Spicing Up Trouble: a romantic comedy (9 page)

"I'd be glad to be the first and the last."

"Can I think about it?" I asked as I finished eating.

"Yes, you're the only applicant I plan to consider."

To steer the conversation back to safe territory, I discussed choosing items for the menu. His attention never wavered from my face.

"I hope you saved room for dessert. I'm trying to leave Irene with a big bill," he said.

"I recommend the berries with white chocolate and ladyfingers."

He agreed. I waved to Tim and put in the order.

"Ben Cobb. I thought I recognized you." An older man approached the table as Ben glanced up and winced.

"Richard." Ben put out his hand. "This is my assistant, Alexia Hale. Alexia, this is Richard Grant."

Grant's smile didn't match his cold stare. He babbled on as Ben's frown grew.

"Not interested," Ben said, looking around Grant, hoping he'd take the hint to leave.

Our desserts arrived, and my appetite left. Something about this guy unnerved me.

"It's a sweet deal. You own the property. Prime location. Developers would pay top dollar. Empty space is a priceless commodity in this city. So close to downtown. Ben, give me the word, and I'll handle everything," Grant said.

"No thanks," Ben said.

"It's gold, boy. Pure gold."

"I might build there myself."

"A house on a full city block for you? Magnificent. A real mansion. Put the Potter Palmers to shame. Leave it to me. I know contractors. A custom-built home. Perfect. When do you break ground?" Grant's eyes lit up like a dog waiting for a treat.

"Relax—I'll let you know if I need your expertise." Ben shifted his dessert plate in front of him.

Grant focused on me. His sour expression broke into a false grin.

"You're finally settling down. Nice big nest to feather for you and the kids. Congratulations," Grant said.

"No, I can explain," I said.

"My late wife worked as my secretary," Grant said wistfully.

"Thanks for stopping by." Ben dismissed him.

"I'll leave you two to your meal. Good seeing you again, Ben, nice to meet you Alexia."

Grant left and stopped by another table and did the whole routine again, definitely a rehearsed act right down to the cold stare he couldn't hide. Did he travel from restaurant to restaurant looking for someone to toss him some business?

"I don't like him," I said.

"You're joining a long list. At the top is my father. Years ago, Grant made a move on my mom at a party. Woke up in the hospital with six stitches over his eyebrow," he said, scooping up a strawberry.

"Your father hit him?"

"No, my mom armed with a wine bottle. If my dad got his hands on him, Grant would be dead." Not knowing any details, I sided with Ben's dad.

"Grant thinks we're engaged," I said to change the subject.

"He probably read it in the newspaper." He fiddled with his phone.

"Have you two finished eating? I have paying customers waiting," Irene said as the busboy cleared the dishes.

"Thanks for the meal, and I insist on paying." Ben stood and kissed Irene on the cheek.

"Don't forget me." Eleanor ran over and offered her cheek to Ben.

He smiled and obliged her.

"If you hurt my sister, you will be sorry you were ever born," Irene said.

"I'd be deserving of your wrath," he said.

"Just making sure you know it," Irene said, lightly touching her freshly kissed cheek.

"No more threats, we just met him," Eleanor said.

He smiled again and put a generous tip down for Tim. I stood between my sisters. Ben put his hand out to me and I joined him.

"You moms behave yourselves. Don't call Alexia; let her call you. A pleasure to share our dinner with you this one time, but I hope it doesn't become a habit. Good evening, ladies." He led me out the door.

CHAPTER FOUR

"Should you call Mark?" I asked.

"I sent a text message. He should be here any minute." He snuggled me close and kissed my forehead. "I like your sisters. I'm thinking of having them skinned, stuffed, and donated to the Field Museum. They should fit in nicely with the killer lionesses."

"I promise not to let them come on any more of our dates."

Mark pulled up in a black sports car, and a red convertible pulled up and parked behind him.

"Have fun?" Mark asked me.

"Yes. And you?"

"Soon." He nodded to the convertible.

My decoy, Jenny, stepped out, waved, and skipped around to the passenger door. Mark got in the driver's seat and they left.

Ben and I slid into the sports car, closed the doors, and kissed again.

"Where are you sleeping tonight?" He put the car in gear.

"I thought my sisters were pushy." I tried to hide my delight.

"You can't go home. Your place will be swarming. The imitator doesn't last all night. I'd rather you didn't stay with Eleanor or Irene. Either one would tear me apart and talk you out of seeing me again."

"They could try but not succeed."

"I appreciate your support." He pulled out into traffic. "I have a condo for rent. I would add it to your benefit package to sweeten the employment deal."

"Very generous and what, pray tell, is in it for you?" I asked.

Please say you liked me.

"A responsible tenant. An assistant close by to heed my call. A model who's schedule is workable. A woman who shouldn't be bothered by outside forces just because I want to see her again."

Close enough.

"Valid reasons, but why is it vacant?"

"The guy moved back to California. Chicago was too urban. I guess he thinks Los Angeles is suburban. Last winter, he didn't understand cold and snow. He wouldn't buy boots. Thought he could tough it out if he wore wool socks with sandals. He was a bit unclear on terms 'polar vortex' and 'Upper Midwest.'"

We veered off Lake Shore Drive. A horse drawn carriage crossed in front of us. He proceeded to a short building in comparison to the rest, but with an unobstructed view of Lake Michigan. A garage door opened, and he drove in.

"How far do you live from here?" I asked.

"I have the penthouse on the tenth floor. We'll be neighbors."

"You are overestimating your appeal, Mr. Cobb. I'm not sleeping with you for a job. Take me home now."

I folded my arms across my chest to stop myself from grabbing him.

"First, you can't go home. The press will camp for weeks. Disappearing or plastic surgery are your only options. Second, you're doing me two favors, posing for me and working for me. I will pay you for both, but losing your privacy requires an alternative. This building has security, and this neighborhood doesn't tolerate paparazzi." He leaned over me, unbuckled my seatbelt, and rested his forehead on mine. "Finally, when we become lovers, it won't be an obligation. I want you hot, ready, and screaming for more."

He wrapped his hand around my thigh, and the other slid behind my neck. I responded to his kiss by trying to straddle him and felt him expand against my dress. If I ripped it, my sister would sell it online with full disclosure of my activities. Time to break the suction, and get out of the car before all the security cameras focused on my soon to be bare ass.

"We're being watched. I've had enough publicity. Show me your apartment."

He groaned as he released me. I leaned over and opened the car door. I stepped out on wobbly legs as he hooked his arm around my waist. We strolled to the elevator, got in, and sailed to the eighth floor. It was my turn to initiate a kiss. Too late, he had me in a tight embrace and full lip lock before I could shoot him a come hither look.

The elevator pinged. He never broke the connection as he led me down the hall, took the keys out of his pocket, and unlocked the door.

"I have to go to the bathroom," I said to his lips.

He nodded, closed the door, unzipped my dress, and unhooked my bra.

"Down the hall, second door on the left. Hurry." He dropped his suit coat, unbuttoned his shirt, and unbelted his pants.

I let the dress slip to the floor and shook off the bra. Remembering the money I didn't have, I picked up the dress and draped it on a nearby couch.

"Go, Alexia."

"I'm going, but I don't have three hundred dollars to spare."

"I'll buy the damn dress. Now move."

I stopped to offer one more remark and got a full frontal of him in his boxers; chest heaving, arms flexing, and loins throbbing. I licked my lips.

"I'm glad you're enjoying the show. Meet me in there." He pointed to the door and hiked toward it.

His muscular back and broad shoulders stacked up as glorious as his front. Did I have time for a shower? No. I wished I had some magic cream to make my cellulite disappear.

I found the bathroom and closed the door. I contemplated a makeover but settled for brushing my teeth. His medicine cabinet was stocked better than a hotel: mini toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, hair comb, deodorant, razor, even tampons. I was obviously not the first overnight guest. How many women had stared into this mirror, praying Ben liked them enough for a second date? I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around myself and pretended I mattered to him.

"Alexia." His voice bounced off the walls.

Did a caveman just holler at me? Trying to retrieve my dignity, I opened the door.

He stood before me, in all his manly glory. Without a word, he tugged the towel off of me and hoisted me over his shoulder. My breasts rubbed his back. I had an up close and personal view of his behind. Oh my.

"You must work out," I said to his hip.

"I'll show you how to burn a couple thousand calories."

He strolled into the darkened bedroom and laid me on the cushioned mattress.

"State your preferences now. Once we get started, I won't be able to stop," he said.

"Since you're older, I'll defer to your limitations."

I smiled as he flipped me on my back. He loomed above me, and
I tingled with anticipation.

"You've been wasting your time with boys. You need a man to satisfy you." He kissed my neck.

"Do you think Mark's available?" I asked.

He growled and moved down my body with his tongue. He lavished my breasts and lingered at my navel. He kissed my inner thigh. Panties were slipped off.

How did I forget to take off my shoes?

I tried to kick the four-inch sandals off my feet. He put his hands on my calves and made me stop.

"I like the shoes on. Any last requests before we start?" He leaned forward, taking a condom package from under the pillow.

I put my hand out and snatched it away from him.

"If I don't survive, water my plants and clear out my apartment before Eleanor and Irene ransack it. You still have a lot of work to do. When I'm ready, I'll put this on you."

I put the condom back by the pillow.

"After three orgasms, you're mine." A peek of a smile rose on his lips.

"Fair enough. Get ready, get set," I said.

I didn't have to say go. He left no patch of my skin untouched. I forgot how to count. My ecstasy grew, crested, and built again.

"Am I still too old?" he asked.

"You have one more task to complete."

I moved my hand, retrieved the packet, tore it open with my teeth, and shook out the condom. And so it began.

"Not bad for a trial run. I give it an eight," I said as I bundled up the pillow under my head.

"On a scale of ten, where did I lose two points?" he asked, spooning behind me.

"You had a perfect score. I lacked some skills. I could have used more tongue and teeth. I enjoyed you too much and should have given more. I'm a six."

"I question your rating, but I will give you another chance to redeem yourself," he said.

He reached over to the nightstand, opened a box of condoms, and poured them out on the bed.

"You knew I would be easy." I started to count the packets.

"No, but I was hopeful, and we've got all night," he said, then kissed my shoulder.

"Are you using any stimulants, legal or otherwise?"

"Just you," he said.

He wrapped me in his arms and started to kiss me everywhere.

The sun speckled through the blinds and left a rainbow on the sheet by my hand. I moved my fingers and caught the colors. Smiling, I cuddled down into the bed. He stirred and rested his arm on my hip.

"I never did get a tour of the condo," I said.

"This is a bedroom." He swept his arm out and over my head.  "You won't need to venture out of this room for months. I'll have everything brought in."

My stomach growled.

"What time is breakfast?" I asked.

"I think we missed it and will have to settle for lunch. There's no food here or upstairs, so we'll have to go out," he said.

"I don't have anything to wear."

"I don't mind."

"I can't go out in last night's dress. Everyone will know we had a one-night stand."

He smiled and got out of bed.

What a glorious body. He should model. Pose on the beach, in the shower, at the office, lifting weights, making dinner. He should be nude all day.

He crossed the room and picked up his cell phone. I kicked back the sheets, followed him, and put my arms around him from behind, pressing myself against his warm naked back. His hand reached behind and squeezed my butt cheek.

"What do you need from your apartment to tide you over? Jenny and Mark can run in and run out." He held the receiver to his chin.

"How will they get in?"

"Mark is a resourceful and appealing guy. Locks pop open at the sight of him."

"He's going to break into my apartment?"

"Such a harsh word. How about he's helping you prepare for your day away from home."

"Clothes, shoes, and my regular purse." I kissed his shoulder blade.

"Tell Jenny to grab what she thinks Alexia would need," he said.

I moved my hands to his hips and curved inward. His manhood stood at full attention.

"Take your time," Ben said to Mark, then hung up. "How many condoms are left?"

He faced me wearing nothing but a smile.