by Sandy Loyd
“It’s a surprise. You’ll know when you get there.”
“I love a man of mystery.”
“You will, Judith, you will,” he murmured under his breath.
“What was that, I didn’t catch it?” Judith glanced at him with the question in her eyes.
“I said, you will love my surprise, that’s all.” Dev smiled inwardly. He’d won this round and mentally geared up for the next.
With purpose, he walked her down the stairs and out of the building.
~
The limo pulled up when Judith and Dev walked out. The driver left the car idling and rushed to open their door.
Judith scooted inside before Dev clambered in next to her. Grinning, the chauffeur slammed the door, then ran around, got in, and started driving.
Judith didn’t catch Dev’s quiet instructions as he leaned forward.
Her senses went on full alert when he turned back and she noted his expression.
“What are you planning?” She didn’t trust that cheshire smile covering his face.
“You’ll see.” He then sat back, stretched out long, muscular legs, and visibly relaxed with his arm along the backseat. His hand was close enough to play with her hair.
Excitement zinged throughout her system.
Something was definitely going on in that sharp brain of his, she decided after eyeing him for long seconds, but for the life of her, she suddenly didn’t care. Judith closed her eyes and leaned into the seat, relishing the feel of his fingers on her hair. In the next few seconds, more of her resolve dissipated, rising like vapor off a warm pond on a cool morning.
She was tired of resisting the magnetic pull that his personality generated whenever they were together. She no longer had the will to hold him at arm’s length, mostly because she was tired of fighting her own attraction, especially when all she wanted to do was pull him closer and never let go.
Yeah, right! As if she could possess him once she let him catch her. She had few illusions. This wouldn’t be a lasting affair. Instinctively, she sensed Dev viewed her as a trophy to be won. Once attained, he’d put her up on the shelf and never look at her again.
Since she never wanted anything long term either, why not take what she could get and build memories to last the rest of her life. What could be the harm in that? She might get burned, but what a fire they would create.
As the limo headed into Golden Gate Park, they sat, each smiling in contented silence, stealing surreptitious glances at the other, lost in their thoughts.
Finally Dev’s voice disturbed the quiet.
“What did you say to my assistant to get her to totally defect?”
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she glanced at him. “What are you talking about?”
“In all the years I’ve known Maude, she’s been nothing but a loyal employee…a true friend. In one afternoon, the two of you meeting negated all of that, and I want to know how.”
“We talked about a lot of things, but the conversation mainly revolved around you.”
“I assumed as much. Can you be more specific?”
Judith shrugged. “Well, Maude did mention how devious you are and what an unconscionable bastard you can be.”
His bark of laughter had her grinning.
“She should know. She’s privy to most of my dealings.”
“You don’t let many people know the real you, do you?”
In a heartbeat, his expression closed. “No, I don’t.” He straightened, cleared his throat, and added, “So don’t be getting any ideas.”
She sobered but, unwilling to spoil the moment, changed the subject.
“Where are we going? I need to be back no later than two. I have several appointments this afternoon.”
“You aren’t going back this afternoon.” Dev took his cell phone out of his pocket. “If you need to cancel or postpone anything, now is the time to do it.”
Incensed, her chin went out and she huffed, “You’re just assuming I’ll ride along willingly and let you dictate what I do or don’t do?”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing. Consider yourself kidnapped. But in all fairness, the evening will be your choice. If I can’t convince you to spend it with me, then I’ll return you to the work site.”
Her jaw dropped. “You can’t be so bold as to ignore my plans?”
“Didn’t Maude fill you in on that aspect of my personality?” Dev asked. He paused before adding with total conviction, “If not, let me assure you…I’m plenty bold. And since you’ve demonstrated that you’re a worthy opponent, I plan to be as bold as I need to in order to spend time with you. So accept it gracefully and enjoy the day.”
“All right.” She nodded. Imagine that? He considered her a worthy opponent. She swallowed a smile, and sternly conceded, “Just don’t get in the habit of making plans for me without my approval or you’ll find out exactly how worthy an opponent I can be.” She held out her hand. “Give me your phone. I have a couple of calls to make.”
“Sure.” He slapped it in her hand. “Just so we understand each other, I meant what I said. I was prepared to kidnap you.” He nodded. “But it is nice to have your consent.”
She snorted as she punched in numbers. “At least tell me where we’re going.”
“Like I said, it’s a surprise.” His expression turned smug. “We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Judith disconnected her last call as the limo pulled to the curb and stopped.
The chauffeur, still grinning, got out of the car and opened Judith’s door.
“Watch your step, ma’am.” He offered a hand.
“Thank you.” Grabbing it, she stepped out.
“Thanks, Mike. I’ll call you when we’re ready to leave,” Dev said, now standing behind her.
“The zoo?” She laughed, looking around. Her gaze sought Dev’s. “You brought me to the zoo? I’m seriously starting to doubt your mental stability.”
“Don’t look so surprised.” Dev chuckled. “And yes, I had all my marbles the last time I counted. I always come here when I want to unwind and relax. I figure you’ve been putting in long hours and could use a little of my therapy. Trust me, it works.”
She gaped at him, intrigued. This was so un-Dev-like. “What’s so special about the zoo?”
“I love watching the animals. They’re natural, have no hidden agendas. They operate on pure instinct for survival and I relate to them. I enjoy observing their honest pursuit of life.”
He turned and said something to Mike before grabbing her hand.
“Come on, let’s go!” He darted in the direction of the ticket counter, dragging her behind with all the excitement of a kid at a carnival.
Unprepared for this aspect of his personality, she was again swept along with a force that stunned her.
Definitely not the simple guy on the make as she’d pegged him as all those years ago. There were so many facets to his psyche that a new one caught her eye every time they got together.
This boyish eagerness to visit the zoo did more to pierce through her reserve than all of his other charms put together.
Judith couldn’t help thinking she was a lamb going to slaughter, but she no longer cared. In fact, she was now willing to lie on that sacrificial altar, and caution be damned.
She ran after him, laughing at the absurdity of the moment as the rest of her resistance to Dev melted.
Chapter 7
“Here’s your ticket,” Dev said, as they walked through the entrance.
“Thanks.” Judith took it. “So, what do we do now?”
Dev laughed. “What do you mean, what do we do now? We look at animals.” Still holding her hand, he walked faster. It was a gorgeous day with temperatures in the low 70s. The early morning fog had lifted enough to let the sun in.
“I knew that.”
“When’s the last time you visited a zoo?” he asked, nearing the first fenced-in exhibit.
“I can’t remember.”
“
If you can’t remember, then it’s been too long.” He stopped and pointed. “See the lemurs. A couple of different species live there. Watch.”
Her eyes followed his hand and she watched for several minutes. “I don’t see anything.”
“You’re not looking hard enough. Their natural camouflage protects them in the wild. The ring-tailed lemur is easier to spot.”
Judith’s gaze narrowed. She scanned the brush. “I see them,” she squealed. She stood on tiptoes and leaned closer, mesmerized as two animals groomed each other and ran around when done. “Now they’re playing.” She shielded her eyes from the sun and glanced at him. “You know a lot about them.”
“I told you, I come here often. This is one of my favorite exhibits. Come on, there’s more to see,” he said, giving her a tug.
Like a couple of kids seeing the animals for the first time, they rushed through the exhibits, each trying to outdo the other with silly antics. They laughed and joked about stupid things.
“I see a family resemblance,” Judith said, outside a black panther’s cage.
When he looked at her with questioning eyes, she laughed.
“You mean no one has told you that you have the look of a predatory cat?” Without waiting for his reply she went on, saying, “With your dark good looks and sleek body, you couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than a panther, although the mountain lion comes in a close second.”
Though spoken in jest, her assessment sent waves of pleasure through him and his six-foot-two-inch frame stretched taller.
Not to be outdone in their game, when they came to the exhibit of gazelles, he looked at Judith and said in a voice full of taunting innuendo, “If I remind you of the panther, then you remind me of that gazelle out there—feminine, graceful, and all prey—just waiting to be eaten.”
Her response was a throaty, tempting laugh that said she knew she was his dinner, but he had to catch her first. She then took off running for the next exhibit, with Dev on her heels laughing along with her.
From then on, he chased after her…totally aware of her allure…occasionally becoming aroused at something she said or did. Thank goodness for his pleated trousers, otherwise it might have been a little embarrassing.
They stopped for lunch and ate in companionable silence that was becoming their norm, gorging themselves with abandoned pleasure as if eating gourmet fare instead of hot dogs, chips, and soft drinks.
“For dessert,” Dev said, handing Judith cotton candy.
“I haven’t had this stuff since I was a kid.”
“You’ve lived a deprived life. We still have more to see,” he said, pulling her along.
Dev couldn’t remember a time he’d felt so relaxed with a date. Judith’s exuberance was intoxicating and he now wanted her with a longing that ate at him. The more he was with her, the more he wanted her.
By the time they’d walked the zoo’s perimeter, both were exhausted and eager to reach the limo.
When Mike pulled up, Dev didn’t wait for him to get out. He opened the door and Judith slid inside.
He quickly followed. “Ah, comfort at last. My feet are killing me.” Then he glanced at Judith. “Is your car at the site? I can drop you off.”
“No, I took the bus today, but I need my briefcase,” she said, with her eyes closed and a serene smile on her face. “I left it at the building. Can you drop me off, wait while I get it, and then take me home?”
“No problem.” He tapped on Mike’s window and gave him instructions.
The mood in the limo on the ride back to the building was subdued. Neither spoke.
In the few hours he’d spent with Judith, he’d realized one fact. There was no way on God’s green earth he would be able to walk out of her life once he tasted her.
Dev sighed, totally disgusted with himself for his lack of resolve. But that didn’t stop him from amending his plan to continuing the affair until it ran its course. He’d eventually tire of her. When that happened, he’d have his revenge. Why torture himself?
One thing he wasn’t willing to concede. Judith had to come willingly with a need greater than his. No, that’ll take too long. Face it, McAllister, she only has to match your need and it’s taking all your endurance to keep it together long enough to achieve that.
He frowned at the dismal truth as the car slowed. They were already back at the site.
“Do you need me to accompany you?” he asked as she hopped out when Mike opened her door.
“No, I’ll just be a minute.”
Dev watched her rush inside, deciding he needed to take action and initiate a surprise attack so she’d have dinner with him.
~
Judith hurried up the stairs to her temporary office on the fourth floor. Her thoughts weighed heavily on her mind, growing heavier with every step until she reached the last one.
She grabbed her briefcase as reality hit with full force. She was way past big trouble, tumbling headlong into love. She had no other explanation for the hum of excitement she couldn’t quell and it felt wonderful.
Hugging her middle, she stopped at the landing and smiled dreamily, remembering…everything. She was sure Dev had shown her a glimpse of himself he rarely showed others. She could be mistaken, but she didn’t think so. The guy kept his inner self under lock and key, unlocking it only for those he trusted.
It warmed her heart to realize that maybe he was coming to trust her just a bit.
Still, she worried. Not about having an affair. Oh, no. Now more than ever, she wanted Dev that way. Her uneasy thoughts rested on her secret. Or rather her virginity. If she hadn’t wanted him to know about her inexperience that night in the gazebo ten years ago, she really didn’t want him to know it now. Suddenly, her old insecurities surfaced.
How could she be sexy and alluring when in reality she was inexperienced and gauche? That gawky, awkward teenager who was two years younger than all her classmates because of skipped grades pushed forward, haunting her, jeering at her, telling her she was anything but provocative. He couldn’t possibly find her sexually attractive once he realized her lack of expertise.
Why in the world hadn’t she made love with Paul when they were together? Or why hadn’t she found someone else?
She sighed. She knew why. Kissing Paul was like kissing her brother and did nothing for her. Keeping things friendly with him had been hard enough. If she’d given him any indication of interest, he’d have stepped up his efforts to woo her.
And because she measured all men to Dev after that night, no man had ever impressed her enough to grant him a chance to try. She understood that now.
Who knew back then that Paul would be married to her best friend and she would eventually want to make love as an experienced woman?
The past couldn’t be rewritten, but maybe she could hold Dev off until she felt more comfortable with his lovemaking. By then, he wouldn’t find her gauche or care about her inexperience, and hopefully, he wouldn’t laugh at her ineptitude. After all, he’d find out when they did the deed. It wasn’t like she could hide it.
She chuckled, having mentally formulated a plan, tossed the anvil of worry off her shoulders, and returned to the limo with a lighter step.
She sat back in the seat and glanced up. When she caught Dev’s slow, sensual smile, the air crackled with energy, even as the space surrounding them instantly contracted.
Heat emanating from that stark blue gaze as it met hers scorched her brain, setting off alarm bells. Her breath caught in the back of her throat. Her lungs malfunctioned. She couldn’t move. The car pulled away from the curb. His smoldering stare held her in suspended animation, underscoring a hum of sexual awareness bouncing around the small space.
He leaned over. “Have dinner with me tonight.” The urgency in his whisper made her insides quiver.
Licking her lips, she started to object. Big mistake, she realized, noting his eyes focused on her mouth. She wasn’t prepared for the warmth swamping her system the thought generated nor
was she prepared for how that fiery gaze wiped her memory clean. Even though she saw it coming and steeled herself against him, she had a hard time remembering why she was objecting. Oh yeah. It had something to do with slowing him down.
“Umm…I don’t think we should.” Her words came out in breathy little puffs, and in seconds, all thoughts but him leaning closer evaporated.
“Should what?” he asked before his mouth descended over hers. His soft lips felt warm and she couldn’t stop the moan of pleasure as they worked magic for long minutes. Then, his mouth moved over her face kissing its way to her ear, nibbling and gently sucking her lobe. A blast of pure pleasure shot through her as his tongue darted in and out before he whispered, “Kiss or have dinner together?”
“Mmmm.” She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensations coursing through her. “Both.”
“Why?” He groaned. “I want to be with you. And I love kissing you.” His tongue continued teasing her ear, shooting hot sensation into her bloodstream. “I know you feel the same. Say you’ll have dinner with me, or so help me, I’ll prove it to you, right here, right now.”
“Promises, promises,” she whispered without thinking.
“Don’t toy with me, Judith.” His voice was just above a whisper, but definitely a warning.
She smiled into his neck. Why not use this experience? What could happen in broad daylight with a witness in the front seat? Grasping on to courage, she lowered her mouth and touched his skin, mimicking his kisses and nipping at his neck.
His lips’ pressure increased, moving at a frenzied pace across her face, until they covered hers. Then he slowed, added his tongue, sucking her willpower and leaving her breathless.
She moaned. A fire of pure need flared within her. He’d been stoking the flames, she realized too late, from the moment she’d climbed inside the car. Unable to stop herself from responding to his mouth’s demand, she kissed him back, going with instinct as sensation after sensation rolled over her.
Somehow, the message of self-preservation her brain had flashed since the kiss began seeped into her consciousness. She had to stop or his words would prove true. Her virginity would be lost in the backseat of a car, just like all her other friends, only ten years later. Not a bad way to go, but they did have company.
