One Night Boyfriend I

One Night Boyfriend I
Rowan's POV

I had seen the tears in her when I walked out of the precinct, seen her cry even when she was the last woman I would ever expect to do so. She was always strong, but at that moment, all I saw was a broken woman, and it broke me as well.
My heart felt like it was shattering right inside of me as I strolled down the office, escorted by the grumpy officer. The pain that sliced through my heart right then was worsened by the fact that I knew everything was all my fault and knew I had brought all that upon her. And one thing I never did was leave a problem I started unfixed, and I waited outside for her, waiting to fix my mistakes to her in the only way I could at the moment.
Now, as I held her in my arm, her softer body pressing to mine, her waist firm under my grip, all I felt was that unmistakable pull to her. My eyes trailed down to her lips, to the slightly full pink bundle, and I wanted madly more than anything to kiss her right now; my whole body ached. Desire breathed through me, like a parasitic force, sucking deep on the essence of my soul to fuel itself. But tonight wasn't to satisfy myself but to help her feel better than the mess she was right now.
I dropped her waist gently when she said, “Okay.” And I snatched her key from her hand.
She started instantly in my hands. “What do you want with it, Rowan?” she yelled, reaching for it, but I pulled it away from her reach. “Just trust me, Samantha. I thought we had established that I am your boyfriend tonight, that I am a man that loves you unconditionally, so just trust me to let me make you happy.” I said.
She wanted to speak to counter me, but she looked to me and then the key, and she sighed softly. She ground her teeth gently as she moved to drop into the driver seat.
“Not there, darling. Tonight, your boyfriend is driving.” I told her, flashing her a seductive wink.
She rose away from the seat, her eyes darted about, skeptical again, and she went around the car for the passenger seat.
I got into the driver seat then. I gifted her a bright warm smile before I fitted the key to the ignition. As soon as the engine whooshed to life, humming in the car, I pushed the gear, and I steered the car out of the parking lot and into the road.
“So where are we going, boyfriend?” She asked. Though her voice lacked enthusiasm, judging from the reserved, locked-in persona of her, I knew that was progress.
“That's more like it, babe. I am your boyfriend tonight.” I said, and I reached for her hand on her thigh as I moved the wheel with one hand.
Thankfully, she didn't take her hand away. I fondled them gently in mine, feeling their softness seeping into mine. And I couldn't tell why, but I loved the feeling claiming my chest right now, loved the thrill sizzling through my veins, and the gentle thumping of my heartbeat.
I loved every bit of this moment with her. It felt like I was having that same feeling over again, that same feeling that ruined me once, but this one felt different and greater, and this wasn't going to ruin me, because it'll be just this night alone, and nothing more. Just this night with her, just this night to break down those walls around my heart and love her, just this night to make her feel like mine, and tomorrow I am gone—for good. I assured myself.
“So where are you taking me, Rowan?” She asked again.
“Boyfriend,” I corrected. Then I paused, turning from the road to the traffic before us and sharply to her. "Why don't we use 'darling' or 'babe'? That feels more intimate. Don't you think?”
I thought she would say no, and I’d have to convince her, but she just sighed heavily and she breathed. “Where are we going, darling?”
“Okay, babe.” I responded. “We are going to the spa to get you some massages to relieve the tension in your muscles, then get you a nice dress in some fancy boutique, and then we go see the movies. Whatever happens next, we leave to chance." I grinned at her.
"You can cancel out the spa and boutique; let's just go to the movies and—"
"I thought we agreed I am the boyfriend tonight." I said.
"But—" she was saying, and I squeezed her hand gently, fondling her fingers in mine.
"Just trust me with everything and do as I say," I told her.
Her eyes narrowed hard on me then, quizzing in that signature cop-like way, like we were in an interrogation room. "Can you even afford all these things you listed?" She asked.
"You will be surprised at what I can afford, Samantha." I grinned at her, firing the car down the freeway.
I pulled the car smoothly into the valet line of the spa minutes later, a sleek glass-fronted building that screamed luxury. The detective's eyes snapped with a light that would power a room. Her gaze flicked on me and then to the building. The look in her eyes said I'd gone insane.
“Rowan, this place looks like it charges by the breath,” she muttered, still refusing to step down from the car.
“Darling, Samantha.” I corrected it. I stepped down, circling over to her side of the car. I opened it and offered my hand.
“This place is expensive, Rowan. I don't—" But I wouldn't let her change her mind, never. Not when I am in charge.
I snatched her hand, and I pulled her out of the car, claiming her waist in my arms. “I thought we had come to some agreement, Samantha.”
“But you don't need to wow me with whatever little wealth you have; I don't need that.” She retorted, still looking sharply from me to the brightly lit building.
“It's not the luxury; it's the thought that counts, Samantha. Right now, I am your boyfriend, a man that loves you and wants you to have the world at your feet, because you deserve it.” I said, pushing back a lock of her bob cut, blocking off her eyes. “And it isn't going to hurt you, Samantha; it's just one night, one night where you become my woman and I become your man.”
“But I don't think I should do this, Rowan. It's—" I pressed my lips on hers firmly, deliberately shutting her up. I licked and sucked on her lips hard and hungrily, holding her waist in my hands like it was mine.
I pinched gently at her lower lip, pulling it as I pulled from her, and she breathed a soft moan onto my mouth. I pushed the rest of the bob cut blocking off her eyes, looking right into the beautiful pale grey orbs.
“Just trust me, Samantha. I promise nothing I do tonight is going to hurt your life or career after. Just trust me as you would trust someone you love.”
She looked into my eyes for a moment, then she muttered a low “Okay.”
“Yes.” I made a soft scream in excitement.
She tried to hide it, but I caught the slight twitch at the corner of her lips—caught that tiny smile before it was lost again.
I made her a warm, bright smile again, claimed her waist completely, and led her into the building.
Inside, I booked her the full treatment without giving her time to protest. As the receptionist led her toward the changing rooms, she turned back at me with a glare that promised fire later. An hour later, she walked back out, shoulders loose, skin glowing, and a dazed softness in her eyes, and I knew I’d won this round.
She scoffed as she walked past me to the car, but the color in her cheeks betrayed her.
We made the next stop at the boutique. If the spa had her skeptical, the boutique nearly gave her a stroke. I was about to call her an ambulance as we strolled in, should she attempt to pass out on me.
The chandeliered interior gleamed, racks of silk and satin lined the walls, and sales associates swarmed us like flies to poop, eager to drum up trade.
“Rowan—no. Absolutely not,” she yelled, and she broke from my grip and spun around for the door. “I don’t need some overpriced gown for a fake date.”
I snatched her wrist, pulling her back to me across the polished floor. “You are my woman tonight, Samantha. This isn't about the dress; it is about us tonight. We can't go on a date while you are dressed like a cop.” I said, sweeping her turtleneck, leather jacket, and pants with a bitch of derision, not so much to make her hate me, but enough to make my points clear.
“But then we can go to my place; I have an old gown and heels, something that would fit the date theme.”
"You don't strike me as though you have ever worn a gown or even heels in your life, Samantha. But I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.” I said, and I began dragging her for the door. “Let's go, but if I don't find a gown and stiletto heels in your wardrobe, then we will drive back here, and you will have to let me buy you ten dresses and ten heels.”
She stopped then, breaking us to a forceful halt. She squinted at me, searching my face for any hint of seriousness, and I gave her many, setting my jaw firm and clenched with resolve at her slow clinical perusal. Her lips parted, but no words came at first; then she sighed and nudged her back to the boutique. “I think I have changed my mind; let's get the dress here.” She gave me a reluctant smile.
I returned her smile as I led her deeper into the boutique. I picked a sleek evening gown in a deep emerald that I knew would make her grey eyes look like gemstones under the lights, and I handed her and the dress to the assistant that stuck to us like glue. “Make my woman look beautiful in those,” I told her.
“Yes, sir.” She bowed her head, and she ferried a still reluctant Samantha to the fitting room.
When she came out later, every thought emptied from my head, and my eyes eagerly followed every step she made back to me. I’d almost believe it wasn’t her; I even had to blink twice to make sure I wasn't seeing another person. She looked different; she looked extremely beautiful in the dress, like an adult-sized Disney princess. I was amazed at how much clothes could define one's beauty.
I swallowed hard, my Adam's apple bobbling as I traced the dress on her body, following as it clung tight to her curves and perfect body, the slit teasing at her legs. Her legs, long and elegant and perfect, stuck out of the dress, feet bound in stilettos that made her a few inches taller.
She looked uncomfortable as she walked towards me, terribly inexperienced with the heels. She fidgeted with the hem of the dress. “It’s too much, Rowan. And with the heels, I look ridiculous.”
I took both of her hands in mine, letting her drop the dress, steering her eyes to me. “You don't look ridiculous, Samantha. You look like every man’s most dangerous dream, and tonight… you’re mine. My most dangerous dream. And it's a shame that it'll only be for tonight, because right here, right now. The only thing I wish for is that this night last forever.”
Her throat bobbled uneasily, the smooth column bulging as she forced down a very hard swallow. She turned her eyes away from mine, pushing me away gently. "Don't try to flatter me, Rowan. This is a bad idea; this won't make me feel happy; they won't—”
But I didn't let her finish, because I claimed her waist completely, holding her steady with both hands, and I leaned my head down and claimed her lips, sucking them as if my life depended on them, and truly it did, because right now, all I could think about was her.