“Enjoy your dessert, sweet Mallory. I’m sure it won’t be as decadent as you.”

With that, he’s pulling back and heading across the restaurant. I watch as one of the hostesses steps in front of him as he tries to leave. She looks like a model who moonlights here to make ends meet. She’s flawless with her straight blond hair and legs that go on for days in her short black dress. She reaches out to touch his arm, but he sidesteps her, giving her a firm head shake, clearly dismissing her, before exiting out the front of the restaurant. What was that all about?

“That was intense,” Paige says, pulling my eyes away from the door.

“Was that a goodbye?” Maybe my awkwardness was too much for him. He shot out of here rather fast.

“Well, yeah, he left.” She eyes me like I’m crazy and doesn’t get what I mean.

“No, I meant like goodbye-goodbye. No more texting me or whatever.” I wave my hands around like that might help explain what I mean.

“No.” Her eyebrows rise, and she shakes her head like I’m crazy. “That man is hooked.” She says it with such conviction that I’m almost afraid to doubt her. But yet I still do.

“How do you know?”

“Anyone with eyes could tell, Mal. He’s into you. Like really into you.”

Just then our desserts arrive. Three people drop them off, and the plates and bowls cover the entire table.

“Jesus.” Paige’s face lights up like it’s Christmas morning. “Marry him,” she says, picking up a fork and digging in.

“The check has been taken care of, ladies.” Without waiting for a response, the waiter scurries from the table.

I pick up my phone and see the text that Oz was talking about.

Oz: I spent an entire meeting not paying attention to anything that was being discussed, nodding along. If I agreed to give my company away, I blame it entirely on you. And if one of the questions my secretary asked me was about attending some charity event, then you’re coming with me. It’s the least you could do.

The words make me smile.

“Looks like someone is equally hooked.”

That’s an understatement. I’m far too gone for Oz. I’m already freaking out that I blew things.

My phone buzzes, a new text from Oz. My heart skips a beat.

Oz: I forgot to tell you how stunning you looked. I was too busy staring at you. I couldn’t help myself.

Me: You looked pretty handsome yourself.

Oz: I can’t wait to see you tomorrow and have you all to myself.

Me: Me neither.

I look up, and Paige is in a dessert fog. It’s then I see the hostess who tried to talk to Oz earlier giving me a death glare. I look away. I definitely don’t like that. What if this guy has a line of women I’ll always have to put up with? It makes me wonder who he is, but dealing with women he’s left in his wake isn’t something I’ll do.

Me: Your hostess is giving me a death look.

Oz: Is Paige still with you?

His text comes fast.

Me: She has eight desserts to get through. We might never leave.

Oz: She isn’t my hostess.

Me: Okay. But I think she thinks she is.

Oz: I’ve never said more than table for one to her, so I’m not sure how she could be mine. The only thing I want to be mine has me on the chase for her.

His words calm me, and my jealousy dissipates.

Me: I’m not making you chase me.

Oz: Oh, but you are. It’s a chase I’ll enjoy every moment of, if it gets me you.

Chapter Seven

Mallory

* * *

I have a restless night, the nerves of anticipation keeping me up. I have dreams where I’m on the run and oz is hunting me. The last dream I remember is being in a grassy field, hiding among flowers. Oz finds me and holds me down while he kisses my body. I wake up covered in sweat and more turned on than I’ve ever been in my life.

Looking at the clock, I see it’s before six in the morning. I give up on trying to go back to sleep after that dream, so I reach over and grab my phone. There’s a text from Oz lighting up the screen, and I smile like a lunatic.

Oz: I can’t wait to see you today. It’s been too long.

Me: Did you forget you saw me last night?

Oz: You’re up too early. Go back to sleep, baby. And I would never forget seeing you.

My cheeks burn. Thank God he can’t see my violent blush.

Me: Maybe I can’t wait to see you today, too.

Oz: You have no idea what hearing you say that does to me.

Biting my bottom lip, I try to think of a sexy response, but he’s quicker.

Oz: What color tie should I wear today?

I like the notion of picking out something he’s going to wear, that I could be a part of his day in some way.

Me: Blue...like your eyes.

Oz: I prefer yours. Light gray with just a hint of gold.

Me: Someone’s been paying close attention.

Oz: My sweet Mallory, if only you knew.

I love how he calls me his. I should be putting up more of a fight, but it’s so nice to belong to someone.

Me: Then gray...like my eyes.

Oz: Anything you ask, it’s yours.

With that, I throw off the covers, deciding to go ahead and get ready for our breakfast date. I need to cool off after my steamy dream and all the blushing from our texts. I take a cold shower to finish waking me up and to shut my body down. I don’t need to be sitting across the table from him all gooey and doe-eyed.

Oz is a man of power, that much is clear from his presence. I’m a smart woman with self-confidence, and I have a lot to bring to any conversation. I don’t want to sit there, tongue-tied because I can’t control my erratic hormones.