He sighed so sexily with a hint of a smirk and I felt the coolness of his breath hitting my face making my belly clench.
“You’re killing me.” His tone was low and husky. My nipples hardened at his despair. It was so unintentionally seductive, beguiling.
“Here. Take this number and call. This is a realtor friend of mine.” Pulling a business card from his wallet his voice was authoritative, succinct. “He’s good. I’ll tell him to expect your call and to treat you like a friend…of mine, of course.” His eyes were fastened to mine communicating something luminous. “You can give him a ring after you call me.” His voice was crisp and commanding, I felt slightly intimidated as he pulled a pen from his inner suit jacket pocket and wrote on a napkin. He pushed it over to me with those long fingers.
“Thanks.” I took the napkin he’d scribbled the contact information on and began gathering my things. I was over my allotted time. “Now, I know you’re a busy man, so I’ll be on my way. Thanks for the contact. I’ll give…” I glanced at the business card. “…Mr. Scott a call using you as a reference. But as far as your old-school cacography on a napkin, if you’re really interested—work for it,” I challenged him as I finished collecting my belongings to leave.
I noticed from my periphery that Azmir pulled out that gold pocket watch to assess the time and pointedly gazed at my scurry. The watch was only a tad less intimidating since the first time I’d seen it, but nonetheless entrancing.
As I got up from the table and turned to walk away, I heard him mutter, “eight ten to five fifteen.”
Halting my stride, I turned to him. “Excuse me?”
“Your typical work hours. Eight ten to five fifteen. Sometimes, you stay until seven but you never go past eight, at least not to date.”
I studied his features as he returned the pocket watch into his jacket, amazed by his knowledge of my work hours, not knowing if I should be afraid or awed.
“Those types of hours make for a dull Ms. Brimm…” Azmir’s head cocked to the side with his tongue pushed into his molars and a salacious smile formed across his face. “…but we’ll do something about that.” Azmir’s eyes flickered with promise.
There was a hum in his voice, a longing, that made me smile and my belly flutter. For some reason I didn’t think it was intended for my entertainment but more of a declaration.
“I will see you Ms. Brimm,” Azmir yelled out in a more formal tone as I walked away.
“…and you, Mr. Jacobs,” I replied headed towards the door.
As I was preparing to leave that afternoon around five that evening, I worked my way up to the receptionist desk to talk to Sharon and give my goodbyes. I was happy that I was able to bring her aboard my team in the LBC. I’d always enjoyed working with her in the past and was constantly impressed by her competence and professionalism. We’d never become personal friends but professionally we meshed very well.
While we were chatting about the following day’s schedule, a delivery personnel walked in with a beautiful bouquet of pink tulips and mini calla lilies.
The deliveryman crossed the foyer, “A Ms. Brimm, please…”
“In the flesh…” Sharon responded directing him to me.
He smiled while Sharon took the clipboard to sign for them.
“Ohhhh, Ms. Brimm! Who are they from? If you don’t mind me asking,” Sharon spoke in one breath with wide eyes like a high school cheerleader.
She had to tell me the type of flowers they were, I’d never been a flower type of girl but the arrangement was breathtaking.
“I’m not sure.” I anxiously searched the box for a correspondence. Once located, I opened it and immediately recognized the handwriting when I read, I’m on the hunt, Ms. Brimm.
Thursday night right after work. Dinner.
See you then.
A.D. Jacobs.
My heart nearly leaped from my chest and I stopped breathing. He wasn’t leaving an opportunity for me to turn him down. Damn.