by Candace Shaw
Sitting next to her, he stretched out his long legs. “I hope not. What you saw yesterday was actually out of the norm. My pet peeve is people showing up unannounced. That’s one of the reasons I told her to leave.” And the other is since I’ve met you, I’ve only wanted you. Wait. What? Did I say that out loud? Realizing he hadn’t, he exhaled in his head.
Traci giggled. “Well, Ms. Thang was heated strutting down your sidewalk quite fiercely to her Range Rover.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s in New York and then off to Paris and Milan for the next four to six months. She’s not thinking about me nor am I thinking of her. Not that kind of relationship.”
“Of course. I’m sure you have other women to take her place while she’s gone.”
“Contrary to what you may think, I don’t have a bunch of women lined up waiting. I go through dry spells like every other single person.”
“You just prefer to stay single.”
“Yes. And you? How’s your dating life?”
She pondered for a minute. “I guess you could say a dry spell at the moment. It’s the beginning of April, and I haven’t had an actual date since January.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing. No sparks. Nice guy, but not my type.”
Her cell phone vibrated in her purse. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she checked the caller ID and smacked her lips as she tossed the phone back into her purse as it continued to vibrate.
“Family issues again?”
She stood and motioned for him to join her as she looked at the potted crepe myrtles.
“Yep.”
“Care to discuss? I’m a really good listener … or so I’ve been told.”
“I’m sure you are for a couple of hundred bucks or more an hour, but there’s nothing to discuss.” She turned toward him, sliding her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “I’ll deal with it like I always do.”
“How? By working all day at the gardens even on your off days, and then moonlighting by designing gardens for residential homes?”
“If that’s what you want to believe, go ahead. Now what color trees would you like? Crepes come in purple, pink, white or red.”
“I like the deep purple ones, and if you want to avoid the question, I understand,” he said sincerely, placing his hand on her cheek. “I just hated the crumbled look on your face when you arrived and again when your phone rang. I love seeing your dimples.”
Traci trembled when he placed his hand on her face, and her chest rose and fell a few times as she breathed out. He found himself in her personal space and the urge to taste her pouty lips ran rampant through him. He’d never wanted to mix business with pleasure, but she was so close and the homemade rose oil she wore engulfed his senses. The puzzlement in her eyes as she stared up at him needed to be answered, so he had no choice but to lower his lips and pray she didn’t push him away.
The first sweet taste of her ambrosia mouth nearly knocked Sean over as he drew her to him. He kissed her softly while her lips quivered under his, and her hands reached up to encircle his neck as she returned the kiss. A low moan eased from her throat when his tongue sunk further into her mouth and intertwined with hers. Even though they were somewhat secluded amongst the potted trees, he really didn’t care that they were in public as he deepened the kiss. Her hands lightly caressing his neck and the moans erupting from her throat sent an electric jolt straight to his heart. He removed his lips momentarily to open his eyes and gaze at her. She wore a partially hazy smile and her glasses were fogged up. He ran a finger down her cheek, pausing for a moment to pinch a dimple. He stooped down a tad when he realized she’d been standing on the tips of her shoes. Even though her shoes had a slight heel, he was still ten inches taller than her. He wasn’t used to short, petite women, but he found himself not caring at the moment. There was so much more to Traci than her height.
“I think people are staring,” she whispered softly on his lips.
“Who cares?” he asked as he dived in again, and this time more intense than before. He didn’t know what had gotten into him, but he knew he had to have this woman. He couldn’t imagine his life without her.
Chapter Four
Traci had to be losing her mind, or at least that’s what she kept repeating over and over as Sean’s lips engulfed hers in a magical kiss. Now she understood precisely why he had women showing up unannounced. He was good. Really damn good. Normally, she wouldn’t let a man she barely knew kiss her in the erotic way that he was, but his tongue was quite gratifying. The more he deepened their kiss the more she pulled him into her. She struggled to hold onto him for the fear she would tumble over on one of the crepe myrtles, sending them all down one by one like dominoes when he landed on top of her. Not that there was anything wrong with that, either. He was built like a chocolate Adonis with smooth, rippling muscles that had her encased ever so perfectly against him.
Yes, she was losing her mind, but she was enjoying every single moment of it. However, she knew this had to stop. He’d hired her to do a job and just because she’d had a crush on him for the past few years just from looking at his pictures didn’t mean she had to satisfy her fantasy. No, she needed to think sensibly and not like a crazed teenager feigning over her crush no matter how fine and delectable he was. No matter how many tingly shivers were pulsating between her thighs.
Sean pulled away and gazed at her with dark, intense eyes that hammered into her soul.
“I don’t mix business with pleasure,” she stated, backing away from him. The second she was out of his warmth, she had the urge to go right back to him. The feel of his rock hard body was the most pleasurable surface she’d ever had against her, and she craved to experience it without his shirt blocking. She just wanted pure, naked chest in all its glory against her skin. Trembling at the thought, she backed up another foot before she jumped him.
“That can’t happen again.” She tried to keep her voice steady, but it was no use as he continued staring at her with lust-filled eyes as if he was going to ravish her again with more fervent kisses.
An arrogant grin inched up his left side. “Then you’re fired.”
“No, I promised to do your backyard and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Too bad.” He closed the gap between them and yanked her toward him. “I’d rather just do you instead.”
His voice was low. Seductive. She almost mumbled out a meek okay but stopped herself. Instead, she patted his chest, which was a big mistake for the hardness of him was just too much to handle, especially when the tremors racing through her hadn’t calmed down yet. She was glad when he started to speak again because whatever she’d thought she wanted to say would probably come out like a bunch of gibberish.
“How about we get to know each other? I can compromise. For now.” He swept her hair behind her ears gently before releasing her.
“I think that’s a great idea. Besides, you’re going to be a lifelong bachelor. We don’t want the same things.”
“Aren’t you the one that said my kind of girl was out there somewhere?” he asked, running his finger along her bare arm, and little prickles of warm excitement raised over her skin.
She stepped away from him, turning her attention to the crepe myrtles to hide her flushed face. Sean’s kissing and caressing skills had sent her to a place of oblivion. She couldn’t even imagine handling anything else he could bestow upon her.
“Yes, but I wasn’t referring to me. I’ve seen your type. I’m not it.”
Her phone vibrated again from her purse. She gritted her teeth and grabbed it off the bench hoping it wasn’t her mother again. Luckily, it was Caitlyn sending her a work-related text.
“Everything all right?” he asked in concerned manner.
“Yes. It’s work. Let’s get these trees added to your order. The nursery closes in a few.”
“I was just thinking. You may be at my home before me on Friday, so I’m going to give you the key and the passcodes for the garage
and house.” He took his keys out of his pocket and began to slide one of them off.
“I just need to access to the backyard. I can go through the gate.”
“True, but during the next few weeks I may not always be home and you may need to go into the house for whatever reason.” He handed her the key and then winced. “Wow, you’re the first woman outside of my mom and sisters who has a key to my house.”
“Thank you. I’ll give it back as soon as I’m done.” She slipped it in her change purse.
Once the trees were ordered, including a Japanese maple for the Zen garden in the other back corner of his yard, they made their way to the parking lot. Traci was glad this appointment was coming to an end. The kiss had stirred something in her, but she needed to stay focused and professional with him. Sean Arrington wasn’t a man she wanted to be involved with on a romantic level no matter how addictive his tongue was. No, he clearly loved his bachelor lifestyle and the different women. She didn’t want to become involved with a man who didn’t want a committed, monogamous relationship. That would just be a waste of time considering she was no longer in her twenties. Her parents had an amazing, loving marriage before her father’s passing and she wanted the same one day. She’d be a fool to explore anything with Sean considering he loved being single. She’d just wind up heartbroken but wouldn’t be able to blame anyone other than herself. Yet Sean’s mesmerizing, charismatic smile that he currently wore as he opened her car door was almost tempting enough to throw all of her thoughts out of the window and let him do her as he’d said earlier.
“So, I’ll see you on Friday?” he asked while she slid into the car.
“Yep. I’ll stop by tomorrow to make sure the guys removed the grass as specified on my plans, but I’ve worked with them plenty of times. Not too worried.”
“Okay.” He licked his lips in such a sexy, suave way that Traci almost bounded out of the car and back into his arms.
He hesitated for a moment as if he wanted to chat longer. “I’ll talk to you later. Drive safe, dimples.”
She absolutely loved the way he called her dimples. She’d never really cared for nicknames, but the endearing way he said it made her heart skip a few beats.
“Thank you. You, too.”
She didn’t know how she made it home without crashing into a tree; she was still in a daze from the passionate kiss. Normally first kisses didn’t affect her to this extent. Sure she’d had some that had rocked her world but not like this. Sean had a way with his tongue that should’ve been outlawed. It was pure ecstasy, and the thought of his tongue in other places made the warm spot between her thighs pulse at an accelerated rate. It had wiped her mind of everything she was supposed to be thinking about.
Once settled on her couch with a bowl of apple slices and peanut butter, she decided to return her mother’s text messages with a phone call.
“Well it’s about time you called back,” Mildred stated as she answered the phone.
“I was with a client picking out plants at a nursery.”
“I don’t understand why you’re taking on jobs outside of your full-time that you work over sixty hours a week at.”
Because of you, Mom! I have to pay my bills and sometimes yours too! She wanted to yell that through the phone but couldn’t get the words out.
“Because I enjoy it.” That wasn’t necessarily a lie, but it wasn’t the truth either.
“When does that leave time for a social life? Talking to plants all day can’t be satisfying.”
“What do you need, Mom?” Traci’s tone was abrupt; however, her mother had never called her last night as she’d requested.
“I don’t always need something when I call. Actually, I have something for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Some of the money I owe you. I won ten thousand last night, and I want to give you half of it.”
“Keep it. You’ll probably just ask for it back next week.” She wasn’t trying to be mean, but it wouldn’t be the first time.
“Traci that was totally uncalled for. I’m working hard to tame my gambling habit.”
“Oh really?” Traci swirled an apple around in the peanut. She’d heard this one before.
“Yes. I put some aside for taxes on my winnings, and I want you to have the rest. I know I owe you more than five thousand, but it’s a start.”
Traci didn’t want to take the money, but she’d dug into her savings account when her mother’s car needed a new transmission.
“Okay, Mother. I’ll swing by on the way to work and pick it up.” Traci decided to accept it but only to hold on to it just in case so her mother wouldn’t gamble it all away.
“Thank you. I promise you I’m trying to do better. After our conversation last night, I know you’ve been disappointed with me.”
“Not disappointed but concerned. I don’t want to pull up to your house one day and see your stuff on the side of the road because you didn’t pay on the home equity loan that you never should’ve taken out in the first place.” Mildred had lost over thirty thousand in a private poker match a few years back and had put the house as collateral. After that incident, she’d stopped gambling for almost a year.
“I know, babygirl. I know.”
After hanging up with her mother, Traci finished munching on apple slices while thinking about her plans for the rest of the week. The thought of seeing Sean again made her heart palpitate, and Friday couldn’t get there fast enough. She’d meant what she’d said about mixing business with pleasure, especially since she knew it wouldn’t go any further than sex if they were ever to hook up. Of course, the thought of being handcuffed to his bedpost and him bestowing kisses all over her was a plus. However, she didn’t like the fact of a meaningless fling considering she respected his mother and his sisters. She wouldn’t be able to look them straight in the eyes again.
As she drifted to sleep that night, Traci hoped she wouldn’t dream about Sean but took it back because dreaming of him would be better than nothing at all.
*****
Sean stared down at the display on his cell phone as he waited for his last client of the day. Traci had just arrived earlier to his home, and thanks to his over-the-top security system, he could see her every move. He had cameras around the entire perimeter of the outside of the house as well as inside of in the foyer, living room, and kitchen. She’d called him yesterday evening to ask if she could begin in the morning since she was taking a vacation day in order to have the Zen and hummingbird gardens planted in the same day. The nursery was set to deliver majority of the plants at nine, and she was bringing the soil and mulch that she preferred, which were sold at the Botanical Gardens.
He’d left out a basket of fresh fruit, Danishes, juice, and water for her on the island with a note for her to make herself at home, and he would see her around one, no later than two. He’d rewound her response to the note almost ten times just to see her lovable dimples indent deeply as she read it over and over. Clearly she was pleased at his gesture while he was shocked that he’d done so. It was on the edge of being romantic and that was something he didn’t do, but to see her face light up like that had spun his stomach into some sort of frenzy he couldn’t explain.
As his assistant tapped on his door, Sean shut his cell phone completely off and called out for her to bring in his next client. He glanced at the schedule on his computer to read off the person’s name. That was something he would’ve already done, but thinking of Traci was throwing him off and he couldn’t have that. His patients and their issues were very important to him.
An hour later, he darted back to his desk and turned his cell phone back on. Has it always been this slow coming on, he thought as it took forever for the display screen to show up so he could type in his passcode and get back to what was going on in his house. Sean found Traci in the backyard setting out potted flowers along the walkway of the hummingbird garden. Her hair was clamped up on top of her head. It was messy and sexy all at the same tim
e. Plus, she was sweating. He liked to see a woman sweat, but more so if he’d been the cause of it as she laid underneath or on top of him. Traci’s cut-off jean shorts hugged her cute butt and thighs in such a provocative yet tasteful way that he wondered if it was intentionally for him. Wishful thinking, he thought, running a finger along the phone’s screen when a slight bulge strained against his boxer briefs.
Sean grabbed his briefcase and headed out his office door. He needed to stop by the receptionist area on his way out with a billing question before he could finally leave. He made it to his car twenty minutes later … only to run into his older brother Cannon who was pulling up in his BMW and parked next to Sean’s SUV.
“You’re not staying?” Cannon asked, pulling his doctor’s bag out of his trunk. He sometimes did house calls for his patients who didn’t have transportation to come see him.
“Staying for what? Is there a meeting?” Sean certainly hoped not.
“No, I just know you sometimes do paperwork on Friday afternoons.”
Sean held up his briefcase. “Got everything I need in here.”
Cannon snickered and raised his brow. “Oh really? You’re going to do work over the weekend?”
“Yeah … probably tonight.”
“Tonight? No hot date with this month’s model or stripper?”
“Nope. Just chilling.” He popped his trunk with the key remote and set his briefcase inside.
“Are we still on tomorrow for golfing with Dad?” Cannon asked.
“Nah, man. I’m having my backyard landscaped, and I told the landscaper I’d help out. That’s why I’m leaving now. She’s there setting things up.” Sean was itching to glance at his cell phone, but it was in his pocket and Cannon was in his way of getting home faster.
“Oh, I see. Let me guess. She’s a drop-dead gorgeous hottie that you hope to have sex with all weekend?
“No,” Sean said seriously, unloosening his tie. “Nothing like that. Traci isn’t like that at all.” Sean couldn’t believe he’d just defended Traci, but she wasn’t some loose woman with no morals.