Page 73 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
“I’m sorry, Rosie. Truly, I am. I’m just going through some things right now, so I apologize if I took it out on you. It wasn’t my intention to hurt you.”
“What are you going through? You can talk to me, you know?”
“I know, but it’s nothing you need to worry about.” He was wrong. Henry was my person, and if he wasn't being his normal floosy-chasing, mischievous man-boy self, I felt a little unbalanced. Before I could comment, he added, "Want to watch Indiana Jones tonight? Maybe get some Chinese food? Unless, do you have other plans?”
I shook my head, no. “Not that I know of.”
“Then it’s a date.” Henry pulled my hand to his mouth and kissed it. “Sorry again, Rosie. I never want to hurt you, ever.”And I never want to feel so bruised again either.
“Thank you, Henry. I appreciate it.”
“See you tonight?”
I was about to say yes, when there was a knock on my door. I looked up to see Phillip standing at the door with a smile on his face. I waved him in, feeling a little excited that he came down to visit me.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?” Phillip asked, looking at both Henry and me.
“No, not at all. Phillip, this is Henry, my friend. Henry, this is Phillip.”
Henry nodded and shook Phillip’s hand. “Ah, the lint roller guy.”
“Yes.” He smiled while sticking his chin up. “I see that you got them. I’m glad.”
Both Henry and Phillip stared each other down in silence, as if sizing each other up. Why, I had no clue. They were the same height and build, it would be an even match for sure, but my money was on Henry. He might look pretty, but he was a man’s man and could hold his own, no doubt about it.
“Ahem.” I cleared my throat. “Henry, weren’t you just leaving?”
With one last stare, Henry turned toward me and said, “See you tonight, love?”
“Yes.” I nodded, hating that he was acting all charming and sweet now in front of Phillip, as if he was trying to mark his territory.
“Let me know if you need anything. I’ll get the Chinese. Have a good day, love.” With that, he pulled me in for a quick hug and then left, leaving me alone with Phillip.
He turned to me with a confused look on his face and then said, “You sure you’re just friends? It seems like there may be more between you two.”
“No, believe me, we’re just friends. I’m not his type.”
“Good thing, because I would have to fight him for a date with you if you were his type.”
“You want to go on a date with me?”
He nodded and flashed that gorgeous smile of his. The man standing in front of me was unlike any other man I’d ever met before. He was cocky, arrogant, and pretty confident in himself. It was actually attractive, and I could see why all the heroines in the books I’d been reading fell for the dominant man. They were up front, knew what they wanted, and took it.
That was Phillip. He had this air about him that sucked me in. Maybe it was his bright white teeth, or how his suits seemed tailored for his body. Whatever it was, I wanted to get to know him better and even more surprisingly, I wanted to get to know him in the bedroom.
God, I needed to put down the Kindle, because my mind was getting dirtier by the second.
“Come to lunch with me.” It was a demand not a question.
“Where would we go?” I tried not to show how I was ready to jump on his back and giddy up down the hallway with him.
“There is a little café a block away. I promise we won’t be too long. Don’t want boss cat lady to be mad with you.”
“No, we can’t have that. Let me send this quick email then I can go.”
“Okay, mind if I wait in your office?”
“Of course not. Have a seat if you like.”
