Board Indiscretion

by Jessica Jayne

  After John and Greg found themselves women, Suzie knew she had to do what her heart told her to do…go after Mark Olson. So she did. The sex was amazing. Amazing. But it didn’t appear to be going anywhere further than that at this point.

  “Where’d you go?” Lisa sipped on her glass of red wine. Suzie sat on the bar stool next to her friend and watched the people socializing on the outdoor patio. Her friend eyed her thoroughly before breaking out into a smile.

  “What?” Suzie asked, avoiding eye contact with her best friend.

  “Did you do him in the parking lot?” Lisa asked. “I know you’ve been after this Mark guy for some time and you guys have been meeting up.”

  “I didn’t do him in the parking lot.” Suzie tried to sound appalled. Her behavior with Mark tonight had been completely out of character. Suzie didn’t follow guys into the men’s restroom to give them a blowjob. In fact, she’d never done that before in her life, but for some reason, Mark compelled her to expose herself to him in ways she never had. She never thought she’d enjoy getting her ass spanked either, but every time Mark’s hand slapped down on her bare ass, she came like a freight train.

  Perhaps tonight had been a mistake. Coming here to his hangout without any warning may have ruined any shot at convincing him to give them a chance. Maybe he was pissed.

  What does he think of me now?

  Glancing around the club, she didn’t see Mark anywhere. It was as if he never left the restroom. Her heart sunk. He snuck out without even facing her and that stung.

  “Then where the hell were you for the last twenty minutes or so, because I sure as fuck didn’t see you on the dance floor?”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Suzie said with a forced smile.

  “Hey there,” a man said, approaching them from behind at the bar.

  Glancing over her shoulder, Suzie thought he looked familiar. Wiry red hair curled on the top of his head and his hazel eyes studied her closely. Too closely. But she couldn’t place him. He wasn’t the kind of guy that would reap a second look from her if she passed him on the street, so she couldn’t figure out where she knew him. She gripped Lisa’s arm tightly, not liking the feeling the situation garnered.

  “What is it?” Suzie asked, turning around on her stool to face the stranger.

  “Aren’t you the babe that hooked up with Mark Olson in the restroom tonight?” The redhead’s gaze roamed over her body and a chill rumbled through Suzie.

  Shit! He must have been the guy banging on the door.

  Suzie had walked out of the restroom, head held high, and simply ignored the few people that had gathered in the hallway. They didn’t know she hadn’t just gone in the men’s room to use it because the women’s restroom had been occupied.

  “Hey,” Lisa said, swiveling around to face the man too. Her eyes narrowed at him, showing her protectiveness of Suzie. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I suggest you take it elsewhere.” The redhead glanced over at Lisa before dismissing her with a huff and a hand wave.

  “Come on, babe,” he continued, taking a few steps closer to Suzie. His arms crossed over his chest, emphasizing his bulky bicep muscles, but he appeared to be top-heavy. His black slacks clung to his hips by a belt. “I saw you walk out of that restroom, and Mark was in there when I went in. I’d treat you better than Olson, sweetheart. He left the building immediately after your hook up. He’s an ass like that. I see it happen every weekend. He walks out of here with a different girl every weekend. Sometimes more than one. Why don’t you let me buy you a drink and make everything all right?”

  “I’m sorry,” Suzie said. She attempted to disguise the hurt that bubbled up inside of her at the idea that Mark had just up and left without saying anything to her.

  Christ! I am such a fucking idiot!

  She’d have to see him next week for the third quarter board meeting. How awkward was that going to be? “I don’t know what you’re talking about, nor do I know who you are.”

  “I’m Seth Kriken,” he said, holding out his hand to her. Suzie looked at his hand and then stood up. She towered over him by at least eight inches with her heels.

  “Good to know,” she said, ignoring Seth’s outstretched hand and grabbing Lisa’s arm. Yanking Lisa from her stool, she pulled her friend in the direction of the front door, never glancing back to look at Seth. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Fine with me,” Lisa replied. “I haven’t seen any worthy prospects all night.”

  Seth Kriken! Seth Kriken! Now she knew where she recognized him. Seth ran a car dealership—Kriken Kars—in St. Petersburg. His face was plastered over multiple billboards around Pinellas County and his commercials played regularly on the TV. He was Mark’s direct competition and nemesis. Oh crap!

  “So, are you going to tell me what the hell is going on?” Lisa asked as they climbed into Suzie’s white Toyota Camry.

  “Nothing’s going on.” Suzie started the car and pulled out of the Beach Club parking lot, heading in the direction of hers and Lisa’s condo downtown.

  “Suzie, you’re talking to me,” Lisa reassured her. “That short little creep was not just hitting on you, but was degrading the man you’ve been after for quite some time. What was he talking about the restroom?”

  “I followed Mark into the men’s restroom and locked the door,” Suzie said emphatically. She felt Lisa’s gaze on her. “What?” She turned to her friend, who sat silent beside her.

  “You did him in the men’s restroom of a packed club?” Lisa asked, the shock thick in her voice.

  “We didn’t do it,” Suzie said, drawing her attention back to the road.

  “What the hell did you do? And why was that Seth guy coming after you?” Lisa said, concern evident in her voice.

  “We fooled around,” Suzie explained. “And I don’t know why Seth was sniffing around other than I know he’s Mark’s main competitor in the area. They own competing car dealerships. I think he’s always trying to one-up Mark. Mark doesn’t talk about him other than to say that it isn’t a friendly competition. You know…that whole Napoléon complex.” Lisa laughed, which in turn, caused Suzie to laugh.

  “Fooling around in the men’s restroom at a club,” Lisa said. “Tsk. Tsk. I never thought I’d see the day.”

  Suzie could hear the smile and pride in her friend’s voice. Lisa was always trying to get her to loosen up, let her hair down. Not that her friend encouraged her to sleep around, but Lisa knew she had a thing for Mark. Suzie waved her hand in the direction of Lisa like she was shooing away a fly, but she couldn’t help the slight smile that spread across her face.

  The guys she’d dated over the years never sparked her in the bedroom. She’d been physically attracted to them…initially, but no one lit her up like a firecracker the way Mark did. He made her want to try new things, to test her boundaries. The few weeks they’d been sneaking around had been the most exciting weeks of sex she’d ever had. The intimate moments they’d shared afterwards had been filled with feelings…true feelings. She knew there was something between them. How could she make him see they were good together?

  “You might want to warn your lover boy about this Seth guy,” Lisa warned.

  Suzie pulled the car into the driveway of their parking deck and rolled down the driver’s side window. She slid her parking pass in front of the scanner and waited until the bar rose before driving inside.

  “Why? Do you think he’s up to something?” Suzie’s mind reeled at what Seth’s agenda could possibly be.

  “You said he may be trying to one-up Mark. He came at you shortly after you returned from the restroom. Maybe he had a confrontation with Mark beforehand. I’m just saying I’d give him a heads up about this Seth guy.” Suzie parked her Toyota in her designated spot and killed the engine.

  “I’ll text him right now.” She flipped her pink Pursecase over and pressed the button on her iPhone. Swiping her finger across and tapping in her passcode, she scrolled for Mark’s cell phon
e.

  “Seth Kriken cornered me at club. Said some nasty stuff about u and tried to buy me drink. Seemed to b up to something.”

  She pressed send on her phone and climbed out of the car. Lisa stood next to the trunk waiting on her.

  “I’m beat. All that flirting exhausted me,” Lisa said. “Those rich men out on the beach are high maintenance. No thanks.”

  Both girls chuckled as they walked to the door of their building. Lisa swiped her keycard and the buzzer sounded. They walked into the large atrium toward the elevator that would take them to their sixth floor condo. Lisa pressed the call button and the doors immediately opened, both girls stepping inside the small elevator. As the doors slid closed, Suzie’s phone chimed. Flipping her Pursecase over, Mark’s text lit up her screen.

  “Fuck him. Please tell me u didn’t let him buy u a drink. R u on ur way home?”

  The fact that he responded to her text after the way he left the club was enough to make her smile, but that he didn’t want her even taking a drink from this Seth guy elated her for some reason.

  “I don’t want to fuck him. I want to fuck u. No drink. In the elevator. On my way up to my condo.”

  Suzie lifted her head to see Lisa staring at her with a knowing look.

  “What?” Suzie asked, trying to keep her smile contained.

  “Are you sexting him now?” Lisa teased as Suzie’s phone chimed again.

  “Thanks for not taking the drink. He’s an asshole. Glad u made it home safely. And baby, I love fucking you.”

  What the hell? How did she respond to that? He loved fucking her. Okay! Then why did he bolt from the club without a word to her? Why didn’t he offer to take her home? Her head jumbled with all sorts of questions she wanted to ask him when the elevator dinged for their floor. The doors slid open and both Suzie and Lisa’s mouths dropped open when they saw Mark. He stood in the hallway with his back against the wall, his hands stuffed in his pants pockets and a sheepish smile on his lips. Suzie’s heart pounded against her ribs.

  Chapter Five

  Yep, Mark had been an asshole. If he could, he would have kicked his own ass for leaving the Beach Club without saying a word to Suzie. The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel like she was cheap or that he didn’t respect her. He knew his swift departure left her reeling and that had made his chest constrict so tight that it scared him shitless.

  Hightailing it across town, he had persuaded a resident of her building to buzz him in. He made a mental note to talk to her about the safety of her building. Living downtown St. Petersburg was typically safe, but it didn’t sit right with him that the residents would buzz any Joe Schmoe into the building. Scanning the mailboxes, he had recognized her last name and rode the elevator to the sixth floor to wait.

  The wait had felt like forever. Scenarios played out in his head. Maybe she and her friend hit another club or bar. Maybe neither was capable of driving. That worried him. He hadn’t known exactly how much she’d had to drink, but she had been brazen in her actions with him. He didn’t want her driving intoxicated. Maybe she went home with someone else. That last scenario made his stomach churn and his jaw clench. He didn’t like that idea at all. Despite all his denial and rationale, he wanted her for himself.

  When he received her text message while standing in her building hallway, his anger kicked up a notch at the idea that Seth would make a play for her. That man would do anything to get under his skin. Guilt at leaving her there to deal with Seth’s underhanded behavior rolled through him. But when she indicated she was on her way up to her condo, relief set in. He just needed to see her. When those doors slid open, his breath caught at the sight of her.

  “Mark,” Suzie exclaimed. Her back pressed against the rear wall of the elevator, her blue eyes widened in surprise. Her long tendrils cascaded over her shoulder and her mouth was agape. She clutched her phone to her chest. Her friend, Lisa, maintained a similar expression. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “Are you going to get out of the elevator? Or do I need to come in there and get you?” Though his tone was half-teasing, there was a serious element to his words. He pushed off the wall toward the elevator and placed his hand on the elevator opening to keep the doors from closing.

  “I can see why you like him,” Lisa said. She turned her head to Suzie in the back of the elevator and smiled before walking out. “Don’t break her heart,” Lisa whispered as she brushed past him to the door to their condo. “Or I will break your face.” Mark immediately liked Lisa because it was clear she was a good friend to Suzie.

  “What are you doing here? How’d you get in the building?” Suzie hadn’t moved from her spot in the rear of the elevator.

  “I’m here because I owe you an apology. Because I wanted to see you. We’ll talk about how I got in here and why you need to talk to the association about security later.” Striding into the elevator, he placed a hand next to either side of her head, caging her against the wall. His head lowered and he pressed his lips gently to hers.

  “Mark.” She gasped against his lips. Pulling back from the kiss, he ran his thumb over her bottom lip.

  “I’m so sorry I left you there,” he said. His gaze met hers and his heart constricted when he noticed her watery eyes. “It was a selfish and shitty thing to do and I don’t blame you if you hate me or never want to see me again. I’ve been so concerned about what others would think if they saw us together. That being together could ruin my seat on the board. I completely disregarded your feelings. You deserve so much better than me.” Her eyes closed and a lone tear escaped down her cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb and his chest tightened.

  “I don’t want anyone else,” she said. Her voice was so soft he almost couldn’t hear her.

  “I don’t want you to want anyone else,” he said. His heart beat rapidly. Just the idea of her giving herself to somebody else had his knees weaken. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” she whispered. She opened her eyes and met his gaze. Emotion fluttered in their blue depths.

  “It’s not okay.”

  “I’m fine.” She lowered her gaze to the floor. “You must think I’m a real slut after my behavior earlier.”

  With his thumb and forefinger under her chin, he tilted her head to meet his stare. “Baby, I’d never think that about you. Ever. I love the fact that you aren’t afraid to show your sexual side, that you are open to new ideas and experiences. That you’re spontaneous.” He lowered his lips to hers again, the pressure hard in his kiss. His tongue swept out at the seam of her lips and she gasped. Her reaction allowed him to slip his tongue between her lips to tangle with her own, exploring.

  He needed to settle down or he’d be taking her against the elevator wall. Not that that idea didn’t have appeal, but she deserved more than just a quick fuck tonight. She deserved to be cherished. Loved.

  Pulling back from the kiss, he released a sharp exhale and stared at her again. “I realize it’s my actions, my leaving you at that club, that caused you to think that, and I am so sorry. I never want you to feel that way, especially because of something I do or say.”

  The elevator doors slid closed behind them and he reached to the front to press the Open button. The doors skated open again. He needed to lighten the mood. He had hurt her and he realized his wrongdoing. He’d spent the last three years dilly-dallying around with a bunch of women that brought him nothing more than an orgasm. This woman—this woman made his heart beat faster. Whatever the cost, she was worth it.

  Damn! It took you long enough, Olson.

  Picking her up by the waist, he tossed her over his shoulder. Her yelp made him grin. His arm clutched her smooth legs tightly to keep her in position. Her torso squirmed down his back as he walked in the direction of the door Lisa disappeared behind. God, he hope she left the door unlocked.

  “Where are you taking me?” She bit over his shirt into the hard flesh of his low back just above his buttocks. The pinch from her little bite sent a
jolt through his limbs and gave him and instant hard-on. He enjoyed a little pain with his pleasure and she knew that. She also knew he loved nothing more than her submission.

  “A little feisty, eh?” he said, pushing through her front door. Their small condo immediately felt like walking into a Pottery Barn catalogue. The caramel couch by the far wall was adorned with wine-colored pillows. A leather rectangular ottoman with a wicker tray stacked with books and a large wooden and bronze lantern perched in front of the cushiony couch. The beige carpet was plush and the walls were decorated with frame after frame of the girls and their friends and family. It was definitely an invitingly warm home.

  Lisa stood in their kitchen by the sink with a glass of water in her hand and a smile stretched on her face. “Second door on the left,” Lisa said, jerking her head in the direction of the hallway.

  Mark winked at her before traipsing down the hall to Suzie’s bedroom. Opening the door, he was taken aback by her bedroom. He’d envisioned her as a girly-girl, decorated in bright pinks or yellows with flowers or butterflies.

  Instead, he was greeted by a simply elegant bedroom. Slate-colored walls bordered an off-white dresser and four-poster bed. A lavender duvet comforter covered the queen-sized mattress with two silver throw pillows askew. Scrawled in black script on a white canvas hung above her bed was the quote, “When you love what you have, you have everything you need.” His lips pulled at the corners. Not only did she wear her heart on her sleeve, she decorated her room with it.

  Striding over to her lush bed, he tossed her on it. Her body bounced gently and a giggle escaped her. God, he loved that sound. Happiness.

  “What are you doing?” she asked between giggles. Her blonde hair spread out around her head like a halo. Her black dress rode up her legs, revealing more of her creamy thighs than he could handle. Wrapping his hands around her ankles, he pulled her to the edge of the bed.