by A. P. Watson
“Good call. It’s flawless.”
“I think I’m going to propose to her sometime next month. I thought a weekend getaway would be nice.”
“Oh, that sounds perfect.” I closed the box and handed the ring back to Ryan. “I’m so happy for you! I’ve been waiting for the two of you to get married since she asked you out sophomore year.”
“Me too. I asked her dad for his blessing at Christmas. So, I’ve been planning this for quite some time.” The sound of a pot boiling over forced our focus to stovetop. “Shit! I forgot to turn down the noodles.”
“You work on that. I’ll do the sauce.” I grabbed a knife and finished chopping the pile of mushrooms Ryan had set out. Then I added the remaining ingredients while he stirred the noodles.
“Jackson seemed excited about your date tomorrow.”
“Are you saying that to cheer me up? Because he sounds like he is way out of my league.”
“I think you’re exactly what Jackson needs.”
“He needs a sassy, red-headed mess?” I asked sarcastically.
“He needs someone who is honest and will tell him like it is. He’s used to getting his way, but at the same time, a lot of girls hang around him because he’s good looking and rich.”
“So, basically, most of the relationships in his life are shallow?”
“Something like that.”
“But I’m not looking for a relationship, and from what you’ve told me, neither is he.”
“True. Look, all I’m saying is I think the two of you will hit it off.”
I adjusted the knob on the stove to the low setting and stirred the sauce as it simmered. “Geez, you’re just as pushy as Terayn. The two of you really are a match made in heaven.”
Ryan held his hand over his heart. “I’m simply trying to be a good friend.”
“Oh, don’t get all offended on me,” I teased, rolling my eyes. He grabbed a couple of plates from the cabinet by the fridge and began placing them on the bar. “Also, go hide that ring before Terayn gets home and discovers it in your pocket.”
“Good idea.”
Ryan barely returned from stashing the ring when Terayn barged through the front door.
“It smells good in here!”
“You’re home!” Ryan ran over to Terayn, lifting her off the floor as he kissed her.
“And hello to you too, babe.”
I smiled as I watched my best friends. There weren’t two people more deserving of happiness. “Hey, Ter.”
She grabbed the box I’d left on the couch. “Is this your dress?”
“Yeah. Check it out.”
She peeled back the carefully folded tissue paper and shrieked loud enough to shatter glass. “Oh my gosh! I love it!” She removed the white garment from its box, carefully examining every inch of it. “You’re going to look so gorgeous tomorrow night!”
“I hope so!”
“Oh, and you have to wear my gold heels. They’ll look perfect with this dress!”
“Thank you! I didn’t even think about shoes.”
“I’m going to hang it up in your room right now.”
The three of us ate dinner and cleaned up the kitchen before I called it a night. After last night, I figured turning in early would be a good thing. My liver could certainly use the reprieve. To my surprise, sleep came quickly, and before I knew it, I was resting blissfully with dreams of a man with intense brown eyes.
chapter four
a very wicked game
AT NOON THE NEXT day, I woke up to the fragrant smell of coffee and eggs. It was the only encouragement I needed to roll out of bed and make my way to the kitchen. Sure enough, Ryan was scrambling a pan full of eggs and had bacon frying in a second pan. Terayn was busy setting up a miniature spa in our living room.
“Morning!”
I headed toward the sea of fingernail polish Terayn was arranging on the coffee table. “What is all this?”
“You’re going to pamper yourself today, and then I’m going to help you get ready for your big date.”
“Can you make me look like a girl?”
She rolled her eyes so dramatically I feared her irises would get stuck staring inside her skull. “Honestly, I don’t know why I try with you.”
“I’ve been sprayed with human shit at work. Your self-confidence tends to take a blow after something like that.”
“Oh God!” Ryan gagged, covering his mouth with his hand. “I’m trying to cook food here.”
“Sorry! I forget those kinds of details are gross to non-healthcare workers.”
“How can you possibly forget?” he asked, turning from the stove to stare at me incredulously.
“It just happens,” I said with a shrug.
I plopped on the leather sofa next to Terayn. “I was thinking we should go with red on your hands and toes.” Terayn picked up a bottle of fire-engine red nail polish and began gently shaking it. Apparently, she was unperturbed by my work conditions.
“Whatever you think will look best.”
She grinned from ear to ear. “I was hoping you would say that.”
I surrendered my fingers and toes, watching as Terayn filed, buffed, and polished them until I had the nails of a queen. We took a quick break to eat breakfast with Ryan before resuming my spa day.
“What about your nails? I can paint yours for you.”
“I’ll paint them tonight. Today is about you!”
I finished off the rest of my coffee. “Y’all are too good to me.”
“It’s what friends do.” She finished the clear coat on my nails and placed my hands under a small fan to help the paint dry. “Since you’re a pole dancer, I don’t have to worry about making you wax your legs or bikini line, but I think we should also do a conditioning mask to make your hair really shiny.”
“You’re the boss.”
When it came to Terayn, experience taught me to take the path of least resistance. It was something Ryan and I both had to learn, but in the long run, we were better for it. Just like she had a knack for sniffing out the truth, Terayn was gifted with the innate ability to understand exactly what people needed when they needed it. I trusted her instincts more than my own. After all, mine only ever managed to get me in trouble.
She moved me to the couch, propping up my hands and feet to finish drying. Ryan joined us and turned on the baking show again while Terayn coated my copper strands with a conditioning hair mask.
The bakers were in the middle of creating a Swedish layer cake when Ryan paused the show.
“Hey! I was listening to that.”
Ryan shook his head at Terayn and turned to me. “We could make that cake. It doesn’t seem too hard to recreate.”
“I don’t know. It has a ton of layers.”
“We could figure it out.”
“True.”
“I’m down if you are.”
I shook the hand he offered. “Deal.”
“Are the two of you really going to try making that cake?”
I nodded. “Yep.”
“Can I be the taste tester?”
“Of course.” He kissed her cheek, stood up from the couch, and headed down the hall. “I’m going to work out with Jackson. You girls have fun.”
As soon as Ryan left, Terayn pulled me to their bathroom and drew me a bubble bath in their giant Jacuzzi tub. I must’ve soaked in that sucker for over an hour, but I could not have cared less. I’d ignored my own needs for far too long. Being a nurse did that to you though. If my patients needed to be given pain medicine or to be cleaned up, it didn’t matter how hungry I was. My needs came last. So, relaxing in a tub with cucumber slices over my eyes was a damn vacation for me.
Three hours later, I was polished to perfection. I slid on my new dress, tugging the snug material over my hips. Terayn and I pinned my hair up, allowing stray curls to tumble around my face. Her heels added some much-needed length to my legs. She fastened a pair of her pearl studs in my ears while I added a couple of gold bangl
es to my wrists. When we were finished, I hadn’t looked or felt this sexy in months. I could do this. I could go on a blind date and end the night with a one-night stand. All I needed was a single night of unattached sex, and then I’d be able to join the dating world with newfound confidence and a restored sense of faith in men.
I requested an Uber to pick me up before following Terayn into the living room.
Ryan sat on the couch, nursing a beer. “Ryan, you know Jackson better than anyone. Do you think he’ll be disappointed when he sees me?” I chewed on my lip, awaiting the affirmation I so desperately needed.
“You look great!”
“Really?”
Terayn threw her arm around my shoulder. “You look like a goddess! He won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
“Maybe this is a mistake.”
Ryan set down his beer and twisted around to face us directly. “He’ll like you. Trust me.”
“But what if you’re wrong?”
Terayn flung her arms in the air. “It’s a set up for a one-night stand!”
“I know that.”
“Then have some fun! Go out tonight and get a little crazy. It’s not like you’re trying to marry the guy.”
I laughed at how right she was. “You’re right. And you’re sure he’ll ask me to go back to his place?”
She nodded. “Jackson schedules weekly meetings with his lovers like they’re doctor appointments. Not to mention, he picks up girls every weekend just for one night. He’ll be leading you back to his place before you have time to order dessert.”
“We can only hope. Well, I’m off for the evening. I’ll see y’all tomorrow.”
“Girl, you got this!”
“Have fun tonight,” Ryan added.
I waved goodbye, sauntering down the steps excitedly. My car was already waiting for me, and I sucked in a deep breath of mild summer air. On the drive to the restaurant, I reminded myself how much I needed this date. With any luck, Jackson would be as charming as the guy who helped me choose my dress for the evening. There were decent guys in this world. Ryan and Sean were living proof.
Once I arrived at my destination, I tipped my driver and dashed inside the building. When I reached the 40th floor and entered the restaurant, a young woman greeted me.
“How can I help you this evening?” she asked.
“I’m supposed to be meeting someone here,” I stated apprehensively.
“Are you Ms. Williams?”
“That’s me.”
She returned my smile and motioned for me to follow her. “Right this way.”
“Thank you.”
A vast expanse of windows showcased the breathtaking city skyline from forty stories aboveground. This was the most elegant restaurant I’d ever seen. Everywhere I turned, couples dined on tables adorned with candles and wine. Weaving through the restaurant, we approached a small table with only one occupant in the back corner. A man with dark hair sat with his back to me. Even from a few feet away, I could tell he was wearing an expensive suit. I nervously smoothed my hands over my dress and spread my lips into a smile. When I rounded the table, he stood and moved to pull out my chair.
The woman smiled. “Here you are.”
“Oh fuck!” A sinister combination of horror and surprise burst through my ribcage, piercing my heart.
The hostess scurried away, gaping at my informal behavior. I should’ve cared about her opinion, but the task proved impossible. I didn’t give a shit what she thought. I was in shock.
“Fancy meeting you here, Wren,” a familiar voice said with a slight laugh.
“You said your name was J.” The man I’d met at Audege, the one I’d forced into helping me pick out a dress, stood before me, gesturing to the offered seat. The man I was supposed to meet was named Jackson Carmichael.
“That’s a nickname I’ve had since I was a child. My real name is Jackson.” He pushed my chair into the table, kissing me briefly on the cheek. “You look beautiful in that dress by the way.”
A rush of heat flourished beneath my skin. Without thinking, I grabbed the wine glass sitting in front of him. “Did you know?” I drained the glass in a single gulp. “In the store, did you know I was going to be your date?”
“Yes.”
I set the glass back in front of him. “I’m done here.”
“Wren . . . wait.”
“And be your evening’s source of amusement?” I laughed slightly as I pushed out of my chair. “Yeah, I don’t fucking think so.”
By this point, several sets of curious eyes had turned in our direction. Jackson moved to block my path, looming over me as he eliminated the distance between us. “Let me explain.” He was so close that I had to tilt my head to keep his gaze. The tips of his fingers danced along my spine, the touch so intimate and foreign I nearly came undone.
My attention settled on his lips as I unceremoniously wetted mine. “You’ve got two minutes.”
“Will you sit back down?”
“No.”
“Please.” From his tone, I could tell Jackson wasn’t a man who was accustomed to begging.
“Sincerity goes a long way.”
He leaned forward, his breath warming my ear. “Don’t go,” he pleaded.
“Okay,” I reluctantly agreed. He assisted me with my chair once more and resumed his own before diving into his explanation.
“Ryan showed me your picture, so I knew what you looked like. I wasn’t expecting to see you in Audege. You pulled me over and asked for my opinion. I didn’t think I should tell you the man you were trying to impress was the very same one you were going on a date with.”
“I wasn’t trying to impress you.”
“Like hell, you weren’t,” he snickered.
“Ass.”
“Did you just call me an ass?”
“Caught that, did you?” I waved a waiter down. If I was going to stay and make it through this date, I was going to need something stronger than merlot.
“Is there something I can get for you, madam?”
“I want a double whiskey. Neat. I’d prefer Gentleman Jack if you have it.”
The man bowed slightly, “Of course.”
“We’re dining at one of the nicest French restaurants in the entire city and you order Jack Daniels?”
“I’m a Tennessee girl through and through.”
“I’ve noticed. You called me darlin’ in the store yesterday.”
“I call everybody darlin’. Don’t go thinking it’s a term of endearment or anything.”
He smiled at me with the same devious grin he wore at Audege. “How unfortunate for me.”
When the waiter returned with my whiskey, I drank it in a single gulp. The amber liquid burned all the way down, warming my insides. In a few minutes, I’d feel a little looser. “What?” I snapped when Jackson stared at me like I was a creature from another planet. “Haven’t you seen a girl shoot whiskey before?”
“All the women I date have refined tastes. They prefer a nice cabernet or merlot over liquor,” he said in a matter of fact tone.
My teeth ground together as if I’d just heard nails slashing a chalkboard instead of his voice. He had every reason to be a snob. Jackson was smart, sexy, and rich, but his holier than thou attitude needed to be brought down a few notches. “Oh God, I think I just puked a bit in my mouth.” I could tell by his responding stare that my manners left much to be desired. “Well, I’m sure they’re positively lovely, but nothing about me is refined. And to be quite honest, I’m happy to break the mold.”
“You didn’t break the mold. You fucking shattered it.”
Unsure of whether his comment was meant as a compliment or an insult, I simply shrugged it off and retrieved my menu. Either way, I was ordering lobster or something equally as expensive. Our waiter returned once more, and an awkward silence followed after we ordered our main courses.
“So, you’re in the banking business?” I asked.
“I’m an investment ban
ker.”
“Oh, but isn’t that just a really fancy way of saying you’re a dick?” I posed my question in my thickest Southern drawl.
His brown eyes flickered with mischief. “Didn’t your mother teach you any manners?” Terayn hadn’t lied, he was ridiculously attractive. Something I’d noticed at Audege as well.
“Lord knows she tried her best, but I didn’t take to those stupid cotillion classes.”
He smiled slightly, “Apparently.” His eyes scanned my features with such an intense scrutiny, it was as if he could see right through my clothes. I glanced away, fidgeting in response. In all my life, I never had anyone look at me like that before, and I’ve had my fair share of stares. His gaze was different. It was completely sexual yet predatory. In a fraction of a second, he made me want to strip naked in front of him. No wonder he was so adept at picking up one-night stands. “Wren?” The way my name rolled off his tongue elicited a flurry of chills across my flesh.
“Yes?” I chanced a look, only to discover he was still watching me intently.
“Stop fidgeting.” Usually, I wasn’t the type of woman who liked being told what to do, but for some reason, I didn’t mind obeying his order. “You look tantalizing. There’s no need to be nervous.”
“I’m not nervous.”
He laughed at my response. “Yes, you are.”
“What makes you think that?” I asked with false confidence.
“Because you’re blushing.”
Instantly, my hands rushed to each cheek. You’d think my history as an exotic dancer would’ve purged all notions of embarrassment from my system. But at this moment, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat flustered. “Now who’s the one in need of manners?”
I was anxious to hear his reply, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, our food arrived. He dug into his coq au vin, watching while I cut my steak. I ate a few bites, but when he remained silent, I couldn’t fight the urge to antagonize him. As Terayn said, it wasn’t as though we were trying to start a lasting relationship. “Is something wrong with me ordering a steak? Was I supposed to ask for the Fromage plate and a salad?”