Lion About: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Virgo Read online

  He showed me my business card. “I’ll be calling you.”

  “I’d like that,” I said.

  He lowered his head, brushing a light kiss across my lips. His lips seared mine with warmth, despite the brief contact.

  I tried to catch his lips again, but he turned his head and whispered in my ear, “I’m not that easy, Milena.”

  I chuckled, kissed his cheek, and said, “Have a good night, Lucas.”

  He headed to the elevator but waited until I was driving away before stepping inside of it.

  Once home, I showered and then sprawled out on my bed with a sigh. This day had gone from awesome to insane so quickly.

  Not only had I met the man I admired the most, but I’d met a sexy man who was rich, and seemed to actually like me.

  I still couldn't believe that Walter had offered me a job. If Michelle hadn't been there, she wouldn't believe a word of the story. Hell, I barely believed it.

  * * *

  Glancing at my phone, I sighed. Tomorrow, we would see if Lucas was actually interested, or if he had just wanted to flirt a bit. Truthfully, I didn't mind either way. I could say I kissed Lucas Alonze. The girls at the office would be fuming with jealousy.

  “Your new cards,” Anastasia said, setting a box of business cards down on my desk.

  “Thank you,” I glanced up for a brief second to smile at her.

  “Do you need anything?”

  “No, I'm good,” I said, reviewing the project up on my screen. It was close to breaking its budget and there were still six months left on the project.

  “You didn't eat lunch, Milena,” she whispered.

  I paused and looked up. “Oh, wow. You're right.”

  “I'll get you something to snack on,” Anastasia said and left.

  I needed to find an assistant, fast.

  My desk phone rang, and I stared at with wide eyes a moment before it clicked what it was.

  “Hello?” I answered.

  “Good afternoon, Ms. Vincent,” Lucas said, his voice deep and way too sexy over the phone.

  “Lucas,” I said, a smile spreading before I could stop it. I leaned back in my chair. “I wasn't sure if I would hear from you.”

  “You made quite an impression last night.”

  “A good one, I hope.” I chuckled softly.

  “I wouldn't be calling, otherwise,” he said.

  “Why are you calling?” I asked, hoping it was for a date.

  “I'd like to take you out to dinner, tonight,” he said.

  I fist pumped, silently.

  “Where?” I asked. “I'll be wearing work attire, that's why I ask.”

  “Skirt or pants?” he asked, his voice dropping lower.

  I laughed. “You are a devil in disguise, aren't you?”

  “I don't believe I've disguised myself at all,” he replied.

  “Skirt,” I answered. “With a silk blouse.”

  “That attire is perfect. Can I pick you up from your office at five?”

  That was only two hours away. “You still haven't told me where we are going,” I reminded him.

  “Brickhouse,” he answered. “It's one of my favorite restaurants.”

  “I've never eaten there,” I admitted.

  “Well, then this will be a night you won't forget,” he said.

  “Promises, promises,” I murmured.

  He chuckled, and my lower body quivered at the sound.

  “Five o'clock,” he said.

  “See you then,” I replied with a nod of my head, even though he couldn't see it.

  “I look forward to it,” he said, then hung up.

  I squealed as quietly as I could, then dialed Michelle's extension.

  “What now?” she asked. “Fired already?”

  “Lucas asked me out to dinner…tonight,” I told her.

  She squealed so loudly, I had to pull the receiver away from my ear. “What are you wearing? Do you need a change of clothes? What about makeup? You're not wearing date makeup, are you? I'll come up and help.”

  She hung up before I could say anything else.

  Anastasia set a protein shake and an orange on my desk. “Eat this before you faint,” she ordered me.

  “Yes, ma'am,” I replied, peeling the orange first.

  As soon as I finished my snack, Michelle came in.

  “Shut the door,” I ordered her. The last thing I needed was one of my male coworkers walking by and seeing her doing my makeup.

  She shut and locked it and then pulled the blinds closed. “Stand up,” she ordered me.

  “Bossy today, aren't we?” I teased her but obeyed.

  She walked in a circle and nodded. “I approve of this outfit. Sit, and I'll do your makeup.”

  “I don't think—”

  “Shush. Let me work my magic,” she said.

  “So, you and Walter seemed to hit it off,” I said as she pulled out her brushes and makeup.

  “He set me up on a blind date with his nephew,” she said and chuckled. “Walter's a nice man. I'm actually shocked that such a rich and powerful man is so down-to-earth.”

  “Are you going to go out with his nephew?” I asked.

  “Duh.” She laughed. “He showed me a picture. His nephew is attractive, and relatively wealthy.”

  “Well, sounds like a match made in heaven,” I said, smirking.

  “Sit still and no more talking,” she ordered me. “Perfection takes time.”

  And it did take time. A full hour later, she'd finished her makeover, which included curling my hair. I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror on the back of my door and smiled.

  “You're a wizard, Michelle,” I praised.

  She preened. “At least someone notices.”

  “Any tips?” I asked. She'd been on way more dates than I had.

  “Just be yourself. He clearly already enjoys your company. Plus, you're probably one of the only women he will meet who doesn't give two shits about his money.”

  She might be right about that, but I wasn't going to toot my own horn.

  “Okay. I'll text you later and let you know how it went.”

  She smiled and left, practically skipping away. Was she that happy because of my date, or was it because of hers? Who cared? We were both happy.

  Two light knocks, startled me, and made me look up. “Yes?” I asked Anastasia who stood in the doorway.

  “You have a visitor,” she said. “Are you ready to receive them?”

  “Sure,” I said, unsure who she meant.

  Lucas stepped into my office, smiling wide. “Good evening, Ms. Vincent.”

  I glanced at the clock, shocked to see it was already five fifteen. “I'm sorry,” I said as I stood. “I didn't realize how late it was.”

  He looked around my office, and his smiled turned into a frown. “You don't have much in here.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, glancing at the furniture in the office.

  “No decorations,” he explained.

  “Oh. Well, I just got the office yesterday afternoon. I haven't had time to buy any decorations. My night was rather busy,” I explained.

  He smiled then, turning to face me. “Are you ready?”

  I grabbed my purse, locked my computer, and turned to face him. “Yes, sir.”

  “Alonze,” Jamison said from my doorway.

  I froze, looking up at him in shock. Had someone ratted me out? Was I not allowed to date Lucas? I knew I couldn't work for him, but it hadn't said anything about dating.

  “Jamison,” Lucas said, smiling as he walked to shake his hand. “Nice to see you.”

  “What are you doing in my building?” Jamison asked, glancing at me.

  “Picking up my date for the evening,” Lucas said.

  Jamison looked over at me. “You're dating him?”

  “Tonight, is our first date,” I explained.

  “We met last night when she was dining with Walter,” Lucas said, smirking.

  Was he tr
ying to get me fired?

  “Walter?” he asked. Jamison looked over at me. “You know Walter Bane?”

  “I met him last night as well,” I said. “My friend and I went out to celebrate my promotion, and we ran into Mr. Bane and Mr. Alonze.”

  “You know you can't work for Mr. Alonze, right?” Jamison asked. “It was in the contract you signed yesterday.”

  I nodded.

  “She's aware. She told me last night,” Lucas said.

  “You were going to offer her a job, weren't you?” Jamison asked, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Don't worry, I won't steal your Projects Director,” Lucas said. “At least, not from your business. I am stealing her for dinner.”

  “Ms. Vincent, may I speak with you in private a moment?” Jamison asked.

  My heart stuttered. I nodded. “Of course, sir.”

  Chapter 4

  Lucas scowled. “Jamison—”

  “I need a moment with my employee,” Jamison said, holding my office door.

  Lucas glanced at me and then stepped outside.

  Jamison closed the door and turned to face me. “Miss Vincent, you know you can't work for him or give out information about our projects, no matter how close you two become.”

  I bristled. “Sir, my personal life is separate from my work life. Lucas and I are going on a date. I'm not going to tell him about our projects. I am a professional. Honestly, I find this discussion condescending and unnecessary as I'm sure you wouldn't be having this same talk with a male employee who was dating a high-level executive working for Walter or Lucas.”

  Jamison's jaw twitched. “You're right. I apologize.”

  Holy turtle tits. Jamison had apologized to me.

  “Thank you. Was there anything else?” I asked.

  “Did Walter offer you a job?” Jamison asked.

  “That's between me and Walter. I am aware that I cannot look for outside employment for at least six months. I did read the contract before signing it,” I answered.

  “Of course he offered you a job. I don't know why I hadn't promoted you sooner,” he muttered to himself.

  “May I go? I already made Lucas wait fifteen minutes and he had to come find me.”

  Jamison reached for the door, but paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Be careful with him. He's not what he seems.”

  With that cryptic warning, he left, walking by Lucas without saying goodbye.

  I dropped my head and let my body sag as the adrenaline began to leave.

  “Everything alright?” Lucas asked.

  I nodded. “Just need a minute.”

  Lucas set his hand on my arm. “Did I get you in trouble?”

  I shook my head. “No. Everything is fine. I just get worked up in situations like that and the adrenaline fades quickly.”

  He rubbed my back and said, “I'm sorry. I should have just called you, but I wanted to surprise you and come see your new office.”

  I lifted my head and kissed his cheek. “Don't fret. It's really okay. I think this was a good thing, anyway. And, if he fires me, I have another job offer waiting for me.”

  He laughed and held out his bent arm. “Ready for dinner, milady?”

  “I am, sir,” I said, smiling as I slipped my arm into his.

  I waved to Anastasia who stared after us with wide eyes. No doubt, this would be spread around the building by tomorrow morning.

  “How was your day?” I asked Lucas, leaning against the side of the elevator as it descended.

  “Boring. I had several meetings, including one very long and pointless board meeting,” he said. “I swear they hold those meetings just because they like to hear themselves speak and like to pat each other on the backs.”

  I laughed softly, moving back into the corner as more people got into the elevator. Several people looked at Lucas with wide eyes before turning to face the front, their backs rigid. Was I the only one who had never seen him before?

  “I also had to work with my assistant to place an order for some new furniture. We're revamping the offices to make them feel more welcoming,” he said.

  “I need to get an assistant,” I muttered.

  “I can recommend a few, if you'd like,” he said.

  “Are you trying to send spies?” I teased.

  He laughed. “Now you sound like Jamison. I'd just like to help you find the most qualified candidates and have a few I used previously that might take the position.”

  “Thank you, but I'll take care of it. I just need to make time to do so,” I said. That was something I needed to move to the top of my priority list.

  “Well, the offer remains open,” he said.

  I was surprised at how tense everyone else in the elevator was. Lucas was being incredibly cordial and calm. Yet, they were acting like he was blowing smoke from his nostrils.

  “Did you enjoy the dessert last night?” He asked me.

  I nodded. “It was delicious. I need to send Walter a thank you letter. It was very kind of him to pay for dinner.”

  “He enjoys doing things like that,” Lucas said.

  One of the women in the front, Patty I think was her name, turned and looked at me with a scowl.

  Why was she scowling at me?

  She turned back around when the doors opened to the first floor, and everyone exited.

  “After you,” Lucas said, waving me forward.

  I walked out, with Lucas at my back. Lucas pulled open the door for me before I could grab the handle. “Thank you,” I said, and stepped outside into the warm sunlight.

  He stepped out, then took my hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “This way.”

  “Do you usually walk everywhere?” I asked.

  He nodded. “If it's less than four blocks away, I just walk there. No sense calling my driver to take me such a short distance.”

  Of course he had a driver.

  “Makes sense,” I agreed.

  “How far away do you live?” he asked.

  “About thirty minutes,” I replied. “I prefer the quiet, small town feel to the busy city.”

  “Don't tell me you live on a ranch?” he asked with a smirk.

  I laughed and shook my head. “No. I live in a suburban neighborhood that borders on the country. There are a lot less people, so stores are much less crowded.”

  “I can't remember the last time I went into a store,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Such a rough life,” I teased.

  He smirked, coming to a stop at the red light. “It can be. For instance, it is very difficult to find single women who aren't gold diggers.”

  “How do you know I'm not one?” I asked.

  “I can tell,” he said. “Unless you have something to admit?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I don't care what your bank account says, as long as you have a steady job and are monogamous, I'm game.”

  His smirk turned into a smile. “Like I said, I can tell.”

  The light changed, and we continued our walk. “What do you usually do during the evenings?” I asked.

  “If I’m not working, I’m either with Walter or relaxing at home,” he answered.

  “You spend a lot of time with Walter?” I asked. Not that I blamed him, I enjoyed the brief amount of time I had spent with him.

  “More often now that he’s getting older,” he admitted. “He won’t admit it, but he’s lonely. He has been ever since his wife died.”

  “I imagine it is hard on him, to lose his best friend,” I said.

  Lucas nodded, staring at nothing in particular. “They were the best of friends. Even as old as they are, they would shoot each other with straw wrappers at restaurants, and spent as much time holding hands, or touching in some way, as they could. I’ve rarely seen such true love.”

  It was the type of love I dreamed of.

  “Sorry,” Lucas said, shaking his head. “Let’s talk about something else. Let’s talk about you.”

  “Not much to tell,” I said
. “And, I think you’re much more interesting.”

  He chuckled. “What do you want to know?”

  “Pancakes or waffles?” I asked.

  His stride faltered, but he continued on. “What?”

  “It’s a simple question, Lucas,” I teased. “Do you prefer pancakes or waffles?”

  “Why do I get the feeling this is an important question for you and I run the risk of killing our relationship before it starts?” he asked.

  “Because you’re very intuitive,” I said, waiting for his answer.

  He watched me as we walked in silence, then said, “Waffles.”

  “Is that your honest answer? Or the one you think I want?” I asked.

  “Honest. I prefer waffles to pancakes,” he said. “Though, I can’t remember the last time I ate either.”

  “Test number one passed,” I said, smiling wide and giving his arm a little squeeze.

  He chuckled. “How many other tests are there?”

  “Everyone has their standards,” I reminded him. “Mine just aren’t your typical ones.”

  “You didn’t answer my question,” he said, stopping at a red, wooden door with black bolts.

  “Because I can’t tell you,” I said. “You’ll just have to be on your best behavior.

  He pulled open the door, and as I walked by whispered in a deep voice, “But, wouldn’t you prefer to see me misbehave?”

  A warm chill zipped down my spine, and I shivered involuntarily. Damn, he was good.

  “Mr. Alonze,” the tall and dapper looking host said in greeting, “your table is right this way.”

  I followed the host with Lucas trailing behind me. The room was a deep red with low lighting that gave it a warm, but relaxing feel. We walked by several other tables, all with men in suits and ladies in fancy dresses, and to a room in the back with two large drapes that separated it from the rest of the dining area. Inside sat a single table with two chairs, and a single red rose in a vase in the center.

  The host set the menus I hadn’t even seen him grab onto the table, bowed, and then dropped the drapes closed behind him.

  Lucas pulled out one of the chairs, and then pushed it in for me, dropping a kiss on my cheek before taking his seat.

  “It’s lovely here,” I said, looking up at the crystal chandelier above the table. The light reflected off the crystals, sending tiny rainbows glittering around the room.