A divorcee, who had stumbled upon a man who rocked her world … why look a gift horse in the mouth?
Chapter Six
The elevator had to stop at every floor to allow people on, so when she finally found herself on the ground floor, Caroline hurried to find Wren. As she turned the corner from the elevators, she spotted him talking with a stunningly beautiful woman, and the body language between the two suggested a deeper intimacy. The woman was almost as tall as he with four-inch stilettos making her legs look impossibly long. Long red hair, the kind that came from an expensive dye job, tumbled in waves down her back. The white dress she wore made her hair seem like fire.
As Caroline watched, the redhead twined her hands around Wren’s arm, molding her curvaceous body into his. Wren’s back faced her, so she could only see the redhead’s face, and her expression spoke a thousand words. Something existed between these two people, and it wasn’t hard to imagine what. Caroline’s stomach churned, forcing her to turn away from the sight.
She didn’t think the redhead was his wife. In fact, he’d answered no to her question of being married in the taxi. Besides, no ring encircled the woman’s finger. Diamonds adorned the woman’s neck and ears, so there wasn’t a high possibility that she’d not display a large diamond engagement right or wedding band if she were married. But it could mean that Wren had a significant other, and the thought had Caroline reevaluating her pros and cons list that she’d made earlier. Did she ignore what she just witnessed? And if she did, what did that tell her about her own convictions?
Caroline took the long way back to Wren’s side, walking around the large lobby to give him a few moments with the redhead. When she finally saw him again he stood alone, looking at his watch. A patch of light turned his dark hair blue-black. He wore jeans and a button down shirt tucked in at the waist, looking scrumptious. Caroline wasn’t sure if he looked better in business attire or street clothes, but in either ensemble, he took her breath away.
Caroline plastered a smile on her face and walked up to him with a confidence she was far from actually feeling. Compared to the elegant redhead, she felt very frumpy.
“Sorry I’m late, but the elevator had multiple stops,” she said.
“I just got here myself,” he replied, smiling.
She saw his eyes stray to the deep V of her shirt, at the pale globes that rose from the push-up bra she wore. She was glad she went with her instinct to wear the tight button-up.
He leaned down and kissed her mouth, lingering for a long moment. Caroline’s heart raced as arousal surged through her blood. Now that she knew just how magical it was between them, she was looking forward to the next round of bedroom shenanigans with him. Just when she was ready to shuck the whole tourist thing, he pulled back and clasped her hand firmly in his.
“Ready to pound the pavement?” he asked.
Caroline took a deep breath and pushed down the urge to drag him into the elevator. She nodded and the next second, they were out the door. Their hotel rested centrally in Times Square, so they headed south, traveling down Broadway as it traversed through lower Manhattan. From her taxi window she watched people walk with purpose, a distinctive stride that was unique to city living. Even the tourists were able to adapt to it after an hour mingling with the natives. Just watching the frenetic energy the city moved with made her tired. She liked big cities, but New York was more than an ordinary metropolis. It was a whole solar system unto itself.
“Do you live here in New York?” she asked him as they walked hand in hand through Central Park.
“I did,” he said. “I’m in Paris right now, overseeing that branch. But I miss New York. I was born and raised here in Manhattan.”
“I’m slightly glad to be back in Louisiana, though I really resented moving back at the time.”
“Why?”
“I felt as if it were a step backward.” She shrugged. “I wanted to see the world, and that’s not how my life evolved.”
“My grandmother started Troublemaker, so I always knew where my future was heading.”
“Let me guess, the company is named after you.”
His eyes widened in mock amazement. “How did you know?”
“Lucky guess,” she said with a wink.
Walking through the park, enjoying the sunshine, and laughing with the handsomest man she’d ever been in the presence of, enchanted her. For a moment, a very brief moment, Caroline’s world felt peaceful and right.
At lunchtime, Wren walked her to a restaurant that sat in a small grotto off 4th Street and Greenwich Village. Tall, potted trees lined the walkway and string lights hung from the canopy. The cramped seating and mismatched furniture added to the charming eccentricity of the outdoor seating.
Caroline finished up her salmon and endive salad while Wren topped off his turkey club with coffee. He cocked his head to study her and she wiped her mouth with her napkin before arching an eyebrow at his scrutiny.
“You’re only here a few days,” he said.
“Yes,” she replied, laying the napkin on the plate and pushing it slightly away.
“And you fly to where?”
“New Orleans.”
“You live in New Orleans?”
“No, I live in Baton Rouge. Flying through New Orleans is cheaper.”
“What do you do in Baton Rouge?”
“I’m a manager of an independent pharmacy.”
“You enjoy it?”
“I do, actually.” Her lips twisted in a grimace. “I moved back there after my marriage collapsed.”
“From where?”
“Are we playing twenty questions?”
“How else am I to learn about you?”
One eyebrow pitched upward. “Why do you want to know anything about me?”
He frowned. “I generally like to know something about the woman I sleep with.”
Caroline could feel heat engulf her face. At that moment, the waiter came back and cleared the table, asking if they wanted anything more. Both declined and Wren handed over his credit card.
“California,” she answered when they were alone again. “Los Angeles.”
“Troublemaker Cosmetics has an office in L.A.,” he said. “Beautiful weather. Horrendous traffic.”
“I think New York City gives L.A. a run for its money on the traffic issue,” she pointed out.
“Maybe, but we have a superb subway system.”
“L.A. has a subway. Somewhat.” She narrowed her eyes as she assessed him, then shook her head as if coming to a conclusion. “I don’t see you as a subway person.”
“The subway is the only way to travel in Paris,” he admitted, holding up his finger and thumb measuring about an inch. “The streets are this big. So why California?”
“Greg wanted to be an actor,” she replied. “We moved there together.”
“Your husband?”
“Ex-husband. Or will be, as soon as he signs the divorce papers.”
“He hasn’t signed them yet?”
“No.” She sighed. “He gave me this song and dance about how he lost them, so the paralegals had to redraft them.”
“You’re not using a lawyer?”
She shook her head. “There’re no assets, and neither of us is contesting. Paralegals were cheaper.”
“And legal?”
“Of course.”
“Hmm,” he said, drumming his fingers against the tabletop. “I don’t like the fact that you’re still married. I swore to myself that I’d never have sex with a married woman, and you’ve made me break my vow.”
“Shh,” she admonished, looking around to make sure no one heard his off-hand comment. “It’s not like that, and you know it. I doubt you were a monk before I came along.”
“My grandmother thought I was a saint.” Laughter made his grey eyes sparkle like river rocks.
“Poor deluded woman.” She shook her head sorrowfully. “Anyway, once those papers are filed that chapter of my life will be all over.” She coul
dn’t keep the sad little hitch out of her voice.
“Do you still love him?”
The waiter returned at that moment with the receipt. Wren thanked him, signed the slip and put his card back in his wallet.
Caroline stared down at her fingers that rubbed the stem of her wine glass. “I don’t think I ever really was in love with him, not the way that a woman should be when she pledges her life and heart in holy matrimony. I was very young and all my friends were getting married, so I wanted to get married too. He was the guy I had been with since freshman year of high school. But maybe that’s the exact reason why he found someone else to be with.” She looked into his now-somber gaze. “No, I don’t love him anymore, but I can’t help but be sorry that my marriage failed.”
He reached for her hand, his thumb stroking the soft skin on top. “The failure of a marriage is never one-sided.”
“I know that.”
“If it makes you any happier, I’m very glad you’re able to sit here with me today.”
The touch of his skin upon hers caused butterflies to flutter in her stomach. Her heart started thudding in excitement. Why did she always want to jump his body every time he touched her?
Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I’m glad too.”
He leaned, as if he planned to kiss her, but instead his lips found her ear to whisper, “Have you ever had sex in public before?”
“Do you count last night at the club?”
“That was delicious groping and mutual masturbation,” he said. “I’m talking about hot, pounding sex where someone could see us at any moment.”
The mental picture he put in her head made her juices flow. She shifted on her seat to add pressure right on the spot between her thighs that needed it most.
“Come on, Caroline,” he continued in an inviting tone. “Remember how you felt last night? The danger of possibly being discovered? Didn’t it make you hot? Wicked? Wasn’t your climax more intense? Mine was.”
“Where?” She breathed in rising lust. She wasn’t going to pretend that his words didn’t affect her, nor was she going to play coy with what he implied.
He looked around. “Around the side of the building. Follow me in five seconds.”
Caroline watched him before taking a glance around to see if anyone eyed them, wondering why two people weren’t using the direct path to exit the outdoor patio area. She couldn’t understand how no one could hear the frantic beat of her heart, or see the lust on her face.
She rose and made her way casually after him.
The walkway he led her to ran right along the side of the building. Brick on one side and an iron fence on the other with vines twisted along it all the way down to the gated door. On either end someone could walk up, find them, expose them, but the danger and potential discovery only made the juices flood Caroline’s panties even more.
As she reached him, the clink of glasses and the tinkle of silverware against dishes only heightened the anticipation for what they were about to do. Wren held out his hand and she took it, giving in to the lust that coursed through her veins.
For a second he simply gripped her hand, staring intently into her face, and then he yanked her forward, turning her until she faced the brick wall. He moved his big body behind her, his hard cock pressing into her ass. He placed her hands above her head and held them with one hand.
His other hand was already lifting her skirt and pushing her panties aside, finding a floodgate of desire all for him. Caroline panted as he used one finger to slide up and down her slit, coating her pussy lips with her wetness.
“I see this turns you on,” he whispered into her ear. “Knowing at any second someone could look down this alley and see me getting ready to fuck you?”
Caroline moaned, unable to form words. Her heart felt like a hummingbird, beating almost uncontrollably. She stuck her ass out as far as she could, and in response he ground his dick into it.
“You’re so fucking hot, Caroline,” he whispered again. He slid his two fingers into her weeping cunt, eliciting another moan.
“Shh,” he warned. “Unless you want to be watched. Do you, Caroline?”
The mental image he invoked caused her to rock her hips as pure, untapped lust swept through her. The wind blew through the small walkway, touching her smooth skin as if trying to cool the fire that threatened to consume her.
In response, Wren pumped his fingers, fucking her faster, using his
hips to keep her as still as possible. The few small movements she could make only teased her for more.
“Keep your hands up,” he whispered into her ear. “Don’t stop touching that wall, or I’m going to have to punish you for disobedience.”
His hand left hers to travel down, and the subsequent small rip of a condom wrapper seemed overly loud. Briefly, she wondered how he managed that one-handed but soon didn’t care as his hips moved against her backside. No doubt, he was rolling the condom on. Then he reached down to lift her right leg up and draped it over his thigh. The hand that was buried in her pussy helped to guide his cock in.
He thrust and flattened her to the brick wall, but she didn’t even notice the rough surface. Her world centered on where he impaled her, filling her up and stretching her wide. Her eyes rolled back into her head at the absolute bliss that poured through her.
His free hand gripped her waist tightly as he thrust in. He leaned his forehead against her neck.
“God, I want this to last,” he growled. “You feel so good wrapped around me, baby.”
Caroline pushed back, wanting him to move, and he quickly complied, pumping in and out of her with fast, hard strokes. Their combined panting echoed around them, holding them in a cocoon of fast, furious fucking. The pleasure was too much as her orgasm rose sharply.
“I’m going to come,” she moaned.
“Yes,” he gasped. “I can feel you clenching me. Jesus Christ, you’re so fucking tight.”
“Harder,” she panted.
He obliged, thrusting as if he were out of control, and then suddenly Caroline exploded, stars bursting behind her closed lids. Wren moaned a second later and his orgasm erupted, his cock jerking until it ran empty. Then he bent his head and kissed her shoulder.
He let her leg drop but pressed her against the wall until she was able to stand on her feet without falling. Caroline felt a moment of emptiness as he pulled out of her. Her skirt fell down, concealing her still-throbbing parts, letting the lassitude of her orgasm wash through her for a moment longer.
Behind her, Wren took care of his business, removing the condom and zippering himself back up. She had a brief thought of what he planned to do with the used condom but didn’t really have the energy to dwell on it for too long.
And then he turned her around and took her lips, kissing her tenderly. His forehead dropped to rest against hers.
“Wow,” she purred.
He grinned.
“Um,” came a hesitant voice from behind. “May I help you?”
Wren looked over his shoulder, and Caroline’s eyes widened as the memory of where they were rocked through her. A busboy held an empty tub in front of him, eyeing them with curiosity.
“My wife was feeling a little faint,” Wren lied smoothly. “We thought the breeze would help settle her nausea.”
“Should I get my manager?”
“No need.” Wren slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her tight to his side. “She’s about two months along … this happens quite frequently.”
The young busboy grinned. “Congrats!”
“Thank you. Can we exit this way?” he asked, pointing toward the gate at the end of the alley.
“Nah, that gate is always locked. Sorry, man,” the kid said.
“No problem. I just hope the smell of the food doesn’t make her sick again.” Wren walked, pulling her along, and all Caroline could do was bury her head in his chest and ignore the curious stares of the other patrons as t
hey made their way out.
Once on the sidewalk and away from the restaurant, Caroline pulled away, laughing. “Oh my god, I can’t believe we did that!”
Wren took her hand and held it. “So you have a little bit of exhibitionist in your system.”
“I’ve never done anything like that before,” she said.
“It makes me want to find out what else makes you tick, Ms. Grace.”
Caroline didn’t answer as they walked back toward their hotel. His words echoed in her ears. What made her tick? She honestly didn’t know. For a long time she’d been merely surviving, making sure she stayed away from anything or, more importantly, from anyone who challenged the nice little safe haven she’d erected around herself. The sex she had with Wren frightened her a little. Fun, yes, and very satisfying … but the depth of completeness she felt with him threatened the walls she’d carefully constructed. There were only two and a half days left on her mini-vacation, and then it was back to reality. Back to her staid, safe existence, and that was okay with her. Being alone hurt far less than trusting someone with your heart and your emotions.
Still, Caroline wondered how to suppress the tiny flutter of happiness every time he looked at her. Because there was no way she was going to fall in love with him.
Chapter Seven
“What the hell!” Aldy exclaimed the moment Caroline entered their hotel room.
Aldy had her arms crossed over her chest and one foot tapping on the carpet, with a look of righteous indignation on her face.
“What the hell what?” Caroline asked, nonplused.
“My boss? You slept with my boss!”
Caroline blinked and let the door close behind her. “Who’s your boss?”
“Wren Calder!”
“Wren is your boss?” She thought he’d been one of those company figureheads who put their names on the letterhead but didn’t really get involved with day-to-day work.
Aldy shook her head. “Are we on a hamster wheel or something? Yes, Wren Calder is my boss. And you slept with him!”
A Man After Midnight Page 4
