by Kelly Myers
I consider his words and I want to believe him. But, the idea of us having a future together doesn’t seem plausible. Maybe he only wants a one-night stand.
Is that so terrible? a little voice asks.
This man makes me feel things I have never felt before. With Ben, sex was like a chore. Something that had to be done every so often and nothing I particularly looked forward to doing. Like dusting. Or, cleaning the toilet.
But, with Drew, all bets are off. My usual “let’s just get it over with” attitude is gone and now I find myself wondering what it would be like to feel his bare skin against mine. To be in his bed and feel him deep inside me.
I take a sip of the French martini and lean back in Drew’s arms. They reflexively tighten around me and it feels more than good. It feels right.
I look out at the shimmering Golden Gate Bridge and wonder if maybe it’s time to stop thinking with my head and let my heart lead for once. At least for tonight.
So, I set my drink down on the ledge and slowly turn around in Drew’s warm embrace. My hands slide up the tight wall of his chest and I hear his quick intake of breath. Then, I stand up on tiptoes and press my lips to his.
He must like it because he pounces. I feel his hands roaming up and down my back, pulling me close, and his mouth opens, deepening the kiss. Our tongues tangle and the heat pouring off him is scorching and full of hunger.
“Do you know how much I want you?” he whispers, his warm lips trailing down my neck, his light beard scratching my delicate skin.
My knees go weak in response and I wrap my arms around his neck. Suddenly, he slips his hands beneath my backside and lifts me up like I weigh no more than a child. My skirt hikes up around my waist and my long legs wrap around him. He carries me over to the couch and then gently lowers me down, his powerful body moving up and over me.
He wants me. I can feel it in every wet kiss, hot stroke, soft groan. A newfound boldness takes over and I begin to unbutton his shirt. All I want is to run my hands all over his naked chest. My fingers shake, but more from being so frantic to get the shirt off than from nerves. With a low laugh, he helps me with the last few buttons and shrugs out of it.
My gaze dips and I take a moment to appreciate his toned and rugged his torso. My hands skim over his broad chest then move down and spread across his corded lower abs. I hook a finger in the top of his pants, hesitate, and feel his body tense.
“Take them off,” he orders in a husky voice.
My stomach drops. I unbutton then unzip while he yanks his belt off and throws it on the floor. Together, we slide the pants down and he kicks them off. He lowers his heavy body, molding it against mine, and I feel his hands pull at my blouse and, before I can blink, it’s on the floor with his shirt, pants and belt.
His midnight gaze roams over me. “God, you’re beautiful,” he says. His large hand skims over my black lace bra, down my quivering stomach and along my thigh. Then, that dark head dips and I feel his tongue lick and swirl the tops of my breasts, sink down into the valley between. I release a long, shuddering sigh, and my nails dig deep into his upper arms.
“Drew,” I moan.
He lifts his head and holds my gaze. “What? Tell me what you want, Leigh, and I’ll do it. I’ll do anything.”
I feel like I’m caught in some hazy dream and this powerful man is here to fulfill my every desire. I swallow hard, caught in his dark blue gaze, and curve my hand around his neck and through the hair at its base. I’m not sure what to tell him to do since this is the most talking I’ve ever experienced while getting it on with a man.
“I love when you do that,” he purrs. It makes my blood heat. Knowing that he likes something I’m doing is a powerful aphrodisiac. “Do you know how much it turns me on?”
My heart slams within my chest and I lightly scrape my nails against his neck, through the black waves. “Like this?” I ask shyly.
“Mmm-hmm, just like that.”
His voice sounds so deep and rich. Like velvet. I feel him unzip my skirt, tug it down and toss it. He settles deeper between my legs, running his hands up and down my calves, then pulling them higher to bend a high heeled foot on either side of him. As he nestles against my center, I can’t believe how wet I am. Literally, soaking.
He grinds his pelvis against me and my lower body begins to answer back, pushing up, circling against his hardness. “You like that, baby?” he teases.
My breath catches in my throat. Hell, yes, I do.
When his hand plunges down the front of my lace panties, I bite my lip. His long fingers slide through the light dusting of curls and move down to play with my slick folds. My pulse skyrockets and I moan softly. “Tell me how much,” he murmurs, and swirls the pad of an index finger against my clit.
“So much,” I whimper, pushing up against his hand.
His mouth edges up and I glimpse that look of pure male satisfaction. He slides one…two fingers inside me and I clutch at his shoulders, bucking my hips. “Omigod,” I cry, my body twisting and thrashing. His fingers work magic, stimulating places that I didn’t even know exist. A pressure builds within me, hot and throbbing, and I’m dripping wet and at his mercy. Finally, just when I think I can’t take any more, waves of pleasure erupt and wash over me.
With a satisfied moan, I sink down into the couch, and feel a warm, liquid sensation flow through me. When I look up at him through heavy-lidded eyes, I can see the look of delight on his face. I can also see the torture there and feel the evidence thick and heavy between my thighs. When I reach down to touch him, to help ease the ache, he grabs my wrist.
“Let’s go upstairs,” he says in a raspy voice. He pulls himself up and then reaches for my hands. He lifts me off the couch and sweeps me into his arms.
I press my face into his shoulder, suddenly aware of the cool air hitting my body. We’re both only in our underwear and the night breeze blows in through the terrace where the ceiling is open. He tightens his arms around me, drawing me against the warmth of his body, and I feel him start up another set of stairs.
“How many floors are in this place?” I ask.
“Five,” he says, his breath warm against my ear.
“You must get a lot of exercise going up and down them all the time.”
I hear his soft laughter and, before I know it, he’s setting me down on the edge of his king-size bed. The room is large and masculine with heavy furniture and thick, dark curtains hanging at the windows. It’s all done in black and white with pops of red.
When I start to kick off my heels, he shakes his head. “Leave them on.” I swallow hard. “And only them.”
He slips out of his boxer briefs and I can’t help but suck in a breath when I get my first look at his naked body. All raw strength and sinewy muscle. When I lower my gaze to his soaring erection, my heart stutters. He was so big and so ready.
“See anything you like?” he asks with a smirk.
I can’t believe how boldly I’d been staring and I blink, my throat too dry to reply. I give a small, shy nod.
“Your turn,” he says.
I reach behind my back and unclasp the lacey black bra. My face burns as it slides down my arms and onto the floor. His appreciative gaze lowers, soaking in every inch of me, and he wets his lips in anticipation. When I stand up and place my hands at the waistband of my matching panties, he swoops in and stops me. Then, in one smooth motion, he rips them off.
The flimsy elastic snaps and my hips jerk forward. I gasp. Well, that’s a first.
“I hope you weren’t overly fond of them,” he says, and leans down to lave a tongue over one breast and cup the other, kneading it in his large hand. My eyes slide shut and again my knees go weak. Drew lowers me down and kneels in front of me. His hand wraps around my calf, lifts it and slides down to my ankle.
I feel so exposed, yet so very feminine and powerful.
“I’ve dreamed about seeing you in nothing but these heels since I met you.” He kisses my ankle. “Walk for me,
baby,” he says, midnight eyes pleading. “Walk for your Daddy.”
He extends a hand and I reach for it. I don’t know why, but I trust him. Like I’ve never trusted anyone. As I move away, he sits on the bed. I turn and see the anticipation on his handsome face.
Then, I sashay toward him, heels clicking, hips swaying.
“You’re a very wicked man,” I say when I reach his side.
His mouth edges up in a grin, that dimple flashes, and he yanks me down onto the bed. “Tell me something I don’t know,” he says in that husky voice, and flips me onto my back, climbing on top of me.
He’s so big and heavy, and he supports himself on his elbows, biceps bulging. His head dips, lips finding mine, coaxing them open. I sink deeper into the bed and feel like I’m melting. I hear a package tear open and realize that he’s slipping on a condom.
When I feel him move between my legs, I spread them wide and welcome him. Eyes closed, head lost in a fluffy pillow, I breathe deeply and savor that fresh, soapy smell of his.
He hovers at my opening, on the verge of entering me, and lays a hand against my cheek. “Look at me, Leigh,” he says and I open my eyes. The moment our gazes lock, ocean and midnight, he begins to slowly slide into me. He stretches and fills me and just when I think I can’t take any more, he slides back out. Then, he pushes in again going more deeply. I grit my teeth and he retreats. “Are you okay? he asks.
“Yes,” I gasp, and begin panting. “Please…Don’t stop.”
It’s all the invitation he needs and he surges forward, filling me to the hilt. My back arches and I whimper when his hips begin to move, gyrating against me, rocking back and forth, picking up speed and friction.
I wrap my legs around him, catching sight of my high heels. I can’t believe I’m still wearing them. I hold on for dear life as my lower body begins to pulse and vibrate, clenching around his steel shaft, and wave after wave of intense contractions hits me with so much power that I squeeze my eyes shut, dig my nails into his shoulders and cry out.
As my mind-blowing climax begins to fade, I feel Drew shudder above me. “Christ,” he swears and his entire body convulses with pleasure. Then, he drops to the side and groans, burying his face in my hair.
For a long minute, we both lay there, out of breath and in a state of amazed shock. Something just happened between us, took us by complete surprise, and I can’t find the strength to move, much less my voice to speak.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Drew
It takes me a minute to recover. I don’t know what the hell just happened. It’s like she just swooped in with that perfect body and hit me with a merger, acquisition and surprise takeover all at once.
I lay there reeling, my body so satisfied and satiated from the intense orgasm I felt just minutes earlier. I breathe in deeply, my face still lost in her long blonde hair and savor the powdery vanilla scent.
I’ve slept with a lot of women. I’ve had great sex. But, I never, ever, felt what I did tonight with Ashley.
It scares the shit out of me.
At the same time, it excites me and gives me a feeling that I haven’t had in a long time.
Hope.
I feel drowsy and just want to gather this woman in my arms and go to sleep. But, first, I slip out of bed, pad off to the bathroom and take care of the used condom. I pause, study my reflection in the mirror, and barely recognize myself. My lower face is covered in dark, silver-threaded scruff and my dark blue eyes glow. I’m happy, I think, a little in awe.
Something definitely happened to me tonight and all I know for sure is Ashley Monroe is not going to quit Carson Industries. I plan to see her every day at work and admire her through that glass partition. I’m going to be professional in front of everyone, but then I’m going to drag her into my office after hours, lock the door and bend that pert little ass over my desk and drive into her until we are both screaming.
And, the sooner she accepts it, the better.
I move back into the bedroom and look down at the woman in my bed. Her sea-blue eyes flutter open and she gives me a tentative smile. It’s all the invitation I need. I join her under the covers and pull her body up against me, and she nestles that perfect ass into my lower body and I let out a soft, shaky sigh.
We fit together so well. I place a kiss on her shoulder and lower my face down on the pillow, close to the top of her head where I can breathe in the lovely scent of her hair all night.
Morning light pours in the windows and I open my eyes. Beside me, Ashley still sleeps and I watch her for a minute. She lays on her side, facing me, and looks so young and beautiful. A ray of sunshine turns her blonde hair molten gold and a hand is tucked daintily beneath her chin. I see her body move up and down with each breath she takes and my gaze wanders down the curve of her hip below the sheet.
My phone vibrates loudly on the nightstand and I pull my attention away from Ashley and snatch it, not wanting anything to disturb her. The screen shows a call coming in from Dan McPherson. Knowing I should take it, I drag myself out of bed, grab a pair of pajama bottoms and wander out of the bedroom, pulling the door shut behind me.
“Dan,” I say, pulling the pants on and keeping my voice low. “How are you?”
“Morning, Drew. I’m sorry to call so early, but I knew you’d want to hear this news right away.”
My ears perk up. “What’s going on?”
“Some of the shareholders got wind of what James said. About letting JD Unlimited go bankrupt before handing it over to you. They’re pissed and talking about voting out the current Board of Directors.”
A smile curves my mouth. “Tell me more.”
“It looks like a proxy fight. If you can convince the disgruntled shareholders to seek a change in ownership, they’ll convince the other shareholders to band together. They’ll vote out the current management and then you can replace them with a team that will approve the takeover.”
“You just made my fucking day,” I say.
“I’ll set up a meeting and keep you posted.”
“Thanks, Dan. Appreciate it.”
“Congratulations, Drew. You’ve got him by the balls.”
“Let’s hope so.”
I disconnect the call and head down to the kitchen to make coffee. After last night with Ashley, I didn’t think things could get any better. It’s like I’m walking on cloud nine.
I pull two mugs from the cabinet, hit the Keurig machine on and grab a couple of k-cups. Hot, black coffee is just what I need. Well, that and to see Ashley’s gorgeous face. As the coffee pours out, the soft pitter-patter of bare feet makes me turn.
Looking like an angel, blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders in that morning-after look and blue-green eyes bright, Ashley steps into the large, modern kitchen and gives me a shy smile.
“Good morning,” I say, and walk over and pull her into my arms. I brush a kiss against her lips and she stands up on tiptoes to respond. She wears my button-down shirt from last night and I pull back and take a long, admiring look.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she says, eyes skimming down my bare chest.
“Are you kidding me? You look much better in it than I ever did.” I kiss the tip of her nose.
She smiles and sniffs at the fresh coffee smell that fills the air. “Mmm. Smells delicious.”
I go grab a mug and hand it to her. She takes a sip and then gives me a satisfied sigh. As I take a drink of mine, watching her over the rim of my mug, I feel my heart do a funny, little flip.
“Are you hungry?” I ask. “I think I have some breakfast stuff somewhere.” I walk over to the fridge and pull it open. There’s some fresh-cut fruit and I also scrounge up a box of cereal and a package of chocolate chip cookies, too.
I can feel her gaze on me, watching closely. I turn around and deposit the food on the countertop in front of her.
“Why do you keep your cereal and cookies in the refrigerator?” she asks with a little smile.
“What do you mean
?”
“You have a lot of cupboards.”
Oh, shit. I really didn’t want to explain to her right now how poor I used to be and that if we didn’t keep everything shut up tight in the fridge then the rats and cockroaches would eat it. “Just out of habit,” I mumble.
She must be able to tell that I don’t want to talk about it because she gives me an odd, little look and then drops it.
I clear my throat. “Can we talk?” I ask. My voice sounds all business and I don’t mean to alarm her, but I think I do when her blue eyes widen.
She gives a curt nod and I motion for her to sit at the counter next to me. I pull the stool out for her and she slides up on it. To dissipate any worry, I take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze. “Last night was-”
God, there aren’t any words in the English dictionary capable of accurately describing the unbelievable phenomenal-ness of last night.
She swallows hard. “If you’re going to say a mistake-”
“No! Hell, no,” I say, a fierceness in my voice. I study her for a long moment and begin to wonder if she thinks it was a mistake. “Ashley…”
I struggle to find the right words. She raises her eyebrows, leans forward. I don’t know what to say exactly so I just start talking and it all comes out in an idiotic rush. “I need you to know that last night meant…well, it meant a lot to me. I don’t want you to think it didn’t or that it was just a typical Friday night for me. Because it’s been a really long time since I’ve wanted a woman in my life. I mean, for more than just a few weeks, anyway. Normally, they’re just distractions, a warm body. But, you’re different.”
When I stop babbling she gives me a half-smile. “Nice to know I’m more than a brief distraction.”
I shake my head. “I’m not saying this right. What I’m trying to say is that I want you around me. I want you back at the office Monday morning.” When she opens her mouth to say something, I hold up a hand. “I won’t take no for an answer. And, I want you to go with me to the charity event Tuesday night.”