by Alexa Riley
Snuggling down in bed, I check my phone, but Oz hasn’t texted back. Hopefully he’s getting what little sleep he can before he has to go to work. I send him a quick text telling him good-night and sending little kisses, before turning over and falling asleep myself.
* * *
I dream of Oz. We’re in a tub surrounded by so many bubbles I can’t find him. I’m calling his name, but I can’t see where he is. I imagine his hands coming through the warm water, though, and his fingers on my pussy. He’s rubbing my clit and making me feel so good that I stop worrying about where he is and enjoy it.
I wake up with my hand down my panties, my fingers on my clit and an orgasm pulsing through my body. I came so hard I woke myself up, and I lie there panting.
“Mal, you okay in there? It’s almost seven-thirty. We’ve got to leave in fifteen minutes.” Paige’s words make me shoot out of bed. I stand in the middle of my room in a panic for five full seconds.
I’m in motion after that, running to the bathroom and brushing my teeth while putting on some makeup. Thankfully, I’m pinning my hair up today, so I do that as fast as I can, too. I run around the room, yanking out some mismatched lingerie and grabbing some black slacks and a purple sweater out of my closet. It’s nothing fancy, but I’ve barely got five minutes to throw it on with some black heels before hopping out of my room on one foot.
“Phone!” Paige yells from the kitchen, and I bolt back into my room, grabbing it off the bedside table. She stands at the front door, holding out my thermos of coffee for me, and opens the front door. “Let’s go. I’ve already got the elevator waiting.”
The two of us book it the three blocks to work, and I’m swiping my security pass on the elevator right at eight. Not too bad for having gotten up so late. I must have forgotten to set my alarm after I texted Oz last night.
The thought of him has me pulling my phone out of my bag, but then I remember what I sent him last night and bite my lip to keep from smiling. Do I really want to see what he has to say after seeing the pictures?
I decide to wait until I get to my desk so I have some privacy. I slip my phone back in my bag. I say good morning to people getting on the elevator and ride it up to my floor. Once I’m there, I greet Linda and see that I’ve beaten Eric to work again. That makes three days in a row now. Skyler is hanging up her bag as I say hello to her, so she must have just gotten here, as well.
“Morning,” I say, testing the waters with her.
“Hey. Did you bring your lunch today? I forgot mine,” she says, and I take the opening.
“No, I was running late. I forgot mine, too. Want to eat in the cafeteria?” I offer, hoping she’ll say yes.
“Sure. That new salad bar was dope yesterday. I’m in.”
I smile as I sit down at my desk, happy that my work friendship is back on course. I don’t know what rocked the boat yesterday, but it seems Skyler respects hard work, and I can understand that. Especially when working with someone like Eric, who seems to be skating by.
Taking a deep breath, I pull my phone out and tap on my text messages. I see only one from Oz, and disappointment hits. I click on it, and then I smile.
Oz: If you’re reading this, then I’ve surely died and gone to heaven. You, my gorgeous Mallory, are more stunning than my pathetic words via text are able to say. Grrrrr.
I imagine the sound of his growl. It makes the ache between my legs return, and I think about the orgasm I apparently gave myself in my sleep last night. Jesus. I send him a quick text, thinking he’s probably in a meeting. The time difference is so vast, I don’t know what he’s up to.
Me: Good morning! I’m happy to see you liked the pictures. Maybe I can get some in return today? I’ve yet to see what’s under your sexy suits. I miss you... XXXXX
I slip my phone in my bag and get to work. It’s a busy day, and Linda has given us some new information to add to the statistical data we’re going through. It’s more busywork. But I’m happy to be here and happy to be a part of the team.
* * *
Right before noon, Linda comes over and gives each of us a breakdown of a new program they’re integrating and asks if any of us are familiar with it. I did some side projects for data research in college and it was one of the ones I used. Linda actually beams at me when I tell her, and I think it’s mostly because she won’t have to train me on it. She puts me in charge of our intern team. I’m to explain to the others how to use it in order to maximize the program. We all agree to break for lunch and then come back afterward to start. Just before I grab my bag to go downstairs, there’s a ping on my computer alerting me to a new email.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Long day...
Hey, baby. I got your text. Sadly, work has been brutal today, and I’m only now getting a break. I see it’s lunchtime for you. Are you still planning on staying in like I asked? Please tell me you are. You know I worry. I want some alone time with you tonight...your time around 8? Give me the all clear, my sweet Mallory. I ache for you.
Love, Oz.
I know Skyler is waiting on me, so I type out a response quickly.
From: [email protected]
Subject: RE: Long day...
Heading to the cafeteria now... I’m sure I can clear my schedule for you tonight ;)
Miss you more!
XoXoXoXoXo Mallory
After I hit Send, I lock my computer and grab my bag. It’s a quick lunch because Skyler wants to get a jump on the program and doesn’t want to slow down when I have to explain it to Eric, as well. When we get back, we hit the ground running and don’t stop until Linda walks over to us.
“Hey. It’s after five. You two need to get out of here.”
“Really?” I look down at my watch and see that she’s right. Eric had said he was going to the restroom a while ago, but it looks like he never came back. Skyler and I have been plugging away all day, and I guess we got lost in our work.
“Good job today, ladies. I’m really impressed with your work.” She smiles at us before turning and going back to her office.
“Thanks for the help today,” Skyler says as I gather my things.
“No problem. I’m down for sharing information if it makes it easier for everyone.”
We take the elevator down together, and I see Paige in the lobby before me.
“Hey, Skyler, meet my roommate, Paige. Paige, this is another of the interns, Skyler.”
They shake hands and say hello, and I’m reminded of how Paige acted yesterday with Joel. But then I remind myself that she doesn’t like men.
“Yeah, I think I’ve been invited out with you guys tomorrow night, right?” Paige says, looking at me.
“Oh, good. Guess I’ll see you then. You two have a good night,” Skyler says, and takes off.
“Can we order food tonight? I’m beat,” I say as we make our way outside and head home.
Checking my phone as I walk, I see I have a couple of texts from Oz telling me to be safe going home and that he looks forward to our chat tonight. I notice Captain America is following us again, but Paige doesn’t comment, so I let it go. I’m ready for some pajamas and lounging, and I’m too tired to get into men with her tonight.
Chapter Fourteen
Mallory
* * *
It’s before eight when I close my laptop and grab my phone and head to my bedroom. I spent the last hour looking up new updates on the forums for the new program at work. Learned some stuff that I really think will help. I want to talk to Oz in private, and I’m not sure how long this will take. Paige said she had some work to do and went to her room right after dinner, so I cleaned up the last of the dishes and got things ready for the morning.
As soon as I lie back on the bed, the phone vibrates in my hand. My goofy grin appears as I see O
z’s name on my screen.
“Hello there,” I say, sinking against my pillow.
“Mallory.” My name on his lips sends tingles down my spine, and I wish for the millionth time today he was here by my side.
“Miss me?” There’s a playfulness in my voice, and yet there’s heat there, too.
“More than you can possibly know.”
“Tell me about your day. Maybe it will make me miss you less. I’ll feel like I was with you.”
“I love hearing you say you miss me.” His voice is deep and sounds so close. It’s like he’s lying next to me in bed, and not on the other side of the world. I smile, thinking no one has ever made me smile so easily with only a few words.
“I bought a company here last year and I was wrapping up some stuff to finish selling it.”
“You sell them that quickly?”
“We did some fast big changes to it and a few buyers were jumping to get it. Turned into a little bit of a bidding war. We settled a price so he got the final bid. Spent the day finalizing things.”
There’s a pause, and I hear a rustling, and then hear him let out a breath like he’s lain down. “Now let’s discuss the pictures you sent me last night.”
My face probably looks like Rudolph’s nose, but I decide to own it. He asked for them, and I followed through. Might as well put my nudes where my mouth is. Trying to be a little more confident than I actually am, I go for it.
“Which one was your favorite?” I’m new to flirting, but as long as he’s the one doing the talking, I’m sure I’ll manage.
“The first one. You’re smiling so beautifully, it makes my heart ache. I’ve stared at it all day.”
I’m surprised by his answer, thinking he’d like the dirtier ones better.
“Really?”
“Yes. Really. I wish I could see it now. Your soft lips and sweet pink cheeks. I can picture you now, lying on your bed, talking to me. Your hair’s probably up in a messy ponytail like in the pictures. Your perfect neck exposed, waiting for my kisses. What are you doing right now, Mallory? How close am I?”
His words send heat running through me, and suddenly it’s one hundred degrees in my room.
“You’re very close. I miss my T-shirt,” I say, teasing him. “Are you keeping it company?”
“I’m wearing it as we speak, my sweet girl.”
“You’re joking.” There’s no way he has it on.
“Oh, but I’m not. I’ve got it on right now, and not much else. I wanted to smell you while I talked to you. I’ve slept with it every night since I left your side.”
Something about this should be silly, but instead it’s turning me on more.
“What else are you wearing?” I ask, pushing for him to tell me more.
“Your shirt, Mallory. And nothing else. Your pictures have had me in a state of pain all day, and I’ve been needing release. Not to mention, your shirt wasn’t the only thing I took. I took the panties, too.”
I hear a deep breath and picture him smelling my panties as he strokes himself. My pussy clenches in response. I want to help him. I want to make him feel as good as he makes me feel.
“What can I do?” My words are breathy, and my breasts tighten as my nipples ache.
“I want you to slide your hand down the front of your panties and gently touch your pussy, baby. Tell me if you’re wet.”
His dirty words make me clench again, and I can guarantee I’m soaked. I’ve never been talked to like this, and it’s turning me on more than I ever imagined.
I do as he says, sliding my hand down into my panties and touching my wet pussy lips. I gasp at the sensation. They’re so sensitive to the touch.
“You’re wet, aren’t you, baby? Your sweet pussy is missing my attention.”
I moan into the phone as I spread my lips and rub my clit.
“My cock has been so fucking hard all day thinking about how good your pussy tastes. I missed it so much this morning. Getting to hold you and getting you off. I’ve leaked come into my underwear all day thinking about what I want to do to you.”
“Oz,” I whisper, and pulse around my fingers.
“That’s it, Mallory. I’m rubbing my cock as I listen to you masturbate. I’m going to come when you do, baby, and not a second before. I wish I was there to put my mouth between your legs and lick up all your honey.”
“Oh, God.” The image of him between my legs is nearly enough to send me over.
“That’s what I dream about, baby. Eating your tight little pussy until you can’t walk in a straight line.” I hear the sounds of him jerking off his cock, and I don’t know how much more I can take. I’m so beyond turned on that I can’t think straight. “Is it virgin, baby? Is your wet pussy untouched?”
“Yes,” I moan, his filthy words sending little tremors through my body. I would confess anything to him at this point. I’ll promise him anything, as long as he keeps talking to me.
“Good girl, Mallory. That’s what I want to hear. That I’m the only one who’s ever going to touch you. That you’ve been saving it for me.”
“Yes.” My moan is louder this time, my body tensing, so close to release.
“Come, my love.”
His words send me over the edge, and I contract around my fingers as my back bows off the bed and my legs tense up. It’s powerful, and hearing his grunts of release on the other end of the phone only drags out my orgasm more.
I’m lying on the bed, a complete mess. I’m sweaty without a bone left in my body, and I’m trying to catch my breath.
“Baby? Are you alive?”
I laugh into the phone and my cheeks heat. How can I possibly be shy after that?
“Barely. You?”
“I believe I’ve found heaven for the second time today.” I can hear the smile in his voice, and it makes my heart ache for him.
“I miss you. Is it too soon to ache like this?”
“My sweet Mallory. You have no idea how happy it makes me when you say that. You’ll be back in my arms before you know it.”
“Good. I didn’t like my morning routine today.”
“Then I’ll make sure to spoil you every day when I get back.”
“Deal.”
“I’m going to get some sleep. I’ve got to be up in a couple of hours.”
Looking over at the clock, I see it’s after nine. He must have gotten up to call me. It’s early for bed, but I’m so exhausted all of a sudden.
“I think I’m going to turn in early, too. I’ve got a late night tomorrow, so I should catch up on sleep.”
“Late night?” Suddenly, he sounds wide-awake.
“Yes, remember? I’m going out with some people tomorrow after work. It’s to the bar next door.” My tone sounds like I’m asking for permission. “Paige is coming with me,” I say, trying to let him know I’ll have a friend.
He’s quiet for so long, I pull the phone away from my ear to check to see if I’ve lost him.
“Oz?”
“I’m here,” he says, but I can’t read his voice. “I must have forgotten you mentioned that.”
“It’s no big deal. Just a drink after work, and then I’m home. Maybe we can have another phone chat?” I offer, thinking maybe this will bring back his good mood.
“Sure. We’ll see.” There’s a pause, and it sounds like he’s pacing. “It’s fine. Get some sleep, baby. We’ll talk in the morning.”
“Are you sure?” It’s weird to check in with him, but I remember how I felt the other night when he was at that nightclub and I tried to talk to him. I don’t want to do the same thing to him, so I try to smooth things over. “I’m sure I can reschedule—”
“No. Really. It’s okay, baby. We’ll talk in the morning. You worry about getting a good night’
s sleep. Set your alarm this time.”
I laugh, thinking about my running around this morning. “I’ll do my best.”
“I miss you, Mallory.”
“I miss you, too, Oz.”
When we hang up, I set my alarm and pull the covers over me, thinking that saying “I miss you” sounds an awful lot like something else. And before I fall asleep, a thought crosses my mind.
I don’t remember telling him that I forgot to set my alarm.
Chapter Fifteen
Mallory
* * *
I refresh my email again before picking up my phone to check for a new text message.
Still nothing.
I haven’t heard a peep from him all morning, and it’s a little after noon now. I’ve really become too dependent on these messages. But still, this isn’t Oz. It’s not like him, based on what I’ve learned about him over the last week. He’s always sending me something, even if it’s a small note or a cute picture. It’s also weird to think how I’ve only known him for a week, yet he’s so vital to my everyday life now. I guess he is, though, when it comes to my new life here in New York. He’s been a part of it since the very first day. Even now, he isn’t ever far from my mind. He slipped in so easily, and I grabbed on to him, experiencing things I never had before.
He makes me feel so important to him. I’m special to him with all the little silly things he does. Like having to see me, wanting to bring me breakfast or needing to hear my voice. What has me melting most of all is the way he’s always checking on me. That isn’t something I’ve ever had. I know I’m well past the age of needing someone to look out for me, but it’s good to have it for once in my life. Someone making sure I eat and being worried about me going out. I should be annoyed, but all it does is show me that he loves me, cares for me.
The only person I’ve ever loved is Paige. She’s the only one who’s been in my life long enough for that to even happen. Everyone else seemed to float in and out too quickly. A few teachers stood out from time to time, but living in the system, sometimes people bounced too fast. I could never latch on to anyone. I’d taught myself not to, because it only led to heartbreak. But with Oz, it’s something deeper, something that’s growing. It will be different to how I love Paige. This is life-changing. Just having these thoughts scares me, too. It’s so early to be having them. I try to push all that from my mind. It’s about living in the now. I can’t think about getting hurt or I’ll never have a relationship. I’m grabbing on to this and seeing where it will take me.