Indulgent Pleasures

by Karen Erickson

  “Hell, yeah.” His deep voice was a delicious growl. “It would’ve been even better if you were with me.”

  Her eyes opened and she stared up at the ceiling, absorbing his words. She felt the exact same way. Her body ached for him as well as her mind.

  And her heart.

  “You there, babe? I guess I should let you go. It’s late here and I have an early morning.”

  “I’m sorry I kept you up.”

  He laughed, the sound reaching across the phone lines, across the country and touching her, making her warm. “Baby, I don’t regret what just happened, trust me. It was well worth the lack of sleep.”

  “I can’t wait to see you,” she admitted, her voice small.

  Justin sobered. “Me either. I’ll call you tomorrow with flight information. I want to get you here as soon as possible.”

  “Maybe I could take Friday off.”

  “Try and see. That would work out perfect.”

  “Will you show me the sights?”

  “If I can resist the urge to fuck you for hours, I’ll try.”

  Stephanie could hardly wait.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Phone sex is always hot. Good work.” Zoe smiled at Stephanie when she glanced up from her gigantic flat panel monitor. It was about the size of Stephanie’s TV at home. “Your last article was perfect.”

  “Thank you.” Stephanie paced Zoe’s office, glancing at the pictures on the wall. She’d never really noticed them before. “Are you sure I’m ending it right?”

  “Well, yeah, you state you’re willing to work on a long term relationship with your perfect man and the two of you plan on riding into the sunset toward your happily ever after. Your readers will eat it up with a giant fucking spoon.”

  She’d planned on writing the article about the night Justin had tied her up but it had felt too personal, too intimate.

  After they’d engaged in the quickie phone sex session, she’d been struck with a flash of inspiration. It was light and easy, didn’t feel too personal when she didn’t focus on what exactly was discussed between them and the story had flowed effortlessly from her fingertips. She’d stayed up for well over an hour, her fingers flying over the keyboard, her mind humming with the rhythm of the story.

  Thank goodness, Zoe liked it. Now she was finally done, finished with her obligations. Caleb could take the column and run with it. Make it as dirty as he wanted to, the sick bastard.

  “Caleb’s excited to take the column over,” Zoe said as if she could read Stephanie’s mind.

  “I’m sure,” Stephanie replied drolly, stopping in the center of the room to turn and look at Zoe. “He’s going to do a wonderful job.”

  “I hope.” Something odd flickered in Zoe’s eyes and Stephanie’s brows drew together in curiosity. Her boss hadn’t acted normal for days. She wondered what was wrong.

  “So, um, Zoe, I was wondering if I could take Friday off? Would that be a problem?” Justin had already assumed she would have Friday off and booked her flight to leave extra early that morning.

  Zoe nodded, her gaze flickering back to her monitor. “Sure, go for it though that’s your last day with me. You deserve some time off.” She paused, her gaze once again meeting Stephanie’s. “I’ll miss you Steph, when you go back to the home and style department. I hope it’s the right choice for you.”

  “Uh, I’ll miss you too, Zoe.” She meant it. Yes, Zoe had driven her crazy numerous times but lately, they’d gotten along. Even though she was a little over the top, Stephanie genuinely liked her almost-former boss.

  “You did good work. I admit I’m sad you’re not staying with me and I rarely feel that way when I lose someone from my staff. I think you’re a wonderful, talented writer.”

  “Aw, thank you. I appreciate that.” Stephanie rested her hand over her chest, touched by Zoe’s unexpected sweet words.

  “You still with your perfect man?” Zoe’s mouth twisted to the side, as it usually did when she was asking a question.

  “I am.” Stephanie felt a glow sweep over her entire body and she smiled, trying to repress the shiver that wanted to take over.

  “He must be really special.”

  “Oh, he is.”

  “And out of town?”

  Stephanie nodded. “For work. He just started a new job. It includes lots of traveling.”

  “Uh huh. You know, you’ve never told me what he does.” Zoe tapped the tip of her index finger against her pursed lips. Her gaze was sharp, her posture appeared as if she was ready to pounce and every little hair on Stephanie’s neck prickled.

  “Um.” Her brain scrambled. Shit. She’d never thought Zoe or anyone would care enough to ask. “He’s a sales rep. A pharmaceutical rep.”

  Zoe cocked a brow, disbelief clearly showing on her face.

  Why would she react like that?

  “Oh, really?” She drew her words out, shaking her head slowly and her lion’s mane of hair drifted back and forth across her shoulders. “So Mister Passionate Lover Who Rocks Your World is a pill pusher?”

  “Um, yes.” Stephanie nodded, ignoring Zoe’s strange looks. Why she wouldn’t believe her, she really didn’t know. She didn’t want to know. “He’s very good at what he does.”

  “I’m sure.” Zoe actually laughed, the sound echoing in the close confines of her office. “Are you going to see him this weekend? Your perfect, can’t do wrong boyfriend?”

  “Yes I am,” Stephanie admitted reluctantly.

  “Well you two have oodles of fun. Don’t get in too much trouble.” Zoe waggled her fingers at Stephanie and then turned her attention back to her monitor, a clear dismissal.

  Stephanie sighed and left the office, confusion clouding her brain. It made her question Zoe’s behavior, the way her boss had talked to her.

  What the hell was that woman up to? And why did it seem as if she didn’t believe a word Stephanie said? It made no sense.

  And right now, Stephanie couldn’t work up the proper amount of worrying to really care what Zoe thought. Already Zoe was a long lost memory, just like that. She was too focused on Justin.

  And what he would do to her when she got to New York.

  * * *

  “You’ll be so proud. I got the scoop!” Zoe clapped her hands together and let forth a cackling laugh. She was so pleased she could hardly contain herself.

  “Scoop on what?” Caleb glared at her, clearly irritated.

  She’d called him into her office after talking to Stephanie and she noticed he didn’t turn the lock when she’d asked him to close the door.

  Unfortunate. She guessed he wasn’t in the mood to play.

  “Stephanie. She asked for Friday off because she’s going to see her boyfriend.”

  “How do you know?” Caleb glowered and settled into the chair that sat across from her desk.

  “Because I asked what she was up to. Then I questioned her on what he did for a living and she said he was a pharmaceutical sales rep. Isn’t that hilarious?” When he didn’t laugh or respond Zoe plowed on. “She’s going to visit him wherever he is, said he’s traveling all the time and she doesn’t get to see him very often.”

  “Big deal. She really didn’t tell you anything.” Caleb appeared ready to stand but Zoe pinned him with a look.

  A look that said, don’t move motherfucker. She’d worked on that look for a long ass time and had used it quite a few times on random employees for years.

  “I did a little research after she left my office. Justin Hawkins is in New York right now following a game. And I’ll bet you anything that our Stephanie is headed to New York this Friday morning.”

  Caleb settled back in his chair, interest now written all over his face. “Are you serious?”

  “As a heart attack.” Zoe nodded. “I can work out a budget and fly us to New York for the weekend on City’s dime. What do you think?”

  “Hell yeah, I’m interested. But how do we know where they are?”

  “I have c
onnections.” She had lots of connections, resources she could contact and ask. People who knew the names of hotels where rich and famous sports figures stayed while they were in town working.

  She’d call a few of them, put in for a couple of favors and no doubt, she’d have her answer rather quickly.

  “You’re a genius.” Caleb stood and went to her, bending to press a quick kiss to her lips.

  Just like that a swift kick of arousal swept through her body, warming her from the inside out, making her pussy spasm with want.

  “I knew you’d be pleased.”

  “Fuck yeah, I’m pleased. If we can snap a couple of photos of them together, that’ll make the article even better.” Caleb stretched to his full height, rubbing his hands together. “You’re brilliant, sweetheart.”

  Zoe preened at his words. She knew Caleb would want to do something like this and once she’d gotten the information from Stephanie, the wheels inside her brain had started churning overtime.

  “She turned in her last article. Some great stuff with quotes and everything.”

  “Quotes?”

  “She wrote about them having phone sex. And she quoted a few things he said.” Zoe shook her head. “Justin Hawkins sounds like he’s up for anything. Not a surprise, though. The guy probably got more pussy than anyone else on the Miners.”

  Caleb folded his arms in front of him. “I get a lot of pussy myself, I hope you know.”

  “Oh I know, lover,” Zoe purred as she stood. She rested a hand on his bare forearm, her fingers stroking his warm skin. “But let’s be honest, you’re nowhere in the league of The Hawk.”

  His face actually turned red. She realized instantly her mistake. “You’d rather fuck that asshole then? Fine, have at it. Too bad he’s blinded by Stephanie, though I have no clue why.”

  “I never said I wanted to fuck him.” Zoe had wanted to fuck him years ago, when he’d been an up and coming star and so drop dead handsome her panties had become saturated every time she saw him.

  But that was a long time ago. She’d moved on. She always moved on.

  “You didn’t have to say it.” Caleb’s mouth tightened.

  “I don’t want to fuck him because I already have you.” She stood on tiptoe, pressing her mouth to his, her lips lingering. He barely responded. “I’d much rather fuck you.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yes.” She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled close. She was so fucking pitiful, always ready to fuck him, even in the middle of the day in her office.

  Just knowing someone could walk in at any minute heightened the situation. She wanted him and his cock inside her this very instant.

  “You want me to fuck you now?” His brows rose and he shook his head. “You’re crazy, Zoe. You want me to lock the door?”

  “No.” She shook her head and a naughty smile curved her lips. “I want you to fuck me and I don’t want the door locked. Stick it in me and make me come all over my desk. Can you do that, Caleb?”

  Growling he grabbed her around the waist and jerked her skirt up, exposing her lower body to his gaze. He smiled and shook his head.

  “No panties?”

  “No. I wanted to be ready for you.”

  “You don’t care that someone could walk in at any minute?”

  “I want someone to see us.” She laughed when he pressed his mouth to her neck.

  “You’re a bad girl,” he murmured against her throat just before he licked her skin.

  She was a bad girl. And Caleb made her feel like even more of a bad girl.

  And Zoe fucking loved it.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Finally,” Justin said as he opened the door of his hotel room to find Stephanie standing in front of him.

  Grabbing her hand he drew her inside, kicking the door so it shut with a loud slam. She barely got a breathless greeting out before his mouth descended upon hers, giving her a searing kiss that made him burn for more.

  “Is that a bat in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” She cupped his thick erection and he thrust against her hand.

  “I’m extremely happy to see you.” He kissed her again, his tongue searching her sweet mouth, licking against her tongue. She moaned into his mouth and he reluctantly broke the kiss.

  “What’s this?” She smoothed her hand along his cheek, over his jaw.

  He shrugged, a little sheepish. “I got bored. Thought I’d grow a goatee. I think I’m just trying to fuck with the execs at the network. They don’t really like it so I did an informal fan poll a couple of nights ago and everyone voted to keep it.”

  “Did you ask all women?”

  “Maybe.” He smiled. “I can’t help it that I have a fan base.”

  “Well I’m your number one fan,” she whispered, her fingers stroking his face and the bristly whiskers that grew there.

  “And what do you think?”

  “I love it.” She pressed a sweet kiss to his jaw, his chin, making his heart ache for her.

  God, he needed to get a grip before he blurted out something she wasn’t ready to hear.

  “It took you forever to get here,” he griped.

  “I know…but I’m here now.” Smiling, she withdrew from him and attacked the buttons on her pink wool coat, undoing them quickly.

  Damn, if his hard-on just didn’t grow another inch by watching her unbutton her fucking coat of all things.

  He was an absolute sucker for this woman.

  “And traffic was horrible, that’s why it took me so long to get from the airport to the hotel.” She smiled, shrugging out of the coat and laying it across the back of a chair. “Thank you for sending the limo.”

  “You’re welcome. And I wish I could’ve come and picked you up but I was tied up in a meeting all afternoon.” The job was turning out to be more than he thought. Barely into it and he was already regretting his decision to take it on.

  Thank God, he’d agreed to it on only a temporary basis. He wasn’t quite sure if he was cut out for this type of thing. Especially since he missed Stephanie so much.

  She looked amazing, even in her simple outfit of jeans and a red shirt printed with tiny white polka dots. All he wanted to do was strip the jeans from her body and expose her to him, unbutton that pretty red shirt and feast his eyes on her abundant, supple flesh.

  It wouldn’t be very classy, attacking her within minutes of her walking into his hotel room. He needed to show some sort of finesse.

  That’s what she would want. Right?

  “It’s all right, I know you’re busy. You are, after all, working.” She smiled and suddenly she appeared almost shy. “I’m just glad I’m here.”

  He went to her, his strides fast, his hands upon her before he even stopped moving. “I’m glad you’re here too, baby. I’ve been dying without you.”

  “You have not,” she admonished but he silenced her with his mouth.

  Justin kissed her again, taking it slow, absorbing her taste. His lips lingered, his tongue doing a lush sweep inside her mouth and he tightened his grip on her waist.

  Ah, fuck it. He couldn’t control himself, he had to have her. It didn’t matter if she’d barely walked through the door.

  He was going to fuck her and fuck her good.

  “Justin,” she whispered when he broke away to rain kisses down her fragrant neck.

  “Mmm yeah, babe?” A rumble of pleasure sounded deep in his chest when she said his name, the way her hands clutched at him desperately. He knew she wanted him as bad as he wanted her.

  “Shouldn’t we...”

  “Shouldn’t we what?” He licked her neck, then nibbled. She shivered beneath his lips and his cock strained against the fly of his jeans.

  He wanted her and he wanted her now.

  “I don’t know.” She held her arms out and then let them fall helplessly at her side. “Shouldn’t we go out and eat or something? Check out Times Square?”

  “Full of tourists and besides.” He glanced at the
clock on the bedside table. “Everything’s busy.”

  She turned and looked at the clock too. “It’s only four o’clock.”

  “Right. And everything’s busy.” She nudged at him and he stood up straight, staring down at her with amusement. She didn’t look so amused. No, she looked a little put out.

  “Nothing is busy. You’re just saying that so you can get in my pants. I just don’t feel...right the way we always have to jump each other’s bones the second we see each other.”

  “Why doesn’t it feel right? I’ve been thinking of this moment since I talked to you on the phone a couple of nights ago. I’ve imagined what I was going to do to your body over and over again ever since.”

  Said body melted in his arms, he felt it. He knew just how to arouse her, knew just what to say to make her his. “What do you want to do to me?” she asked, her voice soft, her eyes beseeching.

  “Why don’t you let me continue and then you’ll find out?” Shooting her a wicked grin he kissed her once more, his mouth hungry, his tongue insistent. He pressed into her, his cock hard and urgent against her belly and she moaned, pushing against him even more.

  Her sweet curves settled into him and he slipped a hand between them, cupping her breast, thrumming his thumb against her protruding nipple.

  “Thin bra?” Her lingerie never, ever disappointed.

  She nodded. “Sheer, pale pink Belgian lace. That bra cost me a fortune so be good to it.”