“Why?” he asked, genuinely perplexed. “They’d look great on you.”
“Uh, uh. I got too much going on upstairs if you know what I mean,” she said pointing to her chest. “I need a wider pant leg at the bottom to balance me out.”
“Joder,” he swore in Spanish. She was pretty sure he’d just said the F-word. “No, you don’t have too much going on. And your legs would look,” he began then stopped, looking briefly over at Carolyn as if he’d forgotten she was there.
Janie waved his comments away, inwardly thrilled at his inspection of her body, but equally embarrassed at discussing it. She still thought and felt like a size 16 woman most of the time.
He sighed and shook his head then turned to Carolyn. “You can bag those up along with her old boots. Then will you call ahead to AnNo’s for me, please, and let them know we’ll be on our way shortly?” he asked, referring to another one of his stores, Ancient Nouveau, a high end costume jewelry house that fashioned its pieces after vintage ones. “You can let Kenneth know we’ll be ready in a couple of minutes.”
“Got it,” Carolyn said with a smile. “By the way, the shoes look great, Janie.”
“Thanks, Carolyn. And you don’t need to bag up the boots. Just the shoes are fine.”
“I understand,” Carolyn said politely, “but since Mr. Daniels pays me a fine salary, I’m afraid you’re going to lose in that battle.” She gave Janie a knowing smile.
Janie sighed in good humor. She hadn’t even tried on the new boots yet, but she knew Carolyn was right. Janie wouldn’t win the battle against both of them. After all, Carolyn was no fluttering female. She was well into her fifties and had been Luke’s assistant for three years.
Luke stood there watching the exchange, his hands in his olive colored denim pant pockets and a smug look on his face.
“I liked my boots. I want them back,” Janie groused, giving Luke a dirty look.
He slowly shook his head. “You’re not getting them back. They’re mine now. You’ll like the new boots. I promise.”
“I have no doubt I’ll like the new boots, Luke. But I can’t afford the new boots.”
“Thanks, Carolyn. That’ll be all,” he said, dismissing her and leaving them alone with Janie glaring at him. “I’m buying you the boots. Now, shut up, put them on, and let’s get moving.” He slammed her with a look and said with feeling, “I’m hungry.”
She crossed her arms over her fitted t-shirt covered by her long flowing sweater. “You’re not paying for the boots, Luke. I’m serious. My other ones are fine.”
He hooked his thumbs into his belt loops and sauntered over to her, forcing her to tilt her head way back to meet his eyes which darkened with determination. She stood just under five and a half feet, but felt extremely short next to him with her heels now off. She sometimes forgot what a large man he was.
A large, virile, too-hot-for-his-own-good, broad shouldered, ‘will you tear my clothes off, pretty please?’ man.
She felt herself sway toward him and unconsciously licked her lips while peering into his sleepy eyes.
Those eyes darted to her lips then back up to her own green ones.
“We’re not going to fight about this, Janie. It would be a waste of your time because I’d win.”
She still had her arms crossed over her chest, her head now cocked to the side. “I’m an adult with my own bank account, and it’s currently not in the budget for me to buy new boots, nor is it a necessity.”
His cologne was playing all sorts of games with her head. She inhaled deeply, playing it off as annoyance.
“I disagree. Although I applaud your discipline and frugality, it’s time for new boots. I would like to buy them for you. It’ll hurt my feelings if you don’t let me give them to you and since you’d never want to hurt my feelings, you’ll say ‘yes’.”
He stared holes into her and waited.
“Please,” she drawled, when she could find her voice again. “It won’t hurt your feelings.”
“Yes, it will,” he murmured. “I never give you gifts and I want to give these to you. So, you’ll let me do this.” Then his eyes took on a playful sheen. “Besides, you know you want them.”
She chewed on her lip as her mind went back to the handkerchief he’d dried her tears with over ten years earlier. She’d never given it back to him and he’d never asked for it. Her pride over him buying her boots was at war with the happiness she felt in knowing he wanted to give her something.
“They’ll look fabulous on you,” he cajoled. “Trust me to know exactly what you need,” he said pointedly. “We won’t throw the other ones away. We’ll just shelve them.” He gave her his most charming look then muttered under his breath, “Forever.”
She couldn’t help but let a smile appear, already shaking her head in exasperation. A curl bounced and fell in front of her eyes. She blew it out of the way just as Luke reached his hand up to move it. Then, as if he couldn’t resist, he did what he always did when he got his hands on one of her ringlets; he pulled it straight then let go to watch it bounce back into place. Once it bounced, he took it again and wound it around his finger. She leaned in closer.
Kiss me. Rip my clothes off. Touch me. Fuck me. I’ll take one or all of the above. I’m not picky at the moment.
“Now,” he murmured. His voice hardened letting her know his patience was done even though his gentle hold on the curl around his finger was the complete antithesis to the timbre in his voice. “Put the damn boots on,” he said and punctuated his words with a look that said he was finished. He rubbed the curl with his thumb. “Kenneth is waiting.” Somehow she thought his driver would wait for hours if his boss had asked him to, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
His steely resolve and icy glare made her pause. This was a Luke she didn’t recognize. With her head still tilted back and to the side, she murmured, “Huh.” Her mind, and hormones for that matter, were going in a million directions.
“What does that mean?” he smirked, looking at her lips.
She finally uncrossed her arms and hooked her thumbs into her belt loops as well, mirroring his stance. They’d always had a ‘buddy’ kind of relationship, brother/sister banter. But as of late they’d been standing toe to toe on certain issues, most especially her ‘lack of caution when choosing men’. Which of course was ridiculous considering the only man she’d dated recently was Detective Fernandez, one of her brother’s colleagues on the NYPD. Luke was forever grumbling about the topic but had never really shown such an adamant and controlling side with her before today.
His tone of voice with her at that moment was definitely one she wasn’t familiar with. They disagreed, yeah, but normally he’d complain like an older brother, then roll his eyes while backing away from the argument. Today, he was showing her a whole other side. He was being much more…
She mused with a frown. Without even thinking, she licked her lips again, subconsciously thinking of his mouth on hers. When she latched her gaze onto his, he was looking down watching her think, his fingers still toying with her curl.
She said the first thought that popped into her head. “You’re being awfully forceful about this. Somehow I didn’t realize how,” she searched for the right word, then whispered when she found it, “dominating you were about certain things.” The thought caused a rush of wetness to settle between her thighs. Just thinking about Luke in that way made the core of her body quiver and clench. She swallowed and shifted her stance, her mind going to ‘fifty shades.’
His nostrils flared and his eyes darkened, but he shrugged. “We’ve argued before. You know how I can be.”
“I know. But normally you back off after I’ve screeched at you for a while,” she said, smiling softly.
He gave her a sexy look then murmured, “Janie, you might know me better than most women, but there are sides to me I’ve never shown to you before.” He waited a beat while staring at her, then his gaze bumped back and forth between her eyes and her mouth. His t
ongue touched the corner of his bottom lip just before his eyes collided with hers again. “Let’s just say I can be very determined when I want to be. Understandably, you’ve never seen me in a business setting or,” he paused, searching for the right words, “other situations. So consider this your warning.” He pinned his gaze on hers. “When I get like this you’ll realize there’s no use arguing.”
The thought struck her that although he was just into his 30’s, he’d quickly made a name for himself already. She’d never really thought about his tenacity or ability to get things done. She’d always just thought of him as her teenage crush, the kind boy who treated her with respect and made her feel like a somebody, the one who actually liked hearing her thoughts on things even when all of the other boys of her acquaintance made fun of her.
But as she mused, she realized this other side of him fit him perfectly. It matched the dark and dangerous air he exuded. How else had he gotten to be where he was at such a young age? He’d only ever shown the ‘big brother’ part to her. These last few months she’d begun to see how multi-faceted he really was. And if she’d thought she’d been crushing on him before, now she knew she was head over heels for the man she was getting to know. He was strong, passionate, obstinate, domineering and sexy as hell.
He released her hair, letting it sift through his fingers. “Now, I’m done with this conversation. Put the boots on. I want to see them on you.” He tapped her nose. “We’re leaving in two minutes.”
God, she wanted this man.
Before he stepped away, she spoke. “Thank you,” she said. Geez, was that her voice? Her words had come out breathier than she’d intended, so she cleared her throat. “For the boots,” she said stupidly, as if her thanks needed clarification.
Maybe it did need clarification. Because she was now mentally thanking him for the visuals he’d put into her head given this new discovery about him.
His mouth kicked up in amusement. “It’s my pleasure, baby. Now put them on and let’s go.” He turned away so she could sit to put on her new boots.
Janie Callahan was also known for her tenacity, like her brother and father. Her humor, her sweetness, her creativity and her temper were also traits attributed to her.
But she was also known to have pretty good sense.
And that’s why it didn’t slip by her radar that for the first time since he’d begun calling her ‘baby girl’ at the age of eight, she’d noted he’d left the second word off of his pet name.
……
“Thanks, Hugh. We’ll take the copper choker with the emeralds, the copper earrings and those two bangles there,” Luke said with authority, not even asking Janie for her opinion.
Every piece he’d chosen was perfect even though she hated to admit it.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Daniels. Miss Callahan, these will look beautiful on you. Perfect with your coloring,” the manager of AnNo’s said with a smile.
She grinned back at him. “Thank you, Hugh. I guess Mr. Daniels here knows what he’s doing, so I’m just along for the ride,” she said dryly.
Luke gave her a look then took her arm. “Just have them packaged up and sent to my office, Hugh. I’ll make sure they get to Miss Callahan.”
“Yes, sir,” he said with a smile and was gone.
Luke led her to the door.
“Wait, I didn’t pay for them yet,” she sputtered, digging in her heels.
“You can pay me later.”
“Luke, let me just get my credit card out,” she said trying to stop their movement until he stopped abruptly and she collided into him.
“Janie, I said you can pay me later.” He emphasized each word while glaring down at her then he took her hand and led her outside. “I’m sure I’ll find some form of payment. Like make me some chocolate chip cookies, or something,” he said seriously while pulling her along.
“I can pay, Luke. I’ve never seen you like this before. Why are you being so stubborn? I always knew you were bossy, but I didn’t realize how,” she stuttered on her words, “bossy you really are.”
“That’s because you’ve never been out with me before,” he gave her a pointed look.
She blinked at his word choice. “I’ve been out with you before.”
“Not alone.”
“Geez, is this what you’re like with your girlfriends?” she asked as they approached his limo. Whenever they were out with the family or their group of friends, he seemed a little more relaxed.
His eyes lasered into hers, then he turned away and muttered dryly, “You have no idea.”
“Well, I’m beginning to have one,” she shot back. She didn’t like picturing him being forceful with other women. Picturing him being forceful with her was a whole other visual. Her heart was beating so hard in her chest at his ‘take charge’ attitude that she cleared her head and immediately put a smile on her face when they approached Kenneth. “Thanks for shuttling us all over the place today, Kenneth.”
“No problem at all, Miss Callahan,” he said, giving her a genuine smile and opening the door for her.
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Kenneth, really. It’s been three years now. When do you think you’ll start calling me Janie? All this formality is so unnecessary. If Luke told you that you had to call me Miss Callahan, then I’m giving you permission not to listen to him.”
Kenneth appeared to be biting the inside of his mouth to stop from laughing. “I appreciate your thoughts, Miss Callahan, but I’m afraid the formality is just ingrained in me at this point.”
Janie smirked in exasperation. “Alright. I’m going to keep trying though,” she said before getting into the car.
She heard Luke say something to Kenneth then he crawled in after her, settling himself next to her on the bench seat. She looked down at her boots. They were exactly what she would’ve picked for herself; dark brown soft leather, with a high and thick lug sole and laces all the way up the front. They didn’t even need breaking in, they were made so well.
She looked up to catch Luke staring at her, his eyes watching her intently. “They feel okay?” he asked.
“They feel great and you know it,” she said giving him a look. “They should, after what they cost.”
“They look good on you.”
“Yeah?” She looked back down at her feet. “They do look pretty good,” she preened, then sat back in her seat and glanced over at him. “Thanks for everything today. Given that it’s the biggest shopping weekend of the year, I’m surprised you were able to make this even happen.”
He shrugged like it was no big deal then he looked at her pointedly. “I wanted to be with you when you bought the dress. I need to know what picture you’re going to present so I can be prepared for the fallout.”
She harrumphed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He raised a sarcastic eyebrow. “It means that if you’re on the prowl at the party and I’m walking you around, I want to know how many men I’m going to need to fight off while I’m introducing you.”
“So you’re saying if I was left to my own devices I wouldn’t have picked an appropriate looking dress?” She glared at him in annoyance. He knew how to push her buttons.
“Of course that’s not what I meant,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I just meant now I know what I’m working with and I’m better prepared.”
It was time to see what was what with Mr. Luke Daniels. “Well, I’m telling you right now, Luke. If a man does approach me and I like the look of him, you won’t be fighting him off. I don’t need a protector at your party.”
He snorted and crossed his arms. “That’s what you think. You have no idea the effect you have on men.”
She tamped down her excitement and waved away his comment. “It’s just the big boobs. Guys like boobs, isn’t that what you basically said before?”
“It’s not just your boobs,” he clarified. “It’s your beauty, your confidence, your intelligence, your talent, your sense of fun and charm,” his voice hung on th
at last word. “You sparkle.”
She raised an eyebrow at that and grinned. “I sparkle?”
He smirked. “Let’s just put it this way. Every man who sees you will want to deflower you. So, yes, you will definitely need a protector that night.”
She let out a gut laugh. “Deflower me? What is this, the 1800’s? And there’s nothing left to deflower.”
“I swear, if you start talking about your sex life, I won’t be held accountable for what I’m going to do to you,” he glared at her.
Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. “Seriously, Luke? Do you really think at 28 I’m still a virgin? I’ve told you guys before –” she began, referring to her older brother and cousin.
“Janie, I’m fucking serious,” he growled, pointing at her. “You better not be having sex with men willy nilly.”
She giggled at his wording and facial expression. “What are you, like 90? Who says ‘willy nilly’?” He looked like he was going to spank her. That stopped the giggle almost before it started and she swallowed at the arousal that rolled warmly into her body.
Perhaps he’d be laughing too if he’d known there’d only been two lovers in her life. And both of the older men had been from France when she’d been there for school over two years earlier. They were men who taught her how to relax and be herself in the bedroom…and they were very good at directing her in the art of sexuality. She found that she liked that quality in a man. It took the thinking out of it so she could just feel and enjoy.
“You really are funny, Luke. What would you do if I was having sex with men willy nilly?”
He shifted in his seat until he was facing her. And he looked pissed. Calmly and quietly, he asked, “Just how many men are you sleeping with?”
Now she couldn’t stop the giggles, which then led to a loud blurt of laughter and a hand pressed to her stomach. He really was hilarious. She wiped at her eyes and pointed out, “You just said that if I started talking about my sex life, you couldn’t be held accountable –”
“I’m not kidding around. Answer the fuckin’ question,” he demanded.
Her heart nearly sang at his reactions. “Careful, now. You’re beginning to sound like a jealous man.”
Remembrance: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series Book 4) Page 4
