, and I have around four hundred staff working for me.”

I smile as I watch him become all animated. He’s proud of himself. I raise my glass to him and he clinks it with his. “Well done.” I smile. “That’s amazing.”

“Thank you. It’s been hard work to get where I am. What do you do for work?” he asks.

“I studied law and commerce, and then I went to work for a cause my mother loved dearly. I’ve been there ever since.”

“You don’t use your degree?”

“No, unfortunately not.” I smile. “One day, hopefully, it will come in use. I have this wild idea that may come to fruition when the time is right.”

He smiles and pats the corners of his mouth with his serviette.

“And your family? Tell me about them,” I ask.

“I have a sister and a brother. My sister is a stay at home mother now, my brother a surgeon. My mother lives near London. I see them all the time.”

“And your father?”

“Is a piece of shit who I wouldn’t spit on,” he answers coolly. “I legally changed my name to Jones on my thirteenth birthday… my mother’s name.”

I sit back, surprised at his venom. “You don’t get on?”

“I hate him with a passion.” He sips his drink. “Next subject, please.”

“Oh.” I sip my wine, flustered by his hatred of his own father. I wonder what that’s about? I’ve never known anyone who despises their father.

“Tell me about your family,” he says, obviously desperate to change the subject.

“Well, I live on my father’s estate in my own house. ”

He smiles softly as he listens and continues to sip his wine.

“I have two brothers. Edward has a heart of gold but is so worried about my safety that it’s almost unbearable. Then I have a brother, William, who lives in Switzerland with his wife and baby.”

“William doesn’t work with your father?”

“No, Edward and he don’t get on. Edward hates William’s wife.”

“Oh.” He frowns. “And your mother?”

My heart drops, and before I am able to put on my brave face, my eyes fill with tears. “My mother was killed in a car accident five years ago.”

His face falls.

“I miss her dearly.”

He reaches over the table and takes my hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Me, too.” I squeeze his hand, a silent thank you for being kind.

“Good Lord,” he mutters almost to himself as he sits back in his seat. “I came here to try and woo you, and all I have done is make you talk about morbid things and told you I am a womanising cad who can’t be trusted. My A game is most definitely slipping.”

I chuckle and pick up my wine. “A very sweet cad, though.”

Our eyes lock again, and the air swirls between us. He smiles softly. “You are more beautiful than I remembered, Charlotte. I’m glad I came.”

“So am I,” I breathe.

We eat our dinner and enjoy a dessert. I find myself genuinely surprised at how easily we get along. He’s funny, witty, and not at all like I imagined.

“Sir, just to let you know the bar is closing soon. Would you like anything else?” the waiter asks.

Spencer and I look up in surprise. Where has the night gone? It feels like we just got here.

“No, we’ll be leaving soon,” Spencer answers.

We finish our drinks, and he pays the bill. Then he takes my hand as we walk out onto the road. I see Wyatt in the car and guilt suddenly fills me. I’ve never made him wait for me while I had a date before.

At least my father and Edward are away in London at a work function tonight and aren’t home.