Wicked Gentleman

by Christy Pastore

  “I guess in that moment, I felt like I wasn’t the boss. People tend to change their demeanor when they find out I’m the CEO. It was nice just being—Jax, not Mister Hart.”

  “I can’t relate, but I can imagine that for a man of your stature, it’s kind of like being a celebrity—on twenty-four seven.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, it’s a lot like that.”

  “Well then, I guess I’ll be calling you Jax.”

  His lips curled into that sexy grin. “Good.”

  Catelyn returned with the wine, and one of the other servers had carried over an extra set of glasses. After Jax poured the Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape, I took a sip and nearly had an orgasm from just one taste. Had I moaned? By the look on Jax’s face, I had no idea. I looked around the restaurant there wasn’t a soul in sight. Actually, it was completely empty.

  “This is an excellent wine,” I said, twirling the stem of the glass between my thumb and index finger. The only reason I knew it was good was because it didn’t taste like sweet fruit juice. It had layers of flavor, nothing like the sweet swill of the bottles from the corner market I’d had before.

  “Eat some more bread, or you’ll be drunk before we order.”

  “Okay, fine,” I huffed. “Just so you know I’ll be paying you back the money for fixing my car.”

  “Would you let it go and accept the fact that someone did something nice for you?” His tone was firm but not angry.

  “I’m not letting it go.” I pointed my wine glass in his direction. “I will pay you back.”

  “Let’s not worry about that right now, how about we have some fun, okay? Besides, I’d like to enjoy a meal with the beautiful woman sitting across from me.”

  “Surely you must be talking about someone else in here.”

  He smiled, a smile so bright, I could see the creases around his blue eyes. He’s going to have to stop looking at me like that or just stop being so damn gorgeous altogether.

  “Okay,” I said, before polishing off the last bite of my bread. “Tell me about yourself.”

  “What would you like to know?”

  Catelyn was back, and refilling our water glasses, before I had the chance to ask Jax a question.

  “Would you care to order, Mister Hart?”

  He eyed the menu, scanning the single printed card stock. This was the kind of place where the menu changed daily. He was so confident and self-assured, it would be fair to say that he rarely felt nervous or out of place. The certainty of his demeanor made me want to try a bit harder, be a better person and overcome some of my anxiety and fears.

  “We’re feeling adventurous. First, we’ll start with the Lava Shrimp, and the Chef’s Seared Ahi Tuna.” He looked towards me and I nodded. “And for our entrée, we’ll share the Thai Scallops and Shrimp.”

  And just like that Jax became the first man to ever order a meal for me. The “unadventurous me” would have no doubt been outraged at the thought of a man trying to steal my voice, my womanly power. Maybe I am drunk.

  “Let’s talk about the hippo in the room.”

  His brows lifted. “Hippo?”

  “Yeah, everyone says elephant I changed it to hippo. Besides elephants are gentle creatures and hippos are mean. I feel like the issue of the hippo in the room would need to be addressed rather quickly.”

  That earned me quite the laugh from Jax. “You’re a rule breaker. I like that. So what is this hippo in the room that needs addressing?”

  “You’re Jackson Hart, and I’m a caddy who works at your hotel. Why would you want to buy me lunch . . . dinner . . . linner?”

  The afternoon sun had situated itself perfectly in front of our view. I swirled my water glass, the reflection splashed prisms of color across white tablecloth. Signaling Catelyn, he politely asked for her to adjust the shades, and then she disappeared. His gaze met mine once more.

  “Asking you to lunch or dinner isn’t about job titles. It’s about two people sharing good food and some very excellent wine. All of that aside, I like you, and I think you kinda like me.”

  “You’re pretty sure of yourself.”

  “I’d like to think so. But, I’ll tell you a secret, I didn’t use to be.”

  Our moment was broken by Catelyn returning with our appetizers. After draping my cloth napkin across my lap, I scooped some of the shrimp onto my plate. I wasn’t shy, and I was certainly hungry. Jax picked up his chopsticks and popped a piece of shrimp into his mouth. I wasn’t so good with those things. And I had the perfect opportunity to learn since I was pretty much a regular at The Golden Dragon.

  “Lack of confidence, how did you fix that?”

  “I guess the best way to describe it would be as a step-by-step process. I asked questions. Over time most conversations became easier, and I spoke up. Before I knew it, people started to ask me questions. I positioned myself as a leader, and just adapted from there.”

  “You make it sound so simple.”

  “I think with anything in life you have to make a decision and just go for what you want.” Leaning closer, he pinned me with those dreamy blue eyes. “When I see something of value, I won’t settle for anything less than what I’ve set my mind on.”

  Stunned by his words, I stopped chewing and swallowed the piece of shrimp. It was a miracle I didn’t choke. Picking up my water glass, I brought it to my lips and took a long drink. That sentence was laced with some innuendo.

  “Do you always get what you want?” I couldn’t help jabbing at the suggestive remark.

  “No, sometimes I have to work for it.”

  I took another drink. Still my brain searched for something to say. What could I say? Since we met you’ve been on my mind, constantly. That would make me sound crazy, possibly a bit foolish.

  I set my glass down, and then Jax took my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. He brought my hand to his lips, dropping a few kisses to my knuckles. “You’re beautiful.”

  “I’m not beautiful,” I whispered, pulling my hand from his grip.

  “A woman should always take a compliment,” he pointed out. “Take the compliment, Stevie.”

  My hands began to sweat, and I swallowed hard. “Thank you for saying that I’m beautiful.”

  He said nothing, giving me a slow sexy smile. Our food arrived, putting an end to that perfect moment.

  Apparently, the chef had been trying some new recipes, and he wanted us to try a few samples. We dipped pieces of food into various sauces and I tried to work the chopsticks but my fingers were not that coordinated. Jax took my hand in his, spreading and positioning my fingers, but it was of no use.

  Abandoning my chopsticks, Jax scooped up a Thai shrimp cake and dipped into the sweet chili sauce with his. “Open your mouth,” he prompted. “You gotta try this.”

  My mouth closed over the chopsticks and Jax’s eyes flicked to mine. The warmth of his gaze slid over me as the flavors danced on my tongue. The pad of his thumb swept the corner of my mouth and he licked the sauce from his skin. How I wished that were my tongue on him.

  Our gazes lingered on one another as we sampled the myriad of flavors. I wasn’t sure if the electricity fizzling through me was from the spices or from the way he was looking at me. Before I could give my feelings more thought, Jax dipped a piece of tuna into soy sauce, bringing it to my mouth.

  “Oh my goodness,” I chirped, covering my mouth with my napkin. “That’s so good.”

  Usually I don’t do so well with spicy foods, most things are too hot, but that was perfect.

  I’d barely eaten any of my entrée before another small plate arrived to the table. Catelyn said it was cucumber bites topped with avocado and spiced tuna.

  “Yum,” I moaned, taking a second bite.

  Smiling he asked, “Good, yeah?”

  I nodded, and watched as his mouth bit into the crisp cucumber. His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat and I had the strangest fantasy of running my tongue over his neck kissing my way up to his mouth.

&n
bsp; Snap out of it.

  Dinner went smoothly, everything was delicious. Even though we tried so many things, I didn’t feel stuffed. I would never forget the smell and all the savory spices. Mostly, I would never forget that Jax told me that I was beautiful.

  After our meal, he suggested a walk on the beach. I kicked off my flip flops and dug my toes into the warm sand. Jax wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close, allowing me to inhale his masculine scent of fresh clean soap and a lavender musk.

  “Endless colors of blue and green. Not a bad view.”

  “It’s pretty damn incredible,” he admitted. “The sea matches the color of your eyes, just gorgeous.”

  I pushed back so that I could look up at him. “More lines.” I teased.

  He grasped my hand and then scooped up my flip flops. “A compliment. What did I tell you about compliments?”

  My eyes dropped to the sand. “Accept them.”

  “Very good.”

  We trekked along the warm sand until we reached the shoreline. Jax still had his shoes on, so we didn’t get too far into the water. The beach was practically empty aside from a few families and an intense game of beach volleyball.

  “Have you always lived here, on Salissa Island?”

  “No, I was born in Montana and then the summer before my sophomore year of high school, we moved to Fort Lauderdale.”

  “Was it hard leaving your friends behind?”

  He nodded and blew out a deep breath. “It was at first, I kind of isolated myself. I was pissed that we had to leave and I’d just made the varsity football team. The team roster at my new school was already filled so I had to sit out a season and I that made me even angrier.”

  “That’s tough.” Looking up at him, I smiled and squeezed his hand. “Did you end up making the team the next year?”

  “I didn’t even bother trying out. By that time I’d discovered swimming, surfing and beach volleyball,” he replied, turning to face me. “It seems that I was meant to be near the water.” Smiling, he took our joined hands and pointed towards the ocean. In the distance I could see the storm clouds approaching and the wind kicked up fanning my hair across my face.

  “I love the water,” I replied, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Although I’ll admit I am a little nervous about the ocean.”

  He cocked a brow. “Sharks or Jellyfish?”

  “Both, but I think it’s mostly the trepidation that comes from not being able to see what’s swimming around me in the darker waters.”

  “I’d protect you from the big bad fish and seaweed,” he teased, pulling me closer.

  Those tingles resurfaced, or maybe they had been this whole time. “Is that so?”

  He stopped dead in his tracks, and turned to face me. “Absolutely, scout’s honor.”

  Stepping closer, he tossed my flip flops onto the sand. We were so close. Close enough that I couldn’t help it when my eyes darted to his mouth.

  My heart was beating a million miles a minute, in anticipation of his lips against my own. His hands glided along the sides of my neck and then pushed into my hair. Shifting his weight, his thigh pressed against me, as one hand snaked around my waist pulling me closer.

  I drew in a breath, as my body pressed tightly against his. I could feel the hardness of his muscles through his t-shirt. With a mind of their own, my hands dug into the muscles of his back.

  Cradling my cheek in his palm, his lips brushed against mine. The pad of his thumb stroked softly against my cheek. All at once my skin tingled and burned.

  Closing my eyes, all I could feel was Jax. My lips parted, and his tongue swept against mine, teasing me.

  I melted into him, and he kissed me hard, filling my mouth stroking all the right spots. My hands roamed up his back, finding their way into his hair. Want and need surged through me, on a moan elicited from somewhere deep inside his chest. I opened my mouth wider, asking for more, perhaps I was begging.

  Jax’s hands tangled in my hair, and every bit of me ached for him. He had the lips of the devil. And with one kiss, he melted every part of me—setting my soul on fire.

  RESTLESS WAS THE WAY I’D slept, or ‘not slept,’ with the memory of Jax’s lips on mine. Sunlight peered through my bedroom window, and eventually the early morning yellow color splashed over the walls. I planted my feet on the rug beside my bed, and stood stretching my arms over my head.

  Just past seven thirty, I trekked into the bathroom and brushed my teeth. After washing my face, I threw on my yoga pants and a sports bra. Grabbing my mat and gym bag, I then headed out the door to join the other yogis at the beach.

  As much as I tried, my mind kept wandering to thoughts of him. After we left the restaurant, Jax took me to get my keys at “The Villa,” which was just the nickname he used for the hotel. Some kind of inside joke I assumed. Jax gave me a quick tour of his office, which was a suite in itself, minus a bed. Just after seven, he dropped me off at home, but not without kissing me once more. I contemplated going to the bar to visit Krystle and telling her about my amazing day with Jax, but instead I changed into my pajamas and settled in for the remainder of the evening with a book.

  After shaking the sand from my mat, I rolled it up and shoved it into my bag. Checking the time on my phone, I realized that I missed a call from Abby. I swiped the screen to play the voicemail.

  “Hey, girl, I have an emergency with my sister. Her husband is out of town and I’m taking her to the doctor, she’s having labor pains. Can you cover my shift today from nine to three? I’ll trade you for your Friday shift. Call or text me.”

  I texted her back and let her know I would be happy to cover for her. After stopping to grab a coffee, I headed home to shower and change.

  The day flew by in a blur of heat and humidity. Along with the other three caddies, I spent the morning caddying a foursome, raking the bunkers and replacing divots.

  By the time three o’clock rolled around, we were still on the course. A group of businessmen had been taking their sweet time. Finally, they offered to let my group play through. After collecting my tips and grabbing a bottle of water, I went to the locker room to shower and change.

  Pulling my phone out of my locker to check my messages, I spotted a text from Abby.

  My sister has been put on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. How was the day? Thank you again for helping me out.

  Me: The day was great. No need to worry about a thing. Tell your sister to get some rest.

  I wondered if Abby’s sister had an e-reader. Maybe, I could get her a gift card and she could download some books to read while she’s on bed rest. I shoved my clothes into my locker and scooped up my tote.

  I turned on the water and let the warm spray cascade over my skin. For a brief moment, I allowed myself to think about Jax as I ducked my head under the shower head. What was he doing today? I grabbed my lavender shower gel and poured a generous amount onto the puffy pink mesh sponge. Did he think of me? Scrubbing over my arms and stomach, thoughts of Jax standing here with me surfaced. What would his hands feel like on my wet skin?

  When my fingers looked like prunes, I rinsed the conditioner out of my hair. Voices of laughter echoed through the room. I recognized one of the bartenders from the Cabana Grill. She tossed me a smile, and kept talking to the woman I didn’t recognize as they changed into their uniforms.

  After changing into my favorite pair of cropped denim jeans and a floral print tank and blowing my hair dry, I packed up all my stuff and then walked out to my car. As I crossed the parking lot, my cellphone rang, nearly scaring me half to death. The caller ID said, Jax.

  I don’t remember exchanging numbers with him.

  “Hello, Jax,” I answered, unlocking my car.

  “Hello there,” he greeted me, and in some odd way the cadence of his voice was soothing. “How was your day?”

  Balancing the phone between my chin and shoulder, I climbed into my car and tossed my tote bag on the passenger seat. “Good, I just fi
nished work, and I’m headed to my apartment.”

  I heard the rustling of papers over the phone. “I didn’t know you had to work today.”

  “Well, Abby’s sister went into false labor or something and she asked me to trade shifts.”

  “What day do you have off now?”

  “Friday.”

  “Perfect. I’d like to take you on a date. I’ll pick you up, say around four?”

  “Okay, that sounds nice. What should I wear?”

  “Whatever you want, but pack a swimsuit.”

  “Sounds mysterious.”

  He laughed. “Just let me surprise you.”

  “Fine, I suppose I can allow that. See you then.”

  “Until Friday, have a good week.”

  I ended the call and shoved my phone into the cup holder. As I drove out of the parking lot, I wondered what glorious date Jax had cooked up. Hearing from him made me smile. It was the highlight of my day, and him asking me out was the cherry on top.

  After I unpacked from work, I threw my work clothes into the wash. Staring into the fridge nothing looked appetizing, and I didn’t feel like having another carton of lo mein. Grabbing my phone off the counter, I swiped the screen and sent a quick text to Krystle.

  Me: Are you working?

  Krystle: Always. Come have a drink. It’s dead in here.

  Me: Be there shortly.

  I twisted the handle and locked the door to my apartment. Practically skipping down the steps, I raced to my car and headed towards Quench. Krystle was going to get an earful. She’d be surprised, since I usually have nothing to share, at least not anything exciting, but Jax and our mini date and now another date Friday was definitely gossip worthy.

  With a quick flick of my turn signal, I pulled into the parking lot and parked in my regular space near the front door. I peered through the window eyeing Krystle leaning against the bar with her arms crossed watching the evening news. The bells chimed as I pulled on the brass handle of the heavy wooden door.

  “My favorite bitch!” she called out and lined up two shot glasses.

  “What’s up, chickadee?” I took a seat in my chair near the beer taps.