Between You and Me

by Lynn Turner

  “Oh my God,” he groaned, drinking in the sight of her most intimate places covered in almost sheer black lace.

  She stood up slowly, her back arched, and stepped out of her dress before turning around. His eyes dropped to her legs and rose at a lazy pace, taking in her calves, her plump little ass, the dimples above it, and the ample skin leading up to her shoulders. She made sure his eyes met hers before unhooking her bra and shrugging out of it. With a roll of her hips she faced him again, holding her bra in place with one arm.

  He made eye contact with her, and his heart stopped its furious thudding. She moved her arm, a sinful smirk gracing her lips, and allowed the pretty scrap of lace to fall to the floor. His mouth was open, nearly drooling, his eyes caressing her topless form.

  It had only been a minute or so, evident by the way the music grew in intensity, Nina’s vocals elevating to a sexy dual with an invigorated saxophone. Two minutes felt stretched to ten, like they were in a stunning trance the entire time. Emanuela drew closer and lifted her laptop to carry it into the bathroom, her taut tummy and the underside of her breasts filling Finn’s screen. She set her laptop on the vanity and sat down to be face-to-face with him. Another song began to play softly in the background.

  “Emanuela,” Finn said, his voice strained with need for her, “I don’t think I can handle more of you like—that—and not be able to…” He gave her an apologetic smile.

  She blushed. “I know. I thought we could help each other—here.”

  She looked at him with wide, questioning eyes, and Finn groaned. He definitely caught her meaning. “You do miss me. Show me.”

  ****

  The look Finn gave her sent a jolt of desire that went straight to her clit. She sighed and let her hand fall to slide beneath the elastic edge of her lace panties.

  “Show me how much you miss me,” he said, rubbing himself.

  His gruff voice sent another shiver down her spine. She moaned as her fingers glided through the trim curls of her mound and her swollen folds to brush her slick, taut clit. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. She never thought she’d have the nerve, and even now she fought to keep her eyes open because the intensity in his eyes made her feel like she’d combust.

  She couldn’t look away. He was so beautiful and virally male, stroking himself and watching her come apart in front of him. He talked her through it, and she responded superbly to his voice, growing warmer with every word.

  “Just imagine what we’re going to do the next time we see each other,” he said. “Show me how good it makes you feel.”

  The carnal image of him behind her flooded her memory and she shuddered. She continued to slide her fingers against her clit, applying more pressure, her body trembling and tiny spasms shaking her thighs.

  “Good, beautiful.” His voice sounded gruff and strained. “I’m thinking about how incredible it feels to be inside you and how soft your lips are on my ear.”

  “Unh,” she cried.

  He loved the special attention she gave his ears, and the memory of the husky sounds he made when her teeth grazed his lobes made her moan again. She couldn’t wait. She missed his touch too much for this to be a slow burn, and the sound of him pumping himself faster sent her that much closer. She tensed and her eyes slid shut against the first wave of ecstasy. Her clit swelled against her rapid fingers and then sharp pleasure pushed her chest forward, her back arching as she hummed her release. She heard him growl low in his throat and pried her eyes open to watch, the final tremors leaving her body.

  His eyes were on her too, and moments after she crumbled before him, his brow creased and he gritted his teeth. His body jerked forward and he shuddered over and over before his face relaxed again. They grinned at each other and Finn moved to clean himself up.

  “Wow.” She reached for her robe. “That was a revelation.”

  “Amazing. I didn’t know we were this comfortable with each other yet.”

  “I’ve never done this before—not like this. But I trust you.”

  “I trust you too.”

  They were like teenagers in that moment, gaping at each other and delighting in their growing feelings.

  “I like that dress, by the way,” she said with an indignant pout. “It’s getting warmer here and white is one of my favorite colors to wear in hot weather.”

  He chuckled. “I liked it too. I didn’t like that it looked so damn good on you, and I can’t see what you wear every day.”

  “The only reason you saw it today is because I had to stay late at work so I could make a conference call to one of our manufacturers in China. Their offices don’t open until seven their time, so I stayed until seven tonight and didn’t get home until after eight.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t realized. You must be exhausted.”

  “I am but this was worth it,” she said, waggling her brows.

  They shared a laugh, just one among many over the next hour before Emanuela prepared for bed. She was finally unable to stifle her yawns any longer, and Finn chided her softly. “Go to sleep, Emanuela. We can talk more tomorrow.”

  She loved how he said her full name. People close to her called her “Em,” but something about the way he said it, with a reverence in his deep tone, made her feel so beautiful.

  “Goodnight, Finn.”

  “Goodnight.” She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

  ****

  “What’s with the stupid grin?” Allie eyed Emanuela as the latter completed her order to the waiter.

  “What? I don’t have a stupid grin.” Emanuela’s smile grew wider.

  “Okay, see? There! That stupid grin. What gives?”

  The beautiful redhead’s expression turned to one of absolute determination, a look Emanuela knew very well. Shit, Emanuela thought. “Nothing,” she said, smoothly. “I’ve just been having a really good day.”

  She could temper her expression very well too, something Allie knew well enough to see that Emanuela was lying through her pretty white teeth.

  “Uh-huh,” Allie said. “Fine, don’t tell me. But fix your face. You look goofy—and beautiful. What is that?” She indicated Emanuela’s belted seafoam wrap dress with a swirl of her salad fork.

  Emanuela dug into her salad, famished at the midday hour. She was a bit late for their lunch date. She had to make some last-minute changes to the non-disclosure agreement she drew up for the new manufacturers they contracted for Finn and Simon’s smart limbs. She arrived at their favorite restaurant in SOHO a little after two.

  “Donna Karan,” she said, devouring another forkful.

  “You should gift that to me for my birthday,” Allie said, completely serious. “Green looks amazing on my complexion.”

  Emanuela threw her a disbelieving look. “No way. You make enough to buy a million of these. I’m keeping this one.”

  Allie shrugged, then reached for a pretty pale blue box and set it in the center of the table. “Here, I brought your favorite canelés.”

  “Yes!” Emanuela reached for the box with childlike giddiness.

  Lifting the lid, she peered inside and smiled at the six beautiful French pastries, their glistening, caramelized crusts beckoning her to try one. They smelled even better than they looked.

  Allie shook her head with a laugh. “You do that every time, and every time it’s the same.”

  “I never know with you. I could open that box one day and lose some fingers.”

  “Not my style.” Allie checked out Emanuela’s plate with hungry eyes. “Oohh, that looks divine!”

  It did look divine. The nori-crusted tuna had just the right amount of sear on the outside, and was presented on a bed of garlic rice and broccolini. Emanuela’s stomach grumbled and she grimaced at Allie. “Here,” she said, half-heartedly. “Have some.”

  Allie grinned and cut a bite of Emanuela’s tuna to taste. “Oh yeah,” she said in an obscene tone. “That’s good!”

  She reached for another bite and Emanuela smacked her hand aw
ay.

  “Hey, if this is what you wanted you should’ve ordered it. Hands off!” She wrinkled her nose at Allie for dramatic effect.

  “Oh, you are in a peculiar mood today.” Allie’s eyes gleamed as they studied Emanuela. She continued to stare at her as she took a bite of salmon. “That kind of nauseating happiness can only mean one thing. But unless he’s Superman, he’s still a million miles away. So who’s got you all—that?” She swirled her fork at Emanuela again.

  Emanuela had always shared everything with Allie. After all, she told her about Finn the night she met him and they’d spent an hour talking about him in great detail through scandalized giggles. It was easier to talk about when it was just a phenomenon. When it wasn’t tangible. Allie knew she’d gone out with Finn, but Emanuela wasn’t ready to share the reason for her newfound giddiness just yet. In truth, she didn’t know what the hell to call it herself. In the space of a week, he went from an intriguing stranger in a lounge, to surprising new client, and now? Her heartbeat sped up. He was someone she’d grown to care about very much.

  Allie was scowling at her.

  “What? I told you I’ve been having a really good day. I even had time for my run this morning,” Emanuela said.

  That worked.

  “Em, it’s not safe for you to go running around Central Park so early in the morning all by yourself. You should use the key I gave you. It’s much safer in Gramercy.”

  Emanuela sighed, sensing where this conversation was headed. Two years ago, she’d moved into her twelfth-floor condominium on the Upper West Side. At two million dollars, bottom of the market, the place was a steal and it was the only way she could afford it at the time. And she loved it. The “West 90s” area wasn’t as affluent as Allie’s Gramercy Park residence but Emanuela didn’t mind at all. It was lively but not loud, and still maintained a feeling of community that made her feel at home. She had access to theaters, art galleries and two nearby parks for recreation, and her morning commute to the financial district was less than thirty minutes whether she drove or took the train.

  “I do use it,” she said. “And it’s beautiful but it’s so boring in there sometimes. Half the fun of going for a jog is the people watching and smells and sounds. I could pass out dead in Gramercy Park and no one would find me until the maintenance people came around the next day.”

  Allie groaned. “Stop being dramatic. Use the key.”

  Emanuela stuck out her tongue at her worrywart of a best friend before changing the subject. “Are you excited for NOLA? I am. I think a change of scenery will be good for us about now.”

  “Oh God, I thought I’d told you…”

  It was Emanuela’s turn to groan. “You can’t come.”

  Allie’s face fell. “I tried to make it work! You know I did, but I’m completely booked! Over booked, really. I need every available day for prep. I really was looking forward to our trip this year.”

  “No, I know. I get it,” Emanuela said, hiding her disappointment with a small smile. “I guess we’re getting too busy for these spur-of-the-moment trips, huh? Our lives are so unpredictable now.”

  “Wait.” Allie’s face lit back up again.

  “Allie?” Emanuela knew that look. She could practically see the gears moving in her friend’s brain.

  “My life might be unpredictable right now but yours isn’t. I mean, not consistently anyway.” Allie waved off her own rambling in annoyance. “But you can still go!”

  “No. Allie—” Emanuela shook her head. “This was supposed to be the two of us! It won’t be any fun hitting the jazz festival and getting drunk all by my lonesome.”

  “But that’s what I’m trying to tell you! You don’t have to go alone. Take the good doctor with you instead! Oh my God, it’s perfect!”

  “I don’t know—”

  “It IS. Just imagine how much fun you’d have if you had a whole weekend to yourselves. No work, just good food, wine, and a big strong man to hammer out all your dents,” she said, getting more carried away with every word.

  Emanuela winced at her description. Only Allie could phrase innocent words in a way that sounded crasser than direct sexual references, but she had to admit that the idea sounded so good. “I do like the idea but it’s such short notice.”

  “It’s three weeks away! Besides, who cares? He’s unemployed!”

  Emanuela glared.

  “He is, Em. Gainfully so, but still. It’s not like he needs to put in for time off.”

  She’s right! Emanuela thought, daring to hope.

  “No need to reimburse me for the ticket, it’s on the house,” Allie said. “You need to get laid. Let this be my gift to you.”

  “Gee, thanks.” Emanuela grimaced again.

  “You’re welcome, hon. I gotta run. I’ve got a tasting in thirty minutes.” Allie gathered her things to leave. “Try not to get blue balls til then, okay? They’ve got apps for that.” She winked wickedly before pecking Emanuela’s cheek and taking off.

  Emanuela shook her head, and the same grin she’d worn on her way in spread across her face. They’ve got apps for that. Boy, did she know it.

  Chapter Ten

  “Have I done something to offend you?”

  Emanuela looked up from her notes to see Brian standing over her wearing a pained expression. “No more than usual.”

  He gave her a rare smile. “I expected you to go over my head in the final decision-making process but you didn’t. I thought maybe you foisted the decision on me to see if I’d trip up.”

  The rest of the team started trickling into the firm’s boardroom. The tech specialist was setting up the equipment to ensure that everyone in the room would be visible to Finn and Simon during the call. The large space was outfitted with high-backed, deep brown leather chairs, a large oak conference table, full-service mini bar, a fireplace, and a stunning view of the city’s skyline.

  “We might not be bosom buddies but I respect your expertise,” she said. “Anyway, I couldn’t have gone over your head even if I’d wanted to. Philip’s call, but I liked your strategy and he agreed. You’ll have the floor when the time comes.”

  Brian’s surprise was obvious. “I—thank you, Emanuela.”

  She nodded just as Philip’s strident voice preceded him into the boardroom. “Today’s the big day! Signing day!”

  He strolled in with three suited guests. Emanuela stood to greet them. She shook the hand of the petite woman whose plant would be responsible for the final assembly of the smart limbs. “Mrs. Martinez, I hope your trip here was pleasant.”

  “Thank you, Miss Monroe,” Mrs. Martinez said. “It was comfortable. The additional information you provided was very easy to understand.”

  Emanuela was thrilled to learn that their firm would be signing on to work with a female head of manufacturing. It was a rare occurrence in her line of work to meet such a woman, and it was refreshing. She took personal care of any concerns the Tijuana plant leader had in preparation for their meeting.

  “My pleasure.” Emanuela smiled as Mrs. Martinez moved to take her seat. Then she greeted the heads of the manufacturing companies who would be making the smart limb parts. “Mr. Oliver, Mr. Vargas, pleasure to finally meet you both in person.”

  Introductions were made around the room, and light refreshments served before the four LCD screens in the center of the table—one facing each direction to accommodate everyone seated—lit up. The sound of an outgoing call echoed throughout the room. Emanuela’s nerves fired in anticipation of seeing Finn in a matter of moments. She straightened her already impeccable clothes and smoothed her hair. Philip took his usual place next to her, handing her a coffee. The speakers crackled a second later, signaling that the call had gone through.

  ****

  Finn’s eyes narrowed, watching Philip Hurst give Emanuela her coffee before sitting much too close to her, in his opinion. The armrests of the man’s chair practically stuck to hers. He managed not to curse aloud, channeling his annoyance into
a fidget by adjusting his tie.

  “Good morning!” Philip said, much too cheerful for such an early hour.

  Well, not for him, Finn thought. What was wrong with him? Of course the man was excited. They all were. This was a big day. He needed to get his head in the game. Thankfully, whatever contraption some benevolent geek at Hurst Capital had put together for the occasion panned the room, allowing him and Simon to become acquainted with everyone else in attendance. The sight of them all in their professional suits of armor gathered around the expensive-looking table just made it feel all the more momentous. He took a deep breath and Simon squeezed his shoulder, seeming to share the same sentiment.

  “Good morning,” Finn greeted everyone.

  “Morning!” Simon boomed.

  Emanuela’s clear, assertive voice filled the room. To Finn, it seemed to reach through his speakers and caress his ears.

  “To start, I’ll quickly introduce our new manufacturing team and then we can take on any last questions or concerns you may have,” she said, smiling into the camera.

  The screen split. The larger part of the screen showed the entire room and its occupants, and the smaller one in the lower right-hand corner featured only Emanuela.

  “Wow!” Simon said.

  Finn lifted a single brow. He had to admit, their geek was talented. Even in this medium, Emanuela took his breath away. Her hair was up again. It occurred to him that she might wear it that way to appear more put-together. In control. No matter, since it just drew attention to her beautiful face. She was talking. He should listen. These introductions were just a formality, of course. Everyone knew very well who the others were in attendance. They wouldn’t be worth their salt if they didn’t. Once the top choices for manufacturers were selected, Finn and Simon became familiar with each of them. The final decision rested with the firm, per their agreement in Seattle two weeks ago, and seeing who made the final cut impressed the pair. The camera panned again.