
Red Rose Publishing www.redrosepublishing.com
Copyright ©2007 by Belita Renn
First published in 2007-11-01, 2007
NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Mansion Halloween Ball by Belita Renn
Red Rose Publishing
Copyright© 2007 Belita Renn
ISBN: 978-1-60435-013-5
ISBN: 1-60435-013-X
Cover Artist: Rene Lyons
Editor: Kitren Meyers
This is a work of explicit adult romance written from the author's imagination and should not be construed as truth or fact. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Due to copyright laws, you cannot trade, sell or give any ebooks away.
"You are invited to the annual Halloween Ball on October 28th at the mansion of Albert Morrison, hosted by Morrison, Morrison, and Torque. The festivities are to begin at eight with a welcome from Mister Torque, and then a toast to Mrs. Winslow in the ballroom in honor of her retirement.
"I hope she receives more than a toast." Mary Lawrence tossed in, while reading the invitation to Carie Clark at the cafeteria table. Inhaling a deep breath she began reading again. "Hired carriages will be available for those that wish a moonlight ride around the lake.
"I went on that last year, it was very romantic." Mary injected. Clearing her throat she continued, "Cottages and spare rooms are available for stay over guests, if arrangements are made in advance.
"Now why do you suppose he would offer us rooms in his home? You think he has hidden cameras in every room?"
"Really Mary, you are incorrigible." Carie mocked.
"I know, still I'll bet there are video recorders hidden all over the mansion." Flashing a big smile, she focused her brown eyes on the paper. "Oh good, The Wilks Band will be performing until dawn in the ballroom.
"That means lots of slow dancing."
"I do believe there is a security camera system in the mansion," Carie supplied.
"See I told you."
"Food and drinks will be available in the dining hall, with a bond fire of the south lawn, and picnic tables with refreshments, and a second dance area. The cast from Horror Night will be hosting a kissing booth to test your courage, and will be working the cloakroom," Mary shuddered, "You have to kiss those horrid made up faces, and they French kiss you, and you don't know until midnight, if you frenched a male or female.
"For the brave at heart the pool will be expecting you.
"This is a costume Ball, all not wearing costumes upon arrival will be provided masks, and no masks can come off before midnight, unless you become sick. Feel free to have as much fun as you can stand, but no fighting no matter how drunk you get. The Kerry and Bach wedding chapel will be on the south lawn."
"Remember that party of four that got married last year, all of them to each other. Then they spent the night having an orgy, and in the morning they were so embarrassed," Carie chuckled as she remembered the situation.
"I don't know why they bother to invite us? Why not send a office memo stating we must attend?" Carie queried, over their luncheon plates.
They received one hour for lunch, which barely gave them time to eat and only a little talking. The two coffee breaks during their workday were really so they could fetch coffee and take it back to their desk. Only the executive offices had coffee pots.
"Then they, the powers that be, could not pretend that they are doing us a favor. No holiday but the one day for Thanksgiving, and one for Christmas and New Years, how can they not be ashamed?" Her cheek propped on her palm, Mary was suffering from fatigue, and barely able to keep her eyes open.
"Don't forget you only get the holiday if it falls on a work day," Carie reminded, raking her fingertips over her cheek, massaging her aching jaw. It ached from tensions; she had to learn to stop clenching her jaws.
"Hum." Her heavy eyelids lifting, Mary gazed at her with bleary eyes.
"Am I keeping you awake?" Carie teased, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips.
"I need caffeine. Would you fetch me a cup of coffee?" Fatigue was even in Mary's voice; she had been missing a lot of sleep lately.
"Sure." Crumpling her napkin, Carie rose from her chair. Her long black hair tied behind her head in a ponytail, snagged on the back of the chair. A gentleman sitting at the next table stood, and helped her free the tangled tresses. "Thanks," automatically she offered, as she glared at her sleeping friend that had been of no assistance. Sighing, she shook her head and hurried to the front of the lunchroom. After fetching the black coffee, she started back to her seat.
The cafeteria was crowded with employees, and she had to squeeze between groups of people standing around the room talking. Seeing the empty table beside the area where Mary and she were sitting, she wondered who the gentleman was that had helped with her hair. It would have to be cut. She had been putting it off, but this was the third time she had gotten caught in one of the lunchroom chairs. Hair hanging to the waist was out of date, and the style old fashioned, but she loved the slick strands. It had taken seven years to grow it this long and she hated to chop it off in five minutes. Which was all the time it would take for a hairdresser to cut it to a reasonable length before cutting it into a style. Eyeing the chair, as though it were a living evil thing, she grasped her hair and pulled it over her shoulder for safety, before sitting. After placing the coffee cup on the table before Mary, she looked at her wristwatch. "It's getting late. You had better hurry, if you plan to drink the coffee before we must return to work."
Forcing her eyes to open Mary patted her lips with flat fingers over her yawning mouth. "Sorry, I stayed out too late last night."
"It's not wise to do that during the week. Can't you wait until the weekend?" Carie asked feeling concerned for her friend's health. Mary had stretched her energy beyond its maximum limit.
Flinching, Mary raked her short red curl. "We were celebrating. Gabe got a raise."
"Another one, that makes three this year." A frown tugged her eyebrows inward, she felt slighted and used by the company. What was she doing wrong? What was Gabe doing right?
"Um, his boss must really admire his work," Mary absently dismissed. It was understandable that she was proud of Gabe's accomplishments.
Carie was pleased for him also, still she felt bad inside. "What could be so special about his work that affords him three raises in a year? He does the same job we do."
Lifting the coffee cup to her red lips Mary shrugged. "Don't know. Wish I knew his secret. I haven't gotten a raise in two years."
"I haven't either. Guess, we don't have the right equipment between our legs."
It was a joke they shared that the men in the company were always getting the promotions and raises, while the women struggled to make their rent. It was a general stereotype and didn't actually fit their company. Still, Gabe had a female boss, so it had become a joke between them. Mary didn't really believe Gabe would cheat on her, which was why they were able to joke about the topic.
Glancing at her watch, Carie rose. "Got to go. Tell Gabe, I'm jealous. See you after work."
The women carpooled to save on gas and parking fees as they lived near each other since the company parking lot was not large enough for all of the employee cars. Only the executives and senior employees received spaces in the parking lot. As the company had only been hiring women for the late ten years, all of the seniors were men. This was the source of additional jokes.
Mary was suppose to meet Carie in the parking lot, but never did. Her reason was a logical one, Carie worked over many nights, and Mary hated waiting in an empty parking lot. She said it gave her the creeps. Most days she drank coffee in the cafeteria, or waited in Carie's office while she finished her work. It wasn't that Carie was slow at her job; she was a regular worker bee.
It seemed no matter how hard she worked her boss always had more for her to do. Often Carie's boss required some last minute work before she could leave. Carie didn't mind the overtime pay, but a raise would have been an acknowledgment of her extra efforts on behalf of the company.
Taking the elevator to the top floor, Carie returned to the vice president's office. Sitting at her desk, she lifted the phone to receive the messages the switchboard had taken while she was out. Her boss was in a meeting, and was not expected to return for the day. After writing down the messages, she switched on her computer, and began typing the dictation she had received earlier.
Typing with the headphones on she didn't hear the door open, or see the gentleman standing in the doorway. Closing the door, he departed. Two hours later, he opened the door again. She was on the phone, and typing out the information research was dictating.
"Thanks Gene, I will see that you get a copy, as soon as Mr. Phifer has signed it." As she was hanging up the phone the line lit again, and she answered it.
"That information should be sent to Mr. Hatfield's office on seven. Oh, Mr. Phifer said I would. All right, send it up." The pleasant sound of her voice never altered. Carie did her job, whatever it was without complaint. "I will have it to you, by the end of the day. Thanks."
Hanging up the line, she heard a soft click. Thinking someone was entering her door, she looked around expecting to find a messenger with a delivery from research, but the door was closed. Frowning, she returned to her work.
When it was time to leave, she was in the middle of typing a document. Calling, "Come." In answer to the tap on the door, she continued typing.
"Be with you in a second Mary. Have a seat while I finish this." Without looking around, she continued typing. Two minutes later, she was printing out the document, while making a file folder for the pages.
"I think I would like Mediterranean tonight. You interested?" Stacking the pages, she placed them neatly into the file folder, and then switched off her computer. When Mary didn't answer she looked around, and discovered an empty room. Walking to the file cabinet, she placed the file folder inside. Behind her, the door opened and Mary walked in. Glancing over her shoulder, she cast her friend a smile.
"I was wondering where you had gotten to."
He had lost fifty dollars on a foolish bet with Mr. Phifer. He still couldn't believe the boasts of a perfect secretary appeared to be true. Phifer had dared him to enter her office at any time during the day.
"You'll find her working, if she isn't at lunch. Miss Clark doesn't waste time. She likes to keep busy."
"I know how busy executive secretaries can be. Especially, when the boss is away. I'll take your bet, and your secretary, if she is all that you say."
"Hey now, that wasn't part of the bet. She is my secretary." Phifer's bushy eyebrows sank into a frown. He was a round man, over confident, full of his self worth, and a braggart.
He figured the threat of losing the secretary would put a stop to the old man's bragging. Phifer was at least sixty, and would be retiring soon.
Still, Phifer persisted in claiming that Miss Clark was a most productive secretary in the company.
Accepting the bet, he decided to put a fast end to it. Leaving the top floor office, he strode down the hall to the vice president's office.
Opening the door, he paused and gawked at the lovely woman working at the computer. Closing the door before she noticed him, he returned to the president's office. Later he made the trip to the office again. This time he was assuming she would have cleared her desk of work, and was filing her fingernails.
Again she was busily working, double working actually while typing dictation from over the phone. At the end of the day, he went to speak to her. But, she was too busy to talk. Returning to the president's office, he passed the smug vice-president fifty dollars.
"Told you." Phifer said smugly, assuming the threat of losing the secretary had been a jest.
"Thanks for the assistant. I doubt I could find a better recommended employee in the company."
"Well no, but you're not really going to take her are you? My work will suffer. I need her."
"Your work will not suffer," though it was softly spoken, it was a command. "You will have a new secretary. We shall even allow Miss Clark to pick one out for you. She knows you well enough to pick one that would suite your temperament."
After Phifer left the office, he decided he would investigate Miss Clark in greater detail. He needed to know if he could trust her with the delicate nature of some of the company documents, was the excuse he would use to discover all he could about Miss Beautiful Clark.
Closing the file cabinet door, Carie locked the cabinets. Removing the keys from her wrist, she placed them in a hidden pouch she carried around her waist, beneath her blouse.
Mary watched her, with an amused expression. "I don't believe anyone is as conscientious as you, Miss Carie Clark," she teased. "Even the President's secretary/assistant, Mrs. Winslow doesn't guard her files as closely as you.
"I knew you should be finishing by now." Holding onto the doorknob, she waited for Carie to fetch her purse, and double check to see if everything was turned off, and in its proper place. She wouldn't leave until she was satisfied that all was secure.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you waiting. See, I finish faster when you don't talk to me."
"It helps me prevent talking, if I don't sit here waiting. I fetched a cup of coffee. I didn't want to risk driving while sleepy." She held a travel cup in her hand.
"Would you please get some sleep tonight?" Leaving the office behind Mary, Carie locked the door. Side-by-side they strolled to the elevators.
"Are you going with me to find a costume for the party? I mean Ball." Correcting herself in a wryly tone; Mary hit the button to call the elevator. Her gray tweed suit complemented her hair, making her look like a professional executive.
Knowing her simple black dress looked good with her hair and skin didn't stop Carie from feeling a twang of envy. Mary had the kind of looks that appealed to men.
While Carie might attract their attention, she didn't have what it takes to inspire a serious association. Men that lusted for her body asked her out on dates often, but apparently she didn't have what it took to make them fall in love. Not that she had ever fallen in love, her affairs had always turned out to be lust that faded. She supposed it was lucky for her that no one had fallen in love with her.
Still she had that empty longing inside for a connection; therefore it would be wonderful if a man fell in love with her. Which was why she continued to accept dates, and hoped their advances were from the heart and not the loins.
Each time when she discovered she had been wrong she became resigned to the coming end. She accepted that the fault lay inside her. She inspired lust not love, still her soul cried out from loneliness. Inside she wished she had that special something that helped inspire a tender emotion for her as a person.
"No, I will be wearing the witch costume I bought for the fall play. It would be foolish to attempt to conceal my identity with this hair."
Scooping her hair over her shoulder, she raked her fingers through the strands to detangle and then flipped the tail over her shoulder.
"I thought you were going to cut it?" Mary had no sympathy for her long hair. She wore her hair short and claimed that all women should cut their hair short.
"I need to; I keep getting caught on the chairs in the lunchroom. I merely haven't gotten around to it."
"Liar, you are stalling," removing the sting of her declaration Mary, flashed a smug smile.
"Yes, I hate to cut it." Reaching behind her back, she released the bow holding her hair, and shook it free. "I suppose I will have to though. Mr. Phifer has started complaining that it's unprofessional to appear feminine."
"He wouldn't know professional if it bit him in the ass."
It was reassuring to her ego to have a loyal friend that would stick by her and offer emotional support when there was nothing else that could be done.
Punching Mary's arm, Carie glanced over her shoulder to make certain the hall behind them was empty.
"Remember where you are; a comment like that could get us both fired. No derogatory comments about superiors, you know the rules." The swishing sound of the elevator rising in the shaft could be heard.
"Sorry, it slipped." The elevator doors opened, and Mary stepped inside as though she were anxious to be out of the hallway. The elevator provided no haven for gossip. It had a security camera that recorded everyone that rode in the small conveyance.
Sighing, Carie followed Mary into the portable room.
"Thanks for the support," Stepping inside she faced the doors, and then noticed an office door on the right side of the hall closing. Elbowing Mary, she nodded for her to look into the hallway. Carie hadn't looked in that direction when checking for listening ears. Feeling anxious, she waited until the doors closed.
"Did you see the office door on the right closing?" she whispered because of the security system.
"Yeah."
He opened Larry Simm's office door as Carie Clark and another woman walked past. Pausing in the doorway, he listened to the musical tone of her voice. His eyes focused on the come-hither sway of her hips and the way the material of her dress cupped beneath the rounded curves, hinting at the crease between her thighs.
His member twitched and lengthened. His aroused attention focused on her ankles and slid up the curved of her calves, the skirt swallowed her thighs and he wanted to push up the material and continue the exploration. The need to explore every inch of her body was urging him to follow her.
Clenching his hands into fists, he locked his knees. The head in his pants waving for attention, his eyes moved over her waist and skimmed up the slick line of her back to the silken tresses she was threatening to cut. Hoping he would get the chance to run his hands through it, he silently willed her to forget about cutting it. Her face in profile, she was concentrating on her friend and their hushed conversation.
Hearing that the employees were not allowed to comment on the actions of their superiors gained the business side of his attention. Now that was a bit of information that he had never heard from the executives. What were they trying to hide? How long had the rule been in force? Was it a new rule since they decided to sell, or was it a long-term policy of the company? These were questions that he intended to discover the answers too.
As she turned to enter the lift, his gaze slid across her features, lingering on her kissable lip, sliding down to the full line of her breasts. Licking his lips, he stepped back and closed the office door.
"Was there something else sir?" Simm queried from his desk. Head of security Simm was turning out to be very helpful.
"I believe I am going to need one more thing from you." Turning back, he smiled at the little man. Simm was one of those quiet people who were easily overlooked. He dressed in plain basic clothing, and his features were pale. His unimpressive appearance was perfect for his line of work.
"Shoot, we're going to get fired," whispering in an aside, she watched the lights on the elevator blink on and then off as the elevator descended.
"Maybe they didn't hear anything," Mary said with hope, encouraging her not to accept defeat.
"I imagine we will find out by tomorrow evening." Mary continued. Sighing from relief as the light reached the lower floors. The urge to escape the building was strong in her. Shoving the dark thoughts aside, she determined not to worry, yet.
"Look at it this way; we won't be forced to go to the Halloween Ball, if we get sacked." She stepped from the elevator into the crowded lobby. People that were in no hurry to depart stood in small groups dotted around the entrance hallway.
Speaking in hushed tones, they concealed their conversations, making the rooms sound as though a loud buzz was echoing around the hallway.
It was Mary's week to drive. Pretending not to worry about whom might have overheard their conversation; they paused to speak to Mrs. Winslow before leaving the building.
"She will be retiring the night of the Halloween Ball. It is for her we must attend, if for no other reason." Carie remarked after walking away from the elderly woman, dressed in a professional gray business suit, with a white carnation in her lapel. She looked the part of an executive's assistant.
"You know you would attend if Winslow wasn't retiring. Working for the Vice President has its obligations."
"Yes, it does. If you took your obligations seriously, you might get that raise," she teased, adjusting her narrow purse that she held beneath her arm.
"It hasn't helped you," Mary pointed out in a childishly rebellious tone.
"True," she admitted, accustomed to crossing the company parking lot to the pay lot on the far side of the street.
Mary dropped her before her townhouse; she waved and then hurried up the sidewalk to the door.
Inside she stripped to her underwear and then wrapped her body in a bathrobe. A short time later, she had made a vegetable and fruit tray. After carrying it to her sitting room, she placed it on the side table. Then crossing to the stereo, she switched it on to play her favorite soft-rock music.
Sighing, she remembered the wine she had intended to drink. Upon returning to the kitchen, she removed the chilled wine from the refrigerator and then searched for the corkscrew. She had just found the corkscrew as the doorbell rang so she hurried to the door.
After opening the door, she stared in shock at the handsome man standing at her door. Tall, with refined features and a French style hat on his head with no hair visible. It was his only flaw. Although a shaved head was a popular style, she preferred a little hair to stroke. He was dressed in a nice suite that appeared to be of excellent quality, it showed off his broad shoulders and lean hips to perfection.
Aside from the shaved head she assumed was hidden beneath the hat, he was a dreamy male. She would use him in her fantasy tonight. His hat was the only clothing she would allow this French lover.
While she studied him, he looked her over. In her bathrobe, she was probably an amusing sight.
"Miss Carie Clark, this is for you," speaking with formal precision, he held out an envelope for her to accept.
Reaching for the envelope, she had forgotten the bottle and corkscrew in her hand. Smiling he accepted the bottle, so she was able to take the envelope.
"If I may?" He held out his hand for the corkscrew. Hesitating a moment, she glanced down at the envelope and then passed the corkscrew opener to him absently. The envelope was from her company. Surely, they weren't sacking her already?
The cork squeaked as he pulled it from the bottle. The sound reclaimed her attention.
"Oh, thank you." Quickly she shoved the envelope into the pocket of her robe.
He held out the bottle and opener. When she accepted them from him, he turned and strode away with long easy gliding strides. Sighing, she closed the door.
"Why can't I meet someone that looks like that who is interested in me?" She asked, turning the wine bottle up and taking deep pull while crossing the room, then sat it on the table as she was sitting down. Tossing the envelope on the table, she lifted the tray and started eating fearing she would lose her appetite if she opened it first.
She wasn't opening it until she had eaten. She stared at the envelope while eating, a knot growing in her stomach.
Unable to stand the suspense any longer Carie set her food aside and took up the envelope, wondering if Mary had received an envelope. She was tempted to call. They could tear them open together.
Mary would have torn the envelope open immediately and called her. If she hadn't received an envelope there was no reason to make her worry when it could be unnecessary. Puffing out a breath of tension, she tore it open.
Withdrawing the letter inside she read.
Miss Clark,
The position as the assistant for the company President will be open after the Halloween Ball. The President has been decided to offer you the position. You are to report to his office on the Monday morning following the Ball. Your income will increase ten thousand a year.
We would like you to pick a replacement secretary for Mr. Phifer, as you know his temperament. Merely, notify the employment office Friday, and they can notify the person to report to Phifer Monday morning."
Grasping the wine, she took a deep swig. She didn't believe it.
This had to be a cruel joke; ten thousand a year raise, no way. This was someone's sick joke and once she got her hope up she would go to work tomorrow and get sacked.
The following day she received flowers and a note of congratulation from the President's office. Mrs. Winslow had signed the card.
So, it could be real. Jubilation surged through her body. Still, she could be fired at any moment. She reminded herself not to get her expectations up before she actually started the job.
This feeling of having her job on the line was a thorn in her neck. She always knew it was there, but it wasn't hurting, yet. At the moment, when so much was hanging in the balance for her, she felt like ringing Mary's neck for making the comment that put their jobs at risk.
She would tell Mary over lunch so she would know the pressure Carie was under. She had two more days to get through before the ball. Then there would be the week following the ball when she would be learning her new boss and his preferences.
The car pool would need to end, as she had to be available anytime the president needed her. She could be called on at quitting time to stay another hour or two. She couldn't make Mary wait that long. Still, it could all be a cruel joke that someone with a twisted mind had concocted to torture her. The pressure was like a canon ball sitting on her shoulders. She didn't know how she was ever going to get any sleep until this was over.
At lunch, a group from the editorial department sat at their table so there was no opportunity to tell Mary the news. After work, she walked from the elevator with the flowers in hand. Mary almost dropped her travel cup of coffee upon seeing the flowers.
"Carie, have you got a new fellow and didn't tell me?" Her stunned expression and tone were almost insulting.
It wasn't as though she never dated. She merely had more requirements when making a choice than Mary.
"I will tell you outside. There will be no more personal talk where others might overhear."
"I hear you. I have been tense as a rat in a trap. Gabe got his walking papers today. He gets to stay until tomorrow to show the new person what is required. Basically, they are paying him to train his replacement."
"No! After those raises, I thought he was definitely the one with a secure position." Feeling the door close on her trap there was tightness in her chest, forcing her to breath between parted lips.
"You and me both. But, his boss got canned too. All though she gets to stay longer to train her replacement." Mary whispered. They were outside the building, but the open space of the parking lot could carry sounds.
"Oh dear, that does sound bad. Do you think they are down-sizing?" Biting her bottom lip, Carie felt the chances of retaining her position shrinking. "Mr. Phifer always claimed there was no money available, so he couldn't give me a raise."
"Girl, you don't mingle enough with the ranks. The rumor over the water cooler is that the company is being bought. They have been keeping it secret, so the stock wouldn't drop."
"I don't think a new owner, or new management should affect stock as long as the quality of the magazine doesn't go down."
Opening the car door Mary slipped into the driver's seat and then pressed the switch to unlock the passenger door for Carie.
Sliding into the passenger seat, Carie arranged the flowers between her knees and then buckled her seatbelt. "What we think doesn't matter where the stock is concerned," she reminded, arranging her long hair over her shoulder.
"So, tell me about the new guy. I want all the juicy details." Starting the car, Mary twisted and backed out from the parking space.
"The flowers are not from a man. They are from the company." Carie waited until they were safely in the flow of traffic before continuing. "I received a message at home that I had been selected for the position as assistant for the president. I'm to start the Monday after the Ball. If it isn't a hoax."
Mary whistled in appreciation. Cutting her eyes, she cast Carie a quick glance. The car swerved. "You're kidding, and you didn't tell me? What makes you think it's a hoax?"
"Someone, perhaps if they overheard the comment at the elevators, wants to torture me before giving me the sack. Mary, watch the road. I didn't say anything, because I thought it was a hoax. I figured whoever heard us talking was building me up for a big letdown."
"So the flowers may be a hoax too?"
"Could be, but the card has the company logo, and it is signed by Mrs. Winslow. That is if it is her legit signature, but I have no way of knowing."
"We are not getting sacked, because I haven't gotten sacked. And as I'm the one that said it, they should fire me first. Oh man."
Leaning slightly, Mary punched Carie's arm. "You are moving up. I am so thrilled for you."
"Don't be yet. I haven't pleased the new boss. And if there is a new owner, I could still be out within the week. However, there is another wrinkle. I am to choose my replacement. Naturally, I would choose you, but I have to tell employment Friday to send you to replace me, and they will hire someone to replace you."
Mary hissed. "It would be like we were both quitting our present boss if it is a hoax. We could end up with nowhere to go on Monday, but onto the street."
"I see you understand. So, do I send your name to employment as my replace?"
"Yeah, what the hey? The way I see it, if we are going to be fired we will be out one way or another. This way we will know for certain Monday. Why not take the chance that it is legit. What have we got to lose? Besides, I would be a fool to pass on a promotion to your job. If I did and this is real I would never forgive myself for passing up the chance for promotion. Hey I will get a raise right?"
"You will have to work hard to keep it."
"I am willing to work hard, merely for the pleasure of being able to claim I work for the vice-president."
"It's not really that much of an honor."
"It is for those of us who have never had a shot at the position."
She chuckled. "Well all right, I will turn in your name."
"So what you gonna do? You cannot spend the whole weekend pacing the floor."
"I'll go to the party, forget my worries and be happy. I haven't a care in the world. Worrying isn't going to change anything."
Mary laughed. "We are lucky the boss expects us to have a blast and live it up at the party. I have always hated going to stuffy parties."
"This could be our last good bash if we are getting a new owner," she reminded. "And you know the reason Morrison wants us to be wild at the party is because someone always takes off their clothes and some have even had sex in view of everyone. It is free entertainment and costs him nothing."
Mary sobered. "Your right. Well, it is the last party Gabe will be attending at least as an employee. I plan to have a good time, so if it is my last one I will be going out with a good memory. I may even find ole Phifer and give him a good one to keep my job."
Carie chuckled. "I wouldn't put it past you. I still cannot believe Gabe got dismissed. Was he given a reason?"
"I don't think he was. He was pretty mad when I spoke to him. Ranting and that kind of thing, but he never mentioned why he was fired. You work in the vice-presidents office; nothing came over your desk about Gabe?"
"Nothing." Shaking her head, Carie saw her house come into view. "What are you going to be at the Halloween Ball? Did you get a costume?"
"Cleopatra."
"I have always loved her look. See you tomorrow. I'll meet you at the bar."
Reaching for the door handle, she opened the door and slipped from the seat.
Struggling to maintain a hold on the flowers, she shifted them in her arms as she started up the front walk.
Once inside she placed the flowers on the bar that separated the kitchen from the living room. She sighed in relief, kicking off her heals as she padded across the room to the dining area with a bar that separated the kitchen from the dining room.
She would be leaving the flowers on the bar for the weekend, they would be a reminder that soon she would be the president's assistant, or without a job. Then she headed toward her bedroom.
Mrs. Wilson was mainly referred to as Morrison's secretary/assistant. The title for the position may have changed, but she doubted that the work would vary all that much from what she was doing now. It was that small title change that had her worried. The president wouldn't have made a mistake and called her an assistant, instead of secretary/assistant as he always refers to Mrs. Wilson.
"If I am lucky the new president will be a sweet old dear. Maybe he will even give me a big Christmas bonus and a raise at New Years." She snorted. "Dream on."
Having a new owner, the budget will be tight until they see how the stocks are going to be affected by the change. It wasn't a pleasant thought but it was a common occurrence in business. Still a ten thousand a year raise would ease the pressure on her finances but she would probably be forced to purchase business suites to wear. No doubt, she would be ordered to cut her hair into a short professional style. She wouldn't cut it until she knew what was expected of her.
For two days, she wondered and worried if there was a new owner, also about the new owner, and the security of her position with the magazine. Would the new owner elect a new president? Or would she be working for Mr. Morrison? Only time would reveal the answers.
On Friday, the day of the party, she sent Mary's name to the employment department as her replacement to start Monday. After work, she was on her way out the door when someone called her name.
Turning, she saw a young man hurrying toward her with an envelope in his hand.
"I was afraid I wouldn't catch you before you departed. I'm sorry I missed you at your office, we must have crossed in the elevators." Stopping before her, he held out the envelope.
It could have been a snake as a feeling of dread washed over her.
"Who told you to bring this?" Taking the envelope, she queried.
"I don't know, it was delivery to us from the mailroom. There must have been a mix up by the delivery guys. It should have been delivered with the post. Instead it ended up in the messenger room."
"Thank you." Did pink slips go through the messenger room?
Tipping his head in acknowledgement, he turned and walked away.
Holding the envelope in her hand, she walked to the car. She didn't mention the envelope to Mary as she hadn't mentioned receiving one. One thing she was conscious of, even if unconsciously, was to maintain security of documents that might contain private company business.
This could be something that should have been locked in a file before leaving the office. She would wait until she was in the privacy of her home before opening the envelope. If this was the mocking Your Fired message, she wanted to be alone when she read it. There was a definite fear in her that she was going to cry.
After entering her home, she closed and locked the door. Then leaned against it and dropped her handbag on the table. She inhaled a deep breath and released it slowly, holding the envelope against her chest. She knew it was useless to wait so she opened the envelope she removed the enclosed paper. A key remained in the bottom fold. Once she unfolding it, she read the message.
Please report to the President's office a half hour before the company opens. It is believed it will be your wish to learn what the President will have to say, some of which is private, before the other employees arrive and the rumors start flying.
The President
No signature, it could be from anyone, still there was the key. Not everyone had a key to pass around. But, an executive could get hold of a key. She crushed the paper in her hand.
"Aw, hell, I am going to get drunk," she grumbled in a frustrated tone.
These past days had been horrid and it wasn't over. If she didn't have concealer to hide the dark circles under her eyes, she would be embarrassed to go to the Ball.
She wouldn't get drunk of course; the vice-president's secretary doesn't get drunk at a company function.
Going to the kitchen she removed the tray of fruit she had prepared before leaving for work. Taking it to the bedroom, she placed it upon the bed. She opened her blouse as she strode into the master bath and started hot water running into the garden tub.
Upon returning to the bedroom, she sat and removed her shoes and then shucked out of her pants. After removing her under things, she sat naked on her bed taking a few bites of strawberries. While chewing she rose from the mattress and strode quickly back to the master bath to check on the water.
She stooped down and tested the temperature with her fingers. Satisfied with the warmth, she fetched the tray of fruit and then placed it on the corner of the garden tub. She poured lavender bath oil into the water then stirred it around. Finally, she sank into the water with a sigh of contentment.
This was what she needed. It would relax her muscles as easily as drinking, but not her tangled emotions. A decision made, she rose from the water, stepped from the tub and wrapped a towel around her body. While holding the towel across her breasts she hurried from the room and down the hall to the kitchen. As she dripped water on the floor, she poured a glass of wine and drank it down.
After refilling the glass she carried it to the bathroom, dropped the towel onto the floor and stepped into the hot water.
Carie sat carefully with sighed in contentment. She would need to hire a taxi now to take her to the Masquerade but it would be better than arriving in a tangle of nerves.
As she was feeling bold, she had decided at the last moment to change her costume. She spent a long time applying exotic makeup, then dressed in the Daisy Mae costume she had worn in the play her last year of college. I
t was a skimpy thing, with a flower covered tiny halter-top and short-short mini with a jagged hem and matching green tights beneath. She had never been bold enough to wear the costume since collage. Leaving her hair hanging down her back, she slipped on a shear green negligee jacket over the costume that went to a pajama set. It reached her ankles and had one button beneath the breasts. The transparent jacket lent a feeling of being covered without concealing her skimpy clad body.
She returned to the kitchen and refilled her wine glass. At the phone, she paused and called for a cab to arrive at her home at seven thirty. Stuffing one twenty into the bra of her halter-top and one into the toe of her green slippers she was prepared to pay for her ride to and from the Ball.
Before the taxi arrived, she slipped outside the front door and hid a key so she would have a way inside when she returned.
Since she was ready, she sat on the edge of the seat, relaxed, and finished the glass of wine. When the cab arrived, the driver blew the horn to announce his arrival.
Carie hurried out the door, locked it, and made certain it was securely closed before heading for the taxi.
The driver stared at her as she slid onto the seat. The mask and exotic eye makeup gave her a sense of anonymity, although the driver knew her address.
Carie offered him a confident smile, then gave the address of the Mansion. "I'm going to a Costume Ball."
"Yes ma'am." The driver faced forward and put the cab in gear before starting the vehicle moving. Thirty minutes later the cab stopped before the Mansion.
She slid the twenty from the cup of her top, and passed it to the driver.
"Thanks, keep the change."
"Thanks!" His gaze lingered on her body. "Wish I was attending this ball. Who is hosting it?"
"Play House magazine."
"Should have guessed it was a sex magazine."
"It is a magazine for play writers and theater promotion," she supplied.
"Oh, well have a good time." He sounded disappointed.
She shoved the door open and stepped onto the driveway. Then she crossed to the walkway and started up the long path to the Mansion's entrance.
Carie was relieved when she spotted several people in skimpy costumes similar to her own. A male and female elf, and a pair of wood nymphs were mounting the entrance steps. A female fairy and a Greek male, a vampire and scarecrow were walking ahead of her on the cement walkway. A man dressed as a lumberjack, another dressed as a Roman gladiator. It appeared everyone had taken pains with their appearance.
As she climbed the steps, she spotted a female gothic couple standing at the door greeting people. They passed out masks to those in need as they entered the door.
After adjusting the green mask over her eyes, she continued into the hall. Midgets dressed as goblins were working the cloakroom but she wasn't removing her coat, it was part of her costume.
From the entrance, she followed the music to the ballroom, then paused inside the doorway and quickly scanned for the bar. The wine she had drunk was wearing thin and she was beginning to feel self-conscious. She had no intention of becoming intoxicated, but she wanted a buzz to keep herself relaxed.
Spying the bar, she headed in that direction. She stood in line until she reached the table and lifted a glass of wine from the array sitting before her.
While sipping from the glass she moved to the side of the room, as she searched for Mary and Gabe. Then spotting Mary as she entered the ballroom Carie headed in her direction.
"Where's Gabe?" she queried as she approached Mary.
"He is meeting me. I gather you haven't seen him."
Shaking her head, she lifted the glass of wine to her lips. "Shall we fetch you a drink?"
"Absolutely. Do you think we are going to have a job Monday?"
"I'm not going to think about it tonight. I intend to enjoy this party in case it is my last."
"I'm with you."
"Hey beautiful, where have you been hiding?" Gabe broke from the crowd behind them and approached. "Carie, you make my eyes bulge. That outfit is hot!"
He looked her over with appreciation.
"Thanks. Have you noticed anyone new here tonight?"
"Not me. I imagine Mary told you, I got canned. I am going to do some kissing up, and get my job back tonight," he informed them in a hushed timbre.
"How do you intend to do that?" Mary asked, reaching the front of the line she lifted a glass, and then moved away from the table.
"I'm going to give the old man a show, that is why he has these parties," Gabe said seriously, his gaze focusing on Mary.
Shaking her head, Mary cleared her throat. "Count me out; I am not here to be an exhibitionist."
"Not even for me?" he asked in a pitiful tone.
"No," firmly Mary responded.
"Then I'm on my own." Kissing Mary on the cheek, he turned to Carie.
Dismissing Mary's feeling without a second thought he queried, "You interested in a little excitement?"
"Not in the least." She might have been drinking and acquired a buzz, but she wasn't drunk.
"Ah well, someone will be. Wish me luck." He moved away, waving his fingers and disappeared into the crowd.
"That jerk. I cannot believe he is acting like this. You would think I didn't exist for all the notice he is giving our relationship."
"I don't believe you have a relationship tonight," in a sympathetic tone, Carie pointed out.
Mary cussed repeatedly for a moment. "Well, two can play his game." She emptied her glass, and set it on the table. Then she started to walk away, pausing she glanced back at Carie. "Coming? I'm going to start with kissing all the actors."
Shaking her head, she lifted her glass in salute. "You are on your own tonight. Go for it."
"Each man for himself, have a blast," Mary remarked as she stepped away.
A vampire approached her. He gaze followed Mary's exit. "Dance with me beautiful." Rich and deep, with an accent that was obviously assumed, he had a voice she found familiar.
He held out to her a large hand concealed in white sati, and she placed her hand in his. His skin, not concealed by the white mask of costume makeup, was hidden by clothing. His dark eyes were outlined by black lending a design with an exotic flair to his features that appealed to her physically. His features were attractive, even the flesh where the dark stubble of a beard would be beneath was smooth shaven. Beards had never appealed to Carie, she enjoyed touching and kissing a smooth face.
His bottom lip was fuller then the top and both were a well defined pink from a mixture of red lipstick and white facial makeup. Crisp waves in his hair made noticeable by a shiny substance he had applied to his hair. Combed away from his face, his hair was a blue black that reflected the lights from the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
They crossed the room, mostly with her in the lead as they passed between people. While walking she puzzled at his voice and finally the light came on in her mind. It was an old boyfriend.
Theodore hadn't been a reliable boyfriend. He stood her up, was late constantly and finally she had called it quits. Theodore enjoyed playing the field she had known that from the beginning, but to be waiting when he wouldn't even bother to call and inform her he wasn't coming was too much of an insult.
However, before the final date, he had been a good lover when he managed to show up. It had been a long time since they parted, which was why she had difficulty identifying him. She didn't remember his voice sounding so delicious, or that it excited her. Knowing her companion's identity, she could enjoy their time together without worrying about his opinion of her over a one-night stand. It wasn't like he was going to want to have a relationship with her, so she could relax.
She hadn't made a conscious decision to have a one-night stand, but subconsciously she was definitely considering making this a night to remember.
"Nabbed you a beauty, I see," a male in a gladiator costume called.
Her vampire glanced back at the man, and flashed a triumphant smile.
Entering the dance area, he turned and circled her into his arm. Pulling her close to his hard torso, his face rested on her hair. Inhaling his husky aroma, she felt her insides begin to tingle with anticipation.
How long had it been since she had great sex? She couldn't think with his luscious scent filling her lungs. Anyway, she hadn't come here for sex. Closing her eyes she relaxed and inhaled. A shiver of reaction shook her body. He smelled divine.
Warmth from his hands penetrated through her thin clothing to her flesh as he stroked gently up and then down her spine to the upper curve of her buttocks. The gentle pressure of his possessive caress relaxed her muscles against his hard frame. His hand hesitated before starting back up, his pinky pressed down lightly into the division of her cheeks as though he was checking his location. Awareness of what he was doing caused her body to shiver again.
A low growl rumbled in his throat and her body reacted by clenching with desire.
She didn't remember their bodies being a perfect fit, or that his touch thrilled her flesh. What other good things had her mind erased to help purge him from her memory?
"I have had a drink or two, so if I act inappropriately please tell me," his deep timbre admitted softly against her ear.
"Thankfully there is no standard, or I would be in trouble with you holding me like this. The wilder the party the more our host approves. I think he likes to believe these are the same as the parties held by the nude magazines. Still, I think you should stay away from between my cheeks in public."
"Then would you like to go somewhere private, so I can touch you properly?" his voice was as suggestive as his words.
She chuckled feeling carefree, and totally appealing thanks to the compliment that he wanted her. "You go straight for the kill. No. I never said I was willing to be part of the entertainment."
"Just asking." He chuckled. "No offense intended."
"None taken in the slightest. There is no harm in asking, as long as you accept the answer."
His hands moving over her shoulders were a seductive pampering. It was easy to imagine them moving over her naked breasts. A shiver of awareness raced up her spine at the image her mind conjured. Suddenly she was aware of her breasts brushing against the slickness of his silk vest. Her breathing was heavier and she was aware of everything about his physical presence including the rising rod between their bodies. Lifting her eyes she studied the strong line of his jaw and the black hair slicked back with oil to make it stay back as a vampire was portrayed in most movie pictures and plays.
He wore the makeup as they did in the old movies, white pancake makeup with red lipstick that was washed out by the white pancake on his lips. Black eyeliner surrounded his deep chocolate eyes making them appear as exotic as she had worked to make her own.
"You went to a lot of trouble, not many men are brave enough to wear makeup. You did a wonderful job, your makeup is perfect, very exotic."
"Actors do it all the time."
"True, but most men don't seem to realize it. My father never dreamed his western and action hero's wore makeup."
"As I prepared for tonight, I decide I would act as I do when having sex."
She chuckled, amused. "I don't understand the connection?"
"I give myself up to it completely."
"Ah, the man brags." Flustered she couldn't think of more to say, saving her the music ended and Carie stepped back from his masculine frame.
"Walk with me in the garden?" He held out his hand and waited. His dark hypnotic eyes locked with her gaze and she felt for a moment that he really did have magical powers.
The garden could mean intimate moments; did she want to go that far tonight?
She had a feeling she would be making an important decision on the spur of the moment if she took his hand, but she couldn't leave him standing there with his hand extended.
Placing her hand in his, she wasn't even certain why as she hadn't made a conscious decision, but her action had committed her. He had referred to sex twice within several minutes. It was obvious what was on his mind. Instead of agreeing she should have made an excuse to separate from him, the logical part of her brain decided. The part of her brain that was being a thrill seeker tonight was leaping at the core of her being, making her stomach quiver within her ribs.
Squeezing her hand gently within his encompassing grasp, he led the way to the open French doors. Music from the garden combated the music from inside as they stepped onto the patio.
Sliding his hand along her lower back, he circled her waist and drew her against his side.
Pretending she didn't recognize him she asked, "What do you do at the company?"
"Well, mostly I deal with customer relations." Casting a glance down at her, he smiled. If she hadn't known he worked in editing, she would know he was lying by his cagey attitude.
"That could be stressful," tongue in cheek she said, and then cast him a sassy smile. "I have a feeling there is more involved in your work."
"At times." Glancing down at her, he flashed a charming smile that revealed white teeth. "I would like to kiss you, but I am afraid my makeup will spoil yours. You look too beautiful for anything to blemish your look."
Lifting her eyebrows she glanced away, she didn't want to appear interesting in the subject, even if she was. I guess he answered the question; will he kiss me in the moonlight? Her chest had a weight upon it. Darn it,was that disappointment she was feeling?
"The costumes are all so good that I am having trouble finding a face I recognize. Of course being new at the company, I don't actually know many people here. I am hoping you will help me feel more at home among all these strangers. I know Mr. Morrison is dressed as the devil. Do you recognize anyone?"
She chuckled. "He is always a devil. It suits his wicked personality."
They were wandering slowly along the side of the building in the direction of the garden when he touched her stomach.
"I believe I recognize him. Isn't that the man you were speaking with just before I arrived?"
"Gabe?" As she didn't see Mary's boyfriend she glanced up to discover where he was looking. He nodded in the direction of the bay window.
The curtains were wide apart, the bright light inside the room revealed everything inside to the people on the dimly lighted lawn. Gabe was indeed in the room, naked and so was his female sex partner, who had been his boss until today. Lying on the bed with her legs spread, Gabe was administering an enthusiastic licking upon the woman's clit. They were positioned at an angle that revealed every lick of his tongue along her wet slit.
"Happy Hallow's Eve," dryly she stated. "I hope Mary doesn't see this." Turning her head away Carie continued walking. "Yes, that is good old loyal Gabe."
"He certainly knows how to enjoy a party." Her vampire sounded envious.
"Yes. Before the night is over there will be many such displays. It is rumored that anyone that pleases Morrison's lecherous side, will get a hefty bonus, and if you please Torgue you get a promotion."
"Do you believe it's true that they would promote someone that hadn't earned the position merely because of a sexual display?"
Shaking her head, she laughed softly. "I don't know. I have never heard of anyone actually getting a bonus, or promotion after the Ball. Gabe is with his former superior. He was fired this week; he implied earlier that he would be attempting to regain his post. If that is his goal, I believe he should have chosen a different partner. There are still executives that object to these liberal actions."
"I agree he would have had a better chance if he had bedded Torque, although if he was fired I doubt it. There was probably a good reason for his dismissal. If someone did get a promotion would it be assumed they had pleased Torque?"
A frown settled on her brow. "I hadn't thought of that, but you are probably right."
He was right; everyone would believe her promotion would be a direct result of the party, if it was real. Everyone would be comparing notes, trying to find someone that knew what she had done to please the boss. When they couldn't find a source, it would be assumed she had slept with the boss, perhaps even both or all of them. Did someone wish to embarrass her by having her start the new position on Monday following the ball? "Damn."
"Did I say something to displease you?"
"No. Let's find something to drink. I am feeling a little dry." She needed a buzz more than ever. They crossed the garden to the tables arranged with refreshments.
"Do you wish to eat?"
"Not right now." Lifting a glass, she took a healthy swallow before lowering the rim from her lips.
"I don't suppose you would be willing to tell me your name?"
Hoping he really didn't recognize her, she glanced up at him. "You don't suppose correctly." Smiling, she slide her eyes down his strong torso. He had broad shoulders and a firm stomach that followed straight lines to his masculine hips. His thighs were encases in black gabardine that caressed his legs when he moved and he wore black boots.
"If you didn't have the cape and makeup you might be able to pass for one of the country music stars."
"We could go somewhere private. Reveal our secret identities. Perhaps we could put a little makeup on you." His deep voice had grown husky, lifting a hand he brushed it crossed her nipple with the backs of his knuckles.
"You think I need more makeup?" teasing she asked, taking a casual step back from his hand.
"I would like to put some red lipstick on your nipples."
Breathing between parted lips, she considered his offer.
She was tempted, but it would be foolish to attempt a coupling here. Shaking her head, she turned away. "I cannot believe I am even considering it. I would be a fool to leave with you."
"We could stay here. Go to one of the guest rooms."
Again, she shook her head. "I have heard it rumored that Morrison might have those wired for video through the security system."
"Oh, I didn't know. What about the cottages out back? They were servant's quarters weren't they? I doubt they are wired."
She wanted to go with him. Thoughts of having those big hands on her body were making her ache.
Her clit throbbed with anticipation. "Do you think you could get a key?"
"They won't be locked. He is expecting stay over guests."
Looking at his white painted face, she liked the shape of his face and the fullness of his lips. Yes, she wanted those lips on her nipples. "Yes." She stopped breathing for a moment when she realized she had spoken aloud.
Grabbing her in a bear hug, he lifted her from the ground. "You won't regret it."
Pushing at his chest, she gasped. "I already am, you're crushing me."
"Sorry." Easing his grip he lowering her to the ground. "I cannot kiss you, not with this makeup. But I want you to know that I want too, desperately."
Grasping her hand in his large gloved one he started across the lawn. She objected in a hissing tone, hurrying after him.
"Stop. Someone, everyone will notice the way you are hauling me off. A vampire isn't a caveman."
He stopped and released her hand. A frown tugged his eyebrows inward as he turned and studied her and then glanced around the garden. "Sorry, I got carried away." He sighed. "I am making a lot of mistakes tonight. It is because I am pressed for time that I am anxious. I will do better if you will give me the opportunity."
"We will stroll casually across the garden. Or we don't go at all."
"Yes ma'am." He waited for her to step to his side, then turned and they strolled across the garden away from the refreshment tables. "Have you ever made it with anyone at one of these?"
"No. My position with the company doesn't allow it."
"What has changed?"
"Nothing. Everything. I don't know for certain. I guess it was a bad idea. We had better forget it. If we were discovered, I would probably lose my job. My boss is one of the old fashions executives." Then again, she might be out of a job come Monday anyway. She would just wait and see what happened between them, if it happened, it happened. Who was she to fight destiny?
They strolled from the garden lights into the high hedge bushes. Couples were hiding behind the bushes kissing and fondling. Smiling, they continued walking.
"I wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize your job." He sounded resigned to the fact that nothing was going to happen.
What surprised her was that he stayed. When he could go in search of someone willing to satisfy his urges, he stayed by her side. He continued to stroll slowly with her as though that was as important to him as relieving his sexual desires.
It made her feel very special, as though someone finally really wanted to be with her. Don't be stupid Theodore isn't serious about being with you. Was staying his way of saying he wanted to try for a serious relationship?
"From what you have said the owners have voyeurs tastes. I didn't think it was possible tonight at least to offend them. The executives cannot overrule their decisions."
"True, but if I am fired I doubt the owners would even know, or care to discover why if they were to learn of my dismissal. Some of the executives do a lot of things the owners don't know about. I believe that is why they made the rule that no one can make derogatory remarks about the executives or even the owners and retain their position."
"That is an interesting bit of information. How long has that been in effect?
"As long as I have worked here. I have been with the company five years."
"What are the Christmas parties usually like?"
"Like this only on a much smaller scale. The party is at the office and no one is in costume, so they are usually more reserved. Still, the drinks loosen them up somewhat," she revealed, smiling. "I may not be as bold as some of the other employees, but I don't object to anyone having a good time."
"Is this a cabin?" Leaving the hedges they entered an open area with a servant's quarters. There were no servants living on the premises now. All the servants working tonight were temporary and they would be departing after the party. By mutual consent, they turned and walked along the side of the cabin instead of heading for the front entrance.
At the end of the building, tall dark and handsome turned behind the cabin. The moonlight fell on the back of the building making it easy for them to see where they were going. The party and all the occupants were blocked from view.
"You can call me, Hale." His deep timbre husky, he stopped and leaned against the back of the building.
Placing a boot flat against the wall he raised a knee and drew her before him against his raised thigh. Her feet straddled his straight leg as he gathered her against his hard frame. Then he dropped his head and feathered a kiss over her parted lips. "I long to kiss you. I hate that I wore this makeup."
Aching to be kissed properly she grasped his raised thigh and then leaned against the swollen erection. When he dropped his leg, he straightened and turned circling her until her back was against the wall. He tugged the gloves from his hands and dropped them to the ground. Then his large hands were brushing her breasts as his fingers opened the button to her shear jacket. He formed a cup with his palms and dragged the shear material across her breasts, and tucked it beneath her arms.
Then he lifted his head and gazed at her face. She could see the outline of his features. Even in shadows and with makeup she knew he was a handsome man. To be honest he appeared more handsome than she remembered. It had to be the mysterious atmosphere of wearing the costumes that were affecting her responses to him.
The whole situation was highly erotic. She wanted him to remove her top, and suckle her nipples as he had suggested earlier. Her breasts rising high from her excitement she stroked her fingers across his raised thigh.
His finger caressed her throat, his thumbs tilting up her chin. Parting her lips slightly she waited for his kiss, her heart thundering in her chest. Although she hadn't felt him release the button hold that the halter-top closed with behind her neck his hands slid down her chest and over her breasts, dragging the freed halter-top material down.
The material was pushed beneath her nipples as he revealed her breasts to his ardent gaze. His large hands wrapped around her ribcage, he lifted her breasts then licked his lips before lowering his head.
Carie closed her eyes and waited for the first brush of his lips. When they closed wet and cool over the tip of a soft nipple her body jumped in reaction.
Giggling, she covered her mouth with her fingers.
"Sorry. Your wet mouth startled me."
"You don't need to be nervous. I won't harm you."
His lips closed over her breast and drew her areola into his mouth and he began suckling.
Her knees buckled. If she hadn't been leaning against the wall for support she would have sank to the ground. His lips caressed her puckered areola before moving to her opposite breast and gave it the same tender attention. Moaning softly, she held his head to her breast. Her body spiraled into sexual excitement.
She felt the heat from his hand cupping her pubis, then his fingers stroked down the narrow strip of material that ran between her thighs.
Gasping, her body trembled while need quaked through her sex. Her clit throbbed with enthusiasm sending fresh shiver from her female core through the center of her body to lodge at the base of her lungs.
"You're awfully hot for a vampire."
"It's because I have already eaten tonight."
"Ahh..." The sound turning into a moan she ended it breathlessly.
His head lifted then he raised the material and covered her breasts, then closed the strap button behind her neck. He stepped between her spread thighs and lifted her up the wall until her pelvis was pressing against his hard erection.
"I need to enter you now. I want to make it good for you, better than this, but I feel as though I have been waiting for ages to be in your body."
"Yes," breathlessly she agreed.
With her legs spread, her mini skirt was up to her crotch. He shoved it up her hips. His hands moved beneath her buttocks to tug her tights to the side then he stroked her neither lips. His finger slipping inside he found her clit and rubbed against it with firm definite strokes.
Carie gasped for breath as she held on tightly to his shoulders and rode the wave of desire washing through her body.
His hand moved away, she felt it moving at his stomach and she knew he was releasing his engorged erection from his pants. Returning his hand to her ribs, he lifted her forward separating her from the wall until she was leaning against his body. He positioned her in line with him at the opening of her sheath. "Tell me, you want this?"
"Yes, I want you in me."
He slid her down, impaled her on his hard shaft. Holding her around the ribs he braced her against the wall and stared into her eyes. His gaze locked with hers while he was buried deep in her sheath, it was a very intimate joining.
Never had she felt so invaded as her body adjusted to the stretching of his distended erection.
He had entered her sheath as bold as any lover that knew he was welcome. When he began rocking his hips, pulling out until the inflamed head stretched her opening, her body quivered around him. Then he shoved hard as he re-entered boldly until he was buried deep within her body. Groaning from his exquisite pleasure, he held her gaze with his hypnotic eyes.
Her muscles quivered and clenched around his hard shaft in self-indulgence.
She held onto his shoulders, moaning, and lifted her legs to lock them behind his back. She breathed heavily, thrilled by his deep moans of pleasure, which increased her own pleasure of his deep touch. Her climax built like water pumping into tiny swells, then suddenly the walls broke and she cried out as delight washed through her body.
His mouth clamped over her lips and drank in her cry, maintaining their privacy. This was not Theodore's passive kiss. This man kissed with deep dominating passion. This man wasn't Theodore!
As soon as the initial burst was over, he eased from her lips and whispered. "Sshhhh, We don't want company." The side of his mouth lifted in a grin. "Unless you want an audience."
"No." Exhausted, her head fell back against the wall and she groaned softly as aftershocks rippled through her sheath.
"Oh yeah. You have a tight body. You should allow me to help you realize its full potential," he whispered close to her ear.
"I think you have." She chuckled ironically.
"I mean on a regular basis." Covering her mouth, he moaned deep, thrust hard and sprayed his seed into her body. Panting he pulled his mouth away. "I mean I want you to see me again."
A slow grin spread her lips wide, "I haven't seen you the first time." Her smile faded. "Oh Go---I haven't even seen your face."
Her legs fell away from his sides, and she pushed him away from her body.
"How sick am I? That was the best sex I have ever had and I haven't even seen your face."
"Pretty sick I guess." A grin tugged up the corners of his full lips.
Slumped against the wall she adjusted her clothing.
He hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Lucky for me, I'm in the mood for an attractive sick lady and you fit my needs perfectly." He took a handkerchief from his pocket, then wiped her lips and around her mouth. "I don't think I left anything on your face. I left most of it on your breasts, I hope."
A hiccup sob broke from her lips.
Gathering her in his arms, he cuddled her to his chest. "Don't cry. It was a dumb costume, and I'm sorry I wore it. I wanted to kiss you so badly, I forgot. Truly, I don't think anyone will be able to tell you've been kissing a clown. They may think you have been kissing another woman, but not a clown dressed as a vampire."
Valiantly chuckling, she took his proffered linen an wiped her eyes, "Sorry."
"It's okay, I get emotional over a great climax too."
"Then yours wasn't?" Her scratchy voice contained unshed tears that she was unable to conceal.
"Mine was great, would have been better if we had been naked and hadn't been in a rush. Next time I promise to cry."
"I don't usually cry, or get this emotional."
"I know, you have fallen in love with me, and you don't know how to tell me," he spoke in a soft suggestive timbre. "It's perfectly understandable. We vampires have a unique kind of power over every woman we seduce. I believe it is called entranced, or perhaps it's enthralled."
She chuckled. His foolishness was making her feel better about the situation. What did it matter that he wasn't Theodore, the sex had be unbelievable. "You think I'm a bedlam case."
"What I'm thinking is that I'm getting hard again, and I'm wondering if it would be rude to push you against the wall again."
She dabbed the linen beneath her eyes. "This is very weird. I might cry buckets next time."
He sighed dramatically, "Oh well in that case we'll wait until Monday. I don't want to cause you to spoil your lovely makeup at the party. But once I get you in bed, I don't care if you cry buckets, I am going to love you all night long."
She chuckled, "Do all men make promises they don't have a hope in hell of keeping?"
"I have every intention of fulfilling them if you will allow me." He tweaked her nose. "Come on, let's get something to drink."
He helped her straighten the crotch of her tights, taking a long time smoothing them, and then he smoothed her skirt making certain her buttock was concealed. Finally, taking her hand, he guided her toward the mansion.
As they neared the lights, she stopped. "I cannot go back. Your makeup is gone from your mouth. I probably have it on mine and possibility other places that show. Would you go inside and call a cab for me?"
"If that is your wish, or I could drive you home," he offered.
"I will wait out front for the cab."
As he strode away, she circled the building. She stayed out of the light she waited for the cab in the shadow of one of the trees. Upon hearing a crunch, she glanced around and saw him striding across the lawn.
"I brought you a drink. I'll wait with you for the cab."
When he reached her side, he passed a glass into her hand, then wrapped his arm around her waist.
He leaned her against his side and kissed her upturned lips. "What night can I spend the night with you, or you with me? Monday works for me."
As she ran her finger around the rim of the champagne glass, she dropped her head. "Do you think that is a good idea. You don't need to see me again because I acted a fool back there. I am a big girl, I can handle a one night stand with a stranger."
"I'm certain you know best, however that is neither here nor there in our situation. I'm asking you out. I'm asking for a relationship. What happened a few minutes ago wasn't an everyday occurrence; so don't dismiss it as such. It is insulting and degrading to both of us. There is a connection between us; you felt it. I felt it the moment I laid eyes on you."
"Physical attraction and drink is not the foundation to build a relationship upon."
His voice raised to over ride her argument, not so loud as to embarrass, but to be overheard as she appeared to be dismissing his reasons.
"I'm not a one night stand damn it, you cannot make love to me and then walk away, I won't allow it. I will not be used as a sex object and cast aside as though I were a mere dildo." Still, he spoke loud enough for her to wish to caution him to speak softer.
Therefore, she covered his mouth and "shushed" him. "Will you keep your voice down," she ordered softly. Twisting she looked around to see if they were being overheard.
"I am not a whore," urgently, he whispered.
"All right, keep your voice down," immediately she whispered. "I'm sorry. All right? Certainly, I would like to see you again." Rising animosity put a harsh edge to her whispered words. "I merely thought you were being kind and I didn't want you to feel obligated."
He grinned. It was a charming grin. Now that the makeup was gone from his lips, she was able to see the smooth plump pillow of his bottom lip in the dim light from a street lamp.
"I know I dressed..." She waved a hand at her outfit, unable to think of an appropriate word. She didn't think it appropriate to use the word whore, after he had used it in reference to himself. He would think she was asking him to swear he hadn't thought that of her. "But that was for the party. I was feeling a little tipsy when I dressed."
There was no reason to tell him the real reason she had felt like going out with a bang. Her job might be finished and now she had finished off her pride.
"You look beautiful." As she had suspected he thought she needed an ego boost.
"Thank you."
The cab was coming down the lane toward them. Standing she prepared to leave. Did she kiss him goodbye or offer a friendly smile? She chose the smile.
"Thank you for making this a lovely evening that I will always remember." She waved and the cab drove to the curb and stopped beside her.
"I will see you Monday." Opening the cab door, he held it while she slid onto the seat.
She nodded, smiled and closed the door. She hadn't told him her name or address, nor he her. It was doubtful she would ever see him again.
Well, she had made a proper fool of herself at the party. The only thing that would save her pride and allow her to hold her head up around her co-workers was if none of them discovered what she had done tonight.
Closing her eyes, she leaned against the cool glass of the side window and gazed out at the dark sky with tiny twinkling stars. The full moon that had bathed them behind the servant's quarters was blocked from view by the trees.
When the cab stopped, she passed the driver her money and slipped from the interior. She scanned the area for signs of movement as she hurried up the sidewalk. Although she wasn't expecting to be attacked, she had seen enough movies to know to be careful.
After retrieving her key, she opened the door and stepped inside. She locked the door, kicked off her shoes, then headed toward the bathroom. She stripped before the mirror while she gazed at the red lip paint on her areolas.
He had left his temporary mark on her body. It was a memento that she was unable to keep in remembrance of her journey into the land of fantasy. But the mark he had left on her soul and memory would be with her forever.
He had been special, his voice, his body, his lips and even his large hands had been a perfect fit for her.
The next morning she had the blues. She had made a total fool of herself with a complete stranger.
"He couldn't be a more complete stranger," dryly she mocked herself. Dressing in jeans and t-shirt, she prepared for a day of self-punishment.
Spending the day cleaning, she worked hard and non-stop to burn off the adrenalin pumping into her system from self-anger. By the time evening arrived, she had cleaned until she was exhausted.
Pouring a glass of wine, she carried it to the sofa and sank onto the cushion.
Before drinking, she looked at the light colored liquid through the clear glass.
"You got me into pleasurable trouble last night. Now take care of me tonight."
Sipping, she considered what lay ahead of her on the morrow. She had to go to work and discover if someone had made a total idiot out of her and caused her to lose a job that provided her with the roof over her head.
Enjoying the delicate taste of the wine, she wondered if she would be able to afford to purchase it in the future. What nagged at her mind most was the deep fear that she had cost her friend her job also by sending her name to the business department.
She drank enough to relax and sleep.
There was the possibility that in losing her job she had gotten Mary a promotion. If that happened, she would not begrudge Mary the new position. It would be the one bright spot in her dismal situation.
Making certain that she didn't over drink she retired. No way was she going to arrive in the morning with a hangover.
The following morning she laid out her favorite work outfit. She knew that the slightest flaw would make her feel self conscious and uncomfortable. Today she wanted to have all of her confidence available, like a protective blanket.
After a quick shower, she dressed and then styled her hair. She applied makeup with care and then ate a light breakfast. With the key to the company building in hand, she left her home.
Carie arrived at work early as instructed. She used the supplied key and entered the empty building. Spooky was the only way to describe the hollow sound of her shoes clicking across the marble floors.
Her fists clenched, she waited for the elevator doors to open. Once she inhaled a deep breath, she stepped into the elevator and pressed the top button for the executive floor she had worked on for the past several years. She forced her body to breathe normal breaths and struggled against the tension gripping her chest.
When the doors swept open she stepped from the elevator with determined steps. She walked the short hall on wooden legs and arrived at the desk that would be her new home if this wasn't a hoax.
Carie swallowed a lump before she moved to the connecting door and knocked. A deep voice called for her to enter.
This was it, the moment of truth. She inhaled a fortifying breath and prepared to step inside the president's office. Once she opened the door, she entered on trembling legs.
A large man sitting behind the desk rocked back in his high-back leather chair. Holding a pen between his fingers, he watched her enter his office with a serious expression. It was the messenger that had delivered the envelope to her home, the Frenchman with the dark handsome complexion. She was in Mr. Morrison's office, so the information about the buyout must be a fact.
"Good morning sir. I have arrived early as your message stated." If he said "what message," was she supposed to explain the situation and pray for mercy?
Would he be furious that she had the nerve to believe she was good enough to be his secretary slash assistant?
"I believe I have some explaining to do." He pointed the pen at the chair before his desk. "I am Mr. Hale Noble, I purchased this company recently. I wish to keep the purchase a secret, awhile if possible. It will be beneficial to stock if we manage it correctly. I asked you to come early because I was hoping that you would kiss your clown before the day starts, and we are officially on the clock."
Advancing into the office, his words settled in her mind, her mouth fell open as stunned disbelief froze her mind and she stopped walking.
He smiled. "I hope you are not mad at me. I have been very clumsy with you. I am normally more apt at romancing a woman, but you have an odd effect on me."
Leaning forward he tossed the pen on the desk, and rose from the high back executive desk chair. His large frame rose up and she couldn't take her eyes off of him. He was as handsome as she had imagined.
Dressed in a dark blue suit he was imposing and his size seemed to dwarf her. Stuck to the floor, she watched him advance toward her. Her face scanned his regal features and his plump lower lip. She felt completely amazed and could think of nothing to say.
The man she had believed she would never see again was walking toward her. Then remembering what she had allowed to happen with a complete stranger, heat rushed her face.
He smiled almost shyly. "I made love to you before you started working for me on purpose. I didn't want you to believe it was sexual harassment when you discovered I wanted to be with you. Your job was never on the line and it still isn't even if you never see me again outside the office. Your job doesn't depend on our continuing to see each other. Nor, will I bother you at work. During office hours we will behave in a strictly business fashion. However, I would like to see you privately. I believe we have something worth pursuing.
"I hope you will forgive my fumbling. I am in awe of your beauty and feel frightfully intimidated by the raging emotions I have for you. I know we can have a wonderful relationship, if you will give us a chance." He stroked her soft cheek with the tips of her fingers.
"I will do all in my power to make you as wild for me as I am for you," softly he murmured.
"You knew who I was at the party?" Her mind was starting to churn again, asking questions.
He nodded; his dark eyes studied her expression for a sign of her reaction.
"Why didn't you tell me who you were?" Her eyebrows wrinkled.
"I did tell you my name was Hale. It meant nothing to you. Had I said your new boss you would have been self-conscious around me. I wanted you to be comfortable."
"I thought you weren't being humorous and meant h-e-l-l." She spelled it out.
She inhaled a startled breath then took a step forward. "You wanted me?" She realized. "Before the party."
Hale dipped his head. "I admit I did. I still do." He slid his hand around her neck and held her as he leaned forward to claim her mouth.
The touch of his lips melted the wall of tension holding her in its grip. She leaned into him and returned his kiss with equal fervor.
She was as wild for him now as she had been at the party, perhaps more. What was it about his mouth that melted all the resistance and restrain she possessed? Her hands sliding up his chest, she pushed his coat from his shoulders. It fell away.
Her hands moved to the buttons of his shirt and worked the buttons through the holes without conscious effort. Her full concentration was on the feel of his hands on her back, and then on his lips kissing her. A conscious part of her mind was on the feel of his body against her. She was inside his shirt touching his silken flesh before he released her mouth.
"Does your undressing me have a meaning?" he spoke against her mouth.
"Undressing?" Her gaze fell onto a chest covered in curly hair.
"We have twenty five minutes, before we are on the clock." He smiled and claimed her mouth. His hands cupped her buttock and lifted her from the floor against his hard torso. He rubbed his engorged erection again her pelvis.
"I believe we can do better than last time."
"Yes." He carried her across the room. Then he sank to the floor, carrying her down with him. His hands worked quickly, removing her outfit. When she was in bra and panties he leaned away to gaze at her body. He slid the strap from her shoulders and lowered her bra, revealing her breasts to his eager gaze.
"I see you removed my brand." He reminded her of the last time her nipple had been in his mouth. "I shall need to give you another. Leaning down, his mouth took her nipple and suckled.
Carie had never felt such uncontrolled desire. Her body needed his possession as much as food. He removed her remaining clothing while suckling her breast. As he slid on top of her, he lifted his head and claimed her mouth.
"I have never needed a woman as I need you." Positioned he thrust into her sheath. He groaned, stopped, and laid his head on her shoulder.
"Please spend the night with me tonight."
"Let's worry about now first." Her body moved beneath him, rocking her pelvis up to take him deeper. "Love me, Hale. Is that your real name?"
"Yes."
"My own vampire."
"I'll drink from your body daily. You won't mind if I take your juices instead of blood?"
Her body moved with the force beyond her control. Carie loved him while his body fed her need with his desire.
He slid his arms beneath her knees and lifted her legs, as he thrust deep into her body.
"Come for me baby. Come now, I'm not going to last." He was hitting the magic spot. She didn't think she could have stopped her climax if she had wanted.
Her body shattered as though it were ice.
Hale claimed her mouth and drank her cries of release.
Almost immediately, he groaned into her mouth and spewed his seed into her body.
Soon he leaned on his elbows panting heavily, holding up his weight from her torso. "We shall be the objects of office gossip. Can you handle it?"
She nodded, puffing. "Wasn't Betty's boyfriend Gabe fired because he was having sex with his boss?"
"No, she is married and he was blackmailing her, and that is strictly confidential information between me and my assistant."
That explained all the raises Gabe was receiving.
"But you fired his boss too?"
"She was using the company to pay the blackmail. She should have gone to the police. He lost his job, but he didn't go to prison. Don't feel sorry for a person that escaped so lightly."
"I don't."
He helped her to her feet. "Now my dear, I believe we should dress before we are caught in a compromising situation."
During the day, he was completely professional. Not once did he touch her, or even look at her in a personal manner. Over lunch, she had explained to Mary what was happening, so she wouldn't be expecting her to call her after work to tell her about the new job.
The lunchroom had new chairs that didn't snag her hair, she wondered if Hale had known of the problem. Then she remembered the last time her hair had been snagged and a man had assisted her, that man had been Hale. She was free from any obligations and more than willing to wait on her new lover, when at the end of the day he popped his head out his office doorway.
"Wait for me; I'll only be a minute."
A few minutes later, he was stepping from his office. Hale slipped his arm around her waist and escorted her to the private elevator.
Once the doors closed, he pressed the stop button and locked the elevator with a key to prevent anyone from overriding his command. Opening the panel, he turned off the security camera.
"Now my dear, where were we. Oh yes, I believe I remember." Drawing her into his arms, he claimed her mouth.
"I do believe you are trying to start office gossip," she teased when he came up for air.
"I don't care what anyone thinks, do you?"
With her arms around his waist and pressed against his body how could she object, she shook her head. "Are we going to make love here?"
"I know it is very unprofessional, but I don't think I can wait until tonight."
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he slid his hands down her chest and stopped above her breasts.
"My dear I am afraid I will stain your lovely blouse." There was a michevious twinkle in his eyes.
"Then I suppose the wise thing to do, would be remove it." Solemnly she remarked.
"I am afraid it is necessary," he spoke seriously.
Carie struggled to contain a smile while pretending to be resigned to her fate, they worked together to remove her blouse.
He left her bra on, but slipped the straps from her shoulders and then sliding his hands inside he pushed down on the cups while lifting her breasts free.
"I believe we can leave the skirt."
Turning her to face the wall, he tipped her forward. Leaning over her back, he reached around and fondled her breasts. She felt deliciously wicked to be undressed at work. He lifted her skirt and tugged down her underpants. Then playing with her nipple with one hand, he released his erection and slid it into her sheath.
Holding onto the handrail on the side of the elevator, she closed her eyes and allowed the pleasurable sensations to rush through her body. She rocked back against his engorged shaft and gasped when he reached around her and fondled her sensitive nub.
"Hold on tight sweetheart." he grasped her hips and straightening, worked his pelvis, grinding into her and banging hard against her buttocks.
Hard smacking sounds filled the elevator, accompanied with their grunts and moans as passion flowed through their bodies. Carie had never felt so perfectly in tune with another human.
"You have a beautiful ass."
"Why, thank you sir."
"It is my honor to view it my dear. Ready for my load baby?"
"Yess," she squeezed out between clenched jaws as her climax rushed through her body.
"Thank heavens." He growled and spewed against her womb. "If I get you pregnant will you marry me?"
"I'm on the pill."
"So, I will have to work hard. Hold still."
He pulled from her body and sank to his knees then spread her neither lips, and lapped her sensitized nub.
After a minute of pleasuring her, he flattened his tongue against the little spud and suckled until she was whimpering with need.
Smiling, he pulled away and tugged up her panties as he stood. "That should hold you until we get home."
"Hold me! You have aroused me all over again."
"I certainly hope so. I want to keep you hot and ready for me."
"You plan to keep me aroused all the time?"
"Well...."
"It would be hell." she complained.
"I'll let you enjoy being satisfied sometimes," he conceded.
"I should certainly hope so. Why do you want me to stay aroused?"
"You ass swings seductively when you're aroused?"
"And you would know this how?"
"I saw the come get me swing of your ass at the Halloween Ball. It thrilled me so much I fingered your crack on the dance floor remember?"
"I wasn't aroused then."
"The hell you weren't. You decided you wanted me before we reached the dance floor."
"What?" She chuckled.
He nodded, "By the time I got you in my arms I couldn't wait to start. I was so aroused I started on the dance floor and believe me I don't normally act so forward."
She snorted. "I am beginning to doubt everything you say."
He was laughing when the elevator doors opened. Heads turned to stare as they stepped off the elevator. "I swear it's true." He smiled at the people gawking at them.
"Darling there you are I was beginning to grow worried." A beautiful blonde with a knock 'em dead figure in a body clinging tea dress walked toward them. Her gaze focused on Hale she flashed him a dazzling smile.
Hale stiffened. "Stella, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to meet you, darling. It seems like ages since you left me this morning." Reaching his side, she slide her arm through Hale's.
Smiling she glanced at Carie. "Is this your new little secretary? You haven't been flirting and giving her ideas of landing the boss have you?"
"Carie is my assistant not my secretary," He stiffly corrected.
Well, he had certainly consigned her to the position she was supposed to be filling.
At least he hadn't humiliated her and announced this was his office mistress.
But of course he wouldn't, he wanted to keep things strictly professional at the office.
"I'm Stella Monty, Hale's fiancé. I imagine he has told you all about me."
"As a matter of fact he hasn't had time. It is good to meet you, Miss Monty."
"Stella, I told you not to come to my place of work."
"But how else is everyone to meet me, and know what a lucky man you are?"
The blonde chuckled. "What happened to the elevator?"
"The first day on the job and I get stuck in the elevator." He smiled.
People chuckled and smiled as they walked across the lobby and through the exit doors.
"Come along Miss Clark, I wish to speak with you before we leave."
Forced to follow, her blood boiling with humiliation and anger she walked on wooden legs across the lobby and out the doorway.
"Run along Stella, I must speak to Miss Clark." He was saying as she stepped from the building onto the short covered alcove.
"Oh, can't I wait and ride with you? I so miss being with you?"
"No dear, you run along home, I will be over later. I have some business that must be handled first."
"Very well." Lifting her cheek Stella waited for his kiss. Hale dutifully leaned and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Her heart growing harder with each passing moment, Carie felt as though all the men that had used her in the past had been kind when compared to the heartless treatment she had received from Mr. Noble. Lifting her chin, she advanced to the sidewalk where they stood beside the car parked by the curb.
Hale escorted the woman to the car, his hand cupping her elbow. He didn't bother waiting for the woman's driver that stepped from the car to hurry around and open the door. He opened the door and helped the woman into the limo, then he glanced at the driver over the roof of the car.
"I told you not to bring her here. Why did you ignore my direct order?"
"She insisted sir and threatened to take a cab. I thought it best to bring her."
Hale sighed, "I suppose. We will settle this later. Take her home."
"Yes, sir." The driver slid inside the car and started the engine, then drove away.
Hale stood watching the limousine roll slowly away. Then he glanced around the area to make certain they were alone.
"Do you think they suspected?"
"Yes, goodnight Mr. Noble." Turning in the opposite direction from the executive parking spaces she started toward her parked car.
"Shit, you're not coming home with me?"
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him following her across the parking lot. She stopped and turned around to face him.
"Stop following me. Anyone that didn't suspect what we were doing will if you keep following me."
"I can explain about Stella."
"There is nothing to explain, Mr. Noble. I will see you in the morning."
"This is not over Carie. I will come by your place and we will discuss it."
"Don't waste your time Mister Noble. You don't owe me anything." She quickened her steps and hurried toward her car. While cursing herself for being all manners of a fool she wrenched open her car door and slid beneath the steering wheel. She started the engine with a roar; she slammed the vehicle into reverse she started backing from her car space.
A hand hit on the roof of the car; Hale skidded to a stop beside the driver's side window. "Carie, the engagement won't last for too much longer. If you will just be patient for a while, I can get her out of our lives."
She snorted derisively, switched the car gear and started forward. Only minutes before he had been engaged to Stella. Now that the woman had departed, he was conveniently no longer going to be engaged. Once she was away from the parking lot, she allowed the tears to stream down her cheeks. She had been used many times in her life, but never by someone as cold and calculating as Hale Noble.
Reaching her townhouse, she pulled the '69 Camaro into the garage and then shut and locked the door.
Entering the silence of the townhouse, she felt the oppression of the strain she had been under since leaving Hale.
A half hour later a vase of mixed roses arrived, the attached card was bordered with mixed roses.
"I promise I can get this all worked out. I am not really engaged. H."
Wisely he had not signed his name to the card, so it could never be used against him. He had all ready proved himself to be a liar. Did he really believe that by merely saying he wasn't engaged, conveniently when no one else was present, she would roll over and beg to be stroked like a pet? He hadn't denied the engagement at work in front of the other employees, or in front of the other woman. Did he really believe that she was that much under his spell? Of course, he had never expected Stella to show up. He had ordered her to stay away. "The poor woman must be a fool."
After gathering the flowers to her chest, she laid her chin on the blooms, and cried. She crushed the blooms with her face and her arms as she walked into the kitchen, then dropped vase and flowers into the wastebasket. Next, she removed a bottle of desert wine from the refrigerator, the cork was popped anyway, and took a drink. Finally, she carried the wine with her to the bedroom, so she continued to drink straight from the bottle.
After removing all of her clothing except panties, she slid on a tee shirt and moved to the bed. While lying on the bed she consoled herself that she was lucky to have found out his true nature. If Hale would make love to her while engaged to Stella, he would cheat on her even if he broke off with Stella.
No way did she want to become involved with a man like Hale Noble. You already are involved. "Well, it is over now."
Logic didn't stop her from mourning. Feeling like a cheated fool didn't stop her body from remembering his sweet touch or kind loving manner. Her heart ached and her body longed for his loving even though her mind now knew that he wasn't worth breaking her heart over.
She was halfway finished drinking the wine and feeling relaxed, when the doorbell chimed. Swinging the bottle from her fingers, she strolled down the hall to the living room.
While opening the door, Hale suddenly shouldered his way into the room. "What are you doing?"
"We are going to talk. Stella is my fiancé, but not for long. I merely allowed the engagement, until I could make her break it off."
"How kind of you," she mocked.
"I am not telling you so you will think I am kind."
"Don't worry, I don't."
"I am telling you so we can have a relationship. You can help me get free of her."
Shaking her head, she turned and walked away. "I am not going to become involved in this."
She held the bottle to her lips and drank from the bottle as she walked to the bedroom, and climbed onto the bed.
"Are you drunk?"
"Maybe." She hiccupped. "Probably. What do you want from me, Hale? My blessings, you have it."
"Let's forget the whole thing. It really has nothing to do with you. It is a personal problem I have." Moving to the side of the bed, he sat down. "I will get it straightened out, but between now and then I don't want to lose you."
"Don't worry you won't." She chuckled. "You are an evil man, Hale."
Nodding he reached out and plucked her nipple through the tee shirt. "You have beautiful breasts."
"Thank you."
"Let's take this nasty tee shirt off."
Carie shook her head. "I am not getting naked for you anymore. I have made my decision. Let's say you went straight to Stella's house and broke off the engagement. Even if you end your engagement to Stella, I want nothing more to do with you. Our affair ended this afternoon."
"You don't mean that."
"You are a snake that uses people Hale, and this moonwalker has taken the shuttle home."
"Let's go out to dinner and discuss this rationally. You need some food on your stomach."
"My stomach is quite happy thank you."
"Should I leave? Then we can discuss this when you are sober."
"If you'd like." She pointed toward the bedroom door. "You know the way out."
"It's not a real engagement." After staring at her with a frustrated expression, he finally turned and quit the room. A half-minute later, she heard the front door slam.
His scent lingered in the air to torment her.
She took a couple of aspirin and went to work. Once in her office she had felt hesitant about entering his office and facing him again. Therefore, she forced herself to march to the connecting door, open it and walk inside before she had time to lose her nerve.
"Good morning Mr. Noble," she greeted him with a pleasant attitude she was far from feeling.
"Can we discuss this now?"
"You said you would behave professionally at work. Which includes leaving personal matters, at home." Dipping her head into the filing cabinet, she shuffled through the tabs looking for the files he had asked for before leaving the previous day.
"After work then?"
She nodded. "That is the proper time for private situations."
In the office, she was formal and polite, she went about her tasks efficiently. She was determined he would have no excuse to find fault with her work.
At lunchtime, she switched the phones to an answering service and slipped from the office. Being in no mood to discuss the situation with Mary, she rode the elevator to the lobby and quit the building. Driving to a local burger spot, she ordered food to go, and then sat in the parking lot beneath the shade of an oak tree while eating.
After returning to the office in exactly one hour, she contacted the answering service and took down messages.
Two were from Hale demanding files. "Thank you April."
"He sounded most vexed."
"I will get what he needs straight away." When she delivered the files, he stared at her with a set jaw. Waiting until she had placed the files before him before she looked him in the eyes, she maintained a polite expression. "Will there be anything else, Mr. Noble?"
"Not at this time." Tossing a pen onto the desk, he sat forward and shoved back his chair. Not waiting to see what he had planned she turned on her heels and strode toward the door.
"Why are women so stubborn? They get something between their teeth and then snarl and shake their heads and refuse to release it." Standing, he circled the desk and sat on the corner, swing one leg absently.
"I don't know sir. Shall I contact research?"
"No. How are you at business dinners?"
"Adequate, I imagine."
"Good, we will be dining out this evening, if you have plans cancel them," he dismissed her by sliding off his desk and circling back to his chair. His gaze was already on the file before him as he sank to the seat.
After work, he met her at the elevator and rode down with her. "Stella has mental problems. I never asked her to marry me. She got it in her head that we were engaged and I allowed it to continue. Perhaps it was the wrong way to handle the situation, but I thought if I could wait her out she would break it off and I could avoid a bad scene."
When the elevator doors opened, he indicated for her to precede him. At the front door, his arm came around and opened it for her. "We can go in my car, leave yours here."
"I cannot ride away with you. Meet me down the street at the gas station."
He continued to advance at her side. "Are you ashamed of having a Frenchman for a lover?"
"No of course not." Frowning, she glared at him. "I really don't think about race at all, it's the personality that I consider when deciding on relationships."
"Good, me too."
Taking her in his arms, he kissed her long and deep, uncaring of who was in the parking lot, or was stepping through the office doors behind them. When he released her, he was smiling, it grew when he saw her stunned expression. He kissed her again and she melted in his arms.
Pleased by her response he ended the kiss slowly and murmured against her lips, "Now you can ride with me." Turning her in the direction of his car, he maintained an arm around her waist. "How long have you been on the pill?"
"Why?"
"I was just wondering how hard I needed to work to overcome the influence it has on your body."
Her hip bumping against his with each step, she felt happy and chuckled. "You really think you have the ability to erase the medication from my body."
He tilted his head, a grin tugging his lips. "I will enjoy trying."
"Aren't you afraid I will take you seriously? Haven't you ever heard of love at first sight?"
Enjoying the caress of his fingers on her side Carie smiled up at him.
"You know I have heard of it. If you recall I mentioned I knew you had fallen in love with me the other night. Don't let it worry you, I still have you entranced with my sexual magic spell. In eighty years, or so I will release you."
Laughing softly she shook her head. "No way. You cannot keep a person under a spell that long it would be cruel."
His mouth flattening he inhaled a deep breath and released it. "All right, I will release you after all of our children have reached the age of ten. Deal?"
She eyed him suspiciously, "How many children are we talking about?"
"No more than ten, cross my heart." Placing his hand over his heart, he gazed at her seriously.
She chuckled. "Ah hell Hale, you are going to keep me on my toes."
Lifting her chin, he kissed her lips. "On your knees and back mostly. Think you can handle it?"
Turning her face from him, she grinned. "Oh, I will consider it. What are you going to do for me?"
"I'll change diapers." He promised, leading her toward the new Jag parked in the president's parking space. "And I'll get up in the middle of the night with you." A grin lifted the corner of his mouth revealing his white teeth. The double connotation wasn't lost on her.
"First things first Mr. Noble, and this is very important. What's your mother like?"
"You will love her. Honest, and she will love you if you will take me off her hands." Opening the car door he assisted her inside and latched the door. Striding quickly around to the driver's seat, he slid in beside her.
"So you still live at home with your parents?"
He burst into laughter, it took him a moment before he could start the engine.
"I cannot stay long, I have to get some rest for work tomorrow," she reminded.
"I'll call your boss and arrange for you to arrive late. I hear he is a very understanding fellow."
"Indeed, and would he be so understanding if everyone arrived late?"
"Well, it is too late to arrange it now. How about if I arrange for everyone that arrives early to leave early?" He suggested.
"You cannot start doing things like that the stock would plummet."
He flashed her a grin. "See you are looking after me all ready."
"You said we were going to keep it professional at work."
"All right, I will make certain you are up in time to get to work. I will take you by your place to get some fresh clothes. I know the general area where you live, but I don't know the exact location, you need to instruct me."
She gave him directions to her house and a short time later, they were pulling into the driveway. "Stay put."
Climbing from the car, he walked to her side and assisted her from the seat. Waving for her to precede him, Hale closed the car door. A moment later, a wolf whistle drew her attention.
Glancing back, she chuckled. "I didn't think executives did things like that wolf call."
"Most executive assistance don't walk with that sassy come get me walk either." He stepped up beside her and took the key from her hand. Opening the door he pushed the door in then allowed her to step inside.
"Would you like something to drink while you wait?"
"I'll get it, you go ahead. Take your time I will read a magazine or watch something on the television."
She crossed the room then strolled down the hall to her bedroom, her mind shifting through her closet for what she wanted to carry. If she took a quick shower she could wear fresh clothes to his place, then she would only need clothing for in the morning.
Entering the bedroom, she moved to the walk in closet and stepped inside. She was bending over to pick up a pair of shoes when something bumped into her from behind. If hands hadn't grabbed her hips she would have fallen on her head.
"Sorry."
"Bored all ready?"
"No. I was feeling a little anxious."
She straightened and smoothed her hair from her face while turning to face him. "Anxious?" Her forehead wrinkled. "It was too fast. We can slow down. I didn't really expect you to marry me, you know."
An embarrassed grin, tugged his lips. "I was feeling anxious that you might come in here and change your mind. I was sitting out there picturing you shimmying out the window to escape me."
"Aw, what can I do to make you feel more secure?"
"I don't think you can, at least not yet. You will just have to learn to live with my insecurities," wryly he said, stroking his fingers over her hair.
"Then what can we do to make you believe I won't slip out the window while gathering my things?" She glanced out the closet door and pointed. "Why don't you sit on the bed?"
"Why don't I assist you? While you jump in the shower I will take your things to the car."
"All right." Glancing down she pointed at the shoes she had intended to take. "Those beige pumps, this suite, and that bag." She pointed at her small suitcase on the upper shelf. Facing him she met his gaze, "I will get my under things and place them on the bed." Scooting past him, she moved to the chest-of-drawers and removed two bra and panty sets.
He was leaning against the doorframe of the closet when she looked up.
"What are you doing now?" she asked.
"I want to watch you undress. I have never seen you totally nude."
Staring at him, she blinked, and then blinked again. "I am not performing a peep show." Her gaze ran down his body. "I remove a piece, and then you remove a piece."
"You're taking a shower I'm not. I'm taking clothing to the car remember. I will undress when we get to my place and shower, you can watch me then."
She pealed her jacket from her shoulders and let it slide down her arms and drop to the floor. "Your turn."
"Stubborn wench." Shaking his head, he straightened and shrugged out of his suite coat and laid it over the chair beside the closet doorway.
Watching his face Carie removed her top. A cocky grin tugging his lips he opened the buttons and removed his shirt.
"You know I was naked at the office Yesterday."
"No, you had on shoes."
"Oh, I can see where that would make a different." Her skirt fell to the floor.
Hale stepped from his shoes. Her bra hit the floor. He removed his belt.
"That's it, your belt?"
He nodded. Flattening her lips, she removed her panties.
"Very nice sweetheart. Now I can remove my pants, but if I do we are going to bed, or I can keep them on. The choice is yours."
Her gaze slid to the erection pushing at the front of his pants. Smiling she shook her head. "I need a shower." Spinning she walked to the bathroom. Leaning out of the doorway, she quipped. "I am beginning to believe you have something to hide. Do you wear an extension or strap-on perhaps?"
Drawing her head inside the room, she closed the door. Reaching in the shower, she turned the water on to warm then tied her hair up. Turning on the radio, she stepped into the shower and closed the door.
She was rinsing the water from her body she saw the bathroom door open. Biting her bottom lip to contain a smile she waited for him to enter.
When he didn't enter she stepped from the shower and wrapped in a bath sheet. Moving to the door she opened it slowly and gazed into the empty bedroom.
"I'm on the phone," he called from the front room.
"On the telephone," speaking under her breath she sighed, and moved to the bed where she began tugging on her clothes.
She was zipping her dress beneath her arm when he strolled. "Sorry, I was put on hold."
Crossing his ankles, he touched the toe of his loafers to the floor.
"Need any help?"
He looked so confident and self-assured that she was forced to doubt his claim of insecurity. Had he merely wanted to watch her strip?
"No, I am ready."
"Shall we go?"
They drove to Hale's home. It was a three story Victorian with gabled roof and chimneys. The exterior was stone and the lawn sculptured with an arbor next to a pond and a small cottage quest house off to the side in the rear.
"It's lovely. You never said if I would be meeting your parents."
"They live in Paris. They'll visit soon I assure you. They come often, and they are eager to meet you."
"Are ... your parents know about me?"
"I did mention that I had found a lady I wished to become better acquainted with."
He parked in a stone circular driveway beside a gargoyle fountain.
"You told them didn't you? You bragged about your conquest."
"No." Frowning he stepped from the car and circled to assist her from the seat.
Taking his hand, she stood beside him. "If you didn't tell how did they find out about the party?"
Leaning inside he reached for her overnight bag. "I told them I went to the company party, and was lucky enough to spend some time with the woman I am interested in knowing."
He straightened and moved aside, and closed the door; pressing the electronic key, he locked the car.
"I have a feeling there is more," curious she gazed at him suspiciously. She wanted to know what he had told his parents about her.
He shrugged; placing a hand on her back, they started toward the entrance. "I don't kiss and tell. I'm an adult Carie, I don't need to tell gossip, like a girl, about my sex life."
Tilting her chin, she looked at him with a challenging expression.
"My father guessed," he admitted with a disgusted expression. "But I didn't talk about us, it."
Fighting a chuckle, she flattened her mouth together and glanced over the groomed lawn while he opened the door. When she looked back, he was waiting for her to step inside.
The interior was light pine with stair descending to a sunken living room from the entrance hall. Following him through an archway carved into leaves and vines they entered a small hallway, a doorway on the right side revealed a formal dining room, one on the left was a small breakfast room, turning down another all they passed the kitchen that looked as superior as any chief would desire.
"Do you have a cook?"
"A housekeeper, she works during the day and leaves dinner prepared, except when I call like today and tell her I am dining out." Continuing down the hall to a staircase, he ascended to the next level. "My bedroom is down here." Striding to the end of the hall, he disappeared through a doorway. Walking slower, she wondered if she would ever be content with her little home again.
His bedroom was almost as large as her home. Stopping in the doorway, she watched him open her bag on the bed and remove her dress then carry it to the closet and hung it on the door. Removing her shoes, he placed them on the floor beneath the dress. Her night case containing a toothbrush and makeup, he carried these through a doorway and deposited them on a counter.
Assuming it was the bathroom, when he didn't come out she followed him to the door. Peaking inside she discovered Hale removing his clothing. There was a dressing table with sink and a shower. No necessary facilities. "Where is the necessary?"
"The door behind that door."
Stepping into the room, she peaked around the door at the door to the necessary. Wasting time, she was avoiding looking at him while he removed his clothing. Stepping from his pants, she could see the protrusion extending from a patch of curly dark hair before his stomach. Standing with his side facing her, she admired the ripple of muscles down his arm, the rounded curve of his broad chest that tapered down to a flat stomach and rounded buttocks.
Dark hairs dusted his legs. Turning to face her, he revealed his frontal view to her hungry gaze.
"Still think I use an extension or strap on."
Swallowing a lump, she forced a smile. "You are beautiful."
"I like the seductive tone of your voice when you are aroused. Would you like to join me in the shower?"
"You go ahead; I will look around out here."
Returning to the large bedroom, she strolled along the wall admiring the art. Along the far wall was a small built in bookcase. She studied the spines to learn his taste ran toward classics instead of the new best sellers. The bed was a king and she imagined them rolling all over it in aggressive passion.
Emerging from the bathroom, he wet hair sparkled beneath the lights. Moving to the closet, he opened the door and stepped inside.
Following him, she gazed in at the line of suits a carousel of ties and two racks of shoes on the floor. Whistling softly she turned from the closet and moved to the bed to wait.
When he returned he was fully dressed in a fresh designer suit that draped his body to perfection. Her mouth went dry. There was too much tension on this evening. She needed to do or say something to break the tension, but what. Pressure was not conductive of witty thoughts.
"I have a dinner reservation at my favorite French restaurant."
"I don't eat French." Inside she flinched after the words left her mouth. It had been the first glib thing she could think of to say.
His dark eyebrows arched. "The food or the man?" straight faced he queried.
Feeling nervous she chuckled. "It was a joke. I love French food."
"Good, I must admit I am anxious to have you on your knees before me."
"Anticipation is good for you." When he approached her holding out both of his hand, she felt relief. To be in his arms again would remove the tension pushing at her sense of security. Being emotionally vulnerable was an uncomfortable feeling.
Taking the two steps forward into his extended arms, she pressed her body firmly against his strong chest. Laying her head against his shoulder she whispered, "Do we need to leave?"
His strong hands smoothed over her back, caressing and soothing her tension away. There was something about him that seemed to mold perfectly to her soul.
"Soon, first I think we need to discuss our relationship."
"All right." His words sent the tightening of tension into her body again. Damn I wish he hadn't said that.
"I am a bossy man. I don't expect you to be my slave, but I think you should be aware of this. I can be demanding at times."
"I already knew this. You want to know if I can take your orders all day at work, and then be bossed around at home?"
He nodded. "I cannot change my nature, but something different at times will be interesting won't it? I am willing to be your slave, literally some of the time. All of the time I am a slave to my attraction of you." The deep timbre of his voice trembled with emotion.
It was sweet of him to say although she hardly believed he was head over heels for her on so short an acquaintance. "Wait until you get to know me better, you may discover I have a cruel nature. In case you haven't noticed I enjoy teasing."
Grasping her shoulders, he turned her toward the doorway. "I like that also. This could turn out to be quite satisfying. At the very least we won't be growing bored with each other anytime soon."
They had dinner in a dimly lighted French restaurant on the opposite side of town. It was very intimate and Hale sat with his thigh pressed against hers. Most of the time his hand was on her thigh, his long fingers stroked the crevasse between her thighs.
Although she pretended not to notice, she was aware of each caress and the strength in the thigh pressed against her. Slowly, he worked his way upward until his fingertips touched the narrow white cotton panel covering her mons. It was the lightest tickle but she could feel it deep in the flesh of her pelvis. It titillated as a sign that his thoughts were always on her.
He kept her physically aware of his body and touch throughout the meal, although he talked of everyday things. He told her about his family and some of the amusing things that they had done during the holidays.
"I went to college in Alabama, then I moved to Atlanta where I opened a packaging company. We specialize in making those odd shapes that people have trouble finding for retail items. It took a lot of promoting but once the company was going it only needed to be maintained, so I hired Markus Keye to run it."
"You must have been thrilled by the accomplishment."
"It was satisfying. I wanted to be well established before I considered starting a family. I needed to be certain that I could take care of them. I suppose you will consider that another insecurity of mine."
"It doesn't sound like you are insecure. More like you are responsible."
"Thank you. I like to think I am. I don't wish to monopolize the conversation, but you are easy to talk to. Plus I want to do all I can to make you comfortable with me."
"What are we going to do about work? We cannot continue having sex in the elevator. People will certainly guess what is happening."
"Not a problem. If you are keeping me satisfied at home, I can endure until we get home. I won't make love to you at work anymore," he promised.
"Oh, for some reason that makes me feel sad, almost as though I have lost something special."
Pulling his hand from her thigh, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her to his side. "Just think of it as teasing. I will grope you occasionally," he offered as a concession.
"You cannot do that if we are going to maintain a professional atmosphere."
"Woman, make up your mind." He chuckled.
"Alright, I am sorry, my fault. Professional at work," she decided.
"You know what that means? You have to keep me satisfied at home. We will begin by moving you into my house."
"Moving me? I don't think that is a good idea."
"Carie, you don't believe I am serious about our relationship. I want to do everything that will make you secure concerning us. Second we go shopping for an engagement ring."
"Now wait a minute. I definitely do not think we are ready for that step."
"Very well, just know that the offer is open. When you decide you are ready, say the word and we will purchase the ring. I want you to start thinking of us as a permanent relationship. As far as I am concerned we are engaged. As I told you before I am not a whore you can use and toss aside like a used condom."
"You really are bossy."
"And aggressive. Let's get out of this place. I want to take you home and make love to your luscious body."
Her heart melting she took his hand and slipped from the seat. Hale paused long enough to toss some bills on the table. He slid his arm around her waist and escorted her toward the door.
Upon spotting Mr. Phifer at one of the tables ahead, she felt uneasy. "Mr. Phifer," she whispered in warning to Hale. All he had to do was drop his hand from her waist and they could pretend this had been a business dinner.
His fingers tightened on her side. Reaching Phifer's table he paused. "Good evening." he greeted and waited while Phifer introduced his wife. "Allow me to introduce Miss Carie Clark."
"Miss Clark is Mr. Noble's assistant." Phifer informed his wife, his gaze setting on Hale's hand on her waist.
"And my fiancé."
His eyebrows arched. "Indeed, our congratulations!"
He was curious but to leery of the new boss to ask questions about the sudden engagement, or ask if it was sudden.
"Thank you. Carie and I are planning a dinner for the executives Friday week; I hope you will be able to attend?"
"Yes, thank you," Phifer replied.
Carie plastered a smile on her lips and watched Hale's expressions as he spoke to Phifer. His confidence was impressive. Her chest swelled with pride over being chosen by this man as his special person.
She wasn't certain about love, but she was certainly eager to be his companion. She wanted to be with him more than she would have dreamed possible on such a short acquaintance.
"Was it love at first sight?" Mrs. Phifer was asking.
"I have to admit it probably took three looks Mrs. Phifer. My mind was occupied with business the first two times I saw Carie," Hale informed, not really telling her anything of value. "If you will excuse us."
Hale started them up the aisle, while Carie reclaimed her bearings. Outside the crisp air of the dark night scattered with glaring streetlights allowed them a clear view of the cars lining the parking lot. The clicking of their heels on the blacktop pavement followed them to the car.
Once inside instead of starting the ignition Hale turned to look at her. "Now do you believe I am serious?"
She nodded, looking straight ahead through the windshield at the black sky above the parked cars.
"Will you be my woman, until you decide if you want me for your husband?"
"Why did you tell them we are engaged?"
"I go for what I want Carie, and I want you to know I truly want you in my life."
Sighing, she swallowed a lump. She couldn't believe her luck had finally turned around. She didn't know what the future would bring for them, but Carie knew she wanted to be with this man. He made her feel proud to be a woman. He made her feel wanted for more than sexual gratification. Tears of happiness formed in her eyes.
"I want you, Carie. Will you be my woman?"
Turning toward him, she gazed at his handsome face through the sparkle of tears. A smile tugged her lips wide. "I am honored to be your woman, Hale."
"No, damn it, I don't want you to be honored. I want you to burn with passion. I want you to need to spend time with me. Blast it! I need you to love me."
"I do believe you are being not only aggressive, but also bossy."
"I am sorry." After straightening in the seat, he faced the wheel and started the car. Then he shifted into gear and started them forward down the aisle of the parking lot. "I am blowing this aren't I? I am being too dammed forward and pushing too hard. Am I scaring you away?"
"Actually, you are winning me over. You cannot imagine how good it is for my ego to have someone want me so badly that they are aggressive and determined to win my affection."
"Also nervous and anxious that they won't get what they want," he pointed out with a wryly smile.
"Or insecure enough to feel I will jump out a window to escape?" Biting her bottom lip, she struggled to contain a happy chuckle. "You are a very confident male and that you feel that way about me makes me feel very honored. So when I say honored it isn't an insult."
"You have really made me a wreck. My emotions have run straight into my lust and mangled me up. If you consider that a compliment then I am happy for you. Would you kindly have mercy on this bumbling fool and put me out of my misery."
She chuckled, "Oh Hale, you have nothing to be miserable over. I do believe I am all yours." Reaching across the seat, she placed her hand on his thigh. "I am thrilled to consider myself your woman."
Inhaling a deep breath, he blew it out in a heavy sigh. "Thank goodness that is over. Now I would like to discuss our engagement."
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