Sexing Up the Spy (2 page)

“That’s okay, Jake, can I call you Jake?”

He nodded.

“We all like a little sex from time to time.” Lexi giggled as Jake’s dark brown eyes looked somewhat glazed.

“I meant the book.” He faltered.

“So did
I.
Whatever did you think I meant, Jake?”

He shifted in his chair before speaking, “You’re not what I expected.”

“You expected Mrs. Tiedemann.”

“Who?”

“The woman you waved at. I bet you thought I’d be tedious; I’m sure you pictured a librarian or even a hermit. Are you a hermit, Jake?”

“Of course not.”

She’d bet money he was. He looked uncomfortable, “She owns a lingerie store.”

“Who?”

“Mrs. Tiedemann.”

“What does she have to do with anything?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to point out that you shouldn’t judge a book by its appearance.”

“That’s what people do in our business, Miss Andrews.” He smiled. It melted Lexi to her toes and sent a flush of heat to her loins.

“Touché,” It was a shame this needed to stay professional. Lexi wanted to evaluate Jake on a few things. “Speaking of business, did you bring your manuscript?”

“Damn. I knew I forgot something.”

“Well, that’s okay. We can just talk about what you want to work in and how.” Lexi settled back into her chair, wrapping both hands around her cup of java.

“I’d like you to look at it. I tried penning some stuff. I’m just not sure where to go with it. I can run home and get it.”

“No. That’s not necessary I don’t want you to drive all the way home.”

“I walked over, it’s not far.”

“Oh? Well I’ll walk with you, and then I don’t have to wait.” A chance to see where Jake Stone lived, breathed and slept was a real opportunity to get a feel for the man. Maybe even feel the man.
Calm down girl, he hasn’t agreed to anything, yet.

He seemed to consider her words. “Um okay.”

Lexi downed her cup of coffee and stood up. “Let’s go.”

The walk over to Jake’s apartment was brief. Lexi slowed down a bit to get a look at his behind when he strode out in front of her. Damn, Jake was a fine looking specimen, broad shoulders, well-toned arms and a great ass to boot. Yummy. When Jake ushered her into his apartment, she’d expected something sterile, like most bachelor pads. Instead, café-au-lait walls and dark mission style furniture greeted her.

“Wow.”

“Like it?”

“And stunned.”

“Judging a book by its cover Miss Andrews?”

“Call me Lexi and not you in particular, but the general category you fall into.”

“You’ll excuse me if that made no sense at all.”

“I meant your sex.” Lexi looked down the hall wondering what his bedroom looked like.

“You have a one-track mind don’t you Miss An—Lexi.”

“You almost got it that time and as far as the sex, what can I say? It’s what I write.” She felt heat climbing along her collarbone.

His dimples showed when he laughed. Lexi’s knees weakened, “Where’s this manuscript?” She needed to concentrate on something tangible or she would maul him.

“Oh.” He moved across the room to a dark chestnut desk to grab a few papers. “You need to just read the last few pages.”

Lexi grasped the pages and skimmed through his story until she reached the last page.

Killer needed information, and soon. Natasha was an attractive woman. Too attractive. He took her into his arms. She didn’t protest. He bent his lips down and kissed her. She parted her lips and he plunged his tongue inside. She—

“What did she do?” Lexi asked flipping through the papers.

“I don’t know. I stared at the screen for a good half-hour trying to figure out what to do with her.”

“Do you stay in his point-of-view through most of the book?”

“Yeah.”

“How does he feel about kissing her?”

“What do you mean?”

“What’s his motivation?”

“He needs information.”

“Does kissing her get information?”

“I don’t know.” Jake shrugged his shoulders.

“Why is he kissing her?” Lexi rephrased the question, trying to figure out this character and the man who wrote him.

“Because I need to add sex.” He responded as if she interrogated him on a witness stand.

“Oh. No.” Lexi sat down on the brown leather and wood sofa, put her hand to her forehead and looked at Jake. “I’m sorry Jake.” She never once considered he might not want to change his character.

“What for?”

“Mark foisted me on you, didn’t he?”

Jake didn’t say anything.

“He did. Damn him.”

“It’s no big deal.” Jake shrugged his shoulders.

“Jake, I’m sorry. I thought you wanted to transform Killer, to let readers see another side to him.” She continued when Jake didn’t speak, “When Mark mentioned your growing female readership, and I told him if you were ever looking to branch the character in another direction I’d be willing to help. I’m a huge fan of your Killer West books.” She was a complete heel. “I thought you wanted this.”

“I—”

She cut him off, shock and surprise were written on his face, “its okay, I understand and again I apologize. I’m gonna head back to the café.” She needed to leave and soon. She grabbed her purse and made a beeline for the nearest exit.

Before she reached the door, Jake grabbed her arm and turned her around. Lexi expected him to kiss her as she’d seen in a million movies. He didn’t.

“Lexi.”

She remained silent.

“You’re a fan?”

“I’ve been reading you for three years.” That’s what he wanted? What happened to her magical movie kiss?

“I’ve been published for five.”

“I’m a late starter.”

“Do you think you can help?”

“Yes, but I don’t want you feeling like we have to do this. I don’t want to intrude on personal space or wreak havoc on your creative process.”

He took her hand and guided her back to the green sofa, “Lexi, I thought I’d have to change Killer but I’d like to see him grow too.”

“Oh.”

“So what do I need to do?”

Lexi considered one thing, “Kiss me.”

“Why?” Jake wanted nothing more than kiss Lexi, she was damn sexy. Part of him needed to know why she asked him to plant one on her.

“I think in order for Killer to be three dimensional we should experiment.”

“By kissing?” He was astonished by the words coming out of his mouth.

“Well, you want information from me, don’t know me well, it’s similar.”

“You’re not a spy.”

“I kut pretend to be vun meester Stone.”

Jake chuckled when Lexi faked a Russian accent, “I’m just not sure it’s a good idea.”

“Oh,” Lexi looked down at her feet, as if finding them fascinating, “I didn’t think you might…not—” she stammered, “um…well that is to say…never mind.”

Jake stared at her, mystified but wanting her nonetheless. “Lexi, what are you trying to say? Just spit it out.”

“I didn’t realize you weren’t attracted to me!” A look of embarrassment passed over her face.

Jake enveloped her in his arms and lowered his lips to her own. He inhaled. Her perfume reminded him of flowers on a beach. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip beckoning her to open to him. When she did, Jake delved into her mouth letting his tongue mingle with hers. His arms massaged her shoulders as he lowered her back onto the sofa.

Lexi moaned. Damn! Jake was a good kisser. She inhaled his masculine aroma as his weight fell over her. Lexi adjusted her legs and he nestled between them. She felt the hard bulge in his pants. Attraction wasn’t the problem. Jake deepened the kiss and Lexi arched up against him.

Jake’s hands pushed her hips back into the couch, “Wait.” His voice was husky against her swollen lips, “I need to touch you.”

He ran his left hand up her side until it found the curve of her breast. A restrained gasp escaped her throat.

“Lexi.” His russet eyes bore into hers, “I find you very attractive.”

Lexi twined her hands around his neck. “Jake,” she whispered. “I find you very attractive.” She arched back up against his erection.

Jake claimed her lips again as he cupped her leather-clad breast.

Lexi whimpered.

Jake molested her nipple through the leather, causing it to peak.

“Oh Jake.” Her breast ached, yet she didn’t want him to stop.

“Do you like that?” He paused as if unsure what she needed.

“What do you think? Continue…please,” she implored.

Jake rolled the leather material around her sensitive bud between his thumb and forefinger. His right hand held her face as he traced a fingertip along her jaw line. He grasped her head and rolled, placing himself beneath her.

It was a fancy trick, Lexi commented, “Damn Jake, you’ve got the moves of a ladies man. Killer will be easy to write.”

He blushed at her comment. Lexi leaned down kissing him to soften the blow. He removed his hand from her breast to place both hands around her neck. His tender fingertips pressed at the back of her neck and worked their way down her shoulders and arms as if she were a piano.

Lexi’s hands feathered over his cotton-clad chest. She toyed with the idea of unbuttoning the shirt to see what lay underneath.

When Jake pressed her hips down against his rock-hard masculinity, she sighed. Lexi moved her hips in rhythm, meeting his dry thrusts.

“Lexi, sit up, please.”

Lexi possessed no desire to leave the cocoon they formed. She lifted her eyes toward his face questioning, even as she did his bidding.

“We need to get naked.”

His words hit Lexi like a douse of cold water. The reality of how far she’d let him go was unnerving and made Lexi wary. She’d managed to let this “kiss” experiment get out of hand. Now she’d have to cool the chemistry down, and fast, “Jake, I can’t.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry.” Lexi found it difficult to rise off the Adonis-like Jake, but did it nonetheless. “I never meant to let it get this far and it’s just that…”

He glared at her with golden eyes of fortitude.

“Don’t look at me like that! I didn’t mean to get you all hot and bothered.” She defended herself.

His face relaxed a little, “Look, I’m frustrated. I was the only interested party.”

“Interested party! I’d hate to correct you, Mr. Stone, but my erect nipples and damp panties beg to differ.”

Jake smiled.

“If you gloat I’ll throw something at you.”

His smile grew wider.

“Ugh!” She stalked off down the hall.

“Where are you going?”

She turned on her heel to find him right behind her. “Where’s your bathroom?”

“Next left.”

Lexi found the door with no trouble and closed it behind her. She needed to collect her thoughts and herself. She took note of her appearance in the full-length mirror, behind the bathroom door. Her brown hair was tousled and her skirt was askew. Her ruby red lipstick was long gone, replaced by the swollen glow of kissing. Lexi straightened up her clothes, washed her hands and passed her fingers through her tresses trying to calm the strands. She took another assessment placing her hands on the knob but jumped back at the loud knock on the bathroom door.

“Lexi, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just need a minute.”

“Okay.”

She leaned her ear up against the door listening for retreating footsteps. She heard nothing. Lexi braced herself and wasn’t surprised to see Jake standing right outside. “I need to leave.”

“I didn’t mean to—” Jake started.

“Jake, don’t! This is a mess of my own making and nothing a cold shower won’t fix.”

“For me or you?”

“Both.” She smiled at him. “I meant it to be just a kiss. I didn’t intend more.”

“Why can’t it?”

“What do you mean?” her curiosity overwhelmed the good sense she possessed to keep her mouth shut.

“Why can’t we experiment beyond the kissing?”

“For your book?”

“Yes.”

Lexi leaned against the door jam and sighed. It was her idea, but to have her own words thrown back sounded clinical. It wasn’t like she wanted Jake Stone to profess undying love; it was just…well, complicated.
Uncomplicate things,
a little voice whispered.

“Jake, I think we need a few rules.”

Jake rolled his dark eyes at her.

“What was that for?”

“Rules just make matters worse.”

“Rules make sure no one gets hurt,” she responded defensively.