A Deep and Dark December(98)
“I’d better get back before Crosby starts yelling.” She looked at the envelope again, a frown creasing her brow. And then she thrust it at him, hitting him mid chest. “Here.” She released it without waiting for him to bring his hand up. He grabbed it before it hit the ground. “When you’re done, burn them. Shred them. I don’t care.” But she didn’t look at them as though she didn’t care. “I don’t want to see them again.”
That he believed, and he wanted to be the one to make them go away for her. He wasn’t sure why he felt a protectiveness toward her that went beyond his job description. A protectiveness that was entirely personal. He wanted to be the shield that separated her from the things that made her eyes wide with fear and had her flinching at an outstretched hand.
Lucas tucked the envelope into the inside pocket of his leather jacket and followed Mi back to the studio where it looked as though they had gotten everything straightened out. People milled about, checking or testing things, shouting out and answering commands. He felt out of place here. Everything was so fake: the seating group meant to look like anyone’s living room, the backdrop with a windowed view of anyone’s neighborhood and the woman standing in the midst of it all, getting her hair and makeup touched up. Mi.
Gone was the reserved, almost shy, woman he’d met earlier. In her place was the on-camera siren who sold sex toys, handling them like a pro. That thought made his shoulders twitch. Would he be the first to assume a woman who sold sex toys also had vast intimate knowledge of how to use them? What kind of crazy kink would a woman like her be into? Watching her switch on a vibrator and stroke the shaft while extolling its virtues affected him more than he wanted it to. More than it should have. He wondered if he was the only one getting turned on by her display. He’d bet not. A woman like her would have men tripping themselves to get to her.
But there had been no reference of a husband, boyfriend or any other kind of personal relationship in her file. Maybe there were too many to mention. He shifted his feet, more uncomfortable with that notion than he had a right to be. He thought again of the photo of Mi and another woman by a lake with a baby stroller. The other woman looked too old to be the mother of an infant. So if the baby wasn’t Mi’s, whose was it? And where was the baby’s father?
Mi held up two odd looking things with small clamps. “Next up we have a beautiful set of cordless vibrating nipple clamps from Love’s Slave. Foreplay fun or masturbation enhancement, these lovely vibrating clamps are made of soft, supple rubber and are adjustable for your pleasure. Tickle, tease and please your perky tips hands-free, batteries included…”
Jesus. Lucas’s gaze immediately dropped to Mi’s breasts as she spoke. He first imagined using the nipple clamps on her, but quickly discarded that image, replacing it with his hands and mouth, licking and coaxing her nipples to stiff peaks…
“Increase your orgasmic pleasure by combining your Love’s Slave vibrating nipple clamps with the vibrator or dildo of your choice. Only twenty-nine, ninety-nine and available in three colors: pink, purple and silver…”
He’d like to increase her orgasmic pleasure and not with some battery operated contraption, but with hands and tongue and the slide of skin on skin. He pictured his hands pressed to her small breasts, his thumbs tracing circles around her aroused flesh…
“Also from Love’s Slave we have the Ride ‘Em Cowgirl, a stationary ride-on vibe with three speeds. Just place the Ride ‘Em Cowgirl on your bed or floor and set your own pace, slow and sensual or fast and hard. However you like it, you decide…”
A fine sweat coated Lucas’s forehead and upper lip. He adjusted the front of his pants, picturing Mi naked, rising over him, riding him like a cowgirl…
“This bubble gum pink ride-on vibe has adjustable speeds and a strong suction cup attachable to any surface for when you want to ride doggie-style…”
Fuck. His hands flexed at his sides as he pictured Mi on all fours in front of him. He gripped her hips, taking her hard and fast from behind just the way he’d like…
“Don’t forget tonight’s show special: Decadence’s Heart-on For You, a beautiful hand-blown glass phallus with a heart shaped handle and sensual beads for added stimulation. And Pleasure at Home’s own Slippery When Whet, a water-based, non-stain lubricant to enhance your sexual experience. Regularly fifty-nine…”
Was she wet right now? Did she get turned on, handling the long hard shafts, describing how to use them? Did she pleasure herself in the darkness of her bedroom late at night?
“We also have some wonderful products for gentlemen, beginning with the Super Stroker 3000 from Midnight Embrace.” Mi held up some kind of tube-looking device. “Extra long to accommodate any sized man, this deep throated stroker will bring you to completion and beyond. Soft, full lips wrap around your shaft, gently sucking…”
He’d experienced less painful torture in the Navy. Watching Mi’s sales pitch was the most erotic thing he’d seen in a long time. And it had been way too long since he’d had anything, but his own hand to slake his lust. He shifted his feet and looked around, needing another focus for his attention. He wanted to fill a sink and dunk his head, give it a good solid soak for the things he’d been thinking. Instead he let his gaze wander the studio, studying the layout, the exits, and the people. He catalogued everything, storing the knowledge away. He was here to protect Mi, nothing more. If only he could erase the erotic images that flickered across his mind like a porno movie.