Afternoon Delight (8 page)

“You Tarzan, me unimpressed.”

“You’re also overdressed. Do something about that, will you?”

She tossed her purse onto the leopard chair and toed off her pumps. Rei unfastened her trousers and slid them down her hips, along with her underwear. Kicking the pants aside, she watched Chris’s face, saw the quickening rise and fall of his bare chest. In the firelight, she watched him watching her. She saw the desire in his expression…and in the tented shape of the bed sheet.

Tilting her head, she smiled at him and reached up to pull the clip from her hair, releasing it to flow over her shoulder. Letting the sexy wail of the saxophone on the stereo set the pace, she undid her shirt, one button at a time. With a quick snap of the front hook, she opened her bra and let both articles slide off her shoulders to the floor.

She stood before him, her breathing rapid and her limbs heavy. A quiver of excitement darted through her body, settling between her legs with electric anticipation. You’d think it was their first time together. But having had him before only made her want him more.

“Come over here, lady.”

His voice was hoarse with lust. She walked toward him with confident steps, her hips swaying seductively, her attitude a blend of temptation and intention.
His blood sizzled in his veins and his shaft thickened against the sheet. Damn, she was beautiful.

Yet there was something else in her eyes, the barest hint of uncertainty, which made her look soft and fragile. Tonight she looked more like the woman from the dating service than the exotic temptress from the nightclub. His protective instinct surfaced and he wondered who the real Rei Davis was. He wondered if she knew.

She climbed onto the bed and he pulled the sheet away so that he could feel her against him. He rested his weight on his left elbow, opening his other arm to embrace her. Their naked bodies aligned so that her firm breasts pressed against his chest and her thighs touched his belly. She smoothed her left palm over his bare chest, leaving a trail of heat in the wake of her touch.

While she nuzzled her lips against his throat, he took pleasure in running his fingers through her long silky hair. Then he cupped her cheek with his right hand and settled his mouth over hers. The first brush of her lips against his mouth had him wanting to devour her. But he held back until she opened to him with a sigh of abandon.

He welcomed the thrust of her tongue, letting her explore his mouth in lazy circles. Then she deepened the kiss, unleashing a little of the need he felt. He tasted her excitement and responded in kind, turning the kiss urgent and demanding.

With his free hand, he began a slow, seductive ex
ploration, seeking to rediscover her erogenous zones, those secret places like the nape of her neck where she loved to be stroked and caressed. He trailed his fingers lower until he cupped a smooth, firm breast in his palm and felt her shiver in response.

He kneaded his thumb across her nipple while tracing the same pattern on her tongue. Then he broke the kiss to bend his head and take the beaded tip into his mouth. The flick of his tongue on the engorged flesh made her quiver and arch closer as he suckled each breast in turn. The way she was wiggling against him drove him nuts.

Grasping his face, she pulled him up to capture his lips again. He trailed his fingers down her back, along her smooth buttock then around to the juncture of her thighs. She gasped against his mouth as he slipped one, two fingers into her heat. She was so wet, so ready. He felt her body clamp down on his hand while she kissed him like her life depended on it.

She moaned low and deep, and grasping his hair in her fists, she tugged his head down. Knowing exactly what she wanted, he obeyed her silent command and slid toward the end of the bed. He placed hot kisses on her abdomen and belly before kneeling on the floor to trace wet patterns along the inside of her thigh.

When his tongue delved inside her, she half gasped, half groaned at the first touch of his mouth to her damp, swollen flesh. He clasped her knees and pushed her legs further apart. Her fingers dug into the
muscles of his shoulders as she arched her hips, silently begging him for more.

He obliged with slow, sensuous laps of his tongue from her silken folds all the way to the burgeoning crest. Now his hands were holding her down as she thrashed on the bed. Suckling gently and listening to her quickly escalating cries, he coaxed her toward a climax against his mouth.

“Ooh wow, Chris. That was—oh wow.”

“We’re not done. I promised to make it worth the drive, remember. But you only came once.”

She stared at his raging erection with a wicked smile. “You’ll have to try
harder
next time.”

“Honey, I don’t think I can get any harder.”

She crooked her finger and grinned. “Then come here so I can kiss it all better.”

He stood up as she swung her legs to sit on the edge of the bed. Sliding her hands over his butt, she opened her mouth and took him between her soft, moist lips. He had to grit his teeth to keep from shouting out loud as she nibbled and licked him. The sensation of her hot, greedy mouth was beyond incredible and he craved the sweet release that beckoned.

More than that, though, he wanted the sensation of joining. He wanted to be inside her the next time she came. After gently, and regretfully, pulling away, Chris rushed across the bedroom to grab a condom off the carpet. After protecting them, he propelled himself back onto the mattress and positioned himself at her entrance.

He plunged into her. Overwhelmed by the sensation of hot wet heat, he increased the friction. She scored his sweat-slick back with her nails as he rocked them toward release. Slipping his palms beneath her hips, he pulled her closer still and buried himself to the hilt.

Her pelvis swiveled in almost frantic circles as he pleasured her. He’d only begun and already she was coming again. He fought his own desire, wanting to make it good for her, but in the end he lost control. Arching his back, he groaned and quickly exploded inside her.

A few moments later they lay side by side, drowsy and spent. Chris had gutted the candles but left the fireplace going. He watched the glow of the flames dance on Rei’s golden skin as he lazily stroked his fingers over damp shoulder.

“Will you stay?”

She was lying on her stomach, her head pillowed on her folded arms, and barely opened her eyes to answer. “I’ve got to be at work in the morning.”

“So do I, but that’s why alarm clocks were invented.”

She seemed to consider it, though her features were oddly set. “No, I don’t think so.”

He wasn’t surprised by her refusal, but that hadn’t stopped him from hoping. He hid his disappointment with effort. “Let me guess. You snore? You talk in your sleep?”

“Yep. I also hog the covers.”

He could tell that her humor was strained and decided to let it drop. “Okay, then at least let me offer you a quick shower.”

He felt her relax beneath his hand, obviously relieved by the change of subject. She opened her eyes to offer him a genuine smile. “Mmm, hot water, slick soap and a gorgeous guy? That I’ll gladly take.”

Chris forced himself to smile back, confused by the tightness in his chest. He’d walked into this situation with the knowledge that she didn’t want anything serious. Rei wouldn’t tolerate anything nonsexual from him, but damned if for some reason he didn’t want to give it. He believed the compatibility software and he believed his own instincts.

Rei both intrigued and confounded him. She was so sexy and inviting one minute and the next she shut emotional doors in his face. He wasn’t even sure why he wanted them opened—those doors would only close behind her when she left. But he wasn’t interested in dating any other women. He had his hands full with Rei and “Jade” and wanting them to be one and the same.

R
EI STOOD
in the bathroom in her bra and panties, running Chris’s comb through her hair to untangle the long strands. Their quick shower had actually turned into a half hour of wonderful wet sex. She was looking forward to her daily yoga routine tomorrow to loosen her sore muscles.

Chris had already dried off and tugged on a pair of briefs. He leaned against the bathroom door, watching her. “So, you won’t stay. But will you come back?”

“What do you mean? Tomorrow?” She looked over at him while she worked out a particularly stubborn knot.

“Yes, I want to see you again.”

The timbre of his voice alerted her to what he was really asking, but she deliberately misunderstood in hopes of avoiding the issue. “Sure. I’m not going to turn down an offer of incredible sex.”

“How about doing something outside of the bedroom?”

Rei wriggled her eyebrows at him. “Ooh, that sounds like fun. Maybe on the dining table or in that rocking chair in the living room?”

He startled, then laughed despite himself. “Well, I was thinking of using the dinner table but I’d plan to cook you a meal.”

“Thanks, but no.” When he stiffened at her sharp response, she made an effort to soften her tone. “We had a great time. Let’s leave it at that, okay?”

Chris stared at her, an odd expression in his eyes, one that she couldn’t decipher. But it made her feel guilty and wrong nonetheless. She focused her gaze on the tile floor and began to braid her hair so it wouldn’t be a bird’s nest in the morning.

“Why do you keep pushing me away?”

His voice sounded tight, as if he were barely holding his temper, causing her to glance over. Now she recognized the look. Like she’d disappointed him…That was it. It was the same kind of look her father had given her. And she resented it as much from Chris as from Gordon.

Deciding to forget about braiding her hair, she pushed past him into the bedroom to get dressed. “I’ve got to go.”

He sighed heavily and turned in the doorway. He crossed his arms over his bare chest, a slight frown tugging at his mouth. “When—?”

“I don’t know. I’ll call you.”

Chris straightened and came toward her as she hastily buttoned her shirt. “This isn’t fair, Jade. We
agreed to explore our desires and have some fun together, but you’re treating me like some hired stud. What, I’m good enough to screw but not good enough to talk to?”

Rei flinched at his coarse accusation. Knowing it was true added to her guilt, but damn it, having to negotiate these sensitive waters was exactly why she wanted to keep it physical.

“You said you weren’t looking to get involved or start a relationship. You agreed that this, whatever it is, wouldn’t affect our real lives, that there would be no complications.”

God, she absolutely did not need any complications, not now when everything was so uncertain.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

His voice was a harsh whisper, hinting at things she didn’t want to deal with. Rei shoved her feet into her shoes and reached for her purse. “I’m sorry, Chris. I haven’t changed mine. This is not going anywhere except toward a bad ending.”

He forcibly pushed away from the wall and came at her. “Of course it’s not going anywhere. You’ve already resolved not to let it.” He stopped beside her, close enough for her to smell his freshly showered skin, but didn’t touch her. “All I’m asking you for is a real date, not a June wedding. Come on, Jade, take a risk. Meet me for lunch tomorrow.”

She looked over at him finally and felt the emotional punch right in her gut. His face, already
handsome, was all the more appealing for the stubborn expression of hope. The firelight turned Chris’s green eyes to a warm gold, adding shadows and depth to his gaze, promising things she didn’t dare accept….

CHECKING IN

I was thinking about you so I thought I’d say hi. Hi.

DCL3

RE: CHECKING IN

Hi. It’s after midnight. What are you doing online?

RLD49

RE: UP LATE

Same as you, I guess. Not sleeping.

I had a date tonight, but it didn’t go exactly as I’d hoped. This getting-to-know-you stage is hard, isn’t it?

DCL3

RE: NOT SLEEPING

Oh, you’ve gone out with someone already? Me, too, and my night didn’t end well either.

Actually, my day didn’t start well. It’s been one of those emotionally confrontational days that keeps replaying in my mind. With everything else that’s going on, this is probably the worst time to get involved in a new relationship.

RLD49

RE: OPEN COMMUNICATION

Want to talk about it?

One thing I’ve noticed is that with a company like Lunch Meetings, where you log in on a secure server, the Internet provides a unique type of privacy. No one can see you or find out anything about you that you don’t tell them. That means you can remain anonymous while being as open and honest as you want.

Sometimes that’s the best way to get something off your chest, like striking up a conversation with a stranger on a plane during a long flight.

DCL3

Chris stared at the computer screen, watching for the little envelope icon to appear. But after checking twice, he still had no new messages. Maybe he’d pushed too hard. Just when he figured she wouldn’t answer, though, the computer chimed.

RE: STRANGERS ON A PLANE

I only signed up for Lunch Meetings because my best friend talked me into it. There have been too many disappointments in the past, too many times when the man in my life let me down. So now it’s hard for me to trust.

I can’t believe I’m telling you all this. And now that I’ve bared my soul, I guess this is the last time I’ll hear from you.

RLD49

RE: MEN AREN’T CREATED EQUAL

You’re assuming your past experiences are the norm instead of the exception and painting every man with the same brush. But the funny thing about trust is you’ve got to give it to get it.

The key is to be truthful about who you are and what you want. Instead of anticipating the worst, why not take a chance and be open to the possibilities?

DCL3

RE: TAKING CHANCES

Thanks for listening. I’ll think about what you’ve said. I have a couple of things to do before I go to sleep, so I’ll say good night.

RLD49

RE: LISTENING

That’s what air travel friends are for. Talk to you later.

DCL3

Chris leaned back in his desk chair, staring out the picture window into the night. The cell phone he’d laid on the desk began to ring. He looked at the clock on his laptop screen then took a deep breath and answered the call.

“Hello?”

“It’s me.”

He silently exhaled, closing his eyes in relief at the sound of Rei’s soft voice.

“Am I disturbing you?”

Chris rubbed his temples. “If by ‘disturb’ you mean unsettle, fascinate and arouse, then, yes. You disturb the hell out of me.”

He could hear her breath against the receiver. Then she suddenly spoke in a rush. “My cell phone number is 555-8921 and my text pager is 555-7949. I’ll see you at lunch.”

He listened to the dial tone for a second after she’d hung up and then set the phone on its cradle.

It’s a date.

Wednesday, April 16th

R
EI STARTLED
when she felt the vibrations. The humming sensation sent little tingles of pleasure over her skin.

She hoped no one had noticed the quiet electronic buzz under her bench. Reaching beneath her robe, she pulled her pager off its clip. While the petitioner’s attorney presented his case, she glanced down at the tiny LCD screen. Chris was text messaging her again.

SO HOT 4 U :-P

Rei hid a smile and touched the button to store the message. The little panting face was definitely
mutual, but she couldn’t think about that right now. She was adjudicating a case.

Robert Cote settled his features in what he must have assumed was a sympathetic expression. “Your Honor, my client loves her children and wants only the best for them. But she is a hard working woman with numerous responsibilities…”

He rambled on, extolling his client’s virtues. When Rei felt another vibration against her thigh. She lifted the pager slightly off her lap to read the message.

WHATCHA WEARING? ;-)

She had to rotate the pager to realize the little face was winking this time. After storing that message as well, she made a mental note to call him during her next break. If she ever got one. Why did people insist on coming to court instead of just talking things out?

“Okay here’s the deal. Mrs. O’Neal the second can adjust her work hours so that she can feed Amy and Brian in the morning and see them off to school.”

“But—”

Rei kept speaking right over the beginnings of a protest. “Mrs. O’Neal the first can pick the kids up from school, make sure they do their homework and feed them dinner if necessary while they wait for their mother.”

“But—”

Rei talked over the second protest. “That’s it.
That’s my decision.” She banged her gavel and nodded to Mary Alice. “I’ll be back in five minutes.”

She stepped out of the courtroom and into her chambers, flipped open her cell phone and dialed Chris’s number. “What’s on your mind, as if I have to ask?”

“You. Naked. With me. Also naked. I put the giraffe print sheets on the bed for you.”

“Oh, I can just picture them.” Rei laughed at the mental image. “I’ll bet they’re just as awful as the rest of the room.”

“I’ll ignore that. What else can you picture?”

Responding to the playfulness in his voice, she said, “You. Naked.”

“With you?”

She closed her eyes, picturing his big, lean-muscled body lounging on his bed. “No, you’re alone.”

Chris growled into the phone. “You’re mean.”

“And you’re hard, incredibly hard.”

He breathed heavily. “Yeah, I really am. And you’re not here.”

“Sure, I am.” Rei opened her eyes long enough to glance over and make sure her chamber door was shut, then put herself back into the fantasy. “I’m sitting in the leopard chair, watching you.”

“Voyeurism? Really? I think I’d be shocked if I wasn’t so turned on.” There was laughter in his voice but also a hint of fascination.

She was a little shocked herself, but figured she
could blame it on her hormones. “Not half as turned on as I am seeing you touch yourself like that.”

“Like what?” Chris’s voice deepened and he cleared a rasp from his throat. “Tell me what you want me to do.”

In her mind she saw his large hand grasp his shaft, saw the lust in his green eyes and the invitation in his smile. “A light touch to begin with, I think. Long, lazy caresses up and down.”

“Uh huh. What are you doing?”

She easily pictured him stroking himself, an incredibly erotic image, so her voice was breathless when she answered. “I can’t take my eyes off of you and I’m soo wet.”

“Watching you watching me is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen. Are you touching yourself?”

“Um, yes. I’ve draped my legs over the arms of the chair. My thighs are spread wide and I’m using my fingers. If possible, you get even harder so a firmer grip is necessary, faster with more friction.”

She heard him groan softly into the phone, his breathing rapid. “Good thing my office door is closed,” Chris murmured.

Rei’s eyes widened. She had initiated this little game of phone sex, but she never thought he’d actually follow her instructions. “Are you really—?”

Chris sighed, sounding frustrated in the best way. “I’m fully dressed, if that’s what you mean. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish my hand was yours.”

“Mmm, I wish it was, too.” She looked up at a
knock on her door. Mary Alice poked her head in and made a “two minutes” signal. “But I have to go back to work now.”

“I can’t. Not yet anyway.”

She gave a completely smug and unsympathetic laugh. “Well, at least I know you’ll be thinking about me for a while.”

“What makes you think I ever stop?” His voice was rich with desire and humor. “I’ll meet you at Zuni Café at noon. I’ll be the guy with the big smile on his face.”

A
T ELEVEN FORTY-FIVE
, Chris stood in the triangular two-story entryway admiring the richly colored Indian blankets hanging along the white adobe walls. Zuni Café, with its Southwestern ambiance and French-Italian cuisine, was one of his favorite restaurants in San Francisco. Hearing his name, he turned to see Rei walk through the front door.

He smiled at the sight of her long hair flowing down the back of her bright blue overcoat. When she reached his side, Chris leaned down and kissed her wind-chilled cheek.

“You’re early, too, I see.”

“I’m right on time, actually. Like a wizard, I arrive exactly when I mean to.” Her gaze was as warm as the welcoming smile she sent over her shoulder as she hung up her coat on the rack.

He recognized the reference to the classic J.R.R. Tolkien story instantly and grinned. “You’re a
Lord of the Rings
fan. I knew there was a reason I liked you.”

“Only one?”

As she turned, he finally noticed her outfit. The colors were conservative, the patterns plain, but something about the way she wore them seemed frankly sensual. The white blouse was draped low enough for him to detect a hint of camisole lace. The hem of her caramel brown skirt ended well above her knees, showing off shapely legs down to her dark chocolate high heels.

“Well, maybe more than one.”

A hostess led them past the copper-topped bar and semi-open kitchen with its roaring brick ovens to a table near the floor-to-ceiling windows. They debated the merits of the Jackson
Lord of the Rings
films in comparison with the original Tolkien books while perusing the menu and waiting for their drinks.

When their waitress appeared with tall glasses of iced tea, Chris ordered his usual. “I’ll have the hamburger on toasted focaccia bread, medium-rare.”