Kelly dropped her backpack on the floor, not realizing how tight she’d wound her fingers around the straps. Her fingers pricked as the blood rushed, returning through her veins.
The bathroom was larger than the one at the house on Blue Mountain. Wallpapered walls of blue and white stripes were accented with white porcelain. The vanity and wainscoting were done in a dark, glossy wood that shined.
An assortment of beauty items were already out and waiting for her. Kelly laughed out loud, setting her thrift shop cosmetics aside. She sifted through the various products in the basket. Expensive brands had her nerves rearing their ugly heads again. Nordstrom’s, Lord and Taylor. The tube of lipstick she held was probably worth forty dollars.
Were these someone else’s, or did he buy these?
After touching up the makeup Steve had helped her apply, Kelly stripped off her jeans and sweater. Kelly removed her dress from the hanger. The material slid through her fingers. She slowly lowered the zipper and stepped into the cool silk. It glided over her legs like cold water. She zipped herself up, fumbling to reach around her. It fit like a glove. A box on the bed had her berating herself.
Jesus, I didn’t even think about the damn shoes!
She lifted the top, seeing a pair of black pumps. It’d been light years since she’d worn heels. Kelly set them on the floor. She stepped into the shoes, the hem of her dress lifting. She turned in the large, oval mirror. Her reflection frowned at the panty lines. Kelly kicked off the shoes and shimmied out of her underwear. Stepping back into the shoes, her body was now smooth beneath the thin material. The door slowly opened behind her. Kelly turned, connecting with Drake’s dumbfounded expression.
“Oh God,” Drake groaned, clearing his throat. “You’re more beautiful than I imagined.”
* * * *
His groin tingled. His cock hardened, now erect behind his slacks, like a hose filling with boiling water. The dress was perfect, the way it hugged her body and exposed the delicate curves of her shoulders and neck. His eyes darted to the mirror. He was able to visually drink in the open back, the delicate bones of her spine and the delicious slope of her ass.
“I’m in deep trouble,” Drake told her, his chest compressed, needing more air.
“I want to get this right,” Kelly said. Her words were faint, her eyes frightened.
“Right doesn’t do you justice. You’ll be perfect. God, I can’t wait to touch and kiss you all over. I want you,” he said, his eyes roving over her. “Let’s go get this done,” Drake said, steering her elbow toward the door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
An edgy anxiousness grated over her, picking at her skin. The grand ballroom that was swathed in rich reds and bold whites had her brow beading with sweat.
Clusters of people gathered at the bar and around the surrounding tables. A tux was a tux, but the chicness of the women had Kelly thinking she was attending a runway show for Calvin Klein.
I’m way outta my league.
Drake’s soft voice had her head jerking back.
“You okay?” he asked, his smile heating her insides. His fingers tickled over the skin of her shoulder. She nodded quickly. A woman in a rose-colored pantsuit was walking toward them, her smile open and friendly.
“Mr. Larson,” she beamed. “A fabulous occasion, as always.”
* * * *
“So…who’s your new lady friend?” Keith raised his brows over the rim of his glass. Drake sipped his gin and tonic, leaning against the bar.
“I met her downtown. It was sort of ironic,” Drake informed him. “Fate works like that, I suppose.” He expelled a deep sigh. “Isn’t she gorgeous?” Drake winked, fighting off his raging libido for the hundredth time. Drake would never spill the details of how he and Kelly met. Not that he cared, but he knew Kelly would.
“That she is,” Keith agreed. “You look happy, relieved really,” Keith said, elbowing him in the ribs.
“I am. She’s changed everything,” Drake told him, setting his empty glass down on the bar. Keith knew more about his personal life than any other of Drake’s employees. He was relieved that Keith had attended the event. He was the first one he’d introduced Kelly to. They’d had a pleasant conversation until Colleen had intercepted Kelly, dragging her away to introduce her to the other women.
He had decent people working for him. Drake treated them well and they respected him. A sense of pride warmed through him. It was the clients they had to cater to that could make a pool of sourness fill his mouth.
The event was going smoothly. The women appeared to be confused that he hadn’t shown up with Nina on his arm, their expressions evident. Thank God Colleen had come over, initiating first contact, extending her hand. She had taken Kelly under her wing.
“She appears to be mingling well,” Keith said. Drake noticed Keith’s eyes drift over to where Kelly was chatting it up with a group of Colleen’s colleagues from accounting.
“She is, and to think she was worried,” Drake said mockingly. He flagged down the bartender for another round. Soft yellow light fell from the chandeliers above, making every sleek strand of Kelly’s hair shimmer. Drake bit down hard on his lip. The exposed flesh of her body glinted due to the dress he’d so cleverly selected for her. The garment baited him, pulling him under, filling his mind with brazen thoughts.
“What does she do?” Keith asked, rocking back on his heels.
“She’s in limbo right now. Her parents were ill for a long time. They recently passed, so Kelly is at a bit of a crossroads right now, but—”
Keith finished the thought for him. “I’m sure you can provide her with adequate direction,” Keith said, eyeing him over the rim of his drink, a wicked gleam in his gaze.
“Oh, yeah.” Drake nodded at the bartender, lifting the glass to his lips. He lowered his eyes into his drink, needing to keep it reeled in.
Keith placed his hand on his shoulder, tearing him out of his naughty thoughts. “I’m gonna take off, that okay with you?” Keith asked, fussing with his tie.
“Go,” Drake said, lifting a shoulder. “I’m not far behind you. I’ve had about enough.”
Keith gave him a pat on the back and slipped through the French doors. Drake sat down at the bar, watching the suits and skirts mingle.
Tokens for Tots was an annual charity Drake ran from the end of October until the New Year. They supplied families in need with medical and dental care as well as other support services so children wouldn’t have to go through the holiday season with no turkey, trimmings, or gifts under the tree.
He was thankful that the Cypress Hill Convention Center allowed him to use the space each year to promote the event. The holidays would be upon them before they knew it. It helped to plant the seeds of giving early before everyone exhausted their holiday budgets.
Drake downed the last drink he would have. It was time to tend to other things he had on his list for this evening. He’d networked and socialized. Now it was his time to enjoy Kelly before she insisted he drop her off in those dismal woods. That was his next focal point, convincing her to pack up her tent and make camp with him.
A hand on his arm sucked him back into the glitzy, crystallized ballroom. Colleen’s eyes pierced his.
“I love her! Absolutely love her.” Her hands cut through the air, enunciating every syllable of her speech. Her fingers tightened around him. “If you let that one go I’ll kick your butt, Drake Larson, and don’t think you’ll be able to fire me for it,” she told him, grinning.
“Thanks, Colleen.” A rush of heat he could no longer contain swept over him.
“See you tomorrow,” Colleen beamed.
Kelly had freed herself from the cluster of women, making her way across the ballroom.
“Down, boy,” Drake whispered to himself.
The slinky dress clung to her shapely thighs, sliding over her skin as she walked. The long slit that ran up her thigh provided him with a strip of flesh that looked as sweet as dripping honey. Her hazel eyes flicked to his, a peculiar smile curving her mocha-painted lips. Her sweet scent gusted across his face. He was starved. He needed to be fed, and now.
“You have very nice employees,” Kelly said softly, straightening his tie.
“It didn’t take long for you to form a fan club,” Drake said, his observation mocking. “I take it you’ve survived this gig?”
Kelly nodded.
“I did,” she admitted, her words sounding surprised. Drake slipped his hand around her waist. He leaned into her.
“It’s time to devote a little attention to your biggest fan,” Drake murmured, licking the shell of her ear. Her body trembled into his, making him all the more excited.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Where’re we going?” Their footsteps resounded through the darkness as Drake pulled her down a darkened hallway.
“You’ll see,” Drake told her, giving her fingers a squeeze.
“Colleen’s very nice.” Kelly wobbled on the high heels, unable to keep up with him.
“We’ll talk about my office personnel later,” Drake said, dragging her behind him.
Kelly’s eyes widened, attempting to see through a deserted area of the convention center that was closed off. Drake moved the velvet ropes to the side, motioning her to step through.
“Are you angry with me?” Kelly asked, unsure of where all this discreet urgency was leading. Drake faced her, yanking his tie from around his neck. He slowly shook his head.
“I’m famished. I can’t wait. That’s what happens when I’m left to watch you,” Drake said. His voice was raspy, smoldering with need. He took her shoulders and backed her through another door.
Kelly gaped around the huge men’s room, their breaths echoing. Drake quickly shoved the large trash can in front of the door, then spun around and pushed her body into the wall. All the air rushed from her lungs at once.
“Drake,” Kelly whimpered.
“You said it, baby. Are you going to let me do what I want?” Drake’s teeth caught the sensitive skin of her neck, biting down on her flesh, his words mumbled. His hot breaths blew into her neck. His hands were on her, groping, his desire rushed and unyielding.
Her body began to hum. Kelly hoped Drake hadn’t felt ignored. Colleen had been so friendly, sort of rescuing her from the pressures of her first gala appearance. Apparently Drake had been as distracted as she, but in an entirely different way.
His tongue washed over her skin, tracing the line of her collarbone. Drake steered them back to the vanity, spinning her so they faced an immense mirror. Her hip bones ground into the edge of the hard counter. Their gazes locked. Soft light from the bulbs above shined in their eyes.
Drake’s fingers worked the strap behind her neck. The halter top of her dress fell, her breasts now free.
“Jesus Christ,” Drake groaned. Kelly watched his hands smooth over her skin, cupping her breasts from behind, fondling them. She fit in his hands perfectly. “You ready?” he asked. Hot breaths puffed on her neck. The loosening of his belt reverberated through the men’s room. That erotic thrill she was coming to know well heated her blood, scalding her veins as anticipation barreled through her body. Her calves ached, the high heels suddenly excruciating. Drake’s hands scaled down her body, yanking her dress up, bunching the silken material around her waist.
“No panties.” Drake’s eyes darted to the mirror. A sly grin played over his lips.
“I didn’t want the lines,” Kelly said. Her voice was hoarse, her body twitching like a junkie.
Hard, erect heat answered her, thrusting into her tailbone. Kelly shifted her stance, wanting to give him access.
“That’s it, yeah, so hot,” Drake coaxed her, his tone gruff. His hand skimmed around her tummy, dipping down into the soaked folds of her pussy. Her eyes tracked his every move, the reflection an added visual, mirroring the intensity. The pads of Drake’s fingers rubbed her clitoris. Kelly’s knees melted, her belly expanding with a heat that swathed her entire body.
“God, Drake.” Breaths heaved, filling the small space between them. Kelly could smell herself, her pores opening and spewing with the fruity fragranced lotion she’d used earlier.
“You’re so wet, so pliable,” he said, his words serious, but strangled. Drake licked her neck, scoring his teeth over her flesh. “I’m so fucking hard. I’ve never been so hard.” Kelly stared into his eyes, eyes that’d gone black. His brows pulled together, knitted in concentration. One hand petted her pussy, the other gripped her hip. His hips thrust forward, forcing her over the counter in one swift motion. The room tilted. Kelly reached, stabilizing herself as Drake speared into her.
His cock pushed through her inner walls, jamming into her. An intrusive pain bloomed into pleasure. His body pulled back before pounding into her again, making her gasp in delight.
“Yes,” she hissed. Kelly arched to meet him. His hands raced over her body, cupping her breasts, squeezing her mounds hard as his hips pumped. Drake’s solid body pinned hers, taking as much of her as she could give. Her knuckles went white, clenching the edge of the vanity. Her neck arched, her eyes darting across the ceiling. They called out to one another. Their vocalized pleasure rang out, bouncing off the walls.