Just My Type

by Synithia Williams

  “But for how long, Janiyah?”

  “Forever.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  She placed her hand on his chest, right over the pounding of his heart. “Are you telling me that yesterday meant nothing?”

  “Come on, Janiyah, you know it meant something,” he said in a quiet voice, as if admitting that was difficult. “It just doesn’t have to mean everything. It’s best if we move on.”

  He had to be the most stubborn, infuriating man she’d ever met. She snatched her hand away. “Move on. Really? Are you saying you’ll be okay seeing me with someone else?”

  His nostrils flared and jealousy flashed briefly in his eyes before he hid it and crossed his arms. “I expect to see you with someone else.”

  The cocktail of anticipation and edginess bubbled up. “Then prove it.”

  “I’m not playing games with you.”

  “Oh, this isn’t a game. If you’re willing to be so grown up and sensible then so am I. You want the other night to mean nothing, fine, prove it.”

  “How am I supposed to do that?”

  Warning bells that she was about to do something foolish started, but emotions dulled the sound. “A double date. Me and the professor and you and Liz’s boss.”

  He held up his hands, spun away, and laughed. “This is ridiculous,” he said, facing her again.

  “No, you saying we should act like the other night didn’t happen is ridiculous. You felt the power of what was between us as much as I. You might say you’re fine with moving and pretending it meant nothing, but I think you’re a liar.”

  He rushed back over, and stood close enough for the aroused tips of her breasts to brush against his hard chest. Excitement flared between them. His pupils dilated as the heat from their bodies mingled and boiled like a deep fryer.

  Her plan was stupid, a result of her impulsive side that her dad blamed as the reason she couldn’t handle running the business—and though she’d never admit it to him, that impulsive nature had led to a few disastrous decisions. Freddy glared down at her. The discontent in his eyes drained the fight out of her. Forcing an awkward double date would do nothing to make him understand that her feelings were real.

  “Freddy—”

  “Set up the date,” he said in a hard voice before stalking away.

  CHAPTER 24

  Janiyah walked into the restaurant on Gerald’s arm with a ball of dread in her stomach. Her eyes scanned the room. She spotted Freddy sitting at a table with Liz’s boss. The two had their heads close as they spoke. She tightened her hold on Gerald’s arm and ran a hand down the side of the electric blue sleeveless dress she’d ordered off eBay right after Freddy agreed to her stupid plan. Her decision to buy fewer clothes went out the door when she’d realized Freddy wasn’t going to change his mind. If she were going to do something stupid, she might as well do it in style.

  “I see our party,” she said to the hostess before leading Gerald over to the table.

  Fredrick and Missy were laughing when they approached. She fought to keep the frown from popping up on her face.

  “Well, it looks like you two are having a good time. It’s almost as if you don’t need us here,” she said in a brittle voice.

  Freddy looked up. He quickly scanned her body and she fought not to squirm. Her dress wasn’t revealing, but she might as well be naked from way his gaze caressed her. He wore a dark orange shirt that flattered his light skin, and lightened the color of his brown eyes beneath his glasses. His tongue did a quick sweep over his lips. He’d done the same sweep with his tongue against her skin. She squirmed and broke eye contact before she made a fool of herself and begged him to end this craziness.

  She looked up at Gerald with a forced smile. “Gerald, you know Fredrick. And this is his date … ” She finally made eye contact with his date.

  “I’m Missy,” she said with a warm smile. Her blue eyes danced with friendliness as she reached out a hand. Crap, it was hard to hate a friendly person.

  “Hi, Missy, this is Dr. Gerald Westlock.” She shook Missy’s hand, which was slender and cool to the touch. An ice princess—definitely not right for Fredrick.

  Gerald reached out and shook first Fredrick’s hand then Missy’s. “Nice you meet you.”

  Freddy stood and eyed Gerald from head to toe. He was shorter than Gerald, but far outshone him in Janiyah’s eyes. His thickly muscled frame contoured perfectly to every important feature on her body. Her cheeks burned and a hot ache spread between her thighs. Her eyes dropped to his crotch and her lips parted with a silent gasp. Everything fit just right.

  “Good to meet you, too. Have a seat,” Freddy said, his voice thick.

  She met his eye. She drew her lower lip between her teeth and his eyes darkened. So much for not wanting her. A small smile played at her lips, and in an instant, the desire in his eyes was replaced with defiance.

  “So, Gerald,” Freddy said when they were seated. “You and Janiyah have been out on several dates.”

  Gerald reached over to take her hand. He smiled warmly and she looked away. “We have. Each one better than the last.”

  Missy grinned at them both. “That’s so cute.”

  “And poetic,” Freddy said, bringing his glass of water to his lips.

  Gerald cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “How are things going with your firm, Fredrick? Pretty interesting, I’d guess, with all the new business you’ve gotten.”

  Janiyah snorted. “As interesting as watching paint dry.”

  Freddy’s hand clenched the water glass. He threw a dirty look her way, and she only smirked. She could be just as much of a smart ass as him.

  “It is, actually,” Freddy said. “I’m trying to set up a meeting with the owner of the Satterfield restaurant chain to discuss doing business with them.”

  “I can relate.” Gerald sat up in his chair. “My research is bringing in outside funding. I love my research, but the more money I bring in, the more weight I pull at the university.”

  Freddy glanced at Janiyah. “I bet.”

  She’d forgotten how pretentious Gerald could be. She turned to Missy. “So, Liz mentioned that you introduced her to yoga.”

  Missy smiled before flipping her hair over her shoulder. “I did. I love it. I try to go three times a week.”

  “Isn’t yoga just stretching and stuff?”

  “No, it’s much more than that. It’s about finding a mind and body connection along with relaxation and meditation. There is more to yoga than increasing flexibility.”

  Janiyah raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you can convince Fredrick to go. He could use help with the mind and body connection.”

  Freddy’s eyes narrowed only slightly before his features relaxed. “I don’t have a problem in that department.”

  Janiyah’s insides clenched. This was her dumbest idea ever.

  Missy leaned in to Freddy. “I’d love to show you how flexible I am.”

  The look in her eye turned Janiyah cold. She leaned closer to Gerald, hoping that the warmth of his body would soothe the iciness within her. “Good luck. He rarely trusts trying something new.”

  “I’ve always been open to trying new things. I just know that some things are better left alone,” he said, the accusation clear in his voice.

  Her back became ramrod straight as she sat up. “Sounds like fear to me. Heaven forbid you to step away from your well laid plans.”

  He turned away from Missy to glare at her across the table. “Sticking to my plans doesn’t lead me astray. Knowing my boundaries keeps me from making foolish decisions. When I veer from my plans, I end up making mistakes.”

  Pain twisted her insides. Would he ever stop calling what happened with them a mistake?

  She leaned across the table. “You don’t always make mistakes. You enjoy yourself, but have to let go and give in to the,” her gaze drifted slowly across his features, “pleasure. Give in to what could be if you let it. What you could have.”


  Freddy clenched his jaw. His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed several times. His direct gaze burned straight through her, his eyes as intense as they’d been when they’d made love. Focused, raw, and powerful.

  Gerald cleared his throat. “Is there something I’m missing?”

  Freddy’s eyes came back into focus as he sat up. Janiyah shook her head. She looked at Gerald whose gaze darted suspiciously between her and Freddy. Missy’s features were pulled into a frown.

  “I don’t think we’re missing anything,” Missy said. “I think it’s pretty clear what’s going on here.”

  Fredrick took a large gulp of his water. “There’s nothing going on.”

  Janiyah sipped from her glass as well, but the cold water did nothing to cool her off. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You two have slept together,” Missy said matter-of-factly.

  “What?” she said at the same time Freddy said, “No.” Their eyes met briefly before they both reached for their now empty water glasses.

  Gerald nodded slowly. “I think you’re right, Missy.”

  Janiyah pushed aside her glass and turned to her date. “Hey, let’s get out of here and go somewhere else. I’m more in a mood for sushi than Italian.”

  Gerald shook his head. “I don’t think so. One thing I’m good at is reading people, and I definitely read that you’d rather be here as Fredrick’s date than mine.” He pushed back his chair and stood.

  Missy jumped up too. “Hey, I’m in a mood for sushi.” She rushed around the table to Gerald. “I know a good place.”

  Gerald smiled and took her hand. “That sounds great.”

  Janiyah’s jaw dropped as they walked out of the restaurant together. As soon as the door closed behind them she whipped around toward Freddy. “See what you did? You’ve scared off our dates.”

  Freddy scoffed. “What I did? You practically announced that we slept together.”

  “I did not. I only insinuated that you needed to step out of the box more.”

  “Save it, Janiyah.” He threw his napkin on the table. “We didn’t order, so there isn’t a bill. Let’s just call tonight what it was—a loss—and move on.”

  “But, Freddy … ”

  He shook his head. “Don’t. Tonight’s little game is just another example of why we wouldn’t work. I don’t play games. I never should have agreed to come in the first place.”

  “Then why did you come?”

  “Because, when it comes to you I don’t make smart decisions.” He stood. “Good night, Janiyah.”

  She watched him walk out. His words felt like a slap in the face. What was she doing trying to convince Freddy they belonged together? If he didn’t make smart choices when it came to her, then she was a damn fool when it came to him. She was tired of playing the fool.

  You’re a joke, Janiyah. For the first time the words rang true.

  CHAPTER 25

  Fredrick hung up the phone and ran his hands over his face. With his elbows on the desk, he massaged his throbbing temples. Once again his dad needed help, this time with the mortgage. The client he kept brushing off had finally given up and found someone else. Though his dad claimed to have another client lined up, Fredrick didn’t believe him.

  He counted to ten in a useless attempt to push back his frustration. It didn’t matter that his parents’ home could have been paid off ten times over if they would have managed their money better. Or that it was unfair his parents looked to him instead of his sister to support their frivolous lifestyle. They were his parents and he would help. It wouldn’t burden him financially. But that didn’t lessen the sting.

  He wasn’t much better. Janiyah had easily made him forget common sense and agree to her silly double date. Just like his dad, he was crazy over a woman and making bad decisions.

  To make matters worse, she’d been right. He couldn’t stand to see her on the arm of another man.

  He jumped up from his desk and went to the door. Janiyah sat behind her desk, playing a game on her cell phone. In the short time she’d worked there she’d made the space her own. Colorful knickknacks, bright silk flowers in vases, and pictures of animals with funny phrases cluttered her desk. Again, she was the bright spot in the room. It was after hours. A few staff members were working late to complete assignments. She was done for the day, but always insisted on sticking around.

  “Janiyah.”

  She jumped and slid her cell phone away. Despite their current strained relationship, he had to suppress a smile that she tried to pretend as if she were busy. He knew her work was done; he didn’t care if she checked her phone.

  “Please get me the latest draft of the audit on Congaree Practice, then you can go home for the night.”

  He turned away before she got up and went back into his office. She came in a few minutes later with the file. She placed it on his desk. He focused on that instead of looking at her. Every time he looked at her he had to force himself to remember why he kept pushing her away.

  She still stood at his desk. “You’ll find the first page the most changed.”

  He looked at the first page. It was a letter from Janiyah. Snatching it up from the rest, he read it quickly, his hand clenching.

  “You don’t have to resign.”

  “I think it’s for the best.”

  “I don’t want you to.” He gripped the paper harder. That wasn’t what he’d meant to say.

  Her soft gasp meant she was just as surprised by his outburst.

  He looked up at her. Her eyes focused on the wall above his head instead of him. She looked so resigned, so grown up, in a white button up shirt and maroon skirt. Since her dad’s surgery she’d toned down her outfits. He missed the bright colors.

  “Maybe we should talk,” he said.

  She finally looked at him. Her glare was as sharp as daggers. He deserved that.

  “Now you want to talk? You’ve avoided looking at me for days.”

  He got up, walked around his desk, and closed the door. He could feel her watching his every movement, probably wishing she did have a dagger.

  “I didn’t know what to say. Janiyah, everything between us is all screwed up.”

  “Because of you.”

  He stalked over to the table instead of to her. He couldn’t stand close to her. “This isn’t all my fault and you know it.”

  She crossed her arms and shifted her stance. “Fine. I never should have suggested that stupid double date.”

  “I think we can agree not to do that in the future.”

  “I wouldn’t have a problem doing it again, if you were my date.”

  “Janiyah … ”

  He glanced out the window. It was growing dark outside. From the corner of his eye, he saw her come closer. “You’re always so cold when it comes to me.”

  “I have to be.” He silently cursed. Another blurted confession.

  She came to stand beside him. She reached out as if to touch him, then pulled back. “I know that my idea was silly, but I can’t act like what happened meant nothing. I can’t pretend as if seeing your dimple pop out when you smile doesn’t make my day, or how much I like it when you tease me about my dresses, because it means you’ve noticed me. I can’t pretend like I’m not checking you out when you come home from the gym, or that I don’t like it when you’re all pumped up and sweaty. I can’t because it hurts too much that you don’t feel the same.”

  His heart used his ribcage as a punching bag, it beat so hard. Her confession weakened his determination. “Do you think it’s easy for me to turn you away?”

  “Yes.”

  The pain in her eyes hurt him. “It’s not. It’s hard as hell to pretend like I don’t care when I see you with another man. Or that watching you walk around my apartment in your pajamas isn’t the sexiest thing on the planet.” Her eyes widened, and her full lips parted. “I pushed you away because I knew that after one taste of you I’d be hooked. I’d want you every day.”

 
“Apparently there wasn’t a need for you to worry. You got your taste and were happy to toss me aside.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Really, because you’ve done a damn good job convincing me that you don’t want me anymore. That you don’t want me now.”

  “I want to put you on this table, spread your legs, and fuck you so hard you won’t be able to think tomorrow.”

  Her eyes widened and she gasped. He was full of the unexpected confessions tonight. It’s what she did to him. Made him crazy. Made him say and do things he shouldn’t. Made him the guy she wanted and not the guy he thought he was.

  “Then do it,” she said. True to form, she didn’t back down. He let her slide her arms around his neck. He was surrounded by her essence, cushioned by her seductive curves. His body hardened with memories of their night together.

  A second of sanity tried to slip in. “The office isn’t empty.”

  Her knee slid between his thighs. “Do you want me to go?”

  It was that speak now or forever hold your peace moment. He looked into her beautiful brown eyes, felt himself losing the battle, and spoke. “No, I don’t.”

  She pushed him back until his knees hit the chair behind him. He sat, and she slid her right leg up to settle next to his hip on the chair. Unbidden, his hand came up to her hip and gripped tightly.

  “You’ll be sick of me in a month,” he said, his voice hoarse with desire.

  She lifted her other leg and straddled him, the heat from the juncture of her thighs pressing against his erection. “I haven’t grown tired of you yet.”

  He placed his other hand on her hip and pulled her roughly against him. “I wasn’t your man before.”

  She sucked in a breath. “You’ve always been my man, Freddy.”

  He frowned. It was true; she’d always had her hooks in him. No matter how foolish the idea, she always found a way to convince him. Terror gripped his chest. Right now he would do anything to have Janiyah, anything to make her smile.