After Hours

by Lynda Aicher

  “Okay.” Her glass clicked on the wood bar top when she set it down. “I’m here. I already told you I won’t say anything about last night.” She winced, looked down. “I’m sorry I walked in on...that. It wasn’t intentional. I swear.”

  “I never thought it was.” Her surprise reaction had been proof enough of that. He pulled a folded paper from his inner pocket, smoothed it out. He retrieved a pen next, twisted it open and set them both before her. “I need you to sign this non-disclosure agreement, though.”

  She stiffened. “Why?” Panicked defensiveness sprang from her tone.

  He eyed her and weighed his options. “Because you saw some very intimate things. An act that could ruin many lives if you choose to talk about it.”

  Her head was shaking before he finished. “I won’t. I’ve told you that how many times now?”

  “And I believe you.” He did. “But this—” he tapped the paper “—is for the others who were in the room. They don’t know you. I need to ensure they’re protected.”

  She sat back, her soft laugh heavy with sarcasm. “And what about me? What if one of them—or you—decide to twist the story and put me in it?”

  “They’ve already signed this.” But damn did he love that she’d thought to protect herself as well. “They’ll never talk about anything that happened in the Boardroom.”

  Her eyes widened again, the pupils enlarging this time. Her thoughts were telegraphed to him like they’d been spoken. Images of last night bloomed in his mind, of Avery watching the trio. Of her flushed and wanting, her hand inching toward her breasts.

  She cleared her throat, took a sip of her wine. Fuck. He shifted his legs apart to gain more room for his too-interested dick. How could he not respond to her when her desire showed so vividly?

  Her voice was husky when she asked, “Does that happen a lot then?” She waved her hand. “The boardroom thing?”

  She was interested—not that she wanted to admit it. He contained the smile that spread within him and tapped the NDA contract again. Too much was at risk if she didn’t sign it.

  And so much was possible if she did...

  Her glare screamed her annoyance before she snatched up the paper and started to read. A sense of unearned pride burst in his chest when she didn’t blindly sign the document. That feisty edge of hers was as tempting as the blushing naïvety. Would she melt or fight? Cry out loud or hold it in?

  He hid his smile behind his glass this time, emptying the contents.

  She set the paper down when she was done and then turned her head to look at him. “Is there a catch?” She nodded to the NDA.

  “Nope.” He motioned for another drink. “It’s exactly what it states. Don’t speak about anything you saw in the Boardroom to anyone. If you do, you’re liable for the financial penalty and open to lawsuits from anyone in the Boardroom.” Would she catch that “Boardroom,” as documented, meant the private group of men and women who participated in various acts of group sex, often in public spaces?

  “And this?” She pointed to the capitalized Boardroom written on the first line as the disclosing party. “What does that mean?”

  And she did.

  He gave a small shrug, hiding his appreciation for her shrewdness. “Let’s just say it’s what you walked in on.”

  “Really?” she asked. “In the boardroom?” He lifted his brow, and she laughed softly. “This is getting more confusing, but fine.” She grabbed the pen and signed her name. “There.” She set the pen down, sat back. “Documented proof that I won’t say a word, but...” Her eyes narrowed. “Where’s my proof that you won’t say anything?”

  “And what would I say?”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Seriously? You could get me fired!”

  He jerked back, scowled. “I wouldn’t do that.”

  “I said the same thing, and my word wasn’t enough for you.” She brushed her bangs away from her eyes in an irritated shove that matched her scowl.

  His admiration came out on a low chuckle. She was getting sexier by the moment. He’d assumed there were brains beneath the beauty, but seeing them in action added a deeper, more interesting layer to her. “You’re right.” He leaned in, that peppermint scent teasing him closer. Would she smell like that everywhere? Would it deepen when she was turned on? Would she taste as fresh? He retrieved the signed contract and placed it, along with the pen, back in his pocket. “I’ve already signed one of these. The same rules apply. Your privacy is protected under that.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “Everything that happens within the boundaries of the Boardroom are protected. That included you the second you entered.”

  “And what about outside of it?”

  He had a whole hell of a lot of ideas of things they could do both within and out of the Boardroom—if only she was receptive. “You’ll have to trust me.”

  “Of course,” she mumbled before taking a healthy gulp of wine. “So...” She shot him a side-eyed glance. “Are we done?”

  Not if he had his choice. He crossed his arms and rested them on the bar. Her profile was soft, like her. The long line of her neck was exposed, daring him to drop kisses down the side. Did she have any idea how alluring she was?

  He caught a guy staring at Avery, his gaze saying exactly what he’d like to do with her. Carson waited for the guy to notice him and smiled when the guy quickly turned away. Yeah, she was his for as long as she sat next to him. “Tell me, Avery.” He waited for her to look at him. The hesitation was back in her eyes, a wariness he wanted to displace. “Are you seeing anyone?”

  Her brows drew together. “Why?”

  That was probably a no then. “Have you ever seen anything like that before?” He watched her eyes go wide, breath grow shallow. So authentic. There’d been no need for him to clarify his question. Her mind was on last night, and she obviously wasn’t disgusted. Not even now, after the shock had worn off.

  “Umm...” And there was that flush. Light this time. More pink than deep red. “Not like that.” She twisted the stem of her wineglass, her focus on her fingers.

  “You were shocked.”

  “Yes.”

  “But interested too.”

  Her head whipped around. “No!” The quick denial was automatic and too insistent.

  He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not trying to embarrass you, truly.”

  “Well, you’re doing it anyway.”

  “Are you embarrassed by my questions or your response?” he countered softly.

  She stared at him for a long moment before dropping her head back, eyes closing as her defeated laugh teased him over the din of the crowd. Her hands fisted on the bar, a grim smile curling over her lips.

  He’d cornered her and had zero regrets about it. She’d liked what she’d seen—he’d bet his job on that. And he wanted to explore that interest with her. But she had to be willing, her own curiosity driving her.

  “Why do you care?” she finally asked after taking another hefty drink of her wine.

  Because you’re beautiful. And that was a shallow answer. The truth went much deeper. The tension drew tight between his shoulder blades, the importance of his response dancing on his awareness.

  He could walk away right now. He should. And what would he miss if he did?

  “Because I think you were interested. I think you found it hot even though your background said you shouldn’t.” He turned to her when she didn’t reject his words. Her lips had parted, want battling with denial in her eyes. “I think a part of you would love to let go like that, but you’ve never dared to before. Or maybe you’ve never had the opportunity.” He leaned in, tempted to steal a kiss but knowing she’d run if he did. “I think you want to see more. Do more. Try more.”

  She swallowed, the action snapping at the energy that hummed between them. He had her, if he could just get
her to admit to her desire.

  To let go.

  “You—” She cleared her throat. “You think a lot.”

  His laugh was lost beneath his breath. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting that,” he said. “What you saw last night was between consenting adults.”

  Her tongue snaked out in a slow glide between her lips. He clenched his hand to keep from touching her. A caress down her arm, a possessive stroke along her jaw. She was primed for persuasion, and he wouldn’t be that guy. “How does it work?”

  Her breathy question tempted him closer. His dick was so damn interested he had zero chance of hiding it if she glanced to his lap. “What, exactly?” he asked, his voice lower and intimate, matching hers.

  That alluring blush spread over her cheeks once again, but she didn’t look away. “The sex.” He lifted a brow, and her flush deepened. She fluttered her hand around in another encompassing motion. “I mean the group thing. How does it get arranged? Do you know everyone and them you? How do you face them afterward?”

  His amusement rumbled out when her barrage ended. “Now who’s thinking too much?” Her lips pursed in a prim rebuff. “The scenes are about feeling, not thinking.” That was part of the draw for him. “A heightened escape that lets you safely explore what most of society scorns.”

  “Safely?” A doubt wrinkle formed between her brows. “How is that safe?”

  “The contracts. The select group of participants. The locations. It’s all defined to minimize the risk for everyone.”

  “Until someone like me walks in,” she snarked.

  Someone who longed to try it but was too rooted in her conservative boundaries to dare. “But you didn’t immediately run away.” He waited for her objection but got none. A passionate woman simmered beneath that demure skirt and high neckline, he’d bet his career on it. “Would you like to come with me next time? To watch...again?”

  Chapter Five

  Go with him? To his sex den?

  Oh...holy...

  Yes.

  No!

  And when will I ever get another chance like this?

  Want pulsed at Avery’s weakening resistance. His offer was so tempting, as was he. All rugged professionalism topped off by the dark secrets she was now privileged to know. His web was working its way around her, drawing her closer. Teasing her, tempting her down paths she’d never considered before. Making her want the taboo when she’d shunned it before.

  She crossed her legs to suppress the sexual ache that’d only grown stronger since she’d sat down. God, she wanted him along with what he was offering.

  Could I? Really?

  She reached for her wine, surprised to find the glass empty. Was that why she was even considering his offer? She could play this cool, right? Not like the floundering innocent she was currently projecting.

  “What’s the catch?” she asked him, propping her chin on her hand, eyes narrowing in her hunt for a lie or any sign of falseness from Carson. Her thumb stroked over the small mole on the underside of her jaw, the motion absentminded and soothing.

  His gaze darted to her thumb, lips compressing slightly. “There is no catch.” He motioned to her empty glass. “Can I get you another?”

  She stared at the wineglass, thoughts spinning from wants to shoulds. Her head was already woozy, her inhibitions a bit too free. Yet, she wasn’t ready to leave. Carson was...interesting. Magnetic. Handsome.

  Her body hummed with an awareness that dared her to take a risk.

  “Sure,” she finally relented. She didn’t have to drink it all.

  He motioned to the bartender, and Avery didn’t take her eyes off Carson. He commanded attention but didn’t seek it. He only spoke in meetings when needed, never one to drive the conversation. Always courteous, yet slightly elusive.

  And he’d been totally focused on her since she’d walked into the bar, even after she’d signed the contract.

  She’d caught more than one woman eyeing him up. He could’ve had any one of them, but his attention was solely on her. The thrill of that sizzled over her skin and hummed with the sexual current running through her veins.

  The bartender set the fresh drink in front of her, and she mumbled her thanks while still studying Carson. What was his game? There had to be a hidden loophole she wasn’t seeing.

  His brow lifted when he caught her staring at him. “What?”

  Her lips quirked for some unknown reason. He was beyond sexy with the light shadow of his beard stubble darkening his jaw. His hair had that end-of-the-day finger-combed look, yet he was still in control, which upped his danger level by about a hundred notches.

  “Why would you offer me that?” she asked, jumping back to their conversation.

  A half smile lifted the edge of his mouth as a dark heat filled his eyes. “Because I think you’d enjoy it.” He turned slightly, his body opening to hers. His leg grazed hers, the silky linen of his slacks caressing her skin. An instant flash of goose bumps raced up her inner thigh. Her pussy clenched, need pulsing.

  She sucked in a breath but didn’t move. His eyes danced with confident knowledge, and she couldn’t condemn him for it. She’d done—was doing—a sucky job of hiding his effect on her.

  He shifted toward her, and she found herself mimicking him as he dipped his head to speak into her ear. “The sight of that woman spread on the table, lost in passion, the guys focused solely on her pleasure turned you on,” he said, his low words a caress. “You imagined what it’d feel like. You wanted to be her. You were fascinated by the eroticism. The taboo.”

  She closed her eyes, breaths shortening into small gasps. The visuals sprang to life, her body responding stronger than when she’d stood in the doorway seeing them for herself. Her nipples were throbbing pinpoints of desire linked to her pussy. Her neck tingled with every breathy wisp of heat and the awareness of how close his lips were.

  “Let me show you that,” he urged. A slow line of heat blew from her shoulder to her ear to ignite another wave of goose bumps down her chest. She tilted her head, giving him better access, the silent action saying so much. She couldn’t stop it, though. Didn’t want to. “Let me share it with you. Show you the beauty of watching the passion unfold. It’s not just sex, Avery.”

  The low rumble of her name was intimate, almost possessive. She should object to that—to him. She didn’t. No, she wanted more. So much more.

  “Then what is it?” she whispered, opening her eyes to find his. Longing and lust stared back at her. Dark yet somehow freeing. His obvious desire made her own okay.

  His lips parted, and she couldn’t stop herself from imagining them on her skin. Kissing. Sucking. She inhaled, his woody scent layering over her.

  “Passion. Connection. Trust,” he murmured. “A shared give-and-take with the freedom to let go. No judgments. No stereotypes. No societal inhibitions.” He blew another line of warm air up her neck. His eyes were closed when he eased back. Hunger lined his expression even then.

  She shivered, her craving simmering outward. Yes. She wanted everything he described. But... She lowered her gaze, swallowed. The prominent outline of his dick was clearly displayed up the crease of his thigh. Oh, God. He did want her.

  She pressed her thighs together in a futile attempt to stop her reaction. Her pussy contracted, abdomen clenching. How wet would her panties be when she stood? She was so turned on—and he hadn’t touched her. She might combust on the spot if he did.

  Heat rushed up her neck for the thousandth time that day. Would she ever stop blushing around him? “I—” She cleared her throat, met his gaze. Could he really want her that badly? For the night, no doubt. And would that be so wrong?

  “What?” he asked when she didn’t continue. “You what?”

  “I don’t know if I could,” she finally finished, honesty spilling out. “What if I didn’t enjoy it?” The porn
she’d seen usually ran the too-blatant line for her. Yet last night hadn’t been like that.

  “Then we leave.” He stated it like it was simple. Could it really be?

  “And after,” she pressed. “What happens then? When we go back to work?”

  He looked away, his gaze traveling the bar for a long moment. Some of the heat was gone from his eyes when he turned back, and she realized her question had shattered their bubble.

  The cold splash of reality jolted her out of her lust-filled haze. Regret mingled with the practical logic that’d plagued her entire life. That was good, she tried to convince herself. She couldn’t get lost in him.

  But she so wanted to.

  “We work,” he answered at last. He sat back, taking a drink from his glass.

  That’s it? She copied him, her hand a little jittery when she picked up her glass. She held it tighter, darting a glance at Carson. Had he noticed?

  Her blood still hummed with the energy he’d set to life. The spell might be broken, but his effect on her remained.

  “Work is separated from the Boardroom,” he stated. “If you can’t keep it that way, then this discussion is done.”

  Wow. She stared at him. His bluntness erased any notion that his interest might run deeper. This wouldn’t be a romantic adventure, just a sexual one. Could she do that? Separate the two? Especially when she was so attracted to him? “But I signed the contract,” she said, just to dig at his sudden withdrawal. “I can’t say anything now.”

  “True,” he conceded. “But words aren’t the only thing that can damage.” He studied her, thoughts flashing over his expression before she could decipher them. She followed his logic, though. No one was a hundred percent safe, ever. Especially in the world of digital everything and instant social media. One accusation or picture could damage his reputation forever.

  “Then why do you do it?” She truly wanted to understand. “Why take the risk when you could easily get a woman?”