He's So Shy

HE’S SO SHY

Lena Matthews

www.loose-id.com

Warning This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

He’s So Shy Lena Matthews This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924 Carson City NV 89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © May 2008 by Lena Matthews All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-697-2 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

Printed in the United States of America

Editor: Maryam Salim Cover Artist: April Martinez

www.loose-id.com

Chapter One

“I bet he’s gay.” Without a doubt, Gillian Foxe knew she didn’t want to hear another word of this conversation. There was nothing she hated more than listening to a bunch of braying jackasses belittle someone else for their own personal enjoyment. It was petty, mean-spirited, and downright cruel. And it was way too early in the morning for that type of bullshit. Clearing her throat, she brought the attention of the two gabbing women her way and jiggled her empty Hoops and YoYo coffee cup in her hand. Instead of taking the hint and moving, they turned and greeted her like something she wasn’t: a long-lost friend. “Morning, Gill.” She wasn’t their friend. Friends respected and understood the simple rule that if her momma had wanted people to call her Gill, she would have named her Gill, not Gil-li-an. “Morning, Fatima. Morning, Darcy. Can you two excuse me? I have a meeting I’m running late to, and I need to get a cup of coffee.” “Sure, sure.” The two women backed out of the way, giving her just enough room to squeeze next to the coffee pot -- which, as her rotten luck would have it, was completely

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empty. Glancing down at her wristwatch, she surmised she had just enough time to brew a quick cup before her sit down with Lennon. “Are you sure he’s gay?” Darcy asked in a not-so-quiet whisper. From her peripheral vision, she could see Fatima nod her head. The rapid movement had her barely-held-together weave bouncing all over the place. “Queer as a three dollar bill, girl.” “How do you know?”

Yes, Gillian wanted to ask her. How did she know? If this piece of information was as accurate as the gold mine of a doozy she’d spread about Gillian three years ago, it could be nothing less than the truth. “The proof is in the pudding, honey. I’ve seen enough to know.” “Like what?” Darcy asked. “Exhibit A.” Fatima ticked off her evidence one finger at a time. “Have you seen him with a woman at any office event?” Gillian rolled her eyes. She’d never seen Fatima with a man at any event, so did that make her a lesbian? “Exhibit B, do you see how he dresses? My momma’s church outfit doesn’t match that well.” Sighing heavily, Gillian tapped her fingers restlessly on the counter, willing the coffeepot to perk faster. She didn’t want to be in here for this madness. The longer she stayed, the angrier she became. Women like Fatima and Darcy gave decent women a bad name. “And last but not least, exhibit C. He’s been here two months, and the only time he’s remotely glanced my way was to ask me to clarify a couple of purchase orders.” Of course. The evidence that was irrefutable. He wasn’t interested in her; therefore, he had to be gay. The sad truth of the matter was, if she wasn’t so nasty, Fatima would have

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been an attractive woman. But years of bitterness had written its tale across her mochatinged face, making the other woman appear sour and nasty. She had turned into the woman who had to make others look bad to make herself feel better. Constantly on the lookout for gossip, she always had the latest news. And if she didn’t, she had no compunction about making it up. In fact, it was something she did quite regularly. Her most recent remarks were just as stupid as the last…wait a minute. Was Fatima talking about who she thought she was talking about? Whirling around, she faced the gabbing women. “You’re not talking about Lennon Wright, are you?” Fatima held her hand out victoriously. “See. She knew exactly who I was talking about without me having to mention his name.” Utterly and completely shocked now, Gillian could do nothing but stare at the smug woman. Of all the asinine things to say about someone, this just took the cake. She shouldn’t have been too surprised, though, that Fatima was spreading lies about Lennon. It was just the way the other woman worked. “It’s not like I have anything against gay people, it’s just --” “Lennon is not gay.” Gillian couldn’t help herself. She was having a hard time holding her raw emotions in check. She refused to allow Fatima to talk trash about another innocent person. Especially not someone as nice as Lennon. In the two months he’d been there, he’d been nothing but polite to everyone. He was quiet. Came in, did his job, and left. Nothing more, nothing less. Of all the people in the corporation to be bad-mouthed, he should have been the last on the list. “Sure he isn’t.” Fatima’s smug smiled grated on her nerves. “He isn’t,” she bit the words out in a sharp staccato. “And you would know this why?”

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“Because unlike you, I’ve spent more than five minutes with the man.” Smiling sardonically, Fatima replied, “That’s right. You do work with him…closely.”

Here we go again, with the backhanded comments. Gillian wasn’t an idiot. Nor did she wake up one day and suddenly realize she was beautiful. She’d been dealing with jealous, petty women her entire life, but that didn’t mean it got easier. What it did do was make her a champion for people she perceived as the underdog, and it looked as if she might have a new project. “Make up your mind, Fatima. Either he’s gay or he isn’t.” “All I’m saying is, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…” “Then he’s a duck impersonator, right?” Her voice was heavy with sarcasm, but she didn’t care. Someone needed to put Fatima in her place, and Gillian was just the person to do it. “I’m just saying --” “No” -- she cut the woman off, tired of her petty ways -- “what you’re just doing is spreading vicious lies, again. You think you’d have learned by now about curbing that nasty tongue of yours. Do I need to go have another talk with Mr. Coburn?” Fatima was already on final notice; one more incident and she’d be gossiping by herself on the sidewalk. “You do whatever you feel you have to, girlie, but don’t think you’re fooling anyone with your ‘my shit don’t stink’ behavior. You’re not the only one with friends around here, and you’re not the only one who can carry a tale.” “No one carries a tale better than you.” “Why don’t you eat --” “Fatima,” Darcy said sharply. The fair-skinned Latina blushed profusely. At least one of them had the grace to be embarrassed. “Cool it.” “I’d listen to your girl, if I was you. Oh, and you two have a nice day, now.” With a false smile as sweet as sin, she turned and left the room, pissed off beyond belief.

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Fueled by her rage, it took Gillian a good minute or two to realize that not only was she late for her meeting with Lennon, she also didn’t get her coffee. Just another reason to dislike Fatima. Fuming, she stormed to Lennon’s office, bypassed his startled secretary, and pounded on his closed door. “Come in.” She hurried in, shutting the door behind her with a slam. Startled, Lennon glanced up from the document he’d been perusing to look at her, then at the door behind her. Gillian bristled at his silent rebuke. Didn’t she just spend the last five minutes defending his honor? “Morning,” he said cautiously. “Notice the lack of good with that.” “Oh, I noticed all right.” And it suited her just fine. Frustrated, Gillian strode over and set her empty mug down on his desk. “Sorry I’m late.” “Is everything okay?” he asked as he laid the paper on his desk and leaned back in his chair. “Yes, fine.” Too agitated to sit, Gillian walked past his desk to the far corner and blindly stared out the window. “Fine, huh?” “Yes, perfectly fine.” Gillian reached out and toyed with a leaf from his plant. She needed to calm down before she did something stupid. “So I see. Okay, anything you want to talk about?” “No.” There was something she wanted to do, like pound Fatima’s head in with the probably now-filled coffeepot. For the life of her, Gillian couldn’t figure out what made people like Fatima tick. What pleasure did they receive from bring other people down? It made no sense. “Okay. The reason I needed to see you was --”

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“Do you know what I hate?” Gillian turned to face him, unable to hold back any longer. “The ficus?” “Come again?” “The plant,” he said, pointing to the almost-bare branch. “I take it you don’t like them much.” Startled, Gillian glanced down at the leaves scattered on the floor around her feet. “Oh my God.” Ashamed, she tried to fluff the remaining leaves, in hopes of filling in the bald spot. “Sorry.” “Don’t worry about it.” He waved his hand in dismissal. “I never liked that plant anyway. Just because my grandmother gave it to me, doesn’t mean anything. Growing up, she wasn’t very nice.” Despite her irritation, Gillian felt the beginnings of a smile tug at the corner of her lips. Damn it, she wanted to be mad. Leave it to Lennon to pull her from her sour disposition. “She wasn’t?” “No. She had a firm ‘no pudding’ rule until after dinner.” “Sounds cruel.” “I always thought so. In fact…” Standing, he walked over to where she stood and stopped in front of the plant. Taking it in his hands, he shook it firmly as if it choking it. “Take that, Nana Wright. Keep your pudding. See if I care.” Gillian smiled at his silly antics. This was one of the reasons they’d gotten along so well. He could have her laughing in minutes. She knew she could be a bit high-strung sometimes. Work made her that way. But Lennon had the ability to make her see the lighter side of life. With a satisfied grunt, he dropped the plant back down and dusted his hands off. “I feel better. Want to choke my tree? It might help.”

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“No, it won’t, but thanks.” She didn’t need to strangle a tree to feel better. Lennon had managed to do that all on his own. Glancing up at him, she wondered how anyone could think he was gay. Gillian knew you couldn’t just look at someone and peg them as gay or not, especially those who purposely kept their sexuality private. The whole gaydar thing was a myth as far as she was concerned, but it was just very obvious Lennon wasn’t gay. He couldn’t be gay. He wasn’t gay…was he? No, Gillian firmly decided. She was too attracted to him for him to be gay, and that was saying something because Gillian didn’t do white guys. But just because she hadn’t skied the slopes didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate a fine man in whatever package the good Lord decided to box him up in. And Lennon came in a mighty fine package. He was tall, with a wealth of thick brown hair that barely touched his shoulders. He had cerulean eyes and a wide mouth, quick to smile. Amazingly though, Gillian was willing to bet there hadn’t been many in the office to see it. He was only there for a short time, working on a hush-hush project. He’d been hired by those at the top of the ladder, and they were the only ones to know the details of his assignment. She figured that was the reason behind why Lennon kept to himself. He even went as far as to eat lunch in his office, despite the many times she’d invited him to lunch with a few coworkers. He was a loner type of guy, and today that fit her mood. “The offer stands, anytime.” He made his way back to his desk and sat down. She could practically feel his gaze on her as he decided what to say. “Are you going to tell me what upset you, or did the tree die in vain?” Feeling all kinds of silly now, Gillian sheepishly went to her seat and eased into it. Talk

about taking things to the next level. “It’s nothing.” Lennon glanced at the mutilated tree, then back at her. “I wouldn’t call that nothing.”

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“Seriously, it’s not that big of a deal. I put her in her place. I just hate gossipmongers and gossip. It’s like the plague.” His expression stilled and grew serious. “Is someone saying something about you?” “No --” “You’d tell me if there was, right?” Even though it was phrased as a question, she could hear the command in his tone. “Right?” “Yes, but it wasn’t about me.” “Then who was it about?” Gillian grimaced inwardly, hoping her answer wouldn’t be too much of a blow to him. ”You.”

Lennon didn’t know what amused him more. The fact people were gossiping about him or how irritated it seemed to make Gillian. The brown-skinned beauty was beyond heated and all in his defense. How cute. “You’re this upset because someone said something…about me?” “Don’t act surprised that I care.” “Oh, it’s not an act.” “Thanks a lot.” She frowned, much to his amusement, and tucked free strands of her shoulder-length ebony hair behind her ear. “To think I was about to call her to the floor for you.” “I was just teasing, Gillian. I’m not at all surprised you would stand up for me or anyone else for that matter. It’s just the type of person you are.” “Think so, do you?”

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“I’m pretty much willing to bet on it.” Without a doubt, Lennon considered himself an excellent judge of character. It was a trait mandatory in his line of work, and as usual, his perception of Gillian was dead-on. She had too big of a heart to work in corporate America. She was a rare individual. Someone who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. It was refreshing yet exceptional, all at the same time. “You’re a rare find, Ms. Gillian Foxe -- an honest person who still cares about others.” He tilted his head to the side and studied her with a mock frown. Something he’d found himself doing a lot of lately. Not that it was all that surprising. She was utterly and completely gorgeous. She was the epitome of exotic beauty, with skin the color of rich molasses and eyes as dark as a starlit night. “I didn’t realize they made your kind anymore.” “I assure you, Lennon, I’m not the person you’re describing.” “Hmm.” He wasn’t going to argue with her, especially when he knew he was right. “If you say so.” “I do.” “Don’t worry about it.” “Don’t worry about it?” Her eyes blazed with confusion. “Don’t you care what they said?” “Not in particular. If someone is unsatisfied with my work performance, I’m sure it will get back to me eventually.” Not that he’d be there to care. His time at Mynch Industries was drawing to an end. All he had left to do was cross some t’s and dot a few i’s, then he was gone. Lennon had gathered all the information he needed to make a well-informed report to the powers that be. Then he’d disappear almost as quickly as he’d arrived. “It had nothing to do with your job, Lennon, but you personally.”

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“Really?” That was new. No one there knew him well enough to have an opinion about him one way or the other. Just the way it was supposed to be. In spite of himself, his interest was piqued. “What did you hear?” “I’m not quite sure how you’re going to take this.”

“Better than the ficus, I imagine.”

“It’s small, miniscule, not much of anything.”

The longer she hedged, the more he began to doubt that. “Just spit it out already.”

Gillian’s steady gaze held his as she leaned forward and softly spoke. “They think

you’re gay.” “Gay?” In his surprise, he barked the word. “Yes. Gay.” A smile began to spread through him as her words sank in, followed by a full-fledged, honest-to-goodness laugh. Gay? Him? Never had a word described him less, which only made him laugh harder. From the stunned expression on Gillian’s face, he could tell his reaction wasn’t the one she’d been bracing herself for. She’d obviously been expecting some sort of homophobic indignation. Gillian really didn’t know him at all. “Sorry. That was a bit unexpected.” “I can tell,” Gillian said. “You’re not upset at all, are you?”

“No. Why would I be upset?”

“I guess…I mean…most people wouldn’t want other people thinking untrue things

about them.” “I’m not most people.” A brief smile parted her lips. “So I see.” “Do you?”

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“Yes, and I find it very commendable. I know most men would be highly heated right about now.” “I’m not most men, Gillian.” “So I see.” “Nor am I gay. Just in case you were wondering.” “I wasn’t --” “Liar,” he teased softly. She boldly met his gaze, as if this were proof of her innocence. “It wouldn’t have made a difference to me either way.” The hell it wouldn’t. She wouldn’t have been so upset if it didn’t. Interesting. “That’s good to know.” “That’s good to know.” Gillian rolled her eyes and sat back in the chair in a huff. “What?” “Don’t get me wrong, Lennon. I’m pleased you’re not upset, but there’s nothing wrong with being a little irked.” “Why should I care what other people think of me? I know I’m not gay.” “Normally, I would agree with you, but what if there was a female who was interested in you and she heard this rumor?” “Then I’d hope she’d stand up for me, and maybe take the initiative to find out for herself.” Lennon wondered if he should follow that remark with a “hint, hint,” but figured it might be too obvious. “You are too nice.” Or maybe it wasn’t obvious enough. “No, I’m not.” “Yes, you are. Way too nice.”

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Now that was an adjective not often used to describe him, especially in his line of work. He was the hatchet man. The person employed by corporations to find dead weight and trim it away. Most organizations had inefficiencies, and he was one of the best to find them. Companies didn’t hire nice guys to do his type of work, and until right then and there, he’d been okay with it. “I don’t think so.” She needed to wake up out of whatever fairy tale she was living in. “Of course you wouldn’t. Nice people never do.”

Unbelievable. Here he was being defended by someone who didn’t have a clue who he was. In the nine years he’d been in this business, Lennon had never become personally involved with anyone at the companies he’d infiltrated. He played his cards close to his chest, only saying as much as necessary to get his job done. Being aloof, professional, and therefore unbiased made him one of the most sought-after consultants in his field. Still, she persisted, and despite how often he’d tried to erect a wall between them, she’d found a way to remove a brick, one at a time, until she’d done the unthinkable and befriended him. Or at least as much as one person could befriend someone whom they knew nothing about. “Okay, I know I’ll hate myself later for asking, but why do you think I’m nice?” “Why wouldn’t I think you’re nice? I get along with you great.” He had to stifle his laughter at that one. They were friendly because of her persistence and his weakness for her smile. He really could care less about the other employees. “Maybe you’re the exception.” “That’s because you don’t participate. You need to mingle more with people here.” No, that was the last thing he needed. “I thought the problem was people talking about things they know nothing about.”

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She totally ignored him, forging along. He could tell that once she had an idea about something she wasn’t willing to let it go. “Seriously, if you put yourself out there, more people would get to know you and see what a great --” “Straight.” “Whatever you are. I have an idea.” “Do tell.” This ought to be a doozy. “A bunch of us are going out tonight for happy hour. You should come.” “I don’t think so.” “Why?” “Because I’m not one to mingle. I leave people alone, and they return the favor.” “You talk to me. This would only be adding a couple of more people to the mix.” “As if I had a choice where you’re concerned.” “As if you have a choice now.” “I do.” “Do you? You have to come out of your shell sometime.” “What shell?” “The one you hide behind. You shouldn’t let your shyness hold you back.” “Shy?” What the hell ? “I’m not shy.” “Just like you’re not nice.” Sarcasm was as evident in her voice as in the expression on her face. “You have the wrong idea about me.” “I doubt it. You’re a great guy, but not very many people get to see that side of you.” He had no idea where she was going with this train of thought or why she suddenly felt an urgent need that he make friends, but he didn’t think he liked the direction she was heading. Her next words more than confirmed his suspicions.

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“I’m willing to bet that if you put yourself in my very capable hands, I can have you dated and mated in less than a month.” He was immediately shaking his head in denial. The only person he was interested in dating was her, and she was a big “no-no” for him. He’d already allowed himself too much leeway where she was concerned. And as far as mated, marriage was not even on his radar screen. “Don’t be so quick to say no. I can work with you. We have the technology.”

“What are the odds of you taking no for an answer?”

“Slim to none.”

“That’s what I thought.” He chuckled. He had a feeling she was used to getting what

she wanted, but so was he. It was by luck only that her plans coincided with ones he’d made for a while. Lennon would give in for now, but only for now. There was time later for Gillian to figure out who exactly held the upper hand. “Okay. One drink. Then I’m out of there.” ”One’s a start.”

It was a start all right, but not the one he knew she was thinking of.

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Chapter Two

“Explain to me again what we’re doing here.”

“Charity work,” she murmured distractedly. Where was Lennon ?

“Charity begins at home, and after the day I’ve had, that’s exactly where I want to be,”

said Minta Sayavaun, her long-suffering coworker and best friend. “I don’t think he’s going to show.” Frowning, Gillian rose on her tiptoes to better view the door. Her vantage point at the bar limited her vision, but Raz’s was packed tonight and she didn’t want to lose their spot. She’d already had to threaten some dude who tried to take the extra bar stool she’d snagged for Lennon. “Excuse me. Didn’t you just hear what I had to say?” “Yes.” “Apparently you didn’t, because you missed your cue to chime in.” Confused, Gillian glanced away from the door to her pouting friend. “About what? “My shitty day.” “Minta, every day you work is a shitty day.” The two women worked for the same company but in different departments. Unfortunately, the pretty African American woman was having a hard time at work lately. Minta’s department was going through a major

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transition, and she’d had four different managers in the last year and a half. The lastest one was clueless, lazy, and under the mistaken impression he could pawn his work off onto Minta, something the other woman refused to put up with. “Lord knows that’s the truth.” Minta gathered her micro-mini braids in her hand and twisted them into a bun at the base of her neck. “Tell me again why I keep going back there?” “Because they pay you,” Gillian reminded her. “Bastard, using trickery like that to draw me in,” Minta complained in a sweet Southern accent as she toyed with the straw in her Sea Breeze. “I have to get a new job. I hate that man. I really do.” “I know, boo.” Smiling sympathetically, she patted her friend on the back and once more glanced toward the front door. Gillian felt bad for her, she really did, but not bad enough to let her leave. Minta was a vital part of her “rescue Lennon from Lennon” plan. Minta wasn’t exactly what Gillian would call a people person. Despite hailing from the South, Minta was far from a Southern belle. The renowned hospitality was a myth as far as she was concerned. She was honest, blunt, and not afraid to speak her mind. Qualities most people, despite what they said, didn’t exactly like. Gillian did though. The two women had met four years ago at orientation and had hit it off from the start. She figured if Lennon could talk to Minta, he could talk to anyone. Besides, in a oneon-one setting, her friend was actually very easygoing. Her beliefs about Minta’s attitude were immediately put to the test, however. “Aren’t you a sexy handful?” “Gee, thanks.” Startled, Gillian turned around and almost burst out laughing at what she saw. Her friend was glaring at her as a very toothy, dark-skinned, and inebriated man swayed next to

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Minta. From the aggravated look on Minta’s face, Gillian was going to get an earful when her friend disposed of the interloper. She mouthed “I’m sorry” and winced when Minta sent her a chilling glare. Minta didn’t like the bar scene. She didn’t like drunks and she didn’t like people invading her personal space. All of which her admirer was doing. It never failed. No matter where they went, Minta somehow managed to get hit on by the biggest loser for miles. The fact she was hit on wasn’t a big surprise; Minta was a very attractive woman. In layman’s terms, she was built like a brick house. She was thick yet curvaceous. Her caramel-toned skin only accentuated her large chocolate brown eyes and full lips. A sexy handful was a good way of describing her, but the attention was coming from the wrong type of man. “No, I mean it, love.” He leaned forward until he was clumsily leaning against Minta. “You’re one sexy bitch.” Gillian went from feeling sorry for dragging her friend there to feeling sorry for the misguided man as Minta spun around on her stool and faced him. “Did you just call me a bitch?” “Yes,” he slurred. “But I meant it in a completely complimentary way.” “Oh, then that makes it better.” “Great.” Sarcasm was apparently a foreign language to him. “So how about you and me ditch this place and go have a little fun. I’ve always been partial to thick girls like you. More cushion for the pushin’.”

Oh wow. Mr. Teeth didn’t know it, but he only had a few more minutes to live, because Minta didn’t play. Not at all. “I’m going to push my cushion fist down your throat if you don’t back up off me.” Minta followed her threat with a shove, sending the man stumbling backward into a group of

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laughing men. But that wasn’t good enough for Minta. She had to add a follow up. “And go brush your teeth. Your breath smells like ass.” “Bitch,” he spat as he staggered away. “Somehow, I don’t think that was meant as a compliment,” Gillian teased, pulling her irate friend in for a hug. “Just think, at least you got that out of the way. Now the rest of the fools in here will be too scared to approach us.” “Thank the good Lord,” Minta grumbled, spinning back around toward the bar. “All I know is, Lennon better be worth this.” “He is. I just know you’ll like him once you see him outside the office. Everyone will.” “Since when have we started caring about what everyone else thinks?” “Since people started talking smack about him.” She’d been fired up since this morning, and the day hadn’t cooled her ardor one bit. In fact, her idea to make Lennon her special project had distracted her from just about everything else all day. “One, I don’t think Darcy and Fatima count as people. And two, from what I’ve seen of him, which granted has only been once or twice, he doesn’t strike me as the type of person who gives a good goddamn what someone says about him.” “Of course he cares. He’s just too nice to say something.” “Right.” Minta’s words were agreeable, but her tone was condescending. “What?” She narrowed her gaze, wondering where her friend was going with this. “Nothing.” Like she was really going to let that slide. “Don’t ‘nothing’ me. What’s that snide ‘right’ supposed to mean?” “It means I think you’re full of it. We’re not here because you’re doing something ‘nice’ for Lennon. We’re here because you like him.”

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“I do not.” This was the problem about going out with friends, especially someone like Minta, who didn’t mince her words. She told it like she saw it, and unfortunately, she saw all too well. “Liar.”

“Excuse me.”

“Please. I didn’t stutter. Admit it. You like him.”

“Of course I like him. I just don’t like him -- like him, like you’re insinuating.” That

sounded ridiculous, even to her own ears. Unfortunately, she’d picked this game plan and now she was stuck with it. “Like him-like him,” Minta repeated sarcastically. “What are we in, the fourth grade?” “One of us is acting like it.”

Good job. Insult my friend to deflect the attention from myself. “Admit it. You want to jump his bones.” “I do not. He’s not even my type.” Which was sad, really. Deep down, if only to herself, she had to admit she was attracted to him. But she had a rule, one she stuck to, even if sometimes she wondered why. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“What’s wrong with my type?”

“They’re all the same, for one.” She could tell Minta was getting fired up. This was a

long-standing disagreement between the two of them; one she didn’t think would ever be solved. She had respectfully decided to agree to disagree. Minta, on the other hand, wasn’t willing to abide by those guidelines and brought it up whenever she deemed it necessary. “And…”

“It’s like you feel it’s your need to keep the dream alive, one brother at a time.”

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Everyone had preferences. Some people liked blonds, some liked brunettes. Gillian just happened to prefer black -- men, that is. “There’s nothing wrong with only dating black men.” She didn’t like having to always defend her choices, as if only dating within her race was a bad thing. Why couldn’t people appreciate her decision, even if they didn’t agree with it? “And there’s nothing right with it, either. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why you feel your life purpose is save the black race from annihilation.” “I don’t feel that way at all.” Where was Mr. Teeth when she needed him? “Look, this even isn’t about me. It’s about Lennon and what we” -- she gestured between the two of them in case Minta was missing her role in this evening’s adventure -- “can do to help him. The man is in peril, girl. He needs our help. If we don’t intervene, who knows what will happen.” “So the old adage is true,” Lennon said drily from behind her. “People who eavesdrop never hear good things about themselves.” “Busted,” Minta muttered as she stared wide-eyed over Gillian’s shoulder. Was she ever. Gillian froze and prayed for the ground to open and swallow her whole. Talk about timing. Sheepishly she turned around and pasted what she hoped was a convincing smile on her face. “I knew you were there,” she lied. “I’ll bet.” Lennon eased up beside her and gestured to the bartender. “I’d like a beer and a shoe horn.” “Shoe horn?” she asked weakly. “Yeah, I thought you might need a little help getting your foot out of your mouth.” “Damn.” Minta smiled with the first sign of true enjoyment she’d seen on her friend’s face tonight. “You were right, girl. I like him.”

*****

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In peril. Lennon didn’t exactly see himself in that light, but okay. As he took a swig of his beer, he thought long and hard about the vibe he gave off. It wasn’t an accident he kept to himself. The decisions he had to make weren’t easy, and it was best if he didn’t get personally involved with anyone, so as not to cloud his judgment. Yet here he was with his judgment foggy as a motherfucker. Well, not really. He’d made his decision about Gillian’s job a while ago, long before her offer of friendship presented itself. Not that he wanted to be her friend, but neither did he want to be her charity case. Lennon wasn’t a shy man or someone in peril. He knew exactly what he wanted and how to go about getting it. He was just going to have to move his timetable up a bit. This job was almost over anyway; it wouldn’t hurt to cement his relationship with Gillian before he left. Now the only thing left to do was to get her to see him as a man and not as a project. Gillian had left with her friend to find them a table, and he could see her making her way back to his position at the bar. She was alone, so he assumed her friend was now holding said table. Although, he wouldn’t put it past Gillian to have done some bodily harm to her friend while they were gone. She had seemed pretty steamed when she’d dragged the other woman away. “Minta scored us a table. The only downside is it’s on the terrace, so we’ll have to sit outside.” “That’s fine. It’s a nice evening.” “Before we go though, let me apologize.” “For?” He wasn’t going to make this easy. He was a guy. They didn’t do that kind of thing. From the way Gillian tilted her head to the side and smiled slightly, she knew it. “For what I said to Minta. I really have no excuse. She was being…well…being Minta and” -- she shrugged her shoulders dismissively -- “it got to me.” “How so?”

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“When she’s fixated on something, she doesn’t know how to let things go.”

“What is she fixated on?”

“You and me.”

Lennon cocked a brow at her turn of phrase. “Is there a you and me?”

“She seems to think so.”

“And what do you think?”

“I think Minta likes to stir the pot. She sees my desire to help…I mean…introduce you

to people as something more than it is.” Lennon took a moment to process everything she was saying and everything she wasn’t. “I can see how your motives might be misconstrued by others.” “Well, so can I. But you and I know the truth.” “Indeed we do.” Of course he wasn’t so sure if they were referring to the same truths though. “You just want to help me come out of my shell.” “Exactly.” Lennon couldn’t help but be slightly amused at her belief in this shy thing. He was the least shy person he knew. “How exactly do you plan to do that?” “Introduce you to people. Take you to places where I know you can meet people.” “I’m hoping some of these people will be of the female persuasion.” He felt the need to press the point he wasn’t gay. “Yes, of course. I know I can find the perfect woman for you. I don’t want to brag, but I’m a pretty good matchmaker.” And blind as a bat if she thought he could possible find any other woman attractive. Lennon drank the last of his beer and set it down on the bar. “This should be interesting.” “That, I promise you, Lennon, it will be.” She tugged lightly on his shirt. “Come on, before Minta uses this as an excuse to leave.”

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Lennon stood and followed her back in the direction from which she’d come, but they were soon separated. The crowd had thickened considerably since he’d arrived, and that was saying something. When he finally caught up with her, she slipped her hand inside his. “I guess I need to keep a hold on you, if I don’t want to lose you.” So saying, she dragged him the rest of the way through the bar, weaving back and forth as they made their way to the outside terrace seating area. Minta raised her eyebrows at the sight of them, pointedly staring at their locked hands. Gillian immediately released her hold on him and settled herself at the table. Amused, he joined the two women and ordered a beer from the waitress who came to serve them. After she left, he looked back and forth between the two women. “So where’s this crowd of folks I’m supposed to be opening up to?” “I figured we’d start off small tonight.” “Meaning,” Minta interrupted with a smile, “if you can survive me, you can survive anything.” “Really?” Lennon took in the woman in front of him. He recognized her right away from her personnel folder. From what he gathered from her reviews, her reports, and conversation from her peers, she was the glue that held her department together. She was definitely a keeper. “Do your worst.” “Fair warning -- talk like that, boy, is considered foreplay in some parts.” “I think I might like visiting your parts.” “You look like a man not afraid to go. Down. South.” Lennon didn’t believe for a second Minta was talking about southern states. She was a fireball. He could tell why she and Gillian were friends. Leaning back in his chair, he eyed the flirty woman who copied his movements. “I’ve been known to do my best work” -- he dropped his gaze down her body then raised it back to meet her gaze -- “down south.”

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“Now that what’s I’m talking abo --” “Hello,” Gillian interrupted. “I’m still here.” Bemused, Lennon turned his attention Gillian’s way. “I thought the plan was for me to meet women.” “Women. Not Minta.” “Isn’t Minta a woman?” he questioned with false confusion. “At last check,” Minta retorted. “Yes, but she’s hands off to you.” “Now you tell me.” Sarcasm dripped from his every word. “Come on, be serious here.” He wanted to; he really did. But it was hard for him to reconcile the intelligent and intouch woman he knew her to be at work with the one in front of him who assumed he was shy, possibly gay, and definitely socially inept. “Hey.” Minta nudged him under the table, interrupting his disturbing train of thought. “You know those guys?” As one, Gillian and Lennon glanced over their shoulders to peer at the men Minta was referring to. It didn’t take but a second to figure out whom Minta was speaking about. Standing near the opened door were three men dressed in similar-colored business suits, grinning like loons. “I don’t,” Gillian answered. Lennon could only wish he could say the same. “Yes.” He mentally groaned as the three men in question began to make their way over to their table. “Who are they?” “Former friends.” “Former?”

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“Yes.” Lennon stood up to intercept the smirking men. “As of now. Excuse me.” Standing, he moved over to the doorway, hoping to herd them back inside the bar before they could do too much damage. Having the three of them talking to Gillian and Minta was not on his list of things to do in his lifetime. As he approached the men, they stepped forward to greet him. “Hey, buddy.” Wyatt slapped Lennon on the back. “Is there enough room for us to squeeze in?” “No. What are you three doing here?” he asked his business partners and longtime friends. The four of them met in college what felt like eons ago and went into business together soon after graduation. They were the founders of Global Consultant Enterprise and the only men Lennon trusted with his life. Back in school they’d been known as the Four Musketeers, but right now they were seriously taking the all for one and one for all mantra a bit too far. “As if we were going to stay at the office after Jonas gave us your message,” Finn informed him with glee. Irritated, Lennon turned his heated gaze to the brunet male, who held his hands up in the air in surrender. “Don’t blame me. I just delivered your message.”

See, this is what I get for checking in. “Come on, you didn’t really think we were going to pass up the opportunity to meet the woman who made Fuhrer Lennon break his own rule,” Wyatt teased. “What rule?” Even as he asked, the answer popped in his head. “The ‘no fraternizing with potential fireies’ rule,” the three chimed in as one. “It’s no big deal.” “We’re going to have to agree to disagree.” Finn glanced behind Lennon as if trying to get a better look. “Which one is she?”

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Lennon stepped to the side, blocking Finn’s view. The man was a poonhound of the worst sort. There was no way in hell Lennon was letting him anywhere near Gillian. “None of your business. Get out of here.” “In a minute,” Wyatt said. ”We just want to get a closer look.” “She already thinks I’m gay. I’m sure this little show of man power isn’t going to help.” “She thinks you’re gay?” His announcement caused them all to break into spontaneous laughter. Why did he share that? “She also thinks I’m socially retarded, which your presence here tonight won’t help to disprove.” “You’re going to have to hate us, man. Because I’m going in,” Jonas announced as he bypassed Lennon and headed straight for the table, with Finn hot on his heels. Before Wyatt could join them, Lennon called out to him. “Wyatt.” “Yeah.” “Remind me to send him flowers tomorrow. From his ex-wife.” The blond man grinned widely. Jonas had been married for, as he described, six hellish weeks, and loathed any reminder of it. His ex-wife was mad to make up with him. “I’ll make a note of it.” Lennon reluctantly followed them and watched with dismay as they were able to find additional chairs to pull up to the table. When he joined everyone, he shot a seemingly confused Gillian an apologetic look before he sat down and waited for the misery to begin. “Gillian, Minta, these three chuckleheads are Finn Kirkpatrick, Wyatt Pilcher, and Jonas Lennox.” That was as far as he was going with the introductions. “I didn’t know you were going to invite friends along.” Gillian looked at bit dazed at the invasion, but welcoming nevertheless. “Neither did I. They invited themselves,” he grumbled.

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“So are you the one who thinks Lennon here is shy?” Wyatt directed his question to Gillian. “Uh yeah, that’s me.” “Thank God someone else sees it. We’re always telling him he’s shy. But does he listen? Hell no.” Lennon glared daggers at Wyatt as he spoke. Oh yeah, they were all dead meat when he got them alone. Gillian looked triumphant and turned to him in sympathy. “See, it’s not just me. Your friends, who probably know you best, see it too.” “Oh yeah. Nobody knows me like they do.” Which was a warning to his pals of the trouble they were in. “You really think you’re going to find some woman to date this guy? I mean he’s not the most attractive guy on the market.” Finn had decided he was going to get in on the teasing. The sable-haired bastard could never leave well enough alone. As soon as they got back to the office, Lennon was going to call INS. Even though the Irish man had been in America since he was young, Lennon was sure he could be deported. Gillian gasped indignantly on his behalf. “How could you say such a thing? There are plenty of women who would be interested in Lennon.” “Do you find him attractive?” Jonas’s question had the whole table silent, waiting for her answer. He was the leader of the bunch and used to getting his own way. “Of course. I mean, anyone would.” “I don’t,” Finn offered. “He’s too squinty around the eyes.” “See what I have to deal with on a daily basis?” Lennon asked. “I do.” She smiled. “What about you…Minta, was it?” Wyatt queried. “What’s your story?”

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“Oh no, pretty boy, turn those big blue eyes elsewhere. I’m way too tired to break you in tonight,” she said, shaking her head. Lennon burst out laughing at Wyatt’s stunned expression. Wyatt was the embodiment of the stereotypical Californian. A lifelong surfer with blond hair and blue eyes, he was used to easily being able to manipulate females with his all-American good looks. Lennon’s esteem for Minta rose several notches. “Minta, your next drink is on me, doll.” “I’ll take you up on that.” Jonas cleared his throat to garner attention his way. “I’m having a little get-together this weekend. You ladies should come.” Before Gillian or Minta could weigh in either way, Lennon interjected, “No, they shouldn’t.” “Why not?” Jonas asked, although from the gleam in his eyes, he already knew. “Yeah, why not?” Gillian asked, with a frown. “Because his parties are a bit…” Lennon searched for the right word but could only come up with a lame one. “Wild.” “Don’t listen to him.” Finn elbowed Lennon. “He’s such a homebody, because he’s so shy and all.” “Yeah,” Jonas agreed. “Lennon balances his checkbook for fun.” “Lennon, if you don’t want us to hang out with your friends, of course we won’t.” “Yeah,” Minta said, biting back a smile. “Far be it for us to go somewhere we’re not wanted.” “You’re wanted.” Wyatt winked. “Never doubt that.” “It’s not that I don’t want you to come.” Lennon began trying to save face. He couldn’t just come out and say Jonas’s parties were a step away from orgies. -- orgies he’d attended on a regular basis for the last three years -- without outing himself a bit.

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“Just think, buddy,” Jonas said. “This could be like a coming-out party for you. In the safe surroundings of your nearest and dearest.” Gillian’s encouraging smile was the final straw. There was no way in hell he could say no and not look like an ass. “If you really want to go, you’re both welcome.” “Of course we do. It’ll be fun.” Lennon wasn’t sure if it was going to be fun or not, but he knew it would be interesting to say the least.

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Chapter Three

Gillian checked her makeup in her rearview mirror once before opening the car door and stepping out. For this to be a nondate, she was awfully conscious of her appearance. It had taken her a while to pick out an outfit. She didn’t want anything that said “I’m available” -- though she was -- and she didn’t want anything that said “We’re just buds,” even though they were. Gillian wanted her outfit to be just right. Something along the lines of “Even though we’re just friends, I’m not closed off to the possibility of more,” even if she wasn’t sure if that statement was absolutely correct. Despite how much she might protest, Gillian couldn’t lie to herself and say she wasn’t attracted to Lennon. If his skin tone had been several shades darker, his hair coarser, and his ancestry less European, she would have been all over him. Which said something very unflattering about herself. Something she wasn’t very proud of. She was beginning to wonder if she ought to rethink her philosophy of dating outside her race. Although why she was even considering her own dating issues in regard to Lennon, she had no idea. Her purpose was to pull him out of his shell and find a woman for him. Not consider him for herself. In spite of her plan, their evening at the bar hadn’t afforded her many opportunities to hook him up. In fact, she’d somehow lost sight of her intent.

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Nevertheless, last night would have to be listed in her book as one of the best nights out she’d had in a long time. Lennon’s friends were characters. There didn’t seem to be a serious bone among them. Even Lennon, who’d started out a bit sedate, opened up more once the night wore on. He wasn’t as outgoing as his malarkey-spewing friends, but he was definitely more animated. After being around them for a couple of hours, she could tell just why they were friends. They complemented each other in the nicest of ways, each bringing out qualities in the others that might not have been evident before. After seeing Lennon in this element, Gillian wondered if her initial estimation of him was as dead-on as she’d originally presumed. Although he wasn’t going a mile a minute, his behavior was far from shy. A few times in the evening, she’d even swear that mild-mannered Lennon had flirted with her. Full on. He was definitely possessive with her. He’d made sure he was sitting next to her at all times. Even when he excused himself to go to the restroom, he made it very clear he didn’t want anyone in his seat when he returned. His friends, of course, had joked around about sitting in it, but surprisingly they’d all respected his wishes and allowed it to remain empty. That gesture alone spoke volumes about their friendships. She was looking forward to seeing them again and perhaps picking their brains a little about Lennon. Slamming the car door, she headed up the walk and rang the doorbell, tapping her foot as she waited for him. When he opened the door, her mouth dropped wide open. No matter how many speeches she had given herself on the way over here, there was no way she could have prepared herself for the reality facing her now. Lennon. Seminude. Okay, seminude was stretching it a bit, but other than the towel slung casually across his shoulders, and the dark navy jeans riding low on his waist, he was.

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Good lord, he was yummy. “Hey, beautiful. Sorry I’m running late. I just hopped out of the shower.” “Shower.” The word sounded more like a frog’s croak than something from the English language, so she cleared her throat and tried again. “Shower?” “Yeah, my trainer worked me extra hard today.” Lennon grabbed her hand and pressed it against his bare, damp chest. “Feel this. My body is still in shock.” His rock-hard pec jumped under her fingers. “Wow.” “Tell me about it.” She had the feeling he wasn’t talking about the same kind of wow she was. Just touching his chest had set off erotic sparks inside her. Gillian had to wonder why she never thought white men were all that attractive. His broad, smooth chest was like a canvas she could paint upon. Before her mind could wander too far down that path, he ushered her into the house. “Come in. I’ll be done in a few more minutes.” “No biggie. I don’t mind waiting.” Gillian stepped into the foyer. She glanced around, looking for a place to hang out while he finished getting ready. “There’s no need for you to wait out here,” Lennon said. “Come on back and talk to me while I finish getting ready.” As she followed him back to the bedroom, she looked around his spacious home. Either they were paying him very well at Mynch, or he’d made some money at his last job. From what she saw on the brief jaunt through his home, Lennon’s house was stylishly decorated. His bedroom was no exception. The room was very masculine, with chocolate brown walls and dominated by a king-size bed and a large flat-screen television hanging on the wall. “Where’s Minta?” he asked as he headed into what she assumed was the master bathroom.

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Gillian resisted the urge to follow him and instead strolled over to the French doors and peered out. The sun was just beginning to set, giving her remnants of light in which to view his backyard. “She’s going to meet us over there.” “Cool.” Gillian turned back around at the sound of his voice and immediately regretted her decision. Lennon was still shirtless. “I really enjoyed hanging out with her last night. She’s a riot.” Gillian glanced quickly away. “Minta’s good people.” “I couldn’t agree more.” To her ever-loving relief, he popped back into the bathroom, giving her the muchneeded time to cool down. Man, did she need it. Gillian wasn’t sure if his lack of modesty was a white thing or a Lennon thing, but he apparently had absolutely no problem walking around in front of her sans shirt. Of course, if she was a man and she had a chest like that, she wouldn’t bother with a shirt either. In an attempt to regain her composure, Gillian moved away from the doors and took a seat on the end of the bed. “I liked your friends a lot as well.” “They’re all right for a bunch of knuckleheads.” Gillian laughed at his derisive tone. No matter what Lennon said, she could tell the men were tight. “How long have you known them?” “Too long,” he said with a smile as he stepped out of the bathroom once more. This time, much to her relief, he had a shirt on. It wasn’t buttoned, but it was a start. Her brain was beginning to slowly work again. “How long is too long?” “Over ten years.” Lennon stepped into his walk-in closet, only to return seconds later with socks and shoes. “We met in college.” He sat down on the bed near her but not directly next to her. In this intimate surrounding, he didn’t try to press his advantage. Even when he was partially clothed, he

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didn’t once make a move, like some men might have. Just one more reason for her to like him. “And managed to remain friends all this time?” “What can I say? I’m a likeable guy.” “And modest to boot.” Lennon laughed as he slipped on his shoes. When he was finally done, he turned to her and smiled. “You’ll find there are many different words that can be used to describe me.” “With shy not being one of them?” “Right.” Gillian wasn’t above admitting mistakes. “Okay, maybe shy was too strong of a word.” “Or too lame.” He stood and offered her his hand. When she placed hers in his, he pulled her to her feet. “It wasn’t lame.” Just a bit misinformed. “I still say you hold part of yourself back from people. Not all people. Your boys seem to see a different side to you.” “They know the real me.” “What do I know?” Lennon paused and looked down at her, his attention focused on her face. “You know that there’s more to me than what you first imagined.” She had no good comeback for that. “When you’re right, you’re right.” They chatted a bit more as they walked back to the front of the house. When she saw him grab his keys off the hall table, she stopped him. “We can take my car.” She began to dig around for her keys in her small Coach bag when his stony words caught her attention. “No, we can’t.” Gillian glanced up from her purse and stared in surprise at the frown creasing Lennon’s brow. “What’s wrong?”

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“We can either take two cars or you can ride with me, but I’m not going to allow you to chauffeur me around. I might be persona non grata on your guy radar, but I’m still a guy. And part of the guy rules is that we’re honor-bound to open doors, pay for dinner, and do the driving. It’s the law.” Gillian fought hard to keep a smile at bay. In her attempt to take things in hand once more, she’d inadvertently damaged his pride, and shy or not, all men had pride. “I just keep putting my foot in it with you, don’t I?” “What I can’t figure out is whether you’re just not used to men treating you like a lady or if you’re just not used to real men.” “What do you mean?” “Last night you balked when I picked up the tab.” “I invited you out.” “And…” “At the very least Minta and I should have paid for our own drinks.” “Did Minta appear, even in the slightest, to have an issue with me paying?” Not at all. In fact, it was Minta kicking her under the table that had shut her up in the first place. Maybe giving in was what was called for in this case as well. “If you’re sure you don’t mind driving…” “Positive.” “Then your car it is.” His silent nod was the only clue she had that he was pleased by her answer. Rolling her eyes, Gillian turned toward the door. Only when her back was to him did she allow her smile to shine through. He was so cute when he was huffy. “Let me get the lights; then we can go.”

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“Okay.” She automatically reached for the doorknob, but she stopped herself and quickly brought her hand to her side. Did this door count as a door, or was he only referring

to car doors and doors at restaurants ? Gillian stared at the handle like it was a snake. Should she open it or just wait and see? Before she could decide, Lennon was back at her side. Without saying a word, he opened the door and gestured for her to precede him. Once they were out, he closed and locked it before turning back toward her. “Thank you,” he gruffly muttered.

“For what?’ she asked, her eyes widened innocently.

“For not making me ruin our friendship.”

“Ruin it how?”

“By taking you over my lap and spanking your sexy ass.”

Well, hell. Gillian didn’t know if she was happy or sad because she hadn’t opened the

door. When they reached his black sports car, she studiously avoided the door, allowing him to take the lead. Without saying a word, he pulled the door open and gestured for her to enter. Before getting in, Gillian laid her hand across the top of his to get his attention. When he focused his gaze on her, she spoke, clearly and honestly. “For the record, so there’s no misunderstanding, you’re the complete opposite of persona non grata. Complete.” “You mean I’m doing something right?” “I’d say.” She winked. The only question now was, what did she want to do about it?

***** The ride over to the party passed way too quickly for Lennon’s peace of mind. Despite the less-than-auspicious way the evening had begun, he was really enjoying his time alone

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with Gillian. So much so that for the first time ever, he was reluctant to attend one of Jonas’s parties. He wanted her all to himself. That in itself wasn’t surprising. Lennon was known to be a possessive man, but what was astonishing was that he had these feelings toward Gillian so soon. They weren’t a couple. They were just now forging into friend territory. Yet even though rationally he was aware of this, he couldn’t keep his irrational caveman tendencies at bay. There was something between them, whether either of them wanted to admit it or not. When they pulled onto the street on which Jonas lived, Lennon whistled low. The street was lined with cars, a testament to the popularity of his friend’s parties. Unfortunately, it also meant they were going to have to park down the street a ways and walk back to the house. Nevertheless, even though the place would be packed, Lennon knew without a doubt Jonas would know every single person who walked through his door. Safety came above all else with his protective friend, which was a good thing, considering some of the things that were known to go down at these events. With that in mind, he felt compelled to explain once more that this wasn’t a Tupperware-type party. He opened his door so the dome light would come on and he would be able to see her features more clearly. He enjoyed looking at her when they talked. Not just because she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever had the pleasure of talking to, but also because her dark eyes were very expressive. Lennon could tell what kind of mood she was in just by peering deep into them. Right now they were brimming with wonder. He hated to shatter her illusions. “I feel the need to warn you one more time.” “About?” Lennon nodded his head in the direction of Jonas’s home. “When I said earlier that his parties can be a little wild, I might have understated it a bit.”

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“How so?” Her brow crinkled in confusion.

There was no other way to say it but to say it. “By wild, I mean naked people wild.”

“Naked people?”

“Yes. Naked.” Lennon braced himself for outrage, but to his surprise, Gillian burst out

laughing. From the way she reacted, he could tell she didn’t believe him. “I’m serious, Gillian. They’re like a step away from full-fledged orgies at times.” “I…woo…I…believe you,” she finally said once she was able to get herself back together. “Really I do. Orgies.” He narrowed his eyes in irritation. She was making fun of him. Brat. “I can tell.” “No, I do. That’s not what I was laughing at.” Somehow he just didn’t believe her. “Then pray tell, what do you find so amusing?” “You.” “Me?” Not exactly the response he was expecting. “Yeah. You should see your face. You looked as if you were about to say it was a private Klan meeting and you were serving me and Minta up for snacks.” “That bad, huh?” Lennon made a mental note to tone down his protective urges. “A little.” She smiled. “I’m a big girl, Lennon. I can handle myself.” He wasn’t afraid of her ability to handle herself so much as who might try to handle her. “If at any time you want to leave, just say the word.” “The word? Are we going to have a secret code?” “Yeah. Something like ‘the thin brat walks home alone,’” he said drily. To his pleasure, Gillian laughed again. It was a sound he was really beginning to enjoy. “Shall we go in?” “Yes.” Lennon waited to see if she would reach for the door handle, but she didn’t. He wasn’t sure if he was disappointed he wouldn’t get to carry out his threat or pleased that she took

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him seriously. After exiting the car, he closed his door then made his way around to her side. Gallantly, he opened her door and waited for her to step out, before shutting it behind her. He knew she probably thought he was being old-fashioned or maybe even something less flattering, but Lennon could only be himself. He was a throwback to a different generation in many ways. He strongly believed in treating a lady like a lady. Until it was time to treat her like a whore. “May I say how lovely you look this evening?” he asked as they began walking toward Jonas’s home. Lovely didn’t seem to be a strong enough word to describe how pretty she was, though. “It’s just a simple black dress.” Even though she downplayed his compliment, her face beamed with pleasure. “You say simple, I say” -- Lennon raked her supple body with his gaze -- “wow.” Even wow didn’t begin to describe the sexy little number accurately. It took everything in him not to comment on her outfit when they were in his house. She’d already seemed a bit thrown off by the fact he wasn’t wearing a shirt. He didn’t want her to think he was trying to make a move. Although the thought had entered his mind a time or twenty. “Thank you.” “No” -- he grinned -- “thank you. You know, despite the fact I’ve seen you in a skirt at work, I don’t think I’ve ever noticed what utterly fantastic gams you have.” “Gams?” She stopped walking to look up at him and smile. “How very retro of you, Bogart.” “What can I say? You bring it out in me, kid.” He added the last bit with a horrible Bogart accent. She shook her head in wonderment. “How did I ever think you were shy?” “I’ve asked myself that question many a time,” he replied as they began to walk once more.

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“Have you come up with an answer?” “Yes.” “And?” He had a feeling Gillian wasn’t going to like his answer, so he waited until they were in front of Jonas’s door and he’d rung the doorbell before he answered. “It’s because you didn’t see me before.” She blinked her eyes in a moment of confusion. “I didn’t see you. What does that mean?” “Think about it. It’ll come to you.” Before she could reply, the door swung open. Jonas, ever the gracious host, was standing in the doorway, his face alight with pleasure. “It’s about time you two made it. Come on in. Minta is already here.” “She is? Great.” The joy in Gillian’s voice made him smile, something that wasn’t lost on Jonas, who grinned widely himself. Of course it was a mocking grin that told Lennon in no uncertain terms that his friends would be watching him closely tonight. From the way they acted last night, one might have thought he’d never shown interest in a woman before. Lennon gestured for Gillian to precede him, trying his best to keep his gaze from dropping down to her delectable bottom. Of course that didn’t stop Jonas from doing it, which earned his friend a jab in the stomach as Lennon entered behind her. “Umph,” Jonas grunted, but managed to turn the noise into a cough. He rubbed his stomach as he shut the door behind them, shooting Lennon a disgruntled look that spoke of retribution. “At last check, she was in the backyard leading Wyatt on a very merry chase.” “He’s still at it, huh?” Lennon asked. “He said he’s just keeping her company until you two arrive, but you never know with him.”

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“So true,” Lennon said thoughtfully before glancing down at Gillian. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” “Of course I am.” “Remember the code phrase,” he teased. “Code phrase,” Jonas snorted. “Back up momma hen, your chick will be fine.” “She better be,” he warned. “Oh stop it.” Gillian lightly slapped him on his arm. “How bad can it really be?”

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Chapter Four

It was bad. Really, really bad. To be fair, Gillian had to admit, she’d been warned. More than warned, but she was cocky and sure she could handle anything Jonas could throw at her. Man, was she wrong. The party in itself wasn’t the eye opener. It was as normal of a party as she’d ever been to, with good food, lively music, and people chatting and mingling about. That was the normal part. The “oh my God” part of the party took place in the back rooms, where apparently anything went. The worst part was even though she knew that and had been warned what she might see if she went back there, Gillian couldn’t stop herself from slipping back to check things out. A few times. The first time had been an accident, of sorts. She’d been looking for Minta and turned down the wrong hallway, only to come up short when she peered into a room and saw a couple going at it in a bedroom with the door and curtains wide open. With the exception of late-night cable TV and the occasional pornographic film she stumbled across at a former lover’s home, Gillian had never witnessed another couple making love. The blatant in-your-face action of the couple kept her riveted for a cool second, before shame reared its ugly head, reminding Gillian that it wasn’t polite to watch.

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Ashamed at her action, she quickly turned away to leave them to their business. In her haste to escape, she barreled into Wyatt, who was watching her with a kind expression on his handsome face. Embarrassment slipped into her, making her grateful -- and not for the first time -- that her skin hue was dark. “Sorry,” she said as she stepped away from him. “I didn’t see you there.” “And I can tell why,” he said, glancing behind her to the open doorway. “Where’s your guard?” “Minta?” “No, not Minta. I know exactly where she is. I’m talking about your bulldog, Lennon. I’m surprised he let you wander back here.” “Uh…oh…that was an accident.” Just remembering what she’d stumbled across had her stammering. “I didn’t mean to --” “Trust me” -- Wyatt placed his hand on her upper back and gently steered her down the hallway from which she’d come -- “no one who does anything here minds. In fact, many people come here for the specific reason of putting on a show.” “A show?” Clarity dawned bright and clear. “You mean they left the door open on purpose?” “Most definitely, and a friendly warning, doll, if you don’t want to have every illusion you hold dear shattered, I’d remain” -- they came out of the darkened hallway back into the living room -- “on this side of the house. There are a few unspoken but well-known rules. One, anything goes, but only on the east side of the house. Number two, no means no, no matter what. Number three, what happens here stays here. As you look around the room, I think you’ll see the importance of that rule.”

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Confused, Gillian did as he suggested and ran her gaze over the faces in the room. To her utter amazement, she recognized a few of them, and not from around her local supermarket. “Is that Judge --” “Shh.” Wyatt quickly silenced her. “Last names aren’t really important, are they?” “Uh no, but… Oh my God. That’s Milo --” “First names either.” He laughed. “We’re all just friends here.” “Friends.” Gillian shook her head, overwhelmed with everything she was taking in. “I have no idea how to respond. Nor do I know how Minta and I ended up here. How do you know we won’t go running to the tabloids and blab to the world what we saw here tonight?” “Because Lennon trusts you and we trust him.” “He trusts me?” “Yes.” All traces of humor slipped away as Wyatt peered into her eyes. “He does. And that’s a rarity for him.” “I was way off base with the shy thing. I know that now, but if you want me to believe Lennon is untrusting and closed off, I have to wonder if you know him either.” “I didn’t say untrusting; I said he doesn’t trust easily.” “How is that different from what I said?” “You’ll see.” He hinted slyly. Wyatt glanced up and over at Lennon, who was barreling down their way. “Oh, I think I forgot rule number four.” “Which was?” He moved his hand off her back and took a step away from her. “Minta and Gillian are hands off.” “Says who?” Before he could answer, Lennon was upon them. “Where have you been?” “I found your pigeon hanging on the east side.”

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“Did you now?” Lennon cocked a brow. “Since I didn’t hear any high-pitched screams, I guess your delicate sensibilities are intact.” Was he making fun of her? Gillian tilted her head to the side and mimicked his facial expression. “Intact and in working order. You’ll have to try a bit harder than that if you want to try to shock me,” she lied. “Challenge?” Wyatt asked. “No, just stating facts.” A figure moving near the French doors caught her attention. “Now if you two will excuse me, Minta is gesturing to me.” “But of course,” Wyatt said. Lennon didn’t say anything. He just stuck his hands in his pockets and gave the faintest of nods. Gillian had the strongest urge to roll her eyes, but fought it with all her might. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Knowing intuitively that both men’s gazes were locked on her, Gillian strode away from them, head held high, hips in full seductive mode. She put a little extra motion to her sway as she walked, needing to show Lennon she was woman enough to handle anything and everything. Now why she felt that need, she wasn’t sure, but it was there nevertheless. The second time she found herself on the east side of the house, Minta was to blame. After leaving Wyatt and Lennon, she had immediately told her friend about the goings-on in the other half of the house. Minta soon had her by the arm, determined to check it out for herself. What they saw this time made the little doggy-style action she’d seen earlier seem tame. This time instead of there being a couple making love, there were two couples making love. Although, to be fair, she couldn’t for sure say it was two couples, because everyone was touching everyone. Men on men, women on women. It was a smorgasbord of penises, vaginas, and hands. Hands touching people all over the place. And if that wasn’t enough, there were a few men in the room watching intently.

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Gillian couldn’t tell if they were watching because they were turned on or watching to see when there’d be an opening to join. She eventually had to drag Minta away from the scene, somewhat disturbed at how turned on she’d become. She resolved to stay away from the east side of the house for the rest of the party. Lord knew there were plenty of other things to keep herself occupied. Plus the house itself was a monstrosity of rooms upon rooms, without even venturing to the bad side. The outside was just as beautiful as the inside, with lit lush gardens and a large in-ground pool that many were taking advantage of. Some were even wearing suits as they dove in. This party, this house, these people were decadence at its best, yet instead of being overwhelmed, Gillian felt completely at ease. It might be due to the fact that despite what Wyatt said, Lennon wasn’t the only bulldog watching her back. All four men had, in one way or the other, made a special effort to make sure she and Minta were okay and having a good time. And they were. When Minta hooked up with a tall redhead a couple hours later, Gillian decided to go looking for Lennon. Unfortunately, he was no where to be found. She briefly wondered if he had availed himself to the delights of the party, but she figured he was too much of a gentleman to do that. Not to party, but to bring a woman to a party, even if only as friends, then ditch her to hook up. Still, when she rounded the corner of the house and caught a glimpse of a couple through a set of French doors, she paused. The man, at first glance, looked like Lennon. Of course, as soon as she really looked at him, she realized her error. Instead of immediately moving away, however, Gillian continued to watch the show in front of her. Her first-glance mistake had extended beyond just the key players. Gillian realized the couple was actually a triad. There was another person in the room with the two people making out on the bed and he was just as naked as they were. From the way his cock stood, she’d say he was also just as aroused as the writhing couple on the bed.

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When the other gentleman joined the couple on the bed, Gillian stepped closer to the door. Despite herself, she was utterly and completely captivated by the scene playing out before her. She was so drawn in, everything else around her seemed to disappear. The noise of the party died away as she mentally transported herself inside the room. Gillian had never been with two men at once. The possibility had never even crossed her mind, but now, looking in at the three of them, she wondered why it hadn’t. The idea of being the center of attention of two strapping men was extremely arousing. She wondered if they would take her separately or at the same time. Or maybe they’d -“My, my, my, Ms. Foxe. Aren’t you just filled with surprises?” Hearing Lennon’s voice behind her had her stiffening in shock. It was bad enough he knew she’d been to the east side of the house once. But to find her standing outside a room and ogling the scene inside was more than her embarrassment quotient could bear. She just wanted to disappear in a poof of smoke. And when she didn’t think it could get any worse, it did. “We can go in, if you want.” “No…I was…no.” “Come on, who’s the shy one now?” Lennon twisted the handle of the door and slowly pushed it open. The sound of the door opening caught the attention of three on the bed. When the gentleman who joined the couple noticed Lennon, he nodded his head toward them in a silent greeting, giving Gillian the impression he knew Lennon. Lennon returned the gesture, then looked back at Gillian. “Are you coming?” She might be, if she went in there. “I don’t want to intrude.” Even as she spoke, she regretted it. The words sounded lame even to her ears, but thankfully, Lennon refrained from teasing her. “Watching isn’t the same as joining in.” “I know.” “Then what are you afraid of?”

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As childish as it was, his challenging words fueled a fire in her. She could no more turn down his hinted dare than she could fly. “I’m not afraid of anything.” “Then what’s holding you back?” Lennon held out his hand to her. It was a gesture Gillian could not resist. “Not a thing.” She placed her hand in his and followed him wordlessly into the bedroom. To her surprise, Lennon not only closed the French doors behind them, he also softly padded across the room and closed the bedroom door. After locking the door, he walked over to the bed and spoke softly to the triad. From the deep chuckle that came from the direction of the bed, Gillian began to wonder what exactly she’d gotten herself into. Lennon strolled back toward her, and Gillian had to force herself not to take a step backward. She suddenly saw him as a predator stalking his prey, and she was in his sights. Instead of stopping in front of her, however, he stepped around behind, pulling her back against him. She could feel his body pressed against hers. He leaned down, his breath hot against her neck. “Watch.” As if she could do anything else.

My ,my, my. Lennon wasn’t a man easily caught off guard, yet somehow Gillian had managed in the short time they’d known one another to do so time and time again. The last place he’d expected to find the dark beauty was standing outside watching an impromptu show, but man was he glad he did. After finding Minta talking to a man with Gillian nowhere in sight, he’d gone on the search for her. Even though it went against his baser domineering urges, he’d tried his best to give her a bit of space tonight. And as much as she’d professed to being a big girl, he still worried about her reactions to the events at the party. Once he came upon her riveted form,

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staring hungrily through the glass of the French doors, he began to rethink things a bit. Suddenly he wasn’t so concerned. Oh, he was concerned with her well-being, but not with her ability to handle things. She was a big girl all right. How big was the question? He could immediately tell she was fascinated by the sights before her. Her eyes were dilated and her breath was hitched when she spoke. But most telling were her hardened nipples. He was sure if he slipped his hands inside her panties, he’d find her wet, swollen, and aching. When he asked her if she wanted to go in, he’d half expected her to slap his face and storm away, but she did neither. A telling sign for sure. As was, she was standing transfixed at the sight before them. From the way they were standing, with her body pressed firmly against him, he could feel every breath she took, every squirm she tried hard to hold back, and every beat of her heart. Gillian was turned on. Lennon was especially pleased they had stumbled upon this couple in particular. He knew them from previous parties, and from what he recalled, they were a very limber and enthusiastic duo. The brunet male was married to the lucky woman who was busy orally servicing him as they all looked on. The younger man with them was a guest star in tonight’s production, and from the looks of his rampant erection, an eager one. “Have you ever watched anyone make love before?” he whispered in her ear. “No.” Her voice was equally low but had a husky quality she’d lacked before. “It’s very erotic, especially when you have someone to watch with you. It’s like you’re part of the action, but not.” Although he enjoyed watching people making love, Lennon was more interested in watching Gillian’s expression. He moved a bit to the side, so he could observe her, but not far enough so they were no longer touching. He wanted to experience everything she did, via her.

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“Oh my.” The whispered words brought a quick grin to his face. His sheltered dove was getting a lesson tonight. Lennon glanced away from her and back to the show at hand. In the brief time he’d been studying her, the trio had switched positions. The husband had upgraded from the wife’s mouth to her pussy. From the hungry groans drifting their way, Lennon would say it was a smart move. The man’s hips pumped back and forth as he powered his shaft into his wife’s pussy from behind. The guest star had taken the husband’s place and was now lying on his back on the bed as the woman took him deep within her mouth. Even Lennon, who considered himself a bit jaded and unshakable, began to feel his cock stir behind his zipper. But it wasn’t because of the scene. Okay, it wasn’t just because of the scene. It was because of whom he was watching the trio with. He was aroused because he could tell Gillian was aroused. He was intrigued, but only by her. And he too wanted to make love, but not in public and not tonight. He would use tonight to begin his seduction of her. To find out her kinks and desires, so he could make all of her fantasies come true. As the blowjob continued at an unhurried paced, Lennon glanced over his shoulder to see if there was any way to make this experience a bit more enjoyable for the both of them. When his gaze came to rest on the amber pin-striped armchair, he grinned in satisfaction. There was only one chair, but that’s all they needed. “Come with me.” “What?” Gillian glanced up at him, her onyx eyes filled with a mixture of desire and confusion. “We’re leaving?” From the tone of her voice, Gillian didn’t want to go anywhere anytime soon. That was a sentiment he more than echoed. “Oh no. We’re not leaving until it’s over.” Or until she came. Whichever happened first. “Let’s just have a seat, and get…more comfortable.” “Comfortable.” She licked her lips and darted her gaze away from him back to the action on the bed. “Yes. Let’s.”

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Instead of moving to the chair like he’d previously planned, Lennon went and picked it up, then moved it to where he’d been standing so they wouldn’t lose their viewing advantage. He wanted to make sure Gillian didn’t miss a single thing. When he positioned the chair exactly where he wanted, he sat down, then promptly pulled Gillian into his lap. The second she sat in his lap, she froze. Unlike her, he couldn’t hide his desires under his clothes, nor did he want to. He wanted her to feel every single inch of his cock pressed against her. Placing his hands around her waist, Lennon pulled her back firmly on him, until her back was touching his chest. “Don’t worry, Gillian; my hands will stay here the entire time.” He flexed his fingers to drive home his point. Gillian turned her head until they were eye to eye and licked her lips in what he could only assume was a sign of nervousness. “It’s not your hands I’m worried about.” “You have nothing to fear from him either.” “What makes you think I was referring to your appendages?” She shifted on his lap, rubbing her full bottom against his throbbing shaft. Before he could comment, she turned her attention back to the show. While he’d been busy rearranging furniture, the trio had been busy rearranging their bodies. The woman was now fucking the other man as her husband watched with a look Lennon could only describe as pride as he lubed his cock. The woman took her time riding the other man, taking him deeper and deeper insider her with every downward plunge. Her moans of pleasure grew increasingly louder as she sped up her motions, until Lennon was sure she was about to come. Before she could reach her pinnacle though, her husband wrapped his hands in her hair and brought her rough ride to an end. “Uh, uh, uh, Shannon. You know better than that.” “Please, Burke. I’m so close,” she whimpered. “You know the rules, don’t you?” he asked patiently.

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“Yes. Not until you’re inside too.” “Too?” Gillian turned her wide eyes Lennon’s way. “Are they…going to…at the same time?” “I do believe that’s the plan. Have you ever --” “No. Never. No.” Her quick answer pleased him. If there was anything Lennon knew about himself for sure, it was that he didn’t play well with others. For him personally, a threesome was a fantasy-only type thing. If Gillian wanted to be filled with two cocks at once, he could make sure that happened, as long as one of the other cocks required batteries, that is. Once he took her, and there was no doubt in his mind that he would, he wouldn’t give her up or loan her out. He didn’t get down that way. “Lie forward.” The man’s order captured Gillian’s attention once more, and she quickly glanced back at the bed. The man lying down used his hands to spread Shannon’s ass cheeks apart, giving not only the woman’s husband a view of her puckered pink hole, but Gillian and Lennon as well. “Splendid, my love, but I think we need to move around. We don’t want to deprive these fine people of their view now, do we?” “No, we don’t.” The trio quickly changed position so that their sides were facing Gillian and Lennon, instead of their backs and feet. Once repositioned, the guest player once more spread Shannon for Burke, who took advantage of the help and pressed his glistening cock at her rear entrance. When he slid his cock deep inside her, the woman moaned. But she wasn’t the only one. Gillian made a similar noise, but to Lennon, hers was twice as sexy. Lennon was willing to bet his life savings that Gillian had no idea she’d made a sound. Other than her moan, Gillian didn’t make a peep, but she did move. She shifted in his lap every few seconds as if she was trying to appease the hunger growing inside her.

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Her legs were closed tightly together, and every now and then he noticed she gripped the hem of her skirt. The way she bunched it in her hand made it seem as if she was refraining from touching someone. Or something. She wasn’t the only one refraining from touching. Lennon had grown increasingly aroused the longer and harder she wiggled on his lap. His legendary patience was quickly coming to an end. Tightening his grip on her hips, he pulled her back against him, biting back a moan as her buttocks pressed against his erection. “Comfy?” “I --” “Me either.” He pressed his cloth-covered cock up as he pulled her down, eliciting a moan from them both. “Lennon.” His name fell like a purr from her full, supple lips. He knew he’d promised to keep his hands still, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t move her. He pushed her forward slightly, then pulled her back again, until his cock was nestled against her ample bottom. “You don’t have to do a single thing. Just watch and enjoy.” “And what are you going to do?” she moaned. “Drive.” Holding her tightly, he began to rock her back and forth. Gillian took his wrists in her hands and dug her nails deep within in his skin. But she didn’t once ask him to stop, nor did she try to rise. She merely held on with all her might and allowed him to give her what she needed. What he needed. Lennon had been a callow youth the last time he came in his pants. It was an experience he didn’t relish repeating. He did however want to get Gillian off, and from the way she was grinding down on him, it wouldn’t take much longer. If he had to recite baseball statistics in his head until his brain exploded, he would. As long as that was the only thing exploding.

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The moans from the bed grew louder as did the sound of flesh smacking into flesh. The enticing aroma of sex permeated the air, making every breath taken better than the one before. Never had Lennon wanted to fuck more than he did at this very moment. His cock strained against his zipper jailer, aching for something he was not about to receive. Relief. “Lennon.” Gillian’s grip tightened around his wrists as she gyrated faster over his thigh. “I’m…I’m…” “Come, baby,” he ordered, glad one of them would be able to. “Come for me.” Her cries were echoed by the participants on the bed, as they tumbled down the orgasmic rabbit hole right behind her. The raspy sounds of breathing filled the room as everyone tried to gather themselves together once more. Gillian especially. Gillian had initially leaned back into him after her orgasm, but soon was sitting up to right herself. She struggled for a moment as she attempted to stand, as if her legs might not support her. He waited to see if she would be able to before he offered aid, not wanting to press his home court advantage. But after a few seconds of deep breathing, she was once more back in control. The way he knew she liked it. Standing, he shifted the bulge in his pants, silently praying for the fortitude to get through the next few minutes, sans wet spot. His motion caught Gillian’s attention, and when she noticed his unrelenting erection. “Oh my.” Her eyes widened and her gaze shot up to his. “You didn’t?” “No.” “I’m sorry.” “There’s no need. I enjoyed myself. Just maybe not as much as you did,” he added with a wink.

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Now that she had come, she was back to being her normal polite self. Though, she seemed highly embarrassed. Lennon couldn’t tell if it was from what they’d watched, what they did, or for what he didn’t do. Gillian was an enigma, one he couldn’t wait to unravel. Gillian turned from him to the trio on the bed and then back to Lennon, as if unsure where to cast her gaze. “Are you okay?” “Yes. I think I need a drink,” she murmured. “Honey, I think we all do,” Shannon said, sending the two men on the bed into a fit of laughter. Even Gillian seemed to be fighting back a smile. With his hand at the small of her back, Lennon guided Gillian from the room. This party hadn’t turned out exactly how he’d thought, but he certainly wasn’t displeased by the results. Not at all.

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Chapter Five

“So did the two of you talk yet?” Gillian glanced up from her computer at Minta, who was standing in the opening of her gloomy gray cubicle. “What are you still doing here?” “Girl, I keep asking myself that same damned question.” Smiling, Gillian pushed away from her desk and turned to face her friend. “I didn’t mean this job. I meant here this late.” “Finishing up dickhead’s work, as usual,” she grumbled. “What about you?” “I have a report to finish.” Minta nodded her head in commiseration. Working late, at least for them, had become an unwelcome norm. “Back to my original question. Have you seen him today?” “No. I haven’t had time.” Gillian wasn’t being 100 percent honest. If she wanted to, she could have; she just hadn’t worked up the courage to do so. She was still not sure how she felt about Saturday night’s entertainment. Or how she really felt about Lennon. All she did know was she couldn’t pretend she only saw him as a friend. Friends didn’t use other friend’s crotches to get off. At least not the friends she’d had in the past.

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“Liar. You could have gone to see him any time you wanted.” “Hello.” Gillian gestured to her crowded desk. “Do you see all of this?” “Yes. It’s called a pathetic excuse.” “No, it isn’t.” “Please, child. Five minutes out of your day to say, ‘Hey, thanks for the orgasm’ wouldn’t have killed you.”

Oh my God ! Gillian could not believe Minta had said that. She stared in mute shock at her friend as she wondered where her off button was. But before she could get a word in edgewise, Minta spoke again. “And by the way, when was the last time you had sex?” Shaking her head, Gillian turned back to her desk and began to shut down her computer. There was no way she was going to be able to finish up work now. “I’m not having this conversation with you. Not here. Not ever.” “Who are you afraid is going to overhear us? The janitorial crew? All the sane folks have gone home.” “I’m not afraid of anything.” Once again, not entirely true. “I just don’t feel like sharing my business with the rest of the world.” “Says the woman who was giving a lap dance while she watched some people get down.” “I am never telling you a damned thing again.” “Yes, you will.” “Yeah, think that.” Gillian turned off her desk lamp and pulled her purse from under the desk. “I’m just going to pretend like we never had this conversation.” “You can pretend all you want as long as you don’t pretend you don’t dig him. Who cares what color his skin is? We’re all the same color once the lights turn off. I say turn the lights off and let Mother Nature take her course.”

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“Of course you would, Miss ‘I don’t have a preference. A man is a man.’” “And thanks to my open-mindedness, I don’t sit home on Friday nights alone. That’s all I’m saying.” “You say an awful lot.” Too much, in fact. Gillian was beginning to squirm under the assault. “And I see an awful lot too. That’s why you love me.” “Right.” Gillian rolled her eyes. “That’s why.” Standing, she joined Minta. “Can we just go home and save the lecture for tomorrow?” “I don’t lecture. I enlighten.” Gillian didn’t know what her friend was smoking, but she wanted to take a hit. Rather than try and continue this argument, she was just ready to head home. “Come on.” She headed toward the elevators only to be brought up short by Minta clearing her throat. “You’re going the wrong way.” Minta pointed in the direction of Lennon’s office. “No, I’m not.” “Oh, did I forget to tell you? I stopped by his office on the way over here and mentioned you’d be along shortly. He’s expecting you any minute.” “You did not!” “Yes, I did. See you.” Amused and slightly exasperated, Gillian watched her friend walk away, her hand waving high in the air. Leave it to Minta to drop a bomb and stroll off like nothing had happened. Her departure was slightly similar to the way things had continued with her and Lennon after the show. Despite the fact they’d just experienced something very intimate and climatic -- for her, at least -- Lennon had blithely ignored the obvious and continued along with the party as if nothing had happened, leaving Gillian to stew in her own thoughts and juices for the rest of the night.

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Even on the ride home, he’d been nothing but cordial. He didn’t once make a smug comment or send her a sly, knowing look. If it weren’t for her damp panties, Gillian might have thought she had imagined the whole thing.

What to do? What to do? If he was waiting for her and she didn’t show up, he’d probably think she was avoiding him. If she did show up, he might think she was looking for something more than a dry hump this time.

Am I looking for more ? Try as she might, she couldn’t deny the attraction she felt for him. Nor could she deny her interest. But everyone knew office romances went nowhere.

But he wasn’t going to be there forever. The idea did have merit. If she was ever going to take a walk on the white side, it might as well be with Lennon. She trusted him, she obviously liked him, and he wouldn’t be around forever. It was a win-win all the way around. With that thought in mind, she started toward Lennon’s office. She had almost reached the door when a tall, lanky man in a business suit walked out and closed the door behind him. He smiled at her as he passed on his way to the elevator. He looked vaguely familiar, but she didn’t dwell on it. “Knock, knock.” Gillian rapped softly on the door, mimicking her words with actions as she cautiously peeked her head into the office. When Lennon looked up, he broke out into a smile that sent her heart racing. Calm down, girl, she warned herself. This was a casual visit. Nothing more. Nothing less. “Busy?” “For you. Never.” Lennon closed the laptop he’d been working on and slid it in his desk drawer. “Who was the guy just leaving?” Gillian asked as she came fully into the room. Bypassing her usual seat across from him, she walked around the desk, leaned her hip against the corner, and faced him. It was after hours, so she allowed herself to behave a bit more

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familiar with him, since most of the staff had gone home an hour or so go. Besides, he’d seen her oh face, or at least heard the noise she made when she was making the face, so it seemed a bit silly to act so formal. Lennon glanced at her blankly. “Who?” She sat back, momentarily thrown. Was he kidding ? “The blond guy who was just in here.” “Oh, I don’t know. Mail room guy or something. He was looking for someone in particular. He had the wrong office.” “Really?” Her mind whirled at his lame response. “Because I could have sworn I saw him at Jonas’s party on Saturday.” “Speaking of Saturday night.” Lennon took off his reading glasses and placed them on the desk. When he looked back up at her, his blue eyes were filled with mischief. “Did you have a good time?” “No. It was boring. The worst party I’ve ever been to.” Try as she might, Gillian couldn’t keep the amusement out of her voice. “Besides, I thought we had a nonverbal agreement never to discuss Saturday again.” “I don’t recall you mentioning that.” “Of course you didn’t hear me. It was nonverbal,” she teased. “That explains a lot.” He leaned back in his chair and laced his fingers together. “I’m surprised to see you tonight. I figured you’d be long gone.” “Gone.” Gillian was caught off guard by his statement. “I thought Minta told you I was going to stop by.” He matched her confused look with one of his own. “Minta? I haven’t seen her since Saturday.” “Saturday!” Lord Jesus, help me not kill that child. “Saturday!”

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“Yes.” Frowning, he unlaced his fingers and sat up. “Unless you think she told me in one of the nonverbal ways and I missed it.” “No.” She didn’t tell him one way or the other. Freaking liar. “Never mind.” Gillian rose and started to leave but was stopped by Lennon’s hand on her stomach. “Hold up for a second. Why do I feel like I’m at the butt end of a really bad joke?” “There’s a joke all right, but it’s not on you. It’s on me.” “How so?” “Minta…” How exactly was she going to explain not only what Minta said but what her motives were for saying it? Sighing heavily, she shook her head and pushed past his hands. “It’s nothing.” Once again Lennon stopped her escape, but this time he grabbed hold of her wrist and didn’t budge. “I don’t believe you. Something brought you in here after you spent all day avoiding me, and I want to know what it was. You owe me that.” Her temper flared at his words and his possessive grip on her wrist. “I don’t owe you anything.” “I’d beg to differ.” He stood and pulled her against him. “At the very least you owe me a ‘thank you.’” “Thank you. For what?” The instant the words slipped out she caught his meaning. No. He. Didn’t. “If you don’t remember, maybe I should refresh your memory.” Before she could respond, he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.

Kissing as punishment. Hmm. Lennon was going to have to remember this. It silenced her and it pleased him, all the while fueling his passions further. His need for her spilled through him, fueled by his desire to claim her as his own. His tongue slid along her lips,

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beseeching entrance, demanding submission. To his delight, she gave in, opening her mouth to him and matching his fervor with a heat akin to his own. Damn, she tasted sweet, but it didn’t appease his anger. Lennon thought he’d made peace with the fact Gillian hadn’t bothered to stop by his office. It wasn’t as if he expected her to visit, but he just would have liked it if she had. He’d actually found himself immensely pleased to see her stroll in when she did. His feeling of pleasure quickly vanished though, in light of her unsaid reason. He was keeping enough secrets for the both of them. Their budding relationship couldn’t handle any more, and that realization made him fighting mad. And since he would never lay a hand on Gillian in anger, he silenced her the only other way he could. With his lips. When Lennon lifted his head, she let out a hungry moan. She slipped her hand behind his nape and pulled him back in for another kiss. The last link on his chain of self-restraint broke, and he gave into his desires. Lennon made a sound low and deep in his throat as he pulled her tightly to him. She fit against him as if they were made for one another. Her soft, supple breasts rested quite nicely against his hard chest. His hands gripped her body, and he felt a surge of need to fill her with his flesh. This wasn’t just about punishment anymore. It was way beyond that. Lennon swept everything in arm’s reach off the desk and onto the floor, all without breaking their kiss. There was nothing on his desk more important than the person in his arms. Gripping the hem of her skirt, he pulled the black material up until it bunched at her waist, then set her down on the desk. Only then did he reluctantly pull away from her tempting mouth. The sound of their labored breathing filled the room as they stared wordlessly at one another. Her lips were swollen, her eyes were glazed over, and her breasts seemed to be straining to break free of the sedate white shirt that confined them. All in all, Lennon would have to say she’d never looked lovelier. Or sexier.

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He placed his hands on her beautiful brown thighs and wedged her legs apart. This wasn’t the way he’d planned to take her their first time, but he was good at thinking on his feet. His desk wasn’t romantic nor was it classy, but it was handy, accessible, and able to support what he had in mind, which was to fuck her. Plain and simple. Surprisingly, she didn’t protest his manhandling. In fact, she continued to stare at him as he ran his hands along her leg from her knee to the tops of her nude thigh-high hose. When he reached the lace that guarded her sex, he lightly brushed his finger over her mound and smiled at her gasp. “Tell me again you don’t owe me anything.” Lennon gripped the damp crotch of her panties and pulled with all his might. The flimsy red material gave under his hand. The sound of the ripping material was rewarding. It soothed a bit of the savage beast lurking beneath his skin. “Come on, tell me.” Gillian met his fierce glare with one of her own. “If you think I owed you anything, you should have tried to collect it on Saturday.” “Here I thought I was being gentlemanly by giving you time to adjust to our new arrangement.” “Who asked you to?” “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m done playing nice with you.” He said as he slipped two fingers deep within her tight passage. “Now the only thing you have to adjust to is the size of my cock in this sweet, tight passage.” He scissored his fingers inside to try to stretch her a bit. He was thick and long. It was going to take some preparation to ready her for his shaft. But he was more than prepared to do the groundwork as long as he was able to reap the rewards. “Fuck, baby, you’re tight.” He hadn’t felt a pussy this difficult to breech since high school. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask her how long it’d been since she last had sex, but Lennon bit the words back. He didn’t want to know the answer to that question. Yesterday

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didn’t matter. They were about the here and now. And here and now, he was fucking her or soon would be. “It’s going to take some work to warm you up for my cock.” “I don’t need to warm up.” “You think you can handle it? Handle me?” “I can handle anything and everything you give.” “You think so do you?” Lennon added a third finger into her tight confines, filling with masculine pride as she wiggled and groaned. She scooted back on his desk as if she was trying to back away from his thrusting fingers, but Lennon wasn’t having any of that. “Uh, uh, uh.” “Lennon, stop toying with me. I want --” “I want you too.” He sped up his fingers, plunging in her heated sheath as far as his hand would allow. “But we have to make sure you’re ready.” “I’m ready already. Fuck me. Fuck me now or else…” “Or else what?” He brushed his thumb across her clit. Moaning, Gillian arched into his touch. His mouth watered as the heady sweet scent of pussy wafted up to him. He couldn’t wait to get a taste of her succulent dew. “I like it when you give me ultimatums.” “Shut up and fuck me. Please. Please. Please.” Her pleases did him in. “Never let it be said I don’t know how to give a lady what she wants, what she begs for.” He slipped his hand from her pussy and brought it up to his mouth for a quick taste. The quick taste made him start lapping at his fingers like a starving man, trying his best to lick up every single drop of her sweet nectar, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to taste her essences straight from the tap. To bury his face in her sex until he was breathing in her heady scent. “You’re going have to wait for my cock for a few seconds more. I have to taste that pussy.” Lennon dropped down to his knees in front of her splayed legs. He stared in wonder at the bare glistening treasure before him. “Damn, baby.”

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There were no words in the human language that could describe the delectable feast he was being offered. So he didn’t try to speak. Instead, he concentrated on pleasuring her. Lennon moved slowly toward her, entranced by the beautiful brown sight before him. Using his fingers, he parted her dusky lips, opening her pussy up to his eager eyes. Beautiful. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward and swiped his tongue over her aroused cleft, taking his time to savor the delicacy that was she. He took his time tasting and teasing her. From the way her thighs quivered around his head and the urgent sounds she made, Lennon wasn’t the only one enjoying his exploration. Gillian’s hands gripped his head and pulled him closer, groaning as he found her clit. Her breathing became sporadic as he teased her and her hips jerked up to meet the lash of his tongue. He sucked at her engorged nub and thrust two fingers deep into her channel, pleased at how she opened for him. Curving his fingers inside, he stroked her inner walls, drawing a gasp of delight. “I can’t wait. Please, Lennon. Now.” She punctuated her request with a tug at his hair. His throbbing cock agreed with her entreaties. However he couldn’t help one more swipe of his tongue along her slit, lapping up the juices gathered there before he stood. After extracting a condom from his wallet, he unbuckled his belt and pulled down his zipper. His cock sprang forth, jutting away from his body as he shoved his pants to the floor. “Lennon. Wait. The door.” As if he could possibly care about anything other than getting inside of her hot box. “We’re all alone. There’s no one to bother us.” “But…” “If you want me to stop, then say so. Otherwise I’m going to take your lack of a no as a yes, and fuck the hell out of you.” She licked her lips and parted them slightly as if she was going to speak, but remained silent. Unwilling to give her time or space to change her mind, Lennon tore into the foil like

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a man possessed. He had to be inside her before he went mad with lust. After sheathing his cock for their protection, he stepped forward once more. “Lean back and give yourself to me. Now.” “Are you always so domineering?” Even though she questioned his order, she followed through with it, much to his pleasure. Lying back on her forearms, she peered up at him through lusted clouded eyes. “So controlling?”

So my little fireball can be taught to obey. Lovely. “Yes,” he said as he used one hand to prop her hips up to the angle he desired, and the other to guide his condom-covered cock into her molten heat. Powering forth, he groaned aloud as her sweet sex surrounded the first few inches of his turgid length. It was going to take a few penetrating strokes to sink his cock balls-deep inside of her, but he was up to the challenge. “Get used to it.” “I don’t have to. This is just a…” Her words were stilted and barely formed as they tumbled one at a time like dominoes out of her half-parted lips. ”One. Time. Thing.” Lennon didn’t know if she really believed that lie or was just amusing herself. “Think again, sweetheart. Think again.” He punctuated each of his words with a thrust, sealing their fate, one stroke at a time.

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Chapter Six

This was so wrong. There was no way in the world Gillian could justify having sex with a coworker at work, other than she’d apparently lost her ever-loving mind. There was a lot to be said for losing one’s mind though. It gave Gillian the ability to put the blame on her mental breakdown and simply enjoy being in Lennon’s arms. Lost in the many sensations he evoked in her, Gillian tossed her head back and gripped her aching nipples through the stiff fabric of her shirt. She wanted to rip it off her and offer her breasts to Lennon like a pagan sacrifice, but she was too far gone to remember the correct procedure to unbutton her shirt. “Fuck, you look sexy. I want to get this shirt off you. I want to see you, feel you completely bare underneath me.” Even as he spoke, he continued to pound inside her. There wasn’t any time for the niceties of lovemaking. She wasn’t even undressed; her skirt was just shoved up over her ass in the lewdest of ways as he fucked her. Yet neither one of them was apparently willing to slow down to completely disrobe. They had better things to do with their time. “Squeeze those hard nipples for me, baby. Tease them with your fingers.” She readily complied, needing to please him as well as herself. “So good. You feel so good inside me.”

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“This is where I want to be,” he ground out. “Inside you. Always.” Lennon pulled her up until she was sitting as much on his cock as she was on the desk. He tightened his fingers onto her ass and began to thrust into her at a relentless pace. He fucked her with hard, deep strokes that kept her on the edge of madness. Gillian let out a deep moan as she wrapped her legs around his waist and gripped the edge of the desk with all of her might. It took her less than a second to adjust to this new, deeper position that allowed her to move into the driver’s seat. “That’s right, baby. Ride me. Fuck me with that sweet pussy.” Lennon pushed up inside her as she pushed down. God, the things he said made her crazy. She would have never believed in a million years she’d be the type of woman who creamed herself over vulgar words, but here she was, soaking his cock from excitement. If anyone walked in on them now, they’d never believe this passionate woman, whose nails were flaying Lennon’s lower back raw, was normally a sedate lover. Or that she could count on one hand how many men she’d slept with previously. With him, however, she’d turned into a brazen wanton. And she liked it. His hips pistoned back and forth inside her as she held on for dear life. “Yes…yes…fuck me,” she pleaded ardently. “Fuck me.” Lennon growled as he fucked her faster. His fingers dug deeper into her ass as he worked her up and down his cock. She could feel every inch, every ridge and bump of his shaft buried deep inside her pussy, and she loved it. Gillian had made love before, but she’d never been fucked. Fucked was definitely better. When her orgasm hit, it hit hard and fast, wringing every nuance of energy out of her. Unable to fight the rush overcoming her, Gillian surrendered to the onslaught of pleasure

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and came. Her pussy clutched hungrily at his cock, clamping down on his thick shaft as wave after wave of pleasure crashed into her. “That’s it, baby. That’s it. Flood my cock with your sweet juice.” Lennon pumped his hips into her, forcing her to take every delicious inch of his cock. “So tight. Fuck. So good.” Her body was depleted, yet it continued to welcome him thrust after thrust inside her overheated core. She didn’t want him to stop, yet she didn’t know just how much more she could take. He was an animal, fierce and strong, with the stamina of a teenager. Just when she thought his endurance knew no end, he roared his release, coming hard and fast inside her. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he muttered, burying his damp face against her clingy shirt. He released the death grip he had on her ass and eased her back down on the desk fully, all without pulling his cock out. He leaned heavily against her as he wrestled air into his lungs, which was fine with Gillian because she had yet to lessen her grip on him. She clung to him with needy abandon as aftershocks rocked through her trembling frame. She felt the need to speak, but couldn’t image what she would say. “Thanks for the great fuck?” Instead, she held on tightly and savored the closeness. A few minutes passed before Gillian roused and forced herself to unshackle her arms and legs from around Lennon. Her heartbeat was slowly returning to normal, and reality was beginning to seep back in. Moving carefully, Lennon slipped his hands between them and eased out of her tender pussy. As much as Gillian hated to feel him go, she also realized she needed to move. While he quietly disposed of the condom, she started to right herself, pulling her skirt down and tucking in the blouse. Her panties were toast, not that she could imagine putting them back on at this point. She reached up to smooth her hair, knowing without needing to see a mirror that she probably looked like someone who had been well fucked. Because she had been.

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While his back was turned, she quietly made her way to the door. She wasn’t sneaking away as much as she was making a quick exit without his knowledge, or at least so she thought. As her hand closed over the doorknob, Lennon’s slapped down against the door, preventing her from pulling it open. Startled, she spun around and found herself looking up into the eyes of a very imposing man. Taking a deep breath, she tried her damnedest to come up with the perfect parting line. ”Good God man, where did you learn to fuck like that?” just didn’t seem like an appropriate one. But before she could put something together, he said, “Running off so soon?” “I wasn’t running.” Scurrying, maybe, running, no.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I mean I came, you came. What’s there to talk about?”

“We can start with the fact I came and you came. Twice, I might add.”

“You didn’t have to add that,” she grumbled.

“Oh but I did, because now instead of owing me one thank you, you owe me two.”

Eyes wide, she stared at him in complete amazement. Was he serious? ”I wouldn’t hold

my breath if I were you.” “I’m sure you wouldn’t do a lot of things if you were me. But that’s why I’m me and you” -- Lennon took his hand off the door and lightly brushed his fingers into the V of her buttoned-down blouse -- “are you.” She was not going to allow his touch to sway her. “What do you want from me?” “What are you willing to give?” he asked. His question baited her, much like man himself. What am I willing to give ? Gillian had once thought for the right man she’d give anything, but Lennon wasn’t her Mr. Right. He couldn’t be, no matter what her body might think. “Nothing.”

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Lennon bent down and whispered against her cheek. Though the words were spoken mockingly soft, his words were clearly heard. “And wouldn’t you know it, that’s the one thing I’m not willing to take.” “This will never work.” “It’s already working.” Her breath caught as he nuzzled his lips against the side of her neck. “Tell me you didn’t enjoy what we just did. Tell me you don’t want me to ever touch you, hold you, fuck you again, and I’ll walk away.” “Really?” Things would be so much easier if that was true. “No.” He chuckled and pulled back until they were once more gazing into one another’s eyes. “Now that I’ve had a taste of you, I don’t think I’ll ever let you go.” “Words are just that, words.” “Try me.” Lennon cupped her cheek in his hand and tilted her face up. “Try me and see.” Gillian licked her lips nervously. Was she willing to take the chance he was offering? She thought back to the way they’d just spent the last half hour, as she glanced back over at the desk. Then she remembered the way he’d made her feel just by being himself over the last few weeks, and she wondered what was holding her back. He said try him, not marry him and give up her black card. “Is there a money-back kind of guarantee with this deal?” “Trust me, you won’t need one.” For some strange reason, she did. “Are you hungry?” She was starved. Her hunger probably had something to do with all the calories that they’d just burned off. “I could eat.” “How about we meet up in fifteen minutes and grab something to eat?” His gaze bore into hers. “Sounds like a plan.” It also sounded like a date. Actually, if she reversed the evening and pretended they had dinner before they had sex, it would definitely count as a date in

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several states. Interesting. It was official: she was seeing a white guy. Would wonders never cease?

***** Gillian had insisted on driving herself, and although Lennon understood the logistics of her reason, he didn’t like it. It was late and he knew she was tired; anything could happen to her between there and here. But since he couldn’t think of an argument to use on her to get her to change her mind, he had grudgingly given in, all the while griping to himself the entire way over. He wanted to keep her safe. He wanted to keep her near him at all times. But if he didn’t want to scare her, he was going to have to give her some space. With her well-being in mind, he picked a restaurant close to her house. It wasn’t as fancy of a place as he wanted to take her, but it would do, for tonight. Tomorrow he could splurge and take her some place better. If she gave them a chance beyond tonight, that is. After parking their cars, he walked her to the entrance. “This is a nice place,” she said, looking around the restaurant. “I’ve never been here before.” “Me neither.” They made their way over to the hostess standing behind the pedestal. Despite being close to eight o’clock, the restaurant was filled. After being told they’d have to wait thirty minutes before a table was ready, they headed toward the bar. Lennon wasn’t in the mood to drive all around town looking for a private place to eat, when they could just as easily talk over drinks as they could over appetizers. Instead of sitting at the bar, they elected to sit at one of the small tables. A harassedlooking waiter quickly joined them and took their order before scurrying away as fast as he’d arrived. They made idle chatter while they waited for their drinks to arrive. Work talk took up a few minutes, but they soon both trailed off into silence. In the midst of the silence, the

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waiter returned with their drinks, giving them one more reason not to speak for a bit, but soon the quiet grew tiring. “So this is a bit awkward.” Gillian swirled her wine around her glass slowly. He completely agreed; he just didn’t know why. “Yes, but for the life of me I can’t figure out why.” “I think it’s because we’re doing things a bit backward.” “Really?” This ought to be interesting. “What do you mean?” “We had the sex first, now we’re doing dinner and drinks.” “And that’s wrong, why?” “I didn’t say it was wrong; I just said it was backward.”

Backward. Lennon tilted his head to the side and studied her for a few seconds. “You’re not one of those people who think you have to eat dinner before you have dessert, are you?” He certainly hoped not. In fact, she seemed like the type who was willing to try almost anything. “I’m not saying have to, but there is a reason it comes after dinner.” “Which is?” “It’s the reward you get for eating all your veggies.” “I remember eating something,” he said waggling his brows, “but it didn’t taste very vegetable-like to me.” Gillian’s eyes widened as she burst out laughing.

Now that’s more like it. “Oh my God. I can’t believe you just said that.” “What?” he asked with mock innocence. “Are we not allowed to talk about it before dinner too? You’re just full of rules and regulations, aren’t you?” “Yes, I am.” She smiled. “And you’re breaking every single one of them.”

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“You ever think that’s because they need breaking?” She shook her head as if in resignation. “Why am I not surprised you just said that?” “Because you know me.” He realized truer words had never been spoken. Other than his buddies, he’d never opened up to anyone else like he had with her. Not that he’d had a choice. No matter how hard he tried at first to keep her at bay, she somehow managed to worm her way into his heart. “Do I? I mean a few days ago if someone would have asked me, I would have described you’d as a Clark Kent-type guy. Then you went all Superman on me and totally threw me for a loop.” “Clark Kent?” He wondered if the description was better or worse than the shy one she’d saddled him with. “Yeah, you know, all shy and mild mannered. The type the best friend role was just made for.” “I can be your friend” -- Lennon reached out and took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the soft, caramel-tinged flesh of her wrist -- “as long as it includes benefits.” Her lips quirked in a half smile. “I think you’ve benefited all right.” “And I plan to reap more rewards.” In spades, if he had anything to say about it. Shaking her head, she stared at him in bemusement. “How the hell did I miss this side of you before?” “You weren’t looking.” “I guess not.” “Why weren’t you?” He wondered for a moment if this was a good path to travel. Did he want to know why she’d never considered him eligible dating material before now? “Lots of reasons.” She shrugged her shoulders as if that was answer enough. But she was wrong. Dead wrong.

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“Like…”

“Let me ask you this. Have you ever dated someone outside your race?”

He was a bit shocked by the question, but answered truthfully. “Of course, haven’t

you?” “No.” She frowned. “You’ve actually dated another black woman before?” “No, but you said out of my race, and black isn’t the only other race out there.” “I know, but I’m talking about this black-white thing.” She waved her hand between them as if that explained everything. “Listen, I’m not a kid. I know there are people out there who aren’t going to like seeing us together, maybe some people even in our own families. But I’m not going to let anyone else influence my thinking.” She didn’t respond, just sat there seemingly lost in thought. “Have you really never found someone of a different race attractive?” “Of course I have, but I’ve never acted on it.” “Why?” “I could try to explain it to you, but it wouldn’t make any sense.” He didn’t know if he should be offended by that or not. “I’m a smart guy. I think I can figure it out.” “I doubt it, because when I look back on my reasoning, it doesn’t make much sense to me. You know that hindsight is twenty-twenty crap.” “I can respect that. Besides, I don’t really care why you didn’t as long as you do now.” “Let’s just say, my entire outlook has been uprooted in the last few hours.” “Then my work here is done.” “Lord, I hope not.” She grinned.

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They lingered for one more drink before deciding it was time to go. It was getting late, and they both had to be at work in the morning. The night breeze filtered around them as they left the restaurant and, like most Southern California nights, it was cool enough not to be hot, but warm enough not to be cold. The stars shone down like lightning bugs in a summer sky as Lennon walked her to her car. It was romantic and a purely quixotic moment just waiting to be seized. Yet, he refrained. He wanted to take her in his arms again, more than he wanted to take his next breath, but it would be in the heat of passion. When next they kissed, it would be because she instigated it, not he. “I had a really good time,” Gillian said when they reached her car. Instead of unlocking her car right away, she hesitated. She seemed almost as reluctant to end the night as he was. “You don’t have to sound so surprised,” Lennon kidded, resisting the urge to sweep her hair off her cheek. Any excuse to touch her was a good one in his mind. “I’m not surprised. I always have a good time when I’m with you. Sometimes it’s more than good.” “Do tell.” “I don’t think so.” She smiled. “I can’t give everything in one night.” “You don’t hear me complaining, do you?” Unable to resist any longer, Lennon slid his fingers over her smooth satiny smooth cheek and moved her hair away. Lingering for a moment, he toyed with the soft curl, comparing the thick strands in his mind to his own hair. “This is going to be a problem, isn’t it?” she said softly, leaning her head into his hand. “What, kitten?” he replied roughly. Lennon was having a hard time keeping his desire under wraps, especially when she was looking at him with those doelike eyes. Instead of answering the question, Gillian asked another. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

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“Like what?”

“Like you want to kiss me.”

“Because I do.” Releasing her hair, Lennon moved his hand and skimmed her jaw,

before slowly moving it down to her neck. “But I won’t.” Her eyes widened at his words. “Why not?” He leaned forward but paused a breath away from her lips. “Because I’m not going to make that decision for you. It’s your turn to take the next step.” “It’s a big step.” “I won’t let you fall.” “Promise?” Her lips brushed across his fleetingly. Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes. “Cross my heart.”

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Chapter Seven

“Are you ever going to tell me what we’re doing here?” Minta asked breathlessly as she struggled on the stair machine. “Because I don’t think I can last much longer.” “What do you mean what are we doing here? We’re working out.” “Bitch, you’re working out. I’m dying.” Gillian glanced over at her friend and frowned. From the looks of things, Minta wasn’t exaggerating. Sweat was running down her face like a river as she held on for dear life to the bars of the exercise machine. Concerned, Gillian reached over and pulled the red cord on the machine. “Girl, get off that thing before you kill yourself.” “If I do die, it won’t be because I killed me. It will be because you did.” Minta leaned heavily against the control panel. “Can you please tell me why we always have to come here when you have some inner demon you want to work out?” “No, we don’t,” she denied. “I just felt like burning some calories.” While not lying on her back. “Fine.” Minta grabbed her water bottle and plopped down on the floor. “God, I hurt.” Gillian turned off her elliptical and stepped down on the floor with rubbery legs. She might have pushed herself a bit more today than usual, but she had always been able to think

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better after letting off a little steam. Thanks to the time spent burning up the sheets with Lennon, her mind was steaming like never before. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.” Minta wiped her brow with a towel and peered up at her. “About?” “Lenno --” “I knew it!” “What?” Gillian frowned. “Girl, don’t what me. You’re hitting it, aren’t you?” Gillian rolled her eyes and turned away from her. “I’m not having this conversation with you.” “That’s a yes if I ever heard one.” There was a low pain-filled moan from behind her as Minta struggled to stand. “Wait. I want to hear all the details.” “What details?” “You can’t lie to me. Especially about sex.” “It’s not a lie if you don’t admit to anything.” “Right, Bill. Keep telling yourself that.” Minta grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop. “Tell me. How was your trip to the white side?” Gillian laughed. “See, this is why I don’t talk to you about stuff. You’re crazy.” “Be that as it may, answer my question.” “Will you leave me alone if I do?” “No,” she said, looking at Gillian as if she was stupid for asking. “Oy.” “Well?” Gillian knew there was no way she was getting away from Minta without answering her. “He was good. Better than good. Great. Are you happy now?” She turned on her heel and walked into the locker room, with Minta hot on her trail.

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“Girl, I knew it,” she whooped. “I could tell just by looking at him that he could lay it down.” “You were right. As usual,” Gillian added so Minta didn’t. But that didn’t stop her. “Of course I was right. I knew it would happen sooner rather than later.” “How?” “Because of the way you said his name when we talked. And can I just say that I don’t recall us having one conversation in the last month where you didn’t mention his name.” “That’s not true.” “Face it, girl” -- Minta grinned -- “you have it bad for him, and you have for a while.” “No I don’t.” She wouldn’t say bad. “Please, and if I can quote here, ‘Minta, we need to help him find someone. He’s shy.’ I knew he wasn’t shy as soon as I met him. Besides you’re not that much of a giver. There had to be something more there.” “I am too a giver,” she protested. “And what do you mean something more?”

Minta snorted. “You wanted him. You weren’t looking for other women to hook him

up with at all.” “Of course I was. I want Lennon to be happy.” “Happy with you?” “No, happy in general.” It was just a plus that his happiness included her own. “Why are you giving me so much shit about this anyway?” “Because I can, baby. It’s not often I get to tell you I told you so.” “You didn’t tell me shit.” “No, but I thought the hell out of it.” “Can’t you just be happy for me?”

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“This is me being happy for you. I love that you’re finally getting some and with a white boy. Isn’t that breaking a cardinal rule or three?” It would have been much easier to just lie. “Do you come with an off switch?” “Oh, so now we’re talking about my sex life.” “You’re just being nasty.” “And you’re doing it and doing it all night long, I’m betting.” “You’re wrong.” It wasn’t all night, but pretty damned close to it. Lennon was insatiable. Not only was he great in bed, he was also great on a desk, against a wall, in the shower, and on the floor; he also gave good phone too. In the two weeks they’d been together, she’d had more orgasms than she’d had in her entire life, and there just didn’t seem to be an ending point. “See, look at you.” Confused, she glanced over at Minta, who was staring at her, grinning from ear to ear. “What?” “If you could see the stupid little smile you just beamed. The love bug has bitten, baby.” “Love bug. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” “There are three things in life I’m sure of. Magic Johnson was the greatest ball player of all time. I will never be a size six, and you’re feenin on surfer boy, Barbie.” “I’m not feenin,” Gillian denied, grabbing her soap and a towel from her locker. “I’m just thinking of options that might not have been apparent before.” “So now he’s an option.” “Well, what if he is?” she asked, turning around and clutching the towel to her chest. “Are you going to have my back? You know people are going to talk.” “Girl, please, if I stuck with you through that natural, not-pressing-your-hair, back-toAfrica stage, I can stick with you through this Ken stage.”

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“What if it isn’t a stage?” “Then it isn’t and you’re in love. You guys will get married have a mess load of high yellow babies that I’ll sneak candy to, and we’ll all live happily ever after.” “You think it could work?” Shrugging her shoulders, Minta grabbed her shower things and stood up. “Stranger things have happened.”

Great, she thought as she headed to the shower, just what I wanted. A relationship that could fall under the header of “stranger things have happened.” This was definitely not a sign of good things to come.

***** “Looks like things are wrapping up here nicely.” Finnegan closed the file he’d been perusing and set it back down on Lennon’s desk with a smile. He’d stopped by to go over Lennon’s findings before he headed out of town for a few weeks. It would be the last time the men had to review everything before the assignment drew to an end. “Yes. I think we’ll be done with everything by the end of the week,” Lennon said proudly. Despite the downside of his job, he still always felt an innate sense of accomplishment when a job was winding down. Yes, because of his report, there would be people who would regrettably lose their jobs, but because of the efforts of both him and his company, the majority of the staff would still have a place to work. It was an easy choice when the options were either losing a few unproductive employees or the loss of the entire corporation. “Two weeks ahead of time. Excellent.” “I’m sure they’ll think so.” Lennon laughed. The quicker they finished, the less the head honchos had to pay. It was the downside of finishing up early, but their company was

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based on an honest reputation, and he wouldn’t risk that for a few pennies more. Another plus of the rapid finish meant Lennon and Gillian could finally stop hiding their relationship. Since the evening in his office two weeks ago, he and Gillian had spent almost every free second with one another. A good portion of that time they’d been naked, or as close to it as necessary, despite his best laid plans of taking things slow. ”Earth to Lennon. You there, boyo?” Finnegan’s smartass comments finally began to penetrate his brain. Standing, he slapped his friend heartily on the back. “Come on, I’ll buy you a celebratory soda from the vending machine.” “Aren’t you the big spender?” Finnegan chuckled and stood, following Lennon from the office. When they turned the corner, he spotted Gillian coming toward them. As usual, she looked freaking fantastic. She was wearing a tangerine blouse that clung to her in all the right places, showcasing her cleavage to its best advantage, and a knee-length black skirt. When she caught sight of them, she smiled broadly. Annoyingly though, the smile wasn’t for him. “Finnegan, how are you?” There was pure joy in Gillian’s voice when she spoke to his friend, much to Lennon’s disgust. He didn’t want any man, friend or otherwise, bringing a shine to her eyes. “I’m fine, love; how are you?”

Love. Lennon snorted, earning a curious glance from Gillian and a knowing one from Finnegan. “I’m great.” “Hi, Lennon. How are you?” he said in a mocking falsetto voice. “I’m fine, thanks for asking,” he replied to his own question, in his normal tone. “Feeling a tad bit invisible today, but it just might have been something I ate.”

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“Will you stop?” Gillian rolled her eyes and batted him lightly on his arm. “I know very well how you are.” “And how is he, love?” “Damned good,” she said with a wink. Lennon’s irritation instantly disappeared. His woman had proclaimed him damned good. “So, are you guys going out to lunch?” “No, I just came over to look at a --” “My laptop,” Lennon interrupted. “It’s been acting up. Too much porn.” “I bet.” While she was busy laughing, Finnegan was busy shooting him an evil glare. “I’m just going to walk him out; then I’ll be back. Want to grab a bite or something?” “I’ve already eaten, but grabbing something sounds nice.” The way she emphasized something let Lennon know they were of the same accord. Other than the first time, they’d managed to refrain from temptation during working hours, but he had a feeling that was quickly about to change. “I’ll take you up on that.”

“Do that. It was nice seeing you again, Finnegan.”

“You too, love.”

“See you fellas later.” Gillian ran her hand quickly across his arm as she moved past

him. Lennon turned to watch her leave, his gaze glued to her ass the entire time. He would have never considered himself an ass man before, but since being with Gillian, he’d become a fast convert to the religion of Assianity. He could stare, touch, kiss, lick, and hopefully soon get the opportunity to fuck it all day. “Fix your laptop. Tell me you’re kidding.” “What?”

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Finnegan glanced around before dragging Lennon into the recently opened and vacated elevator. “You haven’t told her the truth yet.” “Of course I haven’t. You know the rules.” Lennon yanked his arm from Finnegan’s grasp, irritated at the other man’s derisive tone. “The rules were tossed out the bloody window the second you started plowing her. This is going to end badly, my friend, if you don’t ‘fess up to her and soon.” “I was going to tell her when I turned in the report.” Even that was against proper protocol, but he knew once their relationship became public she might experience a bit of backlash at work. “There’s a shitty idea.” “Excuse me?” The elevator door opened before Finnegan could respond. Simultaneously, both men turned and glared at the man standing in the hall. Startled, the portly man glanced from Lennon to Finnegan, then took a step back. “I’ll take the stairs.” “Good idea.” Finnegan pressed the closed door button, and as soon as the doors slid shut he started in again. “I’m going to say this one time and one time only. If you let her slip away, not only will I round up the guys to beat some sense into you, I will track her down, then date and mate her myself. Then use every conceivable excuse under the sun to rub our relationship in your face.” “What the hell are you talking about? I’m not going to let her slip away.” Walk or run away either. “As usual, Finn, you haven’t a fucking clue what you’re yapping about. Gillian will understand.” “Right. She’ll understand that you’ve lied to her for almost three months, and of course she’ll be able to forgive you for getting her friends fired. No big deal.” “I didn’t lie.”

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“No, you just didn’t tell her the whole truth. We made these rules for a reason, Lennon, and if you were going to break them, you should have done it full force.” The elevator came to a stop once more, and the doors slid open. This time, though, Finnegan walked through it, leaving Lennon inside staring after him. They’d made the rules when they first developed their company, and they’d always made sense. Of course there had been no Gillian at the time. And Finn was right, dating employees at the organization was also a “no-no” and he’d more than broken that rule. Hell, he’d tossed it right out the window. But he’d held fast to the others, stubbornly believing he’d done the right thing. Now all of a sudden he wasn’t so sure. Would Gillian hold his job against him, or would she understand why he did what he did? Did he really just fuck up the best thing in his life? Lennon had to believe he hadn’t, but there was only one way to find out for sure.

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Chapter Eight

Today was surely the longest day in history. No matter how many times Gillian looked at her watch, the time barely seemed to change. She wanted to go home. It didn’t even have to be hers. All she needed was for it to have four walls, a bed or couch, and Lennon. Nothing more. Nothing less. She didn’t think she was being too unreasonable in her request. Yet here she was still sitting, still waiting, and still horny. And not just a little horny. She was premenstrual horny. There wasn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t attest to the rapid need to fuck like it was an Olympic sport when they were just days away from the dreaded red badge of courage week. With the way she was feeling right now, she could easily hump the armrest of her chair. But she didn’t want the chair. She wanted Lennon, and she couldn’t find him to save her life. Gillian had been waiting to speak to him again ever since she ran into him and Finnegan earlier today. She’d even gone as far as to drop by his office, not once but twice, all to no avail. It was almost as if he’d dropped off the face of the earth. Now it was two hours to quitting time and he was still MIA.

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What was a horny girl to do? Gillian’s eyes began to drift downward toward the armrest of her chair when she heard a familiar voice in the distance. Perking up, she rose a bit in her chair and peeked over the gray wall of her work area. Even though his back was to her, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind it was Lennon. She would recognize him anywhere, even clothed. Although naked would be better, much better. “Excuse me, Mr. Wright.” Gillian watched with intense pleasure as Lennon turned to look at her with a curious half smile on his face. “May I speak with you for a moment?” “Sure.” He said good-bye to his companion, then strolled over to her cubicle as if he didn’t have a care in the world. As soon as he neared her, she could tell it was only a facade. Despite the easygoing grin he wore, she could see from the troubled expression in his eyes that something was up. “How can I help you, Ms. Foxe?” Pretense forgotten, Gillian reached out and lightly touched his hand. “Is everything okay?” she asked softly. Even though her cubicle gave the illusion of privacy, she wasn’t fooled for a second. “Yes. Everything is fine.” “Are you sure?” “Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” His mouth was saying one thing, but his eyes were telling a whole different tale. Gillian tilted her head to the side and regarded him quizzically. Did he and Finnegan argue? She hoped not. From what she knew of him, Lennon was immensely close to his buddies. She would hate for anything to come between the four of them. Suddenly an idea struck her. A very naughty idea. Every since their little office escapade, she’d made a promise to herself they would confine their lovemaking to off-site premises only. But the poignant look in his eyes had her seriously rethinking that promise.

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“I was wondering if you can help me get something from the storage room.” Gillian rose from her seat. “What I need is on the very top shelf, and I’m just way too short to get it down by myself.” “The top shelf?” “Yes.” She wanted to bat her eyes and be as girlie as possible, but she didn’t want to be too obvious. “If you have time, that is?” “For you, Ms. Foxe, I’d make time.” He stepped back and gestured for her to precede him. She bit back a smile as she walked passed him. It never failed to amuse her how his dual personalities were so different. In the bedroom he was such a bad boy, but in public he was a gentleman of the truest sort. They walked side by side silently, with almost a foot of space between them. Gillian smiled absentmindedly to the people she knew as they strolled down the hall, mindful not to give any one person too much eye contact in hopes of avoiding being drawn into an idle conversation. She didn’t have time to chitchat right now. She had a man to cheer up. As they passed by the supply closet, Lennon shot her a questioning look, but continued to walk with her past the elevators and down a corridor rarely used thanks to an office renovation yet to be completed. Other than the construction workers buzzing about sporadically, the area was pretty much empty. When they reached the formerly used closet, she opened the door and stepped inside, flipping the light switch on. As he followed her in, he glanced around in question while unobtrusively closing the door behind him. He stepped into the middle of the nearly empty room, giving her enough space to maneuver behind him and lock the door. Even though the room wasn’t used often, she didn’t want to chance being interrupted. The sound of the lock clicking grabbed his attention. Lennon turned around and smiled at her in that smooth sexy way of his that made her pulse speed up.

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“Why, Ms. Foxe, I can’t help but notice that there aren’t a lot of office supplies in here.” “And that’s exactly why we’re in here, Mr. Wright. This room isn’t used very often anymore, so there’s a good chance we won’t be disturbed.” Lennon walked slowly over to her, his eyes intently centered on her own. The temperature in the room rose several degrees as the heat in his gaze scorched her skin. “Good. Not guaranteed.” “Death is the only guarantee you’ll get in life.”

“Do you know what else is a guarantee?”

“No, what?”

“That it’s been way too long since I’ve had you beneath me.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Gillian turned him around and pushed him back against the

closed door. Before he could utter a single word, she covered his mouth with hers. This is what she’d been craving all day. And from his response, so had he. His hands gripped her hips and pulled her tightly against him as he returned her kiss hungrily. As they reacquainted their mouths with one another, she reached down to his zipper and felt the bulge of his cock through his pants. His erection was pushing up, hard and thick. Her hands closed around the cloth-covered flesh and squeezed.

Yum. Without looking or breaking away from his lips, she unbuckled his belt and opened his slacks, sliding his zipper down past his erection. Her hands slid inside his pants and pushed the material down over his hips. Lennon pulled back. “What exactly were you hoping to get from this room, Ms. Foxe?” “Laid.” She slowly lowered herself to her knees in front of him, pulling her skirt up and out of the way, so as not to smudge it.

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“You know, we’re really going to have to do something about your shyness, love.” “We can get to that right after I get to you.” Gillian leaned forward and blew through the material covering his dick. The warm air that surged around his thick erection caused it to jerk in response, much to her delight. “Have I mentioned lately just how much I adore your work fetish?” His words sounded almost strained, but still held a hint of humor. “Fetish. Moi ?” she said softly as she lowered his boxers to give herself access to his thick shaft. “What would you call it?” “The wonderful ability to recognize a great opportunity when I see it.” Taking him in her hand, she leaned forward and ran her tongue around the thick head of his cock, tasting the salty evidence of his desire. Instead of taking him deep within her mouth, she took her time teasing him, stroking his cock as she lovingly lapped at his crown. She was in absolutely no hurry, and she wanted to enjoy this for as long as she could. “In the mood to torment today?” Lennon murmured as she took as much of his length into her mouth as she could before pulling back slowly. Instead of plunging down on his cock once more, she allowed him to come all the way out of her mouth this time. She looked up at him and licked her lips. “Would I do something like that?” “Hell yes. But keep in mind, sweetheart, that what’s good for the goose is --” “Great for the gander.” She shot him a teasing grin before taking him in her mouth once more. This time she stepped up her game. She didn’t just want to toy with him -- she wanted to make him come. Moving in rhythm to the arching of his hips, Gillian fucked him with her mouth. She used all the knowledge she had of him to bring him as much pleasure as possible. “Fuck.” His harsh whispered words were the only warning she received before he wrapped his hands in her hair, forcing his dick farther into her mouth. Taking over the

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rhythm, Lennon guided her in a motion that soon had him moaning louder. She pumped her hand at the base, quickening her motions, as his groans grew louder. His arousal fueled her own, as did the way he took charge. Her scalp tingled from the way his fingers were tangled in her hair. Lennon’s aggressive bedroom behavior was better than any sex toy she’d ever used in her life. He could almost make her come from a heated look alone. “That’s it, baby. Right there,” he grunted. Just when she thought he would come, he tightened his hold in her hair, and used it as leverage to pull her back. “Time’s up, baby. It’s my turn to play.” She’d be damned if he didn’t have a way with words.

If he was destined to go to hell before because of his lying to Gillian while seeing her, then he was surely going to burst hell wide open now. After his talk with Finn, Lennon was convinced he needed to tell Gillian everything. He had even meant to do it before the day was over, but then she’d blindsided him with this little erotic detour and for the life of him, he hadn’t been able to say no. He had no willpower when it came to Gillian, even when he knew what he was doing was wrong. It was a pathetic excuse, but sadly also the truth. She was in his blood, part of his soul, and he’d do anything to keep her forever. But until he had to spill his secret, he was going to enjoy her, for what he could only hope wasn’t the last time. After helping Gillian to her feet, Lennon pulled her skirt up over her luscious ass and smacked the tempting flesh. The sound of his hand smacking into the full globes of her cheeks was nothing compared to the loud gasp she let loose. “What was that for?” “Where do you want me to start?” Lennon stepped away from her and pulled up his boxers and pants. He quickly shoved his cock inside and zipped up, leaving the button undone.

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“We don’t have to stay in here if you don’t want to.” She smiled coyly at him as she began to push her skirt back down. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” “What?” “Pull that down.” He stepped toward her once more. “It would be a futile move, because I’m only going to pull it up again when I fuck you.” “Who said anything about fucking?” “Who asked?” Lennon picked her up and walked the few feet across the room before sitting her on a pile of boxes against the far wall. Once she was seated, he placed his hands between her legs and pushed them apart. He moved a hand between her splayed thighs and pressed his fingers against her soaked panties, lightly caressing her. “If you don’t want to lose another pair, I’d suggest you take them off.” Even though he worded it politely, he wasn’t asking, he was telling. His little vixen picked the wrong man to tease. “Bossy.” “And your point is what?” “I’m not lying down on that dirty-ass floor,” she said as she slid off the box to comply. While she did as he bid, he retrieved a condom from his wallet and tore through the foil wrapper as if the contents held the secrets to the Holy Grail. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to.” “I’m not worried. I’m horny.” “Poor, baby. Is this what you were itching for?” Lennon turned her until she was facing the box and leaned her forward. “For me to fuck this hot pussy of yours?” Gillian turned her head and peered over her shoulder at him. “Yes, God yes.”

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“Then why didn’t you just say so.” After undoing his pants, he freed his cock and slipped on the latex, then slid his condom-covered crown though the cream-coated lips of her sex. Teasing her engorged clit with the ribbed edges of the latex, Lennon could feel the tremors quaking through her body. “You know all you have to do is ask me nicely to fuck you and I will. My cock is yours.” “Then shove my cock in me.” “Tsk, tsk, tsk,” he chastised. “You didn’t ask nicely.” “That was nice.” “The hell it was.” Lennon lightly smacked her ass. “How badly do you want it?” “Damn it, Lennon, don’t fuck with me.” Frustration was laced throughout her voice. “You know what I want, baby.” He was adamant she would ask and nicely, just as he’d wanted. “And you know what I want,” she insisted just as firmly. “But only one of us has the cock.” “Bastard.” “Say pretty please.” He gripped her hip with one hand and centered his cock with the other. “Fuck you.” He wanted to tease, to prolong the torment, but it was torture for him as well. “Close enough.” He sank into her welcoming warm with a sigh of contentment. He was home. “Mmmm.” Gillian moaned her approval and held tight to the box to steady herself as he powered into her from behind. In this position, he was in complete control of the rhythm and motion, just the way he liked it. “Is this what you wanted, baby? Is that what you needed?” He thrust as he spoke, sinking into her tight sheath over and over.

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Over the last two weeks, they’d fucked in a plethora of positions, but this had to be his all-time favorite. He loved watching his cock plow into her pussy from behind. To see the way her dark sheath engulfed his pale shaft time and time again was better than anything he’d ever witnessed before. Plus it gave him an eagle-eyed view of her sexy, soft ass. Her thick rear was his fucking kryptonite. It brought him to his knees. Her bottom was rapidly becoming an obsession of his. He couldn’t wait to sink his cock deep inside it. He watched as her hand disappeared between her legs and groaned when he felt the tips of her finger brush against his cock as he pumped inside her. His balls tightened up as his body shook with the effort to hold back his release. She was frigging her clit as he fucked her.

Damn that was sexy. “You and I are going to have to make a date later,” he said through clenched teeth. Her pussy was milking his cock, gripping him tighter than any had ever had. He didn’t think he was going to be able to last much longer, especially with as good as she felt surrounding him. “Why?” “Because I want to watch you play with that juicy pussy for me.” “Lennon!” His words had her shocked and turned on, as he knew they would. His baby loved it when he talked dirty to her. It was just one more thing they had in common. “Shh, baby. Not so loud. We don’t want all those men out there to know what we’re doing. Or do we? Do you want them to know that you’re in here getting your pussy pounded as they toil away mere feet from the greatest show on earth?” He kept his voice low as he spoke. His words, like his cock, were for her alone. “No…I…no…” Her words said one thing, but her body said another. She was trembling beneath him.

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“Yes, you do.” He pushed into her again, groaning when her pussy tightened around him. “You want me to open the door so they can watch me fuck you, don’t you? I bet you’d like that. Having all those men watch you come all over my prick.” “Lennon. I’m close. So close.” “Admit it and I’ll let you come,” he goaded, nearly ready to burst himself. “Tell me you want them to watch us. That you want to get caught riding my dick.” “Yes, you bastard, yes.” She growled her response, her ass pushing back against his ever-propelling cock. “That’s what I thought, you dirty little girl.” Pushing harder into her, he quickened his pace, slamming his pelvis into the ample cushion of her bottom as he thrust faster and faster inside of her. “My dirty little girl.” Her husky cries grew louder, forcing him to cover her mouth to muffle her groans. Moaning, she pumped back into him, bowing her back as she came in a loud orgasmic rush moments ahead of Lennon, who rode her until both their knees buckled and the box indented. It was merely luck and luck alone that kept them from tumbling to the floor. Lennon leaned forward and laid his head on her quaking back as the aftershocks rocked through them. This couldn’t be the end. He wouldn’t let it be. They were too good together to give up, and he was going to fight for them, even if he had to fight Gillian herself.

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Chapter Nine

Good Lord. What was it about this man that made her lose her freaking mind? Gillian lay sprawled over a cardboard box, her skirt pushed up around her waist, and Lennon curved around her back. The smell of their sexual encounter still hung in the air. She wanted to lie there and enjoy the moment, but the sound of workmen joking with each other just outside the door had them both scrambling from their intimate positions. She searched around frantically for her underwear, grimacing at the thought of having to wear them all day with no ability to clean up. “You might need this.” He handed her a large white handkerchief. Despite what they’d just done, and what they’d done countless times in the last two weeks, she still felt a hint of embarrassment. Sex was a messy sport. There was nothing sexy about it. “Thanks. Do you --” “No, I have an extra one.” “You normally carry two handkerchiefs around?” “No, but I happen to be seeing a sexy woman who likes spontaneous sex. Like a good Boy Scout, I try to be prepared to fulfill her every need.” “And to think I’m all out of merit badges.”

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“You can make it up to me later.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” She finished cleaning up and pulled down her skirt, smoothing it over her hips. “What are the odds of me convincing you to call in sick tomorrow and spending the day with me?” “Tomorrow?” Gillian went over her mental calendar, trying to figure out if she had any appointments that could be postponed. When nothing pressing came to mind, she smiled. “I think I just might have a vision problem tomorrow.” “Vision problem?” “Yes.” She glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. “I just can’t see myself going to work.” “I like the way you think.” “I’m not surprised.” Once she was properly attired again, Gillian turned and faced Lennon, who had redressed as well. “Don’t you look like a prime example of a young urban professional?” “You know what they say. What happens in the storage closet stays in the storage closet.” “Is that what they’re saying these days?” “Yes. In fact, Jonas has been thinking of installing one in his house for his parties.” “I don’t think that boy needs to add anything else to his house of freakdom.” “I’ll tell him you said so.” “Don’t you dare.” She laughed. “Are you ready to make our escape?” “No. There’s something I want to tell you first.” The seriousness of his tone caused her heart to skip a beat. What had him looking so

grim ? The possibilities ran through her mind. I’m married. I’m gay. I have a venereal disease.

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I’m a Republican. Whatever it was, she could handle it, even if it broke her heart in the process. “Okay.” “My assignment here is up.” “Oh.” Of all the things she’d expected him to say, that wasn’t even on the list. “Is today your last day?” “No, but I hand in my report this evening.” “Oh.” “Is that all you’re going to say?” His question had a note of impatience. “Give me a minute.” Or an hour. Her mind didn’t shift that fast. “I’m kind of at a loss here.” “This doesn’t have to change anything between us. Aside from the fact that we won’t have to sneak around anymore, and we won’t be able to indulge in these afternoon delights during business hours.” “Those two things made getting up to come to work worthwhile.”

“Even the sneaking?”

“Nothing wrong with a secret or two.”

His gaze bored into hers. “Can I get that in writing?”

“What?”

“Nothing,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was something

more going on with him, but Gillian could tell he wasn’t ready to share it with her just yet. “Are we still on for tomorrow?” “Are you allowed to take a day off now?” “What are they going to do, fire me?” “Good point.” Her mind swirled with doubts. She’d gone into this with the idea things would end when his job was over. Now that the time was upon them, she wasn’t so sure if

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she wanted to say good-bye. Then again, if things were about to conclude, she wanted to have one more memory of him to take with her. “Yes. We are.” He stepped closer to her, slid his hands around her waist, and pulled her taut against him. “Wonderful.” Gillian looked up into his eyes and sighed softly. Would one more time really be enough? “What?” It was her turn to keep a secret. “Nothing.” Before he questioned her comment, she rose on her tiptoes and brushed a light kiss across his partially opened lips. The low groan deep in his throat had her wishing they were in a bedroom rather than a closet. “I think we better head out before we start something we can’t finish.” She nodded her head and pulled away. Then she checked her appearance once more before heading toward the door. “Wait.” “What?” “Let’s not wait until tomorrow. Come over tonight.” “Instead of tomorrow?” “No. Stay the night.” “At your house?” They’d never done that before. “Don’t you lose cool points with your boys if I do? I mean, what would they think?” “I’ve known them for years. Trust me. They don’t think.” His expression stilled and grew serious. “Besides, it’s not about them. It’s about you and my desire to be with you. What do you say?” “What time should I meet you over there?”

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“Any time after seven.” “It’s a date.” Smiling, he opened the door and poked his head out. Gillian watched as he glanced around, checking the hallways before ushering her out ahead of him. He pushed her off in one direction while he stood there for a moment watching her. “See you later.” “No,” he said firmly. “I’ll see you tonight.” “Yes, you will,” she said before turning around and walking away. Gillian smiled as she sashayed down the hallway, knowing he was watching her. Some days it was great being a girl.

***** Lennon had a plan for tonight. A simple plan that consisted of just one thing. Not to fuck up. Thanks to his conversation with Finn, he already felt as if he was walking a thin line. He could only hope Gillian was willing to listen to what he had to tell her with an open mind…and a nonviolent attitude. As if he’d conjured her from his thoughts, the doorbell rang. He headed to the door and opened it, smiling at the sight of her, bag in hand, standing on his stoop. He ushered her into the house and shut the door behind her. She looked damned good, as usual. She’d changed from her office wear into casual wear, but it still suited her. Dressed in dark blue jeans and a short-sleeved ivy-colored sweater, she looked ready for whatever was to come. Lennon was half tempted to say fuck dinner and get right to dessert, but if tonight was to be their last night together, he wanted to make sure it was memorable. “Put your things in the bedroom, then join me in the kitchen.” “You mean the guest room, don’t you?”

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His smile slowly dissolved as he stared at her in confusion. Guest room. What the hell was she talking about? “I…” He faltered, unsure of what to say. Lennon didn’t want to pressure her into having sex, but damn, they’d been fucking like cavemen, why stop now? “You want to stay in the guest room?” “Got you.” She laughed. “You should have seen your face.” “Did it look anything like this?” Lennon narrowed his eyes and frowned. “No, more like…” Gillian’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open as if in stupor. “I’ve never looked that way in my life,” he protested, though he didn’t doubt her interpretation at all. “Think that.” “No, I know that.” Acting quickly, he reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her to him. When she was flush against his body, Lennon landed one quick, stingy smack to her ass, causing her to cry out in a mixture of amusement and mock outrage. “Brat.” “Bully.” “I got your bully right here.” He undulated his hips a bit so she could feel the outline of his cock through his pants. “Hurry up, woman. You don’t want me to burn dinner, do you?” “I like my food a little Cajun.” “There’s Cajun and there’s the seared taste of Teflon.” “Point taken.” Gillian rose on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on him. “I’ll be back.” It didn’t take long for her to place her overnight bag in the bedroom, and when she came into the kitchen, she headed right over to the stove and began to lift the lid off the simmering pot. “Hey, now,” he chastised from behind her. “Haven’t you heard the old saying that too many cooks spoil the meal?” “I’m just peeking.”

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“You want to peek.” Lennon picked her up, grinning as she squealed, and sat her down on the tan granite counter next to the built-in stove. “Do it from over here.” “You have to warn a girl when you’re going to do something like that.” “Now where’s the fun in that?” He shot her a little wink before walking away. He retrieved a wineglass from the cabinet and rinsed it out. After drying it out, he filled it with the same burgundy wine she’d requested at the restaurant they’d gone to. When he handed it to her, she took a sip and smiled in appreciation. “You remembered.” “Of course I did,” he said, slightly offended. “It was our first date. I’m supposed to remember things like that.” “Lennon, that wasn’t a date.” It wasn’t a traditional date, he’d give her that. “The way I figure, it’s probably as close to a first date as we’re ever going to get.” He quirked his eyebrow in question. “Unless you want to pick the time we went out as a ‘group.’ You know, when you thought I was too shy to get a girl myself.” She rolled her eyes. “I never said you couldn’t get a girl.” “No, you just implied the shit out of it.” “Are you ever going to let me live that down?” He tilted his head to the side and pondered her question…for all of three seconds. “Maybe in another twenty to thirty years.” “Think we’ll know each other still?” “That’s the plan.” His answer seemed to intrigue her. “Is it now?”

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“Hmm.” Afraid he might say too much, Lennon walked over to the refrigerator. After depositing the vegetables next to her, he retrieved the cutting board and knife and began to prepare the salad. As he chopped, Gillian filched, munching almost as quickly as he cut. When the warning glares failed to deliver the results he’d been aiming for, he thumped her on the knee. “Hey, leave some for the salad, why don’t you?” “You’re no fun. I can’t look in the pot; I can’t eat my veggies. I don’t get to do anything here,” she teased good-naturedly. “That’s right. I’m an ogre.” “Hmm, I kind of like the sound of that.” Pitching her voice high, she blinked her eyelashes madly. “Dear me, what’s the Big Bad Wolf have in store for Little Red Riding Hood?” He chuckled wickedly. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” “I can’t wait to find out.” “Well, dinner is almost ready, so why don’t you set the table?” She laughed and hopped down off the counter. Following his instructions, she gathered the dishes and quickly set the table as he made the final touches to dinner. He brought the serving dishes to the table and opened the lid with a flourish. “Spaghetti. The one thing I actually know how to cook from scratch.” “Check you out, Emeril.” Gillian leaned forward and took a deep breath in. “Smells delicious. I can’t wait.” “Then don’t. Dig in.” And they did, but during the course of the meal it became increasingly obvious they brought more than their appetite for food to the table. They brought their hunger for conversation with one another. Time ceased to exist as they talked, laughed, and flirted with one another. By the time they decided to leave the table, two hours had passed.

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With the two of them working together, the kitchen was cleaned up in no time. Lennon was surprised at how nice it was to work in tandem with someone. It felt very domestic-like and, surprisingly, it didn’t bother him. In fact, he found the thought very satisfying. He had one more surprise up his sleeve. He refilled their wineglasses and handed them to her. “Why don’t you take these out to the fireplace and pick a movie out of the black leather case on the coffee table? I’ll bring the dessert.” “Mmm, dessert.” Gillian hummed appreciatively. “What is it?” “It’s a surprise, now scoot.” She eyed him for a moment and headed into the living room. He could hear her fiddling with the gas ignition. Opening the refrigerator, he pulled out the cheesecake. He knew from their conversations that she wasn’t much of a chocolate fan, but she loved a rich, decadent cheesecake. Because he’d wanted to make this evening a special one in every way, he’d ordered one for her, instead of trying to make one. He wanted her to spend the night lounging over him, not the toilet. He turned off the lights in the kitchen and headed toward the warm glow of the living room. The fire was not too large, enough to warm the chill of the spring evening and bathe the room in a subdued light. Gillian was reclining in front of the fire on the couch with her shoes kicked off and the DVD remote in her hand. She looked so right there, as if she fit into his house as much as he wanted her to fit into his life. She smiled when she saw him, but when she caught sight of the cheesecake, a moan escaped her. “Oh God.” “The key to a woman’s heart -- cheesecake.” “It’s not the key, but it’s a very good start.”

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Lennon handed her the plate and sat down next to her. When the menu for Clerks II popped up, he laughed. Of all the movies in his vast collection, he would have never guessed she’d pick that one. “What?” she asked in the face of his amusement. “This is a good movie.”

“I know. I own it.”

“Good point.” She took a bite of her cheesecake before speaking again. “You know, this

is not exactly how I thought we’d spend the night.” “Any complaints?” “Not a one.” She smiled. That was exactly what he wanted to hear. It hadn’t been his intention for their night in to be strictly about sex. He wanted to show Gillian that there was more to them than sexual attraction. And from the looks of things, he had.

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Chapter Ten

Gillian wasn’t what anyone could ever describe as a morning person. Normally it took her three slams to the snooze on her alarm clock to rouse her. This morning it just took the feel of Lennon’s tongue licking her to paradise. She was already on the fast track to orgasmville when she opened her eyes and gripped the rumpled Egyptian cotton sheets in her trembling hands. “Ohh.” She didn’t know exactly how she ended up in this position, but she didn’t care. Her guttural groans drew his head from between her legs. When he noticed she was awake, he grinned, in a Cheshire cat sort of way. “Morning. I thought you were never going to get up.” Like that had a chance of happening with his brand of wake-up calls. “I’m awake.” Gillian released the sheet. She boldly placed her hand on Lennon’s head and gave him a gentle nudge back in the direction she needed him most. “But let’s pretend like I’m not for a moment longer.” “My pleasure.” He grinned before settling down between her splayed thighs once more. “Oh no. I’m sure it’s all mine.” Gillian closed her eyes and surrendered herself to his talented touch. And man, was he talented.

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When they’d gone to bed last night, she’d expected him to make a move, but to her surprise, he didn’t. He merely undressed and joined her in the bed, holding her until she drifted off to sleep. This morning though, he seemed more than ready to get physical. To be woken like this was the last thing she expected, but she’d be damned if she wasn’t going to enjoy it. “Lord, you taste divine,” he murmured against her slick flesh. “I wonder if you taste this good everywhere.” Gillian didn’t have much experience with anal stimulation, but that didn’t mean she was against it in any way, shape, or form. From the naughty way Lennon loved to talk in bed, she knew her ass was on his map of places to explore. “Why don’t you find out?” “I think I will.” Lennon spread her legs wide and lifted her bottom up, until she was completely exposed to his hungry gaze. Lowering his mouth, he ran his tongue across her virgin rosette. The unmistakable pleasure that radiated from her nether regions from that one light touch took her breath away. He didn’t do it just once though; he ran his tongue from the top of her clit to her rosette, pausing to slip his tongue into the tight little hole. Gillian never knew there were so many nerve endings there before. Her body was wracked with uncontrollably tremors as he worked the forbidden area. Just when she thought she couldn’t take a second more of his tantalizing teasing, he replaced his tongue with his finger, rubbing his thick digit against the damp flesh of rosette. Her body jumped at the unfamiliar sensation, instinctively knowing what he had planned next. Gillian was about to lose her cherry. Again. Her pussy wept with desire at the dirty idea, but as much as the idea intrigued her, it frightened her as well. “Lennon,” she moaned. “It’s too much…you’re too big.”

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“You can take me.” He pulled back to say. “But not today. Today I just want to play with you. Familiarize myself with every sexy part of your body. Is that okay with you, baby? I can, can’t I?” “Yes. Yes,” she begged as she wiggled uncontrollably against his questing finger. “Please.” And he did. Lennon fastened his lips over her clit once more, suckling the sensitive bundle of nerves as he slowly pressed his finger into her ass. Gillian cried out at the intense feeling. She gripped his shoulders with all of her might, digging her nails into his pale flesh. Still, he persisted in pleasuring her with his mouth as his finger fucked her at the same time. The combined sensations were enough to make a grown woman cry. So she did, but in pleasure. “Oh my God, Lennon. I can’t…I need…” He lifted his head from her aching flesh and smiled wickedly. “Then come for me, baby.” Bending back to his task, he redoubled his efforts with both his mouth and fingers. Her back bowed as the orgasm hit her, rushing through her body in waves of pleasure. As her body rocked with bliss, he pulled away from her and slipped his finger from her ass. Lennon moved above her and pushed between her legs, pressing his erect cock against her sex. He cupped her breast with his large hand, grazing his thumb over her rigid peak. “I could eat your pussy all day.”

He said that as if it was a bad thing. “Be careful what you say, because I might take you up on it.” “Promises. Promises.” Leaning forward, he curled his tongue around one beaded peak before sucking it into his mouth. As he teased and tortured one breast with his mouth, his hand cupped the other, teasing her nipple with his fingers. The combined sensations had her breasts just as aching and throbbing as her pussy was. “No more foreplay.” Gillian tangled her hands in his hair and tugged. “Just fuck me.”

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“You never let me have any fun.” Lennon rose to his knees once more and took his cock in his hand. He grabbed a foil wrapper off the bed and tore into it. After sheathing his cock, he eased back down between her legs and placed the head of his cock against her sex. Gillian moaned as she pushed up against him, desperate to have him sink within her depths. “Please don’t make me wait a minute longer.” “I couldn’t if I wanted to.” He pressed forward, his cock breaching her as he slowly entered her pussy. His infinite patience was almost her undoing, and she wrapped her legs around him to encourage him to move. His thick cock stretched and filled her as he thrust forward again and again. The pleasure she felt was so overwhelming that at times she didn’t think she’d be able to handle another stroke. Her mind was a superfluity of contradicting sensations. It was too much; it wasn’t enough; it was just right. Gillian didn’t know if she was coming or going at times, all she knew was she’d die if he stopped. “Baby, you feel so good.” Lennon’s voice was low, husky, and filled with need. He pulled back slowly, dragging his hard length almost completely out of her body before plunging forward again. “So damned good.” His cock, hard and thick, plunged into her over and over until all reason ceased to exist for Gillian. Throwing her head back, she arched up to him, crying his name as she undulated beneath him. She urged him on with eager moans, desperate to come, now more then ever. “Now, please, now,” she begged, her body tense with need. Gillian’s breath was coming in deep, guttural gulps. “More,” she pleaded, drunk off of pleasure. She gripped his hips tighter as she met him thrust for thrust. “I need to come.” He rose until he was on his knees and grasped her hips in his hands. He worked his hips into frenzy, fucking Gillian as if his very life depended on it.

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She moaned and tensed as the overwhelming pressure began to build between them. Arching, she cried out as her pussy pulsed with pleasure and her orgasm rushed through her body, leaving her weak. He was right behind her. Head thrown back, back arching, Lennon ground himself into her, crying her name as he came. He stayed locked inside of her for a few seconds, then with a heavy groan, pulled out and collapsed on the bed next to her. After disposing of the condom with tissue from the nightstand, he turned toward her and she followed suit, until they were lying facing one another. They silently stared into each other’s eyes, saying nothing. But Gillian’s mind was racing.

It’s just sex. Nothing more. Nothing less. But even as she thought these words to herself, she knew better. If it was just sex, she wouldn’t constantly walk around in a state of awareness where he was concerned. Every minute of every day since she met him, he’d been on her mind in one way or the other. Even before they’d had sex. Damn it to hell and back. Minta was right. She was feenin. Lennon’s fingers caressed her cheek tenderly as he continued to stare deeply into her eyes. “Are you okay?” “Yes. I have to say, though, I do like your version of a wake-up call. Do all your guests get such fine treatment when they stay at Casa Wright?” “Of course not. I’d never be able to keep a room free if they did.” “True.” She laughed softly. “So what’s the plan for the day?” “To keep you naked and at my beck and call all day.” “I love the way you think.” “I thought you would.” Lennon sat up and eased out of the bed. “But first I’m going to shower. Care to join me?” “Hmmm…” She tapped her finger against her lips as if deep in thought. “My momma always said a good guest does as her host requests.”

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“God bless your momma.” Lennon reached his hand out and helped her from the bed. As they made their way over to the bathroom, her cell phone rang. “Why don’t you get that while I start the shower?” “Okay.” Gillian took an extra second to watch him walk nude into the bathroom before she grabbed her phone off the nightstand. “’lo.” “You picked a hell of a day to play hooky.” Minta’s drawl was more pronounced than usual, which meant only one thing. “What’s wrong?” “The shit has hit the fan girl, and it’s stinking up the place.” “Okay, enough with your colloquialisms. Tell me what's going on.” “The company is downsizing, and people are getting fired left and right.” “Oh my God.” Stunned, Gillian’s legs gave out and she sat down heavily on the bed. “Have you been --” “Not yet, but it’s only nine o’clock.” “Oh shit. I need to come to work.” “Girl, the best place for you is exactly where you are. They can’t fire you if you aren’t here.” “Shower’s ready,” Lennon called from the bathroom. “Who’s that?” Minta asked. “Lennon.” The silence on the other end of the phone was deafening. Minta cleared her voice several times before finally speaking. “Umm…maybe you should come to work after all.” “Why?” “Well, I found out what boy wonder’s job was.”

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“What?” A sinking feeling was beginning in the pit of her stomach, but she refused to acknowledge it. “He’s the efficiency expert.” “What!” “He was hired to figure out whom to fire. You're fucking the hatchet man, girl. Let’s hope your coochie was good enough to save your hide.” “Are you coming?” Gillian looked up to see Lennon standing in the doorway of the master bathroom, with a questioning look on his face. Instead of answering him, she turned her attention back to the phone and Minta, though she didn’t stop staring at Lennon. ”I have to go.” “I’ll keep you updated on what’s going on here, and you let me know what’s going on there.” “Bye, Minta.” Gillian’s gaze was still locked on Lennon’s as she shut the phone and dropped it carelessly on the bed next to her. “Minta.” Lennon sighed heavily and leaned against the doorjamb. “Should I pretend like I don’t know why you look as if you feel sick or just prepare for the yelling?” His flippant tone was just what she needed to get her mind functioning again. “I think you’ve done enough pretending, don’t you?” “Prepare for the yelling it is.” He didn’t know the half of it.

Lennon had known this was going to happen. He wasn’t an idiot. He’d only hoped he’d have a little more time before everything blew up in his face. From the look of utter rage on her face, he didn’t even have a second to spare.

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“Fuck,” he muttered softly to himself as he spun on his heels and stomped into the bathroom. With an angry twist of his wrist, he turned off the shower. So much for that. Silently he berated himself for not speaking up when he should have, but “woulda, coulda, shoulda” wasn’t going to do much to help him now. With a heavy sigh he walked back into the bedroom to find Gillian dressing. Not a good sign. “I guess breakfast is out,” he said jokingly. His attempt at levity only earned him a scowl.

Fuck. Silently he padded across the room to his dresser and pulled out a pair of navy blue sweats. Normally, he would have preferred to shower before dressing, but something told him -- like logic -- that if he took the time to shower and dress, she’d be long gone by the time he was done. Once he had his pants on, he turned back to face Gillian, who was now dressed and packing her overnight bag. She was going to leave. Just like that. Or he should say she was going to try to leave. There was no way in hell he was about to stand idly by and let her walk out of his life without a fight. “Are we even going to talk about this?” “What’s there to talk about?” she said stiffly as she shoved her shirt into her bag. “A lot.” “No, we had a lot to talk about a month ago. Even more to talk about two weeks ago when we started having sex, but right now, we don’t have shit to talk about.” “Where are you going?” “To find out if I have a job or not.” When she neared the door, he took off after her, but to his surprise, she stopped, dropped her bag, and turned around. “You bastard. How could you not tell me?” The time for games was over. “Keeping mum is part of my job.” Her eyes widened and she took a step toward him. “Is fucking me part of your job?”

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“No,” he said bluntly. “Making love with you was definitely not part of the job. In fact there’s a rule about not becoming sexually or emotionally involved with any employees of the client.” “Really? And did you know this rule before we had sex?” “Yes. I wrote it.” The more he spoke, the deeper the hole grew, but he couldn’t, wouldn’t, lie to her again. “So not only are you a liar, you’re hypocrite.” “What I am is someone who got caught between a rock and hard place.” “Which am I, the rock or the hard place?” “I don’t know.” “What do you know?” “That I care about you. That I wanted to be with you, damn the consequences.” She seemed a little stunned by his confession but barreled on. “Goodie for you, but the real question is how does it affect my livelihood?” If he could do nothing else, he could at least alleviate that fear for her. “You’re not going to lose your job.” “How do you know?” Then realization crossed her face. “Of course, you’re the man with the plan.” “No, I’m the man who, like you, had a job to do.” “Well, let me commend you on a job well done.” “Thanks.” Apparently, he wasn’t the only one familiar with the land of sarcasm. “We can sit here and trade barbs all day, but it won’t change a thing. I had a job to do. I did it and I’ll be damned if I’m sorry about that. I am sorry, though, that I wasn’t upfront with you. If I knew then what I know now, I would have been.” “Why? What makes your hindsight twenty-twenty?”

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“I didn’t know when we first met that we’d end up here, but I’m not sorry that we did. Only sorry that my silence has caused you an ounce of pain.” “Pain. That’s one way to put it. I feel like I’ve been hit with a two-by-four on the back of the head. Today was supposed to be a fun day to play hooky, when all along you knew it was the day layoffs were coming.” “All you see now is people who lost their jobs. What you’re missing is the big picture. The decision of who keeps their job isn’t mine. All I do is come in, evaluate, and give my opinion on who is expendable and who isn’t. I don’t just take jobs away. I save jobs. Yours included.” “Did mine get saved because of our extracurricular activities?” “No,” he said with all honestly. “You, like many others put on the keep list, went on there because you’re an excellent worker, and I made that call long before I made you come.” “And I’m supposed to just believe that?” “Yes. Because it’s the truth.” “You’re not exactly an authority on that.” “Really? Let’s address that, shall we? You keep saying I lied to you. What exactly did I lie to you about? You knew I was there working on a hush-hush project for the partners. Just because I didn’t explain what that project was doesn’t mean I lied.” “What about that guy who came out of your office the first time we made love? He works for you, doesn’t he?” Fuck, he forgot about that. “Yes, but technically he falls under the umbrella of hushhush project.” “And Finnegan, he wasn’t there working on your computer, was he?” “No, but once again, same umbrella.” He winced as he admitted that reluctantly. “You have an answer for everything.”

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“For everything except why you’re going to allow this to be the catalyst for the end of our relationship.” He had to make her see that she was more important than this project. “We can move past this. I don’t want this to be the end of us.” “Everything that has a beginning has an ending, Lennon. Us included.” “We don’t have to end now. Don’t use this as an excuse to push me away, Gillian.” “I don’t need an excuse.” “But you need a reason and this just isn’t a good one. You know that and I know that. Be mad at me, pout, throw things, but don’t end it. Don’t end us.” “Is there an us?” “There can be, if you’ll only let go.” “It’s not so easy. If only you’d said something.” There was no point in mentioning he couldn’t. It didn’t get him very far the first time anyway. “If I had to do it over --” “Second chances are rare in life.” “That’s why we have to make the first one count.” Gillian picked up her bag from off the ground. “I have to go.” “You don’t have to.” Instead of answering, she walked past him and out of the bedroom. He stood stunned, wondering how the day had gone so awfully wrong when it had started so right. Damn it, he wasn’t going to let her get away so easily. He needed to make her understand, no matter what. Storming from the bedroom, he came to a halt when he reached the living room and saw her standing at the front door, her bag at her feet. She was staring off into space as if lost in thought.

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There were no terms that could possibly describe the relief that coursed through his system. Whether she admitted it or not, she wanted to work this out. All he had to do was find the right words to say to make that happen. “You’re still here.” Wonder coated his every word.

“Tell me two things.”

“Okay.” Anything, he thought. Anything to get you to stay.

“Minta…does she --”

What an idiot he was. He should have known she’d be worried for her friend. “Not

only is she on the keep list, I recommended they fire her supervisor and promote her. She has been doing his job all this time anyhow. It’s about time she gets the recognition as well as the pay.” She turned back around to face him. For the first time since her phone call, she didn’t seem as distraught. “You noticed, huh?” “That’s why we go in undercover. When people know they’re being evaluated, they don’t act as they usually do.” “True.” She nodded her head and glanced away. “You said two questions.” “Did you spend all that extra time talking with me to get the lowdown on the other employees?” Good Lord. Was that what she thought? “No.” Frowning, he took a step toward her. “Lord, no. You, not this job, are the exception to the rule, to all my rules, Gillian. I’ve never even contemplated seeing someone who my company has been hired to review. That’s why the guys showed up like they did at the bar. They were floored there was someone who could make me forgo my rules. You’re the first person I’ve ever broken the rules for.” “I better be the last.”

“I’m pretty sure that can be arranged.” He smiled, suddenly seeing a small ray of hope.

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“Is there anything else I should know? Anything else at all?” Lennon thought hard before he answered, making sure he gave her question the proper consideration it deserved. “Once, on a dare, I peed on an electric fence.” “Seriously?” “Not one of my prouder moments.” “I can see why.” With a sigh, Gillian leaned back against the front door. “I don’t want to walk away from you. From us.” “Then don’t.” “Is it really that easy?” “It can be. I was wrong. Not for keeping my job a secret, but for getting involved without you knowing all the facts. I should have just waited until the job was over, then attacked you.” His heart lightened when a small smile flittered across her lips. “I am sorry, Gillian. Sorrier than you’ll ever know, and I’m willing to do anything you want to make up for it.” “Anything?” She took a step toward him, and that was all he needed. He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly against him. “Anything,” he agreed wholeheartedly. “You should never say that to a scorned woman. You never know what evil thing I’m capable of pulling out my hat.” The idea of her thinking up something he wouldn’t do made him laugh. Did she miss the part where he said he’d peed on an electric fence? “I think I can handle anything you think up.” “I’m going to make you eat those words, buster,” she promised with a twinkle in her eyes. “I can’t wait.”

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Epilogue Four Months Later

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Lennon shut the door behind them and locked it. “I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t want it.” “Right. And this is something you want.” He crossed his arms over his chest and tried his best to send his fiancée an intimidating look. As usual, it didn’t work. Gillian was no more intimidated by him than she was by the man in the moon. “Not something you want to do just to irk me?” “Now would I ever do anything as mean and cruel as that?” Smiling, Gillian brought her left arm up above her head and her right one across her body to unzip her red spaghetti strap dress. The way the silky dress molded to her curves left little to the imagination, but teasing wasn’t good enough for her tonight. Tonight, she was in full seduction mode. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only fly caught in her web. Lennon glanced over to the bay windows at the people standing outside the room, waiting for the show to begin, then back to his fiancée, who was watching his expression as

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intently as the people were watching her little striptease. He’d been on the other end of this scenario more times then he could remember, but never had he been on center stage. “You know, honey, if you don’t want to do this, you can just. Say. No.” She pulled the dress over her head and dropped it casually to the floor. His breath caught in his throat when he saw what she was wearing under the dress. Or not wearing, as the case was. Her red sheer bra clearly showed the outline of her dark nipples. For a brief moment he was glad she wasn’t wearing a thong, although the boy shorts left little to the imagination since her sex was completely devoid of any curls. “I won’t hold it against you.” He knew a challenge when he heard one. “Like I told you four months ago, I can handle anything you dish out.” “I know what you said.” Gillian placed her hands on her shapely hips and smiled. “But saying something and doing it are two different things. I mean, if you’re too shy to handle my fantasy, I won’t hold it against you.” No, she wouldn’t hold it against him, but she wouldn’t let him forget it either. His baby was a brat that way. No wonder he loved her so much. “No worries, love. I’m up to the challenge.” Gillian’s gaze dropped down to the bulge in his pants. “So I see.” “This is your last chance to call it off.” “Or yours. I’ll understand if you don’t want your friends to see you in action.” “Oh, I’m not worried about that.” Not after the way he’d threatened their lives. Acting nonchalant, he grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. “But you might want to think about what you’re comfortable with your friend seeing.” His words brought her smile crashing down. “What friend?” “Minta, of course,” he teased, tossing his shirt to the floor. “If you don’t mind her seeing us in all our glory, then I don’t.”

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Lena Matthews

“Minta’s here?” Gillian grabbed her dress off the floor and pulled it against her body like a cloth shield. A collective groan echoed through window from their disappointed audience. “No, but that was funny as hell.” “Bastard.” She laughed as she dropped the dress and launched herself at him. “That was a low blow.” “Who’s shy now?” Lennon picked her up and carried her to the bed, lying her down gently like the princess she was. “Neither of us, thank God.” He couldn’t agree more.

Lena Matthews Lena Matthews spends her days dreaming about handsome heroes and her nights with her own personal hero. Married to her college sweetheart, she is the proud mother of two children, three evil dogs, and a mess of ants that she can't seem to get rid of. When not writing she can be found reading, watching movies, lifting up the cushions on the couch to look for batteries for the remote control, and plotting different ways to bring Buffy back on the air.