She Shouldnt, But She Will (23 page)

“I ate earlier, but I can have coffee while you eat.”

“I had something earlier, too. I’ll start a pot of coffee here.” He cleaned his brushes and went into the kitchenette.

“Why do you want me to go to the Oglethorpe’s with you Friday?”

“I like your company and they did invite both of us.”

“Will Lei be there?”

“I don’t know. Would that be a problem?”

“No, but that’s the kind of thing I was talking about yesterday. She and I did things I couldn’t have imagined before I met you.” He stared at her, a scoop of coffee grounds suspended between can and filter. “She said she was going into the house and I knew I had to keep her from interrupting you.” Thia stopped to draw breath.

“Don’t get me wrong. I was glad to do it so you had time to search the house but the thing is, we were two women and she kissed me and I kissed her back, and, and I can’t explain it.” Heat inflamed her cheeks. She sank further into the sofa cushions.

Derek dumped the grounds into the filter and started the pot brewing. Then he walked to the sofa and sat by Thia. He took her hand, “I think I understand. I guess I’ve been doing this kind of work so long I don’t realize what I’m asking of others. But Thia, I never would have wanted you to do something you were uncomfortable with. Never. If Lei had come into the house, I would have improvised. I’m sorry for whatever happened.”

“I was uncomfortable. Shocked even, to begin with.” She snuck a glance at him. “But then, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed kissing another woman, Derek, and touching her and making her come with my mouth. My private life has changed so much it’s no longer consistent with my professional life. I can’t even talk about a lot of what we do at work and I don’t just mean the sex.”

“I see.” They sat quietly for a few moments, until the coffee was finished.

Derek poured their cups and they sat at the table. “I think you’re embarrassed because you’ve seen a whole world of passion you didn’t know existed. But none of it is bad, unless you make it so, Thia. Frankly, I think what you and I do together is pretty darn special. It makes me happy when I make you feel good, and what you do to me is nothing short of spectacular.”

“But afterwards, when I’m sitting in my office—”

“Is your business suffering? Not from what I saw in Jackson’s reports. Are you losing sleep? Praying I don’t call you again?”

She had to admit, “No.”

“You’re the same person, Thia. Professional when you need to be and free when you’re able. When you were with Lei you found out valuable information. Did it matter you were in a hot tub instead of behind a desk?”

Thia looked at Derek, considering his words. He made sense. She only thought of her time with Derek as wrong for her when she was back in her button-down world. If she wanted to keep seeing Derek she’d have to find a way to deal with her dual states of mind.

“What’s going to be happening next weekend besides delivering the paintings?”

“The invitation indicated nothing but spending Friday night there. So we would be going blind from that stand point.” His bland expression betrayed none of his thoughts.

“I guess since I was with you before it would be good if I went this time. Right?”

“That’s pretty much it, but if you don’t want to get any deeper into this thing I will understand. There is danger dealing with drug dealers.”

“Lei had nothing but good things to say about Sylvester and Lilly. She keeps their books, so if they were involved in drugs she’d know, and I think she would have dropped a hint. She was free talking about the school in Korea and the slave marketing.”

“I don’t expect anything rough to take place. Lei would have told them we came in through the back gate so we can’t count on that as an escape route if things go south. My contacts will know where we are and that’s the best I can promise. This is a think-fast-on-your-feet weekend. Don’t come with me if you have any doubts or concerns.”

“A mystery weekend outing without an escape route. Why would I have concerns?”

He chuckled. “I mean it, Thia.”

She sighed, knowing her decision had been made. She didn’t want to give up Derek. She liked exploring a side of herself she’d never known existed. She loved the fireworks he set off in her and the way he challenged her to accept every new thrill.

“I’m coming.” His face creased into a grin. “I didn’t mean that the way you took it.”

“I’ll take it any way I can get it, sweetheart.”

She shook her head. “Incorrigible. Well, if we’re going to be visiting the Oglethorpes, don’t you think we should know more about each other?”

“Good point. As far as you and the Oglethorpes know—and I’m sure they investigated me before the masquerade—I’m Derek Anderson a rich guy with a trust fund who likes to paint. The DEA set me up with this cover a few years ago and I’ve kept it. If my company hadn’t done the C&H investigation, that’s all you would have known also.”

“You mean you would have lied to me?”

“Strong word. In this case, lying would have been for your protection. Mine, too. Would it have made a difference?”

“Probably not. How about other minor details, like do you have a wife and family?”

“Parents and a sibling, no one else.”

“Not even a girlfriend?”

He grinned again. “Just you, and you’re all I can handle.”

“Is there anything else you aren’t telling me?”

“I got up at
five o’clock
this morning.”

“Smart ass,” she muttered.

“When this is over I’ll tell you my life story if you like.”

“I think I’d like that.” She sipped her coffee. “So, you’re Derek Anderson and I am who?”

“They know you as Sin we can stick with that if you like. You played your part at the masquerade so well they may think of you as just being with me. They didn’t ask for your name when they invited me for the weekend. They did ask if you were coming and I told them I would ask you.”

“What if they ask me for my last name?”

“Just tell them the truth, Williams. But don’t volunteer any information. Really, tell them as little as you can. We really did just meet so that’s your excuse for not knowing much about me.” Derek winked at her. “If you tell them we don’t spend much time talking, they’ll appreciate and understand it.”

Thia said with some sarcasm, “You mean tell them you’re the best fuck I have ever had?”

“Well, only if it’s true.” He blinked looking innocent as a boy who’d never bedded a woman. Then he smiled, and the wolf came back. “So I’m nothing more than a good cock? I feel so used.”

“Poor boy. Isn’t that why you keep calling me?”

“I’ve needed a beautiful, smart woman. You’re definitely smart and great eye candy.”

Did that bother her? Strangely, no. She trusted Derek in every way and she genuinely liked him. She thought maybe he liked her, too. There was so much to explore in the sensual world, she didn’t think about love. Right now, she wanted just what he was willing to give her.

She blew him an air kiss.

Derek leaned back in his chair and studied Thia. Good God, she would do it, she’d come with him, even with her reservations. She was amazing. Definitely a keeper. The kind of woman he could get attached to if he didn’t take care.

“We’ll stick as close to reality as possible. Use your real name, and the way we met is good.”

“If they ask anything else about us, I’ll say I had a boring life before I met you and you’ve changed all that. To make me feel more comfortable, let’s meet as much as we can between now and when we go.”

“Good idea.”

“I need to ask you a question before it drives me crazy.”

“Okay.”

“The picture you’ve been using for your painting? She looks like she just had an orgasm.”

He smiled and leaned closer. “Have you heard of a butterfly?” If she had he would be surprised. She hadn’t known about cock rings until the trip to Monterey. When he used it last night in the camper, they’d about driven each other to insanity and back.

“Well of course, who hasn’t?”

“Let me get it and you can see what you think.” He went to a dresser along the wall. When he came back, he held a small box.

Derek handed it to Thia. She read the box, then opened it and stared silently. “My god, where did you get this?”

“A little shop on

“What would I do with it?”

“Put it on and give me the remote.”

“In your dreams. You mean when you take pictures of the models they are wearing one of these and you actually use it to get the look you want?”

“Some can accomplish that look on their own but others need a little help. Personally, I think some of them just enjoy it.”

Suspicion crossed her pretty face. “Are you sure you don’t have a girlfriend?”

“I’m sure. They don’t think of me as anything but an artist. Besides, they aren’t my type.”

She looked at the butterfly again, and the suspicion was replaced with curiosity. “Do you want me to wear one of these?”

“Only if you want to try it. I know I’d have fun.”

“So, when do you want me to wear this thing?”

“How about now? It’s almost lunch time and the place across the street is somewhere I’m sure we won’t see anybody you know.”

“Don’t I get time to think about it?”

“What’s to think about?”

“So, let me get this straight. You want me to wear that thing so you can make me have an orgasm in public.”

“Well, maybe just get you sexually excited.”

“Then what?”

“Something fun when we get back after lunch.”

“I don’t know. This is what I was talking about earlier.”

“You don’t have to do it, Thia. Honestly, sweetheart. Don’t make things hard for yourself. I’m certainly not trying to.”

Thia took the box into the bathroom and remerged a few minutes later.

Derek reached out. She hesitated before handing him the remote. Slowly, he moved the slide on the remote.

Thia’s eyes widened then she grabbed her pussy. “Oh, oh my.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Um, yes.” She sighed. “Orgasms in public. I’ve done it again.”

“Done what again?”

“Started something I shouldn’t be doing at all.” She glanced at him sideways. “If you make me come at the table they will probably throw us out.”

“I’ve been thrown out of there before.”

Thia giggled. “Well, I haven’t. Come on before I change my mind.”

As Derek and Thia crossed the street and entered the café, Thia felt the excitement of anticipation. They sat and picked up their menus.

Just as she looked up at the waiter to order, Derek turned on the devilish device for a few seconds. She gasped, sucking in a deep breath.

Concerned, the waiter asked, “Is there something wrong?”

“No,” she said quickly in a slightly higher voice than normal. Derek turned the butterfly off.

They ordered and the waiter retreated to the kitchen.

Thia glared into Derek’s eyes. “Behave!”

He turned it on, making her squirm. Several people turned to look at them and Thia gritted her teeth to avoid moaning aloud.

By the time lunch came, Derek had turned it on several times and Thia was squirming even when the device was off. She started eating but almost dropped the sandwich when Derek zapped her.

After a few bites she looked at Derek almost daring him to push the slide. He didn’t disappoint. By the time they had finished lunch Thia was squirming almost constantly and the pink of embarrassment showed on her face.

“Derek, please, can we get back?”

“Is there something wrong?”

Thia leaned across the table and in a low voice said, “You know there is and if you don’t—” Derek pushed the slide making her blurt out “—
Fuck me!
”

Now the pink in her cheeks flamed to red and she started to giggle. He hurried her back to the studio.

Derek activated the butterfly as soon as the studio door opened. In anticipation, Thia began stripping as she went through the door. When the door closed, she pushed down her pants and removed the device. “You did this to me. So fix it and I mean now.”

He pulled her to him and took her mouth hungrily. “You think you were the only one affected by it?” he murmured against her lips. His tongue swept into her mouth. Her tongue met his and danced.

With trembling fingers, Thia unbuttoned his shirt as he loosened his pants. She pushed the shirt over his shoulders and down his arms as he released his rock-hard cock.

Thia turned to lean across an easy chair. He moved between her legs, his groin to her butt. She reached back to position his dick at her pussy. Then she pushed back, easily taking him, she was so wet.

Derek held her hips and started a slow pump. Holding her firmly, he controlled their speed.

“Faster! Faster,
damn it
! Fuck me.”

He ignored her pleas and kept his own pace, prolonging her agony. When he was ready, his pounding increased in speed and intensity. She rubbed her clitoris and soon her body thrashed against his hold as she tried to get release.

When at last release came, every muscle in her pulled tight and she struggled to catch her breath. Derek strained, holding her to him. Through her haze she felt him come, knew he filled her with himself. He pushed her into the back of the chair as his weight settled on her back, still keeping his hold.

As calm replaced the splintered reality of her orgasm, she wilted, her knees buckling, and Derek had to carry her to the bed.

The lingering scent of sex surrounded them as he cuddled her. After a while he kissed her temple and sat up. “Do you want to sleep or read? I’m going to paint.”

Thia pulled the sheet over her. “I think sleep.”

Derek lingered. “What about that cliff?”

“I like you, Derek, and I trust you. If I go over that cliff I’ll just have to deal with it.” A calm came over her like a great weight was lifted as she snuggled into the pillow and closed her eyes.

She thought she heard Derek say, “That’s my girl,” but she couldn’t be sure.

Hours later, Derek shook her awake. “Hey, sleepyhead.”

“Oh no. What time is it?”

“Almost six. Want to have dinner?”