Unlocking Love

by Anya Sharpe

  I wrap my arms around her, pressing her body into mine. The contact of skin-on-skin is glorious.

  Except that’s not enough. Nothing is enough.

  I want everything.

  My lips skim down the length of her neck, kissing, licking, and tasting, until I reach her delicious buds. Tracing them with gentle flicks is such a tease—for both of us. She moans, and so do I. I nip at them, pulling then soothing with laps from the flat of my tongue.

  In a quiet gasp of ecstasy, my name escapes her sweet lips. Her pale eyes have darkened with need. Her skin is blushed and beautiful. She explores the rigid lines of my chest, falling lower, across my abdomen. Fingertips trace to the V above the button on my jeans, and stop. Her touch excites me, urges me on, makes me want more, more, more.

  I’m insatiable.

  Inching lower, I kiss and caress her stomach, dipping and swirling my tongue in her sexy little bellybutton, making her exhale and still her hands on my shoulders. I continue south.

  It’s a cliché move, but I’m overwhelmed with the urge to grasp the strap of her thong between my teeth and pull the lacy item over her thighs, inhaling her intoxicating arousal as I do. At her ankles, I lift each foot to remove the thong.

  The need to learn every intimate inch of her, drives me to lay gentle kisses on each calf, climbing slowly to her knees. From there, my tongue takes over, with small, delicate strokes against her inner thighs.

  At last, I am where I yearn to be.

  Three strong laps at her core nearly undo the both of us. She whispers my name, and I struggle not to throw myself over the edge as I consume her. It’s too soon.

  I lift her into my arms, the silk of her hair sliding sensuously over my bare chest and arms, and place her on the bed.

  She is exquisite spread out, exactly as I envisioned in every dream.

  My eyes fasten onto her body, light brown hair splayed against crisp white sheets, her hunger for me unmistakable.

  I release the button and zipper on my jeans and push them over my thighs, down and off, taking the black boxer briefs with them. Hard and heavy, my cock springs free, ready. Subtle sounds call to me as I watch her lick her lips in anticipation of what’s to come.

  “Erynne.”

  I crawl toward her, my brutally stiff cock brushing along her leg, leaving a slick trail in its path. Before she answers, my tongue is in place, once again stroking her lower lips, teasing her clit, tasting her deliciousness.

  Her climax is close, and my mind drifts—for only a few seconds—to thoughts of her mouth moving on my swollen dick and how insanely good that will feel and look. I shove that fantasy aside for another time, because she is moving, pulsing and shouting for me.

  She is going to come. Hard.

  Not yet. Not without her sweet pussy wrapped around my dick.

  In a single motion, I’m above her, centering my cock at her core. A hard, fast thrust lets me in. She explodes, crying out, throbbing, gripping my arms.

  The single most beautifully erotic moment of my life unfolds in front of me.

  I continue to thrust, though I won’t last long now, but wanting to—no needing to—hold on to this and lose myself in her. Wrapping my arms tightly around her, I bury my mouth in her neck and enjoy the thrill of tension prickling like pins in my balls and slithering up my spine, leading me toward an achingly divine release.

  I’m coming.

  “Erynne!” I shout.

  The climax jets between my fingers and onto my abdomen as I awaken.

  “Holy hell.”

  ****

  Erynne strolls into my office the next morning carrying two steaming cups of coffee.

  I almost lose my shit right then and there.

  The white dress fits every single one of her curves snug and perfect, making my heart race and my dick throb.

  She had to wear a fucking white dress today.

  Oh, and the goddamned red heels.

  “Good morning, Evan. I brought you coffee.” Her smile is brilliant. Her eyes sparkle.

  My dick hurts.

  “So, I see.” Yeah, that’s not all I fucking see, woman.

  Erynne’s face screws up in question. “You okay? You look funny.”

  I clear my throat and sit down so as to hide the blockbuster party happening in my pants, then manage to choke out a response.

  “Sure, I’m fine. Nice to see you smiling this morning.” Almost as good as seeing you in my dreams last night. Shut up, Evan.

  “I managed to sleep well for once.” She’s still grinning as she hands me a coffee—bending over enough to bestow a decent view of her cleavage—then sits, crossing her long, sinful legs, the hem riding up a few inches to torture me further.

  Fuck. If she only knew how well I slept…

  “I’m glad,” I say as blandly as possible, stifling a massive groan.

  “So, what’s up today?”

  Don’t fucking ask…

  “Um, the usual.” Oh, dear God, this going to be one hellishly long day.

  In the middle of my torment, I’m saved by the fucking phone.

  “Hi, Mom.” If that’s not a hard-on killer right there, I don’t know what is.

  Erynne stands and whispers, “I’ll grab ya later.” She strolls out, completely oblivious to the effect she has on me.

  I wish…

  “What’s up, Mom?” I try to rein in the result of the distraction that left my office.

  “Darling, I called to see how you’re doing.”

  Francesca Favelli is one of the happiest people I know. About seventeen years ago, life got rough when she was with Charlie, but she turned it all around. Today, the line of custom-designed, high-end jewelry she started with grandfather is exploding.

  “Everything’s going fine, Mom.” I’m genuinely glad she called. I love my Mom, and I’m proud of her success.

  “Darling, we’re having a release party for the fall designs next week. Carlotta Maxwell is showing her new evening wear, and Deana Burm is releasing her line of footwear. It’s the whole deal, really. A big deal!” The excitement in her voice is evident.

  “That’s fantastic, Mom. I’m so proud of you. Pairing your release with Maxwell and Burm? You’ve made it big, Francesca.” I’m happy for her.

  “Oh, Evan, it’s been a wonderful ride, and I have you to thank for so much.” She pauses. “I was wondering if you’d attend the release. Bring a date…” She’s hinting now. “Weren’t you dating someone recently?”

  “I’m not with anyone right now.” I think about who I’d like to bring. Hmm. I wonder if she’d go, as a friend. “Maybe there’s someone I can ask…and of course, I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  “Wonderful! I’m thrilled. I’m naughty, though…I put your invitation in the mail, but you’re already on the ‘yes’ list. You should get it in a day or two. It’s black-tie, by the way.”

  “I can’t wait. Love you, Mom.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Evan

  Erynne pulls out the chair to the right of me at the morning meeting and sets down a writing pad before taking a seat.

  “Hi!” She greets me with an enthusiastic smile, while I take note of the blue wrap dress she’s wearing. The same one as the day I started at Ridley & Peters. The bracelet Maya gave her for her birthday is on her wrist.

  I smile to myself as I return the greeting. I wonder if anyone would notice if I just stared at her and thought dirty thoughts for the next hour or so. How on earth did my mind get so far into the gutter?

  The staff files in, and I watch Erynne click open her pen and write the date on the top of the page.

  Wait. She’s not wearing the block of ice, er, her wedding ring. Interesting.

  Lucy sits next to her and lays a hand on Erynne’s. Her voice is soft and low. I strain to listen in, because you know…nosy.

  “I’m sorry you’re going through a bad time right now. Let me know if I can do anything. You remember how rough it was on me when Brad and I split u
p?”

  Erynne stiffens next to me.

  “Yeah, I do. Thanks, Lucy. It’s been pretty bad, but it’s for the best.”

  “I hope so. I’m serious. Anything at all.”

  My heart does a little flip over the idea someone other than Maya is reaching out to her. Gary once mentioned something about Lucy’s divorce a few years ago. Apparently, it was nasty. He’s gathering the nerve to ask her out, and always finagles a way to sit next to her at the Thursday outings.

  Roger enters the conference room, and for the next hour and a half, we’re all business. Except my attention is elsewhere. I can’t keep my eyes off Erynne’s naked ring finger as she jots notes in her precise, neat handwriting.

  When the meeting adjourns, I stop her from leaving by placing my hand on her arm with a light squeeze. I hadn’t intended to touch her, but I did, and I swear, the electricity zinging between us practically scorches me.

  “Hold on a sec.” Why is my damned throat so dry?

  “What’s up, Ev?” The words trigger a twitch inside my pants.

  I really wish she’d stop asking me that.

  “Would you do me a favor?”

  “If I can, sure.” She’s genuinely cheerful and, for the first time in weeks, at peace. I’m afraid my request will throw her back into a bad place. For a second, I almost change my mind. Almost.

  “Well, um, you remember the other day when my mother called?”

  “Oh, yeah. Is everything all right?” Concern creeps into her expression. I touch her hand, pulling back quickly, because I may have felt another spark. Any more of those and I might be tempted to…

  Stop. It.

  “No, nothing’s wrong.” I slap on friendly, good-guy smile, and decide to go for it. “I hope you won’t think this is inappropriate, but my mom is a designer, and she’s having a show with two other designers next week. She’s invited me and asked me to bring someone. Since I’m not dating anyone right now, I wondered whether you’d consider accompanying me. As a friend. A way to, um, get out for a while and have fun.”

  “Oh…” She’s both surprised and conflicted. “I…I don’t know, Evan.”

  Shit. I fucked up. What was I thinking? I wasn’t. My dick was in charge of the brain.

  “Never mind. I thought it would help take your mind off things for an evening.” I’m lying. If I’m honest with myself, the bigger reason is to spend time with her outside the office. What happened to my ‘no dipping into the work pool’ rule? What rule?

  She studies me for a few more seconds, then busts into a big grin. “I would like to go. I’m tired of sitting at home alone every night, and I’m not at a point where I’m going to be hanging out at bars or anything. So, yeah.” Then her brow scrunches with worry. “Except…”

  “Except what?” No! Don’t change your mind! A swath of panic hits me. Which is stupid.

  “Well, don’t you think you should invite the woman you were seeing? Becky?”

  Oh hell, no, woman. Don’t even.

  “Becca.” I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly. “Nah. Things didn’t work out with her. I’d rather hang out with you if that’s all right.” There. That sounded casual, right?

  Erynne gathers up her papers, and we leave the conference room, continuing our conversation until we reach my office, two doors down the hall.

  “Are you positive, Evan? My feelings won’t be hurt if you want to rethink your invitation.” Her smile is sweet, I’m dying to gather her up in my arms. So much so, that I stuff my hands in the pockets of my trousers to prevent me from actually doing so.

  “I’ve already given this a lot of thought.” No, I haven’t. There’s nothing to think about.

  “Well…if you’re sure.”

  “I am.” You wouldn’t believe how sure.

  “Do you promise me you’ll tell me if you change your mind? You know, find a woman you’d rather date?”

  “I will.” Not happening. Ever. “It’s black tie, by the way.”

  “I think I can handle that.”

  “Handle what?” Lance’s voice chimes in from behind us. Fucking wonderful. I sear him with a warning glare which makes him smirk. Jack ass.

  “Oh, Evan’s being a sweetheart, like always,” she says, gliding a few steps into my office.

  “This Evan?” He casts a suspicious eye at me. “What’d he do now?”

  “He invited me to the release of his mother’s new line. What does she design, anyway, Evan?”

  “Jewelry.”

  “Ooh…that sounds promising.”

  A thought pops into my head. “Hey, would you wear this bracelet?” I point at the one she’s wearing, one of Mom’s designs.

  She shrugs. “Of course, why?”

  “Um. It’s nice. Unique. It looks good on you.”

  “Oh. Okay.” She turns to Lance. “Well, I have a meeting in a few. Nice to see you again Lance.”

  “You, too, doll,” he calls after her. Before he says anything else, he shuts the door. I brace myself, because I’m certain an earful is coming my way. I kinda, sorta deserve Lance’s tongue lashing.

  “Are you out of your goddamned mind, Giamatti?” Yep, Lance is not happy with me. He grabs me by the arm, shoves me into a chair, and takes a seat next to me. “What the hell are you doing inviting her on a fucking date? Her husband’s side of the bed is still warm for chrissakes.”

  This, coming from Lance, is amusing. He’d take a shot at pretty much anyone in a short skirt who didn’t resemble Broomhilda.

  “It’s not a date. It’s an…outing.” The effort it takes to control the smug grin trying to escape is monumental.

  “That makes it sound like a fucking field trip. It is too a date, and you know it.” He crosses his arms over his chest and glares at me.

  “Is a label necessary? I thought she’d enjoy getting out. I needed a date…”

  “A-ha! It is a date.”

  I roll my eyes. “Let me rephrase. I needed someone to accompany me to an event. The poor woman has been cooped up in her apartment every night.”

  “Oh, and you’re the knight in shining white armor who’s gonna rescue her from the tower she’s being held captive in.”

  A slight grin escapes at the edges of my mouth. “Well, that’s one way to put it.”

  “When did you start having a ‘thing’ for her anyway?”

  “Who says I have a ‘thing’ for anybody?”

  “You do.” I can almost see the lightbulb go off over his head. He gasps. “From the first day, you fucker. You’ve had the hots for Erynne since the day you started here.”

  “Lance…lower your voice.”

  “Fuck me blind, man. I should have known.” Lance’s indignation on Erynne’s behalf has broken and now he’s laughing, and tears are running down his face.

  However, after Lance’s tongue-lashing, a niggling doubt about the wisdom of my invitation arises.

  Not enough to renege, though. No way in hell am I taking the invitation back. She’s going, and that’s that. I only hope this doesn’t backfire on me.

  Therefore, I’m certain it will.

  ****

  In the backseat of the town car I’ve hired for the evening, I adjust my tie in the mirror.

  One thing the average person doesn’t know about me is I have money. Lots of money. Yep, I’m wealthy, although I am not a flashy person. At any time, I could go out and start my own business. I chose to apprentice myself out for a few years instead, building a healthy clientele and a solid name for myself not directly tied to the Giamattis or the Favellis. It hasn’t been easy to hide my lineage, but I’ve managed to work around it for the most part.

  Meanwhile, Lance and I are creating a plan combining his software company with my advertising and business expertise. We’ll be ready to launch within the year if all goes well. Lance is laying the groundwork on his end, with my financial backing.

  Erynne will learn a bit about my family tonight. She won’t be expecting this—the wealthy son of a big-name jewe
lry designer and real estate mogul.

  The car glides to a stop in front of her apartment building, and I slide out and head up to collect her. I’m not often nervous about dates. But, this “not-a-date” has me a little tense. I could say I don’t know why, but I do. I don’t want to blow it with Erynne this early in the game.

  When she opens the door, my jaw literally drops to the ground.

  The midnight blue strapless gown fits her like a fucking glove. Tiny blue sparkly things emphasize her shapely, trim torso. Yeah, they also emphasize her breasts. Let’s be honest, here. I’m thinking Derrick needs to have his idiot head examined. If she were my woman, I’d never let her out of my sights or arms. Ever. This woman is the jackpot.

  Her hair is swept into some sort of a messy, sexy up-do, seed-pearl earrings dangling from ears I’m dying to nibble on. Her shoulders? Jesus help me, because I want to sin. I can practically taste her skin. My eyes travel down her arm. I need to be sure she isn’t wearing the damned iceberg Dickhead gave her. Nope. No ring. I do notice the blue and red beaded Favelli bracelet on her right wrist, which makes me grin.

  “You’re smiling. At first, I thought something was wrong with my appearance.”

  “Huh?” I snap out of the daze her appearance put me in. “Are you kidding? You look fabulous. I was taken by surprise.” Way to give her a compliment you fool.

  She laughs, which puts me at ease. Mostly.

  “You’re dashing, too, Ace. Let me grab my wrap and bag, and we can leave. Assuming you’re still up for this.”

  Fuck, no! Let’s stay here and do the mattress mambo! That’s what I’m dying to say. I bite my tongue and mutter, “What? Why would you ask?”

  “Perhaps you’ve got second thoughts about me accompanying you?” A little smile teases her lips. I’m ready to tease the taunt right off them.

  Finally, I gather whatever wits I have left—and let me tell you, there aren’t many—and say something smooth. “Erynne, I’m extraordinarily proud to have you attend with me. You’re drop-dead gorgeous. Don’t doubt this for a second. Plus, I already told Mom you were coming with me, and she is excited to meet you.” I extend an arm. “So, are you ready?”

  She shakes her head before linking her arm in mine. “Well, that settles it. Can’t disappoint Mom, now, can we?”