Beyond Control

by Karice Bolton

  His breathing accelerated as his eyes coasted over my flesh, his gaze stopping to admire the peaks and valleys of my body. The quietness of the room only echoed our own pounding hearts as we explored one another, allowing the familiarity of the night before to be our guide.

  I complimented myself on deciding to wear the very uncomfortable red lace thong and matching bra as his eyes continued parading down my body. He knew how to make me feel as if I was the most beautiful woman in the world, and that was something I never thought would happen. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me closer to him. His hands slid up my spine and found the clasp of the bra, quickly releasing it. I scooted toward the edge of the desk and he slid my thong down my legs and it dropped to the floor.

  Bringing him into me, I began trailing kisses across his chest as I wrapped my legs around him. Sliding his arms around my waist, he gripped me tightly. I felt the heat of his bare chest against mine as his breathing quickened. I threw my head back, and felt his warm breath dance across my throat as our flesh became one. The explosion of ecstasy ran through my veins as his lips found mine once more, bringing me to a piece of heaven I never wanted to leave.

  I leaned back against the desk as his hands skated across my belly, his lips chasing soon after and my world began to shatter. I ran my hands through his hair as he continued teasing and taunting parts of my body making me feel so alive. I let out a soft moan as he ran his lips up my belly, in between my breasts, placing a tender kiss on my lips. Feeling the strength of his body against mine, he pressed against me in a soft rhythm, triggering a paradise between our bodies. Unable to support myself in any way, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly as our bodies unhinged themselves in one another’s arms. I felt like my world was spinning, my life just beginning. His breathing began to slow and I couldn’t help but smile.

  “That was beyond fabulous,” I whispered, dipping my head back.

  He pressed his forehead against mine, and gently glided his fingers along my arm. “We fit perfectly together,” he whispered, his eyes smoldering.

  I only let out a little murmur and nothing more as he held me tighter.

  My belly clenched with delight. Hearing those words from Jason shifted my entire universe. He was right. We did fit perfectly together. Even the little pieces of our lives complimented one another.

  “This feels so right,” I whispered, pressing my head against his chest.

  “You feel so right,” he murmured, letting go of me slowly.

  I noticed a travel itinerary on his desk as I was sliding my dress back on.

  “What this?” I asked, touching the pale yellow piece of paper.

  “That’s a bike and hot rod convention in TX,” he said, pulling his jeans up. “I’ve got a booth down there. We shipped a few of the bikes down there this week.”

  “That sounds fun.”

  “It would be more fun if you were there.” His eyes darkened a shade and he looked toward the clock. I followed his gaze to the wall and hopped off the desk.

  “Shit. I can’t believe I’ve been here for so long. I better get back.” It was a quarter after one o’clock and I had left a little after eleven. This was so unlike me, but I had to admit I really liked the new me.

  “Time flies,” he teased.

  “I can’t believe I just did that,” I said, feeling a flush at the thought of it.

  He started laughing and held out his arms, which I immediately beelined to as he held me tightly, lightly kissing the top of my head.

  “Behind that door over there is a bathroom,” he whispered. “You might want to…”

  “Is it that bad?” I interrupted, smiling, reaching up to feel the mess.

  “It’s sexier than hell, but I’m pretty sure your entire office would have something to talk about for at least a day or two.”

  “Can’t have that,” I chimed, as he let go of me and I walked toward the bathroom.

  I flipped on the lights and had to start laughing. I looked like I somehow had a beehive from the sixties happening on top my head. I ran my fingers through my hair a few times and freed the snarls. I had a barrette in the car I could put to use for a French twist, but I’m glad he warned me.

  He came up behind me and I smiled at him in the mirror.

  “So Texas?” I said, catching his stare.

  “Yup. Too bad you can’t come. Maybe ditch your day job for a couple days?”

  “That would be so much fun. Stupid paycheck. Bring me back a cowboy hat, and I’ll be happy,” I teased him.

  “Hmm. Cowboy hat and boots…” He got a wicked expression in his eyes, and I turned around playfully popping him on the arm.

  “This whole thing was completely out of my element,” I said, laughing. “Hold up on the western wear or any other cheesy outfits that are circulating around in that brain of yours.”

  He started laughing a deep rumble of a laugh as he linked his hand with mine.

  “Thanks for visiting my shop,” he replied, looking over at the uneaten food.

  “Thanks for inviting me and for lunch,” I teased. “Mind if I take it with me? I had quite a workout.”

  “I wouldn’t want you going hungry.” He let go of my hand and I grabbed one of the cartons.

  He walked me out to my Jeep, and there were only a couple of curious stares, but they went away pretty quickly the moment Jason laid eyes on whoever dared to look my way.

  I placed a quick kiss on his cheek and hopped into the front seat. “I’d give you more, but I think it would lead to something again.”

  He shook his head and backed away, grinning, as he closed the door.

  Flashing him a smile, I drove out of the lot and quickly glanced at the time. I think I worked enough nights and weekends to have earned a little longer lunch than usual. And then it hit me. I was already getting short-timer’s syndrome and I’d barely even started my career there.

  At least traffic was light on the way back. Pulling into the lot, I grabbed my lunch and jumped out of the Jeep. I hopped onto the elevator just as it was closing and rode it up to our floor.

  I strode down the hall with not one person noticing or really caring one way or the other. That was until I ran into Brandy. Both of her brows shot up at the same time a huge grin plastered her face.

  “Get your studying done?” I asked, ignoring her over-the-top expression.

  “You might want to fix your hair,” she giggled.

  Oops! I had forgotten to put in the twist.

  My cheeks reddened right away, and I bolted to my office with Brandy following right behind.

  “So how was the shop?” she asked, giving me a cheeky grin.

  “It’s huge.”

  “I bet it is.”

  I glared at her for a brief second before breaking into laughter. I set my food on my desk and grabbed a brush from my drawer.

  “I feel bad coming back so late,” I confessed.

  “With as many lunches as you’ve worked through I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Besides, you’re not the only one taking an extended lunch now and then. I think that’s a requirement to work here,” she said, smiling. “So tell me, what was his shop like? You did make it to the shop, right?”

  “It was incredible, actually. He has a huge showroom and a large shop behind.” I blushed as I thought about his office.

  “And?”

  “It was really nice to see that side of him,” I said at long last. “But he’s going to Texas next week so that kind of sucks. Can you believe I’m actually saying that?”

  “Yes I can,” she replied. “And by the way…” She shot me a dirty look before proceeding. “If you have any plans on Wednesday you need to scrap them.”

  “Why’s that?” I asked, puzzled.

  “Because that, my dear friend, is when I have to go on that blind date you and Ashley set me up on.”

  “Sorry about that,” I said, feeling only slightly guilty.

  “No you’re not,” she said, laughing. “Bu
t I’m sure you can pay me back somehow.”

  “Don’t even switch this around,” I said, wiggling my finger. “You were the one who packed nothing but pillows and a thong in my bag.”

  “It worked didn’t it?”

  I rolled my eyes. “And I could be saying the same thing about you and Mr. Blind Date on Thursday.”

  With that she was out of my office, and I turned my attention back to the cheese. Yes. The cheese. I loved my life.

  It was Wednesday night, and Jason and I were already cuddled in a booth at the Irish pub that Brandy had chosen for her big blind date. She wanted to arrive by herself so that she could leave early, feigning some already planned emergency. I was kind of annoyed with her for that because she wasn’t giving this guy a chance at all. I sort of felt sorry for him. Granted, I was saying that from my safety net of having lucked out with Jason.

  “She’s not gonna flake on us, is she?” Jason said, amusement sprinkled in his eyes. He completely enjoyed my story about what led up to Brandy having to go on this blind date, especially since what she did benefited him.

  “Nah. She’ll be here,” I said, rubbing his knee. “Speak of the devil.”

  I spotted her weaving through the crowd of people in the pub. It was only a few blocks from our condo and in the heart of downtown so it was packed, even for the middle of the week. I saw several heads turn as she walked by the men in the bar and laughed to myself. If only she knew that even when she was trying to look like a wreck, she looked amazing.

  I waved at her and she scowled, making Jason burst into laughter.

  She shoved herself into the booth and looked around. “Guess he’s not here yet?”

  “You’re twenty minutes early,” I exclaimed, unable to hide my laughter.

  “What do you mean?” she asked, furrowing her brow as she glanced at her watch.

  “I set your watch ahead so you wouldn’t try to pull what you just did,” I said, giggling.

  “Are you serious?”

  I nodded. “I knew you’d try and show up late so….”

  “Oooh, I’m so mad at you.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “How about the first several rounds are on me,” Jason said, getting a kick out of us. “What would you like?” he asked Brandy, as he flagged down our server.

  “I’ll take a Guinness and a shot of Rumplemintz,” she said. “And that’s very kind of you, but it should be Gabby who’s buying.” She shot me a dirty look and I couldn’t help but beam.

  The server came over and took our drink order, plus an order of nachos and soda bread with mint-honey butter. Gotta love bar food.

  I watched as poor Brandy jumped every time the door opened and closed, worried her blind date would get here sooner rather than later.

  I leaned back in the booth, and Jason wrapped his arm around my shoulder just when the server brought our drinks over. She set the two drinks in front of Brandy and the glass of Hard Apple Cider in front of me. Brandy immediately slammed the shot and wiped her mouth.

  “You two look so cute together,” she gushed, apparently forgetting that she was pretending to be mad at me.

  The crowd by the bar was getting pretty rowdy, and it was getting more difficult to hear so we all squeezed together in the booth a little more as Brandy began telling Jason college stories. He seemed completely intrigued while I was completely terrified. She was already a shot in and half a Guinness down, so the conversation could go anywhere.

  “Remember that one time we went to that party and that wanker of a boyfriend you had began making out with that Sheila right in front of you?” she asked, pursing her lips together

  Jason turned to me. “Did we suddenly step into the Outback?” he asked.

  “That’s the booze talking,” I whispered. “The girl’s name was actually Sheila, not ‘that Shelia’,” I started laughing as I saw Brandy revving up.

  “Girl, I was so proud of you.”

  Oh boy. Here it came.

  “The way you went over to him and picked him right off of her…” She shook her head. “It was brilliant.” She turned to Jason. “The next thing I knew Gabby throws the dude off the porch, and he was like double her size. I don’t know where that power came from.”

  I felt Jason’s body shudder, trying not to laugh. “I believe it.”

  “It was just the steroids I was on,” I said laughing, poking Jason in the side.

  Brandy’s eyes widened and I threw my hand up. “Only kidding. They weren’t the same kind. They don’t do the same thing.”

  Brandy took another sip of her beer as the door opened again. This time I was pretty sure it was her date. He matched the description Ashley gave me. He was tall, about six feet, and had short blonde hair and blue eyes. He was really attractive, like really attractive.

  Jason lowered his mouth to my ear. “Don’t forget who’s on the date,” he teased.

  “Not even my type,” I said, smacking his knee.

  “What exactly is your type?”

  “Tall, dark, and handsome,” I whispered, in his ear, letting my lips hover just close enough to tickle his ear lobe.

  I watched the guy make his way through the crowd and gave him a slight wave as Brandy sat dumbfounded. I don’t think she was actually expecting to see someone who was so good looking. She glanced at me and then her Guinness.

  “She wants another,” I whispered to Jason and he nodded.

  “Hey, are you Brandy?” the blonde guy asked.

  “I am,” she said, looking very sheepish. “And this is Gabby and her boyfriend Jason.”

  I stiffened at her introduction. Would that totally freak Jason out?

  “I like the way that sounds,” Jason murmured, warming me up before I stuck my elbow into Brandy’s side as inconspicuously as possible. I couldn’t tell if her blind date had a chance with her or not. Her demeanor changed, but I wasn’t sure in which direction.

  “I’m Evan. Nice to meet you all,” he said, taking a seat.

  The table held an awkward silence, and I knew Jason was busting at the seam to save the guy, but I kept squeezing his leg, hoping Brandy would take the bull by the horns.

  “So this is my first set-up,” Evan replied, glancing at me and then Brandy.

  The server delivered another Guinness for Brandy, and she blushed but still took another sip.

  “I wish I could say the same,” she confessed.

  “Really?” he asked.

  “Yup, we’ve both been on them,” she said, pointing at me.

  Jason scooted a few inches away so he could better see my expression.

  I bit my lip and shook my head. Boy, she was on a roll.

  “I’m assuming it didn’t work out?” Evan shot back. “If we’re here…”

  Brandy started laughing. “Definitely not.”

  Phew! She wasn’t elaborating.

  “Have you ever watched Laverne and Shirley?” she started up again.

  Oh God!

  Rather than Evan replying, Jason spoke up. “Yeah? What about Laverne and Shirley? That’s a great oldie.”

  “Well, not when Squiggy shows up as your date,” Brandy replied, looking over at me. “Poor Gabby had to entertain Squiggy all night.”

  “It wasn’t that bad and it wasn’t all night,” I said, brushing it off. Not wanting to get into the details.

  “Really?” Jason asked, puzzled. “Not that bad?”

  “I don’t know what she’s talking about,” Brandy continued. “Not only was Squiggy her date, but he also had to be driven home because his mom wouldn’t let him borrow her car, and bus service had stopped for the night.”

  I glared at her, while I tried to kick her ankle to shut her up.

  “And the best part was on the way home, he asked if we both wanted to join him at the hot tub place…”

  I was completely red.

  “Why don’t you tell them who was by your side in that car ride, Brandy?” I said, grinning. “The one who got so excited at the prospec
t of a dip in the hot tub with you.”

  “Yes, It’s true,” she said, acknowledging defeat. “My date was Father Time. Beard, belly and all.”

  Both guys started busting up at her admission, and I watched Brandy, noticing her gaze fall to someone out in the crowd, but I couldn’t catch who she was looking at.

  “Well, how was the hot tub?” Jason asked, wiggling his brows.

  I threw my napkin at him and missed terribly. It landed in the plate of nachos that our server had just brought over.

  “Nice one,” Brandy giggled.

  The rest of the night at the pub went smoothly. We all shared a lot of laughs, but I didn’t see that spark I thought I might between Brandy and Evan. It definitely ended in the friend zone, but I think it was mutual. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t end up as one of her many friends showing up for a Sounders’ tailgate party.

  Brandy had slowed down on the shots and Guinness so I felt perfectly fine when Jason and I dropped her off at home on our way to the ferry. She gave me a big hug as we let her out in front of the building.

  “You two are made for each other,” she whispered. “And the date with Evan wasn’t bad. I actually enjoyed it so you’re forgiven. But I think I might have my eyes on someone else. I’m just not sure yet.” She pulled back and gave me a wink.

  “Well, now I’m completely intrigued.” I huffed.

  “Only time will tell,” she sang into the night air as she turned around to walk up to the lobby.

  So true.

  “I’ve been thinking about it and I’m going to go for it. If I was being smart, I’d wait a couple years until my trust fund opens up, but I’m tired of being that girl and I don’t want to wait,” I said, looking up into Jason’s eyes. “I’d like to buy the espresso shop. I’ve gone over all of your balance sheets and expenditures and you’re right on. Outsourcing all of your pastries is what’s making it less profitable. The fact that you’ve been able to turn a profit at all is pretty impressive.”

  Jason’s eyes sparkled with amusement as his grin widened. “I’m so proud of you,” he said. “When are you going to give your notice to your father?”