| |
Wednesday afternoon, Sammy finished the workday and made her way to the restroom. She glanced at her phone, hoping one of her friends had come through about lending her a dress for Friday night. No one had. Not that she expected any of them to. Where would they get a dress fancy enough to attend a gala? Where was she going to get a dress like that?
She should have told Tyler no when he invited her. She could have made an excuse about having other plans or something. The truth was she didn’t want to turn him down. She wanted to attend the function with him. He made her feel like Cinderella, and taking her to a ball was like a dream come true. The only thing she was missing was a fairy godmother.
She was running out of time. The gala was less than two days away and she had no idea where she was going to get a gown. She had some money saved, but when she went to the department store the night before, she realized how little her rainy day stash would get her.
She splashed cold water over her face and took a deep breath. She would have to tell Tyler she couldn’t make it. Disappointment dominated her emotions. Not because she couldn’t go, but she didn’t want to let him down. He’d been so kind to her. Now that they were getting closer, there were things she wanted to tell him, things he should know, but how could she tell him about her past when all she had to go on was suspicion?
She gazed at herself in the mirror. You’re in over your head. The flush in her cheeks overtook her face, just as her eyes filled with hot, stinging tears. Before long, her mascara stained her skin. Her eyes were red and puffy. The problem wasn’t the dress. She had let her relationship get too far with a man she had no business pursuing. How could she stop what was happening between them? She’d never felt this way about anyone.
“Are you okay?” Coda stood behind her, staring at Sammy in the reflection of the glass.
Sammy hadn’t heard her come in. Feeling embarrassed, she tried to get a hold of herself. “I, um... Yes, I’m fine.” She took a tissue from the box on the counter and wiped her tears. “It’s one of those days.” She tried to smile. “I’m okay.”
“I don’t think so.” Coda continued to stare at her.
Sammy took in her delicate features and striking bone structure. Coda was as beautiful in person. Sammy had been following her in the society papers for over a year. Everyone in the neighborhood was. When a local girl hooks up with a billionaire from Manhattan, people become intrigued.
“What’s wrong?” Coda asked. “Is Jack giving you a hard time?”
“No, he’s wonderful.”
“Tyler?” Coda shook her head. “Did he screw things up already?”
“Tyler is great. I’ve never met anyone like him.” She couldn’t help the tears that slipped out of the corner of her eyes when she thought about having to tell him she couldn’t go with him on Friday. He’d never understand her reason. She was certain the women he dated never had a problem buying expensive clothes.
“If my brother-in-law is so perfect, why are you crying when you mention his name?” Coda handed her another tissue. “What did he do?”
“It’s not Tyler, it’s me.”
“What’s got you so upset?”
As Sammy searched Coda’s brown eyes, she sensed a familiarity in them. Maybe she wanted to feel some connection to this woman. They weren’t that different. Were they?
“Tyler invited me to the gala on Friday night.”
“He told me. It’ll be a fun time. I’m glad he asked you.”
“You are?”
“Yeah.” She laughed. “Us Brooklyn girls have to stick together, especially when it comes to those Cannon men. They can be a bit complicated.”
“You and Spencer are so happy. The way he looks at you would make any woman melt.”
She recalled the way Spencer gazed into Coda’s eyes the night of their wedding and the way she had seen him subtly touch her in the office. It wasn’t overkill. He would tuck her hair behind her ear when they talked in the hall or he’d play with the bracelet on her wrist as he listened to her go over the details of a campaign. Sammy had sat in on a few meetings over the past week, taking notes, and she always left thinking how much in love the newlyweds were. Their mood was contagious.
“I’m sorry,” Sammy said. “That sounded kind of weird.”
“I could say the same thing about the way Tyler looks at you.”
“You think?”
“I know.” Coda nodded. “He’s finally settling down, and it suits him. So, tell me what the problem is. Maybe I can help.”
“I don’t have anything to wear to this gala thing.” She put her head down, feeling silly to have to admit that to her. “You must think I’m completely worthless.”
“You’re worthless because you’re a college student, living on your own in New York City, and you don’t own anything expensive to attend some crazy, lavish function in the name of charity?”
“Well, when you put it that way...”
“Remind me to tell you the story of how I met Spencer sometime.” Coda leaned against the sink. “I was cleaning the office and on the brink of getting evicted. He provided my wardrobe for the first weekend we spent together.”
“When you went to his cousin’s wedding.”
“You read the tabloids?”
“We come from the same neighborhood, so you’re a topic of conversation.”
“After Friday night, you’ll be the topic of conversation if the photographers don’t have anything better to do.”
“I have to tell Tyler I can’t go.”
“You’re going.” Coda pulled her cellphone out and glanced at the time. “It’s after five. Come on.”
“Where?”
“This is not the first gala I’ve attended.” She opened the door. “I have a closet full of dresses, and you look about my size. I’ll lend you one.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Sure you can.” She took her hand and led her out of the bathroom. “Think of me as your fairy godmother.”
“Huh?”
“You know, like Cinderella?”
“Yeah, I know, it’s my favorite fairytale.”
“Mine too.”
Sammy wondered how much more she had in common with Coda Cannon.
“Perfect.” Coda giggled as she guided Sammy down the hall. “I have to grab my stuff and tell Spencer I’m leaving. I’ll meet you in the lobby in five minutes.”
“Okay, I guess.”
“Don’t worry,” Coda said as she headed toward her office. “You’re going to be fine.”
“Coda,” Sammy called after her.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“It’s no problem, sweetie. I can see how happy you make Tyler. I want to help. He’ll be crushed if you don’t go with him.”
Sammy nodded before Coda took off toward her office. She inhaled deeply and exhaled a few times in an attempt to calm herself. She wanted to attend the gala with Tyler. If taking Coda’s help allowed her to do that, then she would accept it.
* * * *
ON THURSDAY, THE OFFICE was quiet. Everyone had left for the day, but Sammy saw Tyler’s light streaming from underneath his door. It didn’t surprise her that he was still there. He’d been working hard. She’d overheard Spencer and Jack talking about how impressed they were with him. She was proud of her man.
“Hi.” She walked into Tyler’s office, shutting the door behind her. “I’m getting ready to leave for the night, but I wanted to say goodbye.”
“Huh.” He looked up from his computer screen. “It’s after five already?”
“It’s almost seven.” She glanced at the ornate brass clock that sat on the shelves across from his magnificent mahogany desk. “Everyone else is gone for the night.”
“Seriously? What are you still doing here?” He leaned back in his chair. “You could have left two hours ago.”
“I’m bringing Jack into the twenty-first century. He needed some help organizing his computer files. I’m also helping him get his five thousand emails out of his inbox and into folders.” She laughed. “He’s stubborn, but he’s learning.”
“Sweetheart, this is a part-time job. You don’t have to stay here past quitting time.”
“You’re here.” She smiled as she walked toward him. “I like being where you are, even if you’re too busy to come out of this office.”
“It’s been a long week.” He reached for her hand and pulled her into his lap. “Are you all set for tomorrow night?”
“Coda helped me figure out what I should wear.” She thought about her visit to Coda’s penthouse on Wednesday night. She’d really enjoyed the alone time with her. Coda had been generous and warm. “She was great.” Sammy hoped to get to know her better.
“Yeah, she ripped me a new one for inviting you to the gala and not making sure you had something to wear.” He stroked her cheek. “I’m sorry about that. I wasn’t thinking.”
“My wardrobe shouldn’t be your problem.”
“It isn’t a problem, but I should have considered you wouldn’t have a dress for something like that.” He trailed his lips along her jaw. “You have to tell me these things, baby. I want you to have everything you need.”
“It’s all good.” She relaxed against him. “Coda lent me something. We’re the same size.”
“Next time, I’ll buy you your own dress.” He shifted her on his lap so she was sitting between his legs with her back to his chest. “You deserve to have nice things. I want to give them to you.”
“I don’t need things.”
“Don’t argue with me.” He slid his fingers along her thighs and under her skirt. “Your skin is so soft.”
She wiggled in his lap, feeling the hardness of his erection as he swept his hand across the silk of her panties. Heat filled her cheeks when she realized she was damp there.
“Now that I know you wear such tiny panties under these sexy skirts, I’ll never be able to concentrate.” He kissed the back of her neck as he moved his fingers along her covered slit. “Are you wet for me?”
She nodded, not fully believing what he was doing to her in his office. The sexual tension had been building between them ever since she gave him that impromptu massage.
“Will you spend the night with me tomorrow?” He continued to rub her through her panties. With each touch, the sensation between her legs intensified. “After the gala?”
When she opened her mouth to answer, nothing came out. She was too distracted by his other hand. As he kept busy under her skirt, he undid the first two buttons of her blouse, slipping his fingers inside her bra and moving his thumb over her aroused nipple. Her heated flesh ached for him. The attention he gave to her body through her into overdrive.
“I can’t keep my hands off you.” He caressed her neck with his warm lips. “I won’t rush you, but I need you in my bed. I can show you things, do things to you all night long.”
She wanted to know what kind of things, but she was too caught up in what he was doing to her now to focus on anything other than the moment.
“Will you come back to my place with me tomorrow night?” He pushed his fingers under the elastic of her panties, seeking out her entrance. “Please.”
“Yes,” she moaned when he dipped his finger inside her slit.
“I know I have to stop.” He kissed her hair. “You’re so tempting.”
“I don’t want you to.” She spread her legs and rocked into his fingers, causing him to slip deep inside her folds. The fire had been building between them for weeks. Even the public kissing had gotten out of control, but he had been adamant about not being alone with her.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” She arched her back when he curled his fingers inside her.
“This is okay?” He moved his fingers in and out of her, making her wetter with each stroke.
“This is better than okay.” She moved her hips in time with his pace. “That feels so good.”
“You little vixen.” He squeezed her breasts as he fingered her fast. “My dirty girl.”
“Oh...” She gripped the edge of his desk when he pinched her nipple. “Tyler...”
“You like that?”
“Yes, I’ve never... Oh...”
No one had ever made her feel like this. Her head was light, but her insides pulsed with a quick intensity. Every time he brought her to the brink, he pulled back and slowed down. Did he know he was doing that? She had never had an orgasm before, but her body did this strange teetering thing. Her muscles tightened and her clit throbbed, but then he would slow down and rub her folds, abandoning her sensitive spot.
Her heart raced and echoed between her ears like a train whizzing by her. She could hear him murmur against her hair, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying. Everything moved at a fast pace. She had lost focus on her surroundings a few seconds ago, and now the only thing she could concentrate on was when the next climb would occur. The one that caused her body to tingle and clench around his fingers. When would she release?
“Let go, baby,” he whispered, centering her thoughts. “I know you want to.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Don’t think.” He pressed his thumb against her clit as he tickled her folds. “Just feel.” He gently placed his hand on her throat and guided her mouth to his. “Come for me.”
His words were her permission to finally let her pleasure take over. He concentrated on that one spot that halted the insanity. A wave of desire filled her before a warm rush of heat coursed through her and settled between her legs. She closed her eyes and twisted in his lap, leaning her head into his shoulder as she released, shuttering against him. She couldn’t control the tremors.
He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before he withdrew his fingers. “Feel better?”
“That was...well, I don’t think I can describe it. I do know I want to do it again.”
“I’m glad to hear that, but maybe next time we could find a more appropriate place to play.”
Panic set in when she remembered where they were. “I have to get back to work.” She fixed her blouse and tried to get up.
“Baby, it’s after hours. I was teasing.” He laughed. “No one is even here.”
When he shifted his position, his erection grazed along her thigh. Several ideas passed through her mind, but she didn’t think she could go through with any of them right there in his office.
“What about you?” She glanced between his legs, spying an impressive package straining against his zipper. The pulsing deep inside of her started up again. “Maybe I could help?”
“That’s very sweet of you.” He took her chin in his hand. “But not necessary. I couldn’t seem to keep my hands off you. That’s a testament to your beauty.” That grin of his could charm her panties right off. “I promised you no pressure when it came to being physical.”
“You’re not pressuring me.”
“What is it you want to do to me right here in my office, my little virgin?”
“I could, um, well...” She knew what she wanted to do, but didn’t know if she had the nerve. “You know.”
“Yes, I do know.” He kissed her. “I’m not going to let you. Not here and not now.”
“How come?” Part of her was disappointed that he didn’t want her to go down on him, but a larger part was relieved. She may have been a virgin, but she did have a couple of boyfriends in high school and college. Sex was a foreign idea, but, like any teenager, she’d experimented with her sexuality, just not with a man like Tyler. His experience and confidence scared her. Would she be good enough for him? Could she satisfy him?
“I want to cherish you and do things the right way.” He stroked her cheek. “I can be as patient as you need me to be.”
“I want to spend the night with you after the gala. We can do things the right way tomorrow night.” Her insides blazed with desire. “I want to be with you.”
“No pressure.” He kissed her soft and slow. “We’ll see what tomorrow night brings.”
I know what it will bring!