Two fires are burning beneath my cheeks. A thrill surges through me as our lips meet.
I’m kissing Grayson Radcliffe…
It almost doesn’t feel real. But even if it’s not – even if I’m somehow dreaming – I know one thing for sure. It’s amazing.
I came in here as a professional woman to give a professional massage because that’s what I am. I got my CMT license in 18 months and work out of my best friend, Melissa’s, massage parlor. When I got the call from Grayson’s assistant offering the job interview, I almost didn’t take it, and this is why.
“There’s no way he wants a genuine masseuse,” I’d told Melissa. “He just wants a girl to take care of him every morning.”
Melissa simply shrugged. “So? See how much it pays before you turn it down.”
“I didn’t bust my ass for my license just to go give hand jobs to billionaires!” I’d huffed. But in the end, I’d decided to risk it, telling myself that no matter what, I wouldn’t end up doing something like what I’m doing right now.
I also didn’t expect Grayson to be so gosh darn handsome!
I’ve seen the pictures of him on Google. Everyone knows just how good-looking he is. He’s made lists of the most eligible bachelor on every site imaginable. The single billionaire who runs a toy empire. It’s almost like he’s destined to be the world’s greatest dad.
A shock runs through me. Am I really thinking about him being a father as I kiss him?
Am I really kissing him!?
Like I’ve been shocked, I leap back from him and put my hand to my lips. “I – I shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s okay—”
“No, it’s not okay.” I shake my head as I scramble with the lotion bottle. My hands are still slippery, and I drop it twice before getting it into my bag. “I’m a professional woman and…and that was not professional.”
I’m halfway out the door when I feel his hand on my wrist. “Jennie, wait.”
“Mr. Radcliffe, please,” I reply, trying not to lose my cool. I’ve already lost the job, there’s no reason to make things worse. “I—I have to go.”
“But I want you to stay,” he replies. It almost works on me. His voice…his smell…the bulge under the sheet – they’re all working together as a team, a team to break down my defenses that are on the verge of collapsing.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Radcliffe, but I can’t.”
It takes all my strength, but I manage to snatch my arm from his grip and rush out of the room. Without looking back, I head down the hall to the front door, passing Sheryl in the foyer.
“Everything okay?”
“Fine!” I reply hastily as I head outside and scramble into my car. As I’m backing up, I see Grayson in the doorway, nothing but a sheet around his waist. The view I get of his body almost makes me hit the brakes and throw the car into park. His abs…his arms…it’s like he doesn’t run a business at all but just spends his days at the gym.
But even if my body is about to overheat – even if Little Jennie is screaming at me to run up the steps and throw myself into his arms, I know better. I shift into drive, hit the gas, and peel out and speed down the driveway.
“Holy cannoli, holy cannoli!” I keep repeating to myself as I drive, on the verge of some kind of emotional episode. “What did you just do, Jennie!?”
I shout at myself all the way back to the house. I’m not sure if I want Melissa to be home so I can rant to her or if I want her to be at work so I can avoid an awkward conversation, but it doesn’t matter. As I pull in, I see her car in the driveway. Grabbing my bag, I take a huge deep breath, doing my best to calm my heart, and head inside.
Melissa’s lounging on the couch with her foot up and a pint of Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream in her hand. I must look insane, because her eyes go wide as I walk in and drop my bag on the floor.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“Is it that bad?” I groan as I face plant into her lap. Laughing, she twists a finger in my hair and pulls gently.
“You look like you either just got mugged, or did anal for the first time and did not like it.” I groan and frown up at her. She shrugs. “Hey, you asked.”
I roll over onto my back and close my eyes. Melissa’s wearing her normal perfume, but I can still smell Grayson’s scent in my nose and the feel of his hand on my wrist. This is insane. How can such a brief encounter with a man have such an effect on me?
“Spill it!” Melissa barks, causing me to jump. I look up at her and she gives me a sisterly spank on the forehead. “Come on!”