by Anne Rainey
“Throwing me off balance.” She planted one hand on her hip and smiled.
He bent at the waist so that he was staring directly into her eyes and exclaimed, “In one more second I’m going to throw you over my shoulder, carry you to your bedroom, and quench my appetite with your sweet body.” His hand reached around and smacked her lightly on the rear.
“You wouldn’t dare,” she retorted, completely stunned that he’d just swatted her bottom.
“Try me, angel . . . please.” His voice was hoarse from desire, and his eyes were swirling with passion.
She turned from his heated stare and headed for the hall closet where her purse hung. She didn’t want to take the chance that he was serious, yet she wondered all the same what he’d do if he followed through with his decadent threat.
Damn, Mac thought, this woman was turning him into a Neanderthal. He raked his hand through his hair in an effort to gain some modicum of control. He paced the living room, trying to distract himself, but the phone rang.
“Mac, can you answer that please?” Crystal called from the hallway.
Mac quickly looked around the living room for the phone and located it on the table beside the couch. In two strides, he was picking it up and saying, “Hello?” He sounded harsher than he had intended, though. Silence. Mac said “Hello?” louder and with more strength this time.
“She’s not for you. One day real soon she’ll see what a mistake she made leaving me,” the shadowy voice on the other end growled.
“Look, asshole, I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but be warned if you come near her. I will personally take you apart with my bare hands. Do I make myself clear?” Mac’s entire body tensed with rage.
He was met with insane laughter. “Ah, that’s just it, Mac. You don’t know me, but I do know you. She’s my wife, and one way or the other she’ll come back to me. And when she does, I will have to teach her what happens to whores.” There was a pause, then: “By the way, what a lovely turquoise dress she’s wearing. I so enjoy when she goes without a bra. Great tits she has, don’t you agree?”
Then came the most depraved laughter Mac had ever heard before the line went dead in his hand. Mac quietly replaced the receiver and turned around. Crystal was standing there, her eyes wide and frightened. She had heard enough of his end of the conversation to determine the call was from her ex-husband. He didn’t say a word. He walked to the stairs and ascended them two at a time. When he reached the top, he paused at her bedroom door, turned on the light, and saw what he had already suspected. Her curtains were tied back and the shade was pulled up. He walked over to the window and peered out. He didn’t see anything suspicious, but he hadn’t really expected to. The caller was probably long gone by now. How the hell had the caller known who he was? He made a mental note to call Trent tomorrow. He pulled the shade down and then heard a faint voice say, “Mac, what’s going on?”
He turned around and spoke in a no-nonsense tone, “I want this shade pulled down from now on. Do you understand me, Crystal?”
She nodded. “But why?” She felt numb, for she feared she already knew the answer.
Mac walked to where she stood, took her soft hand in his, led her over to the bed, and sat her down on the edge of it. Crouching between her legs, he spoke in a comforting tone, “Your ex-husband just called. And he said something on the phone just now that leads me to believe he’s been watching you through there.” He paused and pointed to the window. He went on, biting out each word, “This guy is a sick bastard, and I don’t want you taking any chances, okay? Keep this shade drawn.”
She simply couldn’t speak past the lump of fear in her throat, so she nodded instead. Her ex-husband had been watching her? How many times had he seen her walk into her private bedroom to go to bed or change clothes? She shivered, and when she glanced over at the window, abruptly her entire body shook with chills. She rubbed at her arms, but to no avail. The fear was stealing all the warmth from her body. She felt an invasion of privacy that she’d never known before. Worse yet, she’d inadvertently put Mollie at risk. She looked back at Mac, who was still crouched in front of her, and said the first thing that came to mind, “What did he say?”
“Angel, listen to me carefully. He only said something to indicate to me that he’s been watching you. I don’t know for how long.” He stopped and looked at her hard. “He did say one other thing . . .”
His voice trailed off and he looked at her more thoughtfully, as if debating whether she could handle the rest. Crystal straightened her spine and spoke in a calm voice, “Mac, whatever he said, I have a right to know.”
He remained silent. However, he seemed to give in to the inevitable because he responded, “He said he intends to show you what happens to a whore. He intends to teach you a lesson.”
“Oh God!” Her hand flew to her mouth. She felt sick. She spoke in a quivery voice, “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”
Mac placed his palm on the back of her head and gently pushed. “Angel, put your head down and take deep breaths. Can you do that for me?” She nodded and did as he said. He was stroking her hair in a soothing motion. She felt some relief from the rising panic immediately. When she had herself back under control, she said in a stronger voice, “I’m okay.” He pulled his hand away slowly, as if reluctant to do so. She rose up and came face-to-face with him. He looked so concerned for her that without thinking she leaned forward and kissed his angular cheek. Lifting away from him, she said, “Thanks for being here.”
He nodded. “Do you want to call Mollie and warn her?”
“Good idea,” she replied as she pulled her cell phone out of her purse. “She’s staying with a friend tonight, but I’ll fill her in so she can take precautions.”
Several minutes later, Crystal hung up and smiled over at Mac. “She wants to make sure I’m not alone tonight, either.”
“No way in hell am I leaving you tonight,” he said as he stood. “Now, let’s go see that movie. I am not letting that asshole ruin my evening with the prettiest girl in town. Besides, I am very much looking forward to sitting in a darkened movie theater with you.” He rose to his full height, took her hand, and pulled her up off the bed. Like any handsome Prince Charming, he said, “Will you accompany me this evening, my lady?” he asked, in a Prince Charming sort of way.
She quickly responded, “Indeed I will, kind sir.” And she curtsied.
They both laughed, dispelling the tension, and left the bedroom arm in arm.
Crystal was having the time of her life with Mac. They had gone to see a movie, and much to her surprise, he had picked a comedy. They laughed themselves silly. She hadn’t laughed and had such a good time with a man in . . . well, ever. They were back in his black Blazer and on their way home, but he turned down a different road.
“Mac, where are we going? Aren’t we going back home?” She looked over at him in puzzlement.
“Oh, angel, the evening is not yet finished. After all, Cinderella, it’s not midnight, is it?”
He looked over at her for a brief moment, not wanting to take his eyes off the road, but she saw mystery in his and something else pooling in their depths . . . hunger? But for what? Crystal wondered, or perhaps the correct word was, for whom?
She finally said, “Well, my debonair prince, where are you taking me on such a lovely evening as this?”
“Now that would certainly spoil my lady’s surprise, would it not?” The corner of his lips quirked up along with one eyebrow questioningly.
“Yes, I suppose it would, and I certainly wouldn’t want to spoil it. Shall I close my eyes, too, so your surprise will be complete and untainted?” She laughed, fully expecting him to laugh, too. However, he only whispered lustfully, “Yes, close your eyes. Trust in me to tell you when. Will you trust me, Crystal?”
She spoke breathlessly, “Yes, Mac, I trust you.” And she continued to show him how much by closing her eyes.
Mac hadn’t expected the conversation to take such
a turn. Nevertheless, he couldn’t let the opportunity to observe Crystal in such a way go by. She was beautiful, especially when she laughed. She made him feel like the luckiest man on earth when the smiles were directed toward him. He had taken her to a comedy for two reasons. He wanted to take her mind off the jerk who had called earlier, and he wanted to see her laugh. Who would have thought that laughter from a woman could make a man hard as granite? Well, not any woman . . . only his Crystal. Hearing her in the movie theater made him glad that it was dark; he would’ve made a spectacle of himself if it wasn’t. Hell, he was so horny by the time they had left that he knew if he took her straight home, he’d have her stripped down and on the floor and been inside of her within seconds. So the thought struck to take her to Gibby’s bar. As appealing as it was to take Crystal in such an abandoned way, he didn’t want her to think he had no finesse at all, that he was no more than a rutting bull, even though that was damn close to the way he felt at the moment.
As they turned the next corner and were traveling down the street where the bar was located, he glanced over at Crystal to see if her eyes were, indeed, still closed. They were, and she was now resting her head on the back of the seat. Her hair fell down past her shoulders, giving him a perfect view of her slender, delicate neck. He might well have been a vampire in some other life, because the need to taste her pulsing vein with his tongue and bite her pale ivory skin there, marking her as his, was almost overpowering.
He pulled into the parking lot to the bar and drove around to the back, so they could enter through the private entrance. He stopped the SUV and put it in Park, but he did not turn off the engine. He looked over at Crystal again; this time a slight smile curved her peach-colored lips. He leaned over her to murmur seductively, “You turn my insides to jelly and my outside to iron, angel.”
He wanted to soothe her, mesmerize her into doing as he wished. She started to open her eyes, but he touched each lid with his forefinger and said, “You trusted me to say when, and I have yet to do so.”
She remained quiet and kept her eyes closed. He caressed her hair with his fingers, stroking her silky tresses. “So soft and baby fine.” He trailed his hand down her hair to smooth one finger over her neck. He touched the pulse beating in her throat; it seemed to quicken under his fingertips. He leaned in to her closer still, breathing in her scent. “Your smell drives me mad at night. It’s as if you’re lying right next to me, and I dream hot, erotic dreams of you.” His voice grew raspier with the fever that was running through his veins, a fever only she could cool.
He bent his lips to her pulse and licked the length of her protruding vein. “Do you want more? Would you trust me with your body?” She nodded her acceptance. “Mm, yes, I want more of you, too, so much more. I want to know all your secret spots, the ones that cause your blood to pound hot in your veins and have you quivering with need. I want you begging beneath me . . . for me.”
With that he bent and tasted her sweet ivory neck, arched up toward him like an offering to a god. He tasted her soft skin and sucked her into his mouth. Then he bit her, lightly, branding her as his woman. He lifted his head, looking down at her pliant body, and groaned, “Open your eyes, angel. If we stay out here much longer, I will have you beneath me, where you belong, which would bring me infinite amounts of pleasure, but having sex in my truck isn’t how this night is supposed to go.”
She did then, as he bid. She looked at him finally, her body burning with need. Her chest was heaving like she had just run a marathon. She looked into his eyes and saw that it was the same for him. It pleased her and she wanted more. More of him, more of his touch, she wanted him to appease the hunger that he had created. Instead she said, “Mac, the things you do to me, it’s positively not becoming of a lady.” She tried for lightness, but it seemed to fall flat.
“Angel, I want you any way I can get you.” He did smile then, albeit lecherously, but it was a smile nonetheless. “Having you completely willing and quivering underneath me will suffice . . . for now.” He turned the engine off and opened the door. “Come on, we’re here.”
As he came around to her side to open her door, she asked, “Where is here?”
“Gibby’s Bar and Grill.” He took her hand at that, helped her down out of the Blazer, and closed her door. “I hope you like it. It can be a bit loud at times, but I thought we could grab a bite to eat and I could check to see how everything is going.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it. Thank you for bringing me.” She leaned up on tiptoe and kissed his rigid jaw, then smiled.
Mac groaned. “Crystal, have mercy. I told you no kisses unless you are prepared to take more.”
“Mm, I can’t wait,” she said naughtily.
Mac only grunted his reply and led her to the door where he could hopefully get himself back under control, but he could have sworn he heard a faint giggle from the woman at his side.
Wow, what more could a girl ask for anyway? A great movie, wonderful food, stimulating conversation, and all from a devilishly handsome man. She figured she would have to come down from her perch soon enough, but for now she was content to enjoy herself.
Gibby’s was much better than she’d expected. Everyone seemed to know each other. The music was a mix of top-forty hits and songs by the top country artists of today. There was something to please every ear. The place had a woodsy, rustic appearance to it. The walls were done in a kind of barn siding wood, which in the end would save money on paint and upkeep. There were wooden wagon wheels hanging from the ceiling with colored lights attached to them. Even the dance floor was made of hardwood, meant to remind customers of the old-time barn dances, when they put it all together. Everything was decorated with taste. The owner obviously wanted the patrons to feel at home, able to kick their heels up and just let loose for the time they were there.
Everyone who walked by their booth greeted Mac with a friendly hello and a handshake. A few of the men who stopped by gave her the once-over, but they were met with a steely look from Mac, completely obliterating any interest they may have shown in her. All waiters and waitresses wore a simple clean white T-shirt and jeans. That way they could be comfortable for the long hours they were on their feet and also blend in with the country décor. She had met Gibby, the owner. He was an extremely large African American. He was a few inches taller than Mac was and much broader. He had a wonderful smile and was as sweet as a teddy bear, but Crystal got the feeling that he could be very mean if provoked. He looked at Mac with the kind of respect that was born from a long and firm friendship.
She looked at Mac and spoke over the music, “Where did you meet Gibby?”
Mac looked at her and waited a beat, as if debating what to tell her. At last, he said, “I met Gibby in somewhat odd circumstances.” He paused. “He was in a bit of trouble when we first encountered each other. He apparently owed some rather nasty people some money, and when I came here for dinner one night, the men were attempting to beat the dollar bills out of him. That’s about the time I decided to intervene.”
“What did you do?” Her eyes grew large and she leaned forward, completely riveted to the story.
“I very calmly explained to the men that they were going about getting paid the wrong way.” Mac took a drink from his Pepsi then went on, “Then I paid them the money myself.”
“You actually gave them the money? I mean, you didn’t even know Gibby at the time. Why would you do that?” She was dumbfounded.
“Yes, I gave them the money, but Gibby has paid me back every single cent since then. He’s a very proud man and he refused to let the matter drop. So we worked out a deal, and here we are today. Hell, I’ve gotten more than my fair share from our relationship and I gained a very loyal friend to boot. What more can a guy ask for?”
“And it seems he has gained a loyal friend, as well. You’re very kind underneath that gruff exterior,” she said in admiration.
“Underneath this gruff exterior lurks a very lusty man, eager for your hot body,
angel.” His eyes grew darker with passion and bore straight into hers.
Just then, a waiter came to their table and asked if they wanted anything else.
They both declined, then he said, “I’ll be right back. I need to hit the restroom.” He winked, then rose from the booth and went to the far end of the room.
Crystal resumed eating her fries. She had ordered a simple burger and fries, figuring they would be a safe bet. However, she hadn’t expected them to taste so good. Gibby’s obviously had a wonderful chef tucked back in the kitchen. A shadow covered her table, and she thought it was Mac returning, so she looked up smiling. However, it wasn’t. Instead it was a man she didn’t recognize. He was tall and blond, very muscular and tanned, as if he worked outside, perhaps in construction or something similar.
“I’ve noticed you tonight. You’re awful hard to miss. A man would have to be blind not to see you, sweetheart. You’re very beautiful,” he spoke in a rough voice.
“Thank you.” She never knew quite what to say when a man complimented her.
“My name is Dale.” He extended his hand for her to shake, then said, “And yours is?”
“Her name is Crystal, and she’s with me.” Mac spoke from behind the stranger. The look in his eyes was deadly.
“You have a beautiful name, Crystal. Would you care to dance?”
He never took his eyes from her, completely ignoring Mac. She looked at Mac and saw his anger that was barely leashed. Crystal calmly said to the stranger, “I’m sorry, Dale, I’m here with Mac. Thank you for the offer.” She smiled brightly.
“No worries.” He smiled and walked away.
Mac stared at the man’s back until he was well away from them; only then did he sit back down. He didn’t say a word, just stared at her.
“Now that he’s gone, I’d love to dance with you.”
Her eyes brightened at the prospect of being in Mac’s strong arms. “You would?”
