by Lynn, Janice
“Of course.” Despite his thoughts from only moments before he made it sound as if he intended to have a serious relationship with Angela.
Perhaps he did. It might be weeks before he got to have sex with her. If he lived that long. Because he wasn’t sure how much heat like last night he could stand without going up in flames. Anticipation was one thing, but Jude didn’t go for masochism.
If Marcus only knew the sacrifices Jude was making in the name of friendship and keeping his word.
Jude walked to the door with Simon. His breath caught when he saw Angela sitting at her desk. As always her hair was pulled up and she wore a pale green button down blouse that made her eye color all the more vivid. She looked beautiful, more beautiful than any memory could do justice to.
And she’d came for him last night. Twice.
“Where’s Mrs. Sedwick?” Simon asked, his gaze running over Angela in true lady’s man fashion.
“Disney.”
Simon’s brow rose. “Oh? She hadn’t mentioned going on vacation to me.”
“Me neither. Apparently this trip came up suddenly as a result of one of the sweepstakes she’s forever entering. Miss Greene is filling in until Mrs. Sedwick returns.”
Angela glanced up, her eyes flashing with steely determination. Hell. She wasn’t happy about last night.
Why would she be? He’d made out with her like a horny high-schooler in a bar hallway. After which, he still hadn’t been able to keep his hands to himself and had felt her up at the table. Her jeans did little to conceal the hot heat at the apex of her thighs and he’d wanted to make her cum. Again. He wanted to make her cum, right now, at this very second. Only this time he wanted his fingers inside her, to feel her sweet release and to lick every drop from his fingers.
Simon stuck his hand out toward her. “Simon Sims.”
“Oh,” she smiled, stood, and took his hand. “I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”
Jude bit back a whistle, and the urge to tell Simon to keep his hands to himself, she was taken.
Oblivious to his possessive thoughts, Simon eyed her tight black skirt, toned legs, then kissed her hand in great show. “From Jude?”
Angela smiled, but didn’t answer.
Jude didn’t smile, but grunted. Or had that been a growl?
He didn’t recall them having talked about the magazine’s owner, but maybe they had. She and Simon chatted a few more minutes. Simon seemed as enraptured with the temp as Jude himself. Then again, she was an enrapturing kind of woman.
A woman that made him oddly possessive.
“You should come to Mrs. Yamaguchi’s party tonight,” Simon invited, causing Jude to look at Angela, gauging her reaction.
Her eyes sparkled. “I’d love to. Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Sims.”
“Simon,” he instantly corrected.
“Simon.” The name purred off her full lips in a silky caress.
The older man gave her the details and preened beneath her attention. Not that Simon wasn’t always the center of feminine attention, but there was something about the way Angela looked at a man that got beneath the surface. Even the surface of professional playboys like Simon and Jude.
“I’ll see you there, then.” Simon left.
Trying to reign in the emotions bubbling within him, Jude lingered beside her desk.
When he didn’t speak and didn’t walk away, she finally looked at him. Total exasperation narrowed her eyes.
“What?” she asked. “You wanted me to tell him no?”
“Not really.” Jude shook his head. “I’d like to have been the one to invite you, though.”
“In which case I might have been inclined to say no thanks.”
“I should be thankful Simon beat me to the punch?”
“You don’t mean he just asked me for a date? He’s old enough to be my father.” Angela’s eyes widened, but he could tell she wasn’t really shocked despite her words.
Jude laughed. “Simon’s women are usually younger than his daughter.”
“Poor girl.”
“Don’t waste your pity on Mandy. She doesn’t deserve the sentiment.”
Angela’s eyes flashed again. Only this time with something akin to guilt.
Over last night?
Had he misread her? Pushed her beyond where she’d wanted to be taken? Their eyes locked. No, she’d wanted every stroke of his fingers, ever thrust of his tongue. She’d been with him every step of the way.
“Go with me.”
“No.”
“But you will save me a dance?”
“No. Dancing with you is dangerous.”
“Messing around with a heavy weight playboy like Simon Sims is dangerous. He eats pretty girls like you for between meal snacks.” Jude laughed. “Besides, I promise not to hurt you.”
She sucked her lower lip into her mouth, watching him with troubled eyes. “You shouldn’t make promises you don’t have the power to keep.”
“I’d never intentionally hurt you,” he clarified, wondering at the look in her eyes.
She shook her head. “My answer is still no.”
“Because of last night?”
“There was no last night.”
“The hell there wasn’t. Shall I remind you?”
“I don’t need a reminder.” She crossed her arms, and he wondered if she was turned on. She tended to cover her breasts when she was. He’d noticed that about her last night. Along with dozens of other nuances that were uniquely Angela. Like how she had golden flecks in her eyes that almost disappeared when she came. Like how responsive she was. Like how much he enjoyed pleasuring her.
“Me neither.” He didn’t need a reminder. He’d thought of nothing else. “I couldn’t sleep for thoughts of making love to you.”
She sighed. “You shouldn’t say such things. It isn’t appropriate.”
“Mrs. Sedwick will be back soon enough. Then you’ll no longer be working for the company. What will your excuse be then?”
“After Mrs. Sedwick comes back I won’t need an excuse because you’ll no longer be a part of my life.”
“You’re wrong,” he said the words low. He hadn’t meant for them to come out quite so much as a threat as they had, but she was wrong.
“Wrong?” She laughed. “Jude, after your assistant returns from sunny Florida, I’m out of here. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
Did she really believe that? If he wanted her at Playhouse, the magazine would get her. With time, his Angel would learn that he got what he wanted. Always. Except perhaps on Marcus’ sex life, which was proving a more difficult task than Jude bargained for.
“I’ll contact the temporary agency. Ask them to keep you here longer.”
“They’ll never allow it.”
“Everyone’s available if the price is right.”
“You think you can buy me?” she scoffed, her eyes flashing with indignation.
“That isn’t what I meant.”
“Then what did you mean?”
“That I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep you in my life. I want to see you after Mrs. Sedwick returns.”
“As in date me?” Angela gnawed on her lower lip. He found the direct contradiction to her overabundant confidence appealing.
“As in look into your eyes last thing before I go to sleep and first thing when I wake up.”
Her eyes widened, and he realized what he said could easily be mistaken to mean more than what he’d meant. Why had he said such a corny statement? He wasn’t given to purple prose and dropping lines he didn’t mean. More take me as I am or not at all. He opened his mouth to clarify, but she shot him down before he could.
“Thanks, but I’m not interested.”
“What?” His brows met in a vee above the bridge of his nose. She wasn’t interested? He didn’t buy it. “You were interested last night.”
“Only because I drank too much.”
“That’s odd. I recall seeing you drink one sip
and that was out of my longneck.”
A forced smile curved her mouth. “You must not have been paying attention.”
“To the fact that you put your lips on the rim of my…longneck?” His lips quirked. “For the record, when it comes to you, I pay attention to every little detail.” His gaze dropped to where her arms crossed over her breasts. “Like the fact that you’re wet for me right now.”
“I am not.” She hugged her breasts tighter.
He grinned. “Prove it.”
She gasped. “Oh, that’s a nice one, Jude. Well, just get over it because I’m not bunching my skirt around my waist so you can play in my panties.”
“Actually,” he moved closer to her. “I had something simpler in mind, but I like how you think.”
“Don’t you have work to do? Because you are annoying me, and I do have work that needs done.”
“Drop your arms, Angel.”
“What?”
“Prove to me that you aren’t turned on. Uncross your arms.”
Her eyes narrowed, and her full lips pulled tight. “Go to hell.”
“That’s about how hot you make me, lady,” he admitted, raking his gaze slowly over her features, knowing instinctively she burned hot enough to qualify for a pitchfork and pointy tail, too. “But if that’s how you feel, I’ll leave you alone.”
He walked to his door, turned, grinned when he saw that she still hugged her breasts.
“For now.”
* * *
Avery did a mental run down of what formal gowns her New York closet held. Several that would work for any occasion, but none that made her think, “Yeah, that’s the one I want to wear to a party where Jude will be.”
She pulled her cell phone from her purse and dialed Randi. “I need Claire Davis’ number.”
“The fashion designer?”
“Yes, the one who’s ex stole a bunch of her designs and sold them as his own line, that Claire Davis. Now give me her number.”
“Why?”
“Since when did you start asking twenty questions every time I need a number?”
“Do you need Claire’s number for business or pleasure?”
“Are you going to pull her number for me or not?”
“Are you going to tell me why?”
“For a party tonight. And, yes, I’m going with Jude. His boss, at any rate. It’s business, not pleasure.” She gave Randi the details.
“Just a sec, Mom.” TGEA kept only encrypted records of their previous clients. Nothing that could ever be traced or link the women to the agency in any way. Randi kept the encrypted address book on her laptop and a few special clients’ numbers on her cell phone. The other three agents could only access the information with fingerprint and voice identification. Claire was a special client.
“Ready?” Randi rattled off the number. “And here’s her cell. And, for the record, if tonight’s only about biz, you’re a damn fool. You want him. He apparently knows how to ring your bell. Let him. Enjoy him. Then give him a kick in the behind when you shove him out the door of his comfortable life.”
Avery didn’t comment on Randi’s advice, just called the fashion designer.
Claire Davis’ studio was in New York and she had measurements from when Avery needed a gown for a drop-in on a certain Senator. Perhaps the designer could whip up something magical for tonight. If anyone could, Claire could. The woman was simply amazing.
“For tonight?” the designer screeched. “Tonight? These things take time, you know. But for you, sure, I’ll have something gorgeous ready.”
Avery gave her what details she knew on the party. “I want something that will take a certain man’s breath away. Classy, yet sexy. Stunning, but not trying too hard. You get the idea.”
They discussed the gown a few more minutes. “I have just the thing. I actually thought of your eyes when I started the dress. I’ll alter to your measurements immediately. Where shall I have your gown delivered?”
“To Playhouse Magazine.” She gave the address. “Before five, please, with the statement attached and made out to Angela Greene. I’ll have cash payment delivered by courier in the morning.”
“You know I prefer not to charge you.”
“You know I prefer to pay.”
Claire was one of the few clients since college who they’d met face-to-face. At least, Randi and Avery both had. Courtney and Cassidy avoided showy parties and had no need of formal gowns. Avery figured Cassidy avoided them because of her past and Courtney hated dresses period. She’d much rather be in vinyl jumping out of an airplane or black leather while riding a Harley.
Ha, now there was a thrill-seeking woman who got off on adrenaline rushes.
Avery spent her day loosening threads that would unravel and leave Jude without a safety net to fall back on when his world crashed around him.
Simon thought it important for Jude to be at the party, so Avery would ensure he didn’t stay long and that he caused a commotion.
“You’re looking pleased,” Jude said when he returned to the office. He’d had a busy morning, then a working lunch with several of the marketing staff and Avery had been given a reprieve from having to fend off his charm for most of the day.
“I am.”
His gaze dropped to her chest. “I’ve seen you more pleased.”
She rolled her eyes. “Is sex all you ever think about?”
“As my marketing department just reminded me, it is what I get paid to sell.”
Avery’s gaze shot to his face. “You don’t sound as if you like it.”
“Sex?” His lips twitched. “Don’t think that for a moment. I enjoy sex as much as every other man in this country. Possibly more. However, I’m striving for Playhouse Magazine to be about more than just nudie pictures. I want there to be class and education amidst the photos.”
Avery frowned. “I don’t think class and education are why men buy Playhouse.”
“Have you been talking to the marketing department?” His tone was teasing, but she picked up on real vibes of dissention.
Uhm, she might use that to her advantage.
“No.” She sent him a look purposely full of mixed signals. “But I have changed my mind.”
“On?”
“Tonight.”
“You’re not going?” He looked disappointed.
“I’m going.”
He raised a brow, and made her want to come on the spot with the way his eyes danced. “You’re going to save me a dance?”
“No.”
“You’ll go with me?”
“Yes.”
He grinned, as if whatever stressed him about his meeting with marketing vanished into thin air.
“Pick me up at eight.”
Eight would make them about an hour-and-a-half late arriving. Not too late, but enough that Mrs. Yamaguchi would take note.
“Eight?” He grimaced. “Can’t we go earlier?”
“No. I’ll be here till five. I’ll need time to shower and change and do my hair and make-up.”
“For the record, you already look beautiful. Don’t worry about spending a lot of time getting ready.”
“I won’t be ready until eight.”
“Angel, you can take off early.”
She sent him a scalding look.
“I don’t want favors like that.” It pleased her that he’d been thoughtful enough to offer to let her leave early though. “I’ll work till five.” Later if at all possible and she’d come up with a hundred reasons to keep him at the office late, too. “It’s eight or not at all.”
He shrugged. “Then eight it is.”
It surprised her that he let her manipulate him. She hadn’t expected to hold him to eight.
Not really.
Which begged the question, why had he?
Chapter Seven
Green silk gathered across Avery’s breasts then fell in a smooth fall over the rest of her body, perfectly caressing every curve without sticking to her. The top of the dr
ess was strapless and Avery wore borrowed from Tiffany’s emerald and diamond earrings. The store manager once used their services. They had an open offer of jewelry loans.
Avery had never taken the woman up on the offer, but the dress needed something. The manager insisted upon Avery taking the matching necklace, but Avery liked the uncluttered smoothness at her throat and left the necklace in its velvet box.
“Whoa,” Randi said when she glanced up from her computer game. “You look hot.”
“Yeah, it’s quite unfair that I get to go play waitress while Miss Gorgeous here gets to look like Cinderella on her way to the ball,” Cassidy teased. Cassidy was going in disguise as back up. She’d never joined their table at the bar, so Jude never got a good look at her, but they were taking no chances.
“Where’s he meeting you?” Cassidy asked.
“Downstairs.” She’d made a mistake when giving Jude the name of the apartment building. She’d left strict instructions with the doorman to not let Jude inside the building. He didn’t know their apartment number and she preferred to keep it that way. She planned to be waiting for him when he arrived.
“Here?” Randi looked up from the laptop again. “You have him coming here?”
“Just to the building. He doesn’t know our room number or anything like that. He doesn’t even know that I live with you guys.”
“You’re taking a lot of chances with this one, Av,” Randi warned. “Sexing him is one thing, but bringing him to the apartment?”
“I’ve got everything under control and plan to be out of here by Friday afternoon.”
“Just two more days?” Cassidy said. “I thought you’d want to stick around longer than that. What if we can’t create enough havoc tonight?”
“Friday was the initial date set for everything to fall into place, besides I’m ready to go home.”
“Me, too,” Cassidy agreed. “I’m going to take that mark in Texas. I finished the ground work this morning and plan to knock over the first domino Monday morning.”
“This one requires onsite work?”
“I can probably do it from home, but plan to fly out to make sure things go as planned. Plus, there’s another mark in Dallas I want to check out.”
“What’s on tap for you next week, Randi?”
“Smear campaign for a professional football player, a stock broker, and a used car salesman who’s been letting female customers earn deep discounts on their knees. Wife caught him in the act.” Randi never glanced up from her laptop. “Oh! BigBen just signed in.” She smiled maliciously. “I am so going to kick his hiney tonight.”