Since I didn’t make it back to the office, Jessie told me to go straight home. I unlocked my apartment at 5:30, I had some time to get ready. Firstly, I needed a hot shower. I walked into the bedroom and unzipped the dress bag, I pulled out the garment. I was in awe. It was beautiful, a simple knee length black off the shoulder dress, a thin silver belt around the waist. It was stylish, yet sexy. Jessie had amazing taste in clothes. I hung the dress on the door of my closet and pulled out my phone. I needed to call her and thank her. Unlocking the screen, I noticed I had a message from Triston.
*I hope your day wasn’t too tiring, Miss Reid. See you in a couple of hours. T*
I didn’t know what to think, he had my mind whirling with thoughts I don’t think I should be having. Between him and Bash, I was sure going to have my hands full. Although, I had completely forgotten to get Bash’s details. The only thing I knew about him was that he worked for a coffee company and an amazing coffee company at that! I suppose I would see him over the next few days at the event.
*It was busy, as expected, I look forward to dinner. E*
Shower time. I made my way to my modern bathroom. I loved the spa bath and large shower. Stripping down, turning on the shower, I waited for it to heat up and stepped into the hot welcome spray. I closed my eyes and saw those beautiful hazel eyes. I thought about Bash. His rugged exterior, the flirtatious smile and those naughty eyes that seemed to sparkle. He definitely was handsome.
The hot water was calming and I felt relaxed when I stepped out. Grabbing a towel, I dried off and wrapped myself in my bathrobe. Walking back to the kitchen I turned on the kettle and walked back to the bedroom to find shoes to pair with my dress. I had about an hour left to get ready, plenty of time. My phone beeped from the bed. I picked it up and unlocked the screen.
*Have a good dinner. He is in an exceptionally good mood today… I wonder why ;)*
Jessie did think that Triston liked me, I wasn’t so sure. I still had reservations about dating the boss, I mean that’s not a professional thing to do. I made a cup of green tea and got ready.
—∆—
I walked downstairs, knowing Triston was in the car right outside this door made my heart race. I took a deep breath before opening it.
I had never seen him outside of office hours and I genuinely wasn’t sure what to expect. He always seemed calm and collected at work, I wondered if he was like that normally. I opened the entrance door to the street and my breath hitched. I saw him leaning against the passenger door. He looked breathtaking. His shoulder length hair was shining. Dressed in black slacks, black leather unzipped boots. A silver shirt, with the first few buttons undone, completed the look.
“Don’t you scrub up beautifully, Miss Reid?” He smiled as he took in my appearance. He turned to open the door for me. “Thank you, Mr Hart, the dress is beautiful, Jessie’s choice is perfect.” I slid into the passenger seat.
“Actually, I chose it,” he said and closed the door, my heart hammered against my rib cage. I can’t believe he chose my dress! He slid into the drivers’ seat and looked over at me. I felt self-conscious under his gaze. “Well, you have good taste in women’s clothing Mr Hart. As well as sizing,” making a point of the fact that he had chosen a size that fitted me perfectly.
“It seems I do.” His gaze traveled over my body appreciatively and he smirked. His stare had my stomach doing flip flops and my heart thudded so hard in my throat. He started the engine, pulling out into the road and sped off.
He leaned forward to turn on the radio. I gazed down at his hands, they were so smooth, with prominent veins pulsing just below the skin. They looked so soft and I felt the need to touch them. The song started and I recognized it from my running playlist. Pia Mia’s song ‘Do It Again’ was good, I loved her voice, I listened to the lyrics and blushed. I sat back as we made our way through the traffic. “So what made you move to New York?” He asked over the music.
“I have always wanted to run off to the big city and make a name for myself. I finished university and I suppose life kind of got in the way of my dreams for a while.” I trailed off not wanting to share the painful details that brought me here.
“Life? Yea, it has a funny way of fucking up your dreams. At least you’re here now?” He reached over and touched my knee, I felt sparks surging through my body. He pulled his hand away quickly. “Sorry…” he mumbled and put both hands on the wheel. He gripped it so tight I could see his knuckles turn white and the veins pulse. “So what happened to make you finally follow your dreams?” He glanced over at me. I shook my head in response, everything seemed so fresh in my mind that I couldn't find the words to explain. “Can we not talk about this now?” I looked into those steel-blue eyes, hoping he would let it go. He nodded and turned his eyes back to the road.
—∆—
Triston pulled into a parking spot right outside the restaurant. It looked like a quiet little place, I felt relieved. I was definitely not in the mood for a bustling restaurant to get to know him. I looked over at him again, he looked so casual yet sophisticated, as well as handsome at the same time. He looked like he would fit in anywhere.
He got out and came around to the passenger side. Opening my door, he held out his hand. I slipped mine in his and felt my skin tingle with an electric current surging through me. His hand was so smooth, soft and warm.
We walked alongside each other to the door, he stepped aside allowing me to enter first. A perfect gentleman at all times. He walked up to the manager, “Mr Hart, I have a reservation for 2 for 7 pm.”
The manager smiled and nodded. “Please, this way sir…”
We followed the manager to a private table at the back of the restaurant. Triston pulled out my chair and grabbed my coat as I shrugged it off. His fingertips brushed my shoulders and the hair on the nape of my neck stood on end. I felt goosebumps rise across my skin. He handed it to the manager who proceeded to place our menus and the wine list on the table. “Your waiter will be with you in a few moments,” the manager smiled and walked off.
“Do you drink?” Triston’s blue gaze was on me again, my stomach fluttered. I nodded, “I do, I didn’t think you did?” He always struck me as such a serious person, I couldn’t imagine him drinking at all. “I do, only on special occasions, though, like tonight. Would you like a glass of wine? Unless you’re a beer girl?” He had a naughty smile that crinkled his nose, which made him look like a naughty little boy.
“Dry red wine please.” He nodded and looked at the wine list while I picked up the food menu. I glanced at his face over the top of my menu, he was definitely perfect. A lanky dark-haired waiter appeared at our table. “Good evening, I am James, I will be your waiter this evening, if there is anything you need, please let me know.”
Triston looked up and gave him a gracious smile. “James, please bring us a bottle of your Lenz Estate Merlot 2007 vintage. Give us some more time for the food order.” James nodded with a small smile and retreated with the wine list.
Triston turned his gaze to me. I didn’t look up from my menu, but I could feel his eyes as he observed me for a few moments before speaking. “Did you have a good day Miss Reid?”
I looked up and smiled, “It was busy, but productive Mr Hart. Are we going to keep with the formalities tonight?” I asked him, curiosity getting the better of me.
His face changed to an amused smirk, “I just didn’t want to put pressure on you by assuming this was a date. I don’t do dates, as I am sure Jessie would have mentioned when you two gossip.”
My mouth fell open. “We do not gossip!” He laughed, a carefree look on his face, he seemed relaxed. I shook my head, my dark brown eyes meeting his steel-blue stare. I felt a flutter in my stomach and my eyes fell to his clasped hands which rested on the table. He looked so calm, nothing seemed to faze him. His emotions in check at all times, I wished I felt half as calm as he looked. “I didn’t feel any pressure, Mr Hart, I am a big girl, I can take care of myself you know.”
His eyes glinted with something, I couldn’t tell what it was, but his smile deepened. “Oh, Miss Reid I am well aware of that. Running away from home to a big city is definitely proof of taking care of yourself.” I felt a tug in my abdomen from the dark look in his eyes.
James returned with our wine and proceeded to open the bottle, “Shall I pour a taster sir?” Triston nodded and watched the dark red wine flow into his glass. He picked it up and took a small sip. Mesmerized by his movements, slow, sensual and sexy. My mind boggled at how a man can be so perfect. I was blatantly staring at him.
“Perfect James, please go ahead…” he motioned for James to fill my glass. The wine was the color of garnet, almost black in the dim light of the restaurant. Once James filled our glasses, he retreated once more. He mumbled that he would be back shortly to take the food order.
Triston picked up his glass. “I want to welcome you to the company Miss Reid, I trust we will have a fulfilling… relationship.” He stopped short and I felt the tension thick in the air, it was consuming, just like he was. I picked up my glass and clinked his. Our eyes locked in a stand-off, I wasn't looking away and neither was he. The air prickled with an underlying current.
“Thank you for hiring me Mr Hart. It’s a dream to work for an internationally recognized company like yours.” He smiled, his eyes creased. I stared at him. I knew I shouldn’t be, but I couldn’t look away. There was something in his smile that drew me in. I felt consumed by his ethereal beauty. Lifting his glass, keeping eye contact with me, he took a sip of his wine. My eyes fell to his lips, he pulled the glass away and I watched the blood red liquid stain his soft lips. I ached to kiss them in such a way that it almost hurt. I wanted to taste the wine from his lips.
He licked his lips and I watched his tongue move over his bottom lip then the top. A fire furiously burned inside me. I ached to feel his tongue, I squirmed in my seat. I could see his eyes flicker with the recognition of the effect he was having on me. He is aware of what he was doing, and enjoying it.
“So,” he broke the spell. My eyes fell to my glass. “Tell me about yourself? Your family, what do you enjoy doing besides running around after clients?” I looked into his eyes again. He wants to talk about my family? After what he just did to me? How was I meant to concentrate?
I wondered if he could squirm, I dared myself to find out. I wanted to play his game, I wanted to challenge him. Before I answered him, I took a sip of wine. Licking my lips, tasting the rich fruity flavor. I noticed his gaze falling on my mouth. His eyes followed the movement of my tongue like a hunter watching his prey. We both knew the game being played, he seemed to enjoy making me squirm, but I knew I could give as good as he gave. Something in his eyes changed. I noticed the color deepening, the cerulean was darkening to a midnight blue.
I smiled, “I grew up in a small town, nowhere near as exciting as New York. I am an only child. What do I enjoy besides work? Well, uh… I guess I love being outdoors. Walking, hiking, anything that spikes the adrenaline. And you?” I smiled at his intrigued gaze.
“Mmmm… I do know of a lot of activities that can spike the adrenaline.” His smile was dark and devilish. I felt a flush on my cheeks, the apex between my thighs responded too, aching with need for this man.
“Oh I am sure you do, Mr Hart,” I tried to sound calm, but I think he could tell that I was far from calm. This was my boss for god sake what was wrong with me! What was wrong with him! I needed fresh air, the tension between us was too intense, almost magnetic.
“What about you?” I looked at him expectantly, changing the subject.
He shrugged, his long slender fingers trailed the stalk of the glass. An image of his fingers trailing my arms caused a shiver to run down my spine. “Well, I quite enjoy the outdoors myself. So much fun can be had in nature.” He looked up and his eyes had taken on a dark blue hue that filled with an invitation. I definitely wanted to find out where to.
James chose that moment to interrupt us, a thankful interruption it was, “What can I get you folks, to eat?” Triston looked over at me.
“You trust me?” I nodded and he proceeded to order the starters and mains. Once James had taken the order, he grabbed our menus and disappeared.
“You were saying?” I edged Triston on, hoping I could learn more about this mysterious man. I took another sip of wine. I watched his gaze flicker and as I predicted they fell on my mouth again. I licked my lips, his eyes blazed a dark electric blue.
“Would you stop that?” He asked seriously looking up and meeting my dark brown eyes.
I feigned an innocent look, “Stop what?” He shook his head and smirked. The restaurant had a lively buzz now and I felt more at ease with other people around.
“You really are…” he stopped suddenly and picked up the bottle of wine, filling my glass and then his.
“I am?” I asked jokingly.
“You do realize that I am your boss?” His expression one of amusement, his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Did you forget that little nugget of information? While you sit there distracting me with your mouth. Miss Reid.”
I shrugged and watched his steel-blue eyes return to normal, “I do realize you’re my boss, Mr Hart. I do hope you realize that I was merely drinking my wine, it’s not my fault you’re staring at my mouth when I did so.” His gaze locked on mine and we stared at each other, I felt the fire flare inside me. It was a feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time. It was an ache I needed to extinguish because it was for my boss. I could see the amusement dance in his eyes, his lips curved into a mischievous smirk.
“Are you going to tell me about you? Or would you like me to beg?”
His smile grew and I saw a naughty glint in his eyes again. “Oh, Miss Reid. I would give anything to hear you beg.” His voice a deep husky whisper. Hot molten lava trickled from my abdomen collecting between my legs. I squirmed in my chair, squeezing my thighs together tightly, hoping to numb the ache.
I raised the glass to my lips. I licked the wine on the rim of the glass, my hands were trembling and I hoped he didn’t notice. I took a mouthful of wine and wet my bottom lip, his eyes flared with a need that I myself felt at that moment. We were definitely playing the same game and I was loving it.
His gaze flitted away and he looked around the restaurant. He took a deep breath. I could see him struggling with his emotions. I wondered what turmoil was raging inside his calm exterior.
James brought the starters. A platter of olives, hummus, flat bread, crumbed mushrooms and some other dips. With a quick “Enjoy,” he scuttled off.
—∆—
The evening went by much the same, with a casual chat about work and clients. Between the mundane chatter about work we still played our game, I was enjoying it. There was something about him that made me think he didn’t like me challenging him. Which made me want to do it so much more, I was stubborn like that! Tell me not to do something and trust that I will do it as much as I could.
As we walked out to the car after dinner, I felt Triston’s hand on my lower back guiding me in the direction of the car. His fingertips sent sparks through my body and I shivered. The fire in my stomach flared at his touch. I was sure that this was something I would not get rid of anytime soon. His touch was commanding yet gentle. He was so used to being in control, I wonder if he ever let someone else take the lead.
He opened the passenger door for me and I slid into the soft leather seat of the black SUV. Triston got into the driver’s seat and turned the engine on. “Did you enjoy dinner?” He turned to look at me.
“Yes, it was amazing, who knew vegan food can be that good!” His laugh lit his face up in the handsomest way. I saw that boyish charm and a wave of emotion washed over me. I realized I wanted him to kiss me. At that moment, I didn’t care if he was my boss or not. I wanted this man with a ferocity that I hadn't ever felt.
He pulled out of the parking space and drove in the direction of my apartment. The night was over and I felt sad, I wished we had more time. We hadn’t spoken about his family and I wanted to know more about him. I decided to take the plunge and ask him. “So, where are your family? All in New York?”
He shook his head, “No, my mom lives in LA, I don’t think she will ever leave and I have a brother. We uh… We don't get along.” I frowned, he had my attention now.
“You have a brother?” He nodded but didn’t elaborate. His hesitancy made me decide to let it go. There was a story, but I didn’t want to push it and upset him. We both reached forward at the same time to turn on the stereo. My hand brushed against his, electricity sparked through my arm and I pulled away. My skin on fire from his touch. “Sorry, I…” Why was I apologizing? I was tingling. He glanced at me and smiled.
“It’s okay,” he turned the radio on and sat back speeding down the empty city streets.
—∆—
He pulled up outside my apartment complex. Turning off the engine he got out of the car. Making his way around to my side he opened the door. Smiling at him as I got out of the car, he took my hand. I wasn’t sure what to say or do. Normally at the end of a date there’s a kiss. I didn’t think that would happen with Triston. He closed and locked the car behind him. I walked a few steps ahead, but I could feel his presence at my back.
He caught up to me and his hand once more found the spot on the small of my back. We walked up to the entrance of my apartment building. I stopped and turned to face him. “Mr Hart, thank you for the evening, I enjoyed dinner.” I took my keys out of my bag and looked up. He had stopped in front of me. He smiled, it was a genuine smile and my heart raced. I wondered if he would kiss me. I wanted to tease him one last time and licked my lips. My teeth chewing on my bottom lip, I saw his gaze fall on my mouth. As it did so often this evening.
“For god sake Miss Reid, I told you not to do that!”
He grabbed my face between his soft smooth hands and I gasped at how warm they were. His face inches from mine. I inhaled his soft scent, it was hypnotizing as it consumed me completely. “You need to NOT do that, please?” The turmoil in his eyes was evident.
“Why?” I whispered, challenging him even in the state I was currently in, at his mercy.
“Close your eyes,” he growled. I did as he said, my body trembling in anticipation. I felt his hot breath on my face and felt the hot wet tip of his tongue on my lower lip, tasting me. I moaned involuntarily. The knot tightened in my belly.
As quickly as it happened, it stopped, he released my face and stepped back. “I apologize; I shouldn’t have… I better go.” He spun on his heel and ran back to the car, I stood in shock. I watched him get in the car and pull away.
Reeling from the feel of his tongue, the heat of his breath and the intoxicating scent of him. The ache between my legs tugged and I needed to find some release. What just happened?
I unlocked the door and stepped into the entrance of the apartment block. The door shut behind me as I made my way up the stairs. My lip tingled, I licked it and tasted him on me and the fire flared uncontrollably. I unlocked my apartment door frustrated, turning on the light I shut the door behind me with a loud bang. I leaned back against it taking a deep breath. Closing my eyes and feeling his warm breath. I felt his tongue and shivers ran through my body.
How was I meant to go to work tomorrow and act like that never happened?