Second Time Around (Yvonne's Naughty Story Collection) (2 page)

William resisted the urge to groan. “So she’s a drug dealer or she spends the whole day playing video games ignoring her children? Do the kids go hungry or days without bathing?”

Cameron scoffed, “No. She went from being sleek and sexy to being a size 10 and her life revolving around her children.”

“So we should take her children away from her because Sam doesn’t want to pay child support?” Will ran a hand through his own brown hair.

“Yes.”

“What if we ask for joint custody?”

“You honestly think that will work? They have to pass the kids back and forth and arrange weekly pick up times. That’s insane. A man like Robinson doesn’t have time for things like that.”

“So, screw the fact that she might win Mother of the Year, we just give him the kids so he doesn’t have to give up the money?”

“Pretty much.”

“I’m not doing it.”

Cameron sat forward, his hands resting on top of William’s desk. “Do I need to remind you that
Sam Robinson is our client, not his wife?”

“That doesn’t mean that we have to completely devastate Mrs. Robinson.” Why did Cameron and their father insist on doing whatever the clients wanted and refusing mediation of any kind?

Cameron stood, checking his cell phone. “I’ve got a lunch date. We can discuss this later. And just so you know, our job is to get our client the best deal possible. You should have never joined the firm if you were going to be such bleeding heart.”

“And I had so many choices when Dad had his heart attack.”

Cameron’s phone chimed several times. He clicked a few buttons before his mouth fell open, “Damn!” William was sure he saw drool coming out of the corners of his mouth. “You better go before your hot date finds someone else.”

“It appears that her girlfriend is keeping her company until I get there.” He grinned.

“Go. Please. We’ll discuss the Robinson case when you get back.” The last thing he wanted to hear about was his brother’s adventures in the bedroom. With his money and looks, Cameron had women throwing himself at him on a regular basis.

The click of the door reminded William he was alone in more ways than one. Pulling the lavender business card
from his wallet, he flipped it over a few times.
Erica Mayer, Interior Decorator

Why can’t I remember her? Maybe she was a late bloomer.
High school had been all about sports and wanting to stay away from the family business as much as possible. Not that it did any good in the long run. How could he not remember a beautiful woman? Maybe he was too distracted with Cheryl at the time.
Bitch
. He shook his head. The only distraction he had now was the way the wet skirt clung to Erica’s thighs in that parking lot. William had noticed her sitting next to the empty seat and quietly inquired with his family as to who she was. When it was established that she was alone and simply sharing the table he was even more intrigued.

Once he had sat down, William watched the obvious joy on her face as she sat mesmerized by the cook.
How could anyone over the age of 5 get so much enjoyment out of a hibachi cook?
Erica’s joy had been contagious. That led to whispering in her ear and now to having her as a constant enticement over the last few days. Cold showers were becoming the norm.
Guess it’s time to do something about that.
William picked up the phone and dialed the cell phone number on the card. He took a deep breath just as the ringing stopped.

“I took your jacket to the cleaners with my skirt. It’ll be ready in a few days.”  Erica perched on the edge of the deep brown leather chair.
Her nerves were pulled tight. One hand gripped a paper coffee cup while the other smoothed out her brown and teal gypsy-style skirt that brushed her ankles.

William grinned, sipping the small black coffee
in his hand.  “You didn’t have to do that. I’m sure it wasn’t dirty.”

Oh but the look in his eyes was very dirty.
Erica could feel the blush creeping up from her chest. Hopefully the bright teal color of her tank top was hiding the redness creeping up to her throat.
I should have worn a different bra.
The lace teased against her nipples and did nothing to hide her arousal from prying eyes.
Distract him, Erica.

“The little girl
at the restaurant was very happy to see you. Is that your daughter?”

“No, my niece.
I don’t see her too often. My sister and brother-in-law live in Maine. Living in Georgia keeps us apart. Then, of course, work takes up most of my time so no room for kids. What about you? Kids?”

“No.
” She swallowed hard pushing the emotion out of her voice. “Like you said, just too busy.”

“
Do you always have dinner alone or did your boyfriend stand you up?”

Erica rolled her eyes
. “Why can’t a woman have dinner out alone without everyone feeling sorry for her? No. No one stood me up.”

Silence.

“If you have to know, I go to that restaurant every year to celebrate my divorce from the most self-absorbed, egotistical, jerk I have ever met.”
Actually he probably rivals one other jerk I knew
.” I tried and tried to get my then husband to take me there to dinner. He absolutely refused because if it wasn’t meat and potatoes then he wasn’t eating it. So the day our divorce was final I spent half the night there sampling food. The last two years I have gone to remind me that I am completely free from any man telling me what to do.”

William choked on his coffee. The scowl on Erica’s face deepened at his silence. “Hey, I’m not the bad guy.  And for the record, the only woman I boss around is my secretary.”

Erica chuckled.  “I’m pretty sure you never had to boss around any woman. They all did your bidding without even being asked.” She laughed, “Even me.”

“I’m getting the distinct impression that I missed quite a bit in high school.”

Erica watched his eyes travel over her from head to foot. She was sure he was trying to place her, to trigger some memory of her.  The lack of recognition hurt. “That’s what is so sad. I remember so much and you dismissed me without a second thought.” The anger in her voice was subtle but she was sure he heard it.

The appreciation in his blue eyes turned cold.
“Can we put the past behind us? I’m here with my peace offering,” he gestured to the coffee, “Why can’t we discuss the here and now?”

“What happened to Cheryl?” Erica relaxed against the cushioned chair.

“We really did go to high school together
.”

The disbelief in his voice was like sandpaper against her skin
.

“I
haven’t thought about Cheryl in years. We broke up about halfway through Senior year. She didn’t want her reputation ruined so we pretended to be a couple until after graduation.”

“Why did you break up?”  Curiosity got the better of her. She knew that halfway through his Senior year was about the same time as the party. The party that changed her life.

“Let’s just say that I found out she wasn’t who I wanted to be with. But that was a long time ago. Cheryl is ancient history. Do you know why I whispered in your ear at the restaurant?”

Erica shook her
head slightly still intrigued by the idea that her run in with William may have changed his perspective.

“You looked so beautiful that I wanted to meet the woman that contained that much joy. I knew that she must be something pretty special.”

“I’m not sure if I should be flattered or I should find my rubber boots to wade through the crap.”  She couldn’t resist flashing him a teasing smile.

William scooted to the edge of his chair. “I don’t throw around flattery easily. You’re welcome to ask the last dozen women I’ve dated. They will be more than happy to tell you that I’m a lousy boyfriend and married to my work.”

Erica’s amusement had her struggling to swallow before spraying coffee through her nose. This only caused her to cough uncontrollably.

William handed her a napkin. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’ve just never had a man admit his largest downfall before landing a first date.”

“You mean this isn’t a date? I freed up my entire afternoon and it’s not even a date?”

He was teasing her again. She liked this playful side of her high school football player. A warm feeling spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the physical attraction she was keeping a tight leash on.

“Are you laughing at me?” his tone was falsely irate.

“Yes.” She grinned even broader. “Especially since you were trying to convince me you’re a workaholic.”

A buzzing noise came from under William’s jacket.
Erica watched as he pulled the cell phone from the holster and flipped it open. “Landers. Yeah. I told you not to do that. Yes I know that HE is our client. I don’t care what Dad said.”

Erica sipped her coffee trying not to listen. William seemed seriously pissed. She watched as he set down the coffee cup and clenched his hand into a fist. His voice grew softer and his hand remained on the table although his knuckles began turning white. Erica was sure she heard the words ‘die alone’ and ‘asshole’ but the rest of the conversation was too quiet.

Ignoring the actual words was easy but the rich, seductive sound of his voice sent tingles of delight scattering over her skin.
I wonder if he talks dirty in the bedroom.

“I’ve got to run.” He stood up and dropped the coffee cup in a nearby trash can. Turning back to her, he held out a hand to help her out of her chair.

The softness of his hands sent her imagination into overdrive. Looking up she wet her lips with her tongue. His eyes shifted, lingering where her tongue had been. 

“It was nice seeing you again.” She had to get out of here before she did something she would regret. Like drag him into the bathroom, hop up on the counter and spread her legs.
Ok down girl
.

“Can I see you again? Dinner?”
His voice was soft, seductive even.

“I’m busy tonight.”
Live a little.
“Friday, maybe?”

“It’s a date.”

Erica tossed another pair of ‘sensible’ heels out of her closet. “Nothing.”

Serena laughed. The blond was sprawled out on the grey and teal comforter. “When all you do is work then you don’t have sexy shoes.”

“True. So what’s in your closet? I can’t go out dressed in a red gown and wear clunky shoes.” Erica walked barefoot through the apartment to her roommate’s closet.

Serena followed close behind. “Look on the top shelf on the left hand side. I think you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

Pulling a large white shoebox down, Erica removed the tissue paper. “Oh my God.”  Inside was a pair of gorgeous, black, peep toe ‘fuck me’ heels. “If these don’t send a message I don’t know what will.”

Serena
giggled. “Is he tall enough for you to wear four inch heels?”

“Yes.” The thought thrilled her. She loved wearing heels
. They made her feel thinner than her size 10 dress, but at 5’ 9” most men ended up shorter than her when she did. “We’ll probably be almost the same height but I don’t think that’s an issue for him.”

“Does he know that
his brother is your ex-husband’s lawyer?”

“No.”
There’s a lot he doesn’t know.
“I’ll probably have to drop that bomb soon if we keep dating.” The moment the words were out of her mouth she felt oddly tingly and hopeful.

“I’m sure he’ll be fine about it.”

“Yes but how do you tell the guy you’re dating that you screwed his brother in high school? I’m just trying to figure out if he’s as big an asshole as his brother. So far he’s been a bit pushy but still managed to be a perfect gentleman. I’m the one almost like a cat in heat whenever he’s around.”

Serena grabbed her by the shoulders. “I’ve told you that if you’re going to wait so long to have sex you need to invest in a battery operated boyfriend.”

Erica shook her head thankful that Serena hadn’t used the word vibrator. They had agreed after Serena’s first month in the apartment that her own toy would forevermore be name B.O.B. and no one would say the word vibrator again. “I can’t. I’d love to but I just can’t.”

“Okay, okay.” Serena threw her hands up in fake surrender. “Don’t come crying to me when you two end up doing the horizontal tango in the next week.”

Erica swatted at her friend. “You are so melodramatic.”

“That’s why you love me. Now put those shoes on and find your coat before dude is here to pick you up.”

“What time is it?” she slipped into the heels relishing the padded interior.

“Almost 7.  You’ve got a few minutes.”

Just wearing the heels made her feel sexy and sensual. The lace from her black sheer thigh-highs teased the flesh on her inner thigh as she walked.

“If he’s anything like his family then he’ll be late. Work keeps them pretty busy and they never leave unless everything is taken care of.”