by Ramona Gray
“Do we have a court runner in the office?”
“Sheila usually does our court run every day at two.”
“Could you ask her to take these in this morning? Also, can you get started on the paperwork for the real estate transaction for the Henderson file?”
“Sure,” Kate replied.
Edward hesitated before smiling at her. “I’m getting a coffee. Can I get you one?”
A grin crossed Kate’s face and Edward stared at her curiously.
“It’s just that, I always had to...”
She trailed off and shook her head. “Never mind, I would love a coffee please. Cream only.” She smiled warmly at him as he walked away and he shrugged off the pleasure he felt at her smile.
* * *
“Okay, date details,” Rose said with a grin as she poured dressing over her salad.
“He’s really nice. He’s a finance consultant for a small firm about five blocks from here, has one older brother, his parents live in a suburb about an hour from the city. He has dark hair and hazel eyes and he enjoys sports and going to the movies.”
Rose laughed. “You sound like you’re reading a personal ad. I want to know whether he’s a good kisser.”
Kate grinned at her. “Yup, he’s a good kisser.”
She wasn’t lying. Josh was a good kisser. It wasn’t his fault that she liked Edward’s demanding and forceful kisses better. If she hadn’t kissed Edward beforehand, Josh’s sweet kisses would have been perfectly acceptable.
“Kate? Hello?” Rose said.
“Sorry?”
“I asked if you’re going to see him again.”
“Probably,” Kate replied.
Rose smiled happily. “That’s awesome. You’re such a sweetheart, Kate. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thanks, Rose,” Kate said. “How was your weekend?”
Chapter 4
Kate stretched tiredly. It was Thursday afternoon and she was more than ready to go home. It had been a long week, Edward and Melissa had been out of the office for most of it, working at Alfred Johnson’s office and Kate had been kept busy with emails from both Edward and Melissa. She was looking forward to a quick supper and a hot bath. Maybe she’d splurge and have a glass of wine with her bath. Her phone rang and she grimaced and answered it.
“Good afternoon, Kate speaking.”
“Kate, it’s Edward.”
Despite herself, Kate’s heart quickened at the sound of his voice in her ear and she gripped her phone tightly.
“Hi, Edward.”
“Hi. Can you do me a huge favour? Melissa and I are just coming back to the office now with that document you typed yesterday and it has a lot of changes to it. Can you stay a bit late and finish it?”
“Sure,” Kate replied.
“Great, we’ll be there in five minutes.”
An hour and a half later Kate’s back and neck were aching, her eyes were blurry from staring at the computer screen and she was starving. The office had long since emptied, leaving just her, Edward and Melissa. As she hunched over her keyboard again, Edward’s door opened and he and Melissa stepped into the hallway.
“Edward, I can stay. I really don’t mind,” Melissa pouted prettily.
“No, everything’s good, you should go home and relax. We’ll have another busy day tomorrow,” Edward replied firmly.
“Of course, but if you need anything, you have my cell phone number – call it anytime day or night.” Melissa smiled at Edward and headed for reception before stopping and looking at Edward over her shoulder.
“Anytime, Edward,” she repeated.
“You bet, Melissa,” Edward said before turning to Kate. “How’s the document coming along?”
“Fine,” she replied. “Another half hour or so and it should be done.”
“Great. I’m hungry. Are you hungry?”
Surprised, Kate nodded.
“Do you like Chinese food? I was thinking maybe we should order something to eat.”
“Sure,” Kate said. “I know a great place.”
* * *
“You’re right, this is delicious.” Edward helped himself to more lemon chicken as Kate took a little more of the steamed vegetables. She had ordered the food and while she was finishing typing the document, Edward had picked it up. The smell of the food was irresistible and even though she was finished her part of the document, her growling tummy convinced her to stay and eat. They were sitting comfortably on the black leather couch in the corner of the office. She had been sure to keep a safe distance between them when they sat down but if Edward noticed, he gave no indication.
“Tell me something,” Kate said. “Why do you take the train to work? You strike me as the type who…”
She paused as Edward glanced at her curiously.
“Who what?”
“Drives a fancy car,” she said.
“I happen to think it’s crucial for people to realize the importance of using public transportation in an effort to support the local economy. Studies have proven that….”
He trailed off as Kate gave him a dry look.
“You’re not falling for this are you?” He said.
She shook her head and he gave her a boyish grin. “I thought it was worth a try. My car is in the shop. It should be ready by the end of next week.”
“I knew it,” she teased.
“What about you? Why do you use public transportation?” He asked.
She took a sip of water. “I don’t know, I guess it’s just easier and sometimes you meet interesting people.”
“Like Josh?” Edward asked.
“Like Josh,” Kate replied.
She nervously smoothed her skirt down her legs before hurrying on. “Plus, a monthly pass for the train is less expensive then the amount it would cost in gas to drive my car from home to the office every day for a month.”
Edward stood and held out his hand for her plate. She handed it to him and he carried both plates to his desk. He helped himself to the other bottle of water and returned to the couch as Kate stared at him thoughtfully. He was wearing casual pants with a dark brown sweater. She could see a bit of the white t-shirt he was wearing under the sweater and he looked more comfortable and relaxed then she’d seen before. He dropped on to the couch with a small sigh and turned to face her.
“Kate I just wanted to say thanks for –“
He was interrupted by a small laugh from Kate.
“What?”
“You have sauce on your face,” she said. “Nope, the other side, a little to the left. No, your other left.”
Kate dissolved into laughter as he wiped ineffectively at his face. “Here, let me.”
She scooted forward until their legs were touching and wiped away the sauce with her thumb. Edward gripped her hand and stared at her. Without a word he drew her hand toward his mouth and, closing his lips over her thumb, slowly licked off the sauce. At the feel of his warm tongue gliding across her thumb, Kate moaned low in her throat. She pulled her hand away from him.
“This is a bad idea, Edward,” she muttered shakily.
“Probably,” he replied.
“I should probably go,” Kate whispered as he leaned forward and slid one arm around her upper back and the other around her waist.
“Probably,” he said again before effortlessly pulling her into his lap. She was sitting sideways on his lap while one large warm hand rubbed slow circles on his back and the other kneaded gently at one thigh. She could feel his warm breath on her face but resolutely stared at a spot on the wall. She wanted to touch him, to feel the strength in his upper arms and shoulders, but she suppressed the urge and let her hands dangle at her sides.
“Kate,” he whispered and leaned forward to kiss the tender spot below her ear lobe. She shuddered as he kissed his way down her throat and nuzzled her collarbone.
With the last of her willpower she leaned back and, still refusing to look at him, said, “Edward, I really think we should stop.”
<
br /> “Yes, we really should,” he agreed amiably. “Just give me one kiss and I’ll let you go.”
She looked at him, saw the hunger in his eyes and was lost. She leaned forward and kissed him. He kissed her back greedily. Feasting on her full lips like he was starving, he traced his tongue across her bottom lip before plunging it between her lips.
Kate moaned and slid her tongue into his mouth, lightly running it across his teeth as she pressed against him. She skimmed her hands along his arms, feeling the rough fabric of his sweater and the muscles tightening in response to her touch. She pulled her mouth from his and dipped her head to the side so she could trace his ear with her tongue. He groaned when she sucked gently on his earlobe before kissing her way back to his mouth. She couldn’t get enough of him, the feel of his mouth on hers, his hands rubbing her back and thighs, it filled her entire body with a warm aching need and she sighed into his mouth when he cupped one breast with a warm hand.
She pressed herself against him, desperate to feel his hard body against hers and with a low groan he shifted her on his lap so that she was straddling his hips. Her breasts were directly in front of his face and she gasped with pleasure when he lightly pinched her nipple through her shirt with his fingers. She leaned down to kiss him, and he cupped her face in his hand and kissed her slowly and thoroughly while fumbling to release the clip that was holding up her hair. Her hair fell around their faces like a thick, silky curtain and he slid one hand through the soft tresses. Still kissing her, he grabbed the hem of her shirt and tugged it upwards, tearing his mouth from hers for a moment to rasp, “Raise your arms, Kate.”
Without hesitation she lifted her arms so he could pull off her shirt. He groaned appreciatively at the sight of her nipples straining against her light pink bra and gently traced a path from her neck to the soft valley between her breasts.
“Edward,” she moaned.
He flicked open the front clasp of her bra. As her breasts spilled from the silk fabric his breath caught in his throat and he groaned, “So beautiful.”
He pulled off her bra, tossing it indifferently to the floor and leaned forward to take one rose tipped breast into his mouth. Heat flooded through her at the feel of his lips on her nipple and she moaned and arched her back, gripping his head in her hands and holding it to her breast. He licked and suckled gently at her nipple until she was gasping for air. He kissed his way to her other breast and teased her other nipple into the same aching hardness. Desire coursed through her body and Kate thrust her hips against him. She could feel his erection against her and she moaned as she rocked against him. She thrust harder as he nipped lightly at her breast, clutching his shoulders in her hands.
“Kate stop,” he said with a low groan.
When she didn’t, he lifted her roughly off his lap and pressed her down on the couch. He yanked off his sweater and shirt and leaned over her.
“You were about to make me come in my pants,” he whispered into her ear, making her shiver. With one hand he pushed at her thighs and she parted them willingly so that he could settle his body between them. She gasped a little when he ground his erection against her. She ran a finger teasingly across his bare ribs and smiled when he squirmed.
“You’re ticklish,” she said and ran her fingers up and down his sides. He squirmed again and captured her hands in his. He pinned her arms above her head, admiring the way the motion lifted her breasts, her erect nipples pushing against his chest. Holding her wrists in one large hand he ran his other hand down her ribs.
She grinned at him. “I’m not ticklish.”
“No? Then let’s see what else I can do to torment you.”
She gasped and twisted as he bent his dark head to her breasts and ran his tongue back and forth over the tip of her nipple. He released her hands and she reached down to grip his head, urging him to take her nipple into his mouth. He obliged and suckled hard at her nipple as bolts of heat ran up her legs and she shifted restlessly underneath him. He reached down and trailed one hand under her skirt up her thigh.
“So you do wear them for more than special occasions,” he said into her ear.
“What?” She gasped, distracted by the feel of his fingers tugging gently on the garter that held her stockings up.
“Stockings, you wear them for more than just special occasions.”
When she only looked at him blankly, he said, “I’ve been wondering all week if you wear stockings only on special occasions like your date, or if you wear them to work too.”
Her face paled and he frowned. “Kate, what’s wrong?”
“This is wrong,” she said. “We said we weren’t going to do this, remember? I have to go.” She pushed him back and sat up before grabbing her bra and shirt from the floor. With her back to him she dressed hurriedly. When she turned to face him, he was standing behind her and she groaned softly at the very obvious sight of his erection.
She forced herself to look him in the eye. “Edward, we agreed on Monday, that – that we weren’t going to do this. The secretary sleeping with the boss? It’s so inappropriate. What if someone in the office found out we were doing this? I’d be fired. And there’s Josh, I’ve sort of started seeing him and it’s not fair to him.”
At the mention of Josh’s name Edward swore loudly and ran a hand through his hair. “You’re right, it’s not appropriate. I apologize.”
“Don’t apologize,” Kate said. “It’s as much my fault as it is yours, I shouldn’t have touched you.”
He laughed a little bitterly. “I don’t normally act like this from a single touch, Kate. I just, with you - ”
He gave her an almost helpless look and then snatched his shirt from the floor and pulled it over his head. “It’s been a long time that’s all.”
Kate nodded. “Yes, me too. So, we’ll just avoid touching each other and everything will be fine.”
“Right,” he said.
“I think I should go. The document is finished and sitting on my desk.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Edward,” Kate said and walked out of his office, acutely aware of his stare at her retreating back.
Edward slammed his fist down on his thigh before stalking to his desk. He collapsed in his chair and stared out the window at the darkening sky. Fuck, he had really screwed that up. What the hell was it about Kate that made him act like a horny, teenage boy? When she touched him, even innocently, it set his whole body on fire.
He closed his eyes and made himself remember Tabitha’s funeral. It immediately dampened his desire and he rubbed absently at his temples. He really should call Tabitha’s parents. It had been weeks since he’d spoken to them and he had promised to keep in touch when he’d moved from New York. He pictured Tabitha’s sweet face, her dark curls and dark eyes and cleared his throat roughly. God, he missed her. She’d have the perfect advice for him and –
He snorted loudly. Wishing his dead wife was alive so she could give him advice about lusting after his PA was unbelievably stupid. He was losing his damn mind.
No, my love. You’re just ready to move on.
No, I’m not,” he argued. It’s too soon.
His dead wife laughed in his head. It’s been two years, my love. You’re more than ready. Did you think I would expect you to be alone for the rest of your life?
I’m not ready for a relationship, he argued again.
Maybe not. But you are ready for sex.
Not with my PA.
She laughed again. Perhaps that’s not the wisest idea but you always did like to do things the hard way.
He didn’t reply and he could almost hear her sighing in his head.
Ask her for one night, my love. We both know you won’t be able to get her out of your head or make your dick behave until you do. She’s attracted to you, that’s obvious. Maybe all you need is one night in her bed to curb the attraction. It’s time to get back in the saddle.
You have such a way with words, Tabitha.
I always did, my love. Trust me – I know what’s best for you.
Kate isn’t going to want a night of sex with me.
You won’t know until you ask. Besides, she won’t be able to resist your charming ass. I couldn’t.
He smiled a little. I miss you, Tabitha.
She remained silent on that topic and after a moment he stood and walked out of his office.
* * *
The next morning, Kate paused for a moment outside of reception to give herself a quick pep talk. She had taken an earlier train this morning to be sure to avoid running into Edward and she was determined to keep things professional.
No more getting all inwardly giggly when you hear his voice, you will not find reasons to go into his office and you will not, I repeat, you will not under any circumstance remember what it felt like to have him between your legs. Keep it together, girl!
She nodded hello to Rose before walking quickly to her desk. Olivia was sitting in her chair, writing a note on a yellow stickie.
“Hey, beautiful! How was your evening? Did you end up working super late?”
“It was just fine, thank you,” Kate replied primly. “I only worked a couple extra hours and then I went straight home and had a hot bath and a glass of wine. It was a lovely and ordinary evening.”
“All right, you weirdo, what’s going on?” Olivia asked immediately.
“Nothing. Why do you ask?” Kate said innocently.
“Because you’re all…”
Olivia paused as Edward turned the corner from reception and walked towards them.
“Good morning, Mr. Turner.”
“Good morning, Olivia. Kate.”
“Good morning, Edward,” Kate said. “How are you today?”
“Very well, thank you. There are a few more changes to that document that I’ll need by eight thirty,” he replied.
“Of course,” she said as he went into his office and shut the door.
“You two so did it,” Olivia said.
“Olivia!” Kate hissed through clenched teeth “Edward and I did not do it. And keep your voice down for goodness sake.”