by T Gephart
My body leaned into his touch as we made our way down to the exterior door. Terry was waiting by the car, ready to help us inside even though it wasn’t necessary.
“Hi, Terry.” I smiled enthusiastically, shuffling along the seat while he held open the door. “Hope you had a lovely day.”
“Stop flirting with my driver, Zara,” Lincoln whispered as he scooted in behind me, giving my arm a playful squeeze as he shut the door behind us. “He’s already feeling fragile when it comes to you, toying with his emotions is just plain cruel.”
Thankfully Terry was too busy getting behind the wheel to hear, me elbowing Lincoln intentionally as I pulled on my seat belt. “I already regret this newfound friendship, no wonder your best friend lives in another state.”
He clasped his chest dramatically. “Wow, Zara, right for the jugular. But I’ll have you know our friendship is more for his benefit than mine. He’d be lost without me.”
Even though I knew he was kidding, I could see some truth in it. Lincoln and Nate had a special friendship that didn’t come around every day, similar to what I had with Belle, but unlike us, they weren’t tied by DNA.
I had friends, good ones even, but nothing like what I shared with Belle. It was hard to navigate. The hours, the work, the dedication I needed to achieve my goal wasn’t something that was easily understood, so I missed a lot of movie nights/birthdays/dinners. They didn’t complain, but as time went on, the invitations dwindled. So Belle was my best friend, and that’s how I saw Lincoln and Nate.
“I’ll take care of him after you’re gone.” I squeezed his hand, knowing that I couldn’t forget about that charismatic ER doctor even if I tried.
“Jesus, Zara. I’m not dying, and you can’t have Nate. He’s mine,” he warned as the car started to move into traffic.
We really did our best not to touch each other while we rode in the car, my fingers gravitating toward him all the same. By the time we’d gotten to the hotel we were holding hands, and more important than the contact, was how natural it felt.
I’d never been a hand-holder, never been the woman to constantly seek out affection. But I wanted it from him, which is why I’d assumed a clean break would be easier. Except it wasn’t, my body and soul craving him.
“I thought we were going to a restaurant?” I asked, looking at the front of the Four Seasons. “Lincoln.” I shook my head, knowing the minute we were in his room I’d cave. “Please don’t make this harder than it is.”
My plea wasn’t an attempt at humor, but an honest request. There was a higher than average chance I’d end up in his bed by the end of the night, but I didn’t want it to start that way. Nor did I want to relegate myself to a cheap hook-up. It was more than sex. We were more than sex. At least, that’s what I thought.
He brought my knuckles to his lips, the contact warming my skin all over. “We’re just making a pit stop, I promise.” Sincerity shone in his eyes and I knew it wasn’t a line. “I have one more thing that needs to be taken care of, and then I’ll take you out. If it makes you uncomfortable, Terry can take you to the restaurant and then come back for me. Or you can wait in the lobby, or in the car.”
It was such a sweet offer, and one I probably should’ve accepted. One, it removed temptation and two, it gave him the opportunity to make his call in private.
But I didn’t want to go without him. Or wait in the lobby or the car.
“Will you be breaking privilege if I join you?” I asked, not completely having lost my mind.
“Awwww, you want to save me from getting disbarred, thanks friend.” He mock punched my shoulder. “But it’s an email, so unless you plan on reading over my shoulder, we’ll be safe.”
I nodded, following him out of the car as he exited. He retook my hand, knotting our fingers together as we strolled through the lobby, taking one of the elevators as we headed to his room.
The confined space amplified what was already a thick sexual tension between us, our bodies closer than they needed to be since we were the only ones in the elevator. It was a welcome reprieve when we got to his floor, a silent prayer of thanks offered as the metal doors slid open and we got into the hall.
“I would’ve waited,” I confessed; his hand was still clasped with mine as the other unlocked his door. “If you wanted to finish or you were going to be late, you could’ve called.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No, you would’ve tried to convince me that we’d do it another time. Or some other excuse. Honestly, Zara, if I could avoid this, I would. But I wasn’t giving up dinner with you tonight, even if I have to get creative.”
And he was probably right, I’d have tried to cancel, but only because I understood. And had been there too many times myself. Needing to make after-hour calls, or wrap something up even after I’d left the office, so I knew it wasn’t personal. “I wish to maintain my Fifth Amendment right at this time.”
“Words of a guilty woman.” He chuckled as he led me into the room and switched on the lights. “Now keep out of trouble while I take care of this.”
We were close, alone, and yet he didn’t try and kiss me, unwrapping his hand from mine and walking over to the desk.
I watched with interest as he loosened his tie and shucked his jacket, hanging it over the back of the chair before sitting down.
The room was quiet as I made my way over to the sofa, taking a seat while he opened his laptop and started tapping on the keys.
What amazed me more than anything was how easy it felt. To be in that room, that space, even while he was doing something else. And I knew I’d have to finally ask the question I’d been putting off asking.
When was he leaving?
My chest rose, pushing out a heavy breath as I tried to concentrate on something else but couldn’t get my mind off the words.
And while it would be easier not to know, to live in a suspended state of reality where he might hang around forever, it was unlike me to choose ignorance.
“Lincoln?” I took another breath, hoping if we had the conversation while he was in the middle of something it might seem more casual.
“Hmmm?” He nodded, not looking up from his screen as he continued to type.
I swallowed, turning so I could see his beautiful profile.
Goddamn it, I was so in love with him.
“When are you leaving?”
Lincoln
Fuck.
Fuck.
I’d been hoping to avoid the question, willing to let it be the elephant in the room we didn’t talk about. Sure, I assumed she’d eventually ask, but the longer we could prolong it, the better.
My fingers stopped typing, noticing she was watching me.
Shit.
She wanted to know, and this wasn’t going to be a conversation I’d easily be able to maneuver out of.
“Are you anxious to get rid of me?” I tried to laugh. “Or just making conversation?”
“I need to know.” She rose from her seat, moving toward me with such sexy strides it was hard focusing on anything other than the sway of her hips.
Oh, I knew we were trying to be friends, keeping the contact platonic. I’d been blatantly flaunting the rules by touching her, but I wouldn’t make myself stop. I hadn’t kissed her though, suffering through that hell more than I’d have liked.
“When?” she asked again, making it clear that she wasn’t letting it go.
She was going to leave.
The moment she knew I already had a plane ticket she was going to walk out the door.
And as much as I wanted to find a work around, a creative way where I avoided or didn’t attempt the truth, I couldn’t make my mouth do it.
“My case is over and I’m flying back tomorrow.”
Her eyes flared in surprise. “Tomorrow? Were you going to tell me?”
Was I?
“I wasn’t going to just leave. But I didn’t want to ruin tonight.”
Because honestly, after she knew, things would change.
They already had, I could see it in her face. And she only knew half of it.
Her head tipped to my laptop as she stopped in front of me. “Is it sent?”
“Errr,” I stalled, knowing whatever resolve I had was fast running out. “Almost.” Even if I wasn’t done, I’d be wrapping it up. Not like I could think about work when she was standing in front of me like that.
“Then finish and tell Terry we’ll be staying here. We’ll order in.”
“Zara.” I pushed away from the desk, ignoring the unsent email and abandoning the laptop. “You sure that’s what you want to do? Because I feel like I’m supposed to argue or something, and I’m not going to.”
“Good, so we agree on something. Make the call.” Her hand dropped to her hip as she watched me send Terry the text. “And send the email.”
“Fuck the email.” I took the two steps and closed the gap, grabbing her face and just fucking kissing her.
I didn’t ask if that was what she wanted or worry about violating our stupid “friend” agreement. It was pure instinct, the need for a connection bigger than anything I was going to say or do.
She moaned in my mouth putting to rest any doubts as she clung to my shirt. She wanted it too, her hungry lips seeking mine as I slid in my tongue. “Lincoln.”
“Yeah, baby?” I panted, pulling her body against mine.
“In case there’s any confusion, this isn’t me just being friendly.”
I laughed, reaching down and squeezing her ass. I was already hard, my cock pushing against the front of my pants like it was begging to get out. “Well, I hope not, but I wasn’t about to complain.”
Having wasted enough time with words, I pulled her against me. I wanted there to be no confusion that we’d moved well beyond the friend zone and I wasn’t intending on going back there.
She arched into me, hooking one of her legs onto my hip, forcing the bottom of her dress to bunch up and expose her tiny black panties. She definitely had a thing for barely-there underwear, and I was a huge supporter of the trend.
“Yes, Lincoln.” The words were tossed out on a breath, her hips grinding against me as she tried to get herself off. “Oh my God, I’m so close.”
I wasn’t surprised, my own need gnawing at me like a hungry beast. The office had been foreplay, and we were both primed.
“Not like that.” My hands moved to her waist, keeping her still. “I want to be the one who makes you come.”
“Then you better do something about it.” She clawed at my shirt, her fingers busy with the buttons.
“Yeah?” I hauled her off the floor, lifting her against me. “Should I wish you all the best for the future, Zara?” I nipped at the exposed skin of her neck. “Maybe I’ll leave you a voice message.”
Her legs wrapped around me as I carried her to the bed, the tips of her fingernails biting into my skin as she desperately tore off my shirt. “You’re such a jerk.”
She was right, I was a jerk and I loved that I didn’t have to be anything other than myself when I was around her.
I dropped her to the mattress, her body bouncing as my hands moved to her feet. One pump was removed, then the other, my fingers traveling up her beautiful smooth legs as I went to work getting the rest of her clothes off.
“Your pants,” she panted against my chest as I moved on top of her, my main objective getting her out of that sexy as hell dress. “Let me—”
“When I’m done,” I insisted, not concerned that I was still mostly clothed as I found the zipper and yanked it down. “Fuck, you’re not wearing a bra.”
My brain went into freefall as I peeled away the dress and revealed her perfect beautiful tits. The pink tips were hard, ready and waiting for my mouth as she shimmied out of the bunched-up fabric and my lips curled around one of her nipples.
“Oh, Lincoln.” Her eyelashes fluttered as her head rolled back, my fingers and mouth worshiping her tits one at a time.
“That’s it, baby.” One of my hands dropped between her legs, sliding under the slip of lace. “I love it when you say my name.”
She was wet, her swollen clit begging for attention as my thumb circled it lightly. Her legs fell open, giving me better access as my mouth kissed its way down her body, both of us needing more.
“Just get them off.” She yanked impatiently at her panties, pulling them down her legs and tossing them to the floor. “And done or not, you need to get naked, Lincoln. I’m not asking this time.”
She got busy working my belt while my fingers circled her entrance, her hips rocked against my hands while she unzipped my pants, not bothering to pull them all the way down before freeing my cock.
“Jesus, Zara.” She fisted my shaft, jerking me off as I tried to go back to what I was doing. “Just give me—”
Fuuuuuuuuck.
Whatever I was going to say was lost as her hot mouth covered the tip of my cock. It felt so good, the heat of her tongue and the gentle scrape of her teeth teasing me while she pushed me farther down her throat.
My abs tensed, every muscle in my body going coil tight as she sucked me hard. Her hands moved up and down my length, working every inch while her mouth was kept busy.
“You first.” The words pushed out through my gritted teeth, refusing to come even though I desperately wanted to. “I will not—”
“Won’t what?” She pulled my dick out from between her lips with a wet pop. “Because I think you will.”
Yeah, fuck that.
Not sure when I lost control of the situation, but I was regaining it as of that moment.
Not giving her a chance to get back the advantage, I pulled myself away and got the hell out of my clothes. Pants, boxer briefs, socks and shoes, were all torn from my lower half and discarded in a haphazard pile I’d happily burn. But not before I retrieved a condom, the little packet held between two fingers as I turned my attention back to Zara on the bed.
Oh.
Fuck.
Her back was arched, her thighs spread as her fingers had taken over where I’d left off. Bright red-tipped nails circled against her silky skin, her tits rising and falling as her hips gently bucked.
“That is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.” I dropped my mouth to her core, sucking, kissing and licking around her fingers while I tried to tear open the damn condom.
The sound of tearing foil was a welcome relief, blindly moving the latex to my cock while Zara’s hands pushed my head closer to her heat.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted more.
To fuck her with my tongue, or to let my cock take over.
And it was a motherfucking shame I wasn’t a contortionist because if I could, I’d have bent myself in two and done both.
My dick throbbed, my balls ached, and every inch of my skin tingled. With the condom finally secured, my body made the decision for me and I lifted back up the bed.
“You’re so ready for me.” I fisted my length, the head of my hard rod circling her opening. She was slick, warm and welcoming, the tip slipping inside with only the smallest amount of effort.
“More.” She bucked, trying to get me deeper while I held myself still. “Lincoln, please.”
Hearing her beg was a bigger turn-on than it should’ve been, my abs tightening as I pushed in one more inch painfully slow.
“More like this?” I breathed in deep, my grasp on control fraying by the second. “Or like this?” I pushed in another inch, most of me still outside of her while my hand wrapped around her legs.
Her pelvis tilted, desperate thrusts trying to find purchase as her panting increased. I loved how wild her eyes got when she finally lost control, inky black pupils dominating those dark beautiful irises.
I could feel how close she was, the need vibrating through both our bodies that wouldn’t be staved off much longer. And the minute her gaze connected with mine, I was done denying us. I drove into her hard, one swift, deep thrust burying myself into her, balls deep as heat jacked up my spine.
And th
en I couldn’t stop.
Plunging into her again and again, each thrust getting deeper and harder and more desperate.
“Touch yourself,” I ordered, watching as her hands moved to her tits and cupped them.
“Pinch your nipples for me, baby. Let me see you do it.”
She didn’t hesitate, not giving me so much as a blush as her fingers reached for the pale tips and squeezed. Moans escaped her lips, her pants more erratic as one of my hands moved back to her clit. She was so close that literally one sweep of my thumb was all it took.
“Yes, Lincoln, oh, my, God, yes.”
I felt her tighten around me and then detonate, tiny pulses traveling down my shaft. Her body shook, waves of pleasure rolling through her as I pumped into her again and again until I exploded.
“Zara.” Her name caught between a plea and a breath, her pussy milking me as I spilled my load. I couldn’t stop, my hips continuing to piston, until we were both reduced to a panting mess.
I dropped my lips to hers, keeping us joined while I kissed her. She wiggled underneath me, freeing her arms from under my chest and then wrapping them around my neck.
“Sorry, baby, I’m crushing you.” Words were spoken between kisses as I propped myself up on my elbows, easing my weight off her. I loved the feel of her skin against mine, the press of her body under me, and how well we fit together.
“I like being crushed.” She laughed against my mouth, wrapping her legs around my hips and keeping me captive. “I think you should stay like this all night.”
It was a challenge I was more than up for, not able to think of anything better than being buried inside her for eternity. That hadn’t been the plan, but I could improvise like no other.
“Why don’t I clean us up, get dinner, and then go back to crushing you?” I offered, rolling to the side as I eased out of her. “I’ve seen you hungry.” I grimaced. “And it’s not pretty.”
“Jerk!” she scoffed, playfully jabbing me in the ribs. “But I’m not going to argue with food, especially if it means I get more of that.” Her whole face animated with the spread of a sexy smile.