Jaden opened the doors, showing off the black-and-white tiled floor leading into the greater section of the kitchen. His father, always the practical observer, preached that the way to a woman’s heart was in teasing her taste buds and creating a culinary addiction. The previous owner had invested in large commercial equipment with stainless-steel sleekness for this room.
His companion walked through the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets with an annoying, proprietary air. He wanted to pop that bubble. He cleared his throat, marking his displeasure. She hesitated only slightly before continuing with her inspection.
She actually pulled at a piece of wallpaper.
“Could you not do that?”
“It’s ugly.”
“But the owner didn’t specify that the wallpaper needed to come down?”
He leaned in close to where she had torn the wallpaper. Now that would have to be repaired.
She turned to say something and then changed her mind. Instead she shook her head and walked toward the pantry. She opened the door and peered inside. Her head moved from side to side as she inspected the shelves. He thought about pushing her in and closing the door, but being arrested or losing the contract wasn’t worth the satisfaction.
“The pantry is a good size, but the shelving could be redone,” she suggested. “Change the spacing and you’ll get more shelves in here.”
“Who are you?”
“Denise Dixon, future resident of this house. I’ll take over the details from my parents. You’ll be meeting with me from now on, okay?” She extended her hand, wearing an easy grin like an annoying accessory. He briefly shook her hand, glad that she didn’t have a limp grip, despite her other irritating features.
Jaden still couldn’t respond without revealing his extreme irritation. As she closed the pantry door and breezed past him, the soft aroma of her perfume wafted up his nose. He didn’t consider himself sophisticated enough to identify the scent, but he couldn’t imagine ever forgetting that it belonged to her.
“Coming?” she prompted, heading out of the kitchen. “I’d like to see upstairs now.”
Did he detect a hint of authority in her voice? “No.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “No, we need to correct a few things between us.”
She turned to face him head-on. Her demeanor was unruffled, while his heightened irritation had him scratching his chin.
“The way I work with the Dixons, your parents, is that they give me a general idea of what they want. I add the right professional flair worthy of my expertise. I update them as I proceed. And at the end, they can inspect for final approval. You’re coming into this agreement on the tail end. Any changes that you insist on will require a meeting of all parties.” Jaden rocked back on his heels. “However, if you’re expressing mere opinions, then I’ll extend my appreciation for sharing your thoughts.”
“Good. I’m glad to see your confidence. However, for clarity’s sake, let me correct a misperception.”
“Really.” Jaden started to believe that this woman might as well be standing in front of a mirror repeating affirmations about power-tripping.
“I’m not offering opinions.”
Jaden scratched his chin again. She was the right height for his gaze to glare down on her head.
“Let me reiterate that I’m Denise Dixon, daughter of the people who hired you, owners of the residence we’re now standing in. Unlike my parents, I will not take whatever you throw out here. I know what I want. I will tell you what I want. Unless something is physically impossible, then I expect you to follow my wishes.”
Quitting a project had never been an option for Jaden. It would mar his spotless reputation.
“Am I clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jaden squared his shoulders as he would have when facing a street fight during his teens. Most times he had emerged the victor. But Denise wasn’t one of the guys, not with those sexy eyes and generous lips. What a witch. He imagined she’d fight dirty. And he wasn’t sure he’d remain standing.
Denise didn’t indulge her guilty conscience. Maybe she’d come off a bit like a black American princess. That wasn’t her fault. Jaden Bond was to blame. He acted as if the house was his baby and no one could call it ugly.
She wasn’t done with Jaden yet.
But for all her criticisms, she had to admit it: his work was impressive.
“What else would you like to see, Miss Dixon?”
“Denise will do.”
“As you wish.” He clicked his heels and bowed.
“You’re not funny. I’m ready to see the upstairs.” Denise didn’t wait for permission. She climbed the stairs, fully expecting him to follow. When she didn’t hear his accompanying steps, she paused. “What’s the holdup?”
“Nothing.”
Denise wondered what had brought on his small smile. She’d rarely seen a man blush, but his averted glance and tug at his collar gave her a hint. She’d caught him sizing up her rear view.
She’d remember to return the favor.
The second level of the house had been divided into small bedroom suites. Practical beige wallpaper and matching carpet covered the hallway.
“This is too ordinary.” Denise walked down the hallway to the farthest room. “I want the style from downstairs to continue here.” She opened the bed room door and peered in, noting that it had its own bathroom.
“I’m glad you agree with my assessment.” Jaden headed to the other end of the hallway. “You’ve got a lot of room with five bedrooms, each with an accompanying bathroom.” His hand rested on a doorknob. “I’m sure that you’ll have a lot to say about this room.”
Denise stopped before entering, suddenly hesitant about entering the master bedroom—her room, her personal space—with this strange man in tow. Maybe if he weren’t ruggedly handsome…
“I know the pasty pink is a turnoff. But you’ve got a massive amount of space, with the room situated over parts of the living room, dining room and kitchen.” He walked around the room, directing her attention to the large beams in the ceiling, the huge fireplace and the window seats at each dormer window. Denise looked over at the area where she’d put her bed. Her king-size sleigh bed wouldn’t overpower this room as it did in her apartment. Now she was starting to rethink that. Denise had only seen the house from the outside, but now that she was inside for the first time, she realized what her new lifestyle would be like. She’d be all alone in a huge bed, huge bedroom and huge house. She hoped the echo wouldn’t be as pronounced when she moved in with her apartment furniture.
“The same wood as downstairs will be used for these floors. The colors will be vibrant. Similar molding as the first floor will also be in here. This room will rival any European boudoir. By the time I’m done in here, you won’t want to leave this room.”
Denise froze. “Excuse me?” Her voice came out with a croak. Did she mistake the soft innuendo in his bold statement? Or did his construction-worker sex appeal do a number to her common sense?
Jaden tugged at his collar again. “I have a few designs, that’s all.”
That’s all, indeed. Denise took him all in. He stood at about six feet, solid, and bold in all his motions. Damn, he was handsome. She’d been so busy looking at the house, she’d almost forgotten to get a good look at him.
“When are you moving in? I was under the impression that the house would be vacant for another two weeks.”
Denise shrugged. “The sooner, the better. I can stay in one of the other rooms until this one’s complete.” She’d already given notice to her apartment building. Her father, well, actually her stepfather, treated her financial episodes as causes for lavish gifts.
“The previous owner must have a little British in him.” Jaden pushed open the bathroom door, looking back at her expectantly.
Denise walked onto the crisp, white-tiled floor, already liking what she saw. An oversize, deep bathtub stood on a raised part of the floor like an offering on Mount Olympus. No dings or bruis
es marked the tub. “Oh, there’s no showerhead.”
Jaden ran his hand up the wall. “A showerhead can be installed here.”
“Guess I’ll be forced to enjoy long, soaking baths.” Denise didn’t need much coaxing to imagine the relaxing experience.
She stepped into the tub. She wanted to have a frame of reference for what this tub could do to soothe her nerves. She stooped in the tub, sitting on her haunches. The tub stopped at about shoulder height. All she needed was a good book, wine and a few candles for ambience.
“It’s like a tank. Could be built for two.” She suddenly imagined Jaden, a tall chocolate drop of mocha heaven, lounging in the tub with her.
“Well, I’ll have to get back to my work.” Jaden backed out of the bathroom, bumping his arm as he tugged at his shirt.
“What’s the rush? I don’t plan to strip and take a bath.”
“And my men will be the better for it.”
Denise followed Jaden out of the room. She took her time looking around, even checking out Jaden’s body. The black jeans, worn in all the right places, the steel-toed construction boots that stirred her fancy for a rebel. She’d have to get her sorors up to the house to concur with her decision that her contractor could be any month’s calendar pinup, preferably without the shirt.
As they walked downstairs, Denise said, “Thank you for indulging my requests. I’ll wander around a bit.” She offered her hand to Jaden with a big grin, signaling that she wasn’t the total witch that he must have thought she was.
Jaden looked at his watch. “It was nice meeting you. Now that my men are back from lunch, I’m going to head downtown to meet with the landscaper.”
“I’d like to go with you,” she requested.
Then she flipped open her cell phone and dialed in to tell her work that she’d be out of the office for the remainder of the day. The truth was that she was having too much fun to return to the reality of her job—a city engineer dealing with the flooded streets, clogged storm drains and backed-up sewer pipes.
A glance at her watch had her place another call. She turned her back to Jaden and quietly spoke her instructions. She hadn’t placed a bet in a while. What could a quick bet on a horse hurt?
“It is okay, right?” She felt compelled to ask since his shock, maybe dismay, with her request wasn’t well hidden.
He looked at her, his gaze narrowing but steady. “Fine, as you wish.”
“I wish,” she added dryly. Obviously he didn’t appreciate her company as much as she was starting to appreciate his.
Although Jaden had agreed to her company, his long strides through the house and out the front door said otherwise. Denise found herself almost tripping over her feet to keep up.
“What is the landscaper planning to do?” she asked for conversation’s sake.
“Nothing fancy, as your parents suggested. A functional garden. Something low-maintenance that wouldn’t cause you too much trouble with your busy, hectic lifestyle.”
The answer bothered her. Too much about her was functional and operating within a rigid structure. Not until she saw this house, on a slight hill with its Old World elegance, had she tapped into a part of her that was whimsical and wanting.
They got in Jaden’s car. When he turned the key, a country tune blared. “You don’t strike me as a country-song type of guy.” Denise bit back the urge to reach for the radio tuner and change to an R & B station.
“I usually crave what I can’t get. I’ve always liked it, but Chicago isn’t exactly the happening town for country music.” He kept his eyes on the road, maneuvering deftly through the city’s traffic.
“I can certainly understand that. I’m not a hater of country music. I used to sing the classics by Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell, Tammy Wynette.”
“Get outta here!” Jaden looked at her and snorted. “Can’t believe that we’re actually on the same page about one thing.” He craned his neck to look up at the sky. “That might bring on the rain.”
“And that reaction can get you hurt.” Denise chuckled. Her body relaxed against the leather seat. “In my sorority I had to sing country songs for my Big Sister when I was a pledgee. Actually, it was to irritate her roommate. But she secretly liked Loretta Lynn. By the end of the six weeks, I’d learned quite a few songs and started collecting my favorites.”
Jaden offered her a lopsided grin that added to the beauty of his profile, then broke out laughing.
“I can sing, you know.” Denise agreed that the entire conversation had a humorous edge, but not worthy of Jaden’s howl.
“I’m not doubting you.” Jaden wiped his eyes. “You are a bundle of mixed messages. Big-haired country songs versus sleek corporate attire…”
“You had better be thinking of a compliment.”
Jaden shrugged. “Maybe.” He pulled out a roll of mints and offered her one.
Denise accepted the mint. “Do you like being the boss?”
“Somebody’s got to do the job.” A frown settled on Jaden’s brow. “My business is my life. Although I don’t expect my employees to share my vision or how to achieve that vision, I respect hard work. I don’t like slackers. Can’t stand them. People who take the shortcut through life had better stay out of my way.” His lips tightened, as if he were putting an exclamation point on his statement of values. His hands gripped the steering wheel.
They arrived at the landscaping company, pulling into the crowded parking lot. Denise hopped out of the SUV as soon as Jaden turned off the engine.
“Sorry,” Jaden said as they walked toward the landscaping company.
“For what?” Denise shrugged.
“The whole slacker comment. Didn’t mean to sound judgmental. There’s personal history.”
Denise looked up at Jaden, more than a little curious.
“Stop looking at me like that.” He playfully elbowed her. “Do you plan to accompany me on every phase of this renovation?” he asked, changing the subject.
“I might.”
“It’s not how I work.” Jaden opened the office door for her.
Denise raised her chin and sashayed past him with a smirk.
“You must be quite a handful,” he muttered as she passed.
To prove his indictment of her wrong, she remained fairly quiet during the meeting with the landscaper. Only when necessary did she interject, though not very often.
The plans Jaden and the landscaper created were flawless. The drawings of the house’s exterior in the front and the back promised to accent its Old World elegance. The sophistication of the shrubbery design and carefully selected flowers stirred pride in Denise, for the first time, to be a homeowner.
“Anything you’d like to add?” Jaden turned to her with an expectant air. “I really stand behind what we’ve planned.”
“I don’t have a problem at all. It all sounds beautiful.” Denise continued to observe as they discussed the top-three sample grass selections.
Any contribution in that area would make her sound foolish. Listening to their details, she’d hate to admit that she didn’t know there were so many differences among the various grasses.
She stifled a yawn and stretched. Now bored with the direction of their talk, she walked around the office looking at numerous framed pictures of clients’ properties.
Jaden’s head was bent over a sample of turf. His passion for his work showed. His mannerisms reminded her of a professor. Yet his body and its movement and actions spoke of an athlete. His restrained discipline could be from a military background. Even his personal grooming had a fastidious neatness, like his hairline, trimmed to a sharp edge around his face. No hint of afternoon shadow along the jawline. His fingernails were neatly manicured.
“Denise.” Jaden waved at her.
“Did you say something?” Her face warmed at being caught openly staring at him.
“We’re done here. Anything to add?”
“Nope. I’m cool.”
They headed back to the house. Sma
ll talk marked the ride, but she had difficulty concentrating. Her hands worried the hem of her jacket as she wrestled with following through on a whim. She was determined to add some spice, some impulsiveness, to her life, especially her nonexistent love life.
“You’re quiet.”
“Just enjoying the ride. Thank you for taking me along.”
“Sure.”
“What’s your schedule for the remainder of the week?” Denise attempted to navigate this unfamiliar terrain.
“I’ll be there every day. I want to make sure that we finish on time.”
“By next week, right?” Whatever she planned to do, it’d better be soon.
Jaden nodded, pulling into the driveway. The men had arrived and the property buzzed with activity. A man with design plans rolled and stowed under his arm waved at the car. Jaden responded with a wave, then looked at her. He appeared to want to say something, but instead his mouth tightened and his glance slid away from her.
“That’s my project manager.” He opened the car door and stepped out.
Denise experienced a momentary panic that a golden opportunity would be lost. She slid out of the car and hurried to the front where he waited for the foreman. “Look, Jaden,” she said, “I’m not the type to be long-winded.” She dug in her pocketbook and pulled out her business card. “How about going for drinks one evening? You can fill me in on other aspects of the plan.” Her words tumbled out in order to beat the approaching foreman’s arrival.
“A social thing?”
Now the foreman stopped between them. His eyes fastened onto the card that Jaden hadn’t taken. Denise wanted to die.
“Bob, can you excuse us for one second?” Jaden finally took the card from her fingers. The foreman nodded and receded into the background.
“You are single, aren’t you?” Denise asked, hoping the answer was negative. That would explain his reaction.
“Mixing business with pleasure is dangerous,” Jaden responded, his voice low and deep, altogether serious.
“Figured by now you’d have realized that I’m not averse to risks. I’m a bit of an adventurer.” She giggled to push aside the nervous jitters in her stomach. “Plus, the job is almost finished.”
Gamble on Love Page 2