Page 7 of Rules Of Engagement: St. Louis (In The Heart of A Valentine #17)

Chapter

Four

CHRISTIAN

I shook hands with each member of my team as they packed up their laptops and legal briefs and left the conference room. The Davidson deal had officially closed an hour ago, and a sense of accomplishment had filled the space.

As the office emptied and I retreated to my private elevator, I realized I didn’t have plans. Not real ones, anyway. Tonight was not one for Naomi and I which meant I was going home to an empty penthouse, and for some reason, that felt unbearable.

The wind cut through my suit jacket as I walked to the parking garage. These days the weather could shift from warm to bitter in a matter of hours, and tonight’s wind was gearing up for the first real cold snap. I pulled out my phone and scrolled to Xander’s number and sent a text.

“Let’s get drinks tonight.”

The response came back almost immediately: “It’s about time. Meet me at Soulful in an hour.”

Soulful was our aunts’ soul food restaurant on the Central West End. If I was going to talk to anyone about the mess in my head, it would be my brother.

I found Xander in the back courtyard, already nursing a glass of Brandy and puffing on a Cuban cigar.

The space was warm regardless to the chill in the air, heated by tall gas lamps that cast everything in golden light.

Bare-branched trees were strung with Edison bulbs, and the aroma of barbecue smoke mixed with autumn leaves.

“I didn’t think I’d ever be able to pull you out of your zone,” Xander said, standing to embrace me.

At six-foot-three, he was shorter than my six-five frame but built like the soccer player he used to be with an extra added layer of muscle and quick reflexes.

His beard was trimmed, and his dark brown eyes held the same mischief that had gotten us both in trouble as kids.

“Don’t start,” I said, settling into the chair across from him. “Where’s my niece?”

“With her grandmother. I can’t seem to pull them two away from each other very long.”

“And I don’t know why you expect to.”

“Because I’m her father, and I’m jealous.”

I laughed. “You have no reason to be jealous. Mom is most likely taking Sade under her wing because she has no mother. She’s needs a mother figure in her life.”

“I know, I know.”

I stared at him for a moment when his eyes drifted off.

“You okay, man?”

He blinked and focused back on me. “Yeah. I’m good.”

“Whatever it is you know you can talk to me about it, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course. I’m good.”

I nodded. “Pour me whatever you’re having.”

Xander reached for the bottle on the small table between us and filled a second glass. “What about your day? Elijah told me the Davidson deal went through.”

“It did.” I accepted the glass and took a slow sip, letting the warmth burn down my throat. “Twelve million in fees, and the client’s happy.”

“So why did you look like someone stole your bike when you walked in?”

I laughed. “You remember that bike?”

“How could I forget? You cried for three days when it got stolen.” Xander took another drag from his cigar, studying me through the smoke. “Speaking of things getting stolen, how’s your situation with Mistique?”

My laugh ignited, turning into a deep guffaw that drew the attention of others nearby. “Who’s Mistique?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. The woman you’ve been seeing for months but won’t tell us about. I’m pretty sure it’s the same person who has you checking your phone every five minutes and turning down family dinners.”

I set my glass down harder than necessary. “I don’t turn down family dinners.”

He twisted his lips.

“One time,” I said. At the dip of his brows I reiterated. “Three, but it’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like? Because I’ve known you my whole life, and I’ve never seen you this twisted up over a woman. Not even when Dahlia started wearing those tight skirts to work.”

The mention of Dahlia made me grimace. “Dahlia’s my employee.”

“Dahlia’s gorgeous and wants to be more than your employee. Yet you act like she’s invisible.” Xander leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “So either you’ve suddenly developed a conscience about workplace relationships, or there’s someone else taking up space in your head.”

I picked up my cigar, taking my time lighting it. The ritual gave me a moment to think, to decide how much I wanted to tell him. Xander and I had always been close, but this thing with Naomi felt too complicated to put into words.

“You only smoke during victories,” he pointed out.

“Consider this my celebratory cigar for the Davidson deal.”

He nodded, accepting my excuse.

“There is someone,” I said. “But it’s complicated.”

“Complicated how? She married? Got kids? A criminal record?”

“None of those things.” I took a long pull from the cigar, watching the smoke drift up toward the string lights. “We have an arrangement.”

Xander’s eyebrows shot up. “An arrangement? What kind of arrangement?”

“We see each other regularly, no strings attached, no questions asked.”

“And you’re telling me this bothers you because...?”

“Because I’m starting to want the strings.”

Xander was quiet for a long moment, swirling the Brandy in his glass. “How long has this been going on?”

“A year.”

Laughter pushed through this mouth. “A full year? As in twelve months, and you’re just now realizing you want more?”

“It wasn’t supposed to be about wanting more. It was supposed to be simple.”

“Nothing with women is simple. You should know that by now.” Xander finished his drink and reached for the bottle again. “What’s her name?”

“Naomi.”

“Naomi, what?”

I hesitated. “Blackford.”

Xander’s hand stilled on the bottle. “Naomi Blackford? As in the woman who runs that high-end escort service?”

“You know her?”

“I know of her. Her reputation, anyway. Discreet, expensive, exclusive clientele.” Xander poured himself another drink, his expression thoughtful. “That’s your arrangement? You’re a client?”

“It started that way.” Heat covered my ears at the mix of defensiveness in my explanation. “But it’s not like that anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time.”

“Then what is it like?”

I thought about Wednesday night. The way Naomi had fallen asleep against my shoulder. The way her hand had felt in mine. The way she’d looked at me when I’d suggested she stay.

“It’s like we’re in a relationship, but we’re not. We’re doing all of the things but with a schedule, without a title, and without complications.”

Xander laughed, but it wasn’t mocking. “Brother, you are in deep.”

“I know.”

“How much do you know about this woman?”

“She speaks of her family and business often. Her father is a veteran, and her work life balance is rigorous.”

“What about past relationships?”

“Nothing.”

“As in?”

“She doesn’t speak about them.”

“And you haven’t asked?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“If she wants to tell me about them, she will and besides we don’t have that type of relationship. It’s not invasive. It’s more of a listening ear, chill, calm space for us.”

“So what’s the problem? Ask her out for real. See where it goes.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

I took another sip of Brandy, feeling it burn on my tongue. “Because she’s the one who set the rules in the first place. No explanations, and no expectations. She doesn’t want complications.”

“But you do.”

“I want her to be happy. And if keeping things simple makes her happy, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Xander shook his head. “You’re an idiot.”

“Thanks for the support.”

“I’m serious. You’re sitting here miserable because you think you’re protecting her feelings, but what if she wants the same thing you do? What if she’s sitting somewhere right now, wondering why you’re not fighting for more?”

The thought had occurred to me, more than once. But every time I considered pushing the boundaries of our arrangement, I remembered the look in Naomi’s eyes when she’d first laid out the rules. The way she’d spoken, like she was protecting herself from something.

“First, I’m not miserable. I’ve gained as much from our arrangement as she has. I am just simply… hungry for more. That could mean I’m greedy or out of my mind. Secondly, she’s out at dinner with a client tonight,” I said.

“And that bothers you.”

It wasn’t a question, and I didn’t bother answering it. “She only goes out with specific clients. Her… day one’s. So mostly, she isn’t available for clients, her girls are.”

“And that bothers you,” he repeated.

We stared at each other. “Yeah. It bothers me.”

“Then do something about it.”

“Like what?”

“Like, tell her how you feel. Like, ask for what you want. Like, stop hiding behind this arrangement and act like the man I know you are.”

I finished my Brandy and set the glass down. “What if she says no?”

“Then at least you’ll know. But what if she says yes?”

Naomi

The restaurant was everything Nathan Bullard had promised, intimate lighting, impeccable service, and a lengthy wine list. He’d chosen well, and he knew it. Nathan never chose anything unless he was certain it would impress.

“The salmon here is extraordinary,” he said, reaching across the table to touch my hand. “I have to say, however, nothing compares to the company.”

I smiled. “You’re very kind.”

Nathan was handsome in that corporate way that some women found irresistible.

His silver hair was effortlessly styled, his expensive suit was tailored to show off his still-fit physique, and a timepiece on his wrist was worth its weight in gold.

He was successful, charming, and attentive, making him a great dinner companion.