“If you’re going to keep calling him that, then at least get it right. Carter Marshall has a multibillion-dollar company. Not million.”
“Oh… sorry,” Emma said mockingly.
I rolled my eyes as I picked up half of my sandwich. The last thing I needed to tell Emma was that I was harboring feelings for Carter. Things with us felt natural. This past month and a half with watching his children felt more like a family dynamic than a work one. He was kind, and we had spent many nights talking over wine after he helped me bed down the kids. They were lovely and always kept me on my toes, and I enjoyed the time I spent with them.
All of them.
It reminded me of the family I wanted to have someday.
But I wasn’t sure where to go from here. Did I tell Carter how I was feeling? Was last night a one-time deal? Surely he didn’t expect to keep things going. He was a busy man with three children who had lost a wife. He probably wasn’t expecting to get into a relationship ever again. Not after that kind of tragedy. And I got it. I really did. I slept with nightmares every night because of what happened in Africa. And I sure as hell wasn’t about to indulge him in that to try and cultivate a relationship with him.
Except last night.
I didn’t have nightmares last night.
“How are you liking your new apartment?” Emma asked.
“Huh?”
Her voice ripped me from my trance and I found her grinning.
“Wipe that thing off your face,” I said.
“You were thinking about him, weren’t you?” she asked.
“No.”
“You were thinking about that thick cock of his, weren’t you?”
“Emma, shut up.”
“His lips on your neck.”
“I hate you,” I said.
“Is he a talker in bed? Or a silent sort of grunter?”
“Can I get a to-go box, please?” I asked.
“Make that two. I gotta get back to work,” she said.
I hugged Emma’s neck and waved as she hopped into a cab. I had thirty minutes before I needed to go get Clara from school. I got into my car and nibbled on my sandwich as my mind drifted back to last night.
Was it a coincidence that I hadn’t had a nightmare while sleeping next to Carter?
I didn’t know, and something told me I wouldn’t get a chance to test my theory again.
Nine
Carter
It had been a week since my encounter with Natasha and neither of us had spoken about it. Nothing had changed about our routine, but neither of us were bringing up the conversation either. And I knew there needed to be a conversation. The two of us had crossed a professional boundary that wasn’t supposed to be crossed.
Plus, knowing what was underneath her clothes made my mornings very hard.
Every free second I had was spent remembering that night. The way her breath cascaded along my skin and the way her hands gripped mine. Her pussy had been so tight and her body was so receiving of mine. It had been years since I had enjoyed the presence of a woman like that.
And I wanted it to happen again.
Every night I would come home to dinner and we would all sit down to eat. Natasha would recount her day with the kids and I would sit and take it all in. They were doing fantastic and the kids couldn't get enough of her. On the weekends they were always asking if she could come over and play. Or come over and read. Or come over and cook.
I would tell them that was Natasha’s time to rest, but deep down I wanted her to come over, too.
She filled our home with a light that had diminished when my wife had passed. There was a peaceful presence whenever she was around, and I knew the kids missed her when she wasn’t there. But I didn’t know how to proceed. A line had been crossed and I was navigating waters I never had to before. I’d slept with an employee, and now I was craving her.
Tasting her on my tongue in the middle of the night and reaching out for her when she wasn’t there.
“Carter Marshall.”
“When will you ever pick up your cell phone?”
“Hey Mom,” I said with a smile. “You called my cell phone?”
“Three times. Is it on silent again?” she asked.
“It must be. I’m sorry. Been a long week at work.”
“That’s actually why I’m calling. I haven’t had those grandkids of mine in months. I want to see them.”
“You know you can come by anytime,” I said.
“Well I know you hired a new nanny and I wanted to give everyone some time to adjust. But it’s been almost two months and I think you could use a weekend to yourself.”
“That… actually sounds nice,” I said.
“Have that nanny of yours pack them up for the weekend. I’ll be by in a couple of hours to pick them up. They can come stay with me, I’ll pump them full of candy, then I’ll send them back to you.”
“That doesn’t sound as nice, but I’m sure they’ll love it, Mom.”
“How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“Better with this merger behind us. Logan’s still in Germany, but he should be back in the next week or so. Once we’ve got them trained, we’ll launch the new name and a new marketing campaign and run for the hills.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. You’ve always doubted yourself before outdoing yourself. Your father was that way.”
“You doing okay, Mom?”
“Oh, it’s always hard around this time of year. You know how it goes,” she said.
“His birthday is always tough.”
“I’m heading to the store to pick up some things, then I’ll be by to get the kids. What’s the new nanny’s name?”
“Natasha,” I said. “I’ll call her right now and tell her to get a bag packed for them.”
“Wonderful. You enjoy your weekend.”
“I will, Mom. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
I hung up my office phone and pulled out my cell. I ignored the missed calls from my mother and immediately called Natasha. It rang a few times before the call picked up, and I could hear her panting on the other end.
“Hey, Carter. Everything okay?”
“I should be asking you that question,” I said.
“Yeah. No. I was on the other side of the house when I heard my phone ring. Sorry. What’s up?” she asked.
“My mother’s coming by in a couple of hours to get the kids for the weekend. I need you to pack them each a bag with their things.”
“Your mother?” she asked.
“She doesn’t bite. I promise. This weekend is a difficult one for her and I think having the kids will give her some comfort.”
“Is she okay? What’s wrong?”
“It’s my father’s birthday this weekend. It’s always tough on her,” I said.
The call fell silent and I could hear shuffling on the other end of the line. I leaned back in my chair as I heard Natasha panting again. What was she doing? Running a marathon inside the house?
“I’m upstairs about to pack them up,” she said. “Is there anything they specifically take to comfort them during overnight trips?”
“Clara needs that bear of hers and Nathaniel always takes his fire truck. Joshua isn’t as picky, but I’d pack his rubber ducky and his polka-dotted blanket, just to be safe.”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“Yes. I want you to let me take you to dinner tonight.”
The line fell silent again before Natasha drew in a deep breath.
“Dinner,” she said.
“Yes.”
“Dinner out. With you.”
“Yes,” I said.
“Is that… something you want?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t.”
“Then… sure. That sounds fun.”
“Great. I’ll swing by in about an hour and get the kids from school so you don’t have to worry about it. I’ll try to beat my mother back to the house so you don’t ha
ve to meet her alone.”
“I thought you said she didn’t bite.”
“She doesn’t bite, but she can be a little intense,” I said.
“More intense than three children who are related to you?”
“Good point. See you in an hour?”
“See you then.”
The rest of the day was a whirlwind and Clara was still napping when my mother arrived. I pulled up with the boys as Natasha let my mother into the house, and I raced to get them all out the door. My mother wanted to stick around and keep talking to Natasha, but I wasn’t having it. This was the first free weekend in almost a year I was getting and I was determined to enjoy it the only way I wanted.
With Natasha at my side.
I waved my mother and the kids off before I ushered Natasha to the car. She kept insisting on going back to her apartment to change, and I kept insisting she looked fine. I drove us across town to a fabulous seafood place that had the best wine on the coast, and I made sure to get us a seat outside in the warmth of the sun as it set over the ocean.
“This is a gorgeous view,” Natasha said.
“It is,” I said. “I can’t get enough of it.”
I watched Natasha pan her gaze over to me before her cheeks flushed with a red tint.
“Carter, can I talk with you about something?”
“You may,” I said.
“The night we… spent together. You know, about a week ago?”
“How could I forget?”
“I don’t know if it should happen again.”
I felt my stomach drop to my knees as the words flew from her mouth.
“Did I do something to upset you?” I asked.
“No, no. It’s nothing like that. It was… a wonderful night. But you’re my boss, and I’m your employee. And if we were working alongside one another in a brick-and-mortar company… or even your own company… it wouldn’t be allowed.”
She had a point, and I hated that she did.
“I think remaining platonic is the best thing,” she said. “Plus, if we have another slipup like me falling asleep again, we risk the children stumbling in on us. That wouldn’t be good for them. It would confuse them, and they’ve been through enough after losing their mother.”
I drew in a deep breath as I sat back into my chair.
“Please don’t be upset-”
“I’m not upset,” I said.
“You look upset.”
“Then you’re reading my expression wrong. I’m not upset, but I can’t say I’m not disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” she asked.
“I enjoyed that time with you, and I was hoping to enjoy that time again. What you’re saying makes sense. If you worked for my company and this was happening, it would be severely frowned upon. And my kids catching us would worry me a lot.”
I sighed as the sun began to sink below the ocean.
“But just for one night, we deserve a bit of fun. A nice dinner, some good wine, some flirty conversation. Maybe a bit of kissing at the end. You run yourself ragged with my kids and I run myself ragged with my company. What's wrong with enjoying some fun while we’ve got the time to enjoy it?”
I turned my gaze back to her and I saw her breathing shallow out. Her eyes were dancing in between mine as her hand crept closer to me. I reached out for her fingers. For her soft skin to tangle up within mine. I could feel the heat of her body radiating out towards me as my foot slid closer to hers underneath the table.
And when it rested against her leg, I watched her relax.
“It can’t go past this weekend, Carter.”
“I know,” I said.
“But… I would be lying if I said that didn’t sound… nice.”
“Then let me treat you tonight. To dinner. To this beautiful view. To any surface of my home.”
Her cheeks flushed a beautiful shade of red as that glorious smile crossed her cheeks.
“And this time, you won’t have to muffle those sounds of yours.”
She gripped onto my hand and shifted around in her seat. I knew she was struggling. She was struggling like I was. A bottle of wine was set on our table and she relinquished my hand before yanking the bottle out of the ice. She poured herself a tall glass before passing it to me, and I watched as her lips wrapped around the edge.
I watched as her throat bobbed with every pull she took.
I watched as her fingers stroked the condensation off the stem of the glass.
I couldn’t wait to feel her touch against my skin. I couldn’t wait to get those lips wrapped around my cock.
But more than that, I couldn’t wait to sleep alongside her body one last time.
Because that night was the best night of sleep I’d gotten in years.
Ten
Carter
We stumbled into her apartment and tripped over some boxes on the floor. Natasha whirled around and slammed her front door closed before turning on a few lights. I surveyed her apartment as my arm reached out for her. I pulled her into me, feeling her warmth as I took in the minimalistic pride her apartment had.
“It’s not much, but it’s mine,” Natasha said.
“There’s something to be said about people who only live with what they need,” I said.
“I hope they’re all good things.”
“Being able to live with little means you're not high maintenance. It means you take pride in the things you do rather than the things you own. It means you enjoy traveling so you don’t intend to settle down for anywhere too long and it also means you can roll with the punches.”
“All of that from a bit of furniture and some unpacked boxes?” she asked.
“Maybe I just know you more than you think I do,” I said with a grin.
I looked down into her beautiful eyes as our lips met again. My hands slid to her hips, backing her into the edge of her couch. I dipped her back, tumbling us onto the cushions as the two of us began to laugh.
But soon, my lips on her neck silenced her.
We undressed one another, peeling back layers as I kissed down her body. I drew her nipples between my lips and coaxed her tits to painful peaks. I felt her body undulating into me as the heat of her pussy grew. Her body was so tight and rolled with curves that made my fingertips tremble in her wake. My cock was aching for her. Dripping with precum and ready to slide into the confines of her body.
But I wasn’t done tasting her.
I dipped between her legs, my nose nuzzling against her slit. Her legs fell open for me like the good woman she was. My hands ran up her stomach, massaging her breasts as my tongue licked up her slit.
She jumped for me, and I dove in to give her what I knew she wanted.
Her legs shook as she wrapped them around my head. My tongue found her clit and I pressed deeply into that beautiful place. I licked and I sucked. I lapped up the arousal that poured from between her pussy folds. I could feel her dripping down my chin as her hips rolled into me. Seeking a desperate friction as she chased the pleasure only I could give her.
“Carter. Shit. Yes, please. Please. Carter, please! I’ll do anything, please! Let me cum!”
I bent her knees to her chest as my tongue flicked her clit. I worked at a furious pace, allowing my stubble to rake against her thighs. She trembled and whimpered before she gasped with surprise. I sucked her clit between my lips and bit down lightly with my teeth, and the shockwave sent her over the edge.
Her body jumped underneath mine as her jaw unhinged in silent pleasure.
I kissed up her body as she panted to catch her breath. Her chest was flushed with a beautiful red tone and her brow was covered in a light sheen of sweat. I kissed her lips, grinning as she licked her taste off my skin.
Then she rolled us over and we fell onto the floor of her apartment.
Her legs straddled my hips as my cock pulsed against her entrance. With one steady roll of her hips, I was sheathed within her body. She was so warm and so tight. Her pussy cradled me against its so
ftness as her fluids dripped onto my skin. My hands curled into her hips and slid down the backs of her thighs. Her curves shivered my body as her head rolled back with desire.
“Fuck, Carter,” she said breathlessly. “So thick.”
I grinned as I sat up and grabbed fistfuls of her ass. I picked us up off the floor and settled myself back onto the couch. Her knees dug into the cushions as her hands planted beside my head, and I buried my face into her swinging bosom as I rocked her hips.
Slowly.
Steadily.
As she shook against my thighs.
My cock throbbed within her as my lips kissed her skin. She caressed the shell of my ear with her lips and allowed her tongue to explore my neck. I groaned for her. My feet dug into the hardwood floors as my legs spread wide to accommodate her. She felt like heaven seated in my lap and her curves molded to my muscles with an ease I hadn’t experienced in years.
She was sin in jeans with the lust in her eye, and my hand curled into the tendrils of her hair before I moved us again.
I turned her over and pulled her hips into the air. I slid in from behind, my cock aching with the need for friction. I slammed into her body, her ass jumping for me as she buried her face into the couch.
“Natasha. Holy shit.”
Her ass jiggled for me as she braced herself against the arm of the couch. I steadied myself between her legs, my cock pounding into her tight body. Juices were dripping down my thighs and her pussy was fluttering around my cock. She was so wet for me. Dripping down my balls and soaking the couch beneath our bodies.
“Carter. Yes. Oh, don’t stop. Never stop. Holy hell… so… fuck!”
I reached down and fisted her beautiful hair as her back arched for me. I lifted her head off the cushions, listening as my name fell from her lips. Strings of obscenities that shivered my core fell from those beautifully innocent lips, and I rode her orgasm with her as my balls curled into my body.
Then with one last thrust, I spilled into her.
Coating her with my mark as pumps of cum filled her precious body.
I shook against her as my chest fell to her back. My sweat was dripping onto her skin, but it didn’t seem like she cared. We collapsed to her couch and I turned us over, cradling her between my body and the back of the couch. My arm wrapped around her as she panted into my chest, her entire form shaking as her leg pressed between mine.
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