Greg dropped into his chair. He picked up a pen, tapping it on his pristine blotter pad while he tried to think of a way to speak with Maggie. He needed to get an accounting team together to work on the Silverstone project. Of course, she wasn’t qualified, but it might not matter. At least she’d have to spend time with him. Work late if necessary to meet deadlines.
Perfect, he thought, mentally flitting over names to fill the rest of his team for the project. At worst, she could always make coffee and run messages, liaise with the office and IT departments.
“Maggie, dear. You’re not getting away from me, not after all the time I’ve invested in you.”
He gave a fleeting thought to one of their last conversations. Spanking. Now that had been weird. Way out of character. Surely, she couldn’t have been serious?
Connor scanned the room and shuddered at the speculative stares he intercepted from some of the women. He felt like a duck in the sights of a shooter’s rifle. No wonder sensible ducks headed for ponds situated in the middle of reserves come shooting season. A dark corner of the pub next door would work for him.
“How long does this last?” he mumbled to Julia.
Julia caught a woman staring at him and snickered. “Don’t be a baby. They won’t hurt you.”
He glanced at Maggie. All he wanted to do was grab her and run. She didn’t belong here anymore than he did. Not that he could tell her that. He cursed himself for allowing this situation to develop. What he should have done was tell Julia and the others he wanted Maggie and gone from there. Nah, that wouldn’t have worked. They would have pressured Maggie to turn down his request for a date. The four women thought he was incapable of settling with one woman. A touch of frustration brought a deep frown. Once, that would have been true.
Even six months ago the accusation would have contained the ring of truth.
Things changed. People changed.
A strident bell rang and a woman approached the waiting mike on the small stage at the front of the room. The din of excited chatter faded to quiet expectancy.
“Welcome to the very first Auckland Speed Dating event. Thank you for coming tonight. Your attendance fee is going to a good cause—to aid research for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand.”
Thunderous applause erupted, and the apprehension in Connor abated. Each time he started to feel like a duck in the sights of a hunter, he’d remind himself this was for charity. And he’d be able to keep an eye on Maggie. He didn’t want anyone else to get ideas about her.
Maggie belonged to him.
She just didn’t know it yet.
“When you registered for this event, you each completed a form with your details. When you checked in tonight, you received a number. That is your number for tonight. You should also have a second sheet with other numbers. Those numbers will be your dates for tonight.”
Connor shot Maggie a swift glance but failed to grab her attention. Irritation burst in him when he realized she was scoping out the competition. Scowling, he checked them out too, trying to decide what she might see in them. Call him big-headed, but they were a geeky-looking bunch. The closest guy looked as if he might run at the sight of a rugby ball. A dazed expression froze on his face when a woman approached him. Connor felt sneaking sympathy. Don’t make eye contact! Too late, the guy gave the woman a tentative smile. She pounced.
“Hey, Connor. Seen anyone you like the look of?” Julia asked.
“Don’t you dare move away from me,” he muttered.
Grinning, she backed up, and he grabbed her arm. “Don’t even think about it. They can’t see through my clothes. Can they?”
Julia blinked. “They’re trying to will them away. Now you know what women feel like when we pass a building site.”
“Huh, Susan told me you girls make a special detour to pass the building site at the bottom of Queen Street.”
“Busted.” Julia’s eyes glowed with silent laughter. It made Connor realize her behavior bordered on reserved recently.
“How are things with you, Jules? I haven’t seen you much lately.” Although they’d never slept together, they were close, and he often stopped by her apartment to visit. Since hooking up with Maggie, he hadn’t done that as much.
“I’m fine. Nothing a holiday in the sun wouldn’t fix.”
Connor knew the feeling. He’d love a week on a Pacific Island with Maggie. Time in a place without interruptions and where they didn’t need to hide they were a couple sounded like heaven. Rarotonga or maybe Samoa. Even Fiji.
“See anyone interesting?” Julia interrupted his daydreams of sand and sun, Maggie in a bikini. Maggie naked.
“I’m too scared to look at any of the women.”
“Good men are hard to find,” Julia said. “That’s why a function like this has more women than men.”
“So why did you agree to come?”
“Bored with my own company,” Julia said.
“But—”
“Despite popular opinion, I’m not a slut. I don’t have a constant parade of men through my bed.”
Connor blinked. “Of course you don’t. I never said you were. Are you sure nothing is wrong?”
Julia sniffed. “Positive.” The sheen of tears in her eyes said otherwise. Momentary panic hit him, his relief when the woman in charge of the event approached the mike on the stage again almost palpable. Crying women always got to him because he never knew how to comfort them. Sometimes it didn’t matter what a man did. They cried regardless.
“Gentlemen, please find the desk with your number on it and take a seat. They’re clearly labeled behind the screens. Ladies, the numbers of your dates are all in the same area. We’ll get started in a few minutes, just as soon as the gentlemen are seated and ready to proceed. Remember you have five minutes with each date. The bell will go when your time is up and you move onto the next one. At the end of the dating, everyone will complete a form, detailing the numbers they’re interested in meeting again. We’ll take things from there and contact you with your list of prospective dates. Good luck, and have fun!”
Applause filled the hotel ballroom, some clapping with more enthusiasm than others. Connor fell in the lukewarm category.
“That’s your cue,” Julia said, sending him a wink.
“Right.” With a last glance at Maggie, he strode away to find his desk behind the screened off area of the ballroom.
“I’ve been looking forward to this all week, but now that I’ve seen the men I’m not so keen,” Susan said in a glum voice.
Privately Maggie agreed with her, although it wasn’t right to judge by appearance. “There are a couple of guys who look okay.” And one of them was Connor. She’d noticed the way some of the women had looked at him, like a dieter studied a chocolate bar.
She tried to tamp down the jealousy blooming inside her. No reason for it, she told herself. They’d both agreed they were free to date others.
A bell interrupted her jumbled thoughts. “Ladies, the gentlemen are ready for you. If you’re a bit lost and not sure where to go, look for the ladies wearing the bright yellow T-shirts. They’re stewards and will help with directions.”
“I’m starting to feel like I’m at school,” Christina said. “And look how the women outnumber the men. I feel like I’m in a competition and that makes me nervous.”
“You and me both,” Susan agreed.
“I’m going to need drinks after this,” Julia said. “Anyone else want to hit a bar with me?”
Maggie nodded. “I’m in. We can discuss our dates. Good luck. Something tells me we’re going to need it.” There were some beautiful women present tonight. Old insecurities surged back to haunt her. If they couldn’t find dates, what hope did she have?
She slipped into the seat opposite her first date and forced a smile. “Hi, I’m Maggie.”
“Stewart,” he said. “I like stamp collecting and reading Superman comics.”
“That’s nice.”
“Can you cook?
”
“Yes, I like cooking,” Maggie said.
“Good, I need a woman who can cook. My mother said that’s important.”
Maggie stared, shocked. In her worst nightmares she hadn’t thought the men would be this bad. She glanced at her watch. Another hour. A drink was looking good, and she’d barely started. “What else are you looking for in a woman?”
“I want a woman who is a good cook, does a good job of housework and won’t mind looking after my mother.”
“I’m not very good with sick people.” Maggie had no experience with ill people and didn’t want to learn unless it was for someone she cared about. “Maybe you should hire a maid?”
His mouth dropped open.
Just then the bell went.
Saved by the bell. Surely the dates couldn’t be all as bad as Stewart?
She slipped into the next seat and smiled a welcome. To her relief he wasn’t as bad. He just wasn’t very interesting either. Her mind drifted to spanking and her blog.
“Is there anything you’d like to know about me?” he asked. “Maggie?”
“Yes, what do you think of the idea of spanking in a consenting adult relationship?”
The man’s mouth opened and closed before he replied. “Spanking? During sex, you mean?”
“That’s right,” Maggie said in a crisp voice. She almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
“I haven’t thought about it,” he said. “Er…I suppose I could try it. What would you spank me with? Would it hurt?”
“That wasn’t quite what I had in mind,” Maggie said, the need to laugh out loud taking her by surprise. Maybe the night wouldn’t be so bad after all.
The bell went and she moved on to her next date. She grinned and took her seat. “Hi, I’m Maggie. How do you feel about spanking?”
The man stared at her, his mouth curling into a delighted grin. “I haven’t been naughty.”
“But you’re thinking about spanking. Surely that’s worth a swat or two.”
“And I came tonight under protest,” he said. “Where have you been all my life?”
“So you could be interested in spanking?”
He winked at her. Maggie grinned back. Not bad. The man edged into cute when he smiled.
“Stranger things have happened,” he said.
“Have you spanked anyone before?”
“I’d be willing to learn.”
The bell went and with a quick wave, Maggie sashayed to her next date. Maybe this speed dating wouldn’t be as bad as she thought.
“Spanking?” her fourth date asked. “Isn’t that a bit kinky?”
“And your point is…?”
“None of the other girls have asked me that question. Is spanking a new fad I haven’t heard about yet?”
“Just ordinary run of the mill kink, I think,” Maggie said, managing to keep her smile at bay. “Do you have any interests?”
“Nothing to beat spanking. You really like getting spanked? It turns you on?”
Maggie allowed herself a secret smile. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Good grief. This flirty siren wasn’t her. She didn’t want to attract the wrong sort of man. It was fun, though.
The bell rang. Maggie stood. “Nice to meet you.
Three dates later, she came across Connor. “Hi.” She grinned at him. “Are you having fun?”
“Fun is not the word I’d use to describe this speed dating thing.”
“So you haven’t met anyone interesting?”
“I didn’t expect to. Did you?”
Maggie thought about her dates so far. “I’ve met a few interesting men.” And she’d shocked some of them speechless. A couple had seemed intrigued.
Connor leaned closer, lowered his voice. “What are you doing afterward? You want to come around to my place? Spend the night?”
“I don’t know. The others were talking about the pub. I’d already said I’d go for drinks. They’ll think it’s strange if we both change our minds.”
The bell sounded, loud and strident.
“That’s my cue to meet my next date.” Maggie blew him a kiss. “Only four more dates to go and we’re out of here.”
Connor groaned. “Don’t remind me. I’m gonna start making things up soon. I’m tired of the same old questions.”
“Poor baby. It sounds like you need a drink.”
“I need more than a drink. I need a shower. I feel dirty after being stared at so hard.”
With a laugh Maggie went to her next date, a spring in her step.
Connor wished he’d never agreed to come along. All he could think about was Maggie. He wasn’t interested in other woman. Once, maybe. But not anymore. Hiding and skulking around wasn’t working for him. He wanted to tell everyone that he and Maggie were together. The friends with benefits deal meant he couldn’t do a thing.
Hamstrung by his own cleverness.
The final bell rang.
Thank God. Connor stood and joined the rest of the men. “I’m pleased that’s over with. I came under protest.”
“I don’t know,” one of the men said. “There were a few interesting dates. One girl asked me about spanking.”
“You too?” another man asked. “She was fun—she didn’t look like the kind of girl who would be into kinky stuff.”
“No one asked me about spanking.” Suspicion rioted through Connor. “What did she look like?”
“A bit on the plump side. Long dark hair.” The man held his hands up in front of his chest, a leer forming on his face. “Big tits.”
Maggie. Hell, why hadn’t she asked him about spanking? Why would she ask complete strangers and not ask him?
“She’s on my list of dates,” another man said. “I like adventurous women.”
Connor’s mouth tightened. Maggie wasn’t going anywhere with these men. Not if he had anything to do with it.
He left the men talking about the woman who was into spanking. When he exited the screened area, a crush of chattering women met his gaze. Hell. He stilled like a possum in headlights. Where were the girls? He’d had enough of feeling like prey. Julia. Good. Without making eye contact, he navigated the room.
“Drink,” he said in greeting.
Julia gave a clipped nod. “Let’s go.”
“Where are the others?”
“Somewhere around the place. I saw Susan briefly. They’re meeting us at the pub around the corner. God, if I ever agree to do speed dating again, shoot me. It was excruciating.” She hooked her arm in his and dragged him toward the door.
Connor went unwillingly. He didn’t like leaving Maggie here with all those men. What the hell had she been thinking, asking about spanking?
Chapter Ten
What would you do if a stranger started asking you questions about spanking? Run for the hills or feel intrigued enough to ask questions?
I don’t know what came over me. I was in a social situation recently, bored out of my brain. I started thinking about spanking out of self-defense. Hey! Can I help it if spanking preys on my mind these days?
Anyhow, instead of the same boring getting-to-know-you conversation, I asked about spanking. It made the interaction interesting, livened things up a little. The reactions fell into two camps. The men were either for or totally against spanking. One guy was disappointed because he thought I wanted to spank him. Call me an innocent, but it never occurred to me a man would want to be on the end of a spanking. You learn something every day.
I learned something else too. Most of the men who were open to spanking immediately let their minds jump into the gutter. I could see it in their faces. They wondered what else I would do. One of them actually asked me if he could meet me later for a quickie in the car park. Another asked if I was open to anything. When I asked for clarification, he mentioned BDSM. His eyes glittered with a scary light when he mentioned whips and chains. He might have mentioned anal sex as well, but I was too busy trying to change the subject to take in everything. He was seriously cre
epy.
All of this made me realize I need to stop talking about my desires. I’m with a man who makes me feel good. The sex is pure dynamite between us, and I live for the times when we’re together.
We’ve learned a lot about each other and something in his background makes it difficult for me to tell him what I’d like, what I need. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’ve come to care for him and I don’t want to drive him away. On the other hand, I know I’m not going to be happy until I try spanking.
LOL, I’ve had a thought. What happens if the reality doesn’t match my fantasies? What happens if, after all this time, I hate spanking and it does nothing for me except give me a sore bottom? Yeah, wouldn’t that be a real kick? A spanking aficionado who hates receiving a spanking.
Maggie yawned and slapped at the alarm clock, wishing she could stay in bed for longer. Wasn’t gonna happen.
She dragged herself out of the bed and stood. The twisted sheets told the story. She’d tossed and turned for half the night, worried about her most recent blog entry. The post got right to the point. What if she was all talk and no action? A pretender?
She padded to bathroom and flipped on shower. A decision. She needed one. Today.
Either she had to man up and tell Connor what she wanted—exactly what she wanted—or she needed to move on. Use the terms of their friends with benefits deal to find a man who would spank her without a qualm.
A man without baggage.
An hour later, she ran through the front doors of Barker & Johnson. No puffing. This fitness kick was good for something. Maggie hit the elevator button and tapped her foot while waiting for the car to arrive. Long minutes later the elevator let out a cheeky beep. The doors opened. Maggie stepped inside and waited for them to close.
They’d almost shut when a male voice called, “Hold the lift.” A hand shot between the doors at the same time Maggie hit the hold button.
“Thanks. You know those days when nothing seems to go right?” He glanced at Maggie and continued talking without waiting for her reply. “I’m having one of those days. I’m late for an appointment.”
He grinned, and Maggie couldn’t help smiling back. Taller than Greg but not quite as tall as Connor, the man had brown eyes that were full of humor and masculine appreciation. His glance darted to her left hand and back to her face. “I’m Kevin Grainger.” His blond hair was cut short and he had a designer stubble thing going on. The casual look contrasted sharply with the charcoal gray designer suit and pale pink tie.
The Bottom Line Page 13
