The Chauffeur

  After stopping by my favorite bakery for raspberry cream cheese croissants, I drive through the gate and park in the covered space that Grace indicated.

  Retrieving my parcels from the passenger seat, I head toward the house, knock and walk in, finding Rita and Garrett sitting at the kitchen table, talking over coffee.

  “April, dear, you don’t have to knock.”

  I look at Rita and blush while placing the pastries on the table. “I know, but it just seems weird walking into someone else’s home without knocking first, you know? Here.” I slide the box across the table. “I brought us some croissants—have one. Let me get a cup of coffee and pop my lunch in the fridge, and I’ll join you.”

  “April, you know you eat lunch here, right? You don’t have to bring your own,” Garrett says through a full mouth.

  “I know, but it’s left over from last night, so …” I bend over to shove the cardboard container to the back of the top shelf.

  “What’s left over from last night?”

  I jump up and spin around at the sound of his deep, velvet voice. He’s standing there looking sexy as hell in a pair of faded jeans and a tight, long-sleeved pullover. His hair is still damp from the shower.

  “Oh … um … Chinese from last night. It’s nothing,” I answer, while I pour myself a cup of coffee. I hold a mug up to him to ask if he’d like a cup. When he nods, I pour one for him as well.

  “From what restaurant? There are a lot of good ones in this town.”

  “Um, I’m not sure. Sam brought it over last night. It was good, though.” I maneuver around him to join Rita and Garrett, taking a croissant from the box.

  “Jason, you have to try one of these—April brought them for us. They’re quite good.” Garrett stuffs another bite into his mouth followed by a sip of coffee.

  I hold the box out in an offering, but he only stares back at me. I shake it at him to get his attention and his gaze finally pulls away from me down to the box. Lingering over the selection, he chooses the perfect one and takes a bite. He lets out one of the sexiest growls I’ve ever heard.

  A few minutes later, John comes in with our worksheet for the day and hands it to me. After I review it, I nod and offer him the box.

  “Hey, John, why don’t you let me handle this today? You can spend some extra time packing up your apartment if you want.”

  I read the schedule and see that Kyle needs a ride in thirty minutes. Nicole has an appointment for lunch, and after I drop off Nicole, I have to take the Bentley in for an oil change. Deciding to use the Maybach to give Kyle a ride, I’ll use the Bentley to take Nicole. The morning has come together perfectly.

  “What are you smiling at, April?” Jason asks.

  “Oh … nothing, sir.”

  He looks as if he’s about to speak, but instead turns and stalks out of the room.

  Crap! I’ve done it again!

  “Sorry,” I manage.

  As I finish the last bite of my croissant, Grace walks in.

  “John, dear, there’s been a change to the schedule today.”

  I look at John, and his ears perk up.

  Grace turns her attention to me. “Kyle has decided to take his bike this morning, and Nicole has canceled her lunch appointment so that the three of us can go shopping for the apartment. John, will you be available if Jason needs a lift anywhere?”

  “Yes, Ms. Grace. I’ll take him anywhere he needs to go.”

  “Very well then. April, we’ll be ready at ten thirty.”

  “Yes, Grace.”

  I turn to John. “I’m going to take the Bentley for the oil change now. I’ll be back before ten.”

  He gives me a two-fingered salute before I leave to sign out the keys.

  As I’m walking outside, Jason pulls his Betsy out of the garage and parks it next to the Bentley.

  “I’m taking my car to our storage facility. Would you pick me up there?”

  “Well, I’m actually on my way to get an oil change. Let me ask John to pick you up.” I’m about to head back to the house when his hand catches my arm.

  “Why don’t you follow me, and I’ll ride over with you to get the oil changed? That way John can work on packing up his apartment.”

  My internal alarm sounds. This is not a good idea. Why does he want to go with me to get the oil changed? His life is in the boardroom.

  “All right, Mr. Rowe. If that’s what you’d like.”

  When we drive up to his storage facility, Jason pulls his car into a warehouse that contains more cars and boy-toys than I care to count. After he exits the driver’s seat, he rounds the vehicle and reaches inside to retrieve something from the glove box. His jeans fit flush across a very nice ass. My eyes blink about a thousand times, and I look up to see him watching me over his shoulder.

  He set me up!

  He wanted me to ogle his ass.

  When he heads back toward the car, I get out to open the back door for him, but he walks around to the passenger seat next to me.

  “So, Ms. Sanders? Did you like what you saw?”

  Tell me he didn’t just go there?

  “Mr. Rowe, sir, l don’t know what is going on, but it needs to stop—right now. First last night, and now this.” I wave my hand between the two of us.

  “What do you mean ‘this’?” He moves his hand, mocking me. “You’re the one that got caught staring at my ass.”

  “Sir—”

  “We’re back to Sir, are we?”

  “Yeah, we are.” I turn in my seat to face him. “You crossed the line last night. And yes, I got caught checking out your ass, but if you didn’t put it out there like a peacock, I wouldn’t look at it.”

  The corners of his mouth lift, giving me ornery grin.

  “A peacock?”

  “Yes, peacock. Look, Mr. Rowe, I need this job. I quit a job to accept Mrs. Rowe’s offer. I had one of the best client lists in town. I gave that up because I thought I could be happy here, but you’re making that difficult. You don’t need to tease and flirt with the help when you have the likes of Kathryn Walsh, and lord knows how many others.” I start the car and head toward the estate.

  “Where are you going, Ms. Sanders?”

  “I’m taking you home, Mr. Rowe.”

  “But I don’t want to go home, Ms. Sanders.”

  “I don’t care what you want, Mr. Rowe. You will not jeopardize my position with this family simply because you want a piece of blue collar ass.” By now, I’m fuming.

  Thankfully, he agrees to allow me to take him home and even more thankful it’s in silence.

  Once we pull through the gate, I drive around the back, not bothering to drop him off at the front of the house. He stands with his face mere inches from mine.

  “Ms. Sanders, it’s not just your ass I want a piece of,” he says, and by the time I think to ask him what the hell that means, he’s gone leaving me staring after him.

  ~.~

  It’s moving day, and as planned, Mrs. Rowe spent the weekend having the apartment painted and new carpet installed. I can’t wait to see it. Just as I’m about to run up the stairs, I hear a horn and turn to see the moving truck I’d rented pull through the Rowes’ gate. I wave and head upstairs.

  I peruse my new apartment and fall in love. It’s a lot larger than I thought it would be. I was afraid the master bedroom wouldn’t hold my bedroom set, but I was mistaken. This apartment sits on top of a six-car garage and is over fifteen hundred square feet. The kitchen is massive, which is great because I enjoy cooking. The brushed stainless steel appliances and black granite countertops look very sleek and sexy, and the dark, cherry wood cabinets round out the look perfectly. I love that the dining room’s a separate space from the kitchen and living area.

  I stand in the middle of the large living room to mentally place my new furniture. I like the over-sized French doors that lead out onto the balcony from the living room as well as the bedroom. I spin around with my arms out and smile—all of this, and it’s rent f
ree. Nothing beats free.

  I hear Sam clambering up the stairs, and I run out to greet him. I’m so thankful that he, Emily and Kyle are here to help.

  “Oh, my god, April, this place is fabulous.” She pokes her head into the living room. “Wow. This is the size of a house.”

  “Nice digs, doll,” Sam adds.

  “I know, huh? I love it.”

  Just as we’re about to begin unloading the truck, Kyle comes in with an offering.

  “Welcome home.” He bows and hands me a bottle of wine.

  “Thank you, Kyle.” I take the wine and give it a place of honor—the very first slot of the built-in wine rack nestled at the end of the breakfast bar

  “Let’s get this party started,” Sam bellows as he runs down the stairs to the truck.

  “Last one down is a rotten egg.” I bolt for the door, but not before Kyle cuts me off, pushing me back into Emily.

  “What a little shit,” Emily exclaims.

  I think her Mr. McDreamy just shocked her for the first time. I burst out laughing and hug her before we head downstairs, arm-in-arm.

  “Honeymoon phase must be over,” I tease.

  The enclosed stairwell has a private entrance, and Sam backs the truck as close to the door as possible. Adam arrives just as we’re coming down the stairs, and since he and Sam loaded the truck, I’m almost afraid to see their packing job. Forming a human chain, we move the various sized boxes up the stairs. I’m inside the truck handing off to Kyle; he then hands off to Emily, who passes on to Adam, who in turn passes to Sam, who runs them upstairs. I stumble when I’m about to hand a larger box to Kyle, only to find Jason reaching up to take it from me.

  “I thought you could use some help.”

  “And I asked you not to do this,” I retaliate in a whisper of sorts. I look around to see who might be listening, or worse, watching. He gives me that panty dropping grin of his, and shrugs as he turns to hand the box to Kyle. The funny look I receive from him makes me laugh.

  “All right, I appreciate the help.” I pass him a box.

  I couldn’t have asked for better timing because just as we remove the last box from the truck, my new furniture arrives.

  While the movers assemble the entertainment center, the rest of us begin emptying boxes. As soon as the movers leave, everyone drops down on my new soft leather couch, and that’s when I notice Jason is gone. I didn’t even know he left and that’s when I hear my new doorbell.

  “I’ll get it!” I squeal, looking at everyone over my shoulder as I skip to the door. When I pull it open, Jason’s there holding three large pizzas and a case of beer.

  “Mr. Rowe,” I say, waving him inside.

  “Ms. Sanders,” he returns with a smile as he enters the apartment.

  When everyone sees that he’s bearing gifts, they all jump up and remove him of his burden. The pizza boxes are set out on the counter, and I put the beer in the refrigerator.

  I start rummaging the cupboards trying to find where Kyle put the plates. When I find them, I set out a stack for everyone to use. I hand one to Jason at the same time he gives me an opened beer.

  “Thanks for this…”

  “Jason,” he says, finishing my sentence for me.

  “Jason,” I whisper.

  “Why does that sound so much nicer when you say it?” he says so only I can hear.

  “Hey, doll, where’s the plates?” Sam interrupts our private conversation by walking between us.

  “Right here. I can see how you might have missed them since they’re sitting out on the counter hiding behind all that … air.”

  “Smart ass,” he says just before bending and tossing me over his shoulder. He saunters around the kitchen, heaping pizza on his plate, all the while carrying me like a sack of potatoes.

  “Put me down, Samuel Asshole Williams, right this minute or no swimming pool privileges for you.”

  “Oh, shit.” He sets me down. “I would never pass up a chance to see my April in her little sailor girl bikini again.”

  “Sam, I was twelve when I wore that.”

  What is going on with him? I wheel around to ask him that very question, only to see him give Jason a territorial glare. I think Sam may have just pissed on my leg. When I shift my gaze over to Jason, he’s holding his beer bottle to his lips, not moving, his eyes following Sam into the living room. As soon as those eyes turn on me, he takes a long drink of his beer. He still hasn’t blinked, even as he licks the moisture off those lips.

  No. Do not do this. He’s your employer! I shout in my head.

  For the billionth time, I snuff those thoughts from my mind and take a bite of pizza, joining everyone in the living room. Jason stays where he is, leaning up against the breakfast counter, legs crossed at the ankles, arms crossed over his chest, holding his beer bottle. Every time I chance to look his way, he’s watching me.

  “So, when’s your housewarming party, April?” Emily squeals, dancing into the kitchen for another piece of pizza.

  “No parties—I promised Mrs. Rowe. I’ll have you over for dinner, though.”

  “Will you make your lasagna? You know how you make it with extra cheese for me? You did promise, remember?” Sam asks, giving a smirk to Jason.

  “Sure. Kyle, would you like to join us Wednesday night?” I ask, getting back to work. As I bend over to start emptying the box marked ‘kitchen’ I look at him, seeking his answer, and discover that he and Jason are having a silent conversation.

  “Sounds good, April. I’ll bring the wine.”

  Good manners dictate that I invite Jason, as well. “Jason, would you like to join us? I mean, if you aren’t busy?”

  He pushes off the counter and throws his empty beer bottle in the garbage.

  “Thank you, but I can’t. Maybe some other time?” He ghosts his hand down my arm, pulling me to him. “I want you all to myself,” he whispers in my ear, lying his stubbled cheek next to mine. A breathless moan gets caught in my throat.

  Straightening, he looks around the apartment. “Your place looks great, April. Welcome home.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Good night everyone.”

  “Good night, Jason. Thanks for the pizza and beer,” Emily calls.

  “Yeah, Jason. Thanks!” Adam shouts across the room, waving. I notice that Sam doesn’t say a word.

  I’m angry at his rudeness and head out the door to apologize for his behavior. Just as Jason turns the corner, I hurry to the top of the stairs, and I say it.

  “Jason?”

  He stops and stills for a moment before turning, greeting me with a smile.

  “Thanks for your help today and the pizza,” I say, pulling on the long strings of my cut-off jean shorts.

  He takes the stairs one gradual step at a time to stand directly in front of me. My heart begins to palpitate, and my breathing becomes erratic. I take a step backward when he angles himself above me, forcing me against the wall. Placing his hands on either side of my head, he lowers his face close to mine. I can feel his warm breath on my cheeks, and when his hand cups the back of my neck, goose bumps cover my body. What I didn’t expect is the strange tingle making itself known low in my belly. Lord, if he knew how my body was reacting to his touch right now, I would never hear the end of it.

  My hands search for purchase against the wall and my eyes close when he fists my hair. Gently tugging, he forces my head back even further and just when I think he might kiss me, he stops. His lips are so close I feel their heat. I focus on his mouth and wait, but he just … stops. As soon as my eyes meet his, his mouth crashes down on mine, and he holds me captive as he consumes me. A whimper escapes my throat when his tongue touches mine. And just like that, he stops. My heart begins to pound in anticipation when he looks at my mouth, leaning toward me again. Eager, I close my eyes and wait for a kiss that never comes.

  When I open my eyes, he’s gone. Taking a deep breath, I release a heavy sigh and rest my head against the wall. As I turn to go in, I’m st
artled to see Kyle leaning against the doorway, watching Jason’s aftermath.

  “You’re in trouble now, April.” He laughs and turns to go back inside.

  “Wait. What? What do you mean by that?” I shout, chasing him back inside the apartment.

  Chapter 6

  ~Jason~

  When April invites me to the small dinner she’s planning, I want to say yes, but I also want it to be just her and me. I don’t want my brother and sister around, and I especially don’t want Sam around. Kyle is obviously on the same page as me when I see a slight shake of his head. I don’t need to be making a fool of myself. Her friend is trying to mark his territory. I know it, and Kyle knows it, so I decline.

  When I get close to her and feel the warmth radiate from her body, I know I’m treading into dangerous territory. I want to touch her, so before I do something stupid, I leave. Although I’d prefer to spend a few more hours with her, it’s best to leave her with her friends—with him.

  As I force my body down the stairs, I want to turn around. I want to stay more than I’ve wanted anything else in my life. When I hear the door open, my heart beats in double time when she calls my name.

  I know she’s saying something to me, but my mind is on one thing and one thing only. The next thing I know, I’m kissing her—tasting her full, warm lips. When her mouth opens to accept me, I’m lost in her. It’s the most exquisite feeling in all the world. As soon as I feel the briefest of touch of her tongue on mine, I stop.

  I need to get away from her. If I ever try that again, she will cripple me—not only physically but emotionally. I won’t be able to stop again.

  But nature wins. Just once more, I tell myself—just once. What harm could come of it? She’s waiting to be kissed properly.

  What is it about her? What is this need to possess her? I can have any woman that I want in this city. I inwardly laugh at the sound of my egotistical musings—but it’s April who’s singing to me.

  Like a coward, I turn and leave her, waiting for the kiss that never comes.

  I slam the door to my room behind me, cursing my lack of control. My mind is so twisted over this shit. The moment that fucker lifted her over his shoulder, I wanted to mark her as my own. April might think they’re just friends, but I know. I know he wants her. He’s going to try to have her, especially now that he knows I’m interested. Thanks to her aversion to sleeping with her employer, he has a good shot. There’s one thing he doesn’t know—she wants me. Her reaction toward me is proof. I feel it. I bet brawny-man doesn’t get that. She’d smack him before she let him kiss her the way I did.