“Perfect.”
Dresses in bags and shoes in boxes, the women left and returned to Ariel’s apartment where they showered and got ready for the night. Each of them had a bracelet cuff that accompanied their dress. Hair done, they fist-bumped one another then went to the door.
Tuck and Steve were just stepping from the elevator as they left her apartment. Both men stopped and stared.
“Damn!” Tuck stepped towards them and walked around her without touching. “Where you going looking like that?”
“We’re on the clock tonight,” Ariel said, following him with her gaze. “Do you like it?”
“Woman, if I had my way you’d be going against the nearest wall.” His voice was deep and gravelled.
“And Connie?”
“Both of you are going to knock the men dead. What exactly are you doing tonight in those dresses?” Tuck touched her bare arm.
“We’re just extra sets of eyes tonight.”
“You two are gorgeous,” Steve said.
Tuck stepped close and dropped his head to her ear. “Are you going to be in danger?”
“I’m going to a party, Tuck. I’ll be back later tonight.”
“I love this dress on you.” He flexed his fingers. “A lot.”
She appreciated him not complaining about her work. “Thank you. We have to get going.”
After pressing a kiss to Tuck’s cheek, she walked to the elevator and touched the button. She and Connie shared a smile as they stepped into the car when it arrived. Spinning around, she winked and blew the guys a kiss as the doors closed.
She drove them to the large mansion, which had been decked out for the occasion. Stopping before the marble steps leading into the home, she turned off the engine as a valet walked towards her. He held the door and she exited the vehicle, taking the ticket he gave her and placing it in her clutch.
“Thank you,” she muttered as she walked around and found Connie waiting for her.
“Ready?”
Ariel mentally ran over the plans for the evening. “I am. Are you?”
There went that evil grin again. “Absolutely.”
Side by side, the women walked up the steps and were admitted into the house. They walked down the hall to the open doors of the ballroom where the majority of the festivities were being held. They shared another look then stepped in.
As she’d intended, many males turned their heads and gazed at them. A few women as well. Ariel knew they looked good. All part of the plan. Be beautiful and keep an eye out. Without a word to one another, they set off in opposite directions, each circling their own way. As she went to the left, she smiled as she realised they had gone the way of the slit of their dresses. Hers was on the left leg and Connie’s was on the right, the direction she’d ventured in.
“Thanks for coming, Ariel,” Slater said as she walked up to him. His eyes widened as he took in her attire.
“Not a problem. Is there anyone in particular I’m looking for?”
Slater didn’t answer and, after accepting a flute of champagne, she turned her head to find out what had his attention. Connie. Slater stared at her from across the room, eyes nearly out of his head and mouth open.
She sipped and walked up to his shoulder. “Close your mouth, Slater. Something is liable to fly in. She looks good, doesn’t she?”
“What the hell is she wearing?”
“It’s called a maxi dress. Make sure you compliment her on it.”
“She can’t work in that.” His voice was rasped.
“She’s here as an extra pair of eyes. We both have our comms in and that’s all we’re here to do. She can work just fine in it. Besides,” she said with a grin. “Look at the way the men are flocking to her. No one would think she’s looking for danger. And from what I hear, she’s looking to get some no-strings sex.”
She knew Connie would be ready to kill her but hey, she had to put it out there. Sometimes things needed a push. And pushing was something she was good at.
Slater grumbled beside her and Ariel hid her laughter. This was why she’d wanted Connie to wear something like she was doing tonight. Time for the man to see her more like a woman than just as one of his employees.
“Gonna be a lucky man who gets to take her home tonight,” she said as she walked off.
“Fuck she’s going home with someone else.” Slater’s words followed her on a dangerous thread.
Ariel didn’t pause to respond, just traversed the perimeter and did her job.
* * * *
Tuck woke as the door opened. The light in the open area behind the door illuminated the woman who’d entered.
Another light flicked on and he found himself blinking up at Ariel as she pushed the door shut. “Care to explain why you’re sitting here on my couch in the dark?”
“I fell asleep waiting for you to come home.”
“Tuck, it’s almost four in the morning.”
He raked his gaze over her. Lord help him, she looked so damn good. “So it is. Did you have fun?”
She moved her hair to the side and pulled out a device from her ear then placed it on the table by the door. “It was work but it wasn’t bad. There were no problems so that was a bonus.”
He pushed up and went to her side.
Damn!
With her heels on, her head passed his shoulders. Trailing a hand along the smooth material of her dress, he walked around her until he was behind her. Then he nuzzled her neck and pressed kisses along the graceful curve.
“So it was a success.”
“Yes.”
“Glad to hear it.”
She stepped away from him and moved to her bedroom, swiping the item she’d placed on the table along her way. He followed and watched her put it on the top of her dresser before removing her dress.
He swallowed hard as he stared at her in nothing but a thong and her stilettos. Her hair cascaded down her back and he longed to push it aside and kiss her skin. Lick it. Bite it. His cock stirred and he shoved his hands into his pockets.
She groaned as she took off her shoes and padded in the lacy thong to her dresser and withdrew a large shirt that covered her to the knees. “Those things were about to kill me tonight.”
“Looked great in them,” he offered.
She flashed him a smile. “Thanks. Look, I’m beat so am going to crash. You staying or going?”
“Staying,” he said instantly.
She happily went to brush her teeth. Ariel was yawning as she came back to the bed and sat. “Hit the light then and let’s sleep.”
Tuck wasn’t the least bit tired but he respected the fact she was and did as she had said. Besides, it was heaven being able to hold her in his arms. He scrunched closer to her as she lay spooned against him. She patted the arm he had secured around her waist and he kissed her ear.
“Night,” she muttered.
Tuck didn’t answer. There was no need for in the next moment, soft snores filled the air. She truly had been exhausted.
He didn’t think he’d fall back asleep yet, fully intending to enjoy being with her, so he closed his eyes.
* * * *
The mouth around his cock worked up and down, teeth lightly scraping. Tuck groaned and opened his eyes. Light filtered in through the curtains yet he couldn’t care at all what time it was. His attention riveted to the woman who lay between his legs.
Ariel had one hand around his balls, lightly stimulating them with tugs and touches of her nails. Her other hand was settled upon his shaft, working in tandem with her mouth, increasing and decreasing the pressure as she moved.
He sank his hands into her hair and tried to pull her up his body. “Ariel,” he groaned.
“Hmm?” The vibrations rocked through him.
“Shit.” He flexed his hips and drove his cock deeper into her mouth. She didn’t fight him on it, just opened and took him in.
In and out he thrust and she continued to work him. His balls drew tight and he knew it was only a matter of time before he ejaculated.
“I’m about there, babe,” he said.
Her brown eyes flashed up to him and she winked before closing her eyes and getting back to what she was doing. He held his position and watched her enjoy his cock. His fingers tightened in her hair as she hummed around him and he lost it. With a loud shout, he came hard, hips bucking off the mattress.
Drained, he collapsed as she moved up his body, kissing her way until she straddled his cock and stared down at him.
“That’s a hell of a good morning.”
Her smile was one hundred per cent siren. She curved her hand around his cock and rubbed it against her wet pussy. Ariel was naked. Come to think of it, so was he. Somewhere along the way, she’d taken his pants from him. And no, he wasn’t complaining.
“You know, we should be using protection,” she said as she allowed the large head to slide slightly into her.
“I thought you were on the pill.”
“It’s not perfect. You can still get pregnant on the pill.”
“Are you trying to tell me something, Ariel?” He held her hips and drew her down so he sank inside her fully.
“Oh yes.” She captured her lower lip in her teeth. “Nope. Just making a statement. We should be more careful.”
“That’s not enough for me to stop now, babe. If you want that to happen, me stopping, so we can get some condoms for added protection, you need to tell me.” He lifted then lowered her in an agonisingly slow manner.
Her eyelids fluttered. “Nope. Like I said, just making a statement.”
He did it again and again until a whimper escaped her. “Good. I’ll pick some up later then.”
“Later. Later is good.”
“Look at me, Ariel.”
Her breasts heaved in time with her breathing but she opened her eyes and focused on him. “Hmm?”
He sat up and it put them face to face. Her feet were flat on the mattress and he was as far as he could be in her. Holding that position for a bit, he stared at her. Her internal muscles flexed about him, making it hard to remain still.
“I love being inside your pussy.”
Her lips curled up at the sides. “I figured that.”
He kissed her. “I want to fuck you bent over the kitchen counter.”
She trembled even as she gasped. “You want it—carry me there and take it.”
Tuck did as his lady commanded.
* * * *
“What about lambskin?”
Ariel laughed and shoved him. “Be serious.”
“I am. I’m reading the box. It says for the monogamous couple seeking heightened sensitivity.”
“It also says each one is individually tested to help ensure reliability.”
They were standing in the drugstore in the early evening.
“That’s just gross. Why would I want to use one that someone else already has used?” He put the box back and picked up another. “For you.”
“I don’t need the added stimulation. Besides if that were the case, I have things right at my bedside for that.”
His grin widened. “That’s right, you do. In that case, who cares what kind we get?” He swiped a few boxes and put them in the basket. Holding up some of the stimulation oils, he looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
“You’re having way too much fun,” she said, shaking her head.
“I am. It’s not common for me to go condom shopping.”
“What did you use for your other women?”
He shrugged, not wanting to bring them into their evening.
She pushed him. “I’m only curious, it’s not a trap. You are so suspicious.”
“Women can be sneaky.”
“I’m pretty sure you know me well enough to know I’m not like that.”
“I do know that.” He kissed her temple. “Come on. What else do we need. K-Y?”
She threw up her hands and walked to the end of the aisle. “You’re insane.”
“So, we need chocolate.” He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her. Her squeal of surprise made him laugh. “Come on, woman, I need to get you some chocolate before you get crazy on me. Don’t hold me up now.”
“Tuck, put me down.”
Instead he lifted her higher until they were nose to nose. “Kiss and I’ll release you.”
She ducked her head and pecked him. “Let me down.”
“That wasn’t a real kiss.”
“You weren’t specific. Put me down.”
He sighed dramatically. “Fine, if you insist.” He slipped her down his body, enjoying the feel of her along him.
She rolled her eyes and turned away.
He spun her back and claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss. “That’s a kiss,” he said once he’d left the temptation of her mouth.
Their mood stayed high as they checked out and walked back to his truck. He tossed the bag into the back of the cab and drew her close before setting his chin on her head. “What do you want to do now?”
“Take me to a park.”
“A park.” He opened the driver’s door to allow her entrance. He climbed in as she slid over to the passenger side. “Any particular one?”
“Nope.” She stretched and he was momentarily distracted by the flash of skin she exposed.
“Very well.” He drove them to one less frequented than some of the others.
She smiled as she hopped out and looked around. The heat of summer had faded and they were experiencing cooler weather. He knew she was warm enough in her three-quarter-length sleeve tee and cargo pants.
Catching up to her after locking the truck, he wrapped an arm around her waist as they walked. “Something particular you wanted to do at a park?”
“Just walk. But the noise on River Walk isn’t what I wanted right now.” She rested her head against him as they continued along.
He understood. River Walk was impressive and amazing but because of its popularity, it was also loud.
She paused at a bench overlooking a small lake and sat. He joined her and held her tight.
“Are you going home for Thanksgiving?” she asked, rotating her foot in a circle.
Her question gave him pause. He’d not thought about that at all. “I’m not sure. Are you?”
“Nope. My family will be over in Europe.”
His brow lifted. “What are they doing over there?”
“Travelling. My siblings will be flying over to meet them.”
“But you can’t go?”
“I used my vacation to attend Roxi’s wedding. I had a lot more fun there than I would going over to Europe to be with my family.” She shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but they have a problem with me doing what I do. If I’m stuck with them, I don’t have an escape route to get away when I need to. And trust me. There are times I truly need to.”