What They Don't Know (Won't Hurt Them Trilogy #1) (8 page)

“Hey, what are you
drinking?” I question.

“Well, water for now,
waiting on Cruz.”

“Cruz?”

“Yeah, new
colleague,” he says as if I forgot.

“Oh, you never
mentioned his name.”

“Yeah, he's an
investor and small business owner.”

“How did you meet?”

“He owns, well,
silently co-owns, a chain of health clubs. I'm a member of one of
them.”

My inner-body has just
shut down. I can't breathe.

“Wanted you guys to
meet because of your financial input.”

I'm gasping for a
breath, as I calmly try to speak.

“What did you say his
name was?”

“Cruz, Cruz King.”

Fuuuck!
I silently scream in my head.

“I need to run to the
bathroom right quick.”

“Okay, hurry back. He
just texted; he's pulling up.”

I make it to the
bathroom, and I'm still experiencing inner-body issues.
What
the fuck am I going to do? I was his 7:30 that didn't show.
Oh God, my stomach convulses as I dry heave. Slow, deep breaths for a
few minutes and two sticks of gum are needed to calm me. Okay, Bria.
Man up, get your ass out there. Big chick panties, check. Balls of
steel, check. Let's do this! I'm my own hype man.

I step out of the
ladies’ room and spot our booth from where I am. Yep, that's that
ass all right. Fuckin’ Cruz King. My stomach is turning flips like
those Jesse White tumblers. I'm damn near dry heaving again. I try to
calm myself as I walk toward the booth. I feel like sprinting the
other way. Shit, I can run in heels with no problem; this bitch will
pull a Flo Jo in some pumps. If an opportunity presents itself. I
take deep breaths as I get closer to the booth. Bryant stands to
greet me, as well as Pool King. He turns around with a million-dollar
smile, and his smile turns into a devilish smirk as he looks me up
and down. He grabs my hand to shake; however, more transpires with
the movement of our hands. His index finger rubs the inside of my
palm, while his other hand covers my hand completely. My body is
warm.

“Cruz, this is Bria
Watts, my best friend.” Bryant introduces us like the professional
businessman he is. “Bria, this is Cruz King, hopefully, my new
business colleague.”

“Nice to meet you,
Bria? Bria, did you say?” He knows damn well that’s what he said.

“Yes,” we both
answer in unison.

“Nice to meet you,
Mr. King.” I try to stifle a smile.

“Please, call me,
Cruz.”

“Cruz, nice to meet
you.” He lets go of my hand, as I make my way to Bryant's side of
the booth. He escorts me there with his hand on the small of my back.
I can’t help but feel my body shutter. Bryant must notice my lack
of comfort, because he takes over the escort by placing his hand too…
on the small of my back.

Holy hell, this is too
much for my body to take today. The heat from both of their hands
sparks my core. There isn’t much to my panties, so I’m sure they
could melt between my thighs.

“Wow,” I say. Shit,
did I just say that aloud? I only took a few steps,
down
boys.
They are really making me feel uncomfortable. We all
sit, as I try not to look across the table.

“Cruz was just
telling me about his meeting prior to this. It was a no show,”
Bryant informs me. “He thought you weren't coming as well. I told
him you were in the ladies’ room. I also informed him you're an
on-time kind of woman, and you crush deadlines with your heels.” We
all laugh.

“Well, that's not all
I crush with my heels.” I smile, as I cut my eyes toward Cruz. He
gives me a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, I thought
maybe my client didn't get the messages; who knows.” He shrugs. “No
worries, I'm confident I’ll get that one back.”

“Hmmm, a little
confident are we?” I ask.

“Nah, I just know
women quite well.”

“Oh, your client is a
woman?”

“Of course. I allow
my female team leads to meet with the male clients who attempt to
cancel. It’s a manipulating marketing scheme, but it’s
effective.”

Definitely,
the friends’ episode.

“Is that what it’s
about, cancelling a membership?” I laugh.

“You laugh, but we
really value our customers.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes,” he says. I
laugh again.

“Bria, didn't you
tell me you joined a health club a few months back?” Bryant chimes
in on the conversation.

“Yeah, which one?”
Cruz asks. I have to think fast, because these gyms are popping up
everywhere. I’m not sure what else Mr. King owns.

“The only other
Big
Chain
there is,” I coyly respond.

He grabs his chest as
if he’s hurt by my revelation.

“That hurts, Ms.
Watts, really hurts.” I smile at his gesture.

“Not enough
obviously,” I whisper.

“So, what exactly do
you do in the financial world, Bria?”

“I am a financial
analyst advisor.”

“Sweet, for whom?”

Shit, I can't lie while
Bryant is next to me.

“A very well-known
company.”

“Is that right, does
it have a name?”

“It does and because
of legal issues—”

“Oh, yeah, that's
right,” Bryant interrupts. “She really can't say until Monday,
right, Bree?”

“Yes, that is
correct.” I pinch Bryant under the table.

“Ouch! What the
hell!”

I turn to Bryant and
smile with my teeth. “Don't call me that,” I whisper.

“What, is this a
lover's quarrel I'm witnessing?” Cruz asks.

“No. She doesn't like
me calling her by her nickname.”

“Ah ha, so no lover's
quarrel?”

I'm silent as Bryant
looks to me as he speaks. “No, I'm afraid not.” It looks like it
took everything in him to say.

“Okay,” Cruz says
with his hand on his chin, his very sexy, chiseled chin. God, what’s
wrong with me. Ugh.

“Are we ready to
order?” Bryant breaks the silence.

“Yes,” Cruz, and I
both answer.

Bryant signals for the
waitress, as she walks over Bryant smiles at her. Cruz orders, never
taking his eyes off me. My eyes are everywhere but where he is. Our
orders are taken, and Cruz suggests a very fresh red wine.

“No, thank you.”

Bryant eyes me. “Why
not? It’s Friday and it’s your favorite.”

I just laugh because
Bryant is really digging me a grave. “I guess I'll have a glass,
being it’s Friday and all.”

“Good, you look like
you had a long, stressful week. You could use a drink or two,” Cruz
says making an observant suggestion.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, probably have
pricks inappropriately approaching you every day.”

I side-eye him. He
can't be serious.

“I'd probably do the
same thing, if I weren’t an ethical businessman.”

This sonofabitch is
serious. Bryant laughs.

“Not this one,
buddy.” Bryant points at me. “She's a hard ass, number one
ball-buster,” he says.

I just shake my head
because Cruz loves every minute of my best friend confessions. I wish
he would just shut up.

“Excuse me. I need to
go to the gentlemen’s room.”

Bryant stands to leave
the booth. Shit, I want to grab his arm and go with him. I'm sure he
won't mind, but I'll probably be banned. Shit! Shit! Shit! As soon as
Bryant is out of sight, this ass flips his perv switch.

“So how long you two
been fucking?”

“Excuse me,” I
scoff.

“Honey, you do know
lover boy is in love with you? Bree.” He laughs, as he calls me by
the nickname Bryant uses. “It's cute, seriously,” he says, still
chuckling. The waitress shows up with a bottle of Sweet Red. I can
stall her until Bryant returns.

“So, why didn't you
come to the club tonight?”

Shit, I see stalling
isn’t going to work with this guy.

“There is no need to
meet.”

“Why? You don't think
I have anything to offer you?” He smirks on that question. I answer
immediately.

“Absolutely not. You
don’t
have anything
to offer
me.
”

“Ahh, okay. Ma'am,
can you please bring her some lemon water?” He’s a sneaky bastard
to send the waitress away.

“Sure thing,” the
waitress says nicely. Cruz’s eyes never leave my direction.

“So you never
answered my questions.”

‘What?” I say, now
irritated.

“How long have you
and Mr. Lover Boy been fucking? And how long has he been in love with
you?”

“None of your
business.”

“So you are fucking?
Psssh, that ends tonight.”

“What? Excuse me?”

“Yeah, the only cock
you'll want to feel from here on out is mine. So tell Mr. Lover boy,
your pussy is no longer avail…”

This motherf—. I
don't know what I'm more disgusted with, him or my moist middle.
There’s no way he can have this effect on me by speaking. I just
stare at him as he sips his wine. The motherfucker is smooth… This
fucking guy.

“Sorry about that,
man. I had to take a call.”

“Everything okay,
Bryant?” I ask, concerned.

“Oh yeah, good news
actually.”

“Great, that's good.”

“All I need is for
this guy to give me more good news,” he says as he points to Cruz.
I pick up my wine and start to sip.

“Well, it depends on
this lady here.” Cruz points to me. I almost spit my wine across
the table.
Yeah, real cool and
lady-like, Bria
, I say to myself.

“Oh so you two
discussed it already?” Bryant asks.

“Um, exactly what are
we talking about?”

“That you'll be my
financial advisor on this project,” Cruz finally reveals.

My heart jumps out of
my chest. “Oh, um. I'm kind of taking on another project for my
boss, and I need to focus on that right now. I can refer you to
someone. Bryant will give you all of his information; he's
brilliant.”

“Bree, stop it. So
are you.” He rubs my shoulder; I can see Cruz grinding his teeth.
“This will be great exposure for you, Bree. It won't be for a few
months anyway.”

“No, I would want to
get started right away.”

“Like how soon?”
Bryant questions.

“Like Monday,” Cruz
replies.

“I'm sorry, I just
can't; my financial budget is due Monday. I haven't even started it.
I really need to focus on that.” I'd say anything to get the hell
out of this. Bryant raises his eyebrows in question.

“Tell you about it
later.” He nods.

“Well, Bryant, how
quick can you get me another advisor?”

“I have all of Tony’s
information on my laptop at home.” I interrupt. “I can have it to
you tonight. Bryant, I'll email it to you when I get home.”

“Or you can just
email it to the intended person,” Cruz insists.

Bryant laughed and
says, “Yeah, Bree, or you can do that.” I grab my phone and look
at Cruz.

“What's your email
address?”

“[email protected],”
he rattles off.

I don't even comment. I
can't, he's too much.

“Great, you'll have
it before midnight.”

Bryant coughs as if
he's trying to get my attention. I hear “Tomorrow” from Bryant’s
supposed cough. I feel heat rush to my face. Bryant is insinuating
he'll be staying over tonight. All I can do is occupy myself with my
phone. I glance up. Cruz has a slightly disgusted look on his face.
I'm sure he heard Bryant.

“Hey, Bryant, say we
stick around later and do a little bar hopping to celebrate great
business ventures.”

Bryant grabs Cruz's
hand and shakes it excitedly. “Hell yeah, absolutely, man.”

“Congrats, fellas.”
I hold up my wine to toast.

“You should come with
us, Bree.”

“No, I'm beat. I need
to get some rest.”

“Sure, sure,”
Bryant agrees.

“Besides, men’s
night out. I can't interfere with that.”

Our food arrives and
I'm starving. I attempt to eat my salmon salad. Bryant eyes it like
he's curious. He sticks his fork in my salad, pulls out a chunk of
salmon and a few pieces of lettuce. He sniffs it before he sticks it
in his mouth.

“Neanderthal.”

“Yeah and you love
it,” he retorts.

I just shake my head.

Cruz laughs and
comments. “You might want to let her eat. She could use a little
more weight.”

“That's what I've
been telling her; she's always worried about her weight.”

“Skinny women are
just that, skinny,” Cruz says.

“Exactly,” Bryant
responds.

“Uh, hello, I'm
sitting right here.” They both look at me and shrug.

“Effin men.”

I offer to pay my
portion of the bill when I finish my salad. They both look at me as
if they are offended.

“What? I'm capable.”

“I know, Bree; I
asked you to dinner.”

“Okay, Bryant,” I
nonchalantly say to him.

“I got this, man,”
Cruz offers.

“It's cool. I got
it,” Bryant says. “You pay for drinks tonight.”

“Fine.” Cruz
pockets his wallet.

“Let me walk her to
her car, and we're good to go.”

“That's cool. I'm
going to hit the john.”

Bryant escorts me out
with his arm around my shoulder, and his head leaning on mine. I
glance over toward the restrooms. I can see Cruz's face. It’s
serious and his jawline is moving. If he grinds his teeth any harder,
he will gnaw his gums.

“All right, Bree, if
I'm not too wasted, can I come by?”

“Sure, Bry, don't get
too drunk. If you do, call me, and I'll come get you.”

“Okay, but I won't;
you know I won't. You look good tonight by the way.”
Win!

“Thank you.” I
flutter my eyelashes.

“You do that too
much; your eyelids will get stuck in one of those positions.”

“Whatever,” I
chuckle. He kisses me on my cheek.