Between Love and Hate, page 2
"Don’t you dare."
"I can't believe she's got this stuff." Cahlir whispered. "Carla always tries to act so prim."
"Well, behind closed doors..." Biz breathed.
"I know." Cahlir agreed. "All this time my big sista's been frontin'." He teased.
Biz and Cahlir managed to polish off the rest of their soup, even though the outrageous antics on television made it quite a challenge. They watched the screen like two teenagers viewing their first dirty movie. They teased and laughed at the bad acting and the crazy positions the on-screen couples got themselves into. Still, as the movie progressed, they got closer on the sofa. In a short while, they were close to cuddling. Biz had her long legs propped up and Cahlir was lying next to her. Unconsciously, she toyed with his soft, dark hair, while his head rested on her chest. Neither of them minded the closeness, though. They both felt something they wanted to savor for as long as possible.
"How the hell did they do that?" Cahlir breathed, inclining his head a little as he referred to the on screen couple.
"That? I could show you that one." Biz teased.
Cahlir raised his head and stared at her. Then, they both collapsed into peals of laughter.
On cue, a more sobering mood fell over them. They began to take inventory of their position on the couch and Biz could feel her heart pounding madly. Cahlir bowed his head for a moment. Then, his silver eyes stared right into her brown ones and he eased himself closer to her.
She moaned before his mouth even touched her own. Even lying there, she could feel her body go weak from the kiss. The tip of his tongue reached out to stroke the corner of her mouth. Then, he brushed his lips across hers. Biz pushed her fingers into his soft hair, aching for him to deepen the kiss. This time, it was Cahlir who moaned when his tongue delved into the sweet recesses of her mouth. His muscular body lay sprawled across her, hands trailing the length of her body. His fingers dipped into her exposed belly button and he smiled when she gasped.
To Biz's disappointment, Cahlir pulled himself away some minutes later. He laid his head on her shoulder and took a couple of deep breaths. "I didn't mean to do that, B."
Biz smiled at the way he had shortened her name. "Yes, you did." She argued. When Cahlir lifted his head, she initiated the kiss.
He groaned softly into her mouth. Again, his arms slid around her waist and he held her unbearably tight.
"Cahlir..."
"What?" He whispered, his lips sliding down her neck to delve into the cleft of her breasts.
She ignored the pressure of Cahlir's embrace, even as she raked her nails across his back. Her hands slid beneath the dark material of his tailored jacket, aching to feel more of his hard frame.
Cahlir knew he would lose all power over his restraint if he stayed there any longer. Pulling away though, was proving to be impossible. Biz's soft cries and her silken, voluptuous body were an intoxicating combination.
"Biz?" He squeezed his eyes shut. "B?"
"Yes?"
Cahlir buried his face in her neck and uttered a tortured groan. "Are you ready to get out of here?"
Biz's lashes fluttered open and she stared at the high ceiling. She could tell that he was deeply affected by what was taking place. She had to admit that things were moving quite fast-even for her. After all, she’d just met the man.
"Are you ready to leave the party?" She whispered.
Cahlir raised his head and looked down at her. "Only if you've had enough."
"Enough of what?" Biz asked, not sure what he meant.
He grinned at her confusion, his gorgeous silver eyes sparkling with wicked intent. "Have you had enough of the party?"
"I've definitely had enough of the party."
Cahlir pushed himself up and pulled Biz into a sitting position. "Did you drive, or do you need a ride?" He asked.
Biz stood and brushed the barely visible wrinkles from her dress. "A ride would be nice."
~~~
Carla caught sight of Cahlir and Biz heading back to the party. She had noticed their lengthy absence, but felt it best not to make an issue of it. "Hey you two!" She called, when they approached her.
"We're getting out of here, Lady." Cahlir whispered in his sister's ear and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
"Biz, do you have a ride?" Carla asked, taking her friend by the hand.
Biz placed her other hand over Carla's. "Your brother offered to take me back."
“Oh, that's great!" Carla beamed, her dazzling smile making her even lovelier.
Cahlir and Biz exchanged glances and smiled at Carla's excitement. They bid her goodnight, and then headed out of the party.
CHAPTER TWO
The ride to Biz's hotel seemed longer than it actually was. Alone, in the plush, dark interior of Cahlir's Denali, the couple relished the silence. The events of the evening left them with a lot to think about. Biz was no stranger to frivolous behavior. Still, she had never been so forward with any man she had known for such a short period of time. Cahlir, on the other hand, wondered what it was about Biz that made him want to step out from his shell. He had been so reclusive and suddenly-unexpectedly- he could actually imagine himself wanting a woman in his life again.
Biz waited, once Cahlir parked the SUV. She took several deep breaths and told herself to say goodnight and leave it at that. The passenger door opened just then, and Cahlir offered her his hand.
"Would you like to come up for coffee or something?" Biz heard herself asking the moment her feet touched the sidewalk.
Cahlir looked away for a moment. He had told himself to see Biz to the hotel entrance and leave.
"Cahlir?"
Instead of offering her a verbal response, He took her arm and escorted her inside.
In the elevator, Biz let her mind race with uncertainties before ordering them to shut up.
"Come on in, make yourself at home. I'll call room service."
Cahlir followed Biz's instructions and strolled into the living room of the hotel suite. He relaxed on the long, gray suede sofa and waited.
Biz cleared her throat, pulling the wrap from her shoulders. She noticed Cahlir's silver gaze narrowing, appraising her bare arms. What is it about this man? She wondered. Then, she answered her own question. Cahlir Decker’s intensity transcended the need for words. When words were necessary, he proved soft spoken, yet something subtle albeit powerful surrounded him. Biz realized she was simply intrigued by the man and wanted to know more.
"Room service...hello? Hello?"
Reluctantly, Biz returned to reality. "Uh, yes, I'd like Hazelnut coffee for two with cream and lots of sugar on the tray."
"Yes ma'am. It'll be up in just a moment."
Biz set the phone to its cradle, and then joined Cahlir in the living room. "It should be here soon." She announced, smoothing her hand along the black sofa cushions.
Cahlir turned to face her. Though coffee was not his drink of choice, he knew he would gladly drink the entire pot just to stay and talk with her. He crossed his arms over his chest and decided to keep the conversation neutral.
"So, tell me about your family."
Biz shrugged. "What about them?"
"You said you used to work for them. What made you leave?" He asked, propping his index finger alongside his temple.
A knowing smile brightened Biz's dark face. "You mean, besides wanting to own my own business, what made me leave?" She asked, watching him nod. "Well...I'm the youngest person in a very large family. It's a good family and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Still...it's hard, you know?"
"How?" Cahlir asked, though he had an idea of what she meant.
Biz made herself more comfortable on the sofa and rested her head against the back. "It's like you spend half your time trying to convince the world that you're as good or better than the ones who came before you. Then, you spend the other half of your time trying to convince your own family that you're half as good or better. It's a tough way to grow up."
"So, opening your own business was about...?"
Biz chuckled. "It was about me wanting to prove it to everybody, including myself. On top of that, I'm very greedy and working for my family. I just wasn't getting enough of the pie."
Cahlir threw his head back and laughed. The full, deep sound vibrated like the roll of a bass drum. Soon, Biz began to laugh as well. Some minutes later, the sound of the doorbell interrupted them.
"I got it." Cahlir offered, as he moved off the sofa.
Biz watched, listening as he spoke with the waiter and tipped him. The young man nodded and smiled, before leaving the door. "I hope you like flavored coffee." She told him, as he pulled the small cart into the living room.
Cahlir stopped the cart right behind the sofa and shrugged. "I could take it or leave it." He sighed.
"I'm sorry. I could've ordered something different." Disappointment was clear on her lovely face.
Cahlir grinned, showing off the very deep dimples along both sides of his sensually sculpted mouth. "It's alright B. I would've come up for a glass of water."
Biz lowered her eyes to her lap and smiled. "Well, you know I would've done better than that."
"I know." Cahlir assured her, as he focused on the coffee. "How do you like it?" He asked.
"Creamy and sweet," She softly replied, her brown eyes sparkling mischievously.
Cahlir cleared his throat and prepared the coffee to her specifications. After pouring himself a strong, black cup, he returned to the sofa. "So tell me about your stores."
Biz stirred her coffee, before setting the cup and saucer to a glass end table. "I have three lingerie stores. One in Atlanta, Manhattan and the one I'm opening in San Diego."
"Pretty impressive, considering you're just starting out." Cahlir noted, grimacing at the coffee's strong taste.
"Well, I was in a rush to get the second one off the ground, because my family practically funded the first one."
Cahlir shook his head. "Damn, you really don't like help, do you?" He asked, setting aside the cup.
Biz wasn’t offended. "It's not that. Well…not so much that. I just don't like to feel indebted to anyone."
"Even family?"
"Well, I figure if you can say no to family, you can say no to the people out there who could really do you harm because you owe them."
Cahlir watched Biz sip her coffee and his silver stare narrowed. "You're an insightful lady, Bizay Donneeter."
Biz set her cup down. "And that's just one of my good qualities." She sighed, spreading her arms across the back of the sofa.
The ease in Cahlir's striking gaze melded into something serious. He took Biz by the wrist and tugged her across his unyielding frame. Her soft cocoa stare was wide, expectant. Cahlir could feel her heart pounding against his chest.
Biz curled her fingers around the lapels of his jacket. Her lashes fluttered, as the intoxicating scent of his cologne drifted beneath her nose. Her lips parted in silent invitation and she groaned, when his mouth met hers.
Cahlir's moan rose slowly, while he thrust his tongue past Biz's soft, full lips. He stroked every crevice, as though he tasted her essence. Each time his tongue delved deeper, he groaned.
Breathless sounds passed Bizay's lips, when Cahlir broke the kiss to slide his mouth along the line of her neck. He guided her down on the sofa, strong fingers tugging the straps of her dress past her shoulders.
In silent invitation, Biz arched her body. She craved his mouth on her breasts. Cahlir shook his head, ignoring her silent request and buried his face in the soft valley between. He inhaled the fresh, enticing aroma of her perfume, as his thumbs grazed her nipples.
"Cahlir, please," She whispered overwhelmed by sensation.
He accommodated her. His wide mouth caressed the supple skin, before his teeth raked one firm nipple. The simple stroke sent a strong shiver through her body and her arms linked about his wide shoulders. When his lips closed over the stiff peak of her bosom, she cried out drawing his head closer to her chest.
Cahlir moaned, as he suckled slowly. He alternated between bathing the nipple with his tongue and kissing it. His hands slid beneath Biz's back and he pressed her closer.
Bizay's hands slid from Cahlir's shoulders and curled into the sofa cushions. She pressed her head deeper into the sofa, allowing him free reign over her body. The expertise of his lips and tongue turned her mindless.
Cahlir's wide hands slid down her back to cup her hips. Biz felt the impressive bulge of his sex against her belly and she almost ached to feel him unclothed against her. In the recesses of her mind, she heard an annoying little voice warning her against giving in to the demands of her body. Biz squeezed her eyes shut tight, willing the voice to cease. Reluctantly, she acknowledged they would have to stop before things went any further. Slowly, her hands inched over his arms and shoulders. She began to press against his chest.
"Cahlir...Cahlir wait...wait."
He wanted to shut his ears to ward off her words.
Biz could feel his lips suckling with increased fervor. What little will she had to resist, was draining away. "Cahlir, please wait...we can't do this."
With effort- great effort he curbed his actions and forced himself to listen. Of course, she was right. They had only met a few hours ago, for goodness sake!
"When can I see you again?" He groaned into her neck, while inhaling deeply to catch his breath.
Biz lashes fluttered. "Tell me when."
"Lunch. Tomorrow."
"Alright."
Cahlir savored a few more deep breaths, before pushing himself up. "I'll see you tomorrow." He spoke against her mouth, before his tongue delved inside. Then, he left Biz on the sofa and headed out of the room.
When the door closed behind Cahlir, Biz pulled her dress back into place and ignored the tingle that lingered someplace deep.
***
Biz woke the next morning eager to begin another busy day. She would tackle the tedious chore of deciding what inventory would be best suited in what area of the store. Shipments had been arriving steadily for two weeks and the task of sorting through the articles had been delayed long enough.
Whipping back the covers, she swung her long legs over the side of the bed. Her toes curled into a silky garment lying on the floor and she looked down. It was her dress from the night before. The sight of the frock took her thoughts back to the party and Cahlir Decker.
"Mmm," She hid her face in her hands as she recalled the unexpected encounter.
When the shocking tingles stirred by the memory of his touch had subsided, the criticisms began. She cursed herself for being so brazen with a man she knew nothing about. Of course she'd already assured herself that she would probably never see him again. She recalled his request for lunch, but figured the offer had been long forgotten. Her one comfort had been the fact that she'd been the one to call a halt to their heated seduction scene. It was the last thing she wanted to do...but it was definitely for the best.
"Dammit." She hissed, glancing at the huge red numbers on the bedside clock. She kicked the dress aside and rushed off to the bathroom.
***
Cahlir Decker's main objective for his trip to California was to interview applicants to staff his Chicago office. His consulting firm, though still small, was acquiring new clients rapidly. After receiving a most impressive amount of resumes from the area, Cahlir decided a trip to the coast would be in his company's best interest.
Seated in a private conference room he'd booked at his hotel, Cahlir waited for the arrival of the first candidate. He prayed he could give the interview his full attention, considering most of his thoughts centered around one thing. Bizay Donneeter filled his mind since he'd left her the night before. His response to her-both physically and emotionally concerned him. He'd never felt so drawn to anyone-not even the woman he’d married. Despite the fact that everyone believed he led a Casanova's life, it was exactly the opposite. He craved monogamy-one woman who was his and his alone. It was one reason he'd married so early.
Cahlir grimaced then, tossing the pen he held to the table. "And what a smart move that turned out to be." He muttered.
Bizay Donneeter, however, was vibrancy personified. His response to her had been almost feverish. Cahlir had always prided himself on his ability to practice restraint over the demands of desire. Still, he couldn't help but wonder if his attraction for Biz might be about something more than sexual conquest. Somewhere inside, he prayed that it was.
***
Donneeter Delicates-San Diego was still in a state of complete disarray. There were boxes strewn across the floor and in every hallway and corner of the split level boutique. Preparations for the opening were underway, but the staff and management couldn't see that glorious possibility amidst the current state of the establishment.
Decked in a pair of saggy light blue denims and a Spellman sweatshirt, Biz worked as diligently as anyone. She had just removed the seal on her fourth box of sleep shirts, when the volume of voices on the floor raised several octaves.
"Oh Biz girl, how did you know we needed this?"
"Needed what?" Biz queried, tucking a flyaway tendril back through her ponytail clasp. "Needed what?" She asked again, her gaze settling on the group forming near the registers.
"She's tryin' to be modest y'all." Sheila Price, the boutique's assistant manager, announced.
"Modest about what?" Biz was asking, brushing dust from her jeans as she approached her employees.
"Biz stop. If it's gratitude and adoration you want, you got it."
Biz finally realized what had her staff in such a great mood. The curving glass counter near the front of the shop was covered with food. Vegetable, lunch meat and cheese trays along with an assortment of fruits and beverages waited to be consumed.
Bizay was as shocked as anyone, but had no chance to inform her crew that she had no idea who provided the spread. The women thanked her constantly as they prepared hearty sandwiches and walked off to find a place to feast. She was still looking at the delectable lunch, when a throat cleared behind her.
Cahlir Decker stood leaning against the shop's double glass doors. In his hands, he held two bags adorned with the same logo present on the plastic covers atop the trays on her counter. "I think we had a lunch date today." He recalled.
