by Ciara Cole
“They can just throw me one another time,” he said with a shrug. “But if you have some ideas how to make it up to me . . .”
There he was again, the ever-flirtatious Johnathan who never failed to raise his head whenever the chance arose. Tia gave him a quelling shake of her head and said firmly, “Food. I can pay you back for your efforts with some food. And I know it’s late, but I know just the spot to check out.”
“Then lead the way,” he said before courteously holding open the door and presenting that killer Fox grin.
Tia shook her head once again, this time internally. When was he going to realize she wasn’t falling for that a second time? The one time they’d had sex, he’d caught her at her most vulnerable. And then the whole atmosphere, with all the sparks between them finally coming to a head . . . it was no wonder they’d combusted and had that night of unbridled passion that, incidentally, Tia could never get out of her memory no matter how much she tried.
She was so sure she was more than armed to fight even the most intractable of her hormones and the sexiest Fox charms.
But sometime later, she would ask herself why she’d been so blind as to not realize that it was when you’re at your most confident, just when you think you have it all covered, that you’re at the most risk of failing—and failing deplorably.
***
Johnathan drove them in his car, and when Tia gave him directions, he asked her about the restaurant they were headed.
“I wouldn’t exactly call it a restaurant. But it’s the ideal joint for grabbing a bagel.”
She loved the dubious look on his face and teased, “Now don’t be such a snob. I can’t afford to take you to some fancy Michelin-starred affair. This is my treat, remember?”
“I’ll just have to trust your gumption, and hopefully, I’ll have enough fortitude for whatever culinary escapade you have in store for me.”
Somehow, that had her guffawing. “You have zero chill, you know that? Because I actually think you’re serious. You think I’m going to deliberately mess with you, right?”
“No, of course not. Even if I’m your least favorite person, like, ever.”
Tia caught the look he sent her and saw the teasing lights in his warm brown eyes. She smiled yet felt that nagging prick of guilt. Had she really been too hard on him?
He’d really made so much headway so far. Theo was pleased with his effort, and in essence, Tia got much credit. Could she truly start to let down her guard around Johnathan?
If he really meant to see this through, she just might need to simmer down and finally begin to genuinely encourage him. After all, his settling into Fox Company had been the whole point from the beginning.
“Just relax, okay? I’m not so devious. I just suddenly had this insane toasted dough craving. The place is non-fancy, but the food . . . mmm,” she said with a dreamy sigh, then perked when she saw they’d reached their destination.
It was a trendy takeout place that also did deliveries, and normally, Tia would just wait till she got home to enjoy her order. Instead, she found herself turning to Johnathan to suggest, “It’s okay to eat right here. We’ll just park it right out front in the square and take as long as we want. Even you can’t get bored. The good thing about coming this late is there are no birds so you don’t get pooped on,” she teased.
“The fountain’s nice,” Johnathan agreed as they chose a good spot in the park with their bags of food in hand.
The whole area was crowded even though it was almost eleven pm, and Tia knew from experience that even at four am, it would be just as busy. Which was great for someone like Tia, who liked to people watch. Somehow, she was glad to be there with Johnathan and catch his reaction to the experience. It had to be different from his jet-set lifestyle of private chefs and all gourmet everything.
She bit into her cream cheese and lox bagel and moaned without even realizing it. Johnathan smiled and took his first bite, humming in appreciation after a few chews. “I’d almost forgotten what these are like. But then, I've never really tasted any this good.”
“You know what they say—if you haven’t had an NYC bagel, you haven’t ever really had a bagel,” Tia said between bites. “Some might call it bargain eating, but sometimes, it’s great to strip away the finesse and just enjoy the world as it really is.”
She sighed deeply and looked all around her. She loved this city with its special brand of bustle and sensory overload of scents, sights and sounds. She felt most in her element when in New York, finding that the jostle and noise brought on the strangest kind of serenity.
“You really take pleasure in the simple things of life, don’t you?” Johnathan asked, regarding her with deep fascination, and she squirmed, feeling shy beneath that piercing gaze.
“Hey, are you looking down on me or what?” she joked, feigning a frown. “Or are you going to offer me another chance to ‘languish in luxury’, as you once put it? Maybe even promise me the carefree life of partying every night?”
She was only teasing, but she could see Johnathan’s expression grow sober. “If I did, will you do it? Just drop everything and for a few months, be my partner in crime and simply jet around the world without a care? We’ll get to try all the fantastic cuisines you can imagine, see the most breathtaking sights, and simply live on the edge. Just you and me. Tell me it’s not even a little bit tempting.”
Tia paused and looked into his eyes. She knew he meant it. That he’d willingly sweep her off her feet and shower her in the height of opulence as they indulged in their sweet escape. Their days would be filled with adventure, their nights with endless forbidden thrills. Tia could just see it, could almost taste the ambrosial excitement of giving in to everything life and passion could offer.
“It could be,” Tia said softly. “If I thought it was what you really, really wanted. But deep down, I know you’re beginning to seek something different, something deeper for yourself. For so long, you gratified your senses—the flashiest cars, the hottest models, and the classiest hotels, wines and food. But in the past month, I know you’ve sensed those tendencies beginning to dull in their appeal.”
“Now you’re just contradicting yourself. Didn’t you already say I’m an inch from reverting to my hedonistic ways? What makes you think there’s even a possibility I’m redeemable?” asked Johnathan with a thin smirk.
“Theo believes there is,” she told him simply. “That’s why he was willing to throw everything and anything your way—even me. He has to have a gut feeling that you’ll find your path somehow, with or without his or my interference.”
Johnathan regarded her for some moments, then crumpled up the brown bags and tossed them in the nearest bin. “If we’re done here, I should drive you home.”
Chapter Eight
“I keep offending you. I’m sorry,” Tia said after almost fifteen minutes of silence in the car as Johnathan drove. “You said once that I speak to you like no one else does. You also told me that I’m not without fault myself, and no one knows that more than I do. I’m not trying to be your therapist or anything.”
"There's no need to apologize. You're only saying the same things I've told myself over the past few weeks."
"So I was right? About you starting to take life more seriously?" came Tia's hesitant inquiry. "Because I think you're far more than your playboy persona makes you out to be. I've never met someone more intelligent or willing to make that next daring move. That's why you pulled the surprise and came to New York."
"I came for you, Tia," he said huskily, shocking her into silence as her face turned to his. "I couldn't get our amazing night out of my head—the most amazing that I could remember in a long while."
He let out a short sigh and shoved a hand through his hair, adding, "But it was also the things you said and the feelings they inspired within me. Foreign and unfamiliar feelings that made me want to put someone else's feelings before my own."
This time, he swung his mesmerizing brown eyes her way and held
her gaze for a breath-stealing moment. "When you left, I was determined to make things right with you. It didn't hurt, of course, that working at Fox Company meant getting to spend more time with you up close and personal. So, I chartered my private plane and headed straight for New York."
"Johnathan," Tia said in confusion.
That got his lips twitching in a slight smile. "I'm not trying to burden you or make you uncomfortable. But yeah, spending the past few weeks working together and yet staying apart has been hard for me."
Tia bit hard on her lip and refrained from saying it had been damned hard for her too. She'd been constantly conflicted because she knew her job was hanging on this assignment Theo had presented her with—getting Johnathan set for taking his position as Head of Fox Company's Financial Service’s New York practice. None of the other employees except her even knew Johnathan was being groomed to take over.
It was the pressure of all that, coupled with her secretly growing feelings for Johnathan, that kept her so on edge. No wonder she'd snapped at him back there while they'd been working late.
Just then, they stopped in front of her house and the car was silent.
"Uh, I just want to commend you for being open with me," she said. "And to apologize for the things I've said in the past about your not sticking to anything. It was wrong for me to judge."
"Let's just agree that we're finally cool. We are, aren't we?" he asked, that trademark cockiness in play.
"Yes. We're cool," Tia said with a smile. For a moment, he was smiling back and looking into her eyes . . . before sliding his gaze to her lips. The more he stared at them, the fuller, more inviting they felt. Tia crazily wondered if he wanted to kiss her.
Then she realized with a lurch how much she really wanted him to. In fact, maybe she wanted a whole lot more.
Not letting herself think about it, she licked her suddenly parched lips and asked Johnathan if he'd like to come up for some coffee.
The blaze in his eyes told her he could read between the lines. Perhaps he could even pick up the scent of her desire, which Tia could already sense had manifested itself inside her suddenly moist panties. Was she totally brazen for the unmistakable offer she'd just made? Suddenly, Tia didn't even care.
But moments later, the steamy atmosphere was dissipated as Johnathan gave a shake of his head. "We both know what will go down if I take you up on that. But the last thing I want is you regretting something we shared the very next morning."
Tia felt her cheeks flame at his rejection and the reminder of her silly runaway episode. How could she convince Johnathan she was ready to give them a chance when deep down, she still questioned whether she knew what she was doing?
Trapped in that awkward change in the air, Tia fought to garner her pride and keep from pleading with Johnathan that she needed him tonight, needed his touch.
"We'll, I guess I'll see you Monday," Tia said breezily. She went for her door, and the next moment, Johnathan stopped her, pulling her face into his hands.
Light hazel-flecked brown eyes bored into dark chocolate brown ones. "I've been dying to do this all night," he murmured.
Tia trembled as she watched his head descend, nervous for what was about to happen. It almost felt like waiting for her very first, innocent kiss. But she wasn't a dewy-eyed teenager anymore and didn't need Johnathan toying with her this way.
She opened her mouth to make a protest—and then he kissed her. Almost immediately, her eyes closed and she was carried away on fast-drifting clouds so high that nothing could bring her down to earth again.
Johnathan's lips were as soft and perfect as she remembered. Maybe even more so. He parted her mouth wider and successfully delved his tongue inside. Tia gasped as the kiss filled with intimacy and magic, pulling them as close as a kiss possibly could.
He slipped his fingers through her hair, and Tia felt her hands move of their own will to wrap around his neck. Emotions she couldn't work out melted her body into a throbbing entity of need. Somehow, she knew the feeling would never go away unless Johnathan himself quenched the flames like only he knew how.
She was all but pouring herself into his lap when slowly, he broke the kiss. Tia opened her eyes as he took her wrists from behind his head and gently set them down.
"You're a wonderful girl, Tia, and so beautiful," he said, moving a strand of hair from her face. "I'm glad we got to spend time together tonight. Thanks to you, I had a delicious bagel experience."
He kissed her on her cheek. "You should go in. It's been a long day. I'll call you, okay?"
Tia couldn't believe him. She'd made it blatantly clear she wanted him tonight. Just what happened to the Johnathan who would grab this opportunity? Quelling a frustrated sigh, she told him goodbye and let herself out.
Tia was aware he got out too and stood just outside his car, watching her go in. She warred with the urge to turn around and ask him to come up one last time.
But she wasn't so freaking desperate. Ugh, he was so infuriating! He had her sizzling inside out only to end it like that. What was he even trying to prove?
Maybe he thought he could string her along and keep her panting for him. In which case, he just blew his last fucking chance, fumed Tia.
She reached the hallway of her apartment and stopped short at the surprise sight. "Jesse?"
The tall, athletic figure straightened from leaning against the wall by her door. His handsome face had a big smile, dark eyes taking her in with appreciation. "Hello, Tia."
"Jesse, what . . . why are you here and how long have you been waiting for me?"
"Oh, it's only been for a bit," he said with a wave of his hand. In his other grip was a bunch of red roses. "I flew in tonight and couldn't wait to see you. I know what you said, but . . ."
He advanced a few steps and Tia retreated a bit. "You shouldn't be here, Jesse. Especially without even calling me first."
"I know," he said. "I wanted to surprise you. And I just thought that if you saw me in person, you'd know you don't have to keep running."
Again, he advanced, eyes smoky with intent. Backing her into the wall, he smirked, thinking that like other times, his alpha moves would have her weakening.
Tia knew she needed some loving. She'd put in work week after week, never thinking about her hidden needs. Besides, Johnathan had just given her a brushoff, and seeing Jesse would have been a great morale boost. If she only said yes, her ex would drag her into her apartment and maybe give her some of what she was missing.
"Jesse, you should go," she said finally. "I'm not trying to act coy and I'm not running. There's never going to be anything between us. Not anymore."
He balanced his hand on the wall by her head, caging her in with his arm and his solid, muscular body. "I don't believe you."
Tia rolled her eyes. How ironic that the one man she needed to come on strong with her was already on his way home—or probably to find one of his willing women who wouldn't run scared afterward.
"Look, I have someone," she told him, looking squarely in his eye. Well, it was technically true. She'd developed feelings for Johnathan, and she couldn't disregard them for some cheap lay.
Jesse reared back slightly. "For real? I mean, not that I'm shocked, but . . . it's disappointing, I'll admit."
"I told you we both need to move on," she said with a gentle smile. Something in that minor gesture might have given him slight hope because his eyes darkened once again with intensity.
"How about one last time, huh? For old time's sake. I promise I'll back off for good after that." He placed his fingers gently beneath her chin to tilt her face up to his. "You're still the best I ever had, Tia."
Can't really say the same about you, came Tia's rueful thought. She sighed and looked up into Jesse's eyes. This was only making it harder. She had to let him know she wouldn't budge on this.
But before she could open her mouth, she heard a deep, cold voice that had her head whipping to her left to see Johnathan advancing.
"Tia is
there a problem here?"
She straightened and shoved Jesse back. "No. Um, Jesse was just leaving."
"Jesse? Who the fuck is he and why did he have his hand on you?"
"Tia, is this him?" asked Jesse.
Tia looked from Johnathan to Jesse and had never felt so embarrassed. She'd also never seen Johnathan so angry, but then, just what was he even doing here?
"Jesse, you should just leave. Please." She looked up at him imploringly.
"All right. I get it, believe me," he said with a wry smile. "He's one lucky guy."
He added that for her ears only as he leaned in close for a moment. Then he backed right off the moment he saw Johnathan seem to tense as if seconds away from decking Jesse to the ground.
Both men were almost the same height, with Jesse just that bit bulkier while Johnathan had the advantage of simply looking that much meaner with that killer gleam in his eye that wasn't even playing.
Jesse was walking away with a little more speed than Tia would have expected. Then Johnathan stormed after him with the bouquet of roses, which had fallen to the ground earlier, unnoticed.
"Here. You forgot these," said Johnathan rigidly as he pushed the flowers into Jesse's chest. Johnathan's eyes dared him to argue, but instead, Jesse gave a mild smirk, backed away, and then was gone around the corner of the hallway.
"What the fuck was that?" growled Johnathan the moment they were alone. He turned those darkly furious eyes on her, and Tia had had enough.
"Not that it's any of your business, but he's my ex." She unlocked her door and walked in.
"Then what was he doing here? And were you really going to let him in?"
Tia faced Johnathan, wondering how much he'd overheard. "You don't worry about me. Goodnight."
It was like deja vu, Tia making to close the door in his face and Johnathan stopping her, this time with his arm shooting out to hold the door open. "You were going to say yes, weren't you? I turned you down, so you were ready to get a replacement for tonight. Well it was a damn good thing I changed my mind and followed you."
