by King, Thayer
Throughout the course of the meal, Aidan kept up a steady conversation with her about innocuous topics. She wouldn’t have found it suspicious if he didn’t seem to be ignoring everyone in favor of her. She tried to draw Jerome and others into their conversation only for Aidan to slowly exclude them. He acted as though she were the only person in the room.
Dessert was ice cream covered in flambéed peaches. It was delicious. Janelle barely contained a moan. But she stopped eating when she met Aidan’s glittering gold gaze focused on the spoon as it slid from between her lips. She put down her spoon and pushed away her bowl.
He cleared his throat. “All finished?” His own dessert sat neglected and melting in front of him. She nodded. “Then we should begin the tour of the house.”
* * * *
Janelle glanced over her shoulder at where Jerome lagged behind her, discussing his trip to Madrid with the blonde woman she recalled from the party a month ago. She was beginning to get annoyed. Aidan held her hand trapped over his strong forearm and led her from room to room as though she were his date. The other guests trailed them.
When they made it to the last room, his downstairs study, many of his friends said their good-byes. And still, he kept her at his side. For a moment, Janelle found herself alone with him. Jerome hadn’t caught up with them yet. “You have a lovely home,” she said.
“Thank you.”
His fingers curved over hers and gave them a squeeze. “Um, so there’s no one to share this large house with you? No Mrs. Clark?”
“Not yet. Since I was nineteen, I’ve poured all my energy into building up the Clark Hotel chain. I’ve only recently learned the art of delegation.” He took a deep breath. “And I suppose I haven’t met the right woman.” His gaze was full of meaning as it flicked over her face.
Janelle wasn’t sure what the proper etiquette was in this situation. Aidan kept giving her signs that he was interested in her, but until he was blatant about it, she couldn’t call him on it. That he was her boyfriend’s boss only complicated matters further. Janelle stepped back, wanting to create some distance between them. Her heel caught in the rug that covered the dark hard wood floors, causing her ankle to twist. She was falling, but Aidan was there. Strong arms wrapped around her.
Her body was drawn flush to his, her hands landing on his chest. The thump of his heartbeat pulsed beneath her palms. She looked up at him, prepared to thank him. The words died on her lips at the expression on his face. His face was tight with desire, his cheeks ruddy, his irises dominated by his pupils. He hardened against her, their bodies angled so that the large bulge lodged at the apex of her thighs.
Janelle made a strangled sound even as her clit pulsed and her belly fluttered. When he would have kissed her, she twisted out of his embrace. “No.” She pressed a hand to her chest to still her thumping heart. “No. I…Jerome—”
The fire in his eyes was so hot it could have singed her. “Janelle, I want you.”
She shook her head fiercely. “You can’t have me.”
“And you want me,” he stated.
“Do you make a habit of this? Making a play for your employees’ girlfriends and wives?”
“I’ve never done this,” he said emphatically, and she believed him.
“It doesn’t matter. The answer is no.” She turned to leave, fleeing Aidan and the unwanted desire he invoked in her. A groan sounded behind her. That was her only warning before his arms wrapped around her from behind. He spread a large hand over her belly. Her nipples tightened into sensitive buds. His harsh breath rattled her ear. She squirmed to be free, but it only caused her to come into contact with his heavily aroused body. She went still.
“You’ve put a spell on me, Janelle. I’ve never felt this way about a woman.”
“I’m a stranger to you.”
“Yet, it’s there. I want to know everything about you. Your wants, your fears, your desires. I want to know what you look like when you wake up in the morning. I hold you in my arms all night.”
“And what makes you think I’m willing to throw away everything I have with Jerome for a fling with you?” She pushed at his hand. “Please, let me go.”
He sighed. His arms tightened, but then they dropped. She whipped around to look at him before backing out of the room. She didn’t want to let him out of her sight again. She bumped into the door frame and then a man about to enter the study. “Sorry,” she muttered before setting off to find her errant boyfriend.
* * * *
Aidan sighed and collapsed into one of the leather wingback chairs the decorator had insisted completed this room. Shit! He was a complete idiot. He’d been impatient and he’d blown what could be his last opportunity to get to know her better. But it had broken his control to see the desire in her eyes. It was difficult for him not to go after something that he wanted. And he wanted Janelle.
“She seemed like she was in a hurry,” Timothy Green, his best friend, commented as he dropped into the chair adjacent to his. “Guess you got dissed.”
Aidan glared at Tim. “Does anyone say dissed anymore?”
Tim shrugged. “Who was she?”
“What do you care?”
“Well, as an investor in your company, I’d like to know if you’re going to be sued for sexual harassment.”
“She’s not an employee.”
“Your date then? You’ve been monopolizing her all night.”
“No. She’s—” He stopped when Jerome entered the room with Janelle on his arm. She looked everywhere but at him.
“Sir, I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No, it’s fine, Jerome. You’re leaving?”
“Yes, sir. I’ve enjoyed the evening. Your home is beautiful. Thank you again for inviting us.”
Aidan waved aside the pleasantries. “Anytime. I’ll see you in the office tomorrow?”
“Uh, tomorrow, sir?”
“Yes. I have a new project I want to discuss with you.”
“Yes, sir, I’ll be there bright and early.”
Aidan nodded. Tim released a low whistle when they were gone. “You’re putting the moves on an employee’s woman? That’s not going to buy you loyalty.”
“Yeah, well…” Aidan stopped. He had no defense.
Tim blinked and sat forward. Blue eyes wide, he asked, “Fuck, this is serious, isn’t it? I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words. What’s so special about this woman?”
“Damn if I know.” Or maybe he did. It was a feeling in his gut. He’d felt this way about business deals in the past and he’d never been wrong. He kept expecting to find something about her to turn him off. What he did know was that she deserved better than Jerome. He’d found out little about her during his lunch with the other man. Jerome Wilson wasn’t interested in anyone but himself. Aidan suspected the man knew less about Janelle than he did.
“So, are you trying to break them up?”
Aidan ground his teeth together. It would be different if theirs was a new relationship. But it wasn’t. Though he had said it wasn’t serious, Jerome admitted that they’d been dating for almost a year. “He doesn’t appreciate her.”
“And what do you want her for? A night? A week? Can’t you wait for them to break up on their own? It’ll happen eventually if, as you say, he’s not treating her right.”
He couldn’t take the thought of her being with Jerome even tonight. “Tim, I want her now. I can’t count on them breaking up at some future date.”
* * * *
Janelle held tightly to Jerome’s fingers. They were long and slender like her own. “Come in,” she pleaded. Though she kept reminding herself that she’d done nothing wrong, she couldn’t shake the guilt over her reaction to Aidan tonight. On the ride home, she reasoned that it was simply lust. She and Jerome hadn’t been together physically in months. She would have reacted the same way to any other attractive man’s attentions.
“You heard Aidan. I have to be in early tomorrow.”
�
�Just come in and have a cup of tea. It’s decaf.” She could see him weakening. “Please,” she added with a smile.
“Oh, all right. One cup.”
She unlocked her door, and he followed her inside. Her kitchen was small with just enough room for a table for two. A countertop separated the kitchen from the den. She often ate her meals sitting on one of the three bar stools there rather than stay in the cramped kitchen area. Jerome slid onto one and watched as she rushed around getting out mugs and tea.
“Aidan seems really fond of you,” he remarked casually.
The mugs clinked together. “I didn’t think you noticed. You were busy talking shop.”
“I’m a fairly observant kind of guy.” He grinned. “I’m happy he likes you. It reflects well on me.”
Janelle’s stomach churned in anxiety. Aidan’s attraction to her could prove to be detrimental to Jerome’s job prospects. She hoped he wasn’t the type of man to abuse his power that way, but she couldn’t be certain. After all, he didn’t have enough principles not to attempt to seduce her in the first place.
She didn’t want Jerome to worry, but she didn’t want him to be blindsided either. Filling the cups with water and then placing them in the microwave, she debated the best way to let him know. “I think he more than likes me.”
“Well, he sees the same things in you that I do. You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman full of class and grace.”
Janelle mulled over his words. Was she reading too much into tonight? Aidan hadn’t threatened her or Jerome. Maybe this would be the extent of it. If she told Jerome, it would ruin his working relationship with his boss. Aidan did seem to like him. She knew how important his career was to Jerome. She didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. And there was a small amount of fear that he would choose his job over her.
She decided to keep her mouth shut. This whole situation would blow over with time. Aidan was probably embarrassed that she’d turned him down, but he hadn’t seemed angry. Still, she thought it prudent that she avoid Aidan in the future.
The microwave dinged. She removed their cups and dropped in tea bags. Giving Jerome his cup, she said, “I like it when you notice me, but it makes me uncomfortable when he does.” She added honey to her tea and joined him at the counter. Jerome took his unsweetened.
“You should be used to attracting attention from men. Haven’t you ever noticed how men look at you?”
She blew into her cup. “You’re good for my ego.”
Jerome laughed. “No, you’re good for my ego.” He gulped his tea. His was gone while she still had half a cup. “I should go.”
“Mm.” She stood quickly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Jerome looked mildly surprised at her forward behavior. She’d never initiated intimacy. “Jerome, can’t you stay a little bit longer?” She kissed him. His arms snaked around her back and he pressed back against her. Triumphant, she loosened his tie and undid a button on his shirt.
Jerome broke their kiss. Hands clamped on her waist, he put her away from him. “No, Janelle, I can’t. Didn’t you hear Aidan? I have to go in tomorrow.”
She groaned. “It’s a Saturday.”
He touched a finger to her nose. “And you’ve got to open your shop tomorrow. How about we postpone until tomorrow night?”
“Something else will come up,” she predicted. “It always does.”
“Don’t pout. What’s this about?”
“Jerome, do you know how long it’s been since we made love?”
“Too long. But why tonight?
“Because…because it’s been too long.” She couldn’t meet his gaze.
“Did something happen with Aidan that you’re not telling me about?” When she didn’t answer, he lifted her chin. “You know you can tell me anything, right? It’s okay if you’re attracted to him. It’s completely understandable. He’s a rich and powerful guy.”
She didn’t bother to try to deny it. “I would never betray you.”
“Of course you wouldn’t.” He grinned. “You’re my greatest asset.”
Janelle breathed a sigh of relief. Jerome didn’t seem to be the least bit bothered about this. She wouldn’t have been so understanding if the situation was reversed. He kissed her forehead before standing. “I’ve got to go. I need to be at my best.”
She walked him to the door and locked up once he was gone. Frowning, she wished she could be as blasé about this as Jerome. He did know Aidan better than she did, she reminded herself. She cleaned up their dishes.
The pins she’d used to style her hair were irritating her scalp. She pulled them loose and her hair fell in a black cascade around her shoulders. She had a Native American grandmother to thank for her soft, long hair.
She’d changed into her pajamas and was flipping through the latest issue of a fashion magazine when her cell rang. She smiled when the photo of Dionne dressed as a mannequin last Halloween popped up. Even if that hadn’t clued her in to the fact that it was her best friend, her phone began playing “Single Ladies.”
“Hey, Dionne. What are you up to?”
Dionne huffed. “You do not want to know. Could you come pick me up?”
Janelle glanced at her alarm clock. It was going on twelve a.m. How pathetic was it that on a Friday night she’d been home in her nightgown hours before midnight? She slid out of bed. “Sure. Where are you?”
“BlackFinn. I’ll text you the address.”
“I’ve got to change clothes, but I’ll be right there.” She dressed in dark blue jeans and a black T-shirt.
She’d barely gotten into the door of the saloon when Dionne pounced on her. Looping her arm through hers, Dionne forced her to perform a U-turn. She allowed her to usher her back to her black Mini. “So what were you doing here?” she asked as they took off.
Dionne slipped off her pumps and wiggled her toes. She sighed before answering. “You know the guy I told you about the other day? Well, he asked me out again. Only tonight he was surrounded by his boys and all of a sudden, I was too fat for him.” She grumbled unintelligibly for a few seconds. “I was doing his ugly ass a favor. You know how they say that humans find symmetrical faces more attractive? That’s a bunch of bullshit. His face was perfectly symmetrical. It was ass out ugly on both sides.” Janelle choked on a laugh. “This is what I get for trying to be less picky and more accommodating. This is the last straw, you know. I give up on men.”
“Don’t say that.” She hated the thought of Dionne giving up on her quest for the perfect man. Dionne was often going on blind dates or trying out Internet dating sites. It was rare that she went out with the same man twice, but she was a source of boundless optimism. Janelle liked that despite adversity, Dionne would find a way to look at the bright side.
“I didn’t mean permanently. But this is it for this month for sure!”
Janelle laughed. “Dionne, I love you.”
Chapter Three
Jerome cleared his throat. “Sir, if I might be frank with you…?”
Aidan studied the other man before nodding. He’d just given Jerome his assignment details. Nothing as exciting as his last trip to Madrid, but this would get him out of state for a week or, hopefully, two.
“Is this trip to Kansas really necessary? Can’t it be handled by someone closer?”
“They can’t all be glamorous trips, Jerome.”
He shook his head and pressed his lips together. “You don’t have to do this.”
Aidan arched an eyebrow. “This?”
Jerome released a loud sigh. “Janelle likes you too. Maybe we can strike a deal.”
Eyes narrowing, Aidan sat forward. The leather of his chair creaked. “What type of deal?”
“I love Janelle, and I want her to be happy. I can arrange it so that the two of you are together.”
“You’re willing to give me your girlfriend?” Aidan asked, disgusted with Jerome. If he was willing to give up such an exquisite woman as Janelle to shirk an unwanted assignment, he didn’t deserve
her. Suddenly, Aidan didn’t feel so guilty about lusting after Janelle. “That doesn’t sound like love to me.”
Jerome’s light brown eyes grew sly. “I wouldn’t say give. More like loan.”
Was he trying to whore her out to him? Aidan gripped the arms of his chair in an effort to keep his seat. If he stood, he knew he’d pound Jerome’s overly ambitious ass into the ground. “I think you should stop there. While you still have a job.”
“Sir, you misunderstand,” Jerome said quickly. His brow grew damp with sweat. “We have an open relationship. I don’t see any reason why the two of you shouldn’t be together. At least once. I’d like to arrange that.”
“Shit,” Aidan muttered, because he was actually considering it. He wanted Janelle. He didn’t want her this way, but it may be this way or no way at all. And it occurred to him that given a chance, he could have her for his own. If Jerome was foolish enough to share her, it would serve him right to have her stolen from him.
Still, he found it hard to believe of her. She didn’t seem like the type to separate love and sex. He wondered if Jerome had forced her into their arrangement.
He wanted this. “No.” He couldn’t. He wouldn’t.
“It’s just that I bring this up because you seem to feel that you need to send me out of town. I enjoy the travel, but I’d like more challenging tasks. The opening—”
“You are not going to offer me a night with your girlfriend for a promotion, are you?”
Jerome did have the decency to redden. “Certainly not.”
“Good, because I don’t let my personal life interfere with business.” Or at least he didn’t normally. He had been giving Jerome busy work and as many assignments out of Charlotte as possible. And now he would have to work doubly hard not to let his sudden hatred of Jerome show. Truthfully, he’d never liked him, but it was just a bad vibe with no facts to support it. Now, he knew the guy was a jerk.
Finally, he stood. He paused at the door. “Janelle will be disappointed.”
Aidan tapped his pen on his desk. He was going to regret this. “I need to know that she wants this.”
