No Reservations

by Kristen Proby

  “Their parents might.” He shrugs.

  “It’s my hobby, and I want to keep it that way. If it becomes work, it won’t be as fun.”

  “That’s true.”

  Our salads are delivered and after he takes a bite, he sips his wine and his brown eyes widen in surprise.

  “Holy shit, that’s good.”

  “I know, right?”

  “I love that you know this stuff because I can use it later to impress people.”

  “I’m here to serve you,” I reply with a wink. “I can give you lots of impressive information.”

  “You’re pretty, too, so there’s that. Well, you’ll be prettier when we get you better jeans.”

  “Is this going to cost me a lot of money?”

  He stares at me like I’ve just said I want to dye my hair rainbow and get a Mohawk. “Hello. You’re with me. Fuck yes, it’s going to be expensive.”

  “Just checking.”

  * * * *

  My credit card is smoking and my feet are screaming when I walk into my house five hours later, loaded down with bags and boxes.

  Thank God we don’t shop like this often. I’d be homeless because my paycheck would go toward jeans and shoes rather than the mortgage.

  I hang everything in my closet, and then collapse on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. My phone pings with another text.

  Of course it’s Chase.

  This time it’s a photo of my panties, laundered and folded neatly next to his boxer briefs.

  He does laundry. Interesting.

  My hesitation in going to see him to collect my delicates isn’t because I’m afraid of him or embarrassed.

  It’s that the chemistry between us is there. It’s practically a living, breathing entity when we’re in the same room, and I don’t know if I can resist him.

  I don’t want to want him.

  But I do.

  Being an adult is hard.

  Finally, I sigh and reply to his text.

  Thanks for washing them. Meet you at your office on Monday to get them?

  If we’re at his office, I’m safer. He’s probably not likely to fuck the shit out of me at the office.

  Would he?

  I shrug and walk into the kitchen for a glass of wine and some ibuprofen for the mild headache from shopping all afternoon.

  Tommy would usually come home with me to chat and put my new things away, but he had another date with Eduardo tonight. I’m happy for him. I hope this guy treats Tommy right and that I won’t have to run him over with my car.

  I grin and sip my wine at the thought. I probably wouldn’t do that.

  My phone rings and my heart jumps, but it’s my mother, not Chase.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hello, darlin’,” she says with a smile in her voice. “How are you?”

  “I’m great. How are you?”

  “Well, I’m doin’ just fine. Your daddy and I went to the movies this afternoon. That man can eat more popcorn that anyone else I know.”

  I smile and cover my legs with a throw blanket. “Yes, he can. What did you see?”

  “Oh, that new superhero movie that’s all the rage right now. It was pretty good, I guess. Lots of violence. But that Chris Hemsworth is not terrible on the eyes.”

  “No, he isn’t.” I laugh and hold the phone tightly, enjoying the sound of my mama’s voice. “What else is going on in Texas these days?”

  “It’s been rainy.” She proceeds to tell me all about the weather, my cousin Louisa’s wedding that I missed last weekend, and the trip she took with my aunt Beverly to Waco so they could see the Silos.

  “You’ve been busy,” I say at last.

  “Well, I don’t want to slow down and then not be able to start up again.”

  “You’re fifty-five, not eighty-five.”

  “It’s not polite to talk about a woman’s age, Maura.”

  I can see the frown on her face, and it makes me laugh.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Now, tell me all about work. Are you dating anyone?”

  “What does that have to do with work?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  I pull the phone from my ear and frown at it, then reply, “No. I’m not dating anyone.”

  She sighs deeply. “Darlin’, you’re almost thirty now. You’re not getting any younger.”

  And this conversation is over.

  “Mama, I love you so much, and I’m glad you called, but I am naked from the shower, so I’d better let you go.”

  “Why didn’t you say? I can wait.”

  “Sorry, I have to go. I love you, Mom. Give Daddy a kiss for me.”

  I end the call and let out a gusty breath. My parents, like most parents, worry. They think I must be lonely here all by myself. And of course they want me to get married and give them at least four grandchildren.

  But that’s not going to happen.

  I wish I wasn’t an only child so they’d have the chance to be grandparents. They’d be good at it. It’s the one thing about my life that I feel a little guilty about.

  My phone rings again. It’s Tommy this time.

  “Date didn’t go well?” I ask with a grin.

  “I need you to come get me,” he says, his voice low.

  “Where are you?” I jump up and reach for my bag and keys.

  “I’m sending you my location on the phone because I’m not entirely sure.”

  “Send it. I’ll be there. Are you hurt?”

  “No.” He clears his throat. Something is wrong. “Just please hurry.”

  “On my way.”

  Tommy is like a brother to me, and the tone of his voice has me terrified. The location he’s at is down in the Pearl District, only about twenty minutes from my house.

  I make it in fourteen.

  Tommy’s waiting on the sidewalk and runs to my car as soon as I pull up. He jumps inside and I speed off, glancing at him. His face is pale, his hands just a little unsteady.

  “What happened?”

  “Eduardo isn’t as fantastic as I thought,” he says simply, and I know that I’m not going to get any more info out of him right now. I turn toward his house, but he shakes his head. “Can we just go to your place?”

  “Of course.”

  Once we’re home, we walk inside and he rubs his hands over his face in agitation. “When am I going to learn?”

  “Did he hurt you?”

  He shakes his head no. “I knocked him out.”

  “You punched him?” I’m stunned. Tommy is the least violent person I know.

  “Several times,” he says. “He’s into some weird shit.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He just shakes his head and paces the floor. “I always trust too fast. Things were going fine, but then we started to make out, and he wrapped his hand around my throat. I guess he’s into choking, and I’m definitely not. So I told him to back off, and he did for a minute, but then he did it again and said that I shouldn’t play so hard to get.”

  “I’m so sorry, Tommy.”

  He shrugs and scoops me in for a big hug.

  “What do you need?” I ask.

  “I’d like to stay here tonight. I mean, I’m okay, but I’ll just overthink it all if I go home alone.”

  “Done.” I lean back and smile up at him. “I’ve got you.”

  “I don’t deserve you.”

  “Yeah. You probably do.” I lean my head against his chest again and hug him tight. “So, choking is a hard limit. How do you feel about riding crops?”

  “Very funny,” he says with a laugh. “Spanking isn’t a bad thing.”

  “I’m sorry I asked. You’re too much like my brother to talk about this.” I wrinkle my nose in distaste. “I’m glad you’re here, though.”

  “Me too.” He kisses my forehead. “In happier news, have you heard from Chase again?”

  “He laundered my panties.”

  “Well, that was kind of him.”

&nb
sp; I snort. “I said I’d meet him at his office on Monday to get them.”

  He nods. “Good idea.”

  “I mean, he’s not likely to seduce me into mind blowing sex in his office, right?”

  He smirks and shakes his head. “Sure, if that helps you sleep at night.”

  “I’ll be in and out, he’ll hardly know I was there.”

  “That’s what he said,” he says with a wink. “You’re a grown woman, M. Just decline the advances and go on with your life.”

  “It’s so hard to tell him no.” I fling my head back on my couch, pouting. “He has these eyes.”

  “We all have eyes.”

  “Not like this. I’m pretty sure he can control my mind.”

  “So his eyes are sexy?”

  “So sexy.”

  “That doesn’t mean you have to have sex with him in his office.”

  “True.” I nod, my mind made up. Again. “No more sex with Chase.”

  “Just do me a solid and keep condoms in your purse. Just in case.”

  “That doesn’t help me keep my legs closed around the sexiest man alive.”

  Chapter Three

  ~Chase~

  I check my watch for the fortieth time in the past hour. School should be out for the day and she’ll come walking through the door to my office any minute. Probably wearing heels, which is my ultimate weakness.

  Not in every woman. I’m a man, and I can appreciate a nice set of legs showcased by a sexy set of heels, but when Maura wears them it’s like a direct line to my dick. Her legs are just… stellar. And when they’re wrapped around my waist, it’s as close to heaven as I’ll ever get. And we’ve only fucked once.

  Just then, I hear heels clicking on the hardwood of the outer entrance, and then Maura pokes her blonde head around the doorjamb.

  “Hi.” She grins and walks into my office. She’s in heels, but rather than a sexy outfit, she’s as demure as can be in a long skirt and white button-down shirt.

  Jesus, she’s in full-on teacher mode. I was never this attracted to any teacher I’ve ever known.

  “Hello.” I clear my throat and think twice about standing from behind my desk. I’m already so hard I’m throbbing, and I haven’t even touched her. Saying I’m attracted to Maura is a steep understatement. I’d fuck her every day of the week without even thinking twice.

  And now that she’s in my office and the chemistry is sizzling between us, I want to boost her up on my desk and bury myself balls-deep inside her.

  “Are you just going to stare at me or are you going to hand over my underwear?” She bites her lip and tilts her head to the side. Her blonde hair falls over her shoulder, her blue eyes are smiling at me, and just like that, my mind is made up.

  “I enjoy looking at you,” I reply and stand, circle my desk and grin when her eyes widen as I approach her. “You’re a beautiful woman, Maura.”

  “Thanks,” she says and swallows hard. “I’m sure you’re busy, so I’ll just collect my things and go.”

  “I like this look on you,” I say and tug gently on a golden strand of hair. “Do you always dress so demurely for school?”

  “I teach fifth graders, Chase. What would you have me wear, miniskirts and crop tops?”

  “I’d prefer you save those for a more private setting,” I reply and lean in to kiss her cheek. She doesn’t pull away. My hand settles on her hip, my fingertips gripping her ass. “I like looking at you like this,” I whisper into her ear. “I want to mess you up.”

  “We said we weren’t going to do this again,” she reminds me, but the words are weak, and her hand glides up my chest to the knot in my tie. “We pinky swore.”

  “It’s only us here.” I kiss her ear. “No one will know that we broke that pinky promise.”

  “I’ll know.”

  My hand glides up her side as she loosens my tie.

  “Are you going to sweep everything off of your desk and fuck me here?”

  “I’m going to fuck you here,” I confirm and feel her nipple tighten under my palm. “But I’m too impatient to move anything off my desk.”

  I grip her shirt in both hands and tear it open, popping all of the buttons off and scattering them all over the room.

  “Holy shit.” She laughs as she shrugs out of the shirt. “You’re strong.”

  “I’m determined,” I reply and don’t bother removing her white lacy bra. I just pull it down, exposing those hard nipples, and tug one between my teeth. “Your breasts are the perfect size.”

  “They’re a little big.”

  “They’re fucking perfect.”

  She’s unbuttoned my shirt, but I can’t wait any longer to be inside her. I scrunch her skirt up over her hips and grin.

  “No panties?”

  “I have clean ones here,” she says and cocks an eyebrow. God, I fucking love her confidence. I boost her up onto the desk. “We might mess up your papers.”

  “I don’t fucking care,” I growl. Rather than push inside her the way I want to, I quickly pull the condom out of my pocket, toss it on the desk next to her, then squat before her, spreading her legs wide. She’s beautiful and wet. Begging for me.

  I drag my fingertip from her clit, through the wet folds, then push it inside her and hook it, finding that magical spot that makes her gasp.

  “Chase.”

  “That’s right, baby.” I grin up at her. Her blue eyes are on fire, her mouth open as she breathes hard, watching me finger fuck her. “You’re so damn wet, Maura.”

  “Turned on,” she mutters, then swallows hard and watches as my thumb presses her clit. “Oh God.”

  “How does that feel?”

  “Someone will hear us.”

  “Everyone’s gone. Answer the question.”

  “I’m zingy.”

  I smile and let up on her clit. “Zingy?”

  “Electric.”

  I replace my thumb with my tongue and lick lightly. Her hand plunges into my hair, holding on tight and keeping me in place.

  “That’s so fucking good,” she mutters. Her foot is braced on my shoulder now. I scoot her ass closer to the edge so I have better access and lick her from her ass to her clit. “I want you inside me.”

  I ignore her and keep eating her out, loving the way she tastes and smells, like she just can’t get enough of me. It’s the most powerful aphrodisiac I’ve ever tasted, and I fucking love it.

  “Chase.”

  That’s right, this is me making you lose control.

  She’s circling her hips now, pressing harder against my mouth, until I can’t wait any longer.

  I stand and unfasten my pants, and when I’ve protected us both, I sink inside her, making us groan in pure lust. “Jesus, Maura. You feel so damn good.”

  She grips my hair in her fist and wraps her legs around my waist, squeezing me, urging me to fuck her relentlessly, and I happily comply.

  “Oh my God,” she moans, letting her head fall back. I bite her neck, lick her collarbone, and then nibble on her nipple. Her body is so responsive, so ready for me. Sex with her is absolutely intoxicating.

  She reaches between us and presses against her clit, and her pussy squeezes me, making my eyes cross.

  “Damn it, baby, keep doing that and I won’t last.”

  “Hard and fast,” she says, panting. “I like it hard and fast.”

  She bites that plump lip again, and I can’t hold back. I’m thrusting hard and, just as she likes it, fast. Her pussy is like a glove around me, and within minutes, I’m braced over her, one hand on the desk and the other fisted in her hair, coming harder than I ever have before.

  She cries out and sinks her teeth into my neck, riding out her own orgasm, and I know in this moment that no matter what she says, this isn’t the last time I’ll be inside her.

  No fucking way.

  Once we’ve both caught our breath, I slide out of her and help her to her feet. She leans her forehead against my chest to steady herself, and I wrap my arms arou
nd her in a hug, suddenly feeling tender with her. But before I know it, the moment is gone, and she’s moving out of my arms. She lets her skirt shimmy down and rights her bra, then looks up at me. “What am I supposed to wear home? You ruined my shirt.”

  I smirk and take my shirt off, holding it out to her. “You can have mine.”

  She shrugs and wraps it around her, buttoning it then tying the bottom in a knot.

  “It’s super big, but it’ll do. My panties?”

  I walk around my desk, toss out the condom, and open my desk drawer. “Here you go.”

  As she reaches over the desk, she knocks her purse off the corner and all of the contents spill out.

  “Damn it,” she mutters. She pulls the clean panties on and then shoves her things back in her bag and stands, brushing her gorgeous, disheveled hair out of her face. “Never again.”

  “Never again what?” I ask and cross my arms over my chest, being purposely obtuse.

  “This.” She quickly waves her hand, pointing at both of us. “Sex. No more sex.”

  “I hate to have to be the one to point this out to you, but we’re damn good at the sex, Maura.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “I care. I care very much.”

  “Well, this isn’t all about you. You can’t just look at me with those sexy as hell eyes and smirk and expect my panties to melt right off of me.”

  “You weren’t even wearing panties today.”

  She laughs, then shakes her head. “See? You’re charming. You can’t be charming like that.”

  “Why not? I enjoy you.”

  “Why?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Why do you enjoy me?”

  I tilt my head to the side. Does she want the whole damn list?

  “The sex is incredible. You’re beautiful. You’re funny. I trust you.”

  “You trust me. You don’t know me.”

  “Look, if the sex makes you uncomfortable, I won’t bother you again. I didn’t force you, Maura.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” She scrubs her hands over her face. “Of course you didn’t force me. I just can’t resist you when you look at me.”

  “How am I looking at you?”

  “Any way. Your eyes are lethal.”

  “Well, I can’t change my eyes, I’m afraid.”