It was hard for her to believe that she was the source of someone’s hopes and dreams. Clement had been happy with her. He’d never let a day pass that he hadn’t let her know just what she meant to him. She’d considered herself the luckiest woman alive.Clement was . . . larger than life. Handsome. Wealthy. Extremely loving and generous. Always affectionate. He wasn’t a man who worried about what others thought. If they were together in public, he touched her frequently. Just little shows of affection. He held her hand, put an arm around her or he kissed her, giving others no doubt of his feelings for her.Any woman would have wanted someone like him, and he’d wanted her. Just her. She wasn’t in his league. Didn’t come from his world, though he’d argue that his current circumstances weren’t ones he was born into. His upbringing hadn’t been good. He’d fought for every dollar he earned, the lifestyle he’d claimed. For himself and for Sophia.His devotion to his family, to both Sandra and
She arched upward, wanting, needing more, desperate for release. Her skin itched, like it was alive. Edgy. Bordering on pain.His impassioned statement spoke to the very heart of her. Soothed every fear. He made her feel cherished and . . . loved. And she hadn’t felt loved and adored in so very long.Even though he’d said that this time was about him, he slid his fingers between them, finding and stroking her clit. She went wet around him, her entire body tightening, clenching with agonizing need.“Get there,” he commanded. “Come for me, Sandra. Now.”To her utter surprise, her body obeyed him. She was helpless to do anything but obey him. She hadn’t thought she was there yet. Almost but not quite. But the moment the forceful command was given, she began coming. Wave after wave washed over her, spreading throughout her body until she felt nothing but the sweetest of pleasures.He spurted deep inside her, filling her with his liquid heat. For several moments, the only sound that could
He remained there a moment longer before finally pushing upward. Then he withdrew, her body still clutching greedily at him as he pulled free.He pressed a kiss to the small of her back and then got up from the bed. She didn’t have time to turn over before he gathered her in his arms and picked her up, carrying her toward the bathroom.He turned the shower on and after testing the temperature, he pulled her inside with him where he proceeded to wash every inch of her body. It was torment. He paid extra special attention to the still-quivering flesh between her legs. He had her worked up and well on her way to another orgasm by the time he washed and rinsed her hair.“On your knees,” he said gruffly.She obeyed instantly, lowering herself to the wet floor of the shower. The warm spray cascaded over both of them. His cock was painfully erect, huge and stiff.“Get me off, Sandra,” he commanded. “But I want you to get yourself off too. Touch yourself. But don’t come until I do. If you do,
He hugged her to him and she hugged back, savoring the closeness, the intimacy that was still new and shiny.“You won’t lose me, Sandra. Believe that.”“Okay,” she whispered.Even as she agreed, she whispered a prayer that things would work out and that nothing ever happened to him. She couldn’t survive it again. Once had nearly destroyed her. If something ever happened to Derrick, she wouldn’t survive this time.She reclined onto the sofa, taking the glass of wine he offered her. She sipped, her stomach churning with nervousness. It was silly to be so anxious to meet James, her husband’s replacement, but she was. She’d likely never come into contact with him after this meeting since she had nothing to do with the day-to-day operations of Derrick’s business. Sophia would be more affected by James coming on board since she would have to work for him.She knew Sophia wouldn’t take it well. She hoped that by meeting James and offering him her acceptance, it would smooth over whatever obj
Derrick was silent for a long moment and then he heaved out his breath, his shoulders drooping slightly. He turned away from her, directing his gaze toward the fireplace. His hold loosened on her and she shifted away, just so she could better see him.“That was part of it,” he admitted. “I was jealous as hell. The first time I met you. Do you remember? Clement brought you to the company Christmas party and there you were. So beautiful it made my teeth ache. You were adorably shy, reserved. And you clung to Clement’s side the entire night. I couldn’t look at you without resenting the fact that he’d found you first.”Her eyes widened in surprise. “I had no idea.”“No. It shames me that I treated you so curtly in the beginning. I actually hoped that things wouldn’t work out between you and Clement because I wanted you for myself. I had planned to swoop in and claim you the minute things ended between you and him. But it became very clear that he had no intention of letting you go. I damn
“Story of my life,” Derrick murmured. “I was too late the first time. Fate gave me another chance and I don’t intend to fuck it up.”Sympathy shone in James’s eyes. “So you had a thing for her when she was married. And to your best friend. That had to suck.”“You could say that.”A thoughtful look crossed James’s face. “I’m fairly new to the area as you know. When we first met, it was through business trips to Houston. But now that I’m here, I haven’t really had time to scope it out. Any clubs here? You know anything about the places in this area?”“Yeah. There’s one good one. Very exclusive. It’s called The House. Owned and managed by Damon Roche. Wealthy son of a bitch and he caters to an upscale clientele. He’s backed off in recent months. He’s married and has a daughter who occupies most of his time, but he still keeps a hand in the operations. I can give you his contact information and put in a word for you. He does an extensive background check on prospective members, but it’s a
“Son of a bitch,” James swore. “No wonder she’s so wary around men. Can’t say I blame her. I’ll be careful with her. I don’t want her to fear me. It sickens me that any woman would have reason to fear men as she does.”“In that we agree,” Derrick said. “Clement couldn’t give Sandra what she needed. Dominance. And she loved him too much to ask it of him. But he knew. And now that she’s taken that step and wants what I can give her, I’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy again.”“I wish you luck,” James said sincerely. “She’s a good woman. You’re a lucky son of a bitch.”“I know,” Derrick said quietly.They both fell silent when Sandra reentered the room carrying the silver tray with the hors d’oeuvres she’d prepared earlier.She was a dream in the kitchen. When she and Clement had entertained in their home she’d always prepared all the food despite Clement telling her he’d have it catered. She’d always laughed and told him there was no need and that she enjoyed cooking. Derrick lo
“Monday morning,” Derrick said. “When she comes into work.”Sandra frowned but held silent.“What is it, honey? You obviously want to say something,” Derrick gently encouraged.“It’s not for me to decide,” she began.“Say what you want to say,” he directed.She drew in a breath. “I just thought that perhaps something like this should be said outside of work. It’ll be a shock. And we’re friends. I mean, you’re more than just her employer. I think you owe it to her to tell her some place more intimate.”“What did you have in mind?” Derrick asked slowly.She glanced nervously up at him and he wanted to pull her into his arms and reassure her. She had nothing to fear from him. No disapproval. There was nothing she could do that would earn his censure.“You could invite her here,” Sandra said. “We could tell her together. It may be easier than at work. It would also give her time to come to terms before she has to go to work. Time to deal with it so she has it together by the time she has