Only Man For The Job Read online

  Only Man For The Job

  by

  Liza James

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Only Man For The Job

  COPYRIGHT Ó 2007 by Donna M. Kowalczyk

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Contact Information: [email protected]

  Cover Art by R.J.Morris

  The Wild Rose Press

  PO Box 706

  Adams Basin, NY 14410-0706

  Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

  Publishing History

  First Scarlet Rose Edition, May 2007

  Published in the United States of America

  Dedication

  For my husband, the Only Man For all my Jobs :::wink:::

  “So, the rumors are true. You’re back.”

  Laney Peters managed to hold onto her composure as the man she’d been dreaming about for the past two years gazed down at her, that sexy grin as potent as ever. Damn him.

  “You’re the contractor?” Oh yeah, smooth, Laney. Real smooth.

  Keith Jansen leaned back against the doorjamb and crossed his arms over his chest, his intense gaze in direct contrast with his lazy stance. They had history, and Laney knew Keith’s thoughts were headed in the same direction as her own.

  “You sound surprised.” His grin turned knowing. “Hoping another Keith Jansen would show up at your front door?”

  “Hate to burst your over-inflated bubble,” she said, itching to smack that arrogant look off his face, “but my secretary lined up the estimates, not me. You wouldn’t be standing here if I had.”

  Keith straightened, his smile fading. “You walked out on me, Laney. You don’t get to play the victim.”

  “I had good reason, and you know it.” Laney took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Look, I’m sorry you wasted your time. Send me a bill for the estimate.”

  They stared at each other for a good twenty seconds then Keith swiped his fingers through his hair. “I’m damn good at what I do. At least let me give you an estimate.”

  You’re damn good at a lot of things. Breaking my heart, for one.

  “I can see it in your face, Laney. Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re glad to see me.”

  “As full of yourself as ever, I see. And you’re wrong. I just want my upstairs bathroom remodeled. Nothing more.” Okay, maybe more, but you’ll never know it.

  He went back to the sexy grin. “An estimate. That’s it. Come on, sweetheart, I need the job.”

  Yeah, right. More like he wanted to torture her by making her watch him work day after day, no shirt, sweaty… Well, maybe if she pretended the central air had gone out, she’d get no shirt and sweaty. The next couple of weeks were supposed to be scorchers—

  Jesus, all he had to do was look at her, and she started imagining ways to get him naked.

  Why would the fates send this particular man to her door? All she wanted was to have her bathroom remodeled, not have her past mistakes thrown in her face. But damn, Keith was as handsome as ever with that thick, unruly head of midnight black curls and piercing blue eyes that still turned her legs to mush. He wore a faded pair of Levis and a clean, white T-shirt with his company’s logo silk-screened onto the top left corner.

  Laney blew out a frustrated breath and stepped back, inviting him in with a sweep of her arm. “Fine. An estimate, then you’re gone.”

  The smart ass saluted her on his way in.

  “Nice place,” he commented as she led the way upstairs to the master bedroom.

  “Thanks.” It really was a great house, inside and out. A two story southern colonial with large, heavy columns stationed out front and a second-floor balcony supported by the column-covered porch below. She’d been surprised to find such a structure in the suburbs of Chicago. As soon as she had the bathroom remodeled, she’d hire a designer to turn her new house into a home.

  Laney opened the last door on the right and motioned him in.

  He let out a low whistle and strode toward the bed. “I bet this sucker’s fun.”

  Okay, so she’d spent a little extra on a gorgeous, four-poster king-sized bed and splurged on some expensive Italian silk bedding. She liked to sleep in the nude and made no apologies for spending her money the way she wanted.

  “I wouldn’t bet much since you’ll never find out.” She swept past him to the bathroom. “And if you want a shot at this job, I suggest you get your mind out of my bed and get your ass in here. I have an appointment in an hour.”

  “Jesus, someone’s a crab ass today.”

  Keith brushed against her on his way into the bathroom, his spicy aftershave swirling around her like a lakefront breeze on a sultry day. Here she’d thought herself completely over him, when all it took for her nipples to spring to life was a cheap feel and whiff of heaven. You need to get laid, that’s all. Now tell him what you want so he can get the hell out.

  Hands on hips, Keith gazed around the spacious bathroom, nodding his head as if impressed. “So, what did you have in mind?”

  Laney huffed her bangs out of her eyes. It took all her willpower to ignore the incredible urge to close the distance and rip that shirt off his body to reveal the tanned, muscled chest beneath. The T-shaped sprinkling of black hair that swirled around his nipples and ran down his rock-hard six pack, disappearing into the waistband of his Levis…

  He chuckled, the sound deep and sexy as hell. “Keep looking at me like that, and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

  She rolled her eyes. Great way to convince him you’re not interested, Laney. Get caught staring at his crotch.

  It was an impressive crotch, though. No man had ever filled out a pair of jeans the way Keith did. She gave herself a mental slap on the back of the head and met his gaze with as much disdain as she could muster. “Can you just get over yourself? I told you—”

  “You have an appointment in an hour. I remember.” He gestured toward the bathtub. “So, is this going to be a complete remodel?”

  “Yes, the entire room. I’d like a corner Jacuzzi tub with ceramic tile surround.” She pointed to the far corner. “A walk-in shower with glass doors. I searched the web and have pictures of both units I want.”

  “I take it money’s no option, as far as fixtures and materials?”

  Laney was less than surprised by his contempt-laced question. Keith had always put his nose up at her family’s money. “The best estimate will get the job. Period.”

  He gave a curt nod. “Fair enough. So what about the toilet? Twenty-four carat gold handle? Supersonic flushing?”

  “All right, that’s it. Get out.” If he thought she’d stand here and take his judgmental crap, he had another think coming.

  “Come on, Laney, I was teasing. Truth is, I’d love to have this job, and I’d work my ass off to make sure you were a hundred percent satisfied.” He winked. “As you know.”

  Laney swallowed. Yep, the man knew how to please a woman, no doubt about it. The only thing they hadn’t fought about was sex. No two people had ever been as compatible between the sheets as her and Keith.

  She grew wet just thinking about those talented hands on her body.

  A knowing smile spread across his face, and he took a couple steps toward her. Laney panicked, recognizing the look in his eyes a split second too late. He had her pinned against the vanit
y before her brain processed the command to run like hell.

  “Come on, sweetheart, admit it,” he coaxed in a low tone, brushing his knuckles across her cheek. “You’ve missed me.”

  She gazed at him in open defiance. “Yeah, like a cold sore. Now get off me.” Laney gave him a hard shove, but the big oaf didn’t budge. “I mean it, Keith. I’m not in the mood.”

  He grinned and reached up to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. “Since when?”

  She gave his muscled chest a jab, her frustration reaching a new high. Lord he smelled good…like…she sniffed him…Bulgari?

  For God’s sake, Laney, focus!

  “I’m glad you finally let your hair grow out,” he admitted, sifting his fingers through her strawberry-blonde mop.

  Funny, she’d decided just that morning to have it cut. “Don’t get attached. And get the hell off me. I told you, I’m not in the mood.” She made another attempt to shove him away, but even she recognized the lack of conviction.

  Keith merely grinned. “I don’t think so, my beautiful little liar. Your nipples are hard, just begging to be squeezed.”

  His hand trailed down her throat, across her collarbone, slowly, until he reached her right breast. He circled the plump globe with one finger, over the red gauzy fabric of her halter top, round and round till he reached her areola. She tried to keep her expression stoic, but her eyelids grew heavy with desire.

  Grasping her nipple, he rolled it gently between his thumb and forefinger. Laney bit her lip in an effort not to moan and give the arrogant man more power than he already had. As it was, her pussy was on high alert, eagerly awaiting its turn to be fondled, licked, and sucked.

  “You’re already wet, aren’t you?” He raised his other hand to give the same sweet attention to her left breast.

  Oh, yeah. Creaming in my panties.

  She wished to God she’d worn something less accessible when he gave a sharp tug on the spaghetti strap bow at her nape and her top slid to her waist. He expertly unfastened her front-clasping bra, and his eyes darkened as he freed her swollen breasts, nipples distended and hard, silently begging for his hot mouth. Pride alone kept her from verbally urging him on, even if she couldn’t hide her body’s reaction to his seductive assault.

  Without warning, he grasped her ass with both hands, lifting and depositing her onto the sink’s edge. He wasted no time working the red pair of loose-fitting shorts off her hips and down her legs.

  “Matching bra and panties,” he murmured, trailing one finger from the hollow of her throat down between her breasts, over her belly, ending at the waistband of her red satin thong. “You sure you weren’t expecting me?”

  Laney swallowed hard and forced herself to meet his gaze. “I always wear matching lingerie.”

  “I remember.” Keith moved so he was standing between her legs, cupped her face with both hands and captured her mouth.

  Laney wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with such fervor her ass slipped off the smooth marble. Keith chuckled and hauled her back up. “Grab the edges of the sink,” he instructed against her ear before recapturing her lips.

  Clutching on as instructed, her mind traveled back to the last time they made love—on a picnic bench, in the forest preserves, after dusk. Keith had brought her to orgasm four times in the space of an hour, with his lips, his tongue, his energizer cock. Her core wept just thinking about that night. It’d been way too long since she’d felt this man’s touch.

  He broke off the kiss. “Lift your arms.”

  She wasted no time in complying, and Keith pulled her halter top over head and tossed it aside. He left her open bra dangling off her shoulder, and his gaze traveled down to her crotch.

  “I’ve dreamt about you, Laney. Dreamt about kissing you.” He leaned in and captured her lips for a brief kiss. “Dreamt about touching you.” He cupped both breasts and teased her nipples with his thumbs. “Definitely dreamt about making love to you.” He pressed his hips against her, his rock-hard erection backing up his claim.

  Laney’s head fell back with a groan. She hooked the heels of her sandals into the drawer handles on the vanity and ground herself against him, up and down his thick shaft, the friction of her silk panties against denim intensifying her pleasure.

  “God, baby, I could come right now,” he said, his voice thick. He pulled back breaking contact.

  “Please, I…”

  Keith grinned as he ogled her vulnerable position. Perched on the edge of the sink, breasts bare, legs spread and clutching the vanity for dear life, she must present quite a sight.

  Bastard. “Now I remember why I left you.”

  The son of a bitch actually meant to leave her like this—mindless, wet, and aching for him. She attempted to climb down, but he moved between her legs again and pinned her in place.

  “That’s cold, sweetheart. You broke my heart.”

  She glared up at him. “I broke your pride. Now let me go.”

  Keith’s expression changed, hardened as he caught her chin with thumb and forefinger. “I was in love with you.” He captured her lips again, only this time with bruising force. He forced his tongue into her mouth. Laney was too shocked to react. She merely held still while he ate at her mouth, driven by fury.

  Suddenly, he broke off the kiss with a curse and dropped his forehead against hers, his breath hot against her cheek as his chest heaved.

  “Christ, I’m sorry, Laney. It’s just…to hear you make me sound like nothing more than a live-in fuck…”

  She frowned, at a complete and utter loss. Had she truly meant more to him than she’d believed?

  Fortunately, she had no time to dwell on the answer. He dropped to his knees before her, grasped her knees and spread her thighs wide.

  “Still the sexiest woman I’ve ever known.” His hot breath whispered across her tender flesh, making her quiver. He worked his hands slowly up her inner thighs until he reached her moist center. Holding her gaze, he stroked his thumb back and forth over her swollen clitoris. Laney cried out softly, wanting nothing more than for him to take her panties off and—

  “You want this, Laney, admit it.”

  Her legs trembled, the effort of holding herself in such an uncomfortable position taking a toll on her muscles.

  “I’m still here, aren’t I?” Oh, why was he torturing her like this? It wasn’t like him to tease. Maybe he’d changed.

  Yeah, and maybe the price of gas will go back under a buck a gallon.

  He slipped his fingers beneath the hem of her panties and before she could utter a protest, tore them off in one mighty rip. “Sorry,” he said, looking not the least bit remorseful.

  Laney gazed down at him, poised between her spread legs, obviously in no rush to end her torment. The rat bastard. She decided to try a little cajoling of her own, get the ball rolling…or better yet, his tongue moving. She arched her back just the tiniest bit and in a seductive purr, said, “What’s the matter, Keith, afraid you can’t satisfy me anymore?”

  He chuckled and gave her clit a quick tug, causing her to slip again. “What’s the matter, sweet Laney? I thought you liked to play games.”

  She didn’t have time to reply as he leaned forward and flicked his tongue at her outer lips, drawing a deep sigh of contentment from her. Letting her head drop back, she settled in to enjoy what was to come. Well, as best she could in her precarious position.

  “So sensitive,” he whispered. He blew lightly against her hot, clean-shaven flesh and chuckled again when she groaned her impatience.

  She lifted her head and glared at him. “If you just plan to torture me, you can get the hell out right now.”

  “I was trying to go slow, make it last. You always complained I never took the time to explore you. But if you want me to leave…” He shrugged and started to rise.

  “No.” Laney swallowed and chanced slipping off her perch by reaching out to beckon him back. “I want you to explore. Come on, Keith, don’t make me beg.”

>   “Baby, you know I love it when you beg.” He dropped back to his knees and slipped his hands beneath her ass, curling one around each cheek to hold her in place.

  Quivering with anticipation, Laney clutched tighter to the sink’s edge. He leaned in and ran his tongue up her wet slit, opening her folds to his hungry mouth. A feral groan reverberated in her throat as he moved his tongue up and down, slowly, with exquisite care. Her head rolled back on her shoulders again, and she lifted herself off the sink just the tiniest bit so he could gain a better grasp on her ass.

  Keith, bless his intuitive heart, slid his hands further in for a stronger hold and lifted her so that her bottom was no longer touching the sink. With a deep growl, he opened his mouth and captured her outer lips, sucking them into his mouth, pulling on the tender folds, releasing them, again and again. He let go only to draw her clit into his mouth and suck.

  With a soft cry, Laney let go of the sink with one hand and gripped her nipple, rolling it between her fingers while gyrating her hips against Keith’s hot mouth. He lifted her higher yet, and Laney’s sandals fell off and clattered to the tile floor.

  “Mmmm…forgot how good you taste,” he whispered before continuing his bone-melting assault on her throbbing clit.

  Laney licked her lips at his seductive words and switched her attention to her other nipple, rolling and squeezing as that familiar pressure built in her core, sweet relief only moments away. No man had ever been able to bring her to orgasm as fast as Keith.

  He released her clit to run his hot, wet tongue up and down her wet folds, lapping her up and down like a dripping ice cream cone. His rhythm became swift and sure as he brought her right to the brink of orgasmic bliss. Laney moved frantically against him, circling her hips in time with his stabbing tongue. She planted both hands behind her on the sink, propped her bare heels on the drawer handles, and arched into his hungry mouth. Eyes squeezed shut, every nerve in her body on high alert. And then she was there, on the precipice. A scream tore from her throat as she came so hard she thought she might lose consciousness.

  She continued to move against him as delicious little aftershocks rocked through her, until her frantic gyrations slowed into a lazy undulation. A smile so wide she could hardly contain it pulled her lips taut, and she collapsed backward, her head and shoulders resting against the mirrored medicine cabinet that hung above the sink.