He laid out the features he thought were so unacceptable and Sidney could barely keep the smile from her face as he did it. Not because she agreed with him, but because for someone so focused and logical, he missed some crucial elements.
When he told her she could leave, the short woman unfolded her legs and rocked to her feet, sweeping up her purse along the way. She paced around the table in her expensive boots, but rather than leave, she paused behind him and braced her hands on his chair, closing the space between them to something more intimate so she could lower her voice.
"I see a man with the social skill to safely maneuver around his playboy brother's reputation to get real work done. I see someone who likes to cut to the heart of things rather than dance around the bush with empty promises and half truths." Sidney murmured from the air to the side of his head. "Who cares enough about himself to dress to flatter his form and the demands of fickle fashion, to uphold a certain public image crucial for his business. Who works too hard, but wants to taste some of what comes so easily to his brother. Who is intelligent, well spoken, and
attractive."
She smiled and it settled into her voice.
"I'm in the unique position, I think, to help you with that. Consider me... a free pass. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, and I'm not going to judge you for any choice you make. You don't have to make me breakfast in the morning if you don't want to and you don't have to show me off at parties. I am no obligations, no strings, and no expectations." She said as she leaned on his chair. "You aren't going to scare me away. And I'll be blunt too, since you have indicated that as one of your failings."
A closer lean came with a lowering of her voice to something only he could hear.
"I would like a chance to ******** you and experience the, no doubt many, other good qualities you deny having. I can play prim and proper for you, look pretty on your arm, and beg like a whore the minute we're behind closed doors. If that's your thing. Or we can go somewhere we can dance and drink and forget all of this, then you can kiss my hand at the door to your fancy hotel and we go our separate ways." She chuckled softly. "Either way, you accomplish what you set out to do, right? Take that first step into the pool."
When Sidney finally straightened up, she took a chance and ran the tip of her finger down the side of his neck before she pulled away.
"I'm going to excuse myself to the ladies room, if you don't mind. Decide if you want to eat here, or skip it and head somewhere else, hmm?" She announced as she turned to head for the back and the Restroom sign. It would give Marlo some time to think things over, she figured. And worst come to worst, she'd eat her meal alone and call herself a cab home if he decided to leave without her.
