The Contract; A Billionaire Romance (18+)

SIX

Odessa

I slip inside the car and smile at the man named Garrett, and he returns it with one that drops panties.

"You look stunning," he says, his eyes raking down my body. I shiver at his stare, but heat reaches my cheeks.

"Thank you. You're not so bad, yourself." He has dark short hair and a clean face, but tattoos cover him from his neck to what seems like his ankles. He did say he was a tattoo artist, so it makes sense.

We make it to the bar in fifteen minutes and have to park a block away because of the crowded streets, but I don't mind walking, especially since my heels aren't massacring my feet with each step I take. We both exit the car and make our way down an alley and to the entrance of the bar. He opens the door for me, and the smell of smoke and liquor invades my nostrils, causing my head to swim. I blame it on the wine I've already consumed.

We find a table in the back corner, and he pulls out the stool for me, helping me up onto the cushion. I smooth my dress over my thighs, trying my hardest not to flash anyone with how short it is. I should have worn shorts beneath, but it's too late for that now.

"Are you hungry?" He asks as he takes a seat next to me.

"Not going to lie, but I had dinner already. This was super last minute, so I wasn't expecting to go out tonight."

"Understandable. I already ate too, but I would have gotten food just so you didn't feel awkward." We both laugh and a server comes up to our table and orders our drinks.

"So, tell me about yourself?" He asks once she steps away, and I audibly groan.

I dread this part of dating. I wish there was a magic button that would give us any information we want to know, just so I don't have to repeat myself every time I meet someone new.

"God, I hate this question," I admit, letting my head fall back.

"I know, but I literally know nothing about you besides the fact that you're gorgeous and have a cat named Artemis. That's all that's in your bio. Oh, and that you hate dating but still do it."

"That about sums it up, I would say. There's nothing special to share."

"What do you do for work? You never mentioned that."

I feel a twinge in my gut at the mention of my job but answer regardless. "I work as an assistant for a giant company, but that's a boring topic. If you really want to know the important stuff, I have an ungodly obsession with chicken alfredo and garlic bread."

"Noted," He says with a soft chuckle. "I mean, there's not much to say about me either. I work a ton, love to have fun, and love meeting cute girls." My smile dwindles a bit, but I laugh despite the red flag that waves right in front of my face. "I'm gonna head to the bathroom really quick. I'll be right back." He gets up and walks to the bathroom and just as he leaves, the server sets down our drinks.

I mindlessly sip my cider as I watch football reruns on the TV, not understanding the game but trying to occupy my mind with something.

Garrett takes a while in the bathroom, and I almost finish half my drink before he comes back. He sits down and apologizes.

"There was a line," He explains, smiling sheepishly before taking a sip of his drink. I nod. "You didn't roofy me, did ya?" I shake my head and smile slightly, but he just laughs. "It's okay if you did. I wouldn't mind." I take another drink of my cider and feel my phone vibrate on the table. I see from the name that it's Aden. I pick it up and furrow my brows.