Chapter 8

• "Enjoying your meal?" He asks me after a few moments, I attempt to slow myself down and try to eat as cleanly as possible, the last thing I want to do is look like a pig in front of him.
• "It's incredible, thank you" my answer pleases him, he smiles softly as he cuts into his own steak.
• "How often do you have to travel for work?" I ask him before I eat another mouthful, fuck this pasta is good.
• "At least once a fortnight, I like to fix most of the issues that come up myself. I'm a very hands on kind of man. My employees hate me" he grins mischievously as he eats his steak, I let out a soft laugh and cover my mouth with my hand.
• "That of course means that my schedule is very hectic, I would be hoping that you could make your schedule more accomodating in turn to fit with mine" Rhodes's voice has switched to one of business mode, I hadn't really expected to start talking terms yet but I'm quite happy that he is. From the way this dinner is going, I'd like for this to work out.
• I take a sip of my wine. "Well I don't work nights, it's just the days that may be a little more tricky with both work and school"
• He pauses for a moment. "You won't need to work, I would be covering for all of your expenses plus extra so that you can actually enjoy yourself" Oh god, the money part. I dread talking about money in every single way imaginable. I even have difficulty when talking to my boss, she sometimes forgets to pay me on time and I feel like the worlds biggest asshole when I ask her for the money, even though I've earned it.
• "I would like for you to make yourself available to me, whenever you can" He curtly says. Translation: I would like to own you, but in a nice way. The thought makes my stomach flip slightly, being at his beck and call for what, sex? dinner dates? hotel events? This is all so overwhelming and confusing. But of course, due to my people pleaser nature I find myself nodding my head softly.
• "Y-yes I can do that, of course I would have to hand in my notice and work for the rest of the month" I'm not going to do the asshole thing and just not show up to work ever again. I could never live down the guilt or the shame, Rhodes takes a large sip of his wine and nods his head.
• "That's fine" he places his knife and fork together on the plate and leans forward to speak in a hushed voice. "I would like this to work Amelia, but for this to work you need to be honest and tell me what you're thinking and feeling" I swallow the soft lump in my throat and look down at my hands for a moment before my eyes flicker back up to meet his.
• "I-I still don't quite know what you want from me" I don't know if it's my stutter or my statement that amuses him, but he smiles gently back at me.
• "We can discuss that in negotiations tomorrow, when are you free?" My mind flickers back to my schedule.
• "I am free in the afternoon, my last class finishes at 12" I reply.
• "I will have Ambrose pick you up from outside the university at 12, Lory will arrange an appointment for us then" I sure hope he knows how busy of a woman Lory is, I'm not so sure she will just drop everything she's doing just for us. I nod my head as he reaches into his suit pocket and takes out his phone.
• "I'm afraid I have to go, I have a phone call with my associates in Japan in half an hour" he brings his phone to his ear before I can reply. I take one last sip of my wine as he speaks down the phone.
• "Be ready to take Miss Kendrick home in five minutes" then he hangs up. He doesn't wait for a goodbye or say thank you, I assume he's talking to Ambrose. Poor Ambrose. I hope he doesn't expect me to be okay with that kind of treatment.
• He stands up from the table and I follow his lead, taking my bag and placing it over my shoulder before turning back to him. It's the first time I've stood beside him, and I now realise just how tall he is. He stands at least half a foot taller than me, and his black suit is perfectly tailored to fit his shape. He places a hand on the small of my back and leads me out of the restarting area. I thank our waitress as we pass her and enter back into the lobby. Tilting my head back up to the ceiling I eye the beautiful chandelier once more, the radiance of the sparkles is nearly too much for my eyes to handle.
• Rhodes sees me looking. "You enjoy sparkly things?" He asks with a soft smirk on my face, I shrug my shoulders and nod my head. Honestly who doesn't.
• "Good to know" he says, more to himself than to me. Exiting out the large doors held open by two young men, Ambrose stands outside the car and opens up the back seat door for me.
• "Thank you, for a lovely evening" I tilt my head up and smile at Rhodes softly.
• "I'll see you tomorrow" Rhodes leans down and presses his lips softly against my cheek. It's so soft and delicate and yet it ignited something deep within me, something I haven't felt before. He pulls away and I say goodbye before I climb into the car, raising my hand to wave gently before Ambrose closes the door and walks over to the drivers side and climbing in. Rhodes waits on the front steps until the car has pulled out into traffic before turning around and wandering out of sight back within the hotel.