Blurring the Lines (Men of the Zodiac)

by Marisa Cleveland

  “Or my place.”

  Her lips rounded into a perfect “O.” Then, she grabbed his hand and said, “I’m ready.”

  He laughed. He’d been ready since the first moment she said his name.

  He said, “So am I.”

  Kira concentrated on breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. After they left the building, Blake drove her to a pretty fancy part of town. The twenty-minute ride offered plenty of opportunity for her to change her mind while she sat silently focusing on deep breaths. The light buzz she’d had at the party was long gone, and she’d only had two drinks to begin with.

  Her brain kept creating images, anticipating what was to come. At a red light, she slid a glance sideways and caught him smiling at her, and feeling shy, she lowered her gaze.

  He placed his hand on her thigh. “This isn’t very professional.”

  “I’m not feeling professional right now.”

  His brow wrinkled when he said, “Are you comfortable? With this?”

  After weeks of aching for him, she wanted something to happen between them, especially if he was initiating. Her only thought was how quickly she could get him out of that Superman T-shirt. “I’m very uncomfortable.” He frowned, and she touched the side of his mouth. “This shirt is too confining.” She slipped one of the buttons out of place, and smiled when his gaze lowered to her cleavage.

  “I’d hate for you to be uncomfortable.” He swallowed and looked back at the road. “You look really good in that Lois Lane costume.”

  “You’ll look better out of that Superman shirt.”

  With the windows down and scent of the ocean, she felt alive. Free.

  She blew out a breath. She was nervous. It had been too long since her last time, and she hated to admit that her last lover definitely spoiled her when it came to generosity between the sheets. She’d been sad to see him go, but he’d proven it wasn’t her but her connections that mattered. At least with Blake, if he initiated things, it wasn’t for any reason other than him wanting her.

  He cleared his throat. “Okay. Usually this is when you say something more.”

  “More? Like what?” What else could she say? Her actions spoke volumes.

  “Like, do you want to talk about this?”

  He wanted to talk about this? The fact that she was in his car and they were clearly adults and heading somewhere to be adults. And then a light clicked on in her head and she laughed. “Okay, fine, Blake. I’ll say it. I was wrong.”

  “Excuse me?”

  She threw her hands up in the air and let them drop to her sides. “Oh my gawd. You’re going to make me say it. Fine. Fine! I was wrong. I said I didn’t want to sleep with you, but I do. I’m in your car. I’m dressed like Lois Lane, and you’re wearing—that adorable Superman shirt. You win. You’re irresistible.”

  “Considering that’s the furthest thing from what I expected you to say, I think I’ll just keep focused on the road.”

  “What did you think I’d say?”

  “I was just wondering if you wanted to know where this is going.”

  “Blake, you’re adorable. I know what this is, and I—well, let’s just”—she shrugged—“see where this takes us?”

  They passed by the gated guardhouse, and as she read the sign, The Ambrose, a whole flood of memories from her childhood etched in her mind. He lived in a gated community where the residents banked over a million a year, easily. As they drove deeper into the development, she noticed the impeccable landscaping. Not one blade of grass was out of place.

  Side roads led to large estate homes and some charming two-story villas. Straight ahead, under an impressive arch, a high-rise filled the horizon. Blake drove toward it, veering right and then into the garage underneath the facade.

  He parked his SUV in a spot with a Reserved sign and placed his hand on her thigh. “Wait here.”

  While her skin flamed where he’d touched her, he hopped out and strode around the back. Kira almost disobeyed, but she found a certain charm in Blake’s chivalry. When he opened the door, she swiveled sideways and looked into his face as her skirt rose dangerously up her leg.

  As she’d hoped, his eyes widened slightly. Just enough to give her the confidence to confirm he was interested and this was leading exactly where she hoped it would lead. This flirtation was all so silly, really, when they were both adults and both wanted the same thing. A few hours of blissful physical enjoyment.

  He slipped his hand in hers. “Come on.”

  She glanced around purposefully. “I’m impressed.”

  “With the parking garage?”

  “That you brought me here.” Why a gated community with mansions and high-rise condominiums and lakes with fountains and a golf course? She’d assumed he lived in a townhouse by the beach or somewhere closer to the buzz of downtown. Who was he really?

  “Where else would I bring you?” He slipped her hand through the crook of his arm and led her toward the elevator.

  It all felt so charming, like they were returning home after a date, when they hadn’t ever really had one, and she swallowed her hesitation. She didn’t want to think about possibilities. They were temporary, and she was one in a long line of women to hold his arm. But as they entered the elevator, and he slipped his key into the space marked “Penthouse” she couldn’t help but fear the feelings bubbling inside her. Perhaps going home with him had been a bad idea. “I don’t know. I did suggest the office. Maybe a hotel.”

  His fierce gaze pinned her in place, and when he spoke, shivers danced along her body. “This isn’t a hotel kind of encounter.”

  “Oh.” She paused. He surprised her with his sentiment. Did he really mean it? How many other women had he impressed by bringing them to his fancy penthouse? To lighten her serious thoughts, she teased, “But you didn’t rule out the office.”

  “No. I didn’t.” He tugged on her wrist. She leaned into him and had just enough time to catch the intention in his eyes before his mouth descended upon hers.

  Warm, soft, and powerful, his lips shot tingles down to the depths of her stomach, and this, this uncontrollable surge of longing, hit her right there. He kissed her as he backed her up against the wall. The way his mouth moved over hers had her forgetting how she’d been so sure she wouldn’t want to sleep with him. He gripped the back of her neck, tangling his fingers in her hair, and she inhaled his delicious, seductive scent. When his tongue swept over her lips, she heard him groan. She let her hands roam, up his arms, over his broad shoulders, and across the wide expanse of his chest, over the smooth fabric preventing her from touching his skin.

  The weight of him held her captive, and when he stretched her arms above her head and clasped them in one of his large palms, she arched into his chest.

  Everything came into focus. The whole reason she’d been at loose ends stemmed from not having direction. With Blake, she finally had a goal. He had no idea what he did for her self-esteem or the wild thoughts in her head, but ever since she’d knocked into him and decided to fight for something—her mom’s vision for the community—she finally felt like she was making progress. She could do this.

  She kissed him back with all the desire and longing she’d held inside over the past two months, but with her hands pinned above her head, she couldn’t touch him the way she wanted. She needed to feel his body, rub her hands over his skin, but he held her firmly in place, and when his free hand ran up her stomach to cup her breast, she moaned.

  The elevator doors dinged open, but instead of releasing her, he wrapped an arm around her back and lifted her into him, carrying her to his door without breaking contact.

  Kira had never really thought about those scenes in the movies when the couples made out on elevators and fell through the doors still tangled together, but now, with Blake’s powerful gait taking them into his foyer, she shivered from the anticipation and the sheer desire of him as he deepened their kiss. He kicked shut the door and then set her on a table or a ledge of something in the foyer, a
nd with one swift motion, lifted the button-up blouse over her head, slid the straps over her shoulders, unclipped her black strapless bra, and exposed her breasts.

  She laughed. “That was efficient.”

  “You did say that shirt was uncomfortable.” He licked his lips and then cupped her breast, brushing his thumb over the nipple, pouring liquid fire through her entire body.

  She resisted the urge to cover herself with her hands and instead reached for his shirt. She grabbed and tugged, but the buttons held firm. Her fingers pinched them through the holes and mercilessly yanked the fabric apart. A faint smile hit her lips at the sight of the Superman T-shirt, but he wasted no time dragging it over his head. When she could finally touch his exposed chest, she ran her fingers over the fine hair scattered over the hard planes of the muscles. He was built for power, and she clutched on to his biceps, felt the muscles between her own thighs clench, and gave a triumphant laugh at the way just touching him could elicit such a physical reaction from her.

  Without a care for what her words meant, she said, “I have been aching to do this since I landed on you.”

  He grabbed her by the arms, lowered his head to her neck, and licked. “Delicious.”

  As his mouth trailed hot kisses over her collarbone to the tip of her nipple, she lost her grip on everything but the way he made her feel. “Oh yes.”

  He ran his hand up her thigh, lifting her skirt. His fingers hooked over her panties, and with one tug, they slid down her legs.

  Through the haze of desire, she sank against him while his hands explored her exposed skin. She wanted this man desperately. His energy, his commanding power. And she wanted his hands on all her sensitive parts. His touch ignited fires over every inch of her skin, and she wanted the feeling to go on and on.

  The heat tingled over her chest and down her stomach. Nothing else mattered but the heat of his mouth over hers and the dizzying effect his touch had on her body. Rocking into him, she undid the belt, buckle, and zipper of his pants. Using her heels to hook the sides, she shoved his pants to his ankles. He kicked out of his loafers and stepped out of the pants.

  They wouldn’t even make it past the foyer. She’d have him right here, and she couldn’t imagine wanting anything more than to feel him pressing into her.

  Until her back hit the light switch and the light flicked on. The reality of the situation flashed in front of her eyes, and the conversation in the car hit her squarely in the chest. It wasn’t just about seeing where this went tonight. It would be about how they faced each other in the office on Monday.

  She blinked and slid off the side table. “Blake.”

  He released her, and she heard him sigh. “I’ve lost you.”

  Amid the relaxed Key West décor, beachy and definitely so completely opposite his uptight work persona, she recalled the real reason why Blake even knew she existed. The building. The contract. How many secretaries had hoped to be in her exact location, and how many had he fired for such advances? She might be having fun with the temporary gig, but if she forgot for one moment what usually happened to women who overstepped their place in the office…

  Kira wanted to express the thoughts flooding her mind, but she couldn’t clarify them. How was she supposed to ask if he intended to let her go like he had the others? She didn’t figure that he’d bring her here, sleep with her, and then renege on their deal, but… “Your rule.” She whispered the final words like they were dirty and waited until comprehension lit his honeyed gaze.

  A strange warmth flooded her as he wrapped her in his arms. “What rule?”

  “You’re against workplace dating.”

  He cursed under his breath. She’d been staring at the floor, and then he was in front of her, his thumb brushing over her cheek. The heat from his bare chest warmed her, and as he uncrossed her arms, he said, “You know what they say about rules, right?”

  She saw the desire in his eyes and hoped he meant something about breaking them. When he opened the side table’s drawer and pulled out a pad of sticky notes, she asked, “What are you doing?”

  “Rules are meant to be broken, and I’m looking for a pen so I can write down on paper how certain I am I want to break them.” He continued to shove around items in the drawer.

  “I have one in my purse.” She unsnapped her clutch and handed him a pen.

  He took it and read the inscription. “The Fresh Bean. Nice.”

  “It’s my favorite one.”

  “Thief.”

  “Rule breaker.”

  He scribbled something almost illegible, and she grinned when she read it. Both parties, by signing this sticky note, do hereby agree to mix business with pleasure.

  After signing and dating the sticky, he handed her the pen. She signed it and then with a playful little smile, she slid out of her skirt, standing naked except for her heels under the chandelier. “Trick or treat.”

  Blake’s gaze followed the fabric to the floor, and he groaned. “You’re killing me.”

  Before she could respond, he grabbed her and anything she might have mumbled disappeared when his mouth covered hers, warm and with just enough force to cause her to forget the foyer décor.

  “I’m taking you to bed. Right now.” He covered one hand over her eyes. “You can look around later.”

  She let him steer her forward to the left, around something, and then her heels stopped clicking and she could tell this room had plush carpet. He removed his hand. She blinked. He scooped her up and spread her on the bed, and as she fell, she hoped she’d remember this was just temporary in the morning.

  “Now, where were we?” He nudged open her legs and braced one hand on either side of her head.

  “Yes.” Kira nodded, unable to think of a single thing to say besides yes.

  Blake’s gaze trapped hers for a moment and then his mouth curved in a devilish smile. “Stay.”

  She obeyed as his tongue trailed between her breasts and over each nipple, shocks of electric pleasure sending currents rushing through her. When his tongue reached her core, she arched and gasped, her hands automatically reaching for his head. The suction on her sensitive flesh shot stars behind her eyes, and as she panted, she begged, “Take me. I need you inside me.” She clutched on to him and begged. “Please. Now.”

  He slipped on a condom and took his time as he entered her, inch by inch. She wanted to thrust her hips to rush him, but he placed one open palm on her lower abdomen and pinned her in place. Wiggling didn’t help, and he apparently decided to ignore her pleas.

  With an evil grin, he said, “Don’t rush this.”

  She growled, an aggravated sound that turned into more gasping as the tight ache climbed to an unbearable torture. “Please.”

  He must have sensed her desperation, because he chose exactly the right moment to increase his speed, pumping into her with long strokes and reaching between them to rub the sensitive flesh. She screamed his name, her muscles flexing wildly, until all the energy drained from her body. With the heated rush still subsiding, Blake continued to glide into her and work his fingers along her exposed skin.

  The air caught in her lungs, and even having just come with so much force, the building pressure caught her off guard. Within moments, Blake tensed and his body jerked, and then a second orgasm tore through her, leaving her breathless and shocked that she’d just experienced the infamous multiple orgasm.

  She collapsed against the pillows and stared at the ceiling. “That was—” She covered her face with her hand.

  He slid out of her, and she wanted to protest but couldn’t find the energy. Instead, she listened to the water run and her stomach rumble.

  He exited the bathroom and positioned himself between her thighs, his head by her stomach. “Hungry?”

  As if on cue, another grumble sounded. “Guess so.”

  She closed her eyes but felt the mattress move as he shifted his weight. “Stay here. I’ll find us snacks.”

  Too curious to stay put, she hopped out
of bed and followed the lighted hallway to the kitchen. He looked up, an adorable but guilty expression on his face, and as she registered his closed mouth, puffed cheeks, and hint of laughter, she glanced at the counter and saw an open sleeve of coconut macaroons.

  From the beginning, Blake had managed to surprise her, acting out of character from the image she’d had of the CEO in her head, and this food-foraging Blake was no exception. She joined him at the counter and pinched a macaroon between her thumb and index finger. “These are my favorite. Just so you know.”

  She meant to pop the entire cookie into her mouth, but before she could, he snatched it and put half in his mouth, offering her the other half with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

  She had to rise on her toes to take her treat, and when their lips collided, she closed her eyes and moaned, rocking into him. “Delicious.”

  He licked his lips and then kissed his way from her mouth to her neck and back to her breasts. She dug her fingers through his hair, arching into his hot mouth, and begging him to suck harder.

  When his hands cupped her ass and lifted her to the counter, she squeaked and spread her legs, allowing him easy access to her already moist flesh. He wiggled his eyebrows as he told her to pass him a macaroon.

  “What?” She giggled.

  Without waiting for her to comply, he leaned into her, forcing her back until he stretched over her enough to slide the sleeve closer to him. “You’re so sexy when you laugh like that.”

  “You’re just plain sexy.”

  He took the cookie and crumbled bits on her thighs and in between her legs. The sprinkles looked like sugar crumbs, and she tried to figure out just how exactly she could pay him back with something similar. Then, his tongue lapped at her flesh, and she lost all thought and just felt. With unabashed pleasure, she spread her legs as he licked his way to her most sensitive spot, and with the granules manipulating her tender bud, she came with a fierce growl that had her bucking against him and then lying back seeing stars.