“Let’s take a walk.” He knew his voice was laced with a dangerous edge but he couldn’t help it. At the moment he wanted his hands on her, and he wasn’t gifted enough to mask it.
Glancing uneasily back to her friend, he realized that she didn’t trust him.
Smart girl.
“There’s a path around the building we could take. I doubt we’ll ever be alone.”
It was the right thing to say. He saw her smile again, the rigidness leaving her shoulders. “Sure. Let me just tell my friend so she doesn’t worry.”
“Take your time.”
She slipped out of her chair and walked back into the bar. With each step she took, he released a finger from his clenched fist. How he had resisted yanking her across the table and ravaging her mouth, he didn’t know. All he knew is that it would have been the end of their conversation, and most likely, their acquaintance.
She had surprised him tonight. Everything he had imagined her to be was false. She had no guile, and, if he had to guess, he would say little experience. She enflamed him and intrigued him at the same time. A dangerous combination.
“Ready?” he asked when she came back to the table, jacket in hand.
“Yes. Do you have a coat you need to grab?”
“There’s one in my car if I need it.”
Leaving the bar, he led her out of the gate, relishing the small touch he had on her lower back. He couldn’t help himself from touching her. Even that small contact had him fighting back the urge to take her into his arms.
They started down the path around the building, and he was grateful for the few stragglers that were outside. They would make her more relaxed. “What made you come tonight?”
If he hadn’t been trained, he wouldn’t have caught the hesitation in her voice. “I needed a change. Ashley suggested that this might be it.” A rueful smile caressed her lips. “That I might have fun and loosen up.”
“Do you need some fun?”
“Yes, actually. I get too focused on things. Ashley thought I needed a guy from here to get me to relax.” Her brows furrowed. “I really shouldn’t have said that. It sounds terrible.”
“Not at all,” he said, leading her into an empty garden area. She didn’t notice. “I think meeting someone casually can be a great way to loosen up.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
She puzzled over that before facing him. “Why? I mean, I’m not disagreeing with you. But how could a stranger help that? I’m always tied in knots when I meet new people.”
“Do I tie you in knots?”
“Yes.” Her frankness was refreshing. He moved in closer to her, but not so fast that it would frighten her.
“A stranger can help you relax because you can be anything, anyone, you want to be.” He cornered her by a half wall, caging her body with his own. “You can do anything you want without having to worry about seeing them again. Without being judged. It’s freeing, don’t you think?” he asked, his voice lowering to a whisper.
She swallowed hard, her eyes lifting to his. When their eyes met, he felt power surge through him as he saw not fear, but desire blazing in the emerald green depths. “What do you want to do, Abby?” Her name slipped off his tongue like a caress.
She shivered. Wetting her lips, she glanced to his, ripping a groan from deep in his chest.
“I want you to kiss me.”
He didn’t move for a moment, worried that he would swallow her whole. He wanted to cage the beast that was clawing at him from the inside, demanding that he take, plunder, enjoy. He wanted to savor her.
He leaned into her slowly, watching as her lashes flickered before closing fully. One of his hands trailed up her side, moving to cup the back of her neck.
She shivered in his arms, but he knew it wasn’t from the cold. Her skin was hot silk to his touch as he tilted her head back, the curls of her hair tickling his arms.
Dipping his head, his lips grazed the soft hollow of her neck beneath her chin where her scent was the strongest. The tang of apples, sunshine and woman overwhelmed him. Making him feel as a drunk gaining his first taste of a long-awaited drink.
His other arm wrapped firmly around her lower waist, bringing her body flush against his.
His mouth grazed hers, causing a shock that jolted from her and into him like a promise. Her flavor was as potent as her scent.
Straining forward, he could feel her pressing for more as a whimper escaped her lips.
Exerting more pressure, his lips connected fully with hers, crushing her ripe lips to his and sweeping his tongue in for the first taste of her.
Flavors exploded in his mind, making him reel from the force of his desire. She was sweet, and when her tentative tongue met his, he was sure he could die from it.
Her body curled against him as he loosened his grip, soft kisses taking over as he searched for a secret.
“Touch me,” he growled against her lips, feeling invincible as her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, her fingers diving into his hair. She tugged, demanding more.
He was losing ground quickly, enthralled by the heat and intensity flowing between them. The taste of her, the feel, and scent of her held him prisoner.
For one who was always in control, he was precariously close to losing it. For a second, he didn’t care.
Forcing himself from her mouth, his hands fisted at her hips, fighting for control. Kissing along her jaw, he left a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses on the soft skin of her neck. She shivered at the lingering contact, but didn’t move to pull away.
Her mouth was swollen, rosy from his kiss, and the thought of doing it again made his stomach clench.
He needed more.
Taking her palm, his teeth scraped the sensitive skin before he soothed it with a kiss.
“That was more than I bargained for.” Her lashes fluttered open and he saw her eyes were still glazed over. “I don’t normally do this, but come with me where we can be alone. Anywhere.”
Her eyes widened, and he realized it was the wrong thing to say. Shaking his head, he tried to clear the passion-tinged fog that clouded his brain. He needed to take it slow with her. “Scratch that. Come to dinner with me tomorrow.”
“Dinner?” She raised a hand to her hair, but he wasn’t sure if the move was to clear her mind or to fix her hair.
“Yes. Dinner. You know, we’d go to a restaurant, order some food, get to know each other better.”
“That is generally what someone does at dinner.” She took a deep breath, holding it in before exhaling it slowly.
“Say you will.” The idea of her refusing sent a slice of panic cutting through him. This couldn’t be the last he’d see of her.
“I’m not sure.” She nudged him before stepping away. “I don’t know if it would be the best idea.”
“Because you’d have to see me again after what we just did?”
Her cheeks flushed. “Perhaps. I don’t usually do this sort of thing. Besides, wasn’t that the argument you made for kissing in the first place?” Her lips tilted at the corners.
“Yeah. But just think,” he leaned in closer to her, whispering hotly in her ear. “After dinner, we can do it again.”
Her breath was sharp as he nipped at her ear. “Say yes and we’ll go to any restaurant you want.”
“I don’t know if I can handle you.” Her fingers jerked shakily through her hair. “I don’t have the skill for this.”
“Honey, I’m harmless.” He held out his hands as if to show her he wasn’t hiding anything.
“Right. Just like a wolf is harmless to a lamb.”
“How about you be the wolf and I’ll be the lamb.” His grin was wicked. “You can take a bite out of me at any time.”
She chuckled. “You’re a smooth one, wanting me to think you’re easygoing when I know you aren’t.” He raised a brow. “But still, why not? Dinner could be fun.”
“And you’re in need of some fun, aren’t you?” He didn’t wait
for an answer, but moved in for another quick kiss. “I can guarantee there won’t be a dull moment when you’re with me.”
She laughed shakily. “I believe you,” she said, plucking his phone from his waist and opening the notepad. “Here’s my address and phone number. Why don’t you pick me up at six?” She replaced the phone at his belt with ease.
Stepping away from him, she flashed him another smile. “See you tomorrow,” she said before heading back into the club.
He leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. She was much more than he had bargained for. But he would be a fool to let her get away.
Not sure he could go back inside without kissing her again, he headed for his car, ready for the cold shower that waited for him at home.
“He won’t know what hit him,” Ashley beamed at the fringed halter and skinny jeans Abby modeled in the mirror.
“You don’t think it’s a bit too… flashy?”
“No way! It’s perfect.” Readjusting on the bed, Ashley grabbed the latest edition of Cosmo. “With the heels you’re wearing, it’s dressy enough for anything upscale, but not too over the top for something casual.”
“I just don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.”
“Abby. You aren’t. And remember this is a fun guy. Not a serious guy. You don’t need to worry about anything like that. Just have a good time. Have a few drinks, let him kiss your brains out, then come home.”
Abby let out a pent-up breath. “You’re right. Why do I always have to overthink things like this?”
“Because you want permanence. Just keep telling yourself this is only temporary. Enjoy him while he’s around.” Ashley flipped through a few pages. “When’s he picking you up?”
“In ten minutes.”
“I better head out then. I’ll make sure to leave the light on for you. Can’t have you fumbling out on the porch.”
“Thanks so much.”
Ashley chuckled as she gathered her shoes and magazine before heading out the door.
Twirling one last time before the mirror, Abby took a deep breath. Just because she had never pursued a casual relationship didn’t mean she wasn’t capable of it. Even though that worry nagged at her.
She would enjoy this. She wouldn’t look too into it or try and see what was in store for them. There would be no commitments. It would be the type of relationship that you never worried about because neither party was truly invested.
While it all sounded logical, Abby secretly wondered if she had the skills to pull it off. In her heart, she feared she wasn’t as polished and sophisticated as she wanted to be.
Abby was too traditional. “But I don’t have to be,” she whispered to her reflection.
From what she learned about Dylan last night, he didn’t seem the serious type. He was charming and sexy in that dark, mysterious kind of way. He laughed easily, which she knew from his smile lines. But there was something else there. Something serious and perhaps even a bit… dark.
Thinking of the kiss they’d shared in the courtyard, her heart raced. Yes, there was definitely something dark there. Something just bubbling under the surface. That fact both frightened and excited her.
He was different than any other guy she had gone out with. The men she’d dated in the past were molds of one another. Smart, funny, laid back. And utterly passionless.
Never had one of their kisses affected her as deeply as the kiss Dylan had given her last night. He had sparked something in her, stoking it until she was short of breath.
At the time, all she could think about was wanting more. More skin, more kisses, more pleasure.
She shook, the black fringe of her top shifting with the movement. She shouldn’t think about it now. She didn’t want to do something embarrassing like jump him the moment she opened the door. Part of her was afraid that she might.
And that she’d like it.
The doorbell rang, and she felt like a kid with her fingers caught in the cookie jar. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she muttered to herself, forcing a breath before opening the door. “Hi.”
“Hi, back.” He didn’t disguise his interest as his eyes wandered over her, making her pulse spike with his appreciation. “You look fantastic.”
“Thanks.”
“You ready to go?”
“Yeah.” She grabbed her purse off of the entry table and walked out the door. “So, where are we headed?”
“It’s a surprise.”
She chuckled. “Of course it is.”
Walking down the path from her apartment, she stopped in her tracks when he led her to the gleaming black Ferrari parked along the curb. “This is your car?” His answer was clicking the beeper to unlock it. “Man, maybe I should think of switching careers.”
His lips twitched as he held the door open for her, helping her into the low seat.
“Do you like cars?” he asked after slipping inside, the engine roaring to life.
“I don’t know that much about them, but who wouldn’t appreciate this one?”
“True.”
As Dylan shifted into gear, the car pulled forward, accelerating like the smoothest of predators.
“Were you driving this last night at the club?”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t know how you could stand parking it in a lot. I’d be afraid of every scrape.”
“Scrapes are easy enough to fix.”
“But I don’t imagine they’re cheap.”
He shrugged. The last rays of the sun were shining on his dark hair, teasing the highlights. His face looked sculpted from this angle, hard lines in his cheekbones and square jaw. She couldn’t decide if his features were those of a prince or a villain.
She chuckled at the thought.
“Something amusing?”
“Oh, just a stray thought.” She waved it away as inconsequential.
“Yeah? What about?”
Not seeing a reason to keep it a secret, she said, “I was trying to decide if you looked more like a prince or a villain.”
“And did you come to a decision?”
“Not yet.”
“So, I take it this is a difficult choice,” he said, humor coating his laughter.
“Actually, yes. You are handsome enough to be a prince.”
“I knew you liked me.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “As I was saying, you are handsome enough to be a prince, but you’re also mysterious. Princes don’t usually have that quality. They are what-you-see-is-what-you-get. But a villain, on the other hand, he has more depth.”
“And you don’t find me easygoing enough for the prince?”
“Oh, you’re easygoing all right. I just haven’t decided how much of it is real and how much is for show.” Her mouth opened and closed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m not easily offended.”
“Still, I should think more before I speak sometimes. I have a habit of sticking my foot in my mouth.”
He glanced over at her. “I’m surprised. People don’t usually look deep enough to see something like that.”
She shrugged his question away, but a lump caught in her throat. She knew why she looked deeper into people. It’s because she wanted that connection. She wanted to get close to someone, to figure out who they really were. That quality had often led her into trouble, especially where relationships were concerned. Too deep, too fast.
So instead of telling him the truth, she fitted a small smile to her face, ready to brush off his unspoken question until she looked out the window, seeing water gently lapping at the docks.
“Why are we at the harbor?”
“For dinner.”
“Dinner on the boat docks?”
“Something like that.”
He parked the car, moving around to open her door. She took his offered hand and was momentarily stunned by the shock that raced up her arm. Glancing up, she saw his eyes darken as he helped her out, drawing he
r closer to him.
“So, back to what you were saying,” he said, his voice a deep whisper. “Would you prefer the villain or the prince?”
“Oh.” She wanted to rub the butterflies in her stomach, but she held still, meeting his gaze. “I’ve had enough princes. I think I’d prefer the villain this time.”
A wicked smile crested his lips. “I’m glad to hear it. I can’t claim to be the prince so many women desire.”
“I think you could be if you wanted to.”
He shook his head slowly before dipping down, placing a hot kiss to the side of her neck. “I’m much too wicked to be a prince.” A shaky laugh escaped her lips, but she didn’t have a chance to reply before he took her hand. “Come. They’re waiting for us.”
“Who is?”
“The crew.”
They walked down the swaying dock, the sky almost completely dark save for the glowing moon and the few winking stars that were brave enough to tempt the remaining sun.
As they progressed, they moved past the modest vessels to the ever-increasingly elaborate ones. Hesitating once again toward the end of the dock, she took in the gleaming yacht.
“Are we…” she trailed off, swallowing deeply.
“Yes we are.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear again, wrapping his arm around her waist as if he were worried she might faint.
“But that’s a yacht.”
“A pocket yacht, actually.”
“But… are you sure it’s all right? Won’t the owner mind?”
A ghost of a smile flittered across his lips. “No, he won’t mind. It belongs to the company I work for.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders relaxed. For a moment she was afraid that it belonged to him, and she didn’t know how she felt about that. But it would make sense if it belonged to his company. Many employees enjoyed perks like this. “Well, it sounds like a great company.”
“It is.” He guided her up the boarding ramp.
“You must have been working there for some time to be able to use this.”
“You could say that.”
A steward nodded to them once their feet were firmly placed on the deck. “Welcome aboard, Mr. Thane. Are you and Ms. Carter ready to embark?”
My Only Wish Page 3