Time Changes Everything (9 page)

Amanda blinked and looked around. Jake stood with a younger woman and two older men, most likely partners. They were in a heated discussion.

Ryan followed her gaze. “That’s Jake’s newest client, Aleksandra Ivanovich, and her father. She’s had some issues with an advertisement from Adidas.” 

“I think I’ve seen her play.”

Ryan stood and held out his hand. “Shall we?”

Amanda took Ryan’s hand and he led her to the dance floor. She could do one dance with someone else.

Ryan held Amanda close, while she glanced in Jake’s direction.

Ryan cleared his throat. “You knew Jake way back when, huh?”

“I sure did.”

Ryan smirked. “Sweet. Then I guess you know he has a thing for you now, then.”

A thing? What did that mean? 

Amanda looked for Jake, but he wasn’t there. Then, he appeared from the other corner of the room, with Charisse. She looked smug and they were heading to the dance floor. Fury gripped Amanda.  

Once Jake and Charisse danced next to her and Ryan, Jake leaned down and whispered at her, “Let’s amuse these two. Then we’ll go discuss those surprises you informed me about.”

Ryan raised his eyebrows and whispered. “It’s just one dance.”

Jake pointed at them. “Just keep your hands in the safety zone. I’m watching.”

Ryan laughed and tried to steer Amanda away, but she forced him to stay put by taking the lead. No way would she let Jake and Charisse out of her sight.

“See what I mean.” Ryan smiled.

She liked the possessive Jake and she couldn’t wait to be close to him like this.

She looked over. His jaw clenched and he stopped dancing. He said something to Charisse, but Amanda didn’t hear. Whatever he said, Charisse didn’t take the hint and tried to move closer to him, jutting her breasts against his chest.

Amanda asked, “Is Charisse your girlfriend?”

Ryan laughed. “Hell no. We both just needed a date. She’s too pushy for me.”

Amanda nodded in Jake’s direction. “I can see that.”

Ryan looked at Charisse. She was grinding against Jake while he stood with his arms crossed in front of him.

An awkwardness swept around the dance floor as curses fell from Ryan’s mouth. “Hold on a second.” Ryan led Amanda over to Jake and Charisse, grabbed Charisse’s arm and dragged her away. Charisse glowered at Amanda as if she caused the breakup of their dance.

Jake circled his arms around Amanda. “That was awkward.” He pulled her away to another corner of the dance floor.

“Charisse is a maniac. Do you have to see her every day?” Amanda frowned.

Jake shook his head. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

As the music drummed out the last notes, another slow song began. “Forget them. Let’s dance.” He pulled her closer. “And think about good surprises.”

Jake tucked her head in the perfect crook under his chin. Her heart fluttered wildly in her chest and she almost forgot about the little incident with Charisse and how it made her feel like a lovesick adolescent.

They swayed together to the rhythm of the song.

Everyone and everything around them disappeared as Jake’s breath whispered in her ear. “This really hasn’t gone as planned. Mr. Grimes wants to talk business and I only want to spend my time with you.”

“Now you can.” Amanda looked up into his eyes and smiled.

He held the small of her back with one hand and twirled her around.

“Remember when we danced at my homecoming seven years ago? All the girls envied that you were my date. And I was glad your date bailed. It gave me a chance to finally take you out. Plus, there was that kiss afterwards...” He let out a whistle, “it was well worth it.”

“The good ol’ days.” Amanda swayed to the music.

“How about the time – I think I was ten – our parents made us dance at the families’ Christmas gathering.” Jake smiled down at her. “In front of everyone.”

“How could I forget? We were both so mortified. We didn’t even want to touch each other.”

Jake pressed his cheek into hers. “But we certainly aren’t mortified now, are we?”

Perfect.

There were no words. To hell with reason. To hell with sanity.

Jake pulled himself away a little and looked down at her. He raised his eyebrows and glanced at her suggestively, a half smile revealing a dimple in his cheek. What question did he ask with his eyes?

She attempted to change the subject.  “Do you usually do this with your dates?”

“You’re special. With other women, I have no past. With you I do.” He lightly touched a loose tendril of hair. “We know each other already. We know our interests, our families, our habits. We’ve even kissed before – several times.” The smile in his eyes held a sensuous flame. “It’s a good thing, don’t you think?” Jake let go of her hair. His fingers caressed her face.  “Somehow, you managed to change into this beautiful, sophisticated woman, and at the same time, you’re still my Mandy.”

Amanda’s heart skipped a beat. She lived in a dream. Either he really knew how to charm women, or there was an ounce of honesty in his feelings.

“Jake, I–”

“Hey, you two, the music stopped.” Ryan interrupted them.

They looked around baffled. A few couples smiled in their direction. Amanda’s cheeks burned.

“And Santa’s coming if you want to ask for your Christmas present.” Ryan nudged Jake in the ribs.

“I think my gift’s come early this year.” Jake didn’t take his eyes off Amanda. “Come on. Let’s finish this outside.”

Jake grasped her hand and escorted her toward the doors that led to the deck. His pace quickened, as if he couldn’t wait to continue where they’d left off. But they were cut off again, this time by a pretty blonde who could barely stand. Jake’s eyebrows shot up in surprise when the woman stepped in front of him, but he held Amanda’s hand tighter.

“Jakey, you didn’t say hi and you’re leaving already?” The blonde leaned into him and Amanda could smell the liquor on her.

“Amanda, this is Jeannie.”

“So, you’re Jake’s date?” She turned away not waiting for an answer. “I thought we’d dance again, Jakey. Like last time.”

Jake’s mouth dipped into an even deeper frown. “Who’d you come with?”

Jeannie patted Jake’s chest and smirked at Amanda. “I knew Jake in Dallas. You’re in for a good time tonight.”

“Jeannie, you’re drunk. We need to find your date.” He shrugged. “Be right back, Mandy. Stay right there.” He left her with the bimbo.

Another one of his groupies. And apparently, this girl thought Amanda was just like her -- about to have a one-night stand. What scared Amanda most was she actually would have gone through with it. Then, this walking example of what she could become brought her to her senses. She didn’t like it. It made her sick to think she just about became another notch on his bedpost.

Her ears were ringing as Jake looked around for Jeannie’s escort.

He knew how to charm a lady, and he’d pulled one over her eyes fast. Something amazing happened all right.  She’d turned into a little naïve, pathetic teenager again. This little charade had to end.

Nevertheless, when she looked at his concern and determination to find this woman’s date, tenderness entered her heart. Her mind burned with the memory of how he’d stood up for her all
those years ago. Her thoughts filtered back to the day he’d beaten up the guy who’d stood her up for Homecoming.

She swallowed hard, her head spinning. She wanted him; she didn’t want him. Uncertainties overwhelmed her to a point that she stepped outside to get away.  Once she stood on the deck, she tried to let the air wake her senses more. She had no idea what she would do.

Jake hurried to her side, a little breathless. “Sorry about that. She’s a bit drunk.”

“I could tell.” Amanda replied.

“Jeannie only–”

She held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it, Jake.”

“Can we ignore what happened?” Jake leaned toward Amanda with his hands in his pockets.

“Easy for you to say.” She hated the feelings she had. The harder she tried to resist him, the more attracted she became.

“We all have a past, Mandy.” He leaned back against the railing. “It sucked meeting that Dominic guy, too.”

“You’re right. I know you’re right, but it’s all too weird.” Her heart hammered like a drum.

“Even though we grew up together, there’s still a past we don’t know about each other.” Jake wrapped his arm around her waist and she let her denial drift away – she was falling for him.

She needed to get her thoughts together.

Jake wouldn’t commit himself to her -- or anyone for that matter. He never did. And she needed commitment.

Besides, she couldn’t be involved with someone and have her dream job. She’d invested too many long hours to join Denalo’s team. Jake was a distraction.

Even with her reasons, she recognized needs that surfaced in the past month - a need to have Jake in her life, and more than an old friend. His attention had flattered her at first, but she sensed a genuine desire from him. His kisses were real. Even if he was a charmer, he kissed her like he meant it.

Now, with Jake standing next to her, not saying anything, she realized that she wanted him. Even with old girlfriends appearing around every corner. She still wanted him.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Perhaps she could settle for one night, maybe two -- or a week -- however long he usually dated a woman. Enjoying him in a more intimate way was worth the risk -- even if it was only for a little while.

His gentle voice interrupted her thoughts. “Look, there’s the Statue of Liberty.” He hurtled her back to earth as reality struck. “Amanda, you’re not saying anything. Are you all right?”

She let a smile form on her lips. “I’m fine. The Statue is beautiful at night. All lit up.”

“Not as beautiful as you,” he said.

She floated on top of the water, no boat in between, just her and the river.  Jake’s eyes filled with a hopeful glint. “In fact, you’re going to have to leave soon. You’re making the other women look bad.”

Amanda shook her head with laughter. “Which one? Jeannie or Charisse?”

“Forget them.” Jake held onto Amanda’s hands. “What are we going to do?”

Amanda shrugged. “We could dance again, or walk around the veranda. It looks like the pier is close anyway and I’m tired.”

“Let’s dance.”

Bad idea. Then she’d be in his arms again. “All right. Let’s go in.”

“No. Right here.”

Amanda let out a little laugh. “Here on the deck?”

He grabbed her waist and pulled her to his chest. “Here on the deck. We can still hear the music.”

She barely heard it over her heartbeat. One night could be amazing. She could deal with one night.

“This feels so right.” Jake gently rocked her back and forth.

He always knew the right thing to say, probably from all his playboying around. Nope. Not going to let it happen. She was not a one-time woman.

Amanda stopped dancing and moved away from Jake.

He stepped closer. “What happened?”

Amanda shook her head. “The pier is coming up. We should get our coats.”

She left Jake on the deck, in the darkness, as the music stopped and the ship slowed to her port.

AMANDA GRABBED THE DOOR
handle before the car stopped. She wanted to get inside the safety of her apartment, before she threw herself at Jake.

“Just a minute.” He leaned over and stopped her from opening the door.

Amanda sighed and looked at him. If she sat with him for another minute, she’d give in to the demands of her libido.

“This isn’t how I want our night to end. What’s wrong?”

“Thanks for the evening. You work with some interesting people.” Play it safe, Amanda. Pull a Nancy Drew, say goodnight and get out of there.

He turned her hand in his and rubbed her palm. “I thought we had something good going on back there.”

“Me too, but I changed my mind.” Amanda pulled her hand from his and stared out the window. She’d been having a good time – maybe too good – but that was before Jessica Rabbit and Bimbo Number Two appeared on the scene.

Jake sighed. “Wait. I’ll get your door.” He got out and ran to her side of the car. As he opened the door for her, he held out his hand.

Amanda ignored him as she got out. I can’t look at him. If I look at him, I’ll melt into his stare. Get out, say goodnight and go home. As the car door closed, she turned and he leaned against the shiny, black fender with his hands in his pockets.

Jake lowered his gaze in confusion. “I hope you had a good time tonight, even though you’re acting like you didn’t.”

Amanda crossed her arms in front of her chest.