Page 95 of For One Night

“How about something a little harder.” I grab a couple of glasses, a bottle of O’Daly’s, and I point to the open door. “Shall we?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“After you.” I tilt my head for her to walk ahead; not going to lie, I want to watch her ass.

She stops at the door, kicking her heels off. “I hope you don’t mind; my feet are killing me.”

“Why would I care if you kicked your shoes off?” I wait for her to sit before taking the other chair. I offer her a glass, filling it before doing the same for me.

“Habit, I suppose.”

“I’m not saying it will happen again, but for future reference, you don’t need to ask if you take anything off around me.” I side eye her, waiting for her to catch my faux pas. Once it is out, there is nothing I can do about it.

“I’ll keep that under advisement, you know, in case something would arise.” She lifts her glass, parting her lips as the amber liquid runs over them.

“I’ve never been married, but I will say I’ve understood a person’s reason to have anyone obey them.”

The corner of her eyes crinkle. “Would you like to know why I won our game of Chess?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, I was being as ass and then you kicked it.”

She muffles a chuckle. “Well, there was that, and the fact I spent far too many years checking myself. I wanted the upper hand for once.”

“I can’t imagine anyone keeping you under control.”

Her eyes flash to mine. “I remember someone telling me what to do.”

“I was under the gun. I had to do what need to be done.”

Her brows rise. “Under the gun for what?”

“The only chance I would ever have to be with a woman like you, so I had to make it count.”

Lola swings her legs over the chaise, settling in. “Lennox, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, if you can only make one person happy every day, make it yourself.”

“If only it were that simple.”

She lays her head against the chair. “I almost forgot, I made you a current spreadsheet of buyers, vendors, and those O’Daly’s has lost. It should be simple to run the sheet and press the flesh.” She gives me a cheesy grin.

“Pressing flesh isn’t a problem for me.”

“Don’t I know it.” She wiggles her brows. “I’m actually referring to those you need to close deals with; it’s our goal.”

“We have goals?” I cock my brow.

She sips her drink. “We do. We also need to go to Charlotte. I think you were about to hit on something but for whatever reason, dropped it.”

“When are you available?” I grab my phone to text Alice.

“It just so happens my calendar is open for you.” She licks her lips.

I grin devilishly. “Mark me down for this day next year and we’ll leave for Charlotte tomorrow.”

A little line forms between her brows. “Why next year?”

“No questions, mark it down.”

“Did you say tomorrow?” I nod. “I have to go home and pack!”