Begin Again novel Chapter 138

The owner of Lusso, Vic Randolph and his wife Kayla were already seated and nursing their martinis when Liam strolled into La Famiglia with Eden at his side, her hand firmly in his.

The two men got down to business as soon as the introductions and pleasantries were out of the way.

Eden played the role of hostess to perfection, going over and beyond to be attentive to Randolph's wife as she catered to her every whim and need.

Kayla Randolph was a pretty little thing and half the man's age, but with enough plastic on her face and body to fill a landfill. Liam liked her, though. She was affable and well mannered. Not at all like a lot of the trophy wives he had met in the past.

Every time he looked up from his discussion with the owner of Lusso, he'd find Eden and Kayla deeply engrossed in their conversation, and he'd smile a little, pleased to see he'd made the right decision by bringing her along.

They were around the same age, had similar interests and backgrounds too. With her boisterous personality, Clara would not have built rapport with Kayla as quickly as Eden had. If there was one thing Liam had learned over the past two years at the company's helm, the wife was usually the person he had to impress when it came to clinching lucrative deals. Kayla was so impressed with Eden she even invited her to sit with her at Fashion Week.

"Thank you, I'd like that," Eden smiled demurely and picked up her dirty martini.

"Mr Anderson, Can we?" She turned to him as she twirled her drink in her hand.

Liam stifled a groan when the memory of her slender fingers on his cock earlier in the changing room and the pleasure they'd brought him roared to life.

He'd tried the whole night not to think about their encounter because working himself into a frenzy before a negotiation as huge as Lusso wouldn't serve him well.

But now, as he watched those damn sexy fingers slide up and down the side of her glass, remembering how good they'd felt when they'd glided over his hard-on, he couldn't help but think how much he wanted them around him again—

"Sir?" Eden said as she slowly brought an olive to her lips, her teeth gently sinking into its skin, luring it inside her mouth with her tongue before she took a slow sip from the glass, her eyes holding his over the rim. "Will that be okay with you?"

Well aware she's toying with him, Liam shifted in his seat, trying to ease his sudden erection straining in his pants. He was mighty grateful for the voluminous white table cloth. It did a fantastic job of hiding his raging desire for her.

"Of course, we can all sit together," he said, his smile as firm as his dick as he picked up his bourbon and gulped it down in one go, suddenly furious with himself for getting distracted and even more annoyed with Eden for making him all hot and bothered when he's trying to focus on Lusso.

She'll pay dearly for her little stunt, he vowed.

The conversation stayed on fashion for some time, with Kayla prattling on about her favourite designer's summer range before it moved on to art.

For a little while, Liam was happy to sit back and listen to Eden and Randolph discuss his art collection, liking the way her eyes lit up every time her favourite artists came up.

Randolph even tried to commission a portrait of his wife from Eden, but she declined with a smile, explaining she hadn't picked up a paintbrush in two years because her son was keeping her so busy.

"But when time frees up, I'd love to paint her," Eden said, touching Kayla's arm lightly.

"She's a keeper," Randolph turned to Liam and raised his glass. "Hold on to her."

Eden, though, was quick to set the record straight. "Oh no, he's my boss. It's nothing like that."

Randolph chuckled and winked at her, and Liam's smile broadened as he did his best to mask his irritation, realising once again that the only thing worse than being friend-zoned is being firmly placed in the boss zone.

By the time they got through their main course, the four of them were getting along like a house on fire. One would swear they were just two couples on a double date.

Halfway through their dessert and the contract signing, Eden excused herself to go to the restroom. Kayla followed her, leaving Liam alone with Randolph, and they spent a few more minutes discussing the deal.