by Morgan Fox
“As a lawyer I’m sure you know that this could be considered a form of harassment.” Janie’s voice pulled Victor from his thoughts.
He glanced at his watch and was shocked to discover that he’d been waiting for her for nearly two hours. His thoughts were so scattered he hadn’t even realized the time.
“We need to talk,” he told her, shoving away from the side of his sports car to stand closer to her.
She tossed her bag into the black leather saddle bag on her royal blue motorcycle. “About?”
“I don’t think our current working arrangement is in our best interest.”
Her eyes rounded. “Are you firing me?”
“No,” he replied coldly.
She frowned, folding her arms over her chest. “Is this because we slept together?”
The muscles in his jaw clenched as he tried to find the words he wanted to say. All night long all he could think about was how tempting she looked naked and how she felt as he slid inside her. He wanted her again and that never happened.
He took another step toward her. “It’s because I want to sleep with you again.”
Janie’s jaw fell open and then she laughed, not the reaction he thought she would have.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She shoved past him, moving to the other side of her bike. “You and your group of merry men show up at my bar—”
He raised his hands in a show of surrender. “This has nothing to do with my co-workers.”
“It doesn’t. Could’ve fooled me.”
“Janie, please—”
She raised her index finger in front of his face, her expression so deadly serious that he took a step backward. “No, Mr. Cadwell, I will not be quitting my job and you will not be firing me. I need this job. Unlike you, I’m not rolling in hundreds. I don’t drive around in ridiculously expensive cars and I don’t judge people on where they work or how much they earn.”
“I’ll pay you,” he blurted out and the second the words left his lips he knew he should’ve ducked for cover.
“I’m not a hooker, asshole,” she barked, her fist clenching at her sides.
He raised his hands higher to deflect her anger. “That’s not what I meant.”
She poked him in the chest. “It’s not. You offered me money to spend another night with you. Who the fuck does that?”
“If I remember correctly, you enjoyed fucking me.”
She scoffed and turned back toward her motorcycle, clipping the saddle bag closed. He studied her, his eyes drinking in every inch of her body. He couldn’t describe the lust charging through his veins, he just knew he had to have her again.
“You’re different,” he told her, his tone softer and more unfamiliar than it had ever been.
She inclined her head in his direction. “What kind of gibberish are you speaking now?”
“I don’t have trouble with woman. I never have. You…you’re a different story.”
“I’m different because I’m not drooling all over your expensive suit, fawning all over your overpriced car, and dropping to my knees for a chance to suck your impressive cock, is that right?”
“That,” he said matter-of-factly. “And you don’t seem to like me very much.”
She laughed. “Now that’s an understatement.”
Her hands dug into her hips as she licked her lips. He was instantly hard, watching her little pink tongue peek out. She had no idea the affect she had on him. He as dying and treading in water he was sure would swallow him whole.
“I’ll make a business arrangement with you.”
She furrowed her brow. “What kind of business arrangement?”
“I wish to extend your contract beyond working hours at the firm.”
She folded her arms over her chest, looking as if she prepared to throttle him.
“In a professional capacity,” he clarified.
“Go on.”
“I want you.” Her glare intensified. “Here me out,” he said, again raising his hands to deflect her irritation with him. “I want you to go with me to a few client events this week.”
“I’m not an escort service, Victor,” she said sternly.
“These are business events that my assistant would’ve normally gone on with me, but since she’s out of the office and you’re covering…”
He let the words fade off and she seemed to calm a little at his explanation. “And this has nothing to do with sex or you getting your rocks off, right?”
His infamous playboy grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as unavoidable heat surged low in his groin. There was something about her that tempted him beyond reason. “I’m not going to lie, Janie, I have every intention of having you again. But I’m assuming you need money, since you’re clearly juggling two jobs. I figure it’s a win-win for both of us.”
An intense moment passed between them and without a word, Janie straddled her motorcycle and fired it up. Slipping her helmet over her head, she raised the kickstand and he watched her ride away.
He had no idea what her answer was, but he had a pretty good idea that she was just as interested in his offer as he was. She might not have said yes, but she would eventually. He’d make sure of it.
Chapter Six
Janie took off her helmet and placed it on the motorcycle seat. Then she moved into her apartment and spotted the plate of food on the table. Josh really had cooked hot dogs and mac and cheese for dinner. With an appreciative smile, she glanced over to see him sleeping on the sofa—a text book resting on his chest. She didn’t want to wake him, but he looked terribly uncomfortable all cramped up on the smaller-than-average sofa.
Just then, a knock came from the door. Her protective guard surfaced and she reached behind the entertainment center to grab the weapon she had mounted to it.
Her father had always told her that single women had to protect themselves at all costs. She’d listened to his warnings and not only owned a firearm, but made sure she knew how to use it and use it well. She wasn’t a paranoid person. Just a cautious one.
With the pistol in her hand, she looked through the peephole. Victor stood there. She let out an irritated breath and yanked open the door to glare at him.
“Are you fucking kidding me? You followed me home?” she barked, tension riding in her shoulders. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that nothing good ever happens after midnight?”
He arched a brow and hesitated as his gaze settled on her gun. “You know where I live,” he reminded her, raising his hands slowly in a nonthreatening manner. “Are you going to shoot me, Janie?”
With a soft groan, she moved out onto the porch, closed the door behind her, and tucked the gun into the belt of her jeans at the small of her back. She didn’t want to wake her brother and she certainly didn’t want to explain who the nut job at the door was.
Victor sighed hard, lowering his hands. “Since you didn’t answer my question about the job offer before you left, you gave me no choice but to follow you home.”
“I need the job,” she repeated through clenched teeth. “I’ve already told you that.”
“What about the afterhours offer?”
“I’m not interested in being your after hour’s mistress, if that’s what you mean.”
“Even if it means earning double time?” He must’ve seen the fury in her eyes as he quickly added, “It’s what my assistant earns when she works for me outside of forty hours. I’ll do the same for you.”
She folded her arms over her chest. “I’m not sleeping with you again.” The corner of his mouth quirked and she felt like punching him. “I’m serious, Victor. I don’t want anything from you other than to finish my contract.”
“I’m offering you extra money to be my assistant for the week. Had I been any other person, I bet you’d already have agreed to do it.”
He was right. She would’ve. But he wasn’t just any other person. He was a man who infuriated her and was the exact kind of person she loathed most in the world—a self-entit
led jackass with no one in the world to care for but himself.
She’d wager he’d never experienced true hardship or emotional devastation in his life—only sunshine and rainbows.
Janie scoffed. “You’re hell to work for, you know that?”
“I’ve been told.”
Janie’s mind was working overtime. She needed the job at the legal firm, she’d admitted that, but since he was practically begging for her help, she was going to cash in. “Triple time.”
“Done.”
She gaped at him. He’d agreed so quickly, her head spun. “Shit, I should’ve asked for more.”
He smiled, but it was quickly washed away. “Tomorrow night there’s a dinner we’ll need to attend. It’s fancy. Wear the best cocktail dress you have.”
Her stomach rolled. A cocktail dress? What the hell’s that? “I don’t have clothes like that.” She didn’t own anything fancy or professional, except for the few business clothes she recently purchased for her contract gigs.
He looked her over and she didn’t like his thoroughness, she felt as if she were naked in front of him again and he was gaging her measurements. “We’ll have to fix that before tomorrow night.”
“I don’t have the money to—”
“I’ll have my driver pick you up at six. I suggest you get some rest.” He turned to leave.
“Wait. What? Six a.m.?” Janie’s mind whirled around like a tornado. What the hell was happening? He was having a car pick her up. Had she agreed to that somewhere along the way, too?
“You saw how busy my calendar is for tomorrow,” he said matter-of-factly. “You’ll need to get a dress first thing, if you’re to get one at all.”
Realizing he was right, she nodded. “I’ll be waiting.”
“Goodnight, Ms. Tatum,” Victor said, as he headed toward his car and slowly drove away.
Janie groaned as she stepped back inside her apartment. She quickly woke up Josh and shipped him off to bed. Then she set her phone alarm, stripped out of her clothing, and planted herself face first onto her bed, praying she wouldn’t be too much of a walking zombie with less than two hours of sleep.
But that was exactly how she felt the second the soft, but growing louder alarm sounded from her phone. She swiped her finger over the screen, needing at least one round of snoozing before she could actually get up.
Traditionally, her hours at the firm were to be from nine to six, but now that she needed a dress, she had to get a jump on the day. She was thankful that she didn’t work tonight at Iron Horse. She loved that place. She only feared that she’d be too exhausted to actually go into work and calling in sick was something she never did.
Let’s not forget about the dinner party with Victor. She quivered.
The snooze alarm blasted through her brain and forced her to get into the shower. She finally felt awake enough to finish bathing and get dressed. Once again she wore a black skirt and suit jacket with a rose colored blouse. The black heels she wore were her favorite.
Spending money on herself was something she rarely did, but when she spotted these shoes in the store, they called to her. Literally beckoned her to splurge on herself. She did. Her justification had been that the shoes would go perfectly with most everything she wore and Josh practically pushed her toward the register while she carried them. He’d begged her to do something nice for herself, and as hard as it was for her to do it, she did.
Janie quickly set the coffee pot up to brew and heard the rustling of Josh’s feet coming down the hallway. He was rubbing his eyes as he appeared.
“Why are you up so early?” he grumbled.
“I’ve got an appointment this morning. My new boss is having a car service pick me up to run a few errands. By the way, I’ll be late tonight. I’m attending an office meeting after hours.”
Josh paused, his eye widening. “Well, aren’t you Ms. Up and Coming?”
“Ha. Ha. It’s not like that and I’m not exactly thrilled about it either.”
Josh grabbed a coffee cup and stood beside Janie to wait for it to finish dripping. “Look at it with the glass half full, Sis. It might end up being a great opportunity.”
She reached around and hugged her optimistic brother, hoping he was right. Then the coffee pot beeped and as she reached to pour a cup, Josh swooped in and beat her to it.
“Hey,” she drawled out. “I was here first.”
He shrugged. “Sorry, Sis, but you snooze you lose.” He laughed as he returned the coffee pot back to the burner. “Good thing you made a full pot.”
Janie shook her head and smiled as she poured some coffee into a travel mug. Then she glanced at the clock and realized it was almost six. She grabbed her things and headed for the door. Popping her head out, she noted that the car service was already there and waiting on her.
“Bye, Josh. I’m heading out,” she shouted to him. “Don’t wait up.”
“I never do,” he said, his voice muffled by his closed bedroom door.
Janie stepped off the curb and the driver moved around to open the rear door of the car. “Good morning, Ms. Tatum,” he said with a genuine smile.
“Good morning.”
As she slid inside the limo, she spotted Victor. Once again, he was dressed impeccably in a charcoal-gray designer suit with a vibrant blue tie that made his eyes more stunning. Stop that. They’re just eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to watch you try on clothing, of course,” he said plainly.
“The hell you have.”
He chuckled. “Even with a few hours of sleep, you’re as feisty as ever.”
She rolled her eyes at him, hating him just a little for wanting to tease her so early in the morning. “A few implies at least three. I’m lucky if I got two. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be to you today.”
“You’ll be fine. The office has outstanding coffee.” He lowered his gaze back to the newspaper he was reading. “After a few cups, you’ll be wide awake.”
Janie crossed her arms over her chest. “Truthfully, why are you here?”
He folded the paper onto his lap. “It’s easier if we both travel by car service today. We’ll get your dress and tonight we’ll head over to the restaurant together. After dinner, the car will bring us both home.”
“I suppose this is what you traditionally do with your assistant, right?”
Her pulse quickened as the smile on his face grew. It was sad that he didn’t smile more often. He looked devilishly sexy when he did.
Stop that!
The last thing she needed to do was to start having nice thoughts about him. It was bad enough that she was now trapped with him for an entire day. And it was only Tuesday. She recalled that there were two more dinners on his calendar that he was set to attend this week, which meant she would not only have four working days left with him, but a couple evenings as well.
I’m doomed. The man exhausts me. I’ll never survive the week.
“Ruth always drove her own car.”
Janie’s eyes rounded. “Then why did you have a car service pick me up?”
“You ride a motorcycle,” he said as if that made all the sense in the world. “I didn’t think you’d enjoy riding it wearing a dress.”
“I’d ride my motorcycle stark-ass naked, if I wanted to.”
His gaze heated and she saw a flicker of interest. “If only you had done that the other night.”
She furrowed her brow, wondering if he was serious or just messing with her again. “Stop teasing.”
He slid over on the seat to be closer to her. “I’m dead serious, Janie. The second I saw you riding up on that motorcycle, I’d wanted to see you straddling it naked.” His voice dipped low, as he whispered, “I wanted to have my way with you on that motorcycle.”
A lump formed at the back of her throat as all space between them was eradicated. “Have you ever—”
She shifted away from him. “Are you some kind of sick pervert?” she asked, cutting off his words
. “Do you think because you have money you can do and say anything you want to me?”
Again he smiled, shaking his head. “No, I don’t think that at all. But you tempt me, Ms. Tatum.”
A defensive wall erupted between them. She held her breath, not wanting to breathe in his alluring masculine scent. “Is this some kind of game—a joke to you?”
He reached up and brushed the hair back from her face, a single strand had fallen from her bun. The moment the tips of his fingers glided over the skin of her cheek, she shivered. His touch was electric, his sexual words alluring. Everything about Victor Cadwell had her spinning in circles and questioning herself. She didn’t like men like him. But the attraction she felt was powerful, all-consuming.
I’m in over my head.
Her spine went ramrod straight. “Stop teasing me,” she repeated. “It’s not professional and I’d prefer our relationship stay that way. I’m here to do a job and I will. That’s all.”
Victor leaned back against the seat. “You’re right. I’m not sure why I can’t seem to—” He frowned. “We’re stopping at a boutique on the way to the office. They’ve assured me they have a dozen dresses in your size that would work.”
“You know my size?”
He swept her with an appreciative glance. “I’ve seen you naked, and held your body against mine. Yes, Janie. I know your size.”
* * * *
Victor was dying. Janie was killing him. She was a temptation he couldn’t resist. The need to say what he desired surfaced each time they were together. And instead of slapping his face or storming from the car, she blushed, letting him wonder if she enjoyed it, too.
Janie rattled him, confused him unlike anything else in the world could. She was fierce, sexy as hell, and smart. Damn, she could hold her own in a fight. If the moment ever came and he needed someone to have his back, he’d want someone like Janie.
She had convictions, stood her ground. He liked that about her. He liked it more than he had realized.
I like her more each time I’m with her.
