Wrapped In Shadows

by Eugene, Lisa

  Because you are an amazing lover….

  I caught my bottom lip between my teeth and my gaze skittered away, afraid he’d read my unbidden thought.

  “It was actually my first time there too.”

  My head swung back at him and my gaze had to travel to reach his face. He was a tall man, taller than Josh by a few inches, I imagined. He had a strange look on his face, a distant expression I couldn’t read.

  “How do you know it was my first time?”

  That dimple appeared again and his gaze latched on to mine, holding it captive. “I could tell.”

  I felt my cheeks heat and was glad for the darkness. My body still quivered under the coat and I knew it wasn’t from the cold.

  “Not for any reason other than the fact that you were nervous,” he added. He seemed about to say more, but then decided against it.

  I took a deep breath. “How did you know it was me? It was so dark in there.”

  He was quiet for a long moment and I thought he wouldn’t answer.

  “I’d know you anywhere,” he responded at length. I sucked air into my lungs and forced myself to look away. He continued, “Did you know it was me?”

  “No. I…I thought it was Bruce.”

  “Disappointed?”

  “No…yes! I mean Oh God, this is so…” I gulped, still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I was here, talking to him. He was supposed to be a pleasurable indulgence, a man I’d never see again. A temporary fix for my aching heart.

  “Awkward?”

  “To say the least. I um… recognized your coat at the party.”

  His eyebrow quirked.

  “You have a pink smudge on the cuff.”

  He tilted his head and smiled slightly, causing the dimple to reappear. “I had been finger painting.”

  I frowned and gave him a quizzical look, but decided not to pursue my curiosity. The less I knew about him, the better. Fuck, he was Josh’s boss!

  He held my gaze. “I see I’m not the only one who pays attention to detail.”

  I felt my throat go dry. I swallowed and looked away, trying to ignore the sudden buzz in my body as the moment dragged uncomfortably.

  He scrubbed a hand across his jaw and glanced around. “Listen, it’s late. I’ll drive you home.”

  I shook my head. “No, thanks. You don’t have to. I can take a cab.”

  “No need. I’m parked just up the street.” He smiled, ushering me forward.

  I hesitated briefly, wondering how sensible it was to allow him to take me home. I was still reeling from this revelation, but I was also stranded and needed a ride. Intuitively I didn’t feel I was in danger. He was the owner of one of the biggest PR agencies in Manhattan, and from what Michelle told me, it was about to get bigger. Plus, it wasn’t as though he was exactly a stranger. I fell into step beside him and he slowed to match my shorter stride.

  Pulling the edges of his jacket around me, I huddled inside. I frowned. “Did you know it was me when I was at the office?”

  He nodded.

  My mind was racing. I had so many questions, but was afraid of the answers. We walked up to a silver Mercedes and he held the door open. I was about to duck into the seat when I stopped.

  “My coat…I left it at the party.”

  “We’ll drive back to the house and you can grab it.”

  I shook my head with a sigh, thinking of Josh. I didn’t want another scene. “I don’t want to go back in there.”

  “I’ll get it. Just tell me what it looks like.”

  I hesitated briefly, causing him to cock his head and regard me. From this angle, the light bounced around in his eyes. The vivid green was stunning. “I’ll be in and out. No one will even know I’ve been there.”

  I cautiously agreed and a minute later we pulled up in front of the house. I described my black coat with the fur-lined collar and he saluted dutifully with the sexiest lop-sided grin I’d ever seen. He then exited the car and I sat in the dark vehicle still in a state of dull shock. I pulled the collar of his jacket to my nose and inhaled again. Holy shit! I couldn’t believe it. Images of us having sex swirled in my brain, a smoky vision of sweaty bodies writhing in pleasure. But beyond that was the feeling of utter contentment and euphoria I’d felt in his arms. I choked out a sound and squeezed my eyes shut, scattering the visions and feelings they conjured. Damn, all my girly parts were already tingling! And I knew it could only portend disaster.

  Another minute slipped by and my nerves were fraying at the edges. What if Josh caught him carrying my coat? What if people stopped him to chat and drew him into the party? I started to anxiously knot my knuckles when Luke slipped back into the driver’s seat.

  “Mission accomplished.” He grinned handsomely, placing the jacket on my lap. “And I didn’t even need one of those ropes to suspend me from the ceiling.”

  I shot him a brief half-smile, but my fingers were still shaking as I held the coat.

  “There was another that looked almost exactly like it, so I hope it’s the right one. There was also a full length mink. Looked very expensive. I can go back and get you that one, if you like.”

  Despite myself, I smiled fully. He had an easy way about him, like a man who was accustomed to humor. It warmed me and melted a little of my anxiety…just a little.

  “This is mine,” I assured after examining the label. “I’m good with this one, thanks.” I turned to him with a smile and our gazes connected. Something passed between us in that long, silent moment, then awkwardly we both looked away, peering out into the darkness.

  He cleared his throat after a minute. “We should get going.”

  I nodded and tried to quell the noise in my head and the troubling state of my body that made me hot, then cold, then hot again.

  After taking my address, he pulled the Mercedes away from the curb. A thick quiet of unspoken words filled the car, but I for the life of me didn’t know where to start. We came to a stop light and I let my gaze secretly peruse his profiled features. I’d had so many fantasies of him. Now he was flesh and bone, and very…male. I mean attractive…like www.meltmypanties@hotmale.com. His hair was dark and wavy, and cut short. He had a high forehead and a very strong nose. The only word that came to mind for his lips was…decadent. They were full and beautifully curved, softening features that might otherwise be harsh. I recalled how truly decadent those lips could be, and that…that…tongue. God! I turned to look out the window, chastising myself again for my wayward thoughts. This situation was a disaster! Tonight had been a mistake. I should not be contemplating such things!

  “So you’re Wilkinson’s fiancé?”

  His quiet question startled me and I took a minute to think.

  “It’s complicated.”

  He nodded, but didn’t press and we rode in silence a few more minutes.

  “What brought you to Sensations?” he asked.

  Besides the obvious? I knew he was looking for a different answer. I caught my lip between my teeth and pressed hard, not wanting to get into it.

  “It’s complicated.”

  He nodded again, but I noticed his fingers tighten on the steering wheel.

  “What brought you? You said it was your first time.” I couldn’t help but ask. I’d been wondering ever since he confessed that detail.

  “I could say it’s complicated, but the long and short of it is that a few friends conspired to give me a present.”

  “Present?” I raised a startled brow.

  “They thought I needed a little cheering up.”

  “I see.” I didn’t really, but was too polite to ask.

  He smiled as our gazes met and held. “Best. Gift. Ever.”

  I couldn’t return the smile. Instead my gaze escaped out the window and I wondered at the sudden fluttering in my chest. What must he think of me?

  We rode in silence as we made our way back into the city, and soon the Mercedes was pulling up in front of a sleek skyscraper. Luke parked the car and left the en
gine running. He came around and opened my door. I shrugged off the jacket, strangely missing its fragrance. He wrapped my coat around my shoulders as I stepped out of the vehicle.

  “I’ll walk you in.”

  I started to protest, but he shook his head. Acquiescing, I proceeded him through the giant glass doors of my building, giving a slight wave to the doormen and concierges. Turning to say goodbye and to thank him for the ride, I was surprised to find him standing close. He made no attempt to step back. My body quaked as we stood almost touching, facing each other in the massive lobby. The already thick tension between us seemed to congeal, mixing with a trace of sandalwood, and my heart was doing double time.

  “I think—”

  “It was—”

  Our words collided and Luke smiled, nodding to me.

  “No, please…you go.” I shook my head, staring at my trembling hands.

  Hooking a finger under my chin, he tilted my gaze up to meet his. My lips parted, my skin sizzling where he touched me. My gaze dropped to his sensuous mouth. Oh God, I really wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel the press of his lips and the silky glide of his tongue. I wanted to be wrapped naked in sandalwood. The realization slammed into me and bloomed a vivid recollection of his touch, the ecstasy of him driving into me and his warm breath on my heated skin. He was such a gorgeous man, and those deep green eyes seemed able to peer through me, to read my thoughts.

  “It was amazing, Kay. I think a lot about that night.”

  I swallowed hard, his words highlighting my dark memories with splashes of neon color. I also thought about how disastrous it would be if word ever got out. “Pl...please don’t tell anyone.”

  “Don’t worry.” He slanted his head and regarded me. “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “Thank you,” I whispered as I pulled away, forcing him to drop his hand. I turned and almost ran to the elevator, feeling his dark green gaze dig into my back.

  *************************

  Luke

  I walked into my apartment and did what I usually do when I got home late—made a beeline to Livy’s room. I quietly pushed open the door and walked to her bed. A smile claimed my lips as I gazed down at my sleeping five year old. She was curled into a tight ball with Annie, her favorite rag doll, clutched to her chest. I reached down and pushed the mop of dark curls off her face, then gently kissed her forehead. I tucked the covers under her neck and backed up, lowering my tired body into the rocking chair in the corner.

  The nightlight cast a dreamy glow in the room, and I could almost pretend all was well. But all hadn’t been well in my life for many years. Tonight was no exception. My mind kept rewinding the night and replaying my roller-coaster emotions. My heart had bucked with joyful surprise when I’d seen Kay come through the door at the party. I thought I’d imagined her, that I’d confused a different blonde for her. I’d planned on asking Michelle about her friend on Monday, and was glad fate had finally cut me a break and granted a wish. I’d just taken a step toward her when Josh Wilkinson cut across my path, smiling wide, his demeanor almost boastful as he sauntered up to her. I had stopped dead in my tracks, feeling like I’d been sucker punched.

  Josh Wilkinson! Josh fucking Wilkinson? I shook my head. I would never have thought. I remembered a while back there was a rumor about him being engaged, but by the way Josh conducted himself, I thought it was just talk. The irony of the situation didn’t escape me. I’d given Josh his job with Davenport Advertising a few years back as a favor to Josh’s father—to keep Josh out of trouble. Josh was a hot head, and he and his father didn’t get along. His father had cut him out of the family’s lucrative agricultural company, which was now run by his brother.

  I had done some work for his family, and impressed, the senior Wilkinson had introduced me to some very influential people who’d helped to push Davenport PR to the forefront of the industry. In turn, he’d asked a favor for his son and I couldn’t say no. Many times I wished he had. Not only did Josh not get along with the people he worked with, he felt entitled to special treatment because of his wealthy, influential family. He was lazy and self-indulgent, and had trouble keeping his clients. The Kotobuki account had been a test, and from what I’d seen tonight, Josh had failed miserably.

  How had Kay ended up with Josh? Engaged? The thought soured my empty stomach. I frowned. And more so, what the hell had she been doing at a sex club if she was engaged?

  “Fuck!” I swore softy and sagged against the chair. I wished I could wipe my mind clean of the platinum haired beauty with the lost blue eyes. No woman had ruled my thoughts so much in the four years since my wife’s death. Who would have thought when I’d agreed to go along with my friend’s crazy plan that night that this would be the outcome?

  I was plagued by the memory of her body pinned beneath me and her silky legs wrapped around my ass. She’d soothed more than my physical ache. She’d freed something inside me, something I couldn’t quite explain. It was as if she’d opened a door and a burden was carried off on the wings of despair. I just felt lighter, less…troubled.

  She’d been heaven in my arms. At first she’d been nervous, almost trembling in my embrace, but the chemistry between us had been electric. I knew she’d felt it too. She’d quickly become eager and responsive, giving as good as she got. She’d been so wet, so warm, so delicious… I groaned low and squeezed my eyes shut as my cock stirred, growing rock hard in my pants. I looked over at my sleeping daughter and the sight tempered my libido. I took a long, slow breath.

  Complicated. Yeah, life was already complicated and I had priorities. Whatever was going on between Kay and Josh, I’d do well to stay out of it. I stood and kissed my daughter’s warm forehead before finding my own empty bed.

  *************************

  Katie

  I hated making television appearances, but I knew it was valuable publicity for the Vandercamp Foundation. When a popular anchor of a morning show invited me on for a live interview, I took the opportunity to detail the altruistic endeavors of the foundation. I hadn’t been feeling well. I’d awoken that morning with a throbbing headache, probably from all the recent stress, but didn’t want to cancel the interview. I’d managed to get through it, but now my head was starting to feel like someone was playing drums inside my brain. These tension migraines didn’t happen often, but when they did, they could be debilitating. Determined to ignore the pain, I pasted a smile on my face that even my mother would be proud of. I had too much to do today. I had no time to deal with feeling ill.

  I’d no sooner finished my fifteen minute segment when I got a call from Vicki that the office was flooded with phone calls from people not only looking for help, but also people willing to donate. With the holiday season upon us, I was thrilled to get so many contributions. I thanked the host, said a few words to the producer and was just about to leave the studio when an intern ran up to inform me there was a man waiting for me.

  The first image that popped into my head was that of a tall, handsome man with bottle green eyes, and I scolded myself when my heart rate sped up. I poked my head around a corner and saw Josh loitering in the hall. He spotted me and waved, shooting me a sheepish grin. I hadn’t spoken to him since the night of the party. I’d been so wrapped up with planning the new autism event that I hadn’t had time to return his calls. The flowers had started coming again at the office and were so many that I had them distributed to the nearby hospital.

  Surprised to see him in the middle of the day, I shrugged into my coat and approached him.

  He was wearing a dark wool coat and his hair was moussed in that tussled spiky look I always liked. He kissed my cheek and smiled. “I saw the interview. You did great.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled, glad we’d started on a neutral topic. “They said they’d air it a few times this week.”

  He pushed his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry about the other night. Bruce really fucked things up. He caused quite a scene.”

  Just thinking
about the ordeal at the party caused my head to pound harder. I was about to point out that the situation could have been handled better when his next words stopped me.

  “I lost the Kotobuki account.” A grim line marked his jaw. “Those fuckers at work sabotaged me! I’m sure this is all Davenport needs to make my life miserable. That bastard wouldn’t be where he is today without my family’s help. He enjoys pushing me around, but he’ll get his soon enough…”

  “I’m sorry about the account,” I interrupted, feeling a twinge of guilt. I most definitely did not want to talk about his boss, and was not feeling at full capacity to argue with him.

  He pulled me into a hug and I slid my arms around his waist.

  “I’m sorry things are such a mess, babe,” he said against my ear. “Once we’re married, I’m gonna tell Davenport where he can shove this lousy job. We’ll live in the penthouse, and we’ll travel—see the world like we always talked about.”

  I pulled back, needing to replenish my lungs. So much had changed since we’d made plans for our future.

  “Josh, right now there is no wedding. You said you wouldn’t pressure me.”

  I saw his chest rise and fall and his jaw tighten. He shoved his fingers through his hair, spiking it further. “I know. I just love you so much. I’ll give you more time to decide.” He smiled boyishly and looked at his watch. “How about now. Decided yet?”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle at the face he made.

  “Let me take you to lunch.” He placed a finger on my lips, stopping my protest. “Just a friendly lunch. I need someone to talk to. The holiday season is hard for me. I think about my mom a lot. I promise not to mention the wedding.” He gave me a beseeching look and crossed his heart in a way that made my own reach out to him.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

  He grinned. “I’ve been busting my ass so much lately, I managed to get the afternoon off.”

  I pushed back my hair, squinting, the overhead lights starting to feel like they were scraping my eyeballs.