“And what mess would that be?” a man asked in a distinctly British accent as he walked through her open door.
“David!” Cecilia jerked, startled, but pleasantly surprised. “What are you doing here?” She jumped up and ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist and giving him a hug.
He chuckled as he looked down at the woman in his arms. “Well, I’m glad you’re at least happy to see me.”
She released him and stepped back. “You don’t know the half of it. I’ve had a difficult day, but I am surprised to see you. It’s unexpected.” She creased her brow. “I know we don’t have an appointment.”
“No, I don’t have an appointment. I’m visiting in the area, and since I happen to have some time on my hands, I decided to stop by to invite you to dinner. That is, if you don’t already have plans. I tried calling all afternoon, but Ashley said you were busy.” He hesitated a moment and smiled. “I decided, on the spur of the moment, to take a chance and see if you were free. When I arrived at the front desk, Ashley told me you were alone and to go right in. So here I am.”
His smile was warm and friendly and inviting, and God only knew how much she needed a diversion, especially such a handsome one as David Darcy provided.
“As a matter of fact,” she tilted her head with a genuine smile, “I am free tonight, and I would love to have dinner with you.” She felt her body finally releasing some of the tension Cameron had created. “Where are you staying?”
“I’m staying at the Lawton, and I have made reservations at the Woodlands. I walked over. Shall I walk you back to the hotel?”
“Yes, I would appreciate that. I’ll get my coat, and we can be off.”
They walked the short distance from the Lawton Executive Complex to the Lawton Hotel where David escorted her to her suite before returning to his room to prepare for their evening. He told her he had two days in the area before having to rejoin his party in Tennessee. They agreed to have dinner that night and the next. They would have lunch the next day at a little sidewalk café she preferred on Queen Street.
They also agreed to meet in the lobby of the hotel before leaving for the Woodlands. Within thirty minutes, David was ready to go. When he walked into the entryway from the lift, Cecilia was waiting.
“David, do you want me to drive, or would you prefer to do so this time?”
“I’ll drive since I know where we’re going,” he said, placing his hand on the small of her back as he led her out the door to the parking lot where they settled into his car.
When they arrived at the Woodlands, the hostess took their coats and then directed them to the waiting maître d’. After David told the gentleman his name, the stoic man observed them closely and smiled. “Table for two in the private dining room, just as you requested, Mr. Darcy. Come this way.” The man escorted them past the main dining room and into a room illuminated with candles and decorated with fresh camellias on the table. Cecilia smiled, evidently pleased as she took in the sight of the room.
“Do you like the flowers?” David asked as he helped her into her seat before he took his own. Pleasantly amused by the look on her face, he smiled as he watched her fingers delicately brush the curve of the vase.
“Yes, they are beautiful,” she said. “Crystal seahorse…my very favorite. I’ve always admired this vase, but never bought it. This is a Waterford.”
“Yes, yes, it is, and it’s for you, along with the flowers. I’m glad you like it. I know it can’t replace the one you broke when you threw it at me, but I thought I would make the attempt just the same.”
“Oh, David, you didn’t have to do that.” She looked up at him in wonder. “I’d just as soon forget that night.”
He loved the way her violet eyes twinkled and sparkled in the candlelight. Her look was priceless.
“I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. And I will never forget that night, Cecilia,” he gently said. …I will never forget anything about you. This time we have will be with me always.
“Well, it is very thoughtful of you, and I do appreciate it. Thank you.”
Changing the subject, he picked up the menu and began to scan over the selections. “Now, shall I choose for you since you chose for me last time?”
“Make a suggestion. I’ll tell you if I like it.” She took a sip of water, eyeing him closely as the corners of her mouth lifted.
“All right. What do you think about filet mignon stuffed with roasted peppers, spinach, and goat cheese in port wine sauce?”
“That sounds delicious, but let me choose the sides. I want a garden salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar, and some brown rice served with wild mushroom sauce. You choose the wine.” She closed the menu and set it aside.
He smiled, very pleased by her relaxed expression. Placing his menu aside, he picked up the wine menu and scanned over the selections, finding one that piqued his interest. “We’ll have Chateau La Fleur Petrus, 1980 for the year you were born.” He glanced first at her and then at the sommelier before folding his menu and placing it, along with the main menu, atop hers.
“That’s so sweet of you, Darcy.”
The wine steward soon returned and presented the bottle to David for his approval. After sampling the wine, David smiled and nodded, whereupon the man poured each of them a glass.
When their dinner was served, they ate with quiet conversation. David listened, not having much to say, as Cecilia went on and on about first one thing and then another. He tried to pay attention to the details about the Camellia Festival, or was it the Magnolia? He couldn’t remember. She’d talked about both, but it didn’t interest him, and the more he tried to listen, the more his mind drifted. He hoped she didn’t notice his disinterest in the conversation, or the way his eyes surely glazed over from fatigue. He shook his head, trying to dispatch the mental fog while he continued to cut his meat, but evidently Cecilia did notice.
“David, I’m not wearing any panties.”
He froze. Almost choking on his last bite of food, tears filed his eyes. Recovering, he put down his knife and fork and looked up as he reached for his napkin. “Excuse me, but did you just say you’re not wearing any knickers?”
“I see I now have your full attention,” she said, continuing to eat as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired. “I guess you’re not interested in the Magnolia Festival,” she shrugged. “And yes, I did.” She glanced up with piercing eyes before returning to her meat.
“I’m sorry, Cecilia. No, I wasn’t listening.”
“That’s good of you to admit it! Now pay attention to me when I’m talking to you. I might have something interesting to say.” She glanced at him and raised one eyebrow, giving him a sensuous smile.
“Yes, well, ah…what were you saying?” …Interesting indeed!
“I was saying that I would like to invite you to escort me to the Magnolia Festival in April, if you would be interested.”
He hesitated for a moment, wrinkling his brow. “I’ll have to get back with you on that. I’m not sure of my schedule for April. Write down the date, and I will ring you up to let you know if my schedule permits.”
Cecilia pulled out a business card, quickly jotted down the event and date along with her cell phone number and handed it to him. He took it and placed it in his breast pocket, smiling at her, still enthralled with thoughts of her missing knickers.
Picking up his knife and fork, he said, “Lawton, I never know what to expect from you. One minute you’re a professional businesswoman and then just like that you change, and you’re just a woman.” …No, not just a woman…but an irresistible woman.
Staring at him from across the table, she responded with a salacious grin, “David, there are many facets to a woman. It’s up to you to figure them out.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No, Cecilia, you’re one woman I shall never figure out.”
Cecilia prattled on for the good part of an hour before they decided it was time to leave. She gathered the vase of flowe
rs and they headed toward the front to collect their coats.
David shook his head while wearing what he thought must be a silly grin as they walked to the car. Although he gave the appearance of paying careful attention to her every word, his mind was pleasantly engaged elsewhere.
~*~
Upon arriving back at the Lawton Hotel, a steady, pouring rain had begun to fall. Pulling under the canopied entrance, he said, “Cecilia, the valet seems to not be on duty. You get out here. I’m going to park. I’ll be in shortly.”
“David, you’ll get soaked! Do you have an umbrella?”
“No, but I’ll be all right. Perhaps it will lighten. Either way, I’ll join you in the lobby.” He let her out just as lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a loud clap of thunder.
Cecilia paced in the lobby as she watched the door. …Damn, it’s too bad David didn’t arrive sooner. I could have asked him to the Camellia Festival, and then I wouldn’t have to go with Cameron. Well, Cameron Taylor, I’ve beat you to the draw this next time. Oh yes I have. There’s no way in hell I’m going to the Magnolia Festival with you, and you can forget about a future between the two of us. I’d just as soon marry Darcy. She laughed at the wily turn of her thoughts. …And I sure as hell won’t marry him either, even if he were the marrying kind.
Turning to glance at the door once more, she saw David enter, pausing to shake the dripping water from his coat. Spotting her from across the lobby, he smiled and headed in her direction, his coat flapping about him and water dripping on the floor as he walked.
A shiver coursed through her body as her eyes fixed upon his tall frame. David Darcy walked the way he made love—slow, easy, deliberate, and with great confidence. Her body tightened as he approached. When he stood next to her, he bent down and kissed her cheek. She blinked twice and shuddered.
…Daddy! He reminds me of my daddy—powerful and full of confidence. A man like Daddy. Oh, you must be careful, Cecilia…very careful!
“Come on, let’s go. I need to get out of these wet clothes. We’ll stop by my room so I can change, then if you want, we can go to the bar for a drink or have coffee. Anything you like.” He put his arm around her, escorting her to the lift.
As they stepped through the door, she slipped her arm under his coat and around his waist, nestling into his chest. “I’ll think about it and let you know when we get to your room. You know, I haven’t been in one of my own hotel suites in years. I’ll have to see what it looks like.” She looked up at him with an irresistible smile, and he, in return, couldn’t resist bending down and tapping the tip of her nose just as the lift door opened.
Opening the door to his room, they stepped inside. “Well, what do you think? Does it meet with your approval?”
Her eyes swept over the Jefferson Davis Suite, well pleased with what she saw. This was the most luxurious suite the Lawton had to offer next to her own. It was a spacious two-room suite with a handcrafted cherry four-poster king-sized bed, fitted with a handmade quilt. It had a large marble bath with gold-plated fixtures and a separate sitting room with an elegant fireplace, and all fashioned, from the paintings to the furnishings, in authentic pieces from the antebellum period. She smiled and turned to David.
“Hmm…it looks like my decorators did a decent job last year. But the question is, how do you like it?”
“It’s very comfortable… and beautiful… as you are beautiful. Let me change, and we’ll make our plans for the evening.”
He nudged her chin upward with his forefinger and gave her a quick kiss before departing into the bedroom.
After David changed, he approached Cecilia in the sitting area. “So, Miss Lawton, what would you like to do for the rest of the evening?”
…If you only knew. “Oh, I don’t know.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I’m not in the mood to sit in the bar. What would you say to coming back to my suite for coffee and maybe watching a movie or a little TV, or perhaps we could just sit and talk? I promise I won’t attack you or throw anything. I’ve had a very tough day. I need to unwind and relax, so what do you think? Would any of that be agreeable to you?” She smiled innocently, knowing exactly what she desired, but considering their history, she wasn’t sure she wanted to make the first move. She’d play it by ear.
“That’s fine with me. But I’m rather disappointed that you aren’t going to attack me. I must be losing my charm.” He closed the distance between them and gathered her into his arms. Looking deep into her mischievous eyes, he asked, “Tell me, Lawton, are you really not wearing any knickers?” He nuzzled her hair as kissed her temple. His hand brushed the side of her cheek and trailed down her neck to her shoulder.
She lifted her head as his lips found their way to hers, while his fingers sank into the back of her hair. Breaking the kiss, she whispered softly against his lips, “Come upstairs and find out.”
He flashed a sexy smile with a devilish look in his eyes. Again Cecilia shuddered. He was just what she needed tonight.
Once in her suite, she placed the vase on the buffet and went to the kitchen to make a pot of fresh coffee while David settled on the sofa. Shortly, she returned with two steaming cups and sank down next to him. David took a few sips before setting his aside.
“What would you like to watch? I don’t have any movies here with me, but there should be something on TV or pay per view.”
She perused the channels, but the look in his eyes told her TV was not what he had in mind.
“The only movie I want to watch is the one we make together,” he said as he pulled her to him and snuggled into her hair, inhaling deeply.
Snuggling a little closer, she reached up and gently kissed his jaw while placing her hand on his cheek, guiding his mouth to hers.
David groaned, his arms encircling her as he laid them both down gently, deepening the kiss.
Cecilia broke away and whispered in between kisses, “Stay with me tonight.”
“If that’s what you want, I’ll stay.”
“That’s what I want.” Desperate for his touch, she claimed his lips once more. Her tongue slipped into his mouth as his met hers, battling for dominance.
His hand slid down her body, caressing her every curve as he made his way to the hem of her dress. Sliding his hand underneath and traversing upwards, he broke their kiss and pulled back. Looking into her teasing eyes, he released a deep-throated laugh. “Lawton, what are you doing to me?” He nuzzled her nose. “You really aren’t wearing any knickers, are you?”
Smiling back at him, she shook her head and answered, “I never lay down a wager I can’t back up, especially about such things as that…and especially not with you.”
He chuckled. “Lawton, you little imp. You’re full of surprises, and you never cease to amaze me.” He smacked her tantalizing bottom and grabbed a handful, but when his eyes met hers, he grew silent, his breath coming quick and erratic.
Rolling him over on his back, she firmly settled on top, sinking her fingers deep into his dark curls, aggressively kissing him—touching, caressing, and stroking. His hands massaged her bare bottom as they kissed while his mind relaxed, giving into the pleasure she gave as his body hardened in response to the woman finally in his arms—the woman who had haunted his dreams for nearly two months, tantalizing and teasing him.
Releasing his lips, she summoned him. “Come with me.” Getting up, she stretched forth her hand, and without a word, he took it and followed her.
They quietly undressed, each carefully studying the other. She pulled back the coverlet and slipped between the sheets, beckoning him by the intense expression in her eyes. Closing out all thoughts of work, society functions, and family responsibilities, Cecilia surrendered her body to him as he gathered her into his arms.
As they made love, he showered her with more tenderness than she had ever known with anyone. He worshiped her with his body, cupping her breasts gently, his lips hotly brushing over her skin while his hands stroked her every curve. She felt cher
ished, loved, and desired as she savored his every touch… his every caress… his every kiss, and she made it her goal to return as much as she had been given. David Darcy was the only man who had ever taken the time or put forth the effort to love her with his body. It was another night to equal their first. Satiated, Cecilia’s thoughts drifted as she rested her head on the shoulder of her lover while her hand lay over his heart, feeling its steady beat.
…What am I going to do? I can’t love him… I don’t even want to love him… I have to be logical. It will never work—he’s not the marrying kind, and someday I must marry. I have a responsibility. Cameron says he loves me, and I could possibly learn to love him, couldn’t I? The merger of Lawton with Taylor Shipping is the logical thing to do, and clearly for the best. We’ll have a couple of kids, and life will go on.
David is too much like my father. He will never love anyone. I probably won’t, either…But what about passion? What about what we share?
She drifted off into a contented sleep only to be awoken within the hour by his soft lips on her throat. He made love to her repeatedly throughout the night, their desire nearly insatiable, until they both collapsed, completely spent from sheer exhaustion.
The next day Cecilia called her office, asking Daniel to cover her early morning appointments. She had breakfast sent to her suite where they ate, talked, and made love most of the morning. Later, beneath the protection of her umbrella, they walked around the corner and down the street where Cecilia and David had lunch inside the sunroom at a little sidewalk café on Queen Street.
Had it not been for the drizzling, intermittent rain all morning mixed with a cold biting wind coming in off the ocean, she would have preferred they take their lunch outside under the pergola covered in grapevines and blue wisteria. In late summer, it was beautiful with the grapes falling down between the beams, and in her mind’s eye, she could see them sitting there together, sipping iced tea, talking and laughing while they ate. But for today, they had hot tea and ate their sandwiches with very little conversation. She mildly wondered what was on his mind, as he seemed to be in the midst of a mental struggle. Was he feeling as awkward as she was about what they had shared?
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