Dave couldn’t believe his clumsiness. First he cut his chin shaving, then he stubbed his toe on the corner of his bedroom door, which left him with a small limp. In the middle of it all, his parents announced they were staying another week. After some hemming and hawing Dave finally told them, without coming out directly and saying it, what he planned for the evening with Kathy. He then, not so politely, told them to get the hell out and stay at Jake’s. At least they didn’t put up a fight about it.
He adjusted the pants waist of his suit with one hand while he clutched the yellow daisies with the other. Maybe he shouldn’t have bought them, they were so cliché and he always strived not to be. But this is Kathy, he reminded himself. Nervousness and second guessing were getting the best of him. What had come over him from this morning? He had been so confident, so ready for this.
The sensation to turn and run was about to win over his eagerness to see her when the door opened. There she stood with tall heels, miles of leg, and—she turned during his survey—backless. The dress seemed to be completely nonexistent. She peered over her left shoulder at him and smiled.
“Dear Lord. Please don’t let me be dreaming. Tell me you’re real.” He swallowed hard to remove the lump in the back of his throat.
“I’m very real, Mr. Sanders. Do you want to come in?”
She grinned at him over her shoulder until, unable to control himself any longer, he grabbed her arm, spun her around, and pressed his mouth to hers. He wanted her to feel his frenzy; to need what he needed; be the only thing on her mind as she was for him.
Crushing her body to his, Dave moved them into the apartment and kicked the door shut. “Let’s just stay here,” he said, moving his lips to her ear.
“No way. You got me dressed up, you’re taking me out.” She leaned into him, “God, you always smell so good!”
He had planned to take her to dinner then spend a nice evening at his home; however, with her in his arms, nothing else seemed to matter.
“Okay, but we’re eating fast. And—what the hell happened?” He held her face in his hands. The mere idea that her skin had been marred, that someone might have done this to her, threw Dave into a mix of emotions he could barely control. He could taste the blood he desperately wanted from whatever or whoever did this to her. With hands that weren’t as gentle as he would have liked, Dave cupped Kathy’s face in them.
“It’s not that bad.”
“Muffin, you have a black eye. Have you put ice on it?” At her look of annoyance he said, “Don’t roll your eyes at me. I want to know what happened.”
She pulled away from him with a snap. “I’m a klutz, okay?”
“No, it’s not okay. Tell me what’s going on?” Dave led her to sit on the small, hard as brick couch. “Comfy,” he said offhandedly.
“I don’t come in here much.”
Dave surveyed the unadorned walls and barren windows. The room, much like what he’d seen in the entryway, looked sterile and unloved. A complete contrast to her office, which boasted adventurous pictures of her and Sophie, a few plants, and a candy jar full of trail mix. He always stole all the M&Ms but Kathy didn’t seem to mind. “Aren’t you afraid someone could be watching you?”
“I have the shades.”
Looking from the measly surroundings and to the woman next to him, Dave couldn’t help the chuckle that rose in his throat. “Your office has more decoration. Last time I was here the lights weren’t on.”
“No, they weren’t. Wish it was dark now, too.”
Dave took her hand in his. “I don’t. You look beautiful. Now how’d you get the shiner?”
“It’s really very embarrassing. Can we forget about it?”
“No.”
“At least until later? No one attacked me or anything. It was just stupid.”
How could he say “no” to her with those big brown eyes pleading? He was a goner. Sunk. Drowned. No life vest could save him. “Damn it. Okay. But you won’t get out of this again.”
Kathy glanced down at the crushed flowers sitting next to Dave. “Those for me?”
“Maybe.”
“Well if they’re not you better find yourself another date for tonight.”
He loved when she teased. The fact that she seemed to be doing it more often made him want to pull it out of her as much as he could. “What if I said they’re for a woman who I’ve dreamed about since the day we met? That I didn’t believe in love at first sight until I saw her across the room.”
“I’d say you’re an incredible romantic and full of shit.”
Dave shook his head while laughing. He told her the truth about his past and she accepted it—was even turned on by it. Then he comes clean about his feelings and she can’t trust it. “You’re the most incredibly confusing woman.”
He kissed her then, sweetly. All smoldering passion with the promise of love. How could he convince her that she belonged in his arms? Didn’t she feel it, too? His heart felt the need to explode from the love, fright, and pain she caused him. Yet he didn’t want the sensation to go away. It felt more like freedom than prison. Unexpected tears burned his eyes. What the hell is that? Never the crier, his mind baffled at the reaction. Pulling her into his arms he took in the sweet scent of her perfumed neck.
“You smell good enough to eat,” he told her while trying to give himself time to pull his thoughts together.
“You smell delicious and I can’t wait to taste you,” she replied.
On impulse Dave stood and held out a hand. “Let’s go before I drag you to the bedroom and never get to show you off. Every man and woman is gonna be jealous.”
She took a deep breath before placing her hand in his. “I don’t know what to say when you talk like that.”
“Don’t. Just kiss me.”
She did. And he felt their souls merge, even if only for a split second. “I’ll go grab a vase. Thank you for the flowers.”
“Thank you for wearing that dress… Sophie?”
They were both laughing upon entering the kitchen. “Who else? I must have tried on hundreds of them and this one covered the most skin.”
“I love it.” Dave did a three-sixty turn in the tiny kitchen. “You really aren’t much for the decorating, are you?”
Kathy pulled out a chubby green vase with different colored polka dots. The whimsical item gave Dave a glance at the side she never seemed to want to people to know about.
“What’s the point? Sooner or later I’ll move and have to drag everything with me.”
She was filling the vase with water then placing it on the kitchen table next to her only plant when Dave realized how Kathy’s home was a showcase for her insecurities. If she spent the time and grew attached to where she was living, it would break her heart if she moved. Interesting because it also seemed to be the way she dealt with her relationships. But not this one, Dave promised, she and I are going to paint the walls and then cover them with memories.
Kathy turned to him and smiled. “I really love the flowers, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome… again.” He did a little bow and a giggle. “Is my lady ready to eat?”
Taking his offered hand, Kathy replied, “Why yes, my lord. I’m famished.”
* * *
She tried to think back, wondered if her brain had simply wiped any existence of it: did she ever enjoy a date before this one?
“What?” she asked, while swirling the wine.
“Nothing,” Dave said while still smiling at her.
“Now that’s just a lie. I’m sure your mother told you lying isn’t very nice.”
“She’s actually boxed my ears a few times because of it.”
The slow Italian music sang to them while the candlelight at the table made Dave look more handsome then any man she’d ever set eyes on. Kathy couldn’t wait to get her hands on him. They talked so easily and she started to wonder if maybe she was getting a little too obsessed. For cripes sake, she spent most of dinner turned on by the fact he was wearing a suit—and he looked delicious in it.
Shaking her head and clearing the fog, she asked, “Dave?”
“What?”
“You okay? Since we got here you seem really distracted.” She reached across the table to him.
“I am.” Bringing her hand to his lips, Dave first kissed her palm then, quick as a whip, touched the sensitive spot with his tongue. “I want to pay the bill and bring you home with me.”
She rose to her feet as fast as her heels would allow. “I really want that, too.”
Actually she wanted him to race that car down the streets, blow all the red lights they hit, and, caution be damned, not care if there were any cops. When they pulled into his drive and came to a sudden halt, both their bodies were pushed forward.
Kathy snickered. “We’re nuts.”
“Totally,” Dave announced while getting out of the car to race around to her side.
When she stepped out of his vehicle, Dave pulled her into his arms and gave her a peck on the lips. “Come on, I have some wine out breathing.”
“Really?” She stayed one step behind him as they walked to his door. Taking her by surprise, Dave welcomed Kathy into his home by sweeping her off her feet and walking her over the threshold.
“What would you like to do first?” he asked.
She wrapped her arms tight around his neck while her eyes fell on the many candles that lit up his home. “That’s a loaded question.” When he only grinned at her, she continued her inspection. “Weren’t you afraid those would burn down your home?”
“Yup, that’s why I have the battery ones.”
After being placed gently on her feet, Kathy walked to one of the lit pillars and picked it up. “Really? That’s neat.”
“You could use some at your place. Or you could come here and admire mine.”
Astonishment engulfed her as she looked from the candles to the floor where different colored petals were laid out like breadcrumbs down the hall and into a bedroom. “I don’t know what to say. No one has ever done something like this for me.”
“Shame on them.” With one finger he pushed the spiky bangs away from her eyes. “I want you to know you’re special.”
“You make me feel that way.” In her heels they were eye to eye. She could see the emotions swirling in his gaze and acknowledged that this moment was about more than candles, flowers, and wine. Dave wanted serious. Was that what she wanted? The answer was a simple “yes.” This man always seemed to be thinking of her and endlessly seeking ways to make her day better. Right now his expression told her she was the center of his world—a place she’d never been before with anyone else.
She touched her lips to his and let every passionate sensation he awakened in her out.
Forgetting the wine, Dave once again swept her into his arms. He carried her to his bedroom, a woman’s romantic fantasy come true. She’d always dreamt about it. Had even asked Todd to do it once, just so she could live it, but he had a “bad back.”
A moment of hesitation swept over her. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach and she tried fruitlessly to calm them. Things were about to change. This step, this moment, embedded a vital element in the rest of their lives.
Dave stood her on her heels and only stared—his surveying eyes taking all of her in. However, instead of feeling self-conscious, she felt liberated and brave. Without touching he leaned into her so they both would lie back on his bed together. Never having felt this kind of connection before, the marvel of experiencing it grew inside her as she felt the urge to bring not only their bodies together as one but also their minds.
Mouths leisurely feasted as Kathy’s trembling hands began unbuttoning his shirt. Yet it was not nerves that made her quake but excitement for the pleasures to come. This was what she had been missing. His smell engulfed her, an intoxicating scent of male strength and need. The strong, inked arms quietly massaged her thighs and breasts while he whispered to her.
“You’re so beautiful.” Dave pulled one of her shoulder straps down with his teeth then moved to the next to do the same.
“I’ve been waiting for you forever, Dave.” Kathy kissed him soundly, hoping he could feel not only her need for him but the emotions that pulled at her to be with him… always.
He straddled her then sat back on his haunches and ran one finger from her ear, down her neck, to the low dip of her cleavage. “Exquisite.”
Her mind drew a blank. This man seriously wanted her—all of her.
Leaning up to him, she parted his open shirt to run kisses over his chest. “I love seeing you in a suit and tie.” Hearing his sharp intake of breath, Kathy’s bravado became stronger. Her hands ran over the taut muscles until they found the snap of his pants. She wanted him all to herself. Craved the desire he stirred inside her, and sought to make him as dazzled as she.
Once the zipper came down she worked his pants lower on his hips until he sprang up, an invitation before her.
“Kathy, there’s so much I want to do to you.”
“I know.” She looked into his crazed eyes and knew he was with her. He would submit to whatever she wanted. “But right now I want to taste you.”
Once more she lay back on the bed but this time urged his body to move up as she scooted down. Straddled over her face, he carefully lowered himself into her mouth. With his hands braced on the bedrails above her, Kathy pushed to bring him to the edge of delirium. She worked her hands, tongue, and mouth in a torturous tirade of motion. He moaned, no growled, and pulled himself out only to replace the emptiness with his mouth.
“You win,” he told her, as his hands worked her dress off.
Kathy wondered what his reaction would be when he saw the black garter and stockings she wore beneath the silky fabric. She had hoped he would be shocked, maybe even speechless. Her answer came as an outburst of disbelief.
“I’m totally dreaming. There is no way a woman like you would be with a man like me.”
“Dave, there’s so much inside of me for you.”
His head darted between her thighs. Kisses and little nips. Strong hands gripping, then soft caresses. The tangled emotional ball that started to grow inside her the moment he brought her into his bedroom, now grew to an unbearable size. Hot fire—no that’s not right—blazing pleasure, that’s what she felt. When Dave moved her panties aside and covered her with his mouth, her body bowed back and she screamed. Her body had never known such pleasures.
Dave then took his time undoing every snap on the garter and rolling her stockings down. They locked eyes and she knew he could see the powerful desire she had for him. Kissing her foot, he slowly moved his way up her leg. She leaned back on her elbows enthralled in his journey.
“I love your legs,” he told her.
“I think that’s all you want from me,” she jested.
Dave winked at her then continued his path to her stomach. “Lie back.”
“Whatever you want, Mr. Sanders.”
On a moan he moved to one of her breasts then the other. “I don’t want to leave any part of you out.”
Her hands moved through his hair and then pulled his face down so his lips would come back to hers. “You’re very thorough, I doubt that’ll happen.”
Positioning himself between her legs, Dave teased, “Maybe I don’t want this part to end so fast.” He reared up and then flipped Kathy on her stomach before she could comprehend the change. Then he lay over her while his hands caressed her body beneath him. His hot breath in her ear told erotic tales that only made her more ready for him to end this torment. Her rear end bucked up and he slid his rigid shaft between her cheeks.
“What do you want me to do?”
“You know what I want.” Frustrated she worked again to line him up with her vibrating entrance, to slide him in and end the teasing. But each time she tried he out-maneuvered her.
“I don’t know unless you tell me,” he told her while reaching a hand between her and the mattress to roll a nipple between his fingers.
“Oh, my God! Please, David.”
“Please what?”
His hand searched lower to where heat pumped out of her. When his fingers lightly teased her, she tried to push into them but to no avail. He was in command.
“Tell me.”
Her resolve snapped and she felt her mind release all control of her body. “Take me. Make mad passionate love to me. I want to feel you inside me.”
He flipped her back over and crushed his mouth to hers. “Tell me again. Right now as I’m entering you.”
“I want you, Dave. I need you.”
So slow, so agonizing. He didn’t seem to move fast enough so she wrapped her legs around his bottom and pushed him in. Bright lights went off behind her closed lids like fireworks. Once inside her he ceased movement. Every nerve seemed to be on high alert. Her muscles quivered with unexpected pleasure. Dave, braced above her, smiled then lowered his lips to hers.
There were no quick jolting moves. He took his time with her and together they became one. Mind, body, and soul.
* * *
It was after two when Dave rolled over to look at the clock. They had managed to drink the wine—even pour a little on each other and then sip it off. He laughed and Kathy joined him.
“What are we laughing about?” she asked.
“I was thinking about the wine. And the strawberries and the whipped cream.”
“Let’s not forget the Pixy Stix you found.”
“Mmmm.” He rolled over and onto her. “You’re beautiful.”
“Really? You can see me in the dark?”
“I can see you in my mind.” He rubbed his nose to hers. “How do you feel?”
“Wonderful.” Her hands moved up his naked body to rest on his shoulders. “I haven’t been this relaxed since… well, I don’t know.”
“Good. I plan on keeping you this way.” He hadn’t expected to make the kiss so passionate but now that he developed a taste for her, it sure seemed hard to stop.
“Again?” she asked on a laugh.
“Again.” Dave pulled the covers over their heads and had his way with her for a third time.
An hour later he was sated and began to drift off to sleep when he felt the bed move. He opened an eye when Kathy turned on the light. “Where are you going?”
“Home.” She told him while collecting her clothes.
“Excuse me?” Dave yawned.
“Home. Everyone knows that men prefer the woman to leave. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“We’ve already proven, multiple times, that you’ve been with the wrong men. I’m not one of them.” He held out a hand. “Stay.” The contemplation in her face pleased him. This was what she wanted as well but was too afraid. “Stay,” he repeated.
Dave never dropped his hand until hers was in his. He stayed awake until he heard the sweet sounds of her slumber. He never knew what love truly was until the moment she turned her body into his and snuggled as close as two people could get.