He lit a cigarette and walked away from his new apartment building. He had just moved to town and was still getting his bearings, so walking around at night served that purpose as well as clearing his head.
His departure from the Marines had been spotty, but in the end they had given him an honorable discharge which he greatly appreciated. Personal security was much more his speed, but he had to begrudgingly admit that his time in the service had provided him with the skills and the resume to get jobs. He had pictured something much more exciting than a stale corporate job. Head of security for some suit types was not his ideal gig, but it paid well and he had some debts to climb out of.
He had already made contact with a few old colleagues in the city, and was headed out to meet one of them for a drink. There were certain types he needed to be aware of in town and the other fellows like him were his best bet for scoping out the situation.
He knew he cut an imposing figure wherever he went. The hostess’s eyes at the bar went wide when he filled the doorway. She was a tiny young thing, and he had a feeling she would be fun, but it was time for business first. If she was still there when he finished, he might consider a little relaxation time with her. She looked like the squealing type and he loved that.
His friend, Stone, waved him over to a table in the dimly lit corner, and he squeezed his large frame into the wooden chair, sitting cautiously in case the chair gave way. A busty little waitress bounced over to them. Mac grinned at her when she stopped with her generous breasts at his eye level.
“What can I get you fellas?” she giggled.
“A double shot of yourself, if you don’t mind,” Stone was grinning hungrily at the girl too.
She giggled again, “Not on the menu, Sir, but peeks are free.”
She bent over to give them both a better look, and Mac felt a twitching under the fly of his black cargo pants. It had been too long since he’d had a nice bouncy roll in the hay, and her low-cut top and short shorts were evil reminders of that lack.
“Double Scotch, neat,” Mac rumbled deeply.
She cocked her head towards him and shifted her hips so that her tits jiggled nicely in her push up bra.
“Same,” Stone answered.
She bounced off, and they watched her round little ass sway as she disappeared around a corner.
“Damn,” Stone groaned. “Two rounds of that would set me happy.”
Mac chuckled, “You old pervert, she’s young enough to be your daughter.”
Stone punched him on the arm, “Asshole. I saw you looking too.”
“Yeah, but I’m better looking than you so no one would question it.”
The two old Marine buddies chuckled at their own humor.
She returned momentarily, still radiating bouncy temptation, and made sure to bend over generously when she set the drinks down. Mac felt his cock twitch again
Stone was still leering at the girl, “So... what do you have to eat around here?”
She flushed pink and giggled again without actually responding.
“Guess I have to go hungry,” Stone flippantly remarked to Mac once she left.
With the distraction gone, Mac and Stone settled into their drinks and their discussion. Stone gave him the rundown of what parts of town to avoid and what parts to visit for information. Mac described his limited knowledge of his new job. Stone just laughed at him.
“Seriously? You’re going to go babysit a whole bunch of stiffs for a living?”
“Hey man, don’t knock it ‘til you try it. They’re paying me a nice six figures plus they’ve covered my relocation expenses.”
“Geezus, can you hire me too?”
Mac laughed, “I haven’t even started yet, asshole, so no.”
After the second round of drinks, Mac decided to call it a night since his first day of work was the next day. Stone collected the phone number of the young waitress, so Mac stopped to chat with the hostess at the front. She giggled and fawned and easily gave up her number. Mac ran his large hand over her rounded little ass and squeezed firmly. She playfully swatted his bicep, and he just grinned down at her delicate little hand. He knew better than to take her home that night, but he would probably be back to that little joint and he would work it then.
He showered when he got home, letting the hot water stream over his smoothly shaven head and muscular back. It felt good to work out the kinks in his bulging biceps and thick neck. As he soaped, he kept picturing the giggly women from the bar. As his mind wrapped around their images, his hand wrapped around himself.
He pictured a nice, bubbly hot tub, no swimsuits, and both of them climbing all over him. He grunted loudly and sprayed against the opposite shower wall. Resting his forehead against the tiles, he rinsed off. When he slid between his sheets that night, he felt mildly more relaxed. But only to the extent that a starving man had been given a spoonful of white rice.
He needed some company and soon.
Chapter 3
Megan conferred with her assistant to finalize all of the arrangements for the retreat that upcoming weekend. Everyone would be working until lunch on Friday. Then they would all head up to the resort she had reserved. Even though it was only her senior staff attending the formal retreat, she gave the entire office the afternoon off; it only seemed fair.
She was only half looking forward to the outing. She was not one to let her hair down, ever. But it was inevitable that she would have to sometime during the weekend. A few months ago, she had attended a leadership conference and had learned all about team building. She had never put much stock into such activities, seeing them as a waste of time. But she’d learned ways that it could improve the bottom line and the company’s productivity. That had changed her way of thinking, and she had set her assistant to the task of planning something.
She was slightly apprehensive about meeting the new head of security, and felt off-kilter about having hired senior staff that she had never met. She trusted those who had hired him, but still, it did not sit well with her sense of control.
Matthew had been hinting around at another dinner ‘date’ but she kept putting him off. She knew he was getting too attached and continuing to see him would only give him the wrong idea, furthering those desires of his. She was not looking for any sort of long-term situation, and she knew he was.
“Megan?” he tentatively asked from her doorway.
“Yes, Matthew?” she kept her voice calm, cool, and professional.
“Here are those staffing numbers you wanted. Did you want to grab dinner tonight?”
“Ah, thank you for the report but I already have plans tonight.”
His handsome face fell, and she momentarily felt sorry for leading him on. He was pleasant to look at—short wavy dark hair, smiling blue eyes, and a firm jawline. Since she had seen him naked, she also knew that he was trim and toned without being bulky and overly muscular. He had the slim runner’s body. And there was nothing in particular that was off-putting about him, he just did not fit into her plan or what she had in mind.
“Perhaps we can have a drink at the retreat,” she offered to soften the blow.
He nodded and disappeared from her office.
They both knew that the staff knew, but no one ever said anything about their casual liaisons.
It was extremely rare for Megan to leave the office early, but she did so on Thursday afternoon to get ready for the trip. She kept her appointments at her favorite spa for a bikini wax, a manicure, and a pedicure, and afterwards stopped at a nearby deli for a quick dinner. Once she got home, she perused her closet and tried to determine which of her high-priced clothing would be most appropriate for a work outing in the mountains.
She had seen pictures of the facility, and it certainly was not rustic by any stretch. But she was torn between looking too professional for the setting and too casual for a boss. She finally decided on two pairs of snug jeans, a couple of nicely tailored sweaters, and a pair of riding boots as well as a pair of sneakers.
She also included a couple of semi-fancy dresses for the cocktails and dinners as well as a swimsuit and cover-up. It seemed like such a ‘first world problem’, but being an independently wealthy self-made woman did have its trials. After her toiletries were packed, she set the suitcase by the front door and headed to bed.
The next morning, she dressed for work as usual, and arrived spot on time. Looking around, she noticed very little being accomplished. It seemed no one had any plans to work for this half-day. Megan made a mental note to discuss this at a future staff meeting.
Promptly at noon, Megan was the first to depart, and the rest of the entire office emptied immediately after her. Her little red sports car made quick time up the mountain. She wanted to meet the head of security before she had an audience. If any red flags went off, she would be able to terminate him without making a public scene.
She parked via valet and allowed the porter to carry in her luggage while she kept her purse and her briefcase with her. Her assistant had booked her into the ‘honeymoon suite’, and the front desk attendant fawned all over her as she was checked in for the group.
“The remainder of my staff will arrive shortly. They will just need to tell you ‘Adams Realty’ to check in. Everything but incidentals are being covered by the company.”
“Thank you, oh thank you ma’am,” the young man fussed.
“I am expecting someone shortly. Can you please ring my room when he arrives?”
“Ma’am?”
“I. Am. Expecting. Someone.” She enunciated unnecessarily.
“Oh I know. He is waiting in your room.”
“Excuse me?”
“He said it was fine; that he was part of your staff.”
By the time Megan got to her room with her belongings, she was furious. She swiped the key card angrily and flung the door open to confront this jerk who had invited himself into her hotel room.
With the indignant rant on the tip of her tongue, she froze when she saw Mac rise from the loveseat in the corner of the room. Not only was he one of the largest men she had ever seen in real life, he was also one of the sexiest. From his shaved head and unnerving dark eyes across his broad shoulders, muscular, tattooed arms, all the way down to his black combat boots, he was an imposing figure. And she felt a tremble in her belly that she had never sensed before.
This man was trouble, and she was instantly in it up to her $400 black leather stiletto heels.
Chapter 4
Mac narrowed his dark gaze at his new boss and held back a chuckle when he realized where he had seen her before. She was the knockout blonde from the apartment building a few days before; the one who had only been inside for about an hour with the suit stiff and then disappeared in her chauffeured car.
He strode over to her with purpose and offered his large hand. He was impressed that she had paused when she walked into her own hotel room and found him, but she did not balk at his approach. Instead, she returned his firm grip with one of her own.
“Megan Adams,” she introduced herself cooly.
“Mac,” he replied, smiling wickedly.
“Do you want to explain to me why you let yourself into my room?” Megan got straight to the point, despite the pounding heart beneath her tailored blazer.
“I didn’t, the porter did,” Mac fired back.
Megan narrowed her green eyes at him and crossed her arms while she waited for a real answer. Mac was impressed that she was mostly unflappable. Unfortunately for Megan’s very near future, all that did was make Mac want to ‘flap’ her.
“I, ah, just figured that since we had not met yet, it might be better in private. Up here away from the eyes of the rest of your staff.”
She nodded. “Now that answer I can accept.”
She spun around on her pointy high heels and retrieved her luggage from the hallway. She could feel his eyes assessing her rear end as she walked, but tried not to give any indication that she knew he was checking her out. Her own heart was pounding beneath her full breasts, and she was confused by her corporeal reaction to this hulk of a beast. In no way was he her type. And yet, something deep in her belly was mumbling to her.
Megan shoved the feeling down and away, crushing it into a tiny ball. She was nothing if she did not maintain her self-control, and she was determined that she would not give in to something as petty and wasteful as lust.
With her purse perched on top of her suitcase, she wheeled her belongings into the room while Mac watched. With a pointed look at him, she rested the suitcase by the king-size bed and removed her jacket. She had forgotten how form-fitting the silk shell she’d worn underneath was. However, when Mac’s eyes widened at the sight, she was instantly aware of every curve on her own body.
His dark eyes quickly fell back to their natural narrowness. but she had seen it. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smirking, and made a stiff gesture to the couch.
“Shall we chat before the retreat begins?”
He nodded and dropped his muscular frame back onto the couch. She perched on the very edge as far away from him as she could get. He grinned at her roguishly which only made her stiffen her spine another degree.
“I understand you have some military experience,” she continued.
He nodded. “A few years in the service, and now private security.”
“What made you leave the service?”
“Difference of opinion, I guess you could say.”
She raised one eyebrow at him but asked no follow-up questions. He crossed his legs to mask the fact his cock was twitching at the sight of her full breasts pressing against the silk of her blouse.
“I suppose we should get downstairs to meet everyone else. It would be, ahem, unseemly for them to catch us up here,” Megan said smoothly as she rose to stand.
Mac grinned again, “Catch us doing what?”
He smiled victoriously when her cheeks turned pink and she whirled towards the door.
“We need to get going.” She clipped each word carefully.
He followed her out from a distance, mostly just to check out her rear view.
The rest of her senior staff was milling around the bar area when they arrived, and Matthew watched the two of them suspiciously. Megan introduced Mac around to the small group and let them get acquainted while she walked to the bar for a drink. She was pointedly aware that her silk blouse was still emphasizing curves that she did not normally display, but she tried to push that aside.
Matthew appeared next to her, standing close enough to be construed as possessive. She accepted her glass of white wine and stepped back from his proximity.
“Matthew, appearances,” she warned in a low voice.
He twisted his mouth sarcastically. “But it’s okay for you and he to be seen together?”
“We simply walked in together, that’s all,” she replied coldly.
He huffed his disapproval and disappeared back into the small group of coworkers.
Megan was left alone at the bar with her wine, and her thoughts. She leaned sideways against the bar, her pencil skirt stretching tightly against the curve of her hip. She pondered the feelings that Mac sparked in her and tried to rationalize them away.
Oh, I’m just horny. Matthew doesn’t really do it for me. Mac is all male and I just don’t encounter that on a regular basis. All male... He really is... Shaved head and bulging arms and dangerous eyes...Definitely not my type!
She snapped herself out of the reverie when she realized the very subject of her thoughts was standing in front of her.
“Don’t mingle much with the commoners?” his deep voice rumbled.
“Just thinking,” she replied vaguely.
“About what?” he pressed the issue.
“None of your concern,” she dodged.
He stared at her hard and smirked. “Sure boss, if you say so.”
Eventually he wandered off after studying her face for a few long moments, and the group migrated towards the dining hall of the resort.
She had fought her instincts to create a minute-by-minute itinerary for the weekend, and had settled on a halfway point between free time and scheduled activities.
The first night was more of a free night after dinner, to let people get comfortable and get acquainted outside the office. She hoped to spend some alone time in the hot tub, but was not counting on the opportunity.
Chapter 5
The dinner went nicely, with a delicious meal and plenty of wine. Afterwards, Megan slipped off to the bar to switch from wine to a mixed drink. She carried her tumbler full of vodka and cranberry back to her room with the hope of changing into a swimsuit and slipping into the hot tub for just a moment.
She was grateful that her room was on a different floor from the rest of the group, but realized that did defeat part of the purpose of the retreat. Slipping into a modest cobalt blue bikini, she threw a sundress on top. The vodka and cranberry were gone by the time she got back downstairs, and she stopped at the bar for a refill before heading out to the back patio.
The group seemed to have disappeared, and she sighed with relief. Slipping into the hot-tub, she lay her head back. With her sandals and sundress discarded, she wiggled her red-painted toes in the warm water and slid beneath the surface. Her blonde hair was still tidy in its perfect French twist, and she let the warm water absorb her tired body. Her drink seemed extra crisp as the cold liquid flowed through her.
Just as she laid her head back against the edge of the hot tub, she thought she heard rustling behind her. Since it was a public area at a public hotel, she did not think much of it other than being disappointed at losing her privacy.
“Howdy, Boss...” the deep voice rumbled.
Megan looked up to see Mac entering the water. He was wearing nothing but swim trunks, and all of the assumptions she had made about his physique appeared to be true. His broad shoulders accentuated his flat, hard pecs and bulging biceps, but it all narrowed to the perfect ‘V’ shape as his body disappeared underneath the waistband of his swimsuit. He settled his large frame opposite her and stretched out his long arms against the tiled edge of the hot tub.
Naughty Ladies! Spicy Romance Collection Page 14