I felt him responding too, a thick bulge growing ever so quickly against the outside of my hip. I wanted to reach down and stroke him. It took every ounce of decency I still had not to. I focused instead on the parts of him I felt comfortable touching. I rubbed my hands over his chest and shoulders brushing over his rock hard nipples earning me a deep growl from his chest.
His mouth tasted wonderful, the scent of red wine wasn’t there but he tasted heady and extremely male. I moved my tongue inside his decadent mouth as my fingers ran along his jaw line. I felt his tongue pushing against mine in a wordless play to dominate the kiss. I retreated and let him explore me freely. When he withdrew from my mouth I nipped at his lower lip with my teeth, drawing out a faint groan.
His hand on my thigh had started to stroke the inseam of my pants. I wiggled against him, absorbing as much of his touch as I could. He broke the kiss to whisper against my mouth, “I prefer skirts, next time wear one for me.”
Both my hands were grasping at his shoulders which made hitting him in the chest easy. I pulled away and screeched at him, “What is wrong with you? I don’t take orders! I don’t know you! I don’t wear skirts!”
I felt flushed, angry, and very excited. If I had ever been with a guy that had ignited this in me I couldn’t remember. He made me furious and needy all at the same time.
His grin was only slightly evil as he inclined his head to the side, “We are at The Club. Would you like to go inside?”
He nodded slightly to the front seat and the two men exited the vehicle. I had totally forgotten about them. Oh gods, how embarrassing to be making out like a teenager in the back seat in front of two of his employees. I was mortified and flushed even redder than before.
The driver took a slip from the valet and opened our door himself, standing to the side as I slid off Joel’s lap onto the pavement. Joel quickly followed me and I felt his large fingers winding with mine.
Nobody outside seemed to pay me any attention. They were all staring with rap attention at my companion. Two valets were already opening the door to the restaurant for him and acknowledging him with almost imperceptible bowing of the head.
I was glad to step into the restaurant, I’m not well suited for the cold and my sweater provided only minimal protection. I shivered slightly and felt Joel’s hand leave mine to slip an arm around my shoulders drawing me close. He was warm, so despite my reservations I just stayed where I was comfortable.
We were escorted to the back of the restaurant to a secluded circular booth. I assumed his companions would be joining us, but he was the only other person to slide into the booth with me.
“For the record, the first time I saw you, you were wearing a skirt,” he said smiling at me. His eyes were dancing with some internal fire and it made his grin look a little wicked.
“It’s the only skirt I own, I take it you didn’t go through my closet then,” I questioned him scathingly.
His hearty laugh resounded in the confined space.
“I was much more interested in what I had laid in the bed. When I found you, you were draped in a most uncomfortable position over your couch, talking quite fluidly to a chair. Once you were in the bed, if it hadn’t been for the occasional breathing you would have looked dead. I know you are angry with me, but what you took really isn’t good for you.”
His voice and turned only slightly pleading as his hands came up around mine on the table. He gently stroked at my folded hands until he had taken one in each of his.
Despite the fact I should be creeped out by this entire experience he seemed so genuine. Something about him made me want to believe him. I still surprised myself a little when I conceded to him.
“Fine, no more pills, Joel, but not because of what you want.”
He continued to rub my hands and smiled victoriously at me.
Our conversation was interrupted by a server demurely arriving at the table. She took our drink orders and then walked quickly away. Of course not without faintly bowing her head to Joel as she left.
I had to ask, “Who are you and what’s with all the bowing? Why the sudden interest in me? How do you know me?”
He sighed and put the back of his head against the booth. “Let me answer the simplest question first. I am Joel Latro and they bow because I am their leader. In our community that is an appropriate sign of respect.”
He held up his hand to stop my next barrage of questions, and then interlaced our fingers again.
“I know who you are because I have very observant staff who can find out information quickly when asked. My community is large and well connected, as I’m sure you are finding out. My interest in you may be more difficult to explain, but I assure you it is a good thing. I want nothing but the best for you and will work very hard to see you get it.” He smiled at his last statement continuing to move our fingers against each other.
I would have had more to say, but the server came back with our drinks to take our order. I quickly chose something and she quietly slipped away.
The rest of the meal was bizarrely relaxing. The man that apparently spent the night in my bedroom was perfectly happy to talk with me about the most mundane things. We discussed my small family and his large family.
Joel talked about his family with love and pride. He said he was the head of his family and it was his job to protect and nurture them. Having grown up with a distant alcoholic father, I was appreciative of his noticeable dedication. I couldn’t hold back the comment that ran through my head though.
“You don’t look old enough to be the head of your family,” I told him bluntly.
“In my community head of the family is a designation of skill and genealogy, it doesn’t necessarily mean I’m old, Elizabeth,” he laughed at me.
Joel wanted to know about my family, my friends, and even my job. He seemed genuinely interested in what I did all day. I’d never told a stranger as much as I told him. His presence was comforting and I forgot to be nervous. I even found myself laughing at his jokes and swatting at his hand as he reached over to take a piece of artichoke off my salad.
“I’ve never tried it,” he said popping part of the artichoke heart in his mouth. He grimaced a little then smiled.
“I should have warned you it’s not for novices. At least it adds to your vegetables today, you should have five. What was that steak you just ate, it looked like it was the whole cow,” I marveled.
Joel snorted and said, “There aren’t many vegetarians in my family.”