"Old Friends 3,4"( MF )[2/2] New York, January 10, 1993 The phone shrilled annoying again. A groan escaped from beneath the jade comforter. Nothing moved in the still, dark room. Another insistent shrill. A hand emerged from under the covers and groped for the phone. After managing to knock the receiver off its holder, the rest of Garett crawled forth to pick it off the floor. "Hello," he started groggily. "You're a slimy bastard, you know that?" Garett came a little awake and peered at his bedside clock. "Dammit Adrienne! Its five in the morning! What the hell do you think you're doing?" "I can't believe you went behind my back to the Board of Directors!" she continued furiously. "You little asshole!" Garett swore with feeling before hanging up on her. Seven seconds later, the phone started ringing again... ----------------------------------- Denver - January 22, 1993 Rematch: Adrienne 1 Garett 1 Andy came around his desk and leant against it before looking at the man before him pityingly. "Your goose is fried, you know that don't you." Garett settled more comfortably in his chair before answering. "She's had a few days to get used to the idea." Andy gave a strangled laugh. "She'll never forgive you for going over her head. She's lived her life ignoring the rules, answering to nobody but herself. You've forced her to face the fact that the bigwigs *can* make her work with you even when they know she's completely against it. You've dented her pride, destroyed her self-image... That's what she'll never forgive you for." The intercom buzzed. Andy hit the online button. "Is she here? Good, send her in." Both men instinctively braced themselves for the worst. The door opened and Adrienne walked through to plop wordlessly into the chair beside Garett. Black turtleneck, black jeans, she looked like she was in mourning. "Hello Adrienne." said Garett politely. She turned her head to look at him coolly for a minute before turning back to face Andy. Garett felt as if a blast of winter had just poured down his shirt. "Now that's enough, Ade." Andy started, putting on his best paternal voice. "The milk's been spilt and there's nothing any of us can do about it. Garett's one of the best marketing men in the country. Don't let your personal feelings about him affect your professionalism.." "I don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about, Andy," she answered, lifting a brow delicately. "We've got work to do, so lets get on with it." The two men glanced at each other warily before turning back to her... ------------------------------------- New York - February 27, 1993 Garett pulled the metal arms towards his chest, gritting his teeth. Sweat gleamed on his bare chest, his hair clinging to his neck and forehead. Exhaustion ran through his veins, together with the exhilaration of accomplishment. The SRC67 campaign had been set up and his gut feeling told him it was going to be a resounding sucess. All this while dealing with its cool and distant designer. Adrienne. What a woman. No matter how calm and cool she appeared, he could still feel the seething emotion flowing just under the facade. Nothing he had done had shaken her poise. None of the innuendo, the probing the occasional insult... She simply ignored him, working with him as she had been forced to, but never more than that. Still, it was almost over. He hadn't managed to get close to her, but he had certainly got his revenge for that last night. He grinned even as his biceps screamed in protest. The delicate approach hadn't worked so perhaps he should turn up the heat a little. A seduction? ---------------------------------------- Denver - March 6, 1993 Alicia sighed. Yet another shipment of flowers. This time, it was Tiger-Lilies. If a man insisted on sending *her* boatloads of flowers a day, there was no way in hell that she would have them all taken to the Children's Hospital downtown. But apparently, the boss couldn't take the man's guts. Adrienne zoomed through the outer room with her normal speed. Her voice floated back to Alicia from her office. "What is it today?" "Tiger-Lilies." "Really?" Adrienne's interested face popped around the door frame. "My God, he's finally figured out my favorite flower.. Ok, hand them over.." The Lilies looked good sitting on the coffee table, she decided. Abruptly turning on her heel, she returned back to her drafting table to work on her newest design. Suddenly there were a couple of knocks on her open door. Adrienne looked up frowning. Alicia was grinning like a jackass at her. "Garett Rate to see you." Adrienne rolled her eyes. Wonderful... Garett appeared to lean casually against the frame. Good pose, thought Adrienne cynically. He gave her one of his million-dollar smiles that had absolutely no effect on her, of course. The weird flipping in her stomach was entirely due to her missed lunch.. "I thought we were done working together." "We are," he answered. "I'm here to take you to dinner." "I just ate," she fibbed. "You lie," he said. Adrienne sighed. "Look Garett, I had to work with you. I did. Its over. I don't want to see you again. Get lost." "Touchy, aren't we?" He walked up to her to place his hands on her shoulders. Tense, completely tense. He started kneading gently. She shrugged him off and came to her feet to stare right into his eyes. "Which part of my last sentence don't you understand?" Garett smiled inwardly. Obvious antagonism. Much better than the Ice Queen act... "I see you kept my Lilies." "Not really. I'm going to drop them off at the Children's Hospital on the way home." "That's a nice gesture." "Although I think they would look wonderful against your bare skin," he added in a husky voice. Adrienne sighed. "Look Garett", she said slowly. "Its late and I'm very tired. I've also got a lot of work to finish before I can leave." "I happen to know this wonderful Chinese restaurant around the corner. We'll feed our faces and then you can come back to work on this stuff all night." She didn't answer. "That or I chain myself to this table and drive you nuts for weeks." Adrienne tried to suppress her smile. She really did, but the image of Garett chained to her drafting table for days in his fancy Italian suit struck a funny bone somewhere in her body.. "Anything to save myself from that," she quipped. "Lets go. I'm starved." ---------------------------------------- Denver - March 12, 1993 "Garett Rate to see you." Adrienne waved him in. He walked in and locked the door behind him. Adrienne frowned slightly at that but Andy was freaking out at the other end of the line. "Don't worry, Andy," she crooned soothingly. "Everything will be alright. Marsha has to come back to pick up her stuff. You can lock her in your bedroom and work it all out then." Garett shook his head with a grin and settled down to wait. He glanced around the room. No flowers anywhere. She must still be sending them to the Children's Hospital. He sighed softly. Stubborn woman. He couldn't keep still in his chair. Something was in his blood, making him restless. The thrill of the chase, a touch of desire and the bittersweet of the challenge. He came to his feet smoothly, and paced around the room. Only half listening to Andy's problems, Adrienne's eyes followed him, her gaze carefully veiled by her lashes. She hated to admit it, but he had charmed her out of her bad humor and into being friends again. But he hasn't won the battle, she told herself. He still hadn't gotten her into his bed. And never would. Smiling a secret smile to herself, she wondered when he would make his move. Garett came back to lean against her desk. Deciding to amuse himself, he let his eyes trail down her body, enjoying the way the soft rose dress clung to her curves. Bringing his eyes up again, he found her looking at him. Smiling lazily at her, he let his eyes flirt with hers. She knew what he was doing of course. He could see the amusement in her eyes. Should he? Why not. He moved to where she was perched on the edge of her desk, moved in so close that there was nowhere she could go. A tight note entered her voice, one hand coming up to push him away. He didn't budge. Instead he bent his head to find the soft curve of her neck. A sharply indrawn breath, a quick good-bye and then she was shoving him away with both hands. She came to her feet like a cat, her eyes shooting daggers at him. He didn't care. He had her on the run now. He moved in again, pressing her back against the desk with his body and when she opened her mouth to blast him, he stifled it with a swift, harsh kiss. She put her hands on his chest, pushing away to no avail. His mouth moving over hers, exciting and dangerous. The sudden shock of the adrenalin in her veins, making her want to kiss back.. NO! Their lips parted. "I'll scream," she said, her voice coming in pants. "You wouldn't scream if the building was coming down around you," he replied, his voice husky with desire. And then he claimed her lips once again. This time she fought back. With a strength he didn't know she had, she pushed him back sharply with a well-placed shove on his stomach. "Get out," she ordered, her voice like cold steel. "No." he said. "I'll call Security." "You wouldn't do that. You'd prefer to take care of me yourself." She stood there and fumed. He knew her too well. Garett reached up and loosened his tie. The next moment it was on her desk. Then slowly, deliberately, he started to strip, his eyes never leaving hers. Adrienne froze in shock. What the hell did think he was doing!! Her fevered eyes glued themselves to the skin revealed between the edges of his shirt. Slowly he shrugged it off, shoulder muscles rippling. She groaned inwardly. Not that. Anything but that... She fought to keep her hands from reaching to touch his beautiful shoulders. His belt slithered easily out of its loops and dropped to the floor. Door, she thought dazed. Door. Escape. Move to door. Then the horrid thought of people finding out she had a half-naked man in her office during office hours. Worse, people finding out she had a half-naked Garett Rate in her office during office hours... So sexy. She felt a little faint just looking at him. His eyes were dark and smoldering just like in the books. Those trim lines that just screamed to be touched. That dangerous, confident aura that left her weak in the knees. His linen slacks slid to the floor. Her eyes greedily absorbed the sheer beauty of the man. But something wasn't quite right... Garett froze as soon as he realised what he was wearing. His oldest white boxers. The one with the yellow smiley faces. He closed his eyes slowly. No God. Please let it be the silk paisley, the zebra briefs, anything but that... Adrienne was transfixed. The bright yellow blotches smiling cheerfully up at her sort of broke the mood. She felt an insane desire to giggle. And then she saw the look on his face and she couldn't hold it back. Garett nearly died when she started giggling hysterically. Please God, make the floor swallow me up. Then suddenly the humor of the situation hit him. He cracked a grin, then a laugh and suddenly she was in his arms and he was howling right along with her. They sobered up eventually. Adrienne reached down and grabbed a handful of yellow smiley with an infectious grin. "It was a nice try, wasn't it," he said dryly. She exploded against him once more. Darknites: Old Friends (Part IV) ================================ jash@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu Denver - March 29, 1993 Strains of music floated through Andy's house. Everywhere, men and women talked animatedly or danced elegantly under the glowing chandeliers. Garett was at his social best tonight, mingling effortlessly perfectly disguising the fact that he was here solely for one person. His gaze casually wandered in the direction of the doorway while making small talk with a small, cheery grandfatherly figure who also happened to be one of the most ruthless men in the Fortune 500. He stifled a quick stab of irritation. The party was practically over. If he found out that she had suddenly caught the flu or something, he would have to seriously throttle her... And then he saw her. Not bothering to enter through the front door, she came up via the garden, walking through the open glass doors like a goddess coming to her people. Her dark hair was piled on top of her hair, a few renegade strands coming done to curl about her face. The rest of her was encased in a simple burgundy sheath, her shoulders glowing bronze under the golden light of the chandeliers. He couldn't take his eyes of her. The ruthless grandfather sent a meaningful glance towards his sweet-faced wife. Without a work to anyone, Garett walked away, straight towards the woman poised at the other end of the room. The sweet-faced wife sighed ecstatically and took her husband's hand. "Adrienne." She smiled at him, her eyes running appreciatively over him. He looked especially good tonight, civilized but with a hint of danger showing through. Like a restless panther. The analogy pleased her. She had never been one for pussy cats. He took her hand in his and before she knew it, he had whirled her onto the dance floor. His hand rested on her lower back, not pressing down but guiding her closer towards him without her even noticing. Adrienne caught the subtle scent of him, and sighed quietly. She wanted so much to curl up against the curve of his neck and breathe that in for the rest of the night. Perhaps she should try to make some conversation... No, not tonight. She closed her eyes instead and melted into his body. ----------------------------------------- The party was over. Soft laughter floated to their ears from the hall. The music went on though, for the last few couples slow-dancing under the dimmed lights. Adrienne and Garett were barely moving in the center of the dance floor. Neither of them had said much during the night, preferring to hold each other and feel. Garett drew away with a start, suddenly realizing how late it was. But he didn't want the night to end. Neither did she. Somehow, she didn't know how, she had fallen under the same spell that he had thrown over her ten years before. She felt like a teenager in the first throes of love. Stop it! said her cynical side irritably. You're not a girl and you should know better than to be seduced by a touch of romance. But the part of her that would always remain young and hopeful ignored that inner voice. Take happiness whenever it comes. She would pay the consequences later if she had to. Garett drew her away towards the gardens. She followed him into the cool, softly scented air. The half moon shed just enough light for her to see his face when he bent down to kiss her. Soft, exploratory, beautiful kisses. For one night, she allowed herself to be reckless. She started kissing him back with a depth of feeling he had never felt from her before. Perhaps the magic of the night had got to him too because it drove him crazy like no striptease ever could. They were both breathing hard when their lips parted. Garett gently rubbed his cheek against hers. His voice, when it came, was husky with passion. "Lets go for a swim." Adrienne came down to earth with a bump. A swim. She could feel a frustrated growl building deep within her, and swiftly tamped it down. She sighed softly. Maybe the game was still going on. ---------------------------------------- Garett dove cleanly into Andy's pool. The moment he saw it, he knew that this was where he wanted make love to Adrienne for the first time. The lights in the wall sconces were dim, while the moon shone clearly in through the glass walls. The pool was comfortably warm, quiet and very private. Garett smiled and stroked for the opposite side. A splash behind him announced Adrienne's arrival. He turned just in time to see her rise from the pool, water cascading all over her, back arched to let the weight of the water pull her hair away from her face. Something twisted in him even as her eyes opened and stared directly into his. Her torso was clear of the water, showing him her breasts encased in a simple white top. And then she sank beneath the surface of the water to reappear by his side. The pleasure on her face was contagious as she treaded water beside him. "I'm glad you suggested this", she sighed happily as she glided backwards, feeling the freedom and the sheer sensuality of the water flowing over her skin. Another lazy kick and she was heading away from him. A soft laugh and then she drove deep to skim along the bottom of the pool. He followed, entranced by her mood. He met her there at the bottom of the pool, slipping his arm around her bare waist, her long hair billowing around them. Together they shot to the surface. A quick breath then their lips met and the water closed over their heads again. Is this what divers feel, wondered Adrienne dimly. This exhilaration, the need to scream? Their bodies strained to get closer, movements slowed by the water, their lips demanding. Magic, he thought as they twisted around each other. He wished they could stay down there for ever. His hands slid down over her hips to clasp her buttocks, to pull her hard against his body, against the hardness of his arousal. His Proposition. She broke away from him, heading for the surface. Taken unaware, more than a little apprehensive he followed. At the surface, she cast a challenging look over her shoulder before she shot away, down into the depths. Catch me if you can. She was all speed and tricks, slipping easily out of his hands when he thought he had her, zigging when he thought she would zag. Throwing gentleness and style to the winds, he went after her like a torpedo. And she let herself be caught. When they surfaced at the shallow end, he dragged her hard against him, lips finding hers, all heat and demand. Backing her up until the wall pressed against her shoulders, hands flowing over her body. Beneath the surface, her legs came up to wind around his waist in silent invitation. His lips travelled down to her neck, nipping the sensitive skin there until she was shuddering against him. The bikini top came off and floated away unnoticed. The siren in her came alive, as she arched her back over the edge of the pool, lifting those beautiful mounds up to meet his mouth. He took one taut nipple into his mouth, stroking it with his tongue. With each rasp, she groaned, tightening her legs around his waist reflexively. Slowly her hips started grinding as instinct took over. Garett groaned. He wanted to take it slow, to please her, to watch her climax, but her hypnotizing movements were awaking the basic need to thrust deep and hard into her warm body. His hands found her hips and stilled them. Such lushness under his hands ... he needed to touch her, all of her. Adrienne was so turned on, she could barely believe it herself. The magic of the night and then the thrill of the chase had taken its toll on her body. She too had wanted to take it slow but the hot grinding need pulsing through her needed it now. Hard and rough. But first she would have to make him feel exactly the way she was. Totally out of control. Her tongue found the delicate shell of his ear. He froze against her. Slowly, teasingly she traced the curves with the tip, occasionally flicking it just to feel him tremble against her. His hands left her hips to cup her breasts, squeezing and flicking his thumbs across her nipples. She groaned huskily against his ear, loving the pressure of his hands. And then her tongue was thrusting roughly into his ear, snapping his control. With a deep growl, he yanked down her briefs. Her legs came off his waist to let him pull them off and then she was helping him get rid of his. Then he was fumbling in the pocket his dress pants, left conveniently by the side of the pool. Something snapped in her when she saw the blue plastic packet between his fingers. Some of the magic died. "You knew you would be making love to me tonight," she stated trying to ignore the hard lump in her throat. His lips met hers for a hard, sexy kiss. "I hoped. I've been dreaming of this for so long." He lifted himself out of the pool to perch on the side, the water pouring off his broad shoulders. Her eyes widened to take him all in. Beautiful. She reached to touch him then, running her hands over his chest, down over his stomach to wrap her hands around the hardness of his penis pointing straight at her. Beautiful. She moved in between his thighs and leant forward to slide her lips over the head of his cock in an intimate kiss. He groaned, his hands coming up to her shoulders. She backed away with a soft, sensual smile to let him slip on the condom. Then he was back in the pool, the full length of his body flush against hers and his hand between her legs, seeking the source of her sensuality. Adrienne felt his fingers sink deep into the wet heat of her body, widening her for him. She arched back gasping, telling him better that any words could, that she needed him buried deep in her. A fierce wave of pride and desire washed through him. He started thrusting his fingers, carefully rubbing against the sensitive entrance of her vagina. She started groaning incoherently, her head thrown back and her nails digging into his shoulders. Then he found her clitoris with his thumb. She came alive with a cry, grinding herself wildly against him. "Please Garett! I can't stand anymore." He removed his hand and thrust deep into her with a growl. "Oh yes, Garett!" The satisfaction was intense. The throbbing length of him buried intimately within her. And then he was thrusting, full and hard. She urged him on, murmuring his name, the motion of their bodies sending the water lapping against the sides of the pool. Her legs came up to wrap themselves around his waist again, allowing him greater penetration. They both began to tremble as the smooth, powerful strokes wound them up tighter and tighter, until the quiet room echoed with their helpless sounds. She was so beautiful to him. Her eyes closed, droplets of water clinging to her lashes, the look of pure female sensuality on her face better than any wine. On instinct, his strokes became shorter and faster until he was constantly rubbing against the entrance of her vagina. She was so excited now, this was exactly what she needed. "Yes, yes, darling", she groaned into his ear driving him over the edge. Still he hung on, needing to feel her climax. Higher, higher, Now! She convulsed with a high cry, her muscles jerking and throbbing around him. That was his undoing. The hot pulsing of his cock sent him spurting his release high up within her. ---------------------------------------- They were still wrapped in each other's arms a while later. The water seemed to have sapped their strength so they were content to hold each other and let the magic of the night take them again. "You planned this whole thing, didn't you," she said lazily, a soft, contented smile on her lips. "Of course not," he lied blatantly. Perhaps in a few years, he would tell her the truth... "I had sworn never to let you seduce me into your bed. You've made a liar of me." She sounded amused. "Not really. We're not in my bed. And from now on, we can make love in YOUR bed." She laughed then, a full-bodied enchanting laugh. "Technicalities, my dear Rate. But one I'm willing to live with." She shoved him beneath the water. Choking, he came back to the surface with a vindictive look on his face. "You do realize that I'm going to have to make you pay for that. Over and over again..." "I wouldn't have it any other way," she purred.