It's A Crime (19 page)

After he finished with his call he
walked back toward me, a determined look on his face.

“Hold up there, Cowboy. You know there a
re things we need to discuss…” I let my voice trail off.

“Yes, there are.” 
He took a step toward me.  I took a step back and held my hand up, essentially holding him off.

“Cole, don’t make me pull it out of you, this is difficult enough.”  My irritation
showed.

“Grace,” he reached for me.  I
took another step back.  Fearful he would touch me and melt my resolve.

“I’m not a girl just out of high school,
I’m not as naïve…Is there something you need to tell me?”  I raised my eyes to his imploring him to answer, dreading the response.

“Grace,” his tone turned serious, his smile faded.  My heart froze. “There is no fiancée, there is no more Lauren, there is nothing, except you, and now.”  He looked at me intently, unwavering.  “So let’s not let the past interfere with the present.”  A questioning look remained on his face.  He waited patiently for my response.

“So, you never did tell me…” I looked down at my fidgeting fingers, willing them to stop.  Giddy as the schoolgirl I just professed I wasn’t.  I wanted to jump into his arms and wrap my arms around his neck, so relieved was I.  Totally unaware I was tense, holding my breath.

“What
?” His voice was low and seductive.

“Wha
t brought you back to New York City?...Business?” I asked this hoping I was his motivation.

“The
property I acquired...” he trailed off.

I
looked up through my lashes. “Oh…of course.” A heaviness sat in my heart.

“
…And then there is this woman…she drives me totally mad. I can’t get enough of her or her body...and I’m finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on my work when I’m thinking about what she may be up to…” He smiled, his voice smooth as velvet.

I
instantly pulled him to me, wrapping my arms around his neck, kissing him full on the mouth.

“That woman had better be me
,” I replied, eying him dubiously.

“
Mmm.” He murmured into my neck, “I don’t kiss and tell.”

“Oh! You are
infuriating!”

He threw his head back and laughed heartily.
His expression suddenly turned thoughtful. “Grace, when I was home I still tasted of you on my tongue, still felt your body next to mine. I’ve been hard since I left.”

I swear his voice alone can coax an orgasm from me.

We spent the next morning in bed, re-discovering each other’s bodies. Getting up early, we ate a full breakfast; a vast array of food from fresh fruit to bacon, sausage, crepes, pancakes and the most perfectly poached eggs. If I kept eating like this I would most definitely need to schedule more time with my personal trainer.

We watched old movies on the couch
wrapped around each other. It was difficult for me to admit, even to myself, but I sincerely believed I was falling in love. I made myself a promise years ago I would never love anyone that much again, petrified of the pain that would unquestionably follow.

L
ater that day, after watching Abbot and Costello’s
The Times of Their Lives,
Cole said, “Grace, I’ve made plans for dinner tonight. I know I didn’t give you any notice. Did you bring a dress, or shall we go out and purchase one for you?”

“I came prepared.
” I explained in detail, “I am a woman, and women think ahead.” I smirked triumphantly. “I brought a full selection of clothing just in case you had plans.” A wicked smile played at the corners of my mouth. “Although the thought of you taking me shopping is a total turn on.” My turn to raise my eyebrows. “But I’m positive I have something that would work. Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.
We have reservations at 8:30.”

“I love surprises!”
I squealed with delight.

“
I’ll have to remember to try surprising you more.”

“Who can ask for anything
more?”

After we took a shower, Cole entered his dressing room to dress for dinner.
I waited for him to leave before I started pulling my thigh highs up. After hearing the door to the living room close, I rushed to dress. It felt like I was getting ready for prom, dressing to impress. I was excited, giddy even. I heard the familiar pop of champagne and my excitement built.

I
slipped into a frosted silver lace cocktail dress. The stretch lace of the dress molding to my body, the low cut V neckline showing just the right amount of cleavage. My favorite part was the extremely low V back, which extended down to just above my backside. My thigh highs in shimmery silver accentuated my long legs. On my feet were Christian Louboutin pumps specially designed for me.
It’s nice to have friends in fashion.
They matched the color of my dress perfectly, pumps covered in frosted silver lace with a true stiletto profile complete with a four and a half inch heel. They were my most sexy-assed pair of shoes. I wore the simple diamond studs my mother gave me for my birthday and my platinum Rolex, deciding against additional jewelry. All in all, I was happy with the end result.

I brushed my long
hair and pulled it up on one side using a platinum hair comb, an heirloom given to me by my grandmother on my father’s side, and arranged my hair to cascade in a flounce of curls down my back. Finishing off my ensemble was my Prada clutch the same color as my dress. I walked into the living room slowly. What I saw was nothing short of heart stopping.

A
s good as I hoped I looked, when I gazed at Cole I stopped dead in those sexy-assed stilettos. He looked like Adonis himself. My heart skipped a beat or two. I had to look at the floor to regulate my equilibrium. Momentarily embarrassed by my outward gawking, I continued looking, not caring my mouth was hanging wide open. I combed his body from top to bottom and back up again, slowly enjoying every delicious bit of him. The first thing on the menu was a pair of gorgeous feet inside a pair of luxurious black shoes shined to perfection. Draped upon his shoes over superbly muscular thighs were impeccably tailored navy trousers. Traveling up his body slowly, I was mesmerized by the magnificent male standing casually at the bar. I do love a man in a custom suit, and seeing Cole in a navy blue Armani …I heated up immediately, so aroused I was flushed.

He was so
beautiful Michelangelo would weep in awe of his perfection while begging to sculpt him. His pure white dress shirt showed off his light golden tan. His French cuffs adorned with platinum cufflinks were understated and elegant. The flawlessly knotted tie matched his vibrant green eyes; my breathing quickened. On top of that he smelled mouthwateringly good. Like body wash or shampoo, but combined with his own scent he became delicious. I was riveted by his beauty.

H
is long elegant fingers held out a chilled glass of Rose Champagne for me. As I reached for the glass, his fingers brushed against mine, sending an electrical charge that traveled the length of my body that caused my breath to hitch.

“Thank you
,” was all I could manage.
What the hell is wrong with me? I haven’t felt like this since Craig...
I shoved the memory down, not wanting to go to that dark place, feeling the familiar heartache push its way in. My eyes watered slightly.

T
he sex-crazed nymphet in my head was screaming, “
Forget dinner, food—who needs food? Have more mind-blowing sex
.” I forced her back down inside.
Harlot
. I was beginning to feel like Sybil.

Heat started to fan out
, growing in intensity. I had to admit I had never been this enthralled by a man. I raised the chilled glass to my mouth, sipping slowly, trying to relieve my parched mouth. His eyes bored into mine and a slow, sinful smile formed on his lips, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. I nearly lost my balance.

I took a deep breath and
slowly finished my champagne, placing the empty flute on the bar. Cole offered his arm. I leaned down and grabbed my clutch, tossing my wrap over my arm, then thrust my arm into his. We made our way through the door to the elevator.

As we walked through the lobby,
Cole lowered his hand to the small of my back, and I felt the heat of his touch as he possessively placed his hand over the opening of my dress. I was beginning to think I should have listened to my inner harlot. When Cole walked through the lobby, his attractiveness and raw power captivated all those around him. Every pair of eyes was trained on him as we walked outside to the waiting Black BMW SUV. Cole seemed not to have noticed.
Was he blind to the potency of his looks?

Ray
stood curbside and held the door open. He looked at me then turned to Cole and boldly said, “I’ll wager, Mr. Grayson, you are by far the luckiest man in Manhattan.”

“
I would not take that bet, Ray.”

I looked at his face
, rewarded by the glow in his eyes.

“Thank you…
both.” I accepted the compliment, broad smile beaming.

I
draped my wrap over my arm and slid to the other side of the seat, making room for Cole to climb in next to me. When the car started moving, he reached over and grabbed my hand. He lifted it to his mouth and gently kissed each fingertip. A shiver ran from my head to my feet. He then linked his fingers with mine, resting our hands on his thigh. I looked out the front window, happy for the darkness inside the car, knowing if he was able to see my face he would know how I felt about him. Several minutes later, we pulled up in front of Daniel’s and I silently wondered if he knew this was one of my favorite restaurants.

We were led to a private room,
Cole obviously on the VIP list. Inside, the room was romantically lit, a soft glow emanating from the elegant tapered candles. The company was perfect. Cole continued to hold my hand, resting it on the top of his thigh throughout the meal. I was more than willing to eat with one hand rather than let go of his hand. Dinner was wonderful. Golden Oestra caviar with Champagne to start. The chef prepared a special tasting menu for us. The food and the wine were both perfect beyond belief, the service impeccable. Dessert, well, that was another story; the Huckleberry-Fromage Blanc Vacherin was to die for.