Power and Seduction

by Joan Hohl

  Deflated, she watched as he unlocked the door on the passenger side of the car, and obediently she slid onto the seat at his impatient gesture. Sighing softly, Tina caressed his lithe form with dulled eyes as he circled the hood of the car to the driver’s side, sadly aware that he possessed the power to arouse her even when she was furious at him. Futility left a bitter taste in her mouth and she grimaced as he slid behind the steering wheel.

  “It’s over, Tina.” Though quiet, Dirk’s tone was hard with finality. “One week from today you can write any number of checks to pay off your debts.” His chest heaved with a roughly expelled breath. “And for any other whim that might take your fancy.” Reaching out, he caught her chin with his fingers, lifting her head to stare into her eyes. “But the first one had damned well better be a car of your own.” His fingers tightening spasmodically, Dirk bent to brush her lips with his own, muttering fiercely, “I want that vehicle returned to Rambeau as soon as possible.”

  Running the tip of her tongue over her lips to savor the elusive taste of him, Tina fought back a growing excitement. Was that the ring of jealousy she heard in his commanding tone? she asked herself in amazement. Her ebullience went flat with the verbal pin Dirk stuck into her ballooning hopes.

  “You belong to me now, Tina. Exclusively.” Eyes narrowing dangerously, Dirk visually pinned her to the plush seat. “I don’t share my private property with other men. Do I make myself clear?”

  Waning emotions of frustration, anger, and crushing disappointment kept Tina silent. She could feel Dirk’s mounting anger in the fingers now bruising her tender flesh.

  “Do you understand?” he grated in a terrifyingly soft tone. “As long as you wear my ring, there will be no other men in your life.”

  Sheer rage provided the strength that enabled Tina to jerk her chin out of his grasp. Dirk’s insinuation concerning her lack of morals ran through her system like poison. Her chest tight with pain, her breathing shallow, she lashed out at him in a choking snarl. “You pompous bastard, I will be no man’s private property!” Twisting around, she groped for the door release. “Do you understand me?” she flung over her shoulder.

  Dirk stopped her flight by the simple method of catching hold of the braid that seemed to fly right into his hand with her swift movement. Tugging it sharply, he drew a cry of pain from her compressed lips. “Be still and you won’t be hurt,” he advised remotely. “I did warn you about cursing me. Didn’t I?”

  “Let me go, Dirk.” Tina kept her face averted to conceal the tears blurring her vision. “I’ve changed my mind. I won’t marry you.” Being deliberately cruel she added scathingly, “I’ll find another man to tide me over until my birthday.”

  “Stop it!” Dirk’s voice rang with the same authoritative tone he’d always used when she’d had temper tantrums as a girl. Responding to that tone, Tina quieted and closed her eyes as his hand released her braid and curled around her neck. Sighing, she allowed him to draw her back against him.

  “You know you’re going to marry me—so spare me the histrionics, please.” Tilting her head up to meet his descending mouth, he added, softly, “Be a good girl, darling, and part your lips for me.”

  “Dirk ...” Tina’s attempt at protest was swallowed by Dirk’s mouth.

  The very gentleness of his kiss disarmed her. Carefully, tentatively, his lips explored hers until, feeling the resistance ease out of her rigid body, his lips hardened possessively while he staked his claim with his raking tongue.

  When Dirk raised his head to gaze down at her, all the anger was gone from his eyes and expression. “We’re already bound to each other, Tina.” His fingers trailed lightly over the satiny skin on her arched throat, leaving a path of fire in their wake that evoked a tremor Tina was beyond concealing. “The legalities are just a formality,” he murmured, stroking the fluttering pulse in her throat with his thumb. “And you know it.”

  “Yes.”

  * * * *

  Hours later, the legalities Dirk spoke of set in motion, Tina sat at the kitchen table mulling over their hectic morning while she played with her lunch, Dirk and Beth’s conversation swirling unheard around her.

  “Well, I think that if you’re going to do it at all, you may as well do it right. What do you say, Tina?”

  “What?” Glancing up, Tina blinked. “I’m sorry, I was thinking about something.”

  Beth frowned. “I asked if you wouldn’t rather be married by a minister than a judge?”

  “Oh.” Tina’s frown mirrored the older woman’s. “I... I don’t see that it makes any difference. As Dirk pointed out earlier, this isn’t the first time for either of us.”

  Now Dirk frowned, making the expression around the table unanimous. “But it will be the last,” he said flatly. “So perhaps you’re right, Beth.” He smiled at the older woman. “Okay, you win. Call your pastor and ask him if he’ll officiate.”

  Rising with deceptive laziness, he arched a brow at Tina. “Does that meet with your approval, darling?” he asked smoothly.

  Tina shrugged her shoulders; what difference did it make who actually said the words over them? “Yes, of course,” she murmured, then she qualified, “but I really don’t want a lot of bother.” Sliding her gaze to Beth, she cautioned, “Tell your pastor we’d prefer to be married in his study—or for that matter, right here in the house.”

  “Why, Tina,” Beth cried, “that’s a wonderful idea!” Jumping up, she whipped around the table to bestow a fierce hug on Tina. “And since the lists you two gave me are so skimpy, we can invite everyone to the wedding as well as the reception!”

  At the mention of the lists, Dirk smiled dryly at Tina. Beth had scolded both of them about the meager number of people they wanted present. Nevertheless, they had remained adamant and the guest list Dirk had relayed to his secretary by phone had numbered less than twenty.

  “Okay, is that it for today?” Dirk fixed a look at Beth that said it had better be.

  “Yes, I think so. Why?”

  “Because Tina and I are going to take a brisk stroll on a long boardwalk, that’s why.” Dirk’s tone brooked no arguments. “Let’s go, kid,” he ordered a blank-faced, open-mouthed Tina.

  “But... but...” Tina stuttered as Dirk grasped her arm to pull her from the chair. “Dirk!” Digging her heels in, she planted her hands on her hips diffidently. “What are you talking about?” she demanded, thoroughly exasperated. It had been a strange morning. “What boardwalk?”

  “Atlantic City. I’m taking you to dinner and then a show.” Dirk grinned. “And if you’re good, I might even give you a little money to play with.”

  “Atlantic City?” Tina’s voice betrayed the excitement beginning to curl inside; she’d been longing to see the hotel casinos for ages. “Really?”

  “Yes, really,” Dirk drawled. “So suppose we adjourn this conclave and get ourselves ready.”

  “Now?” Tina frowned. “It’s only one-thirty. I thought you said we were going for dinner?”

  “We are, my sweet.” With a strong hand at the back of her waist, Dirk steered Tina out of the kitchen, Beth’s chuckle trailing them. “But I also said we were going to stroll the boardwalk.” Reaching the stairs, he urged her up the curving treads. “A good brisk walk will whet our appetites.”

  The trip to Atlantic City was a huge success and the start of the most enjoyable five days Tina had ever lived through. Leaving all the wedding arrangements in Beth’s capable hands, Dirk and Tina drifted through the days in a world all their own, most times steeped in memories of the past they’d shared,

  On one exceptionally mild day they went sailing, Dirk laughing as Tina scrambled around relearning skills she’d nearly forgotten.

  And on one blustery afternoon they wandered around the ruins of the old lighthouse and gun battery, Dirk indulging Tina by playing hide-and-seek with her as he’d done when she was ten.

  They walked the beach and the promenade day and night, in all kinds of weather, holding hands and r
eminiscing about family and friends and other such walks, countless in number.

  In the mornings, Dirk ran beside Tina on the damp sand, his teeth flashing in the bright fall sunlight in an endearingly familiar grin.

  Ensnared by silken threads of memory, Tina was happier than she’d been in years. Not at any time did she notice the occasional glance of assessment Dirk slid over her or the shadowy smile of satisfaction that fleetingly touched his lips.

  By the time Thanksgiving—and her wedding day— dawned, bright with holiday sunshine, Tina was not only amenable to any and all suggestions Dirk made, she was anxiously looking forward to becoming his wife.

  The morning was spent in a happy if hectic continuation of the communion she and Dirk had shared throughout the previous five days. Smiling secretly at each other, they performed the last-minute tasks Beth assigned them without demur, slipping out of the housekeeper’s sight at regular intervals to touch with their eyes or hands or lips.

  Late in the afternoon, as Tina dressed in a winter-white soft wool suit and a lacy blouse that matched the sherry color of her eyes, she tilted her head whimsically, examining the dreamy-eyed young woman reflected in the mirror, vaguely surprised at the change five short days had wrought in her appearance.

  The woman staring back from the looking glass had no need of the artifice of cosmetics Tina had used mere weeks ago to conceal the taut lines of strain around her eyes and mouth. Her skin glowed with the dewy freshness of a late-blooming rose; her soft lips smiled easily with the relief from tightening stress; her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

  Turning from the mirror, Tina’s gaze slid over the narrow bed, then returned, a delicious tingle igniting her nerves and senses. No longer would she lie alone and lonely on that single bed, she mused, her smile growing sensuous.

  Glancing at the watch that encircled her delicate wrist, Tina’s lips trembled. Within a few hours she would be climbing the curved staircase again, only this time to share the wide bed of her friend, hero, lover, husband.

  Even as Tina stared at the face on her watch, the hands moved and it was time for her to leave the room of her childhood, close the door firmly behind her, and go to meet her future.

  Though short, the wedding was beautiful. Tina knew simply because everyone told her it was. For herself, she was too distracted by her groom to take more than surface notice of the solemnly intoned service. She repeated her vows sincerely, if automatically, only coming fully aware as Dirk bestowed the traditional sealing kiss.

  Tina had invited only Paul and two of her other employees from the shop as guests. Besides his parents and sister and brother-in-law, Dirk’s list had consisted of his personal assistant, who acted as best man, and two married couples from Cape May, all of whom Tina knew casually from her younger days. Beth proudly stood beside Tina as matron of honor.

  After congratulations, the shaking of hands, and the kissing of the bride, the guests eagerly attacked the sumptuous array of foods Beth had so lovingly prepared, washing it all down with the champagne Dirk had supplied by the case.

  Except for a hurried, serious conversation she had with Paul in the relative privacy of the kitchen, Tina hadn’t the vaguest idea of what she talked and laughed about with her guests during the three-hour reception. All she remembered was wishing it would all be over, and that everyone would simply go home.

  Tina’s new in-laws were the last to leave. When, finally, after pitching in to help clear away the party debris and bestowing still more kisses and well-wishes, they did depart, they took a tired but happy Beth with them to drop her off three blocks away at the home of her best friend.

  After waving them on their way, Tina stepped back into the hall, smiling a trifle shyly at her new husband as he closed the door with telling firmness. Her smile faltered as Dirk turned to her, his eyes colder than the night air outside.

  “What was that little tête-à-tête between you and Paul in the kitchen all about?” he demanded tersely.

  Dirk’s tone dispelled most of the euphoric haze that had clouded Tina’s thinking throughout the previous days. A frown marring her smooth brow, she shook her head as if to clear it.

  “There was no tête-à-tête, Dirk.” Lifting her chin, Tina faced him confidently. “For some reason, Paul thought I was considering selling my business. He made me an offer for it.”

  “For some reason?” A sardonic smile curled Dirk’s lip as he softly repeated the words. “How naive of him,” he muttered.

  “What?” Tina’s frown deepened.

  Dirk shrugged as he moved into the living room. “Never mind. Did you accept his offer?” Turning slowly, he pierced her with eyes now glittering with blue fire; Tina was too surprised to notice.

  “Of course not,” she exclaimed. “Why would I even consider it?”

  “Why indeed?” Dirk’s expression settled into sharp lines of austerity. “Unless, of course,” he went on chillingly, “you thought to consider the fact that the business is in New York, while our home will be in Wilmington.”

  Oh, Lord! Tina’s teeth caught at her lower lip. Not once had she given even the tiniest thought to where they’d live.

  And in all fairness, she could not possibly expect Dirk to make his home in New York while conducting his banking business in Delaware. But give up her business? Everything inside Tina rebelled at the idea.

  Distractedly raking her fingers through the mass of red waves, Tina stared at Dirk, mutely beseeching him to solve the problem.

  “Well?” Dirk merely stared back stonily.

  “I ... I don’t know.” Tina shrugged her shoulders helplessly. “I suppose we’ll have to work out some sort of arrangement.” It was hardly a satisfactory solution, and Tina knew it.

  “I see.” His sardonic smile was back, causing a twisting pain in Tina’s chest.

  “Dirk ...” she began, not even sure of what she was going to say. Her voice faded as he turned abruptly, heading for the dining room.

  “I’m going to lock up,” he said, not bothering to look at her. “You go up, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  Feeling dismissed, and angry for it, Tina hesitated briefly, then ran up the curving stairs, unconsciously dashing into her own bedroom.

  Dirk was angry with her, very obviously angry, and he had every right to be. Where had her mind wandered off to this last week? Tina berated herself, absently beginning to undress as she paced the floor.

  Images of the laughing, companionable days she and Dirk had spent together flitted in and out of her mind. Instead of playing, she sighed, they should have discussed their future—all aspects of their future. And because they hadn’t as much as mentioned the future, they were facing their very first crisis on their wedding night.

  Her eyes bright with threatening tears, Tina was hanging her suit in the closet when the door to her room was flung open forcefully.

  “What the hell are you doing in”—the sharp edge of Dirk’s voice softened as he caught sight of Tina—”here?” he finished hoarsely, his eyes devouring the look of her body, clad skimpily in a white-satin teddy, sheer hose, and sling-back high heels.

  “Oh, God, Tina, you’re so beautiful!” A blue flame leaping in his eyes, Dirk slowly crossed the room to her. Raising his hand, he slid his fingers into the thick waves that tumbled to her shoulders, lifting one tendril to his lips as he bent his head. “And now you’re mine!” Brushing her hair back, he sought the curve of her neck with his mouth.

  Tina knew she should stop him; they had to talk, come to some kind of understanding. She knew it and yet, at the touch of his moist lips against her skin, she chose to forget what she knew. Closing her eyes, she let her head drop back, giving him access, and invitation.

  “My Tina.” Dirk’s warm breath sensitized the nerves close to the surface of her skin. “Finally,” he muttered, sweeping her into his arms and carrying her to his room across the hall.

  There was no hesitation, no awkwardness, no fumbling. Within moments Dirk had removed Tina’s
scanty clothing and his own, tossing everything carelessly to the floor. Then, his eyes worshiping her flawless form, he lowered her gently to the bed.

  Covering her quivering body with his own, Dirk proceeded to drive Tina wild with his lips, his hands, and the exciting murmurs he growled deep in his throat.

  “I’ve waited so long, so very long.” Tina shuddered as Dirk’s tongue tasted every inch of her. “Oh, love, the nights I lay awake, aching for your softness, for the way you fill my senses, for the sweet taste of your mouth.”

  Time and time again he brought her to the very edge of ecstasy, only to soothe her, calm her before arousing her unbearably once again, whispering raggedly, “I want to make it last forever; I want it perfect for both of us.”

  Gasping, her mind lost to reason, needing his possession more than she would have believed it possible to need anyone or anything, Tina clung to Dirk, returning his caresses.

  And when finally Dirk’s hair-roughened thighs eased between the silkiness of hers, Tina cried out with joy.

  Becoming one, their loving was hot, and sweet, and at times savage, so very starved were they for each other. And then, their oneness complete, they slept in each other’s arms.

  * * *

  Chapter 10

  “Are you on the pill?”

  Still lying curled against his warm strength, barely awake, Tina blinked as she gazed up into her husband’s calm face.

  “What?” she asked softly, shaking her head to dispel the lingering wisps of sleep.

  “I asked if you’ve been taking a birth control pill.” Dirk’s voice was as calm as his composed features.

  “No.” Tina frowned; what was he getting at? “Why?”

  Dirk’s chest heaved in a deep sigh. “Well, it’s too late to do anything about last night,” he said wearily. “But from now on, until you can see a doctor to get a prescription, I’ll see to it.”

  Thoroughly confused, and oddly fearful, Tina gazed at him in amazement. “Dirk, I don’t understand. What difference—