by Ann, Natalie
“I’ve decided dinner can wait after all,” he announced, resting his mouth over hers. Slow at first and then deeper when she moaned low in her throat. He continued to hold her tight, his tongue coaxing hers out to play.
His hand fisted into her hair, yanking her closer. So close it felt as if her body had melted into his. He ran his other hand down her back to her behind, pushed her into his groin, and she felt how badly he wanted her.
She rubbed against him like a cat in heat. Her body going up in flames, so hot was her need for him.
He released her hair, brought his hand down and lifted her up against him again, pressing her even more against his hardness.
Reaching her arms around his neck, she automatically lifted herself, wrapped her legs around his waist, never breaking the kiss, then gently bit down on his tongue.
He groaned and started walking toward the back of the house toward her bedroom. Her legs still wrapped around his waist, her hands around his neck. She was on a slippery slope and enjoying every second of it.
He broke away from her mouth. “Which door?”
“Right side,” she answered, then yanked his head back for another scorching kiss.
Brooke had no idea what had come over her. She had never felt like this before. Never had acted like this before. She didn’t seem to be controlled by any thoughts at all. Her body was driving on its own accord. She was happy to enjoy the ride.
***
Lucas managed to turn the doorknob and push the door open with his body while Brooke continued to cling to him. The combination of her long legs wrapped tightly around his waist and the friction of her jeans rubbing against his arousal was one of the most erotic things he’d felt since high school. He prayed he had more control than he did as a teen.
He didn’t want this over with fast. He’d waited long enough for this and he wanted to draw it out. Make it great for both of them. But in order to do that, he had to get her untangled from him and get her undressed. He needed to touch her. Right now.
Reaching behind his back he unhooked her legs and gently nudged them to the floor. Moving his lips slowly, he kissed and nibbled his way under her ear, then down her neck. He lifted her shirt up and moved back slightly to pull it over her head and then dropped it to the floor.
Lips returning to her throat, he ran his tongue down the pulse beating wildly on the side of her neck, settled his lips over it, and tasted more of her. Her low moans made him want to shove her to the bed and drive deep inside her. But he didn’t. Not yet.
He took her hands and placed them on his waist, where she seemed to get the hint as she started to pull his shirt out of his waistband. He shivered when he felt her hands slide under his shirt over his chest and back down to his waist.
His hands went behind her back to unhook the clasp of her bra and slid it off, not even taking time to admire the soft peach lace that had been cupping her. Then he took a step back and looked his fill. Her lips were red and swollen, her eyes glassy and wide, her hair tumbling down her back. A few wavy strands were lying across her breast.
Those breasts were rising and lowering with each labored breath she took. As he continued to look, her nipples hardened from his gaze alone.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
Spreading his hands along her ribs, he moved them up slowly, feeling the soft and sleek curves of her body, resting his thumbs under her breasts. Never breaking eye contact. He watched her whiskey-colored eyes deepen in color as her arousal increased.
Finally dropping his gaze, he saw her breasts completely. Not overly large, but plenty enough to fill his hands. Perfectly round and perky.
He cupped her while his thumbs grazed over each peach-colored nipple. They hardened even more under his touch, if that was possible. Leaning down, he swirled his tongue gently around one nipple and drew it into his mouth while he pinched the other between his thumb and finger. Applied just enough pain to mix in with the pleasure.
Brooke growled, arched her back, and dug her nails into his back, under his shirt. “I need to see you. I need to touch more of you,” she said with a moan.
“Not yet. Not until I’ve had my fill of you first.”
He stepped back, ran his hands down her waist to the button of her jeans. Sliding his fingers in to unbutton and unzip them, he pushed them down her hips. They pooled at her feet and as much as he wanted to stand there and stare at her in her little lace panties and heels, he knew it would have to wait for another time. He was hanging on to the edge of his own control as it was. “Step out of them and your shoes too. Please.”
When she was done, he reached for her again, his mouth covering hers while he backed her toward the bed. When the back of her legs touched the bed, he lowered her down on her back, but continued to hold her, cushioning her fall.
As she lay on her back, feet on the floor, he leaned back and started to kiss his way around her chest. Stopping at each breast and giving them equal consideration on the way to her navel. He swirled his tongue in and out of her belly button. He couldn’t resist, it had begged the same attention as the rest of her. He promised himself he would devote more attention there another time, but right now he had somewhere else in mind.
She squirmed under him, her body silently pleading for more. He knew she was close, but he had barely begun to touch her. Or play with her, or taste her. And he planned on doing it all.
Sliding both hands to her hips, he grasped the band of her panties and lowered them over her legs inch by inch. Trailing his tongue down her hips and thigh, following the path of his hands, he stopped to softly kiss her scar off to the side of her thigh.
Placing both hands on her ankles, he slid his hands up her calves, over her knees, settled them on her inner thighs, spreading them apart.
Brooke was twisting on the bed and had grabbed the comforter in her fists, her head moving side to side. “Please, Lucas, touch me now.”
Her begging almost broke him. But he wouldn’t be deterred, not until he had his fill. He wanted her to come first. He wanted to feel her spasm on his lips and taste her on his tongue before he slid deep inside of her.
His breath hovered above her most sensitive bud. She raised her hips to meet him and then moaned when his tongue touched her. He teased her, slowly using the tip of his tongue to circle around her, then pulled her into his mouth, sucking, teasing, and wringing moans from her. Then he stopped, heard her beg for more, and started all over again. Drew her right to the edge.
Knowing she was more than ready, he slid one finger inside of her. She was soaking wet, and he couldn’t resist sliding a second in. She was so tight he hoped that she was able to accept him when it was time.
Feeling her muscles squeeze his fingers, he decided it was time to send her over that edge. He placed his lips against her again, knew how much she enjoyed it before, then pumped his fingers in and out. Harder and faster, as her hands now gripped his head, holding him in place.
Her muscles clutched and pulsed around his fingers as she let out a scream. Let go completely. The spasms going on and on, while he continued to taste and slide his fingers in and out, prolonging her pleasure.
When her hands fell limply at her sides, he stood up quickly and practically ripped his shirt off, cursing all the buttons. Pushed down his pants and underwear, discarded his shoes, grabbed the condom out of his pocket and made quick work of rolling it on.
Standing where he was, he grabbed her legs that still dangled off the edge of the bed and wrapped them around his waist as he positioned himself at her entrance. She was slick and tight at the same time, and he felt like he was going to heaven as he slowly entered her inch by inch.
Holding himself there, marveling at her warmth, he brought his thumb back to her bud and started to rub circles while he placed his other hand on the bed to brace himself. He had to touch all of her at once. Leaning forward, he found her breast with his mouth, drew her nipple in.
Her hips started rising against him the faster he mov
ed his thumb, the deeper he pulled her into his mouth, all the while holding himself completely still within her.
Testing, he slowly moved his hips back and forth. Sliding out almost completely and then sinking back in just as slowly. Again and again, all the way out to his tip, and sliding back, filling her completely. Moving to a beat in his head. Increasing the tempo at his pace.
When her legs tightened around his hips, he started to lose his finesse and found himself moving faster. The beat was gone, and there was no chance of finding it again.
He pulled his mouth away from her breast, stood up, grabbed her hips with both his hands, and lifted her higher off the bed, causing her to arch her back. In and out, again and again, racing to the end, until he heard her cry out, echoing with his own groan as he emptied inside of her.
Once the shudders subsided from his body, he lowered her legs back to the floor, and quickly took care of the condom.
Walking back into the room, he saw Brooke continued to lie in the same position. Her back on the bed and her legs dangling off the edge, looking as shattered as he felt.
Lying down next to her on his back, he pulled her partially on top of him, so that she was resting her head on his chest. “You OK?” He started to run his hand up and down her back.
“Mmm, yeah. Oh, yeah. You?” she breathed out.
Somehow he managed a chuckle. “Most definitely. I think you just killed me.”
Her only response was another. “Mmm.”
Just then his stomach rumbled. Brooke sat up, her grin matching his. “Guess you’re hungry.”
“As much as I would love to lie here and start all over again, even I have my limits. And right now, I think we could both use the nourishment.” He playfully grabbed her butt, gave her a little hug. “Give us some energy for later, because I’m not nearly done with you tonight.”
Later that night Lucas woke chilled. It took him a moment to realize he wasn’t in his own bed, and that he was completely uncovered.
There was enough moonlight coming through the window that he could see Brooke’s huddled form on the other side of the bed. Even though her face was relaxed in sleep, she was completely wrapped up in all the covers, like she was protecting herself. Shielding her soul from the world. From him.
Uncontrolled feelings of hurt arose within him. He knew he was overthinking everything. Even after their first round of lovemaking, he could feel her wanting to pull away once her body calmed down. Like she was scared she let too much of herself go and needed to regain control.
When they had finally gotten around to dinner it had been relaxing and easy. They worked together as one, grilling the steaks and then cleaning up after. Conversation was fun and light. Yet he knew she still felt uneasy around him, even after they made it back to the bedroom for round two.
When she was all worked up and hot, she acted. He could see she didn’t stop to think—she wasn’t as controlled. She definitely made him lose his control. Especially when she paid him back for all the teasing he did to her the first time.
But once it was over, and her breathing was back to normal, he could almost hear the thoughts forming in her head. He held her a few minutes, hoping she wouldn’t be so stiff next to him, but he fell asleep wishing.
He never felt her pull away and curl up on the other side. Where she still remained.
Not wanting to wake her, he gently pulled some of the covers back to his side. The minute he was covered, she rolled over in her sleep and he was left looking at her back.
Fantasy
It had been more than two weeks since their first night together. They seemed to be making it work. By all appearances, no one could look at them and see anything other than two professionals working together during the days. At night and on the weekends was another story. It was a good balance.
They usually had dinner together one to two times a week, dessert following in the bedroom. Shortly thereafter, he would make the roughly one-hour trip home alone. On the weekend, when he stayed at Brooke’s, it was kept to a single night at a time.
He usually brought a change of clothes with him on Friday, they’d spend Saturday together, and then he would head back to his house on the lake.
Both of them using Sunday to unwind and catch up, then seeing each other at work on Monday. Going through the same routine again, never really being able to let go, for fear of someone catching on to the two of them. At least that was Brooke’s fear.
He was more than happy to let people know. He didn’t understand the reason for the secrecy, but for the moment he continued to let her call the shots on that front.
He wanted more, needed more.
It was Wednesday morning and Lucas was finishing up his weekly staff meeting when his phone rang. Waving to everyone, signaling the end of the meeting, he stood facing the windows, his back to the table to answer the call. “Hi, Mom.”
“Hi, Lucas. I’ve only got a second before I need to get back to class, but I wanted to catch you quickly. Your father and I decided to have a cookout Memorial Day weekend. Not too big, your brother and Mandi, a few neighbors and a few staff from the firm. We expect you there too.” He could hear the bell ringing in the background. “I need to run now. I’ll text you with the details as we get closer.”
“OK, oh and Mom, I’ll be bringing someone with me, too. No, I’m not saying. Get to class. You can meet her then.” He cut her off before she could ask, heard her chuckle, so much like his own. “Love you, too,” he replied back to her and ended the call.
He didn’t realize his staff was still sitting at the table when he turned around. “What?” he asked as they all stared at him. No one answered. They gathered their stuff with knowing grins on their faces before they walked out. But his executive assistant remained.
Rhonda had been the Department Head Executive Assistant long before Lucas was even born. She often looked at him as one of her kids. And when no one else was around, she treated him as such.
After gathering her tablet and papers, she paused for a moment. “She’s a good girl. Under that entire calm and cool exterior is one tender heart. Go gently.”
“Who?” he answered coyly.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I’ve known you for years. I have eyes in my head. Brooke’s and your secret is safe with me.” She held her hand up. “And no, I’ve not heard any whispering about it. Yet. But you don’t hide your feelings well. Now everyone here knows there’s someone. So you can bet there will be speculation.”
He walked to the doorway with her, took notice no one was around, then leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Thanks for the warning. And the advice.” He turned toward his office.
“Mathews!” Lucas heard his name shouted before he could close his office door. He turned and saw Mike Lester strutting toward him, all five foot six inches of him, chest puffed out, overly white teeth gleaming. “Do you have a quick minute?”
“Don’t forget your meeting with Brooke at three, Lucas.” Nodding his head to Rhonda, Lucas acknowledged her statement, and continued into his office with Mike on his heels.
“Brooke? That nice piece of ass in HR?”
Lucas saw red, but before he could respond Mike kept talking, oblivious to the warning signs in front of him. “Too bad she’s so frigid. But hey, you know what they say about that, right? The colder they are, the hotter they burn.”
“What do you want, Mike?” Lucas growled. He wanted to defend her—it was his nature to do so, but he knew that would only draw more questions. For Brooke’s sake he kept quiet, as much as it pained him to do so.
Twenties minutes later, with Rhonda’s words still in his head, and a pounding headache caused by restraining himself from reaching across the desk and gripping Mike by the throat, he picked up his phone and placed a call. Time to push, gently per Rhonda’s advice. But push just the same.
***
Brooke was typing another policy revision when she heard, rather than saw, a movement in her doorway. Glancing u
p, she noticed the receptionist holding a vase filled with what looked like a mixture of white, pink, and red roses. “These were delivered for you.”
Pushing back from her desk, she stood up to collect them. “Oh, thank you.”
Seated back in her chair, she waited until she was alone to pull the little card out of the envelope. Soft and feminine, just like you.
Brooke felt the tingle in her stomach and the grin spread across her face. Those words were having the same effect on her now as they did this weekend when Lucas was rubbing the soft floral body wash all over her in the shower. It was the most relaxing and sensual shower she’d ever had. And definitely the most thorough.
Conflicting emotions raced through her. Giddiness from the flowers. Who didn’t like getting flowers at work? Or sexy messages meant to warm her up?
And trepidation. Because now there would be talk and speculation about her personal life. She’d always kept her personal life private. As far as anyone knew, she was single, and it wasn’t anyone’s business if that changed.
She still didn’t know exactly what she and Lucas had. She was enjoying it, taking it day by day. But she wasn’t looking for any more than that right now. For once in her in life she was trying not to plan ahead. Just enjoy the moment.
Heeding her own advice—just enjoy the moment—she pushed the trepidation away, stood up to shut the door, then grabbed her cell phone and placed the call.
He answered on the first ring. “Did you like them?” She could hear Lucas’s grin through the phone.
“Yes, yes, I did. But you shouldn’t have.”
“Shouldn’t have what? Sent them at all, or sent them to work?” he hedged.
“Well, both.” She leaned forward, buried her face in the petals, and inhaled their scent.
She heard his chair creak through the phone, assumed he leaned back and placed his feet on the desk. “What, I’m not allowed a bit of romance? And so what if I sent them to work. I didn’t sign the card. Don’t I get points for that?” he said with a chuckle.
