Читать книгу Taking Care of Business - Kathy Lyons - Страница 8

JULIE FLOATED BACK FROM BLISS with a reluctant sigh. Which was rapidly followed by a burning flush of embarrassment. Was she really still standing? And had she really just let Elevator Man—Sam—finger her to orgasm?

His breathing was deep and even against her back. He was supporting her still, one hand on her hip, the other arm wrapped gently around her. God, he was so solid! She got the impression he could hold her like this all night if need be.

“Wow …” she began, unsure what to say. “What a great end to a sucky day.”

She felt his chuckle rumble through her spine. “Building maintenance is a service-oriented field.”

She laughed, really laughed at that. But there was only so much humor she could cling to before she became excruciatingly aware of her position. Shifting awkwardly, she reached down and pulled up her pants. He let her go, stepping back to a polite distance. She felt her face heat. Was there a polite distance after what they’d just done?

He cleared his throat awkwardly. “It, um, doesn’t have to end right now. We could go out for a drink. Have dinner—”

She abruptly spun around and pressed her fingers to his lips. “I can’t,” she said. “I mean …” What should she say? That she was leaving the state in three weeks? That there wasn’t time to build a relationship, so why start? “Oh, God, I’m horrible,” she murmured to herself.

He gently pulled her hand from his mouth. “Service-oriented industry, remember? Whatever you want is fine.”

“I doubt this was exactly what the janitor’s union had in mind,” she returned drily.

He let go of her hand to stroke her face. It was a soft caress with the pad of his thumb as he swept past her mouth up along her cheekbone. And damn if she didn’t lean into the caress because it was just so wonderful. She searched his expression, the warm chocolate of his eyes were completely open and non-judgmental.

“It doesn’t have to be dinner,” he said. “There’s coffee upstairs in the robotics lab. Or ice cream sundaes down the street.”

“I’m leaving,” she abruptly confessed. “The state. In three weeks. I don’t want to lie to you—”

He kissed her. It was swift, it was deep, and it was thrilling. His hands delved into her hair to cradle her head, his tongue thrust into her mouth. She arched into his attack, trying to tease him with her tongue, and loving that he took control. He was powerful, her Elevator Man, and she reveled in it.

Within seconds, she was as hot as she’d been before the elevator doors had dinged open. Good God, she was insatiable! “This is nuts,” she said against his mouth.

“I know,” he agreed, as he obviously forced himself to slow down. A moment later, they were looking at each other, their mouths apart, but everything else entwined.

“The thing is,” she said, struggling to put words to the feelings colliding within her, “I’ve been working so hard for a really long time. Not only at my business, but before that, just to make it to Chicago to start.”

“You don’t have to explain anything,” he began, but she shook her head.

“I need to. You need to understand. It’s been going badly for a while now. We’ve fought hard, but it didn’t work. We’re going to have to close.”

She saw sympathy warm his eyes. “That’s why you’re leaving,” he said.

She nodded. “But then, wham, there’s you two months ago. No talking. No work. Just desire. And suddenly I feel good, you know? I’m not thinking about work or bankruptcy or anything. Just you and me.”

“Bodies without pressure.” He released a rueful laugh. “I understand. Believe me, I get it.”

“I don’t want to lie to you,” she said. “I just want to feel good for a while. Like I’m on top of the world.”

He let one of his hands slide down. Within a moment, he was gripping her hips, pulling her gently forward to press against him. God, he was just as hot and hard as she’d remembered. As she’d lived and breathed in her fantasies for two months now.

“I’m okay with feeling good,” he said. “No connections, no relationship. In fact, that’s exactly what I want right now.”

She took a deep breath, amazed at her own boldness. “I have condoms in my purse.”

“I’ve got some, too,” he said. Then he slowly touched her chin, tilting her face up toward him. “I’ve got a clean bill of health, and in case you’re wondering, I’ve never done this before either.”

Relief flooded through her. He could be lying, but she didn’t think so. “I’m clean, too.” She didn’t say more. Just looked into his eyes while her heart beat faster and faster. She saw his nostrils flare and felt his body tighten as he slid his hand into her hair to cup the back of her head. She didn’t think it was possible, but he suddenly felt bigger to her, stronger, more demanding. It was exactly what she wanted from him and she willingly gave herself over to it.

Their kiss was explosive. He thrust his tongue into her, exploring every inch of her mouth. She surrendered to him, opening herself up as never before. With other men, she was always thinking. What did that kiss mean? What did she want? Where was their relationship going—did he fit into her life plans?

But there was no thinking this time. She knew there was no future between them. And with that worry gone, her mind surrendered to the joy of the experience. Sam’s kiss was all about pleasure, and she wanted to live every moment.

They toyed with each other for a while, their tongues tangling, their mouths fused together. Before long, Julie found herself impatient to touch him. She pulled at his T-shirt, trying to work her hands beneath the soft cotton. He let her, and her fingers soon slid across the rippling planes of his abs. And while she was glorying in the exquisite feel of his body, he gently backed her against the wall.

She hit the paneling with a soft thud, made all the better because he was pushing between her thighs, his penis rubbing her just how she liked it. Then he kissed down her neck, and opened her sweater again. Her nipples were tight, her skin so sensitive to the slightest brush of his thumbs or lave of his tongue.

He teased her left breast with his tongue, sucking it into his mouth where he nipped at it. She bucked at the incredible sensation and was startled to find that he’d already undone her pants. The fabric was drooping off her hips, and she pushed them the rest of the way down. Now that the rules were established, she was not going to hold back. She wanted him inside her. So she lifted his face, her breath too short to say much.

“Condom,” she gasped out.

He grinned and hooked his hands behind her thighs. As he straightened up, he lifted her as well. Not far, just enough to perch her bottom on the railing as he wrapped her legs around his hips. Perfect! She got to watch the play of muscles across his chest as he twisted slightly to pull a foil packet out of his back pocket. A moment later, he’d popped the button on his fly and his erection sprang free.

He was big, just like she knew he would be. And while he fumbled with shaking hands to open the foil, she was able to touch him. She measured the length of him, stroked the velvet head, even rolled her thumb across the bead of moisture and wondered what it would be like to taste him.

She didn’t get the chance. He touched her wrist, stopping her motion. “You wanted pleasure,” he rasped. “That’s going to shorten it for both of us.”

She nodded and let her hand drop away, enjoying the sight of him suiting up. And again, she marveled at how easy this was. Her blood was humming, her heart was beating so fast, and a gorgeous man was moments away from fulfilling a fantasy she’d dreamed a thousand times. It didn’t matter what had gone on earlier in the day. Failing business or not, this moment was perfect. Absolutely perfect. She smiled and was startled to find him looking at her, his eyes a dark chocolate mystery.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she answered. “That’s the whole point.”

He seemed to take that at face value as he slowly leaned in to kiss her again. She met him halfway, enjoying the feel of his lips, the play of his tongue against hers and the way his hand slid down her belly to the cotton of her panties. Then she broke the kiss, gasping at the shock of sensation as his thumb rolled over the fabric to stroke her clit.

“I’ve always wanted to do this,” he said.

“Do a woman in an elevator?” she asked.

“Nope,” he said with a grin. “This.” He brought his other hand up to the edge of her panties. She watched in surprise as his forearms bunched and the elastic snapped. A second later her underwear was in shreds and he tossed it aside. Julie bit back a gasp while a silent thrill shot down her spine. So, okay the clothing had been old and probably easy to tear, but it didn’t matter. The sight of his muscular arms ripping away her clothing sent her libido into overdrive.

“You are so hot,” she murmured.

“I was just about to say the same thing,” he said. This time, nothing barred him from stroking his thumb over her clit.

Her legs tightened and her back arched. And soon, oh God, please let it be soon, she was going to feel more than just his fingers. She was so enthralled with the idea that she began to move against his thumb, rhythmically circling around his hand.

“There’s so many things I could do to you right now,” he murmured.

Yes! She thought. Anything. Everything!

“Three weeks,” he said in an almost conversational tone. “No dates. No relationship.”

“Yes,” she said. Those were her terms.

He nodded as he shifted his hips, positioning himself. “I’m good with that,” he said. Then he finally, wonderfully, thrust deep inside her.

She groaned in delight as he filled her. She was impaled, held pinned—and half lifted—on his cock, and it was perfect. In fact, she had to lift her knees up along his hips to accommodate him. Never had she felt more thoroughly possessed.

Then he began to thrust. Powerful, deep, masterful penetrations. The rhythm was slow at first, but strong enough to feel all the way to her spine. She gasped at every slide. She arched her back, letting him go deeper, wanting to feel as if he completely filled her body.

And then the pace increased.

Her belly tightened. Her orgasm burst through. She came in a wave of pleasure. And still he thrust into her, pushing her even higher. Harder. Stronger.

Then, suddenly, he slammed forward as he convulsed inside her. Shudders wracked his body, adding to her pleasure. She gripped him tight, wanting to feel every pulse of his orgasm.

Oh, God! Yes!

SAM SLUMPED TO THE SIDE with a groan. He didn’t so much intend to move as simply not fall over. How had this miracle happened to him? he wondered vaguely. No ties. No awkward relationship issues. Just the hottest sex ever. For three more weeks. Thank you, God!

Julie was stirring by his side. He opened his eyes to see her stretch languidly as she slid off the handrail and stood. She was still wearing her black heels, and wasn’t that the greatest sight ever? Then she smiled at him, her eyes all vague and misty, and he rapidly changed his mind. That was the most gorgeous sight ever.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he murmured.

She dimpled prettily at him. “I feel like I just swam in a lake after a long, long drought.”

“I feel like I drowned in that lake,” he countered.

She arched a brow and the expression was mischievous. “Well, perhaps I can give you a little CPR.”

He released a laugh which was really more of a gulp for air. “Give me a minute. I’m pretty sure that the dead will rise again.”

“I think.” she said as she stroked her hand across his chest, “… that I’ll wear a dress tomorrow. Something with a swirling, flowing skirt. And really high red heels.”

“It’s alive!” he cried. And yes, the thought of Julie in a flirty dress with red stilettos had him fully resurrected.

She laughed as she glanced down at him. There was coy flirtation in her gaze, but he also caught a flash of anxiety. Then she turned away to pull up her pants.

Worried, he straightened up from the wall. “Julie …” he began, trying to think of something to ease the awkwardness. “I know this is unusual for both of us, but that doesn’t have to make it weird.”

“I know,” she agreed. “And it was great. Really, really great.”

“Yeah,” he echoed. But then he didn’t know what to say and she flushed and looked away. He went back to putting himself to rights, while she readjusted her sweater. Within a moment, she had everything tucked, hooked and tied back in place. Except for the slightly flyaway lift to her hair, she looked every inch the business professional. If it weren’t for her torn panties on the floor, he might wonder if he’d imagined the whole thing.

She must have seen him glance at the plain cotton. “Oh,” she gasped as she reached down.

“I got it,” he said. And he did. He grabbed them before her, balling them tight then stuffing them into a pocket. He didn’t allow himself to think about how depraved that was, grabbing and keeping her torn underwear. “So,” he murmured. “You’re leaving in three weeks.”

“That’s when my lease here is up,” she said.

He swallowed, a tightness forming in his belly. It might have been anticipation, but he didn’t really think so. Three weeks didn’t seem like long enough. He’d built up seven weeks’ worth of fantasies about this amazing woman. But that was all the time she had. She was leaving the state.

“Right,” he said, though inside he begrudged the very idea. “A dress tomorrow.”

“And red heels.”

He arched a brow and attempted a wink. “I can work with that.”

She winked back. It was a quick movement, almost unnoticed because she was turning away from him. But he saw it and he liked it. A woman who winked. And then she pushed the Stop button back in. Except, of course, the elevator didn’t move. His phone was in control of the lift.

She pulled the button out again, then pushed it back. Nothing happened. “So,” she said, “how do I start the elevator back up?”

“Hold on.” He’d been scanning the area for his phone, finally sighting it on the floor next to the first glass panel. He picked it up and thumbed it to life. A few taps later, the elevator hummed into motion.

“And here I thought it was the Stop button,” she said, her voice laced with humor.

“You have no idea how hard that was to arrange,” he returned.

Her musical laugh was the last thing he heard before the doors dinged open on the garage floor. She stepped out. He would have followed but she stopped him.

“No need,” she said, pointing to her beat-up Camry. “I’m right over there.”

She didn’t want him following her. He dipped his head in acknowledgment, but he still thumbed the app on his phone. The elevator froze open.

“I’ll just wait here to make sure you get into your car okay.” He shrugged. “I want to be your only stalker tonight.”

She nodded again, and he saw relief in her expression. “Thanks.”

Then she turned away and crossed to her car. He watched her the whole way, waiting until her car pulled out of its spot and drove down the ramp.

Three weeks. There was a lot he could do in that time. But only if he got busy right now.