The conversation over dinner was bland, and I found myself yawning.
“I’m sorry, Aiden, I’m just exhausted. I should have agreed to do this another night,” I confessed as he signaled for the bill, concern in his eyes.
“Alice, it’s been a pleasure. I would like the chance to take you out again when you have rested more if you’d like that?”
Aiden’s blue eyes danced mischievously.
“I’m not sure if it would be wise, I mean- wouldn’t that be a conflict of interest?” I looked up at him as his eyes focused behind me.
“Speaking of which, your boss is here,” Aiden muttered as I whirled around in my seat to see the electric green eyes narrowing at me.
Oh fuck.
Lucas was sat with two men, who looked as though they were in deep conversation. His facial expression didn’t alter as I rose, Aiden putting his hand on the small of my back, guiding me towards the exit while helping me into my coat. I felt naked from the intense glare burning into me, but I refused to meet those green eyes.
“Thank you for dinner,” I murmured as Aiden pushed the door open.
“You’re welcome. So can I give you a ride home?” Aiden asked, nodding at his driver.
“Actually, I’m good. I’ll call you.” I smiled as he nodded, kissing me on both cheeks.
After checking I would be okay, he climbed into the back of his car. I shivered, reaching for my phone out to dial my driver. I was suddenly overwhelmed with tiredness. I paced the street as I waited, wondering what Lucas was doing in that very same restaurant at the same time as me.
“Your driver is delayed,” I heard the delicious voice behind me drawl. I whipped around to see Lucas gazing at me as he inhaled his cigarette slowly.
God, he was painfully hot.
“Delayed? Or distracted?” I demanded, rolling my eyes.
“He’s delayed because he is distracted. What was that I saw? A dinner date with Mr. Black?”
I shrugged, an action that made his eyes narrow.
“What’s it to you?”
Lucas’s eyes flashed darkly, his head tilting to the side as he studied me.
“I’m not quite sure,” he said quietly, his eyes moving away from me as he scanned the road.
“You’re my boss between the hours of nine and five; you can’t tell me who or what to do otherwise.” I snapped.
Why was he playing games with me?
“Sweetheart.” Lucas walked over to me, his hands gripping my hips as he tugged my body against his. “We arewaypast five p.m., yet your body is following my exact commands without me saying a word.”
Damn him. My breathing was shallow as I noticed his eyes fall on my lips.
“You’re tired.”
“Can’t think why,” I managed to retort, amusement dancing in his eyes as he laughed faintly. “Some old man kept me up late.”
“I may be older than you, but you wouldn’t have a single complaint. Trust me.”
“I’m not easy to please. I’m also bored easily; you strike me as the sort of man who requires some lap girl. That’s not me.”
“No, that is true. But you know,” he sighed, his hand slipping to my waist as he turned me around to see my car waiting for me. “If I ever did want a wife, she wouldn’t be a lap girl.”
“Wha-”