“No one comes this way, but I know a great spot.”
We came to a patch of grass beside some miniature rapids in a brook, and Jay took the backpack off his shoulder.
“I brought some dinner.”
I lightened on my feet. “More quail eggs?”
Jay smiled at me. “No, no quail eggs, no pâté and no Champagne. I brought us some sandwiches and a couple of beers. Since you didn’t seem to like the last picnic.”
My face dropped. “I loved the last picnic. It was just so snazzy, I’m not used to that.”
“Well, hope you’re used to pastrami on rye.”
“Love it.” I hugged him. “And I love this spot. It’s beautiful.”
“And no one ever comes here, I don’t even think the dogs have discovered it.”
I took my phone out of my pocket and held it up to take a selfie of us standing in front of the lake. Jay took my phone from my hand.
“I’ll take one of you.”
“But I wanted you in it.”
Almost imperceptibly, he shook his head.
“Why can’t we have a picture together?”
“Because I don’t do photos.”
Confused, I smiled and tried to sound lighthearted. “What if I get my tits out in it?”
He laughed and sat on the grass. “You can get your tits out, just not in a photo with me.”
Butterflies filled my stomach. He said no one comes here. Why shouldn’t I? I pulled my top over my head. It was impossible to judge his reaction but I kept going. I reached around and undid my bra, then slid it off and dropped it on my shirt. Suddenly I felt very foolish, standing there topless in jeans out in the woods.
“You’re nuts.”
I shimmied my shoulders, to jiggle my tits. I carried on the motion as I walked to him until I was leaning over and shaking them in his face. He cupped them in his hands and licked around both my areolas.
He pulled me onto him. I straddled his lap, pressing my crotch as close to his as my jeans would allow. His hands were heavy on my sides, his palms tight against the sides of my tits. Our mouths met and he slid his hands over my back until he was cradling my head and waist.
Jay rolled us until I was lying with my naked back pressed into the grass and him on top of me. “You know, this had been my plan. I hadn’t expected to be greeted like that at your place.” He dug himself into me, and I could feel how hard he was beneath his jeans.
We kissed, then he broke off and trailed kisses down my neck and over my tits. Once my nipples were hard, his lips moved over my belly to the edge of my jeans. He swooped his hands over the curve of my waist before undoing my button and zipper. Jay sat up between my legs and pulled my jeans all the way off. His hands moved back to my underwear and yanked them hard. The now damp fabric tore as he ripped them, leaving me naked on the ground.
After taking off his shirt, he took his time going over me. Both hands and his mouth seemed to be in contact with me at all times, but in different places. He’d roll me onto my side, then examine my tits as gravity took them in a new direction. Repeatedly my pussy swelled, on the verge of spasm and he would sit back, or even stand, looking at me from different angles. Denying me an orgasm. Teasing me. Making me even more excited, as if that were possible.
“Please,” I kept saying.
My entire body jittered. I had never been so worked up, maintained at such an extreme state of arousal without release. Even my mind lost itself and spun around in a tizzy as if I’d been drinking. Well and truly, I was drunk on my own endorphins.
I’d given up begging. And at that moment, the moment when I quieted, when I was completely at his mercy, he pushed down his boxers and entered me. Before his cock was even all the way in me I was crashing in an orgasm that ripped through me with a ferocity that rivaled a volcanic eruption. I screamed as my pussy spasmed around his cock, now fully inside me.
Jay kept moving, and my orgasms hit one after the other until they melded into one giant plateau in the clouds.
“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” Jay said. He released himself deep into me soon afterwards.
He rolled off me, and we laid in the grass recovering. I didn’t know how I was ever going to be able to walk back to the car. Every muscle in my body spasmed like mad.
Eventually we sat, and he passed me a can of beer. I rested my body against his for support as I sucked back the liquid. My panties were too torn to contemplate wearing so I put on my jeans and carefully zipped them up. We ate our sandwiches with no sense of rush. It seemed as though we were the only two people on earth.
My mind wandered, being out of the city was a reinforcement of life. A life Jay seemed to lead. How did he know about this hidden trail? Maybe he lived nearby. Or grew up nearby. I suddenly realized how little I knew about him. I didn’t even know where he lived.
“Do you live around here?”
“No, I live in the burbs.”
“How did you find this place?”
“Just came across it while hiking.”
I took another bite of my sandwich and chewed. He wasn’t exactly forthcoming. Should I keep asking questions? Yes, of course I should if I was actually going to have a relationship with this man.
“Did you grow up around here?”
“No.”
“Where did you grow up?”
He sighed, and I waited for him to answer. I took another bite and nudged him with my body.
“Lexington.”
“Kentucky?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh.” Lexington. Hometown of Matt. I couldn’t bear to think of him and changed the subject. “What’s your favorite sandwich meat?”
Jay looked at me and laughed. If his mouth hadn’t been full, I’m sure he would have kissed me.
We finished our topless picnic and dressed. Without any doubt, Jay was the most amazing fuck buddy imaginable. But fuck buddies didn’t arrange picnics in the woods. The entire way home I tried not to be consumed by the thought of what a great boyfriend I had. I really was in another relationship, and somehow I was okay with that. Better than okay. Content. Happy. Excited even.
Somehow Jay had calmed me into thinking Calvin wasn’t a threat. At least I had one less thing to worry about. When we’d talked in the woods, I had even told him about my mortgage troubles, but again somehow he calmed my fears. It was so easy talking to him. I knew I could tell him anything and he would have the right advice.
He walked me up to my condo, and though I’d begged him to stay the night, he had to be somewhere in the morning and left me on the sofa sometime around midnight.
Chapter 23
Getting up for work Monday morning was easier than ever. As I entered our cubicle, Sam’s eyes widened at me. Something was going on, and for a moment I thought it might be the day Calvin finally fired me.
“Calvin’s gone,” she said, her voice giddy.
“Shut up!”
“Seriously! When I got here this morning he was in Richard’s office but about ten minutes ago he came out, his face drained of color, and now he’s clearing out his office. I bet they walk him out of here soon.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“No, look, here they come now.”
The two of us watched as Richard, the vice president of financial reporting, and Sally, an HR manager, walked into Calvin’s office. They re-emerged soon after, along with Calvin, who was carrying a box. The three walked past us to the door. Calvin glanced our way, glaring at me.
Sam and I watched them go, almost in disbelief.
“At least we can put our resumes away,” Sam said quietly.
“Well, we’ll see if the next manager is any better.”
Richard and Sally walked back in our direction, without Calvin.
“Abbie, can I see you in my office, please.” Fuck. What did Richard want with me? My heart pounded. Was I next?
I followed him into his office and perched on the seat across the desk from him.
“As you may have gathered, Calvin will not be working here any longer.”
I nodded, unsure of what was happening next.
“So, we now have an opening for his position, and we’d like you to take on the role.”
“You what?”
“We’d like you to take on the role. It comes with a lot more responsibility but we’re confident you will excel.”
Oh. My. God! “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t worry, the added responsibility comes with a pay bump. Of twenty-three percent.”
“Holy cow. Thank you.”
“Plus you’ll be enrolled in the additional management pension plan, as well as be entered into the management bonus program.”
I sat there, unsure what to do or say.
“HR will tidy out Calvin’s stuff tonight, after that you can move your things into your new office. You can use it now if you like, but I wouldn’t put your things in it yet so there’s no confusion.”
“Richard, I don’t know how to thank you enough for this. I promise I’ll do a much better job.”
“Good.”
“I can’t thank you enough for this opportunity.” I kicked myself for gushing.
“Well, it might not just be me you have to thank. But I assure you, you have my support.”
* * *
I walked back to my desk, dumbstruck at what had just happened. In the first fifteen minutes of work, all my problems had been solved.
Sam wasn’t at her seat. No doubt she was off spreading the word around the office.
About to burst, I texted Jay.
You’ll never guess what happened… Calvin gone, me promoted!!!
After I hit sent, I stared at the phone in my hand. I had texted Jay the news before Jenny. I sent her a message.
Get this, Calvin fired, me promoted, mortgage problems solved!
Sam rounded the corner, a devious laugh on her lips. She halted when she saw me.
“What’s going on? What did he say?”
“Get back to work, underling!”
“He said that to you?”
“No, dummy, I’m saying that to you.”
She stood still, her mouth gaping open. My phone beeped, and I looked at it to give her time to digest the news.
Shut the fuck up! Celebratory drinks, tonight
I love Jenny.
Before I could turn my phone screen off, Sam’s arms were around me, hugging me tight as she jumped from foot to foot. I hugged her back, and we did a little dance around our cubicle. Thank goodness for high walls. If Richard had seen us he’d probably rescind the offer.
We tried to do some work, which had taken on a new urgency for me. The reporting was now on my shoulders. I had so many ideas on how to improve it, and there were so many of Calvin’s ideas to undo, like the ridiculous WeeksEnd report. Excited with my new position, I was eager to get on with the job.
Word got around the office, and people kept popping by our cubicle to confirm the news and congratulate me. I kept checking my phone, but still had no reply from Jay.
“Aren’t you going to sit in your new office?” Sam asked.
I smiled. “Should we?”
“You should.”
“No, we need to have an important department meeting. In my office, Sam. Now!”
We giggled and walked into the office. My new office. It wasn’t very exciting, more a glorified cubicle with a door than an executive suite, but it was all mine. I sat in the chair, and spun around to face Sam, who’d sat in my guest chair, opposite my desk. My phone beeped.
Congratulations. I’m glad it made your Monday. J
Made my Monday? It had made my life. All that hard work I’d put in studying for my CPA was now, at long last, paying off.
Celebration drinks tonight!
“What’s the grin for?” Sam asked.
“It’s Jay.”
“Ah, that explains it. Did you see him this weekend?”
“You could say that.” I gave her a short recount of my time with Jay. Although I glazed over the juiciest bits.
Definitely. J
“Yay, Jay’s coming to the drinks. You can meet him.”
“Now that is something to look forward to.”
“You’ll love him.”
Excellent, you can meet everyone
My phone beeped the second after I’d hit send. I looked at it again, wondering who it was from.
Sorry, turns out I have something and can’t make it. J
“Oh. He can’t come tonight.”
“You’d better introduce us soon, he needs your friends’ approval.”
“Okay, missy, back to work.”
“But…”
“Out, and that’s an order,” I said pointing at the door. I laughed, and we both returned to our old desks.
* * *
In the bar, I bought a round of drinks for everyone who had come out to celebrate with me. I had a small panic attack when my credit card was rejected. I ended up having to split the bill across two cards and hoped my raise came through soon so I could afford groceries.
It was Monday, so none of us were up for a late one. I walked back to my condo at eight. Jay’s old car sat out front in a no-stopping zone, and I rushed over to it.
Chapter 24
“Hi,” I said tapping on the window.
Jay startled at the noise. He got out of the car, carrying a bag, and wrapped me in a bear hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
“You can’t leave your car here.”
“It’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“I thought you were busy tonight.” I opened the building door, and we waited for the elevator.
“I was, but I came by when I finished.”
“Why didn’t you text? You could have met me at the bar.”
He shrugged and dangled the bag in front of me. “I thought it would be more fun to give you your congratulations gift in person.”
I hesitated, but unhooked the bag from his fingers. He shouldn’t be spending money on me all the time.
“Thanks,” I said, going up on my toes to kiss his cheek. The elevator arrived, and we got on.
As the door closed Jay said, “It might be a selfish gift.”
“Oh?” My interest piqued, I started rustling through the black tissue paper. I saw a flash of silk before the door slid open. As soon as we were in my condo, Jay’s hand was on my waist.
“Go try it on.”
My eyes flashed, what was he up to?
I took the bag into my bedroom and dumped the contents on the bed. The tissue paper had been fastened with a shiny pink sticker. No wonder I hadn’t been able to get through it. I pulled the sticker off and folded back the paper.
Unbelievable. There never had been such a beautiful garment in my bedroom before. I ran my finger over the sleek fabric and traced the boning of the corset. I picked it up, trying to figure out how to put it on. A crisscross of laces spread up the back, and on closer inspection I found a hidden zipper down the side. Underneath the corset, still on the tissue paper, sat a matching thong and black stockings.
“Everything all right in there?” Jay called from the other room.
“Yes, just trying to figure out how to put it on.”
“Sorry, I only know how to take it off.”
I pulled off my work clothes, sprayed a few squirts of perfume over me and pulled on the thong. I picked up the corset again and unzipped it. It took a few tries to get it right, but after I spread the lacing with my fingers several times, I zipped it up.
I paused to run my hands over my satin-clad curves. I’d never felt so sexy. So hot. Maybe it was the effect of the celebratory beers. Maybe it was the promotion and the evaporating of all my problems. Maybe it was the way Jay had been waiting at the door for me, wanting me. But for some reason I felt powerful in my new outfit. Like I owned my world.
Once I’d fastened the stockings to the suspenders, I glanced at my bathrobe. No. I didn’t want to hide anyt
hing. I wanted Jay to see me. I dug out a pair of old black patent heels from my closet and strutted into the living room.
Jay put down the magazine he’d been looking at and stood. I stopped and put my hands on my hips and slowly twirled. Once I had my back to him, I leaned over and waggled my ass. I could feel his eyes on me as I stood up again facing away from him.
He moved closer, I could smell his body wash and almost feel his clothing against my skin, but he didn’t touch me. Instead I laced my hands behind my head and turned back to him. The intensity of his eyes on me made me both aroused and nervous.
Chapter 25
I waited for him to touch me, but he stayed motionless. My pulse quickened. What was he doing? Was he disappointed by me in the outfit? I spun again, slower this time. As I turned I inched near him, closing the last of the gap between us.
When I was facing him again, I closed my eyes and waited. I resisted the urge to lean my head into his dress shirt and chanted patience while I tried to slow my breath.
After what seemed like an eternity, his fingertips grazed the laces down the back of the corset. His touch lost its gingerness but still he took his time, tracing the laces on its zigzag route down my back.
When he reached the bottom, he ran his fingers over the suspenders, careful not to touch the skin of my ass. His fingertips circled the catch on the stockings before moving back up. I swallowed, my heart thudding and skipping in my chest. My head was close enough to hear the slow, steady rhythm of his heart.
His hands hovered their way up the boning in the seam of the corset. When they reached the top, he placed his hands on my shoulders. Their firmness seemed to indicate he wanted me to sink to my knees, and I started to slide down his front but he stopped me.
“Stunning.”
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