Chapter 4

The dirty thoughts of having all her weight on me gnawed at my self-control. When my mind began swimming with desires I'm not brave enough to share, I instinctively reached for something to steady myself. Her ankle was what I found, and though she jumped at my touch, I couldn't bring myself to let go. I just needed to touch her, half-expecting her to pull away.

Why isn't she running? Did she and Nando really break up? Does she know what he's doing behind her back? ... Her skin is so soft.

I intensified my flirting, partly driven by my growing desire for her and partly because we had an audience watching our performance.

When she stepped back, I released her ankle, watching as she moved to examine my hair from the front. My composure crumbled further as she tilted my head up by my chin and began stroking my hair back. If she'd purred 'good boy,' I would've lost any remaining self-respect... I couldn't deny how desperately I wanted her after this.

I took the chance to look at her, noticing her black collar before her dress swayed into my view. I closed my eyes, breathing in her fruit punch scent.

A sweet smell; how fitting for her.

I basked in her attention, drowning in how good it felt to be cared for, to feel loved. I wanted to keep all of it for myself.

Please be single, please prove me wrong about Nando. Make it easy on me.

When the urge to touch her returned, I reached for her ankle again, encouraged by her earlier acceptance. This time, I noticed something different... I watched as she shifted, rubbing her thighs together. I licked my lips and took a deep breath, fighting to push the inappropriate thoughts from my mind one by one.

I don't even know your name; I need to relax.

Once she was done, I teased her a bit. Running my hand up her leg, I felt a random string near her hip and debated whether to pull it. When I did, I realized it was a bathing suit strand. My thoughts grew hungrier, more intense. Sure, I was putting on a show for the creeps watching us, but right now, I was lost in my own little world with her. The best part? She wasn't fighting me about it.

Let me in...

She stepped closer to me, seemingly unaware that I had absolutely no shame about making her a mother in the bathroom right now.

Oh god, please... I want to devour you. I swear I'll be gentle; just give me a chance. I want you all to myself. Please be mine. Please be single.

I mentally cursed myself for begging this woman. But the way she'd been handling me... maybe begging would work for her. I felt disappointed in myself for being so perverted in my thoughts.

Somehow during our encounter, she ended up wearing my tie, and I didn't get the kiss I was expecting. She was toying with me... but there was something almost... sad in her expression while doing it. Then she'd switch up and tease me more. I pulled her to me, my hands slipping between the laces on her smooth back, fighting hard to keep the picture I had saved out of my head.

Why do you have that look? God, you're such a tease... but two can play at that game.

I demanded her name and told her mine; I wanted her to know the name of her next boyfriend.

Then she caught me off guard... she asked if we'd met before, making my heart quicken. I answered honestly but wondered if Nando had shown her my picture or if she'd seen me somewhere on his phone.

After the question, she seemed lost in thought. I returned to flirting, placing my hand on the side of her neck, my thumb resting on her racing pulse.

Her heart is racing because of me... Don't worry, I'll take responsibility.

I took one quick glance at her, weighing my next move. She wore an orange-to-red ombre sleeveless dress, its spaghetti straps tied behind her neck, the laced-up back plunging low with its final knot resting just above her hips. I leaned in, intending to place a soft kiss or two on her neck and shoulder... but then she moaned... and the hunger took over. She moaned more as my kisses became needier, more desperate. I tried to hold back from marking her neck, but I slipped up more than once.

I managed not to leave any lasting marks, which I'm sure she appreciated, but I'll admit this much: had we been somewhere more private, I would have marked her until there was no question who she belonged to.

I half-expected her to pull away, worried about the marks, but she didn't. Instead, she pressed her head against my chest, catching me off guard. My heart hammered wildly; I wondered if she could feel it, if she knew how unprepared I was for her closeness.

I scanned the hall, spotting those same creeps still watching us from their new vantage point.

Fucking horny bastards, enjoying the show?

When she pulled back, her eyes met mine with unmistakable desire. That look said everything - she was at her limit, and honestly, so was I.

As we collected our bags, I finally voiced the question that had been nagging at me. Did she have a boyfriend? Though the way she'd been trying to push me away this whole time... I already knew the answer... and I was right.

Damn it, Nando. You know what? Fuck you, she's not yours anymore. She's mine.

What followed was heated - harsh words exchanged and tears shed. Looking back, I might have been too aggressive, too mean in how I approached it. I could see she wasn't happy... but no matter how I handled it, it would've been wrong. Jealousy had complete control over my heart and tongue in that moment.

We made up... sort of, and she hinted at giving me a chance. I was in the middle of promising not to cross any lines when that cheating piece of shit called her.

I couldn't hide my annoyance when her phone lit up - she still had him labeled as "babe." The fear in her eyes when she saw who was calling was unmistakable, but not wanting to overstep, I looked away.

She was trying so hard to stay loyal, and here I was, constantly pushing her boundaries. It wasn't fair of me, but if she knew what I knew, she wouldn't resist anymore. I was going to let her answer, but I just couldn't let her do it.

I cupped her face and kissed her head-on, pushing her against the wall, my knee finding a home between her thighs. I wanted her to feel exactly how much I wanted her. When she kissed back just as hungrily, it caught me off guard. Her hands reached for my forearms, resting there like an unspoken acceptance. But what transformed our kiss from simple yearning to pure lust was when she started grinding against my knee.

I'm not sure if she even realized she was doing it, but that alone made me crave her more. I bit her lip, planning to continue kissing her, but used the moment to catch my breath and ask her to be mine. She, of course, politely pushed me back, her legs rubbing together while she licked her lips.

Being pushed away stung a little, but I understood. I mentally promised not to push her anymore as I stroked her cheek, trying to hide my sadness.

When her phone rang again, I told her to answer it. I wanted to use this chance to confirm my suspicion by listening to the voice on the other end. Once again, I was proven right.

You don't deserve her. Hell, I'm starting to question if I do...

I praised her for listening so well and urged her to finish her conversation before asking for her phone. When she handed it to me, she had accidentally left the chat with Nando open. She had a message drafted, and me being nosy, I read it... she was preparing to break up with him. I chuckled to myself, feeling victorious. Getting back to my original plan, I found her phonebook and added my number. She changed the name from what I'd entered and chuckled to herself.

Her laughter sounds like wind chimes... Damn, she was beautiful.

A few minutes passed before Fernando called me. She shuffled towards the door as I declined the call; I had no interest in talking to him. Following quietly behind her, she paused at the final sliding door to remove my tie.

She stared at it, and I thought she might throw it away, but instead, she carefully untied it, folded it neatly, and tucked it deep into her bag. I smiled, relieved for a moment before glancing behind me; the creeps were still following close behind. I cracked my neck and knuckles, my annoyance reaching its peak.

How far are you willing to go? You guys must really want to die.

Their persistence was irritating, but walking out the door to see Fernando kissing Luanne sent me into a rage. Sure, she's his girlfriend for now, and yes, she's loyal to him FOR NOW, and she's not mine yet, but the fact that he dropped all contact with her the moment he saw and heard me proves he knows I caught him in his lie. I wasn't about to let that slide.

A complicated conversation followed, ending with Luanne - or should I say Ludo - playing along and getting in the car, slamming the door behind her.

I couldn't help but replay the part where she said 'was his girlfriend.' Fernando's shock was priceless. When she got in the car, things really got interesting.

I watched the creep duo leave through my peripheral vision while the moron in front of me got his boxers in a twist over problems he'd created himself. As the creeps finally disappeared from sight, I felt exhaustion wash over me.

"Dude, what the fuck? Are you trying to make her think I'm cheating?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I thought she was just a friend."

"Dude? What?" He faked ignorance.

"What? I mean, you were clearly adamant about telling me that the red-haired woman was your girl, but Ludo was also pretty adamant about being your girlfriend—"

"Yeah, speaking of what was up with the whole 'was' thing, did she seem... angry to you?" He interrupted me. I glared at his pathetic attempt to deflect.

"Interrupt me again..." Fernando stiffened at my expression and instantly shrank.

"I'm sorry." I couldn't mask my disgust as I continued.

"I don't know about you, but there are several distinct differences between those two women. So, which is it? Who are you dating?"

"I'm dating Ludo, and keep your fucking voice down!" He hissed the confession, trying to appease me. Little did he know I wasn't done.

"Ah, I see I'm going to have to tell poor Audrey Lamber that she's just a side piece..." Sarcasm dripped from every word.

"What?"

"... Tell me. Do you want me to let her down easy or just dump it on her?" I could see Fernando sensing the trap closing in.

"How do you know her name?"

"Oh, you know..." I calmly pulled out my phone, "... It would be wrong of me to not know my secretary of two years and counting."

"You're lying!" Panic cracked through his angry facade.

"No, sorry, but I'm not." I turned the screen to show him the image I'd been searching for - our company photo from the grand opening, with Audrey, my assistant, the managers, and me all in the front row. His jaw dropped as I switched to my contacts and pulled up her entry:

Audrey Lamber (Secretary)

He stood there speechless, eyes fixed on the phone number.

"I know it's kind of early, but I could call her now; it's always nice to get the bad news out of the way." There was a slight tug of a smile pulling on my lips as I continued to drag him along. My tone meant to mock and belittle him; I didn't feel bad—he was a cheater.

"What do you want from me? What do you need me to do?"

"Aww, I'm glad you asked. I may be your friend, but a cheating man is a cheating man, and I don't fuck with those. I will not help you keep this secret, so tell me right now. Who are you in love with?" I went without an answer for a few seconds, and I was prepared to wait for much longer, but then...

"Audrey... And Ludo, I'm in love with them both." My anger flared instantaneously, but I tried to hide it. I can't lie; my knuckles were itching to meet his fucking nose.

"You. Will. Not. Have. Both." I could hear my voice ooze poison. It took everything, every ounce of self-control, not to put my hands on him, but this disgusting piece of shit was not making it easy.

"You either tell Ludo the truth, or I tell them both. You have two hours."

"So, it's either one or none, huh? Do I even have a choice?"

"I'm sorry to tell you, bud... But no."

"Gray." I started to make my way into the car, calmly walking past him while returning my phone to my pocket. I didn't respond or look at him.

"Gray!" I stopped with my hand on the door.

"An hour and fifty-nine minutes." Then I pulled the handle and got into the car, smiling sweetly at Ludo, who looked back at me curiously as I settled in my seat. Fernando attempted to make meaningless conversation about my tie, but the only reason I humored him was that it gave me a chance to indirectly compliment Ludo. Otherwise, I ignored all conversations he was a part of by pretending I was sleeping with my face propped up by my hand and turned towards the window.

I was hard, horny, and happy before this, but that whole turn of events killed my mood. I sat staring out the window quietly when I felt my phone buzz. I checked the message, noticing it was a new number texting me. I did a bit of digging only to find out it was Ludo.

Are you okay? Your pretty quiet

back there. I'm not used to the

silence.

Yeah, I'm fine. What? do you

miss my flirting already?

lol, you should be asking

your BOYFRIEND if he's okay.

Haha, very funny... he can wait

anyway how am I supposed to

give you back your tie? >~<

By just giving it back duh.-_-

That's gonna raise too many

questions.

So?

Look, I don't care for him

either, but I'm not willing

to start shit with him in

such a small and confined

space.

Okay first off, he won't do

shit while I'm it the car

and second if not now when

do you suggest?

Fernando suddenly became fixated on Ludo's phone, making her visibly uncomfortable as he repeatedly swerved while craning his neck to see her screen.

"Who are you texting?" When Ludo didn't respond, his voice grew harder. "Luanne, I'm fucking talking to you!"

He grabbed her arm holding the phone and yanked it toward him, the car weaving dangerously across the road.

"Fernando! If you don't take your hands off of her right fucking now, I will beat the shit out of you. Since when do you put your hands on women?"

"It's okay—" Ludo started, trying to downplay the situation, but I cut her off.

"No, the fuck it's not, Fernando. Let her go."

Fernando shoved her arm away and turned his attention back to driving.

"Keep your eyes on the damn road. I'm not about to die because your dumb ass can't mind his business."

After several tense minutes, she resumed texting me.

Thank you... and I may have an

idea, would you happen to be

free today? Me and him are

planning on going to the beach

you can join us.

How about I just invite

you both over to my house

that way you can just

leave it anywhere?

After what just happened he's

not going to be to interested

in going anywhere with you.

True... but you'd have to

openly invite me, I can't

just invite myself... he'll

get suspicious.

Oh yeah. >~<

I smiled to myself and gazed out the window, phone in hand. She had brightened my mood without even trying; that woman was pure magic. Noticing Ludo's hesitation to break the silence, I took the initiative.

"What do you guys have planned for today?"

"The beach. Oh! You should come with us." Nando spoke up first, and I suppressed several snarky responses that bubbled to mind.

"Oh! Yeah, that sounds like fun. Can you come with us, please?"

"Aw. I can't say no to a pretty lady like you. Sure."

Nice performance by Ludo; that was very believable.

I quickly texted my assistant Julian, who agreed to meet us at the beach with a bathing suit for me.

"My assistant is dropping off my bathing suit so we can head straight there if that was the original plan."

When we reached the beach parking lot, I stepped aside to text Julian my location and who I was with. After he arrived with my swim trunks, we paused together to appreciate the sunrise before he headed home. I made my way back to Ludo and Nando.

"Where are we gonna set up?" I asked as I approached.

It took every ounce of willpower not to reach for Ludo.

She had shed her dress, now wearing only her bathing suit. The black bra top matched her earlier dress, with delicate lacing up the back and straps that tied behind her neck. The bottoms featured similar laces tied at each hip, and she still wore her black collar. Everything coordinated perfectly, and from behind, she was both alluring and dangerous - the kind of sight that could get someone in trouble just for looking too long.

Nando said something to her that I missed completely; truthfully, I wasn't paying him any attention. I regretted missing her response as she turned to follow him. I caught his eye as he passed and whispered:

"48 minutes."