Irresistible Boss Succumbing to Your Touch (Maria Anita) novel Chapter 3

Ricardo’s POV

I was about to call Lexie and give up on going to this bar with her and her friend, but after learning what happened to Patrick, I decided it was time to end my self-pity, as my friend would need me when he returned from wherever he was. It wouldn't hurt to go out and meet new people either.

I got ready and went to pick up Lexie at Flavian's house. We had agreed that she would sleep at my place again. She was great company - pleasant, fun, and witty. She was very easy to get along with, and at work, we were becoming quite a synchronized pair. I rang the doorbell and waited.

"Look who's here." Flavian opened the door, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. He let me in and closed the door. "Tell me something, Rick, what's going on between you and my sister?"

"Relax, Flavian, Lexie and I are just friends, and you can be sure there's nothing else going on." I wanted to laugh at my friend protecting his sister, who was a beautiful woman, but I thought it better not to push my luck since Flavian was bigger than me.

"But she slept at your place yesterday." He narrowed his eyes.

"And she's sleeping there again tonight so you and Manu can have privacy. Don't worry, she sleeps in one room and I sleep in another." I explained, trying not to laugh.

"Alright, I'm trusting you, don't forget she's my sister." Flavian warned me. "Sit down, looks like she's going to take a while."

"You and Manu didn't feel like coming with us?" Flavian broke into a smile.

"And miss out on the privacy my sister is giving us? No way." His eyes sparkled.

We talked a bit about Patrick. Flavian had a hunch about where he might be but was just as worried as the rest of us. We also discussed Manu's brother showing up outside the company, and I regretted not staying with those two at the office until Flavian arrived, but I hadn't imagined they would leave.

"Rick! Sorry, I'm running a bit late." Lexie appeared looking stunning in a short dress that showed off those beautiful long legs of hers.

"Wow! Lexie, you look fantastic!" I complimented her as she did a little twirl.

"Do you think I'll find a cat tonight, Rick?" She asked excitedly.

"No cats, I'm allergic," Flavian complained, and Lexie rolled her eyes.

"Not that kind of cat. And I never knew you were allergic to cats." Lexie looked at him confused.

"I know exactly what kind you mean, and that's precisely the kind I'm allergic to." Flavian gave his sister a serious look. "Rick, I'm trusting you here. Keep an eye on her, chase away any players, and don't lay an inappropriate finger on her."

"Are you her brother or her father?" I laughed at his expression, never imagining he was so protective of his sister.

"Whatever! I don't want any guys taking advantage of my sister," Alexander grumbled.

"That's right, Rick, I'm the one who's going to take advantage of the guys!" Lexie laughed while Flavian frowned.

"Let's go, girl, before your brother ties you to the table leg. Couldn't you convince them to come with us?"

"No, the old couple is staying home to get busy like rabbits in heat." Lexie laughed while Flavian looked at her, scandalized.

"My friends are none of your business, Sabrina." Lexie responded dryly.

"I'll tell your mother about the kind of people you're hanging out with." Sabrina threatened.

"Oh, do that and while you're at it, tell her how you were seen naked and tied to a bed in a hotel room. She'll love to know you're behaving like a whore, and she'll definitely tell your mother." Lexie threw the threat right back at Sabrina. "Now get lost, you bitch!"

Sabrina walked away with a sour face as if she'd just sucked on a lemon. Soon after, a group of three girls approached and asked to share our table since the bar was packed. We agreed, and it turned out to be quite fun. They were all college students, young and full of aspirations. We laughed, talked, drank, and at the end of the night, one of them invited me back to her apartment.

"So, handsome, how about we extend the night at my place?" The girl was a bit drunk and pretty cute, but I still didn't feel ready for that - I didn't consider myself a free man yet, even though Tess had permanently closed the door on me.

"Sweetheart, you're beautiful, but the timing isn't right for me." I limited myself to saying that, and the girl just smiled.

"That's too bad, maybe another time." She gave me a quick peck on the lips and left with her friends.

"Why did you turn her down? She's gorgeous!" Lexie asked as we walked to the car. We had already said goodbye to PH, who had gotten into his own car and left.

"Because I'm not ready for that yet." I answered, and my friend understood. "But what about you, why did you turn down all the guys who approached you today?"

"Because I'm not ready for that either." Lexie smiled and got in the car. "Come on, let's go because I'm going to enjoy that wonderful bed you lent me and sleep in tomorrow." It was impossible not to laugh at her, always complaining that Manu and Flavian were too noisy. I was really enjoying her company, and she had become, in a very short time, a dear friend, someone important to me.