by Sahara Kelly
So she’d returned alone to her room, determined to have a relaxing, comfortable, Mark-free night. She’d called room service before getting in the shower, ordering a salad, then tacking on multiple desserts just for the hell of it. Tonight was all about pampering herself, and desserts sounded like a good way to start.
With one final scrub, she stepped out of the shower, then toweled off and put on her favorite comfy pjs—a pale pink camisole top with Hot Chick emblazoned across the breasts in red glitter, paired with camouflage boxers. Tonight she was all woman—fashion victim woman—but woman none the less.
A loud knock on her door signaled the arrival of room service, and all the fattening calories that would sooth her sexually hyper nerves. Smiling wide, she opened the door.
“You got here quick…” Her words trailed off as she stared at the man who very much didn’t resemble room service. “Mark…um…what…?”
Words would be good now. But what the hell was she supposed to say? She’d spent the better part of an hour pretending she was in a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical so she could forget about him. Now her obsession was standing in front of her, a pizza box in one hand, shopping bags in another, a smile growing wide across his face.
“Hot chick,” Mark said with a chuckle.
“What?”
“Your shirt. I like it.”
Elaine blushed, the heat burning her cheeks. “Right. My top.”
Mark shuffled the bags and pizza box in his arms. “Um…I realize that my arrival was unexpected, but I was hoping that pepperoni pizza would convince you to have dinner with me.”
Dinner. With Mark. And she was supposed to resist this how?
Grow a spine! You know nothing can come of this. Tonight’s supposed to be Mark-free.
Elaine buried the dissenting voice in her head underneath a pile of Greenlight growth charts and statistical tracking analysis.
“Sorry about that. You just caught me off guard. Come on in.”
Elaine opened the door, letting Mark back into her hair again.
* * * * *
Camouflage and pale pink. Mark decided that was his new definition of hot chick as he watched Elaine walk over to the bed and plunk down on it. She’d obviously just gotten out of the shower. Her short dark blonde hair was still wet, and her skin had a rosy pink glow to it. Kind of like the glow she’d had last night as they’d fucked.
He swallowed hard then walked toward her as though he wasn’t imagining her lying naked on the bed. “I had a bit of trouble trying to decide what wine would go best with pizza so I got champagne instead. I hope you don’t mind.” He set the pizza at the foot of the bed and the shopping bags on the floor near the edge. He’d need easy access to those later…he hoped.
Elaine opened the pizza as he set up plastic place settings and napkins. Mark laughed at himself. “Now you see my true colors. My idea of a nice dinner, pizza, plastic ware and these lovely little plastic champagne glasses with the removable bases.”
Elaine grinned as she took a small bite of pizza. “These are the best kinds of dinners.”
Mark stared at the small spot of tomato sauce at the corner of her mouth, wondering if she’d be receptive to him licking it off. But he didn’t want her to think he was here just to seduce her.
Before he could lean in and sample tomato a la Elaine, her tongue peeked out the corner of her mouth, licking it away. His cock twitched and he hid behind the open pizza box lid to avoid her noticing. “I wanted to propose a toast to you for surviving the first day of the success of Greenlight. I was well received all day and I believe I owe it all to you for creating a product that sells itself.”
“Thanks. But you really didn’t have to do all of this. I’ve got room service coming.” She took another bite of pizza.
Mark watched her closely. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was completely okay with him being there. Maybe she really didn’t want more than a one-night stand. “I can go back to my room, if you’d like. It’s no big deal. I just thought we should share a little celebration. Greenlight will succeed if we survive this show.”
Saved by a knock on the door.
Elaine jumped up to get the door and take care of room service. She returned, balancing two trays covered in food. “Actually, I’m really glad you’re here because there’s no way I’d be able to eat all of this by myself. I had no idea I was ordering quite this much food.”
He took the trays from her and set them on the bed, the dishes sliding around just a bit. Judging by all of the chocolate and sin, she must have been planning a night alone. Chocolate syrup dripped from nearly every plate. He almost felt like he was intruding until she picked up his hand and sucked his index finger into her mouth. His cock responded instantly.
A saucy grin covered her face as she slid his finger back out of her mouth. “I couldn’t let a little chocolate go to waste.”
Before he could pull her down into the chocolate so he could have an excuse to lick her all over, she leaned over the side of the bed and retrieved a napkin and some plastic spoons. “What else did you bring? There’s another bag down there.”
“I’ll show you later. Right now, let’s eat, drink and relax. It’s been a long day for both of us, don’t you think?” His gaze slipped down to her breasts, the nipples taut under her camisole, teasing him. He wanted to rub chocolate sauce onto her nipples and spend the rest of the night suckling them, feasting on their devilish sweet delight.
“Yeah. It has.” She sat cross-legged on the corner of the bed, and Mark just stared at the long mile of leg she was showing off. Those legs belonged around his waist as she fucked him long and hard. He’d thought about last night all day, even during his meetings. He’d never been so fascinated by a woman before. Which was bad, considering the circumstances.
He opened the champagne and poured two glasses, handing one to Elaine before raising his in a toast. “To all of our successes real and imagined…” She quirked an eyebrow at his comment. “Well, the show isn’t over yet so I want to cover all the bases.”
She chuckled and they drank.
One hour later, half the pizza had disappeared along with the first bottle of champagne. They’d talked about AdLive, Creative Solutions and Greenlight, and they’d even shared stories about their families. He laughed at the way she’d told the story of the surprise 35th anniversary party she’d thrown for her parents last summer. Although she’d been the one surprised when she’d arrived at her parents’ house earlier than expected and caught them having sex on the couch.
Elaine laughed again. “So I’ll probably need therapy for the rest of my life after seeing that much of my parents, but at least they’re still in love.” She was reclined on the far side of the bed now, the tray of desserts between them. “What about your family? You have any brothers or sisters?”
Mark stretched out on his side, watching Elaine. It was nice to see her so carefree. “I have a younger sister and a niece who live in San Francisco, where I grew up. My parents have retired to Napa Valley.”
“So tell me something about you that no one else knows,” Elaine said as she took a small bite of the melted ice cream.
Personal sharing time. This was good. He could do this. “Okay, well, you probably already figured this out, but when I was younger I took a few ballet classes. It started out as a dare from my sister and then I actually enjoyed myself. Until I made lead in a production. There was just no way I was going to wear tights in front of an audience.”
Elaine laughed. “Just a few classes? Are you kidding? You were so graceful and so…so…well, it looked like you’d done it a few times before.”
“I swear it. Just a few classes in high school. I’ve just stayed in shape since then.” He shook his head. “I never thought my ballet experience would land me on a stage making an idiot of myself, though. I don’t think I’ve ever done anything that stupid when work was involved.”
“Ever dated a co-worker?” The question seemed to stumble out of her lips in
a rush, then hung uncomfortably in the air between them. He tried to meet her eyes, but she’d focused in on the dessert tray again, her fork currently dissecting some type of pastry. She was nervous. They had that in common.
He wracked his brain to find just the right words. “No. And I was never even interested…until recently.” He took another drink of champagne. God help him, he hoped he wasn’t being too forward.
She stopped destroying the pastry and her eyes met his. In that moment he saw the interest in her eyes, then she returned her attention to the dessert, closing herself off again. “Yeah, well, I’ve dated a co-worker before. It’s no fun. In fact, it became the bane of my existence. And still kind of is.”
“You dated someone else at AdLive?”
“Yeah.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin as though she was trying to wipe away a very foul taste. “I dated Hanson. We were even up for the same job, but he got promoted above me and, well, essentially he had other plans for our relationship. I wasn’t where he wanted me to be and actually, I wasn’t even in love with him. Once we broke up and he started making my life hell, I realized that what he and I had was just sort of camaraderie because we worked together. There were never any sparks.”
She gave him a curious smile. “You know, you’re the first person outside of my best friend I’ve ever told about him.” She took a deep breath. “And I have another confession. I thought that Hanson sent you out here to steal Greenlight’s glory away from me and maybe to make it fail. I know that’s not true, though. You’re not that kind of person and I’m sorry I ever thought that about you.”
So there it was in a nutshell. She’d had a bad time with a dickhead like Hanson. Dammit. Mark had known there was something fishy about his sudden transfer. He’d pulled a few all-nighters to learn all he could about Greenlight in the few days he’d had before the show. He’d been given an almost impossible mission, and before meeting Elaine had assumed he was being sent in as a last ditch effort to rescue a failing project. Not so, though. It sounded like Hanson had wanted Greenlight to fail and Mark had been the scapegoat. Bastard.
Mark tried to keep himself from snarling. “Yeah. Hanson’s an ass. And you can tell him I told you that. He knows Greenlight could pump up AdLive’s Web Development division. And you’re the best person to be in charge of it because you designed and built it. Damn him. Furthermore, the guy’s an asshole for letting a good thing slip away.”
Elaine just sighed. Then her eyes met his. “I’m glad you’re here, though Mark.” She smiled and winked. “I hate going to meetings.”
Well, that sure was a dodge if Mark ever heard one.
She took a bite of chocolate cake, closing her eyes blissfully as she moaned. “Mark, you’ve got to try this cake. It’s fantabulous.” She leaned over the tray, placing a bite in his mouth. “Good, yes?”
He swallowed the cake, not even tasting it as it went down. He locked his hand around her wrist to stop her from pulling away. With his other hand he removed the fork from her grip. He couldn’t wait anymore.
“That’s not the type of dessert I want, Elaine. I want you. But if you don’t want to do this, I understand. But lord, I don’t think I can sit here any longer, just watching you. Your shorts riding up, showing me a mile of sexy leg and I happen to know there’s a freckle under your camisole that could use some of my attention. Sure, dinner and dessert have been wonderful, but my mouth hasn’t stopped watering since you laid down and it’s not because of the chocolate. So it’s up to you. You know how I feel. What happens next is your decision.”
* * * * *
Her decision.
The words rang in her head like an alarm. Elaine didn’t want it to be her decision. If he had initiated sex tonight she could have accepted it as his choice and been a willing partner. But now the crux of their relationship lay in her hands and she knew that no matter what, come Sunday night when they got off the plane in Los Angeles, the only relationship they could acknowledge would be boss and employee.
But that was still two days away.
She wanted this man, and if all she could have was this weekend, then she’d be a damned fool if she didn’t make as many memories with him as she could.
Elaine moved the hand he still held to his face, tracing along his strong jaw. She wanted to touch him one last time, not knowing if he’d stay after she laid down her ground rules. His eyes remained locked on hers, waiting for an answer.
“Mark. I want you. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone else in my life.” She paused, then forced herself to continue what she didn’t want to say. “But I can’t have a relationship with someone I work with. Not again. I can’t suffer the repercussion of a work relationship gone sour. I’ve worked too damn hard to take the chance with my career. I’m sorry.”
Mark’s jaw tightened under her hand and he turned away. He began to stand up. A sharp pain filled her.
“Wait, Mark. I’m not done.”
He stopped, still facing away from her, his whole body tense.
She took another deep breath. “We still have this weekend. But on Monday morning when we see each other in the office, the only relationship we can acknowledge is boss and employee. I know it’s selfish but it’s all I can offer. What we have can’t go past Sunday night. Promise me that.”
Elaine held her breath, waiting for his answer. When he turned to face her she froze, stunned by the depth of emotion in his eyes. His hazel eyes burned into her, the desire so intense it was almost painful.
His voice was low, barely more than a growl. “Now it’s my turn. Promise me this. Whatever I want, whenever I want it. For the next two days, you won’t deny me anything. If you give me this, I promise I will never mention this weekend to you again.”
A mixed thrill of fear and excitement lanced through her body. At this point, she would have offered him anything just to keep him from leaving, and what he asked was far from a sacrifice. Her words were little more than a whisper. “I promise.”
In one swift movement, Mark slid the remaining dishes from the bed into the pizza box and threw it onto the table. Then he was back on the bed, his hands on her hips, his fingers teasing the flesh underneath her waistband. “You’re so fucking hot, Elaine.” One hand slid up from her hip, barely skimming her body, his palm coming to rest on her distended nipple.
Elaine let out a quiet whimper as his hand cupped her breast, teasing her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “So damn beautiful. Do you know that, Elaine? Do you know how beautiful you are?” His other hand moved to her shoulder, and he slid the thin strap of her camisole down. Lips touched the flesh of her neck, his tongue flickering, tasting.
He was killing her. Her shorts were damp with her need, her body shaking with desire. Every touch of his tongue against her flesh pulsed fire. She wanted to move her arms around his neck, but his hands held them down.
Both of her cami straps slid down her arms. Mark pulled down her top, freeing her breasts. He let out a low moan. “God damn, Elaine.” Then his mouth covered her nipple, suckling, biting. She couldn’t stand it. Anchoring her hands into his hair, she didn’t know whether to hold him close or push him away. The pleasure was almost more than she could bear, but she didn’t want him to stop either.
“Mark. God, Mark. Please…I want you now…inside me…please…”
But he didn’t listen. He continued to love her breasts, if not with his mouth, then with his hands. She’d never known her breasts could be so sensitive, but her clit throbbed, her pussy clenched and she was spinning toward orgasm without him ever touching below her shorts.
Elaine closed her eyes, lost in sensation. His tongue played havoc with her nipples, his teeth marking the curves of her breasts. All focus narrowed down to Mark and the way he made her feel.
Lifting his head from her breast, Mark wrapped an arm around her waist. He surrounded her. But she still needed more, all of him.
His hand slid down from her breast and over her stomach, then continued its
downward path until he cupped her aching pussy through her shorts. She whimpered, rocking against his hand.
“Mmmm…Damn, baby. You’re so wet.” His finger ran along the seam of her shorts, rubbing the soaked fabric against her pussy. Elaine quivered, her knees shaking. She didn’t think she could hold herself up any longer but his arm around her kept her upright.
“God, Mark. Please. Take me. I can’t handle much more.”
She opened her eyes to see the smile cross his face. “Oh baby, sure you can. And I’ve got so much more to give you, too. I’ll show you a paradise you’ve only ever dreamed about. Over and over, until you feel yourself melting into me as I melt into you. Now stand up and take off your clothes. All I’ve been thinking about tonight is your sexy body. I need to satisfy my mind with fresh, hot visions of you without any barriers between us.”
Elaine watched him as she scooted backward off the bed and stood on quivering legs in front of him. His stare remained intense, reverent. Bending slowly, she began to slide her sopping shorts off her body. She’d just lowered them from her hips when his voice called out.
“Stop. Turn around.”
Elaine just stared at him, her eyes widening. She knew what he wanted. His devilish grin had her aching even more as she turned her back to him, and she continued to slowly lower her shorts. She bent at the waist, pulling her shorts off and dropping them to the ground.
“Baby, you’re killing me. Your fine ass and that hot pussy wanting me in it. Begging me to come home. Don’t move. Not yet.”
Hands caressed her ass, running down the slit and over her cunt. Her juices covered his hands as he stroked back and forth, but never delving inside. She was panting, aching…
And then she felt something else, something hot and hard stroking between her thighs. She moaned as his cock slid through her slick cream. But he didn’t thrust himself inside. Why wouldn’t he take her? She couldn’t get any more willing.
