Off the Cuff

by K. I. Lynn

  There was silence. “Oh, Thane.”

  She knew all about my birth mother, and knew how fucked-up that made me in some regards. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t free me of my issues.

  “She’s beautiful and sexy and smart. Has the constitution of a warrior, and a wicked determination if you piss her off.”

  “Which you have firsthand knowledge of, I’m sure,” she said with a knowing laugh.

  “She poured a cup of coffee all over me after I was an ass.”

  There was a chuckle on the other line. “I like her already. So, maybe if the baby can travel. If not, you have to bring them down at Christmas, and definitely in the summer.”

  “I will. Now, what do I need to outfit a one-year-old’s room?”

  An hour later and a list three pages long, I had a plan in place and a full online shopping cart.

  As I hovered over the Buy Now button, I looked at the price tag and reality settled in.

  I was about to spend a couple grand on baby stuff for a woman I’d been officially dating for a month. It was a big gamble for a new relationship, but I wanted it.

  The vision of picking Kinsey up from a crib in her own room in our home hit me square in the chest.

  It was a future I never would have envisioned, but it had become the one I dreamed about.

  The problem was convincing Roe that I was a good bet.

  I had the day all planned out. It started with family fun pool time at my building’s indoor pool. Roe still had failed to even hint that it was her birthday, so I planned a fun day with her and then an evening out, just the two of us. Linda was going to stay at Roe’s with Kinsey.

  Until then, I was getting hard looking at Roe in her bathing suit.

  If you could call it that.

  “What the fuck are you wearing?” I had barely been able to control myself before, but Roe standing in front of me in quite possibly the sexiest scrap of clothing I had ever seen had me throwing my hands up in defeat.

  It didn’t fit the norm for Roe’s wardrobe. Red, low-cut top that accentuated her breasts, with red strips that crisscrossed her body twice before ending at very low bottoms.

  She bit down on her lip as she gave me that minx-like smile that drove me wild. “You like? I bought it just for you.”

  An audible groan left me, and I palmed my cock. “You’re not playing fair.”

  “How so?”

  “Cut the coy act. You know how so.”

  She shimmied where she was standing, shaking those sinful hips.

  I shook my head. “You are such a tease.”

  She leaned over to pick up Kinsey, and I about lost it. If I’d seen it while we were still upstairs, Kinsey would have gotten a show.

  She held out the round baby pool float while my gaze was locked on Kinsey slapping her little hands on Roe’s squished breasts.

  “Get in before you scare someone with that thing,” she said with a wink.

  We were alone, the pool area was completely empty, but it didn’t stop me from taking another glance around. “You’re lucky there are cameras in here,” I hissed.

  She giggled in response before stepping up and grabbing my hard shaft through my swim trunks. “False threat.” She leaned in closer and nipped at my pec, the highest her tiny frame could reach. “You’d love to give whomever is watching a show.”

  Fuck, I love her. If I could just get the words out.

  “Is that a challenge? You know how I feel about challenges.”

  “Oh, I know, baby. Can you do something for me first?” she asked in a sweet whisper, batting her eyelashes at me.

  I was completely hypnotized by her and by her hand that was working up to the tip. She gave it a squeeze before slipping her fingers into my waistband.

  My breath was labored, and all blood had rushed to my dick.

  “Anything.”

  She grazed the tip, making me groan before trailing her hand up to my chest, right at my heart.

  “Get in the pool,” she said with a push, and I fell off balance.

  My eyes went wide as I stared at her before I hit the water with a splash. When I broke the surface and drew in a sharp breath, she was standing there laughing.

  And so was Kinsey.

  “You’re in trouble,” I said with a glare. She had distracted me, backing me up without me noticing.

  “Ah-ah, I’ve got a baby in my arms,” she said as she moved over to the steps.

  I took hold of Kinsey’s float and walked over to where they were entering. Kinsey was instantly kicking her little legs as soon as they hit the water. I held the float steady while she deposited Kinsey into it. Once she was settled, I wrapped my arms around Roe and held her close. She kept one hand on the float while her other hand wrapped around my neck.

  “Hey, handsome.”

  “Were you ever going to tell me today is your birthday?”

  Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”

  “A little birdie told me. Happy birthday, beautiful.”

  She gave me a sweet, shy smile, seeming embarrassed. “Thank you.”

  “This is just the start of Roe day.”

  “The start, huh?”

  I nodded. “I have a lot in store for my favorite birthday girl.”

  I had every intention of showering Roe with the love I felt, even if I wasn’t able to give her the words. With that in mind, I was taking my girl out for a night on the town. It was only the second date alone we’d had in the month and a half we’d been together.

  I had to do the math over again, because that short time couldn’t be right. However, it was.

  But first, I was going to start with her presents.

  Once we were out of the pool and back upstairs with a swim-tired Kinsey. I grabbed a pillow from my bed, laying her down on my couch and wedging her in before covering her with a blanket. Roe appeared bemused by my actions. But her tiny smile and the sparkle that I could see in her eyes gave me hope.

  “I’ve got something for you,” I said casually as I stood and picked up the packages from the kitchen counter and slid the wrapped gifts across to Roe where she stood at the dining table.

  “What’s this?”

  “Presents for my birthday girl. It’s your day, and I plan to spoil you rotten.”

  “Spoil me, huh?”

  I nodded, watching as she fought with the paper.

  She pulled the box from the paper and blinked at it before opening it to verify the contents, as if she had to inspect that it was real. “You bought me a new phone?”

  “Yours is cracked, and I’m honestly shocked it still works.”

  I’d watched Kinsey more than once slap the phone from her hand, sending it to the floor.

  “Thank you, Thane!” She walked around the counter and threw her arms around me, peppering my cheek with kisses.

  I didn’t want to let her go as I enjoyed basking in her unreserved affection. “There’s more.”

  She pulled back, a twinkle of excitement in her eye. “More?” She grinned and dove into the bag. Out came a small wrapped package, and her eyes widened as she looked at the bracelets inside.

  She glanced at me, then back to the stack, pulling one up and reading the edge.

  “Kinsey,” she whispered and smiled. The rest were more generic sayings, but ones that reminded me of her—beautiful, strong, love. And then the one that meant the most to me—you are my everything.

  Tears filled her eyes as her thumb ran along the words on the last one. Her eyes met mine, and I reached out to brush a fallen tear from her cheek.

  I wanted to say it. It was the perfect time. Just as I was about to, my phone went off and a groan left me.

  After hitting ignore on the unknown number, I pulled another small package out.

  “What’s this?”

  “From Kinsey.”

  She rolled her eyes and smiled before ripping the paper open. More bracelets to help regrow her stolen collection. A mix of gems, wire-like, crystal flowers—a
dozen varieties so that hopefully she would find something she liked.

  “They’re so beautiful.”

  “Kinsey has great taste. She knows what her momma likes.” I took her hand in mine and kissed each one of her fingers. “Happy birthday, Roe.”

  I love you.

  She took my face in her hands and pressed her lips to mine. “Thank you for a wonderful birthday and all my beautiful presents.”

  “You’re more than welcome. And now that I know today is your birthday, I’ll be better prepared for next year.”

  “Next year, huh? Think you’ll be stuck with me that long?”

  “Roe, I’m planning to keep you. I’m not stuck with you. And I want forever. You’re never getting rid of me.”

  The light in her faded, her eyes glistening before she turned from me. They weren’t just words, and I needed her to understand that.

  I stared down at my pretty new phone with its perfect screen and bit my lip. Kinsey had already tried to slap it down, but Thane included a ring that attached to the sturdy case that would help keep it in my hand and from breaking if it did hit the floor.

  “Next week I’m not going to be your assistant,” I said as we drove to work.

  “Good.”

  “Good?”

  “You make terrible coffee,” he said with a grin.

  I rolled my eyes. “I just get your coffee. I don’t make it.”

  “And yet somehow I didn’t have a problem before you. Interesting. Maybe you’re poisoning my morning brew.”

  “And rob myself of all the mind-blowing orgasms?”

  His face scrunched up. “Are you kidding, and which item are you kidding about?”

  I shook my head. “I’m serious. You’ve given me more orgasms than all guys before you combined.”

  “How many guys are we talking about?”

  “Not nearly as many women as you have under your belt.”

  I looked out the window, watching as the city crawled by. There was a knot in my stomach, a bothersome pain that tugged at my heart. It’d been there ever since we bumped into his ex, Liv.

  He’d never mentioned her since, and as far as I could tell, she’d never called.

  But what if she had?

  Thane threaded his fingers with mine and pulled my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. “Something is bothering you.”

  I swallowed hard. There was a lot bothering me, but the biggest was the fear of next week. “What happens when the punishment is over?” I asked, trying for levity.

  He shook his head. “It’s not a punishment.”

  “Still, what happens?”

  His brow furrowed. “What do you mean? You go back to Marketing and I stalk the fuck out of you, sending you dirty texts enticing you to go to ‘lunch’ with me.”

  That seemed to be the correct response, because the knot loosened. It wasn’t gone, but I didn’t feel nauseous.

  “That doesn’t sound too bad. I’ll be happy not to have to answer your phone anymore.” That was the complete truth, and it made him chuckle.

  “And when the workday is over, we’ll have dinner together and I’ll have my way with you when Kinsey is in bed.”

  “That could work.”

  “What were you thinking would happen?” he asked as we pulled into the parking garage.

  I shook my head, not wanting to expose my doubts about our relationship lasting past the week.

  “It’s nothing.”

  The car came to a stop in his spot and a sigh left him. “It’s something, but I’ll let you have this one. Know this, though—just because you won’t be outside my door anymore doesn’t mean you’ll be out of my mind. You’re not someone I’m just going to forget because you’re not in my constant line of sight.”

  “It’s stupid, I know,” I said as I exited the car.

  He came around and pulled me to him.

  “I’m going to miss you, too,” he said with a sigh as he held me close. “I hate it, but I can’t hog you. It was temporary, and now it’s time to go back to your real job and not having me piss you off.”

  “It’s been a while since you pissed me off.”

  “That’s because I know where all of your sweet spots are.” He pressed his lips to a spot right behind my ear. “Like here.” His thumb brushed against my nipple, making me gasp. “And here.” He lightly bit down on my neck, and I bowed into him. “So many spots I love to enjoy.”

  It was Thane’s turn to tease and leave me wanting, a sly smirk on his lips as he stepped away. With a tug of my hand, he pulled me toward the elevator.

  “Come on, before I pick a random car to bend you over.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “I would.”

  “Liar. You’d just love to have me think so to see me blush.”

  “It may have crossed my mind.”

  He wrapped his arm around me as we headed up. One week left beside him, and then what? For weeks I knew my emotions were all over the place, but the most prominent was the sense of dread I already keenly felt.

  The week sped by. It was unnerving to imagine life without her so close all day every day. To celebrate, I ordered lunch and made certain Roe took an hour lunch on her calendar, claiming it was business.

  Our last day working together had to be special. I could tell she was down, and it worried me. Reassuring her was going to become a part of my daily routine, but she was worth it.

  “What all did you order?” she asked as she opened the door fully, allowing the delivery person room to bring the insulated bag in.

  “You mentioned craving some chicken parmesan last night, so I ordered us an Italian spread.”

  Salad, four entrees, and three desserts—we had enough food for a few more meals.

  Moving to the bar, I pulled out two glasses. They weren’t right for the wine I’d had delivered, but they would have to do. After pouring the red liquid, I handed her a glass, then held mine up.

  “To us. I’ll miss having you close, but I’ll love hearing all about your day every night.”

  As we ate, I vowed that every week we would have lunch just like this at least once. I was going to miss her so much, which was absurd because she would literally be on the other side of the building. A thirty-second walk at most.

  “I’ll miss annoying the fuck out of you by not answering the phone by the second ring,” she said with a wistful sigh.

  I threw my head back in laughter. “I’ll probably miss that as well. Imagine my phone being answered in a timely manner.”

  “Unheard of.”

  “Seriously, though, you have done a fantastic job, and I’m so happy I bullied you into working for me. If not, I’m not sure we would have ever interacted.”

  She set her hand on mine. “Best punishment ever.”

  Another chuckle left me, and I leaned forward to capture her lips. A moan slipped from my chest when her tongue brushed against mine, and I pulled her closer.

  “Our food is going to get cold,” she said in an attempt to focus my mind back on the meal. Unfortunately all thoughts and focus had shifted.

  “Let it.”

  “The dessert will melt.” She tried again.

  I trailed my lips down her jaw before pressing them against her neck. “I was thinking of another type of dessert, and we could save those for later.”

  “Oh, really? What were you thinking?”

  I stood and took her hand, leading her around to my desk. She quirked a brow at me as I bent down and lifted her by her ass, placing her on my desk as I pushed her skirt up. She drew in a shuddered breath as I stepped between her thighs. That reaction ripped through me and I crashed my lips to hers.

  I roamed my hands all over her, taking in each subtle curve before slipping under her shirt to grip her breasts.

  “Fuck,” she hissed as she pulled back. Her lips were parted, and her grip on my arm tightened as I tugged at her piercings.

  “What was that? Fuck what?” I asked in a mocking tone as I moved one
hand between us, a moan leaving me when my fingers brushed against her damp thong. “Fuck it.”

  I sat down in my chair and pulled it close before slipping my arms under her legs.

  “Wha—”

  I cut her off as I yanked her thong off and dove between her thighs. Immediately my mouth covered her pussy as I began eating like a starving man. And I was. If I had my way, I would be between her thighs always.

  Every sigh from her lips spurred me on. I reached out and gripped her breast with one hand, my fingers pulling at her piercing as I flicked her clit.

  “Hey, Thane.” I heard James say right before the door opened.

  Shit.

  Roe startled up into a seated position, but I kept her right where she was.

  “Ah, I see you’re eating. I’ll come back.”

  The door clicked closed and I locked eyes with Roe, her hands shielding her face.

  “You forgot to lock the door,” I said with a lick as I looked up at her from between her thighs.

  “I forgot to lock the door,” she whimpered.

  There was no way I was letting the opportunity slip by. Fuckers needed to knock.

  I stood and Roe tried to get up, but I pressed her back down against the desk.

  “Where are you going?” I growled as I pulled my belt from its buckle.

  Her lips parted in surprise and she glanced over to the door, then back to me. “Thane—”

  “It’s your fault,” I said as I lowered my zipper and pulled my cock out. “So now you have to pay the price.”

  I ran the head of my cock against her pussy before positioning and slamming in. A low groan left me, and I reveled in the way her eyes rolled back.

  My hips retreated, pulling from her, a sigh of longing leaving her before I slammed back in. The musical pitch of her lewd gasp excited me as much as the realization that anyone could see us if they wanted to.

  I set up a pace, watching as she stretched around me. It was moments like this that I was going to miss. The dirty little fantasies I was able to live out.

  “Anyone could walk in,” I said, leaning down, my eyes locked with hers. “They could see me inside you, filling you.” I wrapped my hand around her neck, pressing at the right points just like she loved. A slight pressure. “Watch my cock stretch you wide open, begging me for more.”