Page 51 of Fire and Ice

She looked breathtaking in a little black dress. It was one of the dresses he'd boughtfor her (well technically Laurie had picked it out). He didn't exactly know what the cut of the dress was called except it hung indecently low in the back and definitely didn't allow her to wear a bra. He had half a mind to call and cancel their dinner reservation and fuck her right at the bottom of the stairs where she stood.

"I don't know how I can keep my hands off of you all night," he had whispered into her ear as he helped her into a light evening coat.

"Why Mr. McCord, I would be disappointed if you did," Maia replied saucily.

Now, looking at her from across the table, he took in her exquisite face. Her clear blue eyes sparkled, her red hair cascading in waves reminded him of old Hollywood glamour and her red-tinged pouty lips, so soft and magnificently kissable under his mouth, had felt fantastic wrapped around his cock early that morning.

Fuck, he was getting hard under the white tablecloth.

The waiter arrived, handed them their menus, and asked, "Can I get you started with some cocktail?"

Jack grimaced at the word cocktail but managed to say, "A Manhattan for me, Maia?"

"I'll have a Kir Royale, thank you," Maia replied. When the waiter left, she leaned in and asked, "Are you okay? You look like you were in pain."

"I'm fine," he said, his voice strained.

Maia smiled then leaned back in her chair. He heard her kick off a shoe and then felt her foot on his crotch.

"I think Mr. McCord, that you've been having very naughty thoughts," she said her eyes hooded with some enchanting light.

"Maia," Jack warned, but his eyes closed at the sensation of her probing foot. It would not be amusing to blow his load under the table of a fine dining restaurant.

"Ooooh, bad, bad, bad, Jack," Maia purred. She took pity on him and removed her foot and leaned forward and whispered teasingly, "Were you remembering our early morning nookie?"

"I disapprove of calling it that, but yes," Jack said then whispered thickly, "You, madame, are in for some hard fucking."

Maia's eyes widened at his sexual threat and before either of them could say anything else, the waiter returned to inform them of their specials.

After ordering appetizers, Jack went with the veal chop house special while Maia ordered a sole meuniére. A sommelier later returned to recommend the wine to go with their choices.

"It's Friday tomorrow," Jack said. "I don't have much to do except check some emails. Do you want to go sailing with me? The weather's going to be a balmy 75F. Given this time of the year, I suggest we take advantage of it."

"Oh, Jack I would love to go," Maia enthused, her whole face glowing.

"Can't believe it. Jack McCord?" a vaguely familiar voice said to their side.

A tall, reed-thin blond woman approached. Jack groaned inwardly. Vanessa was one of his ex-girlfriends.

Vanessa was escorted by a tall, distinguished-lookingman in his 50s.

"Haven't seen you in a long while," she said in a tinkling voice. Jack tensed as his ex gave Maia a very rude once-over. "I see you've moved on to redheads. Never thought they were your type."

"Vanessa!" her partner exclaimed, aghast.

"I wasn't aware I had a type," Jack replied frostily.

"Blondes, you always preferred blondes. Oh, Jack, have you met Harold Jameson?" Vanessa continued. "He's a developer here in the Outer Banks and owns a couple of premium properties by the beach. Harold, this is Jack, an old, old friend."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir," Jack said politely. Harold, however was staring openly at Maia much to Vanessa's and Jack's irritation.

"Since Jack is too rude to introduce us, I'm Maia."

"I can understand why he would be reluctant to introduce as exquisite a creature as you," Harold said smoothly as he grasped her hand and kissed the back of it.

Maia visibly preened while Jack started fuming.

"Let's go, Harold, I think our table is ready," Vanessa said as she tugged her date away, realizing that she might end up with competition.

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