License to Steele: The Ride Along Mulholland Drive

The sleek black limo sped through the city streets. Laura Holt glanced up at the handsome man who sat beside her. Ben Pierson, she thought, was certainly a gorgeous man. Out loud she spoke, "You handled that brilliantly Mr. Pierson."

The man turned his intense blue eyes on the diminutive woman. "Thank you. High praise coming from someone has capable as you Miss Holt." He flashed a smile at her. "Please, call me Ben, I think we are past the formalities."

Laura took a deep breath, she was certain he could hear her heart thudding in her chest. "Ben it is, and it’s Laura, where would you like to be dropped?" She smiled sweetly.

Ben Pierson wondered if she realized how disarming that smile was. "I’ll confess, I’ve no where to go. It was a ruse to spend some time in your most charming company."

Laura’s brown eye’s widened in surprise. "I’m flattered. Have you had dinner?" She relaxed a bit, leaning back against the seat.

"No. I haven’t."

Laura pressed a button and the window separating the driver form the passengers lowered. "Fred, Frank and Musso’s please." The chauffeur nodded and Laura smiled at her companion. "I hope you like diner food, it’s quite late."

"I look forward to the experience."

Laura was laughing as she walked to the limo after dinner. She hadn’t had this much fun in several months, she thought. Not since Acapulco. A slight frown creased her forehead. No use dwelling on the past. She smiled at Fred. "You can drop Mr. Pierson at his hotel first Fred."

Settling beside her in the seat, Ben Pierson gazed at her. "I am loath to let the evening come to an end Laura."

Laura knew a pass was being made. "Well, we could take the long way home," she purred. "Fred, lets take the scenic route and show our visitor the view from Mulholland Drive."

"That wasn’t quite what I had in mind Laura." Ben leaned toward her.

Laura moved quickly and touched a button on an armrest and a bar slid out. "Drink?" She deftly avoided him, "Perhaps a glass of wine?"

Amused he prudently retreated. "Wine would be fine." His gaze moved to her face, her brown eyes were dancing with laughter. Cheeky little bird, he thought, well he was never one to step back from a challenge.

They sipped their wine in silence gazing out the window at the city lights spreading below them. Laura hadn’t been up here since her high school days. Her lips quirked in a grin as she remembered those days. Ben Pierson watched her intently; she was a hard woman to figure out. When she smiled as she was now, she looked very young, but he wasn’t deceived, this was no child. This woman would be a formidable opponent. He may have to rethink his approach.

"Penny for you thoughts." Laura’s voice broke into his musings.

"I was about to ask you the same question. What were you smiling about?"

A blush crept up her cheeks. "Old memories," she giggled, "When I was in high school most dates ended up here at Inspiration Point."

"What exactly is Inspiration Point"?

Laura touched the control to the divider. "Inspiration Point."

The chauffeur glanced at her in surprise and then grinned, "Yes ma’am."

The big car slowed to a stop. The divider slid down. "I’ll just get out and stretch my legs ma’am."

Laura glanced nervously at the man beside her and then at the driver. "Not to far please Fred."

He nodded and stepped away lighting a cigarette. No ma’am, he thought, I’ll stay close, but not to close. He smiled and walked a few paces.

"Inspiration Point?"

"Inspiration Point." Laura smiled, "Didn’t teenagers neck back home?"

The man’s eyebrows rose. "Neck?"

"Make out, whatever," Laura could feel heat rising in her face.

"Ah, yes." Ben moved toward her, "Is this what you mean?" He caught Laura’s chin with his hand and brought her face to his. At first his kiss was feather light, his lips barely brushing hers.

Laura heard the inward hiss of his breath as their lips met the second time. This kiss was longer, more insistent, his soft lips pressing against hers. She placed her hands on his chest, her intention was to push him away, but her hands moved up and she wrapped her arms around his neck. His lips moved away from her mouth to travel along her jaw and down her neck. Laura gasped as he buried his face in the hollow of her throat. He reached up and entwined his hand in her soft hair. Her mind was telling her to end this now, before things got out of hand, but her hormones had an entirely different idea. His lips were searching hers out once more, each time more probing than before. Laura heard his breath come in short gasps and tightened her arms around his neck, running her hand over his shoulders.

He knew he should stop, he was dangerously close to losing control, but he couldn’t resist the taste of her. His hands moved from her hair down to the small of her back as he pulled her closer. He crushed his lips to hers, his tongue forcing them apart.

Laura let out a small moan, but did not resist. Her hands moved up and she wound her fingers in his hair. Slowly she opened her eyes and found herself looking into his blue ones. The intensity in them frightened her, but she didn’t let her gaze waver.

He looked into the depths of her brown eyes, searching for something, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in many years. As his eyes searched her face, his hand reached up to trace her cheekbones. No, he couldn’t use her. That unbidden thought surprised him.

Laura tried not to shudder under his touch; the emotions this man was raising startled her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he placed his finger on her lips. Slowly, reluctantly he released her. Laura took a deep breath and with a shaky hand brushed her tumbled hair out of her eyes. For a moment, she wasn’t sure what to do. She sat and looked at the man beside her. His eyes were once more pools of placid blue. Giving him a slow smile, she opened the window, "Fred?"

The driver stepped out of the shadows, "Ready to go Miss Holt?"

Laura looked over at the tall dark man and said softly, "Ready." As the sleek black car moved smoothly down the road, Laura smiled as Ben reached out and took her hand. She returned the pressure, as the lights of Los Angeles grew brighter.

THE END