Three dots appeared, then vanished and reappeared again. He waited expectantly, needing to know how his words had affected her, but no text appeared. Instead, his phone rang.
Excitement pulsed through him as he answered. “Hello?”
“Daniel.” The sound of his name from her lips reminded him of how she’d chanted it while she rode him. “Now that we’re both aroused to the point of pain, what are we going to do about it?”
7
IN A NIGHT full of steamy surprises and blistering pleasure, perhaps the biggest revelation was that Daniel Keegan was capable of sexting. After he’d dropped her off, Mia had tried her best to work but her focus was shot. She’d been shutting down the laptop and was considering calling him when his first message had appeared on her phone, asking about extra credit. She’d been amused.
But she wasn’t amused anymore. She was so turned on she was trembling. Her last attempt at a text had been a typo-riddled mess, so she’d called instead. Besides, she wanted to hear that low voice, wanted to close her eyes and feel it slide over her.
“I don’t suppose my driving across town and carrying you to bed is an option?” he asked.
She bit back a moan at how good that idea sounded.
“Or are you in bed already?” His tone was a mix of curiosity and ragged desire. As if he was picturing her there. As if he was picturing himself with her.
She shook her head before realizing he couldn’t see. “Living room. I’m stretched across the couch.” It was buttery smooth leather, a very comfortable piece of furniture; she’d never once regretted the pricy splurge. But had she stayed on the couch instead of working in her room because it was so comfy...or because it made her think of the little sofa in Daniel’s office? Of the way he’d pulled her across his lap, stroking into her at the perfect angle? “If only you were here with me.”
“I can be out the door in three minutes.”
She sighed. “Bad idea. At least, that’s what the rational half of my brain says.” The devil on her shoulder whispered Invite him over and greet him naked at the door. Easy for the devil to say—she didn’t have to pay rent with the money from this wedding and resulting referrals. “Maybe I should just take a cold shower.”
“You, naked under a spray of water?” He groaned. “You’re killing me.”
Then it would be mutual murder. Her voice felt thick in her throat, probably because she was choking on lust. “Don’t you like picturing me naked?”
“Hell, yes. But I like picturing you in clothes, too, so I can imagine undressing you myself, baring you, getting us both hot.”
His words drizzled over her, rich and sweet like syrup. Which she would no doubt ask him to lick off of her.
“Besides,” he added, “when you’re dressed, I get to imagine what you’re wearing—or not wearing—beneath your clothes. The sheer lace bra and panties you had on tonight will haunt my dreams.”
She grinned, reminding herself how lucky she was to have a friend who got her a steep discount on extravagant lingerie, and started mentally reviewing her options for tomorrow.
“How trite would it be to ask, what are you wearing?”
“Don’t think of it as trite, Professor. Think of it as quoting a classic.”
“Classic, huh?” He chuckled softly. “Chaucer, Poe, Dante...and lots of horny teenage boys before caller ID was invented.”
“For the record, I’m wearing a ratty T-shirt I won playing trivia in a bar. But I’ve got on a pair of scarlet string-bikini panties, so I’m not a complete loss.”
“Brains plus sex appeal. You are the total package.”
“Flatterer.” Wicked inspiration struck. She hit the speakerphone button so she could still talk to him as she used both hands to slide her panties down. Then she set them on a sofa cushion and snapped a picture of the bright red fabric against the leather. “I’m texting you something. So you’ll have a better visual of my wardrobe.”
“Let me guess,” he said with wry humor. “A close-up of a bar logo on your sh—” He broke off with a sharp intake of breath.
“They’re pretty, right? I have quite a collection.”
“If you’re not wearing those anymore...”
“I’m naked from the waist down.”
He snarled in frustration. “If I’d got in my car when you first called, I could be there by now.” Only if he ignored pretty much every traffic law in existence, but she appreciated the sentiment. “Then your shirt would be history, too. I wish I was there to rip it off.”
“I could do it for you.” Anything to deepen that rough desire she craved in his tone.
There was a pause. Maybe she’d surprised him with the offer. Or maybe he was just savoring the mental image.
“Do it,” he rasped. “Put the shirt with the panties. Send me another picture.”
So that he would know she was truly naked. The idea made her shiver. Why did standing in her own apartment, alone and unclothed, seem intimately revealing? No one but Daniel would ever know, and he’d already seen all of her. Still, something like nervous excitement pulsed in her belly. She grabbed the frayed hem of the soft-from-a-thousand-washings T and pulled it over her head with a whisper of cotton. “Done.”
Superficially, the photo was innocent enough to be downright boring. Just a faded shirt tossed on the sofa, bright red fabric peeking out from beneath it. Yet she got an erotic thrill when she hit Send.
“Good girl,” he said hoarsely.
“Good? I’ve heard the opposite a time or two.”
“But you’ll be good for me, won’t you, honey?” His voice was low and coaxing, full of dark persuasion that made her weak in the knees. “Do me one little favor?”
She sank back to the couch. Her throat had gone dry, and she reached for the glass of water on the end table before answering, “What favor might that be?” She had some guesses.
“Since I couldn’t be there to remove your T-shirt, you took care of it for me. And since I’m not there to touch you...”
Anticipation buzzed through her. He wanted her to touch herself while he listened on the other end. Professor “Humdrum” Keegan had a seriously naughty side.
“Mia?” he prompted.
“Yes.” She would definitely oblige him. As excruciatingly turned on as she was, there’d been no way she was going to sleep tonight without masturbating. She reclined across the couch, scooting down so that her knees were draped over the arm, legs dangling and pelvis tipped upward. The cool leather felt good against her bare skin, but not as good as Daniel moving over her would have been.
“What would you do?” she whispered. “If you were here.”
“First, I’d kiss you.”
“Afraid I can’t help you with that.”
“Close your eyes. Run a finger over your lips, slowly. A kiss hello.”
She did exactly as he asked, sighing against the pad of her middle finger.
“Our kiss wouldn’t stay tender for long. I’d want inside your delectable mouth, would want to feel your tongue against mine. Lick your finger for me.”
Shuddering at the command in his tone, she followed his instructions with enthusiasm, sucking at her own finger as if he could see her performance, running her tongue up the side and across the tip.
“Is it nice and wet?”
She didn’t think he really meant her finger. “Yes.” Neither did she.
“Rub your nipple, then the other one. They’re hard aren’t they?”
She didn’t even try to talk this time, just moaned at the sensation of her fingers strumming the taut peaks and Daniel’s sexy words in her ear.
“I’m hard for you, too,” he murmured, a catch in his voice that told her she wasn’t the only one touching herself.
She was almost jealous as she imagined th
ose blunt male fingers circling his erection; she selfishly wanted to be the one wringing pleasure from him. “I’ve changed my mind. Get in your car and get over here.”
His laugh had a desperate edge. “Too late for that. Run your hands up the inside of your thighs. When I touched the tattoo there earlier, you shook. Because you’re ticklish, or because you couldn’t wait for me to reach your pussy?”
“Both.”
“I’ve reached it now,” he told her. “Parting the plump lips, fingering your clit.”
As she matched her actions to his words, she realized how long it had been since she’d touched herself this way. She normally used her vibrator, which was very effective, but not as personal. Increasing tempo and friction, she groaned, and Daniel echoed it.
“I want...” His words sounded as if they came through gritted teeth, as if he were fighting off his own release until she found hers. She wished he would let go. Hearing his loss of control, imagining him coming in hot waves, would probably send her over the edge. “Want to be inside you. So fucking badly.”
She slid a finger inside herself. “You are.” In her fantasy, in their shared fantasy, he was driving into her. She added a second finger, arching her back. Her breath was choppy, her left leg had slid off the couch, leaving her wantonly spread and open. With her other hand, she rubbed madly at her clit, sensation a tight promise at the base of her spine, the explosion building. Imminent.
“Mia.” It was a muted roar, with the intensity of a shout if not the volume.
Answering him with a wordless cry, she clenched around her fingers as the orgasm broke over her. Her heart was racing so hard he could probably hear it over the phone.
“Christ,” he muttered. “That...”
She nodded, unable to find her voice. For long minutes, their only conversation was panting breaths and contented silence.
Finally, he asked, “Better?”
“Much,” she said with a happy sigh. “Before, I was too keyed up to sleep. Now I’ll be out like a light.”
“You may be on to something. I’ve had insomnia for a few weeks. Maybe this will help.”
“I hope so. You’re my unofficial date to the wedding.” Obviously, she would be there in a professional capacity and had plenty to keep her busy. But she planned on taking him home with her tomorrow night when it was all over. “For the kind of after-party I have in mind, you’d better be well rested.”
* * *
MIA STOOD AT the back of the beautifully decorated room, uncharacteristically misty as Eli and Bex exchanged their vows. The bride was stunning in a dress that started with a beaded white bodice, then cascaded into a red-and-gold ankara skirt. Eli wore a suit, his tie custom-made to match the print on the wedding gown. They were a gorgeous, striking couple.
Yet Mia’s gaze kept straying toward the best man who stood with them. Daniel carried off his suit splendidly, but she wasn’t mesmerized by him just because he was so damn easy on the eyes. She was transfixed by the memories of the night before, the amazing connection they’d shared. First times with a new lover could be awkward. But sex with Daniel had been breathtaking. And to think, I once called him unimaginative. She’d never been so utterly grateful to be wrong.
A cheer went up from the guests as Eli kissed his new wife, and Mia breathed her customary sigh of relief. The ceremony had gone off without a hitch. The closest they’d come to last-minute crises were that the officiant had been ten minutes late and the father of the bride had lost a button off his suit. Mia was able to fix that; she had a key to a small room at the back of the complex that held mismatched pieces of furniture, paper products and emergency supplies, like first aid provisions, flashlights and a sewing kit. She liked to think that if any larger problems had cropped up, she would have handled them with efficient grace, but she was happy not to test that theory when she was so distracted by Daniel. There was still the reception to follow, but in her experience, clients and their families remained calmer about any mishaps that took place once the solemn part was over. The champagne probably helped.
With the wedding concluded, it was her job to direct guests into the connected building where the reception was being held. She would serve as unofficial hostess while the wedding party and the newlyweds’ families stayed behind for pictures at the altar. She was almost too busy to dwell on her date as she answered questions about where the bathrooms were located, handed her business card to a few people and oversaw distribution of the appetizers. When Bex caught up to her half an hour later, the food was one of the things she praised Mia for.
The beaming bride crushed her in a quick hug. “Thank you so much. For everything.”
“My pleasure,” Mia said sincerely. But then she flashed a teasing grin. “Especially with what I’m charging you.”
Bex laughed. “You’ve been a godsend. Even if all you did was wrangle my parents, your fee would have been worth it. And I know I didn’t think it would be necessary, coming from a family of serious carnivores, but bless you for persuading me to add a vegan entrée to the menu. Turns out, my boss’s wife is a vegetarian and my cousin’s date has a dairy allergy, so vegan takes care of that. There are probably others, too.”
“I’m glad you’re happy with everything.” Mia lowered her voice to a confidential tone. “And, in a way, you and Eli did me a favor. Because of you guys, I crossed paths with Daniel again.”
“I hope that later, after dinner’s served and everything settles down, you two will find time for a dance. Or something,” she added slyly.
Heat rose in Mia’s cheeks, startling her. She was not a woman who blushed. At least, not usually. But she couldn’t help vividly recalling just how good Daniel was at “or something.”
Bex patted her arm. “It’s funny how things work out. I was so sad for him when Felicity turned down his proposal, but now I—”
“Proposal?” She’d known he recently went through a breakup; she’d had no idea he’d proposed marriage. The relationship must have been very serious.
“Oh.” Bex rocked back, her expression stricken. “You didn’t know?”
“It’s not a big deal,” Mia hastened to assure her. Rule number one was keeping the bride happy. “He told me it was a long-term relationship, I was just fuzzy on the details. We honestly haven’t talked much about her.”
“Because you’ve helped him get over her.”
Smiling politely, Mia bit back her automatic protest. She and Daniel had only spent a week exploring their attraction. Phone sex and a single encounter in his office were not significant signs that he’d moved on from a relationship that had spanned years of his life. They were more likely indicators of a rebound fling.
“Is this a ladies-only chat?” Eli asked, looping his arms around his wife’s waist from behind. “Or can anyone join? I know it’s only been a few minutes, but I missed you.”
Bex craned her head, stretching up on her toes to meet him for a quick kiss. “Was I neglecting you, boo? Sorry. You make me so happy, I just want to see everyone else happy, too. I was telling Mia that she’s good for Daniel.”
Eli shot Mia an earnest look over his bride’s head. “He really likes you, in case he didn’t make that clear.”
“Oh, he did.” That ridiculous stinging warmth was back in her face, and she ducked her gaze.
“He’s one of the best men I know,” Eli added. “No wedding pun intended. He comes across as a little formal, at times.” Obviously he was too loyal to say “stuffy” or “uptight.” “But once you get to know him—”
“I’ve already realized there’s more to him than a starchy first impression. He’s...multifaceted.” She doubted Daniel’s friend knew just how much. “But today is about you two! Go mingle with your guests and soak up the well wishes.”
Bex laughed at her bossy tone. “Guess we better listen to her,” she told Eli. “We
did put her in charge.”
They disappeared back into the happy crowd, which did not—as far as Mia could tell—include Daniel. Also missing were the two ushers. She suspected the three of them were out decorating Eli’s car before it got dark. Then, suddenly, a finger traced over the tattoo on her neck, unerringly finding it beneath the thick curls she’d left loose to soften the severity of her red suit.
Her happiness to see him as she turned was nearly electric. “Hi.” Their gazes collided. I’d kiss you but I’m on duty.
He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip for the barest second before dropping his hand to his side. I know. “Hi, yourself. If I didn’t mention it earlier, you look fantastic.”
Her smile spread. “You did.” They’d only seen each other for a few minutes before the ceremony, and they’d been surrounded by other people. He’d sounded so proper when he’d told her she looked lovely. There was nothing proper about the heat in his eyes now.
“Classy suit.” His gaze lingered on the jacket. “Very...buttoned up.” His right hand curled into a loose fist, as if he were battling the urge to reach for the buttons.
She sighed over his words from the night before, that the fun of her being in clothes was the chance to take them off of her. Baring you, getting us both hot. Damn it, she’d had fragments of that phone call echoing in her head all day, arousal simmering like a low-grade fever while she tried to get her job done. Try as she might, it was impossible to shake the memory. Why couldn’t she just get some Taylor Swift song stuck in her head like everyone else?
“Uh-oh.” He noticed her scowl. “Everything all right?”
“Yes. But we should start seating for dinner in a moment. Ready to give your best man toast?”
He nodded. “I just hope I don’t yawn my way through it.”
“Insomnia still?” She’d slept like the dead until her alarm blared at her this morning. “Even after our...conversation?”
Tempting the Best Man Page 8