“You’re lucky. I’ve never really been a part of my family. I’ve always been the outsider looking in.” Like a kid with his nose pressed to a candy-store window, wanting the goodies, but never allowed to step inside to buy them. “I’m happy here in California, and even though it’s been a struggle at times being on my own, I’ve earned everything I have without the influence of the Stephens name or money.”
But it had taken him a long time to get to that point in his life, to come to terms with his past and the mistakes and choices he’d made. Choices that included forfeiting watching his daughter grow into the young woman she was today.
There had been times when he’d wished he could be a part of a family who accepted him for who and what he was, but long ago realized he was better off on his own. No expectations, except the ones he set for himself. No ties or commitments, which meant he had no one to disappoint or fail.
The phone on Jade’s desk buzzed, and she started at the interruption, then excused herself to reach for the receiver and take the call.
Kyle scrubbed a hand along his jaw and sank back into the chair, watching as she talked to a client. Jade was sexy, sweet and vulnerable in a way she’d never admit to, but strong in all the ways that mattered. Those facets drew him, seduced him, as did her fantasies that revealed so much about the woman she was. The woman he intended to claim and brand as his own, which was a startling revelation considering he’d never been the barbaric, possessive type.
She hung up the phone and gave him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. Business comes first.” And he’d never interfere with something so obviously important to her. He stood. “I’ve got to get going anyway. I’m meeting with the electrician at the restaurant in about half an hour.”
She nodded and slid from her desk, so that they stood a foot apart. Thrusting his hands into the front pockets of his jeans to keep from pulling her closer, he dipped his head toward her. She automatically lifted her lips, and he bypassed that particular temptation and gave her a quick, chaste goodbye kiss on her cheek.
He drew back, noting the confusion in her eyes, and a little disappointment, too. He smothered a grin. His little tiger had expected something wilder, sexier. “I’ll talk to you later?”
“Sure.” Her brows creased, enhancing her uncertain expression. “Kyle, about our…affair.”
He tilted his head and smiled. “Yes?”
“When you came here today…” She shook her head, and absently chewed on her bottom lip, as if trying to gather her thoughts. “I’m not sure I know what to expect from our…relationship.”
Certainly not his life history, he thought, inwardly grimacing. And then her hesitancy dawned on him. “Did you think I came here today to demand my first sexual favor?”
“Well, I have to admit that I wasn’t sure.” She laughed, but the sound was filled with a wealth of insecurities. “It’s not like I’ve had a whole lot of experience at this kind of thing.”
Something warm and unexplainable touched his heart at that moment “I stopped by today because I wanted to see you, not for any other ulterior motive.” He gave in to the urge and brushed his fingers along her cheek, then dragged his thumb along her jaw. “To be honest, I don’t think we’re ready for actual sex.” But that didn’t mean they couldn’t enjoy a little mental and physical foreplay, or act out a fantasy or two of hers. “I want to get to know you, Jade. I’m hoping we can become good friends as well as lovers.”
Jade pulled in a deep breath while considering Kyle’s words, wondering if she was capable of giving him everything he expected from her, without losing that vital part of herself she’d spent three years conditioning.
“You’ve got that look in your eyes,” he murmured. “Why?”
Her gaze jerked to his. “What look?”
“Panic. Fear.”
She didn’t like being that transparent. Didn’t like that he was so connected to her feelings and emotions. It was startling and disarming and made her put her guard up.
“What are you afraid of?” he asked softly. “Do you think I’ll hurt you?”
She swallowed hard. How could he know her so well, without really knowing her at all? Physically, she knew he’d never harm her. Emotionally, she feared he’d destroy her if she let him.
It was all a matter of staying in charge of her emotional self. No problem.
Or was it?
“Of course not,” she said breezily, ending the whole subject by turning around and shuffling through the files and papers on her desk. “I’ve got tons of work to get through—”
“Say no more, I’m outta here.” He started for the door, but stopped short of opening it. He glanced over his shoulder, his gaze kind. “Just so you know, I’d never deliberately hurt you. You’ve got to let yourself trust me, Jade.”
With that, he walked out of her office, leaving her to wonder if it was him she didn’t trust or herself.
* * *
Kyle stepped beneath the hot shower spray in an attempt to unwind and relax after a long day and night at The Black Sheep. Friday nights at the bar were usually busy, but tonight’s crowd surpassed any other weekend record, in attendance and profits. From what he’d gleaned from the new customers he’d had a chance to chat with, word was already spreading about the new restaurant and plans to refurbish the bar.
As a result of the unexpected boom in business, he’d had to give up a promising evening with Jade in order to assist Bruce with the overflow of drink orders. He’d planned on taking her on their first real date: dinner at a nice, intimate restaurant overlooking the ocean where they could talk, then afterward a leisurely, romantic stroll along the beach.
Business had intruded on that great idea.
When he’d called her to apologize for cancelling, she’d understood his reasons, much to his relief. The past couple of days since he’d dropped by her office unannounced they’d established a comfortable, easy friendship. She’d finally given him her phone number so he could call, and just this morning he’d stopped by her condo, surprising her with fresh-baked muffins and Irish cream coffee for breakfast. They’d spent an hour talking and laughing, losing track of time until she’d absently glanced up at the kitchen clock and realized if she didn’t leave for the office, she was going to be late for an appointment.
He didn’t so much as kiss her, knowing how difficult it was to stop at one taste, one touch. Nearly impossible, though it had been just as hard not to take advantage of their “affair” and steal a kiss or two…or three.
He’d been pleasantly surprised when she’d shown up at The Black Sheep a few hours after he’d canceled their date, to sit at the bar and have a drink while he tended bar. She hadn’t demanded his time, just accepted whatever attention and quick conversation he could give her in between the tasks of filling drink orders, waiting on tables to help the cocktail waitresses and clearing off the bar as customers came and went.
While mixing martinis, blending frozen drinks and refilling bowls of pretzels and peanuts, he’d decided if he wanted to spend more time with Jade, he needed to hire another bartender, if not two when the restaurant opened. Business was flourishing, and fast, and he could no longer operate with a small crew and give the patrons the quick, friendly service he wanted associated with The Black Sheep. He wasn’t one of those owners willing to sacrifice good service for a small payroll.
Bracing his hands on the tiled shower wall, he dipped his head beneath the pounding spray, letting the hot water drench his hair and sluice over his shoulders and down his back. Then he reached for the soap and lathered up.
As a first date with Jade, the evening had been unexpectedly enjoyable, although frustrating because of his inability to completely focus only on her as he’d wanted to. But she hadn’t seemed to mind. While he worked, she sipped the peach daiquiri he’d made her and plugged quarters into the jukebox even though she’d claimed not to like country-western music. When he’d teased her about her freq
uent trips, she’d sheepishly admitted that certain songs were starting to grow on her.
He was more than a little relieved when she turned down at least half a dozen requests to dance—if anyone was going to teach her to two-step, it would be himself. His territorial thoughts might not have stopped a few of the regulars from ogling her and the tight jeans and formfitting, low-cut T-shirt she wore, but the off-limits look he cast their way made his message loud and clear.
She was his.
Jade had sat at what he was beginning to think of as “her spot” at the far end of the bar, watching the games of pool and darts in the adjoining room while jotting decorating ideas on a legal pad. She’d shared her notes and a soft smile with him when there had been a lull, which hadn’t been often enough. The time he’d given her had been brief, flirting, and over too soon before the next wave of drink orders swamped him and Bruce.
The women he’d dated since acquiring The Black Sheep hadn’t understood his any-time-of-the-day-or-night commitment to his business. Most had been under the misconception that since he owned the place, he had nothing but free time on his hands. None realized it was his dedication to the establishment, employees and patrons that made the place flourish and prosper to the point that he could justify adding the restaurant. Jade understood the unanticipated burdens and responsibilities a business required, and accepted the sometimes intrusive duties an owner was obliged to manage. She made no demands on him to choose between her and his business, gave no guilt trips for last-minute cancellations and more important obligations. Instead, she’d made the best of the situation. And when she couldn’t conceal her tired yawns any longer, he’d sent her home, promising her they were still on for the following morning to meet at The Black Sheep to start on her decorating consultation.
Her support meant a lot to him, he realized as he stepped from the shower and grabbed a towel. His own family didn’t condone his chosen career, or anything else he’d ever done in his life. And although he’d grown to not give a damn what his family thought of him, it was suddenly important that Jade knew him for the responsible, reliable man he’d become.
What about keeping her journal a secret? his conscience taunted. The journal, he justified, had been up for sale and anybody could have bought it. He’d just been at the right place at the right time. No way could he regret reading Jade’s fantasies, or fulfilling them, not when those intimate fantasies were the only chance he had of getting close enough to break past Jade’s defenses.
Yet there was still so much he didn’t know about her. So much he’d yet to discover and understand.
Shoving his fingers through his damp hair, he strolled into his bedroom and pulled on a pair of cotton shorts. It was past two in the morning, but he wasn’t tired, and the burgundy bound treasure tucked in his nightstand beckoned. The lure of Jade’s sensual, sexy stories was always stronger than he could resist, and he gave in to the temptation to indulge. Pushing his pillows against the headboard of his bed, he settled himself on the mattress, opened the journal to the last page he’d marked and began to read the entry.
The garden was dark and full of shadows, but she had nothing to fear. She was with her lover and felt safe and protected. Hand clasped in his, she followed him deeper into the night, knowing he intended to seduce her…and wanting him to. The heady fragrance drifting from the rosebushes lining the cobblestone walkway filled her every breath, the scent as arousing as the anticipation of her lover’s touch.
When they reached the high stone wall enclosing the garden, she waited for him to come to her, to embrace her, to kiss and touch her.
A slow, sensual smile curved his mouth. “Put your hands on the wall and keep them there.”
Heart pounding wildly, she laid her palms against the smooth, cool stones. For a moment, the position made her feel vulnerable, then the warmth and strength of his body pressed along her back, comforting and familiar. He murmured soothing reassurances into her ear as he reached around her and his fingers attempted to unbutton her gauze blouse. She grew anxious and excited.
Urgency made her thrust her unbound breasts toward his hands. A whimper of frustration rolled from her throat, and he answered the needy sound by impatiently ripping open her blouse. He filled his palms with her breasts, kneading the aching flesh before his hands skimmed down her belly, over her gauze skirt, then beneath the hem.
He touched the inside of her thighs, coaxed them apart with the pressure of his hands. She complied, eager and restless for what she knew he could give her. For what she wanted. His breath was hot and heavy on her neck, his body hard and demanding behind hers.
His fingers slipped under the elastic band of her panties, stroking her, then slipping deeper…until she lost herself in an exquisite climax that seemed to have no ending, only ripples of sensation and pleasure that went on forever.
Chapter Six
“What do you think of this Naugahyde for the booths? It’s the same dark shade of green as the window treatments you selected, and it even has flecks of gold in the material. It’s a perfect match, don’t you think?”
On some distant plane, Kyle heard Jade’s words, but sometime in the past half hour his mind had drifted back to last night’s fantasy, mulling over how he could make that erotic journal entry of Jade’s a reality. It’s not as though he had a rose garden at his disposal. But he was a creative kind of guy—it was just a matter of finding the right opportunity and using it to his advantage. And he was confident the perfect moment would present itself, just like the other times had.
He looked across the table at Jade as she chattered on about the benefits of Naugahyde. They were sitting in a corner booth in The Black Sheep, surrounded by fabric swatches, books of window treatment designs and catalogs of decorative accessories for the bar and restaurant. She really knew her business and had an exceptional eye for design. For the most part, he’d gone with her recommendations.
Since it was Saturday, and warm at that, she was dressed casually in a silky peach-colored camisole that buttoned down the front, and a short denim skirt. Her legs were tanned and bare, and she’d worn flat sandals with peach and gold straps. She looked as fresh and natural as the sweet peach scent clinging to her skin. Even her eyes, today a warm gold hue, complemented her outfit.
“We can use it to re-upholster the booths and the bar stools in the lounge,” she was saying of the Naugahyde, even as she jotted the order on an invoice. “Maybe go with a tuck and roll or diamond tuft design. And then we can use the hunter green and gold tweed in the restaurant to tie the two together. With the window valances and brass trim, the place will look fabulous.” She looked up, her eyes bright and expectant. “What do you think?”
She’d be shocked if she knew what he was thinking…imagining her soft breasts in his hands, the warmth of her thighs beneath his fingertips, the catch of her breath as he caressed her in soft, sensitive places…
“Kyle?” she said, her tone exasperated.
He blinked, focusing on her face and the tiny frown creasing her brow. “Uh, yeah, fine,” he said, giving himself a firm mental shake out of Jade’s fantasy and into the present.
“You’re not even paying attention.” She tucked a wispy cinnamon strand of hair behind her ear, and the thin gold bracelets on her wrists jangled. “Are you okay? You seem like you’re not quite here. Did I lose you somewhere along the way?”
He sat up straighter and gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry, I kind of drifted there for a couple of minutes.” An understatement, but as good excuse as any. “It was a late night and I’m still feeling the effects.” At least that was pure truth.
She reached across the table and patted his hand, feigning a sympathetic expression. “Poor baby.”
“More than you know,” he muttered.
A delicate brow arched. “Excuse me?”
He shook his head, not willing to explain his cryptic comment. “Nothing. Now, what were you saying?”
A charitable, understanding smile touched her
lips. “That maybe we need a break.” She closed her invoice booklet and capped her pen. “We’ve been at this for three hours, and we’ve actually accomplished most of what I need to get started. The little things we’ll decide on as needed.”
“Then how about lunch?” he offered, not quite ready to let her leave. They hadn’t had much time for anything but business since he’d visited her at her office. This opportunity was too prime to waste. “I can hardly let you leave without feeding you first. There’s a deli nearby that delivers.”
Her stomach growled as if on cue, and they both laughed. “I guess I am a little hungry. A turkey on wheat sounds wonderful. Mustard, no mayo.”
“A turkey on wheat coming up.” Kyle slid from the booth, headed toward the bar and placed a call to the deli, adding a side of fruit salad, a bag of chips and two sodas to the order.
While they waited for lunch, Kyle helped Jade gather up her catalogs and sample books, and carried them to the trunk of her little car. Their sandwiches arrived, and Kyle laid out the spread of food on the bar. They sat side by side on the bar stools and ate.
“You know, I think those new stained glass lamps you ordered to put over the pool tables are going to look wonderful.” She looked very pleased with herself since they had been her suggestion. Licking a smear of mustard from her thumb, she glanced around the place, her mind obviously still on her work. “And I have contractors who will refinish the floors and bar. I’ll contact them first thing Monday. They can come in the mornings, so that way their work doesn’t interfere with your evening business.”
Kyle nodded in agreement as he swallowed a bite of pastrami. “Great.”
“As soon as you get final inspection on the restaurant, well get started on the decor.” Reaching for the fruit salad, she put a heaping spoonful on her paper plate, then stabbed a piece of strawberry with her fork. “Oh, and I wanted to talk to you about your employees’ attire.”
Her Sexiest Fantasy (The Sexiest Series Book 2) Page 9
