Chương 22: Some Brandy.

James stood next to the door as he watched the server that was sent to his private room arrange drinks on the table that was in front of the sofa he had been sitting on. After he was done, he left quickly.

The staff were very familiar with James, since he was the co-owner of the establishment. If he came in looking the way he did today, it meant that he did not want anyone to bother him.

After their privacy was restored, James went to the counter that was on one side of the room and made himself a cup of tea. Laura frowned when she saw him return with the mug that had steaming hot tea.

"Aren't we going to drink together?" Laura asked James once he sat back down next to her.

"We are. I'll just be drinking tea," James said as he placed the mug on the table in front of him.

"Why?" Laura asked him.

"Because I have work tomorrow. You would do well to enjoy tonight as well, since you are going to have to worry about work too in the future," James advised.

"I thought you would be joining me," Laura said with a pout as she looked for what to she wanted to drink. The server had brought an assortment of not just wines, but also other strong liquor, which made Laura hesitant to pick what she wanted to have.

James watched Laura, who was thinking hard about what she wanted to drink as if she was making a big life decision with an amused smile.

"What would you drink?" Laura finally asked when she couldn't make up her mind.

"You want me to choose for you?" James asked her, and Laura nodded.

"Yes," Laura answered.

"Then, brandy should be good," James said and picked out a bottle out of the cluster of bottles and handed it to her. Laura studied the label and shrugged her shoulders, deciding she was going to drink it.

It wasn't like she was very particular about her drink, especially since she just wanted to drink as an excuse to take advantage of James. It was too bad that the other party didn't want to cooperate and had tea instead.

Laura poured some into a glass and added some ice to it before taking a sip. James relaxed on the sofa as he watched her slightly frown at the taste before she put the glass down.

"You don't drink on work days?" Laura asked him.

"No, only on days I know I won't be working. Or when socialising," James said and touched the chain that was hanging down her back. He wanted to see how the whole piece looked on her.

"Do you like it? Rachel designed it," Laura said, and turned around to let him see it better before turning again to face him.

She could see the curiosity in his eyes as he wondered just how it looked from the front. Especially since he could vaguely see the way the chains linked themselves to the necklace.

"You want to see the rest?" Laura asked and James closed his eyes to remind himself to be a gentleman and that, as suggestive as what she said sounded, she was inexperienced and could be considered a blank sheet of paper.

"Don't say that to anyone else in the future," James said, and looked away from her smiling face. She clearly knew what she was doing. She just did not know the implications of doing it with him.

"I don't plan to," Laura said, and emptied the rest of her drink before refilling the glass. She then stood up and went to stand in front of the floor to ceiling window to watch the people who were enjoying themselves downstairs.

It was clear that the establishment was very exclusive, especially as she looked at the type of people who were there. James took a sip of his tea and wished he was having the brandy instead. He was in full view of Laura, and he couldn't help but appreciate her figure. She had the type of body that would look good, even if she wore rags.

So, as Laura stared at the people downstairs in fascination, James was looking at her. When she turned around to ask him something, their eyes met, and she felt her mouth go dry from how hot his eyes were. She even felt it more intensely because of how the alcohol she has been drinking made her loosen up.

James watched as Laura walked towards him and put the glass that held her remaining drink on the table in front of him. He continued to silently watch her as she lowered herself and sat on his lap. It was not the first time she was doing so, but his heart raced as if it was.

"Boss, what do you want me to do when you look at me like that?" Laura asked him as she put her hand on his chest as she leaned forward. James held her gaze, not breaking eye contact, and even put his arms around her waist so she wouldn't slip off his lap.

"How am I looking at you?" James asked her, his grey eyes searching her green ones.

"Like you want to swallow me whole," Laura said to him and held on to his shoulders as he pulled her to sit, move even closer to him, her side up against his chest.

"Well, with you looking like this," James said, but didn't elaborate. He could feel the chain on her waist and belly button with one of his hands, and his curiosity was piqued. Especially when he caught a glimpse of it through the side of her dress. It looked like tonight was going to be a true test of his restraint.