Chapter 4
Josette
Expectations.
I’d learned to lower them for all those around me. That way I’d never be disappointed. Maybe that’s why I was having such a difficult time figuring out the mystery man.
The handsome hunk wrapped in pure sin was obviously someone of importance.
I’d even heard a couple of the girls at the veterinary’s office talking about him being some kind of celebrity.
While I had to admit he did look vaguely familiar, I wasn’t into the New Orleans social scene and other than the social media pages for my business, I was rarely on any of them and had no personal accounts.
It was safer that way.
Because I was such a cautious person, I wasn’t certain why I’d dared allow this man into my personal space, especially with learning my address. It was risky at best. Maybe because he’d shown up so unexpectedly, checking on Indiana.
“Did you finish your project?” I asked, also reminding myself about the noise from the night before.
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “It was too late, but I unloaded the bags.”
“Mulch?” Maybe my instinct told me whatever he’d been carrying was none of my business.
“Exactly. A little sprucing up.”
Even the way he offered the explanation was a reminder to let it go. “I need to do some of that. When I find the time.”
He took a deep breath as if relieved I wasn’t going to push the subject any further. We remained quiet for a few minutes, but the electricity inside the car was thick.
And wet.
I’d thought of nothing else as he’d driven to my house, driving cautiously given the precious cargo in the back. Only Indiana wasn’t in the mood to remain lying down like a good boy. He was full of energy even after what he’d been through.
The stranger was the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on, his well-tailored suit unable to hide his muscular physique.
Broad shoulders. Long legs. His face alone was a masterpiece of sculpted excellence, his angular jaw and high cheekbones accentuated by raven black hair.
I shivered just thinking about the effect he’d had on me.
The realization was insane. For all I knew, the man was a monster.
The sounds were unmistakable in my mind. Someone had been inside the trunk. A person. Who’d been alive.
Don’t do it. Don’t go there.
I lolled my head to the side, staring at the stranger as he turned down my street. He hadn’t bothered to ask my name and I certainly hadn’t volunteered it.
He was in another suit, dark gray this time, the dark shirt on such a beautiful day just a little bit strange. Maybe I was trying to make something out of nothing. There were no latent sounds in his car, no bloodstains on his upholstery.
“That’s my house up there.”
As soon as I pointed it out, he smiled. “Nice.”
“I think so. The first thing I’d done when moving to my new home was to hunt down the perfect area to live in. Not too expensive, but safe enough.” I imagined he lived in a mansion.
“Beautiful.”
“She’s all mine. It took me years to get her the way I wanted her.”
He pulled into the driveway, his brows knitting together as soon as he placed the gear into park. “Her?”
“Houses have personalities, you know.”
He laughed in response.
Shrugging, I opened the door and Indiana bounded out over me, knocking me on my ass.
“Indy bear. What are you doing?” I was half laughing, half groaning, completely surprised when my mystery man was right there, helping me off the blacktop.
He pulled me closer just like he’d done when I’d smacked him in the face. This time, there was no anger, but the overwhelming feeling I’d had before was the same. My heart pounding. My breath hitching. My blood pressure rising.
The only difference was the butterflies fluttering their tiny wings in my stomach.
He took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. There was such power in everything he did, every action purposeful. I was struck by how dark and controlling he seemed, more so than he’d been the day before. Likely because the incident had caught him off guard.
I had a feeling that rarely happened with him.
With both my hands gripping his massive arms, I was given permission to dig my fingers into his muscles. He had a perfectly sculpted physique. A fluster of feelings and strange desires tore through me, highly inappropriate images swirling around in my mind.
Six foot three. Super broad shoulders. Long, muscular legs and I could only imagine his six-pack abs. The heat from another blush threatened to give away my thoughts.
“Are you alright?” Even his husky voice had dipped to a sensual level, the tone evoking tingles, fueling the insane visions that refused to stop even though I was doing everything possible to make them do so.
He no doubt had the power to pick me up, tossing me against a wall or in the middle of a bed, ravaging every inch of me. Fucking every ounce of breath and energy from me before starting again.
I licked my lips, wondering just how large his cock was. If the bulge I’d seen twice between his thighs was any indication, the man had been blessed from the gods.
Stop it. Just stop it.
Very slowly, the images faded and I was brought back to reality. What I was thinking or even hoping for wasn’t going to happen.
“I’m fine.” Being in his arms was surprisingly pleasing. When his face scrunched up somewhat, I laughed. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m waiting for you to punch me again.”
There was such heat between us I still couldn’t breathe and I noticed the slight split in his lip that I’d obviously caused. Without thinking, I brushed my fingers across his lip, my thumb lingering on his jaw.
He’d shaved, removing the sexy stubble that had been so very attractive on him. Even clean shaven, he was still gorgeous.
“I hurt you, which I admit was my intention. But I guess I should offer you an apology.”
“Yes, you should,” he half whispered, although the sound was more of a growl. Only ruthless alpha men growled and certainly none of the handful of men I’d dated.
They hadn’t had the lineage or ruggedness to pull it off.
Indiana barked and suddenly his two front paws were on us, one on each one of our legs. Seeing his tail swishing back and forth, a happy grin on his face, I could tell he was feeling much better.
“He likes you and he doesn’t like most men.” Maybe because I’d taught him to be leery of them.
“Well, then you know I’m not a serial killer.”
I lowered my gaze toward my little boy. “Traitor. And you’re supposed to be resting. Doctor’s orders.”
Indiana woofed in response, showing off his disobedient side by racing toward the front door.
The stranger laughed and I was brought back to the thoughts from before. The sound was throaty, displaying the ruggedness I’d already pegged him as having.
“Well, I think Indiana Jones is going to be just fine. I am glad.” He studied my house before smiling at my pup, who was obviously eager to get inside.
“I’m sorry I was so rough on you.” I realized he’d yet to let me go. And I wasn’t eager to force him to.
What in the world had gotten into me?
He finally backed away, although I sensed reluctantly. “You have good instincts, Ms. Samuels. I’m not a good man, but I can say I never intended on hurting your dog. That much I can promise you.”
The term ‘who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?’ came to mind. Was I standing in front of one?
“You know my name and I have no clue about yours. Not fair. Unless you’d rather remain a dark, brooding mystery.”
A sly grin slid across his face, wider than I’d seen before, which allowed me to notice a slight dimple in his chin. “There’s nothing wrong with a little mystery.”
“Maybe in movies and books, but not in real life.”
“Sin.”
“You’re suggesting all mystery is a sin?”
His laugh sent shimmers of desire dancing across my skin. “Why, yes, but that’s my name.”
I wasn’t certain whether he was kidding or not, so I laughed.
He didn’t.
“Okay. I admit the name suits you, although I do wonder what your parents were doing when they conceived you.”
“Very dark and delicious things, I assure you. My father was quite the possessive man. Now that you know my first name, it’s only fair I know yours.”
There was no reason to hesitate. He knew my last name, so what was the difference? It was just that allowing him to know was getting very personal, something I rarely did. “Josette.”
His features softened, a slight head nod indicating he approved. “Beautiful and fitting.”
I wanted to ask him what he meant, but I was far too entranced by the moment. Perhaps thrilled.
We stood awkwardly in the middle of my driveway while Indiana continued to claw at the door. “Well, that’s something I’ve never heard before. Does that work with all the girls?”
“What part? Find the perfect beautiful woman, bonus points for one who has a dog who just happens to adore the same music I do. Calculate the best way of hitting the dog with my car so he’s injured but not severely.
My intentions? So I can become the hero of the day.
Then I bring the woman coffee after a long night of sleeping on the floor so I could then schmooze her dog, which would enable her defenses to fall? ”
I gave him a hard look, rolling my eyes. “Does that mean you have malintent in mind?”
He narrowed his eyes until they were completely hooded. In the sun, they were luminous. “It would seem there’s a first time for everything. And there are several forms of malintent.”
“I’m certain you’re good at all of them. Now you have me curious. Such as?”
The way he was studying me was more compelling than before. I was no longer just breathless. My panties were damp.
“Let’s just say that I enjoy treating a woman as she should be treated. Passion comes in many forms, including in acts considered dark and dangerous.”
“Which suits your personality.”
He laughed. “Very much so.”
A part of me knew what I was doing was crazy, but I felt safe with him.
He wasn’t here to hurt me, and I could have been entirely wrong about what I’d heard.
I was certainly hypersensitive to fear. I’d even wrongly accused a poor guy I barely knew of something quite heinous.
I had a feeling I’d managed to emasculate him.
“You seemed to doubt that I was right about there being a better coffee. Would you like me to prove it to you?”
A slow and steady smile swept across his face. “I’d love for you to try, but I must warn you, I have discerning tastes.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“Admit it,” I challenged as I watched his face. He’d taken several sips of my coffee where I’d only had one, eager to hear his assessment of my special brew.
Sin wrinkled his nose, delighting me with making several odd but captivating faces. “I can see your point. I appreciate the hint of hazelnut. The note isn’t too overpowering, but the subtleness is accentuated by a flavor I can’t ascertain.”
“Ah, you know your coffees. You must drink a lot of it.”
“Thankfully, no.”
There were ways about him that caught me off guard. “Cinnamon with a hint of a very special hot pepper. That’s the secret I refuse to give out to just anyone.”
He acted offended. “Well, then I guess I’ll need to do something to be included in the group of special people in your life.”
“Very difficult to do.” When I winked at him, I realized I hadn’t felt this comfortable with any dates I’d had in my life.
He had a way of disarming me, his charm and wit undeniable.
And my pussy couldn’t seem to stop throbbing around him.
I hid behind my steaming cup of java, hoping he couldn’t see the heat rising on my face.
“In all seriousness, you are a huge coffee fan.”
Laughing, I moved toward the refrigerator, removing one of my cards. “That’s because I own a coffee and pastry shop. It’s not very large, certainly not as well-known as Indulgence has become over the years, but I do alright. Hoping to grow. I have big dreams.”
“You’re a baker too?”
“Two years of culinary school. I get by.”
As he accepted the card, our fingers collided once again and my reaction was involuntary but typical. I curled my fingers and stepped away.
“Simply the Best. I like the name.”
“That’s because every cup is made with love and in my humble opinion, it is the best.”
“Well, then I guess I’ll need to pay the shop a visit. If the owner will dare invite me.”
“It’s a public place. Maybe I can talk her into providing you with a special invitation.”
“When does this fabulous owner usually work?”
“She switches shifts every week to keep a pulse on the crowd and her employees. This week she has the evening shift. We close at eight. Promptly, I might add.”
“I guess I’ll need to keep that in mind. I certainly wouldn’t want to keep a lady from enjoying her evening.”
I shrugged on purpose, finally enjoying a sip of my coffee.
Another awkward moment passed with us giving the other a quick glance every few seconds. I had a feeling he wasn’t used to playing dating games, which was exactly what this felt like.
“So, Sin. What do you do?”
The look in his eyes changed, his expression becoming more serious. “I own a few businesses myself. I also dabble in real estate.”
“Ah, that explains the ten-thousand-dollar suit.”
He tugged at his jacket, peering down at himself. “What’s the saying? You dress to impress and to make money.”
That prompted me to slide a gaze down at my frumpy attire. I certainly hadn’t planned on meeting a hunk during my jog and playtime with Indiana, choosing a mismatch of purple leggings and a strange chartreuse tee shirt. “You’re right.”
“You know I was thinking. How about going out for breakfast? Just another way of saying I’m sorry.”
Not once had a man asked me out on a breakfast date.
“Are you asking me out?” Being around him reminded me of how awkward I’d been as a teenager. How to handle a sexy man during a meal wasn’t in my skillset. Maybe I should unlock the protective chains even for a few hours.
He took his time swallowing more coffee before lifting his head, those ice blue eyes piercing mine. “What if I was?”
I could easily tell him no thank you and be done with it. But why not enjoy some time with a handsome, charming man? Plus, we’d be in a public place. Nothing bad could happen. “Then I’d say yes. But only after a shower. If you have the patience.”
Why was it that every time his gaze slipped down from my face to my legs did my pussy begin to throb?
“So you know. I’m not usually a patient man. However, for you. I will wait.”