“Cate.”
I turn and Ted is standing in front of an open limo door.
“Do you need a ride?”
I almost say no, but I find myself nodding.
“Come,” he says waving me over.
ON THURSDAY, IT’S BECOMING clearer that I may have to push my trip to see Drew back to Saturday. I know if I go on Friday, I won’t get any work done and I have two papers due on Monday. It kills me to do it, but I force myself to make the call.
Drew’s cheery voice answers, “You’re just the person I was hoping it would be.”
My spirits sink even further with his words. His smiling face pops into my head and the image makes my craving for his hands on my body all that much stronger. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but …”
“That damn but,” he says with a chuckle. “What’s up?”
“School. I’m underwater with my writing. I know if I come tomorrow I won’t get done what needs doing, and I have two long articles due on Monday. I’m going to have to push back coming until Saturday.”
“Hey, Cate, no worries on that. You have to do what’s important and school is important. Understand?”
“Yeah, but I want to see you, too.”
“And you will. Just a day later than previously planned. And don’t worry? I’ll make up for it,” he says. I can almost see him grinning.
“Oh yeah? Tell me.”
“Hmm. I don’t think so. Have I ever told you how much I adore your neck? That should be keep you guessing.” His deep chuckle sends shivers up and down my spine.
“You’re not playing fair.”
He laughs again. “I know but when did I say I played fair?”
I rifle through my thoughts for something to latch onto, but come up empty. “Did I ever tell you I fight back?”
“You did now.”
My mouth turns up at the corners.
“But Cate, I play hockey, remember? I know how to fight really dirty.”
Oh my god. The way he says, “Really dirty,” makes me want to jump his bones. Like right this second. How will I ever wait until Saturday?
“Um, Cate, are you still there?”
I swallow the huge heated lump of desire that’s knotted up my throat and croak out, “Uh, yeah. I’m here.”
“Good. Because I like the turn this conversation has taken. What I think I’d like to do is put you in my penalty box and perhaps punish you.”
“P-punish me? How?”
“Mmm, I’ll have to let you think about that for a while.”
Holy shit. What is he talking about here?
“So, Cate?”
His deep sexy voice has me all worked up. “Yeah, Drew.”
“What time do you think you can be here on Saturday?”
“Sin. I mean six.”
A salacious chuckle hits my ear. “Hmm. That’s the time my game starts.”
“I’m talking six in the morning.”
He roars with laughter. “Eager, are you?”
“I would probably call it something else, Drew.”
“Oh, and what would that be?”
“I’ll have to let you think about it for a while.”
His laughter rings out over the phone.
“Oh, and Drew, just so you know, Louise is all hot to see you, too.” In a breathy voice, I add, “Be ready for me at six on Saturday.” As I’m moving the phone away from my ear, I can hear him still laughing.
Friday is nothing but constant work. But the good part of it all is that I accomplish what I set out to do so I can go to Drew’s with a guilt-free conscience. I pack a bag at night so all I have to do in the morning is take a quick shower and go. I set my alarm for four forty-five, and fifteen minutes later, I’m on the interstate. An hour later, I pull into Drew’s parking lot. As if on cue, he stands in the doorway of his apartment, waiting.
Wearing faded jeans with the top button undone and nothing else except his mussed up hair, he looks good enough to eat.
“You didn’t even give me a chance to knock,” I say.
“I figured you’d be on time. You said six and it’s six.” His mouth curls into a sexy smile so I stand on my toes and kiss him. He palms my ass and lifts me so we’re the same height, and kisses me back. “Is this everything?” He’s referring to the small bag I’m carrying.
“All except for the couple of things I have hanging up, but I can grab those later.”
“Good,” he says as he kicks the door closed behind him. Then he starts peeling me out of my clothes. “These were in the way.”
“I noticed. But what about you?”
“Not a problem.” He unzips, tugs his jeans down, and is nice and naked underneath.
“I like,” I say as I run my hand over the ripples of his torso. But I don’t linger because there is something else that begs for my attention. “Mmm, I really like.”