by Zoe Adams
He looked at her heavily and wanted her to have the gritty truth. “I am a handful. No woman’s snatch has stolen my heart. Some have gotten a lot of money, and some have their own condo keys.” Royce repositioned himself in his chair and leaned back. “I am never alone. Waiting all day for you was hell.”
He watched her eyes dilate, and she smiled. Susanna was easy to talk to. He knew she understood him, and it compelled him forward. At first he tried to remain conservative, but then things started to pour out. He didn’t realize until that moment how relieved he was to have someone to talk to.
“I’ve been doing exactly what’s expected of a rich scientist who doesn’t have to work.” He flashed a quick grin. “I have been excelling at it.”
Susanna smiled. “At least you’re good at it. That’s something I can appreciate.”
“Yes,” Royce said and nodded determinedly. “I was really good and drunk the other night, and got hit by a deer.”
Susanna held up her finger and shook it for emphasis. “See, that’s it right there. That’s what I am talking about. We wouldn’t have met without that deer accident.” The sound of her voice changed. “I feel like I’m bad luck. When my husband died, it was so hard. I couldn’t bear to see his family or friends. My friends were no comfort either. It broke my heart. I thought we’d have the perfect family.”
Royce was to his feet in a flash. He put his arms around her and offered comfort. He had been wondering when they would talk about her state of widowhood. He silently savored the woman in his arms. Susanna could go from friend to sexy to brokenhearted, then fired up in seconds. But it was all done in equal parts of brain and finesse.
She was strong and brave, but staggeringly feminine. Maybe it was the hot and cold of being beautiful and smart that made her irresistible. For all of her honesty and simplicity, Susanna was still a mystery. He wanted to make her feel good, and he knew how much it would help him. Somehow, he would squeeze himself into her life.
In the meantime, he had a lot of questions for her, and finally forced himself to ask one.
“Do you miss your husband?”
“Of course I do,” Susanna answered. “I’ve been wondering if it’s me. If I am bad luck. Do I deserve another soul mate? Then I meet you in an accident. That’s like meeting under a bad sign.”
“I asked you about another man, and you return the conversation to me. How that could be bad?” Royce chuckled softly. “It’s all right. You are right where you need to be. I’ll give you all the good signs you need. I will make us auspicious if I have to invent it.”
“It’s been a long time for me,” Susanna murmured. “I forgot how nice it is to be hugged.”
She relaxed, and he drew her closer. He gave her all the comfort his two arms could give her. It only took him five minutes to make her feel better. He wondered what he could do in a day. Royce already had an idea and was well on his way.
He put his finger under her chin and tilted her head up to look at him. She was such a nice height for him. The top of her head came to his shoulder, and that was with her almost barefoot. He shuddered at everything he wanted from her.
Royce kissed her lips. It was an epic mirrored joining. The kiss kept going and going, and Susanna clamped her hands around his head in a pulling sort of way. Her desire had found its match in him.
He plunged ahead. He knew exactly how to melt a woman. One hand holding Susanna tightly to his chest, he put his other hand up the back of her shirt. She gave a quick breathless gasp that moved them closer.
Royce was an expert, but he was not ready for the smooth silk skin that rivaled the softest of the soft. Susanna was pliable clay.
It was too much. She felt too good. The kiss was wet, and her body was hot. The whimpering sound that came from her mouth made him open his eyes, pleasantly surprised that she reacted to him so easily.
Susanna was different than other girls. She wasn’t trying to seduce him. She was just trying to keep up with him, or maybe he was keeping up with her. Either way, her big blue eyes could beg for attention and give him approval at the same time.
Royce set her on the table and bent over her waist.
“Oh. No.” Susanna wiggled. “I have plans for you first.”
Royce was a starving man and just wanted to eat her out. That was the only thing she could have said to stop him from bending over.
She had confirmed it again. She had already made plans for him. She had already planned on doing something to him. It had been a while since someone had jumped his gun. He stood back tightly coiled and ready to pounce. “What are your plans?”
“I was planning on having sex with you in my own bed.” Susanna looked down, and her skirt was wide open.
Royce heard what he needed to hear. He saw what he needed as well. He could have her naked in two seconds flat. She was willing, but he couldn’t wait.
He looked at her blurrily. “I can’t wait that long. I can’t think straight until I get rid of my hard-on. You can’t wait either.” He huffed when he took off her clothes. “You haven’t had sex in a long time. The last man who was in your pussy loved you very much. And what of it now? A few fingers and toys?”
Susanna was sprawled out naked before him. Her clothes were piled on the chair. He took off his jacket and was out of the rest of his clothes in seconds.
Susanna was sitting on the edge of the table, and her eyes lit up. A smile was locked in place as her eyes dropped down Royce’s body.
“Wow,” she grinned, “you have a nice body.”
“Yes I do.” Royce stepped forward. “All the better for you.”
“Yes it is,” Susanna agreed and perked her chin up. “It’s great for right now. This is the most romantic setting, and I just want you to ravish me. But then I think about later and how I will look back in the bar. I wonder how you will like my bed at the ranch.” She looked at him and gulped.
Royce’s tongue stuck to the top of his mouth. Life had beat her down, and she had toughed it out. She was careful. It made her very desirable to him, and he wanted to spoil her. He wanted to make sure no harm could ever find her again. He wanted her to look at him with hope in her eyes, and he felt sure it would not take long.
Royce put her face in his hands and looked at her deeply. “That’s too much for you to worry about. I want you to get something without working, trying, or worrying about it. I am going to give you some really good loving.”
He kissed her lightly on the nose and stepped back.
The table was still set with half full plates and glasses. He picked up the bottom of the tablecloth. With a smooth jerk he ripped it from the table. China and silver went down with a crash. The shards of broken glass settled quickly, and it was quiet again.
Royce situated Susanna on the table. She was laid out like a buffet. Royce drank from her sweet mouth. He filled up his hands with melons. She arched, and it reminded him of that other part of her body.
“Royce,” Susanna half groaned and half yelled. Hearing his name made him freeze.
Her body began to frenzy when he stopped. “Don’t stop. I want you inside of me.”
Susanna was driving him crazy. She knew how to start him up and slow him down. He sped up and complied with her deep wishes. He did as she asked, and leaned back when they’d finished.
Dinner was over and they were reluctant to reclaim their chairs. Royce touched her cheek and moved her hair back over her shoulder. He saw goose bumps rise along her neck.
“Ready to go back downstairs?” he asked.
“No,” Susanna answered, “I don’t want to hang out with friends, I want to take you back to my house.”
Royce raised his eyebrows. “Me too.”
For the first time in years, Susanna brought a man to meet her friends. Everyone covered his or her shock quite well at the sight of the good-looking man who stood very protectively by her. She introduced Royce to her sister, Dayna, and their good friend Christine. Significant others at the table were introduced. Ro
unds were ordered, and the party swung into full gear.
The story of how they had met took up most of the evening. The women sighed, and the men talked about the motorcycle and its macho offering. Susanna stood up, and an obvious sway accompanied her to the women’s room.
Dayna took the opportunity to speak to Royce about her sister. “Susanna is not as strong as she appears. You should have seen her as a teenager. All the boys liked her, and she was a heartbreaker.”
“Not much has changed.” Royce smiled at the feminine face that was definitely a relative to Susanna’s.
“She was nineteen when she met her husband, and needless to say, it was love at first sight. They were a beautiful couple and were always together. No one expected her to be a widow.” Dayna took a sip of her drink but kept her eyes glued to Royce.
She focused on him and said, “Susanna has been alone for a long time. This year, she actually went on a few dates, but nothing ever materialized. She’s really picky, but I guess I don’t really blame her. I ran out of suitable friends to hook her up with a while ago. We actually argue quite a bit about her living alone on the prairie.”
Royce could only agree with Dayna. He looked proudly at the woman who picked her way defensively across the room. Susanna neared the table, and when she saw Royce staring at her, her step faltered. He took the remaining strides and met her in the crowded aisle.
“Let’s dance.” He was already leading Susanna out to the heaving dance floor.
Susanna nodded her head to the beat, and the song ended quickly. A slow song began. Immediately Royce pulled her into his arms and looked down at her.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.
“Like what?”
“Like I did something wrong.” She tried to look away.
“You did do something. You stole my heart.” He twirled her expertly on the floor, and then slowed down again as they swayed.
“I did not steal your heart. You gave it to me. I am surprised a rich man’s heart is so easily taken.” She looked up at him in amazement.
The look that came over his face was pure confusion. Royce let loose a big belly laugh. It eased some of the tension that had accompanied them back downstairs from the rooftop escapade. He stopped dancing and just hugged Susanna. Standing in the middle of the dance floor, he held her very close. She was just the right height for him to bury his head in her ear.
“Susanna, I knew I loved you the first time I saw you. You are different from other girls, and I just told you something I haven’t said to a woman, ever. I have a big heart, and a lot of love, but until recently I always owned my heart.” His voice got deeper and almost took on a snarl. “If you want to go slow, that’s fine, but I see us together, because I plan on marrying you.”
Royce relaxed in the most miniscule way so they could at least move on the dance floor.
“I can tell you things I can’t tell other women. Just the fact that I can tell you this much about me has to mean something to you.” Royce continued to bombard her skepticism.
“Please,” Susanna said and looked away. “Can we save serious talks for a more serious time?”
Royce knew when to shut up. For him, serious talks were not the same as serious actions. He leaned in for a kiss. Susanna looked at him seriously.
“You can’t stamp me yet.” Susanna shook her head at him.
“A kiss is just a kiss,” Royce said, determined.
Susanna looked around broadly. “There are people in this bar I have known since grade school. Half of them go to mass with my family, and pretty much all of them can see us.”
Royce looked around and played up his disappointment. It was just fine with him if she wanted to be shy. Business in the front, party in the back, it was just his style. She was warming up slowly, and it was both frustrating and alluring. He could appreciate a woman from a small town. He had all the confidence in the world that she would bloom nicely in his care.
The love song ended and so did the dancing. Susanna and Royce looked at each other, and he wondered if they should dance the next set. The lead singer had something to say on the matter, and said they would be back in ten minutes.
Susanna’s brother jumped off the stage and walked up to the couple.
“Hi, Susanna.” Her brother eyed Royce inquisitively. “Who is this?”
“Hi, Jason,” Susanna said comfortably as she turned to the man beside her instead of her family. It was almost as if her brother was the intruder. She stood closer to Royce, almost protectively.
“Royce, this is my brother Jason.” Susanna smiled at them both.
Royce put his hand out to Jason. He took it silently and gave Royce a curt nod.
“So what are you two doing together?” Jason asked.
Susanna looked like she could not believe the question, or her brother’s attitude.
Royce was a quick cover. “This little prairie princess was trying to decide which song we should dance to next.”
Jason was quickly diverted by any mention of his band and looked at his sister. “Do you want to hear a song?”
Susanna was on the spot, so she blurted something out.
Jason wasn’t completely satisfied. He nodded with a curious look in his eyes but didn’t remark on her choice of music.
“All right, I’ll play that song for you. Enjoy the show; I’ll see you later.” He nodded one last time, before walking away.
Susanna and Royce went back to their table of friends. A few looks were passed around, but everyone was somewhat normal with Susanna’s date. More drinks were ordered, and time went by quickly until the band started again.
Jason walked back center stage and howled into the microphone. “This song is for all of those prairie princesses out there.”
That announcement was a perfect cover for the most anti-love song that ever came along. Everyone at the table laughed. Inhibitions loosened, and the evening flew by, until the band ended.
Royce and Susanna joined the confusion of the departing crowd. They were both happily buzzed by alcohol. Susanna insisted on going to her truck. Liquor racing through bloodstreams slowed down the three block walk.
Royce smiled widely when he said, “You driving home is not part of my plan.”
She looked at him as if she were considering arguing, but before she could even speak, a white limousine pulled up beside them, and Royce held out his arm.
Susanna asked, “What about my truck?” Her voice had a hint of a slur.
“My friend George,” Royce said and pointed to the opening passenger door of the waiting ride, “will follow us in the truck, and you and I will ride in the limo.”
George pulled the keys from Susanna’s grasp.
The limo’s sleek interior was a fluorescent aquarium that glowed between them. A comfortable alertness accompanied the drive into friendship zone.
The alcohol had burned a bridge between them. They were one step closer to each other, and when they finally arrived at Susanna’s home, they were in a much more comfortable state. Royce helped her from the silently humming limousine; Susanna’s truck was already cooling under the awning.
“It is so dark and quiet out here.” Royce was a bit unsettled.
“Don’t worry. I will take care of you,” Susanna teased him.
Royce didn’t answer; his focus was on the beauty of the dark prairie, and the trillions of stars that brightly lit up the sky.
“Isn’t the Milky Way amazing?” she asked.
Royce nodded and smiled.
The limo driver and George, were lighting up smokes and sharing impatient chuckles.
Royce put both hands over hers and said, “Where’s your bar?”
Susanna smiled and said, “Send your limo and friends back; I can take you into town tomorrow.”
Royce agreed without hesitation, and taillights glared red until they disappeared.
Susanna led him toward the house. Ornate woodwork softened the verandas, and signs of tender-loving main
tenance were everywhere. The front door was opened, and a blast of heat was emitted.
“Oops,” Susanna giggled, “I forgot to open the windows today.”
“Don’t tell me you live in this heat box?” Royce admired the girl who was opening windows in a very self-assured, if slightly staggering style.
The room began to cool immediately. A soft breeze moved the flowery curtains. The old house still stood relatively straight, with tall windows, and ceilings that drew the eye up. Sturdy doorways arched over square rooms, and a narrow hallway crossed under the tiny staircase.
“This is the house.” Susanna stood in the center of the room and smiled.
Royce had been standing in the door. He remembered his hand was on the door handle. He turned around and shut the door softly. He locked the door with a satisfying click.
He walked to her with his arms out and said, “You’re not going anywhere.”
“Then I guess you are going wherever I go,” Susanna said in a lilting voice. “I have a lot more to show you.”
She stepped toward the hallway. Royce held her tightly. She stilled when he lowered his lips to her smooth ones.
It was a deep, satisfying kiss. He let her go, but that didn’t last long. The instant Susanna turned her back, he pulled her hips to him.
“I will give you time, Susanna, as we’re on your turf, but begging is not my style.” He kissed the back of her head and inhaled her sweet scent.
“Has anyone ever told you no before?” Susanna squeaked.
“Why would anyone want to say no to me?” Royce puffed out his chest.
“Maybe, I’m just telling you to wait. What’s a few more minutes?” Susanna put her hand on his chest.
He synthesized a pained look on his face.
“I brought you home for a reason. I want you all over me. You are pretty hot, but I like things a certain way.”
Royce shrugged and agreed. He liked things a certain way as well, but he wondered at a woman who could lead him on. He could not believe the feelings he already had for Susanna. He was not a man who had a lot of patience, and this feeling was entirely new to him. Royce gave a deep laugh, because in one fell swoop, he went from a powerful man, to a young boy following a woman. Seeing the countless women in his mind who would love to see him rejected, he sobered quickly.