His Inspiration

by Tanya Gallagher

  Bex had found that Sunday lunch was one way to keep her community going. In Las Vegas, it was easy for people to get caught up in work or not want to go out. Her job wasn’t in the tourism or alcohol industries like was the standard in this town, but most of her friends worked in service positions. For people like Sam and Aderyn and Colton, when your job was going out, sometimes you just wanted to stay in.

  At Bex’s house, they could all stay in together.

  “That should do it.” Bex shut off the oven and lifted the serving tray, bracing its weight against her hip.

  Emma trailed her down the hall toward the dining room. “Where the hell are Colton and your brother?” she asked.

  “No Colton, today. But Sam’s puttering around in the yard.” You couldn’t call the patch of desert out back a yard by conventional standards, but every now and then, when it wasn’t a hundred and twenty degrees, it was pretty bearable.

  “Okay, I’ll go grab him.” Emma started toward the door, but paused in the dining room and tsked. “Oh, Bex.”

  Bex followed her friend’s gaze. “What?”

  “You need to get rid of that collection.”

  “You mean my sex toy cabinet?” She’d inherited her grandmother’s china cabinet, but seeing as how she had a lack of china to put in it, she thought the toys were much more appropriate. It was like a display case of all her awards.

  “Dude,” Emma said. “You realize every one of those vibrators is like a blow to a guy’s ego. Each one says, ‘I don’t need you.’”

  “I don’t.”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “That’s not the point. How can anyone not be intimidated by the Wall of Judgement? Each one is like a record of a different way he can fail.”

  “I never thought of it that way.”

  “That’s why I’m here. Speaking of which, are you going to see Gabe again?”

  Bex flashed on the image of Gabe’s face when he hadn’t known who Sam was. Getting territorial was cute in a caveman type of way. But still.

  “Why are we still talking about him?” Bex set the tray of food onto her dining table and slid into a chair.

  Emma gave her a knowing look. “Because you’re still thinking about him.”

  She had to admit she was. It was distracting, really, which is why she’d known he would be a bad idea in the first place. All week she’d been trying to perfect the design for a couple’s vibrator, and she couldn’t get it quite right. She’d hoped that her time with Gabe could have at least been useful, but no. Her mind was too frazzled by her orgasms to remember what exactly she had liked about having sex with him.

  No—that was a lie.

  Bex liked everything about having sex with him, from the way he groaned into her ear to the way his fingers trailed like fire over her skin. And those things were hard to translate into a toy.

  Emma lifted an eyebrow when Bex didn’t protest. “I knew it! So, you’re going to see him again.”

  She shook her head. “Probably not.”

  Emma made a face. “But why? He’s gorgeous, and he clearly likes you. He even helped you win at trivia.”

  “That was pretty fun. The look on his face when he nailed the question? Priceless.”

  Emma’s eyes gleamed. “So go have lots of sex with him and get inspired. For Sam.”

  “What are we doing for Sam?” Bex’s brother and Aderyn had emerged from the yard, kicking in a halo of sunlight with them.

  Emma smiled. “We are having sex with Gabe again.”

  “Dear god,” Sam grumbled. “I’ve told you so many times I don’t want to hear about your love life.” He gestured at the collection of vibrators and dildos. “It’s bad enough I have to stare at these when I’m enjoying my waffles.”

  “They’re my prize products,” Bex said.

  “No, Bex, they’re awards for masturbating.”

  “That’s not entirely true. I design toys for the masses, not for myself. I have to keep a huge range of body types and desires in mind.” She shot her brother a teasing look. “Anyway, if you’d rather host lunch, you wouldn’t need to look at my collection. I’d even let you borrow mom’s waffle maker. Or you could get really wild and make pancakes.”

  Emma laughed and forked two waffles onto her plate. “So back to sex with Gabe…”

  Bex smiled at her friend. It was too much fun to ruffle Sam’s feathers.

  Sam slumped into a chair and filled his own plate. “Again with the dating people thing.”

  “It’s okay,” Aderyn said, shushing her husband. “I want to hear about Bex’s sex life. But why is it for Sam?”

  Bex and Emma shared a look. “Because if I win this toy design contest,” Bex said, “there’s prize money involved. And I’m planning to put it toward your adoption fund. I want to be the best auntie ever.”

  Aderyn pressed a shaky hand to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. “Are you serious?”

  Bex shrugged because it was easier than crying. Adoption, for her brother and Aderyn, had been a long time coming. “I mean, yeah. It’s not a ton of money, but it can only help.”

  Aderyn walked around the table and wrapped her in a hug. “You are the best sister-in-law ever. And you go right on ahead and have sex with whoever you want if it helps you win.”

  Bex squeezed her back. “Thanks, Dare.”

  They were all going to dissolve into a puddle of tears, but Sam broke in. “Say ‘sex’ one more time, and I’m going to take my waffles out back.”

  Aderyn pulled herself together with a laugh. “Suit yourself.” She returned to her chair, wiping stray tears from her eyes.

  Emma stacked a strip of bacon between two waffles. “All I’m saying,” she said, cutting into her stack, “is why not see Gabe again? Isn’t it tiring to keep dating new people?”

  Emma was right. Going out and putting on a show to get a guy to come home with her could be exhausting. But Bex liked sex—she wanted it and needed it. And if she needed to extrovert herself into an orgasm, she would make it happen.

  Bex forked a waffle onto her plate and avoided Emma’s eyes. “Well, yes, Miss Resident Matchmaker. But I’m also a little cursed. So there’s that.”

  Emma covered Bex’s hand with her her own and squeezed. “You are not cursed.”

  “I’ve only ever had the people I love get sick. My dad, Sam.” She glanced at her brother. “No offense to you, Sam.”

  “None taken. But you’re not cursed. You’re human, and you’ve had shit go wrong. There’s a difference.”

  Bex sighed. “Well, fine. Even if I am human, you have to admit I don’t always have the best track record when it comes to other humans. It’s probably safer for everyone if I don’t get too attached.” She offered Emma a weak smile. “I mean, you’d be better off staying away from me, too, but you’re too damn stubborn to stop.”

  Emma grinned. “It’s one of my charms. And I’ll take my chances. Anyway, I’m not saying you have to marry the guy. Maybe just have some fun.” She pointed at Bex with her fork, her eyes bright. “It’s also my duty as Quality Control Manager to remind you that in life there is almost always room for improvement, and that includes in your attitude.”

  Bex reached for the maple syrup and poured it over her waffle so an equal amount of syrup filled each square. Gabe had been fun the first night, and he was fun at Trivia Night. But her life was pretty awesome without him, too. She had a kick-ass job and a great group of friends. She didn’t need more complications.

  “Fun is an excellent idea,” Aderyn agreed. “Especially if it’s for a good cause.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Bex frowned and licked a dash of syrup from the edge of her thumb. Maybe Emma and Dare were right, but she needed more evidence before she’d act.

  Chapter 8

  “Are you sure you have an appointment with Miss Kingsley?” The X Enterprises receptionist squinted between Gabe and her computer screen. “She didn’t tell me you were coming.”

  He held up the CD case and flashed
her a smile. “I’m here to follow up on the photo shoot from last week. Gabriel Marx.”

  She consulted her screen and frowned at him. “All right. Follow me to the conference room, and I’ll send her in.”

  The receptionist led Gabe down a different hallway from last week and deposited him in a huge room dominated by a large wooden table. He settled into one of the plush executive chairs and read the banner centered over the back wall of the room: X Enterprises. Our customers come first.

  Gabe chuckled. Points to them for both the play on words and the mission statement. Effective and straight to the point.

  Bex appeared in the doorway a few minutes later in a pencil skirt and a sleeveless green blouse that highlighted the specks of green in her eyes. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail that displayed her elegant neck, and he longed to lock his lips over that delicate, delicious skin.

  “Gabriel.” Her voice was steady and challenging, a question and an invitation.

  He lifted his gaze back to her eyes. “Rebecca.”

  Bex strode into the room, and as she walked, her ponytail swished from side to side in a mesmerizing pendulum of color. She took a seat across from him as if putting physical distance between them would change the fact that their bodies leaned toward each other. There was something strong at play here, like a magnetic force or gravity or something. It took everything in Gabe’s power not to close the distance between himself and Bex, and his body shook with the effort of staying still. Of denying himself. He was in her territory now, which meant he needed to play by her rules.

  Bex folded her hands together on conference room table like she wanted to reach for him just as much as he wanted to touch her. Like this was the only way to restrain herself. “Why do I have the feeling you’re not here on official business?” she asked. A small smile curved her lips.

  Gabe slid the CD case across the table to her. “I totally am. I’m just bringing over the images from last week’s photo shoot.” He cleared his throat. “Very official.”

  Bex’s eyes narrowed in mock-suspicion as she reached for the case. “Aren’t you supposed to deliver these digitally? Avery in PR is over in Seattle, and she’s expecting them.”

  He grinned. “Well, sure. She already got her copy first thing this morning. But this disc is for you.”

  Bex tapped a finger against her lips, trying to hide her smile. “Why would you bring it to me?”

  “So I’d have an excuse to see you again.” He held out his hands.

  Bex’s lips twitched. “I see.”

  Did she? Maybe this game would pan out after all.

  “So how did things turn out?” Bex asked.

  It was so easy to provoke her, and he couldn’t help himself. “I’m here. You tell me.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I meant with the photos. Not with us.”

  “I know.” Gabe tapped his fingers against the table. “They’re beautiful. Avery in Seattle is going to be very pleased.”

  “Well, I heard you have a good eye.”

  He smiled at her. Now she was flirting back, which was the point of this whole visit. “Among other things,” he muttered under his breath.

  Bex’s eyes widened, and she shook her head at him. “You’re not going to let that go, are you?”

  He shrugged. “Probably not.” If he were ever going to have a chance, it was now. “Can I see you again, Bex?”

  The flirt fell off her face, crowded out by hesitation. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “But we had fun the other night, didn’t we? And not just at my house. At Trivia, too.”

  She looked torn. “We did have fun.”

  “And yet you ran off once again without leaving your number. Like Cinderella with vibrators instead of a glass slipper.”

  She laughed. “It’s not like I left a vibrator behind.”

  “Even if you had, I wouldn’t be intimidated.” She raised an eyebrow, and he tossed a challenging look back at her that made her blush. “I know exactly how to push your buttons without pushing any buttons.”

  She snorted. “So elegantly put. Anyway, I told you. That’s the problem.”

  He hung his head. “Right. Too good in bed.”

  “I like you, Gabe.” Her voice went quiet. “But I told you, I don’t date.”

  “Why is that?” Bex was holding back on him, but he had an effect on her. He could see it in the way she looked at him, like she wanted more. Well, dammit, so did he. He wasn’t going to run away from that. And maybe if he stood his ground, she’d stop running too.

  Bex reached for the CD case again, gripping the edges like she needed to hold onto something. “It’s safer for all parties.”

  That wasn’t going to be good enough. “I’ll take my chances, Rebecca Kingsley.”

  “Gabe…” she warned, but she was smiling.

  He grinned and leaned his elbows on the table. “You know, you should probably just give me your number. They’re going to get suspicious if I keep showing up at your work.”

  “Mmm.” She nodded. “I am tight with our security guard.”

  He laughed. “You have a security guard?”

  “Obviously. Who else would watch over the dildo babies at night?”

  “Do the dildo babies get all cuddled up with their siblings? Or is it more of a nest thing where the Mama Dildo keeps them warm while they sleep?”

  She groaned. “You did not just say that.”

  “You started it. You put a picture in my head. I wish I could see that in real life.”

  Bex shook her head. A smile stretched across her face, and those gorgeous eyes flashed with amusement. She pushed back from the table and stood. “Don’t make me regret this,” she said, looking down at him. “But since you came all this way, do you want to take a tour?”

  Chapter 9

  Bex was going to kill all of them. Ruth for letting Gabe past the front desk, Emma for giggling when Bex walked Gabe into the Quality Department as part of the tour, and herself for caving in around Gabe in the first place. For letting her greedy eyes drift over his face and his body every time something in the building captured his attention. For touching his arm to steer him in the right direction as they stepped toward the doors to the production floor.

  She couldn’t help it.

  He looked good.

  He looked…well, actually, with his hairnet on he looked ridiculous.

  “Are you sure I have to wear this?” Gabe asked, touching a finger to the gauzy material that covered his dark, thick hair.

  “Production floor rules. Gotta keep you safe.” Bex grinned and pressed a plastic packet into his hands. So, yeah, she let her hands linger on his a minute longer than necessary. Who was counting? “And don’t forget the earplugs.”

  She pushed through the doors and stepped into one of her favorite places in Las Vegas. Was it lame to think your work was awesome? Bex didn’t care.

  All around them the production floor hummed with activity. Huge machines clanked and rumbled, spitting out a rainbow of sex toys, while the coworkers scattered around different workstations chatted as they trimmed, polished, boxed, and shipped the inventory.

  Bex pointed at the nearest machine. “We use injection mold machines for most of our products, and the base of most of our toys is liquid silicone rubber. You can get all sorts of textures out of it, and it’s a perfect material for sex toys because it’s non-toxic, non-reactive, and not prone to microbial growth.”

  Gabe lifted an eyebrow. “And it feels good.”

  She smiled. “That, too.”

  “So, what products are the easiest to make?”

  “A really basic silicone dildo.” Bex walked him toward one of the production lines. “We use a simple mold to create them, and we pour the silicone directly, so there is less material waste. That makes it a very cost-effective process. Once the silicone has cooled into shape, the toys come out of the molds and get hand-trimmed to reach the smoothest, highest-quality shape.”

  She
pointed at a row of erect, shiny silver penises being marched along a conveyor belt in an almost regal procession. “Some of the toys also get hand-painted for extra detail. And from there they get moved over into the packaging department.”

  “Is the whole company based at this facility?”

  “Nope. We’ve got all the business-y departments at our Seattle headquarters. You know—Sales, Accounting, Marketing. But the production magic happens here. We have our designers and Quality Team here, along with the people out on the floor who run the shop and pack and ship the toys.”

  She led him through the huge room, and Gabe studied everything with eager eyes, asking thoughtful questions as they walked. His interest in the manufacturing process seemed genuine, and his smile made Bex soften. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea.

  Gabe paused in front of a shelf that held an assortment of dildos and vibrators. Above the shelf hung a few posters of human anatomy, like the kind you’d see in a doctor’s office. Cross-sections of a female pelvis were displayed next to a line drawing of the male form. At the end of the day, you were making products that went inside real bodies. The biology had to work out.

  “How’d you even get into this job?” Gabe asked.

  “Well, I went to college for industrial engineering and design. But while I was there, I happened to come across a promo video that our owner had put together to announce that the company was building a manufacturing facility in Vegas. It was big news. Anyway, let’s just say I had a personal interest in seeing the facility, so I managed to get myself a tour. From there it was history.”

  Gabe smiled at Bex in a way that made her insides dip. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say you like your job.”

  She shook her head. “No, I love my job. It combines all my favorite things: creative design, technology and electronics…”

  “Sex,” Gabe supplied with a rakish grin.

  There was no use denying it. After all, when she hadn’t thought she’d see him again, she’d been very, um, enthusiastic about the subject.