Nibbling below her ear, he whispered on a warm breath, “Come home with me.”
Mind foggy from the delicious sensations ravaging through her body, she didn’t understand what he was saying.
Probably reading the confusion on her face, he repeated, “Come home with me.” Staring into his eyes, she saw her own heavy with lust reflecting from them. “I want you in my bed, not up against a car.”
Finally, his words sunk in, and Lauren pulled away. Well, as much as she could with a car behind her. The fog lifted from her mind and she looked around, mortified that someone might be witnessing her slutty behavior. She had been making out with Jack while people walked about and cars drove past. The thought turned her skin cold. How had she let herself get to this point?
“Jack, we’re going to be working together. You need to keep your hands to yourself,” she snapped. There was no way she’d let him think she was going to be another notch in his belt.
“Looks like you’re the one who can’t keep your hands to yourself.” He glanced down at her hands still placed on his chest.
Snatching them away, she crossed her arms over her heaving chest. He chuckled low and deep, and even though she was mad as hell for forgetting everything she believed in, goose bumps spread like fire along her skin.
Careful not to touch any part of his body, Lauren slid along the car, and stormed over to the driver’s side. “I mean it, Jack, back off.”
With a cocky grin, he said, “I told you I don’t always get what I want.”
Swinging the door open, she slid onto the seat, then slammed the door hard enough to shake the care. When she drove off, she tried hard not to look back at Jack one last time in the rear-view mirror. But dammit, she couldn’t help herself.
Chapter Twelve
Lauren pulled into a carpark a few meters down the road from Henderson’s Sports, got out of the car, and slipped her sunglasses on. The heat bouncing from the road promised another scorching January day. The pale pink maxi dress she wore had been a good decision. It kept her cool and comfortable. Something she needed to be when she’d be in the same room as Jack, the human fireball.
Grabbing her leather briefcase from the backseat, she locked the car and, on shaky legs, walked the few meters to Jack’s office. Last night’s kiss played on repeat in her mind, and she didn’t know how she was going to face him.
Henderson’s was impressive. The building sprawled over the corner of Ocean and Bridge Streets. It was two stories high, sleek and modern, made with lots of glass, chrome, and smooth black surfaces. The nameHenderson’swas illuminated in orange across the top.
Lauren followed the building until she found the entrance to Jack’s office. She hesitated. Wiping her clammy hands on her dress, she took a deep breath, pushed the glass door open, and walked into a dark reception area. Behind the reception desk were double timber doors. A gold plaque with Jack’s name stamped on it showed her where she might find him.
With a soft knock, she tentatively opened the door and peeked inside. Jack sat at a battered, old table, busily punching away on a laptop. Because he hadn’t spotted her, she took the time to try and settle the butterflies flying around inside her stomach. But the more she stood there watching him, the bigger the butterflies grew.
He wore a navy blue polo shirt with a red star surrounded by golden flames on the pocket. The buttons were open and exposed his tanned throat. Her body hummed from the memory of Jack trailing his lips along her own neck. Plenty of men had hit on her before, so what was it about Jack that made her mind turn to mush and her body lose all self-control? Well, whatever it was, she had to lock it up and throw away the key, because she was there for one reason only, and it wasn’t to get touchy-feely with the hot-looking ex-football player.
Lauren locked her jelly knees, squared her shoulders, and entered the room. “Good morning, Jack.” She was pleased to hear her voice sounded confident and not breathless and lusty.
Whipping his head toward the door, Jack beamed a brilliant smile. His electric smile made her knees threaten to unlock again, but she dug deep for the determination to keep strong.
Pointing to the reception area, she said, “No one was out front. I hope you don’t mind me letting myself in.”
“Not at all. Ellen, my receptionist, will be in later.” His gaze traveled over her. “How are you this morning?”
If he was asking how she was after last night’s kiss, she wasn’t going there. She didn’t even know how she was feeling about it. She decided pretending last night didn’t happen was the best way to go, so she simply answered, “Fine, thanks.”
He stared at her like he wanted to say more, maybe bring up the kiss, but she didn’t give him the chance. Lauren turned her back to him and looked around the office. It was empty expect for the old table and a chair that looked like it had come out of a school’s classroom.
The explicit word sprayed on the wall grabbed her attention. “Who did you piss off?”
“What makes you think I pissed someone off?” With a raised brow, she gave him an I’m-not-dumb look.
He responded with a sheepish grin.
“Did you call the police?” Walking around the room, she took photos of the area with her phone.
“Nothing I can prove.”
She pulled out a measuring tape from her briefcase and measured the size of the window.
Getting up from the chair, Jack grabbed the other end of the tape to help her.