Elle's Seduction Page 6

  Maxwell tried to remain angry, but the optimism and honesty were hard to fault. There was something irrepressible about Fred when he talked about his project. It had swayed the Board yesterday and Maxwell found himself loosening up a bit himself. He couldn’t let Fred off the hook that easily, “Let’s hope it makes a huge splash in the market or we all know where this will lead.”

  Fred’s vigorous nod barely registered as Maxwell stepped into his cube.

  Elle’s voice might be the sweetest sound on earth, but this cube was going to squeeze the life out of him.

  ***

  Darren watched Elle haul in another set of the boxes, excited by the slow hum of energy running through him. No wonder Maxwell liked her—even as jaded as he was, he liked her spunk. She was actually satisfied with the afternoon’s exhausting work—her face flushed but happy. He wanted to wrap her up in something and deliver her to Maxwell just like that. And he knew just what he’d wrap her in, red PVC and those heels, and her wicked, unruly curls spread out around her on black silk sheets. Damn, she was going to be trouble. He knew it.

  God, tailing after her all day had nearly done him in. That and those sneaking glances under her dark lashes. He was primed and ready to explode. If that cute tush bent over one more time, he might have to grab hold of her and take her right there. Maxwell’s call on Sunday had made him restless.

  Sure he’d had some trepidation, but with a green light, he had taken on the challenge and found himself enjoying it. And while he may still have his worries, those glances she’d been giving him all day were telling him she was hot and bothered herself. The two of them could take her there—make her see just what she was longing for that she couldn’t put a name on; but something was going on with Maxwell. Usually the slightest bit of dominance in a woman was a deal breaker. Not with Elle, that just excited Maxwell more.

  Yeah, something told him that given the right incentive, Maxwell would claim Elle as his property—and not just to train her and hand her off. Once Maxwell possessed her, Darren knew no one was touching this woman until Maxwell gave the command. Right now, Maxwell demanded she be thoroughly debauched.

  Maxwell never judged him; Darren knew Maxwell must have known something of his past. You weren’t a masochistic dominant slut by chance. No, Darren had a good reason for his promiscuity. Often he wondered why he even chose to keep living—his mother had ruined any chance he had of happiness; those days were over.

  Now, what to do with this delicious creature that was Elle? Seduction was the name of the game whether Maxwell was here or not.

  Darren dragged a box across the table and began sorting the folders even as Luke made an appearance with one last box. Darren’s tenuous grip on his libido wavered even more as the man flashed his ass in a swivel of hips that was an unmistakable sign of a man who liked sex a certain way. The man was a menace, those soft blue eyes and puppy dog looks had Darren groaning and achy. He’d noticed him last week and at the disastrous dinner on Friday. Immediately, he’d recognized all the signs, submissive perfection all the way down to his crisp ironed pants and shirt.

  “Until recently, he had been Zackary’s slave—everyone at the Den had known that—but Dreams of Luke beside him in bed, waking up to night sweats. Darren couldn’t help but dig a little deeper. Until now Luke had always kept his face hidden behind a half mask at The Den. He had a tendency to keep away from the crowds, and was usually only a beck and call from Zackary. Darren finally found out this was Luke playing with fire.

  A year ago, Darren had given up on having Luke when Zackary had claimed him. But Friday night, he’d watched the man. Quiet, efficient—no wonder Zackary kept him as his personal assistant.

  Before Elle returned, Luke shoved his box next to Darren’s and leaned over, sending a waft of Polo his way. “Stop staring like a dog in heat, man. Elle won’t drop her hose for just anyone.”

  “Really?” Darren asked surprised by the authoritative tone of this submissive.

  “Looking at her won’t get you in her pants.” Luke began organizing the boxes according to dates, ignoring Darren. “You’re going to have to do better than that.”

  Darren wondered what it would take to get Luke’s pants down, but held his tongue as Elle returned with the last of the boxes.

  One look around the bulging, stacked boxes littering the floor and tables had her smiling, the wicked dimples he’d only glimpsed up to then taking full form. “I’ve got to run down to the floor, there’s an issue with a UPS shipment. I’ll be back in a bit to find out if you’ll need anything else pulled from storage.”

  Darren sucked in his breath at those dimples. Oh, sweet mother of God, no wonder Maxwell was head over heels. For Darren, they pushed him right over the edge; they were so innocent and sweet. Elle turned before he could say anything too stupid and walked out.

  Darren groaned, “Oh God.”

  “Yeah, that smile’s a killer,” Luke said, never looking up from the boxes as he continued to sort through them, the tone of his voice petulant.

  Darren stopped going through files as he put several things together at once. Zackary would never allow his submissive to be here with Darren. While Darren would never overstep and infringe on another man’s property, Zackary’s negligence could be fruitful. Darren licked his lips and relished the quickening of his pulse. While Elle would take a while to seduce, this would take care of his needs.

  “You know, it takes more than dimples to turn me on,” Darren said shifting his body to stand right behind Luke.

  Luke stilled beneath the slight pressure.

  The instant response made Darren’s cock twitch. “Hmm, so responsive. Does your master know you’re alone with me?”

  The heavy sound of swallowing followed his question. There was no mistaking the change in Luke’s breathing.

  Darren leaned into him, bracing his arms on either side of the slightly smaller man, whispering in his ear, “Do you know what I do with men like you? It’s not nice to come in here waving that tight ass when I’m already so close to the edge.”

  He received no verbal response. Just the rapid rise and fall of Luke’s chest let Darren know the sub was hanging on his every word.

  Darren gripped Luke’s hips and pulled him tight against his chest. “Tell me, Luke; what would your master think if I stripped you down right here, in one of his own offices and took you? Just how naughty would you be to defy your Master? Hmmm.”

  Luke trembled in his arms. “For you, I would face his wrath.”

  Shocked, Darren stood there, his pulse firing a rapid beat against his ears. He must not have heard right. No one ever went out on a limb for him, not even his mother—no, never her. His father avoided him like the plague. And his lovers—once they got what they wanted, they were gone. He liked it that way. No questions, no pretense of a long-term commitment, no complications. He never had to let anyone in and that was how he wanted to keep it.

  One second then another passed. Finally, Darren stepped back and let Luke go. “You shouldn’t say that.” The seduction was over. Luke wanted more than he could ever give, of that Darren was certain.

  Luke turned and the full force of those brown eyes focused on him. “It’s done. The master knows what I want. The only question is –, can you handle it?”

  The hairs on Darren’s neck bristled as he stood up a bit straighter. No one had ever called him a coward and they weren’t starting now—no matter how much something scared him. This little upstart was no different. “You think you can take me?”

  Luke smiled and visibly eyed the bulge still evident in his jeans. “Oh, I know I can handle it. But as long as you’re after Elle, I’m not interested.”

  The heat of a challenge suffused Darren. There was nothing he liked better than to change people’s minds. “We’ll see about that.”

  “I’m counting on it. Besides, we both know a woman can’t ever satisfy you. There are just some things you can’t hide from me.”

  Luke knew. Darren coul
d see it in those warm brown eyes. His worst fear—the fear that someone would know what he’d really been through–—had come true.

  Shame filled him, causing his stomach to knot and twist in answer to him. How many people had guessed? If Darren could tell a person’s most secret desires by just looking at them, it was possible someone could guess at his own past.

  Those eyes held no revulsion, no hint of derision. That alone made his heart pound and his body twitch. When he finally found his voice, he said the only thing he could. “Luke, you know nothing about me. And while I might like the feel of my cock in your ass and you may be the best fuck in the free world, that’s all you will ever be to me—an easy fuck. You remember that before you offer yourself so freely to me again.”

  Those brown eyes lost their shine and Darren could have whipped himself. Pushing Luke away was like kicking a small puppy. But he couldn’t afford to lose himself. Love and relationships weren’t for him and he’d ruin anyone that tried.

  It was another lesson mommy-dearest had taught him well.

  ***

  Elle sighed in satisfaction as she slumped into her seat. The red heels were killing her feet but she was happy. She missed the activity of country life, and sitting around an office all day made her twitchy. She didn’t want to think too much on the buzz electrifying her skin from the constant contact with Darren, or the easy banter Maxwell had started when he’d moved into the cube next to hers.

  Between Maxwell’s deep baritone and Darren’s constant excuses to brush up against her every time they were together, every nerve on her body was sensitized. Just breathing in the masculine scent of Maxwell had her light-headed.

  Sally popped her head around the corner. “Finally, done eyeing the man candy.”

  Elle sighed and faced the woman. “Sally, what do you want?”

  A finely shaped brow arched. “Careful there. What will Fred think? You’ll never get that promotion with that attitude. I mean, the way you’ve been flirting with Maxwell...”

  Elle sat straighter in her chair. That wench had made her life hell for the last six months, but she wasn’t getting the best of her. “Sally, I’m giving you one more minute to tell me what you need before I leave for a meeting.”

  Sally smirked and grabbed a file out of the stack in her arms. “Here are the month end statistics. Seems your area is behind. Maybe if you spend more time on the floor instead of...”

  Not bothering to fill Sally in on her new duties, Elle picked up the phone and waved her off. “Yes, thank you, Sally. I’ll look them over.”

  Sally stared at her in slack-jawed amusement for a moment as Elle dialed. When the woman didn’t leave, Elle turned her shoulder. “Yes, Elle Norton here for our four o’clock.”

  Maxwell’s voice answered her on the phone. “Can’t get rid of her, can you?”

  “No. It’s not an inconvenience.”

  When Sally continued to stand there, Elle covered the mouthpiece and whispered, “Is there something else?”

  Sally shook her head and left.

  “Did she finally leave?”

  “Yeah.”

  Maxwell whispered. “Meet me in B201. I think she’s coming my way.”

  Elle hung up the phone and popped her head up to watch Sally making her way down the aisle. Maxwell stood up just then and met her gaze. Together they snuck in the opposite direction to the empty conference room.

  Inside the dark room, they stood by the door and waited for Sally to pass on her way back to her office.

  “Thanks for the save,” Elle whispered, her ear to the small crack in the door.

  “No problem. She reminds me of a black widow. One minute she’s trying to seduce me and the next I could see her biting my head off.”

  Elle leaned against the wall and sighed, trying to ignore just how close Maxwell was to her. “Yeah.”

  Maxwell watched her, his eyes shadowed.

  The tension she’d dealt with all day had her senses on overload. The closeness energized her and sent warmth spiraling through her. The smell of him made her stomach clench and her mouth dry. She just couldn’t breathe. Memories of those stolen moments at the restaurant kept encroaching.

  In the close confines, she saw his nostrils flare. Mesmerized by that slight movement, her breath caught and her heart picked up the pace, they were so close. Her soft panting breathes echoed in the empty room and she knew she couldn’t hide her response.

  She held back a groan as her nipples beaded against the harsh lace cups of her bra, a rasping caress that made her shiver.

  Maxwell must have known, his glance met hers before wandering down to the sheer white silk blouse. There, easy to see, tight little buds, outlined in the thin silk.

  A sound outside the door briefly registered, but Elle couldn’t move.

  Chapter Eight

  “You wore that for him, didn’t you?” Maxwell asked, his voice a husky groan, deep, throaty, and raw in the quiet of the room.

  She couldn’t answer. All she could do was shake her head. She didn’t know why he continued to think she was interested in Fred, but it was beginning to annoy her. Before she could set him straight, he raised his hand to skim his fingers along her collar and down the middle row of buttons.

  “Maxwell...”

  “I like it.”

  “Maxwell—”

  “Shhh...” He placed his finger against her lips in a gentle caress. She’d never imagined a single touch could ignite such a powerful need. When his finger left, the achy need intensified. A sweep of her tongue across her lips, brought his attention back, nearly begged him for what she really wanted even though she would never have said a word.

  Without warning, his lips swooped down and captured hers. Firm and dry they touched off the firestorm of need inside her. Demanding, passionate and hot, she gave into his tongue and opened for him. His hands slid down her shoulders to her hips, jerking her against him and she could feel just how much she affected him.

  When he broke off to follow her jaw line with small nibbles, Elle held onto him, stunned. “But, Maxwell...”

  She lost her thought as his rough chin swept the sensitive curve of her neck. Before she could form a coherent thought, his tongue and mouth were making her forget anything but the feel of him tight against her and the need thrumming through her.

  “Oh god, Maxwell.”

  He tugged at her blouse and fought the buttons until his hands touched the bare skin of her back. Rough, callused fingers slid along the waist band of her wool skirt before moving up to the front to cup her breasts.

  She couldn’t get close enough to him.

  The need tugging at her all day spiraled out of control. She wanted to slow down and analyze her thoughts about how she could be so turned on by the interplay between Darren and Maxwell. To think about how wrong this all was, but the sensations of his fingers tweaking her nipples jarred her thoughts, making it hard to concentrate on one individual thing.

  His lips descended on her rosy bud, his strong teeth shoving the lace away from her nipples and baring them to his wandering tongue. Elle leaned against the wall, gripping his shirt in her hands as his mouth worked her sensitive flesh over, sucking and tugging on them until she was shaking, barely able to stand.

  When his hand crept up her skirt and shoved her underwear to the side, she nearly collapsed. Some part of her mind tried to shout out a warning, to push him away. She tried resisting for a moment, tugging and pushing at him. “Maxwell?”

  He broke off contact with her nipple and kissed her hard, dueling with her tongue before pulling away, leaving her breathless and willing to do anything to assuage the need building inside of her. When he didn’t make another move, she opened her eyes to see Maxwell. His gray eyes were dark, his face flushed. The minute their gaze connected, he moved his hand up her thigh and slid one finger into her slit.

  Elle couldn’t breath as his finger slid through her juices, slicking up her inner lips and circling her clit. Knees weak, she held on
to him and pressed herself harder against the wall as her eyes drifted shut at the sensations shooting through her.

  Just that light touch, had her begging.

  Maxwell stopped mid-stroke. “Open your eyes.”

  Elle breathed in the smell of him, trying to get closer, her body sliding against his rough finger. When he stopped her movement with the pressure of his big body, she finally gave in and opened her eyes.

  He held her up, his eyes dark and his lips full and slightly red from their heated kiss. “Tonight, when it’s dark and all the lights are out and you’re all alone, dream of me. Imagine me there beside you.”

  “Maxwell, I don’t know what you’re talking...”

  “Shh. Let’s not kid ourselves.” His finger flicked her clit, sending her heart hammering. All breathing stopped as her eyes rolled back and she moaned at the repeated pressure of his fingers. “You’re wet. Fred may be trying to claim you, but I know what you really want and if you allow it, Darren and I could make all your fantasies come true. Fred... Fred’s not part of the plan.”

  With that he removed his hand, his face hardening, a distance coming between them that wasn’t there before. Before she could set him straight, he was gone, leaving her achy and needy—shaken.

  Damn him! He’d just shown up and all he could do was get pissy because she had a good working relationship with her boss. Well, he’d lost out on his chance. He could have taken anything he wanted two minutes ago. Not again.

  She wasn’t a thing to be fought over, even if two devilishly attractive men both wanted her.

  Back at her cube, Elle fumbled with her papers, trying to organize them. The memory of those wicked lips and hot fingers kept intruding and she wasn’t getting anywhere. Between that and the hot looks Darren had been giving her all day, she was about to explode.