Pull Me Closer (Suits in Pursuit)

by Lauren H. Kelley

  “Oops! What’s wrong with me?” She blurted out loud.

  The phone rang. In a fit of fury, she sprinted to the phone and picked it up with anxious Jello fingers.

  “Hello.” Butterflies fluttered in Kerrigan’s stomach.

  “Hi baby,” he said, his deep soothing baritone drawl stroked her ears.

  The moment he spoke, her anxiety melted away. His tone instantly told her that nothing had changed between them.

  She sank into her sofa and drew knees up to her chest. “Hi, how was your day? How is the networking going?”

  “My day was fine. I met several new people, and I’m even trying to line up a couple of follow-up meetings after the conference ends. I don’t want to talk about work. Kerrigan…I” he paused, as though he was considering the words he wanted to say. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too Axel,” she said.

  “Do you know what I’m doing right now?” he asked. “I’m staring out the window at New York City, and thinking of you. I can’t get you off my mind. I’ve also been thinking seriously about our arrangement and moving things forward. It’s a giant step, but I’m ready. Are you ready?”

  “Can we talk about this when you get back?” Her voice strained to remain calm.

  “Okay. We can talk later, but I’m giving you fair warning now. That agreement won’t last much longer, especially since you can’t keep your hands off me,” he laughed.

  “What am I going to do with you?” She shook her head.

  “I have some ideas. I’ll show you as soon as I get back home.” His low, seductive tone made her heart hammer in her chest.

  “I’m beginning to think that’s all you want from me.” She said in a joking tone.

  “Kerrigan, I’m not going to lie. I do want you badly, but I want all of you—body, heart, mind and soul. Not seeing you in days is driving me crazy. I can’t touch you or be near you. I really miss you. I need…” His voice, his words, his intonation was sultry and smooth.

  Pressing her chin into her knees, she relished his words before the doubt took residence in her brain.

  She cut him off again. “Here, I’m texting something to you to get you through the next few days. Consider it your inspiration until you get back.”

  Axel retrieved the message and then clicked on the photo to enlarge it. “Holy shit! Kerrigan, are you trying to give me a heart attack or just send me straight to bedlam?” The picture of her in the barely-there bikini on the beach where she and Ashley had gone that past summer was a favorite.

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it. God, you’re beautiful. You realize this makes it even harder for me to honor that damned agreement.” She was certain erotic thoughts of what he wanted to do to her were running through his head. The same thoughts ran through Kerrigan’s mind.

  “Glad you like it. I hate to go, but I’m tired. You need to try to sleep too, Mr. Restless. Did you want to talk about anything else before I go?” She hoped he wasn’t going to start pouring out his heart again. That terrified her.

  “I did want to talk about something else, but that can wait. I won’t be getting any sleep anytime soon. Your photo has my pulse racing now. I think you can imagine what the male part of my anatomy is doing too. I’m going to work out, and then come back for a cold shower.”

  Axel changed his clothes and headed down to the hotel’s gym. At every opportunity, he glanced at Kerrigan’s photo stored on his cell phone. A gangly brunette woman who could benefit from a burger and fries instead of a treadmill was the only other person in the gym. Desperation masked behind beady eyes traced his steps the instant he entered the room. Axel jammed headphones into his ears signaling his disinterest.

  Before Kerrigan, he might have found the woman attractive and may have even engaged her in conversation to find out more about her, but no other woman could hold a light to Kerrigan’s brilliance. The brown-haired woman in the gym was dulled and tedious compared to her.

  “Hi. I see I’m not the only person in this hotel who loves a late-night workout. It’s good to have the company.” She smiled, bobbing up and down on the elliptical trainer.

  He frowned, and then removed an ear bud. “Don’t waste your time or mine sweetheart. I’m here to workout, not chat.” He turned his head away, replaced his earpiece and tuned her out, continuing his regimen.

  Axel leaned against counter thrumming his restless fingers on the slick surface. A short round man with a receding hairline stood on the other side, his ear pressed against the handset. After several minutes, he thanked the person on the other end of the call and hung up, placing the handset into the cradle that was mounted to the faux brick wall.

  The stubbly man tilted his head back to meet Axel’s eyes. “Are you the young man who called about the Atlanta order?” He lifted calloused fingers to remove the pencil resting behind his ear.

  A grin spread across Axel’s face. “Yes. May I see them? I’m very particular. They have to be perfect.” He retrieved his wallet from the rear pocket of his black slacks. “Are you certain your Atlanta shop has the same quality?”

  “Yes sir, I’m positive.” The man smiled and then scribbled on a yellow sticky note. “What’s the delivery day?”

  “Sunday.”

  “Our shop in Atlanta is closed on Sundays. How’s Monday?”

  “Monday won’t work. I need Sunday delivery, and I’m prepared to make it worth your effort.” Axel smiled and handed over his credit card. “Can you make this happen?”

  His bowling ball head seemed to glow. “I believe Sunday will work just fine.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Sunday, September 30

  Warm water cascaded over Kerrigan’s shoulders like liquid sunshine. Showering in her bathroom was comforting. She thought about the many conversations she had shared with Axel, how he looked at her and how he touched her. Could Ashley be right, about Axel’s feelings? Had he fallen in love with her? The thought of being in love was too much, too soon.

  Raindrops beat heavily against the sliding glass doors. A towel wrapped around her damp skin, Kerrigan made her way to the balcony and slid open the doors to let the sound of the torrential downpour permeate her bedroom. Delivered earlier in that day the fresh bouquet of roses sat on her dresser, and added a sensual aroma. Eloquent words brought tears to Kerrigan’s eyes each time she read the note.

  To a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul,

  I can’t wait to see you, to feel the warmth of your skin against mine, to taste your sweet lips. Your beauty leaves me speechless and wanting. Your tender heart gives me peace. Your gentle smile lifts my spirit. I want you to know how you make me feel. I want you in every way imaginable—body, heart, mind and soul. I never thought I had it in me to say these words to anyone, but you inspire me the way no other woman ever could. Because of you, I’m a rescued man.

  Rescued in New York

  Kerrigan organized herself for the next day and climbed into bed, enjoying the sounds of the falling rain. The time was nearly eleven o’clock, and she hadn’t heard from Axel all day, not even a text message.

  He was traveling, but to let silence go between them for an entire day was unlike him. A little worried, she climbed into bed and leaned her head back against her headboard. Twitchy fingers clambered across the nightstand, searching. Catching up on the latest celebrity gossip would calm her nerves and help her sleep. Just as she retrieved the magazine, the phone rang. Jolted, she glanced at the caller ID, an unknown caller. A knot formed in her throat. The phone rang again. Who could be calling so late? She tossed the magazine down next to her on the bed, leaned over and picked up the phone.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi,” the husky voice said back.

  “Axel?” she asked.

  “The one and only. Were you expecting someone else to call you so late?”

  “No, I wasn’t expecting anyone to call me, not even you,” she said, a tingling sensation started in her toes and moved through her body in wav
es. “Where are you? Are you home?”

  He cleared his throat. “I’m close. I know we spoke a day ago, but I miss your voice. I can’t wait to see you again.”

  “I miss you too.” She smiled into the handset.

  “What are we going to do about that?” His voice sent a shiver up her spine.

  “What do you mean? Won’t I see you tomorrow?” She asked.

  At that precise moment, there was a loud knock at the front door. Startled, she gasped loudly.

  “What was that?” He asked.

  “I think there’s someone knocking on my door. Can you hold on a minute?”

  “Are you expecting someone at this hour?” The displeasure in his tone wasn’t hard to miss.

  “No, but I need to at least check out the sound.”

  “Kerrigan, I don’t like that you live alone. Take the phone with you. You never know who could be out there. Are you dressed?” His tone was brusque.

  “Okay, I’m taking the phone with me, and yes, I have on my robe.”

  “What are you wearing underneath?”

  “I’m wearing a red nightie, but now is not the time for phone sex.”

  “That’s not why I asked. Just make sure you tie your robe around you properly.”

  She headed into the dimly lit living room, delicate light bounced off the walls and ceiling, casted a surreal glow. As she neared the door, another loud banging noise came from the other side. Her heart pounded hard. She peeked through the peephole but couldn’t see anyone.

  “Hello, who’s out there?” She demanded.

  “Open the door Kerrigan,” the familiar voice boomed.

  She looked through the peephole again. “I won’t open the door until I know who’s out there.”

  Her heart stopped, and her stomach clenched. She plastered herself against the door to keep upright. Axel stood there with a concupiscent grin anchored to his face. He held up his cell phone for her to see.

  With jittery hands, she disconnected the phone call, fumbled with locks and the knob until the door opened. “What are you doing here? You just got back.” Her glaze swept over him, and she became dizzy. Anxiety still heightened, she held onto the doorframe for strength. “Do you know what time it is? Aren’t you exhausted?” She rattled off, her eyes wide, and legs trembled.

  He leaned against the doorframe, his hand covering hers. “I had to see you, so I came here directly from the airport.” His chest heaved as though he had run the whole way from New York. “Don’t worry about work tomorrow. Your boss won’t mind if you play hooky or come in late.” His greedy eyes swept over her.

  She feasted on his body. He was soaking wet, having been drenched from the storm, and damn if that didn’t make him that much sexier. “And why would I play hooky or come in late tomorrow?”

  “If you let me in, you’ll find out. Do you want me to stand outside all night soaking wet?” He pushed against the grains of the solid wood door, opened it wide and walked through.

  Kerrigan moved aside, clearing a path for him. He pivoted, and then closed and locked the door. Taking measured steps, he turned around slowly and stepped closer to her. His strong hands moved to her waist and he pulled her close, drawing her flush against his hard drenched body. She wrapped her arms around his neck. They locked eyes, her temperature rose, and her palms dampened as the inferno within her ignited almost instantly. She was captivated by the magnitude of his emotion for her. The look in his eyes indicated the trance he was under, mesmerized by her. Every nerve in her body screamed.

  He leaned down slowly, crushing his lips against hers; he kissed her deeply and passionately as if drawing on her breath for life, and then he released a deep guttural groan. The room was spinning around her, and her knees buckled. He pulled her closer, tightening his grip on her and keeping her upright. His erection pressed firmly against her stomach, her hard nipples pierced his chest. A rush of warm moisture readied between her thighs and she ached, her sex clenching. Her fingers dug through the fine hairs at the nape of his neck, drawing him into her kiss. Pulling away abruptly, he distanced himself from her, taking a few steps back.

  “I missed you baby,” He said huskily as his eyes examined her soft hair flowing gracefully down her back. A ravenous gaze glided to her perky breast thrust forward, slid down golden muscular legs pouring from the bottom of her thigh-length silk robe, and then landed on her perfectly manicure toes polished in pastel pink. “Touching you baby, does feel so good.”

  Lost, she gazed into his blue eyes. “I missed you too. Thank you for the beautiful flowers and the note. I loved them.” Winded from their sensual kiss, she found catching her breath difficult.

  “I’m glad you liked them. I meant every word.” A crooked smile traveled across his lips, and he closed the distance between them again.

  She placed her hands on his chest. “Don’t most people pick up the phone and call before showing up at someone’s house at this hour?” She teased, her voice almost a whisper.

  He placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face, his eyes meeting hers, holding her tightly against his torso. “I did call,” he said, and then grinned, his eyes dark, drawn to a sliver covered by heavy lids.

  “I thought we were going to see each other at work tomorrow?”

  “I wanted to see you as soon as I got back into town. It’s been a long week. I couldn’t wait Kerrigan.”

  “What’s going to happen at work when you miss me? You can’t linger in my doorway all day long. Are you planning to move me into your office with you?” She teased.

  “Don’t tempt me. The thought did cross my mind.”

  “You’re crazy.” She giggled.

  “Crazy for you.”

  Thunder roared loudly overhead, and the lights flickered. Startled, she jolted.

  “Come on. Let’s go to bed,” he said, flashing a dangerous smile at her.

  “What?” she asked, her voice raising a few octaves as she backed away from him.

  He advanced at her retreat, stepping closer and closer as she moved away until she felt the smooth cool wall against her back. He was always pinning her between a wall and his hard body.

  “You seem to find yourself in this position with me quite often,” he teased.

  “You seem to like putting me in this position.” Playfully, she shoved him and pressed her small hands against his bulging biceps, not budging him even an inch.

  “I like you in any position where I can be close to you.”

  The butterflies in her belly danced wildly now, and she panted, winded. Her knees were doing that wobbly thing again, and she steadied herself by clinging to his arms. He leaned down and gently whispered in her ear. “I don’t know what kind of guy you think I am, but there will be no funny business young lady. I’ll sleep on my side of the bed, and you’ll sleep on yours.”

  “Axel, I have a small queen-sized bed,” she said breathlessly.

  “Then I guess we have to bunk. I call tops.”

  “You’re nuts! No bunking. You stick to your side of the bed … Wait! What am I saying? You can’t sleep in my bed Axel!” She pushed against him with more force this time, but there was no use. He couldn’t be moved.

  He grabbed her wrists and pinned them against the wall at her side. “Come on. The hour is late.” She almost saw the savage energy that pulsed through his body.

  Her mouth went dry, adrenaline coursed through her veins and her insides vibrated. She knew where this was heading, but before she could protest further, he released her wrists and grabbed her by one hand. “I assume your bedroom is this way,” he muttered as he pulled her down the hallway.

  She swallowed hard. “Fine, but I’m serious. No funny business.”

  He released her hand once they reached the bedroom. Shuffling across the room to the other side of the bed, she turned to walk to her closet, but a loud clank caught her attention, and she spun around.

  “What are you doing?” Her voice trembled.

  She watched him loosen and
pull a black belt through the loops of his pants. “I’m getting ready for bed. I don’t sleep in jeans. I normally sleep in my boxers, unless you’d be more comfortable if I slept in the buff.” He tossed the belt onto a bedside chair.

  “No! Keep your underpants on. I think you should also wear your t-shirt,” she said, realizing she was practically yelling.

  “This is a small bed. I’ll be too hot in this t-shirt with your body heat so close to me. Besides, my shirt is soaking wet. Either the shirt goes, or the boxers go. Which is it?” He flashed a sinister grin, and she warmed, heat rushed to her face.

  Winged feet carried Kerrigan to the bedroom closet, and she retrieved a towel. “Fine, keep the underwear on.”

  “That’s a wise choice. I wouldn’t want you to get out of hand tonight.” His electrifying grin sent a bolt through her body and her insides quivered.

  She couldn’t believe that he was there, ready to sleep in her bed. Denim slid down his muscular tanned thighs as he lifted one foot at a time, and then stepped out of his jeans, tossing them onto the chair. She handed him the towel and watched as he dabbed the beads of moisture away. He stood there for a moment shirtless in his boxers with a cock hard as steel and every muscle in his glistening chest rippling, and then he climbed into bed. Biting at her nails and curling her toes around the loops of the plush tan carpet, warm moisture surged between her thighs. Why did the man have to be so damn hot?

  She removed her robe, exposed one brown shoulder, and then the other as he watched, staring a hole through her revealing nightie. His eyes fixed to her swollen bosom, firm nipples erect as they poked against the red fabric. She hoped her breasts wouldn’t spill out. Her lingerie was barely long enough to cover her behind. His eyes slithered down her thighs and legs, giving her heart palpitations.