Chapter 8

It was when his hands were groping for her breasts, that it crashed into his brain that they were in a public parking lot and his first time with her, should not be in a place where they were likely to be arrested for a lewd display of flesh and he was not a damn schoolboy with his first girl. Somehow, he managed to drag his lips from hers.

Flopping back in the seat, he closed his eyes and forcibly tried to quiet the passion raging inside his body like a volcano erupting. When he got a modicum of control, he turned his head and figured he should have avoided looking at her.

Her lips were swollen and moist and he had made a mess of the careless ponytail.

“I had to stop,” he told her quietly, dragging his eyes away from her mouth. He watched as she tugged at her sweater and avoided his eyes.

“Sadie, look at me. Please.”

When she lifted her head, he felt a spear of emotions, he had to stifle a groan. “I would never disrespect you like that, but I cannot keep my hands off you,” he laughed derisively. “That’s a first for me.” He smiled slightly. “I promised you dinner and that’s what I am going to do.” Buckle in.” He snapped his seatbelt securely and waited until she had done the same before pulling out of the lot.

“How was your book club?” He glanced over at her when he braked at the stop sign.

She simply gaped at him and caused him to laugh.

“I am trying to make trivial conversation in order to veer us away from a dangerous topic. So, indulge me. What book did you ladies discuss?”

She laughed softly at that. Her heart was still beating erratically, and she was still in shock over the fact that if he had carried on, she would not have stopped him.

She would have allowed him to take her right there in the parking lot.

“You don’t want to know.”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” He made the left turn that took them onto the busy highway. At this time of the night, the traffic was still heavy, but he did not mind.

The place where he was taking her was a little diner tucked back into the middle of a winding dirt road. It was a place his uncle had taken him to when he was living in the States and to his delighted surprise, he had discovered that it was still open.

A Mom-and-Pop establishment, it had managed to sustain its business in the declining economy and still served the best spareribs and coldest beer he had ever had. And more importantly, it was not somewhere he would be gawked at or made a big deal of.

The people who owned the place had welcomed him with open arms and made him feel normal.

“Well?”

He laughed when she rolled her eyes at him and looked so adorable doing so, he wanted to snatch her in his arms and kissed those delectable lips.

“It was a historical romance with lots of …,” she cleared her throat. “Romance!” She substituted and knew he realized what she had done.

“Romance?” He shot her an amused look, before turning onto a dirt road. Slowing down was necessary to navigate the pock marked road that was more like a trail.

“Yes.” She muttered firmly, staring straight ahead and refusing to look at him.

Pulling the vehicle to a stop beneath the overhanging branches of an enormous redwood tree, he switched the engine off and turned to face her, one arm looping over her seat. “Care to elaborate?” His thick brows were arched, his gray eyes were twinkling with mirth.

“We are going to be late,” she said primly.

“We don’t have a reservation, and we are not leaving the car until you tell me about the book. Particularly the ‘romance’ scenes.”

He merely cocked a brow as she stared at him.

“I am hungry.”

“So am I.” His voice deepened as his eyes dropped to her lips.

Her breath thickened as he continued to stare at her lips and for a few seconds she had no idea what on earth they were talking about.

“Sadie?”

“What?” She whispered huskily.

“Never mind.” With a tortured groan, he reached for her and titled her chin up. “You make me want to do things I have never done before. I am addicted. So damn much.”

His head lowered and he pressed his lips to hers, his tongue parting the seams, venturing into her mouth slowly. Her hands came up to grip his wrist, fingers digging into the flesh.

“Gary!”

“Oh, sweet Sadie,” he ground out harshly. His heart was beating erratically, his body already on fire for her. “What you do to me.” His tongue delved into her mouth, exploring the sweet crevices, tongue tangling with hers. Swallowing her moans, he deepened the kiss, one hand going to the back of her head to hold her steady to plunder her mouth.

The kiss took on the familiar madness and had him hauling her over the console so that he could feel her body against his.

The sudden sweeping of headlights, had him jerking his head up and putting her away from him.

With a shaky laugh, he released her and bent his head over the steering wheel as he fought for control.

Good God! He thought dazedly. If he didn’t have her, he was going to burst.

“Let’s get you fed,” he said roughly.

*****

“Beer?”

He grinned at her look of skepticism as the bottles were placed in front of them. The place was rustic and surprisingly busy, considering its remote location. The scent of steaks and onions were prevalent and had her mouth watering.

They were personally escorted to a table at the back, next to a window that offered a view of a thickly vegetated area, filled with towering trees and a lake.

“I am usually a wine guy, but the beers here are legendary. Thanks Lucy.” He grinned at the ample bosomed woman who had escorted them to their table. “This is Sadie.” Grabbing her work worn hand, he kissed it lavishly. “And this is the woman of my dreams. Only she refuses to leave Larry and run away with me.”

“Go on, you.” Lucy blushed prettily, hazel eyes dancing merrily. “We have missed you. And tell that uncle of yours that he is due to visit us.”

“I will.”

“I will send out your steaks and the buttered potatoes. Nice to meet you dear.” She hurried off to tend to a patron who was calling for her attention.

He watched as she picked up the bottle and studied the dark brown brew.

“It’s not going to jump out and bite you.” He teased.

“I am just not into beer.”

“You are going to like this one. Home brewed and excellent. Try it.’ He urged.

He laughed as she lifted the bottle and carefully cleaned the rim with her napkin.

“Getting rid of any residues.”

“Of course.” His eyes twinkled. He waited until she took a careful sip.

“Well?”

“It’s tart.”

“And?”

She took another sip. “And surprisingly good.”

“Told you.” Picking up his bottle, he guzzled. “Who started the book club?”

“I did. It was an idea I had ever since I started the place and when several ladies hinted that they wanted somewhere to meet, I immediately implemented it.”

“How successful is it?” He loved watched her talk and admired the way her dark brown eyes would light up when she did.

She took another sip of the beer. “Very. It started out as one day a week, but after popular demands, we pushed it to two. With Thanksgiving coming up in a little over a week, we are planning a thankful theme.

We collect boxes and baskets of full meals for needy families. We hold competitions – reading and poetry. The winner gets to read their work before the patrons.”

He stared at her in admiration.

“I had no idea that a coffee shop offers all that.”

She lowered her head to her bottle abashedly, feeling the glow of warmth at his look of pride.

“We are in competition with the larger brands and have to come up with innovative ideas to stay in business.”

Their meals arrived right then and forestalled further conversation for the time being. Her first taste of the sizzling steak had him grinning. Her eyes went wide and then closed in ecstasy. Then he noticed her lips and desire hot and steamy slammed into him with a force that had him gasping for breath.

Dropping his gaze to his own meal, he battled with his desire until he had it under control. They spoke about inconsequential things to keep things light while enjoying the meal.

The offer of dessert, chocolate cake with vanilla topping, was declined.

He promised Lucy that they would be back and hugged the woman warmly before making his way out, his hand under Sadie’s elbow.

He opened her door and ushered in before taking his seat behind the wheel. He sat there for a minute staring out at the darkened trees, the lights from the moon, filtering through the leaves.

“I have to ask you something.”

“Go on.”

Taking a deep breath, he settled back and turned his head towards her.

“I am dying to make love to you.”

She nodded and swallowed.

“It’s not going to be enough.” He lifted his hands and then dropped them.

“What do you mean?”

“It means that once is never going to be enough. It means that I want you to spend the night with me.”

“Gary…”

“Just hear me out.” He pleaded. Taking her hand, he turned them over to look at the palms.

“I am bursting,” he admitted huskily. “I have never felt this way before in my entire life and I want to be with you.” Lifting her left hand, he kissed the soft palm and sent alarming tingles throughout her body.

“Say yes,” he whispered hoarsely. “Let me spend the entire night worshipping your body.”

“The entire night?” Her voice had a note to it that she did not recognize.

“Well, perhaps half the night or most of it. I want the opportunity to know every inch of your body, to become intimate with every feature. I am asking you to give me that privilege.”

“I have never…,” she swallowed the lump inside her throat.

“I have never spent an entire night with a guy before.”

He felt his knees going weak and was sure his heart was about to give out on him.

“Never?”

“No.”

“I would be the first.” His fingers tightened on hers. “I like that.”

“I am not sure…”

“Please.” He whispered harshly. “Don’t make me beg.”

“Oh, Gary.” When she said his name in that sultry voice of hers, it was designed to drive him crazy.

“Say yes.”

“Yes.”

He closed his eyes and took a breath.

“Thank you.” He had to clear his throat to remove the golf ball heaviness from his esophagus. He felt as if he was drowning in desire. Letting go of her hands; he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

“Okay.” Turning his head, he flashed her a weak grin. Pushing the start button, he executed a three-point turn and made his way carefully along the dirt road.

“This place is amazing, yet a little creepy.”

“It has ambiance.”

She was trying to make light conversation to take her mind off the huge step she was thinking of taking. “I like the way the lake reflects the light of the moon. How does it look during the day?”

“Pretty. There is a board walk and a small bridge over the water.” He glanced at her as he ventured out onto the road. “I will take you here for breakfast one morning.”

*****

They were both nervous. The conversation had lapsed somewhere between the interstate and the private road that led to his place.

He thought about calling up music to soothe the nerves but decided against it. He did not want her to know that he was a bundle of nerves, or chance her changing her mind.

He held his breath several times during the ride, wondering if she would decide that it was not wise to give into his pleas.

He had never lived with a woman before of course, but several times in the past, he had slept over. Sex to him before had been a power play, something he used to get his mind off his problems. And he was an expert at it. Why the hell not? He had been sharpening his skills since he was barely a teen.

But now it was different. This was significant and he did not want to prove his prowess at sex, he wanted to make her want him as much as he wanted her. He was desperate for that to happen.

Sliding into the parking lot, he came around and opened her door.

“Cold?” He asked when she shivered.

“A bit.”

“The weather has gotten worse. I think there is rain…,” he broke off when he realized he was talking about the damn temperature. He did not say anything else on the short ride in the elevator. And neither did she.

Punching in the code, he pushed open the double doors and ushered her in. Engaging the alarm, he turned to take her jacket and hung it on the coat tree along with his.

“Um, would you like a tour?”

“Yes.” She rushed in breathlessly and they both realized they were stalling. Which was ridiculous because he could not wait to get the night started.

“It’s fairly new,” he continued lamely and almost blurted out that his family had built these exclusive apartments for the nouveau rich. Hotshot executives with money to burn and who were killing it on Wall Street. Investment bankers and spoiled trust fund babies. Which he supposed would make him one of them. But he had never been spoiled.

“This way.” He led the way through the wide hallway and showed her the laundry room that was close to a small, but very pretty ensuite room done in pale green and blue.

“Maid’s quarters.” He told her briefly.

“Do you have one?”

He shook his head as he led her to the game room.

“I have a service. I hate people in my personal space.” He did not add that after living with a household of staff who had been terrified of his dad and uncle George, it had turned him off.

“You have a Foosball machine and a pool table.”

“Do you play?” He resigned himself to delaying the night he had in store for them.

“Which one?” She was beginning to relax a little and wanted to spend some more time delaying what she knew was going to happen between them.

“Both.”

“I rock at both.”

“Shall we?”

“Was that a challenge?” His thick brows cocked at her.

“Bring it on!” She actually linked her fingers and stretched them as if preparing for combat or competition. “Which one first?”

“Pool. Absolutely.”

“Let’s get started.” Picking up the cue sticks, he handed her one. “I have to warn you that I was reigning king for both games for years at my school.”

She lifted tapered brows. “How long ago was that?”

He grinned. “It doesn’t matter, I haven’t lost my skills.”

“Actions will tell.” He watched in amusement as she lined up the balls precisely. Lifting the triangle, she positioned herself and ran the stick through her fingers several times, a frown of concentration on her face.

She shot the stick, and his grin widened when the balls clacked into the opening. All of them.

“Not bad.” He laughed aloud when she sent him a sizzling glance.

“Let’s see what you are made of.”

Picking up his stick, he lined up the balls and positioned himself. The balls went into the slot without much effort. “There.”

“Not bad.” She echoed his words and made him laugh.

“Your turn.”

They continued playing and he realized another thing about the woman he was coming to regard as more than an attraction. She was extremely competitive and fierce about her game.

“We are even.”

“That we are. Ready to call it quits?”

“Are you?”

“No.”

“Another round.”

They were well matched for the last game before going to the Foosball machine.

She was tireless and a sore loser. Her eyes glittered when he got several points. They continued for another half hour, before he firmly called a halt.

“How about a drink?” He suggested.

“We are not…”

“We are.” Moving around the table, he took her hand and led her to the sofa against the window. Leaving her there, he went over to the cabinet, he selected a bottle of red wine.

“Cabernet?”

She nodded.

“We did not finish the tour.”

“That’s reserved for another time.” He poured the wine and handed her a glass. “To ensure that you return.”

Taking the glass, she cradled it between her palms. “I thought you would have rushed us upstairs.”

His eyes crinkled. “That was my original intention.”

“What changed?”

“I needed time to get myself under control.” His eyes darkened as his gaze wandered over her face. “You are quite fierce when it comes to games.”

“My dad…” She took a sip of her wine, her eyes dropping to the hardwood floor. “He was very competitive.”

“You still miss him.”

She nodded. “This is very good.”

He wanted to prolong the conversation, but instinctively knew that she would not welcome anything else regarding that subject.

“There is a wine cellar downstairs.”

Her brows shot up. “There is?”

“Hmm?” Finishing the wine, he put away the glass and made his way towards her purposefully.