by Amy Brent
Lily rocked with my fingers, bringing me deeper with each movement until she was tight around me, flooding me with her heat. “Landon, oh fuck. Landon.” I slid my fingers out to taste them as she watched with blurry eyes. “You came to work with a hickey after.” I heard the emotion in her voice and saw the pain in her eyes as I ate her off my hand. “How many women have there been?”
“They were never enough,” I assured her as I dropped over her body and sucked her nipple into my mouth. She reached around my head and pulled me closer with a keening sound, telling me she had missed me just as much as I’d missed her. I treated both nipples the same before kissing down her stomach and attacking her pussy with my mouth.
Maybe I was crazy, but nobody tasted like Lily. Nobody affected me like she did. I nipped and teased her relentlessly until she was bucking against my mouth with a wild orgasm, at which point I held her still and sucked her clit between my teeth. She was screaming in her struggle to move, making me even harder. I pulled away from her and met her wild gaze with my own before I pulled her legs farther apart and dropped my body between them. “Do you have a condom?” she asked in a firm, scratchy voice that left me with no doubt that this wasn’t going any further without one.
I didn’t ever want to wear one again with her, but the protest that was on my lips faded away. I wanted to assure Lily that I had been safe with anybody else to a fault, but the wary look in her eyes told me it wouldn’t matter. I reached blindly for the drawer beside the bed and pulled one out, rolling it over myself before she changed her mind.
Not only was she still into the idea, but Lily climbed onto her hands and knees to present herself to me. Part of me couldn’t wait to be inside her as I moved forward and found her dripping entrance, but another part of me longed to see her face as she came. This felt more like a fuck right now when I wanted so much more from her. I had been talking to people at work, finding a place for her in the company that would allow us to date without taking away her dream. I had made plans for us for when I asked her for her commitment, thinking of every romantic gesture I’d ever done or heard of to make this work.
I knew I fucked up going to the bar that night and then home with…what was her name? She was just the first one. But the arrogant part of me had been happy to walk into the office with that mess of a hickey on my neck, as if I were proving something other than the fact that I was an asshole. I had just been in a hurry to get Lily the hell out of my mind, and it hadn’t worked. Now I was inside her and slapping against her delicious ass when I only wanted to see her face.
Still though, she felt good as she rocked with me and moaned or cried out with every thrust of my hips. I hardened as I felt her tighten in her release, screaming my name as she clutched my messy blankets. Fuck. I jerked forward as I filled the latex holding me back from her, still violent but not what I had intended when I brought her here.
Seeing her at the bar had just set something off in me. Seeing her beautiful smile had made me tell my friends that I would be right back before I rushed over to talk to her as that other woman who worked in the building (for a fleeting moment I’d been happy that she was with anyone but Lauren) left. I didn’t expect to ask her to come home with me, and once I did, I never dreamed she would say yes. Now, I grunted her name as my cock drained, gripping her hips tightly as she let out a slow breath.
Letting go, I tumbled onto the bed as she moved flat on her stomach. We were both damp with sweat, but still, I pulled her close to me to breathe in her scent. I almost hadn’t known how much I had missed it until now. “You feel so good.”
“So do you,” Lily murmured, but she seemed to tense in my embrace.
“I know that you think poorly of me now, after how I was acting. I just…couldn’t deal with you walking away from me again. I just flipped out a bit, but I’m over that,” I told Lily, stroking her stomach as she shivered. “I took care of things, and I am free for you. I tied up loose ends. I don’t care how I say it, but I am ready for you. Baby, I want to see you as more than just this.” I knew she’d had a boyfriend once, but she was here, so maybe that was over. Maybe she was ready to be mine as well. “I think I am falling in love with you, Lily.”
“You know that after fucking me three times? Is that how many it takes?” she asked, her voice strained and rising.
“I know because you make me feel the way my first wife did. I never thought I would find that again, Lily. I believed there was only one for me, but then I saw you. I wanted you then, but once we got to know each other, I knew it was my second chance.”
“Aren’t you going through a divorce?” Lily asked me, and I sighed.
“That wasn’t love. That was a mistake.” I didn’t say I would consider a third marriage with her, not yet. There were too many details to iron out before then.
“The fact that I am your assistant? How about that?” she pressed as she remained in the same position, not looking at me.
“You can move around in the building to something that won’t affect us at all.” I slipped a hand over her nipple slowly, feeling it harden. “You can still live your dream, Lily. It would just be with me in your life supporting you at every step.” I knew this was fast and a lot to think about for her, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Lily turned in my arms, pressing herself against me as she sighed. Her lips found my chest as she kissed me just where she knew I’d respond. Before too long, I was kissing her and rolling her onto her back as I reached for another condom. We fucked hard and fast, my hope rising as she clutched at my back with her nails and moved with me. We came together, just another sign that we were meant to be, and after I pulled away to look at her face.
Lily’s eyes were closed, her mouth hanging open as I frowned. She had always looked at me before. “Is it the boyfriend?” I asked in a ragged voice as I stared at her. “Are you in love with him?”
“I am in limbo with everything in my life. I just want to work and secure my future,” she replied softly in a trembling voice. “I can’t do more than this, and if it’s going to affect things, I think we should stop sleeping together.”
“You would work a similar position with the same pay. I am not taking that away from you, Lily. I never would.”
“I can’t think right now, Landon. I am so fucking confused,” she told me as I rolled beside her. I could see the stress in her eyes as I looked at her, stroking her hair back gently.
“It’s okay. I am not asking for anything from you this moment. I just want you to stay with me tonight.” I saw her eyes lock with mine as I trailed my fingers over her stomach. I couldn’t stop touching her, stop feeling her soft skin.
“I can’t, Landon.” She didn’t rush out of there as she had in the past, but she didn’t stay in my arms either. Lily left, allowing me to take her back to her car this time only for me to watch her drive away.
She didn’t give me a definite answer when she left. I didn’t know what Lily wanted from me or anybody else. I assumed she was single from her vague answer about the boyfriend, but maybe that wasn’t the case.
Lily
Brian started to call a couple of weeks after I broke up with him. I had slept with Landon again amid that. The voice mails and texts Brian sent only increased my confusion. Both men had their own things to offer me, but Landon was so sketchy due to my job. Even if I did transfer to whatever position he mentioned, once word got out that we were dating, I would be screwed anyway. I’d be the woman who slept my way through the company and earned my promotions that way. I’d never be seen as a reliable worker. There was already talk among Lauren and her friends from the single time they’d seen us together, though that seemed to have died down.
I didn’t want to start it up again. I was adjusting to my job, and Jasmine was kind. We were building up a great friendship, and I felt like I was getting back on my feet again.
Landon was sexy, mature, and incredible in bed. He could offer a woman—one who wanted to be taken care of—a lot. He had money, a
beautiful home, and the capability of getting anything in life that he wanted. I just felt like I was too independent to accept that. I wanted to make my own way in life.
Brian was young, like me, but he could be sweet. Sure, he spent a lot of time with his friends, drinking, and didn’t quite have his feet on the ground yet with his career. We weren’t just like one another. He was handsome, though, and with a little work, Brian could be a great boyfriend with a future to offer.
Brian made me laugh a lot when I wasn't obsessive about my life, and there was a chance that he could make me relax a little bit.
I went to work every day, putting on professional airs around Landon. I saw the defeat in his eyes, but I just couldn’t give in to my desires again. I didn’t know enough about the other job to even consider it, so I threw myself into my current one.
Landon brought me into the office to work together afternoons and even some nights, laying on the compliments and feeding me the best food. I sensed his efforts, and I even appreciated them though I resisted his advances. It wasn’t easy with my knowledge of his talent in the bedroom, but I had to stay strong.
I saw the women look at him whenever we walked to some lunch place together on the rare occasion that it worked out, their eyes hungry and bright. He was so handsome and drew attention wherever he went, but I just couldn’t pursue him. I knew another night together would just be leading him on since I wasn’t sure about us.
Brian kept up as well. He was sorry he hadn’t treated me the way I deserved. He wanted another chance with me. It reminded me of when I first met Brian and he swept me off my feet, warming me up to the idea of taking him back.
I’d be so sure of that idea when I wasn’t at work and was talking to him. Brian gave me his full attention on the phone when we spoke, flirting and making me laugh all over again.
Could I love him? He didn’t make me weak in the knees like Landon did, but perhaps that was just lust. I had never stayed with Landon, always running after the explosive sex. That meant something, didn’t it?
I stayed with Brian, and I wasn’t always unsettled with him. I had been looking for a job when we were dating and stressed out, so it could be different this time. I had an excellent job now and was happier, and it sounded like Brian was working at an office now too since his brother needed help at his construction company. He had a schedule more like mine now and seemed to be settling down.
After working together all morning, Landon took me to lunch a couple of weeks after our night together. The company was picking up in business, and we were staying busy from morning to night. We walked back together, talking excitedly about the new client and what we were going to do for him as we headed to his office. I saw the roses as we rounded the corner and stopped mid-step as I took in the large vase of red blooms.
They were beautiful, and I licked my lips nervously as I glanced at Landon. “Those are pretty.” His voice was cold, and I nodded rapidly as I stepped forward. I slipped around my desk to pull the card from the little envelope, hearing Landon’s door close firmly behind me. It made me jump as I read Brian’s words, which had me tearing up as he reminded me that he loved me. He knew he had messed up and he wanted to take me to dinner that night to start fresh.
I wavered as I read the words over again, well aware of the man in the office behind me. But Landon wasn’t the safe route, and I knew I had been falling for Brian before this job, this life. He deserved a chance.
I locked my purse up and decided to call him in a little while, perhaps on my break. I had work to do, and Landon and I already ran over the lunch hour a bit, lost in a conversation.
It had been a good one, reminding me of what a good man Landon was. His eyes had been locked on me as we spoke, despite being surrounded by gorgeous women who were eager for a glance in their direction. Jesus, I had a predicament to deal with. One look at the roses reminded me what the better choice was, and I smiled and nodded, walking toward the door.
I tapped on Landon’s door, walking in when he told me to. He was sitting at his desk with his tie loosened and a scowl on his face, and I stared at him as I walked over to his desk. “So, where were we?”
Landon gave me a dark look as he turned to me and searched my face. We got back to business even though he looked like he wanted to ask me a question the entire afternoon.
I said yes to dinner on my break, and since Brian worked closer to me now, he offered to pick me up. I agreed and ended the call with a long sigh. Was I doing the right thing?
Landon was edgy when I went back into his office, and we got lost in work, so it was a while before I looked up at the clock. “Oh my. I have plans to get to.” It was inching past five, and I wanted to freshen up before dinner. “Is that okay?”
“Do you have a date?” Landon asked as warmth flushed over my cheeks. “Did I fail you by not sending you an obnoxious vase of the most overrated flowers in existence?”
“I like roses,” I replied as he stared me down. “He knows that.” I looked at the clock again. “May I go?”
“Have fun,” Landon said with a smirk as I turned and fled the office. I glanced around to see that I had a few minutes, as Brian didn’t have completely set hours. Unlocking my drawer with shaking hands, I grabbed my purse and hurried to the bathroom. I was already wearing a pretty burgundy shirt with a black pencil skirt and heels, so I just touched up my eyeliner and powder. I added some gloss to my lips before I loosened my hair and let it hang around my shoulders in loose curls.
I walked back out to my desk and saw Brian looking around with an impressed gaze. “Hi,” I called, and he spun around with a bright look in his eyes. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“No, not at all. If I were, it would be worth every second.” Brian appraised me again as I walked toward him, stopping in front of him as he leaned forward to kiss me.
The sound of someone clearing their throat made me jump, and I looked at Landon with wide eyes. “Oh, hi. This is Brian. Brian, this is Landon. He’s my boss. I’m his assistant.” I knew I was babbling, and they looked at me as they shook hands. Brian was loose and friendly as always, but Landon was stiff and cool as he looked Brian over. Landon made a quick exit, and I fussed over my purse and jacket as Brian watched me.
“He seems…intense.” I looked at Brian in the empty elevator, shaking my head.
“He is when it comes to business, and it’s been busy lately. I am learning a lot, though. I like it here.” I defended Landon, knowing he hadn’t been nice in the least to Brian. The short time they had chatted had reminded me of some pissing contest.
“Is he interested in you?” Brian asked, and I gave him a forced incredulous look.
“No. Of course not.” I stepped forward as he walked across the lobby with me. “It’s just work. Landon isn’t my type at all.” I vowed to never let him find out that we’d slept together as we walked outside and looked around. “So, where are we going?”
I was surprised when Brian took me to the restaurant Landon had that first night. It threw me off, but he was sweet and romantic. He listened to everything I had to say and didn’t toss back a few beers with dinner. It was a great date, and I found myself relaxing about the choice I was going to make tonight. Brian had a great, stable job that paid well, and he spoke of getting an apartment on his own in just a few months. He was seemingly tired of the way he was currently living.
Brian was maturing, and while I didn’t know if I was the reason, I appreciated it. He was giving me new hope for our future as we talked over the meal and then coffee and dessert.
When we left, it wasn’t with the urgent rush it had been with Landon. I didn’t want to fuck Brian and leave, but there was a pleasant feeling inside my stomach. Brian told me again that he loved me over dinner, and I responded in kind. I thought I could.
We went my apartment that night, laughing as we walked back to my bedroom. His kisses didn’t affect me the same way Landon’s did, but they were sweet and slow. Brian wanted to prove his feel
ings for me, and I was willing to give him a chance. He paid close attention to my body. He made me come when he went down on me, me crying out his name as I tried to push Landon out of my mind.
After we made sweet, slow love, I snuggled into his arms and looked out the window. There wasn’t the sound of his roommates talking loudly in his living room or the smell of pot floating under the door. Brian didn’t usually used to come here with me, but he had tonight, and I smiled as I listened to the sound of his breathing.
I was doing the right thing. Brian loved me, and I knew he could be the man I needed, as well as a big part of my future.
PART 2
Lily
It was a bit of an adjustment, but I managed to stay at my job even though Brian and I were back together. It wasn’t easy at first, but I stood my ground with Landon about us not being together any longer.
Brian was safe and right. Brian was the right choice for me.
I settled into my days working at my desk and dealing with Landon alone as little as possible. There was still a strong sexual attraction between us, and I saw the pain in his eyes when he looked at me, but I’d made my choice.
I noticed the circles under his eyes within a month of ending whatever it was that we’d had between us, and I assumed he was out drinking at night. It occurred more and more often, and I’d just watch him as he walked in looking at his phone, ignoring me. When he walked by me in silence, I just reminded myself that this was best and I’d made the right choice.
The first time a woman came in just before I was leaving for the night, my blood boiled. She was pretty, and she looked exotic in her clingy purple dress as she gave me a wink and a smile before disappearing into his office. In that moment, I was torn from being the mostly content woman who was comfortable with her choice and became a raging ball of jealousy. When the woman laughed and then something bumped against the wall, I saved what I was working on with a scowl on my face. I turned off the computer and walked out five minutes before I was supposed to, cursing Landon under my breath.