Big Shot(40)
She still hadn’t made a firm decision about the job offer in Atlanta and had put off thinking about it until she’d fulfilled the terms of her bet with Wes. Which was incredibly stupid, considering what the move could mean to her future. And her career.
“But,” Richard went on, “don’t be so quick to walk away from something, or someone, that could mean more to you than a job.”
Natalie’s head began to throb, and she pressed her fingertips to her temples. “Wes isn’t that someone,” she said, hating the way her heart squeezed at those words. “I know he’ll always be a part of my life because he’s my brother’s best friend, but this thing between us right now? We both know it’s temporary.” And she wasn’t going to walk away from a solid job offer for a man who wouldn’t, and couldn’t, give her the commitment she needed.
Richard sighed and let it go. “We need to finish up lunch so we can head over to the Chamber of Commerce for the networking session. It starts in about half an hour.”
She nodded, thankful that Richard was dropping the subject of Wes. But her emotions were already in turmoil, and the fact that Wes could affect her so profoundly in a mere ten days wasn’t a good sign. This thing between them was supposed to be a fun, no-strings-attached fling, but somewhere along the way she realized she’d gone and done something incredibly foolish. Something she couldn’t take back, no matter how hard she tried.
She’d always had feelings for Wes, but now she’d fallen hard for a man who would never love her back, and there was no doubt in her mind that by the time their fourteen days were over and they went their separate ways, she was going to end up with another broken heart.
Except this time, she had a feeling it wouldn’t be so easy to repair.
*
“I can’t believe you’re bailing on me,” Wes said, talking to Max on his cell phone as he walked down the street toward the Joy District Restaurant and Bar, where the afternoon Chamber of Commerce networking session was being held.
“You know how much I hate those things,” Max grumbled as an excuse.
“And you think I don’t?” Business mixers were probably Wes’s least favorite thing to do—right up there with eating Brussels sprouts and taking out the trash—but since he always managed to drum up useful contacts and increase his client base, he considered them a necessary evil.
The events were boring, he was forced to make small talk with other business associates, and inevitably he’d get hit on by some woman looking for a prime piece of real estate—wink, wink. The latter he admitted to taking advantage of a time or two, but since his bet with Natalie, he hadn’t given any other woman a second thought. Quite the novelty for him, but he wasn’t complaining considering the past ten days had been nothing short of entertaining, enjoyable, and satisfying, more than just physically.
“You told me that Natalie was going to be there,” Max said, cutting into his thoughts. “I’m sure you can think of something ridiculous to make her do that’ll ruffle her feathers.”
Wes smirked. Max was, of course, referring to the bet and the many outrageous things he’d already asked Natalie to do. Like getting on the Centennial Wheel, and a few other straightforward requests, like making his dinner, doing his wash, and cleaning his house, which had been particularly fun for him since he’d requested that she wear the French maid outfit again, which she hadn’t kept on for long.
The poker game had been the highlight, though nobody knew what came after he’d called it quits, and they never would. He wasn’t one to kiss and tell, and he’d never exploit his affair with Natalie that way. And yeah, he didn’t want to have to deal with Connor blowing a gasket if he ever discovered that Wes had been sleeping with his sister for nearly two weeks—never mind that Natalie was a grown woman and she’d been the one to suggest the fling.
Wes understood it was a Bro Code kind of thing—thou shall not mess around with your best friend’s sister because it could potentially ruin the friendship—but what Connor didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, or their business or personal relationship. As long as it stayed that way, they were fine.
He hung up the phone with Max and continued toward the Joy District, his mind playing over the highlights of the past ten days with Natalie. Who knew that a lost wager could lead to so many delightful possibilities? Like daring Natalie to perform some of the more outrageous sex acts in the Kama Sutra, which had led to a lot of laughing, swearing, and eventually, moans of pleasure when they discovered a few new positions that culminated into some intense orgasms.
And this past weekend, he’d made her wash his car with nothing but a white T-shirt on top, sans bra, that Wes made sure got nice and wet so he could enjoy the outline of those gorgeous breasts and tight nipples pressing against the clinging fabric. Not to mention the way those full mounds had bounced as she scrubbed the hood of his Audi or how her short shorts had ridden up and revealed her smooth ass cheeks when she bent over to dip the sponge into the soapy water. Yeah, total fantasy material.
True to her promise, everything he’d asked for, every challenge or dare he’d issued, Natalie had performed without complaint. He loved that she was so adventurous. So fearless. So willing to be bold and brazen with him.
He headed into the restaurant and rode the elevator up to the roof deck, where the networking mixer was being held in an outdoor setting overlooking the city. The gathering was already in full swing, with drinks and appetizers being served and business professionals mingling.