Ray of Love (Lifestyle by Design Book 3) (4 page)

He didn't want to end up in bed with Faye until after they'd dated a few times. Not that making love with her wasn't a big thing for him. It was a mighty big thing. He'd had many a solo act with Faye on his mind. He'd even fantasised about her several times when he was in the middle of sex with other women. But it was more than physical with Faye.

She said she wasn't after anything serious at this point. That was fine. He was happy to take it slow as long as he had the chance to make her fall for him. He wanted her heart first and foremost. He didn't want anything less than that.

They had a quick dinner at a place that Ray didn't think was special enough to take Faye on their first date, but it was close to the cinemas and the service there was fast. They wanted to make sure they made it to their movie session on time. They voted to have their after-dinner drinks inside the Gold Class cinema.

Faye had selected the latest James Bond movie, which he was looking forward to watching himself. Before he knew what she wanted to see, he'd mentally prepared to sit through a chick flick. He assumed most of his attention would be on Faye anyway, so he didn't care what movie they saw.

When they got inside, they reclined their plush seats and Faye snuggled up against him. Her scent was intoxicating. Divine. As she watched the previews before the movie, he kissed the top of her head tenderly as he put his arm around her shoulder. She looked up at him and the invitation on her upturned face was unmistakable.

He lowered his head and revelled in that first moment their lips touched. They kissed for long minutes - lightly, softly, tantalisingly - until the coffee they ordered arrived. Reluctantly, he pulled away. The smile she gave him made his breath hitch and his heart swell.

As the lights dimmed and James Bond filled the screen, Faye went back to her snuggling position while she sipped her coffee. He stared at the screen and followed the story as best as he could, but his focus kept reverting back to the alluring woman whose head was on his shoulder. A couple of times, she lifted her head for a quick kiss, and he was more than happy to oblige. For the most part, though, she was very engrossed in the film.

As for him, he struggled all night with his manhood that didn't want to soften up. When he feared his hard-on might become too obvious, he thought of anything and everything else to try and distract himself. They were watching James Bond but his mind kept playing an X-rated movie in his head with him and Faye as the stars. And, hell, the scenes were scorching hot.

"That was great, wasn't it?" Faye asked as they exited the cinema.

"Yeah, it seemed good," Ray replied with some hesitation in his voice as he reached out for her hand.

"You didn't enjoy it much?" she asked with a frown as her hand clasped his.

"Oh, I did. I like James Bond movies. I just couldn't pay much attention to it, that's all." He smiled at her with a look that said 'drop it because I'm not telling you why'. There was no way he could divulge to her right there in public all the sexy, saucy and naughty things they did together in his imagination.

"Was something else on your mind?" Faye persisted.

"Ah, yeah."

"What?"

He shrugged. "Stuff."

"Were you bored?"

"What? No! I thoroughly enjoyed myself."

"Were you worried about work or something?"

"No."

"So what were you thinking that you couldn't focus on the movie?"

"Will you keep asking me questions until I tell you?"

"Yup. You must know I'm like a dog with a bone if I want to know something," she responded with an unapologetic grin.

"So I gathered," he replied with a chuckle. "I'll tell you about it maybe next week or the week after."

"That long? Why are you making me wait?"

"I have my reasons."

"Well, what are those reasons?"

He laughed out loud. "Wow, you really don't let up, do you?" He'd noticed this trait in her more than once when he had previously joined her and her friends for lunch. One time, Victor wouldn't say what was bothering him and Faye managed to make him disclose what that was. By the end of the lunch, Victor felt much better and was a lot clearer on how to tackle his problem. He admired Faye's relentlessness and no-bullshit way of dealing with things. But this wasn't the time for her to be too curious.

"Nope. I don't let up," she grinned. "My friends would attest to that."

He shook his head, his eyes filled with mirth. "Sorry. You'll really have to wait."

"Okay. I can wait. For about half an hour, maybe."

He continued to chuckle to himself as they walked out of the complex.

~~~~~~~

"That's it there." Faye pointed to a three-storey apartment block at the left-hand side of the street.

Ray sighed quietly as he slotted his car in an empty spot in front of her building. The night was ending much too early for his liking. But Faye said she had an important breakfast meeting tomorrow that her boss sprang on her earlier that day.

He walked her to her door.

"Would you like to come in for a quick drink?" she asked as she fumbled for her keys.

"I would love to, but I better not. You said you need to do some prep work for tomorrow."

She nodded and gave him a grateful smile.

"When can I see you again? Maybe this Friday night?" he asked in a hopeful tone.

"I have dinner with the gang on Friday. What about Saturday night?"

His lips tugged upward happily. "Perfect. Pick you up at six?"

"Sounds good."

He leaned over to kiss her. Just as their lips were about to meet, she put a palm on his chest, halting his progress.

"So what was occupying your mind during the movie?" she queried.

He laughed softly. "I can guarantee you now's not the time to tell you about it." He slid an arm around her waist, pulled her closer and captured her lips. He only intended a short kiss but when Faye's arms crept around his neck, it took all of his willpower not to let loose the passion he was keeping a tight leash on. If he gave himself an inch, he feared he would be begging to get into her apartment for much, much more. That was too soon for his long-term plans.

But Faye felt so good in his arms …

"Faye …" he said against her intoxicating lips.

"Hmm?"

"You better go in."

"Yes, I better. Stop kissing me."

His temperature shot up a few degrees higher when Faye pressed her body more firmly against his, his erection digging into her belly. His lips journeyed from her mouth to that sensitive spot below her ear and he started kissing her neck. Damn it, but he just couldn't help himself.

Faye moaned softly. "I need to go in, so stop doing that," she said breathlessly.

"Push me away. Now," he commanded gruffly.

"Ray …" she whispered but didn't make a move to halt his hot lips and caressing hands that were running heated strokes along her back. Instead, she angled her head to give him more access to her throat and raked her hand through his hair.

"Faye," he groaned as he tightened his arms around her.

"Geez, guys, take it inside," a bemused voice called out to them, making them jump apart.

"Sorry," Faye called out to the woman, who went into her apartment block.

"Do you know her?" Ray asked.

"She lives on the ground floor. I can't remember her name, though."

"Well, you should go in."

"Yes, I'll see you on Saturday." She gave him a quick peck on the lips before disappearing into her building.

Ray ambled back to his car. The next few days would be long and frustrating. He wondered where he would get the self-control he needed to stick to his plan.

CHAPTER FOUR

Faye dumped her purse on the dining table, her body thrumming with unfulfilled desire.

Damn him for making me hot and wet and then leaving. For the second time!

She went to her bathroom and turned on the taps to fill her tub. Her sexual frustration added to her disquiet. Did Ray want her? It seemed like he did, so what stopped him from taking her to bed?

She racked her mind for the last man who avoided having sex with her. She couldn't remember one - apart from Ray. Men she dated in the past became beyond excited when they realised she was ready to jump into bed with them.

Why was he holding back? This wasn't even her first date with him, it was their second. Plus, it wasn't like they'd only just met. They'd technically known each other for two years.

It was a disappointing ending to a date that was wonderful for the most part. He took her to a popular restaurant in Surry Hills owned by a friend of his. They sat at a quiet corner and were treated to the house specialties. The food was fabulous and Ray was a delight to be with. They were so absorbed with each other and their conversation was so stimulating that Ray's friend, the chef, jokingly said he'd have to throw them out as he was closing for the night. She couldn't believe four hours had passed. They chatted about anything and everything and she loved every minute of it.

They drove back to her place and that's when things started to really heat up. But he refused to take it further.

She felt her body respond to the memory of them making out in his car. She had assumed they would go into her apartment and end up in bed together. But when Ray said he had to go home, she couldn't believe her ears. They had such a wonderful time at the restaurant that it seemed fitting to continue enjoying each other's company in her bedroom.

So why didn't he want me tonight?

His body was definitely keen. He radiated heat and yes, he was hard. She felt his already aroused cock jerk when her hand strayed towards his crotch. His hand was burning when he reached inside her bodice and thumbed her nipple through her bra. His mouth was scorching as he kissed her lips, her face, her throat and the valley between her breasts. Oh, she was ready to unzip her dress right then and there so he could take a nipple in his mouth, but then he pulled away and said he'd see her again next week. He got out of the car, so she did too. He walked her to her front door and gave her a very quick and chaste kiss goodnight.
Arrghh!

Faye stripped and got into the bath when she remembered something. He said he'd see her next week, but when exactly? He didn't specify a day and time. He was the opposite of what he was at the end of their first date, when he was insistent and more than eager to lock the next one in.

She felt a squeezing in her chest. Did he really want to see her again? Why wasn't he more specific? Was he about to dump her?
Why?

*******

"How was your date last Saturday, Faye?"

Faye's heart fluttered as Clarise brought up a subject she had been dying to discuss with her friends but at the same time didn't want to. She was nervous she might say something that would give away who John really was. But she was burning to share her thoughts and feelings with her pals. She would just need to mind her words.

Besides, they were at their usual lunch place on a Monday. It was almost a ritual for them to share all that was 'important and exciting' at this time.

"It was good," she responded. "We went to a restaurant called Dara."

"Oh, Ray's friend owns that restaurant."

"Really?"
Damn.

"Yeah. How did you like it?"

"The food was excellent."

Clarise nodded. "We went there for our staff Christmas lunch last year. It's a great place. What happened afterwards?"

She let out a huge sigh. "He got me really frustrated."

"How so?"

"I wanted to sleep with him but he went home instead, even though I know he was as turned on as I was."

Three pairs of eyebrows went up higher than they'd ever gone before.

"You're kidding!" Victor exclaimed. "A man saying no to a very willing Faye Summers?"

Faye pouted. "It happens."

"This is the first time I've heard of it happening."

"Is he a workaholic who has big business expansion goals who thinks being with a woman would derail his plans?" Clarise teased.

Everyone laughed.

"No, Clarise," Faye responded. "This guy's not like Will before he realised he was madly in love with you. Besides, Will didn't want to have sex with you in the beginning because he recognised you as someone who wasn't into casual sex. I made it clear to John I wasn't looking for anything serious. In other words, casual is all I have in mind at the moment."

"Hey, he might have similar reasons. What excuse did he give you?"

Faye scrunched her face. "He just said he needed to get going. That doesn't sound very promising for me, does it?"

"So you're not seeing him again?" Jessa asked.

"I don't know. He said he'll see me this week but we haven't even set up a date yet."

"You really want him?"

"God, yeah. He's hot."

"Well, the Faye we know would do something about it … like call him right now to confirm that date," Jessa responded with a cheeky grin.

"Yes!" Victor and Clarise cried in unison.

"I intend to call him tomorrow or Wednesday if he doesn't contact me before then," she assured them.

"Why not now? If he wanted to see you this week, he'd have to tell you when," Victor declared. "It's not as if you want him to know you don't have anything better to do than wait around for him."
 

Faye slitted her eyes, taking Victor's words as a challenge. She didn't shy away from challenges. "Okay." She took her phone out and searched for Ray's number. She was glad she entered his name as 'John'.

Her heart raced as she waited for him to answer.

"Hi,
John
. How are you doing? … Good, thanks. Hey, I just wanted to know if you still want to meet up this week? … Saturday's not good for me. I have something else on … No, Friday's not good, either. I'm only available on Wednesday or Thursday … Thursday night? Okay, great … Yes, I'm having lunch with my friends … Yes, they are … Well, they reminded me how I needed to get my schedule organised, that's why I thought I'd check if we're on for this week … Great, see you then. Bye."

"Done," she said with a relieved grin.