I’d never been so angry in my life and never spoke to a client like that before, especially someone of Jake’s reputation. My anger was quickly subsiding, to be replaced by an indescribable feeling. Was it fear? No, I wasn’t afraid of Jake Powers. But still, maybe I was too harsh. He wasn’t used to being challenged, and I certainly chewed him out just now.
“This is...unfortunate. I apologize if my actions have put you in a difficult position,” he answered after a long pause. “It was not my intention to lead anyone on. I’ve been so used to acting how I like; it’s become a habit for me. No one has ever questioned my actions before. I see that you’re right, I do need to change if I want to settle down.”
I was shocked. I expected anger, even sulkiness, but not capitulation. I felt a sense of triumph that I had stood up to Jake Powers, and won. Maybe he wasn’t so heartless after all.
“If you still want my services, you’re going to have to change your behavior. You have to agree not to have sex on the first date with the women I set you up with,” I said.
“I will agree to your terms,” he replied.
Chapter Five
"Look, I'm sorry Sandra. Sometimes it doesn't work out." I closed my eyes in frustration, cursing Jake Powers under my breath. I had been stuck on the phone for 30 minutes with Sandra trying to break it to her that Jake wasn't interested in a relationship.
"But I thought we had so much chemistry. I mean, he was so tender and loving...I just don't understand. What did he say again?"
"He said you were a wonderful person, but he just didn't think it would work out."
"I still don't understand. Why would he sleep with me if he wasn't interested?" She sniffed on the other end, and I could mentally picture her dabbing her eyes, wiping the tears away.
I tried very hard not to say "I told you so." It wasn't the right time to lecture her about sleeping with guys on the first date. Especially guys like Jake Powers, who probably had more notches on his belt than Casanova.
"That's just how some guys are," I told her. "I'm sure you'll meet someone down the line who will treat you like you deserve, and you'll be glad things never worked out with Jake."
"But Chloe..."
"I'm sorry Sandra. I'm getting another call I have to take. Try to feel better. Treat yourself to a nice massage and facial. We’ll contact you soon once we have another client who is compatible."
I was desperate to end the conversation. I'd spent far too much time trying to console her. Damn Jake Powers. I bet he never realizes the kind of hurt and desperation he leaves in his wake. He probably has his personal assistant handle the break ups. I wondered if he sends them off with a nice little gift, so their tears don't fall too long—or maybe to prevent them from spilling the beans to the tabloids. Come to think of it, I'd never heard of one instance where an ex spoke badly of him.
"We should just make it a rule that you can't have sex on the first date," Allison said, cutting into my thoughts.
"Huh? I'm sorry, I was distracted."
"I said, we should just make it a mandatory rule that you can't have sex on the first date. We should include that clause in the contracts."
"Yeah right," I said. "How would we ever enforce that? They’re consenting adults. No one put a gun to their heads."
"Hey, you're the one who said we weren't an escort service," she shot back. "I'm just saying it would probably save a lot of heartache and confusion if we made it a rule. Plus, you would cut down on those types of calls you just had to deal with."
"Hmm...you might have a point, Allison," I replied. It wasn't a half bad idea after all. If I could save myself from those types of soul sucking conversations in the future, maybe I should make it a rule. "I knew there was a reason I kept you around."
"You mean besides the fact that you couldn't function without me?" Allison replied, sticking her tongue out at me.
"Hey," I shot back, grabbing a stuffed bunny from my desk and throwing it at her, "I function just fine without you. I'm a grown woman, you know!"
"Sure boss," she laughed.
"I'm sorry; I hope I'm not interrupting." I swiveled my chair to the sound of that familiar deep voice. Jake stood there dressed to the nines in a tailor fitted navy blue suit with his tie loosened around his neck. He looked like he'd just come home after a long day at the office. He wore an amused expression on his face as he took in the scene before him.
"Oh no, you're not interrupting anything," Allison said. "I was just getting ready to head home." She got up off the couch and picked up some files from my desk. "I'll just sort through these tomorrow," she smiled, and raised her eyebrows at me before heading towards the door. Jake stood aside for her to pass.
"I'm going to need you to come in early tomorrow," I said to her back. I knew she was doing this on purpose, leaving me alone with Jake. I felt my heart pounding in my chest and my face flush, as he stood there witnessing our little interaction.
"Please come in and have a seat," I said once Allison had let herself out.
Jake walked into my small cramped office and sat himself down on the seat opposite my desk. His movements were smooth and graceful. He looked out of place in my office, his long lean legs stretched out before him. It felt as if he took up the whole office with his presence.
"I'm surprised to see you. What brings you here?" I asked, curiosity finally getting the better of me.
"I've just come from my date with Trista.”
"Oh?" I looked at the clock on my wall. It was only 8pm.
"It is rather early to end a date," he replied, as if reading my thoughts. "But I knew immediately she was not the one for me."
"Did you at least let her finish dinner?" I joked. I wasn’t sure how to react. On the one hand it was a bit insulting and hurt my pride that he could dismiss one of my girls so quickly, especially after it had taken me so long to find someone who I thought was compatible. On the other hand, a part of me was pleased.
"I'm not sure if she finished dinner or not," he said.
"What do you mean, you're not sure? Didn't you leave at the same time as her?"
"No I didn't. I told her I did not think anything would come of our date. I had other things to do, but she was free to stay and finish her meal," he replied.
"Wait, so you just left her there?" I couldn’t keep the indignation from my voice.
"Yes."
I stared at him, my mouth hanging open. The gall of this man to just leave his date, the woman I set him up with; it was the outside of enough!
"I can't believe you," I shouted. "What kind of person does that?!"
Jake seemed mildly surprised by my outburst. He stared at me, not saying a word, until I could feel my initial anger waning into a mild, simmering annoyance.
"Well?" I asked. "Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"
"I don't understand you. First you tell me not to lead these women on, and to let them know my true feelings, and then you get upset when I do just that. What is it you want me to do?" he asked, perplexed.
"I...well...you..."
"Yes?" I could hear the amusement in his voice. He was toying with me.
"You know very well what you should have done. There are better, kinder ways to let someone down, and walking out on them during a date is not one of them. Especially when they've done nothing to you," I replied. "If you were more of a gentleman, you wouldn't need me to tell you that."
A look of annoyance briefly flashed across his face before being replaced by the cold mask I had become accustomed to. His eyes bore into mine, as if willing me to his way of thinking before he spoke.
"I am a very busy man, Ms. Harper. I don't have time to waste on fruitless pursuits."
"And what was wrong with Trista? She's a perfectly lovely person. A lot of guys would be lucky to have her," I said, defensively.
"Oh she's perfectly fine and perfectly boring," he replied. "I don't want someone who will agree with every little thing I say. She was pretty, I'll give you that, but since I
promised you I would not sleep with her, there was no reason left for me to stay."
"You're such a pig," I said outraged. "Is that all you care about? Sex?"
"Try to pay attention, Chloe," he said. "I just told you I didn't sleep with her because of our agreement. I'm a very busy man; I don't like to waste my time."
“Yes, you've already said that, like 50 times," I cut in petulantly.
"I don't think you understand; my time is very valuable. If something isn't working, I cut it out of my life. That's how I became successful, and I’m not going to change how I act. Do you understand?" He acted as if he were talking to a child.
"Yes sir," I said sarcastically. "Anything else I can help you with?"
"I want to know who else you've set me up with,” he said seriously. "If they're anything like the other two, you need to go back to the drawing board. I'm not interested in boring bimbos and sycophants."
"Bimbos?! None of the women I've set you up with have been bimbos!" I said, offended.
"Perhaps not bimbos, but they’re definitely not up to my standards. I'm beginning to wonder how you've done as well as you have as a matchmaker. Either your past clients aren't picky or you're running some kind of scam."
"You're a real piece of work, you know. You seduce these girls and use them, then toss them when you're done with them. And when you can't sleep with them, you treat them worse than the dirt under your shoes. Now you come into my office and insult my work? Who are you to judge me? I'm very good at what I do, thank you very much. You can just ask any one of my past clients how I've helped them."
"And why is it that someone who's supposedly so great at matchmaking have such a hard time finding a match for themselves?"
"I...that's none of your business," I said flabbergasted.
"You can look surprised and hurt, but it's a legitimate question. I've done my research on you too. Thirty-three years old, still single, no real long term relationships, just an off-again on-again fling with an old college boyfriend. Currently off," he recited.
"I let my record speak for itself," I responded, trying to keep my voice light. The truth was he was getting dangerously close to a sore spot for me.
"You bill yourself as some type of matchmaking guru, and yet you can't even get it together yourself. How can I trust that you can help me find someone for me, with your own track record?"
"I don't go into your office and tell you how to do your job!" I lashed back, no longer able to keep a reign on my anger. "My personal life is none of your business. It does not affect how I do my job."
"Actually it is my business," he continued unrelenting. "How is it that someone as attractive and intelligent as you can still be single?"
My eyes flashed as I looked at him, my skin hot and flushed with anger. He knew all the right buttons to push to set me off from 0 to 60 in record time. My temper was getting the better of me, and I knew I had to check myself before I did something I regretted. He looked like he enjoyed riling me up, which just made me angrier. I made a conscious effort to calm myself, not wanting to play into his hands.
I closed my eyes and took several deep calming breaths, my mind conjuring images of dropping a giant anvil on his head.
"I think you should leave," I finally said.
When I opened my eyes again, Jake was standing face to face with me. I didn't even hear him move closer. I had to take a step back, as a gasp escaped my lips.
He wasn't disconcerted by my reaction. In fact, it seemed to spur him on even more.
"You're very beautiful when you're mad," he said to my surprise.
I looked at him like he had grown two heads. One second he was giving me a rundown on how incompetent I was at my job, and the next he was complimenting me. My head was in a whirl. I took another step back, trying to keep the distance between us so I could think. Jake stepped closer with every step I took back.
"Wh-What are you doing?" I said. My back was against the wall. There was nowhere left for me to go. Jake walked closer towards me like a lion stalking his prey. His eyes never left mine. My anger from a moment ago was quickly dissipating to another feeling entirely. The sensation quickly travelled from my pounding heart, downward and settled in my belly.
"Mr. Powers...uh...Jake, I think you should leave," I said weakly. I lifted my arms in front of me to hold him off, and swallowed, my throat feeling suddenly dry.
"I like it when you call me Mr. Powers," he said. He stopped inches in front of me. I could feel the heat emanating from his body, but he didn't touch me. He didn’t have to. His eyes raked over me, and I felt as if each look were a caress. My skin flushed at the thoughts that ran through my mind at his look.
I closed my eyes, willing him to either kiss me or step back. I didn't know which I wanted more at that moment. I knew it was wrong to want him, but it was impossible for me not to feel attracted to him. He was unlike any guy I'd ever met before. The fact that he could want me too sent a thrill throughout my body. He's probably never been with anyone over a size 6, I thought to myself. The thought brought a smile to my lips.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked. I felt his warm breath brush over my lips. He still hadn't touched me, but this felt way more intimate.
"None of your business," I said, opening my eyes.
A look of amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes before I felt his lips on mine.
The kiss was like lighting a match to a burning inferno. I was surprised by how powerfully I reacted to it. Desire and lust completely consumed me and I knew I wanted more. I pulled Jake roughly by the lapel of his jacket and thrust my tongue in his mouth. He seemed momentarily taken aback but quickly matched my intensity thrust for thrust. Our tongues battled in an age old dance, tasting and teasing each other, working ourselves up into a frenzy.
Jake roughly pulled my shirt apart scattering buttons all across my office floor. I dropped my arms down and worked the shirt off my shoulders while he nibbled along my jaw and down to my collar bone. Once I had gotten my shirt off, Jake drew his head back and looked me up and down, appreciation clear on his face.
I didn’t give him much time to look, before reaching out for his waist and undoing his belt and trouser button. The weight of the buckle dragged his pants down to his ankles and I saw the outline of his erection pressing against his boxers. I grew excited with anticipation knowing what was coming next.
“Take your shirt off,” I commanded. I felt a thrill I’d never felt with any guy before. It was strange ordering him around, but it also felt exciting, as if I were doing something naughty, which technically I was. Jake quirked an amused eyebrow at me, unused to being ordered around; he complied with my demands all the same.
He drew out the process, slowly pulling his tie off and folding it neatly, before painstakingly undoing each button. The whole time, he looked me in the eye, never breaking contact. I knew he was torturing me on purpose. I couldn’t hide my rush to jump his bones, and he knew it. He was prolonging this exquisite torture; it took all I had in me not to reach over and rip his shirt off like he had just done mine.
Finally he reached the last button and slid his crisp white shirt off his shoulders. His chest was nicely toned and had a light coating of dark brown hair that tapered down to his belly. It was obvious he worked out and took pride in his body. I licked my lips appreciatively at the perfect specimen before me and he let out a laugh at my obvious attraction.
“You make me blush,” he joked.
“Good.” I didn’t want to chit chat; I just wanted him right then and there. I don’t know what came over me, but I couldn’t control the feelings that were coursing through me at that moment. I’d never been so forward or impatient with a guy before.
“Come here,” he said. I walked the couple of steps that separated us and dropped to my knees. I looked up at Jake who seemed momentarily surprised before being he let out a gasp as my hand reached for his member. I traced the outline of his erection through the soft fabric of his boxers, feeling the fi
rmness under my hand. Jake groaned and I could feel his body tense. I dug my hands under the elastic of his boxers and slid them down freeing his manhood from the constraints of the fabric.
My mouth quickly descended on his throbbing rod. It was smooth and salty and warm. I closed my eyes, tracing my tongue under the head and around the tip. Jake let out a deep groan as his hands dug into my hair, guiding me back and forth over him. I looked up from my position on the ground to see Jake with his head back and eyes closed, a look of concentration on his face.
I loved the feeling of power and control I had at that moment, bringing him to such pleasure. It got me excited just thinking about it. Jake’s breathing came in shorter pants and he started working his hips back and forth. I took him deeper and deeper in me, relishing the feel of him in my mouth. Jake gasped and drew back, stilling my head with his hands.
“Chloe,” he panted, “get up.”
I got up from my knees and stood before him. Jake held my face in his hands and planted a searing kiss on my lips, sucking the breath out of me. In the back of my mind, I knew what we were doing was wrong. I was going to regret it later on, but at the moment, I couldn’t help myself. It felt so good and it had been so long. It’d just be this one time, I kept telling myself.
“You’re not what I expected,” Jake said breaking apart the kiss.
“Good,” I replied.
“You’re not very talkative now are you?” he laughed.
“Less talking, more doing.” I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him closer to me intending to kiss him, but he scooped me up in his arms and carried me over to my desk. He placed me on top of the desk and spread my legs apart. My tight skirt felt constraining, so I hiked them up to my hips, exposing my lacy thong to his view.
Jake let out an eager grin and grabbed me by my ankle as he blazed a searing trail of kisses from my ankle up to my inner thigh. I let out an involuntary squeal as he got closer and closer to my core. I was so ready for him; I just couldn’t wait any longer. He lifted my leg and nibbled on the skin on the back of my knees, continuing his slow torture. I couldn’t stand it. My body was begging for release.
Billionaire Matchmaker: Complete Series (Contemporary Romance) Page 3
