Chapter 149: Jewel

Jewel kicked the couch and then wished she hadn't. Now her foot hurt more than after a long day at work. Matt had actually spoken to Stephon about spanking her. Jewel would die of humiliation if she ever saw Stephon again. She wanted to kill Matt, but unfortunately she wanted to do other things to his delectable body too.
A solid knock had her opening the door. Her jaw dropped and she tried to close it in Stephon's smug face, but his foot blocked it.
"I'm here to make amends."
"Remove. Your. Foot."
"I'd be happy to." He pushed gently past her and entered the small apartment.
She didn't close the door. "Leave or I'm calling the police."
His hand came out, holding his cell phone. "Matt said you didn't have a phone so here, use mine."
She looked at the phone then back at him. "Please leave." Her voice dropped in defeat.
"I'd like to talk first." He headed to the couch and sat down.
She slammed the door, feeling her anger increase, and then walked into the kitchen and removed a beer from the fridge. She didn't bother offering him one. He wasn't staying.
He watched her bring the bottle to her lips. "Do you drink alcohol often?"
Her small sip turned into an act of childish defiance as she tipped it back and guzzled. When she finished, she wiped her forearm across her mouth and then gave a satisfied burp. She carefully sat the bottle on the counter and grabbed another from the fridge, all without saying a word to her guest. Hopefully, he would leave before she had to surpass her limit of two.
"I care about Matt."
That stopped her, and she sat the full bottle on the cabinet next to the empty one. Walking to the couch, she plopped down beside Stephon and placed her head in her hands. Feeling her anger dissolve, she removed her hands and turned the disfigured side of her face toward Stephon. "I'm sorry."
"I'm supposed to be apologizing to you." He reached over and moved a chunk of hair from over her eyes, letting his fingers brush against the scar.
The feel of his hand made her shiver, and pulling in a sharp breath... she scooted a few inches away.
He laughed. "Sorry about that. I couldn't help myself."
Her lips tipped up slightly.
"I apologize for the money, and the comment about spanking."
Her hands covered her eyes again and she groaned.
"You don't understand. Matt and I have known each other for years. I know about his kinks and he knows about mine. I didn't say it to make you mad or embarrass you. I honestly think you need a spanking."
"Please stop," she begged.
His voice hardened, "Look at me."
Without even realizing, she followed his order and looked up. He put his fingers on her jaw and held her head still.
"Matt's not letting me back in the room unless I bring you to dinner. He doesn't get mad often, but I'm afraid I'm on the shit-list right now. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me tonight?"
Her laugh bubbled up, but she froze when his thumb ran over her bottom lip. This time it was a chill that passed over her skin even though the room was nowhere near cool. This feeling isn't right. His hand lowered, but she could tell he knew the effect he had on her. It caused her anger to rise again.
"Now I've done it, haven't I?" He looked contrite.
"I'll go to dinner, but you will keep your hands to yourself and it would really help if you just didn't open your mouth."
His lips quirked at the sides. "Have you ever tried your hand as a Domme?"
"A what?"
"It's a female dominant."
He was serious, and her laughter rang throughout the room. "Have I fallen into another world?"
"I'm not helping, am I?"
She gave a short harrumph. "I was serious about keeping your mouth closed."
"I'm not going to lie. It's simply not happening."
"Please lie."
He ignored her. "How soon can you be ready?"
"I need twenty minutes and some privacy." She stood up and walked toward her front door to let him out.
His body turned, and he placed his feet up on the couch and leaned back. "That's okay, I'll close my eyes and wait right here."
"I can't believe this." She stormed over to the corner and began pulling a fresh set of underclothes out of her dresser. A tall cabinet next to it doubled as a closet and she pulled out a blue dress.
"Not fancy enough, but the panties are nice."
"You're supposed to have your eyes shut."
"Wear something sexy. If you don't have anything, I can take you to the store before we eat."
"Mouth. Shut. Now. And close your damn eyes."
"Yes, ma'am." There wasn't a smidgeon of regret in his voice.
"Smartass."
"Spaaaanking."
She wanted to throw something heavy at his head but changed the blue dress to her more formal black sheath with a high slit on one side. His cell rang as she went into the bathroom. The walls were paper thin and she could hear Stephon's side of the conversation.
"She's getting ready now."
He paused.
"You're right, I love her, but if you don't spank her ass soon, I will."
Jewel couldn't take anymore and turned on the shower. If Stephon ever laid a hand on her, she would press charges for assault. Why did he need to be so damn sexy? Matt was bad enough.
She only took a lukewarm shower, but the bathroom was hot and humid when she got out, making it difficult to put her clothes on. She'd be damned if she'd go out and worry about Stephon's roving eyes. She didn't know how Matt dealt with his friend's more-than-friendly flirting. She just might deck him this evening. Finally managing to dress, she walked out only to catch Stephon looking through her things.
"You aren't serious?" She ground out the words.
He didn't even look ashamed. "Has the no-talking rule gone into effect yet?" He gave her an innocent little-boy look.
"You are the most infuriating human being I've ever met. You don't even look guilty for getting caught pawing my things."
"That's because I don't feel guilty."
She rolled her eyes. "If we don't leave now I'm sure I'll think of a wonderful reason why I shouldn't go anywhere with you." She walked past him and saw her flat black shoes pulled out and waiting on the floor. She very calmly picked them up, placed them back where the shoe thief had taken them from and removed a pair of three-inch heels.
"I don't think so-your feet will hurt worse."
She very carefully bent over, picked up the discarded shoes, and threw them at his head with as much force as possible. The look on his face was priceless and satisfying. "You were saying?"
He just shook his head. "There's a car waiting downstairs."
That threw her for a loop. "A car?"
"Yes. I called the hotel while you were in the shower and had a car sent over. With those shoes, you're lucky I did."
She grabbed her keys from the dresser and a small clutch from the top drawer and then marched to the door. Stephon very calmly opened it for her and then put his hand out for the keys. She shook her head, gave a sigh, and then dropped them in his waiting hand. She would pick her battles.
Stopping at the curve of the rickety stairs, she stared at the waiting car. Looking over her shoulder, she gave a questioning look to Stephon.
"Is there a problem?"
"It's a Bentley."
"Hmm, a woman who knows cars. I like that."
She just shook her head again and went down the stairs. A man in full chauffer regalia opened the back door for her. "Mr. Cross, Miss, good evening." He tipped his head.
She knew now that she'd really fallen down the rabbit hole. Somehow she didn't think she would like what she found at the bottom. Looking at Stephon, she caught him admiring her legs, so she pulled the hem of her dress down as far as she could, which made the evil man laugh.
Even with traffic, it took them only minutes to arrive at the El Diablo Hotel. Jewel knew it was one of the most exclusive in downtown Houston. She was glad Stephon told her to change her dress, the ass.
The chauffer opened her door and Matt was waiting. He wore gray slacks and a white buttoned but un-tucked linen shirt. He actually looked respectable.
He kissed her cheek. "Thank you for coming. I thought we could wait in the bar while Stephon changes."
"You're staying here at this hotel?"
A very brief smile crossed his face. "Yes."
She let out the breath she'd been holding. "When Steph goes up to the room, do you think we could ditch him and actually have a nice evening?"
"I heard that. And, no one calls me Steph," Stephon snapped in irritation.
The nickname had the desired effect and Jewel smiled wickedly.
Matt pulled her close, steered her through the doors, and then in the opposite direction from what Stephon took. He spoke against her ear, "You're playing with fire."
"If you don't kick his ass tonight I just might do it myself. He has roving hands."
Matt laughed while he led her to a booth in the back of the ritzy bar. He sat next to her, bringing their connected fingers to the top of the table. "Most women don't mind Stephon's roving hands."
"I'm not most women."
"No, you're not. I'm really glad you came."
"Drink, Mr. Mathews?"
Matt took his gaze from hers. "I'll have sparkling water." He turned to Jewel. "Order whatever you like."
"I think I need something stronger to get me through this evening."
Matt shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever you'd like."
"I'll have a Long Island Iced Tea."
"Yes, ma'am." The waiter walked away.
"He knows your name," she accused.
The slight grin that made him even more kissable curved his lips. "Yes, he does."
"How?"
"We're staying at the hotel and we've been here a few times before."
"Here? At this hotel?"
"Yes."
"That's all? Just a 'yes'?"
"Yes."
"Just so you know... I plan on drinking way too much this evening. I'll probably embarrass you. I don't care if I embarrass Stephon, so I guess you can say I'm his date if you want."
His grin turned into a full smile. "I've been kicked out of much nicer places than this."
"I'm sure you have, but I haven't. I think I'll make it a goal this evening."
His sexy laugh preceded his words, "I'll take you home and pour you into bed, have no fear."
Their drinks arrived and Matt ordered her another before the waiter left.
"What did I miss?" Stephon slithered into the other side of their booth.
Her jaw dropped and Matt's fingers tapped her chin. "Close your mouth, Jewel."
"It's okay, Jewels, I have that effect on women. Matt here is the beast to my beauty."
Jewel looked back at the god sitting across from them. He was sexy before, but now, cleaned up wearing a shirt and tie, he was breathless. "You know, pretty boy... punching you in the face will be so much more satisfying now."
Stephon looked at Matt, but Matt cut him off, "Don't say it."
The other drink was set down on the table. "What may I get you, Mr. Cross?"
"I'll take a girly drink like my friend Matt. They're holding a table for us at La Roca Ardiente, so if you don't mind, have my drink delivered there."
Stephon stood and waited for Matt to assist Jewel from the booth.