Page 14 of Stolen Sun

Noel sits up straighter and clears her throat but doesn’t deny the assumption.

Internally, I frown. Still playing whatever part someone else casts her in. I'll fix that soon, too.

Turning the table’s attention back to me, I give Mrs. Hyde an innocent smile and say, “Thank you. If only I could be so lucky.”

I look over to Noel to see her silently begging me to change the subject. Her face is composed, but she can’t hide the embarrassment in the coloring of her cheeks, so I oblige.

“Mr. Hyde, however, is a lucky man, I see,” I compliment Mrs. Hyde while giving her my most charming smile.

She beams at the compliment and leans into her husband, who also smiles.

“Please, call me Roman,” he interjects.

I nod and tell him, “Declan.”

“Declan, I’m in the market for a logistics company, and I’m told you’re the man to see. Now that I’ve seen you can handle my wife, I believe what I’ve heard may be true.”

Fucking right!“Roman, I’ll leave handling your wife to you. But I am open to hearing about your company’s needs.”

The table laughs, including Roman and hiswife.

The courses are continuously placed in front of us. Everyone enjoys each one while chatting. I’m not one for idle conversation, but I play the part when I have to. As soon as dessert is served, I’m pulled into a discussion about how the weather affects my business. I find a way to turn the conversation to be more about the weather and less about me so the others can do more of the talking. While nodding in polite participation, I eavesdrop as Noel and Kate discuss mass production with the man to Kate’s left. Neither conversation is very enlightening, so I check my phone as soon as it vibrates in my pocket.

It's done.

This is Zander’s way of letting me know he was able to handle our business with Mr. Sanchez without any issues. I send back a response quickly.

I'll meet you at the warehouse at midnight.

When I slip my phone back into my pocket, I notice Noel is watching me.

“So, no date for the playboy?” She asks. Her face is flushed from the martinis, but she turns a slightly darker shade under my stare.

I raise an eyebrow at her boldness. “And what do you think you’re doing here?”

A tiny choking sound escapes as her lips part in surprise.

“And you brought a friend?” I decide to fuck with her a little.

“You said to bring a plus one,” she tries to back her way out.

So cute.

“I’m not at all disappointed either,” I praise. “A smoke show and an ice queen. Will that do for a ‘playboy’?”

My dick throbs at the flash of anger running across her face. Her bright green eyes bore into me, and she sets her jaw.

I tap my knuckles on the table, and change the subject. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about you, sunshine. What do you like to do for fun?” I lean back to see how she handles herself now that I’ve gotten under her skin.

Her head tilts a little, and she bites down on both lips before saying, “I still paint some.” She takes a long sip from her martini to finish it off. “Do you have any hobbies?”

Telling her my idea of fun would be seeing how hard I can make her come feels a little ill timed after giving her shit for the playboy comment, so I ask, “Would you like to join me?”

“Join you where?” She looks down to watch my hand as I unbutton my jacket.

“Where doesn’t matter much. The ‘what’ does require consent, though,” I watch her eyes widen before I clarify, “Come to the race track with me?”

“Oh,” she says and blushes, taking a sip of her water and shifting in her seat again.

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