Chapter Thirteen
The rest of the afternoon went similarly. There were only three cases in which ultimate punishment need be seriously applied. It was three cases too many in his opinion. Really, what was so difficult about adhering to some simple laws? What made a vampire willing to put his life on the line for a small infraction?
In his opinion he was far too generous his first day. However, he would ease his way in. He would catch on to the rhythm of things and be able to exert more influence.
Yes. He would fit in well here.
It was late afternoon before he made it back to his office. They had heard a total of seven cases that afternoon. That was a pretty good pace. But then again three of them had been cut and dried and two had barely been worth their time. He realized that not every afternoon would move at such a speedy, productive clip.
Committee days were not every day. Most of his time would rightly be spent at the queen's side. The reasoning was twofold. One, to protect and serve her. Two, to advise and support her and to keep abreast of all important issues in the vampire nation. Vampires served a five-day week, just as humans did, taking the weekend off…ideally. If Simone was anything like Leopold, she would have a hard time shutting off from her work…and being queen was no doubt a twenty-four/seven occupation.
Marcus crossed the reception area in front of Simone’s office and gave a wink to Darcy.
“She in there?” he asked.
“Always,” Darcy said with a sigh.
“Mind if I…?”
“Go right in,” she said.
Marcus grinned and walked up to the double wooden doors leading into Simone’s office. He hesitated only briefly before going in, taking a moment to put on his best professional face. He had been thinking about her nearly nonstop since he had left her that morning. He continually kept getting flashes of memory that would distract him at the damnedest times. The smell of her hair. The smooth feel of her thigh. The weight of her lush breast. The succulent way she tasted. All of this would swell in his head until he found himself daydreaming. He’d been caught out twice during committee today for the distracting thoughts. Nothing anyone really noticed…just brief flashes of interference.
He opened the door to her office and walked in.
The first thing to hit him was the smell of her perfume. She wore a sultry scent that mixed potently with her body chemistry, making the aroma uniquely hers. Since she had spent so many hours cooped up nonstop in her office that day the scent was concentrated.
The next thing to hit him was the sight of her. She was standing beside her desk, her back to him, bending at the waist to replace her shoe on her foot. Why it was off in the first place he had no idea, but what it resulted in was a fine view of her derriere and the long length of her hair hanging in the open air, a gleaming curtain of red-gold.
She straightened, her foot lowering to the floor, and turned to see who had entered her office. Upon the sight of him she went notably still. Her eyes raked over him from head to toe and he felt an immediate and visceral response. That was no ordinary look. It was a hungry one. She was looking at him with great appetite…and he responded in kind.
He forgot all about being professional. He crossed the room in just a few long strides and caught hold of her around the back of her neck, under her hair. He drew her up to his mouth, hesitating only briefly in order to trade request and permission in their clashed gazes. He then fell against her lips, kissing her hotly, devouring her slowly.
She responded just as feverishly, her tongue tangling with his. Her body surged up against his, all of her lush, delicious curves meeting the harder planes of his body. They fit so well together. Hard and soft. Man and woman. He felt hungry fingers digging into the flesh of his shoulders as she clutched at him, her arms wrapped tight around him. It felt so good to be wanted so intensely. He had never been the type to crave overly intense attention, but this felt so right, and he was giving as good as he got. He craved her just as much as she obviously craved him.
HE turned her back to the side of her desk, let go of her briefly in order to push back the office clutter on the desktop, making room for her bottom to sit. She followed his lead, sitting on the desk and wrapping eager legs around him, her calves clinging to his buttock, her thighs bracketing his hips. It caused her short skirt to ride up her thighs and his hand eagerly went to stroke the bared flesh there. She was wearing nylons, the silky feel of them nothing like the silky skin of her bare legs, but the heat and strength of her flesh was the same.
All the while he ate at her mouth his hands roamed her body. One slid up her thigh while the other pulled her blouse free of her skirt and allowed him to slip his touch beneath the hem. Her fingers then skimmed up the warm skin of her side and then curved up over her sweet, full breast.
He grew instantly hard. Although he probably had been from the moment he’d seen her backside from across the room. She was just so arousing. So delicious. The smell of her was intoxicating, her flavor just as much so. Feeling her hands on his body did amazing things to his equilibrium.
She was unbuttoning his shirt and then sinking her fingers into the hair on his chest, her nails scraped across his sensitive nipples and his breath caught. She then broke away from his mouth so she could rain hungry kisses down his throat and onto his collarbone. She pushed his shirt further open and he was glad he hadn’t worn a tie that day. It would have gotten in the way. As she kissed her way across his chest, her tongue flicking out to find his nipple, she continued to strip him of his shirt until it was hanging down from where it was tucked in at his waist.
It was the cold air of the room on his heated skin that made him come to his senses. There was no locked door to this office. Anyone could walk in as he had just done…although he suspected Darcy would warn them, there were no guarantees.
“We can’t,” he said breathlessly as he tried to extricate himself from her seeking mouth, stroking hands and gripping legs.
“We can,” she insisted.
Using a ploy to lure him back into passion, she bit gently at his nipple, the sensation rocketing through him. He groaned and his hands came to grip her by her thighs, pulling her to the very edge of the desk so he could rub himself against the heat of her core. He felt that heat radiating through all of their clothing and he realized he wanted it more than he had wanted anything in a long time. It had been such a long time since he had felt such a need for something, such a desire for someone. Uncontrollable desire was one of the things that made life interesting and worth living. Yet nothing had appealed to him in so long. It was as if he had been dead and was now alive.
“Come on,” he said breathlessly. “We have to compose ourselves. Or at least let me lock the damn door.”
“There is no lock on the damn door,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “Remind me to have them fix that.”
To his infinite relief and his infinite sorrow she slid off the desk and stepped away from him. He watched her wriggle as she pulled her skirt down around her thighs once more and tried to fix the damage he had done to her hair with combing fingers.
He watched her try to regulate her breathing, just as he tried to, but she was looking at him with such famished, hot eyes it made it difficult to get himself under mental control. All he kept thinking about was getting her back up on that desk and sinking himself inside of her. She was clearly thinking the same thing. She moved so sensually, her hunger radiating from every movement if her body. She was so sexual just standing there, running absent hands over her hips and licking her lips to retain the flavor of him on her tongue.
“Enough! Stop looking at me as though you would devour me given half a chance,” he growled.
“You first,” she said with a chuckle and taunting emotion in her eyes.
She wanted the chase, damn her. She wanted to be the lure for the beast within him and its appetites. She wanted them to show themselves. However she was also correct. He was no doubt looking at her with equal appetite.
“Let’s occupy our minds with mundane things,” he suggested.
She groaned. “Today has been nothing but mundane. I rather liked injecting a little something interesting into my day,” she said mischievously. She then leaned over her desk, stretching her body out seductively as her eyes never left him or their lazy path up and down his body. She engaged the intercom. “Darcy. Get maintenance to put a lock on my office door.”
He heard the amusement in Darcy’s voice as she said, “Right away. Shall I hold all your calls and suspend any visitors?”
Marcus groaned as he understood Darcy was trying to facilitate a sexual encounter between them and at Simone’s gently arched inquisitive brow he shook his head.
“That’s not necessary Darcy. But do get maintenance up here soon.”
“It’ll be done right after you leave for the day,” Darcy promised.
“I’m leaving now. I have that appointment to keep.”
“Ah. Yes. Your appointment,” Darcy said. It was clear to hear the envy in Darcy's voice. He was instantly curious. “Will you be returning to the office after or going straight home? As you ought to do,” Darcy lectured.
“I’ll be home for dinner. Make it dinner for two,” Simone said with a smile before she disengaged from the intercom. She looked at him with appetite in her eyes. “Have dinner with me?”
“Oh, are we asking?” he asked archly. “Or is it a command? You told Darcy to cook for two before asking me so I’m not certain.”
“Call it a vote of confidence,” she said with the impish shrug of a shoulder.
“Where are you headed off to?” he asked as she moved away from him.
“I have a spa appointment. Care to join me?”
“I don’t tend to relax in that way. I prefer activity to get stress out. In fact I was thinking of hitting the gym downstairs.”
“You should. It’s excellently equipped.”
“I don’t doubt you have all of the best and latest equipment. You certainly don’t strike me as the sort to scrimp. You treat your people well.”
“I do what I can. This building is a village. A safe haven. I use it to provide all the comforts imaginable so that vampires can relax and be themselves without having to be on guard in the human world…watching what they say and how they behave. For instance, here a vampire can work out and display his full strength, something he couldn’t do in a human gym. Not without raising some eyebrows. It’s more than just worrying about exposure though. It’s about making this place a home.”
Marcus stepped close to her, erasing the small distance she had put between them. He reached up and cupped her face in his palm, his thumb tracing her jaw.
“You are an incredible and thoughtful leader,” he said. “And it’s an honor to know you.”
She snorted a little giggle through her nose. “You say that now, but wait until I have my first temper tantrum when something doesn’t go quite right.”
“I’m sure you do exactly the opposite of that,” he said with a smile.
“We’ll see.” She leaned into him and kissed his mouth with lingering softness, the kiss a promise of things to come.
“Where is this spa? I take it it’s in the building?”
“Yes,” she said with a sigh. “You needn’t worry about guarding me. Go work out. I have others who can guard me. I’m sure you’ve had a long day.”
“It has been a bit trying. But tonight promises to be better,” he said with a lascivious wink.
She laughed and kissed him once more, this time not lingering. She broke away from him and moved to exit her office. She glanced at him over her shoulder with her best come hither look. “Coming?” she asked.
“Not yet,” he bounced back. “I’m saving that for later.”
She laughed and they exited the office together.
Marcus did as he said, going to the gym located on the second floor of the building. As it turned out, the spa was located on the same floor. There was a hot tub and a sauna that was shared by both establishments. However he had noted the Simone had her own hot tub located on her balcony. Of course it was too cold for outdoor use at the moment. Although, perhaps it wasn't. Some people liked hot-tubbing in the contrast of the frigid cold.
He skipped using either amenity, choosing instead to go directly home after his workout. He didn’t know what time she was expecting him for dinner, but he assumed it wouldn’t be much later than seven and no earlier than six. It gave her plenty of time to be pampered, yet allowed for her to eat at a reasonable hour. However, just to be safe he shot her a querying text.
What time for dinner?
She sent back:
Seven-ish?
He smiled to note how accurate he had been.
See you then, he sent back to her before stripping off his clothes and heading for his shower. He also straightened up his beard, in case he ended up staying the entire night again.
He paused a moment as he realized he was acting in anticipation of spending the full night with her. She had offered no such invitation. Oh, she was clearly inviting him for an intimate evening, but not necessarily the intimacy of sharing her bed the whole night. Just because he had done so the night before didn’t guarantee he would do so again.
He hated not knowing exactly where he stood with her. That wasn't at all her fault though. He didn’t know what he wanted from her himself. Hell, there had been so much upheaval in his life lately, was he wise to add more to it? Was it wise to let himself get carried away on a wave of lust? Especially with this woman? With this extraordinary woman who required a great deal of care? More than was normal. He wondered if he was the right man for the job. He could take care of her physically, but it was quite another task to take care of her heart.
Then again, that was part of what he had signed up for. To be her friend. Her confidante. Her sounding-board. How was that different than any other mature relationship? It was all the intimacies of a relationship, a marriage of sorts. He had just pushed it beyond into a new level of intimacy…one it was perhaps not wise to have done.
However, wisdom flew out of the window whenever he got close to her. She simply oozed sensuality, inviting him quite obviously to respond. And besides, it was a little late for caution…for second-guessing. He had made his choices and now he had to live with them. Not that it was promising to be any great chore, but he had to accept that what was done was done…and it was his responsibility to see that it was done for the better.
He finished showering and redressed himself. He then made his way out of his apartment and took the elevator to the penthouse. Darcy let him in and indicated with a sweep of her arm that he should go right in.
As he came into the living room he was also treated to the view of the dining area, as it was an open floor plan straight from kitchen through dining room through living room. He immediately saw that the table was set only for two and that it was set with crystal and china and two lit tapers in the center on either side of the centerpiece which was a seasonal bowl of pine cones and holly. He then caught sight of Simone sitting on her couch with her bare feet tucked up under her bottom, her shoes on the floor beside her. She was wrapped in a very soft looking shawl of red velveteen fabric. On her lap was a folder with some sort of file she was reading. Curiosity overcame him and he walked up behind her and read over her shoulder a moment. He realized it was a dossier on the prince of South Africa. His queen was nosing around her beloved authoritarian's new boss.
Her loyalty touched him. He reached out and petted her long, loose hair and she immediately turned into his touch like a cat seeking attention. She caught his hand in hers and nuzzled his palm, taking an obvious breath in to take his scent. The affection instantly stirred him. He felt his entire body respond to the intense feelings she inspired within him, both physical and emotional. The visceral response took his breath away. He tipped her chin up so she was looking at him and then bent to lower his mouth to hers. The kiss was light. Warm. Full of tenderness and promise. He felt her smile against his lips and it prompted him to do the same. He lifted away from her, just far enough to look down into her stunning eyes.
Careful, he counseled himself. It would be far too easy to get swept even further away than he already was.
However, as he looked down into her candid eyes he began to understand that it was far too late for warnings. She had gotten under his skin and she was there to stay. It didn’t matter how quickly it had happened. It was merely a testament to what a remarkable lady she was.
“Working?” he asked her even though they both knew what she was doing. She had the presence of mind to look sheepish.
“I just…I want to make certain he’ll be all right.”
“So you had his new boss followed?” he asked archly. “Do you know what kind of trouble it would cause if you got caught?”
She frowned darkly and in a hard voice said, “I am completely aware of the ramifications of my actions. If Danton found out he would be heartily offended. He would be very angry with me. Also the prince would take exception to being examined by me as well. However I could care less about stepping on a few toes…as long as I can be confident that he will be all right where he is going.”
“I understand,” he said gently. “You don’t have to defend yourself to me. I imagine I would do the same were I in your position. For instance, I researched the hell out of the guy who is taking my place at Leopold’s side. I wouldn’t leave his well being up to just anyone. And I promise you, Danton has done the same, researching me down to what color underwear I wear.”
“Blue. At least…that was what you wore last night,” she said with an impish grin.
“Tonight they’re black. Want to see?” he asked suggestively.
She laughed. “Later. I want to feed you first.”
“I noticed only two place settings. You don’t eat with Darcy?”
“It’s a fifty-fifty sort of thing. Half of the time she eats with me, the other half she doesn’t. She usually doesn’t when I have company. She prefers to make herself scarce and protects my privacy and intimacy.”
“As long as we’re not excluding her because we’re elitist snobs,” he said with a broad wink.
“Hardly that. Darcy and I are great friends. She takes her job very seriously, but not so seriously that we have not been able to grow a close personal friendship. There are those who might frown on me being friendly with someone who works for me, but I couldn’t care less. I don’t work that way.”
“As was proven last night,” he said softly, searching her face as he said it. She frowned and he smiled, knowing she was about to jump to her own defense. And to his. “I’m not judging you or us. Merely pointing out facts. I work for you. Last night it became personal. If I have my way, it will stay personal.”
He watched her carefully. It was the first move in the chess of what their relationship might become. She would either let him in or keep him at arms length. He had stated his intentions, and the rest was up to her.
A smile bloomed across her lips and he expression turned sly. “I think I’d like that,” she said. “Especially if getting personal comes with multiple orgasms.”
“Mm. Now that I can definitely promise you,” he said, reaching to catch her mouth in a blistering kiss. But just as swiftly he stopped and backed away from her. “But Darcy went through a lot of trouble making a meal for us I'm guessing. So let’s eat.”
She nodded and got to her feet. She ignored her shoes and padded barefoot across to the kitchen. She opened the door to something and he realized it was a warmer. Not like an oven, but meant to keep a meal warm for a little while. She removes two dishes covered with cloches. He immediately jumped to help her. Scooping up his own plate he led the way to the table.
“She usually would serve us directly, but she had somewhere to be this evening. Probably hunting.”
“I don’t need to be served,” he said with a small smile. I prefer it like this. Just the two of us. We’re fully capable of serving ourselves.”
“I agree. But Darcy usually insists. She doesn’t want her food to be eaten outside of its peak of freshness. She takes great pride in her work and eagerly prefers to serve her meals in person. I think you’ll find she’s quite good,” she said.
They sat at the dining table and Marcus picked up the bottle of wine that was sitting there. He poured for both of them, conservatively, and then put the bottle aside. She smiled at him with amusement.
“What? Not going to get me drunk and take advantage of me?” she asked with a wink.
“I thought I’d try attracting you with my natural charms and seducing you with my obvious hunger for you,” he said, his tone half teasing and half intense. She returned his intensity with a hungering look, but then picked up her glass and took a sip, artfully putting distance between them. He accepted her withdrawal, understanding that Darcy’s meal would got to waste if they kept on the heated track they seemed to constantly travel.
They removed the cloches and displayed a meal that was more a piece of art than it was something to eat. Darcy had made sea bass, settled on a bed of mashed purple potatoes and some prettily placed roasted Brussels sprouts with dots of two different colored sauces plated at what should be random, but was obviously painstakingly executed.
“Wait until you see her desert. It’s a work of art,” she said, setting aside her cloche with a smile. She eagerly picked up her fork and took her first bite. He watched the relish with which she enjoyed it, smiling with an increasingly intense hunger for her. She was so passionate. So eager to feel everything every moment had to offer her. She thrived on life and its experiences. It was something so rare in someone so old. However, his fascination with her did not interrupt his massive craving for the delectable meal set before him. He decided to follow her lead and enjoy the sensuality of eating the meal.
It was quite honestly one of the best meals he’d tasted. He realized it was a pity it had not been served at peak freshness, the warmer having aged the dish a little past its prime. But if this was past prime, he was eager to see what she could do in the moment.
“She’s quite talented,” he said with a content sigh after he had cleaned his plate. She had beaten him to the finish and was watching him and sipping her wine at he concluded his meal. She smiled seductively.
“Do you want desert now…or later?” she asked.
“Are you suggesting I might want to get naked with you?” he asked with amusement as he picked up her nearest hand and place a kiss in the center of her palm. Her scent suddenly filled his nostrils and intensity and hunger followed. He wallowed in it happily letting it wash over him.
“Hmm. Are you waiting for permission? If so consider it given.”
“Is there an actual desert?”
“Yes,” she said with a laugh.
“It’s be a shame to let it go to waste,” he said.
“I’ve been beaten by a sweet tooth! How shall I ever recover?”
“Your ego can handle it,” he said, standing up and picking up their plates. They both walked to the kitchen, Marcus putting the plates in the sink and Simone nosing around in the refrigerator. She came up with two prepared desserts and they walked back to the table. He was surprised at how eager he was to taste the lovely looking creation.
Dessert went quickly. He enjoyed it just as much as he had the rest of the meal. This time it was Simone who put the dishes in the sink and he came up behind her, trapping her against the counter. His hands drove over her hips, pulling her back against him, then traveled up beneath her sweater, over her belly and teased at the bottoms of her breasts.
“Oh. So this is how it is?” she asked teasingly. “I’ve fed one appetite now I’m obliged to feed another?”
“Tell me you’re not famished for me,” he whispered against her neck as his lips nibbled at her skin, “and I’ll stop.”
“Why would I want you to stop?” she asked huskily.
“Then shut up and let me love you,” he murmured against her ear.