“Gary Jarzakrak.” Her ex looked between her and Jared and back again. Then his mouth kicked up in a faint sneer. “I see you’ve bounced back, Annabelle.”
Jared’s brows curved upward as he looked back at her. She knew Jared had picked up on the undercurrents between her and Gary, and Jared’s smile turned deceptively bland.
“Were you sick, honey?” Jared’s tone was all concerned innocence.
Gary snorted and her blood began a slow boil. “Didn’t she tell you? We had a falling out a few weeks ago.”
Jared stared into Gary’s eyes and shrugged, his broad shoulders moving with an elegance Gary would kill for. “Sorry, she never mentioned you. No idea why that would be.”
Gary’s mouth opened and closed but no sound emerged.
And Annabelle was so ready to be done with the dramatics.
She reached for Jared’s hand and laced her fingers through his before turning back to Gary. “I’m sure your date is wondering where you are. Don’t let us keep you.”
“No offense, Gary”—Jared’s tone held a hard edge now—“but I don’t want to waste my time with Belle shooting the breeze with you. Nice to meet you, though.”
Jared dismissed the man without another look as he slid back into the booth. He looked into her eyes, the hint of a smile in his. “Have you decided?”
Heat lit through her, starting in her stomach and radiating out. Her smile softened and she only marginally noted as Gary slunk away.
“You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
His intense expression left her with no doubt about what he wanted. “About you, yes.”
Sighing, she shook her head. “Why did you come here, Jared? You could have very easily FedExed the pin.”
Leaning back into the booth, he let his head rest against the tufted seat as his gaze slid down, ostensibly to the pin. “I don’t think I can make it any more obvious. I want to spend time with you.”
Yes, but how much time? Was he looking for a relationship or just sex?
Well, the answer to that should be clear. Sex. A man like Jared could pick and choose his partners and for some reason he’d chosen her.
How long it lasted shouldn’t even be a question. She wasn’t looking for long-term. But short and hot certainly wouldn’t hurt.
“Then let’s enjoy dinner.”
After they placed their order, Jared began to ask questions—about the area, traffic, construction, development, other businesses. He kept her occupied and entertained, his nimble mind always onto the next subject before an awkward silence could form.
Dinner was over before she realized she’d eaten her meal. Over coffee and crème brûlée she couldn’t resist; she knew she was going to ask Jared to come home with her for a drink.
Maybe stay the night.
She went wet just thinking about it.
Their waitress laid the check on their table at that moment, and Jared turned to smile up at the woman, who couldn’t help but look a little dazed.
Annabelle knew the feeling. “So, I guess you need to be going.”
Jared’s smile spread into a grin. “Trying to get rid of me?”
Her gaze dipped, unsure if she wanted him to know just how much she wanted him to stay. “No, I just figured you wouldn’t want to drive back to Philly so late—”
“No worries there. I took a room at the Horse-and-Carriage for the next week, at least.”
Jared watched Annabelle’s gorgeous green eyes widen in surprise. He’d expected that. What he hadn’t expected was the rush of other emotions that crossed her expression.
Desire. Hope. Heat.
She dropped her gaze, staring at the table for a few seconds before meeting his again. “I haven’t had many relationships. They’re time-consuming and most men don’t appreciate the long hours I put into my work. When Granddad and I opened the shop, it was with the intention that I would take over and make it my own. I’m not about to give that up for a man.”
Damn, he really liked this woman. She knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. “I would never ask anyone to do that. Most of my life is consumed by the hotel. I want you, Belle. You’re a beautiful, interesting woman.”
Her chin jutted out and her gaze met his again. “I’m not looking for long-term, Jared.”
He didn’t know what she wanted him to say to that one. The phrase “long-term” wasn’t even in his vocabulary.
She took a deep breath when he didn’t speak.
“So…yes, to your offer. I’ll help you look for a site for your spa but if either of us decides the situation’s not working, we agree to let the other walk, no questions asked.”
He dismantled his grin before it could start. “Agreed.”
It was her turn to look surprised. “That was fast.”
“I know a good deal when I hear it. Now, are you ready to leave?”
She stared at him for several seconds, contemplating. Then her lips curved in a sweet smile. “Would you like to come back to my place for a drink?”
Triumph had his own grin bursting out. “Absolutely.”
Jared rose before she could change her mind and reached for her hand to help her from the booth. Her fingers curled around his, reminding him of how they’d curled around his cock earlier today.
He wanted her. And hopefully by the end of the night, he’d have her.
Ten
“So I thought you might want to consider featuring local products in your spa.”
He took a sip of the wine she’d handed him and liked the idea almost as much as the wine.
“There are several wineries in the area and a world-famous microbrewery down the road. There are organic farms for fresh produce, dairy farms, and honey growers.”
“Sounds like you and I are on the same wavelength. I’ve considered some of the same things. And I’m interested.” Mostly in her, though her ideas were sound. Yes, he knew they’d have to talk business eventually but not tonight. Tonight, he wanted to talk about her. “How long have you lived here?”
She slid onto the couch next to him, which he took as a good sign, curling her legs under her and inching her skirt almost over her knees. Not enough skin to be indecent, just enough to tantalize.
“Granddad bought the property when I was in my second year at college. He didn’t want to travel as much as we had when I was growing up, and he finally decided to open the shop he’d been talking about for years. After I graduated from college, I came home to help run it. I’ve been here ever since.”
“You don’t miss traveling?”
She gave an indecisive shrug. “I still do when I need to. What I enjoy is finding treasure in someone’s dusty attic. Tracking down the perfect piece for a client. I enjoy the hunt.”
“Gets your blood flowing, does it?”
Her lips curled in a seductive smile, the look in her eyes smoldering. “I find it stimulating, yes.”
Holy hell, his skin felt too tight for his body and his cock throbbed with desire. “What else do you find stimulating?
Her eyebrows gave a little shrug. “You.”
The burn in his blood turned into a full-blown forest fire. “Then come here and let me stimulate you.”
Instead, she leaned back against the arm of the couch and stretched her legs toward him. “Are sex and business all you think about?”
“Not just sex. Pleasure. There’s a difference. Sometimes there’s not much pleasure in sex. Sometimes sex is strictly business. But pleasure encompasses a whole spectrum of activities, not just sex.”
“Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this.”
“You’ve seen the Salon. I personally chose every piece of furniture, every fabric, every piece of art and accessory. We didn’t stay long enough for you to get the entire Salon experience.”