Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
He’s holding his hand out, and I shake it. “I’m Catherine.”
“I don’t recognize you from any of the locations, and I would remember you.”
I point to Jeremy. “I’m here with Jeremy.” Even if he’s not acting like it, I think silently.
Clark looks at Jeremy and then back at me with a nod. If knowing I’m here with another man cautions him, he doesn’t let on because he spends the remainder of the dinner talking to me. Any time there is a break in the conversation, I look at Jeremy, but he’s paying me no mind. I’m not sure why he asked me to come if he planned to ignore me all night long.
After dinner, I’m ready to call it a night, even if that means I need to call an Uber, but the speaker walks out onto the stage while dessert is being served. Darn it, if I get up now, everyone will know I’m leaving.
I sit and listen as they announce the quarterly winners, and I clap when everyone around me claps. There’s a few speeches, and just when I think the night is about to end, they announce that the dance floor has opened up.
I lean toward Jeremy. “Are you ready to go?”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t be rude, Catherine. I’ll be ready to go in fifteen minutes.”
He turns back to the woman next to him, and I start to fume. This is crazy.
I get up to leave, and Clark puts his hand on mine. “Dance with me.”
“No, really, I was just about to leave. Thank you for talking to me during dinner, it was nice to meet you.”
He doesn’t take no for an answer and pulls me onto the dance floor. He’s been a perfect gentleman all evening, and he did save me from having no one to talk to during dinner. “Fine. Once dance and then I really must go.”
He spins me on the dance floor, and by the end of the song, I’m laughing and smiling. Clark is a wonderful dancer, and it’s the most fun I’ve had all night.
As he twirls me back into his arms, he leans into me, pressing his hard manhood into my hip. “Come home with me.”
I put both hands on his chest and push. “No, I’m here on a date.”
His voice is calm, but he’s strong, and he doesn’t let me go. “Your date has ignored you all night long. Come home with me… I know how to treat a woman. I’ll have you screaming my name before the night is over.”
I stomp my heel into the top of his foot, and when he bellows in pain, the people around all stare at us. I push away from him and try to keep my shit together. I hate to make a scene because it will be all over town by morning. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m a horrible dancer. Now I must go.”
I stomp over to the table. “Jeremy, I’m leaving.”
I grab my purse, and fuming, I walk toward the front door. I don’t stop when I get outside, I just keep walking. Hell, I’ll walk home if I have to. I’m almost out of the parking lot when Jeremy comes running up behind me. “Catherine, where are you going? Hold on and I’ll get the car.”
I throw a hand out. “I’ll find my own way home, Jeremy.”
“Shoot,” he mutters, and I assume he’s left me be, but it isn’t long before he’s pulling his car up next to me.
“Get in.”
I keep walking. “I’ll get myself home, thank you very much.”
“Catherine, don’t be ridiculous. It’s ten miles, and it’s dark outside. Just get in and I’ll take you home.”
I look down at the stupid heels I’m wearing and I know my feet won’t make it ten miles. I huff and then walk in front of the car, open the door, and get in. “I want you to take me straight home.”
He pulls back out on the road and is driving slowly. “What happened back there? Why are you acting like this?”
I turn, staring daggers at him. “Why? Why am I acting like this?” I’m flabbergasted because he’s serious. He doesn’t have a clue. “Jeremy, I was your date tonight, and you completely ignored me. You didn’t introduce me to anyone or include me in any conversations, and then—” I huff out a breath, trying to contain myself, but it’s impossible to do. “And then your friend Clark, propositioned me.”
Finally, he shows some emotion. “Propositioned you?”
“Yes, he wanted to take me home with him. I had to stomp his foot and shove him for him to let me go.”
His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Oh, Catherine. I wish you wouldn’t have done that. Clark is harmless, and he’s the vice president of the company.”
My mouth drops open, and I just stare at him. Is he for real right now? He has to be joking. “I’m sorry, are you telling me I should just let him hit on me?”