A Game of Secrets, page 7
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
Reign shook her head. “I swear, my brothers and that Eddington Edge energy. I’ve seen it in action but I tell them it’s bullshit unless there’s a way that magnetism can be packaged and sold.”
“Figure out a way and you’ll become trillionaires.”
“And Jake will finally be known for something other than running his big fat mouth!”
Sasha loved hanging out with Reign, who as much as she teased, truly loved her brother. Her choice for lunch had been spot-on. The Tasty Vegan’s dishes lived up to the name. Sasha also appreciated how Reign handled the discussion about Jake. Honest in the way a friend would be. Selective in what she shared as a sister should be. Once entrées arrived, the topics steered away from her lover. By the time the check arrived, Sasha had made a decision. She had to come clean with Jake. Tell him everything. About that night at the HalloMask party. How their paths had crossed, and what happened next. What she’d wanted to keep secret but couldn’t. She was the tiger he wanted to tame.
Eight
“Yo, man. Where are you? Because your mind’s not here.”
Jake looked over at his client and forced himself away from the text Reign had just sent, one that magnified thoughts that for days had wavered between Sasha McDowell and the HalloMask mystery lover. That he was attracted to his business colleague’s off-limits girlfriend was bad enough. She’d said the engagement was off, but he couldn’t be sure. Couples went on-again, off-again all the time. That he hadn’t yet uncovered the tigress’s identity was even more frustrating. That didn’t mean the search was over. He was more motivated than ever to find her. Even if Sasha officially ended her relationship, he wouldn’t feel comfortable throwing his hat in the proverbial ring. He was on the verge of launching a consulting firm independent of Eddington Enterprise, possibly with Linc. No, now wasn’t the time for a train of thought that could lead nowhere. His interest lay with the tigress, not Sasha. It took effort but he returned his focus to the client sitting next to him at a private strip club.
“Sorry, Michael. What did you say?”
Michael stretched a pair of thick, heavily muscled legs into the cozy room’s dollar-strewn aisle and gave Jake a speculative eye.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Because the finest dancer in here just passed by buck naked, and your eyes never left your cell phone. You never looked up.”
Jake shrugged. “I told you before we came here. Strip clubs aren’t my thing.”
“And I told you they served the best steaks in the state.”
“Then I say we place our orders and get on with this meeting.”
“We’re waiting on Levi, remember? Your soon-to-be client if all goes well, and the reason you’re here?”
Jake checked his watch. “You told him six o’clock, right?”
“Yes, and it’s only six fifteen. Being late is fashionable for guys like us. Besides, the night is young and the scenery is amazing. What’s the rush?”
“I’ve got a nine o’clock flight that I don’t intend to miss.”
Michael produced a slow grin. “Ah, a hot date.”
“Something like that. Send him a text and see if you can get an ETA.”
Just then a giant of a man cast a shadow across the table. This time Jake did look up. He stood and after being introduced, shook the ginormous hand of Levi Williams, the number-one linebacker in professional football. He was also Michael’s teammate and good friend. Since Levi was immediately recognized, two dancers came over to offer private performances. Levi delayed a lap dance. Michael passed. Jake returned to scrolling social media on his phone. Body Language was a high-end club, a popular spot for the rich and famous, where six-and seven-figure deals regularly went down over dinner or lunch. It was also a place that, when in town, many of Jake’s clients frequented. The type of establishment that once upon a time, Jake had enjoyed. Tonight, he couldn’t get into it. The meeting hadn’t even started and already felt long. Still, he put on an air of professionalism, turned on the charisma and engaged in the small talk required to assuage huge egos and secure million-dollar portfolios. After ordering a round of beers and the famous porterhouses the club was known for, the men got down to business. Two hours later, Jake left with a satisfied stomach, a check for two million dollars and the trust of a young, talented football player determined to not retire from the game a millionaire and then be broke in less than five years.
The plane was delayed. It was almost midnight when Jake arrived back in Chicago. For regular folk, it might have meant the night was over. For movers and shakers like Jake, it was just getting started. He wouldn’t miss Trenton’s party. Not just because the baller was dating his sister, but because Reign had texted that Sasha would be there. He jumped in his car and headed straight for Trenton’s party, breaking a few laws to reach his destination in record time. Once at the rather nondescript building, he pulled his pearl-white Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible to the curb next to a waiting valet, strolled through the lobby of a boutique hotel and took the elevator to Suite 21, the penthouse turned private club that Trenton and a couple of his pro athlete friends owned. The elevator opened to a round foyer with short hallways in three directions and two intimidating bodyguards flanking the main entrance.
“Hey, Jake!” one of them greeted.
“There’s the man,” the other one said, as the men exchanged daps and shoulder bumps. “Your sister was looking for you.”
“Thanks.”
He walked down the short hall into the main room. The scene that greeted him was typical of a crowd surrounding sports stars—beautiful women, many scantily clad, and men wearing enough platinum and diamonds to equal a small country’s GNP. Conversely, Jake’s dress was understated. Black brushed jeans and a Boss turtleneck, a slim-line Rolex his only jewelry. A hip-hop beat pulsated beneath his feet as he gave head nods and shoulder bumps to men he knew. A brief hug or kiss on the cheek to the women. All while his eyes scanned the crowd for the face that often morphed with that of the still elusive and as-yet-unknown tigress from Halloween. He walked. And searched. And then he saw her. Perched on a bar stool. Surrounded by vultures. The very type of men he’d been tasked to help her avoid. Sasha may or may not have been a damsel in distress who needed saving, but he decided to make like a knight and be her shining armor anyway.
“Excuse me,” he said, to the first back he encountered, one that belonged to a basketball player with seven more inches than the seventy-two Jake possessed.
“What’s up, Jake?” There was a smile in the young man’s voice. A quick nod acknowledged the star player’s greeting. The question would have to wait. The brief exchange served its purpose. The men’s attention was temporarily diverted from Sasha, the obvious object of their affection, and placed on to the mastermind finance guy that all of them knew. They parted as though Jake were Moses about to take a dip in the Red Sea.
Jake walked directly up to Sasha. He was not smiling.
“Hello.”
“Hi,” Sasha replied, with a huge grin.
“Do you have a moment? We need to talk.”
His calm, brusque delivery removed the smile from her face. “What about?”
Jake looked around the room. All the booths and tables were full. Finding privacy would be difficult, but not impossible. “It’s important.”
She hesitated, and for a moment Jake thought she might refuse. After a few seconds she placed one and then the other cutely booted ankle on the floor before sliding off the chair. Jake tried not to be moved by the way the soft yellow furry sweater dress she wore, conservative compared to the dress of others, clung to an hourglass body and highlighted smooth flawless skin. He placed a steadying—some might say possessive—hand beneath her elbow and guided her through a throng of expressions that ranged from admiring to envious.
“You look very nice tonight,” he murmured, while waving to a client on the other side of the room.
“Thank you.”
They reached the hallway leading to the foyer.
“Where are we going?”
“Away from this crowd, where we can talk without shouting.”
She followed him out and remained quiet until they crossed the foyer and stepped into the hallway with doors on either side. He checked them. All locked.
“What are you doing?”
It was a question that Jake needed to ask himself. When he’d seen Sasha surrounded by all that talented, wealthy testosterone, all he’d wanted to do was pull her away. He couldn’t convey all of that. Instead, he leaned against the wall, casually crossed his arms and observed her.
“Okay, we’re away from everybody.” Sasha’s expression went from frowning to flirty. Jake wasn’t sure which one caused more discomfort.
She stepped dangerously close to his personal space. One more step and she’d be in it. Two, and they could slow dance or kiss. He preferred the latter.
“I can hear you.”
His eyes narrowed. Something about her actions felt familiar. The masked face of the tigress swam into view. He focused on Sasha, her eyes, her lips. The smooth expanse of skin exposed by the tilt of her head. Could it be? No. Wasn’t possible. He’d asked her outright. She’d denied it. She had not attended the HalloMask party. The other night at the diner, the longest time they’d spent together, Sasha had been nice but never flirty. Even when he’d hugged her at Val’s door, her response had been subdued. Clearly, the mystery temptress was driving him wild. That’s the only reason Sasha could be reminding him so much of her right now.
“What’s this about?”
He came off the wall to put distance between them. “Quite an audience you had in there.”
Sasha shrugged. “Crazy how that happens at parties. You know, people gathering and talking and stuff.”
“You don’t want to give these guys too much attention.”
Sasha’s flirty manner changed. She crossed her arms in a huff. “Look, you’re not my bodyguard. I thought I left that kind of scrutiny in DC.”
“I told Linc I’d look out for you. And your brother. Just trying to be a man of my word.”
“I’m not a kid. I don’t need watching.”
“Maybe not. But I know those guys. A few of them are my clients. You’re just the type of beautiful woman they like.”
“Jake, what’s your point?”
“I just know how smooth these guys can be. I don’t want you to be fooled.”
“Your sister is dating an athlete. Is this what you told her?”
“I tried. She wouldn’t listen.”
“Sounds like a grown woman who has her own mind.” Sasha’s expression softened. “I appreciate that you’re concerned about me. But really, I can take care of myself. I need this time to be able to relax and just be, just live, without the feeling of being monitored. Or judged. I just want to have fun, nothing serious. Nothing that comes with drama. Not that any of that is your business.”
Sasha playfully sidled up against him. “You don’t have to worry about anything concerning me, okay?”
That sexy smile was back. Dammit. And something else. The same kind of spunkiness his tigress displayed. The question was asked through similarly pouty lips. Ones that looked like they’d be better served kissing than talking. Like the tigress. He looked pointedly at her bare ring finger to be distracted from his mind’s sensual musings and at the same time remind himself that even if her relationship ended with Linc, Jake couldn’t date her. Not if the two men formed a business partnership. Casual acquaintances, maybe good friends, were all he and Sasha could ever be.
“Forgot your ring again, like you’ve forgotten you’re engaged?”
Sasha gave off an impatient huff. “I told you. That’s over.”
“The secret breakup that aside from me, nobody knows about.”
“Lincoln knows. That’s the main point. And your sister.”
“Maeve or Reign?”
“Reign. I don’t know Maeve.”
“You told her?”
Sasha nodded. “During one of our lunches.”
The news pleased Jake, but it still didn’t mean Sasha’s actions weren’t irresponsible. His growing feelings for her were inconvenient at best.
“That’s all well and good but the breakup hasn’t been made public. Which means if a photo of you schmoozing with a roomful of athletes got splashed across social media, it would send the wrong message. Your family would be embarrassed and to the public, Linc would look like a fool.”
Sasha came toward him, stopping just inches away. “Is that why you brought me out here? To talk about my ex?”
It was a fair question. Standing here now, with her looking up at him through almond-shaped eyes framed with long lashes, her lips curved into a mischievous smile and one hand on a curvy hip, he couldn’t quite remember why they were standing in the hallway instead of enjoying the festivities going on inside. At the same time, it seemed foolish to waste the moment. Why stand here talking when those cushiony lips were so close, when the cologne she wore wrapped around them like a warm breeze?
Someone else had the same idea. Before Jake could think or blink, Sasha had placed her hands on his chest, leaned into him and connected her lips with his. He closed his eyes and groaned, inwardly trying to fight the inevitable even as instinct took over. Remaining still, he allowed himself to savor the feel of her softness, noted how her breasts pressed up against him. His arms tingled with the desire to wrap themselves around her. He refrained. She swiped his lips with a timid tongue, then eased her arms around his neck as her mouth opened more fully, demanding a response. Warning bells and something else indefinable flashed in his mind. The tigress’s naked body flashed across his mental screen just before he shut the thought down completely and opened his mouth to receive the gift Sasha offered.
It was like a match had been lit as a furtive meeting of pliable flesh quickly turned into a sensual dance of oral orchestration. Their tongues swirled and pressed against each other, easily, effortlessly, as though this was not the first time. Of their own accord, Jake’s hands came up to grasp her arms before sliding beyond them to cup a fluffy round booty that felt even softer encased in cashmere. She moaned and shifted her head, outlined his lips with her tongue before diving back in to continue the duel. Jake slid a hand from her butt to her waist, his destination being the nipple he felt hardening against his sweater. He was almost there, had just palmed what he suspected was a nice C-cup, when a nearby burst of laughter shattered the lust-induced veil. He placed a hand on each of her shoulders, and set her gently yet determinedly away.
This woman kisses like the tigress. Feels like the woman who made sweet love. Except that was simply not possible. It couldn’t have happened. Sasha and that frisky feline couldn’t be the same girl.
“What are you doing?” The question came out harsher than intended. Given how her flushed skin and kiss-swollen lips made his dick jump, it was the best he could do.
Sasha seemed shaken as well. Her breasts rose and fell, riding the deep breaths she took. “I’m sorry.”
She no longer reminded him of the bold tigress who’d enticed him into a room. She sounded like the vulnerable, shy, inexperienced girl Linc warned him about and her brothers protected.
“Are you trying to drive me crazy?”
“I don’t know what came over me. It just...happened.”
“Are you going to blame it on the alcohol?”
“I would if I’d been drinking.”
“You haven’t?”
She shook her head. “Reign offered a car service, but I drove myself over. And I never drink and drive.”
Jake closed his eyes briefly, worked to slow the rhythm of his breathing even as he determined to lighten the moment.
“Are you saying the intoxication is from merely being in my presence?” The question came with a smirk of a smile.
“Absolutely!”
He tried to hold a neutral expression but couldn’t. They both broke out in relieved laughter.
“Come on. Let’s get back to the party. But know I’m going to be keeping an eye on you. We don’t want anything like what took place just now to happen with any other hardhead in the room.”
He reached for her hand as though it was the most natural thing to do. They turned the corner. She slid her hand out of his and wrapped an arm around his waist. He eased an arm around her shoulder and gave it an affectionate squeeze. Just as they reached the foyer, the elevator opened. They continued into the hallway leading into the main room, paying no attention to the partygoers coming from outside. Before reaching the end of the hallway, they disengaged. But not before Jake again reached for her hand and kissed it...just because.
“Sasha?”
Jake slowed to turn but Sasha hissed, “Keep walking.”
They entered the main room. Sasha moved as though the devil was nipping at her heels. Even with a good six to seven inches on her in height, Jake had to lengthen his stride just to keep up. He opened his mouth to ask where the fire was when the answer came from behind him.
“Sasha! Wait!”
Jake watched Sasha’s face drop for a second, pasting on a half smile before turning around.
“Hey, girl! I thought that was you.”
When Sasha didn’t immediately respond, she continued. “It’s Chrissie! Chrissie Moore. I know it’s been a minute but you couldn’t have forgotten me. Kentucky Derby, two years ago. Hat so big it could have doubled for a beach shade?”
Finally, Sasha smiled. “Chrissie, hi.”
She leaned in to accept the hug Chrissie offered and added, “What are you doing here?”
Chrissie looked from Jake to Sasha. Her demeanor dimmed a bit. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“I’m helping my godmother with a holiday event. What about you?”
