His Loving Caress

by Candace Shaw

  She gripped the doorknob and twisted it. “Yeah. You’re good at that, you know. Shouldn’t be too hard.”

  He chuckled at her sarcasm. “Elle, I know what you’re doing.”

  “Then why are you still here?” She opened the door wide and stepped aside so he could exit.

  However, he didn’t leave. Instead he reached down to the floor for her purse, pulled out her cell phone and started typing something. He frowned for a moment then a naughty smirk appeared on his face.

  “It has a passcode, Brax.” She closed the door and stepped toward him.

  “Yeah...well... I guessed the correct one on the second try.” He shrugged and continued typing. “My birthday.” An arrogant grin surfaced on his face. “Cool.”

  “Give me my phone.” Snatching it out of his hand, she was curious as to what he’d done, but it was back to the home screen. “And it’s not your birthday. It’s the date I graduated from college.”

  “Still my birthday. I added my contact information so you can call me about dinner tomorrow night.” He leaned down and kissed her gently on the side of the neck. “I’m not giving up this time, Sunshine.”

  After he left, she leaned her head back against the door while his last words rang in her head. She knew he meant them, and she had a notion that Braxton Chase was going to chase after her until she was his once again.

  Chapter 4

  Against all her reservations and the common sense that she thought she possessed, Elle agreed to have dinner with Braxton the next evening. He’d called her hotel room that afternoon to verify and for some reason she’d said yes out loud even though she was screaming no in her head. She’d wanted to call her best friend, Ciara, for advice, but she was on vacation with her husband at an off-the-grid resort in the rain forest.

  As Elle entered the jazz club through the revolving doors, she glanced at her reflection hoping she’d made the right decision in coming as well as in choosing her dress selection. Mya had suggested something short and sexy. The hot pink bandage dress with the matching pumps fit the bill and her straight hair fell long down her back, completing the look.

  “Hello, Ms. Lauren,” a bright-eyed hostess greeted. “Mr. Chase is meeting with tonight’s band on the mezzanine, but he asked me to show you to your table. Can I get you anything? Perhaps something from the bar?”

  “A Vodka Cranberry with light ice, please.” She glanced up and spotted Braxton leaning over the banister of the second floor as if he was waiting for her. Waving, he mouthed “five minutes” along with a “wow” as his eyes roamed over her body before he turned his attention back to the meeting.

  She followed the hostess to the main floor, which was packed with patrons eating, laughing and dancing to the music flowing through the speakers. They walked up three steps that led to a huge all-white rounded booth that could probably hold fifteen people. When she sat down and scooted to the middle, Elle could see the stage in perfect view. As Braxton and the guest band approached it, his gaze met hers briefly before he grabbed the microphone to announce the quintet.

  After the hostess left, Elle perused the menu, still in disbelief she’d agreed to dinner. But she wanted to see him again to prove to herself that she wasn’t going to give in to temptation. At least that’s what she kept telling herself, but a magnetic force was pulling hard against her heart. She’d tossed and turned all night remembering Braxton’s lips and hands on her. Her body had responded naturally as it always had with him. He’d always made her feel like a woman but yesterday was different. They weren’t teenagers or young adults anymore. The urges and passionate moans he provoked were new and exciting. It scared her and she was curious as to what else he could do now that he was all man. Tempting. Seductive. Delectable. Those were words that described him, and she crossed and uncrossed her legs at the thought of experiencing what he had to offer.

  “Hello, beautiful.”

  Braxton’s deep baritone voice startled her out of her amorous thoughts. She stared up at him. He was dressed in black slacks, a black button-down shirt with blue stripes and a blue vest topped off with a black fedora. She was almost disappointed he had on the hat but at least his bald head wouldn’t be a distraction. However, he hadn’t shaved and an alluring five o’ clock shadow graced his face. She had to restrain herself from reaching her hand out to run her fingers down his cheek and to his juicy lips that had made hers swollen just the day before.

  “Hey, Brax. This place is totally different at night. A very cool, sexy vibe.”

  “Thanks.” He set his glass on the table and reached out his hand to her. “Can a brother have a hug?”

  Sliding to the edge of the rounded booth, she stood and gave him a hug before settling back to the middle. He sat on the end, and she was grateful he kept his distance. Braxton had always been respectful so perhaps he would keep his promise of not discussing the past. She wasn’t ready for that. Heck she was barely ready to see him now, but they’d been best friends once and chatting and being in each other’s space came easy.

  “You’re exquisite in that dress. Very sexy. Is it one of your designs?”

  “No. It’s a bandage dress by Lanvin.”

  Biting his bottom lip, Braxton raised a wicked eyebrow and leaned in slightly to her as his eyes rested on her cleavage. “So if I peel away the bandage it will reveal your supple honey-coated skin.” He paused, as a seductive smize inched up his rugged jaw line. “Nice.”

  “Do you ever quit with the flirting?” she asked, trying to suppress the heat rushing to her cheeks.

  “Can’t help it when I’m around you, Sunshine.”

  “No flirting tonight, Mr. Chase. This is supposed to be a friendly dinner.”

  “Then you shouldn’t have worn that dress.”

  She tried to hold a smile back but it was no use as one emerged along with tingles in her center. “I’ll take that as compliment.” She crossed her legs tight, hoping to ward off the warm sensation, but that action only made it worse. She had to get her mind off images of Braxton peeling her out of the dress. “This must be the best booth in the house. I can see practically everything from here,” she said, changing the subject. If he said anything else remotely sexual, she’d demand that he close the oversized drapes that flanked the bottom of the staircase to continue what they’d started last night.

  He opened a menu and then wrinkled his forehead as he set the menu back on the table. “Yep, this is my spot for that very reason. I can see the stage, the door to the kitchen and the dance floor. Whatever I can’t see, I can look at on my cell phone using the security monitors.”

  She swished her lips to the side. “Humph. Is that how you knew I was alone on the first floor at the brunch? You were spying on me?”

  “Nah...that was pure chance. I have to admit, though, I was watching you on the monitors in my office until the mishap with the speaker. We just both happened to be downstairs at the same time, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Nervous though. My original plan was to stop by your table and say hi while I was up there. I called Megan to give her a heads-up, but fate had other plans.”

  “None of this is fate. Syd snitched and I doubt stopping by my table to say hi as if we were chummy buddies would’ve been warmly received.”

  “Yeah...well. I just needed to see you since you were going to be so close. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to come out of my office or not. You looked happy, and I knew seeing me again could interrupt your life.”

  She laughed nervously. “It certainly did. Even though I wasn’t totally surprised to see you. After all, you own the place. There was the possibility.” She glanced back to the menu. “What should I order?”

  “Everything is delicious. Our chefs can throw down in the kitchen. Are you still a picky eater?”

  “Sort of, but living in Paris and visiting other foreign countrie
s has expanded my palate.” She read over the menu once more. “I think I’ll try the Dizzy Gillespie Burger with cheese and bacon. No tomatoes. I haven’t had a burger in a long while. My trainer is going to kill me when I get back to New York.”

  “You’ll need to have it cut in half. Your dainty mouth is not going to fit around all that.”

  She noted a twinkle in his eye. Braxton had a habit of saying things with double meanings, and she had a notion his mind went straight to the gutter as did hers with his comment. Clearing her throat, she continued.

  “With a name like that, probably not. So I’ll have the burger well done and the Nat King Cole Slaw. Love these names.” Giggling, she handed the menu to the waitress who’d returned and Braxton placed their orders. She wasn’t surprised when he ordered the fried catfish and polenta.

  She placed her focus on the band as they played “Prelude to a Kiss” but sensed Braxton’s gaze on her. She turned her head slightly to see him bobbing to the music but watching her.

  “So Megan told me that you’re thinking about opening up some more clubs?”

  “Yeah, this one is doing quite well. When I changed the club’s original name last year from Café Love Jones to Braxton Chase’s, business boomed even more. My team and I feel now’s the time to branch out. We’re considering Memphis, Miami and possibly New York.”

  Her stomach fluttered when he said the last city. Not that it would matter too much. She knew he loved Atlanta, and it would always be his home, but she’d moved to New York to be far away from anything that had to do with him. It seemed she couldn’t escape him no matter how hard she’d tried.

  “I’m sure it will be just as successful as this one. Memphis would be a great location,” she suggested. Anyplace but New York. “They have mostly blues clubs so jazz could be a nice addition. I go to the Memphis in May Festival sometimes and Beale Street is always crowded with tourists and locals.”

  “Mmm...yeah, but B.B. King’s Blues Club is popular there as well as my cousin-in-law’s dinner and blues club, so we’ll see. Actually, a partner of mine is looking to reopen a club in New York and wants me to invest with him. It’s in a happening location so I may check it out soon. I played there years ago when My Sunshine released, and I like the layout of the building. It’s not as big as this club, and there’s no second floor, but it’s a cool spot. Just needs some renovating.”

  Elle simply nodded as he mentioned his first CD that was named after his nickname for her. The majority of the songs were inspired by her and were composed when they were still together. He’d called her his muse, and she’d sat for hours sketching dresses while he played and wrote music with her in mind. She’d loved those serene times together where they were both working on their craft while still spending time together. Every now and then she’d glance up and catch him staring at her. It always reassured her that they could both be successful in their careers and still make time for each other. So when he didn’t show for the wedding, she was caught off guard.

  She was glad when the waitress returned with her drink along with coconut shrimp and spinach dip with pita bread.

  Taking a sip of her cocktail to calm her nerves, she found Braxton eyeing her with a tilted head.

  “What?” she asked, reaching for a shrimp and dipping it into the pineapple salsa.

  “What did you order to drink?”

  “Vodka Cranberry. And I’m assuming that’s rum and coke with just a splash of coke?” she inquired, remembering his favorite drink.

  “Yeah, but when did you start drinking vodka? If I remember correctly you like girlie, fruity drinks like wine coolers and Bahama Mamas.”

  “I’m a grown woman in case you didn’t notice. I left those drinks in college.”

  “Yes, you are indeed grown. Grown and sexy, Sunshine, especially in that hot pink dress. I’m still trying to figure out where those dangerous curves came from. They’re making me want to take a risk and speed along them, then slow down only to rev up again, very, very fast.”

  His deep, amorous tone made her want to experience all of that and more. Shifting in her seat, she took a sip of the drink hoping it would calm down the sensations that soared through her veins.

  “Stop flirting, Brax.” Yes, please stop flirting before we relive last night but this time go further. She pushed the drink to the side. No more of that, she scolded herself before it clouded her judgment. Instead, she grabbed a piece of toasted pita bread and plunged it into the spinach dip.

  Braxton took a swig of his drink and leaned in closer to her. “I’ll try not to, but have you looked in the mirror lately? You’re one sophisticated and elegant woman. Not saying you weren’t when we were together, but I grew up with you so I saw all stages. From a cute little girl to an awkward preteen to a blossoming high school student to an intelligent young lady in college. Sure I’ve seen more recent pictures of you in magazines and online but those photos didn’t do you justice. You’re a knockout. I’m not saying it to blow up your head or anything, but you’re beautiful inside and out. Always have been.” Pausing, he shook his head with a sarcastic scowl. “Damn, I messed up, huh?”

  “Yes, you did, but we agreed not to discuss our relationship tonight.”

  “You’re right,” he said, with a slight grimace. “I’d hate for you to curse me out in my own club.”

  “I’m glad you realize you have that coming,” she stated matter-of-factly. “Don’t think for one second that just because I let you kiss me and I agreed to dinner tonight that I don’t have disdain for you. You will feel my wrath soon enough.” She smiled sweetly, swirling the ice around in her drink.

  Nervous laughter arose from him. “Oh, I know. It’s inevitable but I’m ready. So tell me what’s on your plate while you’re in town.”

  Dabbing her mouth with the napkin, she welcomed the subject change. “I’m meeting with a client for the next few days. She’s getting married, and I’m designing her gown along with the bridal party’s attire.”

  “Celebrity?”

  “Yep, but I can’t say who. Her engagement is a surprise until the September issue of Beautiful Bride. She’ll be on the cover and in a spread in the magazine. All the dresses will be from my fall collection, of course.”

  “Of course. I have to say I’m very proud of you and your success. Your dresses are exquisite.”

  “Thank you. And I’m happy for your success as well.”

  The waitress dropped off their food and they ate in silence for awhile enjoying the band which was playing jazz versions of rap songs from the eighties. After a while, Elle noticed four young ladies being seated at a round table in the middle of the restaurant. One of them spotted Braxton, waved, and the other ones followed suit. Braxton inclined his head and raised his drink to them.

  Her chest tensed at the exchange. She knew women lusted after him. Not only did they enjoy his smooth sounds on the keys, they also found him simply irresistible. It had never bothered her when she would attend his performances in high school and college. Other women had never been an issue to her knowledge. It was his music. Music had been his mistress, and Elle had never been able to compete with that.

  “Do you know them?” she asked, taking a bite of her oversized burger which she ended up cutting into quarters.

  He turned toward Elle and stuck his fork into the catfish. “Nope, just fans.”

  Stopping midway from biting into her burger again, she twisted her mouth to the side. “Those are not fans, Brax. Those are groupies. I work in the industry, too.”

  “Nah...you think?” He finished his drink and leaned back in the booth with a wide grin.

  “The way they shot evil looks at me, they’re definitely groupies. They came to the club tonight with a motive.”

  “Like you did in that dress last night or your dress tonight? If you’re trying to drive me completely insane i
t’s working, darling.” He paused, lowering his voice. “Then again, you could’ve worn a potato sack, and I still would’ve wanted to get up under it.”

  Her skin flushed at the thought, but her wall had to stay up. “I have no motive tonight except to get through it.”

  “Ha! You forget I’ve known you since you were a thorn in my side at five years old.”

  “How was I a thorn?” She tossed her napkin on the table with a playful pout. “I resent that.”

  “There goes that cute pout you’ve had since that time, too. I think that’s how I fell for you.”

  “Whatever. Our mother’s were best friends and the twins were just toddlers when we all met for a play date. I had to play with someone,” she teased. “Not my fault I could play checkers and Connect Four better than you.”

  “I was letting you win.” He winked and took a sip of his drink.

  “No, Maestro. You just couldn’t play the...” She stopped abruptly as she realized she’d called him by the nickname she gave him in middle school after he won a piano competition and a chance to play with the Atlanta Symphony at one of their shows. It flowed out naturally even though she hadn’t consciously thought about that name in years. She silently chastised herself for the mistake. He remained silent except for the devilish expression that appeared when she’d said it. She had an inkling the wheels in his head were churning fast enough to make butter.

  Despite the fact that she hated him for standing her up on their wedding day, there was still a part of her that was comfortable around him. She and Braxton were the type of friends that could go a decade without communication and pick up right where they left off. That irked her. She knew that was the reason she’d had no control over her emotions last night when she had allowed him to kiss her. And now here they were as if he hadn’t left her. The thought made her dizzy for a moment. She’d always been in control of her life, but she couldn’t control her emotions when it came to Braxton and she sensed he was highly aware of that.