by Bella Juarez
“Aaron.” Lucian replied as the two men shook hands. “I just asked Tasha if you were her date.”
Aaron smirked uncomfortably and shyly glanced at her. She curled her fingers into a fist to avoid reaching up and tracing the dimple cutting into one cheek. Those dimples made her melt whenever she saw them. Tall, dark, and handsome were the only words she could use to describe him. His olive skin set off black hair cut short to conform to his military reserve status, but he easily carried the spiky style into the business world. His graying temples gave him a distinguished air. His brown eyes often reflected a serious nature when he worked. She caught herself staring at him, again. Lucian threw her a slow, knowing smile. He’d picked up on her slip. She shook her head as her eyes locked with Lucian’s laughing blue ones.
“I don’t think she’d have me,” Aaron said.
“No?” Lucian had annoying humor in his voice.
“Excuse me.” Aaron moved away toward the bride and groom.
“Damn you, Lucian! He’s my boss.”
“Do you really believe that’s all he wants? Ta-ta, dear heart. I really must give my best to the bride before she gets too busy.”
***
Aaron couldn’t take his eyes off Natasha from the minute he stepped into the church. He’d never seen a woman carry off such a feminine air. Most of the time, such a lacy outfit appeared gaudy or silly. On her it represented perfection, as if someone had professionally dressed her and made her up. But, then, that would be the norm with her, perfection and attention to detail. The dark suits and conservative dresses she wore to work gave her a hard demeanor. She made it clear by the way she carried herself, she was in charge and her normal work-wear only added to the image. But, today, she wore a beige lace dress hanging loosely around her body. She always wore her hair up at the office; however, today, she’d let her chocolate tresses fall down her back. He hadn’t realized how long her hair was. Her big brown eyes weren’t squinted in hard determination, either. Instead, they were relaxed and had a gentleness to them he’d never seen before, maybe because she wasn’t maneuvering and dealing in this setting. The softness she embodied made her seem like a different person.
As they sat in the rays of the setting sun, he realized how little he truly understood her. Off and on all day, he couldn’t help but touch her. Her reactions proved to him caressing her had been a bad idea. She tensed and twitched whenever he laid a finger on her, and he had to stop before his attraction showed itself. And this woman clearly did not want him. If he didn’t stop, he’d end up hurt. He’d promised his mother when his father died he would settle down and find a good Jewish woman to marry, and he needed to focus on doing just that. He’d set himself up for failure. He’d already turned forty, and all of the nice “girls” his age were married with teenage kids.
The woman sitting next to him would almost be ideal. A nice girl, dedicated to family, unmarried, with no kids, she shared his passion for the business. Neither of them, it seemed, had ever made time to fulfill a very important aspect of their lives, starting their own families.
He caught himself staring at her again and turned his gaze away. He didn’t stand a chance in hell with her. Tasha’s good manners forced her to be cordial, even though he hadn’t concealed his attraction to her very well. He could manage it just fine when they were at work, but, here, the lines weren’t so clear.
“What are your plans for the rest of the weekend, Tash?”
Straightening her dress, she focused on her lap. “Not much. I’ll be hanging out with some friends tomorrow.”
“Oh? Anything fun? Movie?”
She cleared her throat and took a drink of champagne. “Probably dinner, and then we’ll play it by ear.”
Aaron nodded. When had conversation with her become so awkward?
She took a deep breath and flashed him an uncomfortable smile. “I think I’ll excuse myself in a few. I need to do a lot before we leave for the conference on Wednesday.”
Nodding in response, he stood when she decided to make her exit.
“Do you want me to see you to your car?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I’ll see you on Monday.” She picked up her small bag.
Watching her go toward Emily and Tom, he couldn’t help but think how much he wanted to be leaving with her. He exhaled and fought to get a grip on himself. He couldn’t risk losing one of the key people in his business. She’d made herself invaluable. While he watched Tasha disappear into the fading daylight, he wished he could leave with her.
What did she do once she closed the door to her house? Who were her friends? What did they do for her he couldn’t? He recalled her softness and wondered with some resentment who the hell got to touch her without her pulling away. What would it be like to have her want and seek out his caresses? At the thought of taking off her lace dress and exploring every inch of her, his dick painfully hardened. What would it feel like to have her underneath him and fuck her with abandon? A sudden gust of cool autumn wind blew, and he shook off his thoughts.
Face it. She just isn’t into you. Find another woman. Quick.
***
The last couple of days had been a whirlwind of activity. Despite what Tasha had told Aaron, she hadn’t gone anywhere over the weekend. Instead, she’d prepared for her trip, taken care of a few things for her mom, and worked on the deal she closed. A day before leaving for Vegas, she read her personal e-mail on her phone while she waited for a meeting with the company who would do the construction for their latest project. They were being a real pain in the ass about the terms in this deal. Somehow, she’d missed a message from Sunday evening. She opened it and almost dropped her phone. Oh shit!
All of the attention Aaron had given her at the wedding had unbalanced her. When she’d arrived home, she’d taken the advice of a friend and joined a dating service. The notice from the service informed her they’d found her match and she needed to meet him Thursday night. It was imperative it be Thursday. The request had several stipulations, and some of the guy’s demands were downright ballsy.
The laughter and noise filtering down to the conference room interrupted the speculation about her 1Night Stand match and changed her focus to the party from the construction company who’d arrived. They needed to close this deal today, so the firm could begin planning for the workload while they were at the conference. She stood as the representatives entered the conference room. She’d been so confident she could close the deal she’d scheduled a lunch reservation and a planning meeting afterward for Aaron with these men.
“Howdy, little lady.” The lead engineer extended his hand.
While in this room, they were in her lair, and, like a hunting tigress, she smelled the kill. She had a deal to close, and nothing would distract her from her prize. Her mission involved securing this man and his boss as partners in this project.
“Jas.” She gripped his hand in a firm, confident handshake.
“Some grip there, darlin’.” He shot her an evil grin.
All the better to crush your balls with, my dear. Focus! She directed her attention to this imbecile’s boss.
“Sam, I appreciate you meeting me here. Sit.” She directed them to the table where folders and pens lay. “Please.”
The negotiations commenced, and Tasha let the men bitch and complain about the terms of the agreement whose details she’d personally overseen. This contract meant steady work for the firm long term. The statement of work from the client dictated they hire subcontractors from a list they provided but specified Rosencrantz Architectural Firm to lead the project. They went back and forth for thirty minutes before Aaron sauntered into the conference. Early on, they’d developed a system—his arrival her cue to bring the negotiations to a close.
“Gentlemen, this agreement is fair, and it gives your company steady work for the next couple of years in several locations throughout the city and surrounding areas—”
“Hold on a minute. Why are we wasting time? We have a price, and you
need to meet it,” Jas interrupted.
Tasha inhaled to curb her anger. “The client has given RAF the power to choose the contractor based on their list. You were one of the first companies we contacted. We feel you can do the job without having to gear up your company and delay the project.”
Jas relaxed and smirked.
She returned his smirk with a pleasant smile. “However, you’re not the only company on the list meeting these qualifications. We’ve been talking to two of the others, and they are more than willing to play ball on our terms.” She reached forward and snatched away the folders. “This deal is off the table, gentlemen.”
Aaron took his seat, allowing the gravity of losing a multi-million dollar contract with his firm to sink in. The two other men gaped in mute astonishment. The owner of the company, Sam, recovered first.
“You’re not seriously thinking of going with someone else, are you, Aaron? I mean, this is how we do business. We always haggle over contracts. We’ve been doing it since you were a start-up.”
“Sam, you’re my go-to contractor. Natasha and I have discussed the details at length, and I believe our offer is fair for both of us.” He held out his hand, and she gave him the folders she’d taken up. “Please.” He opened one of the folders, and Tasha handed him a pen. “Sign the deal then let’s go have a nice lunch to celebrate, and get to work.”
Sam signed the contract without any further discussion. They left for lunch while she had copies made for all the parties. Opening the door to Aaron’s empty office, she saw his jacket hanging on the back of the leather chair behind his desk. He trusted her with his livelihood, reputation, and bank account—a trust she held sacred and would never violate. Her thoughts of his company’s wellbeing and profitability were always in the forefront of any deal she cut.
Shoving the statements back inside the folder, she laid out the contract with the bottom line figures. Later, when everyone else had left for the day, she would join him here and go over the specifics. During their daily ritual, while the city lit up outside the office window, she’d often share glimpses of her personal life, hoping he’d see her as more than just his Tigress. Wishing he’d look past the conferences, boardrooms, and office space they shared and see her as a woman who needed his love and devotion. He belonged to her during these moments, even if they never touched. She burned to be the woman in his life and sighed in frustration when she saw the Star of David on his desk, a reminder of his faith. It will never be.
She put the contract on his desk where he couldn’t miss it. When she leaned across his chair, the scent of his spicy cologne coming from his jacket mesmerized her, and the promise of its sensual warmth called to her. The dark blue color comforted her, and she closed her eyes and purred when she ran her hand over the coarsely masculine raw silk.
Absent-mindedly, she sat in his chair. The leather caressed like she imagined he would. Hungrily, she wished Aaron were cupping her ass the way his chair did. She crossed her arms over her chest, pulled the lapels closer to her, and inhaled the smell of her man. His cologne and little cigar, umm. Inhaling again, she rubbed the jacket against her cheek and closed her eyes once more. The feel of the rough fabric on her bare skin sent a quiver through her suddenly flushed body. In sensual relief, she leaned back into the comforting leather, forgetting all time and space.
Oh God, Aaron, touch me.
The huge leather chair encircled her. She’d forgotten how far it went back until it suddenly threw her backwards. When her feet flew away from the floor, she grabbed the arms to steady herself. She let her head fall back into the chair and recalled teasing him about sleeping on the job while he reclined, listening to her brief at the end of the day. She slipped into one of her many fantasies of him. His scent embraced her and brought him within her reach during these moments.
How stunned she’d been when she first laid eyes on his ruggedly handsome face, and how rigid he’d been on their first meeting. During their nightly conversations, she’d discovered the military had made him strong and disciplined. She recalled his caresses at the wedding and how, at times, he seemed so awkward. A warm and tender man when it came to family, he often encouraged her to take time off so she could care for her mother. His generosity and positive leadership made people want to do their best for him even though he’d set high bars for himself and everyone around him.
Consumed by her fantasy, she let one hand slide across her cheek and down her throat. How flushed and damp her pussy had gotten within a matter of minutes. Her perfume, a faint floral-based scent, released itself to her senses. Their essence combined, and her cunt gushed at its fusion of spice and flowers. She felt for one of her breasts and fondled it. He drove her to these moments, making her fondle herself to relieve the sexual tension he caused by just his smell. Hell, all he has to do is roll up his sleeves, and he makes me wet. She shivered and bit her lower lip to stifle a sigh. Her fingers grazed a nipple through her thin blouse and pinched. The twinge of pain sent a tingle right down to her pussy.
Time stopped as she concentrated on her fantasy, a man beyond her reach. She fondled both breasts eagerly, picturing his hands roughly massaging. How would he take her? Would he be gentle, or would he try to fuck her into submission? Licking her lips, she imagined sucking his cock and tasting him. She softly moaned his name.
Her cunt ached to be stroked and his sweet warmth drove her to a crescendo like nothing she’d ever experienced alone. Like a needy cat, she arched her back, starving for her own caresses. Rubbing her thighs together to give her pussy some relief without taking of her clothes and touching herself, fuck it! I need to come! Reaching for her skirt, she furrowed her brows in annoyance when a distant voice called to her. Ignoring it, she curled her fingers around the hem and raised it over her thighs.
“Natasha!”
Her name washed over her like ice thrown onto her hot flushed skin. She glanced at the doorway, rose from the chair, and tore her hands from her body in a single motion.
Aaron!
How long has he been standing there? Terror gripped her at the thought of what he’d seen. The words embarrassing and awkward didn’t describe her dilemma.
“A-Aaron,” she croaked hoarsely. “I-I….”
Tears rose in her eyes, and shame flooded her body. There were no words for the apology she wanted to vocalize. Instead, she stood stunned, staring at him in utter humiliation.
“I have people outside.” His calm voice unnerved her. She watched his expression change and the military officer surface. He’s embarrassed…no, he’s pissed. “I have a meeting scheduled, remember? I’ll be about an hour, and then I want to talk to you. Is that the finalized contract?” He pointed at the desk.
Nodding robotically, she stumbled toward the door. Like he had done at the wedding, he clutched her arm when she tried to pass him. What the hell? Why is he so grabby all of a sudden?
“I came in ahead of Jas and Sam to see if Tara was in here,” he murmured. “Nobody else saw you. Just me.”
What the hell did that mean? No one else saw you, just me? She shook like a leaf in a violent wind. Mortified to the point of being breathless, she tried to pull away, but his firm grip didn’t allow her to move. Didn’t he understand she had to get the hell out of there? Now!
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
“We’ll talk later. I’ll come find you when I’m done here.” He let go of her arm and stepped back.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she left the room and encountered the people waiting to enter his office. Jas leered at her, eye fucking her like he had during their negotiations. The construction company didn’t want to work with them, but the client wanted RAF, providing the leverage she used to get her boss the best deal possible. Holy crap, the same people she’d just told to fuck off when they didn’t initially agree to her terms were standing behind him. Quickly masking her expression, she took on her cold business persona and don’t fuck with me attitude.
“Do you need me, Mr. Rosencrantz?”
She returned Jas’s leer with an unwavering stare.
“No, Tash. Not for this meeting,” Aaron answered.
“She drove a hard bargain, Aaron. I thought you were the Jew.”
Aaron laughed at the man’s misplaced attempt at humor, but Tasha ignored the comment. They had always managed to play their roles to perfection. They’d had an instant partnership—too bad it never went past the doors of the firm. Giving the men waiting with him a nod, she stepped into her office.
While she paced for what seemed an eternity, she cursed herself for being so stupid. She had no idea what their conversation would be about, and not being able to prepare for it threw her off guard. In anticipation of the worst, she wrote a brief letter of resignation. She replayed what had happened, and her resolve hardened. He made her insane, and her loss of professionalism had been the final straw.
***
How the hell was Aaron going to handle Tasha’s outlandish behavior? After she’d shrugged him off, he’d convinced himself his ball-busting COO wanted nothing to do with him. But what he’d seen earlier cast doubt on his determination to forget her and move on. As he headed for her office, his photographic memory and eye for detail kept what he’d seen fresh. By the time his meeting had concluded, he’d played the scene over so often in his mind, his dick had been hard enough to drill concrete. Thank goodness all of the details of the deal he’d cut earlier had been so solid, they’d required very little thought on his part. All he could do during the conversation was nod and fight like hell not to focus with her flowery scent clinging to his chair.
She turned from the window overlooking downtown San Antonio when he entered. Concerned their conversation could become emotional for her, he’d told her administrative assistant not to let anyone disturb them. She twitched when he closed the door and shut the blinds to the outer offices. He had to ease her fears, build her trust in him and his discretion. Breathing deeply, he approached her. This conversation would be humiliating for the woman he wanted more than air, but they needed to have it. He had to formulate a way to reach her and make her understand everything would be fine.