Im in, she said. Thank you. And good night.
He could see, now, that hed made her uneasy. He hadnt meant to. It was this new, dark and dangerous evil twin inside him that had done it by refusing to let her dismiss him. And it was the evil twin who leaned over and stole a kiss.
He didnt touch her with anything but his lips. She could have backed off at any time, kicked him in the shins, screamed, whatever she wanted. But she just stood there, passively accepting the light pressure of his mouth against her soft, soft lips. Other than a telltale quiver and the flutter of her tentative hand against his chest, she didnt react.
But he did. That dozing beast inside him opened both eyes wide and snorted to life. He felt the tightness in his groin, the pleasurable curls of desire warming his belly.
Suddenly Angela lost her balance. The door closed behind her, and she fell against it, breaking the kiss.
For a moment all she could do was stare at him, her eyes smoky with desire but wary as hell. Did he blame her?
Please she said.
Pleasewhat?
I cant ask you inside.
He ran one forefinger along her jaw. You could if you wanted, he whispered, amazed at his own bravado. He was acting like one of those guys in the movies he hated, the ones who were so damn sure of their sex appeal that it never entered their minds that a woman might not be willing. He considered himself confident when it came to the opposite sex, but not pushy.
I dont even know you!
But you trust me just the same.
Unwillingly, it seemed, she nodded. On some level she must have sensed that he was one of those serve-and-protect types, not a taker or a defiler of women, despite his cocksureness.
When she made no further move to escape, but just stared at him with an expression he couldnt read, he finally figured it out. She was his for the taking. She couldnt ask him in, because she was a nice girl, and nice girls didnt ask strange men into their apartments. But if he invited himself, she wouldnt turn him away.
Hed accomplished Bobby Rays mission, and it had been surprisingly easy. She was his, at least for this night.
Somehow, that realization didnt make him feel overjoyed. Yeah, maybe he could sweet-talk his way into her bedroom, and they could spend one awesome night indulging in mindless sex. But that would be the end of it. Instinctively, he knew that.
She deserved better than that. Much as it pained him, he would have to deny himself the pleasures of Angelas bodyfor a while, anyway.
He cupped her face between his palms and kissed her again, as if he meant it. This time she was anything but passive. She tilted her head and opened her mouth, eagerly accepting the thrust of his tongue. She put her arms around him, drawing his body closer until they were hip to hip, chest to chest.
He wanted more than anything to remove the barrier of clothing between them, to lie beside Angela and feel her warm, smooth flesh all up and down his own body, to explore every inch of her with his hands and mouth. It took all his willpower to pull away.
She looked up at him, questioning, breathing hard.
He brushed one last kiss on her forehead. I have to go. Good night, Angela.
She swallowed. Good night, then.
He turned and walked toward his bike without a backward glance, though he ached from his toes to his scalp. Delaying gratification would make it that much better, he told himself, hoping he hadnt messed this thing up royally. What if, by tomorrow, shed come to her senses and wanted nothing to do with him?
But as long as he remained her dark and dangerous fantasy man, she would be interested. He was counting on that.
Hey! Angela called out, startling him. You never told me your name!
He waved goodbye, but he didnt answer her.
Chapter Two
Angela walked to work the next morning. She could have called Phoebe or Victoria to give her a lift; both of them lived nearby. But she didnt think she could face either of them just yet. What if they asked her how shed gotten home last night when her car had broken down?
So she walked. The weather was cool and crisp, and the forty-five-minute urban hike helped clear her head.
She had no idea what had gotten into her last night. The moment shed seen that dangerous-looking man approach, she should have run like a rabbit. Shed learned in a self-defense class that avoiding conflict was a womans first, best defense. But no, shed stood there like a deer blinded by headlights.
Getting on the back of his motorcycle had been sheer insanity. She hated motorcycles. They were dangerous. Though she had to admit her mystery man was a good riderhe hadnt lied about that. The large bike gave a surprisingly smooth ride, and once shed figured out how to lean into the turns and move her body in sync with his, shed found herself enjoying the trip.
That didnt change the fact that shed thought nothing of throwing her arms around a complete stranger, pressing herself against his back and inhaling that sexy, soap-and-starch smell of him. Shed almost been sorry when they reached her building.
By the time she climbed off the bike, her senses had been so full of him she could hardly stand up straight. And when hed leaned down to kiss her, any semblance of control shed maintained had faded into the warm spring night.
He never should have assumed she would be receptive to his advances just because hed helped her out of a jam. Yet he had, and damn it, hed been right. Any sane woman would have slapped him silly. But that reaction wouldnt have made sense in her case, not when shed been consumed with lust herself.
If hed been a cad, hed have taken advantage of the situation and had his wicked way with her.
Oh, why didnt he? she asked, not realizing shed spoken aloud until a woman waiting on the corner with her for the light to change gave her a funny look. The realization that she would have made love to a man after less than an hours acquaintance rocked her to her foundations. But she couldnt deny the regret weighing down her heart.
She was so flustered she had to concentrate to remember the way to work.
When she reached the clinic it was still early, so she ducked into the doughnut shop across the street and bought a dozen glazed twists for the office. By the time she returned to the clinic, most of the office staff had arrived. Her pastries were greeted with enthusiasm and gratitude, distracting everyone so she could slip into her office.
But her luck didnt hold out. She was just unlocking her office door when she was accosted by Phoebe and Victoria.
Hey, Angie, Phoebe said. We were wondering where you were. We saw your car, but you werent here.
I ducked into the doughnut shop, she said. Theres a box of glazed twists in the break room. She hoped theyd take the hint, but they followed her right into her office like a couple of puppies.
Phoebe found a perch on the edge of Angelas massage table. So, anything interesting going on in your life?
Angie gave an indifferent shrug.
If they only knew! Did it show on her face? she wondered. Did her obsession with the mystery man ooze out of her pores? She studied her fingernails with casual indifference, then pulled out a nail file and went to work. Ragged nails were anathema to a massage therapist.
When we saw your car, Victoria said, and the clinic was still locked, we were worried.
Shoot. She might as well fess up, or they were going to pick the truth out of her. Shed never been much good at keeping secrets. Actually, last night is when you should have been worried. My car didnt start, and you two buzzed out of the lot so fast you didnt even notice.
In unison, they gasped melodramatically.
Oh, Angie, honey, were so sorry! Phoebe said. What did you do?
She took a deep breath. Confession was good for the soul, right? A Good Samaritan gave me a ride home.
Phoebe and Victoria exchanged a glance.
You got into a car with a perfect stranger? Victoria asked, sounding more intrigued than disapproving.
He, um
He? Phoebe repeated, arching one suggestive eyebrow.
Angela ignored her. He was riding a motorcycle, actually.
A motorcycle! the two other women squealed together.
Look, he was very nice, he dropped me off at my door and now Im calling the motor club. She stood and opened the office door, gesturing for her friends to beat it. If you please? I have a client scheduled in ten minutes.
They looked a bit bewildered, but they left. Angela closed the door and sank back into her chair. How could oneOkay, two little kisses completely destroy her composure?
God, those were the best kisses. Theyd been not just a turn-on, theyd transformed her, melted her into an abject pool of acquiescence. What was she to do with a man like that? Not that shed ever get a chance to do anything, she reminded herself. He was gone forever, and she hadnt even gotten his name. He probably liked it that way. No telling how many foolish women hed have trailing after him if he gave out his name and phone number like so much candy.
Maybe she should have invited him in. At least she would have been taking back some of her normal control. Last night she had felt about as far out of control as she could ever remember.
Wearily she dialed the motor club for a tow to her regular mechanic. When they asked for her license plate number, she couldnt remember it.
Um, just one second, Ill have to look it up, she said. She put the call on hold, then went to her window, which faced the parking lot. What she saw there took her breath away. The hood of her car was open, and a man was leaning over working on the engine, giving her a fabulous view of his butt. And what a butt.
Though she couldnt see his face, she knew who her mystery mechanic was. Her heart leapt with joy. She was being given a second chance to be foolish, and she was deliriously happy.
She grabbed up the receiver. Uh, never mind. The problem with my car seems to have taken care of itself. She hung up and ran out of her office, not even bothering to explain to Terri where she was going in such a hurry as she sped past the receptionists desk.
Angela paused at the exterior door to catch her breath. What was she going to say? It might pay to be prepared, to have a plan so she wouldnt fly by the seat of her pants like last night.
She would be completely in control this time. That was her plan. She wouldnt let him lead her into anything she wasnt ready for.
The question remained, thoughwhat exactly was she ready for?
Youve never felt carried away by the moment? Terris question at lunch the other day haunted Angela. Shed remained a virgin all these years because shed never been faced with a compelling enough reason to change her status. Was this bad-boy Good Samaritan her compelling reason?
Maybe. But she absolutely was not going to rush into anything. She would get to know him first, find out exactly what sort of person he was.
Squaring her shoulders, she emerged from the building and walked resolutely into the parking lot. She approached the man quietly, because she wanted the element of surprise on her side, but somehow he sensed her sneaking up on him. He straightened and turned, a lazy smile brightening his foreboding features.
Good morning.
Hi, she returned. For the first time, she felt a bit irritated with his high-handedness. She hadnt given him permission to work on her car. How did you get my hood open?
I have my ways.
Ye gods. Her stomach fluttered. He looked good this morning in black jeans and a dark green cotton shirt rolled up at the sleeves. Overlooking that, it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to cease and desist, that she would take care of her own car, thank you very much.
But he spoke again. I think I have the problem fixed. Want to give it a try?
The drivers door was already unlocked. As he closed the hood, she slid behind the wheel and felt around for the spare key she kept under the floor mat. Yes, there it was. She cranked the ignition, and the car started up immediately, the engine humming smoothly. In truth, it sounded a lot better than it had in months.
She shut it off and got out again. What did you do to it?
Fixed the distributor. There were some, er, loose connections. Then I tuned it up. You need an oil change.
Thanks very much, she said, meaning it. Shed had several unexpected expenses the past couple of months, and she couldnt really afford a big car repair bill. Can I pay you for your trouble?
Consider it a favor between friends.
We arent friends, she was quick to point out. I dont even know your name.
Vic. Vic Steadman.
Finally. She repeated the name several times in her head, trying to decide if it suited him. It was a sturdy-sounding name. What had she been expecting, something scary? Blade Black, maybe, or Dirk Danger?
Okay, Vic. She shook hands with him, which seemed silly after the steamy kiss theyd shared last night. Then again, this guy could make a handshake an erotic experience.
He gathered up a few tools hed left on the ground and stuck them into the storage compartment on the back of his cycle. If you really want to reward me for my hard work, he said, I can think of ways that dont involve cash.
She gasped at his audacity.
Have dinner with me, he added quickly before she could stomp off in a snit.
I have to work late again, she said, almost grateful for the excuse. She wasnt ready for an entire evening alone with him.
Well make it a late dinner.
How about lunch instead? she hedged. Lunch seemed much less threatening. They could talk, get to know each other
Ill pick you up at ten tonight.
She would have protested, but he looked at her with such utter confidence that her objections withered. This was a man used to getting his way.
Without another word he left, climbing on board his cycle and rumbling off with a careless wave in her direction.
All right, so he was an alpha male. Such men made good leaders. They ran corporations and governments. They usually had all the women they could handle. One thing they didnt do was make good husbands, not for a woman who believed in equality between the sexes, mutual sharing and all that.
He doesnt want to marry you, Angela grumbled to herself. If she took this thing any further, she had to face the fact that this was a man to enjoy fabulous sex with. Any further expectations on her part would be ludicrous.
She wasnt the type of person to have a fling. At least, shed never been before. But maybe mind-blowing sex was something she ought to experience before she settled down to marriage, home and family, which she intended to do sometime in the next few years. Her friends certainly waxed enthusiastically about their various liaisons.