by Opal Carew
She tasted the wine and a subtle flavor of delicate fruits danced across her tongue. She didn’t know a lot about wine, but she found this one delightful.
“It’s very nice. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” He ordered a seafood pasta from the waitress, then turned back to Jessica. “So how did it go?” He picked up the cloth napkin from his plate and unfolded it, then set it on his lap.
“All right. I handed in my résumé to about twenty-five employers. Some just answered general questions and took résumés, but about a dozen actually took time to interview me.”
“Good. And did you follow my advice?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes, thank you. It was very helpful.”
“Then I’m sure you’ll get some calls.”
She wished she was as confident as he was.
The waitress brought their meals and she dug in to her salmon steak. She had barely eaten at lunch and was famished.
“I’m curious about this man you mistook me for this morning,” Dane said. “Does he live in Philadelphia?”
“No. Right now, he’s probably somewhere in California.”
“Then why did you think I might be him?”
She shrugged. “Wishful thinking, I guess.”
He offered her the basket of buns on the table and she took one.
“You know, when you first approached me in the coffee shop,” he said, “I was hoping you were using an excuse to pick me up.” He took a bun for himself and buttered it.
“I would never do that. When I realized you weren’t Storm, I was so embarrassed.”
He grinned. “I could tell by the way your cheeks turned crimson and then you fled. And I had so hoped you were secretly yearning to tear off my clothes and have your way with me.” His eyes glittered with amusement in the candlelight.
She smiled. “Well, if that were true, it was only because I thought you were Storm.”
“Then Storm is a very lucky man.”
The way he said those words, in his deep, seductive voice, his gaze warm and appreciative, set her pulse racing.
She sipped her wine. This charming, attractive man had a very disturbing effect on her. She wasn’t the type to jump into bed with a total stranger, but everything about him made her want to do just that.
“So you said I look a lot like this Storm?”
She gazed at him, taking in his square jaw, classic nose, and vivid blue eyes. The two men shared the same classic good looks and imposing presence, but up close, the resemblance wasn’t as similar as she’d thought. If she was honest with herself, she’d have to wonder if her lingering feelings for Storm were making her see him in every handsome man she saw. A kind of wishful thinking.
“I don’t know. You seem a bit older and more mature.” She smiled. “Maybe it’s the suit.”
”So the question is, do you like older men?”
Her smile broadened. “Well, I suppose I could be convinced.”
He sipped his wine and stared at her intensely. “That sounds like a challenge … and I accept.”
And he wasn’t kidding. All through dinner he was the most charming man she’d ever been with. He made her feel like the most beautiful, captivating woman in the world. That and the effect of his strong male presence had her practically panting for him by dessert.
The waitress poured their coffee as Jessica took a bite of her caramel crème brûlée.
“Why don’t you tell me a little about Storm? Were you two involved?”
She swallowed a sip of coffee, trying to tamp down the painful memories his words brought up. She was tempted to change the subject, but she really hadn’t talked to anyone about how much it hurt when Storm walked out of her life. Maybe talking about it would help.
“Yes. We were in love. At least, I was in love with him. I thought he returned my feelings, but a month ago he just decided to walk out of my life.”
“Do you still love him?”
She drew in a deep breath, then pursed her lips. She missed him. Every day and every night. He’d been a sensational lover and, despite the bad boy persona, oh, so tender. She’d really believed he returned her love. She’d felt special with him. But he was probably like that with every woman he was with. He was sensitive and considerate. Very hard not to fall in love with.
But if he didn’t return her love, how could she love him?
“No, I don’t still love him.” Even if that wasn’t true, she was working to make it so. She had to.
“I’m glad, because I wouldn’t want to steal you away from another man.”
Her gaze jerked to his. “Steal me?”
He reached across the table and took her hand, then raised it to his lips. “That’s right. When I take you back to my place.”
Her back stiffened and she hesitated. She shouldn’t be surprised. It’s not like they hadn’t been shamelessly flirting all through dinner, but it had all seemed unreal. They were just sharing dinner.
Now it had become all too real.
She’d never had a one-night stand. Her chest tightened at the thought of having sex with a stranger. Especially this handsome, determined, sexy stranger. He was way out of her league.
But the feel of his lips playing over the back of her hand sent a shimmer of heat through her. Then when he turned her hand and pressed his lips to her palm, she melted.
“I know you’re considering saying no. But don’t.”
She stared into his mesmerizing blue eyes and felt her anxiety dissipate. She wanted to be with him.
But she was not comfortable going to his apartment.
She drew her hand from his seductive lips and shook her head. “I’m not going to your place.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’re not?”
“No.” She smiled. “But you can come to mine.”
* * *
Jessica slid her key card into the slot then pushed open the door to her room. She had slipped off her coat on the elevator ride and now hung it in the closet along with her suit jacket. Once she stepped further inside, however, and saw the bed dominating the room, the heat that had been building inside her seeped away. Her heart thundering, she turned to face the virtual stranger behind her and tell him this was a big mistake.
“You aren’t going to tell me you’ve changed your mind, are you?” He stood far too close, and it sent her senses reeling. Part of her wanted to run, yet another part wanted him even closer.
He stroked her cheek. The gentle touch sent shimmers through her. She gazed at him, captivated by the intensity of his eyes. Compelling. Inviting. And reminding her far too much of Storm.
Her heart clenched. She really couldn’t do this.
“I’m sorry, I’m not sure we should—”
Before she could finish the sentence, he swept her into his arms and kissed her, his lips moving on hers with firm authority.
Being enveloped in his big, muscular arms, held tight against his solid chest, sent her heart racing. His tongue glided along the seam of her mouth and without thinking, she opened. He slipped inside, invading her with gentle strokes.
When he finally released her lips, she stepped back, needing a little distance between them.
“I have a theory.” He stepped toward her and she took another step back.
“What’s that?” Her words came out breathless.
“I think the reason you’re nervous being with me right now is the same reason you’re having trouble in your job search. Because you’re uneasy around authority figures.”
“I don’t think that’s true.” But the words sounded uncertain even to her.
He took another step forward, and she stepped back again.
She hadn’t realized how tall he was, and his shoulders were so broad. She felt a little intimidated, but then he took her hand and brought it to his mouth. Tingles danced along her arm and down her back at the feel of his lips delicately caressing her palm.
“I want to help you be comfortable with someone of authority taking ch
arge.” He smiled. “In fact, I’d like to show you that giving up control to someone else can be both stimulating…”—his mouth shifted and at the delicate play of his lips on her inner wrist, her insides quivered—“and pleasurable.”
When he stepped forward this time, her backward step landed her against the wall.
“So, I’m going to take charge and you’ll do exactly as I say.”
“I don’t think—”
His mouth captured hers again and her heart rate leapt. When he released her lips, she gazed into his inscrutable blue eyes in a daze.
“That’s good. I don’t want you to think. I want you to just do as I tell you.” His quiet tone was calming and persuasive.
Oh, God, this was sexy.
“But the choice is yours,” he continued. “I can leave now, or I can stay and we’ll let this play out.”
She gazed up at him with wide eyes, knowing she did not want him to leave.
At her nod, he smiled. “Good.”
He stripped off his suit jacket and tossed it aside , then took her hand and guided it to his chest. “Now unbutton my shirt.”
She could feel the solid muscles under the fabric. She swallowed at her deep desire to feel his naked flesh under her fingertips. Her resistance melted away and she released the buttons one by one, her throat going dry as she watched his tanned, sculpted flesh slowly revealed.
After she released the last button, he stripped off his shirt and tossed it onto his jacket on the floor.
He reached behind her head and unfastened the clip holding her long black hair in place. It tumbled around her shoulders and he stroked his fingers through it, then tucked it behind her ear. At the gentle touch, shivers raced along her spine.
His fingertips slid along her neck, down the V of her neckline, and then he released her top button. Then the next. At the feel of his fingers lightly brushing her skin, heat flashed through her.
Cool air caressed her skin as her blouse fell open. He drew it from her shoulders and it slipped down her arms. She sucked in a deep breath as she watched him gaze at her lace-clad breasts with admiration.
Then his fingers curled around her head and he drew her forward. As his lips approached, anticipation burned through her. She breathed in his spicy male scent, mesmerized by his compelling blue eyes filled with desire.
His mouth brushed hers and her knees went weak. His lips were coaxing at first, then demanding. He slid his tongue into her mouth and boldly explored. She sighed, stroking his tongue with hers as she melted against his hot, hard chest.
He stroked her back, then she felt the elastic of her bra loosen. He eased back, then guided her bra straps off her shoulders. The cups clung to her breasts for an instant, then the garment fell away.
Her cheeks heated at being half naked in front of him.
He brushed his thumb over her nipple and it blossomed into a tight bud. Wild sensations rippled through her. He brushed the other nub and it hardened, too.
“Take off your skirt,” he murmured.
She reached behind her and unfastened the button, then drew down the zipper. As he watched, a glint in his eyes, she pushed her skirt down her hips, then to the floor. She picked it up and he took it from her hand and tossed it on top of his clothes.
“Now the pantyhose.”
She wished she’d worn stockings and a garter belt, but she’d had no idea tonight would turn into a sexual tryst. She kicked off her high-heeled pumps and stripped off her pantyhose, tossing them onto the growing heap of discarded clothing, then stood before him in only her tiny panties.
He caressed her breast, sending electricity sparking through her. Her nipple thrust forward, pressing shamelessly into his palm.
Then his mouth swooped down on hers and his hard body pressed her against the wall. He pinned her wrists over her head with one hand as he continued to plunder her lips. Her whole body thrummed with need. At the feel of his thick shaft pressed tight against her belly, a small moan escaped her lips.
His gaze locked on hers. “I think you like a powerful man taking control.”
His free hand glided down her arm, then across her stomach. The cadence of her heart beat accelerated.
“I … um…” She did, but she wasn’t comfortable admitting it.
His possessive fingers moved over the crotch of her panties, then dipped under the fabric. She arched against him, her wrists straining against his grip, then sucked in a breath as he stroked over her slick folds and found the wetness there.
His deep blue eyes gleamed. “There’s my answer.”
She longed for him to slide his fingers inside her.
He smiled and drew his fingers from her panties. She held back a groan, wanting him to touch her there again.
He released her wrists and she watched him sink downward. She lowered her hands from above her head.
“No, keep them up.”
His words, firm and authoritative, sent shivers through her. Without even thinking, she raised her hands again, keeping them above her head as if he still held them.
He stroked a finger over the top of her lace panties. “Very pretty. Would you like me to touch you here again?”
She shivered with need. “Yes.”
His warm fingers were so near where she wanted them to be. He lightly dragged his fingertip along the elastic, then pulled it down slightly. Anticipation quivered through her.
Then he stopped again and she stifled a groan of frustration.
“Touch me again,” she pleaded.
His smile broadened and he tucked his fingers in the elastic of her panties and drew them down. Slowly. His gaze remained locked on the front of the tiny lace garment as he eased it lower, guiding it down her hips. Her breathing seemed louder as he exposed her, bit by bit, his eyes darkening with desire. Then her panties glided down her legs and off.
He stroked down her stomach, then over the neatly trimmed hair framing her intimate flesh.
“Nice. I like this.”
Pleasure washed through her at his approval. Then he leaned forward and licked her. She moaned at the intense pleasure of his tongue sweeping over her. He slid his fingers between her thighs and stroked her as his tongue found her clit. He nudged it lightly, sending intense heat winding through her. His fingers stroked along her slit, then one found its way inside, gliding along her slick passage. Then another slid inside.
Her head dropped back against the wall. Yes, that’s what she wanted.
“So beautiful.” His fingers slipped out and he drew her folds open and stared.
She shifted, uncomfortable with his intense scrutiny, yet wanting it all the same.
He stroked her with a single fingertip. She arched forward, wanting more.
“Are you willing to do anything I say?”
“Yes, yes. Anything you want. Just don’t stop.”
His eyes darkened. “Tell me exactly what you want me to do.”
Breathing became difficult and her heart hammered in her chest. “I want you to thrust your fingers into me. Stroke me until I come.”
His finger jerked into her and she sucked in a breath at the sudden, and deliriously pleasurable, sensation.
A second finger slid inside and he stroked her. With his other hand, he parted her folds, exposing her clit, then he eased forward and licked it. Vibrant sensations shimmered through her. His tongue quivered over her sensitive nub, then he sucked lightly.
“Oh, God, yes.”
She slumped back against the wall, her hands still over her head, as he licked and sucked her clit. At the same time, his fingers began to move inside her, in and out. She clenched around them, riding the rising pleasure.
His sucking turned to licking again, and the pumping of his fingers slowed. She arched forward, encouraging him to continue. He resumed sucking her button, his fingers plunging into her again, ramping up the waning pleasure, but then he slowed again.
“Oh, please don’t stop,” she whimpered.
“You agreed to do any
thing I want.” He took her hand and drew her toward the bed, then sat down and positioned her in front of him. “And right now, I want to do this.”
He leaned forward and his lips brushed her nipple. She sucked in a deep breath as his tongue brushed over her nub, then swirled around it. Then her nipple felt cold as he moved to her other one and drew it into his mouth, warming it with his swirling tongue. When he sucked, she gasped, then threaded her fingers through his hair and held his head against her. He lapped his tongue over her, then sucked deeper.
He drew her onto his lap, her knees on either side of his thighs, then sucked her other nipple again. Her heart thundered in her chest and she could feel her insides melting. She ached for him. She slid her hands over his naked shoulders, so broad and strong.
She could feel the fine wool of his pants brushing her intimate folds, then he drew her closer and the bulge in his pants pressed against her.
It was big. And growing bigger. She wanted him to take off his pants. She wanted to see his cock. To hold it.
She wanted it to glide inside her and fill her so full she would burst into orgasm.
Oh, man, she had it bad.
She stroked down his chest. The skin was satiny and pulled taut over the big, well-developed muscles.
Her fingers slid down his sculpted abs, but when she reached his pants and started to unfasten the button, he grasped her hands and drew them away.
“I didn’t say you could do that.”
“But I want to see you.”
He grinned, then took her hand and placed it over the bulge, then squeezed her fingers around it.
Oh, God, it was huge.
“Tell me you want to see my cock.”
She licked her suddenly dry lips. “I want to see your cock.”
He chuckled, a deep rumbling from his chest.
“Good. If I told you to suck it right now, would you?”
She squeezed him again, loving the feel of the hot, hard shaft in her hand. What did it look like naked? How would it feel in her hand? In her mouth?
She nodded.
“Good girl.”
He guided her to her feet and stood up, then released the buckle of his elegant leather belt. She watched as he drew down the zipper, unbuttoned his pants, and let them fall to the floor. Next, he tucked his thumbs under the waistband of his dark gray boxers and pushed those down, too. When he stood up, her gaze locked on his swollen erection. It stood up firm and proud, curving slightly toward his body. The shaft was long and covered with thick veins. It swelled to a large mushroom-shaped tip.