CHAPTER 6

 

 

“So tell me more about how you started out planning events?” Jack asked as he sat down at the wrought iron table next to the terrace doors. There was no mocking in his eyes or his tone. Immediately more at ease talking about her passion, she took the seat opposite him.

“Actually it started in high school. I wasn’t popular or an A-student, but I enjoyed planning my friend’s birthday parties. My mother asked me one year to plan a Fourth of July barbeque and from there it just continued. I started planning friends’ twenty first parties, then a friend’s wedding and it catapulted from there.”

“Sounds like you’re good with details.” The flirtatious tone of his voice left no doubt in Maddy’s mind that he was referring to her love making. She had never been good with details in the bedroom, but with Jack she had enjoyed every last one. Deciding to ignore the underlying meaning she answered him. “Yes, I’ve always been. I enjoy planning things and knowing that everything has been worked out to the last detail.”

Jack played with the stem of wineglass watching her. “Not many people are good at planning down to the finest detail; you must have quite a lot of confidence in your skills.”

“I do, I know I am good at it, and I know I can make this work Jack. I’m not expecting any favors. I already have a few corporate events that I’m bidding for but I have nowhere to receive clients.”

“Where have you been seeing them until now?”

Maddy laughed thinking of her improve meetings till date. “Well I’ve borrowed my friend’s boardroom a few times, she owns an auditing company. I’ve transformed my living room once into an office for an important client meeting and I’ve made use of several upscale restaurants.”

Jack smiled. “The restaurants must’ve hurt your bottom line?”

“They did, but I always tried to work it into the bill somehow, although there were a few times that there were unexpected expenses and I couldn’t.”

“What is your profit margin for your services?” The question was direct and Maddy realized she was now dealing with Jackson Landon CEO of Landon Enterprises, and not Jack the handsome stranger.

“It depends on the commission, sometimes it’s ten percent other times it will be flat fee depending on the client and their budget.”

Jack thought for a moment before speaking again. “Ten percent won’t cover the rent, you do realize that? Most event planners charge at least twenty percent of the total event cost.”

Maddy nodded, glad she had done her homework. “I know, and when you approve the lease I will be upping my fee to fifteen percent, enough to cover the rent while I’m making a name for myself and low enough to remain competitive.”

“Smart.”

They discussed more details about event planning, companies that she had planned for and Jack recognized more than one of the names. He had already made his decision to help her regardless of her business acumen, but he was satisfied to hear that she knew exactly what she was doing. She would make this work, even if she had to give up her last dime. Her mind was set on making Turner Events a success, as a lover Jack felt proud, as a businessman he admired her tenacity. She told him about how she had planned events during the evenings, holding onto her day job until only two weeks ago.

“Sounds like you’re a woman on a mission.” Jack said and the corners of his mouth lifted in a cocky grin.

Relaxed and flattered Maddy laughed. “I am, and one of these days Landon Enterprises will be begging me to do their events.” She watched him gaze at her and felt heat pool between her legs. She felt her nipples harden against the soft material of the red dress that didn’t allow for underwear. Following his eyes to her chest she knew Jack could read the arousal in her body as well. He moistened his lips with his tongue and Maddy had to catch her breath remembering the previous time she saw him do that, he was between her legs and had just kissed her intimately.

Jack knew if something didn’t change soon he would have Maddy right here on the terrace, he was as hungry for her as a starving child was for bread. “Dinner?”

“That’s sounds like a good idea,” Maddy’s voice sounded foreign to her own ears, she sounded sultry and breathless. “Where are we going?” She asked as she stood up.

“Nowhere, I ordered in.” Jack said with a glint in his eye knowing he caught her off guard.

“You mean we’re staying here all night?” Maddy asked exasperated. She had bargained on the safety in numbers, she couldn’t spend the whole night avoiding the simmering attraction between them.

“Only if you want too.” The meaning was clear in his eyes as he smiled at her, he held her eyes for a moment before disappearing inside.

Maddy forced herself to calm down as she stood up and walked to the railing, hoping the cold autumn air would cool the desire that heated her blood.

“That was delicious.” Maddy said a while later as she pushed her plate aside. They had dined inside at long oak dining table leading off the living room. The lights of Manhattan felt a world away as she sat next to Jack, talking about their favorite dishes. There was no further talk of business and rental agreements, only comfortable conversation laced with innuendos. Much like their previous night together they both avoided personal details and discussed opinions and tastes. Maddy enjoyed a more spicy palate where as Jack preferred a rare steak over a Cajun dish. They were worlds apart in taste and income categories and yet none of that mattered when they talked. There was a mutual interest, a canny ability to tease and to retreat that kept them both entertained and aroused. For a while Maddy even forgot why she was there.

“Do you cook?” Jack asked as he pushed his plate away from him.

Maddy laughed. “I can manage a descent meal but nothing this extravagant. Let’s just say my cooking abilities are more aimed toward edible than enjoyable.”

“Really? Jack asked interested. “I would’ve thought someone so into details would be able to follow a recipe?”

Smiling Maddy leaned closer to him and whispered. “The kitchen is the only place I don’t plan.”

Jack leaned forward and met her jade gaze with a smug grin. “I can think of another place you don’t follow a plan.”

Blushing beet red Maddy sat up. “About the rental agreement, am I approved?”

“About that, why Manhattan?” Jack asked leaning back in his chair watching her.

“That’s where the money is,” Maddy answered honestly.

“Manhattan is a city of liars and cheats and backstabbing sneaks.”

“You’re not one of those.” Maddy retorted quickly.

“How sure are you about that?” He taunted.

Maddy looked deep into his eyes and pursed her lips in thought. “Pretty sure.”

“All right, then how about I make you a proposition.”

“What proposition,” her voice was cautious, eyebrows raised.

“Be my lover and I’ll ignore the six month down payment and even give you discount on rent for six months.”

Maddy’s heart jumped into her throat at the thought of becoming his lover. She could have her offices and even afford an assistant if the rent was lowered. As appealing as the offer was, Maddy wasn’t going to be bought. She stood up from the table, brushing her hands down her thighs. “I’m sorry I think you’re mistaking me for someone desperate. I’m not that desperate.” She could hear the temper in her own voice.

Jack stood up and stepped closer to her. “I never said you were desperate. Neither am I.”

“Then why suggest something like that?” Maddy demanded.

“Because I can help you, and I know if I’m your landlord you won’t let me touch you again.” He softly placed a hand on her hip pressing lightly. “Let me help you. I know you want me.”

Maddy wanted to step back but she was hypnotized by his voice, his eyes, and his touch. “Jack, I don’t want to do business this way. What happened between us can’t happen again.”

She saw the steel in his eyes turn dark before she was pulled against him. His mouth crushed against hers as his hand reached for her behind, knowing she should step back she couldn’t do anything but revel in his touch and taste. She sighed as his hand trailed up her naked back. He swept into her mouth with ease and familiarity. Desire strong and raw replaced her anger.

Jack knew he was playing with fire, mixing business with pleasure. But this was one fire he was willing to face. During dinner he had seen the girl he had met all those months ago. The one who intrigued him and challenged him. When she walked in earlier this evening she seemed determined yet intimidated by his wealth, and sometime during the evening she had forgotten about that. As he brushed her tongue with his own he felt his arousal strain against his slacks. A realization slammed into him, he would never be able to get enough of this woman. He fisted one hand in her hair and dragged her even closer, relishing in her taste and the soft moans escaping every now and then.

Maddy wanted to pull away, she wanted to walk out of his apartment with her dignity intact and yet when he touched her like that she didn’t feel dignified, she felt wonderful. She felt powerful, she felt wanted and cherished. Wanting more for herself she reached for him, running her hands up and down his strong back, settling on his taut behind. She lost herself in his scent and his taste.

Knowing Maddy would regret it in the morning if they made love now, Jack forced himself to pull away. Her eyes had darkened with passion, her lips swollen from his kiss. “You want this as much as I do.”

“No not like this.” Maddy said breathlessly. “I don’t want to sacrifice my soul in exchange of the success Turner Events.”

Jack watched her and thought of convincing her. “Then marry me.” The words left his mouth without forethought.

He watched as shock registered in her eyes at the words, and felt the same reflected in his own. He thought about telling her to disregard the question when he realized he liked the thought of being married to Madison Turner. She was someone he could talk to, someone who heated his blood in the bedroom, someone that didn’t think twice before speaking her mind. He wouldn’t have to entertain the countless phone calls from the dimwitted girls that were after his money alone. He wouldn’t have to ask his assistant to arrange a plus one for functions. Madison would be his plus one. His grandfather’s words rung true in his mind, someone who infuriates and arouses you. Jack knew in that instant, Maddy was that person. “Before you say no, think about it Maddy. If we were married you can have the office rent free. No one’s opinions will matter because we’d be married.”

Maddy watched him steadily, it was preposterous. If she was going to get married one day it would be for love not for a corner office. Then it dawned on her. “What exactly are you getting out of this?”

Jack thought for a moment about telling her about his grandfather but didn’t feel she needed to know so said instead. “You.”

Maddy laughed sarcastically. “Jack I might be good, but I’m not that good. Besides, how do you know it will be the same if and only if we make love again?”

Jack stepped closer and softly ran a finger down her cheek. “Because of this. Because every time I touch you I can feel you quiver, every time you look at me with those jade eyes speckled with honey and oak I can feel my heart beat faster. Because I’ve spent six months dreaming about you and now that I have you I don’t want to let you go. Besides, it isn’t an ‘if’ it’s a ‘when’, I will have you again Madison, even if it’s the last thing I do.”

“Jack, what you’re proposing is ridiculous. You’re a multi-billionaire with an empire and a penthouse in Manhattan. I’m a nobody on the edge of bankruptcy since I’m pouring all my money into a dream with a box sized flat in Brooklyn.”

Jack lifted her chin with his finger to meet her eyes. “You’re not nobody, you’re Maddy. My Maddy.”

His voice held a certainty that sent shivers through Maddy’s body, she wanted nothing more than to be his but at what cost?

“Jack…”

“Don’t answer me now. Think about it. Go home and think about, work out the details I know are already spinning the wheels in your head. Then give me an answer.”

Maddy narrowed her eyes, how did he know she was already thinking of the details?

“I told you we know each other better than we think Maddy.” Jack said smiling as he answered the question running through her mind again.

“I have your answer now.” Maddy said through gritted teeth, irritated that he could read her mind.

“No you don’t, you have a reflex answer based on pride. Go home and think about our night together. The easy conversation, the banter and the teasing. Think about how you felt naked in my arms. Think about how I touched you, how you touched me.” As he spoke, Maddy could feel her body betraying her being aroused just by his words. “Think about having that every night. Do you really want to say ‘no’ to that out of pride?”

Maddy tried to force the words out of her mouth, but she couldn’t. He had made her think. Made her think of a life where she would be able to wake up with him and not sneak out. Where she could spend her evenings sharing her achievements of Turner Events and discussing world politics along with every day conversation that came with living together. “All right, I’ll think about it.”

“You do that, and when you’re ready give me call.” Jack smiled at her knowing the battle was half way won, even though the war had just begun.

“It might take a while.” Maddy said with her eyes on his.

“Don’t take too long, we don’t want Turner Events to lose that corner premises.” Jack winked.

“A week, give me a week.”

“One week Madison, then I want your answer.”

Maddy nodded, loving the way her name sounded on his lips. “You’ll have it.”

As Maddy stepped out of his apartment and the door closed behind her, Jack smiled. Maybe he was going to honor his grandfather’s wishes after all.