Risk Taker Read online

  Before he leaves, Anthony kisses my best friend like he owns her heart, and I’m certain he does. Em and I have been best friends since the seventh grade, and she’s never acted so enamored.

  “Tomorrow is the big night,” Em singsongs.

  I blush and look away so she won’t read anything into the grin on my face, but when I face her, it’s obvious she’s on to me.

  “Spill it, Cross. Something’s happened between you two. Did you give in and put out last night?”

  “No, it’s not like that. We want it to be life-altering, but we were both too worked up to last until Friday, so we did some other stuff.”

  She leans in. “I want to know all the dirty details.”

  “I don’t kiss and tell, but I’ll say it was amazing.”

  “Look at you! My virginal friend finally succumbs to the earth-shattering effects of ‘other stuff.’”

  “I’m not a virgin,” I insist much too loudly, but instead of feeling horrified, I laugh.

  “There’s nothing better than great sex ... unless it’s great sex with an amazing man. I want you to have it all, girlfriend. Let’s toast,” she says.

  We both raise our wine glasses, and Em proposes a toast.

  “Here’s to men who will care for and adore us until our dying breaths.” We tap our glasses in the obligatory fashion and toss back the rest of our wine.

  There’s no more time for dining when there’s shopping to do.

  Em drags me to several stores, where she advises me on lingerie purchases and helps pick out a rocking-hot outfit for tomorrow night.

  Our last stop is the drugstore where she equips me with a large box of condoms, new razors for a clean, close shave, and the body butter she swears by.

  Back at home, she says, “I love you, and I want this to be the best time of your life. But … if he does anything to hurt you, I’ll inflict so much pain on him, he will wish he was never born.”

  “Easy killer, he is a good man, and I don’t see him hurting me intentionally.”

  “You are right. Besides, all you need to do is rock his word, and he won’t know what hit him.”

  Damon did say I rocked his world and that gave me confidence to be reckless. “I already did that.”

  Em looks up and shakes her head. “Will you be back by Sunday?”

  “That or Monday. I don’t have school on Monday, but I have work, so we’ll see. I’ll text you over the weekend when I come up for air.”

  “You may never come up for air. Damon doesn’t seem like the breathing type.” She winks and leaves for her room.

  I pack for the weekend before I climb into bed. Like every night before, I check my phone before turning out the lights and find a message from Damon.

  Bring the red scarf.

  Yours,

  Damon

  Holy smokes, he wants the scarf. I jump up, grab it, and shove it into my bag. The thought of him and that scarf sends heat through my veins. Groaning, I fluff my pillow and throw myself into it. A long and sleepless night awaits.

  Chapter Eighteen

  I find another dozen roses and a lunchbox waiting on my desk. The card on the flowers only says, “Beautiful” on it.

  The lunchbox stumps me. I open it and find a sandwich, chips, an apple, and a soda. At the bottom of the box is a cherry Tootsie Pop and a note that says:

  For your oral fixation.

  Damon

  “That’s quite a friend you have there. Where can I sign up?” Trevor is like a bad rash, showing up when I least expect him, and impossible to get rid of.

  “I’m not discussing my private life with you. Go read a book if you want dirt and smut. In fact, try Bound. You may enjoy it.”

  “I read it and loved it. I like the section on—”

  I cover my ears. “Lalalalalala, I don’t want to know.” My brain can’t fill with thoughts of Trevor and his lover when I want to imagine Damon.

  “We need to get you hooked up with someone. You spend too much time trying to live vicariously through the fantasy life you’ve created for me.”

  “I know, girl. I’ve been high and dry for far too long. Maybe I’ll hook up with someone on the opening night of Ahz. There will be a smorgasbord of eligible men, and I can’t wait.” He licks his lips provocatively.

  I laugh at him because he’s funny, but he’s also smart and kind. Trevor has been a good mentor and friend, but he’s lonely and looking for love like the rest of us. He has to work on his game.

  “Trevor, how do other men know you’re gay? I didn’t pick up on it until you wanted to put the moves on Damon. Where do you meet men?”

  “There are clubs and online dating sites, but they get old. I’m not looking for a one-night stand. I’m looking for the one.”

  “It’s tough these days. So many people are happy with a casual hook-up. My mom used to say men wouldn’t buy the cow if the milk was free. I get that, but don’t you want to try the milk to make sure it’s good? Anyway, I believe the perfect person will come along when the time is right. It seems to happen when you least expect it.”

  “Do you think Damon’s the one?” He waggles his perfectly groomed brows.

  “Argh, you’re impossible. Always prying. Always probing. I’ll say this: he’s an amazing man, and for me, he’s the one for right now. Now stop pestering me so I can call a man about a band.”

  The rest of the morning, I track down information about the likes and dislikes of Reluctant Capitalists. I reach their manager, who was helpful but brief. The only thing he said is the band likes single malt whiskey, preferably Redbreast 12 Year or Bushmills 16, and light beer on tap.

  I talk to the event planner from their last concert who says the band prefers a private bartender and waitstaff on hand. They like cashmere blankets and down pillows for resting before and after the show. As for food, they were flexible, but she got the impression they like unique foods. The Kogi food truck comes to mind and would be the perfect catering option. And as long as we guarantee them more money than they’d make on a corner, I bet I could make that work. If not, we can get someone from Haywood’s to bring food. The rest of the requests seem reasonable.

  Trevor said they’d be difficult, but it’s not like they are asking us for Skittles with the green ones removed.

  I fill out the acquisition requests for the high-end whiskey, pillows, and blankets and make my way to Trevor’s office to submit them. I’ll run the food options by him, too.

  I plop on the seat in front of his desk. “Here are the things I need for the band.” I pass the acquisition forms across the neat-as-a-pin oak desk. “Can we talk about the food? Maybe go out for lunch?” I hate to leave my lunchbox, but wrapping up the menu is important, and if I can get it settled, then it’s one more thing off my plate.

  “Sure, what did you have in mind?”

  “I thought about chasing down the Kogi truck. Have you ever had their stuff?”

  “No, but I’ve heard it’s good. How do we track it down?”

  “I’ll look at their Facebook page and see where they are today, or we can look at their tweets. I want you to try the food because it may be a good option for the band. If you like it, we can negotiate with Kogi to cater our event. What do you think?”

  “Let me grab my keys. I’ll drive while you navigate.”

  The truck sits on the corner of Sunset and Van Ness. The line winds down the street, but it only takes fifteen minutes for us to get to the front.

  I order the short rib tacos, and Trevor gets spicy pork tacos and a kimchi quesadilla. There’s no talking while we eat.

  Trevor licks the last of the barbecue sauce from his fingers. “Holy shit, that was amazing. Who would have thought of mixing Korean barbecue and Mexican food? This is a great idea. There’s no reason we can’t offer both Kogi and Haywood’s. Variety is the spice of life.”

  “Will you come meet the band to see how everything turns out?”

  “Yes, but you’re in charge of this part of the project a
nd have to be there to make sure everything is running smoothly, so you’ll meet the band too.”

  “You’re kidding, right? Why me? Won’t the team be jealous?”

  “The team gets to go to the concert, but they didn’t save the company nearly $100,000 in eight weeks. I borrow most of the team from marketing. So really, you’re my team. You and me—we make the team.”

  “I like that.” I raise my hand for a high five. “The dynamic duo.”

  “I’m Batman. You can be Robin,” he says.

  “I’m okay with that. I look amazing in red.” I gather our garbage and throw it away.

  Time to get back to work.

  “Did you know we give a super saver award for cost cutting?” Trevor opens the car door while I get in. When he climbs behind the wheel, he turns and smiles. “I put you in for it. Most people would have taken that budget and had a field day shopping, but you spent your time getting donations. The stuff you finagled out of people astounds me. How did you do it?”

  “I asked. It’s as simple as that.” I think about my talk with Em. Specifically, when she told me to ask Damon about his past. “I’m told, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.” I’d do well to follow my advice.

  “I don’t know. There’s something about you that people like. You make people feel at ease and comfortable. Hell, you have Damon wrapped around your little finger. I need some lessons, girl. You’ve got skills.”

  “I have no superpowers.”

  “Whatever.” He turns onto the road back to the office. “Speaking of Damon, why didn’t you have lunch with him today?”

  I toss a dirty look at Trevor, but I know he’ll never give up unless I let him into my inner circle.

  With a huff, I turn to face him. “I’ll cut you some slack because I like you, but I don’t understand your obsession with Damon and me?”

  “Inquiring minds want to know.”

  “Fine, I’ll tell you what you want to know, but I never want to hear it come back to me.”

  Trevor grips the steering wheel in anticipation of a juicy story. Sadly, he’s only getting the G-rated version.

  “Damon and I met at a fundraiser. He asked me out, but I said no. We met for a book club and got to know each other better. We have lunch together, almost daily. We’ve been out to dinner several times, but haven’t slept together, which is what you really want to know, and that’s about it.”

  “Wow. My imagination is so much more interesting than your life. I hope he’s into some kinky shit, like screwing on buses or something like that. He’s the total Alpha male, and I don’t want to hear he’s the perfect gentleman.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you. He’s a sexy, heterosexual, non-deviant man.” I have a hard time keeping a straight face when I think about the steakhouse and the amazing office experience. I don’t think I’ve begun to understand his deviant nature. I get lost in thoughts of the red scarf and what he might do with it.

  “Earth to Kat.” He uses my nickname, which pulls me from my daydream.

  “Sorry.” I got caught fantasizing about Damon—in front of Trevor. “What do you think about the band?”

  “Good diversion, Ms. Cross. As far as the band is concerned, I love them. I think the drummer is hot. I could be happy feeling the beat of his stick against me. I’m sure he can pound out a good rhythm,” he teases.

  “Okay, here’s the deal. You stop pestering me about Damon, and I’ll do what I can to hook you up with the drummer. Since I have access to the band because of my generous boss, it’s the least I can do.”

  “He’s probably straight, but I appreciate the offer.”

  “He’s not, and I’ll make sure you’re introduced properly. I’ll serve you up like raw meat to a ravenous lion. Save your money because we’re shopping before the grand opening.”

  “Look at you. Such a sleuth. How did you find out about the drummer?”

  “I talked to the last event planner, and she told me the drummer, named Rylan, was not in his best form because of a recent breakup with his boyfriend, Tom. I then called the manager and asked him if we needed to make special arrangements for the band’s significant others. He went through the list and confirmed Rylan was single.”

  “You’re good. Okay, let’s plan a shopping date, and you can choose my outfit, but I get to choose yours.”

  “Deal. Oh, and don’t forget, I am graduating in ten days, so I won’t be in that Monday. You’re welcome to attend my ceremony.”

  “It’s already on my calendar. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  The rest of the day ticks by slowly as time does when I want to be somewhere else. The weekend needs to start. I spend the last fifteen minutes organizing my desk. It’s amazing how many ways I can accessorize with a phone, a notepad, and a vase of flowers. I look at my lunchbox and feel bad that I didn’t eat what Damon gave me, but it’s in the staff refrigerator for Monday.

  Finally, the hour hand clicks into place, and I’m free.

  The drive to Damon’s takes me twenty minutes. I approach the gate and enter the code 0615 and wonder if there’s any significance to the numbers. It hasn’t escaped my attention that the grand opening of Ahz is on June fifteenth. Maybe that’s the connection.

  The farther up the driveway I go, the more nervous I feel.

  Tonight is the night he and I will meet in the middle, so to speak. I’ve thought of nothing else all day except how his body will feel next to mine—inside of mine.

  As I near the garage, I watch him approach wearing faded blue jeans and a white cotton button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He’s casual sexy, and I’m way overdressed in what Em picked out for me.

  Chapter Nineteen

  I barely apply the emergency brake before he opens the door and practically pulls me from the car.

  “It’s been forever since I’ve seen you, and I’ve missed you. This feeling of longing is not a feeling I’m used to having.” He hugs me, then steps back to stare. “I sat in my meeting all day today thinking of you. I couldn’t stay in my desk chair because all I could imagine was your lips wrapped around me. I couldn’t sit on the couch because it reminded me of my lips on you.”

  He reaches into the back seat and grabs my bag, then ushers me into the house. It smells delicious, like garlic and cheese, but the only thing I’m interested in is him.

  “Damon, whatever plans you have need to wait. All I want to do is strip you naked and have my way with you.”

  He says nothing, but his eyes say everything. That dark, stormy look is back.

  He drops my bag on the entryway floor and sweeps me from my feet to carry me upstairs. He sets me on my feet in the center of a massive room. I turn in circles, trying to take in what I see.

  There’s a massive king-sized bed with the duvet turned down, and a single rose lying across one pillow.

  Flowers in vases sit everywhere, along with unlit candles placed beside the bed.

  He thought of everything from the bottle of wine and glasses to the soft music playing in the background.

  I hear something that sounds like, “Ahh,” coming from him, and I stare in his direction.

  “You look stunning. Unfortunately, you won’t be needing these clothes tonight—except for those.” He points to my black stilettos. “Later, I want you wearing those and nothing else, but right now, I’m going to make love to you until you scream my name.”

  Damon is so sure of himself, and it’s such a turn-on. “I’m ready. Take me to bed.”

  It takes seconds for him to strip us both naked and press his body against mine. Guiding me backward, I retreat until I feel the bed against the back of my knees. With nowhere to go, I collapse, taking him with me.

  We scoot up to the top, where the red rose lies across the pillow. He picks it up and trails it over my bare skin. The feel of the petals drifts across me, lighting up every nerve ending.

  So many things go through my mind, but all I can focus on is how much I want him.

  “Damon.
Please!” I’m reduced to begging and pleading.

  “I’ve thought about you begging, but I think you can be so much more convincing.” He nips at my lips and licks a heated trail between my breast.

  “Now, who’s killing whom?”

  “I’m bringing you to life.”

  I lie back and let whatever will happen, happen.

  “Amazing—absolutely amazing,” he declares as he caresses my body.

  He pulls me to his side, so we face each other, and he looks at me with such tenderness.

  I lay my head on the pillow and stare back. There isn’t a male model who would look any better at this moment. Damon Noble is sex on fire.

  “I agree. There’s been so many firsts with you.”

  “Tell me about them.”

  I no longer feel embarrassed or shy with him. I share everything with him because he sees me like no one has.

  “Well, first and foremost, you gave me my first orgasm during sex.” If I had a blue ribbon, I would have stuck it to his chest. “Did you know orgasms feel different? Some are more intense than others. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all exceptional.”

  “Your first, huh?” He beams from ear to ear.

  “I’ve given them to myself, but it’s never happened with someone like this.”

  “I’m glad I could be of service. I’m more interested in knowing about how you pleasure yourself. I’d pay anything to watch that.” He rises on his elbow and kisses me.

  “No more discussions about self-gratification.” My face heats at the thought of him watching.

  “Why not? You talk about everything else so candidly. How did you ever grow up to be you? Most people would never talk so openly about the things you do.”

  “My parents were always upfront with me. If I was old enough to ask, I was old enough to know. No subject was ever taboo. I’m not embarrassed or ashamed to talk about most things because it seems normal. Honesty is important.”