It was seven already, and I was engrossed in my work, checking demographics of all the Montgomery bank branches.
Two weeks had gone by uneventfully. I barely had time to socialize. I’d been working my ass off almost every day, staying past work hours. The desire to climb to the top was my driving force.
“You know, you could go home and continue this all tomorrow,” Anthony commented.
I was so focused on my work that I’d forgotten he was here. He stayed late most evenings.
“I’d rather do it now, thank you.”
A message popped up on my phone from Sybil.
Don’t forget about our double date, girl.
Shit!
I’d forgotten about the double date. Sybil had become obsessed with my dating life, nagging me over and over.
She was lucky I loved her because I normally wouldn’t even entertain the idea. After this, hopefully, she would cool off with the matchmaking.
I rubbed my fingers on my temple and looked up. As my eyes drifted to my watch, I realized it was seven thirty p.m.
Damn! Sybil would be pissed if I stood her up.
I hastened and left the office. It took me only a few minutes to drive home and freshen up.
Sybil had left me tons of messages and missed calls. I had no idea who she’d set me up with. I would rather curl up on my sofa and binge on some of my favorite Kinky Games episodes.
As I reached our meeting place, I saw Sybil and a blond guy sitting at a table. I wondered if he was my date as I walked toward them. He wasn’t my type; he looked too rocker in a way that instantly turned me off. His blond hair was slicked to the back, and he wore an earring.
“Hey, girlfriend.” Sybil waved at me as I was speculating the stranger. She gave me a warm hug and introduced me to the guy at the table. “Amber, meet my date, Liam.” She shook her head at me when I sighed in relief. Liam stood and shook my hand. “Liam, this is my best friend, Amber.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Liam.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, pretty girl.” Liam flashed me a smile.
I wondered where my date was as I sat. Sybil signaled me to be patient, indicating that he would join us soon.
Half an hour later, I was on my second glass of Diet Coke and rum, yet my date was nowhere to be found. I couldn’t resist glancing at my watch over and over. It didn’t help that Liam wouldn’t stop talking about himself. Suddenly, Sybil’s face lit up with a smile.
“There he is!” she said, enthusiastically waving at him.
I cringed when a guy who seemed obviously drunk sauntered over to us. I could smell the alcohol on his body. He didn’t look like Ken, Barbie’s boyfriend, like Sybil had described. He looked masculine with a cleft in his chin and striking facial features.
“Hey,” he said.
“Amber, this is Carlos, your date,” Sybil introduced him cheerfully. “Carlos, meet Amber.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carlos.”
“Likewise, beautiful. You know, I used to have a girlfriend named Amber. She was a freak in the sheets. She would scream like a banshee every time I made her come. I hope all Ambers are like that.”
Oh, hell no, what the fuck have I gotten myself into? Note to self: do not commit manslaughter. What the fuck was Sybil thinking?
With slurred words, he ordered a waitress for drinks.
A slim waitress sashayed to our table. Her shirt had a few buttons undone, which openly displayed her breasts. She blushed when Carlos winked at her.
“What would you like to drink?” she asked with a coquettish smile.
“What’s the best thing a man can have here … besides you on my face?”
The. Fuck? It’s official. I definitely plan to kill him tonight.
“Oh, we have the best of everything here.” She licked her lips. “Would you like something strong?”
“Yeah,” Carlos moaned. “Beer.”
I shook my head at this point. Sybil had an angry look on her face that I knew all too well. She was gonna make her way over here and snap soon. Surprisingly, her date was acting nicer than mine. Despite Liam’s fancy look, he was a gentleman. He reached for Sybil’s hand and squeezed it affectionately. He seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.
The waitress took Carlos’s order and left. I tried to strike up a conversation with him and get to know him better. But he seemed more interested in the waitress. His gaze followed her around until she returned to our table with his order. Carlos brushed his fingers across her knuckles, and she giggled and winked at him. I decided to wait until the end of the date, for the sake of my friend. Occasionally, Liam tried to draw me into their conversation. He wasn’t so bad; maybe I had hastily judged him.
Suddenly, I felt a tingling sensation in my spine. I rubbed my hand on my neck as my gaze drifted around. I almost choked on my drink when I saw Nicholas at the bar with a gorgeous woman. The woman wore a hot, dazzling, and skimpy black dress, which made her look like a model with her flawless skin.
My heart tightened with jealousy when I noticed the way he was looking at her. He would definitely be having sex with her tonight. My cheeks burned, and I felt tingles in my breasts. I couldn’t help wishing I could trade places with her. I imagined myself in the shower with Nicholas, feeling his warm, body against mine. I could feel his wet tongue on mine as his fingers brushed across my nipples.
Fuck, I was already panting!
The front of my dress was damp and reeking of beer. It took me some seconds to realize what had happened. Carlos had spilled his drink on my dress.
“Seriously!” I exclaimed.
My date just shrugged his shoulders and didn’t even attempt to help me. I guessed chivalry was dead.
“Can I get more beer?” Carlos yelled.
A waiter came over to our table, but Carlos pushed him away.
“I don’t want a jerk like you to serve me. Call that sexy waitress!”
I was embarrassed when Nicholas looked up, and our eyes met across the room. He stood up and made his way toward us. My cheeks twitched as a tremor sailed through me. Nicholas stopped in front of Carlos.
“Hey, your car is being towed; you might be able to stop them if you hurry,” Nicholas said.
“Shit,” Carlos cried. “Fuck!”
Nicholas pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the stain off my dress. Carlos had left the bar, but I was still embarrassed. Sybil was staring at us with her mouth wide open in shock. It seemed she had recognized Nicholas. He managed to take off most of the stain and moisture from my dress.
Then, he leaned over and whispered, “Don’t worry; your date won’t be coming back. I’ve also taken care of the bill for your table.” With that, he walked away without another word.
I watched in shock as he and his lady friend left the restaurant.
“Girl … was that … your sexy-as-sin boss? Damn, girl, the way he was watching you was so intense; it felt like he wanted to eat you raw!”
“Sybil, no more talking, please. Look at my dress. I got this on clearance at Dots, and it’s ruined,” I scolded her.
“Come on, Amber. Let’s hit up Leigh Bar! Drinks on me.”
Damn, she knew how to turn my frown upside down.
“Okay, I’m down, but what about your date?”
“Since I already rode his face earlier today, I can’t just leave him hanging. I’ll bring him with us, so he can buy my drinks.”