Courting Innocence

by Kimberly Dean

  Hooking his arm around her waist, he pushed her back into the now empty room. Like a kid in a candy shop, he looked around at the shining silver poles. They were spaced evenly around the room, affixed firmly to the ceiling overhead and sprung hardwood danceflooring beneath. A wall of mirrors made it look like there were twice as many of them. He looped his finger into a purple boa from the accessory shelf and lifted it questioningly.

  She snatched it away and put it back. ‘It’s a prop. Only for intermediates and above.’

  ‘And what are you?’ he asked.

  She lifted her chin. She’d just graduated to Vixen level, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. ‘Colton, you’re going to get us in trouble.’

  The expression on his face said he hoped so.

  Erin looked at him helplessly.

  ‘Relax,’ he said. ‘Mona likes me.’

  ‘Mona?’

  ‘The manager. It seems that she’s received some letters from other shops in the neighbourhood who don’t like her line of business. I told her I’d take a look at them.’

  ‘You did?’ Erin said in surprise. ‘Why would you do that?’

  ‘Because you like what you do here – and I wanted to see what you wear to these things.’ He shut the door to the room and flipped the lock. There were no windows for prying eyes to see inside. ‘Totally. Worth. It.’

  Erin’s gaze shot down. It wasn’t that risqué, was it?

  When he started towards her, it was apparent the skimpy shorties and bralette were enough for him. And maybe the stilettos. They probably had something to do with it, too.

  He crossed his arms and caught at his T-shirt. With a tug, he pulled it over his head. He tossed it aside on the floor and reached for her gym bag. Erin’s tired muscles began to tremble.

  ‘Colton,’ she said weakly. She threw another concerned look at the door. ‘They have more classes in here.’

  ‘Not until after dinner time.’ He slid his hand under the double straps at her shoulder. The bralette was made of Lycra and Spandex. It hugged her curves tightly, but let her body move without encumbrances.

  Erin took a step back and felt herself bump up against a pole. She recognised the look in his eyes. ‘We shouldn’t,’ she whispered.

  His grin was that of the courtroom shark. ‘Isn’t that my line?’

  He leaned closer to nuzzle against her temple. ‘I want to take you on your territory. Rattle up your world like you rattled mine. I can hardly think in that office any more. I might have to get a new sofa.’

  She arched her neck when his mouth closed over the pulse at her throat. ‘Ohhh, Colt.’

  He turned her around and kissed the nape of her neck. Erin grabbed the pole for support. He’d trapped her between it and his big body. His chest felt hot against her back, and the pole pressed hard between her breasts. Her nipples pinched, but not as much as her pussy. It was riding right against the hard steel, too.

  ‘You’re showing a lot of skin,’ he said.

  His hands stroked down her sides, fingers wide. The instructor had left the music on, and Bruno Mars’ ‘Gorilla’ came on. The sexy, dirty lyrics rolled over her.

  She lifted her hand overhead and caught the metal shaft more tightly. ‘I need to. For the pole work.’

  She moaned when he rubbed his erection against her butt. It slid right along the crease between her cheeks, making the Lycra material stretch.

  His breath hit her ear hard as he worked the Lycra over her hips. It was stubborn, but he finally got it down to her thighs. When he rose again, his cock was freed and at the ready. It was a tight fit, but soon the head of it was bumping against her opening.

  ‘I’ve got some pole work for you right here,’ he said with a hard thrust.

  Erin cried out, the sound blending with the music that swarmed her senses. She didn’t need foreplay, the class had made her hot and pliant. She rolled her head against the pole and dared a peek at how they looked in the floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

  Beautiful. Erotic and passionate.

  He was driving straight up into her, filling her and making her melt. They looked so provocative together, him so dark and tall, her so blonde and petite. With the shiny platform heels she wore, they came together just right.

  She closed her eyes and gave in.

  Perfect.

  ‘I’ve got an hour, max, before court reconvenes,’ Colton said as he pulled Erin into the rented room with him.

  The case was winding down, and it was getting to be crunch time. In more ways than one. He carefully adjusted himself in his pants. This time was truly going to have to be a wham, bam, thank you ma’am kind of encounter.

  Yet she looked as excited as he was.

  He couldn’t believe he’d brought her here to the motel half a block from the courthouse. He could afford the nicest five-star hotels in town, but this one seemed better suited to their needs. It rented by the hour – and she’d asked him to take her here.

  The pretty Georgetown heiress was slumming.

  He watched as she looked around the tiny room with its dingy colours and 70s furniture. She turned up her nose at a gaudy picture of a flower on the wall, but then her eyes widened when she realised what it looked like. Her hand ran down her neck, but she didn’t look away.

  He couldn’t believe how hot she got over these secret trysts. She was still tentative, but she liked exploring the more ragged edges of her sexual nature. He was more than happy to help her.

  She turned when she heard the zipper of his pants.

  ‘I missed you last night,’ she said as she started stripping. She wore a fitted suit, but without a blouse underneath. Somehow it made him as hard as those thigh-high boots they’d hidden in the back of his bedroom closet.

  ‘I missed you, too,’ he said, ‘but last night shows why we need to be careful.’

  She’d forgotten about a planned evening with her parents. They’d invited her to attend the Nutcracker ballet at the Kennedy Center and visit the National Christmas Tree, yet she’d completely forgotten until her father had called to tell her he was on the way to pick her up. They’d had to scramble to get her back to her apartment in time.

  She’d ended up spending the night in Georgetown, which hadn’t made Colton happy. They’d had to content themselves with whispered pillow talk via cellphone. Thinking of her lying in her childhood bedroom with her parents only a few yards down the hall had been hot, yet twisted at the same time. It had played with his head, but he’d missed having her by his side.

  ‘I don’t want to be careful,’ she pouted.

  She peeled off the suit jacket and wiggled out of her skirt. He caught her in a hot kiss as he pushed down his pants. He tugged her towards the bed, but she resisted.

  Instead, she dropped to her knees before him, and recklessness flowed through Colton’s veins. She really was through being careful. But was this what she wanted?

  He caught her chin and lifted it until he could see her eyes. ‘Are you sure?’

  She wrapped her fingers around him, and the muscles at the base of his spine squeezed. Despite having been outside in the cold, her hands were still warm. Warm and feminine and delicate. Seeing her holding his cock, her fingernails painted dusty pink, was just about the most erotic thing ever.

  ‘I’m positive.’ The look on her face was feminine and seductive.

  She pumped her fist up and then slowly down his length. His eyelids became heavy, and his hands opened and closed at his sides. Damn, but she knew how to touch him.

  ‘You like it, don’t you?’ he said, his voice husky.

  She looked at his cock, her expression curious and admiring. ‘I like it a lot.’

  He gave her a twisted smile, and his hand settled on her head. If she looked at him like that much longer, he’d make it back to the courtroom early. ‘I meant the sneaking around. Pretending you’re a ghost.’ He frowned. ‘Almost getting caught.’

  She cupped the weight of his balls in her other hand, and he had to grit his back
teeth. She wasn’t the only one who liked the rush.

  ‘It turns me on,’ she admitted.

  She ran her finger along the underside of his erection. He grunted and went up on his toes. The head of his cock bumped against her lips, and she timidly opened her mouth.

  ‘Oh, baby,’ he groaned.

  She closed her eyes and took him in. His air hissed through his teeth, and his hand fisted tight in her hair. It had to be pulling at the roots, but she let out a hum of arousal. Her mouth felt like heaven to him, even better than her hand. It was warped and depraved of him to be doing this with her, but his feet rooted to the floor. It would take a natural disaster to stop him.

  She licked him and gave a suck. ‘Like that?’ she asked.

  ‘Just like –’ Holy crap. He cupped her face, his cock resting against her lips. ‘Have you not done this before?’

  Doubt clouded her eyes. ‘Only twice.’

  His brow furrowed so hard it gave him a headache, yet his cock bumped again against her pink mouth. It knew where it wanted to go.

  What else hadn’t she done before?

  ‘Teach me?’ she asked.

  He stroked his hand over her hair, soothing the tiny hurt. But then he cupped it around the back of her head and pulled her towards him again. Firmly and without debate. She let out a moan when he went deeper this time, nearly hitting the back of her throat.

  ‘Just like that, Sunny.’ His groan sounded loud against the paper thin walls. She wouldn’t need much tutelage. ‘You’re a natural.’

  The cork of the champagne bottle popped loudly and foam rose over the lip. It spilled down the side of the bottle, and Jason hurriedly held it over the ice bucket to catch the dribbles.

  ‘Hurray!’ Erin cheered, along with everyone else in the room. All three of them.

  ‘Congratulations, Colton,’ Sienna said with a broad smile on her face.

  Erin went up on her toes and kissed his cheek. He’d won his case today, and she was so proud. She’d attended to watch his closing statements. She was a friend, and this was a big, well-publicised case for him. Why wouldn’t she be there?

  Because she hadn’t been thinking of him as a friend when he’d been standing so tall in front of the jury. He’d been so eye-drawing, so powerful and so eloquent, she’d been in awe. She’d known he was sharp, but he was commanding in his element. She’d been aroused by his power, and more than one woman had cast interested looks in his direction.

  But she was the one dating him.

  Albeit on the lowdown.

  That’s why she was so happy to have friends over tonight to celebrate.

  Jason poured a glass of the champagne and passed it to Sienna. ‘We’re celebrating a minor victory, too.’

  ‘What’s that?’ Colton asked.

  Sienna tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘My parents are downsizing. They put their house on the market today.’

  Erin frowned. ‘Oh, I always loved that house. With the exposed wooden rafters and the big semi-circle skylight? And that amazing master bathroom. And the side garden and patio in back. You can’t find that in Georgetown. Why are they giving it up?’

  Sienna looked at Jason, and he hooked an arm around her waist.

  ‘It was getting to be a bit much for them. I’ve got a moving company coming this weekend to help them pack.’

  ‘Where are they going?’

  ‘Into a condo.’

  ‘Are they happy about it?’ Erin asked.

  Sienna didn’t nod or shake her head. ‘They know it’s best.’

  ‘Well, good for them.’ Colton lifted his glass, and they clinked them all together before drinking. ‘We’re all moving on.’

  Jason gave him a pat on the back. ‘Good job on that trial, man. You did some good work there. I don’t like it when people get treated that way, especially for bonehead reasons.’

  Colton grinned. ‘That sounds about right, coming from an enforcer.’

  ‘Welcome to the club. You should be able to write your own ticket now, and take on the cases you want.’

  ‘Speaking of cases…’

  ‘Yeah, yeah. We don’t need to talk about that here.’ The assault charges hadn’t been dropped yet, and they were still hanging over Jason’s head. He pulled out a chair for Sienna. ‘Let’s eat.’

  ‘Yes, dig in.’ Erin looked happily at the table set before them. She and Sienna had made lasagna, and Jason and Colton had helped with the garlic bread and salad.

  Colton pulled back her seat for her, and she sat. He was eyeing the lasagna. It had turned out bubbly, golden brown, and crooked on one side. Again.

  Erin scowled. She’d done her best.

  ‘I don’t think your oven is level, Sunny.’

  Her mouth dropped open. ‘Is that what the problem is?’

  Everyone laughed, and Jason eagerly offered his plate. ‘It all tastes the same.’

  Erin beamed. They were having a real dinner date with friends. They didn’t have to hide their relationship. They didn’t have to hole up or slink around, as exhilarating as that could be.

  She was happy as a clam.

  The meal was easy and, contrary to its looks, the lasagna had turned out well. The four of them talked further about Colton’s case. When he asked how Jason thought the Capitals’ season was going, she wondered if either of the men would ever stop talking. She smiled at Sienna.

  ‘I’ll go get the dessert,’ her friend offered.

  Erin rose to help, but they all turned when there was a knock at the door.

  ‘Did you invite someone else?’ Sienna asked.

  ‘No.’ Erin folded her napkin and put it on the table.

  ‘I’ll check who it is,’ her roommate said.

  Jason started to clear the table, but Colton and Erin looked at each other worriedly.

  Sienna looked out the peephole and stiffened. She turned on her heel and dropped her voice. ‘It’s your mother.’

  ‘Shit,’ Colton said.

  ‘Oh, no.’ Erin looked around quickly. They were trapped. ‘The table. Clear off a place setting.’

  Jason looked around in confusion.

  Erin settled her hands on Colton’s chest and pushed. ‘Go to my bedroom.’

  Jason’s mouth quirked. ‘Well, that’s direct and to the point.’

  ‘To hide,’ Erin hissed.

  Colton shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, Sunny. It shouldn’t be like this for you.’ Yet he turned and made a beeline down the hall.

  ‘Did you jump out of her bedroom window when she was sixteen, too?’ Jason called after him.

  Erin shoved a plate at the big instigator, and he doubled over to avoid taking it in the gut. ‘Be quiet and make yourself useful.’

  Sienna waited anxiously at the door as long as she could. Finally, she composed herself and answered. ‘Marilyn, it’s so lovely to see you.’

  ‘Oh, hello, darling.’ Erin’s mother stepped inside. She looked crisp and stylish, as always. She carried a reusable tote, so she used one hand to untie her scarf. She smiled when she saw Erin. ‘Hi, honey. I hope you don’t mind me popping in.’

  Erin gave her a hug. ‘You know I’m always happy to see you.’

  She threw a look down the hallway when she heard the soft click of her bedroom door.

  Marilyn paused when she saw the plates on the table. Three of them, thank goodness.

  ‘I’m sorry. Am I interrupting?’

  ‘We were just finishing,’ Jason said.

  Sienna took his arm. ‘Marilyn, I don’t think you’ve met my boyfriend, Jason. Jason, this is Erin’s mother, Marilyn.’

  There was something odd about the pair of them, the muscled former athlete facing off with the genteel benefactress.

  ‘I haven’t had the pleasure, but I’ve definitely heard about you,’ Marilyn said, a smile spreading on her face. She offered her hand, still clad in a starched white glove. ‘Amelia has told me all about you, and my son showed me that punch on the Youp Toup.’

  She emphasise
d the words with a jaunty thrust of her hand in the air.

  Jason fought not to laugh. ‘I can see the resemblance between you and your daughter.’

  Erin rolled her eyes. ‘Jason taught me how to shoot a hockey puck after…well, after Marty.’

  Marilyn stood up straighter. ‘Then I have even more to admire you for, young man.’

  ‘Can I get you something to drink?’ Sienna asked. ‘Would you like a piece of pie? Erin made it.’

  Her mother walked deeper into the apartment, and Erin looked worriedly at the wall that separated the living room from her bedroom. Of all places, her mom couldn’t find Colton there.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Marilyn said, ‘but thank you. I just dropped by to bring you those Christmas ornaments we spoke about, the ones you painted when you were little.’

  She glanced around the apartment, but didn’t see a tree.

  Erin bit her lip. In her mother’s world, not decorating for the season qualified as a federal offence, but neither she nor Sienna had been around enough to put one up. ‘That’s sweet, Mom. Thank you.’

  ‘Can I take your coat?’ Jason offered.

  ‘I won’t be here long.’ Marilyn wandered over to sit on the sofa against the wall. She shrugged off her coat and put her bag on the coffee table. Erin sat beside her and hoped that Colton would keep quiet. This apartment was better than their last one when it came to the thickness of the walls, but it wasn’t soundproof.

  ‘Where’s Dad tonight?’ she asked. If he was out parking the car…

  ‘At his Masons’ meeting. I have a driver waiting out front.’

  Marilyn reached into her bag and pulled out a box. ‘Oh, look at that, I forgot I put Colton’s in here, too.’

  She pulled out a second box and brushed off some dust.

  ‘A family friend,’ she explained for Jason’s benefit. She smiled mistily at the group of them. ‘He spent a few Christmases with us when he was younger, and we gave him some ornaments to make sure he felt included.’

  Erin opened and squeezed her toes. He was listening right on the other side of the wall. She doubted he wanted to hear some of the more private moments of his personal history shared with others like this.

  ‘Sienna, I wasn’t sure if you’d be here, but I brought something for you, too.’ Marilyn reached back into her bag of tricks and pulled out a hardbound book.