" Lira's! " She exclaimed gleefully while Liam looked dumbfounded.
" Why that particular restaurant? " He asked in disbelief.
" I suggested it so that's where we're going, isn't it just great?! " She shouted.
" For someone who doesn't want to be in the public eye, I'm quite surprised you picked this " Liam wondered out loud.
" It's perfect, don't you see? It's fairly expensive " She tried to make him see reason but he clearly didn't, which made it all the more difficult.
" If you picked it because of the money, you can call my mother now and change the location, I'll take care of the bills " He urged her.
" No way! I like it! " She whined.
" Okay fine, do whatever you want but don't you come crying to me when something happens " He warned darkly.
" Of course " She said with a huge smile and they went back to his office.
" Thanks for the meal, Mr Blake " She said the moment the door closed behind her. She took the seat opposite him and placed her hands on her thighs.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and chuckled " You're welcome Mrs Blake, say what, let's go on a date this weekend "
She didn't look surprised, amused maybe but definitely not shocked, Liam concluded as he stared at her calm composure.
" Okay " She said calmly and straightened out her dress.
" Don't be late, I'm leaving " She said
He frowned, not liking the idea " You wanna leave now? "
She nodded " Yes " She replied softly.
" But your body tells me something different " He whispered sexily.
Carla blushed, not finding the right reply for his insinuation. In truth, she didn't want to leave but there was no way she would tell him that.
He continued, undeterred by her lack of response " Your legs for instance, " He took a pause and gulped " The way you're pressing your thighs together under the damn table "
Her breathing came in fast motion now but she still didn't utter a word.
He continued " And the change in your breathing, and in your complexion "
She gulped " My complexion? " She whispered
" You're flushed " He smiled slightly
" That could just be the wine we had back at the restaurant " She said softly, more of trying to convince herself that her body wasn't reacting to him neither did she wanted him.
He smiled at that " You really want me to believe that? It's the adrenaline, Mrs Blake "
She removed the ribbon which held her ponytail in place and let her hair cascaded down her shoulders, on to her back. He on the other hand, loosened the tie of his suit, allowing him a breathing space. He removed his Rolex wristwatch and laid it on the table, the clicking sound heard in the silence of the office.
Carla laid her hands on the table and tilted her head over to a side " Let's say I did stay, " She took a pause.
He raised his eyebrows, encouraging her to go on.
She continued " What would happen? "
" First, " He said, removing his tie completely now " I would help you out of that little dress of yours "
" And? " She asked, tempting him, wanting him to lose control over her. Suddenly, she wanted to tease him just like how he found pleasure in teasing her.
" And I'd be pleased to discover that you're naked underneath " He finished.
" Really? " She asked, batting her eyelashes at him.
" Then I would bend you over " He smirked
" Right here? " She asked very softly, placing a palm on the table.
" Yes " He replied without mincing words.
" On this table? "
" Yes " He said again and they stared at each other longer than anyone Carla had ever seen their partners do.
She bit her lower lip in anticipation, staking the odds. A minute passed with none of them talking.
" Thanks for the meal, Mr Blake " Carla said finally and stood up. Her footsteps receded as she walked to the door. Of course he followed her. She paused at the door and looked back.
" So we'll see at home, alright? " She smiled.
He hummed in reply and brushed some hair away from her face " You sure I couldn't make you stay, huh? "
She didn't reply, instead she opened the door and they walked to the parking lot. Ben was there waiting as usual. He may as well appointed him as her permanent driver, he thought to himself.
" Nah " She finally replied with a soft smile.
He nodded rather dejectedly " Okay I'll see you later then " And he turned to Ben " Drive her safely "
Ben nodded " Her safety is my priority sir "
********
" Carla my dear, it's so good to see you, how long has it been since we saw each other? " Diana gushed over Carla in a rather embarrassing way but she didn't mind the stares she, particularly received from people.
" It's good to see you too, Diana " Carla replied with an automatic smile.
" How is it going with Liam? He could be a nuisance sometimes " Diana sighed wearily which made Carla laughed, a genuine one this time.
" No, we're good " She replied, her laughter dying down to form a soft, contented smile.
Diana read her expression so well and she could guess things were really good between them. She smiled to herself.
" And is there a little Liam in there already? " She probed further, gesturing to her flat tummy.
Carla laughed nervously and her hands shook a little " I wouldn't know about that, Diana "
She hoped Diana would leave it that way, but little did she know that Diana had just started her interrogation.
" Then go for a checkup in the family hospital, or rather, any hospital you'd like. It's your choice, have you been feeling strange lately? " Diana asked again.
Carla shifted a little bit on her seat, feeling uneasy " I... I don't know, but I'll go for a checkup like you suggested "
" You're a darling! I'm not making uncomfortable, am I? " Diana searched her face for hidden or not too revealing expression.