Opposing Forces (13 page)

She felt her cheeks flush ever such a bit.  “Why does this keep happening to me, Steffen?  What’s wrong with me?”

“It’s not you, Maisie. It’s just bad luck that each time you’ve run into the police, the officers in question have been complete idiots.”

Maisie choked on her tea.  “Steffen, you can’t say that.”

“It’s the truth.”

She started to feel a little warm. Either it was Steffen’s presence raising her body temperature or the patio heaters had done their job.  She took her navy suit jacket off and flung it over the chair next to her. 

“The heaters are powerful, so don’t feel you have to stay buttoned up and on parade. I won’t tell,” she smiled.

Steffen’s jacket joined hers on the chair.  Her eyes almost popped out of her head when she saw the gun holster.

“Bloody hell, Steffen, I know I’m trouble but you really don’t need to be armed around me.”

Steffen laughed.  “I always carry a gun, Maisie. It’s part of the job.  However my life would have been a lot simpler if I’d shot you when I first met you.”

“I’m really not that fond of hand guns. They’re horrible things.  Would you mind taking it off?”

Steffen tossed the gun and holster onto the chair with his jacket.  “Better?”

She nodded and took a few more sips of her tea. “I’ve never really had an accident before.  I’m sure I need to notify my insurance company.  Weren’t the driver and I supposed to exchange details or something?”

“If it was just a small bump, yes. But as the driver is being arrested and charged, everything changes.  We will notify your insurance company and they will deal directly with us and his insurance firm.”

“What will happen to him?”

“I imagine his father’s lawyer will be pushing for his release, but I would like the kid to spend at least one night in jail so we’ll drag out his interviews.  He failed his breathalyser which means he cannot contest that charge. We’ll also get him for dangerous driving because judging from the force he hit your car from when he braked, it was obvious he was speeding too.   I’ll make sure his case goes before the courts quickly so we can get his driver’s licence revoked.”

“Guess he won’t be so cocky in future,” Maisie grunted.  “I appreciate accidents happen, we all get distracted from time to time driving.  But it was the fact he tried to put the blame onto me.  That got me majorly pissed off.”

“And I’ll make sure he never tries that line again.  His father and I will be having words tomorrow. I don’t like people who try to abuse their position.”

“Can you do that?”

“I’m the Chief of Police,” Steffen smiled.  “Besides, I know just how to handle Senator Bloomberg.”

“Do you know him well?”

“Not really, but my father does.” Steffen smiled to himself, his father was going to be majorly pissed at him for taking a fellow senator to task.  But the kid could have seriously injured Maisie.  “Where were you headed to this afternoon?”

“Oh my God, I must call the Chateau de Chillon. They were expecting me hours ago.”  Maisie was horrified she had not thought to notify them. They must think her incredibly rude for not showing up. She attempted to get up.

Steffen pushed her back into the sofa.  “You’re staying right there.  I’ll call. Where’s their number?”

“It’s in my diary. The big black one in my briefcase. I think it’s in the hall.”

“You use a paper diary?”

“Yeah, it’s more like an organiser for my life.  I do have an electronic one I take when travelling.”

She watched him disappear back inside. She was glad to get a few moments to herself, he had the ability to swamp her.

Steffen felt like he was prying, but he needed to know.  He had access to her diary and scanned through the last few weeks.  Other than the trip to Susten, she did not appear to have had any other dates with Thevenez and no other names featured.  It seemed like it was just work for Maisie Carrington.  He phoned through to her contact to let her know that Maisie would be out of action for a couple of days.  When he headed back out to the terrace, he thought for moment she was asleep.  He sat down softly on the sofa next to her. Her skirt had ridden up a little and was teasing him with a glimpse of lacy stocking top; her shirt was open just enough to show a hint of breast.  His mind filled with all the wonderful things he wanted to do to her, but couldn’t.  Her eyes opened and she held his gaze; he was completely mesmerised by those deep blue pools.

She knelt up, her eyes never leaving his, and cupped his face in her small hands before kissing him gently on the mouth.  God, it felt good.

“Maisie, …” He knew he should object, but he really couldn’t find the willpower to do so.

“Don’t talk, just kiss me,” she whispered against his lips.  Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.

He felt his pulse double in speed.  That soft mouth was driving him crazy.  His arms crushed her to him as he kissed her back with some urgency.  How long had he wanted to do this?  Her kiss was every bit as delicious as he imagined.  A few seconds later, his brain caught up.  He released her and leapt to his feet, putting some distance between them. 

“Jesus, Maisie, I’m so sorry. That…that definitely should not have happened.” He ran a hand through his rather dishevelled brown hair.

“Actually, I think it should have. We’re both attracted to each other, are we not?”

“You’re a beautiful woman, Maisie, I can’t deny that.  But you’re in my care, I should be looking out for your well-being, not kissing the life out of you.”

She stood up and closed the gap.  Taking hold of his tie, she pulled him to her.  “You are taking care of my well-being, Steffen. This is what I need.” She brushed her lips against his.

He groaned and held her at arms’ length.  This was not easy, especially when his dick was in disagreement with his head.  “No, Maisie, I can’t,” he said firmly. “The legal suit aside, it would be highly unethical of me.”

Maisie felt like he had thrown a bucket of ice water over her.  She was mortified, she wanted to crawl off and hide.  What was it with her and men? He clearly did not find her attractive.  Trying to save as much dignity as she could, she pulled her mobile out her pocket.  “No problem, if you don’t want to spend the night with me, I’ll call someone who will.” She turned her back on him before dialling the Police Station.  “Could you patch me through to Officer Thevenez, please?” she politely instructed the switchboard.  “Please feel free to leave, Chief Grundberg,” she spoke over her shoulder to him.

Maisie jumped when the phone was wrenched out of her hand and tossed across the terrace.  “Over my dead body,” Steffen muttered, sweeping her up and carrying her inside. Officer Thevenez was not going to get his hands on her.

Steffen pinned her up against the wall of her bedroom and kissed her hard.  “Is this what you really want, Maisie?” he breathed in her ear.

“Yes,” she murmured between kisses.  Hell yes.

He pulled her shirt from the waist band of her skirt and slipped his hands underneath, softly caressing her bare back.  “I need you to say it, Maisie. Out loud, so there’s no confusion.”

She stared into those big grey eyes.  “Make love to me, Steffen.”  She pulled his tie off and went to work on the small buttons of his shirt. He got impatient and pulled it off over his head.  He unzipped her skirt and let it slide to the floor, next to go was her shirt.  He looked down at her standing in just white lace underwear and nude coloured lacy hold-ups.  It was one of the most erotic sights he had ever seen.  Maisie saw the look of pure desire in his eyes and went all weak at the knees.  She grabbed the waistband of his trousers and pulled him close, undoing his belt.  As she unzipped his trousers, her hand snaked inside.  He let out a very deep growl as she gently stroked him.

He tossed her onto the bed before removing everything except his boxers.   Her bra was despatched with ease, allowing his tongue to play havoc with her breasts.  His mouth trailed down her stomach and she soon found her knickers flying across the room. The stockings were the last item to go, which he removed with infinite slowness.

She pushed him onto his back and ran her mouth slowly down his body, teasing and tormenting him until she finally removed his boxers.  He pulled her back to him, and rolled on top, pinning her beneath.  Maisie’s whole body was tingling with anticipation, something about Steffen made her pulse race. His thighs pushed hers apart and as he thrust into her, Steffen knew that any self-control had completed vanished, never had he wanted a woman quite so badly and he was not about to hold back. 

They lay together, completely exhausted.  Maisie had never experienced anything quite like it.  Steffen had been unstoppable, so full of passion and fire.  Her body ached from what it had been through, but she felt glorious.   She looked up into his soft grey eyes completely unable to read his expression.  Was he happy?  Sad? Did he regret what had just happened? 

“Wow,” she smiled. “I’d hate to see you do passion.”

He looked serious as he stroked her bare arm.  “I’ve never lost control like that before. It must be your bad influence.” He kissed her forehead.  “I did not hurt you, did I?”

She rolled on top of him and kissed his mouth lightly.  “It takes a lot more than that to break me. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m bloody starving after that Olympic workout.” She slid out of bed and pulled on a long sleeved top and pyjama bottoms. “I’m going to make some pasta.  You’re under no obligation to stay if you have to be elsewhere.”  She sat back on the bed and ran her hand down his chest provocatively.  “But if you do stay, I might have to abuse your body at least once more.”

He groaned and pulled her to him.  “You are one very bad woman.”

Maisie squealed girlishly as he slipped his hand beneath her pyjamas and gently slapped her bottom.

She had no idea whether he was going to stay or leave and was relieved when he appeared in the kitchen a few minutes later wearing just his trousers and shirt.

She opened the fridge.  “Red, white or champagne?”

“Depends what we are eating?”

She pulled a packet out of the fridge.  “Pumpkin ravioli with sage butter?”

“Sounds good. White will be perfect.” He sat down on a bar stool as she passed him a bottle and opener.  He glanced at the label and raised an eyebrow.  “Your grandmother did teach you well.”

Maisie laughed and fetched two glasses.  Heavy lead crystal of course.  “I would rather drink less often but better quality than have a mediocre wine each day.”

She took a decent swig of the wine, pure nectar. Then set about cooking the pasta.  She was aware Steffen was watching her every move.  She threw him a bag of mixed salad to put in a serving bowl.  A few minutes later, they were eating a wonderful supper.

“Have you ever shot anyone?” Maisie asked out the blue. “In the line of duty?”

Steffen nodded.  “Yes, before I was made Chief of Police, there were a couple of occasions when I had to fire my gun.”

“Pistol?”

“Yes,” he smiled. “A rifle is a little too conspicuous to carry around. Being a very well educated English woman, I take it you’ve fired a shotgun?”

“Yes, double barrel. Every good English home has one.”

“Did your father teach you to shoot?”

“No, my grandmother.  She believed every well-bred lady should know how to fire a shotgun.” Maisie took another sip of her wine.  “’Do you see your parents much?”

Steffen stared at his wine glass for a few seconds.  “My parents are divorcing.  My mother broke that news to me rather recently.  And with that deposited my younger sister on me.”

“I’m sorry, I imagine it’s never easy seeing one’s parents split.”