by Tawny Taylor
Unless she’d never stopped loving him. There was that love-hate thing again.
“Do you want to be married?” He wound a finger in her hair.
“I’ve always dreamed of being married, having kids. A part of me wants to jump off the fast track and enjoy raising a couple of babies, stay at home, maybe even home school.”
His eyebrows rose to impossible heights. “Really?”
“Is it that hard to believe? Fate Doherty—independent, career focused—wants to stay at home and have babies.”
“A little. But, it’s a nice surprise. What about your husband? What’re you looking for?”
Someone like you…no, not like you. Just you. “I don’t really have a laundry list. Just a vague notion. Um, a man who is caring, committed, hard-working but able to balance his career with family time. Funny and smart. Shares interests with me but also has some of his own. A man I can grow old with but never tire of.”
He chuckled. “And you said you don’t have a laundry list?”
She enjoyed the sound of that laughter, and imagined enjoying it for decades. “What about you?”
“Sexy, sexy, and sexy.”
She gave him a jab in the belly, and he laughed. “Seriously.”
He sat up, and crossed his arms behind his head, making his chest look incredibly wide. “Well, I am a guy. We men do like that sort of thing.”
“Okay, Mr. Deep,” she teased.
He laughed and dropped an arm. His hand wrapped around hers and he gave it a squeeze, and a warm tingle spread through her chest. “I want a wife who is intelligent, funny, charming, attractive, loving, devoted…I want you.”
Oh God! Her eyes burned. She wanted to believe those words. She’d never heard them before. At least, not from someone she’d actually consider taking seriously. She pulled her hand free and gave him another playful tap. “You’re just saying that so we can have more sex.” Her pussy tingled.
He shrugged. “I’d take more sex if it’s offered. But I’m serious. Why don’t you believe me?”
“Because you’re a dog. Everyone knows that.”
“You’re going to believe rumors over me?” He almost looked insulted, except for the twinkle in his eye.
“Maybe.” Despite the heat rising to her face, she tried to appear indifferent. She crossed her arms over her chest. “What happened between you and that receptionist…what’s her name? Alena?”
“Alexa. We dated for a short time a couple of years ago. But it didn’t work out.”
She wasn’t sure she wanted to know more, but she couldn’t resist asking, “Why?”
“She’s a little…wild.”
This was getting interesting. She turned to face him. “Wild? Isn’t that what guys like?”
“I’m not into swinging. She is. The sex parties, partner swapping, guy-on-guy, girl-on-girl, the whole ball of wax. That isn’t my scene. Plain and simple.”
“Oh.” Whew! Big sigh of relief! “So, what happened in your last relationship? Why did it fail?”
“Alexa was the last woman I dated.”
“Two years ago?”
“I told you, I know what I want. I’m not the Don Juan everyone makes me out to be. I think they just assume I’m running around sleeping with anything in a skirt because I’m so quiet about my private life.”
She wanted to believe him, but what if he was giving her a line of shit? It could all be a lie…couldn’t it? How could she possibly learn the truth?
Did it matter? So what if he’d been a player? That was before. People changed when they settled down. She’d seen that with friends. Young women who’d been as wild as any guy in their twenties turned into regular Suzy Homemakers when they married. It happened.
He stretched his arms overhead, biceps flexing, shoulder muscles bunching. That was one hell of a nice body.
And maybe, someday, it could be hers to enjoy for the rest of her life. Maybe those silver-gray eyes, years from now ringed with deep creases, would look at her with love. Maybe endearing words of affection and commitment would come from those perfect lips. And maybe they’d share those silent moments of contentment, sitting in the shade and watching their grandchildren play in the yard.
Wow! Had her dreams changed. Or had those wishes always been there, tucked below the surface? Had she just avoided them because she’d feared they’d never come to be?
Maybe that hatred had been displaced pain.
Oh, she was done trying to figure herself out! She liked the way things were going. Why mess it up by overanalyzing it?
Yes, about the only thing she should be doing at the moment was enjoying the body lying beside her. She reached over and ran a fingertip down the center of his chest. His stomach muscles tensed, making them even more pronounced. Yummy. She glanced lower.
His stomach muscles weren’t the only things more pronounced. Unable to resist, she gripped his hard-on in her hand and squeezed.
He drew in a deep breath through his nose and growled. “You, my dear, are insatiable. I love it.” He pushed her flat on her back, pinning her by the shoulders.
She stared up into that sexy, flushed face of his, heated by the hunger in his eyes, and wrapped her legs around his waist. “So what do you think about going another round?”
“I’d say you’re on. But I need something first.”
“Oh?” She liked the glitter in his eyes. It made promises that sent throbbing waves to her pussy. “What do you need?”
“Got any KY?”
“Sure. In the nightstand.”
He released her shoulders, but remained straddled over her hips as he leaned over and retrieved the tube from the drawer. She, being hotter than she’d ever been, took his dick in her hand and slowly slid up and down the length. He was huge, bigger than anyone she’d had before. That glorious cock was the picture of perfection. In every sense of the word.
Tube of lubricant in hand, he grinned, crawled off her, and rumbled, “Roll over.”
What was he going to do? Curious, she complied.
“You have the world’s most perfect ass.” He drew her legs apart, wide apart, knees bent, inner thigh muscles stretched.
That was an incredibly sexy feeling, so exposed.
He kneaded her ass cheeks then separated them. As if she hadn’t felt exposed before! Her pussy throbbed, ready and eager for that giant cock of his. Her nerve endings from hair roots to toes lit aflame.
And when she felt the first touch of his tongue to her tight hole, she just about bucked him off. No one had ever eaten her there!
She felt a fingertip, slick and warm, slide up and down her crack. Oh, the ecstasy of that exploring touch. It slid into her pussy, and she clamped her muscles around it, willing it to never leave.
But it did, this time teasing her asshole.
She relaxed, knowing what was to come.
And he didn’t disappoint her. His slender finger slowly delved deeper and deeper, the slight pinch of pain nothing compared to the surge of pleasure rippling through her body. Her pussy screamed to be filled, getting so wet she felt the juices flowing outside. She tipped her ass up, willing him to go deeper.
He slid his finger out. “Damn, that ass is perfect. I want to fuck it so very, very badly. Will you let me? I promise I will make it extremely good for you.”
A shiver of fear shot up her spine. Sure, she knew about anal sex, but she had never done it. She’d watched a few movies, saw how excited men got when they had sex this way. But it had to hurt, didn’t it? Hurt like hell, she figured. “I don’t know.” Yet, as he continued stroking and teasing, a part of her shrieked its approval, sending another wave of wetness to her pussy. There was something so arousing, so naughty, about the image of him ‘fucking her ass’.
“Scout’s honor. I’ll go slow, and if you want me to stop at any moment, I will.” He teased her ass with the tip of his penis, while his fingers performed magic on her clit.
“You were a boyscout? I never would have guessed.” She raise
d herself on hands and knees.
Still teasing her ass, he pushed two fingers into her pussy. “You should see my Family Life badge.”
“Oh…” She sighed. His touches and strokes were driving her insane. “And if they’d had one for lovemaking, I’m sure you’d have one of those, too.”
“Do you trust me? Let me show you how wonderful it can be.” He softly stroked her ass.
Yes, she wanted it. With him, she did. Her pussy muscles twitched. A flood of heat seeped over her whole body. “Okay.”
He parted her ass cheeks with his hands and ran the tip of his cock up and down, teasing her labia, slick and hot, and her pussy. He drove deep into her, and she screamed. Damn, he filled her completely. She clamped her muscles closed around him, and he moaned, leaning low over her back.
And then, with his cock still deep inside, he slowly worked two slick fingers inside her anus, stretching it, sliding in slowly then out in time with his cock. It was almost more than she could take. Her mind was lost to her, adrift somewhere in a frenzied sea of sensations. Of smells and sounds and feelings.
Her pussy clenched around his cock, her ass tightened around his fingers, and she nearly wept from the joy of it.
And then, just as she felt herself nearing completion, he pulled out.
“Hey!” Her body thrummed with the need to leap over the pinnacle. She reached between her legs and found her clit, stroking it lightly with her own fingertip.
“Oh yes, baby, touch yourself.” He parted her ass cheeks again, and her stomach muscles clenched in expectation.
Slowly, he pushed his erection inside her tight ass, a tiny fraction of an inch at a time. He murmured in her ear, “Sweetie, relax for me. Let me make it good for you.”
It burned, but as he went deeper and deeper, the bite lessened and the pleasure heightened. She opened herself to him, and he drove in entirely, his hips pushing against her buttocks. “Oh.”
“That’s it. Now touch yourself.”
She drew tight circles over her clit with a finger as he slowly slid his cock out and in again. On fire, she quickened the pace. She was close, and it was wonderful. Her entire body stiffened. “Oh…My…”
And then it soared.
Her pussy spasms left her breathless and begging for more. Her ass milked his cock, the muscles spasming in time with her pussy. She rode the climax, willing it to last forever, and it damn near did. And then she felt him swell even more as he reached his own climax and filled her ass with his hot come.
He howled, bucked and pumped his seed inside, and then dropped on trembling arms, his chest and stomach pressed against her back, his cock still buried deep in her ass. “My God, what you do to me.” He kissed her neck and shoulders. “Are you okay?”
What had he asked? She was lost in a fog, a wonderful fog. “Mmmm.”
“I take it that means yes?” He slid out, and her asshole quivered.
Feeling completely stoned, she rolled on her back and smiled. “That was incredible.” Her eyelids drifted closed and she felt herself dozing.
“What do you think?” He kissed her nose and closed eyelids.
“I think…” Correction—I know. “I’m thinking I might be falling—“
A cell phone rang. Somewhere in the living room. “Damn it!”
Gabe jumped up, leaving her lying on the rumpled bed alone.
Bewildered and disappointed, she looked up. “What is it?”
He dashed out, and she listened to his distant voice. When he didn’t return in a moment, she donned her robe and went to find him.
He ended the call as she entered the room. “I have to leave.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Damn it! I’m sorry. I can’t tell you. Not now. I’ve got to go, but I’ll call you later, okay?” He bent over and found his underwear, then his pants. Those on, he slid his arms into his wrinkled shirt and slipped on his socks and shoes.
“But what about my car?”
“I’ll call you later.”
“But—“ She stopped herself. Whatever the emergency was, it had to be important. He was rushing around like a man who’d been caught by his wife… No way! She wouldn’t finish that thought. “Is it work?” she asked.
He gave her a quick hug and a peck on the lips then headed for the door. “I know this looks bad, but please trust me. I have to go. Now.”
A chill slid up her spine. She hugged herself. “Okay.”
And then he was gone.
What was going on?
Chapter 9
Sometimes the least likely prospect makes the most sense.
“Ryan, what the hell are you trying to do to me?” Duncan stood cross-armed, cross-legged, cross-every-thing.
“Nothing at the moment. Why?”
He charged at Gabe like a pissed off rhino as soon as the office door was shut. “You may be the best marketing guy in town, but that won’t stop me from firing you, especially if I have to choose between your ass and mine.” He slammed his fist against the door behind Gabe’s head.
“Do what you have to, but please, don’t fire Fate.”
“I’m going to fire both your asses. What kind of idiot do you take me for? I told you to knock off this ridiculous chase and do your job.”
“I did.”
“Bullshit! Get your act together, Ryan. No pussy is worth your career.”
“This one is.”
“Damn it!” He slugged the door again. “How am I going to get this through your thick skull? I’m done with this game. Got it? Do your job. She’s done, as of today.”
“No, please.” He’d pushed too hard. Duncan had no reason to play along. “I know I’ve taken advantage of our friendship, and I shouldn’t have. But, I’m begging you. Don’t fire her now. She’s trying to get a mortgage. She needs the job. Fire me. You know she’ll do the work, won’t be distracted if I’m gone.”
“You’re the best—correction, you were the best.”
“Not if I’m not doing the job.”
Duncan scrubbed his face with his palms. “You’re putting me in a real shitty position here, Ryan. I don’t like this package deal you’re offering.”
“She needs some time. That’s all I’m asking for. I don’t care how you do it. Demote me. I’ll work for her.”
“That’s stupid.”
“But it’ll get the brass off your back, right?”
“Not entirely. Alexa went over my head, thanks to her personal…affiliations…with Bradford. She told them you admitted your trip out of the office was for personal reasons.”
“Bitch! I never said that. I told her we were checking out the competition. I don’t know where she got that other idea.”
“You have anything to prove she’s lying?”
“No.”
“Now you see where I’m at.” Duncan walked around his desk and sat. “Come up with something, by tomorrow morning, or both you and Doherty will be standing in the unemployment line. You have to see I’m being more than fair about this. But I’m done being jerked around. I have three ex-wives to support and a car payment to make. I can’t be out a job. Damn lawyers’ll be knocking down my door in a week.”
“Okay. I’m sorry. I never meant to put your job at risk. I’ll give you a report tomorrow, and I’ll buckle down. The old Gabe Ryan will be in the office tomorrow.”
“That’s what I want to hear! Now, about Doherty—“
“Don’t fire her. Not yet. She needs this job. I’ll help her.”
“I can’t keep her. I’ll demote her.”
“Not yet. Give her another week.” He rested his hands on Duncan’s desk and looked him in the eye. “Please.”
“What is with you and that woman anyway? She’s cute all right, but why would you throw your career away for her? What’s so special about her?”
“What isn’t special about her? This is the woman I’ve loved for years. Have you ever been in love with a goddess? Someone you can’t believe would ever love you back? She’s a per
fect diamond, and I’m clay. For years I didn’t know how to talk or act around her. I knew what she saw when she looked at me. How could I change that? How could she learn to love clay?”
“I’ve never seen you act like this.”
“She’s the one.”
“There’s no such thing. I’ve been married three times. If anyone would know, it’d be me. She’ll change, you know that don’t you? The minute you put a rock on her finger, she’ll blow up like a balloon and turn into a cold bitch that won’t spread her legs without a crowbar.”
“Not Fate. I know she won’t.”
“You’re an idiot.” Duncan shook his head. “I never thought you were so stupid.”
“Stupid, happy, what’s the difference?” Gabe opened the door. “Like I said, I’ll have that report on your desk tomorrow. And I promise to come through. Thanks!” He left before Duncan had a chance to reconsider.
Whew! He’d nearly lost that battle.
In fact, he couldn’t call it much of a victory. He’d maybe bought a few days, if he could keep his end of the bargain.
And how the hell would he keep his mind on work with Fate Doherty in the same room? Shit! It was his turn to rub his face with his palms. How? All she had to do was sit there, silent, and she’d be a distraction.
He glanced around the front office, a collection of cubicles running in rows up and down the open space. The telemarketers used those. Cramped, with only a phone and a cheat sheet pinned to the wall, they were a miserable place to work.
Perfect.
Grateful the telemarketers had been laid off for the next two weeks, he found one in the back corner. And as he left the office, he prepared the speech he’d give Fate. He couldn’t tell her too much, or she’d think he was still the immature, manipulative child he was years ago…and probably was to this day.
After all, he was not just risking his career anymore. He was also putting Duncan’s and Fate’s at risk too.
There was no option. He had to make it work.
*****
Fate looked at the clock again. Almost eight.