Jasmine released an earthy, sexy laugh of amusement, bringing her glass to her lips.
“I’m not kidding,” Maxwell said.
“I didn’t say you were,” she remarked, taking a sip.
Angling her head to the right, she considered him with unexpected directness. Normally, women at this point in the conversation played the shy or coquettish role. Not her. She looked at him as if she were having a mental debate, trying to decide something.
“You and your friend are some characters, aren’t you?” she asked.
“We like to have fun,” Maxwell said.
He reclined against the back of the leather booth and let his shoulder touch hers, bringing them closer and making the conversation more intimate. She smelled incredible. Something fruity, like cherries.
“So, when’s the wedding?” he asked.
“There’s no wedding.”
He glanced at the woman he thought was a future bride, who was now swaying from side to side with her hands in the air. He then looked back at Jasmine for an explanation.
“It’s a ploy she uses to get free drinks. Works every time.”
“Damn. We got played?”
She laughed. “Sorry. Do you wish you hadn’t sent over the champagne now?”
“Not at all. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want. I consider it money well spent, though I do wonder if your friend will be able to walk out of here. She looks like she’s feeling real good.”
“You didn’t help by sending over those bottles.”
“My bad. I saw five beautiful women and couldn’t help myself.”
“I should tell you that money doesn’t impress me.”
“Darn. All I have left is my good looks and charming personality to win you over then. I guess those will have to do.”
She laughed again. “You get another point for being humble.”
“You caught that from just these few minutes?” Maxwell asked.
“I’m very perceptive.” Jasmine took another sip of champagne. “What do you do when you’re not spending ridiculous amounts of money on women you don’t know?”
“I’m a doctor. My friends wanted to celebrate before I start my new job,” he answered.
Normally, when he gave his profession, women were impressed. Jasmine didn’t seem impressed, though she did appear to be surprised.
“A doctor? I didn’t see that coming. I work with doctors, and you don’t give off that vibe.”
“Is that a good thing?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Your turn. When you’re not partying the night away, scamming drinks out of innocent men, what do you do?”
“Oh, come on! Did you have to say all that? We’re having a little fun, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh. Answer the question.”
Before answering, she pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Cute.
“I’m an office manager for a medical practice. Nothing exciting.”
“You work with doctors, so it must be a little exciting. Or do you not like your job?”
“Actually, I love my job, and it’s interesting since no two days are exactly the same. Despite the fact that it’s not exciting, I’m never bored.”
“That’s another reason I like what I do. Every day there’s something different. There’s problem-solving, and I love—”
“Helping people,” Jasmine finished.
Maxwell took another good look at her. “Yeah.”
“It’s one of my favorite parts of the job too,” she said.
“Look at that, we have something in common. We both work in the medical field, and we both love helping people.” He shifted closer, coming within inches of her face. “Now, I’m wondering if we have something else in common. I like to dance. Do you?”
“I love to dance,” Jasmine replied in a soft voice, without breaking eye contact.
He liked this woman. Her confidence was particularly appealing.
“Then it should be easy to entice you onto the dance floor.” Maxwell pushed to his feet and extended a hand to her.
Without hesitation, Jasmine placed her drink on the table and then took his hand, allowing him to help her to her feet. He immediately noticed the softness of her skin and the fuchsia polish on her nails.
He was pleased to find she was a great dancer. Not in a look-at-me way, but she moved her body with effortless, smooth motions that had him wondering if those same movements carried over into the bedroom. The conversation fell off as they enjoyed themselves among the gyrating bodies around them.
The DJ made a smooth transition from an upbeat hip-hop single to a slower R&B groove, and some of the patrons trickled off the floor, returning to their tables or heading to the bar.
“Uh-oh,” Maxwell said, gently pulling Jasmine into his arms. She came without resistance. “This is about to get awkward.”
She laughed in an uninhibited way and looped her arms around his neck. “Only if you make it awkward.”
With her body against his, her small, plump breasts pressed into his hard chest, and her hips slid against his in an unhurried, deliberate, and dangerously provocative way. His stomach tightened as his body awakened, and he smoothed his hands over the curve in her back, skimming right above her bottom before gliding back up again.
He was surprised by how right she felt in his arms as they naturally moved together, temporarily abandoning all conversation and letting their bodies do the talking.
Jasmine’s eyes were half-closed, her lips curved in a faint, private smile.
“How am I doing?” Maxwell whispered in her ear.
“Not too shabby, Doc.” She gazed up at him with heavy-lidded eyes and stroked the back of his neck, sending chills down his spine.
Maxwell lost track of how long they spent out there, wrapped around each other, gently touching and mildly stroking as they swayed together in one spot.
“You’re killing me, you know that?” he rasped.
“I hope not. I have plans for you.”
“Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?”
Instead of answering, Jasmine smiled coyly. When she turned in the circle of his arms and pressed her back against his chest, he placed his hands on her hips and lowered his head just enough that his mouth was near her ear. She rubbed her soft cheek against his bearded jaw, a moan of pleasure humming across her vocal cords. As he boldly slipped one hand under her top to splay across her stomach, he felt her breath catch.
He did nothing to hide his burgeoning arousal, and she teased him by gently rubbing against his crotch.
“You’re dangerous,” Maxwell muttered huskily. He twisted her around to face him and pulled her tight against his body.
Jasmine brushed her nose against his neck and trailed her fingers through the curls at the back of his head.
“You know exactly what you’re doing, don’t you?” he muttered.
She looked confidently up at him. “Mhmm.”
After a few more minutes of sensual foreplay, Maxwell asked, “Do you want to get out of here?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
