Tag You're Mine

by T L Osborn

  “Lead the way, handsome,” I reply.

  He stands to lift me into his arms and carries me down the hall. I’m a little confused as we walk past the room he allowed me to dress in earlier and back to the front door. To the left of the main entrance is a room with a desk and computer set up; obviously a home office and then, James leans me against the doorframe of a bedroom.

  Why aren’t we sleeping in the room with the balcony facing the ocean? Does he not want to sleep with me tonight?

  The room is gorgeous and simple. A bed covered in white is in the middle of it, two bedside cabinets sitting on either side of it. The curtains are dark navy and the wardrobe door has sliding mirrored doors. The room I changed in earlier was definitely his, but why doesn’t he want us to sleep in there? He lays me down upon the bed and hovers over me, sliding his hand up my body as he devours my mouth with his. Several orgasms later, I’m snuggled against his chest, feeling it rise and fall with his light breathing.

  “Goodnight, sweetheart,” he whispers above me.

  “Goodnight, James. Sweet dreams,” I reply, placing light kisses on his chest.

  I’m definitely one lucky lady being with him tonight.

  James

  I arrive at the thirtieth-floor, juggling dry cleaning, my laptop bag which is heavier than my dumbbell weights I’m damn sure of it, a plastic bag containing a bottle of whiskey and a cardboard carry tray with two large hot coffees in it.

  How the hell Lara does this on a daily basis is beyond me.

  Note to self: Give Lara a bigger bonus.

  Making my way through the reception area, I catch a glimpse of Lara’s desk, her jacket hanging over the back of her chair and her desk seems ready to begin her work day.

  Excellent. I’ll drop all this stuff in my office, then bring her coffee back to her.

  Placing the coffees on my desk first, I dump the other items onto my couch—I’ll sort them out later—and head out to see Lara and catch her up on what happened while she was away on Friday, which isn’t much.

  “Good morning, Lara,” I say cheerfully as I approach her desk and place the coffee on it, then lean against the wall.

  She flicks her long, blonde hair away from her shoulder and spins her chair, crossing her legs as she does. Today she’s wearing a dress, tightly fitted to her curves and matching shoes.

  It’s a good thing she’s a lesbian, or I’d have screwed her out of a job years ago and then I’d have lost the best PA in the world.

  “Good morning, boss. Are you feeling all right this morning?”

  “Absolutely fantastic and yourself?” I ask, sipping my drink.

  “Can’t complain. I had a wonderful weekend away, it was amazing.”

  “Excellent. I’m glad to hear it.”

  “So, what’s the coffee for? Not that I’m complaining, but you never buy me coffee.”

  “Can’t I do something nice for the best PA in the world?”

  She arches an eyebrow at me. “So, in other words, you missed me on Friday and never want me to go on leave again.”

  “Precisely.” I chuckle. “This is why you’re the best PA in the world. You get me.”

  She laughs. “Well, thanks, boss, but I’m not cancelling my leave next weekend. I’m taking my new girlfriend away to Queenstown and don’t even think about cancelling it on me.”

  I point to myself with my index finger. “Me? I’d never.”

  “Oh, yes you would.”

  The lift doors ding open and I hear the familiar voices of my brother, Simon, and soon-to-be-sister-in-law, Aria.

  “Good God! What are you doing here?” Simon asks as he sees me standing by the glass wall.

  “Good morning to you too.” I sip my coffee.

  “You’re never here this early, let alone beat me to work,” Simon says as he heads towards his office.

  I shrug. “Maybe I just felt like being here early for a change. Now, if you don’t mind excusing me, I have some work to catch up on.”

  “You? Work? Who are you and what did you do with my brother?” Simon calls after me as I walk away. “Lara, what the hell?”

  “I don’t know and it scares the hell out of me,” she replies.

  I don’t hear Simon reply so perhaps, for now, he’s let this go. I had a fantastic weekend and I’ll admit, waking up alone this morning actually made me ache to have Riley by my side.

  Setting up my laptop for the day, my phone buzzes on the desk. I reach over to pick it up and am surprised with a text from Riley.

  Riley: Good morning. Hope you have a great day.

  Smiling at my phone, I reply.

  Me: Good morning. You too. Missed you in bed this morning. Yesterday was much more fun.

  Riley: Haha! It was fun. PS… Tag: You’re it.

  A knock at my door causes me to drop my phone, sending it flying across the desk which I fumble after.

  “I hope that wasn’t a dirty message you were sending.” Simon chuckles as he takes a seat opposite me on my couch, lifting one ankle so it rests upon his knee.

  I shake my head. “Nope.”

  “Good because that’s a work phone you’re using,” he replies, shifting in the seat a little. He notices the whiskey in a plastic bag. “Is there something we need to talk about?” he asks, looking at me concerned as he holds up the bottle of whiskey.

  I shake my head. “I don’t have a drinking problem. That bottle is for you, it’s my way of saying thanks for the advice the other day.”

  “I take it you patched things up with Riley?” he asks.

  “Yeah and we ended up having a great weekend together.”

  “Are you seeing her again or was she just another one-nighter?” he asks.

  I shake my head. “I want to see her again. I want a chance to do all the dirty things I can with her.”

  He looks at me as horror washes over his face. “Are you telling me you didn’t have sex over the weekend?”

  “Yup.”

  “And you’re in this good a mood?”

  “I didn’t need to have sex with Riley to be satisfied. Just getting her off was enough. I sound completely crazy, but I just–”

  “I know the feeling, bro. Believe me, what I have with Aria is different to what I’ve experienced for a long time. She satisfies me in ways I can’t describe; not just physically, but mentally. You know what this means, don’t you?” I shake my head. “For the first time in ten years you’ve found a woman who intrigues you for more than sex.”

  I lean back in my chair, pondering what he just said. “Now you sound like the crazy one.”

  “I’m serious, James. You like this one. I believe you’ll be engaged within the year. I bet you two bottles of whiskey.”

  He wants a bet, he can have one. He’s going to lose.

  “Done,” I reply, shaking his hand. “You’re going to be sorry.” He chuckles as he exits my office without another word and I get out of my chair to retrieve my phone.

  I glance at Riley’s name. He’s definitely the crazy one. Still, remembering how she orgasmed screaming my name is something I haven’t been able to forget; or how good she felt in my arms as she snuggled against my chest; or the way she made me coffee on Sunday morning before she burned her hand making pancakes for breakfast which ended in her giving me one hell of a blowjob on the kitchen floor.

  Fuck! He’s right.

  The bastard.

  She’s a drug and I’m thoroughly addicted.

  Chapter Nine

  Riley

  I’m sitting, editing some photos that I took yesterday of a couple and their newborn daughter, trying to enhance them to make them look better when there’s a knock at the studio door. It’s probably just Courtney turning up for our lunch date today.

  “Coming,” I call as I spin my chair around and then head for the door, but in doing so I knock my mouse to the floor.

  I open the door and I’m greeted by James instead of Courtney. He’s holding a bouquet of purple roses.

&nb
sp; A squeal of delight escapes my lips and I throw myself at him, catching him off guard.

  “Whoa,” he says, wrapping his arms around my body and spinning me around. As we stop, I suddenly realise I’ve just completely embarrassed myself.

  “Sorry, I, umm…don’t know why I did that,” I say, stepping back from him.

  “It’s okay, you were excited to see me,” he says, holding out the now crushed flowers.

  “They’re beautiful, I’m so sorry I crushed them,” I say as I step aside. “Come in.”

  He follows me.

  “So this is your studio?” he asks.

  “Yup, this is where the magic happens,” I reply, placing the flowers on my desk, then turning to find him wearing a sexy smirk on his face. “I didn’t mean that kind of magic.”

  “Here I was hoping you did.” He chuckles as he steps towards me.

  “So what are you doing here anyway?” I ask. “And how did you find this place?”

  “You remember when I added you on Facebook? Well, the address is on there under your business name and I was hoping you might be free for lunch today,” he says, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

  Is he asking me out on a date, or does he just want a lunchtime booty call?

  Before I’ve had a chance to open my mouth—it’s like he’s read my mind. “Yes, I mean a date,” he says.

  “I’d love to, but unfortunately I’m already having lunch with my friend Courtney,” I reply.

  His face drops, he’s absolutely crushed that I can’t hang out with him today. I bite my lip as I think about grabbing my phone to text Courtney, but I hear, “Hellloo,” sung through the doors of the studio.

  Oh, fuck! She’s early.

  “I’m really sorry, we have a standing lunch date every Wednesday and we like to try a different place each week,” I tell him.

  “It’s fine, perhaps another time,” he says.

  I shut my eyes and open them again, locking eyes with him. Sadness is visible within them and I hold back my tears because I’ve hurt him. What I don’t understand is why my plans cut him so deeply.

  “I can do dinner tonight, or the weekend if that suits you better?” I suggest, hoping to cheer him up.

  He looks at me, shaking his head. “I can’t do tonight. I have a business meeting, but yeah, the weekend sounds great.” His tone is flat like he’s not very happy with me, but before we can say anything Courtney appears.

  “Are you ready to go? I can’t be late getting back to work because, you know, some of us have an actual schedule to stick to,” she says before she sees James and when she does, her eyes bulge out of her head. “Well hello, handsome.”

  I quickly interject. “James, can I introduce Courtney, my best friend, and Courtney meet–”

  “James. It’s finally nice to meet you. She doesn’t shut up about you and I think I now know why.” Courtney winks at me as she holds out a hand for him to shake.

  “Likewise.” He shakes her hand and then turns to me. “Want to send me a text later? We can make arrangements for this weekend.”

  “Yeah, I’ll do that,” I say.

  He nods as he walks away and guilt washes over me. If I’d known he was coming, I would’ve made other plans; I would’ve postponed my lunch with Courtney. I turn around to face her, feeling like an absolute bitch.

  “Girl, you’re one lucky lady. He’s hot with a capital ‘H’. He must be a beast between the sheets,” she says as I head over to my laptop to try and pick up the mouse I dropped earlier only to find it cracked.

  “I wouldn’t know.”

  “I beg your pardon. Are you telling me that you two haven’t had sex yet?”

  I nod. “Yup.”

  “Honey, you really need to because if you don’t, well–”

  “Are you saying I’m going to let him slip through my fingers if I don’t have sex with him?”

  “Well…not exactly, but maybe–”

  “Courtney, not everyone is like you and only interested in a man’s penis.”

  “I know, but sweetie, it’s been a while and it’s about time you gave your vagina the action it deserves.”

  “We will get there. I don’t want to rush into another mistake. Look at what happened last time.”

  “True, but I also worry about you; it’s been a while since you’ve had some action.”

  “Don’t worry about me and my action.” My stomach growls loudly. “I’m more worried about feeding my stomach.”

  “Then let’s feed you, so you can gain some energy. You’re going to need it if you’re planning on working out that man over the weekend.” She laughs as we head out to lunch.

  James

  I’m leaning back in my chair, my feet resting up on my desk, a report clutched within my hands and I can’t concentrate long enough to read more than one line over and over again. All I can think about is Riley. Her friend Courtney seems nice yet, I can’t shake my feeling of jealousy over the friendship. I shouldn’t feel this way, it’s stupid. Riley and I aren’t exclusively dating, though I want to spend more time with her and blow her mind with some very hot sex, I can’t shake this jealousy.

  After what Ashley did, I don’t trust women easily and certainly not their friendships. My heart is stone-cold and hasn’t even begun to crack. Yet, Riley is stirring something within me and given time, she may break down my walls if I let it happen. That’s certainly a terrifying thought. No woman has broken my barriers for a very long time and Riley just may do it without even actually trying. That thought scares the living shit out of me.

  My phone buzzes on my desk and I reach over to pick it up.

  Riley: Hey you! I’m really sorry about lunch earlier. I feel so bad, if I’d known you were coming, I would’ve made other arrangements.

  Me: It’s okay, I shouldn’t have shown up unannounced.

  Riley: I’m looking forward to this weekend. What do you want me to bring?

  Me: Just your camera gear and whatever you need to do the photoshoot with me.

  Riley: Okay, be prepared to be a model and bossed around for the afternoon.

  Me: I look forward to you bossing me around. What do you want me to wear, boss lady?

  Riley: Me too. Dark jeans, black shirt and that black and purple striped tie.

  I place my phone on the bench as well as the report. I sigh deeply and spin around in my chair to look out my window. The view across Wellington is spectacular. I can see the calm waters of Wellington Harbour in the distance, waiting for the ferry bound for Picton to cross. The sky is speckled with clouds and the sun glistens in small sparkles on the water. I should give Riley the benefit of the doubt and not let my feelings of jealousy cloud whatever we have going on. I need to get out of here, all I’m doing to myself is making mountains out of molehills and spinning scenarios in my head that may not even be true. I’ll head to the gym, work off my stress and clear my mind while working on my body at the same time.

  I’m hoping that will help get rid of my negativity so I can enjoy my weekend with Riley that’s ahead of me.

  Riley

  “So what was James’ deal today? He looked pissed that I came to meet you for lunch,” Courtney asks as she brings over a glass of wine.

  “He was just annoyed because I already had plans and he didn’t think I would.”

  “It seemed a hell of a lot more personal than that to me. Like, I dunno, he expected you to drop your current plans for him. I think you wounded his ego. I bet he’s not used to women turning him down.” She taps her fingers against the glass. “Or, wait, maybe he wanted a lunchtime booty call. Oh, I’m sorry I interrupted you finally getting rid of those cobwebs from your vagina.”

  “He wasn’t there for a booty call and there are no cobwebs up my vagina thank you very much.”

  “Are you using that new vibrator I gave you?” she asks, giving me a sly look.

  “Maybe…then again, maybe not and I’m not about to tell you.”

  “Oh, come on, I need to know.
I have to inform my customers about the products.”

  I shift in my seat and tuck one leg beneath my butt. “Okay, so it’s great that it’s USB chargeable. It has at least sixteen different vibration settings and it’s easy to insert once you’ve used lube.”

  “Okay…and–”

  “What?

  “How many times do you use it? What’s your favourite thing about it? Do you have to think about James to get off?”

  “That’s not information I’m ever going to give you.” I laugh. “If you really want to know, buy one for yourself and use it. I deposited the money into your account the other day because I love it so much. That’s how I know there’s no cobwebs up my vagina. Now, if you’re finished here, I have a book to finish editing, then send off to my editor.”

  “Is it book four? Can I get a sneak peek? Which characters are these?”

  “Yes, it’s book four and you’re going to get the first copy once it’s finished and I’m happy with it.”

  “Good, because everything else I’m getting bored of reading.” I stand up and head for my room, turning on my laptop and sit down on my chair. Poppy whimpers in her crate and I spin to unlock it to let her out. As I wait for my laptop to load up, I play with her for a bit. I’m hoping to get at least one decent shot out of all the ones I took to use. He’s the reason I wrote about these characters in the first place.

  I leave Poppy running around in my room and turn to open my documents. About half an hour into working, there’s a knock on my door.

  “Come in,” I call.

  “These just got delivered for you. Girl, you are one lucky lady,” Court says as she places something huge on the bed. Spinning, I see a big bunch of purple flowers: roses, lilies, carnations and gerberas. All a mixture of purple, pink and blue. The card attached reads.

  Tag: You’re it.