Sarah and Scott walked to the elevator, her hand clutching her purse. She was wondering what they would talk about. Her mind flew through so many different things. Would it be the hours they had spent together? Would it just be the job, her story? She let out a little sigh and tried to calm down her racing heart.
"So is that all you learned from Richards, the bondage?" he asked.
"Before you pulled me off of him you mean," she said with a little spite. She was till coming to terms with what he'd done and then what he claimed were his reasons.
"Look Sarah, I couldn't help my reaction. I do think you have enough to write a great story and I plan to help you. I simply couldn't stand having
him
touch you."
She was quiet then as the walked out of the building and down the street. She had an idea of where they were eating; it was a little place that he went to a lot. Mario's was a small, family owned Italian restaurant. She'd tried some of the food and had enjoyed it. It wasn't far and they both kept to themselves during the walk.
After being seated Sarah decided she needed to first tell him about the phone call she had gotten last night. The fact that someone knew who she was and could get her number still frightened her. She thought telling Mr. James would some how make her safer. As she was about to tell him the waiter came and they placed their order quickly.
"I need to tell you about a call I received last night," she said.
"A call, at your house?" he inquired.
"On my cell phone, I was in the bath so I didn't answer. When I listened to my voicemail there wasn't a number but a voice. A man left me a message which I saved. He said this was only the beginning of Richards's secrets, to be careful."
"Let me hear it if you don't mind Sarah," he said in rushed voice, obviously concerned.
She got out her phone, dialed her voicemail and got it ready for him. Their hands briefly touched and she felt the warmth of his fingers as he took the phone from her. The concern for her overriding the sexual attraction he felt.
"Miss Jacobs there is more going on than you know. Tonight's festivities were not the only ones Mr. Richards enjoys. Be careful where you step with this one. I will be in contact."
"I don't like it Sarah. Something doesn't feel right," he said handing her the phone.
"So what Scott, what do I do?" she said harshly. "Do I just give up and not write the story? How can I give that up? It's my shot, my chance."
Scott, Mr. James, could feel her pain. She was upset, hurt, and angry. She had every right to be. This was her chance and he knew she would be a great reporter. He just didn't want it to cost her anything, or to put her in danger. He had told her that, he would protect her.
"You still want to do this even after this?"
"Yes, of course I do. They never said they would hurt me only to be very careful. I can be that."
"Okay then. Here is what we do. You don't do anything without me. I'm always with you if you go somewhere. Understand?"
Sarah looked at him, a little in disbelief and a little happy. She smiled as she understood really for the first time how he felt. The feelings behind him pulling her off the man's lap yesterday, she got it. He cared about her. She didn't dare think it was anything more because, well she'd been down that road and it had hurt her.
"I do, I understand," she said near to a whisper as she smiled at him. "So I know this wasn't what you wanted to talk about in the beginning."
Their food arrived and they began eating. Scott kept his eyes somewhat lowered. He had heard her question and knew he needed to talk with her. The whole situation was strange for him. He was a man in control, nothing rattling him. Yet little Sarah had done just that and now more then ever.
"I had wanted to talk about us. I need to know what you think about us and our situation. What do you feel about it?"
Quick and to the point, he doesn't beat around she thought silently.
"Um, well, I don't know. What happened last night was amazing, beautiful and not something I do just because. With you though I feel a tug, a pull, I can't really explain it," she said while toying with her food. "There's a side to you that's strong and always in control and then there's this other part I've barely seen, a caring side that I want to know more.'
He looked at her, really looked at her. His eyes moving over her blonde hair, to her amazing eyes, her cute little button nose, the softest lips he'd ever touched and kissed. Yeah it was so easy to see he was in lust, possibly more. He cared about her and that was unexpected but it felt right.
"I want to continue this. With you Sarah, I'll be honest, things are different. I'm normally controlled and calm. You though make that fly out the window. I see you and want to touch you. I want to run my fingers through your hair, grip the back of your neck as my lips taste yours. I want to capture your sigh in my mouth as my tongue seeks out every part of your mouth. This is just from a look or hearing your voice."
She swallowed, noticeably. It turned her body on to know that he thought of her like that. She had never been with anyone like him before. Her boyfriends she could count easily on one hand and the number of actual bed partners even less. She pushed her thighs together as she thought about that kiss, the kind that would take away her breath.
