I couldn’t help myself, my gaze fluttered to his groin and sure enough, there was very convincing evidence indicating he was indeed turned on. Impressive.
He smiled as my eyes returned to meet his gaze.
He moved toward me and softly laughed, “You’re so busted.”
I grinned in return even though I could feel my cheeks reddening. “Please don’t come any closer. I’m a sweaty mess. Truly.”
“I don’t care.” He completely ignored my request and walked toward me, leaning down to kiss me, softly, briefly. Even though our lips were the only part of our bodies touching, poof, just like that I was a quivering mass of need.
I wanted to wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his hips and kiss him senseless. Instead, exercising Herculean strength, I stepped back and asked, “So we’re still on for later then?”
“Let’s think about later, later. Right now, why don’t you show me your place? I could help you wash your beautiful hair in the shower,” his grin was infectious and he wrapped a curl around his finger.
“So much for taking things slow.”
“Damn. I was hoping you were too drunk to remember that bit.”
“I was not drunk!”
“Yeah, you were a little. My fault though. Sending over all that tequila. Are you okay today?”
“I’m fine. I was disappointed when I realized we hadn’t exchanged numbers. I thought I’d seen the last of you.”
“I’m going to marry you. Of course you haven’t seen the last of me.”
I laughed at his outrageous flirtation.
He smiled, good-naturedly, “Just wait. You’ll see.”
“Dinner first. Restaurant? Time?” I was pleased that I sounded much calmer than I felt.
“There’s a nice Italian place a couple streets west of here. Say 6:30?”
“I know the place and the time works for me.”
“Kiss me good bye, Jennifer.”
I brushed a teasing kiss against his lips and ran to the elevator before I could change my mind and drag him up to my apartment so I could have my wicked way with him. My heart suddenly felt light and my body was tingling with anticipation of the night ahead. I waved goodbye as the doors of the elevator closed, his handsome smiling face imprinted in my brain as I bounded into my condo to call Kate and share my unbelievable news!
************
I was going to be late. I changed my clothes for the fourth time, discarding the red slinky slip dress that screamed sex for a slightly more subdued ivory silk sheath. Instead of hugging my curves, it glanced off them. I nodded my head in approval at my reflection. Bright purple stilettos provided a shocking splash of color. I’d left my hair loose and kept my makeup simple. My stomach was fluttering with butterflies and I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt this nervous for a date.
I stuffed essentials in my clutch and hurriedly left my condo, anxious to get to the restaurant at least reasonably on time. I checked my lipstick in the mirrored wall of the elevator on the ride down. The restaurant was only two blocks away so it would probably be faster to walk than hail a cab. My psychology practice was within easy walking distance of my home so I’d never bothered the expense or hassle of getting a car. The elevator doors opened and for the second time that day, the breath whooshed from my lungs. Jackson Spencer was standing in my lobby, holding a ridiculously large bouquet of wild flowers.
“Jackson! Hello. I thought we were going to meet at the restaurant.”
“Hello, beautiful. We were but I wanted to give you these. You look stunning,” he smiled, handing me the flowers and leaning in to press his lips against mine. The intimacy and assumed familiarity of the greeting thrilled me.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself.” He was wearing a dark grey suit and black shirt, no tie. He looked edible. I resisted the urge to stand back and let my gaze devour him. My body reacted to him instantly. He had barely touched me and I felt as energized as a live wire.
I swear I lost track of time and several moments passed while we simply stood there gazing at each other. With a jolt I realized we were still in my lobby and I was holding a huge bouquet of flowers. “I guess I should pop these in water before we go.”
“Lead the way,” he smiled. Clever man. He was going to see the inside of my home after all.
His draped his arm across my back letting his hand rest lightly on my hip during the elevator ride to the ninth floor. It felt territorial and possessive, as though he was claiming me as his, silently and confidently. I unlocked my apartment door and he followed me in, glancing around at the bright space. I was a minimalist when it came to decorating. I liked muted tones and clean lines and clutter gave me hives.
“Very nice,” he said, smiling at me.
“Thank you,” I replied, reaching into a cupboard to grab the art deco vase my grandmother had given me as a housewarming gift, days before she died. I added water and quickly arranged the flowers. My nerves were back in full force and I was anxious to see where this date was going. I wasn’t used to unpredictable men. Jackson was the master of unpredictability.
“The flowers are beautiful. Thank you.” I smiled up into his dark brown eyes.
He stepped forward and I automatically took a step back, my hip lightly bumping the kitchen counter as he placed an arm on either side of me, effectively boxing me in. He was smiling, his eyes warm as his gaze dropped from my eyes to my mouth. I was certain if he kissed me now, we’d never make it to dinner. Leaning forward so that his body was pressed fully against me, he touched his lips against mine. His hands skimmed up my bare arms and then my neck, his touch light and teasing. His hands tangled in my hair as he deepened the kiss. He didn’t even try to hide his erection and my body responded with a will of its own, my hip grinding against his jutting hardness. He groaned and plunged his tongue into my mouth. Teasing, plundering, demanding a response. I kissed him back with equal passion. Our moans mingled as one of his hands dropped to cup my bottom and reposition me so that he was pressing more intimately against me. He held me firmly in place as his hips started a slow and steady thrusting against my core, while he continued to ravage my mouth.
Rational thought tried to prevail. I just met this man last night. Don’t know anything about him. Oh God, that felt good. If he kept pressing against me like that I was going to have an orgasm. My breathing became more labored. I had to stop. He had to stop. Oh God don’t stop, I silently begged as that beautiful rush of tension built deep in my womb. His other hand moved from my hair to cup my breast. I gasped loudly as he pinched my nipple between his thumb and finger, lightly twisting through the fabric of my dress and bra. It was enough. I was getting closer and closer to orgasm. Just. One. More. Thrust. Oh! And there it was! I cried out as the tension built to a surprisingly strong release and I fell apart in his arms.
He looked at me with complete awe. “Jennifer,” my whispered name sounded like a prayer on his lips.
“I can’t believe that just happened,” I gasped, embarrassed that I let myself go so completely. And by let myself go I mean I had just allowed a virtual stranger dry hump me to orgasm in the middle of my pristine kitchen.