Adored

by Tina Donahue

  Hot, angry tears pricked her eyes. She only had herself to blame. She was a thirty-year-old executive for fuck’s sake and should know better than to amuse herself in public. And for what? Her orgasm left her deprived and wanting more, which exacerbated everything else. Too many voices made the noise level excruciating, and despite the nonsmoking sections here, the crowd puffed away, leaving an acrid, bluish haze.

  Fingering away her tears, she tried to ease around several middle-aged men who ogled a braless young woman playing craps. The girl’s low-cut T-shirt displayed her boobs nicely, right down to her rosy nipples skimming the edge.

  A guy drenched in Old Spice jockeyed for a better view and bumped into Danni. “’Scuse me.”

  He didn’t bother glancing at her or stepping away.

  “Not a problem.” She shouldered past. If she wanted, she could be a guy magnet like the braless woman. Look at what she’d accomplished with Adam tonight.

  New tears threatened. She squeezed her way through the crowd and at last reached the elevators. Heavy floral perfume and men’s cologne lingered from past patrons, but no one waited. She stabbed the up button three times. “Come on, come on, come on.”

  The gleaming golden elevator doors stayed closed.

  Muffled laughter and droning voices drifted in from the casino.

  She shifted from foot to foot. The mirrored wall next to the center elevator beckoned her to see if her faux pas had left damp spots on her skirt, proving her recklessness.

  Please, not that.

  She couldn’t look.

  She had to.

  Her woefully expensive black dress passed muster, its sleeveless and snug top and full, flirty skirt unmarked. She released the silk. The fabric hushed around her thighs. Her sole worry now was her face. She prayed for a cool, dignified look, but didn’t get it.

  Soul-deep pain registered in her eyes and saddened her features. Her pale blonde hair was mussed in the back from sagging in the chair during her masturbation-fest.

  Shoes slapped the polished stone floor to her left, breaking the relative quiet.

  She finished smoothing her hair and stepped away from her reflection.

  More tapping sounded then halted near her.

  The up and down arrows above the elevators remained unlit.

  She pretended to study the copper-colored flooring but caught navy dress pants and polished black loafers in her peripheral vision. Definitely a man, and thankfully no one from her company. The guys who’d joined her on this business trip didn’t dress GQ sharp.

  Something dinged.

  The elevator to the far right.

  Her high heels clacked delicately, the guy’s shoes tapped hard, signaling their rush to reach the parting doors. Inside, the elevator walls wore advertisements for the spa, restaurants, and nightly entertainment.

  She entered first, jabbed the button for her floor, backed into the corner, and glanced up.

  Adam stood half in, half out of the elevator, his hand on the right door to keep it from closing.

  Surprise, unease, and raw desire shook her to her core, making her lightheaded and weak. God help her, everything except desire passed quickly. He held his jacket over his arm, his red tie peeked from his front pocket, and his opened collar revealed smooth, bronzed skin. He’d even rolled his sleeves to mid-forearm. Short, dark hairs dusted his muscular flesh.

  Blood pounded in her ears.

  His eyes seemed bluer than she recalled, his lashes longer. As always, his hair looked finger-combed, dark strands dangling over his forehead.

  He looked at her questioningly. “Mind if I join you?”

  His quiet, rumbling voice thrilled almost as much as an embrace. His question touched her far more. Empathy shone in his eyes at her previous humiliation. She reproached herself for putting him in such a lousy position. He’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time and behaved like any normal guy would. Certainly better than most.

  “Not at all.” Her voice proved surprisingly steady. Everything else on her trembled. “Please do.”

  He smiled.

  It seemed harmless enough, meant to relax. Instead, it electrified, bringing warmth to her chest and cheeks.

  He entered the elevator, breaking eye contact briefly to thumb the button for fourteen, presumably his floor.

  The doors didn’t budge.

  A few minutes ago, she would have used the opportunity to flee and find the stairs, climbing endless steps to get to her room. Now, she couldn’t move, not even to hit the protruding close door button to keep anyone else from waltzing inside. Horribly self-conscious, she focused on the elevator control panel rather than him. Too scant a space separated them. Tall, powerfully built, and a mere arm’s length away, he overwhelmed.

  He gently cleared his throat.

  Her belly fluttered.

  The air-conditioning clicked on. Its hum mingled with excited shouts flowing in from the gaming area. The doors eased closed.

  Adam regarded her without hesitation, totally male, fully assured.

  Heat prickled her face and throat, shame returned. “About what happened…”

  She hadn’t meant to blurt a reminder about her behavior and couldn’t continue.

  He shook his head. Dark locks danced over his brow. “No need to discuss it.” His rich voice caressed. “Unless you want to.”

  She didn’t, but had no other choice. Unlike her poor mom, Danni couldn’t make herself believe something hadn’t happened when it had. More importantly, she wanted to restore her and Adam’s easy camaraderie. From the beginning they clicked as if they’d known each other forever, similar to two guys. Although it wasn’t the kind of attention she wanted from him, she couldn’t bear to lose what little they did share. “I don’t usually do stuff like that. Wait.” She held up her hand, even though he hadn’t tried to interrupt. “Actually, I’ve never done anything even close to that, until tonight.”

  His mood remained receptive, nonjudgmental. “I figured as much.”

  He what? His comment hardly reassured her, though she had no idea what she wanted him to say. “I didn’t know you were there. Obviously.”

  A smile tugged at his sensuous mouth. He worked it away. “I know. And I wasn’t until I came back inside after taking a call. I saw you and I—”

  The elevator halted on the second floor, the doors sliding open on a deserted hallway bearing a Queen Anne sideboard and lush plants. Whoever pressed the button must have caught another ride.

  He gave her his full attention. “I thought you were watching the show and I decided to join you.”

  Something crossed his face she couldn’t read. She guessed he was weighing his next words.

  She wanted to run, but leaned in.

  He inhaled deeply, his color high. “I should have gone back to my seat. My fault, not yours.”

  Oh shit. He had seen everything, exactly as she suspected. Her throat constricted.

  “Hey.” Concern touched his eyes. “It’s not a problem.”

  The doors closed.

  He pushed away from the wall and inched closer. “All right? We’re good?”

  Humiliation roiled through her even as his proximity aroused. Unlike most guys who doused themselves with designer cologne, he smelled clean and fresh, similar to spring air after the first thaw.

  She suppressed a shiver.

  “Danni?” Worry colored his voice.

  Her fault for putting them into this awkward situation. “I’m embarrassed.”

  “Don’t be. There’s no need.”

  She hoped what he said wasn’t true because he considered her one of the boys. Fighting disappointment, she tried not to sound dismayed or pissed. “Sure there is. I know I blindsided you back there, but I saw how surprised you were, and a few seconds ago you were trying hard not to laugh, no different from in the showroom.”

  “Whoa, hold it right there.” He frowned. “No way would I ever laugh at you even if what you did warranted it. Which it didn’t. Nor was it the
end of the world. It was damned exciting.”

  A deepening heat registered in his eyes. “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  His throat bobbed with his words. A small scar on his right cheekbone intensified his masculinity.

  Her pussy ached.

  He crossed his arms. “Are you dating a male model in the show?”

  “What?” She stopped herself from laughing. “No.”

  Surprise, or maybe relief, flickered across his face.

  She couldn’t figure out why he’d care about her love life unless he was trying to make conversation about anything other than her finger-fucking herself. “Why would you think I was dating one of those guys?”

  “You had your face raised to the TV screen the entire time. I saw the look in your eyes.”

  He made the moment sound beautiful and special, not what she feared. It stunned her to silence.

  He shrugged. “You seemed to be thinking about one of them.”

  She shook her head.

  “Then that leaves the man you’re involved with.”

  Pride made her want to lie. His serious manner forced the truth. “I’m not involved with anyone.”

  “Then who?” He searched her face and took in her length.

  The words escaped before she could stop them. “I was fantasizing about you.”

  His face lifted.

  Her admission seemed to linger and mock. She wanted to say she didn’t mean it. The words stuck in her throat.

  Arousal sparked in his eyes. “Me.”

  The elevator dinged and stopped.

  His gaze pinned her.

  The doors slid open. “About time.” A woman had spoken. “Come on, Julian.”

  Adam looked over. “Take the next one.” His command was polite yet firm. The kind used by cops or fantasy lovers.

  Danni’s knees sagged.

  The woman he’d spoken to had already stopped short, one foot in the elevator, one out. “What?” Despite her Botox-smooth brow and firm jawline, her veined hands betrayed her age, probably mid-fifties. Julian wasn’t more than twenty-five. He and the woman could have been mistaken for mother and son except she was white, he was Asian. They wore expensive suits, acceptable attire for the five-star restaurant and lounge on the top floor.

  “Hey, we can wait.” Julian winked at Adam and grinned at Danni, showing his perfect teeth.

  The woman shot him a look. “What?”

  Without answering, he pulled her back.

  The doors closed.

  Adam faced Danni.

  Her heart caught.

  The elevator bounced softly, resuming its upward journey. To hide her nervousness, she opted for teasing. “Do you often throw people off elevators?”

  “They interrupted us.” He pressed the buttons so the elevator would stop on each floor, lengthening their ride. “Go on.”

  He had to be kidding. She could barely think. “What if someone wants on?”

  His hand brushed hers. Her mouth tingled.

  “I’ll tell them no.”

  As if commandeering an elevator made perfect sense.

  “So, you were fantasizing about me…”

  He wanted details. Most guys would. Being the source for a woman’s fantasy had to be flattering. It didn’t begin to express her foolish longing for him that he didn’t share for her. Not once during the events they’d attended had he asked her to dinner or made a pass. Nothing could come from this except more embarrassment for her. She had to protect herself. “You and two other guys.”

  The elevator dinged, the doors slid open, no one waited.

  Adam never looked away from her. Whatever he thought, he hid it well, though his eyes did narrow a bit.

  She sensed disapproval.

  The doors closed.

  “You fantasized about a foursome?”

  It sounded weird to hear the word. She cleared her throat, guessing she’d disgusted him. Just as well. Given her big mouth, she’d have to avoid him from this moment forward. “Yeah.” She told herself she didn’t care what he thought, or wouldn’t once she forced herself to stop thinking about him. “It heightens the dominance and submission. You know, me surrounded by so many commanding and horny guys.”

  If that put him off or surprised him, he didn’t show it. “The other two men—are they guys you know?”

  “Ones I made up.”

  “Where do I fit into this?”

  Her mouth trembled. Again, she wanted to lie, but couldn’t. “You’re the one I want.”

  “Good.” He eased closer. “Tell me.” Another command in a huskier voice.

  Her heart jumped to her throat. The emotion in his eyes hadn’t been censure. It was jealousy.

  Holy crap, he wants me. Maybe only for this moment and due to what he’d seen in the showroom, but he did desire her. Months-long yearning surfaced and intolerable need surged through her.

  Her prudence evaporated, and the words poured out. As the elevator made unnecessary stops, she painted the picture her mind had created of nudity, partial bondage, unbearable desire, being a sensual creature displayed for his and the other men’s pleasure, which led to her own.

  Adam listened intently then lifted his hand. “Wait a sec. I didn’t hear the last part. What did I do then?”

  Her cheeks stung. She tried to speak louder. “To imprison me further, you pushed three fingers inside my, ah… my…”

  The elevator reached another floor. The doors slid open. No one waited.

  He leaned down to her. “Cunt?”

  The word sounded dirty and exciting wrapped in his sexy voice. “Yeah. With your fingers in me, I can’t move. Your thumb strokes my clit.”

  The doors closed. He inhaled slowly, deeply.

  New moisture escaped her sheath. “While you’re arousing me, another guy laces me into a cincher.”

  Adam glanced at her waist.

  She zeroed in on his groin. His erect cock strained against the lightweight fabric. Her mouth went dry.

  He nodded. “Go on.”

  She pressed her hand against the wall for support. Her clammy palm stuck to the paneling. “The cincher makes me feel even more naked. It accentuates my breasts and ass.”

  Desire tightened his features. “You like that?”

  Oh yeah. “Uh-huh.”

  “And then?”

  She couldn’t tell him about his promise to shave her mound. Only years of intimacy or being seriously drunk would make her confess such a thing. “We, ah, move to a bed. Or we’re somehow on a bed. My hands aren’t tied any longer. The other men hold my wrists above my head. One kisses me, while the other fondles my breasts. You spread my legs and mount me.”

  He stepped closer. “You’d like to feel me inside you?”

  Nothing else made life worth living as that would.

  Excitement sparkled in his eyes. “And to have three men using you?”

  At his question, her excitement vanished, replaced by surprise and hurt. She figured he didn’t mean what he’d said in a bad way but she wished he hadn’t voiced those words. “I play the submissive, but I’m the one in control during my fantasies. And I don’t allow any man to use me.”

  He blinked and looked quickly contrite. “Point taken. Bad choice in words. What I meant is pleasured, aroused.”

  “Adored.”

  He hesitated. “I don’t understand. You mean worshipped?”

  “I mean noticed.” God, she was so wounded suddenly and couldn’t stop the emotion. “Singled out. Chosen. Call it what you like. I prefer to think of it as being adored. I know it’s only for sex, but few drives are more selfish, and in my fantasy three men are focused solely on me. Not one of my friends, not another woman I never met before and might have liked if I hadn’t found her in bed with my boyfriend. Finally, I have all the attention. I don’t have to worry about being lied to or cheated on like I was with Matt or Bryan. I don’t have to—”

  The elevator dinged, bringing her back to reality. Because she
hadn’t been able to shut up, Adam now knew about her worst humiliations with men. Shame tore through her. For the second time tonight, she ached to flee.

  The doors parted. She couldn’t exit fast enough. “Nice seeing you again.” She edged around him and spoke over her shoulder. “Have a safe trip back.” After several steps down the hall she noticed the room numbers. She’d exited on his floor. Even the stairway was behind her and past him. Mortified, she turned.

  He stood outside the elevator watching.

  The doors started to close.

  Crap. “Hold them.”

  He didn’t. “Danni.”

  She breathed hard and punched the stupid button so the elevator would come back.

  “Danni.” His voice couldn’t have been softer.

  With no place to run, she faced him. He looked uneasy, like guys do when they worry a woman might cry. She didn’t want his pity so she feigned confusion. “What?”

  He cupped her face, his knees touching hers, their hips joined. Hard male flesh blocked any escape.

  She dropped her purse. It slapped faintly against the carpeting.

  He gazed into her eyes. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “You d-d-didn’t.” Great, now she was stuttering. “I’ll wait for the next ride.”

  “I’m not talking about that.” His clean breath whispered against her. “I didn’t mean to run you off a few minutes ago or in the showroom. I followed you to the elevator because I had to be with you. The look I saw on your face during the show was one I’ve wanted to put there for so damn long. However, if that’s not what you want, tell me to stop and I will.”

  He fought for air, the same as she did, betraying his struggle for control.

  Stunned, she ached to go with the moment and indulge herself as she had in her fantasies or those early days with Matt and Bryan.

  Painful memories jolted her. “You’re not involved with anyone, are you? I won’t help a guy cheat and hurt another woman. I know what it’s like to be betrayed, and it will never happen to me again.”