United Service (29 page)

“I’m impressed. A Ferrari!”

He loved her touch. She used her fingertips and started playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, and he considered himself lucky not to be ticklish. “It gets lousy gas mileage, but it served its purpose.” He carefully chose the past tense of that verb as he said it to Kate. Never had he been more embarrassed because of his car, especially the license plate ‘LOVR4U’. His entire lifestyle was one embarrassment after another when he considered a life with Kate.

As they drove through the winding roads that led out of the airport, Kate asked, “So where are we going?”

He knew exactly where he wanted to take her, but the decision was hers to make. “That depends on you. It’s been about fifteen hours, Kate, and I’m willing to call it close enough. Are your feelings for me the same?”

Her voice sounded commanding. “I stand by my decision. Take me to bed.”

Sterling had already turned down the road heading west anticipating that decision and drove her downtown. She let out a slight squeal of delight as he turned into the Plaza and valeted the car. A doorman dressed in uniform greeted them. A bellhop asked if they needed help with luggage, but with two small carry–ons, no such services were necessary. The lobby of the hotel was grand in size. The decor was blue and gold, with high ceilings and beautiful marble floor. “Wow. I’ve never stayed in such a fancy hotel before,” she said as they walked arm–in–arm through the main doors.

“It’s after 3 o’clock. Our room will be ready for check–in. I want to tell you now though, I don’t want to stay the night.” She looked disappointed, so he explained. “I want to take you to my home. I want you to sleep in my bed tonight. I thought a fancy place like this would be special for our first time together. Is that all right?”

She smiled at him. “That’s fine. We have the evening to enjoy it.” She took Sterling by the arm as they walked to the registration desk where a lady in a blue suit greeted them.

“Welcome to the Plaza. How may I help you, sir?” she asked.

“I have a reservation.” He handed the woman his picture ID. Kate clung to his arm and kissed him while they waited for the hotel clerk to finish pushing the computer buttons and gathering all the check–in papers.

“Mr. Neumann, I’ll need a credit card to keep on file.”

Sterling felt odd. The woman looked down and must have noticed no ring on his hand. He was checking in as “Mr. and Mrs. Neumann.” He had never felt this way before. Of course, he respected Kate; he never respected the other women in his life. Overall it shouldn’t matter what this hotel clerk thought, but it bothered Sterling all the same. He thought to compel the woman to see a ring, but dismissed the idea.

Sterling paid cash for everything and didn’t like the use of credit cards. “I’ll pay in cash.” He eyed the clerk and compelled her to accept the form of payment.

She gathered up the money, finished the transaction and handed Sterling the plastic card he would use as a key. “Mr. Neumann, you have the bridal suite for the night. If you take the elevators on your right hand side and take it up to the 27th floor, the suite will be on your left.” When he took the key she added, “Enjoy your stay, Mr. and Mrs. Neumann.”

Once they left the desk, Kate asked, “So your last name is Neumann?” Her faced blushed. “I guess I should know that.”

“No. My real last name is Metcalf. Neumann is one of my aliases.”

She raised one eyebrow. “Sounds so secretive, like you’re a spy.”

Grinning, he said, “I work for three government agencies, and have three different aliases. It’s not all that exciting. It’s more of a bother to keep them all straight. Right now I have two people covering for me while I’m away.”

“Which agencies?”

It was too long of a discussion to have this late at night. “Secret Service, CIA and FBI,” was all he offered.

Kate’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious? Do you ever work directly with the President?”

He smiled over to her. He had worked for so many presidents that he often forgot how special his positions were. “From time to time. But, I’d rather not talk shop right now.”

“Need-to-know stuff, huh?”

“Exactly.”

It pleased him when she resumed her hold on his arm and they walked towards the elevators on the right hand side of the lobby. His job was interesting, but not nearly as exciting as spending the night with Kate.

In her sexy and playful voice she asked, “So, I’m Mrs. Neumann for tonight?” She smiled a seductive smile at Sterling as he hit the button for floor 27.

“No, Sweetheart. You’re Mrs. Sterling Metcalf.” He grabbed her waist, pulled her to him, and kissed her passionately even before the elevator doors could completely close.

Kate sensed butterflies in her stomach as they approached their room and Sterling unlocked the door. The door opened into a hallway leading to a roomy living room. A small dining room sat off to the side, a work desk stood near the balcony, and flowers were everywhere, causing the room to smell like an exotic garden.

“This must have cost a fortune, Sterling.” Her eyes widened as she walked up to the balcony and took in the view. She had never before stayed in such an extravagant place. It was nice of Sterling to spend this kind of money on her, but she didn’t feel that it was necessary.

Sterling spooned her from behind as they looked out over the city. He kissed her neck as his hands found their way around her waist and he hugged her tightly. He leaned into her. “I’m so glad you like the room, Kate.” He whispered into her ear, “You haven’t seen the bedroom yet.”

Sterling held her hand as he led her through the door at the back of the living room and entered the bedroom. She gave the king–sized bed a darting gaze. Rose petals covered the blue comforter. Rows of pillows lined the headboard and soft music played in the background. An ice bucket with a bottle of champagne and a basket of fruit sat atop the dresser.

“We’re never going to eat that fruit. It’ll just go to waste,” Kate said as she twirled a tress of her hair between her fingers.

“The basket belongs to the package deal, but I did tell them to forgo the fruit.”

Why did she care about fruit? All she could think about today was his hands and mouth all over her body. Boy, the man could sure kiss, and other stuff. She could feel his kisses all the way down to her knees. His soft lips were firm and commanding. She self–consciously licked her lips in remembrance. He had so much bedroom experienced. This was good, in a way. Kate figured one of them should know what they were doing, plus, he was probably really good at sex. He’d probably be disappointed with her inexperience, but he understood the situation and was a big boy. Probably, very big.

She noticed that his eyes were not on the room, but on her. She could hear his deep breathing and racing heart. The expectation was killing her, but she had no idea what to do. Should she undress? Maybe he wanted to undress her? Maybe she should undress him? She glanced again at the bed.

“Rose petals? That’s nice.” She walked over to the bed and picked a petal up in her fingers. She felt the delicate texture of the silky petal. Her nerves were getting the best of her. She didn’t want to take inventory of the room. She wanted to be lying in the bed with Sterling, but she found herself half frozen in anticipation. She also realized how bright the room was. The time was only 4 o’clock in the afternoon and the room was as bright as the sun. She had never made love to a man before and the moment was upon her. Did there have to be so much damn light in the room?

Sterling closed the lacy sheers, dimming the light. “I hope that’s okay.” He took off his sunglasses. “I don’t have inner eyelids like you do.”

“Perfect,” she said as she rubbed the back of her neck.

He crossed the room to stand in front of her. “You’re one hundred percent sure?”

She smiled. “Positive.” Great, she was sweating buckets. She touched the fabric of her cami between her breasts and felt the top soak up her sweat. The inner bra felt like it was holding a pool of the stuff, nice and slimy. Yep, nothing said sexy like flop–sweat. Maybe she should shower first. If she did, she could shave her legs.

Before she made up her mind, Sterling said, “Sit down for a minute.”

Kate took a deep breath and bit her lower lip. At least she was on the bed. One down, one more to go. Was he going to join her on it? Should she cross her legs? Was she sitting sexy enough? Glancing down at her cami and shorts she realized that she didn’t even bring a nightgown to wear. Of course, she hadn’t planned on any of this, but even in her wildest dreams, she would have worn something more appealing than an outfit she had worn the day before. Looking at Sterling she noticed him staring back at her. Should she smile? No, wait, pout. Wasn’t pouting supposed to be sexy? Or would that just make her look constipated?

He knelt in front of her, his black eyes piercing and inviting. Biting his lip he said, “I don’t know how you do it.” When she gave him a puzzled expression he said, “The look you give me. It’s a timid schoolgirl mixed with a raging sex goddess.” He shook his head as if he were trying to clear his mind. “It’s driving me crazy, Kate.”

She breathed out a sigh of relief, although she didn’t know if she agreed with his assessment.

He blinked a few times and then cleared his throat as he continued, “In the last 15–hours you had an important decision to make, and so did I. Kate, I’ve lived a long time. And believe me, in the last 180 years I’ve learned what I want in my life.” He took a deep breath, “I want you, Kate. I’ve lived a long time without you, and I don’t want to live another day where you are not in my life. I need and want to share my life with you. Maybe I’m old fashioned, I don’t know. But I respect you, Kate. I was serious when I called you Mrs. Sterling Metcalf in the elevator tonight. Will you marry me?”

She felt her chest tighten and the room seemed to grow smaller. Her mouth gaped open and she realized she couldn’t breathe.

“No … I can’t marry you Sterling,” she finally said. She tried to hold back the tears, but failed. Her body tensed. “I told you about my parents and how much they hate each other. I don’t want to ever grow to hate you.” She gazed into his eyes and saw the pain of rejection in them. “Sterling, can’t we just have what we have right now, without the complication of a marriage?” When he remained silent, she stammered, “It’s not that … look, I don’t want to ever be married. If I did want to be a wife, I would only want to be your wife. But I can’t … I don’t want to hurt you, but marriage is not for me. I know you claimed me as your mate in front of that young vampire kid, but I didn’t know you were serious.”

He remained kneeling in front of her. “Kate, whether you marry me or not, in my heart you are my wife. No one else will ever be Mrs. Sterling Metcalf but you.”

She bit her lower lip and gazed down at the floor. His marriage proposal was the nicest one she could ever have dreamed of. If only she wanted it. “Are you mad at me?” she asked in a soft voice.

“What? No.”

“Really?”

His hand caressed her cheek. “I’m fine, Kate. I’m disappointed, but not mad. If you only want me as a lover, that’s fine. But promise me you’ll think about becoming my wife, because I want more.” With his fingers, he gently brushed away her tears.

“Do you still want to sleep with me?”

Sterling laughed. “Sweetheart, I’m absolutely going to make love with you tonight.”

His hands touched her legs and slowly traveled down to her feet, where he removed the oversized, borrowed shoes she wore. He then sat on the bed, kicking his own shoes off. “We’re going to take this slow.” He leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth. She responded by kissing him back. He could feel the pressure of the kiss as she experienced it. The kiss felt light and soft. Her hands moved to the back of his neck and she played with his hair, tugging him closer to her.

He continued to kiss her as their bodies inched in unison to the center of the big king–sized bed. His fingers went under her shirt and lifted the fabric up, exposing her breasts. He kissed down her bare chest as he revealed her soft skin and breasts. Breasts that only he had ever touched.

“You are insanely beautiful,” he said between kisses. He touched her soft, exposed skin. Kissing a trail down to her breasts he read her excitement with his touch. Her breath caught and her nipples pebbled. He had to remind himself to go slow, that this was a moment to savor.

He helped her remove her top as she sat halfway up. He tossed the cami on the floor and then removed his shirt as well. Since clothes were already hitting the floor, he asked, “Can we lose your pants, too?”

Her response was just a nod yes. Sterling studied her as she lay on the big bed. She had seemed more comfortable last night when he made her cry out. Tonight she looked too scared to talk. He felt her nervousness when he touched her skin. She wasn’t this nervous last night.

He thought about it and realized the difference was that last night she knew they were not going to have sex, tonight was a different story. He licked his lips and took a deep breath to control his own passion. “For right now, Kate, I want you to enjoy your body for me, like you did last night. I won’t do anything yet that we haven’t done before.” He gave her a flirty smile. “So, chillax, okay?”