“You’re so intoxicating.” His hot breath teased her skin. He kissed along her neck again, harder than before, nipping and then sucking the tender flesh. The sharp new sting rolled through her, and her hips bucked in response. He increased his speed on her clit, rubbing harder at the same time.
The various points of contact—pleasure, pain, teasing, kissing, prompting—tore an orgasm from her and stole her breath. She was only vaguely aware of her cries as she came. She rocked in time with him, pulling away when the touch became too much. He slowed his attentions and eased off, but didn’t let go of her.
Her legs wobbled, and his hands moved to her stomach to hold her upright while drawing her against his chest. She struggled to find her breath.
He kissed along the edge of her ear, voice low. “I want you unable to stand when I’m done.” He slid his fingers up her arms, raising goose bumps and then pointed her toward the doors at the far end of the living room. “Right or left bedroom?”
“Left.” She was surprised she managed even the simple word. How had he done that to her?
He nudged her forward and then into the guest bedroom. They stopped just short of the bed, and he whirled them both, so she faced him, her back to the bed. She reached up to loosen his tie then pulled it over his head, keeping her head tilted back enough to look him in the eye.
“Not so fast. What if we need that?” He grabbed her wrist, and a new shock of want flooded her.
“For...?” She trailed off as his meaning sank in, and a heat filled her cheeks. Surrendering that kind of control to him opened up an entirely new wave of doubt mixed with desire. “Oh.”
He took it from her and set it on the nightstand. “Maybe not tonight.” He winked.
The teasing was enough to make her fumble when she started at the top of his shirt to undo his buttons, but she managed to unfasten them without too much trouble. Seconds later, he stood shirtless in front of her.
He looked good. How did someone who spent all their time in an office and on the road have that kind of wiry definition in their chest? She traced her fingers along the muscle, memorizing each line.
He inhaled sharply, tangled his fingers with hers, and moved his other hand to her back, holding her tight.
She kissed along his collarbone, down his chest, and then flicked her tongue over his nipple. Desire spun in her thoughts when he growled. He caressed her shoulder blade above the line of her dress, and then she felt the fabric pull away when he slid the zipper down.
He dragged the straps off her shoulders, and the dress pooled around her feet on the floor. She kicked it aside. Warmth mingled with self-consciousness when he held her at arm’s length, his gaze devouring her as she stood in front of him in nothing but a hot-pink bra and white, high-cut bikini briefs.
“Definitely enjoying the view.” His voice was low and heavy. He dipped his head and glided his mouth along her collarbone.
She sank back into the moment. Her hands moved lower. His breathing changed when she found his belt. She managed to undo the buckle and then his slacks without tying her fingers in knots.
Please let my hands stay steady. The tremor of enjoyment thrumming through her made it difficult, but she’d figure it out somehow.
Boxers. That was sexy. She brushed his cock through the thin fabric, and he groaned. He was big, she realized as she stroked him teasingly. Her imagination skipped forward a few steps to what it would feel like to be stretched by him.
She dipped her hand inside his underwear, searching out his bare skin. When she wrapped her fingers around his shaft, he bit hard on her shoulder. At least she wasn’t the only one lost in the moment. The thought increased her arousal another notch.
“This is killing me.” His voice was rough. Almost jagged. “I know I promised seduction, but God damn it, you’re irresistible. I need to bury myself inside you. Fuck you hard, until neither of us can think.”
The hunger in his words stole her reason, and lit up her senses. Still stroking him, she kissed him again. He hissed and reached for her when she let go, but she stepped out of reach. He could have some control, but she wasn’t surrendering it all.
His smile returned when she unhooked her bra and let it fall to the floor. She pushed her panties off next and scooted onto the bed to sit with her back straight, legs tucked to the side, and chest thrust out. The pose felt a little ridiculous, but the way his heated attention traveled up and down her form erased her doubt.
He dropped his boxers and bent for a moment, fiddling with his discarded slacks. What the—? Oh, condom. She flushed. At least one of them still had a grasp on reason.
Seconds later, he had wrapped himself up. He crawled onto the bed next to her, nudged her onto her back, and kissed her deeply. He cupped her breast as their tongues danced together.
He slid his hand down her arm, and then rolled onto his back, tugging. “I want you on top.” He stroked the inside of her thigh. “I want to watch you riding me.”
The order heated her thoughts. She straddled him and slid down his hips until his cock hovered at her opening. She lowered herself enough to tease, but not to let him penetrate.
He grasped her hips, digging his fingers into her pelvis, and thrust his hips up. When he pushed deep inside her, she cried out. So much for drawing out the moment. Her swimming head didn’t care. Each time his flesh met hers, a new tremor of pleasure spiked through her.
They found a fast, frantic rhythm, and every time she slid down, he hit something deep inside. His breathing came in short grunts, and his gaze never left her. He slid his hands to her thighs, thumbs stroking the flesh before moving higher. “Play with your tits for me.”
The request, combined with the thought of performing, dragged her closer to the edge. She grabbed the soft flesh, kneading, and rolling her nipples between her fingers. His breathing was shallow. He had to be close. She was. The familiar scents of the guest room—fabric softener and furniture polish—mingled with sex and his sharp, clean smell. Every time he grunted or groaned, her chest clenched and her need swelled.
She gasped when he found her clit with his thumb. Each time she bounced, he bumped the swollen button. It should have been too tender for the harsh attention, but he pressed against her, drawing a new level of pleasure form her. For the second time that night, orgasm shredded through her. She lost herself in the moment, pounding against him, pussy clenching around his cock.
His grunts ran together, and he tightened his hand around her thigh. He arched his back with a final groan. His pace slowed until he sank back against the comforter with a sigh.
A euphoric exhaustion permeated her, and she bent at the waist to rest her cheek against his chest. She didn’t know how long they lay like that, trying to catch their breath. He trailed his fingers through her hair, not saying anything. This shouldn’t feel so comfortable. Screw what it should or shouldn’t be. It felt as right as everything leading up to it.
After several minutes, she rolled off him and rested her head on his shoulder instead. She didn’t want to ask the question knocking in the back of her head. An irrational concern told her if she didn’t ask, he couldn’t give the wrong response. She forced the words out, voice soft. “Do you have to get home?”
“Mmm...” He grabbed a tissue off the nightstand. After stripping off the condom, he wrapped it up, the tossed it in the trashcan nearby.
The vague answer dug deeper than she thought possible. Was he brushing her off? It shouldn’t matter, but she couldn’t ignore the hope he was sticking around. She tried to keep her tone light. “That’s not an answer.”
He trailed his fingers up her spine, drawing her closer with the light touch. “Something wore me out.” The energy was gone from his voice, but the playfulness was still there. “I don’t know if I should drive.”
Relief flitted through her. This was a dangerous line to walk, but if it was only for one night, she was grabbing as many pleasant memories as possible. She smiled against his shoulder and kissed along the bare skin. “You’d
probably better stay here, then. Just to be safe.”
She shouldn’t be taking it so far. This was a mistake, but the warm body next to her, the strong arm around her, told her regret could wait until tomorrow.
RAE ROLLED ONTO HER back, still wrapped in sleep. Something didn’t feel right. The thought jolted her toward consciousness. What was wrong?
She reached her arms out to either side. Nothing. Well, blanket, twisted sheets, and a pillow she didn’t usually keep there, but no one else.
She sighed and closed her eyes again. Of course Zach was already gone. What did she expect? It wasn’t as if they were going to have coffee and breakfast together and chat the day away.
At least he saved her the trouble of an awkward goodbye. She sat up, hair falling around her face as she slouched forward. They’d rewritten their ending, just like he suggested. They could be in the same room together again, and she’d be done with the childish swooning. Starting over, as friends and nothing more, would be easier now without animosity haunting them.
It was closure. It had been incredible, but that chapter of her past was finished.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, and she grabbed it out of habit. She couldn’t hide her smile as she flipped through Zach’s messages.
Had an early meeting, or I would have said goodbye.
Best closure ever.
Enjoy your day.
She climbed out of bed. Why did that make her feel better? Nothing else had changed, but knowing she wasn’t the only one it had left an impression on helped. Now she just had to focus on reminding herself an impression was all she needed.
Shower, then start digging up her next contract. Last night wasn’t enough to make her forget they ended a long time ago. Throwing herself into her job hunt should get rid of the lingering traces of something she couldn’t name.
Chapter Eight
Zach tried to ignore the one-on-one meetings going on in the conference room. Vance was interviewing everyone individually to get to know his new people better. Zach didn’t like the sound of it, but hadn’t been able to craft a valid objection.
He made himself comfortable in the chair across from Scott's desk and waited for acknowledgment. Back in the day, when they were decorating, he’d given Scott crap for the plastic mesh on metal legs. Even though the seats kind of matched the modern décor everywhere else, they were butt-ugly. Zach realized over time they were also the most comfortable chairs in the office.
Magazine reviews and industry awards glared at him; black frames against white walls reminded him how much they had poured into the company.
Scott glanced in his direction but didn't pull his attention away from the three flat screens between them. “You score?”
Zach studied him. Had Rae already said something? No. The question was too vague. “Huh?”
Scott nodded toward the conference rooms. “Miss Bun-so-tight-it-has-to-give-her-a-migraine, who was winking at you through the entire evening? I’ll take that as a no.”
Zach shrugged. That should be his segue. The entire reason he was here. This wasn’t the kind of secret he could keep, and it wasn’t as if it was a big deal he’d slept with Rae. They both agreed it was an outlet. A means to an end. So why was he hesitating?
Scott typed a few more things, still not pulling his attention from his work. “Probably smart. Odds are she fucks like a woman who knows she’s attractive.”
The statement sent a rush of images through Zach’s head made his cock perk to life: Rae’s unique combination of bold seduction and hesitation, the way she slid against him, her soft curves yielding to his attentions. He shifted in his seat, trying to be subtle about adjusting himself. “I assume.” He didn’t want to be talking about Selina. Someone else was on his mind. “Speaking of last night, you could have said something.”
Scott studied him for a moment, eyes hard, before turning back to his computer. “You didn’t call that yourself? Besides, you didn’t go home with her, what do you care?”
Scott had to know Zach was talking about his bringing Rae to dinner with no warning, not about Selina. Zach pinched the bridge of his nose. His entire week was going to be filled with political games; he didn’t want to play them with Scott. “Not about that.”
Scott shook his head, clicking on something, generating a series of beeps. “I told you I was bringing a friend.”
He needed a fix. Stupid indoor anti-smoking laws. Zach sighed. “Really? And it slipped your mind to mention your friend was...” He trailed off, mentally restructuring his sentence so it sounded less emotional. “Her?”
“You could have asked for a name. Are the two of you on speaking terms or not? Because really, a decade of listening to you not talk about each other has worn on me.”
“I wouldn’t have guessed.” Zach couldn’t keep the sarcasm from his voice.
“So no issues, then.” Scott’s tone shifted to something less casual, and his attention was fully on the conversation now. “You can be in the same room together, and no one has to plan around your childish spat.”
Why was there so much aggravation there? Zach rolled the words over in his head, examining the delivery as much as the meaning. Was that a hint of possession in Scott’s voice? “No issues.”
Scott shook his head. “Glad to hear something that happened in high school hasn’t left you permanently scarred.”
That was definitely a sneer in his words. Zach needed to watch his step on this one, though he still wasn’t sure why. He forced his smile to look casual and kept a teasing tone in his voice. “Like you’re one to talk.”
Scott glared at Zach. “You know I’m not stupid, right?”
That had come out of nowhere. “I wonder sometimes, but for the most part, yes.”
“You go out of your way to avoid each other for the majority of a decade.” Scott spoke through clenched teeth. “The only girl besides Kelly to ever dump you. Suddenly she’s giving you googly eyes at breakfast, she’s in your office with the door locked, and she’s texting you in the middle of a fucking business dinner.”
Zach couldn’t hide his surprise. So that hadn’t gone unnoticed after all, and still he couldn’t bring himself to own up to it. “I was talking to—”
“Your broker. Yeah, I get it. That short little guy who lives at the end of the rainbow. Because, really? You’ve got a broker?”
“Your point?”
“She’s not a game. This isn’t the woman you tag at a trade show because you’re bored.”
That settled it. Zach wasn’t mentioning last night at all. Since it had only been a one-time deal, there was no reason. “I get that. You can pretend she’s your little sister all you want. I don’t have any plans to go after her.”
Not again. Even if he was still thinking about the night before. He certainly wasn’t wondering what would have happened if he’d been able to stick around that morning. Talk, learn more about what she’d been up to in her own words, find out what other buttons she had that made her moan. That was what memories were for.
“Whatever.” Scott shook his head. “I don’t want to do this with you.”
That made two of them. Maybe a change of subject was the best idea. “At least she’s not the HR director, right?”
“Good call. You get any good intel?”
Zach felt the tension leak away and gladly slid into the new topic. “Jordan says he's quitting if they start making the rules. Chloe says they'd better give her a pay raise if she has to put up with their bullshit. Marketing is drooling over DM’s media budget.”
Scott chuckled. “So, typical day at the office?”
“Pretty much.” Zach made a mental note to change the topic if Rae came up again. Nothing new there, except his reasons. “I talked to Jim this morning.”
Jim was the attorney reviewing their buy-out offers.
Scott's posture shifted. His hands fell away from the keyboard, and he sat straight up. “And?”
“They've finished looking everything over. No
t really any surprises, just a couple of things they want clarified before we sign.” Zach knew that wasn't the news Scott wanted, but it was all he had.
Scott folded his arms on his desk and dropped his head into them. The desk muffled his response. “What if I don't want to be bought out?”
Like talking to a five-year-old. Zach cringed inwardly at the thought. This was hard on both of them. “Still waiting on that other option we don’t have?”
“For as long as I can.”
Zach should argue. This was getting out of hand, and they didn’t have a lot of time left to make their decision. He didn’t want to give this up any more than Scott did, though.
They talked a few minutes longer, then Scott headed back to his office.
Zach was still stuck in the loop of the conversation. Frustrated with Scott’s refusal to accept reality. Irritated with himself for glossing over Rae.
Thinking about Rae.
The one place he shouldn’t be focused. Closure. Was that what they had?
Nothing was resolved.
That wasn’t completely true. The resentment was gone, which left plenty of room for the daydreams and fresh memories to assault him. So was it worth it?
It was fucking worth it. He’d do it again in a heartbeat. He still needed to move on, both from Rae and this company.
It shouldn’t be so difficult to leave the past behind. Maybe he needed to lose himself in noise so loud he couldn’t think, and a couple of overpriced drinks. Drinking on a Tuesday night seemed like a bad idea, but those were working for him recently.
RAE TRIED TO MAKE OUT the click of her swizzle stick against her glass amid the chatter in the bar. She stared at the milky brown drink swirling around ice. What was she doing there?
Someone slid into the seat next to her. The smell of cologne mixed with the alcohol on his breath was so strong she almost gagged. He loosened his tie and undid the top button on his shirt.
Rae tried to decide if he was cute. It was hard to tell. He didn’t stand out from any other twenty-somethings in the bar—he was trying too hard to prove he was someone.
His Long Shot Page 7
