Lily

I have a secret.

My boyfriend, Brian, hasn’t been able to get me off!

In fact, no other guy has been able to do that.

And then I meet Landon – Landon is gorgeous, rich, filthy and forbidden.

And then he tells me that he will take care of me.

Can I risk my job, my boyfriend, my very comfortable life for this dirty talking, panty melting billionaire?

I know I want him to love me like no other man has.

I promise I will love him like no other woman has.

But is it all that simple?

Landon

I am content with my life.

I am a partner at the best law firm, love my work, have loads of respect in the business world and….

I get to f*ck a new woman every day – no questions asked.

I am forty with the stamina of a thirty-year old.

And then I meet Lily – Lily is sex over heels, she is gorgeous and charming.

I know I crave for her!

But I want her to crave me!

The question is how do I seduce a woman who has everything!

I promise I will!

* * *

Landon

I read the paperwork, fuming at how much my soon-to-be ex-wife, Nadine, was asking for in our divorce. She had the best fucking lawyer in New York, who was well known for going for blood as it was without the ridiculous fees. She wanted the Manhattan apartment and a massive sum for alimony, and all after a mere five years of marriage.

I had been a partner in the Morton and Jones law firm for fifteen years, starting off the street fresh out of law school when I was twenty-five and climbing the ladder quickly. Nadine wasn’t around during that time, since she’d hooked her greedy claws into me after I’d been a partner for years, so I didn’t see why she deserved half of my fortune. New York divorce laws could suck my cock.

The true love of my life had been my first wife, Madeline. We were married for just one year when she died in a car accident while carrying our unborn daughter.

The loss crippled me, and I contributed that to my fast climb in the business. I became a workaholic after the accident, as well as what some would call a manwhore. I was young, rich, and good looking, and the women virtually fell at my feet. Why not take advantage of that and keep my dick busy? There was a long list of women who were regularly in the gossip columns, talking about how I just tossed them out of bed when I was done without any compassion. I was clear about what I wanted with every one of them, so they had no reason to bitch about it.

They still did, but I noticed that the women didn’t stop lining up. Nadine had gotten under my skin somehow, but she was beautiful with bright blond hair and bright turquoise eyes. She had an incredible body as well as an insatiable sex drive, and I hadn’t seen her greed through all of that. I’d been too taken with her youthful energy.

I learned a lot about that, sitting here reading line after line about what she wanted from me. Even if she got it, I was a billionaire due to my job and the various investments I kept caught up on, so I would be just fine. I was just disappointed in myself, having given love another chance after losing my family so many years ago. I’d wanted one with Nadine, but she let me know two years after we married that she wasn’t interested in one any longer.

Forty wasn’t the end all to that, but the idea of letting another woman in after what Nadine was doing to me was questionable at best right now. I knew sex was a part of my future, because, quite frankly, I took great care of myself and still looked good. Women assured me of that fact every single day.

I pushed the papers aside and reminded myself that this would work out, no matter what. Nadine had been quick to point out that I’d cheated on her once I realized that this was going nowhere, but I knew she had done the same. Nadine had been involved in an affair well before I was, and I was ready to just agree that we’d messed up and call it a day, but she was trying to benefit from all my hard work. I glanced at my monitor, seeing that it was approaching five o’clock on Friday. I didn’t have set work hours, but today I was caught up and needed a drink. I had a new assistant starting on Monday who would be a great help to me, so I decided I deserved to hit happy hour and relax a little.

I shut everything down and packed the papers into my briefcase before I left for the day. I sent a text out to some attorney friends asking them to meet me, figuring we could make a night of it.

I chose a corner bar that offered good food and drinks, selecting a table in the corner as I looked around the room. It was filling up and there were some beautiful women here, making me relax as I ordered a whiskey from the waitress. I was watching her ass when she walked away before my gaze moved back to the bar to see a gorgeous brunette woman sipping from a glass of wine. I narrowed my eyes when I realized it was the woman starting at my office next week, looking quite different than she had during the interview I conducted with some of the other partners. Granted, she’d been attractive and smart as a whip that day, but tonight she looked sensual and somehow soft as she laughed. Her little black dress brushed her mid-thigh, and my eyes roved down her muscled calves before I looked back into her face. Her eyes looked greener and they popped with the dark makeup around them, complimented by the gloss on her full lips.

“Picking out your victim already?” Mark, my buddy, asked as he slid into the booth and loosened his tie.

“I spent the afternoon reading my divorce papers. I should just stay single forever. She’s milking me for everything.” He gave me a sympathetic look and ordered a beer when the waitress brought my drink. I still glanced at my assistant as I spoke, finding new things I liked about her every time my eyes passed over her. My cock stirred in my pants, and I shifted as I told myself not to get hot and bothered over my new employee.

The others joined us and we enjoyed a few drinks and appetizers as we chatted about work and women, along with some sports talk. Hanging out with friends was comforting, and I could laugh and let myself go a little bit in the familiarity of it. The bar filled and there were more women to talk about and flirt with as they glanced our way with the same coy smile.

My eyes always returned to my assistant, who by now I remembered was named Lily. She was twenty-five, though she looked younger. She’d been to college and graduated with high marks and answered every question asked without missing a beat. She was perfect, and tonight I was seeing more of her feminine qualities.

We were all feeling the liquor by the time we left, having met a few women throughout the evening. I was going to a condominium close by with Miriam, a black-haired pixie with a loud giggle. She’d increased the flirting as the time passed and my cock was hard from looking at Lily, so I went with it. Once she closed her door, her mouth was locked on mine and her hand was grabbing my cock through my pants as she pushed me against the wall.

In the process of stumbling back to her room, we woke up her roommate. Miriam yelled out an apology before she slammed her door closed, pulling me to the bed. I pushed her onto it and lifted her clingy burgundy dress over her head before I claimed her lips again. Miriam was petite but had great tits, and I slipped my hands over her ass as she moaned.

She was sliding down my body before I knew it, wrapping her lips around me as I slid my hands into her cropped hair.

I fucked her on her back first, driving myself into her as I listened to her moans and cries. This was the best part about sex, making them lose their shit underneath me, over me, and in front of me.

The second-best part was when I was left, Miriam passed out in her bed. I walked down the street toward the parking garage to get my Escalade, driving to my apartment on the water. I wouldn’t tell my lawyer this, but I preferred it over the home Nadine was fighting for. That one was stuffy, whereas this place was fresh and welcoming, though smaller. Maybe I should have given the condo to Nadine and just stayed here while I searched for something else. It was just an investment and a bit closer to the office, nothing more. I had a few properties in different locations, and losing one wouldn’t hurt me.

I walked inside, looking at the wall of windows that looked over the Hudson River as I dropped my keys on the table in the long hallway. I set my briefcase down against the wall and cracked a window open to take a deep breath of the cool air. I had just a few hours of the night left, but I had no intention of watching the sun rise, despite the great view.

I needed sleep.

I closed the window and made my way down the hallway to the large bedroom. I pulled my clothes off for the second time tonight, leaving my boxers on, before I crawled underneath the covers. There were several windows in here as well, and I looked at the moon for a moment before closing my eyes.

Lily

I heard the alarm go off and reached over to silence it before my eyes popped open. It was my first day of work at Morton and Jones, and I sat straight up. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, reminding me about the spat I had with Brian last night. He’d wanted me to go over to the apartment he shared with the guys and drink, but I had to work today. I got up and started the coffee pot before I jumped into the shower. It was quick and warm, and I slipped my robe on as I dried my curls enough to calm them down before applying a light layer of makeup. There were some good-looking men who worked there, but it was a career move and not a personal one.

My direct boss was handsome, something I’d noticed during the interview. He was older but still looked young, with cropped dark hair and whiskey brown eyes. I could let my mind wander through some naughty office fantasies, but that was a waste of time. I had a boyfriend, even though he wasn’t perfect, and besides, I couldn’t date my boss. After finally determining that the man across the bar last night had been Landon Logan, my boss, I’d watched him leave with a woman, so I found it safe to assume that he played the field.

I sipped my sweet coffee as I got ready, dressing in a black pencil skirt and a soft pink blouse. This was a professional place, and I’d enjoyed some shopping the last couple of weeks, buying new office clothes. This was a great opportunity I didn’t want to blow, and I needed to look as perfect as possible.

Once I decided I looked like I wasn’t trying too hard, I slipped my feet into sleek black heels and poured some coffee to go. I didn’t pack a lunch today, knowing there were several places to grab something in the area. I might want to get some fresh air and consider drinking for an hour, a thought that made me laugh. I didn’t drink too much at all, even though Brian urged me to all the time. Sure, I was only twenty-four, but I wanted to focus on my career, something I didn’t see in my boyfriend of six months. He had a decent job in computer repair that paid well, but apart from that he always wanted to hang out with friends, reminding me of some frat boy. I wasn’t like that in college. Even then I’d been focused on my degree and the future. I hadn’t even been part of a sorority.

He reminded me of a frat boy in the bedroom as well. He was a touch greedy and all about himself, making me wonder if I was too demanding or maybe not as reactive as I should have been. I’d slept with a couple of guys before Brian, but that was late in high school and early in college. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever have that elusive mind-blowing orgasm I always read about in books. Maybe it didn’t exist, a thought that made me frown as I started my modest Camry and pulled out of the parking lot. I lived in a smaller apartment in the city close to my new job, and I had no intention of living with anyone in the next year while my lease carried on.

It was bright and cool in the city today, and I smiled with anticipation as I parked in the garage that had been purchased for the firm, which we shared with the entire building. I ended up on the third floor. I opened my door and slid my hands over my outfit to smooth it as I took a slow, trembling breath. I slipped my pink thrift store purse over my body and grabbed my coffee before I closed the door.

I thought about my parents as I walked to the building, wondering if they would have been proud of me. I lost them in a plane crash when I was fifteen and had been raised from then on by my aunt Amy. Amy was thirty-five, just a couple of years younger than my mom, and one of the kindest people I knew. We had always close, but neither of us ever expected to be the way we were now. It was nice to see her dating someone seriously now since she’d taken raising me so zealously for the years I lived there. I glanced up as the light turned green and walked with the crowd toward the building as the wind blew my hair around, making me happy I had a band around my wrist to secure it if needed. I was growing it out and it was at the awkward stage.

The lobby was large and open, surrounded by glass that let the light in. It felt comfortable here, but I contributed that more to the fact that I wasn’t here for an interview this time. That was a mess in my head, but I was here, so something must have impressed them. I walked across a floor of alternating shades of gray marble to the elevator, taking that to the seventh floor with several others who got off on floors before mine. The last person with me was a blond woman, and she smiled at me when the door opened on my floor. “Are you new? I haven’t seen you before.” She led the way off the car and I followed with a small nod. “I’m Lauren. I assist one of the attorneys here.”

“I am the new assistant to Mr. Landon,” I explained as she gave me a knowing smile.

“He’s hot,” Lauren said in a low voice, glancing around and giggling. “Like I’m the only woman here to have ever said that. It’s true, though.”

“He’s not the type to do that sort of thing here, is he?” I whispered as she laughed and shook her head.

“Not that I’ve heard, but he is busy outside the office.” She paused as she glanced to her left. “I’m this way, but would you like to have lunch today?”

“Yeah. That would be great.” Lauren waved and walked down her hall while I continued forward. I’d been given a thorough tour the day I came in to fill out paperwork, and I glanced at the clock to see that I was ten minutes early.

I walked up to the large black desk that was going to be mine and moved around to the back of it, looking over the floor. I could see most of it, and I was relieved that there was a window to my direct left, so I could at least see the outside world. I set my coffee on one of the coasters and opened the large drawer on the left to set my purse inside it.

On the desk, there was an impressive computer and keyboard, as well as a phone that looked like it might take a bit of time to figure out. “Miss Neil,” a voice said as I glanced up and smiled nervously. It was Landon, looking handsome in a fitted black suit with a white shirt and a black tie that was draped around his neck. “Good morning.”

“Good morning,” I greeted, taking in the casual state of his clothing as he looked at my desk. “Thank you again for hiring me, Mr. Logan.”

“Call me Landon. We’re going to be working together a lot, and I like a casual work environment. We can save the formality for clients.” He looked into my eyes and smiled, making my body react in a way Brian never did.

“I’m Lily, in that case.” He seemed to consider that before nodding, inviting me into his office to go over a few things. I closed the drawer that held my purse and looked around for a moment, uncertain whether I should leave it there. My bank account was small, but I needed everything in it.

“There is a key in that drawer right in the middle to lock that. I trust everyone in this office, but it is such a hassle to cancel all of the cards and go to the DMV,” Landon told me, and I reached for the small drawer that was right under the center of the desk.

“Wonderful,” I said as I found the small gold key and secured my things. I followed him into his office, taken off guard by the wall of windows that offered a beautiful view of the city. “Oh, my stars.”

“It gives me a lot of peace in my days,” he said as he followed my gaze. Beyond just the view, the office was huge, and it even had a black leather couch and a coffee table against the wall opposite the desk. “My first job here was in this tiny space with just one window. I am grateful every day for what I’ve accomplished. I am glad that I get to sit here every day.”

“You’re partner. That’s amazing,” I told him as he smiled, but what appeared to be bitterness crossed his face.

“It is the ultimate goal, isn’t it?” His eyes lifted to look back at my face as I smiled weakly and nodded. “Have a seat. I have some items for you.” Landon gestured to the seat across from him as he took a seat in the large chair at his desk. “You were hired as my assistant, as you know. I have provided you with a top-of-the-line computer, but you also get this tablet with a keyboard if you prefer that as well as a cell phone. I would prefer to be able to reach you at any time for business, though I try to avoid calls at three in the morning if I can.” He smiled, and I giggled as I felt heat wash over my skin.

“That’s a good thing.” I reached for the tablet first, an incredibly thin device that was already on, and I felt him lean forward. Landon explained the basics, telling me that this would be used for notes and meetings as opposed to a bigger laptop. Of course, he offered me the choice since he had a laptop available at any time. He turned the phone on and told me he already had it connected to the tablet as well as any programs on my work computer that I would need while away from the office, but I was welcome to add anything I wanted to for personal use. I swore his eyes darkened when he said it couldn’t be used for anything illegal or sexual, making me blush. “Of course not.”

He went on to explain that they handled businesses and represented them in court should a client take an issue too far. Much of this was financial and involved unpaid contracts that the clients just weren’t dealing with, something the firm was known for. They always got the money, and often the client paid with just the threat of a court case with their attorneys. They also handled the selling of businesses with another company in the city, seeing to all the details.

There was an intensity about him that was thick in the air with every word he spoke. He was intelligent and confident in his position in life, making me sense he had an alpha personality as well. I wondered when he used that for a moment as he excused himself to make some coffee, asking me if I wanted some as well.

I still had mine on my desk, so I shook my head as he stood, leaving the office with the door open as I stared out the window.

Landon

I strode out of the room to the large break room, longing to add some liquor to the strong black blend I started most mornings with. I was already feeling the attraction to Lily after the hour or so I’d spent with her, and it had been making me lose my senses as I sat across from her. I stayed for a moment longer than necessary in the room, listening to conversations around me before I left and returned to Lily.

She was standing at the window when I walked back in, staring outside. I took in her ass in the fitted skirt and the legs I’d admired at the bar over the weekend before closing the door gently, making her turn around and flush pink as she hurried to her seat. “I’m sorry. It’s just so pretty.”

“No worries. I agree,” I assured her as I walked around to my side of the desk and looked at the column of her neck as she tossed her hair back, sighing softly. I sensed she wasn’t happy with her appearance, at least not completely. That was crazy to me, since she was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. “So, you will be helping me research some of the clients, taking detailed notes on each case. It will keep you busy, but you will learn a lot and I expect that you’ll move up in the company.”

“Isn’t assistant to a partner impressive already?” She teased me as I smiled. Touché.

“It is, particularly since we are one of the best firms in the city.” I was proud of that fact. She would get a great reputation working, here but I was thinking about a lot more than the job as I shifted in my seat. Her eyes drew me in, her full, glossed lips looking utterly edible as she smiled and nodded. Fuck, I was going to be in trouble over this one.

I covered a few more things before I told her to look over everything at her desk and familiarize herself with the software. I watched her leave, waiting her to close the door before I dropped my head back and moaned. I needed to rein this in and keep it professional. I could fuck every girl on the street, just not this one.

I focused on reading some emails, and then I knotted my tie before I went to meet a possible new client for lunch to go over the company. I reminded myself to talk to Lily about that as I left and told her to take her own lunch whenever she was comfortable. I knew I would be gone for a bit since these things could run long. I’d endured several of them, catering to the client to some degree. I drew the line at places like strip clubs during the day, but depending on the personality of the client, I’d pushed the boundaries after hours. If they could keep their mouths shut, I was willing to show them a good time, and it often worked.

All the partners did that from time to time. Usually it was a fancy dinner or lunch and a few drinks as we talked numbers. Their main concern was what we could do for their company, and it was rare that I wanted to spend time outside work hours with a client, apart from some of the social events we hosted throughout the year. A large part of my job was social, but I liked that. I could handle it well and I had a high success rate with clients, probably the best among all of the partners. I did my job well.

Today the client and I met at a classy seafood place and ordered whiskey before the meal. The client, Jack, owned a successful graphic design business, and he was looking for protection with clients as he started doing better. I was aware of the company, having researched it on my own before the meeting, and I explained in detail about our fees and services.

We were there for over two hours, and I left with a new client in the books. I walked back toward the office with a grin and noticed Lily walking with Lauren, more than likely returning to work as well. That hadn’t taken long. Lauren was a nice girl, but she had hit on me heavily when she started working for the company five years ago, taking it so far that she got me into a dark office at one of the parties we had for the holidays. Her lips had been on mine before I pushed her away, explaining that I didn’t mix business with pleasure. Lauren was pretty, with pale blond hair and piercing blue eyes, but I knew she was dangerous, which made me wonder what she was telling Lily right now. Their laughter carried back to me as they headed for the door and walked inside, making me take a moment to pause.

By the time I returned to my office, I was on the phone with my divorce attorney as I walked past Lily at her desk. I knew my voice was a little angry, and I glanced at her concerned expression before closing the door. “Damn it, Mark. I can’t believe what she’s asking for. She didn’t lift a finger to build my career.”

“I agree. What do you want to barter with?” he asked as I ran a hand through my short hair.

“Offer her the apartment. I never cared for it that much to begin with. It’s paid off and I’ll get the few things I need from it and walk away. I prefer this place, to be honest.” The brownstone was a large four-bedroom apartment with all the bells and whistles, and it was a catch for her. Maybe it would shut her up and she could let me move on in peace. Nadine had worked as a model the entire time that we’d been together, so she did fine financially. Mark agreed to contact her lawyer. I set my phone down on the desk and turned around to look out my window, my thoughts returning to Lily.

Over the week, I noticed Lily excelling and organizing my business affairs well, which meant she spent a good amount of time in my office. I always took a moment to admire her, noting her quirky style in the scarves she’d wear or perhaps a piece of jewelry. I also noted the curve of her ass on a daily basis, as well as the way her shirts clung to her firm tits.

Lily was gorgeous, and I frowned as I passed her desk on Friday and heard her on her phone as she typed up a report. It was clearly a boyfriend of sorts. Lily didn’t sound happy as she talked, and I continued to get some coffee as I wondered what he must be like. I knew she was twenty-four and probably dated in her age range, which could mean she was dealing with immaturity.

When I got back to her desk, she was off the phone and focusing on her work again. “Everything okay? You sounded angry when I passed by earlier.”

“It’s the price that I pay for my boyfriend being twenty-three,” she said as she shook her head. “I must be wired differently, as a night at his house with the guys doesn’t sound that fun.”

“You deserve a night out: dinner, some good wine, and a man who spoils you,” I told her as she lifted her face to meet my gaze. “That seems more your speed, a man as intelligent and complex as you are.”

“Maybe I was born in the wrong time,” she murmured as she looked back down and I returned to my office. I glanced at my calendar on my computer, organized and flawless thanks to my assistant. She helped me in many aspects of my job, and I mulled an idea over in my head.

Coworkers could eat together without it meaning anything, couldn’t they? I knew for a fact that some of the staff met for drinks at a bar nearly every weekend, and I could end the night that way, keeping it public and casual.

I grinned as I picked up my phone.

Lily

I heard a chime and looked around, wondering if Brian was bugging me again. It was the iPhone Landon had given me, and I picked it up to see a text from my boss. I opened it, glancing around for a moment before I read the words. He told me a client had backed out of dinner, leaving him with reservations at one of the best steakhouses in the city. Would I like to join him for some good food and drinks?

I made most of his reservations and that one was a mystery to me. I wondered if this was a ruse as the devil on my shoulder whispered that it wouldn’t hurt anything to have dinner with the man. It could prolong going to Brian’s, and I’d get much more intelligent conversation from Landon than from sitting and watching Brian and his friends play video games.

I let my fingers pause over the screen before I told him that sounded great. It would likely be more of a business dinner since we’d discuss the firm. I wasn’t going to ask him a lot of personal questions even though I’d seen him stressed out a few times over the week. There was a part of me that wanted to know what made Landon tick, what kept him up at night. I wanted to know what turned him on, and I jumped as he sent another text, dropping the phone on my desk as I looked around with wide eyes.

This was getting inappropriate.

He suggested leaving at five and going over to make the reservation, with some time to spare for drinks. I agreed and turned up my music a bit as I finished my report.

Before we left the office, I sent Brian a text saying I was held up at work for a bit. I told him that I’d text him later, feeling a little bad about the entire thing as I cleaned up my already tidy desk for the day. I was slipping on my sweater when Landon stepped out of his office, holding his briefcase. “Are you ready?”

“I am,” I replied as I put my work phone on mute, as well as my personal one. I stood and we walked to the elevators together, a few other people joining us as we waited.

“Hey, you,” I turned to see Lauren approaching and smiled at her. “What are you doing tonight?” I wasn’t sure what to say, but Landon handled it, explaining that we were going to a business-related dinner at the moment. I didn’t understand the frosty look in Lauren’s eyes as she glanced from him to me before smiling.

“We’ll all be at the Corner for drinks if you want to stop by. It’s close by,” she said as I nodded, knowing it from the night I first saw Landon.

“I know it. I’ll see, okay?” I asked, and she nodded and turned her attention to the girl beside her, talking in a low voice. I felt like the conversation was about me, and I frowned as I watched the door slide open. Landon and I were in the first group to head down, and I looked at Lauren as the door closed, seeing the smirk on her face.

I was quiet as we walked to his car, a big SUV that was parked on the lowest level of the garage. Landon opened the door for me and I slid inside, wondering if the friendship that had been forming with Lauren had been fake to begin with. I didn’t have a lot of female friends and never had, so this thing with Lauren had been a nice change.

“Are you okay?” Landon asked as he started the engine, looking at me.

“She just turned on me,” I said slowly as I frowned. “What did I do?”

“There is a certain element to the firm with some of the women that I’ll never understand, but they talk among themselves. More than I’d prefer, but I have too much to do to babysit people,” Landon explained as I glanced his way. “You didn’t deserve that.”

“She thinks there’s something between us.” He remained quiet and I looked forward. “Is that what everyone is going to think?”

“I don’t give a damn what they think.” He backed out of the spot and drove to the main road, taking a right before merging into the traffic. We drove deeper into the city and ended up in a part of town on the river before he parked. As before, Landon opened my door and led me up the steps to the heavy glass door to open it. He was so natural at all of this, and I thought about how awkward Brian could be sometimes.

The moment he dropped his name to the hostess, we were led to a table in the corner, private and near the elegant fireplace. They asked what we’d like to drink, and Landon checked to see if I liked wine, to which I nodded. I looked around as we were left alone, taking note of the windows that offered a great view of the sun going down as well as the candles and flowers that were on every table. It was beautiful here, and I looked down at the menu on the table in front of me. “Order anything you like,” he urged me as I looked at him, seeing the colors of the sunset on his face along with the candlelight. He was stunning in this light, and I lost my breath for a moment as our eyes locked.

The heat between us filled the room as the waiter brought the wine to us, telling us to take all the time we needed to look at the menus. They weren’t even opened yet. I grabbed my glass and took a large sip before I opened the thick menu with shaking hands. It had no prices, which told me it was an expensive place. I wondered if I should offer to pay for mine, at least. I scanned the entrees, finding salmon and some veggies with a great salad. I loved salmon but didn’t eat a lot of it, as I was always trying to save some money and eat on a budget.

I smiled and knew that was my choice as I set the menu on the table. Landon already seemed to be ready, his menu on the table and a smile on his face as he watched me. “Did you find something?”

“Yes, though it all sounds so good,” I told him with a grin on my face. “This is a special treat.” I paused and frowned a bit as I looked at him. “I can pay for my meal, Mr. Logan.” My voice was quiet, shy.

“It’s Landon, and no. I have this, since you are my assistant and this is a business dinner.” His eyes twinkled as he spoke, and I felt a stirring deep inside my body. It was something that should have been reserved for Brian, but for him it was now nonexistent.

“Thank you,” I replied as the waiter came over and graciously asked me what I’d like before moving his attention to Landon. He left us alone and I sighed and looked back at my boss.

My supervisor.

A man who was as off-limits as possible.

I assumed we would talk business, and we did for a while. But then Landon effortlessly changed the direction of the conversation and asked me about myself, about things that weren’t on my resume.

I found myself opening up about losing my beloved parents and being raised by an aunt who was learning along the way, just like I was. We had the help of our local grandparents until they passed away when I was twenty, due to separate illnesses. That was another learning process, and I found my connection with my father’s parents unstable as I grew older. My aunt was my entire family now, and I loved her.

Landon told me about his parents, divorced and living on opposite ends of the United States. He still kept in close touch with both of them and saw them regularly, along with his older brother of two years. Michael lived in New York and worked in advertising.

I was surprised when he mentioned he was going through a divorce, and even more so when he said he had been widowed at a young age. He clearly loved and missed his first wife and was bitter about the end of his second marriage, as well as his soon-to-be ex’s greed for his belongings and money. Growing up middle class at best and having to work my ass off for my accomplishments, I’d always had the jaded view that the wealthy didn’t have true feelings and just blew through life, but Landon was proving me wrong.

His face didn’t change a lot as we talked, but I could hear everything in his voice. His eyes were a dead giveaway to his feelings, and I licked my lips as I watched the emotions cross them one by one. He was beautiful when he spoke, open and honest when I sensed he was normally a man who had some walls up. Why was he letting them down for me?

We ate slowly, sipping wine until the bottle was empty and I was feeling every bit of it, as well as a growing attraction for Landon. He was everything I would want in a man if he weren’t my boss.

When we left the building hours later, I was giddy and I stumbled going to the car. He caught my arm. “Okay?”

“I don’t drink a lot. I don’t have such intelligent conversations over good meals. You’re changing my life.” I babbled on before my eyes widened and I stared at him.

“I could say the same,” he replied as he took my hand and led me to his vehicle. I knew I had been drinking most of the wine as we talked and laughed. I’d needed the liquid courage. Now that we were alone on the street by his SUV, I gazed into his eyes.

Landon

The air was cold around us but I was lost in Lily’s eyes as she stared at me with growing heat. All through dinner, I’d grown increasingly attracted to her, physically as well as to the person she was inside. Lily was an amazing woman who had gone through a lot in her short life.

Once we were alone out here, the urge to kiss her was almost too much to bear. She seemed to want it too, as her eyes shifted between my eyes and my lips. “Come home with me?” I asked as she sucked in her breath. “Our secret. I have to have you, Lily.”

“But…we work together,” she argued, the heat in her eyes battling with logic.

“Nobody will know about this, Lily. I swear that to you.” My eyes were hard as I gazed at her, slipping my hands up her body. I wanted her in my bed, spread naked before me so I could own her body. I wanted to make her scream my name, and her eyes showed me that she wanted the same.

“Yes.” Her voice was a whisper, and I wasted no time in unlocking her door. She slid inside the vehicle and I hurried around to start the engine, jerking into the street to drive to my apartment. I didn’t want her to change her mind or even speak at all, not until she was locked inside my home.

Lily remained quiet, and I drove through the streets, taking in her sweet and spicy scent. She smelled like fall and holidays, and I wanted to bottle it for every place I would spend any time in.

Did her skin taste that way?

We parked in the garage and I took a long look at her. She gazed back at me, and I leaned forward to brush my lips against hers, meeting with electricity. “Fuck,” I murmured as I kissed her again, wanting to fuck her right there in the car. Lily was returning all my passion, moaning as our tongues danced together. “We need to be inside.”

“Yes,” she murmured against me as I pulled away and hurried to her side to pull her out of the car. The garage was empty and we walked to the elevator, holding hands and breathing heavily. Once inside and alone, I claimed her mouth again and she clawed at my chest as my cock hardened. It was an easy trip to my door, and I unlocked it, allowing her to walk inside before me as I gazed at her perfect curves. Her black skirt was loose around her thighs today, but I could make out her ass as it draped over her backside, and her dark purple silk shirt clung closely to her. “This is beautiful. It reminds me of your office,” Lily told me before I took her hand and turned her toward me. I kicked the door closed and pulled her against me, kissing her hard as I turned her toward the wall.

I wanted to slip her skirt off and fuck her this way, hard and deep. My hands ran down her body, finding her skin hot and soft, as she slipped her tongue against mine and groaned. I slid my hands up her thighs as she trembled, rubbing a finger over the lace of her panties.

Her heat was thick on the material, and she rocked against me as I kissed her neck. “I have a boyfriend,” she murmured as I moved past the material and stroked her slick folds.

“Does he make you this wet, this hot?” I whispered, and she shook her head. “Does he give a fuck about your pleasure?” She closed her eyes, and I moved my finger faster in search of her clit. It was hard and begging for my touch, and she jerked against me.

I made her come against that wall, watching her face as she cried out. I lifted her into my arms and carried her to my bed, placing her on it as she looked wearily at me. “You just touched me. How is that possible?”

“I know a woman’s body. I know what she likes as opposed to young men who only know how to stick their dicks into something,” I told her as she moved to take her shirt off. Once her skirt was removed, I saw she was wearing a bra and panty set in a soft gray color. It was sexy and from my experience planned. I lowered by mouth to her stomach. “Is this for me?”

“No. I never expected this. I was going to go see Brian after this and I hoped he noticed,” she said, and anger filled me. Brian sounded like a fool who didn’t appreciate the woman he had in front of him. I would do that and more, and I slipped my hands up to cup her breasts as she whimpered and arched against me. I unclipped the front of the lace bra and stroked her nipples as I lowered my body between her legs. I was still dressed, but I knew she could feel my cock against her.

Lily clumsily undressed me after some exploration and long kisses, looking stunned as she took me in. I took great care of myself and it showed, her eyes wide as I lowered my pants and dropped them to the floor.

I kissed her again before lowering my mouth to her neck, her chest, and then her hard nipple. I sucked and bit gently, listening to her sounds as she reacted strongly with her body. I couldn’t wait to taste her sweet pussy, but I held off, nipping at her and finding that her perfume smelled better than it tasted.

That didn’t matter.

I moved down her stomach, kissing gently before I lowered her underwear. I dropped them to the floor and looked into her heated eyes before I continued the journey down, kissing her soft inner thighs as she whispered my name. I used my thumbs to spread her open and blew hot air against her as she cried out. I saw how wet she was and inhaled her sweet honey before I placed a kiss gently against her.

Kisses turned to my tongue stroking her firmly and quickly as I held her still to control her wiggling. She dampened and I found her clit and drew it between my lips as she cried out my name and tried to move, fighting my tight hold on her thighs. I was rock hard, and I sucked in my breath as my cock strained against my boxers. “I have to have you,” I said after she came fiercely against my tongue. “I have to be inside you.”

She pulled my hair and I moved up her body to stare into her face. Lily was beautiful post-orgasm, her face flushed and her eyes glowing. I reached over, opening the drawer beside my bed to get a condom before I kissed her, sharing her taste in the slow kiss. I shrugged my boxers off and her hand slid down to grasp me, her eyes filled with wonder. “You’re bigger. Will this fit?”

“It will be the best feeling I’ve ever had,” I assured her as I allowed her to stroke me. “For you as well. I am going to fill your tight pussy and make you come around me, Lily.”

“Oh, god,” she said as she tightened her hand. I allowed it until I was ready to burst, and then I told her I wanted to come inside her. I sheathed myself in a rush before I spread her legs apart and positioned myself before her.

I was on the verge of sleeping with my assistant, and I wouldn’t have changed that for the world.

She was tight and wet as I slid easily inside her, feeling her wrap around me as she moaned long and low. I started slow, allowing her to adjust to me before I gave in to her pleas and started to fuck her harder. She wrapped her legs around me and pulled me inside as I felt her tighten. “Landon, oh god.” She scraped my back with her nails, and I drove inside her harder as I approached my own release.

“Lily, you feel so fucking good,” I grunted as she screamed and flooded me with her heat, making me explode a second or two after. I cried out her name as we held each other, feeling euphoric.

I felt the air change as time passed. Lily moved from beside me, sitting up, and I watched her run her hands through her hair. “Lily?” I asked as I reached to pull her down again.

“I can’t believe we did this. I can’t believe this happened. We have to work together, and there’s Brian. I…I am not like this.” Pain filled her voice, and I stroked her back gently. Lily stood and began to dress as I sat up. “I need to leave.”

“No. Stay. Everything is fine.” I tried to soothe her as she covered her body quickly, dropping clothes in the process. “Lily? At least let me take you to your car.”

“There’s Uber for that,” she told me without even looking at me as she left the bedroom.

I sighed and knotted the condom before I tossed it into the trash. Standing, I went out to see her by the window on her phone. She stilled and gave me a scared look as I approached her. “I can take you.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said, staring past me for a moment. “That was great but I have a boyfriend. I should deal with that and figure my life out. I don’t want anything with you, though. This was just…what it was.” Lily shrugged and tried to pretend that it was nothing before her phone chimed. “They’re on their way. I should be outside.”

“I’ll wait with you.” She sighed and we walked out together, not touching as the distance between us grew. The car pulled up and I took a close look at the young male driver before I glanced at her.

“Good night. I’ll see you at work.” Lily got into the car and closed the door as I watched, left alone. I knew I didn’t want that after what we had just shared together, but I understood her fear.

I knew sleeping with her had been a risk, but it was one I was willing to take again. I’d felt more with Lily tonight than I had with anyone else since Madeline. I wanted to hold on to that.

I looked out over the night before I went back inside, locking the door and turning on a movie in my bedroom. My body was tingling and it still smelled like her in here.

I never wanted to wash the sheets.

Lily

I cried in the car on the way home. I was so upside down, and I needed some more wine and solo time to think this through. I thanked the guy without a second glance as I slipped out of the car.

I unlocked the front door of my apartment and walked inside as I wiped my eyes again. I put my purse on the counter along with my keys and made it to my couch before I dropped onto it and started sobbing.

I knew Brian wasn’t the love of my life, but he deserved better than what I had just done. I deserved better. At this point, I didn’t know if I still had a job, which was everything to me right now.

What should I do?

The sex had been incredible. Landon had done things I’d never felt, and the response from my body had been overwhelming. He’d called it right when he’d suggested Brian just stuck his dick inside me, something that never brought me to release. This time, I got there with fingers, tongue, and cock.

However, Landon was my supervisor. It had to stop.

I grabbed the bottle of wine in my fridge and took my phone to my bedroom. I showered as long as the hot water lasted before drying off and pulling a big shirt over my head. I crawled into bed and drank right from the bottle like the rebel I was, knowing it was nothing like the wine I’d had at dinner. It was cheap and my bed was empty and cold, making me cry all over again.

I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck, and one look at my phone made me realize Brian had never called or texted last night. Did he even miss me? I went to get coffee and looked at my business phone after I turned it on, waiting anxiously for it to power up. I could be fired, left to start over after losing my mind a week into the job.

One week and I’d jumped into bed with my supervisor. What kind of whore was I?

There were a few messages, but nothing about being fired. Landon asked me if I was all right, assured me that nobody would ever know, and told me it had been the best night of his life.

What a difference from Brian.

I sipped my coffee, taking some aspirin with the Vitamin water that was in the fridge. I had not had a hangover like this in some time, not since college. I made my way to the couch, thankful that it was the weekend and I could just stay home and ride this out. I longed to never go back to work and face what I did, but that was out of the question. I would just have to hold my head high and refuse to address our little tryst last night. Little…who was I kidding? It was the single best night of my life given the way he had used his body to please me so well. I swore that the man could probably give a woman an orgasm just by looking at her. It would never be me again, and I might be a bit jealous of the next woman, but nobody would have to know that.

No, they wouldn’t. It was back to business and working on this thing with Brian at least a little bit before I gave up. Surely he could be taught the things that pleased a woman in time, since it seemed to me older men had it together.

Guys my age couldn’t be all bad.

I dozed throughout the day, finally willing to eat something later on. I ordered my favorite greasy sandwich from the nearby deli for delivery and pulled on sweats and a clean shirt to get the door, throwing my hair into a low ponytail before the doorbell rang. I smiled when I opened it, slipping the young guy a bill before I secured the lock and sat down with my breakfast, lunch, and dinner and some hot tea.

By Sunday I was feeling a bit better and had finally heard from Brian. He said they got drunk on Friday, causing him to sleep all day so he didn’t know I never showed up. He made it sound so logical that I was questioning myself for being bothered. He was always the easygoing guy everyone wanted to be around. I was feeling a little less that way, but Friday was a mistake and couldn’t happen again.

Landon did not contact me again, though I left my work phone in the kitchen to begin with. It was on if I was needed for any business matter, and I checked it from time to time, but there was nothing. I knew he had tried a few times, but being mature he didn’t want to bother me after my lack of response. I had probably made my thoughts clear when I ran out of his apartment as fast as possible once the condom was off. It made me cringe now, but what was done was done. It was better that we both just ignored it altogether, given the nature of our relationship.

I felt human by Monday morning, just reluctant to go into the office. I showered and wore a modest black wrap dress with heels, putting on enough makeup to look professional and not overdone. I pulled my hair into a side ponytail and forced a bright smile on my red-stained lips as I reminded myself that I could handle this.

Brian had taken me to dinner last night, and while it had just been a pizza place in the city, we’d had a good time. He talked about the weekend with his friends and I laughed in all the right places while sipping some water and looking across the table at him. Brian had dark blond hair and icy blue eyes that twinkled as he spoke, and I remembered how handsome I’d thought he was when we met at a party in school. To top it off, he was charming and all the girls seemed to notice him. My friend Olivia told me to go for it or step out of line.

So, I went for it.

We went home together that night, and a few months later here we were. He was still handsome and funny, but he lacked the passion I craved in a man. After Friday night, that was even more apparent. But I put that out of my mind Sunday night as I walked home beside Brian and he asked me to stay the night.

“Come to my place,” I suggested instead as I bumped against him. “I have to get up early for work and we’d have some privacy,”

“Sure. That sounds great.” We went back to my apartment and watched television in my bed before he kissed me. It was nice but not like Landon, making me groan inwardly as I deepened the kiss. The sex was painfully quick with little to no foreplay, and I stared at the ceiling with dissatisfaction in my eyes when he rolled onto his side with a long sigh.

Wasn’t I the kind of woman that made Brian want to try harder? It had been different when we’d first gotten together, or had it? Maybe I had just settled in faster than I thought, making me frown as he patted my stomach and closed his eyes. “Night, baby.”

“Good night, Brian,” I said as I snuggled under the covers, craving the way my body had felt Friday night. I didn’t even want to sleep right away, but I needed to for work the next day.

I watched Brian hop out of bed to go home before I locked my door and headed toward my car. I wanted him to look at me like Landon had for just a second, but he just pecked my lips and ran over to his apartment down the street without a second look back.

Landon

I’d had a long weekend waiting for Lily to respond to my texts. I’d told her everything I hoped would help the situation without stalking her. I knew women didn’t want a clingy man, and I prided myself on not being that man, but I was worried about her.

She was beautiful, unique, and deserved the best of everything. Her body was made to be worshiped, and I thought back fondly to the way she sounded when she was coming for me.

My cock hardened as I entered the building, looking over all the familiar faces to see if anyone looked at me differently. Having dinner with Lily wasn’t entirely impossible, though the restaurant had been fairly empty when we left. I had been too into her to notice if anyone from the building was there, but nobody had come over to say hello. I thought back and realized that we hadn’t been acting overly flirtatious at dinner, not enough to draw attention to ourselves, but the car had been a different story. Everything had come together in that moment, and the kiss we’d shared had been everything I’d wanted and more.

I walked toward my office as I looked at the empty desk just outside my door. I had been thinking a lot this weekend, and even after the stress of the divorce, I knew I wanted Lily. It was more than just the sex. I’d never risk work for any woman, though technically nothing would happen to me and I’d protect Lily in any way I could, but I wanted to be with her.

I walked through my door and set my briefcase down on my desk as I looked out over the city. The sun was rising quickly, and the sight normally motivated me. Today I just wanted to see Lily.

Time seemed to drag before I warmed up my computer and left to get some coffee. I made a cup for myself as well as Lily. I was walking back to my desk with both cups when I saw Lily standing over her computer with a focused look in her eyes. She looked beautiful but somehow modest today in a dress that covered her gorgeous body. I set her coffee down gently on a coaster, and she jumped and stared at me with wide eyes. “I made you some coffee,” I told her as I stared into her eyes with a searching gaze. There were so many things I wanted to say to Lily, but she just glanced at me and smiled weakly.

“Thanks,” she said as she looked away. My eyes drifted down to her neck to see a dark blemish on her pale neck. Did I do that? I played back the night, remembering how careful I’d been with her, and my eyes narrowed once I knew that wasn’t from me. Did she really go running back to that boyfriend after the night we shared together? It was clear he didn’t satisfy her, and everything I remembered about Friday was close to perfect, apart from the way she left.

“Anytime, Lily,” I murmured as I watched her cheeks flush pink. I turned and walked into my office as resentment and jealousy singed my skin. I was never jealous over a woman, but Lily was different and she didn’t even realize it. I knew she still felt something for me, but she was going to try to ignore it as she pursued the dead end that was her boyfriend.

I played back every kiss as I paced my floor, not finding any part that wasn’t passionate and hot. I didn’t find anything that wasn’t worth repeating, making me groan as I ran a hand through my short hair.

At some point, I needed to realize that I’d fucked up by sleeping with her. I had to accept that she didn’t want any more from me. I took a long sip of my coffee and set it down. I wasn’t here to charm my assistant; I was here to be the best attorney and partner I could be to the company. That was all that mattered.

Still, I remembered how easily we’d opened up to one another as I handled any communication with Lily electronically. There were emails back and forth, all business without a hint of the version of Lily I’d seen over dinner and at my apartment.

Truth be told, I hated it.

When I went to get a second cup of coffee, I noticed Lauren standing with a group of girls and snickering. She cast me a curious gaze, and I stared at the coffee machine as I fumed inside, remembering how she’d made Lily feel. Lauren was a self-serving bitch, and while I’d always known that, it bothered me more today. Lily had been hurt by her, and she deserved more than that, and more than her boyfriend and the way he made her feel.

“How was dinner?” Lauren’s voice carried over to me, and I stilled as I considered what to do. It would be unprofessional to tell her what a bitch she was, so I finished my task and turned slightly. I pretended I didn’t hear her to save myself from getting angry. Walking by her out of the room, I heard her whispering.

Lily was better off without her in her life and she’d see that, but Lauren could easily turn others against her. I’d never hated these women at the firm more than I did right now, and I looked at Lily as I approached her, realizing how different she was than any other woman I’d seen in years.

Even though her shoulders were stiff and she was trying to avoid my gaze, Lily was genuine and soft, while everyone else was selfish and harsh.

Friends asked me why I didn’t fuck more women at work, since there were beautiful ones all around me. Granted, I had slipped up a time or two before last weekend, but I knew Lily was the reason now as I passed her.

Her scent filled the air, and I realized it was cider. She smelled like a sweet and spicy cider, the kind Mom used to make at Christmas. I never knew women could buy that as a scent for their skin.

In my office, I sat and planned. I could give more to Lily than this boyfriend of hers on any given day, which made me want to put my plan into action. I wanted to take it slow and go about this in a subtle manner, at least at first. This week involved a tough client I was trying hard to woo, and Lily would be writing the content I’d presented over lunches that week, even planning drinks for Friday. It was that day that a bouquet of fresh purple flowers would be delivered to her desk in the morning, as well as lunch from the deli.

When I passed by her desk on Friday afternoon after lunch, I felt her eyes on me. Lily cleared her throat, and I glanced at her, seeing the curiosity in her eyes. “Is this you?” she asked as she gestured to the flowers and the remains of her lunch. I noticed that she wasn’t having lunch with Lauren or any of the other girls, and I saw the hurt on her face. I wasn’t ready to ask her to join me yet, but I knew we’d be working closely together next week. The opportunity would present itself.

“Was there a card?” I asked lightly as she narrowed her eyes. I knew there wasn’t, and I leaned down to look into her face. “It’s just a small thank you for helping me so much this week.”

“That’s my job,” Lily reminded me, making me shrug.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it.” I walked back into my office with a smile as heat flooded her beautiful skin. She murmured a thank you before I was too far, and I paused before closing my door. I considered asking her to join my next client and me, but it was a bit soon after the last time we drank together. I also suspected that this client might enjoy something that might be a bit much for Lily.

I was right. We ended the night at one of the higher-scale strip clubs, and I watched the nude women move to the forced sexual beats of the songs, missing Lily’s curves and soft skin as I sipped whiskey. I had the deal of approval on the contract, so it had all paid off, but I didn’t want to be here. “How about a lap dance in the private room?” James asked with a wicked glint in his dark eyes. He was a pig of a man, but his catering company did very well at some of the bigger events in town. They would make us money.

“You go on. I’m just going to stay here and enjoy the view.” I held up my glass, and he nodded as he stumbled toward the back room that I was certain was filthy and likely covered in disease. There’d been a period that I spent time back there, and no matter how classy the establishment claimed to be, they were always the same once you went back to the private rooms. At one time, the impersonal feel of it all didn’t bother me. Now I knew what I wanted.

Lily

I left the flowers at my desk when I left for the weekend. I wanted to bring them home, but I’d felt the looks all week from Lauren and the others. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself further, thought I could play them up like they were from my boyfriend. That might make them pay less attention to me, as I knew they a

ll thought I’d slept with Landon that night. They weren’t wrong, and I deserved the looks and the whispers. I shamed myself day after day.

I had agreed to go to Brian’s tonight to hang out with his friends, and I headed to my car to make the short drive there. I’d chosen a more casual dress for work, something light and, oddly enough, purple. It matched the flowers Landon had sent me, and the thought made me smile now that I was alone. We’d barely spoken this week and the vibe with us was still awkward, though he’d had the decency not to bring up last weekend. I hoped it was over and forgotten, or did I?

It was the only fantasy getting me through the nights spent with Brian. It was the only thing that gave me any release, alone or with him. I was pathetic. As I stared out the window after Brian and I were finished that night, feeling lonely and unsatisfied, I was missing the way Landon and I had talked over dinner and the way he’d made me feel when I knew he was going to kiss me. I missed everything about the night I played through my head over and over, asleep and awake.

I got myself off silently as Brian slept beside me before I turned onto my side to fall asleep. The party was still going on in the living room, and I tried to drown out the noise, tired from my long day. I wondered if there would come a time when Brian would ever be ready to live in his own place, or maybe a place with me. Since I wasn’t in college anymore, I craved dinners after work as we talked alone in a peaceful apartment.

Jesus, I sounded like I wanted that with Brian. Did I? He had seemed to be going in that direction when we met, but all I’d seen him do since was revert to the past, when he’d been in college as well.

I lied and told him I had plans on Saturday so I could leave in the morning. I had no plans other than to veg on my couch and in my bed, getting a little solitude. I talked to my aunt a lot, confessing what I’d done, and she talked me through it. Amy assured me that we all got lost in the moment, and after my description, she was certain that Landon was gorgeous. She even googled him and told me that any woman would fall prey to those eyes.

At the end of one conversation on Sunday as we watched a movie together over the phone, I was laughing. I promised to come out to Philadelphia next weekend to visit her and her boyfriend, Lance, before telling her I loved her and ending the call. I talked to Brian a couple of times over the weekend too, but he was out and about with his friends while I was hiding from the cold, heavy air. The closer to winter it got, the less I wanted to be outside. New York was lovely around the holidays, no doubt. I just got cold a lot despite having grown up on the East Coast.

I went to work Monday knowing it was going to be a busy week, including some late hours as we worked on something for the new client. I’d enjoyed the food from his popular catering company here and there, finding it good, but I found him kind of crass as a person. He’d been in the building several times, and he had hit on me every one of them. It wasn’t even in a flattering way, more in a make-my-skin-crawl way.

I stepped inside the elevator with a few other early birds, smiling at a girl who worked on my floor. She was shy and dark haired and far removed from Lauren’s group. We’d said hello a few times, and I cautiously wondered if there was hope for a friendship here as I made my way to my desk.

Landon’s door was already open, and I set my coffee down on my desk before sitting down to warm up my computer. I slipped my purse into the drawer and was securing it with the key when I felt his presence. “Nice hat.” I smiled gently, loving my hat collection even if nobody else did. Today’s choice was a dark gray one to go with my plum blouse and matching skirt.

“Thanks,” I replied as I looked at my screen.

“Ready for a busy week?” he asked as I glanced at him with a nod. “I want to make something great for James since he is going to bring in quite a profit. I want a detailed contract.”

“It will get done,” I assured him as I looked into his face for more than a fleeting second for the first time in days. I knew from the weeks I’d been here that Landon took his job seriously and demanded perfection, something I could provide. I was willing to work as late as he needed me, even if the idea of being alone with him in his office made me shiver inside. I had avoided getting too close for the last several days, though my body still craved Landon. Every time I slept with Brian, it seemed to get worse, and I was gradually losing interest in the waning relationship with him.

I did what I could at my desk and then headed into Landon’s office in the afternoon. He was sipping more coffee, and he looked me over for a long moment as I moistened my lips. “So, what is the grand plan?”

“I want to draw up what we are going to do for his company. James wants to be stable with his clients and protected in every way possible,” Landon told me as our eyes locked. Oh, god, I was wet already. I sat down and took a deep breath as I forced a smile onto my face. We went over his outline and I entered it into my iPad to be taken to my desk afterward. I knew how hard Landon had worked on this contract, and I listened to him talk about every aspect of it, taking careful notes.

He declared that he was hungry a few hours after the building emptied and suggested a nearby Thai place, offering to order in so we could keep working.

Close up, I knew he was flirting heavily with me. It was thick in the air, and I knew staying here was dangerous. “Wouldn’t some fresh air be great?” I suggested as he loosened his tie and chuckled.

I knew what I wanted him to do with it, and I jumped as he picked up the phone. “We’re not finished yet.” He held a brochure in his hand and ordered a variety of food in a confident voice, telling them that a security guard would be available to greet them in the lobby. Landon ended the call and walked over to the dorm-sized fridge to pull out two beers. He handed me one and I stared at him with wide eyes as I took it.

“We’re at work.” Landon grinned and stretched as I watched helplessly.

“It goes great with spicy food and we deserve it,” he said as he walked closer to me. “You look nervous, Lily.”

“I’m not,” I lied as the bottle shook right along with my hand. I set it down when his eyes dropped to follow the movement. Being alone with him reminded me of the night we’d spent together, and I cursed the part of me that wanted him all over again. I licked my dry lips as he stood above me, his eyes piercing mine as our gazes locked.

“I have been thinking of you every second,” he told me softly as I felt the heat between my thighs. “I can’t count how many times I have jerked off to that sweet pussy of yours.”

“Landon, you’re my boss,” I stammered as he slid a hand down the stomach that I knew was tight with muscle over the tent in his pants.

“I think we both know that it is more than that,” Landon assured me as he dropped into a chair and rolled toward me. “Tell me that you’re not wet for me, Lily. Tell me that you haven’t been thinking about me as well, craving me.” His arrogance was both maddening and the biggest turn on I’ d ever experienced, and I dropped my head forward.

I had been thinking of him, constantly. Every time I tried to rekindle what I’d shared with Landon in bed with Brian, it failed miserably and I’d get myself off after he was asleep. I’d get myself off alone in my bed and sometimes here in the bathroom. I was officially a sex addict, and it wasn’t because of my boyfriend.

I felt hands cup my face and then his rough lips were on mine, claiming me as I moaned. God, he was so rough as he nibbled at me, and I tilted my head to deepen the kiss. I couldn’t turn him away. We moved together in the chairs easily, though it should have been awkward. “How long until the food is here?”

“Twenty minutes. Raph will hold it for us,” he told me before he lifted me onto his lap. We rolled across the floor as I squealed, holding on to him as he kissed me again.

Landon

I lifted Lily easily and brought her to the couch, dropping her on it as I crawled over her body. She tasted like the little beer she’d sipped, and I thanked her silently for wearing a loose skirt. I pushed it up and parted her thighs with my knees as our tongues danced, feeling euphoric at the contact. I could feel the need in her hard kiss and in the way she slipped her hand over my hard cock. I was ready to plunge my fingers inside her, but she unbuttoned my pants and took me into her hand as she stared down at my swollen cock.

I saw her eyes lock with mine, dark with need, before she leaned in to take me into her mouth. Lily didn’t do this the first night, and I groaned as her lips wrapped tightly around me. I slipped my hands into her hair and pulled her closer as I moved in front of her carefully, so as not to hurt her.

She was hungry, sucking me with her mouth, down her throat. She was needy in the way she reached around to my bare ass and pulled me closer, urging me to fuck her mouth as I closed my eyes.

I gave in, taking her slow and rough as I swelled further, needing to come in her throat. I wanted to fill her mouth with me and watch my essence drip out of her, and I rocked against her as I edged toward my goal.

I came as the phone rang, clutching her face in my hands. Lily swallowed me down as she stared into my eyes, taking all that I had to give her. I stumbled back and walked over to the phone as she licked her lips. Had it been the twenty to thirty minutes like I’d expected? I’d barely gotten my hands on her. I didn’t want the security guard to come up and find us like this, so I assured him in a low voice that I’d be right down to get the food. “Stay there. I’ll be back.” I looked at Lily, her thighs spread and her eyes wide, and licked my lips. “I am not done with you yet, Lily.”

I remembered how she’d left that last time and my heart pounded at the thought of it as I fixed my clothes, so I least looked like I was working a late night in the office. I closed my door, tempted to lock it even though I knew it would do no good. Lily could leave it she wanted to, but I held on to the memory of her eyes as she sucked my cock. I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

I thanked the delivery guy for the food, handing him two large bills as he looked down with a grin. I nodded at Raphael, my night security guard, and headed back up, my heart pounding with every step.

The food triggered my hunger, and I felt a growl in my stomach as I stepped into the empty elevator. The building was empty, and I longed to fill it with the sounds of Lily’s screams as I took her again and again.

I wanted her there, waiting for me.

I stepped off the elevator, making my way to the office and pushing the door open. I looked to the couch to see Lily against the cushions, fingering her clit as she rocked against her hand. Her voice was low and gasping, and I kicked the door closed and dropped the food on one end of the couch. “Fucking hell, Lily.” I growled as I dropped to my knees and put my mouth to her wet pussy, licking hungrily as she released for me. She was sweet and hot, just like I remembered, and I ate at her eagerly as she whimpered and moaned throughout the prolonged orgasm.

Her clit was hard and swollen as I tugged at it with my teeth, making her scream my name. “I am going to fuck you the way you like it. I am going to fuck you the way you’ve been craving me.”

“Yes, please,” she begged me as I loosened my pants and dropped them to the floor. I was hard as hell all over again, and I looked back toward my desk, where I knew I had some condoms.

“Are you protected, Lily? I’m clean and I want you right now.” I looked into her face, seeing fear cross it for a moment before she nodded. “You can trust me. I’d never hurt you.”

She nodded again and I stood and moved over her body. Her panties were already moved to the side, and I spread her legs with one hand and tore at her panties with the other. Once she was bare, dripping and wet, I slipped forward and inside her. Lily was tight and welcoming, crying out as I buried myself inside her. “Oh, god. Fuck me,” Lily pleaded as I took her repeatedly.

“So good. You feel so good.” I lowered my lips to hers and kissed her, pressing our bodies together. Her pussy tightened around me as she moaned, her tongue soft against mine. “I missed you.”

We fucked hard and rough before she came a second before me. I felt all her heat and jerked as I came inside her, combining us into one as we both moaned. I never wanted to be inside her covered again, and I fell against her body as I worked her shirt lose to cup her breast over the lace of her bra. I knew that when I pulled out, I would leak from her, and I didn’t want that. I needed to remain inside her. I had a fleeting glimpse of her belly swollen with my child in my mind, and I sucked in my breath.

What the fuck was I thinking?

I reluctantly pulled out, covering her with my hand to keep myself inside her. Lily looked at me as she breathed deeply, as if to ask what I was doing. Her stomach growled, breaking the ice with following her giggle as I dropped against her body. “Are you worried about a mess?”

“God, no,” I told her as I looked into her eyes. “I’ll get the food and we can eat here. Okay?”

“Perfect.” I locked the office door before walking back over with the bag, unloading the food, and placing it on the floor. We each grabbed a fork, opening everything and taking bites of things as she looked at me with curious eyes.

“This happened again.”

“Are you going to run off?” I asked her gently as she chewed a piece of chicken slowly. “Why did you do it the first time?”

Lily looked around the office slowly before she gave me a long stare. “I was scared. I work with you and I have someone in my life.”

I swallowed the noodles I’d been chewing and stared at the bottle of beer on my desk. “That worked when we were just a one-time thing, perhaps. We both wanted it this time, sober and well aware of what we were doing. I saw the way you went right for my cock.”

Her cheeks flushed pink, and she frowned as she stared at the floor. “It’s like I can’t control myself around you, but I don’t know if that’s the right thing. I need this job and the future it provides me. I can’t risk that for sex.”

“This isn’t just sex, Lily. It’s more than that for me, and I can take care of your future. I can take care of you,” I promised her as she ran a hand through her hair.

“I…I don’t know. What if we don’t last? Is it worth the risk?” Her voice was soft, and she looked at me, showing me the future I’d attempted with Nadine. As I stared into Lily’s beautiful face, I realized it had never been there with her.

“Yes. You remind me of the way I felt with my first wife,” I assured her as she stared into a container of food. “I can take care of you. I can make you happy.”

“I worked hard for this job, not to be taken care of,” she told me as she stared at me. “I am not that kind of girl.”

“Lily,” I said as she moved off the couch and adjusted her clothes. “Don’t do this again.”

“I think we got a lot done, don’t you?” She slipped her shirt into her skirt and smoothed her hands down the material. “I mean, we can call it a night and return to this on Monday.” I heard the shakiness of her voice as I set my food down and stood up.

“Stop this. Don’t leave me again. Give this a chance,” I told her as I cupped her face and kissed her, tasting the food as our tongues danced together. I didn’t let her move away, and I slipped her clothes off again as she melted against me. I held her close as she pushed me to the couch, where she rode my cock as I gripped her hips and guided her over me.

She didn’t look at me when we were done. She rolled off me and back onto the couch, closing her eyes, as I reached for her. “I can’t believe that happened again.”

I watched her dress after she regained her senses, and I didn’t try to stop her this time. I could see that Lily was determined to go this time, and I felt an emptiness settle in my heart. “You don’t have to do this,” I told her as she gave me a sad look.

“I don’t want this with you. I don’t know that I want it with Brian, but there’s too much going on between us. I can’t do this,” Lily said as she reached for her purse.

“Let me walk you to the car,” I insisted, standing and dressing. “It’s the fucking least I can do, Lily.”

“Fine,” she said as I grabbed my keys and left the food on the floor, her eyes on me.

Lily

“Aren’t you going to take that?” I asked him as he cast a dark look around the room.

“They’ll clean it this weekend,” Landon murmured, making me shiver. He could be so warm and passionate one moment and so cold the next, making my heart ache as I looked at him.

I wanted him. I knew that, yet I still pushed him away, too scared to face my own feelings. I was clinging to Brian, or at least the idea that we had something of a future together. I couldn’t even consider the idea of risking my dream job for an affair that could burn out in no time at all, even though I knew we could both feel the heat between us. I was lost in my thoughts as he cleared his throat, making me glance up at him. “Ready?” The defeat in his voice was evident, and I nodded slowly.

“Sure.” I left first, the night playing through my mind as he shut off the light and pulled the door closed. We were silent as we walked to the elevator. Wasn’t I in his lap an hour ago, coming as I cried his name? Didn’t I try to leave once before I went back for more, something I wanted again right now? Warmth flooded my skin at the thought.

We rode the car down to the garage, where he led me to my car and stared me down. I saw the want in his gaze, but more than that, I saw the rejection. “Drive safe, Lily. I’ll see you on Monday.” I nodded and slipped into my car, feeling tears slide down my face as he walked away toward his SUV. I knew I was letting an amazing man slip away from me, but I was powerless to stop it as I started my car to leave. I still felt the slickness between my legs as I shifted in my seat, caring more about Landon than I did about the fact that I was ruining my skirt.

I made my way home, crying in the shower as I rinsed away all traces of Landon from my body. I still felt the tingle between my thighs from the sex we’d had, but that would fade with time. It would all fade with time, and I hoped I would stop crying before Monday.

I stayed in bed the rest of the weekend, dozing and regretting leaving Landon at the office. Part of me wanted him to reach out to me, but my phone was silent on my counter. I did hear from Brian and had dinner with him on Sunday, declining his invitation to spend the night at his apartment. I lied and said that I needed to be at work early on Monday. Everything that had happened over the last month or so made me doubt my feelings for him. I was confused, and I tossed and turned in my bed as I tried to sort through my conflicting emotions.

I thought about the first time I slept with Landon, as well as the last two. They all had one thing in common: pure heat. It was a heat I didn’t want to deny myself as I dragged myself out of bed and showered. I pulled on a black skirt and a black silk T-shirt, pulling my hair back into a low ponytail before I put on a small amount of makeup.

I drove to the office blankly, unaware that I was there until I was parked and looking around. Everyone was walking in, and I sipped my coffee slowly as I contemplated going home. I didn’t want to be here.

I got out and walked to the building, entering the elevator quietly and moving to the back as Lauren slipped inside before the door closed. I didn’t want her to know about my mistake; it was not for the whole office to discuss. She left before me, striding to her section of the building as I slowly made my way to my desk. “Shit.” I forgot my coffee in the car. I locked up my purse and warmed up my computer before heading toward the break room. I noticed Landon walking toward me, and I took him in with remorseful eyes as he stared at his phone until he was at his door. “Good morning.” He glanced at me with a dismissive gaze as he opened his door to walk inside. It didn’t take much to notice the dark mark on his neck, high and near his jaw, and I pressed my lips together.

Landon moved on quickly. I didn’t even have sex with my boyfriend at all this weekend.

Landon left every day for lunch, and we barely worked together inside his office that week. It was all emails and brief texts, making me crazy with need. I wanted to talk to him like we used to, see his gorgeous eyes. I wanted him to look at me the way he had the times we’d been together. But I convinced myself that this was best for both of us.

Even after telling myself that all week, I broke up with Brian Friday night. I did it over the phone, not even going to dinner or his apartment. I just told him before leaving work and then went home alone, wondering what Landon was doing. I knew I had let myself get carried away with him, that this was my fault. I deserved all the suffering I was going through, as well as the guilt. Brian wasn’t a bad guy at all, just young. He didn’t deserve what I had done to him with my boss. I know deep down that was why I had ended it with Brian.

Through all of it, I was going to keep my job. My future was in my hands, and I was going to succeed at my career, even if it was in a place where I had made so many mistakes.

The smile on the elevator did turn into a friendship. Her name was Jasmine, and she was the same age I was, new to the company. She assisted another one of the partners, and it was a relief to have someone to talk to again. We’d go to lunch and discuss college and work, though it took me some time to confess what had happened with Landon. I had needed to know that I could trust her, and Jasmine had proved that I could, so I revealed the truth over drinks at a bar on Friday night two weeks after the first time we had lunch together.

Jasmine was sympathetic, and we were both drunk. It felt good to have it off my shoulders, and she soothed me through all of it before the night was over. But then we saw Landon walk in with friends when we were preparing to leave. “Are you going to be okay?” Jasmine asked as she followed my gaze to him.

“Yes, of course. We work together after all.” I smiled at her before I urged her to go, as she had to get to her sister’s for the weekend. I gave her a hug and thanked her for the kind words before I reached over for my own purse.

Another night alone at home. Great. I was just moving backward when I felt someone close to me, and I stilled as a familiar scent filled my nostrils. “What are you doing?” I asked as Landon pressed against my ass. “We could be seen.”

“Nobody comes here from work,” he replied as I frowned. “I fucking miss you. I miss this body.” I knew I was single and technically free now, but Landon was still my boss.

“Looks to me like you’ve been busy,” I shot back as his hand circled my hip.

“Come home with me.” I wondered how much further I was willing to sink into the abyss I had created. This was not going to solve anything, as much as I wanted it. I’d just talked about it, finally. I was just starting to feel some relief.

“Landon,” I murmured as heat flooded my thighs.

“I want to fuck you.”

With that, I gave in. He slipped me his address on a napkin after I agreed, and I struggled to get a ride with my phone. I was drunk, and there was no way I was driving. Landon walked over to his friends and told them something before leaving. I watched for a moment, realizing that this was actually going to happen.

I wondered if the affable guy driving knew that he drove so many people to their sins. He was just chatting about the weather. It was late, I was drunk, and even I knew I was nervous. He told me to have a good night as I left the car, and I smiled weakly. I had never been inside Landon’s complex this way before, so I walked into the large lobby as I looked around for the elevators.

Oh, god. I was going to fuck my boss tonight, and I was dripping wet at the thought.

I arrived on his floor and made my way to his door, tapping gently before he opened the door and pulled me inside.

Landon

I claimed her lips as soon as my door was closed, pulling Lily close. The last few weeks of no contact had been rough, even though I’d tried to fuck her out of my system with several women. They just weren’t Lily, who had become incredibly important to me over the time we’d worked together. Our lips crashed together, our tongues dancing as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I slipped my hands down to cup her ass as she wrapped her legs around my waist, and then I carried her to the bedroom.

Nadine had the other apartment, and this was all mine. I’d settled for more than I initially wanted to, but it was over. That had been the ultimate goal for me, and I was happy with all of it, apart from the fact that Lily wasn’t mine. I dropped her on the mattress and lifted her dress over her head as she raised her arms. I needed her naked and ready for me. I unhooked her bra as her hard nipples screamed my name.

Lily was beautiful.

Her underwear was drenched when I pulled it off, finding her pussy glistening with desire. I struggled with what to do first, and finally I stripped off my clothes and covered her body with mine as I kissed her.

Our mouths clung to one another, open and wanting and needy as our tongues moved together. I slipped a hand over her body to cup her breast, squeezing her nipple as she moaned. My cock was painfully hard as I brushed against her stomach and reached a hand down between her legs. “You’re so wet,” I told her as I pulled away for a moment, stroking her folds slowly as she panted loudly. I slipped two fingers inside her, and she cried out, pulling me down for another kiss.

Lily rocked with my fingers, bringing me deeper with each movement until she was tight around me, flooding me with her heat. “Landon, oh fuck. Landon.” I slid my fingers out to taste them as she watched with blurry eyes. “You came to work with a hickey after.” I heard the emotion in her voice and saw the pain in her eyes as I ate her off my hand. “How many women have there been?”

“They were never enough,” I assured her as I dropped over her body and sucked her nipple into my mouth. She reached around my head and pulled me closer with a keening sound, telling me she had missed me just as much as I’d missed her. I treated both nipples the same before kissing down her stomach and attacking her pussy with my mouth.

Maybe I was crazy, but nobody tasted like Lily. Nobody affected me like she did. I nipped and teased her relentlessly until she was bucking against my mouth with a wild orgasm, at which point I held her still and sucked her clit between my teeth. She was screaming in her struggle to move, making me even harder. I pulled away from her and met her wild gaze with my own before I pulled her legs farther apart and dropped my body between them. “Do you have a condom?” she asked in a firm, scratchy voice that left me with no doubt that this wasn’t going any further without one.

I didn’t ever want to wear one again with her, but the protest that was on my lips faded away. I wanted to assure Lily that I had been safe with anybody else to a fault, but the wary look in her eyes told me it wouldn’t matter. I reached blindly for the drawer beside the bed and pulled one out, rolling it over myself before she changed her mind.

Not only was she still into the idea, but Lily climbed onto her hands and knees to present herself to me. Part of me couldn’t wait to be inside her as I moved forward and found her dripping entrance, but another part of me longed to see her face as she came. This felt more like a fuck right now when I wanted so much more from her. I had been talking to people at work, finding a place for her in the company that would allow us to date without taking away her dream. I had made plans for us for when I asked her for her commitment, thinking of every romantic gesture I’d ever done or heard of to make this work.

I knew I fucked up going to the bar that night and then home with…what was her name? She was just the first one. But the arrogant part of me had been happy to walk into the office with that mess of a hickey on my neck, as if I were proving something other than the fact that I was an asshole. I had just been in a hurry to get Lily the hell out of my mind, and it hadn’t worked. Now I was inside her and slapping against her delicious ass when I only wanted to see her face.

Still though, she felt good as she rocked with me and moaned or cried out with every thrust of my hips. I hardened as I felt her tighten in her release, screaming my name as she clutched my messy blankets. Fuck. I jerked forward as I filled the latex holding me back from her, still violent but not what I had intended when I brought her here.

Seeing her at the bar had just set something off in me. Seeing her beautiful smile had made me tell my friends that I would be right back before I rushed over to talk to her as that other woman who worked in the building (for a fleeting moment I’d been happy that she was with anyone but Lauren) left. I didn’t expect to ask her to come home with me, and once I did, I never dreamed she would say yes. Now, I grunted her name as my cock drained, gripping her hips tightly as she let out a slow breath.

Letting go, I tumbled onto the bed as she moved flat on her stomach. We were both damp with sweat, but still, I pulled her close to me to breathe in her scent. I almost hadn’t known how much I had missed it until now. “You feel so good.”

“So do you,” Lily murmured, but she seemed to tense in my embrace.

“I know that you think poorly of me now, after how I was acting. I just…couldn’t deal with you walking away from me again. I just flipped out a bit, but I’m over that,” I told Lily, stroking her stomach as she shivered. “I took care of things, and I am free for you. I tied up loose ends. I don’t care how I say it, but I am ready for you. Baby, I want to see you as more than just this.” I knew she’d had a boyfriend once, but she was here, so maybe that was over. Maybe she was ready to be mine as well. “I think I am falling in love with you, Lily.”

“You know that after fucking me three times? Is that how many it takes?” she asked, her voice strained and rising.

“I know because you make me feel the way my first wife did. I never thought I would find that again, Lily. I believed there was only one for me, but then I saw you. I wanted you then, but once we got to know each other, I knew it was my second chance.”

“Aren’t you going through a divorce?” Lily asked me, and I sighed.

“That wasn’t love. That was a mistake.” I didn’t say I would consider a third marriage with her, not yet. There were too many details to iron out before then.

“The fact that I am your assistant? How about that?” she pressed as she remained in the same position, not looking at me.

“You can move around in the building to something that won’t affect us at all.” I slipped a hand over her nipple slowly, feeling it harden. “You can still live your dream, Lily. It would just be with me in your life supporting you at every step.” I knew this was fast and a lot to think about for her, but I couldn’t stop myself.

Lily turned in my arms, pressing herself against me as she sighed. Her lips found my chest as she kissed me just where she knew I’d respond. Before too long, I was kissing her and rolling her onto her back as I reached for another condom. We fucked hard and fast, my hope rising as she clutched at my back with her nails and moved with me. We came together, just another sign that we were meant to be, and after I pulled away to look at her face.

Lily’s eyes were closed, her mouth hanging open as I frowned. She had always looked at me before. “Is it the boyfriend?” I asked in a ragged voice as I stared at her. “Are you in love with him?”

“I am in limbo with everything in my life. I just want to work and secure my future,” she replied softly in a trembling voice. “I can’t do more than this, and if it’s going to affect things, I think we should stop sleeping together.”

“You would work a similar position with the same pay. I am not taking that away from you, Lily. I never would.”

“I can’t think right now, Landon. I am so fucking confused,” she told me as I rolled beside her. I could see the stress in her eyes as I looked at her, stroking her hair back gently.

“It’s okay. I am not asking for anything from you this moment. I just want you to stay with me tonight.” I saw her eyes lock with mine as I trailed my fingers over her stomach. I couldn’t stop touching her, stop feeling her soft skin.

“I can’t, Landon.” She didn’t rush out of there as she had in the past, but she didn’t stay in my arms either. Lily left, allowing me to take her back to her car this time only for me to watch her drive away.

She didn’t give me a definite answer when she left. I didn’t know what Lily wanted from me or anybody else. I assumed she was single from her vague answer about the boyfriend, but maybe that wasn’t the case.

Lily

Brian started to call a couple of weeks after I broke up with him. I had slept with Landon again amid that. The voice mails and texts Brian sent only increased my confusion. Both men had their own things to offer me, but Landon was so sketchy due to my job. Even if I did transfer to whatever position he mentioned, once word got out that we were dating, I would be screwed anyway. I’d be the woman who slept my way through the company and earned my promotions that way. I’d never be seen as a reliable worker. There was already talk among Lauren and her friends from the single time they’d seen us together, though that seemed to have died down.

I didn’t want to start it up again. I was adjusting to my job, and Jasmine was kind. We were building up a great friendship, and I felt like I was getting back on my feet again.

Landon was sexy, mature, and incredible in bed. He could offer a woman—one who wanted to be taken care of—a lot. He had money, a beautiful home, and the capability of getting anything in life that he wanted. I just felt like I was too independent to accept that. I wanted to make my own way in life.

Brian was young, like me, but he could be sweet. Sure, he spent a lot of time with his friends, drinking, and didn’t quite have his feet on the ground yet with his career. We weren’t just like one another. He was handsome, though, and with a little work, Brian could be a great boyfriend with a future to offer.

Brian made me laugh a lot when I wasn't obsessive about my life, and there was a chance that he could make me relax a little bit.

I went to work every day, putting on professional airs around Landon. I saw the defeat in his eyes, but I just couldn’t give in to my desires again. I didn’t know enough about the other job to even consider it, so I threw myself into my current one.

Landon brought me into the office to work together afternoons and even some nights, laying on the compliments and feeding me the best food. I sensed his efforts, and I even appreciated them though I resisted his advances. It wasn’t easy with my knowledge of his talent in the bedroom, but I had to stay strong.

I saw the women look at him whenever we walked to some lunch place together on the rare occasion that it worked out, their eyes hungry and bright. He was so handsome and drew attention wherever he went, but I just couldn’t pursue him. I knew another night together would just be leading him on since I wasn’t sure about us.

Brian kept up as well. He was sorry he hadn’t treated me the way I deserved. He wanted another chance with me. It reminded me of when I first met Brian and he swept me off my feet, warming me up to the idea of taking him back.

I’d be so sure of that idea when I wasn’t at work and was talking to him. Brian gave me his full attention on the phone when we spoke, flirting and making me laugh all over again.

Could I love him? He didn’t make me weak in the knees like Landon did, but perhaps that was just lust. I had never stayed with Landon, always running after the explosive sex. That meant something, didn’t it?

I stayed with Brian, and I wasn’t always unsettled with him. I had been looking for a job when we were dating and stressed out, so it could be different this time. I had an excellent job now and was happier, and it sounded like Brian was working at an office now too since his brother needed help at his construction company. He had a schedule more like mine now and seemed to be settling down.

After working together all morning, Landon took me to lunch a couple of weeks after our night together. The company was picking up in business, and we were staying busy from morning to night. We walked back together, talking excitedly about the new client and what we were going to do for him as we headed to his office. I saw the roses as we rounded the corner and stopped mid-step as I took in the large vase of red blooms.

They were beautiful, and I licked my lips nervously as I glanced at Landon. “Those are pretty.” His voice was cold, and I nodded rapidly as I stepped forward. I slipped around my desk to pull the card from the little envelope, hearing Landon’s door close firmly behind me. It made me jump as I read Brian’s words, which had me tearing up as he reminded me that he loved me. He knew he had messed up and he wanted to take me to dinner that night to start fresh.

I wavered as I read the words over again, well aware of the man in the office behind me. But Landon wasn’t the safe route, and I knew I had been falling for Brian before this job, this life. He deserved a chance.

I locked my purse up and decided to call him in a little while, perhaps on my break. I had work to do, and Landon and I already ran over the lunch hour a bit, lost in a conversation.

It had been a good one, reminding me of what a good man Landon was. His eyes had been locked on me as we spoke, despite being surrounded by gorgeous women who were eager for a glance in their direction. Jesus, I had a predicament to deal with. One look at the roses reminded me what the better choice was, and I smiled and nodded, walking toward the door.

I tapped on Landon’s door, walking in when he told me to. He was sitting at his desk with his tie loosened and a scowl on his face, and I stared at him as I walked over to his desk. “So, where were we?”

Landon gave me a dark look as he turned to me and searched my face. We got back to business even though he looked like he wanted to ask me a question the entire afternoon.

I said yes to dinner on my break, and since Brian worked closer to me now, he offered to pick me up. I agreed and ended the call with a long sigh. Was I doing the right thing?

Landon was edgy when I went back into his office, and we got lost in work, so it was a while before I looked up at the clock. “Oh my. I have plans to get to.” It was inching past five, and I wanted to freshen up before dinner. “Is that okay?”

“Do you have a date?” Landon asked as warmth flushed over my cheeks. “Did I fail you by not sending you an obnoxious vase of the most overrated flowers in existence?”

“I like roses,” I replied as he stared me down. “He knows that.” I looked at the clock again. “May I go?”

“Have fun,” Landon said with a smirk as I turned and fled the office. I glanced around to see that I had a few minutes, as Brian didn’t have completely set hours. Unlocking my drawer with shaking hands, I grabbed my purse and hurried to the bathroom. I was already wearing a pretty burgundy shirt with a black pencil skirt and heels, so I just touched up my eyeliner and powder. I added some gloss to my lips before I loosened my hair and let it hang around my shoulders in loose curls.

I walked back out to my desk and saw Brian looking around with an impressed gaze. “Hi,” I called, and he spun around with a bright look in his eyes. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”

“No, not at all. If I were, it would be worth every second.” Brian appraised me again as I walked toward him, stopping in front of him as he leaned forward to kiss me.

The sound of someone clearing their throat made me jump, and I looked at Landon with wide eyes. “Oh, hi. This is Brian. Brian, this is Landon. He’s my boss. I’m his assistant.” I knew I was babbling, and they looked at me as they shook hands. Brian was loose and friendly as always, but Landon was stiff and cool as he looked Brian over. Landon made a quick exit, and I fussed over my purse and jacket as Brian watched me.

“He seems…intense.” I looked at Brian in the empty elevator, shaking my head.

“He is when it comes to business, and it’s been busy lately. I am learning a lot, though. I like it here.” I defended Landon, knowing he hadn’t been nice in the least to Brian. The short time they had chatted had reminded me of some pissing contest.

“Is he interested in you?” Brian asked, and I gave him a forced incredulous look.

“No. Of course not.” I stepped forward as he walked across the lobby with me. “It’s just work. Landon isn’t my type at all.” I vowed to never let him find out that we’d slept together as we walked outside and looked around. “So, where are we going?”

I was surprised when Brian took me to the restaurant Landon had that first night. It threw me off, but he was sweet and romantic. He listened to everything I had to say and didn’t toss back a few beers with dinner. It was a great date, and I found myself relaxing about the choice I was going to make tonight. Brian had a great, stable job that paid well, and he spoke of getting an apartment on his own in just a few months. He was seemingly tired of the way he was currently living.

Brian was maturing, and while I didn’t know if I was the reason, I appreciated it. He was giving me new hope for our future as we talked over the meal and then coffee and dessert.

When we left, it wasn’t with the urgent rush it had been with Landon. I didn’t want to fuck Brian and leave, but there was a pleasant feeling inside my stomach. Brian told me again that he loved me over dinner, and I responded in kind. I thought I could.

We went my apartment that night, laughing as we walked back to my bedroom. His kisses didn’t affect me the same way Landon’s did, but they were sweet and slow. Brian wanted to prove his feelings for me, and I was willing to give him a chance. He paid close attention to my body. He made me come when he went down on me, me crying out his name as I tried to push Landon out of my mind.

After we made sweet, slow love, I snuggled into his arms and looked out the window. There wasn’t the sound of his roommates talking loudly in his living room or the smell of pot floating under the door. Brian didn’t usually used to come here with me, but he had tonight, and I smiled as I listened to the sound of his breathing.

I was doing the right thing. Brian loved me, and I knew he could be the man I needed, as well as a big part of my future.

* * *

Lily

It was a bit of an adjustment, but I managed to stay at my job even though Brian and I were back together. It wasn’t easy at first, but I stood my ground with Landon about us not being together any longer.

Brian was safe and right. Brian was the right choice for me.

I settled into my days working at my desk and dealing with Landon alone as little as possible. There was still a strong sexual attraction between us, and I saw the pain in his eyes when he looked at me, but I’d made my choice.

I noticed the circles under his eyes within a month of ending whatever it was that we’d had between us, and I assumed he was out drinking at night. It occurred more and more often, and I’d just watch him as he walked in looking at his phone, ignoring me. When he walked by me in silence, I just reminded myself that this was best and I’d made the right choice.

The first time a woman came in just before I was leaving for the night, my blood boiled. She was pretty, and she looked exotic in her clingy purple dress as she gave me a wink and a smile before disappearing into his office. In that moment, I was torn from being the mostly content woman who was comfortable with her choice and became a raging ball of jealousy. When the woman laughed and then something bumped against the wall, I saved what I was working on with a scowl on my face. I turned off the computer and walked out five minutes before I was supposed to, cursing Landon under my breath.

It was stupid and I knew it. He had every right to fuck whomever he wanted. Landon was a big boy and could make that choice, but I was fuming when I reached my car.

I recalled the night he’d admitted to using this same woman to make me jealous before we made love. I had thought it was flattering that night, but seeing her again hurt deep down. Was he playing the same game all over again? I started the car and drove home to my apartment, where Brian was making dinner for us, walking in and dropping my purse as I made my way to the kitchen. I stopped as I watched him stirring something on the stove, taking in how toned and lean he looked in the shorts he was wearing. “Hey.”

Brian turned his head and smiled at me. “Evening, baby. How was work?”

“Good,” I replied vaguely as I walked toward him and gazed into his eyes. I eased myself into his arms as I looked at the sauce on the stove, smiling as he set the spoon on a plate and pulled me close. Brian was doing everything he could to make it work with me this time, being sweet and romantic like he had been in the beginning. He was attentive now and spent most nights at my apartment, something that made me wonder what his intentions with me were. I kissed him, needing the contact as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Mmmm,” I murmured as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss.

“Sauce,” Brian reminded me as I heard the thump from Landon’s office play through my mind again.

“Turn it off. We’ll eat later,” I said as I kissed him again, feeling him reach behind himself before pulling me against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he lifted me to carry me to the bedroom, where he pressed me down onto the mattress.

“You are relentless,” Brian said me as he kissed my neck and slipped his hands under my skirt. “I’m trying to cook you a nice dinner tonight and woo you, and here you are seducing me.”

“I want you,” I told him as I felt him slide my panties off before he pulled away from me.

“I want you as well. Take off that dress.” Brian watched me closely as I lifted the red vintage dress over my head, revealing my bare breasts. His eyes twinkled. “No bra at work?”

“I’m not that big and this dress is thick,” I said as I slipped my hands over my nipples to pluck at them. “Are you complaining?”

“Fuck, no. I want to pull your clothes off to find this every single night. You’re sexy, Lily.” Brian dropped his shorts and crawled over me. He kissed me long and hard before he moved down my body with his mouth, focusing on my nipples as he sucked one and then the other between his lips. He kissed down my stomach, teasing me with his tongue as I closed my eyes.

I tried to pretend it was only Brian and I in this room together, but memories played through my head as he eased me toward a release. I knew Landon had everything to do with the sensations in my body as I rocked against Brian, whimpering and moaning. He pulled back, breathing heavily before he moved up and slipped between my thighs to slide into my wet pussy. We didn’t use condoms anymore because I was on the pill. That was something I had taken care of right when we got back together, since it was going to last.

We moved together as our bodies dampened and I grew wetter for him, tighter. Brian knew I was tight after oral sex, which was when he preferred to be inside me. I came again as I dug my nails into his back, reminded of another time when it was with somebody else.

We returned to the kitchen to finish dinner after we recovered, sipping wine from the bottle as we fixed our plates. Brian went to the table first and I followed in my robe as we sat beside each other. Brian was smiling at me, and I gazed at him after another long swallow from the bottle. “What?”

“I decided to move out of the apartment and get away from the crowd. I’m looking for something more peaceful, and I was thinking you and I could make a go of things,” Brian said as my eyes widened. “I could move in here or we could get another apartment; whatever you want.”

“You want to live with me?” I asked, and he nodded and stared at me.

“I told you I love you. I want to make this work and take the next step.” Brian tilted his head and smiled at me. “Sounds good?”

I twirled some noodles around my fork slowly and took a bite. Brian had made a great sauce, and I chewed carefully as I considered the offer. Why not? He was a good man, and he’d more than proven his feelings for me over the last few weeks. “Yes, I’d like that. Do you mind staying here? It just feels like home to me.”

“This is a good place. We can turn the second bedroom into an office or something for us,” Brian said, and we began to discuss our plans. We ate slowly and laughed a lot, and I told myself this could work.

We cleaned up together and went to bed, making love again as I went down on my knees for him. Once we were done, I dropped to my side and curled up against him as Brian kissed my hair and told me he loved me.

Landon

Brian was playing the game well, sending Lily those flowers, though I would have gone for something a little more unique like she was. The ones I would have picked for her would have reflected her kind and generous nature, and they’d have been a color I saw her wear often, a color that made her skin glow. I noticed the little things about Lily, even now that we weren’t involved anymore.

Red roses. What a douchebag. Those could be ordered from any grocery store, much less a florist.

No matter what I thought of him, Lily cooled off towards me on that intimate level we were so good at. She was still an amazing worker and did everything she could as my employee, but it stopped there. Gone were the talks in my office when we were supposed to be working, as well as the way I had her on every surface I possibly could. We didn’t go to lunch anymore or plan working dinners.

All of that was gone, and I missed it. There were days I wanted to drag her into my office and kiss her senseless, but I contained myself. It was apparent that she was moving on, or at least trying to.

I spent the better part of a week feeling sorry for myself, alone at home. I missed everything about her and was well-aware that I’d imagined a future with my assistant. I knew I could get her relocated to another part of the building, but the idea of not seeing her anymore made me feel empty inside. I didn’t want to forget her the way I did Nadine. My ex-wife could drop off the face of the planet for all I cared, but the idea of not seeing Lily’s beautiful face every day was too much to bear.

There were nights I was angry with myself for pursuing her at all. Those were the ones when I’d sit on the couch with my bottle of Hennessey and drink my troubles away.

Eventually, friends talked me into getting out of the house. They told me I was working too much since nobody knew about Lily. As a man, that was how I was supposed to handle this hurt: get out there and fuck my way through it, so I met them at the familiar bar one night after work.

I didn’t go home with a woman that first night, but a few nights later I found myself in the bed of a blonde. Her name was Lisa, and as hard as she tried to please me, she just wasn’t Lily. I tried a few more times with some one-night-stands and always left feeling unsatisfied.

Maybe I needed to step up my game with someone familiar.

I had a few massage sessions with a local massage therapist, and it was no holds barred. She was willing to do anything for me, and I took full advantage of that, demanding rough blow jobs as well as tying her up to inflict light pain on her. Molly took it all, and more than that, she loved it. I used her several long nights, fucking her and utilizing her many talents to try to drain myself of my feelings for Lily.

I wondered the next morning if Lily even noticed. It was always the same polite smile and soft good morning from her, spoken without the light in her eyes that I missed so much. Did Brian make her happy at all? It didn’t seem like it. The week it bothered me the most, I called Molly and found out she was out with some friends, so I invited them all over to my place. I was drunk out of my mind but was physically able to take all of them on. It should’ve been the greatest night of my life as a sexually active man.

I sent them all away once we were too tired to do anything further. I’d fucked, spanked, kissed, and been serviced by the girls. I’d even watched them with each other during the activities. That was any man’s dream, right?

But I’d dropped into the bed that smelled of sex and sin and missed Lily’s sweet fragrance that was long washed from my sheets. Despite never thinking about Nadine with another man, I found myself wondering if Lily was in bed with Brian after he’d been inside her sweet body, him wrapped around her as they drifted off to sleep.

I didn’t get that he was an attentive and loving man the night I met him. He was clearly into Lily on some level, and I didn’t doubt that my reaction to him had raised some questions for her. I hadn’t been kind, and I’d judged him with my gaze, not hiding any of my disdain. He was one of those younger guys who got along with everyone, the guy you’d see at every party talking to all of the guests in the room. Brian wasn’t the kind of man that Lily deserved, the kind that worshiped and appreciated her.

Sometimes I would be a little louder if I heard her on the phone with him, asking her something completely unnecessary. I saw the frosty looks she gave me when I broke into their talks, even though it didn’t happen often. She was professional about work, and after that first time I never saw him there again.

I hoped he had asked about me though. A man like me was intimidating to anybody, particularly a guy like him with an incredibly sexy girlfriend. That was simple math, and I used it to give Brian doubts whenever I could. I’d set the ball in motion the night we met, and I’d seen the insecurity in his eyes.

I came in after meeting Molly for lunch to see roses on her desk again a few weeks after we ended. It was the same tired two dozen blooms in a cheap glass vase, making me roll my eyes. The card was on her desk, and I glanced around to see who was around, leaning over when I realized a lot of people were still out to lunch.

I am so happy you said yes, baby. I love you and I am going to prove it for the rest of my life. B

What the fuck? Did he propose to her? They’ve been back together for a month, if that. Anger rose inside me as I stomped into my office and closed the door, pacing for a few minutes.

I sat down at my desk and grabbed my phone, sending a text as I felt some relief wash over me. I set the phone down, waiting for the chime as I glanced at the screen and smiled.

Something had to be enough for me . . . something other than Lily.

I stayed in my office for the afternoon, even though I wanted to look at her left hand. I kept reminding myself that whether she had a ring on her finger didn’t matter at all to my life. It was her choice.

Screw that. We were good together, and I missed the feeling of her body against mine. My emotions were at war, and I stared blankly at the computer as I tried to focus on the research I was working on. Damn it. I didn’t have time to think about this shit, since I had a new client to meet with and had to have my facts straight.

I went to the meeting angry and sent Lily an instant message asking her to compile a fact sheet on the business of interest. I could do it, but I wanted her busy. Of course, she responded with an assurance that she would get right to it, which made me more livid.

Did Lily look at Brian the way she used to look at me? Did she come as hard with him as she did with me?

I did sneak out for some coffee for a quick break from staring out the window, and I looked over at her as she was typing. I tried to see her hand, but she glanced at me with a suspicious look on her face. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” I replied, looking away as I left to go to the break room. I slammed my cup down before I fixed my coffee, noticing the silence that settled around me. I looked around to see Lauren staring at me from the fridge with a glint in her eyes.

“Feeling frustrated, Landon? Do you need a little relief?” Her voice was sultry and ineffective, and I gave her a dark stare. “I can help you with that.”

“I think we’ve discussed that matter,” I murmured before I dismissed her presence with a cold look and left. Going for Lauren would bring the ultimate pain to Lily, but I didn’t want to fuck up at work that way.

I wondered when I became such an asshole as I walked back into my office. I had been broken beyond belief after losing Madeline and our baby. I’d been bitter, angry, and I’d slept with anything that had a pussy once I finally left my house. It had been similar with Nadine apart from all the grief. I didn’t consider her too much of a loss.

Lily was a whole different animal. She reminded me just enough of Madeline to make my heart ache, but she was her own person as well and was unlike so many women her age. She shone like a star compared to most of the bitches who worked here, as well as the ones I went home with from any given bar. Lily was complex and ahead of her time, in my opinion. She was everything I’d been looking for without realizing it since I lost Madeline.

It just seemed like too much was stacked against us for it to ever work.

I looked at my computer at around four thirty, knowing my hired woman would be arriving soon. It wasn’t something I always did, but I needed experience and skill tonight. I wanted a woman who was open to anything and for Lily to see it. Didn’t jealousy work sometimes with a woman? I heard a tap at my door and a familiar voice calling out my name, so I told Jennifer to come inside. She looked hot in a blue dress with flawless makeup on her face, and I watched her walk over to my desk as she looked around. “Being at the office is different.”

“I just needed a break in my day. Late night and all,” I said as she walked around and sat on the desk in front of me. The view was great, but I stood and held out my hand. “Let’s go to the couch. We can have a lot more fun over there.” She chuckled and walked with me, falling noisily onto the leather as I smiled.

Lily

The days passed by as I fought my lingering feelings for Landon and tried to focus on Brian. He had moved in over the last couple of weeks, and it comforted me to sleep in bed with him at night. He was tender with me as if he thought I might break, though, which was something I needed to change. I wanted it the way Landon used to fuck me, if only for the familiar feeling. Brian didn’t know that part of me, not truly. It was time to introduce it to him so maybe I could finally stop thinking about Landon. Seeing that woman going into his office and hearing the beginnings of what they were doing had really affected me in ways that I never expected. I’d thought that I was over him when I chose Brian.

Life was complicated, but I was too stubborn to leave such a good job because I’d screwed up. We weren’t the first two people to mix business with pleasure, nor the last. We could both move past this.

I glanced at Landon’s closed door as I arrived to the office one day, thankful no more women had come to the building. I knew he was busy away from work, and I still envied those women, but I tried to push away my feelings.

I couldn’t help but think about all we’d talked about, reminding me that it had been more than on office tryst.

I threw myself into being with Brian: cooking dinner together, going out on dates, and trying to spice up our sex life. We were young and there was a lot to do—something I’d learned from my older man.

Brian was willing to experiment, but I still thought of Landon.

I noticed Landon on the street with a redhead on a regular basis in the next couple of months, and I hid the truth from Brian about why I initiated sex every night before bed. I demanded more from him each time, pleased with his enthusiasm but still missing the man I’d given up. The days and nights started to blend together, and I finally accepted Jasmine’s invitation for dinner and drinks one night to get a break.

We left the office together and walked over to a local pub she had recently discovered and loved. I looked around at the large main room with tables, a massive bar, several television sets, and even a stage for live music. “I feel like I haven’t talked to you in forever,” I said as we found a table in the back and settled into the comfortable bench seats.

“You’ve been playing house. How’s that going?” she asked, her green eyes twinkling. Jasmine had a new boyfriend of about a month herself and was crazy about him.

“It’s nice, you know? We seem to be so much more about each other now and like real adults. We cook dinner and stuff, and it’s comforting,” I said as she searched my face. She knew I’d gone home with Landon that night and eventually ended it, and she’d helped me through the harder parts of the process. She was the only person I’d told about Landon to this day, knowing Brian could never know about us.

“Is everything okay with you and the boss?” she asked as I stared at the table.

“He had a woman come to the office a few weeks ago. She looked so polished and beautiful, and the bitch had the nerve to wink at me. I wonder if he told her to do that to get deeper under my skin.” I knew pain was written on my face as I raised my eyes to look at her. “Did I make the right choice?”

“I can’t answer that, but this way you have the guy and the job? Both are important to you, aren’t they?” Her voice prodded me, making me nod. “Things would change with a different choice, and that might not be what you want. Give it a little time and see what happens.”

“Yeah, you’re right. It’s just new and everything is changing so much.” Jasmine smiled and handed me a menu. We ordered some drinks and dinner and she told me about her new guy, glowing as her voice rose with happiness. I was comfortable with Brian, content, but I didn’t glow like Jasmine did. We’d also been together about seven months longer than Jasmine and her boyfriend. I felt like I glowed with Landon, but he was so forbidden that it made it hotter. Surely seven months down the line, we wouldn’t be like that anymore. I would be in a different position that might not be right for me, that payed less or maybe didn’t look as good on a resume. I went to college to get a great job and this was it. I needed it for the next step, and leaving it made me worry. What if the truth got out there and people knew Landon and I were involved? I didn’t want that anywhere near my name, and if I stayed on as just Landon’s assistant, there wouldn’t be any suspicions and consequently no rumors.

At least I hoped so. I trusted Landon enough not to talk about us, because he told me he wouldn’t. I thought he cared about me enough to keep his word.

Jasmine and I were finishing our third round of drinks when I looked up to see Landon passing the window with his friends. He was also with a woman, and his arm kept her close to his side as he laughed at something someone said. I watched for a long moment, and Jasmine caught on to what I was doing. She looked and then frowned as she smiled at me. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I can’t be with him no matter how I look at it. I must accept that, and it isn’t like Brian is a bad guy. He has been trying hard with me and being what I wanted him to be back then, which is originally what led me to Landon. Right? Women cheat when they don’t get what they need at home…or men, for that matter.” I never did deal with the fact that I had cheated, and I felt a wave of emotion hit me. “Why did I do that to him? I am not that person, Jasmine. I never considered it before and I didn’t then. It just happened.” Tears flooded my eyes, and I was surprised by the strength of my guilt and sadness. “What did I do?”

“Oh, sweetie.” Jasmine came around to my side of the table and hugged me as I let the wall of grief finally break. I cried for a few minutes, knowing people were staring at me but letting them go with the emotional-girl theory. Fuck them. I needed this after the tumultuous last few months, since the guilt and pain affected every part of my soul. I need to let it lift so I could see clearly what I had in front of me and appreciate it. Like the good friend she was, Jasmine stroked my hair and assured me that life just happened. It wasn’t always pretty or easy, quite the opposite. It was hard and fucked up, and we learned something from all of it.

When I was calm, she remained by my side and we toasted to the future.

We left around an hour later, and I felt lighter somehow. I felt like I could tackle things as I grabbed a cab and rode home to my apartment . . . our apartment. It was set up for us as a team and a couple, with the second bedroom turned into an office and something of a reading room. My apartment wasn’t big, but I did live in New York, so that was typical and everyone just made it work. Brian and I had a plan to get something else down the line once he got a couple of promotions and we could afford something bigger.

I gave the driver a large bill with a smile as I got out of the back and hurried into my building and up the flight of stairs. I unlocked the door to our second story apartment, pushing it open as I glanced inside. The light was on in the kitchen, and I closed and locked the door. “Bri?”

“Hi, babe. I’m just watching TV. How was dinner?” he asked as I dropped my purse on the bistro table and went into the living room, where he was on the couch watching a movie.

“Dinner was good and the drinks were even better.” I’d cleaned up my face before I left, and the cold water I’d splashed around my eyes had helped with the redness. I thought I might pass as being happy, though I really did feel a lot better now.

“You cabbed it home, right?” he asked as he looked at me, and I nodded with a smile. I snuggled close to him and he wrapped his arm around me. “Good.” Brian kissed my hair. “I love you too much to lose you.”

“How do you know that?” I asked him dreamily as I draped my arm over his bare stomach.

“I started realizing it toward the end when things were falling apart. I knew I fucked up when I lost you, and that was when I decided to woo you. I’m glad it worked.” He grinned as I looked at him. I remembered meeting him at a party eight months ago and being taken by him immediately as we talked closely all night. He had been funny and easy to talk to, and we’d started dating right away. I had been looking for a job at the time so I could start paying for my apartment with a paycheck instead of grants and the money left to me by my parents. Looking back, I knew I’d been stressed out from the pressure, and maybe that contributed to our ending and, consequently, the affair. Tonight made me wonder more than ever if I should tell Brian about it. I was somewhat certain it was over with Landon, that I wouldn’t fall for his charms again, so I just didn’t see any reason to reveal the truth to Brian right now, not when we were working through everything. I liked my job and the experience it was giving me, and I didn’t want to give it up.

It had nothing to do with the fact that, in some twisted fashion, I enjoyed seeing Landon every day.

I distracted myself from my thoughts by leaning forward and kissing Brian tenderly, knowing he’d respond. I was right; Brian kissed me with a growing passion as our tongues danced together.

Landon

Once we shared the night together after meeting at a bar, I found myself seeing Candy regularly. It had a lot to do with the fact that she was a little young and clingy but great in bed. I just went with it, enjoying the feel of a regular warm body in my bed even if it wasn’t Lily’s. She was obviously moving on even though I had determined she was not wearing a ring on her left hand. If I’d seen one, I might have asked her if she had a fucking clue what she was doing.

She had said yes to something, but I didn’t know what that something was. I just knew that flowers appeared on her desk periodically, so I didn’t feel bad when Candy came in for lunch one day, inadvertently meeting Lily.

Lily looked bothered by it. A sick part of me was glad that pain flashed across her face when I closed my door and led Candy to the elevator. It had been three months since I’d touched her, and I was pleased that Lily missed me, making me turn around to look at her again. She was looking down at her desk, sadness sprawled across her face, and something tugged inside me as I forced myself to listen to some idea Candy had for the night. We boarded the elevator car and I watched Lily as she looked up when the door slid closed.

She looked miserable.

I came back from lunch to find her desk empty, and I assumed she was on her own lunch break. Lily preferred a later one, and I noticed that she often left after I was gone on mine. Did that make the time we were apart longer, something I was all too aware of? I went into my office and closed the door to start some research on a new company. It was more complicated than expected given the way my mind was racing with thoughts of Lily—mixed with the hand job I’d received at lunch today in a back booth. I knew what else I would be getting later tonight, after dinner and drinks with Candy.

I sighed. Candy was beautiful, but she was empty if I compared her to Lily. Any woman would be. I knew the interest would fade in time, just like it would with anyone other than Lily. I knew what I wanted, but Lily didn’t feel the same way.

After fighting with my futile efforts, I sent Lily a message asking her to come into the office. She walked inside and I looked her over, my eyes resting on the clingy material of her red dress that covered her breasts and waist as she blushed. “What did you need?”

“I want to compile something on a new company,” I said, watching her scowl slightly. We had been a great team regarding everything office related before the end of our relationship, but I could see the doubt on her face.

“Okay. Tell me about them.” She settled herself at the table where the laptop she used waited and turned it on. “Is there something difficult about them?”

“Not particularly. I think it’s me today,” I admitted, and she gave me a slow, curious look.

“Does the woman cloud up your mind?” she asked softly as she turned her gaze away and logged into her computer with loud taps of her fingers.

“A woman,” I responded as her shoulders slumped. “Have you looked into the quarterly meeting and all that comes along with it?”

“I have the information. I was going to make reservations soon. Do you want to attend all of the social events?” Lily asked as I took in her soft hair, highlighted with subtle caramel tones that shone in the light from the window.

“Yes. It’s required of me to begin with, though I think you’ll enjoy yourself as well.” I hoped her boyfriend either wouldn’t or couldn’t attend, though guests were mildly frowned upon anyway. This was all business, and any of the fun events were for colleagues only, leaving spouses and significant others to feel left out.

“It looks like a nice long weekend. I can’t believe they have it in Belize,” Lily murmured as I smiled. It was always in a great place since we were so successful as a firm.

“It makes it a good mix of business and pleasure, as well as being a beautiful place. It’s one of my favorite travel destinations.” I had many memories of Belize, both as a married man as well as a single one. I preferred the latter ones, but this year I knew I was caught painfully between the two.

“I’ll have to start looking into that.” Lily sounded bored as she asked me again about the company in question. We jumped online on our respective computers and started our research, using our privileged resources to get the information we needed. It was an art supplies business that stocked well-known stores in the world and had a successful website, and they were having some issues with a few of the stores in regard to receiving payment. There were perks with the account, including a discount on supplies as well as complimentary admission to any art gallery any of us wanted to go to. I enjoyed observing art, but I had more of an analytical mind and didn’t do a lot of creative things like that. I looked up at Lily as she jotted something down and sipped from my water bottle as I took her in again.

She still wore that fucking scent.

“They are offering some great things with the contract. There are discounts on art supplies as well as free admittance to the gallery of your choosing as an employee of the company. Do you enjoy those things?” I asked as Lily rolled her neck back with a sigh.

“I dabble in art here and there for a hobby, but it’s just fun. It’s rare. I do love a good gallery though,” she said. I scowled; just another thing we had in common.

“There are some events at some of the galleries I’ve enjoyed a lot in the past,” I said. There was a part of me that, had we remained together, wanted to take her to such things, going out publicly as I showed her all of the world that I could. Hell, who was I kidding? That part of me was still very much present, and I felt my body responding to her incredible sensuality as I shifted in my seat. “We’ll be invited if they sign on with us.”

“Jasmine loves art. She’ll be excited about that,” Lily said, deflating my hope as I sat up straight in my seat.

“The boyfriend won’t?” My voice was shaking, and she stilled in her seat for several moments.

“That doesn’t need to be discussed.” Her voice was low, and I heard her pain in it. “It’s a private matter.”

“Are you any happier, Lily? Does he satisfy you?” I asked her as I stood and walked over to her, unable to stay away any longer. She was so beautiful. Her spirit and scent filled the room, and I breathed it in.

“Stop this, Landon. Please. We’re over.” Her voice was shaking now, and I reached out to touch her shoulder. She jumped when I felt the heat of her skin.

“Maybe in your mind we are,” I said as she turned her beautiful, tortured eyes to mine.

“Don’t make this harder than it already is,” Lily pleaded as I tightened my grip on her. “Would it be better for both of us if I considered a transfer, Landon?”

“Seeing you is still the best part of my day, Lily.” I stared at her as she frowned and looked away. “Please don’t do that.”

“Let me just be your employee, Landon. That is all that I want,” Lily said, and I heard the faltering tone of her voice.

I walked away, back to my desk, and she seemed to rush through the rest of the job. She assured me she would get something printed for me soon, in time for the lunch I had scheduled with them later this week, before she walked out and closed the door firmly behind her.

I considered blacklisting her at other firms for a moment, determined to keep her near me. I still loved Lily, and I needed to find a way to get her back to me.

Lily

I was shaking when I went back to my desk, and I fell into my chair as I took a deep breath. I avoided going into his office for this reason. Landon was the most incredible man I’d ever met, and he still affected me in the same ways as before, if not more so. My body throbbed for him and I craved his lips and his touch, but I had to fight the addiction.

I’d been jealous when that beautiful woman had asked for him today. She was just old enough to be mature and yet still young, which made me feel awkward and useless. She and Landon had a sense of familiarity about them even though I hadn’t seen Landon with her in the past, making me realize that he had moved on. That pain was hard to take even if I’d done the same thing with Brian.

I couldn’t deny the attraction I still felt for him, nor that it still existed on his end. I’d wanted him in his office. I’d wanted him to throw me onto his desk and rip my dress off, taking me the way he used to.

I leaned back in my chair and pressed my lips together. I stood, went to the bathroom, and locked myself in a stall as I lifted my skirt. I slipped my hand down my panties, feeling the wet heat between my legs as I stroked myself slowly.

This was so dirty, but he just got to me in ways no other man did. Brian was a sweet man, a good man, but it wasn’t like this with him. I found my swollen nub and rubbed it hard and fast as I struggled to remain quiet. It was best to stay with Brian and just live the life he would provide me. It was safe and secure, not shocking to anybody in any way. We were told often how cute we were together. We were living together now and trying to make it work out, and I didn’t need to regress.

I dropped my head back and came, biting down on my lip as the sensations washed through me. It was intense and harsh, reminding me what I wanted and how he was mere feet away at this moment.

I fixed my dress and splashed some cold water on my face before I returned to my desk, noticing Landon’s closed door. I took a deep breath and started on a report as the getaway nudged my mind, making me sigh and open the brochure about it.

I knew it was an event for workers as well as their spouses or significant others, though Brian was already scheduled to work. In his sweet honesty, he’d admitted that the subject didn’t interest him a whole lot, though he encouraged me to learn as much as I could. I went to the link for the resort that was located on a private beach in a gorgeous part of Belize, relieved when I found I had enough time to get rooms. I found two cottages close together for Landon and me, admiring the beautiful rooms that offered generous living areas as well as breathtaking ocean views. I saved the page with the confirmation information into a document and sent Landon an email assuring him that he had a room that was perfect for him, a hint of sarcasm in the tone of the text. I also looked into the events, which varied from dinners to openings at galleries, as he’d mentioned earlier. I made reservations for both of us at every single one of them, knowing that plans changed sometimes. I knew I could ask Jasmine to come along, given the size of the room, but at the heat that burned between my thighs once again, I decided to make this a solo trip.

I had plans for the trip, plans that might forever change my life if I followed through with them.

The whole building started to talk about the trip as it got closer, and I was pleased to find out that Jasmine would be there with her boss. They were staying across the property from Landon and me, but I figured we’d see one another at the events, something that made me happy. Jasmine was my go-to when I was down, as she listened to me talk without judgment. She always made me feel better.

I kept my plans for the trip to myself, though.

Brian was as attentive as ever during the months approaching the trip, as he should have been. I never told him about Landon, so he had no reason to worry, even though my boss was getting further under my skin by the day.

The flirting had grown more intense since Landon knew he got to me now. He had me in his office nearly every day, helping him with something, and he’d always be too close. I always went to the bathroom afterward to get myself off, even at home when I was alone. When Brian was there, I’d drag him to bed to try to fuck the need for Landon out of my body and heart.

It was twisted, but Brian loved it, thinking it was about my feelings for him. I knew I was lying to him by not admitting the truth, but I couldn’t bring myself to break his heart.

He sent roses to me once a month, and I always noticed the look in Landon’s eyes. He looked angry and a little sad, and most of the time he dealt with it by having company in his office late in the afternoon or evening, and sometimes even at lunch. There was the woman I’d met before as well as others, and I knew Landon made it a point for me to see them. He was reminding me what I could have even as he flirted unrelentingly with me. He always found a way to touch me. He also always held my gaze a bit longer than needed when we were speaking, and I knew he could see my weakness for him in my gaze.

I started to lose myself the closer the trip got. I was obsessed with Landon even though I tried to focus on Brian. I was the perfect girlfriend on the surface, attentive and very physical with him, at least until he fell asleep. That was when I’d fall apart, in the bathroom or out on my cozy balcony. I knew I was sleeping less than I should have, but I blamed work for that, just in a different way than Brian would ever guess.

The week prior to leaving, I was late to work because I was in bed with Brian. I was on my knees and begging him to go harder, feeling him grip me as he drove himself deeper inside my body. I knew who was in my mind, but I was a professional at calling out the right name by now. I felt my body tighten as I remembered a moment with Landon, and then the slap of Brian’s hand against my ass shocked my orgasm into action. I screamed as I lurched forward, Brian thickening in me before he jerked and cried out my name.

It was perfectly rough but with the wrong man.

I cursed as I jumped into the shower and pulled my hair back into a low ponytail. I put on enough makeup to look decent and pulled on black slacks with a burgundy blouse and heels before rushing out of the apartment while Brian told me he loved me.

I arrived at the office a half hour late and hurried to my desk as I straightened my clothes with nervous hands. My pussy was still throbbing from the enthusiasm of the morning, but I tried to ignore it and turned on my computer quickly.

“You’re here.” I froze at Landon’s voice and turned to face him with a smile.

“I’m sorry. It was a rough morning,” I said as I flushed. I had to use those words, didn’t I? “I’ll make up my time with a short lunch, and it won’t happen again. I promise.”

Landon glanced around and leaned over my desk as his eyes darkened. “Are you late because you were fucking someone, Lily? You have that flush to your face and your eyes are brighter. I always loved this look on you when we were done.” I shifted in my seat as he spoke, feeling the discomfort the conversation caused in my bones. “I think it looked better when it was me inside you though. Don’t you?” I lifted my eyes to stare at him as he smiled coldly at me. “I’ll bet your sweet pussy still wants me right now. I’m guessing you’re wet and ready for me to make you come, because it’s never been like that with anybody else, has it?” He stood and ran his hand over the lump in his pants before turning and walking into his office as rage filled me.

Asshole. Why did I want him when he spoke to me like that? Brian told me the sweetest things when we were together, no matter how rough the sex was. I knew he loved me, and Landon was just an arrogant jerk. Still, I was wet and ready for Landon just like he said. I was hopeless.

I caught up on emails and checked on the reservations for the trip during the rushed morning, still upset about the conversation with Landon. Everything seemed to be in place until I double checked the cottages and saw that my first night had been deleted from the reservation. I lifted the phone and called to find out that someone had given it to another guest for that night, and since they were booked, I wouldn’t have a room the first night. I thanked the woman and hung up with a sigh. It was not that big of a deal since I could stay with Jasmine; she’d have no problem with that. But another idea crossed my mind as I drew my lip between my teeth.

Would Landon let me stay with him? We could get this out of our systems and be done with it for the remainder of the trip.

I blushed and ran my hand down my hair. That was a terrible thought and an awful thing to do to Brian when he trusted me so much. He was happy about this trip and what it would do for my job. He’d been encouraging me every step of the way.

I wasn’t blind to the fact that he was making plans with his friends while I was gone. Brian would always have his friends, and while he’d pushed them to the back burner when we’d gotten back together, I could see them inching forward. It wasn’t a shock since I worked late sometimes, and I didn’t hate them at all, but it reminded me of what had happened before. It fueled my lust for my boss and what we’d had when everything had become chaotic, making me miss it.

It made me justify my plan for the trip.

It was the Thursday before we left that I pretended to check my email when Landon was standing near my desk. “Oh, no. My reservation is wrong and I don’t have a room until Saturday night. I swore I had it right the first time . . . I wonder how the lobby is there?”

“Call them. You made it for tomorrow, right?” His face was creased with anger.