Page 82 of Matchmaking the CEO

"No, I saw it on my way in."

As soon as Jeannie was out of earshot, Jake stepped closer. Now it wasn't just my panties sliding down. My knees went weak, first the right one, then the left.

"What are you playing at?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I told you I'm not a fan of my half brothers."

"Yes, but Jeannie is my client, and you’re playing dirty."

His eyes flashed. "I always do."

"You can't use your smoldering glare to convince me to take your side."

"Why not? You said I can talk you into anything when I do that."

"Yes, precisely."

I looked around. There was no one anywhere near us, but I still lowered my voice.

"I meant in private, not in full view of everyone, and especially not with a client."

"There is something you should know about me, Natalie. I don't pick and choose the moments to play dirty. I play so I get what I want."

I smirked, taking a step back and crossing my arms over my chest. For some insane reason, my body found that tone attractive. My nipples were hard. I didn't think anyone could see that through my bra, but better safe than sorry.

"You can't boss me around, Jake."

"Let's go somewhere, just the two of us, and I'll prove different."

He stepped closer again. It was like we were doing our own private dance right here in the middle of the garden. I hoped no one was watching because only a blind person couldn't see what was going on between us.

"I've missed you these past couple days," he murmured.

His admission took me by surprise. His voice was softer. I licked my lips, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I missed you too," I admitted, swallowing hard.

"Let's go somewhere after we finish here with my grandmother, just the two of us."

"Aren't you supposed to drive her home?" I asked, but I was thrilled at the thought of spending more time with him.

"Cal is here. He can take her home."

"I don't know. Won't she put two and two together?"

He smirked. My God, how was it that when I first met him, I wanted to smack that smirk off him, and now I found it incredibly sexy?

"Knowing my grandmother, she's probably already up-to-date with everything."

"What? Really? How come?"

"She was already suspicious about me getting ice cream. But honestly, that was easy. It was so out of character for me."

Ireallyliked that he did things with me that he usually didn't. It made me feel less guilty about the fact that I was standing here in public, and all I could think about was a way to take him somewhere out of sight so I could kiss him thoroughly.

"And speaking of my grandmother," he said, taking a very smooth step to the side as Jeannie came up to us. She was awfully fast. My heartbeat accelerated as I wondered how much she’d seen.