Only Four Desire

Chapter 4

“What did you say?” Roxie asked. She felt her insides quiver, making her tighten her hold on the shopping basket.

Mitch arched a brow, the look of glee still very much present on his face. “I said I now get the chance to ask you out.”

“Like on a date?”

His eyebrows went up another notch. “Is there another kind of outing you would prefer?”

Roxie shook her head so hard her hair threatened to escape the confines of the flimsy ponytail she’d pulled it into. “No. I mean… I wouldn’t want any kind of outing,” she elaborated, because this had ‘bad idea’ written all over it.

Mitch and Elias might not have been close, but they’d known each other and worked in the same company. They still worked in the same company. So, how could Mitch just think it was a good idea to ask her out? Although technically, he hadn’t asked her out. He’d only suggested it.

Realizing she might have jumped the gun and overreacted a little, Roxie drew a deep breath, held it, and then released it before she located her voice again. “I think it might be best if you didn’t ask me out,” she finally managed.

Cocking his head to the side, Mitch gave her a confused look. “Any particular reason you think that?”

Roxie shifted on her feet. She looked around them, but there was no one close to overhear their conversation. She cleared her throat. God, she couldn’t believe she was having this conversation. “You are my ex-husband’s friend.”

Mitch immediately lifted his forefinger in the air, shaking it back and forth. “Huh-uh. No. We are work colleagues. Nothing more.”

“Doesn’t change the fact that it would just be awkward,” she pressed.

He didn’t look convinced and said as much. “For who? This is no different than a random guy asking you out now that you are single again.” He gave a wink. “The only difference is I have known you for a while and always liked you.”

The idea of that didn’t please Roxie. “You lusted after a married woman?” she asked, her voice full of accusation.

To her surprise, Mitch’s expression changed, all traces of humor gone. “Okay, let’s get something straight before you paint me in a bad light,” he said, holding her gaze. “You may have noticed that I never approached you while you were married. I think that should tell you everything you need to know about me. And… just so we are clear, there was nothing wrong with me noticing what a beautiful woman you are, even while you were married. Does that put your mind at rest?”

Did it? Roxie wasn’t sure. While it helped to know the man had some morals, it didn’t fix the rest of it. “I’m still not comfortable with the idea. And if I’m being honest, I don’t think I’m ready to entertain any male company in my life. The divorce was finalized barely three months ago.”

“Funny, in everything you just said, I didn’t once hear that you were not interested in me,” Mitch teased.

Quickly, Roxie opened her mouth to rectify that slip, but Mitch raised a hand, stopping her. “No. You have already set the stage.”

Roxie narrowed her eyes at the man. “I didn’t set anything.”

His brow arched again. “Didn’t you? Okay, tell you what… How about this? Let’s forget all about dates and time frames. Just let me take you out for a drink as simple… acquaintances.”

She shook her head and lifted the basket she still held in her hand. “I can’t.”

Mitch looked into her basket, suddenly making Roxie self-conscious when she remembered how pathetic it looked. Stiffly, she lowered it back down and took a step back. “Uhm. So, yeah. Maybe next time,” she said, because Mitch had been right. It wasn’t that she didn’t like or didn’t find him attractive. It was just a case of bad timing. Just as it had been with Alaric.

If Roxie weren’t so flustered, she would have laughed at the irony of it all. Elias had thought she wouldn’t have any male interests now that she was divorced, yet she’d had two in the space of a month. How she wished she could rub it in his face.

But of course she couldn’t. It wasn’t in her to do such a thing, but also, there was the whole matter of Mitch’s connection to Elias, and Roxie could already imagine the s**t show that would ensue if her ex-husband found out Mitch had always had an interest in her. So, yeah, Mitch’s connection to Elias was a problem even though he clearly refused to see it as one.

But Mitch wasn’t easily dissuaded. In a flash, he reached out and grabbed the basket, stopping her. “Hold up. We are negotiating here. You can’t run off while I still have more offers. Don’t bruise my ego like that.”

Despite herself, Roxie found herself chuckling, the act almost startling her. She quickly sobered. She couldn’t believe she was giving this the time of day, but okay. “Fine. What is your offer?” she asked, trying her best not to give away a hint of interest.

Mitch didn’t hesitate. “Have coffee with me.”

“It’s too hot for coffee.” What was she saying? Wasn’t she just supposed to say no?

“Ice cream? A chilled glass of wine? Or maybe you’d just like me to take you to a fountain so you could put your head under the water?”

Roxie gaped at the guy. “I can’t tell if you are serious or just playing games,” she confessed.

Mitch smiled. “The issue is you don’t get my main goal here. I don’t care what we do or where we go as long as you give me your company for a few hours.”

“Why?” Roxie shook her head, perplexed. “You can’t want to spend time with me that badly. Besides, you must have had plans for your day. Are you just going to drop everything to do whatever with me?”

“Most definitely,” he said without missing a beat. “It’s called being spontaneous. It’s good for you. Try it. Trust me, you won’t regret it.”

Roxie stared at the man, not sure she believed that. Being spontaneous wasn’t something she did. Life was much safer when she thought her actions through. But then again, what had all her careful thoughts and planning brought her?

A miserable marriage and messy divorce, that’s what. But wasn’t that because she’d trusted a man? Roxie narrowed her eyes on the man in front of her, trying to sweet-talk her into letting her guard down again.

As though sensing her thoughts had taken a dark turn and he was losing her, Mitch stepped closer, his gaze holding hers. “Roxie, don’t overthink this,” he urged, his voice quiet.

That did nothing to calm her racing thoughts. “And maybe I should overthink this whole thing. Why are you so insistent on the matter? I said no. Just walk away and find another woman to have your coffee, ice cream, or whatever with.”

Mitch pressed his lips together. A beat passed. Then, with a heavy sigh, he stepped back, hands up in a placating manner. “I apologize, Roxie,” he said, looking truly sincere as he watched her. Mitch shook his head. “I’m sorry. For a second, I forgot that you must be hurting from the divorce. I-I just saw you and knew that this was my chance, and I didn’t want to miss it. I shouldn’t have pushed you. Of course, you are not ready. I will let you be on your way.”

That hadn’t been what she’d expected, and for a moment, Roxie hesitated, not sure what to do. A gentle smile returned to the man’s lips, but he didn’t say anything else. He only watched her, as though waiting for her to turn and leave.

She should leave. Roxie didn’t want to get tangled with a man again. But her legs wouldn’t move. Her grip tightened on the basket she held. What was she doing? Why did she even care that the man had apologized and seemed genuinely sad she’d turned down his offer to take her out?

Arg! Roxie felt utterly stupid even as she felt herself wavering. What would a few hours with this man accomplish? Those were hours not spent in her bedroom in her parents’ house, praying her mother didn’t come looking for her for another lecture. It was hours of just trying to be normal and forget what a s**t show her life had turned into.

Roxie pursed her lips, the furrow between her brows deepening. He silently waited. In the end, maybe that was what made the decision for her. Roxie released a long breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, her shoulders dropping with the act. “How about a milkshake?” she asked.

The corners of Mitch’s lips twitched. “I will get you a crazy shake if you give me a smile. I will tell them to throw in some extra chocolate if you make it a chuckle.”

Roxie couldn’t help it; she laughed, which seemed to please Mitch very much because he promised a whole chocolate bar on her shake. Roxie shook her head at the ridiculous man even as she followed him to the checkout tills.

God, she hoped she wasn’t making a mistake. What was the worst that could happen?