Page 5 of War Within
Sighing, my gaze lowered to my clothing choice, triggering my self-consciousness once again. “I didn't have time to change clothes. You seemed to need me right away.” He was used to seeing me at work where I did my best to look professional.
“Well, you could have made yourself more presentable.” He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms as he resumed raking his gaze over my body.
“Sorry.” I grinned sheepishly, aiming to mask my fear.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why I wanted you to come over.”
I nodded, resting a hand on my hip.
“I need your help picking out something for me to wear to the Wealth Times Gala tomorrow night.”
“You called me of all people at 3:30 in the morning to help you choose an outfit?”What the hell was his problem?“For a…party?”
“Is that a problem?” It was as if he read my mind, flipping the question on me.
“Uh,” I pointed over my shoulder. “But what about the woman who was just here?”
Lifting his hand, he waved it off. “She will read into it.”
“Dare I ask how?” I wrinkled my nose. Curiosity was going to get the best of me.
Scoffing at the audacity that I would ask such a question about his personal life, he bit his bottom lip for a moment before he decided to reply. “Not that it's any of your business, but she wants to date me exclusively. I only want to be friends. I'm already having to deal with the fact she's my date for tomorrow night. So, let's not give her anymoregirlfriend responsibility.” He wiggled his fingers, providing air quotes to the last part of his explanation.
I giggled nervously, unsure exactly how to respond. It seemed like a valid concern after meeting the possessive bitch.
“After you.” He gestured ahead.
“I don’t know where I’m going.” Darting my eyes around the room, I frowned.
“Follow me.”
Your closet is as big as my bedroom!” She gasped multiple times as she turned slow circles in the middle of the master bedroom closet.
“Well, this didn't come easy for me.” I untucked my shirt before unbuttoning it, letting it hang open, exposing my intricate chest tattoos. “I have been working for this for many years.” I turned my back, grabbing a hanger and draping my shirt over it neatly.
She was silent. I twisted around to see her mouth agape. She was frozen in place. Slanting my head, I folded my arms over my bare chest.
She snapped her mouth closed. Swallowing slowly, her eyelids flickered. “So...shirtless huh?”
“What?”
“Wow.” She gasped.That was unexpected. She whispered it to herself, but I heard loud and clear.
“I would rather you focus on why you’re here.” I needed to look as great as possible the following night, and she was my only hope at somehow standing out. Emilio had informed me that standing out would keep any dangers away from others and on me. If it was up to me, I would have blended in.
She lost her grasp on her phone. Why she had it out in my closet in the first place was strange, but I did not scold her. As her phone tumbled from her hand, I lunged forward, catching it before it hit the distressed, wood floor. She recoiled, jumping back. A small yelp escaped her lips as I reached out, pining it between my fingers. Timidly reaching out, she took it, tucking it into her bag.
Furrowing my brow, I examined my attire options, thumbing through rows of jackets. “Do you think I'm a mean boss?”
She plopped down in a walnut-brown, egg-shaped chair. “Why do you say that?”
“I get the impression you're scared of me.” I chuckled softly. “Or maybe you’re just hiding something?” Raising a brow, I pulled a jacket off the rack, turning to show her.
Staring with wide eyes, she snickered nervously. “You can be a bit intimidating I guess.”
“I guess that's good, then.”
Her head tilted slowly as her gaze lowered to my upper body. Blinking rapidly, she wiped her hands on her thighs before springing to her feet. “Right, um, let me go through your clothes and see what we have to work with.” She brushed past me, ignoring the formal jacket and slacks hanging from my fingers. Several moments of browsing through possibilities, she put a suit option together. “Ta-da!”
