6

I could sense that he was reacting as well, a substantial hardness swelling rapidly against the outer side of my hip. I had the urge to reach down and caress him. It required every last shred of decency I possessed to stop myself. Instead, I turned my attention to the areas of him I was at ease touching. I swept my hands across his chest and shoulders, grazing his incredibly firm nipples, which pulled a low, rumbling growl from deep within him.

His mouth was delicious; there was no trace of red wine, yet he tasted intoxicating and intensely masculine. My tongue slid into his luscious mouth while my fingers traced the line of his jaw. I could feel his tongue pressing against mine, a silent contest to take control of the kiss. I pulled back and allowed him to roam over me as he pleased. As he drew away from my mouth, I caught his lower lip between my teeth, which coaxed a soft groan out of him.

The hand resting on my thigh had begun to trace the inner seam of my pants. I shifted against him, soaking up as much of his touch as possible. He ended the kiss and murmured against my lips, "I prefer skirts, next time wear one for me."

Both of my hands were gripping his shoulders, which made it simple to strike him in the chest. I jerked away and shrieked at him, "What is wrong with you? I don't take orders! I don't know you! I don't wear skirts!"

I was flushed, furious, and thoroughly aroused. If I had ever been with a man who had sparked this feeling inside me, I had no memory of it. He left me both enraged and desperate for him at once.

With a grin that carried just a hint of malice, he tilted his head to one side and said, "We are at The Club. Would you care to step inside?"

He gave a small nod toward the front seat, and the two men got out of the car. They had slipped my mind entirely. Oh gods, how humiliating to be kissing like a teenager in the back seat while two of his employees looked on. I was utterly mortified, my face burning even redder than it had before.

The driver accepted a slip from the valet and opened the door for us himself, standing aside as I eased off Joel's lap and onto the pavement. Joel came out right after me, and I felt his big fingers lacing through mine.

Out there, no one appeared to notice me at all. Every one of them was watching my companion with riveted attention. Two valets had already pulled the restaurant door open for him, greeting him with bows of the head so slight they were barely visible.

I was relieved to walk into the restaurant; the cold doesn't agree with me, and my sweater gave me only the barest warmth. A small shiver ran through me, and Joel's hand slipped away from mine so his arm could wrap around my shoulders and pull me in close. He radiated warmth, so in spite of my doubts I simply remained where I was cozy.

We were led to the rear of the restaurant, to a private circular booth. I figured his friends would soon be joining us, yet he was the only other person who settled into the booth beside me.

"For the record, the first time I saw you, you were wearing a skirt," he said, smiling at me. Some inner fire danced in his eyes, lending his grin a somewhat wicked look.

"It's the only skirt I own, so I take it you didn't go rummaging through my closet," I shot back scornfully.

His warm, booming laughter echoed through the small, enclosed room.

"What really caught my attention was what I had placed in the bed. When I came across you, you were sprawled awkwardly across your couch in a terribly uncomfortable pose, chatting away quite smoothly to a chair. After you were lying in the bed, had it not been for the odd breath now and then, you would have appeared lifeless. I realize you're upset with me, but the substance you took is genuinely harmful to you."

His tone had become just slightly imploring as his hands rose to cover mine on the table. He softly caressed my clasped hands until he had taken one in each of his own.

Even though this whole situation should have given me the creeps, he came across as so sincere. There was something about him that made me inclined to trust him. I even managed to catch myself off guard a bit when I gave in to him.

"All right, no more pills, Joel, but not for the reason you're hoping."

He kept rubbing my hands and gave me a triumphant smile.

A server quietly approached our table, cutting our conversation short. She took down our drink orders and then hurried off. Naturally, she didn't leave without giving Joel a slight bow of her head.

I had to ask, "Who are you, and what's the deal with all the bowing? Why are you suddenly so interested in me? How is it that you know me?"

He let out a sigh and leaned the back of his head against the booth. "Let me start with the easiest question. They bow to me because I am their leader, and my name is Joel Latro. Within our community, that gesture is a fitting display of respect."

He raised his hand to halt the next flood of questions I was about to unleash, then wove our fingers together once more.

"The reason I know who you are is that my staff are extremely observant and can dig up information fast whenever I ask them to. As you are surely discovering, my community is extensive and has strong connections. Explaining why I take an interest in you might prove harder, but trust me when I say it is a positive thing. All I wish for you is the very best, and I will put in great effort to make sure you receive it." As he finished speaking, he smiled and kept pressing our fingers against one another.

I might have said more, but just then the server returned with our drinks to take our order. I made a quick selection, and she departed without a sound.

Oddly enough, the remainder of the meal felt quite relaxing. The man who had evidently passed the night in my bedroom was completely at ease chatting with me about the most ordinary subjects. We talked about my tiny family and his extensive one.

When Joel spoke of his family, his words were full of affection and pride. According to him, he led his family and bore the responsibility of safeguarding and caring for them. Since I had been raised by an alcoholic father who kept his distance, I truly valued the devotion he so clearly showed. Still, I could not stop myself from voicing the thought that crossed my mind.

"You seem too young to be the head of your family," I said to him without softening it.

"Where I come from, head of the family reflects skill and bloodline rather than age, Elizabeth," he replied, laughing at me.

Joel was curious about my family, my friends, and even my work. He appeared to be truly curious about how I spent my days. I had never opened up to a stranger to the extent that I did with him. Being around him put me at ease, and my nervousness simply slipped away. I actually caught myself giggling at his jokes and playfully slapping his hand when he stretched across to steal a piece of artichoke from my salad.

"I've never tried it," he remarked, slipping part of the artichoke heart into his mouth. A slight grimace crossed his face, and then he broke into a smile.

"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."