Catering to Three (5 page)

Julie’s worried eyes sought his. He realized she expected confirmation, and he needed to get control of himself.

“By the looks you’ve been getting from our somewhat-limited male clientele, I’d say they are far from offended. However, I did bring a sweatshirt that I thought you might want.”

“Oh my God,” Julie said under her breath, grabbing the sweatshirt from his hand. “What you must think of me…”

“I think that with a body as beautiful as yours,” he said as she quickly pulled the material over her head, “there’s no reason for embarrassment.” He continued to stare at her, mesmerized by her every move.

Keith could have sworn that after she pulled the sweatshirt over her breasts and turned away from still sporting the flush of embarrassment, he had seen a brief acknowledgment of pleasure in her eyes. He felt his groin tighten. He wasn’t used to reacting so strongly to a woman. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away or make a fool of himself.

Something drew his attention to the other side of the room and when he looked toward the sound, his eyes locked with dark-brown ones that were looking at him with amusement. When had Mark come into the gym? This wasn’t his night to work out.

Ignoring his friend, he turned his attention back to Julie before he said, “I have few private rooms upstairs that I usually charge extra for when clients want to exercise without being thrown into the general populace. In your case, I wouldn’t charge you. However”—he paused, lowering his body beside hers—“I might have to check in on you from time to time. Just to make sure you haven’t passed out from overexertion.”

“I appreciate the offer, but believe me, this won’t happen again.”

“No?”

He knew he sounded disappointed because he was and he wanted her to know it even though he knew at this point he needed to back off. She wasn’t like the other woman he was usually attracted to that he met at clubs and other out-of-the-way places. He needed to be patient with this one.

‘I just want you to know,” she said, pushing herself off the rower, “I’m not an exhibitionist.”

Keith nodded, rising with her, his hand on her arm. “I didn’t think you were.” He grinned. “And for the record neither am I.”

Julie giggled and then laughed. Her entire face lit up. If possible, Keith thought to himself, she was even more beautiful. “You’re a beautiful woman, Julie, with a lovely laugh. You should do it more often. You’re always so serious.”

“Am I? I don’t mean to be. It’s just that I’m one of those people who become totally consumed in what’s important to me, and as you know, having your own business takes a lot of work. I take it very seriously.”

“I can understand that. Mine is always on my mind, too. When you’re the owner, even when you have a partner like you do, the responsibility weighs heavy on you.”

“But,” Julie added, “sometimes it’s good to laugh. Even when you’re laughing at yourself and your own stupidity. You’ve made me feel better. Thanks.”

“I’m glad you feel better, but I think you’re too hard on yourself.”

“I do have a lot on my plate. No pun intended.”

“I hope Noah Jamison isn’t the reason for your workout tonight.”

“No. I’m more than thrilled that you recommended us. It’s a fantastic opportunity.”

“Glad to hear it,” he said. “I knew you were up to the task. I think you’re going to find that working with him is going to open up a lot of doors for you. Noah’s invited a lot of important people, many of whom are here in the area.”

“I really can’t thank you enough, Mr. Barnes.”

“No need to thank me. I wouldn’t have encouraged Noah to contact you if I hadn’t thought you were more than up to giving him whatever he wants.”

For a moment Julie seemed taken aback, but quickly smiled and nodded before she said, “I will do whatever it takes.”

There was no doubt in his mind that she had caught his double meaning and was mulling it over in her head. He laughed, thinking how much fun it was to talk to her like this.

“Now if you’ll excuse me,” Julie said, turning from him “I think it’s time for me to go home. I’ve had enough of a workout for one night.”

Her foot must have caught on the end of the rower stand. He caught her arm and helped her balance herself. She was so close to him their bodies were practically touching. He wanted to haul her into his arms and do things to her that once again had his libido working overtime.

He caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. He glanced over Julie’s shoulder to see that his friend, Mark, was watching them, and by the smirk on his face, he had been watching him for some time. With a slight nod of his head he dismissed Mark and returned his attention to Julie.

“You know, I think I should have brought you a larger and heavier-weight sweatshirt.”

The dampness from her T-shirt had been absorbed into the overly stretched material of the lightweight sweatshirt. Julie looked down and then up into his face with a groan.

“Is there no limit to my embarrassment?”

Before he could answer, she walked quickly away from him with her arms across her chest.

Reluctantly he watched her disappear in the direction of the locker room. He could see Mark out of the corner of his eye walking toward him.

“Is she the one?”

“Yes, Mark, she’s the one. That was Julie.”

Mark smiled broadly. “Do you think she’ll want to play?”

“I certainly hope so. And you know Noah. He seldom takes no for an answer.”

Dressing for dinner with a client should have only taken her the minimal amount of time since she had few dresses to choose from in her closet. She had never been one to buy a lot of formal clothes. Her work and lack of social life even with Chad had kept the clothing she did buy casual. And now that she had lost weight, she found herself swimming in most of her dresses other than the blue one she had worn for her initial meeting.

Finally she found a little black dress that she had almost forgotten about that she had purchased soon after her move to San Diego for one of the few business dinners Chad had asked her to attend. It was a little looser than she would have liked, so she belted it with a gold chain to enhance her small waist and her curves. She was pleased with how the material flowed over hips to stop midthigh, making her legs look even longer. Chad had once told her that for not being that tall, she had amazing legs.

A pair of black heels, a thin gold chain around her neck, and a pair of matching earrings completed the look. She glanced at the clock and knew she needed to hurry if she was to be on time for the dinner meeting. Luckily she had recently had her hair styled and highlighted again. She only needed to run a quick comb through her long locks that hung in waves to below her shoulders and she was satisfied.

When she arrived at the restaurant, she checked her watch. She was only a few minutes late. Calling for a taxi had been smart. She wasn’t familiar with the restaurant, and as she had anticipated, parking would have been a problem. When she mentioned Noah Jamison’s name to the host, she was immediately escorted to a private room. To her surprise, not only were Noah Jamison and the man she assumed was Mark Romano in attendance, but Keith Barnes was also sitting at their table. The three men rose as she approached.

“Julie, you look beautiful,” Keith said as she approached the table. He stood and, to her surprise, gave her a hug.

She smiled. “Mr. Barnes. How nice to see you. I didn’t realize you would be joining us.”

“Noah and Mark took pity on me. We played racquetball this afternoon and when they said they were meeting you for dinner, I asked if I might join the party. I know it’s a business meeting, but the food here is delicious and I hadn’t seen you of late, so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to discuss an event I’m planning in the near future.”

Before she could respond, he said, looking pointedly at Noah, “I won’t infringe on your time. I promise.”

“Not that we’d let you,” Noah said, his eyes never leaving Julie’s. “Luckily, the three of us are old friends who know how to share the company of a beautiful woman.”

Julie noticed a look pass between the three men that gave her a slight shiver up her spine. But before she could try and figure out what their private joke might be, Noah introduced her to Mark Romano. Mark wasn’t a handsome man, but he had a rugged sex appeal that she found attractive. He also had a friendly smile and a firm handshake. He looked slightly familiar, but she couldn’t place where she might have seen him before.

“Julie Larson. I must say it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Both Noah and Keith have been singing your praises. You’re even more beautiful than they led me to believe.”

“Thank you,” Julie said, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the compliment. She pulled her hand from his and sat down in the seat that Noah had pulled out for her. “My partner, Kelly, and I are very excited to be working with Mr. Jamison. This is a wonderful opportunity. Having the right staff in place will be critical to our success.”

“I plan to make sure that you have everything you need from me…to insure you please Noah.”

Julie smiled, although she found his choice of words a bit odd.

The waiter entered the room and bowed slightly as he brought a bottle of wine to their table that he proceeded to uncork. She watched as he poured Noah a glass, waiting for his approval before he filled their glasses. Being in the business, Julie knew a fair amount about fine wines, and the bottle that the waiter held in his hand was far too expensive for her pocketbook. Several bottles later she was feeling its effects.

However, they were all drinking, so she didn’t want them to think she couldn’t hold her own with them. She was glad when their food finally arrived. Her duck was cooked to perfection. Forgoing the need not to appear a glutton, and with the help of the wine, she didn’t leave anything on her plate. But then again, their plates were clean, too. She liked men with healthy appetites.

She also liked men who made her feel special. These three were making her feel like a much-coveted prize as they vied for her attention by telling funny stories about one another and then soliciting her opinion as if it mattered. She liked them. They made her laugh.

It was Noah that finally brought the evening back to the reason they were meeting. “I guess we do have to discuss business, although I would love to just sit here and enjoy all your company, especially our lovely Julie who makes me wish I had suggested a dinner meeting long before this.”

Julie looked down at her lap, feeling suddenly ill at ease. The three men had immediately turned their attention to her. She knew it had to be the wine, but she felt like they were looking at her like she was dessert. Her heart was pounding out of her chest.
Stop it. A few glasses of wine and you’re acting like a silly schoolgirl.
Why hadn’t she said no when Noah had filled her glass the last time and why did they have to be so damn good looking and charming to boot?

“As I told you, Julie,” Noah began, “Mark and I have worked together before. I think you’ll find his resource book to be the best in the city.”

Taking Noah’s lead, Mark continued, “Noah told me approximately how many people you need. Of course, you and I will need to go over the numbers and types, but I can assure you I’ll have no problem giving you a good cross section of people to look at.”

Julie couldn’t seem to break her gaze from Mark’s. His eyes were liquid and warm as they continued to look into hers. Finally finding her tongue, she said, “I’m sure you won’t. I have the numbers in my head, but I think a private meeting between us should be scheduled for this week if you’re available.”

Julie felt all warm and tingly. She had no doubt that he could and would provide whatever she needed. He was the type of man that instilled confidence. It was apparent that Noah surrounded himself with people who excelled in their field. She was just glad he thought she was one of them.

“This week will be good,” Mark said. “How about you give me a call on Monday and we’ll schedule the meeting.”

“I will,” Julie said, somewhat breathless. Mark was having an unusual effect on her. His blatant sex appeal had her squirming in her seat. She knew she shouldn’t have any more wine when Noah asked if she wanted another drink. But damn if she wasn’t thirsty for more. He poured her another that she immediately brought to her lips. This is so unlike me, she thought, but it feels so good to let go a little and they make it so easy.

Mark pushed his business card across the table in her direction. She took it and slipped it into her purse.

“I know I’m not part of the planning process,” Keith said, tipping his glass of wine back to drain it before he placed it back on the table, never taking his eyes from hers, “but I will be at the dinner. I have a feeling it will be a night to remember.”

“Yes, it will be.” Noah smiled at Julie. “A night we’ll all remember.”

Julie was thankful they couldn’t read her mind or see the wetness that was seeping into her panties. Her pussy was on fire, and that was totally unacceptable behavior at a business meeting. Between the wine and her overactive imagination, her thoughts were on anything but the business at hand. She needed to get a grip before she totally embarrassed herself. For God’s sake, they were business associates, not potential dates.