Body Image (Body Heat Series Book 2) (10 page)

I
want
Bayne to see me as his secret weapon when it comes to his business, so I spare no effort in prepping for the cocktail party. I don’t want to walk into the room cold, so I get a list of all his employees and clients and do some internet research beforehand. I commit a few tidbits to memory for each individual, so that I won’t be stuck going into any conversation blindly.

I wear a chic cocktail dress that perfectly coordinates with the tie Bayne will be wearing, and I spend hours picking my accessories, plucking my brows, filing my nails, styling my hair, and applying my makeup.

Not a moment of my prep time was wasted: I feel like a queen when I stroll into the bar on Bayne’s arm. He takes me around the room and introduces me to friends and clients alike.

I discuss marathon running with billionaire John Heckles, the state of the PGA tour with oil magnate Eric Richardson, oil painting with startup wizard Annalisa Rice, and Game of Thrones theories with Nate from accounting. At some point in the evening, Bayne stops looking at me like he’s amazed, and starts looking at me like he’s
amazed
. I’ve never worked a room as hard as I’m working this room tonight, and I know the payoff is going to be worth it.

I need Bayne to realize he can’t live without me. Because I already know I want to spend the rest of my life with him.

We leave the bar a couple hours later, after he wishes everyone goodnight and pays up on his tab. I head for the car, but he takes me by the hand and leads me around the corner into the alleyway. I never question my safety. We’re in a good part of town, and I know Bayne can handle anything. Mostly I’m curious to see what he has in mind.

“What are you up to, handsome?”

“I’m trying to be a little more adventurous.” He pins me against the brick wall and kisses me so hard it takes my breath away. His tongue traces the tender skin inside my lips and then plays against my tongue. I guess he does have a little bit of a kinky side after all. I’m delighted he wants to get in touch with it.

“So what are you going to do?” I ask when I break my lips away from his. “Fuck me out here, where anyone could see us?” I reach down and rub the bulge in his pants while he pulls my skirt up until it’s bunched around my waist. The wall behind me is cold, but his hands are hot as he kneads my ass and grinds against me.

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do. So if you have a problem with it, now’s the time to say something.” His voice is raspy in my ear. I’m not about to argue.

“My only problem is that your cock isn’t in me yet,” I say.

I hear the clang of his belt buckle followed by the metallic slide of his zipper. He moves between my thighs, lifts me so I’m even with his cock, and braces himself against the wall. His hand snakes between my legs and massages my pussy, and I’m ready for him in seconds. I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck as he thrusts deep into me.

My head tilt back and a primal moan escapes me. I’m not used to his girth, and I feel myself stretch as he pushes inside of me. I could stay this way forever. His pubic bone grinds against my clit as he fucks me; I can feel his balls slap my ass with each powerful thrust. He grunts with exertion as he works me over, and I bite back a scream of pleasure as I come against him.

Our faces are centimeters apart. I gaze into his eyes, and he stares back with raw lust. And love. There’s more in there than just sexual attraction. I can feel it. He leans forward and devours me with his mouth. He tastes like expensive whiskey, and his tongue mimics the obscene thrusting of his cock. He’s plunging into me like he’s insatiable, and I feel pressure building again in my core. He reaches one hand down to play with my clit as he fucks me relentlessly. I’m so close again, and when he lowers his head to lick and suck my neck, I’m gone. I buck against him and bite his shoulder through his jacket. He takes two more powerful thrusts and releases inside of me. I feel the thick ropes of his cum, and little shivers of pleasure run through me.

He holds me there, pinned against the wall, with his breath coming in heavy gasps. His cock softens and slips out of me, and I feel his cum run down my thighs. He hands me a handkerchief from his pocket and I tidy up before he escorts me to the car.

I can’t keep my hands off him on the ride home. I squeeze his biceps, massage his chest, and rub his perfect cock through his trousers. Luckily, the problem is mutual. He palms my breasts when we’re stopped at traffic lights and works his hand up my dress when we’re on the freeway. By the time he carries me inside, I’m seconds away from release.

If day 30 had a motto, it would be “some things are worth waiting for.”

I
open
my desk drawer for the third time today and stare at the small ring box within. I’m excited that the General gave me permission for Caroline’s hand, along with her mother’s wedding ring, but the thought of actually proposing makes me want to throw up. I haven’t had these kind of nerves in years.

Tonight is the night. I’ve been sitting on this ring for a couple of weeks, and it’s time to man up and pop the question. Things with Caroline have never been better. The sex is hot, the conversation is fantastic, and I haven’t had this much fun in years. Did I mention the sex was hot? All I know is I won’t rest easy until she’s my wife.

My toe is tapping so hard my desk is shaking. Time to distract myself with work. I turn to my laptop and open an email from my second in command. It’s a forward and my stomach sinks the second I click on the link and the grainy video starts playing. It’s dark and hard to see, but even without the timestamp I’d know it’s me and Caroline in the alleyway. My bare ass is front and center, pumping away. I can live with that; I’m just glad the jerk never got a good look at Caroline.

Panic isn’t a fun emotion. I’ve tried for years to control it and minimize it, but the feeling that rips through my nervous system right now is primal. I start forming a mental to do list: figure out where this came from, who knows about it, how to delete it, how to make sure Caroline and, God help me, her father never find out about it.

First, I open the original email and read the text from Luther.
Bayne - one of the field guys sent me this clip of some action from outside our last cocktail hour. We’re starting an office pool if you want to guess who it is. My money is on the marathoner - look at that rock hard ass.

I’m torn between utter shock at being recorded paired with the relief of realizing nobody knows it’s me. Now if I can just keep it from Caroline.

“Hey babe.” She throws open the door without a knock. “Elaine said you had a few minutes.”

Her face goes white when she sees the screen. I jump from my chair, pull her into my office, and close the door tightly behind her.

“Is that us?”

Honesty is always the best policy. Besides, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see there’s no other way out of this one.

“Yes.”

“Do people know it’s us?” Her face is a blank slate; I can tell she’s trying to process everything.

“No.”

“So it’s not a big deal, right?” I love that she’s an optimist, I really do, but her sunny disposition is rubbing me the wrong way this time.

“Are you shitting me?” I can’t keep from getting loud. “Wouldn’t your father love that? His little girl on the weekend news in some tawdry video clip.” Her old man would kill me if he knew. I’m 99% sure of that.

“Why are you raising your voice at me? It wasn’t my idea to get frisky in the alleyway. So don’t put this on me.” She tosses her handbag on my office sofa and collapses into a side chair.

“Don’t you think I know that?” I’m doing my best whisper yell. “God, this was such a mistake.”

She reaches over and puts her hand on my arm. “It’s not a big deal, Bayne. So we were caught in the heat of the moment. It’s happened to tons of other couples. We won’t be the first and we won’t be the last. Although I am a little worried the internet will break once a video clip of your perfectly chiseled ass in action is uploaded.”

“I’m glad you think this is funny.” I shrug her hand off my arm and stalk back toward my desk.

Now it’s her turn to get upset. “Why are you being so pissy at me? It wasn’t my fault.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” I’m wagging my finger at her like an uptight schoolmarm. “Because you turned my life upside down. I need dignity and order and routine.”

She raises her hands in protest. “But -”

“I never wanted this, Caroline. I never wanted any of it. You tried to shoehorn yourself into my life and add all sorts of fun and craziness.”

“Who the fuck doesn’t want fun? And a little craziness?” I sink into my office chair and lean back.

I don’t know what to say to that. Because I do want a little fun and craziness. I just don’t like the growing pains that come with inviting them into my life.

“We’re perfect for each other.” She stands behind me and rubs my shoulders. “You just need to accept it. You’re great at cleaning messes up.”

I turn my head to the side and she leans down to kiss me. “And you’re great at making them.”

“It is a relief to have a role reversal for once,” she says. “I actually kind of appreciate it.”

“I’ll talk to my tech guy to see if there’s any way he can stop it from spreading or get it offline.”

“Oh, sweetie, you really don’t understand much about the internet, do you?” She rustles my hair like I’m a teenager.

“There’s no way whoever took it even realizes who you are.”

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t want to hear about this video anymore. Who cares about the stupid video?”

“I do. But maybe there’s a way to make it right. To mitigate any potential impact if it ever does surface.”

“Let’s hear it.” She settles onto my lap. I’m sure she’s mentally preparing for the list of behavioral modifications she’s imagining I’ll request. “I can tone things down. I can try to be more proper. I can . . .” I’m quiet until she gives me all her attention.

“Marry me,” I say.

It’s a surprise for the record books because she’s rendered speechless. She sits there, mouth agape, while I fish the giant diamond ring out of my desk drawer. I know I should drop to one knee, but that’s kind of hard with her already on my lap.

“Are you messing with me, Bayne?”

“Hopefully for the rest of your life.” I hold the ring out and it catches the light. I wait for her to shout ‘YES’ and wrap me in one of her perfect hugs, but she just looks at me, uncertain.

“Are you doing this just to protect me? I know what you’re thinking: Nobody cares if a grainy video of two married people surfaces.”

“I’m doing it because I love you. And I can’t live without you. And I was a fool not to recognize it sooner.” She touches the ring. And then she recognizes it.

“Is this my mother’s ring?” Tears well up in her eyes.

“Yes.” I slide it on her finger. “Your father gave it to me. He said your mother would want us to have it. I had the jeweler put in a new stone to –“

“Yes, of course I’ll marry you!” She throws her arms around me and we hold each other tightly. I cover her lips with my own and we’re locked together passionately.

Life with Caroline may not go according to plan, but at least it will never be boring.

“
H
ow did
it go dropping the kids off at Dad’s?” I picture a scene of crying, wailing, and our two little ones holding onto Bayne’s leg for dear life.

“They were fine.” I give him some side eye. “Seriously, babe. They were so excited to see your dad. I don’t think they even noticed when I left.” He takes my hand and kisses it. “Don’t worry about them. We deserve a night out.”

“That’s the damn truth,” I say. We have a great life but it keeps us busy. I worked at the museum for a few more years, but gave it up when I found out I was pregnant with twins six years ago. I miss it sometimes. Mostly because going to an office job seems like a trip to the Serenity Spa compared to raising two little boys.

Bayne is a great father and he dialed back his responsibilities at work once the boys came along. My dad was there to help us out, too. His contacts in the industry and expertise in the field helped Bayne’s business to soar. They built it together and it’s a source of pride for both of them. But when the little ones came along they both reassessed and decided it was time to focus on our family. They took on additional partners who were younger and scrappier and handed off most of the responsibility to them. My father missed a lot with me the first time around, and he’s determined not to make that mistake again. He’s there for every milestone and I wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s even started dating an older woman in his neighborhood. I haven’t seen him this happy in years.

Bayne and I are great. He’s the love of my life and every day with him gets better and better. But, as the years pass, everyone starts to take their relationship for granted. Some of the spark has dimmed and it’s time for us to fan the flames. We need more than a quickie between nap times and I have something very special planned for tonight.

“So, where are we headed, boss?”

“Somewhere you know very well that should bring back some memories.”

“Not that God-awful nature trail we hiked all those years ago. Remember that?” He slides he elbow over and bumps my arm.

“How could I forget?” I can’t hold back a giggle. “I think we’re a little overdressed for hiking. And it’s too dark out. And I’m pretty sure you’re going to like what I have planned a lot better.”

“The suspense is killing me.”

“Okay. Don’t freak out, but we’re going to Body Heat.”

His jaw practically hits the floor.

“Um - “

“Before you say anything, let me explain. I know the public aspect of sex used to get you really revved up. But we haven’t experimented much since the internet video debacle.”

“Once bitten, twice shy.”

“I know. But Nova let me rent out one of the gallery rooms for tonight. It will look like a mirror to us, but a crowd could be watching on the other side.”

“I -“

“You don’t run security for her anymore, so there’s no risk of any of your employees finding out. And you know Nova’s number one priority, next to safety, is security. No cell phones or other electronic devices.” I stop talking and turn anxiously to him. I hadn’t realized how much I really wanted this until now.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea.” He takes my hand and kisses it.

“Really?”

“Hell yeah. Let’s go show them what an old married couple can do.”

* * *

I
thought
I’d be nervous, but the excitement overtakes every other emotion. Bane stands naked in the sparsely furnished room. He’s pushing 40 but he works out every day and it shows. Six pack? Check. Broad muscled shoulders? Check. Thick, meaty thighs? Check. Perfectly chiseled ass? Double check.

His cock twitches and bobs as I strip off my lingerie.

“I want you on your knees,” he says. I rake my fingertips up and down his thighs as I sink to the floor in front of him. I know exactly what to do to get him hard fast. I play with his balls as I run my tongue all over his thick erection. When it’s nice and wet, I start jacking him with my hand and turn my mouth to his balls.

I suck them into my mouth, one at a time, and probe with my tongue. He groans when I lift his sac and let my tongue probe along his perineum.

“Take me deep.”

I sit back on my heels and open my mouth for him. He places the head against my tongue and I gobble him down, until my nose presses against the root of his cock. He stretches my throat and I love the feeling of fullness. I move against him, moaning as I do so. I know from experience the vibrations drive him wild.

He cradles my head in his hands as he thrusts. I grasp his ass and pull him deeper.

And then suddenly he pulls out. He lays next to me and pulls me onto his face. I’m facing the mirror as I straddle him and I can’t help but think of the people watching me ride his mouth.

He holds me down as he laps at my swollen pussy. His tongue finds my clit and I grind and buck against him. I dissolve into pleasure as he reaches up and tugs at my nipple.

He flips me onto my stomach, lifts me onto all fours, and slams into me from behind. I make an inhuman sound as he pounds away at me. He leans forward, twists his hand in my hair, and forces me to look forward, instead of down.

“Don’t you remember how much you loved to watch, that first time.” His breath is warm on my ear. I turn to kiss him and his tongue invades my lips. He holds me there, against his lips, and we kiss deeply and lock eyes as he fills me with thick ropes of cum.

“Happy anniversary,” I whisper against his lips.