Fixing Freddie (5 page)

The barista saw her and motioned her over to the pick-up counter. “Here, your coffee’s ready,” she said, smiling broadly.

“But...” Samantha frowned. “I haven’t paid yet.”

“No worries.” Another smile. “Your gentleman friend paid.” She nodded her head toward a table by the window.

Samantha turned and her pulse went into overdrive. Good Lord! What had she unleashed on the unsuspecting women of Vancouver?

Somehow she made it across the coffee shop. He rose and pulled out a chair for her. “You look lovely this morning” he said, holding the chair until she was settled. “I was beginning to worry that you weren’t coming.”

For a moment she couldn’t speak. His hair was pulled back and tied at the nape of his neck. It lay smoothly against his head, thick and glossy and she had to stop herself from reaching out to touch it. She’d been right; the look suited him.

“So what do you think?” He looked worried. “Is this what you had in mind?” He turned the full force of those amazing eyes on her. He was a different person without the glasses. Maybe not inside, but outside he was sex on a stick.

Samantha took a tentative sip of coffee. “I didn’t recognize you.” She couldn’t tell him what she really thought. “You look great. Different, but great.”

“I’m glad you approve.” He smiled then and her gaze was drawn to his mouth. Without the distraction of the hair and the glasses his full, generous lips were more noticeable and she forced herself to look away. “I took a few hours off yesterday” he said. “I thought I might as well get the hair and glasses part over with and clear the decks for some shopping.” He looked at her hopefully.

“Your employer sounds pretty understanding.”

Was that a flicker of amusement in his eyes? “Yeah, they’re cool. As long as the work gets done, that’s what matters.”

“Lucky you. I went home about half an hour early yesterday and you’d think the world had come to an end.”

“Really?”

“No, not really. I’m exaggerating, but there’s not a lot of flexibility in a law office.” She started to relax, and studied him openly. Oh yeah, no doubt about it...underneath that quiet exterior he simmered with sexuality. Already a couple of women in the coffee shop were giving him the eye. “What type of work do you do, Freddie? IT covers a lot of ground these days.”

He thought for a moment before responding. “I work for a computer game developer.”

“Do you like it?”

He gave a short little laugh. “Yes, fortunately. I do.”

She tilted her head and studied him. “You don’t fit my preconceived notion of a computer nerd. I envision gamers shut up in smoky bedrooms playing their games for hours on end.”

“Some of them do.”

“I remember in school you were always sketching things. Is that what you do now?”

“You remembered.” He seemed pleased. “Not so much now, but in the early days some of my characters were used.” He glanced at his watch.

“I guess we have to go, huh? I really don’t feel like going to work today.”

“Same here, but I have a conference call in half an hour.”

“And I have to finish that contract I almost fouled up yesterday.” She stood up reluctantly. “So, when should we start shopping for clothes?” She looked up at him. “I’m coming with you, you know.”

He opened the door awkwardly, and for a moment she was encircled by his arms. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m free any time you want me.” His cheeks flushed. “You know what I mean.”

If only he knew. “How about tomorrow?” They were nearing the intersection.

“Tomorrow’s great. Shall we meet for breakfast, and then go on from there?” He smiled down at her. “How about the coffee shop at ten? Unless you’d prefer to get started earlier.”

“No, ten is great.” The light changed and she stepped off the curb. “See you then.”

He was still watching when she got to the other side. She smiled and waved. It was going to seem like a long time ‘til tomorrow morning.

* * *

“Good morning, sir. What can I do–” Chloe stopped and stared. “Is that you? My God, you look fantastic!” She stood up and came around to the front of the reception desk, assessing him openly. “Does the new you want some coffee?”

“That would be great, thanks. And that conference call?”

“It’s all set up for 9:30, as scheduled.” She walked toward the coffee room, shaking her head.

Freddie caught sight of himself in a glass partition as he walked to his office. It would be a while until he got used to the new look, but he liked it. More importantly, Samantha had approved.

Samantha. He liked the way her name felt in his mouth when he said it. She’d looked particularly tasty this morning, as though she were meeting someone special. His heart sank. Why did he keep torturing himself? She was obviously in a relationship. It was killing him to think about her with someone else. The guy was an idiot, but there was no way he could say anything about that. He’d just have to bide his time.

Chapter Six

 “So he looks hot, does he?” Lauren wrinkled up her nose. “I’m having a hard time picturing that.”

Samantha rolled her eyes. “Trust me on this one. He’s got it in spades.” She paused, took a sip of wine. “We’re going shopping tomorrow.”

Her friend was uncharacteristically quiet.

“Laur, is something wrong?”

“Lying around here I’ve had a lot of time to think, and I’m wondering where this is going, you know? I don’t want to see you get hurt. You’re starting to sound like you’re falling for him. Need I remind you that you have a boyfriend?”

“I thought you hated him,” Samantha countered.

“I do, but don’t you think you should get rid of him first? Clear the decks, so to speak?”

“He’ll be gone most of the week. I was thinking about ending it when he gets back.”

Lauren nodded her approval. “Even if nothing happens with Freddie, you’d be better off without Cody.” She made a face. “He’s such a pig.”

“What do you mean, ‘if nothing happens’?”

“Hello. Earth to Samantha. You don’t think he’s doing this for you, do you?”

The thought had crossed her mind. Especially when he looked at her in that intimate way that made her breath catch in her throat. “No, of course not.”

“Well, then. Once he’s out there, he’ll be snapped up in no time.”

The idea made Samantha sick to her stomach. “I’ve seen women looking at him already.”

“There you go.” Lauren softened her tone. “Listen, kid. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. But don’t count on it, okay?” She paused, tapped a finger against her lips. “Although I’d love to find out if the rumour’s true.”

“You’re disgusting.” Samantha couldn’t help but laugh.

“And I suppose you haven’t thought about it.”

“You won’t let me forget.”

Lauren wagged a finger. “Don’t avoid the question.” She spoke in a lawyerly voice. “Do you or do you not wonder about the size of Freddie’s package?”

“No. Yes.” Samantha swallowed. “Maybe.”

A key turned in the lock and Zach came in, bearing a bouquet of flowers.

“Saved by the boyfriend.” Samantha shot a warning glance at her friend. “I’ll get going and leave you guys alone.”

* * *

He was waiting for her when she arrived the next morning. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted coffee, but I ordered one anyway.” He waved at the barista; she acknowledged and sent an employee around with Samantha’s coffee.

“You must tip them well for this kind of service.”

He shrugged. “It’s worth it.”

She took an appreciative sip then looked across at him. Lauren was only partly right. She wasn’t
starting
to fall for him–she’d already fallen. But there was one thing that had been bothering her. “I need to ask you something,” she said. “It’s about this work you do.”

Something moved behind his eyes. “Okay.”

“The company you work for. Do they make games that demean women?”

Relief flooded his face. “Why, is that a deal breaker?”

“Just answer the question.”

He reached across the table and picked up her hand. “No. We don’t make games that demean women, and we never will.” His touch sent sparks zinging through her veins. “As a matter of fact, some of our most popular characters are kick-ass women.”

“What if they decide to change the rules? I understand that games featuring women-bashing are popular with some guys.”

“Not gonna happen,” he said, releasing her hand. “You have my word on it.”

She studied him for a moment. “Okay, then; enough said. Where are we having breakfast?”

“Shall we go over to the North Shore? I understand there are some good menswear stores over there. There’s a good restaurant there as well, overlooking the SeaBus terminal.”

“Are we going on the SeaBus?”

He looked down at her shoes. She’d worn strappy, high-heeled wedgies.

“Nah, I think we’d better take my car. I live right around the corner.”

“Downtown?” Her eyes widened. “In that new building?” It had been heralded as the most exclusive condo complex in Vancouver. “And I suppose you have the penthouse.”

He laughed. “Of course.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Come on, let’s get going. I’m starving.”

* * *

They walked down the ramp into the basement and he guided her to a Land Rover.

“And here I thought we were going in that.” She motioned toward a low-slung gunmetal-grey sports car parked against the opposite wall. “What is it?”

“An Aston Martin.” He stopped to admire the car. “It’s a beauty, all right. It belongs to the guy who owns the penthouse.”

“Like James Bond. You’re sure we can’t take it?” she teased.

“Next time,” he said with a laugh. “Come on, let’s go get some breakfast.”

* * *

Samantha sat back and patted her stomach. “Oh, I do love Eggs Benny. I so rarely go out for breakfast. This is a real treat.”

“Doesn’t he take you out for breakfast?” His gaze went to the precise spot on her neck where the hickey had been. Thankfully, it had faded.

“I...” She didn’t know how to answer.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.” He didn’t look sorry. “It’s just that I have some pretty old fashioned ideas on how a woman should be treated.” He gave her a look that curled her toes.

Warmth flooded her body. If she hadn’t been hot for him before, she certainly was now.

The awkward moment passed when the server brought a fresh carafe of coffee and removed their plates.

“Why are you doing this for me?” he asked, fingers absently caressing the side of the cup. He watched her intently as the silence stretched out.

“I guess...” she hesitated, staring into her cup. “It’s partly because you were so nice to me that time when we were in high school.” She raised her eyes. “Do you remember? I scarcely knew you. As a matter of fact, I probably made fun of you behind your back, but you stuck up for me.”