Page 16 of His Curvy Temptation

“Of course,” I reply. “But I’d prefer you didn’t call me Mr. Stone. Elijah is fine.”

“Nick says we have to call clients by their titles,” she says, looking away.

“Well, right now I’m not your client,” I say, taking a sip of my drink and draping my arm over the back of the couch. “You’re off the clock.”

She nods.

“I won’t tell Nick,” I continue, and now she relaxes a little, reassured.

“Well, Elijah, I have to ask…why are we hanging out right now?” She gestures at her drink. “Actually, why did you ask for me again when you set up your appointment? I figured after what happened last time, you weren’t super happy with me.”

I grin at her.

“You mean when you insulted me?” I ask.

“Yeah,” she says with a small smile. “Also, I showed up late…it’s not good. Nick would be furious if he knew.”

I frown, wondering whether Nick scares all of his staff as badly as he seems to scare Andy.

“It was an honest mistake,” I reply. “And a miscommunication on my part. Knowing you were a new therapist, my assistant should have mentioned the relaxation room. And I should have come out to investigate once you were five minutes late, to see if you’d gotten lost. I’m the one who should be apologizing to you. Not the other way around.”

“I don’t know about that…” she murmurs. “But thank you. Is that why we’re having a drink? You feel sorry about last week?”

“Sort of,” I say. I’m weighing whether to be truthful or to opt for the polite lie. I decide on the truth. “But honestly, Andy, the reason I requested you and the reason I asked you to have a drink with me is because I think you’re the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever seen. And I’d like to get to know you better.”

There’s no doubt that she’s blushing now, her cheeks heated to a brick red.

“Oh,” is all that she says next.

I lean forward on the couch.

“I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” I continue. “I just thought it would be better to be honest with you.”

“Okay,” she breathes. “That’s fine. It’s not what I was expecting you to say, that’s all.”

“I like you,” I say. “I like your mind. And I like your body. Normally I’m not this forward and normally I’d draw a line in our relationship and not cross that line. But with you, I feel like that’s not even possible. No restraint or will power is going to keep me from wanting you in that way. But I need to know if you feel the same. If you don’t, I’ll leave you alone. I won’t talk to Nick about any of this, and you don’t have to see me ever again. But I couldn’t just let you walk away last week without finding out if there’s something here. If you feel it too.”

Andy is frozen on the couch, the glass of water between her palms in her lap, her eyes wide, cheeks still red.

“So,” I continue. “Do you think there’s something here?”

“You’re asking me if I’m attracted to you?” She says with a slight laugh.

“Yes.”

“Of course I’m attracted to you,” she says, shaking her head. “Every woman who sees you is probably attracted to you.”

“There’s a difference between finding someone attractive and beingattractedto them,” I reply. “I need to know whether you feel the latter. Because if you do, I’m going to need to see you much, much more.”

She stares at me.

“You’re being serious, aren’t you?”

“Dead serious,” I answer. “I need to see you more, Andy. Will you see me again? And not as my massage therapist, but as my date?”

“As your date?” She echoes.

“As my date,” I reply, smiling a little. “I’m asking you on a date, Andy. Go to dinner with me. Clear a little time in your studying schedule, and go out with me this weekend.”

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