“Adriana open the door,” a male voice called out.
That definitely wasn’t Mitch’s voice. “Dylan?” She rushed to the door and swung it open. When she saw the three young men standing in her doorway, she threw herself into their arms. “What are you guys doing here?” She looked around at all three of her brothers, Dylan the oldest, Davis, younger than her by four years, and the youngest, Antonio. “Where’s Marcus?”
Dylan nudged her shoulder, pushing his way past her into her apartment. “He was being annoying. He said something about a girl so we ditched him.”
16-year-old Antonio stepped in front of her and swung her into his arms. “How ya doin’, little sis?” He kissed the top of her head, already more than a head taller than she was. “And what’s this I hear about you working too hard?”
Antonio was suddenly pushed out of the way. Davis knocked his younger brother, making room for his own arms to surround his older sister. “You look like hell.” He wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug, kissing her on the head as well.
She grimaced, looking back at her brothers as she closed her door. “So Marcus couldn’t come simply because there’s some girl that he’s chasing after?”
“No way. You know you’re the only girl in his life right now,” Dylan said.
Davis chuckled. “Well, she’s the only serious girl in his life.” He walked in to Adriana’s kitchen, opening and closing doors, obviously trying to find food. That was the thing about having her huge brothers around, they were always hungry. “Why don’t you have any chips in here?”
Adriana rolled her eyes. “Look behind you in the pantry. There should be several kinds of chips, just waiting for you to visit me.”
Davis turned around and opened the cabinet she’d indicated. When he saw the four bags of different kinds of chips, he looked at his big sister with renewed adoration. “I take back all those horrible things I said about you.”
She blinked as she watched him through her kitchen doorway. “What bad things did you say about me?”
Antonio walked over and grabbed the bag of chips that Dylan had just opened. “Ignore him. You can trust me, you look like hell.” He stuffed a chip in his mouth, looking at her carefully. “You’re not gettingenough sleep. So I’m guessing that what Dylan said is right. Who’s the guy?”
Adriana laughed, rolling her eyes. But she turned her head away from their prying, too knowing eyes, not wanting her brothers to see the truth in any of her unguarded expressions. “Is that really why all three of you guys came up here to see me?” She moved into to the kitchen, opening the fridge and retrieving a six-pack of beer from her bottom drawer. “I shouldn’t be this nice to you guys. Especially since all three of you guys seem to have come here just to insult me.”
“Absolutely not!” Davis corrected. “We’ve come here to kick the ass of whoever is making you lose sleep.”
Adriana loved these guys, but there was absolutely no way she was going to let them know that she was seeing someone. Not after the way they’d treated her boyfriends in high school and college.
Looking at Antonio, she said, “Aren’t you supposed to be in school?” she demanded.
At the guilty look in his eyes, she gasped. “Do Mom and Dad know that you’re skipping school?”
“He won’t miss any of his classes,” Dylan assured her.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the three of them.
Dylan stepped in, accepting her fury on his shoulders. “Look, I’d just finished a project inGermany the last time I called you. I heard something in your voice that made me worry, okay? So I told Mom and Dad that I was just going to drop by to check on you. These idiots heard me,” he said, punching Davis on the arm, “so just tell me what’s going on and we can report back to Mom and Dad. Then all of us will feel better. Of course, after the three of us go kick this guy’s butt, and you get more sleep.”
Davis stepped forward. “Just tell us his name and will do the rest.”
She stared up at Davis suspiciously. He was in college and taking some pretty tough courses, in her opinion. “Don’t you have exams this week?”
Davis shrugged his big shoulders. “I asked my professors to take them a week earlier.”
Adriana’s eyes widened. “Are you trying to tell me that you took all of your chemical engineeringexams early, and you skipped an entire week that you could have been studying?”
Davis put his hands on his hips. “I aced all of my classes and I’ll graduate next week, so stop trying to change the subject and answer the question.”
Adriana mimicked his stance, her hands resting on her hips and she glared right back at him. “I’m not going to answer the question, Davis. I love seeing all of you guys, but there is no way that I am letting you interfere with my life. Not my love life, and not my work life. I have problems, but I can handle them on my own.”
Antonio dropped the back of chips on the counter and moved closer to his big sister. “What problems?” he asked angrily, ready to fight now that she’d admitted to having problems.
Dylan move forward as well. “Who is bothering you?”
Adriana looked at her three brothers with love, her expression of irritation smoothing out. She knew that they worried about her and she also knew that they would never stop. “So the three of you guys were at Mom and Dad’s house and thought that I needed your help. All of you jumped in Dad’s plane and flew up here to try and solve my problems. Does that sum it up?”
The three abnormally large young men looked down at her for a moment then glanced at each other, shrugging their shoulders. “It’s my plane, actually,” Dylan interjected, not that it mattered. When they faced her again, all three of them nodded their heads.
Adriana had to laugh, but the laughter was filled with love and appreciation for how sweet they were acting. “Well, I love all of you guys as well. And since you’re here, let’s order Chinese food and you can tell me about what’s happening in your lives. But be warned, there is absolutely no way that I’m going to share my problems with any of you. I am perfectly capable of resolving any problems in my life.”
Davis didn’t like the sound of that. In fact, all threeof them were scowling down at her. Apparently none of them agreed with her declaration. “In the past, you have chosen some pretty weak men.”
Adriana thought about Mitch, about his broad shoulders, his bulging biceps, not to mention all of the other male parts of him that she’d fantasized about during meetings recently. There was also that fascinating sparkle of intelligence flashing from his eyes that never failed to turn her on. She opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Antonio.
“You’re thinking about him right now, aren’t you?”
Adriana tried to think of something to say but she was stopped, especially as these three sweet, annoying, obnoxiously huge men stared down at her. “There is no way that I’m going to answer that question. Do you guys want Chinese food or pizza?”
The three of them continued to stare at her for a long moment before Antonio finally said, “Pizza.”
Dylan and Davis both nodded their heads, but Davis spoke up and said, “This isn’t over yet, Adriana.”
Dylan agreed. “And we might accept your offer of pizza, but it doesn’t mean we aren’t going to interrogate you about this guy.”
Adriana picked up the phone and started dialing for her favorite pizza place. “Who says that it’s a guy?” She finished dialing and listened as it started to ring. “It might be just that I’m having a hard time at work. Have you ever thought about that?”
Dylan watched her for a long moment. Crossing his arms over his chest, he shook his head and frowned. “You’re falling for the guy, aren’t you?”
Both Antonio and Davis stared at her hard. “You had better not fall for him, Adriana,” Davis said with urgency. “Remember, marriage is forever. We are forever. You marry a guy who treats you badly, and we torment him forever.” A smile appeared on his handsome features before he said, “or until we drive him nuts and he runs for the hills.”
Antonio stepped in “And then we’ll find you a guy that’s worthwhile. You are too good, Adriana. Don’t settle for anything less than a great guy.”
Adriana felt her heart swell with love for these three men. Marcus was just the same, filled with love and affection. They might show it in an odd way, with all of their gruff, sweet attempts to protect her, but she knew they meant well.
After ordering several pizzas, knowing that one pizza would never be enough for the four of them, she ended the call and smiled up at her three brothers. “Okay, why don’t we all sit down, have a beer and you guys can tell me what’s been going on in your life? Because there’s no way I’m telling you anything more. You guys will go crazy trying to…” she made air quotes with her hands “...make things better, and I’m not going to allow that.”
The four of them sprawled out in her living room, her brothers drinking beer while she sipped a glass of red wine. The pizza came and the three of them devoured the pizza, while she looked on and smiled. She truly was blessed by these guys. She wished Marcus was here. He was just as big, but he was a sweet guy. At least in her opinion. Some of the women he dated in the past probably wouldn’t think so. Then again, all of her brothers were filled with charm and an ability to sweet talk just about any woman that crossed their path. So she guessed that all of the women who spent time with one of her brothers probably smiled with fond memories.
They talked and chatted and ate, Davis and Dylan occasionally asking her sly questions to find out what was going on. Marcus was an easier read, but he was only sixteen years old. So when he asked a question, he was a bit more direct than the older guys. By the time they left, she was still smiling and feeling honored to have such a loving family.
As she lay in bed that night staring up at the ceiling, she wondered what Mitch had done tonight. She wondered if he had missed her. And as she fell into a restless sleep, she hoped that he had had thought of her at least once during the night.
Unfortunately, she kept waking up during the night, her limbs tangled in the sheets because of the dreams forcing their way through her brain. By the time her alarm went off the next day, she felt like she’d barely slept at all. Her mind simply refused to shut down. Her dreams kept going over the things she wanted him to do to her, the way he’d kissed her the previous night and she almost wept when it was time to go into work.
The day was miserable because she was so tired. But when the others on the floor started leaving, she didn’t grab her purse and walk out with them. Her phone buzzed and she started trembling as she reached for it, knowing the text was from Mitch. “Are you waiting for me? Or have you snuck out again?”
It took her several tries to respond because her fingers were shaking so badly, but she finally typed out, “I’m still here. But I don’t know if I can do all you want from me yet.”
She waited several moments for a response but instead, she looked up and found him standing there, looking tall and big and extraordinary. “The ‘yet’ is all I need for now.”
“You’re here,” she whispered.
He closed her door and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. “So are you.”
She nodded and stood up, wanting him to take her into his arms. “Now what?” she asked.
“Did you sleep well last night?” he asked softly, his eyes moving over her figure in the elegant black suit.
“No. I don’t think I slept at all.”
He pushed away from the door and came to stand over her. “Good,” he told her. “Neither did I.” He leaned forward, pushing her backwards so she was leaning against her desk. “Here’s how I understand you want to move,” he said softly. “You want to take this step by step, moving closer to the ultimate goal of making love. Is that it?” he asked her. “You want to test each step, see how it feels and try it on for size.”
She thought that sounded absolutely wonderful. “I suppose that would work.”
“Then open your shirt for me.” He looked down at her, his eyes heating up with his dare. When she just stared back at him for several pregnant moments, he smiled slightly. “Can’t do it, can you?” he jibed.
Adriana laughed softly, enjoying the way he was teasing her and daring her at the same time. “Think you can handle it?” she asked, her fingers toying with the buttons on her silk blouse.
He bent lower. “Oh, I can handle it, little lady. Just bring it on and I’ll prove it to you.”
She couldn’t help her laughter now. Nor could she stop when her fingers unbuttoned her shirt. On the last button, she looked up into his eyes, her heart almost stopping when she saw the way his eyes were looking at her.
“All of it,” he commanded, still leaning over her, one hand on either side of her on the desk.
She felt brave and powerful now. Pushing the silkaside, she let it flutter at her sides. Her fingers then teased the front clasp of her bra, just touching the closure while she watched his face tighten. “You sure you can handle this?” she asked. Not worried but not sure what she was feeling. And wasn’t that a good question for herself too?
His eyes moved up to hers and she gasped at the heat in those blue depths. “Can yon?” he challenged.
With a flick of her fingers, the clasp released. But she wasn’t brave enough to push the lace away. She held it closed, her fingers, her whole body trembling. No man had ever seen her breasts before and she was suddenly painfully shy.
“Let me see,” he told her firmly, his voice barely above a rasp.
The words, the tone and his look, his heavy anticipation gave her the courage to continue. With the slightest movement, she pushed the lace of her bra away. Mitch’s blue eyes continued to hold her brown gaze and she held her breath, waiting for him to look. It was pure torture, waiting for that moment. Slowly, as if he had all the time in the world, Mitch’s gaze lowered.
The moment his eyes latched onto her breasts, she felt a feminine power unlike anything she’d ever experienced. He wanted her. She’d never been in any doubt of that before, but the tension in his body, the heat emanating from him, was almost more than she could bear. “Maybe I should…” she started to close her shirt but his eyes slashed up to hers.
“Don’t,” he commanded roughly. His eyes reinforced his order and she dropped her hands again, giving in and letting him look his fill.
“I’m going to touch you,” he told her softly but with a harsh edge as if he were holding onto his control by a thread. He didn’t take his eyes off of her breasts. Her nipples were hard and pert, calling out to him and he couldn’t resist the temptation.
“Don’t move,” he said when she started to close her shirt again.
She dropped her hands and Mitch continued to gaze upon perfection. His hand moved up, cupping the lovely globes. His thumb rubbed against her nipple, taking in the shudder and relishing her reaction. But that was all he allowed himself. Taking her bra, he closed it once again, his expert hands easily able to close the clasp. Then he buttoned up her shirt.
“You’re beautiful,” he told her and pulled her into his arms. His mouth was ravenous this time, almost punishing as he kissed her. Adriana didn’t care. She loved the way he kissed her. And she feltsafe and secure in his embrace knowing that he had the kind of self-control that could stop when she needed him to stop.
He pulled away, holding her shoulders as she swayed back to him. “We need to get out of here or I’m going to forget my promise.”
She nodded her head, then carefully, as if she were in pain, bent to pick up her purse. They walked out of the office quietly, neither one saying a word.
Dinner that night was tense and Adriana regretted what she’d done. It was almost like she’d ruined their night by going too far. By letting him see her breasts, she’d turned a corner. A corner she wasn’t sure should have been crossed.
But when he dropped her off at her apartment that night, he wouldn’t let her get away with just an innocent kiss. He pinned her against the wall, kissing her as if his very life depended on it. And she kissed him back, feeling like that just might be the case.
“Invite me inside.” Mitch bent lower and kissed her neck, nibbling on her ear. “Let me come in and make love to you properly.”
Adriana shivered, wishing she could do that. “I have to work through some issues first,” she told him, thinking of how she needed to get on birth control before they finally had sex. How long didbirth control take before it was effective? She had no idea, never having had a need for it before.
“Work through the issues tomorrow. Just let me make love to you tonight.”
She closed her eyes and a tear slipped out. “I can’t. I can’t do this to you or to me,” she told him. “It wouldn’t be fair.” She was thinking of her mother and the lack of birth control which had resulted in her older brother’s conception. She’d heard the story over and over again, her mother drilling into her the need for birth control before she let her passion out-run her common sense. “Just let me fix something, and then I’m all yours.”
“I’ll fix it. Just tell me what is holding you back.”
She smiled slightly. “You know exactly what it is.”
Mitch closed his eyes, thinking of the previous night and her words for him to take things at her pace. If the idea of contraception had come into his mind, he would have assured her that he could handle that side of their sex life. But he was too caught up in the moment to think straight at this point. “Fine. But make it fast.”
He walked away then, his shoulders tense and his body rigid. She fumbled with her keys and slipped into her apartment, leaning against the doorway as she tried to get herself back under control.
Chapter 5
Saturday. Adriana opened her eyes and looked out the window of her bedroom. How pathetic had her life become when Saturdays, a day when she could relax and sleep in, were now a point of gloom in her life?
Rolling over, she stared up at the boring, white ceiling. Exactly how her day was going to be today.
She was so used to the mental, physical and intellectual stimulation that came with being around Mitch that she felt like her world was a blank, white stretch of boredom until Monday morning came around again.
Saturdays used to be a glorious time! She’d read, clean her apartment and go shopping. Good grief! She sat up in bed and looked around. It was Saturday and she didn’t have to work! Why wasn’t she hopping on the train to visit her parents? Why was she just lolling in bed?
Because she wanted to see Mitch. Because every day without him now felt horrible. She hadn’t made plans to go home, even though she hadn’t seen her family in more than three months, because she’d been hoping that Mitch would ask her to do something this weekend. But he’d been out of the office yesterday in meetings up in Boston. He’d told her he was flying up early yesterday morning and wouldn’t be able to talk with her until this weekend, so she’d kept her schedule clear.
But nothing! The man had been incommunicado all day yesterday and she was now alone on her first free weekend in so long, she couldn’t even remember what to do with free time.
She should clean her apartment, she thought. It had been a while since she’d really cleaned anything but…looking around now, she suddenly realized that her apartment was immaculate. How…?
She smiled and flopped back against her pillows, grabbing her cell phone which was by her bed. Dialing her parents’ house, she felt that warm sensation of being loved. “Hi Mom,” she said as soon as her mother picked up the phone.
“Adriana?” her mother replied, surprise in her voice. “Are you okay, honey?”
“I’m fine. I just woke up and realized that I should be home with you guys this weekend. It’s my first free weekend in a long time.”
Her mother laughed softly. “Don’t worry about us. Just relax and enjoy your free time. Go have a cupof coffee at that small little shop around the corner from your apartment and read the newspaper.”
Adriana laughed as well, thinking that was an excellent idea. It would have been nicer if she were home and could sip that cup of coffee on the patio, stealing her father’s newspaper. But she’d take whatever small comforts she could get.
They talked for a while, just catching up and Adriana laughed at all the antics of the horses her mother raised as well as what her brothers were up to lately. Her family had always been close, but Adriana could hear the longing in her mother’s voice for her family to be back together again. Her older brother Dylan was out in the world, making his own place for himself and doing an amazing job. Davis, the middle out of all five of them, was at college and breaking hearts left and right, already thinking of several ways to make his mark in the world.
Marcus would be graduating high school this year and heading off to college. Adriana made a point of remembering his graduation date so she could be home for it. Just a few more months, she thought. And then Antonio would be alone. She’d have to get back more often because that guy, the youngest, would have a hard time dealing with being an only child.
Goodness she missed her family! She spoke with her father as well, laughing at how he continued to give her business advice. She took it too. The man was a brilliant businessman. Almost as smart as Mitch, she thought and then felt guilty. She’d always considered her father to be the ultimate at everything. When had that changed? When had Mitch supplanted her father’s position as the ultimate male in her life?
Hanging up, she almost cried at how confusing her life had become. She couldn’t handle relaxing, she wanted to be with her family but she’d stayed away in the hopes of being with a man who hadn’t taken the time to let her know what was going on.
And that wasn’t very fair of him! They’d seen each other every day and he’d taken her out to dinner almost every night over the past week. Ever since their conversation about slowing things down, he’d been the ultimate boyfriend.
Boyfriend?
No, there was no way she could use that term to what she had with Mitch. It was too tame. Too boring. Too ordinary. What she had with Mitch was white hot heat. Every time they touched, their bodies were on fire. Some days, it was all they could do not to explode. But one of them always pulled back and more often than not, it was Mitch. There had been only one day this past week when she’d said she couldn’t go out to dinner with him and that had only been because she wouldn’t have been able to handle him touching her again. She hadn’t had sufficient time to recover from their previous night’s touching to do it again. He hadn’t been happy about her going home alone that night, but he’d accepted it.
She pulled herself out of bed and looked around. Her mother had sent a cleaning crew to clean everything this previous week. She’d admitted it, but only when Adriana had threatened to call the police and report a break-in. Her mother had laughed when Adriana threatened to call the police about a clean freak haunting New York City but she’d relented and ‘fessed up.
So here she was, standing in her flowered, flannel pajamas, the bottoms riding low on her hips and her hair a mess while she padded through her apartment, desperate to get a cup of coffee. She’d just taken the coffee grounds out of the cabinet when the doorbell rang. She stared at the door, wondering who could be standing at her door at, glancing at the clock, ten o’clock in the morning.
But she knew. Deep down inside, she knew exactly who was there. And her whole body started shivering in anticipation.
Opening the door, she looked at Mitch. He looked so tall. So powerful. And she wanted him.
“Good morning,” she said, unaware that she was hugging the container of coffee grounds against her stomach.
“Good morning. Nice pajamas,” he said, his eyes flicking down to the flowered flannel.
Adriana looked down and gasped, horrified that he’d seen in her in such an outfit. “Good grief,” she said and disappeared into her bedroom, tossing the package of coffee to him before disappearing. “Make some coffee,” she called out through the closed door.
She jumped into the shower, shampooing and conditioning faster than she ever had in her life. When she was finished and dried off, she moved into her bedroom and pulled on a pair of well-worn jeans and her favorite sweater. She was just about to pull the towel out of her hair when her bedroom door opened. Mitch walked in with a cup of coffee and handed it to her.
“Darn,” he muttered. “Too late.” With a kiss, he walked back out, closing the door behind him.
She finished dressing and drying her hair, astonished that he would want to kiss her when she didn’t have any makeup on. She looked pale and washed out!
When she was once more presentable, she walked out of her bedroom to find him reading one of the books she had on her bookshelf.
“Ready to go?’ he asked her, looking at her slender legs encased in the jeans as well as the soft, fluffy sweater.
“Ready for what?” she asked, rubbing the palms of her hands down her jeans. “What’s going on? You haven’t told me what you’re doing here.
“We’re going to play chess,” he told her.
Adriana stared at him. “Chess?” she asked.
“Yes. I’m going to teach you to play chess.”
She laughed and shook her head. She already knew how to play chess. Her father had started teaching her the fine art of chess when she was about six years old and she’d been playing ever since. She’d never been able to beat him, but she’d become more of a challenge over the years. “Whychess?” she asked.
Because it is an ancient game and unique in its ability to develop strategy and patience.”
“And why do you think you could teach me?”
He looked down into her laughing brown eyes. “Because you’re smart and beautiful.”
She grinned at his complement. “I didn’t know that being attractive had anything to do with chess.”
He leaned down and kissed her gently. “It does if you’re trying to distract one’s opponent.
She laughed, delighted with his come backs. Adriana was equally surprised when he took her to the public chess park where the gentleman from their first lunch came up to greet Mitch. “Ready to lose again?” the man asked.
Mitch laughed and shook the man’s hand. “Jimmy, this is Adriana. I’m going to show her how to play chess today. And then she’s going to buy us all lunch.”
Adriana kept a straight face as she shook hands with Jimmy. “He’s just messing with us Jimmy. We know that he’s going to lose, right?”
Jimmy laughed and the two men sat down to play. Adriana watched with interest as Mitch worked the board. Jimmy was good, but Adriana knew chess well enough that she could see that Mitch was letting Jimmy win. Probably because the homeless man needed the win. There was twenty bucks on the game! She noticed the exact moment that Mitch shifted strategies and allowed Jimmy to put him into a bad position on the board. Sure enough, five moves later, Jimmy had Mitch in checkmate.
Jimmy rubbed his hands together as he grabbed the twenty dollar bill sitting beside the clock. “Who’s next?” Jimmy asked, standing up and making room for the next “victim”.
Mitch played three more games of chess, losing each time to the men. “Okay, enough!” he laughed as the last guy picked up his twenty dollars and shuffled off. “Now I’m going to play with a beautiful woman and she’s not going to trounce me.”
Adriana sat down across from him, looking back at him with a knowing look.
“What?” he asked, setting up the pieces.
“You have hidden depths,” she came back, understanding and respect in her eyes. “They won’t take your money, will they?”
He shrugged and set the timer, making his first move. “They’re good men. Just having a hard time.”
“You’re a good man too.”
“I thought you didn’t like me,” he replied, sitting back with a secret smile on his face.
She laughed and moved her pawn. “I think we’ve pretty much established that you’ve obliterated that impression.”
“How is that?” he asked. He knew the answer, but wanted to hear her say it. He’d had too many cold showers and sleepless nights not to find some refuge in her words.
“Every time you touch me, I go more than a little crazy,” she admitted and moved her rook into place.
He countered by shifting his bishop over. “I like that.”
She countered with her own bishop. “You like that you drive me crazy?”
“I like that you’re just as affected as I am.” He shifted his queen. “Check.”
Adriana was shocked. “How…?” Looking down, she realized that she truly was in check. He was distracting her. “No more conversation.”
He chuckled. “And here I thought I was going to have to teach you how to play chess.”
“Not likely,” she snorted.
“Who taught you?” he asked. They were both moving their pieces in turn, slowly shifting the game.
“My father. I’ve never beaten him yet, but I’m not a bad player.”
“Not a great one either.”
“Says the man who just lost three games in a row.”
He laughed again. “All part of a larger strategy.”
“All part of your plan to try and convince me that you’re a good guy.” She moved again. “I’m not believing it anymore.”
“You’re already convinced.”
She stumbled again and had to blink to refocus on her planned moves. “Stop talking to me.”
“What are you doing tonight?” he asked, ignoring her command to stop speaking.
“I’m shampooing my hair,” she told him, using the old fashioned excuse to get out of a date.
“You did that this morning.”
“How do you know I didn’t just shower?” she asked, moving again. “Check.”
He laughed and moved his bishop again, countering her check. “Because I smelled your shampoo. I like it by the way. Strawberries. It suits you.”
“Regardless, I can’t…”
“You will. Dress is formal, by the way. Do you have an appropriate dress or do I get to take you shopping?”
“I have several good dresses. But I’m not going with you tonight.”
“Check,” he said again. The power struggle was back and forth, both of them too distracted to truly control the game. “And I’ll pick you up at seven.”
She shifted her pieces again, leaning over the board to concentrate. “I’ll meet you wherever you tell me to if you’ll stop talking.”
“Fine.” He leaned back and enjoyed the view of her soft, blond curls curving like a waterfall over her delicate features. He had five more moves and she’d be in check mate but he wasn’t going to tell her that. Hell, she probably already knew that, which was why she was carefully studying the board now instead of moving more daringly as she’d been doing up until now.
Adriana focused all of her energy on trying to figure out a strategy. She saw his moves, knew what he was going to do next but hadn’t come up with a counter strategy yet. She was a better player than this! She had been coming close to beating her father for the past several years. How could she have let Mitch get her into this kind of predicament so easily?
She shifted her pawn, putting her plan into place. Six moves, she thought. Just three and she’d be out of check-danger and another three, perhaps four, and he’d be in check.
Silence reigned for the next ten minutes. She would make a move then he would quickly counter. She’d spend several minutes contemplating her move, then he would move his piece, almost without thought. It irritated her that he didn’t have to think about what he would do next while she was flustered and struggling.
“Checkmate,” he said softly, triumphantly. “And now it is time for lunch.”
Adriana stared down at the board with her mouth hanging open. Sure enough, she had lost!
“That’s impossible,” she whispered.
Mitch took her hand and pulled her off of the hard bench, dragging her down the street to one of thedelis. “You’re a good player,” he told her, handing her a turkey and Swiss on rye. How did he already know her favorite sandwich? “Sorry I distractedyou. But that’s part of my strategy also,” he told her and handed her a cup of water while he grabbed aniced tea.
“Let’s eat over there.” He led her to a park bench, handing her a bag of chips. “Talk to me,” he commanded.
“No,” she said and took a bite of her sandwich. “You caused me to lose quickly on that last round of chess. So I’m not going to talk to you.”
He laughed and moved closer to her. “You’re cute when you’re riled up. So about that dress,” he said.
Adriana rolled her eyes. “I have a dress.”
“Is it low cut?” he asked. “And really short?”
She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “Are we going to a formal event or the red light district?”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Okay, I’ll allow that you have excellent taste in clothes,” he said, looking down at her jeans that were about a size too big for her. “Even though you have been losing too much weight. Eat,” he told her and nudged the arm holding her sandwich.
The rest of the afternoon was light and relaxing. And Mitch dropped her off at her apartment around five o’clock, warning her not to be late or he’d send out the cavalry.
Adriana had no idea what the cavalry might be in his mind, but she was pretty sure she didn’t want to find out. Besides, she was looking forward to the night. There was something going on, something different between them today. It had been nice and relaxing, but difficult to ignore. A tension perhaps? She wasn’t sure, but she knew that she was looking forward to the evening. She was really glad she’d been to her gynecologist’s office yesterday and gotten on birth control. She had a feeling that she was going to need it.
Chapter 6
Mitch took a sip of the scotch, irritated that she wasn’t here. He’d specifically told her that she needed to be here at seven and here it was, seven-fifteen.
She wasn’t going to show up.
Why that thought irritated him he wasn’t exactly sure. Why this one woman had gotten underneath his skin so quickly and so completely, he didn’t want to even examine. All he knew was that, ever since she’d sauntered into that meeting months ago with her tight skirts that looked like she belonged on a Hollywood lawyer’s set instead of acorporate office, he’d been fascinated. He couldn’t figure out how a woman at her pay level could afford such expensive clothes, but he certainly appreciated each and every one of them.
Maybe she made them herself. The thought occurred to him and he really liked that idea. She was extremely smart and creative in the different ways she was starting to analyze and demonstrate the data. Why wouldn’t she be able to make her own clothes?
Except for the fact that he’d bought one of those suits for his previous mistress.
Clenching his teeth, his irritation grew. Where was the damn woman? If she’d decided to ditch him tonight, he’d just head right over to her apartment and….that thought made his body tighten. Now he was hoping she wouldn’t show up. He definitely wouldn’t mind heading to her place and finishing what they kept dancing around. He’d peel her out of whatever designer outfit she’d donned. Maybe it would be something soft and comfortable. He’d like to dress her in cashmere. And silk. Yes, he wouldn’t mind seeing her in something soft and silky. Something that would slither softly to the floor when he took it off of her to reveal….
His glass of scotch froze halfway to his mouth as he watched the woman with the stunning silver and grey gown walk into the ballroom. He was vaguely aware of others turning to look at her, wonder who she was but every other part of him was enraptured by the way she walked. He wasn’t positive, but he was pretty sure that his heart stopped while he watched her look around. And then she found him. Even from this distance, he could see the surprise, the wariness enter her eyes. He put down his drink and started walking across the room, knowing that, if he didn’t reach her quickly, she would turn around and run.
No way, my beauty, he thought to himself. You’re mine tonight.
Adriana watched him, her terrified mind playing through all the options. She really should just get out of here. She shouldn’t be here. She shouldn’t wait for him as he walked across the ballroom. This wasn’t her show and she couldn’t handle this man. He would never listen to her requests and follow them.
Before she could move, he was standing in front of her, taking her shaking fingers in his strong grip and pulling her into the ballroom.
“You look beautiful,” he said even as his arms pulled her closer. Before she could respond, they were dancing and he was pulling her even closer, his heat making her breathing ragged.
“I can’t stay here long,” she told him, her hands lightly resting on his shoulders. Her eyes took in his chest, the fine material of his tuxedo shirt and a large part of her wanted to slide her hands underneath the expensive wool of his tuxedo jacket and feel the soft, expensive silk of his tailored shirt, wanted to find the muscles underneath that material and explore.
But could she handle the consequences of that desire? They danced like that for several minutes, their bodies moving, gliding, shifting together. She wanted something, but was too afraid of him giving it to her.
Taking her hand, he led her off of the dance floor, finding a quiet corner. “Have some champagne,” he said, grabbing a glass off of a passing waiter. “Now tell me why you look like you’re about to bolt out of here like a scared rabbit,” he said, shifting slightly so that she was looking only at him while his shoulders blocked out the rest of the ballroom and its occupants.
Adriana took a sip of the excellent champagne. “Perhaps because I’m about to bolt out of here like a scared rabbit.”
He was stunned by her honesty. He looked down at her appreciatively. “If I’m very gentle with you, will that ease your concerns?” he asked, his hand moving to her arm, feeling the soft texture as well as the shiver his touch generated.
She laughed softly and shook her head. “I don’t think you know how to be gentle,” she replied, unable to look him in the eye.
“You could teach me,” he countered. Both of them were surprised by that comment but he knew he would be careful with her. She wasn’t like the other women he’d dated. She was sweet and kind, teased him with her intelligence and made him want her with that soft, delectable body of hers.
Her heart softened with those words. Adriana knew that was silly, that he was probably playing her, but the combination of his deep voice, the need in her body and the hope that this man could make her feel something other than just contentment seduced her. It made her want to seduce him.
It was a ridiculous feeling, but she couldn’t stop the thought from forming in her mind. It occurred to her that she couldn’t change a man, but she pushed that aside. Surely he couldn’t be that horrible if he wanted her to teach him to be gentle, right? Or was she deluding herself?
They stared at each other for a long moment, themusic, the noise of the other people surrounding them, fading into the background. She looked up into his crystal blue eyes and knew what she was going to do. Thankfully, she’d visited her doctor and she was protected from pregnancy. Was she protected against a broken heart? That she couldn’t guarantee.
“I can’t make you gentle,” she finally said. “I can only hope that you’ll be kind.”
Those words hit him like the force of an anvil and he swallowed almost painfully. If she wanted him to be kind, he’d figure out how to be kind. If she wanted him to be gentle, hell, he could hire someone to teach him to be gentle. He’d be anything she’d want of him right at this moment.
“Come with me,” he told her, grabbing her hand.
She smiled tremulously and looked around, suddenly remembering where they were. “Don’t you need to socialize?” she asked, trying to pretend that they weren’t about to rush out of this gala and do what she knew what they were going to do. She could see the intent in his eyes and shivered with anticipation.
She wanted him. That was the bottom line. For the past several days, their time had been leading up to this moment, this night. And she couldn’t turn him away. Possibly if he hadn’t said those words, she might have been able to resist, but she wasn’t positive of that.
“I need you,” he told her. Gently, as if she were a fragile piece of china, he took her hand and lifted it to his lips. Looking down at her, he ached to lift her into his arms and carry her out of this place. He saw the desire, the desperate need that he too was feeling but he also saw the fear and anxiety. Mitch didn’t want any of that on her mind when he made love to this woman. Normally he wouldn’t care, he would just walk away. But Adriana, for whatever reason, was different. He was different around her. She wanted him to be kind, therefore, he wanted to be kind for her.
Tucking her hand on his arm, he led her around, introducing her to several of his acquaintances. But the whole time, every moment their eyes caught with one another, there was an electric shock that went through both of them. She sipped champagne, he drank scotch and their eyes smoldered, their bodies moved closer and closer to each other.
Adriana watched with her breath held most moments, wondering if he was going to toss her over his shoulder and carry her out of the room. The idea definitely had merit and her cheeks flamed with color at the thought. Mitch looked down at her at that precise moment and his eyebrow went up, silently asking her what she’d been thinking. But when the blush only deepened and she was unable to express her thoughts, the heat in his eyes reached nuclear heat proportions. The fingers holding her hand tightened for a moment before he took a breath and Adriana watched with fascination as he struggled to control himself. He briefly closed his eyes and a moment later, he looked down at her again, the fires banked but still hot.
That heat made her body respond and she wasn’t aware of her mouth falling open slightly but every cell in her body was unconsciously inviting him to release that control, to give in to the need that was sparking between the two of them.
“Let’s go,” he whispered hoarsely.
He took her hand and started heading towards the door. Thankfully, he didn’t embarrass her by dragging her across the room. But nor did he linger with any of the groups that were trying to get his attention. With polite finality, he nodded his head and kept moving.
By the time they were outside, his limousine was already waiting, door open and he held her hand while he helped her into the back. But when the door closed, he lifted her into his arms. She snuggled on his lap, her breathing rapid as she stared at him. His hands rested calmly on her waist but there wasn’t anything calm about him. He was little more than a barely leashed panther.
Oddly, she had no fear of him now. She could feel the tension in him and it was mirrored within her but she knew that he would take care of her. The hands at her waist clenched and that very slight movement seemed to break the spell that had been holding them back. He jerked her to his chest, covering her mouth with his and he ravished her, his kiss making that ache intensify to an almost painful, desperate need.
He kissed her as if she were his only lifeline, like he was taking his breath from her and she didn’t want it to stop. Wrapping her arms around his neck, her fingers dove into the soft depths of his black hair, holding his head close to hers while her body pressed closer, moving against his in a way that she’d never even thought was possible.
When the vehicle pulled to a stop outside of a large building, he lifted his head, then carried her out of the car, setting her onto the cement sidewalk. But he quickly took her hand and led her inside. Adriana didn’t see the doorman open the glass doors or the security personnel standing guard by the elevators. She wasn’t even aware of Mitch putting in a code to make the elevators move. All she could sense was the sexual tension that vibrated between the two of them. He pushed her back against the cab of the elevator, his arms pinning her still but he didn’t kiss her. She stared up at him, willing him to lean down and kiss her again but he only said, “Cameras,” in almost a whisper and she understood.
The moment the doors opened up again, he almost yanked her through them, kissing her and bending her backwards to get more of her. She happily gave it to him, her hands once again diving into his hair, feeling the strength in his neck and moving lower, pushing the jacket off of .
- All Five
- Art Fine
- Bookshelf
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