A Stranger's Touch

by Beth D. Carter

  “I can take you in.”

  The thought of her coworkers knowing she spent the night with him didn’t rest easy with her. “I don’t want anyone to know about us.”

  “It’s a little too late for that,” he said, frowning. “We practically had sex on the dance floor at Zanzibar. I think our secret is out.”

  She rose from the couch, hand still over her mouth. “But we don’t have to rub it in their faces. Speculation is one thing, but I don’t want people to think I’m fucking the boss for anything.”

  “No one is thinking that,” he bit out, anger in his voice.

  “Everyone will be thinking that. It’s the way people think.”

  “Are those the words of your ex-husband?”

  That shut her up and she blinked, realizing she’d heard them many times from her husband when he’d lectured her on how a proper girlfriend should behave. Those lessons had only gotten stricter when they’d married. Or not married, as the case may be.

  “I see your point,” she said. She lowered her hand. “Well, then, we better get to my place so I can change clothes and you can drive us to work.”

  He grinned and winked at her.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next few weeks developed a pattern. During the workweek she stayed with Merryl, simply because they were really busy and it made sense. But when Friday rolled around, Aubrey spent the weekend having fun and exploring places she hadn’t seen before, like the site of the old television show, M*A*S*H, located in Malibu Creek State Park. A couple of old vehicles sat rusting away and the signpost from the show still stood in the center of the site.

  For the first time, she had friends and she had a purpose other than making Morgan’s life easier. The news had come that Jenny had a healthy little girl, and she was part of the congratulations video chat. The little girl had weighed a healthy nine pounds, so plenty of fat rolls covered the cutie-pie. With the birth came the thought that her workdays were now numbered. Jenny had taken twelve weeks off which meant she had three months left with Gordon.

  The realization took her breath away, but not in a good way. The ache in her chest told her that she’d developed feelings for him, ones she didn’t want to analyze too deeply.

  After lunch, several weeks after Jenny’s delivery, a man walked into the office and approached her. He held a large manila envelope in his hands.

  “May I help you?” Aubrey asked, thinking the envelope contained more blueprints Gordon waited for.

  “I’m looking for Aubrey Lennox.”

  Startled, Aubrey didn’t even bother correcting him. “I’m Aubrey.”

  The man held out the envelope and a clipboard. “Delivery. Please sign line ten.”

  Aubrey signed her name and the man left without a good-bye. Curious, Aubrey opened it and saw divorce papers from her lawyer. Happiness fluttered in her belly. All she and Morgan had to do was sign them, her lawyer file them, and in a few weeks, she’d be completely free of him. Immediately, she picked up her phone and texted Morgan: Got papers. We need to meet up so you can sign them.

  He responded a few minutes later: I can meet you after work today. Coffee House on Pico and Westwood. Bring $650.

  Shocked, she typed: $650? Why?

  The fine for getting my car out of impounding. You want a divorce? Give me the money.

  Aubrey fumed for a few minutes, upset and angry that he wanted the money after lying and being an overall scumbag. Yet it all came down to one thing, and that was the desire to be rid of Morgan Lennox once and for all. She really had no choice.

  Fine, she texted.

  Cash.

  Of course.

  ****

  “Merryl, could you do me a favor?” she asked as they walked to Merryl’s car.

  “What‘cha need?”

  “Drive me to Pico and Westwood so I can get Morgan to sign these divorce papers.”

  Merryl squealed and hugged her, jumping up and down and jostling her in the process. “Can I punch him in the nose?”

  “Only after he signs on the dotted line.”

  Merryl pulled into the shopping center’s parking garage and they took the escalator up to street level. As they entered the coffee shop, Aubrey saw Morgan immediately, dressed immaculately in a suit she knew had to be silk because that was the only kind he wore. She didn’t bother sitting down, but handed him a check, the envelope, and a pen.

  “Sign,” she ordered.

  “I told you I wanted cash.”

  “And I’m working now, so I didn’t have time to get to the bank. Don’t worry, the check is good.”

  He narrowed his eyes and stared at her for a moment before snatching the check out of her hand. “It better be.”

  “Sign the papers, Morgan.”

  He took another casual sip of his coffee. “What’s the hurry? Want to sit and chat?”

  Irritation sluiced through her. “No, I want you to sign so I can go home.”

  Morgan looked over her shoulder to where Merryl stood waiting. “She your bodyguard?”

  “I don’t have a car, remember?”

  He chuckled. “That’s right. You have nothing. I could be persuaded to sell you back the car if you want for a remarkably fair asking price.”

  She wanted to wipe the smirk off his face. “I have a job, I have friends, and I have a boyfriend. I may not have a lot of material things, but I’m far richer than you are.”

  Morgan’s relaxed manner abruptly changed and he sat up a little straighter. “You have a boyfriend? What are you, twelve?”

  “Sign the papers, Morgan!”

  They stared at one another, and Aubrey was proud of herself for not backing down, like the old Aubrey would have. She didn’t even blink, and after a moment, he grabbed the envelope and grabbed the legal document inside. Page after page, he read through the straightforward document and signed in the places her lawyer had indicated he needed to sign.

  Finally, after a tense few minutes, the deed was done and a sense of relief washed through Aubrey. Morgan practically threw them back at her.

  “We’re fucking done, Aubrey,” he snarled. “I got the promotion to the New York office and I’ll be moving to Manhattan in a month, complete with a generous raise and moving expenses. Enjoy your minimum wage job and mediocre life.”

  She secured the papers by sliding them back inside the envelope. “I always thought wishing bad upon someone only made karma bite you in the ass, but I think karma would make an exception for you. Go fuck yourself, Morgan. I hope the moving company damages all of your furniture.”

  Raising her chin, she turned and left him behind. He was her past. Yes, she misjudged him enormously, but when all was said and done, he was now a blip in her rearview mirror.

  “You okay?” Merryl asked once she joined her friend.

  “More than okay,” Aubrey confirmed. “I’m fucking free.”

  Merryl smiled, linked arms with her, and they left the coffeehouse.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Friday kept her so busy that Aubrey didn’t have a moment to relax and talk with Gordon, so her good news waited until the workday was over. She sat in his office, waiting for him to finish up his work. Her overnight bag rested by her feet so she took out the book she was reading to keep herself occupied.

  “Aubrey,” he said, after he made a series of calls.

  She looked up from the book to find Gordon staring hungrily at her. A thrill shot through her, racing down to her pussy and turning her on.

  “Unbutton your shirt.”

  Sitting back in his chair, with his tie loosened and his jacket hanging open, gave the illusion that he was one of those billionaire playboys she read about in romance books. It was easy to superimpose him with the character in her mind. Slowly, she put the book down and moved her fingers to the buttons on her blouse. Their gazes locked, she complied, slipping one button at a time through each hole, dragging out the moment.

  “Now take it off,” he instructed. “Then take off your bra. />
  Aubrey slid the material off her arms and laid it carefully on the leather sofa. Then she unhooked her bra and tossed it on top. Her breasts felt the brush of a cool air-conditioned breeze and the nipples puckered. All the while, Gordon watched her with hooded eyes.

  “Cup your breasts.”

  Licking her lips, she palmed her size B cup and waited for the next order.

  “Are you wearing panties?”

  She nodded.

  “Stand up and slip them off, then hike your skirt up so I can see your pussy.”

  Aubrey stood and did as he commanded. When she sat back down, she spread her thighs wide.

  “You have such a pretty pink pussy, Aubrey. Have you ever masturbated?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do it now. Play with yourself.”

  Her fingertips brushed over her clit, and she rubbed lightly in tiny circles. She used her own wetness to lubricate her fingers pushing inside herself to try to find her erogenous zone.

  “Are you wet?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let me see.”

  She pulled her fingers out and showed him. Then she licked it off her fingers.

  “Fuck,” he whispered. Gordon rose, his cock tenting his slacks, and walked over to her. He held out his hand. “Come with me to the desk.”

  Not caring that her hand was still moist, she placed hers in his, and he helped her up and over to the desk.

  “Brace your elbows on the surface and stick your ass out.”

  As she faced away from him, she heard the rustle of a condom wrapper and a zipper as he freed himself. Gordon held onto her hips and a moment later he slid inside her. The pleasure had her eyes rolling back in her head because he immediately found that spot she’d been searching for earlier. The only sound between them was the slap of skin against skin and the occasional moan, and the naughtiness of fucking in his office only heightened the thrill.

  “I want you to come, babe.”

  As if she’d been waiting for permission, as soon as he ordered, her climax hit her so hard she couldn’t help but buck against his cock. Immediately he followed her into the abyss, shouting her name.

  The moment had been fast and furious and extremely satisfying. For a moment he leaned his forehead against her back, trying to catch his breath. As he pulled out of her, she continued to lay flat, her body tingling in all the right places.

  Once she heard his zipper go up Aubrey pushed herself from the desk and looked over at him. He grinned as he held out her bra and blouse.

  “What about my panties?”

  “Oh, I’m keeping them,” he said with a wink.

  ****

  Later that night, she lay in his arms and he traced an invisible pattern on her arm. They’d had dinner together and talked, before laying down to cuddle. Aubrey liked these moments best, when they simply held each other and his heartbeat thumped like a metronome soothing away her thoughts.

  “I have some good news,” she murmured.

  “Oh?”

  “The papers are signed.”

  Silence fell, but he shifted until their eyes met. “Divorce papers?”

  “Yep. Signed, sealed, and I delivered them earlier today. My lawyer says he’ll go to the courts on Monday, and hopefully I’ll be officially divorced in a few weeks.”

  “A few weeks?”

  “He’s putting a rush through saying I’m fearful of him.”

  Gordon frowned. “Are you?”

  “I don’t know,” she answered truthfully. “Once upon a time I wouldn’t have thought so, but this new Morgan Lennox I don’t know at all.”

  “Not so new. He’s just showing his true colors.” Gordon settled back down and pulled her back into place, with her head on his chest and his arms around her shoulders. “Then I’m glad your lawyer is rushing this through the courts. I don’t want him anywhere near you.”

  “I don’t think he cares about me anymore. He got his promotion. Told me he was moving next month to New York. Even offered to sell me the car back.”

  “Fuck that. If you want a car, I’ll help you find one.”

  “Regardless of what I want, it’ll have to wait. I can’t afford one. He took half the money I had saved up.”

  “What do you mean? Did you pay him the money for the fines?”

  She sighed. “Yes, but only because it got him out of my life quicker. I don’t want to deal with him again.”

  “He took advantage of you.”

  The last thing she wanted was for Morgan to dampen the mood between her and Gordon. “I know. But I have a future to plan for and I can’t do that if he’s constantly hovering in my life. Surely you can understand why I just want him gone.”

  “I suppose. I just hate men like him. Like my father. They get away with terrible things and they’re rewarded while their victims are left to pick up the pieces.”

  “If it’s any consolation, I did wish that karma would damage all his furniture in the move.”

  “Such bloodlust, Ms. Magill. I’m not sure I recognize you anymore.”

  “That’s right,” she said, trying not to laugh. “Pirate Aubrey. Beware or I’ll steal your treasure to buy a car.”

  “Hmmm … are you angling for a raise, Ms. Magill?”

  “Certainly not!” All teasing ceased. She was horrified by the thought that he may think all she wanted was money.

  “Hush,” he soothed. “It was my turn to joke.”

  She rose up on her elbow to look down at him. “Our working relationship has nothing to do with what goes on privately between us, you know that, right?”

  “Yes, I know.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You look amused.”

  He grinned. “That’s because you trying to convince me that you aren’t a gold digger after my money is funny.”

  “You certainly thought that when we first met for the second time.”

  “I was shocked to see you the second time. You took my breath away in the hotel, disappeared, and just when I thought I had that breath back, you showed up again. My head was spinning.”

  “Just imagine my surprise,” she said. “My one-night stand is now my boss and I’m still affected by your touch.”

  He cupped her cheek. “You, my darling, still take my breath away.”

  Urging her closer, he kissed her on the mouth. She melted into the kiss, loving how his touch sent tingles of pleasure throughout her body. Gordon pulled her close, hugging her tight to his chest. When they parted for air, she smiled down at him.

  “I never thought I could be so happy,” she murmured.

  “I can see it in your eyes,” he replied. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  “You make me feel beautiful.”

  Their lovemaking took on a deeper meaning, slowing things down to touch and taste. Fingers entwined together as their hearts beat together. Aubrey’s orgasm consumed her from head to toe and as she lay drifting off to sleep in Gordon’s arms, she realized her feelings for him had already begun to change.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The workweek started busy and never let up. Many blueprints had to be sent out, which kept Aubrey extremely busy through the day, especially since she had to field phone calls about said blueprints to the right artist. So it shocked her when Morgan walked through the office doors late on Thursday afternoon.

  “What are you doing here?” she demanded.

  “You bitch!” he muttered, striding up to the desk and leaning over it to stick his face into hers. “What fucking endgame are you playing?”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but you have to leave!”

  She pointed to the front door. He ignored her directive, grabbing her wrist and yanking her close.

  “You think you’re so clever calling up the CEO of my company and telling him I conned you?”

  “What? No, I never did that,” she said as she tried to pull free from his bruising grip. “Let me go, Morgan.”

  Again, he ignored her. “I will do everything in
my power to make you pay.”

  That threat stopped her, but instead of cowering, anger rose sharply and swiftly. “How? By suing me? Go ahead. I dare you because I can guarantee when the judge and jury hears about your so-called marriage vows, there’ll be even more hell to pay. No matter what you think or did, Morgan, the marriage ceremony was a contract and my lawyer will take pleasure in taking you to civil court to hammer in all the little details to make sure I get every penny I’m due since you broke our contractual agreement.”

  For a brief moment, she saw confusion and fear in his gaze, and used that to her advantage by yanking her arm away. Aubrey stood and marched around her desk to the door. She opened it and gestured with her free hand for him to leave.

  “You need to leave,” she said coldly. “If you step onto this property again, I will have you arrested for trespassing. If you harass me again by calling or texting, I will file a restraining order.”

  Aubrey was relieved to see Jason and several other employees had come to investigate what was happening, alleviating some of her apprehension at being left alone with Morgan.

  “This isn’t over, Aubrey,” he threatened.

  “Yes, it is!” Gordon said as he joined them in the small foyer. “You will leave her alone, you hear me?”

  Aubrey smiled slightly at him, giving silent thanks.

  Morgan looked from her to Gordon and back again. “Well, well. Seems like my cold fish of a wife found herself a rich sugar daddy. Go figure.”

  “Shut up, Morgan!” she snapped. “Leave and don’t come back.”

  It seemed like he was about to do that, walking toward the door she still held open. But he stopped when he got even with her.

  “You should have told me you were willing to sleep with someone for money,” he murmured low enough only she could hear him. She wanted to slap the smirk right off his face. “We could’ve made a fortune at the conference.”

  “You’re disgusting,” she said, equally as quiet. “And you suck in bed. Now I know why I never liked sex with you. Your tiny dick couldn’t satisfy me.”