Chapter 54

He glanced over at Carly as they walked to his room. She looked almost anticipatory, yet afraid as well. He remembered well her stuttered explanations about her past and wished he'd met her before that Jackass she'd found, but it was time for her to see not all men were like that. With a mental crossing of his fingers he stopped in front of his door and turned. "Well here we are Ketsl."

She looked up at him and smiled softly, multiple emotions swarming in her head.. This is it! Ready or not...now or never. Am I truly ready? Looking up into his crystalline eyes she knew that with this one man she’d be safe, that he wouldn’t hurt her. With a barely noticeable nod, she reached for and took his hand.

His gaze zoned in on her neck, that little vein pulsing just as if her heart were racing. Was she nervous? Taking her hand in his he Slipped the card through the lock with his free hand. Pushing open the door and ushered her in,standing back as he watched her eyes skitter over the candles that seemed to be covering each flat surface. At her gasp of surprise he started into the room, glad to see that Room Service had his orders down perfectly, from the chilling bottle of champaygne to the chocolate covered strawberries.

Clearing his throat slightly he turned, "Thought we'd eat first, if thats ok with you?"

"That sounds good" she whispered trying to take in the whole scene, the candles dripping from every available surface, the chilling champaygne, the soft music that seemed to just whisper around them. Wow, he really went all out for me! This had to have taken some major planning.

Sliding a chair from the small elaborately set table he nodded to the chair. “M'lady?”

Carly sat down in the offered chair and allowed him to push her closer to the table,her gaze never leaving him as he rounded the table and took the seat across from her.

He moved to his chair, snagging the bottle of champagne as he walked. Peeling the wrapper from the neck of the bottle, he gently worked the cork until a soft popping sound escaped. Leaning in he poured first her glass then his before seating. "Wasn't sure of what your favorites where so I jsut ordered a little of this and that. If I'm lucky you'll like the *potluck* dinner."

She nodded, looking around the table and smiled when she saw the strawberries. They were covered in dark chocolate! He remembered when I told him how I prefer dark chocolate to milk!

He reached for the most succulent berry and leaned in, rubbing it against her lips lightly, "Sinfully sweet, just like you."

She smiled and openned her mouth, biting into the juicy offering "mmmmmmm" was all she could muster as the flavor of dark chocolate and berry slid over her tongue.

He Leaned to the side, his lips brushing over hers as she finished the berry, his tongue flashing along the seam of her lips. The taste of chocolate and woman was nearly his undoing.

Coughing slightly he pulled back and winked and pulled the plate cover from their meals. "Hope you like surf n turf."

"I love sea food" she said looking at the delicate fillet mignons and lobster tails on their plates

Picking up his knife he started to cut into the meat, his brow flicking upwards. "Gonna eat it or memorize it Ketsl? I promise it’s not poisoned......" He paused a moment then whispered dramatically, "Might have an aphrodisiac in it though. I hear lobster is good for what ails ya."

She speared a baby carrot with her fork and reached to him offering the treat. "Oh yeah? And what ails you David?"

He snagged the bit of orange with a quick nip, his head tilting as he snapped lightly at her finger. The urge to say blue balls rose with a maddening precision. Pulling back he watched her a moment then smiled. "There's this pretty little nurse I know, she makes me ache. Know of any way to take the ouchie away?"

She raised her eyebrows "Well, I have been trained on how to kiss the booboos away!"

She reached for her glass, and picked it up.

"Should we toast or something...?"

His mouth dropped open at the come hither suggestion in her words and eyes and found himself a tiny bit speechless. "Ahh, umm, We could toast..." He took a deep breath and lost himself in the twinkling of her eyes. "us?"

"To us!" she took a small sip of the bubbly and savored the taste "mmmm. this is really good!"

She looked at the ice bucket and then at David and smirked "do you need an ice pack for your ouchie?"

He took a bite of his food, his gaze intent on her face, the fork halting before his lips as she returned to the topic of his aches. "Balls are blue enough already Babe." His brows waggled slightly, "Nice deep shade of dark blue too."

Carly nearly choked on her food. Is he trying to tell me that I'm torturing him?

He stood up quickly and moved to her, patting her back gently, "Not all of us are monsters; some of us are actually kind of nice and like to treat real ladies well." He glanced down at the high color in her cheeks and continued, "And if that means waiting, or having balls of blue, then it’s worth it. You ARE worth it Ketsl."

She stood up and smiled at him

"David, I...uhmmm...Thank you!"

He pulled her closer, groaning as her taunt little body brushed against his. Cupping her chin he tilted her head slightly, his lips easily brushing against hers. When her body drew closer, he deepened the kiss with a growl, only pulling away when she squeaked. "You're welcome."

Her hands reached up and locked behind his neck, pulling him back to her. Hesitating for the briefest moment, she brushed her lips against his, returning his kiss, her lips opening in invitation.

The tiniest thrill of excitement coursed through him as she initiated the next kiss, his hands slipping down to curve around her ass. Somewhere between the pranks and waiting she'd managed to light a fire deep within him and he was pretty damned sure that wait notwithstanding, it was a fire he wouldn't quench soon, if ever.

She felt his tongue snake into her mouth as it circled gently with hers. At the same time her fingers slowly but surely moved up to slide into his glorious curls. Soft purring escaped from her lips that were still firmly attached to David's

He growled as her fingers slid into his hair, the urge to just pick her up and carry her off to the bedroom, and when she started to nibble his lower lip he gave up the fight and lifted her. "Tell me what you want baby."