by Ruby Rowe
There are buckles, snaps and straps that seem to go everywhere on the erotic red contraption. I don’t know what else to call it, and I sure as hell don’t know how to put it on.
Shaking my head, I hang the outfit on a hook and first try on a sexy one-piece black romper. It has cap sleeves, and the sheer bodice dips into a deep V. The attached loose shorts that match hit just below my butt and are trimmed with black satin ribbon.
The entire romper leaves little to the imagination since the mesh is see-through, but the garment has a playful, young look to it, which suits my personality.
I could totally get away with wearing this around the house without Greyson figuring out my plan. I think.
I’m sweaty, tired and hungry for dinner by the time I get to the extra-naughty outfit. I still need help with this one, so I groan in frustration.
“Are you having trouble, lingerie virgin?” Terrence asks.
“I don’t know how to put the last one on, which is exactly why I saved it for last.”
“Let me in, and I’ll help.”
“No, you pervert. Fat chance of that happenin’ now that I know you like to look at ladies. Greyson would lose his mind on you. Do you not realize this?”
He cackles, and I’m curious as to what’s so funny.
“I think you might be right, especially after how he was this morning.”
I freeze as I’m holding up the contraption.
“What happened this morning?”
“Oh, nothing. I just think he’s jealous of you working for Andrew.”
“Dammit, did Greyson say something to him? If so, that would totally explain Andrew’s odd behavior.”
“I shouldn’t have brought it up. Ms. Rebeccaaa,” he calls out, “I think Sasha needs help with her last outfit.”
“I know you’re trying to ignore my question.”
“Hi, would you like some assistance?” the sales clerk asks outside my dressing room.
“If you wouldn’t mind. I’m not sure how to wear this one.” I inch the door open and spot Terrence’s legs from where he’s sitting in a chair nearby. Squeezing inside, Rebecca takes the lingerie from me and holds it up.
“OK, this part is the garter belt and goes on your waist. These are the garter straps and clasps that hook to your stockings.” She points to one of the stretchy straps that has a little metal thingy on the end.
“These are the crotchless panties…,” she continues, “and all the straps that wrap around beneath the bra are flexible and should lay correctly on your waist since we measured you.”
“I think I’ve got it now. Thank you.”
She leaves me alone, and I manage to put on the sensual garment, but not without huffing a breath toward the sky to get my wavy locks out of my face.
My skin is flushed, and I imagine looking like this once Greyson and I mess around. Could we even get me out of this thing beforehand? Wait, with the crotch missing, maybe we won’t have to be in a hurry to remove it.
While fantasizing about Greyson and me having sex, I admire myself in the mirror. Damn, I look hot. I turn around and peer over my shoulder to see the backside, too, and I’m happy with the results. Now, all I need are some Pretty Woman spiked heels, and I’ll be set.
Once I’ve changed clothes, I walk to the register to pay, and Rebecca rings up my items.
“That’ll be $1308.60. Cash or credit?”
“Um, plasma?” She and Terrence fling their heads back in laughter, thinking I’m the funniest girl ever. I can’t believe I’m spending over a grand on lingerie. What was I thinking letting Terrence talk me into shopping at an expensive boutique?
Once I’ve added on a hefty tip for Rebecca, we walk to the car. I bang my head against the seat and struggle not to hyperventilate.
“Girl, it’s OK to treat yourself to nice things.”
“Maybe one nice thing.”
“You don’t need the money for anything else, right?”
“Not if Greyson and I stay together, but what if that changes?”
“It won’t. Besides, no one who knows you is going to put you out on the street. Your sister never did, right?”
“No, she didn’t, but I did sleep on a couch for years, and there were times in my life when I had little food. I don’t want to experience that again.”
He grabs my knee and shakes it. “You won’t, Sasha. Seriously, don’t stress over this. Now, time to do more shopping, and Friday, we’ll get those highlights of yours touched up, along with a manicure. Oh, and is it all good under the hood, or should I schedule a waxing?”
Gasping at his remark, I smack his arm.
“You did not just say that to me.” He cackles like he did in the shop, and I realize he’s only messing with me.
“I don’t need a waxing, but I do need dinner, along with an aspirin to stop the mini-heart attack I’m having.”
“Maybe an NA meeting is in order this week, too, so you can work on your guilt issues.”
“I’m seeing a therapist in a few days. Just drive before I get any hangrier.”
CHAPTER SIX
Greyson
After parking in the underground garage, I ride the elevator up to my penthouse in Cherry Creek.
This part of Denver is known for its affluent neighborhoods, but with time comes growth, so it’s become a premier shopping district, as well, and the building my penthouse occupies is new.
I love my place, but I think I’d like to settle down in one of the older homes nearby that has a yard and trees, a place where you can raise a family comfortably without elevators and parking garages.
It’s been a long day. I texted Sasha once during my dinner meeting, and she was out with Terrence, which I hadn’t expected. I should be the one keeping her company, so I’m not working late the rest of the week. It’s not like I need the money.
Once I’m off the elevator, I open my door and stroll inside. I drop my briefcase on the table in the foyer and head toward the living room, but Sasha’s not there. Hearing her voice from the other direction, I go left and make my way to the kitchen.
Fuck. There she stands in sexy lingerie I’ve never seen her wear before. She’s leaning over the island with her back to me, and her ass is sticking out as she twirls a piece of hair and talks on her phone. Hearing me, she looks over her shoulder and holds a finger up. A smile plays on her lips like it’s any other day when it’s clearly not.
“Sis, Greyson’s home, so I’m going to get off here. I’ll call you soon.” She lays her phone down and pushes off the island. “I was going to have some pie before bed. Want a piece?”
“Uh, no. It might keep me awake, and I’m already having trouble sleeping.” Sasha shuts the cabinet door she just opened.
“I didn’t think of that. I probably shouldn’t have any either since I’m waking up throughout the night, too.”
She turns to face me, and “Holy shit,” I blurt out.
“What?” she asks.
“You look fucking hot. Where did you get that outfit?” My eyes hone in on her perky tits that I can see through the front of the sheer black fabric covering them.
“Oh, this?” She glances down at her attire. “I picked it up while Terrence and I were out shopping. I figured since you weren’t home I’d hang out with him this evening.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Terrence was with you when you bought that?”
“Uh, huh, but don’t worry; he didn’t see me try it on.”
“I’d hope that’s a given.”
“I figure since I’m back to work, I should buy some nicer things. I mean, I am shacked up with a Burke and all.” A coy grin unveils itself as she saunters toward me barefoot and looking sexy as sin.
Her brown eyes speckled with gold tilt up at me once she’s closer, and fuck, I’m getting hard. I grab her hips; one, because I’m dying to, and the other reason is so I can prevent her from coming any closer. Squeezing them over the thin fabric only fuels the fire, so I groan.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’re killing me here.” I place faint kisses on her cheek … her ear … and her neck before I rest my forehead on her shoulder. She massages my biceps and slides her hands upward until her fingers can play with the back of my hair. “No, no, no.” Grabbing her arms, I pull them down and take a step back. “I’m beat, so I’m going to crash.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?”
“No, it’s not what I want, but it’s for the best. Did you make that appointment today?”
“Yep. I go Thursday.”
“That’s good. Do you want me to go with you?”
“I’d like you to drive me, but I’d prefer you wait in the lobby.”
“That’s cool, and I promise I’m not working late anymore this week. I’d rather be the one feeding you dinner and taking you shopping, not Terrence.”
“I understand, especially now that I know the truth about him.” She saunters off toward the bedroom, so I follow behind her, wondering what the hell she’s talking about. “What truth is that?” By the time I’m in our room, she’s folding back the comforter.
“Come on, Greyson. I know you were pulling my leg about his so-called”–she holds up her fingers to make air quotes–“vagina allergy.”
“I’m not following.”
“You made me think he was gay when he’s actually bisexual.”
“Wait.” I scrunch my forehead. “Terrence is gay. He’s only dated males since I’ve known him, and men are all he talks about. I mean, I guess he never told me he was gay, but I assumed since he’s never once mentioned liking a woman.”
Picking up a pillow, she straightens it in its case.
“Well, hon, he’s also attracted to women, and I found that out in the lingerie store. Just sayin’.”
“Just sayin’? That’s all you’ve got?” I grip the back of my neck as my pulse quickens. “How did you find this out? Did he make a pass at you? Because if he did, so help me God, I’ll kick his ass.”
Dropping the pillow, she turns to me and fists her hips, and shit, I want to get a grip on them so I can throw her on this bed and claim her as mine.
“He didn’t hit on me. He’s happy with Quinton, and he’d never do that to a friend, especially not you.”
“Yeah, well, he still has no right spending that kind of time with you if he’s into women.”
“We’re just friends, and he’s been there for me when you couldn’t be.”
“And that’s fucking changing. No more shopping with Terrence for sexy shit like this.” I wave my finger toward her revealing lingerie, which is giving me another clear shot of her heavy tits.
“Are you telling me I can’t be his friend?”
“That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Good.” Smiling, she climbs into bed and pats the empty spot next to her. “Now, come sleep with me.”
“You’re not changing out of that outfit?”
“Why would I? This isn’t any different than my t-shirt and shorts I usually sleep in.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Ladybug, there’s a hell of a difference, and you’re naïve if you don’t see that.”
Biting on her lip, she plays with a lock of her light brown hair.
“Promise me you won’t give Terrence a hard time tomorrow.”
“I’ll promise no such thing since the fucker should’ve told me, but I won’t fire him, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Fair enough.”
I begin undressing, and Sasha’s eyes soak in every second of it, which is only getting me stiff again. I want her so damn bad. I need to fuck her soon so she’ll feel my body between her legs and my cock deep inside her. I want to ensure that’s what she’s thinking about every day while she works around those horny employees of mine.
Once I’m finished in the bathroom, I put on a t-shirt and pajama pants and get in bed next to her. Propping herself up on her elbow, she eyes me.
“You only ever sleep in your boxer briefs, so what’s with all the clothing?”
“If you’re wearing that, then I’m wearing this.” Giving her a quick peck on the lips, I roll away from her. I hear the loud huff she expels before she shuts off her lamp and rolls the opposite direction.
Resisting her is getting way too challenging. Thank fuck she’s going to therapy this week so we can move this process along.
Greyson
“We need to chat in my office–now,” I say to Terrence at his door. I give him a stern look before I stride down the hallway.
Once in my office, I remove my suit jacket and take a seat behind my desk. I look over the messages Kaylie already left for me as I sip coffee from my to-go mug.
I was late this morning, sleeping in and missing my workout, which is a big, fat fail in my opinion. I only sleep in on weekends, and even that’s on occasion.
Due to my exhausted state this morning, after trying to sleep next to Sasha without touching her, I didn’t hear my alarm clock. Instead, I was stunned to consciousness by the sound of the shower running and the realization that she’d managed to get up before me.
I rolled over to face the bathroom, and out Sasha walked in nothing but a pair of pink panties. She strolled straight to the dresser, giving me a view of the ruffles that covered the backside of them.
Those are the kind of panties a chick wears long enough to have them removed by her man. They’re not the kind I should have to know are beneath her fucking skirt all day. Is she doing this shit on purpose?
“Hey, boss. What’s up?” Terrence smiles as he walks in, but his eyes flit around my office, giving away that he’s nervous.
“Shut the door, and sit down please.” He does as I say and taps his foot on the carpet. “Why didn’t you tell me, Terrence? I share almost all my personal shit with you?”
“Uh, which thing are we talking about here?”
I scratch the back of my head. “Great, there’s more than one secret. I’m talking about how you’re into chicks.”
“Damn, your girl wasted no time spilling the beans.”
“How has this topic not come up between us?”
“I guess because I haven’t been with a woman since college. The subject’s not a big deal to me.”
“When you’re spending entire evenings with Sasha, it’s a big deal to me.”
“Why? Just because I’m attracted to women doesn’t mean I’m attracted to her. I’m not, and even if I was, I’d never put a move on your girl. Never.”
“Shit.” Leaning back in my chair, I drag a hand over my face. “I’m sorry, man. I should know better than to worry about you two. I don’t know where this jealousy is coming from, but it’s fucking exhausting.”
“Dude, you gotta get a grip.”
“I know. Let me ask you something. What sparked the shopping spree for lingerie?”
“It was Sasha’s idea. She figured you’d like it.”
“Damn, do I ever, especially on her.”
“Then I did a good thing by helping her out. I’m wondering if you sometimes forget where she came from. She’s learning your world while trying to figure out who she is in the process.
“She said she can’t talk to her sister about this kind of stuff, and she doesn’t have any girlfriends. If you don’t want me spending so much time with her, then find someone else who can.”
“I’m not pissed you two spent time together. Look, this protectiveness I feel for her is making me irrational, but I’m working on it, and everything’s cool between you and me.”
“Good.” Smiling, Terrence stands and walks to the door.
“Wait,” I add. “Did Sasha really get the lingerie to torment me?”
Without turning back, he says, “Dude, don’t make me answer that.”
I laugh. “Fine, I won’t.”
My sassy chick is in a world of trouble. It’s time to level the playing field.
Ellis
“Can’t you just make him disappear?” I ask Lawson angrily through the phone.
&nb
sp; “Calm down, Ellis. There are some things I can’t control. Either Mr. Day takes a plea deal, or it goes to trial. I did my best, but this kind of case isn’t for the FBI.”
“I don’t want him taking a plea deal. He’ll get out of prison too soon, but I also don’t want the girls having to testify.”
“He’ll still get years, Ellis. He killed your brother, shot a woman and tried to kidnap your child.”
“Fine, I’ll have my attorney work on it.” Hanging up the phone, I scrub my face. Why can’t this family have any peace? My cell phones rings on my desk, so I pick it up.
“Mother, hi. What do you need?”
“You sound grumpy. Maybe this should wait.”
“No, it’s OK. What do you need?”
“Can’t I just call my son?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. How are you?”
“Good, sweetheart. I wanted to run something by you, and I truly hope for Liam’s sake, you’ll say yes.”
I roll my eyes. I knew she wanted something.
“What’s that?”
“Mary Ann and Ron would like to host a joint birthday party for you and Liam at their ranch.”
Shit, could today get any worse?
“Mother, I’m not comfortable with parties. You know this.”
“Yes, but you’re a father now, and that comes with certain responsibilities.”
“I’m fully aware; trust me.”
“Then you should know that you can’t keep him sequestered in that mansion of yours because of your social anxiety. You don’t want my grandson to struggle with the same issues, do you?”
“Of course not, and I don’t want him to have manipulative parents like I do, either.”
“Ellis!” she scoffs, and I feel a pang of guilt.
“Mom, I’m sorry. As hard as it will be for me, I’ll do this for Liam. I know the kid would love it, and since I’ve missed his previous birthdays, I want the rest to be memorable.”
“Oh, this makes me so happy.” She squeals into the phone, and I can’t help but smile. I’m starting to get this parenting thing, so I’m trying to be nicer to my own parents. I don’t need Karma biting me in the ass when Liam’s older.