by Amy Valenti
Tabitha shivered as her embarrassment faded. The way Marcus looked at her reinforced his words. His eyes fixated on her most intimate secrets. She contracted inside, experiencing a stab of pleasure.
Marcus traced the edges of her feminine folds with his fingertip. He spread the slippery essence of her arousal over her clit and gently massaged it. “I can’t resist you.” He leaned forward and fastened his lips to her flesh. Tabitha jerked as pleasure pierced her center. He licked, kissed, and tugged, using his whole mouth to satisfy her.
“Marcus, it’s too much. I can’t take it.” Her pleading voice throbbed with yearning hunger and desire for Marcus alone.
He released her. “Well, in this instance, you have to. Just lie back, spread wide open. I want to taste you. I want to make you come. Keep your arms over your head.” Satisfaction laced his voice. He’d taken control back and he intended to wield it.
His words pushed her higher. Her body stretched out along the surface of the table, trembling with desire, exposed to his gaze and ready for his use. She was his, for his pleasure, but for hers as well.
Marcus returned his attention to her delicate bud, using his tongue to flick it back and forth. He pressed his mouth to her and sucked gently.
Tabitha quivered, balanced on the precipice between coherent thought and mindless passion. Marcus propelled her over the brink as his searching lips found her most responsive spot once again and drove her toward completion. Tabitha struggled to contain the moans that bubbled up her throat as she writhed on the table, her orgasm overtaking her.
Just as she felt herself slide down from the peak, Marcus entered her, taking her with long-suppressed need. Slick with arousal, she accepted him readily. She’d ached for him for so long. As he filled her, he satisfied the need not only of her body, but her soul. With unrelenting passion, he took her powerfully, driving deep again and again.
Tabitha rose to meet him as her desire crested again. A strangled cry escaped as heated spasms dominated her reality. She reveled in the musky scent of their coupling, the hard surface beneath her and Marcus’s hot, burning skin pressed to hers.
Marcus didn’t hesitate. “Yes! Tabitha!” He buried himself deep within her as he reached his completion. He collapsed, half on her, half on the table.
Tabitha lay gasping, trying to catch her breath. Marcus’s heavy weight crushed her, but she didn’t want to let go. As coherent thought returned, she wondered how long they had been in the conference room. Half an hour? Longer? Good thing her boss was out of the office today.
Tabitha cupped Marcus’s cheek. “I can’t believe we just did this.”
Marcus kissed her and nipped her ear. “Are you sorry?”
“You need to ask?” She nuzzled against his jaw.
He turned her eyes to his. “You didn’t answer my question.”
“I’m not sorry. How could I be? I missed you … and now you’re here. No. I’m not sorry.” She paused, considering. “Although perhaps this wasn’t the best location.”
Marcus laughed. “You may be right.”
Tabitha traced the line of his spine with her fingertips. “Did you know I was here?”
“Yes. I knew where to find you.” He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her scent.
“How?” Tabitha’s bewilderment seeped into her voice.
“Your beach tote had the firm name on the side. One phone call and I knew you were an employee here.”
Tabitha wondered why he hadn’t contacted her sooner. A phone call wasn’t so difficult, was it?
Marcus folded her into a close embrace. “I’ll say it again. I’m sorry. When my father called, he was enraged. Coron has tried to take over Granger Pharma before. I couldn’t let that happen. And with Monica being involved, things are complicated.”
“Your sister?” Tabitha thought back to the argument she’d witnessed in Hawaii. Even in disagreement, she’d been able to sense their strong family bond.
“Yes. She may have even provided Coron with unreleased information.” Anger tempered his voice.
“Isn’t that a breach of her fiduciary duty?”
“It might be. I don’t know exactly what she did yet. I haven’t had a chance to question her. Frankly, she won’t return my calls. She’s pissed about being fired.”
“But would she turn on her own family?”
“She was very angry about having her idea shot down again. She doesn’t believe our father takes her seriously, and she may be right.”
“What are you going to do?”
Marcus got to his feet. “Right now, I’m going to get dressed.” He removed his pants from the chair and put them on.
“You know that’s not what I meant.” Tabitha sighed with exasperation.
“I know. I’ve had meetings most of the day. We’ve been working on ideas since I got back to New York.” Marcus shrugged into his shirt and buttoned it. He picked up her bra and handed it to her.
“Is there anything I can do?” Tabitha slipped on her bra and located her panties.
“Yes, you can meet me for dinner.” Marcus tucked in his shirt and pulled on his jacket.
Tabitha laughed. “Okay. Where?”
“I don’t feel like sharing you just yet. Do you want to come by my place?”
Her heart fluttered. “Yes.”
Marcus looped his tie under the collar of his shirt. “Can you tie this for me? I can’t do it without a mirror.”
“Yes.” Tabitha finished buttoning her blouse and crossed to Marcus. She reached out and grasped both ends of the tie. “You’re lucky I know how to do this. What would you do if I didn’t?”
“Roll the tie up and stick it in my pocket. I’d leave my top button undone so it looked like I was working hard.”
Tabitha laughed.
“I might have to shed my jacket and roll up my shirt sleeves to complete the effect.”
Tabitha loved this playful side of Marcus. Did he share it with others? He let down his guard in her presence, but she doubted that was common for him. Marcus had always indicated he valued his privacy. She finished dressing and straightened her clothes carefully. “Does everything look in place?”
Marcus took a moment to look — really look.
Tabitha trembled under the intense scrutiny.
“You look delicious.” He playfully bit her neck.
Tabitha smirked. “Thank you. Do I look appropriate to return to work? I don’t want to go to make a copy and find out I’m missing a stocking.”
“Mmm. Missing stockings can be fun.”
“Yes, that’s true. However, I prefer my co-workers not know I was just rolling around on the conference room table in a decidedly naughty way.”
Marcus laughed. “You know, I’ll ever look at this table the same way again. It might be hard to focus during meetings. Plus, imagine the next person who gets to sit there.” He gestured toward the area where Tabitha’s naked body had graced the table.
“Errr … should I wipe off the table?” She peered at the surface, searching for evidence of their encounter.
Marcus laughed and tossed her the handkerchief from his pocket.
Tabitha wiped the general area and found nothing. She handed Marcus his handkerchief.
He leaned in and kissed her. “I want to stay with you. But I know you need to get back and I have a meeting. So, dinner?”
Tabitha deliberated a moment. “I’d like to.” Though a portion of her mind remained cautious, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse him.
“Let me call you later and give you details.” He escorted her toward the door.
Tabitha turned and took Marcus’s hand. She kissed his palm, opened the door, and breezed out of the conference room. For the first time in weeks, there was a spring in her step.
Chapter 3
The cab dropped Tabitha in front of the Marcus’s address. She stepped out and looked up. The building was a sleek, modern high-rise. It suited Marcus. She thought it best they smoothed out their bumps in private.
Despite their feverish reunion, there were still obstacles to overcome.
Tabitha hurried inside. Live plants and contemporary furniture encircled the lobby. Large windows and high ceilings produced an open, spacious atmosphere. She checked in at the doorman’s desk. The doorman was matter-of-fact and buzzed Marcus’s apartment. Tabitha experienced a stab of insecurity. How many other women had stood right here waiting for permission to go up? Stop it, she admonished herself. Don’t let silly insecurities get in the way.
The doorman directed her to the elevator and she pressed the button for the correct floor. The elevator sped to the top of the building with fluid precision. The doors opened, not into a hallway as she expected, but rather an entry foyer. Polished marble bounced light onto mirrored walls. Before she exited the elevator, Marcus appeared in the arched doorway, holding out his hand. She walked toward him and grasped his fingers, her shoes clicking on the floor.
“Did you have any trouble finding it?” Marcus kissed her hand and led her from the foyer, tucking her into his side.
“No, none at all.” Her breast pressed against his arm, a tingling distraction, and she struggled to take in her surroundings. The foyer opened into a large living area. The neutral tones of the carpeting and walls made the colorful artwork pop. An eclectic mix of abstract paintings and oil pastel drawings were exhibited together on the walls. Tabitha studied them a moment, trying to infer something about Marcus from his selections.
Marcus broke into her thoughts. “Part of me was afraid you wouldn’t come.”
“Why did you think that?” She wondered how he’d guessed. She’d had second thoughts. And third and fourth thoughts as well. She had battled to put them aside. The doubting part of her kept trying to convince the besotted part of her that there was no way to make a relationship work with a man like Marcus over the long term. They were just too different. But her feisty heart wasn’t prepared to give up without trying. Not yet.
“I sensed … uncertainty? A lack of commitment?”
Now was the time for honesty. “I had misgivings about coming. Can you blame me?”
“No.” Marcus let her go.
“We never made any real commitments. You didn’t even talk about getting in touch again after Hawaii.” When they’d connected in Hawaii, Tabitha had allowed herself to assume their relationship was going somewhere. She couldn’t let such a strong connection pass by without attempting to make it work. It had never crossed her mind that Marcus wasn’t thinking the same until he left.
He embraced her, offering comfort. “It was always my intention to get in touch. I thought it was obvious, but I realize I wasn’t explicit. That was a mistake on my part.”
She accepted his embrace, burrowing against his chest. “You make this sound like a small oversight. Marcus, I didn’t know if I would ever see you again. I was trying to put you out of my mind when you came barreling back into my life.”
“And were you able to? Were you able to put me out of your mind?”
“No.” Tabitha looked up at Marcus and smiled. “But it’s only been a couple weeks.”
Marcus laughed. “That’s one thing I like about you. You do have a stubborn streak.”
“It’s difficult to change gears so quickly.”
Marcus nodded. “I get it. I do. I want you to give us a chance, though, Tabitha. The timing is hell, but I’m not prepared to let this pass.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
Marcus examined her expression. “Yes, you are. And you brought a little attitude with you as well.”
Tabitha’s heart sank and irritation welled up inside her. “I’m sorry if that doesn’t work for you.”
“It works for me. I want you to be who you are, Tabitha, always. I don’t want a doormat. I want to explore with you, not subjugate you. Yes, I dominate you, but only with your permission, within your limits, and for our mutual pleasure.”
Relief seeped into Tabitha’s thoughts. “This is still new to me.”
Marcus smiled. “I know. That’s part of the fun. Do you enjoy the intimate aspects of our relationship?”
Tabitha blushed. “You know I do.”
Marcus grasped her shoulder. “It works because of who you are. I don’t want you to be anyone else, just you. Just be you.”
Tabitha bit her lip. “Even when I’m sassy?”
Marcus leaned in, settled a kiss on her lips, then released her. “Oh yes. It makes me want you all the more.”
Tabitha laughed. “Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. It makes me want to drive that sass right out of you. By whatever means it takes.”
Tabitha quivered. What did he mean?’ “Do you have something in mind?”
Marcus winked. “Always.”
Tabitha melted. Marcus rarely flirted openly. “When are you going to tell me?”
“I’m going to show you later. I have dinner laid out.” He guided her into the subdued lighting of the dining room. Soft music filled the air. The table was straight out of a magazine photo shoot. A crisp white tablecloth covered the round table and a bouquet of calla lilies served as the centerpiece. Two place settings of gold-rimmed china sat ready on the table, white tapers between them. “Well?”
“It’s … beautiful? Romantic? I …” Insecurity overwhelmed Tabitha. Marcus didn’t eat like this every day, did he?
“I wanted to make this evening special.”
Tabitha cut off her circling thoughts and pulled herself together. Stop. Stop putting up barriers.
“I hope you like chicken. I can’t take credit for this, though. I’m a fair cook, but I had this brought in.”
They took their seats, and as dinner progressed, the atmosphere seemed more like a first date than an intimate dinner with a partner. Marcus relayed anecdotes from work and asked Tabitha polite questions about her day. What was going on? All Tabitha’s anxieties reared up. Where were the intimate glances? Where was the banter? Normally she found Marcus to be relaxed, but he seemed edgy. Was this the same man who’d taken her on a conference room table earlier in the day?
Finally, her impatience overpowered her and she interrupted him. “Marcus, what’s going on?”
Marcus paused in the middle of a story about an errant vice president who’d abused his expense account. “What? What are you talking about?”
Tabitha gestured toward the table. “This. This whole thing. You’re treating me like … some woman you just met.”
“I … Tabitha …” Marcus stumbled over his words.
Had he thought better of his actions? Had he changed his mind? “Marcus. If there’s something you need to tell me or …”
Marcus held up his hand and stopped her. “No. That isn’t it. We took things so fast, I thought we should take a step back. Go slow. I want you to be comfortable moving ahead.”
“I’m not uncomfortable. This evening has been a little weird, but I’m not uncomfortable with us.” Tabitha’s breath escaped in a rush. Marcus hadn’t changed his mind. His behavior was an unnecessary attempt to accommodate her.
Marcus wadded his napkin and placed it on the table. “Every time I’m with you, I just want … you. I thought you needed to get to know me better.”
“I know you. Maybe I don’t know every detail. I don’t know if you speak French. I don’t know your shirt size. But I know you.”
“16. I take a 16 neck.”
Tabitha laughed as the tension broke. “Marcus. Don’t guess what I want. Just ask me. Please. It will save a lot of confusion.”
“You’re right, of course.” He shook his head. “I want this. I want this to work.”
Tabitha smiled, acknowledging Marcus’s rare moment of vulnerability. “It is working. It’s working for me.”
Tabitha stood and stepped back from the table. She grasped her blouse at the bottom and pulled it off over her head, then threw it on the floor. Her skirt and bra soon followed. She approached the table, breasts swaying. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on her fair skin.<
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Dipping her finger into the perfect chocolate mousse, Tabitha brought it to her lips. “This tastes divine. You really should try it.” She scooped more with her fingers and drew a line of chocolate down between her breasts. She anointed each nipple with the whipped delicacy and traced chocolaty lines over her creamy skin.
Tabitha couldn’t suppress a seductive smile. “I seem to have developed a rather sticky situation.”
Marcus’s expression revealed his growing desire. “So you have.”
“Perhaps you’d be willing to offer assistance?” Tabitha enjoyed playing the teasing coquette.
“I do believe I’m willing.” Marcus rose from his seat and motioned for Tabitha to move toward him. He grasped her by the shoulder and leaned into her cleavage. His tongue traveled the sweet pattern of the chocolate. “You’re right. This is divine.”
Tabitha shivered. She knew he spoke about more than the chocolate.
“I’ve always had a thing for chocolate.” Marcus nibbled the puckered skin of her areola and sucked her nipple into his mouth.
Tabitha gasped as a bolt of pleasure sparked between her breast and her feminine core.
Marcus stepped back. “Lie down.”
“Here?” A plush Oriental rug overlaid the floor. She’d admired the unusual pastel pattern when she’d entered earlier.
Marcus raised his chin, waiting.
“Yes, Sir.” Tabitha dropped onto the rug and lay on her back.
Marcus glanced down, his eyes roaming her form. “Much better. I’ll have you know this is a very nice rug.”
Tabitha’s lips twitched, hiding a smile. She wiggled against the rug, settling into the pile.
Marcus loomed over her. “Spread your legs. I want to watch you touch yourself.”
Tabitha hesitated. Masturbation was such an intimate act. She bent her knees and opened them slightly. Her right hand snaked down her belly and she fingered her sensitive bud. Self-conscious, she closed her eyes.
“No. Open them. I want to see you.” Marcus unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it from his waistband. He shrugged it off and tossed it over the back of a chair. He placed his hands on his fly. “Don’t stop. Keep going.”