James, Sherry - [Studs For Hire 01]

by Woman On Top (lit)

  "Three things,” he said as he poured the golden liquid into two champagne flutes. Tiny bubbles raced to the top of each glass.

  "And the first one is?"

  He handed her a drink then held his high. “The first toast is for Studs for Hire. May your business thrive and prosper, and make you rich beyond your wildest dreams."

  "Here, here.” They clinked their glasses together and took a sip.

  "The second toast is to me,” he continued.

  "To you?"

  "Yep. You now have the pleasure of dating the president and CEO of Vanden Bosch Advertising. I officially opened my doors today after taking on my first account."

  "Trevor that's wonderful!” She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug. The solidness of his chest pressed into her, taking her breath away, making her want more than a hug. Maybe she shouldn't have said no so quickly to more sex in the closet.

  "Ask me who my first client is?” he said with all the excitement of a teenager buying his first car. Okay. For once, sex wasn't foremost in Trevor's mind.

  "Who's your first client?” she asked, humoring him.

  "Come on, Syd. You really don't have to ask."

  "But you told me to. Besides, how am I supposed to know?” She shrugged, feigning innocence.

  Trevor quirked a brow, confirming he knew better. “It's the one, the only, Stardust Lingerie."

  "Oh, Trev. That's fantastic!” Syd jumped into his arms and peppered his cheek with kisses. He smelled so good—like soap and water, and Trevor. Maybe they should give the closet another go.

  "Here's to Vanden Bosch Advertising,” he toasted. “May my business thrive and prosper, and make me rich beyond my wildest dreams—ethically and legally, of course."

  "Of course.” Downing another swallow, Trevor refilled their glasses to the top.

  "I want to thank you, Syd—for straightening things out with Alfred,” he said with all seriousness in his voice. He never would have agreed to meet with me if it hadn't of been for you."

  "I figured it was my turn to go to bat for you."

  "I appreciate the return in favor. But I struck out on your behalf. Smythe didn't give you the promotion."

  "It doesn't matter.” She shrugged. “What counts is the fact you stood up for me. Besides, Charles Smythe isn't the man Alfred is."

  "True. But Alfred did have one small stipulation before agreeing to give me his account back."

  "And that is?"

  "That you act as my consultant on all of his ad campaigns. You can be involved as much or as little as you want. Just so you're in on at least the idea and final approval stages."

  "I'll do it under one stipulation of my own,” she teased.

  "More sex?” He smiled and wrapped a long tendril of her hair around his index finger, gently pulling her close.

  "Well ... that sounds like a pretty good idea. But I had something else in mind."

  "Oh? Do I dare ask what it is?” Sydnie heard the leeriness in his voice.

  "It's nothing bad. You simply agree to continue to work for me at Studs for Hire, at least on a limited basis."

  "I don't know, Syd. I'm a little gun shy. I want it in writing you won't send me out to do anymore work for sexually deprived grandmas."

  "Are you kidding? I want you all to myself. I want to remodel my bedroom and you're the only stud I want for the job."

  Trevor's warm laughter filled the room, and her heart. “Well, sweetheart, you've got yourself a deal.” He captured her lips with his and the minutes passed before they came up for air.

  "So what's the third thing we're toasting?"

  "Us.” He reached behind the champagne bucket and handed Syd a black velvet box decorated with a silver and gold bow.

  "What's this?"

  "Open it and see."

  She set her glass down and noticed her hands were trembling a little. Pulling on the tail of the bow, she let the ribbon fall away. Carefully she opened the lid. A dainty diamond studded key-shaped pendant dangled from a shiny gold chain. “Trevor, it's beautiful."

  "I wanted to give you something that proved you can trust me with the company holdings,” he quipped. Together they shared more laughter, and Sydnie never felt more alive. “But that's not the only reason. I know it might seem kind of old-fashioned, but it's the key to my heart, Syd. You opened my heart, made me see what's really important in life. And I love you for it."

  "Oh, Trevor. I think it's wonderfully romantic. Thank you. I'll wear it always.” He draped the chain around her neck and fixed the clasp, then turned her back around to face him.

  "Did you know that they say if you look into someone's eyes for at least five minutes, you'll fall in love with them?” he said huskily.

  "Really?"

  "Really. The first five minutes after I met you, I knew I loved you."

  "Ditto.

  About Sherry James

  A native Nebraskan, Sherry James spent her youth riding and writing, and all of those hours spent in the saddle gave her plenty of time to think up a slew of stories. These days she's a wife to an amazing husband, and the mother of two equally amazing kids. She rides when she gets the chance and can't imagine her life without horses. A former rodeo queen, and founding member and past president of the Prairieland Romance Writers, she is also a longtime member of Romance Writers of America. She is a multi published nonfiction writer of magazine and newspaper articles, and has been a winner and finalist in many writing competitions. She has written seven romance novels and she is currently working on the second book in her Studs for Hire series, Woman in Charge.

  Write to Sherry at

  P.O. Box 5162, Grand Island, NE 68802-5162, or visit her web site at www.sherryjames.com

  Visit www.blackvelvetseductions.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.