Page 30 of The Invitation

“Married, kids, house.”

“Sounds disgusting.”

I lose my fight and smile, and it’s so fucking wide. “You’re calling me as well as following me now? How did you get my number?”

“From the forms you filled in for your spa day.”

“And how did you access those?”

“I know Anouska.”

I bet he does. I won’t ask how. “That’s confidential information.”

“I told her it was an emergency.”

“What’s the emergency?” I ask, sipping my wine.

“My painfully solid cock.”

I cough, waiting for him to laugh. He doesn’t. “Look—”

“Uh-oh,” he breathes. “I have a feeling I’m about to be put in my place.”

“I’m flattered, but I’m taking a time-out from men.”

“Why?”

“You don’t need details.”

“No, but I want them.”

Take the sex.

This is dangerous ground. “I’m on the breakup diet. It involves wine and work and nothing else.”

“Sounds utterly boring. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“You want to take me on an adventure?” I ask, not meaning to sound coy. But I do. I know I do.

“Oh, Amelia, I want to take you to many places.”

“Why?”

He’s silent for a moment, and I wonder what he’s thinking. What he’s going to say. “I’ve never experienced that instant chemistry people bang on about.” His voice has lowered, and so has my glass to my knee as I stare at the blank TV screen. “With you, I did.”

I bite my lip, intrigued.Waytoo intrigued. He’s a man of a certain type. And I’m not talking about his looks, although they’re otherworldly. I’m talking about the aura around him. It screamsplayboy, and his behaviour seals my conclusion. I’ve no doubt sex with him will be an experience I won’t forget. I’ll probably crave more. I’m already unhealthily addicted to his persistence.

And his hands.

“Have dinner with me,” he says quietly.

But I must stick to my guns. Be strong in the face of temptation. Ihaveto make partner at the firm, not to prove anything to my dad or the company, but to prove to myself that I can do it. I have to stick to the plan, remain focused. I’d make a mockery of myself if I didn’t. He’s already blindsided me with a bit of dirty talk and hand sex. I can’t even begin to imagine how distracted he could make me if I let him. “I shall politely decline.”

“I won’t accept your polite decline.”

“Then I won’t be polite,” I say, standing. “Fuck off.”

He laughs, and the sound alone forces me to lower back to the couch. “If there’s one thing you should know about me, Amelia, it’s that I love a challenge.”

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