Nick nodded, getting used to the way Richard’s muscles moved. “I’ll talk to you later.” Nick clicked off his phone and stared at the mirror. He took a deep breath. It was time to be someone else.
* * * * *
Tally chewed on the edge of her thumbnail, gnawing at that short nail before ripping her hand away from her mouth. No, she’d spent three months breaking this habit, she wouldn’t let one little stress at work make her start again.
Okay, so it was a big stress.
Something was wrong with these numbers. She’d been through them twice and there was something wrong. Seriously wrong.
She glanced at the clock. Six o’clock. It was Friday and she had no plans. She could work a few more hours before heading home.
The audit of the Georgia plant had originally been assigned to her but then a month ago, she’d gotten a promotion and Martin had suggested she wouldn’t have time to complete it. She hated leaving a project half-done so she’d told him she’d do both jobs until the audit was complete—even it if meant working lots of overtime.
But now, something wasn’t right. She tapped her fingernail on the keyboard. The Georgia plant was reporting far higher profits than what she was seeing. Maybe her expenses were off. She clicked on the file—
“Hey, baby doll.”
Her head snapped up at the sound of Richard’s voice. What the hell is he doing here? She spun around and faced the door. He leaned against the doorframe looking gorgeous and debonair. Elegant. She watched him for a moment and felt a slow flutter deep inside her body. There was something different about him. A new energy that seemed to fill the room.
“Richard?” The name fell from her mouth as a question and then she felt silly. Of course it was Richard, unless he had a twin. “Uh, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Chicago.”
“Change of plans. I don’t leave until tomorrow. I thought I’d stop and take my best girl to dinner.”
She cringed at the almost paternal way he talked about her.
“Well, I was planning to work for another few hours.” Richard always understood that work came before everything.
Except tonight he tilted his head toward the door. “Come on, baby doll. Let’s go get something to eat.” He winked. “You have to eat, right?”
She tensed at the teasing sound of his voice. He might make subtly sarcastic comments about her plebian tastes but never did he tease her.
“Come on,” he said. “I’ll take you out for pizza.”
She stared at him for a moment as she waited for her mind to process his offer. “Pizza? You want to get pizza?”
He shrugged but the movement didn’t seem as casual as she thought he’d intended.
“Sure, why not?”
“You hate pizza.”
“I’m turning over a new leaf.” He sounded exasperated. “Now, can we go?”
Shocked into submission, Tally closed down her computer and slipped the disk back into her briefcase. She never went anywhere without that disk. After discovering that someone had been snooping through her computer three weeks ago, she’d started carrying everything on disk.
Suddenly unsure of herself, she closed her briefcase and stood up. Richard smiled and held out his hand, offering to carry her bag. She hesitated for a moment then handed it over. Richard had particular tastes in leather gear. Briefcases had to be made by a certain company from a certain cow. She waited for a moment, expecting a disparaging remark. When none came, she looked up. Richard watched her, eyes glittering with heat and hunger as if he wanted to bend her over the desk and fuck her. Hard. The image filled her head making it almost impossible to think. It didn’t take long for the fantasy to change. It wasn’t Richard doing her on the desk, it was Nick—with that wickedly sexy voice and deep blue eyes. Like Richard’s.
She shook her head. That wasn’t right. Richard had brown eyes.
“Colored contacts?” she blurted out.
He nodded. “What do you think?”
Strange, pretentious, vain.
“Uh, unusual color.”
He laughed softly. “I thought they made me look sexy. What do you think?” He lifted his chin as if posing for a sculptor.
She stared at him for a long time before answering. He did look sexy tonight. No, not sexy. Sexual. But she didn’t think it was the eyes. Something deep inside her was responding to him as it hadn’t before.
“They look great,” she said, because they did. The color was almost a teal. The new shade seemed to give his eyes hidden depths. The edge of his mouth kicked up and Tally felt a warm shiver in her pussy. His smile widened like he sensed her body’s reaction—and he approved.
He led her down the hall, politely stepping to the side to let her enter the elevator first. She hesitated. Something didn’t feel right. Richard was always polite but tonight it seemed more innate—as if he did these things to ease her, not because someone was watching.
“How’s work?” she asked as the doors closed.
He shrugged. “The same.”
“Okay, what’s up?” she demanded folding her arms across her chest. Richard always wanted to talk about his work. His eyes widened, making him look a little too innocent.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re acting…weird.”
“I’m in a weird mood.” He leaned down and put his mouth next to her ear. “It must be the contacts. I feel like a whole new man tonight.”
The words, his voice, circled through her head and made a beeline for her sex. She put her fingertips against the elevator wall to steady her weakening knees. Where had this “new” Richard come from?
She still didn’t have an answer when she led the way into her house three hours later. She only hoped he’d stick around. The evening had flown by and she’d enjoyed herself more than any other date with Richard. He stepped inside and glanced around the living room. Papers were scattered across the dining table and she tensed, waiting for Richard’s usual admonishment about keeping her house tidy. He said nothing.
Just another first. Whatever alien had snatched Richard’s soul away…
The rest of the thought drifted away as he turned his focus from the room to her. Richard’s teasing touches and subtle innuendos all night had kept her body humming and tight—and now she wanted the rest.
She smiled as he walked to her—anticipating his suddenly sexy voice to whisper that they should go upstairs.
“I’d better get home,” he said. Counter to his words, his voice rumbled low and hungry. He didn’t want to leave. He looked at her for a long time, the regret visible in his eyes. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. It was a good night kiss. Sweet and pleasant. Not passionate or overwhelming. At least that’s the way it started. Then he moved his mouth against hers, opening his lips just enough that she could taste the sweet wine from dinner. He flicked his tongue across the peak of her upper lip. She groaned and leaned in, opening herself to his silent request. He started slow, not controlling or demanding but searching—as if this was their first kiss and he wanted to learn her. In fact the whole night had seemed brand new. Like a first date.
Her ability to focus on anything except Richard was lost as he eased his tongue into her mouth. Her body reacted instinctively—bowing to the command of his and taking her own pleasure, curling her tongue around his, sucking lightly, holding him deep inside her. His hand fell to her backside and pulled her forward, pressing his cock against the V of her thighs. Their bodies fit together well and a wicked little shimmer fluttered through her sex.
Tally lifted her mouth away, drawing in much needed air. His lips moved along her jaw, leaving a trail of heated kisses until he reached that secret space beneath her ear. He’d never been able to find it before but now it was perfect. He kissed, licked and raked his teeth across her skin.
Her head tilted to the side, giving him more access but instead he pulled away.
No! The very essence of her rebelled at the thought of losing the sweet pr
essure of his mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. The heat in his eyes gave her confidence. She pressed forward and kissed his neck, mirroring the kisses he gave her.
“You could stay,” she said, her words breathless against his throat.
“I really shouldn’t. Early flight in the morning.”
She opened her mouth against his neck, scraping her teeth along the tight straining muscle. He groaned and she licked the same place. She felt wicked and sexy. Seductive. Strange, she’d never felt seductive before with Richard. As if she was luring him away from his responsibilities, tempting him. And tonight, that’s exactly what she wanted to do. Her body hummed with his delicious kisses and she wanted more.
“Stay,” she whispered against his mouth.
Chapter Two
“Stay,” she said again with more force. She watched his blue eyes darken and knew she had him.
“Maybe for a while.”
Tally stepped back but didn’t go far. The seductive power of a woman in need flowed through her veins.
“Come with me.” The husky words echoed through the living room but she felt no embarrassment. The heat in his stare was more than enough to tell her he wanted this as well.
She led him up the stairs to her bedroom. The room was her private retreat designed in a rampant mixture of the colors she loved. Richard rarely came over. He was more comfortable at his place. A faint twinge of irritation flickered through her as she saw that the bed wasn’t made. She hadn’t expected to bring anyone home when she’d crawled out of bed this morning. Richard was sure to comment and she didn’t want anything breaking the sensual mood.
She stood in the doorway, blocking the entrance with her body. Maybe she could tidy the bed before he noticed.
His arm wrapped around her waist as she hesitated—pulling her back against him, his cock pressing against her ass. The world around them stood still. He rubbed against her as if seeking entrance, promising what she’d only imagined in dark dreams. Need pulsated through her pussy and she pushed back, letting him rock into the split between her ass cheeks.
“Watching this sweet ass move up the stairs has made me very ready to fuck.”
The words slid from his lips into her ear, seducing her with wicked intentions. The comment was accompanied by a hard roll of his hips as if he warned how deeply he would enter her.
“Just let me fix the bed,” she said breathlessly.
He lifted his head. “What’s wrong with it?” he asked, the confusion in his voice making her smile.
“It’s unmade. It’ll just take me a moment.” She moved out of his grip but he stopped her, yanking her back into his embrace.
“We’re just going to tear it up again,” he growled against her ear.
Tally squeezed her lips together to stop a whimper. It was just like her fantasies. Richard had miraculously turned into her dream lover.
It felt like their first time together—that excitement and fear of what it would be like to take him into her body. Excited and a little bit frightened by what might happen if she took this next step, she walked slowly into the room. Richard stayed at the door, his arms crossed over his chest, his shoulder propped against the doorframe and his eyes on her.
She raised her eyebrows in silent question, unsure what this “Richard” had in mind.
“Take off your clothes,” he ordered. The brusque command made her knees tremble. She stared at him for a long moment to see if he was joking or teasing but the power she’d sensed all night seemed to have bubbled to the surface. He was a man in control.
It was definitely the eyes. They were a pirate’s eyes—a tough, harsh captain about to ravage his willing captive. And he was waiting for her to follow his instruction.
Blushing furiously, she fumbled with the buttons on her blouse, not sure where to look. Her fingers trembled and her pussy wept, flowing hot and hungry. Anticipation surged through her in steady waves. She needed to be fucked. God, she hoped Richard was up for a hard ride—for a change. She jerked off her blouse and went to work on her dress pants. As they slid to the ground, she stepped clear, leaving her dressed in her bra and panties. They matched. That was good. Richard liked that.
She brushed the lower edge of her hair forward. He followed the movement as the ends curled around her breasts. The heat burning from deep in his eyes strained her nipples, drawing them forward, pressing against the lace of her bra. Her arms twitched in an unconscious urge to cover herself from his gaze.
“Don’t hide yourself.” His voice was different tonight as well. Stronger and more powerful. “Take off the bra. I want to see those beautiful tits,” he commanded.
Nick cursed himself as he watched the light flare in her eyes. Damn it, he’d forgotten for a moment that he was “Richard”. Somehow Nick couldn’t see the stuffy financial planner calling them “tits”. He probably called them bosoms, if he mentioned them at all. But these were breasts, delicious full breasts with tight hard nipples. Nick felt his cock stretch, pulsing inside the expensive suit.
What the hell was he thinking? This was one of the fundamental family rules and he was about to break it. Even knowing that, he couldn’t tear himself away. Not when sweet Tally was easing her bra forward, lowering it to the floor. She looked up at him—her eyes a contradiction of passion and hesitation, as if she didn’t know what his reaction would be.
Nick swore silently. What kind of shit was her boyfriend? She shouldn’t be feeling anything but desire, hunger. Maybe a little power. She was in control. It was her body that he was desperate for. Didn’t she realize that?
His irritation evaporated as she straightened, shyly presenting her breasts to him. Tight pink nipples just like he’d imagined tipped the full mounds. He could easily picture holding them in his hands—pinching her nipples while he fucked her from behind. Again, her arms fluttered at her sides like she wanted to cover herself. The animal that perpetually lived inside him snarled its disapproval.
“The panties,” he ordered. The words came from deep inside him—the part of him that demanded he fuck this woman as he desired—hard and long. Deep and fast. A slightly more civilized voice tried to insert itself but Nick ignored it. Tally wanted this. Something in the way she moved, the luscious scent that filled the air as she inched the scrap of material down her legs, told him she was as hungry for this fuck as he was. She wanted a guy who would be just a little wild, a little untamed.
“Get on the bed.” The light in her eyes flickered again and he knew that her “lover” never treated her like this. Logic told Nick he had to leave. Now. Or at the worst, give her a fast, emotionless fuck. Something that would send her to sleep—with boredom no doubt—so he could get the hell away.
But her hunger reached for him and Nick knew he couldn’t leave her like this. Can’t leave yourself like this, that irritating voice inside his head mocked. And it was true. He’d been nursing a hard-on for almost a week now. He needed relief and he needed it inside her. She sank back onto the mattress. Her legs fell open, revealing the succulent pussy he’d been dreaming about for days. He took a quick look up to her eyes. Fear and insecurity were blended with the eager fire of lust.
“Beautiful,” he said as he entered the room. “Delicious.” She shuddered beneath his words and he knew then she loved the sounds as well as the touch of fucking. The insecurity faded from her eyes as he spoke. “I’ve dreamed about seeing you like this, spread open before me.” Seductive shivers raced through her body. Her legs moved restlessly across the sheets as if she was aching between those sleek thighs.
The sweet, almost shy woman from the coffee shop was disappearing before his eyes.
Unable to resist touching her in some way, he eased his hand up her thigh, pressing against the wet V of her sex. She gasped as she pumped her hips upward, pushing herself against his hand.
“Please, Richard. Touch me.”
The sound of the other man’s name on her lips drew him back. The voice of his conscience finall
y broke through, screaming its objections. He couldn’t make love to her. There were too many potential complications. But he also couldn’t leave her like this—her beautiful body spread before him, hungry and aroused. He couldn’t leave her without some satisfaction. It would make her more suspicious if he suddenly left.
Mocking his own silent justification, he crawled over her, stretching out beside her, still fully dressed and hating the feel of the silk shirt against him when it should be her skin.
He wouldn’t fuck her, he silently vowed. He would just tease her a bit, give her a little pleasure then he’d notice the time and remind her that he had an early flight. Richard seemed like that kind of guy.
She reached for him but Nick leaned just out of reach and shook his head. She seemed to hear the silent command and lowered her hands to the mattress. Nick groaned at the subtly submissive position. Damn, he wanted her hands on him but knew he wouldn’t be able to resist if she touched him. That’s what had happened downstairs. A few kisses and he was leading with his dick.
He propped himself up on his elbow and looked at her—memorizing the curves and lines of her body. He would never have another chance to lie beside her like this, see her and touch her freely. Tomorrow he would report to his client and then he’d disappear from her life. As he watched, she blushed, the pale pink adding a delicious shine to her breasts.
“You’re incredible.” The temptation of her skin was too much to resist any longer and he smoothed his hand across her stomach, absorbing the satin surface and welcoming the heat into his body. He trailed his fingers in random patterns circling closer to her breasts. The tight peaks rose and fell with each shallow breath, tempting at him like berries to a wild animal.
“Delicious,” he whispered.
Another of those wicked shivers scurried down her spin and Tally didn’t know how she could bear it.
She clawed her fingernails across the sheet, desperate for something to cling to, something besides Richard. She held herself still as he slipped his fingers across her stomach and up the slope of her breast. The cool, light caress left a trail of heat that spiraled into her pussy. She felt like a canvas as he painted his touch across her skin, every stroke leaving her alive and vibrant. Warmth pooled in her sex and the urge to move was strong. He teased her, moving close to her nipple but never quite touching it.
Taking Shape Page 2