by Lacey Wolfe
Letting his eyes drift over Jane and take her in, he could tell she was a natural beauty. Tonight was probably the most dolled up she’d ever been. She was likely a jeans and t-shirt sort of girl who spent most of her time with her feet bare and chipped nail polish. With Jane, he knew he could be comfortable. But she wasn’t on an actual date with him. Most likely she had taken one look at him and saw a man in his mid-forties and wondered what the hell she had gotten herself into.
“Tell me a little about you,” he asked.
“Uh, well…” She fidgeted in her seat. The last thing he wanted was for her to be uncomfortable.
“What do you do for fun?”
“When I’m not working I enjoy reading.”
“Romance?”
“Horror.”
His eyes widened. He could imagine her in jeans and a t-shirt sprawled out on a couch reading, but the horror part surprised him.
“Do you like scary movies too?”
“Oh yes. I love them. Especially the true ones. Makes them that much scarier knowing it happened to someone.”
He would have to remember to pick up something scary if they ever had a real date. Which he hoped they would.
Dinner arrived and as they ate, they shared small talk. He enjoyed learning about her. She talked about her pets as if they were children. He was a dog lover himself. At his house he had two great danes. They even had their own room with two twin-sized beds.
“I feel like all we’ve done is talk about me. What is it you do for a living, Ben?”
“I flip houses.”
“You what?”
“I buy houses for cheap, fix them up, then sell them.”
“That’s how you have all this money.” She paused. “That was rude. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I did very well before the economy tanked. I’m still doing good, but I’m a saver too. I try not to spend too much.”
They finished dinner and she declined dessert. As she reached for her phone to call a cab he insisted on giving her a ride home. She was easy to persuade, which was good. He didn’t want too much of a fight and she seemed eager to please. The more he got to know her, the more he liked her. Playing the part of her boyfriend was going to be easy.
* * * *
It was almost lunchtime on Tuesday, and Ben would be arriving any minute to pick Jane up. She was grateful to be getting out of there. Matt had given her the cold shoulder all morning, except for the one time he’d pulled her into his office. She had slight hope that he was going to apologize for Sunday night, but that wasn’t how it went.
“I can’t believe how you embarrassed me in front of Tabitha,” Matt said.
“How do you think I felt? We were together in your office just that afternoon. Then I see you with her. You sure move fast.”
“I told you many times, it wasn’t a relationship. I could see whoever I wanted.”
“Well, that’s fine.” Jane crossed her arms. “It just so happens I’m seeing someone else too.”
Matt laughed a full-out laugh. “You’re shitting me. I don’t believe that for a second.”
For a moment she wanted to punch his pretty face, but she didn’t. She knew he would get what was coming to him. Somehow, someway, he’d get his payback.
“I guess you’ll find out.” Jane turned and left his office without looking back, beaming that she had finally stood up to him.
For the rest of the morning, he’d avoided her. Which was fine. At this point she didn’t have any idea what she ever saw in him. If it wasn’t for him laughing at her, she would’ve called off the farce with Ben, but after that she wanted to prove to Matt that someone could want her.
The door to Hot Bods opened and she plastered her smile on, ready to welcome whoever was there. It was Ben. Once again, he was dressed to fully impress. And he did it well. Her nipples puckered just at the sight of him and a jolt went straight through her and right to the core between her legs.
“Jane,” he said with a warm smile.
Jane left the front desk and came around the corner to greet him. She expected a kiss on the cheek, but instead his lips pressed against hers and her breath left. The moment he kissed her, lights were shooting off behind her eyelids. She slid her hand around the back of his neck and slightly opened her mouth to meet his tongue. Her sex grew wet.
When the kiss ended, she gazed up into his blue eyes, completely speechless. She’d never been so turned on by just a kiss. She could only imagine what he could do to her in bed.
Matt cleared his throat behind her. Her eyes widened in shock and she slowly slid her hands from Ben’s neck, down his firm chest. She turned to face her ex-lover, and Ben’s arm tightened around her waist, holding her close.
“Hi, I’m Ben.” He extended his hand toward Matt.
Matt kept his arms crossed. He looked pissed, which was good, she hoped.
“Well, I’m off on my lunch break,” she said.
“Don’t be late, Jane. We have a staff meeting, so you’ll need to be back to handle any gym members.” Matt walked away, heavy footed.
Ben took her hand and led her outside to his car. As they reached the vehicle she expected him to drop the act, but instead he opened her door for her and then closed it once she was seated.
He climbed in and asked, “How long do you have?”
“An hour. Fast food is fine if you want to drop me off and then pick me up.”
He chuckled. “I know a place where we can share a meal in under an hour.”
“You don’t have to eat with me.”
“Jane, I want to.”
The hour went much faster than Jane would have liked. Ben was a lot of fun and took his boyfriend duties seriously. He had opened her car door and held her hand. This was something she could easily get used to. She was going to tell him he didn’t have to pretend when they were away from the gym but each time he touched her she was at peace. Was it wrong to have a crush on the decoy? Perhaps it was the George Clooney look he had going on. It was every girl’s fantasy.
Ben parked in front of Hot Bods and quickly came around the side of the car and helped her out. Taking her hand in his again, he walked her back. She started to object and it was like he sensed it. Releasing her hand, he tugged her closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, cradling her to him.
They stopped in front of the door.
“I had a lovely lunch,” he said.
“Thank you. Me too.”
He stepped closer. She sensed what was coming next, and she was more than ready. He rubbed her cheek with the back of his fingers then tilted her face toward his. Leaning down, he gently brushed his lips across hers. She moaned and was almost embarrassed to be reacting this way. He kissed a small line to her neck and her mouth opened, still whimpering. She was lost in the sensation of his light kisses and forgot they were out in the open. She was so turned on that if they had been alone she would have let this man explore her entire body.
Ben released her face, and she was slightly disappointed it was over.
“Have a good day.” He kissed her once more on the lips.
He’d kissed her speechless. She didn’t say a word. Instead, she simply watched as the most amazing man she’d ever met headed across the parking lot toward his car.
He was good. Very good. Maybe that was why Francesca was always after older men. They really knew what they were doing.
Shaking her head, Jane knew she had to get back to work. As she walked inside, for the first time in her life she felt as though she was floating on air. This was a new feeling for her and she had no idea what it was, but she knew that Ben had everything to do with it.
After locking her purse up in the employee room, she dashed for the front. The gym always closed for an hour and a half so all the employees had time for their lunch break. In about fifteen minutes it would be open again, and with the meeting she needed to make sure everything was ready.
“Jane,” Matt called from his office. “I need to see you a minut
e.”
Usually this would have excited her, but not now. But he was the boss and she had to see what he wanted. Once she was in the office, he shut the door and locked it. Jane backed away from him but he was fast. Before she could even get a word out he’d slammed her back against the wall and forcefully thrust his tongue into her mouth. His hands were all over her. She kept hers at her side, not sure what to do. This was not what she wanted.
Finally gathering the courage, she pushed him off her. “Stop.”
“I want you so bad, Jane.” Matt leaned in again, trying to kiss her.
Jane jerked her head away. “No, Matt.”
He released her and started to pace the room. “Do you think I’m stupid? You brought that man here to make me jealous, and it worked. Seeing him kiss you…” He clenched his fists. “You’re mine.”
“You ended it, remember?”
“Well, I want to unend it. Send that man away.”
“Will we go public with our relationship?”
Matt laughed. “Is that what it will take?”
“I don’t want to just be a plaything. I want someone who will take me out and be proud to have me.”
“I just don’t see why we have to tell anyone. I like the thrill of the secrecy. No one knowing and the fact that we can get caught at any time.” He stepped closer and leaned in for another kiss.
She gazed into his eyes, looking for any sign that he meant what he said. But she didn’t see anything. Right as his lips were about to brush against hers, there was a knock on the office door.
Matt stepped back and smirked. “That is what I’m talking about. God, I’m hard as a rock now.”
Wishing she didn’t, but she did, she glanced at his crotch. He was hard all right. His cock looked as though it was going to burst through his zipper.
“You know the drill.” He walked to the door. “Wait a few minutes before coming out.”
Jane didn’t know what had just happened. Had she somehow agreed to start things back up with him? Was that even what she wanted? She then thought about Ben and how he made her feel. Even though what she had with him was fake, she would rather have that than what she had with Matt.
She left the office and went to her place up front. Matt was not who she wanted. And she was going to do her best not to go down that path again.
Chapter 4
“Slow dooooown!” Jane’s voice echoed as her gigantic yellow lab pulled her down the street.
Taking the dog for a walk originally seemed like a good idea, but the dog was forcing her to run, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d soon be dragged. Finally Toby stopped to smell something and Jane was able to catch her breath. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she decided not to do this again anytime soon. She really should have signed up for those training classes everyone told her about.
Toby lifted his leg and peed on something then was ready to explore again. She’d watched the show The Dog Whisperer many times and knew she was supposed to show the dog who was in charge, but Toby wasn’t buying it.
“Let’s go home,” she commanded in the firmest tone she could.
As she expected, the dog ignored her and dragged her in the direction he wanted to go. She tugged, trying to get him to stop. Then a squirrel ran by and the dog took off running full force. Jane’s legs were moving so fast now she really was worried she was going to fall. She decided she had no other choice. She released the leash and watched Toby chase the four-legged creature.
Now what was she going to do? Well, what else was there to do but follow him? At least now she could walk at a pace that she liked. She crossed the street and headed toward the woods it looked like Toby might have ventured into. Just great.
Her back pocket vibrated. She pulled out her cellphone and answered without checking the ID. “Hello.”
“Jane, you sound breathless. Did I catch you at a bad time?” Ben asked.
“Kinda. I was attempting to walk my dog, but it didn’t work out and now I’m not sure where he is. He chased a squirrel into the woods. I really should get off here and find him.”
“Would you like some help?”
“Are you good with dogs?”
“I like to think so.”
“I need help. I’m on Carter street. Know where that is?”
“I do, and I’m not too far. I’ll see you in a few.” He hung up.
Sliding the phone back into her pocket she called to the dog. She really did not want to go in after him. So she hollered all kinds of things, promised Toby if he came out she’d buy him a pizza and such. Of course, none of it worked. She was just getting ready to go after the dog when a familiar blue BMW pulled up. Ben stepped out and she took in one of the hottest and most distinguished men she’d ever seen. Each time she saw him, he got even more attractive. She never imagined herself liking an older man. But Ben, she liked—a lot.
“What’s your dog’s name?” he asked.
“Toby. He’s a yellow lab.”
Ben walked up close to her. “Well, let’s go in. I brought some chicken liver treats. My danes love these.”
“I forgot you had dogs.”
“Love them.” He reached out and took her hand, which surprised her. They weren’t pretending here, and yet he still showed her affection.
Jane hated the woods. There was something about being engulfed with trees all around you that she didn’t like. One wrong turn and you could easily get lost. Not to mention what happened if you ran into someone in the woods. Shivers swept through her. She didn’t even want to think about that.
Thankfully, they didn’t have to go far before they found Toby sitting under a big pine tree, staring straight up. The squirrel had escaped and the lab was waiting patiently for it to come back down.
Jane called Toby, and he glanced her way but ignored her. Ben released her hand and crouched down. With a treat in his palm he called the dog over. Go figure, Toby came right to him. Once Ben grabbed ahold of the leash, he gave Toby the treat, praised him, and led him in her direction.
“You made that look so easy. I’m not so sure I like you anymore,” she joked.
“Will you like me again if I get you and Toby home safely?” he asked.
“I’ll think about it.”
Ben took her hand, still holding the leash in his other one. The darn dog walked right beside him as if he’d been trained to. Ben did walk with a confidence that he was in charge. It must have made the dog feel safe. It sure made her.
Once they were at his car, he opened the back door, letting the dog in, and then held the passenger door open for her. She thanked him as she climbed inside. She directed him to her place. As they pulled in her driveway, she hoped he might stick around. She found she really liked his company.
“Would you like to come in?” she asked.
“I’d love to.”
She grinned. She couldn’t help it. “I’ll let you get Toby.”
Ben handled the dog like a champ—again. Maybe he had some pointers for her.
Inside her fat cat Patty greeted them. Jane scooped her up and introduced her to Ben. He looked a little clueless when it came to the cat, which was good. It meant he wasn’t perfect.
“Can I get you a drink?” she asked.
“What do you have?”
“Tea, Coke, water.”
“Tea sounds good.”
Jane left him in the living room and went to get the drinks. She was thirsty after that walk. Of course the cat followed her, nipping at her heels and meowing loudly. The darn cat was most likely complaining because she could see the bottom of her food bowl. Jane swirled her finger around it, making an even layer. That seemed to satisfy Patty and she quieted down.
After getting the drinks Jane headed back to the living room and found Ben sitting on the love seat. She had options at the moment. She could sit on the couch next to the love seat or she could take the spot beside him. What the hell, you only live once. She sat next to him, handing him his drink.
“Thanks for
your help today.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
“Yes, I do. You didn’t have to help.” She stopped a moment. “Wow, I’m so rude. I’ve been so caught up in myself I haven’t even asked why you called. There must have been a reason. Was there something you needed?”
“Actually...” He set his glass down on the coffee table. “I called because I didn’t want to have to wait until Thursday to see you.”
He didn’t? She was off work today and tomorrow. So, she hadn’t expected to see him again until sometime on Thursday.
“I like you,” he said, taking her hand in his.
She set her glass down now.
“I wanted to see if you might be interested in going on a real date with me.”
“You like me?” she repeated.
“Is that so hard to believe?”
“I didn’t think I was your type. Don’t you usually date women like Francesca?”
He chuckled. “Usually, yes.”
“Well, as you can see, I’m nothing like her.” She motioned toward her clothes. She wore a baggy t-shirt and a pair of jeans from the local superstore.
He pulled her toward him. “I like what I see.”
“Are you okay with me being only twenty-seven?”
“Age is just a number, and when I’m with you, I feel as though I’m in my twenties again.”
Her heart did a somersault and right as she was about to speak, he kissed her. She wrapped her hands around his neck and scooted closer to him. His body was rock hard, and her hands ached to explore it.
His tongue thrust into her mouth, and once again it was as if fireworks were going off behind her eyelids. She was ready to burst with desire. She had to have him. It was crazy and forward, and maybe in some way it was some fantasy she had to play out. She’d never been with an older man, and she wondered just how much more he knew than the men her age.
“You taste like heaven,” he murmured.
How he was able to speak, she didn’t know.