The Hourglass

by K. S. Smith

  Taking his face between my palms, I knew I needed to act fast; there was no time to waste. Luke was sexually deprived and he fully intended on getting what he wanted, right here, right now. “Babe, please put me down for one minute, I have to pee so badly and I’d like to get it out of the way before you ravage my entire body.”

  The second my feet touched down, I snatched my phone out of my purse and ran off toward his bathroom. “Meet me in my bedroom,” he called after me.

  Closing the bathroom door I sat down on the edge of the tub and sent a quick text to Brooke.

  Screw five minutes; he is full on ready to devour me. Do not wait a second past three minutes or I’m going to have a dick between my legs!!!

  Brooke responded instantly.

  That slimy son of a bitch, you have three minutes, starting NOW!

  Doing my best to take my sweet time I emerged out of the bathroom and tiptoed to Luke’s room where he was waiting for me, naked, in bed, and stroking his fully grown erection. Seductively making my way toward him I climbed on top of his lap and began teasing him with kisses on his neck. His eyes closed and a groan escaped his mouth, allowing me to steal a glance at the clock on his night stand. Thirty seconds down, two and a half minutes to go.

  His hands made their way down my sides and gripped my ass, as I continued to kiss his body. Pulling my body down on top of his, I began to work my hips against him, counting down in my head as I did so, hurry the hell up Brooke.

  “I want to feel your lips around me, babe.”

  Looking into his eyes I knew what he wanted, so I very slowly made a trail of kisses from his neck, down his chest, stopping right above his perfectly trimmed patch of hair. Oh. My. Gosh. Hurry up, Brooke! Grabbing his full length in my hand I took one more glance at the clock as Luke looked down at me and groaned. “You’re killing me.”

  Smiling, I opened my mouth and was suddenly interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. Shooting straight up on my knees I looked at Luke. “Are you expecting company?”

  His face was confused as he shook his head. “No, we’ll just ignore them. Please baby, I need to feel your lips on me.” Shit! Shit! Shit! I grabbed his length again and the doorbell rang, three times in a row, followed by a pounding on the door.

  Luke’s hands went flying up in the air. “Jesus! Who in the hell is here?” Pulling himself off of the bed he slid on a pair of shorts and tried to quickly calm the pole that was forcing his shorts into the shape of a tent. Swinging his bedroom door open he stomped off toward the sound of the bell, which was being rung yet again.

  I climbed out of his bed and pulled his shirt over my head then ran into the hallway so I could listen without being caught. Brooke’s voice floated through the foyer and I could hear Luke trying to keep her quiet as he attempted to keep her outside on the front porch. Rushing over to the closed door, I pressed my ear against it, but Luke must have been whispering because I couldn’t hear anything.

  Knowing Brooke would eventually fill me in, I retreated back to his bedroom and waited almost fifteen minutes for him to return. Brooke must have been doing a number on him. Luke walked back into his bedroom looking utterly exhausted.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked, pretending to be concerned.

  He ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, just an old buddy, he was kind of having a nervous breakdown.”

  Luke sat down on the bed, the mattress dipping beneath his weight. I knew I needed to push him to the edge, so I tugged his shirt bag over my head and climbed over next to him. As I kissed his neck, I cooed, “Well why don’t we forget about him and get back to what we started?”

  Reaching down into his shorts I grabbed him and began stroking him slowly. Closing his eyes he leaned back, obviously trying to focus on what I was doing, but I could tell his head wasn’t there. He had to be internally freaking out about how close he’d just come to being caught by me and Brooke. “Umm, is something wrong? I don’t think this has ever happened before.”

  Falling backwards on the bed Luke let out a huge huff. “I can’t, I’m so sorry babe, but I just can’t. I can’t stop thinking about my friend. He’s really having a hard time. I’m sorry. I swear it’s not you.”

  Rising from the bed, I pretended to be upset with him. “Are you kidding me? Luke, this has never happened. Are you sure it’s not me?”

  He sat back up and pulled me toward him. “No, baby, it’s not you at all. My head just can’t focus right now, I promise. I was so ready for you. Please, just stay, maybe if I get a few hours of sleep we can forget this ever happened and I’ll be as good as new.”

  Back in the foyer, I scooped my dress off of the floor and pulled it over my head, adjusting it as I grabbed my purse. “I think I better go, you obviously need to rest and possibly call your friend. Maybe we can get together sometime this week to make up for all of this.”

  Luke stood, pulling my body up against his and kissed my cheek. Grabbing my hand he led me to the front door. “Sav, I’m so sorry.”

  I tossed him a wink and a wave. “No worries, you’re not my only Friday nighter.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Brooke

  SAVANNAH CALLED AFTER she left Lucas’s house. “Thank God, I thought I was going to be mauled!” She laughed out loud making me smile with her.

  “I bet! It sounded like it was a close call. Can we talk all about it in the morning? I’m off to bed. Monica is riding my ass these days between the auction and next issue.” Saying our goodbyes, we hung up.

  The next day at work I was dying to talk with Savannah, but Hourglass was a madhouse with the Spring Issue going to press. For probably the twentieth time, Lisa had come in to get approval on design boards and prints.

  “Yes, Lisa, it’s perfect – print it. Can you hold down the fort?” as she nodded I continued, “I’m just going to run to the lobby café to get a coffee. Don’t make any decisions beyond what I’ve already given instructions on until I return. I should be back in thirty minutes.”

  After spotting an elevator open, I rushed to the doors hoping to catch it. “Hold the car, please!” The elevator doors began to shut. I mashed the button to catch it while several pairs of eyes stared at me from inside and the gap finished closing.

  “Dammit!” I yelled at the door in front of me. How rude that nobody could be bothered to push the button to open the door. After pressing the down button, I tapped my foot against the marble tile, impatiently waiting for the next car to arrive, The ring of the bell signaled the arrival of the elevator and I slid in and pressed the button for the first floor.

  Standing in line waiting for the people to clear, I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through emails, trying to keep up with the endless last minute requests and needs of the different departments. One from a certain Nike employee that had become the bane of my existence caught my eye, and curious, I clicked to open it.

  Hey beautiful, hope you are feeling better. How about we reschedule? You free tonight?

  Love, Lucas

  “Yeah, you can kiss my ass,” I grumbled at the phone closing out of the email.

  “Bend over and point out a spot,” a feminine voice chided behind me making me smile.

  “Hey, whore,” I teased as I turned around to hug and plant a kiss on my best friend’s cheek.

  “Hey, prude,” she replied with a wink. Looking over my shoulder at the barista, she ordered. “Mocha Frappuccino please, extra whipped cream.”

  I spun around to face the barista; his eyes were filled with lust as he raked them over my best friend.

  “My God, you are incorrigible Savannah Prescott,” I joked giving her a little shove. “Hey,” I called snapping my fingers. My eyes locked on his black name tag, “Joe, eyes over here. Focus. I don’t have time for your other head to take over, and I will sic Monica Vincent on you if you mess up her spring issue.”

  Terror replaced the desire as he turned a slight shade of green. “Yes ma’am I apologize, what can I get you?”

&nbs
p; “I’ll take a Chai Tea, and I suppose I’ll pay for my friend’s Mocha Frappuccino,” I requested palming him a twenty dollar bill for payment.

  “And extra whip cream,” Savannah called over my shoulder causing me to start laughing out loud.

  Stepping away, we began chatting about the night before and Savannah’s close call with Luke. “He was like a mad man, Brooke! A mad man, I tell you. It’s amazing I made it out alive.” She dramatically replayed the events of the evening prior to my arrival. “But then you should have seen his face. He looked like he lost his best friend. What did you say to him?”

  “Well,” I began drawing the word out as a sinister grin spread over my face. “I told him I had heard you were dating a new guy, and was hoping we could get back to being friends and then told him I was going to set up a group date immediately. When he began turning white, I went on a longwinded explanation of why I thought it was a brilliant idea and then left before he could defend his side. Told him I was off to go beat on your door until you answered.”

  Savannah threw her head backwards as laughter consumed her. Her small body previously referred to as 6 ft tallshook with force as tears streamed down her face. “I’m almost feeling sorry for Luke Wellington. Almost, but not quite. So our next plan of action is what? When will you tell him about the other issue? Don’t you two have a date coming up?”

  Nodding as I grabbed our drinks from the barista, I turned back to Savannah and passed over her drink. “Yeah I think we’re going out tonight, I’ll probably keep it low key. I’m not the temptress you are. I’m saving the big announcement though for another night. When do you two go out again?”

  Savannah’s pupils enlarged as she sipped her Frappuccino. “Look Brooke, I’m not sure if we can be friends again or not. You said a lot of hurtful things, and I just can’t move past it.”

  As I shook my head in confusion, Savannah tilted hers to the side. Slyly glancing the direction of the nod, I instantly spotted the gorgeous man we were destroying piece by piece cautiously striding our way. He looked like the epitome of sex with his fresh haircut and five o’clock shadow. The charcoal material of his designer suit had been tailored to hug every strong, lean muscle in his body. “Remind me again why we hate him,” I whispered as my mouth watered.

  “Umm…,” Savannah stammered softly. “He played us both and destroyed our friendship. We. Hate. Him.”

  I growled in frustration. “Bastard. Shame all those good looks are just wasted on an arrogant ass.”

  “He’s getting closer, Brooke,” Savannah’s voice getting a touch panicky.

  “Look, Savannah!” I yelled, my voice nearing hysterics. “I just want our friendship back. This is me trying to reconnect with you because I know we both regret our actions over this last month.” The waterworks in my eyes began, right on cue, thank you drama class! Sniveling, I continued. “I just want things to go back to how they were, I need my best friend. You don’t understand what’s going on in my life right now.”

  “Brooke, I just…. I just can’t.” Savannah’s lip trembled and then she rushed off.

  And the Oscar goes to Savannah Prescott and Brooke Reid!

  Hanging my head, I dashed away a few invisible tears just as Lucas rubbed my arm. “Brooke, honey, are you okay?”

  Turning, I fell into his arms. “Oh Lucas, I’m sorry; I’m just all over the place.”

  Awkwardly rubbing my back Lucas scanned the lobby with his eyes, seeking out the other piece of this crazy triangle.

  “Well,” I said, wiping my face once more. Tossing my cup in the trash can in front of the coffee stand, I locked eyes with a very confused looking barista. Once I was facing Lucas again, I smiled brightly “I best get back upstairs. Spring is going to press and it must be perfect.” Patting Lucas on the shoulder, I pecked him on the lips before he could even react. “I’ll see you tonight right? Want to do dinner at my place, say six o’clock?”

  Lucas shook his head as I started walking away. “No, umm,” I could see his hesitation probably as he tried to decide which place would be safer to dine at. “Let’s go out I know this great place about an hour from here, I’ve been dying to take you,” his charm coming out in full force I just stared in awe.

  Dinner was uneventful. Lucas and I mostly discussed the upcoming auction and plans I had in place. I gave him the rundown of how it would go, and told him it was sure to be a night to remember. Back in my parking garage Lucas kissed me passionately as his hands caressed my bare back, making my body hum with sexual deprivation. Letting Savannah’s voice replay in my mind, I backed away scolding myself before putting a halt to his game. “Lucas, I don’t think we should tonight. I have to be up early for work, I’m sorry. Maybe I can sneak up to your office at lunch tomorrow, show my appreciation.”

  Hopping in the elevator, I literally shook from the feeling of my skin crawling. I wasn’t sure how long I could do this. Hating that Lucas had made me bitter toward men. I just don’t understand how he could have played me like this. Why would he? He said he cared, claimed to love me. Yet he was destroying my friendship and sleeping with both me and my best friend. This was one of those times I wished I wasn’t an only child and could call a brother in to teach him a lesson. But nope, this one was up to me to dish out and I intended to make him pay.

  Quite frankly, I wanted to destroy him. Sweet, innocent Brooke he called me. But he was going to learn that only went until someone crossed me. I hated to be a spiteful person, but Lucas Wellington had to learn. Looking in the glossy mirrored doors of the elevator, I saw the woman I was becoming. She was so angry, so hostile. I promised myself then and there, that after Lucas was annihilated I would let it go. Be open to finding love again, holding on to my faith that it did exist.

  The elevator doors opened to my floor and I stood on the threshold, I wasn’t ready to be alone tonight. My brain was going a mile a minute and I just needed to vent and talk with someone. Pressing the button for Savannah’s floor I was in her condo, wine in hand and ready to unwind in a flash. Thank God for best friends. Just as we settled into the couch and threw the blanket over us both, a firm knock at the door startled us.

  “What the—? I’m not expecting anyone,” Savannah began, untangling herself from her seat on the couch. Peeking out the peep hole, she spun around in a flurry, flailing her arms to gain my attention. “It’s Luke!” she mouthed at me.

  Oh Shit! Jumping up, I grabbed my heels and my purse and scurried off to the bedroom, closing the door gently, leaving all but a crack that allowed me to peek out and watch.

  “Luke, what a wonderful surprise. Sadly though, I was just turning in for the night. Early morning with the spring issue going to press,” Savannah’s sultry voice tormented him as she ran her hands along his chest, placing a kiss on his cheek.

  As she tried to shut the front door on him, Lucas roared, “Jesus!” and threw his hands up in the air with frustration. “If I hear spring issue one more time- I just want some alone time with my girl to get laid. My dick is literally going to fall off. I even held a funeral for my balls after last night.” Stomping into the condo, he plopped on the couch and buried his head in his hands.

  “Umm, Luke, I’m really sorry,” Savannah apologized, still standing at the front door but looking at the bedroom door where I was hiding.

  Lucas nodded his head, not even bothering to lift it as he spoke to Savannah. “Don’t worry about it, I’m out,” he muttered as he forced himself back up and trudged out the door.

  Skipping back out to Savannah, I couldn’t hide the glee and excitement bubbling out of me. “Oh my God, we are doing it! He is crumbling!”

  Savannah shook her head. “He may murder us at this rate, did you see the frustration and anger coming off of him. I thought he might combust.”

  Falling to the couch, we clinked our wine glasses together. “To the destruction of Lucas Wellington, may his dick join his balls six feet under,” I called as we both began laughing wildly.

  CHAPTER TWENTY
-FOUR

  Savannah

  WHEN I AWOKE the next morning, I felt as if I should have slept at the office. I rushed through my morning routine as fast as possible before I made the drive to my building, cringing at the thought of dealing with all the last minute photos everyone would want before finalizing the spring issue. Walking past my assistant I called her into my office. “I need edits from Monday’s shoot back on my desk in thirty minutes. Monica is going to have my head if they aren’t in her office by nine.”

  Nodding, my assistant rushed off toward the editing department and I made my way into Brooke’s office.

  I could tell she’d already been there for a few hours. Her desk was a mess and design boards were set up everywhere. “Messy Brooke, I like it. I don’t think my office has ever been more organized than yours until now.” Peering up at me, she rolled her eyes, and I went on. “So, I think we are playing with fire. I feel like Luke is going to physically combust if he doesn’t get laid soon. Not to mention, this is Luke Wellington we are talking about, he is one of the most eligible bachelors in all of Denver, if he’s not getting laid by one of us, he’s going to get it from someone else and we are too close to pulling this off to let him dump us for some hussy.”

  Brooke pulled her attention from her computer and glared at me. “What are you trying to say, Sav?” Flopping down on her leather couch I made myself comfortable. “One of us needs to sleep with him, I don’t care which one it is, but we’ve got to keep him holding on just a bit longer. I’m okay with either of us taking one for the team, so I’ll let you decide, but we’ve got to make a decision. I really thought he was going to lose it last night. So what do you say, you or me? Who’s it going to be?”