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“Don’t worry, I promise to get you back in one piece.”
Again, I burst out laughing. Gabriella definitely knows how to keep me on my toes. She’s such a breath of fresh air compared to all of the other women I’ve known.
“I’ve seen that fancy, little car you drive,” she says. “I’m sure it can go pretty fast, too.”
“Yeah, sure, but I never got personal driving instructions from Richard Petty.” I turn and look at her. “Maybe you can teach me some tricks.”
“Oh, I’m sure I could teach you quite a few tricks.”
Her low, sexy tone has my dick lengthening against my zipper. Fuck. Maybe if drinks go well, it can lead to dinner. Then, if things go really well, maybe I can get her back to my place for a hot night because I’m pretty damn sure that Bri and I would set the sheets on fire. The nickname fits her well and I decide I’m going to start using it.
“So, where are we going?” I ask, looking back out the windshield.
“Have you ever been to Maximilian’s?”
“I love that place.”
“I figured. It’s where all the business tycoons hang out.”
It doesn’t take long to get there and Gabriella pulls up to the valet. We get out and, as we walk into the restaurant, I feel really fucking cool having this beautiful, intelligent woman at my side. I’m tempted to place my hand on her back, to let everyone know that she’s mine, but that would be a lie. I barely know her. However, I’m dying to find out more about her.
We sit down at a corner table that’s relatively private and will allow us to talk without getting interrupted too much. Or so I hope. A lot of people I know come here after work and hang out. But, I don’t want to talk to any of them tonight. All I want to do is focus all of my attention on Gabriella.
After ordering drinks, I allow my gaze to move over her face. I’ve never been so attracted to a woman before. Everything about her is perfect, right up my alley, and I look forward to spending this evening with her.
“So, I have to admit, the reason I asked you here is purely selfish.”
“You want my body?” I tease and she laughs.
“Actually, I want to pick your brain.”
And just like that my erection deflates. The last thing I want is a boring business meeting with Gabriella. Damn.
3
GABRIELLA
The disappointed look that crosses Enzo’s face is almost comical. His shoulders droop slightly and a muscle flexes in his jaw. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s interested in more than just business. Well, I am, too, but he doesn’t need to know that right away. And, he certainly doesn’t need to know that I’m sitting here contemplating having a one-night stand with him. I’ve always believed that it’s important for a woman to hold her cards close in order to have the upper hand. But, I’m about to break my own rules.
“It’s not the only reason I asked you out for drinks,” I admit, and he perks up. “But, first things first. Don’t let this go to your head, but I know how successful and talented you are when it comes to making wise investments. I’d like to ask your personal opinion on a matter.”
“What matter?” he asks as the server delivers our drinks.
I take a sip of my espresso martini and he takes a drink of his whiskey. We watch each other over the rims of our glasses, like two opponents about to face off. Maybe I should be more careful about what information I give him. Deciding to keep the name of the company a secret, I set my glass down and consider my next words carefully.
“There’s a particular company I’m considering acquiring. The CEO is retiring and business isn’t great, which means I can buy the company on the cheap.”
He nods, listening closely. “Go on.”
“Well, if I can incorporate my ideas, I believe I can turn things around. It could be a sound investment and a great addition to my holding company.”
“What’s giving you doubts?”
I launch into everything, sharing the company’s history, track record, basically everything except the company’s name. I share financials and statistics. I share my ideas about how I can flip the script and turn losses into profits. But, most of all, I share the biggest thing holding me back—fear that I’ll fail and the humiliation that will accompany that failure.
“This would be my first real acquisition on my own with no guidance,” I confide, finishing up my second martini. “Up until now, I’ve just been managing what my father did with help from my Uncle Sal.”
I’m much more talkative after a couple of drinks and Enzo is so easy to talk to. He listens closely and makes me feel important…worthy of his undivided attention. And I really like that.
