Irresistible You (24 page)

Suddenly the idea of living at the Ritz Carlton Hotel wasn’t as appealing as it once was. The cold standard cookie cutter rooms in hotels had always given him a transient feel that he had somehow incorporated into his own life and relationships. Always knowing that at any given time he could pick up and leave gave him an artificial sense of power. But recently the feeling had begun to subside and left him empty and unfulfilling with the idea of permanence becoming more appealing.

To that end, he decided to give serious consideration to his brother-in-law’s offer to move into his house on the waterfront where peace and the slow pace of permanency beckoned.

Admiral’s Way was an address of style and class. The luxury home anchored a row of stately townhouses with riverfront view. Having played poker there twice a month, the ideas began to take refuge. He made a mental note to talk to Tony about his generous offer.

With a flick of his wrist he silenced the engine but eased back into the leather seat and listened to the sounds of smooth jazz being plays on the CD. The sultry saxophone filled the car while the memory of Juliet’s dance filling his thoughts.

What was he doing? He questioned himself again as he had done a hundred time in the past two days. Finding Juliet was dangerous enough, asking her to pretend to be his lover was outright insanity. The feelings she aroused in him were too real.

The truth was he wasn’t sure if he could pull of the charade. One dark night with her had already proved to be months of sleepless nights. And now, after last night, he was back to the old feeling of needing to be with and see her as often as physically possible. Could he really afford to have her close without summoning the feelings he’d yield to ten months ago. The panic of not see Juliet again chilled his heart. He decided to deal with that later. For now he had Juliet at least for a while.

But this was business. And the focus was a simple deterrent. Mamma Lou’s incessant matchmaking needed to be stopped and this was a way to do it. He looked over to the gift he’d bought. It was unorthodox and would make an interesting impression. Determined to see this through, he picked up the wrapped package, got out of the car and began walking.

Surrounded by historical homes, churches and businesses the charming street was quaint and picturesque. Gray slated sidewalks and pristine marble steps welcomed residence and tourists through the narrow streets. Lined with three story red brick brownstones, slate and brick sidewalks and cobblestone paths the streets were heavily shaded with century old oak and maple trees. Bordered on both sides with the latest model cars, he half expected to see and horse and buggy turn the corner.

Arriving early, he leisurely strolled toward his destination. He glanced up at street numbers counting down to Juliet. He turned into her small front courtyard, and looked upward. Elegant and cachet, he expected nothing less. He walked up the stone path rang the doorbell then knocked on the front door and waited patiently for an answer.

Like a teen on his first date, he was uncomfortable and nervous. He anxiously peeked through the beveled glass doors then turned and looked around noticing the neatly kept garden of colorful flowers. The sweet smell of spring blooms scented the air. He heard the lock click then turned seeing Juliet opened the inner door. She smiled pleasantly and cross the narrow vestibule to open the front door. She was breathtaking.

“J.T.”

“Juliet.”

She looked at her watch. “You’re early.”

He looked at his watch. “You’re right.”

“Come in,” she instructed and backed up allowing him to step inside the marble tiled foyer. He entered.

The sound of his shoes on wooden floors echoed through the empty house as he moved through to the living room. He smiled and chuckled as he glanced around the empty space. He was completely surrounded by mirrors on three sides.

An ornate cornice surrounded the parlor and capped a beautifully gilded antique chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Only crown molding completed the interior adornments. “I have a friend who apparently used your same decorator.” His deep voice echoed laughter in the emptiness.

Juliet smiled as she stood and watched him looking around at her at-home ballet studio. “You’d be surprised how much I save in furniture polish and cleaning supplies.”

J.T. turned to her. They each smiled humored by her remark. Then their eyes met and held for a second until she cleared her suddenly dry throat.

“Is that for me,” she asked pointing to the wrapped package in his hands,” or do you always walk around holding on to small wrapped packages?”

“It’s for you,” he said and handed it to her.

“How thoughtful,” she took it excitedly and pulled the ribbon off. She ripped open the tissue and laughed aloud. “It’s perfect, how did you know?”

“A friend told me that you only liked the best.” She immediately opened the package and dipped her nose into the bag. The rich aroma was uniquely flavorful filled her nostrils. “It’s the best I could find, it’s called
Wallenford Estate Jamaica Blue Mountain
.”

“Umm, delicious, it’s perfect. I can’t wait to try it. Thank you, this was very sweet of you.” They stood in open silence for a few seconds. “Can I get you a glass of red wine, or would you prefer coffee?” She held up her gift of coffee beans.

“Sure,” he paused briefly to watch her glide across the floor to the kitchen, “red wine would be fine.”

After a second or two he finally tore his eyes from her as she disappeared through swinging doors into the kitchen. He smiled or rather leered then shook his head of his wolfish thoughts. Dressed in an elegant charcoal gray low-cut fitted dress showing her perfectly shaped legs, he corrected his first mental impression instantly. She was more than simply breathtaking. She was stunning.

Her hair was gathered up in a twist as usual with tiny white pearls scattered about and loose tendril locks flowing to her shoulders. She wore simple jewelry at her throat and long thin dangles on her earlobes. Strapped high heeled sandals twisted her ankle and clasped around her lower leg. She was stunning.

J.T. walked over to the fireplace mantle and looked up at his reflection in the beveled mirror. What was he doing, he questioned himself yet again. In a lot of ways Juliet was a lot more dangerous than Mamma Lou’s matchmaking. He was certain that his plan would work. But he needed to remain focused on the end result. When this was over Juliet, like all the others, would be a distant memory because work would always come first.

Juliet returned to his side before he even noticed she had arrived. She smiled up at him through the mirror’s reflection. “I’d say a penny for your thoughts but that would be just too easy.” She offered him the glass of red wine.

He took it and sipped bitter and full bodied richness hoping for a distraction. “I was just thinking about this evening, our arrangement, our business arrangement,” he clarified further.

“And,” she coxed as she placed her drink on the mantle. He followed her lead placing his drink beside hers.

“And to make this look real we need to be more comfortable with each other.” She nodded her agreement.

She turned away and smiled slyly, “I’d say that was pretty much a moot point after New York and the other night.”

Just as she said the last word J.T. grasped her upper arm and swung her around to face him. He pulled her firmly against his body. He knew that she felt his very obvious excitement. “We’re gonna be late.”

His lips touched hers with familiar awareness. Soft and firm, he pressed himself to her mouth imploring entry. She opened to him, surrendering to her desire. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer, pressing, pulling, and molding their bodies firmly as one.

Weak and breathless she rolled her neck back giving him full access. Long gently nibbles inched down her neck burning right through her skin. Seductively slow, he teased her body as she leaned his back against the mantle trapping him with her body. She felt his hands as they caressed her fully. When he spread his hands open feeling the round firmness of her bottom pressing his hardness against her stomach, she gasped. Her body burned with want. A moan of unsatisfied desire escaped as her heart pumped wildly.

“Yes, we’re gonna be
very
late,” she said as he gathered her up in his arms and walked toward the stairs.

He walked up the stairs slowly while planting passionate kisses on her neck and shoulder. She snuggled closer feeling the strength of his arms around her. She was safe and secure in the only arms she ever wanted to be in.

When J.T. got to the top of the stairs he stopped. “There,” she mutter and pointed aimlessly toward her bedroom. He followed her direction walking down the dimmed hallway. He bumped the door open with his shoulder letting their kiss drift off slowly. Subdued lighting surrounded them in a warm glow of soothing calm.

They both took a deep breath as he slid her body down his. They looked into each other’s eyes. This was the point where minds changed and clearer heads prevailed. But not tonight, not this time. Juliet reached up and gently stroked his smooth cheek. Firm yet soft she continued down her neck to the silk tie expertly tied there. She slowly pulled at the knotted noose and freed one end then pulled the material from his shirt. She draped the tie around her neck then began unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. She looked up to gage his expression. He looked back at her, his eyes smiled with encouragement.

Satisfied that she had gotten and would keep his attention, she continued. At the last button she pulled the shirt from his pants then off his shoulders, letting it drop easily to the floor. Then she loosened his belt and unzipped his pants. The hardness she felt against her hands was boldly evident. He wanted her. Biting at her lower lip, she smiled anticipating the pleasure his body would bring.

J.T. placed his hand on her shoulders and attempted to lower her dress’s thin straps. She backed away leaving his hands to drop to his side. She pulled the tie from her neck and slowly wrapped it around his wrist. She tied a gently knot, wrapped the remaining tie around her hand securing and joining them together. Now in firm control, she walked him to her bed.

Turning him around, she placed the flat of her palm on his bare chest and backed him up until he collapsed heavily onto the bed. He smiled his curiousness as to what she intended to do next. She stood over him and slowly pulled on and wrapped the tie bringing his hand to her mouth. She kissed his hand then guiding him she caressed his hand against her body slowly allowing him to feel the satiny smoothing of her shoulders, waist, arms and legs.

She loosened the wrapped tie from her hand then turned around giving him her back. Tossing the tie over her shoulder she felt his tied hand pull down the dress zipper. As it lowered she unwrapped more and more of the tie from her hand. Using that same joined hand he removed the shoulder straps and guided the dress down her body.

Sheer stockings, a lace garter and a satin thong welcomed him. She was more than breathtaking, or stunning. She was mesmerizing. She peeked over her shoulder smiling wily. “So tell me, what does J.T. stand for?”

He blinked, taken off guard by her out-of-the-blue question. This was pure Juliet, in the midst of the most arousing seduction in his life she asked him about his full name.

“Later,” he spun her around to face him fitting her body between his legs as he remained seated on the side of the bed, their bodies, bare chest to bare chest. He reached up to her breast with his untied hand. She leaned back, smiled and shook her head, no, silently mouthing the word. He reached up with his tied hand. She leaned back in, she nodded her approval.

So this is how it worked
, he mused smiling enjoying the new adventure of her dominatrix role. He stroked his tied hand against the swell of her breasts, she gasp her delight. He fingered the tie pulling it and wrapping it around his palm. When their hands were almost touching he reached behind her taking her hand with his.

He carefully pulled her body towards his. When she was near enough he captured her into his mouth suckling the brown sweetness of her scented skin. Like a starving man he gorged himself on her sweetness. She arched back giving him full access to his pleasure.