Janet (6 page)

“I ha
ve a feeling it’s ingrained in you,” I said.

“I’m not arrogant,” he said. “I really am just confident. And when I see something I want, I seize it. I don’t wait for it to fall into my lap. I grab it and hold on.”

I looked across the restaurant, watching the couples sitting across from each other. Everyone looked so happy and calm. Girlfriends laughed together at the bar, and a husband and wife shared a piece of cake.

“Look at me.”

The command in his voice made me flinch. I turned to him.

“I want you, Janet. And I will have you.”

I stared at his blue eyes, seeing them shine brighter than ever before. “I’m something that can’t be claimed.”

“You already are. And I’ll make sure every guy knows it, especially Ryan.”

“This may work on other girls, but it doesn’t work on me.”

“I’ve never been this way with another girl.”

“Another line,” I said.

“You like me,” Scott said. “Stop pushing me away and give me a chance.”

“But you’re really annoying.”

“
The feeling is mutual,” he said.

“Then let’s stop before we waste our time.”

“It wouldn’t be a waste,” he said.

I sighed. “I don’t know what impression I gave you, but I’m not the right person for you.”

His gaze drilled into my face. “Would you care to elaborate on that?”

“I’m not easy,” I said. “I only sleep with someone when
I’m in a relationship. I love hanging out with my best friends and going out, but most of the time, I prefer to stay at home with a pint of ice cream and watch TV. I go to the gym because my friends make me. If it was up to me, I would be fat and happy. I’m the most serious person in the world. I love my job and work very hard. I’m not spontaneous or interesting. And I’m not the most attractive girl in the world. I have a stomach, an ass, and I’m fine with that. I’ve never cared about having a perfect body, just being healthy and living long enough to retire.”

He closed his menu. “Your lack of confidence surprises me.”

“I don’t lack confidence.”

“You basically just told me all your flaws.”

“We all have flaws. I’m just humble enough to admit mine.”

“When you’re selling yourself to someone, you don’t usually lead with your shortcomings.”

“Well, I’m not selling,” I said. “I’m trying to dissuade you.”

“And I’m a man that can’t be dissuaded.” He leaned over the table. “First of all, you aren’t fat. And you definitely aren’t happy. I’ve stared at your body intently. I like what I see.”

I felt my cheeks blush even though I wished they wouldn’t.

“And I don’t want a girl that goes out all the time. I want someone to sit on the couch with, sharing a pint of ice cream. And who likes going to the gym?”

“You do, obviously,” I said sarcastically.

“I don’t go because I want to. I have to.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Someone holding a gun to your head?”

“No. But how am I supposed to protect the people in my life if I’m weak?”

“Who needs to be protected?”

“My girlfriend.” He stared into my eyes.

“Who is that?”

“I’m looking at her.”

“No,” I said. “No.”

He didn’t seem offended by the harsh rejection. “I like that you care about your friends more than anything, and I like that you’re passionate about your career. You’re a strong independent woman. I like that. And you’re always taking care of everyone else but yourself. I would like to take care of you for a change, if you’d let me. I like your catty side. You don’t take shit from anyone and you put them in their place. I find that very sexy. And I love your ass, by the way. I don’t see the stomach you’re referring to, but you’re welcome to show me anytime, along with everything else.”

I held his gaze until I couldn’t look anymore. This guy was a smooth talker. He was getting to me, even though I was mortified to admit it.

“And I can tell you aren’t easy,” he said. “Another reason why I like you.”

“You seem like the kind of guy who isn’t into that.”

“I’m not sure what gave you that impression.”

“Your brothers.”

He shrugged. “I’ve had a few one night stands. Who hasn’t? But I’ve never been in a relationship with someone that I had a one night stand with. They are separate. And those types of girls aren’t the ones I’d want to settle down with.”

“You don’t know anything about me,” I said. “I could be the biggest whore in this city.”

“I do my research before I make a move. I picked Layla’s brain for a while.”

“Well, I don’t tell my girlfriends everything.”

He smiled. “I think you do. And if you don’t, what are you hiding? Are you a human resources director by day and a prostitute by night? You have to
o much respect for yourself to be that way, which is another reason why I like you.”

The waiter came to our table and took our orders. Scott surprised me
when he ordered a salad with a light dressing. I still ordered the fried artichoke hearts and the margarita, not caring what he thought.

When the waiter walked away, Scott smiled at me. “
You have the appearance of a lady, but the stomach of a man.”

I patted my belly. “I have an iron stomach.”

“I’d love to see it.” He stared at me while he drank from his water.

I’d love to see his too. But I pushed the thought away. “I don’t know anything about you.”

“What would you like to know?”

“Anything.”

He was quiet for a moment. “Well, I grew up with two brothers and a sister. That information isn’t new. I love my niece and nephew. And I’m excited for the third one on the way. I hope it’s another boy.”

“Why did you help Layla move a few months ago?”

He stared at me. “Kyle called me and told me he needed help. He didn’t explain anything.”

“And you just did as he asked? No questions asked?”

“You’d do the same for your sister, wouldn’t you?”

“Well, yeah.”

“How is it any different?”

“Layla is his girlfriend. Kyle didn’t need any help.”

“It doesn’t matter. If he loves her, so do I. I’d do anything for him. My brother pisses me off and I want to kill them, but that fact doesn’t change. And we are even worse when it comes to Elisa. We act like she’s the most annoying person on the planet, but I would die just to make her happy. She’s my baby sister.”

“The Benedicts are a very enigmatic clan.”

“Not really,” he said. “We’re pretty straight forward.”

“And you’re all ridiculously good looking.”

He smiled. “Thank you.”

I rolled my eyes.

“My sister used to be a model before she got married.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “It wasn’t anything big. She just did it for extra cash.”

“That’s cool.”

“I used to be a model too.”

“Of course you were.”

He smiled. “I needed the extra money to pay back my loans.”

“What kind of model were you?”

“Underwear model.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“You’re going to look me up as soon as you get home.”

“No,” I said quickly.”

“Sure…”

“There’s that cocky attitude again.”

Scott laughed. “You’re right. I’ll tone it down.”

“Who did you model for?”

“Ralph Lauren.”

“That’s crazy.”

He shrugged. “It was good money.”

“Then why did you stop?”

“I wasn’t going to change someone’s life doing that, except for a few horny girls.”

I glared at him.

“Sorry,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer.”

“What kind are you? A defendant?”

“Fuck no,” he snapped. “I’m a prosecutor. I put scum behind bars, not vindicate them.”

The waiter brought our plates then walked away.

“Do you like your job?” I asked.

“I love it,” he said. “I get a few death threats and bribes, but other than that, it’s the best.”

“You probably work all the time.”

“Is that a bad thing?” he asked.

“No.”

“I know you’re the same way,” he said. “And I know we would have a lot to discuss during pillow talk.”

“Pillow talk?” I asked.

“What you talk about after sex and before bed.”

“Well, that’s forward.”

He picked up his fork and leaned forward. “I get what I want, Janet. You’re too good to pass up.”

“You’re creepy.”

“I know you don’t think that.” He ate his salad gracefully, his elbows off the table and his back straight.

“You’d be wrong.”

“Then you like kissing creepy people.”

I sighed, knowing he caught me.

“Did you always want to be a human resources director?”

I shrugged. “It wasn’t always my dream, but I enjoy doing it. It pays well, has good hours, and comes with benefits.”

“What’s your dream?”

“To be a teacher.”

“Then why aren’t you?”

“They don’t make enough money,” I said.

“You don’t seem like someone who cares about that.”

“I don’t,” I said. “But I need to support myself on a single woman’s salary.”

“You won’t be single forever.”

I avoided his gaze and took a bite of my fried artichoke.

“What’s the story?” he asked.

“There is no story.”

“I hate liars.”

I sighed. “I just have a hard time finding guys.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“I’m just picky,” I said. “It’s hard for me to feel something for men. I usually feel hollow and empty. There are no emotions there, no butterflies, no excitement. I feel out of place and awkward. There’s just nothing there.”

“It sounds like you’re going out with the wrong guys.”

“Or maybe there’s something wrong with me.”

“No,” he said quickly. “You have high standards. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Ryan is a really nice guy, but there’s nothing there.”

“Even from across the room, I could tell,” he said.

I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“You broke it off with him, right?”

“There’s nothing to break off.”

“When he asks you out again, you’ll say no, right?”

“I guess,” I said.

“You guess?” he snapped. “Don’t date someone you don’t like.”

“Maybe I’ll feel something if I give him another chance.”

He glared at me. “If you’re going to feel something for him, it would have happened already. It should
n’t be forced. If anything, it should be fought. It’s uncontrollable to the point of frustration.”

That immediately reminded me of him. I tried not to think about Scott but he usually popped into my mind. I’d lusted after his body a few times. And I was eager to look up his picture when I got home later tonight. But I didn’t like his cocky and controlling nature. Well, I did, but only to a certain extent.

“You feel something for me, Janet. You’re dating me—exclusively. That’s the end of the story.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Your kiss said otherwise.”

“I was just surprised.”

“Do you always moan like that?”

“I moaned?” My cheeks turned red.

He nodded.

Damn.

“You aren’t dating him. I’ll talk to him if I have to.”

I glared at him. “It’s shit like this that makes me not want to date you.”

“What?” he asked innocently.

“You won’t tell me what to do.”

“I’m not,” he said. “I’m just giving you a nudge out the door. If I don’t, you’ll just waste your time with him. And you’re dating me. It’s not fair to me.”

“Okay, I never said I was dating you.”

“Well we are.”

“I hate you.”

“Too bad,” he said.

“You’re so annoying.”

He grabbed my face and kissed me across the table.

Just like before, I melted. The taste of the vinaigrette was on my tongue. His mouth was hot and controlling. It felt good against my own. The anger left my body like it had before. I shattered at the feel of his touch.

He pulled away. “This discussion is over.”

I said nothing, feeling the air vacant my lungs.

Scott ate his salad then pushed it away.

I h
ad nothing to say, not after that kiss. As much as I hated to admit it, it made me feel weak, wanting more.