Without Limits: A BWWM Collection of Passion and Desire, page 92
“We can negotiate a discount, but while I’m there you’ll have to go out with me. Show me the places tourists don’t get to see.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah, you expected something else?”
I shrugged, uncomfortable with where my thoughts had gone. “You’re a man and some of you have unrealistic expectations.”
“I could say the same about some women.”
The trace of bitterness in his tone and the flash of anger in his eyes intrigued me. I sensed he had something going on that would have brought on that reaction, but since we weren’t exactly friends, I couldn’t ask.
“Well, if that’s all you want, I don’t see why not. Just come up with something reasonable.”
The clouds left his eyes and the slow grin that fascinated me, came back to lift his lips. “You can be sure I will.”
“So when are you coming?”
“At the end of this month.”
“Sounds good, but does that mean you can find time during the two months or will I have to wait until you finish your first gig?”
“If your need is urgent, I can make it happen sooner rather than later.”
“I’d like that.”
I looked around us, conscious that I didn’t see anybody from our group. “We should go find the others.”
“Yeah, that’d be a good idea.”
We got up and he placed a hand on my back to steer me toward the open end of the corridor. His touch was firm, but not overbearing and warmth spiraled from the point where his hand rested. I noticed again that as tall as I was, Scott stood inches above me.
“Over there,” With his chin, he pointed toward where our group was gathered.
The thought occurred to me that we were behaving like a couple. Dinner last night had been pleasant at the table where we sat with the conference organizers. We’d gone to the games lounge after that and Scott won a few rounds of slot poker, while I lost all but two of the handful of chips I’d started with.
After a few glasses of wine, I’d put the brakes on drinking and when we finally made it to our floor, Scott walked with me to my door.
His kiss was unexpected. Soft. Sweet. Lingering. I swiped my bottom lip with my tongue and thanked him for a fun evening.
“You’re most welcome,” he said and then grazed my lips with his, setting off a horde of butterflies in my belly.
Now, his hand moved lower on my back, arousing the same sensation.
I was glad when he moved away, and I could breathe. I glanced at him to gauge his reaction, but the hair shielding his face hid whatever he might have been feeling. His eyes would tell me, but he was staring ahead at the group.
I licked my lip, remembering the brush of his skin against mine and as my face flamed, I reminded myself that I wasn’t aiming to get attached to him. This was just fun and games. Having been in a terrible relationship, and through a not-so-amicable divorce, love was an abstract concept I wanted no part of in my life.
On our way back to the hotel on the tour bus, I stared through the window with my thoughts tangled around Scott. I was overthinking things. We’d only be here for a few more days, which would not be enough time for us to explore this thing between us.
If, and when, he made it to Jamaica, that would be enough time to figure out if what we shared was a passing attraction. I glanced sideways at him. His head was lowered while he typed a message on his phone.
We hadn’t touched on the matter of his engagement and impending fatherhood, but I brushed the thought aside. It wasn’t important, not to two people who’d been temporarily thrown together because they happened to be attending the same event.
We met later in the evening for dinner.
Scott sat across from me and his antics made me stifle laughter from time to time. He kept mouthing at me to hurry up, but wouldn’t answer when I asked why. He only shook his head and sighed as if I was being difficult.
A seat next to me opened up when a woman excused herself from the table. Scott waited a few moments before dropping into the chair she vacated. “I have plans for tonight.”
Eyebrows raised, I said, “Oh, you do?”
He nodded, and I wanted to swipe the hair out of his eye. “I want to take you dancing, but not tonight,” he said close to my ear.
“Then why mention it?”
“To put you on alert so you can wrap your head around it. Tonight, we’ll take a walk and I’ll show you some sights.”
“Sounds like a good plan. This hotel food will pack on the pounds if I’m not careful.”
Joey and Pete got my attention by waving across the table. “We’re going to the games room,” Joey said.
“Don’t get addicted.”
They laughed and waved me away after getting to their feet.
“Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” Joey, the more outgoing of the two, looked at Scott before his gaze shifted back to me.
I admired his bravery because we didn’t have that kind of relationship, but it was sweet of him to look out for me.
With a smile, I said, “I won’t.”
I didn’t care what he thought about Scott and me, and he knew it. After all, I was here to chaperone him, not the other way around.
“It’s pretty cool that he wants to protect you,” Scott said when they left. “It tells me that he cares for you.”
I assessed Scott with my gaze. He saw more than I credited him with.
“We have been hanging out together a lot,” I said.
“And it’s none of his business.”
“I agree, but I understand where he’s coming from. You could be a serial killer or something.”
Scott broke out laughing. “Where would I stash your body?”
“They wouldn’t find me for days if you hide me in your closet.”
“Only until you started getting ripe.”
“That does it,” I said, hiding a grin. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Don’t tell me you’re a coward.
“We have a saying in Jamaica. A coward man keeps sound bones.”
“I can’t say I disagree with that, but tonight I’m not taking no for an answer.” He took my hand and squeezed it a little. “Let’s go.”
It was good to get out of the confines of the hotel and breathe the night air. The energy of the city gave me a sense of adventure. Here, nobody cared who I was. Instead of feeling isolated, I was excited. As we strolled down the sidewalk, Scott pointed out places of interest and my hand somehow found its way into his.
Neither of us made reference to it. There was simply a rightness to us being together like this.
Looking up at him, I asked, “Where d’you live?”
“Here, in Miami. Just farther out.”
“So why are you in the hotel?”
“Diana felt that since I have so many sessions, it would be easier if I stayed on site.”
“Makes sense. I guess you know all the hotspots, huh?”
He chuckled. “Do I look like a party animal?”
I studied his long-sleeved shirt and black corduroys. “Looks are deceiving.”
He looked at me sideways before one of his eyebrows tilted. “If we’re going by looks, then I’d say you fit the image of a party animal.”
Hand to my chest, I said, “Because I dress well?”
“Nah, not only that. You have this air about you.”
“What air?” I tilted my head to look at him, deafened for a few seconds by a truck whizzing past us with rap music pounding the airwaves.
“You seem aloof, like a model who’s in her own world. As if everybody should pause when you walk into a room.”
My brows crinkled. “I should hope not. This girl knows the world doesn't revolve around her.”
“I wish more women thought the way you did.”
“You sound a little bitter. Shouldn’t things be all hunky dory since you’re getting married and all?”
His gaze was dark under the street light. “I did tell you to believe none of what you hear.”
His tone was surly. It warned me not to pry.
We continued walking and after we crossed another street, he squeezed my hand. “I’m not engaged.”
Since I didn’t want to sound inquisitive, I waited for him to continue. “Not anymore,” he said, rubbing his forehead.
My curiosity went into overdrive, but I kept a serene expression in place, as if I wasn’t dying to know more. I remembered his conversation with someone on the phone when we checked in. He’d sounded annoyed, and if I thought hard enough I’d remember the name of the woman he’d been talking to.
“Aren’t you going to ask me what that’s about?”
Shaking my head, I said, “Nope.”
I raised our joined hands. “Despite this, we’re just passing time together and when we leave here, that’s it.”
His brows hiked and he stopped and met my eyes. “Are you blunt or what?”
I chuckled, tugged his hand, and got us moving again. “We both need to be on the same page.”
“I agree with you there,” he said, “Couldn’t have expressed it better myself. Except for the fact that I’ll be coming to your neck of the woods soon.”
“Yes, I was going to mention that. I still want you to think about working with me while you’re in Jamaica.” I ran a hand through my hair and let it fall. “I’ve had enough of relationships, and I sense you’re in the same place, so we’re cool where that is concerned.”
He dipped his head and raised it again in a sharp nod. “You’re not looking for anything complicated and neither am I, so this is perfect.”
Our declaration relieved me and my smile widened into a grin. “That’s about the size of it. Let’s agree to enjoy this interlude with no regrets.”
He nodded a second time. “Agreed. No regrets.”
As we walked, Scott’s arm slipped around my waist and he shared jokes about another conference he’d attended months ago.
Although I protested, he got ice cream cones for us. We ate them on our way back, still holding hands. On the elevator up to our floor, silence filled the stall. He laced our fingers together when we got off, as if he couldn't do without touching me. After taking the keycard from me, he opened my door.
Facing him, I said, “Thanks for the exercise and the company.”
Arms folded, he leaned next to the door jamb. “I should be thanking you. If we hadn’t gone out, I’d have been hunched over my laptop all this time.”
“I guess you owe me then.”
He leaned in and whispered, “I don’t know about that.”
Pulling back, he looked me in the eyes before standing straight and touching his lips to mine. They were soft against mine. With increasing pressure, he nudged my mouth open. Our tongues met and as they swirled together, a jolt of desire shot straight through my belly. His explored my mouth thoroughly, resting both hands on my hips to keep me anchored to him.
My hands came up to grip his head as I kissed him back.
When our lips parted, he let a half-smile come through. “I was going to say I hope that’s enough payment, but I feel like I hit the jackpot instead.”
Our gazes locked and it seemed we couldn’t pull our eyes away from each other. His attention shifted as I licked my lip. As my eyes closed, his head descended toward mine again.
Chapter Six
“And we’d like to thank our sponsor, OMG Corporation, for their vision and innovation…”
The ballroom used to host the seminar was transformed and all the attendees sat at tables around us. Scott happened to be at the same table where I was seated. I’d chuckled earlier when he switched the name cards and took the seat next to me.
He looked different tonight in a navy suit that intensified the color of his eyes. His hair was captured in a ponytail and his beard trimmed way back. He’d gone to the barber earlier in the day.
We’d had only one session today, which ended at lunch time. Scott insisted on eating with me and I enjoyed our conversation which ran from work to entertainment and American politics.
I realized that despite his casual appearance, Scott had a brilliant mind. He was knowledgeable about things I couldn’t even begin to understand, but didn’t make me feel as if I was a dunce in comparison.
Now, he leaned closer. “You look lovely. Black suits you.”
“Thanks. You look good too.”
He nodded in acknowledgment. “That’s a major compliment coming from you. Thank you.”
The emcee thanked the persons instrumental in planning the workshop and when she got to the presenters, her gaze went back and forth when she got to Scott’s name as she tried to locate him.
He lifted a hand and smiled at the polite applause before letting his gaze return to me. “What time is your flight tomorrow?”
“Around noon.”
“Good, that means I’ll see you before you go.”
“We can firm up the arrangements for when you come to the island.”
I had no plans to see him before I left, so I was flattered he was even thinking about anything personal beyond tonight.
“Yeah, there is that. Have breakfast with me?”
I nodded and turned my attention to the stage where they were about to distribute the certificates of participation.
Minutes later, Scott was asked to hand out some special awards and while he did, I watched him. He was pleasant and made all the persons he interacted with break into a smile. That was something else I liked about him, his ability to put people at ease.
With the official part of the evening over, the piped music went up by a few notches and dinner was served. The salmon and baked potato were delicious and while I ate, I chatted with the other persons at the table. Most of them were from the U.S. and aside from me, only one other person was from the Caribbean.
During dessert, which consisted of Red Velvet cake and ice cream, Scott whispered in my ear. “How about we steal away and do our own thing?”
I looked around us and then back at him. Most people were talking as they finished dessert and the buzz of chatter was loud.
One corner of my mouth curved in a smile. “It depends on what you have in mind. What d’you want to do?”
“Your question sounds intriguing and nasty all at the same time,” he said, before chuckling.
“Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“Right. So, I was thinking I’d take you to the nightclub on the second floor. You game?”
I thought about it for a few seconds and nodded. “Sounds good. Can you dance?”
“What kind of question is that?”
A grin escaped from me and I said, “Well, you’re white and most of you—”
He put up both hands. “Don’t say it. I’m insulted.”
Since his lips were twitching, I continued teasing him. “Whatever. Just know that if it turns out you have two left feet, I’m gonna fall over laughing.”
Scott shook his head, picked up his glass, and met my eyes. His smile was sneaky. “I guess we’ll see what we’ll see.”
“I hope all that mysteriousness counts for something.”
“You know what?” He put the glass down. “You’re gonna eat your words. Just wait.”
“Uh-huh. I hope you have the moves to back up your bragging.”
He was about to make a remark when Joey touched my arm. “We’re going out with a couple of guys so we’re heading upstairs to change.”
“Mind telling me who you’re going with?”
He pointed to where Pete stood with some young men they’d introduced me to earlier in the week. “With those guys to a nightclub a few blocks away. Don’t worry, they’re from Miami.”
“Okay, remember to take your phone and call me in case of anything.”
He nodded and then included Scott in his gaze. “Later guys, good night.”
Scott watched him walk away. “They’re good students. They seem to like what they’re doing and that’s important in this business.”
“They’ll be happy to know you think that,” I said.
“That's how I see them. Anyway, what if we do the same?”
When I cocked my brow, he continued, “Change into something casual and meet me in the lobby.”
Nodding, I said, “Give me twenty minutes.”
He rose and held out his hand to me.
I put mine in his and got to my feet.
On our way to the door, I heard Scott’s name. If my guess was right, it was our emcee. I stopped and faced him. “I’ll go on ahead and meet you later, okay?”
He nodded. “Sure.”
In five minutes, I was inside the elevator and then in my room. I wanted to have a leisurely morning on Saturday, so I’d packed already. I got out a pair of stretch jeans and a soft, flowing blouse. They gave the impression of sophistication but felt casual. They'd do fine. I put away the dress I’d worn to tonight’s function.
In the bathroom mirror, I studied myself and decided to leave my hair up. I rubbed my lips together to redistribute my lipstick as against applying more.
My watch told me I had a few minutes to spare, so I used them to flip through the television channels. I’d already spoken to Mom and Angelica earlier, so I wouldn’t disturb them later in the night.
Angelica had been funny as always and I couldn’t wait to be back home. I could almost feel her little arms squeezing me tight. People said she was a replica of me, but I also saw Nolan reflected in the shape of her face and her strong personality.
I switched off the television, got the keycard, and slipped it into my purse.
When I got to the lobby, Scott was waiting on a sofa looking at his phone. I was almost next to him when he looked up and saw me. A wide smile captured his mouth and he got to his feet and took my hand.
“What can I say? You look good enough to eat.”
His words were corny but they did something to my insides. Maybe it was the intensity with which he said them or the appreciation in his gaze. My face warmed and I was glad my complexion didn’t give away the heat flushing my skin.
“Let’s go,” he said squeezing my fingers.
We rode the elevator down one floor. Music greeted us from a door someone pushed open as we approached the club. Scott held the door and entered behind me.
