He was less than cordial when he went to the dance studio and he made his dislike for her clear. Yet, here she was wanting to meet with him about some sort of business matter. Which, considering his line of work, meant finances. What Gage was having a hard time grasping though was why she wanted anything to do with him after he had been a dick to her? Okay, he did feel a little bad about that now. But even so, it didn't make much sense.
Switching into business mode, he spoke. "We don't need to rehash something that happened so long ago. Why don't you tell me what I can do for you?"
Amber withdrew her financial documents and proceeded to tell him about her interest in buying the building. The strip mall's current owner was ready to sell because of an illness. She wanted to buy it. She had it under contract. She told as much to Gage.
"I am looking for a loan."
"Normally, I would have you speak with one of my loan officers, have you fill out an application - that sort of thing. Why don't you give me the documents you have and we'll go from there," he reached across his desk as she offered the papers to him.
Their hands touched as she handed over the papers. She immediately felt a reaction. She looked up into his eyes. His smoke colored eyes were already staring her down. Had he felt that too? She couldn't be sure with the look in his eyes. They were hard to read. They were definitely not the flirty eyes Marilyn so loved to tell her about! Blake had flirty eyes, Gage did not. Okay.
Gage took the papers, moving his hand quickly so he didn’t have to feel her skin and the electricity she was emitting. He began looking them over. The numbers on these documents astounded him. She had this kind of money? Clearly, not enough cash to purchase the building outright, but the assets on paper showed she had quite a bit of money and if she wanted to, she could easily get cash. He was taken aback. He had no idea she came from such wealth. The last few pages he looked over showed him she was sitting on millions and millions of dollars. What would she want with a little mini-mall? Again, she surprised him. Again, he didn't really appreciate it. He cleared his throat.
He couldn't help the sarcastic voice that came out. "What's the deal, Amber? Where have you gotten all this money? And why did you really come to me? Why not go to one of those high powered banks to get a simple loan?"
"First of all, to get a loan from you, it's really none of your concern why I didn't go elsewhere. Secondly, it's not like I asked for all of this money, okay? It's from all of the oil wells all over town. All over town and all around town to be exact. Can you help me or not?"
"I guess. But I can't deal with you. I will refer you to Lisa Knight. She's great at what she does. She will have you set up in no time."
Amber was slightly frustrated, but only slightly. Nothing compared to how he made her feel during their last encounter at the studio. She could read between the lines though. This was his way of getting her off his back. So he wouldn't have to deal with her. She couldn’t stand that he disliked her so much. She really didn’t deserve it. For the first time in a long time, she actually cared what a man thought about her. Before, she could give a hoot what any guy said but for some reason, this animosity from Gage was killing her. Before she left, she had to ask him one question.
"Why do you dislike me so much? The one and only night we met, I thought we had such an amazing time. Do you remember all those things you whispered to me? All of the things you did to my body? The places you touched me with your fingers and your mouth? If it was a personal mistake on your part, why are you taking it out on me? Someone you don't even know."
At this moment, she hated herself for even entertaining the idea of wanting him in her bed. Especially when he made her feel this crummy feeling that she was feeling right now. She waited for an answer.
It was a staring contest and he wasn’t backing down. This was the first time during their entire conversation that she had succeeded in making him feel like a jackass. It didn't help that he could see the open look of hurt in her eyes, either. Nor that he actually did remember all the things he whispered in her ear. His mind remembered practically everything and his body definitely remembered it all. How did he respond to that? She was right, of course. It wasn't her fault he developed this whole regret issue. She was only a product of it, not the cause. And here he was taking it out on her. But the soldier in him nagged that he couldn't admit any wrongdoing without welcoming in things he didn't want to be asked.
"Look, I was and still am, very surprised to have run into you again. It was a one-night stand that I've since forgotten about and have put behind me. I am not that kind of man anymore who would sign up for something like that now. Nor, do I welcome that behavior. Whatever happened between us is long over. There isn't even a glimmer of hope to have any relationship with you or be friends with you for that matter. I haven't quite figured out your angle yet, but I know you have one. Quite frankly, I'm not into playing whatever game you’re trying to play. If you want a loan, fine. Talk to Lisa. If you're here because you think there might be something between us that could reignite, it's not happening, Amber."
She was befuddled! This arrogant jerk! Okay, he was exactly right about her having an angle, but he didn't know that and she certainly wasn't going to tell him. What a conceited man for him to just assume she wanted him! Where did he come from? As if that weren’t bad enough, watching him exert his tough talk onto her was such a turn-on, she could hardly focus.
Like a child, she finally found her words, "You arrogant son of a bitch! Who do you think you are?" she stood up. He followed her motion and got up too. Her legs itched to move and she walked out into the open area that surrounded his desk. He did the same.
"Keep your voice down," he warned.
"I cannot believe your nerve. You assume I want you just because you fucked me hard, one time?" Before she thought of the consequences, she went on, "I've had better sex than that, Gage. Way better."
He stalked up to her so that he was mere inches from her face. "You are really starting to piss me off. You are a liar. There is no way you’ve had better sex with anyone else. It shows all over your face. You know you want me. I would bet my paycheck on it," he whispered. "You and I both know that isn't true."
"You don't know that. You don't even know me, remember?" She could feel the heat rolling off his body. She tried with all her might not to show him the truth that must be present in her eyes. She swallowed the dryness in her throat.
"Maybe I don't know you. But I remember your body, and right now it's telling me that what you’re saying is a lie. There isn't anyone that's fucked you like I did. Hard like I did, or better than I have."
"Prove it," she dared him.
CHAPTER SIX
With one glance over his shoulder, making sure he was somewhat out of sight from any one passing down the hallway, he turned back to Amber and proved it. One minute he was business-like and all common sense, and the next, he had her shoved up against the wall sticking his tongue down her throat. His right hand was wrapped around her neck, pressing her head into the wall while his other hand had ahold of her head. Her lips were soft, pliant in his mouth. He devoured her lips and tongue, seeking an answer he knew was there. Her scent invaded his nostrils; he could feel her hands tightening on his shoulders, needing more. That's what he gave her. He kissed her like he knew her, like he knew what she needed. He kissed her full on, as if this one moment was going to prove to him and to her, that he was exactly right. He was what she needed.
Amber was getting hot in places she hadn't been in a long time. Like, really hot. The minute Gage Alexander, CEO's lips touched hers, she was taken back to that single night long ago. His kiss ignited a fire deep within her belly that hadn't been put out by any other man she had since him. She could feel his hard-on pressing into her lower abdomen, making her wish they were someplace other than the credit union. That thought brought her back to the present. She pushed against Gage; taking all her might, she shoved him away. Her hand came up to slap his face but she wasn't quick enou
gh and he caught her hand with his.
"You bastard," she told him. Her heart was beating tenfold.
Still holding her hand, he leaned forward again. "First of all, don't try hitting me. I know how to fight and protect myself. Secondly, are you mad, Amber, because I'm right? Don't play poker, babe. I can see it in your eyes, all over your face."
She was a mess. Her body was warring with itself on whether she should beg him to fuck her or try kneeing him in the balls. He did this to her all on his own. And she had fallen for it, hook, line and sinker. God, she was such an idiot. She couldn't believe she actually thought she could come in here and get him to want her again. Maybe that was the truth - he had never wanted her even back then.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she whispered. Tears burned her eyes. "Let me go, please. Just let me go."
Gage's heart stuttered. Her beautiful blue eyes were wet with tears he had put there. He was a complete ass. He hadn't meant to get so out-of-control with her, but those were the type of emotions she stirred in him. What could he say? He gently let go of her wrist, as if that would appease the tension in the room.
He began to speak, "Amber, -"
"Save it, Gage." And she walked, almost ran, out of his office and out of the credit union before he could see the tears streaming down her cheeks.
She got into her car and buckled her seatbelt. She was so naive! She truly thought she would be able to sashay her way into his office and make him want her. He was a guy after all, how hard could that be? She sashayed her way into plenty of men's beds. He shouldn't be any different. Oh, but he is, her conscience told her. She checked her face in the rear-view mirror, confirmed she needed a tissue to clean up her mascara and headed to her tiny tots dance class.
Dance class was a nightmare. She had never been so on-edge before in any of her classes and today, the kiddos were driving her nuts. Amber, who was usually patient as could be, could hardly deal with their wandering bodies. She almost snapped when little Vivian picked up her iPod and switched the music to foul-mouthed rap music. For her, that type of music was fine, but not okay for the kiddos. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the forty-five minute class was over.
As she packed up her things, her other BFF pounced into the studio. "It feels like it's been forever since I've seen you." Gabriella gave her a big hug.
"I know. That's because you're too busy working."
Gabriella Crawford or Gabbie, as all her friends called her, recently opened a high-end lingerie store in town. Now, she hardly had time to chill with her girlfriends because she was always busy dealing with the boutique.
"Hey, I'm here now. Let's go grab something to eat. My treat. When's your next class?"
"Not until the afternoon. I have my older girls preparing for the fall festival and they pretty much have it down. I hope we win this year, Gab. It would mean the world to me."
"You are going to win. I know you will. I don't know anyone who takes dancing as seriously as you do Amber. I will definitely be there cheering you on. What day is it?
"The festival is on the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth. We perform on Saturday at exactly two pm. I'm so excited and nervous, I can't wait."
Amber locked up the studio and the girls rode together to a locally owned diner. They settled into their booth and agreed to share the best French toast ever made and began to catch up on each other's lives.
"Yes, so that was the last time I saw him, until I went into the credit union today to apply for a loan. God, Gabbie, I want him so bad that it hurts. And the worst part of it all is he doesn't want me back. At least, he won't admit he wants me. He kissed me today-"
"Wait, Amber, I don't understand. He doesn't want you but he kissed you? Don't people generally kiss people they want and not people they don't want? Hmm, please explain." She flipped her auburn hair off her shoulder, bending over to stick a forkful of French toast in her mouth.
"Well. Somehow we got on the subject of how he thought I wanted him and he was just certain that I haven't had as great as sex as I did the night I spent with him. One night and he thinks he can remember my body signals and what my body is suggesting to him. Whatever. I told him to prove it, so he kissed me."
Amber's body burned as she thought about his kiss. He was such a strong-willed man. His hands on her neck, possessing her like she was a toy, turned her on so badly she couldn't sit still. She crossed her legs underneath the table, trying not to think of his possessive hands all over her body, like she knew they would be if he gave into his...feelings? She wasn't sure what his problem was exactly but if his kiss said anything, he wanted her just as badly as she wanted him.
Gabbie brought her back to the present, "Oh, this is good. He was absolutely right. He nailed you," she laughed. "Well, not literally, anyway. Have you really been unsatisfied with other men all this time?"
"No, I haven't. At least, I was pretty sure I've been satisfied until I ran into him again. It's like seeing him brought back all these memories and feelings that my body has long since forgotten about, apparently. Now, all it can remember or think about is Gage Alexander, CEO and how mighty he can be. And, he's such a jerk. Which normally, I wouldn't give a man a second glance. With him though, it's as if it ... torments him to be a jerk to me; I can see it in his eyes. I know he wants me, Gabbie. What I don't get is why? Why does he not want to want me?"
Amber's big blue eyes bored into Gabbie's big brown eyes. Gabbie raised her eyebrows, "That is a fucked up story Amber. Thank God I'm so busy with the lingerie store I don't have to deal with this crap in my personal life. I don't know how - no, I don't know why you do this to yourself. Let me break this down for you, in case you haven't processed this in your own brain: you slept with him years ago, met him again, he's a jerk who kisses you to prove he is right! Who does that? AND, this entire time he is trying to dismiss you! My advice to you is to find someone better."
Amber knew she was right. She needed to figure out a way to get over him. At least for the next week she was going to be too busy with rehearsals for the dance-off at the festival to worry too much about him. At least there was that until she had to go into the credit union and sign papers for her loan.
"I know. I deserve someone better. My father would agree with you."
"Hell yeah, he would Amber. He loved you dearly. He would only want the best for you and sad to say, Gage isn't it."
"He would. If only it wasn't my fault that he isn't here today, I miss them so much Gabbie."
Gabbie reached across the table grabbing her hand, "Amber, you have to stop blaming yourself for your parent’s death. It wasn't your fault. Trust me, they would not want you to blame yourself for anything. It wasn't anyone's fault what happened to them. It was just an accident, honey. I take it you never talked to a psychologist yet?"
"No. It was my fault, though. They wouldn't even have been flying that day, if it hadn't been for me. I thought it was so important for them to be at that stupid game. It was important. But I should have left it alone, when they said they weren't going to make it in time. Instead, I kept hounding them and hounding them. It's a wonder I even want to win this competition, but I'm ready. This is the year. I know Mother Nature and I can feel it in the air. We will win. My parents deserve this."
"Amber, you deserve this. It's a huge honor to want this for your parents, but this is all you. You deserve to win this thing and you will. Your mother created this foundation because of you. When you win and are standing out in the middle of that football field with seventy thousand screaming fans, I hope you will finally accept that it is you, your dancers and all of your hard work that has gotten you there. Start believing that - believing in yourself."
Amber tried to keep the tears from falling. Logically, everything her friend said was right, but she couldn't get her heart to believe it. She did need to see a psychologist, she knew. She carried around a lot of guilt from her parents’ accident but she hoped with time, the guilt would go away.
When Pricilla Pres
cott formed the Girls’ Power Foundation, the idea behind it was to empower young girls through dance by showing them how to believe in themselves and how to achieve goals, gain confidence and to learn the bonds of sisterhood. With Pricilla and Ward's kind of connections, they began sponsoring young girls that participated in dance or cheerleading to perform on the field for the professional football games when they played at home. The more awareness it brought to fans, the bigger her foundation became. Pricilla wanted to give the girls something bigger and better, something that they wanted badly enough that would make them work harder to achieve their goals. This was how the Fall Festival competitions were born. There were certain requirements to be in the competition, of course. And, once those requirements were met, only a hundred teams got picked for the semi-finals, then it was narrowed down to seventy-five, then fifty, and now the twenty-five teams - which Amber's girls were a part of. The finals were held in Windsor and once the winner was chosen, it would literally be the following Sunday that the girls would begin their five minutes of fame for every home game thereafter.
"I will try, I promise. Do you need to get back to work? Can I come with you and see if there is anything I want to buy before the Grand Opening?"
"Of course you can. But you have to pay me in cash, my POS system isn't quite ready yet."
The ladies paid their tab and headed toward Gabriella's lingerie store, Lolita. She opened up her store on Windsor's main drag - generally the best place to have a business in town. While her store was on Main Street, she was nestled behind a bank and a fast food restaurant. She liked the afforded privacy it offered; yet the easy convenience of being situated in the business district.
They entered the store and Amber was immediately blown away by the way Gabbie had decorated the interior. All of the dressers and tables were painted antique white and the nightstands and chairs were a light mint color. The walls were painted with the same colors but were all used in a way that they complimented each other. The place was decorated in such a way that it gave the impression of being inside a bedroom - inside someone's personal space. The lighting was mellow, adding to the ambiance. It was beautiful.
Trigger Happy (Girls with Guns, #2) Page 5