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Jade Rivers
Praise for the writing of Jade Rivers Shattered Legacy by Jade Rivers is a terrific murder mystery. Ms. Rivers did a great job of weaving this tale of murder, mayhem and madness together. Pam L. 4.5 Roses A Romance Review
WARNING This e-Book contains sexually graphic scenes and adult language. Store your e-Books carefully where they cannot be accessed by underage readers.
Slicker
Slicker
Jade Rivers
Aspen Mountain Press
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Jade Rivers Slicker Copyright © 2006 Jade Rivers
This e-Book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations within are from the author’s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental.
Aspen Mountain Press PO Box 473543 Aurora CO 80047-3543 First released by Aspen Mountain Press, January 2007 www.AspenMountainPress.com
This e-Book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction fines and/or imprisonment. The e-Book cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this e-Book can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-60168-026-6 Published in the United States of America Editor: Sandra Hicks Cover artist: Jinger Heaston
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Slicker
Tavey McDaniel broke the point of her 3rd #2 pencil on the 487th line of the general ledger. It didn’t faze her. Her hand drifted to the top of a very untidy French Chignon and she pulled out a replacement, sharp as a pin. With tax season in full swing, Tavey was at the peak of her game. As Chief Financial Officer for a hugely successful employment broker, she had to be. The office sent out over 2,000 W2s at tax time, and Tavey made sure it all went off without a hitch. She insisted on checking the ledger by hand every year, pouring over the printouts with a spooky intensity, making notes and corrections that invariably left the Payroll department in chaos. She directed Purchasing, Payables, and Receivables exactly the same way. It left very little time for socializing. Tavey’s relationship with her staff had reached an all time low. She respected every one of her employees, each of them hand-picked from a carefully screened roster of the most qualified candidates. Tavey fought hard for their generous starting salaries when the agency was founded, insisting to her partners that they would mean the difference between success and survival. She was right. Expenses always came in under budget and profits always surpassed expectations. Christmas bonuses this year had been predictably generous, but no one thought to thank Tavey, slaving away over the ledgers in her office. With a groan, Tavey sat back, figures swirling and swimming on the sheets before her eyes. She was burned out, and knew it. She needed to stop for the night, go home, and catch a few hours of sleep. Instead, she indulged in the one extravagance she allowed herself and drew a fresh cup of Brazilian bliss from the elaborate, copper cappuccino machine in her office. With a sigh, she sank into her cozy high-backed chair, gazing through the window at the city lights, dazzling like gems through the rain. It was half past six already, and dark as pitch under the heavy cloud cover.
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There was a soft knock at her door. Jack Kessler, Chief Executive Officer for the firm, let himself in and perched casually on the edge of Tavey’s desk. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Tavey raised her eyebrows. “The Valentine’s mixer at the Wild Plum? In…” he glanced down at his watch, “thirty minutes?” Are you planning on going dressed like that? He gestured toward her chest. Tavey looked down and blushed to the roots of her dark brown hair. She was wearing the frumpiest brown wool cardigan in her closet, over an orange turtleneck and beige wool slacks. Not attractive, but comfortable and warm. The wool helped repel rain. Tavey hated coming to work wet, and living in Eugene, Oregon, she had to be prepared for it year round. “Actually, I had forgotten. I’m not finished here. Why don’t you convey my apologies? I’ll pass around some gift cards tomorrow and make it all better.” Jack clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Not this event, Tavey. It’s too important to the company. This is how we reward our best customers, chat up potential clients…Besides, it’s starting to look like you’re blowing us off.” She sat up, shocked. “How can you say that? I’m there for you when it counts, you know that!” Jack shook his head again. “I wish that were true, Tavey. Open your eyes… when was the last time you enjoyed yourself with your co-workers? We’re all a little afraid of you, you know. Everyone on your staff is afraid of putting even a toe out of line, for fear you’ll find fault with them.” Tavey scoffed. “That isn’t true. They’re possibly the sharpest accounting staff in the business, Jack. I tell them that all the time.” “Do you? Are you sure about that?” Jack leaned forward, looking Tavey straight in the eye. “When was the last time you said that? To whom?” Tavey opened her mouth to answer. Nothing came out. She couldn’t remember when she’d ever said that, at least not to her staff. She knew she sang their praises every year at board meetings, but she also knew that wasn’t enough.
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The tears came fast and furious. “Oh my God, Jack! I’m like—Boss-zilla!” She covered her face with her hands, furious with herself. Jack chuckled. “Tavey, come on. It’s not that bad. They’re not really afraid of you. They’re just so afraid of failing you, of somehow failing to live up to your expectations. They practically idolize you. Your office runs like a damned Rolex. Now, quit crying, and let’s go to the party.” Tavey refused to budge. “I look awful. I ignored them all day, and I didn’t even buy a dress. I can’t go to the cocktail mixer dressed like this!” Jack’s face reddened. “That wasn’t a request, Tavey. You’d better pull yourself together. Either you’re coming out tonight, or taking a long leave of absence starting tomorrow morning. You’ve got to loosen up, before you fall completely apart!” Tavey shivered at his tone but realized he was right. She did need to go to the party, not for herself, but for her staff. She picked up her purse and headed for the cloakroom. “We can stop by my apartment on the way there. I’ll find something to wear. We won’t be late, I promise.” Jack followed her swiftly departing form through corridors, down the stairs, through the revolving door, and out into the freezing rain. **** Even though Tavey’s apartment was right on the way, she knew she had only a few minutes to throw something together. She left Jack in the living room with various remote controls and hustled back to her bedroom, bearing a tall glass of Southern courage from the bar. She gulped down half of the mellow Kentucky bourbon and nervously approached her wardrobe. Pawing through her closet, she discarded tacky floral prints, drab gray and beige jumpers, sensible black suits, and endless matronly
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blouses. For some reason, she needed to feel pretty tonight. She needed a boost if she was going to face her staff and make nice. Reaching the back of her closet, she saw it. Her mother’s shiny red rain slicker. Cut in the swinging A-line fashionable in the late sixties, it was shiny red vinyl with white stitching, lined with white satin and trimmed with white fur. It was the only thing in her closet that said “Party.” And, it had the added bonus of offering some protection from the rain. Downing the rest of the bourbon, she let liquid fire fill her veins, chasing away the nervous butterflies in her stomach. She searched in vain for a short dress to wear underneath the slicker, but gave up when her only modestly short skirt still fell five inches below the hemline of the thigh-length coat. She found a white satin half-slip that was short enough, and paired it with a silky white camisole with a low-cut lace décolletage. She slipped the coat on over her underclothes and studied herself critically in the mirror. She still looked like she was wearing a coat. She fumbled around the top of her closet, finally turning up a wide white leather belt. She used it to tightly cinch the waist of the slicker. As a result, her top bloused open and the skirt flared beautifully, but now she was showing even more thigh. The only pantyhose in her drawer without runs were a pair of white fishnets left over from a Halloween party she’d attended in college as a naughty nurse. Digging under her bed for shoes, she unearthed a stream of orthopedic nightmares. She had nothing remotely festive or interesting. She didn’t own a single pair of high heels. Turning to look in the mirror again, she was shocked at her own transformation. She’d gone from an uptight accountant to a Valentine Strip-ogram. The outfit was more appropriate for a gentlemen’s’ club than an office party. She sat heavily on the edge of her bed and tried to calm her pounding pulse. “Jack?” He called back to the bedroom. “What is it, Tavey?”
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“I’m not coming.” His footsteps pounded in the hallway, stopping right outside her door. “What is it now?” “I have a headache. A really bad headache.” He knocked softly. “Can I come in?” “No! I’m not—I mean, I just don’t...” He laughed and pushed the door open, walking briskly into the room. “Whatever it is, I’m sure we can…” He stood rock-still inside the doorway, his mouth hanging open. “What? Oh my God, Jack, I look completely ridiculous! Get out!” “Tavey? You don’t! You look—that’s a great—I mean—Wow! Just put some shoes on.” She gestured to the floor. “Exactly which of these old maid shoes would you pick?” He looked at the floor and shrugged. “I don’t know anything about shoes—” then he glanced at the frumpy pile at the foot of her bed. “Hey. Don’t you have anything sexy?” She laughed tipsily. “I think you’re forgetting who you’re dealing with.” “What are you talking about? Look at you in that—dress. You must have something…” She looked toward the top of her closet, then quickly dropped her gaze to the floor. “What was that?” Jack looked where she’d glanced, and spotted a large shoebox. Pulling it down, he opened it, revealing a pair of stiletto-heeled white granny boots with a silver sunburst embroidered on the side. “Why don’t you wear these?” Tavey rolled her eyes. “Those are ridiculous. They probably don’t even fit anymore. I bought them to wear to my high school graduation. It was a rebellious thing. They’re so—tacky!”
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“Are you kidding? With that outfit, they’re perfect! Come on already, we’re late!” He tucked the shoebox under his arm and dragged her toward the door. “Just slip your loafers on for now, you can put these on in the car.” “Wait! Just—wait. I haven’t even done my hair.” Jack stopped just short of the front door and stepped in close, examining her hair. Ignoring her embarrassment, he pulled no less than six pencils out of the messy French twist and slid the combs out gently. “Ok, now, turn your head upside down and just mess your fingers around in your hair. My sisters always did that before they went out on dates.” Tavey blushed but did as he asked, ignoring the quick rush of blood to her head. When she stood and flipped her wavy brown hair back out of the way, she did a quick check in the mirror. Everything seemed in place, but she still needed… “Lip-gloss! Wait a second. I think I have something in my purse…” She snatched a tube of cranberry gloss and smoothed it over generous lips, then threw caution to the wind and jazzed her eyes with a dash of black eyeliner and mascara. When she turned back to the door, Jack was standing, mouth agape. “Who are you? And what have you done with Tavey McDaniel?” Tavey giggled, the bourbon was working nicely. “Oh, please. It’s just a little lip-gloss. I look like a stripper in this getup, so we’d better get a move on or I’m going to change my mind again.” **** In the parking lot of the restaurant, Tavey slid her feet into the soft white boots. They fit perfectly, but she couldn’t get her fingers to work the laces. Impatient, Jack pulled her left leg over the console and began to tie her shoe. He fumbled the laces and blushed to the roots of his hair.
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Tavey quickly noticed what had caused his embarrassment. With her leg over the console of the car, the skirt flipped up almost to her waist, giving Jack a clear view of her satin-clad crotch. She groaned. “Oh my God. I may never, ever be able to look you in the eye again.” Jack cleared his throat. “How do you think I feel?” Tavey swallowed her mortification and threw her other foot up over the stick shift. “Come on, already, let’s get this over with.” Jack finished lacing her boots and stepped out of the car, quickly coming around to open her door. Tavey braced herself on his arm, leaning on him slightly for balance. The heels looked tricky and now that she was tipsy, they were downright treacherous. The hostess led Jack and Tavey through the dining room and upstairs. The company had reserved the entire second floor for the party. Tavey was barely aware of the attention she attracted, but Jack knew; men’s eyes followed her across the room with frank appreciation, and women’s with open hostility. Jack suddenly realized what a pair they made walking into the restaurant like this. Tavey made a dazzling date for the party. He smiled. He’d been putting off Savannah in Recruiting for weeks. If he could pass Tavey off as his date, maybe she’d back off. “Do me a favor, Tavey?” “Hmmm?” “Hang out with me tonight? I don’t have a date, and you know how these things are. I’d wind up fending off some drunken office floozy.” Tavey laughed a little too loudly. “Are you kidding? Look at me, Jack! Tonight, I am the drunken office floozy!” Jack grumbled. “Please, Tavey. You might be a little tipsy, but everyone knows you’re no floozy.” Tavey waggled her eyebrows at him, hamming it up. “Maybe they don’t know me quite as well as they think they do.” She giggled and stumbled, leaning lightly on his arm for support. “Wow. No more booze for this floozy!”
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Jack relaxed and put his arm around her waist to better support her. “Relax, you’re supposed to loosen up tonight, remember?” He steered her to one of the tall chairs in front of the bar and helped her settle in. Glancing around the room, he finally noticed the rest of the party. For a few awkward moments, the crowd observed Jack and Tavey’s entrance in total silence, then Tavey’s assistant, Margot hustled over to greet her boss. “Oh my goodness, Tavey! I didn’t expect—I mean, well, I figured you’d forget all about the party and work all night, like last year. It’s so good to see you! And you look— well, amazing! There are so many little black dresses in here it feels like a funeral! Who would have thought? Oh—well, I mean, you just look so terrific!” Tavey’s eyes misted over. In a completely unexpected show of warmth, Jack watched her lean forward and hug Margo. “You are so sweet to say so. I can’t believe you would even speak to me after the way I’ve been acting. I’ve been an absolute beast!” Jack interrupted. “I believe the term you used was “Boss-zilla.” Margo giggled and then blushed furiously. “You weren’t that bad! Honestly, Tavey. Everyone gets a little crazy at tax season.” She squeezed Tavey’s hand and glanced toward her table. “Do you want to sit with us? There’s room—I mean, for both of you, of course, Mr. Kessler.” “Please, call me Jack.” He motioned to the bartender. “Send another round to that table? The lady and I are having bourbon, rocks.” Tavey tried to shake her head, but Jack was already guiding her to her seat. Conversation was stilted at first, but Tavey quickly warmed to her staff, soaking in their bright, engaging stories about families and shared hobbies. She gently chided herself for forgetting the people she worked with had lives outside of the office, and said so. “I know it’s probably a day late and a dollar short, but for what it’s worth, I’d like to apologize to all of you for making work such a grind. I’ve been incredibly thoughtless. This year, in addition to your bonus, I’m giving you all three additional vacation days, to do whatever you’d like. Take them when you need them, no strings attached.”
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Margot gasped. “Are you serious? Oh, I’ll be able to make all of my brother’s graduations this summer!” Her eyes welled. “All three of them are graduating in different states. Phil will be getting his Masters in New York, Ben gets his Doctorate in California, and Matthew gets his Bachelors in North Carolina! With the holidays and everything else, I didn’t know how I’d manage it!” Tavey smiled. “I hope you know you can come to me with things like that. We would have found a way.” She looked around the table, sad to see the disbelief on so many faces. “All of you can. I’m so grateful, I manage the best staff in the agency, and that’s not the bourbon talking. You’re all spectacularly talented people, and it’s time I told you so. I’m so lucky to have you.” She dabbed at her misty eyes with a napkin, giggling to see a few others do the same. Jack raised his glass in a toast. “Hear, hear! To the best department in the agency!” The others lifted their glasses, and Margot spoke up. “And to the best manager in the agency!” Tavey’s heart felt like it would swell out of her chest when the others echoed the sentiment. She knew she didn’t really deserve their accolades, but she vowed to truly earn them. Vaguely, she became aware of Jack’s hand on her thigh. When she noticed, heat crept from her neck to cover her face. She hoped none of the others noticed how flustered she suddenly was. She shivered involuntarily and the gentle pressure of his hand became almost a caress. His fingers were warm and strong, and suddenly she longed for them to inch just a little higher. She pointedly avoided looking down, so he wouldn’t notice and remove his hand. The wait staff cleared a few tables to the side and a DJ set up equipment at the edge of a makeshift dance floor. Jack turned to Tavey. “What do you say? Will you give me the honor?” Tavey grimaced. “I’d love to, but these shoes.”
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Neither of them had noticed Savannah’s silent arrival. “Well, then, Tavey, why don’t you sit this one out? I’m free.” She held her hand out to Jack, smiling a little too brightly. Jack looked at Tavey, hope in his eyes. She shrugged and waved him toward the dance floor. “I’ll be okay. Go have fun.” Inwardly, she seethed. She knew she couldn’t hold a candle to Savannah’s petite, sophisticated glamour and quick southern charm. Beside her, Tavey felt like an awkward northern giant. Watching her dance with Jack, Tavey was struck by their perfection as a couple. Jack was so elegant, even though he hadn’t changed from his work suit. Savannah’s black cocktail dress molded to her body like a second skin, and she was pressing every inch of her figure against Jack, as far as Tavey could tell. Margot sat down next to Tavey. “Could that woman be any more obvious?” Tavey jumped. “Savannah?” Margot leaned in conspiratorially, “She’s had her hook dangling for months. Jack just didn’t bite. I thought he was with you tonight?” Tavey shook her head miserably. “Not really, I mean, I rode over with him, but it’s not a date. Anyway, he doesn’t think of me that way. Margot scoffed. “The hell he doesn’t. He hasn’t looked at anyone else all night. In fact, from the way he’s been looking at you, I’m pretty sure he wants to crawl right inside your dress.” Tavey laughed. “You mean my slicker. This is my mother’s raincoat, you know. And I’m sure you’re wrong. He’s just making sure I don’t slide under the table.” Margot appraised her outfit. “Well, you sure fill out a raincoat, lady.” She winked. “If I had a body like yours, I’d show it off all the time. If you want any help filling out a new wardrobe, give me a call, I live to shop!” The song ended and Jack politely extricated himself from Savannah’s embrace. Crossing to Tavey, he dropped to a knee. Running his fingers along her
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calf, he drew her foot out from beneath the table and untied the laces of her shoe. Sliding her aching toes gently out of the boot, he reached for the other and repeated his ministrations. Happily wiggling her toes in her stocking feet, Tavey grinned. “That feels so much better!” “Now will you do me the honor?” Tavey patted his chair. “Let’s wait for a slow one.” Jack sank into the chair with a sigh. “So, are you glad you came?” Tavey cocked hear head thoughtfully. “I am. I really needed this.” Jack laughed. “That’s an understatement. You were wound up like a spring. I know it’s tax season, but live a little, let your hair down—you have beautiful hair, Tavey.” His voice tapered off, as he unconsciously wound a silky lock of her hair around his fingers. She looked into Jack’s eyes and finally recognized the desire Margot spoke of. She couldn’t tear her eyes away. “Thank you so much for insisting on this. You know, I never would have come on my own. Margot might have missed her brothers’ graduations, and it would have been my fault.” Jack glanced around the room, his gaze landing on Margot. “It’s her you should be thanking. She came to me this afternoon. She was worried about you, and she told me to make sure you came to the party.” Margot turned, and from across the room waved and lifted her glass in a little salute. She winked and held up her thumb in a sassy gesture of approval. Jack put his arm casually on the back of Tavey’s chair. “I think our friend Margot had a little hidden agenda.” Tavey giggled. “I think you might be right. Speaking of agendas, I think you’re missing the point of the party, Jack. We have a roomful of clients and you haven’t paid more than passing attention to any of them yet.” He groaned. “When you’re right, you’re right. Give me a few minutes, okay? I need to do the rounds and make a few contacts.”
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Tavey watched the way Jack smoothly approached their base clients, elegantly casual. She couldn’t help but admire his polish. Being one of the youngest executive officers in their region hadn’t hindered him in the slightest. What began as a simple marketing service to help his college buddies find lucrative jobs had evolved into a full-service employment brokerage firm for young, educated professionals. Jack’s business sense was instinctive, guiding their company from relative obscurity to prominence in less than five years. And she’d been there every step of the way. Tavey was a friend of a friend. She’d briefly dated Jack’s roommate in college, and when they’d formed the company, her ex-boyfriend had been big enough to invite Tavey in on the ground floor. Knowing Jack’s knack with people, she’d jumped at the chance, and never looked back. When Jack heard the Eagle’s “Hotel California” playing, he sauntered back to the table. “Come here, you. It’s a slow song, and you owe me a dance.” He kicked off his shoes. “Wouldn’t want to step on your delicate toes with these clodhoppers.” Tavey giggled at the site of his argyle socks in bright Valentine colors, and allowed him to pull her out to the floor. She stepped into the circle of his arms and locked her wrists around his neck. Her forehead was even with his mouth, the perfect height for slow dancing. She felt his hands travel lower, lightly resting on the curve of her bottom. Warmth blossomed between her thighs. Her skin tingled where his hands touched, and her chest constricted. Looking up, she noticed the flush creeping up Jack’s neck. When he pulled her closer, his erection pressed against her belly, firm and urgent. Power surged with the knowledge of his desire, and she pressed her lips in a feathery kiss against his neck. Jack groaned and held her even tighter. “God, you smell good. It’s driving me half crazy. We fit like hand and glove. How do you work with a woman for over five years and not notice this?” Tavey sighed. “I wasn’t paying attention. I didn’t care. When I came to work for the agency, I was coming out of a bad relationship. I let work dominate my life.”
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Jack drew back, a puzzled look on his face. “So what’s my excuse? You’ve been right under my nose the whole time, and I didn’t even look twice. I’m not shallow, honestly, I just didn’t see it—see us.” He shivered and pulled her close again. “This is—us, right? I mean, I’m not crazy. We are going to be—this, now? “I don’t want this to end up a one-night stand, Tavey. I respect you, God, I like you; I like your dry sense of humor, your intensity, your intelligence. Maybe I was too intimidated to see the woman behind the whole package.” “Jack, I didn’t want you to see the woman. I hid under frumpy clothes, in the pages of the ledger, because I didn’t want to get hurt again. Tonight, I finally realized I’m over that. I’m tired of it. I wasn’t really living, I don’t remember the last time I had fun…” “I don’t want to be rebound man, Tavey. If you’re just looking for a good time, you better look somewhere else, because I’m going to get hurt. I’m in over my head, here. I haven’t ever been this strongly attracted to anyone, and I’m not sure how to handle it.” Tavey rested her cheek on his shoulder. “I don’t do casual, Jack, or hadn’t you noticed? If I thought you were just another good-looking guy, I wouldn’t even contemplate—us. I see attractive guys all the time. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not completely unattractive. I have the tools. I just haven’t wanted to use them… until now.” Jack smiled happily. “You have the tools, alright. Woman, you’re endowed with the nicest ‘tools’ I’ve ever seen.” Tavey rose up on her toes to whisper in his ear. “Wanna come back to my place?” Jack’s physical answer didn’t give her time to recant the offer. Not that she wanted to take her invitation back. He practically dragged her from the dance floor. Sliding into his shoes, he grabbed her boots from under the table and searched through his pockets for the car keys. Tavey waved goodbye to Margot and hurried to catch up with the rapidly departing Jack.
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When they reached the door of the restaurant, she tugged at his sleeve. “I can’t walk across the parking lot in my stockings, Jack. Hand over the boots.” Instead, he picked her up and carried her to the car. “Stand on my feet while I get the door open.” She blushed and did as he asked, as eager as he to explore their newfound attraction. He helped her slide into the soft leather seat and reached across to buckle her in. When his hand brushed across the tops of her thighs, Tavey felt the sensation from her toes to the tips of her ears. The mild buzz intensified the feeling, and she felt like she might melt right into the upholstery. Shifting in her seat, she tried to find a position that lessened the tingling in her nether regions. She wiggled in vain; with every passing moment her arousal intensified, burning out of control. **** When they pulled into the lot opposite her apartment building, it was pouring rain. Tavey and Jack sloshed through the rutted parking lot, scrambling across the street as quickly as possible. By the time they reached the entry, he was soaked to the skin. Tavey, on the other hand, was dry from the thighs up, but raindrops pooled and streamed off the slicker, soaking her legs and feet. In the elevator, Tavey fumbled beneath the coat and slipped out of her soaked stockings. “Wet fishnets itch like the devil.” She squeezed the water out and tucked them into her pocket. Jack forgot to breath, he was so aroused by the site of her shiny bare legs. “Hey, are you okay?” Tavey put her hand on his arm, and he jumped like a nervous cat. “What? Oh. Sure. I’m fine.” He punched the button for the 9th floor a few more times. “Is there something wrong with the elevator? Can’t this thing move any faster?”
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Tavey giggled and he tried not to squirm waiting for the bell to signal their arrival. Barefoot, she jogged to her door, fumbling in her purse for the keys, leaving him to stare after her. He was at her side in a few strides. “Give me that.” He dumped the contents of her purse onto the floor and plucked the keys from the pile. Quickly unlocking her door, he pushed the jumble of change, receipts, and cosmetics inside with his shoe, pulling her in behind him. He barely had the door closed before he pinned her back against it. Chest to chest, Tavey’s breasts rose and fell in jerky breaths. Was her urgency being replaced by a whopping case of pre-sex jitters? “Oh my God, Jack. This is happening too fast… I mean it’s almost like we just met! I know we’ve known each other a long time, but I never thought we’d wind up here in my wildest dreams!” Jack cupped her cheeks in his hands. “Tavey, Tavey. Jesus, you are my wildest dreams. Trust me. I’m as shocked as you. Do you think I planned to seduce you tonight?” He searched her eyes, questioning. “I planned on an hour or two of boring conversation about company finances at best. I’ve never heard you talk about anything else.” He smiled. “I know that’s not really fair, since I’ve never seen you outside of work.” Tavey laughed nervously and ducked, trying to edge away from him. “Can I get you a glass of wine? Bourbon?” He pulled her back to face him, stepping even closer. He effectively pinned her in place against the door. “Not just yet, Tavey.” He outlined her lips with a gentle finger. “I’ve been thinking about this for hours. Ever since you put on the lip-gloss. When you looked into the mirror and made that kissing face? I wanted to kiss you right there.” “But you didn’t.” “No, I didn’t.” He shook his head slowly, and she watched a wicked grin spread across his face.
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Tavey’s lips parted, anticipating the kiss. When it came, she moaned, sagging against the door. If he hadn’t had a grip on her waist, she would have melted in a puddle at his feet. He worshipped her mouth with his own, teasing and tugging her lips with his teeth, lightly licking them with his tongue. She pushed her hands inside his coat, feeling strong abdominal muscles through the fine linen dress shirt. Sighing into his mouth, she locked her arms around his waist, pulling him tighter. She couldn’t fight the intense waves of desire spreading through her body. She deepened the kiss, grinding her mouth against his, in the throes of undeniable passion. He pulled back, panting, and grinned. “If you knew how close I came to trying to talk you out of the party when I saw you in that getup…” She growled and kissed him again. “Why didn’t you?” She nibbled at his ears, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. She needed to feel his skin under her fingers. He groaned, “I respect you too much. So I held it in check and followed you out the door, like a good boy. Well, I was checking your legs out all the way to the elevator, so I guess I’m not that good. Did you know, when you walk, your skirt flips and the bottom of your slip shows, just a little?” His fingers found the buckle of her belt and tugged. “White lace.” His breath was bourbon-sweet and warm on Tavey’s face. Butterflies danced in her stomach, and desire made her skin icy-hot. The goose bumps on her legs weren’t just from the cold. “Wait, wait. This is still too—ummmmm.” Jack had worked the buttons of her coat open, slipped his fingers beneath her camisole, and was teasing her rock-hard nipples with his fingers. He cupped her breast softly in his hand, rubbing small circles with his thumb. “Your skin is like silk. Oh my God, it’s so soft.” When he whispered into her neck, Tavey went boneless. The air in the hallway was warm and close, and it seemed she could feel her pulse pounding in the door and floor supporting her. With a small moan, Tavey surrendered another resistance and wrapped her body around Jack’s like a cat. The wet wool of his
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slacks scratched her legs, and she shivered. “We need to get you out of these wet clothes!” He smiled. “Ditto.” Tavey recovered her senses enough to blush. “Honestly, Jack. You’ll catch a cold. Let me get you a blanket. I might have a t-shirt and shorts around here you can use…” Jack hugged Tavey and backed away, sensing her need to take things a little more slowly. “Where can I hang my clothes?” She pointed to a peach-colored door at the end of the hall. “There’s the bathroom. I’ll go find something for you to change into.” Jack slipped into the bathroom while Tavey tore through her drawers for a large t-shirt and a pair of boxers. Luckily, she preferred boxers as pajamas, and she had quite the collection. Unluckily, the only pair likely to fit him was covered with little dancing pigs wearing blue feather boas. Her t-shirt collection was just as bad. Tavey over-compensated for her dowdy wardrobe by indulging in wild sleepwear. She giggled, finally settling on a soft yellow t-shirt with a pink velvet silhouette of the mud flap girl. The words ‘Property of Peterbilt University Athletic Dept.” were stenciled around the design in the same shade of pink. When she opened the door to the hall, she found Jack just outside her door, wearing nothing but a fluffy yellow towel. She dropped the clothes. “Oh—my,” she bent and picked them up again. “I was just bringing these…” Jack took the clothes without even glancing at them, and quickly slid the shorts on under the towel. He let the towel drop and pulled the t-shirt over his head, his chest and ab muscles rippling with the movement. “Thanks.” Tavey blushed at the sight of his hard muscled stomach, and clasped her fingers to keep herself from touching. “You know, my office window looks out over the basketball court.” Jack looked at her quizzically. “Yeah? So?” “So that’s why I took that office. That’s why I picked the south side of the building for my department.” She grinned slyly. “I always take lunch at one,
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because you play basketball when it’s warm, over your lunch hour. When it gets hot, you take your shirt off.” “Tavey! You little minx! You mean you’ve been ogling my body all this time and never even said…” She blushed. “Hey, I appreciate a little eye-candy as much as the next girl, Jack. Just because I wasn’t looking for a relationship doesn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy the view.” “Wasn’t. As in, past tense.” He barely whispered the words and closed the distance between their bodies in the hallway, pinning her hands to the wall behind her back. “So here we are, and I’m getting pretty hot. Maybe hot enough to take my shirt off.” He planted his hands to the sides of her shoulders. Knees trembling, Tavey’s fingers itched to rip his skin free of the flimsy tshirt. “I’m getting a little warm myself, under this vinyl coat.” She blushed at her own boldness, but waited, daring him to take it one step further. Tavey’s schoolgirl blush, accompanying such a loaded statement, buckled Jack’s last shred of reserve. He growled deep in his throat, the desire coursing through his veins like an electric current. “Bed? Floor? Where?” Between the kisses of a ravenous lover, he grabbed her butt and lifted her against him. Tavey’s legs flew around his waist and clamped tight. With the soft mews of a frantic kitten, she dug her fingers into his hair and grunted against his teeth. “Bed? Softer.” He kicked open her door and stumbled forward until his knees found the edge of the bed. Turning around, he lowered himself, keeping Tavey astride. Straddling Jack, she shoved him back onto the quilt and tugged at the bottom of his t-shirt, her crotch squirming atop his groin with the movement. His erection stiffened and jumped, and gave an answering little nudge to her pelvis. His stomach finally free for taste and inspection, received Tavey’s attention as she bent low and traced the lines of muscle with her tongue. When her coat fell open, she hiked her slip up higher and widened her stance to move astride his hips. Jack shivered under the warm caress of her tongue, then bent his knees and braced his heels against the foot of the bed, sliding higher. He pushed her forward
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with his thighs and she sat upright. A tantalizing view of damp inner thigh teased Jack as she adjusted her costume a little. Seizing the edges of her slick red coat, he peeled the sleeves down over her shoulders, effectively pinning her arms at her sides. Lazily, his eyes wandered over her body, the peaks of her breasts, noting nipples hardened with lust, her quivering stomach, and glistening thighs. Gently, he lowered the sleeves the rest of the way and she slipped out of the coat. He grinned at the sight of her damp camisole, clinging to every gorgeous curve. “You mean this is all you had on underneath the coat, all night? It’s a good thing I didn’t know. I might have tried to squeeze you into the back seat to get a closer look.” Tavey chuckled and the answering tremors in her groin aroused him even further. “I’m lucky I found anything to wear under this coat, it’s practically a micromini.” “Oh my God. Now I’m picturing you completely naked underneath.” His erection swelled again, and he groaned, pushing himself against her warm center. “Take the top off, Tavey. Please? Slowly?” She paused, then nodded shyly. Crossing her arms at the waist, she grabbed the hem of the camisole and gently tugged it over her head, arching her back. With his hands on her naked breasts, she gasped when he pinched her sensitive nipples and rolled them between his fingers. “Oh, God, yes…” She leaned forward into his palms and dropped her hands between their bodies, touching herself through her satin panties, another movement driving him wild. Rubbing her index finger in small circles around the outline of her clit, she stroked the front of his boxers with her left hand, using her thumb and index fingers on either side of his penis. “Holy Certified Public Accountants, Batman…” He almost came in his shorts, watching Tavey play with herself and stroke him at the same time. “Can I just say how un-fucking-believable you look doing that? The only thing that would be hotter…”
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Tavey paused mid-stroke. “Hotter?” “No, no. Not right now. Don’t stop, please baby, please don’t stop doing that. I’m just picturing you in your work clothes, with your hair up. Getting you naked on your desk at work and pulling all of those yellow pencils out of your hair.” He groaned when she smiled and stroked harder. “That’s it, Tavey. Don’t stop. Christ, this is so perfect. I’m just plugging you into my fantasies, a little.” Tavey grinned wickedly. “Want to hear mine? We drive up to Portland to scout out a new office location and you seduce me into your hotel room. Then Savannah from sales calls and I answer the phone…” She trailed off, panting as his fingers joined hers. “Hmmmmm, oh, yes…” Jack sat up and kissed her breast, gently teasing her nipple with his teeth. Chuckling through his teeth, he caressed her waist and back, finding the two soft indentations above her buttocks at the small of her back. “You have dimples there.” He grinned. “So why do you want to answer the phone when Savannah calls?” Tavey slapped playfully at his chest. “As if you didn’t know.” Jack grinned. “I have no idea. Just tell me.” “God, that woman is so obvious. She was undressing you with her eyes tonight. I wanted to scratch them out.” Tavey purred as his fingers slipped beneath the edge of her satin panties and explored further. “Oh, Jack—oh yes, right there. A little—hmmm, that’s it, that’s wonderful.” She moaned her approval and gyrated against the palm of his hand, clenching her teeth as his fingers pushed home. She let out an animal cry of satisfaction, half growl, half groan, and he felt her come hard against his hand. She collapsed hard against his chest, breathing like a winded sprinter. “Oh my God! Where did you learn to do that?” Jack smiled like the Cheshire cat and wiggled his fingers, jolting her oversensitive clit into another mini-climax. “That?” “Yes, that.” “I didn’t know I could do that until tonight, actually. I’m sort of amazed you’re so open to—manual stimulation.”
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Tavey giggled into his chest. “I think I’d be open to any stimulation, at this point. Let’s just say it’s been awhile.” She sighed raggedly and fumbled her fingers back into place around his erection. “Mmm—check. All systems go.” Jack caught his tongue between his teeth as she nudged the waistband of his boxers down below the head of his penis. “Well, well. What do we have here? Can Jack come out and play? Jack groaned. “He needs a coat, I think. God, Tavey. I’m sorry. I hadn’t planned…” Tavey grinned. “Vanilla, strawberry, or cherry?” “What?” “While you were busy schmoozing, I ducked into the ladies room and hit the vending machine. I spent three dollars, just in case. They’re in the pocket of my raincoat.” With a whoop of delight, Jack tore through the pockets of her slicker and came up grinning like an idiot, three shiny foil packets in his fingers. He tucked two under the pillow and tore the top of the third off with his teeth. “Cherry it is.” Tavey snatched the packet and pulled out the latex sheath. “Mmm, ribbed for her pleasure. Fabulous.” She positioned it at the head and smoothed it down over his erect penis with three fingers. Jack smiled into her eyes and pulled her face down for a kiss. “You don’t know how glad I am, knowing you were thinking of this at the restaurant. I was a little worried, maybe tomorrow you’d have regrets.” “No regrets, ever, I promise.” With a sigh of release, Jack slid into position and entered her. Lights burst behind his eyelids and he opened his eyes, watching her hair swirling above in a mesmerizing display of color. It was like looking at her face through a kaleidoscope. “Oh, wow—this is like an acid trip or something.” “What?” Tavey was so distracted she almost didn’t hear his comment. “It’s like every cell of my body is high, tripping on Tavey McDaniels.”
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She collapsed in a fit of giggles. With their stomachs pressed together, the laughter rippled through her body, echoing between them. “Don’t laugh, I’m serious!” He couldn’t help it, and snickered along with her. “Okay, it’s not the most romantic image, I know. It’s just so—fucking—incredible!” On the last three words, he drove even harder, rocking her body closer. He quit talking and they clutched at each other, rolling together to find the missionary position. Pulling Tavey’s knees up to her side, he stroked even deeper, appreciating the slow ride to climax. He tried out a little tantric sex maneuver, entering shallow for eight strokes, driving all the way home on the ninth. Repeating the pattern, he hoped he coaxed her closer, closer to the edge of oblivion. Shouting his name, Tavey wrapped her legs hard around his backside and pulled him in deep. “Jack, Jack, Jack, oh yes, oh yes, oh God yes, Jack.” She chanted his name like a mantra, coasting with him toward his own climax. His buttocks tensed, sweat poured between their bodies and dripped from his chin. “Come on, Jack, okay, God, go, go, go, yes! Shuddering like a spent beast, Jack collapsed on top of her, filling the condom with a muffled groan. Trembling beneath him, Tavey panted, trying to catch her breath. She felt boneless, satisfied on a level she’d never imagined. “You were right, Jack. This is like—Zen. Tranquility, pleasure, I feel like we just experienced Nirvana or something. God, that sounds so stupid.” He laughed and rolled to his side, gathering her in his arms. Resting his chin on top of her head, he stroked her hair. “It might sound stupid if I didn’t feel the same way. That was—wow. Beyond wow.” He stretched like a contented cat as she removed the used condom for him, dropping it into a waste can beside the bed. Tavey yawned. “Normally, I’d probably talk your head off after something like that, but I don’t have the energy. Catch a few winks with me?” Jack nodded and kissed her softly before settling into the pillow, drifting off to sleep almost instantly.
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Tavey woke to the aroma of brewing coffee, light streaming through her bedroom window and onto the rumpled covers of her bed. Her pulse raced. She remembered the party and the events that followed, cringing when she noticed her discarded undergarments on the floor beside the bed. Taking a quick glance beneath the sheet, she blanched when she noticed she wasn’t even wearing pajamas. Scrambling, she scooted out of bed, wrapping her sheet around her body like a toga. Whistling, Jack entered the room, wearing her ridiculous boxers. He noted her embarrassment and set the coffee on her dresser. Crossing the room quickly, he folded her into a hug. “Tavey, Tavey. What’s the matter? Calm down, sweetie, it’s Saturday morning, you’re not late for work.” Tavey bit her lip in exasperation. “I’m so—I’m—I’m not—I don’t know what to say. I’m not normally so—” “Happy? Sexy? Crazy?” Jack yanked the sheet from around her body with one hand, pulling her giggling down onto the bed. “Me neither. God, Tavey, you’ve corrupted me. What are they going to say at the office? At the sight of her blush, he groaned and burrowed his mouth in her neck. “Oh God, yes. That’s just what I wanted. You were a little tipsy last night, but this morning you’re going to want me with every single cell in that incredible brain of yours. Not that I didn’t adore my boozy floozy little sex kitten, but I’m looking forward to the sober version.” Tavey’s last resistance melted in the warmth of his greeting. Her heart surrendered to Jack in the reflected beams of the sunlight on her mother’s bright red slicker.
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Jade Rivers
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[email protected] ~*~*~*~ If you enjoyed this Plain Brown Wrapper you may want to consider other titles in the series: Knotty Secret by L Picaro: What do you do when you discover your husband's secret passion? Bet Me by Lucynda Storey: Four friends share secrets and a sexy card game. What would you bet? Own Me by Dawn Montgomery: Anna has kept her innermost fears to herself. Can she let go of them to save her marriage? Coming Home by L. Picaro: A Nebraska blizzard strands two roommates in a hotel. Can either friend accept the truth of the other's sexuality? Night Nurse by Lizzie T. Leaf: Liza has plans for John Evans. A visit to his hospital room will help her carry them out.
