Nick reached into the larger bag and took out two containers. Theyre both the same, so help yourself, he said as she took one from him.
He watched with amusement as she put a small portion of greens in the cats dish. She used the plastic knife and fork to cut it up finely, and then added a small piece of cornbread, which she crumbled over the top. Cha-Cha fell on it as though she hadnt eaten for days, purring loudly while she ate. While Dakota cleaned her hands with a small bottle of antibacterial cleanser, Nick watched the scene in amusement.
I never saw a cat eat greens in my life, he said, taking the bottle from Dakota and using it on his hands.
Oh, she loves greens, grits and catfish. If you want to see her really go nuts, bring some chitlins up in here. Shell gank you for them, Dakota said before saying a quick grace and taking her first taste of the deliciously prepared food. This is sooo wonderful! Thank you so much, Nick.
Nick watched her eat and smiled with satisfaction. She ate daintily but with good appetite and was obviously enjoying every bite. He loved watching a pretty woman tackle a good meal, it was a wholesome and sexy sight that often led to some fantastic after-dinner sex, but he wasnt crazy. He knew better than to put some cheap moves on her so soon. She was a different breed of woman and he could sense it, but it didnt stop him from teasing her as he dug into his own meal.
What you know about chitlins? You look like the beefWellington type to me. You dont seem like the type who would eat chitlins or pigs feet or anything real down home, he said between bites.
Dakota rolled her eyes at him. I could ask you what you know about beef Wellington, which I happen to despise. What do you think you know about me that makes you say something like that? Did you bring anything to drink? Im not touching that water from the kitchen tap, she said grumpily.
Nick indicated the other bag. I brought us some sweet tea. And you just seem like the real sophisticated type, you know.
Dakota reached for the bag, took out both tall paper cups and handed him one. She opened the other one and took a long draught before cutting her eyes at Nick.
You know nothing about me. And I doubt that youll get to know me much better, so lets just keep out of each others business, okay? Lets talk about what you think you can do for this house, how about that?
Cha-Cha was inching her way to Nick, trying for another handout. Nick obliged her with a little piece of chicken before fixing her owner with a long sultry gaze.
Dakota was suddenly uneasy with his scrutiny and looked down to see what he was staring at. Did I spill something? What are you looking at?
Those big pretty breasts of yours, he thought, but prudently kept that notion to himself. I was just thinking about how to get your house in order. Why dont you move in with me until everything is finished? he asked quietly. He enjoyed the look on her face as she really did spill something; iced tea rolled right down her chin and splashed onto her bosom. As much as he wanted to lean over and lick it off, he didnt miss her next words.
Are you out of your mind?
By nightfall, Dakota was fairly confident that the man was in full possession of all his faculties. While they ate their dinner, hed explained to her that he was in the business and that his crew could get her house up to the proper specifications in short order. He also told her that he owned three storage facilities and that he could have her things stored there until the house was ready to be occupied. By the time theyd finished eating, hed made a few phone calls, and when the movers arrived, hed directed them to the storage place, and by the time shed cleaned up after their meal, he was ready to prove to her that he meant every word of what hed told her.
He took her to his offices, which were spacious and nicely furnished. He introduced her to his office manager, Leticia Banks, and showed her all his credentials, licenses and letters of thanks from grateful clients. Dakota had been impressed in spite of herself. Leticia, who was plump, pretty and well-dressed, had given her a sly smile.
You look a little overwhelmed, sugar. Dont worry about a thing, Nick can deliver on anything he says he can do, she assured Dakota. Hell have you hooked up in no time. She gave Dakota a sunny smile that didnt seem to match the coolly assessing look in her eyes, but Dakota filed that away for later consideration. She was too busy trying to calculate how much more this was going to cost her and she was hoping she wouldnt have to go to her father for additional funds. She had a big chunk of money tied up in the Amityville horror, as she was now calling her house, and she dreaded the thought of more debt. Shed been totally upfront with Nick about it, too.
Look, I believe you. I think you can do what you say, but Im worried about the cost, she said earnestly as she sat in the comfortable chair that faced his desk. I already have a bundle tied up in this situation and Im not made of money. Theres not a money tree in my backyard waiting to be harvested, she said with a sigh.
Nick had turned those mesmerizing eyes of his on hers and didnt crack a smile. Have I asked you about money? You worry too much, baby. Im trying to help you out and youre questioning every move I want to make.
Dakota blinked her long lashes at him. If she didnt know any better, she would swear there was something personal in what he said, almost something sexual. She stared back at him and once again she had to suppress a strong physical reaction to the man. Suddenly she remembered how hed snickered when her big behind was getting back into her car after the accident and as angry as the memory made her, it gave her a kind of reassurance. Whatever he wanted from her had nothing to do with sex, he wasnt attracted to her. For once her extra pounds had come in handy. At least she didnt have to worry about him trying to get with her in return for his favors.
I apologize for being slightly paranoid, she said in a quiet voice. She shrugged her shoulders and added, But youre a businessman and a good one, from the looks of your operation. You didnt get that way from giving people handouts and as far as I know, construction work doesnt have a pro bono arrangement.
Nick continued to stare at her for a long moment before answering. Look, baby, its commendable for you to be honest about your situation and to be concerned about mine, but I got this, okay? Ill get paid because Im going after Bernard Jackson myself. And when Im done with him, he wont be able to do this same number on anybody else. People like Jackson give all black builders and contractors a bad name. You arent the first woman hes swindled and you wont be the last, unless someone puts a stop to it.
Dakota was captivated by the change in Nick as he spoke. The intensity of his voice and his rising emotions made his voice even deeper and he seemed even more masculine than before, if that were possible. Her response to his firm declaration moved her so that she felt another massive tremor working its way through her body and she had to work hard to control the urge to fan away the heat he generated in her. Oh, this is bad, this is really bad, she thought. You sound very sure of yourself, she told him.
Nick leaned back in his oversized desk chair and linked his fingers behind his head. I am sure of myself. I know what I can do and nothing comes out of my mouth that I cant back up. Thats just the way I am. Youll understand that when you get to know me better, he said with a smile that bordered on cocky.
The smug look on his face was enough to snap Dakota back into her senses. She was about to say something smart when Nick excused himself to answer his phone. She took a good long look at him and had to admit she liked what she saw. He was too tall; she liked men who were about six feet, maybe an inch or two taller. She hated a man who loomed over her; there was something bothersome about it. But he was a handsome man, no question. She knew women in D.C. whod pay to get a date with a man like Nick. Those cheekbones, that strong chin, that head full of beautiful black hair and especially those green eyeshe could have been a model if it werent for the fact that he was so broad-shouldered and muscular. Suddenly Nick looked up and caught her staring at him. He gave her a smile that could have melted an iceberg and this time she really shivered.
Okay, Miss Lady, have I convinced you that I can be trusted? Are you going to allow me to do what I do and get your house in order?
As if she had no will of her own, Dakota felt her head going up and down as she nodded yes. But Ill still need a place to stay. Are there any residence hotels nearby? Those executive suite places?
Nick rose and came around the desk, holding out his hand to her as he did so. Baby, I told you Ive got it all handled. Come with me and Ill show you what I mean.
Lordy, what am I getting myself into now? she thought as she accepted his hand.
As though he could read her thoughts, Nick suddenly pulled her up out of her chair and touched her chin with the fingers of his free hand. You gotta trust me, baby. I got this. Lets go.