I smiled, knowing I would give him shit about this as soon as I was off the phone. “That’s unlike him.”
“Doesn’t matter. The deadline is the end of the week and one of the panel members is judging a competition in Austria later this week. It happens tonight or not at all.” That sounded like a different kind of proposition, but I didn’t think she’d appreciate me saying so.
“Where is it?”
“Corvallis. Pack a bag and meet me at the airport, I’ll look up flights as soon as we hang up.”
“Don’t worry. We can use the small jet for this trip.” And that would give us some alone time together. Corvallis wasn’t long enough to do everything, but it was long enough for at least a couple orgasms. Each.
“Good.” She sighed in relief, and it felt good to relieve some of her burden. “One less thing for me to worry about. So, I guess I’ll meet you in the lobby of your building in an hour?”
I couldn’t stop the stupid grin on my face as I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. This would be the perfect time to go another round with Talia between the sheets. Last time was incredible, but it was too fast. Too short. I need a full night so I could take my time, taste every inch of her body and make her come until she had no more in her to give me. “I look forward to it. And Talia?”
“Yeah?”
“You didn’t have to create a work emergency if you wanted to see me, you could have just called.”
She laughed. “So, could you,” she said and hung up before I could respond.
I smiled. Talia was nobody’s pushover. I doubt she’d make it easy for me to bed her again, but I would.
It was only a matter of time.
* * *
“I’m glad it was so easy, but it wasn’t worth the trip out here,” Talia said with a huff of annoyance. The trip to Corvallis had been short and simple, even though it had taken some time to track down the panel members who’d broken for lunch at eleven thirty.
“One of the things I’ve learnt in business is that people often feel better about face time.” Long, last-minute trips halfway around the world happened often, but that didn’t mean they weren’t a pain in my ass. “They explained everything to us, so now we know. And once the jet is refueled and ready, we’ll head back to Portland.”
“You’re just a ray of logic today aren’t you?”
I laughed at her grumpy attitude. Who would have thought that Talia didn’t travel well? “Yep. Once you relax, you’ll feel better about everything. How about we stop for some food and give the crew time to get everything in order?”
“Fine. I spotted a fifties style diner, and I’ll bet they have meatloaf.”
“A fan of meatloaf, good to know.”
She arched a brow at me. “It’s not foie gras or fried duckling eyelashes, but meatloaf gets the job done.”
We stopped at Myrtle’s Sit & Eat, complete with burgundy and white leather benches. The waitress was as old as time, but she had a friendly smile and she popped her gum loud and unabashedly.
“Hey kids, take a seat anywhere and I’ll be with you in a sec!” She rushed by with a tray of eggs, bacon and steaming coffee.
We grabbed a booth by the window and settled comfortably. “It’s pretty quiet in town today, isn’t it?”
The woman stopped, wearing a nametag that said, I shit you not, ‘Myrtle’. “A storm’s coming in. Weather man says heavy rains, and maybe flash floods. So it looks like you folks chose the wrong time for a vacation.”
“Too bad this isn’t a vacation, Myrtle. Our companies are sponsoring this year’s NAC, and we just had some administrative matters to clear up. Did the weatherman say when this storm was supposed to hit?”
She tapped the pencil on the side of her head, she had swishing high ponytail and not a bee-hive. “Any minute now, I suspect. Now, what can I get ya?”
Talia shrugged. “We’re probably stuck either way, so I’ll have whatever meatloaf special you have, with extra mashed potatoes and a side salad.”
“Sounds good, and you hon?”
“I’ll have your Myrtle burger with onion rings and a salad. Gotta watch my girlish figure, you know?”
Myrtle’s cackling laugh sounded throughout the restaurant. “I’m sure all the girls watch your figure, honey.”
“Oh, Myrtle you’ll only feed his ego.” Talia smacked her forehead dramatically and Myrtle laughed again. “Now he’ll never settle down.”
“When you’ve got man candy like that, feed the ego like it’s a fat girl. I’ll be back with your drinks and salads,” she said with a laugh.
As soon as Myrtle disappeared into the kitchen. A loud crack of thunder tore through the air, moments before sheets of rain fell from the sky. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, sweetheart.”
She shrugged and leaned back in the booth, letting out a long slow breath. “I’ve been stuck with worse. At least you’re pretty to look at.”
“Oh good, I was beginning to think you were lying to yourself as well as me.”
“Here you are,” Myrtle said as she set down our drinks and salads. “I secured you kids a room over at the Merry Victorian Inn.”
“Thank you!” Talia gushed her thanks, making the older woman blush.
“Don’t worry about a thing. It’s just a couple blocks up the road, my cousin Betty runs the place, and she’s expecting you.”
It was a nice gesture that I’d come to expect in small towns like this the world over. Small towns were the life breath of the country, hell the world. People looked out for one another for no other reason than because they gave a damn. It was nice. And when we arrived at the Inn, I was even more grateful that meddling Myrtle had booked a single room.
“Are you sure there are no other rooms? Perhaps one you don’t like to rent out?” Talia kept glancing at me, like I would strip her naked right there in front of rosy cheeked Betty. I thought about it, but I didn’t want to scandalize the nice woman.
“Sorry, honey. If your sweetheart is acting up, there is a settee up in your suite that is murder on the back.”
They shared a grin and burst out laughing. “Okay Betty, you’ve sold me.”
By the time Betty had left us alone with extra towels and a promise to scrounge up some dry clothes for us, Talia’s lips were blue and her teeth chattered. “I’m going to take a hot shower.”
“Sure Talia, I’d love to join you.” I gave her a chance to tell me to fuck off or throw her wet clothes at me, instead she stepped into the bathroom and left the door open.
I waited until I heard the shower spray start before I undressed and joined her. “I’m glad you didn’t start without me.”
Talia turned in my arms, looking hot as hell with water dripping down her body and drops clinging to her long lashes. She was a wet dream with her water slicked tits, hard pink nipples pressed into my chest while my cock bumped against her belly. “I thought about it, but I knew you’d warm me up properly.”
Fuck, yeah. “Is that right?”
She nodded and her hand went to my cock, stroking slowly and using the water to help. “Yes, Luke.”
“Say it again,” I demanded because I needed to hear her say it.
“Yes, Luke.” I kissed her hard. Our tongues tangling and teeth clashing together in our frenzy to come together.
“More,” she urged, turning her back to me and arching so I could see her swollen lips, slick and winking at me. “Luke.”
How could I resist a command like that? A beautiful, wet woman asking me to slid my cock into her from behind and make her feel good. There was only one thing to do, give her exactly what she wanted. “Ah fuck, Talia. So tight.”
She squeezed me again, pushing off the wall for more pressure. Whenever I was naked around this woman I lost my mind. I couldn’t control myself around her, I lost my shit and pounded into her like an eager teenager with his first taste of pussy.
It was hard and fast, again, so frenzied I couldn’t stop myself if I tried. She began to pulse,
her body vibrated as the orgasm shot out of every pore, clenching my dick hard enough to yank my own orgasm from me. “Oh fuck!”
“Luke! More!”
She was wild, her movements frantic and intense as her orgasm worked its way out and I couldn’t get enough. “Talia!” I emptied inside of her with one final thrust that sent us both into another universe, one where the only thing that mattered was our pleasure. Our intense, greedy search for pleasure.
Later in bed, I rolled over with a big goofy smile on my face that only widened when she curled up against my side and fell asleep.
I stayed up for another hour after that, feeling trouble brewing because that was the second time I’d been buried deep inside Talia, and it still didn’t feel like enough.
Not yet.
Talia
“I have invitations.”
Luck was on my side. I’d showed up at Luke’s office and made it to his floor at the same time his assistant happened to be away from her desk.
Luke looked up at me and flashed a bright smile. “I’m the best man, I don’t need an invitation.” He motioned me inside and I closed the door behind me.
“Actually, you do need an invitation, but that’s not what I meant.” I held up the two options that had arrived this morning to gauge his instant reaction. Poppy would ultimately decide, but she would ask everyone so I was beating her to it. For efficiency’s sake. “Well?”
“I like the copper border, the silver looks so old fashioned.”
“I like it too.” How on earth was planning a wedding more stressful than a huge outdoor sporting event?
“Wait, that’s it?” He was on his feet, backing me up until my calves hit the sofa in his office and I dropped down. “You come here for wedding invitations and I don’t even get a kiss?”
My gaze landed on his mouth, beautiful, firm lips that my own mouth watered to taste again. “We shouldn’t. Not here.”
“Fuck shouldn’t.” Luke dropped down beside me and one hand began to caress my thigh. “Come here.”
“I’m right here, Luke.”
He groaned and leaned over to grab me by the waist, lifting me and setting me on his lap. “That’s here. Hi.” His smile softened and he licked his lips.
“Hey,” I said back and licked mine.
“I like this dress, it’s so sexy and girly.”
My head fell back and I laughed. “Compared to the potato sack I normally wear?”
“Hell no. You usually look like a fantasy, but this, makes me want to seduce you.” As he said the words he thrust his hips up so the hard ridge of his cock hit me right where I was already slick and throbbing.
“You could try. I have an hour before I have to be at Poppy’s.”
His grinned turned devilish and his hands began to roam up my thighs until his thumbs caressed my center. “Oh sweetheart, I can accomplish so much in an hour.”
I knew he could, especially when he laid me out and pulled my panties down, tucking them in his pocket before burying his face between my legs. His tongue knew every nerve to drive me crazy, pressing some spots in quick flicks and taking long laves of other spots until I was a writhing, squirming mess.
“Luke!” My fingers tangled in his hair and tugged him close as I arched into him, feeling his face pressed up against me until my body went slack in pleasure. “Luke,” I panted out.
His lips wrapped around my clit and he sucked just as the last remnants of my orgasm flooded out of me, triggering another that was even more intense thanks to his satisfied laughter.
“Nothing makes me harder than hearing you say my name in those husky, little breaths.” Then he was crawling up the couch and settling between my legs as he worked his way deep inside of me, thrusting deep until he could go no further. “Talia,” he growled and nipped at my neck. “You’re so fucking wet, just for me.”
“All for you,” I told him because apparently I couldn’t lie to him when his cock was buried to the hilt. His hips moved lightning quick, thrusting harder and faster as his own pleasure began to take over. My legs were tight around his waist, increasing the depth and friction of our coupling until another orgasm began as a low hum.
“Talia,” he roared in my ear, hips pumping in a slow and steady motion that kept me on a tightrope of want and need. “Fuck you feel so good.”
“So do you.” He felt too good, hot and hard everywhere, muscles clenching as his cock throbbed until it was empty. It was only when I felt a telltale liquid slide out of me did I realize what had just happened and jumped up. “Bathroom?” He pointed and I fled to the nicely appointed bathroom that was similar to Poppy’s. “Fuck.” I couldn’t stop saying ‘fuck’ because I knew it was a bad idea to screw around with Lukas or guys like him. I couldn’t trust myself with all that charm and good looks. I lost myself in guys who didn’t give a damn about me, let passion consume me to the point we didn’t use protection. Even knowing full well I’d be stuck on my own with the result of that action. A few minutes later I had my shit under control and stepped out.
“Everything okay?” He looked and sounded concerned, and that only made it worse because it made my stupid heart think he might care when he didn’t.
“I’m fine,” I told him and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth because it would be the last time. “But your need to be an overachiever in all things means I have to get going. I’ll see you, Luke.” I walked away on wobbly legs, cursing my own lust and stupidity.
And vowing that I would keep my distance from Luke.
Lukas
I always made time to work out because it gave me the energy I needed to work twelve hour days and have a social life.
Plus, it prevented me from killing people who pissed me off. I preferred the executive gym where I didn’t have to worry about people interrupting me, but that wasn’t always possible, so I sometimes used the gym provided for employees. Like today.
I needed to burn off excess energy. Something had been off with Talia the last time we were together, and I hadn’t’ heard much from her since. Giving her space was harder than I thought it would be, so I worked out harder and hoped like hell when I got home I was too tired to do something stupid. Like call her.
Or stop by her place.
It didn’t matter. I’d have my fill of her soon enough. The door to my office burst open before I finished buttoning my shirt. It was Blake. And Scarlett. Both of them gawking at me like they’d never seen a man without his shirt. Scarlett’s gaze raked over me and I scowled.
“You,” I pointed. “Out. Now.”
“Sure thing, boss.” She turned slowly, eyes caressing me like the lover she was hoping to graduate to, which was never going to happen. She’d be lucky if I let her keep her job after the stunt she pulled with Talia.
“What’s up, Blake?” He had that wild-eyed look of a man either on the brink of a break down, or facing the terror of fatherhood. Not that Blake had any reason to be worried. He was born to be a father, and had been one to me and Lacey for as long as we could remember.
Blake walked in and took a seat while I finished dresssing. “Just came to check on your progress.”
“You mean to make sure Talia and I haven’t killed each other yet?” Blake was right to be worried, although we were getting along a lot better these days. Mostly. “Because I know you’ve been getting Talia’s updates.”
“Yeah?” He arched his brows. “How do you know that?”
“Because she CC’s me on every fucking one of them, that’s how!” The woman was a menace with her constant updates and checklists, confirmations and more damn updates.
Blake snickered. “She’s efficient, I’ll give her that. I can see why Poppy values her so much as an Assistant.” He shook his head and let out another chuckle when I glared at him from my seat behind the big desk Lacey said was perfect for my office. She was right. “I really did want to make sure you two were getting along because there is always an insane amount of tension between you two. I thought maybe you were sleeping
together, but Poppy says that would never happen, so I’m checking in.”
I stroked my non-existent beard at his words, well Poppy’s words, and wondered why she was so sure. Then I realized that I didn’t give a fuck. I was close to burning off this obsession with Talia, and after a few more fucks she’d be old news. I could get back to my regularly scheduled life. Of that much was I certain.
“Things are fine and we’re making plenty of progress. She’s bossy as hell, but gorgeous, so I deal with it.” I threw in a shrug to make it believable. But somehow Blake knew Lacey and I better than we knew each other. Thankfully he didn’t call me on it.
“I appreciate you taking this on for us.” One hand slid through the same blond curls we all had. He blew out a long breath, giving me an unguarded moment to observe him, I could see he was exhausted. “A few days ago, Poppy’s blood pressure spiked, and we spent hours in the ER, took five years off my life. It was as bad as you and Lacey as kids.”
I smiled at that. As twins, Lacey and I managed to get in twice the trouble because we could do our twin thing and no one ever overheard our plotting.
“I’m not just good for wedding and events, you know? I’m here to help, even my perfect older brother. If he’s willing to ask.”
His mouth kicked up in a smirk. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now, do you want to tell me how long you and Talia have been sleeping together?”
I sucked in a fake breath of outrage. “Engaging in gossip?” I quirked an eyebrow and he grinned.
He frowned and shook his head. “No, but when you settle down with one woman you’ll take your wins where you can.”
“You guys are having problems?”
He barked out a laugh. “Yeah, she’s right all the damn time. It’s annoying.”
“Really? Tell me all about it, because I have no idea,” I deadpanned and he tossed a pen at me.
Cowboys & Bosses Page 50
