by Terri Pray
“That sounds all well and good, but if you go to work every day and hear the same jokes, the snide comments, the jabs and wide load remarks then you’d think differently.”
Work. All right, so not an ex-boyfriend. Good. “And your manager hasn’t done anything about him?”
“They never catch him. Bloody asshole knows not to try anything like that around witnesses, or most of the time at least.”
“Ah, he makes mistakes on occasions?”
“Bill did today.”
At least he now had a name to go by. “And what did Bill do today?”
“He tried something in the corridor by the copy room and someone overheard him. He didn’t know, nor did I, but I stood up to him for the first time since he started picking on me. He has something against women of my build.”
“Or he’s attracted to you and too scared to say anything.”
She chuckled and ducked her head a little. “Well, he does try and cop a feel every chance he gets, but he tends to be more interested in the skinny young things. Goes through them quickly, though. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t been fired yet, but I guess most of them are too ashamed to file a complaint.”
Now that part he could understand in a roundabout way. He’d seen more than one newcomer to the company bluster their way out of filing a report about sexual harassment in case it backfired on them. Or because it boiled down to he said, she said. Unless there was a witness to some, if not all, of the problems that the man or men had caused.
“So what are you going to do about him?” Alan turned the key fully and started up the car. “Or are you going to keep on letting him make women unhappy?”
“Not much I can do, unless he pulls some more shit around me. I’ve stood up to him once, so I can do it again, but only if I catch him at it. And that’s the hard part.” She sighed and brushed a stray lock of hair back from her eyes.
His gaze wandered for a brief moment, lingering on her legs until he reminded himself he should be concentrating on his driving instead of how good his passenger looked.
“Well, I just hope someone catches him out soon, other than you, I mean.”
“I think he might have pushed things a little too far recently,” Sue murmured. “In more ways than one -- God I am so tired of his constant snide remarks. The fatty comments, the elbow in the side, pressing me up against the wall to try and grab a feel when he walks past, but he’s done worse things that that to other people. I…” She looked away.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Nothing, no. I just don’t want to ruin the evening by talking about him anymore tonight. He’s ruined enough things for me in the past couple of months; last thing I need is the spirit of Bill in the middle of our evening.”
What else had gone on between them?
Not something he could really press about right now, no matter how much he wanted to. The frown that creased her brow, the way her hands tangled into the skirt of her dress, and that slight hitch in her voice when she had been talking about him.
No, she was right about one thing. This Bill, whoever he was, had taken enough time from her life as it was and didn’t deserve a place in what remained of their evening together.
Chapter Nine
His house. She’d agreed to go to his house. Without calling Barb to let her know what was going on? This wasn’t sane. Shit, what had gotten into her?
With any luck, a stud called Alan.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Alan led her into the living room. “I don’t want to push you into something.”
“Have you changed your mind?” Her heart threatened to drop down through her stomach. She’d come this far, if he backed out… Oh shit, what if the entire evening, the meal, the invitation, even bringing her to his home, had all just been a way of embarrassing her?
No, she hadn’t picked up that type of vibe from him.
“I haven’t. I guess I just wasn’t expecting you to want this, not so soon.” Alan smiled, walked across the room, and turned down the lights. A soft glow lit the room now, a large leather couch sat in front of an open fireplace. Behind that, through a set of double doors, she could see what had to be a king-size bed. He glanced back at her before pressing a small button to one side of the fireplace. With a crack a tiny flame danced across the prepared kindling and within moments a small fire had embraced the thin strips of wood. A real fire -- she hadn’t been expecting that, but it was a nice touch. She’d only heard of a few people who still used them; most had switched over to natural gas years ago. All that was missing was a traditional thick rug. Still, the couch and the bed she had caught a glimpse of would work just as well. “I’m not complaining. It’s a little like planning on climbing a mountain in five stages, only to find you reach the top on the first day.”
“Are -- did you just compare me to a mountain?” Her jaw clenched.
“No, not like that. I meant as in the way of a challenge. Shit, I didn’t exactly phrase that the right way, did I?” He looked back at her, flushed as he built up the fire before closing the protective glass back over the fireplace. “I’m sorry.”
“Not really.” Well, that was one thing, he didn’t have that fully confident, everything’s going my way type of attitude. “But we all make mistakes.”
“Thanks. Do you want a drink? I can get you a brandy, or martini.” Alan kicked off his shoes and leaned over a small cabinet, tapping the bottles on what looked like a circular, silver tray. She watched him carefully as he moved, the way his pants tightened over his ass. Her fingers itched with a growing need to strip the clothing from his body. It would have been so easy to walk up behind him and trace her fingers over the taut curves of his sweet buttocks.
Did he know just how intently she was watching him? Or that she had spent the best part of the day, when she hadn’t been fighting against the urge to curl in a corner, thinking about him? About the way his body moved, the light that played in his eyes, his smile, and how those full, sensual lips would feel pressed against hers?
“So did you want something to drink?”
“No, I’m doing fine, thanks.” No she didn’t need a drink, she needed him. She wanted him more than she’d ever known could be possible. His shirt half slipped free from the back of his pants, baring just a flash of skin, a hint of the man beneath the cloth. It wouldn’t have taken much to reach out and pull the shirt the rest of the way out of his pants. “What I need isn’t a drink.”
Alan turned back to look at her. “And what is it you want?”
“You.” A week ago, even a day, she wouldn’t have had the nerve to tell him that, but something had changed. Seeing Bill all but run down the corridor, finally discovering what type of man he was, and that she wasn’t afraid of him anymore, had changed a few things within her.
“So what are you going to do about that?”
“I wasn’t sure at first, but I have a vague idea forming in the back of my mind.” She felt a hungry smile tug at her lips. Did she have the guts to go through with this?
Yes.
Sue took a slow breath and tried to calm her nerves. She wanted him, that much was certain. All the way through dinner she’d wondered what it would be like to feel his body against hers.
“And what do you want me to do?”
She smiled, an image forming in her mind. What if he really meant what he said? She could finally explore what it would be like to take charge, to have a man follow through with her every whim and desire. Would he do that, would he risk that?
Well, why not?
There was only one way to find out.
“I want you to stand there and let me take control of everything.”
“Oh, you think I’m going to do that?” One dark eyebrow vanished beneath the wave of black hair.
“You said you liked strong women. So why not prove it, show me just how much you like that in a woman. Put your money where your mouth is.” Her heart pounded against her chest. It would have been so easy for the moo
d to vanish, and she could find herself escorted out of his home for trying to push things too far.
“Ah, a challenge.”
“Yes, do you think you’re up to it?” God, she hoped so.
For a moment he didn’t move; the light from the fireplace caressed his form, casting shadows about the room.
“Yes, I believe so, but there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?” The other men? He could see that written across her face? All the mistakes, the problems she’d walked headlong into, he could tell that she’d been through all of that? How?
“I’m not like them, Sue. All I’m doing is asking you to trust me.”
Sue nodded and cleared the distance between them, slipping out of her shoes as she walked across the room. She sucked in her bottom lip, hissing gently as she reached out for him, tracing her fingers over his chest. He trembled beneath her touch, but didn’t move away from her.
“You like that?”
Alan nodded, shaking a little.
“And if I wanted to do more?”
“There’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?” He winked and crossed his hands behind his back. “It’s not going to be easy, to let you take control of the situation, but I can at least try.”
“And if you don’t manage it, maybe I’ll have to find a way to punish you.” Now where had that come from? She’d thought, briefly, about Bill being on his knees at the feet of a dominatrix. Then there had been the whole image of Alan covered in chocolate and begging to be licked clean, but this -- no, this was taking that little game to a whole new level.
“Punish me?” A slight tremble ran through his body.
“Well that’s what happens to boys who don’t do as their told.”
He growled. “The last thing I am is a boy.”
“Ah now, that we will just have to wait and see about, if you can keep still long enough.” Sue tugged at his shirt, pulling the last of it out of his pants. “If you can do as you’re told then I’ll find a way to reward you.”
“Now that sounds more like it.” He flashed a wicked grin. “Though I suppose I could submit to a punishment if the need arose.”
Clean, taut skin tempted her fingers as she unbuttoned the shirt and pushed it back from his shoulders. With his hands crossed behind his back it caught on his wrists. With a slight shrug he uncrossed his hands long enough to let the shirt fall to the floor before returning them to his self-imposed position.
She leaned in close, inhaling. Spices, sweet musk and spices. Flawless skin, at least what she could see so far matched that description. Would the rest of him be as perfect? What had she done to find a man like this? Had she won the lottery? Or just stumbled on a piece of good luck?
No, shut that thought down right now. Deserve? Find? Shit, he wants me, the rest doesn’t matter.
He shuddered beneath her light touch, his eyes closed as he tried not to move. His cock swelled beneath his pants, pushing at the material even as she reached for his belt and slowly undid it, pulling it from the loops in a single, smooth motion.
“Are you going to do this slowly?” he murmured, his voice husky, breath catching with each word. “Tormenting me?”
“Yes, I think so.” Sue leaned in, nibbling a soft path across his chest. Even his sweat tasted good. Small hairs tickled at her lips and curled about his nipples, tempting her to capture the tiny bud. “I’m going to taste you in tiny bites, licking you, nipping, suckling until you beg for me to take that a little bit further.”
He groaned, shoulders tensing. “Heavenly torture, and I think you’re going to enjoy every minute of it.”
Torture, for both of them.
Her vulva rippled, heat coating her lower lips, her clit aching for his touch, but she’d been given the chance to set the pace and she wasn’t about to surrender that, even if her body had other ideas. She ruled here, not her body, her dreams, or her fears.
Somewhere deep within, the final chains that held her secret desires locked tight finally shattered. Sue slipped her tongue out between her lips and licked a light path about one taut, pink nipple. Tiny hairs teased the tip of her nose, but she didn’t care. His soft groan, the tiny shiver that rippled through his chest, and the throb of his cock against his pants urged her on.
She eased one hand down over the growing tent of his pants, grasping his erection gently. He arched into her touch, heels leaving the floor.
“God!”
“You like that?” She stroked him softly through his pants.
“Yes!”
“You want more?” His cock throbbed against her hand.
“Yes, please, yes.”
“Then you can wait.” She gave him another light squeeze then released her hold.
“Witch!”
“That’s one thing I haven’t been called before now.” She leaned up, wrapping her arms about his neck as she pulled his head down for a kiss.
“I can think of some other wicked little names to call you,” he whispered against her lips. “Ones that might make that sweet little pussy of yours twitch.”
“I bet you could.” She nibbled softly against his lower lip, suckling it into her mouth as he groaned. He tried to lick against her upper lip only to whimper as she pulled away. “But for now, I’m more interested in doing this.”
She tightened her grip on his neck and claimed his lips, sliding her tongue into the depths of his mouth. She’d never been given full control of a situation like this before and she wasn’t about to miss out on the chance. Her tongue swept slowly along the confines of his mouth, tickling across the surface of his tongue before drawing his into her mouth and suckling softly on it.
Her heart beat against her rib cage. Every movement, however slight that he made, left her wondering if he were about to break position and take control of the situation, but he didn’t.
With a soft moan she pressed her hands against his chest and broke the kiss, stepping back from him. “Stay still.”
He nodded, opening his eyes.
She reached for the zipper at the back of her dress, pulling it down slowly as his gaze locked onto her. His eyes narrowed, lips parting softly as he licked over them, watching as she eased the dress down about her waist. Soft cups of black, lacy cotton lifted up her breasts, a matching pair of black lace panties covered her mound, and the straps of her suspender belt held up the stockings. Thigh highs had been a bad idea the one time she’d worn them; even the ones apparently designed for larger women still rolled down her thighs at the wrong moment.
“Damn,” he whispered.
“Thank you.” Her cheeks burned as she lowered her gaze for a moment. “Stay right there.”
He nodded, swallowing hard as he watched her every move.
She stepped out of the dress, setting it on the arm of the couch, then stood up fully and reached for the opening to her bra, her breasts pushed out as she stretched to find the clasps. His eyes widened, the tip of his tongue pushed between his lips, his cock throbbed under his pants, and every breath he took caused his erection to strain against the soft cloth.
Liquid heat covered her lower lips, moistening her panties.
No man had ever made her feel this way. Not even by touching her. And yet here he was, standing there, bare-chested, and she felt almost ready to beg him to touch her, take her, make her scream in need. Instead she somehow managed to keep those needs silent, buried deeply. At least for now.
She unhooked her bra and let it drop onto the floor. With a soft shiver she traced her fingers back around her chest, cupping her breasts, lifting them up into view. Her nipples throbbed even as she closed her fingers around them. He groaned, watching her every move, hips twitching as he struggled to remain in control of his body. Did he want to move? If so, why wasn’t he saying anything about it?
She moaned, sliding her fingers down from her breasts and into the sides of her panties. “Do you want to see more?”
He growled and gave a slight nod of his head. “Please.”
�
��Maybe I should make you wait?” She traced her fingers along her hips, following the line of her panties. “I could just sit back on your couch and watch you, touching myself through my panties, waiting until you’re ready to beg for more.”
“Evil woman!”
“Is that a yes?”
“No!”
Sue wriggled a little, her fingers hooked back into the sides of her panties, her eyes locked with his.
“Please, take them off.”
There it was, the plea. She’d never had a man plead with her before now, not over something like this, and the thrill of power his words gave her was intoxicating.
“Ask me again.”
“Please, Sue, don’t keep me waiting. I want to see you. I need to see what you look like. In every glorious detail. What do I have to say?”
“I think you already know.” Her breath caught in the back of her throat. “What do you call someone you’ve given power to?”
“Please, Ma’am.” He didn’t even hesitate. “Ma’am, I’m begging you, please take them off.”
He’d done it, he’d really done it.
She slid her panties down slowly, easing them past the straps of her suspender belt until she stepped out of them completely. Until she stood there only in her stockings and suspenders.
“I didn’t know anyone still wore those, but fuck, they look good on you. A frame, a luscious, sensual frame”
A frame? She glanced down and blushed. The two straps did look like that. And she could see just what they were presenting to him. Her mound. A soft, down-covered mound.
“I don’t want to wait any longer, Sue. Please, just let me touch you, kiss you, hold you.”
“Have you forgotten already?” She gave a mock frown.
“Ma’am. Please.”
She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak anymore as she walked back towards him and slowly dropped to her knees. Without a sound she reached up and unfastened his pants, sliding them and his brief black underpants down his thighs. She was in control here, not him, not this time at least.