ELLIE
I forced myself to take a step, and he noticed my presence, making it difficult to simply descend the stairs. Forgetting how to walk wasn't a good sign. Relax, Ellie.
"Good evening, Miss Brown," he said as I approached the car, straightening up.
His hair was slicked back, and I had a feeling those rebellious strands would fall into his face at any moment. I tried to stop staring at how the sweater highlighted his muscular chest and arms.
"Good evening, Morgan."
Up close, it was even harder to ignore his handsome face, with that chiseled jaw and that damn freshly trimmed beard. It was enough to mess with my mood.
"Are you cold?" he asked, eyeing my closed trench coat.
"I'm fine. Can we go?"
"Sure." He nodded and turned to open the door for me.
"You don’t need to do that. I mean, we don’t need to pretend I’m a woman who doesn’t know what your intentions are by the end of the night," I teased, making him smile slightly.
"I guess when my parents told me to be kind to women, they hadn’t met you yet."
"Henry and Mary must be disappointed," I said, shaking my head and brushing past him to get into the black Audi sports car.
I buckled my seatbelt as I waited for him to walk around the car.
"You know my parents?" he asked as he fastened his seatbelt.
"You probably don’t remember me, just as I don’t remember you, but I attended your brother’s wedding."
I had met Bennett’s parents that day and had seen them a few other times since. When I first saw them, I remember thinking it was clear where Bennett got his good looks and elegance.
But it made no sense that he lacked charisma. His parents were lovely, while Bennett was so much more ill-tempered and far more of a jerk than he is now, at least according to Zoe.
"I didn’t go to Ben’s wedding."
"What? What kind of person doesn’t attend their brother’s wedding?"
"The kind who works. I was also living in London and probably had something important at work."
"That must be why they say you’re a workaholic."
I caught him looking at my legs and then shrugging as he cleared his throat.
"It’s strange to think I’m going out with someone who already knows my parents. But looking on the bright side, I won’t have to introduce you to them later on."
"There’s no ‘later on’ where we’ll be together. And actually, what’s really strange is that you’re the son of such wonderful people."
"Have you ever thought that maybe it’s because you’ve chosen to only judge me?"
"Are you saying I was wrong to judge you for trying to take me to bed when you only knew my name?"
"We always come back to that. Let’s leave it in the past, okay? I’m giving you the chance to see my wonderful side tonight," he said, flashing me a light, sensual smile that made me avert my eyes and roll them.
"You’re giving me the chance?" I questioned, finding it amusing. "And why does it sound like when you say ‘my wonderful side,’ you’re talking about what’s in your pants?"
He smiled. A damn gorgeous smile.
"Notice how we’re still parked in front of your building. Are you going to let me drive, or are we going to spend the night here? I won’t be able to concentrate on the road if you keep trying to irritate me."
"Sorry, I forgot men can only focus on one thing at a time. Must be because they’re always thinking with the head downstairs."
"Don’t worry, Brown. You’ll see that I can do many things at once," he retorted as he started the car, making it move.
"I’m not going to see anything. And just tell me where we’re going."
"A restaurant."
"Predictable," I muttered.
"You could’ve said if you preferred to go straight to my place."
I glanced at his profile, noticing the smug smile on his lips.
"You know that’s not what I meant."
*
At some point during the drive, I started to worry about the fact that the silence between us hadn’t become uncomfortable, and I tried to ignore the way he stared at my legs for too long. I also tried to stop myself from staring at his hands in the same way, imagining things I shouldn’t.
I avoided arguing until we reached the restaurant to prevent any accidents. It seemed like we were always in a battle where the weapons were pure sarcasm, irony, and some sexual innuendo on his part.
We only exchanged a few barbs until he parked in front of the restaurant. At least there was no accident.
A blonde woman with large blue eyes, who must have been the hostess, came to greet us as soon as we entered the restaurant. The place was elegant, and I had heard about it before.
Was he worried about impressing me, or did he just frequent this kind of place? I’d bet on the latter.
"Good evening! Did you reserve a table, sir?" the blonde asked with a smile.
I analyzed the place while Ethan spoke to her. There were huge chandeliers on the ceiling, tables with white tablecloths, and dramatic mirrors, paintings, and some plants decorating the walls.
The luxurious decor harmonized with the golden and gray tones of the palace-style walls. Ethan touched my arm, drawing my attention.
"May I show the couple to their table?" the blonde asked, still smiling.
"We’re not a couple," I corrected, making the woman blink in confusion and embarrassment while Ethan sighed beside me.
"Of course." He forced a smile at her as she began to walk ahead of us.
Grabbing my elbow, he whispered as we followed her, "I don’t think anyone here cares whether we’re a couple or not."
"But I do. I don’t want anyone thinking I’d go out with someone like you." I forced a smile at him.
Why couldn’t I spend a second by his side without wanting to provoke him?
"You mean someone sexy and virile?" he asked with a smile, making me stifle a laugh.
"I don’t think anyone uses the word ‘virile’ anymore, Mr. Morgan."
"Here you are, Mr. Morgan. Enjoy your dinner," the hostess said, stopping beside our table.
I noticed how she looked at Ethan from head to toe as he pulled out a chair.
"Thank you," he said as she walked away while I was still staring at her. "Miss Brown?" He called my attention, his hands on the back of the chair, waiting for me to sit.
"I already told you, you don’t need to pretend to be a gentleman," I said as I sat down.
"I don’t want to give my parents more reasons to be disappointed, do I?" he whispered behind me.
I picked up the menu and waited for him to sit across from me.
"That blonde would definitely love to be sitting in my place," I observed as I scanned the options on the menu.
"What did you say?"
I lowered the menu just enough to meet his gaze.
"You didn’t notice she looked at you like you were a prime steak?"
"No. I don’t usually pay attention to other women when I’m on a date with one who interests me."
"You go on dates with women who don’t interest you?"
"Many, for work."
I nodded.
"The way you always find a way to use my words against me is utterly irritating, Miss Brown."
I placed the menu on the table and crossed my arms over my chest.
"Sorry, but remember, you’re the one who insisted on this date. If you wanted a night with a pleasant, kind woman, you could’ve chosen someone else. Someone who’s interested. Try that next time."
"God!" He closed his eyes with a frustrated smile, taking a deep breath.
"What are you thinking? Say whatever it is, I can handle it," I teased, imagining he must be cursing me mentally with the worst insults possible.
Then he opened his eyes again, but they weren’t filled with hate, as I’d expected. There was something more primal and lustful that almost made me stop breathing and sent a shiver down my spine.
"I was thinking that I can’t wait to shut that annoying mouth of yours by putting something in it."
His words made my jaw drop. I blinked, trying to process what he had just said, trying in vain not to picture it. A satisfied smile spread across his face.
"If I had known that all it took to shut you up was to say what I’m thinking all the time, I would’ve done it sooner, Miss Brown."
I cleared my throat.
"I just... thought you’d be cursing me out. But what should I expect from a jerk like you?"
"Excuse me," the blonde’s voice sounded behind me before she stepped to the side of the table. "Sorry to interrupt. I forgot to ask if the lady would like me to take her coat."
"Of course," Ethan responded before I could, with a look of amusement. "Miss Brown just told me she was getting warm."
I forced a smile at him, resisting the urge to kick him in the balls. He knew exactly what he wanted: to see what I was wearing under the trench coat.
Remembering what I had on underneath the dress, I stood up, feeling confident. I unbuttoned the coat that had been hiding the dress and slid it off my arms, freeing myself from it.
All while watching Mr. Morgan’s reaction. At first, he seemed anxious, and now his eyes were moving over my body, from where the dress ended at my thighs to my neckline and then my neck. His gaze made my whole body heat up.
Taking a deep breath, I turned to the
hostess and handed her my coat before sitting back down.
"Satisfied?" I asked when she left us alone.
"Satisfied isn’t quite the word I’d use, Miss Brown," he said, picking up the menu and opening it on the table.
"I imagine. It would definitely be something less decent, befitting of you."
"I’m glad you followed my request."
"What are you talking about?" His eyes met mine.
"Did you think of me when you chose that dress?"
"Don’t be ridiculous."
"I like to imagine you think of me, especially when you’re alone in your bed at night."
"In your dreams." I picked up the menu from the table again.
"Yes. Even against my will, you’re there."
"Stop it."
"Why? Don’t you like hearing the truth?"
"I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work."
"Then why are your cheeks red? I expected anything from you, except that you’d be shy."
Damn it! I couldn’t stop my cheeks from betraying me.
"Don’t kid yourself. That’s just anger," I lied.
"Sure," he said, turning his attention back to the menu.
Arrogant idiot. I couldn’t let him walk away thinking he was getting to me. Even if it was true, he shouldn’t know that.
"Mr. Morgan, do you remember the lingerie Zoe gave me as a gift?"
I waited for him to lift his face in curiosity, all his attention turning to me before he nodded.
"I found a use for it tonight, so thanks," I said before raising the menu to hide my face, concealing a smile and leaving him with an expression that was priceless.