I should leave her the hell alone…
But I’ve never been known for following rules, and this woman—she’s hard to ignore and impossible to forget.
“Oh God, I’m sorry. I promise your secret is safe with me.”
I tilt my head, intrigued at the way her face flushed with color. “Oh, do tell. What secret are you keeping for me?”
She glances around, ensuring no one is listening before she leans halfway across the table, cupping her hands around her mouth. “That you’re a member of a sex club.”
A vision of her cuffed to my bed pops in my head from hearing her innocently whisper the word ‘sex,’ like it’s forbidden.
I learned years ago to avoid women, at least outside of the bedroom. Sex is something no man wants to go without, but a relationship is a whole other story. And this woman, with her big innocent blue eyes, screams relationship material. Nonetheless, she’s captivated my attention.
“It’s nice to know I can trust you, but those who know me best wouldn’t be surprised by my membership to Stella.”
Her forehead puckers. “Then… Why did you bring me here?”
“Straight to the point. I like that quality in a person.” I purposely brush the edge of my hand against hers, itching to touch her in any way possible.
I never counted on meeting her but I was left with the urge to know she was okay, so I did what any normal person in my shoes would do and I watched her from afar, ensuring she was okay, reminding myself I’m not a total bastard. In addition to being beautiful, I discovered she fucking smiles at everyone. If Mary Poppins and Kate Upton had a baby, she would be it.
“You left the other night before I had the chance to talk to you.”
She pulls her hand off the table, her eyes darkening as she brushes her fingers through her long blonde hair. “You mean, you were disappointed when I didn’t wait on you to finish fucking another woman before you gave me the time of day?”
I hold back a smirk. “You’re jealous.” What an interesting turn of events.
Running into her at Stella—which was unplanned—she projected the perfect mix of sweet and sultry. Until then, I wasn’t entertaining the idea of talking to her, let alone fucking her. Now it’s all I can think of.
“N-nnno, I am not,” she sputters.
“Then it’s pointless to mention I returned to the main room only minutes later, with hopes of talking to you.”
Her nose turns up. “My ex couldn’t last long, but—”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. “A friend of mine runs the club. He was out of town and asked me to stop in and check on things. The woman you saw was asking for assistance with an irritable member who was causing a problem.”
Her mouth forms a perfect O while she nods.
“I don’t necessarily believe in fate, Ms. Charles, but the fact that we were leaving Thornton at precisely the same time is a consequence I find hard to ignore.” Like Saturday night, seeing her today wasn’t planned.
She nervously taps her fingernails in a rhythm on the table, watching me but not saying a word.
“I think we would have ended up leaving Stella together, if given the chance, and that’s exactly what I want.” What I need.
“That’s a very presumptuous statement.”
“I like to think of myself as confident, not arrogant.”
“I’m not sure you know the difference.”
Her feisty behavior makes me eager to hear her moaning my name.
“Tell me, without lying, that I’m wrong, that you didn’t imagine the two of us fucking like animals, and I’ll get up and leave. You’ll never hear from me again.”
Her eyes widen while she crosses and uncrosses her legs, but what she doesn’t do is tell me to get lost.
“I want to feast on every inch of your delicious body.”
She noticeably swallows. Her eyes dance around the restaurant then back to mine.
“You can lie and tell me you don’t want this but you’re only depriving yourself of a night we both desperately want.” I reach across the table, cupping my hand over hers. “One night. Allow yourself one night where someone else does all the thinking for you.”
I love the high I get from being with a woman, the way I can lose myself in the pure physical act two people share, but I’m only fooling myself if I believe one night will be enough. But for now, it’ll have to do.
“I thought one-night stands happened after you’ve had too much to drink, not something people premeditate during the middle of the day at a taco shop?”
I stifle a laugh. “Sex can mean many things to different people, but when both parties are clear and upfront, the possibilities can be endless.” I arch a brow. “The beauty of making a decision is it’s yours to own.”
Her big doe eyes fix on mine. I can see the questions dancing through her mind and I’m a lucky bastard she hasn’t already run out of here like the place is on fire.
“What are the rules? Would we meet somewhere? Because meeting at my place isn’t ideal.” I make a mental note to figure out why she wouldn’t want to take me to her place but for now, I bask in fact that she’s considering my offer.
“I’ll send a car for you at five when you get off work.” I jump to my feet, ready to get hell out of here before she changes her mind, not that she’s exactly agreed. “A black Lincoln will be out front. My driver’s name is Tim, and he’ll be watching for you. Oh, and Delanie…” I place my hand under her chin, tilting her head back. “Plan on staying the night.” I brush my thumb over her bottom lip.
Tonight can’t get here fast enough.
“I have to go but I promised you lunch. I’ll order something on my way out.”
She waves my comment off. “Oh, no you don’t have to do that.” She looks at the time on her phone. “You really have to go right now? Maybe we should talk more about this.”
And that’s exactly why I need to leave.
“I’ll see you in a few hours.”
I could be making the biggest mistake of my life, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that karma’s a bitch because something tells me, one way or the other… This woman was meant to be in my life.
Chapter Six
Delanie
I watch the man—who I think I just agreed to have sex with—order something from the counter, motioning my direction before he walks out the door.
I’m twenty-six years old. Nothing even remotely interesting has happened to me. My entire life, I’ve taken the safe path. The idea of considering what this man suggested is pure insanity, yet he’s right. I want one foolish night where I’m not expected to be the prude my friends and family believe me to be.
I pick up my phone and dial my best friend, Regan. I’ve known Regan since the third grade, shortly after my mom met my step-dad and moved us to Colorado. As kids, we had each other’s back, no questions asked. It wasn’t until I called off my wedding that I began to question where her loyalty lies. Three years ago, she married Spencer, Carter’s older brother, and even though she’s assured me she’ll always have my back, she’s now stuck in the middle of an impossible situation.
“Hey, I was just thinking about you,” she cheerfully greets.
“If you were thinking I’m a hot mess, then you’re spot on.”
She laughs. “A hot mess? I seriously doubt that.”
“Well, you’d be wrong, because I’m sitting by myself in a restaurant debating the idea of having a one-night stand with a complete stranger.”
“Oh my God, Delanie, no.”
My guard goes up. “I’m single now, in case you’ve forgotten. I’m allowed to do whatever the hell I want and that includes having sex with as many guys as I want.”
“I agree but I love you and I don’t want you chopped into little pieces and buried somewhere in the desert.”
“The desert? Really?” I sigh into the phone. “I’m nowhere near the desert and I’m not worried about him hurting me. I met him at a club Brenna goes to. They do background
checks on everyone, it’s just…I don’t know, it…feels…”
“Wrong?”
I startle when a man wearing a Taco Pete’s shirt sets a tray filled with tacos and a bottle of water on the table. “Thanks,” I mumble.
“I’ve told you how I feel. Carter might be my brother-in-law, but you’re my girl and always will be. Not to mention, he’s an asshole, and you can do better. I’ve always thought that.”
“So, you think I should do this?”
“Hell no. Sex with a stranger sounds like something Brenna would do. But I think you should go out and meet someone and move on with your life.”
“I told Carter I never wanted to see him again, but he’s still texting me. At least he was until the other day, when I blocked his number.”
“He’s been acting strange, even for him. I want to believe he knows he messed up but it I think it’s more than that.”
“It’s ironic. Unless he needs something, he barely gave me the time of day when we were together and now that we’re not, he’s texting me all the time.”
“I’ll let you know if I hear anything on this end. In the meantime, get out there and find a nice guy who’ll treat you right.”
“Okay.”
“I’m meeting Spencer for lunch so I need to let you go, but call me later, okay? Love, you.”
“Love you, too.”
I end the call and place the phone on the table. Unwrapping a taco, my mind returns to the jerky stranger who I now know as Kase Cole. What kind of name is that anyway? It sounds like a name a famous actor or model would use. He’s sexy enough to be a model, which has me reaching for my phone. A quick search of his name doesn’t bring up much. A YouTube account filled with Minecraft games and a couple of Facebook profiles, although none of the names exactly match.
Maybe I should ask Brenna for advice? Yet… I already know what she’ll say. Our brains aren’t wired the same. She moved here to explore her dreams, and I still have no idea what mine are.
Pulling up Brenna’s name on my phone, I pop off a text telling her I’m not sure when I’ll be home. She replies instantly saying she’s staying the night with Roan.
Kase is attractive and for whatever reason, he seems to want me. Who cares if he only wants one night? Deep down, I know if I don’t do this, I’ll regret it. Choking down a taco, my stomach turns. Tossing the rest of the food in the trash, I make my way back to Dalton’s office where the rest of the day, my mind remains on a stranger who promised me a night I won’t forget.
Avoiding the company’s parking garage, I walk out the main doors of Thornton Financial shortly after five o’clock along with a herd of other nine to fivers. The flow of people continues to move, but my legs suddenly feel like weighted bricks. A woman with her phone to her ear stumbles into me before aiming a nasty glare in my direction.
Several black Lincolns line the street but only one of them has a man wearing a black suit and driver’s cap. Moving his direction with the enthusiasm of a cat going to the vet, I stop several feet away.
“Good evening, Ms. Charles,” he greets opening the door to the backseat. I sigh in relief when I notice the SUV is empty.
“Mr. Cole is already at the house waiting on you.”
Serial killers don’t hire drivers, do they? “Where exactly are you taking me?”
“Santa Monica.”
Go figure.
He sent a driver to fetch me, so I shouldn’t be surprised the man has money. I slide into the car, and seconds later, we’re traveling toward the interstate. Resting my head on the back of the seat, my eyes close. Why do I make everything so difficult? My natural reaction is to open the car door and run for my life, yet deep down, I know I’m only lying to myself. Long before Carter decided to be a lying, cheating bastard, I wondered what it would be like to be with another man. Leave it to me to meet someone who arranges one-night stands.
What feels like seconds later, the car stops moving and the driver clears his throat. “We’re here, ma’am.”
My eyes dart open. I can’t believe I fell asleep.
The driver gets out and walks around the car, opens my door, and offers me his hand.
“Wow,” I gasp. I’m thinking rich might be an understatement.
“This way.” He motions with his hand to the sidewalk that leads to the three-story white stucco house. Light shines from the floor to ceiling windows that make up most of the second level. Glancing around, I can’t see any other houses, and there’s a warm salty breeze in the air, which means the ocean must be close.
Without knocking, he opens the door and waits for me to go ahead of him. Stepping inside, my nerves set on fire. I cannot believe I agreed to this and I can’t leave right now if I wanted to, at least not without making a fool of myself.
“Make yourself at home. I’ll let Mr. Cole know you’re here.” Tim turns on his heels and disappears down a hallway off to the right of the stairs.
With flutters dancing through my stomach, I walk further into the house, stepping down into the sunken living room. A large flat screen TV is mounted on the wall while a brown leather couch sits in the middle of the room. Minus a few paintings, the beige walls are lacking any personal touch.
Another row of glass lines the back of the house, and within a second, I know why anyone would want to live here. Beyond the large pool is a perfectly framed view of the Pacific Ocean.
“You came.” At the sound of his deep husky voice, I spin around. He’s wearing the same outfit as earlier, only sans shoes.
“I wasn’t aware that I had a choice in the matter?”
He rocks back on his heels, wearing a smirk. “No one forced you to do anything, Delanie. You’re here because you’re too damn intrigued not to be.”
Again, his eyes leisurely trail down my body before he fixes me with a predatory look. I can only imagine how many women he’s been with but right now, the way he’s staring at me, I feel like I’m the only woman that matters. “Why don’t you go outside and make yourself comfortable? I took the liberty of ordering us dinner. I’ll make sure Tim is gone then I’ll bring everything outside.”
“Oh. Okay. Sure.”
He winks then disappears down the hallway. Once he’s out of sight, I slide the glass door open and step outside.
A large pool with a gorgeous waterfall and attached hot tub take up a large portion of the fenced backyard. Off to the side is a covered patio, complete with a huge grill, glass table, and a full bar.
I’m not unfamiliar with wealth. Both my dad and step-father have done very well for themselves. My parents split when I was just a baby. My dad came from money but at the time, he wasn’t making enough to please my mom, so she went looking elsewhere—at least that’s the story I was told, and I don’t doubt it for a second.
A few years later, my dad invested an inheritance he received from my grandparents’ estate and, within ten years, became a self-made millionaire.
Dad lives in a penthouse in New York City overlooking Central Park, while I grew up in the richest neighborhood in Lincoln, Colorado, surrounded by people who had more money than they knew what to do with. Fancy cars, private schools, and weekend ski trips were a part of our daily life. Massive amounts of money can go to a person’s head. I watched the way my dad changed as the zeroes in his bank account started adding up while my mom always insisted our house look immaculate. It felt like I grew up in a museum rather than a home but here… There’s a feeling of wealth mixed with reality.
“He’s gone. I hope you’re not against eating carbs because I ordered us an array of pasta.”
He carries a tray filled with boxes to the table, and we both sit down.
Without thinking, my mouth opens and my nerves get the best of me. “Maybe we should skip dinner and get to the reason I’m here.”
Kase
Holy shit.
My cock jumps. I want nothing more than to forget dinner and move straight to dessert, however, the rational part of me knows—at least with this woman
—I need to slow way the hell down.
“You should eat because I have a lot of plans for you later.”
Her eyes widen while she twirls a strand of hair between her fingers.
“Are you nervous?”
“No,” she says, shaking her head.
Ignoring her lie, I move our conversation toward something else. “I had no idea what you preferred so I ordered practically everything on the menu.”
“I’m easy.” The second the words fall from her lips, she hangs her head and says, “I mean, I’m not picky.” She sighs. “I’m not a picky eater.”
She has me fighting back a laugh. I can’t remember the last time—if ever—I was with a woman who wasn’t completely sure of themselves. But Delanie… She feels pure, honest, and giving, reminding me I’ve spent most of my life living in a toxic world tainted by those around me.
“Relax. I know what you meant.”
Opening a few boxes, she plates some spaghetti and a few raviolis while I pour two glasses of wine.
“I bet you could sit out here every night and never get bored of the view.” Looking over my shoulder, I find her staring toward the ocean with a look of awe painted on across her face.
“Directly above us is a second story deck. I spend a lot of evenings working outside.”
Her eyes return to mine when I place her glass on the table. “Your house is beautiful, but I’m not sure I’d spend much time inside if I lived here.”
Holding her stare, I force myself to ask, “Where did you say you’re from?”
“I didn’t.”
“Well, I know from the way you’re marveling at the view that you’re not from around here.” God, I’m a bastard.
“I’m from Colorado. The mountains are beautiful but they don’t hold a candle to this.”
“My mother always said there are two kinds of people in the world -- the ones who enjoy walking barefoot in the sand, and the ones who don’t.”
Her eyes sparkle, and even though I don’t think she’s trying to be seductive, she’s doing an exceptional job of making me want her even more than I did when I invited her here. “I should probably mention that my mother loved surfing almost as much as she loved me.”
Kase Of Deception Page 4