All That Jazz Read online

  “Thanks,” Kenyon says. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other soon.”

  And he walks back to the other end of the bar where Declan is glaring daggers at him.

  My stomach drops. Declan must be mad because Kenyon assumed he wanted my number. I knew that he couldn’t actually be interested in me. I keep an eye on the two men out of the corner of my eye, and Declan’s face quickly smooths out as Kenyon hands over the slip of paper. A minute later, my phone buzzes.

  Sorry about my brother.

  It’s ok. I got a good glass of scotch out of it. :)

  I don’t mean to be too forward, but would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?

  I look up at him in surprise to find him looking right at me. I nod slightly, and he gives me the biggest smile I’ve seen from him yet. He stands up and walks down to the bar stool next to me.

  “Holloways at 7?” he asks.

  “Ok,” I say softly. I’m not positive my voice will work, so I’m relieved when it doesn’t come out as a croak.

  “See you then.” He finishes his drink and leaves me with my scotch, a smile, and incredible anxiety about the following night.

  I change my outfit four times. Ok, six times. But nothing seemed quite right. My wardrobe leans towards the retro, and I’m usually pretty confident that, if I’m not rocking it, I’m at least presentable.

  But everything that I try on makes me look like a potato sack wearing a potato sack.

  I finally settled on my navy polka-dot dress. It’s nothing special, but the nipped waist and sweetheart neckline make it pretty flattering. I pair it with yellow t-strap shoes and take a step back to get the full effect of the outfit in the mirror.

  My eyes get caught on all the flaws, and I’m a little angry with myself. I’d started singing at the jazz club in an attempt to get over my shyness, and it had worked, at least to a degree. But all that self-confidence I’d built up went straight out the window in the face of a guy as utterly gorgeous as Declan. I’m not sure why he’s interested in me at all, and it makes me a little anxious.

  I swallow my fear as best I can and steel myself. It will probably be just one evening, and then I can relax in bed and watch house-hunting shows until I fall asleep.

  You know, like normal.

  I give myself one more critical look and then head out the door.

  I see Declan before he sees me. He’s waiting outside the restaurant with his hands in his pockets, looking just a little nervous. When he notices me, he straightens up, giving me the full effect of his height and his sheer broadness. Looking at the span of his shoulders leaves no doubt that he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty at work. You don’t wind up looking like that from sitting at a desk all day. He’s wearing a black shirt that fits him snugly, and I can’t help but look at his well-defined arm muscles.

  “You look amazing,” he says, and takes my hand, twirling me around so my skirt flares out.

  I laugh; I’m not sure how he can put me at my ease quite so effortlessly, but I like it. “You look pretty great yourself.”

  He smiles and runs a hand through his hair self-consciously. Does he really not understand the effect he has on people?

  “Have you been here before?” he asks.

  “I have. I’m a big fan of their beef on weck.”

  He puts his hands on his chest. “Be still my heart. Kelly, I think you’re the woman of my dreams.”

  I’m blushing so fiercely by the time we walk through the door it’s a miracle that the hostess seats us instead of immediately calling me an ambulance.

  Although I can’t guarantee I won’t need one by the end of the night.

  Declan takes my hand as we’re led to our table, and I marvel at how natural it feels. As soon as his hand closes around mine, I feel safe and protected. It’s a powerful feeling, and one that I don’t normally look for. I spend a lot of time trying to be competent and organized. It’s not often that I let someone else take care of me, but for some reason I’m willing to let him.

  He drops my hand as we’re taking our seats, but after that he immediately threads his fingers through mine, as if he can’t stand not touching me.

  I don’t mind in the slightest.

  Ordering is simple; two beef on wecks, fries, draft beer. It’s a perfect dinner, and we have time to talk while we’re waiting.

  He tells me more about his restorations. It’s clear that he’s passionate about them, and about getting all the period details just right. It would be a fascinating topic even if I wasn’t so interested in the speaker; the fact that I’m incredibly attracted to him is just a bonus.

  His eyes lock on mine frequently, and he gives me this smile that looks both strong and vulnerable at the same time. I want him like I’ve never wanted anything, or anyone, before.

  As we finish our meals, he gives me another one of those searing looks. “Come home with me,” he says.

  Like I could say no to that.

  3

  Declan

  I’m a mess throughout dinner, and I keep expecting her to laugh in my face at my obvious awkwardness. If I hadn’t been nervous enough, she arrives looking absolutely beautiful, wearing a dress that hugs her in all the right places. It’s a miracle I can still form words, frankly.

  Taking her hand is a forward thing to do, but I can’t help myself. I want everything from this woman, and I want to be everything for her. I want to protect her and possess her at the same time. What I feel for Kelly is unlike what I’ve ever felt before, and it’s both terrifying and exhilarating.

  I don’t do one-night stands, and I don’t invite women home with me on a whim.

  Kelly’s not a whim.

  When she agrees to come home with me, I sigh in relief and immediately call for the check.

  I pull her close to my side as we leave the restaurant, feeling the swell of her hip against me, the way that her waist nips in softly. I suspect that she’s soft all over, and I’m dying to prove myself right.

  “I don’t do this,” she breathes, echoing what I had been thinking earlier. “I want you to know that. I never move this fast.”

  “Neither do I,” I say, and then I kiss her, right there on the sidewalk.

  Her lips slide open for me, tentatively at first, but then eagerly in response to my tongue. I kiss her deeply, revelling in the taste of her, the softness of her lips, how easily she goes pliant against me.

  There’s one part of me that’s definitely not pliant, and I know she must be able to feel it too. She shifts her hips against me a little, just enough to provide a bit of friction, and I growl into her mouth.

  “Let’s get out of here before I do something I really shouldn’t do in public.”

  She breaks the kiss and gives me a mischievous little smile that somehow makes me want her even more. “As long as you promise you’ll do it once we’re in private.”

  As soon as we’re in the car, my mouth is on hers again. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of this woman, but I’m willing to spend the rest of my life trying.

  When we get to my house, I keep an eye on her, gauging her reaction. It’s easy to pretend to be interested in architecture, but it’s difficult to fake an authentic reaction to it. Even in the low light I see her eyes widen a bit as I pull behind the house. It’s an Arts and Crafts foursquare that I renovated myself, sanding the moldings and the floors, stripping years of paint off the built-in cabinets.

  “You live here?” she asks, a hint of awe in her voice.

  “I do,” I respond. “Redid it myself.”

  “It’s beautiful,” she breathes. “I can’t wait to see the inside.”

  “You’re beautiful,” I respond, and her face flashes a look of surprise. She really has no idea how amazing she is. Guess I’ll just have to show her.

  I walk around and open her door for her. “And the tour might have to wait until tomorrow. I have plans for you tonight.”

  I kiss her again, savoring how she molds herself to
me, as if we were made to be together. “I like the sound of plans,” she says with a smile.

  I lead her inside and head down the hallway towards my bedroom, but we don’t make it. I back her up against the wall in the hallway, my lips exploring her neck, finding just the right spot to make her moan and push herself against me. I try the same spot on the other side of her neck and get a similar response. I wonder what will happen when I kiss other parts of her body, and I can’t wait to find out. I tug her into my bedroom and lay her down on my bed. Her ankles are crossed demurely, but the rest of her is spread out in front of me like a feast, and I can’t wait to have my fill of her.

  4

  Kelly

  I meant it when I told Declan that I don’t move this fast. In fact, if you’d told me a week before that I’d be lying on the bed of a virtual stranger, I would have laughed in your face.

  But Declan doesn’t feel like a stranger. He feels like what I’ve been looking for my entire life.

  He lifts one of my ankles and slips the strap of my shoe through the buckle, easing it off. He kisses my ankle and then begins to slowly move his way up, pressing hot kisses to the side of my calf and my inner knee. Then he repeats the motions with the other leg. This time, when he gets to my knee he keeps going, his breath ghosting over my inner thigh and his beard tickling, giving me goosebumps in the best possible way.

  “Is this ok?” he asks, looking up at me.

  All I can do is nod, and he smiles wickedly and returns to kissing his way up my thigh.

  When I realize he’s not planning to stop with my legs, my muscles tighten involuntarily.

  “Hey,” he says gently, his hands rubbing my outer legs soothingly. “It’s ok. Do you not like that?”

  “I don’t know,” I say. It’s a ridiculous answer, I know, but it’s an honest one.

  Declan’s brow creases. “Are you telling me that no one’s ever done this for you before?”

  I shake my head. I haven’t had much experience with partners who were actually interested in my pleasure.

  He flashes me another sinful grin. “Well, I was planning to ruin you for all other men. This just helps that plan along.”

  I don’t tell him that if I have my way, there will never be any other men. I shouldn’t even be thinking it. I barely know the guy, but I already can’t imagine living without him.

  “Is it ok?” he asks, waiting for me to give him my enthusiastic confirmation.

  “Yeah,” I say, a bit breathlessly, “but you can stop any time you want to.”

  “We might be going for a long time, then,” he said, and smoothes his hands over my inner thighs, gently pushing them to the sides and encouraging me to relax.

  I put my hands on my stomach and blow out a nervous breath as he strips off my panties, trying to brace myself.

  The sensation isn’t anything that I could have possibly prepared for. I’m not completely inexperienced. I’ve had sex before, and I certainly know how to take care of myself. But nothing has held even the dimmest candle to the feeling of Declan eating my pussy. He alternates between flicks and long swipes with his tongue, and, before I know it, my hands have moved from my stomach to fist the sheets above my head. My back arches as if I’m trying to give him a better angle, and I feel, more than hear, him groan against me.

  “Fuck yes, baby,” he says, breaking away for a moment. “Kelly, you taste amazing.”

  And then his tongue is working me over again, his hands sliding under my ass to pull me even closer to him. And I feel like I’m going to fly into a million little pieces, in the best way.

  He slides a single finger into me, his mouth still on my clit, and I feel the walls of my pussy tighten against him, but relax with each gentle thrust. He adds a second finger and does something that sends a feeling almost like an electric shock through my body. I groan and writhe against him.

  I can feel him smile against me, and he redoubles his efforts, sucking gently at my clit as his fingers find that magical spot all over again. The force of my orgasm is almost overwhelming. I’ve never come so hard before, and I momentarily forget how to breathe as I scream my pleasure.

  Declan slides up next to me and kisses me deeply. I can taste myself on him and the fact that he just used the same mouth he’s kissing me with to give me the biggest orgasm of my life makes me whimper again as his tongue explores my mouth. He presses against my thigh and I can feel that I’m not the only one who’s completely worked up.

  “Too many clothes,” I whisper into his mouth, and he immediately tosses his shirt off and unbuttons his jeans. I unzip his jeans, desperate to see every inch of him. He reaches behind me to unzip my dress, and within seconds, we’re entirely naked on the bed.

  I reach down and wrap my hand around his cock, and he growls softly in my ear. I slide my hand up and down his length, momentarily unsure if I can handle all of him.

  As if he can read my mind, he breathes, “We’ll go as slow as you need, baby,” in my ear.

  I don’t know if that will even be a problem. He’s already got me pretty worked up.

  I stroke him a few times, appreciating the fact that I have this strong man literally in the palm of my hand. Declan crashes his mouth into mine once again, licking, nipping, soothing, claiming.

  “Need you,” I moan, and he takes a nipple into his mouth in response, his clever tongue teasing yet another part of my body.

  I feel like I might die if he’s not inside me.

  He smooths his hand between my legs, his fingers teasing my clit before dipping back inside my pussy.

  “So wet for me,” he says.

  “Declan.” I’m not above pleading.

  He rolls on top of me and I savor the feeling of his weight pressing me down into the bed as I wantonly spread my legs for him. There’s something about being with him that breaks down all my normal barriers, quiets all the reservations in my head.

  He slides into me and it feels like I’m home for the first time in my life.

  I arch up to meet him and our dual moans of pleasure mingle together as he strokes into me over and over.

  “Kelly,” he groans into my neck, and it sounds like more than my name. It sounds like a promise, one that I’m ready to make right back.

  Our eyes lock and he dips down to kiss me, keeping the same delicious rhythm that he’s set.

  He’s hitting just the right spot, stroking over it again and again until I’m not sure I can handle any more pressure. Just when it feels like it might overwhelm me, my orgasm rips through me and I come with his name on my lips.

  “Damn, baby,” Declan says, his strokes becoming erratic as he spills into me. “Goddamn.”

  And his lips find mine again and I can’t imagine living the rest of my life without him.

  He holds me tight as we drift off to sleep, and I’m hit, once more, with the feeling that I’m finally home.

  Epilogue

  Declan

  I watch Kelly across the room as she takes a phone call, files receipts, and organizes a stack of paper all at once. And I’m struck by how much I lucked out.

  Not only did I find the love of my life; I got a damned good office manager out of the deal, too.

  It wasn’t too difficult to pull her away from her paralegal job. She tells me all the time that old houses are far preferable to divorcing couples.

  And she certainly adds both decoration and competence to the office. For me, it’s a win all the way around.

  She’s dressed in a yellow dress that reminds me of the shoes she wore on our first date. She knows what that dress does to me, and she wears it often for just that reason. All I can think about it how I want to strip it off her.

  But I have other things on my mind; I can thoroughly make love to her later.

  If all goes well, I can do it forever.

  I’m fairly level-headed normally, but I’m feeling a bit flustered. Kenyon knows about my plan, and he’s standing guard outside to make sure we’re not interrupted.


  I take a deep breath and walk over to my desk just as she hangs up the phone. She flashes me that smile, sweet but with just a hint of a promise of ‘later’, that she saves just for me. My knees feel momentarily weak.

  “Declan, are you ok?” she asks, worried.

  I’m glad to drop to one knee; it makes me less likely to fall over.

  Kelly looks even more concerned, as if I’m on one knee because I’m hurt. Even when I pull the small box out of my pocket, she continues to look me over, trying to figure out what’s wrong.

  Without a word, I open the box. Her eyes focus on the solitaire inside, and I see the realization flood her features.

  “Kelly, will you be my wife?” I ask.

  And she’s down on her knees next to me, smiling and crying as she tells me yes, as she promises to spend the rest of her life with me.

  I don’t know who I have to thank for putting Kelly in my path, but I’m eternally grateful.

  Zaftig Dating Agency Follow-Up

  Couple: Declan and Kelly Moritz

  Result: Marriage

  Notes: Another success for the Zaftig Dating Agency!

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