TAKE ME DOWN
He even looked dangerous sleeping, dangerous, yet oh so sexy. Stephanie had been fighting her attraction to him since the day he walked into her office. She could no longer deny it. She wanted Jack.
She no longer kidded herself about their relationship remaining professional only. She and Jack had chemistry so strong it scared her. Stephanie knew it was only a matter of time before things escalated.
Jack Kaufman was like no man she had known. He wasn’t exactly the three ws she was looking for, witty, warm, and wonderful. He was more, wild, wicked, and wanton. She had even gotten used to his cynicism and warped sense of humor. He believed in living life to the fullest and damned the consequences. He liked living dangerously and he played by his own rules. It infuriated her that he was always so cool and so in control of his emotions. The kiss they shared months ago had completely shaken her, while he appeared to be unmoved by it. Nothing she had done thus far had rattled him. He had even smiled when she threw water in his face.
Jack felt Stephanie watching him and wondered what she was thinking. He knew he had her where he wanted her. He was determined to make the most of their trip. Stephanie held the key to all his dreams coming true. In the process, he would do whatever was necessary to make her happy and ensure a future with her and his daughter. Everything he was doing was for Christina’s sake.
Also by Sylvia Lett
Like Never Before
Perfect For You
Take Me Down
Sylvia Lett
Kensington Publishing Corp.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
This book is dedicated to Michael Lett.
Michael, basically you pushed me to follow my
dream of getting my first book published.
Without your encouragement and support,
I might still be writing in a notebook.
Thank you for everything.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
I’d like to take a moment to thank some very special people in my life. I thank God for my family.
My wonderful children: Michael II and Courtney. You guys are the best. Thanks for keeping the noise and fights to a minimum so I can concentrate on writing.
My mother, Mattie Willis, whose faith in me has not faltered.
My sisters and brothers: C Earl, Johnnie, Liz, Val, Sam, and Bessie, what can I say? Your continued love, support, and encouragement keeps me focused and strong.
Nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and coworkers, thanks for your continued support.
I love you all.
Sylvia
Chapter 1
Stephanie looked over the impressive résumé of her next interviewee. She had posted a position for a security consultant three weeks ago. So far only amateurs had bombarded her.
What Stephanie needed was a professional. Someone who knew all the ins and outs of hotel security, and could hire and train a staff of security guards for the hotel chain. She wanted limited involvement in the process.
Jackson Kaufman appeared to be the man she was looking for. At least on paper. He had an engineering degree and experience, which gave him a leg up on the competition. His last two jobs were with Fortune 500 technology companies. Jackson worked as a security consultant for both of them. He was also an ex-Navy SEAL. His expertise was weapons and hand-to-hand combat. He possessed a black belt in tae kwon do and judo too.
The only thing that bothered Stephanie was the two-year gap between the navy and Jackson’s first consulting job. If he could give her an acceptable answer—one that he could prove—she’d hire him on the spot.
She looked down at the thin gold watch encircling her wrist. Jackson was due to arrive in about ten minutes. “I guess we’ll see if the man measures up to the résumé,” she said aloud. “God, I hope so. I am so tired of interviewing.”
There was a brief knock on her door before it opened suddenly and her mother came breezing into the room. Stephanie rolled her eyes heavenward. She was not in the mood for her mother today or any other day.
“Hello, dear. Sit up straight. You’ll ruin your posture,” chided Mildred Mason as she closed the door behind her. “That color looks dreadful on you. You really should take me or your sister shopping with you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Stephanie said, pasting on a smile. “Seeing you always manages to brighten my day. I’m busy and I don’t have time for fashion tips. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be out shopping or looking for a husband for me? That does seem to be your favorite pastime lately.”
“You know me too well, darling.” Mildred sat down in the vacant black leather chair across from her daughter’s desk. She held out her hand, inspecting her perfectly manicured red fingernails. “You received an invitation to the Waterfords’ party on Saturday night. I accepted on your behalf.”
Stephanie shot her mother a murderous glare.
“Now, don’t be like that.”
Stephanie laid her head down on the desk. Why me? What did I do to deserve a social-climbing mother? “Mom, why did you do that? You know I hate those things. I specifically told you I didn’t want to attend this one. I had plans to curl up with a good book and a glass of chardonnay.”
“Why snuggle up to a cold book when you can have a hot-blooded man? Honey, you could have your pick of men. You have a smorgasbord to choose from. Try a few different tasty morsels before you settle for the main coarse.”
Stephanie’s eyes narrowed on her mother. “Why do I even bother? I talk. You don’t listen. Some things never seem to change. I give up.”
“Don’t give me that look. I listen sometimes. You can’t snub the Waterfords. It’s simply not done. They are one of the most powerful families in the state of Texas. I’ll go with you. It’ll be fun, just us girls. There should be tons of eligible bachelors. Maybe you can make a connection with one of them. Who knows? Maybe I will.”
“I wish you would. My bank account would thank him.” She smiled. “I am not looking for a connection. It will be another boring dinner party with old lechers pawing at me. I always feel like I’m an appetizer or something. I hate it. I wish you would stop accepting invitations for me. I don’t need a man in my life to be happy.”
“You’ve proven that, dear, by dating Stanley,” Mildred