by Selena Kitt
“Of course, that means you’ll only be meeting the very best of the best on Friday.”
His eyes narrowed. “Hmmm. Fine. But you will be with me Saturday night. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock.”
Sure. Six o’clock. If he hadn’t met someone he liked better by then—something I was counting on.
He extended a hand. “Do we have a deal?”
“We do.” I placed my hand in his and gave it a shake while trying to ignore the tingles of sexual awareness sweeping through my body.
Wow.
I had experienced chemistry a time or two before with a man. But nothing like this. Nothing so powerful. I couldn’t help jerking my hand a little as I pulled it back. Then, I tried to hide my embarrassment by fiddling with my napkin. “That meal was delicious.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He pushed his large frame out of his chair and circled me. “Shall we take a walk? We don’t have to get on the road for a couple of hours.”
“Sure.” I tried not to respond to his nearness as I stood, but it was impossible. He was so big and so sexy and…I just couldn’t help staring at him.
Girl, you need to stop this now. You’re going to get hurt. Remember, this man belongs to someone else.
I gave myself a mental shakedown and tried to firm up my resolve. This man belonged to some other woman. Someone who was like him. Educated. Attractive. Intelligent. Cultured. Beautiful. As the image of one of our better girls popped into my head, my stomach turned.
“The steps here lead down to the beach,” he said as he placed a hand on the small of my back, just as he had at the club.
“The beach,” I echoed as I shoved the image of that woman out of my head.
He led me to a wooden platform. Below the deck angled a set of wooden stairs that descended at least twenty feet down a steep, rocky slope. The railing, I quickly learned, was sturdy. I used it to balance as I slowly clomped down. Tevin followed, his footsteps sounding lightly, tap, tap, tap, behind me.
At the bottom stretched a wide wooden deck. And beyond the deck was an empty beach and water. Miles and miles of blue water.
I inhaled. Ah, the smell of water and sunshine and sand.
“Would you like to take off your shoes?” Tevin motioned to a set of chairs circling a metal fire pit on the deck.
“Might be a good idea.” While Tevin took off his shoes, I sat down and pulled off mine. They remained on the deck while I barefooted it down to the sand.
Ever since I was a kid I’d enjoyed the feel of sand underfoot. It was warm and soft and reminded me of days long gone by. So did the sounds and smells of the lake. The screech of the gull. The soft lap of the water. The distant growl of a motorboat.
“This beach is so private,” I mused as I glanced around. To my right and left walls of trees, shut off the view of the neighbors’ beaches. With the exception of the people out on the boats way out in the water, it felt like we were the only people around for miles.
Standing beside me, and staring out over the water, he said, “That’s one of the things I enjoy most about this property. I feel like I can really relax here, be myself.”
For some reason, that statement struck me as odd—be myself. “You mean you aren’t always yourself?”
“I didn’t mean that, no. I just meant…I don’t know.” Looking a little nervous, he shoved his hands in his pants pockets and took a step toward the water. “People can be so judgmental sometimes.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, they see what you look like, what you wear, what you drive, and they make judgments based on that, rather than who you are on the inside.”
“I agree,” I said as I waded into the water with him.
“I just want to be known for who I am on the inside,” he said.
The water was chilly but not too cold. As the gentle tide rolled in and out, the sand underneath my feet washed away. I stared down, at the sparkling water as I walked. “I think most people feel that way. At least, they do when it comes to finding someone, a partner, a spouse.”
This was nice, this simple connection, honest conversation. I liked it. A lot.
“I suppose you’re right. I guess everyone is judged, perhaps unfairly.” His hand brushed against mine and a little tremor of awareness swept through my body.
“It’s happened to me, too,” I admitted.
“It has?” He turned to face me fully. “How could any man possibly misjudge you?”
“They all think, because I work for a dating service, that I’m looking for love.”
His brows lifted. “You’re not?”
“Nope.”
“No? Why?”
“Because I don’t get paid to find men for myself.” Not to mention, I’d learned the hard way that men who pay to be members of Premier like a different kind of woman. A woman who was educated, came from a rich family, and wore a size zero. “I need to get paid. Because my bills need to be paid.”
“I understand that, but don’t you ever feel lonely?” he asked as he meandered down the beach.
Falling into step beside him, I said, “I do. Sometimes. I go out with my friend Sasha. I meet new people. Like you.”
“And you immediately tried to enroll me in Premier’s dating service.”
“Yes. You’re an ideal candidate.”
He turned so suddenly I bumped into him. We were chest to chest--kind of. Without my shoes, he had a good six or seven inches on me so my nipples were more in his upper abdomen region. Still, we were close. Too close. Close enough to…to kiss.
I swallowed hard.
I needed to step back, to put some space between us.
Step away.
Back.
Now.
Why the heck couldn’t I move?
He grabbed my arms as if he knew exactly what I was thinking and he didn’t want me to go. “Am I an ideal candidate for Premier? Or do you really want me for yourself? Are afraid to admit it? Please tell me.”
Something big and hard coagulated in my throat. I swallowed hard, trying to push it down so I could speak. But it didn’t budge. I opened my mouth and tried to force the words past the lump, but nothing came out.
He tipped his head to the side, and his edge of his tongue swiped across his lower lip. His gaze locked to mine, and a feeling of panic raced through me.
He was going to kiss me again.
Oh God.
I closed my eyes just as his lips met mine. Instantly, at least a thousand volts of electricity coursed through my body. Waves of heat pulsed through me as cool waves of water lapped at my ankles.
The kiss was soft. It was a quiet seduction, making me crave more. When I felt his tongue trace the seam of my mouth, I parted my lips and it dipped in.
Oh God.
He tasted so good.
Man. Wine. Sweet. Spicy.
His tongue caressed mine, and a little groan vibrated in my chest. In my head, words echoed, like, I need to stop this…must stop…now! My hands, having a mind of their own, and not listening to what my head was saying, started wandering up the front of his torso. My fingertips dipped into ridges cutting between bands of thick muscles. Pecks. Abs. Shoulders. Oh, I could tell they were utterly perfect.
As the kiss continued, it became more aggressive. His tongue didn’t gently caress mine anymore, it staked a claim. His hands skimmed up my arms, over my shoulders and cupped my neck. His fingers kneaded my muscles there, working out the tension as more, a different kind, wound through the rest of my body.
Still, as my blood burned hotter and my muscles tensed, I kept telling myself I needed to stop. I needed to make it clear I wasn’t going to let him play these games anymore.
Somehow finding the strength to resist, I pushed against his chest with both hands. Our mouths parted. But he didn’t step back.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. He didn’t look confused or upset. In fact, he looked…amused.
“Why are you playing me?” I snapped as I struggled to un
derstand what the hell was going on.
“I’m not playing you.”
“Then why do you look so smug?” I poked his chest. It was too freaking hard.
His eyes widened, but that crooked smile remained in place. “I look smug?”
“Yes.”
“No. Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“I’m not playing you. I swear. I…” He visibly swallowed. And in that instant, I caught a look of vulnerability that made me doubt what I’d thought mere seconds before. “I enjoyed that kiss. I thought you were enjoying it too.”
I couldn’t tell him I had. Even though I did. I stared straight ahead, at the sparkling water. For some reason, I licked my lower lip. It still tasted like him. A little aftershock swept through me. I did a one-eighty and started back to the house. “I agreed to go on a date with you, but I never said I’d sleep with you.”
“I’m not expecting you to do that,” he said, falling into step beside me.
“I just thought I should make it clear.”
He grabbed my arm, halting. “Did I give you that impression? That I’d brought you out here to get a piece of ass?” he said, his voice low and full of emotion.
Now I felt crappy for admitting I thought he was a playboy. But what else was I supposed to think? He’d flown me out here, to a private house, instead of taking me out to a restaurant. I wasn’t the kind of girl the Tevin Pages of the world married. I was the kind they fucked. Bringing me here sure made that convenient. “Well, no. Okay, maybe.”
“Okay. Now that we’ve finally gotten the truth out in the open.” His hand slid back down my arm until it reached my hand. His fingers wove between mine. “It was a kiss. A nice kiss. A kiss I wasn’t expecting. There doesn’t have to be anything else. If you don’t want.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then tell me, what is the point?” Turning to face me once again, he drilled me with a sharp gaze that said he was tired of talking in circles.
To be honest, I couldn’t blame him for being a little annoyed and confused. I’d sent him mixed signals. Even though I had stopped the kiss eventually, I had kissed him back.
“The point is…” I took a deep breath, let it out. “I haven’t signed a new contract in months. My boss was ready to fire me. You came along, and I know your contract is going to save my ass. I’m trying to keep you happy while getting you to sign. This is a big deal to me. Marguerite likes you. You told me that.”
“She likes my checkbook,” he said with a sneer. “That’s the only thing your boss likes about me.”
“And the girls. I can think of at least five women who are going to absolutely love you.”
“Are you trying to convince me that Premier is the best thing for me, or are you trying to convince yourself?”
“You.”
He arched a brow again.
“Okay, me too.” Totally confused now, I jerked my gaze away and blinked my eyes at least ten times. Dammit, my eyes were burning. Why? What the hell were we arguing about? Why was I getting emotional?
Using an index finger, he lifted my chin and held it up until my gaze met his. He opened his mouth, as if to say something then snapped it shut. Again, he opened his mouth. And again, he closed it. Finally, he dropped his hand and shook his head. “I told you I would sign the contract if you went on a date with me. I’ll keep my word.”
My exhalation was audible.
He chuckled. “Glad you’re so relieved by that news.” His lips curled into a twisted semi-smile. “I don’t know what it is about you. Either you’re able to drill your way through a man’s defenses naturally or you’re the best salesperson on the planet.”
“If I were the best salesperson, would I be so desperate for a sale?”
This time he didn’t chuckle; he laughed. And his whole face lit up. The combination of sound and sight took my breath away. “Touché.” He lifted an index finger. “But that still doesn’t get you off the hook. I will expect one date for every Premier event I attend.”
“Fair enough,” I said, secretly thinking he probably would give up after the first event. What man, when given the pick of dozens of perfect potential wives, would bother with me?
No man.
“Are you ready to head home?” he asked. “It’s going to take a while to get back.”
“Sure.”
“Okay. But there’s just one more thing I wanted to do today.”
“What’s that?”
He reached for me, pulled me into his arms. “This.”
I couldn’t help sinking into his embrace. It felt so right being in his arms. The thought that he might hold some other woman the same way made my heart twist and my belly ache. But I shoved those thoughts aside and just enjoyed the simple pleasure of feeling strong, capable arms holding me.
“Daryl?” he whispered.
I tipped my head to look at into his face. “Yes?”
“I want to kiss you.”
A pulse of heat blazed through me. Yes! Yes! I wanted him to kiss me again. “Please don’t.”
“Are you sure?” he asked as his head tipped to one side.
“Y-yes.”
He lowered his head a little more. “Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
He inched it closer still, until his breath warmed my face. “Are you absolutely positive?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.” He kissed one cheek, and the other. Then, holding my hand in his, he escorted me back up the long, steep staircase to the house.
That was a disaster barely averted.
I prayed my willpower held up for the rest of the day.
For the rest of the week.
Tevin was about to be Premier Consultants most sought after bachelor. Once Marguerite had a hold of him, there was no going back.
Chapter 5
It was Friday night.
Friday. Already.
The night of Tevin’s first mixer.
I’d been dreading tonight all week, and now the wait was over.
As I’d expected, Marguerite had been talking about Tevin all week, raving about what a great find he was while being extremely closed-lipped about his finances. While I found that slightly frustrating, that she refused to tell me what she knew about him, it wasn’t particularly unusual. She hadn’t given me any specifics about the financial backgrounds of any of Premier’s other clients. I didn’t want to push too hard for information, fearing my prodding might make her suspicious. Thus, I was left to assume that he was good enough for Premier after passing the background check.
But as the week went on, I could see she was treating Tevin a little better than the other clients. She’d had me call in the best girls for his mixer. Katarina, the model. Josephine the attorney who looked like a model. And Alexis, the neurologist who was not only intelligent and cultured, but also taller and more beautiful than both Katarina and Josephine. There would be a couple of other men at the mixer as well, but those three girls were reserved for him. They were given specific instructions before the men arrived.
Me, I did what I always did, check all the rest of the girls to make sure they were all looking as good as possible, following up with the caterer, to make sure everything was ready, and making sure any last minute details hadn’t been forgotten. Because I was so busy, I barely realized when the event started.
But I knew the moment Tevin entered the room. I felt his presence before I saw him. Felt it deep inside. The sensation was like a warm tingle.
When I spied him, my heart raced. He was looking right at me. And wow, did he look amazing. He was wearing a sweater that showed off his body to the fullest and a pair of pants that fit him to perfection. Our gazes met. His lips curled into that smile that made my insides get warm.
And then Josephine sauntered up to him and stole his attention away.
I’d barely recovered when Katarina elbowed herself in between them and was fluttering her false eyelashes at him.
I h
ated them both right now.
“Things are going great, don’t you think?” Marguerite said as she scurried up to me.
“Yes, great,” I said with a flat voice.
Coming to stand next to me, she followed the direction of my gaze. “He’s a remarkable man.”
“Yes, he is.”
“Where did you say you met him?”
I’d already told her three times. Why she kept asking was beyond me. “At the Red Hawk.”
She tsked. “I can’t imagine a man like him going there. A man so successful, so intelligent.”
Maybe this was my chance, an opportunity to find out what she knew about him. “He told me he owns a landscaping business and dabbles in real estate.”
“That’s true. He does. And he has been extremely successful in both.”
Extremely. That explained the shoes. “He also told me he inherited some money from someone.”
“Yes, I do believe he did. But what has impressed me the most about Mr. Page is what he has managed to accomplish on his own. In a very short period of time. It’s remarkable.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes. You know I don’t share the specifics about our client’s finances with anyone, including my staff, but I will say that appearances are a little deceiving in Mr. Page’s case. He doesn’t dress like the man he is.”
“Funny you should say that because when I first met him, I had a pretty low opinion of him.”
Marguerite’s drawn on eyebrows lifted as she laughed. I’d never heard her laugh before. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
I motioned toward him. “He wasn’t even dressed as nicely as tonight. He was wearing old crappy jeans and a t-shirt.”
Marguerite shook her head. “Some men just don’t realize what their clothes say about them.”
“Either that or they don’t care. I thought he was the kind of landscaper that hauled around his beat up lawnmower in the bed of his rusty old pickup truck.”
“Well, I’m glad you took the time to investigate further. He’s a great addition to the agency. He’s already paid in full for a six month membership.”
Six months. My heart sank. I pasted on a smile. “That’s great.”
Marguerite gave me a nudge with her bony elbow. “You, my dear, are getting a nice check next week. Don’t spend it all in one place.”
