Evidence of Desire: Hero Series 3 (11 page)

“Oh, no.” Placing her hands on her keyboard she completed the message she was sending to a curator friend in Johannesburg but had just returned from a month holiday. He’d sent a list of the pieces within his stock that could be sent out of country. She needed to review the list and get back to him with a call in the morning.

After that was done, she saved and locked up things that were private and important. She looked down at the paperwork still needing her attention. Normally she wouldn’t leave until she could have her desk in order and ready for the next time she came in, but not tonight.

Grabbing her purse and cell, she hustled from her office. She only paused for a moment to turn off the lights and lock the door. The evening guard called out a greeting to her as he started his rounds. Tossing him a smile and a short wave, she hoped Linwood would not take it personally that she didn’t stop and talk as she did most nights.

As she left the museum and quick stepped her way to her car in the employee parking lot, she was grateful that her early morning arrival allowed her prime parking. Getting into her car she ran all her formal outfits through her mind. She didn’t have but a few of them, and all three of those she had worn out with the Councilman.

Even though Parker would have no way of knowing that, she just didn’t feel right in slipping into something she’d purchased or had purchased for her, which was the case with one of the dresses, for another man.

It was almost six and she thought about all the formal boutiques on the way to her house in rush hour traffic. Thankfully she realized that there was a bridal chain store in a shopping center by her house.

Twenty minutes later she arrived at Dina’s Bridal and prayed they had something appropriate on their off the rack that would fit her. Even though she had wished for a way to get out of the date, that didn’t involve her stomping over to the bug department and confronting Parker, since he had ignored all her messages the remainder of the day. She still wanted to look nice…well, good. Damn good. In some way she wanted him to remember what he’d lost and allowed to walk out of his life.

“Welcome to Dina’s how may I be of assistance.” A short, frosted-haired black woman approached her with a smile as she entered the large store.

“Hi. I have formal dinner plans. I need something formal and sexy. And quick.”

The woman’s brows rose, but her smile stayed in place. “Okay. Do you have a color in mind? I’m thinking you’re a twelve in size.”

Sonya followed the woman through the store toward the bridesmaids section. “Color doesn’t matter. But anything pale or orange makes me look washed out. You guessed right.”

That was the only thing about being mixed in race. With her pale brown skin, there were things that just didn’t look well on her. Her girlfriends from college, especial Veronica who had a deep mahogany brown complexion, she could wear any color and it complimented her skin tone.

“I’m Brenda.” She held her hand out to her. “It’s my job to figure it out. And I’ll get you squared away I promise. What time is your date?”

“Uh, it’s just dinner. In less than an hour.” Give her hand a shake, Sonya held the woman’s gaze. “I’m Sonya. Can you help me?”

Brenda swallowed, but kept her smile in place. “It will be tight, but I can do it. Since alterations is not an option today. I will just show you our ready to wear items.”

“Sounds good.”

Moving around a few high racks, Brenda finally stopped. “Okay, Sonya. How about you try these two designer numbers. Usually there isn’t much allowance in size, they are spot on, but if they fit right they look made for you.” The formal wear assistant pulled down an emerald green and wine colored dress.

Taking them, Sonya followed the woman’s directions to the dressing room. Brenda was behind her, but with her longer strides she had the shorter woman at a disadvantage.

Staring at the two dresses in the private changing salon, Sonya considered which one to try on first. If it fit, she would just go with that one in the essence of time.

The emerald had a sweetheart neckline and was accented by tiny crystals over the bodice, then it fell in soft pleats to the floor. Holding it to her in the mirror, she was pleased by the way it looked. There was even padding within the cups of the bodice that she knew would have her breasts sitting high and tempting.

Smiling at the thought of Parker having to be across the table and observe her charms on display, she considered it her first pick. Then she reached for the second one on the hook she’d placed it. This one was a taffeta halter with lace around the top and a keyhole opening in the front. It cinched at the waist and had a small tail mid-calf. She wasn’t blown away by it at first, until she started to hold it before her and she noted that lace covered the back. She knew it was the one.

Setting it aside she removed her clothing and prayed it would fit.

Ten minutes later, Brenda had a sale and tip and Sonya was headed home for a quick shower.

“Parker?”

Sonya’s voice alerted him that he had not said anything in the few minutes he’d been standing there since she’d opened the door. He always thought she was beautiful, but at the moment she was absolutely breathtaking in the deep red dress she wore. He was sure there was some specific color name it held, but he didn’t care what the shade of material was, because it was nothing without Sonya in it. She made the dress. With the exception of the peek-a-boo area at the top and the sleeveless factor, she was covered completely. Not even the tips of her shoes showed.

But, the satin fabric cupped every curve and dip of her body. He had the urge to trace his fingers along her side and follow the flow of the design.

Lifting his head, he met her gaze. “You look amazing.” Parker was surprised he could even formulate those three words to make a sentence.

Her make-up was subtle, but her lips were coated in a color similar to that of the dress. Making her lips appear lush and kissable. Most likely for the essence of time, she kept her hair in a bun like she normally wore to work, but she’d released one wave lock to lie along the side of her face.
Beautiful
.

She offered him a quivering smile. “Thank you. I like your tux. I forgot how nice you look all dressed up.”

He realized that she was nervous. Admittedly, he enjoyed seeing that being around him kept her a little off kilter, because she did the same for him. In the course of their time together he’d only wore a suit a few times and never a tuxedo. Not even for their wedding. It had been small and held at the church they all attended outside of school. His family had come and Sonya’s friends, that’s it. However, at that moment he’d felt that was all they needed to start their life together. If he ever had the opportunity to marry her again, he’d pull out all the stops. A real wedding dress for her and a tux for him. And a honeymoon.

No need to go down that road, he warned himself.

“Sorry about the quick the plans. Are you ready, or do you need more time.”

Holding her arms at her side, she nodded. “I’m ready. I just need my coat.”

He stepped into the foyer as she opened the small coat closet beside the door.

“I’ll help you with that.” He claimed the heavy, black swing coat from her hands.

“Thanks.” She pivoted so that he could help her with it on.

It took all of his strength to hold on to the coat without dropping it as his body went weak at the sight of the back of her dress. It was covered with the same lace that was across her collar in the front. However, her entire back was covered with that sheer material. All the way down into a deep V at her perfectly rounded backside. A quarter of an inch more and he would be able to see the crease between her cheeks. His breath came out in a shudder as he took in the tone, shifting muscles and the perfect alignment of her spine that was revealed to his gaze.

The display of her back made it perfectly clear that the only thing holding up her breasts was God’s blessing and the design of the front of the dress. He wanted it to be his hands that offered the support. No, bra.
Was she even wearing panties?

He groaned.

Peering at him over her shoulder, she gave him a saucy look with her lids lowered and her lips turned up just slightly at the corner. “Is something wrong?”

Yes. Hell, yes. What was wrong was that he would have to sit across the table with Sonya in this ‘lay me across the table and love me now’ dress and act the perfect gentleman.

Clearing his throat, and draping the outerwear over her shoulders, he said, “Nothings wrong.”

She worked her arms through the sleeves as he still held it for her. “Well, we probably should head out so we don’t be late. I assume you made reservations.”

He could give two figs about being late. There was a perfectly good wall beside him that he’d like to press Sonya against, flip up the bottom of her skirt and bury himself inside her sex. Remind himself how she felt quaking around his shaft. Then carry her into the room and kiss every inch of her luscious body as he slowly worked the dress off her.

Not going to the restaurant sounds damn good to me.

Sonya faced him. He could see the slight tug of the left-side of her bottom lips as subtly she worried it between her teeth. She was apprehensive.

It was possible that she was teasing him purposely, and playing some game she’d designed. Most likely to get him back for pressuring her into a formal dinner date, but other than the daring dress, his love was out of her element.

That bit of knowledge allowed him to take in a palliative breath that set his mind and body back in line.

He stepped close and cupped her cheek then used his thumb and caressed her warm skin, as soft as expensive velvet. Leaning in, he paused when his lips were just above hers. Just staying like that for a moment.

She parted her lips and drew in a sharp, short breath. But, she didn’t move away.

The knowledge that no matter how much she fought it, Sonya wanted to be kissed again by him and that filled his heart with joy. By passing her lips, he set his mouth to her ear to whisper, “Let’s go.”

When he stepped away, the corners of her lips were tight. She snatched up her small clutch and keys from the narrow table beside the door then brushed passed him.

Chuckling, he followed her out and waited on the first step for her while she locked her door.

“I don’t see what’s so funny.” She slipped her hand into his as she allowed him to escort her down the stairs.

“Just laughter of joy.” With a wink, he assisted her into the passenger side of the car.

When he arrived, he’d backed into her driveway so that her seat would be right at the sidewalk. He ensured the hem of her dress was clear before he traveled to the driver side.

After he pushed the button to start the car, he brushed his fingers along the inside of her wrist.

Her gaze met his in the shadowed interior.

“I want you to enjoy yourself tonight, Sonya. Don’t think about work or what this night may or may not mean for us either, just relax and cherish it. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.”

Needing to hear nothing else, he pulled out of her driveway.

~ML~

After parking in the Charlotte Plaza Parking Deck, Parker took her hand and as she alighted from the car then led her toward the sixth floor elevator. Once inside they traveled up to the twenty-seventh floor.

Out of the many times she’d ridden by the Charlotte Plaza Building she never assumed that one day she’d be inside of it with Parker at her side, holding her hand.

Sonya glanced down at their fingers, still entwined since he helped her from the car. It felt natural to be connected with him. She warned herself not to think too much on it. It was just a night. A glamorous night. However, it didn’t mean anything had to change between them.

When the doors parted, the panoramic view of the Queen City night skyline showcased in the large open windows of the restaurant took her breath away.

She kept a lock on her jaw to keep it from gaping open as she looked around, while Parker answered questions from the
maître d'
about their reservations.

Within minutes someone took her coat and gave Parker a ticket to retrieve it later. That person was followed by an escort that greeted them and showed them to their table and offered the wine menu and letting them know that their server would be right with them.

“I’m Javier. I will be your server tonight, Mr. Hayden.” The slim white man with sleek blond hair, dressed in a black suit with a white linen cloth over his bent left arm looked toward her. “And you lovely guest this evening is…”

She could tell the man didn’t want to assume. Sonya could imagine how many successful businessmen came to the place with women that were not their wives. As expensive as the place was, she was sure discretion was part of their motto as well.

“Mrs. Hayden.”

Licking her teeth behind her lips, she wanted to correct Parker and reminded him that she had gone back to Watson after the divorce as well as the fact she was a Ms…not a Mrs. However, she kept her silence.

“Good evening to you both, may I interest you in a pre-dinner wine selection?” Javier went on for a few minutes with the evening wine specials they had available.

Parker glanced at her across the candlelight. “Would you care for any of those?”

“I skipped lunch today. It’s probably best I start with water and save the wine for when I have something on my stomach.” She needed to keep her wits about her with Parker around.

The server filled their glasses with water, then took the wine list and replaced it with a menu for both her and Parker to review promising his return momentarily.

Staring down at the elegantly scripted menu, her mind drifted back to her house when Parker had arrived to pick her up. A situation that started off as her flirting with him and having the edge over the night when she showed him the back of her dress had morphed into something different. As they’d stood in her foyer she had lost her head when he leaned into her. She’d thought he was going to kiss her, trembled with the desire to feel his lips against her again. The other two kisses they had shared had been in the work environment and brief. The fact she had yearned for his mouth on hers let her know that she couldn’t give an inch this night when it came to Parker. Otherwise she would be lost in a love that may not last, again.

“A penny for your thoughts.”

His voice interrupted her musing. Glancing up at him, she pondered how much to share with him. “I was thinking Roasted Tiger Prawn as my appetizer and Lobster Louis-Pernod as my main course…what about you?”

The single raised eyebrow let her know that he was not convinced that her meal selection was what she had been thinking about.  Thankfully, he didn’t pursue the conversation and allowed it to rest.

“I’m going to order the Oysters Bentley as our starter, unless you have objections.”

Aphrodisiac
. Maybe she should have gone with some wine.

She swallowed and noticed her throat was dry and reached for her water. “No.”

“Then have the Grown-up Macaroni and Cheese for my appetizer.” He paused to flip the page of his menu.

“You did see that they have escargot, right.” She rolled her lips in to stifle her smile.

He glanced up at her, giving her a steely look. “I don’t eat gastropoda, invertebrates or any other arthropod phylum. Unless starvation is a factor.” He winked at her, breaking the stern stare. “However, I’m sure you recall that.”

“I do.” She allowed the smile to show. “I can still remember after the four day rainstorm we had our junior year. We were on our way to the library to study when you saw Martin Collins, Mr. Six-year collegiate, holding that slug above his lighter burning it. You dropped your books and punched him in the jaw.”

Leaning back, he chuckled as he nodded. “He was a dumb ass. I think his parents kept paying for college just to keep him away from home.”

“He kept screaming…’People eat them all the time. Their just bugs.’” She leaned toward him and lowered her voice so as not to disturb any of the other dinners. “I still recall how red your eyes looked when you yelled back at him. ‘You’re an ass, but do you see us trying to pack bags on you and ride you up a hill?”

Stroking his jaw, he chuckled. “Not one of my finer moments.”

“I’m not sure who was more shocked, him or the Neanderthal group around him or me.” She laughed with him, but disagreed with his assessment of himself.

In all the time she had known Parker, he had kept to himself. Just focusing on his small group of friends, studies and her. That day she had witnessed an entirely new side of him. The masculine protective force he showed made her core tighten and her thighs ache. It was the first bout of desire she had ever experienced. She’d wanted him right then and there. However, he’d took his books from her, that she’d picked up, and led her into the library as if nothing had happened. Science focused as ever.

Javier returned and took their order.

Parker decided on the Maple Smoked Veal Chops to finish out his order.

After their server left, Parker held her gaze for a moment as he sat silent across from her.

“What?” She cupped the side of her neck feeling uncomfortable.

“Nothing. I’m just admiring you. I love to see you smiling.”

The intense look he was giving her warmed her to her toes. “You say that like you’ve never seen me smile before.”

“Oh, I have. You just don’t do it very often anymore. You’ve become so serious all the time.”

He didn’t ask why and she was thankful. Their night was going so well and she didn’t want to taint it by bringing up old hurts.

“I have a lot on my plate, now. Before I was working myself to exhaustion to impress Kravers and have him push through my grant with the board.”

“Understandable.” He stretched his hand across the table palm up.

Knowing what he wanted, she hesitated on a moment before placing her hand in his. She waited.