by Sonja Gunter
She was gone. Rane had left.
“What time is it?”
“Just before six.”
“Let her go, but have someone follow her to make sure she arrives safely at her townhome,” he instructed.
“Yes, sir. I’ll call you with an update. Ah, excuse me sir, but will you be going into the office today?”
If Philip had been within reach, he’d have punched him.
“Yes,” Mark answered, in a not so pleasant voice and hung up.
Now that he was fully awake, Mark sat up on the edge of his bed, his feet hanging over the side, and held his head in his hands.
Why had she left?
Images of the two of them in various positions made him wish she hadn’t. He’d wanted to wake her up slowly so they could enjoy a leisurely morning of making love.
The smell of freshly ground coffee took over his senses helping to clear his sleep-muddled brain. The aroma became stronger which forced him to stand.
Man, oh man, he loved the smell of brewing coffee.
It was aphrodisiac. Today he sure needed a cup to jolt him. His body and mind were drained.
He’d been dreaming when the phone call had interrupted the images. Everything had seemed so real. Lately almost every one of his dreams had some sort a dragon in them.
He could recall this particular dream vividly. He’d been wearing some sort of armor and was trying to rescue Rane, but she kept changing shapes. First, she’d been a winged dragon with green eyes, and then she’d changed into her beautiful self.
It had been dark, with only the moonlight as the source of light. He’d tried to call to her but no words came from his mouth. All of a sudden, she changed back into the winged dragon. It had been glorious. She’d spread her wings wide and took off. She turned, scrutinized him, and he was honored with a spectacular view of seeing her eyes change colors as she flew away.
With a sigh, Mark pushed the dream away and surveyed the room. Mark grinned from ear to ear seeing the havoc they’d done. He hadn’t felt this alive in a long time.
He slipped on the robe Rane had worn, and her lingering scent engulfed him. He tipped his head down and took a huge whiff of the collar. Instantly a rush of desire overcame him.
Damn! What had this woman done to him?
He was literally weak at the knees and felt lightheaded. Rane was definitely going to spend the night again tonight!
As Mark was heading down the stairs to get his coffee, the morning light reflected off something on the couch. Rane’s cell phone! She’d forgotten it in her haste to leave him. He smiled. So even though his real life eye color-changing dragon had taken flight, she wasn’t getting far.
Chapter 32
From the garage, Rane heard the phone ringing but by the time she’d opened the door, it had stopped and the unanswered call went into message mode. Thor greeted her in his normal way of rubbing up against her. She knew that as soon as she fed him she’d be ignored, his payback for leaving him alone all night.
“Rane! Are you there? If you don’t call me back in ten minutes, I’m calling the police. Do you hear me? Call me!”
There was a click and the message light flashed.
Val.
Smiling, Rane read twenty-five missed calls, twenty-five messages. She picked up the phone and called her worried friend.
“It’s about God damn time, girlfriend!”
“What, no hello?”
“You don’t deserve one. Who gave you permission to stay out all night? You had me worried sick. I was ready to call in favors from the guy I dated who’s on the Minneapolis Police force.”
“I’m okay.”
“How I was supposed to know that? Remember the rule, at least one text message saying SON,” Val said curtly.
S for staying, O for over, and N for night. She’d never had to use it before. Besides, it wasn’t as if she’d had time to text. She hadn’t even planned on staying.
“Sorry, Mom, I didn’t have access to my cell phone.” Which was true. She still didn’t have it. “I’ll remember next time.” A wave of desire swept over her at the thought of spending the night at Mark’s again. She heard Val blow out a breath. “You’re forgiven, but don’t forget again. I’m going to stop by your office for lunch today so I can get all the dirty details.”
“Okay, just text the time. Gotta go.”
They hung up laughing and, as Rane had predicted, Thor was nowhere to be seen now that his tummy was full. She checked the time and saw she’d have to settle for a quick shower instead of her bath if she wanted to make it to work on time. Not allowing herself time to think about Mark, she raced through her morning routine.
Once back in her car, the radio DJ announced it was almost seven-thirty. Thank God. She hadn’t wanted to call attention to herself by arriving late. No one could know she’d spent the night with the president of the company. It would ruin her reputation not to mention all the respect she’d earned from the employees so far.
How would the morning play out?
Would Mark come to her office? Or, on the other hand, would he call and demand she come to his? Would he be casual about the whole date thing and simply hand over her cell phone? What if he didn’t have her phone? She hadn’t thought about that until now. How would she get it, or for that matter live without it for the day?
So many ‘what ifs’ was getting her nowhere. She was coming up with more questions than answers. The whole thing felt more than a little awkward. That is why she’d always vowed never, ever, to date nor have casual sex with anyone you worked with. Ever.
So why hadn’t she stuck to her plan?
“Damn it! Damn you, Val,” she said to no one and hit the steering wheel with her fist. She’d never have slept with Mark if Val hadn’t made her promise to go on a date with him.
Liar!
Shoving her inner voice aside, she picture the morning ahead. She could envision it now. She’d run into Mark in the hallway and say, “Hi, good to see you this morning. Do you have my phone? Oh, and by the way, thanks for the great sex.”
Yea, right. Wrong! That would most definitely leave the wrong impression. What in God’s name had she been thinking?
That had been her problem, she hadn’t done one ounce of thinking last night. Having sex on the first date was the stupidest thing she’d done in a long time. Not to mention, it had been unprotected sex.
She’d always made sure she was on the pill but had stopped because it was giving her headaches. After that, she’d insisted her dates or boyfriends use a condom. Val would say better to be safe than sorry.
Damn! How should she have been so careless?
What if Mark assumed she was on the pill? Oh shit, the possibility she could be pregnant was too much to even consider right now.
She groaned and rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
What if her worst nightmare was about to come true? What if Mark simply ignored her?
By the time she arrived at work, she concluded that the only option she had was to go to her office and handle one hour at a time.
No, one minute at a time with hot chocolate and kisses. No, it was a Coke kind of morning. Caffeine and extra caffeine. Her mind and body needed the jolt the way she was feeling. The idea of having one of those Café Mocha’s Mark kept pushing her to try was seriously tempting.
Arriving on the sixth floor, she masked her inner mixed turmoil, and sent a fleeting look toward the left to his office. She was about to go over to Mrs. Weber and inquire if he’d arrived yet, when she heard his deep voice call out to Mrs. Weber.
Her pulse pounded and she experienced a slow burning that reached just below her belly. She found herself heading toward Mark’s office.
“Good morning, Ms. Schoen, I have a message for
you.”
The receptionist’s words stopped her from her crazy action.
“Thank you,” Rane mumbled as she approached Linda and took the note from her outstretched hand as common sense took over.
Mark had left her a personal message. She chanced a look in his direction again but he hadn’t come out of his office.
Excitedly she peeked at the note and gasped aloud.
“Are you all right, Ms. Schoen?” Linda asked.
“Yes, just a paper cut,” Rane lied and shook her head as she anxiously considered the note. Heart pounding and stomach queasy, she went slowly to her office.
David.
The message was from David not Mark. It said to call him.
How in the hell had he found out where she worked? Why now? Why did he always have to complicate things?
So engrossed in her shock and dismay she failed to notice that her door stood open instead of closed as it always was in the morning. Flicking the light switch, she stood speechless for a second time in a matter of minutes as the unwanted note fell to the floor.
A single red rose lay on her desk.
What did it mean? Who’d left it?
She glanced out into the hallway. Not seeing anyone, she hesitantly stepped closer to the rose and half closed her door.
Didn’t red symbolize love?
Moving to the back of her desk, she slid out her chair to sit down. To her surprise, an envelope along with a gold-wrapped little box greeted her.
She quickly picked up the items and sat down slowly, deep in thought. She held the two pieces for a while, not sure which to open first. The card won.
Her smile deepened at the sight of it. More roses greeted her. They covered the entire front of the card. She imagined their sweet aroma. The inside revealed a thick heavy handwritten message.
I wonder what it would feel like to wake up with you in my arms. Maybe next time? Dinner at 8:00. Mark
Reading the note a second time ignited a soul-stirring need.
Mark still wanted to see her. All wasn’t lost.
She knew it would be heaven to wake up naked next to him. The thought of his strong yet gentle hands on her breasts had her wishing she hadn’t left his side.
Had it only been hours since his lips had covered hers in never-ending kisses? Since his arms had enfolded her naked body, pulling her into his web of magical delights.
Sighing, she opened the wrapped present, not sure what to expect.
She gasped and sat back in her chair. Lying on black velvet sat a gold necklace with a golden-winged dragon pendant. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. It sparkled like an array of colorful lights. The dragon’s eyes were two rather large emeralds and its wings were adorned in diamonds.
“Well? Are you going to accept my dinner invitation?” Mark asked.
He smiled and closed the door behind him.
“I’m-I’m not very nice in the mornings.” She finally stuttered out. She’d been so engrossed in her gift that she failed to see or smell Mark as he came into her office. She took a moment to hide her feelings before looking up at him.
“I’m a very likable person in the morning,” Mark said as his smile became even bigger.
As if she was under some sort of spell, she watched as he leaned in toward her over her desk.
She was sure he was going to kiss her right now in her office! His lips were so close. Just one little kiss wouldn’t matter.
Blinking, she came to her senses with only a millimeter to spare. She sat straighter and pushed her chair back a little to put some extra space between them to stop him.
“Mark, I can’t possibly accept this gift,” she said and regretfully closed the lid. She held the box out to him. She couldn’t meet his stare. She knew if she did, she’d be lost.
“No! I want you to have it. You are my dragon. I want—”
Their glances meet for an instant, as they both turned toward the opening office door.
Bad timing, karma, as Val would say.
“Rane, I think we need—” Richard stopped in mid-sentence.
Turning, Mark gave Mr. Adam a look that said, what are you doing here?
“Oh, I didn’t—Sorry, Mr. Christmenn, I didn’t know you were in here. I was actually looking for you, too.” Mr. Adam paused for a moment regaining some confidence. “I guess I should’ve knocked.”
If the situation hadn’t been so bizarre, Rane would’ve laughed aloud, seeing a grown man turn into a mumbling fool by a simple look was something to see. Rane discretely used Mark as a shield to remove the rose from her desk. Placing it, and the other items onto her lap, she slid her chair closer to the desk to further conceal the gifts.
“Richard,” Rane said, hoping the guilt she felt didn’t show on her face. “I’ll need to change the meeting to nine-thirty.”
“I’ll stall the others until you arrive,” Richard replied nervously.
“Thanks for being so helpful and I’m sorry for not being ready,” Rane said.
Rane watched as Richard left. The instant the door clicked shut Mark turned around, placed both of his hands on her desk, then leaned in very close to her.
“Dinner?” he asked again.
Mark was closer now than before. If she moved her head, just a little, she’d be able to capture his incredible lips in a kiss. She so wanted him to kiss her.
“Rane?”
She didn’t want to talk. In fact, she wanted the man in front of her so bad she was aching in spots only he knew how to satisfy. Rane placed her right hand on top of Mark’s hand and slowly stroked his fingers, taking special care to go the full length.
“Rane! You’d better stop this teasing before I take advantage of the situation.”
Mark tried to put authority into his request but failed. He wanted Rane right now too. He knew he should have had her come to his office. They’d be in his private apartment right now making love.
Her hand was soft and teasing, stroking his fingers as if they were another part of his body; one that was so hard and ready to spring into action it hurt. He was in pain and almost groaned aloud as a surprising rush of passion came over him. He hadn’t moved and wasn’t going too. He was afraid that if he did, he’d embarrass both of them. Rane’s office just wasn’t private enough for what he wanted to do at this moment.
She didn’t remove her hand. She just halted her fingers but continued looking at him.
“Are you the planned dinner?” she asked, throwing a seductive tone into her voice.
Mark moved his right hand to her cheek and gently stoked her skin. “No, but I could be the dessert if you agree to have the main course with me,” Mark replied in a voice heavy with desire. “I’d also like to take you away for the weekend.”
“I think I’d like to have dessert before dinner,” she said. “But I’m not sure about a weekend thing. I’ll have to think about it.”
He took advantage of the inches separating them and kissed her lips as if to seal their agreement. He eased back and straightened, placing his hands in his pants pockets.
Rane watched his every movement and raised an eyebrow when she saw just what effect their little kiss had on him.
“Yes, I want you very much right now. You’ll have to wait. We’ll have to wait until tonight. You don’t know how tempted I am to have you come to my office at lunch time for a little afternoon delight.” He tried stalling so he could get his body under control before continuing. “You had better gather your reports for your meeting. You still have about a half hour.”
Mark took his hands from his pants pockets and hitched up his slacks. Shrugging and rolling his shoulders, he straightened out his suit coat, knowing she watched his every movement.
“Stop by my office when you are ready to leav
e for the day,” Mark demanded in a husky voice.
“It won’t be till about four o’clock. My last meeting runs until three o’clock.”
“That’s acceptable.” Mark smiled, opened the door, and then leisurely left her office.
She watched his retreat, enjoying the view but, damn, his suit coat hid his tight ass.
She clutched the rose and the necklace on her lap. They were going to discuss this gift tonight. She placed the box in her briefcase and laid the rose in front of her computer. Standing, she roamed over to the table deep in thought, and dreamily sorted through the stack of papers in readiness for her meeting.
Chapter 33
Mark couldn’t help but smile. He felt so alive. He hadn’t felt like this in years. As he passed Mrs. Weber’s desk, she raised her eyebrow at him in a manner that reminded him of Mr. Spock from Star Trek.
He didn’t acknowledge her, he didn’t stop. He simply strolled straight into his office, and then to his private bathroom, letting the door close loudly. He needed some time to think without interruptions. After pacing back and forth for a few minutes, he stopped in front of the mirror.
Fool! A lovesick fool. That’s what he saw.
Fucking A, what had he just done? Why had he gone and kissed her? Anyone in the company could’ve seen them if they entered like Richard.
He had no business taking advantage of Rane like that and potentially damaging her hard-earned reputation.
Shit!
He’d never kissed a woman in the work place. Even if a date showed up at the office, he’d never kiss them in front of the employees.
If his father had been alive, he’d have lambasted him and thrown him out in the trash. It had been out of fear of his father’s wrath, mixed with not wanting to disappoint him, that he had kept his sexual cravings for women employees at bay over the years. There had been plenty of them whom he would have liked to have had a sexual fling with, but couldn’t bring himself around to doing it. Plus that picture had saved him on many occasions too.