The Hourglass (3 page)

Minutes later, I watched my best friend approach the table, her smile spreading from ear to ear as she plopped herself into the seat across from me and stole a bite of my frozen yogurt before she started in on her story. “I met a guy today. He’s smokin’ hot,
I think I nearly
reached
the big “O” just looking at him.”

A bit taken back by her comment, I
leaned
across the table and pressed my hand against Brooke’s forehead. “Do you have a fever, or have you been partaking in Colorado’s newest form of legalized drugs?”

Swatting my hand, Brooke laughed hysterically. “I’m not on drugs, and I hope to God I’m not coming down with anything because I have a date Wednesday night.
You know I need to be romanced
first;
I just thought I’d speak in a language you understand.”

It was written all over her face that she was completely smitten with this mystery man, and I wanted to hear all about it. “Alright, tell me everything.”

Brooke licked another bite off her spoon before beginning to tell me how she met this guy, but of course I interrupted when she admitted that she’d been in a car accident.

“Wait a minute, you mean to tell me you were in an accident and I’m just now finding out about it, what the hell Brooke?”

Her cheeks flushed red. “I know, I’m sorry. I was fine so I didn’t think to call you. Besides, I figured you’d be proud of me for making a date of it.”

Rolling my eyes, I said, “This is true, but are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes,” she exclaimed, “now shut up and let me get back to my story.”

An hour later I sat there staring at my best friend. “Well shit, I think I may be in love with this man. When do I get to meet him?”

Brooke smiled nervously. “I’m thinking I need to get a few dates in before I introduce him to my loud, outgoing, say-anything-that-comes-to-mind best friend.”

My mouth fell open, and I pretended to be shocked by her accusations. “Brooke
Reid, not only do you find a new man within the first month of moving back from school, but you also replace me with a loud, outgoing friend who tells you like it is? I’m really hurt; I thought we were closer than that.”

Shaking her head, she jumped up and yanked me out of my seat. “Shut up and come help me find a new outfit for Wednesday.” Laughing out loud for all to hear, we linked arms and began our afternoon of retail therapy.

The afternoon had been great for our closets, but harsh on our wallets. Brooke and I ended up leaving the shopping center with enough bags to clothe a small country. She was now well equipped with something to wear for her date and I had
more things to add to my never ending array of cute outfits.
Carl, the concierge at my condo,
rushed over to the elevator, holding the door open for me as I stepped in, my arms heavy with designer shopping bags that were filled to the brim.

After I unlocked
the door to my condo,
I walked into my living room just in time to catch the sun setting on the snow covered mountain tops that splayed over the horizon. Tossing all of the bags from my shopping trip with Brooke onto the couch,
my phone chimed alerting me of an incoming text message.

Feel like cashing in on that rain check
you gave me?

My core heated instantly while my fingers caressed the keypad of my iPhone in response to Luke’s text message.

Yes. Can we skip dinner and go straight to dessert?

I knew better than to wait around for a response; instead, I grabbed my things, threw them into my closet, and jumped in the shower.

Once I’d slipped
into a lace nighty from Victoria’s Secret,
I finished touching up my makeup just in time to hear a pound on my door.
Damn, this man and his perfect timing.
I checked the mirror and adjusted my cleavage one last time before I scurried to the door.
Turning
the handle I took in a deep breath and then opened the door, Luke’s eyes widening
when they fell upon
my barely there nightgown.
Good. All was going according to
plan;
I could practically see the lust radiating from his body. Dessert was exactly what he wanted and I intended to give him every last piece.

He stepped across the threshold and hooked one muscular arm around my waist. With one foot, he kicked the door closed as he nuzzled my neck. Something rustled between us, and I realized in his other hand, he clutched a bag from Rheinlander Bakery, my favorite place in the world. I pointed at the table in the entryway and he deposited the bag there then skimmed his knuckles up along my ribs.

“Damn babe, this is way better than dinner,” he growled into my neck then
nipped on my earlobe with his teeth. Agreeing with his statement, I locked my arms around his neck and he took that as his cue to lift my body off the ground. When I wrapped my legs around his waist, he moved effortlessly across the room. Diving straight in toward his succulent lips, I began
exploring
them before darting my tongue into his mouth.
Our tongues clashed against each other,
the warmth of our mouths heating my body with eagerness. The inside of his mouth still tasted of sugar from the stop at the bakery, where I’m sure he’d gotten one of their famous pastries before heading my way.

Pulling away to catch my breath I could see the desire in Luke’s eyes as he set me on top of the island in the kitchen and began teasing my chest, working the lace off of my shoulders. My bare back hit the cold granite causing my body to arch upwards practically begging for Luke’s undivided attention.
His lips showered
my chest in slow seductive kisses
while his
warm hands began their descent down my body, leaving a path of heat the entire way down.

My core clenched tightly
with heightened
anticipation of what was yet to come and I was beginning to feel a slow, burning pulse pumping rhythmically throughout my entire body. Taking in a deep breath, I tried to relax and focus solely on what was about to happen, which was exactly what I’d hoped for the other night when
I had
bailed on
Luke
last minute.

My sensitive skin prickled as Luke’s lips left a hot path down the inside of my thigh, kissing me gently where I desired it most. My body quivered under his warm breath and I moaned in appreciation. “Please, don’t stop.”

A grin spread across Luke’s face as he looked up at me before dipping back down to ensure I was fully satisfied. I couldn’t help but fall into a state of ecstasy as Luke continued on as if he’d gone to Pleasure College and graduated valedictorian of his class. After catching my breath I was finally able to pull myself up into a sitting position. Taking my face between his palms Luke fiercely kissed my lips allowing me to taste every second of enjoyment on his tongue. “My turn,” he whispered in a deep throaty tone.

Hopping off of the kitchen counter I gripped the granite to ensure my legs were still working properly after the
satisfaction
I’d just experienced moments earlier. I took Luke’s hand
and
smiled up at him while I tugged him down the hallway toward my bedroom. Twining my arms around his neck, I molded my body against his, surprised to feel the excitement building up within him.
Drawing back slightly
from my embrace I tiptoed my fingers down his immaculate chest until the skin of my fingers met the cool buckle of Luke’s belt. Out of nowhere, the two of us were in a rush to the finish line; both of our hands working as quickly as we could make them move. He pulled his shirt over his head while I undid the button of his jeans and then his zipper, and allowed his pants to slide to the floor beneath us. N
o boxers, that’s hot.
I admired the magnificent specimen standing before me.

I led Luke over to the plush chaise lounge that adorned the corner of my bedroom, pushing him down onto it and he leaned back in all of his glory awaiting his prize while I licked my eager lips in anticipation.

Luke placed his hands on my hips and lifted my body slightly,
then slowly slid me down onto his lap. I closed my eyes as he filled me, and reveled in the completeness. The faint smell of a lavender candle mixed wonderfully with the hint of sweat. Luke’s fingers dug sharply into my hips as he moved me in perfect rhythm. At the sound of his ragged breathing, I popped my eyes open just in time to see his face wracked with delight. Pressure built from inside and I tossed my head back as waves of gratification overcame me.

I collapsed
onto Luke’s chest,
my body rising
up and down searching for air to fill
my
lungs after coming down off of the explosive high
I’d just earned
seconds earlier. Standing up off of the chaise lounge Luke cradled me in his arms and carried me to my bed, lying me down as he climbed in next to me. “We’re going to have to do that again,” he crooned, nuzzling into my hair.

CHAPTER FIVE

Brooke

MONDAY TOOK FOREVER
and a day to arrive, especially with Savannah falling off the face of the Earth. After sending her another text, I stared at my phone wondering when I should alert authorities. Her much anticipated response finally buzzed back through.

Been busy this weekend, in bed. ;-) Sorry about that!

Instantly needing my sounding board, I replied.

Oh my! Well I will be needing the details of who, not how! No call yet, are you sure Monica is going to hire me?

My insecurities and nervousness came through in my text. Ugh! I let out a loud exasperated sigh as I plopped into my arm chair. Becoming Hourglass’s Design Editor would change my life. It was what I had dreamed of doing from day one of starting school and the internship I selected promised to pave the way. The job allowed me to work with a multitude of people within the company from the editors, the photographers, and the companies we partnered with. It would fall on my shoulders to design the pages that made people buy Hourglass, made the models, clothes and stories jump from the pages.

As I sat dreaming about what a day in Hourglass would be like, my phone rang. I leapt from my chair and saw a phone number with no name flash on the screen.
Oh my, this is it!
Straightening up tall, and clearing my throat I answered the phone.

“Hello, this is Brooke Reid,” I said, sounding as professional as physically possible.

“God, how is it possible you sound even cuter on the phone?” a husky voice crooned back.

“Excuse me?” Appalled I took a second glance at the phone trying to recall the phone number. “Who is this?”

“Lucas, we met, well... when you ran into my car,” he joked.

“I believe the accident was deemed your fault, Lucas,” I teased back as a smile spread across my face.

“Umm, I’m not positive. I just handled the officer for you; he would have probably thrown you in jail for reckless driving or something. I’m thinking you owe me at least a dinner.”

An uncontrollable laugh bubbled out of me. Covering my mouth, I feebly attempted to muffle it.

“Gosh, I didn’t think a date with me was such a funny joke,” he scoffed sounding a little offended. Quickly composing myself I could feel the blush creeping up my neck as my nerves kicked in.

“Lucas, I apologize. I didn’t mean to be rude, I would love to go out on a date with you, but I thought I had already promised you my Wednesday,” I consoled.

This time Lucas’s laugh came through the line, a deep hearty one that made me picture him with a huge smile. “Oh Brooke, you are too gullible. I was teasing, and yes your Wednesday is mine, but I don’t want to wait that long. How about tonight?”

“Well…” I hesitated. Still waiting on the call from Hourglass, and figuring Savannah would want to celebrate again, I wasn’t sure if I should agree. Thinking of Savannah I was reminded how she kept telling me to take chances, live life, and so my decision was made. “Tonight sounds perfect, where should I meet you?”

“Well, actually I’ll pick you up; I was hoping you’d agree, so I already made us reservations at The Briarwood Inn. It’s about twenty minutes away in Golden, but the food is phenomenal. Just text me your address and I’ll pick you up at five-thirty. Gotta run, someone is stepping into my office. See you tonight.”

Lucas disconnected the call, and I was left in utter silence once again. Pulling my phone away from my ear I quickly called up the internet and searched for the restaurant. My screen filled with images of a swanky dining room with ornate dishes that looked more like artwork than meals. Wow, this date would call for something special. Chewing on my fingernail, mentally going through my racks of clothes for something to wear, I drew a blank. I’d need to enlist Savannah’s help on this one. Exchanging several quick texts with her, we agreed to meet at her house at four so I could borrow an outfit and then have him pick me up there.

I returned to waiting for the call from Hourglass, watching as minute by minute ticked by. That call was just not happening; I needed to get out some energy. Not wanting to go out and run I decided to just head to the on-site fitness center instead. I cued the mp3 player and stuck in my ear buds, starting a stream of music in my ears that would power me through my run for the next hour. Just as I pressed the cool down button, my phone rang showing another number that wasn’t programmed into my contact list.