Taking a deep breath to steel herself for the work ahead, she grabbed her favorite editing pen and began poring over her pages once again. She read through every page for what felt like the fiftieth time, making her notes around Huff’s. The bright green ink of her pen stood out in contrast to the red notations Huff had made earlier and made her pages look like a Christmas display in a store window.
When she’d done a complete run-through of the pages, she opened her laptop and pulled up the old document. Incorporating her notes along with those of her editor, she banged out a second draft. It took a while before she deemed it ready to be reviewed. But by the time she finally sent the article to her wireless printer, she felt pretty confident that she’d turned out a much better version of her original story. She retrieved the freshly printed pages, clipping them together the way Huff preferred. Setting them on the corner of her desk, she swiped the screen of her phone to see if she’d missed any texts.
Damn. Four thirty already? She’d been working so hard on the article that she hadn’t realized how much time had passed. She blew out a breath. At least that meant the end of the workday was finally in sight.
She grabbed a granola bar from her desk drawer. While she munched, she looked forward to the end of the day. She’d worked incredibly hard today and was on the verge of total mental exhaustion. Days like this drained her and fueled the feelings of burnout she felt brewing inside. She had no idea how many more years of this she would be able to take. The deadlines, the responsibility for other staffers and the near-constant threat of being laid off were weighing heavily on her shoulders.
She thought of Ken and the way he shrugged most things off. He was cool, collected and aloof. At first she’d found those qualities annoying, but now she was willing to admit that she could use a bit more calm in her life.
A wicked smile tilted the corners of her mouth as she thought of a way to calm her nerves and add a little spice to this otherwise crazy day. Opening a text message to Ken, she started typing.
I’m super stressed. Could really use a massage.
She hit Send. Determined not to wait for his reply like an overeager teenager, she set the phone down on the corner of her desk and started straightening up in preparation for going home.
The phone buzzed a few seconds later.
She picked it up, checked Ken’s reply.
Should I use my hands? Or something else?
Her body temperature rose fifteen degrees the moment she read his message. It amazed her how he could be so laid-back and yet so incredibly sexy. Her mind traveled back to that night in his garden when his touch had awakened every nerve ending in her body. Her tongue darted out to swipe over her lower lip as she typed a response.
Use everything at your disposal.
She didn’t even have time to put the phone down before his response came.
Come to my office and I will.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and her nipples tightened beneath the fabric of the simple A-line dress she’d worn to work. Slipping the phone into her purse, she hurried to gather her things. It was a quarter till five, but she didn’t plan on hanging around any longer than she had to.
She was on her way out the door when she saw Porter headed toward her.
“Oh, Ms. Gregory. I was just on my way to pick up your revision...”
“It’s on my desk,” she called as she blew past him. “Lock the door behind you.”
“Will do.” Porter moved on.
As she turned the corner, she saw Porter coming out of her office with her article pages.
* * *
“Hey, Ken. I’m leaving.”
Ken looked up from his computer to see Lynn standing in his office door. It was a little after five, and he was still busy rendering a sketch into a blueprint with the software program.
“Okay. Are the interns already gone?”
She nodded. “Left about an hour ago. When are you leaving?”
He shrugged. “I’ve hit a snag with this sketch. For some reason the software isn’t creating the blueprint correctly. I’m going to hang around for a bit, see if I can figure it out.”
“Isn’t the band playing tonight?”
“Yeah. So if I don’t get it right in the next half hour, it will have to wait until tomorrow.”
“Well, don’t work too hard. See you in the morning.” She then slipped out.
The office suite was so quiet, he could hear Lynn’s retreating footsteps as well as the sound of the main entrance door opening and shutting as she left. Once he was alone, he ran a hand over his tired eyes. Grabbing a bottle of water from the small cooler by his desk, he turned his attention back to his computer.
He was so engrossed in trying to figure out the glitch he didn’t hear the door open a few minutes later. But he did hear footsteps in the hallway. When his ears picked up the distinctive click-click of a woman’s high-heeled shoes on the tile floor, he looked up, watching the door expectantly. Maybe Lynn forgot something.
Nona appeared at the door instead. She wore her hair down around her shoulders, and her body was draped in a muted red dress. The short sleeves and knee-length design of the garment meant that a good deal of her bronze skin was visible to his appreciative eyes. Gold studs sparkled in her ears, mirroring the desire dancing in her brown eyes.
He smiled, closing the software program. Whatever was wrong with it could wait. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s even better to see you.” She slowly moved toward his desk. “I’m sorry we haven’t been able to get together this past week. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” He couldn’t take his eyes off the tempting sway of her hips and the long, dark legs moving in his direction. He started to rise from his seat.
She reached him before he could get up and stopped him with an open palm on his chest. “Don’t get up on my account, baby.”
He flopped back down in the chair, mesmerized. “Whatever you say.” He watched her, realizing for the first time that she was holding something inside a clenched fist. Before he could ask her what it was, she opened her hand and unfurled it.
He groaned when he saw what it was.
Holding up the tiny pair of thong underwear so he could see it, she then folded them neatly. “I think these belong to you.” She tucked the tiny triangle of red fabric into the front pocket of his button-down shirt.
“Nona.” All he could do was say her name as she raised the hem of her dress and straddled his lap. Arousal roared through him, his manhood stretching and straining against the zipper of his trousers.
She settled in, purring. “Ooh. You’re so ready for me.” She leaned forward, draping her arms around his neck.
He was utterly outdone and way past turned on. Having Nona on his lap, naked from the waist down, was slowly pushing him toward the absolute limit of his self-control. His hands found their way to her naked flesh, and he filled his palms with the round softness of her bottom. Leaning into her, he inhaled the sweet fragrance clinging to her skin and hair. “God, you’re wicked.”
“Only for you, boo. I’ve never done anything like this before.” Her fingertips stroked over his jaw.
“I have a show tonight,” he managed while staring down the front of her dress into her cleavage. Desire raged through him like a five-alarm forest fire, and he was so hard he doubted he’d be able to stand, let alone walk. For the first time ever, he gave serious consideration to ditching the show.
She twisted her face into a mock pout. “You still have a little time, don’t you?”
“Not enough for what I want to do to you.” He kissed her, pressing his lips against hers while he moved one of his hands through her hair. As their tongues mated and danced, all he could think about was turning her around, bending her over his desk and taking her
until she screamed.
They spent a few moments wrapped up in the potency of the kiss, their hands roving each other’s bodies. When she finally drew away, her breath came in short little gasps.
“I need a little something, baby. It was rough day.” She fixed him with a sexy stare.
He had way more than a little something for her. But he knew turning her hips up over his desk would be asking for trouble. His desk was covered with things tied to the Grand Pearl project. There was no time to properly put away his sketches and renderings, and as much as he wanted her, he didn’t want to ruin several days’ work. “Then we need to get out of here, quick.”
“Your shows are still at the Blue Lounge?”
He nodded while tracing the outline of her nipple through the fabric of her dress.
She released a low moan as she rose from his lap. Standing, she tugged the dress back down over her hips. “Let’s go to my place. I only live about twenty minutes from there.”
She’d just provided a much better solution than going all the way out to his house, which was far outside the city limits. Catching hold of her hand, he lifted himself from the chair. Walking in his current state of desire was uncomfortable at best, but somehow, he managed. Once he’d gathered his things, shut off the lights and locked up, he followed her out of the office suite.
Chapter 15
As Nona unlocked the front door of her cottage in the Elizabeth section of the city, she was very aware of Ken’s presence. His warm breath was on her neck, and his arms were draped around her waist possessively. When she entered the house, he followed her step for step, still holding her.
Sheba, having heard the door open, ran up the moment Nona dropped her keys in the ceramic bowl by the door. Nona squirmed out of Ken’s embrace long enough to stoop and give the dog’s head a rub. “Hey, girl.” She looked up at Ken. “Go on into my room and get comfortable while I take care of her. It’s the second door on the right.” She pointed.
“Don’t be too long.” He leaned down to kiss her forehead before slipping past her.
“Oh, I won’t.” She appreciated her vantage point, eye level with his ass in dark denim jeans, as he walked away.
She got Sheba outside, back in and fed in record time, then closed her companion up in the spare bedroom for the evening. She didn’t want an audience for what she and Ken were about to do.
When she entered her bedroom, she found him sitting on the edge of her bed. Glad she’d made it up this morning, she walked over to him. Her steps were slow and purposefully seductive.
When she was close enough for him to reach her, he pulled her into his arms and placed his lips against her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, letting the kiss deepen. His tongue stroked the inner corners of her mouth, and her blood heated as the desire she’d felt in his office rose anew, hotter and stronger than before. She was about to climb into his lap when he pulled back.
“What is it?” She hoped he hadn’t changed his mind and decided he didn’t have time before the show after all. After the day she’d had, she needed him to make it all better.
“I had something else in mind.” He pointed behind her.
It took a moment for her to figure out what he meant. But when her eyes landed on the armchair and ottoman in the corner of her room, she smiled. Turning back toward him, she pursed her lips. “Ken, you naughty boy.”
“I’m not sorry. You’re the one who came to my office and tucked a thong into my pocket.” He pointed to the chair.
She strolled over to it, awaiting his next instructions.
“Go stand behind it.”
She did as instructed, and while she sensed what he’d ask her to do next, she waited. She wanted to hear him say it.
He was on his feet now, unfastening his pants as he moved toward her. “Bend over it, honey.”
With a smile, she did as he asked. Since she wasn’t wearing any panties, she could feel the breeze that caressed her intimately as she turned her hips up over the back of the chair. Her dress slid up a couple of inches due to her positioning.
A few seconds later, he wedged himself into the space between the wall and her upturned ass. He drew in a breath through clenched teeth, and she smiled, knowing he liked what he saw.
“Mmm. Nona.” He pushed her dress all the way up until it bunched around her stomach, then palmed her backside with a slow, gentle caress. “When we were in my office, all I could think about was bending you over my desk.”
She sighed in response to his touch and his words. She could not remember ever wanting someone this much, but that seemed to be the effect he had on her. He drove her absolutely mad with desire.
The next sound she heard was rustling around as he got a condom from his pocket. Seconds later, she felt his sheathed manhood probing her.
“Yes, baby.” She settled into her position, bracing for what was to come.
With a growl, he slid inside her. His hands came around to cup her breasts, and she arched her back. The pleasure made her coo and sigh, and soon she was moving her hips in time with his thrusts, meeting him stroke for stroke.
It wasn’t long before their mingled shouts and moans filled the room. She screamed his name as orgasm flashed through her body like lightning, and his completion followed close behind.
For a few moments, they both lay slumped over the back of her wing chair. In the silence, Nona realized that Ken had claimed her heart, and there was no way of getting it back.
She loved him, and she probably had since the night they’d first made love. But now she had to figure out the right time and the right way to tell him.
* * *
Later, as Ken lay next to Nona in her bed, he looked at the glowing red numbers of the digital clock on her nightstand. He had forty-five minutes to be dressed and onstage at the Blue Lounge. Thankfully, he’d brought his stage clothes with him to work that day, having anticipated working late and going straight to the club from his office.
He shifted in bed, waking Nona. What was supposed to be a quickie had turned into two consecutive hot and heavy lovemaking sessions. After he’d taken her from behind, she’d brought him back to the bed and climbed on top of him. Because he couldn’t deny her, he’d let her continue until they were both climaxing again.
If he had a choice, he would remain in bed with her all night, showing her all the many ways he could keep her entertained. But his commitment to the band wouldn’t allow it. “Honey, we have to get up. I have to be at the lounge soon.”
She stuck out her bottom lip in a mock pout.
“I know. But I have to get going.” He gave her bottom a possessive squeeze, then rose from the bed.
“I guess I’d better get up, too, if I’m going to the show.” She rolled out of bed and padded naked to her closet.
He threw on his slacks, not bothering with any other article of his strewn clothing, and jogged outside. He retrieved the bag holding his stage clothes and brought it inside.
Back in Nona’s bedroom, he stuck his head into the closet. “Mind if I take a shower?”
She shook her head. “No. Go ahead.”
What followed was the quickest shower of his life, and she entered the bathroom as he stepped out. She took her shower while he threw on his underwear, slacks and shirt. Checking the time, he saw that he’d have to put the rest of it on at the club.
Soon, they were both in Nona’s driveway, getting into their respective vehicles.
“Ken?” She was standing in the space between her open car door and the cabin of her sedan.
Seated in the driver seat of his car, he looked toward her. “What is it?”
“What’s happening between us? What are we doing?”
He shrugged, not knowing if she was ready to hear that he loved her. “Seeing each other, enjoying each other’s co
mpany. I don’t really care what we call it.”
She nodded, but she didn’t look terribly reassured.
He started his engine, because if he didn’t leave in the next five minutes, he’d be late for sound check. “My father once told me that a man can never be sure he loves a woman until she hurts him.”
A crooked smile crossed her face. “But I would never hurt you, Ken.”
He winked at her. “I know. I’ll see you at the club.”
Putting the car in Reverse, he backed out of the driveway.
Chapter 16
Jogging to her seat at a table near the stage, Nona slid into it. Three other women were already seated there, and she remembered Ken telling her she’d be sitting with the wives of his bandmates. Feeling somewhat giddy to get a seat at the table of honor, she smiled at her tablemates. “Hi, ladies. I’m Nona.”
The woman closest to her, brown skinned with a sleek bob, extended her hand. “Hello, there. I’m Eve, Darius’s wife.” She gestured to the slightly darker-skinned woman with the cute short do sitting to her right. “This is Rashad’s wife, Lina, and next to her is Joi, Marco’s wife.”
Lina smiled. “Hey, girl.”
Joi raised her hand, wiggling French-manicured fingertips in her direction. “Welcome to our little crew.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Nona settled into the leather cushion of the chair, hanging the strap of her small handbag on the backrest. Now that she was finally seated after the mad dash to make it there on time, she took deep breaths and tried to slow her racing heartbeat.
A giggle sounded next to her, and she looked over at Eve.
“I’m not trying to get in your business, but are you okay? You seem a little...out of breath.” Eve’s eyes held a mixture of concern and curiosity.
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