The conversation turned to lighter topics. The food was excellent, as usual, and Ross was a good anchor, helping me put things into proper perspective. As pleasant as it was, however, there were those dark currents flowing just beneath the surface. Neither of us was in the mood to linger after the bill came. Ross was anxious to join up with the tour, and I was ready for a long nap.
I’d been home less than ten minutes when the front doorbell chimed with a delivery of a dozen roses in all colors of the rainbow. Thinking it was a thoughtful gesture from Ross for cutting our time short, I accepted the flowers and thanked the delivery man.
I shut the door and tugged at the card.
Because a single color can’t begin to express all the things you make me feel —J
My heart melted right then and there. I was glad no one else was around to see the goofy smile on my face.
It took me a while to find a suitable vase. I didn’t receive flowers at home often. Ross usually sent me a bouquet on my birthday, and sometimes, I got a thank-you arrangement from clients, but those were sent to my office, not my house.
“Thank you,” I blurted out the moment Jace answered his phone, neglecting to offer a proper hello or identify myself.
Jace hesitated for a moment. “Eva?”
“Yes,” I said, feeling like an idiot. “It’s me. I just wanted to say thank you for the roses. They’re stunning.”
“Not as beautiful as you,” he said quietly, sending chills—the best kind of chills—up and down my spine.
He had a great voice, deep and whiskey-smooth, and my body responded to it on a visceral level. I wasn’t alone. That voice was the primary reason nearly every Dark Wing power ballad went triple-platinum.
“How’d your dinner go?” he asked.
“It went fine.” I kicked off my shoes and left them where they landed. With only me in the house, I didn’t feel the need to pick them up and put them away immediately. I could be messy if I wanted to.
Even as that thought entered my mind, I spotted the pair of panties I’d been wearing earlier hanging from the potted ivy arrangement. I guessed that was where they’d landed after Jace ripped them off and flung them over his shoulder in haste.
“Ross is planning on meeting up with the tour for the opening in Copenhagen, so he asked me to continue to handle things for you guys. I hope that’s okay.”
He chuckled, also a very sexy sound. “Of course that’s okay. I’ll take anything that gives me a legitimate reason to spend more time with you.”
I felt a pang of guilt. I knew I’d hurt his feelings earlier when I told him I wanted to keep our private sexy times secret, but it was what it was. I was determined not to make things out to be more than they were, and I didn’t see the point in opening a can of worms that wouldn’t be around for much longer.
“What about the others? Do you think they’ll have a problem with it?”
I’d been in the business long enough to know that some guys had an issue with a female account exec even if I had been handling things behind the scenes for years. Ross was an excellent front man, but no one knew the bottom line better than me. I was the one who drew it in bold, permanent marker.
“Are you kidding?” Jace laughed. “Trust me, Eva. They’d much rather hang out with you than Ross. Kurt hasn’t shut up about how you made us feel at home. In fact, why don’t you come over to the penthouse and hang with us tomorrow? It’ll give everyone a chance to get to know you better.”
“I’ve got a better idea,” I said, the idea forming in my head even as I spoke. “Why don’t you bring everyone here tomorrow?”
~ * ~
Jace
I paused, loving the idea and, at the same time, wondering if Eva knew what she was getting herself into. “Are you sure? Dave and Chaz have their wives and kids along.”
“Absolutely. The more, the merrier. We can have a cookout or something.”
“That sounds great. Thank you. They’d love that. What can we bring?”
“Just yourselves.”
“Not an option. We’ll eat you out of house and home.”
She laughed, a low, husky sound that shot straight to my groin. “I like the way you eat.”
Just like that, I was hard and aching, knowing she was thinking of exactly how I liked to feast on her. I heard a growl and then realized it had come from my throat.
“A delicacy I’d like to indulge in again and again.”
“I think that can be arranged.”
I groaned. “You’re killing me, you know that, right?”
A soft, feminine chuckle was her response.
“We’ll bring steaks and beer,” I told her, ignoring the pulsing throb in my groin. “It’s the least we can do.”
She hesitated and then said, “Thank you.”
“Anything else?”
“No, I can whip up some sides, and I have plenty of snacks.”
“Don’t go to too much trouble.”
“It’s no trouble. I’m glad to do it. It’ll keep me busy and my mind off the tour.”
Once again, I wondered how her dinner with Ross had gone. She’d said it had gone well, but I’d heard something in her voice that suggested maybe things weren’t as fine as she’d said. On the heels of that, I bit my tongue before suggesting highly effective, alternate methods of distraction.
I waited a few moments before adding in a much softer voice, “I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
I wished fervently that she’d follow that up with an invite to go over there right then, but she didn’t.
I wasn’t ready to hang up. “Are you still wearing that soft gold silk blouse, the one that makes your eyes sparkle?”
“Yes.”
“Pity. Think of me when you’re taking it off tonight, will you?”
Another pause. “Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“How about I take it off right now and give you a play-by-play?”
Thirty spectacular minutes later, I disconnected the call, unable to contain my smile. My angel had a wicked streak, and I loved it.
She’d given me a play-by-play all right, and I was one hundred percent certain she’d enjoyed it as much as I had. I had heard the soft, familiar sounds of her pleasure and known those feminine hands were doing more than just disrobing.
I was pretty sure she had known exactly what I was doing on my end too.
Of course, what I’d wanted to do was hightail it over to her place and watch instead of just imagining in my head. I’d envisioned her pretty eyes alternately shuttering and growing wide while she watched me watching her, giving herself pleasure as I did the same. I’d already pushed the boundaries twice though, and my instincts told me to hang back this time. She was coming around, and I could—and would—force myself to be patient. I’d waited nearly twenty years to find her again. Another twenty hours was totally doable.
I cleaned myself up and then went to tell everyone the good news.
Chapter 11
Dear Ida,
I’m seeing a wonderful woman. Last night, we took things to the next level and it was incredible. The more I get to know her, the more I’m certain she’s the one for me. But she’s been hurt badly in the past and doubts my interest beyond earth-shattering sex. How can I convince her I want more? – Infatuated & Hopeful Rocker