My Safe Place

by Steph Poe

  "I can find something else if you'd like—" I cut him off before he can finish.

  "No! I love Muse." He returns my excited smile.

  "Me too. I'm glad you enjoy them as well. Have you ever seen them live?" he questions.

  "No, not yet. I really want to, though. Definitely on my bucket list." I turn my face back towards the road. We have arrived at the restaurant and I'm feeling relaxed and hopeful about how this evening is going to turn out.

  Cal gets out of the car, hands his keys to the valet, and walks over to open my door. He takes my hand and helps me out of the car. Again I feel the magnetism between us as he keeps hold of my hand and leads me into the restaurant.

  We walk down the stairs and into the dining area. There are several round tables with white linens. The walls are a rich mahogany making the entire room feel warm and inviting. Black and white framed photos adorn the walls. There are candles glimmering in the center of each table.

  I turn to the hostess in time to see her examining Cal and smiling as she twists a piece of her long black hair around one finger. "Welcome to Marvin's. Name, please?"

  She is staring at Cal and he is staring right back at her and smirking. My brow furrows and I feel a slight wave of jealousy. I interrupt them by clearing my throat in an obviously annoyed manner. "The reservation is under Lake Maxwell, please. We have a private room reserved." The hostess reluctantly turns to look at me and then down at her computer.

  "Yes, of course. This way please, Ms. Maxwell." She addresses me, but continues gazing at Cal until she turns away and leads us to our table.

  We enter a private dining area large enough for four or five tables, but only two small square tables are set up directly in the center of the room. They also have white linens and a small candle burning in the center of one of them. I've asked them to have two tables, one for dinner and one where Cal and I can look over his designs. The walls are mahogany and the room feels quite masculine. There's a black and white photo of the downtown skyline on one of the walls.

  Cal pulls out my chair for me and I take a seat. He positions himself on the chair directly next to me.

  The hostess hands us our menus, staring at Cal the entire time. I realize that I'm really quite irritated by her behavior. How rude is it to stare at my date when I'm right here? No, not a date. Get a grip, Lake. This. Is. A. Business. Dinner.

  She leaves the room and pulls the sliding door closed behind her.

  I try to focus on my menu, but the words are running together. I can feel Cal's eyes on me. It's like heat and desire are shooting from his eyes to my body. I can't keep my thoughts straight. I feel like I should say something to break the silence, but my throat is dry. I grab my water glass and slowly take a sip. He watches my every move intently.

  I set my glass back down on the table keeping my gaze on the crystal pattern the whole time. If I look up at him, I know I won't be able to control anything else that happens. My eyes go to his hands, which are gripping the edge of the tablecloth tightly. I slowly bring my blue eyes to stare into his brown eyes and he is gawking at me. His look is so intense, that I feel my body start to tremble. My heartbeat increases and I want him now, desperately. I press my thighs together to try to alleviate the wonderful pressure that's building inside. How is it possible that this man I barely know is making me feel things I haven't felt in years, maybe never felt at all? The intensity of whatever this is...wow. I like it.

  He reaches over and softly caresses my forearm. His touch sends shocks through my body.

  "I'm not going to fuck you here, Lake. As much as you make me want to push everything off of this table and spread you wide open for me, I'm not going to." I can see the rapid rise and fall of his chest, his breathing rigorous. His eyes hold mine. My lips part and I let out a whimper as he grabs my hand and laces his fingers with mine. There is no way I can make it through this dinner now. All I can think about is him inside of me.

  I go to speak, but no words come out. I'm utterly at a loss at what to say. Is it that obvious how badly I want him?

  "I suggest we eat our dinner rather quickly and go to my place after to discuss our 'business.' How does that sound to you?" His voice is filled with lust.

  Still unable to form a complete thought, let alone a sentence, I continue to stare at him with my mouth parted slightly from my labored breathing. I simply nod my head in response.

  The sliding door opens and our waiter enters. Cal quickly rattles off our order of red wine and two filets with Béarnaise sauce and steamed green beans. I continue to stare at him like an idiot until the waiter exits the room again and I snap out of my trance.

  "Uh, thank you for ordering for me." I try to be thankful instead of feeling like I've betrayed the laws of feminism. This is so unlike me though. I'm not a woman that lets a man order for her. My mom raised me to be strong and independent, yet here I am letting this alpha male order my dinner. What the hell is wrong with me?

  I sit up in my seat and regain my composure. I can make small talk with this man. We have to do something while we wait for our food, otherwise I'm going to throw him on the ground and rip his clothes off. That would show him who's in charge here. "How long have you been making furniture?" I inquire instead.

  He leans back in his chair and turns his body to face me. "Since I was a teenager. My father taught me. He used to make furniture as a hobby. I really enjoyed it and was good at it, so he encouraged me to make it my business." He seems a little forlorn when speaking of his father.

  "He must be proud of you," I state simply.

  He looks down at the table and fiddles with the position of his water glass. "He was. He passed away last year. Heart attack."

  I reach over and place my hand over his and gently stroke his skin. The back of his hand is so warm and feels like velvet., which is a stark contrast from his rough, calloused palms. "I'm sorry for your loss, Cal." I never know what else to say in these situations, so I stick with the standard response. I feel like I want to say so much more because he looks so saddened. I don't like seeing him this way. It's a change from the tough, confident man I've gotten to know so far.

  The waiter returns with our wine and bread. I try to take my hand away from Cal, but he grabs it and holds tightly. He uses his left hand to lift his wine glass to taste it, and nods his head to the waiter in approval. We are left alone again a few moments later.

  Cal turns his eyes towards mine once again. "Let's talk about you. Tell me how you got started in event planning." He keeps a hold of my hand as if it's the most natural thing on earth, despite the fact that this is only the third time we've seen each other. It should bother me, but it doesn't. I feel comfortable with him touching me.

  "My cousin's wedding. I was twelve and she asked me to help arrange the flowers in the church and pass out the favors at the reception. I felt so excited to be included. I felt like I could do it all. After that, I wanted to be the person to put the whole wedding together. Every detail, every moment to be from my ideas and planning." I smile broadly as I always do when I talk about how I started my career. "After that, I helped where I could at family events. Then I went on to help some of my friends plan their graduation parties and weddings. I just fell in love with the job. When I saw how happy I could help make their special day, I knew it was something I had to do all of the time."

  "I can see your passion. Your face lights up when you talk about it." He smiles at me.

  It's then that our food arrives. He lets go of my hand to grab his napkin. I feel a disappointment at losing the contact. We eat our dinner in a comfortable silence. When the waiter brings the check, I reach for it but Cal has his credit card out and has already handed it to the waiter before even looking at the check.

  I feel the need to get this 'business dinner' somewhat back on track. "Do you have some designs to show me? I'm looking forward to seeing the final design of the conference room table."

  He looks at me with a guilty expression. "I have the designs at my shop."


  "So, you came to a business dinner unprepared?" I would normally be frustrated when someone isn't ready for a meeting with me. I find I'm not bothered at all because I knew this was much more than a business dinner. In fact, the last thing I want to discuss is business with this handsome man. I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him, feigning disapproval.

  "Oh, I'm very prepared Lake. I wanted to have a nice dinner with you before talking shop. Let's go to my studio and review the designs." He drops his napkin on the table and stands, smoothing down his jacket front. I follow his lead and grab my clutch as I rise from my chair, just as the waiter is returning Cal's card.

  He's assessing me with those golden brown eyes as he reaches for my hand. I feel a warmth spread through our hands. It's more than just a passionate, lustful spark that travels from our hands into me. It's a comfort feeling, like our hands were made to be together.

  Chapter 5

  It's a good thing that the car ride from the restaurant to his studio is only minutes. Being in such a sexy car with him for an extended amount of time will surely lead to naughty indiscretions, instigated by me. Right when I'm licking my lips and staring at his lap, he pulls the car to a stop.

  His studio is on the edge of downtown in an area that is developing. There's a chic apartment complex on one side that is almost completely finished. It's mostly white with gray accents. On the other side of his building is a Starbucks, of which I am immediately envious.

  The front of his building is brick, like mine, but painted white. There is one large rectangular window on the side of the large black wooden door. There is a modern dark wooden bench perched right below the window. I wonder idly if he made it. The sign next to the door is a large wooden rectangle with a simple, black font that reads, 'Ryker Custom Furniture Designs'. The sign is perched off of the building so someone walking on the sidewalk could read it easily as they pass.

  The building seems small from the outside, and I wonder if this is only a studio space and not where he actually makes his furniture. Cal places a key in the door and turns the knob. He guides me inside by putting his hand at the small of my back. I feel a flutter in my belly with that touch.

  He flicks on a light and the room is much larger than I had originally thought. There are several table and chair sets to the left side. To the right are custom cabinets and book cases. My eyes fall on a huge four-poster bed in the center of the room.

  It's simple and elegant, but distinctly different than what I've ever seen. It has a mattress and white and gray bedding with about ten different pillows. I'm assuming the bedding is for staging, and not so he has a ready-made bed waiting for him to invite a woman into at his leisure. Although, maybe it serves both purposes? Now I'm wondering if he's brought other women here.

  Nevertheless, I'm instantly drawn to the bed, so I begin walking towards it. I run my hands over one of the posts. "This is incredible. You made this?" I ask Cal, who has come up behind me and is so close I can feel his warm breath on the back of my neck.

  I turn and face him with both of my hands gripping the end of the bed behind me. He is so close to me that now I know he is going to kiss me. My heart races with anticipation.

  "Yes. Do you like it?" He has a salacious grin on his face and his eyes are filled with lust.

  I manage to let out a breathy, "Yes" before he places his arm around my waist and pulls me in close to him, until our bodies are cemented together. I can feel his hardness at my belly. I'm aching and ready for him.

  Using his other hand, he grabs the back of my neck and tilts my chin up. He takes a moment to really look into my eyes and I feel that desire flowing through him all the way to my core.

  He crashes his wonderful, soft lips into mine. He isn't gentle, but I like it. He is kissing me like he can't get enough of tasting me. His tongue moves with mine and then he takes over and is exploring every part of my mouth.

  I grab his neck and run my fingers through his hair as I give in to the passion. I've never had a man kiss me with so much eagerness before. He moves his hand through my wavy hair and around to the front of my neck. He takes his mouth away from mine and begins kissing my jaw line and moving down my neck and up to suck on my earlobe.

  "Wait, Cal." My voice is breathy and soft.

  He stops his assault on my ear and whispers, "What's wrong?" He brings his face to mine.

  I bite my lip, nervous about my question. "Have you ever...had another woman here?" I can't believe I'm asking him, but I can't continue if I know he does this all the time. I don't want to be another woman to add to his self-made, custom bedpost.

  Cal's lips turn up at one corner. He shakes his head.

  "Never."

  I breathe out a sigh of relief and release my lip from my teeth's death grip.

  He whispers seductively into my ear, "I'm going to take you on this bed. Are you ready for me baby?" His other hand travels down my breasts and begins to tug at my nipple through my shirt, making it hard.

  I moan loudly and let out a guttural, "Oh, yes," as I throw my head back, letting go of everything that's been holding me back. All the fear, the bad memories, are pushed to the back of my mind. I feel that in this moment, I can really trust Cal. I can't explain it, but the way I feel with him is right.

  He runs his hand down my chest and lifts my shirt over my head. He drops my shirt onto the floor with one hand, while the other caresses my arm. I reach out and begin unbuttoning his shirt even before he has the chance to remove his jacket.

  Oh shit, his body is magnificent. His chest is so well sculpted and talk about a six pack. The dark chest hair extends down the middle of his abs disappearing under his pants. I run my hands over his chest, following the trail down, and undo his zipper. He lets out a grunt at my touch.

  He helps me slide his pants down. He is wearing black boxer briefs. His legs are muscular and covered with the same dark hair as his chest. My eyes move up his legs and back to the boxers where his dick has almost completely worked its way out of the opening.

  I lick my lips as I stare at it. I've got to taste him, now. I kneel in front of him and slowly remove his boxers. I keep my eyes focused on his. He is staring at me with so much adoration. I guess I have his approval.

  I stare at his hard length and, just looking at it and imagining how it's going to feel inside of me, makes me more wet. I grab a hold of it and take him in my mouth slowly, licking and teasing the underside before taking him fully.

  "Oh, fuck that's so good," he groans, as he grabs the back of my neck gently, guiding me. I let him lead me while I have my other hand softly caressing his balls.

  Before I can really get into it, he pulls out of my mouth and lifts under my arms so I am on my feet. He smashes his lips into mine fiercely.

  "You are incredible," he moans into my mouth. He moves his lips down my body until he reaches my skirt, which he yanks down roughly. He kneels in front of me and I step out of it. One hand explores the sensitive skin of my thigh while the other hooks into my black lace panties and slowly guides them down my legs, discarding them on top of my skirt.

  He glides his tongue from the inside of my knee up to my hip and then over my belly. His fingers reach the apex of my thighs where he caresses my soaking wet tender flesh. My head is tipped to the ceiling; my eyes are rolled in the back of my head, relishing the pleasure.

  "Look at me, Lake." My head falls forward slowly as I open my eyes to meet his golden orbs. Cal doesn't look away as he continues the soft stroking. Staring into his eyes is such an intimate act that makes everything more intense.

  He plunges two fingers inside of me as I cry out," Oh shit! Please don't stop." My hands reach in front of me, searching. They find his tousled hair that's a little too long, but for tonight it's perfect for me to grab onto.

  His fingers continue to explore me and then he moves forward and I feel his warm tongue gently flicking over my clit. I begin to lose all control and I'm struggling to keep standing straight as I pull his hair, hard.
"Oh, God."

  "Come for me, baby," he commands me. I'm shocked and in complete ecstasy as my body pulsates and he sends me over the edge. My body ripples and contracts around his fingers. This is like nothing I've ever experienced before. I've never had a man make me come, ever.

  "Oh, Cal!" My head falls back and I grab my breasts, feeling so sated. I feel like I'm going to collapse from the intensity of my orgasm, but he rises and grabs me and kisses me hard, plunging his tongue inside.

  He guides me down onto the bed, helping me place my head onto the soft pillows. He lies down beside me, draping one leg over mine and using his knee, he nudges my legs open. His hands slide up and down my body, exploring every inch.

  "You are so fucking gorgeous." He is gazing into my eyes when he says this and I'm am utterly ripped with emotion. I feel fucking gorgeous because of this man. Wow, what an amazing word.

  I run my hands over his chest and lightly pull at his chest hair. I want to devour this man. I lift my mouth to lick his nipple and he moans in appreciation. I feel him reach to the side of me, and then he sits up and has a small, square package in his hand. He tears open the package and rolls it down his length.

  He uses his leg to spread mine wider and then settles himself between them. He grabs my arms and places them over my head, and with one hand, grips my wrists. Panic consumes me. Fear ignites inside of me and I rip my hands from his grasp. Trying to take a bit of the control and hoping to disguise my panic, I lean my hips into him and urge him right to my opening. He guides himself into me in one swift movement. It's rough, but feels incredible.

  "Ohhhh yes," he groans. "You feel so perfect." He is so deep inside of me and it feels amazing. Our bodies find a rhythm, like instruments, playing all the notes flawlessly.