Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 20: THE LITTLE THINGS

LAURA

Rosemond resort was perfect for the ’work’ dinner, sitting on the hidden outskirts of New York and so elite that only the top 1% in the city even knew it existed.

I dropped Tristan a ping of the location and I’d been nervous ever since. Nervous because Mara was all in my face, trying to find out who and what I was getting all dressed up for. Nervous because Harlan called quite an unusual number of times just to make sure I was okay.

But most of all...I was nervous about who I was going to meet in a couple minutes.

I was so nervous that I had paid extra attention to my usually light make up, if that sufficed for a lie.

My eyes scanned the premises as my car rolled into the driveway, searching for any telltales that would have me spiraling out of here before I’m splashed across tabloids by the next morning.

All I saw was the valet coming in my direction, and a ball of relief rolled into my chest.

"I’ll get this, ma’am."

"Thank you," I flashed him an appreciative smile, adjusting my navy sheath dress one more time while staring in the glass of my car window. I felt a boost of confidence because I looked too damn good, enough to have heads turning my way as I breezed through the private space.

I didn’t think twice about my choice of dress until I walked into the restaurant wing of the resort and alarmingly cold air from the A.C blasted against my skin.

Trying hard to not rub my arms, I glanced around the place. And that’s when I saw him. Tristan, moving towards me with a gait that was too sexy to not be admired. I lost myself in the aura he exuded for a moment. In the smooth roll of his shoulders. In the stylish but reckless parting of his hair. In the top undone buttons of his shirt.

"Hey." His lips curved into a small smile that was enough to have my heart flipping in my chest. Again.

"Hey." I swallowed a lump down my throat and managed a professional smile. "Sorry I’m late."

"We both know you were going to make me wait. But I don’t mind."

Then he did something that had my heart swooning terribly. He took the jacket in his hand and carefully draped it around my shoulders.

"I saw you shivering from a mile away." He grinned. "You look gorgeous in that dress, anyway. You look gorgeous in anything."

I threw my face away as it heated up, pulling the jacket tighter. "You can’t say that. This is a work dinner."

He chuckled. "You’ve got to relax, Laura. I don’t bite, unless you ask."

His voice, low and rough, sent shivers through me.

"So, I see you reserved a table already."

"Yeah, this way."

He made to pull out my chair but I grabbed it quickly, stopping him with a cold smile. "I’ve got it, thanks."

The smile on his face was not satisfactory to me. It was annoying. Like he was enjoying seeing me rattled because of him.

Shortly, we were seated facing each other at a table in a darkly lit corner of the restaurant. The theme and the vibe was highly private, but I could not just help glancing around every now and then. I was completely soaked in apprehension.

"So, surprise."

"Yeah." I cleared my throat and picked up my phone, trying to distract myself from his midnight blue gaze that dripped extreme gorgeousness in the dim lights. "Have you ordered yet?"

"Waiting for you."

"You didn’t have to."

I rang the bell carved into the table and a waitress showed up in seconds.

"Hello, ma’am, sire. Welcome to Rosemond restaurant. What can I get you?"

"Just..." I scrolled through the wine list, trying to pretend that Tristan’s hot blue gaze did not burn into my face the whole time. At some point, I got tired of pretending and flashed the waitress an awkward smile. "Uhm, can you recommend something nice? Not too strong would be better, actually."

"Oh."

"We’ll have the Riesling."

I glanced up to see Tristan perusing the menu on his phone, and for a moment, I got lost in the captivating angles of his face in the dim light.

"And a glass of sparkling water," he added, looking up at that moment and meeting my gaze.

Something electric crackled in the space between us. Even the waitress felt it, because she coughed slightly and moved away after confirming the order.

And we were left in the heat, Tristan and I.

Suddenly, I didn’t feel so cold anymore. I adjusted the jacket, feeling uncomfortable under his piercing gaze.

"So, why don’t we get into the reason we’re here, right away?"

"Sure. I’m waiting."

I cleared my throat and shoved my fingers through my hair. I hadn’t really dwelt on it, but this would have to go on the record as the toughest moment of my day. Having to admit to Tristan that I might need that work offer to save my brand’s ass.

"You mentioned a work offer before," I cleared my throat and adjusted in my seat, "and I’ve been curious about it. That’s why I uhm...asked you to dinner. To know what your offer entails, and determine if it’s something that works for us both."

"I wouldn’t be on your tail day and night if it’s not going to be of any benefit to us both, Laura."

"Please let’s keep this official. Ms. Hayes is just fine."

"Sounds just as hot."

I rolled my eyes and looked away from his burning gaze. "What is your offer, Mr. Pierce?"

The waitress arrived with our order then. Tristan didn’t say anything until she had poured the drinks and left. Then he dropped the bombshell just as I picked up my glass and took a sip of the wine.

"Become my top model."

I was just a second away from spitting out my drink. But I remembered I could not let him see how much he affected me, with those words thrown so casually, and eyes watching so predatorial.

"Your what?" My voice did little to nothing to hide my surprise. And the liquid trickling out of my nostrils from the forced swallow, gave away my flustered nerves.

He set his ripped arms on the table, smiling. Then he reached into his shirt pocket and retrieved a small napkin. "Here." He handed it to me like the napkin was made for the very purpose of wiping my snot of embarrassment caused by his casual but heated words.

"I’m sorry," I mumbled, snatching the napkin from him.

"Just so you know, you look gorgeous either way."

I was about to shed my frustration with his relentless flirting when my eyes caught a movement in the dark corner on the opposite end of the restaurant.

And I froze as I recognized that movement all too well.

What the hell was he doing here?