The Weekend Proposition (8 page)

“I’ve never seen you disheveled before.”

“Is that what I am?” He laughed as he buckled his belt.

“I brought you coffee and a muffin. You missed breakfast.”

“Thank you.” He took the cup from her. “I hope my family didn’t torture you.”

“I sat with your mom. Tyler didn’t make it down either. I guess you guys over did it at the bar?”

“You could say that.”

“I hope I didn’t cause you to drink.” She looked down at her feet.

“No.” He moved closer to her and lifted her face so he could look into those wide, trusting eyes. “Are we okay?”

“We’re fine.” She nodded. “Why wouldn’t we be?”

“Good.” He kissed the tip of her nose because he needed to feel close to her. He wanted to touch her.

Selfish bastard.

“This package was at the front desk for you.” She pulled an envelope from under her arm and then set the muffin on the foyer table.

“Thanks.” He took the large envelope from her. “They’re from the art department.” He scattered the various logos Vince had sent him across the coffee table. “We have a meeting this morning, and Grandfather insists on hard copies. He doesn’t like computers.”

“May I?” She looked over his shoulder at the artwork.

“Sure.” He waved her over. “We’ve been working on this logo for three weeks. The client hates everything we do. They fear if we can’t get the logo correct, how will we accomplish anything else? I’m afraid they’re right.”

She studied the pictures, placing several of them side by side.

“Vince sent this set.” He pointed to the new logo. “We’re conferencing with the client in less than thirty minutes.”

“I’ve seen your artists working on this before. There’s too much color.” She spoke with such confidence. It intrigued him enough to listen to what she had to say.

“Hmm.” He ran his hand along his jaw. “That’s what the client said, but Tyler didn’t agree. At first they approved our initial mock-ups of the logo but nothing we do seems to make them happy.”

“I think they’re looking for something vintage. You should tell Vince to do something with black and white, maybe just a hint of teal or purple to make it stand out, but the lettering should almost look like a pencil drawing. He’ll know what I mean.”

She sounded as if she knew this campaign and Vince well. He wondered what went on in that art department after hours. “Have you worked on this logo?”

She shook her head, but he didn’t believe her. “I’m the cleaning girl. Remember?”

“You’re much more than that.” He glanced at his watch. “I have to get downstairs. I’ll run your suggestions by Vince when we conference him in.” He gathered up the papers. “Thanks for your input.”

“No problem. It’s just a thought.” She grabbed the paper bag. “Don’t forget your muffin. I hope you like blueberry.”

“My favorite.” He took the bag from her. “Thanks for thinking of me.”

“It’s my favorite too, and you’re welcome.”

“I should be done in about an hour. Would you like to have lunch down by the lake? It’s supposed to be a nice day.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“I’ll have the front desk arrange a picnic for us.”

“You can do that?”

“Sweetheart, I can pretty much do anything.”

“Smug much?”

“It’s a gift.” He kissed her cheek because he couldn’t resist. “I’ll be back soon.”

On his way down to a small conference room, he thought about Coda’s suggestions concerning the logo. Maybe it was worth a try. Nothing else seemed to work. Perhaps they needed a fresh take on the topic. She seemed to know what she was talking about.

Tyler walked into the conference room with a bottle of water. His eyes blazed red and his hair needed a comb.

“You look good.” Spencer went back to reviewing the specs.

“How is it that you manage not to look hung over?” He plopped down in the seat across from him. “You drank me under the table.”

“I doubt that.” His brother was three years younger and had much more practice at weekend drinking.

“How do you think you got back up to your room?”

“I don’t remember.” Spencer shook his head, disgusted with himself. “That’s not like me.”

“You do have a lot on your mind.” He chugged his water.

“Tell me about it. The Bradford account will be the death of us all.”

“I’m not talking about that.” He grinned. “The scotch and then those shots of Jack got your gums flapping last night. You were very forthcoming about your little waitress from Brooklyn. Did you have a successful night?”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“You fell for the decoy.” His brother’s voice was filled with amusement. “That’s so not like you. You’ve only known her for a few days, but she’s very easy on the eyes so I can see why you want her.”

“As usual, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Right,” he said. “On the way back to your room you kept saying how you were going to throw caution to the wind and give in and do what you both wanted.”

“How do you even remember what I said?”

“I’m a seasoned drinker. I pace myself. You, on the other hand, were running some kind of race.”

“Hell.” He rubbed his temples. “Please tell me you’re the only one I spouted off to.”

“Just me.”

“Thank God.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. I’d have paid a lot more than a quarter of a million to be with her.” He laughed. “She looks like she’s worth it.”

“No.” He pointed at his brother. “Do you see, this is exactly why I can’t sleep with her? It can’t be about sex, not ever.”

“Relax, bro. I’m just teasing you. From what you told me, Coda is attracted to you too. There’s no reason why you can’t keep your little proposition separate from what happens between the sheets. You told her upfront this weekend wasn’t about sex. If you both want to change the terms, I say go for it.”

“You would.” He rolled his eyes. “When have you ever turned down sex?”

“I’ve never seen you so twisted over anyone. You want her.”

“That’s irrelevant.” It didn’t matter that he wanted her. He couldn’t have her. He had to accept that.

“I think you’re nuts if you don’t take a shot at her.”

“You’re crude. We’re not discussing this anymore.”

“Whatever.” He finished his water. “What would you like to discuss?”

“We have a few minutes before the call starts. I have an idea that may buy us some more time with the client. I want to run it by you before we take it to Vince and the others.”

“Let me hear it.”

* * * *

After her shower, Coda slipped on her ridiculously expensive bra and matching thong. She thought about the picnic lunch earlier that afternoon. The conversation was light and fun. She’d learned more about the man she had become so taken with in a matter of days. Her stomach fluttered when she recalled the way he smiled at her or casually kissed her cheek. She even caught him staring at her a few times. Those fun moments would be over in two days time. She’d go back to being his cleaning woman and wouldn’t see him that often. The fairy tale would end unless she could find away to get him to give in.

They were attracted to one another. There was no denying it. They had come together under strange circumstances. She could admit that. After his drunken, late night confession she had convinced herself she would leave the weekend with no regrets. She thought back to their brief encounter the night before.

Spencer came into the suite a little after two AM. Coda had gone to the mini-refrigerator to get a bottle of water. She had been restless since leaving him downstairs in the lobby. She didn’t like how they had ended things down by the fireplace. She had felt embarrassed for throwing herself at him but now that she knew the truth she’d have to change her tactics.

“Whoa.” She tried to hold him up as he stumbled into the foyer. “Are you okay?”

“I am now.” He looked into her eyes. “I was just telling Tyler how incredible you are.”

She caught the wave of alcohol on his breath as she helped him over to the sofa. When they tumbled onto the couch he pulled her into his lap.

“Hello.” He nuzzled her neck. “I missed you.”

“Did you have fun with your brother?” Her body hummed with desire as his hands roamed her stomach and hips.

“We talked about you.” He ran his chin along her jaw, his stubble left a delicious burn as he went. She imaged what it would be like to feel his face between her legs.

“I’m not that interesting.”

“Yes, you are.” He leaned his head against the back of the sofa. “You’re all I think about.”

“Well, you’ve already made the decision concerning us.” She shouldn’t have said anything but the wounds were still raw from a few hours ago. “You’ve made it real clear you don’t want to cross any lines.”

“Do you really think I meant any of that?” He closed his eyes. “I was being a gentleman.”

“What are you saying?” She took his face between her hands and forced him to look at her. He opened his eyes and shot her that devious crooked smirk. That one look changed everything. He wanted her too.

“I’m saying I never would have offered you that proposition if I knew I was going to want you so badly. Money complicates things.”

“It doesn’t have to.”

“I want you,” he whispered. “If you only knew how much.” She could taste the liquor on his breath. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Wanting more.” His eyes fluttered as he rested his head against the sofa again.

“Don’t apologize.” She loosened his tie. He opened his eyes for just a second, leaning forward to assist her in taking off his jacket. “We can have more.”

“Promise?” His breathing slowed as he fell back onto the couch.

“Promise.” She kissed his lips.

Coda waited for Spencer to turn off the faucet before she tapped on the door. She was about to make good on her promise.

“Can I come in?” she asked.

“Sure.”

She opened the door and walked into the bathroom as he shaved. His towel hung low off his hips. The whole bathroom smelled of him. It made her insides quiver. When he caught a glimpse of her in the mirror he dropped his razor into the sink.

“You dropped something,” she said as she reached for her makeup bag. “This bathroom is big enough for us to share. You don’t mind, do you?”

“You’re practically naked.” He gawked at her lacey silver bra and matching thong.

“If we were on the beach, you’d see me in my bikini.” She took in his damp skin, mesmerized by the drop of water that trickled down his chest. She watched as it disappeared into the towel just above his...

Stay in control. I need to seduce him.

“We’re not on the beach.” He picked up his razor and rinsed it off under the faucet. “If we were, there is no way in hell I’d allow you wear something like that.”

“Really? You wouldn’t
allow
me?”

“No.” He growled.

“Why not? Don’t you like the way I look?”

“That’s not the point.” He struggled not to look at her but she saw his gaze make contact with her body in the reflection of the mirror. “I’d have to kill anyone who looked at you.”

“You did pay for this underwear, so I figured you should at least get to see it.”

“That was very kind of you.” He concentrated on shaving.

She applied her makeup, hoping he’d make some kind of move to let her know he was interested in her. He’d admitted it the night before. She had to get him to act on it.

When he finished, he wiped his face with a warm washcloth but missed a spot just under his left earlobe. She shimmied her way in between him and the counter. He looked down at her lips. She used that to her advantage as she slowly ran the tip of her tongue along them.

“Let me help you.” She reached up and swiped her thumb across his jaw and to the small spot of shaving cream he’d left behind. “You missed some.” She held out her thumb to show him before using his towel to wipe it off. She squeezed his rock hard thigh. “You’re so muscular.”

“What are you doing?” His words were controlled but clipped. “I thought we decided—”

“You decided.” She closed the space between them. “I bet your chest is just as toned as your legs.” She trailed her fingers along his pecs and down to his stomach, tracing each of his well-defined six pack abs during her exploration. The lower she went, the harder his breathing became.

“Stop taunting me.” He lifted her up and sat her on the cool tiled counter, spreading her legs as he stepped in between them.

“Or what?” she challenged him.

“You’ll find out just how aggressive I can be.” He gripped her inner thighs. “But you probably like it rough.”

“I—” The feel of him sliding his fingers inside her panties halted her witty comeback. She moaned when he ran his thumb along her slit.

“You’re so wet.” He moved his freshly shaven jaw against her cheek as he pushed his fingers inside her. “Is this all for me?”

She rocked her hips, trying to get him to go deeper, but gasped when he pulled out of her.

“We’re going to be late.” He rubbed his wet thumb along her bottom lip.

She tried to slow her erratic breathing as she stared into his eyes.
Why did he stop?

“I’m never late.” He leaned in and licked the moisture from her lip. “Now be a good little girl and get dressed.”

He walked out of the room, leaving her hot and bothered. The look in his eyes stirred erotic feelings within her. His touch was filled with desire. He could have everything he wanted and more. All he had to do was give in.

Chapter 7

After dinner, everyone circulated and mingled leaving Spencer and Coda at the table alone. He couldn’t get his mind off their bathroom interlude. He’d been aroused ever since her little stunt in the bathroom. What could she have been thinking? Did he really care? Now that they were alone, how could he be expected to make small talk when all he wanted to do was take her upstairs and do wicked things to her?