CHAPTER 109: DARE TO LOVE ME: I’m Not Interested
Paula
*23 Years Ago*
I had just turned 19 and had been working in cafés and various jobs while attending university, which had been my goal since I was little. I lived with my parents in a small town a few hours
from Los Angeles until I was accepted into a university in Chicago, which forced me to move
to this city alone when I was 17. I managed to get a scholarship, but I worked to cover my expenses and also received help from my parents. They had a small business in the town and
helped me as much as they could, but the university was really expensive, so we had to make
extra efforts to keep me there.
Today, we had to deliver some pastries and coffee to the company across the street.
According to my boss, the company always ordered refreshments for their meetings from our
café. I was new here, so I was just starting to learn how things worked.
We packed up the last boxes and drinks onto a catering cart, and I followed one of my co–workers toward the enormous building.
“It’s always boring coming here,” my co–worker commented as we got off the elevator. “You’ll
only see stiff men who won’t even glance at you, not even by accident. You just come in, leave
everything, set up the trays, and leave.”
I followed her through the offices to a conference room with the door open. A couple of
secretaries, I assumed, were setting up folders at each seat. They motioned us to the spot
where we were supposed to leave the food and drinks. We started arranging everything on a table, and through the window, I noticed a man standing in another office, facing away from
- us. He wasn’t wearing his jacket, just his dress shirt and trousers. His broad back and the way
his pants fit perfectly to his body caught my attention as he moved back and forth, and I couldn’t stop staring at him.
“Must be one of those sons of the guys I told you about, the ones who wouldn’t even bother
looking at us,” my co–worker remarked, also eyeing the same man.
“I wouldn’t expect them to,” I said, quickly looking away from the man. I reminded myself that I
wasn’t interested in a relationship. I had only had one boyfriend from when I was 14 until I
moved here, and it hadn’t been a pleasant experience. So, I had put a hold on dating for the time being. Maybe I just wanted to have fun for now. I tilted my head slightly and sneaked another glance at the man’s well–defined backside, only to have him suddenly look in my direction, causing me to quickly drop my gaze back to a cup. I heard my co–worker laugh, and I
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CHAPTER 109: DARE TO LOVE M…
bit my lip to keep from laughing myself.
After finishing setting up the table, we left the conference room and headed out.
“Don’t even think about looking at the group of men coming our way,” my co–worker whispered. “One of them is the boss, Darius Russell, a guy with a terrible temper. He looks down on
everyone and can get you fired in a second if you do something he doesn’t like.”
I was still holding a napkin in my hand when I looked up and caught sight of the man I had
been staring at earlier. My eyes traveled over his entire form–he was incredibly attractive.
Broad shoulders, strong hands, and a smile to die for. I quickly looked away, feeling a bit shy
now that he was looking at me.
“He saw you,” my co–worker teased with a grin. “That’s new.”
I pressed my lips together in a thin line. That didn’t mean anything.
My shift ended, and I got ready to head back to my small apartment. I left my apron in the
washroom.
After saying goodbye to my colleagues, I headed out, only to stop dead in my tracks when I
found myself face–to–face with a solid wall of muscle.
“Good evening,” the man said, and I looked up to see his face. It was the guy from the
company across the street, the one who had caught my attention.
“Good evening,” I replied, trying to step around him. I didn’t need more than two seconds with this man to recognize the giant **DANGER** sign written all over his forehead.
“Did you and your team deliver those amazing pastries to our meeting this afternoon?” he
asked.
“Yes, we did,” I answered with indifference, though I couldn’t help but study his face.
“Patrick Russell,” he introduced himself, extending his hand toward me.
“Paula Stewart,” I said, shaking his hand.
“I thought I might have dinner here,” he said, attempting to continue the conversation.
“Of course, go ahead. My colleagues will take care of you,” I replied, stepping around him.
“I could invite you to dinner,” he suggested, and I looked at him. No, I wasn’t interested in this. I wanted to keep enjoying my peace without getting involved with guys for now.
“Thanks, but I’ve already had dinner. Enjoy yours,” I said, walking toward the door, feeling his
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gaze linger on me as I left.
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It had been a few weeks since Patrick Russell had appeared on my radar. He now came to the café twice a day and spent his time watching me. We had short conversations about his work
and my life. I wouldn’t lie–he was impossible not to look at. He was one of the most attractive
men I had seen in a long time. The way his shirt stretched over his arms wasn’t lost on me,
and the fire in his gaze when he looked at me made my body heat up in response to those
flames.
“Patrick,” called a man I had recently learned was Darius Russell, Patrick’s father, as he
entered the café. He avoided looking at anyone inside, .clearly thinking we were beneath his
social level.
“What’s going on, Dad?” Patrick asked, looking at him.
“I don’t want you to be late to the meeting again because you spend too much time here,”
Darius said with disdain as he scanned the café.
It was a nice, pleasant place, clean and well–maintained. I didn’t understand why he looked at
it that way.
“I still have time,” Patrick said, checking his watch.
“Don’t take too long,” Darius said before leaving.
“You’re a daddy’s boy,” I teased as I brought Patrick his check.
“I’m an independent man who does what he pleases and doesn’t let his father tell him what to do,” his voice was deeper than usual. “And when I want something, I go for it,” he added,
looking directly into my eyes.
“Well, that doesn’t mean you’ll get it,” I challenged, meeting his gaze.
“We’ll see,” he said, standing up and leaving several bills on the table. I knew he’d left me a
generous tip.
That night, as I finished my shift, I noticed Patrick hadn’t come for dinner, which felt strange. I put on my hoodie over my work shirt and walked the short distance to my apartment. It was close to the café and the university. I had to be practical, as it saved me both time and money
on transportation.
Once I got home, I locked the door and dropped my keys on the small kitchen table. My apartment was tiny, not offering much space to move around. I untied the bun I had to wear every day at work, kicked off my shoes, and slipped into a knitted tunic after taking a shower. I
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sat on the couch to finish a university assignment.
Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. I frowned–no one ever visited me, except for my parents once in a while. They didn’t like the city and couldn’t leave their business for long.
I put my laptop aside and went to the door, surprised to see the person standing there.
“What… what are you doing here?” I stammered, and Patrick smiled. “How did you find me?”
“I’ve been following you from a distance, making sure you get home safely,” he said casually, glancing behind me into my apartment.
“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t need you to do that,” I said, swallowing hard. Why did he look even more attractive than usual? No, no–I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
“I have a flight to the UK tomorrow. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, and I wanted to say goodbye,” he said, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe. I found myself staring at his broad shoulders and muscular arms.
“Well, goodbye,” I said, waving my hand and taking a step back. His intoxicating scent filled my senses, making me want to do something I definitely shouldn’t. I watched as he chuckled and shook his head before swiftly pulling me into his arms.
“I’ve seen the way you look at me,” he whispered after a fiery kiss that left me breathless. “I know you want the same thing I do.” He kissed me again, his lips hot and wet, and my body responded to the heat his actions ignited. I clung to him as he led me inside, never breaking the kiss. My hands roamed over his strong arms and broad back, thrilled to finally make real the fantasies I had denied for so long.
His hands slid down my legs, lifting my tunic, and that’s when I looked at him and stopped
him.
“I’m not interested in a relationship,” I clarified, my breathing ragged.
“Neither am I,” he said before kissing me again, leaving me in just my underwear.
