And Christie found that this time, she wanted to. She took him in her hand, rolling the latex down over him, feeling his thighs tense underneath her, hearing the sharp hiss of his breath. His response made her heart pound with excitement. With anticipation.
Yet she found herself wanting to draw it out, tease him even more.
“Do it,” he ordered roughly as her hands lingered on him. “I need you now.”
I need you now.
A demand she’d give in to every time.
Christie lifted herself up, positioning him, then she sank down onto him. He was big and hard, and he stretched her, making her tremble, making her grasp.
He groaned her name, his head falling back, his hands gripping her hips tight. She began to move on him, a deep, slow rhythm that had her panting, the tight burn of pleasure starting again, becoming more intense with every lift of her hips.
Joseph shifted, one hand sliding up her spine under her T-shirt, pressing her close, while the other gripped the back of her head. Then he pulled her mouth down on his, hard and hot and demanding, the flex of his hips driving her further and further into madness. Further and further into pleasure.
Until everything fell away and there was nothing left in the whole universe to hold on to. Nothing except him.
Chapter Eight
Joseph picked up his wallet and keys from the table in Christie’s living room and paused, staring at the half-built computer sitting on the top of it.
You’re a jerk, you know that?
Yeah, he did. He’d awoken early and since Christie was fast asleep, he’d slid out of bed and dressed. Saturday mornings he always got up early to ride the mountain bike trails in Woodhill Forest because if he didn’t expend some energy, he found his concentration was useless the whole weekend.
He hadn’t planned on waking her to say good-bye. Why make things awkward for both of them? They’d agreed on one more night and that’s what they had. And now it was over.
You’re still a jerk.
Joseph cursed and glanced back down the hallway to where Christie’s bedroom was.
That’s just the way he was. Just the way his ADHD had made him. Which was why he chose women who didn’t care. Who didn’t want anything more than he did and who didn’t get hurt when he left.
Women who weren’t Christie.
Because she would be hurt if he left. Yeah, she definitely would. Under those tough clothes, that sometimes defensive shell, she was vulnerable.
Vulnerable in a way none of his other lovers were. Which made being with her playing with fire.
His gaze lingered on the circuits and wires of the computer on the table.
He’d sat beside her last night for a whole hour playing with that thing and talking. Enjoying every second of it. He hadn’t done that for pure enjoyment’s sake since he’d been a kid. Then her shy admission that she liked being with him… It had touched him.
He’d never had a woman tell him that before. Oh, they enjoyed the orgasms he gave them and the drinks he bought them, but that was it. Then again, it wasn’t as if he gave them a chance to get to know him anyway, since sitting and chatting wasn’t his thing.
At least it hadn’t been till Christie.
No, he should go. It would be easier if he did.
But you don’t want to. You like her too much.
Yeah. He did. Bugger it. He didn’t want to go just yet.
Turning from the computer, he went down the hallway and into the bedroom.
Christie lay on her front, her head buried in the pillows. Her hair, spread over the white linen, had gone a deep red in the morning sunlight coming through the windows, exposing the delicate curve of her neck. Sleep always gave the illusion of vulnerability, but he knew with Christie there was no illusion.
He went over to the bed and sat on the edge, watching her sleeping face. Strange, mysterious female. With her blushes and contrasting toughness, interspersed with flashes of temper that hinted at a passionate nature kept hidden. A puzzle he wanted to solve. A delicate piece of electronics he wanted to figure out.
He’d never experienced such a curiosity about anyone before. Never ever. It made something inside him settle and become quiet. All the restless energy channeled into focus.
Reaching out, he lightly ran a finger over one pale shoulder.
She gave a soft growl in response, then opened one eye.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he murmured.
The eye blinked, then the other one opened. Then she turned on her side, looking at him. “You’re still here,” she said in that husky voice he was coming to like rather more than was good for him.
“Yeah, but not for much longer. I’ve got a few things to do.”
She gave a groan and looked at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s 7:00 a.m. and you’re doing stuff already? Why are you even awake? Actually, more to the point, why am I awake?” She rolled onto her back, pulling the sheet up over her head, cursing.
“Christie.”
The sheet lowered. “What?”
“I have to go.”
“Oh.” She lowered the sheet more, then folded her hands over her chest. “Well, thanks for coming around. I had a really great time and I know that—”
Joseph leaned over her and laid a finger across her lips. “I want to see you again.”
A bright flare of happiness crossed her face, so obvious his chest went tight.
He’d probably go to hell for this. Correction, he would go to hell for this.
Christie grabbed his wrist, pulling his finger from her mouth. Her cheeks were pink, making her eyes seem greener than they were. “Y-you do? Really?”
“Yeah, really. Unless of course you don’t—”
“I do,” she interrupted, going pinker. “I’d love to.”
He smiled. “Well, I’m free tonight.” Except that he didn’t want to wait till tonight. In fact, it occurred to him that he didn’t want to leave her at all.
Unless… A thought came to him. Sunk its claws into him and wouldn’t let go. “Actually, how do you feel about bike riding?”
“Bike riding?”
“Yeah, you know. A thing with two wheels that you pedal to make go round and round.”
She hit him on the arm. “I know what a bike is, Joseph.”
“Then how about you come with me when I go ride one.”
“Me?”
“Of course you. I go up to bike trails in Woodhill Forest every Saturday morning. I could use some company.”
“You do know what time it is, don’t you?”
“Sure I do. Bike-riding time.”
She waved a hand at the clock. “But it’s 7:00 a.m.! Seven. In the morning. “
“I slept in. Normally I’m gone by six.”
Her brow wrinkled. “Are you feeling okay? You’re not sick or anything?”
“I feel fine. I’ll feel even better with twenty-nine inches of carbon fiber between my thighs.”
“You’re insane.” But she was grinning. “I haven’t been on a bike since I was ten.”
“So?”
“And I fell off. A lot.”
He laughed. “So? I’ve been known to fall off once or twice, too.”
“When you were ten, too, right?”
“Okay, so it was a while ago.” He leaned down, brushed his mouth with hers. “Come with me, Christie.” He normally went bike riding alone, the silence of the forest and the mindless physical activity good for calming his racing brain. Yet for some reason, having Christie’s company on a ride now seemed vital.
Dangerous to want her presence outside the bedroom.
But he’d made the offer now. He couldn’t take it back.
Her lashes fluttered as he raised his head. “I’m useless at physical stuff, though.”
“No, you’re not.” He touched her mouth. “At least you seemed very adept last night.”
Right on cue, she blushed. “Bike riding is different.”
“No, it’s not. Once you lea
rn you never forget, right?”
“Yeah, but—”
“All you need is practice.”
“Joseph—”
“Come with me, Christie. I want you to.”
She stared at him for a long moment, biting her lip. Then she sighed. “Okay then.”
He tried to tell himself the small curl of emotion that wound through him wasn’t pleasure.
But he was such a liar.
…
After Joseph had left the apartment to go get “bike stuff,” Christie stood in front of her dresser staring at the clothes in the drawer and gnawing on her lip.
What the hell did you wear mountain biking?
Christie glared at the drawer full of jeans. Why had she agreed to go? What on earth had possessed her?
Because you like him. You want to spend time with him.
Oh yeah, that was why. Plus the way he’d said, “Come with me, Christie.” Just a few simple words, but they’d made her feel good. Made her feel wanted.
The little beam of happiness that shone in her heart was dangerous. And she knew she shouldn’t get too excited. Yet she couldn’t help it. Yeah, this thing with him was only supposed to be casual, but spending a bit more time with him wouldn’t hurt, right? Even if it was doing something hideous like mountain biking.
Hell, after last night, he could probably get her to do anything. Even sing. Out loud. In public.
Reaching for her oldest and loosest pair of jeans, Christie was interrupted by Dead Friends on her mobile again.
She grabbed it. Perhaps it was Joseph? He’d said he’d call her once he had all the equipment they needed.
It wasn’t Joseph.
“Hello, darling,” her mother said. “How are you?”
Oh fantastic. Mum. Christie gritted her teeth. “Fine. Did you want something?”
“No need to be rude. I’m just calling to remind you about Andrew’s party.”
Shit. That’s right. She’d forgotten. “Oh, uh…”
“I hope you haven’t forgotten. The invite is so late because I just wasn’t happy with the design, and the designer was being terribly difficult about it. Anyway, it’s done now and you can expect it soon. I just wanted to know the name of your plus one.”
Christie frowned. “My plus one?”
Her mother sighed. “Christie, do pay attention. Your memory is hopeless. You told me last week you’d be coming and that you’d be bringing someone.”
That’s right. She had. Conjured a boyfriend up from thin air. What a freaking idiot. “Yeah, about that, Mum. He’s rather busy and I don’t think—”
“Oh, but you must bring him, darling. I want to meet him. See if he’s good enough for our little girl.”
Her mother’s false joviality made her cringe. “I’ll ask him. I’m not sure—”
“You do actually have a boyfriend, don’t you?” her mother asked, deceptively casual. “You’re not just pretending? “
Christie swallowed. Set her jaw. “Of course I’m not pretending. Why would I do that?”
Helene laughed. “Oh, people do all sorts of silly things in an effort to prove themselves. Anyway, what’s his name, darling? I want to put it on the invite.”
“Joseph,” Christie said hoarsely. “His name is Joseph.”
“Lovely. I’ll put him down then.” Her mother babbled on about something else but Christie stopped listening.
Crap. What had she done? Joseph wasn’t her boyfriend and he certainly wouldn’t be coming as her plus one to Andrew’s stupid engagement party. What on earth had possessed her to give his name to her mother?
Ah well, what did it matter? When the time came she’d tell her mother Joseph wouldn’t be able to make it after all. No big deal. As long as he never found out she’d been using his name in vain, everything would be fine.
Five minutes after she hung up, her phone beeped again.
She peeked at it. Please God, do not let it be her mother.
It wasn’t. It was a text from Joseph.
What’s your size? How tall are you? And what kind of music do you like to listen to?
Okay, those were weird questions. Shrugging, she texted him her height and size then added,
Gothic metal. But what’s this got to do with bike riding?
A minute later she got a response.
It’s a surprise. Gothic metal huh? You’re hard-core, Naughtygirl.
She grinned. Hard-core. Yeah, she was pretty hard-core.
I am. And don’t you forget it, Love Machine.
Who cared about her damn mother and the stupid engagement party? She was going mountain biking with Joseph Ashton. Who thought she was hard-core.
It didn’t get much better than that.
…
Joseph stopped at the top of the hill and looked back down. Christie was pedaling in a determined way up the slope toward him, her face red beneath her bike helmet, breathing hard.
He felt a tiny bit bad for convincing her to come with him, but not that much. Sad fact of the matter was that he’d gotten a kick out of presenting her with the stack of Lycra that was the cycling gear he’d bought for her. Her eyes had just about popped out of her head in horror.
But she’d put on the clothes without complaint. And even though she’d dubiously eyed the bike he’d rented for her when they’d gotten to the forest and the bike trails, she’d climbed on without hesitation and had managed to stay on without wobbling.
From down the slope came a curse. Christie had gotten off her bike and was pushing it instead. He watched as she came up the last bit, trying not to smile.
“You…said it…would be…flat,” she panted when she reached him. Her glare held enough heat to set him on fire.
“It is,” he replied, biting down on his grin. “At the start.”
There was a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead, chestnut curls hanging damply from underneath her helmet. It reminded him of how she’d looked in his arms the night before and an arrow of pure lust pierced him. She had no idea how sexy she was in the bike pants, either. They revealed her long legs in all their slender glory, leading up to the gentle curve of her buttocks. He wanted to run his hands up them, stroke the smooth skin of her thighs, hear her breath catch…
“How much farther?” She wiped her forehead.
He was being mean and he knew it. Pity teasing her was so much fun. “This is just the beginning.” He leaned forward over his handlebars. “There’s another hour’s hard riding ahead of you.” And at her groan, he grinned and added, “Had enough already? Shall we stop?”
At that, her glare became fierce with challenge. “No, of course not. Though you know, if you’re tired, we can rest a little longer.”
Joseph laughed. He liked that about her. The hint of an of iron backbone beneath her stutter and her vulnerability. With more confidence, she would be formidable.
“Nope. I’m done resting. But before we ride on, remember that surprise I mentioned?”
“Is this going to be the ‘surprise, a hill!’ kind of surprise?”
“Would I do that to you?” Pulling off his backpack, Joseph unzipped it and took out the tiny music player he’d borrowed from his R&D department. It was in development, but he hadn’t been able to resist the chance to show it off to her. She was such a gadget girl and he was dying to see what she thought of it. Man, he hoped she liked it. The possibility that she might not made him nervous.
“Here,” he said and put it into her hand.
Christie stared at it, eyes wide. “Is this…?”
“Ashton Tech’s newest product? Yep. What do you think?”
She’d already picked it up and was playing around with it, swiping her fingers across the touch screen, brow furrowed. “Wow, this looks amazing.”
Joseph allowed himself a small burst of pride and ignored the twinge of relief. “Well, yeah. It is.”
A huge smile broke over her face. “Hey, you even put some music on here.”
“Yeah, I did. Put on all
the Gothic metal bands I could find. You’ve probably heard them all, but the Plague Dogs one only came out this morning.”
“Oh my God, I love Plague Dogs.” She glanced at him, eyes alight. The smile that curved her mouth could have put the sun to shame. “Thanks, Joseph. This is awesome.”
The look on her face, the simple joy there, made a strange tightness settle in his chest.
He tried to ignore it. “Well, it needs beta testing. So have a listen while we ride, okay?”
“Sure.”
“And hey,” he said before he could stop himself, “thanks for coming out with me today. I know you didn’t want to.”
She blushed. “Damn. What gave it away?”
“Probably the look of trepidation on your face when you saw the Lycra.”
She laughed. “You got me. I confess that physical activity isn’t my favorite thing. I’m more a couch potato gamer type of girl.”
“So what made you come then?”
Her smile turned shy. “You sat with me for a whole hour last night. Seemed only fair that I come out and spend an hour doing stuff with you.”
He shouldn’t push it, he knew he shouldn’t. Yet still he found himself asking. “So, you only came out of fairness then?”
Christie glanced away. “No.” A small hesitation. “I came because I like…being with you.”
Oh man, it was pathetic to be fishing like this. Even more pathetic to feel such satisfaction with her answer.
Unease shifted inside him at the thought.
Christie gripped the handlebars of her bike. “What about you?” she asked, glancing back again. “Why did you want me to come with you?”
The unease deepened. Which was odd because he’d never found the truth difficult before. But he made himself say it because she deserved it. “Because I like being with you, too.”
Her expression lit up. “Well that’s good. Bike riding must be sucky with someone you don’t like.”
“Yeah, it is,” he agreed. “Very sucky.”
They stared at each other a long moment. Then Christie looked away again, down at herself. “So, okay, where the hell do I put the player in these stupid clothes?”
Yeah, a change of subject was good. No, it was perfect.
“I’ve thought of that.” Out of his backpack, Joseph found the armband he used when listening to his own player.
Talking Dirty with the CEO Page 11
