OVER THREE WEEKS HAVE passed since I moved back to Massachusetts, to my hometown of Newton and changed positions at work. Not much in my job is different, just the location and clients. There are more responsibilities, and I do have more people under me, but it feels about the same. My office is a little bit smaller but has a pretty good view of the Charles River, so nothing to complain about. I’m just over the border in our Cambridge office, and other than the traffic, I love it. The problem is my lack of social life. Maybe I need to get myself back out there. Force Niko Callahan from my mind.
Easier said than done, especially with the way our conversations have turned as of late. Why did I let Alyson’s texting him, behind my back, escalate to more than that one day? All it’s doing is screwing everything up and making me lie to him more. When he finds out what a horrible person I am, and the biggest liar . . . I can’t keep this up.
After that first day when Aly sent him those few text messages on my behalf, Niko has sent me a text daily. Multiple times a day.
First, it was just, good morning beautiful. Then, good night beautiful. Then he’d start with . . . Can’t stop thinking about you. Eventually, we’d started to get dirty, and as much as I wanted to be offended, I found his dirty texting kind of a turn-on. Like the one, he sent a little while ago.
Niko: You. My one-eyed snake. This weekend. We can do dinner beforehand. ;D
I can’t help but smile at his persistence. A few times I’ve almost given in, but stopped myself. Eventually, things took a turn, and not in a bad way. At least I didn’t think so at the time. I had my first sexting experience with him, which escalated quickly to phone sex with the man.
No. Not just any man. Nikolas Callahan and I had sex via text. Niko made me come over the phone the day before, his voice dark and delicious as he told me what to do. I pull out my phone and read the text messages I have yet to erase. While I’m reading them, a new message pops up from Niko.
Niko: What are you wearing right now?
Everly: What?
Niko: You read that right. What are you wearing right now? ;)
Everly: Why do you want to know what I’m wearing? What are you wearing?
Niko: I just got home from work. Took a shower and right now I’m completely naked stroking my cock with thoughts of every fucking delicious thing that we did the last time I saw you. You won’t let me see you again and I’m hurtin’ over here, so the least you can do, baby, is humor me by telling me what you are wearing right now.
“Oh my God!” I say in a whisper. I’m in my office alone, but Lance, my assistant, could walk in at any time. The thought of Niko mastrubating is so fucking hot that I can feel the wetness between my legs.
Niko: Do you like thinking about me touching myself?
My face turns bright red as I read Niko’s next text. Just thinking about him wearing jeans and a T-shirt is enough to set me on fire. Naked Niko? That is like adding gas to the fire. Naked Niko stroking his cock, is a guaranteed explosion!
It’s easy to forget everything when you’re texting with someone you’re not supposed to be talking to, but I put all thoughts of Cameron out of my mind when I talk to Niko. He’s growing on me, and he makes me laugh with some of the outrageous things he says. Sure, he’s arrogant, cocky, and sometimes a little more full of himself than I’d like, but he’s also sweet and funny. I keep telling him that I can’t get away, and for the most part, he’s understanding. Until recently, that is.
Niko: Still with me, baby?
I know I should not even consider this while I’m at work, but I get up and walk over to my office door and open it to see if Lance is at his desk. He’s not, thank God. I close the door and lock it before walking back to my desk and sitting down before replying to Niko.
Everly: I’m here. I had to lock my office door.
Niko: Fuck yeah! Now tell me what you’re wearing?
Everly: I’m wearing my work attire. Nothing sexy about that.
Niko: You have no idea how sexy clothing can be so tell me what you have on . . .
Everly: Black pencil skirt, white blouse. Nothing sexy, trust me.
Niko: Fuck. I bet you look hot as fuck in your tight skirt. You wearing high heels?
Everly: Yes. Black ones.
Niko: You have no idea the dirty things I want to do to you. I’m stroking my cock while thinking about your long legs wrapped around my waist while I watch my cock going in and out of that hot, wet, beautiful pussy you have.
“Oh God,” I say as my hand travels to the top of my blouse and rests there. I’m not sure if I can keep saying no much longer. The truth is, I don’t want to say no, but I just can’t see how this can keep going the way it’s been. I read the last text Niko sent and reply with my response, smiling while I do so.
Everly: I’m picturing you in my head right now.
Niko: Remember how it felt when I was inside of you? How your pussy would squeeze my cock every time I’d thrust back into you. I know I remember. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since that night.
Niko: I wanted you again when I woke up, but you were gone. I wanted to hear you scream my name as I emptied myself in you. Don’t you want that again?
I don’t answer him because the truth is, I do want that again. I want that and more, but it can never happen. I close the door on that thought and concentrate on the now with Niko.
Everly: I’m so wet right now that I’m going to have to take my panties off because they’re drenched. This is so unfair. I’m at work and you’re at home with no chance of anyone walking in on you.
Niko: Did you forget that you locked the door? I want you to pull your skirt up to your hips, slide those wet panties off and pretend that your fingers are my lips and tongue caressing, kissing and sucking on your pretty pink pussy.
Jesus! I’m not usually into dirty talk, but reading the words Niko just sent to me has me feeling as if I’m on fire.
Niko: Did you do what I asked?
Everly: You’re so bossy . . . Yes. Happy now?
Niko: Not yet, but this will do. For now . . .
Niko: Can you feel me, baby? Feel the way my tongue slides between your folds? Fuck . . . Your taste is so damn addicting. I could eat you for days and never tire of the taste of you.
I was playing along at first, but there is no way I can’t actually touch myself, and do what he asked. I look at the door and listen for a second before pulling my skirt up and removing my panties. Of course mastrubating isn’t new to me, but I usually use my vibrator at home and usually late at night, not while I’m at work locked away in my new office.
Niko: I’d suck your clit into my mouth and at the same time I’d put a finger into your wet pussy then add another so that I could finger fuck you while licking and sucking your clit. Do you remember when I did that? How good it felt and how your hips rocked up and down faster and faster as I got you there? How fucking good that felt when I ate you like a starving man without food or water for weeks? Because I fucking do. It’s all I think about lately.
Everly: Yes.
Niko: Fuck . . . I’m so fucking close at just the thought of you. You make me feel like a teenager all over again.
Niko: I’m calling you. I need to hear your voice, hear you come.
I don’t get the chance to reply before my cell phone is ringing. I hit the green answer button and hold the phone to my ear.
“You there, baby?” Niko says into the phone. He sounds like he’s breathing heavy, and I know that this wasn’t just dirty text messages. He really is mastrubating.
“I’m here,” I tell him and put my hand and fingers back between my legs.
“You still touching your pussy, baby?” he asks, strain obvious in his voice.
“Yes,” I say in a whisper so that Lance or anyone outside my office won’t hear.
“Tell me, just how wet are you?”
My fingers slide easily across my opening and I gasp. “I’m really wet.”
“Fuck!” he hisses. “I want my mouth on you so fucking bad right now that it hurts whenever I think about it. Do you know how painful that is, baby? What you do to me?”
“I do now,” I say and smile at the thought of Niko walking around with sporadic hard-ons. I almost giggle into the phone, but when I hear his breathing intensify, all thought of laughter leaves my brain.
“Next time I see you, and there will be a next time, I’m going to fuck that beautiful mouth of yours. The memory of your full, luscious lips, wrapped around my cock while I pull out and then slide back into your mouth is seared into my brain forever.” I can hear his hand moving up and down on his dick, the lubricated sounds as he strokes and says the words. The struggle of his labored breath is accentuated in each word he speaks. “I want that again. I want to feel that warm mouth around my cock while you suck me fucking dry. Just like you did the first time. Do you remember that, baby? How I tasted on your tongue as I held your head and thrust in and out of your mouth?”
He’s struggling to talk, but it’s not stopping him and I’m so damn turned on that I think I might just come from hearing him get himself off on the phone. My fingers are rolling over my clit, making tiny circles as I imagine it’s Niko’s mouth there instead of my own fingers.
“Put your finger in your pussy. I want you to finger yourself like I would. Remember what it felt like when I fucked you with my hand. Hurry, baby. I need you there with me and I’m so fucking close right now.”
Right then I hear voices coming from outside of my office, but I don’t stop. I couldn’t if I wanted to. The door is locked, so they’ll just have to wait if they decide to knock. My fingers travel from my clit down lower to my entrance. I put one, then two fingers inside of myself and pump them in and out, just like I remember Niko doing to me the night we were together. My breathing quickens, and I can feel myself reaching the edge of a cliff I’m more than ready to fall off.
“That’s it. In and out. I want you to bring all those delicious juices back up to your clit and circle her. You ready, because I’m fucking dying over here, baby. I’ve got pre-cum coming from the slit of my cock and he’s ready to blow. I want you to come with me,” he says, and I can hear him struggling to hold back and wait for me. “Tell me what’s going on, baby. I need you to tell me.”
“I’m so wet, Niko. I think even more than I was the night we were together. I’m remembering about how you felt. How your fingers and mouth attacked my pussy. Every time you pumped them in and out of me. How I screamed when you bit my clit and then sucked it into your warm mouth. I loved it all. Every. Fucking. Thing. You. Did. I’ve used my vibrator so many times since you fucked me that I’ve gone through four sets of batteries,” I say, and my fingers continue to slide in and out, up and down, over and over again. My hips are rocking even though there are people standing right outside my office door. I’m about to come and it’s killing me not to scream out loud and give myself away to everyone in my office.
“Fuck! I can’t wait, baby. Fuck! Fuck! Come with me,” he says, and I hear his hand strokes going faster and faster as he moans into the phone.
“Niko! Oh my God, Niko, it feels so good. So damn good.”
“That’s it. Faster. Rub your clit faster, baby. It’s my tongue. I’m sucking your swollen clit into my mouth and my fingers are pumping that pussy so hard right now just waiting to replace them with my cock. Give it to me, baby. Let me hear you scream!” he says, and that’s it.
I scream out as I push myself over the edge while listening to Niko fall over his own ledge. My body shakes as I continue to rub circles on my clit until it’s too much for me, and I move back down my entrance, pumping my fingers inside myself and feeling the walls of my pussy pulsate around them. I continue to do this until I hear Niko’s moan and his hand strokes start to slow down, and I know he’s just exploded. As soon as I pull my hand away and sit in my office chair, boneless, there is a knock at my door.
“Fuck, baby. That was—”
“Oh shit! I have to go, Niko. I’ll call you later,” I hang up before waiting for him to say anything. As I stand up, I pull my skirt back down and try to rub any wrinkles that it might have. “Just a second,” I yell to whoever is on the other side of my door. I round my desk and walk to the door, unlocking it before pulling it open. My assistant, Lance, is standing there with another guy that I don’t know.
“Sorry to bother you, Everly,” Lance says cautiously before looking behind me into my office. “We heard a scream?” It comes out as more of a question. I don’t know if it shows, but I’m mortified that I allowed myself to do what I just did with Niko in my office. “Everything okay?”
“Umm, yeah. I just saw a really big spider. Dropped right down on my desk and scared the shit out of me,” I say to Lance and watch as he quirks an eyebrow at my using the word “Shit.” I’m always professional with everyone here, and swearing isn’t something I do when I’m at work.
“Okay, then. I just wanted to make sure. Is it too hot in here? I can turn down the thermostat if you need me to?” he asks, and I’m confused by his question.
“No, it’s fine. It’s comfortable in here, but if you’re hot, feel free to lower it.”
“No, I’m good. I just thought maybe you were hot. You look flushed, so I just assumed your office was too warm.”
“No, thank you for asking, though. I’m just going to make a few phone calls, so if that’s all?”
“Of course. I’ll be at my desk. Let me know if you need anything,” he says and walks away with the man he was obviously talking to during my phone sex call with Niko. I close the door to my office and walk back to my desk and sit, blowing out a breath as I do. I hear my phone vibrate on my desk, and I reach for it.
Niko: Everything okay?
Everly: Yes. No. Someone knocked at my door.
Niko: I thought it was something like that. You good?
Everly: Yes, but I don’t think we should do that anymore while I’m at work LOL
Niko: Well, at least you are saying there will be a next time. ;) Now if you’ll just agree to let me see you in person, we’ll be great. What do you say?
Everly: No.
Niko: Baby, I know you want to see me again, stop trying to deny it. What could one date hurt?
God, he’s so cocky. One of these days someone needs to pop that bubble he calls a head. I laugh to myself, thinking of the night I went home with Niko and left him before he woke with nothing but a note saying “thanks!” At least I popped it once. I’m sure of it. Didn’t stop the cocksure bastard from re-inflating that ego of his and I just helped that along by fucking him via text message and phone sex. Good job, Everly. Might have to do something about that soon, but first, I need to look at what could be my future home. The faster I get out of my parents’ house, the better. I can deal with Niko and his dirty mouth later.
Everly: Love how you assume a date is the issue.
Niko: Considering how you were talking to me a few minutes ago, panting and screaming as you came, just from the things my voice told you to do, over the phone at that. I figured sex is a given. :D
Everly: I can’t this weekend.
Niko: You said that last weekend :/
Everly: Because it was true.
Niko: I’ll break you down soon, babe. You can’t keep resisting me forever.
I’ve got my lip trapped between my teeth as I smile down at my phone. It’s so incredibly hard to turn him down.
Everly: I bet that’s something new to you, huh?
Niko: It is, actually.
Everly: Maybe it’s a sign that you should give up?
Niko: Give up? I’m not a quitter.
Everly: No, but you seem to be a glutton for punishment. :)
Niko: I think I have to agree with you there. Considering the fact that I’m having a relationship via text and phone, I’d say you are right about that . . . This is crazy. Just let me see you. I can come to you if you can’t get away.
Everly: This isn’t a relationship, Niko.
He doesn’t reply to my last text. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but it’s not. It was only supposed to be one night. One extraordinary night to cleanse myself of every dirty little fantasy I’ve ever had about him, along with the new ones that popped up the second I saw him again. That was the plan once I made it, and then to move the hell on. The problem is that I can’t stop thinking about him.
Every dirty little thing he did to me and every last inch of his delicious body that I touched with my tongue. It haunts me. I can still taste him after weeks, and it’s driving me crazy.
He’s in every dream, every fantasy. My battery-operated friends only seem to sour the memory, a poor substitute for the flesh. And he’s funny. I find myself looking forward to our text messages and occasional phone calls. He sends most at night while he’s at work and things are slow. I can see how dangerous Niko is, and why he’s known as a ladies man. I’d fall every time if I were them. Hell, I was and am them. I’m addicted after just one night.
“Earth to Everly . . . Alyson Payne to Everly Hayes, come in, Everly.” Aly’s voice breaks through my Niko-induced trance.
It’s been two hours and I’m still completely lost in Niko land.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“I asked if you liked your housewarming present, and I want the details on what’s happening with Niko.”
“I can’t get into that right now. I have a meeting in a little bit, but I promise I’ll fill you in.”
“You’d better! What about the gift I sent you?”
I glance over at my stacks of rainbow-colored Post-it notes and smile. “I love it!”
“I knew you would, weirdo.”
“Hey! I take offense to that.”
“Ha! Says the girl obsessed with Post-it notes. You’ve got a sickness.”
“Right back at ya, Miss Obsessed-With-Buying-Scratch-Tickets.”
“Hey! You can’t win if you don’t play. I could win big. You can’t win shit with Post-its. Sorry, sweetie.” She giggles in my ear as we go back and forth with our usual teasing.
“No, but I like organization and my Post-its help with that. They keep me on track. Don’t you say anything about my quirks or I’ll start bringing up all of your weird idiosyncrasies. Not just your scratch ticket obsession.”
“Well, tell me this, then. You zoned out because you were thinking about all the naughty-girl sex you had, aren’t you?”
“I’m not going to confirm or deny it. Let’s just say that I need to find a different guy to fuck that will help me get over him. That is one peen I’m not sure I’ll ever forget.”
The door to my office swings open and in walks Cam, his eyes wide.
“Whoa! Covering my ears. I do not want to hear about my little sister boning some guy! And peen? Seriously, Ev? If you call it peen, I can see how you’d never forget it. Hell, I’m scared, and I have no idea what the fuck a peen is. Sounds like some deformed dick that I certainly don’t want to hear about.”
I shake my head. “Aly, I’ll call you back. Cam just walked into my office, and I think he needs a reminder that not only am I not a child anymore but that I’m also not the Virgin Mary.”
“Love you, girl.” She pauses, and I think she’s hung up, but there’s no click. “Grow a brain, moron.”
Cam’s expression drops. “Fuck off, Aly.”
And there’s the click.
“I told you she hasn’t changed. Doesn’t mention me, my fucking ass! I don’t understand why you’re still friends with her.”
I stare at Cam, giving him my best disapproving look. “I really can’t tell if you two are messing with each other or just hate each other’s guts for some unknown reason.”
“She’s a crazy witch, and I’m not afraid to tell her. Someone needs to put her in her place, knock her off her high horse for once. I don’t mind doing it.”
“What’s up?” I change the subject. I can’t listen to the same thing I’ve heard from him forever. It bothers me that my best friend and my brother hate each other, and for the life of me, I have no idea why.
“Wanted to see if you were free for dinner,” he says while looking around my new office.
“You couldn’t use the phone for that?”
He shrugs. “I was in the area. Plus I wanted to see my sis’s swanky office. Gotta say it’s a bit smaller than I was envisioning.”
“But I have a window.”
“That you do. And you get to see the dirty watah that is known here in these parts as the Charles River. Or maybe being in California all this time has you forgetting about all the joys of living in Boston. Either way, go you, sis! This office is prime.”
I laugh and shake my head at him and then I pull up my calendar as it’s the only way I stay sane, and glance down. “I’m going to go see two places after work, but if you don’t mind dinner at about seven, I’m good.”
“Sounds perfect.” Cam props his foot up on the edge of my desk, and I eye the boots he’s wearing.
“Awesome. Can we go to Legal’s?” I could go for some lobster.
“You haven’t had your seafood fix yet?” Cam asks, surprised.
“Never. I’ve missed the food here. I want to inhale it all, and get your feet off my desk.”
Cam laughs and shakes his head, dropping his big feet to the floor. “I thought we could do Bisuteki.”
“Japanese steakhouse?”
“Yeah. We can hit the one over here on Memorial Drive. Save ourselves from traffic.”
I nod in agreement. “Sounds good. I haven’t been there in years, and I used to love their sushi.”
“Great. I’ll call ahead, so we get a table.” He places his hands on the armrests and pushes out of the chair. “Good luck with the house hunting today. Hopefully one will work out.”
“God, I hope so. I want my things. Living out of suitcases sucks.”
“I bet. It will work out. One thing at a time, Ev. See you at dinner.” He gives me a wave as he heads out the door.
Hopefully when I see him next, I’ll have good news on the house front. I hope so, as the search has been killer. I thought California real estate was crazy, but it was nothing compared to my current search.
The novelty of staying with my parents has worn off, and I’m ready to be on my own again.
“This is a three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath, just over nineteen hundred square feet semi-attached home that just went on the market today,” Marcy, my realtor and my parents’ neighbor, says as we stand in front of the third house of the evening. It’s the twenty-fifth home she’s taken me to in recent weeks. The problem isn’t me picking one; it’s the market. Taking a night to decide has cost me three different houses already. Things are flying off the market so fast I’ve upped my budget in hopes of snatching one.
“I love the front,” I say as we head up the paved walkway. It’s a freshly painted blue-gray with white trim. “The bay window is beautiful.”
“It was just renovated, so everything is brand new down to the pipes and electrical, so nothing to worry about there.” Marcy turns the handle and opens the door.
My mouth goes slack as we walk in. Light hardwoods run through the open floor plan, marble tiles wrap the fireplace, and in the back, there is what looks like a gorgeous kitchen. There’s even a back porch leading to a private backyard.
I could get a dog.
I try not to show my excitement or how much this place feels like home. From the architectural details to the gorgeous finishes, there is still a warmth that calls to me. I let Marcy continue to show me around. The master bedroom is on the second floor with a huge bathroom and custom walk-in closet. Up there is a second bedroom and bath, then the third floor, which was once an attic space, has been finished out with another bedroom and bath.
When we return to the main floor, Marcy turns to me. “You’ve been quiet.”
I nod. “Offer ten grand above list price, closing in a week.”
Marcy’s mouth drops open. “Really?” She blows out a breath. “Way to almost send me into a panic, Everly. I thought you hated it!”
A laugh springs out. “I thought jumping up and down screaming ’This is the one’ might have been a bit childish.”
“Childish, maybe, but I wouldn’t tell.” She winks at me.
I look around and heave a sigh, a smile on my lips. “You think they’d let me stay the night?”
Marcy chuckles and shakes her head. “Maybe in a week.” She turns off all the lights, and we head out. “I’ll submit the offer as soon as I get back to the office, so maybe half an hour, but I’ll call the realtor on the way.”
“Excellent. I’ll be happy not to be living out of suitcases.”
“I’m sure,” Marcy says as she steps forward and wraps her arms around me. “Have a good dinner with Cameron, and I’ll call you the second I have any news.”
“Thanks, Marcy.”
“Dammit, Jojo, calm down!” a deep male voice says, causing us to turn.
Coming onto the front porch from the other door of the large duplex is a tall man with a wiggly butt pit bull who is wrapping him up with a leash as she circles around him in excitement. The dog sees us and heads over, tightening the knot she’s caused.
“Hi, baby,” I say with a smile as I bend over to pet the taupe coat of the grinning canine.
“Oh! I’m so sorry,” the deep, sexy voice of her owner says.
I look up, Jojo’s tongue bathing my hand while she continues to wiggle. “It’s okay . . .” I trail off, words leaving me as I stare into a set of beautiful green eyes on chiseled features.
Hot damn. His voice matches his face and body. I wouldn’t say he’s hotter than Niko, but he’s close. Oh boy, is he close.
“Jojo!” He pulls on the leash, and she bounds over. “So sorry, I didn’t see you. I’m Grant, and this hyper girl is Jojo.”
He holds out a hand, and I slip mine in. “Everly.”
Strong, firm handshake. I like that. Grant is confident, and it’s showing. I’m sure he’s broken a heart or ten in his lifetime.
His smile is brilliant, matched only by Jojo, who is tugging on his arm while she sniffs the grass.
“Are you here to look at the house?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes. I’m putting in an offer.”
“Excellent. Well, I just moved in a few weeks ago. I love it here. I’m pretty sure I’ll love it even more as the month goes on.” He smiles at me, and I’m not sure if he’s hitting on me or not. I’ve never been good at being able to tell when a guy is flirting or just being friendly.
Another tug on his arm, and he looks over to the dog before locking eyes with mine. “I better get going before she rips my arm off. Good luck—I hope you get it. I think it would be great to have you as my new neighbor.”
I smile as I watch him as he heads down the steps, Jojo pulling him along. “Nice meeting you, Jojo!” I yell, and Grant turns to look back. A smile is stretching from ear to ear.
Damn. I’m sure he’s got a lot of women falling at his feet. I would probably be one of them if I hadn’t been ruined by Niko Callahan already, and as much as I’d like to date other people, right now I can’t. I also can’t date Niko, no matter how hard he tries to get me to give in. We started out with a lie, and that lie is still a big red flag when it comes to him and me. I need to move on.
“Do you think he even saw me standing next to you?” Marcy asks with a chuckle.
“Great neighborhood,” I say with a wink. “I’m sure he was just being friendly.”
“With the way he was looking at you? That was flirting,” Marcie says with a chuckle.
Unfortunately for me, I can’t seem to stop thinking about the flirting that another man does with me. Niko is the only man that I’m interested in flirting with at the moment, and that’s bad. I might just have to force myself to look into other options. Force being the key word. God, I am so screwed.