Michael.
Her mood seem to be completely different this morning. Her smiles were brief and professional. She did throw a few cautious smiles while talking with Sartorius but other than that, it was cold. I wondered if her fiance was to blame for her mood this morning. Lover's squabble so soon in the relationship. That was none of my business anyway but I couldn't help think about it and compare myself to him. I wondered when and where she met him. And also who he was. Why did I care? If they have problems wasn't it good for me? I know it was selfish of me but, can't a man hope.
I watched as she took up her cup to her perfect lips before placing them back on the table and licking her bottom lip. I bit my lip completely mesmerized. Why did everything she does feel sensual. Her gaze strayed up and met mine. Her face formed a slight frown before dropping to my lips and looking away embarrassed with her cheeks reddening. I smiled cheekily... I wonder what went through her mind when she did that... Was she thinking about my lips for that fleeting second? I could still remember how she squirmed in my arms each time we kissed, how she moaned and bent her neck when I kissed her neck and when I bite on her skin causing hickeys...
"So what do you think about it Mr Donovan ? ..."
I blinked before looking up to who addressed me. It was Mr. Tarun I think... "How efficient would this be and what are the possible calculated risks, expenses and losses? How exact are your stats?..."
"We... we still need to work on it." I stuttered.
"We can't keep winding time which we don't have... You get to work with both teams and bring in the reports. Our work here will keep pulling out at this rate and we can't keep waste any second." She said.
"Just like he said, teams of both companies should work together so as to increase efficiency and speed up things." Sartorius backed up.
"Yes sirs." The rest of the employees present answered.
"You ok?" Nate whispered a little worried.
"Yea I'm ok." I replied regaining my composure.
Wow. That was a close call. A little more and ...
"That will be all for today. I'll be looking forward to hear the plans you come up with. Meeting is closed." He said.
Everyone stood up to leave and I gathered the remainder of files before me. As I was about to stand, Nate grabbed my arm and pulled me back to my chair. I frowned at his slight aggressive action.
"If you want me to stay back you could just ask like a normal person would." I said with a scowl.
"Yea, except the rest of normal people don't need to find you pitching a tent from ogling Sartorius' interior designer." He whisper-yelled.
I looked down and it was definitely bad. Uh damn it! Of all days for this kinda shit to happen it had to be here and now. I looked up and was grateful most of the people in where out already. Except for Sartorius and her who looked to have shared a joke because she was laughing till he turned to me. Shit!
"You ok Donovan?" He asked.
"Yea all good." I replied with a brief smile
"Good. I like the way you handle things meticulously to every detail. Was thinking of lunch some time? You game?" He proposed with a smile but she gripped his arm tightly and give him a weird look. Her smile totally gone.
"Well..." I looked to her and her eyes were clearly warning me to say no. "Uhm... I'm not sure..."
"Oh nonsense, it'll be fine and we won't be long. If not we could always settle for dinner. The cool night air will be refreshing for thoughts and a clear mind."
"And tired mind." I heard her grumble.
"I had love to. I will think about it and adjust my agenda." I replied cheerfully. Plus, he was pretty persistent. And also, I couldn't pass up on an opportunity of seeing her.
"Greet. We'll keep in touch." He replied walking towards the door with her following behind.
"Of course..." They finally left and I could tell she wasn't exactly thrilled about me accepting his invitation.
"I know what you're thinking and it's a bad idea. But the decision remains yours. And please, take care of that." Nate said before leaving me alone. I sighed rubbing my temple. This is a disaster...
*************
2 days later...
Here we were, in the corner of a fancy restaurant but my eyes couldn't keep off here. She seemed to get prettier each time I met her. My jaw literally touched the floor when she stepped in to the dimly lit restaurant in a red velvet dress gown that was very form fitting. It had rings on the single strap on the shoulder and abdomen. The dress had a massive slit which was dangerously high on her thigh. I realized her dressing style had changed a little since she came back. There are clothes back then I would have sworn she wouldn't even dare buy nor try on no matter how much I tried talking her into it. The clothes weren't exactly inappropriate, too revealing or indecent but, it just wasn't the most concealing either and left little to my imagination or my fantasies in most cases. She arrived in good spirits and a big smile which was mostly directed to Sartorius. God how much I wanted to hold her in my arms and let my hands glide at her narrow waist down to her wide hips. Every inch of her was exquisite and so perfectly formed I could hardly believe she was real.
"The meals here are divine, don't you think so Donovan?" Javier asked trying to break the ice. I guess he noticed the tension.
"Yea, amazing. Quite enticing." I said the last bit looking directly into her eyes making her understand the compliment was more of directed towards her rather than the food. I watched as she cleared her throat and looked away uncomfortable by my confession. That's what I like about her: her innate ability to easily pick on my innuendos. She shifted uneasily under my unwavering gaze and raised her left hand to push a loose hair strand behind her ear. I know that was a feeble maneuver to tell me to back off but that didn't faze me. It rather amused me she had think that would make me back down. I wasn't the type to chase women in relationships but she is my bounty and I wasn't giving up on her not again. Not this time.
We talked a little more about random things and business. He turned out to be a pretty cool guy. And I was quite observant to see any sign of him being interested in her. But apparently, he wasn't. I suppose I misread into their close friendship. I must admit, I was jealous of how close they are.
"Oh this dinner was wonderful, it was amazing having you with us tonight Donovan." He said as we moved out of the cozy restaurant.
"Pleasure is all mine." I replied
"As much as I had like we extend this, I'm afraid we have to call it a night and say our goodbyes." He said.
"Of course." I replied with a smile.
" So see you on Monday." He said to me with a firm hand shake. "You sure you'll be ok?" He asked her worriedly.
"Yea I'll be fine... I could take a cab or Uber home no big deal. I don't want to bother you." She replied.
"Oh c'mon sweetheart, you could never bother me. I'm just worried about your safety. Besides I know your home address and..."
"I can drop her off." I offered immediately. They both looked at me shocked. She frowned at my sudden proposal while he arched an eyebrow at me. I'm sure they were still trying to figure out the absurdity of my offer.
"Like I said, I will be fine on my own." Her tone icy. I gulped loosing my bravado at her intense look. She always had that kinda daunting looking which said"try challenging me. I dare you." But that didn't matter I wasn't giving up.
He stepped between us with raised brows and a tight lipped smile. I saw them exchanged a few words in silent whispers but whatever it was had her look at him funny.
"Ok Donovan...." He said setting his arm on her shoulder. "It's kind of controversial for you to do this since you're our guest but I'll make an exception for this time." He continued. "So take care of this little flower for me." He said kissing her forehead. Her annoyance was clear as day but I doubt he cared. His actions felt like that of an older brother. "She's very delicate and so precious to me." He said the last bit more seriously, his tone slightly threatening.
"Ofcourse, I wouldn't let harm come anywhere near her. And that's on my life." I replied.
"I know." He said in a suggestive tone and a mischievous smile. "Will see you two on Monday then." He said waving as he moved away to his car... The air turned frigid after he left and a deafening silence ensued except for the muffled chatter and music from the restaurant. We both stood still for a couple of minutes not saying anything to each other and she refused looking at me. Javier's car sped past: flashing us in the process. I lifted my hand up in a sign of goodbye with a slite nod. After he passed, the silence resumed. I tucked my hands in my pockets a little uncomfortable with the situation...my eyes roaming over her perfect form before coughing lightly to break the ice knowing she wouldn't talk.
"So... Shall we?" I asked.