Page 79 of Nefarious
“There’s someone else.” His eyebrows drew together. “I’d really like to remain friends with you, but—”
Val’s eyes rolled to the ceiling, and she licked her teeth. “I don’t see what that has to do with us.”
He swallowed. “I thought you should know. I won’t be able to see you anymore.”
“And you decided this since this morning when you were happily lying in my bed?” She unbuttoned the top of her blouse far enough to reveal the lace of her bra.
“No. I decided it before, but I thought it would be better to let you have one more night?”
“You thought I’d rather be fucked by someone who was thinking of dumping me?”
“Val—”
She raised a hand. “Anthony, you can pursue someone else, but I picked you out of all the possible people I could have spent the summer with. I expect you to follow through. Nobody else needs to know. As you know, I prefer it that way. Unlike some people, I really don’t care what you do when you’re not with me.”
His eyes widened. “You can’t force me to keep sleeping with you. You realize that would be harassment, right?”
Val stood and walked around her desk. She pulled a chair close and laid one hand on his crotch. He already sported a tight bulge. He turned his head and squirmed but didn’t stand and leave. She popped the button, then found the tab of his zipper and slowly lowered it. “Is this harassment, Anthony?” She opened his fly all the way and ran her fingers through the opening in his slacks, through the opening in his boxers and gripped his hardening erection. She helped adjust him so she could stroke him. He closed his eyes, breath quickening. She kept one eye on the rectangular window to her office. “Would you like to come over tonight, Anthony?”
“Yes. God, just don’t stop.”
She pulled her hand back. “I’ll see you tonight.”
Selena,
Something came up and I need to leave earlier than I expected. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Anthony
Normally, traveling to New York was quick and painless for Dane. But this felt like exile. Long and torturous. As soon as his anger abated, his frustration welled up, and he clenched his fists, wishing he could take all this pent-up fury on one of the innocent bags in the luggage carousel.
He kept an apartment on the Upper East Side, so he normally wouldn't even need to pack for a quick trip to the city. But Noelle had booked him a room at the same hotel where the conference was being held, and he wanted to keep up appearances. So before boarding the plane, he’d gone back home and packed a bag.
He hated staying in hotels, but as soon as he walked into the lobby, he felt a pair of arms around his waist and turned to find Margaret, dressed in a short plaid skirt with knee high socks and penny loafers.
“Well, hello, sexy schoolgirl.”
“Hello, Professor Russ. Could I see you after class?”
Dane checked in and whisked Margaret up to his room and promptly forgot why he hated hotels.
Noelle,
Thank you for setting me up in the executive suite. It’s not quite home, but I’ve been welcomed with open arms from the second I arrived. I’m currently sitting on my bed, enjoying a gorgeous view, remembering kisses so recently exchanged. It’s probably best that you aren’t here to see me in my naked vulnerability. I’m physically and mentally exhausted from hours of torment, my flesh marked by flagellation.
However, since I came, I’ve experienced a blessed sense of peace. If only I could have given you such a powerful release. Even so, whenever I close my eyes, I can almost taste your lips on mine, and I’m left wanting more. I don’t mean to burden you with my frustration. It’s a temporary weakness, I assure you. As I sit here, writing this, I am literally touched by the promise I might purge myself of any residual desire as soon as I recover my strength.
Please excuse me for exposing myself so freely.
—D
Noelle burst into Val’s office, looking uncharacteristically disheveled. Had she slept at all?
“Val, have you seen the pictures Dane is sending from the conference?”
Val rubbed her eyes with her palms. “Good morning, Noelle. Where is he posting them?”
“He’s emailing them to the company’s list.” She paced back and forth, chewing her thumbnail, while Val brought up her Outlook.
