Business and Pleasure Read online

  My heart is racing, and I feel faint. There’s something sinfully erotic and slightly disconcerting about standing half-nude before a window, even if it is impossible for anyone to see inside. Alex must sense my discomfort, for he turns me around, takes my hand, and begins to walk backward toward the bed.

  “I could look at you all night.”

  What does he see that I do not? I’m normal, nothing really special, and I’m sure he could walk out his door and easily find some long-legged, blue-eyed model that’d be willing to worship at his feet. So, why me?

  “Elizabeth, how can you doubt your beauty?” he says, once more sensing my thoughts. “You’re gorgeous. Absolutely breathtaking. Let me show you.”

  He changes direction and walks me over to his full-length mirror, but when we’re standing there, I look everywhere but at my reflection.

  “Look. I want to show you. Please.” Standing behind me, he puts his hands on either side of my face and turns my head so I’m forced to look in the mirror.

  Still, my gaze is not drawn to me, but to him. He’s so close, with his face just above my shoulder, and his warm breath tickles my ear.

  “Look. See yourself as I see you. Your face is luminous, alight with beauty. Your breasts are perfectly shaped and full. Your flat stomach is smooth beneath my palms, and your round ass is just begging for some attention.”

  As he describes my various body parts, he moves his hands over each. His movements in the mirror…the entire experience…is so erotic, like something out of a movie.

  “Alex,” I whisper his name, and my voice is deep, husky, filled with passion.

  “Come.” He leads me back to the bed and has me lie face down. Eyes closed, I can feel him climb on top of me, but he holds his weight up off my back, his knees on either side of me. As I lie there quietly, waiting for his next move, he reaches over to his side table and takes something out.

  “This should help you relax.”

  Cool liquid runs down my spine, and I shiver. The scent of vanilla reaches my nose, and I inhale the intoxicating aroma. He runs his hands down my back, smearing the oil, and then he begins to rub every inch of my back, making sure he leaves no section of muscle unattended. He massages my shoulders, too, and then my neck, and I lose myself in his amazing touch I’ve never had a massage, and right now, I can’t tell you why I haven’t made this a regular part of my life. It feels like heaven.

  “You’re so tense.” He continues rubbing oil all over my back, circling with his thumbs, pressing hard with the heels of his palms. Eventually, he grasps the waist of my skirt.

  “Lift up a little for me, please.”

  I do as he asks, and he slips my skirt down my legs and off, and then tosses it to the floor.

  “Oh, yes. That’s what I am talking about.” He pours the oil over each butt cheek and begins to massage them, as well.

  Oh, this feels so amazing. I lean into his touch, wanting more.

  “You like?” he asks.

  “Oh, yes. More, please.”

  “As you wish.”

  He pours more oil, but this time, he dribbles some down the crack of my ass, then runs his forefinger down there, as well, following the path of the dripping oil. Oh, Lord… I feel as if I might explode. My body begins to grow tense, every muscle begging for release. I lift my ass to him, silently asking for more. Alex continues running his finger up and down my ass crack, but I need more intense stimulation. As usual, he reads my thoughts and gives me what I need, dipping a finger inside my anus.

  Oh, sweet heaven. I tighten at the exquisite invasion.

  “Relax, sweetheart. Open for me.”

  I release a long breath and make a concerted effort to relax all my muscles. Alex slips his other hand beneath me, and then uses his fingers to massage my clit while he finger-fucks my ass.

  “Come, Elizabeth. Come for me.”

  His words have the desired effect; they work like a catalyst to drive me right over the edge. My pussy clenches and convulses, and as I find my release, I cry out, releasing a long, keening wail. I grasp the sheets and twist them into my fists. My body quivers and shakes.

  “That’s it…yes!” Alex speaks into my ear, coating my neck in his hot breath.

  I shiver and gasp. “Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, my God.”

  Alex waits patiently for me to come back down to Earth. As my breathing begins to level out, and my heart stops racing, he gently rolls me over. I look up at him, and he smiles down at me. Never have I seen an expression on a man’s face so full of love, so warm with desire. I now know the meaning of the phrase, “worships me with his gaze.” The way Alex looks at me makes me feel beautiful.

  “Time for your front.”

  My eyes go wide. He can’t be serious. But as he pours oil between my breasts and down over my stomach, I realize he’s not finished driving me wild and treating me to the most erotic experience of my life. He rubs the oil everywhere, over each of my breasts, kneading them gently. He pays particular attention to my sensitive nipples, rolling them between his thumb and finger and tugging them gently. I writhe beneath his touch, my head thrown back on the pillow, eyes closed. My breathing grows erratic again, and Alex seems to sense my need for more. He caresses his way down my stomach, and then farther, between my legs to my core. A lubricated finger brushes over my engorged clitoris.

  “Alex!” I jerk at the electric-like contact.

  “Are you ready for me?” he asks. “May I come inside you now?”

  “Yes, please!” What man asks? Alex is a gentleman to the very end, but I need more. I need him to take me, to be a little forceful and aggressive. “Fuck me, Alex. Now.”

  “My pleasure.”

  He removes his boxers and climbs between my spread thighs. He grasps his shaft in his fist and teasing my pussy with the head of his cock. Up and down…up and down. He slides the head along the puffy lips of my slit. No matter how I wiggle or squirm, or raise my hips at what I think is just the right moment, Alex refuses to do any more than slip just the very tip of his cock inside. He’s making me crazy, and I can’t take much more.

  “Alex, please!”

  No sooner did the words pass my lips than he slams into me, thrusting hard and deep.

  “Is this what you wanted?” His voice is gruff. “Hmm? You want me to fuck you, baby? Fuck you hard and deep?”

  “Oh, yes!”

  He thrusts into me again and again. Each time, he goes a bit deeper than before. He stretches me out so perfectly, kissing my neck, suckling my nipples...driving me wild. A tight heat builds at my core. I’m nearly there…riding the edge again, ready to fall over the other side and into the abyss. Two more thrusts and I scream as my orgasm washes over me, drowning me in erotic sensations. Alex cries out, as well, following me into the darkness lit by billions of dazzling, sparkling lights. We collapse on the bed, me like a warm puddle, him on top of me, his nose buried in my neck. Our bodies slick, sweaty, and worn out, we succumbed to our exhaustion.

  Chapter Seven

  As I come awake, I look over to find Alex still sleeping soundly next to me. A sense of warmth and happiness fills me, and I smile into the pre-dawn light. Last night was pure ecstasy. There is no other word for what I experienced in this man’s arms. He had a goal—to get me to relax—and I’d say he succeeded…and then some. Never in my life has a man made me feel so physically and emotionally adored…a deadly combination, that’s for sure. As I lie here, I begin to imagine what life with him would be like. Probably wonderful and full of passion. I turn my head and gaze out the window, wondering at my unusual thoughts. After all, I barely know him.

  Soft mumbling catches my attention and I look back to check if he’s awake, but his eyes are still closed. His lips move again… He’s talking in his sleep! How cute! I lean close, but I can barely understand what he’s saying. He rolls over, and I hear my name. Now I’m really curious, so I lean in even little closer, trying to make out what he’s saying.

  “I…you…Elizabeth.” />
  Huh? I frown and watch his lips.

  “I love you, Elizabeth.” The words are barely a whisper, but there’s no mistaking what he said.

  Holy crap! He loves me? A squeal of delight rises in my throat, and I literally have to swallow back the sound. Alex shifts and stirs in his sleep, then quiets down again. He smacks his lips, but he’s no longer mumbling under his breath. Dang. I’d like to hear him say those words again, just to be sure… But you are sure, I tell myself. I know he said he loves me.

  What in the hell do I do now?

  Maybe I don’t have to do anything. After all, he doesn’t know he said anything, and he definitely doesn’t know I heard him say he loves me, so I decide to put the matter aside, for now. As much as I can, anyway… Knowledge is power, and knowing Alex loves me makes me feel very powerful. With a man like him at my side, I can conquer the world…or, at least my own little corner of the world.

  A shiver runs up my spine as nagging doubt sets in. How can he love me already? I don’t seem like the type of woman he’d look at twice, let alone date, but he’s obviously interested. I just can’t see why. Christina seems more like his type than me. I sigh, wondering if I have him pegged all wrong. He is just too gorgeous to be with a woman like me.

  But right now, I have a more pressing matter to consider; I have to pee. How to climb out of this bed and make it to the bathroom over there, without waking Alex? I turn my head to see if he’s still sleeping, and his eyes are closed. He looks so peaceful, so serene…I hate to wake him, but if I don’t go relieve myself, like now, I’m going to have an accident in this big, beautiful bed.

  With this in mind, I slowly roll out of the bed, stand up, and stretch. My body feels pretty sore but in a very good way. A way that reminds me of what happened last night and makes me grin. I tiptoe into his immaculate restroom and find myself surrounded by brown tile. Little light and dark brown squares are everywhere…on the floor, on the walls, around the tub. The long room has two sinks on one side, with the toilet hidden behind a small wall on the other side. At the far end sits a huge Jacuzzi tub, kind of heart-shaped, and there’s a rain shower right next to it, but there’s no glass wall, no door, nothing…the shower is completely open! Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe this room. As I take care of my aching bladder, wash my hands, and—using my fingers—do my best to get the knots out of my hair, I feel like a princess.

  Feeling much better, but dying for a cup of coffee (you may have guessed, by now, that I really enjoy a morning latte or four), I decide to let Alex sleep while I go downstairs to investigate the kitchen. If I can find a coffee pot and all the necessary ingredients, I’ll brew a pot and fix a couple cups for the two of us.

  I make my way down the spiral staircase and find myself once again in his living room, which is even lovelier in the daylight. I turn the corner past the dining area, and enter the kitchen. Once again, the place is immaculate. Not a single thing out of place. If there’s one thing that kind of bothers me, it’s that the place is a little…antiseptic. A bit too clean, if you know what I mean. Not that I’d appreciate it more if Alex were a slob…but a dirty cup on the counter or in the sink, a sweater thrown over the back of a chair…something like that might make the place feel a little more lived in, a little homier. I chuckle to myself. Becca would think I’d lost my mind if she knew what I was thinking right now, considering how I’m constantly nagging her to pick up after herself. I guess I just never realized how a tiny bit of clutter can make a house seem more like a home.

  Alex has all stainless steel appliances—go figure—beautiful, dark brown wood cabinets, and a rich deep black color of granite for the counters. The large ceramic floor tiles, too, are dark brown. I have no trouble finding the coffeemaker, as it’s sitting out on the counter. I laugh again when I see it’s exactly the same Keuriq Platinum maker I have at home. I quickly make two cups of coffee, and then I head back upstairs.

  I tiptoe across the room to Alex’s side of the bed. His eyes are still closed, and his deep, regular breathing tells me he’s either still snoozing, or he’s good at faking sleep. Either way, he has to open those beautiful eyes soon; we both have to work today. But he looks so peaceful…and heaven knows, I’m not eager to go into the office. I have got to figure out what else I have to do about the “Bob situation,” as I’ve come to think of it, and now, with Christina quitting on Alex so suddenly, I think I should look into that if I can, too.

  Oh, what the hell…what’s five more minutes, right? I leave Alex to his slumber and walk over to the window. Awestruck, I look out over Manhattan. New York is such a lovely city, but the people who live here can turn their back on you without warning. I suppose that’s the price you pay for doing business in here. It’s a gorgeous, Wednesday morning—the sun is shining, and there’s not a single cloud in sight.

  Bang!

  A loud crash shatters the stillness. I fly backward and hit the floor hard. Too stunned and hurt to react or move, I lie there and stare up at the ceiling in shocked silence.

  “Elizabeth!” Alex’s screams echo the ones I’d let loose, if I weren’t so damn dazed and confused by whatever just happened.

  “Elizabeth, are you okay! Talk to me!”

  I want to…really, I do, but I can’t make my lips work, can’t turn my head, and can’t move a muscle. It’s as if my whole body is on lockdown.

  C’mon, Elizabeth…get it together. Let him know you’re okay. But am I? Okay, I mean. I focus all my energy on moving my head, and after a moment, I’m able to turn and look toward the bed. Alex? Where’s Alex? All I see is glass lying around me…and blood. Lots and lots of blood. Who’s bleeding? Did I cut myself?

  “Elizabeth! Answer me please!”

  I can hear him, but I can’t see him. And I still can’t talk. What the…? I try to move my head again, to look the other way, but a sharp pain has me sucking in my breath. There’s something going on with my shoulder…feels as if someone’s stabbing me with a knife.

  “Yes! Come quickly! My girlfriend has been shot in the shoulder! No. I don’t know who shot her; the bullet came in through the window, damn it! Now stop asking questions, and get someone here!”

  I close my eyes against Alex’s panic, which so closely resembles my own, and focus on staying calm. He apparently just phoned the paramedics, so help is on its way. I just need to hang in there a little bit longer…

  I sense someone nearby and turn to see Alex kneeling on the glass-strewn floor. He has something in his hands, something he uses to put pressure on my shoulder, which makes the pain ten times worse.

  “Ouch…oh, God, that hurts!” Did I actually just manage to speak?

  “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I need to put some pressure on this. You’re bleeding pretty badly.” Alex presses against my shoulder again, but this time, he exerts a little less pressure.

  “Alex.” My voice is rough and sounds scratchy, and I wonder if he can hear me.

  “It’s okay,” he says. “I’m here. I’ll take care of you, and help is on the way.”

  I cough a few times, and then try once again to say what’s on my mind. “Alex, I love you too.”

  Tears fill his eyes as he leans over me and presses a kiss to my lips. “I love you, Elizabeth. Everything will be fine. You were shot. Someone fired a gun through the window. You’ve got a bullet wound in your shoulder, so try not to move.”

  “Okay.”

  I lay there in silence, and my eyes drift closed. I said what I had to say…just in case. There’s nothing to do now except wait for the paramedics to arrive.

  *****

  Pain in my right shoulder drags me from a deep sleep. I awaken to find an IV in my left hand and Alex asleep beside me. He’s sitting in a chair, but he’s leaning forward with his head resting on my bed right next to me. My mind races as I struggle to recall the details of what happened. I remember waking up next to Alex in his room, and I recall going downstairs and getting coffee and then going back up to his room. I looked out th
e window, and the memory comes rushing back, hitting me like a punch in the gut. I suck in my breath, gasping over what I recall. Someone shot me!

  “Elizabeth... You’re awake. Thank God.” Alex sits up. He takes my hand and gives a gentle squeeze.

  “Yes. I take it I’m in the hospital. Do we know who fired the gun…if it was an accident, or…?”

  He sighs, and he looks sad to me. An old expression comes to mind—“You look as if you just lost your best friend.” The saying seems to fit.

  “Someone must have seen you through my window. I have no idea who or why, but he shot you. The police haven’t found the gunman, and we don’t know if he was hoping to kill you or just injure you, or, as you mention, if it was just an accident. In any case, I’m pissed off. I have every single one of my security people trying to find who it was—with the exception of Guy, and only because I have him stationed right outside the door to keep an eye on things here.”

  It takes a minute for that to sink in, and I squirm, unable to get comfortable with my arm like this.

  “Are you in pain, baby?”

  “My shoulder does hurt a bit.”

  “Enough said. Hold on.” He presses the button and calls a nurse to my room.

  He explains I’m in pain, and within minutes, she is there putting something into my IV.

  “How long do I have to be here?”

  Alex walks over and takes my hand. “Well, now that you’re awake, it’s just a matter of time. The police want to question you about anything you may have seen, and the doctor wants you monitored for a bit. You can probably go home tomorrow, but when I say home, I mean my place.”

  “Alex. I need to go home. I need clothes and other necessities. I also have to get back to work.” This statement fills me with panic. I start to rise, but searing pain in my shoulder forces me to lie back. Breathing heavy against the sheer agony of “Holy crap! What day is it?”

  I hold my breath, praying I haven’t been out of it long enough to have missed Friday’s vote at Neo Corp. I need to be there; I have stop Bob from becoming a board member. I have to try, anyway.