She was gone about ten minutes when he noticed her return to the ballroom on the arm of Chicago Bill. The band was playing an Elton John tune that he knew—Rocket Man. As Hunter watched, Bill swung Jennifer onto the dance floor where the two of them laughed and danced like they’d known each other forever. The guy was too good looking, and too sly—and moving way too fast.
Couldn’t she see what this guy was all about? She leaned in to hear something Bill said, smiling as he spun her.
Barry moved into Jennifer’s vacant seat and asked him a question. Hunter grunted a reply. Then he tossed his napkin on the table and made his way through the crowd at the edge of the dance floor. The song ended and a slow number started. He watched, hoping that Jennifer would walk away. Instead she smiled at Bill and moved into his arms.
She leaned her head on his shoulder. Bill dropped his hand from her waist to her ass, and left it there.
Hunter breathed fire out of his nostrils. Like a dragon ready to slay another predator who wanted what he wanted—Jennifer. He cleared a path to the two of them dancing. “May I cut in?” Without waiting for a reply, he butted Bill with his shoulder, glad that he stood half a foot taller and had thirty pounds on the guy. He was not normally aggressive, but something about Bill’s smug smile and his hand on Jennifer’s butt made Hunter’s blood run hot.
Bill kept a hold of Jennifer’s waist and she stood there with a mortified expression, glancing from one man to the other.
“Let me go,” she said softly, attempting to walk away.
“You heard the lady,” Hunter stated.
“I will, after this one dance,” Bill said, swinging her back toward him.
She stomped on Bill’s foot and he dropped his hands. “You’re both embarrassing me.” Her flushed face showed her anger.
Hunter backed away, palms up. Jennifer gave them both a look of disgust then hurried off into the gathering crowd.
Damn it. Hunter ran after her and reached her side as she cleared the ballroom. He grabbed hold of her elbow which she yanked away. They were on the mezzanine level and he realized Jennifer was headed for the elevators. Retreat. “I’m sorry, Jen.”
“Do you have any idea what you just did? You made a fool of me. And yourself.” She hissed the words and did not stop walking until she faced the bank of elevators. She punched the up button furiously, over and over, and he could see she was fighting back tears.
“I lost my head,” he said gently, touching her elbow once more. He’d never acted like that before.
She flung his grip off and wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. “Why did you do that? What will the guys think? They’re probably taking bets right now on whether or not we’re sleeping together. I can’t go back in there. Or face them tomorrow. You have ruined everything for me.”
“Jen.” He put a hand on her bare back, and with everything in him, he longed to take her into his arms and comfort her. But she didn’t want his touch. She didn’t want anything to do with him. He was more than sorry. It caused an ache inside.
The door slid open and they both stepped in. He hit the button for the ninth floor.
She moved to the far corner and he turned to face her. When she wouldn’t lift her head he moved closer and cupped her chin. Tilting her head, he gave her a feather-light kiss, then pulled back to look into her teary eyes. He used the back of his finger to swipe away yet another tear. Then he kissed both lids.
“I can’t apologize enough. Please don’t cry. Your career is safe.”
“No, it isn’t! How can it be?” She sniffed, and swiped at her tears.
“I’ll make up some excuse with the men. They won’t openly question me. They have no right to.” He took the silk hankie tucked in his breast pocket and dabbed gently at her cheeks. “I’ll figure out something to excuse my behavior and exonerate you in their eyes. I promise you that.”
“How?” Her voice was small and frightened, and Hunter had never seen her like that. She always carried an air of confidence about her, which was sadly missing right about now.
“I don’t know. But I have all night to figure it out. I won’t be sleeping, that’s for sure. After what I’ve done to you, to us. Our reputations. It’s been a crazy twenty-four hours. I’m a very controlled man, but I’ve behaved like an idiot since we got here.”
Her shoulders relaxed and she leaned her head back against the wall and offered him a small smile. “You can say that again. Not that I’m blameless. After all, I seduced you. I remember it clearly, and that is not like me either.” She sighed and closed her eyes for a second. “This whole thing is weird. Maybe we’re part of a government experiment in viral espionage—or on Candid Camera. I mean really, I liked you as a boss, but then last night after the fever hit me, I had to have you. Right then. Right or wrong.”
“Not to worry. I felt it too. So…what did you mean when you said we were doomed?”
“I meant that whatever it is, it’s too strong to fight it. My best friend tried and failed. I was witness to it all.”
The door slid open and they headed to her room, still talking. She found the plastic key in her tiny purse and opened the door. She stood on the threshold looking up at him. She lowered her eyes. Her voice was hesitant when she asked, “Do you want to come in? You probably shouldn’t. I can’t promise you that you’re safe.”
He stepped closer. “Just for a few minutes.” His eyes met hers, and told her things that she probably didn’t want to hear. He was afraid to voice them himself. Afraid that if he let loose his desire, this time there would be no turning back.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The moment the door slammed shut they were kissing, backpedaling into the room. Jennifer wrapped her arms around his neck and didn’t come up for air.
She breathed in his spicy scent, her nose twitching as she snuggled her face into his neck. She let out a sound like a kitten’s purr as he stroked her bare back, his fingers dipping lower and lower.
Her hands and mouth were hungry for him. She made short work of his tie, brushed his jacket off his broad shoulders and had the first three buttons on his shirt opened before he’d figured out how to get rid of the dress.
It dropped to the floor and she stepped over it, clinging to him in her blue push-up bra and lace undies. She wasn’t wearing hose as it was September, a hot Vegas night. He cupped her bra and suckled on her nipple through the lacy material. She arched toward him as her nipple tightened and peaked.
Oh, how good he was at this. Hunter Carson was a great boss, but he was a magnificent kisser, and highly skilled lover. A very talented man who was pleasuring her, making her too weak to resist his considerable charms.
He unclasped her bra from the back, letting it meet the dress on the floor, then one hand covered one breast while his mouth devoured the other. She wondered how his silly wife could have ever let him go. To live in New York City, in the harsh winter cold without the warmth of this good man to keep her warm? Why, she was crazier than they were!
“Oh, Hunter,” she murmured, eager for more than his touch. “I love how you make me feel.”
She had his shirt opened and caressed his skin with greedy fingers, rubbing her naked flesh against his. She wanted skin on skin and nothing in between. She hungered for his mouth on hers, on her breasts and everywhere at once. She kissed his neck, his chest and abs, and stroked the erection that was prodding between her legs, begging for attention.
“More. I want more.” She wanted all of him at once, and in her frenzy she couldn’t get enough.
Understanding her needs, he pushed her onto the bed and straddled her. He kissed her mouth, hungrily, deeply, while his leg inserted itself between hers, opening her up for him. He still wore his dress pants, but as he kissed her mouth and throat, he moved his hips, pushing into her. Giving her a sample of what was in store.
She moaned his name, and he broke away long enough to reach for a condom out of his pants pocket, strip off his pants and toss them to the floor. He opened the p
acket with his teeth, and standing over her, he slipped it on. His eyes never left hers.
Heat consumed her, and her stomach was a mess of quivering jelly. “Please,” she whispered, tossing her head on the pillow, her nails biting into his shoulders.
His eyes were dark with passion as he lowered himself on the bed. He touched her knees, widening them so his mouth could have better access. She was naked except for the lacy swath of material that with one finger he slid aside. Then his tongue slipped in and she knew heaven had come.
She withered under him, her hands on his chest, pulling at his head, wanting him to lift himself and take her—to fill her deeply until she could want no more.
He sensed the right moment was near and plunged into her, driving himself deeply. His thrusts were hard, fast, furious, and just as she peaked, he slowed the rhythm down, and let her breathing return to normal before building her up again.
Since he was the boss, she let him do whatever the hell he wanted, and with more zeal than ever, she aimed to please.
Some time later, she slid off him, and went to the bathroom to clean up. When she returned he was opening a half bottle of champagne from her mini bar. “Don’t worry. I sign off on your expense account.”
She smiled and kissed him. “Good thing. Otherwise, I’d have to take it out in trade.”
“We could still do that.” He handed her a glass of champagne and toasted her. “Here’s to hell. I’m sure you and I are going to be facing a lot of it when we get back.” He chuckled. “But what the heck. You’re worth it.”
She laughed too, although she knew they were in deep trouble if they couldn’t get a grip on all this. The only thing she could hope for was that once they left Vegas, they’d leave this tempestuous situation behind. Back in Mountain View, all would go back to normal. She wouldn’t lust after Hunter. He wouldn’t lust after her.
“I hope this is worth it.” She stroked his cheek, kissing him softly. “No. Actually I don’t. I hope when we get home, this madness is gone. Don’t you?” She wasn’t sure what she wanted to hear. What she and Hunter meant to each other was anyone’s guess, but she knew it was more than just great sex.
“Do I have to answer that now?” he asked, taking a long sip from his champagne. “Right this minute, I don’t want any of this to stop. I want you in a million different ways. None of which we’ve explored. It will take up to at least the next forty-eight hours. Perhaps a thousand more.”
She giggled. “We can leave a message and tell our team that we’re both sick. We came down with some awful bug. It’s got us both a little crazed. Maybe that would explain our behavior tonight and us spending the next two days in bed together.”
“You with the brilliant mind. I love your thinking.” He kissed her and pulled her back to bed, where they sat up, kissing and snuggling as they drank their champagne.
And then he showed her some of the new maneuvers he’d been eager to try.
Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, Hunter left her alone to return to his room. When she opened her eyes, the sun was shining through the windows and he was gone.
She stayed there feeling blissfully happy, sated, with a sense of well-being which lasted a full minute or two. Followed quickly by guilt, horror, and a little remorse. She didn’t regret what they’d done, but the repercussions might change her life forever.
She should probably start looking for a new job. She had a good reputation in the industry and an excellent resume, but she loved where she worked, the people she worked with. Even the guys who resented her for being their boss were smart, took direction well, and at work they had an easy rapport. She didn’t want to start off somewhere new, but she couldn’t go back to the office and pretend what happened in Vegas hadn’t happened.
Perhaps Bill’s company in Chicago could use a woman with her talents. But Chicago was a long way from her new condo, and a long way from Hunter. She couldn’t bear the thought of leaving. And yet, she wouldn’t be able to continue working at Sonesta Software, because no matter how savvy and sophisticated and forward thinking the management were, two bosses sleeping together would never fly.
She slid out of bed and lethargically walked into the bathroom to take her shower. She the heat of the water penetrated her skin, easing some of the tension in her shoulders. She had felt so right in Hunter’s arms that it was impossible to imagine not being there again.
Oh, how she would miss him. But it would be best to simply leave Vegas quietly and when he returned to California, her resignation would be on his desk.
That would be the smart, sensible, mature thing to do. No mess, no fuss. The two of them would be saved from further embarrassment, and he’d replace her easily enough. Maybe now that John had watched her lead, he could step into her shoes.
When she got out of the shower, she dressed in street clothes. A short, summer skirt and a white sleeveless top. She left a room message for Hunter, explaining her decisions, and letting him know that she wouldn’t be participating in today’s events.
She wasn’t leaving anyone in a lurch. Her presentation yesterday had been her only workshop, leaving her free to assist the others. Not that they would want her assistance, but she liked to make herself available to them at all times. This wasn’t one of them.
After packing her bag, she checked flight information online. She couldn’t get out until two, but it wasn’t safe to stay here any longer.
If Hunter knew what she was planning, he might put a stop to it and their troubles would start up again. She needed to get out of this room, someplace where he couldn’t find her.
Only one person would know what she was going through. She needed to talk to Nikki. And even though it was only eleven in the morning, what better place to hide than the Daylight Beach bar?
CUPID
I spotted Vinnie after ten minutes of hanging around the beach bar. I got there before they opened, as it was a happening place anytime of the day. I figured Vinnie was probably sleeping it off under a hammock or in the crook of a palm tree. Instead I found him passed out at the bottom of a martini glass.
I shook him out, and he cursed me for waking him up. It was almost eleven, and they would be opening very soon, so I needed him out of the bar and in tip-top shape for the busy day ahead. The lazy slug would sleep half the day if I wasn’t around to keep him on his toes.
“Oops-a-daisy,” I said as he rose unsteadily off the floor, attempting not to be stepped on. Bartenders were busy setting up for the crowd which would be descending upon them soon. A 14,000 foot stage hosting popular musical bands was the main draw—coupled with gambling and bikini-clad ladies.
Vinnie swayed and bumped his head on the counter. Taking pity on him I picked him up and we flew off to safety. Perched in one of our favorite palm trees, we would be able to survey the crowd of revelers that every weekend brought. It was also an excellent vantage point to choose our next targets.
“So, Vinnie, I haven’t seen much of you in the past few days. How’re things?”
“Busy. Real busy,” he said, then stretched and yawned. “Worked late last night. Musta shot up thirty, forty people. Judging by the number of lovesick guys and gals smooching in the lounge chairs all night, I would say that I’ve had a very good success rate.”
“Glad to hear it boy. Anyone of interest?” I asked the question innocently, hoping that Vinnie would offer up the information I already had but was keeping tabs on—Jennifer Martin, who’d captured my interest over a year ago. I liked her, and I knew the colossal mistake that Vinnie had made. Her boss! Of all people that he could have hooked her up with, why choose the one she couldn’t have?
“Nothing to report. As I said, things are going well.” Vinnie puffed up his chest with pride. “I’m pretty sure that I connected more people in the past twenty-four hours than you ever did during your heyday.”
I sighed. Poor Vinnie just never seemed to get the concept. It wasn’t about the numbers, but the selection process. Discovering two people wh
o were perfect together, who would be happy for a lifetime, not heading for a quickie divorce. He felt that he was in a contest with me—but let’s be fair, Vinnie didn’t need to think of me as a threat to his success. I was here to help him, not bring up his short comings, though there were plenty of those, to be honest. His success or lack of would have nothing to do with me. It was a matter of instinct which helped me choose well, and sometimes just plain good luck.
“What’s happening with our good friend, Jennifer?” I asked, leaning back on the branch, gazing up at the flawless sky.
“She’s miserable. I don’t know why. She really likes her boss, and he really likes her. They should be deliriously happy. If it weren’t for me, they might never have ended up in bed together.”
“Don’t you understand?” I spoke as gently as possible. Pointing out his mistakes was never pleasant for either one of us. I have high expectations, and Vinnie has so far been unable to meet them, but we both keep trying. “They respected each other as colleagues. They weren’t meant to be lovers. You have created a very uncomfortable situation for them. They must choose to work together or to love together. They can’t have both.”
“There you go again,” Vinnie whined. “You think this is all my fault?” He hopped up and down on the branch. “No, it’s not! They had a choice. Free will and all that. This is their undoing, not mine!”
“Oh, Vinnie. My heart breaks for that poor girl. We must choose for them. Find them someone else to love, or make sure their love is deep and can weather the storms. Which way do you want to go with this?”
“They belong together,” Vinnie said stubbornly. “They just haven’t admitted it yet. But they will. I’ll zap them good today. You just wait and see.”
“Fine.” He knew Jennifer was a flight risk. What would happen if she cut and run? She’d never know the joy of true love. “I accept your decision. Now do it!”
DOUBLE TROUBLE: TROUBLE IN VEGAS series Page 15