“Wow. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Yeah... me too.” I glanced down and forced myself to leave the pain of my loss where I could manage it—locked up.

6 - Kendra

The dinner was delicious, each thing I tried forcing another moan out of my mouth. I hadn’t eaten at too many fancy places over my short life, but Valenia was now my favorite. Jax helped me get Tyson back into his carrier and we picked up the stroller from the car when we were done.

“No dessert, huh? I had a whole new layer of lust I planned on sharing with you.” Jax smiled and worked to get the stroller up.

His words plowed through me, forcing a new path of desire. The evening had been magical and the heated gaze I got from him ever so often wasn’t lost on me. I wasn’t sure why he would find anything in me attractive, but maybe it had more to do with the fact that I was a woman, taking care of his nephew. Guys got weird about wanting to procreate when they got older, or so I had read in Cosmo a million times. Maybe that was it.

“No dessert. I barely fit in this dress as it is.” I smiled and leaned over, getting Tyson into the stroller and standing back up.

“Well, I for one think you look stunning. Your talent blows me away. Only second to your beauty.” He winked and moved to take control of the stroller. “Come on. It’s getting late. Let me walk you down to the river that sits a few streets over so you can see the city from afar. It’s breathtaking.”

“Sounds great.” I wrapped my arms around my chest and walked beside him, enjoying the silence and the cool breeze of early spring. I couldn’t have planned for a better evening, the date-like event almost seeming too good to be true. I would leave my hopes at bay, but I couldn’t force my fantasies not to have a little bit of fun.

I hadn’t had sex in a little over two years, but then again I hadn’t really found anyone who left me needy and willing to strip. Not until now.

“What are you thinking about?” Jax glanced over at me as we turned down a dark street lit only by old timey lamps hanging from rod iron posts.

Panic rushed through me. I could lie though I hated to. There was no way in hell I was telling my new boss that I was thinking about making love to him. No way.

“I’m just enjoying the evening. It’s been a while since I’ve been out. It was nice. Thank you again.” I glanced over at him, enjoying the way he watched me.

“Two years to be exact.” His lip lifted in a smile. “I still find that hard to believe.”

“What? Why?” We turned another corner and the river spread out in front of us. My breath caught in my chest as I moved toward the railing and took it all in. The lights of the city sparkled in the distance as if trying to grab our attention.

“Because, Kendra. You’re beautiful. You’re kind and sweet. You’re humble and talented.” He moved up beside me and pushed his shoulder against mine. “You’re the full deal.”

I turned to face him, not sure what I was doing. No one like him had ever paid me a second of attention. My memories were riddled with pain, and laced with teasing and demeaning undertones. Rich people didn’t understand life... they were given everything. Maybe I was wrong though. Maybe he was different?

He turned to face me, and my heart almost stopped. His black suit fit him beautifully, the white silky shirt underneath screaming wealth and dominance. I stilled my thoughts and took the last step between us, not caring for a moment about the outcome. I wanted him to kiss me. Just once.

“I need to taste you.” He slid his hands along my face and pulled me closer before leaning down and devouring my mouth.

I wrapped my arms around him and pressed up into the kiss as his tongue rolled against mine. The deep flavor of red wine and spices shocked my system as he made love to my mouth.

It was so damn hard not to rock against him, undulating my hips and mimicking the sex I needed so badly with him, but I didn’t. I took all he was willing to give me from the kiss until he broke it, his eyes wild, his expression hungry.

He pressed his fingers to his lips and took a shaky breath as I tried to control my breathing beside him. “Forgive me. I won’t let that happen again. I don’t know what came over me.”

Pain laced my center and I brushed my hands over my mouth. “It’s no big deal. Great meal and good company. It happens.”

I turned to watch a steamboat move across the water as I fought long and hard against tears. I wasn’t wrong at all. He wasn’t interested, but that didn’t seem to deter my need to offer myself up on a platter for anything he could possibly want for the night.

Tyson made a soft whimper and I moved from the ledge to lean over him. “You ready to go home and get something to eat, little man? Yeah?”

“He ready?” Jax’s voice was gravelly.

I glanced back and nodded. “Yeah. He’s had enough of this wine me, dine me stuff. I have too.”

My words were meant to sting. Too bad I was the only one left to suffer.

***

I didn’t say much when we got back to Jax’s place. A quick thank you and I disappeared upstairs to feed the baby, change him and then gave him a warm bath. Jax stopped by the kitchen as I leaned over Tyson and stood there for a few minutes like he had something to say.

I ignored him simply because I didn’t know what to say either.

That kiss rocked my world and I have a million other things you can taste?

Please don’t turn me away? I need you?

Take me to your bed and make me groan your name until my throat hurts?

Nope. Wasn’t happening. He made it clear that he was concerned about gold diggers and sluts. I wasn’t going to play the part of either. It was my first day in my new home and at my new job. There was no way I was dicking up the great opportunity he gave me.

“You want me to put him to bed?” Jax walked into the kitchen and stopped beside me.

The scent of his cologne mixed with arousal rolled over me. I sunk my teeth into my lip and shook my head. He seemed to take the hint, and walked off a few minutes later, a long sigh leaving him as he did.

I finished taking care of Tyson and tucked him in before walking languidly to my bedroom. Jax’s bedroom door was open and he glanced up from his bed. He was laid across the dark blue sheets with nothing but sleeping pants on. The beautiful swell of his chest and abs grabbed my attention, forcing me to memorize every part of him that lay on display. The TV seemed to be on in the room, but his attention was all on me.

“There’s a good horror film coming on. You wanna come join me?” He patted the bed next to him.

Yes!

“No, I’m tired. Thanks though.”

A smile brushed over my lips as I moved into my room and closed the door. I pressed my back against the closest wall and let out a shaky sigh. Good. He hadn’t cut off the kiss because he didn’t like it. He did so to keep us at arm’s length, which was an appropriate business relationship. I could swallow that much better than rejection.

The night with Jax had been so much more than I expected. Dinner was exquisite, but the walk by the river under the moonlight had stolen my heart, and the kiss. I groaned softly. The kiss was so good.

You need to be careful. You know he’s most likely a player, a user of women.

Some part of me was more than happy to be used by someone so strong. Someone so bold, handsome and dominate for the night. I shuttered at the thought and slipped out of my dress, letting the soft white material fall on the floor around my feet.

How badly I wanted him to go to bed with me, to take the passion of his kiss and push it farther. He was being respectful, even if his words stung me at the dock. A soft moan left me as I closed my eyes and slid my fingers around the top of my skimpy panties before slipping them off.