by Lisa Eugene
“How do partners from a busy firm get the time off?”
“We make the time. Juggle cases when we can.”
“Wow. That’s great for the kids. I think I’d have enjoyed something like that as a kid.”
“How did you spend your summers?”
“I was a bookworm. I worked in my dad’s office and spent most of my time reading his medical texts.”
“Sounds exciting.” His dry tone made her laugh.
“Really, it was.”
“Your dad’s a doctor too?”
“Internist.”“I guess doctoring is in your blood.”
“It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of. From the time I was a skinny little freckled faced girl.”
“It’s hard to imagine you as a skinny, freckled faced girl. I see a gorgeous, very driven lady.”
Nina felt a sudden heady rush as his stare penetrated her. He perused her flattering knee-length dress and nodded with approval. Her mouth went dry as his gaze rove over her curves. She gulped down a mouthful of wine, hoping to douse some of her jitters.
“I guess this is a little more elegant than that bathrobe.” She laughed shakily.
“I liked the bathrobe too.” He gave a rakish grin, and in a second he was standing mere inches from her. She marveled that even with her height of five-seven and her almost two inch heels he dwarfed her considerably.
He deposited their wine glasses on a nearby table then crooked a finger beneath her chin and tilted her gaze up to meet his. She was surprised by the tenderness she saw there. He brushed his knuckles against the softness of her cheek and she sighed inwardly.
Her lungs emptied as he lowered his head to hers and captured her lips with slow gentle pressure. She let her lips part and felt like she was melting into a warm silky puddle as his tongue languidly traced the inside of her lips and the edges of her teeth. His scent was of the natural fragrance of his soap, and he tasted of oaky spiced wine. She groaned and leaned into him as the pressure of his lips intensified, and she almost groaned again when he lifted his head and broke the sweet kiss.
She heard him take an uneven breath. “I’ve wanted to do that since this morning. Just thought I’d get it out of the way.”
Nina cleared her throat and nodded decisively. “At least it’s out of our systems.”
“We should really get going. We’ll be late.”
“Yeah.”
They both smiled when neither made an attempt to move away. She couldn’t fathom what possessed her as she laced her arms around his neck, and, standing on tiptoes, brushed her tongue along the sensuous line of his lips. She felt his breath hitch as a low growl rolled from his throat.
“Well, maybe it’s not quite out of our systems yet,” he said as he encircled her waist and crushed her body against his.
She felt like she hit a brick wall with enticing grooves and planes as her body came against his. She trailed her fingers over his broad shoulders and chest and reveled in the hard masculine feel of him. Wade captured her lips once again, this time with an urgency that matched her own. Her tongue dueled with his and she nibbled and tasted greedily. She threw her head back as he plotted a course of hot kisses down her neck and her fingers slid through his damp wavy hair.
Hot desire seeped between her legs and she felt like every nerve ending was on alert. She watched as his long fingers adeptly undid the top buttons on the front of her sundress and she gasped when his palm moved across her bare skin to fold around the heavy swell of her straining breast. He ever so slowly circled the pink areola with the pad of his finger then trapped the nipple between his thumb and forefinger and tugged gently. Her shoulders jerked as his mouth followed his hand. His wet tongue laved her nipple and his teeth sent pinpricks of pleasure through her as he nipped her puckered flesh.
She was vaguely aware of her legs moving beneath her as Wade held her tightly against him and moved her to the couch. The heavy length of his large erection burned into her leg and the pressure of it excited her. He placed her gently on a heap of pillows and quickly undid the remaining buttons that ran down the length of her dress. His warm breath fanned against her exposed skin and she quivered. She had on nothing but a black thong modestly covering a triangle of soft curls. His gaze skimmed over her, his dark eyes filled with desire and concern.
“Cold?”
Nina’s heart tumbled in her chest as she gazed into his expressive eyes. She reached a hand up to the angle of his jaw and he turned to kiss her palm. A slow smile crept to her lips.
“Hardly,” she said and was rewarded with his even white grin.
She felt a little self conscious as he stepped back and surveyed her, but the appreciation in his eyes was unmistakable.
A smirked tilted his lips and he nodded knowingly.
“Black lace thong…nice.”
He knelt next to her and she cooed as warm fingers fluttered over the gentle slope of her stomach and dipped into the small cavity of her bellybutton. Goose bumps formed on her skin when his lips lightly brushed her stomach and traveled down to the elastic of her underwear. His teeth gave a gentle tug on the material and he nuzzled his nose into her curls, inhaling deeply.
“Your body is beautiful,” he whispered. “You’re so responsive.”
“You’re driving me crazy,” she confessed on a shallow breath.
He moaned, then came up and crushed his lips to hers, kissing her passionately and possessively. She arched to his hand as it roved over her sensitive breasts and down her stomach, kneading and massaging an arousing path. Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers traced the elastic waistband of her panties and slid underneath to dance in her soft curls.
“Oh God…” She breathed against his mouth as his touch grew bolder. Her legs parted when his fingers dipped lower to trace a tantalizing path over her moist crevices. His caresses were agonizingly slow and deliberate. Her thighs trembled and she raised her hips off the couch, urging him to intensify his touch.
A band of heat pulled tightly in her groin, stretching every nerve fiber. It threatened to snap and consume her. She was vaguely aware of his gaze on her face as he watched her intently. He watched her jaw clench when he stroked the slick flesh against her opening and he watched her cry out with pleasure when he thrust one long finger into her wetness.
“Ummm…so wet. You like that?”
Nina’s hips bucked against his hand in avid response, and he issued a throaty moan as she closed around his probing finger. She felt the sweet tightness of an orgasm start to build inside, and she was ready to let the sensation wash over her when he withdrew his finger and resumed his soft gentle stroking.
Her eyes flew open and she met his gaze instantly. She was crazy with wanting and her breath was coming in short pants. She couldn’t read his expression, but she saw the intense need she felt reflected in his smoldering gaze. Mutely she watched him drag his long fingers up her body then circle her nipple with moisture he’d collected from her. The sensation was agonizingly erotic, hitching up her arousal another degree. When his mouth opened over the same nipple and he sucked greedily, she moaned deeply, not recognizing her voice.
She found the strength to lift her hips and he inched her soaked underwear down her legs. Her breath arrested when he knelt and settled between her thighs. She wondered briefly if she’d survive this brand of pleasure. He lifted a slender thigh over his right shoulder and with a throaty moan laved her sensitive nub with his hot tongue. A giant shock wave churned through her as she felt his lips moving against her aching flesh. His velvety tongue sweetly tortured her, his leisurely pace offering no succor.
“Umm…so sweet…I want you to come for me, baby.”
Her hips lurched at his throaty command. She felt every muscle in her body clamp down when he slipped two fingers inside her seeping channel. Meanwhile his tongue initiated a feverish rhythm, lapping at her folds and swiftly circling her rigid button. Her head whipped about wildly, and her nails dug into the couch as the tight band inside her flew
apart and her release spiraled through her like a raging tornado. His name was ripped from her throat on a scream, and she wondered if she’d ever again find her voice.
Eventually, Wade crawled up the couch and held her as her spasms subsided. She shifted, trying to make room for his large body. Her hip encountered a small rectangular object and fishing it from beneath her, she handed him his cell phone. With a lazy gaze she watched him toss it onto her coffee table, then he turn to rain tiny kisses on her face.
Her brain, although still dazed and foggy was computing rapidly. She was trying to sort out the emotions gathering inside her. It had never been like this. She’d never behaved like this before and was almost embarrassed by her response. Sex was usually a quiet release for her, a soft pleasant ripple of pleasure. Nothing like this. She never thought it could be this…this…intense.
“I hope your walls are soundproof,” he teased, nudging his nose into the warmth of her neck. He nipped lightly on the tender skin just below her jaw, igniting a riot of sensations.
She turned into his chest and snuggled against him. “No. But most of the tenants are deaf.” Her voice was hoarse.
Wade looked down at her with a questioning raise of his eyebrows, and she laughed.
“A lot of little old ladies in this building.”
“Well you’ve probably given them something to talk about at their next co-op board meeting.” Wade chuckled deeply.
“Oh yeah?” she asked wickedly, overcome by the uncharacteristic boldness he always seemed to inspire. She twisted her body against him and reached down to massage the rigid protrusion in his pants. Cupping her hand around his impressive length, she stroked slowly.
He growled low against her ear and thrust his pelvis into her touch. His large hand eased down the length of her naked body and he surprised her when he captured her fingers and brought them to his lip for a soft kiss.
“If you start that, we’ll never leave this apartment.”
“And the problem with that is…?” She teased. She could already feel desire starting to stir again. If he could make her feel this good with his tongue, she could only imagine what other talents awaited her.
Wade laughed. “I’ve let loose a monster.” He rose up on his elbow and regarded her soberly. “I know we have this amazing physical chemistry between us, but…I…I don’t want this to be just about sex. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I feel a connection between us. I think we can have something special.”
Nina blinked a few times, trying to process his words. She felt an emotional thickness welling in her throat, muting her vocal cords. Instead she reached up and kissed him gently on his cheek.
“Can we still make it to the restaurant in time?”
He checked his watch. “I think so.”
She gathered up her clothes and kissed him quickly before scurrying into the bedroom to change.
“What’s for dinner?” Nina called from the bedroom.
“Sushi!”
“What?”
Wade chuckled softly as he emptied the wineglasses in the sink, trying to ignore his persistent boner. He was also trying to process what he’d just confessed to Nina. What exactly did he want this to be about? And what precisely was this? He wasn’t the kind of person to deny himself. When he wanted something he got it. Period. And he wanted her in his bed, under him, around him, moaning his name. He looked down at his pants. This current line of thought did nothing to ameliorate his physical condition.
And ‘I feel a connection between us’? ‘Something special’? He groaned inwardly with embarrassment. Since when did he become such a sap? How did this woman affect him so? Although he did have uncommonly strong feelings for her and had meant his words he wondered what man would openly confess them. Surely he was smoother than that! The last time he’d said such prattle to a girl he was in eleventh grade and trying to get laid, not the opposite! She must think him a total dolt! He shook his head. Bad form Connolly. Bad form.
“What?” Nina yelled again from the bedroom, causing him to cease his self-reproach. “Did I hear you say Sushi?” she asked in disbelief as she strolled out of the bedroom, now dressed in smart capris and a blouse. Her face scrunched up disapprovingly. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. You know, the board of health—.”
“Says it’s fine,” he finished for her, returning her spirited gaze. “Have you ever tried it?”
“Well…no. I have no desire to catch a parasite. Thanks.”
“Don’t worry,” he said following her through the door. “This is a very reputable place. I’ve eaten there many times and apart from the occasional facial tick I get from eating the blowfish, I’m fine.”
His sensuous lips twitched with amusement as her green eyes rounded to saucers and horror filled them.
“You don’t eat blowfish, do you? It’s poisonous!”
“Just certain parts.”
“That’s very risky.”
“It’s fine if it’s cut right. Plus,” he added wickedly, “nothing wrong with taking a risk every now and then.”
Nina was pondering his statement when the door across the hall opened and a small white-haired elderly lady emerged carrying a plastic garbage bag.
“Well, what a surprise.” Mrs. Witkin’s wrinkled face was draped with a beaming smile.
Nina smiled back at her neighbor, knowing that her impromptu appearance was no coincidence. Mrs. Witkin had a reputation as the building snoop. As the oldest and longest resident in the small brownstone, she made it her business to know everyone else’s business.
Although she rubbed some tenants the wrong way, Nina got along well with her. Nina figured she was left alone because her mundane life offered no fodder for gossip—until now, that was.
“Just going to the trash compactor,” Mrs. Witkin announced, her crinkly eyes openly assessing Wade. She turned and gave Nina a sly wink of approval and an enthusiastic thumbs-up.
Nina introduced the two and almost laughed out loud. Mrs. Witkin was barely five feet tall and reached just above Wade’s elbow. She had to crank her neck all the way back just to see his face. Nina peered at the large garbage bag she carried. It was practically empty! She could just imagine Mrs. Witkin scurrying around her apartment trying to find something to throw out so she could accidentally bump into them.
“Going out for Sushi, huh?” Mrs. Witkin asked, her face set disapprovingly.
How did she know that? Nina’s eyes caught the hearing aid in her ear. She must have cranked it up to the max. She blushed as she wondered just how long Mrs. Witkin had been listening in on them.
“Yup. Wanna come?” Amusement filled Wade’s voice as they made their way to the elevator.
“No way.” Mrs. Witkin shook her head firmly. “Didn’t make it to eighty-four by eating raw fish! You young people today are all the same….living life in the fast lane. In my day a young man knew his place. Young women were courted. Why, a young man would never come up to my apartment, he’d…. ”
He nodded, bowed to her reverently, and stepped into the elevator. “Nice meeting you.”
Mrs. Witkin, undeterred continued her diatribe as the elevator doors slid closed. Nina suppressed a laugh and turned to Wade.
“Are all your neighbors like her?” He chuckled.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Next time my place.” His warm breath tickled her ear. “Besides, my walls are sound proof.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Wade laced Nina’s fingers through his as they crossed the wide downtown avenue. Couples hurried pass them on their way to dinner and traffic clotted the street as yellow cabs zigzagged recklessly up the avenue. A car honked in the distance and a loud impatient yell was carried away on the summer breeze. The crisp night air filled his lungs and he almost sighed happily.
What was wrong with him? Had he really refused sex earlier? The way she made him feel was uncanny. He actually wanted to please her more than he wanted to satisfy himself. The look of pleasure on her
face was enough to spur him to push her higher, to test her self-imposed boundaries. He was in no way immune to her. She didn’t even have to touch him and he was ready to explode. He hoped the brisk air would clear his head and stop his heart from doing flip-flops whenever he looked at her.
They were just turning up Franklin Avenue when a figure in the shadows about forty meters ahead caught his attention. Wade continued his pace, but was instantly on guard. He didn’t want to alarm Nina who was telling him the story of how she and Sally met.
The man hiding in the gloom took a step forward and Wade’s neck stiffened. He visibly relaxed when he recognized Ben’s stocky form, but his brows furrowed in confusion. What was Ben doing here? If he’d wanted to reach him he could have called his cell phone. Shit! Wade suddenly realized that he’d left his cell phone on Nina’s coffee table. Ben must have been trying to reach him and couldn’t get through. Wade had told him earlier where he’d be having dinner tonight. Wade’s mind flooded with possibilities.
The only thing that made sense was that he’d figured out the identity of the person altering the MRI films. Maybe his cop friend had found some viable prints on the film. That had to be it. The hairs on the back of Wade’s neck prickled as a sense of foreboding settled over him.
Ben caught his attention, then made a bee line towards him. The feeling of uneasiness grew as Wade watched his friend take determined strides in his direction. His wrinkled face was stoic and unreadable.
“What’s wrong?” Nina asked.
He squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Ben stopped in front of a nearby newsstand and appeared to be casually perusing the colorful magazines in front of him. The dark skinned man behind the partition flashed a toothless smile as he took a couple swigs from a stained paper coffee cup. A cool wind kicked up a scattering of leaves on the sidewalk and an exotic scent wafted from a nearby restaurant. Wade got within arm’s length of Ben, and suddenly his friend looked up, feigning surprise to see him.