Ribbon of Steele: A Romance of Suspense Page 5

  "I would love for you to try the dessert," said Mackenzie. "I hope you're not disappointed." Mackenzie smiled and touched Lizzie's arm as it rested by her side. He moved his hand slowly down her arm until he was touching her hand. He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. His lips were soft, and left her wanting more.Please tell me he is planning on doing that again.He gave her hand a squeeze before motioning his head towards the parlor door.

  As he escorted her through the large arched hallway separating the dining room and parlor, he placed his hand on the small of her back. His touch sent a lightning bold through her spine, and she took a quick draw of breath.I hope he didn't hear that.

  The parlor was lit by a large roaring fire. Looking up, she could see intricate carvings on the wooden ceiling. The room smelled like rich leather and a spice she couldn't place. In front of the fire was a large leather sofa with an end table on either side. On each side of the table stood a tall glass. They looked to be filled with a rich chocolate mousse.

  "Cocktail?", he asked.

  "Yes please," she replied. She was suddenly nervous.Is this the end of the date. Was that a goodbye kiss? Am I going to have a drink and dessert and then go home?She didn't want to leave. She sat on the leather sofa as Mackenzie poured two drinks from a large buffet table sitting on the opposite side of the room. He walked to the sofa, handing her a small glass filled with dark red liquid. She took a sip. The liquid had a deep chocolate and raspberry flavor that immediately warmed her insides. Mackenzie sat on the sofa next to her and took a sip of brown liquid from his tumbler while staring at the fire. She watched him as the flames were reflected in the deep brown of his eyes. He turned to look at her. This time, she didn't make any attempt to hide her staring. She looked directly back at him. After what seemed like minutes, he reached blindly behind him to place his cocktail on the end table without breaking his gaze. She did the same. He rose from his seat and she did the same, never unlocking eyes.

  He reached out his hand and she took it. As his large hand wrapped around hers, he slowly pulled her towards him. He placed his other hand around her waist and pulled her body against his. His body was firm and warm. He stared into her eyes as she looked up at him. He leaned towards her and she closed her eyes. She felt the warm exhale of his breath and then the softness of his mouth as she separated her lips. She felt a growing warmth between her legs as he moved lower to kiss her neck. She exhaled long breaths of air as he moved his hands slowly down the length of her dress.

  He moved one hand to the ribbon tied in her hair and slowly pulled the end, releasing the bows. Her brown hair fell onto her shoulders. Holding the thick ribbon in his hand, he placed his palm on her cheek as he kissed her. With a slow motion he moved the ribbon over her eyes and tied it behind her head. Without her sense of sight, her other senses were highly acute. She heard his breath and felt his touch as his hand found the zipper on the back of her dress. She hadn't planned on having sex with him, but her body was betraying her. The growing wetness between her legs ached for his touch.

  He slowly unzipped her dress. It slid from the hold of her small breasts and onto the floor. Her nipples perked at the sudden chill of the room as she stood before him exposed. Her chest heaved as the back of his hand slowly traced an invisible line down the side of her body. As his tongue flicked quickly on her nipple, a new wave of pleasure spread over her body. She arched her back and let out a slow moan.

  His hand moved down her stomach, and she could feel it slowly travel beneath the lace of her black thong panties. His fingers twisted around the curls of hair between her legs. He gave a slow pull and she shuddered. The mix of pain and pleasure was causing her head to swim. He twisted his finger more tightly and pulled again. She let out a small whimper as her body rushed with moisture directly beneath his hand. He released the curls of hair from his finger as she she felt her nipple enter his mouth. His fingers moved lower and he allowed it to slip inside of her. Her legs nearly gave out under the intense pleasure. She could only see blackness as two fingers of his hand moved slowly in and out of her. She could feel the heat of his breath on her neck, and she pushed her hips into his hand with every thrust. He grasped the back of the ribbon and gently pulled her head backwards exposing her neck. She felt the soft warmth of his lips on her skin.

  "You are so wet," he whispered softly in her ear. His tone was erotic and she was completely under his control.

  Her hips pushed hard against his fingers and she let out a deep sigh. She felt the pleasure crash upon her, and couldn't stop a moan escaping from her lips as he pushed a third finger inside of her. The intensity of her orgasm was too great, and she began to see stars from behind the blindfold.

  She was suddenly aware of how deeply she was breathing. She needed him.

  "I'm on the pill and I've been tested, so you don't have to worry about.. You know..." she whispered.Where did that come from?

  "I'm clean too," he whispered. "I don't want anything between us, I want want to feel you."

  Her hands touched his neck and she realized that he had removed his shirt. She ran her fingers through his thick hair as he firmly squeezed her nipple between his fingers. The pain and pleasure made her bite her bottom lip.

  She ran the palm of her hand down his chiseled chest and over the thickness bulging in his boxer briefs. She heard him release a breath for the first time. He grabbed her wrist and spun her body until he was behind her. He kissed the back of her neck and shoulders as she pushed her firm ass backwards to meet him. Still holding her wrist, he lowered his boxer briefs, exposing his cock. He moved the small strip of fabric of her thong to the side and slowly entered her from behind. Another wave of warmth crashed over her body as she pushed backwards with each slow thrust. He released her wrist, and gently eased her forward. Instinctively she put out her hands which met the soft smoothness of the leather couch. Leaning forward, she moved her ass higher in the air. His rhythmic thrusts pushed deep inside of her.

  "You are so tight," he said in a deep whisper. She had never been spoken to this way in bed before, and her body responded with another wave of pleasure. He turned her over so her back was flat on the leather sofa. The cool of the leather perked her nipples and caused her to arch her spine. She felt him enter her again and she let out another long moan. His slow, deep thrusts were too much for her to handle. She grabbed his ass and pulled him deeper inside of her as the waves of her orgasm rippled through her body. She let out a short scream as she came, unable to to contain the pleasure within her body.

  "Deeper," she said in a whisper.

  She rocked her hips with every thrust of his cock, pulling him deeper inside. She could feel his body spasm, and then felt a warmth deep inside her as he finished. He thrust his hips a few more times and let out a long breath. Her body went limp from exhaustion. They lay for several minutes as she felt his heart and breathing slow. Still inside of her, he slowly removed the blindfold from her eyes. She saw him naked for the first time.

  He looked deep into her eyes as he twisted his mouth into a small smile. He ran his fingers through her hair and touched her face with his palm. She stared at his chest as the flicker of the fire illuminated his strong broad shoulders. She closed her eyes and smiled. The experience was unlike anything she had ever felt in her life, and she wanted it to last forever. He pulled her close as she let out one more long satisfying breath.

  "I think I'm ready to try that dessert now," she whispered with a smile.

  16

  "Details! Details!", Nicole was shouting when Lizzie walked through the door the next morning. Nicole was sitting in her chair in full running gear, and hopped to her knees on her chair as Lizzie walked into the room.

  Lizzie smiled, threw her shall on top of the heap of unfolded laundry, and flopped on the couch." Come on Lizzie, I'm dying over here. Was he amazing in bed? I bet he was amazing."

  "It was amazing. His house is beautiful inside, Nic," explained Lizzie. "It has this ceiling in the foyer..."

 
; "Yeah, yeah, yeah enough about the damn ceiling," waved Nicole interrupting. "Come on, how was he?"

  "Amazing," Lizzie finally admitted with a smile. "Like, lightning bolts amazing," she added.

  "I knew it," Nicole shouted from the edge of your seat. "Did you take my advice about the underwear?"

  Lizzie laughed, "Yes, I did. Thank you for the tip."

  "Ok, start from the beginning," Nicole said, still on the edge of her seat. "So the car picked you up...and?"

  As Lizzie relayed the details of the evening, she began to realize something about Mackenzie. He was confident and sexy, but just underneath the surface was a different person that she couldn't quite put her finger on yet. She had seen a calm and inquisitive side of him that made her feel alive. Rather than taking from her, his quiet calm had given her something. She thought for a moment before she finally put her finger on it. He gave her confidence.

  "Whew," said Nicole. "I should have snatched him up myself," she said sitting back in her chair and giving Lizzie a wink. "When are you going to see him again? Did you make plans?"

  "I guess we will see," said Lizzie shrugging her shoulders.

  As James had driven her home, she had spent most of the trip thinking about that exact question.Is he going to call?

  "Do you mind if I take a shower and a nap now?" Lizzie smiled motioning to her bedroom.

  "Yes, yes," Nicole said as she pretended to wave her away disgustedly. "You have sex all over you. I'm out," she said pretending to run in place before stretching to touch her toes.

  Lizzie took off her black dress and placed it carefully on her bed. She walked into the bathroom, and turned on the hot water. The room filled with steam as she stepped into the shower, closed her eyes, and let the water rain on top of her. She placed her hand over her breast, remembering Mackenzie's touch. The thought of his strong hands on her body made a shallow breath escape from her lips. Almost unconsciously, her hand moved downward over her stomach and between her legs. Replaying events of the evening had made her wet, and she moved her finger in slow, circular motion. Letting another breath escape, she pressed a finger deep inside. She closed her eyes tight, and thought of his muscular hips pressing himself inside of her. She pushed her hips forward to meet her finger. Before she expected it, her body quivered, and an orgasm made her legs shake. She slowly opened her eyes, hoping Mackenzie would somehow be standing in front of her.

  She troweled off and put on an old T-shirt and shorts before collapsing on the bed. She closed her eyes, still breathing heavily. Placing her hands on her chest, she slowly drifted to sleep.

  I hope he calls.

  17

  At exactly nine-thirty, Mackenzie stepped out of the Duesenberg and extended his umbrella. He followed the winding path of the city park until he came to a group of park benches. The park was mostly deserted, with only a few people bundled up to walk their dogs. A photographer was bent over a group of flowers taking pictures of the raindrops, as a couple scurried by him holding papers over their heads. It seemed the rain had washed away any hopes of a fun day in the park.

  By the benches, he saw the silhouette of a small man in an oversized trench-coat. The man blew hot air into his hands to warm them as a cloud of cold breath lingered above his head. He spotted Mackenzie, and met him towards the first park bench in the row. The two men shook hands and then embraced.

  "Thank you for meeting with me Mr. Anderson," Mackenzie said.

  "Mackenzie, for the hundredth time, you can call me Marc," laughed Anderson.

  Mackenzie smiled, and shook his head at the man. "So, you send me a cryptic note to get the key, which wasn't easy by the way. Then you invite me to the party. I still don't know why. Then there is my dad's letter." Mackenzie paused for a moment and looked directly into the man's eyes." All this time, you knew what my father's wish was for me, and you didn't say a thing."

  "It wasn't my story to tell," said Anderson grinning back. "And I invited you to the party to make sure you would be in town. I knew your dad wanted you to have the letter on that date, and I had to make sure you would be around to find it. I also wanted you there so Steele and Wickes clients could see that you are still very much in the picture. I'm sorry for the secrets. I couldn't tell you anything until the time was right. Your father insisted."

  "Well it would have saved a lot of counseling if you had told me, Mackenzie joked. More of that attorney client privilege stuff with you and dad I guess, eh councilor."

  Anderson grinned and Mackenzie put his hand on the man's shoulder.

  "You were my father's most trusted associate and friend," Mackenzie said, giving Anderson's shoulder a squeeze. "And now it appears we will be working together again. I hope you will be able to guide me through a few mazes."

  "Do you think it was an accident that I'm your godfather, Mackenzie? It's my job to get you out of the maze. Are you sure you want this? I mean absolutely sure?"

  Mackenzie nodded, deep in thought.

  "I bet your head is swimming," said Anderson.

  "You have no idea," Mackenzie said. His father had dropped the business in his lap, but what really had set him in a spin was Lizzie Fox.

  "The first step is getting through Wickes," Anderson said. "I fear he is much more powerful than your father had anticipated. Your father had been able to secure a majority half of the company for you by paying off some of Wickes' bad debts, but he won't step down without a fight. Are you sure you are ready?"

  "I am, Mackenzie said solemnly." Just six months ago, he might have worked a deal with Wickes and sailed away with money, no worries, and zero regret. His father's note had certainly grounded him a bit and reminded him how much he wanted to lead his father's company. Thinking harder, he realized there was more to it than that. For the first time ever, he felt truly calm. He thought for a moment and then smiled. It was Lizzie. In only a short time, her warmth had unlocked something in him. She didn't see him as a billionaire's son, she saw him as just him. He somehow didn't have to prove himself to her. He didn't have to play the part. He stood for a moment wondering how all of this emotion could have come out of a single date.

  "Mack, Mack...you ok? You look a bit lost." Mackenzie nodded. Only his mother had ever called him Mack, and he felt a pang of sadness. The letter and the ring had opened a wound that had been slow to close.

  "Good, now the key is that Wickes doesn't get wise to the fact that we are together on this," said Anderson lowering his voice.

  Mackenzie nodded.

  "As far as Wickes knows, I am just one of your father's former associates that's lucky enough to still be on the payroll. Lets keep it that way." He looked at Mackenzie. "It's going to be great having a Steele at the helm again," smiled Anderson slapping him on the back.

  "Sit tight till you hear from me," said Anderson. "Timing is key."

  Anderson held out his hand to Mackenzie, and the the two shook hands and turned to part in opposite directions.

  Mackenzie approached the Duesenberg.

  Am I ready for all of this?

  As James opened his door, Mackenzie took out his cell phone. During his conversation with Anderson, he had pinpointed the reason for his strength and calm during this ordeal. He thumbed through his contact list and found Lizzie's name. As the Duesenberg slowly rolled away from the park, he put the phone to his ear and smiled.

  In the park, a man in a black T-shirt hastily threw a camera back in his napsack. He walked briskly for a few hundred paces to a row of park benches and pulled out cell phone.

  "Mr. Wickes....we have a problem."

  18

  Lizzie had been relieved when Mackenzie called to arrange a second date. He had waited three days to call her and Nicole had joked that he was just following the "three day rule" so he wouldn't seem eager. In reality, it was Lizzie who was eager. She longed to see his face, see his smile, and smell his skin.

  There was more to him though, and as Lizzie had replayed their first date over and over in her head, she was struck by
the fiery passion that flowed through his veins. He was passionate about business for sure, and Lizzie smiled when she thought of herself running a design business. In a few short hours, he had made her believe it was possible, and the thought was exhilarating.

  He also was very passionate as a lover. She had not expected to be blindfolded. It was a bit scary, but exciting. Depriving her sense of sight had made her other senses go on overdrive, and she had experienced one of the most powerful orgasms of her life.

  "So what are you guys doing," asked Nicole, blindly flipping the remote through channels as she painted her toenails. "I assume you are thinking of him, because you're staring at the friggin' wall with a smile on your face."

  Lizzie pulled herself back from the daydream and gave Nicole a guilty smile.

  "I'm not sure," said Lizzie, "but he's picking me up on Saturday."

  "Maybe he will fly you to the opera like inPretty Woman," said Nicole with a smile.