Liam Bloom wasn’t interested in business talk, as far as I could tell. He was more interested in finding out where I came from and what my interests were. But not in a way that made me feel interesting . . . More like he was just keeping me talking so he could stare at me.
I was uncomfortable under the man’s heavy gaze. The way his eyes traveled to my breasts, how he watched my mouth when I spoke. I could sense what was going on in his mind.
Michael was sitting on the other side and had been pretty silent for the past hour that I had been there. He’d tried a few times to steer the conversation in the direction of their business deal, but they were all failed attempts. Liam Bloom was only interested in speaking with me, and I could sense that this meeting was not going as successfully as planned.
Was it the dress I was wearing? My lipstick? I was doubting myself, blaming my clothes and my behavior for the tone this evening had taken. Even though I answered all of Mr. Bloom’s questions and tried to make myself as amiable as possible, I wasn’t enjoying myself. Far from it.
I’d barely finished my first drink when he ordered me a second one. Was he trying to get me drunk? Was that Michael’s idea too? I wasn’t sure what he wanted from me. What he expected from this meeting. Did he expect me to go home with him? To try and bag him as a client in some other way? Once that idea got into my head, I couldn’t get it out. I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to leave right then. I waited patiently for an opportunity, and it finally arrived when Michael tried to interrupt the conversation.
“Liam, as much as I’m sure Aria is enjoying your conversation, I believe that we should get down to business matters now. We do have a lot to discuss, as you know,” he said.
I stood up from my chair with a jerk. “Yes. In fact, I think I should be going,” I declared.
Liam Bloom stood as well. “Of course not, my dear. You are here to learn, and I’m eager to teach. The night has only just begun,” he reached for my elbow, and when I felt his hand on my body, I flinched.
Michael jumped up, intervening. He’d reached across the table and grabbed my other elbow and was slowly tugging me towards him.
“Yes. That is a good idea, Aria. I’m sure you’ve experienced as much as you needed to. You have an early meeting tomorrow, so you should get going,” Michael said, looking into my eyes directly. There was so much I wanted to say to him. I couldn’t believe he had put me through this.
“Now, Michael. You’re spoiling all our fun. Don’t be the big bad boss. Aria should stay. I’m having a great time!” Liam didn’t seem to notice my discomfort.
Michael had pulled me to his side and held me by my elbow tightly in position. “Yes, I can see you are, but Aria has to leave. I’m sorry about that,” Michael spoke firmly, and I could see the disappointment in Liam’s eyes. Had Michael just spoiled his chance of sealing the deal?
“Suit yourselves,” Liam grunted and sat down with a thump on his chair.
“Good night, Mr. Bloom. It was a pleasure meeting you,” I murmured as politely as I could, but he had extracted his cellphone from his pocket and didn’t pay attention to what I’d said. It was like the moment he’d realized I wasn’t staying and there was no chance of me going home with him, he wasn’t interested in me anymore.
“I’m going to see Aria to the door, Liam. Stay put,” Michael said, but the other man didn’t acknowledge his words.
With his hand still gripping my elbow, Michael started leading me to the door of the bar. Neither of us spoke till we got there, far out of Liam Bloom’s earshot.
“Aria . . . ” he began to say, and I yanked my arm away from him.
“So this was what you wanted? You literally threw me at him!” I hissed, and Michael looked around to make sure that we weren’t being overheard.
“Okay, that was not what I was expecting. You clearly made a deep impression on him,” he replied, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Oh. So this is my fault?”
“That is not what I said!”
“What are you saying then? That I dressed too provocatively? That it’s my fault that Liam Bloom didn’t want to conduct business dealings with you tonight?” I continued, trying to keep my voice down.
Michael breathed in deeply, squaring his shoulders, and shook his head.
“This is not the time or the place to have this discussion, Aria. Later, when I have the chance, I hope to make you see that none of this was what I had in mind,” Michael explained in a low somber voice.
“It’s not required, Mr. Sole. You don’t need to give me any explanation for what happened tonight. Mr. Bloom is exactly like you, using his power and his money to prey on a girl. Well, both of you got it wrong. I’m not going to be preyed upon!” I didn’t wait for a response from him. I whipped around and rushed out of the door, running to the edge of the street to hail a cab.
I could sense Michael behind me at the door. He was watching me. He even waited till I got into the cab, but he said nothing. What was left for him to say? We both knew that he’d used me, and I’d luckily saved myself in time.