He chuckles. “I’m sure you will.”
We stare at each other until he leans closer and puts his mouth near my ear. He whispers, “You still have my number?”
“Y-yes.”
“Good. Use it.”
He inhales against my neck, makes a sound of pleasure low in his throat, then straightens and grabs his coat off the back of the chair where he left it.
Then he leaves as abruptly as he appeared, closing my front door behind him.
When Mojo wanders into the kitchen a few minutes later, yawning, I’m still sitting where Kage left me, feeling my heartbeat in every part of my body, feeling the slight brush of his lips against my neck on every inch of my flesh.
12
Nat
The next day, I call Sloane on my lunch break at work and tell her the whole story. She’s silent when I finish, until finally a low whistle comes over the line.
“Wow. This guy is really something else.”
“What do you think I should do?”
“I have two words for you. The first word starts with ‘Fuck,’ and the second starts with ‘Him.’”
I say drily, “So subtle.”
“Fine, then. What do you want to do?”
Agitated, I turn and pace the other direction in the teacher’s lounge. The turkey sandwich I brought for lunch lies uneaten on the table next to me. I don’t even know why I made it this morning. I suppose I thought my stomach would be more settled by now.
But it isn’t. Kage has a way of disturbing all my bodily functions. I’m sure if I ever saw him naked, I’d drop dead from a heart attack in two seconds flat.
“He’s just…a lot. You know what I mean?”
She makes a noise of sympathy.
“And he’s very mysterious. And gorgeous. He’s probably the best-looking man I’ve ever seen.”
“He’s not out of your league, if that’s what you’re trying to say. You could have any man you wanted in this town. Even the married ones.”
“I’m not sure why you tacked on adultery at the end, but thanks for the compliment.”
“What I mean is that you’re the kind of girl who makes normally sane men lose their minds. You could turn the pope into a sex addict.”
“You missed your true calling in pulp fiction.”
“I’m being serious. It’s the whole virgin-with-the-bod-made-for-sin thing. Men go crazy for that shit. You’re one of their ten standard fantasies.”
“I hate to burst your bubble, but I haven’t been a virgin since before Oprah went off the air.”
“Close enough. How many penises have you seen?”
“You know the answer to that question. And why does it sound like you actually have a list of men’s ten standard fantasies?”
“Because I do. You want to hear them?”
I say emphatically, “No.”
Ignoring that, she starts to tick off a list. “The threesome is number one, of course. Men just looove that fantasy. Forget about how most of them would be disappointing two women instead of only one, it’s their go-to jerkoff fare. Then we’ve got exhibition, voyeurism, virgins—”
“Anytime you’d like to get back to my problematic love life, I’ll be here waiting.”
“—role playing, deep throating, bondage—”
“Are we at ten yet? I’ve got a meeting right after lunch I can’t miss.”
“—spanking, domination, and anal.”
When I don’t say anything for a while, Sloane asks, “You still there?”
“Yes. It’s just that those last three…”
“What?” she demands. I can almost see her hunched over, gripping the phone in anticipation.
“I have a feeling those are Kage’s favorites.”
Her gasp is low and thrilled. “Oh my god. I knew he was perfect.”
“Anal? No, thank you. That hole is exit only.”
“Babe, the O is amazing.”
I’m highly dubious. “How do you even know you’re having an orgasm through all the flesh-tearing pain?”
She scoffs. “You don’t let him just stick it in dry, dummy! You’ve gotta get that little rosebud all lubed up and ready!”
One of my male colleagues walks past, smiling and nodding at me. I smile back, crossing my fingers that Sloane’s loud voice didn’t carry too far. I’ve got enough problems as it is.
Lowering my voice, I say, “Moving on. Spanking? Like I’m a misbehaving five-year-old? It seems silly to me.”
“It won’t when you’re facedown on his lap with a stinging rear end and a soaking wet coochie.”
I start to laugh and can’t stop.
“Laugh it up now, girlfriend, because I can guarantee that you won’t be laughing when he’s doing bad things to you while he’s got you tied up to his bed.”
I groan, resting a hand on my forehead. “This is too much for me. My idea of kink is leaving the lights on during missionary position.”
“Ugh. I know. It’s tragic.”
“I’ve gotta go. My meeting starts in a few minutes.”
“Happy hour tonight? I’ll be at La Cantina with Stavros and his buddies at five. You should bring Kage. See how that bull mastiff gets along with the other dogs.”
I’m about to decline, but it’s actually a good idea.
I’ve never seen Kage interact with anyone but Chris, and that wasn’t exactly under ideal circumstances. I can probably find out a lot about him by seeing him around other people. How he acts, what he says…
What he doesn’t say.
“Okay. I’ll ask him. I’ll text you if we’re coming.”
“Awesome. Can’t wait to see you, babe. And your luscious man. Don’t hate me if I wear something slutty.”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
As soon as we hang up, I dial Kage’s number.
Not that I’d admit it to him, but I know it by heart.
I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time staring at that business card he gave me with his phone number scrawled on the back. On the flip side is the contact information for a bespoke suit maker in Manhattan.
Kage would slay in a suit. I hope I never see him in one, because whatever willpower I have around the man would crumble instantly.
A handsome man in a well-fitted suit is my Kryptonite.
The line rings only once before it’s picked up. No one says anything, so I say hesitantly, “Hello? Kage? It’s Natalie.”
He says, “You called.”
His voice is gruff. He sounds pleased and surprised.
And here I thought I was a foregone conclusion.
“I did. I am. Hello.”
I should just shove my turkey sandwich into my mouth now so I don’t say something stupid. I can feel it coming on. He makes my brain turn to mush, like overcooked risotto.
“Hello yourself. I was just thinking about you.”
Heart, calm down. Get control of yourself. Jesus, you’re pathetic. “Oh?” I say, trying for a nonchalant tone.
“Yes. My dick is rock-hard.”
Aaand here comes the heat in my cheeks. Wonderful. I’ll be going into my meeting looking like I was just tossed over a table and shagged to within an inch of my life.