Love in the City, an erotic romance novel Page 9

  He was pleasantly surprised when she moved towards him. He had expected more of a chaste goodbye at this point. He kept one hand resting across the top of the steering wheel, then draped his other arm across the back of her seat. He was going to let her take the lead in how she wanted their goodnight kiss to go.

  As she kissed him, she again felt a strong attraction to him. It was his looks, his size, his personality, his cologne, the way his lips felt against hers, the way he kissed her, a ton of things that made up a nearly irresistible package. He was such a sensual being.

  “Tonight has been amazing, Giorgio,” she said afterwards, touching his chest. “Kissing you is amazing.”

  “For me, too,” he said.

  “I hope you don’t think…”

  He put a finger to her lips. “If you’re going to apologize for not coming over, please don’t.” He tilted his head and looked at her, warmth evident in his eyes. “I understand. It’s probably the better choice. I was letting myself get ahead of things.”

  She smiled and looked down, still feeling uncertain. “It was probably hard not to...”

  “Shhh…” he said, lifting her chin, “it’s my fault. My desire for you was kicking into high gear. As a guy, it’s kind of hard to think in practical terms in a situation like that.”

  She giggled.

  He smiled, happy that he’d made her feel better. “My body was just trying to take the lead. I don’t want this to be a one-night stand, you know, if that’s what’s worrying you.”

  She nodded. “It was. I didn’t want things to end because I make a mistake and send the wrong message.” She paused for a moment, staring down at her lap. “But I also don’t want you to lose interest in me.”

  “Hey,” he said, touching her chin lightly. He leaned in to kiss to her, a slow, lingering, sensual kiss. Afterwards, he looked directly in her eyes. “Does that seem like I’m losing interest in you?”

  She shook her head. “No.” She felt a big, welcome sense of relief wash over her.

  “Good,” he replied, smiling.

  She looked over at the passenger car door, then back at him out of the corner of her eye, feeling a bit frisky. “So then, if I kiss you again, I won’t be sending the wrong message this time?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Kiss me again, hey? Does that mean you like me and want to see me again?”

  “Big time,” she said, leaning forward and placing her hand suggestively on his thigh. “I am going to kiss you again, Giorgio Tsarkopolis.”

  “Oh,” he said, grinning. He then made a point of glancing down at where her hand was resting on his leg. “And what else might you be doing while you’re kissing me?” he asked in a half-whispered voice. “I mean, I can’t promise you won’t get some kind of response if you plan on doing more than kiss me.”

  She smiled seductively. “Tell you what, to make sure you behave yourself, you keep one hand resting on the steering wheel and the other on the back of my seat, like you had it before. Then, let me take things from there.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said, getting a kick out of her ordering him around. He grinned as he did what she asked. He then opened his legs more, silently inviting her to touch his body however and wherever she wanted. “You can do whatever you want to do. I won’t protest.”

  “Mmmm…excellent,” she said, taking note of his sexually inviting move. She flipped her hair and licked her lips. “I want to give you a proper, memorable goodnight kiss for our first date. But your hands stay were they are, mister.” She gave him a playful wag of her finger.

  “Yes, ma’am. I promise to be a good boy.”

  “Oh, I like the sounds of that,” she whispered to him as she leaned in closer.

  His lips parted and his eyes were half-lidded as he waited for her to make her move on him. “Do to me what you will, Ms. Parker,” he said in a low voice.

  She smiled and pressed her lips to his. She started kissing him slowly and very tenderly.

  As she pressed her lips to his, Giorgio did as she asked and kept his hands where they were to let her guide the moment. He closed his eyes.

  As she continued to kiss him, her hand brushed against his chest. She felt him inhale, surprised at the touch. She applied more pressure as she ran her hand all over his chest, feeling how big and strong and fit he was. She noticed his breathing slowed and deepened, but still he kept his hands in place.

  Loving the feeling of being able to do what she wanted at her own speed without worrying about him making a move, she felt more brazen. She looked at his chest, at the open buttons at the top, and his dark chest hair peeking out. “Hmmm,” she said, “I kinda do want to touch you a little more as well as kiss you.”

  He opened his eyes as his full lips curved into a grin. “I see,” he said, his voice hushed. “I was afraid of that.”

  She grinned at him. “Yes, I definitely want to touch you,” she said as she slipped her fingers under his shirt.

  He looked down at her hand as she undid a button.

  She watched him watching her touch him. She slowly undid a second button, then a third. “That’s better,” she said, as she moved her hand to caress his chest underneath his open shirt.

  He let out a long breath as he kept watch of her movements. He shuddered slightly as her fingers brushed over his nipples.

  She kissed him again, more firmly this time, her hand still inside his shirt feeling his skin, her fingers exploring his nipples.

  His lips were wet, soft, and open.

  Slowly, she slid her hand out and down the rest of the buttons on the front of his shirt, all the way down to his belt buckle.

  He stopped breathing as her hand reached his waist. He glanced down at where it rested.

  She caressed him just above his waistband, grinning mischievously.

  He waited, breathlessly, wondering what she would do next.

  She moved her hand to the far side of his waistband, then down the side of his hip.

  His eyes were fixated on her movements. He pressed his lips together, trying to keep control of himself. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and seatback.

  She noticed his reactions and smiled to herself. Her hand traced a line down his left hip, a few inches down the side of his thigh, then across to his right thigh.

  Still he watched in silence, as his breathing quickened.

  She loved being in control. She moved her hand to the inside of his right thigh, applying a bit more pressure, and then back again.

  He licked his lips.

  Anabelle felt the muscles of his thigh tense as she ran her hand up the top of his thigh, then back out across his right hip. She moved in to kiss him again, deeply this time, her tongue touching his. She heard him moan softly as her hand now moved back down his thigh, dangerously close to the bulge between his legs, and up again in a long, slow stroke.

  His legs parted even more, inviting her in.

  She let out a soft sigh of desire. She craved the feel of his maleness. It was all she could do to not start caressing and rubbing him between his legs. She knew from his body language that he’d let her. She was pretty sure he’d let her do anything she wanted to him right now. Instead, she moved her hand across his waistband, her fingertips slipping just under it and then gripping his belt buckle. She gave it just a hint of a squeeze then looked at him.

  His eyes, framed by long dark lashes, were half-closed as he gazed at her lips, then down to where her hand was provocatively placed. “I’m in your hands, m’lady. Let me know what you need, what you want from me…from my body.” His voice was low and husky. “I’m still trying to behave, but I can’t promise all of me will be for much longer.”

  “Oh,” she said, still holding into his belt buckle, “you intend not to follow orders?”

  He exhaled heavily, his lips now looking rather red and swollen. “You’re making me teeter on the edge…I don’t know how much longer I can hold things back.”

  “Teetering on the edge of what?” she asked
, pretending not to know. She ran her fingers across his belt buckle, teasing him more.

  He looked up at her. “Of exactly what you’d expect with the way you’ve been touching me.”

  She let her fingers drop just below his belt buckle for a second, then she felt him flinch slightly. She knew what that meant. She looked down at his lap. His bulge had grown larger and his hips pushed forward slightly. He was breathing heavier now. She looked back up as he squeezed his eyes closed for a moment. He opened them again. She gave him a sly smile as she noticed the unmistakable look of desire in his eyes.

  He seemed to blush, then dropped his gaze. He pursed his lips and let out a soft moan. He had lost his hold and she knew it.

  She reveled in his reactions to her teasing touch. She loved getting him aroused. He was the sexiest thing she had ever seen. She couldn’t keep her hands off of him. “I just wanted you to know how attracted I am to you. And I want you to look forward to seeing me again. I was worried I’d never hear from you again, so I thought I’d give you some incentive to call again.”

  “Well, you’ve succeeded,” he said, then cleared his throat, “though I was going to anyway.” He didn’t take his eyes off of where she kept her hand, watching her fingers move suggestively across his belt buckle, threatening to undo it. His body tensed. He still didn’t know what she might do next. After what she said earlier, he didn’t want to scare her off by acting on his body’s impulses, but she was making it damn hard on him.

  She desperately wanted to feel him, to get him more aroused, to get his body rock hard. But if she did that, she’d need to take things further. She just wasn’t ready. Reluctantly, she let go and pressed her palm against his body just above the belt buckle. “Good.” She let out a sigh and shook her head, gazing at him from bottom to top. “There’s just something about you that makes it difficult not to want to put my hands all over you. You’re very bad for my self-control.”

  “Uh oh,” he said, his blue eyes swimming with desire, his legs still parted.

  “Exactly,” she said. “Trouble. Big trouble.” She winked at him. “I’d watch out if I were you. I can’t promise not to misbehave a lot more around you.”

  “Hmmm, I’ll have to be careful then,” he kidded her as he closed his legs.

  She giggled.

  “If you’re done running your hands over my body for the night, can I move my arms now?”

  “Yes.”

  He cleared his throat. “I…uh…need a minute,” he said as he leaned his head back and squeezed his eyes closed for a few moments as he tried to slow his breathing down and get his body’s reactions under control. He squirmed, tensing his thighs to fight off the erection she had caused him to have.

  Anabelle just waited, she knew what she had done to him. She felt bad, but she couldn’t help herself. He was just too gorgeous and too sexual for his own good. For her own good.

  Finally, he tilted his head to the side, his face still showing some strain. “You’re a little hard on me, you know.”

  She grinned at the very naughty double meaning of his words. “I know. I’m sorry.”

  He cleared his throat again and shifted in his seat. “I’m going to have to be careful around you.”

  “Probably a good idea,” she said, biting her lip.

  He took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. “I know it’s short notice and maybe you’ve had enough of me,” he said teasingly as he reached out for her hand, “but would you be interested in catching a movie tomorrow night?”

  Her eyes lit up. “I’d love to!”

  “Good,” he said. “I’d like to spend more time with you.” He then grinned at her. “Plus it’s dark in movie theaters. I might let your hands wander all over my body again.”

  “Mmmm,” she said. “I like the sounds of that. Very much.” She gave him one last kiss, then sighed heavily. “I’d better go, my kitty Jasper’s waiting. He’ll be feeling pretty lonely by now.”

  He let out a long pretend sigh. “I get teased all to hell, then another man gets to cuddle close to you all night. Not fair.”

  “Well, he was here first. And he’s quite handsome, too, I have to admit. He’s pretty irresistible.”

  “That’s fine, I can handle a little competition. I’ll just have to get in his good books so he lets me near his mommy from time to time.”

  She laughed. “Sounds like a good plan. Goodnight, Giorgio.”

  “Goodnight, beautiful,” he said as he watched her get out of the car and get safely into her apartment building.

  She turned around and waved.

  He waved back.

  She heard his powerful engine pull away as she ascended the stairs. This had been one of the most magical, memorable, and titillating nights of her life. She couldn’t wait to see him again.

  Chapter 12

  Anabelle was all aglow the next day anticipating the plans Giorgio had made with her to see a movie later that evening. She was reveling in the intensely exciting and romantic connection they had made last night. It had taken her a long time to fall asleep, she kept thinking of his touch, the way his lips felt on hers, where she touched his body, the feel of him, how much she wanted more of him. She was completely captivated, entranced, and drawn to this man that she had only recently met. He had taken on an overwhelming presence in her life. She was already falling for him. Hard.

  The morning went by agonizingly slow. She couldn’t focus, couldn’t think of anything else but Giorgio as she replayed every moment from their first date last night and how erotic things were at times. Finally, she decided she’d go outside at lunch and walk off some of her pent up energy and try to clear her head.

  She took her lunch break, walking out into the bright sunny day, feeling like she was walking on clouds, and passed by Coffee Haven. She smiled when she saw the place, thinking of how instrumental it was in her current happy place. Her heart swelled at the magic it had brought into her life, albeit indirectly. She felt a surge of gratitude for the lucky happenstance.

  She was about to carry on with her lunchtime stroll, when she stopped and thought for a moment. She looked back at Coffee Haven and had an idea. “He’s surprised me a few times now,” she whispered to herself, “maybe it’s my turn.” She smiled and went inside. She ordered two coffees, one tall and black. If he’s too busy working, she thought, then it’s not a big loss. It’s just a coffee. She’d still enjoy hers, but maybe it’d be a fun surprise and a nice turnabout.

  Coffees in a cardboard tray in hand, she walked over to his building, enjoying the warm sunshine on her face. She felt good. She was excited at the thought of seeing him again. She arrived at the building. She had never been inside before. She looked up, impressed at the big sign overhead. Tsar Enterprises. He wasn’t only gorgeous and sexy and into her, he was off-the-charts successful in business. Her heart skipped a beat, thinking of Giorgio’s passionate kiss. Looking forward to another.

  She walked up the stairs, through the revolving doors and into a grand, sweeping lobby with towering marble columns. In the center of the lobby was a circular staircase with an intricate wrought iron railing. It led up to the mezzanine. She could hear voices, laughter and music coming from up there and it was drenched in sunlight. Must be a skylight, she thought. She looked around, spotting the elevator banks at the far end of the lobby, past a security desk. People were coming and going. It was a busy building. She looked up again, curious about the building. She looked at her watch. She had plenty of time. She wanted to see a little more before she tried to find Giorgio. See some of what his work world was like.

  There was an escalator next to the circular stairway, but she decided to head up the stairs, to get the effect and to see more of the building as she did. It was impressive. The marble columns soared to the ceiling of the mezzanine, emphasizing power and glamour all at once. She took in the sights and sounds. She spotted high-end stores on the mezzanine level. Tiffany. Gucci. Chanel. Prada. Christian Louboutin. Cartier. It was like walking into
a different world, filled with rarefied air. She was suddenly self-conscious again in her non-designer clothes. She took a deep breath and tried to push the negative thoughts out of her mind.

  She stepped out onto the open space. It was bustling with the lunch-time crowd. She made her way through, curious. She walked by the stores, by a Coffee Stars outlet, past a quartet playing some tasteful jazz music for the audience gathered round. She walked to the far end. There was a popular restaurant there, named Ricardo’s, with an indoor patio. Nice place, she thought. She walked over to check out the menu and see if it was a place she could afford to go for lunch one day.

  Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice. She looked to the right, where she thought it was coming from. She spotted a couple sitting at a table under a tree adorned with festive white lights. It was him. Sitting with a beautiful blonde. She was momentarily stunned.

  “Giorgio,” she whispered under her breath. She felt exposed. She looked around. There were some benches placed around the indoor courtyard. She spotted an empty seat near a tree and wastebasket. It would provide a little cover. She hurried over before someone else took it. She sat down and placed her coffees underneath the seat between her feet. She looked around, feeling conspicuous, as though everyone could read her mind. But no one paid any attention to her. They were all too busy going about their business in their super-rushed lives.

  She looked over at the table. Giorgio’s back was to her. The blonde woman was staring intently at him. They were engaged in deep conversation. The waiter came by, but got quickly waved off. Giorgio and the woman were both leaning in over the table towards one another. Anabelle felt sick. It looked like more than a simple business lunch. The two of them were oblivious to anyone or anything else around them.

  The woman was elegantly dressed with an enviable figure, long shapely legs, and four-inch Louboutin heels. Her silky blonde hair cascaded down her back. She had high cheekbones and possessed the look of a model.

  Anabelle felt her face flush. She couldn’t take her eyes off of them and she couldn’t stop comparing herself to this woman. Both she and Giorgio were in a completely different league from her. She felt small and was frustrated at not knowing what was going on, but chided herself because she had only been on one date with this guy. However, he wasn’t just any guy. He was amazing and gorgeous and smart and persistent and he’d made a big deal out of being interested in her. Or at least he was pretending to be. At this moment, she wasn’t sure what was going on. She felt guilty for watching them, but she couldn’t make herself look away. She wanted to know, to understand who this guy might be and what his relationship to this woman was.