Nick looks so peaceful in his sleep, like he's finally not carrying the weight of the world around on his shoulders.
I run my fingers through his hair. There's so much going on in that beautiful head of his. I want to know everything about it.
I want to know him, really know him.
That's entirely unsettling. I plant a kiss on his cheek and move to the living room, away from the source of my confusion.
My clothes and purse are in a neat pile on the coffee table. There's a box next to them. It's wrapped in a purple bow. I find my glasses in the pile and read the card.
I was going to give this to your last night. Wear it whenever you want to cash in.
There's another note on the back of the card.
Rain check.
- Nick
A smile spreads across my lips. He left me a fucking rain check. I fold it neatly and slide it into my purse.
I unwrap the present without a hint of patience. It's another lingerie set. This one is racy. A sheer bra and a matching thong in black lace.
I dress and look for some way to leave Nick a note. There's nothing, so I send him a text message.
Lizzy: Went to change for work. See you at eight. You bring the coffee.
There's something awfully impersonal about texting a man who is sleeping in the next room, but if I stay here I'm not sure I'll be able to leave. I make my way to the lobby and walk the ten blocks to my apartment.
The doorman, that same grey-haired, portly man, shoots me that good for you for getting laid look. I shrug like I have no idea what his expression means.
We are all business for our two hours together. Then Nick disappears into his work, and I do my best to disappear into mine. It's past eight o'clock when he checks my code and sends me home with a soft goodbye.
He's more affectionate in front of other people. It's nothing obvious. He doesn't kiss me or hold me, but he smiles, and he laughs, and he brushes his hand against my lower back.
It's difficult going home alone, knowing he'll be working until dawn, but I manage it by going out with Sarah or burying myself in sci-fi movies.
Thursday night, he walks me to the elevator. "I'm sorry I've been so busy. I'll make it up to you tomorrow." He presses his lips to mine. "Wear that lingerie."
Hell yes.
The lacy lingerie set is gorgeous. It gives my breasts enough shape that, save for the outline of my nipples poking through my blouse, it looks like I'm wearing a proper bra.
I cinch a blazer tight so I won't show off to anyone but Nick.
In my black suit and purple blouse, I'm the picture of a professional businesswoman. Especially with my glasses on and my hair in a bun. There's no way to tell that I'm wearing something sexy under my getup.
No one knows but us.
Nick is unbearably professional during our lesson. Our work is intense. There's a lot to do.
At ten, he leans in close. "You're having lunch with me today. Be here at one." He nods to the door, all business.
"I'll see you then, Mr. Marlowe."
I set an alarm so I'll get sucked into work. When it beeps, at five to one, I make my way to Nick's office. He and Jasmine are standing outside his door, deep in conversation about something.
Their voices are low, but not low enough to be out of range.
Jasmine hands Nick a neat brown folder. "OmniTech faxed their offer. Are you going to read it?"
His voice is stern. "No."
"It's a fair offer. Fifty percent more than Google's."
"I'm aware."
"If you're so against it—"
"Save it." Nick pushes the folder into her hands. "I'm sure you have work to do."
"This is my work. If you want to keep Shepard from selling, you're going to have to do something besides pout."
He stares at her with anger. "Do you honestly believe it's possible to change his mind?"
She frowns. "He's not a bad person. He loves you. If you would just—"
"Would I ask you to make up with him?"
Jasmine steps back. "You might. If you were desperate enough."
"Do you really believe that?"
She bites her lip. "Yes. But I understand. This company is everything to you." Her voice drops. "Nick, I don't like seeing him like this either. But I can't go back to him. Not after the way he hurt me."
"I would never ask you to do that." Nick's voice gets stern. "This is not your job."
"No, this is my job." She pushes the folder against his chest. "Mr. Marlowe, here is the offer. Please review it and forward your thoughts to our CFO, Shepard Marlowe. You should know him. He's your brother and your business partner. And if you want to keep acting like it's impossible for you to reach out to him, then accept that the company is being sold and stop pouting about it." She spins and walks back to her desk.
Nick's expression flares with frustration. He clenches his fist as he checks his watch. His eyes meet mine, and he motions come here. I follow him into his office, closing the door behind me.
The office feels smaller than it did this morning. Nick looks taller. Broader. More imposing.
I press my back against the door. Press my lips together. "Are you going to look at that?"
"I don't want to talk about work." He drops the folder on the desk. His breath is steady. His expression is stoic.
"Is it a fair offer?"
"Lizzy, stop. This is not something I want to discuss. And not with you."
He doesn't want my help. I try to reason my way out of how much that hurts. He's a CEO, seasoned in business, and I'm an intern. I can't give him any advice. There's no way I can help him with his company.
But he looks so hurt. I have to do something.
I nod. "Tell me what I can do to make you feel better."
"There's nothing. You should get back to work."
"But Nick." I take a step towards him. I swallow hard. This is quite the offer, but it's the right move. "Use me to feel better. Use me to feel in control again."
He stares at me like he can't believe what I'm asking.
"Please." I hold my breath waiting for his response.
Chapter Twenty-Four
His expression is weary.
This is the way I can help him. The only way, maybe.
I slide my blazer off my shoulders. "Please."
His eyes go to my chest. His lips part. His pupils dilate. "You don't know what you're asking."
"Yes I do. I want you to use me to feel better. Whatever that means."
His brow furrows like he's working through something. He nods. "Lock the door."
I do.
Nick stares deep into my eyes. "Come here."
Three steps and I'm inches from Nick. His fingers skim my chin, his touch gentle.
He pulls my glasses off and places them on his desk.
His hands go to my blouse. He undoes the top button. The second. The third. My shirt spills open.
My bra is completely see-through. It's like my breasts are being presented to him. On display just for him.
Nick lets out a low sigh of pleasure. Something in his expression relaxes. This really is what he needs.
My body buzzes from the proximity. His hands are millimeters from my skin but he's not touching me. Not yet.
He undoes my fourth button, the last that isn't tucked into my skirt, and pries the sides of my shirt apart.
Heat spreads out from my core. I wish I could drink in the look in his eyes. I wish I could feel this desirable all the fucking time.
His eyes fix on me. He watches my reactions as he cups my breast and rubs his thumb over my nipple. It presses the lace of my bra against my tender bud.
The friction is fucking divine.
I stare back at him, watching him the way he's watching me. His pupils dilate. His lips part. He increases the pressure until I'm groaning. My eyes flutter closed. I can't watch him anymore. I can't do anything but feel.
His lips go to my neck. His teeth scrape against my skin.
The sting of pain tightens the knot between my legs.
Fuck yes. I melt into his movements, panting and tugging at his suit jacket so I won't make a sound.
He kisses his way to my collarbone, then down my chest. He's three inches from my nipple. Then two.
He undoes my bra and tosses it aside.
His mouth closes around my nipple.
I moan as softly as I can.
The pressure of his mouth sends pangs of lust straight to my core. My sex clenches. My knees buckle. It's impossible to stay quiet, so I press my palm against my lips and use it to muffle my groans.
When his teeth scrape against my nipple, I can't muffle it anymore. The burst of pain makes everything better. "Nick." My voice is loud. Loud enough someone might hear.
He doesn't stop me. He only bites me harder. "What do you want?"
"To make you feel good."
He slides his hands under my ass and carries me to the couch. He arranges us so I'm kneeling over him, my knees planted outside his thighs, my hands planted on his shoulders.
He rolls my stocking to my ankle. His fingertips slide over the sides of my patent black flat.
One flick of his fingers and the shoe is on the floor. The stocking joins it.
I dig my hands into the couch to contain the anticipation coursing through my veins. Nick drags his fingertips up my inner thigh, under my skirt, closer and closer. He's almost touching me when he moves to my other leg. He rolls off my stocking, flicks off my shoe.
He pushes my skirt to my waist. I'm on display for him. It does something to me. My sex clenches. Pleasure spreads all the way to my toes.
He pushes my panties to my knees.
He presses his palm against the back of my hand and he drags it up my thigh. Until I'm almost there.
Nick looks up at me. "Have you been lonely this week, without me?"
I nod.
"Because you miss this—" he brings my hand between my legs so my fingertips skim my clit "—or because you miss me?"
"Both."
He moves my hand to my thigh. "Pick one."
Huh? I stare into his eyes. "I don't understand the question."
"You miss getting off or you miss me?"
"You. I can come whenever I want. I came ten times this week from my hand."
"Did you think about me?"
"Every time. I can't stop thinking about you. Worrying about you. I fall asleep wishing you were next to me. Not to fuck me, though I certainly wouldn't turn it down, but to hold me."
"Then why are you letting me use you?"
Damn. He's blunt.
I hold his gaze. "Because you need it. And because I want to feel close to you, and I'm not sure how else I can do it."
"I don't deserve you."
My stomach clenches. "Don't say that. It hurts." I press my hand against his shoulder. "You've already done so much for me, made me realize the world isn't a total shithole. If you say things like that..." I swallow hard. "Please, Nick, I can't keep thinking about this or I'm going to lose it. I want you to use me. I want you to feel better after."
He stares deep into my eyes. Nods. "Put your hand between your legs."
I do.
"Show me how you touch yourself."
That flush in my cheeks spreads all the way to my toes. Show him how I touch myself? Somehow, it's more intimate than anything we're done. More like I'm giving some part of myself away.
He slides his hands around my hips, holding me in place.
I press my eyes closed and drag my finger over my clit. I'm already sensitive, already desperate. A few strokes and the pressure builds to a fever pitch. I'm almost there. It's too fast. I need more of him.
I blink my eyes open to stare into Nick's. He's fixed on me, watching me like I'm his favorite movie. His grip around my hips tightens.
His fingers feel good against my skin.
He drags one hand up my side and around my breast. His thumb rubs against my nipple. "Close your eyes."
I do.
His hand slides back to my hip. "Hand on your inner thigh."
With my left hand planted on his shoulder for support, I bring my right hand to my inner thigh.
"Soft. Like you can barely take any pressure."
I can barely take any pressure. I drag my fingertips up my thigh as lightly as possible.
Desire overwhelms any lingering awkwardness. It's too soft. I can't take that. I need more. I need harder. I need to come.
"Go slow. Tease yourself."
Fuck me. I'm too keyed up to stand any teasing.
I try my best to keep things soft. I drag my fingertips over my outer lips. My hand skims my clit. The pressure is so light I can barely feel it. Somehow, that makes it more intense.
My sex clenches. I tug at his jacket.
Nick takes my hand from his shoulder and brings it to my mouth. His grip tightens around my hips. "I've got you."
I slide my fingers into my mouth, sucking hard so I won't scream.
My eyes flutter open and lock with his. I don't want to touch myself the way I do when I think of him.
I want to do it for him.
I want to show him how desperately I need him.
I spread my legs wider. No more teasing. I rub myself with greedy strokes.
He stares back at me like he's transfixed. "You get this wet just thinking about me?"
I nod, sinking my teeth into my skin so I won't scream. The knot inside me tightens. I'm close. Very close. But I'm not ready yet. I slide two fingers into my sex.
A sigh escapes my lips. Not as good as him inside me, but still damn good. I tease myself until biting my fingers isn't enough to keep me from groaning.
That look in Nick's eyes is perfection. I focus on him as I bring my fingers back to my clit. No more teasing. No more waiting. I need to show him how good he makes me feel.
I rub myself until the pressure is just right. He holds onto my hips, his eyes fixed on mine, his lips parted like he's in awe.
That knot tightens until it's too much to take. I pull my hand from my mouth and dig into his hair. "Nick, I can't... I have to scream."
He pulls his hand from my side and drags it over my bottom lip. "Here." His fingers slide into my mouth.
It's so much better than sucking on my own fingers. I press my tongue against the fleshy pads of his fingertips as I stroke myself.
The pressure builds until I'm at the edge. I suck hard on his fingers as I come. All that pressure unravels in a wave of bliss. My legs and arms go slack. I only stay upright by virtue of his firm grip.
Nick brings his hands to my ass and pulls me into his lap. He presses his lips to mine, his tongue plunging into my mouth.
His hand goes to the back of my head. He finds the band keeping my bun together and pulls it out. My hair spills onto my shoulders, messy in the best possible way.
He unknots his tie and pulls it from his neck. "Back on your knees."
I adjust myself so I'm in the same position, knees planted outside his thighs, hands on his shoulders.
"Hands behind your back."
"How?"
"Trust me."
I pull one hand behind my back. My knees sink into the firm fabric of the couch, but I manage to keep my balance. The next hand is more difficult. I slip, landing in his lap, my face pressed against his chest.
"I've got you." He grabs my ass and slides me into his lap, so I'm straddling him.
I can feel his erection through his slacks. Desire rages through my body. I need that. I need him.
Nick brings his tie around my wrists, loops twice, and cinches with a knot.
I move my arms to test the binding. It's tight. My shoulders are pulled back, my chest thrust into his face. I'm on top, but I'm not in control.
His hands go to my ass. He lifts me, adjusting my legs so I'm kneeling. "You want me to get a condom?"
"No."
How does he make asking me about going bareback with my arms tied behind my back feel
like the most caring thing in the history of the universe?
With one hand, Nick holds me in place. The other goes to his slacks. He unbuttons, unzips, shifts his boxers and slacks to his knees.
My gaze goes between his legs. Today, he's all mine. There's nothing to dampen the sensation of our bodies joining as one.
His hands go back to my hips. I relax into his grip as he pulls me closer. We're inches from joining.
My breath speeds up. Heat collects between my legs. I stare into his eyes, desperate for some way to contain my anticipation.
There are over twenty people on the other side of this wall. If I scream, they'll hear. They'll know what we're doing.
The risk is more thrilling than anything. I shift my hips to press against him. In response, he lifts my hips, moving our bodies farther apart. The look in his eyes says "patience."
It feels like an eternity passes. It can't be more than thirty seconds. His fingers dig into my skin as he pulls my body onto his. His cock strains against me.
Hell yes. I surrender to his movements, to his grip.
Pleasure spreads through my torso and thighs. It's torture and perfection all at once. Slowly, he brings my body onto his, shifting deeper and deeper inside me.
I can't do anything more than moan softly. My eyelids press together, something to contain my bliss. God, he feels good inside me.
With his hands on my hips, he pulls me up, until his cock is teasing me again. He drags me down, so he's deep inside me. It's damn intense, the feeling of him entering me again and again. How the hell am I supposed to keep quiet like this?
"Nick." It's a whisper. "I can't..." My sex clenches around him. "I can't stay quiet. It feels too good."
"You can." He thrusts deep into me.
I can? No. I cannot. I squeeze my thighs against him. I rub my wrists against the tie. Neither helps contain the ecstasy growing inside me. I need to groan. I need his name on my tongue.
He does it again, harder and deeper this time. I let out a much too loud gasp.
Nick digs his nails into my hips. The burst of pain is too much. I bite my tongue until it's numb.
"Nick..." I groan.
"Say it like that." He thrusts into me again. Rakes his nails against me again.
It takes every ounce of concentration I have, but I manage to keep my voice level.
Dirty Boss Page 18