Just A Man (The Porter Trilogy Book 1)

by Shannon Youngblood

  “Good morning, Mr. Porter, here’s your coffee.” I handed it to him and watched him take a long swig. He closed his eyes, enjoying the coffee, and I watched as his Adam’s apple moved when he swallowed. I was instantly turned on and my cheeks flamed in heat.

  When he finally looked back at me, I was stunned by his words, “I think that we can move past formalities now, Charlotte, don’t you think? Please, call me Alex.”

  It took me a few minutes to find my voice, because I certainly wasn’t expecting that statement to come from him, and honestly, it was a little weird to think I could address him in such an informal manner. “Are you sure? I mean I wouldn’t want to embarrass you or anything,” I said, feeling instantly uncomfortable.

  “Charlotte,” he said, setting down his coffee, “Use your best judgement, if you feel that’s it’s better to address me as Mr. Porter in a setting outside of this office, please do so. But, in this office, just you and me, I would like for you to call me Alex. Is that understood?” he said, his typical demanding tone coming through.

  “Yes, Mr. Port– I mean Alex.” I blushed, giving myself away again. I was going to have to learn to control that. I couldn’t be blushing in front of him like this all the time. It was so embarrassing to think that he knew every time I was thinking about sex with him, and, after last night, I had a feeling that every time I looked at him I would be blushing.

  “Sit, Charlotte, let’s talk.” He looked at me skeptically, his elbows resting on his desk with his fingers laced.

  I couldn’t pin point his look at all. I was pretty sure I knew what he wanted to talk about, but I wasn’t quite ready. I needed some time, but I knew I wasn’t going to be given a choice. Alex Porter was intense and, when he wanted something, even as simple as a conversation, he was hard pressed not to get it.

  “I had a very nice night last night and I wanted to thank you,” he said when I finally sat. I looked up from my lap at him with a measure of shock. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, or the big BUT, but it never came. Instead, he said, “I’d like you to spend the night with me tonight. Don’t answer now. Think about it and let me know at lunch.”

  He considered his next words carefully, inspecting my face to see if I would give anything away. “We have a connection, Charlotte, and you can’t deny it. I would like us to explore that connection, no strings attached, just mutual pleasure for the both of us. I can show you and teach you things you never thought possible. Just think about it.”

  I nodded my head at him as I stood and walked towards the door. Of all things we could have said, that was the LAST thing I would have thought. I thought maybe he regretted last night and would tell me that it can’t ever happen again. Or maybe he’d fallen head over heels for me and wanted to marry me. Ok, maybe that was a little far fetched. But fuck buddies? That was not even in the same realm as to how I expected that conversation to go. I was torn, very torn. Did I want to come to his bed and receive the intense and gratifying pleasure I could find between his sheets? DUH! But could I do it with no strings attached? Of that, I knew the answer immediately. Hell. No.

  I sighed, shutting the door. I knew he was watching me through the cameras, and I didn’t want him to see my internal debate. I was getting sick and tired of the cameras and his watchful eye. I wanted to be him, but I wanted to be with him. Not just for sex. I thought back to what my dad had told me prior to my interview. His assistants never lasted more than a few months. Was this why? Was it a stipulation of hire that you had to screw the boss?

  I didn’t think I could believe that, but, deep inside me, I was pretty sure that may have been the case. I audibly sighed and rubbed the palms of my hands over my eyes. I received an incoming text and I didn’t have to open it to know who it was from.

  From- Alex Porter (310) 555-7481

  8:02am

  No daydreaming, and no over thinking, just say yes!

  x

  -A

  X? As in X’s and O’s? As in Hugs and Kisses, well hugs only, but really? I already knew my answer was going to yes. I was a glutton for punishment and I couldn’t stay away from him. I told myself last night, over and over, that this was a one time occurrence, and it couldn’t happen again. The more times I chanted it, the more I knew that it was going to happen.

  What I could do, though, was make him sweat. Yes, that’s what I would do. I would make him think I was going to say no until the last possible moment. I felt a little bit better about my plan and laughed to myself and I started working on a new app proposal I’d received the day before. Goading him was probably a bad idea, but I needed something to hold on to, something that didn’t feel out of my control.

  *********

  As lunch rolled around, I had completely forgotten my boss’s proposition and my subsequent plan. He took that moment to remind me, asking me to order lunch for the both of us and to join me in his office. I ran over to the deli to pick up our order, formulating what I would say during our impromptu lunch. He ordered chicken salad on a croissant, while I decided on a chicken caesar salad. I wasn’t particularly hungry because my stomach was in knots. I wasn’t sure if I was nervous to accept his offer, or nervous because of my plan to delay the inevitable. Either way, I didn’t think I would be doing much eating.

  When I got back to my desk, I deposited my purse and buzzed Alex. After a moment, he beckoned me in. Instead of being at his desk, he was seated on the couch, his jacket off and his tie loosened. He looked relaxed and his eyes were low, but staring at me. I flushed and walked over to the table in front of the couch, setting down our lunch and his starbucks. He hadn’t asked for it, but I knew better.

  “This smells delicious, Charlotte, thank you for picking it up.” His voice was sultry and inviting.

  I nodded his way and began sorting the food while he picked up his coffee and took a sip, staring at me.

  “What are you thinking, Charlotte?” he said, setting down his cup.

  I took a drink of my black tea so I could compose my answer. I knew he would want to jump right into the questions, so I had been mentally preparing myself and what I was going to say. Putting my drink back on the table and looking up at him, I said, “I’m thinking I’m not so sure about this, Alex”

  He looked taken aback, scratch that, he looked hurt, and mad. I was really confused by his reaction. Why on earth would he be mad, and more importantly, why would he be hurt? We barely knew each other. His face only betrayed his emotions for a split second before my impassive Alex was back, which then morphed into amusement.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, Charlotte, maybe I can persuade you to change your mind,” he said, his devilish grin projecting from his face.

  Uh-Oh, I knew that look. He was going to sex a ‘yes’ answer out of me. Well, I guess that’s a win-win for me. I had planned on saying yes anyway, and now I was going to get hot afternoon office sex with a God in a suit.

  He scooted closer to me and pushed my hair around my ear. He then leaned down and kissed my parted lips. It was sweet, and passionate, and lazy. His tongue peeked out and licked across my bottom lip, tempting me to open. When I did, he pushed into my mouth and nipped my bottom lip with his teeth. His breath tasted of coffee and when it mixed with his unique scent, it created an intoxicating cocktail.

  I pulled back, surprised, and he grinned at me, “Are you sure about that, Charlie?” He was using my own words against me.

  When I didn’t respond, he took my silence as an invitation to continue. He roughly pulled me by the back of neck to him and crushed our lips together. No longer waiting for an invitation, his tongue dove into my mouth, licking every inch of it. I tried to keep up, but he was so demanding. I could feel myself growing wet between my legs and I let a moan escape my lips. I didn’t want this to end, which kept the word ‘Yes’ from flying from my mouth.

  He pulled out of my mouth and trailed rough wet kisses down my neck to the hollow of my throat. I leaned my head back and moaned in pure satisfaction. He really wa
nted me to say yes.

  Before I knew it, I was flat on my back on the couch and he was unbuttoning my shirt roughly, almost scattering the buttons in his wake. When his teeth found my pert nipple, I bowed up and into his waiting mouth. The feeling was exquisite as he suckled one nipple and pinched the other.

  Suddenly, he was gone. I looked up to see him staring at my breasts and panting. “How about that, Charlie? Are you sure about that? Maybe I need to do another demonstration.”

  Again, I couldn’t respond, and again, he took that as a sign to continue. This time, though, he took his time, knowing full well he was torturing an answer out of me. He pulled my skirt over my hips to my ankles but didn’t take it off. I was wearing cream colored lace boy shorts this time, and it has to be noted that I had an extra pair in my purse, just in case.

  “I don’t want to ruin another pair for you, Charlie, but I love the feel of the lace disintegrating in my hand,” he said as he once again ripped them from my body. Instead of throwing them on the floor, he brought them to his nose and took a sniff. I was mortified! He looked down at me and gave me a mega-watt smile before shoving them into his pants pocket.

  Oh God, I was so out of my league with him. But I couldn’t say no, I just couldn’t. I almost shouted yes, right then and there with his gaze penetrating me. My fingers gripped the edge of couch tight, turning my knuckles white, telegraphing that I was losing control.

  He dipped his head down. “You’re so wet for me, Charlie, so wet. Do you want to come?”

  “Yes.” I whispered, hoping he heard me.

  “Will you spend the night with me?” he whispered.

  I whimpered, but didn’t confirm or deny. I don’t think my mouth could have formed any more words anyway when he started blowing at my entrance, causing a chill to run through my body.

  “I asked you a question, Charlotte, and I expect an answer.” He dipped two fingers into my waiting sex and swirled around, searching for my g-spot. When he found it, I just about leapt from the couch and screamed. He pushed me back down with his other hand.

  Grinding out the words, “Fuck, Charlie, Answer The Question. Will. You. Stay. The. Night.” Each word another thrust of his fingers hitting my core.

  “Yes, Alex, please, harder, I need it harder,” I pleaded, hoping my begging would result in an orgasm. Even though I had a mind blowing release yesterday, the build up inside of me was almost painful.

  He obliged my demand, adding a third finger and fucking me hard. His lips found my clit and licked once, twice, and a third time before my body tightened with imminent release. “Look at me, Charlie,” he gritted out.

  I opened my eyes and searched his out. They were fierce and hot. The searing heat in them was my undoing as I lost the internal battle within me to contain the pleasure. My muscles clenched on his fingers and I screamed as a climax ruptured through me, splitting me in half. The rubberband of my pleasure snapped. I closed my eyes and drunk in the last ripples of my orgasm, waiting for my breathing to return to normal. He really wanted a yes from me.

  A short time later, I heard him speak again. “So, you’ll stay the night?”

  “Yes, Alex. I will, but I need to go home and get some stuff, and you know the traffic. I probably won’t be back until closer to 9pm.”

  He glanced at my face and then looked at his watch. “We’ll finish eating and you can go home now. You’ll miss the traffic and be back here by 4pm. We’ll leave your car in the garage and I can drive you over.”

  I wasn’t too keen on that idea and I told him so. “I’d feel more comfortable if I had my car. Can I meet you at your place or at least drive myself over from here?” This would have been two days in a row I’d left early, and I didn’t like that either, but seeing the look on his face, I chose not to voice that problem right now.

  I could tell he wasn’t happy with the idea of me having my own car, but he nodded and turned back to his sandwich. I turned back to my salad, feeling ravenous, but hesitant about my decision.

  I was entering a booty call relationship with my boss. A man who could bring me to untold heights of pleasure in the bedroom and scared the living shit out of me outside the bedroom. I was excited, and, when the smile I’d been holding back spread all over my face, Alex gave me a wicked grin, promising me without words that tonight would be no exception.

  Chapter 17

  Danny wasn’t home when I got there, which saved me from an uncomfortable conversation as to where I would be spending the evening, or whose bed I would be in. I knew he was going to worry about me, but I didn’t want him changing my mind. I’d made my decision and I was going to stick with it. I did intend to leave him a vague note though so he didn’t have the cops searching for me when I didn’t come home.

  I’d never had a sleepover before, especially not with a man who could shatter my sense with a single word or look. I wasn’t sure what to pack, so I packed a little of everything. Casual Jeans and a tank top, Yoga shorts, more lacy panties than I would normally need for one or two nights, and, as a final thought, my red silk babydoll nightgown. It had spaghetti straps and fell to an inch above my knee. It made me feel pretty and I wore it when I was having a rough day and needed a pick me up.

  I walked into my bathroom, grabbing my shampoo, conditioner, and deodorant, as well as my makeup bag and some lotion. When everything was shoved into my bag, I took a look in the mirror, studying myself. From the outside I looked like my normal self, just Charlie, but inside I was a bundle of nerves and sexual tension, even with my recent releases. I looked at my hair falling around my shoulders and down to my waist. I really needed a trim, but I just couldn’t bear the thought of anyone taking scissors to my hair. I studied myself a while longer, fingering a stray curl.

  Heaving a sigh, I took my bag, flipped off the light to my bathroom, and made my way back out to the living room. It was 3pm and we had decided I would meet him at his house at 5pm. I still had about a half hour before I needed to leave. What was I going to do with a half an hour? I wanted to leave now, but I didn’t want to come off as too anxious. I didn’t want him thinking I was too excited. I had a feeling that, if I came off that way, he would get annoyed with me very quickly, and even though my heart protested this arrangement, my body wanted it to last for as long as it could.

  At 3:30 on the dot, I shoved my bag into my passenger seat and punched Alex’s address into my GPS. I put on the radio to calm my nerves and was eventually singing along to “Honey, I’m Good” by Andy Grammer, with the windows down and my hair flowing around my face. I felt alive for the first time in eight years and I relished in my new found life. A new job and amazing sex had the ability to pull my out of the slump I hadn’t known I was truly in.

  I pulled up to Alex’s valet at 4:45pm, thanking the traffic Gods and Alex that they had spared me from hours of bumper to bumper driving. When I walked into the lobby, I saw the familiar black clad concierge sitting at a chair talking to the lady behind the counter.

  “Miss Hightower,” he said, standing up and striding over to me, “We’ve never been properly introduced. My name is Bracks. I’m Alex’s driver and personal guard. He’s asked me to take you up to his penthouse and let you in. He’ll be returning in fifteen minutes or so. Can I grab your bag?” He gave me a smile and reached out his hand to take my bag.

  “I appreciate the offer, Bracks, but I’ve got it.” I said, watching as he pulled down his glasses to the end of his nose and gave me an impatient look. I blanched. I wasn’t ready to make anyone mad, especially his right hand man. Reluctantly, I handed over my bag and let him fling it over his shoulder.

  “This way, Miss Hightower,” he said over his shoulder.

  “Please call me Charlie, Bracks,” I said. I really hated being called Miss Hightower.

  “That would be highly inappropriate of me, Miss Hightower, and I don’t think Mr. Porter would appreciate it.” He turned around and winked at me, making me blush yet again. We rode up in the elevator in silence. It was a comforta
ble silence, thankfully, that gave me time to process what I was about to do.

  When he walked me into the apartment, he set my bag inside the door and turned to leave. “Mr. Porter asked me to tell you to make yourself at home and that he’d arrive shortly,” shutting the door on his last words, leaving me alone in Alex’s empty house.

  I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t know what room I would be staying in, so I wasn’t comfortable putting my bag anywhere than where it was, and I’m pretty sure “making myself at home” didn’t mean stripping down to my pj’s and gorging on ice cream while watching some netflix series. I’d been in his place twice so far, but never made it past the two bedrooms and a brief moment in his office.

  I decided I would just look around the bottom floor, taking in the extravagance and the beauty. Alex Porter really did have impeccable taste. As cold and as manly as the bedrooms had felt, his open living room space was warm and inviting.

  I walked over to the couch and sat down on the edge, because that’s how I felt, on edge. I took another moment to look at the entertainment system with the multiple gaming systems. I couldn’t see any games, but I’m sure they were somewhere near by.

  I stood back up, because I was restless, and walked to the kitchen. I hadn’t noticed it before, but something smelled delicious. I walked over to the stove to find a note:

  Mr. Porter,

  Lasagna needs to be removed at 5:00pm to avoid burning.

  Have a lovely evening.

  -Grace

  Who the hell was Grace? I looked up to see that it was 5pm, and, since this was probably my dinner as well, I decided to go ahead and remove it. I took it out and placed it on the cooling rack and turned the stove off. The smell was incredible, and I was so hungry I was ready to crack into it now. I hadn’t eaten much salad at lunch, and honestly, over the past few days, I hadn’t eaten much at all.