Jada jumped. She hadn’t realized he was awake. Slowly, she turned toward him. “Good morning.”
He reached behind her and pulled her toward him. He kissed her. “Now that’s a proper good morning.”
Jada gave a half-hearted smile. “I should get going. I’m not too late and can still make the staff meeting.” She pushed back the covers and scooted to the edge to escape, but Damian stopped her.
“Jada, nothing has to change at work. You’ll be you, and I’ll be me.”
“How’s that going to work with us sleeping together?”
He sat up and leaned on an arm. “It can work as long as we’re both honest with each other.”
“I don’t know …” Her voice trailed off.
“How not to jump my bones when you see me?” he offered with an unabashed grin.
She couldn’t help but smile because that would definitely be a problem. “Sort of. I mean, there’s no denying there’s an attraction between us. What if other people notice? I don’t want them thinking my Friday morning anchor slot came via the casting couch.”
Damian bolted upright in the bed. “You got that position because you were the best person for it. And we weren’t sleeping together when I gave you the tryout. Yes, we had kissed, but that’s all.”
Her eyes lowered. She could hear the whispers. “They won’t know that. They’ll speculate.” She paused. “Can we keep this under wraps?”
“If it makes you feel more secure, then yes.”
Jada nodded. “Thank you. I just never really thought about the two of us past Dallas.” She hadn’t dared to think about more than the moment. San Francisco had seemed far off in the distance, but it wasn’t anymore. They were here, now.
He stared at her. “And after last night, you’re having second thoughts?”
She heard the edge to his voice, but they had to face that they were in muddy waters. “It’s clear there’s something between us,” Jada replied. “I don’t deny that.”
“But—”
“It won’t be easy hiding my feelings toward you.” Feelings she didn’t clearly understand, and sleeping with Damian wasn’t going to make it any easier. “I don’t like being sneaky, but right now I don’t see another way.” She’d begrudgingly begun earning her colleagues’ respect. She didn’t want to lose it. Yet, she didn’t want to give up the amazing connection she had with Damian, even knowing she could fall deeply in love with him.
“Then it’s settled.”
Jada shrugged. “I guess so.”
Damian threw the covers back and walked toward the bathroom. When he made it to the door, he said, “Then what are you waiting for? Let’s get clean.”
An hour later, Jada was sitting at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen reliving her own movie trailer of the morning’s highlights: Damian hoisting her up against the wall and ramming into her in the shower. Damian’s kindness when he’d pulled a box from the closet to reveal a designer dress with matching shoes and the most beautiful lingerie from La Perla. He’d purchased them with the hope she might stay over and wear them one day. And since he didn’t want her to be late to work, she’d generously accepted the gift.
Now, she was wearing the dress Damian had personally handpicked for her along with the sexy lace push-up bra and knickers that were mere wisps of fabric and left nothing to the imagination. Just knowing he’d be thinking of her in them was a heady feeling.
“Earth to Jada.” Kyler stood in front of her cubicle and leaned over her desk.
Jada blinked back. “Oh, hey girl. How are you?”
“I’m fine, but you looked far away. Everything OK? Are Bree and the baby alright?”
Jada smiled. “Oh yes, they’re fine. Thank you so much for asking. I’m sorry if I was preoccupied.”
“It’s OK. I just thought we might catch up later. You know, maybe have girls’ night out.”
A flash of black caught Jada’s attention, and Kyler followed her gaze. It was Damian. He’d just walked into the newsroom and was talking to Andrew.
“Boss man is here. He’s been MIA all week,” Kyler said. “I thought he might have tired of us already. No such luck.”
“He’s not that bad.”
“Hey, I thought you were with me in thinking he might not be good for WLB-TV. But then again, maybe you’re not. He did give you the Friday morning anchor spot. Maybe you were onto something by speaking your mind. Clearly it didn’t hurt your career.”
“I’m just as surprised as you are. I wasn’t his favorite person when he bought the station.”
“But you are now.” Kyler winked. “Have any tips?”
Jada’s mind wandered to when she’d taken him in her mouth last night and watched Damian fall apart. “Umm, no, I don’t. Guess I was just lucky.”
“I hope your luck rubs off on me. How about cocktails tonight? It’s been ages since we hung out on a Friday night.”
“Of course.” Her life couldn’t revolve around Damian and their next booty call.
When Damian called later, asking if they could have dinner, Jada turned him down. “I’m sorry, but I made other plans.”
“Please don’t tell me we’re back to square one and you’re going out with some other joker. I thought we agreed to be exclusive.”
“And we are. I’m going out for girls’ night and having cocktails.”
“Girls’ night?”
“You know, when women get together, have cocktails, and talk about men, work, and family. Oh, and did I mention men? I’m sure guys do it too.”
“I don’t.”
“C’mon. You don’t have any male friends who you hang out with and shoot the breeze?”
“No, I don’t.” He sounded affronted that she’d asked him. “I’m much too busy for that sort of thing.”
“Well, I’m not,” Jada whispered into the phone so no one would hear her. “I have a life, friends, and family, and I’m not going to give them up simply because we’re sleeping together.”
“I never asked you to. I, I just thought that since we’d made it official, we’d spend our first night together as a real couple. But clearly I was wrong, and I’m sorry to have bothered you. I will be sure and contact you in advance to make sure your calendar is clear.”
Click.
Jada stared down at the phone. Had he just hung up on her? The sound of the dial tone told her he had indeed ended their call. She’d had no idea he would be so sentimental about their relationship. It was just sex after all. But she supposed she could make an effort to be more considerate of his feelings in the future.
Damian stared down at the phone in his hands. He shook his head in consternation. He couldn’t believe he’d actually behaved so childishly and hung up on Jada. He’d just been so annoyed that she wasn’t available this evening. He’d given great thought to their first night together. He’d even made reservations at his favorite restaurant in San Francisco to impress her. But he’d gotten his signals crossed.
Jada wasn’t as invested in this little relationship of theirs. Well, if she wasn’t going to give him the time of day, he would do the same. He had business to run across the country. He didn’t have time to cater to this fascination he had with Jada. When the time came that Jada finally found herself available and ready for him, he would show her exactly what she’d missed.
“I can’t believe we’re finally hanging out,” Kyler said when she and Jada were seated on a plush velvet sofa in a nearby martini bar later that evening. “You’ve been so busy lately.”
“I’m sorry if I’ve been incommunicado.”
“You couldn’t have predicted Bree’s pregnancy scare.”
“I know, but I have been a bit self-absorbed with my own drama. How are you?”
Kyler shrugged. “I would feel better if I knew what I’d done wrong and why Damian doesn’t want me
to be Hilary’s backup.”
“You know I had nothing to do with his decision.”
“Yes, of course, I know that, here,” Kyler said, pointing to her head, “but here,” she said, pointing to her heart, “feels a bit wounded. Damian sees something in you that I’m missing, and I wish I knew what it was.”
Jada felt guilty because although she deserved the spot—she’d been at the station longer than Kyler—she wasn’t entirely sure Damian’s decision had nothing to do with the relationship they shared. “You’re a great news correspondent, Kyler. You mustn’t let this ruin your confidence.”
“I just wish I knew what he was looking for so I could prove how invaluable I am.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
Kyler nodded. “Enough about work. Let’s talk about something more upbeat, like who has you preoccupied.”
“Wh-what are you talking about?” Jada feigned ignorance.
“C’mon, Jada. We’ve known each other for years, and I know what you look like when you’re smitten. So spill. Are you seeing someone?”
“No one.”
Kyler raised a brow. “Bull. I’ve seen that starry-eyed, glazed look before. Remember when you were seeing that football player, what’s his name.”
“Brady Smith.”
“Yes.” Kyler pointed to her. “Exactly him. You were so sprung on that fella. Lately, you’ve been acting the same way.”
Jada weighed what she could tell Kyler. She couldn’t spill her guts and tell her she was seeing their boss, especially given Kyler’s feelings of inadequacy. It would be like pouring salt on her wounds, not to mention that Kyler might think Jada had the upper hand because she was sleeping with Damian. No, no, she couldn’t tell her the truth, but she could give her a portion of it.
“OK, OK. I admit I recently began seeing someone, but it’s much too early to call it anything other than hooking up.”
“Must be damn good given the glazed look I caught on your face today.”
Jada chuckled. “I admit he’s been putting it on me.”
“Oh really?” Kyler lit up with a smile.
“To be honest with you, I think he’s the best I’ve ever had.” Jada blushed as she sipped her martini. “He knows exactly what buttons to push, if you know what I mean.”
Kyler fanned herself with her hand. “Damn, it’s like that? Wish I could get some of what you’re having.” She picked up her glass and liberally sipped her drink.
“He’s got me twisted. I can’t think straight.”
“Tell me more. How did you meet? What does he do?”
“We met at a work function. I don’t remember which one,” Jada lied. She couldn’t exactly tell Kyler that she’d met the man about a month ago. It might give her away. “He’s a businessman.”
“That doesn’t tell me much. Do you mean to tell me that’s all you know? Are you sure he’s not married, Jada? I’d hate to see you get in over your head.”
Jada shook her head. “He’s not married, Kyler. I checked him out online.”
“Good girl. I always background check men these days. You can just never be too careful.”
“Have you given up on Tinder?”
“Girl, please.” Kyler sighed. “I’ve given up on dating entirely. It’s just too hard to find a good man. That’s why I’m living through you, vicariously getting tasty snippets about your love life because mine is nonexistent. If it keeps going like this, I’m going to be as dry as the Sahara Desert down below, if you get my drift.”
Jada burst out laughing. She placed her martini glass on the table. “C’mon, let’s get out there and dance. We’ve got to lighten up the mood.” She didn’t like having to keep secrets from Kyler, but Jada had been the one who’d suggested keeping her and Damian’s relationship a secret because she didn’t want any fallout at work.
So, she had to live with her decision.
Damian glanced down at his phone. Three missed calls from Jada. He’d proven his point that he was just as busy as she was, but he felt hollow. He’d like nothing better than to have Jada come over tonight. It would be a salve given that he’d wanted to spend the evening with her.
But he realized Jada had no illusions that this fling, although monogamous, would eventually end. She was preparing herself for the eventual fallout by staying at a distance from him. In the past, that wouldn’t have mattered because when Damian was done with a sexual relationship, he moved on. But being with Jada wasn’t so cut and dried. She was not just in his body … she had also creeped her way into his heart.
Maybe seeing less of her was just what he needed to clear his head. The old adage “out of sight, out of mind” might just be right. It was for the best because he was years away from being ready for the demands of a serious relationship, let alone marriage and children. He doubted he was even cut out for fatherhood after what he’d endured.
Damian had mastered the art of being alone—understood the nuances, never let anyone close. He shook his head, dismissing the topic from his mind and determined to focus on McKnight Media. Yet, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling a mix of unhappiness and frustration at Jada’s choice of companion for the evening.
Jada called Damian on her way home, but the call went straight to voicemail again. What is this all about? He’d said he wanted to spend time with her, but now he wasn’t picking up? She’d thought they were over these childish games. If she knew where he lived, she’d drop by and give him a piece of her mind. But last night had been so steamed, she’d barely noticed any landmarks on the way there.
Well, if he wanted them to have a committed physical relationship, he was going to have be more open with information, especially something as simple as his address. Jada wondered if Damian even knew how to open up. He was great in the bedroom and knew how to express himself with his needs and desires, but take him out of that arena and he was completely inept.
Maybe she should have given more thought before accepting his terms. Instead, she’d given in immediately because she was powerless to defend herself against the man’s charisma. Damian had a way of upending her that no other man before him had. That scared her. She didn’t want to fall in love with a man incapable of offering love.
Chapter 17
By Saturday afternoon, after yoga and running a few errands, Damian still hadn’t called. So, Jada took matters into her own hands. She headed to the station. She was a reporter after all and was sure she could find some information with his name and address. The parking lot was half full with only a minimal crew for the weekend shows, but she spotted Damian’s Tesla sitting in the reserved spot and she pulled her Jaguar beside his.
Jada hopped out of the car and stormed into the station toward his office on the second floor in her yoga gear. When she reached his door, she swung it open with a thud. Damian looked up from his laptop.
She drank in the sight of him from the doorway. He was wearing jeans and a Polo shirt and, heaven help her, he looked good enough to eat. For his part, he stared at her intensely until eventually Jada broke the eye contact by folding her arms across her chest. “Look who we have here.” She walked toward his desk, then glanced down at his phone and grabbed it. She swiped it back and forth. “And guess what? It works.”
Damian’s obsidian eyes glared at her from across the desk. “Jada.”
She tossed the phone down. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
He shrugged. “No, why would I?”
“Because!” She stomped her foot. “I called and texted you half a dozen times with no response.”
“I was merely giving you your space. I wouldn’t want you to feel like you were at my beck and call or that I was crowding you.”
“Really? I didn’t have to come here, but I was foolishly trying to …” Her words trailed off. Why would she put forth the effort if he didn’t want to make this work? If a
ll he wanted was a bed buddy, he could find someone else. She was done.
She spun on her heel and started toward the door. Lightning fast, Damian caught up with her right outside his door near the stairs. “Jada, wait!” He moved closer into her personal space. Her breathing shortened, and Jada felt herself flush at his nearness. “What?” She lowered her eyes to avoid looking at him.
“Don’t leave.”
“Why not? You don’t want to speak to me, so what’s the point?”
His forefinger lifted underneath her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “I’m sorry.”
She hadn’t been expecting an apology. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry,” he said again. “I was acting like a child. I was upset that you weren’t available last night. I let it get the better of me because I wanted to spend time with you. There! Are you happy?”
Jada couldn’t resist a grin, and her anger immediately evaporated. Damian was admitting his true feelings, and she knew how hard it was for him to open up. “Was that truly hard for you to say? It’s OK to miss me, Damian. I missed you too, which is why, if you’d picked up your phone last night, I would have told you so and come over.”
“Can we start over? Jada, would you like to have dinner with me tonight? Say seven p.m.? I can pick you up from your place.”
“On a date?” Jada glanced down the stairs. No one was watching them, but they were out in the open. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I have a very private place in mind.”
Jada nodded. “Alright then. I’d love to have dinner with you.”
“And dessert?” He raised a mischievous eyebrow.
She chuckled. “Yes. I’ll bring my overnight bag.”
Damian leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, “Good, because I’m going to need the whole night to make up for yesterday.”
“All night?” Jada’s tongue slid out to wet her lips.
“That’s right. So, you’d better get some rest.” He swatted her on the behind as she bounded down the stairs.
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