“Let’s get you home.”
Chapter Six
Her panties were in Sam’s pocket.
Good grief.
Her panties were in Sam’s pocket.
Did that make her a slut? How could she have succumbed so quickly to him? It was as though all he had to do was flash that grin and her panties would melt off her body.
She followed him out of the restaurant, acutely aware of the fact she wore nothing under her skirt. What made matters worse was she was still aroused. She still needed something more to satisfy the lust burning between her legs. Damn Sam. Her heart hadn’t stopped hammering that wild beat the entire time and now it beat even faster. If that were even possible. Delilah had no idea what he had in mind next.
If that was part of his seduction, would he take her home and bang her brains out? She hoped so.
Delilah waited a breathless moment and licked her lips in preparation of the kiss she knew was coming.
He opened the car door for her and waited. He didn’t move or indicate in any way he was going to kiss her. She got in and watched him walk around the front of his car. Never made eye contact with her as he slid behind the wheel and stuck the key in the ignition. He still hadn’t said anything.
Any minute now he would reach for her, cup her face in his hands and kiss her senseless.
He didn’t.
He pulled out of the space and drove away.
“Well?” she prompted, unable to stand the silence anymore.
“Well what?” He cut her a glance as though he wasn’t holding her panties hostage in his pocket.
“Are you going to give them back?” That’s not what she wanted to ask but it was the thing that popped out of her mouth.
“Nope.”
She was stunned. “Why not? What could you possibly want with them?”
“Humor me, okay?”
“But—”
“Delilah, seduction. Remember?”
“So we’re not going to have sex?”
“Not tonight.”
The remainder of the car ride was in silence. Why did it piss her off so bad he intended to continue with this seduction plan? Not only was she aroused, she was sexually frustrated. Something she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
She hoped his cock was painfully hard. She hoped his balls were blue.
When he stopped the car in her driveway, she shoved open the door not waiting for him. She was out and heading to the front door before he could even get the key out of the ignition.
“Delilah, wait a second. Aren’t you going to say good night?”
“Good night!” She threw it over her shoulder as she stomped to the front door.
Sam caught up with her, grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. “Not like that.”
“Then how?”
He softened. “Like this.”
Sam cupped her face and kissed her. A deep, soul-searing kiss that rocked her world from head to toe. Her knees threatened to buckle. Maybe he sensed that for he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close while his tongue tasted hers. While he sucked the breath from her, making her light-headed and weak.
One of his hands moved down and slipped under her skirt. He palmed one butt cheek, squeezed. Her heart palpitated in a wild thump with the hope he would go further. He would touch her in that intimate place where she’d touched herself.
But he didn’t. He released her and stepped back, leaving her reeling.
“Sam—”
“Tomorrow.”
She blinked. “What’s tomorrow?”
“You, me and Sunday brunch. I’ll pick you up at nine. Be ready.” He started to walk away.
“That’s it?” she called. So he was serious about the no sex tonight thing. Damn it.
“See you then, pretty girl.”
Before she could stop him, he was in the car driving away.
Leaving her, once again, hanging.
But then, she couldn’t wait until tomorrow either.
* * *
It was brunch. Not a formal event. Why, then, was she having so much trouble trying to find something to wear? She’d been through everything in her closet until she finally settled on a long comfortable skirt and a silky shirt.
He arrived on time, too, something that he hadn’t done in the past. He was never on time. Not anywhere. Not even for work. Probably why he’d been laid off. As she opened the door to him she still wondered how Sam went from that guy to entrepreneur. Maybe she could get the story out of him today.
“Good morning.” He kissed her on the cheek. “You look fantastic.”
“Thanks.” She grabbed her purse and followed him out the door. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
Sam wore a gauzy white shirt, the sleeves rolled to the elbows and khaki pants. He looked cool, comfortable and in control. Like Mr. GQ. That scared her. It was a quick drive downtown to the Bonjour Café. After they were seated, they both ordered coffee. Delilah sat back in her chair and looked, really looked, at him.
“Why are you staring at me?” he asked.
“What’s the matter? Does it unnerve you?”
He laughed that hearty happy laugh that always made her smile. “No.”
Coffee arrived and she set about fixing it the way she liked. Sam, though, drank his black.
“I’m just trying to figure you out, Sam.”
“What’s to figure out?” He sipped the hot brew.
“How much you’ve changed over the last ten years.” She stirred in cream and sugar, turning it from black to taupe.
Before he could reply, the waitress returned to take their order. He ordered pancakes, hash browns, bacon, eggs and sausage. Delilah was impressed he could still pack it away like when he was younger. She ordered a lighter breakfast of toast, bacon and eggs.
“A lot can happen in ten years, Delilah.”
“I see that.” She let him see her gaze shift down his torso and then back again to his face.
“You’re wondering how I managed it,” he said. “How I came from where I was to here.”
“Something like that.”
He looked thoughtful then took a deep breath. “After you walked out, I knew I’d screwed it up royally. Like a fucking idiot. I’d lost everything. I’d taken you for granted.”
Her heart palpitated, the blood whooshing through her head. He paused, stared down in his coffee and then lifted those soft blue eyes back to hers.
“I realized what a mess I was and that I needed to clean up my act. I’d already lost you but that didn’t mean I had to lose myself, too. So I got clean. Went to rehab. Finished my degree. Found a job. All that grown-up shit.”
She laughed. “Being a grown-up is exhausting, isn’t it?”
“You’re telling me.”
He flashed his wicked smile and it did things to her. Turned her stomach inside out. Made it flip over. Made her want him again.
“I didn’t know you finished your degree,” she said.
“An associates.”
“Still admirable.”
Guilt slashed through her for being the bitch she was to him that first day in his shop. She thought she was all that but the truth was she was nothing but a snob and a gold-digger. The men she’d dated after Sam all had deep pockets. They’d all offered her something she wanted—pampering at their expense. And she was ashamed of herself. She ran her finger around the rim of her cup, watching the liquid waver in the ceramic.
“Tell me more, Sam.”
“More? Well I’d fast-tracked my way through a job. Turned out I was pretty good at fixing computers. I stayed there long enough to learn all I could before moving on to the next one. I saved every penny I could. Which was easy because I wasn’t smoking or drinking anymore.”
God, she loved the sound of his voice. It soothed her. It always had. He’d turned his life around and what had she done? Blew her money on expensive handbags and shoes and clothes. She had nothing to show for it but things.
“I don’t kn
ow why I bought Liquid Heat,” he continued, unaware of her internal criticism. “I set up a new computer for the previous owner at his house. He was tired. Wanted to get out of the business and retire with his wife. Did you know they’d been married thirty years?”
She shook her head. “I had no idea.”
She had no idea about anything. All she knew was the guy who ran the place was kind of a sleazeball despite the outward cleanliness of the store. He’d hit on her more than once.
“She was diagnosed with some form of cancer. I’m not sure what. Anyway, he asked me if I knew anyone who’d want to buy his store. I told him I would. Next thing I knew, I was getting a small business loan and buying the place. First thing I did was fire the sleazy manager. He was skimming off the top. No wonder the guy was losing money.”
“You fired the manager?” She giggled. It had to be the same loser who hit on her.
“Yeah. As soon as I did, the place started making money again.”
Their food arrived and conversation turned to Marion and how excited she was about the wedding. Delilah related to Sam the story of how she and Graeme met, how they nearly broke up. He seemed impressed with Graeme’s painting talent.
“Marion’s always had this idea of her perfect wedding in her head ever since I’ve known her,” she said.
“And what about you? Do you have your idea of a perfect wedding? Ours was far from it.”
She thought of that now, remembering how reckless she’d been in the name of love. They’d flown to Vegas on a whim, said their vows in front of a minister who looked like Elvis and then sat at the Craps table for the rest of the night. No, that wasn’t her idea of a perfect wedding. But it was the only one she’d had and she wasn’t exactly interested in having a repeat performance of saying, “I do.”
“I do my best to avoid marriage proposals.”
“So that’s a no then?”
“I’m afraid so. I have no interest in getting married.”
He blew out a breath. “What a relief. Me either.”
Something sharp stabbed her in the heart. She didn’t know why that bothered her so much. It shouldn’t. She should be relieved to hear it. But she wasn’t. She was…sad.
The check arrived to save her from any embarrassing statement she might have had. He tossed bills on the table to cover it and then stood, holding his hand down to her.
“Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“We need some fun.”
They left behind the café and walked through downtown together, pausing every so often to peer into shop windows. Then he drove her a few miles outside of downtown to the Water Gardens, where they sat near the Quiet Pool in silence. There was something soothing about sitting together looking out at the cool blue water while traffic whizzed by on the interstate behind them. All he did was hold her hand. Just…hold it. Nothing more.
It made her heart squeeze.
As the afternoon turned to early evening, she started to feel as though she could trust Sam again. She could, maybe, even love him again. That feeling of terror shifted over her, making her break into a cold sweat.
“I should be getting you home. I’ve commandeered enough of your time,” he said.
“You don’t have to.”
Because she didn’t want it to end. She wasn’t ready to be alone yet, surrounded by silence. At least sitting with him, she could take comfort in his presence. She listened intently to his quiet breathing, the way his thumb traced over the back of her hand, the way his eyes took in everything and everyone around them. He didn’t miss anything.
“I don’t?” he asked.
“It’s dinnertime. We missed lunch,” she said.
“We had brunch,” he corrected with a smile.
“Right.”
“You hungry?”
Not really. But she’d say anything to keep him by her side. “A little.”
“Me, too.” He stood, held his hand down to her. She took it without hesitation. “I have something for you anyway. In my car.”
“A gift?”
His lopsided grin was mischievous. “Perhaps.”
Back at his car, he opened the back door and reached for a small package wrapped in brown paper.
“I was going to wait to give it to you but it seems like now is as good a time as any.”
“What is it?”
“Open it and find out.”
She ripped past the paper and froze. It was a pair of red lacy panties. “Panties?”
“To replace the ones I took. But these are special ones.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“What’s special about them?”
“You’ll have to put them on.”
She glanced around the area. It was practically deserted but cars came and went down the street they’d parked on.
“Here? Now?”
“Why not?”
She gave him a skeptical look but he merely grinned.
“Come on. Play along. I’ll make sure no one is watching.”
“Yeah but you’ll be watching.”
“Duh.” He winked. “I hope I get a glimpse of that great ass of yours.”
She slid into the backseat, her pulse beating as fast as a hummingbird’s wings. This was insanity. Yet her blood warmed at the thought. She popped open the box and pulled out the red panties. Then she reached under her skirt and yanked off her cotton briefs. A moment later she had the lacy ones shimmied up her legs. As soon as the cotton crotch hugged her mons, a vibration jolted through her, starting at the place between her legs. Delilah knew immediately why they were special. She was instantly aroused. And she’d managed to keep that under control all day. She glared at him.
He stood on the other side of the door, grinning like a wolf about to pounce. She shoved open the door.
“Vibrating panties? Really, Sam?”
He waved the small controller. “Really.”
“No way. I’m taking them off.”
He pushed the door open wider and leaned in, his face a breath from hers. He was so close she could see the dark blue flecks dotting the lighter blue of his irises. “No, you’re not.”
“If you’re trying to use some sort of Jedi mind trick on me, it won’t work.”
“Delilah…” He sounded exasperated.
Then she understood. “Oh. This is part of your seduction.”
“Right.”
“I didn’t agree to this.”
“You agreed you wanted me to seduce you. That’s what I’m doing.”
He had her there. Damn the man. “So you intend to buzz me whenever you want?”
“I intend to buzz you when I want you to be thinking of me.” He leaned closer still. “And only me.”
Before she could move, blink or breathe, he moved away. He thumbed the small red button on the device, making her clit vibrate. It sent shivers of delight all the way up her spine. Even though it only lasted a few seconds, it was enough to make her want to come. She groaned, her fingers twitching.
“And no orgasms.” He waved her out of the car.
“Like I can control that.”
“You can. I know you can. You used to do it with me.”
How did he remember that? She used to hold out what seemed like hours while they had sex so they could climax together. And when she came, he would go to work on her again and make her come again and again. Using his mouth, his hands, his cock.
“You like the thought of it, don’t you?” he asked.
“You expect me to walk around like this?”
“I do.”
“You’re evil incarnate.”
“I’m evil for you. Let’s go for coffee.” And he buzzed her again to punctuate his point.
She gripped the car door, pushing her thighs together. It was glorious and horrible all at the same time. “Sam…”
“Don’t be a spoil sport.” He grinned. “After you.”
* * *
Sam took her to the Bitter End, the coffee house in downtow
n. By day, it was a normal coffee house. By night, they featured small live bands or had poetry readings. It wouldn’t be that crowded on a Sunday night.
She hoped.
She didn’t know when Sam was going to ping her again with that thing. Why had she agreed to wear these stupid panties?
Deep down, she knew why. She didn’t want to acknowledge she was totally in lust with the man. Or the fact that he wanted to do that to her in public was a real turn on. Or that knowing he could arouse her with the push of a button made her want him even more.
They ordered coffee and sat in one of the oversized leather chairs side by side waiting for the band to start playing.
“You know…I think it might be dangerous having a man who owns a sex toy shop,” she said.
His response was to push the button. To keep from reacting, she dug her nails into the chair arm and gritted her teeth.
He released the button and asked, “You mean because of that?”
But the damage was done. The crotch of her panties had to be soaked by now. “I hate you.” The words that came out were nothing but a whisper.
Sam chuckled. “I hate you, too. And by hate you mean like?”
She could only nod.
“Anyway, I prefer the term ‘adult bookstore’. It’s much more appealing don’t you think?”
She was about to reply when she heard her name. Looking up, she saw Marion, smiling broadly, dragging Graeme, and heading toward her.
“Shit.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Marion.” Her best friend was the last person she wanted to see.
“Well, look who it is,” Marion said as she halted in front of them. “I’ve been trying to call you all day. Where have you been?”
“Busy.”
“Busy, huh?” Marion peered at Sam then turned back to her. “You didn’t tell me you were dating someone new.”
“Someone new? How about someone old?” Sam rose. “Hello, Marion.”
He moved as though to hug her but Graeme stepped in between them and stuck out his hand. “Graeme Butler.”
“You must be the lucky man marrying Marion.” Sam was oblivious to the rise of Graeme’s rooster crest. Or if he wasn’t, he didn’t care to acknowledge it. He shook Graeme’s hand. “Sam Ford. Delilah, Marion and I go way back.”
Sex, Lust & Martinis Page 6