Page 62 of A King’s Obsession

“Then they better mind their business.” She grinned, giving me another approving look. “You like it?”

I looked at myself again, letting my eyes travel over the dress before answering. “Yeah. I do.”

“Then quit picking at it. You look good,” she told me, her expression softening just enough to let me know she meant it.

I reached for my perfume, trying to hide how much that helped. “I’ll call you later.”

“Please do. I wanna hear about this meeting,” she answered, already laughing again.

I hung up while she was still laughing and checked the time. By seven twenty-five, I was downstairs trying to act like I hadn’t checked my reflection four times before leaving my room.

Ezra stood near the entrance in a dark suit, looking at his phone. When he saw me, his hand lowered slowly.

His eyes traveled over me without a single attempt to hide it.

I stopped in front of him, suddenly more aware of the dress than I had been upstairs. “This appropriate for the meeting?”

“Very,” he answered, his gaze lingering before finally returning to my face.

His voice had changed. Just enough for me to hear it.

He offered his hand to help me into the black truck waiting outside. I took it, and his thumb brushed over my knuckles before he let go.

During the ride, I tried to ask who we were meeting. He told me I’d see when we got there, then went back to looking at me like he knew something I didn’t.

By the time we reached Klaw, I was getting suspicious.

By the time we stepped onto the rooftop, I knew I should have asked more questions.

Candles glowed inside glass holders, rose petals scattered around a table set for two. A breeze moved the edge of the tablecloth, carrying the warmth of the night across my bare shoulders. Beyond the terrace, lights shimmered over the dark water.

There were no other diners.

I slowed down, looking from the table to Ezra. “I thought you said this was a business meeting.”

“It is,” he answered without hesitation, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“With who?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“You,” he replied, holding my gaze like that explained everything.

He rested his hand at the small of my back and guided me toward the table. I let him, partly because I wanted to see how far he intended to take this explanation.

“You rented out the rooftop for a meeting with me?” I asked, glancing around at the empty terrace.

“The restaurant,” he corrected casually.

I turned my head toward him, certain I hadn't heard him correctly. “The whole restaurant?”

“Jru.” He pulled my chair out, giving me a look that suggested he was already enjoying my reaction. “Sit down.”

“I know how chairs work, Ezra,” I muttered, looking at him over my shoulder.

His mouth twitched. “Then you shouldn’t have a problem using this one.”

I sat, still looking around. Men had invited me to dinner before. None of them had removed everybody else from the building to do it.

The waiter greeted us and went over the evening’s menu. I picked what I wanted, conscious of Ezra watching me over the rim of his glass. When we were alone again, I folded my hands in my lap to stop myself from touching the petals beside my plate.