“Tasha is a sweetheart. I’m glad you took my advice and pursued her. However, I was surprised by how quickly the two of you got married.”
“I know, but once I realized how much I loved Tasha I couldn’t wait to make her my wife. How’s the personal life going with you? I remember from our last conversation a few weeks ago that both Taylor and Deborah were trying to date you. Are they still fighting over who will get their claws into you first?”
Why couldn’t anyone understand that he wasn’t interested in Deborah or Taylor? Neither woman fit the image of the kind of female he wanted to get involved with romantically at all. He might be a little lonely, but he wasn’t desperate for the company of a woman that anyone would do now.
“I’ve told both of them I’m not looking for a personal involvement with either of them. It’s strictly business and nothing else.”
“That’s good to hear because I didn’t think you needed to give either one of them the time of day. Neither woman is worth your time, but I do have a suggestion who you might want to think about dating,” Nick said making Richie wonder who in the world his friend could be referring to.
“Who is this mystery woman you are dying to make a suggestion about? I haven’t put myself around that many women lately, so how do you know about the perfect woman for me and I don’t?”
“You see her everyday at work,” Nick informed him.
Keri’s pretty face and soft smile popped instantly to his mind, but he couldn’t get involved with her. What if things didn’t work out? It would ruin the fantastic working relationship the two of them had and he would hate to lose her wonderful friendship in the process. No, he couldn’t think about Keri like that. He had to keep the right amount of distance between them.
He had to shut down Nick’s train of thought before it went any further. “Keri, isn’t an option so how about we stop talking about her? I told Tate the same thing this morning at work.”
Leaning back in his chair, Nick crossed one leg over the other studying him for a few minutes in silence. “When did Tate get back into town? I thought you had broken all ties with him.”
Richie knew that Nick had issues with Tate, but he hadn’t known why until a few months ago. Tate had confided in him that he had slept with the woman Nick had been dating before he fell in love with and gotten married to Tasha.
He couldn’t keep something like that to himself, so he told Nick. After his little confession his best friend’s dislike for his baby brother had grown even more.
“He came back yesterday asking me for a job. We started talking again after Kristy died. He tried to be there for me the best he could, but you know Tate, he never stays in one place for a long period of time.”
“Does that mean you didn’t give him a job?”
Richie wished he could tell Nick no, but he couldn’t. “No, I gave him one after Keri encouraged me too. She thinks he’s changed, but we both know he hasn’t. I don’t know how Tate is constantly able to get people to believe in him.”
Are we still talking about Keri now?” Nick asked. “Or are you referring to your parents? I know how they’re always on Tate’s side giving him money, money and even more money. What is their problem anyway? Did he put some kind of spell on them?”
Ever since his parents had adopted Tate at the age of three he had cast some kind of trance over them and it grew worse as Tate got older. He had lost track of how many times the high school called about Tate getting into a fight or how he got caught smoking in the bathroom and should have been expelled, but his parents found a way to keep him there.
God, they had even missed his college graduation to attend Tate’s high school graduation instead. Sometimes he almost forgot he was the biological child instead of Tate.
“You know how my parents are about Tate. To them, he can do nothing wrong. So, if I hadn’t given him a job, he would have run to them and I would have gotten a phone call from my dear old mom.
“I’m not going to give him a lot of responsibility, just enough to keep him out of my hair and away from Keri. She doesn’t need him flirting with her every day. I have to protect her. She only sees the funny and sweet side of him. We both know differently.”
Richie wouldn’t let himself think about what would happen if Keri allowed herself to fall for Tate’s charm. He had to make sure it never happened. Tate couldn’t ruin Keri’s life like he had done everything else he touched. .
“Are you sure you aren’t interested in Keri?” Nick grinned. “You sound like a man trying to protect a woman he’s thinking about in more than a business manner. I think it’s great if you are. She’s so perfect for you.”
“I’ve already told you how I feel. I’m not going to repeat myself. How about we order another drink and then you can get back home to your gorgeous wife, while I head back to my big empty house and go over some financial reports.” Richie waved over a waiter hoping Nick would get the hint and leave the topic of Keri alone for the night.
Chapter Six
“When are you going to stop breaking my heart and finally go out with me? I mean I can only take so much.”
Keri picked up the stack of paper by the fax machine before facing Tate who was standing almost right behind her. She was glad Richie was trying to work through his problems with his brother, but Tate shouldn’t take his new job as an opening to flirt with her. He was a cute man, but he was nowhere as handsome as Richie and he was the only man she was interested in.
“Good morning, Tate. I’m surprised you’re here this early. What are you trying to prove?” Keri had a feeling Richie’s brother was up to something, but she wasn’t quite sure what it was.
“I promised Richie I would be here on time and here I am. I might even add that I made it here before my brother.” Tate puffed out his chest and grinned.
“Sorry to take your bragging rights away, but Richie arrived here at exactly eight o’clock and gave me a list of things to do before leaving for a meeting he had scheduled at eighty-thirty. You should know Richie well enough to realize that he’s always early. I don’t think I ever recall a time he was late for anything.” Keri hoped that Tate didn’t hear how soft her voice got when she talked about Richie.
Tate lounged casually against the doorframe and then moved closer to her. His finger tenderly traced the side of her jaw, lingering here too long for her comfort. “Does my brother know you’re in love with him?”
Keri reached out and clutched Tate’s wrists. “I’m not in love with Richie. Where would you get that idea from?” She wasn’t about to tell Tate how she felt before she’d told Richie. He deserved to know first. “Stop trying to stir up trouble.” Keri moved Tate’s hand away from her face, but she didn’t move quickly enough to stop him from yanking her to his body.
“Since you aren’t having unrequited feelings for my brother, how about being my date for the charity event?”
She wasn’t overly excited about going anywhere with the man in front of her. He didn’t know how to stop messing around and act serious. Today wasn’t time for his games or silly flirting. It was a good thing Richie wasn’t back from his meeting because he wouldn’t be pleased with Tate’s antics this morning.
“I’m not going to the St. Patrick’s Day charity with you,” Keri said shoving Tate away. She was totally bewildered at his behavior. She wanted to demand that he apologize until she saw the twinkle in his eyes and some of her anger evaporated leaving her wondering if Tate would ever leave his Peter Pan personality behind. It was past time he grew up!
“I still have a couple of days before then and I’ll ask you again,” Tate promised with a wink then walked back to his office closing the door behind him.
Keri moved toward Tate’s office to tell him that her mind wasn’t going to change, but decided against it at the last second. She wasn’t up for another round with him. Moving over to her desk, she placed the faxes on the end and was about to take a seat when Richie’s office door suddenly opened making her jump.
&n
bsp; “Keri, can I see you in my office. I have a few things I want to go over with you from my meeting with Taylor.” Richie turned and went back inside.
How long had Richie been back? Had he seen when Tate was flirting with her? If he had messed her plans with Richie she would kick his tall, lanky ass right out of the building. Hell, she might even bury the body where no one could find it. But her fears could be premature since she didn’t know what Richie had or hadn’t seen.
Picking up her pad and pencil, Keri strolled into Richie’s office and her nerves immediately tensed as his gorgeous eyes watched her after she closed the door. The silence lengthened between them, making her uncomfortable. She felt impaled by his steady gaze and a thrill of anticipation touched her spine as she thought about her plan to seduce Richie in a matter of days.
Chapter Seven
“How have things been going while I was gone? I know two clients were supposed to fax over the credit reports for me to go over. Did they come?” Richie asked.
“I was going to look through them when you called me in here. I’ll check them after I’m finished here.”
“Good, I want to set up an appointment with both of them after the charity on Friday. I’ve some ideas about how they could save five hundred dollars a month, but it all depends on their credit score.”
Keri glanced down at Richie’s mouth while he was talking to her wondering how it was going to feel when he finally kissed her. She had known from the very beginning Richie Davidson was the man for her. She could no longer deny herself his caress. Sure, he touched her in a non-romantic manner all the time but she was past that now. She needed to know how it felt to have him moving in and out of her body.
Was he the type of man to look into your eyes when he found his release? Was he the kind of guy who slept on his back or did he prefer his stomach? Whenever she thought about Richie so many things came into her head and she wanted answers to all of them.
“Keri, can you stop thinking about Tate for one damn minute and pay attention to what I’m telling you!” Richie’s angry voice shocked her out of her fantasy.
The bewilderment she felt at his accusation went all the way down to her bones. Why in the hell think she wanted Tate unless…
“Were you spying on me earlier when I was talking to Tate by the fax machine?” Keri couldn’t believe this! Everyone around them knew how she felt but the idiot she was crazy in love with! Damn Richie!
“Yes, I saw you flirting with him.”
“No, I wasn’t flirting with Tate. He was being is usual cocky self and that it is.”
“Are you sure?” Richie’s straight glance seemed to be coldly saying something else.
Her heart leaped in her chest. Richie was jealous that his brother was paying attention to her and then she quickly chastised herself. No, Richie was only looking out for her like he usually did.
“I thought you called me in here to discuss what Taylor told you, not anything Tate might have got into while you were gone.”
“How can you be so stupid?” Richie demanded. “My brother hasn’t been here a good twenty-four hours and you’re already falling for his nonsense and lies.”
Clenching her teeth, Keri tried her best to calm down but she was furious! How dare he say she was doing something she wasn’t! Hell, he never cared about who she dated before, why was it so important to him now?
“I’ll say it again.” Keri stood up, seething. “You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“I do know what I’m talking about and that’s why you’re so pissed at me,” he replied with contempt that forbade any further argument.
“Richie, I’ve no clue what Taylor said to you this morning, but whatever it was pissed you off. So, I’m leaving until you get in a better mood.” Keri stormed away from her boss wondering how she could be in love with such a blind asshole.
She made it halfway to the door before a large hand wrapped around her upper arm swinging her back around. “Listen to what I’m telling you,” Richie whispered harshly and then gave her a little shake.
“You’re just jealous Tate knows how to approach a woman and you don’t anymore,” Keri tossed back, fired up. Richie wanted to boss her but not date her.
“Shit!” Richie growled a split second before his mouth captured hers.
The strength of his lips on her mouth sent the pit of her stomach into a turmoil. His mouth continued to move over hers, devouring its softness. Parting her lips, Keri gave Richie the silent hint that she wanted him to carry the kiss further.
Using the tip of his thick tongue, Richie traced the fullness of her lips sending shivers of desire racing through her already overheated body. She couldn’t believe that one of her midnight fantasies was coming true. Wrapping both arms around Richie’s wide shoulders, she pulled him closer to her body while the tips of her fingers played with the end of his thick silky ponytail.
Slowly one of Richie’s hands eased down her back and cupped her ass while the other one found a permanent position on the back of her neck
“Touch me,” he whispered against Keri’s swollen lips.
Keri lifted one of her hands from around his shoulders and placed it in the center of his chest.
“No, lower.” Richie moaned as he moved her hand until her palm cupped his hard thick cock. “Unzip my slacks and ease your hand inside, rub your thumb across the head. It needs your help to get rid of the ache.”
Chapter Eight
Keri swallowed her nerves as she slowly pulled down the zipper and slipped her hand inside. Her eyes shot up to Richie’s in shock as her fingers came into contact with skin instead of fabric.
“You aren’t wearing any underwear,” she whispered as her fingers played with the ever hardening ridge of his cock. Keri had never, and she meant never, felt something so good.
“I’m not a big fan of them,” Richie confessed as he nibbled at the side of her neck. “Damn, darling, you taste so good…like warm honey.”
“It’s my lotion,” Keri whispered softly as Richie’s mouth moved down her neck stopping at the front of her thin white shirt. She watched in awe as his tongue snaked out and licked at her left nipple before sucking it into his mouth through her blouse.
“Oh my God.” She panted as her grip tightened on Richie’s cock. In the back of her mind, she knew that he would be a good lover, but she had to stop him. Someone would hear them outside in the office. Tate was still here.
“We have to stop,” she whispered brokenly as she tried to regain her senses. “Tate could be listening to us.”
“Mmmm.” Richie removed her hand from his pants. Lifting her up into his arms, he carried her over to the dark brown couch next to the award he had placed on the wall when he first moved into the building. He laid her down and quickly removed her lacy black underwear before she could say a word and shoved them into the pocket of his slacks.
Keri gasped for breath while she watched Richie kiss his way down her stomach as his large hands spread her legs wide until her right leg was hanging off the couch and the left one rested against the side.
“Oh, darling, you’re so pretty.” He brushed his knuckles against her damp curls. “I love that you haven’t shaved everything off. I want to put my cock into a woman not a girl.”
She was shaking as Richie worked his thick middle finger inside of her. Biting down hard on her bottom lip, Keri tried to hold back her cries of pleasure.
“Are you still a virgin?” Richie asked in a low, deep voice edged with more than a hint of desire. Her answer to his question seemed like it would determine his next move with her.
Closing her eyes, Keri hoped to get lost in what Richie was doing to her so she wouldn’t have to answer him. She had dreamt about this for years and wasn’t about to ruin it.
“Keri, I need an answer.” Another finger was added to her body stretching her even further.
“Richie.” Keri could barely exhale as she fought to take a simple breath.
“I alread
y know my name. I need you to answer my question.” Richie bent over and licked the spot right below her navel and above her tight curls.
“Yes!”
“I thought so,” Richie said as he removed his fingers. “I’m dying to thrust my erection deep inside of you, but I won’t let your first time be hard and fast on the sofa in my office. On the other hand, I can taste your sweetness all I want.”
Her hips jerked up from the seat as Richie’s large hands grasped her waist pulling her up to his mouth and his tongue swiped over her wetness. Keri opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out as his tongue lapped at the cream pouring from her body into his waiting mouth.
The orgasm hit her so fast that she didn’t have time to prepare for it. All she could do was ride it out listening to the wet sounds of his sucking at her labia. Her nails dug into the cushions of the seat as she wished Richie’s mouth could go deeper into her very soul.
The second orgasm hit her so hard in a matter of seconds that it felt like her body was being ripped in two. She let go of the couch and pressed her fist into her mouth hoping to muffle the screams of satisfaction
“So good,” Richie groaned deep into his throat. “Sweet and sticky like warm melted chocolate. Fuck! I want to be inside of you so bad!”
Leaning back on his haunches, Richie ran his hand down her thighs then he slowly closed them and fixed her skirt. Keri blinked in surprise as she stared at the man she secretly wanted to marry.
Dark gray blue eyes watched her through lowered lids as Richie adjusted his erection, zipped up his slacks and stood up like nothing had ever happened between the two of them.
“Keri, you need to leave right now.” Richie turned away from her heading for the small bathroom he’d had put in his office a little over two years ago.
Standing up on shaky legs, she tugged her skirt back down to a modest level and made sure her shirt was in the proper order too. She wasn’t sure what had happened to her panties, but didn’t want to take the time to search. “How can you just walk away like your face wasn’t between my legs a few seconds ago?” Keri hissed, upset Richie could blow her off so easily.
So Much Better Page 3