Chapter 192: Machala
Wiping my tears with the backs of my dirt-coated hands brought me out of the past. I was crying again. I'd cried so many damn tears thinking about that last day with Luke that I shouldn't have any left. I'd received his unspoken message loud and clear.
Give it all or get lost.
I ran from the playroom before they finished, changed into my work clothes, and packed the personal items in my room and bathroom. Then, I walked away. Luke stayed with Wade and didn't stop me. The months following our split my night terrors grew steadily worse. I finally confided in Danny because I could barely stay awake at the office. I only told him I'd had them since childhood and there was nothing physically wrong with me. When he tried to pry deeper, I pulled the boss card and told him to leave it be. About six weeks ago, I managed to put aside my aching heart and fall back into the life I led before Luke. I adjusted to not having someone chase away the demons and breathe for me. I buried the memories of Luke just as I had the memories from my childhood. I don't know which hurt more.
Until he came into my office the day before, I hadn't heard from Luke in six months. Now my ass and thighs were raw because of his visit the previous night. I wanted him back so badly it was a physical ache.
I took a deep calming breath trying to shake myself from these feelings of hopelessness. After washing my hands under the outside faucet I took a few more slow breaths. Before I could change my mind, I walked inside and picked up my cell phone. It rang twice before he answered.
"Hello?"
"Do you still want a date?" I had no idea if the pretense of an important engagement was still on the table or if what he wanted was a simple night out. Simple, yeah right.
I listened to him breathe for several long seconds. "I want more than a date, Machala, but it's a start."
Now it was my turn to breathe into the phone. "When?"
"Monday night. I'll pick you up at seven."
Two days. This was just a date. I could wait. "Okay."
"Machala?" A little of his Dom voice was in the word.
"Yes."
"Wear something sexy." This was an order. The line went dead.
Great. What the hell do you wear that's slut sexy when you're known as the ice queen? I wanted Luke just as on edge as he had me. Top that off with a sadist who's seen all of you and prefers you naked? Why did he do these things to me? I chuckled. I'd already answered that question. Luke was a sadist. He worked hard at leaving me guessing and on edge. Fuck, how I missed him.
***
Going to work on Monday morning was an exercise in diversion. I didn't want Danny to know about Luke coming to my home or about my date that night. Danny wouldn't understand. Hell, I didn't understand. Whatever I had with Luke was not over. He obviously felt the same way. For us to successfully split, we needed our relationship to reach a concrete conclusion. Me running away hadn't done it.
I had several meetings with agents and one author. The former frustrated me, but they were a necessary evil in the publishing world. At least for now. Things were slowly changing and the author scheduled for the three o'clock meeting was self-published with a large backlist I wanted to get my hands on. Winters' Publishing would change her life and she would boost our sales revenues through the roof. Win-win.
Danny scrutinized me closely as I practically ran through my day. I'd had plenty of practice at not showing lingering signs of pain after weekends of play. Today was no different. With my heavy calendar, Danny had no time to grill me. I would talk to him tomorrow after I survived the date. If I survived.
I left the office at four-thirty after handing the signed author contract to Danny so he could get a copy to our attorney's office. It felt good to know the day was successful and maybe it would carry into the evening. Larry, the driver from my townhome association, drove me to an exclusive dress shop that I'd used before. When Larry wasn't available, I took a cab home from work. I found I could work during the drive when traffic would otherwise drive me crazy.
I don't know what came over me when I saw the dress, but I knew it was perfect. It was black and very conservative in the front, its length going to my knees. Then there was the back. It was open with straps of material holding it together. The straps were spaced closer at my ass and a thin veil of sheer lace in just the right place took it from indecent to... well... indecent. The lace hid my bruises, though. I wouldn't be wearing underwear, not even a thong, and the thought of the scratchy lace against my ass and legs had me smiling.
After Larry dropped me at home, I took a quick shower and shaved my body. I dried myself off and applied a little makeup and perfume. Luke hated any scent that covered my natural one, but this was a date and we were no longer involved in any power exchange agreement. He needed to live with it. I was ready when he knocked on the door at precisely seven.
I thought he was beautiful when he stood in my office, but now, beauty didn't quite cover it. He wore a custom-made three-piece black suit with a black shirt. No standard white shirt for Luke. His hair was pulled back and his crooked smile in full blaze. A bouquet of wildflowers rested in the crook of his arm. He presented them to me with a slight bow.
"You're lovely." He spoke first.
He thought I was lovely right now, but I would change his opinion. I opened the door wider so he could enter. I took the flowers and turned to the kitchen to grab a vase. I didn't hear his steps behind me or any other sound. I looked over my shoulder.
His eyes were alive and focused on the bare skin of my back. Turning back to my destination, I grabbed a vase from a shelf in my pantry. I spun around and ran into Luke. He took the vase and flowers from my fingers and rested them on the shelf.
"Do you think I'm taking you anywhere dressed like that?" he asked against my lips.
Without thinking, my tongue came out and I ran it across my lips. We were so close I almost tasted him. "You said sexy," I replied silkily.
"I'll be sure to be a little clearer in the future. Hell, I'm dressing you the next time." His hand traveled under my hemline and he smoothed his palm over my bare ass. "Christ. I don't suppose you have anything else you can wear."
His frustrated voice was sexy as hell. "Slacks."
"A sweater, something to cover the back of you?"
"Luke," the satisfied grin I was fighting came through, "you're being ridiculous."
"Let me see the bruises and I'll compromise," he whispered. The soft puffs of his breath hit my lips and I wanted him to kiss me. Instead, he walked backward, bringing me with him.
"The flowers..."
"Will wait." He had my hand and he extended his arm so I twirled slightly away from him. He moved me so my stomach hit the edge of the kitchen counter. "Palms flat," he said as he pulled my ass out and slid his fingers under the material. He pulled it up until it rested on my hips.
I'd studied the bruises, loving the colors. Luke moved back so he could see the full effect of my ass. The plaid stripes were different shades of blue. He ran his fingers over my flesh, making me suck in a quick breath. His hands were incredibly warm. Without a word, he lowered the material and adjusted it so I was once more covered.
"I know you have one of those scarf things you can use," he muttered with no compromise in his voice.
This was a date and I'd done exactly what he asked. Damn him. For once I was getting my way or he was leaving without me. "No. I'm going like this. Take it or leave it."
The flare of fire in his eyes didn't scare me. His words did. "Don't fucking look at another man. I would rather this evening not end in a fight."
A jealous Luke. Impossible. He shared me with Wade for God's sake. "I, um..."
"Shh, sexy girl. Put the flowers in water before I change my mind. I thought a date was harmless and we could talk and maybe go from there. Keeping my hands off you may be unmanageable." His frustration showed clearly.
I hid another grin as I gathered the vase and flowers and prepared them to adorn my counter. Depending on how our date went, they might be moved to my bedroom later. Hopefully after dinner and a night of wild sex. A girl had to dream, right?
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