Propositions Read online

  Jessica stared down at the table and fumbled with her water glass. “Believe me, I didn’t know I had it in me,” she said. “I think it’s best if I talk to Alex and see if he can take over your account so we don’t have any further issues.” Her eyes looked full of disappointment.

  “No. That won’t be necessary. I’m sure we’ll be able to control ourselves.” He would do anything to avoid gossip and scandal; his father had caused enough of that for the business. Nate couldn’t risk losing suppliers, or the financial backing of sponsors for the launch.

  As he watched Jessica across the table, however, all his rational thought started to trickle down the drain. Her smile captivated him; her deep brown eyes hypnotized him. He sighed as the blood rushed from his brain to his groin again. So much for wanting to forget about having had sex with her. So much for not wanting more of it.

  “Well you can be assured, it won’t happen again,” Jessica replied in all seriousness. “My work is my life. I will not jeopardize your launch, so let’s keep our relationship strictly above the table—not on it. If you want me on the account, that’s the way it has to be. There will be no more escapades.”

  He had to agree. While she’d been the first woman to grab his undivided attention in such a long time, it was for the best. He didn’t need any complications.

  “Why don’t we change the subject?” Jessica suggested. “Let’s discuss next week’s Melbourne PR trip in more detail.” She leaned back against the seat and folded her arms. “Zoe and Brooke have booked all the accommodation and flights and I’ll have the week’s schedule of TV, print and radio interviews ready on Friday afternoon.”

  As he listened to her from across the table he only had one subject on his mind, and it had nothing to do with work. He wanted to crawl over the tabletop and have his way with her, feel her underneath him again. What had she done to him?

  But no. He’d respect her wishes. Somehow he’d get himself under control so they could continue to work together.

  “Please be assured that I’m happy to work in with whatever you’ve organized on such short notice,” said Nate. “So, now let’s put our little encounter behind us and look forward to the next few months. Can I buy you a drink as a means to a new start?”

  “Alcohol and us is a bad combination. So unless there’s anything else you need to discuss, I think we’re done.” Jessica wiped the corners of her mouth on her napkin and grabbed her handbag. “I have a huge hotel launch and promotions campaign to work on before my client kicks my ass.”

  * * *

  Jessica was beyond frazzled when she returned to her office. She pulled at the collar on her knit top; it felt uncomfortably tight and hot. Nate’s admission that the sex they’d had was phenomenal had set her pulse racing at lightning speed. In fact, his whole presence excited her. His velvet voice. His charisma. His kiss had sparked a long-dormant flame back to life.

  Nate, however, was only in the country for a few months and then he’d be gone. She couldn’t risk her work or her heart for him. Her mind wandered back to last Thursday evening. Their crazy, hot sex had been so damn good. Her body temperature started to rise just thinking about it. She closed her eyes and furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to clear her thoughts. She controlled everything in her life—surely she could control herself around Nate Somers.

  Goddamn it! Jessica grabbed her handbag and jacket and swept by Zoe’s desk on her way out. “Something urgent has come up. I’ll be back in time for my four o’clock meeting.” Without breaking her stride, she walked out of the office. With Nate on her mind she was not thinking straight.

  Jessica clenched her hands tightly around the steering wheel as she pulled into the visitors’ car park at Somers Residential Towers. After a quick check of her lipstick and hair in the rearview mirror, she dashed from the car and into the foyer.

  “Nate Somers, please,” Jessica asked Amy, the receptionist at the counter.

  “Yes, Ms Mason. He just went up to his apartment. I’ll ring through for him.”

  Before Jessica had time to gather her senses, Amy gave her the all clear to head on up.

  “Thanks.” She walked over to the elevator and stepped inside. She leaned her head back against the wall as it ascended, closing her eyes in an effort to find some clarity. But there was none. She was out of her mind. What on earth was she doing?

  When the elevator doors opened on Nate’s floor, her feet somehow carried her up the hall to his apartment. She hesitated before knocking. The few seconds it took for him to reach the door seemed to drag on endlessly. But then it opened, and his eyes locked on to hers.

  He cocked one eyebrow at the sight of her. “It’s been so long, Ms Mason. Forty-five minutes to be exact. I didn’t know we had a meeting planned for this afternoon?” A smile touched the corner of his lips.

  “Are you alone?”

  “Yes.”

  Before Nate could utter another word, Jessica placed both her hands on his chest and pushed him hard, back into his apartment, swinging the door shut behind her. He backed into the wall behind him as her lips found his without a moment to waste.

  Her bag fell to the floor with a soft thud. Heat surged up between their bodies like lava up the chute of a volcano. Their mouths were desperate to taste each other as his hands knotted into her hair, drawing her closer to his chest.

  Without breaking their kiss, they stumbled their way into the dining area. Jessica felt the table press up behind her. Nate shoved a pile of papers out of the way and grabbed her hips, picked her up and slid her onto the surface of the table. Jessica arched into his touch and her heartbeat escalated even further as his fingers ran over her breast. She felt her hardening nipples strain against the fabric of her bra. He grabbed the lapels of her jacket, slipped it off her shoulders and flung it onto the floor in a heap.

  How could years of professional conduct be vaporized in the presence of this man? She had used up all her willpower trying to cover up her burning desire for him. All through lunch she’d sat listening to him, wanting to throw herself over the table and do him right then and there. Now he had her on his table doing her just as she had fantasized.

  “God. Do you know how much I want you?” he whispered as he nuzzled into the base of her neck. The spicy scent of his cologne filled her senses as he kissed his way frantically back to her mouth.

  Jessica yanked off his tie and hastily unbuttoned his shirt so she could run her nails across his bare skin, feel his muscles tense beneath her fingertips.

  Sliding his hands up her slender thighs, Nate drew her skirt up to her hips, squeezing her buttocks when he reached the top. She needed no encouragement to part her legs even further as Nate pushed his hips into hers. His erection was hard and bulged within his trousers. At the feel of his body against hers, Jessica’s muscles tightened, begging for more of his touch. Her hands found his belt and opened his pants, ripped down his trunks and rubbed her hand along his firmness. Nate groaned deeply as he grabbed the edge of her panties and slid them from her legs.

  The black glass of the table felt cool against her bare skin as Nate’s fingers trailed back up along her thighs and settled between her legs. Her skin blazed with fire under his touch. She was already aroused. Wet and ready for him. At the murmur rolling deep in his throat, she knew he liked what he felt as he fingered her deep inside. One finger. Two fingers. Oh God, yes.

  Her hips started to rock in time with his motions. Her breaths came shorter and faster. Just as she was on the edge of exploding, Nate reached for his wallet on the table behind her, ripped out a condom, tore the packet open and rolled it on his stiff erection. His lips locked with hers again as he pulled her hips forward on the table.

  Then he plunged inside sending a shockwave of tingles up her spine.

  Again, Nate thrust into her, his buttocks flexing hard underneath her hands as he buried himself deeper inside. Jessica gasped breathlessly and wrapped her legs tightly around his waist as he hammered into her, sending pure ecstasy cur
ling through her entire body.

  He slid one hand down between them and rubbed against her clitoris. His firm fingertips worked their wonder on her arousal, leaving her at the mercy of his touch. His relentless thrusts sending her to the point of no return.

  “Ah!” Jessica cried out as her orgasm ripped through her body. Her heartbeat hammered in her chest as the want for him had finally been met. Every inch of him fit into her effortlessly, filling her up. This was insane. Hot. Oh … and just what she needed.

  “Oh, Jess,” Nate groaned as he came. Jessica clenched her thighs around him tightly, savoring the feel of him inside her.

  It took a moment for her to catch her breath. Nate held her against his chest and she could feel his heart racing. He chuckled as he looked down at her. “I thought you were adamant about keeping our relationship strictly professional.”

  “I might have to change professions,” Jessica said matter-of-factly.

  Nate smiled as he released her from his arms. “I’m glad you changed your mind about the sex thing. I hate to admit it but I was suffering under duress.”

  Jessica shuffled off the table onto wobbly legs. Yes—she certainly felt like she’d been fucked.

  “Do you have to go back to the office?” he said as he pulled his pants up and buckled his belt.

  “Yes, I have a four o’clock.” She realigned her skirt and looked around for her panties.

  “Cancel it.”

  “No, I have to get back.”

  “How about a cup of tea before you leave?” he asked as he slipped on his shirt.

  “Look, I think I should go. Let’s not make this complicated, okay? It’ll make it easier on both of us.”

  “So was this just ‘once more’ or is this going to be a regular occurrence, Ms Mason?” He smiled at her, making her legs feel unsteady at the seductive sight of him. How could she have sex with a man and not get involved? Could she do it? Max assured her it was possible.

  “Nate, I’m not sure what to make of it. Maybe I should get Alex to look after your launch.”

  “I don’t want to work with Alex. I want to work with you.”

  “But we can’t go on like this. You’re my client. I can’t be involved with you; it’ll make working together uncomfortable … well more than it already is. I don’t need my staff getting suspicious, and I don’t want emotions to get in the way of decisions that need to be made.”

  “Me either. But, I find it very difficult to keep my hands off of you.”

  She sighed because she had to agree. Something inexplicable attracted her to him.

  “So what do you propose we do?” she asked as she slipped on her stiletto pumps.

  He stood in front of her, his eyes zeroing in on to hers as he tucked her hair behind her ears.

  “We either have to stop this, or … I’m only here for a few months.” His words full of suggestive connotations.

  She gasped. Was she drawing to the correct conclusion?

  “You really want to have an affair? With me? She blushed at the notion.

  Nate’s subtle nod and sparkle in his eye sent her head into a spin.

  “Nate, I’ve never done the casual thing. You’re only here for a while and neither one of us wants to risk getting hurt. I’m sure you agree.”

  “Wholeheartedly.” He hesitated as if deliberating on many ideas before his expression turned serious. “Let’s consider this like any other business proposition … a negotiation if you will. If we agree, great. If not, we’ll have to find some way that we can work together. Okay?”

  Jessica couldn’t believe her ears. But more shocking, was that she was contemplating the whole idea. “Okay.”

  “If we continue to see each other, my number one priority would be discretion.” Nate said as he put on his jacket. “I’m sure you can appreciate where I’m coming from considering recent events surrounding my father. Unfortunately there are people out there, like those at the gossip magazines, who think my life is interesting, so the paparazzi often hang around when I attend functions.”

  She nodded in agreement because she didn’t want to be front page news for the wrong reasons. “Discretion is a must.” She paused, wondered what on earth she was doing discussing terms of having an affair with this man. It was such a crazy concept. “And I don’t need any gray areas, so let’s keep the intimacy out of it—no staying the night, romantic dates or weekends together.” Jessica looked at him anxiously. She didn’t really know what she was saying, but anything to protect her heart from being hurt when he left.

  “I’m not opposed to that idea.” His fingers fumbled nervously with her collar. “So where? … How often, do you think?”

  She tried not to laugh as Nate’s stumbled over his questions as she straightened and tucked her shirt into her skirt.

  “Um, I’m not sure.” She grinned softly at him. “I’ll have to check my calendar and see when I can schedule you in. I work most weekends, late nights, and I start early.”

  “Me too.” A cheeky grin touched the corner of his mouth. “But I’m sure we’ll be able to find some time here and there.”

  His eyes blazed with heat as he looked over her body. He swept in close, wrapping his arms around her waist as he pressed himself firmly up against her. And then he kissed her. His mouth molded to hers perfectly; the taste of his tongue was delicious and made her head spin. She could easily opt for another round … but no, she had a meeting to get attend.

  “So is this what I think it is?” She rested her hands upon his chest. “Sex, with no strings attached?” Jessica could barely believe the words as they left her mouth.

  “I do like the sound of your proposition, Ms Mason. And believe me, I will be looking forward to our next encounter.” His eyes shone with mischief as his gaze dropped to her cleavage.

  “I have to go or I’ll be late for my meeting.”

  “Okay, I won’t keep you any longer,” Nate relented. “Why don’t you come with me to Melbourne next week?”

  “I can’t.” She managed to wriggle free of his hold. “I have some other business to attend to.”

  “Other business? I thought I was your first priority at the moment.” He smirked as he straightened his tie.

  “Your hotel launch is. This other business is personal, so please don’t ask.”

  “Oh. Sounds serious.”

  “Baggage. That’s all.”

  “Are we talking walk-on or trunk cases?”

  “Trunk cases.”

  “And that’s what’s dragging you away from my business?”

  “You don’t let up, do you?” Jessica was hesitant about revealing too much personal information. Would it matter if he knew about her past? She had felt so much better after telling Max and being freed from the burden she’d carried for so long.

  Nate stood there waiting for her to speak.

  She exhaled. “I have a meeting with the father of my son.” Jessica tried to sound nonchalant about the whole situation and act like it wasn’t bothering her, but on the inside she was a quaking mess.

  “You’re meeting with your ex-husband? Why is that so important?” Nate creased his forehead.

  “What? No. Not Graeme. Conner’s biological father’s name is Troy. We were never married. I haven’t seen this guy for twenty years. I’m not particularly looking forward to it either. But please be assured, my personal life never affects my work. The two are entirely separate—no fuzzy gray areas.”

  “Fair enough.”

  She smiled gratefully as Nate walked her to the door.

  He opened it and leaned against the doorjamb. “So I guess I’ll see you after Melbourne.”

  “Until we meet again.” Jessica nudged past him and made her way to the elevator. She glanced back over her shoulder. Nate’s eyes still blazed with desire as he watched her. It made it hard to resist the temptation to return to his arms.

  The elevator arrived; she stepped in and the doors closed behind her.

  She stared at nothing as their
proposition replayed through her mind.

  Oh God! What had she got herself into?

  Chapter 7

  Bitter winter blanketed everything with frost. Thick fog hung low and snaked along the rolling valleys. It was midmorning when Jessica pulled up her black Audi outside the homestead at Gumtrees Winery. Wrapping her woolen coat and scarf tightly around her neck and shoulders, she stepped out into the crisp mountain air. The smell of burning timber and the sight of smoke curling out of the cabin chimneys were easy reminders of why she loved coming here—to relax and unwind. However, this time was different. She took a deep breath and prayed that once she lit the fire inside the cabin, the twisting knots of nausea inside her stomach would disappear.

  “Hey!” Nick came out of the office to greet her, key in hand. “Good to see you again.”

  “How’s things?” Jessica hid her feelings behind a warm smile.

  “Good. Busy,” Nick said as he gave her the key, then rubbed his hands together to ward off the cold. “Both the guestrooms and the cabins are filled with couples wanting dirty weekends away. It’s great—they all buy food and lots of booze from the restaurant and cellar door, and I hardly see them at all. It makes my life easy.” Nick’s breath misted in the cold air as he spoke. “You’re lucky we had a cancellation to fit you in. So what brings you back to this neck of the woods so quickly?”

  Jessica looked around nervously and scuffed her Ugg boot against the gravel on the ground. “I’m here to see Troy. Marie said he’d be here.”

  “He had to go over to the Finlay’s farm to help fix a tractor. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  Jessica glared at Nick. She could see his eyes were full of suspicion and curiosity. “Don’t look at me like that, Nick. Troy and I go a long way back. We went to high school together and I just want to catch up.”