Poke Checking

by Kristen Echo

  The faint sound of the orchestra filled the silence. It was too quiet and Caroline took a few deep breaths. They didn’t help. The room wasn’t bright with only a crystal encrusted chandelier above, but she saw him clear as day. Sweat beaded on her brow as they stared at one another.

  It was too hot. He was too hot. It’s not like she hadn’t been with a good-looking man before, because she had. Caroline wasn’t single because she couldn’t attract a man. She just had a problem finding one that wanted to stick around. All of her exes seemed great for the first few months, but the mere mention of a future had them running for the hills. She hadn’t asked them to marry her, but she wanted a commitment. She needed the security of knowing they wouldn’t disappear. Yet, they all did, reminding her that few people could be counted on in this world.

  There was nothing innocent about the air that crackled between her and Mr. Man. Her heart might take a beating from her decision, but she didn’t care. “Do you want to dance?” She wasn’t sure if he danced or not, but she had to leave that tiny, quiet space. He didn’t seem impressed with her suggestion and stayed leaning against the wall, looking all shades of fine. “We don’t have to. Are you one of those men that can’t dance? Dancing is not that important… I mean… I thought since there’s a dance floor.”

  His lip kicked up on the side again, a half smile that took her breath away. He reached for her hand and twirled her around. She spun out and back, feeling like a princess. “I can dance, but not I’m not interested tonight.”

  “Okay. Then what are we going to do?”

  The look he gave sent a tremor of anticipation across her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps. If she could bottle that look it would be called pure lust. That subtle tilt to his smile gave her chills.

  “Do you need a play-by-play, or will you trust me?”

  She thought about it, and she trusted him. He could have stolen her wallet, but opted to return her stuff. He could have let Brody get away with kissing her, but he defended her honor. She didn’t need to be rescued, but she liked that he’d taken care of her tonight. It had been a long time since someone put her needs first. She also liked it when he spoke. The silky-smooth baritone was music to her ears. “I trust you.”

  “Good. Grab your stuff and let’s get out of here.” He let go of her hand and she instantly missed the contact, which was ridiculous. This was not the time to get attached.

  “I can leave my violin with the front desk and grab it later; that way I’m not lugging it around.” She put on her parka, which was the farthest thing from sexy but it was down-filled and warm. When she glanced back over, he was holding her instrument and her purse. Both looked tiny in his hands; hands that with any luck, would soon be all over her. She zipped up her coat and followed him out the door. They used the one connected to the hall and avoided the ballroom. That was fine with her since the last person she wanted to see was her father. She was still pissed that he’d allowed Connie to stay there all night. Her feelings were hurt that he disregarded her take on the matter. They usually saw eye to eye on everything relating to her sister, and they never fought. Their argument still didn’t sit right with her.

  The lobby was empty, and the clerk was helpful, handing her a ticket in exchange for her violin. “So, where are we going? Should I get them to call us a cab? My legs won’t be able to take the cold for long.” She looked down at her bare legs.

  He took her hand, guiding her towards the exit. “You’ve got great legs. We don’t need a car; I’ve got us covered. I promise to keep you warm.”

  The compliment wasn’t a new one; her legs were one of her best features. They were long and sleek which was why she’d chosen a short mini dress. “Thanks,” she said, with an extra skip in her step as they stepped into the freezing Winnipeg winter. “Brrr, it’s so cold.”

  He hugged her close to his body, shielding her from the gusts of wind. “My ride’s around the corner.”

  They hurried. Her heels sunk into the snow-covered sidewalks. Her eyes widened and her step slowed. “Wow.” She hadn’t expected a stretched limo. She’d been in many limos but she pictured him on a motorcycle or maybe a monster truck. The driver rounded the car and opened the door for them. As she slid inside, she wondered what she was doing and whether this was a good decision.

  Then he sat next to her, and all was right in the world. His body heat took away the chill. She was getting warmer and in that moment, she was exactly where she was supposed to be. But she wanted to make a few things clear, so there wouldn’t be any misconceptions.

  “I want to let you know, I never do this kind of thing, like leaving with strangers in the wee hours of the morning; to go who knows where and do who knows what. I’m more into long term relationships.” She swallowed hard and continued when he said nothing. “Not that there’s anything wrong with what we’re doing, or about to do; I mean obviously we will do something.”

  Caroline looked into his eyes; his pupils were dilated. Her fingers itched to take off his jacket and rip open the buttons of his shirt. But as she stared into his eyes, she wanted to learn more about him.

  What was his story? Why were his eyes so sad? And why was he alone on New Year’s Eve?

  There were no answers hidden in those silver swirls. She looked away. The seats were plush leather and there was a mini bar along one side. She could use a drink, but she didn’t want to dull any of her senses. Not when he kept looking at her like she was dinner. But he hadn’t so much as touched her. She craved that more than her next breath.

  The limo was a nice touch although he could have taken her up against the wall in the hall if he'd wanted. Caroline prepared to lose her inhibitions just as she had when they first kissed. Perhaps, he was waiting for her to make the first move. She could do that. Rather than sit next to him, she moved over and straddled his lap. Her parka was in the way, so she unzipped it.

  “I’m adaptable and willing, angel. It seems like you have a destination in mind. Tell me where do you want to go?” He put his hands on her thighs.

  Tingles raced towards the apex between her legs. “Um, I thought you did,” she said, leaning in for a kiss.

  He held her back and laughed. It was the first hint he wasn’t all serious and broody. The sound wrapped around her like a vise squeezing away the last of her resolve.

  Caroline licked her lips. “We can go anywhere or just go for a ride?” She let the last word linger.

  “I assumed since you put your coat on, that you wanted to leave the hotel. I’d like to hear about what kind of ride you have in mind, Caroline. Because if all you want to do is fuck my brains out then we could have gone up to my hotel room.”

  “Oh. I guessed when dancing was off the table that you meant you wanted to leave. You told me to grab my stuff.”

  He laughed again. “Well, you couldn’t leave it there. You seem prone to leaving things behind.” His arrogance was becoming less of a turn on, making her leap into defensive mode.

  “For the record, I didn’t leave my purse behind so you’d come find me. You’re not that hot.”

  “Yes, I am. You’re here with me, aren’t you? Ready to sleep with me when you don’t even know my name?”

  Caroline thought about his statement, and he was right. It made her seem like a slut, but it takes two. “Um. Get over yourself.” She wasn’t sure what to say, and she was never normally at a loss for words.

  “Look, I assumed we were on the same page,” she said as her cheeks heated with embarrassment. Then anger set in. He brought her outside and asked her to trust him. Her indignation took the front seat. “You’re not any better than me. I didn’t ask you to chase me down and you don’t know who I am either. We’re two strangers passing in the night. Instead of passing judgment on me, you can go F-yourself.” She tried to crawl off his lap, but he held her thighs firmly around him.

  “F-myself.” He laughed. “That’s a new one. I know who you are, because your singer introduced the band, Caroline Masters.” He gave her a
cocky smile that she didn’t care for.

  “Right, I forgot about that. Either way, because you know my name doesn’t mean—”

  He pulled her closer, exposing more of her leg as her dress rode higher. “For the record, I never said I was better than you. There is no judgment here,” he said, pressing something hard between her thighs. “You didn’t misinterpret my intentions. I think we’re both after the same thing.”

  “Oh?”

  “I want to make sure you aren’t getting in over your head.” He slowly inched one hand up her thigh.

  She lifted her hand to smack the self-righteous smirk off his face, but he caught her hand. “Maybe you’re the one getting into something you can’t handle.”

  His lips landed on her knuckles. “Your name doesn’t matter, angel. I’m almost positive no one can handle you.”

  She’d used her stage name, Caroline Masters, not her real name Caroline Northcote. Not that it mattered; like he said. “Names might not matter, but let’s even the playing field and tell me yours.”

  He took a deep breath before answering. “I’m Nicolas Ivarsson.” His name didn’t ring a bell or throw up any red flags. He was nobody famous to her knowledge. His eyes remained locked on her as she processed what he’d said.

  Introductions were a good start. She grabbed his hand off her leg and shook it. “It’s nice to meet you Nicolas. Do people call you Nick or Nico for short? I’ve had two friends named Nicolas, and both went by Nick, but I always preferred Nico.”

  His laughter was so sexy. It’s wrong for a man’s laugh to make a girl feel so naughty.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Caroline. And my close friends call me Nico.”

  “That’s awesome. I was half joking, but kinda—”

  “Do you always ramble when you’re nervous?” Nico ran his nose along hers. His breath caressed her cheek. The raspberry scent from her gum sent a shiver down her spine.

  This man had kissed her and chewed gum that had been inside her mouth. Why that felt so dirty she didn’t know. “I’m not nervous. There’s nothing to be nervous about,” she lied. She was petrified that she’d say something to make him run away. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation of being in his arms, surrounded by him.

  It felt good; better than good. Being intimate with a man she barely knew was uncharted territory for Caroline. The handful of boyfriends she’d made love with, she’d known for well over a month before they got down to business. This was so not like her.

  Now that introductions were out of the way, she felt a little more comfortable; only a little. “I like the name Nico; it’s solid. Kind of suits you. And I like to talk. It’s not rambling when—”

  His lips covered hers. The gentle press was enough to shut her up and make her moan. He gripped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.

  Everything else was forgotten.

  CHAPTER SIX

  W hen they broke apart, her lips tingled, and they were both panting. Caroline rested her forehead against his and stared into his eyes. How could one man’s kiss render her so senseless? His lips had the power to take away all the pain and loneliness, leaving her without a care in the world.

  “So, what do you want to do, Ivarsson?”

  His lips twitched and her core clenched. “I prefer when you call me Nico. And if you’re willing, I’d like to take you to my room and kiss more than your delicious lips?” He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth, and she whimpered. He left a wet trail along her neck. She giggled as his hand moved down her side, grazing the ticklish spot near her ribs.

  Positively sinful, there was no other way to describe this man.

  “That sounds like a plan.” He might not be offering forever, but having more of him sounded perfect. Her fingers sunk into his silky, blond waves as he nipped at her collarbone.

  “Trust me. This will be a night you won’t soon forget.”

  She believed him and didn’t miss the implication of one night and only one night. “I’ll come to your room on one condition.” Her hesitation had the potential to backfire. But if he left in the middle of the night she’d regret not asking for more.

  He stopped and sat up straight. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing but I want more than a few hours. Promise you won’t kick me out the second we’re finished fooling around. I’m not saying pledge your life to me or anything like that.” Though part of her screamed for a commitment. As the words came out, he sat back, creating distance. She was losing him before she even had him. “I’ll trust you, if you give me time.”

  His hands loosened their grip on her legs. “Tonight I—”

  Caroline pressed their lips together. She had to convince him she wasn’t a girl he could easily dismiss. Her tongue battled for an agreement and as his fingers dug into her thighs. Grinding her sex against his shaft, he growled her name. “I’ll do whatever you need, angel.” He kissed his way down her neck.

  “Thank you. Out of curiosity, why do you have a room and a limo service? It’s not really my business, but it kind of is—” He licked across her collarbone towards her heart. “You… did you plan on getting laid tonight?”

  He looked up, and their eyes connected. “I shared the limo with some of my buddies. When I arrived, sex was the farthest thing from my mind if you want the truth. I grabbed a room because I wasn’t ready for celebration.”

  “Is that why you looked all pensive and sexy when you walked into the party?”

  His eyebrow arched. “You watched me come in?”

  “I may have been watching the door at the exact moment you entered the room.” She chewed her lip, praying he didn’t ask why because she wasn’t sure how to answer that. Kissing him to win a game didn’t bode well for her being more than a fling chick. Their first kiss may have been planned, but everything else was a pleasant surprise.

  “Is there any particular reason you came up to me at the bar? Do you have some kind of motive here?” His voice took on a hard edge she hadn’t noticed before. His entire body stiffened slightly. Along with another part that rested between her legs.

  Her eyes drifted down at the impressive package. “My only motivation was a kiss. I honestly, had no idea if you’d even agree to it, but I had to try. Remember, you could have been gay, or married.”

  His demeanor became less rigid, and he moved his hands to her back, pressing her closer to him. “I already told you, I’m neither of those things.”

  “Right,” she said as his bulge poked against her most intimate area. Their clothing became a barrier she didn’t want. Caroline sucked his earlobe into her mouth and swiveled her hips, earning a roar from Nico.

  “You’re killing me here, Caroline. If you want me to rip off your panties and thrust into you right here and now, then keep that up.” He pressed into her for added effect.

  As much as she wanted him inside her, she wanted to see him naked. She wanted the freedom to explore him and that would not happen if they had a quickie in the back of a limo.

  “Let’s go find that room.” Her hand pressed against his chest and she lifted herself off his lap.

  He told the driver to return to the hotel because they no longer required his services. A few minutes later, the limo stopped and the driver opened their door. Nico took her hand and she followed him. The cold air didn’t stop the heat that had taken over her body.

  The hotel suddenly seemed a million miles away; much too far to walk in her current state of arousal. Her high heels clacked against the frozen sidewalk. She looked up at the hotel; one of the oldest buildings in the city. She loved the architecture, which reminded her of a castle. The old building had always been one of her favorites growing up.

  When they reached the main doors, she hesitated. Once she did this, there was no turning back. She’d always be the girl he slept with on the first night. She’d never be someone he’d think of as girlfriend material. As she looked at his long thick fingers, threaded with hers, she decided none of that mattered. If one night
was all they had, then she’d make the most of it. Maddy was always telling her to live a little and take risks. This was a huge risk.

  “Are you coming?”

  The way he said the last word, left no doubt in her mind that she would do that very soon. “Yes.”

  One little word was all it took to get him to smile. His beautiful straight white teeth made their first appearance, and they were spectacular. He didn’t appear as intimidating when he smiled. It took the edge off his big bad biker vibe. “You should smile more. It’s beautiful.”

  The elevator doors closed with only the two of them inside the tiny capsule. He pressed the sixth floor. “I think you’re the beautiful one.”

  She blushed and snuggled into his arms, hugging him around the waist. “Thanks, and for the record, flattery will get you everywhere with me.”

  He chuckled. “Duly noted, sweet angel, but you should know I don’t say things I don’t mean. What you see is what you get with me. I don’t lie and I’m not trying to butter you up.” He let go of her hand and his fingers rubbed against the nape of her neck. Nico placed his other hand under her chin, tilting her face towards his. He stared into her eyes.

  So many naughty things raced through her mind. Visions of movie scenes where couples attacked each other in the elevator swarmed her. It made the air thicker and more sexually charged. She wouldn’t have stopped him if he’d kissed her, but she sensed that wouldn’t happen again. Not yet. Once their lips connected again, they wouldn’t be coming up for air for a long time.

  She took a deep breath and exhaled as she tried to come up with a neutral topic that wouldn’t make her combust. “Did you like the show? I saw you in the back. But you didn’t look like you were enjoying yourself. You never took your jacket off, and it looked like you might bolt before it ended.”

  A smart girl wouldn’t have admitted she’d been watching him. She would have slapped her forehead if he hadn’t been holding her face. He probably thought she was desperate, or fishing for more compliments. She chewed her lip, waiting for his response.