Compromising Positions (Invested in Love)

by Bayley-Burke, Jenna

  He pinned her with his gaze. “Why are you here?”

  She shrugged her bony shoulders. “A friend needed some company.” She stepped closer, leaning in, her lips almost touching his ear. “If you ever need—”

  He stepped back, almost toppling the man behind him.

  “He’s very well taken care of, I assure you.” Sophie slipped her hand beneath his jacket and around his waist, pulling him to her like a possession. Whether she was really jealous or making a point about the way he’d treated her all night, he didn’t care. Her wide eyes sparkled beneath her darkened lashes as she looked up at him. “Did you get what you came for?”

  He brought his hand to her face, stroking the soft skin of her cheek with his thumb. “Turns out I already had it. Ready?”

  She nodded, taking his hand in hers as she pulled him back to the bar. He suffered through good-byes to Tessa and his father. Tessa seemed to have charmed Sophie into something, but just what, he’d worry about later.

  For now, he focused on getting her out of the crowded ballroom before dinner and the speeches began. She was enjoying the entire party far too much. After getting their coats, he helped her button hers up all the way. “Weren’t you cold?” There wasn’t much to the dress, and what there was clung to her curves as if it wanted to touch her as much as he did.

  She shook her head and stepped closer. She slipped her hands in the pockets of his coat and pulled him snug against her. Even with the heels, she barely came up to his shoulder. “You’ve obviously never seen yourself in a tux. It’s definitely blood-warming.”

  As she licked her lips, he noticed the lipstick had worn away, leaving just the pink shade he knew so well. Almost exactly the color of her nipples. Ah, hell.

  He pushed her backward, lifted her off her feet, and carried her around a corner until he had her up against the wall of the hallway. Not nearly private enough, but it would do. The shock and excitement in her gaze gave him permission to keep going, to plundering her mouth like he’d wanted to do all night, even before the dress.

  She parted her lips to receive him, wrapping an arm around his neck to help keep herself up. As their tongues danced together, he slipped his knee between her legs until it found the wall. She slid down slightly, never breaking the kiss while the fingers of her free hand busied themselves.

  The kiss was too potent, more than he’d anticipated, and he tried to pull away. To breathe. To remember where they were. His eyes opened wider as he felt her hand circle his erection and squeeze. “How did you…” Looking down between them he couldn’t even tell she had a hold of him. She’d somehow managed to get one arm out of her coat and used it as a drape to hide her intentions. He shook his head. “Not here.”

  “Here, now, fast before someone finds us.” Her breath was hot on his neck and her tongue began an assault on his ear that made his entire spine quiver.

  “This is crazy.” And it got crazier. He moved a hand inside her coat, finding the slit in her dress like it was a homing beacon. He breathed a sigh of relief as he encountered panties. This wouldn’t be so easy after all. Her hips shifted, and his fingers slid along the moist satin.

  “You started it. Finish it.”

  She rolled her hips again, making him realize he could pull the scrap aside. He glided his finger across her clit and then into her tight heat. She squeezed him harder and rolled her hips again. She raised one leg, careful to keep it inside his coat. Her voice rasped against his ear.

  “Make love to me. Show me I’m yours, like you did every time you found another man looking at me.”

  She guided him forward, and he let her, pressing into her mercilessly. Skewering her to the wall as he plunged in to the hilt. He could tell that he’d taken her breath, but he couldn’t stop. He had to hurry. They’d surely be found here. Caught. Exposed. And even then, he might not be able to stop.

  He was completely wrapped up in her, and yet he still pushed farther, wanting his entire body to be consumed by hers.

  “I can’t wait…for you,” she huffed against his ear, seconds before he felt her orgasm clench him, tossing him over the edge as her body pulled him impossibly deeper. He braced himself against the wall and she wrapped her other arm around his neck. “Watch it. Think about what is holding me up.”

  He had to smile as reason washed back over him. He’d never been this out of control, this crazy.

  “Don’t move,” she whispered, her body stiffening.

  They were still joined, and being caught now would be worse than being caught during. He listened to her breathing for far too long, until it became even and steady. She reached between them, tucking him away with a sigh and straightening her skirt as she slid down to her feet.

  “Okay, now give me a minute.”

  He spun and looked down the hall in both directions. Empty. “Did you see someone?”

  She pulled him closer by the lapels of his jacket. “Relax, you’re safe. I kept my eyes open the whole time. I don’t know how you do that.” She shook her head and leaned back against the wall.

  He wrapped his arms around her but then pulled away. He didn’t want to risk it a second time. “We should go.”

  “I know, but just a second, okay? I didn’t think this through. I usually fall asleep. I’ve never had to walk after.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  She caught his hand. “You didn’t. It’s just…big man, small girl… It takes a second to recover.”

  His ego couldn’t help but jump one cloud up. “Really?”

  She smiled, leaning against him. “As if you didn’t know. But fishing for compliments will get us arrested before we ever make it home.”

  …

  She fought sleep as they lay tangled beneath the soft cotton sheets after making love for the third time that night. “David?”

  A yawn was the only response he gave before rolling over and pinning her to the bed the way they so often found themselves in the morning.

  “What’s going on with you and your father?” She’d been wondering all week, since the day she had been at his office. And after what she’d seen of their heated conversation outside on the terrace at the hotel, she wondered if there were more issues than what had happened with the company?

  “Why?”

  “It seems like something I should know.” Would he recognize her echoing his words back to him?

  “You already know.” He kissed her softly, sweetly, more like how she kissed him.

  Her stomach clenched at what she wanted that to mean. “It would be nice to hear.”

  “Dad was just waxing poetic tonight. I’m starting to think there might be something wrong with him. He changed his will, and he’s been spouting advice.”

  “You think he’s sick?” She wrapped her arms around him, listening to him breathe.

  His muscles tensed. “He seems healthy enough.”

  “Are you worried about what it will be like with him gone?” It had been even harder to lose her mother than her dad, knowing that she was alone in the world. If not for her sister, she might feel completely abandoned.

  “No.”

  “You won’t be alone. There’s your sister, and Craig, and me.”

  “What do you have planned tomorrow?” Diversion. He’d learned so well that he could use her own tricks against her.

  “Two early classes and then Daphne’s baby shower in the afternoon.”

  “What about Sunday?”

  “No classes, but I have to spend a half day at the club. I need to prepare for a meeting on Monday.” With the landlord, which she still hadn’t gotten around to asking him about. Though, that would have to wait for another time and place.

  “Let’s go out Sunday night. I’ll finally buy you dinner.”

  The needy part of her wanted to ask him about Saturday. She hated every moment she spent away from him. But she didn’t ask. He liked his space, and she needed to learn to respect that. She nestled in closer, breathin
g in the clean sheets, his cologne, their sex… The smell of sweet dreams.

  …

  David began to feel silly for waiting around and showering at Sophie’s. He really should have gone home and gotten back into his Saturday routine. But he’d stayed, just in case she came back.

  He fastened his watch on his wrist and wondered what time she’d found him at Diprima Dolci that day. He toweled his hair dry, recalling that he hadn’t been in to work yet, so it had to be early.

  Awareness snapped in the air as he emerged from the bathroom, just in time to hear the door click as it opened. His whole body went on red alert until Sophie walked in, her nose and cheeks bright pink from the cold.

  “You walked.” Her truck didn’t burn the ozone layer. Couldn’t she drive and save him the aggravation?

  “You’re naked.” She grinned as she kicked off her sneakers and fumbled with her gloves, scarf, and jacket. Her eyes darkened as she walked toward him.

  He’d been so smart to wait. Her tiny hands rose to his chest as she pressed against him. His skin stung where she touched him, and he jumped back. God, she was freezing.

  “You’re hot.” Her wicked grin grew wider as she made up the distance between him, this time pressing the backs of her hands against his upper abdomen.

  Stepping back, farther into the hallway, he narrowed his eyes at her. “I just got out of the shower. That’s not funny.”

  “No?” she asked, reaching lower this time. Anticipating her move, he ducked inside the bedroom and around to his side of the bed. Her eyes were wild as she stared at him from her side before collapsing in laughter and rolling onto the comforter.

  He stood his ground for a moment. He could never tell what she might do. A thrill rippled through his spine, straight to his cock. When had sex ever been this much fun?

  Erotic, sensual, pleasurable, sure. But fun? Not for a long time, if ever. They were past the point of negotiation and awkwardness, finding a security he’d never thought possible. She sat up on the bed and tucked her feet beneath her.

  “Fine, have it your way.” She pulled the sweatshirt over her head. Even though the sports bra flattened her out, she still looked delectable.

  “I will. I’m just waiting for you to warm up first.” He licked his lips as her mouth drifted to an O. He loved it when she did that.

  “I’ll jump in the shower. That should do it.” She climbed off the bed, and he stayed right behind her as she stepped out of her pants on the way to the bathroom. Her eyes were wide, startled as she turned around. “You already showered.”

  He leaned down, careful to arch away from her frosty hands as he whispered, “I’m going to clean every inch of you. Slowly, deeply, completely.”

  She shivered, though he doubted it was from the cold, and removed her sports bra without taking her eyes from his. “What now?’

  He reached behind her and turned on the water. “Now, I charm you out of your panties.”

  …

  “Would you teach the Sensational Sex class with me next month?”

  David’s smile dropped so fast Sophie could almost hear it plunk on the floor.

  “Please, no. Can’t you get one of your other instructors to do it? They’ve got boyfriends, right?”

  She forced her mouth into a pout. “I thought you liked the class.”

  “I don’t like the way the men look at you, even with their wives right there.” David buried his head behind the newspaper she’d brought home with her. She could spend every Saturday this way.

  “Their wives aren’t much better.” She scooped creamy oatmeal studded with raisins and apples from the crock pot, and sprinkled brown sugar and toasted walnuts over the top. She’d barely believed him when he’d said he’d never had oatmeal before.

  “It’s all too group-sex for me. But if you can’t figure it out, I will. I don’t want someone else…you know.”

  She set the bowls on the table and pulled down the newspaper so she could see his reaction. “Would you be jealous? It’s all very mechanical, I assure you. It could be very professional.”

  He folded the paper and set it aside as she poured the fat-free cream over the oatmeal. “I’ve seen the mechanics of the situation firsthand. Just cancel the classes until Daphne comes back.”

  She shook her head and took her seat. “It’s my most popular course. I might expand on it, maybe offer an advanced class.”

  He looked at her sideways. “You’re a model student, but an advanced class? I’ve seen the book, Sophie. Some of the positions are downright acrobatic.”

  “You wouldn’t want to try them?”

  His spoon froze in midair and a raisin plopped back down into his bowl. “Not in public, no.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe I should hire professionals.”

  He set the spoon down. “Is that legal? Wouldn’t that be a liability issue?”

  “Not prostitutes. Instructors who teach sexually explicit topics. Like Sexual Reflexology and Tantric Sex.” She waited, but saw no reaction. He must not know.

  “Sounds good, especially if it gets me off the hook.” David attacked his bowl, finishing in under a minute. The man loved to eat.

  “I’m glad you think so. I know the perfect couple.” She scooted onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  His face went white. “Not us.”

  “No, not us,” she said, nuzzling into his neck. She breathed in his scent but pulled back. She didn’t want to miss his reaction. “It’s Tessa and your dad.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Marry her.” David jumped as his father’s voice boomed through the room. “Sophie is fantastic. Beautiful, smart, charming, and refuses to talk about you.”

  He smiled at that. Good girl. “You had Tessa grill her last night, didn’t you?”

  Lance mocked innocence. “Me? They actually got along great, but I was referring to my job interview.”

  “Right. Teaching the classes.” David closed his laptop as Lance neared.

  Lance sprawled out in one of the chairs opposite David’s desk. “I mean it, you know. You should marry her.”

  “I don’t think you’ll ever be in a position to dole out marital advice. Though you have plenty of experience.”

  Lance shrugged. “I’m a slow learner. I made the same mistake four times. But not this time. You’ll see.” He settled farther in to the chair. “Too bad she’s busy tonight. Kelly was disappointed she missed meeting her at the retirement party.”

  “You didn’t.” He hadn’t invited her to Kelly’s birthday dinner because she had Daphne’s baby shower. But she might not realize that, and take it personally.

  “Didn’t what? Ask her if she would be joining us? No, Tessa assumed she wouldn’t. I think they must have discussed it last night.”

  Good, maybe. She seemed fine last night. Better than fine. Her words echoed in his head. “Show me I’m yours. I’ll keep you safe. You won’t be alone.” He hadn’t even bothered to fish the condoms out of his bag when they’d gotten home.

  “Oh, good, you’re still here.”

  He snapped back to reality as Tessa glided into the room.

  She sashayed to his desk, setting down three sheets of paper and plunking a set of keys on top. “It’s perfect for her.”

  Tessa leaned against the chair Lance sat in. David winced as Lance pulled her onto his lap.

  “Consider it an early wedding present.” They were obviously quite pleased with themselves.

  He didn’t bother to argue, just set the keys aside, and looked down at the papers. A picture of the exterior of a sprawling colonial house followed by bullet points of its features. Images on the other pages showed an enormous kitchen, weight room, master suite, and the view of the Portland skyline at night.

  “You think giving me a house will make me want to get married?”

  “Not you, her,” Tessa said, sending her viper smile his way. “You’re a bear. She has to have some reason to marry you. The house is perfect for her. A gourmet
kitchen as big as her apartment, heated floors because her feet are always cold, lots of bedrooms. Just take her up there and see.”

  How did she know so much about Sophie? They must have talked for longer than he realized. He hated that Tessa was right about this. His condo was too drafty for her, her place too small for him. A house made sense. But Sophie had a hard enough time accepting the truck, there was no way she’d let anyone buy her a house.

  He fingered the keys. Didn’t you usually need a real estate agent to see a house?

  “We already own it,” Tessa explained before he could ask. “I caught it a few months ago and have been decorating it ever since. But if she doesn’t like it, she can always redo it herself.”

  And he’d thought Tessa’s real estate habit was a cover story. “She won’t let anyone buy her a house.” He shoved the keys wistfully across the table.

  “Just take her up there. It’s only five minutes from downtown. If she doesn’t like it, I’ll start looking for something else. If she does, you can convince her to move in. She swears you’re actually rather charming.”

  …

  “In bed, woman, until the guests arrive. Craig will have my head if he knows you got up a minute before,” Sophie chided her sister as Daphne applied her makeup in the bathroom mirror.

  “The man is obsessed.” Daphne pressed her lips together, then pulled back and admired her coral lipstick.

  “That he is. But it’s just five more weeks. You can do anything for five Mondays right?”

  Daphne laughed and rubbed her tummy. “Thanks, Dad. I haven’t heard that one in a while.”

  Sophie grinned, remembering how their father used to help them make it through school until the next holiday break.

  “Oh!” Daphne’s hand molded to her side. “It’s her foot!” Daphne reached for Sophie’s hand and pressed it to the spot.

  She could distinctly feel the heel, the little toes. “It is his foot.” She’d felt the baby kick before, but this was somehow more real. Not just a flutter, but an actual body part. “I think he has big feet. We’ll have to get him bigger baby shoes.”

  “She’s a girl, Sophie. I know it.” Daphne shook her head as she released Sophie’s hand, but Sophie left it there. Just in case. If David truly didn’t want children, this might be her only chance to feel it.