She went to the office and tried to work, feeling unsettled and generally miserable. Upon her return home, she walked in from the garage and saw a box on the kitchen table. Addressed to her, from an automotive electronics company.
She set her laptop case and purse in a chair and opened the package. It was an XM radio with CD player, adapter plate for her 1965 Mustang, and a separate MP3 player adapter kit.
What the hell?
She looked at the invoice, and then noticed the comments section.
If you need help installing it, just ask. Love, Rafe.
She dropped the paper on the table. What the fuck?
A shiver ran through her. No one in the house would have ordered it without telling her. They certainly wouldn’t play a horrific practical joke like this. Not using Rafe’s name.
She looked at the order date and time—she would have been at the office.
Did she fugue again?
Holy crap.
Bathed in cold sweat, she took it upstairs and hid it in the closet. She didn’t want to deal with this right now. Couldn’t deal with it right now. It was too much.
Chapter Fourteen
Determined to get back into some semblance of a normal routine, Taz didn’t wake Matthias up the next morning and managed to leave the house before he arose. She arrived at the office before seven, had a workout, then started on her day. They would leave for London late Thursday evening, and she had much to do before then. She was still irritated at Matthias for being a stupid man and pumping her dad for information about her, but she couldn’t fault him for her bad mood. Between the mystery voice and her worry about what would happen in London, she was feeling far from romantic.
Although it had been nice spending the time alone with Matthias on the drive back from Yellowstone, the first time they’d had to themselves without anyone around. He was being so patient. Most men would have kicked her to the curb by now for being such a friggin’ bitch. She would call him that morning and apologize.
Again.
At least she was getting pretty good at it.
Around eight she noticed she had new e-mail. There were four messages, two spam, one about a project, and one from Matthias. She knew he wasn’t in his office, so he must be e-mailing from home.
To: A. Proctor
From: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: Dinner Meeting
Anastazia, I was wondering if you had any plans for dinner this evening?
Matthias
And that was it. She smiled and considered her reply.
From: A. Proctor
To: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: re: Dinner Meeting
I’d have to check my calendar, but I believe I’m free. What did you have in mind?
A. Proctor
* * * *
He laughed at her reply, shook his head, and typed.
To: A. Proctor
From: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: re: re: Dinner Meeting
If you aren’t busy, I’d like to buy you dinner.
Matthias
A short while later, his inbox icon blinked.
From: A. Proctor
To: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: re: re: re: Dinner Meeting
I think I can fit that in. What time? And where should we meet?
A.
He grinned. She would make him work for it, and he enjoyed a challenge.
After e-mailing her the address and a proposed time, she made him wait nearly an hour for her reply.
From: A. Proctor
To: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: re: re: re: Dinner Meeting
That’s fine. I’ll see you there.
A.
He smiled. This would be fun. Perhaps she was right, that they needed to do this, to get to know each other. To date. Like normal people.
Whatever that was.
* * * *
Taz grinned. Yes, it was mean making him wait for her reply, but in a normal environment she wouldn’t necessarily be checking her e-mail every five seconds for a reply. She tried to get back to work and felt a nervous flutter in her stomach.
Nerves? Hell, he knew every inch of her body, why should she be nervous?
Because it was a date.
* * * *
Taz easily found the restaurant, located in a nondescript strip plaza on North Dale Mabry Highway. She spied Matthias’ car in the parking lot, and when she walked inside was surprised to see bench-style seating. It was a casual seafood restaurant, and apparently a very popular one by the looks of the full tables. Matthias raised his hand and waved to her. Her seat was on the other side of the table, fortunately at the end of the bench. He stood as she approached.
“I hope you don’t mind. They have the best clam chowder.”
She smiled. Not exactly what she expected, and certainly not a quiet, romantic place, but he got points for chutzpah. “I like clam chowder.” She sat, trying not to crowd the woman to her right.
He resumed his seat and handed her a menu. “They have excellent seafood here.”
“I would hope so.” Taz took a moment to look around. The walls were painted with caricatures of what she assumed were local celebrities.
“So, what do you think?” he asked, melting her with his half smile.
He could offer to feed her raw lizard tails and she’d eat them for that smile. “I’ll withhold judgment until I taste the food.” She scanned through the menu. “What should I stay away from?”
“I’ve never had a bad meal here. Everything is excellent.”
She stole glances at him over the top of the menu. He didn’t have a strong barrier up against her, but he wasn’t trying to probe her, either.
She sort of missed that.
No, this is what she wanted, and he was trying to give it to her. Go on a date, get to know each other. Normal people can’t read each other’s minds, they have to talk. This is what she asked for, and it was what she wanted.
They ordered. He rested his elbows on the table, hands clasped together, looking at her. She fought the urge to lean over the table and kiss him. Unfortunately the seating format wasn’t conducive to playing footsies.
“So, Taz,” he said, “how was your day?”
Was he serious? “You want the play-by-play or a general overview?”
“CliffsNotes version.”
“I’m catching up. I know I’ll slide behind again when we leave for London.”
“I know a great restaurant in London I’d like to take you to, if you don’t mind.”
She smiled. He was going to take this to the nth degree for her. “I’d like that.”
He nodded, then reached across the table, took her hand, and lowered his voice. He could have easily sent her a silent message. “I’ll do whatever I must to win you over, Taz. You know I’m very, very patient.”
She shivered in a pleasant way. “You don’t have to win me over, Matthias.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I’ve been difficult.”
He grinned. “Difficult?”
“All right, a bitch. Happy?”
He laughed, releasing her hand after a gentle squeeze. “No, you’re not a bitch, dear. Not in the slightest. Ball buster, yes. But I wouldn’t want you any other way.”
* * * *
Dinner was excellent, the food delicious. He walked her to her car and stood, contemplating for a moment.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Would you mind if I kissed you good-night, Ms. Proctor?”
She grabbed his shirt, kissing him, pressing her hips against his, and immediately feeling his reaction. He grabbed her ass and pulled her tightly against him, and she moaned, wrapping her arms around him.
Finally, breathless, she met his heated gaze. “Does that answer your question?”
“I think I’m going to like dating you.”
“Hey, I’m not easy. I don’t sleep with a guy on the first date.”
He chuckled, moved his lips to her neck, and gently nuzzled below her ear. She shivered, pressed her body against him, clutched at him. He teased her mercilessly for several minutes, leaving her panting. He finally nipped her earlobe, not painfully, before stepping away.
She leaned against her car, her knees trembling.
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the office, Ms. Proctor.” He winked.
She gulped, wondering how long it would take her to get home and jump him.
“Office?” she panted.
He smiled and pulled his keys from his pocket. “I certainly wouldn’t want to be accused of sexual harassment.”
She swallowed, hard. He wasn’t serious? There was playing along, and there was taking it a bit too far.
Noticing her frenzied state, he fixed her with his eyes. His mental barrier still up, he tilted her chin to his face and gently brushed his lips against hers and whispered, “Drive home safely, my love.”
* * * *
Somehow, he managed to beat her home. She found him upstairs, undressing. She slammed the bedroom door and launched herself at him, knocking him to the bed. She finished stripping him while he helped her get naked. An hour later she relaxed in his arms, content.
“How was our date?” he asked.
She cuddled closer. “That was good. I liked that. That’s the kind of thing I meant. I want to spend time together like that.”
“I thought you said you didn’t sleep with a guy on the first date?”
She rolled over on top of him, kissing him. “Hey, there’s only so much a girl can take, big guy.” She kissed him. When she rolled her hips against him, she felt his cock stiffen against her. Then he flipped her over, surprising her, playfully pinning her to the bed.
“Well, why don’t we see how much you can take, cara?” His member rigidly stood at attention. He took his time, sinking every one of his inches inside her wet and ready pussy as she begged him to fuck her harder, faster.
He refused to be rushed. Instead, he teased her, toyed with her, making her lie there until he’d made her come. Then he flipped her over, grabbed her hips, and pulled her to her knees.
She gasped as he plunged his cock into her again. This time, he fucked her hard and fast, hitting spots inside her he didn’t reach in the other position. She cried out as she came, nearly sobbing as a series of orgasms rippled through her.
He abruptly stopped. “That’s it,” he growled. He reached around her and found her clit. Relentlessly, he rolled it between her fingers, making her cry out from yet another orgasm. It wasn’t until she begged him to stop because of the intense sensations that he chuckled and sat up.
“Very well, my dear.” He started fucking her again, this time quickly allowing himself to climax with a loud, satisfied groan.
They fell asleep before midnight. For the first time since their return from Yellowstone, Taz felt slightly normal. She realized the voice hadn’t made any noises all day.
That has to be a good sign, right?
Chapter Fifteen
The next morning, Taz drove to the office and checked her e-mail, enjoying the feeling of anticipation. She fought the urge to check her BlackBerry during her drive, wanting to prolong the moment. His e-mail awaited.
To: A. Proctor
From: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: re: Last Night
Dear Anastazia,
I enjoyed dinner last night. Would you like to get together to see a movie tonight?
Matthias
Taz laughed.
From: A. Proctor
To: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: re: re: Last Night
I might be interested. What did you have in mind?
Anastazia
He probably wanted to sit and watch a movie at home. Which was okay, because if last night was any indication, it would be easier to get upstairs. She enjoyed having her libido back.
He replied an hour later. Two could play the waiting game, she supposed.
To: A. Proctor
From: Matthias Hawthorne
Subject: re: re: re: Last Night
I’ll meet you at the theater at 7:30. North Tampa 12 on Van Dyke Rd.
Matthias
No mention of what movie. Hmm. This could be interesting. She fought the nervous anticipation all day, finally meeting him at the designated time. He already had their tickets and held the door for her as they walked in.
“Would you like popcorn or a drink?” he asked.
“Can I have both?”
He laughed. “You can have anything you want, cara.”
It was a psychological thriller, not the most romantic of movies but still a very good choice. At first he sat next to her, his hands in his lap except when he reached for popcorn, which he let her hold.
About thirty minutes into the movie, Matthias casually draped one arm over the back of her seat. She tried to conceal her smile. He was going to take this as far as he could. Apparently if she wanted a date, she got a date.
She leaned into him, and eventually his hand drifted south, settling on her shoulder.
When it was over, he held her hand and walked her to her car. “I really enjoyed this, Anastazia.”
“Me, too.”
There was a moment of hesitation at the car, and she fought the urge to jump him the way she did the night before. It was nearly nine thirty and she was getting hungry.
“Would you like to grab a bite to eat somewhere?” he asked.
I know what I’d like to eat, she thought, glad her barrier was up so he couldn’t hear her. She didn’t want to ruin this. Instead, she nodded. “I’d like that. What did you have in mind?”
“There’s a place over there.” He pointed across the street.
“That’s fine.”
She thought he’d lean in for a quick kiss, but didn’t. Instead he took her keys and unlocked the car. He handed them back and opened the door for her, holding it.
She got in, and before he shut her door, he leaned over and whispered, “I’ll give you dessert at home.”
She shivered as she felt that familiar heat growing between her legs. “Okay.”
Somehow she managed to make it through dinner. And for a second day in a row she realized the voice hadn’t reappeared. She didn’t know where it was, but she wasn’t questioning the blessed silence in her brain.
* * * *
True to his word, Matthias had a special surprise waiting for her. Instead of letting her rip off his clothes, he asked her to get undressed and lie on the bed.
“Why?” she asked.
That devilish half smile. “If you don’t, you’ll never know, will you?”
She studied him for a moment, finally unbuttoning her blouse.
He disappeared into the bathroom. When he returned, he lit a few candles and turned off the lights.
She closed her eyes and felt him sit on the bed. “Roll over,” he whispered. She hesitated. Then she decided if she couldn’t trust him after all they’d been through, she didn’t deserve him. She rolled onto her stomach.
He moved, straddling her legs, and she felt something warm and wet on her back. She realized it was massage oil, and as his fingers kneaded her muscles, she moaned with a different kind of pleasure, her body attempting to melt into the mattress as he slowly, sensually worked every muscle in her back.
He didn’t make any sexual overtures, although with every erotic movement of his fingers across her flesh, she felt that familiar throbbing between her legs as her clit decided it wanted some action. He worked up to her shoulders, down her arms, then he changed position and started on the backs of her legs, eliciting more moans.
“How does that feel?” he asked.
She almost dropped her mental barrier
, it felt so good. “Oh, God, Matthias. That’s amazing,” she mumbled into her pillow.
He slowly worked his way up her legs, and she hoped he’d take the hint when she spread them a little, allowing him easy access.
He didn’t take the bait.
Instead he kept her waiting, working up her spine to her shoulders. No one had ever touched her like this before, this sensually, this tenderly, yet she felt the power in his hands.
It got to the point where she teetered on the edge between falling asleep from relaxation and wanting him to fuck her brains out. Either could easily win. She didn’t open her eyes as he stretched out beside her, his hand lightly resting on the small of her back.
He kissed her cheek. “Why don’t you go to sleep, Taz? I know you’re exhausted.”
He wasn’t working his vampire voodoo on her. It was just a suggestion she was happy to take. She was sound asleep in seconds, more relaxed than she’d ever felt in her entire life.
* * * *
The next morning, Taz awoke to find Matthias propped up on one elbow, watching her. She stretched and looked at the clock.
“Holy crap! It’s that late?”
“I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
She started to sit up, stopped, then looked at him.
There was such a thing as taking things too far. He was the boss, and she was his fiancée. If she wanted to go in late once in a while, dammit, she could.
She leaned into him, kissing him. They made slow and tender love. He took his time working down her body with his lips, all the while teasing her clit with his fingers. Finally, he let her push his head down between her legs. Then he used his tongue and his lips on her clit until she had to bury her face in her pillow when she came to muffle the scream.