Chapter 111: Lunch Date
- DEX -
The entire morning goes by without even the smallest stumbling block or surprise person from my past showing up or cutting remark from my brother, and I’m starting to wonder just how much energy Lawson put into making things harder for me rather than just doing his job. It’s beautiful how much smoother things seem to run when he’s not here.
Everyone seems happy and particularly motivated today with only a few people stopping by my office to inquire about Lawson’s missing presence. I could get used to this.
Laurel comes into my office just as my phone pings with a text from Raya.
"Have you had your coffee yet today, Alexander?" Laurel is carrying a mug, and I have to do a double take because she looks different than she did this morning. She has bright red lipstick on, a more noticeable shade of blush, darker outlined eyes... all of the colors of her makeup are more vibrant. Maybe it’s just the abundance of natural light in my office. I hope that’s all it is.
"Uh, thank you Laurel," I manage when she sets the cup on my desk. She never even asked me how I like it. "I’m sure you have more important things to do than bring me coffee, though."
"I was getting a cup for myself." She giggles and waves her hand dismissively, batting her eyelashes in a way that makes me suddenly uncomfortable.
Well, shit. I hope this isn’t the beginning of new unwanted attention I’m going to be receiving from her. If it is, that’s going to be awkward.
Rather than being drawn into conversation with Laurel, I read Raya’s text about how the doctor’s appointment went well. I can’t help but chuckle aloud at how the doctor told Raya that whatever she has been doing to keep doing it.
’He did not say that.’ I type back.
’I swear! Cross my heart. Looks like it’s doctor’s orders now. There’s no getting out of it.’
’Who was trying to get out of it? If you’re healing that well, I suggest we meet for a quickie at lunch. We shouldn’t take chances with your health. I’m willing to sacrifice what I have to in order to keep you healthy.’
’LOL. That is so tempting, but I have Rory with me and she wants to have lunch with us so she can thank you for taking care of me.’
Laurel clears her throat in the room, and I honestly forgot she was even here.
"Thank you, Laurel. This is an important client I am negotiating with." I hold up my phone briefly as if it’s evidence of something professional rather than the flirting I’m actually doing with Raya. "But I appreciate the coffee."
"Of course. If you’d like, I can bring you lunch so you don’t have to stop working," she smiles. "Not that you don’t deserve a break. You do, of course. But if it is one less thing you have to worry about, then I would be glad to help. With Lawson being gone, I’m sure you have twice as much to do."
Isn’t Laurel the one always delegating these tasks to others? Wasn’t she the one pushing this stuff off on Raya because she was an intern?
"I am going to be meeting someone for lunch today," I tell her, trying not to sound too irritated and offering my best professional smile when I fail.
"Oh, okay." She clasps her hands together and appears to be thinking of something else she can offer me.
"Laurel, thank you." This time there is a finality to my tone that will hopefully help usher her out the door.
"Of course," she smiles tightly, clearly disappointed. Then she shows herself out with an exaggerated sway of her hips that is impossible to miss.
When she’s gone, I let out a heavy sigh. It’s the damn suit, isn’t it? From now on I’m saving my suits for the board and special events. Tomorrow, I’m going back to the holey shirts that Raya loves to tease me about.
’Where would you like to meet for lunch, principessa?’
’Anywhere. I don’t care.’
’That’s not how principessa’s reply. You must care. Pick somewhere.’
’But I’m not a principessa, and I don’t care!’
I chuckle again, rubbing my beard that still smells like her. God, I seriously love this girl. Maybe that should make me nervous. A small part of me is terrified to fall this hard this fast simply because I’m afraid it will be taken from me.
Last night, when I saw the man watching us who was a mere silhouette in the yard, that instinct to defend, to protect, to keep safe snapped into action. It all arises from that desperate need to keep her.
’Fine, I know a place. It’s the most expensive restaurant in the city. Usually you need a reservation even for lunch, but I know the kitchen manager.’ I smirk after sending the text, knowing that will make Raya choose a place.
’Wait, no, I thought of something. The deli on 2nd. It’s not too far from the office.’
I chuckle, realizing how I have come to know her so well even in this short time. And of course she has chosen something close to the office so it is especially convenient for me.
How will I ever get Raya to start expecting to be treated like a princess? Perhaps that is what is so sweet about her, though. She doesn’t expect it. It’s also what makes me want to treat her like one all the more.
’Can you get there in 20 minutes?’
’Yeah, we are not too far.’
’See you then :)’
——————
I’m waiting by the front door of the deli when Rory and Raya arrive. I basically ran out of the office in order to make sure I was here first and they weren’t waiting for me.
When Raya gets out of the car, I notice how she has dressed for the office with the intention of returning to work today. No longer is she in the relaxed, comfortable clothes that I’ve loved seeing her in the past week. Instead, she’s wearing a slim three-quarter length grey dress that goes to her knees with pleats extending from one side, flattering her curves even more. There are triangular cut outs near the shoulders that are somehow both tasteful and sexy as hell at the suggestion of what lies beneath, and I find myself staring just like Laurel was when I walked into the office this morning. Am I a hypocrite or what?
When she and Rory walk up, I have to struggle not to say anything suggestive or allow my gaze to linger on every perfect inch of her, reliving how she tastes and feels under me. Fuck, making it through this day until I get to be alone with her is going to be hard. Literally.
Raya smirks, obviously seeing the smoldering look in my eyes despite my attempts to get it under control. She grabs my shoulder, lifting herself to kiss my cheek as I offer her the same and bite back a seductive growl that wants to come forth.
"Dex, you remember my sister Rory," she says with a gesture toward her sister who looks much less likely to erupt into anger this time upon meeting me.
"Of course. Welcome home," I say politely, shaking her hand.
"Thank you, Dex," she smiles. "It’s good to see you again."
There is a likeness the sisters share that makes Rory feel instantly familiar and kind, but she also harbors a quiet fierceness and fire to her that I can only respect. I know she has Raya’s wellbeing at heart, and that is certainly a common ground we share. I have a feeling we will eventually be good friends.
While we’re in line looking at the menu, I notice a few men who are sitting down checking out Raya’s ass, and I put my hand on her lower back in a possessive gesture, making sure there is no question at all as to whose she is. We aren’t two co-workers out to lunch. This beautiful woman is mine, and everyone else better back the fuck off.
"How is your arm?" She leans in to ask me while Rory is ordering.
"It’s fine. I forgot about it actually," I shrug, and she shakes her head, chuckling. Obviously she doesn’t believe me.
"I missed you," I whisper next to her ear, changing the subject and watching as her cheeks flush.
She glances at me, the depth of those eyes making my own cheeks feel warm in a way I have never experienced before—at least never before meeting her. Now it is becoming a common occurrence. There’s no teasing her when she looks at me like that. It’s like her soul is piercing mine.
"And what would you two like?" The man asks us, pulling me back into the shallow depths of this reality we are in. We are ordering lunch—the most mundane of things, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else anywhere else in the world if it means having the honor of standing by her side.
