by Alex Wolf
“Me?”
I grin at her. “Who else would I be talking to?”
“Right. Umm, probably staying in.” Her eyes dart around, then land back on mine.
“I’m having brunch tomorrow with some friends, you should come.” If Decker and I become permanent, or serious at least, it would be nice to have more than one friend in this city.
“You want me to come to brunch with you?” Her brows knit. The situation borders on awkward.
“Only if you want to. No pressure. I’ll text the address and you can come or not. I’m not the best at making girlfriends.”
“Sounds fun. I’ll be there.”
“Good.”
I spy Decker going to the elevator and rush off to join him.
As soon as the door closes, his mouth lands on mine and I’m backed up against the wall. “Somebody’s happy to see me.” I grab the bulge in his pants.
“What can I say? I’m addicted.” He wipes his mouth with the pad of his thumb, but only manages to smear my lipstick across his cheek. I laugh and debate on leaving it there, but considering we’re still in his building, I give in and wipe it away with a wet wipe. I keep them in my clutch; with as many hands as I shake, I like to keep my fingers clean. One of my associates back in Dallas once made a comment about how every hand you shake could have been touching a dick or something like that, and ever since then, I’ve been more mindful of what I touch throughout the day.
Decker drops me off at Water Tower Place but not before groping me like a horny teenager in his car. If I wasn’t meeting his daughter, I’d cancel my plans to get him into bed. I tease him but I’m just as infatuated with him as he is with me, if not more. I wake up every morning with a smile on my face thanks to him. I thought I had everything figured out, was content with my career and personal life but now that I’ve met him… I know I was settling. Coasting through. I don’t want to coast anymore. I pull out my phone and fire off a text to Jenny.
Me - I’m here.
Jenny – Meet us in Free People. Third floor.
I find Jenny and her friend, Joselyn, and her mother, Patrice, in the dress section. Jenny’s face lights up when she sees me. Her right hand lifts into an eager wave. I smile and wave back, making my way over. Her dark hair is swept up in a high ponytail, and she’s dressed in skinny jeans and a graphic tee with strappy low-heeled sandals. Her friend has on a floral-patterned button-down shirt that looks like it belongs on the set of Little House on the Prairie.
I’m not one to be overly judgmental, but based on her friend’s mother’s style, it’s no wonder Jenny called me in for backup. The poor woman dresses like she’s going door to door selling bibles in an ankle-length denim skirt and oversized pink smock that does nothing to show her figure. They all need me; they need a style intervention. Jenny looks casual cute but still I still have the urge to raid her friend’s closet and replace her wardrobe.
“Tate, this is Joselyn and her mom, Patrice. Guys this is my dad’s girlfriend, Tate.”
It’s not lost on me that Jenny just called me her dad’s girlfriend, and it’s also not lost on me that I love the way she said it. It just rolled off her tongue, like it was a natural part of her vocabulary. “It’s nice to meet you.” I extend my hand to the mother.
“I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to put a face with the name.” She accepts my hand, but I feel her assessing me and wondering if I’m good enough for Decker and Jenny. It makes me happy to know she has Jenny’s best interests in mind, and I’ll show her my intentions with Jenny are pure and not just a means to impress her father. Jenny eyeballs a two-piece called the Thalia. It’s cotton-candy-pink with a crumpled top held up with two thin straps and a matching miniskirt that looks crinkled. It’s adorable but I think Decker would kill me if we came home with anything that showed Jenny’s midriff.
“What about this?” I finger through the rack and hold up a one-piece shoulder-wide legged pant set. It’s a rust color that would pair beautifully with her skin tone, green eyes, and dark hair. And it doesn’t show so much skin it’d give Decker a heart attack.
Jenny snatches the ensemble and rushes to the dressing room. I look her friend over as her mom holds up something red covered in flowers that would wash the poor girl out completely.
I grab an ivory dress with crochet panels that would be to die for with her dark hair and almond skin. “This would be so adorable on Joselyn.” I hold it up and her mom gives me a wry smile.
She accepts the hanger and holds the dress up on her daughter. “I think you’re right. You are good at this. I’ve never been very fashionable.” As she runs a hand down her denim skirt, I think oh, honey, don’t I know it.
She’s a nice lady, but when it comes to style, I want to give her a good old southern bless your heart.
I smile at Patrice. “We could treat ourselves to something while we’re here. I was gonna take the girls to get their nails done and thought we could get our toes done while they’re doing that.”
“Oh.” She shakes her head. “I don’t think…” She trails off and I can tell she never does things for herself.
“My treat.”
“I couldn’t.”
“It’ll be fun. The girls will enjoy it.”
After trying two shoe stores, we find the perfect heels for both girls and make our way to the spa on the fourth floor to do a little pampering. Patrice seems to enjoy herself despite her reservations. Her olive eyes roll back in her head as her calves are being massaged.
My phone pings with a text from Decker.
Decker – How’s it going?
Me – Checking up on me?
Decker – More like missing you.
Me – The girls want pizza but are afraid of messing up their manicures. I should have fed them first.
Decker – They’ll live, but I won’t. How much longer till I get you all to myself?
Me – Meet me in an hour.
Decker – Hey, Tate?
Me – Yeah?
Decker – Remember those bite marks?
Me – How could I forget?
Decker – There’s going to be more of that.
He adds a little smiling devil emoji at the end of his last text. My heart races. This man is going to be the death of me.
Tate
Patrice drops me at the hotel, and I meet Decker in the lounge for a drink. I slide onto the barstool next to him and I already want to drag him up to my room. The man can rock a suit. That’s for damn sure, and I’m used to seeing attractive men wearing suits. Decker puts them all to shame.
As I sidle up next to him, I say, “Come here often?”
He gives me a side eye. “Passing through on business.” He plays along with me. “What are you drinking?”
“Something hard.” I skim my fingers along his thigh.
“Should probably go easy. Plenty of time for hard stuff later.” He shoots me a sly wink and orders me a bourbon drink with a hint of mint.
I take a sip. “Thanks for the drink. Care to join me for a nightcap?”
“I don’t think my girlfriend would like that at all.”
“I won’t tell her.” I make the motion of crossing my heart and sticking a needle in my eye.
He grins and slides his card to the bartender. “Can you keep a secret?”
I lean in close and whisper gently, my lips brushing against his earlobe. “What kind of secret keeper would I be if I told you?” I down my drink and grip him by the tie. “Let’s go, lover.” I move from the stool and sway my hips knowing he’s appreciating the view of my ass.
Something about getting him worked up in advance sends heat racing between my thighs. The foreplay with Decker Collins is almost better than the sex.
Almost.
“Hate to kill the mood, but Donavan came by my office earlier.”
“Yeah?”
“Wasn’t happy about dropping the lawsuit.”
I stop and turn to face him. “I don’t want to come between you
and your family.”
“You’re not.”
I grin. “Yeah, I’m sure he spoke highly of me.”
“Absolutely.” Decker winks.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. You don’t need the extra stress.”
Decker rakes a hand through his hair. “Agreed on that. I don’t see any way around it, though.”
We arrive in my room and Decker falls back on the couch while I excuse myself to the bathroom for a quick shower. I step under the spray of the water and lather up quickly, opting to wash my hair in the morning. It’s our first night alone since we started seeing each other and I have plans for him. I’d planned on revealing my feelings, but after what happened between him and Donavan, I’m not sure it’s the right time.
I massage lotion into my skin and put on the sexy underwear set I picked up at the mall while Jenny and her friend tried on dresses. It’s a black lace corset and matching thong paired with thigh highs and a garter belt. Slipping on my black pointy toe heels, I stand at the mirror and run my fingers over my loose curls to smooth any strays. I feel sexy and powerful. Decker is getting a night he’ll never forget. I step out of the bathroom ready to make my grand entrance only to find him snoring.
To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement, but I know he’s been working so hard lately. He wants this merger over with so he can spend more time at home with Jenny, and I get the impression he may ask me to stay when the time comes. I’ve been trying not to think about that too much. I have so many things to consider. My job. My family. I’d be giving up a lot, but as I run my hand over Decker’s head and along his jaw… I think he could be worth the risk.
He’s so fiery and intense when he’s awake, but when he sleeps, I can see a hint of the boy in him. It’s that side of him I love the most. Him wearing his apron and cooking for Jenny or offering to run to the store for snacks while we watch Twilight.
I’m torn between letting him sleep or waking him up. Placing my lips to his and receiving no response, the choice is easy. He needs rest. Quietly, I strip out of my sexy getup and change into a tank top and comfy yoga-style leggings I normally reserve for the gym. I haven’t been working out lately and it bothers me a little, but like Decker, I’ve been working crazy hours too. It’s not lost on me that I’ve been getting in some quality cardio, though. I grab a pillow from the bed, prop his head up, and cover him with a blanket. Once he’s taken care of, I turn out the lights and slide into the bed alone.
I’m not sure what time it is but I smile when I feel Decker’s strong hands part my legs. The leggings I fell asleep in are already missing. His lips meet the sliver of skin between my panties and tank. I thread my fingers through his hair, yawn and simultaneously say, “Good morning.”
A lazy grin crosses his face as he looks up to meet my sleepy-eyed gaze.
“Sorry I crashed out last night.” He nuzzles my belly with his stubble-lined jaw.
“You were out cold. I started to wake you up, but you seemed so peaceful. You’re getting old, Collins.”
“Hah! Well, thanks for letting me sleep. I hadn’t realized how tired I was until my ass met the couch cushion.”
“What time is it?” I can’t see the clock but a quick glance at the window lets me know it’s still dark out.
“Time for you to get naked and let me make last night up to you. I saw your little outfit in there and cursed myself for falling asleep. Sorry.”
“If you’re able to please me to my standards, I may model it for you sometime.”
“Damn right you will.” He kisses my stomach, pushing my top up to pay attention to my breasts. Sucking a nipple into his mouth, he appears to be done talking and focuses on getting down to business.
“Wanna get breakfast when we’re done?”
Decker looks up at me like I’m insane for thinking about food while he has my breast in his mouth. “I plan on eating pussy for breakfast. More than one serving.”
Only Decker Collins could turn me on with a breakfast metaphor involving my vagina. He quickly snaps me out of my thoughts when his tongue meets my clit. He’s relentless and before long I’m squirming as he pulls an orgasm out of me with nothing but his tongue and fingers. My nails drag down his scalp as he raises up and stares at me while I pant for air.
A devilish grin spreads across his face, like he’s admiring his handiwork and the way he knows how to press every one of my damn buttons to get me off.
“How’d I do? I think that was a record for time.”
I shoot him the bird, but my limbs are so fatigued from the intense orgasm my hand immediately drops back to the bed.
Decker laughs.
“It was a solid six. Not sure if it’s worthy of a lingerie show.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “Six my ass.”
I shrug. “Looks like you may need some practice, champ.”
“Oh yeah, do you say, ‘Holy fuck, Decker. Right there. Jesus Christ,’ during all solid six performances?”
My cheeks flush and I look away, grinning. “Okay, maybe it was a seven.”
He dives on top of me and tickles my ribs, and I can’t think of the last time I let my hair down and had this much fun.
I roll out of bed looking at the time knowing I need to wash my hair and get ready to meet Alexis and her friends for brunch.
Decker lies there, naked, save for a sheet riding up his hip. He props himself up on an elbow in the Burt Reynolds pose, and it’s difficult to look at him without wanting to jump back into bed. “Where you off to?”
“I have brunch plans with Alexis and some of her mommy friends.”
Decker watches me dig through my clothes for something to wear. “You don’t sound too enthused.”
“I’m not.”
“So why go? Come back to bed. Jenny won’t be home until noon.”
“Tempting, but I promised, and I invited Quinn. It’d be rude to bail and leave her on her own with complete strangers.”
He gives me a perplexed look. “My assistant?”
I roll my eyes and grab my yellow heels. “Our assistant, and yes. She’s nice, and I need a non-mommy ally. Someone who won’t talk about boogers and puke.”
Decker laughs and throws the sheets back exposing his thick erection.
“You can’t be hard again?”
He wraps his fingers around his cock and strokes it. “What can I say? Watching you bend over fetching your shoes turned me on.”
I try to ignore him, but he lays back on the bed looking like a damn Adonis in the flesh. His abs are like chiseled puzzle pieces and his jaw clenches with sheer determination. Why does he have to look so damn hot while jerking off? His teeth sink into his bottom lips as his mouth curls up in pleasure.
I war with myself for all of three seconds before I cross the room and straddle him. I line up his cock and ease myself down onto it.
His hand smacks my ass and he digs his fingers in. “That’s what I thought.”
“You’re such an arrogant ass—”
He thrusts his hips up into me to cut off my sentence and hits my spot just right. All my smartass remarks fade from my brain and are replaced with nothing but erogenous bliss.
“Where have you been?” Quinn hisses as I grab the chair next to hers on the rooftop at Cindy’s. The restaurant and bar overlooks Millennium Park and Lake Michigan. Alexis grins at me, eyeballing the hickey on my collarbone. I wanted to nut-punch Decker for putting it on me this morning as I got ready. He did it right as I tried to get out of his car when he dropped me off. He’s on his way home so he can be there in time for lunch with Jenny.
He attempted to get me to cancel on the girls and go home with him, but I couldn’t do that to Quinn. Judging by the uneasy smile on her face it’s a good thing I kept my word.
“Sorry. Got held up.”
She eyes me with skepticism but doesn’t press for information I don’t want to share.
“We ordered already but I’m sure you still like pancakes,” says Alexis, still s
eemingly amused at my love bite.
“I do. Thank you.”
“So, Quinn says she works with you at the firm.”
I nod and Alexis continues.
“I tried to pump her for information about your new boyfriend, but she wouldn’t tell me anything.”
My cheeks go red and I take a sip of the fruity drink they put in front of me. “Very funny. That’s because there’s nothing to tell. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?” I do my best to change the subject so I don’t choke her out later.
She does nothing but sit there and grin. It’s like we’re in high school all over again, giving each other crap and playing practical jokes.
Alexis finally goes around the table and makes introductions. The other women look like Stepford wives and all they want to talk about are their husbands and children. It’s like they have no other interest outside of their family life. I love spending time with Decker and Jenny but that will never be me.
I’m glad Quinn is here as a buffer. The two of us end up in our own conversation about the Collins brothers. “So, all of them are single?”
“Mhmm.” She bobs her head.
“Do they ever date within the company?”
“No way, it’s against policy. Well, it’s against the rules for anyone considered a superior to date a subordinate, and they well, run the company.”
“So, for example, if you were to enter into a relationship with Dexter… or say Deacon, you could be fired if it were reported?” I say each of their names slowly trying to gage her response but she’s damn good at masking any tells. Usually, I can surmise if someone’s lying or not in the first five seconds. It makes sense, though. She works in a law firm and deals with attorneys all day.
“How do you tell those two apart if they aren’t in their office? I’m always confusing one for the other.”
“Oh easy. Dexter has a scar over his brow and Deacon has a freckle on the pad of his thumb.”
Bingo. I knew she was seeing one of them. How else would she know the man has a freckle on his thumb? I’ve never noticed anything distinguishable about the pair, but then again, my focus has been on Decker from day one.