Wanted: Girl I Once Met

by Sonja Gunter

  She admired the completed PowerPoint report. It had come out much better than she’d thought considering her mind had been elsewhere. Mr. Adam was going to be impressed, which was what she’d wanted to accomplish. As she laid everything out for the meeting, Mark slipped into her thoughts again. He hadn’t stopped by to talk to her or confirm her e-mail.

  Was he having second thoughts? Could the media have destroyed any chance she might have had and that was why he’d dismissed her so insensitively? He said he protected himself from unwanted attention. Was she the cause of today’s ordeal?

  Her new inner-self took over and she decided to take drastic measures. She’d stop by his office on her way out. Simple, but direct, that’s what she taught people to do.

  She knew it worked, so what was holding her back?

  David.

  That one word caused old demons to surface. His abusive voice echoed in her head. At last count, she had twenty-five Facebook posts pending. They haunted her every time she logged on to check her account.

  No! She wasn’t going to allow him to ruin her chances with Mark.

  Brushing aside her David problem in one sweep, she dwelled on her Mark problem. Her plan had to work. If it didn’t, she’d have to resort to some of Val’s tactics. Adamant the plan she’d set in motion would work, she finished and finalized everything for the meeting.

  The meeting! How stupid. She couldn’t have lunch with Mark. She had her meeting. Talk about being blonde.

  This was going to force her to stop by his office and tell him she had to cancel. It was after seven when she came out into a very quiet reception area. Not sure if Mark had left, she moved around Mrs. Weber’s empty desk. A dim light peeked through his half-closed door.

  No turning back.

  Moving with optimism, she stood at his door. She saw him bent over, holding his head in his hand, looking at some papers. He seemed to be deep in thought. Before she lost her nerve, she knocked.

  “Mr. Christmenn, I sent you an e-mail, about lunch tomorrow but I’m—”

  The force of her knock caused the door to open further. He raised his head and his blue eyes pierced the distance between them as if none existed. Without saying a word, he stood. He placed one hand in his pants pocket, brushed at his wayward hair with the other, and sauntered toward her.

  She moistened her lips.

  OH my God, what a walk. Almost as good as Richard Gere’s in the movie An Officer and a Gentleman.

  Mark had abandoned his suit coat and had unbuttoned a handful of buttons on his dress shirt, exposing his chest hairs. The dress shirtsleeves were rolled past his elbows showing his extremely bulky biceps.

  Mmmm, mmmm. Eye candy for sure.

  She felt her heart pounding and her breath caught in her throat.

  “I see you have your shoes on tonight,” Mark said.

  Even though she knew she did, she glanced downward briefly. When she looked up in a trance-like state, he came to her. He stopped a couple of feet in front of her.

  “Yes, I still want to have lunch with you,” he said softly.

  Her mouth went dry. She couldn’t say anything or swallow. His cologne, along with his masculine body standing less than a foot from her, was affecting her in ways she wasn’t prepared for, yet her body was inflamed by desire.

  If falling in love was this invigorating, she’d definitely never experienced it before. When she’d fallen for David, it had been slow and comforting. However, Mark was . . .

  Her mind went blank. She searched for words but none came. Another tiny gasp escaped from her as his hand reached out to her.

  Was he was going to kiss her? No, he couldn’t. He just couldn’t. She’d forgotten to pop a breath mint in her mouth! It was rule Number One for kissing. Always carry breath mints in your pocket in case.

  Mark gazed into her eyes very closely. They were changing to a greenish color. He wondered what mood she was she in to have them do that and was tempted to ask. He watched them change again as he brushed some hair from her face.

  “I promise tomorrow’s lunch will be a lot quieter, Rane. I had Mrs. Weber make a reservation at one of my other restaurants and Philip will be driving us. They will know how to handle my coming to dine properly,” he said.

  “I’ve never had to deal with the press or photographers before. It was surreal. I don’t like getting my picture taken. Am I, are we going to be on some magazine cover?”

  “No,” Mark snickered.

  Philip had informed him earlier they’d paid tens of thousands of dollars to make sure. She and her identity would be safe for the time being.

  “Good. My mother would have killed me. She reads those things weekly.”

  “You’ll live another day. Your identity hasn’t been disclosed,” he murmured.

  Her laughter caused his heart to falter. His emotions were racing out of control. He was so close to her it wouldn’t take much to pull her into his arms and press his mouth to hers.

  “Rane, would you consider going out on a date with me?” he asked in a low tone.

  He waited for her reply and watched hungrily as her tongue moistened her top lip before it ran slowly over her bottom lip. Her apparent nervous act aroused him more than he’d expected. He forced himself not to enfold her into his arms and capture her now glistening lips.

  “I need to leave. Thor is waiting. Where would we go?”

  “Anywhere you want. I could arrange something for this weekend. Was that a yes?”

  What was he doing? A weekend, not just one day? It was insane but what the heck.

  Rane shifted her stance a little backward, to put some much-needed space between the two of them. The real reason she’d stopped by forgotten. She couldn’t help but sneak glances at his open shirt. His dark chest hairs called to her. She found the way they moved with every breath he took very erotic. She swallowed hard as a delicious shudder heated her body. Her hands ached to touch him.

  “This weekend? I’ll need to check my employee handbook to see if it’s against company policy. I don’t want to lose my job. You never know what the boss might think.”

  “If there is anything in the employees’ handbook, I’ll have Mrs. Wallen or Mr. Hansen rewrite the policy immediately.” Mark laughed and added, “I don’t think the boss will mind. You think about it tonight. I’ll want your answer tomorrow.”

  “I better get going. You seem to have a lot to do before you can go home,” she said, and slowly backed away.

  “I’m not going home. I’m going to spend the night here,” he said.

  “You’re doing an all-nighter?”

  She felt her cheeks burn and knew she was blushing. Wrong choice of words. She hoped her discomfort wasn’t visible.

  “I do them a lot. My office is also an apartment. Didn’t you know?”

  “No, I got the memo that you work late most nights,” she said. She studied his office in interest, half-wondering where the bedroom was located.

  Should she break her own rule of not giving out on the first date?

  “My apology. No one’s mentioned it before now. This is why I’m here late most of the nights. Would you like a tour?”

  “Ah, yea. It never occurred to me you’d have something like that here.”

  Rane marveled at his luxurious office and the fact there were other rooms attached to it.

  How convenient. Was she falling for a man who said one thing but meant another? Was it why he was still a bachelor?

  He wandered to a door to the right, which was ajar. In a flamboyant manner he pushed it open all the way.

  “This is the entertainment room.”

  “Oh, my. It’s very convenient. Sorry, I mean it’s handy, no, appropriate for you to have a room. I’m giving up. It looks nice.”

  “I
t’s a perk, being the president and all,” Mark said.

  “Right.”

  He motioned for her to come closer. Her feet moved of their own accord. She saw a huge plasma television on the far wall and a pool table in the middle of the room. Once inside, she saw other doors.

  “If you’d like, I could fix you a cocktail or maybe a glass of wine?” Mark asked.

  “No, thanks, I need to drive home.”

  What was she supposed to do? She suspected it had been a veiled invitation to spend the night, but was she ready? Would she ever be?

  “Well, welcome to my home away from home.”

  The playing of the Pink Panther theme song interrupted the conversation.

  “Sorry, it’s my cell phone,” Rane said.

  She took the phone from her purse and turned away from Mark. The screen indicated it was Val.

  “I’ll call you later. Bye.”

  Rane press ‘end call’. As she refocused her attention to Mark, the sexually and intoxicating mood had vanished. Reality had taken over.

  “It looks lovely. I’m sure it’s nothing compared to your home but for emergencies, it’s great. I’ll think about your offer. I better get going,” she replied and took a step to leave.

  “Wait. Rane, we are both adults. My offers don’t come lightly,” Mark said.

  He moved to stand in front of her. Then gathered her into his arms and silenced her reply by gently, but firmly, kissing her.

  She opened her lips to receive his tongue and wrapped her arms around him, letting her hands glide over his broad shoulders. For a brief second, their tongues touched as they prepared to dance with each other.

  Dudunt, Dudunt. Dudunt, Dudunt.

  “Sorry,” Rane whispered.

  Damn Val. She’s ruining everything.

  The ring tone continued to play, and when it ended, she gazed up at Mark.

  “Your eyes are very green.” He smiled. “I do think we have our song.”

  They laughed, which eased the tension the kiss had created. She knew if he kissed her again she’d stay. He’d sparked the flame of desire.

  “I really have to go home,” she said.

  “If you must. Don’t forget, you owe me an answer this time.”

  Unable to say anything, she left his office and drifted into the waiting elevator. He followed and returned her smile when she turned just as the door closed.

  The closing of the doors brought her out of her dazed trance. She lifted her hand to her lips wishing she’d be able to bring back his electrifying kiss.

  How could she have allowed him to kiss her?

  With her body still trembling from the unleashed desire, she slowly made her way to her car, not sure how she was going to drive home in her condition. She sat with her hand poised on the ignition, sorely tempted to go back upstairs to his office but her fingers turned the key.

  Chapter 21

  Mark stared at the doors and watched the elevator’s numbers light up until they reached one, the main lobby. He felt very placated and grinned as he returned to his office alone.

  It pleased him that she’d refused his invite to spend the night. But it irritated him at the same time. Her unanticipated response made his eyebrows draw together as he fought to remember the last time a woman had turned down the chance to spend a night with him.

  Just when he thought he was beginning to understand Rane, she threw him a curve, and a big one. He hadn’t planned to kiss her yet, but the silkiness of her hair as it’d slipped through his fingers had done him in.

  Damn.

  Double damn and triple damn.

  The kiss had teased him. He wanted more. He wanted to make love to her.

  What was he thinking!

  Man alive, he was in trouble if a first kiss could affect him as this one had. Fuck. He needed a cold shower.

  Unsuccessful in cooling his still-heated body, he directed his thoughts to their lunches together. He’d enjoyed listening and observing her. When she let down her guard, he found her to be smart, intelligent, and sophisticated. She was exactly what he was looking for in a woman. He found it refreshing to be with someone who could be so natural. Not able to postpone the inevitable, he got up lazily and phoned Philip.

  “Come to my office,” he said.

  “Yea, I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Philip replied.

  “Okay.”

  Sitting down on the couch, Mark’s head fell back and he closed his eyes in an attempt to cool his raising desire. He forced himself to focus on the paparazzi.

  They’d really pissed him off. Their surprised appearance angered him the most. Who could have tipped them off? It had been years since the paparazzi had gotten the better of him like they had today. Mark’s face cringed with anger as he remembered when the damn cameras had gone off. He’d instantly moved Rane to hide her, knowing firsthand how much damage a picture could be to a person.

  “Mark, what’s wrong?” Philip asked.

  Mark opened his eyes. He saw the concern on Philip’s face and ignored it.

  “I asked Ms. Schoen out on a date, and then I kissed her.”

  Philip’s uncontrollable laughter caused Mark to frown.

  “Stop it! I don’t find this funny. I really like her.”

  That was all it took and Philip stopped but Mark saw his smile hadn’t disappeared.

  “Are you sure that was a good idea?” his friend asked.

  “Which one, the kiss, or asking her out?”

  “Either,” Philip said and laughed some more.

  “Oh hell, I don’t know. I mean, it doesn’t matter, it’s done. This is serious! Damn it!”

  “This wasn’t our plan. I just had to pay a hefty sum for the very damaging photos. My threat still stands, if you ever do anything so foolish as to leave the building without security, I will handcuff you to your desk.”

  “I know that if word gets out I’m involved with someone, whether it was true or not, all hell will break loose with the media,” Mark proclaimed.

  “Right. Plus the hit man is still at large and if I’m going to help Agent Nelson nail this guy, you and he better start cooperating,” Philip said and then added, “Fine. Where would you want to go? You know I need more than twenty-four hours to set up the security, if you want to go anyplace but dinner.”

  “I know. I want to invite her to my house,” Mark said.

  He watched Philip’s smile disappear to be replaced by shock.

  “Your, your house?”

  “Yes, I don’t want the mobs and the chaos that usually goes on whenever I go out. She experienced that today. Rest assured, the paparazzi will be on my tail from now on.”

  “You were fucking stupid for leaving with no protection,” Philip said, and paced around the room.

  “I know that now,” Mark acknowledged.

  “As long as we are on the same page from now on, that’s all that matters. You know, usually people go to dinner or a play on their first date. Don’t you know anything about dating?”

  Philip’s annoying humor made Mark sit up straighter.

  “Didn’t you hear me? I said I really like her.”

  “So you’re thinking with your dick? You’ve never brought a woman to your home.” Philip snickered.

  “No, and I know.”

  “If you were looking for sex, why didn’t you say something? Are you sure I can’t arrange a nice simple dinner?”

  “Why is everyone so quick to give me advice about dating? Besides, what in hell do you know about dating? All I know is that I want to get to know her better. I can’t do that if I’m in the public’s eye with her. And it’s not about sex,” Mark said, trying to justify his reasons.

  Philip joined Mark at the opposite end on the cou
ch and they sat staring at each other. The tension was as thick as fog. Mark waited until Philip broke the silence first.

  “If this is what you want, let me know when this date will occur. I’ll make sure it will be as private as I can arrange.”

  “Exactly how much money did you have to fork out to pay off the paparazzi?”

  “More than normal. They know something is up with her. You should’ve gone to a different restaurant today,” Philip said.

  Mark tilted his head up and gave Philip an evil look.

  “Don’t look at me like that! You know I’m right. Should I have her followed to stop any pending trouble?” Philip asked.

  “Yea, do it, twenty-four/seven.”

  Mark stood and ran his hand along the pool table. “Any word yet if the reporters have figured out our involvement in the arrest of Massaro?”

  “Only one newspaper has pieced it together. I had to promise the StarTribune an exclusive interview once it does break, in exchange for them to keep it quiet and to let us know the minute any little tidbit arises.”

  Silence once again filled the room as he and Philip hashed through pending problems; who, what, and when were never far from either’s thoughts.

  “If there isn’t anything else, I better get someone over to her house.”

  “Fine, just get it done,” Mark said as a loud, growling noise erupted from his stomach.

  “Do you want me to pick up dinner?”

  “Sushi.”

  “I hope this works out, Mark. You need to forget about the damn picture,” Philip said and left.

  Mark waited a second time for the sound of the elevator ding before he moved to his desk. He picked up the picture in question and stared at it, wondering why Philip had given him a weird look.

  Why had he believed so heavily in this promise? Why did he want this woman to appear as she had written? Would she even show?

  These three questions nagged at him all the time. No matter how hard he tried to forget, they never left him.