Love's Wager

by J. M. Jeffries

  Anastasia sighed as though Nina was being stupid. “Single mothers who raise terrific children are admired and as for being a single grandmother, my daddy could spin that like you wouldn’t believe. And as for you, you’re a choice...and in Daddy’s mind, a bad choice. And Daddy thinks Scott would be a terrific husband for me.” She flipped back her hair, raising her chin in a defiant gesture.

  Nina was so startled at the last comment that she couldn’t focus for a few seconds. “I’m kind of speechless.” She was having a hard time imagining Scott married to Anastasia.

  Anastasia leaned forward and patted Nina’s hand. “Daddy’s a real smart man. He knows how to get the votes. And I like Scott. So I need you to back off.”

  Nina stood up. What she wanted to do was get rid of this woman. She needed to think. “I will take all of this under advisement.” She opened the bedroom door and smiled at Anastasia. “I have dinner waiting.” Anastasia raised an eyebrow as though expecting an invitation. Nina walked to the front door and opened it to the hallway. “Thank you, Anastasia, for all your input.”

  Anastasia hesitated. She glanced at Scott who stood out on the balcony, wineglass in hand. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “I’ll put that on my to-do list.” Nina gestured at the door and Anastasia stepped out and turned her mouth open as though to add something. Nina closed the door before any more words could come out. Scott turned at the sound of the door closing. Nina went out to the balcony, accepting her own glass of wine from him as he waited leaning against the balcony.

  “What did she want?” Scott asked curiously.

  Nina wondered what to tell him. She hadn’t promised not to say anything to Scott; she’d only promised to keep her knowledge out of the press.

  Finally, she said, “We need to talk.” She gave him every piece of detail Anastasia had told her and watched as his face changed from being relaxed and calm to closed and emotionless. “I’m hungry, but I’m skipping dinner and going right to the dessert.”

  Scott didn’t say anything. Nina went back inside to cut the Torta Mousse de Maracujá. Scott stopped her. “No. A proper meal first.” He put the pot roast on the table and pulled out a chair for Nina.

  She wanted to ask him what he was thinking, but found herself, probably for the first time in her life, at a loss for words. They ate in silence. Scott’s face was closed and remote and Nina could tell he was thinking really hard.

  With his plate finally empty, Scott pushed back from the table. He cleaned his plate into the garbage disposal and put it into the dishwasher. Nina did the same. With dessert plates in hand, they went to sit on the balcony.

  “You haven’t said a word.” Nina watched him closely.

  “Oh, hell, no.”

  “To what?” she asked.

  “To all of it.”

  “But...”

  “I thought about this during this wonderful meal you cooked me and I know I don’t want to have anything to do with Senator Parrish. That man is shady and that’s me being polite.”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of morally bankrupt, but I’ll go with shady,” Nina said. She took a bite of the Torta Mousse de Maracujá. Heavenly.

  Scott stared out at the night sky. “Senator Parrish is the kind of man who expects a person to do hard time for him. He wants a hatchet man.”

  “Do you really think so?” She didn’t trust the senator either.

  “I know so. He has access to my military records.”

  “Tell me,” Nina coaxed.

  “No.” His tone was firm.

  “What happens now?” She had had a hard time getting out of working for Senator Parrish. She’d been in the middle of her divorce and the senator had been relentless in his desire for her to work for him. She had considered hiding in Fiji to escape.

  “Let’s put it on hold, I have something else in mind right now.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Really. What?”

  He grinned, pulled her into his arms and ran his fingers over her breasts.

  “That’s what you have in mind.”

  “Objection?” he asked.

  “None at all.”

  He lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Desire pooled inside her. She was on a roller coaster of excitement and she liked the thrill that vibrated through her.

  Scott set her on her feet at the side of the bed. Her legs were so wobbly she lost her balance. Her throat went dry. Unable to look away, she watched him remove his tie, ball it up and stick it in his pocket. Then he slipped his jacket off and draped it over the chair. He was stripping for her. How exciting, she thought, and found herself smiling in anticipation.

  “Nina.” He started to unbutton his white shirt.

  She raised her head and his eyes met hers. “Do you want me to get undressed now?”

  “It’s a great dress, but I’d like to see it on the floor.”

  Nina thought his request a bit odd, but it also sounded sexy. Carl had never made her feel sexy the way Scott did. “If that’s what you want.”

  “It is.”

  Nina pulled off her dress and headed toward the closet.

  “What are you doing?” he asked curiously.

  “This is a Dolce and Gabbana. I can’t toss it on the floor.”

  His chest rumbled as if he was trying not to laugh. “Really?”

  “It’s couture.”

  Scott snatched the dress out of her hand and tossed it on the rug. “I’ll pick it up later.”

  Normally she liked being the bossy one, but from Scott she found it incredibly exciting. She swallowed her response and reached behind her and unhooked her bra. She pulled it off and let it dangle from her fingers before letting it fall on top of her dress.

  He grabbed her wrist and brought her hand to his very hard penis. “This is what you do to me.”

  Nina felt his hard length against her palm. He was so strong and so powerful. Her heart began racing. Heat gushed between her legs.

  “This is why I can’t wait,” he whispered.

  Her mouth opened and closed. She wasn’t certain she could speak.

  “I need you.” Scott cupped her breast and gently kneaded it.

  “Yes,” she moaned. “Me, too.” This was how it was supposed to feel like between a man and woman.

  “Good.” Scott reached into his pocket and pulled out a row of condoms. He ripped one off the row and tossed the rest on the bed.

  The white packets were stark against the olive-and-burgundy fabric of the duvet cover. One corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile as if he’d just thrown down a gauntlet. Did he think she was going to be that easy? She stared at his beautiful sculpted chest, admiring his muscles, his everything. She watched him take off his shoes and socks, and then he stood and unbuckled his belt. Scott unzipped his pants, dropped them on the floor and quickly put the condom on. “Take down your hair.”

  Nina stared at his engorged penis. Soon that would be inside her. Her breath came in short, heavy pants at the thought of him inside her. She began to tremble.

  “Nina.”

  She raised her eyes to his face. His nostrils were flared. “Yes?”

  “Take down your hair.”

  Nina reached up and took the mother-of-pearl hair combs out and let the heavy weight of her hair fall free. She put the combs on the night table. As she turned around, he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up. “Wrap your legs around me.”

  Nina did as commanded. He lowered her until she lay on her back. Without giving her any time to think, he knelt between her legs.

  “You are so beautiful. You are the most delicious looking woman, in and out of your clothes.” His tone was teasing, but the seriousness in his eyes told her how much he desired her.

  He slid t
wo fingers inside her, circling her inner muscles. Pleasure curled through her. Dear God, she was ready to explode. The calloused pad of his thumb moved slowly over her hard bud. Nina couldn’t seem to catch her breath. He moved faster, harder, driving her to the edge.

  He withdrew his fingers and gently used her wetness on her nipples. She strained forward. He teased her breasts, cupping them and then blowing gently on the engorged nipples. They grew even tighter.

  She clutched at him, trying to draw him down on top of her, but he gave her a teasing grin and lowered his mouth to her cleft, his tongue expertly taking over for his thumb. She gasped. Pleasure rode her in waves. Her hips rose frantically.

  He tenderly teased her skin, moving up over her stomach to her waist, her ribs, to her breasts with his tongue and fingers. Her inner muscles clenched with the need for fulfillment. His erection pushed against her inner lips while he continued to suckle, nibble and swirl his tongue around her nipples. He lowered himself, the tip of his penis gently pushing inside.

  His face was tight with tension. His eyes squeezed shut.

  “Scott?”

  “You feel so good.”

  Nina wriggled her hips trying to get him farther inside her, wrapping her legs tightly around him.

  His mouth found hers, his tongue at first gentle, then harder on hers. A shuddering breath escaped her. The feel of him so deep inside left her breathless, building toward her climax. He pulsed inside her.

  Suddenly he stopped and pulled back slightly.

  “Don’t stop,” she moaned.

  “I’m not.” He rolled on his back and with his hands on her waist, he pulled her up on him. He grinned at her.

  She froze, uncertain how to continue. Carl never liked her on top. “I don’t... I never...”

  He put a finger against her mouth. “Hush. I have you.”

  Nina spread her hands over his hard nipples and braced herself. She could feel him pulsing so deeply inside her she couldn’t breathe. He slid his hands to her hips, his fingers spread across her butt cheeks. Slowly, he guided her hips up and down. He filled her so completely, so deeply, her muscles spasmed with desire.

  “So good. You feel so...good.” Nina braced her knees on either side of his hips and fell into the rhythm of his hands as they guided her. She moved up and down, grinding onto him to pull him even more deeply into her. One hand reached between them to rub her clitoris. The other hand reached for her nipple.

  Her orgasm began to build. Her muscles clenched against the friction. His fingers on her nub added to the passion spiraling out of control. He thrust hard into her and her desire escalated until she started to explode in her climax and she could feel his own orgasm in tune with hers.

  She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t think. She strained against him until they both went over the edge.

  Chapter 9

  Nina called Carl and asked him to meet her at the café for lunch. She found him already sitting in a booth, looking nervous. She sat down on the opposite bench, pushing her tote into the corner. The waitress, having gotten to know Nina’s tastes, brought her an iced tea and Nina politely thanked her.

  Carl gave her an expectant look, hope in his eyes. “Well.”

  She reached into her tote and pulled out a plane ticket. She slid the plane ticket across the table. He reached for it, but she refused to let go. “Your plane leaves for LA in three hours. You remember Tasha, my stylist? She will pick you up and take you home. She’s going to go through your closet and lay out what you are going to wear and where you are going to wear it. She’ll start with the clothes for your dinner meeting with Jack tomorrow night. Right now, you look desperate and you smell desperate.” She put two scripts in front of him. “Jack is going to give you a chance to sell yourself. But...” she paused long enough to make sure he was listening to her “...everything is dependent on your being able to direct two episodes of Sunset Cop.”

  His face twisted into disdain. “That show is stupid.”

  “It’s number twelve in the ratings and that’s respectable enough, but the show can do better. You’re going to read these scripts and come up with some dynamite ideas to make this show number one. And then you will sell Jack your ideas.”

  Carl took the scripts. “Then what?”

  “If he’s happy with your work and the numbers are decent, he’ll give you a shot at the movie you want.” She handed him a third script thicker than the first two. “I was able to get this for you so you can study it and come up with ideas. It’s still in draft and there will be a few more changes, but it will give you an idea of what the movie is about.”

  He eagerly grasped the script. “Is that all?”

  “No. Sunset Cop is over budget and the star is threatening to walk off the set if the scripts don’t improve because he’s a prima donna who thinks he’s bigger than the show. This is your chance and I worked hard to get this opportunity for you. Bring it in under budget, which I know you can do, and you’re going to make Lenny Hodges your best friend. Make him happy to be the star of Sunset Cop. If you can do all this, Jack will give you a second meet to discuss Star Chaser. Impress Jack. Make him want you not because I got you this chance, but because you are the right person for this movie.”

  “Did you read Star Chaser?”

  “I did. I’m going to be honest—this script still needs a lot of work. It’s already gone through four rewrites.” She paused as the waitress set her BLT in front of her. She leaned forward, looking directly into Carl’s eyes so he would understand her next words. “This is the last time I will do something like this for you, Carl.”

  He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Why did I ever let you go?”

  “You didn’t let me go. Your ego pushed me out.”

  He took her hand. “I’m sorry, Nina. I was stupid.”

  “I could have fought for you,” she replied. “But I didn’t. We both are at fault.”

  “I’m not good at saying thank-you, or admitting I was wrong.”

  “Carl,” she said. “That’s the best apology you’ve ever given me. Now get out of here. Land this job and be happy. And find a good woman who isn’t a bimbo.” She pushed out of the booth and left Carl paging though the first of the two Sunset Cop scripts, his lunch forgotten. “Don’t screw up. Like I said, I’m not doing this again for you.”

  In the lobby, she found Scott talking with Gary White. The man stood rigidly, hands tensed at his side while Scott talked. Abruptly Gary nodded and walked off without a backward glance.

  “What was that all about?” she asked.

  “He’s not happy about the changes I’ve made.” Scott watched the man walk through the lobby doors to the outside.

  “He’s on your list, I take it.”

  “Yes,” Scott replied. “So what are you doing for dinner tonight?”

  “Hopefully you.”

  He looked taken aback and then burst into laughter. “I’m in. How about dinner first, though.”

  “Are you cooking?”

  “Let’s have a date. Dinner and a show. You pick the place.”

  Nina smiled. “An old friend of my parents’ is performing with his band at the Cowboy Palace.”

  “Who?”

  “T.J. March.”

  “The country-western singer! Didn’t he just win a CMA?”

  “He did, for his album Hello, Country. My mom sang backup.”

  “Your mom seems to know everybody.”

  “She’s been in the business for years and occasionally does session work.” If Nina had had one ounce of talent, she would have followed her mom into the music business.

  “I’m game, but country-western isn’t at the top of my list.”

  “You’ll love T.J. He’s got a touch of blues, some rockabilly and little bit of rock. And if you�
�re really, really nice tonight, I’ll introduce you.”

  He kissed her on the cheek just as Carl entered the lobby. He took one look at Scott and his eyebrows arched. He gave Nina a friendly wave and headed to the elevators. She offered up a tiny prayer that Carl did what needed to be done to assure his future. She wanted the best for him.

  “I’ll meet you here in the lobby around seven.” Scott headed toward the casino and Nina went to the elevator. She had work to do, though she couldn’t stop smiling, remembering the feel of Scott’s lips on her cheek.

  * * *

  A valet took Scott’s SUV and he ushered Nina into The Blue Velvet restaurant. She looked stunning yet funky in a red dress bordered with black. It reminded him of a flapper’s dress from the Roaring Twenties. She wore black spike heels on her narrow feet that added enough height that she was almost nose to nose with him. She’d pulled her hair straight back from her face and secured her hair with crystal-encrusted barrettes. She looked delicious.

  The inside of The Blue Velvet was dim and quiet. Booths lined the walls and the waitress led them to one in a shadowed corner. Nina slid in and Scott followed her. The table was rounded on the inside and he could sit next to her breathing in the delicate, floral scent of her perfume. She leaned into him, her body warm and inviting. His libido went into impatient overdrive as he thought about how their evening would end.

  “Welcome to The Blue Velvet,” their waiter said. “Have you eaten here before?”

  “No,” Scott answered.

  “Then you are in for a treat. We have no menu. The chef decides what he wants to cook and we serve only the one dish until it is gone. Tonight’s offering is Beef Wellington. It is paired with a slightly fruity red wine from a local vineyard. Enjoy your meal.”

  “That was interesting,” Nina said, watching the waiter leave for another table where he repeated his lecture.

  “We’re on an adventure here,” Scott said, taking her hand.

  She murmured agreement and leaned into him more closely. The candlelight from the table reflected in her eyes and his breath caught in his throat. She was the sexiest, most beautiful woman he’d ever known.