Authors: Debbi Rawlins
“You tell me what you want. Anything.” Jimmy jabbed a thumb into his chest. “You tell Jimmy and I cook for you. You like some orange chicken? Garlic shrimp?”
Eric put a hand on the shorter man’s shoulder. “I’ll give you an order, but no rush. I’ll pick it up later. You need to go help Ruth. You have a lot of customers out there.”
Jimmy waved a dismissive hand. “I have so many customers because of you. They can wait.” With his hands motioning wildly, he barked instructions in Chinese to the young man.
“Jimmy, honestly we’re not ready to eat. We have someplace to go.” Eric briefly met her eyes and purposefully looked at his watch. “We’d like to pick up dinner in about an hour and a half, if that’s okay.”
“Anything for you, my friend.” Jimmy looked at Dallas. “Something special for the lady? Our shrimp is very, very fresh today. Or how about some—”
“I love all kinds of food. Surprise us.” She winked at Eric. “I hate to be rude, but we’re going to be late.”
“Right. I’ll be back to pick up dinner in an hour and a half.”
“You want us deliver?” Jimmy asked. “We deliver to you. One hour and a half.”
“I’ll call and let you know.”
Grinning, Jimmy nodded. “Anything for my friend. You call.”
“Thanks.” Eric shook his hand. “Okay if we go out the back way?”
“Yes, yes. Please.” He gestured toward the door.
Ruth called out something in Chinese, to which Jimmy responded in kind.
“See you later, Jimmy.” Eric opened the door and motioned for Dallas to precede him.
“See you, my friend.” Jimmy grinned with a raised hand and watched them go, seeming in no hurry to go back out and help his wife.
They ended up in a short alley with a foul odor thanks to the Dumpster stationed not more than four feet from the door and hurried to the street.
Eric made a face and muttered, “Sorry, who knew the place would be so jammed on a Monday.”
“No problem.” She shrugged. “We can eat anywhere. At the park if you like.”
He gave her an odd look. “You’re really something.”
The appreciation warming in his eyes made her blush. “What?”
He kept staring at her, paying no attention to where they were walking, and then he said half under his breath, “You’re going to be trouble, Dallas. Big trouble.”
S
HE WAS TRULY REMARKABLE
.
Eric thought about how Tom’s wife, Serena, would have reacted to the whole Chun’s experience. Or Ryan’s wife or Grant’s wife. All nice, attractive ladies, but they would have been totally freaked out to have been herded back into the kitchen and then led out to that putrid-smelling alley.
Hell, he couldn’t even imagine Judy shaking Jimmy’s not-so-sanitary hand. It wasn’t that the women were snobs or anything, just more refined. Different tastes, different backgrounds. They weren’t the type to eat in dives, no matter how good the food.
He glanced over at Dallas just as they approached his building. She put them all to shame. Not just the way she looked… God, as if that wasn’t enough. His chest and groin tightened just looking at her in those tight white pants that looked like a second skin molding that perfect butt. Nice and round and firm. Made his palms itch to cup her to him. Feel her pearled breasts against his chest.
He forced himself to look away before his jeans got so damn tight his doorman would have to help him to the elevator. Anyway, it wasn’t just about the way she
looked that turned him on or that set her apart from the other women he knew. It was the way she carried herself with confidence and grace. And more. Much more. Something indefinable that only years of stellar breeding could have produced.
Maybe tonight she’d tell him about herself, about her family. His desire to know about her went beyond curiosity. She fascinated him, occupied his thoughts more than was healthy for him or his career.
He stopped when they got to his apartment building and greeted the new doorman who’d started last week, after Hector had retired and moved to Miami. Eric gestured for her to enter the lobby.
She blinked at him in surprise. “You live here?”
Nodding, he led her to the elevator.
“Nice.”
He smiled. “Too bad the lobby’s bigger than my entire apartment.”
“So is mine, but at least you have a doorman and an elevator.”
“You have a walk-up?”
“It is now. The elevator broke and they won’t repair it.”
“Wow!” He frowned at her. Surely she could afford something better.
“Why are you surprised? It’s great exercise. And certainly more affordable.”
The elevator door opened, they both stepped inside and he punched the button for the fifth floor. “But having a doorman is more secure.”
“True, but fortunately we haven’t had any problems.”
“We?”
She looked hesitant and his heart plummeted. “I have a roommate.”
“Ah.” He waited for her to drop the bomb.
“Her name’s Wendy.”
“Oh.” He didn’t even bother to hide his relief.
“Did you think—” She squinted at him. “I wouldn’t be here with you if I were living with someone or—heaven forbid—married.”
“Unfortunately not everyone shares your conviction. What do you have against marriage?”
“Nothing.”
They got to his apartment and he dug in his pocket for his keys. “That’s not what it sounded like.”
“I know, but I only meant that getting married is the ultimate commitment. Not something I would take lightly.” She shrugged, glanced briefly at him. “Nor is it on my ‘to do’ list. Not soon, anyway.”
“I understand.” That pretty much summed up his feelings, too. He opened the door. “Jeez, I hope it’s clean. I haven’t paid much attention lately,” he said with a perfectly straight face. “I have a woman who comes in once a week—unfortunately that isn’t until tomorrow.” That part was true.
Dallas walked in and looked around. “You don’t need her. This place is cleaner than mine.” She gave him a smile that suggested she knew he’d spent an hour picking up his crap and scrubbing the bathroom just before meeting her.
“I’m not here much. I work pretty long hours. Make yourself at home.”
“This is really nice.” She trailed her hand along the back of the tan Italian-leather couch he’d spent way too much money for. “Did you decorate it yourself?”
“No, not exactly. But I did pick out the furniture.” Ashley, a woman Judy had tried to fix him up with, had done most of the decorating. Not at his request. She’d insisted. He’d seen her occasionally for about three months. Great sex. Lousy conversation. Their split was mutual.
“I really like this.” Dallas crouched to study the oval glass coffee table with a black iron base that was supported by four wrought-iron legs in the shape of elephant tusks. “Very unusual.”
“Yeah, it grabbed me. Hey, about dinner—I’m sorry about the delay. But I have some mixed nuts, if you’re interested.” He stepped into the small kitchen where he kept several bottles of wine, a bottle of scotch, a can of nuts, a jar of peanut butter and little else.
A brown-and-cream-colored granite-top counter separated the living room from the kitchen. Since there was no dining room area, he’d meant to get a couple of bar stools so the counter could be used as a table—as it had probably been intended—but he hadn’t gotten around to it. He never entertained and rarely ate at home, except for maybe cheese and crackers while he sat in front of the television and watched a ball game.
“And wine. You like white, right?” He got out a bottle of chardonnay from the refrigerator. When he turned around, he found that she’d moved to the counter and, with her forearms resting on the granite, leaned toward him.
His mouth went dry and he exhaled slowly. Her neckline gaped enough to give him an excellent view of the tops of her breasts. He knew she wore a bra, but it had to be really low cut, because another inch and he’d be able to see the rosy crowns.
He realized he’d stared too long and he forced his gaze up to her face. She smiled. He cleared his throat and concentrated on opening the can of nuts.
“How did you and Jimmy Chun get to be such good friends?” she asked.
“We aren’t really. I’ve been getting takeout there for about two years. That’s all.”
Her eyebrows went up. “He apparently has a different perspective.”
“I did him a small favor and now he thinks—” Eric rubbed his jaw “—I don’t know what he thinks.”
“He thinks you’re The Man.”
“Knock it off or no wine for you.”
She laughed. “There’s definitely some hero-worship going on there. What did he mean about having so many customers because of you?”
“Nothing,” he mumbled and got down the wineglasses.
“Come on. Tell me.”
“Are you always this nosy?”
She paused for a moment, as if giving the matter serious thought, her lips pursed in a sexy pout. “No, but I am determined.” She shifted, giving him a better look down her blouse. “And you will tell me.”
He took a deep breath and looked away. “Uh, what were we talking about?”
She laughed and straightened, taking the bottle he’d abandoned and pouring her own wine. “You were about to tell me what you did for Jimmy.”
“Determined, you said. As in stubborn?”
“You got it.” She gave him a smile that could seduce every last secret out of him. “Are you having white, too?”
“Sure.”
She poured another glass of wine and handed it to him. Her fingers casually brushed his, and damn if his gut didn’t tighten. “I’m listening.”
He sighed and came around the counter to join her. After they’d both settled on the couch he said, “The place never seemed crowded. Even at peak lunch or dinner hour. And I knew firsthand the food was terrific. Then one day I overheard him talking to his daughter—the one who was at the register. He told her he was thinking of closing, that business just wasn’t good enough to stay open. She got all upset, and—” he shrugged, uncomfortable talking about this “—I guess I stuck my nose in it.”
Her head tilted slightly to the side, and listening intently, she sat facing him with one leg curled under her bottom. “And?”
He took a sip of his wine. “I’m in advertising. I drew up a simple and low-cost game plan to let people know about the place, designed some flyers and a reward system for referrals. The usual. It was nothing.”
Her smile lit up her eyes. “You’re a very nice man, you know that?”
“I’m telling you it was no big deal. To tell you the
truth, if I’d known he was going to act like this, I wouldn’t have done it.” He focused on his watch. “I can’t forget to call him.”
Uncomfortable with the conversation, he didn’t look up for a long time. She was making too big a thing out of this. What he’d done for Jimmy was remedial stuff he’d learned in college. It had been fun. Not like the work he did now, where the enormous pressure to please the client with his first pitch took all the pleasure out of his job.
“All right, we can change the subject,” she said, running the toe of her shoe up his calf and taking a sip of her wine, her gaze fastened on him over the rim.
He smiled, set his glass on the coffee table, and then took hers out of her hand. “Come here.”
Her lips curved, and she lifted her chin in challenge. “What do you want with me?”
“I’ll show you.” He wove a hand through her hair, cupping her scalp, and drew her toward him.
Just as their lips met, the phone rang. Eric ignored it but Dallas leaned back.
“Forget it,” he whispered. “I’m not expecting a call.” He tried to bring her back to him but she resisted.
“Could it be Jimmy? Does he have your number?”
“If it is, he can leave a message.”
“Eric…”
He sighed. The mood had obviously disintegrated so he got to his feet. Before he reached the phone, he heard Jimmy’s voice leaving a message on the answering machine. Eric muttered a word he shouldn’t have and then picked up the phone.
Dallas watched him pace as he spoke to Jimmy. Even though he was obviously frustrated, his tone never revealed his annoyance. After a brief conversation he hung up and returned to the couch.
He shook his head. “He’s delivering dinner.”
She laughed. “You have a fan. Get over it.”
“Remind me never to do any more good deeds.” Sighing, he checked his watch. “He’ll be here in ten minutes.” He trailed a knuckle along her jaw and then tipped her chin up, brushed his lips across hers. “Any suggestions on how we should use the time?”
“You have Scrabble?”
“Funny.”
“I—”
He didn’t let her finish but pressed his advantage, slipping his tongue through her parted lips. She sort of fell against him, as if he’d just sucked all the energy out of her. Even if she wanted to refuse him, she couldn’t muster the strength to pull away.
Not that she had any intention of retreating. The same musky masculine scent that had taunted her last night filled her every pore. His hand swept down her back, lingered at her waist, cupped the swell of her butt. His touch drugged her. Made her feel helpless. Made her want more.
“Take off your blouse,” he whispered as he worked his hand beneath the fabric, his warm palm pressed against her skin, his strong fingers trailing up the muscle on either side of her spine.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Jimmy?”
He smiled against her mouth. “You’re into three-somes?”
Laughing, she leaned back to glare at him. “You know what I mean.”
Eric chuckled and then fell back against the couch and groaned. “Damn that Jimmy.”
She placed a hand on his thigh and squeezed a little. “Poor baby.”
One of his eyebrows went up. “An inch higher and I’ll let Jimmy wait in the lobby all night.”
“And what about dinner?”
He looked horrified. “You mean we have to eat first?”
Dallas laughed. “First? Did you have something else in mind?”
His mouth curved in a predatory smile. He caught her arm before she could pull away. “I have lots of things in mind. Want to hear about them?”
She shivered and moistened her suddenly parched lips.
He drew her toward him, leaning forward at the same time. “Or would you rather I show you?”
A buzzing sound startled them.
Eric glanced apologetically at her. “Was that ten minutes? That was not ten minutes,” he muttered as he got up and went to the door.
On the right was a small silver panel. He depressed a black button and the doorman’s voice came through telling him he had a delivery. Eric spoke into the speaker and told him to let Jimmy come up.
Dallas checked her blouse, smoothed back her hair with a shaky hand and in general made sure there were
no telltale signs of their fooling around. She didn’t expect Eric would allow Jimmy to stay long. Which would be a very good thing. Her insides hadn’t quit tingling. If Eric wanted to skip dinner and resume where they’d left off, that was more than okay with her.
He hovered near the door, with it slightly ajar, waiting for Jimmy. She thought she heard the elevator ding, and then Eric reached into his pocket and brought out some money, reminding her this was supposed to be her turn to buy dinner.
“Hey, I’m getting that,” she said and pushed off the couch, looking around for where she’d dropped her purse.
“Please, one argument at a time.”
“What?” She had no idea what he was talking about, and then Jimmy showed up at the door, carrying a bag of food big enough to feed five people.
She understood as soon as Eric tried to give him the money.
“No, my friend, this is a gift.” Jimmy grinned and tried to shove the bag into Eric’s arms.
“No way.” Eric stepped back, his arms rigidly at his side. “Either I pay for this or you take it back.”
Jimmy shook his head, a hurt yet stubborn expression on his face.
Eric stuffed some bills in the man’s breast pocket. “Take it, okay, Jimmy? Please.” Then Eric took the bag from him, cradled it in his left arm and extended his right hand to Jimmy. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
Jimmy smiled and stepped back. “Okay,” he said and left.
Tom had told her Eric was a rising star with Webber and Thornton Advertising. At the time she’d thought it might be an exaggeration to peak her interest, a ploy to get her to the company party. But she’d heard enough from the other guests Saturday night to make her a believer.
She leaned a hip against the counter beside him. “Mmm, smells divine.”
He took a couple of white cartons out of the bag and read the black writing on the side. He set them aside and brought out three more cartons.