Page 83 of Seasoned
“It’s been a while,” Tyson said, boldly looking her over from top to bottom. He hadn’t changed a bit. He looked at her the way he did all women—as if she’d been placed on the earth for him alone to sample. “At least ten years, I would say.”
Kendrick’s frown deepened. “Oh, wow. Small world. How do you know each other?”
“We’re business associates from when I went to Atlanta for work ten years ago,” Jackie answered hastily. “I met your father at a bridal trade show.”
“That’s when I was trying to make a go of my retail business, one of the many businesses that I started but failed,” Tyson said ruefully.
“Oh. Well, this is my date, Jaclyn.”
Tyson stiffened, and it was his turn to look startled. His gaze swung from his son to Jackie and back again. “Th-this is Jaclyn? The woman you wanted me to meet?”
“Yeah. She owns this store, and like I told you, she has a great selection here. She could probably help you find something for your girlfriend…what’s her name? Carrie?”
“Er…” Tyson seemed to lose his train of thought as his eyes locked with Jackie’s. “She’s just a friend, actually.”
Jackie’s lips flattened. Yep, he probably hadn’t changed a bit. Same old Tyson, sleeping around with multiple “friends.”
“Whatever you need, Jaclyn can help you. She has three stores.” Kendrick placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “You guys ready to head out? He’s craving a steak. He’s been limiting his consumption of red meat, so today is sort of a cheat day for him.”
Jackie put on her brightest smile. “Steak sounds like a great idea to me.”
She avoided Tyson’s probing gaze, suddenly feeling like a dirty old woman. Now she wasn’t so sure she should sleep with Kendrick. Actually, it was completely off the table. Though overdue for a night of wild sex, after finding out his father was Tyson—a former lover—the thought of sleeping with his son made her feel icky. At least for now. She had some serious soul-searching to do.
“Ready?” Tyson asked.
“Ready.” Kendrick took her hand—something she hadn’t minded in the past, but now seemed extremely awkward in light of Tyson standing right in front of them.
They all exited the store together, and she locked up on the way out. In the parking lot, Tyson got into his own car, a flashy gold two-seater, and she climbed into Kendrick’s gray Toyota Highlander.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, Jackie knew at some point she’d have to tell Kendrick the extent of her relationship with his father. Tyson had been more than a business associate. She adjusted the vents so that the air blew full force onto her face.
Muchmore than a business associate.
Glancing out the window at the passing scenery, she recalled being consumed by him, high on his lovemaking and the excitement of being the center of his attention. He’d done an excellent job of making her feel unique, special. So good, in fact, that she’d been foolish enough to think she’d fallen in love with him.
2
His son had great taste.
Kendrick and Jackie sat next to each other across the table from Tyson. The three of them were halfway through the meal at a steak restaurant overlooking the bay. The meal was delicious, the ambiance right, and the conversation flowed easily between them. Yet the entire time Tyson had difficulty keeping his eyes offher.
He was surprised his son was dating an older woman, but he understood the attraction to Jackie. Her skin was a pretty russet-brown and she had eyes that were a darker shade of brown. They sparkled when she laughed and kept him ensnared when she looked his way. Her lips were a thing of beauty and popped with a bold purple color that matched the purple shade in her purple and gold dress.
Courtesy of a dark wig, wavy hair cascaded down the middle of her back. From that week in Atlanta, he knew she liked to switch up her look with different wigs. One night she’d been a blonde with a French bob. Another night a cherry-red wig fell in straight lines to her ass. Still another night, she amped up the sexy and mystery in a black wig with bold eye makeup and sultry red lips. He never knew what to expect when he arrived at her door, and that had been part of the thrill.
Jackie was a tall woman—taller than anyone he had ever dated before, but he loved her body. Large breasts, hips for days, and thick thighs he could lose himself between.
Yes, his son had great taste, and with a guilty conscience, Tyson acknowledged being jealous of him.
“You haven’t told me how the two of you met.” Tyson lifted a piece of rib eye to his mouth.
They both looked at each other and laughed, and another bout of jealousy tightened his chest at their inside joke.
“Do you want to tell him or should I?” Kendrick asked.
“It’s a bit of a funny story. So good, too good,” Jackie said.
Damn, her voice. He’d forgotten how sexy it was, especially when it trembled as she whimpered his name because he wasso good, too good. He’d all but forgotten the days and nights they’d spent together, but seeing her again brought back snippets of memory—little details that made him hunger for a taste of her again.
