Chapter 110: The Unexpected Meeting

I turned to Herman's office to ask if he had notified Mr. Montero of the change in arrangements, but then it rang again, stopping me in my tracks. I sighed and connected the call. If Herman hadn't advised him, I would have. And if it doesn't fit, it's bad luck. I was making a mess of convincing myself that I passed on the contract because Herman was better suited for the project. I know damn well that's only half the reason

'Hello.' I say, stamping my foot a little for sounding apprehensive in my greeting. I aimed for sure and confident.

Shaira Rose?' His husky voice had the same effect on my fragile senses as it had on Friday. But at least on the phone, he doesn't see me physically shaking.

'Who is speaking?' There. That's better - professional, businesslike, and firm. He laughed a little, and I completely passed out. 'Now, I know you already know the answer to that question because my name came up on your phone,' I cringed on the spot.

'Trying to play it cool?' Oh, the proud ass! How did he know that? But then realization hit me. 'You added yourself to my contacts list?' I sighed. When did he do that? I mentally sprinted through our meeting and settled on my visit to the toilet when I left my portfolio and phone on the table. I can't believe he went through my phone!

'I need to touch you.' Oh no. Herman, obviously, didn't tell her. However, you don't go around snooping on strangers' phones. He is very assured. And storing it under Engelbert? That sounds a little familiar.

"Herman should have contacted you,' I told him coldly. 'I'm afraid I can't help you, but Herman will be more than happy to help.'

'Herman has been in touch,' he replied. I breathed a sigh of relief but frowned. Why is he calling me?

'I'm sure he'll be happy to help, but I'm not happy to accept it.'

My mouth fell open. Who does he think he is? He called to say he wasn't happy. Oh, this man is far from arrogant. I covered my gaping mouth.'I'm sorry to hear that.' I sound less than sorry; I feel irritated. 'Is that you?' And I was thrown again. No, I'm not sorry. But I won't tell him that. 'Yes, I am.' I lied. I want to add that I would never work with an arrogant, good-looking pig like him, but I hold back. That wouldn't be very professional. I heard him sigh.

I don't think you are, Shaira.' My name rolled like velvet from his lips, causing a familiar shiver to run through me. How did he know I wasn't sorry? 'I guess you're avoiding me.' he added. My jaw will drop at this rate. He is right. He sparked some unpleasant feelings in me, and the fact that I knew he was involved with someone else didn't help one iota.

'Why would I do that?' I asked cockily. He should shut up. 'Well, because you're attracted to me.'

'Excuse me?' I sputtered. His self-confidence knows no bounds. Has he no shame? The fact that he is bang on the money is beside the point. You would have to be blind, deaf and numb not to be attracted to this man. He is the epitome of male perfection and, clearly, he knows it.He sighed. 'I said...'

'Yes, I heard you,' I cut him off. 'I just can't believe you said it.' I leaned back in my chair.I have never known anything like it. I was completely stunned. The guy has a significant other, and he's flirting on the end of the phone with me. What a player! I need to get this conversation back to business and get off the phone quickly.'I apologize for not being available to assist with your work.' I yell and hang up, staring down at my phone.

That was actually pretty rude and extremely unprofessional, but I was completely confused by his forwardness. Passing the contract to Herman is looking more and more sensible by the minute. A text arrived.

"I noticed you didn't deny it. You should know the feeling is mutual."

Shit f**king hell! I slap my hand over my lips to stop my mental explicit words from coming out of my mouth. No, I didn't deny it. And he was attracted to me? Am I too young for him, or is he too old for me? One kiss? The rude ass! I didn't answer - I had no idea what to say there.

Instead, I threw my phone in my bag and went to meet Pearl for lunch.'Holy Cow!' Pearl exclaimed, looking at my phone. Her colored-red hair was pulled back in a ponytail as she shook her head. 'Did you reply?' She looked up at me expectantly.

'Christ, no.' I said laughing. What would he recommend I say there? I was completely confused.

'And he has a girlfriend?'

'Yes.' I nodded, raising my eyebrows.

He put my phone back on the table. 'It's a shame.' is this it? It really makes things easier. It totally trumps the looks and reactions he spikes in me. Pearl is braver than me. He would have answered something surprising and suggestive, and his jaw would probably have dropped. That girl would give any bonafide man-eater a run for their money. Not slow in coming, she often intimidates men on first dates - only the strongest survive. Pearl's long, red hair is as lively as her personality. He is confident, strong-minded, and determined.

"Not really,' I thought, grabbing my rude lunch wine and taking a sip. 'Anyway, it's only been four weeks since Tom and I broke up. I don't want any men in my life, not in any capacity.' I like the fact that I sound resolute. 'I'm enjoying being single and carefree for the first time ever.' I added. And it's really like the first time ever. I was with Tom for four years and before that, I was in a relationship with Adam for three years.

'Have you seen the prick?' Pearl's face distorts into one of disgust at the mention of my ex's name. She couldn't stand Tom and was happy when I broke up with him. Pearl catching him with a work colleague in a taxi only confirmed what I already knew. I don't know why I ignored it for so long. When I calmly confronted him, he pulled away apologetically and nearly collapsed when I told him I wasn't bothered. I definitely wasn't, much to my own surprise. The relationship ran its course, and Tom had the same opinion. It was all very amicable, much to Pearl's distaste. He wants flying saucers and police intervention.

'No.' I confirmed. We're having fun, aren't we?'

She grinned as the waitress approached with our lunch. 'I'm just going to the bathroom.' I got up, leaving Pearl dowsing her chips in mayonnaise. After using the bathroom, I stood in the mirror and reapplied my lip gloss, and messed up my hair. It was moving now, so it came down and fell on my shoulders. I took off my black capri pants and picked up some hair from my cream blouse. My phone rang as I walked back to the bar. Dragging it out of my bag, I rolled my eyes when I saw it was him. He must be wondering where my reply to his inappropriate text message is. I don't play with him.

'Reject.' I huffed at my phone, stabbing the red button and stuffing it in my bag as I continued down the corridor.

'Oh God, I'm Sorry!' I splutter, hitting straight to the chest. This chest was a very hard chest, and the intoxicating fresh water scent that enveloped me was all too familiar. My legs refused to move, and I knew what I would see if I looked up. His arm was already wrapped around my waist to steady me, and the top of his chest was at my eye level. I can see his heartbeat through the shirt he is wearing.

' Reject?' he said softly. 'I'm injured.'

I pushed myself out of his grip, trying to regain my composure. He looked very handsome, wearing a charcoal suit and a crisp white shirt. I laugh at myself and my inability to move my eyes past his upper body for fear of being hypnotized by the power of this man's languid gaze.

'Is there something funny?' he asked. I suspected he was frowning at my random outburst, but since I didn't want to look at him, I couldn't confirm that.

'I apologize. I don't look at what I'm passing by.' I sidestepped him, but he grabbed my elbow, preventing my escape.

'Just tell me one thing before you leave, Shaira.' His voice prickles at my senses, and I find my eyes traveling up the leanness of his body until our stares meet. His face was serious but still scary. 'How loud do you think I'll scream if I cheat on you?' What? 'Excuse me?' I manage to splutter around the lead that is my tongue.

He half smiles at my shock, puts his index finger under my chin, and pushes my gaping mouth. 'I'll leave that one with you.' He let go of my elbow. I flashed him a displeased scowl before I walked back to the table as steadily as my boneless legs would allow. Did I hear him right? Sliding myself into the chair, I quickly put down my wine to try to moisten my parched mouth.

When I looked up at Pearl, she was gaping, revealing half-chewed chips and bread. It's not attractive. 'Who the f**k is that?' she mumbles around her food.

'Who?' I looked around as if I was unconscious.'Him,' Pearl pointed at her fork. 'Look!'

'I saw, and I did not know.' I grate. Drop it!'He's coming. Are you sure you don't know him? Fuck, she's hot!'

He looked at me. I shrugged.

Please, go away. Go away, go away! I grabbed a stray piece of lettuce from my BLT and started biting into the sides. I was tense with everything, and I knew he was getting closer because Pearl was looking up to accommodate his height. I hope he shuts his bloody gaping mouth!

'Ladies,' His low, throaty voice rasps against my skin, doing nothing to relax me.

'Hi,' Pearl spat, chewing quickly to clear the obstruction in her mouth.

'Shaira?' he prompted. I wave my piece of lettuce at him to acknowledge his presence but without having to look at him. He laughed softly. Out of the corner of my eyes, I can see his body slowly lowering until he squats on the table next to me, but I still don't look at him. She rested an arm on the table, and I heard Pearl cough and splutter the remains of her food.

'That's better,' he said. I feel his breath on my cheek.

Reluctantly, I looked through my eyelashes and saw Pearl staring at me - all wide-eyed and yes-she's-still-talking-to-you-idiot! I cannot think of anything to say. Once again, this man made me useless. I heard him sigh. 'I'm Engelbert Montero, pleased to meet you.' I saw his hand reach the table.

Pearl accepted it eagerly. 'Engelbert?' he exclaimed. 'Oh! Engelbert,' I can feel her glaring at me accusingly. 'I'm Pearl. Sharia mentioned that you have a luxury hotel.'

I frowned across the table. 'Oh, she mentioned me?' he asked weakly. I didn't need to look at him to know that he was showing a shy and satisfied face at this news. 'I wonder what else he mentioned.'

'Oh, this and that,' Pearl casually reversed, but it was too late to go back on her previous statement. I gave him my dirtiest look.

'This and that.' he answered weakly.'Yes, this and that.' Pearl confirmed. Fed up with the useless little exchange that they both seem to enjoy, I take the situation into my own hands and turn my eyes on him. 'Nice to see you, goodbye.'

Our eyes met immediately, and I was consumed by his intense green eyes, all hooded, dark, and seductive. I can feel his breath pulling my eyes away from him, but only at his mouth. Her lips were moist, and slightly parted, and her tongue was slowly creeping out of her mouth, running a leisurely path along her bottom lip. I can't take my eyes off him. Without any prompting at all, my own tongue responded with a fun little adventure to my bottom lip. It betrayed my effort to appear unemotional...unaffected. I am very affected.

It's crazy. This...whatever it is...is just crazy. He is overconfident and arrogant, but perhaps has a right to be. I don't want to feel sorry for this guy.

'Nice?' He leaned forward, grabbing my thigh, causing hot liquid lava to flood my groin. I shifted my legs, squeezing my thighs to tighten the throb that threatened to break out into a full, hard throb.

'I'm thinking a lot of words, Shaira. Nice is not one of them. I will leave you to consider my question.

'Oh, good, Lord! I gulped as he leaned into me halfway up, pressing his moist lips to my cheek, holding his kiss. I clench my teeth in an effort not to turn into him.

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