Some Like It Hot (13 page)

Stella reached across the table. “I know children oftentimes can’t imagine their parents as passionate and sensuous beings, but they are. You and Trevor wouldn’t be here if Maurice and I weren’t. I know firsthand how it is for a woman who’s been without love and passion for a while. You haven’t seriously dated anyone since your divorce. It’s a wonder you aren’t pulling your hair out about now. And although you’ve never mentioned it to me it was no deep, dark secret that you and Mitch had a rather active sex life.”

Gina raised a brow. “And how do you know that?”

Stella chuckled. “Because each and every time I phoned to chat the two of you were in bed, getting in bed, or getting out of bed. And let’s not forget those unexpected visits when I would interrupt the two of you…doing things.”

“Okay, Mom. I get the picture.”

“No, dear, I really don’t think you do, at least not the one I’m painting. What I’m talking about, Gina, is sexual needs. What kept me from losing it when those sexual needs hit were you and Trevor. The two of you kept me busy and helped to occupy my mind. You don’t have a diversion.”

“I have my work,” Gina said, wondering if her mother had somehow been privy to the recent dreams she’d been having about Mitch.

Stella smiled. “Yes, but now your work includes Mitch. You run the risk of mixing work with pleasure.”

“Things are strictly business between us.”

“Yeah, right. If you believe that then you probably still believe there’s a Santa Claus. Get real, Gina. It’s been almost two years. Take my advice and play it safe. Before going home stop by the nearest convenience store and get a pack of condoms since you’re no longer on the Pill.”

Gina leaned back in her chair, not believing the conversation she was having with her mother. “Trust me, Mom. I won’t need condoms or any other type of birth control. I’ve never indulged in casual sex and I won’t start now.”

Stella smiled. “There’s nothing casual about sleeping with an ex-husband, trust me. In fact, it’s probably one of the most serious things you can do. The effects of it can possibly leave you in a way you aren’t prepared for. Emotionally and physically. You would be sleeping with someone you definitely know, someone you once loved and someone who still has a part of your heart—even if it’s a very small part. And last but not least, he is someone who’s the very person who taught you everything you know in the bedroom; every itty-bitty little detail and then some.”

Gina could feel her face flush. “Ahh, can we change the subject, please?”

“If that’s what you want.”

“Yes, that’s what I want.”

“All right. But remember my warning as well as my suggestion.”

With her head lowered Gina slowly resumed eating her food. She could feel her insides heat up at the thought of every itty-bitty little detail Mitch had taught her. He had been thorough, absolute, consummate, and outright perfect. In her heart and mind she believed that even if she slept with more than a hundred men, none would ever compare to the way Mitchell Cameron Farrell made love. He’d had other faults but in the bedroom he had reigned supreme in her book. Just thinking about him made her…

No, she wouldn’t go there…again. She had to believe that she was still in control of her mind and body and that her mother was wrong. Casual sex was casual sex no matter who your partner was. And as long as she believed that, she didn’t have a thing to worry about.

At least she hoped and prayed that she didn’t.

“Forgive us for boring you, Mitch.”

Mitch snapped his head around and looked into four pairs of grinning eyes. He shrugged. “Sorry, guys.”

Justin Madaris smiled. “Hey, don’t apologize. We’ve all been there. In fact, we’re still there.”

Mitch raised a brow. “Where?”

“In love.”

Mitch smiled, not really caring that the four men he had joined for drinks at the conclusion of their business meeting had figured things out. “And just what gave me away?”

“Your mood,” Justin said easily.

Dex Madaris spoke next. “It was the way you keep looking at your watch.”

Clayton Madaris then added, “For me it was the fact that you mentioned three times since we got here that you have a business meeting with Gina at her place tonight at nine.”

Mitch’s gaze then moved to Trevor to see just what he had to say. “For me it was that silly-looking smile you still have on your face.”

“Oh.” Mitch chuckled and took another sip of his drink. When he absently checked his watch again a few minutes later, the other men began laughing. And he couldn’t help but join them. He had met the Madaris brothers through Trevor after he had become engaged to Gina. The Grants and the Madarises had grown up in the same neighborhood and were a rather close-knit group.

Deciding to change the subject about his love life, he turned to Clayton. A few months back a demented escaped convict had run Clayton over when he was leaving his office one day. The hit-and-run had been intended for Clayton’s wife, Syneda. He had pushed her out of the way and taken the impact himself.

“I’m glad to see you’re out and about and back to your old self again, Clayton,” Mitch said seriously.

Clayton smiled. “Thanks. You know what they say: you can’t keep a good man down.”

Mitch nodded, then asked Clayton and Dex how their wives were doing. Syneda and Dex’s wife, Caitlin, were both expecting. Mitch was suddenly reminded of the times that Gina had asked him for a baby, and how he’d flatly refused her with the excuse that he wasn’t ready to become a father. But now, if given the chance, he would gladly give her fifty babies if that were what she wanted. The thought of becoming a father didn’t bother him like it used to. In fact he actually relished the idea of having a son or a daughter if Gina was the child’s mother. He could imagine a little girl who was a replica of her mother.

“You got that silly smile on your face again, Mitch.”

Mitch took another sip of his drink and rolled his eyes at Trevor. “You know, I could be thinking about all the money I’m going to make off this deal.”

Trevor nodded. “Yeah, that could explain the smile, but it doesn’t explain why you’re looking at your watch every ten minutes.” He crossed his arms over his chest and gave Mitch a hard stare. “Now tell me again the reason you’re meeting with Gina this late at night.”

Dex chuckled. “Leave him alone, Trev. There’s nothing wrong with a man who admits to making a mistake and then goes about trying to make things right.”

“And you think he plans to meet with Gina,
this late at night,
to make things right?”

Evidently Trevor’s question raised some serious doubt in the other men’s minds; they suddenly eyed Mitch suspiciously. “Hey, guys, back off. What’s going on with me and Gina is our business,” Mitch said in an irritated tone. Jeez! It was bad enough he’d felt the need to defend himself to Trevor a few days ago, but now the Madaris brothers were trying to give him grief, too. It was a known fact that they considered Gina as one of their sisters.

“Okay, we’ll back off for now,” Dex said slowly. “Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with a man who admits to making a mistake and tries making things right. Just don’t think about making the same mistake twice.”

Mitch knew that of the three brothers, Dex was the one he had to worry about. He meant what he said and said what he meant. “Trust me. I don’t plan on making the same mistake with Gina.”

Evidently satisfied that enough had been said, Clayton Madaris decided to change the subject. “Has anyone noticed that Blade has just as many women as I did when I was his age?”

Justin raised his eyes to the ceiling. “And you think that’s something to brag about?”

Clayton smiled. “Hey, it’s good to know there’s another Madaris out there keeping the ladies happy.”

Dex frowned. “Oh, is that what he’s supposed to be doing?”

“You bet. If he keeps it up he’ll be the one to inherit that case of condoms I’ve been keeping in my closet, since I won’t be needing them anymore.”

Mitch chuckled. It was common knowledge that Clayton was Houston’s number-one womanizer during his bachelor days. Also, it had been rumored that he’d kept a case of condoms in his closet. Evidently it had been more truth than rumor. Hearing Clayton mention condoms made Mitch wonder if Gina was still on the Pill. He decided not to take any chances—he’d stop by the convenience store on the way over to her place.

He looked at his watch again. The time was close enough for him. “I hate to leave but I got to run,” he said, standing and tossing a few bills on the table.

“Maybe the four of us should go over to Gina’s place with you.”

Mitch frowned at Trevor’s suggestion. “Don’t even think about it.” He then turned and hurriedly walked out of the restaurant.

Gina paced restlessly about her house after checking the clock for the umpteenth time. Was Mitch still coming over? Was he on his way? Why was she so anxious to see him? She had interviewed a dozen people, so what made him any different?

She sighed, knowing the answer to that one. None of them had been a man she had slept with before.

She looked down at the outfit she had chosen to wear for tonight’s meeting; a skirt and blouse and there was nothing provocative or tempting about either item. She wanted to set the mood for what their meeting was—strictly business. In fact, instead of them sitting in the living room she had decided to conduct the interview in her office. At no time did she want Mitch to think this was a social call.

Thinking that the lighting in her living room appeared too seductive, she quickly crossed the room and switched on another lamp. The last thing she wanted or needed was for Mitch to get any ideas. They had kissed three times already that day and the last thing she wanted was a repeat performance. Heaven help her if she got one, so she figured the best way to handle the situation was to start out letting him know what she expected and what she would not tolerate.

She took a deep breath when she heard the sound of the doorbell. Taking another large gulp of air for good measure, she slowly crossed the room to the door and glanced out the peephole.

Gina sighed resignedly as she opened the door; she immediately knew she had made a mistake in agreeing to this late-night meeting. When his gaze met hers she felt all the things she had felt the first time they had met.

Sexual chemistry. Instant attraction. Animal lust.

And it certainly didn’t help matters that he was now clean-shaven and dressed in a designer business suit that gave him a suave, elegant, and professional appearance. There was an aura of masculine strength in the tall, powerfully built body standing across from her. This was the Mitch Farrell she knew and was used to. He looked nothing like the Mitch who had resembled a desperado earlier that day.

The porch light reflected confidence and an air of sensuality that almost took Gina’s breath away. Mitch held her gaze with the compelling force of his. She nervously licked her bottom lip and immediately knew it had been a mistake when his gaze shifted to her mouth, then seconds later shifted back to her eyes.

Finally he spoke. “May I come in?”

Gina tried to ignore the tiny flitters of pulsing heat racing through her body at the sound of his voice, deep and husky. She stepped back. “Yes, of course.”

She inhaled deeply when he entered. He was bringing into her house the scent of a man. Her throat felt tight and her insides burned hotter with the masculine aroma. It was earthy, sensuous, and all Mitch. Tension pricked at her nerve endings and she wondered how she would survive being in his presence in such close quarters. She drew a steadying breath, determined to get through it.

Closing the door, she watched him glance around her living room and noted a variety of expressions that crossed his face, admiration and appreciation among them.

“You have a beautiful home, Gina.”

“Thanks.” It was slightly larger than the one the two of them had shared. She had always wanted for them to get a bigger house so they could start a family, but he’d kept making excuses as to why they couldn’t.

“Since the time is already far spent,” she said, heading straight into business, not wanting her thoughts to dwell in the past, “we may as well get started. I plan to conduct the interview in my office.”

He raised a surprised brow. “Your office?”

“Yes. I thought it would be appropriate since this
is
a business meeting.”

He nodded smiling. “That’s true, but do I get the offer of something to drink first?”

“Sure, what would you like? I have cola, tea, fruit juice, water, wine…”

“A glass of wine will be fine.”

“All right. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Mitch watched as she walked away and looked at the sensuous body he knew so well from head to toe. He inwardly grinned. If Gina thought tonight would be strictly business she had another thought coming. Oh, sure, things were bound to start off that way, but he planned a totally different ending to the night—and he was determined to make it so. He’d known it the moment she had opened the door. She looked beautiful and he knew that although she probably had not done anything to deliberately get him aroused, just seeing her had effectively done that.

While she was in the kitchen getting his wine, he decided to check out the layout of her home. Specifically, he wanted to know the location of her bedroom. He made a quiet and quick assessment and returned to the living room a few moments before Gina appeared carrying a wineglass.

“Here you are,” she said, walking over and handing it to him.

“Aren’t you going to join me?”

“No. I prefer not to drink while conducting business.”

He nodded. “Oh, I see. Well, in that case, I don’t want to take up any more of your time than I have to. So let’s get started.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it, Mitch.”

“Don’t mention it. Like I told you that first night at dinner, I want the article done right and I know you’ll do that.”

She led him across the living room into her office. Again she watched him glance around and saw his satisfied expression. “This is nice. I bet you spend a lot of time in here.”

“Only when I have to do a lot of typing and research. I seldom do interviews at home. In fact, you’re my first.”

“Again?” he asked, turning to her and smiling over the rim of his wineglass. “I was also the first man to ever make love to you. The first guy to ever make you…”

Come.
A jab of desire went through Gina at the memory. Although he hadn’t finished the sentence it had been very easy for her to supply the missing word. Her body, which was already heated inside, began burning hotter with all the memories.

Deciding not to make a comment, she cleared her throat and said, “You can sit in that chair, Mitch.” With trembling fingers she picked a sheet of paper up off her desk. “Here’s a copy of the questions I plan to ask tonight. As you can see, there are only six, so you won’t be here that long. And to help things run smoothly, I will tape this session. Is that all right with you?”

“Yes, that’s fine. When will you get around to asking the other questions?” he asked, accepting the paper she handed him. He knew she had at least twenty questions to ask him for the interview.

“Later this week when your schedule permits. Tomorrow I will replay your responses and work on tonight’s segment. For the next group of questions I’d prefer if we were at your ranch. I think a change of location for each session will enhance the interview.”

Mitch nodded. “You believe that technique is better than asking all the questions in one session and be done with it?” he asked, not that he was complaining. He liked the thought of spending a lot of time with her.

“Yes, I think so,” Gina answered, taking the chair behind her desk. “This way neither the interviewer nor the interviewee gets tired and fizzles out. I want you to relax and be yourself: And I want you to be open and honest with me.”

“Thanks. I intend to.” He glanced down at the questions. All six involved his love life.

Seeing his curious expression Gina said quickly, “I thought it would be best if we go ahead and cover these questions first. There are a lot of women who have been fantasizing about you ever since you did that calendar.” She decided not to add that she was one of them.

“It was for charity.”

“I know, and from what I understand the sales were phenomenal. I’m sure the relief fund for the September eleventh tragedy appreciates you and the other men who participated.”

Mitch removed his coat and tie, taking her up on her suggestion that he relax and be himself. Gina leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs to fight the heat forming between them as she watched him. He had such a wonderful body. No wonder the women had gone bonkers when he had appeared in the calendar as Mr. February. Dressed in a pair of tight-fitting jeans and an open shirt that had revealed his beautiful chest, he had definitely been a lot of women’s flavor for the month. She had been totally surprised when a friend from college had mailed her a copy of the calendar. The Mitch Gina knew would not have done such a pose, no matter the cause, and she wondered why he’d done it.

Curiosity got the best of her and she found herself asking, “Why did you do it?”

“Do what?” he asked as he eased down in the chair.

“The calendar.”

Mitch glanced down at the sheet he held in his hand. “That’s not an interview question,” he said, smiling.

“No, it’s not. I just want to satisfy my own curiosity.”

“Like I said, it was for charity,” he replied, looking directly into her eyes. But knowing that she knew him better than anyone, he added, “And also for Tom.”