Bachelorette for Sale (6 page)

“Are you sure it’s not too cold? I’d offer you my jacket if I had one.” Jason pulled out a chair for her.

“Actually it feels nice. I was getting a little hot in the restaurant.”

“Tell me about it.”

Her eyes popped open and Jason realized how his comment sounded. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.”

She cocked her head to the side, a small frown on her face.

Crap. “And that didn’t come out right either. Maybe I should shut up and eat my pastry.” What was wrong with him tonight? It’d been a while since his last date. Still, he used to have a little more finesse.

Cherry reached out and laid her hand softly on top of his. He met her gaze. The look in her two-tone eyes spoke louder than words. She’d been hurt, and he’d make a guess she hadn’t fully recovered.

“Jason, it’s okay. This isn’t your ordinary date. You don’t have to pretend to feel something when you don’t actually feel it. It’s been a fun night, and that’s way more than I expected.”

Except he had meant it when he said he had been getting hot in the restaurant, he just didn’t want to admit it and have her thinking (again) that he was a creep. Not to mention he still needed to tell her about his company and the proposal.

“Hey, let’s toss a coin in the fountain and make a wish. You never know, it may come true.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him over to stand in front of the sculpture. “Remember, you can’t say it out loud or tell anyone or it won’t work.”

Jason pulled out two quarters, handed one to Cherry, and tossed his into the water. He turned to face her. She stood with her back to the fountain, with her eyes closed and her nose scrunched up, as if she was rejecting wishes. After a few minutes, her mouth turned upward and the coin flew through the air before landing with a plop into the still water. He didn’t know what she had been thinking of; he doubted it was the same wish as earlier. Before she’d looked sad and lost, but this time she looked happy and sexy.

Action overtook his brain. He slid his hands into her hair, cupping her face between his hands. Her eyes opened slowly and she gazed up at him. She bit down on the corner of her lip and he lost his battle. He kissed the spot she’d bitten first and then tilted his head to get a better angle and dove in. She tasted of coffee and sweet cream. He could stand here for hours lapping her up. She had stepped into the kiss, bringing their bodies into full contact. He scraped his teeth along her jawline, not wanting to stop. Soft purrs came from her throat, urging him to continue. He returned to her sweet, luscious mouth, inhaling the intoxicating floral scent around her.

He’d once been told by a high school counselor to be careful of addictive substances. Now he knew what the man referred to: Cherry’s kisses.

Shit. He really couldn’t bring up the center proposal now.

A loud, irritating beep destroyed the calm of the meadow and drowned out the rush of the waterfall. A few seconds later Cherry’s eyes flew open as she shot up in bed, only to fall back to her pillow with a moan. Talk about rotten timing.

 

Cherry twirled around in her office chair as she remembered her dream and listened to her friend ramble on about something.

“No, I’m not listening to you. I’m wishing I were back in my bed, fast asleep.”

“Was it him?”

“Know anyone else with blue-green eyes and spiky brown hair? And no, I’m not going to share the details of the dream or last night’s date with you. At least not over the phone.”

“Come on, that’s so not fair. I’m your BFF. The sister of your heart. I’d share with you,” Tawny said.

The soft sound of footsteps heading toward her office had Cherry looking up before she said any more. A slow smile spread across her face. Well, well, well. If it wasn’t the object of her fantasy live and in the flesh, looking awfully sexy in his blue chambray button-down shirt and worn jeans.

“Hey, Tawny, got to go. I’ve got company. See you in an hour.” Cherry hung up the phone and gave Jason her full attention. He’d been on her mind all night (clearly, as evidenced by her dream) and morning (again the dream, and who could forget that amazing kiss last night). “Hi, what a nice surprise. What brings you by? Looking for a new place?”

“Got a couple of minutes?” He looked back at the outer office before stepping farther into her space.

“Sure, have a seat. Can I get you some coffee or something cold to drink?” Cherry stood and walked over to her mini-fridge.

“Got any beer?”

“I wish.”

“No worries, I was kidding.”

He glanced down before saying anything else. Cherry sat back down, wondering if he was contemplating what he’d come by to say or if he was taking a nap.

“Just taking a leap here, but are those for me?” When his head came up, she nodded toward the bouquet of bright flowers lying across his lap.

He laid them on the side of her desk. Okay, not what she had expected at all. Maybe she’d misread that kiss after all.

“I really enjoyed our date last night. I hadn’t expected to—”

“You really know how to stroke a girl’s ego, Valentine.” She smiled to show she was just kidding before resting her chin in the palm of her hand. Whatever he had to say couldn’t be that bad. Could it? Sure, they’d kissed. So maybe he regretted it. Sure, she’d be disappointed, but it wasn’t the end of the world. It had only been one date. It had only been one kiss. One truly stupendous, breath-stealing kiss that had rocked her night.

“Jason?”

He shook his head before expelling a heavy breath. “Sorry, this is coming out all wrong. What I’m trying to say is that I expected a casual dinner that would end with a handshake. I never meant to kiss you. It was supposed to be just business.”

“Okay, I get it. You made a mistake. It was a romantic setting, we got carried away, and now you regret it.” Damn. She had been looking forward to round two.

“Yes . . . no. I don’t regret it. I regret the circumstances.” His voice was rough, raw, filled with pent-up frustration. He rubbed his hand at the back of his neck, twisting it back and forth as if trying to loosen a noose.

“What circumstances? I’m sorry, you’re not making sense.” Unease worked its way through her chest, constricting her lungs.

“I own Valentine Rehab Services. It’s a small construction company specializing in residential and commercial remodeling and repair.”

The constriction grew tighter. “Are you putting in for the community center job?”

“Yes.”

As his words penetrated her brain, their meaning becoming crystal clear, Cherry fought a rush of hot tears. The air in her lungs failed to exhale and her breakfast forced its way up to hang in the back of her throat. “Would you excuse me for a second?”

She didn’t wait for his reply. She walked to her fridge, pulled out a bottle of water, took a slug, and wished it had been beer or, even better, whiskey.

“Cherry, let me explain—”

She held up her hand to stop him. “No, I think I’ve got this correct. You and David bid on me, not to save me from the drunk, but to get close to me. Did you set Burt up to start the bidding? I knew there had to be a reason why he did that.”

He started to stop her and she shook her head. “So that was step one, win my undying gratitude. Step two was to no doubt wine me and dine me, followed by a night of slow seduction, so that when you showed up here today, and I’m assuming that envelope I’m just now noticing is your proposal, I’d be so overcome with love, lust, whatever that I’d give you the job. How am I doing so far?”

“I apologize. I had no intention of keeping the information from you. There never seemed to be the right moment.” He stood and paced between the two office chairs, his long legs eating up the small space.

“How about when I asked what you did for a living? Never mind. It doesn’t matter now.” She eyed the envelope in his hands. How did she not see it? “I have to tell you, Mr. Valentine, I’m not fond of liars.”

“I didn’t actually lie.”

“A lie by omission is still a lie. Nor am I fond of people who use other people to get what they want, and that’s what you did, or rather tried to do.” She had been down this road before with Ari. Lied to, used, humiliated, all so he could win the hearts of America by coming off as the wounded party. Everyone loves an underdog, and his debut record sales proved it.

Jason winced at her angry response. Good.

“Is there anything else? It’s Friday, and I’d really like to get out of here at a decent hour.” She picked up the top sheet of paper, pretending to study it as she fought back the tears.

“About the rec center, I think you’ll find Valentine Rehab is the best choice for your needs. Dave, Brody, and I have worked on this for weeks, making sure it’s the lowest we could go and still earn a living.” He handed over the bid. He looked down, nodded toward the bouquet. “Those are for you. They’re not a bribe, just part of the apology.”

Her gaze dropped to the folder he sat on her desk. Every muscle froze as she silently stared at it.

“Thank you. We’ll be in touch.”

He turned on his heel and headed for the door. As he left she heard him murmur that he’d never listen to Fubar again and something about fries.

She heard the outside door, indicating Jason had left and she could breathe. Cherry stared at the proposal he’d dropped on her desk. If she didn’t have morals she’d drop it in the trash. Even so, the temptation to dump the bid was strong. It’d serve him right after the little stunt he’d pulled.

She shoved the bid aside and went back to the rental agreements she’d been working on before Tawny’s call. She had enough tasks on her schedule to keep her busy today without adding unneeded stress. Between processing rent checks, applications, and today’s committee meeting, she’d be lucky to get out of work at a decent hour.

“Why couldn’t he have been up front?” Cherry muttered under her breath as she threw down the paper she was trying to concentrate on. She should have known last night was too good to be true. Picking up the folder he’d set on her desk, she flipped it open. She should have seen it coming, and to be honest, she was just as mad at herself for falling for the ruse. Replaying the dinner conversation in her head, she recalled his constant redirection when she brought up his personal life or work. Skills. He had them in spades. She’d give him credit—he’d had her.

Just her luck. Another player, simply a different game.

Then again, who was she to throw stones?

The bell on the front door jingled, followed by the familiar click-clack of heels and the scent of tropical fruit. She didn’t bother to get up. Instead, she studied the numbers on the proposal.

“You’re early,” Cherry said.

“Hey, chica. How’d you know it was me? You didn’t even look up.” Tawny dropped her purse on the floor before helping herself to stale coffee.

“I smelled pineapple, oranges, and coconut. Glad you like the new lotion I got you.”

Tawny plunked down in the chair. “Love it. Okay, you need to dish about last night before the rest of the committee gets here. I want all the deets on your date.”

Keep wanting.
She didn’t feel like talking. Especially after his big reveal this morning. “Hmm.” Cherry kept reading, eyes transfixed on the numbers, flipping pages back and forth, heart soaring one minute, then sinking the next. His proposal beat the others by far. Could she work with him after the little stunt he’d pulled? Stay professional and not let her personal feelings, her past get in the way? Yet how could she not recommend someone who met their financial needs? And how could she recommend someone who couldn’t be up front and honest?

Tawny rose and circled the desk, reading over her shoulder. “What have you got?”

The next thing Cherry knew, the proposal was swiped out from under her nose and Tawny walked away with it. “Who’s this from? This is half of what RIB quoted.”

“Jason Valentine.”

The paper lowered to Tawny’s side as she came to a complete stop, mouth in the form of a small “oh.” Nodding, Cherry compressed her lips into a tight seal, all the better to keep the dirty words from flowing.

“Did he give this to you last night?”

“This morning, right after he apologized for going out under false pretenses.”

“Son of a bi . . .” Tawny let the word drift off, her fist balled, ready to pound on something, or someone.

This was exactly one of the reasons Tawny was her best friend, she totally got how Cherry felt without a single word being uttered. “Not the issue,” Cherry said.

Tawny started to argue, but Cherry walked over, took the proposal, and pointed to the bottom line.

“This is the point, it’s all that really matters. Personal dignity is overrated. We all sell ourselves at some point or another, and at least this time the sacrifice is worth the reward. Think of the rec center, rebuilt, open for summer session and the kids playing.” Cherry shook her head looking at the numbers. “Think of all those kids having a place to go while their parents are at work, instead of being home alone. Think of all those hungry bellies being fed.”

Together they went through the entire proposal, double-checking every item and making sure nothing had been missed, so that when they reached the end of the project they wouldn’t find any surprises waiting for them. His bid was organized, logical, and meticulous. He’d listed his suppliers, subcontractors, and a good number of references without being asked. RIB had supplied none of those items, surmising their name alone was enough of a reference.

“What do you think?” Cherry asked.

“I think a lot of hungry kids won’t be so hungry this summer if we go with Valentine. Not to mention the center would keep them out of trouble by giving them a place to go. And it will create jobs and workforce training in a neighborhood desperately in need.”

Rolling her neck to release the tension, Cherry leaned back against her desk. “I agree. When we’re done we’ll be able to offer everything we wished had been available to us.”

“I really have to wonder why he didn’t turn this in before the auction or your date. This is the best proposal we’ve received, as long as his references check out.” Tawny must have seen something on Cherry’s face or posture, because in seconds her eyes thinned, hands went on hips, and she got that protective mother hen look. “What?”

“I didn’t really give him a chance to spin a story. What was the point? He withheld this information and used me for personal gain. Sound familiar?”

“Oh, honey. I’m sorry.” Tawny reached out and gave her a quick hug.

“The worst part is I fell for it. I really thought there was chemistry there.”

The front doorbell jingled, warning of the rest of their committee’s arrival. Cherry pulled the last page out and handed the rest to Tawny as she gathered up her belongings. “Do me a favor? Get everyone set up in the conference room. Go ahead and share their proposal and I’ll join you in a couple of minutes. I’m going to make some calls on our new friend.”