by Cara Addison
“I’m familiar with this concept. I like it. What type of energy would it output?” Kate inquired, quite intrigued with the idea he had presented.
“There are different models. Some convert the organics into natural gas. Other systems convert into electricity. We could either channel the energy back for our own use and lower our own energy costs, or we might be able to feed it back into the grid.”
One after another, each department head presented their ideas. Kate loved them all. The plan was coming together.
* * * *
On Friday, January 20, Kate steered her Range Rover through Bradley’s neighborhood. The estate exuded painstaking attention to detail, which was clearly evident from the moment she entered through the wrought-iron gates. Even as the evening shadows were falling, she could detect meticulous landscaping and artistically created gardens surrounded by majestic mature trees, adding a comforting element of privacy. With a spacious driveway, there was already a car parked when she arrived. Assuming that Brad’s Mercedes sedan was parked in one of the bays of the three-car garage, she parked.
Kate checked the vanity mirror, and quickly added a swipe of tinted lip gloss before dropping her keys into her clutch purse and stepping out of the car onto the stamped concrete driveway. The evening air was cool, and she was thankful that she had thought to bring a cozy wrap.
Another car pulled in behind her, and she immediately recognized Thomas, a local banker, as he stepped out of the vehicle. He was recently divorced. He was accompanied by a twenty-something blonde that Kate hadn’t met before. For now, she decided to hold her judgment of her intellect and her ability to hold an engaging conversation.
As Thomas helped her from the car, Kate surmised that her name was something like Candie or Tammie and that she was likely one of those that signed her name with a heart instead of proper punctuation. Thomas greeted her enthusiastically and introduced her to Macie. She choked back a smirk at the accuracy of her presumption, and turned to the stunning custom-built home.
The entrance was the focal point, with a wing flanking each side of the entrance for dramatic flair. It was obvious that it contained multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. More than Bradley Taylor would ever need. The home was set back on a stunning private lot on one of Lowden’s most sought-after streets.
As they started up the stone stairs toward the expansive entrance, Kate admired the intricate wood-and-glass door that must have been custom made for the house. Seeing them through the glass, Brad opened the door and welcomed them in.
As coats were gathered, Brad bent slightly and greeted her with a kiss on each cheek, smiling warmly. He collected her wrap and escorted them from the expansive foyer, past the sweeping wrought iron staircase and into the spacious and tastefully decorated living room. The elegant open concept was accentuated by high ceilings, which contrasted against the Brazilian Jotoba hardwood floors.
Kate immediately recognized Scott Wilson and his wife Elisse, who had arrived ahead of her. Scott was a land developer, having grown his company from a small firm specializing in residential development to a well-established national company with expertise in residential, commercial, and industrial development. Elisse and Kate had been members at the country club for years, and they had met over lattes and lunch on many occasions to discuss issues Elisse faced as the executive director of a local charity. She greeted Kate with a welcome smile and handed her a glass of Prosecco, as Brad returned from the cloakroom to facilitate introductions.
The doorbell chimed, and Brad reluctantly excused himself to greet the new arrivals. Kate moved through the main room to the back of the house. The backyard of the home was nothing short of spectacular.
The interior of the home was spacious and elegant, yet clearly designed for modern living and for entertaining.
Returning to the great room, she was reacquainted with Dr. Patrick Munroe and his wife Kathleen shortly after they arrived, and as she glanced at the table settings, she quickly deduced that all of the guests were in attendance, and that everyone had a date, except her. Kate wondered again how strategic or intentional Bradley’s invitation had been. It appeared that this was indeed a date.
The room was quickly filled with conversation and introductions. Kate noticed that each and every male, including Thomas, inspected Macie up and down as she was introduced around the room. She was wearing a beautiful, albeit sheer and very low-cut little black dress. It clung to her twenty-something body.
Elisse shrugged her shoulders, rolled her eyes, and held up her hand in wonder as she glanced at her. “You’re supposed to be hot when you’re twenty. If she’s still hot when she’s forty, I’ll be more impressed.”
Kate was especially thankful that she had selected this particular dress to wear to the dinner party. She had picked it up on a trip to New York, and with her father’s illness and then the campaign, she hadn’t had a chance to wear the one-shoulder, royal blue sheath dress. The delicate fabric was ruched together over the shoulder and clasped with a pewter broach. A trail of excess silk fabric draped over her shoulder and extended below the hemline, flowing as she moved. She knew the creation hugged her body and complimented her height.
The chef of the evening was a longtime friend of Kate. Shawna appeared, carrying a beautiful display of oysters on the half shell. She winked at her as she passed by, and quietly murmured, “I insisted that we include oysters on the menu, when I heard you were coming. I know they’re a favorite.”
Oysters were indeed, a favorite. Served with a squeeze of lemon juice, champagne, hot sauce, or horseradish, it didn’t matter to Kate. She absolutely loved oysters. Knowing that Shawna had handpicked and shucked them made her certain they would be enjoyable.
Guests crowded around. Thomas offered an oyster to Macie, who visibly grimaced as she turned down the delicacy, claiming that she couldn’t possibly eat anything so slippery.
Elisse leaned over and dryly observed, “I suspect she’ll insist that Thomas indulge in something just as salty and wet a little later this evening.” She offered her glass, and Kate clinked it in a salute as she drew her hand to her lips to cover a grin.
Brad was chatting with Dr. Patrick and Kathleen, when Kate noticed him reach for an oyster. She took a sip of Prosecco and swallowed hard as she watched him lift the oyster to his mouth, expertly flick his tongue around the tender morsel, and close his mouth around it before swallowing. She had no idea if oysters had been proven to be an aphrodisiac, but watching Brad indulge was certainly increasing her desire.
Elisse saved her from herself and broke her stare as Brad reached for another oyster. “Take it easy, there. Don’t hurt yourself,” she quipped.
* * * *
After dinner, while the men played pool, Macie discovered that Kathleen managed a medical practice. It was the clinic where Kathleen had met Dr. Patrick, several years earlier. Elisse and Kate endured Macie’s bombardment on Kathleen as she prodded her for medical advice, while delivering an excruciatingly detailed account of her personal medical issues. Kathleen tried to interject and delicately explain that she was the business manager of the clinic, not a medical practitioner, but she feared Macie would shift her attention, and inquisition, to her husband, and so she sacrificed herself in an effort to save him from the torture.
Just before ten o’clock, Thomas collected a rather tipsy Macie, and saying good-bye to their host, began making their way to the door. Patrick voiced what Kate was thinking when he jabbed, “Be sure to have her home before curfew.”
As he escorted Macie to the door, Thomas turned and glared over his shoulder at those who remained in the room.
It wasn’t long before Patrick and Kathleen gathered their belongings. Elisse hugged her good-bye as she and Scott prepared to leave. “Be good,” she chided, with a wry smile.
As Brad walked his guests to the door, Kate began gathering glasses and napkins.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Brad inquired as he walked back into the billiard room, taking a se
t of glasses from her hand.
“Just tidying up,” Kate responded, as she walked the remaining glasses over to the bar. “I’ve hosted enough parties to know that they rarely clean themselves up,” she responded, jokingly.
Kate heard Brad say, “I’m sorry,” and she turned to see what he could possibly be apologizing for. “I invited you tonight because I wanted to spend time getting to know you, and I’ve spent the entire evening focused on my hosting duties.” Realizing he was beginning to ramble, he paused before continuing. “Stay for a while?”
He poured himself a generous scotch, neat. “Join me?” he asked. Kate picked up her glass of white wine, which was still half-full, indicating that she was fine. He walked across the room and picked up a pool cue. “I didn’t get to play all evening,” he said as he selected a second cue. “Shoot a quick game with me?” he invited as he walked the cue over to her.
She was by no means a pool shark, but had played enough times to understand the fundamentals of the game. She accepted the cue, smiling outwardly, all the while hoping inwardly that she wouldn’t make a complete fool of herself.
Brad took the break shot and with a powerful stroke, sent the balls scattering around the table. With a ball dropping into the corner pocket, Brad lined up for a second shot when he inquired, “Did you have an enjoyable evening?”
Kate had, but chose her words carefully before responding. “It was lovely.” She paused before continuing, “The food was amazing, although I’m not surprised. Shawna is exceptionally talented. How did you convince her to cater a private party?”
As he sunk his second shot, he responded, “I had the winning bid for a dinner-for-eight package at last month’s silent auction for the new Institute of Technology.”
Kate had followed the Institute’s expansion, and was intrigued that Bradley had gotten so involved in Lowden so quickly. In lining up his third shot, Kate realized she might have to cause a distraction to result in an error. He was about to connect with the ball, when she unfairly interrupted, “Macie was a delight.”
He narrowly missed the mark and with a laugh, stood up and pointed at her and accused, “That was dirty pool.”
“That,” she replied flirtingly, “was not even close to dirty.” She smiled mischievously as she stepped forward to survey the table. She was left with a few choice shots. She slipped off her Jimmy Choos, keenly aware that he was watching her.
“That’s a pity,” he said as he pointed at her discarded shoes. “I was enjoying those.”
Kate lined up to take her shot. She glanced up before taking the shot, and knew from his expression that he was trying to distract her.
“Lovely toe cleavage,” he added as she executed her shot.
In spite of his efforts, the ball plunked square into the pocket, and she brushed by him to take a second shot. His cologne was tantalizing as it permeated her nostrils, an earthen blend of leather and spice, making her feel delightfully unsteady as she slowly continued around the table. With the perfect amount of alcohol in her system to calm her nerves, she easily sunk a second shot.
“I had no idea of your amateur status,” Brad quipped as she re-chalked her pool cue. Kate was trying not to visibly show her attraction to him, and she took a sip of wine while surveying the table. The easy shots were gone, and she knew her run was over. She took a difficult shot, knowing she had a minimal chance of sinking the ball, but hoping she’d place the cue ball in an awkward position for her opponent’s next shot.
Brad brushed by her on his way to the other end of the table, and placing his hand on her elbow, lingered briefly as he whispered, “Nice shot.” Her knees weakened just a little as he continued to the end of the table. He expertly navigated her trap, and lined up his next shot.
His face grew serious. “All kidding about Marci aside,” he said as the ball dropped, “I am concerned about Thomas. I’ve known him for years, and this is very uncharacteristic behavior.”
“First of all, I’m pretty sure her name was Macie, not Marci,” Kate interjected. He smiled bashfully and shrugged.
“This is the third very young lady he’s dated since his divorce.”
As he continued to clear the pool table, Kate questioned, “Do you remember eating marshmallows as a kid?”
He peered intently at her, wondering what on earth Thomas’s dalliances possibly had in common with marshmallows.
Undaunted, Kate continued, “Don’t you remember that as a kid, you could pile back the marshmallows? There were never enough?” She paused as he took another shot, and continued when he looked up at her, desperately seeking the logic in her explanation.
“Now, try and remember the last time you had a marshmallow as an adult. I’m willing to bet it was over a campfire,” she said as she walked to her wine glass on the sidebar and took another sip, “You savor every bite of the first marshmallow you’ve had in years. It’s pretty good, right?” Brad nodded in response, re-chalking his cue, still holding a quizzical look on his face. “You try another bite. It’s good, but not nearly as satisfying as you remembered. You eventually try a third bite, but you’re done.” Kate paused. “They aren’t at all like you remembered.”
Brad laughed as he said, “Are you comparing Marci, or Macie,” he quickly corrected, “to a marshmallow?”
“My point is,” Kate continued as she walked back to where he stood at the pool table, “is that soon…very soon, Thomas is going to realize that the marshmallow he remembers is really just an unsatisfying piece of puffed-up sugar and gelatin, and that if he’s going to cook over a campfire, he’d much prefer a well-aged steak.”
Her quirky analogy now made sense. Standing quietly, Brad sighed a long sigh, and shrugging his shoulders said, “I hope you’re right, Kate, I really hope you’re right.”
He lifted his gaze. Kate followed his eyes as they travelled up her dress, eventually meeting her eyes. His expression was intense. Leaning forward, he very slowly and softly let his lips meet hers. After a long moment, their lips parted and he leaned his forehead against hers. He lingered, silently, before stepping back. Kate slowly licked her lips as he cornered the table and lined up for his final shot, savoring the taste of scotch that remained. She took a deep breath to clear her head. The eight ball sunk into the pocket, and he walked back to her and leaned against the table beside his glass.
He gazed into her eyes as he slowly took a drink. She stared into his steely blue eyes and resisted the urge to make a move.
Setting down his drink, he reached out his hand and motioned her toward him. Kate cautiously stepped forward, still holding her pool cue. He slipped his hand onto her waist, pulling her in. She slithered her bare foot between his. She could feel his toned quadriceps against her thigh, and was greeted with evidence of his arousal.
“Witty, clever, and beautiful,” he murmured as he kissed her. His lips lingered, and she savored each tingle as it rushed through her body.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he murmured as he slipped in another tentative and teasing kiss.
“Y–you have?” she stammered, leaning back just enough to catch his gaze.
He slipped his hand up her arm, gliding across her bare shoulder to the nape of her neck, and pulled her back in, continuing to kiss her, slowly, tentatively exploring her mouth with his tongue before responding. Kate marveled at how effortlessly he drew out such intense pleasure in her.
“I’ve been attracted to you since the moment that I met you,” he admitted, as he paused between kisses. “Given your circumstances,” he punctuated with a soft kiss, “I thought it less than prudent to complicate your life further.”
Kate was speechless. She’d desired this man from a distance, not having a clue that he felt the same way.
With a sleepy smile, she leaned in, letting her tongue slip between his lips and kissed him. With an increasing urgency and desire, she left the pool cue leaning against the table, and let her hands explore his body. She let her hands wander up the arms of his tai
lored shirt and down his torso. He was fit. Very fit. It was mesmerizing.
As he explored her long, slender neck with his tongue and lips, he slowly slid his hand from her waist, inching up the fabric of her dress and deftly caressed her breast. She moaned with dizzying pleasure, and gasped for air.
“You liked that?” he murmured in a husky voice, knowing the question had already been answered. He hungrily kissed her bare shoulder and she tossed her head back in absolute pleasure.
Kate could feel her breasts swell with desire, and her nipples pressed against the silk fabric. The ache between her legs was growing.
He continued to caress her breasts as he unzipped her dress. He slipped the broached fabric away, and the willowy sheath floated to the floor.
With focus and intensity, Kate removed his tie, discarding it on the pool table. She skillfully unbuttoned his collar, releasing a waft of his increasingly delicious scent, and let one hand fall to his waist. She nimbly released his belt buckle, undid the buttons, and slid down the zipper to his pants. Stealing her hands between his pants and his hips, she slipped off his tailored dress pants.
She urgently kissed his lips before moving to unbutton his shirt. Her lips followed each button with a lingering kiss on his taut chest. As she descended, he deftly removed her bra and dropped it to the floor. She yearned to feel her skin pressed against his hot flesh.
