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“I don’t want to talk business first. I want to sort out this business between us.”
“What business? We went out on a date and ‘hooked up.’ That was it.”
Nate shook his head. “We didn’t hook up. Things between us aren’t that casual and you’re not that kind of girl.”
“It doesn’t matter, you are that kind of man.”
“I guess you saw the photo of me and Anika?”
“Yes, I did. I knew you weren’t the relationship kind, Nate. So that photo didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know.”
Nate walked over to the window and looked out at the city. He wasn’t sure what he was really looking for, just knew that he didn’t want to face Jen anymore. She had made a statement of fact and her words shouldn’t bother him but they did.
“I don’t want you to think that you mean nothing to me.”
“I don’t. I think we both weren’t ourselves and that’s why we were able to connect. But I…I don’t want to let you drive me away from this place. It’s my home and since I’m starting over, this is the best job for me to do that.”
Nate turned to face her. “I get that. I realized while we were in the meeting today that I want more from you than I thought I did. Actually, that’s not true. I knew it from the beginning but I was afraid you’d turn out not to be the woman I thought you were.”
She nibbled on her lower lip, something he knew she did when she was nervous. “Who do you think I am?”
“Someone who cares deeply about the people she surrounds herself with. I know that my connections and my friends aren’t the reason why you were with me the other night. And that is something I’m not used to.”
“I get that, Nate. I’m not sure what you want from me,” she said.
“I want a chance to date you. To get to know you and see if there’s anything between us besides sex.”
She nodded. “That’s honest.”
“Yes, it is. I’m not going to lie to you, Jen. Not about anything. There are going to be times when I have to go out with different women and I’m going to have to get my photo in the papers but that’s publicity and that’s for the club. That’s not about you and me. Can you handle that?”
She tipped her head to the side studying him and he hoped she’d find what she was looking for when she looked at him.
“I might be able to. I can handle you working with women but I don’t want to be made a fool of. If we’re going out I need you to be monogamous with me. I’m not willing to settle for being part of your harem.”
That startled a laugh out of him. “I don’t have a harem. Never have wanted one, either. I just want to have fun. And I think you and I can enjoy the hell out of life together.”
“I can handle that,” she said. “I’m not in a place to get serious either, but I like you and to be honest, I’m not ready to move on.”
He came around his desk. “Good. Let’s seal the deal with a kiss.”
“The deal? This isn’t a business arrangement.”
“I know. Hence the kiss,” he said.
She smiled at him and it was the first time today that he’d seen her seem happy. He was glad he’d talked to her. Glad he’d decided to go after Jen. She was the kind of woman that he’d regret not knowing if he let her slip away now.
She walked over to him and kissed him softly on the lips. He put his arms around her and drew her close. Holding her made him realize that he’d feared he’d never get to hold her again.
He tightened his arms around her and then realized what he was doing. He didn’t want her to know how much she meant to him. Even now when they’d only really had one date—but what a date. He’d wanted their time together to never end.
He had to find a way to bind her to him. To keep her close to him without giving up any more of his emotions. Because caring for Jen would be his downfall if he didn’t handle it the right way.
Jen had thought she’d never feel his arms around her again and she was so glad that she was back here now. She rested her head on his chest right over his heart and heard the strong beating of it under her ear.
He skimmed his hands up and down her back before settling them on her hips. She felt his erection stir, nudging her at her center. She looked up at him as he lowered his head to kiss her.
His lips rubbed over hers and then his tongue traced the seam of her lips. She parted them and invited his tongue to come deeper into her mouth, which it did.
His tongue tasted her in long languid strokes and she forgot everything. She was back in his arms, the one place she’d dreamed of being since he’d last left her on her doorstep.
