An Uncertain Affair (The Affair Series Book 2) Read online

  When I was out the door, I took a deep breath to try to calm my pounding heartbeat. He was so seductive and alluring. After a few moments of regaining my composure, I called Dane with the news.

  “That’s awesome! What did he say?” Dane asked.

  “He thought the proposal was magnificent. He’ll run it by Adele, but it sounds like that’ll be a formality. He said he’s looking forward to working very closely with us to make the book come alive.”

  “Oh, Bridget, that’s so amazing. You were so smart to think of presenting to him in person. I’m sure that made a difference.”

  “It made an impression on him for sure,” I quipped, not divulging my dinner date or Sergio’s interest in my love life. There would be time for that conversation later.

  After we hung up, I called Valerie to give her the good news. “You go, girl!” she said enthusiastically. “How great is that? What did Dane say?”

  “He’s excited, too. I think it’s going to be huge for him…and you,” I said, acknowledging that this could be a career-changer for both of them. She and Dane had shot many other cookbooks together, but Sergio Ramirez was practically a household name. This would give both Dane and Valerie star status.

  There was no point in telling Valerie about my personal conversation with Sergio, either. By Sunday, it might have only been a fleeting flirtation over some sparkling wine, but I wasn’t going to dismiss any possibilities. I was jazzed to be the guest of the star executive chef of Buena Comida, the Sergio Ramirez. Dressing for the occasion and perhaps enticing Sergio a little would be challenging, but it was the first time since I’d moved to Portland that I had a social engagement to look forward to. It was refreshing.

  Chapter 4

  Saturday morning, I went for a long run and thought about the possibility of becoming romantically involved with Sergio. I weighed the professional consequences, along with the personal perks. My life had been a train wreck with all the craziness I left behind in New York, and I’d been mostly alone since I entered witness protection. The thought of having male companionship and perhaps a lover was very intriguing. Sergio was intriguing. His soft, supple lips had grazed my cheek at the restaurant, and I fantasized about a long luscious kiss. My stomach quivered just thinking about those lips.

  I also had to consider the business side of the equation. Things could get awkward if our personal relationship didn’t work out. Sergio and I were professionals, though. I was sure we could set aside our personal differences and carry on a business relationship. That’s what I wanted to believe, anyway.

  When I got home, I spread my wardrobe options out on the bed and perused them with a critical eye. Nothing was right. Everything was too formal, too business-like, or too casual. I searched for cocktail dresses online at a few of my favorite sites before hitting the mall to expedite the process. H&M had the perfect dress. It was black and three-quarter length, with sections of mesh that made it elegant and sexy without being too suggestive. If it looked as good on me as it did on the model in the picture, maybe Sergio would pick up on the suggestion.

  Crazed Christmas shoppers filled the mall. The expedition to secure the dress took twice as long as it should have, but it was worth every minute. The ensemble gave me an air of sophistication without being too showy. And the entire trip was a good distraction to fill the afternoon. I’d already been overthinking the date. Sergio had said, “No strings attached, just dinner,” but his naturally seductive aura was hard to ignore. There was no reason to force the situation to go one way or the other. I would just see how the evening evolved and enjoy it.

  As I showered, I imagined his soft hands caressing me. Just thinking about his gentle touch on my bare skin aroused me. As I got dressed, fantasies about the evening ending in romance played in my mind. He seemed particularly pleased that I didn’t have a boyfriend, and the fact that he found me “attractive” gave me some indication of his mindset. I slipped into some Journelle lingerie that would make me feel a little sexier and inspire me to be a bit more flirtatious. It would certainly make for a fun evening, even if the opportunity never materialized to unveil the seductive lace.

  I hurried from my car through the chilly December wind to the warmth of the restaurant. The hostess escorted me to a reserved seat at Joseph’s bar. He welcomed me and poured one of Sergio’s signature cocktails. It was a mix of Reposado tequila, fresh-squeezed grapefruit and lime juices, and a splash of club soda. One taste and I understood why it got such rave reviews. It was very refreshing and took a slight edge off my nervous energy.

  Sergio came around the corner of the bar in his chef’s whites and took both of my hands in his. “Hello, Bridget!” he said, kissing me on both cheeks. “You look exquisite! Give me a few minutes and I’ll join you.”

  My heartbeat quickened from his kisses. I tried to remain calm and appear nonchalant. “No worries,” I said. “Take your time.”

  The mood in the bar was extremely festive. Joseph came back over to make small talk until Sergio returned. “I hear you work with Dane Pratt,” he said. “He does some awesome work. It’s cool that he’ll be shooting Sergio’s book.”

  “We’re thrilled about the project,” I managed to blurt out, even though I was floored that Sergio was already telling his staff we would be shooting the book. Adele wouldn’t be back for a few more days, and I thought she had the final say on the project.

  “Yeah, Sergio was pretty jazzed after your meeting yesterday. I saw some of the work you presented. Pretty stunning shots.”

  “Dane’s very talented and creative, just like Sergio. I know the collaboration will make for a killer book.”

  Sergio came up behind me in his civilian clothes. He wore a gray collared shirt and a black blazer with black jeans and cowboy boots. For a moment, my mind flashed back to my first real date with Adam Comstock, when he wore jeans and cowboy boots. Don’t go there!

  “That was fast,” I said, adding, “You look very cosmopolitan.”

  Sergio smiled his broad, inviting smile, put his arm around me, and kissed me, on the forehead. Joseph poured him the same signature cocktail. “Ahh. I’m so happy you’re here, Bridget.” He looked over toward the hostess, who nodded at him. “Our table’s ready, so why don’t we get comfortable over there?”

  We said our good-byes to Joseph and headed toward a corner of the dining room. The booth he had reserved was raised up from the main floor and faced the street windows. Sheer drapes provided a bit more privacy. Celebrity clientele frequented Sergio’s restaurants, and this was one of the tables he reserved for them, providing the utmost privacy so they could enjoy dinner in peace. That night, it was our private space.

  “Thank you for joining me tonight,” Sergio said as he visibly relaxed. “It’s been such a busy time, and this is a wonderful break from it all enjoying dinner here with you.”

  “It’s a treat to be here,” I confessed. Before I could say another word, he pushed the hair off my shoulder and kissed my neck. My senses stood at attention, and shivers went down my spine, reverberating to my core. He was unbearably sexy.

  “I’ve been thinking about you since you left yesterday,” he whispered close to my ear. “I’m so glad we have this time to get to know each other better,” he added, kissing my cheek.

  I tried to maintain an outward calm but inside, I was on fire. My face flushed. “I’m surprised you could take the time. You obviously have your hands full with all the holiday parties going on.”

  “This was a perfect excuse to get away from it for an evening,” he said, grazing my cheek with his soft hand. “Are you hungry? I’ve selected some of my favorite dishes for you to taste tonight.”

  “I’ve never had the pleasure of eating here, but there’s certainly a lot of buzz about your tasty menu.”

  “Well, I hope you’ll enjoy it. Is there anything you have an aversion to?”

  “No, I’m an omnivore,” I smiled.

  He chuckled. “Well, that’s good to know.”

  The
re was a series of buttons on the edge of the booth, one of which signaled the waiter to come to the table. Since Sergio had pre-ordered our meal, the first course came without any preliminary conversation. Splendidly fresh raw oysters with smoky chipotle salsa and fresh lime glistened on a bed of crushed ice. Sergio’s salsa made the oysters extraordinary.

  “I’m a huge foodie,” I said. “Two of my favorite things are trying new flavor combinations and tasting new foods that I’ve never had before. These flavors are so amazing.”

  “Well, then, you know oysters are the food of love,” he purred, curling his lips into a mischievous smile.

  “I’ve heard that,” I flirted.

  “I find that the heat from the chipotle amplifies the aphrodisiac quality of the oysters a bit,” he added with a playful authoritative tone.

  The heat was already building in me, too. I responded, a little tongue-in-cheek, “You don’t say?”

  The courses kept coming, each one more tasty and unusual than the one before. I think my favorite was the wild prawns in lobster sauce. It was over the top. And the more unusual and tasty the food, the more interesting and alluring I found Sergio. We talked about our favorite foods and favorite food experiences all through dinner. His stories were so romantic and rich. Every detail was considered, from the surroundings where he experienced the food to the people he’d shared it with. I was learning quickly that there was a lot of complexity to this intriguing man.

  Dessert arrived, warm chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream with a hint of cacao. It was the perfect finale to a phenomenal meal. I was totally captivated. As we sipped espresso, he moved a little closer. He gently kissed my neck, and then whispered in my ear, “Will you join me upstairs in my flat for a nightcap?”

  My stomach twisted; a wave of desire rushed through me. “That sounds nice,” I said as casually as I could to try to conceal my anticipation.

  There was no need to sign off on the dinner bill, so we made our way through the dining room to his private elevator. A turn of his key commanded the door to open. The ride to his fifth-floor loft was swift. When the door slid open, the space felt extraordinarily private. The building was in a low-rise part of town, putting us above all the surrounding rooftops. A sweeping skyline view twinkled in the distance. He walked a few paces in front of me, switching on lights so we could find our way. The furnishings and art sculpted each room into a romantic tableau. Just as his sensibility for food had piqued my interest at dinner, his design sense heightened my perception of his complex character. The more I learned about Sergio, the more enticing I found him. He gestured for me to sit at the bar facing his impeccable kitchen. He shrugged out of his jacket and slid behind the counter to unearth a bottle of mescal. The smoky liquor tingled, gliding down my throat as my hunger for him prickled through my body.

  “You are incredibly beautiful, Bridget,” Sergio breathed inches from my lips as he held my cheek. He kissed me gently.

  “Oh, Sergio, you ….”

  “Shhh….” he said, holding my hand as he led me to the bedroom. A flip of a switch ignited the fire, and another button filled the air with soft music. “Are you comfortable here?” he asked, looking for my permission.

  “Oh, yes,” I responded without hesitation. I wanted him badly. His lips engulfed mine as he wrapped his arms around me. Our tongues danced. My mouth was on fire from his kisses. He took a deep breath and slowed his advances, but that didn’t temper my intense arousal. Slowly he unzipped my dress, sliding his warm hand under the soft fabric, caressing my back. His touch was titillating. I was glad that I had considered the possibility the evening might bring romance. My Journelle ensemble was concealed for the moment, but it wouldn’t be long before he discovered my subliminal invitation to his seduction. I had been ambivalent about whether getting involved with him would be a mistake, but after gaining insight into the many facets of the infamous Sergio Ramirez, I couldn’t resist him.

  He slipped my dress off my shoulders, allowing it to fall to the floor, revealing the Journelle. His breath hitched. He whistled softly, an appreciative whistle. Taking a step back to savor the view, he held my hand to steady me as I stepped out of the circle of fabric. My heart pounded.

  “You are full of surprises,” he murmured, the firelight dancing over his gleaming smile. My adrenaline was at fever pitch. Our lips met again as his hands glided up my sides, caressing my swollen breasts over the lacy edge of my bra. I desperately wanted to feel his warm skin against mine. I unbuttoned his shirt to expose his smooth, tight chest. He unclasped my bra, and pulled me close as it fell to the floor. The heat from his skin scorched my tender nipples. It felt so good.

  He stopped abruptly, and put his hands on my shoulders, holding me at arm’s length. “Are you okay with this, Bridget? I don’t want you to feel forced in any way,” he said, almost breathless.

  “Oh, Sergio, I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” I cooed, reaching for him.

  “I was afraid I was getting carried away by my appetite for you,” he whispered, nipping at my ear.

  “I have the same hunger for you. Please don’t stop….” I breathed, totally losing myself in the sensations of his toned body pressed against me.

  His perfect smile beamed. He grabbed my ass, pulling me against him a little tighter. I could feel his desire growing with each kiss as he pressed his hardness against my hip. He gently freed me from the last of the lingerie, his silky fingertips skating down my thighs. The tingle of his touch sent a shiver up my legs, straight to my pudenda. I felt weak in the knees.

  I needed to feel him against me, skin to skin. He let out a soft moan as I unbuttoned his jeans and unzipped his fly. It was my turn to be surprised. His impressive shaft escaped into my grasp without restraint from underwear. It was so hot and hard. I stroked his length and circled his crown with my fingertips. He let out a deep, sensual groan as his head tilted back. I tugged on his jeans, undressing him so we were both naked. I crawled up on the bed and reached out for him. He stood at the end of the bed, gazing at me. “You’re like an angel in the firelight…so beautiful,” he said softly.

  He climbed up next to me and ran his fingertip up my torso, and circled each nipple. I moaned unconsciously as he took a nipple gently between his teeth. His bite was almost as much pain as it was pleasure, sending shock waves into every corner of my being.

  His fingers skimmed their way down my belly and through my slick folds. His eyes widened and his breath quickened when he discovered how ready I was for him. He thrust his fingers inside me. “Oh, Sergio, I can’t believe how much you excite me!” I moaned, my whole body trembling at his touch.

  “I love that you are so wet for me,” he breathed.

  He parted my soft flesh, unearthing my swollen clit. His gentle rubbing and fondling sent an uncontrollable orgasm rifling through me. My guttural groan escaped into his passionate kisses. I was astounded by how quickly he had taken me over the edge. His appetite for me was spurred on by my wild abandon. I needed to feel him inside me and worked to guide him there, but he made me wait. “We have all evening, my sweet Bridget. It thrills me that you’re so aroused. Let me enjoy every beautiful inch of you slowly.”

  Reaching in the drawer of the bedside table, he retrieved a foil packet and sheathed himself. He rolled on top of me, propped up on one elbow so we were eye to eye. His eyes were full of desire as he slowly pushed inside me.

  “Oh, Bridget…” he murmured, closing his eyes, and savoring the sensations. His movements were slow, deliberate, and very sensual, each push reaching a little deeper. Waves of pleasure pushed through me with each thrust. His breathing quickened. I thought he was coming but he pulled out and slid down, cupping my breast and sucking my nipple. The teasing bite sent another shock wave to my core.

  “You feel so good; it’s hard to find restraint. I want to savor you all night,” he breathed. We made love for two more magical hours. It was glorious and exhausting. We finally fell asleep in each other’s arms, totally sated.
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  I awoke as the sun crept into the room with the early morning light. Sergio looked incredibly sexy as he slept, his hair disheveled. The thought quickly flashed through my mind: Am I making a mistake getting involved with him? I’d been drawn into his world and his psyche quickly. He was a breath of fresh air that I sorely needed, but could we work together and be lovers at the same time?

  Sergio stirred, trying to shake off sleep. I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Good morning,” I murmured as he stretched.

  He turned to me with his warm smile and pulled me under him as he kissed me. “Good morning, my sweet Bridget,” he said in his seductive Latin voice. He grazed my breasts with his provocative touch, and I was instantly swept back into his emotional grasp.

  “You’re amazing,” I whispered into his ear. He gently rolled over so I was on top of him. Our eyes met, and any doubt I had felt about being with him completely fell away. We kissed, our hands fondling and tantalizing each other with each passing moment. My arousal burgeoned. I pulled a condom from his bedside drawer, and unrolled it over his impressive length with great anticipation as he watched. I maneuvered so he could easily slide inside me. His eyes lit up, and he held my hips as I moved in a rhythm on top of him. He hands skated up my torso and rolled each nipple between his thumb and forefinger, sending all the titillating sensations to converge in my core. An orgasm exploded through me. I arched at the moment of ecstasy, then fell over on his chest.

  “Oh, Sergio! I can’t believe the way you make me feel,” I was breathless.

  “I love pleasing you,” he hissed with urgency as he rolled on top of me. He held my ass and thrust a few more times before he came hard. “Ohh…” he moaned deeply. He lay motionless for a moment, breathing heavily. “It’s so wonderful to feel alive again,” he rumbled, close to my ear. “I’m so happy you’re here, Bridget.”