Mate Bound

I like being a doctor, but it's taken a lot of time. Time other women might have used to date, get married and have babies. I sometimes think I should have used my time like that, too. Instead of long nights studying there would have been long nights with a lot better memories. I'd like to have wasted just one night studying, have just one crazy memory. I didn't succumb and now at 28 it seems like every relationship is about whether or not you are marriage material.

Not that I had a lot of relationships period. My family was small and distant. Working so hard to become a physician hadn't left much time for anything else. I'd moved around a lot for school, residency, and now to a new town for this job. I had a few friends, but they were hardly what I'd call close. Desperate was the word I'd use to describe how I felt about meeting someone.

When the perky drug rep, Katie, started in about how cute and smart her friend was, I listened to her. Blonde, tall, runs his own business, the image screamed dateable and it has been so long. I couldn't believe I was going on a blind date. As I pulled my pickup into the fancy steakhouse, Luna Ferus, I was relieved to at least be trying.

It was Sunday so I'd had time to prepare for this date. I'd taken my long blonde hair out of its usually boring ponytail and curled it cute. I tried to accentuate my green eyes and even had something that might pass for lipstick on.

I'm not bad to look at 5'8 with a size C chest and an ample ass. I spent enough time running the stairs at the hospital I trained at I had become proud of my legs. So to be honest, I was showing them off too. I was wearing the one skirt I owned, a hip hugging black number with a slit up the side of my thigh. I tried not to go overboard with the slutty and choose a tasteful red sleeveless number. In deference to the cold I also threw on a thin black sweater.

I had twirled a couple times in the mirror to make sure the colors didn't wash me out too much. I'm pale to start with and by the middle of winter I start to look a little too delicate. I was satisfied with my appearance though. Not too china doll, not too fuck me; just right to get a man's attention.

My date had arrived before I did and had already been seated. The restaurant was known for its service and style. It was a maze of several smaller dining rooms to give the illusion of a quaint eatery. As I followed the hostess to one of the back dining rooms I noticed most of them were empty, most be off season. I was surprised by the large party of men seated adjacent to our table. Only one other couple dotted the wall of the small dining room.

"Elizabeth," my date said, as I arrived, "so nice to meet you!" he had risen and was leaning forward to grab my hand.

His palm was cool against mine and a little damp. Katie had been right about him. Blonde and tall, but I got the impression he put more time into his hair than I had. He also had the strangest, most perfect tan. I assumed that came from the inside of a lighted box.

"Jeff, thank you so much for the invitation. I've always wondered about this place. Everyone speaks so highly of it." I used my hands to gesture to the surrounding walls. I really did not want to continue holding that hand when we sat down across from one another.

Sitting across from Jeff I had even more time to analyze him, mainly because he never stopped talking. The way his charcoal grey suit was tailored I assumed he was making money at, what was it he was talking about? Real estate, how could I forget.

After the first course I dropped my napkin and bent to pick it up. As my eyes wandered across the restaurant I caught the eyes of a man from the large group staring at me. Not looking, not glancing, staring with enough intensity to make my outfit feel see through.

I adjusted the slit in my skirt trying to cover a little more leg and glanced over again. The man had absolutely no manners at all. His eyes were roaming my body freely as he grinned at me and then winked. I looked at Jeff, who was continuing on about some Condo with a beachfront view. He was oblivious.

'Well, it wasn't like I wasn't looking for male attention when I picked out this outfit,' I thought to myself, 'I just thought I might have better aim.'

It became a game after that, for me at least. I looked over Jeff's shoulder at the man every couple of minutes, or whenever Jeffery got a little too engrossed in roofline architecture.

The man was tall, even sitting down I could tell. His hair was black and shiny, it hung in waves to just his ear. His skin was the most wonderful color, a golden olive, he just screamed healthy and outdoor active. 'He'd have to be active to get a build like that,' I thought examining his near perfect physique. Even his hands which were sitting on the table appeared large and muscular.

Despite wearing a simple polo shirt and casual slacks, he had an unmistakable air of authority. Evidently he was known at the restaurant, because the staff seemed to fawn all over him. Owner or rich client, I couldn't tell.

I was obsessed with watching Mr. Tall and Dark as I had dubbed him. He was smiling most of the time, but when Jeff reached out and took my hand; I saw his jaw tense. Feigning a cough I pulled my hand back and got a subtle nod in response. What a strange little dance we had going on.

I quickly fell to daydreaming about Mr. Tall and Dark. I imagined those strong arms wrapped around me, that powerful mouth over mine. I imagined wrapping my arms around his strong neck and pulling him close. I wondered if his male anatomy was would be just as satisfying as the rest of him was to look at.

Our little staring contest seemed to take on a life of its own. I only took breaks to make some sort of contact with my dinner date.

The man's dinner companions never seemed to notice his lack of attention to them. They talked and laughed amongst themselves. Mr. Tall and Dark just continued to stare right at me. Occasionally I noticed he said something to the group. All other conversation at the table stopped abruptly when his lips were moving. Definitely a man in a position of authority I decided.

"..did you live, Elizabeth?" came the question from my dinner partner. Having been staring back at Mr. Tall and Dark I missed the first half of the question. Jeff's baby blues were turned right on me and I had no idea what to answer. What came out was, "On the east side." That must have been an acceptable answer because Jeff smiled and started in about how the east side had seen quite the rise in property values.

I shook my head and stared at my half eaten dinner. The best steak joint in town and I can't eat the food because I have to spend all my time sneaking glances at the mystery man. I stabbed into my steak with a disgusted sigh. I'm not even paying attention to the date that was so anticipated. I looked up at Jeff and he continued on about the benefits of a 15 year mortgage. He looked happy, I must be nodding at all the right times.

What I really needed wasn't a man that knew about mortgages. What I needed was a man to slip between my legs and do something. At this point anything would have been acceptable. Even the pitiful fumbling of my high school boyfriends, the last time I dated, was looking like something I'd want to repeat.

'No, no, no,' I chastised myself. Dating is for marriage and that is what I am here for.

I glanced up and was sorely disappointed. Of course Jeff was still there, but Mr. Tall and Dark was gone. Well, at least now I could pay attention to Jeff, except for the irritating wetness down in my underwear. I squirmed in my seat trying to find a position where I didn't feel like I was sitting in a puddle.

"Um, excuse me Jeff I just need to use the women's facilities," I muttered smiling. Jeff returned my smile and stood up gesturing back the way we had come in. He rattled off a series of directions that went in one ear and out the other.

I moved through the restaurant inwardly cursing myself for wasting a perfect dating opportunity with Jeff. Instead, I flirt with some guy I'll never see again. I tried to relax as I walked, but Mr. Tall and Dark had me feeling out of sorts.

I quickly got turned around in the maze of rooms and realized I was lost. In a corner a gaggle of waitresses were clustered together talking excitedly and I stopped to ask for directions. They almost fell over themselves to show me where the bathrooms were. 'Well, this place was supposed to be known for it's service,' I thought to myself.

The bathroom really was an art deco affair complete with individual rooms for complete privacy and a large central mirror for primping. I stood in front of the ornate gold mirror cursing myself and fluffing my curls. Not that it was changing the look at all, I noted.

Suddenly, I was not alone. As he pushed me back into one of the private bathrooms Mr. Tall and Dark closed the door behind him. I was wrong, not tall, huge. His hands roughly gripped my upper arms and forced me against the wall. I squeaked when my back touched the tile and looked up at him. His face was unreadable as his fingers lightly grazed my cheekbone. "This is the ladies room," was all I could think to say to him. He smiled a little as his thumb lingered over my lower lip.

Close up the man smelled amazing, like leather and spice. He was so close I could feel the heat rising off his chest. That was bad, so bad. Suddenly it hit me, I was about to be raped in the women's restroom.

I put both hands on his chest and shoved, hard. He didn't even budge. I opened my mouth to scream and it was covered with his just as quickly. He tasted like wine, heady red wine. His tongue was in my mouth rubbing along my own. I had very little experience with kissing, but even I knew when it was being done right. Tentatively I brushed my tongue against his and was rewarded with a low groan. I savored the feel of his big warm hands cupping my face and cradling my head. I wasn't fighting him anymore, I realized.

He was tempting me with his seductive mouth as he used his body to hold me against the wall. The man was determined and brazenly ran his hands down my body over my waist to rest on the swell of my ass. He started to rub gently, taking handfuls then releasing. My skirt was slowly starting to bunch around my waist. I had curled my fingers over warm hard muscles of his chest. Pectoralis muscles, I reminded myself, as my eyes flew open.

'I am a doctor. I am in a nice restaurant looking for a man to marry. I'm not desperate enough to do it with some stranger in a bathroom,' I thought to myself.

Turning my head quickly away I pushed at him again. He laughed and nuzzled my neck nipping at the skin there. His 5 o clock shadow was rough and I shivered.

Finally, he had succeeded in totally moving my skirt out of the way so it was bundled at my waist. I felt his hands slipping under my underwear and pushing it away. The damp silk slipped down my legs to pool gracelessly at my feet. Mr. Tall and Dark used the opportunity to grab my ass in earnest. He groaned low in his throat as he caressed handfuls of my derriere. I continued to push futilely on his chest.

"Stop this right now," came out more breathless than originally intended.

He didn't seem to notice and moved one hand around to place over my now very exposed mound. His lips were traveling down my neck leaving a wet path as he kissed and sucked at the sensitive skin.

What I meant to say next was, I'm going to scream, what came out when he slipped his fingers between my moist lower lips was entirely different. His rough fingers were explorative to say the least. They traveled the length of my slit to play gently over that tender ready bundle of nerves. It was heavenly. He touched me with a finesse I'd never experienced.

I slipped my feet out of my worthless underwear and spread my legs to give him better access. Mindlessly, I started rubbing my hands up and down his muscular chest. Returning his mouth to my lips I aggressively kissed him, pushing my tongue into his mouth and tasting him. His fingers continued to flick and rub, stroking down my labia to come to rest right at the entrance to my womanhood, returning to start the circuit again. Pulling away from my kiss swollen lips he stared down into my eyes watching my arousal with obvious pride.

I was quickly coming undone. My hips were moving between his large hands and totally under their control. Lost in the sensations I ground my pelvis into his fingers wanting so much more. I wove my hands through the hair at the nape of his neck, loving the feel of the smooth strong muscles beneath.

Breaking our staring contest he bent forward and took a nipple in his mouth, shirt and all. I lost it. Moaning, convulsing with his fingers just slipping into my body it was a mind blowing orgasm.

My legs felt weak, my breathing came in rapid little pants. My pale skin was hot and I knew it had an unmistakable flush. He leaned against me resting his forehead on my head. I couldn't decide if I was humiliated until he slipped his fingers into his mouth and sucked. That did it.

I pulled my skirt down and tried to wiggle past him to the door. He stopped me with one strong arm. Pinning me with his hip to the wall I realized just what huge meant. I could feel the outline of him burning into my stomach. My eyes went wide when I realized what he must think I 'owed' him. I sucked in a horrified gasp and searched his face.

He was smiling down at me, no malice on his face at all. "You are perfect," he murmured before placing a chaste kiss over my forehead.

I don't know how I got though the rest of dinner with Jeff. I came back to the table with a death grip on my sweater covering the wet mark over my right breast. I never did get to clean up that damp feeling which was now 100 times worse.

I had been to freaked to stop and pick up my panties, so I felt like I was soaking the back of my skirt. To make matters worse, I couldn't understand Mr. Tall and Dark's chuckling as he let me out of our stall or his cryptic, "I'll see you later, Elizabeth."

'How did he know my name?' became my panicked mental mantra through the rest of my meal. Thankfully, Jeff seemed happy to continue his monologue on the woes facing real estate in the twentieth century. He did mention at one point I might look flushed. I nearly laughed in his face.

"Must be the cold the kids are carrying," I stammered out "I guess I should get myself home," I was dying for an out.

Jeff almost looked upset, but he must have had something done to his face, he couldn't quite wrinkle his brow in concern. I felt insane and wanted to giggle. I had to get home now.

It was cold outside, which seemed to perk up my frazzled wits. I pulled my sweater tight against me after handing the valet my ticket. It was just a fling, I told myself. Nothing to worry about. Happens all the time to other women, I imagined.

More disturbing I felt absolutely nothing when Jeff pressed his lips to mine when our cars arrived. All I could think of were warm lips pressing me against a cold bathroom wall. What was wrong with me?

Getting in my truck was the first comfortable thing I'd done all night. I reached into my purse and pulled out my Ipod. It was loaded with loud obnoxious music I could escape into. I cranked the rock as high as it would go, trying to drown out the night.

I raced home at speeds I wouldn't usually drive. The speedometer was pushing ninety when I saw red and blue in my rear view mirror. On a quiet stretch of highway I stopped and found curse words I hadn't used in years.

While I fumbled with my glove box, the officer strolled up to my car and leaned in the open window. He took a deep breath and let it out resting his arms on the edge. It was by far the most relaxed pose I've ever seen a police officer take. I just sat there with my license and registration and stared at him. He reached in and took up a strand of my hair. He sniffed it before he laid it back on my shoulder.

"So, what's the rush, Miss Elizabeth?" he queried, never asking for my identification.

I wanted to laugh or cry, the whole thing felt so weird.

"I was just going home, not feeling well and ..." I lost my thought mid sentence when I realized he knew my name. He sniffed the air a second time, more noticeably this time.

"He got you worked up didn't he?" the officer asked me.

I noticed then, how big the guy leaning in my window was. Thick dark hair cut very short military style. Something about him was very familiar.

"Well, I asked you a question," he smiled and leaned in, he seemed to be teasing me.

"Y-Yes," I stammered, "I'm worked up," too scared to add anything else.

I couldn't comprehend this guy might know what had happened at the restaurant. I shook my head slowly and stared at him. That wasn't possible.

"Don't go so fast," said the officer pulling back from the window and tapping my shoulder. With that he sauntered back to his cruiser and cut the Christmas lights, pulling back onto the road.

He waited there until I had started my truck and pulled in front of him. I figured he was just going to drive behind me a few minutes then go back to his patrol route. He followed me all the way home.

At some point I realized "Don't go so fast" isn't even really a warning and I glanced back at him. I couldn't see much but it seemed like something inside the car was glowing faint yellow.

Once I got home, I parked in front of the garage and got out. I adjusted my skirt self consciously and glanced at the patrol car. He waved genially back at me grinning the whole time. I walked quickly up my front steps and stepped into my little house.

Once inside I armed the alarm and checked the door locks twice. After that I practically ran to the bathroom, stripped, and jumped in the shower. While I scrubbed I seriously considered burning the clothes I had been wearing. It had to be the outfit, I chided myself. No more male attention for me.

As I showered I tried to scrub away Mr. Tall and Dark's touches, remembering a little too late that I didn't even know his name. It was embarrassing. Never once had I slipped up like this. Especially with a man that seemed to be able to have me followed by the police. That was too weird to even consider. I must have blocked out the part about him knowing my name or I would have been hyperventilating.

Very soon however my scrubbing took on a different tenor. I wasn't scrubbing away Mr. Tall and Dark I was rubbing and trying to recapture what he built. I ran my fingers over my sensitive nipples wishing he had spent more time there. No, no, no this was wrong and it felt so good.

As I soaped myself I lingered on my labia, stoking gently before flicking my clit several times. I inserted a finger into myself and used my other hand to massage my clit in slow circles that got faster and faster. Too soon I felt myself clenching and coming leaning against the shower wall. Masturbating twice in a bathroom felt like too much for one night and I hurried through the rest of my shower.

Slipping out of the steamy bathroom I kicked at my pile of clothes, I would deal with them tomorrow. I wrapped my old robe tight around my waist and padded toward the kitchen. It was late and I wasn't even a little sleepy. Knowing I had a long day coming up I pulled through the kitchen drawers till I found the little bottle. They had been my saving grace in residency when sleep eluded me. These little magic pills could put a rhino on its ass.

I popped one in my mouth, then a second. Probably a bad idea, but I really needed to chill out. Great, now I'm abusing drugs. This night was turning out to be just spectacular.

I drifted into a dreamless sleep a little while later. Man, those were good pills, was my last conscious thought.

I awoke the next morning feeling like a fool and a slut. I was glad to get to work and try to get back to normal. It didn't make sense but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't stop thinking of Mr. Tall and Dark. He was a phase; I tried to convince myself, a simple mistake. During working hours that excuse made sense, but nighttime was an entirely different affair.

I found myself craving his touch and his smell once I was home alone. I never washed my outfit from that night and was pleasantly surprised his scent seemed to linger on the fabric. Every night was a repeat of the one before smell my clothes from 'the night', masturbate like there was no tomorrow, take 2 sleeping pills, and then pass out.

More than once I had dressed myself with a plan to go back to Luna Ferus and see if Mr. Tall and Dark showed up again. I was just too chicken to do it. Nothing seemed to kill the lingering frustration, I felt like a rat on a wheel.

My dissatisfaction hit a high by Thursday and I started with the obsession as soon as I got home and then added a bottle of red wine. Last thing I remember from Thursday night was talking to the wing back chair that had been my grandmother's in the family room. She used to sit in it and talk with me for hours about anything. I felt a little better discussing with it why I was losing my mind.

I woke up Friday morning in my bed to the beeping of my alarm. I didn't even remember setting it. I wandered out toward the kitchen and stopped short.

I definitely did not remember buying a big bowl of fruit for the counter or the flowers sitting in the middle of the table. I whirled to the kitchen door and checked the alarm pad. It was still a solid red light. That meant the alarm was armed, at least I thought so. I opened the kitchen door and the screaming wail assured me it was on.

My heart was hammering in my chest as I turned off the alarm and stared at the new additions in my kitchen. A knock at the kitchen door sent me out of skin almost literally.

A man was standing outside holding up a badge in the small window at eye level. His dark blue uniform was pulled over a muscular frame. I opened the door hesitantly and just stared at him.

"Police ma'am. Are you OK? I heard the alarm go off. Did anything happen?" the man asked, his gaze shot around the kitchen then settled back on me.

"No, I opened the door and the alarm was on and ..." I left the statement unfinished.

How could I tell a complete stranger that I found fruit and flowers in my house in the morning? I would sound like a crazy lady.

I opted for just staring at him for a moment. He continued to glance past me into the kitchen then asked quietly, "May I come in ma'am. Just to make sure you're okay."

I didn't have a good answer for that so I opened the door. He slid in quickly and scanned the kitchen. I shut the door as he moved from my kitchen down the hall. I was staring at the flowers when he seemed to reappear behind me.

"Beautiful flowers," he said.

I grabbed the counter and started, I hadn't heard him come back into the kitchen.

"Yes, beautiful," I managed to choke out. It suddenly struck me and I asked, "Why are you here? How did you hear my alarm go off?"

He smiled a very roguish smile and responded, "Just in the area ma'am," as he walked out my kitchen and back toward his waiting car.

I wasn't sure what to do with the fruit. It looked wonderful, but eating something you just found in your house seems like a bad idea. That's when I remembered the sleeping pills. They must have done it!

Those pills have been known to be associated with outrageous episodes of sleep walking and sleep driving. Adding the alcohol must have been the final push for me. I must have gone shopping last night in my sleep! Well, no more pills for me.

Feeling slightly less crazy I munched on a juicy pear, I remembered how much I liked fruit. I really should try to keep some in the house. I laughed at that out loud. I'm known as a connoisseur of the microwave meal, me with fresh fruit in the house, hah!

Opening the refrigerator I was floored. It was stocked with fresh meat and fresh vegetables. I picked through the bounty and found eggs, bacon and fresh bread. My usual milk and mustard were still there, just put in the door, not center stage like usual. I wondered where I had found a place at that time of night to do all this shopping.

I wasn't going to waste the bounty though. Eggs and bacon I do know how to cook, so I did. It was wonderful. I'd even bought sandwich meat and cheese so I made lunch for later. What would my coworkers say when I didn't hit the local deli for lunch!

I had wasted a lot of time on non essentials this morning, so I got ready in a hurry. I threw on a blue sweater and a tailored pair of black slacks. Luckily, I found my black clogs where I had left them in the laundry room. I made my drive into work like a wild woman. On the plus side no one pulled me over this time.

The clinic was crazier than usual. I felt a little distracted and rushed as I got to my last patient of the morning.

"Saul, I'm Dr. Grant," I stated as I opened the door to the room.

The tall man inside smiled at me and sat obediently on the exam table. His long dark hair was pulled to the nape of his neck. I glanced at my computer screen and saw the chief complaint was physical. He looked surprisingly young to be 45, but I continued with my usual exam and questions.

During a lull in my queries he asked me, "How was your breakfast this morning?"

It was a strange question, but not the strangest I've had.

"Good thank you, more filling than usual," I said to him and continued clicking down the physical questionnaire on the computer.

"Eating healthy is the key to a healthy life," he said.

"Hard to disagree with that," I replied.

"It's easier to want to cook when you have a large family, harder when you live alone, huh?"

Now he had my attention completely.

"What do you mean?" I asked looking up at him.

"I just noticed you didn't have anything to eat that wasn't single serve, frozen or prepackaged. Living in a large family I never had to eat like that. Nothing fresh either, we always have fresh things to eat."

I was dumbstruck, how did this man know anything about what I had to eat. I narrowed my eyes as I crossed my arms across my chest.

"How would you know?"

"I stocked your kitchen last night for my Al-, for Mr. Latro, he was concerned you didn't have any food to eat. He was also worried about your safety, you don't drive very well."

"Who's Mr. Latro?" was all my brain could come up with

Saul raised an eyebrow at me and sighed, "You met him several nights ago at Luna Ferus, from what I heard he would be hard to forget. You all had a short but interesting meeting at the restaurant."

"You mean the man from the ... bathroom?" I asked quietly.

"Yes, the man from the bathroom," he answered.

"Why are you here?" I asked as I sunk down into one of the chairs along the wall

"I'm very non-threatening; he thought this would be the best way to approach you. Mr. Latro didn't think you would panic at work. You seem a little over sensitive. He would have talked to you last night, but you took something and wouldn't wake up. He was very concerned and sat with you all night."

"Wait, wait, wait - I have an alarm, I have door locks how did you get in my house and ... and sit with me," I stammered out.

All I got in response was a shrug. "Anyway" said Saul, "He'd like to take you to lunch, to talk. Don't take too long, he'll get impatient."

I sat in my chair and just stared at the man as he slid off the table and moved for the door. He stopped and looked at me for a moment, and then he turned and walked out of the exam room.

I sat in my chair for another few minutes, until I heard the medical assistants outside. My medical assistant, Madonna, stuck her head in and looked around, "Hey, if you're done that was your last one before lunch. We are out EARLY," she beamed. "I thought he was a physical, wish they were all that quick. Hey what's with you? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Her perky demeanor faded a little and she looked genuinely worried.

"No, just hungry and I think I left my wallet at home. Go to lunch, see you back here at one," I faked a grin and got up from my chair.

I grabbed my laptop and carried it back to my office. I guess I should have been surprised at the vase of lilies now gracing my desk, but I just felt foggy.

Stepping out of my clinic was always a special experience. It was in a rough part of town. If you were lucky you weren't walking through a drug deal or into one of the homeless that just wanted a dollar. Today I would have given anything for those guys.

The men that met me at outside the door today felt far more dangerous. They had been in my house while I slept. They had tracked me down after a bizarre sexual experience at a restaurant. I could refuse to go with them, but that seemed like it wouldn't get me anywhere. Breathing slowly I tried not to panic.

Saul was there lounging against one column. A second larger man was leaning against the opposite column. They were dressed nearly alike in dark polo shirts and slacks. Neither seemed affected by what I considered unseasonably cool weather. The new man's hair was shorter and lighter than Saul's. He was also more heavily muscled and seemed to be very interested in the drug dealers lounging at the corner of the building.

"Hey, Nate, she's here, let's go," Saul gestured for me to come with them toward a dark colored Suburban parked across two spaces in our lot. I couldn't tell who was inside due to the deeply tinted windows. That continued to add to my sense of fear.

As I walked between the two men Nate finally spoke up voicing his displeasure.

"I don't like the people out here, they're desperate, all of them. She isn't safe here."

It was a weird comment and off putting to say the least. It was like they were at a grocery store that wasn't good enough to shop at. I sniped back at him, "People out here do what they have to do to survive. Nobody except you all has ever hassled me."

The delivery might have been shaky, but I felt like fighting back a little.

Saul laughed and Nate just snorted as he opened the back passenger door of the Suburban and gestured me inside. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it still surprised me. Mr. Tall and Dark was back there already, otherwise known as Mr. Latro.

"Thank you for joining me for lunch today, Elizabeth," he said with a smile

"Thank you for the invitation," came popping out of my mouth without a thought as I took my seat.

All the sudden I realized why Mr. Latro hadn't been the one to approach me at the clinic. My face was frozen and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. A moment too late I realized I was panting and tried to breath normally. Nate put himself in the front passenger seat next to the driver, but it barely registered. I was so excited I'd broken out in a cold sweat.

Abruptly I was surrounded by the smell I'd been chasing all week. I cleared my throat and tried to look away but still couldn't. Coherent thought had left my head the moment I'd stepped into the vehicle. The only thing in my brain was the beautiful man in the other seat. His skin was even better than I remembered and I just wanted to reach out and stroke him. I didn't noticed as the SUV pulled out of the lot.

Desperately, I tried to regain control of myself. Mr. Latro had a little smile on his face as he reached over and took my hand. He started to rub my palm with small soothing circles. His touch seemed to quell the panting I still hadn't managed to stop.

"Where are we going?" I asked rousing from my stupor and remembering I'd just gotten in a car with strangers.

"The Club has reservations for us, I'm sure you'll find something you like there," said Mr. Latro. "Did you sleep well last night?" he asked with a tight smile.

"I think you know exactly how I slept!" I snapped at him cheeks blazing. My out of control emotions went from excited to angry in an instant. The nerve to ask that after breaking into my house.

The low rumble in his chest must have been a laugh, but it made both men in the front seat glance back.

Unexpectedly, I found my self sitting across his lap, my face just inches from his. He looked peeved, but still quite delicious.

"You shouldn't take things that make you that sleepy, it's not safe. Do you often take those types of things?"

"I take sleeping pills, Mr. Latro, when I am stressed and anxious and don't think I'll ever go to sleep. Like when someone pulls me into a bathroom stall for ... reasons," I glanced at the front seat and faltered then started back up, "or suddenly knows my name or has me followed by the police. For the record, I never expected to be entertaining company last night after I went to bed in my own house!" My voice had risen on a crescendo Pavarotti would be proud of as I stared right into his eyes. They were blue grey I noticed and very pleasant to look at.

The low growl emanating from his chest was definitely not a laugh this time. "No more pills. They aren't good for you," he stated with finality, "and please call me Joel."

I just stared right into those gorgeous eyes, "I'll take whatever I damn well please. I don't know you. I don't know why I'm here with you and if I'm correct this is the first actual conversation I've had with you. I won't stand to have you bossing me around. You don't even know me ... "

I would have finished with 'asshole' if my mouth wasn't suddenly crushed under his. Those warm lips moving against mine, his tongue sliding along the seam of my mouth requesting entry. Hell no. I would have kept my mouth closed but his hand was suddenly grasping the inside of my thigh and I gasped. He slipped his tongue in between my lips and I was helpless to stop him. His other hand moved to the back of my neck holding me securely in place.

The hand on my thigh moved up my stomach to my covered breasts and started to massage then gently through the fabric. He slowly brushed the underside rubbing his thumb firmly over the nipple. I wanted to fight him, I really did, but everywhere he touched me I felt like I was on fire.

I arched into his hand and grabbed his shoulders to hold him close. As he started plucking at one nipple then the other, I moaned into his mouth. This seemed to spur him on, moving his hand back down to the inside of my now slightly spread legs. I couldn't believe I was responding to him