“You lasted a whole three minutes without a dirty insinuation. I’m impressed,” I joke which makes him laugh again. “Well, that activity is a new hobby I’ve added to the list, so I’m still trying to figure out how to balance that. Usually though I will read, go dancing when the schedule with my best friend allows, or book a vacation somewhere far away where I can unplug and relax. But probably one of my favorite things to do on the weekends in the fall is watch football games at Ally’s house. She buys all the best junk food and we gorge, drink wine, and cheer on the Dallas Cowboys.”
Javier’s face lights up as he crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, I’ll be damned, Princess. Seems we have something in common then.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“I just so happen to be a Dallas fan myself.”
Knowing we share another fragment of our individualities builds a pleasant warmth in my chest. “Damn, Javi. You’d better be careful. Before you know it, you’re going to tell me that you like to get pedicures too, and then we’re going to have to go together to solidify this ‘friendship’ you claim we have.” I throw up quotations around the word, emphasizing it with a sarcastic tone.
Javi claimed we’re friends-with-benefits, but I was under the impression that benefits was all he really wanted. The more we toy with the ‘friends’ part, the more confused my head and heart get.
My eyes scour the restaurant again, noticing other couples sharing their lunch and it makes me wonder—would Javier and I ever get to the point where we’re sharing a meal because we want to? Not because we just ran into each other randomly on a Wednesday?
No, don’t go there, Sydney. Don’t let yourself daydream because you’re only going to end up disappointed.
“No one will be touching my feet, thank you.”
“What about dancing? When are you going back to The Jameson?”
He scoffs. “I never should have been there in the first place. Places like that aren’t my scene.”
I chuckle softly. “Yeah, but if you hadn’t gone, we never would have bumped into each other.”
His grin builds on one side of his mouth. “I’m pretty sure you bumped into me, Sydney.”
I shrug, feigning innocence. “Don’t remember. The night was kind of fuzzy.”
“Sure, whatever you say.”
Javier and I finish our lunch discussing football stats and players, laughing at each other when we outsmart the other. By the time we finish, I can’t recall the last time I shared a meal with a man that made my face hurt from smiling.
Once we make our way to the parking lot, I stand by my car, suddenly unsure of how we part.
“Well, I’m glad we ran into each other, Princess. Seems the universe knew I needed to see your face today.”
Why? Why does he have to say things like that which only confuse me further about what’s going on here?
“Glad I could brighten up your day. This was nice.”
“Definitely. But having you in my bed later would be nicer.” He travels closer to me, but still leaves enough space not to draw attention to our proximity.
“I wish I could, but like I said, today is my late day and tomorrow evening I actually have an appointment with your sister to get my hair done.”
Javier steps back as the shock registers on his face. “Is that so? I thought you were just making small talk with her the other night.”
“I mean, I was. But I also really need my hair done.”
He surveys my head as if a red flashing beacon will alert him to the issues going on with my mop that only a woman would understand. “Your hair looks fine to me.”
“Yeah, you’re a guy so you don’t get it.”
“Well, don’t be surprised if she pushes you for information or tries to be a hardass with you. She might be my little sister, but she’s also bossy as hell and puts her guard up with people.”
“I wonder where she gets that from,” I tease as he steps closer to me again, his eyes trained on my lips. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t desperately waiting for him to kiss me. It’s been almost a month of us fucking each other’s brains out, but not once have I felt this man’s lips on mine. By the way he’s eyeing my mouth right now, I’d say he’s starting to go insane with that thought too.
“Let me know how it goes, okay?” He reaches up and places a lock of my hair behind my ear, waking up my entire body with his soft and gentle touch.
I shouldn’t allow this game to continue—the fine line he’s skating along with each caress of his fingers against my cheek—especially since there’s nothing I can do about it for a few days. Between work and my brothers’ college graduation next weekend, I’m not sure when the next time will be when I’ll be able to quell the ache between my legs with the man in front of me.
“Okay.”
“Have a good day, Sydney.” He drops his hand from my face slowly, his eyes lingering on mine before he nods his head at me and turns on his heels to approach his work truck. I watch his jean-clad ass climb into the vehicle, and then he’s on his way, back to his job, completely oblivious to the jumbled mess he just left me in.
Javier’s actions are certainly not matching up with his words, and I can’t decide if I want to call him on it, or just let it be to refrain from ruining our set-up. Giving up sex with him right now is the last thing I want, so I choose to push it aside, bask in the fact that the man makes my body hum with need, and drive back to my office to focus on work and not how rattled Javier Montes
