Let It Be Me Read online

  Pulling myself together, I go to the door, opening it for Tucker.

  He looks unbelievably exquisite and all my worries from before instantly vanish. In a crisp black suit with a green shirt underneath that brings out the honey in his eyes, I find myself breathless. He is wearing no tie, the first three buttons open in a casual way. His hair is brushed to the side, his chin dusted with a light brown hair and damn. He’s sexy as hell. I don’t know what it is. It isn’t like this is a new look for him; he always dresses like this but something is different. Something I can’t figure out. Maybe it’s his eyes. They’re running over my body like water, taking in every single inch of me, almost like he is memorizing me.

  When his eyes meet mine again, I can only blink as he says, “Wow. Violet, you look amazing.”

  I feel my face flush before looking down at the floor. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Ready?”

  “Yes.”

  I grab my purse off my bed and then follow him out of the room. Walking together, we make our way to the elevator and I feel his eyes on me. I can’t bear to look over at him. I might giggle or something crazy. Don’t laugh at me. This is serious. I don’t know how to act and I hate that. This is my friend. My boss. He’s the same guy he’s been for the last couple months. I need to get it together before I embarrass myself completely but for some reason I can’t. Things feel different and that makes me more nervous than I was before. Shaking my head, the doors of the elevator open and we step out.

  As we walk, I can feel his hand resting on the small of my back and I’m inwardly giggling. We’re having dinner in the hotel restaurant and from what Tucker says, it’s fantastic. I’m excited and hope my nerves calm down so I can actually eat. After talking to the concierge, we’re led to our table. The restaurant is beautiful. Big white columns fill the hall, giving off a plantation home time feel. Each table is set with roses as a centerpiece and candles. It feels very high class, very expensive. I’ve never been somewhere so beautiful to eat and my excitement is growing with each step we take to our table.

  Tucker pulls my chair out for me and I smile in thanks as I sit down. When he sits down across from me, I watch as he pulls out the menu and begins to read it. I do the same thing but when I see the prices I cringe. Seventy-five bucks for chicken!? Jeez!!

  “Do you like wine?”

  I look up, meeting his gaze before shrugging my shoulders. “I’ve only had cheap stuff.”

  Nothing like this. Two thousand dollars for a bottle of wine? Good God.

  “Okay, do you like Pinot Noir?”

  I have no idea but I feel stupid not knowing if I do or not, so I say, “Sure.”

  He chuckles as he says, “That doesn’t sound very confident.”

  I smile as I blush. “Yeah. I’m not.”

  When the waiter comes up, Tucker smiles as he says, “Welcome, sir and madam, my name is Raoul and I’ll be your waiter tonight. Would you and your beautiful wife like to start with one of our premium wines?”

  Before I can correct him that Tucker is not my husband, Tucker says, “Yes, can we please have a bottle of 1999 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache?”

  He says it like he has lived in Italy, drinking that wine his whole life. It’s incredibly sexy and I sorta wish he would talk Italian to me all night. I’m pretty sure I’d end up being a puddle of goo. With a nod, the waiter scurries away as Tucker looks across the table at me, a grin playing on his lips.

  Jeez, have you ever seen anything sexier?

  “Since we’re celebrating a successful weekend, I think we need the best wine, don’t you?”

  I nod quickly, excited not only for the wine but for the night ahead of us. With his whiskey gaze on mine, I’m breathless. I feel this pull between us and I’m trying to ignore it, but it’s so damn hard. When his mouth curves up in a grin, I can hardly breathe as I say, “I sure do.”

  I cannot believe it, but I think I might be drunk.

  Or tipsy, I’m not sure, but really, I don’t care. This wine is fantastic.

  The food has been amazing, too. I’ve only picked at my main course but that’s because there were three courses before it. Even with all the food I ate, this is the best chicken Marsala I’ve ever eaten. It is exquisite. It’s been a long time since I’ve eaten somewhere that blows my mind and it isn’t only the food; it’s Tucker too. He’s kept the conversation going effortlessly. We’ve talked about everything it seems and I swear it seems like we’ve known each other our whole lives. I feel comfortable with him and it’s such a refreshing feeling. I don’t know when I’ll get the next chance to sit in a fancy restaurant with a sexy guy sitting across from me, his eyes glued to mine, so I need to enjoy this.

  And I am. Looking across the table I take in everything about him. His eyes are light, playful even, and I feel so beautiful in his gaze. I don’t know why but I feel different right now looking at him. Something is happening between us and I’m scared to put a label on it. I know that I’m developing more than a crush on him and that’s stupid on my part. I can’t fall for him when I have a husband I have to get away from first, but how can I not when he is smiling at me like this? Holding me in his gaze like I’m the only woman in the room? I feel so important, so wanted and it’s hard not to fall for someone that gives me everything I crave. Every moment I spend with him, the more I know I can’t leave him behind. He’ll always be a part of me, and maybe after I get away and get some help, get myself established, I can admit the way I feel and maybe he’ll feel the same. I know it’s crazy to assume that he will but when I look at him, I feel he does and that alone gives me hope.

  One day, my life will be what I want it to be. It’s in my grasp, I just have to grab it and hold on and fight. Right now though, I’m going to drink my wine and enjoy the view in front of me. Tonight, nothing matters but me enjoying myself.

  Sipping my wine, I look at up at Tucker. “I feel that going digital is the best option for us.”

  Tucker nods. “I agree. I think when my father see’s your notes, he’ll agree. I have no doubt about that.”

  “I think the girls will love it, too. It will be easier.”

  “Yeah, but after we merge completely into it, we’ll have to let go of Amy and Rita,” he says sadly and I bite into my lip. Amy and Rita are our filing girls and he’s right unless we can find another job for them.

  “Maybe they can be floaters? They always help when needed, so maybe we can float them or better yet, send them to school for Medical Assisting so we can have floaters for the patients,” I suggest.

  “That’s a fantastic idea, Violet. God, you amaze me,” he says and his eyes look into mine with such intensity that it’s hard to deny what he says.

  I smile shyly as I look down at my uneaten chicken. “Stop, you’re making me blush.”

  “Good, I love the color on you.”

  I glance up to see his eyes have darkened and when they fall to where I’m working my bottom lip with my teeth, I swear my heart stops. He is looking at me like a man about to pounce and I think there is a chance I’d let him. Ack! No! No, that’s a bad idea. Not yet. Not now. One day but not now.

  “Are you finished eating?”

  “I’m full,” I admit shyly, “I’m not used to all the food we got.”

  “Yeah, it’s a lot but that’s why I like this restaurant. I love to eat.”

  “I know you do,” I say with a laugh, “You ate your weight in snacks on the way here.”

  He laughs along with me before saying, “I know, I’m horrible.”

  “But hey, at least you look hot. Lots of people can’t do that, but you can,” I point out before taking a sip of my wine. When he doesn’t say anything I look across the table to see him staring at me. “What?”

  “You think I’m hot?” he asks playfully.

  My cheeks burn with embarrassment. I did say that didn’t I? Shit. Working my lip, I look away as I try to figure out what I’m going to say.

  “Well, yes, I do, b