Taking a glance in the mirror to check her appearance, she liked what she saw. Her hair was loose tonight, and the curls as tame as they ever got, which left her with a halo like effect. Deciding to draw attention to her favorite feature, Jess had created a smoky eye with varying shades of gray. She left her lips natural by tossing on a nude lip-gloss as she sang about everyone wanting to rule the world. Once she was pleased with her look, she tossed on some nude pumps and headed over to Sadie’s armed with two bottles of wine.
Jess was walking into the courtyard as Nathan brought out a plate loaded with steaks. He looked up and their eyes met, stopping them both dead in their tracks. The man was an Adonis. He was standing there about to do something so trivial and ordinary, yet he made it look sexy. He had on well-worn jeans and a black V-neck sweater with a white T-shirt poking out at the top. The dark color made his blue eyes even more striking along with his blond hair.
She watched his eyes take in every inch of her as she started toward Sadie’s apartment. Her entire body tingled as his gaze caressed her like a touch. He sat down the plate and headed over toward her.
“Wow, you look amazing,” Nathan said, stopping in front of her and sweeping his hand over her wild curls. Her nipples tightened at the warmth of his touch. He was a dangerous, dangerous man.
“Hi, um, thank you.” It was all Jess could muster as she felt her face go up in flames. Kyle walked out and greeted her before taking the bottles of wine she brought.
Sadie greeted her with a hug and they all sat down. The food was great, but the company was better. Jess and Sadie talked about some of the weirder showings they’d been to, and the guys shared classic college tales. As the wine and beer flowed, the laughter continued. Nathan told stories about casting calls, and as he talked animatedly, he wore a huge smile Jess couldn’t look away from.
What would it be like to be so free and easy like Nathan? To not have so many responsibilities to your family and their reputation, to just be whoever you wanted to be. Jess was so sick of feeling like she had to walk on eggshells so she didn’t soil her family name. Add in the fact that most men just wanted to use her for said name and all the benefits that came with it. She wanted to be free. Free of the stress, the pressure, and the watchful eyes. She wanted to be Jess. To have a man that cared about her, not her money or her power or her family. Not the woman who lost her virginity to a jerk of a boyfriend in college, or who had a string of men who never lasted more than three months, or who hadn’t had a man in her bed in longer than she wanted to admit.
Jess watched Nathan as he sat back in his seat and took a drink of beer. She was fascinated by the way his throat moved as he swallowed. How his forearm flexed when he moved the glass. How his legs were shifting . . . She caught the telltale sign of an erection. Her gaze snapped to his, and she saw him staring at her as she ate him up with her eyes. Heat sizzled between them as they held each other’s gaze.
The scraping of chairs at the table broke the moment, and Jess watched Kyle pull Sadie over to the fountain where they danced to a song playing through the speakers from Sadie’s windows.
A pang of envy ran through Jess as she watched them. They’d been dealt a bad hand early on and still found love with one another. She wanted that someday. But she didn’t have to love someone to sleep with them, did she?
“So you and Kyle met in college or did you know each other before?” Jess asked before talking another sip of her wine.
“Yup, we did. We had two classes together back to back and ended up sitting next to each other.” Nathan watched the dancing couple for a moment before turning his searing blue gaze back to her.
“Did you click right away?” The wine was really taking effect now as her panties dampened just from his look.
“We annoyed each other at first. Anyone worth their weight could tell the man was suffering from a broken heart. He was pitiful. So I bugged the crap out of him until he agreed to come out with me. Being in Miami, there was never a shortage of beautiful women, so I managed to gather a couple, and we all went back to my apartment to party more. I thought he could screw his way out of a heartache. Yeah well, while I had a good time, he ended crying on this chick’s shoulder. I was pretty pissed he wasted an awesome opportunity, and he was pissed I was forcing it on him. We went back and forth for a while. But ultimately he ended up helping me with school, and I helped him have fun.” He took a drink of his beer then started to pick at the label.
“Did your tactic work to make him feel better?” Jess was a little jealous of the idea that Nathan had sex with beautiful women. Sure, she knew she was cute, but she was nowhere near the tall, tanned dark-haired beauties she was imagining he dated.
“I’m not proud to admit this, but yes. Eventually he bit the bullet and hooked up with someone, and then he never had the same girl for more than a month. Eventually we managed to balance each other out. Since then we’ve been inseparable. He’s my family.” Nathan smiled as he looked over at Kyle again.
Jess couldn’t help but admire his loyalty to his friend. While his plan was a little salacious for her taste, the idea of Nathan wanting to remove the haunting look of a broken heart from a stranger’s face said a lot about his character. He may be an aspiring actor with nothing but his looks going for him, but he was good people.
Except that he’s got all the signs of being a gold digger, she reminded herself. Jess knew all about those kind of men; she’d promised herself and her parents she would stay away from them. But Jess really liked Nathan, and the attraction she felt for him was out of this world. Was it enough to take a chance? Wouldn’t it be better to take a chance with a good person rather than a total dirt bag?
Jess remembered a romance novel she had recently finished, and the heroine’s favorite motto was “seize the day.” That sounded like a lovely idea, starting now.
_____
Nathan couldn’t look away from the beautiful, tipsy creature across the table. Her cheeks were flushed and her pouty full lips were slick from her drink. He didn’t miss the way she kept looking at him while he talked. She was on fire, and it was all over her face. Typically Nathan would’ve had her naked and moaning by this point, but she wasn’t like the other girls he slept with. She was smart, witty, determined, and above all else, Sadie’s best friend. Talk about an awkward situation if he never called her again.
The song finished and Kyle and Sadie walked back over to the table. Kyle started to take the dishes back into the apartment and when the girls offered to help, Nathan stood and shooed them away. He’d let the girls talk while he got himself under control.
He finished tossing the leftovers in the fridge while Kyle loaded the dishwasher in Sadie’s apartment. Nathan moved to look out the window and watched as the girls giggled and kept their heads together. Why did women do that? What on earth were they talking about?
“I’ve always wondered the same thing,” Kyle said as he dried off his hands. Nathan hadn’t realized he’d spoken aloud.
“You know, normally it would annoy me because I would assume they were talking about us. But with them, it’s cute.” Nathan shook his head at the thought. He liked the idea of Jess talking about him with Sadie.
“I agree. Of course I think Sadie is the hottest woman I’ve ever seen, so her giggling like a school girl does weird things to me.” Kyle smirked at his friend.
“All right, that’s enough of that. I’m going to be a nice guy and take Jess home since she’s had a few glasses of wine. I might hit up a bar on the way back. Don’t wait up.” Nathan wiggled his brows at Kyle on the way out of the apartment.
He walked up to Sadie and touched her shoulder to get her attention. Both girls sobered and stopped laughing before looking up at Nathan. Damn, the way Jess looked right now, all happy and flushed from the wine, was messing with his head.
“Your man is waiting for you, and I’m going to make sure Jess makes it home.”
Sadie popped up from the chair and hugged Nathan tightly, almost maki
ng him lose his balance.
“Thank you for coming this weekend; you’re a good friend. You were there when I wasn’t, and I’ll always be grateful. Now be careful,” she whispered the last part before heading to the apartment. She waved, and at Nathan’s confused look she winked.
Winked! What the hell?
“I think I’m going to head home too. Before I get myself into trouble,” Jess announced as she stood and started to lose her balance. Nathan quickly grabbed her waist to steady her. She threw her arms out to the sides for balance then smiled brightly up at him.
“I’ve got a better idea, let’s go back to my apartment and have some coffee, and afterwards, I’ll drive you home,” Nathan said with a nod toward his unit then dropped his hands.
“Umm, okay. I mean, I shouldn’t have coffee this late but I don’t care. That sounds really lovely.” Jess grabbed her bag and jacket and slowly walked with him over to his temporary home.
Thankfully Kyle had nagged Nathan’s messy habits into submission, so he wasn’t worried about her getting upset over a mess. He carefully hung her things on the hooks by the door before heading to the kitchen.
“Would you like an espresso or straight coffee? I have some hazelnut creamer too,” Nathan asked as Jess wandered around the living room. It was crowded by his laptop setup and his printer on the table.
“Just regular is fine. This is a pretty high-end laptop. I thought you were an actor?” She ran a finger along the top of the screen.
“I do a little work on the Internet. Besides, a laptop like that is great for Skyping with my agent or casting directors,” Nathan stated. He was finishing pouring the two cups of coffee when he heard movement behind him.
He turned around in time to find Jess stalking toward him. She wasn’t walking, or even gliding, but stalking like a puma with her prey.
“Did you know you’re incredibly sexy?” Jess whispered as she stopped just an inch from his face.
Her cheeks were still flushed, but now he wasn’t sure if it was from arousal or the booze. Either way he couldn’t help but be flattered.
“Oh, I know, but I’m glad you agree with me,” he smirked.
“I most definitely agree. You’re so gorgeous. I’ve never dated an actor before, you know.”
Nathan was now leaning against the counter, boxed in. Jess had placed a hand on each side of him holding the ledge. He felt a faint tingle of déjà vu. He was starting to feel like a piece of meat, something that was a too frequent occurrence back in LA.
While his cock was on board with what she was selling, Nathan couldn’t help but be disappointed. He had hoped she’d be different than all the other rich girls he knew. The ones who always wore the newest trends, had the nicest cars, and the cutest boyfriends. He’d been there, done that, and had the T-shirt. Jess hadn’t seemed nearly as shallow as the other girls, yet here she was making a move. He knew he should end this now, but he hesitated.
“Did you also know I’ve not been able to stop thinking about the kiss we shared, right here?” She breathed before gently pressing her lean body against Nathan’s.
Her soft words and gentle touch made him reconsider. They touched from knees to chest, and he could feel her breasts pillowed high on his stomach. Jess wasn’t fake and plastic as those girls typically were. She was lean, yet had great curves and fantastic breasts.
“I’ve thought about it too,” he said as he gently wrapped his arms around her back. It was the truth; there was no denying it. That one hot, searing kiss had helped him through not one but two showers.
“Kiss me, Nathan.” Jess wrapped her arms around his neck, digging her nails into his shoulder blades. “Please, kiss me again.”
Nathan wasn’t sure what game she was playing with him, but he couldn’t deny he wanted to kiss her again. The same desire to strip her and love her until she sobbed with pleasure.
“This is a very bad idea, Jess,” he murmured even as he pulled her closer.
“I know, but isn’t it true everything that is bad for us is oh so good?” She was staring at his lips. The very lips that were just seconds away from devouring her.
“Fuck it,” Nathan growled before closing the distance between them. While he wanted to inhale her, he decided to be gentle. She was so small and sweet, and he should cherish her. Jesus, he was waxing poetic about a woman who was likely playing him for a boy toy.
He gently caressed her lips as his hand worked its way up her side. When he grazed the side of her breast she gasped, opening her mouth enough to allow him entrance. Nathan slid his tongue in and gently coerced her to come out and play. His hand moved to the nape of her neck where he wound it in her hair. Jess’s tongue danced with his as her hands pulled him closer still.
Nathan broke the kiss and made his way down her slender neck. Her head fell back and to the side to allow him access. Her hands came around and she ran her fingers over the sweater against his chest as he nibbled on the spot behind her ear. When he hit her sweet spot, she dragged her nails across his nipples as she moaned. Shivers shot down his spine and what little blood remaining in the larger of his two heads, vacated and moved south.
_____
Jess couldn’t think. She felt bubbly and tingly all over. And hot. Oh gawd, she was so hot, and she felt as if she was standing in the desert with no shade. This man lit her fuse unlike any other. Of course, drinking all that wine was like setting kindle to the flame, but she didn’t care. She didn’t care about a single thing except touching his skin.
She pushed her hand under his shirt, running her fingers over chiseled abs. But it was his chest that fascinated her the most. Nathan had perfect pectorals that flexed and moved as he did. His wide shoulders created the perfect backdrop for his even more perfect chest. Just as she was about to rip his clothes off, he turned her and lifted her onto the counter behind him. She squeaked in surprise at the quick movement, and Nathan dove in for another kiss.
When she expected him to be hard and demanding, he was gentle and sweet, and oh so damned sexy. His hands moved up from her waist to her ribcage where his thumbs lightly brushed the sides of her breasts. The sensation made her tense all over, craving more. He left off the kiss and pressed his lips to her collarbone, the sensation causing her to tingle again. Who knew it was an erogenous zone? It was new information to her and she was going to make a fool of herself if he kept doing that. Jess threw her head back, banging into the cabinet loudly. She lowered her head and started to giggle but stopped when she looked up. Nathan’s face had changed from the sexy, lazy look to a frown as he stepped back.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken it so far. This is a bad idea,” he rubbed his hand over his face and turned his back to her. Wait, what?
Then it hit her.
He didn’t want her. Any man would react the way he had if a woman threw herself at him, but only truly interested men would close the deal. Shame and embarrassment washed over her. Another man she couldn’t satisfy. Another man who found her not good enough.
She slid off the counter and straightened her clothes as she wiped her mouth. Would she really ever be able to wipe away his kisses? She doubted it. Jess started to walk over to her purse but Nathan stopped her.
“Hey, you can’t drive yet.” He held his hand out to block her from leaving, but kept from touching her.
“I know. I’m going to call a ride. It’ll be here in a few minutes. I’m going to use the rest room first if that’s okay?” she asked. She quickly sent out a text and received a response in seconds.
“Of course, you own it don’t you?” Nathan swept his arm out toward the living room and hall. Was that condescension she heard?
“Well yes, but not for long. I’m selling to Kyle. Then you can live here for free too,” she stated matter-of-factly as she grabbed her bag and walked away.
After shutting the bathroom door, she took a few deep breaths and freshened up her make-up. No need for a report that she looked sexed up to get back to her dad. Then there would
be a fifteen-point background check on Nathan. Those never ended well and she didn’t need another lecture on attracting yet another gold digger, which she suspected Nathan to be.
With a final glance in the mirror, she walked back into the lounge room and found the front door open. Nathan was sitting out by the fountain. He looked lost in thought, and by the way his brow was furrowed it wasn’t good. He glanced up when she moved toward the gate.
“Kyle told me about the plan. I’m surprised you decided to sell. Wasn’t this a family thing?” He asked as he opened the gate for her.
“It was, but honestly it’s been more of hassle for me within the family than it’s been worth. I’d never sell it normally, but it’s for Sadie. And there is a clause that if Kyle decides to sell, I get first shot and below market. So I’m okay with it.” Jess threw on her jacket as they waited for the car.
“You don’t have to take a cab. I could drive you home in Sadie’s car,” Nathan said as he looked around the near empty streets.
“It’s okay. I’m not taking a cab. I called one of my dad’s drivers. See, there he is now.” Jess pointed at the oncoming car.
Crap. Please don’t be the Bentley; please don’t be the Bentley, she silently pleaded. Of course it was the Bentley. Nathan whistled low as it came to a stop in front of them. The driver hopped out as Nathan continued to drool.
She quickly climbed in and waved before sitting back in the seat and closing her eyes. How was she going to face him again in Chicago?
CHAPTER FOUR
The last couple of months had flown by for Jess, but they were finally in Chicago for Sadie’s show. She tried to push a certain hunky actor out her mind while she organized, planned, and navigated the largest opening of her and Sadie’s careers. It was a bit daunting, but luckily she’d made some good contacts over the years and was able to seek advice from seasoned agents.
Moon over the Bay (Moonlit Nights) Page 3