Tease Me

Chapter 1

“How could I be falling for a man who doesn’t even know my real name?” Tears spilled down my cheeks as I squeezed my phone to my ear.

“Babe. You listen to me.” Lolita sighed. “Memphis is you. She’s every bit you.”

“No, she’s not. I’m not.” I punched the pillow on the bed beside me. “Oh, God, see how stupid it is?” I wiped a tear that teetered on my top lip.

“Jane, Memphis comes from you. Putting on a wig and makeup doesn’t change who you are. Somehow, somewhere inside you is Memphis. When you let her, she’s gradually sneaking out.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve seen a change in you. You’re much more confident. You’re finally seeing a sexy side to youthat’s beenburied for too bloody long. You’re having fun, and that’s a good thing.”

We sat in silence as I stewed over what she’d said.

“Tell me what you like about Hunter.”

A smile teased my lips as I pictured my hunky chocolatier. “He’skind. And funny. We laugh together. He just seems like areallynice man.”

“He sounds like a good guy.”

“He is a good guy, and I feel dreadful for deceiving him.”

“All right, here’s what you’re going to do.” I imagined Lolly crossing her legs in a traditional yoga pose. “You’re going to put your wig back on and dress in something normal—something Jane would wear. Tone down your makeup a bit, too, but not too much. Thenyou’re going tohave coffee with him and get to know him more.”

“I don’t know . . .”

“Babe. You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re a single woman having fun. Besides, Hunter is doing the same thing. He’s just had sex with a complete stranger, too.”

I blinked. “Yes, that’s true.”

“Exactly. So, if you think you’re doing something wrong,thenheis too.”

“I hadn’t even thought about it that way.” I rubbed my right eye. “Except, I’m in disguise.”

“Adisguise that he thinks is smoking hot. I bet he’d want you to do it all over again too.”

I giggled. “It was fun.”

“Of course, it’s fucking fun. Now go and have breakfast withhim, and find out who this hot guyreallyis.”

My stomach did little flips. I really do want to know Hunter better, and not just in the bedroom. “Okay.”

“Good, and ring me later and tell me all about it.”

I slipped off the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. “I will. Thank you. Love you.”

“Love you too, babe.”

I ended the call and placed the phone on the bedside table. The time on the clock indicated I had ten minutes to meet Hunter’s deadline.

I strode to the bathroom, a new woman on a new mission.

With the hair dryer on full blast, I driedboth my hair and mywet wig as best asI could.I’m so lucky I’d bought this quality wig, or our steamy shower sex would have been a disaster.

I tucked my hair up again and styled the wig to its former cute style. I applied foundation, ensuring all my freckles, and made surethat damn love bite was hidden. I still couldn’t believe that sexy sportsman had given me a hickey without me knowing.

With that issue sorted, I played with my eyeliner and mascara until they gave me the cat-eye lookthat Iliked, and I finished my makeup with a touch of eye shadow.

Considering the amount of crying I’d done afterI’d walkedout of Hunter’s room earlier, my eyes only had a small amount of the redness and puffinessthatI usually had after tears.I squeezed in a couple of eye dropsthat I’dbought with my colored contact lenses, and they felt much better.

Satisfied that my disguise was sufficient to hide Jane andyetsimple enough that Memphis didn’t look like a lady of the night, Icrossed my roomto my wardrobe.

I chose a pair of white jeans that I rolled up at the cuff to show off a pair of stylish caramel four-inch heels.I matched the stilettos with a similar-colored knitted top that tended to slip off my shoulderall the time.I switched to a strapless bra to solve that little dilemma because although it was annoying, the off-the-shoulder thing was kind of sexy, but showing one bra strap was not.

At my jewelry collection, I scrounged through the bits and pieces and decided on a chunky set of long-string fake pearls and pearl-drop earrings.

I stood before the mirror. Although I didn’t look like Jane, I didn’t look like Memphis either. But I did like what I saw. The woman in the mirror was confident and sexy and about to go on a breakfast date. My stomach fluttered at the thought of Hunter waiting for me.

I grabbed my phone and purse and headed out the door.

As I crossed the marble lobby expanse, Needledick looked up from the reception desk.

I was a second away from saying hello when I realized I was Memphis, so I put my head down and increased my pace. It wasn’t until I was out in the sunshine that I let out the breath I’d been holding.

Trying to calm my racing heart, I slipped my sunglasses on and walked along the paththat ranparallel to the beach. The Blue Haven Café was the one Lolita and I went to every Tuesday after our morning workout, and we knew all the staff there.

Thiswill be yet another test of my disguise.

Hunter was seated at one of the outside tables, looking every bit as sexy as he had naked. He wore a simple white Polo with acouple ofbuttons undone at his neck.His blond hair was tousledin a messy, wavy stylethat hada few bangs falling near his eyes, and he wore sunglasses that looked as if they’d been made especially for him.

His jawactuallydropped as I approached, and my heart galloped at his cute reaction. He stood and pulled out a chair. When I reached him, he leaned in to kiss me, and I smelled lovely aromas of cologne, soap, and masculine man.

I sat, and as he sat opposite me, he smiled. “That’s twice this morning you’ve surprised me, Memphis.” He kept his sunglasses on, so I did, too.

I cocked my head. If he wanted surprises, I sure could give him one. “Twice?”

“Yes. I didn’t expect you to come to breakfast with me. Just like I didn’t expect to see you upstairs.”

“I like to keep my men guessing.” Oh, God. I inwardly cringed at my stupid comment.

But to my delight, Hunter laughed and then raised his eyebrows. “Is that right? I’ll keep it in mind.”

He picked up a menu. “Shall we order?”

I didn’t need the menu; I knew exactly what I was having. But in keeping with my persona, I pretended to scan the breakfast selection. All the while, hidden behind my glasses, I stared at the sexy man opposite. The sun caught on his wavy hair, highlighting touches of brandy amidst the blond.His teeth were perfect, andevery once in a while,he ran his tongue over his lips.I wondered if he knew I was watching and if he was licking his lips for my benefit. Not that I was complaining.

Matt, the painfully dour waiter, arrived at our table with a bottle of water and two glasses. “Are you ready to order?” His enthusiasm was non-existent.

“After you,” Hunter said.

“Hi, Matt. I’ll have savory mince on toast and a large cappuccino, please.”

Mattcrinkledhis nose at me, but I ignored him. He was prone to acting weird.

But when Hunter also looked at me a little strangely, I wondered ifit wasmy choice of mealthatcaused that reaction. Oh shit! I called the waiter by his name.

I inwardly cringed, and as Hunter placed his order, my mind raced over how I’d explain that screw-up.

The waiter left, and Hunter leaned back on his chair. “You’ve been here before?”

I nodded. “A few times. So, tell me, how did you go with introducing your chocolates to Queensland?” I diverted the conversation away from me.

“Not too bad, actually.” He sat forward and steepled his fingers together. “I’ve secured half a dozen restaurants, and a few cafés are interested.”

“Oh, that’s excellent. Is that why you’re back?”

“It is.” He tilted his head. “And I’d hoped to bump into you again.”

I smiled, and my stomach fluttered as he looked at me.

“I’m glad I did.” He fiddles with the curled-up corner of the menu. “You know, you never answered my question about how you knew I’d be there.”

I frowned and scrambled for an appropriate answer. “Yes, I did. I told you I had my spies.”

He huffed. “You’re an interesting woman, Just Memphis.”

“Thanks. I’ve been called worse.”

I need to control this conversation before I dig myself in deeper.

Our coffees arrived, and I used the distraction towork outwhat question to ask him next. I ran a spoon around my mug, catching the chocolate sprinkles that lined the edge. “I never did get a chance to ask you if you’ve ever been married?” So much for idle chit-chat.

“Nah. I got close once, but like your ex,sheturned out to bea lying cheater.”

My eyes widened. “I’d forgotten I’d told you that.”

“Oh yes, you just about broke up telling me.”

I frowned, and upon noticing his cheeky smile, I rolled my eyes. “I did not. I’m well and truly over that bastard. What about you? Why haven’t you moved on?’

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Hurt feelings. Insecurity.”

“Pfft, I doubt it. The man I saw upstairs isn’t insecure.”

He slid his glasses onto his head and raised his eyebrows. “What can I say? You bring out the best in me, Memphis. So . . .” He sipped his coffee. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-eight. And you?”

“Guess.” He wriggled his eyebrows.

I gasped. “That’s not fair; I told you my age. I’m not guessing.”

“Oh, come on. I’m curious how old you think I am.”

“Okay, forget I asked. It doesn’t bother me anyway.”

“Really? You don’t want to know?”

I shook my head. It was true. . . based on the men I’d been with so far this year; age was no longerimportant.

Matt arrived with two plates. “The three-egg omelet?” he asked in his depressing drawl.

“That’s mine.”Hunter’s meal was placedbefore him, and the savory mince before me.

“Is there anything else you’re waiting on?” Matt should already know the answer to that question. Sometimes, his ineptitudereallygot on my nerves.

“No, we’re all good.”

Matt left, and I removed my sunglasses, placed them aside, and forked some mince into my mouth. As usual, it was full of flavor. I rarely had breakfast here, often choosing a sweet treat instead, but whenever I did, it was this dish. My grandmother had been the queen of savory mince—before Alzheimer’s stole that recipe from her, that was.

That gave me an idea. “Tell me about your family.”

“I already told you about Mom and Dad, remember? They’re both chefs.”

“That’s right, that’s how you grew to love chocolate.”

“Tell me about your family.”

I put a forkful of mince in my mouth as I debated what to say. In the end, I decided the truth wouldn’t hurt. “I grew up in Mildura with Mom and Dad and a brother,who’snow a professional football player.”

“Oh really? What’s his name?”

Oh, God. I coughed on my mince. I’dtotallywalked into that trap.AsI held a napkin over my mouth and coughed up a lung, Hunter reached aroundto gently pat my back.

“Geez, are you okay?”

I nodded and wiped a tear away from my eye. “Sorry about that. I think it went down the wrong way.” I gulped the water. Damn, this dating business was tricky.

Hunter resumed eating, and as I sipped my coffee, I hoped he’d forget what he’d asked. The best way to help him do that would be to ask him something. “So, do you have children?” Good one, Jane. Straight to the jugular.

“No, you?”

I shook my head. “No.” I scooped another mouthful of mince into my mouth. “Do you like to travel?”

His eyes lit up. “I love to travel. How about you?”

“I haven’t done any yet, but I will one day. Where’ve you been?”

“Being a chocolatier, I’ve had to visit some of the most magnifique places in ze world.” He slipped into a terrible fake French accent, and Iburst out laughing. Hunter feigned horror at my teasing, and we giggled together.

The rest of our breakfast was a lovely mix of laughter and curiosity. It was so relaxing listening tohiswonderfulstories about all theamazingplaceshe’dvisited inhissearch for the finest ingredients in the world.

His passion for travelwas equaledby hispassionfor The Sweet Spot, his chocolate business. We laughed and chatted for so long that when I looked at the time on my phone, Iwas shocked to seethat I’d lost fourwonderfulhours with my perfect stranger.

When it was time to stand, Hunter placed his hand on the small of my back and leaned in to kiss my cheek. “Well, Just Memphis, it’s been a delight.”

A giddy flutter danced across my insides. “I agree.”

“Would you like me to walk you to your room?”

Oh, God. I’d love that so much.

Thankfully, my brain kicked in just in time to stop my wish from being blurted out. “No, that’s okay. I’m catching up with a friend for lunch, so I’ll just keep going.” I felt rotten lying to him again.

He touched my elbow. “May I ask for your number?”

Oh God. If I give him my number, how will I know to answer as Memphis?