Beyond Temptation

CHAPTER NINE



Malec waited impatiently for his guest, pacing the dining hall until his majordomo announced her. An odd thrill of pleasure lanced his heart as he turned to greet her.



She wore boots, leggings and an oversized cable knit sweater.



Walking closer, he confessed, “I hoped you’d succumb to me tonight. But, I can tell from that outfit of feminine body armor you will not.” Her lovely hair suffered restraint in a matronly bun at her nape. She looked frightened and beautiful. “Ma fetishe, you dazzle.”



She turned her attention from him to the room. He’d ordered dozens of candles, flowers flown in from a Paris greenhouse he favored, lobster from an Australian trapper he believed provided the best, and wine flown on another jet from a vineyard in Germany. Those in addition to what came from his kitchen. Malec reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. Kissing the back of her soft hand, he turned it over and pressed a kiss to her palm.



Avery drew back from his grasp. “I can’t think when you touch me.”



Somewhere down deep inside him, something changed. Malec felt vulnerable despite her guileless admission. Rather than experiencing entitlement and gratification, he suffered a moment of weighty responsibility. He saw her in that moment with awful clarity. She rested in his hands and he did not wish to ruin her. An odd sensation constricted his throat.



Malec replied, “It appears you affect me with similar force, ma cher.”



“You scare me,” she confessed, a treasure for her artlessness.



His answer surprised him anew. “I don’t wish to, ma fetishe.”



Malec watched Avery withdraw her hand from his grasp and move to her place setting, its identity marked by a small bouquet of orchids. “Can’t we just eat?”



He quickly pulled out her chair. “Whatever you wish.” He sensed her gratitude and relief as she sat. “May I say you smell very tempting?”



Avery tracked his movements with her wary gaze. As he seated himself, she countered, “If I may say, I watch you as I would a wolf.”



Malec chuckled. “A good analogy.” His majordomo, Taylor, entered with wait staff bearing the soup course. Malec had arranged this meal hoping to please her. The offering his own cooks made, bisque of Sicilian sun-dried tomatoes and fresh local cream and herbs.



She thanked the server in a charming show of innocence. Malec watched her pick up her spoon to sample the soup. Her eyes closed and his cock jumped. He wanted her blood. “It pleases you,” he observed.



Avery consumed several spoonfuls with obvious relish. “It’s ambrosial.”



He endured that, and then the fish course which consisted of the lobster tails split, butter waiting. He watched her, uninterested in the food. “Your pleasure becomes mine.”



Avery’s head jerked up and she gazed at him. Spoonful of shellfish and seasoned butter arrested, she asked, “Why?”



“I like the lack of false reserve. So many women claim a lack of appetite, while longing to indulge.” He watched her, conscious she had caught his double entendre.



Avery resumed eating. “I notice you don’t eat much.”



Malec had fielded this observation many times. “A personal quirk.”



Seeming to accept that, she finished her lobster. Leaning back, she placed one long-fingered hand over her belly. “I can’t keep this up. I’ll pop.”



Just then servers entered with the meat course. Filet Mignon wrapped in a very special bourbon-smoked proscuitto arrived, plated on beds of asparagus grown in the hothouse, then flash-fried in buttered phyllo. Malec watched her reaction, smiling to himself as she sat forward in interest. “Perhaps you have some room yet.”



Avery cut into the beef and the expression on her face made him groan. Her eyes opened. She chewed, swallowed. “Taste it. You’ll carry on, too.”



He noted the amusement in her voice. Slicing a small bit, he did as she bid. The flavors did little more than whet his palate. “I allow it does make one wish for more.”



She consumed the beef and then laughed when servers brought dessert. “I’ll buy the farm with this course.”



Malec knew the term. “I would rather you not.”



Avery ate a few bites of the offerings. Some slices of cakes and pies, custards and pastries found their way onto her sampling plate. Finally, she laughed and leaned back in her seat. “I cannot think of when I’ve eaten a better meal.” Avery placed her hand upon her belly a second time. “I’ve gained at least five pounds, and I’ll probably fall asleep during the drive back to town.”



He stood, walked to draw back her chair. “May I offer a walk in the gallery?” Malec noted her body language as she rose. She kept her arms close to her body, careful not to brush against him. “The moon’s full and the sky has cleared.”



“Gallery?”



“A very large enclosed balcony of sorts,” he clarified.



She faced him, blue eyes filled with suspicion. “Upstairs?”



He almost chuckled. “Yes, ma cher, upstairs.”







Avery felt quite certain she made a mistake in letting her host escort her up the wide, curving staircase. From the first moment she saw him tonight, her blood had seemed carbonated, fizzy with excitement. He wore simple, elegant black clothes; a pullover shirt with a V-neck, that showed very golden-bronze skin over strong bone and ready muscle tucked into slim-fitting pants. The dark clothing with his dark coloring and glowing hazel eyes hypnotized her. His long, loose hair made her hands itch to touch it.



As they reached the second floor, she glanced over at his long legs and missed the step.



Malec’s hands caught her at once. With regret she heard herself whimper at the rush of sensation his touch brought. Avery closed her eyes at the sound of his deep voice. “Careful.”



She nodded, opened her eyes and hurried up that final stair. His large hand settled at the base of her back with a palpable possessiveness. She let him guide her to the right, down a long hall lit by soft lights mounted high. The presence of so much history temporarily distracted her. Mellow, aged wood floor and amber silk-covered walls spoke loudly of a time of opulence long gone. She imagined walking down this corridor wearing a splendid evening gown.



A sudden image of a dark-garbed highwayman replaced the former vision. She almost glanced over at her host, considering how he would look dressed that way. Her heart jerked oddly and she blew out a slow breath.



Malec used a very modern electronic keypad to punch in a security code. When the light turned green, he opened the door. Avery’s lungs seemed to cease function.



A roofed stone balcony with one open side covered perhaps a thirty by thirty expanse. The inner area hosted benches, potted shrubs of what appeared rosemary, and a tall, tumbling fountain. Along the outer perimeter stood tall, floor-mounted torches burning clove-scented oil.





She knew she had found trouble.



~ I am writing this as I go now, and reviews would REALLY help motivate me. Knowing someone is waiting to read turns me into a machine. Help a girl out! K