Chapter Seven

Constantine viewed surprise, followed by fear in the widening and narrowing of Chloe’s eyelids. Her small hands clenched into fists. The front door stole her full attention. She was going to bolt. He’d scared her off. His fantasy woman had returned to Midnight’s to seduce a member of his wait staff. And Constantine was no mere waiter.

“Chloe,” he said, grasping her elbow before she could dash for the door. “I have that dry-cleaning bill in my office.” He tugged gently, but firmly on her arm, turning her away from the exit. “Didn’t you offer to pay for that lipstick stain?”

“Oh,” she said, her voice high. “I’d forgotten.”

“Please excuse us.” He nodded to Jill and Kyle. “We have unfinished business.”

“Take your time. We’re not going anywhere,” Jill said, sending a wink at her petite, brunette friend.

“But…” Chloe’s voice squeaked.

“This way.” He tucked her delicate hand into the crook of his arm and led her to his private office. His fantasy was coming true. The woman of his daydreams walked with him toward his innermost sanctum.

They moved down the hall toward the restrooms, but instead turned right at the door marked Employees Only. The outer office held a desk for his floor manager and a row of lockers. Past the metal cabinets, the door to his private office awaited. He slid a key from his pocket and unlocked the knob, releasing Chloe to wave her in first.

She took two timid steps into the dark, masculine room. A leather couch to the left gave way to two complementary high-back chairs and his five-foot-long mahogany desk. Chloe’s focus wasn’t on the furniture. Her blue eyes saucered when she took in the two-way mirror opposite the couch.

He chuckled, which caused her to startle and step further inside. He closed and locked the door. Walking past her, he opened his arms to encompass the room. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”

She twisted her fingers and stepped past the couch. Deciding against the chairs, she leaned her hip against the desk.

His cock stiffened. If she had any idea of what he wanted to do to her on that mahogany surface, she might’ve opted for a chair.

He sauntered to her side, keeping space between them, and faced the window. A woman approached the glass and checked her eye makeup.

Chloe giggled. “This seems … naughty.”

“Look,” he said, taking her hand and raising it to wave at the woman. “You can do anything you want in here.” He placed a soft kiss on her knuckle before releasing her. “No one will ever know.”

Her cheeks turned pink and she rubbed her thumb absently across the spot he had kissed.

“No one can tell we’re behind the mirror. It’s a common business practice to help keep an eye on things. Come here.”

He walked to the glass and tapped it. “Look.”

When she reached his side, he pointed to a table by the front door. “See the woman with the large brown purse?”

“Yes.”

“She slipped a set of silverware inside.”

“No,” Chloe’s voice whispered in disbelief.

“Yes. And she’ll go for the other set too.”

Chloe waited with rapt attention to see if he was correct. Her innocence stoked his desire to learn more about her. How could a lovely woman like Chloe remain so unjaded?

He stepped to his desk and picked up the phone. After pushing a button, he said, “Hi, Dave, it’s Ellen at table two again.” He paused. “Yes, thanks.”

A waiter stopped at the table and squatted at eye level to discreetly speak with the woman.

“Ellen has a bit of a klepto problem,” he said.

After the woman nonchalantly replaced the silverware from her purse, the waiter strolled away.

“You handled that well,” Chloe said. “I take it she’s a regular?”

“Every Wednesday and Saturday.” He leaned his shoulder against the window and let his gaze move onto the tantalizing brunette. “I was worried you weren’t coming back.”

She turned to face him and mimicked his stance.

Good girl. Good sign. Good God, he wanted to kiss her.

“I’ve been thinking about you too.” Her words were low, breathy.

He raised his hand to her mouth and traced her bottom lip with his thumb. “You are incredibly beautiful, Chloe.” His fingertips traced the line of her jaw.

She bit her lip and turned to face the window once more. “You watched me the night we met.”

Her voice didn’t hold an accusatory tone. She simply stated a fact.

He took a position squarely behind her and caressed her arms. “You held me under your spell from the first moment I saw you.”

Capturing her hands, he raised them overhead, and planted her palms on the cool glass. Nuzzled into the back of her neck, he inhaled the fruity scent of her shampoo. “I swear, no one can see in.”

Her breathing increased and she wiggled to get closer.

Maybe if he took charge, she’d feel more at ease. “Keep your palms on the window.”

He released her delicate fingers and she held the pose. “You are beyond sexy in that dress, Chloe.” Stroking the soft fuzz of the material, he traced her spine until he could cup her ass. Then he started again at her wrists to stroke her arms. He slid his fingers around her waist and she gasped, spinning to face him. Her arms wrapped protectively around her stomach. Her lips curled in to keep her from saying something.

“I’m sorry,” he said, stepping backward.

He’d moved too fast. Pushed her too quickly. Ruined his chance to fulfill his fantasy.

“I didn’t mean—”

One arm remained wrapped around her waist. Her free hand clasped over her mouth. Her eyes took on a glassy sheen.

Did she want to be in charge? He was fine with that.

Anything.

So long as she didn’t leave.