“I’m sorry we can’t stay, but we don’t want to be late. Enjoy your dinner.” Cole said the goodbye and escorted her out into the night air.
“They seemed nice.”
“They are good friends of mine. If we had more time, I would have enjoyed you interacting with them.” Cole held the door for her as she entered the limo. “The Gershwin Theatre isn’t far. We will make the opening.”
Now that nightfall had come, the city seemed to come to life even more. It was overwhelming all of her senses. She felt herself shudder as a chill hit her. “Cold?” He asked her, as he moved closer to place his arm around her shoulders.
“Not really. Just amazed at all of the lights and buildings.”
“It’s beautiful at night. I’m glad you get the opportunity to see the city like this.”
“Me too.”
They pulled up in front of the Gershwin Theatre and Sierra was in awe. As the driver opened the door and Cole took her hand to help her out, she just stood there and looked up. She knew her mouth was open, but she didn’t care. She was in wonder at the sight of this beautiful theatre.
“I hate to ruin this moment for you, but we really do need to go inside.”
She snapped out of her trance and nodded as he led her through the crowds and into the majestic theatre. She was still finding herself looking up and around at everything as they found their seats. She gasped out loud as she took her seat.
“Best seats in the house, I hear. This is called the front Mezzanine, center stage. I was going to purchase Orchestra seats, but someone recommended these so we can see the entire stage.”
“Oh Cole, it’s just amazing! It’s perfect! Look at the stage and the orchestra!”
She felt him reach into his suit jacket and presented her with a small pair of binoculars, “Just in case.”
She accepted them and placed them in her lap, along with her program. The seats were comfortable and they were in the front row of the first overhang. The lights dimmed and flickered to announce the show was getting ready to start.
Once the curtain opened and the orchestra started, she was entranced. She laughed, she cried, she oohed and aahed and she sat at the edge of her seat. She was so drawn into the performance that she momentarily forgot about everything.
When the intermission came, she felt a letdown until Cole stood and offered his arm. She could use a good stretch and restroom break. “How long is the break?” she inquired.
He informed her it was a short 15 minutes, so they made their way to the restrooms and she people watched as they made their way. “I’ll meet you back here,” he told her.
Sierra nodded and found her way to the restroom. As she waited for her turn, she made small talk with several women who were also enjoying the show. They complimented her dress several times and told her how pretty she looked. She wasn’t used to the attention, but she humbly accepted the compliments. She had noticed that some women were dressed very formal like herself, while others were more casual.
She returned to the spot they agreed to meet, but Cole wasn’t there yet. Maybe there was a line for him, as well. The foyer was getting crowded as people were moving in all directions. She was grateful when she saw his tall form coming towards her. For the first time that evening, she noticed the tie he was wearing. She had a huge grin on her face when he came upon her. “What? Do I have a water spot somewhere?” he asked her.
“No, no, I just noticed the tie with your suit. You did that on purpose.” She had reached up to hold it.
“Took you long enough.”
She laughed up at him. She felt his head come closer as he gave her a kiss. She was still holding his tie as his mouth covered hers in a sweet caress. She felt the goosebumps all along her arms and at the nape of her neck. She let go of his tie as he broke the kiss and took her hand. She wondered if he had the same reaction that she did.
He led her back to the seats. She was sure she would never have been able to navigate the large theatre on her own. When they reached the seats, Cole helped her get situated and then he sat reclaimed his seat next to her. She scooted up again to be as close as she could to the stage. When the lights lowered, she reached for Cole’s hand resting on his lap. She held on to it through the remainder of the performance.
Chapter 4
Sierra was still feeling like a princess on the ride back to her hotel. She was quiet, reflecting on the wonderful night she was having. If she were a princess, she wanted to be Aurora. That was her favorite Disney princess growing up. If she was to compare herself to a more modern princess today, it would be Rapunzel.
She felt Cole squeeze her hand. “What are you thinking about?”
“Disney princesses and fairy tales.” She silently cursed at herself for forgetting the filter.
“Sierra, your responses never cease to surprise me.”
She squeezed his hand back. “I know, I’m kind of a closet dork and forget to filter words that come out of my mouth.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he assured her.
“Really? I figured you were used to mature, sophisticated women - taking them to the opera or ballets?”
“How old do you think I am?” she heard the smile in his voice.
“I hadn’t thought about it. Late thirties?”
“Not doing well for the ego, but I’m thirty-three.”
“I wasn’t too far off the mark,” she continued with the banter.
“How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-six.” She felt the pause in the conversation as he was doing the math. “To answer your ‘about to ask me question,’ Yes, I was a twenty-four-year-old Virgin. Unheard of in this generation.”
“Actually I was thinking it was admirable,” he uttered.
“Oh sorry, I seem to get defensive when the subject comes up.”
“Understandable. I still try to wrap my head around the fact that you picked me.” She giggled at his remark.
“Trying to pull more compliments out of me?”
“Depends. Is it working?” he queried.
“Do I really need to? Fine. I will confide in you that I wanted my first time to be with someone experienced and that I was attracted to. I remember in high school how the boys were all hands and their kisses were sloppy and well, kind of gross. I just knew there was more and wanted to wait until I could feel the way they were feeling.” She could feel his chest vibrating with mirth even though he was keeping it inside.
“Am I wrong?”
“No, Sierra, not at all. I’m just going back to those days and remembering when I, too, was like one of those horny boys. Do you have any idea how hard it is for boys to become men and the hormones that rage through our bodies? Not to mention that I’m now reflecting on how many girls I was with that may have felt the same way you did. Gross is not a word that any boy or man would want to be described with.”
He was laughing out loud now and Sierra joined in. They were both still laughing when the limo arrived at the hotel. The driver opened the door and Cole exited to help Sierra out. She held his hand and they stood at the entrance for a moment when she made her decision. She tugged on his hand as they proceeded to enter the hotel. Cole nodded to the driver as he let Sierra lead him into the lobby. He wasn’t sure what he had expected, but was hopeful she would make the decision on her own. There was no way he was going to leave her at the hotel door.
They remained silent on the way to her room giving each other glances on the way. He watched her fumble with the room key for a minute and then took it gently out of her hand and opened the door. “Stupid room key credit card things,” he heard her mumble under her breath. He opened the door and followed behind her. He watched her place her wristlet on a table and turn to face him. “Room service?” she asked him.
“No, I’m good. Sierra, come here.” She did and he pulled her close. Instead of kissing her, he hugged her. “Prince Charming,” he said into her ear.
“Huh?”
“You talked
about fairy tales and princesses in the car. My favorite was Prince Charming.” He held her out in front of him. “You want to know why?” When she nodded, he continued. “Prince Charming met a beautiful woman who ran out on him at the ball. She left him a shoe. He searched the entire kingdom until he found her again. Are you my Cinderella?”
Instead of an answer he felt her hands rise into his hair and pull his mouth to hers. After two years, his kiss still went straight to her core. His hair still felt the same silkiness as it did then. She ran her fingers through it as the kiss deepened. She felt herself sigh into his mouth as they explored. She felt him pull back and place her at arm’s length. “Wait,” he whispered, “I need to ask a couple of questions.” He was breathing hard and she was trying to concentrate.
“Am I going to faint this time?”
“I certainly hope not,” he pulled her closer and ran his fingers through her short locks. “Are you sure this time and something I failed to ask the first time, are you protected?”
Sierra laughed out loud to the questions. She stepped closer and placed her lips inches to his own. “Yes and yes.” She swore she heard him growl as he bent forward for another kiss. She felt his hands as they expertly undid the strap behind her neck. She felt the material slip down to her waist as they continued to kiss.
Her hands pushed inside his suit coat at his shoulder until she felt the jacket start to slide down his shoulders. She felt him shrug it the rest of the way off and heard it fall to the floor. She then started to work on his tie and buttons as he massaged her bare back and slid his hands lower. As the kissing became more insistent, so did their hands. She finally managed to free him from his shirt and whipped the tie over his head.
With the break of contact from each other’s lips, he started to kiss down her neck and the tops of her shoulders. He dropped to his knees in front of her and she gasped. She didn’t know how much longer she would be able to stand. He had lowered her dress so it pooled at her feet. As he continued kissing down the length of her, he raised one foot and then the other to remove her shoes and move them aside with the dress. She didn’t know what to do with her hands as his onslaught continued. She felt she was going to collapse in pleasure at any moment. “Please, Cole, I can’t stand much longer.”
He stood back up while never removing his lips from her body. Her body was seared by each kiss. When he finally stood, his lips found hers as he started walking her backwards until she felt the bed stop her. He placed one knee on the bed as he laid her on top of the covers.
He then knelt on the floor by the bed and placed her bent legs over each shoulder. She didn’t register what was happening until she felt his lips kissing her most intimate spot. She started to buck up on the bed, but Cole’s hands reached around and massaged her breasts and belly. The pleasure that rocketed through her momentarily scared, yet excited her.
She raised up on her elbows to witness what he was doing to her. Her mouth was open and she wanted to close her eyes with the pleasure, but needed to see for herself what was happening. His hands were gripping her thighs as he thrust his tongue inside her. Her head fell back and she called out his name when she came. It hit her fast and her entire body was shuddering. She felt him kissing the inside of her thighs and then the contact was lost. She raised her head and opened her eyes to see him staring into hers. He removed the remainder of his clothing and joined her on the bed. She held her arms out to him and kissed him passionately. She felt him shift and move them around on the bed until he was poised above her. This time when he entered her, he didn’t have to ask her to open her eyes - - they were wide open.
Chapter 5
Cole yawned and stretched as he heard noises coming from the bathroom. “What time is it?”
“I’ll be right out.” He heard her reply. Well, that wasn’t the question he had asked, but at least she heard him. He glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was 9:30am. That was very late for him getting up, but considering he didn’t get much sleep, it was to be expected. He heard Sierra talking in the bathroom. She must be on the phone. He was famished from the all night lovemaking session with her. They had made love on and off the entire night. He couldn’t recall another time when he was so physically enamored with a woman. He was glad he was in shape as his endurance was put to the test.
It was if their bodies were meant for each other. They both brought each other to the pinnacle and often in unison. Her body was just as perfect for him as he remembered. He did pause to wonder if she had changed slightly from two years ago. Her breasts seemed slightly larger and her hips a fraction rounder. She seemed curvier in all the right places.
He heard the door open as she appeared freshly showered, with wet hair and wearing one of the hotel robes. She went and picked up her dress off the floor and hung it back up in the garment bag. “It really is a beautiful dress.”
“It’s yours if you want to keep it.”
She turned to look at him. “As much as I’d like to, I can’t fathom anywhere I would be able to wear it again.”
“You could wear it around the house when you are alone.” She laughed at his comment. “Were you on the phone in the bathroom? Everything okay?”
“Yes, I didn’t want to wake you and was just checking in with my parents and my friend.”
“You must be close to your parents.” They had discussed several things the previous night, but she had seemed to avoid personal matters.
“I am. Very close.” He sensed that she didn’t want him to pry.
He sat up in bed. “Shall I call for room service? I don’t know about you but I’m starving.”
“Me too.”
“Eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns and orange juice, please,” Cole placed the order. “They said thirty minutes. I’m going to shower while we wait.”
He got out of bed and noticed her blush as she looked at him. He crossed the room to her and kissed the side of her neck. “You seem fidgety? Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I feel kind of fidgety. I usually go for a run in the mornings when I can. I have this energy I need to release.” Cole doubled-over laughing. “What? What did I say?”
“C’mon sweetheart, I know just the thing.” He led her towards the bathroom.
“I just took a shower.” Cole waited for the impact of his words to sink in. He watched her eyes widen and saw the grin spreading on her face. “Ohhhh! I think I need another one.” They spent the next twenty eight minutes in the shower until Cole was sure she was no longer fidgety.
Sierra had thrown on her T-shirt and sweatpants while they ate. Cole had slipped on his boxers and was sitting under the sheet as they proceeded to eat their breakfast. “Nice shirt. I never saw the show,” he commented.
“Whhaattt? You have never seen Buffy?”
“Apparently by your reaction, that is a bad thing?”
“Seriously, how have you never seen an episode? It’s just the best. show. ever.”
“I don’t get to watch much TV. If I do, it’s usually sports or news.”
“Oh, that’s just sad. Not that you don’t watch much TV, actually neither do I, but that you haven’t seen Buffy.”
“I take it you are a fan, from the look of disbelief?”
“Cole, Cole, Cole, you poor man. Promise me that at some point, you will rent the DVD’s or pull it up on Netflix. It will solve any problems you may have.” She continued to devour her breakfast while he sipped his coffee.
“That is a bold statement. I’m intrigued and will be sure to take your advice and…watch Buffy.” She laughed and nodded her head. “Do I score any points for admitting that I have watched several Sex and the City episodes, including the movies?” he teased.
“Oh yes, I love Carrie Bradshaw, too. It’s another favorite of mine. All of my friends use quotes from the show at some time or another in our daily conversations. It’s another classic.”
“I’m starting to see a theme occurring here. You seem to admire strong women leads.”
<
br /> “Who wouldn’t? It started with Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.”
“Of course it did. Rhett was pretty cool, too.”
“He was so handsome and charming.” She paused while she studied him.
“Do not even think of comparing me to Rhett Butler, Sierra. I am not that noble.”
“You might be. C’mon say the line. Pleassseee,” she pleaded, and then watched him roll his eyes at her.
“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a Damn.” She burst out laughing, as he even tried to add the drawl. Cole couldn’t believe this conversation, but had to admit that he was enjoying it thoroughly. This woman was able to bring out a lighter side of him and it was liberating.
He was learning more about her and what made her tick. She was showing a relaxed and fun-loving side that he yearned to see more of. He had some good ideas for the day and hoped she would agree to them. “I thought about having a late lunch in Central Park. I could show you some more of the city and then relax in the park. It’s really pretty this time of year with everything blooming.”
He watched her finish her breakfast as she pondered, “I think that is doable. I’m going to check in with Amy and make sure she and my colleagues are good with that.”
“Actually, I already had Denise hire a tour guide for them with a very nice lunch and dinner and tickets for them to see Wicked tonight.”
“You did? That is so nice. Did you do that for the other candidates?”
“As I recall, the other candidates were not staying two nights, so I believe we would have provided either lunch or dinner.” She was still smiling at him. “What kind of man and company did you think you were submitting a proposal to?”
“I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about the personal side of anything. I was just all business.”
“I don’t want to talk about business specifics with you today, but I will say that it looks promising for Nations.”
He watched as she jumped off the bed and put her tray on the floor. “That’s great! I knew we did a good presentation.”
The Reluctant Cowboy Page 5