Meeting His Match

Chapter 9-3

Nat checked the time, but what difference did it make? It wasn’t like she had a job to get up for in the morning. However, the wine made her feel friendlier towards Mac, and she wasn’t sure if it was a good thing. He’d apologized a couple of times now for his words to Ashley, but she remained self-conscious about what he’d said.

“Something wrong?” he asked quietly.

When his voice got deep like that, it hit her low in the belly with a desire she shouldn’t have.

Calling on her full ability to be Gem, she smiled. “I’m nervous about what’s going to happen when we turn this on.”

Her double entendre wasn’t lost on him. Clearing his throat, he settled back on the couch, extending his long legs in front of him and one arm along the back, close, but not touching her. “Can’t be any worse than what we’ve seen.”

“One can hope.”

He reached and tugged her hair. “Only one way to find out.”

His touch sent signals through her body where they didn’t belong. Her breath hitched, unsure of the rules for this game. She wasn’t used to the playing field being quite so even. She didn’t like it.

He tossed the remote in her lap. “Press play.”

Point Malcolm. Any other man would’ve made a move. She sighed and pushed the button.

For each woman, Nat had worked with a reputable organization that put together events for singles. It allowed Chicagoans to meet other singles without it being filled with the pressures of a date. In exchange for allowing Jennifer, Ashley, and Melissa access to the events, Natalie gave the organization free advertising on her site and she promised a call out to them in her next few videos.

Ashley was first, which made Natalie feel a little better. She was most confident in Ashley’s abilities to strike up a conversation with a man and get a date. Her event took place at a bar that hosted literary events, which was a natural fit for Ashley since she was a writer. Books n’ Brew was a regular event at the bar, but that night, the place had been packed with singles.

By the time Ashley had chatted with a handful of men, Nat couldn’t hold back her smile. When Ashley made a date to get to know one guy better, Nat jumped up and danced.

Mac’s attention was glued to her expertly executed hip swivel. “Don’t get too excited there, Gem. You still have two more clients to get through. And considering you have a special bond with Ashley, I’d worry if this hadn’t been a success.” He stood. “But I like the dance. You should consider doing that for the camera.”

“You’re a funny guy, Mr. Sterling. At least I’m having fun.” She plopped back on the couch.

He left the room, so she hit pause on the disk. She wouldn’t want him to miss any of her success. When he came back, he was carrying another bottle of wine. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re always so stiff and formal. Do you have fun doing anything?”

“I’m enjoying myself,” he said with a smile. He refilled their glasses.

The grin was friendly, but the look in his eyes was anything but. The way he looked at her made her warm all over.

She took a deep breath and a healthy sip of delicious wine. It wasn’t like her to be that off track. Rarely did she look into a man’s eyes and be unsure of what he wanted. She hated questioning herself.

Jennifer spoke directly into the camera before her event. “I don’t know what Gem was thinking with this. I’m an accountant. I have zero art skills.”

Nat shook her head. She’d explained the philosophy clearly when she’d met with Jennifer. The woman needed to get way the hell out of her comfort zone. Nat hoped an art class might loosen her up.

The screen cut to the class where the project for the week was working with clay.

“Were you hoping for the love scene from Ghost?” Mac asked.

“With her? Hell, no. I wanted her to dig in and get dirty.” Nat glanced at him. “She’s a lot like you.”

“How so?”

The incredulous look on his face forced a smile onto hers. “Oh yeah. You both have these ultimate shields up. You hide behind perfect manners and polite conversation. Damn. Even when you’re insulting me, you sound nice about it.” She couldn’t believe she was saying this. Another sip of wine fortified her. “There’s never anything real and raw. Uncensored.”

Although the video continued in the background, the air between them filled and expanded with tension. Mac stared long enough and deep enough that she knew he was ready to break.

But a shriek on the TV broke the moment instead. Slowly, they both turned to the screen where Jennifer had clay splattering everywhere, including all over the cute guy sitting next to her.

And she did nothing.

“Ugh. You’d think I didn’t teach her anything. That was the perfect moment. Cute chit-chat, get his number...” Nat waved at the screen. “What is wrong with her?”

“You’re trying to get her to be something she’s not. Much like you warned me against doing with Ashley.”

That stung. Partly because he had a point. “I don’t want her to be something she’s not. I want her to be fearless and try new things.”

Mac inched forward on the cushion. “Not everyone can be like you.”

The snort slipped out before she could stop it. How little he knew. Their gazes locked again and the same thick s****l tension peaked. She swallowed hard and leaned closer.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“Being fearless.” Closing her eyes, she moved in for a kiss, but he grabbed her shoulders as he backed away.

Her eyes snapped wide open.

“We can’t do this,” he said.

“Why the hell not? We have hot chemistry going on here.”

“We have to be able to work together.” He released her shoulders.

“So we should get rid of this distraction.”

“I’m not the kind of man who has s*x to purge my system. I like you, but this won’t work.”

“Hey, babe. Your loss.” She scooted to the other side of the couch. She knew he felt the attraction. He didn’t deny it. But damn. A girl can only take so much rejection. Of course, he was aware of her as Natalie, and as usual, she wasn’t enough.

They watched Melissa’s date play out on screen, but Nat had a hard time focusing. She’d made all the right moves again to spark something between her and Mac. Yet he wouldn’t play ball. It was irritating to say the least, especially since he didn’t say he wasn’t interested.

Melissa’s date was at an indoor rock wall climbing event. Nat gave Melissa credit for at least trying. The woman gave climbing a real try and Nat guessed she was probably mighty sore now. When they reached the end of the disk, Nat stood. “They might not have found true love on their dates, but no arguing, they had a good time.”

Once again, Mac was still sprawled in his corner of the couch, all long legs and arms. “Gloating doesn’t look good on you.”

“You’re wrong. Everything looks good on me.” She gathered up their dirty glasses and took them to the kitchen. When she turned, Mac was behind her with the remainder of the snacks.

“Are you okay to drive?”

Other than still being turned on by your presence? “I’m good. Thanks.”

He stroked his beard, which Nat had been dying to do.

“About before—”

She raised a hand. “Over and forgotten. See you whenever we get summoned to the office. I’m sure Brad will want to see us soon.”

“I’m sure.”

Then Nat waltzed out of his condo. Yeah, waltzed. She wouldn’t let him see his rejection bothered her. She was better than that. A man could no longer determine how she felt about herself. Her failed marriage had taught her that much.

Malcolm Sterling didn’t want her. So what?

Except as she got into her car, she still felt like she missed out on something really good.