“Then it’s settled. How long do you think it’ll take you to get moved in?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. A couple of days.”
“No. Sorry. That won’t work. It needs to be a couple of hours.”
He didn’t sound sorry at all. In fact, he sounded far too serious.
Holy shit. He was serious.
My eyes widened. Sure, Trent was the type of man who wanted things when he snapped his fingers, and he usually got his way. But two hours to move? No way.
“Hire some people,” he insisted.
I shook my head. “I can’t afford to hire some people who’d be willing to drop everything to move me.”
He disappeared into the closet one more time, returning with a suit jacket. “Fine. I’ll hire them. I need you moved by the time I get home this afternoon.”
Oh, my … fuck. Was he delusional? “Trent, it’s not that easy.”
“Why?” He leveled those startling blue eyes on me. “You have a sentimental attachment to your apartment?”
“God no.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
“My car bit the dust again this morning, and I won’t be able to find movers on such short notice.” I was sure there were a dozen other reasons, but I couldn’t think of them because the man looming before me had that make it happen look he was quite fond of.
“Do you know what one of the benefits is of being the highest-paid actor in Hollywood?”
There were plenty, but I was curious as to which one he would choose this time.
“It allows you to get shit done faster. Call around, find someone who’s willing to do what needs to be done, and pay whatever it is they want. You can take the Challenger so you can be there to oversee it. In fact, the Hellcat’s now yours. I’ll sign the title over tonight. Sell that piece-of-shit car of yours and buy some more clothes.” He nodded toward the door. “I have a meeting and then I’m having lunch with Clarissa. When I get back, I expect you to be moved in and ready to work.”
I nodded, because what else was I going to do?
Trent smiled. “Good answer.”
And that smirk he gave me said he knew he’d won this round.
SIX
Clarissa
ALTHOUGH I CONSIDERED BACKING OUT at least a dozen times, I managed to make it to the restaurant on time. And that was after I’d changed my outfit at least three times before I left the house. At one point, I’d put on pants simply to defy Trent’s direct order. However, I had ended up changing before I stepped out the front door, opting for a black A-line skirt and a sleeveless red blouse.
When I walked through the door after leaving my car with the valet, Philipe greeted me with a smile and a pleasant, “Good afternoon. It’s lovely to see you again, Miss Tinsley.”
I nodded and smiled, unable to find my voice. It wasn’t the maître d’ who had me tongue-tied but rather the famous Dom who was waiting for me across the room. Although his back was to me, I would’ve recognized him anywhere. There was something about the way Trent carried himself that set him apart from everyone else.
I’d expected to arrive before him. Or perhaps hoped was a better word. Apparently, I wouldn’t be getting any additional time to prepare myself to be in his presence so I took advantage of the few seconds required to walk across the room.
Trent’s back was still to me, so I was able to take a deep, soothing breath before I stepped around to his side.
His head turned and his eyes slowly inched up until they stopped on my face. The smile he shot me had my insides warming instantly.
This man was dangerous. Very, very dangerous.
Trent rose to his feet before taking my hands in his. He seemed even bigger than the last time I saw him, more formidable. I was suddenly having doubts about this lunch. What had I been thinking agreeing to this? I couldn’t handle a man like Trent.
“Thank you for joining me,” he said softly.
A smile preceded the quick kiss Trent placed on my cheek and then he was pulling out my chair and assisting me into it. I was impressed my lungs were continuing to function properly.
I watched as he gave the room a quick glance before he eased into his chair with a masculine grace that not many men had.
“I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” I said simply to make conversation.
“All my life,” he replied in that deep, seductive tone of his.
My heart did an erratic jump-kick as I caught what he meant.
His smirk was wicked, sending a delicious shiver dancing down my spine. I felt the heat travel up my chest, my neck, then into my cheeks. And yes, now I was blushing like a virgin.
Something was seriously wrong with me. I didn’t respond like this. Not to anyone. Usually.
