Page 11 of His Curvy Obsession

The next day James called Olivia while she was at work. It was a typical Monday morning, where everything that could go wrong had. She had just rushed back to her office after a meeting and was a little breathless when she answered her phone. “Hello.”

“Did I interrupt something?” To say there was a hint of jealousy in James’s voice would have been an understatement.

“No, nothing important. I’m at work.” She hesitated, then said. “I’m glad you called.”

“I should have called you yesterday, but it was crazy at the club.”

“No, problem.”

James felt like a teenager about to ask his crush to prom. “I’d like to take you to dinner tonight.”

“On a weekday? How scandalous.”

“Yeah. I don’t think I can make it until this weekend to see you again.”

Olivia delighted in the honesty in voice. She knew she needed to take it slow, but there was something irresistible about this man. “I’d like that. But I have to work late.”

“That’s okay. I’m used to eating dinner late. Do I need to pick you up at work?”

“No. I need to go home and change.” She looked down at her clothing. She was wearing yoga pants and an oversized shirt. Dress at the office was very casual.

“What time?”

“Seven okay?”

“Perfect.” He grew silent then said, “I can’t wait to see you, Olivia. I missed you.”

She sighed into the phone. “Me too.”

As soon as she got off the phone, she rushed to Jenny’s office. If she were going to date James, she needed to go clothes shopping, stat.

The restaurant James had picked out for them was a small Italian diner. As soon as he opened the door for her, the smell of tomatoes and garlic hit her, making her stomach growl.

He chuckled. “I guess we didn’t get here a moment too soon, did we?”

“I am so embarrassed.” She placed a hand on her stomach as if to stop its hungry rumblings.

“Don’t be. It’s adorable. So are you.” He leaned down, placing a soft kiss on her lips as the hostess cleared her throat behind them.

“This way, please.” She led them to a dark, secluded corner. Instead of sitting on the other side of the booth, James sat down beside her. Because of his broad shoulders, she was pressed firmly to his side. It was a wonderful sensation. They quickly ordered, both having the lasagna and salad.

“So, tell me why you were breathless when you answered the phone today.” James couldn’t help the continued jealousy he had felt all day after his conversation with Olivia. She’d sounded just like he’d imagined she’d sound after making love. The thought of her with another man, even innocently, set something on edge inside him. Something dark and primal. Something that urged him to take her. Make her his.

“Oh, that,” she laughed softly. “Our company, the one Jenny and I both work at, like to do these ice breaker type of things on Monday. Get the creative juices flowing so to speak. Today, it was musical chairs of all things.”

James laughed in relief. “What do you do?”

Olivia explained her job as a copy editor. James watched her, her face full of life as she talked about her job. He could tell she loved what she did. She only stopped when the waitress brought over a basket of fresh yeast rolls with butter.

“Oh, damn, those are my weakness,” Olivia sighed, but didn’t make a move to take one.

James frowned, then pulled the basket forward, taking one out, cutting it in half and smearing butter on it. He pushed the small plate in front of her. “Eat.”

Olivia shook her head. “No, the pasta will have enough calories.”

“What?”

“I have to watch what I eat.”