by D. A. Young
Jack tried to view them objectively, but it was hard not to notice Noelle’s toned body; the full breasts topped by large chocolate nipples. Her ass was also full and firm-looking; her skin, flawless. The image of her naked was forever imbedded in his mind now. Cursing, he adjusted himself. Lord help him, he was a sick fuck. The poor girl had come to him for help, and here he was getting harder by the minute.
Instinct told Jack the photos were staged and taken without her consent. Noelle had mentioned that she might have been drugged. He looked at her expression in the first pic again. She might as well have been a mannequin. A woman receiving oral would have some sort of expression to indicate whether it was good or bad. Her eyes were closed and so was her mouth. Her face was void of any emotion. Her nipples were unaroused, and her hands just lay above her head; palms open, not gripping or clenching anything. Even in the other shots, she wasn’t gripping the sheets or the douchebag’s thighs. There were only three options at this point: A, this guy was the worst lover in the world. B, Noelle was a lesbian. Or C, she had been drugged.
Jack was going to go with option C, and pray like hell that B wasn’t even an option. Option A was a non-motherfucking factor, because by the time he was done with Remy Dumont, he’d be lucky if he was able to even eye fuck anyone.
***
The consultation with Tarik Owens was taking longer than expected. Although Noelle had come prepared with menu proposals, the hot playboy extraordinaire was far too busy flirting with her to glance at her suggestions for his birthday bash. A talented polo player of Algerian and British descent, he had deep olive skin, tousled sun-bleached hair, almond-shaped blue eyes, and a sexy smile that kept the ladies fascinated with him. He was extremely put out that Noelle seemed immune to his charms. This was their third meeting, and Noelle had decided if he slid over one more inch to close the gap between them, there would not be a fourth.
“Oh, do lighten up, babe. You know what they say about all work and no play,” Tarik oozed in his charming British accent and gave her a sexy wink. Noelle ground her teeth in frustration. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Tarik, but frankly, he was wasting her time thinking she should be delighted to bask in his glory. And when you wasted her time, you fucked with her money. On a Whim couldn’t pay bills on insincere flattery and sexy smiles, no matter how good looking the source. Noelle briefly closed her eyes before opening them to take a glance around Niko’s, an upscale eatery in Manhattan that served authentic Greek and Italian fare. All around her it seemed people were having a great time enjoying the wonderful food. Meanwhile, she had long since lost her appetite for the plate of moussaka in front of her as she fended off Tarik’s advances. Not that she’d had much of an appetite since leaving Jack’s office three days ago. Every time she thought of his words and disgusted looks, Noelle felt like she wanted to crawl under a rock and stay there forever. Unfortunately, she had a business to run, so embarrassment would have to wait.
“I have four menus here, Mr. Owens. Please pick one,” Noelle said firmly, ignoring his comment. She refused to entertain him one moment longer “Your birthday is in four weeks, and you’ve revised the guest list six times. This has caused a delay in sending out the invitations. We have yet to visit any of the venues I had lined up for your approval because you keep traveling off to God-knows-where with the latest supermodels. The only reason we are having this meeting is because my friend Sidra is friends with your best friend who happened to mention that you would be here today for lunch, and I ‘conveniently’ ran into you outside,” Noelle finished, grinding her teeth and using air quotes with her hands.
Tarik’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Noelle held up her hand to silence him. She took a deep breath because it just about killed her to say what she had to next. “I really don’t feel that my company is meeting your needs, thus making us incompatible. At this time, I’m going to exercise my withdrawal clause from the contract and refund your fifteen-thousand-dollar deposit.”
At first Tarik just stared at her, his mouth agape in shock. Then he threw back his head and howled with laughter, causing other patrons to stare at them. His laughter was rich and melodic, and Noelle could see everyone becoming enamored with him, which irritated her even more. Finally, he stopped laughing to gaze at her somberly.
“Noelle, I’d like to apologize for my boorish behavior. You should have told me of your displeasure with the supermodels…there is no need for jealousy. I am more than enough man for all of you birds,” Tarik finished teasingly and finally closed the space between them as he put his arm around the back of the booth they shared.
And now they were done. Noelle and Avery really needed his business to establish the company but not his bullshit. “Tarik, we are now having what is called a ‘Bye Felicia’ moment. Your check will be returned in the mail, but lunch is on you.”
Amidst his protesting, Noelle grabbed her papers and stuffed them into her briefcase before grabbing her purse as well. She slid out of the booth, turned, and promptly collided with a large black wall. Oomph!
Strong arms reached out to encircle Noelle as she lost her balance; and she grasped at them feeling the well-muscled arms beneath the suit as she inhaled the sexy cologne the wall was wearing. “Oh my goodness, thank you. I am so sorry about that,” she said with a smile and then froze as she looked up into the angry hazel gaze of her rescuer. Her smile of contrition turned into a fake one as she coolly uttered, “Hello, Jack.”
***
Jack was just walking into Niko’s when he heard the familiar laugh of Tarik Owens, one of his firm’s client’s. At first, he hadn’t liked the young man, deeming him too cocky. Vivienne and Ian had disagreed.
“There’s nothing wrong with loving and appreciating life. We should all take a page out of his book,” Ian said with a pointed look at Jack.
Vivienne simply said, “That man is so fine, I’d let him get away with slapping my mama.”
As Jack came to know Tarik, he had begrudgingly come to the conclusion that perhaps the other man wasn’t so bad after all. Tarik had a great work ethic and was professional at all times during his media events. So he thought he’d walk over and say hi while he waited for his lunch companion to arrive.
As Jack started walking towards the intimate booth in the back of the restaurant; he realized who Tarik’s date was and found himself hating the egotistical jackass all over again as he stood next to the table and glared down at Noelle’s bent head. Too busy gathering her things and attempting to leave the booth, she didn’t even notice him until she slammed into him.
The moment Noelle’s body collided with his, and he was engulfed in her unique scent; Jack’s cock went hard. Tarik was forgotten as he stared into her gray eyes and followed her small pink tongue as it darted out to lick her succulent, glossed lips. His grip tightened and his breathing became labored. Suddenly Jack was aware they had an audience and reluctantly stepped back from Noelle to glance at Tarik who was staring at him curiously.
“Hey Jack! Good to see you,” Tarik said with a friendly smile, standing to his feet to shake Jack’s hand. Jack automatically shook his even though he wanted to punch the other man in the throat for looking at Noelle like she was all of his favorite desserts combined into one meal.
“Tarik. Noelle. Am I interrupting something?” Jack asked smoothly as he observed the unfinished meal and partially-full wine glasses. Noelle shifted as she adjusted her belongings on her shoulder; and Jack used the opportunity to take in her sleek form encased in a denim jumpsuit that displayed the swells of her breasts, along with the black blazer and black, peep-toe flats that completed her business casual attire. She’d accessorized with silver bangles and large hoop earrings, and her curls were pulled back in a low ponytail. He allowed his gaze to rest on her toes for a moment, thinking the vibrant fuchsia color really complimented her skin. Fuchsia? Since when did he think of fuchsia? They were just pink dammit. Shit, she had him really fucked up. Fuchsia.
Noelle gave h
im a hard look. “Not at all. I was just leaving. Goodbye, gentlemen.” And she walked away without looking back despite Tarik’s objections and pleas. She could feel Jack’s scorching gaze on her the entire time. It was just as she got to the door that she felt the light grip on her elbow and looked back into Jack’s steely gaze. Her arm felt burnt by his touch even through her jacket, and she tried to jerk away; but Jack only tightened his grip and escorted her out of the restaurant onto the busy sidewalk.
“Do you mind?” she asked with a pointed look at his hand. He gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and continued to hold on to her, although he did loosen his grip slightly. He didn’t seem the least bit concerned with the irritated looks he was receiving as he delayed the steady flowing hustle of New York pedestrians in a hurry, by keeping them in the middle of the sidewalk.
“What’s going on with you and Tarik?” Jack demanded, ignoring her question and still pissed at finding them together all cozy and shit. From a P.R.’s standpoint, he could reluctantly admit that the two of them looked good together, and jealousy reared its ugly head. Jack wanted to throw Noelle down on the table and fuck her in front of the whole restaurant so that everyone would know whom she belonged to, especially her. Noelle winced, and he realized his grip had tightened again, and he reluctantly released her. “Sorry. Again, what’s going on between you two?”
“Why? Are you worried that I’m going to get my oversexed claws into him?” Noelle jeered, giving him a dirty look as he continued to glower at her, jaws clenched. She sighed.
“What do you mean what’s going on with him??? There’s nothing going on with him, okay? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Tarik was supposed to be our first big client, but I can’t even get him to focus on planning his own stupid event! All he wants to do is try to figure out different ways to get into my panties! Now I have to go back and tell Avery that I walked away from our biggest client to date because if I didn’t walk away, I would have stabbed him to death with a butter knife!!!”
Jack smiled slightly at her outburst, and she pursed her lips frustration, barely resisting the urge to stamp her foot like a child.
“I’m so glad I could amuse you, Jack. It’s certainly a step up from the disdain you were projecting the last time we met,” Noelle said snidely. His smile disappeared, and he looked troubled as his gaze became focused on something over her shoulder.
“We’ll talk later. Don’t worry about Tarik. I’m sure he’ll realize you mean business and straighten up. Now, unless you’re interested in joining me and your mother for lunch, I’d start walking away if I were you,” Jack laughed quietly at the look of abject horror on Noelle’s face as she walked past him hurriedly without another word. He stared at the formidable dragon coming his way and sighed, wishing he could follow behind Noelle.
Chapter Four
“Ice water with lemon, and I’m ready to order as well. I’ll have the cioppino along with the grilled artichoke salad, hold the dressing,” Alicia Kramer stated imperiously and handed her menu back to their server just as Jack slid into the seat across from her. He could tell from the twitch of her right eye that she was annoyed at being kept waiting for ten minutes, but it couldn’t be helped. He needed to make a certain polo player understand that the only relationship he would have with Noelle would be a professional one; and that it would be in his best interests to straighten up.
“Excellent choice, madam.” Their server turned to Jack. “And for you, sir?”
“I’ll have the fire roasted lamb chops and mint orzo with an ice tea, and please bring sugar with it, thank you.” Jack smiled as he handed over his menu. A glance towards Alicia found her looking at him with amusement. He raised an eyebrow questioningly, and she shook her head knowingly.
“Sweet tea. You can take the boy out of the south, but the south remains tried and true,” Alicia murmured, picking up her fork and knife. Somehow he didn’t think it was a compliment and watched as she inspected the silverware with a slight frown on her perfectly made-up face.
At the age of fifty-nine Alicia Kramer was still a very attractive woman. There was no gray in her hair thanks to the discreet coloring of an expensive hairstylist. She maintained her size six figure with the help of personal trainers and a strict eating regimen. The fine structure of her face hinted at delicacy, but Jack knew she was more Rottweiler than teacup poodle. Alicia Kramer ran her home and family with a polite, yet unyielding force. She was Ronald Kramer’s right hand, and he never made a decision without consulting her first. He recalled something Ian had said one time.
“My God, the airs that woman puts on! When we were in college, Alicia was the queen of Cracker Barrel! She knew where every one of them was located and their hours of operation too!” Ian snorted derisively as they’d watched the Kramer matriarch nibble demurely on a watercress stalk as though it was the best thing she’d ever eaten.
Jack didn’t bother addressing her comment. He was focused on the frown Alicia Kramer was allowing to mar her lovely features; in public no less. He happened to know that she spent an astronomical amount of time and money to maintain a wrinkle-free, youthful appearance. The frown was a telling sign that she was deeply disturbed by something, and he wondered if she knew the real reason for their meeting today.
“Was that the famous polo player everyone’s been talking about?” Alicia asked with interest. “I read somewhere that his father was some kind of European royalty.”
“Yes, that was him. Sorry about keeping you waiting,” Jack said, not really caring to be reminded of the good-looking younger man that had expressed an interest in Noelle. An interest that hopefully he wouldn’t be stupid enough to act on now that Jack had set him straight.
Jack grabbed his briefcase and reached in to pull out the Kramer’s agenda for the following month. “Here are all the political events scheduled for June. The lists are separated by Democratic Functions, Kramer Fundraisers, and First Lady Events.”
“Oh goody! I’m definitely interested in seeing where we can make raise money for Ronald.” Alicia took the packet Jack had prepared and slipped on her Tom Ford reading glasses. For the next fifteen minutes, they discussed the pros and cons of each event, just as their food arrived. Jack dug into his meal with relish, enjoying the tender lamb and the cool mint in the orzo. As he watched in amusement, Alicia picked delicately at her food. She sipped most of the broth from her seafood stew and ate only the artichokes from her salad.
“Is the food not to your liking, Alicia?” Jack asked mildly, watching as she delicately wiped her mouth and smiled.
“It’s a little spicier than I would have liked,” she said, staring at his damn near empty plate. Alicia shuddered slightly as though the thought of consuming a full meal brought her nightmares; and then suddenly her face brightened and he was put on alert.
“I think it would be a great idea for us to get involved with the Let’s Move campaign. Would you please reach out and see if it would be possible? Perhaps they need an ambassador of sorts.”
The hairs on Jack’s neck stood up, and he knew he wasn’t going to like where this conversation would lead next. “What did you have in mind, Alicia?” he asked slowly. “The commitment to this project would have to be very high. Are you prepared to step away from your other projects to take this on?”
Alicia waved her hand dismissively. “Oh please, Jack. I’m way too occupied to take this on. I was thinking that Noelle could do it. I don’t know if you’re aware, but Noelle used to attend camp for kids of a larger stature.” Alicia raised her eyebrows and made a subtle widening motion with her hands. “So she has experience in this sort of thing. Besides, it will give her something meaningful to do. I’d rather she do that than run all over Manhattan attempting to solicit herself out like a prostitute with this party planning business.”
Cold fury roared through Jack as he listened to this shallow bitch dismiss his beautiful Noelle.
“From what I understand, her business has had repeat clients. That’s not bad co
nsidering she’s been in operation for only five months,” Jack seethed. “That would be an indication that she’s definitely doing something right. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Alicia rolled her eyes. “Well who are her clients? It seems they are desperate and willing to hire anybody. I don’t think they’re anyone that we would associate with. Don’t get me wrong, Jack. I love my daughter, but I find her taste to be slightly…questionable. For instance, take that outfit she was wearing today,” she said looking him directly in the eye. “It was trendy and vulgar. Nothing a real lady would ever be caught dead in. Too bad she took off before I could tell her.”
Aaah...So Alicia had seen her daughter and was pissed that Noelle had, with his help, managed to avoid her. “I think your daughter has a good head on her shoulders and a great sense for business. Today she closed a deal on a major event that most of the city will be dying to attend. Noelle’s far too busy to be involved in your charity work at this crucial time in her career. I think Darren would be a better fit. He is a heart surgeon after all,” Jack said smoothly, realizing that he’d put himself deliberately in Alicia’s crosshairs. That was fine with him because at this point he was all out of fucks to give when dealing with her high-handed ass.
