by Claire Angel
“Very nice,” Lauren said, after our waiter had gone, leaving us with the menu board.
“I thought you might like it.” I grinned at a job well done. “And don’t worry, I gave the waiter strict instructions to avoid bringing any and all salads to our table.”
“I see you learn fast. I like that in a man.” She grinned, as I poured the champagne myself. I hated it when waiting staff hung around me like a bad smell while I was deciding on a meal choice, so I was happy to see that the bistro’s staff were discouraged from such annoying behavior.
“Have you been here before?” she asked.
“Yes, it is one of my favorites, actually.”
“I hope you didn’t bring your busty fanclub president here,” She noted without looking up from the menu board, “or I’ll be forced to look over my shoulder the entire evening, waiting for an arrow or a bullet to strike me down.”
“Ouch, you’re mean,” I teased. “No, she most certainly wasn’t, nor will she ever be, a preferred dinner guest. I’m very picky, you see. Only strikingly beautiful women with long, shapely legs and a taste for good tequila get the nod.”
“I see. I had no idea you Lone Star boys were so smooth.” She smiled.
“Must be all that fresh air and Texan beef.” I grinned. “Perhaps I’ll show it to you one day, if you’re tough enough to survive a ranch.”
“Please, if I can survive in New York, I can survive anywhere.”
“Touche. Now, what would my New Yorker like to order for dinner?”
“Why don’t you order for us, and I’ll judge you on your choices,” she said with a mischievous smile.
“As you wish.”
The waiter was right on cue. I looked across the table at Lauren as I gave our dinner order to the skinny young man standing beside us.
“The lady and I would like to start with two shots of tequila, better bring the bottle and two glasses, Moulle mariniere as our starter, and the fillet Mignon as our main, rare, please.”
The waiter nodded and disappeared behind the screen.
“Very nicely done.” She smiled. “The fillet was a nice touch. So far, you’re scoring pretty high on my preferred dinner date list.”
“What can I do to push myself into top spot?” I asked, as I leaned in to smell her hair.
“If I tell you, then you’ll have the advantage over others. That wouldn’t be fair now, would it?” she said as she wet her lips.
Dinner was a delightful game of cat and mouse. Sometimes I was the cat, and other times the mouse. Lauren was sharp, engaging, sexy as hell, and the way she demolished her steak, made me even hotter for her.
“That was delicious,” she purred after she finished the last bite of her meal.
“Would you like to see the dessert cart?” I asked.
“I don’t think I could put another thing into my mouth,” she said.
“Not what I wanted to hear.” I grinned, and Lauren gave me a wicked grin.
“Perhaps we could walk it off in the vineyard,” she suggested.
“What a splendid idea,” I answered. “I’ll bring the tequila.”
“Très bon, Monsieur Carter,” she whispered.
I left the cheque on the table, including a generous tip, took the bottle of tequila, and followed Lauren into the grove. The moon was out and the night sky was awash with stars.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she said as she looked out over the hills and valleys of the grove. “It’s not often I get to experience the other side of the scenic places I work at. Usually, I’m running around holding on to a clipboard with a cell phone glued to my ear.”
“I’m glad you agreed to relax with me,” I said, as I watched her in the moonlight. My heart was pumping something fierce, as she stood there, under the stars, looking like a goddess.
I went and stood behind her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and looked up at the sky, too. “This is beautiful, alright.”
“Thank you for a lovely dinner,” she said and turned her face to mine. I couldn’t resist kissing her full lips, gently at first, and then with a deep hunger. She turned to me slowly and rested her arms against my chest.
“You are so beautiful, Lauren,” I whispered into her ear as I broke off our kiss and nuzzled her neck.
She made a little moaning sound as I ran my tongue across her neck and nibbled her earlobe. She giggled suddenly and told me she was very ticklish around her ears. There was no way I was going to let such powerful information go, so I pulled her in and gave her ear a decent licking. She screamed with laughter and wriggled about as she tried to break free from my iron grip.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” I laughed and lifted her off the ground so she couldn’t escape.
“Put me down, you bully! Stop it.” She laughed and tried to wiggle herself free. I put my mouth over hers again and locked her in a passionate embrace. She stopped fighting and stilled in my arms as I put her down and pulled her into my body. We stood there for the longest time, kissing, tasting, exploring. The feel of her drove me mad. She was perfect.
Chapter 8
LAUREN
My stomach was in a knot as I walked off the terrace into the olive grove, Chris following close behind. Dinner was amazing. The food was delicious and the company a solid home run. Chris had his eyes on me throughout dinner, watching my lips as I spoke. It was dizzying having such a gorgeous face paying me such close attention.
The moon was full, lighting up the olive trees as I walked amongst them. Heat radiated from my skin as I became aware of him coming up behind me. I felt his magnetism before he even touched me. He smelled so good, and when we kissed, his soft skin and warm mouth sent me into a tailspin.
I thought it the most romantic place ever for a kiss such as the one in which we were locked. When he pulled me into him, I felt his hardon pushing into my hip. My core was aching for him, willing him to take me.
“Come with me, I want to show you something,” he said in a low husky voice. I didn’t argue or even speak. I went with him as he led me to a large, white, French Colonial barn.
Inside were two olive presses, one an antique and the other shiny and modern, a milling stone where generations before used to press olives, and crates filled with bottled olive oil. I’d been to an olive tasting once. I remembered the incredible olive tapenade, the surprisingly tasty olive chutney, and the ripe, full olives on display. I remember wishing I had someone special with whom to share the experience. This was my opportunity to tick that one off my bucket list.
Inside the renovated barn was a tasting area that looked out over a dam. The glass fold away doors were unlocked, so we stepped out onto the deck and watched as the moon’s glow played across the water. Koi fish swam about lazily, their beautiful colors on show like a liquid rainbow.
“Now, do I go to the top of the list?” he said playfully as he held me back against his chest.
“Almost,” I whispered, then turned to face him.
“I love a challenge,” he whispered, then he pulled me close and kissed me on my mouth.
Every fibre of my being cried out for his touch. Everywhere his fingers moved, little bolts of electricity would follow. His tongue played with mine, like they were old friends. His hands cupped my buttocks, and I let out a sharp, soft moan as he picked me up and carried me to a large sofa on the deck. He put me down gently, stood over me for a moment, then took off my shoes, one at a time, slowly, sensually.
When he took one of my toes into his mouth, I thought I would burst into spontaneous orgasms right there. He smiled as I moaned. He ran his tongue up my shin, over my knee, and up the inside of my thigh. My sex was throbbing, screaming at me to let him in, single-minded in her desire.
I reached for him and found the buttons on his shirt. He moved closer to make it easier for me to unbutton it. He sat up on his knees and took off his shirt. As he did so, the muscles in his chest and biceps tightened, playing in the moonlight for me to see. His broad chest was smooth and perfectly contoure
d. His stomach muscle twitched as I ran my nail down his sternum and over his belly button, goosebumps making his nipples hard as stone.
He closed his eyes, threw back his head, and arched his back as I pushed my fingers into his pants, and took his large, warm shaft into my hand. With my free hand, I unzipped him and pushed his pants and underwear down to his knees. He was magnificent. I cupped his smooth, chiseled buttocks and pulled him into my mouth.
“You’re driving me crazy,” he moaned as he rocked his hips forward and backward to meet my hungry mouth. He held my head gently in his hands as I pleasured every inch of him.
He pulled free from my grasp and stepped out of his clothes. When he was completely naked, I looked carefully at his impressive body. He reached for me and pulled me up to a standing position in front of him. He nibbled on my nipple through my shirt, sending chills through me as his warm tongue sucked on my breast. He unbuttoned my shirt, ran his hands up my stomach to my full, heaving breasts, lifting the cups of my bra so that my breasts were exposed. He looked down at them as if he was staring at a painting, then he took them into his palms and sucked on one of my nipples. The sensation sent a bolt of pleasure straight into my core. I gasped as he glided his tongue over my hard pearls.
I could hardly stand the anticipation of having him inside me, filling me with his width, rocking with me until the sweet release pulled us both into the abyss.
“Please,” I whispered, “take me.”
He lifted me up in one fluid motion, pushed past my underwear and thrust his way into my engorged sex. I cried out in pleasure as he filled me with his manhood; rigid, smooth, vast.
We were kissing passionately then, hungrily, urgently. Chris walked me to a wall, and pinned me between the cool bricks and his hard body. Together we rocked in a frenzy. Over and over he thrusted into me, until I thought I might explode with pleasure. I closed my eyes as the wave hurtled toward me. I hung on while it carried me in its powerful rush and fell over the edge into perfect bliss.
Chris rocked with me as our orgasms spilled out like a river into the sea after a storm. I kissed him then, my tongue claiming his as mine. Spent and satisfied, we sank to the floor and lay staring up at the stars. There was no need for words. Our bodies told us everything we needed to know.
We lay there for a long time. I’m not sure how long—I didn’t look at my watch—bathing in the afterglow, enjoying the comfortable silence together.
“I do believe you’ve met the criteria,” I breathed. “You are officially at the top of my list.”
He chuckled, then turned to me and said, “As if you ever doubted me.”
“You’re right. I know when I’m beat.”
***
CHRIS
I was hooked. Lauren was the most exciting woman I’d ever been with. She was like a drug, and I was fast becoming helplessly addicted to her. When we made love under the stars, my heart was beating so fast I thought it would burst out of my chest. We lay, completely spent and satisfied, looking up at the stars in the night sky.
“I’ll never look at an olive the same way again,” I said after a long silence.
She laughed, and the sound of her voice stirred something inside my heart that I’d never felt before.
“Most definitely my best olive tasting experience to date.” She chuckled.
“Agreed.”
I wished we didn’t have to go back to our lives away from our new home under the stars. But we were adults, and child-like fantasies were best left to children.
“I suppose we better get out of here before the olive police find us,” she whispered.
“Yes, they might press us for answers.” I chuckled.
“Very funny. Sexy AND funny. Who’s the lucky girl?” She smiled.
“And don’t you forget it,” I said as I grabbed her and kissed her again. After a few minutes, we broke off our kiss and composed ourselves.
“Please, tell me there’s a back way out,” she said. “I don’t think either of us are ready for knowing gawking by strangers.”
“As a matter of fact,” I said with a confident stare, “I was thinking the same. So, I asked our waiter to park my car around the corner. We won’t be ogled, I promise.”
“Something tells me you’ve done this before, you naughty boy.” She grinned.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I smirked.
“Okay, you slippery eel, let’s get out of here.”
“There’s just one thing we need to do before we go,” I said.
“I’m listening.”
“A toast,” I said. “A toast to tequila and olives!”
“I’ll drink to that.” She laughed.
And so, after a few swigs from the bottle, we left our love nest, my addictive lover burned into my memory. The drive back to the hotel was filled with chatter and laughter. No uncomfortable silences, nagging regrets, or guilt-ridden side glances. We wound down the windows and laughed as the wind swept over us, filling the car with the fragrant scents of a French summer’s evening.
The drive was over far too soon.
“I had a wonderful time,” she said as we pulled up in front of the hotel.
“As did I, you gorgeous woman.” I smiled back.
“I’d invite you up for a nightcap, but my boss is a slavedriver,” she whispered. “If I don’t get some sleep and make sure tomorrow’s proceedings run smoothly, I’m afraid of what he might do.”
“Yes, I heard he was a colossal asshole,” I teased.
“You should see what he did to the last event’s organizer who fucked up.” She smirked.
“No, really? What happened to the poor fool?”
“Who knows, he probably moved to Alaska.” She giggled.
“Well, you be careful of Mr. Carter. But, if he gives you any grief, you let me know. I know his mother well, and she doesn’t take kindly to ungentlemanly behavior.”
“Good to know,” she purred.
And with that, she kissed me once more and disappeared into the hotel lobby. By the time the parking attendant came over to park my car for the evening, Lauren was gone, and my heart was suddenly empty.
***
LAUREN
I floated onto the elevator, trying my best to wipe the smile off my face, but failing miserably. I knew instantaneously that cloud nine existed, purely because I was on it. I smiled as I watched a young couple get onto the elevator with me, giving each other that look. The one all lovers shared. I watched as they tried not to make it too obvious, failing miserably, of course.
When the elevator stopped on my floor, I floated off and made my way to my room. The colors seemed brighter and the little cherubs on the ceiling seemed to wink at me as I lay on the bed staring up at them.
My mind was far away, in an olive grove, when my phone rang. I rummaged through my purse, then realised it wasn’t in there. I found it tucked away in a fold in the duvet. I made a face as I realized that I must have forgotten it in the room when I went to meet Chris. I had been a ball of nerves, after all.
It stopped ringing by the time I answered. I stared down at it in surprise and confusion. I’d missed several calls from Diane, Sadie, and my mother. Something was wrong. My mom never phoned me when I was away on business. We’d talk before or after, then I’d share my experience with her over coffee and donuts.
The phone rang again before I could dial a number. It was Diane again.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Where have you been?” she hollered. “I’ve been calling you all night.”
“Jeez, calm down, D. I forgot my phone in my room. What’s the matter?”
“It’s your dad, Lauren. You need to fly home, now.”
The urgency in her voice scared the crap out of me. She wasn’t prone to hysterics, which made me fear the worst.
“What’s wrong? Is he okay? What’s happened?” I fired off a succession of questions, not giving her much chance to answer.
“He’s been in a car accident, Lau. He’s
in ICU. The doctors aren’t very optimistic. You need to come home, now.”
I heard what she was saying but it was as if I was in a dream, and she was talking to me through a thick fog. I couldn’t say anything.
“Lau! Did you hear what I said?” Diane asked.
“Uh, yeah. Thanks, D. I’ll be back as soon as I can book a flight. How’s Mom?”
“She’s bearing up under the strain. I’m with her at the hospital. We’ll wait for you here at NYC Health.”
“Okay,” I said, then hung up.
I ran to the bathroom and threw up. My mind was in a tizz as I called the airport and booked the next flight to New York. I was fortunate that there had been a cancellation, so I had less than an hour to pack up and get to the airport. I called Scotty.
“Hey, princess. Where have you been? Not with your Prince Charming, hey?” he cooed over the phone.
“Scotty, I have to fly back to the States tonight. Please, will you and the team take care of everything for me? I can’t talk long. I have to pack and or I’ll miss my cab.”
“What the hell’s going on, Lau? Are you okay?” he asked in a panicky tone.
“My father’s been in an accident. It’s bad. I have to go home right now.”
“Don’t you worry, I’ve got this. Please call me when you get home,” he said.
“Thanks so much, Scotty.” I hung up and continued throwing my things into my bag.
It occurred to me that I didn’t have Chris’ cell number, so I called down to reception and asked to be put through to his room. The phone rang for a long time, but went unanswered. I tried again just before I left my room, but still no answer. I decided to call him from the plane. I couldn’t just leave and not tell him where I was going. But it would have to wait. I needed to get home to my family.
I prayed I wouldn’t be too late.
Chapter 9