Read FRAGILE: Part 1 for Free Online Page B

hungry,” Eli murmurs, his voice gaining a husky edge.
    My heart skips a beat, and I give him a wry smile, as I feel desire course through my body. “Ready for dessert?”
    “Yes.”
    “If you want your dessert, you’ll need to match me,” I say.
    Eli smiles, as he undoes his tie.

CHAPTER 3
    I’m trying not to show it, but I’m giddy and feel practically drunk with love, as I sit at the café table, waiting for Larisa. It’s been difficult to think this morning, and I’m just getting my thoughts together and finally calming down when I see Larisa walk through the door.
    I’d warned her that I am dressed in the pretty blue cocktail dress that Eli had gotten me, so I’m unsurprised to see her enter in a very cute lavender dress that reaches to her ankles, accenting her curves, and a cream-colored short jacket. I wave at her, and she smiles as she walks over.
    “Hello there, lover girl,” Larisa says. “You certainly look like you had a good time!”
    I pat down my hair, which is still a little damp from the shower that morning. “I do?”
    “I can see the mischief in your eyes,” Larisa says. She peers at me over her glasses, as she sits. “Miss Jennings.”
    Despite myself, I giggle. “Ah, yeah, well. It was good.”
    “That’s all you’ve got to say for yourself?” Larisa asks. At that point our waitress shows up. We both order coffee and water, and I order a chicken avocado sandwich while Larisa gets a BLT.
    I wait till the waitress is out of earshot, and then I lean in. “The love-making part? Amazing.”
    “But he was still really secretive with you?” Larisa asks. “Even after the second night?”
    I nod. “He does not like to talk about himself! And, there were even a couple of times I’d asked something that made him basically shut down.”
    Larisa’s hazel eyes are watching me intently, and I can see that I have her interest. “Past stuff?”
    “Anything personal beyond interests and hobbies. Even his work!” Our coffees and waters arrive, and I add lots of cream and sugar to my cup before taking a sip.
    “Do you think your initial meeting might have something to do with it?” Larisa asks. “Maybe he’s just being cautious.”
    “That could be,” I admit. “But at one point I asked him about his family, and I thought he was going to walk right out of the room.”
    “Hm.” Larisa adjusts her glasses, a habit she does when she’s very intrigued. “Does he want to see you again?”
    “He didn’t say.” I sigh, trying not to show how disappointed I felt. “I gave him my contact info. I’m hoping I get to see him again.”
    Larisa, watching my face, suddenly laughs. “I’ve never seen you so love struck, Ruby!”
    “I’m not love struck.”
    “You’re getting a dreamy look on your face, and I’ve never heard you talk about a guy like this before.”
    I blush, embarrassed. “So how was your day yesterday?” I ask.
    Grinning, Larisa shakes her head. “Uh-uh, you’re not getting out of this that easy, Ruby. I’m not letting you pull an ‘Eli’ on me. You like the guy. A lot.”
    “Yes, I like the guy a lot,” I finally say. “But he’s already told me he doesn’t want a girlfriend.”
    “You’ve been known to change minds,” Larisa suggests.
    “What happened to you wanting to date Eli?” I ask. I actually don’t like the idea of Eli with anyone else, as much as I want the best for Larisa, but I’m trying to find a way out of this conversation.
    “Not with the way you talk about him,” Larisa says. “Not my type. Of course, you need to be careful, or you might go knocking his door down to see him again—which we can’t have right now.”
    I giggle again. “Whatever.”
    Larisa, still smiling, pulls out a legal pad full of notes. “I had some thoughts about other client possibilities. Since,” Larisa adds, “there is always the possibility that your encounter might cause Marnvell Jewelers to not renew their contract with us.”
    I lift my head