Erected (Erector Set, Book One) (6 page)

He continued to use his mouth and his hands on her breasts, the sounds of her little whimpers of pleasure urging him on. Almost casually he slid one hand beneath the waist of her sweatpants, the feel of her skin warm and smooth. Lifting his lips from a nipple he stilled, watching her to see if she objected to further intrusion. But her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted and the pulse at the base of her throat thumping wildly. Ness Bowen didn’t look as if she was about to object to anything.

His fingers tangled in the soft curls covering her mound, one finger finding the hot button of her clit and the wetness of her pussy. Easing his finger the length of her slit and back up again, he rubbed the hot bundle of nerves over and over while his mouth got busy on her nipples again.

The tempo of Ness’ breathing increased with the movement of his hand, faster but still with a steady rhythm. Slowly, not rushing her, he aroused her body, almost sliding her into a hungry state of need. When at last he plunged one finger into her she was so wet and ready she clamped down around him and her hips lifted to him. He added another finger and a third, slipping them in and out of her hot pussy while his thumb rasped steadily on her clit and his mouth worked her nipples.

Her hips jerked again and her cries whispered from her mouth on a steady breath of air. As he upped the speed of the movements she matched him with the rhythm of her hips until with a convulsive shudder she came. Her fingers gripped his hair, holding him as if for an anchor and her hips thrust steadily as he worked her cunt. Tremors shook her again and again and he rode her right through it.

Finally, with a tiny sob, her body relaxed and she lay limp on the bed, eyes still closed, breathing evened out. When Josh pressed his mouth against hers for a brief kiss she opened her eyes and stared at him. And he saw a red flush instantly suffuse her.

“Ohmigod.” She scrubbed face with her hands. “I—I can’t believe I…you…we…”

He kissed her again lightly and grinned at her. “Better than a tranquilizer, isn’t it? I’ll bet your nightmares are gone for the night.”

Ness turned her face away. “I don’t know whether to be embarrassed or furious. This isn’t my usual…I mean, I’m no shrinking violet but I don’t—”

Josh touched a finger to her lips. “Shh. It’s all right. You’ve had two days from hell and you were wound up tighter than a drum. The nightmare didn’t help. I just wanted to relax you so you could sleep.”

Her laugh had a slightly hysterical sound to it. “Oh, I’m relaxed all right. I can barely move. Is this a regular part of your routine with women you rescue?

“I don’t rescue too many women.” He cupped her chin and turned her face back toward him. “It’s okay, Ness. Don’t sweat it.”

She blinked. “And you didn’t get…I mean”

“I’m okay. This was all about you. Come on, close your eyes.”

He could sense a protest forming in her mind but between the accident, the nightmare and a satisfying orgasm she was obviously drained of all energy. Her eyelids were already fluttering closed. Josh straightened her clothing and pulled the covers up. Turning out the lamp, he set his watch to wake him at five thirty then made himself comfortable beside her. He hoped to be gone before she woke up in the morning since he had no idea what kind of scene to expect. But at least for tonight she was settled and that’s all that mattered right now.

He closed his eyes and willed himself to sleep, trying to ignore the soft female body next to him and the memory of the pleasure he’d given her. It seemed he’d barely fallen asleep before the beeping of the alarm on his watch roused him. For a moment he was disoriented, not sure where he was, but when he realized there was a soft female form lying next to him the previous night came back in complete detail.

He wasn’t sure whether to be pleased with himself or embarrassed. On the one hand he felt as if he’d taken advantage of a woman in a vulnerable position. Definitely not his style. On the other, he knew he’d made her feel good and eased away the tensions of the day. What he did know for sure was he needed to beat feet asap.

Easing himself off the bed, careful not to disturb Ness, he headed for the living room. As he was putting on his shoes and gathering his jacket and tie it occurred to him he should leave her a note of some kind. In the kitchen he turned on the small light over the stove, rummaged in a drawer for paper and pen, then tried to figure out what to say.
Thanks for a good evening
didn’t seem quite appropriate.
Sorry I had to run
sounded too abrupt. He chewed on the edge of the pen until he finally came up with what he figured was an acceptable message.

“Hope you’re feeling better today. Take good care of yourself. I’ll call you in a little while to check on you. Maybe we can try dinner again. On me.”

He scrawled his name and propped the note against her fancy coffee machine where he was sure she’d find it. Yawning, he took the elevator to the parking garage and pulled out onto a street with its streetlights still on but mingling with the first rays of dawn.

* * * * *

Ness rolled over in bed, rubbed her eyes and flung out one arm. And encountered an unfamiliar depression on the coverlet.

What the hell?

Pushing herself upright she stared at the space next to her. Yup, that was definitely the imprint of a body. And a rather large one. Shoving her hair back from her face with both hands she carefully swung her legs over the side of the bed. Lordy, she ached in every bone and muscle.

Oh, right, dummy! The accident!

And then it all came slamming back to her like a freight train on full throttle. Josh picking her up. Taking her home. Serving her dinner. And wine. Staying to make sure she was okay. The nightmare, And Josh…

Ohmigod!

She, Vanessa Bowen, vice president of marketing and public relations for a successful electronics company, high-powered, always in command, had let…had let…

Even though no one could see her she covered her eyes in embarrassment.

As if that could change things. Make it go away.

Of course, he’d certainly been every inch the gentleman, picking her up at the accident, making sure she was okay. Fetching dinner. And then…

Oh yes, Vanessa. And then.

As if the stupid nightmare wasn’t enough, she’d lain in bed like some idiot Barbie and let him have his way with her.

Except his way sure did feel good.

Enough of that. Apparently he’d had second thoughts, too, because he sure hadn’t bothered to stick around. She stumbled into the bathroom, cast clunking on the floor and avoided looking in the mirror after she took care of business. Then she made her way into the kitchen. Coffee was definitely called for. Thank god for her very efficient Keurig coffeemaker. All she had to do was pop a K-Cup in the holder, press a button and presto! Coffee. Oh, and remember to put a mug under the spout, which she’d forgotten once and flooded the counter.

As she pulled a K-Cup from the carousel that held them she saw a folded piece of paper lying flat next to the machine. She read it twice while she waited for her mug to fill with hot liquid.

Okay, so he wasn’t a total ass. He’d left her a note and he said he’d call later. And dinner. He wanted to try again? She hadn’t wanted to do it in the first place but circumstances had sure altered that. And then of course there had been…
that
!

Ness blew on her coffee to cool it a little before taking that first eye-opening swallow. Waited while it worked its way into her stomach and blasted her nerve endings awake. And tried to get her brain in gear. Dinner with Josh McCann? Candidate for bachelor of the year? A man who stood for everything she was determined to avoid?

Of course you will, you idiot. Because you want more of what he gave you last night. A lot more.

Cursing under her breath she took her brainless self back to the bedroom and picked up her cell to check for messages. Texting back to the important ones she headed for the bathroom. Maybe a good, hot shower would straighten out her brain.

For the second day in a row Josh was having trouble focusing on his work. The Barnes folder lay on his desk, open to the preliminary notes. Next to it was a large sketch pad, depressingly blank. It was his habit to do some quick pencil sketches before moving to the drafting table and working up the designs for a project. Normally by now he’d be well into this thing, his pencil working furiously to keep up with his brain. This morning he simply stared at the blank page and it stared right back at him.

All he could think about was Ness leaning against her destroyed car, determined to keep herself together. Eating the food he’d picked up and getting a bad case of the shakes. Drinking the wine he insisted she swallow. The nightmare. And his medicine to chase it away. He could still feel the smooth roundness of her breasts and the wet heat of her pussy as it clenched around his fingers. The spasms that rocked her as her climax overtook her.

He wanted that again. And more. A lot more.

Guilt picked at the edges of his brain. Had he taken advantage of her when she was vulnerable? He wanted to think she’d been a willing participant. And he’d certainly relaxed her.

He also had no idea why he’d been so concerned over a woman he’d just met and barely knew. It wasn’t as if she was a close friend or even his current “attachment” who needed attention. He’d just been drawn to her in a way no other woman had reached him for a very long time.

His first thought was to run like hell. His second was he needed to see her again. Needed to know if that unbelievable spark was real or imagined. And if it was real, what in hell he was going to do about it.

A light rap on his open door jerked him to attention. He looked up to find his brother Alex approaching his desk.

“That must be some heavy thinking you’re doing.”

Josh tossed his pencil down. “Yeah, real heavy. Welcome back. How did it go in Phoenix?”

“Just the way we hoped.” Alex dropped into a chair in front of the desk. “That sound you hear is me patting myself on the back.”

“So we got the contract to design the mixed-use project.”

“You got it. And I understand you wrapped up old Barnes nice and tight.”

Josh couldn’t help grinning. “It worked out really well. He came in the next morning and signed the contract.”

Alex nodded at the folder and sketch pad. “That what you’re getting started on? Doesn’t look like you’re making much progress.”

“I know. My brain seems to be out to lunch.”

“Uh huh.” Alex chuckled. “That look usually means a woman is involved somehow, but I don’t think I remember you being distracted this way before.”

Josh shrugged. “It’s nothing. Don’t let your mind run in twenty directions. I just didn’t sleep too well last night.”

I was busy having almost sex with a woman who hits me right where I live and wondering what the hell to do about it.

“If you say so. I thought maybe you and Ty and I could chew over all this stuff at dinner tonight. About seven?”

Tonight? No, not tonight, he had other plans.

“I, uh, have an appointment tonight.”

“Yeah?” Alex lifted an eyebrow. “With who?”

Josh scrambled for an answer. “A possible future supplier.” Well, Prater did make all matter of electronics that could be installed in homes and businesses.

“Oh? Maybe we should join you.”

“No!” he nearly shouted the word, then dialed it way down. “No, it’s not necessary. If I could handle Barnes I can certainly talk to a supplier.”

Alex looked at him strangely. “I guess. How about tomorrow night? You have an
appointment
then?”

Josh made a show of checking his calendar. “No, tomorrow night’s fine.”

“Good.” Alex pushed himself out of the chair and stood for a moment, studying his brother. “Catch you later.”

As soon as his brother cleared the office Josh buzzed the central reception desk.

“Hey, Janice. I’ll be locked in working on this new project most of the day. If anyone’s looking for me—including my brothers—let them know, okay? Can you have a sandwich sent up about one?”

When he received an affirmative answer he closed his door firmly and dropped back into his desk chair. Not that he didn’t love his brothers. They had a great relationship both personal and professional, but right now he didn’t need either of them digging at his brain. Especially since he was having trouble straightening it out himself.

Okay, maybe if he got the nitty gritty out of the way he could settle down and work.

He had Ness’ cell phone number from her call the night before. Picking up his phone he texted her a brief message.

R U okay? Sorry I had to cut out so early.

In a few seconds a beep signaled an incoming text.

No big deal. I’m okay. Few sore plcs but that’s all. Thx for asking.

Well, that was pretty bland. But then, so was his own message. He thought for a moment then typed again.

Glad I stayed last night.

Okay, let’s see what she says about that.