Compromising Positions
Page 20
“I want that same kind of happiness for you now. I knew you wouldn’t make the time to have a personal life until your professional goals were met, and you refused to buy me out. You didn’t leave me any choice but to get creative.”
David held up his hand. “Whatever. You’re setting yourself up for a fall, but I can’t stop you. No more games. Just shoot straight with me from now on.”
“Now what?”
“Now I leave.” David turned.
“With Sophie?” Lance called after him. “I like her.”
“You’ve barely met her.” He did not want to be baited into this conversation.
“I like the effect she has on you. You’re happy, and not just because you have SGI.”
David took another step for the door.
“Now what?”
From where they stood, David could see the images flashing on the screen inside. The African safari from his sixteenth birthday faded into a picture of him sitting on his father’s lap behind his desk. He couldn’t have been more than four.
“You always wanted to run SGI.”
“I wanted to be you. Hell, I am you.” His head suddenly felt very heavy. Until the sound of his father’s laughter spun him around. “What’s so funny?”
“You may look like me, but you are nothing like me. I jump headfirst without looking, and you have your ten-year plan mapped out in stone.”
True. Except his ten-year plan had been to get control of SGI. He needed to rework it. “I still don’t understand the need for the charade. You could have done it differently, threatened to sell to one of the shareholders. To make me think you were stealing?”
“Nobody makes decisions for you. It had to be your idea. We thought of it when you said you’d never buy my shares while I was married to Tessa. And it worked brilliantly. I had to stop you from working yourself into an early grave like my father did. Sophie tipped you off didn’t she?”
David nodded, pressing his lips together. Sophie was none of his father’s business. “She doesn’t know if that’s what you’re worried about. And even if she did, she’d never tell.”
“You didn’t tell her, and she didn’t ask?”
“She’s interested in me, not my business.” The revelation stunned him even as he said the words with complete confidence. No one had ever been interested in him outside of what he could do for them. Even Craig took advantage of his status.
“You love her.”
Did he? Not that it would matter. “It’s not what you’re making it out to be, Dad. Sophie and I don’t want the same things. She should have kids, lots of them. She’ll be great at it. Warm cookies after school kind of great.” He sucked in the cool air, hoping it would quell the tightness in his throat. “I can’t give her that.”
Lance’s fist came down hard on the railing behind him. “What the hell is wrong with you? It’s as if the world is right there dangling at your fingertips and you’re too scared to grab on.”
That did it. “I’m not scared. I’ve just learned how it ends. It used to tear me up when Kelly would have to go home after a weekend, and she was just my sister. I don’t have it in me, Dad. I’ve been through enough of your divorces. I don’t need to have any of my own.”
Lance stepped forward, taking David’s arm and spinning him toward the windows. He could just make out Sophie, still at the bar. Thankfully it looked like she was talking to a woman.
“If you don’t marry her then don’t get married, ever. Or you will be just like me. Punishing every woman who comes after for not being her, for not loving you the way she did. Hiding that part of you away that will always belong to her. And you’ll hate yourself for it. I didn’t have a choice but to let Natalie go. It kills me you are willing to just walk away.”
David shook his head, his eyes refusing to focus as he stared into the soiree. “I won’t leave, she will.”
“Yeah, I’m sure if you push hard enough, even love couldn’t make her stay.”
———
“You intrigue me,” a deep, breathy voice said from behind Sophie as she leaned on the bar waiting for another diet cola. She turned slowly, not sure what to expect.
She did not expect the exotic beauty who stood before her. With waist-length black hair, wide almond eyes and a neckline plunging to her navel, the woman was stunning. And she intrigued her?
“You are not what I anticipated.”
“Just what were you anticipating?” And what was she talking about?
“His usual.”
Sophie leveled her gaze at the woman. Just who did she think she was? Sophie turned away, facing the room once more. She was in the mood to have fun tonight, not deal with some catty woman.
“I’m impressed you got him to teach the class with you. David is usually very private.”
This woman didn’t seem to get the hint. Sophie blew a few stray curls off her face with a puff of air from the corner of her mouth. She gave a half-smile to the woman and surveyed the crowd. Just where had that man escaped to?
“He works too hard. We were relieved to find out he was enjoying himself.”
“We?” Sophie asked, curious but still leery as to where this mystery woman was taking her.
“You don’t know who I am, do you?” As Sophie shook her head the woman continued. “Tessa Strong, Lance’s wife.” Sophie’s felt her mouth form an O as she tried to recall the bits David had relayed about this woman. She’d been the one David had suspected of stealing, and there was some kind of sexual harassment suit that didn’t make sense.
Tessa smiled, “I see you know my reputation. David thinks me a barracuda, but I promise I don’t bite.” Her teeth shone like pearls against her deep red lips.
“Sophie Delfino,” she said, shaking Tessa’s outstretched hand.
“Yes, I know. David is very tight lipped about you. He seems to want to keep you all to himself.”
Sophie smiled at the idea. “I intrigue you?” She asked, bringing the conversation back to the beginning.
Tessa nodded. “As much for your effect on David as for the class you teach. Kama Sutra is a passion of ours. I wish I’d thought of designing a class around it.”
“It was my sister’s idea actually. David and I are just filling in while she’s pregnant. I still need to talk him into helping with next month’s class.”
“I’m sure you can convince him. Which positions do you focus on? Do you stick to The Kama Sutra or do you also reference Ananga Ranga or Positions of the Tao?”
Sophie’s eyebrows rose at the woman’s knowledge. “You’re very studied. The class is mainly yoga. We throw in a few positions at the end that complement the stretches.”
“So the focus is on touching.”
“Exactly.”
“Now that Lance is retired, I need to find ways to keep him busy. We’ll look into the class once your sister comes back.”
Sophie grinned. “I think David would melt into the floor if the two of you walked in.”
“Then I shouldn’t suggest the sexual reflexology class we’re teaching at the chiropractic college. Your students might be interested though. It combines massage and the touch points of Tao.”
Sophie’s mind sparked to life. Finally, a problem she could solve. “That sounds fascinating. Did David mention you used to be an aerobics instructor?”
———
He had to leave. Now. Before his father’s psychobabble really started to sink in. He shouldered his way through the crowd, keeping his eye on her. He needed to get out of here, get her home and out of that damned dress. Do to her things the men hanging on her all night hadn’t even thought to dream about.
His pulse quickened, pounding in his ears as he neared her. Maybe they wouldn’t wait until they were home. She was so small they could just—
“David.”
He shook his head and kept moving. He was through making nice with people.
“David.”
Feeling a hand on his arm, he jerked back like he’d been stung.
“I haven’t heard from you, but I guess now I know why.” The leggy redhead tilted her chin in Sophie’s direction. “I thought you only did blondes.”
He pinned her with his gaze. “Why are you here?”
She shrugged her bony shoulders. “A friend needed some company.” She stepped closer, leaning in, her lips almost touching his ear. “If you ever need—”
David stepped back, almost toppling the man behind him.
“He’s very well taken care of, I assure you.” Sophie’s hand slipped beneath his jacket and around his waist, pulling him to her like a possession. Whether she was really jealous or just making a point about the way he’d treated her all night, he didn’t care. Her wide eyes sparkled beneath her darkened lashes as she looked up at him. “Did you get what you came for?”
He brought his hand to her face, stroking the soft skin of her cheek with his thumb. “Turns out I already had it. Ready?”
Sophie nodded, taking his hand in hers as she pulled him back to the bar. He suffered through goodbyes to Tessa and his father. Tessa seemed to have charmed Sophie into something, but just what he’d worry about later.
For now, he focused on getting Sophie out of the crowded ballroom before dinner and the speeches began. She was enjoying the entire party far too much. After getting their coats, he helped her button hers up all the way. “Weren’t you cold?” There wasn’t much to the dress, and what was there just clung to her curves because it wanted to touch her as much as he did.
She shook her head and stepped closer. She slipped her hands in the pockets of his coat and pulled him snug against her. Even with the heels she barely came up to his shoulder. “You’ve obviously never seen yourself in a tux. It’s definitely blood warming.”
As she licked her lips, he noticed the lipstick had worn away, leaving just the pink shade he was used to. Almost exactly the color of her nipples. Ah, hell.
He pushed her backward lifting her off her feet and carrying her around a corner until he had her up against the wall of the hallway. Not nearly private enough, but it would do. He lifted her up, pressing her body against the wall with his. Plundering her mouth like he’d wanted to do all night. Even before the dress.
She parted her lips to receive him, wrapping an arm around his neck to help keep herself up. As their tongues danced together, his knee slid between her legs until it found the wall. She slid down slightly, never breaking the kiss while the fingers of her free hand busied themselves.
The kiss was too potent, more than he anticipated and he tried to pull away. To breathe. To remember where they were. His eyes opened wider as he felt her hand circle his erection and squeeze. “How did you…” Looking down between them he couldn’t even tell she had a hold of him. She’d somehow managed to get one arm out of her coat and was using it as a drape to hide her intentions. He shook his head. “Not here.”
“Here, now, fast before someone finds us.” Her breath was hot on his neck and her tongue began an assault on his ear that made his entire spine quiver.
“This is crazy.” And it got crazier. He moved a hand inside her coat, finding the slit in her dress like it was a homing beacon. He breathed a sigh of relief as he encountered panties. This wouldn’t be so easy after all. Her hips shifted and his fingers slid along the moist satin.
“You started it. Finish it.”
Her hips rolled again, making him realize he could just pull the scrap aside. His finger glided across her clit as he threaded it inside of her. She squeezed him harder and rolled her hips again. She raised one leg, careful to keep it inside his coat. Her voice rasped against his ear.
“Make love to me. Show me I’m yours, like you did every time you found another man looking at me.”
Her hand guided him forward, and he let her. Pressing into her mercilessly. Skewering her to the wall as he plunged in to the hilt. He could tell that he’d taken her breath, but he couldn’t stop. Had to hurry. They’d surely be found here. Caught. Exposed. And even then, he might not be able to stop.
He was completely wrapped up in her, and yet he still pushed further, wanting his entire body to be consumed by hers.
“I can’t wait…for you.” She huffed against his ear seconds before he felt her orgasm clench him, tossing him over the edge as her body pulled him impossibly deeper. He braced himself against the wall and she wrapped her other arm around his neck. “Watch it. Think about what is holding me up.”
He had to smile as reason washed back over him. This was crazy.
“Don’t move.” She whispered, her body stiffening.
They were still joined, being caught now would be worse than being caught during. He listened to her breathe for far too long, until it became even and steady. She reached between them, tucking him away with a sigh and straightening her skirt as she slid down to her feet.
“Okay, now give me a minute.”
He spun and looked down the hall in both directions. Empty. “Did you see someone?”
She pulled him closer by the lapels of his jacket. “Relax, you’re safe. I kept my eyes open the whole time. I don’t know how you do it.” She shook her head and leaned back against the wall.
He wrapped his arms around her but then pulled away. He didn’t want to risk it a second time. “We should go.”
“I know, but just a second okay? I didn’t think this through. I usually fall asleep. I’ve never had to walk after.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
She caught his hand. “You didn’t. It’s just big man, small girl—takes a second to recover.”
His ego couldn’t help but jump one cloud up. “Really?”
She smiled, leaning against him. “As if you didn’t know. But fishing for compliments will get us arrested before we ever make it home.”
———
Sophie fought sleep as they lay tangled beneath the soft cotton sheets after making love for the third time that night. “David?”
A yawn was the only response he gave before rolling over, pinning her to the bed the way they so often found themselves in the morning.
“What’s going on with you and your father?” She’d been wondering all week, since the day she had been at his office. And after what she saw of their heated conversation outside on the terrace at the hotel, she wondered if there were more issues than just what had happened with the company?
“Why?”
“It seems like something I should know.” Would he recognize her echoing his words back to him?
“You already know.” He kissed her softly, sweetly, more like how she kissed him.
Her stomach clenched at what she wanted that to mean. “It would be nice to hear.”
“Dad was just waxing poetic tonight. I’m starting to think there might be something wrong with him. He changed his will and he’s been spouting advice.”
“You think he’s sick?” She wrapped her arms around him, listening to him breathe.
“He seems healthy enough.” His breath was forced, in and out. There was something he wasn’t saying.
“Are you worried about what it will be like with him gone?” It had been even harder to lose her mother than her dad, knowing that she was alone in the world. If not for her sister, she might feel completely abandoned.
“No.”
“You won’t be alone. There’s your sister, and Craig and me.”
“What’s your day like tomorrow?” Diversion. He was using her own tricks against her.
“Two early classes and then Daphne’s baby shower in the afternoon.”
“What about Sunday?”
“No classes, but I have to spend a half day at the club. I need to prepare for
a meeting on Monday.” With the landlord, which she still hadn’t gotten around to asking him about. Though now was not the time or place.
“Sunday night let’s go out. I’ll finally buy you dinner.”
The needy part of her wanted to ask him about Saturday. She hated every moment she spent away from him. But she didn’t ask. He was used to his space, and she needed to learn to respect that. She nestled in closer, breathing in the clean sheets, his cologne, their sex. The smell of sweet dreams.
———
David was beginning to feel silly for showering at Sophie’s. He really should have gone home and gotten back into his Saturday routine. He’d stayed longer than he should have, just in case she came back.
He fastened his watch on his wrist and wondered what time Sophie had found him at Diprima Dolci that day. He toweled his hair dry, recalling that he hadn’t been in to work yet, so it had to be early.
He felt electricity in the air as he emerged from the bathroom just in time to hear the door click as it opened. His whole body went on red alert as she walked in, her nose and cheeks bright pink from the cold.
“You walked.” It wasn’t like the truck was burning the ozone layer. Couldn’t she just drive and save him the aggravation?
“You’re naked.” She grinned as she kicked off her sneakers and fumbled with her gloves, scarf and jacket. Her eyes darkened as she walked toward him.
He’d been so smart to wait. Her tiny hands rose to his chest as she pressed against him. His skin stung where she touched him and he jumped back. God, she was freezing.
“You’re hot.” Her grin was wicked as she made up the distance between him, this time pressing the backs of her hands against his upper abdomen.
Stepping back further into the hallway, he narrowed his eyes at her. “I just got out of the shower. That’s not funny.”
“No?” she asked, reaching lower this time. Anticipating her move, he ducked inside the bedroom and around to his side of the bed. Her eyes were wild as she stared at him from her side, before collapsing in laughter and rolling onto the comforter.
He stood his ground for a moment. He could never tell just what she might do. A thrill rippled through his spine, straight to his cock. When had sex ever been this much fun?