by Gina Drayer
“I really appreciate this,” he said. “I hope it won’t cause any issues with the lodge. Rachelle said the power was for essential items only.”
“Rachelle takes her job too serious. One laptop won’t push the generator over the top. Anyway, I can’t have you miss your deadline. I don’t think I’d be able to stand it if your next book was delayed.”
“You read my books?” He narrowed his eye as if surprised by her confession.
“I do.” Josie smiled. To say she read his books was a bit of a lie. She didn’t just read them, she devoured them. Josie’s bookshelf was like a shrine to the man’s books. “Not to sound like a stalker, but I'm a big fan. I love your writing. I love how all your plots are based around real science. I especially loved your last book included some of the new research coming out of CERN involving Higgs Boson. But it’s not just the science, you have a way of capturing your characters. They seem like real people to me by the end of you books.”
He tilted his head to the side and studied her, the dark pools of his eyes examining her as if she were a puzzle to be solved. “You just didn’t strike me as the type who reads science fiction,” he said.
“Well I do,” Josie said with a hard edge to her words. “Just because I’m a woman doesn't mean I can’t love science fiction or science for that matter. Call it an occupational hazard. I’m an astrophysics PhD candidate. At least, I will be in the fall.”
“It’s always a pleasure to meet a fellow scientist,” Raj said as he handed over the charger, letting his fingers linger on her hand a little longer than necessary. “And lover of science fiction. I’d do more book signings, if more of my fans looked like you.”
This time she didn’t imagine interest, but the moment seemed to pass as quickly as it had come. “I’ll just go plug this in,” she said, her voice less steady than it had been before. Josie set down the lantern on the conference table and plugged in the laptop.
“So…” She leaned back against the bar, not quite sure what to say next. Should she offer to bring the laptop to his room after it was charged? Should she invite him to stay? Would that be too forward? She decided to error on the side of caution. She’d already managed to make a complete fool of herself. “Why don’t you leave the laptop here. I’ll drop it by your room when it’s done charging.”
“Thank you again, Josie. I don’t mind waiting. I enjoy spending time with my readers. Finding out what they like. What moves them. What they want.” He breathed each sentence out like a promise, and a chill ran up her spine. “I’d love to get to know you better, Josie. Tell me, what it is you like about my books?”
She swallowed hard and leaned back against the conference table, trying hard to act nonchalant. So he wanted to talk about his writing. She could do that, even though she wasn’t thinking about his books at all. Her eyes wandered down to his hands, splayed casually over the arm of the chair and all she could think about was how they’d felt against the bare skin of her arm.
Wetting her dry lips, Josie tried to smile. She needed to pull herself together. “What I love about your books is how raw they are. You manage to tell a compelling story and fill them with emotion and human struggle.”
Again she met his gaze. Dark eyes stared back, unblinking, with an intensity that made her want to look away, but she held his gaze a while longer. She was curious to find out exactly what he was thinking. He licked his lips, causing another shiver to run down her spine.
Now she was imagining things. But was she? Surely this crackling attraction was mutual. Josie took a deep breath and decided this was her chance. She’d never get another opportunity like this.
She pushed away from the table and took a step forward, stopping just before they touched. The heat from his body was warm in the cold room, pulling her in.
“And the sex.”
He swallowed hard, eyes trained on her. “I’m sorry. What?”
“You write hot sex in your books,” she said. Josie reached out a finger and traced up Raj’s chest, stopping at the top button of his shirt. “Your characters are passionate.” She looked up to meet his gaze again. “I’ve often wondered if you are as passionate as your characters.”
Without stopping to worry about the wisdom of her actions, Josie pressed herself against his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck, anchoring her body to his. He was perfect, just tall enough to make her feel small at five nine, but not so tall she had to look up. It was as if he was made for her, and it felt so damn good.
Despite the fact she was already holding him, Josie hesitated and searched his eyes for any sign she’d been wrong. All she saw was burning desire. She brushed her lips against his mouth and whispered, “Kiss me, Raj. Show me how passionate you are.”
His lips brushed hers, as a hand slid to the nape of her neck. His kiss was slow and sweet. Gentle. But Josie wanted more, so she teased his soft lips with her tongue, pushing him. His mouth was warm and tasted of cinnamon and chocolate, most likely from the cocoa the bar served, and it drove her wild. She’d never again be able to have a mug of the Lodge’s hot cocoa without thinking of him and this kiss.
After a few moments, he broke away, panting. There was a hungry look in his eyes that made her panties wet.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” he said and lifted his hand to touch her cheek.
“Maybe,” she answered.
He was right. This was a terrible idea on so many levels. She knew nothing about him outside of what she’d learned on the internet. And if that wasn't bad enough, this was where she worked. Still, Josie was tired of always doing what was right, what was expected of her. She wanted to do something just for her and to hell with the consequences.
Josie pressed her palm against the wide plane of his chest and leaned closer. “Does it matter? We’re both adults.”
His hand slid up her side until it came to rest on her breast. He traced his thumb over her nipple, causing it to harden and strain against the think fabric of her shirt. Raj closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Josie, you should tell me to stop.” He sounded almost desperate.
“No,” she sighed, leaning into his touch. “Please don’t stop.”
His eyes shot open, and Josie could see the indecision dance across his face as he silently waged his own battle.
Afraid he'd pull back, and the moment would be over, she decided to make a move. Josie dug her fingers into his back, pulling him closer, and shot him a wicked smile. “Raj,” Josie teased, her mouth pressed against his ear. “Want to know a secret? Your prose turns me on.” She slid a hand down to the front of his pants and found his hard cock. “I masturbate to your writing.”
This time, she didn’t wait for him to say anything. She kissed him with all the pent-up desire and passion she’d harbored since he’d walked through the door weeks before. He returned the kiss with equal intensity. His hands encircled her wrists, pulling them behind her back, and the action caused her to press against the full length of his body.
When he finally pulled back for the second time, they stood there, breaths mingling in short pants. “Take your shirt off,” he said. “But leave the skirt on.” His voice held a commanding tone that hadn’t been there just moments ago, and it made her knees go weak.
Without a word, she slipped the shirt over her head and let it fall to the floor. She was enthralled by the change in him and waited, desperate for more instruction.
Raj was in front of her again, close but not quite touching. His eyes traveled down warming her body as if it were a caress. Josie wanted to reach out to him, but she hesitated, instinctively waiting for him. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long, his hand ran up her leg and slipped under her skirt, fingering along the top of her stocking.
“Do you know how completely sexy you looked, sprawled on the floor with your ass exposed.” Se sucked in a deep breath as his fingers toyed with the soft lace. “And when you asked me to join you here, I wasn’t sure at first.” He grew bolder, sliding up to find the edge of her G-s
tring. His finger brushed her clit through the flimsy fabric, and she groaned. “But the way you looked when you talked about my books, I knew then. I knew you wanted me as much as I wanted you.”
A small whimper escaped her lips, and he seemed all the more encouraged. He brushed the thin fabric aside and slid his fingers down, teasing her opening.
“Fuck me, you’re so wet.” His words were strained. He pulled her hand down to his crotch again, sliding it along his hard erection. “See what you do to me? I’ve been like this for weeks. I would come down to the lobby just to see you, and all the while imagine bending you over the counter and fucking you. Tell me you’ve felt the same way.” There was a demanding tone to his voice.
She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of his fingers teasing her. “Yes. Yes, I want this too.”
He rewarded her admission by sliding a finger deep inside and slowly fucking her. Josie gasped at the invasion, her hips rocking in time with his rhythm.
“Dear, sweet Josie,” he said, his fingers moving faster. “You’ve caught me unprepared.” He leaned in and teased her neck, biting down on her collarbone, but never once did he stop the movement of his fingers.
“Unprepared?” she asked, not quite aware of what he was saying. Josie was too lost in the sensation. The muscles in her stomach clenched as she felt the edge of orgasm approach.
“A condom,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever wished for a condom more in my life. What I wouldn’t do to be able to enjoy this wet pussy of yours.” He closed his eyes and groaned against her neck as if imagining what it would feel like to slip inside of her.
The confession made her hot and a loud moan slipped from between her lips. She wanted to feel him inside of her, and Josie ground her hips onto his fingers, terrified he might just stop.
Raj chuckled softly into her ear as if reading her thoughts. “Oh, but don’t worry, love. I’m not about to stop now. I want to see you come.” And as if to accentuate the point, his thumb pressed hard against her clit while his other fingers increased their pressure inside of her.
Josie’s breath was ragged now as his fingers teased, driving her home. She slid against his fingers, guiding him to just the right spot.
“That’s it Josie. If I can’t fuck you now, I want to hear you come,” he said, voice strained.
Yes, she wanted to come, but it wasn’t enough. Josie wanted— no, screw that— she needed to have him inside of her now. She struggled to find her voice. “No,” was all she could manage, and wanted to kick herself.
His fingers stopped immediately and withdrew, making Josie want to scream. That’s not what she meant.
“No, no, no,” she almost cried. “I didn’t want you to stop touching me. I was trying to say, no, we don’t have to stop with this. I have condoms in my purse.” Josie pressed her eyes closed. “Please. I want you inside me.”
Amusement danced in his eyes, and he slid his hand back under her skirt. “Hmmm. I’d very much like that too, love. But first I want you to come.” His fingers were demanding this time, and she met every thrust. Within seconds, he’d built her back up to the tipping point. As if gauging her arousal, he growled into her ear. “Now, Josie. Come for me now.”
And she did. She let go, and her climax crashed into her as a wave of pleasure rippled through her body. She slumped against his shoulder. The only sound in the room was her harsh, ragged breath.
“Yes, that’s it,” he said, kissing the top of her head as he slid his fingers from her body. He led her over to the sofa. “Wait here, love.” He kissed her lightly before heading towards her purse.
Josie was spent. Every bone in her body felt like jelly. She leaned back against the arm of the sofa, curling her legs underneath her, and closed her eyes. The cold room chilled off her fevered skin, causing gooseflesh to break out over her body. That was amazing. She couldn’t remember the last time she’s had an orgasm like that just from someone’s hand. Maybe all the typing he did while writing his books made his fingers especially nimble. She almost laughed at the thought. She could hear Raj rifling through her bag, but she couldn’t gather the energy to help him.
Josie was still floating on the pleasant high of her climax when she heard the unmistakable sound of foil ripping open. Her stomach muscles clenched in anticipation, and she looked up to meet Raj’s gaze. He stood over her, naked, and she had to admire his well-toned muscles. Her gaze trailed down to find him hard and ready.
Nerves got the better of her and Josie looked away, suddenly self-conscious of her own state of half dress. She tried to straighten her skirt, but Raj knelt down between her legs.
“No.” His voice taking on that commanding edge once again and she stopped. He caressed her jaw, lifting her head to meet his gaze. “Don’t try to cover yourself. You’re beautiful with your clothes rumpled and cheeks pink from coming.”
Her blush deepened, but this time she didn’t look away.
“Last chance, Josie,” he said. His fingers slid down her neck settling in the valley between her breasts. “I wouldn’t think less of you if you wanted to stop right now.”
She swallowed hard and tried to laugh. “Are you kidding? After feeling what you can do with your fingers—” she closed her eyes, and a small moan sounded from the back of her throat in memory, “—I don’t think I could say no.”
“Good.” Raj smiled and pushed her back against the sofa. “Because now, I’m going to fuck you, Josie.”
The earlier lethargy fled her body, and was replaced with a burning anticipation. She smiled up at him, even as her heart raced wildly in her chest. “Yes, please fuck me.” God had she just said that? Who was this wanton woman who was begging for sex?
Her body hummed with the promise of what was to come as he pushed her skirt all the way up to bunch around her waist. He gripped the lacy panties in his fist and in one harsh tug yanked the barrier way. The fabric bit into her skin and she winced, but she secretly hoping it would leave a mark.
“What a lovely picture you make spread out before me on the sofa. Sometimes, Josie, real life is more rewarding than fiction,” Raj said as his hand brushed up and down her bare thighs. She didn't miss the mischievous grin spread across his lips. “Now, there’s not a lot of room here on the sofa, but did you read Dawn’s Return?”
“Yes,” Josie said. She recalled a scene in that book where Captain Hart had bent Dr. Prichard over a lab table and fucked her. Josie’s eyes shot to the small conference table, and she felt her pussy clench. She looked back at him and smiled. “That was one of my favorite scenes.”
“Good.” He smiled and helped her up from the sofa. Once in front of the table, he grasped her hands and pulled them to the center of the glossy surface, causing her whole upper body to press into the hard expanse. Josie gasped as her bare chest came in contact with the frigid wood.
“Now Josie, leave your hands right there,” Raj said as he spread her legs further apart. His hand traced up the inside of her thigh; a finger teasing her clit. Josie shot up at the sudden sensation against her swollen sex, and he quickly grabbed her hands.
“If you move again, I might be forced to punish you,” he whispered against her ear, when he guided her hands back in place. “Now be a good girl and stay still.”
Josie knew she should protest or even laugh at the idea of being punished. She’d never let anyone dominate her in this way. She was usually the aggressor, and the thought that he’d punish her, like a child, should have made her cringe. But there was something in the way he said it, that made her want to find out what he would do if she disobeyed.
Raj returned to his attention on her over sensitive clit. “Do you like that?” he asked as his fingers stroked her. “Or do you want something more?”
Josie whimpered in response, her hips rocking back against his fingers.
“Josie. I want to hear you say it.”
It was too much. She didn’t think he could do it, but the movement of his fingers was bringing her closer to another clim
ax. Josie knew then she’d do anything, yes even beg, to feel him inside her.
“Yes,” she groaned, thrusting her hips back in response. “Yes, Raj, please. Please just fuck me already.”
With one quick thrust, he was inside her. Josie gasped at the sudden sensation, trying hard to push down another climax. She didn’t want to come just yet.
“Mmmm. Even better than I imagined.” He moved slowly, but Josie needed more. She inched up, grinding her hips against him, but he stopped. Without warning his hand struck her bare ass, shocking her.
“I told you not to move,” Raj said and swatted her other cheek.
The warm heat from his strike sent ripples of pleasure through her sex, and Josie thought about defying him again. But she wanted to feel him moving inside of her, so she put her hands back to the center of the table. “It won’t happen again.”
“Be sure it doesn’t. I don’t want to stop to spank you again.” Raj rubbed her stinging ass gently before he started move again.
She bowed her back to meet his thrust, ever mindful of her position. He placed a hand on her back holding her down as his thrust became more demanding. Her thighs pressed painfully into the edge of the table, but she didn’t dare move. A deep feral growl came from him as he laced his fingers in her hair, pulling to the side and forcing her to look back at him.
“Come for me Josie,” he said, and thrust into her harder and faster.
Her climax exploded without warning, causing the muscles of her inner walls to pulse around his cock. With a few more thrust, she felt him stiffen and cry out.
Covering her body with his own, they stayed ther connected for several long second. Silence engulfed them, their ragged breathing the only sounds in the room.
Raj began to stir, brushing her sweat soaked hair back from her face. He leaned down and kissed her before, slowly sliding out. Without a word, he walked over to the bar to dispose of the condom, and grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator. Josie stood up from the table and tried to straighten her bunched skirt, only then realizing they’d managed to knock the electric lantern to the ground, breaking it.
