My Safe Place

by Steph Poe

  His hair is a darker brown than his beard, and I notice a few silver hairs above his ears. He has the top pushed to the side in the front and it is slightly disheveled. I trail my gaze to his broad shoulders and down his muscular arms to his powerful hands.

  "The wood grain on this desk is beautiful." He keeps his hand on the desk as he advances towards me on the other side. He stops directly in front of me, close enough that his scent invades my nostrils and I breathe it in deeply. My heart starts to race as I feel the flush creeping up my chest again. He is so close to me that I feel like he might kiss me, which is an absurd thought considering we've only just met. To my own dismay, I feel like I want nothing more than for him to grab me and put his mouth over mine.

  I stagger a little as I force myself to take a step back from him. "I really love the antique drawer pulls here." I point out the brushed nickel ring pulls that are on all of the side drawers. He takes his eyes away from me only momentarily, barely glancing at the rings.

  "They're really very archaic." He seems disinterested. "Let's get something out of the way before we continue to discuss the many things I'm going to do for you on a professional scale." He steps forward and closes in the space that I created a moment ago. My breathing becomes erratic and I struggle to keep my composure. What the hell is happening here?

  He raises his arm and touches my forearm with just one finger and lightly runs it from my elbow down into the palm of my hand. It feels like he's hit a bundle of nerves and the sensation travels straight into my core. He continues tracing small circles in my hand.

  "I know you're affected by me. I've felt it from the moment I walked through the door and you flashed those beautiful blue eyes at me." I am mesmerized by those words. Of course I feel it. I don't remember ever having this sort of reaction to a man, especially a stranger I just met.

  I battle myself over how to respond to him. I can't think straight while he is caressing my hand so gently. He has the upper hand and I can't let that happen. I am in control of every situation I'm in. Who does he think he is, touching me like this? Putting himself in my personal space. I decide quickly that I need to show him who really is in charge.

  I pull my hand back and cross my arms over my chest. "Mr. Ryker, that is very presumptuous of you." I run my tongue over my lower lip before taking it in my teeth. I see him staring at my lips and his breathing seems to have sped up. I smirk, enjoying the fact that I can get a reaction out of him. I instantly feel more in control of the situation.

  "Just Cal, Lake." He gives me a disapproving glare.

  "I think we need to keep this professional. I don't get involved with my clients," I state matter-of-factly as I walk around towards the door and turn back to face him.

  "Good thing I'm not your client." He takes a step towards me, well on his way to invading my personal space again. "In fact, you're my client, and I don't have any rules about getting involved with my clients."

  Shit. He's got me there.

  My eyes scan the room, looking for a comeback that I'm not finding.

  "Shall we go back into the conference room to discuss details?" I ask the question but don't wait for an answer, instead walking out of my office and straight across the hallway. Distraction is sometimes the best tactic.

  We sit at the table again and he opens his drawing pad, as well as a small photo album.

  He shows me photos of some of the pieces he's made. I know I've made the right choice. The furniture is beautifully designed. He informs me that he has designed all of the pieces and built them himself.

  "My business has expanded the past couple of years, so I do employ a few others to help me in the actual fabrication of the pieces. Although, I still design each piece personally." I can tell he is very proud of his work.

  "Well, everything I've seen so far is wonderful. You're very talented, Cal." He smiles at my compliment and runs his hand through his hair making it more disheveled.

  "Let me rough sketch something for you." He opens his drawing pad and pulls a battered, graphite pencil from the binding of the pad. He begins sketching and I am fascinated by how quickly a few lines turn into a table and then shelves. I'm impressed at the artistry of a simple sketch. His hands move with surprising finesse.

  "Wow, I really love that table."

  "I was thinking a rosewood or redwood for this, depending on your price point of course."

  "I love this detail that you put in the center here." I point to a geometric pattern consisting of triangles and squares arranged artfully.

  "I was thinking of inlaying the rosewood with a zebrawood. It will be unique and special." I catch him staring at me when he says this. I meet his eyes and immediately I'm bewitched by him. His scent fills me again and it's like an aphrodisiac. My entire body is affected by this man and his soapy, woodsy pine scent. I push my hair back behind my ear and turn my eyes away to look down at the sketch.

  "Well, I can't wait to see your final designs. Thank you for meeting with me today." I rise out of my chair and he follows suit. He gathers his things in his left arm and holds out his other to me. I hesitate because I know what I'll feel when our hands touch. Out of sheer politeness, I can't leave him hanging, so I prepare to give him my firmest, all business handshake.

  When I place my hand in his and I feel that spark ignite between us, my firm handshake fails. He grips my hand and does not shake it, but holds on and caresses the back of my hand with his thumb.

  "It was my pleasure meeting you, Lake. Why don't I take you to dinner on Friday to show you what I've come up with?" It sounds like more of a demand than a question. I am very tempted to say yes, but I already told him that I don't get involved with clients, to which he pointed out the obvious; technically I'm his client.

  "I can't do Friday night. I have plans already." I don't have plans. "Why don't we set up another meeting here. Say, one o'clock Friday?"

  He lets out a sigh, revealing his obvious disappointment. I can tell he doesn't like not getting his way.

  "Lake, I would really like to discuss things over dinner." He raises his eyebrows. "You do eat dinner, don't you?" He is very persistent.

  I scoff. "Of course I eat dinner, Cal. But like I said, I don't get involved with... I don't like to mix business with pleasure." I place both hands on my hips. His gaze trails down my body and I'm thankful I'm wearing my favorite fitted gray shift dress and black heels today, giving me the confidence I need to endure his evaluation.

  He smiles a small, sexy smile at me after he is finished appraising my body. "It's not a date, Lake. Haven't you ever discussed business over a meal before?" I roll my eyes at him and let out an exasperated sigh. He's winning and I don't want to admit to myself that I like it. "I'm a very busy man and Friday night happens to be my only free time this week. You aren't my only client, you know."

  Of course I know that. I'm a business owner, too. Besides, I hired him to work for me. I need to take charge of this situation. He is in my office, invading my personal space, assuming that I am interested in him.

  "All right, I guess I can change my plans, but it's a business dinner. We will meet at a restaurant of my choosing and I am paying." I cross my arms over my chest defiantly.

  "I will pick you up here at the office at six-thirty and you most certainly will not be paying," he states confidently with a smirk, then turns to walk out of the room.

  "Wait a second." He barely turns his head to look back at me over his shoulder.

  "Yes, Lake?"

  "Did you already know that poem or did you memorize it just to try to impress me?"

  He smirks at me and, without another word, walks out of the room.

  I am stunned for a moment. Who does he think he is? What an arrogant...sexy bastard. I charge out of the room and towards the front door after him. He's already gone.

  "Everything okay, Lake?" Brynna sounds concerned. I sigh in frustration and turn to catch Brynna's confused and slightly amused expression.

  I cross my arms over my chest
again. "That man is ridiculous." I turn on my heel and walk to my office.

  I drop into my chair. What just happened? I was supposed to have had a simple meeting about some custom furniture I want made. I hadn't planned on being attracted to the guy and blushing at every chance possible, which made it quite difficult to hide the obvious effect he was having on me.

  Looking down at my desk calendar, I'm reminded again that it's only Monday and I am confused at why the thought depresses me. I'm disappointed with myself when it dawns on me that it's because I won't see Cal again for four more days.

  Chapter 2

  The rest of the day passed in a blur. My lunch with Sadie went well; she has prepared some lovely floral arrangements for the Overton wedding. The bride wanted shades of purple and violet in everything and Sadie has definitely accomplished that with hydrangeas, lilacs, and roses. I know my bride will be happy.

  I spoke with Mayor Westin's wife, Florence, who was very pleased with the veteran's ball. She seemed eager to work with me again, mentioning a ladies' banquet she is considering hosting. No doubt a ridiculously expensive meal with middle aged women flaunting their designer clothes and jewelry and discussing the important things of the world, like whose child is the most successful.

  I begin to close down my laptop and finish out my day when Ashton walks into my office and collapses dramatically onto one of the plush burgundy chairs in front of my desk.

  "Hey, I don't know about you but I really need a drink."

  "I could have a drink, or three," I say teasingly. She knows I'm not much of a drinker and can barely make it through two glasses of wine.

  "Let's try out that new bar on Mass Ave. I think it's called Bernstein's. It's like prohibition era themed." Ashton is the reason I try new things. I am the person who likes to go to the same place every time. I like routine and order. It's my controlled life that I love. She is the only one who can drag me to new places, taking me out of my comfort zone.

  "Can't we just go to Harry's like we usually do? They have the wine that I like and the soft leather chairs that we always sit in," I whine at Ashton, but I know it's futile. She never gives in to me.

  "Lake, you have got to loosen up and try new things," she admonishes. "I know you like routine, but think of all the exciting things that could happen if you just give up control and let loose a little." She smirks at me. "Speaking of exciting thingies, when's the last time you had a man? Was it Jim?"

  I blush and look at the ground sheepishly. "Yea, Jim." Jim was my last relationship which only lasted a few months. He was super sweet, but in the end I think he just couldn't handle my needs, or possibly my neurotic need for control.

  "Are you serious? Didn't that end months ago?" She is counting on her fingers. "Like eight months ago?" she asks incredulously.

  I run my hand through my hair and twirl a piece around my finger. "And? Your point is?" I stare at her. "I have more important things to worry about than getting a guy. I have a business to run."

  "Well, you still need to have some fun. I'm not telling you to find your soulmate. I'm telling you to get laid." Sometimes Ashton can be crude, but at least she's honest. I prefer straight to the point over beating around the bush any day.

  She gets up and grabs my hand excitedly. I roll my eyes and follow her out. We stop at her desk so she can grab her things. I glance over at Brynna's empty desk. Monday is her yoga class, so she always leaves promptly at five o'clock.

  I need to ask her about Steve. Ashton looked so depressed today and I need to know what's going on. I hate seeing my best friend like that.

  "So you seemed pretty out of it today. Is it that Steve guy?"

  She slips on her leather jacket, and flips her hair over the collar.

  "Well, over dinner last night, he tells me he was offered a position in Ohio with some gym like the one he works for here, but bigger. So, he tells me he's moving next month." Oh, that's right. Steve is a personal trainer.

  "I told him that was great and I was happy for him."

  "That's it?"

  "Well...yeah. We'd only been dating for like six weeks. I wasn't expecting him to give up a job opportunity for me."

  "I guess I figured maybe he'd like, ask your opinion or something."

  She shrugs her shoulders. "I think we both knew it wasn't too serious between us. We were just having fun."

  Ashton has always been able to have casual relationships with men. I never have. I've never done casual dating. If I'm going to invest my time in a man, I really need to feel something. Something strong that makes me want to spend all of my time with him. I'm more of an "all in" kind of girl.

  "Well, I think I'll let you try to get laid while I hold out for the real thing." I turn my back to her and head towards the door, ready for that glass of wine.

  "Maybe a certain, sexy man that's good with his wood?"

  I giggle and shake my head back at her. I know she's trying to be funny, but I can't help thinking that maybe something could happen with Calvin Ryker, modern woodman.

  *****

  We decide to walk down the block to Bernstein's. It's located in a brick building adjoining several other businesses. The front of the bar has an open patio with outdoor seating. Benches in deep brown with gray cushions and a few black pillows scattered around are arranged in a few L shaped sections. There are a few patrons sitting outside, but the inside of the bar seems more crowded.

  Ashton leads the way inside. She's a social butterfly, so I know that she'll want to sit inside where the masses of people are. I am the opposite and would much prefer to be away from the noise and sit somewhere quiet, where we can talk. The bar is very crowded for a Monday night. We don't see any free tables inside and for that I'm thankful.

  Ashton shrugs her shoulders in obvious disappointment. "I guess we'll sit outside. You wanna go get us a table and I'll get our drinks?"

  I shrug my shoulders and grin at her. "Okay. I'll have some red wine." I know she won't listen to me. She will surprise me with some drink that I will be hesitant to try at first, but then I'll end up loving it.

  She smirks at me and stalks towards the bar. I step back out into the warm night. It's early September in Indiana and the weather is beautiful. Summer is ending but fall hasn't quite arrived yet. Despite the balmy weather, a breeze gives me a slight chill. I pull my jacket over my chest and walk towards one of the L-shaped benches. I spot a table with no one around it and head towards it.

  I sit down, drop my clutch next to me, and pull out my cell phone. I begin perusing social media sites. These sites are such a great way for my business to get exposure. Ashton handles all of our social media accounts and she does an excellent job of it. I look up from my phone and stare out across the street to nowhere in particular as I'm thinking about how different our lives have become with all this technology right at our fingertips, all encased in a little smart phone.

  It's at that moment that I see him. He's wearing the same dark jeans and blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up that he was wearing this morning. My heart rate starts increasing and my tongue begins caressing my lower lip. He hasn't noticed me, so I stare at him unashamedly. His shirt is fitted to him so nicely that I can make out his well defined pecs and I wonder what it would feel like to run my hands across his chest and tug teasingly at that dark chest hair. My eyes find his neck and beautifully groomed beard framing those sexy lips before making it to his eyes.

  Those eyes are staring right at me. Oh shit. He caught me ogling him. I feel that familiar blush creep up my chest and neck. I look away quickly and towards the bar. Where is Ashton? How long does it take to get two drinks anyway? I try to steady my breathing and keep myself from looking back across the street. Two seconds later, I can't resist and I look back over to the area where I spotted him. He's gone.

  I'm a little saddened, but relieved at the same time. My relief doesn't last long because a short moment later, there he is stalking towards me with a sexy grin.

  "Lake," he says by
way of a greeting. Oh my. His voice is deep and wonderful. It makes me shiver excitedly.

  "Cal." I clear my throat and feign innocence.

  "And I'm Matt." Another man shoves his hand at me. I hadn't even noticed that Cal wasn't alone. Matt has wavy dark blond hair that is just barely skimming his shoulders. He stands somewhat shorter than Cal. His friendly eyes are a sapphire blue and he flashes an overconfident smile at me.

  I take his hand and go to shake it, but instead he pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it, surprising me. A quick glance at Cal reveals him rolling his eyes. "Hi, I'm Lake." I take my hand away as soon as I can without appearing rude.

  It's then that Ashton decides to return with our drinks in her hands. "Ashton, you remember Cal from earlier today. This is his friend, Matt." I take our drinks from her and set them on the side table.

  "Ah, yes. Good to see you again, Cal." She shakes his hand. She looks at Matt and a big smile spreads across her face. "Matt." He grabs her hand and brings it to his lips. Ashton giggles.

  "Ashton, it's so nice to meet you." He holds onto her hand much longer than necessary and she doesn't make an attempt to take it away. "I'm going to get us some drinks, would you like to accompany me?" She follows after him like a stray puppy. So much for Steve, I guess.

  I sit down again and Cal sits next to me at the corner of the bench. His knee rests against mine.

  Cal crosses his ankle over his knee and rests his arm on the back of the bench. "How was the remainder of your day?" he asks.

  I shift in my seat a little and try to position myself in a confident pose. "It was great. Very busy. Thanks for asking. Yours?"

  "My morning was rather exciting, but the rest of the day was very dull." He smirks at me. He is staring at me intently like he is trying to gauge my reaction to that small, suggestive comment. I keep glancing away from him because his eyes are so intense. When he looks at me, it's like he is searching for something. Some small piece of me is hoping he finds what he is looking for.