What They Call Sin

by Philippa Grey-Gerou

  She rose and crossed to the bed, taking off her robe as she went. The dress she had selected allowed very little in the way of lingerie, so she wore only soft black lace high cuts and charcoal silk thigh-high stockings. She picked up the dress off the bed, holding it by the collar to step in through the back. The soft black crepe flowed over her skin to pool at her waist and the small of her back. She hooked the silver chain that supported the top of the dress behind her neck, allowing the length ending in a teardrop crystal to fall down the center of her back. The neckline cowled at her breast, barely showing any cleavage. The bare back and arms were the revealing part of the dress, the only thing actually holding the top closed being the cut of the fabric and the delicate chain around her neck.

  "Lindy!” Gabriel called from the living room. “Aren't you ready yet?"

  "Almost,” she called back, stepping into the black and rhinestone shoes she had found to wear with the slinky dress. Back at the mirror, she wove delicate silver and diamond ear threads through her piercings, positioning them to hang just above her shoulders, and then gave herself one final check. Flawless.

  She grabbed the beaded clutch and silk pashmina and went to present herself for inspection.

  He shrugged into his tux jacket when she came into the room, barely glancing at her. “You look great, you ready?"

  She deflated, wrapping the shawl tight around her. “Yes, I'm ready."

  * * * *

  The drive to Westchester was silent.

  At least on her part. Gabriel took several phone calls during the half hour drive from midtown to the Briarwood Country Club. He was able to command, cajole, wheedle or threaten his way to successful conclusions to each, so that by the time they reached the site of the gala, he was in an excellent mood.

  Lindy, however, was bored before she even got out of the car.

  He took her wrap and his overcoat and checked them, then wrapped his arm proprietarily around her waist and made their entrance.

  Lindy understood what this was about. Intellectual property law was a bit different from criminal law, especially in New York City. It was as much about influence and intimidation as it was about cease and desist notices and lawsuits. And Gabriel was very good at it. He took every opportunity to network, making connections he could draw on later, even if only to be able to name drop during a negotiation. And if that didn't work, there was something in his presence that, when he exerted it, made most of his opponents want to roll over and bare their throats to him.

  But tonight wasn't about threats. Tonight was about making connections, and being seen doing so. And if he had his beautiful wife on his arm, so much the better.

  Lindy scanned the room as Gabriel greeted people he knew. The space was actually three connected rooms, all with hardwood floors and antique oak paneling, tapestry curtains and antique room dressings giving the rooms an old world feel. The rooms all had glass fronted French doors that opened onto a long, partially canopied patio which was softly lit and set up for mingling and dancing. The gardens lay past them, blocking the view of the golf course beyond.

  "Lindy,” Gabriel interrupted her inspection to draw her attention to the middle aged couple he was speaking with. “This is Mr. Walter Jamison and his wife, Elizabeth. You'll remember, I've been working with Walter on his infringement suit?"

  "Of course,” Lindy fell easily into the lie, as usual. Gabriel never talked about work, but it made the clients feel good to think he brought their cases home with him. She smiled her warm, bright, attorney's-wife smile and took Mr. Jamison's hand. “Gabriel's told me so much about you. How is the case proceeding?"

  Jamison beamed. “Couldn't be more pleased! Your husband is a miracle worker, Mrs. Stevens!"

  She winced. When they'd married, Gabriel had encouraged her to keep her maiden name to maintain the small recognition she had started to develop within the art community while at school. But he never corrected people when they got it wrong.

  "I'm so glad he was able to help, Mr. Jamison.

  The couple finished their pleasantries and moved on.

  He steered her out to the patio to mingle there.

  "Lindy!"

  She turned to see Kathleen Fallon approaching her from the bar. Despite her friends’ conversations to the contrary, Lindy usually liked Kath. She was a single young woman of large fortune, living off daddy's money and be damned to anyone who didn't approve of her behavior. Lindy thought she worked in the fashion industry somewhere.

  Kath kissed her on both cheeks, careful not to smudge either of their makeup jobs. “I haven't seen you in forever! How are you?” She glanced to Lindy's left. “Oh, hello, Gabriel."

  "Kathleen,” his tone was decidedly cool. He leaned down to Lindy's ear. “I'm going to go mingle.” She nodded, and he disappeared into the crowd.

  "Can't believe you haven't left that gargoyle yet,” Kathleen sniped, watching him go.

  "Why do you dislike him so much?"

  "I don't know,” she waved her hand dismissively. “Vibes. But never mind that! Brave dress. I'd be surprised if Gabriel lets you dance with anyone else, dressed like that!"

  Lindy smiled. “That's kind of the idea."

  "Where have you been hiding yourself? I haven't seen you at Arden's in forever!"

  They chatted for a bit, catching up in what Lindy found to be a depressingly short amount of time.

  Finally, Kath was the one to beg off. “I have to go see some people. But we simply must get together for lunch one day next week. I'll call you!"

  "I look forward to it,” Lindy agreed, and she did. At least she could live vicariously through the social butterfly.

  In looking for Gabriel, she found Jade and Dan instead. Daniel Guthrie was an entertainment rep with one of the major record labels in New York, and as such often served as liaison between the talent and the legal system. He had worked with Gabriel several times. While they weren't friends, they had an easy camaraderie. Lindy liked his dry wit and quiet manner. He was soothing to be around. The fact that he was completely devoted to her best friend didn't hurt, either.

  Jade squeezed her hand in greeting, not wanting to disturb her friend's appearance. “Wow! That is some dress! Now I see why you wanted the really strappy shoes!"

  Dan smiled at his wife. “You look great, Lindy."

  "Thanks. Have you guys seen Gabriel?” She searched over the crowd. “We're going to be eating soon, and I haven't even found our table."

  "Well, that's easy,” Jade said, “you're sitting with us. I'm sure Gabriel will find you there."

  Dan offered both his arms. “Shall we, ladies?"

  Lindy smiled and allowed herself to be escorted in to the table.

  * * * *

  Dinner was as boring as she'd feared. Rubber shrimp, sticky pasta, and a complete lack of inspiring conversation. Gabriel spent the bulk of the meal chatting up the other three couples at the table, leaving her only Jade and Dan for company.

  During a lull, Dan said, “So, man, when are you headed to the Caribbean?"

  "We aren't,” Gabriel replied, forking a bite of bloody prime rib into his mouth. “Not for a couple months, anyway."

  "What?” Lindy was astounded.

  "I can't,” he continued eating. “I've got this international contracts project I'm working on that's kicking me up one side and down the other. I'm stuck working with this little shit from the London office, and he's insisting on going over everything with a fine tooth comb."

  Lindy pushed her plate away, no longer hungry. “When were you planning on telling me?"

  He looked at her, confused by her anger. “It just hadn't come up."

  "Gabriel, we were supposed to leave next week!"

  "And now we aren't.” He was starting to get mad. “Don't make a big deal about it, we're still going to go. Just not right now."

  It took all of her restraint not to storm away from the table.

  * * * *

  The music started soon after, for which Lindy was gratef
ul. Gabriel danced the first with her, but neither of them spoke a word. Then he disappeared into the cigar room to talk business, leaving her alone.

  Dan danced with her a few times. So did several of Gabriel's gentlemen clients, including the kind Mr. Jamison, who spent the whole dance telling her how wonderful her husband was. She really didn't want to hear it, but she put on her plastic smile and thanked him for his compliments and for the dance. Then she went to hide.

  She ordered a cosmopolitan from the bar and drank it down quickly, then slowly wandered to the far end of the patio, away from the band and the dancers and the noise to just stand quietly, gazing out into the peace of the moonlit gardens.

  She sensed his presence, felt the cool drift of his strong, slender fingers trail down her spine to settle at the bare small of her back, before he ever announced himself.

  "Now, who would go and leave you all alone in a dress like that, pet?"

  Chapter 4

  She froze, her body going absolutely rigid.

  It couldn't be. It simply wasn't possible.

  Slowly she turned her head, needing to confirm with her eyes what every cell in her body was screaming at her.

  She looked into glinting cobalt blue eyes.

  "Oh my god."

  It was him. The man from the restaurant. The single most liberating, guilt-inspiring experience of her entire life. His soft black hair was loosely slicked back, leaving a bit of wave to draw the eye. Instead of a traditional tux, he wore a collarless shirt buttoned with simple black studs undisguised by a tie. His jacket was square cut, the fronts cut away and rounded to spare it the phony western look that was so popular. The silk trousers tapered gently along his leg to the matte black of his square toed boots. He looked incredible.

  She said the only thing she could think of. “What are you doing here?"

  He smirked gently. “Same thing as you, I'd expect. A little dining, a little dancing, a little ... hob knobbing.” His voice dropped, giving the simple word a sense of innuendo that made her shiver.

  "You should go."

  "I don't think so,” he eyed her up and down. “I leave you alone in that dress, some big bad wolf is gonna come along and try to eat you all up."

  "And what are you?"

  He leaned close to murmur in her ear. “I'm Prince Charming."

  She managed to cock an eyebrow at him.

  He smiled. “So you've found me out. I am the big bad wolf. But I don't bite.” He moved close enough for his lips to brush her ear. “Hard."

  She closed her eyes with a soft gasp, felt surrender flood over her, absorb her. She leaned into him...

  And stopped herself, realizing what she was doing. Her eyes, still dilated with arousal, went wide in horror, and she tried to back away. “I have to go! My hu..."

  He didn't let her go. “Dance with me."

  "What? No!"

  He tipped his head to meet her eyes. “Dance with me,” he repeated.

  "I can't,” she pleaded. “If anyone saw, they'd think..."

  "What? That we had torrid, amazing, earth shattering sex in a public restroom two days ago?” He drew her back close. “They wouldn't be wrong."

  "Please..."

  "But no one's even going to notice. Not among this crowd. And if they do, they won't think anything of it. I've watched you dancing with different men all evening, and I doubt you've slept with any of them.” He cocked his head, looking at her appraisingly. “At least I hope not. Your little blonde haired friend might be upset if you've had a go at her significant other."

  "No,” her voice faltered. “No, I haven't."

  He took her left hand in his right, drawing her close to him as he began moving her through the dance. “I know."

  They fit together as well for dancing as they had for sex. He held her comfortably with a soothing strength, supporting her, guiding her through the steps of the dance. Soft strains of Cole Porter filtered through the noise of the dancers, but he seemed to hear it clearly, for his steps were sure and confident. He moved smoothly, gracefully, and somehow that carried through to her, making her feel more coordinated, encouraging her to give herself over to his lead more and more. She relaxed a bit, the hand on his shoulder no longer holding him at bay.

  The music changed, became faster, but they ignored it and continued to slowly waltz along the isolated end of the patio.

  She relaxed, enjoying the rhythm and the movement and the comfort of his arms. She forgot herself, forgot that she didn't know this man, that they hadn't spent their whole lives together, and rested her temple against his cheek.

  He drew her closer still, pressing into her along the length of her body. She could feel his strength, his tightly controlled energy. And she could feel his arousal prodding into her soft belly through black silk and crepe.

  "I've spent the last two days thinking of nothing but holding you against me again,” his voice came, throaty and wanting. “I've hardly been able to sleep for thinking about you."

  "Please, don't,” she begged, but she didn't move away.

  "You were the most incredible creature I'd ever seen, let alone hoped to touch.” He stroked his hand lightly up her back. She trembled, undulating away from his touch, which only drove her body deeper into his. “God, you can't even help it, can you? You're all sexuality and desire."

  She shook her head in denial. “No, no I'm not."

  What she felt like more than anything was a bitch in heat. What she wanted to do above all other things was to rub her body up against his and beg him to take her again. She would never know where she found the strength of will to simply keep dancing.

  He turned with her slowly, guiding and directing her. “Oh, but you are. You're enough to drive all rational thought from a man's head. I can't close my eyes at work, because the moment I do, you're there, your head thrown back, mouth open, panting, face flushed, eyes rolled back in your head. And I know I did that to you.” He brought his head back down to her ear. “And I want to do that to you again..."

  She whimpered, nearly falling to her knees. But he supported her with his arms and body as he lowered his mouth to the column of her neck, exploring the sensitive skin there with lips and tongue. “You feel it too, don't you? You know there's a connection between us."

  "Oh god, please..."

  This time his mouth rested directly on the sensitive flesh of her ear. “You want me to stop, pet?"

  She pulled back, her eyes enormous with fear and confusion and heady desire. She met his sultry gaze, cool blue eyes turned sea storm wild with his own need.

  And she knew.

  "God, no."

  Their mouths came together in a frenzy of lips and tongues. She gave in to the demands of her body and arched eagerly against him, reveling in the friction they generated. He released her hand to leave both of his free to explore all the opportunities promised by that temptation of a dress. His rough palms skimmed up and over the angles of her shoulder bones, down again to slide under the spill of fabric to caress the roundness of her lace-covered ass and the firmness of her bare upper thighs.

  "Someone will see us,” she moaned, pushing his jacket off his shoulders, anxiously trying to unbutton his shirt. The elegant looking studs turned out to be snaps, and she jerked them apart with a feral growl, revealing the bare skin of his sculpted chest and stomach to her gaze for the first time.

  "We're safe from prying eyes here, love.” She looked around and realized they had moved deeper into the gardens. He cupped her chin, drawing her mouth back up to his. “We can take it a little slower this time.” He dropped the jacket on the ground beside them, tossing the shirt off a little ways. “I want to see how beautiful you are."

  He reached up and took hold of the two hair sticks and pulled them out, freeing her hair to tumble around her shoulders. He leaned in and kissed her languidly, the only contact between them their lips and his gentle fingers on the back of her neck. She realized what he was doing just as the clasp on the chain opened and allowed the
dress to slither to the ground. He took her hand to help her step out of the pile of fabric, leaving it and her shoes behind.

  He stepped back and just looked at her, and she couldn't interpret the expression in his eyes. She became self-conscious, standing in front of him in nothing but lace panties and garterless stockings, and she started to raise her arms to cover herself. “No,” his hoarse voice broke the silence. He took her hands, extended them out as though to admire a new outfit. “You should only wear moonlight,” he finally said roughly. “Nothing else suits you so well."

  She flushed, but stepped closer to him, need outweighing reason. “I'd rather be wearing you."

  His eyes widened, then narrowed again as he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her in to kiss again.

  She felt fey, unreal, as his mouth plundered its way down her throat and shoulder to begin devouring the curve of her breast. The sensation of his wet tongue on her sensitive flesh made her cry out, arching towards him to feel more. His hands locked on her shoulders, holding her still so he could enjoy her without interruption. His tongue spiraled eagerly around one soft mound, drawing closer and closer until it flicked over the tight nipple, drawing it across the length of his tongue like a candy, making her cry out again.

  As he moved to repeat the process on her other breast, she felt an animal need grow inside her to make him respond as well. She reached down and slid her hand up the inside of his thigh until she was cupping his cock through the heavy silk of his trousers. The weight of it felt good in her hand, and his soft growl felt good against her breast, so she continued brazenly, sliding up the length of it, around the head and back down. On the second pass, she kept going up until her fingers found the button at his waist. She released it, lowered the zipper, and for the first time slid his throbbing cock into her hand.

  His head snapped back with a roar but his hips never moved, his cock twitching and jumping as she eagerly explored him. His eyes locked on hers, read something there and responded to it as a challenge. His hand slid down her chest and over her belly to slip beneath the elastic lace of her panties and straight into her dripping center. His mouth slammed over hers to swallow the scream that erupted from her, his fingers circling and delving until she was nearly sobbing.