“To see what my game plan is?”
“Yes I guess you can say that.”
“I could ask the same of you, Bevin. There is no question, you are beautiful. You date. You are successful. What are you looking for in a man that makes him the one?”
The question took her by surprise. She hadn’t thought about it, and she surely didn’t think the man she’d been having impure thoughts about all evening, would ask her about the key to her heart. The way he looked at her made her want to just hand over the key, with no questions asked. He pushed his empty plate away from him and sat back waiting for her response. She thought on it. What to say. How to answer him, but nothing would come out. Really, am I this lame? I can’t come up with an answer what a perfect man for me is? Maybe I do know, but it is difficult to explain it to him. Hell, maybe it was him.
“Okay, let me ask you,” he helped her, “what is an important aspect of a relationship for you? Style, or maybe humor?”
She shook her head. “No. I mean my man should have a sense of style, but it’s not the most important thing in the relationship and I like to laugh, but he doesn’t have to keep me amused every minute of the day.”
“How about someone sensitive to your needs, mentally, emotionally…physically?” he asked quietly, his gaze never leaving her.
Her breath hitched in her throat. ‘“I would like that,” she answered. “I mean, yes, that is important.”
“Okay, when you are around a man you are interested in, how do you act? Are you laid back and cool as a cucumber?”
She laughed. “No, do I look cool right now? You have me sweating here.”
He reached across the table and took her hand again.
“Does that mean you like me?”
Her body shuttered at his words... his touch. Christ, if you only knew.
His hand lay softly on hers. He must have felt the shiver of her body. “Don’t be nervous with me. Just be yourself. I promise I won’t bite…unless you want me to. Besides, it’s just a conversation. And I like you too, Bevin.”
Her name and those words on his lips caused her heart to flutter. How can I be myself around a man that makes my insides liquefy? I want him to get to know the real me. You need this… It’s been too long since you had the attention of a man. And… he likes you.
“Fair enough,” she took a sip of wine and placed it back on the table waiting for her nerves to calm. She took the opportunity to ask him a question, taking the heat off of her. “So, tell me, what is your idea of a dream date? A nice long walk, or a nice candlelit dinner, somewhere fun, like maybe a concert or an amusement park?”
“I think a nice dinner, talking and getting to know someone is wonderful. It gives you the chance to see how compatible you are. Like we are doing right now.”
“I see. Well, I agree with that.” She took a bite of her food enjoying the taste and atmosphere. The company was pleasant as well. It was easy getting to know him and to spend this time outside of work. She was glad it wasn’t as awkward as she first thought.
“The evening we are having is exactly what I’m talking about. I enjoy talking to you and getting to know more about you. It is a good thing, Bevin. Thank you for coming out with me tonight.”
She looked up at him, her chewing slowed. Is he reading my mind? Her cheeks grew warm and she wished the wine she finished was a little more chilled to help with the inferno growing inside her.
He beckoned the server with a flip of his hand. “More wine, please. Bevin?”
“Yes, please.” Her throat could be compared to the Sahara at this point. She cleared her throat and reached for her water hoping it would do something to clear the dry scratchiness.
He waited for the server to scurry away before he continued.
“Okay, so if you are in an intimate relationship, what would you trust that person with? Your deepest secret, an embarrassing moment you don’t want anyone else to know or your credit card?”
She laughed, thankful for the break in intensity. “What a crazy, random question. I don’t know… hmm. If we have been in a relationship for a while… then he was probably with me when the embarrassing moment occurred.”
“Okay this is true… Possibly,” he agreed.
“A deep secret is a secret for a reason. A husband or a live-in boyfriend probably shares your credit card anyway. So I would say credit card. If he gets too out of hand, you can always cancel the damn thing.”
Jax laughed and she liked the richness of his voice.
“Smart answer. I like it. Okay, so what is the most important to you? Trust, love, humor or honesty?”
“I think if you have trust, you have the other three,” she answered.
“Good. I like that.” He sat back and waited as the server delivered their wine before he continued. “So, it sounds to me like you want someone sensitive who cares about you. You want to be able to come to him for anything, and you want him to have that same trust in you.”
She stared at him in disbelief. “You got all of that from just asking me a few questions? What do you have an internal Cosmo quiz inside of you or something?”
He chuckled. “No. I just like to listen to people and hear where they are coming from, and you seem like the type of woman that wants to trust completely in her man, but in turn you want to be that same shoulder for him to lean on. I have to say I feel the same way about what I want in a woman.”
Her body tingled from head to toe as she listened to him speak. She sipped her fresh wine, thankful for the cool temp of the glass. “Well, I will tell you for certain, Jaxon, if the engineering and contracting thing doesn’t work out for you, Dr. Phil better watch out. You have a future in giving people advice.”
“Trust me, sweetheart, Dr. Phil has nothing on this.”
Chapter 9
Every time she smiled at him his heart beat faster. He could only think about how he wanted this conversation to continue and how bad he wanted her to keep looking at him this way.
When he saw her stifle a yawn, he looked at his watch and winced. Damn, I kept her out late. He had continued the conversation wanting to know more about her and how she thinks. He had lost track of time. Dinner turned into desert and then coffee. It was already after midnight.
“I’m sorry, Bevin. Let me get you home.” He stuffed some bills in the black leather bifold containing their check. They stood and he guided her toward the front of the building.
“Jax!” He heard his name and turned to the left. He winced. Shit.
He tried to ignore the voice and keep walking toward the door but Bevin stopped and turned.
“Jaxon, I think that woman is calling you.”
He couldn’t deal with this right now. Not now after this perfect night. Of all the shitty timing…
“Jaxon Stewart, I know you hear me, damn it.” Irritation pulsed through him at the mere sound of the high-pitched voice.
He would not allow it to ruin the good thing starting between him and the gorgeous woman by his side. He had to stop this before it started.
“Hello Sara.” His words, clipped and harsh, caused Bevin to stiffen next to him and he regretted his tone.
A sly grin spread across the woman’s face. “Oh, so you do remember my name? Where have you been hiding? Let me guess, working per usual?”
“Sara, now really isn’t a good time. I promise, I’ll call you.”
The overly, made-up blonde leaned to the side peering around him, and caught sight of Bevin. “Who do we have here?”
Bevin’s form remained rigid and unmoving. He dare not look at her, fearing the glare in her eyes would break him. He didn’t want to pull her into the drama. But she stepped out from behind him giving him a side glance. She extended her slender hand and Jaxon wanted to push it back. No, don’t shake hands with the enemy.
“Hello, I’m Bevin Thomas. I’m sorry, who are you?”
The full-sized Barbie sneered through red painted lips. However, she leaned in and grasped hands with Bevin.
“Sara Lynn. I’m Jaxon’s fiance. It’s a pleasure… I’m sure.”
Jaxon heard the hitch in Bevin’s breath and he wished he could take the ‘f’ word, shove it down Sara’s plastic face and make the look in Bevin’s eyes go away. He looked at her, but it was her turn to refuse to look at him.
“Really…his—you’re engaged?” She coughed. “How nice…to meet you.”
He knew her pleasantries weren’t real. He tried to step in front of her, but she positioned her body so he could not. Goddamn. With just these few words, her wall was coming back up. The one he had worked all night to tear down was reconstructing right before his eyes.
“Who are you? I mean, I know your name now. But what are you to him?” Sara asked again, flicking a glance between them.
Bevin stopped Jaxon from answering, turning and staring him down with an icy stillness that rendered him mute.
“I’m just a business associate.” The chill and matter of factness in her voice was not lost on him, but Sara ignored it and kept speaking.
“Work, again? Really? Jaxon, I swear we have to find you some hobbies outside of work. That is all you ever do!” She laughed casually. Her gaze landed back on Bevin. “I’m sure you…” She looked the other woman up and down. “Do you work for him? Let me guess, a secretary or something?”
The sound of Sara’s voice made his blood boil. He glared at her wanting to blast her where she stood. But his vehemence was short lived when Bevin spoke.
“Jaxon, I’m going to head outside and give you and your…soon-to-be-wife a minute.”
“Bevin…”
She didn’t allow him to finish his sentence. Instead, she rushed away before another word could leave his mouth. Damn it. He’d have one hell of a time fixing this mess. He turned to the blonde, narrowing his gaze at her smirk.
“So, that’s Ms. Thomas, huh?” Sara asked. “Hmm , not as pretty as all of you keep saying.”
“Why are you here, Sara? Did he send you? He didn’t think I could handle this on my own?”
“I’m just here enjoying a little jazz and some tasty food, sugar. Don’t worry your handsome face over it.”
“Bullshit.” He gritted the words through clenched teeth. He pulled her away from any prying eyes, or eavesdropping ears, around the corner. A fake decorative tree acted as cover. “Tell me why you are here, now.”
She chuckled, pulling her arm from his grasp. “If only you were this rough between the sheets…”
“Stop, Sara.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “This...,” he ran a hand roughly in the air between her body and his, “... was a goddamn mistake. Something he orchestrated in college. We explored and it didn’t work. So stop the bullshit. We haven’t been engaged in years! What would possess you to say that to her? Did Gregory send you here?”
“You mean your…father?”
“He is not…” He took a deep breath, resenting the statement. “Gregory Lester Sheldon is not my father. You say this shit to get under my skin.”
“Hmm, maybe not by birth, doll. But your mother sure made him her daddy.” She grinned. “Can’t say I blame her, though. I know he earns that title, if you know what I mean.” She winked.
He wanted to smack the expression off her sly face.
“He hasn’t done right by her since that fucking wedding. Don’t even start with me, Sara. I swear to God…”
“You swear what?” she taunted him.
He took a deep breath tampering back every emotion of anger fueled by the marriage his mother stumbled into his sophomore year of college. His father barely cold in the ground and she married this…monster…
“Tell me, what did he send you here to tell me, you gold-digging, slut?” he spat the words.
“Oh, Jaxy baby, that’s not nice.” She ran a finger over his cheek, lingering over his chin. “Someone needs a shave, love.”
“Don’t touch me.” He flinched away from her hand.
“You used to love that… Hmm… what’s wrong, sweets? That little black girl got you rethinking the touch of a real woman?”
“Don’t you ever… Jesus God, Sara. Don’t talk that racist bullshit around me. I don’t want to hear it and especially about her.”
She laughed holding her stomach. When she sobered from her hysterics, she narrowed a gaze at him.
“Oh, please. I’m far from racist. I quite like chocolate. But, Hershey’s got nothing on this, baby love. And it seems you are quite protective of her. But you need to be careful because Greggy doesn’t like that dipping and diving and tasting in the cocoa, honey. I’m sure biracial grandbabies are not on his bucket list.”
“Shut up, Sara.”
“Relax, sexy face. I’m just ribbing you… kinda. Greg sent me to tell you to get your head out of your ass and do what he sent you to do. Knock this wining and dining shit off. He wants the deal done. Stop fucking the road block.”
“What?” He was physically shaking. It wasn’t cold outside, but his insides were sure turning to ice. “What the fuck does that mean, Sara?”
“It means quit dicking around, doll face. You got a job to do, so do it. You were sent in to seal the deal. No messing around with her. You do it, or he will. You know Greg’s end game. Come in get the job done, don’t play around. Everything he taught us. He plays hard ball. He knows how to do it well. If you are trying to prove yourself to him… then, prove yourself.” She leaned in close. “Hmm, Jaxy…don’t pout, lover. You know you’ve always been my favorite mistake.” She giggled, turning slightly away from him. She sobered and turned back. “Get it done, Jaxon. If you really care for this…chick, and it seems you do…” She tilted her head to the side regarding him. Her expression softened a bit. “Hmm, don’t get him too far involved. Don’t show that weakness,” she whispered, looking around like someone was listening. “I know it’s a fucked up situation.” She breathed near his ear. To any passerby, their interaction would look romantic. But not to him. He waited for her message. She ran fingertips over his chest. Her mouth was close to his ear. “Big Brother is always watching, Jax… Watch yourself, love.” She kissed his cheek.
She turned from him, attempting to walk away. The thing that sucked was that he knew she was right, but he didn’t care. Right now Sara and Big Brother could go to hell and he wouldn’t give a damn.
He reached out and caught Sara’s elbow before she got away. He hated that this conversation lasted longer than need be. But she wasn’t gonna just swoop in here and ruin his evening without him getting what he had to say in.
“Where do you think you are going, Sara? Like hell you’re causing shit and then walking away. I will handle this deal the way I handle it. I’ll get it done. Can you just have one cool moment in your life and keep what you saw tonight to yourself? And in the future, don’t just show up and pull this bullshit again. Telling Bevin we are engaged, that was pretty low, even for you.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, knowing he needed the shave, she had pointed out.
“I know we aren’t together anymore, babe. But the look on your face was truly priceless when I said it. You have to admit we had something good. You don’t miss us? Not even a teensy weensy bit… How we used to—”
“Like hell I do. We broke up for a reason, Sara. We haven’t been together in damn near… Christ, I don’t even remember, last year of college? I haven’t spoken to you in months and when I do it’s because of him. I’ve moved on and you should too.”
Sara crossed her arms in front of her and rolled her eyes. “Oh, I’ve moved on, honey. Trust that. I’m just reminiscing…”
“Well, don’t. It’s over.”
“Damn, you are just like him. Like it or not. Greg has his claws in you. Watching you jump through hoops like a little circus freak. Has you married to work and doing his bidding. You should be out finding a real woman. Someone able to warm you, heart, body and soul. I miss doing that for you. I wish I still could…” She ran a freshly manicured hand over his chest all the way down to his cl
oth-covered member. She rubbed gently and his cock twitched a bit and he bit back a curse. “Oh, Jaxy, see, he remembers my touch.” She purred in his ear. “Mmm, you were so good in bed… You have me turned on just thinking about it.” She chuckled.
He stepped away. Her hand dropped away from him. He didn’t look up to meet her gaze. Instead, looking everywhere but at her.
“I’m over it, Sara. I’m over you. I’m finding balance now. I can have my career, seal this deal for Greg, and land a woman I can cherish. At least I’m trying.”
“Balance with whom? That sista? Jaxon, please. What type of relationship could you possibly have with her? I mean outside of work, what could you have together? You’re trying to be someone’s boo or baby daddy of the month?” She laughed at the stereotypical jargon. “Oh, I’m sure Greg would just love that. All those little mixed grandbabies would definitely be cute though.”
“That is enough!” he snapped. “You are crossing a line you won’t be able to get back over with me, Sara. What I do, and with whom, is none of your goddamn business. Now, I’m warning you to watch your mouth and leave me alone.”
He watched the myriad of expressions cross her face from shock to hurt from his words to the usual sly smirk she wore all too well. He wanted to be done with this conversation and more importantly, done with her. He waited until he knew his tone would be calm and level before he spoke again. Heaving a deep sigh, he stepped forward closing the distance he had created. He lowered his voice and tried not to clench his teeth when he spoke.
“Look, I wish you the best. But it is not going to be with me. Let’s just walk away and forget this conversation happened.”
“Screw you, Jaxon, I’m not trying to get back with you. I just came here to remind you to stay on track. Do whatever you want,” she hissed. She put her hand in his face and turned from him. “Catch you later.”
He watched her walk away. He steadied his breath, trying to get a hold of his temper. Of all the crazy, wack jobs he had ever dated, Sara Lynn Cook had to be the first on the list. He had quickly ended it after she had shown her true colors in college. It seemed she had been more interested in his stepfather and interning in his business than anything else. Sara had no problem sleeping her way through the ranks if need be and he wasn’t about to be a rung on the ladder up to whatever end game she was climbing.
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