“Got coffee for you.”
“Wow, aren’t you sweet?”
“Hey, don’t let that get out, okay? Everyone thinks I’m an ogre.”
“Awww. Not everyone.” She scooted up and accepted the coffee. Taking a sip, she purred. “Divine.”
“I know.” He whispered the words, not talking about coffee, but the warm, sexy woman sitting cross-legged in front of him sipping coffee. She was divine. Her blond hair was tousled around her shoulders and her T-shirt pooled at her hips. “Thanks for letting me crash here last night.”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “You’re welcome anytime, big guy.”
“Anytime?”
She dipped her head and drank, swallowed. “Yes, anytime.” She winked at him. “Maybe next time you won’t be plowed off your ass and I will take advantage of you.”
He leaned in. Time slowed. Her sea-green eyes darkened. He pressed his mouth to hers. A soft brush at first. She tasted good. Soft. Her lips parted under his. He deepened the kiss, exploring the smooth interior of her mouth. She touched his face. He found her tongue. Sucked, tangling his tongue with hers. Hot, wet, as he mimicked the act he desperately wanted to experience with her. This vibrant creature who didn’t back down from him no matter how badly he’d acted in front of her.
She moaned into his mouth. He gently bit her bottom lip, then suckled her upper lip. She growled.
He pulled back, smiling. “Uh-uh-uh.” He wagged his finger at her. “Growling is a big no-no. Or so I’ve been told by my strict relationship coach.”
She lifted her eyebrow, then captured his finger and sucked it into her mouth.
It was his turn to groan. He wanted his cock deep in her mouth. Surrounded by soft, moist heat. Dammit.
He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. “Thanks again. I need to go. My daughter is going to wonder where I am.”
Her eyes softened. “No, I had Sally call her. She knows you were spending the night at Essence. She’s cool.”
Relief washed over him. Jamie was almost of age, coming up on eighteen, and would be leaving for college in less than a month. Yet he worried about her. And it wasn’t like him to just not go home at night.
“She’ll understand.” Athena brushed the hair off his forehead and smoothed his brow. “It’s okay. She expects you to hook up. Remember, she paid for a dating coach for you. She’ll be beside herself and ecstatic when you tell her you slept with someone.”
Mark rolled his eyes. “Yeah, technically, but not in the best way.”
She punched him in the arm, clearly trying to lighten the mood of what had just happened between them. “Don’t worry. It will happen. Soon, I promise. Before you know it, Miss Perfect will be at your beck and call.”
With those words, it was as if cold water had splashed on him.
Daphne was his idea of perfection. Well, she had been before last night. Now all that had taken on the hue of tarnished silver, with her assuming he was an alcoholic after a few drinks and only a few minutes of conversation with him. Jesus. He didn’t want that kind of woman. No way. No how.
“And don’t worry about that,” Athena said, pushing off the bed and standing, “we’ll fix your speed date disaster with Ms. Moore as well. I will explain it away.”
“What if I don’t want it fixed?”
“Mark.” She leveled a look at him and placed her coffee on the nightstand next to the bed.
“I mean it. What if I’m beginning to think Daphne Moore isn’t right for me?”
“You don’t mean that.” She squinted at him now, as if trying to discern if he spoke the truth or talking madness. “Give it a few hours. We’ll revisit this conversation, okay? For now, I’m getting in the shower.”
She brushed past him, giving him a peck on the cheek. He turned to watch her go and almost had a heart attack when she peeled off her T-shirt and kept right on strolling into the bathroom. His last sight of her was her sumptuous, full ass in a G-string, then her perfect tits with cherry-red nipples as she turned and blew him a kiss just before she closed the bathroom door.
Her voice rose as she teasingly called out to him through the door, “Now we’re on an even playing ground, because I saw you naked last night.”
She had, and she’d walked away.
If Mark were a different man, he’d follow her into the bathroom right now and fuck her for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. He checked his watch. He had a distribution run in fifteen minutes. His business and his daughter had taken precedence for too long for him to drop the habit on a dime because his cock demanded relief.
Too bad.
He wasn’t going to get it today. Yet, if he had his way, Athena would be in his bed one night soon.
Yeah. That sounded great.
Then he’d worry about Miss Perfect and what to do or not do about the problem of Daphne Moore. And if his relationship could be salvaged with her.
Or even should be.
~ ~ ~
An hour later Jamie came bouncing into his office. “Hey, Daddy-o.”
He rolled his eyes. “Hiya, scamp.”
She came over to kiss him on the cheek and then threw herself into the soft-cushioned chair facing his desk.
“What’s up?”
“You tell me.” Her eyes sparkled. And she could barely contain her grin. The imp.
He shrugged. “Nothing to tell.”
“Not true. You didn’t come home last night. That’s new.”
“True enough.” He closed his laptop. He’d get nothing done until his daughter departed, no point in trying. She always demanded all of his attention when she entered a room. Just like her mother. His heart constricted gently. Not as hard as it had in the past, but still, Sarah had a hold on him.
To his daughter, he said, “I’m not going to talk to you about my night.”
“Come on. I want to know if the money I paid is worth it.”
“Suffice to say last night was well worth the money you paid out.” Fuck, seeing Athena naked this morning would be worth the thousand dollars alone.
“I want details.”
“You, young lady, are not going to get details about your father’s love life. Not even PG ones. Period. End of story.”
“How was speed dating? Did you love it?” Her voice rose and she nearly vibrated out of her seat.
Mark pinched the bridge of his nose. “It was okay.”
“Daaaad. Come on. What do you mean it was okay?”
“Just what I said. I survived it. It was okay.” At his daughter’s frustrated huff of air, he decided to give her a boon. “There are a lot of weird people out there, that’s for sure. I had one really great speed date, and we hooked up a little later. I spent the night at her place.”
Jamie squealed so loud and high-pitched that Mark had to put his fingers in his ears to keep his eardrums from splitting.
“Sshhhh.” Mark tried to silence her. “People are working here, darling.”
“Dad, this is wonderful. Are you going to see her another time?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“When do I get to meet her? Is it this Perfect Woman?” She curved her fingers in air quotes. “The one you’ve been pining for from afar?”
He pursed his lips and squinted at her. “No. I did have a date with her, too, though.”
“Oooooooh. My. God.” Jamie pressed her hands to her sternum. “Two women? There are now two women who you’re attracted to and who are interested in you? This is even better than I’d ever hoped for. Either of them have long-term potential?”
“Hold on, girlie, don’t get ahead of yourself. Let’s see how it goes in the next few days. Okay?”
Jamie bounced out of her seat and came around the desk to grab
him in a stranglehold. “I’m so excited for you, Daddy. This is going to work after all.”
“We’ll see, baby girl. We’ll see.”
With those words, Jamie flew from his office. “I’ll catch you at dinner,” she called out over her shoulder as she practically skipped away.
Mark rubbed his forehead. So he hadn’t exactly told his daughter the whole truth. What good would that do, other than disappoint her? Plus, he did have hope maybe things would work to his advantage with Athena, and if nothing else, he’d have a fun fuck-buddy for the foreseeable future. And that prospect wouldn’t be the end of the world.
There’d be plenty of time to work out long-term and Miss Perfect in the future . . . when Jamie was out of the house and safely at college. What she didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt her. However, Athena Sullivan seemed more and more like Miss Perfect for him every single day.
Dangerous woman.
Chapter 7
Complications
Mark’s office apparently had a revolving door today, because Gabby was the next to blow in about fifteen minutes after Jamie. And if Mark didn’t know better, he’d say the women worked in tandem to wear him down.
“Hey there. Spot any more ghosts?”
“Hello to you too, Gabby. No. Spirit free.”
“Not what I heard. You got plenty of spirits last night, maybe not of the ghostly sort, but in the form of Scotch.”
“Is nothing safe in this town?”
She sniffed. “Apparently not.” She sat down across from him and crossed her legs, her short polka dotted jean skirt and purple tights a contrast to her age. But Gabby always dressed as she wanted, not how society said a seventy-year-old should. He’d learned to accept it a long time ago. “You didn’t come home last night. Did you get lucky?”
He grunted. “Lucky enough not to have to talk about it to you, dammit.”
“Language, boy.”
Mark rolled his eyes. What was it about this woman that made him act sixteen all the time? He decided to keep the party line he’d fed Jamie. “Speed dating sucks. I had one great date. I ended up staying with her last night.”
“Yes, drunk off your sorry ass.”
He scowled at her. “I plead the fifth.”
“A fifth of Scotch maybe.”
He rubbed his aching head. “That would do nicely. Yes, thank you.”
“Smartass.”
“Takes one to know one.”
“Surely does, that’s why I’m pushing you on this one, son. Did you make a real connection?”
He took a deep breath and blew it out softly, staring out the window. “I think there’s a connection. It’s a start. Nothing great yet.” He glanced back at Gabby to find her studying him earnestly. “But something I’m happy about.”
“All right.” She puckered her lips in thought. “When are you going to tell Jamie that your date was Athena?”
“How—?”
Gabby held up a hand. “I know you don’t like to believe I’m psychic.”
“You’re not. You’re a busybody gossip, that’s all.”
“Hey, takes all kinds of skills to make up a good psychic talent.” She paused, smoothing the jean material over her thigh. “So, what happened with the kindergarten teacher?”
“I’m not sure.”
“You had a date with her?”
“Yes, if you can call talking four minutes with anyone a date. Speed dating is not really dating.”
“No, it’s more like flights of wine or bourbon . . . Just a taste, to see if you like it.”
“Guess you could make that analogy. Anyway, it didn’t go well. She’s rather skittish.”
“I could’ve told you that. The girl is timid. You need a strong, sassy, stand-up-to-you woman.”
He shrugged, not knowing what to say.
“I approve of Athena.”
“Don’t count your eggs.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know, before they’re hatched. You do often find a way to mix it up, and if a woman’s not made of stern stuff, she will go running. I know. I’ve known you all your life, Mark Cage. Sarah was a woman who was as strong as you. You need another just as strong. I think Athena might be that woman.”
“We will see. If not, she’ll be fun to play with in the meantime.”
“Fair enough. Lord knows you need to lighten up and have some fun. If that’s all she provides for you right now, I’ll consider Jamie’s money well spent.”
“Last night was well worth it.”
“Good. So, does Athena know you’re interested in her?”
“No, not officially. I made an ass of myself last night and ended up crashing at her place to sleep off my drunk.”
“Nice. What every woman wants.”
“I’m sure. But she was sweet and supportive, took care of me. And, best of all, there were some serious sparks.”
“Sparks are good.”
“Yes, they are. Now, woman, that’s all I’m going to discuss about last night. And that’s my final word.”
“All right, all right, be that way. Far be it for me to stand in the way of love.”
“I never said anything about love.”
She chuckled and pushed herself out of her chair. “You wouldn’t. Men don’t think they need an interior life. Just because you don’t cry or spout sonnets doesn’t mean you don’t experience emotion as deeply as we do or love. There. I said it. It’s okay to love, son.”
“I have loved enough for a lifetime.”
“There is never enough love in a lifetime, child. We must continue to give it and seek it, recreate and reinvent it. It’s what keeps us alive and human. Connected.”
Gabby smoothed down her skirt then picked up her matching purple bag. “I want to see you connected before I die. I’ve got some other meddling to do for now on your behalf. I’ll talk to you later, sweetie.”
“Gabby . . .” The warning tone did nothing to stop the woman. Never had.
“Ssshhhh. Don’t deny an old woman her only source of pleasure.” She waggled her fingers at him and blew a kiss.
“Like I believe sticking your nose in my life is your only source of pleasure.”
Gabby winked. “You’re too young for that conversation, dear.”
Mark smirked. The woman was a hoot. “Bye, Gabby. Stay out of trouble.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” She waved a hand in dismissal. “I’ve got to be going. I have a massage scheduled at Essence. Don’t want to miss my appointment.”
Jesus. She’s gonna go make trouble. Meddlesome woman.
He glanced at the wall clock. Maybe, if he could head her off at the pass, he could get to Athena before Gabby caused any real problems. The last thing he wanted was Athena figuring out he had any kind of long-term romantic intentions toward her. Shit. Knowing Gabby, she’d exaggerate, and by the time the story came out, Mark would be head-over-heels in love with Athena. Forget attraction or lust, she’d have him marching Athena down the aisle in no time.
Hell. He’d better get to Essence, pronto.
He rounded the desk and headed out to save his reputation and his man card.
On the short drive to Essence, Mark came up with a bogus reason to see Athena. He couldn’t just wander into her office without a real problem.
He’d come up with what he thought was a pretty good reason. His disastrous date with Daphne last night.
He still didn’t know what had gone wrong.
So, in order to learn how to deal with women, he’d go talk to Athena, even if he wasn’t totally convinced he wanted Daphne anymore. Particularly after she’d basically called him an alcoholic to his face after talking to him for what, two minutes? Yeah. Not so much.
Parking in the lot at Essence, Mark use
d the side entrance closest to where he knew Athena’s office was located. This also meant he’d bypass Sally’s office, essential because if he knew his BFF, she’d be all over him about last night. She’d probably tapped into the security camera footage to watch the show. Well, nothing he could do about it. If he was lucky, he’d get by without her realizing he’d spent the night.
“Oh, ho. If it ain’t the reverse walk of shame,” Sally said in a singsong voice behind him.
Shit.
He stopped in his tracks and turned slowly. “I’ve got no shame, babe.”
“Uh-huh. Not what I hear. Heard you snuck out of here at the butt-crack of dawn. All freshly showered and minty.”
He rolled his eyes. “I have no clue where you get your intel.”
“Mmmm hmmm.” She tipped up on her toes and gave him a buss on the cheek. “Still dehydrated?” She brushed the hair out of his eyes. “You’re getting too old for this shit.”
He snorted. “Don’t I know it. I’m the one who woke up with a splitting head.”
“So, did you score with the butterfly fairy princess?”
“You know real men don’t kiss and tell.”
She punched him playfully in the arm. “Oh, come on. Tell me.”
“Nope. Not gonna do it. Gotta preserve the woman in question’s honor.”
“Noble.”
He puffed out his chest and patted himself on the pec. “Yep, that’s me.”
Sally guffawed and rolled her eyes. “That totally ruins it. Noble, my ass.”
He tried to feign shock. “I am. I swear. To the core.” He lifted his hand.
“Where are you going? Back to the scene of the crime?”
“No, Nancy Drew. I’m visiting my relationship coach.”
“Oh. Okay.” Sally studied him up and down. Tried to gauge his seriousness.
He wasn’t giving up anything. He could be a stone wall when he wanted. And right now, until he saw Athena again and could gauge how she responded, he planned to play it cool all around.
Make Me a Match (The Soul Mate Tree Book 5) Page 8