Mid Life Love (Mid Life Love #1)(24)

He led us over to a luxurious VIP table in a corner where Helen was downing a Cosmo and smiling.

“I told you two not to spend that much money for my birthday.” I sat down, looking back and forth between her and Sandra. “Why would you—”

“You think either of us would spend thousands of dollars on a VIP table for one night?” Helen scoffed. “I think they mixed your name up with someone else’s, but I’m going to drink as much as I can before they figure that out.”

“Me too!” Sandra picked up a glass. “Cheers to Claire for finally joining the forty club! The best club there is!”

We clinked our glasses together and laughed.

As we talked, the waiters continued refilling our glasses and bringing over trays of delicious h’ordeuvres—insisting that we try out the exotic specials that were only available at the bar across the room.

I kept asking them about the price of the drinks and the amount of the tab, hoping it wouldn’t be too much at the end of the night. Yet, each time I asked, they would laugh and say, “Don’t worry. It’s been more than taken care of.”

“So, last week I had sex at the zoo.” Helen put down her drink. “I think I could have lived without that one. I’m not sure if being pounded right in front of the giraffe exhibit was as exciting as I thought it would be.”

I spluttered my drink back into the glass. “Could we not talk about your sex life for one day? Just one?”

“Oh Claire honey, what’s wrong? Are you still suffering from ‘dick withdrawal syndrome’? It’s okay. It only lasts for as long as you let it last. Although you should know that you’re currently in your sexual prime. Seeing as though you haven’t had sex since—God, I can’t even think back that far so—”

“Okay, Helen. You’ve made your point.” I sighed. “Tell us the damn story.”

“Gladly.”

I sat and listened as Helen went into detail—way into detail, about how she and some associate of hers had snuck into the zoo after hours and had sex on the bench right in front of the Desert Animals exhibit. I wasn’t sure what part I should’ve been more appalled at—the fact that she actually had late night sex in a zoo, or the fact that the animals walked over to the fence to watch.

“Oh my god!” Sandra’s jaw dropped. “Don’t immediately look behind you, but the sexiest man I’ve ever seen just got off the elevator. He looks really important...I wonder if he’s a celebrity.”

I noticed the women at the table behind us gasping and whispering, so I slowly turned around to see who they were talking about: Jonathan.

He was nodding his head as the manager handed him a business card. He shook the man’s hand as he looked towards our table.

Our eyes met and my heart sped up; my nerves were running uncontrollably and my body felt like it was on fire.

I turned back towards Sandra. “That’s him,” I whispered.

“Him who?”

“Good evening, Claire.” Jonathan was at my side seconds later.

“Good evening, Jonathan...” I swallowed and felt myself blushing. “Umm, this is Sandra and this is Helen.”

“Good evening, ladies.” He smiled.

“Good evening.” They both practically swooned.

“Am I the only guy here?” He looked down at me.

“Yes...”

“Okay. I’ll be right back.”

He walked over to the bar, and once he was out of earshot, Sandra slapped my shoulder. “That’s your boss? Your description didn’t do him justice at all! Screw the age thing, Claire, he’s sexy as hell.”

“Is he single?” Helen eyed him.

“He’s taken.” Sandra wagged her finger. “Claire’s dating him.”

I’m not dating him!

“Well, about time! Welcome to Cougar-town!” Helen laughed and took a long swig of her drink.

On any other night, I would’ve replied to her silly little remark, but it was my birthday and I didn’t feel like letting her get to me. Besides, I wasn’t a real “cougar,” she was. She hardly ever dated anyone her own age. The oldest boyfriend she’d ever had was twelve years younger than her—when she was thirty five.

“Screw you, Helen.” Sandra rolled her eyes. “You better not say anything ridiculous when he gets back over here.”

Helen made a “scouts honor” symbol with her fingers, and as if on cue, Jonathan walked back over to the table with a tray of exotic drinks.

“Cheers to the birthday girl?” He smiled.

We all nodded and tossed back a shot.

He slid into the chair next to me and placed his hand on my thigh.

I immediately felt myself getting hot, so I brushed his hand away and crossed my legs.

Why did I let Sandra talk me into going commando tonight?

“So Jonathan...” Helen purred. “What exactly do you do for a living?”

She knows the answer to this already...Why is she asking him that?

Jonathan put his hand back on my thigh. “I’m the CEO of Statham Industries. And yourself?”

“Interesting! I’m a lawyer at my own law firm, Donovan and Fitz. It’s actually one mile away from your company. How did you become the CEO at such a young age?”