Take Me Down. Sylvia Lett

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СКАЧАТЬ on hers as she eagerly returned his kiss. They both forgot the reason for the kiss as they were carried away by mutual desire.

      Her heartbeat accelerated and her toes curled as she swayed into him. She had never been kissed so thoroughly or enjoyed it as much. Jack was the forbidden fruit and Stephanie couldn’t resist temptation.

      They slowly pulled away from each other. Stephanie peered down at Jack and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. This time, she initiated the kiss. Her lips grazed his again and again.

      Jack buried his hands in her thick hair as he plundered her mouth. Stephanie clung to him and returned his kiss. Her passion surprised him, but his reaction to her surprised him even more.

      “Stephanie Andrea Mason!” Mildred gasped, approaching the couple hurriedly. “What do you think you’re doing?”

      Jack turned to face Mildred and held more tightly on to Stephanie. Stephanie’s eyes fluttered open and she could feel desire swelling within her.

      Stephanie was flushed and trembling as she rose from Jack’s lap and came to her feet. Jack stood up also, slipping his arm around Stephanie’s waist. She shivered beneath his touch.

      “Hi, Mother,” she said breathlessly stated as she struggled to regain her composure.

      Mildred surveyed Jack with disdain. She snubbed him and turned her attention back to her daughter. “Who is this person? Stephanie, it’s in poor taste to get caught making out with the hired help.”

      Jack’s hearty rich laughter filled the air. He looked Mildred over and summed her up pretty quickly. She was like a miniature pit bull chomping at the bit. It was easy to see how she could intimidate and browbeat her daughter, but he was a different story.

      “So, let me see if I’ve got this straight, Mother. It’s okay to make out with the hired help, as long as I don’t get caught? Great advice, Mom. I’ll try to remember that.”

      “You are twisting my words.”

      “Doesn’t sound like it to me,” Jack threw in for good measure, all the while grinning at a furious Mildred. “I am the hired help.”

      “I’m not talking to you. I was speaking to my daughter. Why don’t you go get us a drink or something?”

      Stephanie was embarrassed by her mother’s treatment of Jack. “Mom, stop it. Jack doesn’t work here. He’s an invited guest.”

      “I doubt that. Someone of his caliber would never be on the Waterfords’ guest list. He probably crashed the party to prey on single, wealthy women.”

      “Then he certainly picked the right party, didn’t he?” Stephanie snapped.

      “I’m still standing here, ladies. Would you two like to be alone to discuss ‘me’? Mildred, could you point out one of those wealthy ladies to me and I’ll excuse myself?”

      Stephanie elbowed Jack. “Behave. There’s nothing to discuss. My mother is a drama queen. Let’s go back inside, Jack. You promised me a dance.”

      “Honey, I am only looking out for what’s best for you.”

      “Mrs. Mason, I’m Jack Kaufman.” She refused to shake his outstretched hand, which spurred him into action. “Your daughter has requested my services for the evening. They are expensive, but well worth the money.” Stephanie couldn’t resist a smile as Jack’s twinkling eyes met hers. He winked at her. “If I can ever do ‘anything’ for you, let me know. I give family discounts.”

      Mildred gasped and grabbed her heart in outrage. “Stephanie, are you insane? You pick up a complete stranger at a party, a gigolo no less! Have you no shame? Have you lost your mind? This is ludicrous!”

      “Jack is not a stranger, Mother.” Stephanie was trying to hide her amusement as she enjoyed her mother’s discomfort. “I hired him on Monday. He really is the best at what he does.”

      “Thank you.” Jack smiled, caressing her arm. He leaned over and kissed her. “I aim to please.”

      “So far I haven’t been disappointed. I can’t wait to see what you teach me next. I’m a quick learner.”

      “You haven’t seen anything yet, sweetheart.” His eyes held a promise she tried desperately to ignore. “It was nice chatting with you, Mom, but the clock is ticking so to speak.” His arms closed around Stephanie and his head lowered to hers again. His mouth feasted on hers and she responded wholeheartedly. “Meet me back at the hotel for that bubble bath and full body massage we discussed earlier.” He gave her another quick kiss and then he was gone.

      Stephanie stared at his retreating back. Her hand touched her still throbbing mouth. In that moment she knew she was in big trouble. She had been thoroughly kissed by a mercenary and had enjoyed every delicious moment.

      Oh God. What have I done? I can’t believe I let this happen. I can’t make the same mistake again. I have to keep him at arm’s length. He is so not the one for me. This was just for show. It was for my mother’s benefit, nothing more.

      When Stephanie turned to look at her mother, she almost felt sorry for her. Mildred was sitting on the bench with her head in her hands.

      “Mom, are you okay?” She couldn’t stand the tortured look on her mother’s face. Stephanie lowered her eyes in defeat.

      “Am I supposed to be okay about this? You are acting careless and irresponsible, like me. What about poor Stanley? You won’t sleep with him, but you pick up this gigolo and install him in your hotel for your pleasure. That’s something I would do. That’s not something you would do. You are too levelheaded. Honey, I know you run a multimillion-dollar hotel chain and you’re an independent woman, but this is more than I can take. What’s going on with you?”

      It was confession time. She sat down next to her on the bench. “Mom, Jack is not a gigolo. We were playing around to get you riled up. He saw you coming with bachelor number three of the evening and I told him to pretend we were together. That’s why he kissed me. It wasn’t real.”

      “Oh, that’s a relief,” said her mother, exhaling a deep breath. “But be careful. That kiss I witnessed didn’t look pretend. I saw the way you responded. Stephanie, stay away from that man. He’s not for you. There’s something about him that seems almost suspicious. I don’t trust him for a minute.”

      You don’t know the half of it, Mom, and my guess is right now is not a good time to tell you. You’d probably pass out. “Mom, you don’t trust any man.”

      “And neither should you. They are all liars and cheaters. They always leave in the end. The sex may be great for a while, but—”

      “Please stop,” said Stephanie, cutting her off before she started ranting and raving about her absentee ex-husband. “Jack is not a gigolo.” Her mother looked at her skeptically. “Jack Kaufman is the new security consultant I hired a few weeks ago. That’s why he’s staying at the hotel. He’s not my love slave. You can relax.”

      “He looks more like a criminal than he does hotel security. Where on earth did you find him? He’s so imposing and intimidating.”

      You have no idea how close to the truth you are! “I posted an ad and he applied for the job. СКАЧАТЬ