by Opal Carew
“If you need anything, I’m just next door.”
“Thank you.”
He stared at her a moment longer, as if assessing, then finally he turned to leave. She scooped up Mia, who seemed ready to follow him out, and held her firmly as he opened the door.
When he closed it, she leaned back against it and sighed. Mia meowed and Sonny gazed at the little cat. Mia stared at Sonny intently and leaned forward to sniff her mouth. Then she licked her.
Sonny loved it when Mia gave her kisses and she couldn’t help wondering if the cat was trying to tell her something. But kissing her sexy new neighbor, who had the voice of her secret fantasy lover, was not something that was ever going to happen.
“Well, you’re absolutely no help, are you?”
Mia mewed in satisfaction, then hopped from Sonny’s arms and trotted away.
* * *
Fuck, she made him feel like dirt. As if he was the kind of man who would attack her. Take her against her will.
Tal took a deep breath as he opened his door and went back into his apartment.
She’d had a nightmare. He’d pounded on her door in the middle of the night. Of course she’d be spooked. He couldn’t let his issues put a wedge between them. He wanted to get to know her. There was something about her that drew on his heart.
Maybe a gesture would help break the ice between them.
The next day after his morning run, he stopped at the florist and bought her a gift, then set it outside her door with a note.
* * *
Sonny opened the door, heading out to buy some groceries, and saw the plant sitting in the doorway. It was wrapped in lavender paper but th e distinct shape made it clear what it was.
She picked it up and carried it back into the apartment, Mia following on her heels.
“Yeah, I know you’re all ready to eat this thing like a salad, Mia.”
That was the problem with having a cat—at least this cat for sure—she chewed up all the leaves. And if it was a lily, she’d have to get rid of it, since lilies were poisonous to cats.
She tore open the paper to find what looked like a pot of grass.
She pulled the small envelope from the paper it was taped to and opened it, then plucked the note from inside.
Sonny, I hope Mia will enjoy this cat grass. It’s supposed to be good for her.
Mia had already jumped up on the table and was munching on the grass happily.
We didn’t get a chance to talk at the party. Would you join me for dinner or a coffee so we can get to know each other better?
Sonny’s stomach clenched. Oh, God, she couldn’t imagine sitting across from him, casually talking. Every word he said reminding her of the X-rated sessions she had listening to his recorded voice.
She sucked in a breath and walked to the desk in the living room to grab a pen. She wrote on the back of the card, then walked to the door, leaving Mia happily eating the fine green strands of the plant.
* * *
Tal stepped into the kitchen, his hair still damp from his shower, and poured himself a cup of coffee, wondering if Sonny had found the plant yet.
As he walked into the living room to settle down and catch up on his email, he noticed the small white rectangle on the floor by the door. He picked it up and turned it over. He could tell by the picture of a daffodil in one corner that it was the envelope from the plant he’d given Sonny.
He opened it and pulled out the card with yellow roses on the side where he’d written his note to her. He turned it over.
Thank you for the plant. Mia is enjoying it, but no thank you for coffee. Sonny.
He frowned. Dammit.
After he finished his coffee, he went to the grocery store a couple of blocks from the building. As he was pushing his cart through the fresh produce section, he caught sight of Sonny. He examined the avocados as he wondered if he should go over and talk to her, but then he noticed her glance his way and freeze. Then she slipped away down another aisle, clearly trying to stay out of his way.
Several times that week, he saw her slip away when they would have bumped into each other. In the underground parking. Picking up the mail. Once he was sure she’d been about to leave her apartment but she went back in when she saw him in the hallway.
She’d even dodged out of the elevator when he’d stepped inside one time, mumbling something about forgetting a bag in her car.
Every incident dug a little deeper into his soul. How could she think he’d do her harm? Hadn’t he proven he wouldn’t throw her down and rape her when he’d come to her after her nightmare in the middle of the night, then left as soon as she’d asked him to?
He was insulted… and hurt… that she felt he might lay a hand on her.
* * *
Sonny saw the elevator doors closing and raced the last few steps through the lobby to dodge into it.
But as soon as she stepped inside, she saw Tal. Her stomach clenched. It was too late to escape. The doors had already closed behind her.
The elevator started moving.
She glanced at the buttons and he’d already pressed 18.
She locked her gaze on the cold, steel doors in front of her.
She could tell he was staring at her. The uncomfortable silence made her conscious of every breath she drew in.
After a moment, he let out a sigh and nervousness quivered through her.
“Sonny, look at me.”
At his taut voice, she slowly turned her head toward him.
“Listen to me. I’m not stalking you. I don’t intend to hurt you.” His voice had a hard edge.
Her eyes widened. Is that what he thought she believed?
“I find you attractive and I wanted to get to know you. That’s all. But I’m tired of you looking at me like I’m a rape about to happen.”
She wanted to shake her head. To protest. But she was frozen to the spot.
“So I give up,” he continued, his blue eyes flashing with annoyance. “So don’t worry. I won’t try to talk to you anymore and from now on, if you’re in the elevator, I’ll wait for the next one.”
The doors opened and he strode off the elevator and disappeared around the corner.
She stared after him, then realized the doors were closing. She reached out her hand to stop them, then skittered off the elevator.
Oh, God. She hadn’t realized how her actions might affect him. She’d been rude and inconsiderate.
She had to find a way to make it up to him.
* * *
Sonny stacked the still warm cookies onto a big plate and then strolled down the hall, her stomach fluttering. When she stood in front of Tal’s door, she drew in a deep calming breath, then knocked.
After a moment, she heard the door unlock. It opened and Tal stared at her expectantly.
“Hi. I just came by to apologize for the way I’ve been acting. I haven’t meant to be rude. I brought you these cookies to say I’m sorry.”
He stared at her, his deep blue eyes assessing.
“They’re homemade,” she stammered. “In my home.”
Damn, her nervousness was making her sound like an idiot.
“I mean, I made them, I didn’t buy them from a bakery or anything.”
A slow smile spread across his lips and it made his eyes light up.
God, the man was sinfully attractive.
“I love cookies.”
His deep, sexy voice stirred a need inside her.
“Would you like to come in and join me for coffee?” he asked warmly. “Or cookies and milk?”
Her breath caught. “No. Thank you. I just wanted to drop them off.”
She handed him the plate and started to turn away.
“Wait. Before you go, just tell me why you’ve been so nervous around me? Is it because of my appearance? I know a lot of people find how I look intimidating, but I’ve made every effort to show you I’m not a bad guy.”
Her eyes opened wide and she shook her head. “Oh, no. It’s not
because of how you look. In fact, you’re very… um…”
* * *
Tal couldn’t help but be amused by Sonny’s increased nervousness. Did the ice queen actually find him attractive?
“Then what is it?”
She shook her head. “I’m just nervous around strangers.”
“I’m not buying. There’s something about me. What is it?”
She hesitated and he could tell she was extremely uncomfortable. But she wasn’t running away, which was a good thing.
“Just tell me,” he insisted.
“It’s... your voice.”
Confusion lurched through him. “You don’t like my voice?”
She stared at him uncertainly.
“No, I do… but…”
He raised an eyebrow. “Yes?”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just forget I said anything.” She started to turn away again.
“Sonny, I really want to know.”
She turned to him, biting her lower lip.
“Just blurt it out,” he suggested. “Like ripping off a bandage.”
She sucked in a breath, then said, “Blissful Surrender.”
His eyebrow rose in surprise, but he said nothing. His heart sank as he realized where this was going.
“I found your recording there,” she continued.
His chest tightened and he scowled.
“So you find it offensive, I take it.”
* * *
“No.” Sonny shook her head adamantly, shocked at his assumption. “That’s not it. It was…”
Her throat choked up and she stared at him wide-eyed. She sucked in a breath.
The way he looked at her. Anger still flashing in his eyes, but… she could see a glimmer there. Of pain. Of… vulnerability.
Could it be that he’d been hurt, too? That in that big, rough-looking, tougher-than-nails man there was a wound that scarred his soul?
The thought tore at her heart.
“It was what?” he asked, an edge to his voice.
She drew in a deep breath and released it.
“It was beautiful.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
“It helped me imagine what it would be like if a man cared about a woman. If he was tender and loving. If he wanted to make her happy.” She sucked in a breath and her voice lowered to a rough whisper. “If he wanted to touch her so that she would find pleasure.”
“Aw, baby.”
Her gaze snapped to his. She’d lost herself in her thoughts. The same thoughts she’d had a million times in the past when she asked herself why she listened. Why she seemed almost addicted to his words. His deep, silky, gut-wrenchingly masculine voice.
She took a step back. How could she have told him these things? She could never have imagined telling anyone these things, but… him?
Oh, God.
She felt herself trembling and she turned to flee.
“No, baby, don’t go. Please.”
She stood, frozen to the spot. She needed to run away. To pretend she’d never divulged so much of herself to him. But the power of his voice… that persuasive velvety tone.
She shivered.
No, it was the tenderness that held her in place. The caring she could feel insinuated in the words.
“Someone hurt you,” he said. “I’m so sorry about that.”
He took her hand and her gut reaction was to pull away. To run. But something inside held her immobile.
The feel of his hand around hers. So gentle. As if it was a tiny kitten he was handling with utmost care. She slowly turned back to him, drawing in slow, deep breaths.
“Did my recording help you?” he asked.
She stared into his deep blue eyes, noticing a wash of golden flecks that looked like stardust scattered across the midnight sky.
“Yes,” she whispered. “It saved my life.”
* * *
Tal’s heart swelled. He didn’t know how or why her statement could be true, but it was. He could see it plainly in her eyes.
“Please come in. Let’s talk about this.”
But her eyes widened and the fear was back. She snatched her hand from his grip and shook her head.
“No, I… can’t.”
The way her gaze flickered behind him, into his apartment. She was afraid to be alone with him. Behind a closed door.
And the fear was deep-seated. Settled into her soul.
“Okay, I understand. You don’t want to come inside. So let’s go out somewhere. Have a drink? Have you had dinner?”
She nodded.
“Just a drink then.”
He smiled encouragingly. He could tell she wanted to talk. To let someone know about her pain.
“I promise, I won’t push you to talk about anything you’re uncomfortable with.” He took her hand. “But after a statement like that, it’s not fair to leave me hanging.”
She bit her lip as she stared at him, considering.
“Okay,” she said finally. “There’s a new place just down the block. On the corner of Fifth and Bleaker, called Satan’s Brigg.”
His lips turned up in a grin. “You’re kidding.”
She tipped her head and actually laughed. “I’ve heard it’s upscale. Nice atmosphere.”
“Okay. Satan’s Brigg it is. I’ll just grab my jacket and be right with you.”
“No, I’ll meet you there.”
“Why don’t we just walk there together?”
“I want to go change and… I don’t want you to have to wait around for me.”
“I don’t mind.”
She frowned. “I just… want to walk there on my own. To clear my head. Twenty minutes. Okay?”
“Of course. Whatever you want.”
He just hoped this wasn’t her excuse to disappear on him.
* * *
Sonny stepped into the bar. Leandra had been right, it had that upscale feel. Dark wood walls and furniture. Dark burgundy cushioned benches in the quiet booths along the walls. Nice comfortable chairs at the tables.
She walked to one of the tall tables near the bar and sat on the high stool. The bartender, a dark haired man with a friendly smile, came by and she ordered a drink.
It wasn’t very busy at this time of day so he seemed to be the only one serving the bar and the tables in the bar area.
She glanced around. There weren’t many customers in the place. All she could see was a couple in one of the booths against the wall and a group of five people—two women, three men—in business suits at a table on the other side of the bar.
The bartender returned with her drink.
“Would you like an appetizer or a menu?” He slid the little stand with a list of bar fare in front of her. “The pickle poppers are great. Deep fried with a tangy sauce.”
She smiled. “No thanks. Just the drink for now. There’ll be someone joining me, though.”
“Okay. I’ll be back.” He hurried away and she heard him taking orders from a table somewhere behind her.
She sipped her drink, staring at the ice cubes floating in the glass.
She was here early. She preferred that. Not having to search around to find the person she was meeting. She could settle in and get comfortable. And relax.
And she certainly needed to relax before this conversation with Tal.
Her fingers tightened around the cold glass. She didn’t want to have this conversation with him. To tell him anything about her past.
Not that she’d tell him much.
Or anything at all.
She didn’t know yet.
“Hey, pretty lady? Waiting for me?”
She froze. That wasn’t Tal’s voice.
Ice water shot through her veins as she glanced up to see a man staring at her, a chilling smile on his face. Chilling to her, anyway. Anyone else would probably think of it as charming, sitting as it was on the face of an impeccably groomed man in an expensive suit.
“No, I’m meeting a friend,” she answered
in an even voice.
He chuckled and settled on the stool across from her.
“I could be your friend.”
He had a handsome face. Dark eyes. A short, neatly trimmed beard framing his jaw. Dark hair that swept back from his forehead.
And a predatory gleam in his eyes that filled her with terror.
But she simply stared at him with a cool demeanor.
“I don’t need another friend, thanks.”
An insincere smile stretched across his face.
“We could all use another friend. Come on. We’d love a beautiful woman to keep us company.”
A prickle raced down her spine as she glanced up to see another man, also in a suit, now standing beside her. He was bigger than the first man. More authoritative. His cold-grey eyes hard and assessing.
“Come on, honey,” the new man said impatiently. “You’re obviously playing coy. We’ve got a room at the Savoy Inn a few doors down. Let’s go.”
He wrapped his hand around her arm and panic surged through her. She froze, unable to speak, or even tear her arm away. He jerked her to her feet.
* * *
Tal pulled open the door to Satan’s Brigg and stepped inside. It took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting after the bright sunshine outside, but when he did, he noticed the sparkling glasses hanging over the bar, the decorative liqueur bottles displayed on the top shelf behind it, regular liquor bottles below.
The place wasn’t busy, but the clients he saw wore dressy clothes. Not like his jeans and casual button-down shirt.
Like the two men at one of the bar tables talking to a woman.
What the fuck?
That was Sonny and one of the guys had his hand firmly around her arm.
* * *
“Get your hand off her.”
Sonny started at the dangerous tone of the male voice behind her.
“What the fuck, man? Mind your own business,” said the man tightly grasping her arm.
But as his gaze turned to the voice, his eyes widened and his hold on her loosened.
“I said let her go.”
She sucked in a breath. It was Tal. She hadn’t recognized his voice at first, because of the gruff anger, but this time, the soft tone, even laced with a dangerous masculine authority, gave him away.
She glanced around and was taken aback at the threatening gleam in his eyes.
The man holding her arm released it and took a step back.