Author's Note: This is a romantic story with erotic themes, story being the key word here. If you aren't looking for something with a deeper theme, you would be better off reading elsewhere. If you like a good tale then read on. Please send feedback good or bad! It is always appreciated. Thanks and enjoy!
When I sat back down at the table, I felt like I was in two different climates. Brent was frost, chilling me with a patronizing look, and Cale was heat. I don't have to tell you which of those two extremes won out do I?
Still ignoring my boss, I sent Cale a pleading look. I wanted this fiasco to end as quickly as possible. If the fire in his eyes was any indication, so did he. He brought Brent's attention back to business and guided the discussion quickly through the talking points.
With an agreement to meet on Monday morning to work out details, Cale declared the evening a success. He rose, shaking Brent's hand and thanking him again for taking such a late meeting.
Brent smiled and made nice, but his eyes were cold when they came to rest on me. Great! Work was going to be hell on Monday. He grabbed my elbow and started to steer me from the table. I had to resist the urge to drive that elbow into his stomach.
"Miss O'Brien. I was wondering if I could ask you something personal."
I didn't know whether to be relieved or afraid of what Cale would say. I turned and regarded him with a wary gaze. Brent still retained his grasp on my arm.
Cale stepped forward and grabbed my hand, leaving my boss no choice but to let go if he didn't want to engage in a public game of tug-of-war.
"I have a niece coming into town next week and I don't really know what to do with a nine year old girl. I was wondering if you could help me come up with a few ideas."
I fumbled a moment.
"Sure. I suppose I could find a few minutes after our meeting on Monday."
I didn't want to appear any more eager than I already had. I'm not a complete slut you know.
Brent moved to take my arm again. Not what I had in mind.
"I was hoping you'd have time now."
He sent a challenging look to my boss.
Brent hesitated, and then pasted on that shit eating grin he reserved for clients.
"I'm sure Grace would be happy to help."
The sneer on his face suggested exactly what he thought I might be capable of helping with.
If Cale noticed his boorish behavior, he hid it very well.
"Grace, would you mind rescuing me?"
That satin smooth voice slid over me and I realized that I had no choice in the matter. Even if I wanted to object, my body had taken possession of my mind, or at least my mouth.
"I have no plans for the rest of the evening."
Those dark eyes that saw into my soul called me a liar.
"You've saved me."
Those three simple words were spoken so softly that they struck a chord inside me. I feared that I had not saved him, but doomed us both.
He turned to Brent, all business again.
"I'll see that she gets home. I look forward to seeing you Monday."
The two men shook hands again and Brent reluctantly made his way out of the restaurant.
I breathed deeply for a few moments, while Cale rubbed his thumb softly over my hand.
"Does that prick always treat you like that?"
The quiet anger in his voice suggested that he had indeed noticed Brent's deplorable behavior and that he disapproved. I squeezed his hand and shrugged.
"I'm used to it."
I peered at him closely and the look on his face almost melted me form the inside out. Everything about the man had that effect on me.
His jaw was clenched and he looked like he was about to go drag Brent back in for a little old-fashioned fisticuffs. I couldn't help the little smile that spread across my face or the warm feeling that swept over me.
"So, do you really have a nine year-old niece coming to visit?"
He grinned slyly.
"I have a niece. She'll be coming to visit in another three months."
I laughed.
"Well, it appears you rescued me instead of the other way around."
His face sobered.
"Oh no. I assure you you've most certainly done the rescuing."
My laugh died off when I heard the desire, heavy in his voice. I knew how he felt because I was feeling it too. I knew then that right or wrong I was going through with this.
Cale brought my hand up to his lips and turned it over to place a soft kiss on my palm.
I shivered.
"Are you alright with this?"
The concern in his eyes was touching, and every bit as seductive as his kiss.
I let him see just how alright with things I was and I heard that low growl again.
I smiled.
"Maybe we'd better get out of here before we draw a crowd."
He appeared to notice our surroundings for the first time since my boss had made his exit. I swear he blushed a little. It reminded me of the sweet guy I first thought him in the elevator. It made me think there was more of that side of him hiding underneath the surface.
I smiled again and pulled back from him long enough to grab my bag and my portfolio.
With a grin of his own, he took the oversized leather case from me and tucked my hand into his elbow. It was an old-fashioned gesture that I found endearing, and made me itch to find out more about this man who seemed such a study in contrasts.
We made our way out to the parking lot where he led me to.. a big truck. It was a Cadillac, but it was still a big truck.
I laughed.
"What?"