What If

                                                                         Chapter 14

It was a quarter after eleven when Raegan decided she’d better head to the bathroom and get ready before Oded showed up. She grabbed her purse, wanting to check her makeup and make sure her hair wasn’t a mess. She was a bit more dressed up this time, knowing that Oded was taking her to lunch, than she had been yesterday. She was wearing a soft light green sleeveless summer dress that brought out the green in her aqua colored eyes. Her light brown hair fell down around her shoulders in soft waves; her bangs hung in soft wisps across her forehead. She’d actually slept in curlers the night before to get her hair to do that. Usually it was straight as a board, not holding a curl to save her life. She stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, wondering what Oded saw that he liked. She wasn’t any stunner beauty, but she wasn’t ugly either. Taking a deep breath, she felt she was ready and she left the bathroom.

“Raegan.”

Raegan spun around to see Billy standing there looking at her. Oh god, not now, Raegan thought frantically to herself. “Billy,” she acknowledged, and started to turn away.

“I want to talk to you,” he said.

Raegan took a deep breath and let it out slowly, turning to face him. “I don’t have time for this, Billy.”

“Well, you’re just gonna half to make time, Rae,” Billy snapped as he moved closer, his brown eyes roaming down her body, making her feel like she had just been stripped searched. “I want to know what that actor guy you like so much was doing here yesterday.”

“Oded? You saw Oded?” Raegan asked, surprised.

“Yes, I saw Oded. He was getting off the elevator and looking for you as I was leaving from my meeting with Todd.” Billy sneered. “Why was he looking for you?”

Raegan blinked several times, then got mad. “That’s none of your damn business, Billy.”

Raegan turned to walk away from him when his hand reached out and grabbed her upper arm, pulling her back. “Did you have a date with him?”

“And if she did?” Both Billy and Raegan turned to the deep voice that had spoken softly. The look that Oded was giving Billy was so intense and frightening that Billy immediately let go of Raegan’s arm and took a step back. Oded moved forward until he was standing next to Raegan, his eyes on Billy the entire time. He glanced down at Raegan briefly, his hand coming up to cover the spot Billy had been holding on her arm. Gently he rubbed his hand across the spot, his other hand slipping around her waist to draw her closer to him. His dark eyes looked back up at Billy, his deep voice a deadly calm as he asked, “Is there a problem?”

Raegan had never seen Billy so visibly shaken before. Every move Oded made was that of a male staking his claim and openly daring Billy to challenge him. Raegan noted the differences between the two men. Oded was tall and slender, his muscles well proportioned. His dark hair hung down to his shoulders in thick curls that any woman would kill for. He towered over Billy who was shorter and stockier. His straight brown hair was cut short and business like. The two men were so different that Raegan wondered what she ever saw in Billy. “No,” Billy answered, backing down from the open challenge. “No problem.”

“I’m Oded Fehr,” Oded introduced himself, not bothering to offer his hand for a handshake.

“Billy Bronson,” Billy answered, a bit agitated with himself. “I’m a friend of Raegan’s,” he added, as if that would make a difference.

Oded rose an eyebrow suggesting that he knew differently. “Really?” Oded felt Raegan’s hand slip into his and squeeze. That squeeze told him she didn’t want a confrontation, so without taking his eyes off Billy, Oded directed his next question to Raegan. “You ready to go, sweetheart?” He wouldn’t embarrass her, not like this.

Raegan already had her purse with her since she’d used her makeup bag, so she didn’t really need anything from her desk. “Yes, I’m ready,” she answered, wanting to leave quickly. “Goodbye Billy,” she said and followed Oded as he led her toward the elevators.

Oded pushed the down button and turned back to Raegan. His arms came around her and he drew her against his chest. “So that is Billy, huh?” he said softly into her hair.

“Yes,” Raegan answered, allowing the warmth of Oded’s body to surround her. “Thank you for not making a scene.”

Oded brought his hand between them and lifted her chin until her eyes met his. “I won’t tolerate him treating you like that Raegan, but I would never do anything to embarrass you either.” He bent his head to brush his lips across hers. Raegan shivered in his arms and Oded tightened them around her. He lifted his head and suddenly smiled, changing the whole mood. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look in that dress?”

Raegan returned his smile. “No, you didn’t.”

Oded took a step back, releasing her, and let his eyes roam over her. Funny how when Oded looked at her in that way, Raegan felt desired, but when Billy did it she felt dirty. “Well then, allow me to tell you that you look absolutely breathtaking.”

Raegan blushed and looked up at him shyly. “Thank you,” she managed just as the elevator doors dinged its arrival. Oded took her hand and grinned at her as he led her onto the elevator. Neither one of them noticed that Billy had been watching them the entire time from around the corner with a look of hatred in his eyes.

This time they walked down to Olvera Street for Mexican food. Raegan directed him to her favorite place and they quickly found a seat. After placing their orders, Oded reached over the table to take her hand in his. He looked at her with a thoughtful expression, then said quietly, “I know this is probably a subject you wish to avoid, but I want you to know that I meant what I said earlier. I will not tolerate Billy treating you like he did.”

Raegan wasn’t sure whether she should be happy or mad over that statement. On the one hand, she liked that the fact that Oded was protective of her. It told her that he really did care for her and that he wasn’t afraid to stand up against anyone. Then on the other hand, she really did hate it when men beat their chests and felt like they had to challenge each other anytime someone messed with something they considered “theirs”. Raegan sighed. “I don’t want you fighting with Billy over me, Oded.”

“There is no fight, Rae. You are my woman, period,” Oded stated, the look in his eyes and the tone in his voice daring her to argue with him.

She dared. “I am not your property, damn it!” Raegan snapped. “I am nobody’s property! I will no . . .” Oded reached over and grabbed her chin between his fingers as he leaned across the small table to cut off Raegan’s tirade with a kiss. When he broke the kiss a moment later, releasing his hold on her chin, Raegan swayed slightly, her eyes closed. She blinked several times, then glared at him. Oded laughed.

“I did not mean for that to sound like you were my property, Raegan.” He smiled. “In fact it pleases me that you would not allow a man to treat you as such. I only meant that you are seeing me, not him. There is no fight, because you are with me.” Raegan’s expression softened as he explained himself.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get so defensive,”Raegan apologized.

Oded caught her chin again with his fingers and Raegan lifted her gaze to his. “Never apologize for standing up for yourself.” His dark eyes softened as a smile danced around his full lips. “Especially to me. I can be a bit outspoken sometimes, so don’t be afraid to speak your mind to me.” Raegan leaned her cheek into his hand as his fingers traced along her jaw line to cup the side of her face.

“Oh really,” she smiled. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Smart ass.” He grinned and was forced to draw his hand back when the waitress brought them their food.

Raegan decided it was time to change the subject. “So are you all ready for your trip?”

Oded took a bite of his taco and nodded. “Yes. I still have a few things to pack, but I’m mostly ready,” he answered after he swallowed. “What are your plans this weekend while I’m gone? Will you miss me?” he asked with a playful smile.

Raegan laughed as she swallowed her own bite of taco. “Miss you?” she asked. “Now why would I miss you?”

“You know, if we weren’t in a public place right now, I would take you over my. . .”

“Your what?” Raegan interrupted him with a sultry look. “You wouldn’t be thinking of your knee would you? Because I was thinking more of straddling your hips.”

Oded choked on the soda he’d just swallowed. He coughed, his eyes watering as he began to laugh. Raegan only looked at him innocently and continued eating her lunch. When he finally could speak without breaking out into a coughing fit, he leaned forward and said with a twinkle in his brown eyes, “You, young lady, are a tease.”

Raegan smiled as she leaned toward him, closing the distance between them until there were just a few inches left. “Yes, I will miss you,” she said softly. If Oded hadn’t already been sitting down, he would have fallen on his face. His knees weakened as he lost himself in the deep pools of her aqua colored eyes. “And as far as my plans for this weekend,” Raegan leaned back, continuing as if nothing had just happened. “I think I might tackle cleaning out my closet. I’ve been meaning to do it for several weeks now and keep putting it off. Besides,” She looked at him shyly. “It will keep my mind off you being gone.”

“You’re not going to make my leaving easy on me, are you?” Oded asked softly as he pushed his empty plate away from him.

“Was I suppose to?” Raegan asked. “I thought you wanted me to miss you?

Oded groaned as he propped his elbows on the table and covered his face with his hands. He muttered something in a language that Raegan guessed was Hebrew, then he looked at her between his long fingers. “You’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?” he asked. “You’re deliberately trying to drive me nuts, huh?”

Raegan smiled innocently. “I really have no idea what you are talking about, and what did you just say before? Was that Hebrew you were speaking in?”

Oded blinked in surprise. He hadn’t even realized that he had spoken his native tongue. He smiled. “To tell the truth, I didn’t realize I’d said anything, but yes, it probably was Hebrew and I probably was muttering something about you driving me crazy.”

Raegan flashed him a stunning smile. His whole body reacted to that smile; he was hard and erect in the blink of an eye. His dark eyes narrowed on her lips and she laughed, seeing the intent in his expressive eyes. “Uh-uh. We are in public.”

“That can be remedied, sweetness,” he whispered gruffly. The sexual tension that had been bouncing back and forth between them since they’d sat down at the table was finally stretched to its limits.

Raegan cleared her throat and gave Oded an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I have been teasing you unmercifully and we both know that nothing is going to happen.”

“Ever?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Raegan blushed. “I never said that. I only meant. . .”

Oded smiled as he reached out to take her hand in his. “I know what you meant, Raegan,” he interrupted, giving her a break. “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your office.”

After paying for the lunch, Oded walked Raegan back to the federal building. They walked slowly, holding hands, enjoying the warm sunshine and each other’s company. But too quickly they arrived and neither one wanted to say goodbye. They were standing out in the hallway attempting to part, but too many people were milling about. Finally Raegan had enough. “Wait here a sec,” she ordered Oded and went into the waiting room. She returned a few minutes later, grabbed Oded’s hand, and dragged him off down the hall. She stopped before a closed door and produced a key.

“What’s this?” Oded asked curiously.

“A conference room.” She turned her head and grinned at him. “A place to give us a little privacy.”

Sudden understanding caused Oded to grin back as Raegan unlocked the door and opened it. Oded followed her in and shut the door behind him. “Privacy, huh?”

“Just to say goodbye, buster. Don’t be getting any bright ideas!” Raegan warned him.

Oded laughed as he slipped his arms around her waist and drew her against him. “Just to say goodbye?” he teased as he bent his head and brushed his lips against hers.

Raegan gasped softly, “Yes.” Her body melted against his as her arms slid up around his neck. Her whole body came alive as his hands moved over her waist to settle on her lower back.

“Are you certain?” he teased as he gently pushed the lower half of her body into his obvious erection.

“Oh,” was all she could manage before his mouth claimed hers. His tongue swept through her mouth, dueling with her tongue. Raegan’s fingers tangled in his thick mane and kissed him back. They couldn’t seem to get enough of each other as Oded pulled her hard against him. There wasn’t an inch on her that wasn’t pressed against the front of him. Not even air could squeeze between them at that point.

“Sweet Jesus, this is nuts,” Oded whispered hoarsely as he broke away from her mouth and trailed wet kisses down her throat. Raegan moaned, Oded assumed in agreement, as she leaned her head back to give him better access to her throat. Oded kissed, nipped, and licked a trail across her neck to her ear. He took the lobe between his teeth and tugged gently until she moaned again.

“Oded,” she whimpered softly.

This seemed to snap Oded out of his trance and he gently broke away from her and stepped back. Both of them were breathing hard and Raegan looked a bit bewildered. “Raegan,” Oded called to her softly.

She looked up at him, her breathing finally settling into its normal rhythm. “Yes?” she asked.

He started to say that he wanted her, right then, right now. But he couldn’t make himself say it. He didn’t want their first time making love to be a sex romp at the office and certainly not after their second date. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I need to go, or I’ll be late for my meeting,” he said instead. Raegan nodded, knowing by the look in his expressive brown eyes that he had something entirely different he had intended to say, but didn’t. “I’ll call you when I get back on Sunday.”

“Okay, have a safe trip and a fun time in New York,” Raegan told him. She was beginning to feel depressed that he was leaving.

He stepped forward, his hands coming up to frame her face. “It’s only for a few days,” he said as if he read her thoughts. He kissed her sweetly. “You be good,” he teased and released her.

Raegan smiled. “Always.” He grinned, then without another word, he turned and walked out of the conference room. Raegan sat down in one of the chairs, because she knew she would have never made it back to her desk, her knees were shaking so bad.

                                                               ********************

                                                                        Chapter 15

It was late Sunday night before Oded got home from New York. He should have been home that morning, but the flight had been cancelled and he had to wait around all afternoon before he could catch another one. He had wanted to call Raegan to let her know of the delay, but he’d left her number sitting on his dresser. Carrying his suitcases up to his room, he dumped them on the bed, then went into the office to check his voice mail any new messages. There were a few; most were from friends, one from his mom and one from Raegan. She had called earlier that evening. She hadn’t said, but he could tell by the sound of her voice that she was worried that he hadn’t called her. After he hung up, he looked at the clock. It was just after midnight. He tiredly rubbed his face and debated whether he should call Raegan or not. Was it too late? Maybe he should just wait till tomorrow and call her at work. Oded sat there for ten minutes arguing with himself, then he finally picked up the phone and dialed the number before he could change his mind.

“Hello?”

Oded recognized Raegan’s sleepy voice. He winced, knowing he’d woken her up. “I’m sorry I woke you,” he spoke softly.

There was a pause. “Oded?”

Oded chuckled softly. “Is there another guy that would be stupid enough to call you this late?”

Raegan laughed quietly. “No, just you.”

He snorted. “Gee, thanks. I did wake you, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but that’s okay. I was beginning to . . .” She broke off.

“Beginning to what?” Oded asked hoping, that she had missed him.

“Beginning to worry,” Raegan finished softly.

Oded sighed softly. “I’m sorry, sweetness. I know I said I would be back this morning, but my flight was cancelled. The next flight with an empty seat didn’t leave until later this afternoon,” he explained. “I would have called you, but dummy that I am, I left your number here.”

Raegan sighed softly; she really liked it when he called her sweetness. “Well, I’m glad you’re home safely now. I was really worried when I didn’t hear from you all day.”

Oded closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. Excitement bubbled up inside him. She had worried about him. “I got your message. I suspected you might be worried, that’s why I decided to go ahead and call you now, rather than wait till morning.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t wait,” Raegan answered.

Oded wondered if she missed him too. “I missed you,” he said, taking a chance.

There was silence for several seconds and Oded was beginning to think that maybe he shouldn’t have said anything, then she spoke so softly that he nearly missed her answer. “I missed you, terribly.”

His heart skipped a beat. “Terribly, huh?” he teased.

“Yes,” came her breathy reply.

Oded groaned softly. An image of her lying naked in bed popped before his eyes and he wanted to crawl right through the phone into bed with her. “I’ve been dreaming of you.” Oded wasn’t sure why he said it. It just came out.

Silence. Then, “Are they good dreams?”

“Not in the beginning. At first I had nightmares of our meeting at the Santa Monica Pier. But recently they have changed.” Oded could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn’t sure where he was going with this or why he felt the need to tell her, but he couldn’t seem to shut his mouth.

“Changed like how?” Raegan asked, her voice soft and sexy sounding sending a shiver right through him.

“They are more . . .real like.” He wasn’t sure how to explain it.

“Yes?” Raegan responded, her own heart beginning to pound loudly in her chest. She was remembering the dream she had in the tub last week and a few others she’d had since then.

Oded sighed. “Maybe it’s not a good idea that we talk about this right now.” He could hear Raegan breathing on the other end, but she didn’t answer. “Rae?”

“Yes.”

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered.

“I should let you go back to sleep. I know you have to get up early tomorrow for work,” Oded said.

“Yes,” she said again.

“Did I upset you, sweetheart?” he asked.

“No,” Raegan answered. “Not in that way anyway.” She laughed softly.

“Then in what way?” he asked suddenly, wanting to know what she was feeling.

“I uh . . .” She paused, then breathed in deeply, letting it out slowly. “I was remembering a few dreams I’ve had of you too this past week.”

“Oh hell!” Oded’s breath came out in loud whoosh. “Rae . . .”

“Will I see you tomorrow?” She interrupted him before he could finish what he was going to say. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear it yet.

“Yes. I was hoping we could have lunch again,” he answered, allowing her to redirect the conversation to a safer subject. He had about asked her if he could come over. He didn’t care that it would have been at least an hour drive. If she had said yes, he’d been in his car 10 seconds later.

“Lunch would be great,” Raegan stated softly, trying to stifle a yawn.

“Okay, I’ll there at 1 o’clock,” he told her. “Get some sleep now.”

“Hmmm, I would if a certain crazy man would quit calling me in the middle of the night,” she teased him.

Oded laughed. “Alright, next time I’ll wait till morning.”

He heard a swift intake of breath, then “Don’t you dare!”

His laughter turned into a sexy chuckle. “Goodnight, Raegan. Sweet dreams.”

“Goodnight, Ded. See you tomorrow.”

“So who the hell was calling at midnight?” Nancy asked as they both gathered up their stuff to leave the house the next morning.

“Who do you think?” Raegan smiled.

“Oded? He finally made it home, huh?” Nancy guessed as they made their way out the door. It was Nancy’s week to drive, so they climbed into her Honda and headed to work. “You see? I told you that you had nothing to worry about. Did he say why he was so late getting home or did you not let him explain again?”

“Oh bite me, bitch!” Raegan answered, annoyed.

Nancy laughed. “My, my aren’t we a mite testy this morning! What’s the matter, Rae, can’t Ded meet you for lunch today?”

“Yes as a matter of fact we are having lunch today. And in answer to your other question, not that you deserve to have it answered, he said his flight was cancelled and he had to wait till late afternoon before he could catch another one,” Raegan answered as she stared out the passenger window.

“Soooo, if he had a good reason for being delayed and you’re having lunch with him today, then why the mood?” Nancy asked curiously.

“He told me he missed me.” Raegan sighed softly.

“And that is a bad thing?” Nancy asked a bit skeptically.

“No, it’s not a bad thing. I’m just . . .” Raegan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It just seems to be happening so fast, is all. I mean, we haven’t even had a real date yet. I guess I am just having a hard time believing any of this.” She glanced over at Nancy to see her reaction.

Nancy didn’t say anything for a long moment, then she said, “I think what the problem is, is that for the last two months or so we have had the hots for this hunk of a new actor and suddenly he has become a reality in our lives, mainly yours.” Nancy paused, then continued. “We tend to put our lives and theirs into these little boxes and these boxes are never allowed to mix. But when they do it seems unreal and we think it shouldn’t be happening. But it does, and no one deserves it more than you, Rae.” Nancy smiled over at her best friend. “You are the luckiest woman I know. Oded Fehr is interested in you and you had better not blow it.”

Raegan smiled back at Nancy. “Thanks. I can always count on you for a good old fashion pep talk.”

Nancy nodded. “You’re welcome. I’ll send you a bill.” Raegan smiled and looked back out the window. It was quiet for a while, then suddenly Nancy burst out with, “Oh you lucky bitch! You’re going to get to have sex with him too!”

Raegan snorted, then started coughing. “God, Nance!”

“Well, it’s true.” Nancy laughed. “You will tell me how he is in bed, won’t you? You wouldn’t keep something like that from your best friend?”

Raegan looked over at her friend in complete horrified amazement. “I can’t believe we are talking about this.”

“I want to know all the juicy details, like how big is he, is he well hung, what it’s like to be touching all those hard muscles.” Nancy shivered. “God, I’m getting myself all excited.”

“You’re sick!” Raegan simply stared at her.

“Oh,” Nancy continued as if she hadn’t heard her. “I also want to know if he hangs to the right or the left.”

“NANCY!” Raegan laughed. They had talked about Oded in this way many times in the past, but Raegan wasn’t dating him then. Now it seemed vulgar and . . . well, it just didn’t seem right, Raegan thought silently.

“What?” Nancy asked a bit surprised. “Don’t tell me you’re turning into a prude now?”

“No.” Raegan hesitated, then, “The left.” She smiled mischievously. Nancy’s head whipped around to stare at Raegan open mouthed. Raegan pointed ahead of them and said, “Really, Nance, I don’t wish to die today.”

“Huh?” Nancy grunted, then looked forward and slammed on the brakes as her little Honda skidded to a stop before a red light. “Don’t EVER do that again!” Nancy laughed.

“What? What did I do?” Raegan asked innocently. “You asked me a question and I answered it.”

“And just how do you know he leans to the left?” Nancy asked, ignoring Raegan’s smart-ass reply. “Is there something you haven’t told me?”

“Lights green,” Raegan informed her pleasantly.

Nancy stomped on the gas pedal and growled, “Ooooo, I could kill you right now. But then I’d never get the answer to my question.”

Raegan laughed. “I might have left out the little bit about our time in the conference room after we returned from lunch last Thursday.”

“You were with Oded in the conference room, alone? And you ‘might have left out the little bit?’” Nancy asked, disbelieving.

Raegan shrugged. “Things got hectic after that and I just forgot and then it never came up later.”

“Oh Rae, that is the lamest excuse I’ve heard from you yet,” Nancy complained. “Okay, so now tell me what happened in the conference room?”

“Not much,” Raegan answered, trying to keep a straight face.

“OH!” Nancy yelled. “That’s it! You die!” Nancy reached her right arm out and tried to swat at Raegan, who yelped and tried to shrink into the passenger door with no success.

“Okay, okay. I give, I give.” Raegan laughed. “I’ll tell you.” Nancy stopped swinging and Raegan straightened up. “I’m serious when I say nothing happened. In other words, no we didn’t have sex on the conference table,” Raegan clarified quickly when it looked like Nancy might take another swing.

“So what happened then?” Nancy asked with a raised eyebrow.

“We kissed,” Raegan answered. “It just so happens my body was quite close to his when we did.” Raegan’s heart skipped a beat at the memory and a warmth filled her inside out as she remembered his mouth on hers.

“How close is ‘quite close?’” Nancy eyed her carefully.

“Oh, there was nary room for a breeze to blow between us.” Raegan grinned.

“Oh! My! God!” Nancy punctuated each word separately. “Just put me out of my misery now, will ya?” Nancy’s shoulders slumped. “I’m so fuckin’ jealous, Rae!”

Raegan laughed. “You asked, Nance.”

“I know, damn it!” Nancy snapped and they drove in silence for a while. Finally Nancy glanced over at Raegan. “Rae?”

“Hmmm?” Raegan looked at her.

“You do know that I’m happy for you, right?” Nancy asked. “I may be jealous as all get out, but I’m really, really happy for you.”

Raegan smiled and reached out to give Nancy a playful shove. “I know,” she answered.

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                                                     What If - Chapters 16 - 17