Trapped… so to speak

Back in the Edward Home

The date was moving along well. Erica could not place how Andrew knew who she was. He was aware of things she had not told Mrs Edward. He moved the conversation with great skill. Too much skill. The man was polished. Educated. But very very controlled.

Unlike the rest of the family who leaked their emotions like normal people did, Andrew was like his mother. Smooth. Calm. Collected. Master chest players. But, unlike his mother, Andrew did not give any hints to where he was taking you in his conversation. You had to follow. Even when you felt you were leading, he’d soon reveal that he had led you to believe you were leading.

Erica love and hated that. Andrew was physically an amazing catch. But emotionally, Andrew appeared too polished. No one was this polished. Especially at this age.

More interesting was what was not being done than what was.

Andrew was not allowing the conversation to progress to any more intimate setting or place of the house. Erica had been implored to stay standing at the center of the hallway. Mrs Edward had even made her practice her stance, which felt weird and odd. But, to be polite, she had taken the cue and listened. If Andy was as socially awkward as his mother had said he was, there was no need to frighten him by having him feel uncomfortable.

Could this be why he had not offered any drink? Could this be why he had not offered to take her shawl?

Erica had no reason to wear the shawl other than Mrs Edward had insisted. Andrew apparently had a thing for shawls, even if that was not made clear.

Mid conversation, Erica decided she needed to take control. This dance was leading nowhere. Whatever Andrew was doing, it was working. It was, to his credit, making her wet. Very wet. He was very charming. Very focused. Very attentive. No other guy paid her that much attention.

Erica had done her homework and had found three gals willing to spill the beans about their encounter with Andrew. They, sadly, had been very optimistic about dating Andrew. They had failed and couldn’t figure out why.

It was Erica’s job to find out why. Not fall for Andrew and his tactics.

“So… funny thing… it’s starting to feel a bit warm… where should I place this shawl?”

“The one my mother asked you to wear in a lame effort to simulate intimacy?”

Erica was totally lost.

How? Was this man psychic or was his mother playing an evil trick on her?

She was hired by his mother to find out how to help him improve his dating skills.

So… how could he possibly know?

His mother had not triggered any of the “crazy mom alert” vibes that she had learned to trust… and run away from.

“OK. I’ll take the bait. Sure. The shawl is your mom’s idea”

Erica paused.

Waited.

Andrew paused.

Waited.

He is good.

His eyes probing her soul and undressing her spirit while sending fire down her spine. His gaze was leveled. Steady. Piercing. Knowing. Caring. But not committed.

She shifted uncomfortably.

He leaned forward ever slightly.

Eric had to admit. She was bested by Andrew. She was totally out of her league. This was not a damaged boy. This was a powerful man who only showed what he felt he needed to show.

And she was falling for him. This had never happened to her in her career as a love coach. She had never felt stirred by any client. That was her golden rule. Never ever fall for a client.

This man had found a way to make her very wet and very much in need of his dominance. He had complete mastery of power.

Erica felt her posture change and her head lower a bit. She couldn’t resist. She couldn’t fight him. This man did not need any assistance. He was in a league outside any she had encountered.

“How do you know me, Andy”

“That is Mr Edward to you”

“Sorry Sir”

Andrew laughed. He was having too much fun. The first sign of genuine emotion for their lengthy chat.

“What? Real emotions!?!”

“Andrew is fine”

And just like that, he had switched that mood. Erica was in complete awe to how back in control Andrew was.

This Erica lady is not a rookie. She is not a homey little gal mom had dug up. This is someone who knows the game and plays it phenomenally well. This woman can, if given an opportunity, discover my weakness and use it against me.

She lived up to every bit of her reputation. There was no way his mother could have accidentally uncovered Erica. No. This was by design.

Has mother grown so desperate that she hired a dating coach?

It didn’t matter that much to Andrew, he was going to wrap up this interview. It had been fun. Someone who was on his level for a change. Someone who could actually handle the real him. However, this natural connection would not be given a chance.

For two reasons really.

First, his mother was involved.

Second, Erica was not the one who had caught his eye.

Now, to adjust the tide of events back into his favor, Andrew could salvage this for his greater good. However, today was not the day. Payback would be far richer and far nicer. But also way more evil than his darkest demon had ever tempted him to entertain.

As Andrew closed his encounter with Erica, he felt confident that he had walked away without revealing too much of himself. He knew that she was calculating all of his moves. He had stayed put because he didn’t want to move their exploratory dance too fast too far.

Andrew was keenly aware that his appearance was working for her. He could sense her hunger. He could feel her growing desire. He also was no fool.

This woman was not going to fall for him just on his looks. This woman was smart. She was capable. She was not naive. She played her cards well. She recovered fast. She learned even faster.

Any second or third date would be the undoing of his very carefully crafted cover. Erica would never be given the opportunity to play him like a fiddle.

His mom had found the right person for the job of breaking his walls. That must never happen again. Especially now that his inner demons had been awakened. They had been dormant from his banishment. Now, they were coming up.

His excuse that he had to make a coffee run was lame. That would be tomorrow’s actual plans. He was helping a team at work move a project forward. The right kind of project to keep his mind busy while he worked on re-caging the cage that held his demons in check.

Erica had broken the spell. Her arousal at his presence had exposed an unprotected part of his armor. This mistake could not happen again. Not now. Not ever. But most important, not at his job.

He loved his job. He loved his experience there. Andrew loved the opportunities it held. He loved the team he was with. He could not afford to be weak and mess things up.

But most critical of all, he could not afford to lust after Kate.