Relentless (5 page)

“You should. If a man like that walked in and asked
me out, I’d be after him right now. He said seven. You’ll be done
with surgeries by five; we can handle things after that, which
gives you plenty of time to get home, shower, and dress in
something to knock his socks off and into your bed.” A wicked grin.
“Or you into his. Either way, I’m sure he’s awesome.”

You have no idea, Janelle. You just have no
idea.

“This isn’t for sex, Janelle.”

“Your loss,” she said candidly. “All I know is I
would be after that. Right quick. Now, call your mother and let her
know about the date. First surgery is in ten minutes.”

Her day passed in a mixture of uncertainty and
panic. It didn’t fade as she swung by to check on her parents, nor
as she stood in her shower. It increased when she got up from the
couch to answer the doorbell that rang exactly at seven.

She smoothed her hands down the red cross-front
ruched bandage dress she’d chosen to wear for the evening. It hit
her around mid-thigh, and she’d chosen some red stilettos to
accompany it. A diamond necklace and minimal hand jewelry completed
her outfit. She’d left her hair down and took a deep breath,
bypassing her red beaded clutch on the way to the door. One final
deep breath, and she swung open the lone barrier between her and
Toby.

Fuck!
He stood there, a bouquet of roses in
hand. Another two-button gray suit as he’d worn earlier, only this
one had a sheen to it the other hadn’t. His crisp white shirt
worked perfectly with it.

“Jesus,” he breathed. “You’re fucking gorgeous.” He
offered her the flowers, and she took them, backing up and allowing
him entrance without saying a word.

To be true, she wasn’t sure she could speak. He
accompanied her to the kitchen where she took out a pitcher and
filled it with water.

“Not finished unpacking yet,” she explained.

“No problem.” He trapped her between him and the
sink and slowly turned her to face him. “You’re beautiful,
Mellie.”

“You, too,” she uttered. “I mean, handsome, you’re
handsome.”

“Let’s go before I find out what kind of underwear
you have on under that slip of a dress.” His deep voice struck
chords in her no man had ever come close to hitting before.

Somehow, his words put her back on solid ground. She
flashed him a smile full of the promise of sex and reached for her
clutch before walking to the door. “What makes you think I’m
wearing any underwear, at all?”

Chapter
Four

Toby admitted to himself with no hesitation he was
having a difficult time concentrating on the drive.
What makes
you think I’m wearing any underwear at all?
Her question ran on
an endless loop in his head. His cock threatened to burst through
the seam of his slacks.

His gaze continued to leave the road and linger over
her firm, brown, toned legs, exposed from the bottom of the dress
she’d wrapped herself in. She looked damn good on the black leather
of his seat. He shifted gears and wove around some traffic.

Sex kitten. Temptress. And a whole other slew of
words came to mind when he saw her like this. The outfit she’d been
wearing when he first saw her in her father’s clinic had been hard
enough on his cock; this one could rightfully claim torturous.

He tugged on his tie, trying to loosen it up a bit,
helping him breathe a bit easier. Nothing worked, and he knew,
until he had her again, he was doomed to be uncomfortably aroused.
He kept the talk light on the way to the restaurant. He pulled up
to valet and nodded to the man who met him at his door. Striding
around the car, Toby swore under his breath as she stepped from the
interior. Many of the men around stopped and gave her more than a
onceover. He smirked as he held out his arm for her.

The light wispy scent of wisteria dug its claws into
him and rode him like he wanted her to do.
Christ, I’m
horny.

He gave his name, and they were shown to a table by
the window. The candle burning between them only added to the
intimacy of the scene.

“So,” he said after he placed their orders. “What
are you thinking right now?”

“Honestly? I was thinking about my parents and if my
father had gotten past his nausea.” She lifted one shoulder.
“Sorry, not exactly date chatter.” She reached for one of the rolls
in the basket between them.

“It’s perfectly understandable. He’s your
father.”

She tossed her hair back and ripped open the bread.
Steam spiraled out from the inside. “Okay, you got me here; what is
it you want with me?”

He watched her over the small table. “You know what
I want from you, Mellie. But, this date is to get to know you
better.”

She chewed slowly and swallowed before she answered.
“What’s to know me better about? We grew up in the same town. You
know me from that. Otherwise, I’m a vet. That is my life. I’m an
open book.”

Their waiter returned and showed him the wine he’d
asked for. After sampling it, he gave the nod for their glasses to
be filled.

“Thank you,” Mellie said as he finished before he
left. The man smiled at her.

“I disagree. You’re a complex woman.”

She dabbed the corners of her mouth with the napkin.
“Let me ask you something. If you get your mall deal done, are you
even staying in Cottonwood Falls or will you be traipsing back to
New York City?”

He paused with the wine glass partway to his mouth.
“Back to New York, I suppose.” Why did those words sound so
wrong?

“Then, why is it so important for you to bring your
desire to the town if you won’t even be around? And, why needing to
get to know me better? I thought this was about sex between us.
Nothing more.”

It had been at the beginning, or so he was trying to
convince himself. The first kiss they’d shared had pushed that
possibility out of the solar system.

“Is it so wrong for me to want to know you?”

“No, I’m just curious.”

“Fair enough. Now, let me ask you something.” He ate
a bite of his shrimp linguine. She waited for him to speak, not
rushing him. “Why are you so against helping the town?”

“You asked me that before,” she replied, hands in
her lap. “I’m not against helping, but what you’re doing, isn’t
that. If you truly want to help the town, then pour your money into
it. Help them redo storefronts, upgrade buildings and technology.
Knocking down our history isn’t helping. Support the people who
make Cottonwood Falls home, not by bringing in faceless
corporations who, in all actuality, don’t give a damn about anyone
but their bottom line.”

“And, you think that’s what I am doing? Essentially
selling out?”

“I think you already have. There is a beat, a pulse,
that flows around Cottonwood Falls. You either hear and feel it, or
you don’t. For those of us who do, what you’re suggesting and
trying to accomplish is a violation of everything we love and
support.” She sipped some wine. “I know you came in waving the
promise of big money. That’s how it works; I get that. But, what’s
so wrong with investing in the
people
who know and love the
town? When did that become such a taboo suggestion or ridiculous
idea?”

She rubbed her shoulder. “Why not back Mrs. Lucy and
her canning business, put some money in there, and help her learn
how to reach more people? She already sells the crap out of her
jams and jellies. Help the school or hospital. Stu’s custom
furniture business, Mrs. Doris’ dressmaking one. Hell, even the
bakery gets orders of things to ship out. Across the country. Our
town is thriving, but honestly, what you want to do will kill it.”
She held up her hands. “I’m sorry. This is supposed to be a nice
evening, not about us fighting over this.”

“No, it’s fine. I asked.” He lifted his glass to her
and drank.
The beat and pulse of Cottonwood Falls.
She was
right; he had lost it.

Despite the rest of dinner going without the topic
being breeched, he still detected a hint of tightness around her
mouth as he walked her to the door and handed the ticket to the
valet. Storm clouds rolled in from the distance.

“We’re in for a big one,” he commented as the clouds
illuminated with the lightning flashes.

“I hope so,” she said, swiping her hand over his
cock as she stepped forward to be assisted into his car.

Right on cue, his cock, which had been semi-hard all
through dinner, jerked to full attention. “Tempting minx,” he
muttered.

Tipping the valet, he slid into the car and shifted
into gear. He drove off the moment the man closed his door.

“So,” Toby said as they headed for the outskirts of
town, “are you wearing underwear?”

She laughed. “Were you thinking about that all
dinner?”

“Damn near. I was listening to what you had to say,
but yes, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wonder about your clothing
situation.”

“I’m wearing some. Red, the same color as my dress,”
she said, shifting toward him. Her hand landed on his thigh, and he
jumped when she raked her nails along the inside of it. “A lovely
item with an open back and cage strap detail. There’s a satin bow,
lace.” She leaned up to his ear and nipped the lobe. “Oh, and
they’re open crotch.” She sat back and sighed.

The wheel jumped in his hands as he tried to focus.
“I’m confused,” he said.

She patted his leg. “Open crotch is like crotchless.
It doesn’t have one.”

He grabbed her wrist and put her hand on his cock.
“I’m well aware what that means. I was speaking to the fact you
don’t seem to have a problem sleeping with me. But are adamant
about me being in the wrong as far as what I’m trying to do
here.”

“Why can’t the two things be exclusive? I’m not a
prude; I enjoy sex. We’re both consenting adults. If I want to
sleep with you and you do me, what’s wrong with that?”

“Bobby thinks you’re doing it because you’re
vulnerable.”

She flexed her touch around him. “I suppose, in some
sense, I am. You let me get away from it all, and I don’t have to
think on it. Still doesn’t change the fact I won’t move from my
position on selling. Is it a problem for you?”

He slowed when the skies opened up and released the
rain. “No, just wondered.”

“Do me a favor?”

“What?”

“You remember how to get to the old Mickleson
barn?”

“Sure. You want to go there?”

“Yes.” She released him and, to his surprise, laced
her fingers with his.

They dashed through the rain to the barn. The door
creaked as he opened it and allowed her past him. She immediately
took his hand and led him down the aisle, fearless. The aroma of
fresh hay filled the air. While Old Man Mickleson no longer had
animals, he still had a barn full of hay.

“Open it,” she said.

He slid open the large back door. Instantly, the
scent of rain intermixed on the air. He stepped up behind her, his
left hand on her waist, right holding her upper arm and the strap
of her dress that slid easily beneath his touch. She angled her
head to the left, allowing him easier access to her neck.

“What are we doing here?” he whispered.

“Doing what people used to do in high school.”

He kissed her skin. “What’s that?”

“Finding the magic.”

***

Melinda stared at the man outside her door. Toby had
a suspicious grin teasing the corners of his lips as he stood
there, hands in pockets, on her porch. It had been a few days since
their date.

“Something you needed, Latner?”

“Are you busy?”

Her body responded to his nearness. She didn’t blame
it; she still replayed the adventures in the barn repeatedly in her
mind.

“Just cleaning up a bit. What do you need?”

“Do you have a few hours to spare?”

She crossed her arms. “What is going on?”

“Is that a yes?”

She ran over her schedule. She didn’t have anything
pressing to do at the moment. “I’m free for a bit. Why?”

“Put on some shoes and come on.”

Sliding her feet into a pair of sandals beside the
door, she also swiped her keys and stepped outside. The warm sun
shone down and she was grateful for the porch. “Where are we
going?”

“I’m taking you out for a picnic.”

“A what?”

“Picnic. Surely, you’ve heard of them before.
Typically entails eating outside. Possibly on a blanket on the
ground or at a table in a park.” He slid his hand along her upper
arm, guiding her down the steps. “I have everything we need.”

He held the door for her and she got in his Audi. “A
picnic.”

“You’ve been on me about remembering more about
Cottonwood Falls, Mellie. Don’t you recall having them growing
up?”

She curled her lip at his use of Mellie. “I am well
aware what a picnic is and I remember them. What I’m not getting is
why you want to have one with me.”

“Humor me.”

She held up her hands and settled back in the seat.
“Where are we picnicking?”

“The falls.”

He had her attention now. “Really?”

“How long has it been since you’ve been there?”

“Far too long.”

“Why is that?” He put the car on the road and drove
them to the destination.

“Busy.”

“And that means you don’t have time to go there
now?”

“I forget sometimes how beautiful it is out there.
We have the other parks around.”

“I know. Life gets in the way. That’s why I thought
you could use this. Take a break from everything.”

The gesture was very sweet and she appreciated it.
He slowed and began up the road to the falls the town was named
after. She held her arm out the window, enjoying the warmth and the
slight breeze as they traveled along the tree-lined road.

“These cottonwoods must be so old,” she muttered as
she stared up at their leafy branches.

“Pretty sure they are. Beautiful though.”