Page 83 of Matchmaking the CEO

"My girl, I think I've got a good idea about how the party will unfold. I trust you to take care of all the details. Now I need to go home. Abe must already be missing me, and it should be illegal to have an old hag as a third wheel."

I gasped. Jake just laughed.

"Jeannie," I mumbled. "What are you talking about?"

"Darling, I've seen the way he looks at you. You should’ve seen how fast he suggested he come with me to the meeting. I knew right away. I had my suspicions early on, of course, but that just confirmed it. You two go and do young people things. I'm going to go home to Abe."

"I don't mean to... I mean, you're my client."

I was stumbling over my words. I just hadn't expected her to talk about it so openly.

Before I could add anything else, she winked at me.Winked!And then she left.

Jake started laughing while Jeannie was still in earshot. I was sure I was red in the face. It felt like my forehead was on fire, not to mention my cheeks.

"Oh my God, did that just happen?"

"I have to admit, that was sassy, even for Grandmother," Jake replied. "Let's move a bit deeper between the trees."

I was still too stunned about Jeannie's reaction, but I let him guide me farther into the shade. It was even cooler. I calmed down somewhat, but then Jake tilted over me. His height and stature protected and warmed me. He splayed his fingers across my cheek, brushing his thumb over my lips.

"You have no idea how much I fantasize about kissing you."

"Jake," I muttered and simply closed my eyes.

His lips were unexpectedly soft and probing, and although I was sure he shaved earlier in the morning, a bit of his scruff was prickling my skin, causing my body to combust. He kept his hand firmly on my face, kissing and kissing until I was completely turned on and out of breath. I was a bit light-headed when we pulled apart.

He groaned. "Natalie."

"So, you came with Jeannie for me, huh?" I asked.

"Fuck yes. When I heard she was meeting you, I didn't even think twice. My mind was on you constantly this week."

"How come? Imagining all the dirty things you could do to me on your desk?"

"That too. I'm glad my grandmother knows, and my brothers."

I bit my lower lip. "Really?"

"Fuck yes."

“Natalie?” a voice called from closer to the restaurant. I jumped and turned around, walking out from between the trees.

"I’m here."

Michael, one of the waiters, came up to us. I’d spoken with him before about the details for the party.

"How did you find everything?"

"It's perfect, Michael. My client agrees with the layout we spoke about."

He nodded, looking speculatively at Jake, who'd walked up behind me.

Wait a second. Michael was looking at Jake because the man himself was throwing daggers with his eyes at the waiter.What’s going on?

"Right. Do you want us to finalize everything later this week?" Michael asked.

"Yes. I think it's best if I come here again alone, and then we can hammer out the details."

---