Page 26 of Mr. Red

“Love you! Have fun, babe!”

I finish cleaning and start getting ready, following Jason’s suggestions. I add some red lipstick and leave my straight hair down my back.

Breathe in. Breathe out.I try to calm myself. I don’t know why I’m freaking out. I’m just hanging out with a client. No big deal. So what if I turn to slush around him? Sure, he’s the hottest guy I’ve seen in a while, but that doesn’t mean a thing.

A knock sounds at my door ten minutes later. I send Jason a quick picture on my way to answer it. Then I open the door and can’t help but gawk at Matt.

He’s wearing a fitted, navy blazer, white, V-neck shirt, and navy slacks. He looks proper in a casual way. His hands are placed in his pockets, looking like he’s posing for a magazine cover. I see the look in his eyes Jason mentioned—like I’m dinner. I like it.

My phone goes off, pulling me out of my stupor. It’s Jason giving me a thumbs up. Matt looks down and frowns. Is he jealous? It’s kind of fun to mess with him. I don’t say anything to correct the awkwardness. I try to act cool.

“Long time no see.” I give him a teasing grin. “Youready to go?”

“I’m ready if you are.” He waits until I lock my front door, then starts walking next to me down the path.

He pulls a little ahead of me and opens the passenger door of his red car. There’s a single red rose waiting on my seat.

I turn to him, unimpressed. “This isn’t a date. Flowers aren’t a requirement.”

I secretly love him being a gentleman and getting me flowers, but I’m trying to put up a front. This isn’t supposed to be a date!

“Get in the car, Miss Scarlett.”

He stands there, waiting for me to move. I debate arguing with him, but the look he’s giving me—the don’t-fuck-with-me face—is making me relent. I’m breaking a lot of my own rules for this one. I have no idea why, but I’m finding it hard to say no.

Once I sit down, he closes the door behind me. The interior is all black leather, and there are a thousand buttons. It smells like new car.

How does he drive this thing? I’m scared if I move, it’ll trigger something, like an ejection seat.

He gets in the driver seat and turns to me. “It’s not flowers. It’s a single scarlet rose, perfect for you.”

“Uh-huh.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“You want your seat heater on? It’s cold outside.”

“I’m good, thanks.”

I’m giving him as much attitude as I can. I need to make these boundaries clear.

He starts driving down the road, making me think of Jake Ryan fromSixteen Candles. As he shifts, his watch catches my eye, making him more irresistible. What is it about a guy who wears a watch? Orderly and polished vibesare sexy, I guess. I’m ten seconds away from jumping him. I need to pull myself out of this fantasy.

“Mr. Texas doesn’t have a truck? Surprising.”

“I do,” he responds, with nothing else to add.

Him in a truck sounds even sexier. He’s making himself more alluring. This is going to be the longest night of my life. I agreed to torture myself.

I can’t figure out why Matt is so appealing. He isn’t my usual type; I tend to go for the sensitive bad boy on a motorcycle with tattoos. Matt is the complete opposite. He’s an ambitious, masculine man with no tattoos in sight.

Maybe it’s why he’s so attractive—he’s different.

I love how he takes control and does chivalrous things. Other than when he almost crashed into me and acted like an asshole.

Yes, focus on that. He’s king of the dirtbags. You can’t fall for him, Scarlett.He’s only acting nice because he wants to get in your pants. He doesn’t even live here. You can’t date a client.

I’m so immersed thinking about the things that should be keeping me away from the man next to me, I don’t realize we’re in downtown until he pulls in front of the movie theater. I do love this place. It still has an old, classic feel. They even put the movie titles up in big letters on the front before the box office. They like to keep it authentic—like you’re back in the thirties.

I just looked at the movies the other day, but the titles have changed since then. They’ve been replaced with movies starring Scarlett Johansson.