His curvy Luna

6

Chapter 6

___ Ava's POV ___

I'm starting to feel very nervous, afraid that he won't accept my apology. For some reason, I have butterflies in my stomach at the thought of seeing him again. The idea of never seeing him again because he won't accept my apology is making me nauseous. But I've never allowed anyone to have control over me, so I don't really understand why I'm feeling this way. If he doesn't accept my apology, then he can go jump in a lake for all I care.

I went to the bathroom at the salon to freshen up, spraying some perfume. I tousled my hair, sprayed some silicon shine spray, and applied a bit of leave-in conditioner to control my frizz. I also emptied my bladder just in case, as the old saying goes, "Better safe than sorry."

Before leaving, I checked the appointment book to make sure I'd be back in time for my next client. We're fortunate to have the owner of the salon we do, even though he doesn't know much about hairdressing. From what I can see, he's not too bad at running a business. He always gives us the freedom to work almost any hours we like, as long as we meet his set quota of hours a week. We can also do as much overtime as we want, but we only receive the commission made during that time. It works well for me. I reach my work hour quota earlier than the rest because I don't really know a lot of people around here except for my colleagues and clients. So, I enjoy spending time at the salon. If it weren't for Genevieve, this place would be perfect, but there always has to be a fly in the ointment. I frowned at the list of new unknown names but still felt grateful for the work.

Phone check. Handbag check. The next appointment time was checked. We're good to go. Let's apologize, possibly have a coffee, engage in some small talk, then get back to the salon, eat my lunch, and return to work. I asked Pat to update me with a message if something changes in my appointment book. She agreed with a hug and a wink, telling me to enjoy my 'date.' I just laughed and shook my head. She lives in this romance fantasy that I think plays in her mind 24/7.

In the lift going up to the top floor of the mall, where this amazing expensive restaurant is located, I marveled at the place. It's like walking into an enchanted forest. It's elegant but not snobbish. It's dimly lit, yet not too dark, feeling like the clearest night sky with all its shiny stars merged with the sun's radiance, illuminating the forest floor through the canopy of treetops. It's as if someone threw in a handful of fireflies in the mix to create the perfect ambiance.

I know Brittany said I looked good, but now I feel underdressed. I think it's just the atmosphere in this place. Before I reach the host, I glance around at the people who are seated, but I can't see him. When I inform the host that I have a meeting with Benjamin, he tries to hide the fact that he gave me a once-over look, probably assessing me. He leads me to the back and opens a door that I believe leads to a private room. He probably has other business meetings and is only fitting me into his packed schedule. I better not waste his time.

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___ Benjamin's POV ___

When I walked into the restaurant that I own and run from the pack house, my staff all stared at me as if I had lost my mind. They know me well because more than half of the staff are wolves from my pack. I employ my pack to work here and at several of my other businesses and establishments. So, they all know my usual dress code, and from all the frowning from the males and the seductive looks from the females, I can tell they are curious to know what is going on and who I am meeting with.

The room is soundproof essential due to all the confidential business I usually conduct here and the presence of werewolves that work here. I don't need people eavesdropping in on my conversations.

The door opened, and I could smell her all-consuming scent before I could even hear or see her. You need to take about two to three steps before you can fully see into the room. Before I could see her, I heard the most tantalizing sound that had me at full attention, fighting back my own urges. She had the smallest of moans in the back of her throat.

Had it not been for my heightened werewolf hearing, I would have missed it, and what a pity full loss that would have been.

I'm taking that as a compliment, and that she likes the way I smell. I've been here for a good half-hour now, so my scent in the soundproof room has become so strong that even a human nose could pick up on it.

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___ Ava's POV ___

As I took my first step into the room, the smell of his cologne hit me like a wrecking ball. I had an involuntary moan as my heart raced. At least it was so soft that I couldn't imagine how he could have heard it. Small mercies. Bracing myself, I took the last two steps into the room, but I was not expecting the sight that was currently in front of me.

He is incredibly handsome, wearing a black button-down shirt that hugs his body like a second skin. The sleeves are slightly rolled up, exposing his muscular forearms. Please wrap me up in them. Arghhhhh, don't start your sh*t, Ava. You are here to apologize and get back to work.

Walking further into the room, I extend my hand to the man who's now standing almost next to me. "Good afternoon, Benjamin."

"It definitely is a good afternoon, Ava," he purred while looking at me intently. I could see a huge smile on his face, and his hair was styled perfectly. He definitely did not look like someone who was dissatisfied with the service he received. He takes my hand, and that strange sensation, like goosebumps, travels up my arm from his touch. Wait, why is he still holding onto my hand? That's when he did the most bizarre thing. He bent over and brought my hand up to place a kiss on my knuckles.

What on earth is happening here? Am I in an alternate universe or something? Clearing my throat, I locked eyes with him, unable to decipher the emotions in his eyes and the look on his face. But one thing is for sure; anger or disappointment is definitely not in the mix.

Realizing that neither of us had spoken yet, I cleared my throat again and said, "I must say I'm slightly confused here. Uhm... I came here to apologize and was expecting you to be upset about my service yesterday. But your hair looks great, and your actions are anything but upset."

He pulled my chair out for me to sit, brushing his hand over my shoulder and hair as he walked back to his seat. With a small chuckle, he explained, "Well, that is unfortunately all due to Brittney's scheming. I... uhm, I must say I asked her about you. You intrigue me. I told her that I would like to know more about you, and, being the impish little brat she is, she told me to go directly to the source, asking me where and when, and she would arrange the rest. My humble apologies for having you doubt yourself and having you meet me under false pretenses. You may leave if you feel you want to, but I truly hope that you don't. I really do find you interesting and want to get to know you better. What do you say, are you staying to have lunch with me?"

Wow, blow me over with a fart. In my wildest dreams, I might have slightly considered this to be a reality.

He wants to get to know me and asked Brittney about me. That b*tch had me doubting my own abilities, and now she has me losing my mind and senses. I stared at him with a dumbfounded expression on my face, trying to recover from the shock of this random turn of events. Here, I was amping myself up to apologize to him and playing through all the scenarios of how this meeting would play out. The tramp knew that it was going to be a date. It was not a typo. Hell, she orchestrated the whole thing from the way she worded her first message till I walked into this room. Still so lost to the plan Brittney had concocted, I had forgotten that I still had yet to answer Benjamin's question. But when he brushed his hand over my forearm and settled his hand on top of mine, I was brought back to reality. Softly chuckling, I answered with the utmost honesty, "Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you. And I hope to get to know you better as well."