She tried to speak, but the lump in her throat wouldn’t allow it.
“Good morning, Miss Bevin.” He finally cleared his throat and spoke first.
She closed the front door behind her and stepped out onto the porch, allowing herself a moment to look away and gain her composure.
“Good morning, Jax. Sorry, no coffee this morning. I have to get to work.” She offered a weak attempt at conversation.
“No worries, I came prepared.” He held up the insulated cup.
“Who do we have here?” she asked coming down her front walk.
“This is Joel, one of my employees. Joel, this is Ms. Thomas, the homeowner..”
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am.” The young man extended his hand.
“He will be working on your place today. I have meetings I need to attend this morning.”
She took the young man’s hand and offered a warm smile. “Nice to meet you, Joel. Thank you for coming out today.” She turned her attention back to Jaxon. “I’m going to head out and leave you men to your work.”
She needed to get out of here before she said anything else, or ogle this gorgeous man to death.
Chapter 5
“We have the final quotes in and we will be in a larger office space by the end of the year. We’ve asked the developer to join us today to go over the figures and plans to renovate the space and get us up and running by deadline.”
Up until that point, Bevin had vaguely listened to what was going on in the meeting. She’d been distracted with thoughts of Jaxon and the vivid dream she had about him the night before. Russell Werries, the CEO for the advertising firm she worked for rambled on and on for the last hour, boring her to complete tears.
As a Senior Vice President of the company, she had to appear interested, but in her mind she was screaming: Shut up for the love of God, and get to the damn point! That was horrible for someone in her position to be thinking she knew but it was the truth..
Russell had droned on about budgets and acquisitions and things she already knew about. She was thinking about action items for her direct reports and everything on her to-do list, and every once and awhile, her wayward thoughts would go back to him.
When Russell mentioned contracting and development, the agenda topic piqued her interest. He hadn’t spoken to her about the company he would use for the new plan. She thought it was insane she had not heard who they would be using since this would be her project to head up. But Russell insisted if she would be heading the plans he wanted to be responsible for vetting the contracting bids and hiring the best firm, on budget of course. He would introduce her and read her in on the plans after the team was hired.
“I’ve invited the owner of the development team to come in this morning. He will be working closely with Bevin on plans for our new office space. We expect to start the project right away. But I will ask he provide the details and show us the office space up on the screen. I’m excited to introduce you to Jaxon Stewart.” He opened the door and Jax stepped in shaking Russell’s hand.
The sound of his name spoken in the crowded room caused her heart to skip a beat. Her fingers tingled and her head begin to swim. Not for reasons like earlier, when he pierced her with his heart stopping eyes. Not like the night before when he was the subject of the sexy, wet dream she couldn’t stop thinking about, but now because he was being ushered in the conference room, her conference room, at her place of business, by her boss. And she knew nothing about it.
He didn’t look like he did at her house the day before, or even this morning. The shadow of dark scruffy hair on his face had disappeared and he sported a freshly cut hairdo. No more unruly hair. He dressed in a black, tailored suit, expensive, and very Italian. Wingtip shoes adorned his feet and a flashy Rolex hung from his wrist.
He scanned the room as Russell made introductions to his executive team, stopping with her. “And this is Miss Bevin Thomas, Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning. You will be closely working with her on the development project,” Russell spoke.
Jaxon took her hand and pinned her with the very same eyes that guest starred in her fantasies. Damn you, you blue eyed devil. What the hell are you doing here?
She knew if looks could kill, he would be dead. She stared at him long and hard, momentarily ignoring those around her and wanting him to be able to read her thoughts.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Thomas.” He spoke in a quiet, even tone.
Not the first time we’ve had this conversation, she thought.
She let his hand engulf hers noticing there were no traces of paint, like yesterday. He spoke to her as if they’d never met. However, his eyes gave him away. They hid amusement at her surprise and the corner of his mouth jerked into a smirk and she could tell he enjoyed her discomfort.
“It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Mr. Stewart,” she replied with more bite in her tone than she wanted.
Russell looked at her oddly. “Jaxon, if you could please explain your plans for us.”
“Absolutely,” he replied, letting go of her hand.
Oh, he had a ton of explaining to do, and not just about the damn plans. Seething, she listened to his presentation of the outlines for their new place of business. He used a Powerpoint presentation to give them an idea of what the new space would look like. She had to admit she was impressed by what his team would be able to accomplish and inside such a short space of time. But she’d be damn if she’d admit it. Especially not knowing his intentions.
They ended the meeting an hour later, well-educated with developments and how the plan would unfold for their new state-of-the art facility. By the time he finished presenting, she was livid. Her skin flushed and her hands shook. She couldn’t help the mounting anger radiating from head to toe. She didn’t trust people too easily as it was. Maybe that is why she couldn’t land or keep a steady relationship. The fact that her body had reacted so quickly to Jaxon hadn’t really surprised her. Hell, any woman with a pulse and an inclination for a sexy attractive man would have reacted to him the same way. But now to find out that first meeting was pretty much a lie irritated her.
Jaxon’s gaze met hers one too many times during his presentation. The sexual tension sizzled with every moment and every word he uttered. She damned her gaze for falling on his lips as he spoke. Rich, vocal silk fell from his mouth, and damn if her lady parts didn’t tingle with every word. Bastard.
When he finally finished his presentation, the room erupted in applause. She wasn’t among the clappers. She couldn’t retreat fast enough from the boardroom.
“Bevin,” Russell called out.
“Just a minute, Russell. I need to use the ladies room. I’ll be right back.”
She heard him apologize to Jaxon. “It has been a rather long meeting. I guess I should have allowed for a break.”
No shit, Sherlock. I sure could have used one!
He leaned his tall, stalwart body against the wall by the bathroom. His large fingers deftly slid and typed across his phone while he obviously waited for her to exit the bathroom. She stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of him. He looked up at the slight scuffle of her shoes on the floor. He slipped the device in the clip on his belt.
“Hey.” The tone of his voice was soft and unsure, as if he was trying to think of the best way to approach the subject, and maybe gauge her mood. When she didn’t respond to his greeting, he proceed to talk.
“So, um, the guys painting your house texted an update. They say it is going much quicker than expected. We should be done by tomorrow. Joel called a few more of my guys to come out and help. More sets of hands make for lighter work, and all…” His voice trailed off.
He was grasping at easy conversation and she didn’t want to hear any of that right now. She tried to push past him, but he reached out and snagged her arm.
“We should really talk about this, Miss Bevin.” The way his tongue wrapped around her name made her stop and look at him. He was too damn handsome for his o
wn good and she couldn’t help herself from staring at his lips as he spoke. She wanted to smack him for the way his words made her tingle, despite her anger.
“Well, where should we start, Jaxon? Should we talk about how you showed up at my house the day before we’d be working on a huge project together at my place of business and failed to mention it? Tell me, is it a coincidence, or did you know me before I knew you?”
When he didn’t respond, but dropped his head, she narrowed her gaze.
“Well, I’ll be damned. Are you kidding me? My brother was right. He thought it a bit odd the owner of a contracting company would come out to do a minor paint job himself when apparently he has plenty of workers capable of doing it.” She pointed to the phone at his side where the incriminating text came from to back her claim.
“Look, can we go somewhere quiet and talk about this?” He looked around at the people filing out of the conference room. “I don’t want to cause a scene.”
Without answering him, she walked toward an empty office across the hall and he followed her. Closing the door behind him, he turned to her. “I know you are angry, but hear me out.”
“I don’t have to do a damn thing, Mr. Stewart.” She crossed her arms in front of her.
“Okay, fair enough, but I’m asking you to please hear me out.”
She knew her lack of words and refusal to answer would not stop him. She let out a deep huff and rolled her eyes.. Her heart thudded against her chest and she wanted to scream. This guy was at her house, sipping coffee and flirting with her yesterday. He knew who she was; he knew he had to work with her. Now, he knew where she lived and he never mentioned it. He better make this explanation really good or he was not going to like the wrath she would deal out.
He stepped toward her and she stepped back. “Stay your ass right there, Mr. Stewart, and explain what the hell is going on.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “When I saw the name on the work order for your home, I will admit I was intrigued. I saw your picture and your profile, and I...” He cleared his throat and stammered over his words when she finally looked at him with a deadly glare.
“Damn it. This is ridiculous. Why the fuck am I flustered by a woman?” He stepped away from her, running a hand through his hair.
“For someone who had a hell of a lot to say yesterday, with your little flirtatious ways and winks, and ‘Miss Bevin this and that’… all of a sudden you are tongue tied? I’m done with this conversation. If you can’t explain yourself, then we have nothing else to say here.” She turned toward the door they’d just entered.
He stepped toward her placing a hand on the door over her head. She dare not turn or his closeness would do things she already knew she’d have no control over. The heat at her back was already causing her body reaction. Somewhere between nervous and turned on, her stomach fluttered. She didn’t know this man or what his intentions were. His words were next to her ear before she could think another thought.
“Don’t be so stubborn, Bevin.” He dropped his hand from the door and turned her to him. He was close and she could feel his breath against her face. All she’d have to do is lean in a bit and their lips would be connected. She wanted to taste those lips and see what he could offer. She bet he would cup the back of her head and drink of her, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth. She gulped. She needed to focus on his words and not what she wanted him to do to her. She ducked under his arm, ending up behind him, erasing the intimate nearness. He turned to face her again, stepping toward her.
“Don’t tell me what to be, Jaxon,” she warned. “You better use your words and tell me what the hell is going on.” She poked a finger in his chest, trying to keep him from trapping her again. But he snagged her wrist and brought her hand dangerously close to his lips. Flashbacks of the dream the night before ran through her mind like a movie reel.
“Your pulse is beating so quickly, Bevin.” He blue eyes deepened with what looked like lust.
Yes, her pulse was rapid in her ears and it was all his fault. They both jumped apart at the knock on the door. Jaxon dropped her hand like it burned him when the door opened shortly thereafter.
“Oh good, there you are, Bevin. Jaxon, glad you are here too.”
Her boss stepped in the room, closing the door behind him. He looked between the two of them before speaking.
“You two have formally met?” He looked at Bevin, raising a brow. He gave her a warning glance, which she had seen before and hated. He wanted her to put on the fake nicey nice and she wasn’t so sure she could do that. She shot an evil look at Jaxon when Russell looked away. She put every bit of ‘don’t you say a damn word’ in her glare, but it obviously didn’t work. She saw the mischief burning back in his glance. Oh, hell. She remembered that look. She’d seen it in her dreams when he threatened to strip for the neighborhood to see. Game on then, Jaxon.
Before she could respond with a perfectly scripted comeback for her boss, Jax interrupted.
“Yes, Russ, we have been talking and we were getting better acquainted. I asked Miss Thomas if we could have lunch, since we will be working so closely together over the next couple of months.”
Bevin’s eyes narrowed to slits. You son of a bitch. I don’t break bread with just anybody. No matter how you author every wet fantasy I’m having at the moment.
Her boss looked at the man with the most quizzical of expressions, raising a brow and cocking his head to the side. She picked that moment to give Jax the meanest look she could muster. His eyes gleamed and he winked at her.
“I’m not free for lunch,” she responded frankly. If she could stick her tongue out at him and get away with it, she would have, just for good measure. She would then follow it up with a middle figure and a hefty side of ‘fuck you’.
Russell looked at her with disbelief. “Bevin, really? Do you have another client meeting?”
She was stuck between a rock and a hard place. She didn’t have another meeting and Russell had access to her business calendar. He also knew she didn’t have any other arrangements. Damn it! “No I don’t have another client scheduled right now. I have a personal appointment. I need to step out at lunch time.” Good save.
“Is it something that you could reschedule?” Russell looked at her impatiently.
Shit!
Jaxon seemed amused by the volley of conversation taking place in front of him.
“I—I.” Her words faltered. She knew her boss would not let her off the hook. “I really have some things I need to take care of, Russell,” she attempted again.
He furrowed his brow. “Bevin, if it really is something that can wait…” He let his sentence trail off, giving her the most disapproving of stares.
“I’d really like to take you to lunch, Bevin,” Jaxon threw in the mix just to add an extra punch of frustration. She shot him a look.
“I guess I can reschedule my appointment, Russell, but..” She tried again just to drive her point. “but, I would prefer—”
“Very good.” Russell cut her excuse mid-stream and appeared pleased with his exertion of authority. “I’ll leave you two to make your lunch arrangements.”
She waited until he shut the door before she turned her sheathed furry on the blue-eyed menace. She stopped him before he could speak, though his sexy lips were opened and ready with some sort of retort she was sure.
“No, just shut up. I don’t want to hear any more of your bullshit. You won this one, bud.” She pointed a finger into his chest, “But only because of Russell.”
“Please don’t be angry. Fun, games, hell—jokes aside, I really want to talk about this…Bevin—” He tried to touch her arm, but she sidestepped him and corrected him at the same time.
“It’s Ms. Thomas to you, buddy,” she snipped through clenched teeth. “Now where do you want to eat?” She tried to keep her tone even but there was no use. He didn’t have a reasonable excuse for their meeting the day before. And he made her look bad in front of her boss just now and see
med to enjoy it. With his sexy face and smirky ass grin, she wanted to punch him in his throat and go about her day but apparently her boss had something different in mind.
“Please, just…” he stopped, taking heed of her glare and still pointed finger. “Okay, wherever you want to eat, I’m fine with… Ms. Thomas.”
“Oh goodie. Let me go get my purse.” She turned and left the room, her sarcasm hanging in the air like a cheap perfume. He had no other choice but to follow her.
Chapter 6
Thirty minutes later they were seated at an upscale, contemporary cuisine restaurant not far from her office building. She ordered a coffee and water, though she really wanted a long pour of Malbec or maybe something stronger to deal with the bullshit about to be dished out. Over this lunch, she could use a bourbon neat. The burn would do her well right about now. Instead, she waited while he ordered an iced tea. She opened the menu, ignoring him. When he didn’t make a move toward his, she put the menu down and looked at him. His alluring, blue gaze held hers.
“What are you doing? Why aren’t you looking at the menu?” She could feel her cheeks heating up at the way he stared at her. She battled with her emotions. She wanted to be mad at him, but she cursed herself for liking the way he looked at her, like a man interested in a woman. Like the man in her dreams that wanted touched and she was oh so willing to oblige.
“You are beautiful,” he answered.
“What?” she asked, smoothing a hand over her hair. “No, no. The sweet talking isn’t gonna work on me. Not today.” But she had to admit the compliment brought heat to her cheeks for other reasons besides the anger and distrust she was feeling the better part of the morning.
“I think you are beautiful,” he said again, finally picking up the menu as if he had said nothing.
She could feel her mouth hanging open.
“Um, thank you.” She tried to lace her appreciation with sarcasm, splashed with contempt, but she knew she’d fallen short. It sounded a bit breathy, like she was in high school again and the captain of the football team winked at her in the hallway. So you think I’m pretty, Mr. Blue Eyes? I think you are everything I need inside of me right now. If I could just push all the dishes off this table and have you on top of me... NO! Oh My God. No! You can’t be angry and lustful at the same time, Bevin. Get it together! She waged an inner war with her wayward emotions.
Mix'n Business With Pleasure Page 3