Читать книгу Passion - P.F. Kozak - Страница 9

Dabbing at my upper lip with a tissue, I managed to smudge my lipstick. I took a deep breath and fixed my makeup. Hoping Ivan would be on time, I sat next to my front window to watch for him, telling myself I also needed the air.

Unless he intended to drive all night, I had narrowed the possible restaurant choices to two. A fancy place with dinner and dancing meant either a private club on the edge of town, which necessitated a membership, or an inn about half an hour away.

I had never been to either place. I knew nothing about the private club, except that it catered to the upper social classes in town. Gwen had been to the inn and had raved about it. She told me she had the most romantic night of her life there. Just as I saw Ivan arrive, I remembered she had gone there with Steve. I smiled, knowing I had just narrowed my choices to one.

Pash’s place wasn’t hard to find, a nice little flat in the Shaftesbury. As I parked, I wondered if I had to come to the door, but she came right out when she saw my car. I still got out and opened the car door for her, taking her hand to help her inside. I noted a flush when I took her hand, which I found both endearing and promising.

She looked great, wearing a sexy, sleeveless red dress with a low neckline. I guessed the fabric to be genuine silk. The full skirt wrapped most provocatively around her legs when she walked, and the top clung to her breasts like a second skin.

Before I closed the car door, I saw her discreetly give me the once-over. After another quick look at her legs, I took to the road.

Determined to make some reasonable conversation during the drive, I asked Ivan how he knew Steve. Finally I began putting a few pieces together about him and how he could be a professor who works in a stable. Then he asked me, “How long have you lived here?”

“I moved here late last fall. I needed a quiet place to write, so I came back to Shaftesbury.”

“‘Back to?’ Did you live here before?”

“No, but my grandmother owned a dress shop at the corner of High Street and Angel Lane. That’s how I know Gwen. Her mother worked for Nana at the shop.”

“I remember your grandmother’s dress shop. It has been gone for several years now, hasn’t it?”

“Yes. My nana died about five years ago and my family sold the shop to a bakery.”

“What about your parents?”

“My parents live in London. My father is a playwright. He also works on the docks at the Port of London for extra money.” I looked at Ivan just as he glanced at me. My stomach fluttered with butterflies.

We had about half an hour’s drive ahead of us. I had made our reservations for eight o’clock. I needed a little cushion in case I made a wrong turn.

I handed Pash the directions. I wanted her help navigating so I wouldn’t get lost. We made small talk on the way, with some deliberately chosen soft music playing in the background. I told her how I knew Steve and how I came to be at the stable for the summer.

Then I asked when she moved here. I asked the right question because that kept her talking for several minutes. All the while she talked, I noticed there was something akin to static electricity in the car, a charge to the air I could not explain.

Having her so close once again had an effect on me. I willed myself out of a full-blown hard-on, thinking, Down, willie, it’s too early for that. Fortunately the tape ended at that moment, creating a well-timed distraction.

The tape clicked off and I realized we should almost be there. I knew I had guessed correctly about the inn when we headed in that direction. Ivan gave me the directions and asked me to read them twice.

After taking several turns, we found the inn, a secluded spot surrounded by trees. On the pretense of checking a road sign, I turned around to see if he had anything in the backseat indicating we would be staying the night. He didn’t. Well, I knew Gwen had, with Steve, no less. So the stage is set, I thought. I guess we will have to wait and see.

As I rounded the final turn and the inn came into view, I realized why it had the reputation of being a romantic hideaway. It was unlikely anyone would find this place accidentally.

Steve had told me about his few memorable nights there—in some detail, I might add. Until this evening I never had the occasion to test the waters there. It seemed odd not carrying an overnight bag into the place. I had every intention of spending the night with Pash. But since she didn’t as yet know that, it would have been imprudent to have packed my shaving kit and toothbrush.

It being a weeknight, I had no trouble arranging a quiet corner table. They must receive frequent requests such as mine, because the layout of the place was geared to privacy. Large plants and tall vases of flowers had been strategically placed throughout the restaurant, partitioning off the tables from one another.

The table they gave us actually had a live tree with lights sitting beside the table that provided a sufficiently intimate setting for our dinner. A piano player sitting off to the side played music that oozed atmosphere, with dancing slated to begin at nine o’clock. It seemed I had picked a winner, both in my new lady and in my choice of places to have a romantic liaison.

Ivan came around the car and opened the door for me, helping me out. I smoothed my skirt and hoped I hadn’t become too wrinkled during the ride. He took my arm and we went inside. He said to the maître d’, “I have reservations for eight o’clock—the name is Kozak.”

My heart jumped when the very official-looking gentleman replied, “Ah, yes, Dr. Kozak, please follow me.”

They had our table ready. I took in as much as possible as we walked through the restaurant. It looked like a fairy tale, with flowers and trees everywhere. Some of the trees had small white lights on them. Our table sat behind one of those bushy trees. I understood why Gwen swooned over coming here. Sitting across the table from Ivan, I felt like Cinderella must have felt, seeing her prince at the ball.

I sat quietly while Ivan pondered the wine list. “What is your preference, Pash: red or white?”

“White, please. A glass of chardonnay will be fine.” Rather than just a glass, he ordered a particularly fine bottle of chardonnay. He also ordered a cocktail for himself, which I declined. I felt light-headed already and knew the wine would be all I could handle.

The menu had no prices listed—always a sure sign that a restaurant was not for the faint of heart. I ordered salmon, hoping it would calm my jumpy stomach without being too heavy.

I watched Ivan order his steak with the same quiet confidence I felt from him on the horse; he told the waiter exactly how he wanted it prepared. He seemed just as natural here as when I had first witnessed him in the stable. Trying not to appear too starry-eyed, I couldn’t help wondering what angel had led me to him.

During dinner we continued to talk. The same charge which filled the car now hovered over our table. I realized, with some amusement, that I carried the feeling inside myself. The damnedest thing was I liked Pash. I liked her very much. What an extraordinary delight to talk to her! I discovered she did have a voice and could talk a blue streak once she got going.

I interrupted her at one point, as I thought I recognized someone. “Do you see that bloke over there? He looks familiar to me. I think I’ve seen him in one of the shops.”

“I recognized him when we walked in. He is the dispenser from the chemist’s shop.”

“That’s right, now I remember him.”

She nearly made me choke when she told me, “I asked Gwen about him once after he patted my bum and told me to give him a call anytime. Gwen told me he is married. It seems he doesn’t spend much time home alone when his wife travels for her job.”

“No shit, Sherlock!”

“Definitely no shit!”

I couldn’t help poking at her. “So have you ever called him?”

“Heavens, no!” She looked aghast.

This redhead had a real bite to her! Christ, I really did enjoy her company!

During dinner I probably talked too much, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. Ivan didn’t appear to mind, smiling or laughing out loud practically the whole time. When he asked me if I had ever called the dispenser, I nearly panicked. I thought I might have given him the wrong impression. The dispenser fellow gives me the heebie-jeebies. I didn’t want Ivan to think I had anything to do with him.

Ivan had a second drink but I still preferred to stay with just the wine. I knew I could handle the wine. Anything more and I risked getting drunk and possibly making a fool of myself. I really wanted Ivan to think well of me. More than that, I wanted to attract him like he dazzled me.

I noticed his cuff links when he refilled my glass. They reflected the lights shining from the tree beside us. I also noticed the dark hair peeking out from under the cuff of his white shirt. A ripple of gooseflesh ran down my arm. Then the lights were lowered even more than they already were, and couples started to dance.

I made sure I kept her wineglass full, wanting some insurance that the night would continue as planned. I wanted her mellow, but not drunk. I had been there, done that. It isn’t much fun bedding a lady who is on the verge of passing out or spewing. But mellow…hell, yes, mellow is good.

By the time the dance music began, she had noticeably relaxed. Softened and suggestible—that’s where I wanted her when I asked her to dance. As for me, I had another vodka. She got to me, she really did. I had a semi since getting out of the car and it had gotten more difficult to keep in check. The alcohol helped keep the situation under control.

But now, as I took hold of her to dance, I knew it wouldn’t be long until she felt my erection against her body. Soon I would know which way the dice fell. Snake eyes and the evening would end, but come on, baby, give me a seven.

We talked a bit longer and then he asked me to dance. I hoped my trembling legs would support me as he led me to the dance floor. The music seemed to flow right through my heart as he held me. I felt him kiss my hair and I moved a little closer to him. He held me even tighter, squeezing my waist.

I closed my eyes and lost myself in the moment, smelling him through his coat. I felt the rhythm of his breathing, the softness of his heartbeat. Then I felt his hand on my neck. The same man who held me yesterday on the back of a horse held me again tonight. The same hand that held the reins with mine now massaged my neck.

When Ivan stroked my bottom, I practically went limp. He must have realized how strongly I reacted because he asked me if I wanted to sit down.

She had on heels, which brought her up a couple of inches, giving her just enough height to lay her head against my shoulder. That also brought her hair maddeningly close to my nose, with the fragrance making me drunker than the vodka.

I couldn’t resist—I leaned over and kissed the top of her head. To my delight, she snuggled in closer, encircling my neck with both of her hands. I had my arms around her waist and reacting from her movement, tightened my hold.

The music carried us across the dance floor and back again. One of her hands had slipped down to my chest while the other rested on my shoulder. I could feel her fingers gently kneading my coat, the way a cat would a blanket. The sensation went right from my chest to my groin.

I could feel my control slipping, so I figured, it’s now or never. I slid my hand up her back and under her hair. I rubbed her neck, moving my fingers through her hair. I brushed the curve of her bottom with my other hand.

I could feel her breath quicken as she pressed into me. I thought it best to at least give her the opportunity to cool off, so I leaned close to her ear and asked if she wanted to sit down. She looked up at me with eyes that burned into my heart and shook her head no.

As much as I needed to sit, I couldn’t let this end yet. I was Cinderella dancing with my prince and the clock hadn’t yet struck midnight. We danced, my feet no longer touching the floor. I wanted him more than I had ever wanted anyone. Everything melted away except for my awareness of his arms around me, the feel of his body pressing against mine.

We were at the inn and my Highwayman held me in his arms. I felt how much he wanted me. His cock had come to life against me. I slid my hand under his coat to caress him. His shirt stuck to his back, the heat coming off him in waves. I tried to angle my body to feel his hardened organ against me, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to love him right there on the dance floor.

So we continued to dance. One song ended and another began. It seemed we had entered a shared trance, the music creating a spell I hoped would not end with the song. Then her hand slid under my coat and her arm went around my waist. I knew she had to feel my cock. She adjusted her position to accommodate the bulge that had grown in my trousers.

Under my coat I felt her hand moving up and down my now damp shirt. Again I leaned close to her ear and whispered, “You’re making me crazy, we had better sit down before I embarrass myself.” I meant what I said. Much more of this and I wouldn’t make it to any room. Fortunately the dimly lit dance floor and dark suit coat hid my groin from view, although anyone with a mind to look could plainly see I had a problem.

Then I heard him whisper to me that we had to sit down, that he needed to sit down. My eyes welled up—the magic was ending, the genie was going back into the lamp, my Highwayman was leaving. My eyes stung with the tears I blinked back.

I tried to locate the ladies’ loo on our way back to the table, but the place was just too darn dark and my vision too blurry. Get a grip, I told myself. You’re a big girl, you know the score. The clock has struck midnight. It’s time to take that pumpkin home and make some pie. The silliness of that last thought brought me some relief.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the polite apologies that certainly would be exchanged over dessert.

We made it back to the table and I knew what I had to do. I had taken this as far as I could without being straight with her. I could hardly get her into a room for the night until I told her I wanted to spend the night with her. I walked behind her, ostensibly to hold her chair while she sat down. Instead I turned her around to face me and kissed her, holding her as close as I could.

Always the gentleman, Dr. Kozak, I thought as he followed me around the table. I dutifully stood as I waited for him to pull out my chair. Instead I felt his hands on my shoulders. I nearly gasped out loud as he turned me around. I had only a moment to look at him before I felt him up against me. Then I couldn’t breathe—not because he covered my mouth with his, but because he passionately kissed me.

Hidden behind that blessed tree, with my hand behind Pash’s neck, I held her head still and kissed her harder. Instead of pulling away, as I rather expected she would, she returned the pressure of my mouth against hers, opening her lips to receive my tongue.

I felt Ivan’s hand on my neck again, this time with more force. He kept kissing me, only harder, rougher. Something sparked inside of me; a long-buried yearning bubbled to the surface. I grabbed on to him, clutching at his back. I took his tongue into my mouth, wanting him inside me however I could have him.

Pash embraced me, this time with both arms under my coat. I felt her nails digging into my back. I pulled my face away from hers long enough to quietly voice the only thought in my mind. “Do you want to get a room?” That’s all I could get out, for everything else inside me braced for the answer. She ran the back of her hand across my whiskers and whispered back, “Let’s do.” Oh, yes, I definitely threw a seven!