“Well, as it turns out, my schedule is pretty much clear for the rest of the day. Where would you like to go, birthday boy?”
Just as the question left my lips, thunder cracked and I jumped. I felt his arm wrap around my waist to hold me steady as my pulse raced as fast as the rain falling from the sky. When I took a step back, I’d smashed his muffin into his super clean shirt.
“Oh no! I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay,” he assured me. “How about we take this show on the road? Come with me to buy a new shirt and then I’ll treat you to lunch and dinner if you like hanging out with me.”
“Are you serious? You want me, a perfect stranger, to just spend your birthday with you? Where are your friends?” I asked, wondering if that’s what was wrong with him.
“My friends are actually planning a surprise party at my office for me, which I told them I didn’t want to do. I like things to be simple and quiet. Dinner with my brother later would have been fine, but I’m completely willing to blow them off for you.”
“I’m not going to give your friends a horrible first impression. Let’s just go buy you a new shirt, my treat to you, and then we can grab lunch. Save dinner for birthday hijinks with friends and family.”
“Deal!” He held his hand out for me to shake it, and I did. A charge of energy exchanged between us and it’s like my body knew before my mind rationalized it. I wanted this man. I wanted him badly. Just then, barista called out for our drinks, we grab them as we start heading toward the door.
I can feel his eyes on my ass when he says “You don’t mind getting a little wet, do you?” His words shot through me and straight to my center where my inner walls clenched around the idea of him making me wet.
I turned around. “Um-”
He motioned toward the rain outside. “My car is in a garage around the corner and my favorite place to get my shirts is not too far from here, we can head to lunch right after.”
“Okay, lead the way, Colt.”
He wrapped his hand tightly around mine and opened the umbrella for us to splash through the rain. The sideways rain kept hitting my arm all the way to the parking garage, and by the time we arrived my right arm sleeve was soaked. The valet attendant brought his car around; it was sleek, black, tinted windows and expensive. I almost felt bad for getting inside of it so wet.
The roar of the engine made me purr like a kitten as we headed out into the traffic. Cars seemed to move out of his way as he weaved in and out until he stopped in front of a nondescript building.
I took a moment to shoot my girl, Morgan, a quick message:
Hit it off with this guy. Colt Warner. It’s his birthday. He just said he wanted to buy a company as a gift to himself!
My phone pinged back almost immediately with her response. She sent me a screenshot of his picture she pulled off the internet:
His birthday and you are supposed to be his present!
I smiled when I texted back:
Yep.
Her reply came just as quick:
Biiiiiiiiiiitch!
I already knew we were in for a long discussion, but for the time being, I just wanted to put my safety net in place:
Track me just in case
Morgan replied instantly:
Got you
With one of my best friends tracking my phone’s location, I relaxed even more around Colt as we sat in the car for a moment while he swiped across his screen as well. The black metallic walls of the building outside broadcasted the reflections of everyone walking by, with a single word in block gold lettering telling the world the store’s name,RIVALRY.
People filed out of the building one by one. Someone opened my door and offered me a hand to step outside of the car and under an umbrella, while another person took the keys from Colt and drove the car around the corner.
Once we were inside, the dimly lit store was quiet with soft music playing. However, we didn’t stop to browse. The team of associates led us to a private room that looked like a closet with a built-in waiting room. A black velvet upholstered sofa sat in the center of the circular room. Champagne, two glasses, and a tablet on a marble coffee table. One of the associates spoke quietly to Colt before they ducked out of the room.
The associate came back to drop off a few shirts for Colt to try-on, all white. Colt removed his suit jacket and laid it across the sofa. Button by button, he starts removing his shirt, it’s like he is moving in slow motion. I could not take my eyes off of him. He looked up from unbuttoning his shirt to look me in the eyes. I felt this gravitational pull and I got up from the sofa and walked to him. As soon as I got in reach, he pulled me to him and turned us around to where my back was against the wall. Colt looked down into my eyes, pausing with his lips hovering over mine. After a pause, he leaned down and kissed me. When his lips touch mine, my body started to respond. His kiss was so electrifying, I was melting into his arms. I felt his hands moving down my body until I felt his hands palming my ass. Colt finally takes a step back and I am in a haze. I almost missed his next words.
