by Riley Bancroft, Evelyn Berry, Cara Carnes, Jax Garren, Irene Preston, Rebecca Royce, Chandra Ryan
“You don’t like me taking charge?” She pulled her hand away and he cried out with disappointment. “Too bad.” Her grasp found the waist of his pants and she tugged them over his legs and tossed them next to hers on the floor.
“I like you any way you want to be, love. As long as you’re in my bed.”
She pulled off his boxers and threw them next to his pants. “And I like you naked.”
“I aim to please.” He moaned as she threw one leg over his lap and straddled him. Here he’d been trying not to rush things for fear of chasing her off. Guess she isn’t as skittish as she’d appeared.
“Does it hurt?” She played with his nipple ring as she kissed his neck.
He arched his torso hoping to rub his body against hers. “In the best possible way.” The pain was similar to having her naked and over his cock but not being buried deep in her warmth. He bit her ear as he grabbed her hip. “I want you.”
“Condom.”
“Nightstand drawer.”
The seconds passed slowly until he heard the crinkle of her tearing open the condom package. He tried to grab it from her, but she had other ideas. Without any warning, she leaned over and took his cock into her mouth. Heat jolted from his balls to his scalp. It was all he could do not to come in her mouth. Clenching his cover in his fist he took a deep breath through his nose and counted in his head until he’d regained some measure of control.
When she rolled the latex over his dick, he forced himself to relax. He wanted nothing more than to pump into her hand. He’d been turned on for so long his entire body ached with need. If he could hold himself in check for a few more minutes, he’d be buried in her tight body. The promise echoed through his head until she positioned herself over him and slid down his length.
Stars danced behind his closed eyelids when she took all of him into her warmth. “Feel okay?”
“Feels amazing.”
Her pace started slow but he let her lead. When his balls tightened against his body, he pressed his thumb against her clit. He wouldn’t come without her and he was dangerously close to the edge.
She arched her body and called out his name as she came the second time. He couldn’t fight his desire any longer. He slammed into her and found his release. His body shook and his heart raced with the euphoria of the release. And, after the endorphins left him, he found a calm sense of peace.
He kissed her on the cheek and then went to the bathroom to get rid of the condom and get cleaned up. When he returned to his bed he found her asleep in the middle with the covers wrapped around her beautiful body. It’d been a long time since he’d been blessed with such a lovely image.
Not wanting to wake her, he slipped under the covers as quietly as possible and then wrapped an arm around her.
When he woke the next morning with a pit of unease in the bottom of his stomach he couldn’t remember what he dreaded. The warmth of the female snuggled next to him made him relax. Memories of their night together flooded his mind, and he silently swore at his own stupidity. Julie wasn’t the type to leave in the middle of the night. She didn’t have a demo, and she wanted nothing from him but his company. The realization was a comforting one.
He got out of bed as quietly as possible and grabbed his clothes from the floor. Within a few minutes he was dressed and waiting for the grocery delivery. Not wanting her to wake and find him gone, he’d placed the order online. But now he realized how stupid the move had been. He was so concerned the doorbell would wake her, he’d been staked out at the door ever since. Once the guy came and gave him everything he’d need to make the perfect omelet, Luke conceded maybe it had been a good decision.
Chopping onions, mushrooms, and peppers took most of his attention for the next few minutes. When he put the bacon on to fry, a soft noise pulled his focus to the doorway into the hall. There, in one of his concert shirts, stood Julie. “You’re in my shirt.” A loud pop from the bacon reminded him it needed to be turned. “I prefer you naked.” He nearly choked when she took off the shirt and threw it on the floor.
“Look at that. I’m naked and you’re dressed. I’m beginning to believe it really is your thing.” She walked over to the counter and grabbed one of the cooked pieces of bacon. “I think I like it.” She hopped on to a clear section of the counter as she ate her prize.
“You’re making it very hard for me to concentrate on cooking.”
“Not my problem. Where did you get all the food, anyway? I looked in your fridge yesterday. I don’t sleep deeply enough for you to make a trip to the store.”
“There are benefits to big city living.”
“I bet there are.”
He whisked the eggs in a bowl. “Grocery delivery being one of them.”
“What are some of the others?”
“There are concerts, bars, theater, restaurants. I’d be happy to give you a tour.” He turned to talk to her when he noticed she was holding a condom package in her hand. “Or we could stay in.”
5
Julie looked at her phone as it chimed again. She almost missed the noise with all the people chattering around her in the bar. When she saw the email was from her office, she wished she hadn’t heard it. She refused to open it. She knew what it said. Her work had been sending her the same damn email for the past three days. “We need you at the office. You’re not on your honeymoon. Stop running away from your problems. If you wait much longer, we’ll give your best clients to Jack.”
Not in those words exactly, but that was the underlying message, and she heard it loud and clear. They’d given her all of two days in Austin before they’d started their campaign to get her on the next flight home and behind her desk. And they’d used some pretty underhanded tactics, too. If she didn’t need the job, she would be tempted to tell them to shove it.
“Everything okay?” Luke glanced at her cell phone.
“Peachy.”
His smile appeared dubious. “Really? Because you look pissed.” He’d learned her expressions much quicker than she thought possible. They’d known each other less than a week. Then again, they had spent nearly every moment together for the past five days.
“It’s my work. They want me back ASAP. As in—three days ago.” As she said the words, his smile dimmed a little, and a dark expression flickered through his eyes. She couldn’t tell if he was upset she might be leaving early or because she would be leaving eventually. She wished she were as good at reading him as he was with her. “But I’ve earned my vacation. I filled out all the proper paper work. I’m going to enjoy it.”
“That’s my girl. Don’t let them push you around.” His smile did brighten a little. When the band took the small stage, his entire attention focused on them. It was, after all, his job. And the act sounded pretty good to her. She would pay to see them again.
As the band started in on their third song, a young woman in a tight dress and fuck me boots approached their table holding a shiny tape case in her hand. Julie had seen women and men like her all week. As soon as word got out there was a scout in the building, every musician in the place became desperate to get his or her music to him. When the girl reached out to tap Luke, Julie touched her arm and shook her head. “He’s here to listen to the band. If you’d like, I’d be happy to give him your demo.”
“I wanted to introduce myself.” The woman was persistent. The trait would serve her well in the industry, but not with Julie.
Putting on her best smile, Julie moved her fingers to the tape case. “I understand. Really I do. And I’ll make you a deal. If you let him give the band on stage the attention they’ve earned, I’ll make sure he gives your music equal consideration.”
The woman rolled her eyes and tossed her hair but did hand Julie the cassette. She’d been surprised when she’d seen a demo tape the first time, but Luke had done his best to explain hipster musicians to her. Now she kind of expected the antiquated format choice.
“Like two seconds is a big a deal.”
“Trust
me, having his undivided attention while he listens to your music is worth a lot more than a two second introduction in a crowded bar while he’s listening to another band.”
“Whatever.” The girl didn’t look happy as she left, but she did leave and her absence was enough for Julie.
Luke didn’t turn to look at Julie as she slid the demo in front of him on the table. His smile held enough gratitude to show he’d heard the conversation, though. Thankfully no other struggling artists found them during the set. As soon as the band was done, Luke kissed her softly and told her he’d be right back before going to talk to the band members. She let him go without any complaint.
“Must be hard to fend off all the groupies.”
She turned to face the man addressing her. “They are musicians not groupies. And they’re chasing their dream. I find their determination admirable, not something to fend off.” She let her gaze run over the man. He was well groomed and wore an impeccable suit. A week ago she wouldn’t have thought twice about the man’s clothing, but after having been in so many clubs and bars, he looked overdressed. As if he was trying too hard.
“I can see why Luke has taken such a shine to you.”
“I seem to be at a disadvantage. You know more about me than I know of you.” She held her hand out to him. The man radiated polished arrogance, but he and Luke were close enough for him to know about her. She had to be nice. “Juliana Prescott.”
“Mark Smith. I work with the record company.”
“An executive.”
“Close. I’m a financial consultant.” He motioned to the table, and she nodded as she sank into one of the chairs. “I’m glad I got the chance to meet you. I’ve been hearing all kinds of things.”
She switched over to professional mode with the next breath. The ability had served her well over the years. “Only the best, I’m sure.”
“I did some research. You’ve got a solid resume. And I was pretty impressed after seeing your handy work for myself. I’ve sent many a woman over to deal with DBR, but I’ve never had one get the best of him. He doesn’t even know you played him.”
“I didn’t play him,” she countered. “I pointed out how his best interests would be served by looking for a scout elsewhere in a manner which portrayed the respect and empathy his position demands.”
“And now you’re playing me.”
Her smile became a little forced as she stared at the man. What did he want? Was he upset or curious about her? Waiting for a person to show his cards was always the most difficult part of the negotiations. “I don’t play people. I listen to them and then try to figure out the best way for them to achieve their goals. I’m sorry DBR isn’t happy working with your label any longer, but I had nothing to do with his decision.”
“I don’t give a shit about DBR.” He laughed as he gestured to a server. After he’d ordered a scotch, he turned to face her again. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy he’s making us money. It’s my job to make sure the label’s investments are making money. But DBR is one person—an annoying and expensive person. Luke finds ten DBRs a year.”
“You’re happy I got your scout out of there without a scene.”
“Give the girl a button. I’d heard you were quick.” He took a sip of his drink. “I like to make sure my scouts are happy. Surrounded by the right kind of people.”
The pieces of the conversation slid together in her mind. She didn’t care for the picture it created. “Meeting me tonight wasn’t a coincidence. You came here to check me out.”
“Guilty.” He held his hands up like he was surrendering. “But not for the reason you might think. I’m not here for Luke’s benefit. He’s a big boy. He can take care of himself.”
“Then why?”
“I’m an independent contractor. Comes in handy if a couple people who aren’t on the label’s payroll look over the books from time to time.”
“And, let me guess, the label isn’t your only client.”
He winked at her before finishing his drink. “One of my clients is planning on a political run.”
He was conducting a job interview—in the middle of a bar. The improbability of the scenario struck her as ridiculous. She couldn’t laugh at the man, though. In her business one never burned bridges. “I’m sorry. I’m going home in a couple of days. I can’t help your politician with his skeletons, whatever they might be.”
“Her skeletons. And they aren’t even hers.” His manner changed from slick businessman to one of a real person right in front of her. He cared about the woman politician and, as much as she hated to admit it, his sincerity made Julie care about her. “Her brother is a drug addict. He’s doing time in prison. If the press finds out—”
“The press will find out. There’s no ‘if’ about it. She needs to get out in front of the story.” A strategy came together as she spoke. “Make it part of her platform. It will help her connect with her constituents. Every family has a black sheep we love but feel helpless to save. She’ll want to highlight education and rehab reform. She should research how much incarceration of non-violent drug offenders cost the citizens and recidivism rates. She’ll have to be careful. She wants to appear as if she’s saving the people money and fixing a well-documented problem. It can’t look as if she’s trying to find a way to get her brother out of jail.”
He was quiet for a moment, but then he nodded. “I see what you’re getting at. Make finding a solution to the underlying problems of substance abuse her passion instead of trying to sweep it under a rug.”
“Her family isn’t dirt to be swept out of sight. Every family has problems. When politicians try to sweep theirs away, it only makes them seem callous and opportunistic.”
“Are you sure you aren’t looking for a job?”
She looked at her phone and sighed. “Employment is the one thing I’ve got covered.”
“If you ever change your mind”—he handed her a business card—“give me a call. I’ve got several clients who could use your help on a daily basis.”
“Thanks.” She took the card and tucked it into her purse.
A warm hand on her shoulder made her turn around. “I see how you are, Mark. Wait for a guy to be distracted and then swoop in to steal his girl.” The smile on Luke’s face held nothing but kindness. Luke really did like Mark. The guy must not be all bad, then.
“You know Nancy would skin me alive.” Mark held his hand out to Luke. “I was getting a little advice.”
“I told him to ditch the suit and offer a girl a drink if he’s going to order one in front of her,” she said.
“Ouch.” Mark put his palm over his heart as if he’d been injured. “The woman doesn’t believe in pulling punches, does she?”
Luke laughed. “She’s right and you know it.”
“Next time, drinks are on me.”
If there is a next time. The thought made her melancholy. In two days she would leave Austin behind. The trip had been a holiday from her real life, not a fresh start. She was twenty-five with a career and a home. She was a little old and far too settled to get a do-over.
Luke took Mark’s seat as soon as the man left. “You look worried.” He leaned forward and kissed her. “Work bothering you again?” He traced small circles on her shoulder as he pulled her toward him.
“No. I’m good,” she lied. He couldn’t fix her problems. She’d been fixing problems long enough to know when one had to be faced. “I am a little hungry.”
“There’s an awesome kimchi truck a few streets over if you feel adventurous.”
“Sounds perfect.” She stood and snuggled into the crook of his arm. The crowd parted for them as they made their way out of the bar and into the warm spring air. “It really is lovely here.” She took a deep breath and then sighed as a sense of contented peace filled her.
He smiled at her and said, “Be careful. There’s a saying: if you spend more than seventy-two hours in Austin, you’ll move here.”
Was there hope shining in his ey
es? She had to be imagining it. They’d hadn’t known each other long enough for him to want her to abandon everything and move to a new state. She laughed at the thought. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to make you fill out a restraint form or anything. In two days I’ll be out of your hair.”
“That’s not what I meant.” His face lost all humor. “I’ve enjoyed having you here. I know Austin is a vacation. But…” He sighed as he drug his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. I’m making a real mess of things.” His smile appeared forced. “What I meant to say was I’m glad you chose to spend your vacation with me. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.”
But that wasn’t what he meant at all. He’d lied to her. She could tell by the way he avoided meeting her gaze and by the uncomfortable way he fidgeted with his keys. “You can tell me the truth, Luke.”
“Would it be so bad if you stayed a little longer?”
Mark’s job offer sprung to her mind, and for one euphoric moment she gave Luke’s question real thought. A breeze brushed the pleats of her new skirt against her thighs, and reality came crashing around her. Luke had purchased the skirt along with several others for her when he’d discovered her fixation on his t-shirts was because she’d left all her luggage behind in her rush to make it to Austin. She’d promised him she’d repay him, but he hadn’t seemed to care. She’d been staying in his place, eating his food, wearing the clothes he’d bought for her. Each decision had seemed reasonable and harmless on its own, but—when she added them together—she realized she’d somehow become his kept woman. She had to wonder if he’d arranged for the job offer as well? “Did you send Mark in to talk to me?”
“No.” He seemed genuinely shocked by the abrupt subject change. “I mean. I might have mentioned you to him. We’ve been seen together a lot lately. He asked me about you. Why?”
“I just…” She let the sentence die unfinished. As far as she knew, he was a good guy who liked to help people. “Nothing. I’m sorry. I’m not used to relying on the kindness of strangers.”