Page 13 of Access

A warmth spread across her face and rushed over her as he seemed to be leaning in for a kiss, but instead he moved in to open the door, making way to his very dark office. “Open blinds,” he commanded.

As the blinds obeyed, the glow of a radiant setting sun filled the room, with glimpses and flecks of gold flashing here and there as they hit every touch of glass and metal in the room’s expanse. The panoramic wall of windows showcased a breathtaking New York skyline. The honey-drenched sky captivated Madison, and transformed her skin to a milky golden hue.

The two Tiffany boxes were patiently seated on Alex’s desk. He grabbed the larger of the two, heavy with the weight of diamonds ready to adorn her wrist. He handed it to Madison. She pondered for a moment, taking the box, but not opening it. Her fingernails tapped the box gently, and she held her gaze out the window.

“How do we know each other?” she asked, half wondering if he was toying with her, like a cat might a mouse before swallowing it whole.

“How about I make you a deal,” he replied, now standing so close behind her his breath smoked over her cold shoulders, sparking a shiver. His hands soothingly cupped the soft curve of her upper arms to warm them, slowly caressing them down and back up. “If it doesn’t come to you after we’ve gotten to know each other better, like, say, in a month, I promise I’ll tell you how we met. And tell you everything else.”

Else hung in the air after he finished. What else was there? She turned to face him, but as she leaned slightly, the cold of the window’s glass flashed on her back and propelled her forward, pressing her body into his. Her breath hitched as he caught her in an embrace. The only thing separating them was the beautiful blue box still in her hands, sandwiched between their chests.

“Well,” she uttered, “you’ve gone through an awful lot of trouble. I mean, the dress. The shoes. Seems like a lot just to get to know someone.”

Her words twinkled his eyes, rekindling the memory of the recent events. Madison’s dress size had been a breeze as he estimated it from the video footage and their encounter. Some people recalled sports stats. Alex Drake recalled measurements. Thirty-six, twenty-four, thirty-four. Or specifically, thirty-six C, which, by the jiggle, was every bit of a full C. And the dress was his own design, sort of a Victoria’s Secret meets Audrey Hepburn fusion of sexy elegance. A layover in Paris and an eager designer made that possible.

The shoes were a bit tougher, yet something in her expression when they broke punctuated their importance. He had his on-call clothier analyze the video from the lobby and consulted with an Italian shoe designer on the rush job. The frenzy of emails and around the clock phone calls solidified their existence. His last stop in Milan completed the ensemble. All of it culminating in the vision he adored.

“It was no trouble at all. You’re easy to please.” The smile that curled up one side of her face followed by a slow blink conveyed her overwhelming disbelief.

She pulled up the box still wrapped between them. “And this? Unless this is some sort of memory jogger on how we met, you can get to know me better without showering me with lavish gifts. Though the occasional matcha latte is definitely appreciated.” Madison pulled away just enough to hand him the box, and he tore his hands from her to accept it. He walked it back to his desk, sitting it neatly next to its mini-me.

Setting it down, he was perplexed, but pleased. Despite the nagging bulge ready to burst from his Armani seams, his heart filled with care. Protectiveness. She wasn’t after him for his money or status. And though clearly interested, she wasn’t chasing him. He turned back, discovering her body highlighted by the amber paint of a setting sun. Following every delicate line and molded curve, his face lit. She was angelic. Sweet in a way that wasn’t naïve, and wasn’t contrived. The feelings that haloed from her were pure. As badly as he wanted her, he needed this to be beautiful. Immensely pleasurable. All for her. He watched her intensely, hungering to satisfy her deepest desires. She remained still, letting herself be watched by him, backdropped by the scenery with just a beam of sunlight lazily extinguishing over the horizon.

She turned away again. “So, Mr. Drake, what normally happens when you bring a woman to your executive suite? Is getting me to see this view what you really had in mind?” Madison didn’t realize until it was too late how pointedly suggestive her questions sounded, but she left the gauntlet down where she threw it. Part of her directness stemmed from all his tall, dark, handsomeness breathing on her neck and rubbing on her arms. Her arms were chilled again, and she longed for his warmth around her.

Her invitation unshackled his feet from their embedded hold. He went to her, stopping inches from her back. The pause stirred a craving, and they ached for each other’s touch. The air between them was electric, fueling their lust.

“Listen, Madison,” he said gently, smoothing his hand through her hair and shifting it across the front of her shoulder, exposing the delicate lines of her neck. “You’re right. I’ve had lots of women here. And I’ve given lots of women gifts. But I’ve never chased them. They’ve all chased me. And when I wanted it over—and I always wanted it over—a small token softened the blow. They left happy, and I moved on. Until now.” His hands slid down her arms and clasped her wrists from the outside, wrapping them around the front of her waist, his body shrouding her. “Until you.” He closed his eyes and held his head to the side of hers. He kissed her cheek, then moved down, brushing his lips gently on the back of her neck, laying soft, pillowy kisses across her shoulder.

Madison’s mind and body were fighting a fixed match. This isn’t just my boss. This is my boss’ boss. If this goes south, it could be really bad. But, God, he feels good. He touches me like he’s known me for years. Knows what I’m thinking. Feeling. Needing. Every breath against her skin heated and cooled her until she made no pretense of fighting it. She arched her back, grabbing his thick thigh with one hand and weaving her fingers up behind her, tugging his hair with the other. Mind, lay low, body has got this.

She leaned back and turned her head, and his lips eagerly descended on hers. He turned her to him. She breathed him in as his tongue lightly dueled with hers. He snaked his tongue around hers, then hastily withdrew.

“Madison, are you sure?” he growled. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I know that once I start with you, I don’t think I can stop. And I don’t just mean tonight.” His forehead rested into hers. “If you have any doubts at all, now is the time to tell me.”

Madison licked her lips, still tasting his fresh kiss, and feeling the emptiness of missing his lips against hers. She looked up at him through thick lashes, her lips brushing ever so softly over his. “I’m all in,” she breathed into his mouth. His kiss burned back into her mouth as his strong hands left a trail of heat as they worked across her back.

He hesitated only for a moment before swiftly releasing her zipper, letting gravity drag the gown to pool at her feet, freeing her breasts to press against him. His hands followed her curves, to her voluptuous breasts where his fingers stroked teasingly across her firm pink nipples. With every move she sweetly moaned, and he controlled her impulses masterfully, as a musician who’d handled an instrument for years. Between her seductive breaths and the fluid movements, his restraint unleashed. Though he’d never touched her, every part of him knew her. Her rapturous body moved in tempo to his will; her trust in him unyielding.

He dragged his tongue slowly from hers, commanding her softly, “If anything I do displeases you, I have to know. Understand?” His hand caressed her neck like a crashing wave against her wanton needs.

“Yes,” she exhaled. He moved his lips down her neck and across her creamy mounds. His hand cupped one breast, caressing its weight as his thumb pressed her nipple, then lightly pinched it while pulling the other into his mouth. Her breathing was heavy, fluttering from each sensual touch. His hot, tantalizing mouth suckled her, then popped away to steadfastly fall. He hungered for her sweetness, eager for the feast.

Her body burned, welcoming the cool of the window as she leaned into it. The gasp escaped her throat as his breath permeated her panties. Alex nuzzled his face into her plump wetness, kissing and licking her through the sheer fabric. The slightest whimper rose from her as his lips nibbled their way to the top of her thong. Taking them in his teeth, he slowly tugged them down. The moisture captured in them dragged down her thigh as he tugged them down.

His powerful hand lifted her thigh just enough to rest over his shoulder. He knelt before her, revering her slick pussy as the last moments of sunset glistened against it. His fingers traced across her thigh, meandering their way to her dripping wet center. Smearing her juices up to her clit, he circled it. Massaged it. Primed it for his lips. His tongue. He started close to her core, then stroked up, then back, lapping up every drop of her creaminess. Her lungs struggled for air with every touch.

As his thick tongue moved more deliberately, speeding as his fingers touched the very entrance. A finger pressed in, then pulled out, giving his tongue a turn to burst through while his fingers returned to tease her clit.

She cried out as his tongue retreated, only to be replaced by his fingers again, thrusting repeatedly. Her fingers moved to his head, grabbing his hair, desperately grinding her hips to follow his seductive direction. The steady dizzying motions of sensations crossed her pussy as the overlapping penetrations built.

The euphoria closed in on her. Finding her G-spot, he fingered her in rhythm to her own thrusts while tongue-lashing her nub, building her climax inside and out. She climbed with an untamed energy, her body rocking, waves of ecstasy descending upon her. With one arm braced against the window, and the other steadying herself on the back of his head, her orgasm jolted her body. She screamed desperately while her body shivered from the eruption. Her walls crashed around his fingers, and he continued licking her folds as she descended. His lapping slowed as she slumped back. He slid his fingers free.

His mouth, still engaged in softly kissing the remainder of her tangy stickiness, tore away once the heaviness of her breathing subsided. He gently released her leg to the ground. Her body caved, sliding down from the weight of unbounded surrender, but he caught her. Sweeping her into a cradle within his arms, her head fell onto the chiseled muscles of his shoulder. He carried her to the sofa, laying her down before resting his scorching blazer over her, the warmth sinking through her skin. Though the room was lit only with the subtle glow of the city, her slumbering expression was apparent. He sat next to her, pulling the palm of her hand to his lips. With his other hand, he brushed a few silky strands of hair from her face.

“What about you?” she asked, ready to succumb to his every desire. To be all his.

“There’ll be time,” he assured her, stroking her hair. Closing her eyes, her breathing slowed.

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