“So what if it is? You can have some fun and make money while you decide what you want to do next.”
“When you put it that way….”
She laughed. “Come by the café. Maybe around three? I want to give you a congratulatory kiss.”
“How about a congratulatory blowjob in your office like last time?”
“Don’t push your luck. One time only, bud.”
“I’ll be there.”
He hung up and actually reached up to trace the stupid little smile on his face. Who would’ve thought when he slipped on that ladder that his entire life hadn’t gone to shit?
A couple of hours later, he wandered into Sweetness Seventeen. It wasn’t packed at this time of the afternoon, but he could definitely detect a buzz he didn’t remember being there before.
Gina saw him first and waved. “I’ll go get Michaela. Have a seat, stud.” With her elbow she indicated the counter before bustling into the kitchen, her arms laden with dirty dishes.
Michaela appeared minutes later. “Hey, hon. Come back with me?”
“Sure.” He rose and followed her back to her office.
She closed the door and turned to him, waggling her finger at his expression. “I said a kiss, remember. And besides, I have something else I want to talk to you about.”
“One kiss. I promise.” With that, he swept Michaela into his arms and sank into bliss. They came up for air some moments later. “Man, I’ve missed that.”
“Me, too.”
“Better make sure I get a good imprint.” Jude kissed her again. He couldn’t resist. Finally they broke the kiss once more, both of them panting.
“Oh, your shirt.” She swiped at the flour now caked onto the front of his black T-shirt.
“You keep doing that. You just want to see me shirtless.”
Michaela shrugged, grinning. “It’s a great view.”
“Apparently you’re not the only one who thinks so. Mason already called me back. I have some audition thingy next week in New York City. They’re flying me down, paying all my expenses. What if I don’t get the job? Do I have to pay them back?”
“Already? Wow, that was quick. And no, I’m sure they wouldn’t expect you to reimburse them.”
“This guy has some great connections. I called Leo, you know, that dude who had the idea for the calendar in the first place?” Michaela nodded. “And he talked the man up and down.”
“That’s great. I’m thrilled for you. Just make sure you beat all those women off. I don’t want to have to come after them with my marble rolling pin.”
He winced. “Ouch.”
“Are you sure you’re, um, good, with us? I mean, if you want to keep your options open…?”
“What options?”
“For women.”
“Hey.” He grabbed her chin and forced her gaze to his. “I have no intention of optioning anything. I’m with you.”
“If you’re positive.”
“Completely.” Where was this coming from?
Jude stepped back to get out of touching range and lessen the temptation to take Michaela to the moon. “You said you had something you wanted to discuss?”
Her entire face lit up and he relaxed. Maybe the crisis of confidence is over. “Yes. I’m so excited. Gina became a full partner today!”
“Wow, that’s awesome.” He gave her a quick hug and smiled down at her. Jude knew he was falling fast. Yes, their road hadn’t been easy and they might struggle navigating this new relationship, but he wanted to try. Michaela was worth it. Maybe things were finally coming together for him.
“I had no idea she was interested in getting more involved from a monetary stake. But it comes at a good time. Cash flow is challenging right now, and her infusion will really help things.”
He raised a hand and cupped her face. “Maybe that’ll leave you more time for,” he dropped his voice to a sultry murmur, “other pursuits.”
Michaela rolled her eyes. “Yes, it might.”
“I wish you could go with me to this thing next week.”
“You do?” Her face registered surprise and, truth be told, Jude had surprised himself, too.
He stopped for a moment, thought about it, and nodded. “Yeah, I do. We’ve got something, and I don’t intend to let you slip through my fingers. I was serious when I said I wasn’t interested in options.” He ran the tips of said fingers over her lips, and she grabbed his hand, kissing each one.
“I’m not going anywhere, so I guess you’re stuck.”
“I am. New York.”
They laughed and then Michaela bounced. Jude found it awfully hard to concentrate when she did that. “Let’s go toast to new beginnings.”
“Sounds good to me, but what do you say to a private celebration later?”
Michaela bit her lip. “It’s Friday.”
“Dinner service. Got it. Just don’t forget.” He waggled his eyebrows and she chuckled.
“Come on. I think I’ve got some champagne in the walk-in.”
A moment later, Jude, Michaela, and Gina had glasses of bubbly. Gina toasted. “To new beginnings.”
Jude and Michaela shared a look.
“To new beginnings.”
~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning erotic romance writer with Ellora's Cave, Siren Publishing, Sybarite Seductions/Twenty or Less Press, Decadent Publishing, and Loose Id. She lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra is the co-founder of two successful group blogs, Romancing the Jock and Dirty Birdies, and participates in several others as a contributor. Recently she was re-elected president of Western New York Romance Writers.
For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at www.booksbycassandracarr.com, "like" her Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Cassandra_Carr
Other Stories in the Decadent Publishing
Calendar Men Series
The Other Brother by Lucy Felthouse
Photographer Melodie Carr moved to New York City to escape the death of her fiancé in Iraq. Struggling to come to terms with it ever since, she sees a call for photographs for a calendar to benefit family members of fallen heroes, and is eager to help out.
Unfortunately, she doesn’t know any men that fit the profile. Not until Patrick Brogan—her late fiance’s brother—turns up in New York. Seeing him brings up all kinds of memories, but she’s determined to push them aside and persuade him to take part in the calendar. But is that all he’ll take part in?
Coming September 1, 2014
A Model Hero by Sara Daniel
She’s got her eye on the bottom line…
Gretchen Meyers is a full-figured woman living in a model thin world. Desperate to evict her mother from her permanent residence on the sofa where she delivers a constant, nagging stream of dieting and fashion “advice,” Gretchen tackles the challenge of reviving her mother’s faltering modeling agency. All she needs is Kyle Ramsey and she’s determined to woo him back at any cost...
He’s got his eye on a different prize…
Making the pre-emptive choice to turn his back on his career seemed Kyle’s only option until Gretchen comes calling. He doesn’t care what she wants to offer him, the answer is no—still he’s intrigued by the refreshing differences in her personality and all her lovely, lush curves…
Connecting is the last thing either expected…
When tragedy strikes, Kyle finds comfort and healing in Gretchen’s arms. But he can’t trust her with everything and she doesn’t dare believe their relationship will survive the long term—he’s perfect and she’s just so very not. Can the fragile ties holding them together survive Kyle’s opportunity to become a true model hero?
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