“I only checked to see where you lived. There was no other choice, since we had no information on your father’s record, and so the only way of finding out was to check.” He was explaining himself. He never explained himself.
He smiled at her.
“D-do you want a cup of coffee?” She stammered over her words. Her face flushed. Duncan found her adorable.
“Coffee would be lovely.” He watched her leave the room. He went and sat on her sofa while he waited. Duncan glanced around him at the small room. She owned so many books. He couldn’t believe how many she’d managed to cram in such a small area.
She read a lot of books, unless they were just for show. Staring at the well-worn binders he was thinking she’d read them all. For a beautiful woman he found it hard to believe she spent a great deal of time trapped inside a book.
There were a few personal pictures, but they were photographs of the countryside and snow covered fields. There were none of her or her family.
Tess came through a few minutes later carrying two steaming cups of coffee. He saw her concentrating on the liquid inside. He guessed she was trying not to spill the contents. The apartment smelt like chocolate and lemon.
She placed the mugs on the coffee table, and then using her fingers around the rim she handed him his mug. Tess let out a hiss as the heat burned the tips of her fingers. He took the cup from her as quickly as possible. Duncan didn’t like the thought of her hurt and felt all his protective instincts rise to the surface. He’d never felt anything like it. Women meant nothing to him. Tess was screwing with his head.
It’s only because you haven’t fucked her yet. He tried to reassure himself, failing miserably. It took all of his willpower for him to just sit there and not make sure she hadn’t burned herself too badly.
She took the seat across from him, her gaze going everywhere in the room rather than look at him.
He tasted the coffee. The look of revulsion on his face made her chuckle. The coffee tasted bitter and disgusting. He’d never tasted anything so awful.
“What is this stuff?” He held up the cup as if it was a contaminated toxic waste bucket. She laughed more, the sound glorious to hear. Her whole face brightened up with her chuckles.
“This stuff,” she took a healthy gulp, “is a cheap brand of instant coffee.” A bit more sheepishly she said, “It’s the only one I can afford.” Her cheeks burned a bright red. “You develop a taste for it, eventually. I know you’re not used to this stuff. I’d offer you something else, but all I have is tap water.”
He put the cup down on the coffee table. His mouth tasted awful. He’d make sure she’d never have to drink horrid coffee again.
“Do you like French food?” Duncan loved French cuisine. It was something his mother used to love to cook before she decided the kitchen was no place for a lady with money. He wondered what his mother would think of Tess. She wouldn’t approve his choice. Duncan was pleased he wasn’t a mummy’s boy who listened to everything his parent said.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had French food before. I’ve seen it cooked on the television. It always looks expensive.”
He chuckled. Her cheeks went a darker shade of red with her blush. He found her honesty refreshing. So many women wanted to talk designer clothes or the latest gossip that he wasn’t interested in. Tess had something more about her.
“I’m going to take you to dinner tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up around eight tomorrow night.” He stood up ready to leave.
“What? You don’t need to take me to dinner.” Her coffee cup joined his on the table as she stood up. She moved closer to him. He watched as her eyes widened when he placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her. Duncan saw her breasts rising and falling as her breaths deepened. She was as affected by his presence as he was by her.
“I know I don’t have to, but I will. My secretary will send over the appropriate dress.” He cupped her cheek, not backing away. Her skin was silky smooth like he imagined. She didn’t pull away. With his other hand he sank it into the wild length of his hair. Her hair was silkier than her skin. He heard her moan as he touched her neck. Duncan tilted her head back for him to see her eyes clearly. He wanted to see every reaction on her pretty face.
Her eyes dilated while her lips slightly parted for him. Duncan saw the vulnerability in her eyes. She’d never felt anything like this, he was sure of it. He wasn’t strong enough to resist the temptation of her lips. He claimed her lips, the plump softness opening beneath him. He grabbed a fistful of her hair, deepening the kiss while pressing his body against hers. She was soft and welcoming. Her hands ran up his chest to circle his neck. Her eyes were closed as he captured her kiss, plunging his tongue deep inside her lips. She tasted of the coffee, but on her tongue it tasted sweet.
Her full breasts felt wonderful against his chest. The curves of her body melted against him. Duncan wanted to rid her body of the clothes and sink inside her. The need to take her hard consumed him. It would be so easy to take her without any thought of seduction. But Tess deserved seduction. She deserved to have the time taken to love her body.
Duncan pulled back, seeing her face flushed. She licked her lips. The action was so innocent and yet so damn sexy. She had no idea of the temptation she presented at every turn. Part of her charm was her lack of knowledge of how sensual she was. He couldn’t wait to have her spread out before him on his bed.
“I’m looking forward to our marriage, Miss Williams,” he said, running a thumb along the seam of her bottom lip. Her tongue peeked out to lick the tip. She clearly had no idea how much he wanted to sink his cock between her lips. There was so much he wanted to show her. Before he was done she’d never be able to spend a moment without thinking about him. He was going to find everything out about her. She was his new obsession.
He couldn’t resist another kiss from her. Her eyes closed as she responded to him instantly. Her tongue met his, dancing together in a searing love affair. Her passion would be his to control.
Duncan pulled away. He’d need to exhibit control to have her panting after him. The desire to lose himself in her warm heat was hard to ignore. But ignore his thick cock he did.
He left her standing, watching him as he made his way to her apartment door. Duncan turned and looked back, seeing her eyes widened and her full lips still slightly parted as if awaiting his lips. She was awaiting more of his attention. “And you better be ready for me, Tess. You’re mine.”
Duncan closed the door. He took a few deep breaths. His legs felt like jelly. No kiss had ever left him so shaken. There was no movement from inside her apartment. He walked out onto the street and looked up at her window. She stood looking down at him.
She held up a hand waving at him. He waved back. It was hard for him to look away. He wanted to go back up there and take the kiss further. Instead, he got in his car, started it up, and pulled away from the curb.
His hands were shaking. His whole body was aflame for her.
He had no idea what was wrong with him.
****
Tess touched her lips. He’d kissed her so passionately. She’d never felt anything like it before. No man or boy had ever kissed her. She didn’t like the thought of the boys pawing at her body. The girls always complained their first time hurt. From all the stories she’d heard about their first time she’d put any sexual encounter off. Duncan was the closest she’d ever gotten to feeling passion. The way he’d touched her, from the gentle way he cupped her cheek to the powerful way he gripped her hair, was a combination of power and gentleness that threatened to take her over.
She glanced down out of the apartment window. He’d not appeared at the bottom. His car waited by the curb. Several people passed to admire his expensive vehicle. He walked out. His wide shoulders and the hard set of his body were hard to miss. From where she stood he seemed to dwarf everyone around him.
He turned and looked up at her. She felt her heart race as his dark gaze stared back at her.
Tess waved to him, her hand trembling. She hoped he didn’t see how nervous she was. Her feelings scared her. She didn’t like him very much, and yet, his kiss had made her feel so much towards him. He got in his car then drove away.
She pulled away from the curtain. Her chicken smelt done in the oven. On wobbly legs she made her way into the kitchen to finish serving up her meal. She had work in the morning. The library opened at eight. She wondered if he knew where to send the dress. He was right to send her some clothes. Her wardrobe lacked the sophistication needed to be his wife.
After her food she settled down with a good book.
Her father didn’t call back, and when she tried to get him on the phone he refused to answer.
She gave up and went to bed. Tomorrow she’d worry about her future. For several hours she lay staring at the ceiling. Her body was on fire, and she kept reliving the kiss he’d given her. She licked her lips wondering if she’d be able to taste him on them. There was no one for her to talk to. She’d never been good at making friends. Most of the time she liked her own company. Friends were hard to find. It was one of the reasons she liked her books. The women at the library were nice to her, but she didn’t mix well with crowds. Tess didn’t know what was wrong with her. She preferred the company of books to people. Her father, while she was growing up, had made it hard for her to have friends over. He made sure they all knew what a disappointment she was.