Relentless Pursuit

by Lulu Pratt

  She slides her hands around my body, collecting my energy as if feeding her own arousal with it. She pulls me to her as her mouth gets greedy for more of my tongue. The heat between us rises quickly. She lets go and I open my eyes, immediately searching for more. She leans back pulling up her top over her head and looking at me for approval. I barely blink as my eyes cascade over her sweet, milky white skin. Her small breasts are cradled behind delicate material I want to rip off with my teeth.

  She is the most exquisite creature I had ever seen, so why do I hesitate to touch her? She isn’t bold and crass. She isn’t pushy and needy. She doesn’t force herself on me. Her eyes stay with mine. I feel differently with her. I want to protect her, love her and yet keep her pure. I raise my hand to her face, my fingers sliding along her jawline, following her neck down to her breast and I circle the roundness behind that delicate material. I hook my fingers around each of the straps that hold tight to her shoulders, pulling them down her arms slowly. I watch her face as they inch down, threatening to expose her to my eyes for the first time. I see the insecurity in her eyes, clouded with arousal and an awakening I have never experienced seeing in a woman’s eyes before this moment. I pause, the top of her bra dangling on the hardness of her nipples. She tries so hard to control her breathing and I love that.

  “Maddie.” I say her name with a soft delicateness. She looks down to my chest, but she isn’t focused. What is she thinking? I need her soul to be here as well as her body. This can’t be just sex. Not with Maddie. “Talk to me.”

  “No,” she says, barely audible. “No talking. Just,” she struggles, swallowing hard, “touch me.”

  I will, baby. Just let me see your soul so I can. Let me in.

  She closes her eyes and leans to me. I know she wants me to kiss her. I know she wants more, but where will that leave us afterward? Why am I feeling like this? The woman of my dreams sits in front of me, half naked, offering herself to me and I am apprehensive?

  I lean into her and kiss her forehead. She knows it isn’t going to happen but she needs to know why. Her lip trembles as she looks away.

  “What is wrong?” she asks quietly. “Don’t you want me?”

  “I don’t want it this way.”

  “Am I not pretty enough? Like your other lovers?”

  “Oh, Maddie. That’s just it. You are so much more.”

  Tears spring to her eyes and I can’t seem to get out the right words before she grabs her shirt and pulls it back over her head.

  “Listen to me, Maddie, please,” I beg as she stands and turns away. “I haven’t seen anyone since I met you. Don’t you see? I want so much more, with you.”

  “Don’t patronize me. I might be a virgin, but I’m not stupid.”

  Her words strike me and leave me speechless. I watch as she puts herself back together and quickly leaves my apartment without another look in my direction. The urge to run after her hits me after I hear my front door close, but when I run after her she is nowhere to be seen.

  “Damn it.”

  I close my door and lean against the wall.

  Chapter 11

  MADDIE

  Maybe I am overacting, but I couldn’t hold back the tears. I couldn’t let him see me cry because of my insecurities. The idea that I don’t hold up to Rocco’s expectations hurts me. I have imagined the women in his life, how beautiful they were, how confident they moved. I want so much more with him, but I know that is the first step. A man like Rocco Santoro lives differently than most. He’s not like other guys I have dated.

  My thoughts are interrupted by a knock on my door. Rocco? I wipe my face and look in the mirror. With a grimace, I walk quickly to the door and open it, only to be surprised to see Nancy standing in my doorway.

  “Nancy? I thought we were going to meet for drinks later? How did you get my address?”

  “I sort of looked it up in Joanne’s computer. I’m sorry, don’t be mad,” she pleads, her hand stretch out to me. “I really need a friend right now. I know we didn’t start out on the right foot, but I was hoping I could just talk. Things are worse for me than I let on.”

  As much as I don’t want to hear this, I step back and force a smile, opening my door further and inviting her in.

  “Thank you so much. I sometimes feel so alone in this big city.” She sits on my couch and I join her, staying on the edge and at the other end. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything. You look like you’ve been crying.”

  “Ah,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “I was watching some of those sappy videos online. They always get to me.”

  “You have to tell me how things went with Rocco. Did you tell him how you feel?”

  She seems so interested, like a friend should be. And yes, she is the reason I bit the bullet and went to see him. But I feel funny telling her about my personal life. I feel funny that she is even in my apartment. Funny? No, violated. I need time to comprehend her reasoning for her change of heart.

  “I, um, I haven’t found the right opportunity yet.”

  “Oh. That’s weird. Weren’t you with him tonight?”

  “What? How did you know I was…”

  “He lives around the corner from my favorite coffee shop. They have the best coffee in the city,” she admits. “I thought I saw you go in. That’s why I had to find out what happened.” Her excitement is too much. I get up and walk to the kitchen with so many questions in my head. I ask only one.

  “Would you like some coffee?”

  “No, thank you. I can’t stay long.”

  “So we aren’t going for drinks later?”

  “No,” she says, shaking her head.

  I grab a water from the refrigerator and rejoin her. “Well, I was going to talk to Rocco, but he was getting ready to go out with some friends. I didn’t want to bother him with it until I had more time.”

  Since when did I lie so much? I was hoping I was at least convincing.

  “I definitely think you should go for it.” Her smile fades and what excitement she did have disappears from her face. She turns away and sniffles. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”

  “Well, you’re here now. If you need to talk, you can talk to me.”

  “It’s my father. I’m so worried about him.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “He’s in trouble with some really bad men.”

  I start to wonder if I should have asked. But I listen intently, just the same.

  “He has a bit of a gambling problem but always knew when to stop. I don’t understand what happened this time. He was invited to a private game in some guy’s basement, some friend of a friend. Stakes got high and he got in over his head.” She stops and looks at me. “Ya know, I think I’ll take that drink now. Anything with alcohol.”

  I raise my eyebrows at the curtness of her request and got up from the couch to retrieve one of the three beers I have in my refrigerator. When I return to hand it to her, she continues her story.

  “I went home to visit my parents last weekend and I overheard my mom talking on the phone. She is sick with worry. That’s why I took on a third job. I need to help him.”

  “The restaurant is your third job?”

  “Yes. I still don’t think it’s enough.” She starts to sob and my heart breaks for her.

  “How did he let himself get so far in debt?”

  “I don’t know. I try to be strong and give what I can, but it’s not enough.”

  “Maybe if he talks to them…”

  “He has. They want their money. If they don’t,” she swigs a few big swallows of her beer and sets it down on the stand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here. I didn’t mean to bother you with my problems.” She gets up and starts to leave but I can’t let her walk out.

  “Nancy, wait. Please. Maybe I can help you work out something.”

  “There isn’t really anything to work out. He needs to pay this by the end of the week. I can’t even begin to make a quarter what he needs. I
’m going to quit my job tomorrow and go back to Minnesota. I was selfish to leave.”

  I hesitate, then I reach up and touch her arm. “Let’s talk first. Come, sit.”

  She wipes her tears from her face and walks back to the couch to sit.

  “Keep your job.”

  “Why?”

  “You’ll need it to pay me back.”

  “What?” Her face dropped. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No. I’ve been through hard times too. It’s nice to have someone in your corner. I want you to help your father.”

  “You don’t have that kind of money. How can you.…”

  “I have some savings built up. I can loan it to you, if you promise that you will repay me.”

  “I… don’t know what to say.”

  “I want to talk to your parents first, if that is okay. But I trust that you will do the right thing and make this right.”

  “Oh, my God. I can’t believe this.” She lurches at, hugging me tightly, crying hysterically. “I will call my father tonight and set it all up. Thank you so much. I knew you were a good person. I’m just so sorry I tried to get you fired before. I was so wrong.”

  “That is all behind us now. Let’s just get through this next hurdle. I’ll go to the bank in the morning. I can get you fifty thousand.” I watch her face as her smile dissipates.

  “Fifty thousand?” she repeats, troubled.

  “It’s almost all that I have. Nancy? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s not enough. It’s not even close!” She stands up and looks around, confused and bewildered.

  “How much does he need?”

  “Two,” she says, barely audible.

  “Two-hundred-thousand dollars?!”

  “I’m sorry.” She covers her mouth and runs out before I can stop her.

  Chapter 12

  ROCCO

  I walk into the restaurant and I see Joanne working diligently at her desk as I pass by her office.

  “Good morning, Rocco” she calls out.

  “Morning,” I reply as I step back to poke my head in the doorway.

  “You’re here early.”

  “Thought I would get a jump on the inventory.” It’s a lie. My main hope is that I run into Maddie, even though I know it is her day off. “Want some coffee?” She doesn’t answer, which tells me she is already absorbed back into her work. I smile and continue down the hallway.

  A few hours later as I am counting inventory in the stockroom, I am engrossed with thoughts of Maddie; the way she kissed me, her perfect silhouette as she peeled her top off her body for me, her eyes as she craved for me to touch her. I was stupid to turn her away, but I didn’t want it to be like every other encounter. Maddie is special. She needs to be loved, made love to and admired. I am not sure if I can give that to her but I sure want to try.

  “Rocco?” A demure voice floats through the air and I turn to see her standing there.

  I step down from the ladder and walk to the doorway she stands in without saying another word. I don’t pretend to know why she is here on her day off, but I secretly hope it is for me.

  “Good morning. I was just thinking about you.” I take the sight of her in, concentrating on the subtle movements her body makes.

  “Can I talk to you, Rocco?”

  “Of course.” I set my paperwork down on the closest box in the stockroom and I give her my full attention.

  “Privately?”

  I study her face and nod, leading her through the kitchen and into my office, closing the door behind her. “What is it?” I ask, leaning against my desk in front of her.

  “I wanted to apologize for running off on you. I didn’t mean to.”

  “Why did you? I thought we were getting along so well.”

  “I felt… rejected, I guess.” She looks down at the ring on her middle finger she continuously rotates.

  “I didn’t tell you to leave. I like having you close to me, Maddie.” The hint of a smile on her lips is refreshing. “In fact, if you are okay with it, I’d like to see you again.”

  “You would?” she asks, broadening that beautiful smile. She looks up at me and the sparkle returns.

  “I would.” I take her hands in mine and I pull her closer. “I don’t want you to feel rejected. It was never my intention to cause such a feeling.”

  “To say that I really like you doesn’t seem to satisfy how I feel about you. There is a connection between us and I don’t know what to do with it. I’ve never felt it before, and,” she licks her lips before taking a deep breath. This is a struggle for her to admit. “Well, I know that you have, I mean, you know your way around,” she closes her eyes and struggles some more.

  “Maddie, I know what you are trying to say. I have had my share of lovers, yes. But nothing like this. You are different. I was okay with not getting serious about anyone. I was just fine casually dating and not worrying about how I acted or what they thought or what my next move was going to be. When I met you, all that changed. I want so much more now.”

  “I just wasn’t sure if I measured up against the other women…”

  “Don’t,” I interrupt. “Don’t compare yourself to my past, please. It is I who should worry about measuring up. Before I met you, relationships didn’t mean anything to me. I’m not even sure if I know how to be in one. But I would love to try.”

  I pull her closer to me and surround her neck with my hands as I kiss her lips. The tingling sensation returns and I deepen my kiss. An arousal begins deep in my groin as I inhale deeply, her familiar scent intoxicating me once again.

  She pulls away from me and turns away, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

  “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  “Talk to me, Maddie.” I close the gap between us, my hands on her arms and my face in her hair. “Don’t turn me away.”

  “I want to be with you. I just, I love my job, and you and Joanne have been so good to me. I don’t want to jeopardize what I have been given for what I want.”

  “I can talk to her. My sister is a stubborn woman, yes, but not unreasonable.”

  “She was very adamant on what she wanted and she is not the kind of person to back down. She put these rules in place for this very reason. You aren’t going to convince her.”

  I turn her to me and kiss her again. I need to convince Maddie first. I’ll worry about Joanne later.

  Maddie doesn’t pull away. I let her into my senses as my tongue pushes into her mouth and twirls around her tongue. My arousal enflames with greed and I move my hands down her body pulling her into me. The small gasps she lets out pierces me and I want more. I feel her hands on my back pulling me tighter to her and I move my hand to her breast, rubbing her, encircling her and feeling her nipple tighten beneath my palm. Her breathing gets quicker, harder and restless. The side of my desk pushes against me as she presses her body into my growing cock.

  “You feel so good,” I mumble through pressed lips, my hunger for her growing rapidly.

  In the back of my mind, I know this is where we were headed last night. I was able to diffuse it then, but now, is there a point of no return? I don’t want this to be like the others. I want to savor her, but she is pulling me in deeper and deeper. My hands work underneath her top, sliding along bare skin. I find the strap of her bra and immediately unclasp it. Another gasp escapes her, fueling me to push further. My desire to be inside her strengthens. I cup her breasts underneath her bra and her hardened nipples taunt me. I want to feel them against my tongue. My thoughts swirl around me and I pick her up and walk to the other side of the room to the couch.

  Before reaching my destination, a knock on the door interrupts us, stopping me dead in my tracks. I let Maddie down and she scrambles to put herself back together. I quickly direct Maddie into my closet and quietly close the door before moving to my desk chair.

  “Come in,” I say as I sit down.

  Joanne opens the door and looks around. “Is everything okay?”r />
  “Of course. Why do you ask?”

  “Your door is closed, for one. Even when you were… entertaining… you hardly closed the door.”

  “I had a personal phone call earlier.”

  “Okay. Do you have the list of contractors for the remodel?”

  “I do. I will email them over to you right now.”

  “Thank you.” She looks around, not completely believing my phone call story. “I want to get them started early next week.”

  “If you want, I can start making calls this morning.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Is there anything else?” I ask, waiting for her to leave.

  “No. I have a meeting after lunch with some potential investors, so I’ll be busy for couple of hours, but we can go over everything tonight.”

  “Investors? For the restaurant?”

  “You didn’t think we could fund this remodel on our own, did you?”

  “There are financing options. I thought you were looking into them?”

  “It was a possible option, but when you have the right investor, why bother?”

  “I wasn’t aware of this new development.”

  “Nothing is set in stone yet. I’ll have more details tonight.”

  I sit there, motionless, as she turns and leaves. After a few moments, I rush to the office door and look out, closing the door again and letting Maddie out of the closet.

  “Sorry,” I say.

  “This is what I’m talking about, Rocco. I don’t want to do this. Sneaking around is too dangerous.”

  “It will all be worth it to be with you.” I cup her face and kiss her again, lingering on her lips and just enjoying the feeling. “Have dinner with me.”

  “I don’t know. I think it’s too risky.”

  “Private dinner, just the two of us. I know a great out-of-the-way place we can go.”

  After a slight hesitation, she smiles and nods.

  “Okay,” she says. “I have to go right now, but I’ll have dinner with you.” She warms me with her smile and after one more beautiful kiss, she sneaks out, leaving me with more moments to ponder over until I see her again.