Mix'n Business With Pleasure

by Hadley Raydeen

  “Excuse me? I don’t remember calling you to duel at dawn. What on earth are you talking about, Mr. Stewart?”

  “You are right. There isn’t an us to speak of now but I’m going to work on that.”

  “No, Jaxon, really, we shouldn’t do that. With the working relationship we will have over the next couple of months, I don’t think it will be wise of us to get into anything personal.” She attempted stepping away again, but he kept his arm clamped around her. The heat from his body was too much of a distraction and she couldn’t say any of this with any sense of conviction with him this close. “I’m sorry I have to go inside. I need to get out of these work clothes and make dinner. You know, it’s been a long day. Thank you, again, to you and your men for the house. It looks great.”

  “Have dinner with me tonight. You don’t have to cook. I’ll wait while you change your clothes. Why not let me treat you to a good time?” His hand ran down her forearm and grabbed her hand again. She willed herself to move, but her traitor body continued reacting to every touch and every word sending waves of desire over her from head to foot and back again. Her breath hitched in her throat. Her nipples ached against her business suit. Her panties were just about soaked, again. Damn him for smelling so good. Jesus be a fence, I want this man. She could feel his strong body next to hers.

  “I’m going to need you to stop that,” he breathed into her ear moving her body toward him.

  “Stop what?” Her words were barely a whisper and she wanted to melt into a puddle at his feet.

  “Stop thinking why this is wrong, Bevin. Think about how this could be… so right…for both of us.” His words hypnotized her senses— drawing her into him. She looked up into his eyes and he offered a sexy lopsided grin. He only had to move his head a few inches and his lips would connect to hers. She wanted to initiate it, but it seemed so crazy to be this attracted to a man she barely knew. He told me to stop thinking about why it is wrong.

  As if reading her mind, he spoke the very words that were causing her torment.

  “I just want to get to know you. Take you out to dinner. Talk. I swear, once you get to know me, you’ll see I’m not a bad guy.”

  “I don’t think you are a bad guy.” Her words were barely audible to her ears. She couldn’t hear above the thoughts running through her mind.

  “Then what do you say to dinner?” His eyes bore into her, willing her to say yes. She wanted to give in to him, though every professional bone in her body screamed no. Her womanly instincts took over.

  Her body reacted to his words and she went with her heart instead of following her gut and common sense.

  “I suppose dinner won’t hurt anything.” The words escaped her lips, sounding breathy and wanting.

  A smile lit up his attractive face, but she couldn’t help return his smile.

  “You seem pleased with yourself,” she commented.

  “You’ve made me a very happy man.”

  “Because I said yes to one dinner?”

  “It’s a start.” He winked at her.

  Her heart skipped a beat. Dare she ask a start to what? His thumb roamed back over her hand before letting go. “I’ll wait for you.”

  “You’ll wait for me to…” She couldn’t finish the sentence. He’ll wait for me? To get off my high horse and admit I want him just as much as the look in his eyes says he wants me?

  He moved his body, pressing the contours of his chest against her upper arm. The electricity from his touch ran over her body causing moisture to pool between her legs.

  “I’ll wait for you to get dressed, Bevin. That is unless you need some help getting out of these clothes.” He ran fingertips over her shoulder and down her arm covered in the fabric from her business suit. She closed her eyes as the desire rose in her. The comment was low and seductive in her ear and he leaned his head closer to her. She only needed to turn her head slightly and her lips would meet his. She wanted to know how his lips would feel against hers. She could only imagine he would be a skilled kisser. Would she command her mouth and have her moaning and wanting more of his warmth? She tried to shake the thought from her head, to push back these feelings, this want for him. She cleared her throat and tried her hardest not to turn her head. If I do, I’ll be dragging him in my house. I just know it.

  She turned her head anyway, throwing caution to the wind. Lifting her chin slightly, her mouth was just a slight touch from his. She could feel the warmth of his ragged breath against her lips. His fingers now pressed into her arm. With the other hand, at the small of her back, he pressed her to him.

  “If you want my lips on you, Bevin, you have to take it.”

  “Jaxon,” she whimpered his name. Just kiss me, damn it. You want me to beg? To give in first… I won’t do it.

  “Now, where are we going? What should I wear?” She summoned the willpower to turn down his invitation which amazed even her. A slow grin pulled at his lips. Yea, buddy. I can resist that charm. Surprised?

  “How do you feel about jazz?” he answered her question.

  “I love it.”

  “Great. I know the perfect place. They have amazing food and the atmosphere is cozy.”

  “I’ll dress accordingly, and thank you for the offer, but I don’t need your help.” She laughed lightly trying to brush off the thought of Jaxon undressing her. God knew if that happened they’d never make it to dinner. And the way he undressed her now, with his eyes, she wasn’t sure she’d much care.

  “How about I run home and give you a little time to get ready then.” He stepped back from her and checked his watch. “I’ll be back around nine to pick you up.”

  She glanced at the flashy timepiece on his wrist. That would give her a little more than an hour to get ready.

  “Okay. That will work.” Her answer aloof, she turned to walk away from him, but he reached out and snagged her hand pulling her back to him, he lowered his head, his mouth inches from the side of her face. He pressed his lips to her and spoke in her ear.

  “I hope to get that kiss sometime soon, Ms. Thomas. I can’t stop thinking about how your lips would feel against mine. My tongue parting them…” He brushed a thumb over her chin. He licked his lower lip and gazed at her.

  She couldn’t help herself around him. Just when she would erect a wall against him, he’d find another way in.

  “Which ones?” Her comment caused his gaze to flick back up to meet hers. Something flashed there; desire, lust maybe? She couldn’t tell, but she wanted to find out.

  “Which ones what, Ms. Thomas?” He raised a brow daring her to say it.

  Her gaze didn’t waver when she looked at him. She’d see his dare and raise him a challenge. Besides it was already on both their minds.

  “Which lips is your tongue parting?” Her words were slow and dripped with heat and longing.

  “Well, I could tell you, but I’d much rather show you.”

  “I’ve always liked show ‘n tell.” She cooed the words, not recognizing her own voice at this point.

  Despite the shadows of dusk that fell over her backyard, she was sure he could see the heat flushing her cheeks.

  “We are outside, Jaxon.” She warned as he stepped closer to her.

  “I’m well aware where we are. But I need to know, what lips you’d like my tongue to part?” His suggestive tone dipped low and dangerous. Her body reacted to each word, heating with the need for him.

  His breath palpable against her lips, her words measured and calculated. “I’m sure you are quite capable in both areas, Mr. Stewart.” She breathed the words. His name sounded naughty on her lips and she liked it.

  “Well then, how about I start with the ones I can part, right here, right now…”

  She watched him finally close the distance between them. His lips were full and sure as he covered her trembling mouth. Working into a steady rhythm, he cupped the back of her head, angling his mouth over hers. Making good on his promise, he licked at her lips never stopping the kiss, and she
, without a thought, opened for him. He found her tongue swirling around it, tasting, dipping, dueling. A moan escaped her just thinking about what this tongue could do on the second set of lips he promised to part. Her mind raced as she instinctively grabbed at the front of his shirt, fisting a handful, she pushed lightly against him. He used it as a safe word and slowed the kiss but not before sucking in her bottom lip and letting it go while scraping it lightly with his teeth.

  “One set down…one to go.” His words came out ragged and deeply laced with his arousal. Her gaze flicked across his features as he lowered his forehead against hers. He watched her waiting for her to speak. When she didn’t, he continued. “Tell me what you want, Bevin.” His breath was warm against her face and smelled of mint.

  “We aren’t going to do this out here. I don’t care how dark it’s getting,” she breathed.

  “But you want me to taste those lips below your navel, don’t you?”

  “Jaxon… This is so inappropriate. The kiss was…”

  “Who are you trying bullshit, sweetness? That kiss was everything.”

  He was right. It was. She couldn’t deny it and any protest she could attempt would sound lame at best.

  “Fine, you are good kisser. I’ll give you that.”

  A slow, bright grin broke out across his face and she shoved at his shoulder backing away from him.

  “Don’t…do that. Don’t gloat.” She wiped the back of her hand across her lips.

  “You wiping my kiss away?”

  “No….I’m… You are so difficult.” She narrowed a gaze at him. You aren’t gonna have me flustered over one kiss. “I need to go in the house to get ready. You’ve already cut into the time you gave me.”

  “Okay then, we will revisit this conversation later. But don’t think I’ll forget the second part of this. I’m going to take you up on that challenge. When I begin caressing your body and I work my way down your chest and begin kissing your inner thighs. Right when you are so turned on, your legs spread slightly and I run my tongue up and down your lips until I feel the wetness… and I touch you with the tip… Mmm, mmm mmm, Bevin. That will be hard for even you to resist.” He leaned in and placed a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  He turned and left her standing in her yard. In close to forty-eight hours this man ran her through a myriad of emotions from meeting him, and finding him physically attractive, to being furious with him, to trying to keep her wits and things strictly professional, to breaking down agreeing to spend a Friday evening with him to… standing wet and aroused in her yard from just his kiss and his words. Heaven help me.

  Chapter 8

  At nine o’clock, he pulled into her driveway and shut off the engine. He was a little nervous about their evening together knowing Bevin was bringing out emotions in him he didn’t know he was capable of feeling. A relationship was the last thing on his mind while trying to prove himself and run a successful business had been on the forefront. He had tried the relationship thing a time or two and they all ended the same. He was over gold-digging women he used for arm candy or to garner his stepfather’s approval. He wanted more.

  When he was approached with the Werner Marketing development project, he was originally annoyed by his stepfather’s request to win the bid in hopes of something more with the company. He’d have no problem winning the bid. He was the best contracting firm in town, and he worked damn hard to earn that respect. But there was something about the whole thing that bugged him. It wasn’t until he got the company profile and saw Bevin did the gig start looking up. He didn’t know what it was that drew him to her, but he sure as hell wanted to find out. She seemed different—successful, self-assured. Not in need of a man to define her, and he found it sexy as hell. He had to scramble fast when he saw the look in her eyes earlier today. He thought he had ruined it with her which in turn would have ruined the whole damn plan. He didn’t need that heat. He wasn’t sure what had made Bevin finally break down and agree to see what they could have together, but he was thankful. He’d win her heart and get this deal—two birds, one stone. Don’t fucking ruin it, Stewart.

  He hoped she’d be willing to put aside work for the evening, and just get to know him. Don’t over think this and press this woman though. You have to get her to trust you. You’ll know if you are taking this in the right direction. She sure as hell will let you know.

  By the way she responded to his kiss and his words earlier in her yard, he was sure he was already on the right track. Her deep shallow breaths and the tone in her voice gave her away. She wasn’t as completely immune to him as she liked to put on and he liked that. Trust me, you got my mind racing too, sweetheart. He let out a deep breath and patted the steering wheel to the sound of rock on the radio.

  The same breath caught in his throat when she opened her front door, locking it behind her. Oh my God. He watched as she opened the screen and closed the front door behind her checking to make sure it was locked before turning to face his car.

  She stepped forward gingerly making sure she had her balance in the strappy black heels she wore. By the time she walked, runway style down her front walk, he jumped from his vehicle and she met his gaze, smiling. He took in the sight of her curvy form, dressed in a dark purple satin dress, a sexy contrast to her caramel skin. The deep V-neck neckline plunged showing ample cleavage. The hem of the dress fell just above her knee, displaying toned legs. He gulped and made his way around the vehicle to the passenger side just as she reached him.

  He knew Bevin Thomas was a knock-out, but this was much more than he had bargained for. Her hair, which had been pulled back the last two times he had seen her, fell around her neck in a wavy mass and silver hoops adorned her ears. She is unbelievable, striking, breathtaking. How would he stick to script when she was everything he wanted in woman? A parade of adjectives to describe her beauty ran through his mind, but he couldn’t think straight with her standing there staring at him.

  She stood in front of him and tilted her head to the side nodding to his car.

  “That is a killer ride, Jax. What happened to the truck?”

  Thankfully, she used his first name again and not more of this ‘mister’ nonsense.

  “I drive the truck and an SUV during the day for work. This is my out-on-the town car.”

  “An amazing out-on-the town ride.” She stepped closer toward him.

  “You look pretty amazing yourself,” he commented, not able to help himself. The scent of apples and spice hit his scenes, making him want to lean in and get a better sample. So he did. Leaning in close, and not waiting for permission, he pressed his lips close to her ear.

  “You are beautiful, Bevin,” he whispered.

  She blushed at his compliment. “Thank you. You clean up nice yourself, Mr. Stewart.”

  Well, here we are back at the formal salutations. He looked over his dark jeans and black oxford shirt.

  “You know, I do what I can.”

  She laughed at his attempt at humor. “Well, you did well.”

  “Do me a favor?” he asked, taking her hand and moving it to his lips he kissed it. “No ‘Mr. Stewart’ tonight, okay? We have to work together on Monday. I get it. Calling me that at work is fine, if you must. But tonight, I’m just ‘Jax’, a man that finds you extremely beautiful and I want to get to know you better.”

  The shudder in her body was slight, but he caught a glimpse of it. She stood her ground though, and kept her gaze fixed on him. She nodded her head slowly and the reaction warmed him. I know, baby, I feel it too.

  Jazz music filled the air and a large crowd swallowed them in. He secured her arm in his, leading her to the hostess desk.

  “Mr. Stewart, how nice to see you again. It’s been a while.” The young blonde batted her eyelashes at him and a fake smile split her tanned face. Bevin wanted to throw something at her, but contained the frown from forming. I am not his woman and have no right to feel this way. For all she knew he had, or was, dating this…girl. But
, how rude for her to openly flirt with him when he’s obviously on a date.

  The hostess turned to look at Bevin. “Seating for two tonight?”

  “Yes, I hope you have something on the patio?”

  “For you?” the woman asked in a flirtatious tone. “Absolutely.”

  Jaxon placed a light hand at the small of Bevin’s back guiding her through the throngs of people.

  “You are busy tonight,” he commented to the girl.

  “Yes, we have a couple of bands tonight and plenty of specials, plus it’s Friday. You know how that goes,” she called over her shoulder.

  The hostess pushed the doors open leading to the patio. Bevin sent up a silent prayer thankful for the outdoor seating away from the crowd. The atmosphere was much more intimate and the noise level was reduced by half.

  The hostess showed them to their table and Jaxon pulled the seat out for her. Bevin was sure she heard the hostess mutter ‘lucky bitch’ before she walked away.

  A sly smile crept across her face. Yes, she did feel lucky to be in the company of such a handsome man tonight. Regardless of the shameless flirting of the young woman, he treated Bevin like she was the only woman in the place that mattered. She waited until he sat across from her at the table adorned with dimly lit candles, before she spoke.

  “You are a popular guy here.”

  The light from the candle danced in his eyes and she could see the mischief hidden there.

  “I bring my guys here all the time, especially after a big project.”

  “That is nice of you. I guess you are a cool boss?”

  He chuckled. “I don’t know about that. But the guys seem to like the food and the music. The waitresses seem to like the guys and the tips, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”

  “What about you? Are any special ladies that catch your eye?” She hated to ask, but she had to know. Jaxon exuded sex and any woman within eyesight was caught drooling. It didn’t make any sense for him not have a girlfriend, or a wife for that matter.