Pleasure Prolonged (7 page)

The speaker continued to feed in sounds of heated kisses and heavy breathing. The soft rustle of bodies moving on the silky sheets caused a fine tremor to move through her veins.

Damn. Was it getting hotter in the booth? Or was listening to the couple having sex toying with her libido? She took a deep breath in an effort to bank her desire; the effort proved futile.

“What do you think, Erin?” he prodded, his warm breath firing her senses. “What makes a woman moan like that?” The soft whisper of his voice was most seductive, creating an instant intimacy.

He edged impossibly closer, until his leg brushed against hers. His touch sent shivers skittering through her limbs. “What would make you moan like that?”

She suspected he already knew the answer to that question.

His smile was slow, predatory. “Never mind, don’t tell me. I want to discover it on my own.”

Her pulse leaped as her heart began to beat wildly. When she turned to look at him, she had to remind herself how to breathe. The intensity of the way he was staring at her robbed her of her very next breath.

Another moan from the research room drew her attention. She had difficulty taking her gaze off Kale. She had to force herself to concentrate on the control panel readouts.

She should be tracking the data, but Kale’s leg rubbing against hers was too distracting. Too arousing. Her skin grew moist and tight as a maelstrom of sensations whipped through her blood.

He pitched his voice low. “I think he licked her.”

Holy hell!

Her breathing grew shallow when he reached out and feathered the pad of his thumb across her lower lip, barely making contact. She almost drew the tip into her mouth for a long, thorough suck. Desire as she’d never experienced before gained her full concentration.

“Tonight when you come over, I’m going to lick you, Erin, to see if I can make you moan like that.” His voice ended in a soft whisper.

Oh God! That got her attention.

Her body reacted to the lust she heard in his voice. She bit down on her bottom lip and anchored herself to her chair, resisting the urge to run to the rooftop to sing out in euphoria. She turned in her seat, and her eyes locked with his. He didn’t have to
lick
her; his words were enough to elicit such a response.

She felt her nipples swell under his devouring gaze. Raw feminine need flowed through her. Her head began spinning as the room grew thick with the scent of her arousal.

He parted her lips with his thumb. “Only I’m going to make you moan louder.” The wicked gleam in his eyes held all sorts of promises. Something in his expression told her he was more than capable of doing just that.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a half smile as the fine lines around his eyes crinkled. Lord, he was so damn sexy when he turned on the charm and gifted her with one of his naughty playboy grins. A grin so full of sensual wickedness that any woman presented with it would pounce on him like he were a hot fudge sundae while she eagerly shed her panties.

The same way Erin had.

Out of nowhere, an odd surge of jealousy pushed back the lust and made her gut clench. What the hell was that? Cripes, it was disconcerting the way he aroused unwanted emotions in her. Erin took a moment to regroup and gave a silent prayer that her simple plan to play the part of the bad girl and indulge in casual, uncomplicated sex didn’t come back to bite her in the ass.

Her attention glided over his face, then tracked lower to settle on his crotch. Once again lust clawed its way to the surface and overshadowed her battle with the green-eyed monster. Her breathing hitched and her eyes grew wide as she glimpsed his impressive arousal. Her responses to the sight of his erection seemed to please him.

Did the guy have any idea what his teasing was doing to her?

“In fact I’m going to make you scream,” he said, his tone playful, yet so very, very confident.

When her gaze traveled back to his face, his trademark bad-boy grin widened.

Oh yeah! He knew exactly what he was doing. Well, two could play his game.

This time the male subject groaned. Erin placed her hand over Kale’s leg. God, his thighs were so damn hard. The sudden image of her head nestled between them made her throat close over.

Trying for sultry, she leaned in and pitched her voice low. “What do you think, Kale? What did she do to make him groan like that?”

He gave a low growl of longing as sexual tension fired between them. His breath came in a ragged burst and tickled the sensitive flesh on her neck.

She slowly dragged her hand from his lap, linked her fingers together, and touched her tongue to her bottom lip. “I think she licked him.” Her voice was a tight whisper. “Or maybe she drew him deep into her throat. What’s your take, Kale?” Erin touched her fingertips to her neck and stroked up and down, mimicking what she’d like to do to him. “Do you think she drew him into her throat?”

Kale growled louder and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His sounds of pleasure and need blended with the muted sex sounds coming from the corner speaker. The lust, agony, and sexual frustration swamping him were visible on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound formed.

Lord, by the look in his eyes, he was never going to make it until tonight. Erin knew that if Kale hadn’t taken her edge off in the elevator, she’d have gone up in flames by now.

She inched her legs open, giving him an unobstructed view of her moist sex, driving him even wilder as she enjoyed for a moment having the upper hand. Erin had never
reduced a man to putty before, and she had to admit, she quite enjoyed it. Frazzling a renowned playboy like Kale was such an empowering feeling.

Kale’s gaze dropped to her arousal-drenched crevice. He scrubbed his hand over his chin and shook his head in agony. “Sweet fuck,” he murmured.

Her heady female aroma mingled with his and reached Kale’s nostrils. He drew a deep breath as his hands snaked out to cup the back of her neck.

The sight of her bare sex had washed the grin from his face. The change occurred so swiftly, it amazed her.

He cleared his throat and bent forward, his eyes dark and richly seductive. “You are such a bad girl, Erin, and so very naughty.”

He tangled his hands through her hair and brought her lips close to his. She instinctively closed her hands over his arms and felt his corded muscles bunch. His eyes turned lustful, reflecting his every desire.

None too gently, he brushed aside a lock of her hair and pressed his lips possessively over her mouth. His tongue swept inside to mate with hers. His kiss was deep. Hard. Needy. Letting her know in no uncertain terms what the sight of her naked sex and the scent of her arousal had done to him.

He inched back. His voice was rough, barely audible. His eyes burned into her as they dimmed with desire. “Do you know what I do with naughty girls, Erin?”

She worked hard to recover her voice. “No, what?” She licked her dry lips and sat up straighter in her seat, eager to hear more.

Gaze riveted on her, he said, “I punish them.”

Oh cripes! She gave a broken gasp and worked to get air back into her lungs. “Really? How?” she asked with heated anticipation. Damn, she should have at least tried to mask her enthusiasm a bit.

He gave a low growl of pleasure and spoke in whispered words. “Naughty girls need to be spanked, Erin.”

Sweet mother of God!

If the predatory look in his eyes, combined with his devilish smile and his promising words, weren’t a concoction for an orgasm, she didn’t know what was.

Pleasure engulfed her as her nipples stood at attention. Oh God, she’d never been spanked before. How deliciously erotic. Lord, the man was relentless and knew how to push all her right buttons.

She bit her bottom lip before she did something telltale.

Like moan.

T
he sound of the cage door rattling heralded someone’s arrival and gained Kale’s full attention. Without breaking the steamy hold he had on Erin, he inched away and starched his spine.

Director Reginald Smith stepped into the cage. As he pulled open the door, light from the hallway poured into the small, dimly lit booth. “Hey you two, how are things going in here?”

At the sound of their director’s voice, Erin’s face blanched, and her movements stilled.

Kale’s head snapped up. He pushed back his rising lust, rested his elbow on the console, and with casual aplomb greeted the director. “Good morning, Reginald.”

Reginald nodded his greeting as his eyes scanned the adjoining research room, surveying the experiment. “How are you two making out?”

“Quite well, as a matter of fact,” Kale said, neglecting to tell him the exact details of how they were
making out
.

Keeping her back to the director, Erin exchanged a glance with Kale. A bevy of emotions passed over her eyes as she cleared her throat and worked to regain composure. It really pleased him the way he could get to her. Her guard was slipping, which meant things were getting personal for her, just the way he planned. A deep sense of satisfaction rolled over him.

Reginald leaned against the doorjamb. “Is everything on schedule?”

Kale looked pointedly at Erin, his heart tightening. Her bangs fell over her eyes, and he fought the sudden desire to brush them back.

“Everything is going according to schedule. Right, Erin?” Attempting discretion, he captured her ankles in his and eased her legs together. Blinking the lust from her eyes, she drew a steadying breath and gave him a grateful smile that warmed him from the inside out. She switched back to her workplace demeanor, clamped her thighs together, and swiveled in her chair to face the director.

She donned her professional face and smoothed her hair off her forehead. “Yes, everything is going according to plan.” She spoke with a light tone, even though Kale knew it took effort. “We have test subjects lined up for every day this week, and then we’ll compile the data and present our preliminary findings to you next Wednesday after the Christmas holidays.”

Pleased with Erin’s report, the director nodded, pushed off the door frame, and gripped the knob. “I’ll look forward to that.” He glanced at his watch and frowned. “I’m leaving shortly and won’t be around for the rest of the week. Veronica and I are flying to Vegas.” He rolled his eyes heavenward. “After Laura and Jay’s wedding, she got it into her head that it was time for us to renew our vows.”

Erin casually adjusted her skirt over her thighs, sat up straighter in her seat, and smiled. “That sounds like fun.”

Kale narrowed his gaze, assessing the director. The expression on his face suggested that gouging his eye out with Erin’s pen would be a whole hell of a lot more fun.

His brow furrowed. “
Fun
isn’t the word I’d use, but at least I’ll get to play the slot machines.” He gave her a sly wink. “That was part of the agreement.” He stole another quick look into the research room. “Looks like things are finishing up in there.” He turned his attention back to Erin. “I’ll leave an emergency contact with security for both of you.”

He shot Kale a glance. “Try not to let her work you too hard, Kale. Erin has become quite the little workaholic. She’ll keep you going all hours of the night if you let her.”

He chuckled. “Erin has already been working me
hard.
But I don’t mind one little bit.” He angled his head. “I’m looking forward to observing all her extraordinary talents.”

Erin’s smile fell from her mouth as she turned back around to face him. He noted the way her body fairly shivered as she met and held his glance.

He arched a brow and leaned back in his chair, stretching his legs out until they collided with Erin’s. “And I’m
up
for going all hours of the night. In fact, we are already planning on doing just that. Tonight. Aren’t we, Erin?”

As she picked up the suggestive edge in his voice, her eyes opened wide. She made a face that suggested she was going to neuter him.

A little throttling he could handle. Hell, he might even like it. But neutering? No way, no how.

“I…uh…yes. Tonight. Working late,” she mumbled, gripping her clipboard like it was a lifeline as she turned her attention to the data.

Reginald shook his head and shoved his hands into his pockets. “I guess I can’t complain about dedicated employees. Keep up the good work, Erin. If all goes well with this experiment, you’re guaranteed that promotion you’ve been after.” He inhaled. “I smell much success in your future.”

It occurred to Kale that Erin’s drive and ambition matched his. The success of this project could take her from obscurity to making her mark in the scientific world. Kale remembered those days well and understood the importance of securing a career. He vowed to help her attain the future she so diligently strived for.

Reginald stepped out of the cage. Before he left, he turned back around. “Kale, can I see you in my office for a minute when you’re done here?”

After the director disappeared, Erin threw her hands in the air. Her eyes flashed as she leveled him with a glare. “Are
you crazy, saying something so suggestive like that in front of the director? Don’t let his easy demeanor fool you, Kale. The man is sly. He knows everything that goes on around here.”

God, she was so sexy when provoked. “Then I guess it’s a good thing he’s not going to be here for the rest of the week,” Kale countered.

Just then Sam poked his head in the door. “Erin, they’re finished. I’m unable to find Deanne to take care of the research room.” He rolled his eyes. “Strange how she always disappears when there is menial work to be done. Would you mind getting a start on it while I do a quick coffee run?”

“No problem,” Erin said.

Sam arched a brow. “The regular?” After Erin nodded, Sam turned his attention to Kale. “How about you, Kale? Are you a coffee drinker?”

“I’ll have the same as Erin,” he replied. “Black with one sugar. Thanks.” When Erin lifted one perfect brow, he rolled a shoulder and offered no explanation for how he knew her tastes. The truth was, Kale knew a hell of a lot more about her than she realized.

“I’ll be back shortly.” With that, Sam pulled the door shut behind him, plunging them back into dimness.

Kale turned his attention to the research room. “Are they done already?” He squinted as his gaze panned the bed.

As Erin’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she squeezed her lids and glanced at the clock. “What do you mean, are they done already?”

Kale checked the time. “Erin, they were only in there for fifteen minutes tops.”

“And you don’t think that’s enough time for multiple orgasms?”

The look he sent her pretty much summed up his thoughts on the subject. “It’s hardly enough time to have multiple…” He paused, searching for the right word. Shrugging, he added, “Anything.”

She scoffed and blurted out, “I think fifteen minutes is ample time. That’s ten minutes longer than what I’m accustomed to.” Suddenly, as if realizing she’d given away too much personal information, she raised her hands and began backpedaling. “I mean…”

He pressed his index fingers over her lips to silence her. His thumb brushed against her soft cheek. He could feel her skin grow warm under his touch. He loved it when she was so honest, so genuine, and gave him glimpses into the real Erin Shay. It made him want to take her in her arms and hold on to that part of her. Forever.

Back in the elevator, he had suspected no man had ever taken the time to give her the attention she deserved or pleasured her properly in the bedroom. Now this confirmed it.

Maybe it was an ego thing, but he had to admit, it pleased him immensely to know he’d be the first to take her to heights of passion she’d never known. And if he got his way, which he had every intention of getting, he’d be the first man, the last man, and the only man to give her multiple orgasms.

“I’m going to rectify that, Erin. Tonight.” His gaze drifted downward to leisurely inspect her gorgeous body. His cock pulsed, his hormones shifting into overdrive. He inhaled, filling his lungs with her scent. Christ, he couldn’t believe how much he ached to lose himself in her heat. As his attention moved back to her face, he pulled her close and positioned his mouth over hers as he added, “All night long.”

A sexy noise crawled out of her throat. A flurry of emotions passed through her eyes as she exhaled with extreme slowness. Her lids fluttered, and she seemed to be fighting the urge to close them.

The light in the adjoining research room flicked on, filling the cage with high noon brilliance, shocking them both back to reality. Kale eased away and jerked his thumb toward the mirror. “You go get started in there. I’ll go see what the director wants, and then I have a mountain of paperwork to get through before tomorrow.”

Erin stood and moved out of the cage. As she turned her back to him, he glanced at her lush ass, a sweet, voluptuous backside that he couldn’t wait to cradle in his hands later that night. His tongue darted around a suddenly dry mouth as he conjured up the delectable image of her naked curves tucked neatly up against his groin.

Needing a moment to put himself back together before he met with the director, Kale made a quick trip to the washroom, splashed some cold water onto his face, smoothed his tousled hair back, and adjusted his jeans.

Feeling somewhat normal again, he moved down the hall
to the director’s office. He was pleased that Reginald had summoned a meeting with him before he left for his Christmas holidays. Kale had planned on calling a meeting of his own to discuss the possibility of a transfer. Unfortunately, due to his current probationary status at Castech, he was certain there’d be far too many complications.

As he rounded the corner, he found Reginald’s door ajar. Kale knocked and poked his head in. “You wanted to see me.”

“Yes, Kale. Please come in.” Reginald gestured with a wave. As Kale made his way across the room, Reginald swiveled on his chair and fished around inside his filing cabinet. “Here it is,” he mumbled to himself. As he turned back around, his seat groaned like a wounded animal under his impressive weight.

Kale lowered himself into the plush chair facing the director’s desk and observed his surroundings. Folding his ankles, he leaned back and made himself comfortable as he waited for Reginald to begin the meeting.

The director planted his elbows on his desk and without preamble got right to the point. “If this experiment goes as planned, Erin will be moving into a new position and we’ll be looking to fill her old one. We could use a guy like you on our team, Kale.”

Kale opened his mouth to voice his concerns regarding his probationary status, but before he could speak, Reginald cut him off and answered his unasked question.

He opened the file before him and spread his hands. “Even though you’re currently on probation at Castech, I don’t perceive that as a problem. I’ll fight to get you on my team, Kale.
You’re smart, you’re a hard worker, Jay regards you highly, and your past accomplishments speak for themselves.”

Kale took a moment to mull over the information. “So you’re telling me if I accept the transfer, I’ll be working under Erin.” The sexy visual of him working
under
Erin made him hard.

Reginald nodded his head. “I realize that you’ve been the lead with your own team for many years and this position is beneath what you’re used to, but it will only be temporary. If the production of Pleasure Prolonged goes as expected, and our funding comes through, next summer we’ll begin trials on Pleasure Exchange, a female libido enhancer. By that time you’ll be off probation and you and Erin will be given the lead.”

Kale scrubbed his hand over his chin, pausing to consider the offer for a moment.

“I don’t need an answer today, Kale. But please think about it, and we’ll discuss the terms when I get back from Vegas.”

Kale nodded his consent, even though he knew he had nothing to think over. He couldn’t imagine finding a better place to work than under Erin.

Still shaken up and slightly chilled over the director’s unexpected appearance during a very intimate moment between her and Kale, Erin grabbed her long white lab coat from her locker and shrugged it on. As she prepared to leave the lab to meet Sam in the research room, the shrill of the phone drew her attention.

Dropping onto the stool, she reached for it. “Hello.”

“Erin, darling, I’m so glad I caught you.”

Erin could feel her blood pressure rising, anticipating the conversation ahead. She gritted her teeth and tightened her coat around her waist. “Hello, Mother.”

Forgoing pleasantries, her mother rushed on. “You didn’t forget about your lunchtime hair appointment, did you?”

Erin’s free hand automatically curled around her ponytail. “Of course not,” she said, gripping the phone hard enough to turn her knuckles bone white. “Unfortunately, I can’t make it. I’m swamped today and I’ll have to work through my lunch hour.”

Tense silence met her words and stretched on endlessly.

Erin waited for a long moment and then finally broke the uncomfortable quiet by asking, “Are you still there?” Lord knew she really didn’t have time for this.

Her mother ignored her question and asked one of her own. “Shall I change the appointment until after work then?”

Erin pinched the bridge of her nose. “No, I have to work late tonight too.”

Even though she was deep in conversation with her mother, she knew the exact moment when Kale had entered the lab. She was so in tune with him, she felt his presence and his heat long before she set eyes on him. She angled her head and watched him saunter across the floor to his desk. Just the mere sight of him sent her heart racing and pulse thudding. God, it was shocking what this man did to her.

When he arched a brow in a silent question, Erin held up her index finger, indicating she’d need a minute.

“How late?” her mother asked, clearly annoyed.

She turned her focus back on her mother. “Late enough that it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to make your Christmas gathering.”