She smiled up at him as the waiter returned for their order. Before their salads were served, Stacey excused herself to visit the ladies’ room. She was checking her hair when the tall blond entered. The slim, red-clad woman moved to the mirror and took a tube of red lipstick from her small purse.
“Known him long?” the blond asked as she leaned forward to outline her lips.
“Long enough,” Stacey answered briefly and tucked in a stray curl.
“He’s a very passionate lover, isn’t he?” the woman arched one well-shaped brow at her.
“I wouldn’t know, not that it’s any of your business.” Stacey repaired her own lipstick.
The blond turned and leaned back against the hip-high counter. “Then it has to be the money, right? Has he given you any fabulous baubles, yet?”
“I beg your pardon,” Stacey stopped and stared at the woman she guessed to be thirty-five or so.
“When a young woman spends time with a man like Cord McConnell, it’s either for the sex or the money,” the blond stated with a knowing, smug, little smile.
“I’m afraid you’re wrong. Those might be your reasons for spending time with men, but I only date men I really like. I don’t need his money and I don’t have to sleep with a man to hold his attention. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my dinner is probably waiting.” Stacey walked from the room with her head held high. She felt she handled the situation well, considering she really wanted to throw the woman on the floor and sit on her or give her a swirly in the nearest toilet.
Cord rose as she reached the table and held her chair before sitting back down. “Are you okay? I saw Lisa follow you. Did she bother you?”
“Everything’s fine. We exchanged a few comments, nothing major. Tell me about some of these people.” She picked up her fork and started on the salad that waited for her.
Cord told her the names and occupations of several of the people and how he was acquainted with them. Some he knew through his work and others through women he previously dated. “I used to go to a lot of social functions. When I was a bodyguard, it was necessary and later I thought it was important to be accepted in certain circles. Now, I know better.”
“You didn’t find what you were looking for?” she asked, ever curious about this man.
“No. It never satisfied me or gave me what I was looking for. Neither did the women.” Cord added to head off her next question.
“No wonder, if they were like Lisa,” Stacey stated as the server took their salad plates and replaced them with their steaks. “Mmmm, smells good,” she sniffed appreciatively.
“They marinate them in some type of liquor. Tenderizes the meat and adds a little different flavor. I thought you would like it,” Cord cut into his extra large, medium-rare steak as he talked.
Stacey tried hers and enjoyed the unique, slightly woodsy taste. “It’s really delicious.” They talked about the show they saw and where they wanted to go the next day as they ate.
Before long, Lisa and a distinguished looking man stopped at their table and interrupted them. Cord stood politely to shake hands with the man and nod to Lisa. He introduced Stacey as his friend from Idaho.
“Are you in Cord’s line of work?” Edgar Hamilton, III wanted to know of Stacey.
“Not quite, but close. I’m a guide and tracker. I also do volunteer work for search and rescue. And you?”
“I own a few retail jewelry outlets,” he answered. “But your occupation sounds much more interesting. I’m having a get-together tomorrow evening. Why don’t you have Cord bring you around?”
Lisa chose to ignore Stacey but entwined her arm with Cord’s and purposely brushed her full breasts against him. “Do come, darling. We haven’t seen each other in a while and it would be such fun to get together again. I could introduce sweet little—Stacey wasn’t it, to everyone. I really miss you at our parties, Cord.”
“We’ll see,” Cord told her. He couldn’t say no and have her cause a scene.
“Lisa dear, we should let them get back to their dinner. I just couldn’t resist the chance to speak. It was very nice to meet you, Stacey. If Cord can’t make it, feel free to drop by without him. We’ll take excellent care of you. See you around, McConnell.”
Lisa reached up and kissed Cord on the cheek, but only because he averted his head at the last moment to prevent her kissing his mouth. “Call me, darling. It’s been too long,” the blond whispered loudly and trailed her fingers down the front of Cord’s body as she moved away to join Edgar.
“I’m sorry about her,” Cord looked uncomfortable as he took his seat.
“Don’t be,” Stacey laughed. “You aren’t responsible for her. Are you interested in going to that party or whatever tomorrow night?” she asked calmly as she returned to her meal.
“Not unless you insist. Edgar’s okay until he’s tossed back a few drinks and his parties tend to get a little—out of hand. But I’ll take you if you want to see what it’s like.”
“I’d rather have dental work. I’d really prefer to spend a quiet evening with you. Maybe Stanley could whip something up and we could watch a movie on the DVD,” she suggested as she put her fork into a piece of steamed broccoli.
“That sounds good. Only problem is I don’t have a player.”
“Or a TV, or a stereo, or books...” she laughed. “But we can fix that in the morning, unless it won’t fit into your budget.”
“No, money’s not a problem,” he assured her.
“Are you wealthy, Cord?” she put down her fork and waited for his answer.
That question was a total surprise. “Does it matter?” he asked quietly and picked up his coffee cup to take a steadying drink.
“Have I acted like it matters? I was curious, that’s all. We’ve never discussed money and Lisa made a stupid remark about it in the powder room. We don’t have to talk about it—I—I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked,” she decided. She stared at her plate, picked up her fork, and toyed with her food.
“Well, I have enough money not to have to worry about it anytime soon. Some is tied up in investments,” he went back to eating.
“Like the apartments?” Relieved to see he wasn’t angry, Stacey took another bite of steak.
“Yeah, along with some stocks and a few small businesses. What about you, Parker? Got any money?”
“Enough. I don’t need a lot. I live fairly simply, as you’ve seen. Coming here didn’t put me in a financial bind, if you were worried about that.”
“Okay, so neither of us is after the other’s money. And, since we haven’t made love, it can’t be sex. Then, what is it that attracted us to each other?” Cord grinned at her and pushed his empty plate away.
“I think I was first attracted to your bossiness and then, to the scars on your face.” Stacey took the question seriously, even though he hadn’t meant it that way. “After that it was when you tried to take care of me and once I saw you with Ricky and Don, I was definitely interested,” she smiled and looked up at him with her soft blue eyes. “When you were so great with Marie and Marcus, I was hopelessly in love.”
“Do you want dessert or are you ready to leave?” His eyes showed her how much he wanted her as they turned that dark, melted chocolate color again.
“I’m ready to be alone with you. We should go home,” she admitted with a shiver of anticipation.
Cord requested the check, settled it, and escorted her to the front where he helped her into her jacket. He trailed his fingers over her as he adjusted it on her shoulders. They caught a cab at the front door and sat close together as they rode through the busy streets.
“There’s a lot of them who come out at night, aren’t there?” She was staring out the window into the streets and alleys.
“Who, sweetheart?” He shifted his eyes upward from looking at her legs.
“The homeless people. Is it true a lot of them prefer to live that way?”
“It’s sad, but yes. You can clean them up and give them a job then they
’ll run right back to the streets. Some do make it out, though. There are missions and shelters that try to help. Some won’t even go to them in the dead of winter. They just want to be left alone.”
“It’s so sad. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. All that shopping, I guess.”
“Probably,” he agreed. “Moving the furniture around didn’t help either. We’re almost there.” He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “It’s almost midnight. You’re used to going to bed early.”
“True. We don’t have much night life in Idaho, at least not in my part of it.”
“You wouldn’t know it from this dress. It’s very—sophisticated.”
“I’m not exactly a backwoods hillbilly either, you know. We do have the occasional social event. I don’t always wear trail grunge,” she finished pertly.
“Where did you last wear this dress?” Cord was more curious about for whom than where.
“There was a charity affair at the lodge. We raised money for the Children’s Hospital.”
The cab pulled over as they reached the apartment building. Cord paid the driver and helped her out. There was a different doorman on duty to escort them in, before locking the door. They signed for their keycards at the security desk and went up in the elevator.
“Did you go with Derek?” Cord picked up their conversation. He still had not found out what he wanted to know.
“No. I was one of the hostesses. I don’t think he even came. Of course, I was pretty busy.”
“You like to stay busy, don’t you, Parker?”
“Yes. I’ve noticed that you’re pretty active most of the time, too,” she mentioned as the elevator reached the fifteenth floor. “How far did you say you ran this morning?”
“Five miles. I have to stay in shape for work.”
“I know. So do I,” she agreed as Cord urged her in after unlocking the door.
“If I’m not hiking or helping at the lodge, I work out three times a week. I need to work out some while I’m here.”
“Whatever you do, the results are great. I can take you to the gym or you can run with me, whatever you prefer.” He slid her jacket off her shoulders and kissed the graceful curve of her neck. “Are you ready for a glass of wine? Stanley put some to chill for us.” Cord removed his jacket and tossed them onto one of the white chairs near the entrance. He loosened his tie and pulled it free of his shirt.
“That sounds good,” she sighed as she stepped out of her heels and laid her small bag on a chair. She didn’t wear dressy shoes often and her feet were beginning to complain. Walking into the living room, she sat on the sofa and looked out at the skyline.
Cord joined her a few minutes later handing her a glass of wine after putting a tray on the coffee table.
She sipped from her glass then asked, “How long did you date Lisa?”
“Only about two weeks. She became possessive very quickly and wanted to move in here. It wouldn’t have worked out. I wasn’t emotionally involved.”
“Was she?”
“She felt a very deep attachment to my wallet,” Cord answered as he slid his arm around her to pull her close. “I don’t kid myself about what women want from me.”
Stacey tucked her feet up and snuggled into his chest. “Cord, please don’t. You have so much to offer. I love you just because you’re you.”
“Okay, Stacey, I should rephrase that. Before you, I knew what women wanted from me. I’m not sure what you want.”
“Nothing you’re not willing to give. To be with you and hear you laugh and touch you is enough even if you can’t ever give me anything else,” she whispered. Then she drained her glass and handed it to Cord.
He placed it on the end table with his and turned her so that she lay across his chest, looking up at him. Kissing each feature of her precious face, Cord made her desperate for his kiss by the time he reached her mouth. Her lips were already parted and he took advantage of it to kiss her deeply. He slipped his tongue in past her moist lips to tangle with hers.
Wanting to touch his skin, Stacey worked on the buttons of his white dress shirt. Sliding her hands inside, she ran her hands over his white undershirt. Moaning in frustration, she tugged at the thin cotton until she was able to get her hands underneath it to touch his firm, warm stomach.
Cord groaned into her mouth as she stroked his skin and he pushed aside one of the tiny straps on her shoulder. Kissing his way down her throat, he gently lifted her onto his lap.
She wriggled seductively against the proof of his desire.
Pushing away the fabric of her dress, he fastened his lips on the rosy peak he revealed.
She gasped then whispered, “Oh Cord. You don’t know what you do to me.”
Raising his head and returning his mouth to hers, he nibbled on her lips. “I’ve wanted to strip this scrap of cloth off ever since I saw you in it.” He slid the other strap from her shoulder before smoothing the fabric to her waist as he kissed her. “God, Stacey. You’ll have to tell me when to stop. I’ll back off whenever you say, sweetheart. I don’t want to scare you, but I want you so much,” his voice was tense and urgent and he bit gently at her mouth.
“I know, Cord,” she panted into his mouth. “I trust you. So far I don’t want you to stop.”
He lifted her enough to slide the dress over her hips. Easing her back down against him, he stroked the material down her legs and tossed it aside. She was bare to the waist now. Cord took his time and touched every satiny inch he had uncovered.
Lying in his arms with her eyes closed, Stacey let him touch and explore, feed the fire burning so hotly within her. He returned time and again to kiss her mouth.
When he could stand his own shirt no longer, he pulled back enough to jerk it off, pulled the undershirt over his head, and threw them across the room. Gathering her back to him, feeling bare skin on bare skin, he held her still and struggled to bring himself under control.
Stacey had other ideas and stroked his upper body similar to the way he touched hers. She pressed her mouth to his chest and flicked her tongue over flat male nipples. Suddenly she pulled away and stood up to slide her pantyhose down her legs. Clad only in a pair of lacey black bikini panties, she held one hand out to him while releasing the clip in her hair with her other hand.
“Let’s go to bed, Cord,” her voice, husky and inviting, she tossed her head and the wild strawberry blond curls tumbled around her shoulders.
“Are you sure, Stacey? I don’t want you to regret this.” He accepted her hand and stood up.
“I think I will regret it more if I don’t. Even if it can’t be forever, I want you to be the first. I won’t take it as a commitment or any kind of promise,” she told him softly.
“You better mean that you want me, Stacey, because I don’t think I can stop now.” Cord picked her up in his arms and crushed her mouth under his. He carried her to his room and kicked the door closed. She was his now.
CHAPTER 19
Stacey woke to Cord kissing her on the neck.
“I’ll be right back,” he told her as he eased from the bed. After filling the huge black whirlpool tub, Cord lifted her gently and carried her into the bathroom.
She couldn’t believe how gentle this rugged man could be as he lowered her into the hot water with him and reached to turn on the jets. Stacey sighed in pleasure as the hot water swirled over her sore body. He soaped her tenderly and massaged her aching muscles. When the water began to cool, he helped her out and dried her off. They went back to bed and snuggled until she fell asleep.
Cord listened to her breathing then slept for a couple of hours. He woke up wanting her again, but slid from the bed instead. He pulled on jogging shorts and walked quietly to the living room to stare out the huge window. She reacted so passionately he wasn’t as careful as he should have been for her first time. She needed time to get over the soreness he undoubtedly caused. Stacey Parker did not do anything by halves it seemed. His control flew into pieces when sh
e responded so ardently. Just thinking of her shortened his breath and fully aroused him.
“Cord, is something wrong?” Stacey wore one of his tee shirts and stood in the edge of the living room.
“No, sweetheart. I just thought you needed to rest.”
“I’d love some coffee. And maybe some of the snacks Stanley made. I’ll go start the coffeemaker,” she said softly and padded barefoot toward the kitchen.
“Stacey,” his voice stopped her and she turned back toward him. “Did I hurt you?”
She smiled and shook her head. “No. There was a little discomfort, but you didn’t hurt me. It was more wonderful than I ever imagined, Cord. Thank you,” she added and went on to the other room.
Cord rubbed a hand through his short hair. She gave him her most precious gift and she thanked him. He had believed that finally having her would lessen this intense desire for her. But instead, a possessiveness he had never felt before seized him. Hoping it would fade with time, he moved to the sofa and sat, then leaned back into the corner.
Stacey brought coffee and snacks on a tray. She poured his coffee and then hers. “If you need to be alone, I’ll take mine to bed,” she offered as she added cream and sugar to her cup.
“Stay—please,” he added when he realized the single word sounded like an order.
She took a chocolate cheesecake square from the snack tray and curled up in the middle of the sofa. Nibbling daintily between sips of coffee, she savored the rich dessert. Stanley is definitely a treasure. “How did you ever find Stanley?” she asked.
“I stayed in a hotel where he worked, before I bought this apartment. He was polite, efficient, and quiet. I offered him a job and he accepted,” Cord told her briefly.
Stacey reached for a cookie. She closed her eyes and chewed, “Mmmm, chocolate, coconut, and nuts. Wonderful,” she mumbled and licked her lips.
“Come here, Stacey.” Cord couldn’t watch her and not touch her.
She scooted nearer and leaned against him, more than willing to cuddle.
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