by Jana Mercy
“Did you say French benefits?” she murmured before kissing him in a fashion that would make any Parisian proud.
“If you want your fantasy, you’d better get your bottom around to the other side of the bar. Now,” he growled. “Otherwise I’m going to act out a fantasy of my own and have you right here, right now, on the bar.”
She glanced meaningfully at the smooth countertop. What would it feel like to give Gray his fantasy? Orgasmic.
“Go. Before I change my mind.” He swatted her bottom.
“I’ll be right back.” She scooted from behind the bar and turned to wink provocatively. “For the record, just being with you fulfills my fantasies.”
His eyes darkened to stormy clouds, threatening to spill their passion any moment, to rain his possession over her.
Sophia disappeared into the ladies room, flipped on the light and stared at her reflection in the mirror. It was almost one in the morning. She should be tired. Instead her skin glowed and her eyes were wide with excitement. She should be emotionally exhausted too. She’d gone from a green-eyed monster worried about her fragile link to a man she was quickly falling for to a woman determined to enjoy every precious second she had with him.
Even if it was only for a few short days. Because once her aunt was discharged from the hospital and Strip or Treat had passed, she’d have no choice but to confront her aunt about the books. When she did that all hell was likely to break loose.
She’d enjoy her little slice of heaven while she could.
Releasing her hair from its clip, she shook out her shoulder-length tresses, liking the tousled, just-from-bed look. She undid her blouse’s top three buttons, revealing a generous amount of cleavage. Why had she always dressed to hide her body under clothes meant to say sophistication rather than sexy?
Because that’s what had been expected.
Well, tonight wasn’t about other people’s expectations, particularly her mother’s expectations. Tonight fantasies ruled.
She smiled at her image in the mirror, liking the woman staring back more than was logical.
Her fantasy image.
Puckering up, she blew a kiss at her reflection and floated out of the bathroom.
Time to go live a fantasy. Or two.
Chapter Nine
What a turn of events. Gray loosened his bowtie. Sophia had gone from spitting mad to playful temptress in a few heartbeats. She wanted to act out a sexual fantasy. With him.
Going backstage, he flicked the music system back on. A seductive beat filled the club. He’d barely gotten behind the bar again when Sophia stepped into the room.
Hot damn. Every nerve ending in his body surged to attention. She looked hot and needy and wanton.
He burned, needed and wanted.
Hips swinging, she sashayed up to the bar and fluttered her impossibly long lashes. “Fix me a drink, stranger?”
Gray swallowed and wondered if he’d be able to do more than yank her onto the bar. Her expression had “do me” written all over it.
But he hesitated. He wanted to give her fantasy to her even more than he wanted to ease the ache in his groin.
“What’ll you have, Miss?” he croaked out. Maybe he’d pour himself a drink too. Anything to wet his dry mouth.
He bet Sophia was wet.
“Uhm.” She placed her fingertip over her lower lip and dragged it back and forth while pretending to be lost in thought. Gray watched, mesmerized by her mouth’s plumpness. “Something sweet, yet tangy,” she decided.
“Something wet?”
She smiled, closed her eyes and licked her lips. Slow and sensual, as if the touch of her tongue running over her lips might send her into ecstasy.
“Sex on the Beach?” he suggested, leaning forward. Her lilac scent enveloped him, seducing him further.
Her eyelids flickered. Velvety violet invited him to take what he wanted. “Do you mean Sex on the Bar?” she purred. “I’ve heard that’s every bartender’s fantasy.”
Gray gulped. “That would be a helluva good start.”
“Hmm.” She ran her fingers down the collar of her shirt, resting her fingertips tantalizingly in the vee at her breasts.
Gray’s gaze followed her actions with rapt interest.
“Personally, I was thinking more along the lines of that Screaming Orgasm you mentioned earlier.” Her lower lip pouted ever so slightly.
“Good choice.”
Again, she batted her lashes. A stirring mixture of vixen and innocent played upon her face. “You know, until two nights ago on your sofa, no one had ever given me an orgasm, much less one worthy of screams.”
“No, I didn’t know.” Why did the knowledge he’d been the first to share that experience with Sophia make him feel so smug? Sweat beaded at his brow. “A damn shame since a woman like you was made for mindless pleasure.”
“You think?”
“I know.” Gray mixed her drink, feeling her watchful gaze on his every move. He snuck a glance.
A smile curled onto her lips and she twirled a twig of hair around her finger. “So, how long have you worked here, Mr. Bartender?”
“A few months, Miss Customer.”
“Bet the ladies loooove you.” She pulled her finger free of her hair and traced the neckline of her shirt.
“A few.”
“Get propositioned often?”
He hesitated only a second. “Occasionally.”
“Ever say yes?”
“The right woman hasn’t asked. Yet.”
Her hand stilled. “You have someone particular in mind?”
“Definitely.” He finished mixing her drink and plopped a cherry, then two, into the glass. “She’d be tall, blonde and as sexy as hell.”
“Uhm.”
“Cool and dry on the outside like a martini. Hot and wild at the core like a shot of the finest Tennessee whiskey.”
He set her drink in front of her, watched while she toyed with the red swizzle stick shaped like a sword.
“This woman. How will you know it’s her when she propositions you?” She twirled the stick in her mouth and sucked the drops off the lucky plastic blade.
“I’ll know.” His answer rumbled from deep in his chest.
“Humor me.” Dipping the tiny straw back into the glass, she repeated her actions and licked the straw clean. “How will you know?”
She was good at this fantasy stuff.
“She’ll look me in the eyes.” He looked her in the eyes. “And she’ll ask me to lick her all over, to drink whiskey from her belly button, to sip her intoxicating nectar.”
Sophia’s eyes darkened, her lips parted. She wiggled against the large plastic man’s hand seat cupping her bottom. Lucky chair. He waited for her response and wasn’t disappointed.
“Mr. Bartender.” Her lower lip disappeared into her mouth. “I think I need to be licked all over.”
“You think?” he mocked her early reply.
“I know.” A smile played on her lips.
“And?”
“I’d like you to drink whiskey from my bellybutton.”
“And?” Would she think him a barbarian if he ripped her pants away and sheathed himself inside her?
“I want you between my legs.”
Apparently not. They seemed to be on the same wavelength. Gray steadied himself, tamping down the fierce desire to take her hard and fast. “Remove your shirt, Miss Customer.”
Sophia unfastened the tiny pearl buttons on her shirt and carelessly dropped the cream colored silk into the next chair. Gray drank in the beauty of her breasts displayed in a pale satin bra. Her nipples puckered beneath the shiny material and he longed to taste them but he’d wait.
Anticipation heightened his awareness. When he finally did touch her, he’d likely combust. They both would.
Her shoes dropped to the floor with soft thuds.
“I do feel overdressed.” She eyed his bare chest. “I didn’t realize the dress code was the less, the better.”
With a saucy smile, she plopped into her seat and wiggled her satin-covered bottom back and forth. “Oh, this is nice.”
“It gets better.”
She arched a dark blonde brow. “Better?”
“Heavenly Hunks aims to please.”
“Customer service is priority number one?”
“Always. We pride ourselves on our outstanding customer satisfaction.”
“So, if I accidentally spilt my drink, you’d clean it up? No complaints?”
Sweet heavens. Without looking into her mischievous eyes he knew where she was going with that one.
“With a smile on my face.” And his cock so hard it would cut glass.
She lifted her glass and poured a tiny stream of the liquid right down the center of her breasts. A trickle ran through the sweet valley and headed south, disappearing into her navel.
“Oops.” Her gaze rose to his. “I’m so clumsy.”
“No problem, Miss Customer. Lean forward and I’ll clean you right up.”
Steadying the barstool, she tucked her feet beneath her bottom and did as he asked. “Looks like you’re up for any challenge that might come along.”
Was she just now noticing that?
“Absolutely. It’s a tough life but somebody’s got to do it. Without a doubt, I’m the right man for this job.” Gray bent and, without touching her, nuzzled her breasts. He inhaled, filling his lungs with the intoxicating scent of lilac, Screaming Orgasm and Sophia. She shivered and he traced his tongue over the juicy path she created.
Sophia tasted of heaven.
Or how heaven would taste if it had a flavor.
With precise, slow motions he licked her sticky sweet skin. He licked until his tongued darted into the shadows of the crevice her breasts made.
Sophia moaned, her back arching in response to his touch. “There’s certainly something to be said for great customer service.”
“You’ll have to be sure to put in a good word for me with my boss.”
“What would you have me tell her?”
“That I’m a good clean-up man,” he suggested, still lapping at her skin.
“Well, you halfway did the job.”
“I’m not finished. Doing things properly requires time, patience and attention to detail.” He looped his hands under her arms and lifted her onto the bar.
Grasping her hips, he bent and plunged his tongue into her navel. The sugary flavor of her drink pleased his senses but not as much as the natural taste of her skin. Sweet femininity. Sweet Sophia. Flattening his tongue, he swept up the succulent path her drink had traveled. He sipped all remains of the alcoholic concoction from her stomach and lifted his head to look at her.
Kneeling, head thrown back, eyes closed, she was a vision to behold. Gray beheld.
He reached behind and unclasped her bra. The silky material fell to the sleek countertop revealing creamy round globes of perfection with pink-tipped nipples.
“You’re beautiful.”
Her eyes flickered open and she smiled. “Complimenting the customers. Your boss should be proud.”
“Yes, she should. She’s a stunning woman.” Tempted though he was to kiss her straining peaks, he resisted. Looping his fingers around her panties, he pulled them down. Sophia stood up on the bar to ease their removal. He feasted on her long, curvy body so perfectly displayed for him. From his viewpoint, no woman should be prouder than Sophia. He ran his gaze upward, caressing each curve, each delectable part of her body. “Damn.”
“What?”
He half expected her to cover herself with her hands but she didn’t. She waited, letting him look long and hard. And he was. Very long and particularly very hard.
“You.” He shook his head admiringly, then whistled. “You’re hot, Sophia. Damn hot.”
A blush crept into her cheeks. “Thank you but I haven’t given you my name.”
There for a second he’d forgotten their game. No wonder.
“Sorry, Miss Customer.” He folded his arms and visually embraced her from head to toe. “Maybe I should give you free dancing tips to make up for my lapse.”
“Dancing tips?” She looked intrigued by the idea.
“This is an exotic dance club,” he reminded.
“Uhm,” she considered his request.
“Dance for me.”
“Is that a usual request to make of a customer?” she asked but her hips swayed gently to the rhythm of the music.
“Dancing instruction is a perk we provide only to special customers.”
“I’m a special customer?” Her hands rubbed down her breasts, lower to her trim waist while her body barely moved but kept time to the rhythm of the music.
“You’re definitely a VIP.” He touched her calf and massaged his way to her thigh. He kneaded and rubbed the smooth silk of her skin. “Dance for me.”
Her lower lip disappeared between her teeth. She’d probably refuse any second. Gray’s breath caught when, eyes closed, her body’s tempo picked up. He wished she still had on her heels. That would complete his fantasy image of Sophia naked and dancing on the bar. He’d never set a drink on the bar without remembering how her long legs looked, her shapely hips, her tiny waist, her generous breasts.
Gray kissed one knee, then the other, trailed kisses over her calves, her thighs. He clasped her hands and slowly pulled her to her knees.
“You’ve not met all my criteria yet,” he reminded her.
He picked up her drink and poured the sticky liquid into her navel. Her eyes widened. The fluid trickled lower until blonde curls lapped up the rivulets.
Gray bent and sucked the droplets from her navel and worked his way along the juicy path. “Delicious.”
“Are you saying you make a great Screaming Orgasm?”
“Give me a few minutes and I will,” he promised.
She gasped.
“Spread your legs for me, Sophia.” He grabbed her buttocks, pulled her hips forward and buried his face.
She did.
Over and over, he stroked her clit with his tongue. Stroked until she panted his name.
“What?”
“More. I want more,” she begged.
“More?”
“Touch me, Gray.” She demanded, thrusting her hips. “Touch me now.”
He slipped a finger into her wetness. God, she was so tight and hot. Immediately, her vaginal walls contracted around him. Intense and convulsive.
“Gray,” she cried when her orgasm racked her. Her hands clasped onto his shoulders for support. Her nails dug into his flesh. He pressed his free hand against her bottom to steady her but the rhythm he applied to her clitoris never wavered. Not until he tasted her release.
As with her first screaming orgasm, he licked her clean, savoring every sweet drop. “Delicious,” he repeated when he lifted his head.
Her eyes were glazed over, her chest heaved and her inner thighs glistened. “I think you get an A plus in customer satisfaction,” she whispered.
“I aim to please.” His chest swelled with pride that he’d made her come so completely.
“I’m very pleased.” She moistened her lips, then pouted. “Well, almost.”
“Almost?”
“Uh-hum.” Eyes locked with his, she upped the stakes of their sexual game. “I’m going to make you come while you serve the other customers.”
“Other customers?”
She frowned. “Play along, Gray.”
He didn’t remind her that he hadn’t given his name. To do so might distract her from her objective. Only a fool would risk that.
She draped her legs over the edge of the bar and he couldn’t help himself, he wrapped them around his waist. “I’ll do anything you like, Miss Customer.”
She rewarded him with a smile. “Then set me do
wn.”
He kissed her first. Hard. A mind-drugging kiss. When their mouths parted his midsection throbbed with need to slide into her slick folds. He had protection. Not that tucked inside his lace-up black leather boot was the best place to keep a condom but in his work uniform there wasn’t space anywhere else.
When he lowered Sophia to the floor, she grinned. “Now remember, you’re working. No one can know I’m back here with you. If someone discovers you’re playing hanky-panky with one of the customers, you’ll be fired. Stand your ground, pretend I’m not here and serve your paying customers while I pay homage to my favorite bartender.”
“Okay,” Gray agreed, hoping she was going to do what he thought she was going to do. She dropped to her knees and grazed her palms over his thighs, his hips. Hot damn.
“Where’s the zipper on these things?” she asked after several failed attempts to find access along his front and middle.
“The side.” He shifted his left hip forward. “Guess whoever designed these wanted to make sure none of the goods got caught, ’cause there sure as hell isn’t a way to wear briefs under them. I tried that my first night on the job and, believe me, it doesn’t work.”
She laughed softly while she slid down the zipper. “Okay, quiet. Serve your customers. Chitchat with them.”
Talk to nonexistent customers?
When her hands wrapped around his cock, he decided he’d do anything she liked. He began to babble. What he said, he didn’t have a clue. He probably didn’t even make sense but if Sophia wanted “chitchat” then “chitchat” she’d get.
Just so long as she kept doing what she was doing.
Her fingertips stroked him, teased him, encircled him and pumped his shaft back and forth. His heart pounded in his chest. His pulse hammered through his body. His cock throbbed for release.
When her mouth slid over his engorged tip, he grasped hold of the edge of the bar. His knees weakened to water. His thighs quaked with need.
“Sophia,” he growled when her head bobbed back and forth, taking him deeper with each dip of her magnificent mouth.
She paused and scowled up at him. “You’re not supposed to be talking to me.”
“And you’re not supposed to talk with your mouth full.” He clenched his teeth, resumed his incoherent babble.