by Terri Pray
What was it about this man that a single look could have her wondering if he would taste good with chocolate smeared over his chest?
“I bet you are,” she murmured then clamped her lips shut.
“Well, now, I believe if you let me know the address, then, by the time we have dinner tonight I might have an idea on what we need to do next.”
Yes, chocolate, all over his chest, long, dark lines of sweet, sensual delight tempting her tongue down towards his cock until she could wrap her lips about it and…
“Sue? Are you all right? You just look a little distracted.”
“Yes, I’m fine. Tonight it is, then.” She reached into a pocked in the side of her skirt, trying to force the images of Alan splayed out over his desk begging her to lick him clean, out of her mind. Maybe she’d been reading too many of those dark, erotic novels?
“You’ll need this.”
“Thank you.” Alan reached out, stroking his fingers over hers as he claimed the paper. “And I look forward to tonight.”
She shivered, her breath threatening to catch in the back of her throat as she found her gaze held and locked by a set of impossibly dark eyes. “As am I.”
Yes, chocolate, whipped cream, with Alan naked and chained to a bed all eager, hungry for her touch. God, what was she thinking!
That he was the best looking man she’d seen in a long time, and even though she knew that the flirting, the soft touches, and that oh-so-wicked smile he kept flashing her way were nothing more than a game it didn’t stop her from enjoying it whilst she still could.
Chapter Six
Alan stared at the door after the two women had left. Had he really just asked her out? From the moment she’d walked into the room he’d had to struggle to keep things on at least a semiprofessional level. Her walk, her smile, the confidence that had shone from her eyes, and yet something else, a hint of wariness when she thought he wasn’t looking.
Had she been caught off guard by his invitation?
Well, if she hadn’t been, he had. The words had sprung to life before he’d even had the chance to think the idea through clearly.
Just as well, if I’d thought about it then I’d have never asked her out. Shit, I’m almost ready to call her and beg out. What if she laughs at me tonight? Or backs out on her own?
Damnit, he’d asked dozens of women out before, so why did this date, this one date, leave him feeling like a schoolboy facing his very first date all over again?
Because I want it to work out.
Sue. He’d never met a woman like her before now.
Just the thought of her curves, the way her smile lit up her face, the glint in her deep blue eyes when she’d stood up to him, as if she was prepared to leave him and the office if he tried to force the situation any further.
Strong.
Beautiful.
A woman, a goddess.
One capable of driving him to his knees if he let her get too close.
All right, maybe the goddess part was going a little too far, but it didn’t stop his cock from throbbing at the very thought of her.
The phone rang on his desk without the yellow light that said it had come through via reception. He frowned as he reached for the receiver. Only a handful of people had the direct number.
“Hello, Alan Martin.”
“Alan, it’s your dad.”
“Hey, there.” Tension eased from his shoulders as he perched on the edge of the desk. “What’s up?”
“You’re not going to believe this, but I had a near hysterical call from Victoria early this morning. Did something happen between the two of you? She swears that you’re gay. And she’s threatening to cause problems at the next social event she attends with your mother.”
Alan almost slipped off the edge of the desk. “Shit, I never thought she’d go that far.”
“You knew about this?”
“She’s trying to get some measure of revenge, Dad. I’m not gay. In fact, I’ve got a date tonight with a very attractive woman. Victoria’s just pissed at me.”
“Revenge for what? Did you two get into a fight? She’s a strong-willed woman, Alan. I would have thought you’d have learned that much about her in the time you two have been going out.”
“Dad, I wouldn’t call the occasional coffee and Victoria calling me three times a day our ‘going out’.”
“So are you going to tell me just what has her so upset?”
Great, why couldn’t his dad focus on the good side of the conversation, like the date? “She’s upset because I wouldn’t have sex with her.”
“Because you -- hold on. Did you just say you had a date for tonight?”
“Yes.” Good, now he was catching on. Just as well. For one terrible moment he’d thought he might have to go back over the entire situation with Victoria. “I have a date tonight with a lovely woman I met today. I’m picking her up around eight. If everything works out I’d like to bring her to the party on Friday.”
Would she go with him? Maybe not, but at least he could ask, if it all worked out between them.
“Is she someone I know?”
“No, Dad. No one you know. At least I don’t think she is. Oh, something did come up as well; we have a lead on the people who might be behind the problems we’ve been dealing with of late. I’m going to look into it further, but I think we might be on to something here.”
“All right, I leave that in your capable hands. But tell me how the date goes, please? I’m not trying to interfere, I just want to see you happy.”
“Sure, Dad. Catch up with you later. I have a few things I need to take care of before I head out tonight.”
“Okay, just let me know how it goes tomorrow morning.”
Alan smiled and settled the receiver back down on the cradle. At least his day had ended with some good news. Now if only he could find out a little more about that damn blogger ring before things grew completely out of hand.
He glanced back at the work that had piled up on his desk before he reached for the phone a second time. He had a meeting to reschedule, a warning to send down to the main desk in case Victoria decided to try a new stunt, and a dinner date to arrange.
When was the last time he’d actually been out on a date, a real one? Not one pushed onto him by his father?
That was something he’d never understand. His dad, a man who backed down to his mother all the time, then pushed and shoved his way into his son’s life. Was he trying to regain some level of control?
Alan sat there, the phone in one hand, his mind racing. What if his parents had the type of relationship he’d started to look for himself? One where his mum was in charge? The thought should have left him feeling uncomfortable, but the more he mused over the idea, the more it made sense. He’d not seen any overt signs of it, growing up. No whips, chains, or paddles, but there had always been that odd power dynamic between them. The way his mum only had to look at his dad to end a conversation…
He’d always known she was a strong woman, but just how far did it go?
Did they take it into the bedroom?
Alan shuddered. No matter how open minded he was, the one thing he didn’t need to think about was just what his parents got up to behind closed doors.
* * * * *
“Mr. Martin?” Steph pushed open the door to the office and peered around the edge. “Charlie needs to talk with you before you call it a night.”
Charlie. He didn’t need to deal with the man again today. “Does he know what time it is?”
“Yes, Mr. Martin. But he’s quite insistent.” She glanced behind her then shot a quick look at Alan, rolling her eyes as she gave a subtle jerk of her head. Okay, so Charlie was in hearing range, making it harder for Steph to blow him off, or give Alan a real heads up as to what was going on.
“Fine, let him in, but make sure he understands I only have about ten minutes before I need to leave for the day.” He could have pushed it a little further, but he wanted plenty of time to pre
pare for his date with Sue. He’d already managed to get everything in place for the meeting the following morning, and only those attending the meeting now knew about the change of time and location.
“Thank you, Alan. Appreciate this.”
His jaw clenched as Charlie spoke. “What can I do for you?”
“It’s about the report. I need the new password to access some of the files. You changed it and…”
“And if you had everything in place you’d already have that information. Charlie, I’m growing very tired of this. Apart from that, everything you need should be in your memos and files on your own computer, unless you’re claiming you never saved it, or backed up your work, which is a part of your contract if you recall?” Alan kept his voice calm as he leaned back in his chair.
Charlie paled. “No, I have everything backed up. It’s just it would be easier if I could…”
“No. I changed the password for a reason, and only key members of staff will be granted access. We’ve had far too many leaks in the past few weeks and I’m putting a stop to it.”
“But, Alan, surely you don’t think that I’d be involved in passing on information, do you?” Charlie took a step closer to the desk. “And I need that access. I can’t do my job properly without it.”
“Charlie Welch, you haven’t been doing your job properly to begin with. Your reports are always late, you’ve had more hard drive crashes, email errors, and file corruption issues than the rest of this company put together.”
“I’ve been unlucky, and I think I’ve pissed off a few people in the company so they’re…”
“Out to get you?” Alan’s jaw tightened.
“Yes, sure.”
Did the man not understand how foolish he sounded? Did he really believe that his story was plausible? “Charlie, I’m going to make this very clear to you. You will get this report done, using the files on your computer, the copies you told me you’d made when I first spoke to you about this. Now, if there had really been an issue you’d have brought it up to me this morning and shown me the proof. So it sounds to me as though you’re stalling for time.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then you won’t object to my taking a look at your computer tomorrow, or rather having our tech department do it, will you?”
Charlie shook his head. “That won’t be needed, sir. I’ve got everything I need. I just thought it would be best to double-check some of the files. I’m sorry I bothered you about this. I know you’re pressed for time.”
Alan didn’t bother to hide his smile. “You know where the door is, Charlie.”
“Yes sir, again, my apologies.” The man darted out of the office before Alan had a chance to say anything else.
Alan watched the door close, the soft click ringing through the room, his gaze narrowing. Just what was that man up to? Why would he come in to try and get the password when he had to know just how much trouble he was in? He wasn’t the first employee to try and get the new password, and no doubt wouldn’t be the last, but why take the risk when he knew he was on thin ice to begin with?
The intercom beeped on his desk.
“Yes?”
“You asked me to remind you of your appointment tonight, and now that Charlie’s gone…” Steph’s voice rang out through the unit on his desk.
“Thank you, I’ll be heading out shortly.” He had better things to spend his time on than wondering about Charlie Welch and his never-ending supply of excuses.
At least he’d be able to end the day on a pleasant note…
Chapter Seven
“I can’t believe you stood up to him like that.” Barb pulled a brush through Sue’s hair. “I’ve never seen you like that before, but I have to say that I like this new side of your nature.”
“I was shaking like a leaf the entire time,” Sue admitted and tried not to wince. “I’m not sure how I managed to talk back to him. It didn’t help that I kept thinking he was flirting with me. It had to be a case of the nerves, though; I’m just not his taste. Besides, he needed putting back in his place and he just asked me out to get back at me for that.”
“Are you nuts? He was flirting with you the entire time. I could have been invisible, for the most part, through that entire meeting. Why would he ask you out for revenge?”
“Then he was just trying to put me at ease, or else being polite.” Sue tried to shrug it off. “I don’t know what he’s up to, but whatever it is I’m betting he’s not just after a simple date. I don’t trust him He’s got dozens of women he could have asked out; why me unless it’s a game, a way of lashing out at me?”
“Right, and I’m a multimillionaire. Sue, he was really flirting with you. He liked you. God knows I’ve seen enough men flirt with women before now to know when they are hitting on someone, and when they are just trying to pass the time, or use it to distract someone. No, he really did like you. You should have seen the way his eyes lit up when you walked back to the chair. He couldn’t look away from your ass.”
“You’re nuts. There’s no way a man who looks like that would have any interest in me! He could have any woman he wanted, why in hell’s name would he want me?”
“Yeah, then why did he ask to meet you for dinner tonight? Sue, sometimes you completely miss the obvious. And no, he’s not taking you for a meal just to try and find some weird way to humiliate you.”
“All right, then, fine. He’s asked me out to discuss this whole blogger thing, of course, why else would he ask me out?” So why did her heart skip a beat at the thought of meeting him again.
Sue closed her eyes, trying to find a way to calm down, but all she could think of was Alan on his knees at her feet. She could almost feel it, his lips caressing her feet, her legs, touching her, tempting her senses until she shivered and focused on Barb’s words instead.
“If it was business, or just that, he wouldn’t have invited you to join him for a meal at one of the best restaurants in town.” Barb slapped her on the arm with the back of the brush. “Stop kidding yourself. He’s interested in you.”
“Ow!” Sue hissed and rubbed the stinging red mark. “Bitch! That hurt.”
“It was meant to. Now sit still and let me finish your hair.”
Sue grumbled but tried to get her nerves, and body, back under control. “So, why do you think he invited me for dinner then, if it wasn’t to discuss business?”
“Try something simple, such as he likes you.” Barb chuckled and pulled the brush slowly through Sue’s hair.
“No, men don’t like women like me.”
“Oh, hush now. You’re an attractive woman. I don’t care what Bill, or other idiots like him say. Now just take a deep breath and calm down. He’ll be here in a bit and we really need to get you all spruced up for him.”
Sue sucked in her bottom lip and tried not to look into the mirror. “I’m just not sure about all of this.”
“If you can’t trust yourself then at least trust me. He might come off as a bit of an arrogant jerk, but you stood up to him and I think he liked that. Once he’d stopped choking.”
“Oh God, I don’t know how I managed to stand up to him like that. I thought for certain we were fucked at that point.”
“Well whatever was going through your mind, it worked. And you impressed him. I don’t think a woman’s managed to do that in a long time.”
That part she couldn’t argue with. “You know much about him?”
“Not a huge amount, but I did a little asking around after our meeting. Seems Alan has a decent reputation with women, but doesn’t date in house, not that I could find. Keeps a separation between his work and his social life.”
“All right, that sounds good. Not everyone is like that.” How many men and women had she known through the years that took advantage of any scrap of power they had? Too many were far too willing to use it in order to get their own way. “So you think he’s a good man?”
“I think he might be and I don’t see any harm in having on
e night out with him. A good dinner might be just what you need to cheer you up. An evening out on the town with a man like that on your arm -- well, I have to admit that if you weren’t my best friend I’d make a play for him myself.”
It didn’t stop the doubts though.
“So why didn’t you? Come on, we both know how good looking he is. And he has money. Position. Shit, a man like that would look good on the cover of a magazine.”
“Friends don’t play games like that with each other. Besides, even if we weren’t friends it was very clear from the moment we walked into his office that the only one he was interested in was you.” Barb set the brush down and leaned forward, wrapping her arms about Sue. “You need to start believing in yourself, love. Today, yesterday, both times you let the real you come out. The strength I’ve seen in you each and every day since we first met. But you let it out fully the past few days.”
“That was different. Bill had it coming. And Alan -- well, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anyone trying to tell me what to do.” Sue glanced in the mirror. The woman looking back at her barely seemed familiar. Soft curls of golden brown hair hung in loose waves around her face. Her lips had been painted a delicate pale pink hue, just enough to bring them to life. Each touch of makeup had been gentle, a hint, little more than a way of bringing attention to her face, to the full, sensual lips she had never known she possessed.
“You look beautiful.”
How could she argue that, now that she could see the final results of her best friend’s hard work?
“Do you think he’ll be pleased?”
“The question is, are you pleased with how you look? Who cares what he thinks? I didn’t do this for him, you know.”
“I’m trying to look at it that way, really I am but…”
“But you’ve not been out on a date in a long time and you’re worried he won’t like what he sees.” Barb gave a quick squeeze and settled down on the chair nearby. “I can’t tell you if he will like how you look, but I can tell you he certainly enjoyed watching you earlier today.”