Inconvenient Attraction

by Zuri Day

  “You gave instructions to the chef I hired?” Now, Lamar’s terse attitude made sense.

  “I asked him to do it and made it worth his while. You’ll thank me later, promise.”

  Avery shook her head. “I can’t believe you.”

  “Yeah, he grumbled a little, too, but I think it was less about making a salad and more about me and not him who would be sharing it with you.”

  He pulled out a chair. “Sit. Relax. We don’t have much time.”

  Until her first bite of the lightly dressed spinach salad, Avery hadn’t realized that she was starved. Topped with tender strips of chateaubriand and served with herbed rolls, the dish was a perfect pick-me-up meal. Substantial, yet light enough to not make her drowsy. Cayden must not have eaten lately, either. There was little conversation as both demolished their plates.

  Cayden checked his watch. “Ready for your massage?”

  “Really, Cayden. You don’t have to do that.”

  His look could have melted an igloo in subzero temps. “Yes, Avery, I do.”

  Avery stood up on shaky legs. Inside her head, caution lights flashed and sirens blared. She threw caution to the wind and silenced the bells. Cayden was absolutely right. She needed whatever it was he had in mind.

  She straddled the chair and placed her face on the headrest. Cayden adjusted her arms on the pads.

  “Relax, and for the next ten minutes try not to think. Okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Close your eyes.”

  She did. Nothing happened. Seconds later, the sounds of instrumental neo-soul floated through the room. Then the feel of those fingers she’d dreamed about began kneading her neck and shoulders. The pressure felt so wonderful she could have cried.

  “You’re so tight,” he whispered.

  The deep rumble of his whisper made her Kegel muscles tighten more. He placed a thumb at the nape of her neck, pressed and held, before she felt both of his hands massaging upward and into her hair. Thank goodness she’d opted for a simple flat-iron style because she couldn’t have brought herself to stop what Cayden was doing. Nor could she silence the moan that slid from her mouth.

  “This massage feels amazing.”

  His hands in her hair was the sweetest arousal, making every inch of her body come alive. Nipples pebbled. Her yoni moistened with dew. The pearl of her paradise throbbed in anticipation. Avery squirmed to squelch the wildfire building. The movement of soft jersey against bare skin inflamed her even more.

  Avery lifted her head. “I probably should...but this feels so good.”

  She held on to the pads and lifted her leg from the side of the chair. Her legs were like jelly. Her body shivered with need. She stumbled back against his chest.

  Control fled the room.

  Cayden spun her around, their lips colliding in a reunion that was long overdue. She became the aggressor, thrusting her tongue into his hot, wet mouth, her hand running through his soft chestnut curls as he rained kisses down on her face and neck. She felt him harden and thicken against her. She reached down and stroked the length of his dick, wanted to touch it, kiss it, feel it deep inside her.

  Cayden pushed an expletive through gritted teeth. In an instant, Avery was off the floor and in his arms.

  “What...”

  “Shh...” he commanded. “Don’t think. Feel.”

  He laid her on the table, handling her body as though made of porcelain glass. Papers flew one way, markers another. He tugged at the soft jersey material, pulling it over her shins, knees and thighs. Now only a triangle of lace covered her treasure. The feel of cool air from a vent just above them brushed her skin.

  Then his tongue took over.

  Like a sword, he parted her folds beneath the fabric and dipped his mouth muscle into her fountain of fire. Her mind told her to stop this madness but her body defied her. Legs opened wider. Hips swirled and lifted to give greater access. It was all the encouragement needed. He pulled back the lacy curtain to her main attraction. Avery’s fantasy became real when his mouth covered her and he kissed it, long and deep. She tried to scoot away from the painful pleasure but his hands clasped her thighs and held her captive while he nibbled, sucked, kissed and lapped her nectar like a kitty enjoying milk. Her breath increased along with her gyrations. She pulled at her dress and stuffed the scream back into her throat as her body exploded into a million pieces.

  Oh. My. God.

  She collapsed against the table, working hard to catch her breath. Tender hands pulled at the jersey fabric, smoothing it over her thighs, knees, shins. He pulled her up gently and into his arms. Her essence enveloped them both as they kissed. He slid his hands up her arms, over her shoulders and around her neck.

  “There, much better. I think all of the knots are gone. The ballroom looks amazing, by the way. I’m sure everyone will be pleased.” He unrolled his sleeves, chatting with the same tongue that had just fucked her senseless, and adjusted his slacks around his slowly deflating erection. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours, Ms. Gray.”

  A wink, and he was out the door. The silence buzzed around her. She dropped into the nearest chair like a sack of potatoes, tried to pull herself together even as she knew one thing for certain, in no uncertain terms. Whatever had just happened, a performance she couldn’t begin to describe, could never, ever, ever happen between them again.

  Thirteen

  Cayden rested his back against the cool marble of his walk-in shower and let the rain-forest nozzle pour over him. Palming his sacs in one hand, he ran his other hand along the length of his manhood over and again. Eyes closed he thought of Avery, imagined the taste of her in his mouth. The memory of how eagerly she responded when he placed her on the table made him smile and harden even more. He’d driven over to the country club to make sure Avery ate and to give her a five-minute massage, ten tops. When he spoke with Charlotte over the phone, he learned Avery hadn’t eaten lunch. He thought to go online and have something delivered when Charlotte mentioned Lamar. That’s when he got the idea that it would be easier and perhaps faster to serve something of what he had prepared or whip something up. Everything happened quickly, spontaneously. He’d enjoyed every minute. Avery hadn’t said a word. He didn’t know what to think about that, or if once the weekend was over, she’d ever speak to him again.

  Finishing his ablutions, he removed his five-o’clock shadow and strode naked and dripping from the master en suite into his customized dressing room and the recently delivered deep blue tuxedo, one of three designer pieces he’d ordered from multimillionaire fashion designer Ace Montgomery’s summer collection. His phone buzzed. He picked it up to see that he’d missed several phone calls and more than two dozen texts. Mostly Ma’at members wishing him every success. Almost everyone who’d been invited to the weekend had RSVP’d. He was one step closer to becoming a member of the Society. With that in mind he splashed on his favorite cologne and began to dress.

  Less than an hour later, the limo carrying Cayden pulled up to the front entrance of the Point Country Club. Several limos, town cars and luxury sedans lined the horseshoe driveway. A few men, some with their wives, stood on the patio and in the surrounding gardens accepting high-end hors d’oeuvres and flutes of pricey champagne. Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves. Conversations were animated. Laughter, air kisses and man hugs abounded. Cayden began to relax. He recognized his society mentor, Bob Masters, standing with a distinguished-looking gentleman and a beautiful woman Cayden assumed was the man’s wife.

  “I’ll get out here.”

  “Are you sure, sir? I can try to maneuver around these cars if you’d like.”

  “No, this is fine. Did Keri arrange my pickup?”

  “Yes, sir. All I need is a text about ten minutes before you’re ready to leave. I’ll be close by.”

  “Thanks.”

  Cayden exited the vehicle
and crossed over to the sidewalk. Bob noticed him almost immediately and broke into a smile. He gave Bob a wave and then another to Derrick and Mona, who were standing by the front doors waiting to be checked off the RSVP list and escorted inside. Mona turned and spoke to the woman behind them. Once she turned and smiled, Cayden remembered her face from the Eddington brunch. Delaney Witherspoon. Delaney offered a dainty wave. He nodded. Cayden couldn’t deny her beauty. Mona motioned him over. He pointed toward Bob and then to the doors in an unspoken message that told her, I’ll see you inside. Between now and then he’d try to figure out how to let Mona know that he wasn’t interested in her friend’s daughter, or anyone else she had in mind. He didn’t know what if anything would continue between him and Avery. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted to happen. The only thing he knew for sure was that Avery was the only woman on his mind.

  He reached Bob and his wife, Hillary, who’d now been joined by another younger couple.

  “Greetings, everyone.” He gave Bob a fist bump and one-shoulder man hug before bringing Hillary’s hand to his lips for a light kiss.

  “Cayden, I’d like you to meet some very good friends of mine, members from the west coast. This is Donald Drake of the world-renowned facility Drake Wines Spa and Resort.”

  “It’s a pleasure, sir.”

  “And his lovely wife, Genevieve.”

  Cayden held out his hand. “Lovely indeed. Hello, Genevieve.”

  “As charming as he is handsome,” she replied with a wink.

  “And this is Donald’s brother, Ike, and his beautiful wife, Jennifer. Ike’s company boasts some of the best architects in the west. Were they based here, they’d give the Kincaids some serious competition.”

  Cayden acknowledged the husband and wife. “Thank you all for coming.”

  “We never like to miss a chance to do good.”

  “What she means is she never likes to miss a chance to shop on Lake Shore Drive.”

  Everyone laughed, a perfect time for Cayden to excuse himself. He greeted a few more people before entering the club lobby. It was comfortably filled with America’s elite. Men in tuxedos or suits. Women gowned in silk and satin. Hair and makeup done to perfection. Colorful clutches and bling everywhere. Cayden guessed that were a robbery to occur, the jewelry in this room alone would make the assailant an instant billionaire. The light sound of traditional jazz flowed through the speakers and mingled with the clink of crystal and the murmur of cultured voices. After working the lobby to greet those not deeply engaged in conversation, he walked toward the ballroom. He was just about to enter when someone called his name.

  He turned around and smiled at the well-dressed couple walking toward him. “Bruce. My man!”

  Cayden was excited to see that one of his buddies from Northwestern had made it. His smile almost faltered when he saw the woman walking beside him. Her new asymmetrical hairstyle with feathery bangs gave Teagan a totally different appearance. He almost didn’t recognize her.

  “How are you, brother?” Bruce said.

  “Everything’s good, man.” They performed an intricate handshake. “Glad you could make it.”

  “Do you know Teagan? She attended Northwestern the same time as us.”

  “We took a couple classes together.” Cayden nodded toward her. “Teagan.”

  “Hello, again. I was surprised when Bruce mentioned this glorious affair. When we saw each other at First Friday, you never said a thing.”

  There was a reason.

  He turned his attention to Bruce. “I’ve other guests to greet. You two enjoy yourselves.”

  Nearing the ballroom, memories of what had happened with Avery a short few hours ago flipped through his mind. He shut down the mental images and reached for one of the double doors. Just as he began to walk through them, someone came out. Too bad her head was turned in the opposite direction.

  “Whoa, there.”

  “Ooh, excu—Cayden.”

  Avery quickly averted her eyes but Cayden couldn’t drink in enough of her. The color of her simple, one-shoulder gown boasting an oversize bow cinching an hourglass figure was an almost exact match to his tuxedo. A closer examination revealed tiny ruby-colored pinstripes, further emphasized by the same color of red-bottomed stilettos. Sparkly pins secured loosely curled hair piled on top of her head, with a few errant tendrils brushing her neck the way his lips longed to do. Her makeup was minimal but effective, especially the glossy lipstick that reminded him of how she’d swirled her tongue with his in an oral dance as old as time. There was only word for how Avery looked. Perfect. He’d like to think he had something to do with that glow to her skin.

  “We’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

  “I’m sorry. Charlotte called out to me just as the door opened.”

  He wanted to tell her that she could slam her body into his whenever she liked but her professional demeanor told him that now was not the time.

  “Is everything okay?”

  Finally, her eyes met his. “Yes.”

  “No last-minute snafus to worry about?”

  “There was an earlier issue with the extra pounds of Breedlove beef we ordered but we got it resolved.”

  “Good. I see you got the midnight blue memo.”

  Avery ran a hand down her dress. “I didn’t realize it, but yes, the message must have come through.”

  “You look amazing.”

  Her eyes shifted away from him again, discomfort as bright as the sparkly pins she wore. “Thank you. The program will begin promptly at seven. The maître d’ will make an announcement now for the guests to move inside.”

  She continued past him without a goodbye, see you later or kiss my boots. Definitely not the actions of a satiated woman delighted to run into her lover. He shook off the disappointment and entered the ballroom. There were too many other things to worry about than Avery’s feelings right now. Still, he made a mental note not to leave before they’d had a conversation. Much as she’d felt about the kiss creating an awkward working relationship, her not wanting to talk to him about the storeroom would create an even greater tension that neither needed.

  The evening ran smoothly. Cayden felt he blinked and three hours went by. Raelynn Parker, a popular newscaster and Point du Sable native, emceed the evening and kept the night lively. Short speeches were delivered by himself, Bob Masters, SOMA’s president and a couple celebrity members. The Roulette sisters, founders of THAT Pink, were honored as the evening’s special guests. Aside from Mona’s displeasure when Cayden hid behind hosting duties to avoid sitting next to Delaney during dinner, everyone seemed pleased with what he’d put together. The weekend wasn’t over yet. One day down, two to go.

  Cayden didn’t see Avery again until after the dinner service when the swinging jazz sounds of the live band coaxed guests to the dance floor. He was standing in the lobby speaking with one of his college buddies when he saw her head outside. Quickly excusing himself from the conversation, he hurried to catch up with her.

  “Avery!”

  He saw her back stiffen before she turned around.

  “Can we talk?”

  “I’m still working.”

  “This won’t take long.”

  She didn’t reply but didn’t run off, either. Cayden walked them a distance away from the entrance. This was a conversation for their ears alone.

  “If I said I was sorry about what happened earlier today, again, I’d be lying. But I do apologize if what took place has made this weekend harder or stressed you out in any way.”

  She crossed her arms, looking down at the ground. “I guess you got what you came for.”

  “I came to make sure you’d eaten and give you a brief massage. Everything else just happened.”

  “Is that what you’ve told yourself?” Avery’s eyes flashed fire.

  “Are you blaming me for wh
at occurred? Maybe I should have pumped the brakes, but you were far from being an unwilling participant.”

  “You knew I was vulnerable.”

  “I believed you were tired, overworked and could use a little TLC.”

  “And ripe to be taken advantage of.”

  That was a low blow. Cayden took a step back. It took restraint, but he kept his voice low and calm. “You don’t believe that.”

  “Don’t I? You and your cozy, romantic dinner setup, linen, soft music, a table for two—”

  “In a storage room. Don’t leave out that part.”

  “And offering a massage. Have you ever had a client do that?”

  “A chair, for a head, neck and shoulder massage.”

  “When you knew full well that you had something else in mind.”

  “Seriously? If my plan all along was just to fuck you, I would have replaced the chair with a table and told you to get buck naked as soon as you walked into the room.”

  “Oh, no, you’re much too suave for that. Instead, you used manipulation. If someone found out, I could lose my job!”

  “Fine! If that’s what you want to believe, go for it. I know what I intended. The scenario you’ve painted is not what happened and the person you’ve described is not who I am!”

  A nanosecond from saying something he couldn’t take back, Cayden spun around and headed back toward the building.

  “Cayden!”

  He kept walking. Whatever Avery wanted to say didn’t matter. Perhaps she had a right to be angry, but thinking he’d take advantage of any woman had made him mad as hell.

  Fourteen

  Avery made a beeline for the club’s executive offices and dared herself to cry. Five-inch red bottoms made her feet look sexy but trying to bust a fast move on concrete made them hurt like hell. She clenched her hands into fists and kept on walking, asking herself what just happened for the second time that day. And why had he invited that woman from First Friday, the one who’d accosted her in the bathroom? The one he said he barely knew.