Vanilla On Top (11 page)

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t have a condom.” How could I be so stupid? Dare I hope she has one in her purse?

“It’s okay.” She hesitates, but the heat in her voice overrides any doubts she has. “I’m on the pill.”

A rush of animal joy zips through me at the thought of coming inside her. I haven’t gone without protection in a decade or more, unwilling to take the risk, not just of pregnancy but of disease, too. I take a deep breath and position my swollen flesh at her entrance. “Are you sure?” My heart hangs on a thread, hoping she won’t rip away what I hadn’t known I desired so badly.

She nods and presses her hips toward mine, forcing my thickness half an inch inside. “Yes. I want to feel you. Just you, nothing between us.”

I lean over her spine, hugging her torso close while I ease my length in slowly. Heather wiggles to force my entrance faster, but I hold still, determined to slick myself with her excitement before I plunge with any strength. And besides, I’m still so worked up from her earlier attention, I want to make sure I last until she comes.

I slip my hand across her stomach, skimming under the waistband of her skirt, to find her slick clit. Working the hood, I tease her erect bud, easing my length into her deeper with each pass. “Your skin…,” I mumble as I nip her shoulder through her shirt. “I want to be next to your skin…”

She lifts off the table and pulls her blouse over her head. Before settling she unhooks her bra and tosses it across my desk. Heather places both hands on the smooth surface, and then shoves herself the last inch onto my cock. “Oh God, you feel so good inside me.”

I lean forward, covering her, laying my chest against her smooth skin. “That’s the understatement of the year.” I work her hard button in slow circles and use my other hand to knead and fondle her breast. Slowly I thrust my hips. The sucking clasp of her sex feels like a warm glove I don’t ever want to leave.

She groans low and I hesitate, realizing I’m putting a lot of my weight on her. “Am I too heavy for you?”

“What?” Her hips circle, working herself on my hand and her wetness on my shaft.

I pinch her nipple, tugging it from her body while smothering a smile on her shoulder. “Never mind.”

Soft, little keening sounds begin deep in her chest, working their way out with each exhalation. I lighten the pressure on her mound and use two fingers to slick above her engorged nub, not touching it directly. I splay my palm on her low abdomen and hold her while I thrust.

A low guttural plea rips from her lips, “More. Please, Tony. Grab my hips and do me harder.”

I tweak her nipple and roll it between my thumb and forefinger. “No,” I whisper, and then gently bite her shoulder. “It’s my turn to tell you what to do.”

She pauses for a moment, perhaps shocked I told her
no
, I’m not sure. She grunts and tightens her walls around my shaft. “Oh, is that what we’re doing?” I bite harder ‘til she squeals. “Hey!”

“Hold still. Let me do this.”

I give her no time to think or protest as I drive into her, over and over again, pushing her and myself toward our peaks.

Her hands fist on the desk. She lets out a frustrated moan as I tease her sensitive flesh, not giving it the pressure she wants. “You’re driving me mad, Tony.”

I lower my fingers to where our bodies are joined, bracketing my shaft as it glides in and out of her wetness. The plump folds of her slippery flesh grip my length and my probing brings increased wiggles from my lover’s hips. Soon my fingers are coated in her moisture and I move the slick digits back up to smooth over her clit.

“Let go, Heather,” I coax in between kissing and biting the thick muscles along her neck and shoulder. “Lose yourself in the moment.”

I slow my hips, drawing out each stoke from the head of my cock to when the base near my balls is snug up against her thighs. I suck the skin on her shoulder into my mouth, squeeze her left breast in one hand, and rub her clit with the lightest of touches with my right. In less than a minute, she’s panting and writhing on me, eager for me to drive her over that glorious edge.

“Come for me, Heather.” I increase the pressure of my fingers on the lower part of her mound, rubbing right and left, edging over her most sensitive place at the top where her outer folds meet. “I want you to come with me.”

Moisture floods around my cock as I plunge into her depths. Ripples wrap around my shaft as she throws her head back and moans her release to the room. My name spills from her lips in a series of pants and I succumb, letting my own orgasm overtake me.

Shudders and small muscle convulsions spasm through my taut frame as I hold myself deep inside Heather’s hot passage. Each pulse of release sends me higher than before, like a rocket going into orbit. Little by little, I come back to myself and feel the sweat cooling on my exposed skin.

Heather rests on her elbows, head hanging down in exhaustion. I brace an arm on the desk and plant soft kisses on the bright red suction marks I left on her shoulder. I hadn’t meant to mark her but got carried away in the heat of the moment. A small smile forms on my lips. At least it’s not immediately visible, like on her throat.

A knock sounds on my office door, too perfectly timed to be a coincidence.

“Tony?” Marcus calls out. “We need to talk.”

Chapter Eleven

Heather

Tony’s hand freezes mid-caress, his muscular thighs tense behind mine. “I’m busy right now, Marcus.” I stifle an urge to giggle at his gross understatement. “Whatever it is will have to wait ‘til tomorrow.”

A few tense seconds pass and the man on the other side of the door bites out a terse, “Fine,” and we hear his footsteps retreat down the corridor.

Embarrassment and fear war inside me. “Do you think he heard us?”

A gentle kiss lands on my shoulder. “Don’t know. Don’t care.”

I push away from the hard wood, and Tony quickly grabs a fistful of tissues from his desk. My lover withdraws from my body, leaving me with a physical ache from the loss.

Uh-oh. An ache in my heart when he’s not inside me? That can’t be good. Well, I guess that depends on how you look at it. I no longer
think
I’m falling for him hard, I
know
it. Crap.

“Aren’t you worried about your job?” I ask, eager to deflect my mind from my own musings. “Couldn’t Marcus get you in trouble for…,” I hesitate, unsure how to phrase what just happened between us, “…our little adventure?”

Tony turns me to face him and gathers me in his arms. His breath fans my ear and his voice sounds reluctant. “I’ve never had an encounter like what we just shared.” He squeezes me and kisses my neck. “But I can’t deny to having been with a woman in my office before.”

Flashes race through my mind of all the tabloid covers and trashy articles I’ve seen over the years about the corporate playboy. I stiffen and he steps back to look me in the eyes. “Don’t shut me out, please.” He grins, the wicked look transforming his sex-softened features. “I swear I’ve never done anything even close to what we did with anyone—ever.”

Hope springs to life inside me. Is he telling me the truth? I started out angry and ready to tan his hide, literally, but things progressed beyond what I had planned, very quickly.

A shyness I’d like to ignore creeps over me and I look away. “Me neither.”

He grabs my chin and turns me back to stare. “No hiding from me.”

I nod, unsure of an appropriate response. When I stood, my skirt fluttered down to cover my naked backside. Now I’m acutely aware of standing topless in a man’s office.

The resulting acceptance and freedom I feel at my nudity takes me by surprise. Am I becoming the wanton creature I’ve pretended to be? Who was that wild woman wielding the paddle and smacking a man’s bare ass?

God, it felt so exhilarating and empowering. I never would have thought spanking someone as hard as I did wouldn’t hurt. Tony steps away and dresses. I follow his example, aware of a growing hunger in my stomach. All that exercise and excitement works up an appetite.

As I fasten my bra, my stomach rumbles, sounding like a mewling animal. Tony laughs, and grabs me around the waist, pulling me into his arms for a deep kiss.

When we come up for air he says, “Sounds like your body is saying you
need
to go to dinner with me still.”

He looks hopeful, apparently even now a little worried I might refuse and run. Did I really run away? Have I done that before in relationships and not been aware of it?

Unwilling to examine my personal failings after such an intimate moment, I push the ideas to the back of my mind, promising I’ll do a thorough self-analysis when I’m alone and thinking clearly. Like maybe next year. Standing near this gorgeous hunk of man empties my head of rational thought.

“You’re not going to come up with some lame excuse are you?” Tony asks. “You did promise me.”

His concerned tone jars me into realizing I didn’t answer his first question. “I’m up for dinner.” I smile, forcing a lightness into my expression. I don’t want him to suspect my inner fears and self-doubts. A woman brazen enough to use a paddle on a man in his office and get excited doing it would never balk at a shared meal, right?

I pull on my blouse as Tony fastens his belt. In a moment, he’s ready and grabs the little wooden racket. “I enjoyed this way more than I thought.” He rubs the rubber surface and smacks his palm. A shiver runs over him and when he looks at me again, I see heat in his eyes. “How about you? Did you like spanking me?” A wry expression crosses his face. “You had no problem using it to your advantage.”

I blush and look away, uneasy with the stunt I pulled in negotiating under those circumstances. “I’m not going to apologize for squeezing Apollo for more cash. I know what our company is worth.”

Tony stalks toward me, a glimmer of mischief in his eye. “Do you now? You don’t think it was unfair…having me in such a compromising position?”

I square my shoulders and stand tall. “If I remember right, you didn’t think so at the time.” I cock my head at an angle and jut out my chin. “Are you going to renege now that I don’t have you bent over your desk?”

Tony wraps his arms around me and gives my butt a playful swat with the paddle. The wood hitting my bottom sends a jolt of awareness through me. “Nope, not on your life. But I plan on keeping this handy in case you’d like to feel it, too.”

Anticipation thrills through me at the thought of being at Tony’s mercy. Eager to place my feelings firmly under control, I nip him lightly with my teeth on his shoulder. “We’ll see.” I pull out of his embrace and grab my purse to dig around for a mirror, anxious to see what type of damage was done to my hair and makeup.

“You look fantastic, but there’s a bathroom behind that door, if you need it.” Tony directs me and I gladly escape for a moment to collect myself. I close the door softly, still slightly uncomfortable with the situation. Thinking back, Tony said
no
to me during our sex play and I was okay with it. Even then, a part of me knew he’d never hurt me. And if I’m honest, that same part of me knows he only went along with my orders because he wanted to. He could easily ignore me or overpower me anytime he wants.

I look in the mirror, expecting the worst.

The attractive woman staring back at me takes my breath away. My lipstick is long gone—the lips swollen from recent attention and appearing plumper than normal. My curled hair is still wavy, but fuller and a little wild. The overall glow of my skin must be from increased circulation. My eyes twinkle with an untold secret. I look like I’ve slept well for a week and been to a designer salon.

Maybe this is what being happy does to a woman.

Quiet. Don’t place more on this than it seems. Sure, you had great sex and spanked his tight bum with a paddle, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pick out china and go over your bank accounts together
.

I sigh. The logical workings of my mind are a nice, harsh reminder of a reality I’d like to ignore.

I use the bathroom facilities and wash up before opening the door. Tony lounges in one of the club chairs by a round table positioned near the window. He rises when I emerge, looking as breathtaking as he did at the meeting but more relaxed. His tousled hair and olive complexion make my hands itch with the desire to touch. Sexy caramel eyes, gold lighting their depths, gaze at me with heat and longing.

Banging my brains out over his desk obviously agrees with him.

“You look beautiful.” He draws my right hand to his lips and kisses the knuckles.

The moment he says it, I believe it. For the first time in I don’t know how long, maybe ever, I feel deserving of the words. “Thank you.”

The handsome executive cocks his arm, offering an elbow to me. “Shall we?”

I rest my hand on his forearm and a smile of pure happiness spreads over my features.

We journey to an exclusive uptown restaurant where I’ve never eaten. The old me would have worried my sexy boots may not be right for the establishment, or that my mussed hair looked uncouth. The new me glances around at the other diners, consciously aware my good looks are drawing attention from the men.

Tony’s hand at my waist drifts lower, cupping my bottom briefly as he whispers in my ear, “Are you missing something?” He squeezes one cheek and lets go. “I have your thong in my pocket.” He hands me off to the server holding out a chair. A flush creeps up my neck as I sit. The waiter pushes my chair in, and drapes a napkin over my lap.

“Good evening, Mr. Carmine,” our over-forty and dashingly dressed waiter says. “It’s a pleasure to see you back. It’s been a while, no?” his Italian accent barely detectable.

Tony’s face transforms into a jovial patron, instead of secret seducer. “You’re right, Leo. I’ve been working long hours for a while now.”

Leo looks to me and then back to Tony. “It’s good to take the time to enjoy the finer things of life, yes?”

Tony’s light eyes lock onto mine. “I couldn’t agree more.” A thrill of pleasure runs through me. I don’t think I’ve ever dated a man so…charismatic and appealing. He makes me feel desirable with a simple glance. “May I order a bottle of white wine, Heather?”

I nod and reach for my water while he discusses choices with the server. I can’t believe less than an hour ago I had this man bent over a desk while smacking his cute butt. I gulp the water and sputter. Heat rushes to my cheeks and Tony raises an eyebrow in my direction. The waiter leaves and he asks, “Are you okay? Is the restaurant too hot for you?”

I shake my head and reach for my menu. “My mind wandered for a minute.”

His sexy and mischievous look returns. A satisfied and indulgent smile blossoms in the dim light. “And where did it wander to,
mon amore
?” He leans forward and removes the menu from my grasp, taking my smaller hands into his larger ones. “Were you thinking about what you did with that paddle,” his low voice carries only to me, “or what we did after?”

I like this bolder, sexier side of Tony. He let me lead before, but seems perfectly content to switch sides with whatever mood I display. I’m still unsettled by what happened between us—I’ve never connected with another person so intimately.

Heat lights my cheeks again when I think of the noises I made at the end. The entire experience was liberating.

I want to do it again.

Tony’s thumb rubs the back of my hand, encouraging me to answer. “I liked it all.” I look away and then back to him, wondering if I’m revealing too much of myself. “I’ve never done anything like that before.”

His eyes bore into mine. “Like I said before, me neither.”

A small snort escapes before I can stop it. “Really? I find that a little hard to believe with all the women you’ve been with.”

“Quantity doesn’t equate to quality.”

Quality. Huh. I’d never thought of relationships like that. He may be on to something. “I think I’ve had some pretty low-quality relationships myself.”

His expression turns more urgent. “Is that what we have, a relationship? Is this the beginning of something…something more?”

My heart beats loudly in my chest, the pounding filling my ears. I’m glad I’m sitting or I might fall. Can I do this? Can I keep pretending to be someone I
’
m not and enter a relationship with him? Is the new me an act or is it a part of me I
’
d never let out?

“Is that what you’d like?” I ask, hoping to get more direction out of him before I answer.

He draws my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles, like he did when we were alone. “I’d like that very much.”

Our waiter returns with the wine, apologizing for interrupting. Tony releases my hand and I don’t know if I feel relief at Leo’s intrusion or annoyance. This is what I want, isn
’
t it? I want to go a little further with Tony than sex buddies, right? As the waiter makes a show of pouring and offering the wine, I examine the man across from me.

Strong chin, angled cheekbones, glossy sable-brown hair, and a generous mouth. His wide chest fills his suit, making him almost larger than life at our little table for two. Warmth rushes to my middle, bringing a tingling feeling of goodness to my limbs. Any woman would be a fool not to want a relationship with him.

The waiter leaves and I open my mouth to tell Tony
yes
, when I hear my name. “Heather? Is that you?”

I turn toward the voice and see Rick, my ex from two years ago. The one who left me on New Year’s Eve for another woman. An unreadable mask slips over Tony’s face as the lanky, polished man approaches.

“Hi, Rick. Yes, it’s me.” A calm I never would have expected at seeing the two-timing jerk settles over me. I smile, secure with the knowledge I’m now with a better man. “How have you been?”

He reaches out to shake my hand and I follow suit, extending my own. To my chagrin, he pulls me out of my chair to hug me. “I’m good.” He lets go quickly, before his actions cross a line past familiar to lascivious.

A welcoming smile spreads from ear to ear when he steps back. “You look terrific.” He tilts his head to the side, examining me. I ignore his overt scrutiny and return to my seat, tossing a helpless, apologetic look at Tony. “Is it the hair? Hmm…I can’t be sure.” Tony clears his throat and Rick finally acknowledges him. “Oh, sorry.” He offers his hand to Tony. “Rick Freeman.”

Tony shakes his hand and replies, “Tony Carmine.”

Recognition at the name sparks in Rick’s expression. A calculating look ensues, and a hopeful gleam comes into his eye. “Do you and Heather work together?”

“No.” His voice sounds almost chilly. “We’re here on a date.”

An unexpected joy fills my heart. Such a simple sentence, yet it makes me feel like I’m
his
. I’d never date the two-timing jerk again, but Tony doesn’t know that.

“Shoot. Can’t blame a guy for trying.” Rick winks at me and takes his leave, wishing us a good night.

Tony shakes his head and stares at his retreating back. “The nerve of some guys.”

“Don’t let him bother you. I’d never date that asshole again for a million dollars.”

Surprise widens his eyes. “Seriously? But you were so nice to him.”

“Being polite in public does not equate to being nice. Would you rather I called him an asshole for dumping me and made a scene?”

“He dumped
you
?” Tony reaches across the table for my hand again, drawing it into his and teasing my palm in slow circles with his thumb. “Idiot didn’t know what he had right in front of him.”