ALL HE DESIRES (Voluptuous Woman Series) (20 page)

“Would you like to come in for a drink before we leave?”

He blinked upon realizing Justice had spoken to him. He cleared his throat, knowing he had to refuse her invitation. Once inside her house alone with her, and he doubted he would be able to leave. And he had made reservations for them at B. Smith’s, this exclusive restaurant near Union Station in D.C.

“No, I think we need to get going to avoid traffic. Are you ready?”

Justice smiled. “Yes, just let me grab my purse.”

A few moments later he was walking her to the rental BMW that he was using during his time in Virginia.

“Nice ride,” she said as he opened the door to let her slip inside.

Nice set of thighs
,
he thought when he glanced down at how the already short dress had ridden up when she’d gotten into the car. He suddenly felt perspiration forming on his forehead. “Thanks, I like it. It delivers a smooth ride.”

As soon as he’d spoken the words, he wished he hadn’t. An image suddenly formed in his mind of her giving him just as smooth a ride in the bedroom. He would bet all the camera equipment that he owned that a BMW’s performance would not be able to match hers.

He closed the door and quickly moved around the car to the driver’s side to get in as he struggled to breathe. He needed to get to the restaurant fast. He was suddenly having a snack attack and what he had a taste for was a woman by the name of Justice.

Now how unjust was that?

“S
o, what do you think are the Redskins chances of winning the Super Bowl next year?”

Although Blake asked the question, he really didn’t give a royal flip. He merely enjoyed watching Justice’s mouth move. They had enjoyed what he thought was a succulent meal and was now enjoying a cup of coffee. The taste of the coffee was good but not nearly as good as he knew her mouth tasted.

“Umm, I’m not sure but I would have thought the Savoys’ allegiance would have changed now that your cousin Lance is playing for the Dolphins.”

Blake smiled. “It has changed to some degree but we’re hoping he gets traded next season to Washington.” He felt comfortable, relaxed. The photo sessions he’d committed to for Tonya were over and now he could enjoy the rest of his vacation.

“Where are you headed when your vacation is over?”

Justice’s questions reclaimed his attention, not that she had ever lost it. Over dinner they had discussed a number of things such as the state of the economy, the recent war with Iraq, and how much they each enjoyed what they did for a living, although he’d seen that wistful look in her eyes when he’d told her of all the places he had traveled to.

“I’ll be flying back to Texas for a week or so to go through my mail and check on my parents. Then I’m off to Canada for a while.”

“Canada? I’ve heard there’s a lot of beautiful country up there.”

He smiled again. “There is and I enjoy photographing it. If you ever decide to check it out, let me know. I very seldom get visitors while traveling.”

“I’m surprised you would want them. Wouldn’t that take the focus off your work?”

He chuckled. “I doubt anything can take the focus off my work, but then I know how to work and I also know how to play. The only time I feel pressured is when I’m up against some kind of magazine deadline.”

“Does that happen often?”

“No, not too often.” It surprised him that she was interested in his work. Most women he took out always cut to the chase and inquired about his financial worth.

“So tell me, Justice, why aren’t you involved with anyone?” He decided to cut to the chase himself and ask the one question that nagged at him. He could tell that the question had surprised her. She wasn’t expecting it. He watched as she took a sip of her coffee and for a while wondered if she would even answer it. Then she did.

“Sometimes it pays to be by yourself and not have to answer to anyone. The last guy I was involved with, we dated exclusively for over two years and he assumed a lot, like the fact that we would eventually marry.”

He lifted a brow. “After two years I would think that was a reasonable assumption to make.”

Justice shrugged. “Maybe for some women, but not for me. Like I told you earlier today, I don’t intend to marry.”

He nodded, thinking he wouldn’t ever forget that piece of information she’d shared. “Had you not told him at some point that his expectations weren’t yours?” he asked.

She sighed. There was that word again –
expectations
.
It seemed to be creeping into her conversations a lot lately. “Yes, I thought I had but I guess he figured he knew me better than I knew myself.”

“Or maybe he thought he could get you to change your mind.”

“If that was the case then it was a complete waste of his time.”

Blake felt compelled to ask the next question. “Do the two of you still communicate?”

“No. In fact he’s engaged to be married in a few weeks.”

His hands stilled as he tried to detect anger, hurt, or regret in her voice and resumed breathing normally when he didn’t. He wondered what the hell was wrong with him. Why would the thought of her carrying a torch for an old boyfriend bother him?

“And I wish him the best,” she added.

He watched as she took a sip of coffee, thinking she may wish her ex-boyfriend the best but as far as Blake was concerned, the man had lost the best when she refused his offer of marriage. At the moment he couldn’t think of anything or anyone being better than her.

Blake leaned back in his chair. The last thing he needed was to be swayed by a beautiful face and a gorgeous body. His ex-wife had shown him that both could cause a man nothing but misery. But he was smart to know that all women weren’t alike. There were too many good, honorable women in his family to believe otherwise. However, he was cautious and accepted that the hard job was trying to find a woman who was true and honest to the things she believed in and held sacred.

“More coffee?”

Blake glanced up at the waiter who’d come back to their table. “No, that’s it for me.” He glanced over at Justice. “What about you?”

She shook her head. “No, that’s it for me too.”

After the waiter left Blake met Justice’s gaze. “Ready to go?”

He watched as she swallowed nervously. Like him she wasn’t sure just how this night would end for them. “Yes, I’m ready.”

***

First, Blake decided, as he drove away from the restaurant, he wanted to seduce Justice’s mind. By the time he reached her house he wanted her to have decided what their next move would be. If they didn’t make it to the bedroom tonight that would be all right with him since there would be a next time. Already he was considering another date with her, which would be a damn good reason to let the chemistry sizzle and build, and whenever they did come together, he could count on one really big explosion.

He had no qualms about taking a woman to bed on their first date as long as he kept things safe. One-night stands never bothered him, but for some reason the thought of a one-night stand with Justice did and it had nothing to do with the ties she had with his family. They were both of legal age and consenting adults and what they did was nobody’s business.

“You’re quiet.”

He glanced over at her when the car came to a stop at a traffic light. It was time for the mind seduction to begin. “I’m thinking.”

She lifted a brow. “About what?”

“What might or might not happen when we get back to your place.”

He heard her swift intake of breath. His candidness had surprised her. She hadn’t heard anything yet.

“What makes you think anything might happen? There’s a strong possibility I might not invite you in.”

He chuckled. “And I’m thinking it might be a damn good idea if you didn’t. You’re a nice girl and maybe I should try to keep it that way. After all, you’re close to my family.”

She frowned. “Your family nor mine has anything to do with what we decide to do.”

He nodded, glad to hear they shared the same opinion on the matter. Now back to seducing her mind. “I’d like to come in tonight,” he said, meaning every word.

“For coffee?” she asked, turning slightly in the seat to meet his gaze while they stopped at another traffic light.

“No, for you.”

His words hung between them in the close confines of the vehicle, making the interior sizzle. From the illumination of a streetlight, he could see her features and read the anticipation in her eyes as well as hear the irregular breathing coming from her lips. Lips he couldn’t wait to taste again.

“You’re pretty straightforward, aren’t you?” she asked when the car started moving again.

“Yes, I don’t like playing games. I believe I know and understand what we both want. Are you going to deny it?” His hand tightened on the steering wheel as he waited for her to respond.

“No, I won’t deny it.”

He released a deep breath; she had been honest with herself as well as with him. That meant a lot. He reached out and inserted a CD he had borrowed from Tyler into the CD player, thinking times like this called for a little Marvin Gaye. When “Let’s Get It On”
kicked into play, he glanced over and noted she had eased the seat back and with all preliminaries out of the way and a clear understanding established between them, she had closed her eyes and was enjoying the ride home.

He smiled.

***

“Justice, wake up, you’re home.”

After bringing the car to a stop, he’d been tempted to kiss her awake but had decided not to give her neighbors anything to talk about. He watched as her eyes slowly opened and wondered if this is how she would look waking up in the mornings, irresistibly sexy.

“Sorry, I fell asleep on you.”

“That’s no problem.”

She glanced to her porch where she’d left a light burning. She returned her gaze to his, then paused, obviously giving herself time to get out the next words. “You still want to come in?”

“Definitely,” he said easily. He saw her throat tightened when she swallowed and was tempted to lean over and kiss the spot.

“All right.”

He got out of the car and walked around to open the door for her. Moments later they were walking side by side up to her door. He took a step back while she opened the door then followed her inside.

Justice’s pulse quickened when Blake closed the door. She hadn’t been able to keep her eyes off him all night. Awareness and male appreciation had consumed her the moment she had opened the door earlier that evening to find him dressed in a nice looking blue shirt and a pair of navy trousers. The sight of him had literally taken her breath away. The man was simply gorgeous.

She turned and watched as he stopped in front of the vase of flowers he had given her that now sat on the table in her living room. She couldn’t help wondering what he was thinking as he studied them and a delicious warmth settled low within her as she studied him, unable to look away.

He had told her a lot about himself at dinner and she had enjoyed his company. Like all the Savoys she’d gotten to know over the years, he came across as someone who would stand up for what he believed in, was loyal and dedicated to those he loved, and a person who strongly believed in doing what was right.

Justice thought his attitude was a good reflection on the way he’d been raised. His parents should be given credit for such an outstanding accomplishment and then there was Gramma Savoy, who played a vital part in all her grandchildren’s lives. Justice’s own grandmother had died when she’d been too young to really know her and cherished the part Gramma Savoy had in her own life. She’d always thought that Thelma Savoy was a person who was the ideal grandmother anyone would want to have. She praised you when you did something good and wouldn’t hesitate to give you a good old fashion dress-down if you did something bad.

As she continued to study Blake he slowly shifted his gaze from the flowers to her. She licked her bottom lips, feeling heat churning through her. Heat and desire.

“Thanks again for the flowers,” she said, getting more heated by the look in his eyes.

He covered the few steps separating them. “You’re welcome. I saw those particular ones and thought of you.”

She glanced over at the arrangement. “Really? Why?”

“Besides their beauty, I got the distinct impression that no matter how bleak the outlook of things may seem, they have the ability to brighten anybody’s day.”

The corners of Justice’s lips tilted into a smile. He had given her a touching compliment. “Like everyone else I do have my days.”

He chuckled, unable to deny that, since he’d seen her in action that first time. “All of us do,” he assured her. “But it didn’t take much to notice that you know when to give in and let go.”

Like I’m about to do now
,
she thought, as she watched him studying her mouth as if it were a treat he was dying to have. She breathed in a slow, deep breath, remembering their kiss that day and how she had longed to kiss him again. “Well, after hanging around Savoys long enough, a person gets smart. Tonya and I have been friends for years, so I learned quick.”