by Opal Carew
She raised an eyebrow. “Really?” She smiled. “Well, we’ll never know now.”
She stood up and turned around, but he hooked a finger under a belt loop of her jeans, preventing her from moving forward. She laughed as she turned around to face him.
“That’s unacceptable,” Rafe said. “Since I’m the boss, I think I should have some say in this.”
She tipped her head. “And exactly what do you want to say?”
“Well, first of all, I think you should show proper respect and call me Mr. Ranier.”
Excitement quivered through her. “But you always told me to call you Rafe.”
Damn, why had she said that? This was role-playing. But the words had slipped out automatically, probably because she’d always felt odd calling him by his first name while calling his brother Mr. Ranier.
“Right now, in this office, I want you to call me Mr. Ranier.” He tugged on the belt loop of her jeans, pulling them down a little. “You know, jeans are totally inappropriate in the office.” He sent her a glance full of steel. “Take them off.”
Quivers danced down her spine. She pushed the jeans down to her ankles, then stepped out of them. It was so odd that even though he was wearing jeans and she thought of him as Storm, as soon as they fell into the role of boss and secretary, he immediately became Rafe again. Though not the Rafe she had known. He was a Rafe she had only dreamed about. A Rafe who demanded she call him Mr. Ranier, and who would order her to do unspeakable, sexy things.
He nodded. “You can’t sit around the office in your panties. Take those off, too.”
She hooked her fingers under the elastic of her pretty pink panties and glided them slowly down her legs then over her feet and held them up. He took them from her hand and slid them into his jeans pocket.
“Now sit.”
She sat down beside him on the couch, the leather cool against her intimate parts. He stood up and dropped his pants and boxers to the floor, then sat down again, his fully erect cock jutting up between his legs.
“Pull up your shirt so I can see your breasts.”
She grabbed the hem and drew it up, revealing her feminine, pink lace bra. She started to pull the top over her head, but he stopped her.
“I said pull it up, not take it off.” The cold edge to his voice made her hands tremble with desire.
She released the fabric, leaving it bunched above her breasts. He reached forward and stroked over her lace cups, then his hands covered her and he gently pulsed around her, sending heat pumping through her.
“They’re lovely.” He smiled. “And I see this bra is front-opening.” He reached for the clasp and squeezed. The pressure of the elastic around her torso released. He drew the cups away, revealing her naked breasts, the nipples pointing straight forward.
He stroked over one hard nub with his fingertip and she moaned.
“Now you touch them.”
She stroked her fingertip over one bead-like nipple. Heat thrummed through her. She touched the other, then pinched them both between her fingertips.
“Does that feel good?” he asked.
“Not as good as when you touch them.”
He chuckled. “Now I want you to touch your pussy.”
She glided one had down her stomach, then over her mound, feeling a little self-conscious as he watched her intently. She stroked over her slick flesh, still sensitive from the hard rubbing of the denim. She swirled inside.
“Touch your clit.”
She found the little button in the nest of flesh and quivered over it. Her breathing increased as hot sensations pulsed through her.
“Show me how you make yourself come, Melanie.” His words, heavy and full of need, spurred her on.
“Yes, Mr. Ranier,” she said as she flicked her clit, then quivered her fingertip over it.
His burning gaze locked on her fingers as she teased her button. Although his expression was hard and commanding, she could tell by his impossibly rigid erection that he was as turned on as she was.
Still lying on the couch, she arched her pelvis up, giving him a full view of her most intimate parts. “Do you like this, Mr. Ranier?” she said in puffy breaths.
He nodded.
“Because I’m”—she gasped and arched as the intense sensations spiked—”oh … I’m so close.”
Her body trembled and she gazed at his compelling blue eyes as she felt the heat wash through her.
“Shit.” Rafe moved in front of her and as pleasure erupted through her, she felt hot, hard flesh against her. He surged forward, his now rock-hard cock impaling her. She groaned at the hot invasion, then wailed as his pumping drove her pleasure higher.
She wrapped her arms around his big muscular body. “Oh, yes, Mr. Ranier. Oh, please, fuck me hard.”
He drove deeper still, then pumped faster. Then he jerked forward and groaned, holding her tight to his body as he erupted inside her.
She sprawled back and he collapsed on her, the weight of his body crushing her into the cushions. They lay there panting for a few moments before he finally pushed himself back, taking his weight on his knees again.
She sent him a glowing smile, then cupped his cheeks and kissed him. “Oh, Mr. Ranier.”
He rocked his pelvis forward, and she automatically squeezed around the cock still buried inside her.
“I think in this intimate situation, you should call me Rafe. Or Storm.”
She clutched his shirt and pulled him forward for another kiss. “I like calling you Mr. Ranier.” She nuzzled his neck. “I like it when you take control.” She nipped his ear, but then he drew away, his cock sliding from her body.
“Do you want to take a shower while I get dinner ready?”
She could sense his withdrawal and she wasn’t sure why. “I’d rather we take a shower together. Then I could help you with dinner.”
As enticement, she glided her fingertips over her breast, then toyed with the soft nipple. Although they were both spent, his eyes glittered and he smiled.
“Deal.”
***
Melanie sat with Sue at the diner having breakfast before they started their shift. Melanie took a bite of her toast, smeared with strawberry jam.
“So which of your handsome hunks did you go out with this week?” Sue asked.
“I told you, I’m only going out with Storm.”
“But Travis is so sexy. Well, so is Storm, but I don’t see why you don’t date both. After all, you’re not exclusive to Storm.”
“Well, actually …”
Sue’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s great.”
“I thought you wanted me to play the field.”
“Hey, a bird in the hand …” Sue shrugged. “I’m just sayin’.”
Melanie’s cell phone buzzed and she pulled it from her purse and glanced at the text.
“It’s a reminder that I have my three-month evaluation next week.” She pursed her lips. “I’m a bit worried about it. You know Karen doesn’t really like me.”
“I don’t think it’s that she doesn’t like you, but I know what you mean. She resents that the previous manager hired you, then was promoted. I think Karen wanted them to hire someone she knows. But she can’t fire you just because she doesn’t like you.”
Melanie glanced at her watch. “No, but she could fire me for being late, so we’d better get going.”
Sue took a quick sip of her coffee. “Okay, let’s go.” She stood up and dropped some bills on the table. It was her turn to pay today.
They stepped outside and walked along the street toward the coffee shop.
“So have you signed up for those art courses you were thinking about?” Sue asked.
“No. I don’t want to change my availability with Karen. Booking an evening off every week might annoy her.”
“You’re allowed to have a life, you know.”
“Yeah, I know, but until my evaluation period is over, I’m going to do whatever I can not to rock the boat.” She shrugged. “
Anyway, I’m not sure I can really afford the lessons right now.”
“I could loan you the money.”
Melanie smiled. “Thanks, that’s sweet, but I’ll just wait a bit.” She pursed her lips. “I’m actually thinking that maybe I might get a second job. I heard that the specialty makeup shop around the corner is looking for people.”
She frequented the shop, watching for the latest polishes and nail art kits. It might be fun to work there. On the other hand, that would leave her even less time to do her own thing.
Melanie was actually feeling a little depressed about the whole situation. She’d made this career move hoping to open up her options, but instead she felt more hemmed in. If she’d still worked for Rafe, she’d automatically have her evenings free, and she’d have the money to pay for it, so taking the course wouldn’t be an issue.
She stared at her bare nails. And she’d be able to wear her beloved nail polish more often. She found herself doing manis less often these days because she had to remove them every time she went to work. Even wearing subdued manicures was better than not wearing nail polish at all.
That didn’t mean she wanted to go back to the corporate world, though.
She’d figure it out. On the whole, life was good.
After all, she was sleeping with her dream man.
***
Melanie handed a coffee to a young woman in a floral sundress as Travis walked in the door.
Sue nudged her elbow. “I thought you said you weren’t playing the field. Why’s gorgeous rock guy here?”
“He’s my friend’s brother and I’m going with him to pick out a gift for her engagement.”
Sue grinned. “Yeah, well …” She winked. “Have fun.”
“Hey, there, gorgeous,” Travis said when he reached the counter. “Ready to go?”
She glanced at her watch. Ten to four.
“I’ll be a few more minutes. Want a latte?”
“Sure.”
She made him a latte, then finished up with two more customers before she headed to the back to change. Fifteen minutes later, she accompanied him out the door. They went to a variety of stores, shopping aimlessly at first, but then they passed the window of a little boutique where Melanie spotted a quilt that looked very similar to one Jessica had shown her in a magazine recently. Jessica had said the pattern was called Card Trick and it was like one her grandmother had made and kept on the bed in the guestroom Jessica used to sleep in when she visited her.
“I remember the quilt she’s talking about,” Travis said. “It does look a lot like it.” He smiled. “She’ll love it. She always loved her visits to Gran’s.”
They went inside and he bought the quilt.
“You’ll join me for dinner, right?” he asked.
“Oh, I don’t think so.”
“But I want to thank you for today.” Then he smiled his crooked smile. “Come on. You aren’t going to make me eat alone, are you?”
For some reason, she just couldn’t resist his boyish, yet incredibly sexy charm. She knew she was hesitating because Storm wouldn’t want her spending time with Travis—even the shopping trip—but she couldn’t let Storm’s misguided jealousy control her.
She smiled. “Okay.”
In the restaurant, they talked over drinks while they waited for their meals to arrive.
“So how’s the job going?” Travis asked.
She shrugged. “It’s okay. Better than working in an office.”
“But not all you’d hoped for?”
“I thought there’d be more time for other things. And my boss doesn’t really like me.”
“Really? I find that hard to believe.”
Melanie sipped her drink. “I was hired just before she was promoted to manager, and I think she’d recommended one of her friends for the job.”
“What about your art?” he asked.
“I’m working on it. I’ve joined an artist community online, and I’ve posted some things to get more exposure, but I don’t really know how I’d turn any of that into income yet.”
“What kinds of things do you like to draw? Besides tattoos, that is.”
“Oh, all kinds of things, but I really like to draw Manga-style art, especially fantasy creatures.”
“Have you thought about becoming an illustrator?”
“Oh, sure, I’d love that, but I think it’s a tough business to break into. I’ve been to anime conventions where artists do commissions and make money that way, but I’m not sure it’s enough to live on. Whatever I do, I have to practice a lot to get better, and it’s so hard to find the time.”
“I know what you mean. It was like that for me when the band was just starting out. I had to find time to practice and play gigs while working a full-time job. We tried to book a tour a while ago and a lot of the bigger musical venues turned us away. Now those same managers are begging us to perform there. Just don’t give up, and keep working on your art. That’s what we did and look how well it’s turned out.”
She smiled. “I’ve got to say, it would be exciting to travel around to different cities like you’re doing. I’d love to do that. I’ve always pretty much stayed in one place. Maybe if there were enough big conventions going on around the country, I could go on a sort of tour and get enough commissions to make a living.” She smiled wistfully. “But that’s just wishful thinking.”
He smiled. “Well, if you like the idea of traveling, you could always come with us. The band is continuing on tour next week and we could use another roadie. You’d get to travel around the country, and you’d have your expenses covered and get paid.”
“Oh. I … don’t think that would work out.”
“You haven’t even given the idea a chance.” He sipped his beer. “And think of all the great experiences you’d have.”
Her fingers wrapped around her glass. “I’d have to leave my job.”
“Which I get the impression you’re not that attached to. And we probably pay more.”
She pursed her lips. “And this relationship with Storm is so new. I wouldn’t want to put it in jeopardy.”
Travis rested his arms on the table and leaned forward. “If it’s meant to be, then a little time away won’t hurt. And if Storm really cares about you, then he’d want you to be happy. And if going on tour with us makes you happy …” He shrugged. “Then he shouldn’t have a problem with it.”
It was a fantastic opportunity, and she had to admit, she was more than a little tempted.
“Storm would not be happy with me traveling with you.”
Travis chuckled. “Yeah, he does tend to get jealous.” His gaze locked with hers. “So is it more important that you do what makes Storm happy, or what makes you happy?”
“That’s not a simple question. Being with Storm makes me happy.”
Travis shrugged. “There’s nothing stopping Storm from joining us on tour, too. We never wanted him to leave the band.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re not asking me to put pressure on Storm to rejoin Savage Kiss, are you?”
He took her hand and raised it to his mouth, then brushed it lightly with his lips. “Don’t you think I’d be more interested in attracting you?”
She glanced around, almost expecting Storm to appear from nowhere just like the last time she’d been with Travis.
“Even if I did go with you, I’d still be in a relationship with Storm.”
He released her hand, his smile never wavering. “I know.”
But the twinkle in his eye did not inspire confidence in her that he’d respect that relationship.
“Just think about it,” he said.
***
The next day, Storm picked her up from work on his motorcycle, and they sped back to his place to spend the evening together.
As she clung to his waist, her head resting against his big back, her thoughts turned to the conversation with Travis. Once the waitress had brought their food, they’d changed the topic to the upcoming wedding, which
was still several months away, and then on to other small talk.
She really couldn’t tell if she was a pawn in a scheme for Travis to attract Storm back to the group, or whether Travis had designs on her. There was definitely a strong attraction between them. Or maybe he really was just being a nice guy and wanted to help her on her quest.
Of course, there was no reason he couldn’t be both a nice guy, and hopeful that once away from Storm, she would fall into his arms.
They arrived at Storm’s building and he pulled into the underground parking area. Inside the lot, he pulled into the corner, then used a remote to open a garage door to a private storage location where he pulled in with the bike. He dismounted and took off his helmet. She handed him hers, hopped off the bike, and followed him from the small space, then he closed the door.
“So what are you thinking about so hard?” Storm asked.
She gazed up at him as they walked toward the door leading to the elevators.
Some people passed by, so she waited until they entered the elevator and the doors closed.
“I was just thinking about you and the band. Don’t you want to go with them when they continue their tour?”
His eyebrows arched. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No, of course not. It’s just that you come to life when you play with them, and you’re so talented. It seems like a waste.”
His gaze flicked to hers and she saw the turmoil in his eyes.
“I’ve already spent a year away. Now I need to show Dane that he can depend on me. That I’m willing to build the company right alongside him.”
“Is it more important to do what makes you happy, or what makes your brother happy?” It was sage advice when Travis had said it to her, and it applied to Storm, too.
His gaze sharpened. “It’s not that simple. As I said, I already spent a year away indulging in my own pursuits, while Dane worked to keep the company thriving.”
“But he likes doing that. But you … that’s not where your heart is.”
The elevator arrived at his floor and they stepped off into his stunning penthouse apartment. Everything about this place—the expensive furnishings, the spectacular view through the huge windows, the high ceilings, and the sheer size—reminded her that she and Storm came from two very different worlds.