Four Erotic Series Collection: Bounds Of Passion, Sexed Up/Tied Down, Spectacular Stranger, The Proposition

by Lucia Jordan

  “Sorry about that, mister,” she had mumbled, and her voice had been slightly deep, very sexy. He’d looked into her jewel-like green eyes for that split second before she brushed past him.

  He’d turned and watched her walk off quickly out of the apartment building, moving through the revolving doors without a backward glance. He’d stepped into the elevator and it was only when the doors closed that he suddenly remembered he’d stopped breathing.

  Hell, she was beautiful. Those haunting green eyes, her full, puffy lips with the natural glow of pink in them…her unblemished though somewhat pale skin…She looked quite young, perhaps early twenties – which made him at most ten years older than her. But then surely that wasn’t such a turn off, was it? Not like he was some perv stalker-to-be. But it would have been nice if she stopped to say hello each of those times they’d almost run into each other again.

  Alas, she was more content to do the scampering thing and disappear round the corridor or down the stairs before he could say a word. Damn. He’d really have liked to know her better. There was something different about her. A bit of an edge, a hint of the exotic in her beauty.

  And then Ethan had to remind himself that an involvement, even fleeting, with a female at that moment was out of the question. For one, he was monumentally busy with keeping his lucrative publishing business on track – and in addition, there was the very recent, very messy break-up with his ex, Leanne. He still wasn’t completely over that.

  In fact, he should be shuddering at the thought of even getting near a woman right now. Hadn’t Leanne proven that the species were hardly to be trusted? Not only had she tried to steal from him via his company’s funds, she was also a self-confessed gold digger whom he’d overheard telling her friend she was only with him for all that family money.

  Yikes, he thought, with an actual shudder this time. To think of how close he’d been to getting married to the seemingly career driven, glamorous and sexy Leanne Wilbur. Her family was old money, though from the way she’d been desperate about getting her claws into his cash, then that old money was all but crumbling into non-existent smoke by now. Not that he felt sorry for her. With her sophisticated good looks and lofty aura, she’d be finding another rich sucker soon enough.

  Shoving his hand through his short raven black hair, he forced back those thoughts and finally stood in front of his door which he unlocked before he went in.

  *

  Hailey drew in a relieved breath as she shut her door behind her. Still not quite sure, she twisted to look through her eyehole. Okay, not that she really thought he’d follow her, but…

  Hailey just couldn’t understand why that guy got to her so much. Well, apart from the fact that he was sexy as sin and undeniably gorgeous, of course. The fact that he seemed several years older did nothing to detract from her attraction, it heightened it. He had to be above thirty and yet he had the whipcord build of a guy ten years his age. Every inch of him had been impeccable.

  Moments ago, they’d very much almost run into each other – again. It was like fate was being deliberately cruel. Either that or he’d somehow mastered her routine and knew just when she’d been coming in or going out –

  Absurd, she thought to herself, finally moving from the locked door and advancing into her very nicely furnished, open plan apartment. Well, not exactly hers, but, well, it already felt like home. There was something to be said about living in a plush, spacious abode with every needed gadget available and to top it off, the best view of Manhattan a soul could wish for.

  Which was why she’d rather not do anything to jeopardize that. Which meant, of course, keeping a low profile in the building so that no one could guess that she had no right to be there.

  When Samantha, her best friend, had allowed her to move in while she was away in Barbados with her fiancé, she’d made Hailey promise to be careful. For one thing, squatters and sublets were not allowed. And certainly, people who weren’t the exact tenant weren’t allowed to actually live on the premises.

  But Hailey had been broke, not to talk of out of work for the past few months. And short of going back to stay with her uncle and aunt (lord forbid), she’d had to ask her best friend the favor of allowing her stay in the exclusive apartment till she could get back on her feet. And that meant finishing the many freelance web content projects she was handling for some online businesses – as well as maybe working on some new titles to show a publisher.

  And that would have to be soon, she told herself with a deep sigh. She hadn’t written anything in ages. Working under the pseudonym Faye Harley, she’d published a few things independently which weren’t exactly bringing in the bucks. It barely paid enough for her to feed and clothe herself and pay for her transportation. And short of taking charity from her eager to help, well meaning friends, Hailey knew she’d better work on something good enough to show some decent publishers or she’d starve.

  Well, a voice told her, you could always get a normal job…

  But for some reason, Hailey cringed at the idea. She’d worked for people before and hadn’t liked it. Also, she hated the conformity of it, not to mention the drudgery, of waking up to do the same thing every day. Unless, of course, it was something she absolutely adored doing. And if it paid really well, of course.

  So, until such a perfect role came along, she decided to stick with her stress-free lifestyle. Okay, well as much as being broke and living hand-to-mouth was stress-free.

  Tugging off her bulbous sweatshirt, she went to the kitchen island to prepare something to eat. It was just too bad that she hated eating alone. Which was why she hardly ate.

  And that was why she was as skinny as a chopstick, Hailey thought with a smirk as she viewed her reflection in the broad blade of the knife she was using to chop her veg. To make matters worse, she had this humungous double D chest that had plagued her for all her teens and even into adulthood. It had been weird growing up around her friends with their perky, half-orange busts. Meanwhile she had woken up one day when she was barely fifteen and found she’d turned from a tomboy into a virtual pin-up girl. It had been mortifying.

  That was why, even now, she wore bulky clothes. Outfits that concealed her enormous jugs that would have seemed so disproportionate with the rest of her. But then, now that she thought about it, none of her former boyfriends – few as the numbers were, had ever complained. In fact, they let her know in enough ways that they had no issues at all with her over-endowments.

  Yeah, no surprise there, she thought with a twist to her lips before popping a piece of carrot into her mouth. And then, out of nowhere, she thought of him.

  That guy in the building she kept “almost” running into. Ever since she’d sneakily moved in weeks ago, she’d caught glimpses of him at least five times. And each time, he seemed even hotter than the last.

  One would think, looking at her, that she’d be more into those laid back types, or the tattooed, rock band, skateboard dudes. But no, for some reason, what turned her on were those steel jawed, corporate hunks in their dress pants and charcoal black ties. Those men with their custom made suits and boardroom savvy. She wasn’t sure why, but such was life. She couldn’t count how many times in the past week she’d lain back in her scented bath, or on her fluffy pillows, and roved her hands over her body thinking of him.

  Yes him, with those molten brown eyes of his she’d only seen once, when they’d crossed in the lift. He with his square-cut good looks, his broad shoulders in those dark grey suits he favored which looked obviously made just for him. And probably cost ten times more than everything she owned in her entire wardrobe!

  Just brushing past him in those few seconds had her universe tilting in a dangerous fashion. The fresh scent of him, which was a mix of faint hints of shampoo, citrusy bath gel and light, expensive cologne. And the look on his face when their eyes met…whoa.

  If he could make her feel that way with just fleeting moments of near contact, then he was definitely trouble. She was in no posit
ion to be falling for guys who oozed sex appeal – though they did make great hero material…

  Suddenly, she forgot all about food as her handsome “neighbor” suddenly struck her so much she was already thinking of a whole new story built around him. There was no doubt she’d found her muse – for her next novel at least.

  Such occurrences were rare, but when they hit her, they couldn’t be ignored. Barely remembering to grab a fruit from the bowl, she went off to the office area of the apartment, determined to begin what already promised to be a spicy composition indeed.

  Chapter Two

  Three different meetings in one day and within minutes of each other was helping to further fray Ethan’s mood. Even a call from his brother who was in far away Canada on business didn’t do much to cheer him up. Ethan didn’t mind hard work and enjoyed every bit of what happened to be his chosen field, but heck, he had no social life to speak of. That wasn’t normal, was it? A red-blooded guy like him needed some leisure time to ease the tension from that entire corporate grind. For goodness’ sake he certainly made more than enough money to be able to afford enjoying himself.

  Face it, Ethan – it’s not really about your social life or even making time for leisure. The truth is, you just want to get laid.

  The voice in his head sounded quite sensible indeed. Well, it had been some weeks since he’d dabbled in any kind of sexual encounter. He couldn’t even remember her name or face right then, but it had been a satisfactory event in any case. It had been another of those blind dates his friends were always hooking up for him. She’d been pretty, and they’d shared great conversation, but by morning he hadn’t been able to wait for her to leave.

  Was that what was going to happen tonight? Another casual romp, to be vaguely recollected weeks after? Ethan sighed deeply, just as his phone rang. He picked it up to hear the sound of one of his friends, Luther. Right on time, Ethan thought wryly.

  “Geez, Ethan, don’t tell me you’re still at work. For goodness’ sake man, you own the company. What’s the use of having so many staff if you’re going to do everything yourself?” Luther jested.

  “Yes, I guess I’m too much of a perfectionist”, he said sarcastically, “Besides, this is a busy time for us. We’ve got a lot of titles coming out this month. I’m worried.”

  “Well, worry tomorrow,” Luther said with a chuckle. “Because we’re at this new bar just a briefcases’ throw from your office, so hot foot it here. Plenty of hot, ready women just waiting to mingle – and the best cocktails I’ve had in a while. You coming?”

  Remembering his last thoughts before the call, Ethan hesitated. But then he heard himself saying, “I’ll soon be done here. Give me the address and I’ll join you guys shortly. I’m definitely overdue for some unwinding.”

  “That’s the spirit!” Luther said, giving the address before he hung up.

  ***

  Hailey always felt emotionally drained whenever she finished visiting her aunt and uncle – and tonight was no different. She’d gone to see them for that weekly dinner they insisted she made it for, and it had been a trial to put it mildly. Her Aunt Betty and Uncle Frank had raised her since her parents had died when she was sixteen. Not that they got the chance to raise her very long. At age nineteen, she’d moved out to live with a friend from college.

  And now, at twenty two, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had to stay at that house for any period of time. After she’d graduated with her degree in English Lit, they’d expected her to go into something meaningful, like teaching or any other regular job.

  Yeah, sure, she’d tried it for a while but it didn’t work. She could feel their disappointment every time she came around for a visit. It was all magnified by the fact that their own biological kids were doing so well. Hailey’s cousin, Jessica was a successful psychologist, while Michael her younger brother was doing well in his IT business.

  As usual, Hailey didn’t let any of that bother her. Once she got up to her own four-squared space, she’d be in her own bubble and put any of the irritating happenings of the day behind her.

  Entering the apartment building, she saw the lift doors about to close and quickly dashed for them, making it just in time. Only to go rigid when she saw the two people necking passionately inside the car.

  It was too late to skip out again, because the doors were shutting behind her. The couple paused when she entered, and though she barely stole a glance their way, she recognized him – her muse, Mr. Molten Brown Eyes. Carefully avoiding his gaze, she mumbled an “excuse me” and reached for the button for her floor. Already, she was cursing herself for rushing into the lift without making sure it was empty first.

  “Hi,” he said, surprising her, and she almost didn’t look around. Seriously? Was this guy actually going to try and talk to her with his squeeze right next to him? She’d seen enough when she’d bumbled in to guess what those two could only be going up to his place to do – fuck each other’s brains out.

  Swallowing, she barely turned, gave a tight smile, and said, “Hello.” In that split second, she registered that the woman with him was a very pretty, young and curvy dishwater blonde dressed in a stylish skirt suit with the buttons of her blouse undone to reveal a nice pair of C-cup tits. Definitely one of those highflying exec types or for all Hailey knew, even his secretary. And well paid too, judging by her expensive looking corporate outfit and designer high heels.

  Her pretty face was creased in something like a half-curious, half-disdainful look. She certainly didn’t seem like she considered Hailey to be any real competition.

  Not that it mattered, but suddenly Hailey got pissed off – with everyone. People who judged her and found her wanting just because she didn’t fit. Her aunt and uncle, her cousins – and now even this blonde who was looking at her like something that should be kept under a Petri dish. Hailey had had it.

  “It’s funny how we keep seeing each other around the place but I never get to ask your name. I’m Ethan Wolf,” her hunky neighbor was saying in that mega cultured, clipped and sexy tone of his. She felt more than saw the hand he stretched out – the hand he’d only just had wrapped around Miss Bimbo’s waist.

  Hailey felt annoyed with herself for thinking such mean thoughts about the other lady. Especially when deep inside, Hailey knew how in her fantasies, she wished it was she following him up to his apartment. How pathetic of me is that? She asked herself this with a hidden smirk.

  Still, she turned to him with a courteous if not stilted smile as she took his hand and quickly shook it. Despite the brief contact, she’d felt the tingle that came with touching a man who effortlessly exuded such intense virility. Snatching her hand back and stuffing it into her combat jacket’s pocket, she kept the smile pasted on as she said, “Hailey. Nice to meet you.”

  “Same here,” he replied, with an added warmth in his voice that made her steal another look at him-and to also catch the now spitting glare of the curvy, efficient secretary type.

  Thankfully, she reached her floor seconds later.

  Unable to help aggravating the other lady further, she turned to the blonde’s companion and said to him sweetly, “See you around.”

  He nodded, smiled and said goodnight. Not sparing the other blonde another glance or thought, Hailey exited the lift.

  *

  Ethan Wolf.

  At least, now she had a name to go with that hunk of male juiciness, Hailey thought with an inner sigh. Just imagining what could be going on in his apartment at that moment, made her grit her teeth. Was there something terribly wrong with her for feeling suddenly turned on by the thought of him having sex with some other woman right then? Imagining him peeling off her clothes and then his, before laying her across his sheets and bending that brown-haired head of his to the cleft between her thighs…

  Or maybe he wasn’t the peeling off type. He actually looked more of the kind to rip things off, and then rip into things – mainly with his cock. Hailey swallowed drily as she thought of
him grabbing his lover by her waist, flipping her on her belly and hoisting her hips up for his masterful penetration. He’d sink in deep on the first thrust, and then he’ll stroke out till just the tip remained – and then slam in again, jolting his lover forward and making her whimper his name…

  Hailey, for goodness sake! She shook out of her wildly erotic haze, shaking the vivid images out of her mind. She needed to seriously get a grip on herself. But still…she couldn’t help thinking that here was even more material she could use. Already, she felt the juices – this time creative – pumping again. And though it was almost past midnight, she went straight to her computer, flipped open the lid, and was soon frenziedly at work. At this rate, she might just have her newest title up and ready in no time…

  Chapter Three

  Hailey hadn’t felt so pleased and fulfilled in a long time. As she made her way home that rain-swept evening, she didn’t mind the wind blowing at her clothes or even the light yet cold drops of rain still washing down. She was just a few strides from her apartment building.

  Damn, she really was getting used to the luxury. But in the back of her mind she knew she’d have to give up on that soon considering her best friend would soon be back in the country. Hailey had to admit that Samantha lived quite an enviable existence; rich folks, and an even richer boyfriend – and a highly lucrative career as a top buyer for one of the premium designer brands. The great thing about her girl pal though, was that Samantha was also the coolest and most down to earth person Hailey knew. She was also very generous. Hailey couldn’t count how many times Samantha had offered to help her out by loaning or even giving her money. But Hailey drew the line at accepting that kind of charity.

  Hopefully, she’d never get to that stage, she thought with a happy sigh as she arrived at the apartment block. Only that day, she’d finally sent the finished copy of her manuscript to a well-known local publishing firm. That’s why she was so happy; she really had a good feeling about her latest work and somehow, she knew this was it. Now all she had to do was wait and…