The signed contract was underneath my arm, and I placed it on his desk. "I don't, but I'm happy to eat alone in here if that's the case." I opened the cooler and took out two beers, twisting off the caps before I handed him one. "Homemade burritos, guacamole, and salsa. The only thing I didn't cook were the chips." I chewed the corner of my lip before I added, "Tempted, or are you going to pass?"
He clinked his beer against mine and took a sip. "You're extremely persuasive, Miss Roy."
I laughed as I reached inside the cooler again, removing the two dips and the large bag of chips along with the foil-wrapped burritos, setting it all up between us.
He opened the top of the foil, the tortilla almost at his mouth. "Thank you for doing this."
"No bother. I love to cook."
He took a bite, his expression telling me he was savoring it. "Damn it, Kendall. I had no idea what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this." He looked at the burrito as though he'd never seen one before. "This is excellent." He dipped a chip into the guac. "Mmm, this is too." He swallowed, washing it down with beer. "You really made this?"
"My talents extend beyond art … and my mouth. Don't look so surprised."
He chuckled. "You're quick. I like that about you."
"I'm trying to win you over with something other than my pussy."
His stare deepened, a more serious look now crossing his cheeks. "Is that so?" He stilled, the moments ticking away. "Tell me, what is it that you're looking for?" He pulled out a napkin from his drawer, handing me one as well, and used his to wipe his mouth.
I swallowed the bite I'd taken. "More."
"And that is?"
There was no reason to hold it in. I was positive he could see the words before I even said them. If I wanted this to move forward, I obviously needed to be the one to take the first step because I still didn't know if he'd ever planned to call me, and I feared what his answer would be.
"I like the way I feel when I'm with you, Dominick. I like waking up in your bed. I like how I can go from smiling my hardest to dripping wet. So, time, overnights, a commitment-that would be more."
"A relationship."
When he drained the rest of his beer, I got out another from the cooler and gave it to him. "Eventually, yes. Is that something you're opposed to?"
"Kendall …" He finished chewing the bite and set down his burrito. "Your world is about to become extremely public in ways I can't even describe. Despite offering legal counsel to an array of celebrities, that's not the lifestyle I want. I don't want my personal business blasted all over social media."
"I wouldn't out you, or us, or post pictures of us together-if that's what you're referring to."
His grin wasn't reassuring, especially when he shook his head. "If you hit the level of fame Brett and I are predicting, you won't have to out us. Those pictures will appear online without your knowledge or approval."
I'd seen that happen to Daisy. One of my daily tasks had been to send her the photos that had been posted of her and filter her Google alerts of spreading fake news. When Daisy was rumored to be dating someone, the speculation became almost like an online war, the different outlets vying for the first shot.
I knew what he was talking about.
I just hadn't anticipated this happening to me or affecting my future this way.
"I guess it would be easier if I could walk out of your office and you never had to see me again. But being that you're my lawyer, we're going to be spending much more time together."
"No, you have that wrong." His eyes dipped to my chest, a gaze that was smoldering. "Having you walk out forever would be a real shame."
The icy, sweating glass did nothing to cool down my fiery skin.
"It sounds to me like you're willing to let me slip through your fingers than brave the social media storm."
"Kendall …"
I'd put my cards on the table along with homemade burritos, guacamole, and salsa.
If he wasn't going to bite, then I was going to show him what he was missing.
"It's all right. I understand. You said the show is going to change things for me, and I'm already getting a sense of that. I'm going to meet so many different walks of life." I winked. "It's best that I go into it unattached and very open-minded."
He ran the napkin over his mouth, a feral look building in his eyes.
I broke our gaze to lift my vibrating phone out of my back pocket. Normally, I would ignore the text, but the timing suddenly felt perfect.
Charlize: I thought the photo shoot was going to last all night, but I'm out and free. I know I said Thursday, but I could definitely use a cocktail. Or seven. You too? Wanna meet?
As I glanced at Dominick, a smile crept over my face. "Looks like those opportunities are already presenting themselves." I collected my beer and the rest of my burrito, and I stood with the cooler on my arm. "Have yourself a good evening, Dominick."
"You're leaving?"
I nodded. "I have plans." When I reached the door, I turned around, filling my lungs with air before I said, "And to think … I was going to give you one hell of a dessert tonight." My smile still lingered as I closed the door behind me, especially knowing his eyes had been on my ass and I was wearing the tightest jeans I owned.