He reached up and stroked her long loose hair. “I like your hair like this. It feels like silk running through my fingers. You should wear it this way all the time.”
She mumbled a thank you.
“You’re so quiet Ms. Reese. Are you still angry with me about last night?”
Somehow, she finally found her voice, forcing her mind away from the not so proper thoughts she was having about Dorian Taylor at the moment.
Ms. Prudinsky
must be pulling her hair out right now, that’s how wicked her thoughts were.
“Yes, but just a little. Why did you leave me there like that? And then all of a sudden I get these incredible flowers and the invitation to come here. I’m . . . a little confused by it all.”
“I’m truly sorry for leaving when I did. A matter came up that required my immediate attention. I invited you here because I really did want to get to know you better.”
She took her glass of wine off the table and sipped it. The more she drank, the braver she became. She wanted to know just what it was about her he found so interesting. After all, every woman in that room last night had been gawking at him.
“Why me? I mean, you could have any woman on the planet. You know that right?”
“Because, I think you’re different. I saw your profile picture and you looked so innocent, without guile. I don’t think you play coy games as so many women do. And
. . . you didn’t accept Erik’s invitation to dance.” His voice was soft and serious.
“Erik?” she asked.
“The blonde man who asked you to dance. Didn’t you find him attractive? No woman has ever said no to him.”
“How did you know . . . ?”
“I just do.”
She looked down. “He was okay I guess.”
But he wasn’t you,
she thought.
“To answer your question further there are many things a man can have but that doesn’t mean he wants them. Don’t sell yourself short Ms. Reese. You’re a very beautiful woman and I have a feeling you’re warm and
loving as well.” He took her hand in his and again, she felt his long fingers move up and down her palm slowly. She found it amazing that such a delicate touch could be so sensual, almost erotic.
Just then, the chef came into the room and announced dinner was ready.
“Thank you Enrique,” Dorian said warmly.
Dorian escorted her to the dining room.
Such a big house for one person
, she thought.
He held out a chair for her and she sat down.
Wow, when was the last time a guy had done that
?
“Where’s your staff? With a house this big, you must have maids and stuff.”
“I’ve given them the night off. After Enrique serves us, he will leave as well. It will be just the two of us.” The look in his eyes made her both uneasy and excited.
“What about Ian? Isn’t he your personal assistant? Does he live here?”
He cocked his head to one side and smiled. “You’re just full of questions Ms. Reese. Ian lives in the guesthouse. He’s out for the evening with your friend, Julie.”
“More wine
, Miss?” Enrique held a full bottle of merlot wrapped in a white linen cloth.
“Yes. Please.”
“That will be your last drink Ms. Reese. I don’t want you drunk tonight.”
What a control freak!
She thought. Who was he to tell her how much to drink? She had no idea why, but she chose to obey him.
She nodded. “Call me Jen. It feels weird for you to call me Ms. Reese, like I’m your secretary or something.”
“I shall call you Jennifer. Jen is too common for you. The name Jennifer has a lovely sound to it. Don’t you agree?”
She nodded.
Especially when you say it
with that sexy British accent,
she thought.
The dining room table was set with the finest white bone china, exquisite crystal and gold forks, spoons and knives. A white linen napkin was set at each place. Skilled hands had created elegant fans of them. The table cloth was a stunning pale blue. A chandelier, made to appear as if it held real candles hung above the table. It created a warm ambiance.
They sat in silence as Jennifer placed her napkin in her lap and fidgeted with it. When she looked up, his eyes were on her, smoldering with intensity.
Her heart raced, her palms and the back of her neck were sweaty and she felt sure she was blushing. She was no longer hungry, at least not for food.
“So, tell me Dorian, if I’m so special, then why was my application to e.Vampire.com rejected?”
He seemed to ponder this for a moment before answering. His eyes were locked on hers. It really was unnerving the way he looked at her. She squirmed under his penetrating gaze.
“I find you intriguing Jennifer. I personally rejected your application because I don’t want to share you with anyone else.”
“Oh.” That’s all she could think of to say. She bowed her head.
“Don’t look down. It’s a sign of submission. I want you to look at me whenever we speak to one another.”
“Submission. Hmm. I assumed that’s what you wanted when you told me I couldn’t drink any more tonight.”
“You’re special. I’ve had many women who we’re willing to do whatever I wanted. I don’t want that from you. At least not in the way you may think.” His tone was calm, yet she detected a slight threat in it.
Just what the hell did that mean?
Jennifer was at a loss here. Many women he’d said. Just
how many had he been with? She’d only had one lover, and a crappy one at that. She was very uneasy with the direction in which this conversation was heading. She changed the subject.
“Does your family live here in Miami?” she asked.
“My parents are dead.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry!”
“It’s alright Jennifer.” He shrugged. “They died a long time ago.”
“Do you have any brothers and sisters?”
“I had a sister.” His voice grew solemn and he looked away from her for a moment. His eyes came back to hers, but this time, she detected a deep sadness in them. “She’s gone too. She died young.”
Jennifer was unsure of what to say. His entire family was gone. So was hers. Her heart went out to him then. For just a flicker of a moment, he’d bared his emotions to her. He regained his composure quickly.
“And you, Jennifer? What about your family?” he asked politely.
“My father passed away recently and my mother died a while back. I’m an only child.”
“So you left Maine for a new start here in Miami.” He didn’t ask. He stated it.
“Yes.” She looked away from him. “How did you know I was from Maine?”
“It was on your e.Vampire profile.”
“Oh.”
Just how many times have I said oh?
She felt tongue tied around him.
Thankfully, Enrique breezed silently into the room and laid a basket of piping hot rolls in front of her.
She picked one up and picked pieces off it, popping them into her mouth; a lifelong habit which her mother had detested.
“There’s a knife in front of you.” He studied her with those eyes.
“I’m sorry, Dorian. My mother always said I had no manners when it came to eating biscuits and cakes.” Embarrassed, she was sure she was blushing profusely.
“I don’t care if you use a knife or not. Watching you nibble on that biscuit is making me want to do things to your mouth.”
She felt her heart leap into her throat. She began to squirm in her chair. The sexual tension at that table was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
“What sort of things do you want to do to my mouth?” She mumbled; looking down and then remembering, he wanted to her to maintain eye contact with him at all times.
“I want to nibble on your lips, the same way you’re nibbling on that biscuit. I want to devour your mouth.”
“Oh.”
“I want to fuck it as well.”
Oh my God!
Had Dorian Taylor, who was the very essence of class, just said such a crude thing? Yes, he had. For some reason she wasn’t offended by it. As a matter of fact she found herself looking into those smoldering, icy blue eyes and felt her sex throb. She was shocked to find herself totally turned on by what he’d said. It was
hot
!
“Have I offended you?” He asked.
“No. I’m just not used to, you know, someone using that word so bluntly.”
“It’s just a word Jennifer,” he said matter-of-factly.
“And just what does that mean? Fuck my mouth? Are you saying you want me to give you . . . oral sex?” Her face must be on fire right now. He must’ve noticed (how could he not?) because his lips turned up in a small knowing smile and for the first time she saw a look of amusement in his eyes.
“Trust me Jennifer. You’ll like it. I promise.”
He was quiet for a moment, his eyes watching her every move, like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.
“What are you thinking about now?” She had to say
something
. His silence was making her very uneasy.
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes I do.”
“Actually, I’m doing my best to restrain myself from fucking you right
now on this table.”
“Has anyone ever told you, you’re not very subtle?” She asked
. At least she hadn’t said oh again.
“All the time.” He smiled fully, revealing his beautiful dimples and perfect teeth.
“You asked me what I was thinking and I told you.”
Just then, Enrique entered the room. Had he heard their conversation? Jennifer felt the heat in her face. She dared to glance up at the man. He had no expression whatsoever. If he’d heard anything, it wasn’t revealed in his face.
He placed a perfectly grilled steak and a piping hot plate of potatoes in front of her. He brought Dorian only a steak, which looked almost raw.
He must like his steak rare
,
really rare
she thought. Blood was visible in a circle around the meat.
It seemed a bit odd that Enrique had placed the potatoes in front of her and not in the middle of the table where both she and Dorian could reach them.
“Would you like some potatoes?” she asked, picking up the bowl and holding it out to him.
He shook his head. “I never eat vegetables.”
“So, what do you eat then?”
“Very rare meat, as I’m sure you’ve noticed and a few other things.”
“Weird.”
“I’m picky about what I eat.”
“And here I thought it was because you were a ‘vampire.’” Jennifer made little quote marks with her fingers.
“Surely you know e.Vampire.com is no more than a gimmick. Vampires don’t really exist.” He laughed
easily.
Even the sound of his laugh excited her.
“I don’t eat vegetables because I don’t fancy them. Never did.”
She smiled and cut into her steak.
He still hadn’t touched his food. Instead, he watched as she brought the fork to her lips and stopped before it reached her mouth.
“So what kind of dirty thoughts are you going to have while I eat this steak?”
“I believe I’ll keep you in the dark on that one. You’ll just have to guess what I’m thinking.” A wicked smile played on his lips.
She looked down, concentrating on eating, anxious that he was watching her do so. For a few minutes they were both silent. When she looked up again, he’d already finished eating.
Now what? God, she wanted more wine! She was excited by him, but also a little scared. He was so at ease with himself and he was experienced in sexual matters. She was neither.
“Wow, you eat fast,” she said.
“Yes, I do. When I’m hungry for food I’ve little patience in taking my time. Now, I’m hungry for something else, ravenous even. And this kind of hunger will take
a lot
longer to satisfy.” His eyes bored into hers, his message clear. He wanted
her
to satisfy his appetite.
Enrique came to clear away their plates. The man was beyond efficient and a great chef as well. Jennifer quietly thanked him for the meal.
He bowed slightly. “You’re quite welcome, Ms. Reese. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Thank you Enrique. You may take your leave of us now. We won’t need you for the rest of the evening,” Dorian said pleasantly.
“No dessert, Sir?”
“Not necessary. I have everything I need right here.”
“Very well, Mr. Taylor. Enjoy your evening.”
Just the two of them left. Jennifer’s palms were clammy, so was the back of her neck, even though it was pleasingly cool in the house. She lifted her hair off her neck and swept it to one side.
Dorian watched her every movement. He got up, came over to her chair and stood behind her. With one hand, he swept her hair up and leaned over. She felt his breath, soft and cool on the nape of her neck. The fingers of his other hand roamed in a whisper of a touch, down her neck, across her throat, continuing in their slow and utterly sensuous journey. He stopped when he reached the top of her breasts.