Beyond Gorgeous

Prologue

"Eleven in the evening, really?" I said. This is basically a booty-call, I thought. I fixed the floodlight's position to wash off the shadows in the background, ignoring the hot British walking towards me with dark green eyes assessing me.

Eli gave me a shrugged that didn't hide his real agenda. "I'm a busy man," he said with feign nonchalance.

I scoffed, "Busy? Before I come in, I saw you twiddling your thumbs. My guess is that you did this on purpose to torture me."

He smiled and check himself out on the mirror I placed before him. "Why would I do that?" He slurred in his lazy speech. Obviously, provoking me.

I turned the monitor on and without looking at him I said, "Because I didn't want to go out with you"

It was his turn to scoff, "Come on, Scott. I am long over that. I knew when I'm not wanted."

I can feel my forehead wrinkle at how arrogant this man is, "Then why am I here, Eli? Why are we making this damn project in the middle the night? On the same night that my staff can't make it, so I have to do this on my own. Why?"

He smiled again and looked at me with those intense gaze, dark green like that of the deepest ocean. His beautiful face was framed by his naturally unkempt hair that looked like fingers were run over it. Or pulled, for that matter. He stood and walked towards me, his presence commanding, his torso is long and lean and his biceps are work of art. The way he stalked towards me like a predator cornering his pray is messing with my head. He stopped in front of the monitor across me and leaned in so that our foreheads were inches apart. "Are you scared, Scottie? Don't worry, I won't pounce on you." His eyes and smile are flickering with mischief. "At least, I'll feed you first because I am a gentleman."

I rolled my eyes and murmured, "If my memory in Myanmar served me right, you were not a gentleman."

"Ha!" He said with a clap and when I looked at him, he looked like he won the Olympics. Laughing, he said, "You brought that up. I am rattling you, gorgeous."

Like a hit of tequila, the nickname - that reminded me of soft moans and loud cries - warmed my chest. I shake my head to clear it. I tried to keep my calm which used to be easy but Eli is making it a damn challenge. I smiled and breathe before I said, "In case you haven't noticed, I am not that girl anymore nor I am like the girls you fool around with in this city. I am woman with an amazing career, acquired confidence and, by the way you skim my frame with your eyes as if you were undressing me, I believe I have a rocking body." With that he raised his brow and licked his lips, it proved my point. I continued, "I'm a take-charge woman and can eat corporate men like for lunch. Nothing rattles me. Now change your clothes, we will start filming."

His eyes shone like damn Christmas light and a small smile broke at the side of his lips. He winked at me and said, "Keep telling yourself that." He turned towards his office bathroom and, without closing it, he pulled his t-shirt off. I got a peek at taut stomach with rock-hard abs on the reflection of the mirror placed across the bathroom. I also got a glimpse of the roman numerals tattoo right above the V that leads to the oasis I once visited. I remembered it clearly, how I licked, nipped and kissed that specific part of his body years ago. I turned around immediately because I know I am seeing something forbidden. My breathing hitched, my palms are sweating and I felt like my throat is closing up – so much for nothing rattling me.

I blew a breath and sighed, "I am screwed."

*~ Beyond Gorgeous ~*

Chapter One will be published on August 2017