Page 55 of Drive Me Wild
“Shouldn’t drive innovation apply to all aspects of the company?” I push Rhys, not ready to give up on the brilliant—if I do say so myself—ideas I’d sent him in a very lovely presentation. “Not just the engines and technology?”
Rhys gives me a weighted smile. “Listen, Jos, you’re one of the best. And I know the whole team appreciates your work, but as far as our shareholders are concerned, we’re crushing it. We’re generating revenue, and just because our campaigns don’t include influencers or TikTok, doesn’t make them any less successful, you know?”
I nod dutifully. What else am I supposed to do? Throw a fit? Storm out of here? Stomp my feet until I get my way?
“I’ll bring some of these up at the next director’s meeting,” he compromises. “I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.”
I settle in a seat between Ella and a driver she’s interviewing for her podcast next week. The two of them talk to one another while I sip my drink, thankful I don’t have to participate in the conversation. Between my unsuccessful meeting with Rhys and the sauna I’ve been in for the past three days, I’m emotionally and physically drained.
My eyes wander around the bar, noting things I like and dislike. Since Kelsey’s approval—and complete obsession—of the brand guidelines and content strategy plan I sent him, it’s beenfull steam ahead. Now my brain is constantly cataloging new ideas for the bar, especially in comparison to the places I’ve been to while traveling with McAllister.
Will we feature local beers on tap to ingratiate ourselves into the neighborhood? Do we want to do any cross-promotions with neighboring stores? Should we give into the alcoholic seltzer trend or explicitly stick to a more traditional beers, liquor, and wine menu?
Half an hour later, my phone buzzes with a text from Theo. He’s sitting only a few seats away but is in conversation with Lucas about something or other. I’ve been too distracted to eavesdrop.
Theo Walker
Everything peachy, princess? Awfully quiet over there.
I glance up to find him staring at me with hypnotic intensity. The soft, questioning look in his eyes contrasts with the sharp downturn of his lips. The urge to run my fingers through his hair and wrap my arms around his neck comes on so suddenly, I forget to breathe.
Josie Bancroft
Meet me in the bathroom?
Theo’s face goes from concerned to confused to completely turned on in the span of three seconds. This is not my style,at all. But I don’t care. Right now, all I want is Theo. His body, his hands, his lips. The perfect distraction. I don’t wait for his answer, instead standing from the table and mumbling something about getting a new drink.
There’s a large crowd hovering in front of the women’s bathroom—because of course there is—but no line to get into themen’s.Fuck it.Maybe it’s my buzz, or the heat, or the intense desire to have Theo kiss away every ounce of frustration I’m feeling, butfuckit. I push open the door, praying he’s not far behind me.
The sound of the lock clicking into place behind him as he walks into the bathroom emboldens me. I pull him in by his belt loops, our thighs pressed against one another. Theo lets out a noise that’s half-chuckle, half-groan. “Bathroom sex, angel? Didn’t think you’d?—”
My lips crash into his in a demanding manner. Theo doesn’t question my sudden neediness. He meets me halfway, parting my lips with his wet tongue, tangling it with mine. I run my hands through his smooth hair, and he moans deeply in response.
The kiss doesn’t alleviate the craving I have for him; it makes it worse. It’s a battle of desire, except we may explode in flames before we find out who wins. I suck his bottom lip into my mouth to nibble on and sate my ache.
I need him. Need this.
Theo places his hands on my hips and effortlessly lifts me, placing me on the edge of the sink. My breath hitches in my chest as he scrunches my skirt up around my waist and teases my lace thong to the side. I spread my legs and when he glides a finger against me, I lean into his touch, desperate for it.
“Always so wet for me, gorgeous,” he groans deeply. “Love getting you all worked up like this.”
I don’t think he’ll everstopgetting me worked up like this. My body is a fuse begging to be lit by his flame. I’m glad the music in the bar is loud because I can’t stop the noises that slip through my lips as he slowly twists two fingers inside me. I’m fighting for my breath as he massages the sensitive spot inside, the heel of his hand rubbing against my clit.
Theo tugs the end of my ponytail so my neck’s exposed and swirls his tongue around the sensitive spot right above my collarbone. He sucks the skin harshly, but I don’t care about the deep red spots that will no doubt mark my skin.
“Do you know how goddamn sexy you are?” Theo murmurs into my ear. “Want you all the damn time. Can’t ever get enough of you.”
My legs shake as the familiar tightening in my stomach spirals south. The soul-shattering intensity of my climax is overwhelming. It’s a rush so intense that it grabs a hold of me and doesn’t let go. But the moans slipping through my lips quickly turn to strangled gasps as tears that have been sitting latent beneath the surface fall down my cheeks like a torrential storm.
I cover my face with my hands as my chest caves inward.Hi, and welcome to my own personal hell: crying after an orgasm!Unrestrained sobs wrack my body, every one of my limbs feeling thick with embarrassment and emotion.
Theo’s voice is laced with concern. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Did I hurt you?”
My throat aches too badly to get a word out, so I just shake my headno. He reaches out and cups my cheeks with his calloused hands. “Say something. Please. You’re freaking me out, baby.”
God only knows how I look. I’m not a cute crier, far from it. My face gets splotchy and red, like I’m having some sort of allergic reaction. My eyes focus on Theo’s face—the deep blue of his eyes, the frown marking his usually smiling lips. It just makes me cry harder.
Theo doesn’t say anything else. He simply wraps his arms around me as I crumble against his sturdy body. He murmurs sweet nothings into my ear, stroking my back in a soothing motion. His arms around me feel like a weighted blanket, andmy breathing eventually steadies to a pace that wouldn’t make a doctor panic.
