Page 164 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I

“Okay?” He sounds surprised.

“Sure. I at least owe it to you to hear you out.” I can’t believe I just said that.

I’min the back of Hercules’s SUV, being driven by James, his driver. He suggested we have an early dinner. I told him I couldn’t eat another bite after the afternoon I had stuffing my face while Lake and Eden shopped for wedding gowns.

“Oh, you’ll eat this—I promise,” he said.

His flirtatious tone made my heart tap dance. “I doubt I’ll eat,” I said. “But that doesn’t preclude me from talking.”

We ended our call, and I went through six outfits before settling on pale-pink jersey dress with spaghetti straps and a daring low-cut neckline that makes my cleavage look scrumptious. I free my hair from the ponytail I usually wear and allow my thick mane to be sexily messy. Admittedly, I wanted to entice Hercules, even though I knew we couldn’t go back to how things were. Soon, I’ll know whether or not I succeed.

I glower out the window. We’re heading toward the VTI building. I think it’s a good move, actually. It’s Saturday, and I take it that Hercules is signaling that our meeting will only be about business.

“How are you doing back there?” James asks.

I shift in my seat. “What?” Gosh. I’m so jumpy. I breathe in deeply to calm my nerves.

“How are you?” he asks.

“Oh. I’m fine.” I don’t sound like I’m fine, though.

“Would you like a bottle of water?”

“Oh yes. That’ll be nice.” I then swallow to moisten my parched throat.

A bin attached to the door on my right-hand side opens automatically. I reach over in and grab a cold bottle of water out of it. I twist the cap and guzzle refreshingly cold water down my throat.

“Better?” James asks, his eyes smiling at me through the rearview mirror.

I raise an eyebrow curiously. “Can you tell I’m struggling?”

He chuckles. “A little. But don’t worry. Herc won’t hurt you.”

I snort. “Not intentionally.” Suddenly, I press my lips together. I didn’t mean to say that to him. I grew up with personal drivers. I know the rules. He’s not supposed to engage in any personal or business subjects about the boss, even though he started it without that comment about “Herc” not hurting me.

If he’s eferring to Hercules as Herc, the two men must be close. I bet he could tell me everything I want to know about Hercules. How often does he go out with other women? Has he had sex with his new fiancée yet? What makes him happy? What makes him sad?

“You’re a thinker,” he says.

“Huh?” I ask, shifting abruptly in my seat.

‘You’re deep in thought.”

“Oh,” I say. “I just want to know where we’re going. I thought you were taking me to the VTI building, but you’ve made a series of turns that doesn’t get us there.”

James chuckles. “You’re perceptive too.” He hits the blinker and makes a right down an alley I recognize.

I scoot to the edge of my seat. “Wait. Then youaretaking me to the VTI building.”

“Yep.”

As I peer out the windshield, I try to focus on two things simultaneously—Hercules and Benny’s elusive hot dog cart.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Benny’s Dogs

Paisley Grove