Chapter 25

Lorali

I know I’m smiling from ear to ear at our banter when my office phone rings.

“Lorali Benn….” I reply upon putting the receiver to my ear.

“Much better.” Is Ian’s response, not allowing me to finish my name. “I can never tell tone in texts and don’t want to misconstrue or miscommunicate my intentions.”

“And just what are your intentions, Mr. Hale?” I’m still grinning, ecstatic he’s calling when I’d have lost the farm betting last night that I’d never hear from him after his rejection.

“Ah yes, my intentions…” He’s silent on the phone almost like he called for no other motive than to just talk. “I was hoping to schedule more of your time.”

“My time?” I ask with a little more malice than intended.

“Yes.” He says.

“Mine?” I ask specifically.

“Yours, Lorali.” He coaxed and I can hear his grin in the tone of his voice.

The idea that he’s laughing at me makes me see red. I’m in no way trying to amuse or entertain him.

“Why me, Ian? Why not one of the rich beautiful women from your social circle?” I implored, not sure how I want him to answer.

“Why not you?” I can tell he’s getting annoyed.

“Ian, you’re Denver’s Sexiest Man Alive, socializing at million dollar events every night of the week; I’m an events reporter and spend my nights reading romance novels and looking at Pinterest.” I sigh as I verbally acknowledge just how polar opposite we are.

“Second.” Is all he says.

“What?” He’s making no sense and I wonder if he’s responded to someone on his end of the call.

“I’ve been declared Denver’s Second Sexiest Man Alive.” He chuckles. “A runner-up. Scott Phillips actually holds that title this year.” His smile is back in his voice, and I can’t help but smile at his openness about the subject.

“Is that so?” I ask as I type in his opponent's name into an online search engine. If he’s merely a runner-up, what does the winner look like?

“Yep.” Is all he says.

“Well, I can see why he beat you!” I proclaim jokingly as image after image filters on my screen. I can hear a huff on his end of the line.

“You looked him up, I'm guessing? We have mutual friends, would you like his contact information, Lorali?” I’m grateful that I can tell he’s still in a playful mood.

“Mmm hmm.” Is all I can manage as I study the images. Scott Phillips is pictured at different events around Denver and some red carpet events. Barrages of women, even some well-known celebrities, grace his arm, each event displaying a different woman. I make a mental note to check later for overlap in women between these two stunningly gorgeous men. I’d easily choose Ian over Scott; the choice would be a no-brainer! Choice! Who am I kidding! I’m delusional if I think either one would want me for more than a one night stand!

“Lorali?” Ian’s questioning voice brings me out of my daze. “Do you need a minute alone with Scott’s photos?”

I don’t even justify his question with an answer. “I think I know why he beat you. It has to be that sexy tattoo on his shoulder.” I’m gazing at a picture of a soaked Scott Phillips as he walks away from a hotel pool.

“You think that’s it, huh?”

“Has to be. I’m sure your topless body is just as magnificent, so the tattoo must be the thing that tipped the scales in his direction.” I open another window in my browser and do an image search of Ian.

“Why are you so quiet?” Ian asks.

“I’m looking for topless pictures of you. For comparison and research purposes only of course.” I laugh as I hear him chuckle again. I briefly close my eyes and picture him in my mind, knowing his dimples are on full display and sadly I’m missing them.

“Of course. Research is important, but you won’t find any to compare it to.” He declares flatly.

My quick search proves him right. The only pictures online of him are ones that he’s apparently consented to. No candid shots of him at all.

“Well damn! I guess my research is incomplete.” I actually feel disappointed, not that I couldn’t compare the two but more because I wanted to see his chest and abs!

“I’m available should you have a desire to complete your research. In person of course, no cameras allowed.” His voice has grown husky again, the sound of it making my thighs squeeze together.

“That’s incredibly generous of you, Mr. Hale. Shall I contact your assistant to make arrangements?” I giggle at the thought of walking into his office with a blown up picture of Scott Phillips to have Ian stand beside for comparison.

“I love your laugh, Lorali. And no contacting my assistant. I’d rather make all arrangements with you personally.”

Hmmm, he doesn’t want me to speak with his staff? “So it’ll be our dirty little secret then?”

“No secret, baby. I just want to hear your voice as often as I can. Although I’d prefer to make arrangements face to face.”

Baby? My body responds automatically to the term of endearment. If I get out of my own head and take heed to what Alexa’s been telling me then I can easily see that he may want to spend more time with me, but his actions last night may be speaking louder than his words.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ian. I think seeing each other only at events I’m covering would be best.” There, maybe if I make the break it’ll be easier for me in the long run.

“And why is that? I thought you had a great time last night. I know I did, and I was hoping to see you again.” I can hear the confusion in his voice, which is actually confusing me even further.

“I had a wonderful time last night.” I whisper and close my eyes, my mind wandering back to his hands on my body.

“Then why do I have to practically beg to see you again?” He questions, mild displeasure shadowing his voice.

“Because I threw myself at you last night and you shut me down. If you wanted to spend more time with me, you wouldn’t have done that. You told me Saturday that you wanted to know what my lips would feel like wrapped around your cock, and I was more than willing to let you experience that but you refused me.” I can hear the anger rising in my voice, my face is red; I can tell by the heat I feel in my cheeks.

“Lorali, you have it all wrong! I do want to know what that would feel like, even more so I’d love to know what it felt like to be buried inside your beautiful body.” A wave of cold chills flows over my body at his dangerous words.

“Yet, you rejected me.” I close my eyes, letting my mind wander back to last night. Cringing at the memory of him clutching my hands away from his zipper.

“And it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I wanted nothing more than what you were offering. But when I do have you for the first time, Lorali, it’ll not be on the floor in some old building.” His voice is husky once again. His dark promise sinking into my body the same way his words did last night.

“Well then.” I laugh. My body relaxing against my doubt about this man that has been plaguing me all week.

“So, when can I see you again? Tonight?” I can hear a hopeful tone to his question.

“Tonight is my girl’s night out with my best friend and my sister.” I wanted nothing more than to spend time with him, but I knew I needed to sort through a million things in my head, and distance from him is the only way to do it.

“Ah yes, free drinks and trolling.” He chuckles. “When are you available next?”

“It’s a pretty slow week, work wise. I’ve got nothing Saturday evening. I’m free until I come into the office on Tuesday, after a lunch event mid-day Saturday.” We’ve only seen each other during the week and I wonder if his weekends are booked.

“I have a work dinner I’m obligated to on Saturday evening.” He advised, and I can hear him flipping through what I assume is his schedule. “You know what? Why don’t you join me for the dinner and we can proceed from there?”

Work-dinner? That’s a little personal. “I can’t be your dirty little secret if you’re dragging me around your work associates, Ian.” I smile, flattered that he would even offer.

“Lorali, as much as I’d love to keep you all to myself, I’ve no intentions of keeping you a secret. Will you join me?” His voice is hopeful.

“And your plans for after dinner?” I tease, curious to know the direction he plans to take the evening.

“You…for dessert.” He offers. I gasp, my core reacting with a gentle clench and I know she’s on board with his plans.

I clear my throat. “I see. I think my presence can be arranged, Mr. Hale. At what time should I make myself available for your meal?” I feel the need to sound more professional considering the way my body is actually responding.

“I’ll pick you up from your apartment at seven thirty. Dinner is at eight.” He answers relaying the information.

“I’ll see you then.” I need to get off the phone so I can throw a little one person mini dance party in my office in celebration of the fact that I may have been totally wrong about him.

“Have fun tonight, baby. Oh and Lorali?” That word from his lips will be the death of me!

“Yes?” My response is all breathy and I’m slightly embarrassed at my inability to control my body’s reaction to him.

“No trolling for men.” His voice is serious.

I smile into the phone. “I’ll do my best.” I hang up and throw my head back in my chair and stomp my feet wildly. He has me so hot and bothered there might not be enough alcohol in the entire bar tonight to sate my desire for that man!