CHAPTER FOUR
ANHOURORso later, any apprehensions Velvet may have had about joining Jaye for dinner were gone. She was totally enjoying herself and thought he was a likable guy. Her heart had ached for him when he’d told her about his mother. Regardless of what he’d said, she figured his mother’s actions had affected him. She had a feeling he regretted sharing that much of himself and usually didn’t do so. Probably because it was too painful to recall.
He had quickly switched the subject to his father, and she could tell the older Jack Colfax was someone Jaye admired tremendously. He had told her how his father had opened his first bank ten years ago and now there were several of them on a national scale and they were looking to spread to other areas.
He wasn’t boastful or arrogant, but she could tell he was proud of his family’s success and accomplishments, and how important it was for his father to pass some sort of legacy to his three sons. She understood because she had felt the same way about her parents. Both had worked hard to turn their first Spencer’s restaurant into a smashing success. By the time they had celebrated the restaurant’s fifteenth anniversary, there were over a hundred Spencer’s across the United States.
Although she had worked alongside her parents in growing the family business, her parents had known that her true love was teaching. Not once had they tried to shift her focus from that and she appreciated them for it. From listening to Jaye talk about his father, she could tell they had a close relationship, like the one she’d had with hers. It was sad that his mother hadn’t stayed in contact with her sons after his parents had divorced.
More than once tonight during their conversation, their gazes met and held. Each time it happened, she became even more fully aware of him as a man. A man who got her blood stirring. And she had a feeling it wasn’t one-sided. There was no way it could be when the intensity of his gaze was radiating a degree of desire she could actually feel.
“I’ve told you a lot about myself, Velvet. Now tell me about you. What made you leave Seattle to settle here in Phoenix?”
She didn’t say anything for a minute and then said, “A year after I graduated from college, I lost my parents in a carjacking.”
The look in his eyes flashed from shock to outrage and then to sadness. “I’m sorry, Velvet. I am truly sorry.”
“Thanks. The authorities got the guy, but all I could think about was how senseless their deaths were. He could have taken their car and left them by the side of the road, but instead he killed them.”
There must have been something in her voice that touched him and beckoned him to touch her. He reached out and gently caressed the side of her face as if he were trying to smooth away the pain and sadness he saw there.
Velvet liked his touch. It calmed something within her. Namely, the torment she felt whenever she thought about her parents’ deaths. As his fingers continued to caress her skin, his gaze traced a slow path over her face, as if cementing each of her features to his memory.
“That had to have been hard on you.”
She nodded, fighting back her tears from pain that was still raw. “It was. They were all I had, and we were close. I remained in Seattle long enough for the guy to go on trial and be sentenced. Then I felt I had to get away and move someplace else.”
“What made you decide on Phoenix?” he asked in a comforting voice.
“My best friend from college, Ruth Bethea. This is her hometown, and she would always tell me what a great city it was. We’re both teachers and when there were vacancies at her school, she convinced me to come here and so I did.”
A smile curved his lips. “And I’m glad you did.”
Velvet tried not to be taken with Jaye but discovered she was. Although she was twenty-five, she hadn’t done a lot of dating. After high school, most of her time had been spent at the universities, obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, both within four years. Most of her free time had been spent traveling around the country with her parents as they checked on their restaurants. Once a year, the three of them also traveled abroad to different countries.
Because of their wealth, her parents had cautioned her early that there were just as many gold-digging men as there were women. She had found that to be true when she had met Lamont Owens in her senior year of college. They’d dated three months, and she had liked him. But then one night he had bragged to one of his friends about his plans to marry her and make sure he ran the Spencer’s Corporation when her old man retired. He only saw her as an investment for his future. Ruthie had overheard him and told Velvet. That’s when she had dropped him like a hot potato and had been glad they hadn’t shared a bed. After Lamont, no guy had interested her enough to move to anything serious.
Until now.
Jaye interested her. Never had she felt such strong vibes off a man. Whenever he looked at her, leveling those dark eyes on her, she had to fight to keep from moaning. Even the sound of his voice was a turn-on. He was extremely handsome. Tall, dark and sexy certainly described him to a tee. Whenever he smiled, it seemed the entire world should smile right along with him.
His chestnut-colored skin looked smooth as silk and the neatly trimmed beard around his mouth offset a gorgeous pair of lips. When had she been taken with a man’s lips before? Then there was that little dip in the center of his upper lip that did something to her. Made her want to take her tongue and—
“How do you like living in Phoenix so far?” he asked her.
She shifted her gaze from his mouth to his eyes. Had he noticed the attention she’d been giving to his lips? “I like it here. I admit that I had to get used to how dry it is since I came from a place that rained a lot.”
“I’m sure that did take an adjustment.”
Her gaze had shifted back to his lips. She met his eyes once more when she caught the tail end of what he’d said. “An adjustment to what?”
He smiled. “The difference in the weather between Seattle and Phoenix.”
“Oh.” Velvet knew she should be keeping up with the conversation, but she was fighting to focus on what he was saying rather than the lips his words were flowing through.
“I could stay here and talk to you for hours, Velvet.”
She was glad to hear him say that because she felt the same way. Besides being handsome, the man was suave, intelligent and a great conversationalist. He was well versed on a number of topics. But then so was she, and they had covered a lot of them. “I like talking to you, too, Jaye.”
Not only had they talked but they’d laughed about a couple of television shows they had seen. They were both into reality shows, which were so far from being genuine that they couldn’t help but find them amusing.
He glanced at his watch. “This place will be closing in an hour. I guess it’s time for us to leave.”
She looked at her own watch. Surprised, she saw it was close to ten o’clock. She couldn’t recall ever staying out this late on a school night. Jaye must have seen the surprised look on her face and said, “I should apologize for keeping you out late. It’s a school day tomorrow. I bet you’re usually in bed by now.”
He was right. Normally, she was. However, she’d been enjoying his company so much she hadn’t noticed the time. Although she hadn’t asked his age, she figured he was in his early thirties. Usually, she dated guys closer to her age. But then, could she really consider this a date? Granted, he’d asked her out, but it wasn’t as if it had been preplanned or anything. For heaven’s sake, she was wearing the same outfit she’d left in this morning for school. It was definitely nothing to impress a man.
After he got their waitress’s attention, she arrived with their check. Moments later, he stood and said, “I’ll walk you to your car.”
Velvet took the hand he offered and stood. Already, she wondered if she would see him again after tonight. The parking lot, which had been filled to capacity when she’d arrived, was practically deserted now.
When they reached her SUV, he said, “I enjoyed spending time with you, Velvet.” He paused a moment and said, “I’d love to see you again.”
A flutter of excitement raced through her. “That can be arranged, Jaye, because I’d love to see you again as well.”
The dimpled smile that spread across his face triggered the throb she felt in her heart. “How is your schedule for this weekend? I’d like to take you out to dinner again.”
Not to appear over eager, she took her time before saying, “I’m free this weekend.”
His smile widened and it carried a sensuous heat that she felt in the pit of her stomach. “Good. What’s your phone number?” he asked, while pulling his cell phone out of his jacket.
He punched in her number as she rattled it off to him. When her phone rang in her purse, he said, “Now we have each other’s numbers. I look forward to seeing you Saturday. I’ll call you later this week to let you know where we’ll dine.”
“Alright.” She wanted that information so she could dress appropriately.
He held her gaze while placing his phone back in his jacket. He took a step closer and said in a deep husky voice, “I guess this is where I say good-night and we part ways.”
She nervously licked her lips as her gaze moved from his eyes to his mouth to stare at his lips again for the umpteenth time tonight. Would he kiss her goodbye? The thought of those luscious lips on hers was too much to think about.
“Four times,” he said, moving closer to her. The lampposts in the parking lot weren’t shining directly on them, however, they provided enough light for her to see his features.
“Four times?” she asked, not sure what he meant.
“Yes. Four times tonight you’ve licked your lips with your tongue. Do you know what happens to me whenever you do that?”
Velvet had no idea. She hadn’t even known he’d been counting. “No.”
“Each time made me want to lean in close to you and do this.”
The next thing she knew, his hand had moved to her waist at the same moment his mouth slanted over hers. Jaye Colfax was kissing her in a way that she had never been kissed before. Granted, she hadn’t been kissed a lot in the past; she was comparing this with the few times she had. Jaye’s kiss was heating her insides to a degree she hadn’t known was possible. This was a new phenomenon, introducing her to the kind of passion she’d only read about, heard whispered about and dreamed about.
Nothing could have prepared her for this. Definitely not those sloppy kisses she’d shared with Lamont—and he’d thought he was an expert. There was no doubt in her mind that Jaye Colfax was the real expert, firing up her desire. If they kept going, it would be blazing out of control.
It was as if he was claiming her mouth, his tongue traced every inch of hers in a meticulous manner, making sure he left no spot untouched. He went about it painstakingly slow, with a thoroughness that made her moan.
The hands at her waist tightened and drew her even closer to him. That’s when she felt it, his hard erection against her middle. The thought that he wanted her as much as she wanted him overwhelmed her, and the heat that suddenly flared between her legs made her moan again.
Suddenly, he ended the kiss. She thought she saw a strange look on his face, as if he hadn’t expected to be taken with the kiss as much as she had. “I think I better let you go now,” he said, licking his own lips.
“Alright.”
When he opened the door to her SUV, she slid in. He surprised her when he leaned down and said, “I’m following you home to make sure you get there okay.”
“You don’t have to do that. I live in a gated community so I should be fine.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll follow you to the gate.”
Since he seemed determined to see her home, she simply nodded. He had parked on the other side of the lot, so she gave him time to reach his car before pulling away from the restaurant. On the drive home, all she could think about was that kiss. A kiss she would always remember. A kiss in a parking lot where anyone could have seen them. It was so unlike her to carry on with a man in that manner in a public place, but she had no regrets.
Every so often she would look in her rearview mirror to see that he was directly behind her. She couldn’t help but appreciate his thoughtfulness in wanting to make sure she arrived home safely. Fifteen minutes later, she had reached the entrance to her gate and when she pulled into the security station, he beeped his horn before driving off.
Moments later after she entered her condo, all she could do was smile at the thought that she had finally been kissed the way she’d always dreamed of a man kissing her. And she’d enjoyed it tremendously.
WHATTHEHELLHAPPENED?
That question was rolling furiously through Jaye’s mind as he entered his condo and tossed his keys on the table in the foyer. He rubbed a hand down his face in frustration. Velvet Spencer was supposed to be a one-and-done. By this time, they should have experienced at least two orgasms and working on the third. In her bed or his. Instead, he was at his place without her and wondering how in the hell that had happened.
The sexual chemistry that had flowed between them all through dinner had been so intense it had kept him aroused the entire time. What was it about her that had made him forget to breathe a few times? He’d gotten even more turned on whenever she talked, licked her lips, moved her hands or ate her food. Hell, he’d felt his erection twitch every time she blinked her eye.
He’d felt sexual chemistry before, but never of this magnitude. The one he’d shared with Velvet tonight had been a potent mix of raw sexuality and sensuality he hadn’t known could exist. The woman was pure temptation personified. Yet, when they’d kissed, he sensed an innocence about her. One thing he usually didn’t waste his time with were innocent women. But there was something about Velvet that made him want to see her again. She generated an unprecedented degree of desire and lust within him. Now more than anything, he wanted to know how she’d managed to do something that no other woman had done for him.
He had made it to the bedroom and was about to strip for his shower when his cell phone rang. It was his best friend, Mercury Steele. “Yes, Mercury?”
“You better have a good reason for not showing up, Jaye. Candie was there and she’d brought a friend along. A real looker. I ended up having to entertain them both myself.”
Jaye rubbed his hand down his face and decided to give Mercury the short reason he hadn’t shown up. “I met this woman.”
Mercury laughed. “Say no more. I understand.”
He figured Mercury would. Mercury knew him just like he knew Mercury. They had been best friends since first grade and basically thought alike. When it came to women, they enjoyed them for sex. Love had nothing to do with it. At least for Mercury, it no longer did. There was that time in college when Mercury had fallen for a woman. She had taught Mercury a hard lesson. The same one Jaye’s mother had taught him. Women are to be enjoyed but never consider making one a permanent part of your life.
“Look, Mercury, I’m tired and after my shower I’m going to bed.”
“Tired? Going to bed? It’s not even eleven o’clock. Damn man, she must have worn you out.”
Normally, Jaye was a night owl and wouldn’t be in bed before midnight. His friend would be surprised to learn that tonight he hadn’t indulged in a one-and-done like Mercury assumed. He hadn’t gotten beyond that first kiss. But even now that kiss was messing with him big-time. When had a woman’s lips ever tasted so good?
“Good night, Mercury.” He clicked off the phone.
A short while later, Jaye had showered and was in his pajama bottoms. He went to the wet bar in his dining room, needing a shot of something strong. He reached to pour a shot and then stopped. No woman had ever driven him to drink, and he wouldn’t let one do so now. His intense attraction to her had to have been a fluke. He got to women; he never let one get to him. That wasn’t the way he operated, and he’d been told by women that he was a smooth operator. One of the best.
Now that he was back on familiar ground, his common sense had returned, and maybe the best thing to do was to come up with an excuse and cancel his date with Velvet this weekend. He rubbed a frustrated hand down his face. No woman alive could make him run in the opposite direction. So why was he giving Velvet that much power over him? He was determined to find out what it was about her that revved up all that was male within him. What was it about her that made him want to call her even now just to hear her voice again?
What the hell was wrong with him?
The one good thing was that the attraction hadn’t been one-sided. He was a man who knew women. He could read one like he could his favorite book. Being coy was something he could detect a mile away. But there was nothing coy about Velvet and that’s what confused the hell out of him. She’d wanted him as much as he’d wanted her. Yet for some reason, she hadn’t seemed to recognize the intense attraction for what it was. He had.
He’d known each and every time she’d stared at his lips, because she would lick her own lips, as if wondering how he would taste. That was one of the reasons he had kissed her the way he had. He’d held nothing back. Hell, he’d even wanted her to feel his erection. There shouldn’t be any doubt in her mind he had wanted her as much as she’d wanted him.
And he would have her.
Then he would move on just like normal. He smiled, satisfied that he was back to himself. There was something else, however, that piqued his interest. Ortega Yacht Condos were some of the most expensive in the city. He would know since he had thought of moving there himself, but he’d preferred the luxury condos closer to town. How could Velvet afford to live there on a teacher’s salary?
And why did he get the feeling she was a well-polished, sophisticated and classy woman? She might be a teacher but he could sense there was more. It was there in the way she arranged things on their table so they could enjoy the meal they were sharing. And then the way she held her eating utensils with an etiquette that suggested a polished upbringing.
And then there was her vast knowledge of various topics. Granted, she was a teacher, which could be the reason. However, in just that short of time they’d spent together, he’d sensed an intelligence that surpassed any woman he’d dated before. Hell, when they’d been talking about stocks, bonds and investments, she had known just about as much as he did, and he was considered a financial whiz.
Jaye frowned. He definitely would go out with Velvet again. His hot-as-the-dickens schoolteacher was a mystery that he intended to solve.
“HOWDIDTHEjob fair go yesterday, Velvet?”
Velvet glanced up at Ruthie. She was fortunate that she and her best friend taught at the same school, just different grades and subjects. Ruthie loved English and was great at teaching it. Students signed up early to get into her classes. She had a way of taking a sentence and dissecting it to no end. They’d hit it off as roommates in college and remained close friends since.
“It went well. I had fun,” she answered. Then she leaned over the table where they were having lunch in the school cafeteria and whispered, “I even had a date afterward. Well, it wasn’t a normal date, but he asked me out to dinner, and I went and totally enjoyed myself.”
Ruthie raised her eyebrows. “Whoa, back up a minute. Who is he?”
Velvet lowered her voice. “The guy who showed up at the end of the job fair and asked me to dinner. Please keep up, Ruthie.”
Ruthie shook her head. “I’m trying to, Vel. Now, who’s the guy that showed up at the end of the fair and asked you to dinner?”
“One of the sponsors. Jaye Colfax.”
Ruthie, who’d been sipping her drink through a straw, began coughing when some of the liquid went down the wrong way. Velvet was out of her chair in a flash and beating on her back. “Okay, Vel, I’m going to live and we’re drawing attention.”
Velvet returned to her seat. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I am,” Ruthie said, taking a slow sip of her drink before adding, “However, I’m not sure you are. Did you say you went out with Jaye Colfax?”
Velvet smiled. “Yes, you know him?”
Ruthie rolled her eyes. “What single woman living in Phoenix doesn’t? Remember, I told you about those Steele brothers? All six of them.”
Velvet nodded. “You warned me about them when I first moved to town.”
“And with good reason. They aren’t considered the Bad News Steeles for nothing. Well, Jaye is friends with them. In fact, he and Mercury Steele are best friends, and he’s no different than they are when it comes to women.”
Velvet stared at Ruthie. “Are you sure? He was a perfect gentleman last night.”
Ruthie cocked a brow. “And he didn’t try anything with you? Like kiss you or ask to share his bed? He likes one-night stands. And before you ask, the answer is no, I’ve never dated Jaye or any of the Steeles. I went to school with the youngest Steele, Gannon, although he was a grade or two ahead of me. He was nice but no different from the rest when it comes to being womanizers.”
When Velvet didn’t say anything, Ruthie stared at her and then asked, “Well, did he come on to you?”
Releasing a sigh, Velvet said, “Jaye asked me to dinner, we shared a delicious meal and wonderful conversation. Afterward, he walked me to my car.”
“And?”
“And we kissed, but not one time did he bring any mention of sex into the conversation.”
Ruthie rolled her eyes. “He didn’t have to. The man is sex on legs. I’m surprised he didn’t suggest that you go to his place or yours.”
“Well, he didn’t.”
“But the two of you did kiss?”
“Yes, and it was the best kiss I’ve ever experienced. It made any I’ve shared in the past obsolete.”
“And you want me to believe he did not come on to you sexually?”
“That’s right. He didn’t. However, I will admit that there were a lot of vibes between us. Even a novice like me could tell we were attracted to each other. And I felt it in the kiss, but at no time did he suggest I go home with him, and I certainly didn’t invite him to my place. Although, I was tempted.”
“Velvet!”
“Well, I was, so don’t be shocked. Like you said, he is sex on legs. I like him. He didn’t try anything and even followed me to the security gate of my condo to make sure I got in okay.”
Ruthie waved off her words. “It’s a setup.”
“A setup?”
“Yes. For some reason, he’s slowly reeling you in, Velvet. I bet he’s asked to see you again.”
Velvet nodded. “Yes, we have another date this weekend.”
“Be careful, Velvet. Jaye Colfax means you no good. Although I hear he warns women off about getting into him because he’s not into serious relationships. They fall for him, anyway. There’s a slogan around town that says if you don’t want your heart broken, then stay away from Jaye.”
Velvet frowned. It was hard to believe they were talking about the same person. The Jaye Colfax she’d met pushed her buttons true enough, but at no time did he try encouraging her to sleep with him or coming across as if he was only interested in sex. “I will be careful, Ruthie.”
“I hope so. Men like Jaye only want one thing and when he gets it, he’ll walk away. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” Ruthie paused and then asked, “Did you tell him who you are? That you are an heiress?”
“No, it never came up, although I did tell him about my parents. I have no reason not to share who I am with him, though. From what I understand, he and his family have plenty of money and he didn’t come off as someone who would need mine.”
“At least that much I can vouch for. He’s a nice guy, well-mannered, successful and professional. His only downfall is that he is bad news just like those Steeles.”
Velvet shrugged. “He’s not looking for a serious relationship with a woman and I get that.”
“But you want a serious relationship with a man, Vel. I know you. Casual sex isn’t your thing.”
Ruthie was right. Casual sex wasn’t her thing. She always dreamed of having the same solid and loving relationship that her parents shared. And she wouldn’t settle for anything less. “I might be just the one to change his mind, Ruthie.”
Ruthie shook her head. “Don’t hold your breath for that to happen. Jaye Colfax is a total player. Don’t let him break your heart. Promise me that you won’t let him do that.”
Velvet saw the deep concern in Ruthie’s eyes. “I promise, Ruthie. I won’t.”