Rachel Cade Romance

 

excerpt: (unedited)

 

from Part Two:  I Do What I Do

 

 

The ambience of L’Orangerie was impeccable. The low lights and intimate setting made a romantic dinner unavoidable. Of course this the whole point. But she hated the lights. She almost wanted to ask the host to turn them up. He recognized her on sight.

         “Miss.Wright, Mr. Rubinov is waiting for you.”

         He led her down a short corridor and she heard light music and soft dinner talk along with the gentle clanging of silverware against expensive crystal glasses and china.

Once she made it to the main dining area she saw what she had experienced on more than one occasion: she was the only black person in the entire room. She thought she might have seen a Spanish guy at a table to her right, but with the deep tans and the lighting who was to be sure. She continued to let her eyes skim the crowd; more than one person had noticed her interest as well. Her eyes fell on a couple who was obviously whispering something about her as they stared, yet bothered to try to move their mouths in a short indirect way so she couldn’t tell what they were saying. Almost in the middle of the room her eyes fell on him.

          And so did her heart.

          He was wearing a loose linen shirt. No blazer, the skin on his neck seemed bronze next to the crisp whiteness of his shirt. She followed the host toward him. He had not seen her yet, or at least he was pretending not to. He was staring down, skimming his long fingers down the menu. Did the hairs on her nape stand up as she watched that smooth hand with its elegant fingers? Hands that had touched her, teased her and made her feel like the only woman that ever existed.

           As she maneuvered through the endless maze of tables she realized the dress with its daring almost pelvic high split had drifted behind her. Like a choreographed scene the host moved aside and Zenya looked up. She heard him introduce her in what could have been a fake French accent but she didn’t truly comprehend it. Zenya was looking at her, and as his gaze took her in, she simultaneously took him in. The clearest grayest eyes she had ever seen burned into her skin. For a moment there was no time, no place, only him and that stare. He shifted in his seat as he regarded her, opening his legs wide so they curved around the side of the dark wood chair. She glimpsed a strong thigh in linen trousers which had a relaxed fit, but still she knew a  well muscled leg lay beneath it.

           “Madam. Madam I will seat you.” The host had moved on the other side of her at some point. She tore her gaze away from Zenya’s to look back at the thin man.

           “Oh I’m-” Zenya stood and her eyes were drawn toward his movements, he cut off her apology. “I’ll seat her.”

          The thin man bowed slightly and Toni felt her skin goose bump as Zenya moved toward her to disappear behind the chair. She stood in front of it, sitting, realizing they were the spectacle of the moment for more than one table of guests. As she sat she felt

his hands skim over her arms as he smoothly pushed her chair in. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “The lady in red, how exquisite you look this evening.”  

          “Bite me.” She spoke in a hushed voice.

          “You tempt me.” He responded, his lower lip hit her earlobe and lingered longer than it should have; assuring her it was no accident. “Always.”

          She clamped her thighs together as the rough timbre of his voice coiled through her ear canal and ran its course though her whole body. Toni lowered her head to stare at the white table cloth, momentarily resembling a young girl enduring punishment.

          Zenya came around the table and she followed the unbridled urge to glance up

at his ass. It was covered by the long shirt he wore, and she scolded herself mentally

for trying to steal glances at the anatomy of a man she was supposed to be furious with.

         He found his seat and pushed into the table a bit before slouching slightly in it,

gazing across the table intently at her. Was he amused by the venom she tried to shoot

at him from her eyes? He didn’t appear to be remotely perturbed by the glare. But he didn’t smile either. He just watched her, waiting for her next move. What was her next move?

         “I like your city.” He said when it appeared she wouldn’t speak again. He spoke like a man that was in amicable company, and it annoyed her to no end. “It’s got flavor.”

        She scoffed and folded her arms as he jutted both of his out pushing up the sleeves on his shirt, revealing muscled forearms that appeared bronze in the moody lighting.

         “Only you would hold animosity for the city you choose to live in.”

         “Well at least I chose a city to live in. I don’t globetrot with no forwarding address

like some nomad.”

         “Or Bruce Banner from The Incredible Hulk.”

         She made a face, momentarily caught off guard. “What?”

          Zenya shifted in his chair. “You know, Bruce Banner. He was always running, having adventures and at the end he was hitchhiking with the sad music--”

          “Fine whatever.”

          “I suppose you want to ruin our evening again, right?”

          She clawed at the table top to stop herself from getting up. Emotion leaped through her just like that, like it was its own entity trying to escape from her skin. “Zenya, are you fucking crazy?” She asked in a high hush.

           “Am I fucking crazy?”  He repeated, deadpan, then went on to round his eyes

as if he were truly pondering the question.

           “Why are you doing this to me?” Her chest crushed against the edge of the table as she leaned forward. “Are you trying to ru--”

           “Sorry I’m late, couldn’t be helped.” Toni froze slowly peeling back from the table. She didn’t turn her head right or left. She didn’t have to. She would know Brian Gerstein’s nasally sneer through the crash of a ten car pile up. Staring at Zenya she promptly cut off the rest of her conversation.

           Zenya smiled up at him as a waiter appeared from no where bringing Brian a chair.

          “Brian so glad you could join us.”

          “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.” She still sat quietly with her mouth chopped tightly closed, gazing at Zenya with a stare that said nothing and everything. She didn’t have to look over at Brian to know he was looking at her. “Toni,” he began at last,

“you’re looking ... amazing. That dress is very...” He didn’t finish. She tried to fold her arms discreetly over the plunging neckline, but the damage had already been done.

          Zenya’s phone rang. “I’m so sorry,” he said getting up. “I have to take this, I was expecting a call.” She was tempted to get up and follow him but she didn’t.

          Glancing over at Brian she saw the horns slowly peel back from his skin when Zenya disappeared from their sights. He played with the artfully folded napkin, gazing sideways at her. “Well,” he started, smirking, “look at you ... look at you ...” slowly he shook his head. “So what’s on the menu tonight? Toni Tar Tar? I didn’t know you had it in you girl, seducing the new vice president, who hasn’t been in his office for a week yet.”

          “Fuck you.” She gritted out. Her eyes landed on the fork next to her.

          “No, I think your objective tonight was to fuck Zenya.”

          Her forefinger twitched on the table. “You didn’t even try to pretend did you? No subtlety what so ever. You run around like Miss high and mighty but you’re just like any other woman, always willing to use your charms to get what you want.”

           Toni’s finger grazed against the cool steel of the fork, it glinted in the light as she regarded it. It would be so easy and swift to just grasp it, yank it off the table and jab it right into Brian’s fucking eye!

           What could she say to him? It looked exactly as he claimed, despite the fact that it wasn’t. And just to imply that more was going on would lead him to prying into things he and no one else should ever know about. Why had Zenya invited him here? And why didn’t he tell her they weren’t going to be alone? She was growing more pissed by the nanosecond.

          She turned to Brian. “A woman can’t wear a dress? Is that what you’re saying?”

          “A dress? Is that what that is?”

          She smiled. “You can say what you want. Think what you want, you kiss up to John Jaren to the point where you should just glue your lips to his ass and you know it.

There might be a little cock sucking going on in the men’s bathroom, who knows.”

           “Oh if any cock sucking is going on in the men’s bathroom I’m sure it’s you putting those pretty full Nubian lips to good use. Probably the only use. For future reference I favor the stall on the far right.”

          Toni laughed without humor. “Ah, keep it up Indiana Bones. If at first you don’t succeed, try try again.”

          Brian’s mouth flattened and he tugged on his sleeves. “So now it’s my turn. Fuck you.”

          “Looks like I am missing out on a spirited conversation.” Zenya appeared like a phantom, surprising both of them as he sat down. “Are we ready to order, I’m starving.”

          Toni stood abruptly startling both men. She found herself unable to stand the sight of either of them any longer. But she knew the evening had to be endured. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the powder room.”

          Zenya stood, grey pools waved over the curves of her body. “Of course.” He said quietly.

***

          Zenya smiled briefly over to Brian, it was barely a flashing of teeth. But he liked to know the people he had to work with, just be around them, befriend them, let there own words betray their confidences. It wasn’t a difficult technique, and it always worked.

          Watch.

           “Have you known Toni long?” He asked.

           “She came to the company a little after me.” Brian seemed a bit distracted answering, his eyes darting off into the direction she’d walked away.

           “She seems very serious, no?”

           “Serious?” He laughed shortly. “Yeah, you could say that.”

           “What else could you say?”

           Brian’s mouth puckered. “I don’t really want to gossip.”

           Bullshit. “Are you two very competitive?”

           Brian sat back in the chair letting his hands dangle off the dark wooden arm rests.

“We’ve coveted the same jobs a few times yes.”

           “Have you ever slept with her?”

           He seemed momentarily stunned, lurching his neck forward, “Excuse me?”

           “Slept with? Fucked? Porked? I don’t know what you American’s call it these days.”

          Brian stuttered before getting out. “All of the above. “As he shifted in his chair turning his body toward him.

          “So ... have you?”

          He was uncomfortable, Zenya noticed, but he was trying to keep it cool.

          “No.”

          “Why not?”

          Brian pulled his eyes away from him now. “Just haven’t.” He pulled both lips in before gazing at him again.

          After several seconds Zenya said. “Oh I see. She wouldn’t let you.”

          “She wouldn’t let me? I didn’t want to. She’s not my type.” His words were quick, snapping.

          Then he appeared to be sulking, Zenya almost enjoyed the display as much as Brian’s answer: “I like my women to know their place.”

 

          Toni returned to the table walking by him, as she passed he felt the fabric

of her dress glided over his shoulder. His eyes narrowed and he ran his hand down his thigh feeling his palms tingle, his only desire was to reach out and grab the hem.

          She sat back down in her seat as he realized he didn’t stand up when she returned. It was just as well since he probably would have grabbed her.

          Zenya realized now that inviting Brian to the dinner was a mistake. He had to take care not to let his eyes roam over her too much. The gesture alone would imply more than his mouth ever had. Still, from the moment she had entered the room his cock had swollen to off the chart proportions.

          “Let us have a dance.” He spoke suddenly.

          Toni’s eyes widened across the table. “I don’t dance.”

          “Sure you do.” Zenya rounded the table and reached out for her hand. “All you have to do is move your body to the music.”

          He watched as her bottom lip trembled ever so slightly. He had no idea if she was livid or just afraid. “Come now, don’t insult me.”

           She laughed then, low and fluttery and reached for his with one that was very cold. He had his answer: she was pissed beyond all doubt.

           He wouldn’t have her any other way.

           Pulling her up he glanced back at Brian. “We’ll be back.”

 

           He led her to the throng of bland rich couples that danced on the floor space made out already. She easily out shined the botoxed and over made up women that were there. Hands down she was the best looking woman in the room, her hair tossed back her face devoid of makeup.

           He smiled down at her placing a hand on the small of her back, pulling her to him, molding his body to hers remarking that too many layers were between them for a perfect fit. Still, it would have to do.

           Toni glared up at him as he laced his fingers into hers gently swaying to the music. “Insult you? You haven’t heard the beginning of my insults for you tonight!” Her voice hissed at him in that hushed whisper so that it didn’t go beyond the two of them.

           “I haven’t?”

           “No!” She inhaled deeply through her nose. “You invited Brian Gerstein here? Tonight!”

           He raised a brow. “You don’t like him?”

           “I hate that motherfucker’s guts! And he feels the same about me. You know he actually thinks I’m trying to seduce you tonight?”

           “You’re not?” He purposely pulled her closer as he turned them both on the floor,

so she could feel the rampant erection growing there. She did, he saw it immediately reflected in her eyes. She tried to pull back but he kept his hand tightly to her back.

            “Do you know how this looks? Do you even care?”

            “We look like two people dancing. What’s wrong with that?”

            “Everything!” Her voice shook with anger. “These circumstances! We’re not in Paris anymore! This is my home, my job--” She stopped and lowered her head to stare

at his shoulder.

             “Oh I see. It was alright for you to give in to your passions and be what you perceived as uninhibited -- when no one knew you were doing it.”

             Her head snapped up. The light in her eyes made him want to lean to her. To kiss her, not just kiss her, to mold his mouth to hers until she knew nothing else, and knew no one else.

            “What?” He challenged. “What are you going to say to that?”

            Toni’s eyes searched his. “What do you think? You think we’re going to go back to my house and fuck?”

            He shrugged, trying not to laugh at her disgusted frown. “We might not make it

to your house.”

             Zenya swung her again, faster this time. To the bystanders eye it appeared they were dancing, the move really covered up Toni’s rush to escape. She pulled away from him in that instance with such force, he barely restrained her. When he yanked her to him again it knocked the wind out of both of  them.

            “Why are you trying to cause a scene my dear?”

            “If I am you directed it Mr. Speilberg. You orchestrated this night, therefore you shouldn’t be disappointed in how it ends.”

            A sharp pain lanced through his foot and he released her, swallowing his yell.

He didn’t miss the satisfied gleam in her eyes as she turned and left the dance floor.

            And the restaurant.    

 

 

            Toni ran her hands through her hair as she walked out into the cool night. She was sure Brian was going to be running double time at the water coolers on Monday. But she didn’t give a damn. She had to get away from Zenya, she had to get away from his eyes and his touch. Before he turned her back into that woman she had been in Paris. She stood on the curb now, searching for her ride, but perfectly willing to find a cab to get home. There was no way she was going back into that restaurant.

 

           “When all else fails; run. Is that how you’re accustomed to dealing with things?”

           The voice came as a surprise to her. But she didn’t turn around saying, “You mean when things are a man from your past returning and trying to lay claim over your life? Those kind of things?”

            “That’s what I am? A man from your past? It’s so nice to be so quickly and neatly categorized. I wish I could do the same with you.”

            “I’m a first class bitch. Snippy and rude to my core, I don’t deserve such a gallant and strong man as you.”

            “That would be an adequate description.” He tugged her arm and pulled her to face him. “If it were the real you.”

            Toni laughed without humor. “What do you mean the real me? What the hell are you talking about?”

            “I’m talking about the first class bitch you like to hide behind. That little arm you use to keep people at a distance. For a small moment right before you left me I saw something different.” His gray eyes ran over her face, making her want to shrink back. “I saw the real Toni.”

            “The real Toni? What you see is what you get player, if you don’t like it sorry.”

            With a swift motion of his hand Zenya called for his car to be brought around.

A red Lamborghini was pulled directly in front of them. “Get in.” He motioned.

             Toni shook her head, humorless smile on her lips. “I don’t think so. And what about Brian?”

             “What about Brian? You wanna go back in and entertain him?”

             Zenya stepped off the curb and looked back at her when she did not follow. “You know it would be difficult for me to drive with you tossed over my shoulder, so why don’t you just...” He gestured toward his vehicle.

            He moved behind her and leaned over so that the linen shirt he wore pressed firmly against her exposed back. “You know you want to spend the evening with me, so just get in the car.”

            Toni nudged her neck sideways, rolling her eyes. His cologne, the scent made her eyes roll to the back of her head. White hot fire burned at her legs making her lids squeeze. There was nothing she could do about it, she realized.

            “What, do you have a man now?” He asked, still so close the firmness of his body melded to her. “Is that why you’re reluctant?”

            With her eyes still closed she answered. “What if I did?”

            “One so important in all this time you failed to mention him?”

            A large familiar hand gripped her hip and pushed her off the curb, and into the car.

            When he got in the driver’s side he stared at her, a grin tugging his lips. “I don’t like pushy men, you know.”

             “So what are you into then? Scrawny pencil pushers that liked to be whipped?”

             That brought forth a slight smile from her.

             “I didn’t think so.”

 

***

 

             They pulled up to a one story home in a pricey neighborhood. Toni felt her heartbeat quicken as he turned off the engine in the driveway. “So this is your place huh?”

She asked.

              “For the time being.”

              “Of course.” She murmured as he opened his door.

              He was coming around the car to open the door for her but she got out first.

              “Chivalry is dead?” He questioned.

              “Dead as dead.”

              Zenya smiled and turned to head to the front door.

              The house was a brown stucco with a slanted roof. The door opened quietly and he gestured for her to go inside. The room was decorated with a southwest flavor, plenty of earth tones and some hints of turquoise in the vases that adorned the elegantly weathered tables. Straight through the living room and open kitchen she could see the reflection of pool water off the walls.

              “You always find such lovely hovels for your bumly form.”

              He chuckled as he closed the door. “A drink or would you rather have some of the food we never ordered?”

               Her stomach grumbled at the mere mention of food and yet all she said was, “Actually I am wondering what I am doing here.”

              Zenya was on his way to the kitchen when he stopped and turned around. “It isn’t obvious? You do something and then you wonder why you did it? Aren’t you a confused female.”

            “Possibly,” she admitted, “or I could be a woman that’s been put in an awkward position by a man with nothing else better to do than play with people’s lives like pawns on a chessboard.”

             He shoved his hands in his pockets, peering at her. “And how am I playing games with your life Toni?”

             She shook her head laughing. “Um -- this whole night maybe? Having my boss call me to insure I showed up, not to mention the limo at my house about ten seconds after being informed of said date with you. This outfit and the shoes--”

             Pointing at the dress Zenya said, “I was being nice there. You know most women are flattered when men buy them things.”

            Toni leaned over with both hands over her mouth groaning before standing back straight. “Oh! I am losing my mind? I am supposed to be grateful that you did all this

for lil’ ol’ me? What did you think? I would slide on my own drool at the sight of you?

Or better yet in between the sheets with you? Think again Rubinov you’ve got the wrong one.”

            He started toward leisurely, his eyes narrowed. “First of all, I’ve never got the wrong one. Second, no, I didn’t expect you to slide in any drool. I expected you to act exactly the way you are right now, exactly the way you’ve always been.” He stopped a foot in front of her, and he didn’t hide staring raptly at her almost exposed chest.

“I love this dress by the way, I know it wasn’t made for you ... but it should have been.”

             “Flattery will get you no where. And if you think that you’re going to get some kind of Paris replay here you might as well pack up and head back to - wherever.”

            “No, that’s how you like to leave things remember? I certainly wouldn’t want to be accused of being a copycat.”

            “How I like to leave things? What the hell are you talking about?”

            fZenya’s brows lowered. “You! And you’re early flight back to the states!” His eyes raked her. “When you should have stayed with me!”

             Toni’s breath hitched and her eyes widened, she swallowed as he backed away

running hands through his hair. His cheeks were flushed as he blew out a sigh.

           She could feel her heart slamming blood into her veins. Her shoe skid back as she turned partially. “I ... I think I should go.”

           Zenya licked his mouth, his eyes alight with anger and something else. “I think you should stay -- right here.” He ground out.

          Shaking her head Toni turned for the door. “I shouldn’t be here. And we shouldn’t be talking about any of this.”

           She could hear her own breathing coming out in heaves as she scrambled for the door. Zenya stopped her, turning her around by the shoulders and she gasped as he pushed her up against the dark wood door with his own body. Intensely, with only the sound of their intake of air breaking the silence they stared at one another, brown eyes into gray. “You actually think I am going to let you walk away from me -- twice?”

          “Zenya,” she heard her own voice as a raspy echo while her eyes slipped down

to his mouth. “Don’t do this.”

           At the same time she spoke the words she knew it was a contradiction, heat swarmed over her like a plague, and she admitted to herself in fact that it was all she wanted, to feel his mouth against hers, his skin on hers, his body heat--

           A deep inhale, full of fear and anticipation was all she could manage before he came down over her, capturing it, molding his mouth to hers as if he owned it.

He pulled her closely to him, she whimpered helplessly into his mouth, something no other man had ever made her do.  Tilting his head he deepened the kiss, instantly she was drowning in his mouth. His tongue slinked inside, passing her teeth --

 

 

 

 

In the heat of Texas, summer 1886 ...

         The night air was humid. She would have traded the silk dress for her cool cotton shirt and blouse but as she moved outside toward the stable she just wanted to see her scruffy brown mutt. He was her only connection to her old life. As she had bombarded Liza with questions she just filled with paranoia that he had died in the shooting, trying to protect the house, as he would.

         Her eyes were brimming with tears when she walked into the stable, horse’s neighed and shifted in the stalls of the large stable, when she dare glance back at the house she saw it was as impressive on the outside as it was inside. She checked over each stall that didn’t have a horses’ head hanging over it. At the end of the stable she came to an open door smiling. The smile quickly vanished.

         Angel was in a metal tub of water, far too small for him since his legs were wide and bent over the side of the tub, his head was back to the point all she could make out was his Adam’s apple. She moved to step back, her foot skidding on hay. His head snapped up, and so did his hand, in it was a revolver pointed straight at her. Surprise showed on his face as she screamed, rushing away.

         Water began to slosh. “Ah shit.” He cursed lowly.

         Breathing heavily, Nina stayed two stalls away.

         “Relax.” He growled. “I’m not going to shoot you.”

         “Who the hell has a gun in the bath tub?” She demanded her voice shaky.

         She was so furious as she realized what almost happened, she turned around.

         He was out of the stall, her chest threatened to seize when she assumed on sight of his upper body that he was completely naked. He wasn’t, he was wearing the same cut off long johns he’s warn at the old house. They were too wet and he’d come out of the stall too fast to have just put them on, he must have had them on in the tub. He was soaked from head to toe, the shorts becoming flesh colored in its dampness. Soap slid off his left shoulder. She’d seen him without a shirt before, including the second night he’d been there, when he’d accused her of being a whore. Nina ground her teeth down, each time she hated the way it made her feel. The last time when she had seen him in the house, bending over to squeeze out his hair she had stood there for, how long she didn’t know. When he’d ask ‘what are you staring at’ it took all her might to answer, walking in the room nonchalantly with the goofy sheet tied over her.

         He was even wetter now than he was before, soap sleeking down his skin. Nina’s gaze avoided the entire area of the shorts, taking in his legs without staring directly, at least she hoped she wasn’t.

         “How do you –” Her voice cracked, it was barely noticeable but she noticed it, and prayed he didn’t. “When you’re taking a bath, how do you hold a gun in one hand and a sponge in the other? Aren’t you scared you’ll start scrubbing with the wrong hand and –”

         “No.” Was all he said, it was enough to cut off her rambling words.

         “I – I came out here for Sugar.”

         “He’s around here somewhere.” Water was trickling down his chest, she didn’t want to look, but she was talking to him, he was there, she had to look. She couldn’t look, she lowered her eyes, they hit his navel a very thin dark trail started just under it, as he moved slightly she could distinctly see the skin move over taut muscle, the shorts barely covered his hips – and if she kept looking surely she would just, quit breathing altogether.

         “I’ll see if he’s outside.” She mumbled turning. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your bath.”

         She didn’t even know how the door had closed back, but her heartbeat quickened with each step toward, she just wanted to get air. It must have been a hundred and twenty in that stable, once again the dress wasn’t helping, it was too long, she wasn’t used to moving around in it. She plucked the hem off the ground and opened the door. A hand shot passed her, closing it.

         “Wait a second.” Angel said quietly.

         To breath, she thought frantically, oh my God I’m going to pass out!

         “Yes?” Her voice was barely audible.

         “I – do I have to talk to your back?” She leaned against the wood, God knew she didn’t want to turn around.

         Reluctantly, at a snail’s pace she twisted in the small confine of space she’d been granted between the door and his over 6’4 body. Her eyes were closed. If she opened them and looked down she would be staring at his – if she looked up she would have to look at his face, if she stared straight ahead a dripping wet chest would consume her vision. Even now she was tortured, smelling the soap against his wet body, feeling his body heat radiate to her. What was this? What was happening?

 

         Angel hated that dress. He hated it from when he’d seen her on the balcony wearing it. Did it have a corset underneath? Was that what was cinching in her waist so small? Her breasts practically spilled out from the top of it. Who had given her the damn thing to wear? He was glad he’d put away his gun, if he’d had it in his hand now he would have been tempted to let off a few in the far wall.

         He really shouldn’t have drank the bourbon he’d found hidden in the stalls. Not smart. It also wasn’t smart to be this near her, not that it ever was, even with a bruised face and cut lip his lap was virtually on fire looking at her, it had been since he’d seen her on the balcony. This was not good, he couldn’t stand her, sure she had knifed a man and saved his ass, how she did it he was sure had been blind luck, but she had done it nonetheless. But he still couldn’t stand her, too much had passed between them, and he was sure she felt the same way. So why was he standing here? Why wouldn’t he let her leave?

         “I didn’t get a chance to ask if you were okay.”

         “What?” Her voice was just above a harsh whisper. Was she annoyed with him?

         He couldn’t say he wasn’t annoyed with himself at the moment, particularly his body.

         “I didn’t get a chance to ask you if you were all right.” He mumbled, fighting the irritation at having to repeat himself.

         His hands were against the tall stable door, high above their heads. He was leaning forward, realizing after the fact that he was probably crowding her. Was that why she had her shoulder jammed against the wood, refusing to make eye contact with him?

         And yet he didn’t move. “You okay?” He murmured.

         “Mm hm.” Nina chirped.

         She flinched, his eyes narrowed, the tiny motion caused her cleavage to jiggle. He hadn’t even realized he’d been staring at it, or had the motion itself drawn his attention? Regardless, if she looked down, she would see tangible proof of his body’s reaction to her.

         She groaned saying, “Your hair is dripping on my dress –” Her hand was on his hair, pushing back the bunch that had been hanging over his shoulder. When her fingertips grazed his skin their eyes locked, Angel remained focused on their brown depths, but he was completely aware of the gold dress, the way it looked against her skin, how the bodice clutched to her breasts like lover’s hands.

         Fire licked down below his navel then, he tried his damn best to ignore it, to the point his fingertips bent, his nails digging into the wood.

         Inhaling he could smell food on her, something sweet, some kind of fruit. Had he gotten closer to her, his arms bending at the elbows as he engulfed her scent? Nina was visibly trembling beneath him, even her eyes shook, but they remained connected to his.

Angel understood his mouth was jarred, he was breathing through his nose and mouth simultaneously.

         “Good.” He said quickly, snapping his mouth closed.

         He lowered his hands from the barn door, and took a step back tearing his gaze from hers as he turned away, not knowing if she spotted the erection jutting from his body like a drawn arrow. Starting back for the tub, he heard the door open and shut quickly, the rustling sounds of her dress signaling her departure.

         When he arrived at the last stall and eyed his inadequately sized tub, he started toward it to finish his bath, praying the once steaming water had grown cold.

 

         Nina tore away from the stable, not even noticing Sugar trotting toward her in the distance. The humid night air burned her lungs, the sky now purple with the edges a deep navy. But she didn’t see nature’s beauty surrounding her, all she could see was water dripping from a chin, slightly darkened with beard stubble. Even as she clutched at the folds of her dress, she could feel water on her palm, water from his hair, his chest. Why had she touched him, she agonized. She just hadn’t wanted him to ruin the dress Liza had given her! That was all!

         Her chest was heaving by the time she arrived at the stairs of the porch. She knew the breathlessness couldn’t be blamed entirely on the run.

         Nina straightened from her hunched over position. The hunch was caused by a throbbing between her legs she couldn’t fathom. She had felt something similar before, only around Angel, but she just ignored it as part of her body’s reaction to the fear he stuck in her. But this was different, it was something else, something much stronger.

         There was such restriction in the dress, was she crazy or had the neckline gotten tighter around her breasts? Reaching a hand up to it, she almost yelped from the sensitivity.

          The hand she pulled away was still damp between the webs if her fingers, slick with his water. Every detail of his body was etched on her brain; the way his drenched hair spilled over his shoulders like ink, shoulders that stretched far beyond necessary. The thick planes of his chest, encased by a narrow waist, her face heated so, she thought her nose was burning off. She willed herself, screamed shouted and demanded that she – each ridge of his abdominal muscles, lines passed his navel slipping down to –

         “Nina.” She had walked into the house and didn’t even know it. Liza was smiling at her as she wiped her hand on her apron. “Did you find Sugar?”

         Impulsively Nina wiped her hand on her dress. “Yes.”

         She tried to move quickly passed, attempting to avoid more conversation, though Liza asked. “Is it raining out?”

         Alarmed and puzzled Nina didn’t break her stride even as she turned to face her. “What?”

         Liza gestured toward her dress. “It’s wet.”

         Nina backed away even faster, before whirling around, calling, “I’m sorry, I’ll clean it!”