“Here you are,” Myrtle said as she set down our drinks and salads. “I secured you kids a room over at the Merry Victorian Inn.”
“Thank you!” Talia gushed her thanks, making the older woman blush.
“Don’t worry about a thing. It’s just a couple blocks up the road, my cousin Betty runs the place, and she’s expecting you.”
It was a nice gesture that I’d come to expect in small towns like this the world over. Small towns were the life breath of the country, hell the world. People looked out for one another for no other reason than because they gave a damn. It was nice. And when we arrived at the Inn, I was even more grateful that meddling Myrtle had booked a single room.
“Are you sure there are no other rooms? Perhaps one you don’t like to rent out?” Talia kept glancing at me, like I would strip her naked right there in front of rosy cheeked Betty. I thought about it, but I didn’t want to scandalize the nice woman.
“Sorry, honey. If your sweetheart is acting up, there is a settee up in your suite that is murder on the back.”
They shared a grin and burst out laughing. “Okay Betty, you’ve sold me.”
By the time Betty had left us alone with extra towels and a promise to scrounge up some dry clothes for us, Talia’s lips were blue and her teeth chattered. “I’m going to take a hot shower.”
“Sure Talia, I’d love to join you.” I gave her a chance to tell me to fuck off or throw her wet clothes at me, instead she stepped into the bathroom and left the door open.
I waited until I heard the shower spray start before I undressed and joined her. “I’m glad you didn’t start without me.”
Talia turned in my arms, looking hot as hell with water dripping down her body and drops clinging to her long lashes. She was a wet dream with her water slicked tits, hard pink nipples pressed into my chest while my cock bumped against her belly. “I thought about it, but I knew you’d warm me up properly.”
Fuck, yeah. “Is that right?”
She nodded and her hand went to my cock, stroking slowly and using the water to help. “Yes, Luke.”
“Say it again,” I demanded because I needed to hear her say it.
“Yes, Luke.” I kissed her hard. Our tongues tangling and teeth clashing together in our frenzy to come together.
“More,” she urged, turning her back to me and arching so I could see her swollen lips, slick and winking at me. “Luke.”
How could I resist a command like that? A beautiful, wet woman asking me to slid my cock into her from behind and make her feel good. There was only one thing to do, give her exactly what she wanted. “Ah fuck, Talia. So tight.”
She squeezed me again, pushing off the wall for more pressure. Whenever I was naked around this woman I lost my mind. I couldn’t control myself around her, I lost my shit and pounded into her like an eager teenager with his first taste of pussy.
It was hard and fast, again, so frenzied I couldn’t stop myself if I tried. She began to pulse, her body vibrated as the orgasm shot out of every pore, clenching my dick hard enough to yank my own orgasm from me. “Oh fuck!”
“Luke! More!”
She was wild, her movements frantic and intense as her orgasm worked its way out and I couldn’t get enough. “Talia!” I emptied inside of her with one final thrust that sent us both into another universe, one where the only thing that mattered was our pleasure. Our intense, greedy search for pleasure.
Later in bed, I rolled over with a big goofy smile on my face that only widened when she curled up against my side and fell asleep.
I stayed up for another hour after that, feeling trouble brewing because that was the second time I’d been buried deep inside Talia, and it still didn’t feel like enough.
Not yet.
Talia
“I have invitations.”
Luck was on my side. I’d showed up at Luke’s office and made it to his floor at the same time his assistant happened to be away from her desk.
Luke looked up at me and flashed a bright smile. “I’m the best man, I don’t need an invitation.” He motioned me inside and I closed the door behind me.
“Actually, you do need an invitation, but that’s not what I meant.” I held up the two options that had arrived this morning to gauge his instant reaction. Poppy would ultimately decide, but she would ask everyone so I was beating her to it. For efficiency’s sake. “Well?”
“I like the copper border, the silver looks so old fashioned.”
“I like it too.” How on earth was planning a wedding more stressful than a huge outdoor sporting event?
“Wait, that’s it?” He was on his feet, backing me up until my calves hit the sofa in his office and I dropped down. “You come here for wedding invitations and I don’t even get a kiss?”
My gaze landed on his mouth, beautiful, firm lips that my own mouth watered to taste again. “We shouldn’t. Not here.”
“Fuck shouldn’t.” Luke dropped down beside me and one hand began to caress my thigh. “Come here.”
“I’m right here, Luke.”
He groaned and leaned over to grab me by the waist, lifting me and setting me on his lap. “That’s here. Hi.” His smile softened and he licked his lips.
“Hey,” I said back and licked mine.
“I like this dress, it’s so sexy and girly.”
My head fell back and I laughed. “Compared to the potato sack I normally wear?”
“Hell no. You usually look like a fantasy, but this, makes me want to seduce you.” As he said the words he thrust his hips up so the hard ridge of his cock hit me right where I was already slick and throbbing.
“You could try. I have an hour before I have to be at Poppy’s.”
His grinned turned devilish and his hands began to roam up my thighs until his thumbs caressed my center. “Oh sweetheart, I can accomplish so much in an hour.”
I knew he could, especially when he laid me out and pulled my panties down, tucking them in his pocket before burying his face between my legs. His tongue knew every nerve to drive me crazy, pressing some spots in quick flicks and taking long laves of other spots until I was a writhing, squirming mess.
“Luke!” My fingers tangled in his hair and tugged him close as I arched into him, feeling his face pressed up against me until my body went slack in pleasure. “Luke,” I panted out.
His lips wrapped around my clit and he sucked just as the last remnants of my orgasm flooded out of me, triggering another that was even more intense thanks to his satisfied laughter.
“Nothing makes me harder than hearing you say my name in those husky, little breaths.” Then he was crawling up the couch and settling between my legs as he worked his way deep inside of me, thrusting deep until he could go no further. “Talia,” he growled and nipped at my neck. “You’re so fucking wet, just for me.”
“All for you,” I told him because apparently I couldn’t lie to him when his cock was buried to the hilt. His hips moved lightning quick, thrusting harder and faster as his own pleasure began to take over. My legs were tight around his waist, increasing the depth and friction of our coupling until another orgasm began as a low hum.
“Talia,” he roared in my ear, hips pumping in a slow and steady motion that kept me on a tightrope of want and need. “Fuck you feel so good.”
“So do you.” He felt too good, hot and hard everywhere, muscles clenching as his cock throbbed until it was empty. It was only when I felt a telltale liquid slide out of me did I realize what had just happened and jumped up. “Bathroom?” He pointed and I fled to the nicely appointed bathroom that was similar to Poppy’s. “Fuck.” I couldn’t stop saying ‘fuck’ because I knew it was a bad idea to screw around with Lukas or guys like him. I couldn’t trust myself with all that charm and good looks. I lost myself in guys who didn’t give a damn about me, let passion consume me to the point we didn’t use protection. Even knowing full well I’d be stuck on my own with the result of that action. A few minutes later I had my shit under con
trol and stepped out.
“Everything okay?” He looked and sounded concerned, and that only made it worse because it made my stupid heart think he might care when he didn’t.
“I’m fine,” I told him and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth because it would be the last time. “But your need to be an overachiever in all things means I have to get going. I’ll see you, Luke.” I walked away on wobbly legs, cursing my own lust and stupidity.
And vowing that I would keep my distance from Luke.
Lukas
I always made time to work out because it gave me the energy I needed to work twelve hour days and have a social life.
Plus, it prevented me from killing people who pissed me off. I preferred the executive gym where I didn’t have to worry about people interrupting me, but that wasn’t always possible, so I sometimes used the gym provided for employees. Like today.
I needed to burn off excess energy. Something had been off with Talia the last time we were together, and I hadn’t’ heard much from her since. Giving her space was harder than I thought it would be, so I worked out harder and hoped like hell when I got home I was too tired to do something stupid. Like call her.
Or stop by her place.
It didn’t matter. I’d have my fill of her soon enough. The door to my office burst open before I finished buttoning my shirt. It was Blake. And Scarlett. Both of them gawking at me like they’d never seen a man without his shirt. Scarlett’s gaze raked over me and I scowled.
“You,” I pointed. “Out. Now.”
“Sure thing, boss.” She turned slowly, eyes caressing me like the lover she was hoping to graduate to, which was never going to happen. She’d be lucky if I let her keep her job after the stunt she pulled with Talia.
“What’s up, Blake?” He had that wild-eyed look of a man either on the brink of a break down, or facing the terror of fatherhood. Not that Blake had any reason to be worried. He was born to be a father, and had been one to me and Lacey for as long as we could remember.
Blake walked in and took a seat while I finished dresssing. “Just came to check on your progress.”
“You mean to make sure Talia and I haven’t killed each other yet?” Blake was right to be worried, although we were getting along a lot better these days. Mostly. “Because I know you’ve been getting Talia’s updates.”
“Yeah?” He arched his brows. “How do you know that?”
“Because she CC’s me on every fucking one of them, that’s how!” The woman was a menace with her constant updates and checklists, confirmations and more damn updates.
Blake snickered. “She’s efficient, I’ll give her that. I can see why Poppy values her so much as an Assistant.” He shook his head and let out another chuckle when I glared at him from my seat behind the big desk Lacey said was perfect for my office. She was right. “I really did want to make sure you two were getting along because there is always an insane amount of tension between you two. I thought maybe you were sleeping together, but Poppy says that would never happen, so I’m checking in.”
I stroked my non-existent beard at his words, well Poppy’s words, and wondered why she was so sure. Then I realized that I didn’t give a fuck. I was close to burning off this obsession with Talia, and after a few more fucks she’d be old news. I could get back to my regularly scheduled life. Of that much was I certain.
“Things are fine and we’re making plenty of progress. She’s bossy as hell, but gorgeous, so I deal with it.” I threw in a shrug to make it believable. But somehow Blake knew Lacey and I better than we knew each other. Thankfully he didn’t call me on it.
“I appreciate you taking this on for us.” One hand slid through the same blond curls we all had. He blew out a long breath, giving me an unguarded moment to observe him, I could see he was exhausted. “A few days ago, Poppy’s blood pressure spiked, and we spent hours in the ER, took five years off my life. It was as bad as you and Lacey as kids.”
I smiled at that. As twins, Lacey and I managed to get in twice the trouble because we could do our twin thing and no one ever overheard our plotting.
“I’m not just good for wedding and events, you know? I’m here to help, even my perfect older brother. If he’s willing to ask.”
His mouth kicked up in a smirk. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now, do you want to tell me how long you and Talia have been sleeping together?”
I sucked in a fake breath of outrage. “Engaging in gossip?” I quirked an eyebrow and he grinned.
He frowned and shook his head. “No, but when you settle down with one woman you’ll take your wins where you can.”
“You guys are having problems?”
He barked out a laugh. “Yeah, she’s right all the damn time. It’s annoying.”
“Really? Tell me all about it, because I have no idea,” I deadpanned and he tossed a pen at me.
“I told you Poppy said Talia would never sleep with you, but you didn’t put up any fight about it. I know you, there’s only one reason for that, you’ve already done it.” He looked so proud of his deductions.
“Are you going to give me shit about it?”
“Not at all, I just want to rub it in that she was wrong.”
I shook my head and laughed, feeling less tense than I did earlier. “You two grow stranger every day. Why does Poppy think it’ll never happen with me and Talia?” Yeah, so my curiosity got the better of me. Sue me.
He shrugged. “Something to do with some guy she used to date. He was, according to Poppy, gorgeous, rich and arrogant.”
‘Just like you’, hung in the air between us.
“It started in Corvallis.” His brows rose in surprise, and I chuckled. “You asked.”
His brows dipped. “And what about Scarlett?”
That shit pissed me off, and I stared a hole through my brother and boss. “I told you I don’t fuck my assistants, why is that so damn hard for you to believe?”
“You like your women hot and easy, and every one of your assistants were cast from the same mold.”
Okay, that was true, but only because hot and easy meant hot and uncomplicated. “Then maybe you should talk to HR about why you feel the need to have all assistants look like pageant girls. You think I want to deal with sexual harassment claims, or worse? No thank you.”
“I didn’t think you were serious, but you make a good point. I’m grateful and impressed.” I didn’t bother to tell him that his being impressed wasn’t really a compliment. “So why are you so grumpy, then?”
Good question. “Things have been weird since Corvallis, and yeah I know, it’s barely been a week. Still, she’s back to that distance shit.”
“But now you know why,” he said thoughtfully, and then frowned. “You’re not looking for anything serious, so why does it matter?”
Another good question that I didn’t have an answer to, at least not one I wanted to share. “I don’t know, Blake. What I do know is, that I’m not ready to be done with her yet. Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” he sighed, sounding all kinds of resigned. “But we both know eventually I will have a problem with it.” Blake stood and gave me a blank look. “Just be careful, please. Talia is family to Poppy.”
“And I am family to you too, or did you forget that little fact?”
“I didn’t forget Lukas, and don’t give me that hurt crap, I’m just asking you to be careful this time. A bit more cautious than you usually are, because Talia won’t be going away when you’re done with her.” With a resigned look that made me want to punch something or puke, he left.
It didn’t matter what Blake said, or what Poppy thought, I wanted Talia with a fever I hadn’t experience in my thirty odd years of living. It was damn near all-consuming, and I knew I wouldn’t stop until I had to.
I spent most of the day taking care of items on my half of the wedding list. So I figured stopping by to discuss it with Poppy would be better than waiting for Talia to call me back. She wasn’t avoiding me, but she was
avoiding having to talk to me, answering every call with a text or email. I was baffled.
I was also even more fucking intrigued. I know she had a good time in Corvallis because I made damn sure of it. But something had caused her to back off, and I didn’t think it was the ex. I’d figure it out, but first I needed to deal with Poppy and wedding stuff.
So I knocked on her door, laughing that she’d somehow convinced Blake to leave his swanky penthouse and come to this quaint little duplex. I rang the bell, listening to it echo in the house and chuckled to myself.
The door to the apartment next to hers shot open, and a curly topped silver head popped out and leveled a blue stare at me.
“Lukas, you handsome devil, how are you?”
“Maple, you silver fox. I’m better now that you’re here.” She rolled her eyes but giggled like a woman half her age.
“Get in here, I’ll make you something to eat.” She stepped back and I entered her unit, taking in her pink and turquoise dress that brushed the floor and her requisite arm filled with bracelets, today they were bronze and silver.
“Don’t feel the need to feed me, Maple. I just have a few things to show Poppy for the wedding.”
“Sit,” she ordered and pointed at the cushion covered chairs. She began to pull a shit ton of ingredients from the fridge. “How do you like working with your siblings?”
It was an odd question, but it wasn’t invasive, so I shrugged. “It’s okay for the most part. We each have our responsibilities, but it’s good to have people you never have to doubt at your side.”
She smiled, apparently satisfied by my answer as she spread mustard on large slices of whole wheat bread. “I never wanted to work the family business, and my pa, he hated it too. I was more of a gardening, or animals kind of outdoors girl, you know? I’m so proud of Poppy for finding a way to accept her legacy without compromising herself.” I didn’t know if Maple needed me for this conversation, but I listened and learned. “Now, tell me what’s happening with you and Talia, and don’t bother denying it, because there were enough sparks to start a raging inferno between you two the other day at dinner.”
Naughty Takeover: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Boardroom Games Book 3) Page 4
