Night Owl (The Complete Serial)

by M. C. Cerny

  I drop Charlie off, then count the twenties now filling my palm as I walk through the corridor and back out to the street, pocketing my cash. I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket. Another damn text message. I wonder how much of this I can tolerate before I end up giving in to James. I grab my phone swiping the screen open.

  T-Dog: Can you come in and record a spot this afternoon? Advertiser said he’ll pay double if we get it booming for an event this weekend.

  It’s the studio producer and my manager, Tucker. I contemplate a reply quickly typing back to him.

  Me: I can be there in 20, but this better not take long.

  I hit SEND, waiting for Tucker’s response. When I turn around to walk towards the studio, debating on hailing a cab, a single honk sounds behind me. Startled, I almost trip over my feet distracted as I turn around to see who would be so fucking rude.

  “Get in the car, Casey.” James sits behind the wheel of his sleek BMW, looking both bored and irritated, tapping his long, thick fingers against the wheel. Magical fingers that I remember doing wicked things to me. Of course it was James. Who else would be so arrogant in their approach?

  “I’m walking.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I stand belligerently on the sidewalk, both pissed he found me and secretly thrilled. Who does he think he is?

  “Get. In. The. Car.” James doesn’t even look at me and, for a second, I think about running down the block like a crazy woman. I take one step when his head turns, his sunglasses slipping down low enough that he’s peering over them at me. I’m convinced he would chase me if I ran and I know he would definitely catch me exacting some sexually satisfying punishment. The debate rages in my head for a second when I dismiss it.

  “No,” I whisper, shaking my head. James lifts one eyebrow and my stomach flips. Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m grabbing the door handle, whimpering. Yeah, he’s definitely my boss in more ways than one.

  “Now, was that so hard to do, sweetheart?”

  James removes his sunglasses and leans over. His hand reaches over my chest and grabs the seatbelt, pulling it over my body, clicking it securely in place. His hand reaches up again, adjusting the belt over my chest, taking the opportunity to let his hand graze the side of my breast. The touch is lessened through my jacket but no less effective. I’m left wanting more. He ignores me and puts the car in drive, pulling out into traffic. Thank god for a manual car; otherwise, his hand would be between my thighs and I’d likely be writhing from all the teasing. My body feels strung out and I can’t stop the flutters coursing through me. I’m putty in his presence.

  “How did you find me?” I hate that my voice cracks.

  “I’ll always find you.” James speeds the car back towards the office.

  “You realize that’s kind of creepy and stalker like, don’t you?” Shaking my head, I turn away to look out the window. He’s frustrating, to say the least.

  “Mmm, I considerate it a part of my charming and domineering personality.” He says driving between cars switching lanes his focus on controlling the car smoothly.

  “At least you’re honest.” I grumble settling into my seat.

  James pulls the car into his super special CEO parking spot. The garage is dark and, while I know James wouldn’t do anything, I’m still not used to the idea of people thinking anything is going on between us.

  “I’m not… I don’t… Shit, James. What is this?” My insecurities threaten to swallow me whole. Nervous energy makes me scratch the fabric of my denim leggings.

  “You’re overthinking things.” James unclips his seat belt and reaches over to unclip mine. I grab his hand before he can slide the belt off my body touching me and activating my hormonal response to jump him bones right here. He looks down at our tangled hands with a devious smile that melts me right back into the leather seating.

  “And you’re incredibly pretentious,” I whisper to him, but I know my resistance means very little when my body language is telling him how much I want this.

  “Sue me. I’ve been waiting an awfully long time to do this.” James lets the seat belt go and digs his hands into my messy hair, dragging me forward. The awkward seating of his car keeps me pinned.

  “I might just do that.”

  His lips hover over mine, his breath blowing against my face. “What’s that?”

  He looks at me with heavily-lidded eyes. I take a steadying breath because I know what’s coming next. I can’t even deny or refute how badly I want this.

  “Sue you.” Slowly, seductively, I let the words hang precariously close to the ledge of need.

  The very second the words cross my lips, James is attacking me. A hungry kiss devours me, sucking me dry. I’m a wet, boneless mass of incoherence. When his teeth graze my top lip, I gasp and James plunders me, taking more and more. He whispers between kisses, sue me, over and over again getting me hot and bothered with his baseless threat. His tongue is stroking and sweeping mine, coaxing me to play.

  Oh god, do I want to play.

  12

  James

  Casey feeds a hunger I didn’t realize I had. Challenging me was her first misstep. After I drop her off at the radio station, I’m going to debate buying a bigger car. I need a car more conducive to fucking, like I want to right now. I imagine soft leather seats that automatically recline at the touch of a button… until Casey interrupts my fantasy.

  “James, I have to go.” A trembling mess, Casey pulls back. Our foreheads heaving against each other, dampness fogs the windshield.

  “Not yet, you don’t.” I kiss her again, wedging my hand firmly between her delicious thighs, prying them open. Heat, hot and permeating, covers my hand. Rubbing against her earns me a whimper and a squeeze. My hand revels in the pressure, so I wedge a little deeper, trying to get her to open up to me. She’s resistant and a little shy. It’s her unexpected shyness that seduces me.

  “James… Tucker is expecting me.”

  “I know.” There’s something endearing about how Casey vacillates between her desire to be naughty, and her need to be good. I feel like I’m about to ruin it, telling her the truth about the ad.

  “What? How do you know?”

  “Because I told him to give you the ad. You deserve it and I want you to do it.” Momentarily, Casey acts like I’ve doused her with a bucket of cold water, her spinning brain killing the mood. I can’t have that kind of distraction when things are feeling so good.

  “Why did you do that?” Her brow furrows. I’m not sure how far I need to backpedal here before I dig my own hole.

  “Because you have one of the smoothest voices I’ve heard, and this advertiser is a big supporter and buyer of air time. It’s a good opportunity for you.” Which is all true.

  “So it’s strictly a business decision?” She asks while I let my fingertip graze against the v between her legs, the last word of her statement unsteady and rising in pitch.

  “I’m the boss. I get to make the big decisions.” Her eyes close and mouth parts with my touch. “Is everything always business with you, Casey Cole?”

  Eyes still closed, she smiles back at me. “Not always, but I don’t want people thinking I got where I am by sleeping with the boss.” I feel her hand tentatively touch my thigh and inch up to the waistband of my pants.

  “But aren’t you?” I’m totally teasing her, even if it’s the wrong choice of words. I feel her fingers pinch me.

  “Not for that James. Never for that.” Her fingers continue to explore and she’s got me as much as I’ve got her.

  “That’s my girl,” I encourage.

  Suddenly, both of our phones buzz, breaking up the momentum of the moment. Disappointment douses the flames.

  “Later, James.” She squeezes my dick. Now I’m the uncomfortable one as she moves to get away, a coy smile on her face. Oh, hell the fuck no.

  “Such empty promises,” I murmur, pulling her back to me. I kiss her hard again, forcing her lips open. “How do you want it later?” I ask, throwing
her words back in her face.

  “What?” Her eyes are dark slits, lips swollen.

  “When I fuck you, because I will fuck you later, how do want it?” Casey bites her knuckle, likely to keep from saying something smart-assed, which is cute and infuriating at the same time.

  “I’ll get back to you on that.” Quickly, she disentangles herself from me and opens the door.

  “Come to my office after you finish recording.” It’s only half an order. I don’t think I’ve ever truly ordered anyone around professionally. When everyone knows you’re the boss, there’s never a need to. Except for Casey, who makes me act like a heavy-handed jackass. I’d like to see her, spend time with her. Wryly, she scrunches up her face, not believing my innocent attempt.

  “Maybe,” is the only answer she gives and, for now, it suffices. On unsteady legs, she slips out of my car. Giving me a little salute, she steps inside the garage elevator and out of sight. I watch the elevator’s red numbers increase to floor twenty, giving myself a moment to calm the raging hard on my pants are sporting. Yeah, lounge pants definitely seem like a better and better idea.

  13

  Casey

  “Casey, you’re late.” Tucker removes his headphones in the producer’s booth, eying me up and down with annoyance. I feel myself flush and I rush through the office, avoiding eye contact with him. I probably smell like sex if my wild hair and eyes aren’t enough of an indication.

  “Sorry. I had to catch a ride and traffic was heavy.” Tucking a curl of hair behind my ear, I sit inside the recording studio and grab the advertising script that’s been prepared for me. It’s short and sweet, so this should be an easy gig.

  “All right…Well, here you go.” I’m not convinced Tucker believes me, but I decide that’s not really my problem. I have enough to ponder with these overwhelming feelings James sparks in me. Tucker drones on and I’m only half listening to him. “It’s for the leukemia 5k run and walk downtown. It’s a bit of a tongue twister, but catchy.” Tucker continues to adjust radio dials, sound checking my booth.

  “Let’s rock and roll.”

  I’m able to record the bit in just under an hour. My throat is slightly parched and I debate going home before my shift on air tonight. I need to rest my voice a little before doing my show. Casey’s Confessions isn’t particularly demanding, but you sometimes get the occasional caller who needs a bit of coaxing. I stretch my back, slipping my headphones off.

  “Good clip, Casey. I’ll send it over to editing, and see you later.” Tucker leaves the booth and heads to the editing offices.

  I stand up and look around the sound studio, adjusting dials and straightening up. It’s not something I have to do, but I feel responsible for my space. It isn’t in me to leave a mess for anyone else. Plus, it distracts me from thoughts of James and his dirty little suggestions. My fingers circle buttons suggestively, wondering how it would feel to have James’ fingers play over me again.

  I also know I’m procrastinating from heading up to his office. I don’t really have a need to go up there except I want to see him again. As soon as the thought occurs, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I reluctantly reach in reading the message.

  BossMan: Hey.

  Me: Hey, yourself.

  BossMan: Get your sweet ass up here.

  Me: Demand much?

  BossMan: Not enough, apparently. I know you finished the bit. It sounds great.

  Of course he knows. I’m sure Tucker sent it to him for review right away. I can’t help but roll my eyes.

  Me: That sounds like a compliment.

  BossMan: I make a lot of compliments when I’ve got good employees.

  Clearly, James is going to be impossible. Shaking my head, I guess I’m not surprised. I wait a few minutes, sitting back down in the booth and staring at my phone. A nagging voice in the back of my mind cautions me, but the devil presently occupying my shoulder is smiling with glee. I think the wait will do us both good to cool whatever ardor we have right now. It’s next to impossible to focus when James does this to me and I feel a smile on my face.

  “You have a funny way of showing a man you’re interested in him.” Startled, I look up. James is standing there, as handsome as ever, leaning against the door frame, his arm propped over his head. There’s nothing casual in his stance and the demanding energy he commands. I swear he heats up the room the second he steps in.

  “This is sort of a work environment. You know the one I asked you not to interfere in.” He shrugs at me so I try again. “James, I’m just trying to stay kosher.” He smiles shaking his own head as he shuts the door. Locking it behind him he moves closer to me, and I know exactly what he has in mind, feeling a light shiver run through me. He twists the blinds shut on the sound booth’s window. “James…” He keeps stalking towards me and I push the chair with my legs away from the soundboard. He gets closer and closer, his eyes hooded.

  “Every time I try to get close to you, you do this.” He rests his hands on the armrests of my chair, pulling me closer to him.

  “Do what, James?” I try to sound innocent but it comes out coy and a bit insincere.

  “This dance…This act of avoidance when we both know how good this can be between us, especially since that night.” His reminder of the night I succumbed to my basic needs floods me with a strange sort of power and shame at the same time.

  “I didn’t do anything to start this.” Denial… She’s my friend and I’m her bitch.

  “I know, sweetheart. I recall every moment you ran away and put me off. I gotta tell ya, though. It’s quite damaging to a man’s ego.” I have to lean back a little in the chair to look up at him. His hair flops over his forehead rakishly, and his angular face looks me over, assessing and wanting. My fingertips itch to trace the lines of his face, but I’m no artist.

  “This isn’t going to work.” My heart beats frantically. I want this so much, but I can’t give in again. My pride demands I stand firm.

  “Why can’t it work?”

  “Well, for one, you’re my boss.”

  “That’s been established, but you’re under contract with the station, not me.”

  “B-because I… We…”

  James is a summa cum laude graduate of Temple University Law School. Arguing with him seems pointless when he quickly counters my reasons, invalidating them before I can regroup.

  “Pfft. A fountain of excuses, Casey. So I sign off on your checks, it’s not the end of the world.” James kneels down on the floor between my legs, pulling them apart.

  “James!” Frantically looking around, I grip the armrests, afraid I’m going to topple over in the chair.

  “Relax, Casey.” His large hands rub up and down my leggings, making my thighs feel small for once in my life.

  “Relax? Are you crazy?” My heart is pumping faster and blood rushes everywhere, especially between my thighs.

  “A bit, but that’s the attraction.” James wiggles his eyebrows, pushing his warm hands further up my legs, gripping my stretchy denim leggings at my hips.

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “I already dare, darling girl.” James yanks at my pants. I have to grip the chair for dear life as he pulls them down and clear off my legs, panties included.

  “We’re going to get caught!” Nearly screeching and overwhelmed by a secret thrill, yet slammed with the reality of what we’re doing has me feeling a bit of whiplash.

  “And? I own everything you see here.” James sweeps his hand around the room, a smile playing at the corners of his devilish mouth.

  “You don’t own me.” I say.

  “But don’t I, though?” He counters.

  “You’re arrogant.”

  “You’re not going to get fired.” I know he’s trying to reassure me, but I don’t find any of this reassuring at the moment.

  “You’re demanding.”

  “Already been established. Next complaint?” He chuckles and my face flushes with irritation.

  I shake
my head no, nothing I say is going to deter him and it doesn’t help my case that all of this is arousing to me and I don’t stop him.

  “You’re not going to get in trouble.” He repeats.

  “Arrg…” My frustration with James is more than just based on sex.

  “Damn right.” James dives his face down between my legs and sucks my inner thigh, my bereft heart in shock. Fearful I will slip from the chair, I don’t know what to hold onto, so my fingers go straight for his head of thick, silky hair as my hips arch upward.

  “Oh, s-shit.” James’ tongue takes a long, deliberate lick, circling the length of my leg, deliberately bypassing the place I desire him to touch most. Gently, he pierces me with agonizing slowness, his blunt finger pushing my lips apart. A second finger almost burns as he slides that one deep inside to join the first. My clit is aching for his touch, but he leaves me panting, wanting more.

  “Quivering, Casey… I want you fucking quivering.” James pumps his fingers rhythmically, pressing deep, curling and flexing. My mind can’t process all the sensations at once. James uses the chair to pull me closer, his chest hovering over me, his lips peppering soft kisses onto my neck. There’s nowhere to escape and I doubt I’d even try with him firmly planted inside me, torturing me.

  Another slow thrust of his fingers and James growls into my neck, giving me a love bite. He uses his other arm to lift my one leg up and over the armrest of the chair, leaving me completely vulnerable to him.

  “More, James. Please. My heart aches for more.” I’m a blubbering mess of emotions and nonsense, caught in the unexpected flames of my burgeoning orgasm. What the ever loving fuck is this man doing to me? Just when I don’t think I can take much more, his kisses glide south and he leans over my open lap to suck my clit, pulling, kissing, nipping. Loud kisses tear me wide open, sinking into the abyss, my heart exposed and raw.