A Lonely Heart's Wish

She could feel her stomach rumbling. It well past lunch time and the emails from DeSoto had yet to stop. She was getting angrier by the moment as the company came up with one excuse after another to not comply with Fox’s requests. The door to her office opens and she vaguely realizes someone has come in as a cup of coffee is set down next to her. Thinking it is the coffee she asked Miss Nolan’s to bring her she reaches out without looking up.

“Thank you.” She murmurs as her hand closes on the cup, brushing the person’s fingers. She looks up to see Owen staring down at her and her heart stutters. “You didn’t have to do this. Miss Nolan could have brought this in.”

He settles his hip against the desk, watching her closely as she nibbles on her lower lip. “I am interested to know if you have been getting the same mass emails I have been getting.” Ah, the things I would love to do to that lip!

She leans back and stretches out her legs, her skirt rising higher up her thighs. She notices his eyes stray to it and tries to hide a smile. “DeSoto?” At his nod, she grimaces. “Yep. All day long. They have an excuse for everything. I think they are trying to clean house and not let us see it. Someone needs to show up there and quick.”

He sighs softly, glancing out her window. “I thought you would say that. I leave in 3 hrs. David is hoping I can negate any damage they have caused.” The sound of her stomach rumbling causes him to glance down at her with a frown. “When did you eat lunch?”

A blush creeps up her cheeks. “I didn’t. I’ve been too busy.”

He stands and holds a hand out to her. “Leave it for later. You need to eat. We can continue your lesson while you eat so I will not have to postpone for another day.”

She takes his hand and lets him lead her from the room. “Ok, but you are buying.”

His lips twitch up. “Of course. A gentleman always buys for a lady.”

She laughs. “One of these days you are gonna realize I’m not a lady.”

She is fully conscience the whole ride to the restaurant that her skirt has hiked up nearly to embarrassing levels but the warm looks he glances her way stops her from pulling it back down. Seeing the normally calm, cool mask slip sends a thrill through her and she feels her hormones begins to kick in again.

Owen orders a 5 course meal and runs her through the setting placement once again as they wait for their appetizer to arrive. She bites her lip again, his eyes riveting on it the moment she bites down. He feels his body stir and glances down at the table in hopes of stopping it before he can embarrass himself. “Have you thought of any questions for today?”

She flashes a smile and then looks away. “I thought maybe I’d give you the chance to ask first this time.”

He taps one finger on his lips, considering the questions he could ask her. “Very well. You have a high paying job, a chance at free room and board, and yet you still are forever low on money. What do you do with it?”

“Drugs?” She shrugs and grins. “Just kidding. I actually own the family ranch back home. Unfortunately Dad racked up a lot of debt and the house has a lien on it plus a loan. I’m doing my best to pay it off before I lose it all.” Her eyebrow lifts. “How about you? What do you do with your millions?”

“It is not common knowledge but over half of what I make is given away to charities.” He looks down at his plate, playing with his fork. “I really have no need for it so I give it to those that do.”

She reaches across and stills his hand, seeing it for the nervous gesture it is. “That’s awesome though. Most people wouldn’t. They would be too busy trying to accumulate more wealth or things with it.”

He looks down at her hand, turning his so he could hold it for a moment longer. “I have seen my share of poverty and abuse. I cannot turn a blind eye on it.”

She gives his hand a gentle squeeze before pulling away as their appetizer arrives. “I’m glad. It means you do care even if the office gossip calls you a cold hearted asshole.”

“Indeed.” His lips twitch up. “What did you do before you came to New York?”

“Trained horses.” She eyes the oysters in confusion. “How do you eat these things?”

He grins, grabs one, and sucks it down as he tilts his head back. He nearly laughs at her look of disgust. “They are good. Try at least one.”

He hands her one and their fingers brush again. She glances up, seeing his eyes become hooded with an unnamed emotion. She squeezes her eyes shut and down the oyster like he had. Although the taste doesn’t bother her, the sensation of it sliding down her throat does. She grimaces and pushes the plate away to the sound of his laughter. “You should do that more.”

“Do what?” He lifts a brow.

“Laugh. It sounds good on you.” She quickly looks away to hide her blush. “So what did you do?”

“You already know the answer to that.” He tosses back another oyster. “I came here 100 yrs ago after being a pirate. Oysters become a staple when all you have to eat is seafood.” He winks at her.

“What kind of pirate?” She grins back, letting the server take her plate and leave a tuna steak. “Captain? First mate?”

“Cook.” His smile widens. “You hear everything and no one suspects you when things go wrong.” He gazes at her thoughtfully for a moment. “Now, where were we?” He takes a bite of his tuna. “What do you plan to do when you have the ranch paid off?”

“Is that a serious question?” She laughs. “I’ll give you this one free. I’d like to be able to get back to breeding and training. Grandpa had a dream of leaving half of it to go back wild and let nature take over while the other half would be used for the horses. I’d like to keep his dream alive.”

He nods in understanding. “How about this question? When was your last serious relationship?”

“4 years ago I dated this guy named Chance. He was an ass.” She frowns at the memory. “Wanted me to quit my job and stay home barefoot and pregnant. When I said no cause I had the ranch to take after, he tried to sell it. Forged my signature on papers and everything. Didn’t end very well for him.”

He reaches out and strokes the back of her hand. “I’ve seen men like that. You were right to leave. Alicia was 500 yrs ago.”

She grins. “And here I thought I was the pathetic one.” She gives his hand a squeeze.

“Picky not pathetic.” He smiles back, still stroking her hand with his thumb. “Nothing wrong with taking time to look around.”

“And you have had a lot of time to look.” She bites her lip as he sends shivers through her. “We must all begin to look alike after a while.”

“Truly, no. I have seen vast differences between the women of the past and those of the present.” He pulls away as the next dish is served. “Since you asked a daring question last time, it’s my turn. Favorite sexual position?”

Her face flames and she laughs. “Um, you first.”

His smile turns wicked. “Very well.” He leans closer. “Any position that I can see my partner’s face. You can fake a moan but you cannot fake the look of ecstasy.”

She squirms in her seat, the room suddenly going hot. “Well I would have to say from behind is better that way he can touch me more.”

He sits back and laughs. “True but you can still see a woman’s face that way if you angle yourself right.”

Her face becomes even more heated. “Um, wow. I wouldn’t know since I’ve never screwed a woman.”

“It would be interesting to see you try.”

“Spoken like a male!” She sips her wine and waits for the dessert to be served. “You can dream but I don’t swing that way.”

“Fortunately for us males you don’t.” He chuckles. “Would be a pity to have another one taken off the market.”

His phone rings and with a sigh he opens it. She listens to him and knows he’s getting called back early. Her mood darkens, knowing the bond they were building is gone for the day. He sets the phone down, his face a mask once again. “I’m sorry. The plane is leaving sooner than planned.”

“It’s ok.” She smiles sadly. “Just don’t leave me with the check.”

His lips twitch up. “It’s already taken care of. Finish your meal.” He stands and gives her hand another stroke before stepping away. “I will let you know how things shape up in DeSoto.”

“Ok” She watches him walk away as the desert arrives.