Which was part of the reason I’d wanted to have dinner tonight. Something casual that would allow us time to talk. No expectations. And tomorrow I would lay it all out on the line for them. Get their honest reactions.
“The food is ready,” Troy said when he popped back into the room a few minutes later.
I noticed the way he watched us, the desire that heated his eyes. At the very least, he was curious. But I needed more than that. I needed him to be eager, anxious. I wanted him to want this with every breath in his body.
“Come on, sunshine.” I held my arm out to Clarissa as I got to my feet. “Let’s eat.”
I liked how easily she allowed me to lead. And though it was something I approved of, I was cognizant of how ready to please she was. She didn’t seem to question my desire to include Troy tonight. I would’ve liked her to have questioned it, to have at least attempted to get an outline of my intentions.
It seemed Xander was right. I would have to keep an eye on her.
Pulling out Clarissa’s chair at the dining room table, I waited for her to sit, then helped her forward.
“Troy, I’d like you to sit on my other side.” I motioned to the chair on the other side of the table, opposite Clarissa. With my chair at the end, I’d be between them.
My assistant’s hesitance did not go unnoticed.
“So, is this a business meeting?” Clarissa inquired after I had taken my seat and set my wineglass in front of me.
“Not at all. Why?”
She gave a half shrug, then speared her ravioli. “I just figured since the three of us were here together…” Clarissa met my gaze. “I thought perhaps we would discuss … something related to your friends in Chicago.”
“That’s completely separate from this, Clarissa. And tonight’s informal,” I told her, glancing over at Troy. “I merely wanted to share a meal with the two of you.” Turning my attention back to Clarissa, I continued, “Do you have concerns?”
She offered a sweet smile, her gaze remaining on the table momentarily before briefly darting up to my face. “No. It just took me a little by surprise, that’s all.”
I liked that I was able to surprise her.
“What is it that you do?” Troy inquired, glancing between the two of us before focusing solely on Clarissa.
“I’m a contract lawyer,” she said easily.
I decided to get in a question of my own. “Why did you leave the firm you were with?”
Her gaze focused on her food, and I knew she was biding time. Likely hoping I would move on when she didn’t answer. That wasn’t the type of man I was. When I asked a question, I expected an answer.
“Clarissa?”
She turned her attention to me and I could see the displeasure in her gaze. Finally, she sighed.
“What happened with your previous job? What made you venture out on your own?”
Her posture was stiffer than before as she set her wineglass down on the table. “I had a client who found out I was a submissive. He saw me at a club one night. He didn’t seem to know how to separate business from personal.”
“Did you play with him?” I inquired.
“Oh, God, no. But I think he wanted that. Based on the fact he began sexually harassing me, then attempting to blackmail me by threatening to out me to my company, I think it was a safe bet.”
I wanted to know who the bastard was so I could destroy him.
“Why didn’t your company back you?” I asked.
“They claimed they would have if I hadn’t decided to handle it myself. They didn’t approve of the fact that I had emailed him from the company email and told him off.”
“Well,” I told her, “if it’s any consolation, they handled it badly. They should’ve backed you, not the asshole.”
She shrugged. “It’s over and done with. I’ve moved on.”
I glanced over at Troy and the moment he saw me looking his way, he began shoveling food into his mouth. He ate with gusto. As though by keeping his mouth full he wouldn’t be subjected to conversation.
“You mentioned you were parting ways with your talent agency. Does that mean you won’t be making any more movies?” Clarissa asked after a few minutes of silence.
“Of course not. I’m actually reviewing a script right now. One I’m considering for the near future.”
“So, it’s not for the Dillon Chronicles?”
“No. We’re holding off on discussions for that one. Although I do anticipate I’ll be filming it at the end of next year.”
She seemed pleased to hear that.
“Are you a fan of those movies?” Troy questioned.
Clarissa chewed her food, then took a sip of wine. “Very much.” She smiled at Troy, then back to me. “I don’t know why that is, either. I’m not usually into action movies, but there’s something about them that drew me in.”
