A Betting Man (3 page)

“I can meet you wherever you want?”

Kent shook his head slowly. “What do
you
want to do?”

I rubbed my hands together as the devil on my shoulder reared his ugly head. It was December in New York and I had a feeling Kent Samson had never been out anywhere that didn’t have champagne and caviar. Time to see if Kent meant business or was just fucking about.

“Ice skating,” I said with a smile.

“Ice skating?”

“Yep.”

“Okayyy,” Kent drawled.

Did I detect a hint of country in that ‘okay’? I’d been in New York and around the tourists long enough to know a Kentucky drawl from an Alabama one… and Kent Samson sounded like Alabama. He seemed to notice his mistake and coughed lightly into his hand.

“So, the Center, seven,” he affirmed.

“You really want to do this, huh? What, did you lose some bet?” Kent stiffened at those words and looked uncomfortable. I narrowed my eyes at him again.

“Hell no, I don’t lose at anything,” Kent snorted. “I look forward to tonight, Terry.”

“Uh huh. Me, too.”

I watched him cross the street and merge with the thousand other New Yorkers walking back to work. My day went by fast after that. I dropped off the rest of the packages and got back to the office by four. I signed out before Spencer could ask me any questions. I knew what he’d say if I told him Kent Samson had asked me out, because it was the same thing I was thinking.

Why me?

Ice skating? How the hell would I pull that one off? I didn’t even know how to roller skate.

Blaine was otherwise engaged when I got back, so I didn’t have to deal with him.

Which was good.

I had spent all morning trying to figure out how I was going to accidentally bump into Terry and then I accidentally
actually did
. What were the odds we’d both be out for a Gray’s hotdog at the same time? And ate the same one? I sat back at my desk and closed my eyes, thinking about the run-in. Terry had been wearing a blue shirt and low rise jeans with the same jacket from the day before. For some reason, flannel gave me a hard-on. God knows why, maybe it reminded me of lumberjacks? (Did I secretly lust after lumberjacks?) Porsche had looked at me like I was crazy when I gave her flannel pajamas once.

I snickered.

Terry’s blue eyes had looked at me in a way that made my hands sweat. This was new to me. Even when I had kissed Blaine I hadn’t felt anything, but just looking at Terry made me…I don’t know? Off balance? His lips looked soft and inviting.

I moaned and rubbed my face with my palms. How the hell was I going to get through tonight? I’m good at just about everything—tennis, squash, football, soccer… but ice skating? I never learned.

I grew up in the South where the grass is green in December and the whole damn state shuts down if a light dusting of snow hits, which rarely happens. Obviously Terry knew how to ice skate. Maybe I had time for a quick lesson?

My phone beeped, alerting me to a visitor. I hit the speaker button and leaned forward in my chair.

“Yes?”

“Porsche Montclair is here to see you,” Anna practically sang cheerfully.

Oh, shit. “Send her in.”

I steeled myself for the conversation I didn’t want to have. Porsche sashayed into my office, mink coat draped just so, and the smell of ‘Unforgiven’ in the air. Her tits were straining the blouse she wore and I licked my lips thinking about having them in my mouth.

Focus, Kent.

“You didn’t call me last night,” she pouted.

“Oh, baby,” I cringed using the word. “I was so tired.”

Porsche sat down in the chair in front of my desk and spread her legs for a brief second and I tried to hide my surprise. Her black pubes flashed me before she crossed her legs; I looked at her blonde hair and tried to keep the smile off my face. No wonder she always wanted to have sex with the lights off.

“Well, can we go out tonight? I’m bored,” Porsche whined.

“Well, you see… I can’t. I kind of have a date tonight.” Porsche’s eyes almost shot out of her head. I decided to keep talking before her nails-on-a-chalkboard voice sliced my brain in half.

“It’s been fun, sweetie, but you know how I am. I’m not the marrying type and I don’t do girlfriends. We talked about this, remember?” As I spoke, I sent a text to Anna that simply said ‘911.’

“But, I’m Porsche Montclair!”

She knew her name? Wow, I wondered if she knew how to spell it, too?

“Yes, you are. Which means you could have any man you want.” Yeah, right—if they didn’t expect a brain and could deal with a high-pitched squeal. A knock sounded on my door and I put my hand up to stop Porsche’s next words.

“Come in.”

Anna strolled in, files in hand, and smiled at me.

“Mr. Samson, I have a client ready for you in the boardroom.”

I looked at my watch and frowned. “Is it that time already?”

“Yes, sir.”

“But we weren’t done!” Porsche screeched.

I saw Anna put her hand to her ear and mouth ‘Ow.’ I had to agree. I was almost home free when Blaine strolled into my office. He looked from me to Porsche to Anna and grinned.

“What did I miss?” Blaine asked.

“I’m headed out; I have a meeting with that new client?” I raised a brow at Blaine.

“New…? Oh! Oh yes, that new client.” Blaine turned to Porsche and put his arm out. “Would you like to accompany me out to dinner at the Four Seasons, Porsche? I’m sure Kent will be quite busy.”

I kept my face stoic as Porsche’s eyes lit up at the thought of dinner in a fancy restaurant. It didn’t hurt that Blaine was her escort. He’d made a name for himself just like I had.

“You two go on now.” I shooed them out of my office and looked over my shoulder at Anna. “Thank you,
so
much.”

“So I take it Porsche is no more?” Anna grinned.

I nodded.

“Well, I have to say, boss, you deserve someone better than her. If I may speak freely?”

I nodded again and Anna’s cheeks reddened.

“Just what do I need?” I asked.

Anna’s smile dimmed and I raised an eyebrow at her.

“You need someone who will be with you
for you
, not the man you pretend to be.”

I sat on my desk and crossed my arms.

“Who am I?”

Anna crossed the room and looked at a picture of me in Paris. I was standing in front of the Eiffel Tower with a huge smile on my face. It was the first time I’d ever been there.

“This is you: all wide-eyed and wondrous like you’re seeing something for the first time and you can appreciate the beauty of it.”

Anna straightened her skirt and coughed quietly.

“I’ll just go now. Unless you need anything else?”

“Nope, I’m good,” I said with a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. Because she was right
. That
Kent Samson was seeing things for the first time. Life was no bed of roses and it wasn’t a given either. You had to work hard to stay on top and knock down those trying to topple you.

“Have a good night, Anna.”

* * * *

I couldn’t decide what to wear and, in the end, picked my favorite faded jeans and a grey sweater. I wrapped one of my favorite matching scarves around my neck and headed out to Rockefeller Center. Traffic was still bustling as people were heading home from the long workday. The cool breeze caressed my cheek and I almost forgot where I was until I got a mouthful of exhaust from a passing car.

I smiled as I saw Terry standing out front, shifting from one foot to the other. His arms were wrapped around himself and he had a wool cap on his head. He looked cute.

“Hey,” I said as I approached him. Was that surprise on his face?

“Hey. I didn’t think you’d come.”

Yep, it was surprise.

“Why would you say that?”

Terry looked at me shyly. Damn, he had cute dimples.

“Well, you don’t strike me as the ice skating type.”

“I can learn; I’m athletic,” I said, flexing a bicep. Terry’s already pink cheeks tinged slightly more red as he looked at the bulging muscle in my arm.

“Well, then. Shall we?” Terry said, motioning to the rink.

Did I detect a hint of an English accent? I studied Terry’s face. Damn, but he really was adorable. I wondered how old he was. I snapped out of my thoughts and followed him inside.

Terry helped me with my ice skates and we hit the ice. Literally. I mean I took him down with me within seconds. Terry laughed and got back on his feet, extending a hand to me.

“Oh, my. Seems you do need help,” Terry chuckled.

I blushed and looked away. I was good at everything, dammit. I could do this. I waved his hand away and managed to roll over onto my knees and get up that way. I stood up and put my hands out to my sides to get my balance.

“Ha! There!” I laughed triumphantly.

And then promptly fell on my ass.

Terry chuckled and grabbed my bicep, hauling me up. It took me a second, but I got my footing again.

“Don’t be so stubborn,” he said. “Let me help you.”

So I let him. I was actually having a good time, too. We went around in circles and Terry kept a firm grip on my bicep. He knew what he was doing and made it look effortless. We rounded another corner and I got distracted by the smell of hot chocolate. I tripped on my toe pick and went down; Terry went down with me. I landed on my back with Terry wedged between my legs, laughing hysterically.

“For a coordinated guy, you sure are uncoordinated,” he guffawed.

His breath fanned my face and I looked into his eyes. We were lying on ice, but I felt warm all of a sudden. His cheeks were red and his lips moist from the ChapStick he’d applied earlier.

I’d never seen anything more beautiful in my life. The lights hit his features just right. I stopped laughing then because I realized I wanted to kiss those lips. Terry looked down at my lips then back into my eyes and I saw want pass in those blue eyes.

He cleared his throat and got off of me.

“Come on, your ass will be soaked if you stay there.”

We skated for another half hour before my thighs and ankles started to protest. I bought hot chocolate for us both and we sat on a bench watching other people skate. Terry had gloves on that were cut at the knuckle, he was holding his hot chocolate in both hands and I could see his fingers were red from the cold. I took his cup and set it down on the bench next to me, then took his hands in my gloved ones.

“Your fingers are cold,” I said, massaging them in mine.

When I looked up, Terry had an odd look on his face like he couldn’t believe what I was doing.

“What?” I asked, rubbing his fingertips.

“You just… surprise me is all,” he smiled. “When I first saw you, I said to myself ‘this guy isn’t who he pretends to be.’”

“I’m not?” I grinned, rubbing his index finger slowly. Terry’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. I watched it in fascination.

“No.”

“Who am I then?” I took Terry’s hand and brought it to my mouth, blowing hot breath onto his fingers. I watched his eyes; he swallowed hard again and licked his lips slowly. I found myself wanting to taste him. Hell, I wanted to devour him and I never had that feeling for
anyone
.

“I don’t know,” Terry said as his eyes locked on my mouth.

I dropped his hand into my lap and leaned forward. My hand went to his cheek and rubbed it gently. Terry’s eyes went from his hand in my lap to my face and back. I gently eased his face back up to mine and leaned in. Our lips barely touched and I felt a zing go straight to my cock. I was hard in a nanosecond. Terry made a noise I’d never heard from another human being and I almost came right then. I brushed my lips once more over his, keeping the kiss light and pulled away. Terry’s eyes were still closed and he was breathing in short gasps.

“Terry?” I whispered.

“Why did you do that?” he asked, his eyes once again meeting mine.

“Because I wanted to. I’m sorry, I should have asked.”

“No, no, it’s quite all right. I was just…surprised.”

I opened my mouth to speak and shut it. Anna and her fiancé were walking my way. Shit, shit and shit. How the hell was I going to explain Terry? Anna hadn’t seen me yet; she was too busy laughing at something her fiancé was saying. I had seconds to move and get Terry out of her line of sight.

“So um, maybe we should go?” I tried to smile.

Terry looked over his shoulder and then back at me. Those eyes weren’t stupid. He had caught on. I felt like shit as his eyes fell to his hands and he gripped his fingers.

“You can go if you want; I’ll catch a cab home,” he said abruptly.

I reached for his hand when a voice I knew well interrupted me. Anna had seen me.

“Mr. Samson? Is that you?” She sounded kind of surprised.

“Yes. Hello, Anna. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Kent?” I grinned and stood up, extending my hand to her fiancé. “Steven.” I nodded in hello.

Anna’s eyes fell to Terry, still sitting on the bench.

“Who’s your friend, Kent?” she asked with a smile.

“This is Terry Barron. Terry, meet my administrative assistant, Anna, and her fiancé, Steven.”

“It’s very nice to meet you both.” Terry stood and shook hands.

“You as well, Terry,” Anna said, a gleam in her eye. She smiled knowingly at me and took Steven’s hand. “Well, we won’t keep you two. It was a pleasure, Terry.”

Terry nodded and smiled, but it wasn’t the smile I’d seen before. I sat back down on the bench pulling him down with me, and took his hands in mine. He looked uncomfortable.

“Terry? Are you all right?”

“Why did you ask me out?”

I blinked. “What do you mean?”

“It’s obvious we’re nothing alike. You run in a different circle.”

I just sat there staring at him. He looked so vulnerable.

“I find you attractive. You have a wonderful smile and I bet you’ve got a huge heart. Don’t sell yourself short, Terry.” I released one of his hands and cupped his chin, pulling his face up to mine. “I would love another date.”

Blue eyes looked into mine and I swear he must have been able to see my heart pounding in my chest.