Starting Over

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Starting Over Page 21

by Erin Cristofoli


  A giggle escaped me. “Please try. I don’t want any office whispering to start about us.”

  He laughed lightly. “Kate, we spend almost ninety-nine percent of our work days together. Are you really worried about the office gossip, when you probably don’t know any of the other employees all that well?”

  I blushed, suddenly uncomfortable. “I don’t want history to repeat itself.”

  He kissed me again. “That won’t happen.”

  I nodded, not completely convinced. I would have to take his word on it… for now.

  With one last kiss, Ben slipped out the door.

  Sunday almost killed me. It was the first day in what seemed like forever that Ben was completely absent from my life, and I was going through serious withdrawal.

  “Hello?” Jen’s voice, muffled from what I guessed was probably her pillow. I knew that my dear friend would not have been out of her bed at that hour, but I needed distraction. She was going to have to be it.

  “Good morning, sunshine!” I tried for the extra chipper approach; maybe that way she would remember that she loved me and didn’t want to strangle me in my sleep. I heard movement but no response to my comment.

  Then she groaned loudly, “Why? Why on earth do you love to torture me?”

  I couldn’t help giggling at my friend’s dramatics. “I’m sorry, Jen. I really am, but I am going crazy here, and it’s entirely your fault.

  “And why would that be?” she mumbled.

  “Because Friday night and again yesterday, I slept with Ben.”

  “WHAT?!?!” she shrieked, clearly wide awake at the news. My poor ears would never be the same.

  “Yup.”

  “Meet me downstairs in twenty minutes. You are buying me breakfast, and then when I have a coffee in my hand, you are going to spill on what the hell is going on and why you didn’t tell me immediately that it was.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  I don’t think I had ever known Jen to get ready so fast for anything. She was there in the twenty minutes as promised, and another ten minutes later, we were seated at a little diner, coffee being poured in front of us.

  Jen’s eyes danced wickedly. “All right, spill it, woman. Ben??”

  I sighed deeply. “Ugh, Jen, it’s so complicated. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.”

  She laughed at me. “Pretty sure you were thinking with your lady bits for a change. The way I see it, it’s not that complicated. You like him, and he has the hots for you, too – that’s for damn sure.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, collecting my thoughts. “I know I like him, Jen. I’m just so afraid of being hurt again. I can’t shake it.”

  “What happened?”

  “He couldn’t give me a ride home because his car was stuck in traffic, but it was nice out for a change, so we decided to walk. Just a short way from his place, a car hit a puddle and drenched me. I was just going to carry on, but he refused to let me. He invited me, or more like forced me, to come up so he could dry my clothes for me.”

  Jen’s eyebrow rose immediately. “So you slept with him to say thanks?”

  “Oh, God no! You know that is not me at all. He gave me a change of clothes, albeit skimpy, but he could have easily left me naked, I suppose.”

  “Sounds like you ended up naked anyways.” Jen snickered.

  “Jen! Do you want the rest of the story or not?” She nodded and motioned a zipping of her lips. I sighed and continued. “He gave me a warm and super spiked drink, and I lounged by the fire. This led to that, and before I realized, he had completely seduced me. I’m sure I don’t need to give you all the intimate details, as I am very sure that your dirty little mind can come up with that all on your own.”

  Jen actually looked disappointed, I realized, so I shook my head at her. “Fine, but at least tell me how it was. You can’t drop this bombshell and then not tell me anything.”

  I blushed deeply. “It was… he was… wow.” I had been reduced to a stammering, pathetic mess.

  “So what happened then?”

  “I left him… before he woke yesterday.”

  “WHAT?!?” Jen shrieked, for the second time that morning.

  “Would you shush! I’m not sure the whole diner needs to hear everything. I kind of freaked out, and I wasn’t sure if it was going to end up being a one night stand. The last thing I wanted was to stick around and end up feeling all awkward.”

  “Wait, I am pretty sure you said you were with him yesterday, too.”

  ”He showed up at my door not long after I had gotten home.”

  “And?” she asked, motioning for me to continue.

  “He was angry.”

  “Well, duh, I could have told you that.”

  I rolled my eyes at her. “Anyway, he said some stuff…”

  Jen cut me off, “And then he fucked you senseless?”

  “Pretty much.” I sighed. Visions of the last two days ran through my mind, heating my cheeks.

  “That’s my girl! Finally, you have let yourself loose from the stranglehold you have had around your own neck! I hope you enjoyed the shit out of it.”

  I laughed in spite of her comment; I wasn’t strangling myself. “I did. He stayed for most of the day yesterday. It was just another day spent with Ben, except it wasn’t, ya know?”

  She grinned at me. “I knew you two were going to work out just fine.”

  I shook my head. “I am not convinced of that exactly just yet. We’ll see.”

  “Nuh uh, Kate, don’t do that to yourself, not yet. You can’t just shut it all down before you get to know for sure whether or not it will work. You can’t keep doing that.” She grabbed my hand from across the table. “You need to promise me to keep that mind of yours open. I like him. You deserve happiness. Promise me, you won’t ruin it over nothing.”

  I nodded. “I promise.”

  My phone dinged, signaling a text. Ben. I read the text, a question about the presentation he had been working on, probably all night knowing him. I responded quickly and returned the phone to my purse.

  “Sorry, Jen. Work stuff.” She grinned at me. “What’s with the face?” I asked her, confused.

  “You should have seen yourself just now. You were all tense, practically holding your shoulders up to your ears, wringing your hands, and now, after hearing from Ben, you are a completely different person – relaxed and smiling. Girl, you have it bad!”

  I groaned loudly; customers glanced over at me, and I was instantly embarrassed. I shrunk down further into the booth, Jen watching me with amusement. “Seriously, Jen, what should I do about work?”

  “You said you two work pretty much exclusively with each other, right?” When I nodded, she continued. “Well, if I were you, I would run with it. Tease him, make him want you even more.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “Why on earth not? Who is going to find out? I am betting that Ben wouldn’t mind one little bit.”

  I thought about it for a while. Maybe Jen was right. “What happens if things don’t work out and I end up jobless?”

  “Oh, that’s easy. You become my roommate, like you were supposed to in the first place, you brat, and you find another job. Now, would you stop second-guessing and go after the guy already! Jeez!”

  I put my hands up in protest. “Okay, okay! When did you become so bossy?”

  “Sometimes, you need it, girl. Oh my God, I just had the best idea. Let’s go out and get you a new outfit for work tomorrow. Mr. Hot Stuff won’t know what hit him.”

  We paid and made our way outside, then decided that the boutiques on Queen Street would be the place to start the hunt. As we walked from store to store, I realized that I had really forgotten just how much I loved Jen. She had always been so supportive of me; she loved me, and I knew she would always be there for me. We were looking through racks of clothes when I had the urge to hug her, so I did.

  Jen laughed. “What was t
hat for?”

  I let her go and shrugged, returning to the racks. “You are an amazing friend, and I never tell you how much I appreciate you. That’s all.”

  “I love you too, hun.”

  A moment later, she handed me a dress. It wasn’t just a dress, though. It was an amazing dress, one that would probably knock Ben off his feet.

  “You have to try this on,” Jen told me, pushing me to the fitting rooms. When I emerged, Jen’s eyes widened. “You have to get that.”

  It really was perfect in every way. It was a knee-length piece in cobalt blue with a high neckline and capped sleeves. There was just enough of a scoop in the back that you could see the tops of my shoulder blades and my tattoo, if I wore my hair up, which I knew I would have to. The body was form-fitting, but it definitely wasn’t trashy. It was sensual enough without giving away too much. I gave myself a turn and nodded at myself. Yup, I had to have this. Looking at Jen, I grinned as she handed me another stack of clothes.

  “Doesn’t hurt to look for another couple of pieces while we’re here, right.”

  The morning turned into afternoon, and by the time we were finished, we were both laden down with bags. I knew my bank account was going to hate me for a while, but sometimes a girl just needed to splurge.

  Jen dropped me off and headed home for the night, and I spent the evening twirling in front of the mirror in my new clothes and thinking of Ben. I could not wait until the morning.

  Yesterday had been excruciatingly long. Way too many times to count, I’d picked up my phone to text or call Kate to tell her I was coming over, but I didn’t want to crowd her. I knew she was skittish, and I wanted to try and calm her fears however I could.

  Sitting at my desk, the sun had barely started to light up the morning sky. I had paced my floor all day yesterday and had gotten nothing, and I mean nothing, done on the presentation. I needed Kate so badly it was clouding my thought process.

  Sounds of movement began coming from Kate’s office after a while. I really hoped she’d had a difficult time without me, as well. Sitting back in my chair, I shook my head; I was turning into an emotional fool

  Reluctantly, I tried to ignore the urge to rush into her office. Returning to my computer, I tried to focus. A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on our adjoining door.

  “Ben?”

  I looked up, and all the breath left my body. “Fuck.”

  As Kate got closer, the image before me only got better and better. That blue dress was stunning on her. It left nothing to be desired, and had me instantly aching to touch her. Kate slowly leaned over my desk, just slightly, to place a coffee in front of me.

  “Wow, woman, you sure know how to knock a guy off his guard,” I stated, exhaling heavily.

  Kate blushed deeply. “Do you like it? Jen and I went shopping yesterday.”

  “Liking it probably isn’t exactly the right sentiment. You look fucking amazing.” I stood, my erection tenting my navy trousers, and pointed down. “You see just how much I like it, Kate?”

  I watched her eyes drift down for a look, her tongue darting out to moisten her lips. “Uh, yes, I can see that…” she replied distractedly, her eyes still not leaving my pants.

  I made my way around the desk to stand in front of her. “Were you trying to dress up for any particular reason? Or for someone?” I asked innocently, with just a hint of trouble behind it. After seeing her like this, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to hold back for the whole day, much less a minute longer.

  “Well, Jen picked it out, and I was in need of some new clothes anyway… maybe not quite as many, but it was a fun day.”

  I leaned in, noting the hitch in her breath, to whisper in her ear. “Be sure to thank Jen for me.” I feathered a kiss to her earlobe and trailed another down her neck. She moaned softly, and I knew, probably thanks to Jen, Kate was still on board with us being together. I pulled her up against me and pressed a very needy kiss on her lips. “I am trying to be good here at the office, Kate,” I mumbled against her mouth. She pushed her pelvis more firmly against my almost painfully hard bulge, moaning again.

  “I missed you yesterday, baby.”

  “I missed you too. I wondered all day what you were doing,” she answered truthfully.

  Good to know I had been on her mind, as well. “I was getting nothing done. Tell me, were you thinking about me when you bought this dress?” She nodded, blushing shyly. “Well, I definitely fucking approve. You should come over tonight. Fuck, I’m not going to last that long. You’re going to force me to take matters into my own hands again, woman. Do you know how crazy you make me?”

  Kate stepped back and out of my arms, and I quickly backtracked my words, wondering what I had said wrong, when she replied, “You don’t have to do that. I too have hands, you know… and a mouth.”

  I sputtered, my words lost. “You mean… I, uh… wow, do you mean… Kate, you don’t have to do any of that right now.” I reached for her, but she backed away, curling her finger, beckoning me to follow her. There’s no way I was about to pass that promising offer up.

  Kate pulled me behind my desk, where she sunk to her knees, a sight that almost sent off an explosion of a lifetime in my pants. “Fuck, Kate, this is better than any fantasy I’ve had about you kneeling before me.”

  She made quick work of my belt and pants, letting them fall and pool around my ankles. My boxer-briefs were close behind, and then she pushed me to sit in my chair, positioning herself between my legs.

  I hooked my finger under her chin, pausing her descent on my cock. “You don’t have to do this, Kate,” I reiterated. “I can take care of this myself.”

  Her face was completely relaxed. “I want to.” A look of concern crossed her face. “Unless you would rather I don’t.”

  How could I possibly want to fight her on this? What man wouldn’t agree to let her suck his cock? That thought didn’t sit well. It would be only me that got that privilege from now on, if I had any say in it.

  I dropped my hand to the arm of the chair. “Please, be my guest. But first, how hard would it be for you to lose the top half of that dress? I have been dying to get my hands, and mouth, back on those rock hard nipples.” Kate easily slipped her top half down, exposing a completely see-through lace bra. I could only imagine what her matching panties would look like. Her eyes shone with mischief as she tentatively licked my shaft from balls to tip, shooting what could only be described as an electric shock through my body. “Ah shit, Kate, I need that sweet mouth of yours all over me, baby.”

  It didn’t take her a second longer before I was deep in her mouth. Kate was good, too – not just good, amazing. Never had I ever gotten such good head. Her fingers wrapped around me and began to stroke me in time with her mouth; I was in heaven.

  And then the phone buzzed. I ignored it. Whoever it was could go jump in the lake. As soon as it stopped buzzing, it started buzzing again. Fuck. Really? Talk about the worst timing.

  Kate looked up at me. “Want me to stop so you can get that?”

  “Don’t even think about stopping, woman,” I growled at her. “Just be quiet for a minute, and I’ll see who the hell needs me so badly.” I grabbed my phone. “What?”

  The voice on the other end was Moira at the front reception desk. “Sir, I am sorry to bother you, but I was unable to reach Kate, and there is a client to see you. I hope it is all right that I just sent him along to your office.”

  Shit, shit, shit!

  “Thank you.” I practically slammed the phone on my desk. “Kate, you need to stop. A client is going to be at that door any second. You should get up and get back to your office.” I hastily pulled up my pants and managed to tuck in my shirt halfway, while Kate pulled up on her dress and realized she still had her bra in her hand, when there was the dreaded knock on the door.

  “Oh shit.” Kate fumbled with her dress, bra falling to the floor in her haste.

  “No time,” I mumbled. “Just a minute!” I called out.
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br />   Kate and I looked at each other. She rose her eyebrow at me, a smirk on her mouth and her eyes held a look of mischief. Her lips met mine briefly before I watched her crouch down to hide underneath my desk, shrugging at me as I stared at her.

  With no time left to change our positions, I swiftly sat down and pulled up to my desk, smoothing out my shirt and trying not to crush Kate under there in the process.

  The door opened right at that moment, and in walked Mr. Allen. Who stops by unannounced? “Good morning, Mr. Allen. What brings you to my neck of the woods? Please, have a seat.”

  Mr. Allen gave a friendly smile. “Sorry to drop in like this, Mr. Hyde, but I was in town and wanted to see how the presentation was going.”

  “No problem at all. It’s nice to see you again. Things are moving along well. Kate and I are working non-stop on your contract, Mr. Allen, and will have what I expect will be the perfect options set up for you and your company.”

  “Good, good. There were actually a couple more points I just wanted to touch base with you on, if you have a few moments more to humor this old man.”

  I nodded, but I heard nothing else that Mr. Allen was saying; I should have been ashamed. My first business practice was always to be completely attentive to each client. If I kept them happy, the more clients I would have and the better business I would run.

  However, at that moment, I had become acutely aware that Kate was only mere inches from my lap, and that quick little thought entering my foolish brain set my cock rising once more.

  Reaching discreetly under my desk to adjust myself, I felt Kate reach up and touch my hand, and what felt like her cheek against my knee. I had to bite my tongue to stop from cursing. This was one meeting I needed to be finished with… now.

  I was so completely cramped underneath the desk, but I dared not move for fear of being caught in such a compromising position. I hadn’t even had the chance to pull up my dress, never mind my bra, which lay crumpled beneath me. What I did have was a perfect view of Ben’s lap – more specifically, a hard-on in the making. As I watched it grow, my mouth began to water. I wanted to continue what we started only a few minutes before. I watched him reach down to try to relieve the pressure he must have been feeling, and I just couldn’t help myself; I decided I was going to help Ben out, like a naughty and seriously horny woman would do.

 

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