A Seductive Kiss

by Francis Ray

  Alex kissed her on the head. “I already know that.”

  “As soon as Sin finishes stuffing himself, we can play,” C. J. said. “I already put a sign up that the table is reserved from nine until.”

  Alex nodded toward the door. “Neither of you might be playing tonight. The reporter is here and looks like she has a friend.”

  C. J. and Sin both jerked their heads around to stare over the back of the booth. Two beautiful women stood near the door. C. J. was moving and Sin, his food forgotten, was right behind him. Almost immediately the star pitcher for the Yankees came through the door with his agent, and with him several fans. At least for a while, Alex would have Dianne to himself, and he was going to enjoy every second.

  Chapter 7

  Alex could be annoyed or he could just enjoy having Dianne leaning back against him as they watched Sin try to teach Heather, the friend of the sports reporter C. J. was interested in, how to pocket a shot. Soon after the Yankee pitcher and agent arrived, so did several other baseball payers, along with their agents and reps from corporations eagerly trying to court them. It had been wild.

  New patrons at Callahan’s had been agog, trying to get pictures and autographs. The regulars had taken it all in their stride. Unlike usual, C. J. wasn’t frowning. Carol, the sports reporter they’d met last week at the Yankees game, kept a smile on his face.

  Sin had done his thing of bringing player, agent, and corporation together in a nonthreatening environment. The reporter had gotten her interviews and couldn’t have been happier. Alex could already tell C. J. would reap the reward of her appreciation.

  It was close to ten before the players, reps, and agents left and the bar returned to normal. It was Sin’s idea to pair off so two couples could play against each other; the winner would play the third couple. He didn’t seem to mind that Carol’s friend, Heather, had never played pool before.

  The giggling redhead needed help with everything. After five practice shots, she still couldn’t hold her pool cue without Sin’s help. Carol was almost as bad with C. J. Alex couldn’t believe that a woman who loved sports as much as she said she did had never played pool.

  The ball Sin helped Heather hit knocked a ball into the side pocket. Heather screamed with joy, jumping up and down, her breasts joggling. Sin grinned.

  Dianne turned to stare up at Alex. He couldn’t say he wasn’t looking at Heather’s obvious attributes. He rubbed his brow.

  Alex heard choked laughter and stared at C. J. nearby. He’d seen the exchange and was amused.

  “We’re going to win when we start playing for real,” Sin announced casually, his arm around Heather’s small waist as she leaned into him. “Your practice shot, Dianne.”

  Dianne took the cue from Alex and marched stiff-backed to the pool table. Alex followed. He couldn’t tell if she was annoyed at him for looking at Heather or annoyed that she had yet to sink one ball. He was to blame for both.

  He wasn’t the best of pool players, but with Dianne’s soft hips against him, his thinking and concentration were mush.

  Without waiting for him, Dianne bent over the table. The material of her slacks tightened over her hips. Alex swallowed.

  “Buddy, she’s aiming her cue at Sin’s ball,” C. J. said casually.

  Heather went into a fit of giggles. Alex caught the strained smile on Sin’s face. Alex thought someone should have told her that a lot of men didn’t like helpless, giggling women. He looked at Dianne, her hand on her hip, her mouth tight. Oops. Maybe someone should have told him that a woman didn’t like a man who said he cared about her looking at another woman.

  Alex took the cue with one hand and wrapped his arm around Dianne. “You. Just you.”

  Her face and body softened. “What do you say we get out of here and go for a carriage ride?”

  Alex tossed the cue to C. J., who caught it. “’Night, everyone.”

  “Good night.” Dianne curved her arm around Alex’s waist.

  “You were going to tell me about the new D line,” Heather protested, moving away from Sin. Carol was behind her.

  Dianne briefly glanced up at Alex. “Sorry. I’m sure you’ll understand.”

  Alex didn’t particularly care if they did or not. He was taking his woman and leaving.

  * * *

  “I always thought this would be nice,” Dianne said, snuggling closer to Alex on the carriage seat as it went down Madison Avenue heading for Central Park.

  “Same here.” He nuzzled her neck. “You smell good.”

  “So do you.” He laughed and she sat up to look at him. “What?”

  He threaded his hand through her soft hair. She was sensually beautiful and so unaware of it.

  “What?” she repeated.

  “We sound like a mutual admiration society,” he mused.

  “Just proves we have good taste.” She leaned back against him, wrapping her arms around the strong arms that now circled her waist. “It’s beautiful with the lights in the trees, the buildings. I guess I never took time to appreciate New York.”

  “Most people who live in the city are the same way,” Alex said. “Jobs, friends, family, obligations keep most people pretty busy.”

  “I get two out of four,” she said, trying to sound cheerful. He wasn’t buying it.

  “The D line solidified the House of Harrington as an innovative fashion leader. You helped make that happen,” he reminded her.

  “The job is all I have,” she whispered softly.

  His heart ached for her. She sounded so alone, so scared. This time he was the one turning her face to his. “Is everything all right at Harrington House?”

  Her lashes flickered. She glanced away. He gently shook her. “Dianne. I asked you a question.”

  Finally she returned his gaze. By the lights from the streets and buildings, she knew he could see the strain in her face. “They’re late with my paycheck again.”

  “Again?” he shouted. “How late? How many times? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Her shoulders snapped back in defiance. “Because I can take care of myself. I spoke with the CEO’s secretary and they’ll have my check at the meeting Monday.”

  Despite her words, he could tell she was worried. So was he. But he had to tread carefully. Because she’d been told so many times by her unfit parents that she was stupid, she bristled when anyone inferred she couldn’t take care of herself. “Perhaps I should be at that meeting.”

  “No. I already told them if they didn’t have my check, they’d be talking to my lawyer.” She poked him in the chest. “I figured you’d tear them a new one.”

  “Damn straight. When you’re at the meeting, don’t you dare leave without a contract. Make the CEO put the basis in writing,” he told her.

  She saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

  The harshness faded from his face. He’d let her handle things, but if they continued to screw her over with her paycheck, they’d have him to deal with. “Smarty.”

  “It will be fine, I promise.” She leaned back against him. “You off tomorrow?”

  “Yep. We can spend the entire day together starting with breakfast and then the baseball game at Yankee Stadium. If the Yankees win, Sin invited us to an early dinner with a group of his corporate clients at Radcliffe’s,” Alex told her. “Since I’m closer to the stadium and Radcliffe’s, if you’d like you can bring a change of clothes over in the morning and come back to my place to dress for dinner.”

  She popped back up, her eyes dancing with excitement and just a bit of nervousness. He’d said he would want her to spend the night when they made love for the first time. Tomorrow night she’d be in Alex’s bed. “Thank you. I’d like that.”

  Alex felt her pulse leap. She understood he planned for her to spend the night. “After I pick you up, we can drop your things at my place on the way to the game.”

  “I haven’t been to a baseball game since yours in high school. You were a great pitcher.”

  “I still have a
strong arm.” He pulled her closer.

  “Show me.”

  “With pleasure.” His mouth found hers.

  * * *

  Dianne expected them to sit in the bleachers for the Yankees baseball game; instead they were shown to an elegant box that must have cost thousands. “Sin,” she guessed.

  Alex grinned. “He has his good points.”

  Inside the luxurious room, she spotted Sin deep in conversation with two men. She didn’t recognize them, but then she hadn’t known any of the sports figures last night at the bar, either. “Is C. J. coming?”

  “He’s probably already here. I’m usually the last to arrive,” Alex said. “I don’t see him, but I do see the buffet.”

  “You’re wicked, you know. I’ve lost only one pound.”

  He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I’ll give you a private workout later on.”

  Dianne’s cheeks flamed with excitement. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  Hand in hand they went to the buffet table. As the crowd moved away, Dianne saw Summer at the head of one of the tables. “Hi. I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d be at the restaurant.”

  “I would be if Sin hadn’t asked me to cater. We’re booked solid as usual.” Summer picked up a china plate. “Would you like me to serve you?”

  “No. We have it.” Dianne took the plate. Sin was a good friend. “Not that you need it, but the publicity has to be good for Radcliffe’s.”

  “It is.” Summer made a face. “He has his moments—brief though they may be.”

  “We must be talking about Sin.” C. J. picked up a plate.

  “You and Carol lost,” Alex guessed, picking up flatware.

  C. J. grunted and reached for the utensil in the potato salad. “I’ll get him next time.”

  “Men and their games.” Summer added thin slivers of roast beef and garden salad to C. J’s plate. “You were sure you were going to win. What happened?”

  “I was distracted.” C. J. plucked the fork from Alex’s hand and dug into his food.

  Dianne looked at Alex, who became busy preparing their plate.

  “A woman.” Summer folded her arms. “Is she here?”

  “No way. You know game day is sac—” C. J. broke off abruptly, his gaze zeroed in on Dianne, then Alex.

  “Finish what you were going to say,” Dianne told him, although she had a pretty good idea.

  “C. J.,” Alex said. His voice carried a note of warning.

  “I was going to say game day is sacred for me, Sin, and Alex. We don’t bring women, but since you’re here, obviously you’re just not any woman. You’re important to him, and therefore important to us,” C. J. said.

  Dianne hugged him, or at least tried to. Alex pulled her away.

  “I saw that,” Sin said, joining them. “If C. J. gets a hug, as your other best friend I get one as well.”

  Dianne only got one arm around Sin’s neck before Alex pulled her to his side. “That’s enough.”

  “Spoilsport.” Sin picked up a plate. “It’s a good thing I have a thick skin. You and the food are looking good, Summer. Radcliffe’s is going to be even more popular.”

  “Who was the woman?” Summer asked.

  Sin glanced up from peering at a huge clamshell filled with giant shrimp. “Forgettable. Some women are.”

  Dianne glanced from Sin to Summer, trying to determine if anything was going on between them. Sin hadn’t been teasing and hadn’t mixed two completely different subjects when he’d answered her. Alex hadn’t seemed to notice, but C. J.’s brow was furrowed.

  “There just better not be another incident like last time,” she said, and stalked away.

  Sin’s expression changed. For once, he seemed deadly serious. Placing the plate on the table, he went after her.

  C. J. muttered an expletive, took a step toward them, then went to take a seat at the front of the box, which looked out over the infield.

  Dianne didn’t want to be nosy, but she liked Summer. “Is she all right?”

  “Sin won’t rest until she is,” he answered cryptically.

  Still frowning, Dianne stared at Sin and Summer. They made a beautiful couple, but Dianne didn’t think they were or ever had been one. Moments later, Summer laughed, punched Sin playfully on the shoulder. Whatever it was, it was over.

  “I have our plate, let’s go take our seats. The game is about to start.”

  “I’m the first, huh?” Dianne asked.

  “And only.” Alex nodded toward C. J.

  Dianne started toward C. J., but she was still thinking about what Alex had said. And only. She hadn’t thought about it before, but what if Alex expected more from her than she could give him? Not just sexually, but emotionally as well. She had told him what she wanted from him, but what about what he wanted?

  She hadn’t even thought to ask. That made her just as selfish as she’d said.

  Alex had always given to her and, as usual, she had taken without a moment’s thought about giving back, as if being intimate with her was enough.

  Foolish woman.

  He’d made each moment memorable, introduced her to his best friends. They obviously thought she was special in his life. What would they say when she went back to Paris?

  An unexpected stab of loneliness hit her. She didn’t want to leave him.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Fine,” she managed, searching for and finding a real smile. Not for anything would she ruin this day for him or for herself. Memories of them together would have to last a lifetime.

  * * *

  The Yankees won, and New York celebrated as only the Big Apple could. Alex took Dianne back to his apartment so they could shower and change, then hurried back to Radcliffe’s. They were immediately shown to Sin’s table.

  “I don’t see C.J,” Dianne said as they followed the hostess.

  “Game days are always busy at his bar. He even has extra staff on hand. His regulars will be waiting for the bar to open. Today they’ll be celebrating. If things had gone differently they’d be there to drown their sorrows. Big crowd either way.”

  “About time you got here. Now the party can begin.” Sin came to his feet and introduced them, then turned to Summer who was standing by his side. “Ladies and gentleman, you’ve already met the beautiful and savvy owner of Radcliffe’s, sampled her exquisite cuisine at the stadium. Now you’ll understand why the wait list is two months, and people don’t mind waiting for the off chance that someone will miss their seating time.”

  “Welcome to Radcliffe’s,” Summer said, and lifted her hand. Four waiters appeared. “They’ll take your orders and, in the meantime, please enjoy the wine and appetizers Mr. Sinclair ordered.”

  Alex watched the pleased and impressed faces of executives who were used to the best restaurants. Sin, with Summer’s help, had nailed it again. It was good to see that they had managed to get over the bump at the stadium, but until they got it out in the open and put things firmly behind them, it would continue to pop up.

  “I’ll be back and forth, but if there is anything you need to make your dining experience more enjoyable, please let me know.” Summer turned to leave.

  Frowning, Sin caught her arm. “You can’t stay?”

  Something flickered in her face, then was gone. “Unfortunately not. Good-bye for now.”

  Sin was forced to release her arm. Alex was sure he was the only one who could tell by the sudden narrowing of his eyes that Sin hadn’t wanted to release her. He could be difficult when pushed, and Summer was definitely pushing him.

  “Is this your first time at Radcliffe’s?” Alex asked the man seated next to him to draw attention away from Sin.

  The man was in his midthirties and wearing a well-cut suit; he picked up his just-filled wineglass. “Yes, but it certainly won’t be the last if the food is anything like it was at the stadium.”

  “It is,” Dianne said. “The food and service are fantastic. Unfortuna
tely, I’ll have to forgo the wine tonight.”

  “Excuse me, but are you the Dianne Harrington?” a matronly woman asked.

  “Yes,” Dianne admitted, then smiled. “And might I say you look fantastic in that D suit.”

  The woman blushed with pleasure. “Thank you. I love your clothes. They’re stylish and they last.”

  “Not that that keeps her from buying more clothes,” her husband said with obvious indulgence.

  “Your appetizers.” As several platters were placed on the table, people turned their attention to the food.

  As the evening progressed, Dianne fielded almost as many questions about fashion and the fashion industry as Sin did on the execs’ chances of acquiring the particular sports figure they wanted to endorse their brand. Alex had never been prouder of her.

  And tonight she was going to be his.

  * * *

  Dianne had never been as anxious in her life. Her heart thudded in her chest; her palms were damp. What if she was a complete failure in the bedroom? What if, when Alex saw her naked, he’d think she was too fat?

  Alex stuck the key in his apartment door, his gaze on Dianne. “We still have time to take the helicopter ride if you want?”

  “No.” She shook her head. When he’d asked about the ride as they were leaving the restaurant, there had been no hesitation: She wanted to return to his apartment. She still did—it was just …

  Alex removed the key from the door, caught both her arms, and waited until she stared up at him. “You never have to do anything you don’t want to.”

  “But I want to,” she blurted, then looked away.

  Releasing her, Alex opened the door. Gently taking her arm, he led her inside.

  “Oohhh,” she whispered. The room was filled with the intoxicating scent of roses and gardenias. On several surfaces were candles. With the draperies open, the light from the building coupled with the candles gave the room a warm, romantic glow.

  He stepped behind her, his arms going around her waist. “I hope you approve.”

  “Very much.” She leaned back against his muscular warmth.