Seduce Me (The Heart Series)

by Angela Estienne

  “Why don’t you join us? If you’re not busy that is.” No, what the hell is she doing inviting him along? This is a nightmare, please be busy, please if there is any justice left in this world let him be busy please, say no please.

  “I would love to Rachel.”

  “No.” Shit, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. He looked over at me, he had a wry smile on his face and a glint in his eye.

  “But unfortunately I have a prior commitment. Maybe another time sorry.” Yes, yes, thank god for that.

  “That’s a shame, see you around Mr Heart.” We set off to do the rest of the shops on our list.

  “Did you see the gleam in his eyes, he is hot for you girl.”

  “Not you as well, don’t be silly, now let’s get you a dress that will impress Zale.”

  Eventually Rachel bought a beautiful blue silk dress that had three black straps across one shoulder, new shoes and a bag to match, she looked amazing. We headed for a drink before we went home.

  “So Jazz, tell me more about Mr Perfect then.”

  “Who?”

  “Come on, you know exactly who I am on about, the man couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  “Mr Heart, there is nothing to say, he has been in the coffee shop twice, I made him some food, end of story.”

  “Heart, he is the H.H, mystery solved.”

  “If only it was that easy Rachel, he would be L.H, his first name is Luke, but nice thinking.”

  “Has he got a middle name?”

  “I don’t know, I will have a search on the internet when I get home, I will let you know in the morning.” I was completely shattered and wanted to get home to collapse into my bed.

  “It’s only a short walk for me, so I will head off, thank you for tonight. I can see we are going to be buddies forever, you are my kind of girl.” She leant down and hugged me. I stayed sat for a bit longer, I could hardly move my legs, they felt like led weights.

  “Miss, I’m sorry, we are closing now.” I got up off my chair and headed for the exit. Once out I thought about walking home, but I didn’t have the strength, a taxi would have to do. I was dialling the number when Mr blue eyes approached me.

  “Good evening Jasmine, nice to see you again.”

  “Evening,” I replied.

  “Are you on your way back home?”

  “Yes, I was ringing for a taxi.”

  “No need to bother with a taxi, I am on route home, let me drop you off.” I felt too tired to argue.

  “Thank you, that would be lovely.” He placed his hand in the small of my back and we walked across the car park together, my whole body awakened again at the sudden contact.

  I should have guessed he owned a light blue, Aston Martin, I could see him playing Mr Bond, the name, yes its Heart, Luke Heart, 00 whatever, licenced to thrill, I wonder if he drinks martini’s? He opened the passenger door for me, I slid into the tan leather seat, I looked around, it was immaculate, this was the first time I had seen a wooden dash board, he shut my door. I had a sudden urge to touch the dash, I had gone back to being a child, anything shiny I really wanted to touch it, but I refrained. I clicked my seat belt in place, I could have fallen to sleep, the seat was really comfy. Mr blue eyes walked around the car and got into the driver’s seat, Bleep, I nearly had a heart attack.

  “What was that?” I asked him.

  “Just my phone connecting to my radio, relax, you are so jumpy.” I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, as I breathed in all I could smell was this heavenly scent, I opened my eyes and sat back to relaxed.

  The next thing I remember was Mr blue eyes tapping me on the face.

  “Jasmine, Jasmine, Jazz wake up, you are home.” I stretched and yawned, then I realised where I was, I jumped and sat up straight. I couldn’t believe I had fallen asleep, what must he be thinking?

  “Sorry. Thank you for the lift home.” He took my hand in his and kissed it. I got the same electric shock feeling running through my entire body, but I didn’t pull away this time. His lips were so soft and warm, he had amazing features. I felt a stirring in my stomach, I was getting aroused by him kissing my hand. I had an aching between my legs. He opened his door and stepped out of the vehicle, I watched him walking around the car to the passenger side. I released my seatbelt as he opened my door. He reached out for my hand to help me get out of the car. I then proceeded to trip over my own tired feet. I was glad he had my hand so at least I didn’t land on my arse again, but I did end up head first into his well-built chest. My nipples went hard instantly as they brushed against his solid chest, then I realised that beautiful fragrance was coming directly from him. I closed my eyes and took in another sinfully good deep breath, it was heavenly.

  “Sorry again. I can’t believe I fell asleep in your car, thanks for the ride home.”

  “No need to apologise, you looked perfect, it’s a great picture to go to sleep with.”

  “Excuse me?” Has he been watching me sleep? If so, how long? Picture? Is he being literal or was it a figure of speech?

  “Are you going to ask me in for a drink?” Don’t do it. But how could I say no? When he had given me a lift back home.

  “Yeah sure, would you like a drink?”

  “Yes please.” I unlocked the door and let him in, I headed straight into the kitchen and flicked the kettle on.

  “What would you like?”

  “You.” I closed my eyes, the heavy aching in-between my legs just got worse.

  “Tea or coffee,” I replied.

  “Coffee please.” I made our drinks and put them on the kitchen table.

  “Take a seat.” I told him.

  “So Jasmine, tell me, are you enjoying your new job?”

  “Yes, I am, thanks for asking.”

  “So what do you do then?”

  “Little bit of everything really.” He wasn’t giving much away, his eyes never left me, I took a gulp as I was trying to think of anything but jumping his bones. I wanted nothing more than to run my hands through his dark brown silky hair.

  Once I had finished my drink I headed to the sink and put my mug down, he walked up behind me, he put one hand on the cupboard above my head and one hand on my stomach, he moved right into me. I could feel his large erection pressing into my lower back, god he was big. I took in a deep breath, he was aroused as much as I was.

  Chapter 7

  I didn’t know what he was accustomed to in life, but I wasn’t on the menu.

  “What do you think you are doing?”

  “Getting to know you better Jasmine.”

  “Is this how you get to know everyone you meet?”

  “No, just the ones I have a connection too. Let’s not play around with each other, I am very attracted to you, and I am sure you feel the same way about me.”

  “You think so do you?”

  “Yes I do, turn around and look at me.” The way he commanded me was powerful and confident, yet it was full of mystery and intrigue, I couldn’t help doing as he asked. He lifted my chin up. I quivered at his firm, yet gentle touch, he dipped his head down to kiss me. I let out a small moan as he moved his lips onto mine. I wanted him, which angered me. I knew we couldn’t do this, so I quickly moved away from him.

  “Excuse me, you have the wrong idea, I am not attracted to you at all. I think it is time for you to leave.” I walked him to the door.

  “Don’t kid yourself Jasmine. I know you want me like I want you.”

  “That’s where you are wrong.”

  “Good night Jasmine.” I shut the door as soon as I could and locked it, I went straight upstairs. I threw my clothes off on the floor and got into bed. My whole body was aching. My mind was filled with confusion. I traced the outline of my lips with my finger, I could still taste him and feel his lips pressing on my own. I lay down with a tear in my eye, I felt empty at turning him away but I felt guilty at needing him when I should still be grieving for Greg, I closed my tear soaked eyes.

  Beep, Beep, Beep, I woke
up wondering what on earth the noise was. Oh it’s my alarm, I hated that noise, I flicked it off and walked into the shower. I was still exhausted so I turned the shower heat down to cool. That was one mean wake-up call I gave myself. I got dressed and headed downstairs, I sat at the table with my coffee but I couldn’t stop thinking about Luke, he seemed to be occupying far too much space in my head, but his kiss was so tender, my heart sunk again at the renewed confusing feelings I was experiencing. I flicked my laptop on, I remembered what Rachel had said last night, I typed into the search engine, Luke Heart, has he got a middle name. I was facing so many results, I found a fan page, Luke Jonathon Aaron Heart, age 26, born in York on the 12th December 1980. I clicked off the page and shut the computer down, I couldn’t believe it, we shared the same birthday, but I was born in 1984, this was unreal. I had trouble processing the information, but what really got to me was we were both born in York, this was too creepy. I washed my cup up and headed out for work, my feet were still hurting so I decided on a nice slow walk. The air felt quite fresh on my face which helped take my mind off my feet, but I really wished I had taken the bus to work, this was going to be a really long day.

  “Morning Jazz.”

  “Morning Rachel.”

  “Did you have a look at Mr perfects name?”

  “I did, but can we discuss it over lunch? I need to catch Zale before we get too busy.”

  “Cool, yeah I will catch you at lunch.” I walked around to the back.

  “Morning Zale.”

  “Good morning Jazz, what a lovely day it is again.” Well that’s a good start, at least he is in a good mood still.

  “I’m going out tomorrow night for a meal with a few friends, we are going to celebrate me getting my new jobs, would you like to come out with us?”

  “Jobs?” He replied in surprise.

  “Yes I also work at a coffee shop in the afternoons.”

  “You really are a dark horse Jazz, do you like it?”

  “Yes, I only started on Monday, but it appears to be a good job.”

  “So you started two new jobs on the same day?”

  “Yep, that I did.”

  “Wow, now that is impressive. I’d love to come out for a meal, where do you want to meet?”

  “We are planning on going to the Orange Duck Restaurant, how about we meet you there at 8:00 is that ok?”

  “Sounds perfect, I can’t wait.”

  I was glad I had got that sorted out, I was dreading asking him. Thankfully it wasn’t such a busy day, it turned into quite a relaxing morning, I was looking forward to telling Rachel about Zale, but then I started to worry. He doesn’t strike me as the shy type, what if this all goes terribly wrong? How would Rachel react if he wasn’t interested in her? Now this seemed like a really bad idea.

  At 12:30 we headed off for our lunch.

  “So come on Jazz, what did Zale say?”

  “He will be at the restaurant at 8:00, so good news.” She got so hyper I thought she was going to pee herself with excitement. I giggled to myself at the thought of it.

  “Out with it, what’s so funny?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Come on, tell me, what are you giggling at?”

  “I was laughing to myself about you being so excited, that’s all.”

  “It’s exciting isn’t it?”

  “If you say so.”

  “I will book the restaurant when I get back to work, is it all right if I invite another friend along?”

  “Yeah, the more the merrier.”

  “So let’s get back to the more interesting topic, Mr Perfect, has he got a middle name then?”

  “Yes he has, but it’s not him sending the flowers, you are going to have to come up with a new theory.”

  “Damn, I thought I had solved it, so what is his middle name then?”

  “Jonathon Aaron.”

  “Oh nuts, oh well back to the drawing board then.”

  “So what are you wearing tomorrow night then?”

  “I have absolutely no idea at the moment, but I will figure it out, don’t worry, I won’t turn up in my birthday suit. But I have thought of something else that you may find interesting.”

  “This sounds good.” She perched herself on the edge of her seat and leaned forward, I think she was scared of missing anything.

  “After you left me last night, I went outside to ring for a taxi, but then Mr blue eyes turned up and offered me a lift home.”

  “So what happened then?” She moved even closer into me, I thought she may end up on my lap at any moment.

  “I was too tired to refuse, so he took me home, but I fell asleep for the entire journey.”

  “No, you are kidding me?”

  “No, really I fell asleep.”

  “So did you invite him in for a coffee?” She raised her eyebrows at me.

  “Yes but put your eyebrows down. It was only a good-night drink, that’s all.”

  “I bet it was.” She was smirking at me.

  “Seriously, nothing happened, but.”

  “But what?”

  “I fell asleep. I didn’t tell him where I lived, so how the hell does he know?”

  “I bet a man like that has got all sorts of secrets stashed away.”

  “Yeah I suppose you’re right. I would love to sit here all day and chat, but I have got another job to go to, so I will see you in the morning.”

  I headed straight for the coffee shop, but I was still wondering how Mr blue eyes knew my address.

  “Good afternoon Yukari, has it been busy?”

  “I am really sorry Jazz, I know it’s a tip, it has been hectic, and then I got a phone call off a relative saying my mum has been taken into hospital.”

  “Why didn’t you ring me? I could have come straight from my first job, come on, get going, I will sort this place out, go. I hope she will be all right.”

  I walked into the changing rooms and got my uniform on. I was still early so I decided to get a head start on myself. First job clear up in the seating area, I got a tray and a cleaning cloth and sorted all the tables out. Now that was starting to look more like it. Next I got the brush out and swept the floor, this was going really well. My first order came in, nice and simple 1 Americano to take out. I filled a bucket and started mopping the floor, it looked as though someone had a food fight, it was well ground in. This was giving me a good workout. I found the wet floor sign and then decided to tackle the kitchen next. I filled the sink and got straight on with it, my next customer arrived so I had to leave it. This was my big order for the day. I managed to get it done a bit quicker than yesterday, so at least I was speeding up a bit.

  Back to the kitchen I went, on route I noticed some stepladders tucked in behind a door. Now this is what I needed to get that coffee machine filled up again, so I finished the dishes and left them to drain. I picked up the stepladders and headed out to the counter. I put them up, grabbed the coffee beans and climbed up, this was much easier, as I was filling it up I heard my next customer walk in.

  “I will be with you in one moment.” Then I got the fright of my life, I had two hands on my hips lifting me down from the ladders, when my feet hit the ground I turned around. Oh shit I could have died, it was Mr blue eyes.

  “What do you think you are doing?” I felt absolutely disgruntled.

  “Saving you.”

  “What made you think I needed saving?”

  “The ladders that you were stood on, they are broken.” I looked around, he was right. I felt so embarrassed, I moved the ladders to where I had found them. When I got back he had already finished refilling the coffee machine and put the lid back on, I lowered my head as I was still feeling embarrassed.

  “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me I really enjoyed the view, it was amazing, if I wasn’t a gentleman I could have taken advantage of you stood up there with your stockings on.” No! He saw right up my skirt again, how embarrassing, I bet I have gone bright red again. Change the
subject Jazz, come on girl.

  “So what can I get you today then?”

  “How about another look at that suspender belt and stockings, then I wouldn’t mind finishing off that kiss from last night.”

  “Well that’s not going to happen so what can I get you off the menu?”

  “Now I will have a chicken salad today and an orange juice.” My heart was thumping so loud I thought he would be able to hear it.

  “I will bring it over to you when it is ready,” I replied. I quickly made it to the sanctuary of the kitchen and I made his salad in double time, I grabbed his orange juice and took it over to him, the faster he ate the faster he would leave, he gave me a stern look as I placed it on his table. Oh lord, what have I done wrong now? But he was silent, he never uttered a word. Maybe I threw it together a bit too quickly?

  So I carried on putting the coffee shop in order and serving other customers, I only paid attention when he was paying the bill. He lightly brushed past my hand with his fingertips when he was handing me the money. He did that on purpose, he sent a static charge of electric coursing through my body. I passed him his change.

  “See you tomorrow, but I must say I much prefer your BLT, I will expect it ready for when I arrive, please don’t disappoint me Jazz. I would gain far too much pleasure in giving you an extra smack if it’s not ready for me.” Jog on, I don’t think so. I would have to find a way to discourage him in case he had his sights set on me. I wasn’t becoming a rich man’s entertainment.

  I finished my shift and headed home. I stopped off at a supermarket on my way back as I was running out of coffee, and if that happened it wasn’t going to be a good outcome for me or anyone in my firing line. I headed straight for bed when I eventually got home, I still had to face the meal tomorrow night and then I had a hectic weekend planned for me by Caitlin.

  I woke up screaming for Greg, these nightmares are never going to go. I headed straight for the bathroom and jumped into the shower still wearing my pyjamas. The images were still flashing in front of my eyes. I was upside down in the car. My seatbelt was still fastened. My head hurt, I reached up with my hand to hold it, but it felt wet, I looked at my hand and it was covered in blood. I wish I could stop looking at my hands, there is obviously no blood on them now, but I was drawn to them. They were calling my name, I slid down the shower wall onto the floor and cried. I could see flashing blue lights out of the corner of my eye. I could hear sirens in the distance. I could hear loud screaming, but I wasn’t sure from who. Then it goes silent. I then hear the voices again talking quietly.