Page 4 of Together at Ruby's

Once again, Liza hesitated, never having used the vibrator in quite the position Tate demanded but the idea of something so erotic also made her heart race with excitement. “Okay,” she breathed and reached her hand between her legs to pull the snaps free. Nothing was in her way to keep her from going further. Holding her breath, Liza slipped the shaft lower on her body until the toy pushed her lips open wide. She felt how slippery she was.I am so turned on,she thought.Tate has me so wet.It had been too long since she felt that way and encouraged by her body’s reaction, Liza slightly lifted one leg. The position was enough to let Tate have a clear view of what her hand was doing.

Unable to take the sensation of the vibrator’s tip against her opening any longer, Liza pushed the toy deeper. Someone moaned but she wasn’t sure if it was herself or Tate. No longer timid, Liza slid the shaft as far as it would go inside her. She felt her body tighten around it and knew her orgasm was seconds away. “More,” she heard Tate growl and didn’t hesitate to start slowly moving the vibrator in and out of her hungry body. The image of what Tate would do to her later only made the sensation more intense. She loved feeling full, feeling taken.

Starting to quiver, Liza moved her hand faster. “Oh Tate, oh baby, I don’t think I can wait any longer,” she said, almost begging. “Please let me come.”

“Not yet,” Tate growled. “Go faster. I want you to explode all over me.”

Doing as she was told, Liza pumped faster, pressing deeper. “Please, Tate,” she begged. “I am going crazy.”

“Yes,” Tate hissed. “Do it.”

As if on cue, a ripple of intensity rolled up Liza’s body. She felt her body throbbing around the vibrator as she let herself go with the wave until the orgasm made her scream.

4

If Tate thought she felt good the day before, it was nothing compared to how she felt that morning as she made her way to work. The short commute had gone quicker than normal, and she was so relaxed and happy she hummed along with the radio. Normally, Monday mornings were stressful but not today.And that has a lot to do with last night, Tate thought with a grin as she parked. The lovemaking between her and Liza had been off the charts fantastic.Maybe tonight will be worthy of a repeat. It was likely the biggest day of her career, possibly her life so far. VP of Mergers and Acquisitions was something she had aspired to since day one at the company. She had worked her ass off to the point she risked her relationship with Liza, but finally the dream was coming true.

Pushing through the revolving door into the lobby of the high-rise and walking by the security desk toward the elevator, she gave a nod to the uniformed guard who sat behind the desk. “You have a spring in your step this morning, Miss Nilsen,” he said with a grin.

“Most definitely,” she replied as the elevator doors slid open and she made a dash to join a pack of others. All were dressed in the usual business attire of jackets, slacks, or pencil skirts. Inside were some of her close colleagues, and they all gave her a smile. It was not going to be a surprise when she was announced, and no one was jealous because Tate was not only a team player, but someone to be respected. She was well-liked and trustworthy, not always attributes found in up-and-coming business executives.

The man beside her smiled. “Have a good day,” he said, and as she exited the elevator she turned, giving him a wink as the elevator doors closed. Walking to her office, she saw the executive assistant who was assigned to her and a few colleagues. The woman was absolutely beaming.Everyone seems happy for me today, she thought, and it made her feel warm inside.

“I have a coffee for you,” the assistant said.

Tate stopped at her desk. “You’re the best,” she said and was about to walk into her glass-walled office when the assistant held up a hand to make her pause.

“Just letting you know, there is an all hands meeting at eight o’clock,” she said, and Tate hesitated.Would they be announcing this to everyone without speaking to me individually first? she wondered. There had been tons of hints from her boss, but nothing formally offered to her.Don’t get paranoid now. I have nothing to worry about. This is a slam dunk.

Nodding, Tate let her smile fall back into place. “I will certainly be there.”

“As well you should,” the assistant said returning the smile. Entering her office, Tate had thirty minutes before the meeting and decided she needed to distract herself.Maybe I’ll start brainstorming Nikki’s request for investment advice, she thought. After leaving the gym yesterday, she had thought about it a little bit but then last night had turned magical and it had flown out of her mind.

Normally, she would advise Nikki to make long-term, conservative financial investments, something like inflation-protected securities, but somehow she knew her friend would find that boring.And boring is not something Nikki does, she thought.Maybe I should have her invest in a business looking to go public in the next six months. Not necessarily a brand-new startup because that was too risky, but something established and ready to join the big leagues. Something Nikki could invest time in, have input on decisions, and therefore find satisfaction when things went well. Tate’s mind turned to Ruby’s. She knew Vivian was still working on making the bar a success. The nationally televised New Year’s Eve gala months ago had helped, but Tate doubted that solved everything.But that would be too close to home. I’ll have to do some research and find out what is for sale in Portland.After turning on her computer, she started to search.

Swipingat her eyelashes with the black mascara wand, Liza got ready for work. Mondays were not her favorite, but that morning was better than most. The evening before, and half the night for that matter, had been the best she remembered in a long time. Tate had been unstoppable, and Liza’s body tightened as she remembered their love making.Almost as good as when we first got together,she thought, checking her reflection in the mirror before putting a little gloss on her lips.Back when we couldn’t seem to get enough of each other.Smiling at herself, Liza fluffed her styled hair a little, liking how she looked with a healthy glow on her face and a twinkle in her brown eyes.The only thing that would make this morning better is if I didn’t have to go to work at all.

As she hurried through the house to the kitchen to fill her extra-large travel mug with coffee, the age-old fantasy came to her. She looked forward to a day when she and Tate might be in a place financially where Liza could stop working full time. Instead, she could volunteer at a non-profit or something.Or be here raising our babies, she couldn’t help but think. That was the real fantasy—to be a stay-at-home mom. Although broaching the subject of someday having kids with Tate always led to frustration, Liza was convinced the heart of the issue was money. Tate wouldn’t agree to trying artificial insemination until she was confident she could provide for them.

But that’s all about to be resolved at last,she thought as she rummaged in her oversized purse looking for her car keys. After the hefty raise that came with the promotion to vice president, there was no way Tate could still believe money was an issue.Maybe we can go away somewhere tropical soon and talk on a warm, sandy beach about starting a family.It wasn’t like Liza was getting any younger.Of course, I’d like to get married first, but that’s a whole different battle.

Finally, with coffee and keys in hand, Liza made her way into the house’s attached garage. As she approached her Subaru, there was a note under the wiper blade. Plucking it free, she climbed behind the wheel before opening the folded over scrap of yellow notepad paper. “Thank you,” was all it said in Tate’s crisp, blocky writing. A smile lit up Liza’s face. The short message was exactly her lover’s style, and the two simple words conveyed a million sentiments.

Picking up her phone, Liza contemplated typing a quick text to Tate. They rarely sent them during the workday because Tate was always so busy and hardly ever answered, but she felt today was a special occasion. Making up her mind, she started to type. “Thank you back,” she sent and then decided since she was sending a rare text to send another. “And I’m so proud of you. Go get ‘em, Tiger.”

A few minutes before eight,Tate confidently left her office to walk down the hall to the conference room where the most important meeting of her life was about to be held. As she turned the corner, she saw the president of the firm standing a few feet outside the doorway talking to a woman Tate did not recognize. Drawing closer, Tate could not help but notice the stranger was very attractive. Her auburn hair was pulled back from her face to fall in waves on her shoulders. A perfectly fitted black jacket over an ivory colored blouse and a matching pencil skirt hugged her body and could not help but show off the woman’s shapely legs.

When Tate was closer, the pair turned as if getting ready to walk into the conference room when the president noticed Tate coming toward them. “Tate Nilsen,” he said with a warm smile. “It’s good to see you. I’d like to introduce you to Aurora Price.” The woman turned to face Tate, and she realized the woman was even more attractive than she first thought. Piercing green eyes reflecting intelligence, but also sensuality, met her own. Full lips touched with just the right amount of maroon lipstick turned up into a smile.Somehow the perfect blend of feminine, but exudes strength too, Tate thought.I wonder where she came from and why she’s here.

Aurora held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Nilsen,” she said, and Tate returned the gesture, finding the grip warm, and delicate, but not weak.

“The pleasure is mine,” Tate said. “And please, you can call me Tate.”

The woman raised her eyebrows. “Such an unusual name,” she said with a hint of sincere curiosity. “Do you mind if I ask where it comes from?”

“I don’t mind at all. It comes from Norse Mythology,” Tate answered. “My father is a professor at Portland State University and has always had a sweet spot for Vikings.”

“I see,” Aurora said and for a moment their eyes held. For a second, Tate felt almost mesmerized. There was a strange chemistry between them.This woman is very charismatic, she thought, and wondered if she would ever see her again.I think she would be interesting to know.

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