by Ann, Natalie
“I’m not fussy. I’ll eat or try about anything once,” she said simply.
When he raised his eyebrows at her, a faint pink hue covered her cheeks. She finished chewing and swallowed. “I meant food.”
Opting to stay quiet, he continued to eat. No use making her any more nervous than she appeared.
“How was the conference?” she inquired.
Lucas tried not to sigh. She obviously needed to keep things neutral, ease into it, so he would let her. For now.
He answered all her questions, threw a few funny stories out there, tried to help calm her down a bit, get her more comfortable around him again. He hoped he hadn’t lost all he gained before he went away this past week.
After closing the lid on the box, he looked into her eyes, held her stare for a moment. Noticing the blush was gone from her cheeks, and her hands were no longer shaking, he asked, “All set now?” He grinned. “Got your list ready for me?”
She nodded, picked up their plates and turned to put them in the dishwasher. “Why don’t we go into the living room?”
Picking up the wine bottle, he gestured to her glass. She nodded, and he poured. Then he grabbed her full glass and another beer for himself and followed her to the living room. Placing both on the coffee table, he sat on one end of the couch. He’d let her decide where she felt more comfortable, her decision to make the move for distance or not.
Clearing her throat, she sat down, a couch cushion separating them, and then turned to look at him while she tucked one leg under the other. She took her time looking at him. He stayed relaxed, leaning back into the corner, his elbow bent and placed on the arm of the couch, patiently watching her give him the once over. Watched her as her eyes moved from his sneaker-clad feet crossed at the ankles on the floor in front of him. His long legs were in faded jeans, a blue striped oxford shirt tucked into his lean waist. No tie, a few buttons undone revealing his collarbone.
When she finally tore her eyes away and moved them toward his face, he could read every one of her thoughts and watched the flush creep up her neck. He knew what she was thinking. He had been around enough women to know. She liked what she saw.
Taking a deep breath, she looked away from his gaze and began with, “I wouldn’t say I have a list, not like you mean. There are a few things I want to say. First, as you know, my last relationship ended almost a year ago, and I haven’t been with anyone since. I’m not good at the casual thing.” She stopped, then rushed out quickly, “I’m not saying I’m expecting a commitment tonight. I’m just saying that I don’t do casual. So if it’s in your mind to have one of those open dating relationships, then I’ll say right now it won’t work. Being colleagues is our only option.”
“Good to know,” he stated, then softened his tone. “And for the record, when I’m pursuing one woman, I don’t pursue another. For one, it’s too much work. For another, I have too much respect for myself—and for you—to play those types of games.”
She let out a breath, then nodded. “OK, we’re on the same page there. We all have baggage, I’m sure. But I’m admitting upfront that I have it. No need to go into it now. If or when it becomes an issue, we will take it as it comes.”
She stopped, looked down to fiddle with her jeans. “I’m working through it on my own, and I have a good handle on things. But I can’t make any promises.” He watched her try to force a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll promise to always be honest. It’s important to me.”
Lucas knew at that moment the wrong answer would end any chance they had. He was going to be honest. He knew no other way. “Did you wonder why I didn’t go into private practice? I’m sure you’ve heard by now that my family, my brother and father, are defense attorneys?”
Watching her nod, he continued on. “Well, I couldn’t do it. I guess you could say I don’t have the hard edge they do. They look at their clients and try to see how the law can help them whether they are guilty or not. Even with something as simple as a speeding ticket, my take is you went over the speed limit, you’re guilty to me. Pay your fine and move on. Don’t try to get out of it. I know it’s unrealistic to think that way, but I can’t help it.”
He paused, watching as she listened. “I live my life by a code of my own. I try to be fair, and try to do what’s right, try to help others. Everyone needs help now and again, even if they don’t think they do. And isn’t it a nice feeling to know that someone would be there to give it to them? Pretty simple in the scheme of things. Too bad we don’t all live that way.”
He saw her smile of understanding. “I want to do what’s right, in my job and in my life. Unfortunately, I’m not perfect. So I make mistakes. We all do. But I always try to do what’s right. I guess that’s what’s important.”
Staring deep into her eyes, he sat up straighter, edged closer to her on the couch. Reaching down, he pulled her hand into his, threaded his fingers through hers, and felt her shiver as he rubbed his thumb along the inside of her palm. “I want you to know that’s who I am. No games, no lying, or cheating.”
Reaching out with his other hand, he slid it across her cheek, into the silky texture of her hair, and spread his fingers down her neck. Caressed the pulse that leapt under his thumb. Pulling her head toward him, he closed the gap and whispered against her lips, “Are we done going through your list now? I can’t wait any longer to taste you.”
Lucas felt the slight nod of her head in his hand and he pressed his lips to hers, softly at first. He applied just enough pressure to taste, but not enough that she couldn’t escape if she felt the need. Hearing the soft moan, he knew escape was the last thing on her mind.
His tongue slid out to lightly trace her upper lip, urging her to open for him, to allow him entrance. Once she parted her lips, he slid his tongue in search of hers, sought the taste he so desperately craved. Together in a dance of their own, their tongues explored, then departed, only to return again. Filling a need, trying to quench a thirst they both had.
Releasing his other hand from hers, he slid it over her waist, slowly up her ribcage, then back down again. Stroked her through the softness of her shirt, as their tongues continued their dance.
His fingers made their way back up her ribs, finally settling over her breast, where her nipple pebbled through layers of clothing under his palm. Needing to touch more of her, he slipped his hand into the scooped neckline of her shirt, traced his fingers around the edge of her bra. He moaned in his throat, loving the contrast between her soft smooth skin and the rougher edge of lace.
He tested the boundaries, moved his hand further in until the tips of his fingers brushed over her hardened nipple. Teased her softly, moved his fingertip across and around in circles. Finally he grasped the pebbled bud between two fingers and applied a bit of pressure, causing her to arch into him.
Her hand moved over his shoulder, into his hair. Then, on another groan, gripped him harder and pulled him even closer to her, as if she wanted to devour more of him.
He was drawn in deeper, knew he was going to lose control. He hadn’t felt a need this strong, ever. Knew deep down she wasn’t the type of person to let go this early or this fast. He wanted no regrets from her, so it would be up to him to step back.
Reluctantly, he lifted his lips from hers, keeping one hand in her hair. But he returned the other hand to his lap, already missing the feel of her breast. Placing his forehead upon hers, breathing heavily, he whispered, “Give me a second here.”
His thumb continued to move over the pulse in her neck until he felt it start to slow down a tad. “I have to ask, but I’m afraid I know the answer. If you aren’t ready to take this any further right now, then we need to stop. Because I’m not sure how much longer I can be a gentleman tonight.”
With an unsteady breath of her own, she replied, “Yeah, I mean no, I’m not ready yet.” He let out a rough chuckle and she amended, “Well, I’m ready, but not mentally. I want to make sure I’m all the way there. For me, and for you.”
>
“Don’t hold back for my benefit,” he remarked, fighting the impulse to taste her some more.
She eased back a little, dropped her hand from his shoulder, and clasped both of them in her lap. “Oh, believe me, sometimes I wish I weren’t so practical all the time. Because my body is telling me to go for it, but my brain is telling me not yet.”
“And your brain tends to win all the time, huh?” He sighed, let his hand drop from hair, placed it on top of hers, and gave her a gentle squeeze.
“It has to. It has to, now. Part of that baggage thing,” she clarified.
He moved back into the corner of the couch. “Yeah, I figured as much.” Looking at her swollen lips and passion-filled eyes, he wondered at her restraint. He was holding on to his by a thread, and if he continued to stay on the couch with her another minute, that thread would break.
Standing up, he looked down at her. “I better go then. I still have a bit of a drive to get home.”
“Oh, you don’t live close by?”
“No, I live on Saratoga Lake. Little less than an hour from here, so I better go now,” he repeated.
She stood up next to him, closer than he expected. Looked into his pale blue eyes, still filled with passion, and bluntly stated, “If you don’t I might change my mind, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to stay either.”
“Well, I guess that is honesty for me. I’ll give you one in return since I don’t want any regrets when the time comes. Be ready next time we’re alone together, because I won’t be stopping.”
She walked him to the door. “Understood.”
He reached for her one last time. “And I always end the night with a kiss.” He pulled away quickly when he felt her start to lean into him, testing his control. “Just a little more for you to think about tonight.” He closed the door softly behind him.
***
She didn’t know how long she stood there staring at the closed door, but she finally turned away and walked back to the couch on shaky legs. She grasped the edge of the cushions to steady herself and sat down. Then placed her hands on her head, ran them over her face.
What was she going to do? She was suddenly terrified that her carefully guarded heart was about to lose control.
Just a Cramp
Brooke had another sleepless night, which consisted of tossing, turning, sweating and adjusting the pillows in an attempt to get comfortable. She glanced at the clock. Saw it was only seven on a Saturday morning, no less. Resigned to the fact she wouldn’t be getting anymore sleep, she pulled back the covers and decided to take a quick shower.
Stepping under the spray, she was shocked to feel the sensitivity of her skin. Still on fire and tingling from Lucas’s touch, still craving him hours later. No amount of self-lecturing had cooled down her overheated body the night before.
She reached for the cold water and turned it up a bit more in an attempt to lower her body’s temperature. If it worked for men, maybe it would for her too.
Ten minutes later, shivering now, Brooke stepped out of the large tiled shower and reached for a towel. Vigorously drying off, hoping to warm her skin. At least she was awake now, if nothing else.
She threw on yoga pants and a tank top and then towel dried her hair quickly before pinning it on top of her head. Grabbing the yoga mat that was always stored neatly in the corner of her room, she headed into the living room for a quick workout.
She was sitting down with a bowl of cereal and cup of steaming coffee when her cell phone chimed from other room. Wishing she could ignore it, but knowing she couldn’t, she went to retrieve it. Her OCD personality had never let her ignore an incoming message.
Her smile was warm and quick when she read the message. Bet you slept better than I did last night. And, yes, I got your number the same way as your address.
Grinning like a fool, she typed back. You might lose that bet.
Really? Willing to risk it? she read.
Fingers flew over her smart phone. Maybe, she replied, having fun with the flirtatious bantering.
She fumbled the phone when it rang in her hand. “Morning,” she answered.
“I would ask if I woke you up, but I’m pretty sure you’ve been up a while,” he said.
Getting comfortable at her kitchen island, she picked up her mug and took a sip, knowing he could hear her on the other end. “Up, showered, a yoga session and sitting down to breakfast right now,” she confirmed.
“Well, you have me beat. I’m not even out of bed.”
Choking on her coffee, voice hoarse, she asked, “You’re in bed? Right now?”
He pushed the envelope. “Yep. Want to know what I’m wearing?”
Even though she did, she wasn’t about to say so. Scoffing, she asked, “What are you, sixteen?”
He chuckled. “Hardly, though it feels like it right now.”
Brooke refused to comment on that. She knew exactly what he was talking about, mainly because she was feeling the same way. This whole conversation was making her feel like a giddy teenager, not to mention ruining all her attempts to cool her body down earlier.
“Was there a reason you called?” She regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth and hoped they didn’t seem harsh.
But he laughed at her question. Did everything make him laugh? She wasn’t laughing while she lay in bed this morning. That was for sure.
“Of course,” he said dryly. “I was calling to see if you had plans today.”
“No, not really. I have a few errands to run. I thought I would go to the mall today. That’s about it.”
“Want some company?”
“You’re volunteering to go shopping at the mall with me?” she asked incredulously.
“Sure. I like shopping. Besides, maybe I’ll get lucky and have you model a few things for me. I can think of a few stores on the top of my list.”
With a very unladylike snort, thankful he couldn’t see or know what her traitorous body was starting to feel again or the blush she was positive was spreading across her face, she said, “Ah, I don’t think so.”
“Well, it was worth a try.”
“Is that water running?” she asked with a hitch in her voice.
“Just about to step in the shower. Pick you up in an hour?”
“Huh? Oh, the mall, sure. If you really want to,” she hedged doubtfully.
“See you soon,” he said.
The call ended before she could say anything else. Which was a good thing, because she didn’t think she would have been able to form an intelligent thought knowing he was getting in the shower. Naked. She started to fan herself right there in the kitchen.
***
That was exactly what Lucas had hoped. Of course when he made the decision to call her, he was only trying to feel her out from the night before. Trying to see if she had thought of him as he did her all night long.
By the time he hung the phone up, he was pretty sure he had her just as worked up as he was. Or he hoped. He was positive it wasn’t one-sided at all.
And since he didn’t think he would be getting much further today than yesterday, he turned the cold water on. His second cold shower in less than twelve hours. He hoped it wasn’t going to become a habit.
Almost twelve hours later, she was opening the door to him for a second time. He took care with his appearance, however laid back it was. He looked the part of a sexy successful lawyer dressed in another pair of designer jeans with a soft faded shirt and casual sneakers. Blond hair tousled slightly, the result of running a towel through it before he walked out the door. Grinning from ear to ear, he leaned in for a quick kiss, then chuckled when her eyes widened. “Ready to go?”
“Sure, come in. I want to power down my laptop and grab my purse.”
Lucas took his time looking her over. She was always so put together. What might have taken hours for another woman to throw together and look good, probably took her no time at all. The results were effortless.
Today she h
ad on another pair of skinny jeans, though this time in a pale orange color, with a simple white shirt. The low cut V exposed just a hint of cleavage, more than enough to draw his eyes there. Not wanting to be caught ogling her, he quickly shifted his gaze as she slipped her narrow feet into a pair of bright floral flats.
He loved that about her—simple, sexy and feminine as hell. She fished her keys out, turned to lock the door behind her and bumped her hip right into his groin, causing him to let out a grunt.
Turning to face him, she muttered, “Sorry.”
Her face started to flush. His eyes sparkled. “No problem. You can bump into me anytime you want.” Resting his hands on her hips, he watched her shiver, then adjusted her body to give him some room.
Once they were in his Range Rover, Lucas put the car in gear. “Which mall?”
She drew her eyebrows together. “What do you mean?”
“There are two malls in Albany,” he stated. “Didn’t you know that?”
“Oh. No, sorry, guess I haven’t gotten out much. I was planning on going to the one on Western Avenue. Not sure if it has a name or not.”
Backing out of her driveway with one hand on the wheel, the other on the armrest between them, he simply replied, “Yes, it has a name. Crossgates Mall.”
“Any special store you want to start at?” he asked a few minutes later when he pulled off the exit ramp.
“No, no plans. Park wherever you like. I’ve got all day.”
***
A few hours later though, Brooke started to feel the telltale twinges in her thigh and lower back. She wasn’t accustomed to the long period of time on her feet. At least she’d planned ahead and wore comfortable flats.
Aside from her soreness, she was having a great time. She’d never had so much fun shopping before. Shopping was serious business to her. But today she laughed more than she had in a long time. And Lucas actually seemed to be enjoying himself as much as her. As reluctant as she was to stop, she really needed to sit down soon.
