Mine Until Dawn (8 page)

“I wouldn’t mind,” he said, deliberately lowering his voice.

“I hear a ‘but’ hovering in there.” Her voice was casual, but the way her hands gripped the jacket around her shoulders gave her away. She was catching on fast. Knew he was up to something.

He shrugged. “I think we can both get something out of this.”

“Okay, Vince. Tell me what you want. What will it take for you to strip for me…uh, I mean at the party?”

CHAPTER 5

“Spend the night with me.”

Jade blinked as breath lodged in her throat. Either her pounding head was making her hear things or he’d just asked her to…
 
“What?”

“I want you to be mine until dawn.”

“Oh.” She wanted to slam her hands on her burning face. Instead she buried it on the jacket draped around her shoulders. The jacket, filled with Vince’s musky scent, only heightened her senses. Her heart pounded and her mind went foggy.

“You’re talking about…in exchange…jeez.” Zing be damned. Talk about indecent.

He lowered his head so he could look into her eyes. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t both benefit from such an arrangement. You’re a beautiful, sexy woman, and I find you very fascinating.”

“You do?” When he nodded and flashed a grin, her befuddled mind conjured an X-rated fantasy from thin air. His lips on her naked skin, sucking her taut nipple into his moist mouth, trailing south to do things to her she’d only read in books. A tingle started in places that hadn’t tingled in years.

“Surely you can’t doubt the effect you have on men,” Vince said, “or that I would want to go to bed with you.”

Oh, yes she would. No. The old Jade would, she corrected. The new Jade loved the surge of awareness cascading under her skin, was even tempted to forget her mother’s moral codes and say yes. Too bad her impulsiveness tended to hurl her head first into trouble, like her first marriage.

But who’s talking about something that serious?
Not Vince. Lust was on his mind, a night of decadence his bait, and she the star. Her hormones screamed at her to go for it. Jade shot Vince a sideways glance, grazing his masculine thighs, moving past his broad shoulder to the chiseled face. The man might be rife with sexual promise, but what kind of a lover would he make? He was the dominant type, who would want things done his way and swallow her whole. A quiver of primitive arousal shimmied up her spine. This was lust, pure and simple, unchartered territory for her. She would be lucky, and crazy, to pull it off.

No, it wasn’t happening. She couldn’t consider his offer, no matter how tempting. Jade cleared her throat and attempted to project outrage. “You can’t expect me to agree to such an absurd proposition.”

“What’s absurd about wanting to sleep with you?”

“I don’t know you.”
 
And sleep wasn’t on the menu he was offering her.

“What’s that got to do with it? I find you attractive.” His voice was calm.

“Doesn’t mean I have to jump into bed with you.”
 

“And you’re attracted to me,” he added as though she hadn’t spoken.

So full of himself, wasn’t he? “Why don’t you call an escort service and take care of your,” she waved toward him, “needs.”

“Prostitutes don’t turn me on. You do.”

Jade swallowed, sensual images popping in her head like daisies. She rubbed her temple, her pulsating pulse making her head pound harder.

“I can’t. I don’t do one nighters.”

“Why not?”

Yeah, Jade. Why not?
Because her experience with men was limited. Jerrod was her first and only lover. Even on his best day, he never threw her off balance like Vince, or made her feel reckless and out of control. Or inspired her to erotic fantasies. But then again, she was never all that to him either. Frigid and repressed in bed, the bastard had told her before he walked out of her life. Yeah, some one-night stand she would make.

“I just don’t. I’m old–fashioned that way,” Jade said, chin lifting despite her thoughts.

Vince chuckled. “Flowers, candlelight and soft music.”

She bristled at his amused tone. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting them.”

“Of course. But when you’re on a time crunch….” His expression changed, his eyes becoming hungry and predatory as they roamed her face. “Be mine until dawn, and I promise you won’t regret it.”

This conversation was insane. Discussing sex with a man wasn’t something she had ever done or imagined doing. “How can you discuss this in such an impersonal way?”

“Am I?”

Banked fire smoldered in his dark eyes and desire pulsed from his taut body, slamming into her and demanding a response. She licked her lips, so out of her element it was disconcerting.

“One night stands are never planned,” she protested, hating the slight tremor in her voice. “They just, uh, happen.”

His broad shoulders lifted and dropped. “I don’t do spontaneous. It always leads to regret.” He appeared to ponder his next words. “Listen, Jade. I don’t have time for or interest in a relationship. Neither do I want to give you false hope of something serious developing between us. This way, we both know what we’re getting into.”

His proposal was a sordid if one really thought about it, except something inside her didn’t seem to think so. A very unsettling thought that deserved a thorough analysis, but at a later date. Right this minute, she needed to disabuse Vince of the idea that he could convince her to do his will. Sure, she gave him some kudos for being honest, but she couldn’t get involved with a man who traded a favor for sex. Plus, lack of interest in a relationship hinted at some major personal issues.

“I like that you’re honest about this, but my answer is no.”

He looked up at the building housing her cousin’s loft with a quizzical expression. “You said you gave your word to bring a dancer. Insisted that it was important you come through on this, as though to prove something.” He turned his head and locked his gaze on her face. “Yet you won’t consider my simple proposal when it’s the perfect solution.”

“There’s nothing simple about your proposal, Vince. As for my cousins, they’ll understand once I explain.” She hoped they would. The old can’t-stand-on-her-own-two-feet, erratic Jade was rearing her ugly head, dragging her down.

The feel of Vince’s knuckles on her cheek brought her back to the present. A current of energy hummed where their skins touched. “We could be great together, Jade.”

Trust a man to have a one-track mind. Here she was, struggling with personal issues and he was still going on about sex. She opened her mouth to make a scathing comment, but he floored her with his next words.

“We
will
be great together.”

Will?
“But I told you I’m not into one night—”

His mouth cut her off. Not on her lips. Not an invasion of tongue and teeth, but a soft caress on her cheek. It was a deliberate seduction that sent a jolt throughout her system. She could have jerked back and broken the contact, but couldn’t summon the energy. He nipped along her cheek to the corner of her eye, which caused her eyes to close. Then he pressed a lingering kiss on her temple.

“How would you know what you’re into unless you try it?” His voice was low and guttural, his breath fanning her skin.

A shiver raked her frame, but inside, she was melting. The damp place between her legs throbbed, begging her to give in. Before her muddled brain could think up a response, he moved away.

Her eyes snapped open. She blinked in confusion. The manipulative jerk. How dare he offer her a banal sexual tryst and then pull a fast one on her? His gentleness and feather light touches had effectively destroyed her defenses, turning her mind into goo, stirring yearnings in her she didn’t even know she had.

Jade took a deep breath, which was the wrong thing to do. His masculine forest-after-a-rainstorm scent filled her nose, making her want to crawl all over him.

“Stay…away…from me…Vince.” A dimple flashed at her, but he didn’t move back. “I mean it.”

He shrugged and leaned back against his seat. “If you change your—”
 

“It’s never going to happen,” she snapped.

He opened the door, stepped out of the car and walked around the car to the passenger side. “Never is a long time,” he added as he leaned down to open her door,

“Works for me.” She shook her head and stood up, bringing her body a breath away from his. For a moment, he didn’t move. A glint in his eyes warned her that he wasn’t as calm as he tried to project. His gaze lingered on her lips and stayed there. Jade braced herself for his next move, her breath choppy and the pulse at the base of her throat thumping fast.

A simmer of disappointment contracted her chest when he stepped back. What was wrong with her? She didn’t want Vince Knight. Shouldn’t want him. She took deep breaths, made sure she could speak with a level tone before she opened her mouth again.

“Good luck with your investigation, Vince. I’ll let my mother know what’s going on and will get in touch with you once I speak with my brother and search the safes.”

The transition to his usual calm self wasn’t smooth. His lips tightened and furrows appeared on his brow. She deliberately misinterpreted his reaction.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell them the real reason why I’m searching their safes, although you might have to tell Baron the truth if you want his help. He may know a lot of people in the antique business, but he’s very close-mouthed about his contacts.”

He nodded curtly. “I’ll be checking out of the hotel tomorrow morning. Use my cell number to contact me.”

He wasn’t a happy camper. Tough. Time he learned he couldn’t always have his way.

“Okay. I’ll be in touch.” The moment was awkward, so she didn’t bother to offer her hand.

“You do that,” he said.

She felt his eyes on her as she stepped away from the curb and hurried to the double-doors of Ashley’s building. She fought the strong temptation to look back, waved at the guards through the glass to unlock the door, and entered the building. Only then did she look back.

Vince was still watching her. Unease coursed through her. When she wiggled her fingers in a brief wave, he nodded and entered his car. The air trapped in her lungs left with a whoosh once he backed up and took off.

“Evening, Ms. Fitzgerald.”

“Hi, Quinn.” Jade turned to smile at the bodyguard her family hired for Ashley. Her cousin was about to testify against an arsonist. Typical Ashley, she’d refused police protection. “How’s it going?”

“Busy night, with the party and all.” Quinn glanced at the front door, then back at her. “I was told you’d be bringing a ‘friend’?”

A friend? Ah, the stripper. Vince would have made a perfect substitute. Masculine thighs, broad shoulders, chiseled features and world-class buns. The thing was Vince could never be a substitute for anyone. He was…Vince. Ultra-macho. A force of nature. Too sure of his powers over mere female mortals. Everything she distrusted in a man.

“Are you okay, Ms. Fitzgerald?”

Jade’s startled eyes flew to the bodyguard and she fought a blush. She must look like a nitwit standing there, staring into nothingness, daydreaming.

“Yes. I was supposed to bring someone. But he, uh,” Jade paused when an unfamiliar tall guy left the room behind the security counter, a laptop in his hands and joined Quinn and the security guard. She noted his piercing green eyes, slanted eyes and straight jet-black hair and wondered who he was. She gave him a vague smile when he stared at her with curiosity. Her attention shifted to Quinn.

“He’ll come later. Better head on upstairs.” She waved and turned toward the elevator.

“Excuse me, miss?” The deep voice of the unfamiliar man stopped Jade. “Are you here for Ashley Fitzgerald’s party?”

Jade rocked her heels and turned her head to nod. “Y-yes.”

“May I see an I.D., please?”

She did a full-body turn and raised her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

“Lighten up, Lambert,” Quinn interjected, throwing the taller and younger man an irritated look. “I can vouch for her. She’s a Fitzgerald, Ashley’s cousin.”

“A photo I.D. would be preferable.” The man’s tone was polite.

Jade’s gaze bounced between the two men. A chainsaw couldn’t cut the tension between them. She had no idea what was going on, but she’d dealt with enough crap today and wouldn’t put up with any more mess. The throbbing on her head alone rivaled bongo drums.

“It’s okay, Quinn,” she said, but her gaze stayed locked on the younger, handsome man. “You are?”

“Danny Lambert, Ashley’s bodyguard.”

“Ah, you must have replaced the woman, uh, what’s her name…Fran—”

“Francesca is upstairs.” Quinn jerked a thump toward Lambert. “He works for Noble.”

Ron Noble, Ashley’s indomitable fiancé. She had to give it to Ron. He refused to let her family browbeat him when it came to Ashley. The men in her family were still pissed that he’d involved Ashley in an investigation that nearly killed her. The Fitzgerald women forgave him after he slid a gorgeous diamond ring on Ashley’s finger.
 
Jade knew Ron had hired a security firm to watch over Ashley, but this was the first time she met one of its people.

“I don’t think we’ve met. Jade Fitzgerald, Ashley’s cousin.” She offered Lambert her hand.

He enveloped her smaller hand in his larger one. “I’m sorry but I must follow the protocol Noble, Ashley and I agreed on. I hope you understand.”

“I do, Mr. Lambert.” Ashley’s safety was a major concern for everyone. The men she was about to testify against could easily hire a hit man to silence her. Jade linked her hands, dropped her elbows on the counter and sighed. “But this is the problem. I lost my wallet earlier today.” He didn’t mask his disbelief. She wrinkled her nose and smiled. “Sounds too convenient, doesn’t it? It’s true. I even reported it. So what are we going to do? You can either trust me and let me in or call upstairs and have Ashley vouch for me.”