Indulgent Pleasures

by Karen Erickson

  Justin smiled when he finished tying off the last knot and he kissed her again, reassuring her without words that everything would be all right.

  He tied her ankles to the footboard with two ties each, making it long enough so he could secure her to the large piece of furniture. The knots were loose, she could move with some ease but she was still utterly at his mercy.

  And she had to admit as she lay there, watching him prepare her, she found it arousing.

  “Are you comfortable?” He looked concerned and he smoothed a hand over her forehead, his touch gentle.

  “Yes.” She tugged at the ties with her hands and felt them give a little.

  He had one remaining tie in his hand. “What would you think if I wanted to blindfold you?”

  She blinked up at him. Who was this man and where were these requests coming from? Was he angry that she’d been reluctant earlier when they talked? Was she making a mistake, giving him this advantage?

  And when had it turned into giving each other an advantage? She’d always felt on equal footing with Justin sexually. This was nothing more than him wanting to give her pleasure, she was sure.

  Well, she hoped.

  She also couldn’t help but think what a great article this experience could turn out to be.

  Yes, she really was a bitch.

  “I guess I don’t mind,” she finally answered, her voice hesitant even to her own ears. It would probably heighten the experience, bringing her other senses alive since she wouldn’t be able to see him.

  “It’ll make the experience even more intense.” The expression on his face was serious, his eyes glowing in the dim light and a pang touched her heart at the thought of not being able to see him when he made love to her.

  But she would do this. For him—and because she was curious.

  “Lift up,” he commanded and when she did so, he wrapped the tie around her head, covering her eyes. He tied it at the back of her head, the knot resting just at the base of her nape and she carefully laid back down when he was done.

  “Can you see me?”

  She shook her head, faint shards of light shining above and beneath the tie but she couldn’t make out anything. “Not at all.”

  He drew his fingers down the length of her thigh, making her jump. “Relax, baby, I’m not going to hurt you.”

  “I know.” And she did. Her entire body thrummed in anticipation, waiting for his touch, wondering what he would do next.

  Justin was quiet, his hands slowly skimming all over her body. The only sound his breathing and hers and the mattress creaking as he shifted on the edge of the bed. She closed her eyes and relaxed, her body sinking into the mattress and she let his touch take over, take her away.

  When his mouth brushed her shoulder, she gasped at the unexpected contact. He smiled, she could actually feel it against her skin and then his mouth drifted across her front, along her collarbone, down her chest, over her breasts.

  Her nipples hardened, stiff and begging for his touch but he ignored them, lavishing attention on the valley of skin between her breasts, the sensitive area just beneath them.

  She squirmed beneath his mouth, wanting more, wanting him to suck and lick her nipples. But she wouldn’t ask, she wouldn’t beg. She wasn’t that far gone.

  Yet.

  “I love the way you taste, your soft skin, the way you smell.” His hot breath wafted across her, making her shiver. “It’s like I can’t get enough of you.”

  Oh, this was pure torture, the way he touched her, the things he said. She already regretted the way she handled everything earlier and she was scared this would be one of the last nights she spent with him. His big hands cupped the undersides of her breasts, bringing them together and finally, finally he licked first one, then the other nipple, alternating between the two.

  Stephanie arched into his hands, her arms straining against her restraints and he sucked one nipple deep into his mouth, lashing it with his tongue, his teeth gently biting. She cried out, unable to stop herself, her pussy wet with arousal and her belly clenched.

  If he continued this she would probably come, something she had never done before just by having a man pay attention to her breasts. But her body had a mind of its own, so focused on what he was doing that she couldn’t help but react.

  And react strongly.

  “Feel good?” His harsh whisper around her nipple made her whimper and she nodded furiously, unable to speak.

  He licked a nipple with slow, sure circles, around and around, getting her so wet. She tugged again at the ties, wishing she could touch him.

  His rock hard cock brushed against her stomach when he moved and she wanted him to enter her, sink deep inside her and end this torture.

  God, he’d only just begun.

  “I want to lick you everywhere,” he murmured against her skin just before he proceeded to do so.

  His tongue traveled the length of her body, along her quivering stomach, across her right hip, down her thigh, tickling her knee. He even licked her calf before he moved to the other leg, his hands cradling her foot, stroking her heel.

  “I have a serious thing for your feet,” he admitted just before he dropped a kiss on her big toe.

  “You do not.” Did he?

  “I do. From the first moment I met you and had your foot in my lap, I’ve had a thing for these babies. Your pretty little toes, the sexy shades you paint them, almost always red.” He kissed her toe again, his tongue licking and she jumped, a little giggle escaping her.

  “I had no idea you had a foot fetish.”

  “I didn’t either but that was before I saw yours. They’re the sexiest little feet I’ve ever seen.”

  She’d never thought her feet sexy but the way he talked, the way he held them, gently stroking her heels, she believed him.

  But then he let go of her foot and continued his search of her body with his tongue, licking her shin, the underside of her knee, the inside of her thigh. Her wet pussy ached for his touch but he teased her, going everywhere but where she wanted and she finally gave a little growl of frustration.

  “Something wrong?” The tone of his voice told her he knew exactly what was wrong.

  And that he was very, very evil.

  She refused to respond, a little huff sounding instead and he actually had the nerve to laugh.

  Oh, how she wanted to punch him. Then haul his head in between her legs and command him to lick.

  Justin nibbled on one hip bone, then the other, his tongue brushing against the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. Her legs were already spread wide, she couldn’t move any wider and her pussy was so wet she actually felt a trickle of cream slide down the inside of her thigh.

  Finally, he settled between her legs, his breath fanning across her pussy and she shivered. He was killing her, drawing everything out and she lifted her hips, hoping he’d take the hint.

  He did. His mouth settled on her pussy, lips sucking, tongue licking down her slit. Searching her folds, circling around her clit, his tongue worked its usual magic, making her writhe beneath him.

  Her body tingled, her belly clenched and she was so very close it would only take a little more to send her straight over the edge. As if he knew, he reared back, reining it in, his tongue barely dabbing at the tip of her clit. She whimpered in blissful misery.

  “You’re so wet,” he whispered, licking at her clit yet again. “And you taste so good.”

  “Suck my clit,” she urged, shocked that the words left her mouth and the low murmur of pleasure that he made in answer told her he liked it.

  He also did what she asked. He drew her clit into his mouth and sucked, his tongue playing with it, his teeth nibbling the slightest bit. That was all she needed to fall over the edge, her orgasm taking over in one fell swoop.

  Her entire body trembled, limbs shaking, her pussy rippling. She moaned, tugging at the restraints on her wrists and she wished she could touch him. His touch gentled as the shudders slowly left her, though
she still trembled from the after-effects of her intense orgasm.

  “Was that good?” He sounded far too pleased with himself.

  “Yes,” she bit out, hardly able to speak she was so worn out.

  “You want more?” He licked her yet again, his tongue doing a thorough search of her pussy.

  “No!” He stopped at her sharp tone and she tried to relax. “I mean, I want you. I can’t take the teasing anymore. I need you inside me.”

  “All in good time, baby.” He gave one more languid lick to her clit. “All in good time.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Stephanie strode into Zoe’s office without bothering to knock and her boss glanced up when she entered, her eyes wide with surprise.

  “Steph, what’s going on? Are you okay?”

  Stephanie plopped into a chair opposite Zoe’s desk and shook her head. “I want out. I want to go back to the life and style department. I can’t write the column anymore.”

  Zoe’s lips parted, her eyes widening. “What are you talking about? Your articles are more popular than ever. That last one about role playing has been huge. The company inbox exploded, the mailroom exploded. It’s all anyone talks about.”

  “I don’t care, I can’t do it anymore.” Stephanie crossed her arms in front of her, trying to appear strong. Firm. Hoping like hell she could do this.

  “Stephanie.” Zoe stood and came from around her desk, her face a study in earnest sympathy. Heck, she even reached out and rubbed Stephanie’s arm in comfort. “Are you panicking, afraid someone might figure out who you really are? Because I can assure you that won’t ever happen. Your identity is a complete secret, trust me.”

  “I know, I believe you but that’s not my problem. I can’t do this anymore, I can’t put these moments I’m sharing with this man on public display.”

  Because they mean something, damn it. Because I’m halfway in love with him and I can’t do this to what we have.

  “It’s still the same guy. The perfect, unbelievable guy.”

  Stephanie gave a short nod, resentment filling her that Zoe called Justin unbelievable.

  Though she’d thought him unbelievable more than once, yes he’d proved to her he was that good of a man.

  And Stephanie had finally wised up, realized she couldn’t let that kind of man get away. Not one who was so perfect for her.

  “You’re in love with him.” Zoe’s tone was flat, her face expressionless.

  Stephanie gave a little shrug. “It’s gotten serious. It doesn’t feel right, sharing these intimate details with so many people.”

  “Does he know you’re writing the column?”

  “No.” Stephanie sighed. She should’ve told him. She’d had ample opportunity but she’d chickened out every single time.

  “Ah.” Zoe clucked her tongue. “So you feel dishonest. As if you’re hiding something from him.”

  “I am dishonest. I am hiding something from him. And I can’t do it anymore, Zoe. I’m resigning from the column, give it all to Caleb. I want to be reassigned back to my old position.” Stephanie blinked once, twice, trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall.

  “Look, I don’t want to lose you. I think you’re talented, a fabulous writer. Your words, your articles bring forth so much emotion and you touch people, Steph. That’s why you get such a huge response.”

  “It’s too personal, sharing everything that happens between us in bed. I have to keep some things sacred you know.” Besides, the shit would hit the fan if Justin found what she was doing. If she quit now then he’d never be the wiser.

  Dishonest, yes, but at least she wouldn’t keep on fooling him.

  “Write one more article.”

  Stephanie’s brows drew together. “What?”

  “You heard me. One more article. That’s all I ask. Give me one more article, we’ll wish you bon voyage in the column and then it’s over. What do you say?” Zoe smiled, her lips stretching, her extra white teeth nearly blinding her.

  “I—I’ll have to think about it.”

  “No thinking, I need an answer now.” Zoe slapped the edge of the desk with the palm of her hand. “Come on, Steph, you know you want one last hurrah. Don’t leave your fans hanging, let them know what’s going on. Hell, tell them you fell in love and found your happily ever after. People will eat that shit up.”

  Zoe had a point. She could give a small explanation as to what happened and end it. It was actually a pretty good idea.

  “Okay, I’ll do it.” Stephanie nodded. “You’re right. I should let the readers know what happened. It’ll make a good story.”

  “Of course, it’ll make a good story. Anything you come up with is a good story, Steph.” Zoe stood by her chair and slipped her arm around Stephanie’s shoulders, giving her a little shake. “Come up with something good, sweetie. Really knock their socks off with this last column. I can’t wait to read it.”

  Stephanie walked out of Zoe’s office moments later, shocked she made such a complete turn around. This morning when she’d first arrived at work, she’d almost been in tears. After everything she’d experienced with Justin she’d been ready to quit, walk out and forget everything that ever happened at City.

  Then she realized she’d love to have her old job back, though she knew Zoe would protest. And that’s exactly what happened. Heck, she still couldn’t believe Zoe had convinced her to do something she vowed she’d never do again.

  One more time. She’d write that stupid article one more time and then she would be done forever.

  Then she could focus on Justin. She had a feeling their relationship was about to take a turn for the super serious.

  And she was more than ready to embrace it.

  * * *

  Caleb sauntered into Zoe’s office as if he owned it and she watched him, her left brow arched, her right hand clutching her Starbucks cup. The way he moved reminded her of a sleek animal, a jungle cat who was always ready to pounce on his prey.

  Much like the way he pounced on her last night. He’d given her such a good fucking she’d nearly fainted when she came. She couldn’t remember the last time she climaxed like that.

  Caleb didn’t lie when he said he was skilled. The man had sexual skills in spades.

  “What do you want?”

  He shut the door and turned the lock with a quiet click, a cocky smile on his face.

  “I have a hunch.”

  Her brow went higher if that was possible. “About who?”

  Rubbing his hands together, his smile grew even wider. “About Stephanie.”

  “Our Steph? What kind of hunch could you have about her?” She’d always assumed they had something going on, Caleb and Stephanie. He’d chased after her for weeks though Stephanie always seemed to pay him no mind.

  When he’d made the move on Zoe a couple of days ago and they’d ended up fucking in the supply closet well, she’d realized that maybe he had a thing for her instead. Big mistake, fooling around with an employee. She was his boss for God’s sake.

  But she couldn’t resist.

  Caleb approached her desk, stopping just in front of it. Zoe’s mouth watered at the sight of him in his crisp white shirt, sky blue tie and navy trousers.

  He was so good in bed, so dirty, too. She drew the line at the name calling, though.

  She had an image to uphold after all.

  “I think her mystery man is someone famous.”

  “Stephanie doing it with someone famous? Come on.” Zoe laughed, feeling like a bitch but hey. If anyone was going to do it with someone famous, it was going to be her.

  “I’m serious. I’ve been watching her for a while, listening in on her phone conversations. It drove me crazy how fucking perfect her anonymous guy is.” Caleb paused for effect. “Now I know why he’s been kept anonymous. I think it’s Justin Hawkins.”

  Zoe’s mouth dropped open. “Stephanie’s fucking Justin Hawkins? No way.”

  “Yes way. I knew I saw them together on the ba
lcony at the charity event but she blew me off, said it wasn’t her. Then I snooped around her desk, overheard her on the phone and it makes total sense. She’s with The Hawk and he fucking hates the media. I can’t believe he’s letting her broadcast their business all over the magazine.”

  “He doesn’t know about the column, her articles.” Zoe clapped a hand over her mouth. She’d always kept that part quiet, as per Stephanie’s request.

  Now she’d just blown it.

  “He doesn’t know about it? Does he even know Stephanie works here? I wouldn’t think he’d diddle with a reporter, you know? The guy has a reputation for hating the press.”

  Zoe shrugged, panic rising within her. Now that Caleb had that bit of information he was going to run with it. “Are you sure she’s with Justin Hawkins? That seems pretty far fetched.”

  “I would swear my life on it, Zoe. I’m pretty damn sure she’s with him and they’re boinking all over the place. You know what this means, don’t you?”

  No, she really didn’t. “Steph wants to quit the column. She wants to give it to you. She’s done.”

  “You’re fucking kidding me.”

  “No, she doesn’t want to do it anymore. She claims she and this guy have gotten awfully serious and she doesn’t feel right blabbing their personal life in the magazine.” Zoe’s mind raced. Could it be true Stephanie was with Justin? She found it hard to believe.

  He’d turned Zoe down. What did he see in Stephanie?