I excuse myself from the two men. Taking long strides, my right hand in a tight fist, I am quickly by her side. She backs into my chest as she’s turning further away from the the guy and girl. I put my arm around her back, holding her left arm gently, closing my other hand around her right arm to steady her. I force a smile through a clenched jaw, eyes steely, silently challenging this asshole to try to touch her again.
"Oh, Max, there you are…are you all done? Christine, it was nice seeing you…” She trails off as I allow her to turn us both away, walking back towards the table of my friends.
I stop her halfway and turn her to face me, reluctantly releasing her arms, the hold had pushed her tits out nicely. “Friends of yours?”
She lightly laughs, “Not really. Just someone I recognized in this crowd.”
“He seemed friendly,” I try to keep my voice from sounding too gruff. She nervously laughs a little more.
“Are you all right?...I saw you twist your foot there,” Taking advantage of the opportunity to look down her tiny frame, my hands itching to wrap around her waist tightly.
“I'm fine...it was nothing...just not used to such high heels,” she pats my chest.
“Didn’t like the way that guy grabbed you.”
“No, it’s fine….he's just not somebody I know really...just a drunk idiot,” she answers like I had asked a question.
“l shook enough hands…no need to stay longer. Let's go before the auction starts,” or I lose my cool with another guy hitting on you. My hand in place on her lower back again, we walk towards the doors. I gotta keep my temper tonight, don't want to scare her off.
Jeff is waiting for us. He opens the door for her. Lucy gives him a big smile, clearly she's not used to this treatment. It feels natural to hold her hand in mine again, our fingers intertwined. Brushing my thumb lightly across her knuckles, the smallness of her causing a strain to my cock. Watching her legs open ever so slightly, the movement causing the smell of her perfume to linger in the air a little longer, isn't helping either. I resist the urge to adjust my pants, but don't look away from her smooth, glowing legs as they close again and rub against each other slightly.
“Who’s Nicole…your ex?”
That Stephie; Mike really needs to keep her on a leash. I explain that she's just a friend of sorts, “I have alot of events throughout the year, from my connection with the LPE Group as well as the law firm. Nicole was never my girlfriend but she did look great at these black-ties.” Lucy gives a small frown to this, but says no more. A little jealousy showing maybe? Good. We’re like-minded then on that note.
Chapter 4 HER
At the restaurant, everyone seems to know him. Well, he did say this was one of his favorite places. The hostess treated him like a returning king though. Our waitress starts to hand us thick menus, but is interrupted by a squat, round man with a white jacket and red cheeks. He is exclaiming in an Italian accent that “Mr. Max doesn’t need a menu,” double cheek kissing Max who has stood again. “I have the finest Fiorentina steak just for you…and your bellisima lady,” the chef kisses my hand. I'm hiding a bigger smile when the chef pats Max on his shoulder and adds, "I'm glad you finally bring a date here!"
"Thanks, Paulo.” Max makes a little small talk, the chef kind of hard for me to follow with his thick accent though. As Paulo walks away, Max orders a bottle of wine and salads for us. It dawns on me when the waitress returns with the wine that he didn’t ask what I’d like to order. Well, I don't have a menu anyway.
“You were at the beach earlier?” he asks while pouring more wine into our glasses.
“Yeah, it’s become my standard Sunday routine since the weather’s been so nice.” He has this way of looking so intensely at me, almost uncomfortable, almost…too hot. I find myself looking down at my hand in my lap to avoid fidgeting under his scrutiny.
“That’s nice. Almost every morning I jog the path around the lake, but usually before the crowds kick in. I love the beach, but can’t stand the crowds anymore.” And now I can’t get the image of him sweaty and jogging shirtless out of my head. Down girl, damn…think of the hairy monkey! I almost laugh out loud.
"What’s so funny?” He’s smiling and leaning in a little.
“Oh nothing…I’m just…not that athletic is all. I admire anyone who has the determination to stick to a workout routine, though,” I try to recover.
“Maybe you’re not properly motivated is all,” his crooked grin distracting me again. I’m just starting to feel the effects of the wine when the waitress thankfully brings over some bread and salads.
“I play beach volleyball sometimes. My friend, Tracy...she was with me last night...she’s really good. I just try to avoid getting hit by the ball or making too many mistakes,” starting the conversation back up.
“Was she the redhead from last night?”
“Yeah,” and I realize that I’m a little irked that he remembers her, he didn’t even say anything to her, “she and Laura are my best friends. We work together…well, for the same company…they’re in the marketing department and I’m in HR,” I babble to avoid hearing him say more about Tracy first. Surprisingly, he doesn’t ask more about what I do for a living, the standard first date "20 questions" sort of thing.
"Did you grow up around here?" Instead, he changes the subject.
"Yeah...I'm from a small town in Indiana, more corn that people. How bout you?" I smile at his hand covering mine on the table.
"I'm from here. Lived most of my life in a high-rise near the lake. More El tracks than corn." He laughs at me.
"I liked being from a small town, but I don't think I could ever live in one again." I try to take small sips of the wine...between the champagne earlier and not enough food, I am feeling the effects too quickly.
He keeps moving his hand to touch me in small ways, only briefly though...brushing hair off my shoulder, rubbing my fingers holding the wine stem on the table, feeding me a small tomato when he saw I really liked them. For some reason, I don't mind all his touching...maybe because he doesn't linger?
"Not even when you have kids?" He's looking intensely through me again.
How odd he is. "Maybe then." Most guys woudn't dream of bringing up having kids on a first date! I smile back at him. I have to ask what I've been dying to know. "So...how old are you?"
He laughs at my abrupt change of subject. "I'm 35." He leans forward. "And you, young lady...how old are you?" His eyes are crinkling at me.
"26." I like our age difference...I actually thought he was a little younger than that. I tend to date guys older than me. "Ever been married?" A few guys I've dated have been divorced...and bitter, dating too soon after a tough breakup.
"Not yet." He's still crinkly-smiling at me. He is odd.
The giant steak arrives, and our conversation turns to the meal and food likes and dislikes in general.
.....
"Thank you for dinner. It was delicious!" We're heading towards the car, his driver is leaning against it a few feet away. Max suddenly grabs my arm and pulls me around to the side of the building, just out of reach of the street light. "Hey..." but I'm silenced by his right hand cupping my chin and ear, his left hand flattening against my ribs as he gently pushes me back against the wall.
I can feel the brick pressing into my naked upper back, cold and rough. His kiss is slow, tender...firm. His lips are warm, tongue smooth and flat, filling my mouth...I can't even feel my own tongue...taking my breath away with his. He continues pressing, but moves his face inches away. "Ready to go home?" Crooked grin again, twinkle in his eyes now.
I can barely get out a breathy, "Yes."
.....
The night air is cooler. Hard to believe next week will be the Fourth. As I'm opening my gate, my left hand feels chilled after the enveloping warmth of his hand in the car again. "I'll be right back, Jeff." Phew...he's not thinking that he's coming in. Many a second date has been refused after an awkward goodnight at the first one.
&nbs
p; I've never been able to have a one-night stand, despite Tracy's attempts to make them happen on my behalf. And a guy who tries too quickly to get inside my pants, just isn't the guy for me. Ya gotta work to earn that privilege. I'm laughing silently to myself.
His hand on my lower back again...amazing how quickly I've gotten used to his touch...my face, back, arms, hands. I'm smiling as I turn towards him with my key in my hand. He surprises me by taking the key and inserting it in the lock and opening it slightly. But he doesn't step near the door.
"You should lock the deadbolt, too," his jaw a little more set.
"Tell my landlord. It sticks on me too often."
The stern look deepens a little, but he changes the subject, "I hope you had a nice night tonight."
"I had a great time." Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me! "Did you have fun?!" I ask a little challengingly, chin tilting up.
He takes my chin in between his thumb and fingers, tilting my head back a little more. My lips are already parting as he bends down. Gently, slowly, firmly...just like the first kiss. The warmth of his breath fills my mouth, making me more lightheaded. He's still holding my chin when we stop kissing, our faces inches apart. He looks back and forth between my eyes before letting go.
"I'd like to see you again...soon."
"I'd like that too," I answer a little too quickly, my voice extra high.
"Good. Wednesday. We can meet downtown around 6:30."
"Oh...Sorry...I have plans Wednesday..." I trail off, a dark look drifting across his eyes. "Another night this week...Thursday maybe?" I try for up-beat to chase the look completely away.
He smiles but his eyes don't pick up the message, still darker, "Ok. Thursday then. 6:30. The corner grille on Chestnut and Michigan." He kisses my nose before turning away.
He takes two of the steps down towards my gate before turning around, "You were beautiful tonight. Thank you again for such a nice time, Lucy." I can feel my cheeks burning. Hopefully he can't see how much affect his words have on me in the poor lighting.
"Thank you, too," a smile clearly in my voice. I turn quickly and shut the door. Sighing and giggling at the same time as I turn on a light. I wait till I see the car pull away before closing my blinds.
Chapter 5 HIM
Wednesday, the night I wanted to meet up with her again...hmmm, wonder what her plans might be tonight. I rub my tense neck, the frown I've been wearing all day starting to wear on me. I haven't been able to stop thinking about this girl....the way she smiled, the feel of her skin and hair, the sweetness of her mouth...the way she looked down at her hands over dinner.
I haven't been this excited about a girl in a long time...hell, since Natalie...and that was almost 5 years ago. Dan reminded me of that over lunch yesterday. He kept trying to get details about Lucy to see how serious I am. I played it off, but I think he saw through me....kept telling me to take it slow. Like I need advice from him...he moved in with Becca after that first semester.
But he does have a point. Things ended pretty badly with Natalie. I need to be sure about this girl before I make any real moves.
I keep going over our date in my head....how she responded to me. There's definitely something there. She may have a few bad habits to break, I smile thinking of this, but she's really a sweet girl. And that body! My cock stirs just thinking about her.
Looking at my watch, it's 8:30...let's see how sweet she is. I call her...voicemail. Her voice is as soft and high as I remember. My pants get a little tighter again. I hang up without leaving a message. Bad habit #1...she should've answered her phone. I sigh heavily, a cross between a sigh and a growl really.
Time to concentrate on something else again. The piles of paperwork delivered this afternoon sit on my coffee table. LPE business, rental agreements, renovation plans, and hiring policy changes I recommended last month. Pouring a glass of Glenlivet, I absently eat Malnati's pizza and dig into the pile, the Cubs in the background.
Chapter 5 HER
Coming out of the bathroom stall, I see I missed a call from Max. No message though...hope he's not cancelling our plans.
Tracy is still talking through the door of the other stall. "..and I told Josh that I can't go with him to a cabin in the woods next week. It's the Fourth of Juu-ly and I need to part-tay with my girlfriends." She's already a little tipsy. Hell, so am I. Italian wine really goes to my head fast.
I hand her a paper towel, "Bet he liked that. Didn't you promise him last year that you'd go away with him this year if you guys were still together?"
"So?" She puts a fresh coat of lip gloss on, "Besides, we haven't been together the whole year...so it doesn't count." She sticks her tongue out at her own reflection. "And it's his roommate's party...it'd be rude not to go!"
I laugh. "Well, the fireworks just wouldn't be the same without you...so I'm glad you're blowing him off."
"No, I told you! I won't be blowin him off silly, that's why he's mad." She slaps my butt as we leave the bathroom laughing.
This is our tradition. Get together on hump day, eat too much pasta at the small Italian restaurant around the corner from our office, and complain the next day that our fuzzy heads must be somebody else's fault for ordering too many carafes of Chianti.
We also love the free cheesy breadsticks and tiramisu that "Romona" would send to our table. Her real name is Rosa, but she and her husband didn't change the name of the restaurant when they took over, so we always call her Romona to tease her.
Tracy pushes me into her chair, between Josh and Bullet, and takes mine a little further down across the table instead. She's anything but subtle.
Laura has been flirting with Steve since he didn't invite Kalli. She's hopeful that this is a permanent thing, but I can see that he's really not into her that way.
Maybe it's something I've picked up being in HR, a recruiting specialty...being able to get to the heart of a person quickly, what makes them tick. I take the opportunity to assess Bullet...gotta start calling him Billy...can't take him serious with that nickname. He's above average looking, but not my usual type, last blond I dated was in college I think. I have my type...Max instantly pops into my head...tall, dark, broody. Ahem.
I snap myself back to the table. Tracy and Josh are arguing over a six-way split of the check, "Guys, it's family-style, so why don't we all just split it equally?" Is Bullet/Billy's suggestion...a real peacekeeper.
And he does smell nice, like a scent I'm used to. "Thanks again, Luce, for your help with my interview. I'm supposed to hear something by Friday...unless you know I didn't get the job already...in which case," he play rubs his nose, sniffing and leaning back, spreading his arms wide, landing one arm on the back of my chair. "Aah, ya know, that's cool." He's funny too.
"I'm sure you did fine, but I really don't know where that team is at with the position. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you," crossing fingers on both hands. Yeah, he's okay.
Tracy has been trying to get us love-crossed all night, suggesting future foursomes...I think we're booked until Christmas in her mind. She's working on Steve now, trying to get him to take Laura home tonight. Poor Laura is shrinking in her chair, but not saying no.
I glance again at my phone, realizing I haven't put it away since the bathroom. What would I do if he called again right now?! Smiling, I know I'd be happy to juggle that problem.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about Max for the past two days. He monopolizes my dreams. I have even been daydreaming about him, imagining his hands on me again with those small touches. My boss hasn't noticed, but work has been the last thing on my mind lately.
Outside, everybody waiting for cabs. Josh is pawing at Tracy and they take off together in the first one. Laura lives my way, so we're going to share the next one, despite Tracy's attempts to pair us all off tonight. Billy yanks my sleeve, "So think we can get together sometime, grab a bite to eat or something...lunch even?"
"Um, sure, that'd be nice." His hesitancy is just what I don't like about guys my own a
ge....can't help but compare him to Max...so decisive.
I glance at my phone, still showing no messages...but maybe he didn't mean to call me after all and just hung up before it went to my voicemail. Billy is asking me about Saturday, "We can meet early, around 11, bike around the lake, then grab a bite to eat?"
"That sounds nice," is that all I can say?
He's pulling out his phone, "Give me your number, I'll call you Saturday morning to firm up a spot to meet." I give him my number, but wonder why...I'm not very enthusiastic.
Laura babbles about Steve in the car, alternating with questions about Billy and our date. "Maybe we can make it a double date if Steve asks me out too?!"
Wishful thinking my friend, but I just shrug and hug her as I get out, leaving my portion of the cabfare with her.
Chapter 6 HIM
I have my back to the door, but a good view of everyone entering from the mirrored cabinets behind the bar. She comes in just behind a couple, looking around before she spots me on a barstool. I glance at my watch...she's 17 minutes late.
I don't turn around, enjoying watching her walk up to me. Tight black skirt, not too short but showing off her legs, short sleeve white top showing a small amount of cleavage, hair pulled tightly back. She puts her hand on my left shoulder. "Hey stranger. This seat taken?" She sits on the barstool before I turn around, her knees brushing against my side. "Oh, wait...is someone sitting here?" She points to the glass of red wine in front of her.
"No, that's for you. This place fills up quickly for happy hour, so I took the opportunity to get you a drink and save you a seat at the same time." I place my hand on her leg.
"Very thoughtful of you!" She takes a sip, "This is yummy...what is it?"
"A Cote du Rhone blend. One of my favorites."
"Do you know alot about wine, Max?" Two good signs...she hasn't moved away from my hand...and no bullshit for ordering a drink for her.
"Sort of a family preoccupation really. My Dad's family came from wine country, back in Italy, long time ago...but the tradition of enjoying wine is alive and well today." I clink her glass, "Salute, bella."
True Nature (True Series Book 1) Page 3