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 <aproctor@h-i.inc>
From: Matthias Hawthorne <mhawthorne@h-i.inc>
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 <aproctor@h-i.inc>
To: Matthias Hawthorne <mhawthorne@h-i.inc>
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 <aproctor@h-i.inc>
From: Matthias Hawthorne <mhawthorne@h-i.inc>
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.