I lowered my gaze, the butterflies in my belly fluttering from the term of endearment. Swallowing, I placed my spoon down next to my now empty soup bowl and took another sip of water while peering over the rim of the glass at him before responding. “Than what is this?”

“Fate. Destiny. Karma for something I did well in a past life. Whatever the hell you want to call it.”

Pushing out a breath, I pressed my palms to the edge of the circular table, sitting back against my chair. His gaze, his words, his entire demeanor were all so intense. I tried to fit as much space between us as I could. Not because I didn’t want to be near him. The opposite reason, actually.

“I have to get back to work,” I finally stated. I was at a loss for words. Mostly, I was so perplexed on how a man I hadn’t seen in half a decade could come in with one lunch and a few words and make me feel like he was turning my entire world upside down.

“This isn’t over,” he warned.

I didn’t say anything as he stood and then moved around the table to hold the chair out for me.

Robert didn’t hesitate to place his arm at the small of my back as we exited the restaurant once he paid the bill. And while a twinge of guilt formed in the pit of my stomach over the mounting feelings for Robert, at that moment, it felt good to not have to think about footing the bill for lunch. To not be chastised for wanting to enjoy a nice meal at a five-star restaurant every now and again.

“Thank you for lunch,” Robert said as he helped me out of the back of his chauffeured car.

“I should be thanking you.”

He shook his head. “I need your phone number.”

Surprised, my head jutted backward. He hadn’t formed it as a question. It was an order. I really should’ve been turned off. Instead, I took the pen and notepad he held out to me and wrote my home phone number down.

He took the notepad with my number on it and stuffed it in the inside pocket of his suit blazer. Moving closer to me, he lowered his face to mine, but just before he made contact with my lips, he pivoted his head, moving closer to my ear.

“I’ll see you soon, princess.” And with that, he pressed a kiss to the spot just beneath my earlobe.

My entire body tightened. He’d remembered one of the most sensitive places on my body.

As he stepped back, allowing me to pass by him toward the entrance of my office building, I fought hard to wipe away the thoughts of how after two years of being together Cohen still hadn’t bothered to get to know my body as well as Robert had after just one night together.

Chapter Twelve

Then

Robert

“Keep your guard up!” Buddy shouted from the side of the boxing ring.