Mesmerized, I inch closer to her. “Why don’t you tell me why you like him so much?” I watch as embarrassment flicks across her face. “Do you think he’s your Prince Charming?”
She says nothing so I continue to speak, “Life isn’t a fairytale and it is full of heartaches and disappointments, Princess. People will let you down and you will always let others down, too. You can never have everything—” I suddenly realize that I have said too much. I’ve never divulged this much to anyone, especially not to a near stranger.
“I’m guessing that we’re not talking about Alex anymore,” she whispers and stares at me with quiet curiosity. Her eyes are fixed on me. “You sound jealous—”
“I’m not jealous of him. Why should I? He is weak and stupid.” I give out a hollow laugh. “I can’t believe I’m talking to you about this. I’ve never said this to anyone before.” Exasperated, I stare down at my feet. I’m not jealous of him because he gets everything. I’m jealous of him because he doesn’t hate himself.
Amelia grows quiet. Curiosity fills her unblinking green eyes. As if reading my mind, she says, “I know that life isn’t a fairytale. I know that life isn’t perfect and neither are people. But I think one should like people because of their imperfections, not despite them. I like Alex not because he is perfect, but he tries his hardest despite of all his flaws.”
My breath hitches in my throat and I realize how close we’re standing next to each other and how deeply I am looking into her emerald orbs.
“I’ve never met anyone who thinks like that,” I whisper in awe. I’ve never thought flaws could be likable. I always thought that Dad didn’t love me because I didn’t follow the path he set out for me. I always thought that Rachel left because I wasn’t a good enough partner.
“It’s just a book.” She looks away and turns a little pink. I realize that my proximity to her is making her nervous. As if tied together by invisible strings, I draw closer to her as she backs away.
She immediately backs away even further. Her back is now pressed against the bookshelf. Nowhere to run now. She arches her back as I hover over her, as I enjoy the full view of her mouth-watering curves. Her long, wavy hair is braided neatly into a thick braid today, and it reaches the small of her back. She casts furtive glances up at my face, and I can feel my entire body humming with desire. I know I want her. I have wanted her ever since I first laid eyes on her. Now I know she feels something similar for me, too. Heatwaves rush over my body. My heart races. I feel like a bloodhound that has caught a whiff of its prey.
I lean toward her and tilt my head. “What would you like to do next?” My voice comes out deep and husky, and I am satisfied to see her flinch a little. Her white neck turns a lovely shade of pink.
She is now completely cornered. “Umm.” Backing herself closer to the bookshelf, she rambles, “I guess I’ll drive to the dump first and get rid of some stuff, okay? That’ll free up some room, right? Yes, I should do that. Unless there’s something else you want me to do first?” Her eyes dart around the room as if she doesn’t know where to look. It only makes me want to get closer to her.
“I do have something else in mind.” I blow softly into her ear and I am pleased to see her cute little ears turn pink as well. I wonder what other part of her body is also flushed right now? I want to find out. I reach toward her and before my fingers can reach her, she jumps sideways to get away from me. “Actually, no, I should get going. To the dump. There could be traffic. I’ll, I’ll be back.”
She darts off like a frightened bunny rabbit, while I wet my lips and take a moment to enjoy the full view of her backside. I’m sure that she’ll be back. And I’ll be right here waiting for her.
My phone buzzes in my pants, and I almost jump in surprise. It’s Valentina. She has been my assistant for years now, and there isn’t anyone I trust more than her. That is why I asked her to stay behind in New York instead of coming with me. I know she is calling me alone this time to talk about our earlier call with Joe and the team.
“Well, I don’t think that went well, do you?” I furrow my brows at her saucy tone. “Don’t make that face at me.” She knows me too well. “This is hardly the time to make Joe angry.” Besides being blunt, she is usually right.
“I know, Val. I know.” I rub my face with chagrin.
“Fletch, c’mon. What is going on? This is so unlike you. Your team is working themselves to the bone and you’re gallivanting on the other side of the country. You should be here with us. Alfred Worth is sniffing around again and we can’t risk any bad publicity.” Alfred Worth owns the largest tabloid empire in the country and he would do anything to sell his stories. The most unscrupulous man in the media business. People call him “the King of Scandals.” He and his team of muckrakers already had a field day with my broken engagement with Rachel three years ago. It was one thing to get dumped at the altar, it was another thing to see your humiliation get plastered on every media outlet in town for months. I am not surprised that he is now sniffing around my company, looking for any dirt that he can use to take us down and sell his cheap tabloids.
“I’m at my parents’
