Chapter Fourteen
Office Rendezvous
My eyelids fluttered open as the bright rays of the morning sun hit my face. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up in bed and looked around, taking in the strange surroundings. Memories of my night with Tom rushed back.
Tom…
I was still in his beautiful four-poster bed, his sheets draped over my waist, the light from the sun splayed on my naked breasts, warming my skin. I rushed to cover myself then smiled, realizing it was a little too late for modesty. Craning my neck to my left, a disappointed sigh blew out from my lungs. A neatly folded note sat on the feathery bulk of Tom’s pillow.
Seriously?
I stretched my arms as I took a deep breath, feeling sore, yet refreshed. A bright, gorgeous Monday morning awakened. The smile that had begun to pull at the corners of my mouth quickly faded as the sad realization the weekend was over washed over me.
There was no way I’d make it to work on time. This time I was certainly going to get fired. I jumped out of the lofty comforts of his mattress and scanned the room for my clothes. They were nowhere to be found. The place seemed eerily silent, and cloaked in his thick cotton sheets, I walked over to Tom’s side of the bed and retrieved his note.
Hmm, where the heck is Mr. Iced Double?
I flipped the note open.
Sara,
Had to go in early to the office. You looked so peaceful, wrapped in my things. I didn’t want to wake you. Please, make yourself at home. There are muffins on the counter, coffee in the pot. Fresh fruit and juice in the fridge. I’d love to find you still naked in my bed when I return from work, but I’m not foolish enough to think that a life of your own doesn’t exist beyond the confines of my apartment. I left you the keys to the Rover in case you absolutely have to leave.
Call you later.
Yours, Tom
I read the note a million times.
Yours?
Is he really mine?
His proposal was tempting. Stay in his posh apartment gazing at the city from the feathery softness of his bed, my naked skin reeling in the cool caress of his sheets. Who wouldn’t want to stay? Reality hit hard. And fast. I had a job. Losing the sheets, I walked over to an armchair where his bunched-up shirt from last night rested. The smell of him lingered on the fabric. I inhaled him deeply as I pulled the shirt over my head and through my arms. It was huge for my frame, but who cared.
Me in his things…
Still, I needed to find my clothes. ASAP.
The washer and dryer were behind a set of double doors in the kitchen. A laundry basket sat on top of the dryer, my clothes neatly folded, including my bra and panties.
After getting dressed, I rummaged through my purse, looking for my cell. As I retrieved it, the missed-calls notification flashed at me. Ten calls. All from Jen.
I was supposed to call her the day before. Dammit. She was probably pissed, and I needed to call her soon.
A blueberry muffin and a banana became morning breakfast. The keys to the Rover stared at me, and although I would have loved nothing more than to drive it, the PATH train was a more efficient way back home.
Once I made it to my apartment, I skipped the shower and threw on the first pencil skirt I found along with a cream-colored, silk cami and matching cardigan, finishing with a pair of dark pumps. After a quick hair brush and light makeup, I shot back out the door in less than fifteen minutes. As I ran down the hall, Jen came out of the elevators, her eyes bloodshot from working an overnight double.
“Jen.”
She barely looked at me.
I grabbed her elbow. “Hey, what’s going on?”
She turned around, her face grim. “Oh, it’s you. I didn’t recognize you. Don’t really see you much anymore.”
“Jen, please. Let’s not do this right now. I’m running late for work.”
“Whatever.” She turned back toward the apartment and continued to walk. The elevator doors opened, and even though I wanted to run to her, I jumped in the elevator instead. I growled out a curse. I’d have to find a way to make it up to her.
I arrived at work by eight thirty, and thankfully, Rebecca was running late as well. It was shaping out to be a slow day, which sucked because I couldn’t keep Tom out of my mind. The whole weekend had been a whirlwind. He kind of just up and left me that morning, naked on his bed. Were we dating? Were we exclusive?
Not being able to focus on much, I snuck into the studio to watch the dancers rehearse for the big show. It was my secret indulgence, stolen moments where I dared dream of the life I wish I’d had. I always left feeling sorrier for myself. Sitting in the back of the room, I watched as Alexei worked his magic. Having trained in one of Russia’s most prominent contemporary dance companies, Alexei’s style of dance was nothing the company had ever seen. He challenged the dancers to their max. While his pieces were works of art, they came at the expense of their morale.
As I watched them dance for their lives, that burning desire to join them sparked deep inside. The music licked my muscles. I swayed, living through their practiced moves. Up and down with each lift, spinning with them on their pirouettes, flying through the air with their leaps and arabesques. Before I knew it, I’d shed my shoes and was flexing my feet, pointing my toes. No matter how hard I tried, purging my blood completely of dance was an impossibility I hated to entertain.
With his thick heavy accent, Alexei shouted, jarring me out from my daydream. “Stop the music.” He approached the lead pair of dancers who had just finished the lift. “God dammit, Estella. How many times do I have to tell you to keep your fucking toes pointed? Your feet are hideous. You are ruining my piece. And you…” He pointed to her partner. “You are going to drop her. How can she perform if she has an imbecile underneath her? She needs a man holding her, not a pussy. Again. From the top!”
Alexei counted off beats. “Four. Six…seven, eight…and lift…hold…hold…point your toes. Bring her down gently; slide her off your arms. Now look at her eyes. She is the ghost of your beloved and the last time you will ever see her. One…two…beautiful. Yes.”
He was a hard ass, but when you watched his art take form, it was a painting coming to life. Magnificent. What I would have given to be one of them, to be up on that dance floor dancing for my life.
“Take five, everyone,” Alexei bellowed.
Estella exited out one of the back doors. Moments later, Alexei looked around the studio, making sure no one noticed as he followed behind her. He didn’t see me sitting in the far back. A bad feeling burned in my chest. I remembered the rumors about him harassing the girls.
I headed down the same exit, which opened into an empty corridor, not sure what I was planning to do. As I walked down the hall, I heard strained voices coming from Alexei’s office. The closer I approached, the louder the muffled sounds grew. When I reached his office, his door was ajar. The sounds were more urgent—an unmistakable panting vibrating through the door.
The worst thoughts ran through my mind. Part of me wanted to take off running, but another part of me felt an eerie feeling creeping up my spine. Something was not right.
What if he is forcing himself on her?
I peeked through the open crack.
My eyes widened at the sight. He had Estella bent over his desk with her legs spread open and her dance shorts by her ankles. Alexei’s naked ass faced me as he violently thrust into her, muttering what I could only imagine were profanities in his native tongue. When he was done, he grabbed her by the long pony tail and pulled her head back. “Next time, don’t make me have to tell you twice to keep your toes fucking pointed. Now, get your cunt out of my office.”
I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to not make any noise as I leaned my back against the wall. Estella burst out of the office, not giving me time to disguise my presence. Startled to see me standing by the wall, she turned to close the door, tears streaming down her face. She paused for a brief moment to look at me then ran off down the hall back to the studio.
As I tried to make sense of what I’d witnessed, my cellphone rang. “Hello?”
“Girl, I’ve been trying to reach you at your desk for the past twenty minutes.”
“Why didn’t you call my cell?”
“Thought you might be busy with the witch so I didn’t want to bother you. You have a gentleman at the front desk waiting to see you.”
“No interviews scheduled today. Who is he?”
“Don’t know, but he looks important. Good looking. Very. Is this your mystery guy, hmm?”
“There’s no mystery guy. What’s his name, Martha?” I asked her abruptly as I reached my office and opened my door. I was in no mood to entertain her boy talk or the unexpected gentleman.
“Um, sir, I have Ms. Hart on the line. What did you say your name was, again?” she asked the man waiting at the front, and after a pause, she said, “Sara, he says his name is Mr. Charming. Is this guy for real?”
I shook my head as I tried to hold back my chuckle. “Mr. Charming? Well, tell Mr. Charming he’s going to have to give me a few more minutes to clear my schedule.” Flutters sprung up in my stomach as I headed over to the reception area. When I spotted him, the oxygen was sucked out of the room.
Dressed in another perfectly tailored gray suit, he sat at one of our waiting area’s modern chairs. His right ankle rested on his left knee while his right arm leaned on the armrest and those expert fingers supported his chin. He scrolled through his phone, looking very nonchalant.
I cleared my throat as I approach. “Ahem. Mr. Charming?”
Turning around, his eyes widened. “Miss Hart. You always keep your guests waiting this long?” he asked with a smirk.
I crossed my arms and raised an eyebrow. “Well, I wasn’t expecting any guests, Mr. Charming,” I replied pointedly. “If you would be so kind and accompany me to my office,” I said turning around, my lips twitching, trying to suppress a laugh.
“Certainly, Miss Hart.”
As we walked past Martha’s desk, I whispered to her, “No interruptions, please.” To Charming, I said, “Follow me. My office is right through here.”
As we entered the long hallway, Tom moved up next to me, and I gave him an elbow jab. “So, Mr. Charming, nice of you to call me and let me know you were stopping by my office,” I playfully scolded him, but not really.
“And ruin the surprise? Unless you don’t like surprises?”
Pausing to look at him, I replied in a harsh whisper, “Oh, I love surprises. Just not at my place of employment. Did you forget my boss is a witch? She’ll kill me if she finds out I’m hanging out with my…um…with you, instead of working.”
He kissed my pursed lips. “You look cute when you’re mad. Did you know that?”
The soft touch of his lips was magic. Instantly, I forgot I was trying to be upset. Once inside my office, I offered a chair in front of my modest desk before closing the door. Tom removed his suit jacket, revealing the sculpted slabs of muscle covered by a matching suit vest and a black button-down shirt opened at the collar.
The tightness of my office enhanced the feeling of his large and impressive frame. He laid his jacket on top of the twin chair next to his. My heart drummed as I scurried over to my desk. The partially closed blinds to the picture window behind me muted the view of the midafternoon chaos of Midtown Manhattan.
“So, what’s up, Charming?”
He leaned back in his chair, slouching to one side as he crossed his ankle over his knee, regarding me intently, perhaps considering his answer. “What’s the matter?”
“What do you mean?”
“Something’s got you troubled. I can see it in your eyes. This isn’t about me showing up here unannounced.”
“You simply caught me at a bad moment.”
“Boss giving you a hard time?”
“Not exactly.”
“Then what is it?”
“Really want to know?
“If it’s bothering you, I want to hear about it.”
I told him every detail of my encounter with Estella and Alexei.
“You’re sure about this?” he asked, a bit incredulous.
“It’s not entirely uncommon to have a relationship with your instructor. Dancing can be very intimate. You have to get very close to your partners. But, I don’t know if this is that type of relationship. She came out of the office crying.”
“They saw you?”
“Only Estella, but she bolted back to the studio when she realized what I’d seen.”
“Not digging this Alexei very much. He sounds like a complete dick.”
“Yeah, but he is one of the best in his field. This sort of shit could get someone fired and I’m afraid it wouldn’t be him. The company needs him.”
“You’re worried about the girl?”
“Nobody knows how hard these girls have it. They are at the mercy of these sleazy men in power. It doesn’t matter how well you dance, it’s how pretty you are and how wide you are willing to spread your legs to get ahead. He probably promised her the lead.”
“Well, she’s an adult. If you ask me, it’s not your problem.”
“I know. I just hate the way he treats these dancers.”
Tom rose from his chair and walked over to me, kneeling down so we were face to face. “I don’t like seeing you upset.” He cupped my cheek in his broad hand. “I can see you really care about this girl and I’m sure you’re going to do the right thing. Follow your heart. You’ll know what to do.” Then he leaned in and kissed me, the soft press of his closed lips on mine made me forget everything.
“So, tell me, Charming…” I said between kisses. “Why are you here? Did you come to save me again from my troubles?”
“Actually, I was hoping to take you to lunch. But now that I’m this close to you…I think I want to jump straight to dessert.” He reached in for an even deeper kiss and I surrendered. He parted my legs with his hands, causing my skirt to ride up past my thighs. He pulled my chair in closer to him, exposing my black, satin panties.
“How did you know I didn’t stay in your apartment?”
“I asked the front desk to tell me if they saw you leave.”
“You have people watching me?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Well, when you say it like that it sounds kinda creepy.”
I could have dwelled on the creepy part, but who was I to talk? I’d stalked him for days. “That’s okay. I like your kind of creepy.”
He smiled. “Christ, Sara. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I couldn’t focus on my morning meeting, my mind invaded by thoughts of you in my bed last night.”
The warmth of his breath on my lips radiated throughout my body, plunging straight for my center. My office was already two degrees hotter and I was moist all over. Playful, but in that raspy sultry voice of his, he said, “You know, this is one of my fantasies.”
“What is?”
“You and me. On this desk.”
“Since when?”
“Since I walked through that door.” Releasing me from his arms, he stood up and walked over to my blinds, closing them.
My legs on the other hand, remained spread open. “May I ask what it is you think you are doing, mister?”
“What does it look like?”
Realization of his intent caused me to fluster. “Tom. No. I can’t…we can’t…nah uh.” I pulled my skirt back down and crossed my legs. Yet, as I looked at him, I couldn’t fathom how I would resist this man. His golden-brown hair was perfectly styled in that yeah-it’s-messy-on-purpose look and his smooth, clenched jaw was still freshly scented of after shave. With so much manliness wanting to explode out of those formal clothes, my mind went bonkers. Those deep predatory gold and olive eyes said so much without having to utter a single word, and right then they were telling me he was famished.
“You need to stop looking at me like I’m a juicy steak,” I said.
Thrill crossed his eyes and his lips curled to the side. “I can’t hide what I’m feeling for you, Sara.”
“That was not an invitation to unleash all your artillery on me, you know,” I continued.
In two long strides, he stood in front of me, looking down at my frazzled face. I eyed his crotch, unable to ignore the proximity of my face to the massive ridge rising under his gray pants.
“What’s that you said about artillery?” he asked with a smile. He was just bluffing. He had to be. I was sure of it. There was no way he was really thinking we were going to have sex in my office—in the middle of the day.
That was ludicrous.
And fucking hot.
“Two can play this game, you know,” I told him.
“Is that so, Miss Hart?”
My hand made its way up his thigh then took a left turn into his groin, but right when I was about to glide my hand up his beckoning erection, he took my hand in his and motioned for me to stand. He held me in his gaze for a lengthy moment. “I said my dessert. Never mentioned anything about yours.” He nodded toward the door. “Is it locked?”
Speechless, I nodded yes.
His hands slid down my thighs, and brushing his hot lips over my ear, he whispered, “This skirt is awfully sexy, but right now, I think I’d rather it like this.” Long fingers grasped the hem and hiked up the fabric until it was sitting scrunched up on my waist. “That’s better,” he said. His palms cupped my ass cheeks. Electricity sparked on my skin as his eager mouth nibbled on my neck and jaw, culminating at my parched lips. Finally, his tongue parted them, quenching me and igniting me all at the same time. I was no longer in my office, two doors down from my boss. Nope. I was in my own little private fantasy about to have sex on my desk.
In one swift move, my office duties were lying scattered on the floor and my almost-naked ass sat atop of my cold, cherry wood desk. The hum of my desktop’s dying fan behind me suddenly made me aware of how crazy this was. Tom was in his element. I was a hot mess, heaving and panting.
“Relax, baby.” He tried to calm me.
“What if someone—”
A finger to my lips silenced me.
He scooted me closer to the edge of the desk, then he took a seat in front of me, gingerly parting my legs, revealing my damp underwear and looking up at me with hungry eyes. His hand found my cleft underneath the dark material of my panties, and over the hardening nub of my clit, he circled with his thumb.
The tingly sensation reached every muscle. The pleasure was so heavenly, I arched my head back, succumbing to his hand, and right when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I felt wet satin peeling away from my covered sex. A cool draft startled me out of my bliss, but the intrusion of his act was so hot I was ready to give into his next move.
“There’s my dessert,” he whispered as his fingers parted my flesh, but before I could grant him permission, a knock on the door plunged me back to earth.
No!
Tom looked up at me from my crotch with a devilish smile. “Who is it?” he asked.
“Sara, you in there?” Rebecca shouted from the other side.
While I contemplated my next answer, his wet tongue teased my clit with a soft brush.
Ah.
“It’s my boss, Tom.”
“Tell her to come back later.”
Another lick.
“I can’t do that,” I said.
“Yes, you can.” He dove his tongue deep inside, and then lapped at my wetness.
“I’m coming,” I shouted out to Rebecca as his tongue continued to slide up and down my slit. He placed his palms under my ass cheeks and lifted me higher into his mouth. As the tip of his tongue flicked my swollen clit, I spread my legs wider in the air, my high-heeled shoes almost swinging and falling off my feet. Wanting to give him all of me, my body readied to explode on his tongue.
“Sara, open this door!”
Fuck. This woman is such a pain.
The fact I was laying on my back, with my legs wide open, while Tom feasted on me, mixed with the excitement of being caught in the act, sent my orgasm into overdrive. I lifted my head and watched as, with his heated eyes locked on mine, he plunged a finger inside me, diving deep while his glistening lips gently sucked on my throbbing clit, claiming my release.
Shit.
I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming. My legs tightened and closed around his head as I rode the wave. Finally, I pushed Tom’s sinful instrument away.
She continued to pound on the wood door. “Sara! What the hell is going on, why is this door locked?”
“I’m coming. Hold on a second.”
You demon.
Tom quickly helped me off the desk and picked up my scattered papers, trying to hide the evidence. I straightened out my skirt and blouse, patting myself down as best as I could. My knees wobbled as I made for the door. Tom donned his suit jacket, wiped his mouth, then signaled to me all was clear and took a seat. As nonchalantly as possible, I opened the door.
Her complexion matched the fiery red mop atop her head. Rebecca Fitzgerald did not like to be kept waiting. Arms locked across her bosom, she sneered at me as she peeked inside my office, trying to figure out why I hadn’t jumped at her beck and call the instant she knocked at my door. “What the hell took you so long?”
“I was busy.”
“You didn’t have any interviews scheduled for today.”
Tom stepped up from his chair and walked over to the door, extending his hand, a warm sensual smile coating his lips. “Ms. Fitzgerald, pleasure to meet you.”
Rebecca’s expression immediately softened at the sight of him. She was easily twice his age, but the look that crosses in every woman’s eyes the moment they realize they are standing in front of pure manly gorgeousness hit her out of nowhere. And like the rest of us—who’s drenched panties want to drop to the floor whenever Tom enters our field of vision—she was instantly enchanted by his looks and charm.
She extended her hand to shake his, but Tom took her slim fingers in his and pressed a soft kiss on top of her hand. She blinked repeatedly at his gesture as her blood saturated her skin to a fire-engine red.
“Ms. Fitzgerald,” Tom acknowledged, “Sara was telling me all about your wonderful work here. Seems your new Russian Choreographer, Alexei…”
“Vonorov. Alexei Vonorov,” she replied quickly, her hand still in his.
“Sara tells me he is carving out a new dance masterpiece?” Tom finally let go of her hand.
“We are all very excited about the experience he brings to our company. Alexei is extremely talented and is an exceptional addition to our dance family. His professionalism is unmatched,” she added proudly.
Tom looked at me, his eyes assuring me he knew I was figuratively gagging at Rebecca’s praise for Alexei.
“So…mister?” Rebecca waited for his name.
“I’m sorry. How rude of me. Thomas Wright, but please, call me Tom.”
“Well, Tom, what brings you to our doorstep?”
“My company handles real estate business for extremely high-profile clients. I have a couple flying in from Milan for a few days at the end of the month and I was hoping to snatch some tickets for your opening show. A gesture of appreciation for their loyalty.”
Rebecca’s eyes widened along with the smile that already began to trace across her lips. “Really?”
Tom winked at her. “What better way to show them a good time in our city than by treating them to a spectacular dance performance. Europeans aren’t the only ones with culture, after all.”
Rebecca closed her eyes and shrugged with accord. “Isn’t that the truth.” When she flipped her lids open, she winked back at Tom as she placed her hand on his forearm. “I like you.” Then she turned to me, her charming smile now frosted with ice. “Please, ensure Tom gets the best seats in the house, compliments of the company.”
“Of course,” I replied with a tight smile.
She turned back to Tom and offered him her hand. “Delighted to have made your acquaintance.”
“The pleasure was mine, Rebecca.”
I dropped my chin to my chest and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to avoid rolling my eyes at the awkward exchange between these two.
“Do you plan on staying long, perhaps you want a tour? I’ll be happy to show you around,” she asked, her chest puffed.
I don’t think so, lady.
“Mr. Wright was actually just leaving,” I offered before Tom had a chance to dig himself deeper in the hole.
She wasn’t able to wipe the disappointment from her face. “Oh? Well, I hope you enjoyed your visit. Sara will see you out.” As she headed down the corridor, she turned back, and added, “Oh, Sara, come to my office when you are done and please fetch me some coffee. I’m due for my afternoon caffeine break.”
“Of course, Rebecca, right away,” I called back with a mirthless smile as she trotted away. When I was sure she was out of earshot, I turned to Tom. “Oh, my God, that was close. I can’t believe I let you do that.”
“Do what?”
“My boss almost caught me having sex on my desk.”
“Sara, the door was locked. And what’s wrong with a little romp in the office? In fact, we should go back and finish what we started.”
He had a point. The sense of danger of being caught in the act magnified the intensity of the passion exploding between us, but, if I was going to get fired, it wasn’t going to be for lewd behavior. I didn’t want to hurt his ego, but office sex would have to wait. At least for now. “I love what happened between us in there. It was hot and unlike anything I have ever done before.”
He crossed his arms. “But…”
“Things are rocky around here between me and Rebecca and…”
Tom put his arms around my shoulders and pressed me against his chest. “I’m sorry. You are right. I shouldn’t have put you in that situation.”
I returned the embrace. “Bad timing.”
“I simply can’t get enough of you.”
My phone chirped with a text, the theme from a popular Halloween flick announcing the sender.
“Should I even bother to guess who is texting you?”
I separated from him to retrieve my phone from my skirt pocket, then looked at him and raised an eyebrow as I laughed. “Is it that obvious?” I checked the message. Rebecca sent me several coffee icons followed by a myriad of exclamation points. “Well, I guess that means she wants her coffee. I’m sorry, babe. I have to go.”
“It’s okay, beautiful,” he muttered with a sigh. “I can walk myself out.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed your visit. Call me later?”
Tom reached across and rubbed his knuckles across my cheek. “Of course, baby,” he assured me as he kissed my lips. Then he turned to leave but stopped and looked back at me. “By the way. Do me a favor and stay away from that creep.”
“Alexei? I can take care of myself. Don’t worry.”
“Sara. I mean it. Promise me. I don’t trust that guy.”
“I promise. Just go, before Rebecca comes looking for me again.”