“Of course you can trust me.” I have no idea what he’s getting at. Is he threatening me or was that an ultimatum about my job performance? I’d say I can safely rule out any sort of compliment related to my work performance. I don’t know what else I can do to make this prick happy about the work I’m doing. When it really comes down to it, I’d just like some positive recognition about how hard I’ve worked since I was hired. “And hopefully you’ve been happy with how hard I’ve been working for you. My work is all-consuming these days; I don’t know what I could change to make what I’m doing any better.”
“There’s always something that can be improved.” He’s looking down his nose at me, maybe even trying to intimidate me. It’s hard to know exactly what his intentions are but I’ve seen it all before. One thing is for certain, he loves power. He’s fueled by ruling over the rest of us at the office.
“Enjoy your night, Mr. Anderson.”
I hate that I pause again to make sure he’s finished saying what he has to say. I’m powerless with him and it’s a terrible feeling. There isn’t much that I have control over in my life right now. Running into Neil Anderson in the parking ramp has reignited my desire to find something that I can control. I want to make a decision to do something that is going to change the direction of my life. Or at least make me feel alive, if even for just one night.
I lock the car as soon as I’m inside. I don’t wait around to see what Neil’s next move is going to be. I step on the gas and tear out of the ramp. I’m more determined now than ever to get home and change into the smoking-hot outfit I had all ready to go for tonight. I’m ready to feel something good for a change and based on how I feel just from fantasizing about Rowan McLoughlin, he is just the guy to deliver. That man better be ready for me tonight.
Chapter 3
I almost don’t recognize the bar this time. The parking lot is completely packed, so much so that I have to find a spot on the street. I shouldn’t be surprised, an Irish bar is the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day. When I pull the door open there’s a loud rush of noise that greets me, as if the music and crowds of people are competing to be heard.
My entire body is tingling with anticipation. I don’t waste any time noticing what’s going on around me. Instead I make my way through the crowd to the bar. I spot Rowan right away, even though his back is to me. I spent a good amount of time studying how well he wears a pair of jeans the last time I was at this bar and I won’t soon forget it.
He catches my eye as soon as he turns around and I’m shocked to see a smile transform his face. He’s either happy that I showed up after all or giving me that smile because he knew all along that I wouldn’t be able to resist coming tonight.
He stops at the tap and fills a pint glass full of green beer and walks it over to me. Setting it down and sliding it in front of me he says, “I don’t know if you’re a beer girl, but here’s a taste of the luck of the Irish.”
I smile and lift the beer to my mouth, taking a sip. I let my tongue lick the foam off of my lips. Completely out of character I say, “It’s good but there was something else I was hoping to taste tonight.”
The heat coming from the look he’s giving me makes me think I might be in over my head. It doesn’t change my mind, though.
“Hey, Mark,” he says to another bartender. “Cover for me.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Rowan points to the next customer and Mark walks over to take his drink order. Then he nods toward the back and starts to walk that way. My heart starts pounding away in my chest. For a moment I don’t know if my feet will move me in the right direction.
Just the thought of him touching my body, even just holding my hand, has me worked up with excitement. I’ve been fantasizing non-stop about all of the things he might do to bring me pleasure. I’ve been equally thinking about the ways I’d like to explore his incredible body as well.
I follow him into the back. There are a few closed doors down the hallway. He has opened one of the doors and is standing aside so I can walk into the room. I walk past him and notice how heavy the air feels. Almost like it’s supercharged with electricity flowing back and forth between us.
There’s a large desk in the room, right in front of a large window, with a plain leather couch and a bookshelf in the corner, completely empty. I get the impression this office isn’t used for anything anymore.
I hear the door close and lock behind me, making me turn around and face him.
“You sure about this?” he asks. He’s standing inches from me now but still hasn’t reached out to touch me. I suppose it’s possible he doesn’t want to start anything until he knows for certain that I’m on board.
“Yes,” I say, looking up into his vivid green eyes.
And with that, he wraps his arms around me and lifts my entire body, pressing me against the door while his lips aggressively take mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and completely surrender to his kiss. Opening my mouth for him, I taste the warmth of his tongue and the softness of his lips contrasted with the scratch of his stubble against my face.
When he pulls away we’re both breathing heavy and I’m lost in a haze of lust. “Even better,” I say.
He looks at me with confusion until I clarify. “The real thing is even better than my fantasy.”
My fingers trace his stubble all the way down to his scar and then I use my hand to pull him in for another kiss. I don’t remember a kiss ever being able to ignite the passion inside of me like this.
There’s a hint of cologne on his skin, not too overpowering, and I can’t help but bury my face into his neck and breathe in the scent of him. I want to smell like him while I’m lying in bed tonight, replaying everything in my mind.
He carries me over to the desk and sets me down. I’m quick to start unbuttoning the buttons on his shirt while his hands grab my shirt and pull it over my head.
As soon as I finish all of the buttons, I push his shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. His body is thick and muscular across his shoulders and chest, but trim around the six-pack at his waist. My hands start to explore him, brushing through the curls of soft chest hair and down to the smooth skin at his waistline.
While my hands are busy, his arms go around me and I feel his hands trail a light path up and down my back. He pauses at my bra strap and unclasps it, brushing the straps off of my shoulders and letting them fall.
“I knew we were going to be so good together,” he says, his eyes taking in my body, his hands reaching up to cup my breasts. His fingers brush over the hard points of my nipples and I can feel the ache building between my legs. It has been so long since I’ve been with a man. His touch alone is about to send me over the edge.
“I need this Rowan,” I say, my head rolling back as I absorb the pleasure his hands are producing all over my body.
“I know you do.” He kisses me again, pressing his hard chest against mine. Our bodies are pressed tightly together and the friction is incredible. “Lie down,” he says.
I’m happy to oblige. I stretch my back down along the desk while he moves to the end. Unbuttoning my pants, he pulls them down, panties and all, and tosses them on the floor. I’m lying completely naked on the desk, the only light in the room coming from the soft white glow of the moon, shining down and illuminating my body.
“You’re my Aphrodite, love,” he says, rubbing the bulge in the front of his pants. “Spread your legs, show me how much you want me.”
I do what he says and let my legs fall open. My arousal is glistening. Watching him stand above me, memorizing my naughty secrets, has me desperate for release.
“Touch me, Rowan.” I’m practically begging for him to get me off. His finger dips down and touches me in my folds, rubbing me with expert skill. My hands reach up and palm my breasts, pulling on my nipples, while his finger continues to stroke me.
I close my eyes and let the sensations wash over me. This time when his finger follows the trail down to my core, he slips his finger insid
e of me. My back arches off of the desk when a moment later, I feel his tongue lick my pussy. He makes love to me with his fingers and tongue and it only takes a few forceful licks and I’m shouting as I come.
I push my hands into his hair and hold his head in place while the orgasm pulses through me. He slowly continues to slide his fingers in and out while his mouth holds my swollen clit inside while it throbs and pulses.
All of my inhibitions are gone. This is the best damn decision I’ve made in my life to date.
When he finally lifts his head, he looks me in the eyes and says, “This pussy is mine now.”
“Yes,” I say. “For tonight.”
He slides his hands up my body, squeezing my breasts. “These tits are mine.”
“Yes,” I say again. “For tonight.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a condom. Then he takes off his belt, unbuttons his pants and lets them drop to the floor. Without missing a beat, I’m ready to take his cock for as long as he wants to give it to me.
He pulls me to the edge of the desk and rubs himself against me. I’m greedy and impatient tonight. I want him to get me off again and again without having to wait for it.
“Take me, Rowan,” I say.
“Yes,” he says while plunging his cock into me all the way to the hilt. He’s holding my hips tightly, letting my body acclimate to his size. I start to wiggle against him and he almost laughs. My moans let him know he’s doing exactly what I need him to do right now.
He only thrusts a few times and I feel myself coming hard again. I grip the side of the desk so hard my knuckles are turning white. I don’t have any control over how loudly I’m shouting but with the noise of the bar when I walked in tonight, I’m sure it won’t be a problem. No one else gives a shit what’s going on in the back room when there’s green beer to drink.
I’m coming down from my second orgasm, but Rowan isn’t finished yet. He’s still thrusting into me, rocking his hips so he rubs against my clit in the most delicious way. I almost wish I could have more control over myself but Rowan has it all right now. My body has become putty in his hands.
Rowan climbs onto the desk with me, crawling on top of me. His hands are grasping the edge of the desk near my head, giving him leverage to fuck me as hard as he wants. His breathing is picking up and he’s starting to moan. I know I can come again if he can keep it up for just another minute. I feel his hard cock start to pulse and the position of his body is rubbing me just the right way. He slams into me and holds himself deep while he starts to come. I grab his ass and continue to rock against him a few more times until I come one more time.
His mouth finds mine, kissing me in short bursts, both of us too out of breath for much more. With his forehead pressed against mine we take a minute to come down from this high.
“This desk,” I say after a minute, “is really hard.”
Rowan smiles and gets up, grabbing his clothes that are littered around the room. I pull myself up too, though if I had my way I’d roll over and go to sleep for a while. It’s possible that it has been years since I’ve been this relaxed.
I’ve just re-clasped my bra when there’s a loud banging on the door. I jump and cover myself with my shirt.
“Rowan, we need you,” a deep voice says.
“Shit,” he says under his breath. He walks over and gives me a kiss. “Sorry, I’ll be back soon.” And with that he steps out of the room, firmly closing the door behind him.
I’m left standing here in an empty room, half dressed. How long does he expect me to stay in here and wait for him to come back? I’m starting to feel self-conscious about what I just did. Honestly, I need him to be here with me right now. This is exactly why I wasn’t sure about this. Now that it’s over and done with, I can’t believe that I actually did it. I quickly finish getting dressed and then step out into the hallway.
I scan the bar area for him but I don’t see him anywhere and I’m not in any sort of mood to wait around at this point. I have my things so I decide to head outside to my car.
The door closes loudly behind me, significantly reducing the cacophony of sounds assaulting my ears inside the bar. It’s still chilly tonight so I zip my coat while I’m walking. I’m alternating between a huge goofy grin when I think about the sex to almost tears when I think how he left right after. There’s no other way to say it, I had a great fucking time tonight. Now I just have to figure out if I’m going to be okay with one night.
I stop at the end of the parking lot to wrestle with my stuck zipper. It’s not helping that I’m having a hard time focusing. Just as it comes unstuck, I look up to cross the street when I’m startled by a man appearing next to me. It’s as if he has materialized out of the shadows. I don’t even have time to process what’s happening.
“Come with me,” he says. I look at him completely dumbfounded, wondering what the hell he’s talking about. He must have me confused with someone else. The very next moment my mind is made up for me when he lifts a gun and points it at my chest.
Chapter 4
“You must have me confused with someone else…I’m just headed to my car.” I can’t think straight. My hands are straight up in the air, pleading with him not to shoot me and also to let me go home.
“You’re only going to get hurt if you don’t come with me right now.” His accent sounds just like Rowan’s but he doesn’t look anything like him. For the first time I’m wondering if Carmen was right. Maybe Rowan’s family is part of the mob.
“I was here with Rowan tonight. If something’s going on, let me get him. We’ll figure it out.” The last thing I want to do is get in this guy’s car and let him drive me somewhere but I know his patience is wearing thin.
“The boss doesn’t want to talk to Rowan, he wants to talk to you. Which means I’m going to take you to see him. Let’s go.” He actually cocks the gun and all I needed to hear was the sound of the bullet moving into the chamber for my feet to start moving.
What in the hell have I gotten myself into?
He takes my arm and leads me to his car. He puts me in the backseat, puts a pillowcase over my head and makes me lie down. “You move the bag off your head and you’ll find yourself bound and gagged.”
With that he slams the back door and a minute later the driver side door opens and I can feel the car adjust to his weight as he sits down in the seat. I close my eyes and curl up into a ball on the back seat. All I can do is pray that this nightmare is over soon.
I have no idea where we’re going. My sense of direction is poor enough without a bag over my head. It seems like it has only been about ten minutes or so when the car stops again and we’ve parked. He opens the back door but instead of being met with a cold gust of air, it’s warm and quiet.
Once I’m out of the car he pulls the hood off and I blink while my eyes adjust to my surroundings. It’s dark and we’re in some sort of a garage. I hesitate to look around too much because when this is all said and done, I want to go home tonight.
“This way,” he says, walking to the back of the garage toward a single door. I follow this time without hesitation. Once we’re through the door, he leads me through a few more hallways until we reach a larger office. He opens the door and steps aside. “Sit,” he says as he points, instructing me to take one of the chairs in front of the desk.
Again, I do so without hesitation. He stands inside the closed door with me but doesn’t say anything. There’s no one else in the room, though it’s obvious we’re waiting for someone important to join us. After just a few minutes, a side door that I didn’t notice before opens and a man walks in.
He strides into the room at a determined pace as if this is just one meeting he has in a long line of many tonight. I’m afraid to move or do anything to make myself more noticeable in the room. I hear a click behind me and my nerves make me turn around. My kidnapper has left the room without a word being spoken.
The man in the suit sits behind the desk, folds his hands and looks at me
and smiles. I audibly gasp when I realize that this man must be related to Rowan. I’d bet my life that they’re brothers. They have similar features in all aspects except the eyes. Rowan’s eyes have a spark of life to them and an air of mystery. This man’s eyes are looking at me but there’s a disconnect, some sort of void.
“Stella, thanks for coming,” he says.
At least sarcasm isn’t lost on him. I’ve decided to keep my mouth shut until I know why the hell I’m here at all.
“Let’s get right down to it. Did Neil send you to my brother’s bar to snoop around?”
His question completely throws me off. Why the hell are we talking about my boss?
“Neil as in Neil Anderson? Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know Stella, that’s why we’re having this quaint meeting tonight. You work for Neil Anderson. One of my men overheard you mention that you work at his company when you came into the bar the other night. Then you showed up again tonight. I want to know what kind of games Neil is playing and you’re going to help me understand.”
“Ah, well…I do work for Neil but he doesn’t have anything to do with why I was in the bar the last two nights. The first night I was there by mistake and then tonight I came back for Rowan.”
“What do you know about Neil’s business dealings?”
“I’m sorry…I don’t even know who you are. And Neil doesn’t share any of his business dealings with me. He’s too much of an egotistical, pompous ass to do that.” The last thing I expected was to be hounded about Neil and his business practices. “I work for him but he decides what work I do, not me.”
Kiss Me I'm Irish: A St. Patrick's Day Novella Page 2