Little Black Dress

by Sarah O'Rourke

  “Thanks,” I said, feigning a blasé smile. “Are you from California?”

  He nodded. “Lived here my whole life. What about you?”

  “No, I’m originally from the Midwest.”

  “What brought you out this way?”

  “My dad’s in the jewelry business. I followed him out when he came here for work so I could help. The views were all so precious, I decided to stay.”

  “Any brothers or sisters?”

  I nodded. “A brother, Logan. He’s a teacher at a school for the gifted in New York. You?”

  Giving a low whistle, he said, “Family of high achievers. No siblings for me.”

  The man looked down at me, his hazel eyes shifting more to blueish than brown. His smile was open and friendly. I could’ve spent the whole night just talking to him, even if ninety percent of what I was saying was bullshit.

  “Well, it was fun chatting with you. I’m going to go catch up with my friend.” I stuck my hand out. “It was nice to meet you…”

  “Max,” he filled in as he took my hand. “And it was a pleasure to meet you, Winifred.”

  With a stern nod, I turned away and went in search of Emma. It was a short hunt since she was still in a deep and flirtatious conversation with Wyatt.

  “Hi!” she greeted, turning away from Wyatt to give me big, excited eyes. I could almost hear her internal squeal in the same way I could almost see the comic I was going to write about it. “I want you to meet Wyatt. Wyatt, this is my best friend and roommate, Winnie.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I said, meeting his outstretched hand. I glanced over my shoulder to see Max’s eyes on me, a smile playing at his lips. “And, if anyone asks, my name is Winifred tonight.”

  Wyatt looked confused, but nodded anyway. “No problem.”

  I chatted with them for a few minutes before excusing myself to get another glass of wine, figuring they wouldn’t even notice if I was gone.

  Emma, however, surprised me by saying, “Good idea, I’ll come to.” Turning to Wyatt, she gave him an open and warm grin. “It was great talking to you.”

  “What’re you doing?” I whispered as we walked away.

  “I can’t talk to him all night.”

  “Why not?”

  “First of all, I’m not going to ditch you. Second, I’m supposed to be mingling with everyone. Remember? Otherwise, I’ll have nowhere to sit at lunch.”

  “From the way he was eyeing you, I think Wyatt has a couple of spots for you to sit.”

  “Winifred,” she chided, even as she grinned so big her cheeks could crack. “Do you really think so?”

  “Definitely. I’m surprised you’re still here.”

  “I do think he’s going to ask me to grab a drink later.” She picked up a glass of wine, sipping at it. I knew she was slowing down, just in case he did want to go out.

  “Good. It’s about time he stops dragging his feet.”

  “It’s been a week.”

  “Almost two,” I pointed out. “If you leave, just shoot me a text. And send one in the morning, you know I worry.” When she rolled her eyes, I laid it on thicker. “And make sure he gets you off. Or you get you off. Either way. And use protection. No pound town without a rubber down.”

  “Oh my God,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Exactly, but with more energy for him, okay?”

  “You’re the best ever.”

  “Yeah, tell him that, too.”

  With another shake of the head, Emma handed me a wine glass. “Are you sure you don’t mind if I go?”

  “No, I’m hoping you do. Then I can get wild in the apartment.”

  Her brows went up. “Oh?”

  “I’ll watch Netflix on the big living room TV with no pants on.”

  Emma gave me an exaggerated grimace. “Put a blanket down.”

  “Hey,” I said, sipping at my drink, “if I’m watching Jenson and Jared hunting things that go bump in the night on the big TV, I’ll be sure to put a tarp down.” I shuddered. “Never mind, just the thought of the crinkling noise makes me cringe.”

  “With that in our heads, let’s mingle.”

  An hour later, we were standing in a small group, Emma regaling everyone. “So there Winifred was, standing in the middle of the boardroom. And she was just staring this guy down. She didn’t give her presentation. She didn’t kiss up to him or bargain for the contract. This was just when I was a lowly intern, of course, but I’d never seen anything like it. She just held eye contact with him until he nodded and signed the dotted line. Then he got up and walked out without a word.”

  I did my best to look bored. “Typical stuff. It’s all about knowing how to read someone. Really, it wasn’t a big deal.”

  “She’s being modest,” Emma dismissed. “It broke the record for the largest grossing acquisition in company history.”

  Acquisition. I really have to look up what that means.

  Keeping my blank expression, I shrugged. I held my cup and turned to Emma. “Do you need a drink?”

  “No, I’m set,” she said, her eyes going to the other side of the room. Something that’d been happening more and more often. Since Wyatt’s were doing the same, I had a good feeling the big TV was all mine for the night. Maybe even the weekend.

  I smiled at the rest of the group. “Excuse me, I’ll be back in a minute.”

  After stopping off at the bathroom, I returned to the bar and got a water.

  “You really are too modest,” I heard from close behind me, making me jump and knock over one of the almost empty glasses of red wine.

  “Penis,” I whispered, relieved nothing had gotten on my borrowed dress.

  “What?” the voice asked.

  Looking over at Max, who was standing much closer to me than I’d thought, I asked, “What what?”

  “It sounded like you said something.”

  “Pianist,” I blurted out. “I realized I forgot to tell you I’m a pianist.”

  He took a drink of his own water. “I’ve heard the piano is a difficult instrument to learn.”

  “It is,” I bullshitted. I couldn’t carry a tune if the bucket was provided. “It takes a lot of discipline.”

  “I’d love to hear you play some time.”

  “Sure, maybe,” I muttered dismissively.

  “I know you’re busy with work, though. Boardroom stare down, mergers, all that has to be time consuming.”

  I hadn’t known he’d overheard Emma’s tale. I scanned his face for any signs of disbelief or mocking, but he seemed to just be fascinated. “Yes, it keeps me busy. But that’s what I like. I’m a doer, you know?”

  It was a massive lie. I was a sleeper. Cocooned in a soft blanket, I was happy to spend days locked in my apartment, reading and watching TV. Working from home allowed me to avoid the real world.

  And real pants.

  “Really?” Max asked.

  “Oh, definitely. Work, of course, takes up a lot of time. But I like to stay busy with my hobbies.”

  “They’re important to have. What do you like to do?”

  “All sorts of things. Hiking. Boating. Big marathon fan.”

  Yup, I can push myself and get through an entire season in two or three days on Netflix.

  “What about you?” I asked, really wanting to know.

  “I’m not as much of a doer. I like to cook. Go to the movies. I do like to travel, though.”

  That all sounds… really awesome.

  For the first time that night, I started to doubt my ridiculous Winifred act.

  “And go out to eat,” he added, but there was something different about his voice. When I met his eyes, there was a lot of heat in his expression. Well beyond the friendly interest he’d been showi
ng. His tone was lower. Rough. “You wanna get out of here?”

  “I, uhh.” I jerked my thumb to the side. “Friend. Emma.”

  His smile hinted at the promise of good things coming my way. “Friend Emma left with More Than Friend Wyatt.”

  Checking my phone, I saw the waiting text.

  Emma: Leaving with Wyatt! We’re going for drinks, ahhhhh!!!!

  I returned my phone to my bag and looked up at Max. Seeing the sexiest face I’d ever seen in real life, I said the only thing I could think of.

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Three

  Chest Hair for the Win

  We weren’t heading out for drinks, or a late dinner. We weren’t heading out at all.

  Max had gotten one of the reserved rooms in the hotel, and as we stood waiting in silence for the elevator, I appreciated the fact he hadn’t made the polite, but insincere, offer to go elsewhere.

  We knew what this was, and there was no reason to make it awkward out of some sense of conventional procedure. If I hadn’t wanted to go to his room, I’d have had no trouble shooting him down.

  But I wanted to.

  Beyond my lies and exaggerations, there was a very real heat and draw between us. Something in the way he looked at me with anticipation, the wicked promise in his eyes guaranteeing that being wild would be worth it.

  When the elevator doors slid open, we entered with no hesitancy. As they closed behind us, we moved at the same time, colliding together. His mouth covered mine as I weaved my fingers into his thick hair, hitting him in the back of the head with my wristlet. He didn’t seem to notice or care. I bit his lip, sucking it into my mouth.

  His groan was low and deep, traveling through my body and adding to the growing wetness between my legs. Moving his hands to my hips, he pulled me tight against him. His thick arousal pushed against my stomach.

  I heard the ding of the elevator opening, but it’d almost closed again by the time I dragged my mouth from Max’s. He took my hand as we walked out into the hall. There were only a couple doors, and he steered me toward the one at the far end. Inserting his keycard and pushing it open, I saw why there was only a few rooms on the floor.

  Man, Well Marketing hooked them up.

  More apartment than hotel room, the place was huge and spacious. There was a sizable kitchenette and living area. That was all I could see before Max’s lips were on mine again. I tossed my purse in the general vicinity of the table. Lifting me with his hands on my ass, my shoes fell with a thud as he strode down a short hall into what I assumed was the bedroom.

  By the time he set me on my feet, I was already tugging his sweater up and over his head. I made a ridiculous moan at just the feel of his chest hair, my nipples tightening in anticipation.

  Max pushed my cardigan off, his mouth working my neck as he did. His hands trailed along the sides of my breasts, moving downward as he caressed me over my dress. Reaching the skirt, he bunched it in his large hands and pulled it off.

  I gasped as he returned his hold to my breasts, his fingers rubbing my nipples through my bra as he kissed me. Pushing the cups down for better access, he rolled them, tugging gently while I worked at his belt and pants.

  Once they were undone, falling around his calves, Max tore his mouth away from mine. His hooded gaze stayed on me as I sat and scooted up the bed, watching him as best I could in the dark room. There was so much power and confidence in his movements. Seeing the outline of his thick cock had another surge of arousal shooting through me.

  “Condoms. Purse,” I panted, breathless as I watched him stalk toward me.

  “Good, I only have two.”

  We’ll use more than two?

  Oh, I really hope this isn’t all just talk, and it’ll be thirty seconds and done for the night.

  His body dropped to mine. “I didn’t bring any with me,” he clarified. “It’s not my…” He paused before saying, “After talking with you, I asked at the front desk. They only had one box left.”

  “Confident. I like that,” I murmured, losing my train of thought at his lips skimmed down my neck.

  Pushing his hands under me, Max unhooked my bra and tugged it off. His mouth worked around my nipple, not touching it no matter how much I arched and twisted. Shifting to the other one, he repeated the process, once again avoiding my nipple. His hard cock pressed against my thigh as he moved, a constant reminder of what was about to fill me.

  I was growing wetter and more impatient. My skin felt oversensitive, each subtle touch and sensation amplified.

  Finally, Max sucked my nipple into his mouth. Biting, he flicked it back and forth quickly. He held my other breast, his fingers rolling my nipple, pinching and tugging it.

  I could’ve come, it felt so glorious.

  Pulling away, he went onto his knees, gliding his hands down my sides. When he reached my panties, he gripped them and continued down, taking them with him. Once they were off, he returned one of his hands to my inner thigh, holding it open. The other went under my ass, tilting my pelvis up.

  Still kneeling, he bent to cover my pussy with his mouth. There was no teasing or gentleness as his tongue worked. His position allowed him to increase the pressure, his tongue spearing deep.

  Max groaned, the sound vibrating against me. There was a reckless, uncoordinated rhythm to his pattern as he licked. It was obvious he wasn’t going down on me because he had a routine he followed when hooking up. Nor was he eating me out of a sense of half-assed obligation, hoping I wouldn’t be mad when he only lasted a minute.

  Or that I’d return the favor, but longer and with more effort.

  Rather, it was clear he was enjoying what he was doing, and the results were breathtaking.

  Literally.

  I couldn’t seem to drag enough air into my lungs, which was probably for the best. Because, had I been able to, my raspy moan as I orgasmed would have been much louder. As it was, my cry seemed to echo in the quiet room. My hips rocked against him, desperate for more.

  Even after I came, he continued licking me, although he eased away enough to not overwhelm me. The tightness in my lower stomach began to grow again, but he stopped and sat back before I could get too close to the edge.

  “I tasted it,” he said, his voice almost a growl. “Now I want to feel it.”

  Lifting onto my elbows, I watched him lean over the bed and pick up his pants. He grabbed something before letting them fall to the ground again. I heard, but couldn’t see, something ripping followed by the crinkle of the wrapper. A few moments later, his body covered me.

  I dropped down onto my back, my fingers going into his hair to pull his lips to mine. The taste of me was on him, and it made me feel territorial. Like I’d marked him.

  And I wanted to do it again.

  Tilting my hips to urge him on, I broke the kiss as his cock pushed in. My neck arched, my legs wrapped around him, and a guttural groan left my parted lips.

  Full and stretched already, the feeling increased as he inched in until he was buried deep. The coarse hair on his chest rubbed across my nipples, and I definitely could’ve had a mini orgasm from that alone. As he began moving, though, I knew it wouldn’t be mini at all.

  His pelvis ground against my clit, his thrusts long and hard. Unlike when he’d been licking me, Max was more in control of himself.

  It was time to change that.

  I rocked my hips quicker, putting more force into each movement. Lifting up, I kissed him hard and fast before pulling away, needing to breathe. When his own thrusts sped up to meet mine, I wrapped my arms around him, my hands clutching his back.

  His smooth strokes became uneven. With each one, the power behind them increased until my arms around him became necessary to keep me in place.

  My orgasm built, and it built fast. Max must have known, too, becaus
e he held my hips, grinding his pelvis against my clit every time he bottomed out. Then he moved so only the tip remained before slamming back in.

  My nails dug into his back. I bit the corded muscle between his shoulder and his neck.

  And then I exploded.

  Out of body, white lights, heavenly chorus serenading me with Marvin Gaye, I came so hard I was sure it’d never stop.

  “Fuck, Win,” Max whispered, his breathing harsh. While I gasped sharply, his own release was punctuated by a low groan.

  His weight dropped onto me as we caught our breath. He lifted himself a moment later, padding off to the bathroom.

  I rolled over with the intention of getting up, but only made it to my belly before stopping for a well-earned rest. Pieces of hair escaped the chignon, tickling my face. I undid the carefully styled mass, my scalp practically sighing in relief as the tightness relaxed. My body felt loose and alive, ready to take on the world. It was my brain that was the problem.

  It was mush.

  Well fucked and happy.

  Satisfied.

  When I heard Max’s footsteps again, I shifted to finish my journey out of bed. Before I could, however, his weight dipped the bed. He moved between my legs, using his own to keep mine spread. I heard the crinkle of the condom wrapper again, taking me by surprise.

  Is he cleaning up the old one?

  Large hands spanned my hips, lifting me onto my knees. Keeping hold of me with one hand, his other fisted my heavy mass of hair. Lips skimmed up my spine, making goosebumps spread across my skin.

  The thick head of his cock nudged my opening. All the tiredness I’d been feeling fled, a wave of intense arousal taking its place.

  When he reached my ear, his body curved around mine, he whispered, “You good?”

  I tipped my ass up farther as my answer.

  Chapter Four

  Cinderella Leaves More Than a Shoe

  I’m not in my own bed. It’s too soft.

  I wiggled to confirm this, but was met with an arm tightening around my waist and a hard cock against my ass.

  Seems like the combination of too soft and too hard means this bed is just right.