“Sorry. Thank you for preventing me from flashing the lobby. I guess we both know you’re pretty used to women falling at your feet, so I consider that checked off my list.” I adjust myself in my scrap of a dress and then reach behind my head to twist my hair into a knot at my neck. Ben’s watching my every move, and I squirm a little under his appraisal.
“That was quite an exit. What’s your deal with slamming doors? I thought I was special, but someone in there just got the same treatment.” He pretends to pout and I can’t hold back my smile any longer. There’s something about Ben that brings my walls down and lets me be who I am.
“So where were you headed before I so rudely threw you off course?” He glances around the lobby as if able to predict my answer.
“To the bar. Perhaps you could come with me and use your special skills to get me a drink . . . that is, unless the waitress from last night informed the bartender that your special tool was not so special.” I give him a look of sympathy and pat his chest as you would soothe an upset child.
Ben stills my hand on his chest and leans in close to whisper in my ear, “Maybe since you acquainted yourself with my special tool last night, you should go in there and defend my honor.” My eyes clamp closed as the timbre of his voice resonates through every part of my body. My breathing becomes shallow and I hate the way my skin flushes from his mention of our intimacy.
“Hmmm,” is all I can manage, and as soon as it leaves my mouth, I open my eyes and take a step back. I try to pull my hand away, but he’s gripping my wrist.
“Not so fast, beautiful. You didn’t play fair last night, and I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since you made my, well, our, acquaintance last night.” He slides my hand down his body to show me exactly what he’s referring to, and I look around quickly, making sure no one can see us. We’re close together now, and I realize with his height, no one would be able to see past him to where my hand is pressed, even if they were right behind us.
When my head clears, I pull my hand away and look him in the eye. “I guess it’s the least I can do,” I say, trying to sound annoyed. He chuckles and points the way to the bar. “Why aren’t you at your friend’s wedding? You guys are across the hall, right?” I’m trying to make conversation as we walk to the dark club and make our way up to the bar.
“I was looking for you.” He says it so matter of factly that I almost stop in my tracks.
“Looking for me? Why? Thought you got that need scratched.” I know I sound a little bitter, but I guess that’s because I am.
“I’m afraid you have awoken a need in me that only you can scratch.” His hand slides down my back and rests just above my bottom. I can feel the warmth of him seep into my skin as he guides me up to the bar. We wait in silence as he orders us two Jack and Cokes and then, with a very sexy smirk, he looks into my eyes and orders two shots of tequila for each of us.
I’m absolutely on fire now, adrenaline and hormones racing through my bloodstream. Ben carefully brushes a finger along my shoulder and traces a path of heat up my neck. “I hope you don’t mind the shots. I’ve been jonesing for another taste of you.” The bartender rescues me from having to answer, which is great because all of the blood has left my brain and rushed down to create an ache between my legs. I bite my lip as he gathers our drinks and the necessary items. He nods in the direction of a table in the dark at the back of the club. I try hard to walk gracefully over to it, but there are so many sensations shooting through my body that I’m afraid he’s able to see how much he affects me with every step I take.
When I slide into the dark booth, he surprises me by getting in on my side. I can feel the hardness of his muscles against the softness of my skin, and all at once I seem so tiny against his large body. Ben turns to me and our faces are so close I can feel the warmth of his breath fan across my neck. “I believe it’s your turn, Lori.” He’s watching my lips as he pushes the salt closer to me.
I’ve had my share of fun in the past. I like to think of myself as a free spirit, and don’t deny myself the simple pleasures life has to offer. I decide not to deny myself a little taste of this gorgeous man. “Take off your jacket.” My voice sounds so sure, it even surprises me a little. I watch as his eyes zero in on mine and a flash of desire ignites within. He complies with my command with a devilish grin, removing his jacket and then loosening his tie.
I reach up and take control by removing the knot in his tie, freeing his hands to slide down my sides until they’re resting on my hips. His eyes are looking into mine even though I’m focused on removing his tie. When I get it loose, I tug on it just a little, pulling his body closer to mine. I’m rewarded with a hitch of his breath. I smile and release his tie so I can move on to the buttons.
We’re in a public club, but it’s so dark and foggy in here that no one can see farther than a few inches in front of their face. The thought that someone might see use touching each other like this excites me, and I begin to unbutton his shirt. My fingers touch his skin each time a button is freed. When I reach the middle of his ribs, I slide my hand into his shirt and make sure I can get to my destination.
With one final look around the club, I move his shirt over so that I can run my tongue just above his nipple. Ben groans when it touches his flesh, and his fingers dig into my hips, sliding me even closer to him. I sprinkle the salt onto the moist skin and feel his eyes on me as I close mine and lean in to lick off the salt. I want to feel every amazing moment of this, and closing my eyes helps me focus on the way his skin tastes against my tongue.
I take my time, slowly dragging my tongue across the salt. I notice a sheen of perspiration across his forehead when I open my eyes, and he practically pants when I put the lime between his lips and press my mouth into his. He doesn’t release the lime right away. Instead, he hangs on to it as I suck the juice and pull at his lips. When he finally lets it go, I lean back and place the lime slice on the table.
Ben moves his hand from my hip and drags it down my leg, causing heat to spread immediately to my core. I watch him as he lifts my leg over his lap and then digs his fingers into my hips again so that he can position me on top of him. His movement is smooth and appears practiced, and I find myself straddling him. Both of his hands are now firmly gripping my ass as he grinds me against his body. A small moan escapes my lips, and any concern I should have about how little my dress covers is lost when he flexes his hips and presses his length against my hot core.
“My turn,” he demands in a husky voice, breaking eye contact to take in my breasts. My dress is so tight my cleavage is large and right in his face. For the first time tonight, I’m thankful to my sister for her choice of dresses. Ben runs his nose along my chest, causing goose bumps to pebble my skin. This is the most erotic thing I’ve ever done in public, and my need is almost overwhelming.
I watch his face as his tongue finds the lowest part of my cleavage and slowly works its way up to the curve of my right breast. Ben shakes a little salt onto the moist path and licks up the trail that he’s brought alive with his tongue. Instinctively, I grind my hips down, pressing my warmth against his hardness. He sucks the top curve of my breast. When I feel his teeth lightly bite into my flesh, I almost come undone. He slowly pours the tequila into his mouth and then sucks the lime. I’m watching the erotic show, loving the way his jaw tightens as he sucks the small slice.
Even though it feels like minutes, I know only a few seconds have passed before Ben removes the lime and returns his lips to mine. I close my eyes and grip his tie, wrapping it around my hands and pulling him close to me as he plunges his tongue into my mouth. The taste of tequila and lime is intoxicating, and I wonder what it’s going to take to come down from this high.
Ben
I hope I’m not leaving bruises on her hips as I pull her against me. I can feel the warmth from her core through my pants, and I know she needs this friction as much as I do. She slides easily up and down in my lap and I want so badly
to touch her where I know she needs it, but we’re still in the club. I reach up and pull at the knot she has tied her hair into, and I’m rewarded when her hair slips down and falls across her bare shoulders. She’s unbelievably hot and I want to sink into her.
I’m so lost in the feel of her small body against mine that I almost miss her whisper, “Take me to my room.” Fuck, she’s perfect. I almost feel bad for what I’m about to do. She’s the perfect mix of dominant and submissive, always surprising me with the direction she takes us in. I nod and we get out of the booth, both of us slamming back the last shots without any big fanfare. I pull her to my side as we leave the club and lead her to the elevators. Her pupils are dilated and, as we step into the elevator, I know exactly what she’s asking for.
As soon as the doors slam shut and we’re alone, we’re all over each other. Our tongues slide together with force. I pull her body to mine, running my hands down her sides and along the outsides of her breasts. Her body’s amazing, and I want so badly to see it beneath me. I know we’re moving fast and I worry, for the first time in my life, that she might get me out of her system after sleeping with me once. In the past, that was the perfect setup, but I already know that with Lori, once will not be enough.
I tell myself that what I’m about to do will increase our time together in the future, and that I won’t regret it. It’s a tough sale; my body is demanding I feel every inch of her. When the doors open, I stall for a minute, even though she’s pulling me toward the hallway. I run my hand up the inside of her leg and press my palm against her core, feeling the way her hips jut forward to increase the friction. Fuck, this is going to be so hard.
“Was it good?” I ask in a whisper and she nods, trying to pull me into the hallway. As the doors begin to close again, I pull my body free from hers and step back into the elevator. I wink at her as the doors close, leaving her on the outside and me on the inside.
I laugh out loud when I hear her voice through the closed doors: “No fucking way!” I hope she realizes it’s all in good fun and that payback is always a bitch.
I press the button for the lobby and adjust myself in my pants. I forego fixing my tie and grab my coat from the railing inside the elevator, preparing myself to return to Keith’s wedding. I hope I don’t live to regret this, and that my revenge drives her as crazy as she drove me. I guess only time will tell.
Lori
It’s been a week since Ben left me outside the elevator, sexually frustrated but highly amused. I’ll admit he got me good. I guess now we’re even, but it really doesn’t matter because there’s been no contact between us. I left early the morning after the wedding to get back to the work I’d neglected in order to meet all of my bridesmaid obligations. It’s great to be back in the swing of life without constant updates about color schemes and food options.
I thought I could leave that hotel and not think about Ben again. Surely there are other men out here who can stoke the fire in me like he had. I’ve never been so wrong in my life. I’ve been restless for the last week, tossing and turning at night, waking up from amazing dreams where we’re on the same side of those damn elevator doors. Just the thought of his touch fires up my libido, and I find myself frustrated all over again.
I only know his first name, and I hate myself a little more each day for not asking for his last name or leaving him a message at the hotel desk. I finish up my morning run and grab a quick shower. I’ve come to allow myself to think about him and my regrets only until I get dressed for the day, before ordering myself to put on my big-girl panties and move on with my life. When I walk into the office ten minutes early, I feel slightly victorious because I haven’t completely let my thoughts of him ruin my schedule.
My assistant, Alice, walks quickly beside me as I make my way to my office. She reminds me that I have lunch scheduled with the executives of a company that we’re trying to seal a deal with, and I quickly list a few tasks for her to complete for me this morning. Helping to run one of the largest TV networks in Los Angeles is a job that never stops. When I finally sit down in my high-back leather chair, I close my eyes and breathe in the scent of coffee. Alice is amazing and has my daily pick-me-up steaming on my desk. I text her on my way into the office every day, and every day she prepares my coffee to perfection, a task that’s rewarded well at bonus time.
My phone light is blinking with messages, but I ignore it so that I can dig my personal cell out of my purse. I like to have it plugged in and at the ready in case I need to take my business outside of these four walls. I begin my day by reading over the emails that have piled up in the eight hours I’ve been away from this place. I’ve worked hard for this position, and I continue to put in the hours regardless of how big of an ass my boss is. Within an hour, my desk is covered in files and paperwork.
I pause with my fingers over the keyboard of my computer when I hear my cell chime. I’m glad it’s just a message, because I would never find my phone in time if it was an incoming call. I move pile after pile until I finally find it. Swiping my finger across the screen, I see that it’s from a number I don’t have saved. As the message thread pops up, my heart drops into my stomach and then races back up to my throat in a full sprint.
Unknown: Was it good? I never got your answer
It can’t be him, but I want it to be so badly that my fingers type out a message before my brain can even register that he’s found me.
Me: Mediocre at best
I take a moment to type in a contact name for him.
Mr. Appendage: LOL. It isn’t nice to lie, beautiful
Me: How did you find this number, stalker?
Mr. Appendage: Funny story, can I tell you it over lunch? Dinner? Breakfast ;)
Me: Can’t do lunch and while breakfast sounds tempting, I don’t do sleepovers. Dinner?
Mr. Appendage: Tonight?
Me: Isn’t there some man rule about not sounding too eager?
Mr. Appendage: I don’t play games, Lori. Tell me where to pick you up. I’ll send a car at 7
Me: Now you’re being bossy. I won’t get out of the office until after 8. How about you send a car at 9?
Mr. Appendage: 9 is pretty close to my bedtime . . . but I guess that’s convenient. Text me the address and I’ll see you soon
I type out a text with my address and send it without any hesitation. I want this. I want him.
Mr. Appendage: I will see you at 9 Miss Easton.
Me: Stalker
Mr. Appendage: I go after what I want
His last text gives me chills. I’d thought he walked away, that he wasn’t thinking about me at all. It excites me to know he’s been looking for me. Thoughts of touching him and feeling his tongue cause a rush of heat to explode inside me. I have no idea how I’m going to make it until nine or be productive when all I can think about is the way he tasted as I licked the salt from his skin.
I lean back in my chair and look out the huge window that overlooks downtown Santa Monica. The palm trees sway in the breeze, and even though you can’t see the ocean from our building, the way the people on the street below are dressed, you know the beach is just down the block. I have a teal couch in my office, but it’s hard to see through the stacks of boxes I haven’t unpacked from last month, when the promotion landed me this bigger space. Spinning back around to my desk, where computer monitors for my daily meetings with East Coast executives sit side by side, I look at the beautiful print of my favorite Monet and remind myself to bring in donuts for the men who hung it for me.
I force myself to return my focus to my work and before I know it, my phone has found its way to the bottom of the piles again. I don’t have a moment to think about it until Alice buzzes my office.
“Lori don’t forget you have lunch at the Sand and Surf Grill in about twenty. Want me to call you a car or will you be walking?” she asks.
“It’s nice out. I’ll walk. Did you order yourself something? I keep thinking about that salad from
last week.” I smile as I remember the quick getaway we managed to sneak in between meetings when we ran off to the corner café for their signature salad with raspberry vinaigrette.
“That’s our place, girl. I’m not eating there without you. I’ve looked ahead, and I think I can manage to sneak you out again on Thursday. I have to catch you up on my latest Bumble nightmare.” Alice sighs into the phone.
“I can’t wait,” I answer honestly. I don’t have much time for a social life and the small moments I get with women doing girl things really recharges my social battery. I had such a strong friend group in college, but now things have gotten chaotic and to be honest, I let Max make my world small when we started dating seriously.
Alice and I hang up and I decide I’m done working until after my lunch meeting. I shove some of the piles over and grab my phone, smoothing my pencil skirt down as I stand up to leave the office. Before I can put my phone in my purse, it beeps with another message, one that includes a picture of a slice of lemon floating in water.
Mr. Appendage: Should I tell them I prefer the taste of lime and Lori?
Laughing, I relish the thought that I’m on his mind. I love that he’s so playful with me and not the typical dry businessman I usually date.
Me: I don’t know—I think we could have some fun with that ice . . .
Mr. Appendage: Fuck, you’re killing me and this is just texting. Is it 9 yet? Get out of there early
Me: Not a chance. I’ll see you at 9
Mr. Appendage: Stubborn woman. 9 it is then. How about you send me a picture to hold me over
Me: I’m on my way to a lunch meeting. I’ll send one as soon as I get a chance
Mr. Appendage: I’ll be waiting anxiously. Make it a good one
When I get to the restaurant, I’m the first one there. The waitress shows me to our table and I order an ice water. Once she returns with it, I let her know I’m still waiting for the other guests. I pull out my phone to answer a few emails and remember I was going to send Ben a picture. Looking around the restaurant, I make sure that no one is paying attention. I dip my finger into my water and moisten the skin on the inside on my knee.
Letting Go Page 3