By Chance, No Choice (Stetson Series Book 1)

by Xyla Turner

  “Join me outside. I know the perfect place.” He held out his hand.

  He was flirting and demanding but there was a sincerity about him that made me take his hand. I knew what it meant, but I still took it and let him lead the way.

  “Please put the meal and our drinks on my room tab. Hunters Suite – 4S under Timms,” He said to the passing waiter while giving him his room key. “We’ll be outside on the private deck.”

  “Yes, sir.” The waiter took the card and left us alone as he opened the sliding door.

  There was wicker-woven furniture spread throughout the entire deck but in the corner, there was a fire pit with pillows over the curved bench that surrounded the spitting yellow, orange, and blue sparks. He motioned for me to sit down while he grabbed a folded blanket on the seat. He draped it over my legs, which I assumed he did this because I had on a dress.

  “The name is Jagger Davis Timms, but everyone calls me JD.” He swung his left arm around my shoulders, pulling me towards his warm body.

  “Jagger, I got it.”

  He laughed which echoed in my bones because I was so close to him. His chest was hard and although only my shoulder was touching his body, I didn’t feel anything that was remotely soft.

  “JD,” he corrected.

  “You don’t like Jagger?” I asked as I was slightly confused by his correction of his name.

  “I like Jagger just fine, sweetheart.”

  “So, do you want me to call you JD instead of Jagger?”

  “Nobody calls me Jagger, but I’ll make that exception. Call me what you like. I’ll always answer.” His accent was turning me all the way on.

  The man was silly.

  “So, are you about to deliver your star pitch to land the deal, Mr. Salesman?” I asked with a smirk. “I mean JD.”

  “Thinking about it.” He nodded his head, then his right hand reached up towards my face and pulled my chin towards him. “But I’d rather do this.”

  His lips grazed mine and I could not get the reasoning right in my head as to why I did not stop the progression of his head towards mine and his hand on me.

  At first it was light kisses he landed on my lip, then he latched onto my upper lip and took the kiss to another level. His mouth was on mine and the man was guiding my mouth, up and down, upper and lower lips. After a minute, his tongue slid into my open mouth and that was the distinct moment, I realized my hands were grabbing on to his long hair as I clenched his locks.

  Something had been turned on and I did not want to come down from this and the only way I could communicate that was by moving into him and grabbing his hair so he could turn the fire up higher.

  My blood pressure felt like it was about to soar through the roof. He caressed the back of my neck, sending heat waves and electricity at the same time through my body. I could feel him everywhere and he was only touching my neck. His teeth nipped my bottom lip causing a brief moment of pain right before ecstasy. It felt as if he was everywhere, doing everything, yet he was only touching my lips.

  I don’t know what overcame me, but I was pulling his hair as the strands gathered in my fist. He lips remained on mine as he released to groan in his throat. That was exactly what I wanted to hear. A man’s primal growl would send any woman panting.

  The problem was, JD wouldn’t go any further and I wanted him to blow past the kiss. I groaned in an attempt to get him to move my lips but he wouldn’t. And then he pulled back.

  “Sweetheart, see you know how to drive a man crazy but there’s a place for that. We both have reputations to maintain and while mine will stay intact. Shit, it may even get boosted but yours, on the other hand, will be tarnished. So this is my proposal, you come to my room in twenty minutes and we’ll go from there.”

  I could not believe what he was saying or what I heard actually. He was worried about my reputation and JD was leaving it up to me to make the decision. My first thought was that he may have a wife or girlfriend or he doesn’t want anyone to know but it seemed as if he was sincere.

  JD slid from the bench and left me there with my thoughts. My mind raced like the horses and instead of the horseman whipping me it was my dry well, wet panties and pulsing nipples that begged to be rubbed, bit and maybe if he knew how to really lasso an animal, I'd let him slap them.

  At the moment, he stirred a simmering fire that was now blazing just like the one in front of my feet.

  I had self-control and I probably should start using it, but what was one night?

  Chapter 3

  JD

  Why did I leave her? I'd seen enough television to know those New York women didn't fool around with a pussy-footing man.

  Shit, if I knew why she caught my eye. I guess I felt like there was a connection between us when we first met. I’d been to these conferences and sales people were sales people all day. Always selling shit, like the world wasn’t full of people that are full of shit.

  I was a salesman by nature. It was in my blood, my father, and my father’s father. We had cattle, wheat, cotton, assorted vegetables, fruit, and a small vineyard. Every other day we had a spot where we'd sell all of our products near what the city folk would call the farmers market. It was how we made a living and we did well for four men.

  My father produced boys, which was perfect for the family since we owned a farm. I was the oldest of the Timms’ boys yet not the only one who did not go into the farm industry, directly. I dealt with agriculture, but from a technical and production side.

  My company, “CAN-IT” created things like relish, chopped, minced and diced vegetables. Selling the products are fairly easy because this generation is all about convenience. Baking a cake from scratch is almost unheard of.

  Almost.

  My other brothers, Mill, Knox, and Troy all still lived in town and worked in three different fields. Knox is a contractor, Mill is an accountant and Troy works at our farm.

  We are all close and see each other at least once a week at Wade’s or our dads. Mom left him a while ago because he cared more about his work than he did her. So, she said. He said nothing about her and refused to discuss it with us. He said it was none of our business. Just know that they were no longer together.

  My father was a proud man and he raised proud men. After mom had left, he taught us how to survive pre and post a woman. His words. Tony Timms was six foot five inches, broad shoulders and mostly muscle, even now. Rough hands, tough love and he raised men. He often said that was his goal and he could die happy. Men that took care of shit, built shit and owned shit. He didn't believe in us working for anyone but ourselves when we became of age and he also made it clear when we could get the hell out of his house.

  Shit on a stick.

  She hadn't shown yet which meant she probably wouldn't show. Twenty minutes had already passed so the likelihood of getting a knock on my door from the serious yet sexy Tess was unlikely. She portrayed decisiveness. Shit, she had to be to work with Michael. However, there were two more days of this conference, so I’d be sure to be in her sessions. Every one of them.

  After hooking up my laptop to the Wi-Fi, I started to do some research about Ms. Tess Rainey. She had been with LIT for ten years and the VP for five. Blah, blah. When I typed her name into Google, it showed she was an athlete in college, had a social media site, and had received a few honors and awards. She was from Philadelphia, the only child, had some advanced degrees and did community service with a local girls group focusing on technology skills.

  I kept looking for pictures of her and in some of them, she had dreadlocks and in her more recent ones she had an afro. The woman was beautiful in both and she had enough hair to grab. It was night time but not late enough for me to get off imagining my hands gripping her tightly curly hair.

  From what I heard, black women didn't play when it came to their hair. Personally, I'd never been with one in that way, but she'd have to forgive me cause having her bouncing on my log, my fist full of her thick hair as I pulled it back so her
breast was bouncing up and down in my face.

  Fuck that. If given the chance, I would pull, tangle and twist the hell out of them.

  As the head of my lower region started to rise at the visual, a knock came at the door.

  Wait, what?

  I put my laptop down a sealed to open the door. It had to be her, even though only forty-five minutes had passed since Tess and I were in a lip-lock.

  Opening the door, I saw the room service attendant with a tray and a smile.

  “Room service.” The woman smiled at me.

  “I didn't order room service.”

  “I know but the lady in Suite 453 did for you. She said,” the woman pulled out a card and read, “I'm in the tub.”

  Who in Sam’s hell was in room 453? A few women had slipped their cards in my hand and my deep pockets but loose kitties would often stray. That's straight from my dad, Tony.

  Shit, I wasn't trying to plant any roots, but I did want what I want. And at the moment, that was Tess.

  “What did the woman in 453 look like?” I asked.

  “I don't know sir, she called.”

  “Was she fast, abrupt and had a New York accent?” I asked, hoping it was her. “Can you find out her name?”

  “I'm sorry sir, we can’t do that. I didn't take the call so I wouldn't be able to help you.”

  Shit.

  “Okay, thank you.”

  It had to be her, so I was going to risk it. The meal included steak, potatoes, broccoli and a bottle of wine, dipped in the ice bucket with a white piece of cloth wrapped around it.

  Grabbing my room key, wallet, and my hat, I made my way to the fourth floor and knocked on the door. The latch prevented the door from closing all the way, so I cautiously pushed it open and yelled, “Hello. It's JD.”

  “Hello,” I heard a call from the restroom.

  It sounded like her.

  Damn.

  Suddenly I felt unprepared and wanted to wait a minute or two before I entered. Pushing that aside, I walked into the bathroom and nearly fell out.

  In the Jacuzzi tub, sat a woman who was not Tess. She was pretty and wet, but I didn't have an appetite for her at the moment.

  I didn't know what the hell to do, so I said, “My fault. Ma’am. Thought you were someone else. Nice ta-tas, though.” And made a hasty exit with her yelling after me.

  I'm sure I heard hillbilly ass something, but I had no intentions to find out.

  A part of me wanted to harass or flirt with the concierge to get Tess’s number and the other part of me wanted to wring her fucking neck.

  Tess set me up.

  Chapter 4

  Tess

  My evening ended with a glass of wine, some red seedless grapes, rye crackers, and Brie cheese. That was sure to put me to sleep, especially since my raging hormones and all the things that man could have, would have, hoped to God he had done to me, I had forfeited. It was the smart decision. Somebody had to make them.

  My morning session was twenty minutes into it when the door screeched open, causing all attendees to turn their heads.

  Good Lord.

  It was JD.

  What the hell was he doing here?

  I turned around to face the presenter, when a loud deep voice said, “Sorry. I had a little too much last night. Just going to go sit over here with my lady Tess.”

  Jesus.

  He was not serious.

  Everyone started laughing. My head whirled around as the person next to me, gathered their workbook, the handout and stood up.

  “You don't have to leave,” I whispered to the man.

  “It's okay. I don't mind.” He smiled.

  “Glad you made it, Mr. Timms. We would have missed your presence, especially since you just signed up for this session three minutes ago.” The presenter looked down at his tablet.

  Laughter filled the room.

  “Yeah, glad to be here.” He dropped his folder on the table next to me. “Had a change of heart. You know. Figured, I'd rather not live with regrets.”

  He emphasized the last word then looked to me.

  “Right, because you need to learn how to start up a business when CAN-IT is the leader in the agricultural sales industry.” The presenter quipped. “Maybe you can shed some light on your success.”

  “This is your show, Doug. I'm just here to take it all in.” JD replied and sat down next to me. “Oh, fancy meeting you here.”

  “What are you doing?” I whispered.

  “Enjoying the presentation, now hush.”

  Ha.

  I turned my attention towards the screen that had been descended from the ceiling and kept it that way until the session was over. When I tried to get up and leave, JD put his hands on my forearm, insinuating that I stay.

  “What are you doing?” I snapped at him.

  “Wait.” Was his only reply.

  This was awkward since I was not accustomed to his Iowa brand of communication. Especially touches that seared my skin and made my panties get wet.

  “Listen…” I began, but he squeezed my arm adding some slight pressure.

  Everyone had filed out of the room, even the presenter when he turned to me and said, “You set me up.”

  “What?” I asked.

  He turned his body around with his knees pointing towards me and his posture demonstrating that he was open. Hands open, legs slightly parted, and his suit covered chest open. Communicating that he was ready, sincere and dare I say, being truthful.

  “Last night, I gave you an open invitation.” He nodded his head towards me then continued, “forty-five minutes later. I get a knock on my door from room service and a note that says, ‘I'm in the tub.’ I got to the offered room and the door was open. It had to be you. I wanted you, but no. There was a woman in the tub with blond hair and not an Afro. Lily white skin and not the dark mahogany I’d dreamed about and while her ta-tas were nice, they weren't yours.”

  “What are you talking about?” My mouth was parted as his words made no sense.

  “I thought it was you and it wasn't. Therefore, you set me up and now you owe me dinner.” He kept talking like I didn't say anything. “Tonight. I’ll collect on my dinner.”

  “JD, I did no such thing and honestly, it sounds like you really had a good time last night.” My heart stung just with the thought of him being with another woman and him admiring her ta-tas. Whatever that was.

  “No, sweetheart. I didn't have a good time. I drank myself to sleep since I couldn't get to bed by doing any other activity.” He leaned into my personal space and smiled. “Not tonight, though.”

  “I'm glad you think so,” I said as I leaned into him. “I hope you remember the lady with the great ta-tas’ room number. She seems like a willing participant.”

  He chuckled then shook his head, “So which one is it? You like your hair pulled or you hide spanked? Maybe even those D-cups too?”

  My thong went from wet to dripping.

  “Tell me,” he coaxed. “I’ll do it all for you.”

  “Really? This is your proposition? Some salesmen you are.” I rebuffed him at the same time, cursing my hard nipples and my mind for imagining those huge hands spanking my ass.

  Arizona was a hot place this time of year, but the image of him spanking me was hotter.

  One side of his mouth turned up, causing that irresistible smirk to sneak up on his face.

  “You like them all, don't you?”

  Why I let that man rattle me, I could not explain.

  “JD, listen. While you are quite tempting.” I laid my hand on his shoulder. “This isn't going to happen because as you said, we’re here on business. We should conduct ourselves as such and I'd like to keep my reputation intact if you don't mind.”

  I stood up and went to walk passed him. His hand slowly slid down my arm right before he grabbed my hand in his.

  “Sweetheart, I wouldn't taint your reputation.” His fingers intertwined with mine. “Hell, I've already tarnished mine by
breaking into this seminar. People will think I’m a drunkard.”

  His southern accent was so thick; it was doing weird things to me.

  “I have to get to my next seminar.” I attempted to uncoil my fingers from his long ones.

  That proved to be pointless because he stood up, let my hand go only to capture it with his other hand.

  “Yes, we can't be late for the infamous elevator pitch.”

  “You're going there too?”

  “Oh yeah. My pitch needs work.”

  This man was off his rocker. He was one of the leading pioneers in canned food.

  “You're lying. CAN-IT is the fastest growing business in the area. You are not pitching to people; they are pitching to you.” I called his bluff.

  He arched one eyebrow, then his head went back while his body stayed still.

  “You've done your homework?” His smile widened. “So of the two of us, you're the one that needs to work on your pitch since you haven't managed to make me swing you over my shoulder while I paddle your ass all the way back to my room.” His hand flexed against mine as if he had the inkling to deliver on his words.

  “That wasn't my plan,” I confirmed.

  “Okay,” he said as he pulled me towards the door. “We’ll have Sam help you with how to execute the pitch, so the deal can be sealed.”

  “Stop!”

  He paused at the door and slightly turned his head around.

  “This is serious to me. I take my job very seriously and no one will come between that. I'm a trusted and respected colleague. This,” I gestured between the two of us, “is not going to work.”

  He turned fully around and got in my space.

  “Give me one night. Nobody will know. I won't utter one word. It could even be on the last night, but one night.”