Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Jasmine released an earthy, sexy laugh of amusement, bringing her glass to her lips.
“I’m not kidding,” Maxwell said.
“I didn’t say you were,” she remarked, taking a sip.
Angling her head to the right, she considered him with unexpected directness. Normally, women at this point in the conversation played the shy or coquettish role. Not her. She looked at him as if she were having a mental debate, trying to decide something.
“You and your friend are some characters, aren’t you?” she asked.
“We like to have fun,” Maxwell said.
He reclined against the back of the leather booth and let his shoulder touch hers, bringing them closer and making the conversation more intimate. She smelled incredible. Something fruity, like cherries.
“So, when’s the wedding?” he asked.
“There’s no wedding.”
He glanced at the woman he thought was a future bride, who was now swaying from side to side with her hands in the air. He then looked back at Jasmine for an explanation.
“It’s a ploy she uses to get free drinks. Works every time.”
“Damn. We got played?”
She laughed. “Sorry. Do you wish you hadn’t sent over the champagne now?”
“Not at all. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want. I consider it money well spent, though I do wonder if your friend will be able to walk out of here. She looks like she’s feeling real good.”
“You didn’t help by sending over those bottles.”
“My bad. I saw five beautiful women and couldn’t help myself.”
“I should tell you that money doesn’t impress me.”
“Darn. All I have left is my good looks and charming personality to win you over then. I guess those will have to do.”
She laughed again. “You get another point for being humble.”
“You caught that from just these few minutes?” Maxwell asked.
“I’m very perceptive.” Jasmine took another sip of champagne. “What do you do when you’re not spending ridiculous amounts of money on women you don’t know?”
“I’m a doctor. My friends wanted to celebrate before I start my new job,” he answered.
Normally, when he gave his profession, women were impressed. Jasmine didn’t seem impressed, though she did appear to be surprised.
“A doctor? I didn’t see that coming. I work with doctors, and you don’t give off that vibe.”
“Is that a good thing?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Your turn. When you’re not partying the night away, scamming drinks out of innocent men, what do you do?”
“Oh, come on! Did you have to say all that? We’re having a little fun, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh. Answer the question.”
Before answering, she pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Cute.
“I’m an office manager for a medical practice. Nothing exciting.”
“You work with doctors, so it must be a little exciting. Or do you not like your job?”
“Actually, I love my job, and it’s interesting since no two days are exactly the same. Despite the fact that it’s not exciting, I’m never bored.”
“That’s another reason I like what I do. Every day there’s something different. There’s problem-solving, and I love—”
“Helping people,” Jasmine finished.
Maxwell took another good look at her. “Yeah.”
“It’s one of my favorite parts of the job too,” she said.
“Look at that, we have something in common. We both work in the medical field, and we both love helping people.” He shifted closer, coming within inches of her face. “Now, I’m wondering if we have something else in common. I like to dance. Do you?”
“I love to dance,” Jasmine replied in a soft voice, without breaking eye contact.
He liked this woman. Her confidence was particularly appealing.
“Then it should be easy to entice you onto the dance floor.” Maxwell pushed to his feet and extended a hand to her.
Without hesitation, Jasmine placed her drink on the table and then took his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet. He immediately noticed the softness of her skin and the fuchsia polish on her nails.
He was pleased to find she was a great dancer. Not in a look-at-me way, but she moved her body with effortless, smooth motions that had him wondering if those same movements carried over into the bedroom. The conversation fell off as they enjoyed themselves among the gyrating bodies around them.
The DJ made a smooth transition from an upbeat hip-hop single to a slower R&B groove, and some of the patrons trickled off the floor, returning to their tables or heading to the bar.
“Uh-oh,” Maxwell said, gently pulling Jasmine into his arms. She came without resistance. “This is about to get awkward.”
She laughed in an uninhibited way and looped her arms around his neck. “Only if you make it awkward.”
With her body against his, her small, plump breasts pressed into his hard chest, and her hips slid against his in an unhurried, deliberate, and dangerously provocative way.
His stomach tightened as his body awakened, and he smoothed his hands over the curve in her back, skimming right above her bottom before gliding back up again.
He was surprised by how right she felt in his arms as they naturally moved together, temporarily abandoning all conversation and letting their bodies do the talking.
Jasmine’s eyes were half-closed, her lips curved in a faint, private smile.
“How am I doing?” Maxwell whispered in her ear.
“Not too shabby, Doc.” She gazed up at him with heavy-lidded eyes and stroked the back of his neck, sending chills down his spine.
Maxwell lost track of how long they spent out there, wrapped around each other, gently touching and mildly stroking as they swayed together in one spot.
“You’re killing me, you know that?” he rasped.
“I hope not. I have plans for you.”
“Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?”
Instead of answering, Jasmine smiled coyly.
When she turned in the circle of his arms and pressed her back against his chest, he placed his hands on her hips and lowered his head just enough that his mouth was near her ear.
She rubbed her soft cheek against his bearded jaw, a moan of pleasure humming across her vocal cords.
As he boldly slipped one hand under her top to splay across her stomach, he felt her breath catch.
He did nothing to hide his burgeoning arousal, and she teased him by gently rubbing against his crotch.
“You’re dangerous,” Maxwell muttered huskily. He twisted her around to face him and pulled her tight against his body.
Jasmine brushed her nose against his neck and trailed her fingers through the curls at the back of his head.
“You know exactly what you’re doing, don’t you?” he muttered.
She looked confidently up at him. “Mhmm.”
After a few more minutes of sensual foreplay, Maxwell asked, “Do you want to get out of here?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
He had half expected her to say no. After all, she was there with her friends, but her surprising answer spiked heat in his blood.
Jasmine stopped dancing and locked eyes with him. “One night only. I’m not looking for anything serious.”
Those were the best possible words that could have come out of her mouth. Realizing he’d found the Holy Grail of women, Maxwell relaxed completely.
“Once again, we have something in common, because neither am I.”
“Glad we understand each other.” She glanced back at the table where her friends were. “Let’s go back to my place. I just need to tell my friends I’m leaving.”
He smiled slowly. “I’m following your lead.”
She took his hand, and he followed behind, his eyes lingering on the snug fit of her jeans and her bare back in the halter top. He might be the luckiest man alive tonight.
Usually he needed a line to get a woman into bed, but every now and again he met a modern woman like Jasmine who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it. Even better, he didn’t have to pretend he was looking for a relationship when he wasn’t, because she wasn’t either.
When they arrived at the table, only three of the women were there. Jayson and Catsuit were missing.
“No. You’re not leaving,” one of Jasmine’s other friends wailed, disappointment on her face.
Jasmine picked up a black clutch from the seat. “Take a picture of him.”
“I promise I won’t kill you,” Maxwell said, squinting when her friend’s camera flashed as she took his photo.
“If you do, you’re going under the jail. I’ll make sure of it,” her friend said.
“Guys, could we please not talk about my untimely demise. Make sure Lauren gets home safely. She’s been drinking all night.” Jasmine directed her gaze at their friend with the veil.
“Are you sure about this?” her friend asked, giving Maxwell the once-over.
“I’ll be fine.” Jasmine peered over her shoulder at him. “I have pepper spray and a gun, and I know how to use both.”
He raised his eyebrows but remained silent. He didn’t want to say anything to screw up his chances of getting laid by this goddess.
The fake future bride, seeing Jasmine with her purse in hand, staggered over and flung an arm around her friend, leaning heavily into her as her gaze swept Maxwell from head to toe. “Well, well, well, lucky you. If I weren’t getting married—”
“Save your breath. I already told him,” Jasmine said.
“Dammit, Jasmine. You’re such a killjoy,” her friend whined. “Go. Have fun. We’ll probably stay another thirty minutes or so and then it’s arrivederci to this place.” Lauren pulled Jasmine into what appeared to be an extra tight bear hug. “We gotta do this again soon.”
“Yes, we must,” Jasmine said, sounding strangled. Finally, she disentangled herself from Lauren’s hold. “Bye-bye, ladies.”
“Take care of my girl!” Lauren yelled as they were walking away.
This time, Maxwell held Jasmine’s hand and led the way to the front door. Outside, he paused to send a text to Jayson, who quickly responded with a “lucky SOB” and an eggplant emoji. He laughed briefly.
“What’s so funny?” Jasmine asked.
“Nothing. Where’s your car?”
“Over there.” She pointed.
He walked with her in that direction, and she eventually stopped at a white Acura. “This is my car.” She gave him her home address.
“Got it.” Maxwell paused. “Do you really have a gun?”
“More than one.”
“Maybe I should be worried.” It wasn’t unheard of for women to scam men, robbing them or committing some act of violence, often with a co-conspirator.
Jasmine stepped closer, the corners of her mouth curving upward as her fingers curled into his shirt. She rose up on tiptoe and spoke softly. “The only thing you need to worry about is having a good time.” Then she kissed him.
Her mouth was soft, and when he slipped the tip of his tongue against the seam of her lips, a soft sigh whispered against his mouth.
“If you liked that, you’re in for one hell of a night,” Maxwell whispered.
“I hope you don’t just talk a good game. You better deliver.”
“I always do.” Maxwell slowly backed away, watching as she climbed behind the wheel of her car.
Then he walked briskly to his vehicle, a sapphire blue Range Rover he’d received as a gift from his sister Audra and her husband. As he climbed behind the wheel, Jasmine drove by in her car and waved at him.
He smiled to himself as he started the vehicle, his pulse speeding up as he reminisced about the short but tantalizing kiss. A kiss she had initiated.
Where had this woman been all his life?
He had hit the jackpot.