Hard as Steel: Book four ( Surviving Series )

by Virginia Wine

  “Thank you, I’ll be right there.” Then she disappears.

  “Will you excuse me Nichole?” I nod, relieved he was gone, and his attention was focused elsewhere. We reconvened the meeting, but Mr. Andrew Quentin had yet to return.

  I discreetly walked out of the room and gathered my belongings. I wait at the elevator and once the doors open I come to a screeching halt straight into the arms of Andrew Quentin. “Whoa.” A chuckle escapes. “Going somewhere?” His hands still pressed on my forearms.

  “Yes sir.” Causing me to pull back, as his hands moved into his pockets, but his gaze was steady, never wavering as he passed me stepping out as I stepped in.

  “Maybe you could show me your city, I hear it’s beautiful.” And before I can form an answer the doors automatically close, but he reaches out, his hand held the door high causing him to take a step in closer. His smile broadened, “The sandy beaches of Tahoe, the lush mountains, and emerald waters.”

  “Of course, I could hire a tour guide for you sir.” And with that I pushed the close door button, forcing him to take a step back. But his cocky smirk imprinted on my brain, I had no intention of being another notch on his long list of conquered women.

  The engine growled and hummed to life, as I pushed the accelerator beyond the legal limits. Turning off the constant loop of my boss’s advances. Shifting to the man I would see tonight. I arrive home, stopping at the gated community entrance swiping my card. I chose this particular place, Talon Point for its security.

  I knew the moment I stepped in, I was home. The spacious rooms, open floor plan and its understated elegance sat on the eighteenth hole. The master conveniently located on the main floor. The in-suite bath was every girls dream. The bright sunny loft where my office sat was surrounded with picturesque views of mountain tops in the distance.

  The small yet efficient outdoor space offered a peaceful serenity I found appealing, the night’s fresh crisp air felt cool as it blew quietly as I peeked at the sunset streaking colors across the sky.

  I didn’t have time to appreciate the amenities tonight. As I locked up, and crossed the floor to my bedroom, changing into a pair of skinny jeans, a gray V-neck cashmere sweater, paired with knee-high leather boots, I wrapped a soft patterned scarf around my neck and freshened up my make-up. I was out the door and making my way up towards the mountains.

  I pulled up to the gate and without hesitation it opened, I drove down the long drive to a cabin-style home of years gone by. Its character complemented its owner, as if they belonged to one another. A budding fascination stirred deep within me as I approached the several steps onto the front porch where two rockers sit silently in shadows casted off the light above the door.

  I knock, and instantly hear a dog bark.

  He opens the door in jeans, a towel around his bare shoulders, drying the sharp cut of his hair, the sides trimmed neatly, leaving a longer spike on top. He smiles as his eyes twinkle, and those blue eyes I thought I’d know turn darker, much grayer in this light.

  “Come in, sorry I’m running late.” Holding the door open as I stepped in. My eyes riveted on his bare chest, his muscle glistening from the last remnants of his shower, a sudden ache simmers between my legs.

  The dog nuzzles at my side, giving me something else to focus on. “That’s Whiskey.” He hollers over his shoulder, disappearing into a back room.

  “Hey boy.” Bending to pet his head, his tail wagging a mile a minute. “Aww, you’re so sweet.” He licks and slobbers on my hand, urging for more. As footsteps are heard approaching. His full sexy mouth lifted at the scene as he approaches. “He likes pretty girls, be careful he’ll steal your heart.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  “Coincidently, so does his master.” His gaze drops and travels the full length of me. “You look beautiful Nick.” His chest rose and fell and his gaze landed on mine “Hungry?”

  “I am, I ran from work.” Literally “And just had time to stop by my place to change.”

  “Good, I picked up a couple of filets and there are potatoes in the oven.” I watch him role up his sleeves, the white button-down shirt left only half buttoned didn’t go unnoticed. The raw meat and vegetables lay on a platter as he carries them and crosses the floor. Nodding his head towards the back-glass door. “Do you mind?”

  ‘Oh, of course.” Rushing to pull it open he squeezed by slowly, planting a tender kiss on my lips, on his way out. I was left standing like an idiot.

  “I thought we could get that out of the way.” He looked heavenward. “Come, join me while I grill, it’s nice out here.” I step out to dark skies littered with the most potent blanket of stars.

  “Wow, you don’t see that every day.” Still reeling over the casual brush of his mouth over mine. I wanted more. I took a seat in one of the Adirondack chairs, as he closed the grill and sat beside me.

  “Beer?” he opens a small cooler pulling out a cold bottle of brew.

  “Love one.” Twisting the cap off and handing it to me, our fingers brush over each other’s, his cool, wet, fingers sent a jolt of warmth through me. Then, I watch him do the same. Then clinking the tips together. I took a long pull and rested my head back gazing into the abyss. “You must spend a lot of time out here.” Turning my gaze towards Steel, sparks flicker once his gaze finds mine.

  “Not as much as I would like.” His tone had a hint of regret.

  “It’s our demanding jobs. They keep us devoted twenty-four seven, its par for the course.”

  “At times it feels solitary.” His words rang true. His eyes held fire beneath them a smoldering hold he had over me, as he locked in on my every thought.

  “Tell me something about yourself Nick, what do you do to escape the harsh realities of life? Tell me something I don’t already know.” I stall, reaching for my bottle of beer.

  “I might be up for a promotion.” I offer, but heard the faint sigh.

  “That’s great, but I meant something personal.” Taking the last pull from the bottle, crossing my leg over the other, as it unconsciously starts to swing. “I have three older brothers, I’m the baby.”

  “Now, that makes sense.” I jerk my gaze towards Steel in question. “I mean you’re tough, growing up with three rough and tumble brothers influences you, right?”

  “True.” Relaxing into the laid-back chair. I trailed after the three of them, wanting to be one of them my entire life. Overshadowed by three big personalities, three big egos, and three over protective men.

  It wasn’t long before Steel had dinner served at his dining room table where I took the seat across from him. “Can you light these? Handing the long stem lighter to me. My hands were shaking when the fire touched the wick, calm down it’s dinner with casual conversation.

  “And your parents?” He took his seat with dinner sprawled out before us. He offered a bowl of vegetables as if he did this every day, comfort in his movements, confidence in his tone.

  “Yes, Mid-western born they are still married living in the same town, same home I was raised in.” Something was opening in me; the questions didn’t toss me into a panic as they normally did. “And what about you, Steel?”

  “You’re sitting in my parents’ home, I moved in when I lost them.” A vulnerability swept over him. And for a second, I thought he would share the story, but no he only shrugged it off, yet the smile dropped from his face.

  “Whiskey’s head is resting on my lap.” I say. “His big sad dog eyes wants a scrap.” I smile at the creature, knowing he’s been loved, and well taken care of.

  “Yeah, he sees you as his best chance.” Steels laugh escapes in a gentle tone. Causing my insides to warm.

  “I’m not that easy.” I say in my puppy-dog voice, I hear Steel choke on my words but ignore him. As Whiskey’s big brown eyes give up and lay at my feet. Turning back to Steel his one brow raised. “What?” Matching his brow, now raised in question.

  “Nothing.” He says, his brilliant smile sweeping across his face.
Pushing his empty plate aside. He rested his forearms on the table and linked his hands together. “Tell me.” He says. “Why don’t you date?”

  “Who says I don’t?” Pushing my own plate away, unable to meet his intense gaze. Trying, and desperately failing to keep my thoughts from drifting to his chiseled jaw, a trace of stubble. His muscular forearms exposed, his burly chest visible offering an open invitation.

  “In case you forgot, I’m an investigator too.”

  “You ran a background check on me?” I wasn’t sure if I was outraged, or thrilled.

  “You forced me too.” He reached across the table and held my hand. “You didn’t give me much choice.”

  “Oh, so your saying your motives were, merely based on curiosity?” He stood, gathering the dishes, and turned towards the kitchen. Returning with two cold beers,

  “Yeah, pretty much.” He crosses the dining room into the family room where he proceeds to light a fire. Kneeling on one knee he looks over his shoulder. “Coming?”

  I rise and make my way to the lounger in time for Steel to notice. “No, no couch please.”

  “Don’t go getting any crazy ideas, Archer.”

  “My ideas are far from crazy, Miss Lancaster.” And takes a seat next to me, as my resistance begins to fade. His arms swings behind me resting on the back of the couch, yet his fingers trail on my shoulder, behind my neck where the stresses buried in knots begin to diminish. I begin to ease into his touch, my eyes close under his smooth touch. His fingers slid into my hair, coaxing me closer turning under his command. His mouth found mine softly, teasing the edges.

  His free hand snaked around my waist pulling me in, I was tinder beneath his touch. His tongue skimmed my trembling lips calming the storm of emotions. I welcomed him in, with an open mouth kiss our tongues mating with consummate skill. His hand crawled up my waist skimming the peeks of my curves until it settled on my cheek. He moaned into my mouth. The warm, wet recesses thoroughly explored.

  After several long heavenly moments, he drags his mouth off mine only to skim his hot mouth on my neck, whispering breathy promises in my ear. “I realize this is just a formality, but can I change my Facebook status to in a relationship?”

  I laughed, a deep down in my soul kind of laugh as I pushed on his chest, distancing myself.

  “You are not on Facebook.”

  ‘You’re right, I’m not.” Cradling my face in his palms. “But asking you to be my girlfriend sounded as if we were in high school.” Kissing me once again. “Say yes, Nichole.”

  I was conjuring up images of him and I in bed in the throes of passion. And he wanted to go steady. It was charming, and smooth.

  “Yes, you can change your status.” I say, but it didn’t calm the ache between my legs. Far from it, my need intensified demanding his touch in all new ways. As he found my mouth again, flames licked at my sex, I was filled with a longing need.

  My hands traveled up to the muscles of his chest, his broad shoulders and down again landing on his tight pecs, hard and solid. I wanted to search farther down, wanted to touch him there, to know the truth of his desire. But, he wasn’t someone I wanted for a one-night, no just the opposite he asked for me to be his. Ignoring the protest of my body I pulled away, his unrelenting stare gleamed of deviltry.

  “Steel, slow down.” His tender smile, and racing heart complied. I placed my palms on his chest, the hard-core evidence of his arousal pushing against his jeans sent a thrilling fervor up my spine. I was headed in the wrong direction.

  “We have time to take it slow, Nick.” His palms covered mine, as they remained on his chest. He made me believe him, believe in him. “But, if you go waltzing around, looking so damn sexy, sooner or later you’ll be in my bed.” His voice dark and alluring. He was a blazing inferno of sexual masculinity. His intensity, power and strength made me feel safe. A trait I never knew I needed, I depended on my own reliable strength to protect myself.

  “I’m not slowing because I want too, I’m slowing because I’m cautious.” But the words didn’t stop the throbbing coiled around my sex. Several seconds past before I said. “It’s time I go, early call tomorrow. But, thank you for tonight.”

  “Pleasures all mine.”

  We crossed the floor hand in hand, Whiskey followed at his heels and waited on the porch as Steel walked me to my car.

  I lifted on my toes and kissed him, but he launched himself at me wrapping his arms tightly around my waist lifting me, eye to eye, breath to breath as he devoured my mouth, all I could do was hold on. His tongue mated with mine in a ritual forewarning me of things to come. My body on high alert as the kiss softens and I gently slide down his hard body.

  “That was a proper goodbye.” He says, casually opening my door, I had yet to recover as I muttered the words “See you later.”

  “Count on it.”

  Grace a Memory

  “Congratulations.” Miss Bradshaw said. “Turn in your finals, and everyone who’s staying for extra credit remain in your seats.” I heard the hustle and bustle as half the class vanished. Focusing on Miss Bradshaw as she turns away towards the white board, and the offending screech of the marker, as it makes its way across the board. Her messy chicken scratch handwriting, nearly impossible to read. Thankfully she turns and explains. “College credit, students, a short story or poem. Be creative, dig deep within.” Her voice softens as she looks across the room. “Be subjective, distinct, and honest, the more original the better.” She looks at the clock on the wall. “One hour, please.”

  Honors AP Literature

  College credit/ Senior class final.

  Creative Writing Extra Credit

  “Stolen”

  The darkness chases towards the light, whispering promises in the night.

  Habits of his prey cut deep, like shards of glass the more you weep.

  His hollow heart of humanity, clashing between heaven, hell, and purgatory.

  Hearing voices far and distant, painful cries become persistent.

  The wind moaned tangled tight, strange, and eerie, as you take flight.

  Help the stranger trapped by time, free him from chains of iron.

  Demented delusions, sick and sadistic, resembling my life now new and twisted

  Broken, locked within this shell, he relishes in your pain from hell.

  The mask you wore in awkward silence, forced to be seen through blatant violence.

  Detached exterior never revealed, hiding beneath your shield concealed.

  Little pieces torn from me, his cruel touch remains my reality

  You crave my pain, my cry, my pleads seeping into your soul that bleeds

  The last breath stolen, you lied to me and now I have fallen.

  Stop the heartbeat, whispered death, I’ve come for you and your last breath.

  My pen hovers over the page as I gaze at my inner turmoil unleashing its power on paper.

  Is it good enough?

  The night was calm as I cross the parking lot, all was quiet, as a soft cool breeze rustle the fallen leaves of autumn. I sign in at New Beginnings Facility, as a sharp reminder plunged deep into my gut. That was a long time ago, in the past. Would there ever be a time when I could walk through these doors and be unaffected? One day, I told myself I would make my own peace.

  I knocked lightly then entered her room and I looked her way. “Grace.” The overhead light filtered over her notebook propped on her raised knees. My gaze took a sharp right to the man crumpled in the chair, asleep.

  I smiled at Grace headed towards Flynn, and shook his shoulder, he awoke with a jolt. His eyes were tired, as they focused on me. “Did you bring news?” He asked stretching his long limbs working out the kinks from the uncomfortable chair.

  “No, only stopping by, what about you, you look exhausted.”

  “Don’t worry about me.” He winced as he stood. “And miss out on all the fun? I don’t think so.”

  “What cha’ got there, Grace?” Flynn asked.

  “
A memory?” She closed her eyes, trying to focus. “It’s coming in pieces, I’m trying to put some order to it.”

  Anticipation bounced off the walls as she continued to write. I steadied my breath as my gaze swung towards Flynn, who looked as if he was going through the same ever-present emotion, that hoovers like an aura around the young woman.

  “You might have something that could shed some light on the mystery surrounding you, can I see?” She hesitates for a moment.

  “It’s not complete.” Her voice a whisper, then turns to face Flynn.

  “It may never be complete, let us be the judge of that.” He says, as she reluctantly handed him the notebook. He intentionally steps close to me, as we read line by line at the same pace.

  “High school.”

  “Senior class.”

  “The dark poem.”

  “Teachers name.”

  Bouncing clues off one another. “Interesting, the teacher, I’ll search the states data base.”

  “You might want to expand the search.” I offer, no telling if she crossed state lines. “How many Miss Bradshaw’s could there be?”

  “Grace, this was helpful, please continue. Do you recall anything more about your teacher, you called her Miss, she wasn’t married?” Asking her, probing her mind for answers she didn’t have.

  “Or.” Flynn adds. “Just write Grace, and we’ll do the rest.” He was right, I was too anxious. From the looks of it, she found the best way to release her hidden truth. I had to change tactics, give Grace the time to work out her memories at her own pace. Then, it would be up to us to sort out the clues.

  I pull Flynn aside. “It’s a start.”

  “I can’t get it out of my mind, the thought of someone who laid a hand on her, hurt her.” He ran his hand through his dark disheveled hair. “It altered the course of her life, robbing her of her innocence.” Frustrated he turned and approached Grace with slow patient kindness. “I’ll visit tomorrow.” Her gaze drifts from her paper to Flynn warm eyes. It was obvious, he hated to leave her.