Just Her Type

by Laudat, Reon

  “See you in a few minutes,” Dominic whispered with a wink before she got off the elevator at her floor.

  Chapter 18

  Kendra had taken a quick shower and dressed in PJs by the time Dominic had arrived. He’d changed into a pair of vintage Adidas sweatpants, a lightweight Henley, and slip-on sneakers. On his head, a cool straw fedora tipped low enough to cast a shadow over the top half of his face. Again, no glasses.

  As soon as she invited him inside, he closed the door, sent the fedora gliding across the room, and wasted no time getting handsy again.

  Of course she loved it!

  He lifted her until her bare feet settled on top of his shoes. He walked her backward, kissing her until her toes curled. This man and his masterful mouth.

  When they parted, he said, “To protect your reputation—”

  “A little late for that.”

  “I did my best to make sure the hallway was clear before I knocked on your door. The hat was the best I could do for a disguise.”

  “I like it,” she said, impressed. “Where are your glasses this evening?”

  “You miss them?”

  “Yeah, I do. They give you character,” she said, though his dark eyes looked even more striking without them.

  “Sometimes I wear contacts for extra special dates.”

  “I’m an extra special date. I’m flattered.”

  “I kept them in though one is starting to bother me. I usually don’t wear these for longer than a few hours at a time.” He briefly rubbed his right eye.

  “Awww. Poor baby. Maybe you should go back to your room to get your glasses.”

  “Uh-uh, I’m not leaving now. It was a challenge talking my way into your room.” Raising a brow, Dominic made a show of checking out her PJs with flaming jack-o-lanterns all over them.

  “Well, Halloween is just around the corner,” she said, answering his unspoken question.

  “Cool, but if you think they’re going to discourage me from obsessing about what’s underneath you have another think coming.”

  “You’re not going to believe this,” Kendra interrupted him, “but after all that luau food, I’m hungry again!” She moved to the mini-bar and bent at the waist to inspect the contents. When she peered over her shoulder she caught him cocking his head to one side and gawking at her rear. “Lose something?”

  “If you don’t mind my saying, the view is exceptional. The best I’ve ever seen.”

  “Says the man who pals around with Lucas Cameron and his bevy of Victoria’s Secret and Sports Illustrated swimsuit babes with their perfectly taut little tushies.”

  “So you saw that photo, huh?”

  “You’re not the only one with a subscription to People magazine.” Kendra resumed her search of the mini-bar.

  “Yeah, there were some beauteous booties at that pool party, no lie, but I’m not chasing underwear and swimsuit models, I’m chasing you. And besides, I tend to prefer a woman with more meat on her bones, you know, thick and juicy.” He made an exaggerated hourglass shape with his hands. “Party-sized curves, like yours.”

  “Just so you know, you can pile them on, but I refuse to be bamboozled by effusive compliments.” Kendra reached for a small bag of pistachios.

  “And I hope you’re not bamboozled by a seven-dollar bag of nuts, either. How many are in that package? Five?”

  “It’s cheaper than room service.”

  “Ahh, but that’s where they get you. Those nuts are the gateway drug. Then you’ll want the seven-dollar can of soda to wash them down. And then you’ll think, hey, I’m still hungry. Maybe I’ll go for those Oreos and—”

  “Okay, I get it.” She closed the door to the small fridge to search for the room service menu. “Pizza and beer sound good to you?”

  “Always.” Dominic sat on the bed next to her while she dialed.

  “Hey, what about that unopened bottle of merlot in the Jeep?”

  “Still trying to get rid of me? Let’s save it for our next date.”

  “Beer is better with pizza. Guinness? Sam Adams? Amstel? I could go on.”

  “You decide,” he said, rubbing that right eye again.

  “Pepperoni? Sausage? Extra cheese? How about we share a large serving of Buffalo wings on the side?”

  “Wait a second. I thought you were health-conscious, you know, with all the plates full of kale, strawberry papaya, acorns, and tree bark.”

  “I lied.”

  “And that noise about ‘you are what you eat?’”

  “Then I’m a slab of applewood-smoked bacon.”

  “I must confess, too. After our lunch that day, I inhaled two sausage subs when I returned to the office. I’m sure we like our pizza the same way, with everything. About the Buffalo wings, I’m a fire chaser, but I’ll go for mild or medium because we’re sharing.”

  “Was that a challenge?” Kendra ordered the hottest wings with the mix of cayenne and habanero peppers and the wasabi-laced dipping sauce, along with the pizza, beer, and strawberry shortcake. “Are you sure you don’t want to get your glasses?” she asked after noting he was still fussing with the eye that had turned slightly red. “You can come right back.”

  “No, I’m good.”

  Kendra gave him a skeptical look.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not contagious or anything. I don’t have pink eye if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “I hate to see you uncomfortable.”

  “It’s all good,” he assured her. “Nice room.”

  “But not as nice as yours, I’ll bet. What floor?”

  He told her.

  “Concierge level with all the extra special amenities and an ocean view I can only afford to read about.”

  “You have an open invitation to enjoy them all, including the premium bed sheets.”

  Kendra put the menu on the nightstand and lifted the conference booklet. “I see you’re doing the Publishing and the New Digital Frontier panel first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “And you’re doing the Query-topia & Synopsis Sanity workshop tomorrow at the same time. I’ll be sure to watch the podcast for that one.”

  “Yes, speaking of which, I’m going to need some time to go over my notes.” She put the booklet away and got off the bed. “I let you come here, but you can’t spend the entire night.”

  “Here we go again.” Dominic pulled her back on the bed and pinned her body with his. He used one hand to hold her wrists together above her head.

  Ooh la la. Her kind of manhandling.

  He pressed himself against her. They kissed greedily and moved together in a hard, synchronized grind that made her ache for deep penetration. “La Guitarra,” he crooned in her ear again between deep, kisses.

  “What was that?” she asked, her breathing labored from arousal. “I heard you say that on the beach.”

  “La Guitarra, my little pet name for you,” he whispered against her lips.

  They kissed again when it hit her.

  Kendra stiffened and wrenched her hands free.

  He groaned.

  Kendra pulled her lips away and gave his chest a firm shove. “Wait a second.” She nailed him with an accusatory glare. “Doesn’t Raven Raw go by ‘the Guitar’? That’s what her adoring male fans call her.” The often scantily-clad pop star, known for her bountiful curves, racy lyrics, and provocative stage show in which she simulated fellatio on stringed-musical instruments with long fretted necks, was Dominic’s client. The former backup-singer-turned-pop diva had launched her solo career after writing a scandalous tell-all, in which she’d dropped the dish on A-list rappers, singers, and actors, as well as high profile politicians and business tycoons. It sold like gangbusters of course.

  “Yeah, but you’re the real deal.” Dominic went for her lips again.

  Kendra shifted her chin left and prepared to push him away. “Why, whatever do you mean?”

  “You’re the real La Guitarra,” he growled, rolling the r’s with precision. “Au natur
al. Hmmm. Hmmm,” he moaned in her ear. He slowly wedged his hands between her body and the mattress and then squeezed her bottom. “Raven’s curves are courtesy of implants and regular injections,” he revealed matter-of-factly as he nipped at the skin near her collarbones until she bucked and shoved him again.

  “And how would you know that?” Kendra asked. “I don’t recall reading that in her tell-all.”

  “Um, er, she told me?”

  “Yeah, right. Women don’t take kindly to men calling them other females’ names or nicknames. And furthermore, it’s not gallant spilling the beans about her fake cakes. Not cool, player.”

  “You’re absolutely right, and I apologize for my thoughtless comments. About the pet name, I swear, I was only thinking of you. Forgive me?” He looked so earnest, not to mention yummy, even with one red eye.

  Besides, she didn’t want him to move. She relished the hardness and the heat of his body pressed against hers. “Forgiven,” she said. She had no right to be jealous when she had those Cupid4You.com guys on standby.

  “Before I put my foot in my mouth again, mind if I call you baby or sweetheart?”

  “I suppose it’s all right while we’re alone in Maui.”

  “I know we’re still hammering out the rules.”

  “Just don’t overdo it.” A smile tugged her lip. Still, she wondered if such terms of endearment were a slippery slope. “We’re just friends.”

  “At the moment. Now, where were we?” he asked.

  “At that part where I was saying you can’t spend the night.”

  “So you’re going to kick me out?” He dropped more pecks on her lips.

  “Not before we’ve had our beer and pizza.”

  He slid off her and maneuvered until they spooned. “Did I happen to mention that I love to cuddle?”

  “Nice euphemism for grind. Brownie points.”

  “I will go for second base unless I’m stopped.”

  Kendra didn’t stop him. And soon, he got busy underneath her pajama top. She moaned as he softly cupped and caressed her breasts.

  His palm glided over her middle until he found the surprise.

  “Ahh, you only mentioned tattoos—”

  “As red herrings.”

  “I like this little twist.” His finger grazed the tiny bar piercing her belly button. “Sexy.”

  “I’m not altogether comfortable with where this is heading between us tonight.”

  “Just go with it.”

  “I can’t.”

  His fingers did a little dance over her sensitive skin.

  Kendra planned to leave this delectable petting on the island.

  He licked his thumb and index finger and went back to work underneath her shirt, making her pant with pleasure as he resumed fondling her breasts and nipples. “You were saying?”

  His moves made it difficult to concentrate. “We’re just fooling around as friends.”

  “Noted. Again.” His husky voice rumbled against her neck, causing the tiny hairs there to lift in a pleasing sensation. “But I don’t want this ‘just fooling around’ to end in Maui.” When his hand suddenly slipped outside of her pajama top to smooth it back into place, she felt deprived. He gently brushed wayward locks from her face. “Kendra.” When their gazes met he looked so sincere she melted. “This isn’t about a one night stand or an island hookup. Let me make myself clear. Yes, I want in your pants, oh man, do I want in your pants in the worst way.” He reached down to adjust himself. “At this point, I’m pretty sure I can balance a stack of plates on this. But I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes. I want more from you and with you.” He lightly tapped her chest. “Call us what you want right now, but I aim to win your heart.”

  Win her heart? Was she just a challenge for a fierce competitor?

  Still, a rush of unexpected tenderness took hold of her, but she recommitted to keeping him away from her heart. If she focused on the passion, only the passion, as in how hot he made her feel, perhaps she could keep some emotional distance, but was it already too late? She curled her arms around his neck. Raking her fingers through his soft waves, she kissed him into silence until their food arrived.

  Half an hour later, they uncovered the silver platters with their wings, strawberry shortcake, and extra-large pizza.

  They positioned chairs at the cart with their food. Forsaking the frosty mugs on the tray, they clinked bottles. “Bottoms up!”

  As both took long pulls, her gaze skimmed his powerful forearms when he pushed the sleeves of the Henley to his elbows. The soft fabric accentuated well-honed biceps, pecs, and shoulders.

  When he caught her leering, she flushed.

  “Now, now. We’ll have none of that. We’re way past shy after our wrestling matches. Ogle and objectify to your heart’s content.”

  “I was just admiring your shirt. The deep cranberry looks good against your skin.” Kendra paused to watch him strip four wasabi-dipped wings of meat without pausing for fortifying gulps of beer or water between bites.

  Kendra rotated her plate left and said grace. She sampled a dab of the wasabi sauce. A brief but potent sensation of long hot needles stabbed her sinuses and brain. After sinking her teeth into one wing, a bout of hot pepper-induced hiccups followed. By the time she’d finished one piece her tongue felt as if it were too big for her mouth and coated with battery acid.

  “Are you all right?” Dominic asked as he downed his sixth wing without the slightest hint of discomfort.

  “Yummers.” With eyes watering and nose running, Kendra reached for another wing.

  “Can I get you something? Water, milk… fire extinguisher?”

  “No.” She sniffled, coughed, and wheezed.

  Dominic smirked until the knitting project she’d left on the nearby desk caught his eye. “What are you making?” He cleaned his fingers with one of the moist wipes on the tray and lifted the needle with a seven-inch-by-seven-inch block of stitches fashioned with size ten bamboo needles and bulky-weight yarn in “vanilla dream.”

  “What does it look like?” After taking one tiny bite, she jettisoned that second wing to his pile of bones. She chugged her beer. Though counterintuitive, the alcohol content calmed the inferno in her mouth.

  “Why, it’s a white flag, symbolizing your total surrender to me,” he said with a round of cheesy villainous laughter.

  “I thought we’d ditched Alpha Man for the evening. And those wings were too vinegary, that’s all.”

  “Uh-huh. The stinging effect of the wasabi is potent, but fleeting. It’s the capsaicin in chilies that lingers and kicks your ass.”

  “Ha. Ha.”

  “Admit defeat, lady.” Dominic lifted the work and waved it around. “But seriously, we’ve come a long way since that flight from Dallas back to New York, haven’t we?”

  Instead of agreeing with him, Kendra said, “Be careful not to stain that.” But why was she fretting over a little hot wing sauce when the piece already had several dropped stitches that left unwanted holes? She’d been freestyling it, not following the pattern closely enough. The needles were a little too small for that yarn and the tension was so tight, the square could pass for a ceramic floor tile.

  “What is it?” he asked again.

  “Can’t you tell? It’s the beginning of a scarf. So what do you think?”

  Dominic paused, considering the query as if it were a blind curve.

  “Well?”

  He put the piece back on the desk. “It looks nice and warm.”

  Translation: the knitting equivalent of having a great personality. “Thanks,” Kendra said anyway. “The agency keeps me busy, but I manage to complete knitting projects at a record pace. I do some of my best reflecting and brainstorming for editing while doing needlework. But I enjoy group settings, too. I can’t wait for my next sit-and-knit with Selena. I love those opportunities to catch up, but sometimes we just sit quietly and all you can hear is the click, click, click of our needles.”

  “Selena? A
s in Selena Clark, a senior editor at Winn-Aster, where you used to work?”

  “Yes! Good guess. Selena is one of my closest friends. Love her. And I’m sure you’ve heard of Aurora Chastain, too, also with Winn-Aster. She’s in our knitting group, too. And there’s my girl, Brittany. She’s a friend I hired to help me out at the agency. Eventually, she’ll have her own list of clients, at least that’s the plan.”

  Dominic stopped mid-chew to take a big swig of beer.

  Chapter 19

  Sometimes the publishing business was just too damn small for Dominic, who nearly emptied his bottle before speaking again. “Yes, I read Chastain’s debut a few years ago.” But he would keep his recent little misunderstanding with Ms. Clark to himself.

  Little misunderstanding was actually an understatement. He’d left Selena livid after their last phone conversation.

  Revealing this to Kendra, even including his side of the story, would do nothing to advance the immediate goal. Staying the night.

  “I’ve made about three dozen scarves so far,” Kendra continued. “I’ve donated most of them to homeless shelters and the Salvation Army.”

  “So how long have you been knitting?” Dominic asked, as his thoughts raced back to Selena, who’d abruptly hung up on him. After a little time, she’d cool down, accept his invitation to lunch, and all would be well between them again. But until then, he couldn’t have Selena bad-mouthing him and possibly shutting down his relationship with Kendra.

  “Aunt Jackie has owned a yarn shop in Hoboken for years, but I was bitten by the bug, oh, a little less than a year ago.”

  “Why did it take so long?”

  “I didn’t want to hurt her feelings so I never told her, but I thought it was way too boring and granny-like for me, though I knew people of all ages knit. And it actually became hip several years ago. My closest friends were eager to learn so I joined them. Let’s make a deal. I’ll knit a scarf for you in the color of your choice if I get to read some of your chapters.”

  Dominic refused to commit. “So how’s the pizza?”