Erotic Encounters (9 page)

The pain in her eyes was more than Dane could handle, more than anything he had ever encountered. It clawed at his heart, ripping apart what was left of it. He couldn’t stop himself from wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. It felt so good to be able to hold her again. He cradled her head against his shoulder and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.

“I’m so sorry, Shasta. I never meant to hurt you. I…I mean…” He held her tighter. He didn’t want to ever let go of her. Never again.

He swallowed down the trepidation trying to push its way into his reality. He had to make a choice…overcome the fear of even attempting a committed relationship or else risk losing the person who meant more to him than anyone in the world. His heart pounded so loudly, surely she must be able to hear it. He closed his eyes for a moment as he gathered his courage.

“I don’t want to lose you.” Once the words were out of his mouth, it was as if the flood gates had been opened wide. “I was an only child. My mother and father argued constantly. I grew up in the middle of shouting matches, bitter words and accusations. When I was fifteen, my father walked out the door and never came back.” He tried to force a calm to the chaos knotting in his stomach, but it didn’t work.

“My mother sank deeper into her bitterness and spent all her time complaining. I felt like I was drowning in all the negative energy. I wanted nothing more out of life than to get as far away as I could from anything having to do with my childhood and teen years.” He nuzzled his cheek against her head as he collected his thoughts.

“Several years later, when my mother became ill, I had no choice but to return and take care of her and then make good on her medical expenses. But it was the last straw. I wanted nothing to do with family ever again. When your only role models in life are a father who deserts is wife and son and a mother so filled with bitter resentment that she can only function by complaining to the point where she drives everyone away from her…well, you don’t exactly feel the need or desire to embrace the concept of relationship.”

He took a steadying breath before continuing. “I’ve just spent the most miserable week of my life. Nothing in my past was as bad as what I’ve been through since I walked out of here last Saturday night.” He placed another kiss on her forehead as he threaded his fingers through her hair. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”

Shasta’s emotions soared to the heights. His words touched the very core of her soul. “Oh, Dane…you have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that. When you left, when I saw you walk out the door, I thought I’d die. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again. This last week has been horrible. I kept telling myself no one can base a relationship on twenty-four hours of hot sex no matter how good it was. But for me it was so much more than just fun and games.”

“I can’t deny the truth any longer. I love you, Shasta. You mean everything to me.” He caressed her shoulders, holding her tightly. “This has all happened so quickly, maybe even too quickly. But I’ve never had anything feel so right.”

“I love you, too, Dane. You’re right. It all happened so fast, but I know it’s true. I know it in my heart.”

“I quit the club tonight. The Macho Marauder has made his last appearance. I’ll find some other way of paying off the rest of the expenses. It will take me longer, but it will be worth it, knowing we can be together.”

She circled her arms around his neck and brushed a soft kiss across his lips. “Maybe I can help you with that. I live very simply and have been able to save quite a bit. How much do you still owe?”

“I don’t want your money. I’ll figure out another way of handling it.”

“But I want to help.”

A wicked grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Money isn’t the pressing matter right now.” He took her hand and rubbed it against the prominent bulge at his crotch.

She returned his grin with a knowing one of her own. “Yes, I see what you mean. I’m sure I can help you with that…if you’ll let me.”

He wrapped his arms around her again. His smile faded, seriousness emanating from the depths of his eyes. “I love you so much, Shasta.” The heartfelt words tickled across her ear. “I don’t know exactly how the future is going to unfold, but as long as we’re together, that’s all I can ask for, that’s everything I want.”

“That’s what I want, too.”

He captured her mouth with a loving kiss, one filled with the emotion coursing through his body. He didn’t hold anything back, allowing his deep and abiding love for her to finally come through. And she returned that love as their souls merged into one.

It was Shasta who broke the kiss. “I’ll join you in the bedroom in a minute.”

He looked at her questioningly, obviously not knowing exactly what to make of her words. “Okay.” He headed down the hallway.

She watched his retreating form, then turned toward the kitchen. She grabbed the can of whipped cream from the refrigerator and hurried to catch up with him. A sexy smile lit his face when he saw what she had in her hand.

“And where, my sexy beauty, have you hidden the chocolate body paint?”

She ran her free hand across the denim covering his ass, then wiggled it into the waist band of his jeans. “Get yourself out of those clothes, and I’ll show you.”

He pulled his shirt over his head and let it drop to the floor, then quickly doffed the rest of his clothes. Without a moment’s hesitation, she stripped off her clothes and handed him the can of whipped cream before stretching out in the middle of the bed.

Raising her arms, she beckoned him to her. His cock jumped and twitched when she spread her legs and ran the tip of her tongue over her upper lip. The glow in the depth of his eyes told her he liked what he saw, and his cock standing tall and hard told her he was ready.

He shook the whipped cream can, then took off the cap. “Looks like I arrived just in time for dessert.”

Masked Encounter

Chapter One

As much as she tried, she didn’t seem to have any control over her own body. Moisture seeped from between the delicate folds of her femininity. Her heart pounded in her chest and her pulse raced. Nipples puckered into taut peaks. Breasts rose and fell with each ragged breath she sucked into her lungs.

She watched, fascinated by the way he slowly peeled off his shirt, almost as if he had chosen to perform a slow strip tease for the enjoyment of an audience of one. The candle light shimmered off the hard planes of his well-defined chest. His sexy smile spoke to her, telling of all the delights the night would bring. Making eye contact with him, she held it just long enough to see the heated desire smoldering in the depths of his green eyes.

Her body trembled in anticipation of what she knew would be the hottest sex she had ever experienced. The tip of her tongue ran across her upper lip as her gaze dropped to his crotch and the noticeable bulge that promised passion beyond her wildest expectations. She scrutinized his every move as he lowered his zipper—

“Hey, Trish.”

Julie’s voice abruptly intruded into the fantasy, jerking Trish Andrews back into the here and now. She tried to clear the sexy image from her mind, an easier task than stopping the sensual excitement that flooded her body and dampened her panties.

“I don’t know where your mind was, but you’d better get it back on work. Mr. Rutledge just pulled into the parking lot.”

“What?” Her eyes widened in shock as Julie’s words caught her totally off guard. “Oh, no! I didn’t think he’d be in this morning.” She did a quick perusal of her office, her attention drawn to the unopened mail and the fact that she hadn’t even turned on her computer yet. “He just got back from London late last night. I didn’t expect to see him until after lunch.” She shook her head in disbelief. “The man is too much of a workaholic. He couldn’t even take the morning off.”

Pushing back from her desk, she extended a grateful smile toward her friend. “Thanks for the warning, Julie.”

Trish had been Jonathon Rutledge’s administrative assistant for the last three years and the executive vice president’s secretary prior to that. When her predecessor retired, she had applied for the opening in Jonathon’s office. She had worked for Rutledge Industries a total of nine years, starting right after she graduated from college. She enjoyed her job and admired the man who headed the corporation. But business acumen wasn’t the only thing she admired about the dynamic, handsome and very sexy Jonathon Rutledge.

After flipping on her computer, she scurried around the office making sure everything was in its place. Now wasn’t the time for her to dwell on his many attractive qualities, not the least of which was a magnetic sex appeal that had been driving her crazy for three years. She quickly opened the mail and sorted it into stacks according to the envelope contents. She breathed a sigh of relief and poured a cup of coffee just as Jonathon Rutledge swept into her office.

She handed him the steaming mug and presented a businesslike smile. Her words were crisp and precise. “Good morning, Mr. Rutledge.”

He took the coffee from her as he flashed an appreciative grin. “Ah…just what I need. I’m still functioning on London time. Thank you, Miss Andrews.”

She followed him into his office. He removed his suit jacket and handed it to her. A hint of his aftershave clung to the fabric. Carrying the jacket to the closet, she took the opportunity to inhale the fragrance before hanging it up. Her fingers lingered a moment on the expensive material. Everything about Jonathon Rutledge excited her senses and fed her fantasies.

She handed him his mail. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

He cocked his head and looked at her questioningly, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Why? This is still my office, isn’t it?”

“I meant with you having arrived from London so late last night.” A hint of embarrassment tinged her words. “I had assumed you would take the morning off.”

He settled in behind his large oak desk. “It was certainly tempting, but I have to put the finishing touches on the London deal.”

“You have an appointment at three this afternoon with your attorney. Do you want me to reschedule it for Monday?”

“No, that won’t be necessary.” Jonathon loosened his tie and undid the top button of his silk shirt. He didn’t like wearing a suit and tie to the office. He was far more comfortable in jeans but had acquiesced to the necessity because of his meeting at his attorney’s office with the president and vice president of Premier Associates along with their attorney.

He had been trying to buy Premier Associates for over a year. It was the only reason he had returned from London on Thursday night rather than staying through the weekend.

That, and the costume party Marty Collins was hosting on Saturday night. It had been a long time since he had taken a break from his work schedule and done something just for fun. And Marty always threw fun parties.

Jonathon leaned back in his chair and watched Trish as she returned to her office. She was dressed in her normal sensible skirt and blazer, her blonde hair pulled neatly back into a bun. He had never seen her hair in any other style. Very tailored, very businesslike, very efficient.

His relationship with his employees had always been strictly business. It made for a more professional working atmosphere and prevented any personal problems that might arise from social interaction with the people who worked for him. He found it too difficult to be friends and socialize on Friday night and then be the boss again on Monday morning.

He took a swallow from his coffee mug as he allowed his thoughts to wander. Trish Andrews had been his administrative assistant for three years, but he didn’t really know that much about her. He knew the surface things, but nothing truly personal. What kind of music did she listen to? What kind of movies did she go see? What kind of books did she read? Somewhere under that practical exterior there had to be a real woman. Did she ever let her hair down and have fun, or did it stay in that bun even when she wasn’t at work? Was she dating anyone special? Did she go to wild parties? Drink champagne from crystal flutes? Dance until dawn?

Or better yet, did she ever lose that cool, controlled efficiency and have wild sex with a stranger? His cock twitched, followed by the unmistakable signs of arousal telling him what he already knew—he desperately needed to get laid. It had been much too long since the last time he buried his hard cock inside a desirable woman and fucked the night away.

He sucked in a calming breath and slowly exhaled as he shook his head. Even the prim and proper Miss Andrews was starting to look good to him. He took another swallow of coffee. He had too much work to do to waste time fantasizing about someone who wouldn’t be his type even if she didn’t work for him.

****

The low cut floor length evening gown clung to her curves, seeming more like something that had been painted on her body rather than a piece of clothing. It left just enough to the imagination to whet Jonathon Rutledge’s appetite for more.

The back dipped dangerously low. The side slit reached half way up her thigh. The front seemed to be nothing more than two strips of fabric extending upward from her waist and meeting at the back of her neck while managing to barely cover and contain her breasts. There was no way she could possibly have anything on underneath.

Jonathon had noticed the stunning blonde in the red dress the moment he arrived at the party. He could almost feel the silky strands of her shoulder length hair as it tangled around his fingers. Her Mardi Gras style mask covered most of her face in feathers, sequins and glitter. Her hips swayed in a seductive glide as she walked across the floor.

He spotted his host standing at the bar and sauntered toward him, trying to appear much more casual than he felt. He kept a watchful eye on the stunning vision in the red dress as he crossed the room.

“Jonathon.” Marty Collins stuck out his hand in greeting. “Good to see you. I wasn’t sure you were going to make it.”

“I wasn’t sure, either.” He shoved his mask up on his forehead, then shook hands with Marty. “I had to fly to London to salvage a business deal that was about to fall apart. I just got back night before last. I didn’t want to miss the festivities.” He scanned the room, noting everything that came across his line of sight. “This is quite a shindig you’ve thrown. It’s been a long time since I attended a costume party.”