Strictly Business

Chapter Four

I stared at my phone after he had hung up and sighed.

That man can never take no for an answer. I guess I should have known since I've spent quite a few times with him to be  able to pick up on his nature.

"Is it done?

I looked to the door way to see Olivia leaning against the wall as she studied me.

"Yep all done. He didn't exactly take it well but he's gonna have to accept it either way," I said with a shrug. 

"Well at least that's out of the way," she said with relief before she left.

I sighed heavily before scrubbing my hand down my face. For some reason that fucker has some kind of effect on me.

 Why? I wouldn't know.

I packed my s**t up and left the building making my way to my car. 

My phone vibrated as I started up the car. I cast a look at my phone and groaned when I saw the text.

Kaitlyn: Hey babes, Just letting you know we're having dinner at Devins place tonight. Jess is already here. Just waiting on you and Mikhail to confirm whether your coming or not?? Let me know soon xx

Before I could decline I received another text.

Jess: Grace you b***h!  You better come to this dinner or I swear I will kick your ass the next time I see you. Kaitlyn is making me want to slap her senseless with all her lovey dovey crap and Devins being Devin which is making me grow white hairs. Text me now woman and make me happy knowing your ass is coming! Nothing but love for you boo, now hurry up xx

I chuckled and shook my head amused by her dramatics and confirmed with the two of them that I was on my way.

As soon as I put my phone down it notified me of another message.

I looked at it and narrowed my gaze.

Mikhail: I'm assuming you will be at the dinner tonight. See you then Angel.

Me: Don't text me.

Mikhail: Wear something sexy, because after dinner tonight your coming with me ;)

I snorted at how confident he is and didn't bother replying.

I swear the arrogance on that man is out of this world.

I didn't bother getting changed out of my dress and drove straight to Devin's after stopping at a liquor store to get wine.

"Honey I'm home!" I called out as I grinned at Kaitlyn who chuckled when she saw me.

"Hey sexy thang," she teased with a wink as she took the wine bottles.

I air kissed her before walking over to Jess who still stunk of alcohol from this afternoon.

"Who are you texting," I asked with a raised brow as she texted with her eyes narrowed at the screen, as if she were going to go through the phone and strangle whoever was on the other side.

She looked at me before averting her gaze back to her phone.

"No one. Good your here, Olivia told me you had to drop Mikhail."

I shrugged picking an apple from the fruit bowl and taking a bite as I took a seat next to my best friend.

"Yep."

"And..." she pressed.

"And what?"

She sighed as she put her phone down and faced me with her hands folded in her lap.

"He's an asshole but I know he was rubbing off on you. Some would even say the both of you were getting attached while he was you regular," she said with a wiggle of her brows.

"Bullshit," I said with a laugh. 

"I'm right. What kind of man asks his f**k buddy out for dinner huh?"

"Gotta say she has a point there Grace," Kaitlyn said as she joined in the conversation taking a seat on the arm rest beside me.

"Exactly! You don't see my regulars asking me out on a date. Hell I would be lucky if they even talk to me and have a proper conversation. Instead its Hi, f**k me, bye." She said with an eye roll irritated with the men she's signed to.

"We don't talk about much. Just boring shit."

"Is that so," Jess said with a thoughtful expression.

"Yes Jess, now lets drop the subject."

"Okay but before I drop it I have one more thing to say..I think he fancies you Grace. At the strip joint today he wouldn't even leave your side. He even carried you out on his shoulders," Jess said with a laugh.

I glared at her and hit her with a pillow as she smacked her knee like what she said was the funniest s**t ever.

"I despise the guy but knowing he has a crush on you is hilarious! I swear every time I see him he's always angry and brooding about something. I even used to ask Devin if he was even capable of smiling," Kaitlyn laughed.

"I assume you are discussing about me."

We all jumped in surprise and seized our laughter as we looked in the direction of the door.

"The man of the hour," Jess said with a grin.

Mikhail stood at the open door with a raised brow and food in his arms.

As soon as his gaze met mine he ran his eyes down my figure before meeting my gaze again.

I narrowed my gaze at him as he smirked and nodded his head at me in acknowledgement before walking towards the kitchen. 

"f**k me sideways, b***h you both have chemistry. I swear I needed to check myself if I came from the way he was looking at you," Jess said exasperated.

Kaitlyn giggled before nodding her head in agreement. 

"Still don't like him much, but even I'm not blind at the way he ravishes you just by one look. It was hot." 

I rolled my eyes and covered myself with the throw blanket at the end of the couch, feeling self conscious all of a sudden.

"It's nothing," I grumbled.

"lady's dinner is ready!" Devin called out from the kitchen.

We all got up and went to the dining area and took our seats. I made sure to sit in between Kaitlyn and Jess so Mikhail wouldn't get any ideas.

Mikhail chuckled when he walked in and held my gaze captive as he chose the seat right across from me. 

I narrowed my gaze as he took his seat and winked at me.

"Okay now children play nicely, I can hardly breathe will all this s****l tension in the room and can practically smell your arousal," Jess teased.

I groaned and face palmed at my embarrassing friend while Mikhail shrugged before stuffing his face with food.

Dinner went by pretty quick which made me sigh with relief. 

Thank goodness that's over.

I grabbed my keys and quickly went to say bye to Kaitlyn and Jess, trying to leave and avoid Mikhail before he came out of the bathroom.

"Wait whats the rush? Don't you want to take some dinner for lunch tomorrow? Or even take Olivia a plate and give it to her tomorrow?" Devin asked.

Without waiting for a reply he gestured for me to take a seat as he started dishing a meal in a container for me to take to Olivia.

"It's fine Dev I can come pick it up tomorrow," I rushed walking towards the door.

"Leaving so soon."

I cursed under my breath and slowly turned around facing Mikhail as he entered the room.

I cast a look at Devin before watching Mikhail as he walked up to me.

"Yeah I'm a bit exhausted from today's event's so I will see you at the next taster for Kaitlyns wedding."

I turned around and placed my hand on the door handle before i was grabbed by the arm and spun back around to face the i***t.

"Mikhail!" I said irritated as I tried to shake his hold on my arm off.

"We have dinner tomorrow," was all he said as he studied me.

I met his gaze and sighed.

"Look, we can't do this anymore okay? I can't hang with you and have dinner. I no longer have anything to do with you."

"I will pick you up at 7."

"No I can't..."

"I will see you at 7."

"Mikhail!"

"7 on the dot, don't make me wait."

"Seriously!? Are we really doing this again?" I asked, annoyed that he was ignoring everything I was saying for the second time today.

He let out a low chuckle as he took another step closer to me where we were inches apart.

He leaned down towards my ear as I felt his arm circle around my waist.

"I don't think you understand whats going on...I always get my way. Your little speech you did over the phone today about dropping me as a client was merely an episode of your little tantrums you like to pull. So when I say I'm picking you up at 7 tomorrow...."

He tightened his grip around my waist and pulled me flush against him causing me to gasp at the sudden movement. He leaned closer and placed a light kiss on the nape of my neck.

"You better be ready," he whispered huskily before pulling away completely, leaving me dazed.

"Holy f**k, I may be pregnant after that."

I snapped out of it at the sound of Jess's whispered comment forgetting they were even there.

Devin looked amused whereas Kaitlyn looked curious.

Jess just looked plain out flustered with her cheeks tinged pink to indicate she was blushing.

Mikhail cleared his throat and looked at Devin.

"I will see you tomorrow before I pick this one up," he said gesturing to me before leaving out the front door. 

I was still speechless just standing there, not entirely sure of what just happened.

"So looks like you have a dinner tomorrow," Kaitlyn said.

She looked just as lost as me.

"Looks like I do," I said with a frown.

This should be interesting...