Laid Bare - Lauren Dane [25]
Erin dragged air into her lungs as she dropped to the mattress. Todd pressed a kiss to her lips and got up. She listened to his movements as her heart’s galloping beat slowed down to normal. The water turned on, the toilet flushed and his footfalls came back toward her.
“The bathroom is a hedonist’s dream,” he said, flopping next to her, taking up space. She liked it when his hand found hers, took it in his and squeezed.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had to live in a shithole with not enough hot water and nicotine stains on the walls. Money has brought a lot of luxuries to my life, like the view and a bathtub the size of a Volkswagen.” It couldn’t buy happiness, but it certainly could make life a hell of a lot easier. People who insisted the opposite usually had a lot of it.
He laughed and, without realizing it, she snuggled into him. He smelled so good. “What’s your cologne?”
“Um, something my mom gave me for Christmas. Black, Ralph Lauren, I think. Mmm, feel free to do that anytime you like,” he murmured as she pressed her nose into the place where his neck met his shoulder.
“I like it.” She licked him, tasting salt.
“I’m glad.” He groaned. “Even when I’ve just come you make me want to fuck you again.”
She leaned up to see him better. “Is that a bad thing?”
His eyes found hers, locking in, and disorientation struck for a brief moment. “Not at all. C’mere, I want to kiss you.”
She stretched her neck to give him her lips, and he gave a satisfied near growl as their mouths touched.
For the longest time they traded lazy kisses, until she heard the trilling of a cell phone.
“That’s not mine.” She pulled back, amused at his annoyed look.
He rolled away, giving her an excellent view of his ass as he did.
“Keenan.” She wanted to laugh at how annoyed he sounded.
She got up, pulling on a nearby robe and wandering into the kitchen for another margarita.
Todd ground his teeth together. Of course he had to get a call to deal with a client now. But he was the new partner and he needed to meet existing clients, even if he had been settling in and getting ready to fuck Erin again.
He sighed as he splashed water over his face and combed his hair back into something resembling a man who hadn’t just fucked for a few hours.
Despite his need to go, he stopped as he came out into the living room and caught sight of her standing in the open door to the balcony. The breeze had blown open her short robe, exposing her breasts and her cunt. Her hair had swept back from her face and her eyes were closed.
He wished he could paint or even that he had a camera nearby, because she looked so soft and beautiful he wanted to capture it forever.
She turned, a smile on her lips. “Is everything all right?”
“No.” He frowned. “I have to go. One of our clients is having problems with his security system and wants us to come in and consult on how to use it. Again, apparently. But he’s some big-shot attorney here in town and he’s used to snapping his fingers and getting results. Frankly, he’s paying for it, so”—he shrugged—“there you go. Anyway, I haven’t met him yet and I’m the new guy. I’m sorry.”
“Your job is important of course. Thanks for coming over.”
He moved to her, not liking how nonchalant she sounded. “I’ll be back. What are you doing tomorrow?”
“I can’t. I’m working with Adrian for the next few days. He’s been out of town and we need to lay down some stuff for his new CD.”
He realized as he stood there how much he wanted her. Not just for sex, but Christ, he liked her. Had liked her before but was too cowardly to really admit it. Todd wanted to know her and wanted her to want that too.
“Okay, when you’re done, why don’t you come to my place? Do you paint at all? I could use a hot assistant to help me paint my living room.”
“All right. I can do that. But you have to feed me and I like Popsicles too. Painting is hot work, you know. I need sustenance.”
“It’s a date then.” He handed her a card. “My home and cell numbers