Not Safe for Work(60)
Chapter Twenty
Eventually, the model was complete. After the client approved it, I took a few vacation days to give myself a long weekend. I crashed hard the first night. The second, Rick came by with a bottle of wine and some condoms, plus a gift card for a massage the next day.
The third night, my body feeling spectacular after the long-overdue sex and that morning’s amazing massage, I heard Rick’s car pull into the driveway, and my heart was already thumping. I had plans for him tonight, and couldn’t wait to show him what I’d spent the afternoon setting up in the basement.
I opened the door, and my pulse went even crazier. I couldn’t help smiling like an idiot as he came up the walk. Seeing him every day at the office just wasn’t the same.
You’re mine tonight, Pierce. All mine.
I waved him into the house. As I closed the door, I glanced up the stairs. “I’d drag you down and f*ck you right here, but Karen’s still here.”
Rick chuckled. “I can probably wait a few minutes for the sake of decorum.”
“Actually.” I put a hand on the small of his back and lifted my chin as I locked eyes with him. “You’ll wait as long as I tell you to.”
“Right. Right.” He cleared his throat. “I just meant… I mean…”
I kissed him lightly. “Relax. None of that starts until we’re downstairs.” I nodded toward the basement door. “And we’ll go back up to the bedroom afterward, since we’ll have the house to ourselves by the time I’m done with you. Karen’s still here, but she’s—”
“She’s on her way out,” my ex-wife broke in as she came down the stairs.
I laughed. “You make it sound like I’m kicking you out.”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes and extended her hand to Rick. “I’m Karen. It’s lovely to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Is that right?” Rick shot me a good-natured glare.
“All good things,” I said, showing my palms.
He chuckled as he released her hand. “Well, he’s had nothing but good things to say about you.”
“I should hope so.” She elbowed me and winked. “Though I could probably tell you some stories about—”
“Okay, okay.” I laughed, playfully shooing her away. “That’s enough of that.”
She laughed. “All right, I’m off. It was great to meet you, Rick.”
“You too.” He smiled.
“Got your keys?” I asked. “Purse?”
She rolled her eyes. “I have everything. I always do. Now let me get out of your hair.” She gave me a quick hug, shook Rick’s hand again and headed out to her car.
If it had been anyone else, I’d have waited until I was sure she was gone, until her engine had faded into the distance, but I knew Karen and she knew me—we both knew exactly why Rick was here tonight, and what she’d walk into if she came back in through the front door. There was no need to wait, so I wasn’t waiting.
I grabbed Rick’s belt and dragged him to me. “Now that we’re alone…” I kissed him hard. Oh, I had plans for him all right. He’d be kneeling and begging and doing every goddamned thing I told him, but before we went downstairs, before the clothes came off and we shut out the world for some fun for me and torture for him, I just… I needed… I had to…
“God, I am so glad to see you,” I breathed between kisses.
“Me too. I’ve missed you. Even last night… Last night it wasn’t—”
“Not enough.” I couldn’t stop kissing him. Jesus. “Never enough. Not after that much time apart.”
“You’re well worth the wait.”
“Likewise.” I met his eyes, and we both smiled. “I’m a very patient man when something is worth waiting for.”
“So am I,” he whispered.
I took his hand. “So, you remember how I said that once I wasn’t working all those absurd hours, I’d make it up to you?” I led him toward the basement door. “I’m doing that tonight.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
We headed down the basement stairs. In my brain, images of the future rolled like a psychic porno, showing me every way the evening could possibly play out, and I was lucky I could navigate the stairs without busting my ass. This was going to be hot. So hot and so long overdue.
Halfway down the stairs, I pulled him into my arms and kissed him again. All the equipment could wait a little longer. I couldn’t.
He touched my jaw and nudged gently, as if asking me to tip my head back. When I did, he descended on my neck, and I pressed back against the wall just to keep from melting at his feet.
“You’re addictive, you know that?” He kissed beneath my jaw. “Can’t…can’t stop thinking about you.”
“Likewise. Always thinking about you.” I swallowed, shivering when my throat pressed against his lips. “And everything I’ve got planned for tonight. Jesus, Rick…”
“I can’t wait.”
“Then let’s not wait anymore.” I pushed him back, and we continued down the stairs. I could’ve made out with him against that wall until the end of time, but if we didn’t get this scene started soon, I was going to go up in flames.