Sense and Sensuality

by Cara Hart

  Heat gathered in Eddie’s balls, and he reached between them to caress Elle’s clit, wanting her to come with him, unwilling to leave her behind. She reared back, her breasts jiggling as she lifted and sank down upon him harder, her urgency growing as his began to reach boiling point. Eddie felt the contractions in her cunt ripple an instant before she slammed down to sheathe his cock and convulsed, her throat arched back as she screamed her ecstasy. The surprise in her eyes reflected back to him in the mirror above them as his own orgasm ripped through him, and he went deaf and blind with pleasure.

  Elle fell against his sweaty chest, both of them panting with repletion as the last spasms of pleasure twitched through her limbs. She’d never come like that, ever. Not even with the aid of her trusty vibrator, with its rotating beads and clit stimulator.

  She licked her lips and tasted the combination of her perspiration and his, smiling as he grunted when her tongue flicked against his nipple.

  “Sorry,” she muttered.

  “Not a problem.”

  His hands swept along her back in a gentle caress, soothing her antsy nerves. Beneath her cheek, his breathing calmed as her own did, yet for some reason, his heart rate remained a little fast. She wrinkled her nose. Could he have some kind of condition that made this kind of activity dangerous? She hoped not. What a waste that would be.

  “I should probably thank you,” she said after several minutes.

  His hands stilled. “Thank me?”

  The irritated tone in his voice had her tensing. “That was the best sex I’ve ever had. Shouldn’t I thank you for that?”

  A snort escaping him rocked her. “You’re welcome.” She thought his lips brushed against the top of her head, but that would be a lover’s gesture, and he didn’t love her. “If you were thanking me for having sex with you, I would have been forced to spank you.”

  She jumped when his palm landed on the curve of her ass with a quiet pop. “Ouch!”

  “Shush,” he chuckled as she sat up and rubbed her tush in mock offense. “That didn’t hurt.”

  “No, but since you’ve already spanked me, it won’t be a problem to thank you for having sex with me.” Elle glanced away from the dangerous glint that came into his eyes behind the mask. “It’s been a while, and—”

  His hand covered her mouth. “You’re pissing me off, Elle.” He pushed himself up and removed his palm to kiss her deeply. She inhaled sharply at the feel of him stiffening inside her. He broke off with a curse. “I need to get you out of here. This is a strip club for God’s sake. I can’t believe I—”

  “I get the point.” Elle scrambled off his lap, her sensitive pussy throbbing at the loss of him. She hissed as a ripple of arousal zinged through her blood. What was wrong with her? She had seduced a stripper in a naughty bar, and now was disappointed when he wanted her to leave. Get real, Eleanor. It’s not like you’ve found the man of your dreams in this hellhole! You wanted a one night stand. Now you’ve had one.

  He grabbed her arm when she bent over to grab her bra and thong from where they were scattered on the floor. “I’m going to take care of personal business, then escort you out, okay? Stay here until I come to get you.”

  She wrenched her arm out of his grip, avoiding his stare as she slipped into her underwear. Normally she would be embarrassed to hell to be naked in front of a man, but nothing about this situation was normal. “Yeah, okay.”

  “Elle, I—” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him touch his mask and grimace. “Shit. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

  With a nod, she reached for her skirt and halter top, not turning around until she heard the snick of the door closing. Quickly, she pulled on her clothes, not willing to be naked when he returned, then sat on the divan. What time was it, she wondered, hoping her sister and their friends had left. She had absolutely zero desire to see them on the dance floor, and have them know she had a fling with the hot stripper. That little secret she wanted to keep to herself.

  Not because she was embarrassed, but because they would hound her until she surrendered every single detail, and she was not about to kiss and tell.

  The door opened and she turned. “That was—”

  Rather than her stripper, a tall black-haired woman stood in the entrance. Even more gorgeous than Meredith, her body and face would have put even Aphrodite to shame. Elle’s mouth gaped in surprise.

  “Show’s over, hon,” the woman stated. “Time to go. There are paying customers waiting for this room.”

  “Wh-what?” Elle stammered.

  “Cab’s outside. Please follow me.” Gesturing out the door, the woman tapped her foot with impatience. “I know Harry’s a hot one, but others are waiting. You can’t expect to have his attention for the entire night.”

  Elle’s pulse pounded in her ear. “His attention?”

  “Yeah, he’s got another dried up old maid lined up for a romp, so let’s get you out of sight before she shows. He hates it when his women meet. Says he can’t stand a catfight.” She smirked. “I was surprised he still did you after you hit that guy.”

  On shaky legs, Elle rose and walked with what she hoped was dignity to the door. “Harry’s not to worry. I can see myself out.”

  “I’m sure you can, honey,” the raven-haired beauty murmured as Elle stalked away. “I’m sure you can.”

  Chapter Six

  “Dr. McLaren!”

  Elle slowed. “Yes, Dr. Harrington?”

  “I’ve told you to call me Eddie,” he said, slightly breathlessly as he leaped up the flight of stairs between them two steps at a time.

  “You addressed me at Dr, therefore, I should address you as the same, don’t you think?”

  She gave him a small smile. God, what the man could do to her. If only she hadn’t ruined her taste for attractive men by having sex in a strip club. But once the cold truth of what had happened hit her, she’d sworn off men. After all, if she couldn’t find a man who was attracted to her without the benefit of her sister paying for him, what was the use of attempting to find one?

  It might have taken her a few sleepless nights, but since Friday night’s fiasco in The Seven Circles, she’d realized that he had slept with her—fucked her—because Meredith had paid for it, along with the drinks she’d purchased before Elle had stormed off. Maybe he hadn’t meant to do more than give her a lap dance, but she was the one who had begged for sex. And what guy would turn down a willing woman, even one who didn’t really appeal to him?

  “Hellooo? Anyone in there?”

  Elle blinked, then shook her head. “Sorry, Eddie. I’m not myself today.”

  “Interesting weekend?” he asked as they continued down the hall toward the elevator. “I had papers to grade that kept me from any fun. What about you?”

  Why was he being so friendly? Usually he said hello and moved on. “Uh, yes. I stayed home to finish working on the assignments due last Thursday.”

  “Chaucer as witty as always?”

  She raised her brows as she pushed the call button for the elevator. “Eternally. The question is whether I can teach my students to appreciate his charms.”

  “I’m sure you have no problem demonstrating the man’s charms.” Eddie grinned, his smile at odds with the intensity in his gaze.

  Was he flirting with her? Elle shot him a suspicious glance. They stepped into the elevator and waited for the doors to close. “Thanks.”

  “Listen, now that I have you alone, I was wondering...” He hesitated, dropping his gaze from hers in a gesture she would have thought shy if not for the fact that the man didn’t have a reticent bone in his body. He oozed sex appeal, with his wavy mahogany hair, broad shoulders, and the dimple in his chin. Elle’s breath halted for a moment as his eyes rose to meet hers again.

  Eddie Harrington looked exactly like her stripper.

  Elle choked and began coughing. It wasn’t possible. Eddie was a Ph.D. He’d never be caught in a strip club as a patron, much less as an employee. Besides,
he could pick up a woman anywhere. What did he need with lap dances or clandestine sexual escapades? Elle knew of at least three of the doctoral students who would be willing to sleep with him in this department alone, thanks to the indiscretions of lavatory chats.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, a hand on her shoulder as she bent double.

  “F-fine, thanks,” she gasped. “Sorry, swallowed wrong. What were you saying?”

  The elevator dinged for the third floor. “I—uh—was wondering—well, hoping, actually, that you would maybe—possibly be free—tomorrow, or Thursday, maybe, to have—uh—” He cleared his throat. “To have dinner with me?”

  “Excuse me?”

  Eddie chuckled nervously. “You want to go out with me? Sometime?” He adjusted his tie. “Don’t look so shocked.”

  Elle purposely wiped her expression clear of any emotion. “You want to have dinner with me?”

  “Yeah.”

  “With me?”

  “Yes, El—uh– Eleanor, with you.” Exasperated, Eddie held the elevator door open on the fifth floor when she stood motionless. “Is that so hard to comprehend?”

  “Yes, actually.”

  One of her Chaucer students came around the hall and stopped short. “Hi, Dr. McLaren! I just stopped by your office. Do you have a minute to discuss the reading assignment with me? I’m a little confused about ‘The Merchant’s Tale.’”

  “Sure, Jennifer. I’ll be right with you,” Elle answered, stepping out of the elevator. “I just need to speak with Dr. Harrington for a second, and then I’ll be in my office.”

  “Thanks, Doctor!” Jennifer glanced at Eddie with appreciation in her eyes before turning around. “Take all the time you need.”

  A blush crept over Elle’s cheeks. “Well.”

  “Smart girl,” Eddie muttered. His own face was a subtle shade of pink when Elle glanced up at him. Playboy Harrington was embarrassed? “So, dinner?”

  “I don’t know what to say, Eddie. Is this a business dinner?”

  Surprise lit his expression. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because you’ve known me for two years, and this is about the most you’ve ever spoken to me before.” Elle shrugged. “Plus, you’re technically my superior, so you can’t be asking me out personally. That would be a violation of school policy.”

  “Hang school policy.” He crossed his arms over his chest, biceps bulging through the navy of his sport coat. “Is it wrong for two friends to have dinner to get to know each other better?”

  Elle’s pulse picked up at the sight, and a slight dampness began forming in her pussy, just as it always did when she was in close proximity of Dr. Edward Harrington for longer than two minutes. It was the reason she studiously avoided him at the holiday party. No need for him to know how he affected her.

  “I supposed not.”

  “Then you’ll have dinner with me?”

  “No. I can’t.” A streak of disappointment and something akin to devastation raced through her as his arms fell to his sides and sorrow crossed his face for a moment. “I’m sorry, Eddie, but I’m just not interested,” she lied, stepping around him and trotting toward her office.

  As much as she might want him, she was certainly not interested in having her heart broken. Not after it had been chipped Friday night.

  Nickelback’s Something in Your Mouth trilled from Eddie’s pocket as he watched Elle run away from him. Again.

  All right, not again, since he hadn’t actually seen her run out of Hell Friday night, but she was running this time, though she made a decent attempt at a quick walk to cover the fact that she wanted to get the hell out of Dodge. In her customary conservative little suit, the skirt brushing the back of her knees and clinging to her ass, her hair in a bun and sexy black rimmed glasses, she was the picture of his every naughty librarian fantasy. Blood rushed to his groin at the memory of how well she had fulfilled his desires the other night.

  His phone beeped twice to alert him to the presence of a voicemail as the elevator slid open behind him. Feminine giggles sounded as he glanced over his shoulder to see two freshmen step out of the car, their books against their chests.

  “Hi, Professor,” one said.

  “How are you, Dr. Harrington?” the other asked.

  “Fine, thanks,” he muttered, adjusting his coat to hide his arousal and turning his attention to his phone. Damn Luce. She’d probably blasted his voicemail when he hadn’t answered her call. Eddie sighed. If he could get away with murder, she would definitely be under ground by now. Borrowing money from her had been the stupidest idea of his life. He might have wanted to be independent from his wealthy parents, but Luce’s hold on him was tighter than theirs had ever been.

  Hey Harry, it’s me. I’m assuming you’re in class, since otherwise you’d have answered my call. Just wanted to remind you that we’ve got that wedding this weekend. You know, your friend Jason’s big par-tay. I’m really looking forward to meeting your friends. Ciao, darling. I’ll see you tonight. Don’t forget, your shift starts at seven. Kisses!

  Eddie gritted his teeth as he listened to Luce’s sugar-sweet poison. He hated it when she called him Harry. As a pseudonym for use at Hell, it worked wonders. But hearing the name outside of his proverbial prison grated him the wrong way. And the last thing he wanted to do was take her as his date to Jason’s wedding. Elle would be there, for one. And two, he just plain hated the bitch.

  He stalked down the hall, refusing to glance into Elle’s office as he passed it.

  Why had she taken off the other night? He’d gone to dispose of the used condom, and met Luce on his way to Room Three, who told him his commission had decided not to wait for him to walk her out. Feeling ridiculous, he’d run down the hall to confirm her words, the walls seeming to close in on him as he realized Elle had left him. The same feeling of abandonment struck him in the middle of the night for the next couple of days, and again when she’d rejected his offer of dinner just now.

  Had he done something wrong? Maybe he should have lost his urge for hygiene to help her dress and escort her out, but he never thought she’d wander the halls of the club alone in order to escape him. He knew she’d enjoyed their lovemaking—and that’s what it had become, as trite as that sounded. Though their encounter had begun as a couple of horny adults getting it on, the end had been the most sexually and emotionally fulfilling sex he’d ever had.

  Get over it, Harrington! You fucked a hottie in the club, and now she’s done with you. It’s happened before, it’ll happen again. It’s not the end of the world, you ass.

  And yet, it certainly felt like his world was crashing down on his head.

  Elle packed a hell of a punch, only this time, it wasn’t his nose that she’d fractured.

  Chapter Seven

  “Thank you so much for coming!”

  Elle blocked out the sound of Meg’s happiness as she strode toward the limo that had carried the bridesmaids to the church. “Damn it!” she cried as she tripped over the hem of her rose silk dress. Why had Meg chosen these long gowns? She knew Elle could never walk in one.

  Sighing, Elle clutched her bouquet of white and pink roses in one hand while she gathered the trailing length of her gown in the other. “I hate this shit.”

  “Too bad. You look absolutely beautiful.”

  She stumbled, dropping her bouquet as she threw her hands out to break her fall. But before she hit the ground, a strong arm circled her waist and pulled her upright.

  “You okay?” Eddie Harrington retrieved her slightly battered roses and held them out to her, a smiling lurking in his eyes. Looking sinfully delicious in his tux, he gave her a little bow as she accepted the flowers.

  “Very well, thanks.” Brushing the sweep of hair the hairdresser had draped over her forehead, Elle swallowed. “What are you doing here?”

  “I know Jason from college,” he murmured, reaching up to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear. She shivered at the contact and stepped back. The man m
ade her more nervous than the prospect of her dissertation defense ever had. That ordeal was a breeze compared to Eddie Harrington and his suave moves.

  He cleared his throat. “I have to go back. Forgot something. I’ll see you at the reception?”

  She nodded, speechless as he grasped her free hand and lifted it to his lips. Tingles raced up her arm from knuckles to shoulder as a spasm gripped her heart when his mouth caressed the back of her hand. “’Til then, milady.”

  With a wink, he turned and started to leave. “Eddie?” she called.

  “Yes?” He glanced back over his shoulder.

  “Did you mean it when you asked me out?”

  His eyes narrowed. “I’ve never lied to you, Elle.”

  Elle blinked. How did he know she preferred that name to her other nicknames? The niggle of suspicion that had taken root the other day began to bloom in her mind, but she ruthlessly stomped on the weed. “Then would you save a dance for me tonight?”

  “What about dinner?”

  “It’s open for negotiation.”

  A blinding grin split his face, delight shining from his gaze. “Then all my dances are yours.”

  Heart racing out of control, an answering smile curved Elle’s lips as she watched his tight buns flex, his whistle the sweetest sound she’d heard.

  * * * *

  Thank God Tim was looking for a quick lay. If Eddie was very lucky, Tim would keep Luce busy for most of the night, allowing him to escape with Elle before the bitch returned to the party.

  Her hair was loose for once, and he’d almost come in his pants when she walked up the aisle, the hesitant expression she wore contrasting with the aura of absolute sex she exuded with her brunette curls tumbling down her back. The simple Grecian style gown she wore draped her curves perfectly, and it was all he could do to stay in the pew and not carry her off to the nearest room to fuck the brains out of them both. He’d been in a church, for God’s sake, and he could barely sit still for the huge erection he’d sported. Jason’s elderly aunt had glanced over at the tent in his tux and winked.