From: jash@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu (Still Waters...) Subject: REPOST: DarkNites: Old Friends I - IV Date: 11 Dec 94 12:07:41 CDT ============================================================================= Well, what can I say about this story? I never planned to finish it because it was so hard to put on paper. But things change and the completed work is the longest and most intricate story I've written. I'm always looking for critiques (even flames!!) so feel free to write to me at jash@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu... I have no problem with people e-mailing my stuff around, as long as my name remains with it. And for those of you who suffer under the delusion that women engineers can't possibly be sensual... ============================================================================ DarkNites: Old Friends (Part I) ==================================== Adrienne swept across the room in a sea of bronze brocade. The man she was heading for rolled his eyes heavenwards but she never saw because by the time she reached him, he was smiling pleasantly at her. "Hi Babe.", he winked at her. "Still making entrances, I see." A quick smile flashed across Adrienne's face as she pirouetted, the fabric rustling before finally settling down around her. Every eye in the room was on her, some disapproving, some fascinated, some lustful... The brocade overcoat was fastened at the waist, sweeping out behind her in a elaborate train. Beneath it she wore nothing but a strapless black body suit. Perfectly respectable, but she still stood out like a bird of paradise in this genteel world of pressed suits and demure cocktail dresses. "Do you like it?" She stood there grinning, knowing perfectly well he didn't. "Its.. err... very dramatic. But then you knew that, didn't you." "Poor Andy...", she tucked her arm through his and started walking him to the buffet. "Someday you'll give up trying to make me respectable." He snorted. "Babe, you can wear a burnoose to the next clients meeting for all I care. Just make sure you keep churning out those designs." "No problem. I was lying in bed last night when it came to me in a flash!" She gestured dramatically before grabbing an hors d'oeuvre and popping it into her mouth reflectively. "Hold on." Andy snapped to attention. "There's someone I want you to meet.", he said as he dragged her away from the buffet table. She cast a last longing glance at the food behind her. He walked her over to a group of navy Armani suits, and tapped the single grey Klein on the shoulder. The man turned around and his eyes fixed on Adrienne. "Garett Rate, I would like to introduce you to.." "Adrienne, its been a long time...", Garett smiled at her. "You two know each other?" asked Andy, a little confused. "You could say that." Adrienne gave him a slow smile. "We were lovers in college." Andy turned a shade redder and cast a nervous glance around them, expecting a fully-fledged scene to explode around him. The unusually calm note in her voice told him that this was not going to go well. "So you are the wunderkind that Andy has been trying to get me to sell.", said Garett taking her elbow and walking her back to the buffet. "I would have figured that you would never let anyone handle your own publicity." His pulse was racing as he felt her soft skin against his palm. He had never forgotten the strange energy she possessed but tonight she seemed to radiate it. The bronze brought out the gold in her skin and her hair was still the same jet that he remembered. "Ah well. Things change." She shrugged. "I'm not the showperson I used to be. I'm happier sticking to technical side now." Oh God! How did the man stay so good-looking? By rights, his gut should have been sticking from between his suspenders. She resisted an urge to slip a hand under his dress shirt and feel just what good shape he was in. "You have changed.", he said turning to her. "I've never seen you with long hair before." Before he could stop himself, he had drawn his hand through the silky waves that cascaded down her back. Not a muscle in her face moved, even though her stomach had started going through the strangest acrobatics. "And you look wonderful.", he added in a low voice. Her inner self groaned. That was the voice she remembered from long nights and early mornings a lifetime ago. Soft whispers, long velvet thrusts, heat and passion. Her body remembered too. He was so focused on her that he couldn't help noticing, with a sight shock and then pure exhilaration, that her nipples were erect and straining against the black material of her body suit. Then to his own consternation, he felt his own body react. Damn! She noticed. A wicked gleam crept into her eyes as she arranged the folds of her skirt to block the sight of the bulge in his pants from the rest of the room. "You don't look so bad either." He felt her gaze travel lazily over his body and come to rest at his crotch. The tension in his groin increased, as muscles tensed involuntarily. This was Adrienne all right. No one else had ever dared to tease him this way in public. He wondered whether she remembered that he always gave as good as he got. Smiling, he lifted a hand and took the weight of one firm breast in his palm. Slowly, he let his thumb brush her taut nipple through the fabric. With a sense of victory, he saw a mixture of feelings run across her face as she backed away from him. Then a cool mask slipped into place, as she offered her hand to him. "Its been nice seeing you again, Garett but I don't think that it would be a good idea if you handle the SRC67 campaign." He lifted a brow in question. "We didn't work together well in college and I don't think we would work together well now. I tell Andy that as soon as I can." He shrugged nonchalantly, even as he started seething inside. "If you can't take a little challenge..." he dared her delicately. "Yeah Right!", she threw back mockingly over her shoulder as the crowd parted to let her through. ------------------------------------ That night, Garett plopped down on his hotel bed for what must have been his twentieth attempt at relaxing. Something was burning in his blood. To be exact, Adrienne was burning in his blood. His pride was stung that Adrienne had actually refused to work with him when there were hundreds of other companies clamoring at his door to help make them rich. And it didn't help that every time he closed his eyes to sleep, he could see her in his bed, naked and uninhibited, eyes shadowed with passion. ------------------------------------- She wanted him. The tension that hummed between them was unmistakable. And she always got what she wanted. She settled back into her warm bed. The doorbell echoed through the house. A satisfied smile crept across her face. He had come as she knew he would. Garett stood outside her door, ignoring the arctic gale that buffeted at him. He shook his head with a wry smile. Adrienne had told him long ago that she wanted to live in an abandoned fire-house. It didn't surprise him that she had managed to do just that. The door swung open. She stood framed in the doorway, wearing nothing but a ivory silk nightshirt. The wind rushed past them into the house, setting her hair adrift and plastering the material to her curves. He couldn't take his eyes off her. "Come in.." ------------------------------------ The warmth and silence of the place should have soothed him. It probably would have if she wasn't in it. She sat beside him on the comfortable couch, pouring him a cup of hot chocolate with all the poise of someone fully dressed. She hadn't bothered to throw a robe on or put slippers on her feet, but he didn't mind a bit. The silk clung to her curves with a subtlety that awoke the senses and made it strain for more.. She leant back and sipped at her mug. A look of pure pleasure crossed her face as she tilted her head back and let the rich chocolate flow down her throat. She sighed with happiness and tucked her feet under her to get comfortable. She looked at him then, perusing him with an intensity that matched his own. "Why are you here?" The question was simple and direct. A full range of excuses flowed through his brain. Came to talk you into working with me, wanted to talk over old times, came to screw your brains out... For some reason, he didn't feel a need to lie. "I came to finish what we started ten years ago." He didn't need to remind her of what he meant. He saw the memory creep into her eyes, darkening them until he was reminded of a storm about to break. ---------------------------------- She was wearing a maroon sundress in the depths of winter. She was definitely more comfortable than he, buried as he was under several layers of clothes. As soon as he stepped in the door, he started stripping until he was down to the thin T-shirt that was bearable in the tropical temperatures of her apartment. When he was done, she caught his eyes and then deliberately turned away from him and glided to the carpet, hips swinging gently under the soft fabric. He wasn't watching them though. His eyes were drawn to the expanse of her back peeking at him from between the cloth panels holding the dress together. She swung around then, the fabric flaring out around her before settling against her bare legs. Oh God! She was totally naked under that dress. Her breasts had already detected the presence of their lover and her nipples showed through clearly just below her low neckline. His own body started to react to her subtle invitation. He stood still for a minute, feasting his eyes on her slim form, enjoying the sweet pleasure of his own arousal. An innocent smile crossed her lips as she started toying idly with the buttons running down the bodice. Her eyes never left his face as one, two, then three buttons slipped out of their holes. In a flash, he was in front of her, his hands diving under the fabric to cup her breasts in his palms. She gasped softly and closed her eyes, a mute appeal for him to pleasure her. He couldn't resist, he started to squeeze and mold her breasts, rubbing his palms over the sensitive tips of her nipples just the way she liked it. Her breasts felt so firm and good in his hands that he had sudden visions of his cock thrusting between them, rubbing against her bronze flesh. He closed his eyes, holding in the erotic images in his mind. One hand slipped along her leg to pull up her soft skirt. He could see the material bunch up against her hip, see his hand slip under it and search for the heat and warmth of her. He saw it all in his mind's eye. Slowly his lashes lifted to focus on her. Her eyes were open now, her gentle yearning for him undisguised. Something swelled within him then, an inspiration, powerful and unrelenting. He lay back onto the carpet, stopping her as she made to join him there. Instead he clasped her hips and moved her to stand astride him. He could sense her puzzlement as she stood all alone, wondering what he wanted her to do. Slowly his hands guided her forward until she was standing over him. She realised then what he was about. He could see up her skirt. Up at her bare groin. His gaze was intense, his hands slipping up under her skirt to stroke along her inner thighs. She felt fingers drift across her cleft, not parting them, merely stroking. A wave of sheer erotism flowed through her, leaving her feeling strangely helpless and completely at his mercy. Adrienne had to bite her lip to keep from whimpering. "I've always wondered what this would look like.." Garett murmured from below her. Two fingers slipped partly between her outer lips, stroking along her sensitized flesh before slipping fully into her vagina. Adrienne gasped at the contact. She could feel his fingers deep within her, pressing against her walls, stretching her out for him. His fingers started to thrust in and out of her. She could feel it. She could see it in her mind's eye. Her senses fed on the sheer sensuality of the moment. His other hand came up then, finding her clitoris and circling it in rhythm with his thrusts. She doubled over, fighting to control the pulsing pleasure roaring through her, groaning uncontrollably as muscles contracted instinctively. Adrienne took it as long as she could, forcing herself to stay upright even though the tension in her legs and abdomen was driving her crazy. Disjointed visions of hot sex flowed through her mind, all powerful thrusts and passion. She could feel the frenzy building and she started kneading her hands against her thighs, trying to keep her balance. Her legs finally gave way and she dropped to the carpet beside him. He didn't let her off the hook though. Swiftly he changed position and took up the rhythm once again, leaning over her to watch her squirm under his hands. She was soaring now, her hands clutching at his shoulders as her hips thrust up against his hand. But she needed more.. "Garett.. Please come into me." Her voice came in short bursts as she started wrestling with the snap of his jeans. "We'll have to make this quick." He replied gently. "I have to leave in 10 minutes." Adrienne froze. His fingers still moved between her legs but that didn't do a bit of good. The mood was broken, leaving her feeling flat. "Why?" she demanded. "I have to be at the game soon." Adrienne didn't answer right away. She was too busy trying to control her temper. Disjointed thoughts flowed through her head, mostly dealing with how she wanted to kill him. "You're not leaving in 10 minutes.", she stated calmly. "Oh really? Why not?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because I won't let you." She caught his wrists and pinned them on either side of his head. "So we always have to do what you want, is that it?", he asked tensely. "No, but do you know how it feels to have someone set time limits on sex?? I feel like a very convenient body right now. I'll just have a quick fuck and go to the game!", she mimicked viciously. "Whats wrong with a quickie? Why does it always have to be a long production with you?" "Time limits." she growled. "My whole life is a series of time limits. I'm not going to take it when it comes to love-making. I deserve better." She let him loose and stood up, placing a hand on her lower back and pressing down. The combination of stress and unfulfilled desire had created a dull, throbbing ache there. "There are some things I won't compromise on.", she finished quietly. Silence filled the room. "Maybe I should leave to let you calm down." "Fine." ------------------------------------ And that was that. Even now Adrienne could remember that afternoon with a clarity she rarely had with her memories. So he wanted to finish it, did he? DarkNites: Old Friends (Part II) ===================================== "Why?", she asked bluntly. "Whats the good of it after so long?" "No good at all." he admitted. "You're still a incredibly desirable woman, Ade. I don't know what it is, but something about you reaches out to me and hits all the right spots. That and I've never really felt that what we had was ended." She looked incredulous. "It been TEN years, Garett." "I think you're misunderstanding me. What I'm trying to say is.. I can't put it into words.. I'm the kind of person that needs to finish everything he starts. We broke up so suddenly. Its never really felt over. You've always been there, a loose end dangling in my past." "And you want to wrap me up.." She started laughing with genuine amusement. "I LIKE this. Its so weird. So me.." "Seriously though, I can't sleep with you. There are only a few rules I keep and one of them is not to hop into bed with a man I've just met.." Garett smiled. "You still know me, Ade. I think you always have." She became very still in the corner of her couch. He slid over to her and lifted a hand to stroke her jaw. He looked into her eyes and what he saw, he didn't really understand. "Kiss me." he said. Her eyes darkened, something still so familiar to him. She leant towards him slowly, her eyes searching his face. Not a single part of her body was touching him when her lips met his. Her tongue slid into his mouth, quietly exploring. Tasting, teasing him elegantly. He moved his body over hers, pressing her down into the couch as he met her tongue with his own. She gave way to his insistence, pulling him tight into her body and hooking a slim leg over his hip. Garett felt her hips arch towards him, felt her groin press against his stiff shaft. Damn! How could he have forgotten the effect she had on him? Desire poured through him, intense and wildly exciting. He pulled away from her lips, looking down at her flushed face. Her lips parted gently and her tongue slipped out to moisten them. And her eyes.. Oh God! Her eyes.. Her lashes fluttered down gently as she arched her back, her breasts rising up in subtle invitation. His mouth found an erect nipple through the thin fabric. A small gasp escaped her as the friction of the cloth and the rasp of his tongue tantalized her sensitive tip. The hands on his shoulders started to kneed his muscles in rhythm with his stroking. He transferred his attention to her other peak already showing red through the thin fabric. One hand came up to caress her other breast. A soft groan slipped from her as she arched again, feeling the delicious tension start coiling in her torso. He pulled back, breathing hard as heat spread through his veins. She immediately slipped out from under him and to her feet. Garett closed his eyes and groaned inwardly. She was right. This whole thing was stupid. A ridiculous attempt to recapture some of the magic of youth. He raised his eyes to her, opened his mouth to apologize and froze. She was standing in front of the antique burner, the glow from it shining though her clothes and outlining her body clearly to him. Her eyes were intense as her hands came up to her neck. One by one the buttons on her nightshirt fell apart to expose her body to his view. He never even noticed when the shirt slid to the floor with a whisper. Something lodged in his throat as he sat there on the sofa, looking at her. The last time she had the freshness and purity of youth. Now it was the full-blown sensuality of a full grown woman. She stood there, unrelentingly female, unashamably woman. He came to his feet and then he was standing in front of her. Without a word, she started work on his buttons. He placed his hands on her waist, feeling its smallest, before sweeping them up to cup her breasts. He took their weight in his hands, marvelling at the subtle changes time had wrought on her. Her breasts were fuller, yet softer and her nipples were larger and infinitely more sensitive.. He took a nipple between his fingers, driving it in small circles against her breast. He heard a harsh gasp and looked up to see the flame light in her eyes. Her lips parted slowly and her tongue flicked out to moisten her lower lip. The subtle invitation started a delicious tightening in his groin that eased only when she unzipped his slacks. Immediately her hand slid under the warm fabric to feel and shape his rigid penis straining madly against the cotton of his briefs. Suddenly she dropped to a knee before him. He laid his hands on her bare shoulders, lifting each foot as she deftly drew off his shoes and socks. Then she took his outstretched hand, rising to her feet gracefully. Her hands travelled over his bare chest, stroking and kneading, then reaching around to cup and squeeze the firmness of his butt. Then with a sensual smile, she hooked her fingers in the belt loops of his slacks and pushed down slowly, the material sliding off easily to pool around his feet. One final mission. Garett held his breath as her deft fingers slipped under the waistband of his briefs and ever so slowly, peeled them off him. His erect penis leapt free of its confinement, pointing at her proudly. She took a long look at him then. Her first lover. His stomach muscles tightened involuntarily as he felt her gaze travel over his body in an invisible caress. The appreciation in her eyes suddenly brought him a realization of his own beauty. With a sense of wonder he felt every nerve ending in his body come alive, tingling slightly as they awaited her touch. New. He felt young and alive again... Adrienne could hear her own heart pounding in her ears. He still looked wonderful, lean and subtly muscled. Simply begging to be touched. But she didn't. Instead, she caught his heated gaze with her own, sinking down to her knees in front of him. The throbbing in his cock intensified as soon as he read the intent in her eyes. His hands found her shoulders, tightening his grip as part of his self-control slipped. Her gaze dropped to his straining penis, and he shuddered as though she had touched him. Slowly, she lifted both hands to stroke his hard shaft, examining it as if for the first time. Velvet and steel. Beautiful. Her hands slid off his cock then, slipping around to clasp his butt. Garett's breathing shallowed as he watched her mouth draw closer to his cock. He saw her tongue dart out and gently lick the drop of moisture that had gathered at its tip. The hands on her shoulders gripped convulsively as he watched her lips approach, part to take him in. Oh God! How many times had he fantasized about a woman on her knees before him, pleasuring him like he had never been pleasured before. The anticipation was unbearable.. And then he felt the pressure of her mouth. Oh God! No fantasy could even come close to the reality. Groaning, he couldn't take his eyes off the sight of his shaft disappearing between her lips. Adrienne took her time. She let her tongue trace the sensitive ring around his cock-head, flicking, teasing it unbearably until she suddenly sank his entire shaft into her throat. Garett stiffened and threw back his head with a strangled moan, clutching her as the incredible pleasure of the sudden heat and tightness shot through his body. She didn't wait for him to recover but started bobbing her head, her tongue swirling madly against the sensitive underside of his dick. Instinct took over. Garett's hips started thrusting involuntarily, trying to force as much as possible of himself down her throat. But she wasn't having any of that! She took hold of his hips firmly and held him still. She was going to do this her own way.. Adrienne pulled back and plunged down again and again, her lips squeezing with just the right amount of pressure. Her hands crept around to pull his hips towards her, taking more and more of him in until his entire length slid easily down her throat. His hips found the rhythm, moving with her towards his climax. He threw back his head, his body arching like a taut bow, gasping little moans of pleasure as he concentrated on the pleasure she was giving him. Faster and faster the tension built, layers of it, taking him to the edge of heaven. A grimace etched itself on his face as he began to fight it, wanting the incredible sensations to go on forever.. "Adrienne! Oh God! No! Not like this!", he moaned as an even more deeply rooted instinct took over. He pulled away from her, his mind filled with hot, lusty images of his cock sinking into her body. He needed to thrust into her warm, tight hole, to feel her body squirm under his, to feel her muscles hold him when he came.. He dropped to his knees beside her. "Do you have a condom?", he asked urgently. "Yes.", she answered in a level voice. "Where is it?" "It doesn't matter. I'm not going to have sex with you." It hit him like a bucket of very cold water. He froze. "What kind of twisted game are you playing?", he growled. "Nothing.", she smiled softly. "I told you I don't sleep with men I don't know. I meant it." Garett felt the fury start to boil within him. He wanted to .. And then he realised. "This is some sort of revenge for that last time, isn't it." he said slowly. "Of course not.", she scoffed. "I don't hold grudges for that long.." But the truth was in her eyes.. Garett swore silently. Rematch: Adrienne 1, Garett 0. "This isn't over, you know..", he threatened softly. She smiled. "I know." DarkNites: Old Friends (Part III) ==================================== or How to seduce an incredibly stubborn woman who hates your guts.. ========================================== New York, January 10, 1993 The phone shrilled annoying again. A groan escaped from beneath the jade comforter. Nothing moved in the still, dark room. Another insistent shrill. A hand emerged from under the covers and groped for the phone. After managing to knock the receiver off its holder, the rest of Garett crawled forth to pick it off the floor. "Hello.", he started groggily. "You're a slimy bastard, you know that?" Garett came a little awake and peered at his bedside clock. "Dammit Adrienne! Its five in the morning! What the hell do you think you're doing?" "I can't believe you went behind my back to the Board of Directors!" she continued furiously. "You little asshole!" Garett swore with feeling before hanging up on her. Seven seconds later, the phone started ringing again... ----------------------------------- Denver - January 22, 1993 Rematch: Adrienne 1 Garett 1 Andy came around his desk and leant against it before looking at the man before him pityingly. "Your goose is fried, you know that don't you." Garett settled more comfortably in his chair before answering. "She's had a few days to get used to the idea." Andy gave a strangled laugh. "She'll never forgive you for going over her head. She's lived her life ignoring the rules, answering to nobody but herself. You've forced her to face the fact that the bigwigs *can* make her work with you even when they know she's completely against it. You've dented her pride, destroyed her self-image... That's what she'll never forgive you for." The intercom buzzed. Andy hit the online button. "Is she here? Good, send her in." Both men instinctively braced themselves for the worst. The door opened and Adrienne walked through to plop wordlessly into the chair beside Garett. Black turtleneck, black jeans, she looked like she was in mourning. "Hello Adrienne." said Garett politely. She turned her head to look at him coolly for a minute before turning back to face Andy. Garett felt as if a blast of winter had just poured down his shirt. "Now that's enough, Ade." Andy started, putting on his best paternal voice. "The milk's been spilt and there's nothing any of us can do about it. Garett's one of the best marketing men in the country. Don't let your personal feelings about him affect your professionalism.." "I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about, Andy.", she answered, lifting a brow delicately. "We've got work to do, so lets get on with it." The two men glanced at each other warily before turning back to her... ------------------------------------- New York - February 27, 1993 Garett pulled the metal arms towards his chest, gritting his teeth. Sweat gleamed on his bare chest, his hair clinging to his neck and forehead. Exhaustion ran through his veins, together with the exhilaration of accomplishment. The SRC67 campaign had been set up and his gut feeling told him it was going to be a resounding sucess. All this while dealing with its cool and distant designer.. Adrienne. What a woman. No matter how calm and cool she appeared, he could still feel the seething emotion flowing just under the facade. Nothing he had done had shaken her poise. None of the innuendo, the probing the occasional insult... She simply ignored him, working with him as she had been forced to, but never more than that. Still, it was almost over. He hadn't managed to get close to her, but he had certainly got his revenge for that last night. He grinned even as his biceps screamed in protest. The delicate approach hadn't worked so perhaps he should turn up the heat a little. A seduction? ---------------------------------------- Denver - March 6, 1993 Alicia sighed. Yet another shipment of flowers. This time, it was Tiger-Lilies. If a man insisted on sending *her* boatloads of flowers a day, there was no way in hell that she would have them all taken to the Children's Hospital downtown. But apparently, the boss couldn't take the man's guts.. Adrienne zoomed through the outer room with her normal speed. Her voice floated back to Alicia from her office. "What is it today?" "Tiger-Lilies." "Really?" Adrienne's interested face popped around the door frame. "My God, he's finally figured out my favorite flower.. Ok, hand them over.." The Lilies looked good sitting on the coffee table, she decided. Abruptly turning on her heel, she returned back to her drafting table to work on her newest design. Suddenly there were a couple of knocks on her open door. Adrienne looked up frowning. Alicia was grinning like a jackass at her. "Garett Rate to see you." Adrienne rolled her eyes. Wonderful... Garett appeared to lean casually against the frame. Good pose, thought Adrienne cynically. He gave her one of his million-dollar smiles that had absolutely no effect on her, of course. The weird flipping in her stomach was entirely due to her missed lunch.. "I thought we were done working together." "We are.", he answered. "I'm here to take you to dinner." "I just ate.", she fibbed. "You lie.", he said. Adrienne sighed. "Look Garett, I had to work with you. I did. Its over. I don't want to see you again. Get lost." "Touchy, aren't we?" He walked up to her to place his hands on her shoulders. Tense, completely tense. He started kneading gently. She shrugged him off and came to her feet to stare right into his eyes. "Which part of my last sentence don't you understand?" Garett smiled inwardly. Obvious antagonism. Much better than the Ice Queen act... "I see you kept my Lilies." "Not really. I'm going to drop them off at the Children's Hospital on the way home." "That's a nice gesture." "Although I think they would look wonderful against your bare skin.", he added in a husky voice. Adrienne sighed. "Look Garett", she said slowly. "Its late and I'm very tired. I've also got a lot of work to finish before I can leave." "I happen to know this wonderful Chinese restaurant around the corner. We'll feed our faces and then you can come back to work on this stuff all night." She didn't answer. "That or I chain myself to this table and drive you nuts for weeks." Adrienne tried to suppress her smile. She really did, but the image of Garett chained to her drafting table for days in his fancy Italian suit struck a funny bone somewhere in her body.. "Anything to save myself from that.", she quipped. "Lets go. I'm starved." ---------------------------------------- Denver - March 12, 1993 "Garett Rate to see you." Adrienne waved him in. He walked in and locked the door behind him. Adrienne frowned slightly at that but Andy was freaking out at the other end of the line. "Don't worry, Andy.", she crooned soothingly. "Everything will be alright. Marsha has to come back to pick up her stuff. You can lock her in your bedroom and work it all out then.." Garett shook his head with a grin and settled down to wait. He glanced around the room. No flowers anywhere. She must still be sending them to the Children's Hospital. He sighed softly. Stubborn woman. He couldn't keep still in his chair. Something was in his blood, making him restless. The thrill of the chase, a touch of desire and the bittersweet of the challenge. He came to his feet smoothly, and paced around the room. Only half listening to Andy's problems, Adrienne's eyes followed him, her gaze carefully veiled by her lashes. She hated to admit it, but he had charmed her out of her bad humor and into being friends again. But he hasn't won the battle, she told herself. He still hadn't gotten her into his bed. And never would. Smiling a secret smile to herself, she wondered when he would make his move.. Garett came back to lean against her desk. Deciding to amuse himself, he let his eyes trail down her body, enjoying the way the soft rose dress clung to her curves. Bringing his eyes up again, he found her looking at him. Smiling lazily at her, he let his eyes flirt with hers. She knew what he was doing of course. He could see the amusement in her eyes. Should he? Why not. He moved to where she was perched on the edge of her desk, moved in so close that there was nowhere she could go. A tight note entered her voice, one hand coming up to push him away. He didn't budge. Instead he bent his head to find the soft curve of her neck. A sharply indrawn breath, a quick good-bye and then she was shoving him away with both hands. She came to her feet like a cat, her eyes shooting daggers at him. He didn't care. He had her on the run now. He moved in again, pressing her back against the desk with his body and when she opened her mouth to blast him, he stifled it with a swift, harsh kiss. She put her hands on his chest, pushing away to no avail. His mouth moving over hers, exciting and dangerous. The sudden shock of the adrenalin in her veins, making her want to kiss back.. NO! Their lips parted. "I'll scream.", she said, her voice coming in pants. "You wouldn't scream if the building was coming down around you.", he replied, his voice husky with desire. And then he claimed her lips once again. This time she fought back. With a strength he didn't know she had, she pushed him back sharply with a well-placed shove on his stomach. "Get out.", she ordered, her voice like cold steel. "No." he said. "I'll call Security." "You wouldn't do that. You'd prefer to take care of me yourself." She stood there and fumed. He knew her too well. Garett reached up and loosened his tie. The next moment it was on her desk. Then slowly, deliberately, he started to strip, his eyes never leaving hers. Adrienne froze in shock. What the hell did think he was doing!! Her fevered eyes glued themselves to the skin revealed between the edges of his shirt. Slowly he shrugged it off, shoulder muscles rippling. She groaned inwardly. Not that. Anything but that... She fought to keep her hands from reaching to touch his beautiful shoulders. His belt slithered easily out of its loops and dropped to the floor. Door, she thought dazed. Door. Escape. Move to door. Then the horrid thought of people finding out she had a half-naked man in her office during office hours. Worse, people finding out she had a half-naked Garett Rate in her office during office hours.. So sexy. She felt a little faint just looking at him. His eyes were dark and smoldering just like in the books. Those trim lines that just screamed to be touched. That dangerous, confident aura that left her weak in the knees. His linen slacks slid to the floor. Her eyes greedily absorbed the sheer beauty of the man. But something wasn't quite right.. Garett froze as soon as he realised what he was wearing. His oldest white boxers. The one with the yellow smiley faces. He closed his eyes slowly. No God. Please let it be the silk paisley, the zebra briefs, anything but that.. Adrienne was transfixed. The bright yellow blotches smiling cheerfully up at her sort of broke the mood.. She felt an insane desire to giggle. And then she saw the look on his face and she couldn't hold it back. Garett nearly died when she started giggling hysterically. Please God, make the floor swallow me up. Then suddenly the humor of the situation hit him.. He cracked a grin, then a laugh and suddenly she was in his arms and he was howling right along with her. They sobered up eventually. Adrienne reached down and grabbed a handful of yellow smiley with an infectious grin. "It was a nice try, wasn't it.", he said dryly. She exploded against him once more. Darknites: Old Friends (Part IV) ================================ Denver - March 29, 1993 Strains of music floated through Andy's house. Everywhere, men and women talked animatedly or danced elegantly under the glowing chandeliers. Garett was at his social best tonight, mingling effortlessly perfectly disguising the fact that he was here solely for one person. His gaze casually wandered in the direction of the doorway while making small talk with a small, cheery grandfatherly figure who also happened to be one of the most ruthless men in the Fortune 500. He stifled a quick stab of irritation. The party was practically over. If he found out that she had suddenly caught the flu or something, he would have to seriously throttle her... And then he saw her. Not bothering to enter through the front door, she came up via the garden, walking through the open glass doors like a goddess coming to her people. Her dark hair was piled on top of her hair, a few renegade strands coming done to curl about her face. The rest of her was encased in a simple burgundy sheath, her shoulders glowing bronze under the golden light of the chandeliers. He couldn't take his eyes of her. The ruthless grandfather sent a meaningful glance towards his sweet-faced wife. Without a work to anyone, Garett walked away, straight towards the woman poised at the other end of the room. The sweet-faced wife sighed ecstatically and took her husband's hand. "Adrienne." She smiled at him, her eyes running appreciatively over him. He looked especially good tonight, civilized but with a hint of danger showing through. Like a restless panther. The analogy pleased her. She had never been one for pussy cats.. He took her hand in his and before she knew it, he had whirled her onto the dance floor. His hand rested on her lower back, not pressing down but guiding her closer towards him without her even noticing. Adrienne caught the subtle scent of him, and sighed quietly. She wanted so much to curl up against the curve of his neck and breathe that in for the rest of the night. Perhaps she should try to make some conversation... No, not tonight. She closed her eyes instead and melted into his body. ----------------------------------------- The party was over. Soft laughter floated to their ears from the hall. The music went on though, for the last few couples slow-dancing under the dimmed lights. Adrienne and Garett were barely moving in the center of the dance floor. Neither of them had said much during the night, preferring to hold each other and feel. Garett drew away with a start, suddenly realizing how late it was. But he didn't want the night to end. Neither did she. Somehow, she didn't know how, she had fallen under the same spell that he had thrown over her ten years before. She felt like a teenager in the first throes of love. Stop it! said her cynical side irritably. You're not a girl and you should know better than to be seduced by a touch of romance. But the part of her that would always remain young and hopeful ignored that inner voice. Take happiness whenever it comes. She would pay the consequences later if she had to.. Garett drew her away towards the gardens. She followed him into the cool, softly scented air. The half moon shed just enough light for her to see his face when he bent down to kiss her. Soft, exploratory, beautiful kisses. For one night, she allowed herself to be reckless. She started kissing him back with a depth of feeling he had never felt from her before. Perhaps the magic of the night had got to him too because it drove him crazy like no striptease ever could.. They were both breathing hard when their lips parted. Garett gently rubbed his cheek against hers. His voice, when it came, was husky with passion. "Lets go for a swim." Adrienne came down to earth with a bump. A swim. She could feel a frustrated growl building deep within her, and swiftly tamped it down. She sighed softly. Maybe the game was still going on.. ---------------------------------------- Garett dove cleanly into Andy's pool. The moment he saw it, he knew that this was where he wanted make love to Adrienne for the first time. The lights in the wall sconces were dim, while the moon shone clearly in through the glass walls. The pool was comfortably warm, quiet and very private. Garett smiled and stroked for the opposite side. A splash behind him announced Adrienne's arrival. He turned just in time to see her rise from the pool, water cascading all over her, back arched to let the weight of the water pull her hair away from her face. Something twisted in him even as her eyes opened and stared directly into his. Her torso was clear of the water, showing him her breasts encased in a simple white top. And then she sank beneath the surface of the water to reappear by his side. The pleasure on her face was contagious as she treaded water beside him. "I'm glad you suggested this", she sighed happily as she glided backwards, feeling the freedom and the sheer sensuality of the water flowing over her skin. Another lazy kick and she was heading away from him. A soft laugh and then she drove deep to skim along the bottom of the pool. He followed, entranced by her mood. He met her there at the bottom of the pool, slipping his arm around her bare waist, her long hair billowing around them. Together they shot to the surface. A quick breath then their lips met and the water closed over their heads again. Is this what divers feel, wondered Adrienne dimly. This exhilaration, the need to scream? Their bodies strained to get closer, movements slowed by the water, their lips demanding. Magic, he thought as they twisted around each other. He wished they could stay down there for ever. His hands slid down over her hips to clasp her buttocks, to pull her hard against his body, against the hardness of his arousal. His Proposition. She broke away from him, heading for the surface. Taken unaware, more than a little apprehensive he followed. At the surface, she cast a challenging look over her shoulder before she shot away, down into the depths. Catch me if you can.. She was all speed and tricks, slipping easily out of his hands when he thought he had her, zigging when he thought she would zag. Throwing gentleness and style to the winds, he went after her like a torpedo. And she let herself be caught. When they surfaced at the shallow end, he dragged her hard against him, lips finding hers, all heat and demand. Backing her up until the wall pressed against her shoulders, hands flowing over her body. Beneath the surface, her legs came up to wind around his waist in silent invitation. His lips travelled down to her neck, nipping the sensitive skin there until she was shuddering against him. The bikini top came off and floated away unnoticed. The siren in her came alive, as she arched her back over the edge of the pool, lifting those beautiful mounds up to meet his mouth. He took one taut nipple into his mouth, stroking it with his tongue. With each rasp, she groaned, tightening her legs around his waist reflexively. Slowly her hips started grinding as instinct took over. Garett groaned. He wanted to take it slow, to please her, to watch her climax, but her hypnotizing movements were awaking the basic need to thrust deep and hard into her warm body. His hands found her hips and stilled them. Such lushness under his hands.. he needed to touch her, all of her. Adrienne was so turned on, she could barely believe it herself. The magic of the night and then the thrill of the chase had taken its toll on her body. She too had wanted to take it slow but the hot grinding need pulsing through her needed it now. Hard and rough. But first she would have to make him feel exactly the way she was. Totally out of control.. Her tongue found the delicate shell of his ear. He froze against her. Slowly, teasingly she traced the curves with the tip, occasionally flicking it just to feel him tremble against her. His hands left her hips to cup her breasts, squeezing and flicking his thumbs across her nipples. She groaned huskily against his ear, loving the pressure of his hands. And then her tongue was thrusting roughly into his ear, snapping his control. With a deep growl, he yanked down her briefs. Her legs came off his waist to let him pull them off and then she was helping him get rid of his. Then he was fumbling in the pocket his dress pants, left conveniently by the side of the pool. Something snapped in her when she saw the blue plastic packet between his fingers. Some of the magic died. "You knew you would be making love to me tonight.", she stated trying to ignore the hard lump in her throat. His lips met hers for a hard, sexy kiss. "I hoped. I've been dreaming of this for so long.." He lifted himself out of the pool to perch on the side, the water pouring off his broad shoulders. Her eyes widened to take him all in. Beautiful. She reached to touch him then, running her hands over his chest, down over his stomach to wrap her hands around the hardness of his penis pointing straight at her. Beautiful. She moved in between his thighs and leant forward to slide her lips over the head of his cock in an intimate kiss. He groaned, his hands coming up to her shoulders. She backed away with a soft, sensual smile to let him slip on the condom. Then he was back in the pool, the full length of his body flush against hers and his hand between her legs, seeking the source of her sensuality. Adrienne felt his fingers sink deep into the wet heat of her body, widening her for him. She arched back gasping, telling him better that any words could, that she needed him buried deep in her. A fierce wave of pride and desire washed through him. He started thrusting his fingers, carefully rubbing against the sensitive entrance of her vagina. She started groaning incoherently, her head thrown back and her nails digging into his shoulders. Then he found her clitoris with his thumb.. She came alive with a cry, grinding herself wildly against him. "Please Garett! I can't stand anymore." He removed his hand and thrust deep into her with a growl. "Oh yes, Garett!" The satisfaction was intense. The throbbing length of him buried intimately within her. And then he was thrusting, full and hard. She urged him on, murmuring his name, the motion of their bodies sending the water lapping against the sides of the pool. Her legs came up to wrap themselves around his waist again, allowing him greater penetration. They both began to tremble as the smooth, powerful strokes wound them up tighter and tighter, until the quiet room echoed with their helpless sounds. She was so beautiful to him. Her eyes closed, droplets of water clinging to her lashes, the look of pure female sensuality on her face better than any wine.. On instinct, his strokes became shorter and faster until he was constantly rubbing against the entrance of her vagina. She was so excited now, this was exactly what she needed. "Yes, yes, darling", she groaned into his ear driving him over the edge. Still he hung on, needing to feel her climax. Higher, higher, Now! She convulsed with a high cry, her muscles jerking and throbbing around him. That was his undoing. The hot pulsing of his cock sent him spurting his release high up within her. ---------------------------------------- They were still wrapped in each other's arms a while later. The water seemed to have sapped their strength so they were content to hold each other and let the magic of the night take them again. "You planned this whole thing, didn't you.", she said lazily, a soft, contented smile on her lips. "Of course not.", he lied blatantly. Perhaps in a few years, he would tell her the truth... "I had sworn never to let you seduce me into your bed. You've made a liar of me." She sounded amused. "Not really. We're not in my bed. And from now on, we can make love in YOUR bed." She laughed then, a full-bodied enchanting laugh. "Technicalities, my dear Rate. But one I'm willing to live with." She shoved him beneath the water. Choking, he came back to the surface with a vindictive look on his face. "You do realize that I'm going to have to make you pay for that. Over and over again..." "I wouldn't have it any other way.", she purred. =========================================================================== YES! A WOMAN DID WRITE THIS!! (GOD! I'm exhausted...) All comments and flames welcome at jash@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu ===========================================================================