Sugar Daddy Wanted: Now Accepting Applications (6 page)

“And what opportunity would that be?” she questioned.

“The privilege of meeting a beautiful, intelligent woman.”

She started in surprise at his sincerity. Before she could answer, he spoke again. “I believe it’s my turn to interrogate. What exactly is a woman like you doing on a site like that?”

“Would you believe I was drunk?”

Grayson chuckled. “I believe I might.” He raised a hand in a gesture for her to continue with her story. “Please enlighten me. I think this is a tale I want to hear.”

A smile lighting up her face, Kerry shook her head again. “One bad date too many, I indulged in a little wine, and figured I’d yank a few chains. My son gave me the idea, actually.”

His eyebrows rose. “Your son?”

“Yes, my oldest—Duncan. He’s fifteen. I got home early from a date because the jerk decided to give his ex-wife another go. I give it a week,” she muttered. “Anyway, Duncan and I were joking around, and he suggested I find a Sugar Daddy—someone to take care of me for a change.”

“Upon the advice of a worldly-wise fifteen year old, you decided to sign up for ‘Sugar Daddy Wanted’?”

She stuck her tongue out at him. The childish gesture made him laugh again.
A breath of fresh air.
He could definitely get used to having her in his life.

Glancing up at the ceiling, Kerry blew out a breath that sent her bangs flying. When she met his gaze again, she spoke. “I didn’t take his advice. I figured it would be fun to mess with some heads.”

“Messing with the minds of men can be a dangerous thing,” he cautioned.

“A man’s mind doesn’t seem to be so difficult to mess with. Figure out—now that’s another matter. Besides, I had no intention of meeting with anyone,” she admitted.

“And yet you met with me. Why?”

She shrugged. “Do you want the truth?”

“Absolutely.” He made a ‘gimme’ gesture. “Bring it.”

Before she could answer, the waiter approached their table and asked if they were ready to order.

“We haven’t had a chance to look at the menu yet,” Grayson replied.

“Very good, sir,” the young man with the name tag of ‘Dylan’, answered. “In the meantime, may I suggest an appetizer? The crab cakes are our specialty and are featured this evening.”

Kerry’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I love crab cakes. That sounds good to me. Would you mind if we ordered that, Grayson?”

“Give the lady what she wants.”

“Excellent. Let me know when you’re ready.”

Kerry held up a finger. “Wait.” Quickly, she flipped open a menu and scanned the first page. Her eyes sparkled again, and her tongue darted out to wet her lips.

A queer sensation shot through Grayson’s stomach and went straight to his balls. “See anything else you like?” he asked. He knew what he’d like—a chance to devour the woman sitting across from him.
Down boy.
She tapped a fingertip to her lower lip, and he stifled a groan.

“There are a lot of tasty sounding appetizers here,” she murmured.

“Why don’t we order one of everything?” Grayson suggested.

“Really?” Her green eyes looked up at him in interest.

“I think since our dinner is turning out to be less formal than expected, perhaps it would be fun to just sample food while we…discuss things.”

“That sounds nice.” She snapped the menu shut and glanced up at the waiter. “You heard the man—one of everything.”

Dylan smiled with a nod. “It will be out shortly.”

As their waiter walked away, Grayson unfolded his napkin and spread it across his lap. Kerry followed his lead. They sat for a moment, staring at one another, smiles on both of their faces. His heart thumped an erratic rhythm in his chest, his blood heated, arousal settling in his groin.

The evening appeared to be going in his favor. A new plan formulated in his mind, one that would ensure Ms. Roberts presence in his life for a very long time—if he had anything to say about it. But first, there was the little matter for both of them to come clean.

As if anticipating his thoughts, she said, “I guess I owe you the truth, huh?”

Grayson poured more champagne into their glasses. “Feel free to enlighten me any time.”

Kerry eyed Grayson over the rim of her wine glass. The champagne tickled her senses, a small smile playing around her mouth. When he'd suggested a driver would pick her up, she hadn't believed it until Davis arrived to drive her to dinner. She'd been a little miffed Grayson hadn't bothered himself with the task, but reflecting now, his answer made sense.
A man showing respect…interesting concept.

She gestured at him with her wine glass. “You first—why did you lie about your age?”

Grayson fluffed the whiskers on his chin. “Without this—I look like a kid. Plus, I figured if I said I was older on the site, I might be able to figure out what the hype was about. A lot of my clients swear by it whenever they need…” His voice trailed away and he cleared his throat. “Company for an evening event. Personally, I find the practice offensive.”

“Interesting story,” she remarked.

“Not a story. It’s the truth. I didn’t have any intention of talking to anyone. I only meant to peruse a few profiles before deleting my own from the site.”

“Huh.” She tilted her head in thought. “Why did you stop to chat with me?”

“To be perfectly honest—your picture captured my attention. Making the decision to say ‘hi’ was pure instinct. Now your turn—what were you doing on the site?” One of his eyebrows rose.

“When I got home from the date-that-never-was my son jokingly suggested I get a Sugar Daddy.” She giggled at the memory, then pressed her fingertips to her lips.
Since when do I giggle?
“Pardon me. Too much champagne.” Another giggle escaped.

Grayson grinned from ear to ear. “At least you’re enjoying yourself.” He held up the bottle. “Want a top up?”

She held up a hand. “I’ll hold off a bit.”

“Spill it.” He gestured for her to continue her story.

With a sigh, she said, “Just for fun, I entered the term ‘sugar daddy’ into the search bar on the internet and randomly chose one. I set up a profile, meant to check things out, then delete my information, but then you messaged me.”

“Why agree to meet me?”

She winced, her face scrunching up for a second. Opening her eyes a smidgeon, she said, “A little too much wine and a need to show you money can’t buy companionship?”

“You wanted to teach me a lesson?” When she nodded, he barked a laugh. “Why didn’t you do that over coffee earlier today?”

Guilt caused a blush to heat her cheeks. “I was going to let you down over coffee, but then you came prepared with financial statements and seemed…so serious. It irked me.”

“When were you going to tell me it was all a lie?” he questioned, amusement lacing his tone. “After you’d moved in?”

“Hold on a minute.” Kerry scratched her head. “You said you find the practice of being a Sugar Daddy offensive. So, if you were only on the site to see what it was about, why the pretense of presenting me with financial statements? Why go to all the trouble of preparing a legal agreement for me to look over?”

Grayson played with the stem of his glass for a moment. “I wanted to see how far I had to go before I called your bluff.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “You didn’t think
I
was serious?”

“You just admitted you’re not.”

“But you didn’t
know
that.” She stared at him in shrewd regard.

“I wanted to know for sure.” Grayson leaned his forearms on the table. The scent of his aftershave wafted to her. Her belly clenched, and a jolt shot to her core.

“So, it begs the question,” he said, his voice low, “how did we end up having dinner?”

Neither of them moved, and the game of stare-and-see-who-blinks-first continued.

“Do you play chess?” he asked.

“No,” she admitted. “Why?”

“You’d make a formidable opponent.” He gave his head a slight shake. “You’re an interesting woman, Kerry. There seem to be many sides to you.”

“I have more sides than a Rubix cube.” Kerry shrugged. “But like any good puzzle, I can be solved so long as someone cares to take the time to figure me out.”

“And what if I’d like to take the time to figure you out?” Grayson leaned toward her, dark eyes sparkling in the candlelight.

Kerry licked her lower lip in a provocative gesture. “Why do I sense another proposal coming on?”

“Very astute.” Grayson cocked his head to the side. “Stay with me for the weekend.”

“I beg your pardon?” Kerry blinked in surprise. Studying Grayson’s face, the unmistakable determination written in his eyes, glittered like diamonds. “For real? I can’t leave my children for a weekend.”

“I don’t want you to.” Grayson straightened in his chair and laced his fingers together, hands resting on the table top. It was a confident posture she’d seen often in the lawyers who worked at her firm.

Curious, one eyebrow rose in a gesture for him to go on.

“I like you,” he said without preamble. “I think there is enormous potential for a great friendship here.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to interrupt. “Hear me out, please. I want you and your boys to spend a weekend at my place. If you all find the accommodations comfortable, let’s negotiate you moving in.”

Kerry choked at his suggestion, the champagne going down the wrong way. Coughing, she waved away his concern. “Whoa! Wait, wait, wait,” she croaked. Thoroughly confused, she inhaled a deep breath. “You just finished telling me you were not serious about a Sugar Daddy relationship, and yet it’s exactly what you’re proposing.”

His lips twitched before breaking out in a full smile, causing her heart to skip a beat. “I think at our respective ages, we know what we want out of life. Why not take a different approach?”

“And what approach is that exactly?”
Stop asking stupid questions! You’re not interested in this.

“Spend a weekend with me,” he suggested. “Let’s get to know each other. I’ve got plenty of room. In fact, I’ve got nearly a whole wing for just you and the boys. My house is empty and it could use…company.”

The way he said the word ‘company’ tugged at her heart. His smile faltered a little and a tiny hint of vulnerability flashed in his eyes before it disappeared. She thought for a moment. He’d said he could find dates, but not women who saw past his looks or money.

Grayson didn’t seem like such a bad guy even though they’d met in an unorthodox way. Maybe like her, he truly did want to find someone to spend his time with. Would it be so bad to spend time with a gorgeous man even if it was friendship?

Oh no. Don’t get suckered in. He’s a lawyer. He’s good at getting what he wants.

Kerry gestured both palms to the ceiling. “All right—let’s say, my kids and I spend the weekend with you. What then?”

“If you enjoy your time with me, you could consider moving in.”

Both eyebrows shot upward. “Move in? With you? Aren’t we jumping the gun a wee bit?”

He shrugged. “Why not? You would be debt free, have a nice place to live—”

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. “Stop. I don’t want a Sugar Daddy. We covered this already.”

“It’s not what I’m suggesting…exactly.”

“What are you suggesting
exactly
?” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice, even though a twisted part of her actually wanted to hear his plan.

“Uh…well,” he began.

He doesn’t have a plan.
Intrigued as to what he’d come up with on the spot, she nodded at him to continue. Grayson straightened up further, dark eyes glinting.
Oh, this ought to be good.

“Spend one weekend with me. You and your children. I’ve got an indoor lap pool and hot tub, an outdoor pool, billiard room, home theatre, and more than enough bedroom space for all of you. Think of it as a vacation. If you all enjoy it there, consider moving in with me. You can sell your house, keep any profits. Put it away for your retirement if you wish. Keep working if you want. Any money you would’ve put toward a mortgage, save it for the boys’ education.”

That’s some plan.
Stunned, Kerry slumped back in her chair, unsure what to think. His home sounded like heaven, and a break from the norm would be nice.
But what about after the weekend is over?
Would she really consider moving in with Grayson, a man she’d just met? What he proposed sounded like heaven too. No bills, only saving for her sons’ future.
A dream for every parent.

The idea rolling through her brain, she spoke slowly, eyes narrowing at him. “Let me get this straight—I spend one weekend at your house, in order to decide if I want to move my family there. Sounds like I win all around. What’s the catch? What’s in it for you?”

“If you move in with me, I won’t grow old alone.”

Her eyes went wide in surprise at his response. She searched his face, but only found sincerity. “Really?”

He nodded. “Married couples sign a contract ‘til death do us part. Or divorce when they can’t stand each other. What is marriage but a glorified roommate partnership?”

“How romantic,” she muttered.

“Do you want romance? It’s negotiable, as is sex.”

She scoffed, making a slicing motion through the air with her hand. “Ha! Romance and sex need to happen naturally. They are
not
negotiable.”

“Fair enough. Why don’t we start as friends and see where it goes? Some of the most lasting relationships start out on a basis of friendship.”

“Name one?” She folded her arms over her chest.

He lifted a shoulder. “I can’t.”

Huffing out a breath, she queried, “We barely know each other and you want me to spend the weekend with you?”

“I believe it’s what I proposed.” He held up a finger. “No strings attached, I might add. Give me a chance to get to know you. I like you already.” When she didn’t answer immediately, he pressed on, “Can you say you don’t like me?”

Kerry opened her mouth to answer, but she snapped it closed, mulling over the plan.
I don’t hate him. He’s handsome, rich, interesting… Would one weekend with him really hurt?
She rarely introduced any of the men she dated to her sons. After Isaac, no one had been worthy of spending time with her boys. How would they react to spending a weekend at a rich guy’s house they didn’t know?