Chapter Seven #2
I didn’t have a chance to change before Jack picked me up from the office, so the first thing I do is shower.
The scorching water cleanses my body and frees the chaos in my mind.
If I meet more of his family, it means I can get to know him better and surely that’s good…
isn’t it? The spin in my stomach is now nerves rather than excitement.
And Freya… I don’t like the way she stroked her paws over Daniel.
What the hell was that all about? Maybe I’m better off not knowing. I might not like what I find.
Eventually, my anxieties wash away and I’m calmer.
My visit here isn’t about his family and earning their approval.
It’s about the man and how I get to know him better.
My constant need for commitment often buggers things up, but I’m determined not to let that happen this time.
This man is worth the effort. At least, I hope he is.
I want to look good for him tonight. My white sleeveless A-line dress is simple, but pretty and should show off my newly gained, slightly golden skin.
I slip on the delicate ankle straps of my silver sandals, which give me three inches of heel.
My wavy blonde hair hangs loosely around my shoulders and my make-up is light and natural.
As promised, Daniel arrives to escort me to the car.
When I open the door, my stomach flips, I swallow hard and my pulse races at one hundred miles an hour.
Daniel is sex on legs, dressed in charcoal grey trousers and a black dress shirt which displays his lean outline to perfection.
My senses heighten as I inhale sandalwood and soap and his signature parted hair and cleanly shaven face give an innocent, boyish look, although he is one hundred percent all man.
I know this is all for me, just as I’ve dressed only for him.
“Jesus, you look beautiful.” His palm cups my chin while his thumb sweeps gently along my cheek. “I’m not sure we should go anywhere. Staying home seems like a much better option.”
We silently admire one another as electricity bounces in the air between us. I close my eyes and lose myself while his touch melts me.
His fingertips slide over my arm, revealing sensitive skin and his teeth graze my earlobe as he whispers, “By the time I’ve caressed you all over, kissed every inch of you, felt every part of you, your body will beg me to relieve your ache inside.
The ache reserved only for me.” Goosebumps run the length of my body.
I want him to eat me up. I whisper, “I want you. I’m starving for you. ”
“What did you say?”
I open my eyes to find Daniel’s mischievous grin staring back at me.
Oh shit, I said that out loud. I shake myself back to reality.
My eyes grow wide, and heat radiates from my skin.
My head might be screwed on, but the brain inside is a bit wonky.
It likes to play out the fantasies that live there. “I said… I’m starving. Are you?”
“We better get moving. I’ve booked us into one of my favourite restaurants.” His fingers confidently lock with mine once again as we head out. Amusement still plastered across his face, I wonder what he’d think if he could see inside my head!
Jack has the rear door to the Range Rover open and is standing by ready to leave. As I climb inside, I hear Daniel mention the name Katoomba to Jack and presume we’re headed there.
Once inside the car, his hand searches for mine, holding it securely.
“You know, I was worried you wouldn’t turn up this weekend.”
“I said I would be here.”
“I know, but after last weekend, I didn’t want you to think I was coming on too strong, again. You know I wanted to stop you from running, but something told me not to.”
His hazel eyes look to mine and I shift in my seat so the gap between us is smaller.
“You deserve a proper explanation so I’ll be honest. For me, things moved too fast. Before last weekend, you were just a photo on a boardroom wall.
Suddenly you sweep me off my feet and tell me you want me.
The dinner, the dancing and that kiss. It all happened at lightning speed and would lead to somewhere I shouldn’t go.
I had to stop it and get my head together. ”
“And that’s the reason you ran?”
“Well, yes....” He slides his arm around me and I love the way I fit neatly into his side, but I can’t let him distract me from getting it all out there.
“… and no. That’s not quite everything.” I close my mouth and breathe in deeply.
The air burns the top of my nostrils before I breathe out through my ‘O’ shaped lips.
“Okay,” I whisper more to myself than him. “What is it you want from me?”
“Well, I think it’s obvious, don’t you?”
“No. That’s the point. I don’t know what kind of relationship you want, if any.
Is it just… a fling? Are you chasing me because you get a thrill out of it?
Do you see a silly new girl from overseas who falls for the big Australian exec or a girl with her head screwed on who will take a chance on you? ”
“Hey, slow down.” His hands rub the side of my arms, and I realise I’ve gone off on a tangent. “Where has this come from?”
“I suppose I don’t want to get hurt. I’m not going there again.”
“Again?”
“It’s a bigger conversation and not one we should have in the car.” Not that it matters. Jack’s heard every word until the moment his eyes caught mine in the rear-view mirror.
“Ahh, the bloke in London.”
“Yes. He hurt me beyond anything I could imagine… I don’t want to talk about him, although I will tell you when the time is right. For now, know I’m not here just for thrills. That’s the other reason I ran off last week. Most of my nightmare relationships start with rushed sex.”
“Are we talking about the London bloke again?”
“We’re talking about us. If there is an ‘us.’ I’m sorry if it’s too much too soon, but I need to know.”
He takes in a lengthy breath. “I can’t tell you what you want to hear. I don’t know what this thing between us is yet, but I wouldn’t sit here and say I want to spend the rest of my life with you because we’ve only just met.”
Heat blooms on my neck and cheeks. I must be his vision of the worst nightmare and who did I think I was to make such demands so early on?
“If you’re asking if I can see us going some distance, the answer is I’m not in this for a fling. I wouldn’t waste my time asking you to stay if that’s all I wanted.”
“Okay.” I mumble under my breath. He places his finger under my chin and lifts it upwards so our eyes meet. “I want to see those beautiful blues when I tell you this.”
Shit. His thick Australian tone sends shivers down my spine once again. If I thought that was good, what he says next wets my silky panties all the way through .
“I want to kiss you right now, but I won’t… yet.” That makes me smile towards his shining eyes.
“And yes, I wanted to sleep with you before you ran away and I hoped something would happen this weekend. I think that’s obvious.
But what you’re asking for is a guarantee.
I can’t make any promises. All I can tell you is that when you’re around, I can’t concentrate on anything else.
The way you smile, the smell of your hair, the taste of your lips, it all drives me crazy and I can’t stop thinking about you.
Last week, at dinner, every man in the room had his eyes on you.
I don’t have a problem with that because you chose me above anyone else.
” He pauses, squeezing my hand. “I don’t know where this could go, but I want to find out.
If you’re asking me if I want a long-term relationship or just some fun?
I’d have to say I want both, and I want them both with you. ”
I’m finding it hard to breathe as he leans towards me and runs his thumb along my cheek.
“I want us to be exclusive. Does this give you some reassurance?” ‘Yes!’ My hand slides around the nape of his neck.
Our lips crash, our tongues meet and swirl together with urgency.
I can’t get enough of his kiss but eventually, I have to lean back.
I’m unable to hide the joy written all over my face. “I think you have my answer.”
A slow, confident smile spreads across his beautiful features, “I think I missed it. Run it by me again.” Our smiling lips lock, but this time, I make sure he fully understands what I want.