Free Leather, Lace and Rock-n-Roll by Mia Dymond

her patience with Cameron.
    “Rachel, you’ve got to put the past behind
you and stop being so careful.”
    Rachel raised her head and frowned. “I’m not
being careful.”
    “You’re scared.”
    “Not really scared, just...cautious.”
    Cameron grinned. “That’s the same as
careful.”
    “Okay,” Rachel admitted, throwing her hands
into the air. “I’m being careful.”
    “Jaydon Hawke.” Cameron sighed. “Yum.
Yum.”
    Rachel echoed Cameron’s sigh. You don’t know
how true that statement really is. “Amen, sister.” Rachel shook the
clouds from her head. “But, he’s a client.”
    “Yes,” Cameron agreed, “he is a client. Have
you finished drawing his plans?”
    Rachel gave a slow nod, the meaning of
Cameron’s question starting to hit home.
    “You can’t avoid him.”
    Rachel snickered. “Believe me, I don’t want
to avoid him.”
    “Where exactly is he taking you?”
    “I have no idea. All he said is Sacramento
for a public appearance.”
    “Do you think he’s a serial killer?”
    “What? No!”
    “Then go. Who cares where or why?”
    “You make it sound so easy.”
    “Look, Rachel, this is the chance you’ve
waited for. Step outside your comfort zone. Have fun and just go
with the flow.”
    Cameron stood and tapped the phone with one
professionally-manicured fingernail. “Call him, Rachel.”
    “I will.”
    Cameron walked across Rachel’s office. “Now.”
She tapped a cardboard tube propped against the wall. “Want me to
take this down to the mailroom?”
    “No, thanks though. I’m not done with
it.”
    Cameron opened the door. “The phone is next
to your left elbow.”
    As soon as Cameron left the office, Rachel
flipped open her appointment book and watched Hawke’s cell phone
number pulse in black and white. She drummed her fingers against
the desk and thought long and hard about what she was about to do.
Obviously, years of pampering made Hawke extremely difficult to
discourage. So why not just give in?
    Before she could back out, Rachel grabbed the
phone and dialed. Her heart beat a jungle rhythm as she listened to
each ring, part of her hoping he wouldn’t answer. Instead, his
strong, deep voice answered on the third ring.
    “Rachel?”
    She fought the ridiculous urge to swoon. What
was so damn intoxicating about his voice? And what made him so sure
she was calling? She glanced down at her own phone and sighed. Of
course. Caller ID had ratted her out.
    Not sure how to approach the subject of
flying to Sacramento with him, she stalled. “Hawke?”
    “I asked first,” he teased.
    Rachel rolled her eyes. “Yes, it’s Rachel.
Maybe we need a code word.”
    “How about gorgeous?”
    Here comes the ego. “How about arrogant?”
    Hawke hesitated a moment and she thought
maybe she’d offended him. She opened her mouth to apologize when
his throaty chuckle tickled her ear. “On second thought, scratch
the code word. Change your mind about Sacramento?”
    A shiver of uncertainty crawled up Rachel’s
spine and almost caused her to make up another excuse. “Yes. I’d
love to go.”
    “What changed your mind?”
    Rachel opened her mouth and then snapped it
closed before her usual honesty barreled through. She took a deep
breath and chose her words carefully. “My schedule isn’t as full as
I thought.”
    “Great! I’ll send Max for you in the
morning.”
    Rachel closed her eyes and silently hoped she
made the right decision. Her lips began to tingle and suddenly the
warmth of Hawke’s kiss invaded her senses. “See you then.”
    Rachel dropped the receiver back in the
cradle, her body on fire. The man was a true professional in the
art of seduction, she’d give him that. And there was no doubt in
her mind he’d use every secret weapon he possessed on her. She
squeezed her legs together and fidgeted in her chair. Cameron had a
point. Hawke was exactly what she needed to relax.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
    Rachel took a long look around the jet’s
interior and