Hate At First Sight, page 3
I was excited. There was a painting I had my eye on since the invitation had arrived along with the auction catalogue. And I knew exactly where I was going to put it too. I took a deep breath as my car pulled up to the entrance in the never-ending queue. My driver was quick to open the door. An usher took my hand and helped me up the stairs. I soon had a glass of champagne in my hand as I did some mingling.
“Rasheeda. Looking lovely as usual, dear.”
I smiled brightly at the woman who spoke. “Why thank you, Jillian.”
“I echo my wife’s sentiments, Rasheeda. Stunning.”
I turned to find Adam Stewart smiling warmly at me. “That means a lot coming from the head of a chain like Sandals. It’s lovely seeing you two again.”
“Same. We must do lunch before we leave Henderson. I’m still trying to woo that seamstress of yours. This is a fabulous gown. I see what she did there.” Jillian winked at me, and I threw my head back and laughed.
I chatted with a few more familiar faces before we were ushered into the dining room. I could see the auction items at the other end of the banquet hall where a few persons milled around. I could have kicked myself for not thinking about doing a live preview as these other guests had done. But there was no time to be lost crying over spilled milk. I checked the list and found my table with ease. There were a few guests already seated and I greeted them amiably. I had just settled when there was a touch on my shoulder. I looked up to find an older woman smiling.
“Excuse me, dear. I’m so sorry to be an imposition. We’re a group of three. Would you mind switching seats?”
“No problem.”
I scooted over one seat and allowed the group to sit. I had a rare twinge of loneliness as I wondered what it would have been like if my family and I got along. We would have filled a table by ourselves. I knew this was the sort of event they lived for and that the twins would have enjoyed the auction. But a few months ago, when I had been asked if I had any guests who needed to be screened, I had said no.
“Pardon me. Is this seat taken?”
I shook my head as I turned my attention to the menu. I was vaguely aware of a body sliding into the empty seat on my other side. I was hit with an oddly familiar scent of aftershave and wrinkled my nose.
“So that’s what your hair looks like up and away from that beautiful face of yours.”
“I beg your p-” The rest of the words died on my lips as I found myself looking into the mocking grey eyes of Sheldon Collins. Now I knew why his scent was familiar. And just like that, the whole afternoon came rushing back. I turned back to the menu, but the words seemed to swim before my eyes. What the hell was he doing here? And of the twenty-plus tables, how did he end up at mine? My heart was racing.
“Ahhh!” I shifted the tablecloth as I tried to figure out what had run across my foot.
“It’s only me. Just making myself comfortable. Sorry about that.” He leaned across and whispered, filling my nostrils with even more of his scent. It was woodsy with a trace of citrus.
I felt his ankle flex against mine. I took a long sip of water. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter 4:
Sheldon
I had not recognized her at first when she entered the banquet hall. There was no denying the beauty of the woman who moved with such grace in that come hither silver and black gown. It was not until I had found my table and seen her there that I realized who it was. When I left the trailer that afternoon, I had to force myself to be all business in talking to my crew. It was not my habit to tease. But there was something feisty about her that made me want to push all her buttons. It was not my habit to be so forward sexually either. But there was a pull to her that I could not explain. It was the kind of pull I had not felt in years since I had broken things off with Camryn. I had come dangerously close to going down the aisle with her until she had taken a job offer on the other side of the world. The distance between us killed the relationship and we decided to remain friends. The last I heard she was dating seriously. But all those feelings I had thought I would never feel again were stirring from slumber. And it bothered me. I had met Rasheeda only once. She was dangerous.
After I had sorted things out on the site I headed home, fully committed to a relaxing evening. Then I had gotten a reminder about tonight’s dinner and auction. I had completely forgotten I had committed to it months ago. The proceeds were going to charity and I never passed up an opportunity to give back to the less fortunate in some way. My tuxedo was always on standby and here I was.
I suppressed a grin as I felt Rasheeda’s foot stiffen against mine. I flexed my calf as I nudged her foot slightly. I felt her shift beside me even as she continued to engage the person on her other side in conversation. I held my own at the table as well. These corporate events were usually good grounds for networking and from the snippets of conversation I heard, she was doing just that.
As the waiters came around with dinner, I felt her try to ease away from me. I casually draped an arm across the back of her chair, allowing my sleeve to brush her bare skin. I stifled a chuckle as I saw her struggle not to jump. I leaned over briefly and murmured, “You need to relax.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Are you going to jump me again like you did this afternoon?” she hissed.
“Do you want me to jump you?”
“You-”
“-insufferable pig. I know, I know. Oink oink.”
“Stop it,” she whispered furiously.
“Just relax, Rasheeda,” I countered. “I’m not going to bite you.”
We were interrupted briefly by the waiter delivering our meals. I had to sit a little straighter and reluctantly moved my seat slightly away from her. I heard her breathe a sigh of relief, but it was not for long. I spread my legs wide enough to plant my thigh solidly along hers. She shifted slightly and I followed.
“Are you okay dear? You’re half off your chair.”
I snickered as her dinner partner expressed concern and I took perverse satisfaction in feeling her shift back in my direction. The warmth of her skin seeped into me and without much thought, I felt my groin stir. Again, I was caught off guard. But clearly, there was something about her that tugged at me and piqued my interest. And to run into her at an event like this just a few hours after our first meeting, and being seated at her table, had to be some sort of sign of approval from the gods in my estimation.
We finished eating and I felt a sense of loss at the pending separation. Like today, she had gotten to a point where she realized that fighting was no use and I had felt her leg relax against mine. I did not think she had even noticed it.
“Ladies and gentlemen. The auction begins in one hour. Feel free to continue to meet and greet until then. Thank you.”
I stood and looked down at Rasheeda. From this angle, I was treated to a glimpse of her cleavage. I willed myself not to ogle her and focused on her face.
“Miss Blake? May I have this dance?”
From the press of her mouth, I could see she wanted to say no.
“Or I could just sit here with you until the auction. Talking about old times and old feel-” I cocked an eyebrow and let my words trail off.
“I’d love to dance, Mr. Collins,” She smiled tightly at me.
I allowed my hand to touch her bare back for the briefest of moments as I pulled out her chair. When she rose, I got a whiff of her perfume. I took a deep breath as I took her hand and led her to the dance floor. She held herself stiffly as we stepped in time to the music.
“Relax.”
“Not a chance.”
“I know how to get you relaxed, remember?”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“I don’t mind being an exhibitionist. Now relax. Or I’ll make you.”
She pursed her lips once more as she forced her arm to lose its rigidity and rest on mine. I pulled her a little closer, sliding my hand further around her back, loving the silky feel of her skin against my palm. I pressed my nose into her hair and closed my eyes. It had been a while since I’d held a woman like this.
“You clean up well,” her soft voice drifted up from somewhere above my chest.
“Excuse me?”
“I mean today you were all jeans and a t-shirt-”
“You’re actually making conversation with me? Progress.”
“Just making conversation. Forget I said anything.”
“It’s just good to know that you can be civil when you’re not spouting your potty mouth.”
“You started it.”
“And I finished it.”
“Why are you here anyway? I didn’t think this was the sort of thing you folks attend.”
“We folks? Who exactly are we folks?”
“I don’t mean to offend you.”
“None taken. But who are we folks?”
“You know. The outdoor type.”
“You mean construction workers. Handymen. Workmen.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I do agree that this is not really the scene for my field of expertise. But you also have to remember that I am a CEO, and as such, these kinds of things are important for me to network. I’m doing the same thing you are: drumming up business.”
“Okay. Makes sense. So, I guess you’ll be leaving before the auction then?”
I laughed at the hope in her voice.
“You won’t get rid of me that easily. I have my eye on a few knick-knacks that would look good on my wall.
“I wasn’t trying to get rid of you.”
“Liar.”
“Well, you tell me how comfortable you would be in the presence of someone who assaulted you a few-”
“We’re back at that false accusation. You slapped me.”
“After you said what you said.”
“What was it that I said again?”
“You know what you said. Twice.”
My lips twitched. “Remind me.”
“Hell no. Look. Can we just forget all about that?”
“You brought it up.”
“And I’m bringing it down.”
“I agree. Perhaps we could start afresh? So how about we pretend that we just met at the dinner table.”
“Fine by me.”
“Good. The name is Sheldon Collins. And you are?”
“Rasheeda Blake.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Blake.”
“Same.”
“What line of business are you in, Miss Blake.”
“Hotel. You?”
“Construction. It’s funny you should mention hotel. I have a new project building a hotel for this feisty little wench.”
“I beg your-”
“Chatty little thing. Had to shut her up in a rather unconventional way just so I could get a word in edgewise.”
She rolled her eyes. “I thought we were forgetting that.”
“Oh, I’m forgetting the part where I said what I said, and you slapped me. But there’s no way I’m forgetting our first kiss.”
“First? Only kiss.”
“I heard temperatures in hell are dropping you know.” I winked and she averted her gaze coyly when she made the connection to the reference with what she had said that afternoon.
She obediently went silent, and I smiled. I pulled her just a little closer, pleased to feel her cheek resting gently on my chest. And just like that, I had a split-second visual of us in bed, her hair loose and flowing over my bare chest as perspiration glistened on our skin after a raging climax. I cleared my throat and loosened my arms as I felt my groin stir.
“What do you think about doing some more mingling before the auction?”
Wordlessly she allowed me to lead her off the dance floor.
We both collected a few more business cards before taking our seats at the auction. I particularly enjoyed some of the envious looks I got from some other men with Rasheeda on my arm. I had to say that what I had anticipated being another boring evening of networking, had turned into an invaluable experience. And it was because of Rasheeda. I saw a lighter side to her than I had this afternoon, loving how she became animated as she bid on her items. I now loathed for the evening to end. We stood in the foyer waiting for her car to be brought around, and I had yet another chance to admire her. Underneath the lights and up close, her dress was in danger of sending all the blood in my body straight to my cock. I clenched my hands to maintain control.
“It’s such a pity the evening had to come to an end. Congratulations on your acquisitions by the way.”
“Thank you. Same to you.”
“So, when will I see you again?”
“Excuse me?” She looked up at me with wide eyes.
“We are off to a new start, aren’t we?”
“Yes, but-”
“So, when will I see you again?”
“We are not a social kind of acquaintance, Mr. Collins.”
“No, we’re not. But we do have to see each other regarding our mutual project, don’t we.”
“Yes.”
“So, when will we see each other again?”
“That depends on you, doesn’t it? You need to sort things out and then tell me when.”
“Okay. Sounds like a plan.” It was on the tip of my tongue to say the project be damned and that I wanted to see her as more than a client. But I held my peace.
“Thank you for your companionship, this evening.”
I laughed softly. “You don’t have to sound as though you’re going to the gallows, you know.”
“Sorry.”
“We’ve started over, remember?”
“Yes, we have. You-”
“Miss Blake? Your car.”
We both spun around as the doorman interrupted. Without thinking I took her hand and we walked out to the curb. Her driver had the door open, and I handed her in. I stooped to her level.
“I’ll call you when I have updates on your project.”
“Thank you. I’ll be looking out for that.”
“Thank you for an equally pleasant evening. I guess we both can be civil when necessary. Drive safely.”
I stood and stepped back before she could respond. My heart raced as I watched her car turn the corner. I could not help but wonder what the hell I was getting myself into with this woman. Perhaps I was beginning to feel the need to settle down. I had just turned thirty-five in the Spring. I was not getting any younger. A man like me needed a good woman who could be my wife and give me children. Was Rasheeda really a candidate for that position or was she merely an itch to be scratched because I was horny?
The thought followed me all the way home.
I could not get Rasheeda out of my head. As a result, I had a raging erection by the time I got home. Try as I might, all I could think about was what it would be like to have her in my bed, writhing beneath me, crying out as I pleasured her. I wondered what she was doing even now. Was she missing the feel of my arms around her? I sat on the edge of the bed and toed my shoes off. Without a second thought, I dug into my pocket for her card and dialed the number. I lay back against the pillows as it rang.
“Hello?”
“Rasheeda. It’s Sheldon.”
“It’s late, Mr. Collins. Surely, you’re not scheduling a walkthrough right now.”
“I just wanted to be sure you got home safely. You are home, aren’t you?”
“I’m not accountable to you.”
“Just trying to be chivalrous.”
“Or nosy. Perhaps snooping to see if I detoured to my boyfriend’s place.”
I felt a rush of jealousy instantly. It had not occurred to me that she was in a relationship.
“I was genuinely trying to ensure that you got home safely, my dear. I always see to it that the lady gets home safely. And since I did not take you home myself-”
I heard her sigh. “I’m home and safe, Mr. Collins.”
“Good. Good night and rest well.”
I hung up before she could answer. I rubbed my still-hard cock, squeezing it behind the zipper and enjoying the ripple of energy that ran through my body. There was no way I was going to sleep in this state. Wordlessly I undressed and switched off the lights.
I sighed as I stroked my cock, imagining that it was Rasheeda’s hand gripping me. In my mind’s eye, I imagined peeling that damn gown off her and pulling out every hairpin before fanning her hair out. I wanted to stroke her pussy and make her squirm as I tasted her juices. Then I would bury my face between her breasts, suckling her nipples. As I imagined her legs parting for me, I groaned as my cock lurched. The torture was real. All I had to do was use my thumb and swipe my precum across my weeping helmet and it would be game over as I went down the road of no return. But did I want to soothe my hormones with a hand job?
“Fuck!” I cursed. I jumped out of bed and headed to the shower. I turned it on as cold as it could get, willing my body to come under control. I pressed my forehead against the cool tile. Damn! I wanted Rasheeda – badly. And my hand was not going to suffice. I wanted the real thing. My heart raced at the thought. I forced away images that arose of her supple body underneath the spray of the shower pressed against mine. My imagination was having a field day. It took some effort but finally, my body responded to the need for control.
The ice-cold water had helped somewhat. But I needed more. I toweled off, got dressed, and headed to the garage. An hour later I was still zipping along the highways on my motorbike. By the time I got back home, it was nearly three am and I was exhausted. When I fell into bed, I could only hope that Rasheeda would stay out of my dreams.
Chapter 5:
Rasheeda
