Drive(79)

Lexi pulled a chilled bottle of vodka from the fridge and lined up three shots.

“To Dead Sergeants,” she proposed, and we all threw them back. I looked pointedly at Ben. “Just don’t forget about the little people.”

“Never,” he said before he poured another set of shots, his eyes resting on Lexi and hers on the bottle he was holding. “To my girls,” Ben toasted, as Lexi quickly wiped a tear from her eye just in time for him to miss it.

The space between she and I disintegrated in that moment, as she watched any future with the man she loved move past her in a one hundred mile per hour blur. And I hated that she knew what it felt like. But it was time to return the favor.





Xanadu

Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra



I locked the door behind Sierra when she left the following Tuesday. I felt ridiculous and time was of the essence. I had only texted Nate once to apologize, and he insisted I was fine, but I couldn’t help but feel like I had somehow sabotaged my chances with him. So, I let myself open up to finally having what I deserved with a man who deserved me. I thanked my lucky stars it was Halloween as I set up the boom box I left at the front desk, along with the tabletop disco ball.

“Fuck me,” I said under my breath, my nerves getting the best of me.

“Sierra?” Nate called from his office.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Moving quickly, I hit the light switch and activated my pint-sized disco ball, setting the room off in reflective light as Olivia rang out through the office. The atmosphere quickly morphed into my chosen scene as I started my apology ballet.

Nate’s laughter was instant as he moved from behind his desk, his emerging face completely expectant as I raced around the office in my roller skates, white knee socks, and my off the shoulder dress with a slit up both thighs. Nate stopped at his doorframe, his arms crossed while his laughter echoed.

Don’t trip. The point is to look sexy here, Stella.

“What in the hell are you doing?” Nate said as he shook his head.

“I’m apologizing,” I said as I tried to gracefully disappear around a corner and appear again, the way Olivia did in the movie. “Magic” started to play as I finally rolled up in front of him.

“For what?” he asked, looking down at me with softened eyes full of amusement.

“I drink too much sometimes,” I said, rolling back and forth in front of him, pushing off his chest only to skate back to him.

“Stella,” he said as his eyes glittered. “Most people drink too much sometimes.”

“I just . . .” I shrugged as he leaned down and took my chin in his fingers.

“You just what?” he whispered.

“I just. I’ve been thinking and . . . I think I want to start our story now,” I whispered back, before I leaned on my bright orange stoppers and wrapped my hands around his neck. The look on his face was a priceless mix of emotion and need. Indigo eyes searched mine as he cupped my face. I will never forget the way he looked at me, like I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen before he slowly fused our lips. His kiss was gentle until my first moan spilled, and then it became a whirlwind. He had us reversed in seconds, me against the doorframe, his tongue opening me wide as we tangled in a kiss that obliterated any doubt.

“Nate,” I moaned, my nipples drawn tight, pulse racing.

“Jesus Christ, baby, did you lock the door?” he rasped out before he bit my bare shoulder and trailed the pads of his fingers up my thigh.

“Yes,” I said as he ripped himself away, his breaths coming out fast.

His wheels were turning. He didn’t want to reduce us to an office fling, but we both knew better. I could see his decision before he said a word. “Fuck it.” We collided, hot mouths, tasting tongues, my moans and his groans. I was twisted to face his door, my skirt lifted as he gripped my throat and turned my lips to his. He slid his hand between us as his tongue stroked mine in the most thorough of kisses. His fingers dipped below my panties and he found me slippery. I shuddered as he gently massaged my clit with a single finger. I was shaking limbs in seconds.

“I’m . . . come,” I said, breaking from his mouth. His blue eyes watched me as I burst in his hands, my breaths coming out hard, the wave hitting so fast he had to keep me from buckling.

“More. You told me to ask. More. Right now.” His eyes pooled as he grinned down at me, finger dipping low while I recovered my breath.

“You’re so damn beautiful falling apart on my fingers. I need you on my cock, now.” He flicked his wrist and it was instant. He swallowed my orgasm as he pinned me to the door. I melted into him, my heart thundering, my cries muffled by his need to feast.

“Nate,” I said breathlessly, as he ripped me from the door and pulled my dress—in one sweeping movement—over my head. I stood bare in roller skates, socks, and white, string-bikini style panties I had worn just in case. I untied the sides and they fell between my skates.

“I’m officially fucked,” he said as he moved toward me, a skilled predator, hungry. His mouth found mine, possessive, scalding as he lowered me to the desk and spread me wide. He practically ripped his tie away before he unbuttoned his shirt, his eyes blazing a trail from the top to the tip of me. His etched chest rose and fell as I trailed my eyes down to the V just above his slacks. Nate was solid muscle, chiseled and pebbled, and after his shoes came off, his pants and boxers hit the floor. I gasped at the sight of him pumping his cock as he watched me squirm on the hard surface of the desk. “Wider, Stella,” he ordered as he fisted himself. His eyes fluttered briefly before he pulled a condom from his wallet and sheathed himself. Leaning over, he didn’t hesitate as our eyes locked before he buried himself in one solid thrust.