Reluctantly Yours(21)

“Sex?” I ask, not remembering what we were talking about but more what I was imagining.

“What?” she asks, clearly confused. Her brain is obviously not being controlled by her nether regions. “No. I’m saying I’ve never had to pretend to like a guy before. This,” she motions between us, “is new to me.”

Right. “That’s normal. I’ve never had to pretend to be interested in a woman either.” Except, whether I want to admit it or not, I am attracted to Chloe. Based on my reaction to Chloe in her dress, or the fact that I couldn’t get the image of her in that sparkly dress she was in last night out of my head, I won’t have to pretend. She doesn’t need to know that.

Chloe doesn’t leave the conversation there. “I guess maybe it’s hard for you, too, right? I’m not exactly your favorite person.” She laughs, more at ease now that she thinks this is challenging for me as well.

“Definitely,” I say, looking away from her, glad to be done with the conversation. Something will be hard and it won’t be pretending to be close with Chloe.

I reach for Chloe’s hand. “Okay, show time.”

“I actually have to pee.” She smiles sheepishly.

“Right. I’ll meet you out there.”

I watch Chloe disappear into the ladies’ room then move to make my way back to the table. I need to get my head on straight, remember the goal of tonight. Show Fred Hinkle that I’m exactly the kind of guy he can entrust his company to. I need to forget about the slight attraction I have to Chloe. Or better yet, use it to make our relationship believable.

I glance back toward the restrooms and find that Chloe is making her way over to the table.

It’s impossible for my eyes to not lower to where the material of her dress inches up with every stride. She’s far from runway model height, yet in her high heels she looks like she’s making her way down a catwalk.

“Look at this guy.” Fred draws my attention back to the table. “He can’t take his eyes off her.”

“Just like you, Freddy boo. Your eyes are always on me. Your hands, too.”

Chloe takes her seat beside me and looks around the table. “Sorry about that. What did I miss?”

“We’re talking about how Barrett can’t take his eyes off you.”

“Oh.” A blush spreads over Chloe’s cheeks. She reaches for her drink and I’m concerned that she’s retreating, our pep talk long forgotten. She surprises me by scooting her chair closer to mine. When she leans in to grab a piece of bread from the basket, she places her free hand on my thigh, and now I’m the one nearly jumping out of his skin.

She keeps it there. Her fingers featherlight over the inside of my pant leg, yet the heat of it feels like I’m being branded. Now I’m imagining what it would be like to have Chloe’s hand wrapped around my shaft, that red-polished thumb circling around the tip.

I clear my throat and move Chloe’s hand lower, toward my knee.

Chloe turns to find me staring at her.

“What?” she mouths, eyebrows raised.

“Nothing,” I whisper, trying not to scowl. Then, I attempt to discreetly adjust myself.

Our food is delivered and over the course of the meal I make several attempts to engage Fred in business conversation, but he’s too busy gushing over Frankie or asking Chloe questions about growing up in Colorado.

“Are we boring you?” Chloe squeezes my arm. “He’s heard all these stories a million times.”

Her once tentative fingers now easily slide behind my neck. Her touch is more relaxed now. A response to finishing off her drink. Her touch is soft at first, almost a tickle, before she applies more pressure. The pads of her fingers sink into my neck, gently kneading the tension there. It feels so fucking good, but I’m not going to be able to stand up from this table if she keeps doing that.

“Chloe, if you like Balmain dresses, you’re going to love their new line of crop tops and leggings.” Frankie manages to put down her drink for a second to clap her hands. “Oh my God, we should go shopping together. We obviously have similar tastes. It would be so fun.”

“That would be nice,” Chloe responds as her fingers continue to tease along my collar. I can’t imagine Chloe and Frankie shopping together. Other than their coincidentally matching dresses tonight courtesy of Bea, they have very different styles.

After paying the bill, a 50/50 split between Fred and myself, we exit the restaurant.

“Very nice to meet you, Chloe.” Fred pats Chloe on the forearm before extending his hand to me. “Barrett, it was a nice time.”

I nod. It’s the only thing I can manage with Chloe’s body tucked into my side. One hand pressed into my stomach while the other has snaked under my suit jacket behind my back.

With a hand on my shoulder and one on Chloe’s, Frankie air kisses us both before Fred ushers her into their car.

Once they’re down the street, Chloe pulls away from my side.

“I think that went well,” she says.

The frustration I’ve been feeling all night with the lack of opportunity to talk with Fred comes to a head. Not to mention the fact that Chloe was an unwelcome distraction. While that may not be her fault, it’s maddening as hell.

“Are you kidding? That was a disaster. I made no head way with Fred because you and Frankie talked the entire time.”