by Emily Bex
"Shade? This is Kate. Is this a bad time?” She heard the sudden silence as the music abruptly ended.
“Oh no, mi amore, I was just going over some contracts from Alec. Is everything fine with you? I do apologize for my curt response. Please forgive me?”
Feeling braver, Kate began to flirt with him. “Forgive you? And what could you have possibly done that needs forgiving, Mr. Medici?”
“I did not realize it was you, or I would have, most assuredly, answered the call differently, like the gentleman I am, si? So please forgive me, and make me feel better?”
Oh my! He has this down to a fine art. Like I should be surprised. “And what do you think it would take to make you feel better, sir?” Seriously? Did I just say that to him?
He chuckled. “Ah, now that could lead to an open door. But I shall remain a gentleman, which, I might add, is very hard to do at the moment.”
She responded coyly, “An open door? Is that a bad thing?”
“Bad thing? No, it is open for anything. I would like to think good things. Did you have something in mind? Sounds to me as though you may like walking through that door, si?”
“That depends. Are you on the other side of that door?”
“I do believe, Kate Reese, you are flirting with me and would very much like that.”
“And I do believe, Shade Medici, you can get a girl to walk through any door pretty easily, wearing a pair of Jimmy Choo’s. And thank you, by the way, for your most generous gift, too generous.”
He walked to the window, and sat on the sill to watch her. He was tempted to just fucking tell her to look out her window, but he knew better. Damn fucking jeans were getting tighter. Opening the button fly, he stretched out and laid his head back, sliding one hand inside his jeans, gripping his cock hard and stroking slowly, just wanting to hear her voice.
“It was my pleasure. I thought you would like them, and I was sure those gorgeous legs of yours would look even better in them. Did they fit, mi amore?”
“They fit perfectly. You’d think you had been buying my shoes for years. It does make a girl wonder. And you noticed my legs?”
“Oh si, I noticed. A man would have to be blind not to notice you, Kate. You are a beautiful woman, and you make a man take a second, very long gaze.”
She is going to kill me here. He stroked harder. Long, slow strokes pulling up the head of his cock, and hoping to all hell fire he got to feel this monster inside her, making love to her slow and sweet. He loved that she was playing with him. “So tell me, did you notice me at all, or could you not get away from me quick enough?”
“Did I notice you? I was undone, completely, utterly undone. But I thought you knew that.”
Stroking harder, he watched her as she talked to him, relaxed and in her element, feeling safe from him. “I make you nervous for some reason, si? Tell me, why is that? I mean you no harm, the complete opposite. I only wish you pleasure.”
“You’re a dangerous man, and distractedly handsome. A girl could find herself in over her head before she knew what hit her. I have no fear of harm from you, other than a broken heart. Are you going to break my heart? Am I, as Rissa says, just another notch on your bedpost?”
“Mi amore, I ask myself more if you will break mine.”
He glanced at her through the window and saw her lifting her cashmere sweater over her head, exposing the red lace bra, spilling over with soft, lily-white orbs, and his mouth watered. He felt like exploding already. His hand gripped his huge cock harder, stroking, as he felt his balls tighten.
“And my bedpost, Rissa has never seen it and never will. She has no idea what it holds. I would never treat a lady as fine as you in that manner. Speaking of Rissa, are you going to this charity event Saturday evening?”
"Yes, I was planning to go. After all, I have a new pair of Jimmy Choo’s that need breaking in. So, I take it this means you’ll be there?”
He watched her jeans come off and his cock didn’t like being held back. This woman was going to kill him.
“I will be there. I am supposed to be there.” He tried to keep his voice steady, but his heart was racing, his blood pumping fast, and he could feel his cock throbbing for release. “I will plan on seeing you there, mi amore.”
He watched as she removed her bra, tossing it on the dresser. She lifted her arms and ran both hands through her hair, shaking out her long locks, before slipping out of her panties and walking to her bed. He could see the rose petals were still on the sheets. She gathered them up in her hand, held them to her nose and inhaled. He saw her pile them in a little stack on the bedside table. She climbed into bed, pulling the sheets up around her. As he watched her disrobe, he reached climax, cum shooting across his chest and he tried not to moan out loud. His fangs punched through and his eyes glowed a deep red as his beast pushed to be set free. He took a few deep breaths and tried to get himself under control.
She responded. "I hope so. I can't imagine a less eventful evening without you."
“Until this weekend then, sweet dreams.”
“I seem to only have sweet dreams since meeting you. Good night.”
“Buonasera, mi amore. Until Saturday.”
As he ended the call, he stood, and the beast emerged and growled like the animal he was. I want her. I want her as my own. She is mine!
***
Kate turned off her phone, and plugged it in the charger by her bed. Turning off the lamp, she watched as the skyline appeared in the window of her darkened room. The red light on top of the Washington Monument flashed on and off. How many nights did she lie here after the break-up with Ethan, not able to sleep, just watching that light flash on and off? They had been engaged. She had starting to plan a wedding, and then she found him cheating. Never again. Never ever again. That had been the moment she swore off men. It was one broken heart too many. And now here you are, Kate Reese, playing with fire. And we know what happens to girls who play with fire.
The little voice inside her head said, Careful, he’s not tall, dark and dangerous for nothing, little girl.
8
Kate had spent the last two hours getting ready for the charity event. She’d chosen a form-fitting black sheath dress worn off the shoulders. She’d only worn it once before and it drew a little more attention than she wanted, so it ended up in the back of the closet. But Shannon convinced her to pull that dress out again, paired with Shade’s gift. She wore her hair down, even though this was a semi-formal event. She knew already Shade was drawn to her hair. It hadn’t taken long for her to pick up on that. She checked her make-up one last time before heading to the parking garage to get her car.
She drove instead of taking the metro. She had no desire to walk far in these shoes. Standing on her feet at a cocktail party all evening would be torture enough.
The National Gallery of Art sat right smack in the middle of Constitution Avenue, so there was no parking, but Rissa had arranged for valet service. She pulled up, dropped off her car, and ran inside. There must have been close to two thousand people there. They planned to do a silent art auction of some local artist to raise money, so there were selected galleries set aside to display those works. There was wait staff everywhere, and she was only inside a few minutes before she was approached and had a glass of white wine in her hands. She wandered through the throngs of people, chatting with a few as she went. Looking around the crowd discreetly, she didn’t see him. She found a semi-quiet spot to sit down, so she could watch the crowd.
Kate polished off the wine. It was the liquid courage she‘d need to face him. Talking to him on the phone was one thing, standing next to him was quite another. She stood and started to walk through the crowd, grabbing another glass of white wine from a passing waiter. There were a lot of recognizable faces in this crowd tonight, the faces she saw on the society pages of the Washington Post, but she didn’t know them personally. She couldn’t imagine the collective wealth of the people in this room. She wondered, and not for the first tim
e, why Rissa invited her to this event. There was no way she could bid on this art.
She looked for him as she walked through the crowd, but if he was here, he was managing to keep his distance. She wondered if he even bothered to show up, or if he’d already moved on to some other female distraction. Rissa's words kept ringing in her ears, and she thought, for the hundredth time, why was she setting herself up for the fall.
***
Teleporting downtown to the National Gallery of Art, Shade had dressed in his finest. A black-tie event with Rissa meant a tuxedo. He looked quite dapper and hoped Kate would like his tux. He was anxious to see her in those Choo’s.
As he arrived at the venue he saw Rissa and Alec. Alec threw up his hand in acknowledgment and Shade nodded. No need to talk, Alec thought he knew why he was here, but Shade had a different agenda—her name was Kate Reese.
He’d pulled back on the dream-walking lately. After the incident with the rose petals, he didn’t want to scare her off. But he had a few tricks up his sleeve to bring her around. He casually made his way through the crowd, as he looked around the room for her.
He sensed she wasn’t there yet, and he hadn’t picked up the scent of her rose perfume. He kept himself busy, admiring the art while sipping at his glass of Midnight. He kept a low profile, not engaging with anyone in the crowd as he patiently waited.
Shade recognized her scent as soon as she arrived. He tracked her by the smell of roses, found her sitting quietly, drinking wine, and watching the people. He hung back, hidden from her view, and watched as she scanned the crowd. He didn’t want to seem too eager. He kept moving around the small gallery, which held at least a hundred people, never taking his eyes off of her. She sat with her legs crossed, the tight black sheath dress exposing her thighs. She looked amazing. Her crimson hair hung over those white shoulders. He loved her hair down, and his beast came to the surface, licking his chops. Not yet wicked boy, just hang in there. We have to reel this one in slowly.
He made sure to stay clear of her line of vision. He’d never wanted a woman more than this one, and he’d been with many women.
He watched her stand and start to move through the throng of people and his eyes were glued to her. Her dress was sleek and off the shoulders. The heels drew his focus to her slender ankles, the curve of her calves, and the plumpness of her ass, accentuating the curves of her luscious body. This woman was made for loving and loving well.
He slowly followed her, slipping in and out of the crowd, staying out of sight. She finally stopped in front of a beautiful piece by Renoir as she stood and stared. He walked up behind her, softly slid his hand around her waist and snuggled into her neck, speaking to her in a low, deep voice, his mouth close to her ear. “Your legs are looking beautiful this evening, mi amore.”
She gasped and instantly had goosebumps on her skin. She took a deep breath and turned to look at him. “Mr. Medici...and don't you look deliciously handsome tonight.”
He felt her trepidation, but she fought it. He knew she wanted to face him, be with him, and he was amused. Most women would have been on top of him by now, inviting him to their place, but not this one. He stared down at beautiful brown eyes that shimmered in the light, shot through with flecks of amber. The backs of his fingers glided slowly up and down her bare arm. He dropped his hand and caught hers in his. Staring deep into her eyes, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
“Almost as delicious as you.” He winked and kept hold of her hand. “I do believe you should wear Choo’s more often. They suit you, mi amore.” He looked at the painting. “Renoir, si? I am not well acquainted with art, but I do know a bit about the masters.”
“Renoir, yes. I spent so many hours in the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, looking at the impressionist period art. It’s one of my favorite periods in art, except for the Renaissance period in Florence, of course. It's like walking through history, isn't it?”
He rolled his eyes down to her, smiling. “So tell me, do you like Paris or Florence more?”
“That would be a hard choice to make, they’re both beautiful cities. I hope you don’t take offense, but I think I’d have to say Paris. I love everything about that city; the art, the architecture, the food. And even the people. I know they say the French hate the Americans, but I’ve really not had that experience. I found them quite welcoming. Have you traveled to Paris, Shade?”
He felt his heart skip a beat when she said his name. It rolled off her ruby red lips like sweet tempting wine. It took all he had not to lean down and kiss her. “J’ai voyagé à Paris plusieurs fois ma douce. J'aime l'architecture et le vin. C'est un endroit où les amoureux aiment oui?”
She laughed out loud. "I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you just said. I love Paris, but I don't speak French, or Italian. Perhaps you could teach me...something."
He chuckled as he slid his finger under her chin and looked deep into her eyes. “I said, I have traveled to Paris several times, my sweet. I loved the architecture and the wine. It is a place for lovers, yes? But, what can I teach you? We shall start simple. Repeat after me. Vorrei un bacio, per favore. This is Italian. Now, repeat.”
She looked into his eyes as he spoke, she was mesmerized. “Vorrei un bacio, per favore. Now please, tell me what I just said.”
He smiled down at her. “Well done! I will show you instead, si?” Leaning down, he kissed her softly on the lips. They were sweet like sugar and he wanted more.
“Oh...how do you say that again? Maybe you should write it down for me.”
He loved the wide-eyed look on her face, almost begging him to kiss her again, and again. And who was he not to oblige. “Let us repeat the phrase in French. Je voudrais un baiser s'il vous plaît. Now, repeat.”
He could tell she liked this game. He wondered how many kisses he could steal as she repeated the phrase. He slid his hand along her cheek and down her neck before sliding both hands under her hair. He gently lifted her face to his as he kissed her slowly, letting his kiss entrance her. He slid his tongue slowly around hers, letting her know, he liked kissing, and he loved kissing her. She almost melted in his hands. He felt her go weak in the knees and saw the flush on her face. He held her tight a moment longer. Pulling back, he kissed her again, softly and quickly. “I do believe, you would call that a French kiss, oui?”
"What? Oh...oui, French kiss…”
He chuckled softly. “Careful Kate, you will fall off your stilts. Come along, I think I saw a painting in another room I would like to bid on. Would you oblige me with your worldly opinion?” He bowed slightly to her. “I would be most grateful.”
She slipped her arm into his. "Of course, I’d love to see it. I'm no art expert by any means, but I know what I like." She looked up at him through the red bangs that framed her face.
He gave her a crooked smile. “It’s always good to know what you like, and go after it.”
As they strolled casually through the crowd, he led her through a few galleries until they found the room where the painting hung.
“Ah, here we are. Tell me what you think of this. It reminds me a great deal of the property I just acquired in Virginia.”
He stood behind her, his hands resting gently on her hips. It was an oil rendition of the Virginia countryside, painted to reflect the early fall when the leaves were just beginning to change. It depicted a narrow country road, lined with white rail fencing, like so many of the horse farms scattered through Virginia.
“This is beautiful, Shade. I love Virginia and the mountains. I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. It's called the "low country," and it’s flat as a pancake. I was always drawn to the rolling hills and the mountains here. Where did you buy property?”
“I am not familiar with Charleston, but my property is in White Hall, right at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It does have a vineyard, a lot of territory, but it needs a great amount of work. He slid his hand softly against her neck, brushing her hair back and kissing her neck as he whispered, �
��It is extremely charming when you speak.”
As he stood up straight again, she stammered, “White Hall...I'm familiar with it, just outside of Charlottesville, right? I’d love to see it.”
She stepped slightly away from him and re-directed her attention to the piece of art on the wall. “Are you going to bid on this piece? I think you should.”
“You know, I have enjoyed myself this evening. I do believe it is the first time I have been able to fully enjoy one of these gatherings, and I thank you. Yes, I do believe I shall bid on this piece. What do you think I should bid?”
Kate was glad to redirect the conversation after the unexpected, but not unpleasant kiss on her neck. “Well, here’s my strategy at silent auctions. If it’s a piece I like, but don't love, then I put down what I’m willing to pay, and hope for the best. If I get out-bid, then...oh well, it wasn’t meant to be. But if I see something I want, something I must have, then I’ll risk everything. I’ll put in some obscene bid. Something way over my budget, and hope the high bid scares off any competitors for the piece. So, I guess my question to you is...how bad do you want it?” She flashed him another look with a sly smile.
He took her in his arms, kissed each cheek, then ran his hand through her hair, and looked down at her, a wicked smile on his face. “Oh I want it very bad, and I am willing to risk it all. But in the end, will it be as rewarding as I had hoped? Now, I think perhaps $2,000 should be a good start, si?”
She looked down at the floor and appeared confused by his response. “Oh, I think $2,000 is good. But I'm not sure $2,000 will scare away competitors in this crowd. So I’d say...you like it...you don't love it.”
He chuckled, “Perhaps. But you misjudge me. I always get what I want, and I would lose it all for something I feel I deserve. I think I will put in my bid, as is. If I am meant to have it, then it will be. But there are some things worth paying a high price for.” He tipped her chin up to his face, locked in the gaze of her soulful brown eyes. “And you can never truly enjoy something so beautiful if you do not have to fight to win it, keep it and truly call it your own. Now, may I escort you home? I would not want you out so late on your own. I would be quite a rogue to let that occur.”
