Gentlemen Only

Hard Ball

"What do I do, Jet?" Meredith whispered, eyeing the heavy oak door warily.

Jet rubbed his eyes, trying to ease the niggling throb, the beginning of a massive headache. "Just follow my lead, Meredith." He half-groaned between his fingers. His stomach rolled in agitated knots and he was grateful he hadn't eaten yet.

"Jet, I have no idea what I'm doing." Meredith's voice trembled with a hint of fear. He dropped his own trembling hand and grasped hers tightly, causing her to gasp. His heart pounded, with terror or excitement, he wasn't sure, as he brought his other hand to caress her soft cheek.

"Everything is going to be alright, Mer." He assured, wishing the words could have the same calming affect on him. "I will handle the business arrangement, and you can be our scribe. Can you do that?" His blue eyes held hers in a steady gaze.

Meredith guffawed, but grinned playfully at his chide. "Yes, I'm pretty sure I can handle that."

Jet's throat felt excessively dry as he continued. "These men are fierce and professional. Don't let that trigger you."

She faintly inclined her head in submission, but Jet felt worry ease into his heart. He wouldn't be able to stand it if she had an episode in the middle of a meeting-this meeting-because it would surely rip his heart out. She'd come so far, and this meeting was too important, for anything to go south.

His hand trembled slightly where it rested on her face. He grasped her firmly, resolve set, and tipped her chin upward, bringing his lips to hers. His mouth felt like fire as it moved surely over hers, and he felt her tension melt away as he wrapped his arms around her.

His core flared with a desperate need, but he stuffed it down begrudgingly. He needed her to be alert and focused, and his kiss seemed to be doing just that.

"Better?" He murmured huskily against her lips. She flushed and nodded; lips still parted. "Good."

Jet pulled away brusquely and checked his watch. "Time to go in."

His heart pounded with premonition as he opened the heavy door and motioned for Meredith to enter. She straightened her back, hardly pausing as her doe eyes took in the intimidating stance of the men already stationed around the large conference table. Jet noted with pride that she didn't falter once in attitude and demeanor as she took each of their hands in turn before settling into her own chair.

Jet cleared his throat and began introductions. "This is my assistant, Meredith Sparks." He inwardly cringed for letting her last name slip. Based on their reputations, these weren't the sort of men you introduced your potential romantic interest to, but he hadn't the option not to.

"This is Anthony Donnell. You spoke with him on the phone." Jet gestured to a blonde, sharply angled man sitting across from Meredith. "Next to him is Uriah Steele, who oversees their legal handlings," Jet forced emphasis on the last word. It was clear to him that all the hype following this criminal posse must have been true, as Steele was the head lawyer for the corporation. "Of course, this is Mr. Joe Moretti himself." His hand lingered in gesture in front of a dark, hawk eyed man with gelled back hair. "And to his right is one of their bodyguards, to whom I've yet to be introduced."

The man grunted and taped on his earpiece but made no effort to provide his name. Meredith was stilled in a pose that Jet knew to be her flight response. He also knew it was taking every fiber of her being to remain in that room with such cold looking individuals.

"Mr. Bianchi." A cold, serpentine voice issued from the seat at the head of the table. "Nice of you to join us. I take it you and your...secretary..." There was pause as the owner of the voice cast a disdainful look over Meredith. "Had no issues finding us?"