Between You & I

by Susan Cairns

  She giggles. “Well, I guess I can say this then—at least you wanted to have sex with him more than once.” Casey turns to pick up the coffee decanter then walks around the island to fill our cups.

  I turn watching as she pours my life fuel. “I want to keep him around too.”

  “Holy shit!” She slaps her hand over her chest, almost dropping the glass decanter and smashing it against the counter top. “I might need to suggest he puts a ring on your finger before you change your mind.”

  “You know what?” I give her a pointed look, following her with my body as she moves around the kitchen. “If he did, I might say yes.”

  “Okay, now you sound like a crazy bitch,” she says, turning back from placing the coffee pot back on the machine.

  “You said it though—he’s different. I want to keep him around, so I’m not lying. If he asked, I’d probably say yes.”

  “You are fucking crazy,” she says, moving to the chair on the other side of the island and hopping up.

  “Meh,” I shrug. “Maybe I am, but I’m happy and that’s all that matters,” I add as I move to join Casey.

  “True story. Who would have thought, the two hussies with boyfriends?”

  “I’m sure Fran didn’t! Did you see the look on her face when I kissed Reid last night?”

  “Oh my god, yes! It was fucking priceless. I think she was planning on getting with your man. Good thing you staked your claim.”

  “Right? I’m not sure Reid would have survived Fran. She’s a special breed of lady.” I take a sip of my coffee.

  “I don’t know if I’d ever call her a lady. She’s more like a dude with tits.”

  Giggling, I say, “It wasn’t that long ago you told me I was like a dude.”

  “Thank god Reid came along,” Casey says, leaning back in her chair so she can look at me full on. “Or else you would have turned into Fran.”

  “Maybe she would have left me the bar when she retired,” I respond nonchalantly with a shrug.

  “Doubt it. You might have acted like her, but you are definitely way better looking, so you’re still competition.”

  “Why thank you, friend, it’s nice to hear you think I’m better looking than Fran.”

  “Oh stop it, you’re fucking hot, with your long blond hair and endless legs.”

  “Please, my legs are not endless.” I’m ready to start pointing out my flaws when the doorbell rings.

  “Wow, you’re pretty popular today,” Casey points out.

  “Apparently I am. I’ll be back in a minute,” I say hopping of the chair.

  Reid

  “This place is perfect. God, your pictures on the website don’t do it justice and they’re amazing.” I hold out my hand to Ron, the landlord at my new apartment building.

  He shakes my hand, giving me a smile. “Glad you like it. I still need to have the carpets cleaned this week, if you don’t mind waiting to move in?”

  “It’s not a problem, I have some loose ends to tie up anyway,” I respond.

  “Great, now let’s head over to my office so we can sign some papers.”

  “Sounds good to me.” I follow him out and across the parking lot of the building offices.

  After handing over a check for first month’s rent and the security deposit, I let Ron know I’ll be back next Saturday to pick up the key. With a copy of my lease and the receipt in hand, I cross the parking lot to my Jeep. I feel lighter. Now I just need to find the right time to tell Jennifer that it’s over. I should probably wait until next Saturday, considering Friday is my fortieth and she’s probably planned something. Or maybe I should do it before then so I don’t look like such an ass for letting her do something nice for me right before I break it off. God, why can’t this be easy?

  Backing out of the spot, I know exactly what will help me make my decision. At the entrance, I turn left and circle around until I’m turning into the shopping center across from the office, then I pull into a spot in front of Starbucks. I run in and grab two nonfat lattes, then I hop back in the Jeep. When I’m in front of Taylor’s driveway, I see Casey’s car is parked behind hers. Oh well, it’s not like I knew Casey was going to be here.

  Parking the Jeep, I grab Taylor’s coffee, then I head to the door and ring the bell before opening the storm door. After a minute, I hear footsteps on the other side, then the slip of the deadbolt going through the lock. Taylor opens the door with a surprised smile.

  “Good morning,” I say, holding the Starbucks cup out to her.

  “Morning…”

  “I’m not going to stay and bust up girl time. I just wanted to stop by after my appointment and give you this.” I bend down and place a searing kiss on her lips.

  She moans. “Now, that makes up for being woken up so early,” Taylor says with her eyes closed, a sweet smile gracing her lips.

  “Tell Case I said morning,” I say and back away.

  “Wait, don’t you want to come in?”

  “No, you’re having girl time. I’m going to head home and take a nap. I’ll text you later.”

  “Okay, but I have a birthday party later. My friend’s little girl’s turning five.”

  “You can’t text at the party?”

  “I can, but—”

  “I’ll text you.” I turn and run down the porch steps to my Jeep.

  Not what I was hoping for, but that kiss has definitely made my day. I watch Taylor watching me as I back out of the driveway and give her a little wave before I pull away. Now that I have a few hours before Jennifer gets home from work, it’s time to do some planning. I need to make arrangements to get my things here from Chicago, and I probably need to secure some help moving them in. But first, I need to decide when to man up and break things off with Jennifer.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Taylor

  It’s the first day I’m not working directly with Reid, and I can’t lie, I’m a little sad. I’ve gotten so used to spending all day and most of the night with him that I’m afraid things between us won’t be the same. I think he’s feeling it too, because when he texted last night, he asked me if I would meet him in the parking lot at seven this morning so we could get coffee and spend some time together. To make that happen, I had to wake up almost an hour earlier. Now I’m pulling into the empty parking lot and hoping he didn’t forget, because I have something planned to help him get through the day without me.

  Five minutes pass, and just as I’m about to get out of the car to head inside and start some work, Reid’s headlights cut across the lot. As he parks next to me, I give him a huge smile. I’m happy to see him, but more relieved than anything that he showed up.

  After setting my laptop bag on the floor in front of the passenger seat, I move to open my door and find that it’s being done for me. “Good morning!” I smile up at Reid as he leans in to give me a kiss.

  “Morning, gorgeous,” he whispers against my lips before pulling away. “Sorry I’m late. There was an accident on the highway.”

  “It’s okay. If you didn’t show, I was going to head in and get some reading done.”

  “Like I would give up the time we carved out to see each other.” He steps back while reaching to help me out of the car. “Let’s go get some coffee so we can have a few minutes of alone time.” Reid winks then tucks me into his side before shutting the door behind me.

  We walk across the street and through the plaza with our arms wrapped around each other’s backs. It feels as though we’re really dating, although we haven’t discussed what’s going on between us. Up until I met Reid, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be associated with a title, but now I want nothing more. I want him to claim me as his own. I want to go to bed after getting all sweaty with him, then wake up with him next to me. I’m completely over him running home because he doesn’t have his things for work. I’m just not sure how to tell him that, which is why I’m going to see how this week goes. It’s the first time since we met that we’re going to spend time apart during the day,
and I want to see if it pushes Reid to make things official with me.

  “Are you ready to dive into this project with Miranda?” Reid asks, making small talk as we approach the Starbucks’ door.

  “I think so. I know I’m ready for something new, something bigger,” I answer as Reid pulls the door open for me.

  “If you wanted bigger, this is it. Didn’t she say it’s a staff of three hundred or something like that?” He follows me to the counter to pick up our mobile orders.

  “It’s around there, but that’s not what makes me nervous. I’ve only worked with small businesses cleaning up and establishing themselves. This is different.” I hand Reid his coffee then turn back for mine.

  “But it’s not. You need to treat it the same way. You’re going in there to clean things up and make them run smoother. It’s the same thing you’ve been doing, just structured differently. You’ll see.”

  “Yeah, I will. Miranda and I have a meeting there at ten thirty this morning.”

  “Wow, that’s fast,” Reid replies.

  “Miranda’s not handing things over to me. She’s already met with these people when she made her pitch. She’s just bringing me in as her second-in-command, someone to be the go-between with her and the team. It would be different if I was taking over the project, like you did with my clients.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Reid grabs the door and pulls it open again, allowing me to pass through.

  We take up our earlier positions, this time with a cup in our free hands, as we make our way back across the parking lot. After crossing to our side of the street, we round the back of the building to where our cars are still the only ones in the parking lot. I slip my hand free from Reid’s and go to my car to grab my bag, then I meet him between our cars so we can walk to the reception door together.

  As we make our way through the office, the motion detector lights turn on. At my cube, I drop my things, with the exception of my coffee, then I follow him to his office. It’s seriously been too long since I’ve had my hands on his body, and I can’t wait to finally christen his office. I don’t think he has an idea this is coming, but I’ve been thinking about it all morning. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it since Casey put the idea in my head.

  Reid goes around his desk, setting his laptop bag on it before pulling out his chair and sitting. He unzips his laptop case then pulls out the computer, getting ready to dock it for the day. He hasn’t noticed that I’m still standing against the door, the same place where he kissed the shit out of me for the first time, so I decide I need to make a move. I need to get his mind in the right place before I lose my nerve.

  I turn the lock then test the handle to make sure no one can walk in on us. Then I make my way to the corner of Reid’s desk. He’s still engaged in getting ready, so I slip out of my blazer and lay it across the back of his guest chair without drawing his attention. Reaching to the middle of my back, I grab the zipper of my dress and drag it down to the top of my butt. The cold air hits my skin, making me jump with a shiver, but still nothing from Reid. If this doesn’t get him to look up, I’ve lost my touch. I shrug a few times until the loose fabric of my royal blue dress falls down my arms. Keeping my body straight, I let it slip until it lands at my feet.

  Finally Reid notices movement and turns his head, his eyes going wide in shock. I’m standing there in my black pumps, black lacy thong, and black sheer lace bra, my nipples puckered and pointing right at him. I give him a wicked grin then turn my back to where he’s sitting before I lean up against the side of his desk.

  Tipping my head over my shoulder, I ask, trying to be as sexy as I can, “It’s a little cold in here. Why don’t you come warm me up?”

  In one quick movement, Reid rolls his chair back and stands, his hands going right for his belt. He takes three steps to stand right in front of me, and I put the balls of my feet on the wall behind him, caging him in as I reach for the hardening bulge in his pants.

  “I’ve thought about this since the first day you sat next to me behind this desk,” he says, his voice gravelly with lust.

  “Good thing I was thinking about it too.”

  I hook my arms around his neck and draw his mouth down to mine for a scorching kiss. Reid leans forward, making it impossible for me to sit up right, so I remove my hand from the outside of his pants and place it behind me to prop myself up. Suddenly he breaks the kiss and stands up straight, reaching around his back. I move my other hand to the desk for more leverage while Reid brings his wallet in front of him and removes a gold foil wrapper. Sticking the corner of the condom in his mouth, Reid tosses his wallet on his desk chair then grips the strings of my thong.

  “They tie,” I point out. “For easy access.” I wink at him.

  He locates the ties on each of my thighs and pulls them free. The scrap of lace slides down over my glistening mound, leaving my pussy on full display. Reid steps back, his eyes dropping to the apex of my legs then moving up my body to my eyes. He gives me a half smile then pulls the wrapper free from his teeth.

  Condom in hand, Reid jerks his pants and boxers down far enough for his cock to spring free, then he sheaths himself. He steps forward, one hand on his erection, the other going to my right hip. He runs his cock through my slit, from bottom to top then back down. Lining himself up, he thrusts into me hard. Harder than he has before, and because of the angle, I feel it through my whole body.

  “God, I’ll never get enough of that,” he says, taking a deep breath. “The first time I push into you, each and every time is like heaven.” He blows out a breath.

  “Ahh, yes, you’re so deep.” I let my head hang back, pushing on the desk with my feet anchored on the wall so his pumping doesn’t move me backward.

  Reid leans over me, his mouth going to my neck. As he thrusts in and out, harder with each pump, his lips and teeth work the flesh under my ear. “I want to bend you over my desk.”

  “Then do it,” I suggest.

  He pulls back, his eyes scanning mine. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, you fuck me from behind in my bed, so why not on your desk? I’m giving you your fantasy. Take what you want.”

  “Don’t make that offer, or we may never leave this room,” he says, pulling himself out of me and stepping back to give me enough room to flip over.

  “I’d be okay with that, you know.” I bring my feet to the floor before flipping over onto my stomach, the cold laminate chilling my heated skin.

  “I’m sure you would, but I don’t think boss lady would be.”

  “True, but let’s try to not think about that.”

  Balancing myself with my elbows on the desk, I lift my ass by pushing my heels off the floor. Reid steps closer behind me, his open pants brushing against the backs of my legs. He rubs his hand over the globes of my ass as his other hand glides his cock between my cheeks, lining him up again. With a strong thrust, Reid enters me from behind, this grunt louder than the one he let out earlier. He pumps in hard while retreating slower. One of his hands kneads the skin of my ass while the other holds me down between the shoulder blades. Like each time before, when I feel his cock growing inside me, I squeeze my inner muscles. It drives him out of his mind with pleasure.

  “Fuck that feels so good. I love when you do that.” Reid grunts, pulling me back just enough that my ass is hanging off the end of the desk, then the hand that was kneading my skin reaches for my clit. The first touch is light, but the second has me pushing back into him as he squeezes my clit.

  “Oh, keep doing that,” I pant. “I’m so close.”

  “I’m right there with you,” he grunts, rubbing his finger side to side over my nub.

  “Squeeze it,” I practically yell.

  “Shh, we don’t know if anyone else is here yet.”

  The sounds of our skin slapping is all I hear. Lowering my head, I bite my hand so I won’t cry out again as Reid continues working at my clit. I can tell he changes positions, dipping and pumping up into me, hitting a s
pot no man has ever managed to find before. The sensation sends me over the edge and I moan into my hand, biting down harder to keep quiet. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a bite mark bruise there later.

  Through my haze of ecstasy, I attempt to tighten my inner walls to make Reid fall over the edge, but I can’t get enough control. It doesn’t matter though; the aftershocks from my orgasm are enough to take him there. I feel his body tense up as his cock swells inside me. After a few more jerky thrusts, he collapses on my back.

  “Babe, that was amazing. Thank you.” Reid pants next to my ear before kissing between my shoulder blades.

  “You can say that again,” I reply, sounding just as out of breath as he does.

  In the few minutes we spend lying across the desk to catch our breath, Reid kisses the back of my neck and head, telling me how unbelievable it felt and thanking me for surprising him with hot office sex. I giggle because no guy has ever thanked me for sex as much as Reid has, and he’s the only one I want to keep coming back for more.

  After his breathing slows down to normal, Reid lifts himself off my back, pulling his cock out of me in the process. The instant he’s gone, I feel my sore muscles and squeeze my legs together before I try to stand up. Thankfully I don’t have to worry about making that attempt alone. Reid wraps his strong arm around my middle, helping me to my feet.

  “You okay?” he asks, spinning me around to face him.

  “Yeah, but I think I might be sore later.”

  “I’m sorry if I was a little too rough.” He brushes his fingers across my cheek.

  “You weren’t. I think it was the position. I swear I could feel your cock in my stomach.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  “Um, yeah, a very good thing. I probably could have gotten off without the help of your fingers.”

  “Good to know. We’ll have to do office sex more often, get your muscles used to it.”

  “Nothing like muscle memory,” I add with a giggle.