Dear Worst Enemy (The Matchmaker Series)

by Sher Dillard

  She looked like a frightened little girl. Hesitating, forcing herself to do something she didn’t want to do.

  “Excuse me,” she said to William as she drew nearer.

  He looked up at the older woman and smiled. God, the man looked good when he smiled, Erica thought. He should do it more often.

  “Yes?”

  “I … I um…. I was wondering if I might have your autograph?” The woman said as she held out a blank piece of paper.

  Erica’s brow furrowed as she tried to understand what was going on.

  William simply smiled and nodded as he pulled out a pen from inside his suit jacket and took the paper from the her.

  “Who should I make it out to?” he asked as he leaned over the table, waiting for the information.

  “Janice,” the woman said. “I can’t believe this. When Charlie told me that you were coming tonight. I … Wow. I have read all of your books.”

  Books? Erica continued to frown as she watched him. Who was this guy?

  “Do you think I might get a picture?” the woman asked hesitantly.

  William smiled and nodded. The woman handed her phone to Erica and instantly sidled up next to William, slipping an arm around his waist and raising an eyebrow at Erica as if wondering what was taking her so long.

  Shaking her head at the stupidity of the universe, Erica framed the picture and pushed the button. What else could she do?

  When the woman had left, Erica cocked an eyebrow at him, waiting for an explanation.

  “Thank you,” William said as he took a sip from his whiskey.

  “Um, No. That is not enough. What was that all about?” she asked him.

  He shrugged his shoulders and said, “It happens sometimes.”

  God, she sighed, it was like pulling taffy. The man refused to give away anything.

  He obviously saw her confusion and scoffed.

  “I’m an author. Some people like my books.”

  Erica frowned as she realized how many questions that answered. The no going to a job each day being high on the list.

  “Should I know who you are?”

  The woman next to her laughed, obviously she had been following their conversation. “They made one of his books into a movie. Last year. Isn’t that right?”

  William had the good graces to shrug again and actually looked embarrassed at all the attention. “Thrillers,” he told her. “You know, common man saving the world type stuff.”

  Erica could only stare as she fought to keep her jaw from dropping open. That and fight the temptation to dive into her purse and get her phone so she could look him up on Amazon.

  Luckily, they were interrupted by waiters arriving with their meal. A simple chicken dish. This was a charity event after all. Every dollar they saved on the meal was one more dollar that could go to the Boys and Girls club.

  As she began to eat, she couldn’t stop herself from glancing at him from underneath her brow. A writer. That was so not who she had pictured him as. And if he had a movie made from his book. He wasn’t a starving artist either.

  He looked at her, catching her staring at him. Her cheeks grew warm as she returned to focusing on her meal.

  An author. A handsome author at that. Who would ever have thought?

  .

  Chapter Three

  As the waiters took away their meals, she took a sip from her white wine and reminded herself that she was driving. One drink for the night. A sudden sadness filled her as she realized she would once again be returning to an empty apartment.

  What an idiot, she thought about herself. She was sitting next to a very handsome, very big, very famous author. And she was already planning on going home alone. What did that say about her? No wonder her life was a mess.

  Sighing to herself, she could only hope the evening wasn’t a complete flop. Hopefully, the night would go by with no serious embarrassing incidents. A meal, maybe a dance or two. And Then she could get out of there.

  What should she say? How could she talk with this guy? What could they possibly have in common?

  William leaned back and smiled at her.

  “So, Miss Erica Jones. Why a bakery?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I like being my own boss. And I like making cakes. It just seemed to go together.”

  He laughed as he nodded. “I understand perfectly. Sometimes I think there are monks in Tibet pondering my life. I get to do what I love, at home, and they pay me for it. How is this possible?”

  She laughed, she knew exactly what he meant.

  Before she could follow up with another question, the president of the Boys and Girls club got up at the podium and thanked everyone. Then handed it off to an auctioneer.

  Erica took a deep breath. Remember, she thought. One bid.

  Of course, they started out with the one thing she wanted. The season passes to the symphony. She closed her eyes and sighed internally as she imagined being lost as the music washed over her.

  When the auctioneer started out with an amount that shocked her, she hesitantly raised her hand. The auctioneer pointed her out and then raised the bid as he scanned the room for another buyer.

  Erica held her breath, please, she pleaded, someone, anyone, outbid her so she could relax. The auctioneer kept repeating the higher bid. Each time, her heart stopped, until at last. Someone on the other side of the room bid.

  She sighed heavily, allowing her shoulders to slump in relief.

  The bids continued. She wondered just how high it would go. Then the auctioneer pointed at her table as he brought down his hammer.

  Her heart stopped, wondering if he had mistakenly believed she had been bidding. Quickly she ran through her actions. No, he couldn’t have. Then, one of his assistants approached the table with a clip board and handed it to William.

  Erica twisted back around to watch him sign something and accept an envelope.

  “You bought them?” she said. “You like the symphony?”

  He shook his head as he slipped the envelope into his jacket.

  “Not really, but I figured I could give it back to the Boys and Girls club so they can use them on the kids. There are probably some that might like it. I’m more a classic rock type guy.”

  Erica gulped. The man had just spent thousands to give them away.

  The next item came up for auction as Erica desperately tried to understand what was going on. This William guy wasn’t completely what she had thought. She could at least admit that to herself. But that didn’t change the fact that he had a dozen women wanting him.

  Don’t forget, he’s a player, she reminded herself as a sadness settled over her. She was so not going there. That way lay heartache.

  Finally, the auction came to an end. The crowd gave out a big round of applause when the host announced how much money they had raised for the Boys and Girls Club. Erica felt a small sense of shame that she hadn’t contributed. If she had known, maybe she could have provided desserts.

  No, she’d make a bunch of cupcakes and deliver it to the clubs themselves. Let the kids enjoy them. The thought made her smile. Yes, she could contribute.

  “Do you want to dance?” William asked her as he raised an eyebrow.

  Her heart slammed to a halt. Dancing? With him? Suddenly her world felt wobbly. As if it was shifting off its perch.

  “Okay,” she found herself saying before she could think the matter through.

  He smiled just a little. As if he could read her mind. See the doubt and worry inside of her. And knew perfectly well it was because she found him so damn attractive. God, the power that gave him. It made the world unbalanced. Unfair.

  Taking her hand, she felt a tingle travel up her arm. Then, he surprised her by slipping an arm around her waist. Gently pulling her into his arms, making her world melt away.

  She could stay there the rest of her life, she realized. That one safe, secure place in the universe. Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his chest as they began to sway to the
music.

  He smelled of sandalwood and leather. A manly scent that she knew she would never forget. His arms felt like iron bars where they held her. His chest broad and strong. God. Her insides grew weak with need. The man was too much.

  “So, Miss Jones, you like symphony music. You like to make cakes. What else?”

  She reluctantly pulled away so that she could look up into his eyes. Those eyes. They were like deep pools of danger. Designed to trap her.

  Swallowing hard, she shrugged. “That’s about it. College, parental loan to start the business. Fighting to keep my head above water.”

  He nodded, but offered her no new information about himself. As she thought about what to ask him, her lips kicked in before her mind could stop herself.

  “Why? … I mean, I’ve seen you with a lot of women. But you’ve never looked at me. Why. And don’t tell me, I’m not your type. You don’t have a type. I’ve seen Blonds, Brunettes, and Red Heads do the walk of shame from your apartment. But never so much as a smile at me. Why?”

  God, had she actually said that. What would he think? What if he said it was because those other women were prettier than her. But she’d seen the hungry look in his eyes when he looked at her tonight. Even if he had thought that. Maybe she had changed his mind.

  His face took on a serious expression as he looked down into her eyes.

  “Well, because now that I know we aren’t going to sleep together, I guess I can tell you. Because, I could tell the first time I saw you that you were a forever type girl.”

  Her stomach clenched up. How did he know they weren’t going to sleep together, was her first thought. Had he already dismissed that possibility? The thought sent a sick feeling through her.

  And how had he known she was looking for forever. Even if deep down she knew he was right. She was a forever type woman. That was what she wanted. More than anything in the world. She wanted a person to help and love. Someone who wanted to help and love her.

  “Is that so wrong? Wanting happy ever after?” she asked him. Totally ignoring his first statement. Obviously, the man viewed the world differently. He had women throwing themselves at him. Of course, he didn’t need forever. But still, did he blame her for wanting that?

  He shrugged his shoulders. “No, I think you misunderstood me. I didn’t mean you wanted forever. But that, you were the type of woman who could tempt a man into forever. Beautiful, strong, kind, artistic, intelligent, with a head on her shoulders. A very pretty one, I might add.”

  Erica’s heart stopped beating for a moment as she became lost in his gaze.

  “So, that was why you were always such a grouch when you came into my shop?”

  He laughed and shook his head. “No, that was because I was fighting with myself over some part of the story I was working on. I get like that way sometimes. Nothing personal.”

  She could only nod then sighed as she once again rested her head on his chest.

  He didn’t hate her. The realization sent a burst of pure joy through her. No, he didn’t hate her. But he had also decided they weren’t sleeping together. The thought bothered her at some deep level. That was supposed to be her decision, not his. And why. Wasn’t she good enough?

  Was it because they were neighbors and he didn’t want the awkwardness? Or something else. Some fault of hers?

  Sighing inside, she allowed herself to push those thought aside and concentrate on what it felt like to be held in his arms.

  Unfortunately, those quiet, perfect moments in life never last. The music came to an end and they had to separate.

  A sense of loss filled her as his arms slipped away from around her. Careful, she thought. A woman could grow to like them too much.

  He placed a hand on the small of her back and gently guided her back to their chairs. As they approached, Erica noticed that several of the other women at the table looked a little jealous. She fought to hold back a small smile. Who could blame them? She had just slow danced with a famous handsome author.

  “So, Mister Davis,” she began, deciding she liked teasing him. “Why the Boys and Girls club? There must have been a lot of different charities.”

  He frowned for a second and said, “I spent a lot of time in them while I was growing up. They were like my home away from home.”

  Her insides turned over as she saw a hidden pain behind his eyes. What was that all about, she wondered as a desperate need to know everything about him flashed through her. A need so strong she almost stopped him so that she could quiz him with a dozen different questions.

  Fortunately, she pulled back and stopped herself. Let it unfold, she thought. After all, they weren’t going to be sleeping together so there was no need to know everything about him. Right away. Was there?

  Chapter Four

  Another awkward silence fell over them. Only this time it was tinged with sexual tension. Why didn’t he want to sleep with her? And why did he look so damn good in a tux?

  “So William,” she began. “How does a world famous author end up over me?”

  He smiled, and she felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. That hadn’t come out the way she planned.

  “Because that was where I wanted to be,” he said with a glint to his eyes that sent a bolt of pure energy to her very core.

  Erica took a deep breath as her tongue licked her lips. That look could mean only one thing. Yet he had said that he didn’t want to sleep with her. Was he teasing her? Pointing out what she was losing?

  Swallowing hard, she pulled her eyes away to stare out over the room.

  “I’m serious,” she tried again. “Why that apartment? There are nicer parts of town.”

  He shrugged and said, “You’re not going to like the answer.”

  She raised an eyebrow, god the man was a stone pillar when it came to getting information out of him.

  “I bought it,” he said.

  “The apartment?”

  “The building.”

  Her stomach fell. He was her landlord? She had an iron tight lease. But still…?

  He obviously saw her confusion.

  “It was an investment at first. The neighborhood is on the uptick. They’ve got a cute bakery and everything. You watch. Ten years from now the place will be gentrified. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone. Find a place to park some of my money and find a quiet place to write.”

  Erica could only stare at him with her mouth open. He saw the neighborhood’s potential just like she could. It was one of the reasons she had chosen to locate there. That and the price of course.

  Her landlord? Who would ever have thought? Did that change things? No, she realized. The man was still just as handsome. And just as mysterious. No, deep down, it didn’t change things.

  Taking a deep breath, she gave him a small smile then returned to look out over the crowd.

  One of the other couples got up to dance. William shifted his chair to give them more room. Accidently, his leg brushed against hers. A surge of pure adrenaline shot through her entire body. Did the man have any idea of the impact he was having on her soul.

  It had been forever and then some since she had been with a man. Was that why she was feeling this overwhelming need? This burning desire.

  As they sat there a bit longer. Erica realized they were all alone at the table. The other couples were out dancing or visiting friends.

  “You know, you don’t talk very much. I mean for a writer.”

  He laughed. “I get to edit myself when I write. When I talk to real people. I have a habit of saying things I regret.”

  “You mean like your comment that we aren’t going to sleep together?” she asked as she fought to stop herself from turning apple red. But she had to know. “I saw the way you looked at me when I arrived. That wasn’t the look of a man who had decided I wasn’t worth the effort. And we know your past history.”

  He laughed again and shrugged his shoulders. “Are you telling me you wouldn’t demand forever? That you wouldn’
t expect commitment.”

  Erica took a deep breath as she held his stare. Her heart raced and her skin tingled. Every nerve was on fire as she said, “I’m looking for forever with the right man. And you are so not the right man. But that doesn’t mean I might not enjoy the wrong man occasionally.”

  His brow furrowed in confusion as he obviously tried to tell if she was serious or not. She held his stare, refusing to look away. She wanted this. She didn’t want to have to beg. But she wanted this, more than anything in a long time.

  Slowly, his frown turned over to a knowing smirk as he nodded.

  “You, Miss Erica are a surprise. A nice surprise, I might add.”

  Her heart continued to race faster than a blender as she couldn’t take her eyes away from him. She needed to get away. Just for a bit so that she could put her mind back into working order. Had she just thrown herself at this man? Practically begged him to take her.

  “Will you excuse me?” she asked as she grabbed her small purse. “I’ll be right back.”

  He smiled, then actually stood up when she stood up. The man was a gentleman at heart. But, it was the beast she wanted for tonight. She wanted to be ravished.

  Giving him a quick smile over her shoulder, she turned to the bathroom, making sure to swing her hips just a little more than was required. She could feel his hot gaze on her ass the entire way and loved every second of it.

  When she came back to the table, her heart fell when she saw his seat empty. Had he left? Had she scared him away? Twisting, she looked out over the dance floor, afraid she would find him dancing with some other woman.

  “There you are,” he said as he came up behind her, placing his hand on the small of her back.

  Sighing internally, she let herself relax just a little. Of course, she would never be able to relax with this man. Not completely. He fired too many emotions inside of her.

  “Where were you?” she asked, immediately regretting the tone of her voice. She sounded like a fish wife.

  Luckily, he laughed, dismissing her concern. Then he leaned down so that he could whisper into her ear. His breath tickling her neck sending a bolt of need to her very core.