From that point on, dinner was mostly drama-free. After the awards had been presented, the event moved into the live auction. Firemen on every level of handsome took the stage. The women in attendance had a choice of shape, size, and ethnic background. On any other day, India might have been interested in a few of the gorgeous men. But today, she only had eyes for one, and, unfortunately, he wasn’t on the auction block.
“Here you go,” Rochelle said, handing India a wooden paddle with a number engraved on the end of it.
Rochelle took a seat that had been abandoned by one of India’s guests.
“What’s this for?” India asked frowning.
“Funny,” Rochelle answered with a smirk. “Which man do you want?” She rubbed her hands together. “Thanks to that big bonus you just gave me, I’m going after number five … unless you want him.”
“No, I don’t want him or anyone else for that matter.” India put her paddle down in front of her.
“Oh I think you might. Have you seen number ten? He’s talk, dark, and seriously sexy. In fact, he looks a little like the Chief.”
India couldn’t help but take a closer look at the man in question. She tilted her head and smiled at her friend.
“Let the bidding begin,” Rochelle said as the auctioneer took the podium.
After thirty minutes, twenty of the sexiest men India had ever laid eyes on had been auctioned off to some very excited women, one of whom was her assistant Rochelle, who had walked off with number five as planned.
India stared down at the receipt for her own purchase. “I can’t believe you did that to me,” she said, glaring at Rochelle.
“What? All I did was make sure you have company for the rest of the evening. What you do with that company is your business,” Rochelle said, taking a sip of her water.
“You picked up my paddle and held it up, forcing me to buy him. For ten thousand dollars, at that,” she said, shaking her head.
Rochelle shrugged. “It’s for a good cause.”
“I’ve given enough money to the school already, thank you very much.”
“That wasn’t the cause I was referring to,” Rochelle said, wiggling her eyebrows. “Besides, it’s one drink in the lounge later. It won’t kill you.”
The live band claimed the stage and several people took over the dance floor. They played something for everyone—line dancing, two-stepping, and, of course, the “get up close and personal” music that had several the couples gravitating toward the dance floor. While India’s dance card remained full most of the night, the one person she was hoping would take her in his arms was nowhere in sight. Then again, neither was Ms. Lowe.
After India had had enough of the mingling, networking, and dancing, she glanced at her watch. It was time to meet Bachelor Number Ten for their date. She bid good night to her tablemates and made her way to the escalator and down to the hotel lounge. India had agreed to meet her date there for the sake of convenience. Most of the other couples had decided to meet at a dance club down the street.
The contemporary space held about fifty tables with various styles of seating that surrounded the circular bar. Two couples were sitting at tables across the room from each other, and one burly gentleman was perched at the bar drinking a beer and chatting up the long-legged female bartender. For a lounge in an upscale downtown hotel, it was pretty quiet.
India chose a high-top table across from the bar and took a seat.
“Can I help you with something, sweetheart?” the bartender asked with her hands in her back pockets. She didn’t make a move to reach for the notepad in her apron to take India’s order.
India opened her purse and removed her driver’s license. “A lemon drop martini—top shelf,” she said, handing the woman her identification. “Please.”
The woman checked the license then looked up at India before her eyes dropped back to the card again. “Damn, girl! Who’s your plastic surgeon?”
Both women laughed.
“I don’t have one, Sally,” she said, reading the woman’s nametag. “Just good genes and damn good makeup.”
“MAC is the bomb, right?” she said, returning India’s license. “I’ll be right back with your drink.”
India whipped out her phone and punched the keys to get her into her voicemail.
“Now, why did you lie to that poor woman? We both know your skin is flawless even without makeup,” a familiar, male voice said.
India raised her head and met his piercing gaze. “And how would you know that?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I saw you this afternoon, remember?” Jonathon smiled down at her. “You couldn’t have been wearing much makeup in all that heat. Your skin was still perfect. You are perfect.”
Desire flickered in his eyes. The fact that he wasn’t trying to hide it made her heart swell and brought on waves of need that made her feel much bolder than normal. “I’m expecting someone, but if you’d like to have a seat …”
“I’ll just keep you company until they arrive,” he declared.
India smiled up at him. “Can I buy you a drink?” she asked.
“I think that’s my line.” Jonathon removed his jacket and placed it in the chair across from India while he took a spot next to her.
“Here you go. One lemon drop martini,” Sally said, placing the glass in front of India while flickering an appreciative look over Jonathon’s muscular body.
“Thank you. And Sally, can you bring my friend a …”
“Beer is fine. Whatever’s on tap,” he said, smiling up at the bartender.
“I’ll be right back,” Sally promised and whipped around to the direction of the bar.
“You didn’t ask for his identification,” India teased.
Sally’s pink lips twitched as she looked over her shoulder. “Yes, but he doesn’t look like he just graduated from high school, either.”
“So what are you trying to say? That I look like I belong to the AARP club?” Jonathon’s eyebrows reached for the sky.
Sally pointed to the bar and quipped, “I think I’m going to mind my own business from here on out.”
India chuckled at the stricken look on Jonathon’s face.
“What are you doing here?” Jonathon asked.
“I told you earlier, I wanted a martini,” she said, taking a sip of her drink. “The drink you thought I was too young to have.”
“And I’m not the only one,” he protested, nodding toward Sally, who was eyeing both of them as she pulled down a draft. “But I put my foot in my mouth on that one, didn’t I?”
“All is forgiven.”
“I certainly hope so,” he countered. “I’d hate for something like that to come between us.”
“Come between us?” she said. “How? There is no … us.”
“Not yet,” he shot back.
“Here you go,” Sally said, placing the beer in front of Jonathon. “Just wave if you need anything else.” She disappeared as quickly as she came.
“So did you enjoy yourself tonight?” he asked India before taking a drink of his beer.
“It was lovely.” She took a bite out of her lemon and shivered. “Did you and the beautiful Victoria have a nice time?”
“I really can’t speak for her, but I found the evening extremely… stimulating,” he teased with a slight curve to his lips.
India took another sip of her drink, unable to decipher exactly what he meant by that. Her body was responding to his closeness in a way that had her sitting up straighter in her chair. India’s desire for Jonathon was unlike anything she’d ever experienced—not that there were many experiences to speak of.
“Did you now?” she asked in a hushed tone.
“I especially enjoyed watching all the men vying for your attention and getting nowhere—that is, until the auction started.” He took another sip of his beer, his eyes never leaving her face.
India did a quick recap of her night in her mind, trying to see things from his point of view.
“I should probably tell you, Tim’s not coming,” he said.
India’s forehead creased. “Tim?”
“You know—Tim, Bachelor Number Ten. The man you paid ten large for. He’s one of my junior officers. I sent him back to the station,” he explained in a nonchalant tone.
India folded her arms and raised her chin. “And why would you do that?”
Jonathon leaned forward and held her gaze. “Because I didn’t want him anywhere near you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I wanted you all to myself.”
“Oh …” Breathe, India.
“By the look on your face during the auction, your mind—your interest—seemed to lie elsewhere, unless I’m mistaken,” he said over the rim of his mug. “Care to talk about it?”
“Why don’t we not talk about me and you tell me something about you,” she suggested.
Jonathon was silent for a moment, then placed the mug on the table in front of them, and settled in the seat as if he’d be there a while. “What would you like to know?”
“Are you dating Victoria?”
Jonathon’s laugh was thunderous and uncontrolled, and for a moment, she thought it would never end. “I’m not dating Victoria, or anyone else for that matter.”
India tried to hide her delight by biting the side of her bottom lip, but the appearance of the wide smile on his face told her she’d failed miserably.
“And you, Ms. Slone? Is there someone special waiting at home for you?” he asked, finishing off the last of his beer.
“If that were the case, Mr. Victor, I wouldn’t be here with you right now.”
The intense look he focused on her sent a bolt south that caused her to shift in the leather seat. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Shall we have another round?”
“Sure.”
He signaled Sally, gestured to the empty glasses, and made a circular motion.
Sally nodded her understanding.
“Now that we’ve confirmed that we’re both single, care to answer my earlier question?”
“Which one is that?” she asked frowning.
“How old are you, Ms. Slone?”
“I think I prefer to keep you guessing on that one,” she said with a laugh. “Instead, why don’t we play twenty questions; I’ll ask one, then you, and so on.” Seeing his right eyebrow raise, she held up an index finger. “Except you can’t ask anything you’ve already asked.”
“So will you answer my questions? Honestly?” he asked.
“Of course, just as I expect you to answer mine.”
Sally delivered their drinks along with a bowl of chips and salsa and hurried away.
India and Jonathon spent the next couple of hours learning basic things about one another that normally one would find out over the span of several dates. India found herself laughing and having more fun than she’d had in a long time.
Jonathon’s passion and dedication to his field of service were inspiring. His thoughts about family, no matter what that looked like, impressed her. The fact that he had a wicked sense of humor—not to mention the looks and body that would make a Greek god envious—was an added bonus. Every time Jonathon gifted her with that sexy smile, she thought she’d come undone. India had made up her mind. She wanted Jonathon Victor.
But because of the scars from his last relationship, India wasn’t sure if he would be willing to act on their obvious attraction. Jonathon’s answers were comprehensive, yet cautious, and the undertones and things unspoken told India the true story where his heart was concerned. Jonathon didn’t seem ready to take any risks in matters of the heart, which didn’t leave any room for true love or true anything.
If she went any further with him, she knew this night was all she would have. She couldn’t put her energy into a man who was closed off, but she could certainly sample the merchandise. That would leave a smile on her face, and hopefully he’d give her an earth-shattering orgasm or two to remember him by.
Chapter 6
Jonathon checked his watch. “Wow, it’s getting late. Maybe we should call it a night.”
“Or …” India pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. Her lips pursed, clamping down on her original idea.
“Or what, India? Finish your thought,” he pushed, staring into her eyes.
“Or maybe we should take this upstairs to my suite,” she offered in a suggestive manner.
Jonathon stared at her for a few ticks of time before taking her hands in his. “Are you sure?”
“Not every sexual encounter has to turn into a relationship. And I’ve never been so sure of anything in my whole life,” she said before leaning forward and kissing him on the corner of his mouth.
He had been fighting all night to keep himself under control and his hands to himself. But the taste of lemon and Vodka on her lips had him teetering on the edge. They were so right for each other on so many levels—except one. Her passion and determination were a great deal like the woman who had broken his heart “One night, yes?”
“One night, and we part with no hard feelings … regardless of who gets the property,” she agreed.
Jonathon released her hands and cradled her face in the palm of his hands. He ran his thumb over the soft swell of her lips. “I want to kiss you so bad right now, but I know if I start I won’t be able to stop.”
“Who says I’d want you to,” she whispered.
He dropped his hands and intertwined their fingers.
Getting to know the woman behind all the success and learning just how hard she had to work and all the obstacles she still had to overcome, only made him want her that much more. Jonathon found her ability to balance her strength and vulnerability sexy as hell. Suddenly, it didn’t matter how much money she had in her bank account. He knew she would never use it against him. She just wasn’t that type of woman.
India stroked a finger across the palm of his hand. He curled his massive hand around hers. The connection was nothing short of orgasmic. “Let’s get out of here.”
Jonathon stood, dropped several bills on the table, and helped India out of her chair. They said their goodnights to Sally and made their way to the guest elevators. They stood on opposite sides of the elevator on the way up to India’s floor. Jonathon stared at her, taking in the fact that her bottom lip was being held prisoner by perfect white teeth—something he’d noticed her doing when she was either nervous or being naughty. While he would have loved it to be the latter, he knew better. “Having second thoughts?”
Her head whipped to him, the crease in her forehead deepening. “No … you?”
Jonathon closed the gap between them, stared down at her and smiled. “I have never wanted a woman the way I want you,” he said, running the back of his hand down the smooth skin of her cheek before trailing it to the curve of her shoulder.
“That’s what worries me,” she murmured as they exited the elevator. “I’m at the end of the hall.”
They walked the short distance in silence. India retrieved the key from her purse only to have it taken from her. Jonathon opened the door and followed her inside. “Would you like something to drink?” she asked as she dropped her purse on the coffee table.
“No. What did you mean ‘that’s what worries me?’” he questioned, an intense gaze on her.
She froze midway to where he stood. “You heard that, did you?”
“It’s all right, you know,” he said, walking to her. “You can change your mind. I’ll understand if you think this is too fast—”
India reached up and placed her index finger over his mouth. “That’s not it at all. This thing between us doesn’t feel too fast.”
“How does this feel to you,” he asked, allowing his fingers to tease the valley of her breasts before finding their way to her mouth. He loved the way her breathing caught whenever he touched her.
“It feels … right.”
“It feels right to me, too.” He pulled her into his arms. “So what’s worry
ing you?”
She looked up at him. “Remember when I told you that I’d only been with two men?”
“Yeah … so?”
“Neither one of them made me feel the way you make me feel,” she said, bringing her arms up and around his neck. “It was easy to walk away from them; there was nothing like this to keep me … wanting to come back.”
With those words—the vulnerability, the innocence—Jonathon’s control snapped and he devoured India’s mouth.
Their tongues danced, teasing, tasting, testing the waters of need before Jonathon’s teeth found the soft curve of her neck where he leaned in and gently nipped that caramel skin. She arched toward him, pulling him into her in a way that let him know she didn’t mind a little roughness. Their kisses deepened to a fevered pitch and control became difficult.
When they finally came up for air, India broke away from him and took several steps back.
Jonathon’s whole body shook with need as he fought through the haze of desire and asked, “Did I hurt you?”
India smiled as she reached across her chest and under her right arm and unzipped her dress. The bodice dropped and Jonathon was presented with a pair of perfect breasts with erect nipples begging to be tasted. Jonathon’s sex was throbbing and demanding to be released from its confinement.
Instead of allowing him a few moments to drink in the glorious sight before him, India pushed the dress over her hips and let it pool at her feet. She stood before Jonathon in a lace thong and her Christian Louboutin heels.
Jonathon extended his arms and India stepped out of the dress and made her way toward him, her hips swaying in a wanton matter.
He kissed her passionately on the lips before making his way down her neck, across her collarbone, and down the valley of her breasts. He ran his thumb across her nipples before he took first one, then the other, in his mouth. Jonathon sucked and pulled until India’s head dropped back and her cries of satisfaction were too much to resist. He stood, taking her in his arms. India laughed and hid her face in his neck.
“We need a bed for this next part.”
The bedroom was illuminated by the moon and the lights of the city. Jonathon laid India across the king-size bed. She sat up on her elbows and watched him remove his shirt, then toe off his shoes and socks. He undid his belt and took off his pants.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered ... I'm Yours Page 33