Sugar Daddy Wanted: Now Accepting Applications (3 page)

Several seconds ticked by before she responded.

Kerry: I suppose we don’t have to like each other to have an orgasm together. It also says I reserve the right to put out or withhold. That’s not negotiable.

Grayson: Fine.

Kerry: Since my profile states money is more important to me than sex, we should meet first so I can make sure you meet my financial expectations. Then we’ll kiss.

Grayson barked a laugh, then replied: We will?

Kerry: Yes. If the kiss sucks, so will the sex.

She’s not wrong about that!
Grayson chuckled until tears formed in his eyes. When he’d regained his composure, he answered.

Grayson: Where and when shall we meet?

Kerry: Tomorrow, noon. Starbucks on Corydon.

Grayson blinked in surprise.
Not a request—a demand.
He smiled.
Smart woman
. Meeting a complete stranger in the middle of the day, with a ton of people around where she could get help if needed. He knew from talking with his clients that most of the women they met online, would meet them anytime, anywhere—not the most intelligent thing for a woman to do with a strange man.

Sad to say, this is the most fun I’ve had with a woman in a long time.
He’d clear his schedule for the entire afternoon in order to meet with her.

Grayson: Sounds good. My treat.

Kerry: Damn straight.

Sassy.
Grayson: Lovely meeting you.

Kerry: Wait until tomorrow, then tell me that.

Before he could type goodnight, she logged off her account.

Grayson shook his head.
Bizarre
. He powered down his computer, and stretched his arms overhead, arching into his desk chair.
Did I just make a date with a crazy woman? Or am I insane?
Was he only meeting with her to teach her a lesson? Payback for what Anna did to him?

Raking a hand through his thick hair, he pushed back his chair, the wheels rolling on the hardwood. He headed out of his office and jogged up the stairs to his private bathroom on the second floor. While he waited for the shower to warm up, he stripped to the skin and began to hum.

The image of Kerry in the black dress popped into his mind. His cock saluted in her honor.
Down boy.
Masturbating to a fantasy was one thing. Jerking off to thoughts of a flesh and blood woman he had yet to meet another. He hadn’t been on a date in a few months. Work kept him busy, and he valued his space after hours, particular about who he spent time with.

As he stepped under the spray of his walk-in tub shower, he stroked his cock, concentrating on the pleasure of his hand, banishing any sexy images of Kerry that sprang to mind. He tried picturing generic sexy scenarios to bring on orgasm. He and Kerry locked in a passionate kiss leapt into his brain.

Crap. It’s not going to work.
He released his shaft and soaped up.
I need to get laid.
Which meant he’d have to put himself out there, find a woman he could tolerate for a short time, and then break up with her once he’d satisfied a few urges. Drama he didn’t need.
When did I become such an asshole?
Masturbation would have to do. After being used, he didn’t think he could do it to someone else.
Or could I?

You did meet a woman tonight.

Long-buried anger rose to the surface. He’d never been the “love ‘em and leave ‘em type”, but if Kerry wished to use him, maybe he could turn the tables and use her instead. A Sugar Daddy relationship
was
a type of relationship, one that didn’t have to work out long-term. They both needed something. There wasn’t anything wrong with fulfilling each other’s needs and then going their separate ways, was there?

Kerry wants a Sugar Daddy, I’ll give her one
. He’d prove he could meet her requirements, wine her and dine her, and then pull the rug out from under her. Women like Kerry and Anna needed to understand money can’t buy happiness. Money only buys a good time, and it doesn’t last.

Kerry stood inside the entrance of Starbucks, shivering off the windy, late spring day. The smell of brewing coffee reached her nostrils, and she drew in a deep inhalation, hoping the comforting aroma would calm her nerves.

She couldn’t believe she’d agreed to this date, or whatever it could be called. Surprised didn’t begin to cover her reaction to Grayson Nichols. When he’d asked her out, she’d agreed, her curiosity getting the better of her.
What kind of woman really wants a Sugar Daddy? And what kind of man wants to be one?

According to the hundreds of people on the site—a lot.
She’d scoffed at all the bombshells showing more cleavage than she ever cared to see. Didn’t these girls understand they had gifts and talents? Was it laziness or low self-esteem that caused them to go looking for an easy way through life?

And what about the men? After perusing the male profiles, it appeared a lot of wealthy men were willing to pay for companionship. Sure, she’d set up a profile, but she enjoyed her independence, and even though she’d rather have a root canal than pay another bill, pride she could make it on her own permeated her being. Despite that fact, a sly voice whispered in her ear:
Wouldn’t you like to know how it feels to have someone take care of it all?

Did she? Her mind wandered for a moment, pondering the possibility of not having to worry about making ends meet, and what that might be like.

“Kerry?”

A deep voice brought her out of her reverie. She blinked and looked up—way up—and stared into sparkling, midnight eyes. Grayson Nichols looked even more rugged and handsome than his profile picture. Coughing to hide her astonishment, she said, “Grayson Nichols, I presume?”

Straight white teeth flashed a smile, and her heart skipped a beat as he shook her hand. A jolt travelled up her arm.

“You look exactly like your picture,” his low voice rumbled.

“Surprised?” Her attempt at humor failed when her voice cracked. She pressed a hand to her throat, coughing to clear it.

“One never knows what to expect when you meet someone online.”

“True,” she agreed. “And you look like your photo. I will admit I am surprised you’re not an aging, bald man.”

“Then I’ve passed one of your requirements?”

Stunned, she stared for a second.
Requirements?
Right.
He was here to apply as her Sugar Daddy.

“And then some,” she squeaked, a blush heating her cheeks.

He let go of her hand, and gestured to the line-up. “Your voice sounds like you might be coming down with something. Maybe a hot beverage will help. What can I get you?”

“Tall decaf with soy milk.” There—her voice sounded natural.

“Decaf?” he questioned, ushering her forward with a hand on her lower back. “You seem like a woman on the go.”

Her temperature rose again with the contact. “I’ve had my caffeine quota for the day,” she explained, admiring his perceptiveness. “Even though it’s noon, if I have another cup, I won’t sleep well tonight.”

“I like a woman who knows herself.” He smiled down at her.

At his compliment, her blush increased.

Grayson’s gaze zeroed in on her face. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay? Your face is flushed. Do you feel feverish?”

Feverish? Not unless you call having the hots for a man an illness.
Kerry waved a hand in front of her face to dismiss his concern as much as to cool her heated skin. “I’m fine, really.” They’d reached the front of the line, and without waiting for him to speak, she placed her order.

Grayson told the barista his preference, and pulled his wallet from his inner suit jacket pocket. While he paid, Kerry took a moment to eye him. The dark pin-stripe suit fit him in all the right places, and the deep purple tie accented it nicely.

“Something wrong?” he asked, gesturing to the other end of the counter where they could pick up their beverages.

“Nope. Admiring your suit.”

“This old thing?”

Kerry grinned at the teasing note in his voice. After they picked up their drinks, she led the way to a table for two by a window, and settled into a seat.

Setting her coffee on the table, she hooked the strap of her handbag on the back of the chair. As Grayson slid into the seat opposite her, she popped the lid off her cup and blew across the top of the scalding liquid.

Grayson set a briefcase on the table in front of him. Without a word, he extracted a folder and pushed it toward her.

Kerry glanced down at the item in front of her. “What’s this?” she asked, flipping the document holder open. His bank statements stared back at her, and she looked away, covering the top paper with her hand. “I really shouldn’t look at your private information,” she murmured.

“You said you required proof of my wealth,” he stated. “Here it is—my main spending account, savings, and retirement savings, plus investments. I’m more than capable of taking care of you and your kids.”

Guilt niggled at her subconscious at the sincerity in his tone. He seemed genuine about meeting the requirements of her ad.
Great.
Her eyebrows puckered in a frown.

“Not enough?” he asked.

Kerry smoothed her fingers over her forehead and brightened her expression with a smile. “Extremely adequate.”

One corner of Grayson’s mouth quirked upward. “You haven’t really looked at it.”

She opened her mouth and closed it.
All right—I’ll go along with it for now.
Peering down, she studied each page in turn.

To say the guy was loaded was an understatement. Folding her hands together over the top of the stack of papers, she cleared her throat. “It’ll do.”

“Very good.” He took a sip of his coffee, then reached across the table and picked up his financial portfolio. Once more, he popped the clasp on his briefcase before returning the papers inside.

“Listen, Grayson—”

He interrupted. “I have to get back to work. I’ll fax an agreement for your perusal over to your office this afternoon. Look it over, and I’ll meet you for dinner tonight so we can agree on the details.”

Taken aback, she gave her head a shake. “Excuse me?”

He snapped his briefcase closed. “This is a business arrangement. I’ll draw up a formal agreement so both parties know what is expected. Since there is the matter of sexual intercourse to discuss, I think a dinner meeting is warranted.”

Kerry blinked at him in surprise. She’d been about to tell him her ad had been a fake, she hadn’t been serious about wanting or needing a Sugar Daddy. But if he thought he could control the situation by demanding she sign a contract, plus negotiate sex into it, he had another thing coming.
What kind of woman does he think I am?

The kind who puts an ad on a dating site with the Sugar Daddy label?

Shut up.

Her eyes narrowed, regarding him, the wheels in her mind churning. Perhaps Mr. Grayson Nichols needed to be taught a lesson. After their exchange last night, she’d agreed to play along in order to meet him in person. She’d intended to apologize for wasting his time and let him down gently. Now, however, it irked her to no end that he figured he could flash his money and buy himself the companionship he needed.

“Courier the documents to my office,” she commanded. “I don’t wish my co-workers to know of my personal business. I’ll look them over and meet you for dinner. Let’s say La Terra—eight o’clock?” A sweet smile played over her lips. She’d chosen the most expensive restaurant she knew.

It was Grayson’s turn to blink in surprise.
Bingo.
She shouldered her purse, grabbed her coffee cup, and scraped her chair back in order to stand.

Straightening up, she replied, “If you haven’t already used your legal connections, I’ll email you my location once I check out the agreement and run my own search on you. A woman can never be too careful, you know. Nice meeting you, Grayson.” She stuck out her hand to shake his.

Grayson took hold of her hand and stood, towering over her. “Oh, there’s one more thing.” He tugged her closer, until her body aligned with his.

Heat flared in her body, and her heart rate sped up. “And that is?”

“A kiss.”

His low, husky voice sent a shiver down her spine. Before she could respond, he bent his head and pressed a kiss to her lips. Time appeared to stop. Desire flittered around her system. Her head swam. Nothing existed but the two of them.

Grayson withdrew, his eyes remaining on her face, studying her reaction. His thumb rubbed circles into the back of her hand. “You said if the kiss sucked, so would the sex.”

Kerry cleared her throat and stepped back, removing her hand from his grip. “I’ll let you know at dinner tonight.” Floating on cloud nine, she turned on her heel and strode out of the restaurant before she made a fool of herself by melting into a puddle at his feet.

* * * * *

Grayson sat down in his chair, and discreetly shifted to adjust his growing erection.
Damn.
Sex would not suck. The moment their lips met, he’d wanted to plunder her mouth. He’d pulled back, mindful of being in a busy café, but damn if he hadn’t wanted to throw caution to the wind.

He watched her leave the coffee shop without a backward glance. His pride flared.
No way in hell she’s unaffected by that
. He couldn’t be alone on that score.
What kind of game is she playing?

She’d been perplexed as all get out to see his financial statements. He’d known right then she hadn’t been serious about placing the ad for a Sugar Daddy. He’d begun to wonder if, like him, she’d signed onto the site in order to see what it was all about. Then she’d completely surprised him by agreeing to his idea of sending a contract to discuss over dinner.

Hmmm…
Maybe he’d misjudged her, and she was no better than the gold digging hussies who prowled the site, and like a fool, he’d handed her damning evidence he could more than take care of her.

Grabbing his coffee in one hand and his briefcase in the other, he nodded at the baristas and exited the coffee shop. Instinct told him there was more here than met the eye. Kerry was a conundrum he intended to solve. And the kiss? He’d give up a month’s salary for another taste of her sweet lips.