Adam's Apple (Touch of Tantra #1) (13 page)

The cab ride to her building is quiet. Our driver repeatedly changes lanes and speeds down the city blocks trying to make all the green lights. Pretty much the usual fare for a cab ride, and why I’m thankful for having Eddie.

Neither one of us utters a single word. My surrender to her witty entrapment of me still hangs in the air. I’m an MIT genius for fuck’s sake, but she’s been winning all the arguments with me. Hands down kicking my ass. Who would’ve thought my mental match would be a sexy-as-hell vixen wearing red lipstick and Shalimar? Both of which are driving me crazy right now.

I’m not sure she has any idea what she has won, as I willingly gave into her. And truthfully I’m not sure, either. We are stilling holding hands with the promise of nothing more. Normally in this situation, I’d be looking for the next willing woman. Holding hands was great in middle school, but I have needs that want to be addressed. Yet here I sit with her. Hand in hand like we’re at a church picnic.

Additionally, the only good behavior I’ve promised a woman relates to sex. Giving her a down-and-dirty fuck, an expert tonguing to her clit, or maybe a little something kinky and naughty. Nothing
good
has ever happened from restraining myself sexually.

Everything appears to be upside down in my life right now. Simon has lost his fucking mind. I resemble Tom more than myself. Which is frightening as hell because Tom’s been pussy-whipped for years. I’ve even seen him carrying Lois’ purse for her, and a man toting a Chanel bag isn’t right.

Funny thing, though, I find myself enjoying every damn minute I’ve had with her. Even when we were arguing in Maurice’s office. Our anger was more like a warm-up of verbal foreplay. It’s the only glimpse I’ve had at her passion. And one thing’s for sure, this woman has it in spades. I just have to convince her to share some of it with me.

As we make our way down
Fifth Avenue, I recall standing and waiting for her outside her building. I stared at the entrance and doorman for hours. Watching as scores of people came and went. I can’t believe how long I waited for her. An important conference call was delayed. Now with Simon’s situation it will likely be days before I can reschedule.

I lightly rub circles over her soft skin. I glance up and give her a smile, which she blazingly returns to me. Something happens when she does. Even though I’m a stubborn man, I have to admit what I’ve realized tonight. This woman might be worth my being good. At least I’m willing to try.

“We’re almost there,” she whispers, breaking the silence between us. The cab is sitting at a red light, but I see her building’s green awning up ahead.

“Back where we started today. I did get my wish, though. Do you want to know what it was?”

“Something tells me it doesn’t matter what I want. You’re going to tell me anyway.”

“Are you sure we haven’t met before? Maybe in another lifetime? You have an uncanny knowledge of what I’m going to say. It’s unnerving.”

“It’s the psychologist in me. Human nature. There’s really nothing new under the sun. You’re not as special as you think you are.” Her sarcastic remarks actually turn me on. I enjoy her feistiness. Maybe it’s the challenge.

“Ouch. Now back to my wish, you sharp-tongued goddess.” She laughs at my wisecrack. But I realize she’s rather talented at getting me off subject. I make a mental note of this sneaky trait of hers.

“Okay. I’ll play along. What did you wish for?” she asks with a curious look in her eyes.

“Exactly what we are about to do. An invitation to your apartment. A ride up your elevator.” I tease her by wiggling my brow at the word
ride
. “A peek at where you live, along with a tour of your bedroom, perhaps.” I end with my patented devilish smile.

“You mean an invitation to ruffle up my sheets,” she says, mockingly. I can’t see her face as she’s turned away from me, but I’d bet money she’s rolling her eyes.

“You have a way of crushing my hope, don’t you?” She laughs at me again. I enjoy our teasing, although I’d enjoy her more under me on her sheets. Some habits die hard.

We pull up to her building, and the doorman comes to the cab and opens the door for us. I pay the cabbie and exit after her. She stands close by waiting for me. I instinctively grab her hand and start to run quickly to the entrance, bringing her with me.

Leaving the doorman behind us, I open the glass door and we hustle inside. I breathe a sigh of relief once we are in the lobby area. It’s classic in design. Marble floors, elegant lighting, and rich colors of wood greet us.

“Show me to your elevator, woman,” I say playfully.

“This way, Mister.” She teases right back and leads me to the hallway behind the concierge desk.

She pushes the up arrow and the doors open instantly, like they were awaiting our arrival. I follow behind her as we step inside. She lights up the number twenty, and we feel the cage start to climb.

Kathryn leans against the shiny wood side of the elevator wall and gazes up at me. I move closer in to her. The nearness of her body and scent wreak havoc on me and my ability to rein myself in like I promised. I don’t want to push this woman too far, but I’ve never had to control myself like this, either.

Totally new territory for me. And my cock doesn’t like it one bit. When a woman gets me aroused like this, waiting is something I don’t have to do. Usually by now my cock would be buried inside of her.

Restraint was never required, at least not until now. One thing for sure: The confines of this tight space are pressing me to the edge of my control with her. My thoughts turn to kissing her again and pushing her roughly against the wall while my lips devour her. I’m lost in my fantasies when she begins to speak.

“Our running into the building like two silly people was stupid and probably drew more attention to us. We kind of stuck out.”

“True, but I liked holding your hand.” I reach out for her hand again. She willingly lets mine encase hers. I walk a step forward. Now our bodies are almost touching, my eyes looking down into hers. God, how her lovely eyes do crazy things to me. I place one hand on her back while the other one cups her chin. I tilt her head upward with my fingers, and bring our faces even closer together.

This time I don’t ask for a kiss. There’s no need. Her eyes are full of desire, and her lips are parted in anticipation. I know the tell-tale signs when a woman is saying,
kiss me
. Leaning down I take her mouth with mine.

Her lips part and my tongue meets hers. This simple contact ignites me. Fuels my desire. I’ve never felt this hard, this desperate, with just a kiss. What happens when I can’t have more from her? The thought makes me nearly delirious.

I hold her tighter to me. Her body yielding, melting, and molding into mine. Bending into to me she holds around my waist. It feels so good to be in her arms. She tightens her arms around me, drawing us even closer.

She has to feel my cock pressing hard into her stomach. There’s no mistaking how much I want this woman. Now she knows. But like before at the restaurant, she pulls her lips away from mine and breaks the kiss. I am feeling on fire, and by the flush on her face and darkened eyes, I know she’s feeling the same thing. Even if she’s not willing to admit it.

Her breathing is heavy, matching mine. She stares up into my eyes. The elevator is the only movement or sound around us as we near her floor.

“I want you, Kathryn,” I whisper to her, nibbling on her ear between breaths. She lets out a slight moan. “I’ve never wanted to fuck a woman like this before. Spread you wide and take you.”

“What are you doing to me, Kingsley? I don’t do things like this.”

“That makes two of us.”

“This is all you do,” she replies sarcastically.

“You’re wrong. I never have to wait or ask with a woman. They give and I take.” I draw her to me and hold her tight. Pressing her small body to me. My face buries in her black hair. I close my eyes and just breathe. She smells like heaven, but having to hold myself back is hell.

“But I’m willing to play by your rules.” I release her and feel the elevator’s carriage come to a stop. The doors part, and I take her hand in mine.

“Lead the way. I’ll be good. I promised, remember?” I need to somehow cool things down a bit. I’m torturing myself, and possibly her as well, by pushing for more too quickly. But when I get hard for her, it’s impossible to think straight.

“I have no doubt in my mind you’ll be anything
but
good,” she says with a laugh. Once again this woman knows me so well.

She exits the elevator and I follow her down a long carpeted hallway. There are very few apartments on her floor. I remember from the information Peters dug up that her apartment is rather big by New York City standards.

When we reach the hallway’s end, she unlocks the door to her right and opens it. “Home, sweet, home.”

I walk into her foyer. Marble lies under my feet. A table sits against a wall with an ornate silver-framed mirror placed above it. A flush chandelier hangs over my head.

Moving forward into the open space in front of me, I find myself in the living room. The décor is unmistakably French. Beautiful and stylish. I’d expect nothing less. Classically elegant, but still comfortable. A perfect reflection of Kathryn.

But what catches my eye is the view from her large glass window. Central Park. It’s a view almost as magnetic as Kathryn.

I find myself walking toward the windows. Once I’m in front of them, I gaze out at the park. Night has fallen and only a few lights appear through the trees. Such a contrast against the normal Manhattan skyline of lights and high-rises. It’s peaceful. Untouched by man’s need to build bigger and higher.

“Beautiful view. Believe it or not, I share a very similar one just a few blocks away. Nothing like it. Especially in a city like this.”

“I agree.” Kathryn concurs after joining me to stare out the window. “You only live a few blocks away?”

“My penthouse is at The Pierre.”

“The hotel?”

“There are a few floors in the hotel where people actually live. Mostly penthouses. I enjoy the hotel’s service. Makes life more convenient at times.”

Turning toward me, Kathryn leans against the glass. “I’m sure. I’ve been inside the lobby. It’s very grand.”

“I’d love to show it to you someday. You would be the first woman, besides my housekeeper, to enter as my guest.” I’m not sure why I just confessed this to her.

“First woman? Where do you take all of them? Or do you just use the back seat for all your fun?” I swear there’s a hint of anger in her voice. Could it possibly be jealousy? Part of me hopes it is because then I’d know she has feelings for me. What else would make her jealous other than wishing she were one of the women?

“Various places.” I want to end my explanation with these two words. She doesn’t need to know that I have an ongoing hotel room waiting a few stories below me at The Pierre. I can imagine the disgust in her eyes if I told her this little fact.

“I don’t want to talk about other women when I’m with you. But I can assure you that you’ll be my first.”

“For some reason that isn’t very comforting, but in your case I guess I should be flattered. I bet there are likely very few firsts left with you.” She moves away from the glass. Her words, as always, cut through my bullshit and go right to the truth.

“Touché.” I concede. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I know this little bubble we are in is about to be invaded with news about Simon. Amazingly, I keep forgetting about him. She’s that good at distracting me. Or maybe what I feel for her is distracting me? Who knows?

“Excuse me, Kathryn, while I take this call.” I pull the phone out and see it’s Peters.

“Any news?” I say with no formal greeting.

“Yes. Simon hasn’t been apprehended but his credit card was used a short time ago at a gas station in East Orange, New Jersey. Does he know anyone there to your knowledge?”

“I have no idea. He’s from Buffalo, originally. You know my relationship with Simon. It isn’t that close.”

“He could be heading to Buffalo or Canada for that matter. The route through East Orange would take him there. The police have confirmed his Mercedes is not parked at his building’s apartment garage. So they’ve issued an all-points bulletin for the car. I’m still not convinced he’s left the city and need to see the video surveillance camera at the gas station to be convinced. He’s a shrewd man. Why would he use a card to announce his whereabouts? Seems like an idiot move.”

“I’ll let you worry about the details. That’s what I pay you to do. Remind me to give you a big bonus for this.” Peters is really overpaid as it is, but he’s the best and I don’t want anyone luring him away.

“Right, I’ll remind you of that.” He’s laughing to himself because he knows I’ll remember without him having to mention it. “How did everything go getting to Ms. Delcour’s apartment? You’re there now, right?”

“Everything is fine. Brilliant idea, me staying here.” On many levels, I’d like to add but refrain. “Simon has no idea that I met Kathryn last night, either.”

“I think you’re safe for now. I’ve told my police contact that you are unavailable until tomorrow morning. They want to speak with you, but I said they would have to call and discuss a formal interview with your attorney. Speaking of, have you heard from MacDonald?”