“Do you come here often?” I asked in an effort to make small talk once we were seated.
Landon glanced around. “Can’t say that I’ve been here before. But it has good ratings.”
“You checked the ratings?”
He appeared somewhat shy when he said, “Of course. I check ratings for every restaurant I go to.”
I chuckled. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“No?” His eyebrow lifted in question.
I reached for the napkin and placed it in my lap. “It’s a testament to your control. You want to know as much as you can about the situation you’re in.”
“I’ve never looked at it like that, but yeah. That’s a good way to put it.”
I grinned and glanced down at the menu. “It’s a great place, actually. Kristen and I come here from time to time to get our lasagna fix.”
“So you’re recommending the lasagna?”
“That or the ravioli. Both are fantastic.” And I had no idea why I was talking about food.
Here I was with Landon and the topic of conversation was related to the menu. But he didn’t seem to be bothered by it, so I didn’t let it bother me too much.
“May I get you something to dr—”
I peered up at the waitress at the same time her words came to an abrupt halt. There was recognition on her face as she stared at Landon.
“Master Moore?” the pretty young woman greeted Landon.
Master? What in the hell was going on? Doms and Masters? It sounded far too much like the books I’d been reading.
“Good evenin’, Mandy,” he replied coolly.
Something passed in the woman’s eyes, but I hadn’t the faintest clue what it was.
She cleared her throat.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
Landon looked at me and cocked an eyebrow.
“I’ll have white wine,” I informed her, not looking away from Landon.
“Same for me,” he answered, his gaze darting to her briefly before locking with mine.
When she disappeared, I couldn’t keep from asking, “You know her?”
“She’s a su—uh…a member of the club I go to.”
“The same club Kristen goes to?”
His eyes widened. “Actually, yes. Has she told you about it?”
I shook my head slightly and dropped my gaze. “No. Just that that was how she knew you.”
I really needed to ask her about this mysterious club. It appeared it was a real thing. I wanted to know more about it, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to ask Landon. I could very easily probe Kristen for the details later.
Which I would.
Maybe.
“What’re you havin’?” Landon questioned.
“I’m going to be predictable tonight,” I said with a smirk.
“Lasagna?”
“Yes.” I did love their pasta.
“Perfect.”
When I looked up, Landon was smiling at me as though I was the only woman in the room. Certainly not like a man who’d just seen a woman he knew, a woman who happened to be staring at him intently from across the room. I wasn’t sure if I should be jealous or merely curious. Or neither. It wasn’t like this was a date.
Or was it?
“Here’s your wine, Master Moore,” Mandy said when she returned, her smile bright, her attention focused solely on Landon.
It didn’t go unnoticed that she hadn’t brought mine.
That didn’t seem to make Landon happy at all.
“Mandy?”
“Yes, Master Moore?” she said breathlessly, her eyes wide as though it meant something that he had acknowledged her.
“Please bring another glass,” Landon said as he passed his wine over to me. “And remember your manners. It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s unbecoming not to be respectful.”
I couldn’t stop staring at him. I could tell he was doing his best not to look at her. Which could only mean one thing. He knew her intimately.
I wanted to slap myself for the sour taste that filled my mouth at the knowledge.
“Yes, Sir. Of course, Sir. I’ll be right back.”
When she sauntered off, Landon frowned. “I apologize.”
“No, please. Don’t apologize.” For some stupid reason, I reached over and touched his hand. “It’s not your fault.”
Rather than pull away from me the way I thought he would, Landon’s hand turned over and he clasped my fingers with his. He continued to hold my stare. I could tell something was going on in his head, but I didn’t know what. And I didn’t want to ask for fear of breaking the spell.
It took a few minutes, but Mandy finally returned with Landon’s wine and she managed to take both of our orders, which Landon relayed to her directly. When she was gone again, his attention was once again focused solely on me.
“So, tell me something about yourself,” he urged. “Something I don’t already know.”
When I went to retrieve my hand, he held firmly.
“Don’t pull away from me,” he ordered softly.
I swallowed hard, continuing to maintain eye contact although I wanted to look at anything except him.
“I’m not sure what you don’t know.” That wasn’t the truth. There were a lot of things about me he didn’t know, but I was suddenly uncomfortable with the intimate conversation.
“All right. Tell me about your parents. Did you not see them for Thanksgiving? When I talked to you, you were at home.”
Okay, I probably should’ve led with something related to yoga. I definitely had no desire to talk about my parents. I sighed. “No. I didn’t. My mother doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving.”
“And you have no other family?”
I shook my head. “Jim’s parents died when he was young. My mother’s parents live in Wisconsin and we haven’t visited them in years. My dad’s grandmother died when I was twelve. The year before was the last time we celebrated any holiday and that was only because she had insisted.”
“What’re your plans for Christmas?”
I forced a smile and shrugged. “I’m not sure just yet.”
That was another lie. I already knew what I’d be doing on Christmas. The same thing I did last year. Nothing.
Not that it mattered. Christmas was still a ways away and I honestly didn’t want to think about it right now.
“All right,” Landon said with a grin. “Fair enough. We can talk about anything else as long as it doesn’t pertain to work.”
I smiled because I was okay with that. I was sure I could think of plenty to talk about that didn’t have anything to do with work or parents or…
Actually, I didn’t know what we would talk about.
Landon seemed to realize my dilemma because he chuckled. “Or…we could play Never Have I Ever.”
This time my smile was genuine. “I like that.” I took a sip of my wine. “I like that a lot.”
•
Dinner turned out far better than I’d expected despite the fact that Mandy seemed to trip all over herself every time she got near Landon. Luckily, Landon pretended not to notice. Or, more importantly, he focused all his attention on me throughout dinner.
We managed to talk about the do’s and don’ts of holiday decorations, especially at the mall. He asked me if I was one of those people who would put reindeer antlers on my car. For the record, I was not. Nor was he.
It was nice and after two glasses of wine I had managed to relax.
However, the effects of the wine had worn off now that we were back in his truck and heading to my apartment. I was already trying to figure out what would happen next. Was I supposed to invite him in? Would he merely drop me at the curb? Did I want him to come in?
Well, the last question was dumb. Of course I wanted him to come in. Hell, I wanted him to come in and never leave.
Not that I could tell him that though.
Unfortunately, I found out all the answers to the questions a short time later when he wal
ked me into the building but paused at the elevator.
“Thank you for having dinner with me,” he said softly, his hands cupping my face.
“I had a good time,” I admitted.
“So did I.”
He seemed to be searching my eyes for something.
“Would you…uh…like to come up?”
He instantly shook his head, but he smiled. “That’s the only thing I want, Luci. However, I can’t. Not tonight.”
I nodded, acting as though I understood.
I didn’t.
Not really.
Landon’s thumb brushed over my cheek as he leaned down. His mouth found mine, our lips fusing together as what started out as a sweet kiss turned into something fueled by pent-up lust and a tremendous amount of heat.
“God, Luce,” he moaned into my mouth. “You taste so damn good.”
Not wanting to let him go, I pulled his mouth back to mine and let the conflagration consume us both. My back found the wall beside the elevator, Landon’s knee pressing between my thighs. Only then did I realize I still had that damn butterfly vibrator on.
I moaned against his mouth, desperate for him to do something to ease the emptiness that consumed me.
“Do you need to come, sweetness?” he asked, his words mumbled against my lips.
“Yes.”
“Tell me how you want me to make you come. Keep in mind, it must be right here and not with my cock.”
Well, that was disappointing. Not the part about the hallway, because it was empty for the moment.
“Tell me, Luci,” he demanded, his lips brushing along my jaw. “What would you like me to do?”
I moaned again, the heat churning inside me.
“You’ve got ten seconds. If you don’t tell me, I’ll send you up to your apartment alone, where you’ll spend the rest of the night wishing you’d been bold enough because you’ll be aching to come.”
“With your fingers,” I said on a rush of air.
“Good girl.”
Landon steered me backward, slipping into a small alcove behind the elevator. His mouth found mine again and I wrapped my arms around his neck, wanting to keep him close.
His hand traveled between my legs, forcing me to open them wider. He then hooked his arm beneath my left knee, lifting my leg as his fingers probed my slick entrance, deftly maneuvering around that damn vibrator.
“You’re so wet,” he whispered.
I didn’t respond because words were unnecessary. However, I moaned loudly when he pushed two fingers inside me. Thanks to his thick fingers and the plug in my ass, the pressure was intense, making me feel filled to overflowing.
He began fingering me slowly. I was writhing against his hand, moaning softly, when I heard the door open and a brisk wind rushed into the small area. Landon pulled back and stared into my eyes, his fingers never leaving me.
“No, Simone, I’m not saying that,” a male voice said from around the corner. “Yes. I get it. You’re not happy with me, but I don’t care.”
Landon began fucking me faster, deeper. I dropped my head back against the wall.
“Yes. I hear you. I always hear you.” The man huffed. “What do you want from me?”
Landon leaned in, his mouth right against my ear. “I want you to come for me. Come all over my hand.”
I swallowed a whimper as my pussy clenched around the intruding digits.
The elevator dinged.
“Right now,” Landon commanded, his tone rough, adamant. “Come for me right fucking now.”
The man’s voice sounded somewhat louder. “Fine, Simone. Whatever you say. I’m so tired of this shit.”
Landon pressed against my G-spot and my body tensed as my orgasm ripped through me. He kissed me hard, swallowing my cry as my body exploded in blessed release.
I heard the doors to the elevator closing, the man’s voice becoming muffled.
Landon pressed his forehead to mine, his fingers slipping out of me. “You’re beautiful when you come.”
His compliment made me blush.
It took a couple of minutes for me to catch my breath. I wanted nothing more than to invite him up to my apartment, to ask him to spend the night with me. I didn’t want him to leave, hating to even have to let go of him.
However, I said none of that. He’d already told me he couldn’t stay, and I wasn’t going to make myself any more vulnerable than I already was, so I opted to call it a night.
“Thank you for dinner,” I told him. “I enjoyed spending time with you.”
“Likewise, sweet girl.” He touched his lips to mine once more. “Now go on upstairs. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes, sir,” I whispered, not ready to let him go.
We stood there for a few more seconds before Landon finally pulled back.
“Good night, sweetness.”
“Good night.”
He steered me around the corner to the elevator, then punched the button. When it arrived, I stepped inside, secretly hoping he would follow, but he didn’t.
As the elevator rose to my floor, I touched my lips, remembering his kiss.
That man…
I wasn’t sure what it was about him and Langston that made me wish for things that were out of my control, but I did.
I most certainly did.
Thirty-Three
TUESDAY PASSED IN A BLUR. Perhaps that was because I’d spent the day walking around naked once again. That or it could’ve been due to the fact that my bosses were in and out of the office all day, constantly having me call to confirm appointments, reservations, or to make follow-up phone calls.
I didn’t mind it one bit. I liked the work, the ability to keep myself busy, which ultimately kept my mind off the fact that I was naked again. On a positive note, at least I didn’t have to wear the butterfly vibrator or the butt plug. For that, I was grateful.
I was starting to think that my bosses weren’t merely testing me but they were teaching me lessons along the way. Not only how to please them but also things like patience, routine, and even spontaneity. Sort of a contradiction, but still.
That or they simply enjoyed pushing my limits and torturing me in the most sensuous ways.
For example, it was a few minutes after three and I’d been kneeling in Langston’s office for the past ten minutes waiting for his arrival. That had been his instruction, so I had informed Jordan that I would be in a meeting and to send all calls to voice mail. Considering Ben, Justin, and Landon were all busy working in their offices, I felt as though I was not pulling my weight.
Had I been with one of my bosses, I would’ve felt as though I had a reason. However, since I was alone, no one knowing what I was doing or why, it seemed like a big waste of time. I didn’t want anyone to think that I was slacking off, so I decided that if Langston didn’t arrive in the next ten minutes, I would simply get back to work.
Ten minutes turned into fifteen and I finally gave up. I decided that Langston must’ve forgotten about me, so I got up and went back to my desk. I was about to call Jordan and let him know he could send the calls my way when Langston came strolling down the hallway, his phone to his ear.
When he saw me, his eyes narrowed and I could tell he wasn’t happy.
“I’ll have to call you back. I’ve got something I need to take care of.” He disconnected the call, his arm snapping forward, finger pointed directly at me. “You. My office. Right now.”
Swallowing hard, I got to my feet and scurried to his office, noticing the disappointment in his voice.
“What did I ask you to do?” He practically barked the words as he followed me inside.
“To wait for you,” I said, looking him directly in the eye. “But you didn’t show up, so I thought you forgot and I had other things I needed to do.”
He kept his eyes on me, the hazel orbs shooting fire. “Did I ask you to make that decision?”
“No, sir.”
“Master,” he stated roughly.
&n
bsp; “What?”
His eyes narrowed. “Do you know what an honorific is?”
I shook my head. I’d never heard the word before.
“An honorific is a way in which a submissive conveys respect using a title selected by her Dom.”
Submissive? Dom?
I was so lost.
“From here on out, when we’re in the office, in private, or in public, you will call me Master. You will not refer to me as anything else unless specifically instructed.”
I’d admit I was completely shocked by this command. I wasn’t sure if maybe the guy had fallen and hit his head. There was something distinctly different about him at that moment. Yes, he was certainly the most demanding of all the men in the office. Plus, he presented himself differently, but I’d never suspected him to be quite so…dominant. It was eerily similar to the books that I’d read.
My thoughts inconveniently drifted back to dinner with Landon last night. More specifically, the way the waitress had referred to him as Master Moore.
Oh, hell.
What had I gotten myself into?
“I…uh…”
“It wasn’t a request, Luci.”
I nodded. “Okay, s…I mean, M-Master.”
The word felt strange on my tongue.
Sure, I got that the men in this office found it appealing when I called them sir. It actually made me hot, even. But to directly refer to someone as though that was their name… It felt strange to me. What was worse was the idea of calling someone Master. That seemed a bit over-the-top.
“What is my name?” Langston asked, his gaze boring into me.
“Master.”
“When will you refer to me as that?”
I replayed his instructions in my head, then summed it up into one word. “Always.”
“Now, what did I ask you to do?” Langston’s gaze was hard as steel.
“To kneel by your desk and wait for you.”
His gaze cut to the floor beside his desk. It was an obvious command, so I returned to the spot I’d been in a short time ago and knelt on the floor. He moved behind me, then brought me a pillow.
“Get comfortable. Keep your eyes downward,” he instructed. “And do not move.”
With that, he left the room.
•
Office Intrigue Page 23