Heart Robber (Lifestyle by Design Book 2) Read online

  "Granger!"

  He was startled by Will's call. "Huh?"

  "What's going on?"

  "Nothing."

  "You better not be staring at Clarise."

  He chuckled. "C'mon, Will. Would I do that to you?"

  Will narrowed his eyes at him. "It's Jessa then. You do know Jessa is one of Clarise's best friends so I hope you don't have her on your list of potential playmates. I don't think she's that kind of girl."

  "Hey, I just find her work fascinating. Maybe I can have an article written for my business in Lifestyle."

  "Oh, right. That's a great idea. A good article there can attract loads of new clients for you. Mine's coming out in a couple of months."

  "I've asked her out to dinner," he blurted out.

  "Oh? To butter her up so she would do a good write-up for you? They don't work like that, you know. They don't do any favours when it comes to their work. They're pretty objective."

  "And Clarise is being objective with you?" he ribbed Will. "When it's so obvious the two of you are so hopelessly in love it's gag-worthy?"

  Will grinned, clearly enjoying the thought of Clarise being hopelessly in love with him. There was no denying he was hopelessly in love with her. "Clarise isn't writing the article for me, Jessa is. And both of them have warned me several times they're not going to treat me differently from anyone else. It's their careers and reputation on the line, after all."

  "I'm not looking for favours."

  "So, then, you want to go out with her because …?"

  Rob shrugged. He asked Jessa out because he found her attractive. She wasn't the type he usually dated but there was something alluring about her. From the way she looked at him earlier, it was clear the attraction was mutual.

  It just occurred to him that there could be complications because of her friendship with Clarise. He didn't think about that. But, then, that shouldn't matter if Jessa also found him attractive, should it? And it was only going to be one dinner - and maybe some fooling around in bed if she'd be okay with it. If she wasn't up for that, then no problem. There'd be other takers.

  "I'm sure she can look after herself, Will. She can suss me out and make her own decision. I won't deliberately mislead her."

  After Andrea, his last girlfriend, Rob had made a decision to be upfront with the women he asked out. He thought Andrea knew the score perfectly well so it came as a shock to him when she demanded they get engaged. He only agreed to be exclusive with her because it served them both. Theirs was a relationship of convenience tied with sexual compatibility, not commitment. That was the only kind of relationship he was interested in. It was a pity Andrea forgot that.

  "How exactly are you not going to deliberately mislead her?" Will quizzed.

  "How? Well, before I end up in bed with her - with any woman, for that matter - I'm going to let her know I'm not looking for a serious relationship."

  "Okay, that could work, although you'll only be with women who only want casual sex."

  "Yeah, so?"

  "What about finding a nice girl you could potentially be in a serious relationship with?"

  His roaring laughter startled some of the people standing nearby. "You are fucking kidding me, right?" he said in a lower voice only Will could hear.

  "What? Why?" Will asked in bemusement.

  "Just because you're blinded by love doesn't mean you have to drag me down that path with you," he replied with an upward roll of his eyes.

  "Drag you down? You don't know what you're missing!"

  "Will, come on. You know all this love shit isn't for me."

  While he was happy for his friend, Rob didn't believe everyone finds the kind of love Will and Clarise found with each other. Relationships like that were the exception rather than the rule. Besides, he couldn't see himself wanting to be tied down in a serious relationship with any woman. That would be way too constricting. He valued his freedom, first and foremost.

  "Okay, okay. Whatever you think suits you," Will acquiesced. "As long as you're frank and straightforward with Jessa about your intentions, Rob. Before you end up in bed with her," his friend warned him.

  "Don't worry about that."

  CHAPTER TWO

  Jessa felt inordinately nervous as she walked to the newly-opened David's Seafood Restaurant at the busy Darling Harbour complex where she had agreed to meet Rob.

  Relax. This is a date that won't lead to anything. You know it's just a friendly get-together.

  She saw him standing outside the entrance as he looked out onto the boats moored at the marina and her heart thumped hard in her chest. He looked relaxed, gorgeous and … yummy. Really, really yummy. She was grateful for the saleslady who helped her choose the dress she was wearing tonight. Apparently, she looked sexy and sophisticated in it. And she was wearing the highest pair of heels she'd ever worn. Rob was tall, probably around six feet. She just thought that, in case they kissed, she wanted to be able to reach his lips without him having to bend too much. Plus, it would be good to have her body completely plastered against that body while kissing.

  She felt her arousal and gave herself a mental shush. As Rob wasn't looking for anything serious, the only reason she could end up in bed with him was for a one-night-stand or, at best, a casual relationship. She had never been into either of those options in the past. She only went to bed with a guy if he was a definite boyfriend and Rob wasn't that. That was why she'd only ever slept with two men.

  With some difficulty, she reined in her wayward thoughts.

  Rob's face broke into a huge grin as Jessa approached. He stepped forward to meet her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Hi, Jess. You look great."

  "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself," she said a little self-consciously.

  He took her hand and led her inside the restaurant. He didn't release her until they were seated at their table.

  "Have you decided on what to have?" Jessa asked him.

  "I'm having the scallops for entree and scotch fillet for main. What about you?"

  "I'll have the grilled barramundi."

  "Any entree?"

  "Hmm. No, I think I'll save myself for dessert."

  "You can have some of mine," he offered.

  "Maybe I'll have a taste," Jessa replied with a shy smile.

  Rob took a sip of cold water to cool himself down. His body reacted simply by looking at Jessa. When she mentioned saving herself for dessert, he couldn't help the picture that floated in his head. He'd love to have her for dessert. And that shy smile she gave when she said she'll have a taste of his entree, well, there were all the parts of his body he'd also love for her to taste.

  He shifted in his seat, his pants too tight, and pushed his erotic thoughts aside. It was too early in the night for that.

  "Do you have family in Melbourne, Rob?" he heard her ask.

  "My brother and his family are in Melbourne," he answered. "He's my only sibling and the primary reason I moved there. Five years ago, he bought a nightclub and needed help with making it profitable so he asked me to be his partner. After a year, it was doing great so I was able to spread my wings and started my marketing consultancy business. We're still partners at the club."

  "Do you still have family here in Sydney?"

  "Just an uncle and a couple of cousins I hardly see. My mum passed away when I was ten and my dad lives in London with his second wife." He took a sip of his wine then asked Jessa, "What about you, where's your family?"

  "They're all in Melbourne - my mum, dad, my sister, two uncles, one aunty and their families. I visit at least once every two months and sometimes they come to have a mini holiday here in Sydney."

  They chatted animatedly about a lot of things over dinner. Jessa noticed that her earlier nervousness had gone, replaced by a feeling of ease and comfort. Not only was she having a great time in Rob's company, but she basked in his attentiveness and heated looks. No man had previously made her feel as desirable and sexy the way Rob was making her feel just wi
th his gaze.

  "Do you want to go for drinks afterwards?" Rob asked as they finished their sumptuous dessert. "There's that bar just around the corner or we could go to the one at the hotel I'm staying at." He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear then softly and slowly ran a knuckle on her cheek.

  Rob's touch sent electric currents sizzling through her. He's really good at this seduction thing. Even though he hadn't said the words, she knew what Rob wanted. She could feel his heat and sensed the need of his body. She knew where things could lead to if she agreed to have drinks with him. His hotel room wasn't very far away.

  Oh, she wanted him. She'd never been this turned on by a man just by looking at him. But she was scared, too. Desire and self-control warred within her, and self-control took the upper hand.

  "I'd really love to, Rob, but I think it's time for me to head home. I have a client meeting first thing tomorrow morning."

  She saw disappointment course through Rob as he inhaled sharply. "Just one drink?" he asked with a pouty, lopsided smile that weakened her resolve.

  Damn. He really is so cute. And irresistible. "Ok, just one," she conceded as she wagged a finger at him, letting him know she won't agree to anything more than that. Or was it herself she was trying to convince?

  Rob's face shone with a bright smile that made her breath hitch. "Great! Where do you want to go?"

  "Let's go to the one just around the corner," she said firmly. The farther they were from his hotel room, the better.

  They walked leisurely towards the bar, enjoying the atmosphere of the Darling Harbour area that was bustling with people on a beautiful mid-autumn night. It felt like the most natural thing in the world for Jessa as they held hands while they strolled.

  A street performer juggling three sticks that were burning on both ends as he balanced himself on a unicycle compelled them to stop and watch. Rob released her hand to put his arm around her waist. Electricity crackled between them as they stared in each other's eyes for a breathless minute.

  "Jessa …"

  "Yes?"

  "I'd really like to kiss you now."

  Her heart jumped. "So why don't you?" she whispered.

  Rob captured her mouth for a slow, passionate kiss as they stood there among the crowd.

  Her mind went blank as Rob's lips and tongue elicited desire that swamped her being. She was, at the same time, falling and flying. Her arms came up to rest around his neck. At that moment, she was ready to go wherever he wanted to take her. Never had she had this kind of response to a man before. Was it the long sex drought that was responsible for this? Or was it her recently awakened desire to meet someone special coupled with Rob attracting her like no other?

  A small, distant voice reminded her that Rob would never be 'The One' because he simply wouldn't choose to be. Reluctantly, she pulled away.

  Rob was unwilling to end his kiss with Jessa but stopped himself from cupping her head and bringing her lips back to his. His body's response to her was rapid and they were in a very public, very inappropriate place.

  As he pulled away, he caught the unguarded look in her eyes that pierced through the fog of desire. There was raw honesty in that look that scared him. It created a strong suspicion that she wasn't into casual sex, that she was someone who took relationships seriously.

  This is the time to be upfront, Rob.

  A big part of him hated that he had to break the delicious spell that encapsulated them. Instinctively, he knew revealing his intentions would mean she wouldn't end up in bed with him tonight. But he wasn't a cad. And Jessa very much deserved respect.

  "Jessa … can I be upfront with you?"

  "Sure," she answered with a curious expression.

  He ran a knuckle on her cheek. "You must already know I find you incredibly attractive. I very much want to act on that attraction if you're okay with it." He exhaled heavily before continuing. "But I need to let you know I'm not looking for a serious relationship."

  He saw disappointment cross her face. It was gone in a second replaced by a too-bright smile. "Yes, I know that." She bit her bottom lip as she contemplated her next response. "Can I be upfront with you, too?"

  "Of course."

  "I find you incredibly attractive as well, Rob," she said as she looked far away.

  He waited for her to finish. He sensed a 'but' coming.

  "But … I don't know …" She peeked at him. "Can I think about it? I admit I'm very tempted," she said candidly. "But I've never considered casual sex before. It's not that I think there's anything wrong with it. I just … don't want to do something I might regret afterwards."

  It thrilled Rob that Jessa was very tempted, but his overriding reaction was something resembling shame.

  Since when did propositioning a woman for a one-night-stand or casual sex bother you?

  The answer that popped in his head surprised him.

  Since tonight.

  His eyebrows shot up at this realisation. Hmm.

  For some reason, he didn't want Jessa to think he was just a playboy wanting to have his fun. He didn't want her to think he only saw her as a sex object. She deserved a bit more respect than that.

  Ah, respect. Yes, that's what it is.

  He answered her question. "Of course, you can think about it, Jess. For as long as you want."

  Jessa's smile showed relief. Playfully, she said, "No seduction until I've made my decision, please."

  He grinned mischievously. "Why not? Am I not entitled to do what I could to get what I want?"

  "Hey, this isn't an everyday thing for me. I really want to think this through first without my strong physical attraction to you getting in the way."

  He liked Jessa's candour. It was refreshing. "Okay, no seduction. I'll try to behave while you make up your mind."

  "Are we still on for at least one drink tonight?"

  "Absolutely," he replied as he took her hand and started walking to the direction of the bar. Unconsciously, he caressed Jessa's palm with his thumb.

  "Rob …"

  "Hmm?"

  "You said you'll behave."

  He sent her a confused look. "What do you mean?"

  "Stop stroking my palm."

  "Oh. I didn't realise I was doing it." His lips curved cheekily. "Why? What was it doing to you?"

  She punched his arm playfully. "I bet that's one of your subtle seduction techniques."

  "I wasn't doing it on purpose," he protested.

  She narrowed her eyes at him in warning.

  He laughed out loud. "Okay, so I'll stop holding your hand." He put his arm around her shoulder instead as they continued walking.

  Jessa shrugged out of his embrace. "I think you should keep your hands to yourself. You're muddling my brain."

  "Don't overthink it. Just go with how you feel," he responded in a soft, caressing voice.

  "You promised no seduction."

  "That wasn't meant to seduce. It was meant to be a very good advice from a caring friend."

  Jessa chortled, clearly delighting in their banter. "It was a suggestive advice from a caring friend with an ulterior motive."

  "So, no hand-holding or arm around the shoulder?"

  "No touching at all."

  "Up until when?"

  "You said I can think about it for as long as I want," she responding with a big grin.

  "Oh, man," he groaned as he shoved his hands in his pockets. "Just to be clear, I said I'll try to behave while I wait for your decision, with 'try' being the operative word."

  Rob couldn't remember the last time he enjoyed a date because of the conversation. The women he usually went out with were hot and sexy but conversations with them weren't exactly absorbing. But he found himself enthralled by Jessa. She had a beauty that was raw and natural - almost innocent. She was funny, witty and very intelligent. And damn, he found her very, very sexy. He could only hope she'd make up her mind soon.

  ~~~~~~~

  Rob knew he was going to have a long, unco
mfortable night. He'd just walked Jessa to her car and the kiss they shared before she got in it and drove away simply fanned his smouldering desire for her. But there wasn't much he could do tonight to assuage it.

  He contented himself with the fact that she'd agreed to see him again in three days' time. That would be his last night in Sydney before he returned to Melbourne the next morning. She had promised to let him know her decision by then. All he could do was hope she'd listen to her body.

  He got to his hotel and watched a group of four beautiful women dressed in tight, short, sexy dresses walk to the busy bar area. Two of them glanced at him and the blonde one smiled. He smiled back.

  Now there was a place where he could pick up a one-night-stand if he really wanted it. His body was still humming with desire. If he chose to, he need not wait until Friday for Jessa. For all he knew, she might refuse to sleep with him anyway.

  He strode towards the jampacked bar full of attractively dressed people and stopped near the entrance to scan the crowd. The four women he saw earlier were standing not far away from him and the blonde one was staring at him with blatant interest. His eyes locked with hers as he appraised her. She looked sensational and from the way she carried herself, she knew how hot she was. Without breaking eye-contact with him, she whispered something to her friend, then purposefully walked towards him.

  "Hi," Sensational Blond said with a sultry smile. "If you're here alone, why don't you join me and my friends for a drink?"

  His lips quirked upwards. "Thanks. I'm actually looking for someone. She's not here so I'll be heading off."

  Sensational Blond's face registered disbelief at his unexpected response. She shrugged, tossed her hair and walked back to her friends.

  He left the bar, shaking his head imperceptibly as he headed towards the elevators to go back up to his room. Did he just refuse an invitation from a hot-looking woman? He stroked his chin as he tried to figure out his uncharacteristic reaction.

  Damn, Jess. Looks like it has to be you.

  He couldn't wait until he saw Jessa again. He tried not to think of the fact that she might say no. That would be frustration overload.