More, Please (Please Series Book 3) (4 page)

T
he next day
I arrived at the office at my usual time. Hunter had once again dropped me off at home insanely early, as that was when he went to the office, leaving me to sleep for another hour before I got ready for the day and lugged myself in.

“Morning.” Brenda set Hunter’s coffee on my desk.

“Good morning. Anything pressing for today?”

“For me? Yes. For you? I have no idea. He has you doing harder stuff these days. Bet you wish you hadn’t let him know how smart you are…”

I smirked as I opened my computer, then grabbed Hunter’s coffee as my machine booted up. “Shows what you know. I like being busy.”

“Busy and harassed are two different things. You’re just too young to know it.”

“Jaded!” I accused.

“Yeah. One step ahead of you.”

I laughed as I let myself into Hunter’s office. As usual, his attention was focused on his computer. I put his coffee on the corner of his desk, where I always did, and turned to walk away.

“Olivia.”

“Yup?” I turned back.

“I have a business meeting in the city at the end of the week. Dress is business casual. I’ll require your presence.” He leveled his commanding business stare at me. “I’ve emailed you.”

I quirked an eyebrow. Telling me like this seemed a little heavy-handed. “Okay…”

He turned back to his computer.

What the hell?

Screwing up my face in confusion, I turned with the intention of finding that email. It was obviously super important for him to call this much attention to it.

“And Olivia…” he said as I was halfway to the door.

“Yeah?”

He was still staring at his computer. His hand was braced on his mouse, his finger raised, as though he was just about to make some important, life-altering click.

The man was in a strange mood, to say the least.

He said, “My mother is having a dinner party in a couple weeks. It is…not business. I wondered if you would accompany me. I’d like you to meet her.”

Hunter Carlisle was asking me to meet his mother! Holy crap!

My first instinct was to squeal. Luckily I didn’t. That would’ve been ridiculous. Instead, I wiped the hair away from my face with the back of my hand and batted my eyelashes.

Only slightly less ridiculous.

“Sure. Yes, of course. I would love to. Will you be telling me what to wear to both occasions?”

He glanced at me, a sparkle lighting his eyes. “I’d like to say no, but…”

“I don’t have any fashion sense, I know. For a guy so heavily into fashion, I have no idea why you don’t have more gay friends.”

“That’s a stereotype, and I don’t have any friends,” he mumbled, his shoulders tensing.

I waved him away. “I’ll leave you to your pity party, then.”

As I left his office, I couldn’t help a delighted smile.

“What?” Brenda asked as I sat down. “You look like he just gave you a gold bar.”

“Kind of did. Wants me to meet his mom.”

Brenda’s eyes widened. Her cup lowered slowly. “Well ho-ly crap. What did you say?”

“Yes, obviously. What do you think I said?”

“Knowing you, I have no idea. Wow. His mother, huh? That’s big news.”

“Yeah. I probably shouldn’t be this giddy, since he still maintains he can’t love, and he’s a shallow monster, but…I am.”

Brenda huffed and turned back to her computer. “He’s a drama queen. I assume you aren’t taking that seriously?”

“Mostly. But he’s in a dour mood. Beware.”

“That’s his default. I’m well used to it, my dear. The way he’s been smiling lately makes me worry that he’s unbalanced. I wonder if he’s about to go postal.”

“You two have a strange relationship.”

“It’s not me, it’s him.”

I smirked and clicked into my inbox.

B
y the end
of the day, my sexy systems were fired up, knowing spare time usually meant Hunter naked. I walked into his office with a sure step and excitement bubbling up.

He sat at his desk as normal, the setting sun casting long shadows that reached across the office floor. He looked up when I approached, his gaze flicking to the cup of coffee in my hand, and sliding over my body.

“Last call,” I said with a husky voice, reveling in his handsome face and broad shoulders. “I’m ready to go. Do you need anything?”

His brown eyes were trained on me, deep smoldering fire. I set his cup on the corner of his desk, ready to strip. Equally ready to pleasure him. Or myself. Or us both.

“No, I’m all set. See you tomorrow.”

I felt like I’d been dunked in a pool of icy water. My body went rigid. He didn’t even want to see me later?

“Oh.” I shrugged before swishing my hair off my shoulder. “No problem.” I gave him what I hoped was a confident smile. “See you tomorrow.”

His gaze lingered for a moment, probably assessing, before turning back to his computer.

What the hell?

The walk back to my desk was a confused one. He’d been all mushy last night, he’d asked me to meet his mom, and then…he sends me home alone?

In the grand scheme of things, this wasn’t a big deal. We weren’t even dating. Not really. There was no reason why I would spend every night with him.

I kinda wanted to, though.

Half pouting, I grabbed my computer and headed toward the elevator. I hated this part of a new relationship—or whatever it was we were doing. The wondering. The questioning. I should have just asked him why he didn’t want to spend every waking moment with me…

I huffed as I got into the elevator. Yeah, that’d go over real well.

T
he next few
days went exactly the same. He didn’t strip me, didn’t demand to be undressed, and he didn’t invite me over. He gave me an assessing look, and wished me goodnight. He was treating me like a buddy. Not even a buddy with benefits!

I was definitely in the insecure girl stage of the relationship, or whatever this really was. By the end of the week I was a ball of stress, so when I found myself outside the building, waiting for Bert, I hadn’t expected the “Hey!” out of the blue.

I jumped and swung around with a pointed finger. “Hah!”

My friend Kimberly walked toward me with a sensuous gait, loosely curled hair spilling over her shoulders, and a quizzical smile. “Why are you pointing at me?”

I dropped my finger as a blush crept into my face. “Sorry. That was my attempt at defense from an attack.”

“Pointing and laughing is your natural defense against attackers?”

“I wasn’t laughing, I was shouting. Apparently that scares people away.”

“If it does, then you’re not doing it right…” Kimberly laughed. “Where have you been?”

I gave her a belated hug in hello. “Working my tush off! I’m so sorry I haven’t returned your call—I’ve been wound up so tight.”

“It’s fine—” Kimberly cut off as Bert pulled up in the sleek black town car.

He heaved his sizable girth out of the driver’s side and walked toward me with a grin. “Ready?”

“Oh.” Kimberly backed up a step.

“Do you want to come over?” I asked Kimberly, wanting to clutch her and drag her regardless of her answer. I hadn’t seen her in a while, thanks to the job and Hunter’s emotional sabotage, and missed her.

She shrugged, smiling at Bert. “Sure. I have a few hours.”

“I have to get ready for a business meeting…dinner…thing, but you can pick out my clothes. You like that sort of thing.”

Kimberly laughed as she followed me to the car. Once we were both tucked in, she said, “So you get a ride to functions?”

“I have to take the car everywhere, actually. Hunter doesn’t trust public transportation and yet he trusts cabs, for some reason. When his car service is busy and Bert is off, he wants me to cab it. Apparently having no witnesses doesn’t worry him.”

When we got to my apartment building, I asked Bert, “Are you picking me up, or who do I call?”

“Mr. Carlisle will be around to pick you up.”

“Ah. You get to go home on time. What’s the occasion?”

Bert got out of the car with us, holding the door even though he hadn’t been quick enough to open it. He shrugged his huge, meaty shoulders. “I think he’s using the limo tonight. He probably wants to impress these business guys.”

I scowled. Brenda had said the meeting was more of a formality than anything. Everything had been hashed out behind closed doors. This dinner was to shake hands and celebrate the contract that had been signed. They called it a meeting, but it wouldn’t be in any meaningful sense.

“Huh.” I shrugged and waved at Bert as I made my way into the building, Kimberly on my heels.

“So what have you been up to, Miss Busy?” Kimberly asked as we climbed the stairs.

I gave a world-weary sigh. “Long hours, number one.”

“Yeah. Part of the job…”

“Plus, this guy Bruce—whose company we’re buying—has a project I’m working on. It’s just for fun at the moment, but at the rate we’re going, he’s thinking we have a moneymaker. So he’s talking about partnering up for that.”

“Is that the guy who offered you a job?”

“Yeah, but I turned it down. Well…kinda. I said I’d work on it in my spare time while I worked for Hunter full-time.”

“Do you have time?”

I let us into the blissfully empty apartment.

“Not really. But it’s really fun. And great experience. More up my alley, you know? Besides, it’s really hard to say no to Bruce. He’s just so passionate about creating and programming—it’s great working with him.”

“And what’s going on with Hunter?” She settled on my bed with a beaming smile.

“Don’t get comfortable just yet—you have to pick out my outfit!” I opened my closet door and invited her to take a look. Hunter had given me leave to dress myself, amazingly.

Which had added fuel to my crazy fire.

“Oh.” She bounced up.

“He’s… We’re…” I slumped onto the edge of my bed. “I don’t know. It was going great—you know, but then…”

I told Kimberly the whole story, from his fears, to Blaire, to his strange indifference this last week. “I don’t know what’s going on and I’m afraid to ask. I know he doesn’t think he can love, but we’re so close. Closer than he’s been with anyone in a really long time. I just don’t understand how he could just shut it off.”

Kimberly settled on the bed next to me and gave me a firm hug. “You didn’t say the L-word, right?”

“No way! Are you kidding? He’d run away screaming. And plus I don’t…” I let that thought trail away as I analyzed the deep and intense feeling deep in my gut. I thought of how much I liked talking to him, and how lonely I’d been this past week without him.

My stomach flip-flopped. Oh crap.

“What?” Kimberly asked, watching my face.

“Nothing.” I was not going to admit the extent of my feelings. Not until I had a better grip on them.

“He’s probably just busy and stressed out, like you are.” Kimberly rubbed my back with a supportive smile. “Seriously, Livy, the way he acts with you—that man can never have taken a woman home. Not ever. And he’s taken you home
twice.
That means something. Just give him time.”

I massaged my shoulder, working at the tension knots in the muscles. “I’m just worried that if I give him too much space, he’ll forget what it’s like being with me, and be okay giving me the boot.”

“That’s because you’re a woman, and we’re hardwired to think into things too much. Guys don’t spend their lives thinking about this stuff. Trust me.”

“And then there’s his crazy fiancée to worry about… That chick is cracked.”

“She sounds…” Kimberly hesitated.

“Bat-shit crazy.” I nodded. “She is. She’s crazy. But she sounds like a scorned woman. I might end up like her.”

“No you will not!”

I laughed at her indignant reaction. “I think she likes Hunter, but he doesn’t give her the time of day.”

“Can you blame him? I mean, she signed a contract to marry him. From what you just said, he wasn’t shy about his lack of regard for the situation. She was deluding herself.”

“Aren’t I, though?”

Kimberly gave me a hard stare. It was the “I am running out of patience for this” stare. “He didn’t make you sign a contract, he has taken you home, and he
asked you to meet his mom,
Olivia! He likes you. What more proof do you need?”

“Ugh!” I flopped back on my bed. “I know. I know. But it’s just weird that he didn’t want anything to do with me this week.”

“He probably thinks it’s weird that you didn’t want anything to do with
him
this week. Goes both ways.”

“Stop making sense. It’s ruining my mope.”

Kimberly laughed and lightly slapped my thigh. “Let’s pick you out something to wear so you’ll look fabulous. Looking good always cheers me up.”

She started swishing through the clothing in my closet. She paused on a dress as she said, “But the Blaire situation…I’d be worried about that.”

“I am. She has a bunch of money. She can pay people to…I don’t know. I’d say slash my tires, but I don’t have a car.”

“Just watch your back, Olivia. I’ll see what I can find out about her.”

I did not like that Kimberly was telling me to watch my back. It meant a lot of my fears were probably true.

“
Y
ou look good
. No—stop messing with it!”

Kimberly swatted my hand away from my hair, a sort of half updo with curls and hair spray and bobby pins. It was so firm and riddled with hair spray that it felt like a wig, yet somehow it still managed to look loose and natural. Kimberly had a gift.

Regardless of how it looked, though, I felt like I was going to prom. All I needed was a gaudy bracelet of flowers and I was all set.

“When’s he supposed to be—”

A knock sounded at the door, cutting Kimberly off. She gave me an excited smile and followed me into the living room.

“That for you?” Jane was in the kitchen, making herself something to eat. She looked me up and down.

“Yeah, I got it.” I opened the door to Hunter. He stood with a black button-up shirt hugging his delectable body. His gray pants showed off his trim waste. His hair was in that contained messy style he did so well, and his face was shaved clean.

My heart started pounding as I looked at his handsome face. “Hi,” I said in a breathy voice.

“Ready?” That hooded, smoldering gaze, reminding me of our sweaty bodies entwined in ecstasy. It had my knees going weak and warm tingles spreading through my body.

He glanced behind me. “Hello, Kimberly. Nice to see you again.”

“H-hi, Mr. Carlisle. I was just helping Livy get ready.” Kimberly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear with a bright red face. Desire shone clearly in her eyes. It was something most women couldn’t help in Hunter’s presence.

“You did a great job. She looks beautiful.”

I smiled like an idiot and walked forward, taking his arm.

With Kimberly following behind, we descended the stairs and out through the front of the building. Once there, Kimberly said, “Okay, well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Livy.”

“Do you need a ride somewhere?” Hunter asked as he gestured toward the double-parked limo. The driver stood in front of an open door, not at all concerned about the traffic congestion he was causing.

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m not far from here.” Kimberly smiled up at him before giving me a little wave.

“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I promised.

Hunter led me to the limo and handed me in before crossing to the other side and climbing in.

“How do you always get in my building?” I asked once he was settled, determined not to let my anxiety over his behavior show tonight.

“I had a key made.”

Shock widened my eyes.

His smile was evil. “That’s not true. The last couple of times I showed up as someone was leaving. I got lucky.”

My exhale was noisy. “Good. I think that would skirt the line between flattering and creeping out.”

“You look beautiful, Livy.” He took my hand. “I’m sorry I haven’t had time for you this week. I’ve had…things on my mind.”

And just like that, all my wondering melted away. “It’s okay. I did a bunch of work for Bruce.”

“Yes. He said. He’s pleased with your work.”

“It’s fun.” I bobbed my head, hoping I hadn’t showed my discomfort throughout the week. As the limo slowed in front of one of the prominent, swanky hotels in San Francisco, I switched to business. “So, we’re just supposed to smile and shake hands in this thing?”

Almost immediately, Hunter’s expression closed down into one of importance and indifference, and he looked out the window at what awaited him. When the limo stopped, he stepped out of the car. My door opened a moment later, the limo driver waiting right beside it so I could get out.

As I joined Hunter on the sidewalk, his hand connected with the small of my back and directed me up toward the entrance. “You won’t need to say much. Dinner will consist mostly of men congratulating themselves, trying to ease off the stress of the price we settled on. Afterwards, we’ll head to the bar and put in some face time.”

“And I needed to come…why?”

“Because I wanted you to be with me.”

A thrill coursed through me as Hunter opened the door and followed me in. We went through the grand hotel to the dining area a level down. I turned my smile and glittering eyes on, and my brain off, as we entered a sea of suits with only a few women.

“Someday, I’ll be at the head of a company despite my sex,” I mumbled.

“Yes, you will. In the meantime, keep your eyes open and your mouth closed. Watch how the top people interact with each other—what language they use. That way, when you’re in a position of power, you’ll know how to best communicate to get what you want.”

“I also need to learn how to play golf.”

“Watching baseball and football wouldn’t go amiss, either.” Hunter’s hand left my back as a gray-haired man with a bright smile and too-white teeth approached.

“Hunter Carlisle! So glad you could come!”

I let patience envelop me in order to endure the night.

T
wo hours
and a delicious meal later, I found myself waiting for Hunter to get us some drinks. He’d chosen the location: a booth mostly obscured by a velvet curtain, nestled into a corner as the hotel’s way of using all available space. He’d done his time chatting and socializing, earning plenty of pats on the back, but he never once smiled. No one seemed to have minded.

“Room for me?” Hunter showed up at the table with two drinks and tight eyes. He wasn’t having the time of his life either.

“Yup.” I slid over so he could sit next to me. He placed my cosmo in front of me and sipped his scotch.

“How long do we have to stay?” I asked, glancing out past the curtain to the laughing and jeering businessmen.

“I’ll make one more appearance when I go get a refill, then we can go. I’ve taken the liberty of booking us a room here. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Oh.” I looked down at my outfit to hide the relieved smile of him wanting to spend the night with me again. “I didn’t bring a change of clothes.”

“I’ve had that taken care of. I have something I want to show you tomorrow.”

“About work?”

He sipped his scotch again, his eyes pointed out toward the business melee. “I plan to work from…home. Tomorrow.”

The hitch in his voice, and the strange uncertainty in his tone, had me looking at him more closely. A small crease had formed between his eyebrows, and I didn’t think it had anything to do with this meeting. Before I could ask, though, I felt his hand sliding up my thigh. The fabric of my skirt bunched at his wrist.

My legs spread of their own accord. I had no control over it. I also had no control over the moan that resulted from his fingers tracing down my panty-covered slit.

“People might see,” I whispered with my eyes closed, doing absolutely nothing to dissuade him in any way.

“I know.” The heat in his voice sent shivers down my spine.

I spread my legs wider, feeling reckless and aroused. His fingers dipped into my panties, rubbing along my wetness, before plunging into my body. I moaned again, leaning against the table as the strength went out of me.

“Sit on my lap,” Hunter said quietly, taking his hand away so he could undo the buttons on his pants.

Red-faced and on fire, I glanced out toward the public. “Hunter!
Here?
”

“Yes. I need you. Right now.” With a hand on my shoulder, he gently pushed me toward the wall, scooting with me. When we were in the most secluded place possible, the push turned into a pull, coaxing me onto his lap.

“Oh my God!” I said excitedly, glancing out toward the melee again.

The booth was large and the table was small, so there was plenty of room to maneuver, but still!

“I can’t do this…” I bit my lip. Desire lit me up, naughtiness made me squirm in expectation, but the fear of getting in trouble had me hesitating.

“Olivia, let me remind you that we are at a work function. As such, you are under a verbal contract to give yourself to me whenever I require.” His tone had dropped into that deep, commanding tone that vibrated through me. “I want to fuck you. Sit on my cock.”

I exhaled as my desire burned. “Holy heavens.”

Before I knew it, I was positioned over him, sitting in his lap with my skirt pulled up my back and my panties moved to the side. His hard, bare length rested between my wet, aching slit.

“That’s better.” His hands roamed up my chest and cupped my breasts. “Rise up.”

I did as instructed. I felt his tip run along my wetness before pausing at my opening.

“Sit,” he ordered.

I lowered my body back down slowly. His girth pushed past my lips and into my opening, filling me, chasing the breath from my lungs. My thighs hit his, lodging his manhood deeply within me.

“Now rock against me, Livy.” He put a hand between my thighs. His middle finger rubbed my clit as I rocked forward, feeling him slide deep within me.

Sweet sensations mingled with the thrill of doing this in public, heightening the pleasure. I tried to keep my eyes open, keeping lookout in case anyone should wander up, but it felt
so
good.

“
Faster, Olivia,” Hunter breathed.

I sped up, stroking him with my body and exalting in the feelings. His hand on me kept pace. Heat curled within my core before unfurling.

“Yes,” I said urgently, focusing on his hand, on his deep slide, on the thrill of the moment. I leaned forward as instinct replaced logic. Fear of being discovered only heightening the pleasure. I lifted and came back down, hearing a smack as my thighs slapped against his.

“Hmm,” Hunter said, his movements on me turning coarse. Harder.

That pushed me higher.

Panting, I rocked my hips, occasionally rising up and slamming back down for the jolt in pleasure. I bit my lip to keep from moaning. My core tightened. My breath hitched. His fingers played over me expertly.

“I’m going to—” A climax stole my words. The breath rushed out of me as my body blasted apart.

Hunter shook in orgasm beneath me, leaning against my back as my movements slowed down. Taking deep breaths, I shuddered as shock waves vibrated through me.

He nuzzled into my neck as we came down, still holding me tight. “Even a moment after I’m with you, Livy, I want you again. It’s constant.”

I wanted to ask why he’d stayed away from me the week before, but I didn’t want to ruin it. Instead, I closed my eyes, soaking in his embrace.

He straightened up then, and moved me off him. “We’ll have one more drink and then get out of here.”