Stranger Things Happen

by Shelley Munro

  “They’re interested in a good time, a taste of forbidden. None of them would consider settling down at the ranch.”

  “Most women hate the seclusion,” Cayle agreed.

  The phone buzzed and Dante picked it up. “Thanks. Send them in,” he said, replacing the phone. “The programmers are here.”

  There was a brief tap on the door before it opened and a man stepped inside. A sultry laugh sounded and a murmur of feminine voices flowed from the outer office. The laugh rippled out again.

  The programmers filed into the office. Three men followed by a curvy woman wearing a navy blue dress and boots. Her black hair was twisted into a knot and dark-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her eyes widened when she noticed him, the color bleeding from her cheeks.

  “Dante?”

  “Anna,” Gabriel said from behind her.

  Anna turned and flinched on seeing Gabriel and Cayle. “You’re real. Oh, God.” She let out a horrified croak, turned and fled.

  “Anna, wait.” Dante stood, intending to follow her. He didn’t know what the fuck was going on but he intended to find out.

  Gabriel caught his arm. “Dante, wait,” he murmured in an undertone. “Give her time.”

  “But she was playing us for fools.”

  Cayle moved closer. “Use your brain, man. She didn’t know. You could see her shock. Gabriel’s right. Give her time to compose herself. Confront her later when you’re both calmer.”

  Dante turned to study the three remaining programmers, business centering him and making him focus. “We might as well continue with our meeting. Take a seat.”

  *****

  Anna’s footsteps beat out a rapid tattoo as she hurried down the hall, running from the mortification that dogged her heels. Stupid. So stupid. She should’ve realized. In hindsight the truth was obvious. The scents and sounds were realistic because of their base in reality. She’d had a foursome with her new bosses.

  A tear ran down her face and plopped onto the floor. She’d flung herself at three strangers, compounding things by having sex with not one of them but all of them.

  Anna found herself back in the computer lab without remembering her walk there. She dropped onto her chair, wondering what the hell she would do now. Even if her new bosses didn’t fire her ass for using the Reality Suite out of hours, how could she continue working for them? Yeah, she’d fulfilled a fantasy but she’d thought it was within the safety of the game. She’d erased the recording of the game once she’d finished so no one could actually replay the footage. She removed her reading glasses and grabbed a tissue to blot the tears away.

  No matter how she confronted the situation she was screwed. Greg had to have known. He’d set her up, programming the game for the four of them.

  “Are you all right?” Greg stepped into the lab with Cam and Barry right behind him.

  “Is the meeting over already?” she asked, her voice sounding dull to her ears.

  “Fuck, Anna,” Greg said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t think—”

  “You didn’t think I’d have the balls to have sex with a guy?” Anna asked with a trace of bitterness.

  “You wanted to dance. The new bosses wanted a Western theme so I programmed a bar with dancing. I thought—” Greg broke off to rub his hand through his long hair. “Hell, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m sorry, Anna. The last thing I meant to do was cause trouble for you. I told them what I’d done. They realize the mistake wasn’t your fault. They seem decent.”

  That didn’t mean they wouldn’t fire her ass. She loved this job, lived for the challenge. Work had helped her after her fiancé passed, giving her something to focus on when she hadn’t wanted to get up in the mornings.

  Another volley of tears streaked down her face. She couldn’t seem to stop crying. “I’m gonna go home.” She’d work up the energy to write a letter of resignation and email it from home then she wouldn’t need to see any of them again. Her CV was out of date too. She could work on an update and send off some job applications because she couldn’t work here any longer.

  Bad enough if she’d slept with one of her bosses. She might have actually managed to avoid one boss but three of them? No matter which way she turned, she’d trip over one of them. They knew what she looked like beneath the armor of clothing, would recall the sounds she made when she climaxed. Mortified color flooded her face and bled down to her chest.

  Greg had said the Rosettis tended to be hands-on in their business dealings. Somehow she didn’t think sex with her three bosses at the same time was quite what he meant.

  *****

  “What the fuck is this?” Dante waved a printed copy of the email his secretary had forwarded to him.

  His secretary stared at him with a chiding expression. “I believe I forwarded you Anna Walton’s resignation.”

  “I know that,” he snapped. “Why is she resigning?”

  His secretary took the sheet of paper from him and read the contents out loud. “Since work on the Reality Suite is now complete I wish to tender my resignation, effective immediately, so I can pursue other avenues and opportunities.”

  Gabriel stepped into the outer office. “What’s all the shouting about? I can hear you from the other end of the passage.”

  The secretary gave a patient sigh. “Ms. Walton has tendered her resignation.”

  “Who?” Cayle asked, appearing behind Gabriel.

  “Anna,” Dante snapped. “Anna wants to leave.”

  Gabriel grasped his shoulder and propelled him into his office. Cayle followed and closed the door behind them.

  “So what are you going to do about Anna?” Cayle demanded.

  Dante stomped to the window overlooking the cityscape of Seattle—lots of tall, sleek multi-story buildings that made him long for the open spaces at the ranch. “What can I do about her wanting to leave?”

  “Do you want her?”

  Gabriel’s quiet question rattled around his brain for a few seconds, the answer grabbing hold and shaking him. Yeah. He wanted her. They might have started out strangers a couple of days ago but he liked her. A lot. And he could imagine her in his future.

  Cayle stroked his goatee. “Can I ask her out?”

  “No!” The word exploded from Dante and he whirled around, muscles tense, adrenaline raising his fists.

  “Whoa!” Cayle backed up, hands raised in a signal of surrender. His cousin’s shit-eating smirk echoed in his brother and told Dante they’d played him. “You want her. Go get her, cuz.”

  Uncharacteristic angst settled in him and refused to shift. “What if she doesn’t want me?”

  Gabriel barked out a surprised chuckle. Not surprising considering Dante was the oldest and never exhibited indecision. “Why was she upset when she saw us? Why has she handed in her resignation if she’s not interested?”

  A couple of reasons came to Dante’s mind. “Because we’re her bosses? Because there were three of us and she’s embarrassed.”

  “She was into sex with us from the second we suggested sharing.” Cayle dismissed the reason with a wave of his hand.

  “I wouldn’t share again,” Dante said.

  “We’re not expecting you to share. We’ve seen the two of you sneak looks at each other,” Gabriel said. “She trusts you, bro. Get her home address from your secretary. Go and see her. Talk to her and convince her to give you a chance. Ask her out on a date.”

  Dante pictured Anna and acknowledged how happy she made him during the time they’d spent together. His gut screamed at him to grab her before some other man discovered her charms. The tension left his shoulders and as usual, he went with gut instinct. “Mom’s engagement ring is out at the ranch.”

  “Told you he’d want to marry her,” Gabriel said smugly to Cayle. “You owe me a hundred bucks. Pay up.”

  Cayle pulled out his wallet and handed over two fifties. “This is one bet I’m happy to lose.”

  *****

  Anna ignored the kno
cking on her apartment door, grabbed another tissue and blotted her face. She couldn’t understand why she couldn’t stop crying. Anger should come to the fore, shouldn’t it? Good old-fashioned rage at men in general and her new bosses in particular.

  The knocking on her door increased in intensity. Greg, Barry and Cam most likely. Muttering under her breath, she climbed to her feet and stomped over to the door, flinging it open. “Haven’t you done enough?” she started, faltering when she registered Dante standing in front of her.

  Not cowboy Dante. This was business Dante in a designer suit that probably cost more than she presently had stashed in her savings account.

  “What do you want?” The question came out snide and filled with bravado. She couldn’t focus on him without remembering the pleasure she’d experienced under his hands, the fierce sensations when his body moved in counterpoint with hers.

  “I want to talk.”

  “What if I don’t want to talk with you?”

  “Too bad.” Dante pushed his way inside her apartment, gently forcing her to take a step back because of his greater bulk. He kicked the door shut and stared at her, his face holding not an ounce of the charm she’d witnessed on earlier occasions. His dark gaze bore into her until her stomach twisted with nerves and she wanted to fidget.

  Anna folded her arms across her chest and immediately wished she hadn’t. The move drew his attention to her breasts, his gaze almost stroking the abundant flesh swelling above the neckline of her navy dress. “I’ve handed in my notice. I don’t work for you anymore.”

  In answer Dante pulled a sheet of paper from his suit pocket and ripped it down the middle. The two pieces of paper fluttered to the ground. “You’re not leaving.”

  “Well I’m not staying to hear the three of you sniggering behind my back.”

  “We’re not gonna do that. Hell, why would you even think that?” Dante demanded, his tone incensed.

  “You’re my boss. A man.” Anna backed up again and he stalked her, reminding her of a big cat, all sleek muscle and power. She darted behind her big, comfortable chair, desperate to put a barrier between them because the urge to fling herself at him ate at her. “We’re strangers. We don’t know each other.”

  “We’ve learned enough,” Dante contradicted. “I realize you’re not easy and you don’t sleep around. You feel self-conscious about your body yet you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. You lead with your heart and you’re wicked-smart. I understand the Reality Suite was your idea and you and your friends made it happen.”

  “I—”

  “I’m not finished,” Dante said. “You’re giving and unselfish and you care about your friends. You’re loyal and if you had your way you’d move to the country and raise alpacas. You hate living in the city.”

  Anna gasped. “Who told you that?”

  “Your programming friends told me when they were busy falling over themselves telling us they’d resign if we sacked you.”

  Anna closed her eyes and wondered if this was a dream. When she opened her eyes again Dante was standing right beside her. He placed his arms around her shoulders and drew her against his chest.

  Anna gasped, confused rather than shocked. Dante’s appearance had surprised her and she didn’t understand what he wanted from her. Maybe she should just ask. “I don’t understand why you’re here, what you want.”

  “Simple.” Dante cupped her face with one big hand and stared straight into her soul. Not a hint of amusement or sly humor showed in him. “I want you, Anna.”

  Horror catapulted inside her at the notion of malicious gossip spreading through the company. “I can’t have a fling with my boss.”

  “There won’t be anything casual about our relationship, sweetheart.” Sincerity blazed in him now. His eyes smoldered with it while his thumb glided in suggestive circles over her cheek. They were so close their breath blended and her pulse started a crazy bump and grind. She was frightened to ask him what he meant because suddenly she was thinking of how the future might be with Dante. “I intend to keep you. I want to live with you and love you.”

  “But we scarcely know each other.”

  “Do you want me?”

  “Yes.” The answer burst from her before her brain engaged and reacted with caution. Anna opened her mouth to take her answer back but the savage satisfaction and blaze of joy on his dark face halted the impulse. He really meant it. He wanted her.

  “Bedroom?” He swept her up into his arms and waited for her reply.

  “Down the passage. Second door on the right.”

  Dante moved quickly, carrying her as if she were a lightweight. He placed her on her double bed and kicked off his shoes.

  “Please tell me you have condoms. I don’t have any on me and I don’t want to risk getting you pregnant. I don’t want you to feel trapped.”

  In that moment the fight went out of her, and she started to believe two strangers could forge a strong relationship.

  “I think there are condoms in the hostess gift I won last month. I put them in the bottom drawer over there.”

  “Hostess gift?” A grin surfaced in him.

  “Greg’s girlfriend held a sex-toy party.”

  “Very handy.” He retrieved them and rapidly shucked his clothes.

  Anna watched him avidly, mesmerized by the lean yet muscular lines of his body, the leashed power and the hint of danger, muted at present by his broad smile. The wretch was playing to her. His erection lengthened under her gaze and he casually stroked his cock as she watched.

  “Time for your clothes to go.” Dante scooped her off the bed and set her on her feet. He stripped off her clothes and soon they toppled on the bed together. Hunger exploded in them as their lips met. Hands wandered, stroked and caressed. Her breasts brushed his chest. She mapped his hard contours while he explored the sensitive inner surfaces of her mouth. Tongues and limbs tangled. Each touch brought a shiver, an intense burst of heat. She quivered as sensation spiraled down and moisture seeped from her pussy.

  “Dante.” His name was a plea for him, a confirmation she needed him and only him.

  “Anna.” He pushed his knee between her thighs and she willingly parted them. Then he rolled the condom onto his length and guided his cock to her entrance. “Will you give us a chance?”

  She wriggled, attempting to impale herself but he held her still, his fierce gaze burning into hers.

  “I want to keep you, Anna. I want us to have a future together. Come live with me. Get to know me better. We can get married next week.” He pushed a fraction deeper, teasing her with the width of his girth, driving her to distraction.

  A bubble of laughter escaped. “Next week?”

  “Too long?”

  “We could fly to Vegas tomorrow. A trip will play hell with my schedule but that’s what secretaries are for.”

  Still smiling, Anna took a deep breath and figuratively jumped. “Next week is fine.”

  “About time,” Dante muttered and he pushed deep, filling the empty corners and the loneliness inside her as he made love. Each lazy stroke screamed of care and shimmered with love. When his strokes quickened, she held him tight, kissing him with abandon and showing him she returned his feelings.

  The passion flared between them and with a cry of surrender, she convulsed around his cock, falling into sated pleasure. After another series of thrusts, Dante gave a shout, pistoned rapidly into her and came.

  They held each other for a long time before Dante moved and tossed the condom. He crawled back onto the bed and spooned in lazy contentment.

  “I love you, Anna.”

  Her breathing stalled for an instant before she turned to face him. Doubt warred with hope and won. “How can you be so sure?”

  “It’s a proven thing in our family. Ask Gabriel and Cayle. The first time I saw you I told them you were mine. I meant the sentiment. Our parents knew from the first time they met. Cayle’s parents were the same. None of us has long courtships. We have successfu
l marriages instead.”

  The tension in her faded because she had her own confession. “I was engaged.”

  “Greg said your fiancé died. I’m sorry you went through that sort of pain.”

  “It wasn’t easy, but that wasn’t what I wanted to talk about. I met my fiancé at computer class in high school. We knew then we would marry. We were too young and then he got sick.” She gnawed on her bottom lip before shooting him a quick glance. “I experienced the same instant rapport with you.”

  “Yet you fight the attraction.”

  “Hey, I thought you were a fantasy. Falling in love with a character in a game rattled me. Then I find you’re real and my boss. The information pushed me off-balance because my heart was involved.”

  A cocky grin highlighted his sex appeal. “Ah, but you can admit the truth now. Perfect strangers can be soul mates.”

  Anna grinned and cupped his face before stealing a kiss. “Stranger things have happened.” She melted into him, content for the first time in ages. Two strangers who belonged together. Stranger things happened every day.

  About the Author

  Shelley Munro lives in Auckland, New Zealand. Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand speak for big overseas experience). A yearlong adventure lengthened to six years of roaming the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska, searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English pub.

  While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley is most likely found in front of her computer following another love, that of writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching rugby (strictly for research purposes), cycling, walking, and curling up with a good book.

  For more information on other books by Shelley, visit the author at her official website: www.ShelleyMunro.com

  Also by This Author

  The Bottom Line, Samhain Publishing

  Tea For Two, Samhain Publishing