Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Other Books By Harmony Raines
Christmas Curves
***
All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.
This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.
© 2013 Harmony Raines
Silver Moon Erotica
Kindle Edition
Chapter One
Anita stood at the door waiting for the taxi. She checked her reflection nervously for the hundredth time and still was not confident with what she saw.
However, she hoped Stan from IT would be pleased. After all, he had been very friendly to her since her computer had crashed last week. He had come down to check everything was OK twice since he had fixed it, and lingered much longer than necessary. Anita took it as a sign he was interested in more than her hard drive.
Tonight she was going to test that theory, it was the office Christmas party and perhaps, with a little Dutch courage, she would be able to ask him to dance, and more.
For Anita these were brave thoughts, she was normally a very insecure person. Often picked on because of her weight, her curves a constant source of teasing while she had been at school. To make matters worse she had grown up in a foster home, and had never found a supportive adult to tell her it was OK to be herself.
No mother had ever comforted her and told her everyone was different. The too tight clothes, often from a thrift shop or else hand me downs, had not helped either. So these days she found a great delight in shopping for lovely clothes that flattered her figure, instead of making her bulge in places she should not. Tonight she had taken extra care, for the sake of Stan, who she hoped might save her from a lonely Christmas.
Having only moved to the city four weeks ago, when she landed a job with fantastic opportunities, she had not had time to make many friends. The girls in the office were polite, but not very friendly to her, she thought they simply needed time to get used to her, but it all made her feel very lonely.
The thought of another Christmas alone was bearable, but she longed to find someone special to share her life with. Not that she hated being on her own, there were many times as a child when she had learned her own company was much better than that of other kids that might be staying in the same foster home. Some were great, many were mean, and they came and went, passing through in a continuous stream. There never seemed to be the opportunity to make long-standing friendships.
Moving to the city had given her the chance to make a new start, create a new life for herself, and that was not going to happen if she did not socialise, so the party had become a big thing in her head. She now hoped she would get through it without making a fool of herself with Stan. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, nothing ventured nothing gained.
A beep from a car horn told her the taxi had arrived. Taking a deep steadying breath, she went out, carefully locking the door behind her. An appreciative glance from the driver told her she looked at least halfway decent, and that was enough for now.
The short journey did nothing to soothe her nerves, she kept picturing Stan, smiling at her while he flirted, only to laugh at her when he realised she had taken him seriously. Over and over the scene repeated, until the taxi pulled up in front of the building and she got out, feeling sick with apprehension.
Maybe she should just pretend they were friends, that she had not noticed his extra visits. Play hard to get, but she did not want to throw away this chance to show him she liked him too, or at least liked the idea of having someone special.
Anita tucked that thought to the back of her mind, trying in vain to ignore it, although it was persistent. She knew deep down that Stan was not her type, he was too flashy and self-centred, she had acknowledged that about him at their first meeting, but right now, she was in love with the idea of being in love.
The idea that there was someone special waiting for her at the end of the day, especially Christmas Day appealed to her. However, as she walked up to the party she had to choke back tears, this romance was over before it had even started. Anita had spent her life being true to herself, of relying on herself, to chase after Stan would be wrong when she had no real feelings for him.
Going into the party with a heavy heart, she almost turned around and went home, she was not in the mood for fun now. She had already spoilt her hopes for the evening.
Yet as she walked in, and saw Rochelle in Stan's arms, she was suddenly relieved she had given up her fantasy of being with him. To Anita the whole thing became clear; Stan had not been coming down to see her. He had used her as an excuse to get closer to Rochelle, the office flirt. Well those two definitely suited each other.
Anita went to get a drink, perhaps she could get away with only staying for an hour. If she did the rounds and said hello to people, they would remember she had been here. No one would miss her later, because no one really paid her that much attention. She had always been the kind of person who simply faded into the background.
Two drinks later she had mingled and spoken to most of the people in her office, an early evening seemed so close. She went to the bathroom to freshen up, and to call a taxi, away from the noise of the party. It was while she was in there she made a mistake that she knew instantly would come back to bite her.
“Hello, Anita.”
Anita turned around to see Rochelle standing at the door. She was swaying slightly, the effects of too much alcohol.
“Hi, Rochelle. You look like you’re enjoying yourself.” Anita spoke brightly, although she had a bad feeling about the way Rochelle was smirking.
“Have you come in here to hide?”
“Hide?” Anita was confused.
“Yes. You really thought Stan was interested in you, didn’t you?”
Taken aback by Rochelle's words, for a moment Anita did not know what to say. “Not at all, why would I?”
“Because he kept coming down to see you, or rather me. You were his cover, because he knew no one would think he was really interested in you.”
Rochelle's words hurt Anita badly, but she had heard it all before.
“I thought he was just being nice, no more.”
Rochelle started to giggle. “Don’t lie; he said you were a sad virgin who lapped up all the attention because you’ve never had a man.”
In her mind, Anita started to count to ten, willing herself not to cry. “That’s a very cruel thing to say, I thought Stan was better than that.” Then she took a deep breath and told a lie, something she had never done before. However at this point she was so sick of being on her own, and unloved, she wanted Rochelle to think she was different from the person she really was. “Anyway, I have a boyfriend. I was simply being nice to Stan, I felt sorry for him.”
Rochelle's face clouded over, and Anita knew she had a hit a nerve. “Sorry for Stan? Why?”
“Well he seemed so desperate. I’m so glad he’s got you, I hated to think of him being on his own.”
“Desperate?”
Anita knew she would rot in hell for being a bitch, but she was so fed up with being treated this way by women who thought that looks were the only thing that counted.
“Yes. You know, an IT nerd who n
eeded a date.”
Stan was not exactly a nerd, in fact, he was quite good looking, and he had a nice smile, but it made Rochelle stop and think about Stan, and whether he was good enough. It just proved what a shallow person she was.
“Well, I like him.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Now if you'll excuse me I’m going back to the party.” Anita just wanted to get away from Rochelle. She was feeling uncomfortable with the whole thing; it was so out of character for her.
Rochelle turned to look in the mirror, and checked her make up. Anita pulled the door open and was about to leave when her voice called out, “If you have a boyfriend, why isn't he here with you?”
Anita's pause was just long enough for Rochelle to scent the lie Anita had told. “You don’t have one, do you?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then where is he?” Rochelle asked again, now turning to face Anita who could not help but flush red.
“He’s working late.”
Damn, thought Anita, she would have been better to say he lived in another city, that way she would not be asked to present him like some trophy at tonight's festivities.
“When does he get off work? Surely he will be early enough to join you sometime this evening?”
“I’ll text him to find out.” She pulled out her phone and began texting, opening the door and going out into the corridor, her brain frantically trying to find a way out of this stupid situation she had lied herself into.
Unfortunately, Samantha, one of Rochelle's friends was heading down the corridor towards her. Rochelle appeared behind Anita and she knew she was cornered.
“Hi, Samantha. Anita was just texting her boyfriend to see if he can join us later.”
“Anita has a boyfriend?” Samantha did nothing to hide the astonishment in her voice.
Anita wanted to cry, this had been a dream job for her, and she had hoped she would get on with the people in the office. Now with one stupid lie she had managed to destroy any hope she had of her co-workers accepting her. There was no way she could conjure up a boyfriend, not for tonight, not for any night. Why was she so stupid?
Trying to think clearly through her mounting panic she held her phone up, pretending she could not get a signal.
“I can’t seem to send it.”
Rochelle sniggered, “Of course you can’t. Messages to fantasy land are notoriously hard to send.”
Samantha giggled too. “Is he an elf or a fairy?”
“Very funny.” Anita wanted to cry, but she refused to let these two women see her tears. “I’ll try down here.”
She walked off towards the offices at the far end of the corridor, the sound of Samantha and Rochelle giggling in her ears. It was only when she was sure they were bored with waiting and had headed back to the party that she opened one of the doors. Anita rushed in blindly, tears filling her vision.
Resting her back against a desk, she let her pent up anger and frustration out. She was furious with herself for being so stupid; this could spoil everything she had worked so hard for. Coming here was supposed to be a fresh start, and she had ruined it. Big racking sobs left her struggling to breathe; she groped in her bag for a tissue, but could not find one.
“Here, use this.”
Anita jumped away from the desk, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand like a child. She had no idea there was anyone else in the room when she came in, she felt a fresh surge of shame at someone witnessing her breaking down like this.
Wiping her eyes enough to make out a man dressed in a business suit standing by the edge of the desk, she tried to get control of herself so she could apologise for barging in on him. It did not work, these flood gates wanted to stay open. Another sob escaped her, and he pressed the handkerchief into her hand.
“Surely it can’t be that bad?” he asked soothingly.
She took a big shuddering breath. “You have no idea.”
“Then why don’t you try me.”
“No, I’m too embarrassed.”
“Ahh, so I guess it has to do with a man. Boyfriend trouble?”
She managed a shaky smile. “Not in the way you think.”
“So your boyfriend hasn't got drunk and done a strip tease in front of the office staff then?”
“No.” She almost giggled but hiccuped instead, making him smile.
“Well, that's always a good thing. Boyfriends that strip in public are never worth it.”
She took his handkerchief and wiped away her tears, noticing her make up was coming off with it. She must look a terrible mess, but he did not seem to mind.
Now her eyes were clear she took a good look at him, and nearly forgot to breathe. He was one of the best looking men she had ever seen, dark looks with eyes that shone with humour. Under his well cut suit she knew he would have a body of a god too, the way he held himself gave him away.
“I’m sorry to have disturbed you,” she said, pushing herself away from the desk and heading for the door.
He was quicker than she was; he placed himself in front of the door, blocking her exit. “Not so fast. Take your time to get yourself together, and please tell me what's wrong. A beautiful woman like you shouldn't be crying alone when there's a party going on.”
“Please don’t tease me. I’ve had enough of that tonight.”
“So that's the problem. Your boyfriend has been teasing you?”
“No, he hasn't. Please let me go.”
“But your boyfriend has upset you in some way?”
“No.” She sighed and then admitted, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“OK. I’m confused. I thought you said you were upset because of your boyfriend.”
“Not exactly. You see I told a little white lie.”
He leaned towards her in a very co-conspirator kind of way. The closeness of his body next to hers made her react in ways she had only dreamed of. This reaction was what she had wanted to feel with Stan, and it was this lack of arousal that had made it clear Stan was not the one for her.
However the thought of this hunk of a man standing in front of her, holding her and kissing her. Now that made her heart thump wildly, and a heat creep through her body until she felt a slick wetness between her thighs. Only when she lifted her eyes to look into his did she realise how turned on she was, and that he knew it.
“Tell me,” he breathed in a hypnotic tone.
“I told a co-worker I had a boyfriend.”
“And you don’t?”
She shook her head, lowering her eyes so she did not have to see the judgement in his eyes. His finger touched the sensitive skin under her chin and lifted her face up to his. As his firm finger slid across her skin, she trembled at this close contact. All she could think of was if he made her feel like this with only one finger, what would it be like to lie naked next to him and feel the length of his body pressed against hers.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear that,” he said.
“W…what?” she said, sounding like an imbecile.
“That you don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Why?” Yes, she still sounded like an idiot.
“Because I wouldn’t want to lead you astray in any way, but I am determined to have you in my bed.”
Anita burst out laughing. “OK. Who put you up to this? Was it Stan?”
“I have no idea who Stan is, and I can guarantee no one put me up to this. But don’t worry I don’t mean to take you right now.”
Still laughing at his words she said, “Wow. That’s so good to know. Now why don’t you let me go? You have cheered me up, and now it’s time I went out and faced the music so to speak.”
“I will let you go if you tell me why you lied about having a boyfriend. Was it to fend off the advances of a co worker?”
“No. It was because I was fed up with other people thinking there was no way I would ever have a boyfriend.”
“I see, not all people appreciate the curves of a woman.” He ran his hand down her arm, and she
shivered under his touch, a hunger for him to touch her further, threatened to devour her senses. “Nor do they appreciate the fullness of breasts such as these.” His hand cupped her breast, and his thumb slid over her nipple, that had hardened at his words.
For a moment, she thought her knees would give out, that she would end up falling into his arms. However, she managed to remain standing and step away from him.
“I have no idea who you are, but I really need to leave.” Anita felt a sudden rush of panic. If he could see what he was doing to her he might think he was onto a sure thing. However, there was no way she was going to give herself to a complete stranger, no matter how tantalising a prospect that was.
He stepped away from the door, and turned the handle to open it for her. She went out into the corridor, more than a little sad to be leaving him; he was even more delicious to look at in the brighter light.
“One moment.” He took the handkerchief from her and ran it under her eye, tidying her smudged make up. “There, much better.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at him. “You've been very kind. I am sorry I interrupted you.”
“I’m not, not at all. You've brightened up a very dull evening.” He paused, and then as an after thought said, “Why don’t I come with you to the party?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll come as your boyfriend. Then they will never find out you lied.”
The idea was so tempting, but it was simply making the lie even bigger.
“Come on. You look as though you need a bit of fun, and I’m sure your co-workers could do with a lesson in eating humble pie. What do you say?”
“It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. They'll never believe someone like me could date someone like you.”
“Then let’s make them believe it.”
Chapter Two
Knowing the whole thing was madness Anita still went along with it. She could not tell if it was because she wanted to see the faces of everyone at the party when she walked into the room with a man as handsome and so definitely out of her league. Or whether it was because she simply wanted to prolong her time in the company of a man who made her feel like a real woman.
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