Penthouse of pleasure - uncertain desire (German Edition) (7 page)

I indignantly watch Liam disappear into the bathroom. I’m still unsatisfied. I hate being teased without reaching orgasm. What a bastard! But a darn attractive one. He seems to know exactly what buttons to push to make me want more.

Frustrated by my lack of self control, I rummage through my overnight bag until I find my favorite jeans. I put them on with a black top and think about Marcus’s proposal. What did I let myself in for?

Again, I’ve butterflies in my stomach when I imagine sleeping with Marcus and Liam. Granted, I tried a thing or two before getting involved with Andrew, but I guess they would be considered more or less ‘normal’. Sleeping with two men at the same time is complete virgin (ha, ha) territory. I close my eyes and picture Marcus entering me while Liam kisses me. Quite tempting considering the unsatisfied state I’m in. Marcus reckless surfer look and his muscular body are real sexy. I surprised him before naked in the bathroom during my first time here and quite liked what I saw. But Marcus also has a hint of danger about him. Something wild. I doubt Liam is all that harmless either, but he always seems in control of himself whereas Marcus appears to be led by his emotions.

Do you really want to do this, Kate?  My better sense appeals to me.

Of course you do. You’ll never be offered a chance like this again, the woman in me insists.

Utterly confused, I tie up my still slightly damp hair and put on a little make-up in front of Liam’s big cheval mirror. Then I sit down on the bed and decide to wait for Liam’s return. I’m far too confused right now to take Marcus on on his own. The thought of meeting him makes me somewhat uneasy.

To distract myself a little, I pick up my cellphone. So as not to disturb Liam I switched it to silent last night. The display shows two calls and one message in my mailbox. I click on the phone icon. 

The call’s from an unknown number; the other two are from my mother and so is the message in my mailbox: “Hi, Kate. What’s up? Where are you? I must have rung you at least twenty times, but nobody’s picking up. At your workplace they told me you won’t be in anymore! Please get in touch. I’m worried!”

Shit, I think. I had hoped that mom wouldn’t find out that I was in trouble quite so soon. I don’t have much choice but to call her back. But what will I tell her?  Once she knows that I intend to temporarily park me and my stuff at a hotel, she’ll be here in a flash and insist that I move back in with her and Dad. And I really, really don’t want to. I love my parents, but their over-protectiveness is hard to cope with after a while. I’ll have to improvise and come up with a credible story to reassure them for the time being.

I dial mom’s number. She picks up after the second ring.

“Katherine, thank God! I was so worried. Are you okay?”

“Well, a lot of stuff happened...” I start.

“Has it anything got to do with Andrew? What is it? Why can’t I reach you at your firm anymore?” she bombards me with questions.

“Andrew and I split up. You were right. He’s a complete loser. He cheated on me and his new girlfriend is pregnant.”

“Oh, God,” my mother groans. I’m sooo sorry. And now? What are you going to do?”

“I’ve moved out and I’m looking for another job,” I tell her.

“Where do you live right now? You don’t know anyone in that blasted city. Move back in with us! You can sleep on the sofa in the living room.”

Even the thought of spending my nights on my parents‘ sofa-sleeper without the option to leave makes me feel sick. I can already see them constantly buzzing around me, lovingly, yet full of good advice. Thanks, but no thanks!

“Don’t worry. I’ve met some old colleagues who are putting me up for a while,” I fib. “And I’m already sending out job applications. Everything will be alright. I just need a little time to myself right now. I’ll call you!”

I say my goodbyes and promise to get in touch the minute I have news.

Phew. That one’s taken care of. I just hope my mother swallows what I told her. I’ve read somewhere that one should never invent something totally new when lying. Apparently sticking to half truths is much better. And right now I
do
live in an apartment with some people who put me up. I don’t have to volunteer that the apartment belongs to three rich dudes who want to sleep with me.

“Your mother?” Liam’s standing in the doorframe, quizzically arching his eyebrows.

I nod. “She couldn’t get me on the phone and she was worried.”

“And that’s why you told her that you’re living with some ‘old colleagues’ at the moment?”

“Yep.”

“You never cease to surprise me the way you can lie without blushing.”

“What else could I’ve said? That I want to move into a hotel? Then she would have insisted that I move back home instead of wasting my money. Or should I have told her that I’m staying with a bunch of freaks who all want to fuck me. Who will even pay me for the pleasure? That would definitely have calmed her down!”

“What a strange woman you are. At times you stand up to anything and then you put up with far too much. Like stuff from your ex and apparently from your parents, too. I don’t really understand you yet.” Liam studies me intensely.

“And why would you have to?” I retort. “I’m in pretty much the same position. What do I actually know about you?”

Liam placatingly raises his hands. “You are right. It’s really none of my business. How about some breakfast? I know a nice French bistro just around the corner.”

Liam hasn’t promised too much. The Bistro is actually wonderful and the croissants are superb. It feels weird sitting down to breakfast with Liam, having a pleasant chat over a latte. Weird because the whole thing seems so normal although everything between us is nothing but.

We are neither an item nor good friends or colleagues, and still it feels good
.

Luckily Marcus had been gone when we left the apartment. I didn’t have to confront him again. But I will have to make up for it this evening.

“He still has some appointments and then he’ll get some stuff to cook for us later,” Liam grins suggestively. I may have been wrong about Marcus. Perhaps he is more than just a superficial macho.

How does an evening like that usually work? I don’t have the nerve to ask Liam. Relax, Kate, just let is happen.  You can still say ‘no’, I think and try to concentrate on my breakfast. But somehow I don’t quite manage. I’m simply too excited. I haven’t felt as tense since my final high school exams.

“What are you thinking?” Liam wants to know.

“Nothing. It’s just...” I shake my head.

“Is it about tonight?”

“I guess,” I mumble.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

I don’t respond. What can I possibly say? For Liam the whole thing is nothing out of the ordinary. As for the women who usually participate in their little games, it’s presumably nothing special either. But those ladies apply for a room in this strange commune. I, on the other hand, didn’t even know that something like this exists until recently.

“You have no idea how sexy it is that you’re so innocent.” Liam moves closer and puts his hand on my thigh. 

“Innocent?” I nearly choke on my latte. I’ve never been called innocent before. But in Liam’s world I presumably am.

“Sure, but you have potential,” he tells me. “A bit too prickly perhaps, but I really like that about you. And I think it turns Marcus on, too.” His fingers wander further and very lightly stroke me down below. I twitch. 

“Not here.”

“Why not?”

“The people at the next table are already looking.” I point to an elderly couple watching us; their expressions rigid.

“So what? We’re not doing anything bad.” Liam moves closer. “But we may as well put on a show for them!” He leans across the table to kiss me while still caressing me. The elderly married coupled shake their heads disapprovingly.

“Outrageous!” I can hear the woman.

Amused, Liam smiles and pays the check. When we get up and pass their table, he briefly stops. “You should try a little kissing”, he says. “It’s a mood enhancer and it’s also good for your health!”

Out of the corner of my eyes I can see the woman gasping while the man’s face turns scarlet. I have to stop myself from laughing out loud and follow Liam.

He winks at me. “See? You have a lot more fun if you don’t always do what people expect.”

We spend the next few hours at an arts exhibition Liam really wants to see. He enthusiastically studies the exhibits, but I can’t even to recall what we actually saw. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I hardly take anything else in.

Time flies and far too soon we are in the elevator on our way up again. “That was a great exhibition, wasn’t it?” Liam asks, still ecstatic.

I nod. He hopefully won’t ask me what I liked best. I can’t remember anything in particular.

Nervously I follow Liam into the apartment. The noise from the kitchen indicates that Marcus is back, preparing dinner.

Liam just leaves me in the hall with the words: “Hang up your coat and make yourself at home,” before disappearing in the direction of the bathroom.

Undecided I stay put beside all those boxes piled up in the hall.

This is my last chance to bolt, I think. I could thank Liam for the nice time we had and ask him to call me a cab. I know our dangerous adventure will continue if I stay. Do I really want that?

I nervously twirl a strand of hair between my fingers.

“Hey, Kate, what’s up? You look as if you’re about to run away! Don’t you want to come into the kitchen?” Marcus has crept up behind me so quietly, I only notice when he’s standing right behind me. Completely taken by surprise I jump and at the same time I‘m annoyed by my reaction.

“Yes, yes. I’m coming!” I defiantly stare at Marcus. He has something that brings out the aggressive side in me. There’s no way I let him see how insecure I feel. Not Marcus!

But it’s not easy. He looks incredibly wicked in his jeans,  with his wild blond hair and the tight long-sleeved T-shirt emphasizing his muscles. My mouth’s going all dry.

“I think you were going to run away,” he mocks me.

I shake my head. Liam, I think, help me! Where are you?

“What’s your problem then?” Marcus wants to know.

“I don’t have a problem,” I reply, trying to hold my ground. I don’t want Marcus to notice that he’s making me feel nervous. No way!  

“Come on then!” Marcus takes my hand and pulls me in the direction of the kitchen. What’s his plan?

“Let go!” I say. “I’m quite capable of walking all by myself. I don’t like someone pulling me around!”

Marcus rolls his eyes. “Relax, will you!” he tells me and keeps an iron grip on my hand. Perhaps I should bite him. But before I can turn the thought into action, we’ve reached the kitchen and Marcus lets go.

“Would you do me the honor and kindly step inside, Madam?” 

Man! This is insane, I think as I enter the kitchen. Marcus has magically transformed the state-of-the art open plan kitchen/diner into a romantic tapas bar. He’s closed the curtains and lit dozens of candles that bathe the whole place in a warm glow. The table holds a multitude of delicacies; Caribbean rhythms sound from the speakers.

“Wow!” I exclaim. “Did you do all that yourself?”

Marcus smiles. “I did. I like cooking. And I lived in Puerto Rico for a while. I love the local food.”

“Looks really tasty,” I observe. If it actually tastes as good as it looks...”

“I’d say so. Haven’t had any complaints so far,” Marcus replies. 

I’m honestly impressed. Perhaps I was wrong about Marcus.

“Can you dance?” he wants to know.

“Depends,” I answer carefully.

“Let’s give it a go,” Marcus says and extends his hand. “Shall we?”

Marcus takes my hand and starts moving his hips to the rhythm of the music. “You’ll have to come a little closer. This is a Merengue.”

Okay, I think and let him clutch me to his chest. We dance, keeping time with the music, forward, backwards, sideways.

“Not bad,” Marcus remarks. “But you have to swing your hips a little more. I’ll show you.” He stands behind me, grips my waist and moves my hips. “You’re far too tense. Relax!”

Easy for you to say, I think. You’re the reason I’m nervous.

Marcus moves even closer. I can feel his legs against my fanny. He places one hand on my stomach and the other on my groin. “Move with me, Kate,” he whispers and very slowly rotates his hips. I try to follow.

Gee, he’s really good, I think. I love a man who can dance. And Marcus is unbelievably good. He also smells good. A blend of wood and cinnamon. Very masculine.

“Let’s try it again,” he says and turns me over to him. “Put your arms around my neck.”

I do as I’m told and he pulls me really close to his chest. So close there wouldn’t even be room for a postage stamp between us. Then he positions one leg between mine and slowly starts to dance. I can feel his hard muscles against my breasts and his thighs touch me down below while we dance. I don’t really believe that’s the way to dance the Merengue, but I don’t resist either. Dancing with Marcus is incredibly sexy. I can well imagine how just about every woman would be turned on. Including me.

“Much better!” Marcus purrs, puts his hand on my butt and pulls me even closer.

Um. It feels real good. A pleasant sensation starts spreading through my womb. Marcus’s fingers are firmly placed on my behind. The other hand grabs my hair and pulls my head back. His lips are touching mine and I more or less automatically open my mouth to invite his tongue. Marcus kisses the way he dances. Sensuously and demanding. I respond in kind. A little power game. And that’s exactly what makes it so sexy.  

“Enough!” Breathing heavily, Marcus pulls himself away from me. His eyes sparkle in the candle light. “That was a bit of alright. Not bad at all, just the way I imagined.”

I gasp for air. Cheeky bastard, I think. Did he mean the way I dance or the kiss?