“Looks like I’m going to have to have a word with the guard at the desk.”
“It’s not his fault,” Zara said quickly. “I distracted him. I noticed he had a picture of his kids on his desk. They were wearing pirate costumes so I told him about the musical and offered to leave some tickets at the box office for his family—”
“You bribed him.” He stared at her, incredulous.
“I did no such thing.” Her hands found her hips. “It was a genuine offer. He had already decided to let me come up and see you.”
Jay made a mental note to thank the guard downstairs. If the dude hadn’t been so easily distracted, Jay might not have had the chance to see Zara tonight.
“So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head.
Zara put her bag on the chair across from his desk and pulled out a file folder. “Since our arrangement is back on, I’ve got some possible matches for you to consider.”
“I thought we agreed to put our deal on pause.” He’d been so surprised by her sudden appearance that he hadn’t been paying attention. But now that she was closer, he could see something was wrong. Her eyes had lost their sparkle and lines of worry creased her forehead.
“We unpaused it.” She stared at the floor, long lashes fluttering over soft cheeks. “I thought that’s what was going on when we had dinner with your mom and Rick.”
“You told Rick we weren’t together. I was just following your lead.” He knew he should be concerned about his unbridled attraction for a woman who might not want him. Instead, he was contemplating the best way to pleasure her once he got her on his desk, pretty skirt hiked up her thighs, stiletto heels over his shoulders.
“I’m not really into labels.” She shrugged. “Together. Not together. What does it really mean? We have an arrangement and I just want to uphold my end of the bargain.”
“So what was Saturday night?” His heart thudded a frantic beat.
“It was . . . fun,” she said. “But now that we have it out of our systems, it’s best if we get back to business.”
Jay felt her words like a stab in the gut. Instinct told him they’d shared more than just physical intimacy during the night they’d spent together. They’d connected on another level, one so deep he couldn’t believe she’d come to his office just to push him away. Something had upset her. He’d seen it when she walked in the door, and he could see it now in the way she avoided his gaze. If she wasn’t going to be forthcoming, he would have to play the game. And Jay played to win.
“Take a seat and tell me what you’ve got.”
She startled, like she hadn’t expected him to capitulate, but recovered quickly. “Okay.” She settled in the chair across from him and picked up the file. “First we have Vidya Reddy. She’s an accountant with a multinational firm. She runs for fitness, enjoys classical music, and likes to garden. She’s organized, focused, detail-oriented, and professional.”
“Hmmm.” He rocked in his chair. “Can she sing ‘Climbing over Rocky Mountain,’ create a zombie costume out of nothing, and give a man a wake-up surprise he’ll never forget?”
She pressed her lips together and glared. “No. I don’t believe so.”
“Pass. Who’s next?” He stood and walked around the desk, turning her chair so he could kneel in front of her.
“What are you doing?”
“Keep going. I can barely contain my excitement. What other lovely ladies have you chosen to warm my bed?” He gently removed one of her high-heeled shoes and pressed a kiss to her instep.
“Devika Malini.” Her voice hitched and she hissed in a breath. “She’s a software engineer from a well-connected family and CEO of a fitness clothing start-up—”
“Would she fill a room with people just to support her father without even knowing he planned to show a collection of vulva fruit art? Can she find the best hot dog in San Francisco? And is she flexible enough to do yoga poses in bed?” He licked his lips. “I found a new one for you to try, by the way. It’s called leg behind head pose.” Holding her leg with one hand, he kissed his way along her calf, pausing to nip gently behind her knee.
She swallowed hard, hands braced on the arms of the chair. “You aren’t taking this seriously.”
“I am taking it very seriously,” Jay said. “But you’ve set a high bar and so far no one can measure up. I’m assuming the answer to all my questions is no for poor Devika. Who else is on your list?” Taking advantage of her easy-access skirt, he pushed it up so he could continue his kissing journey along the inside of one thigh.
“Jay . . .” Her voice caught, broke. “I’m trying to—”
“Find me a match. I know. I’m listening.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her to the edge of the seat. “If you want me to stop, just say the word, but I do my best thinking when I’m distracted.”
“Shobana Agarwal.” She started to tremble when he ran a finger along the edge of her panties. “She had agreed to an arranged marriage but ran away the night before the ceremony and took their honeymoon flight down to Jamaica . . .”
Jay pressed a kiss to the soft cotton over her entrance. “Your panties are wet,” he said softly. “I believe you once told me that you preferred going without in this type of situation. Let me assist.” He slid his hands into the elastic of her panties and ever so slowly tugged them down. Zara lifted her hips and within moments she was bare.
“Tell me more about Shobana.” He pushed her skirt up to her waist and pressed his lips against her glistening curls.
Zara groaned, crushing the paper in her hand. “She stayed there two years working as a bartender, backpacked around the world, and worked as an elephant trainer in Thailand . . .”
He swept his tongue over her clit, teased at the hood. Her legs fell apart on a groan and he slid one finger into her slick, wet entrance. “Keep going. What did she do after the elephants?”
Her breath came in short pants. He added a second finger, shifting his position to accommodate the press of his hard cock against his fly. He had never been so aroused, his need for release almost painful. But this was about her. He teased her labia with his tongue, added a third finger. So wet. So hot.
“She . . . She got a job on a cruise ship as an acrobat with the entertainment team. She fell off the flying trapeze and got injured so she came home.”
Jay froze, jerked his head up. “Did you say trapeze?”
Zara scowled and pushed his head back down with her free hand. “Forget about her. She’s not your type.”