Page 28

CHAPTER 27

LIZZY

DISCREET PACKAGING

I have to admit that living in Clay’s house over the last month has been a pleasant surprise. It might have started out like a weird version of Beauty and the Beast, except he was already smoking hot and fucking him has only made him hotter. I mean I know it’s not a giant French mansion in the countryside. But I also would never have expected the rough, tattooed cocky man in Roxy’s that night to be the type to buy a giant pile of plush pillows and stock the house for me. The kind of man that worships me in a way I’ve never experienced.

He even set up my docking station and an extra monitor in his office for me so I can work from here on the days I don’t need to be at the plant, like today.

And Jessica was right. The plant here is a giant mess and I really, really need to go through some of this data and honestly it will be easier here away from the distractions of my office.

Well, not zero distractions. Even though Clay is at the site at the Aspen Grove Club fixing the condo’s entire ceiling and half the floors, he still left me some house chores because I’m a brat and it would be good for me.

Sitting at the desk with my coffee, I look down on the floor beside me. “Ani, your daddy called you a chore. How do you feel about that?”

I was sort of terrified of Ani at first, but now I love him being around. He feels like an extension of Clay. I watch as he grunts and sighs before rolling over on his back with his tongue hanging out. I roll my eyes. “Your dad is way more of a gentleman than you, sir.” That thought brings a little welcome warmth to my heart. Clay really is a gentleman at heart. I know that is true .

Still, seeing him the other night with Kayleigh spooked me. They looked so close and so intimate that it felt like there’s more to them. I know he says they’re just friends, but it still got to me. I don’t want to feel like Johnathan made me feel again. I don’t want to doubt myself or be told to be something other than myself.

And I do feel like Clay is trustworthy. I feel like I believe him about Kayleigh. They have shared baggage. But I still get this feeling that there’s something hiding there and I’m not getting the full story.

I do feel better knowing that Clay already told Kayleigh about us. The way Clay was so calm put me at ease. Grace might have figured it out on her own, but the fact that he told her and that I’m not some hidden other woman, counts for something. And being on the same page, explicitly saying we’re the only ones in each others’ lives, feels good. I meant what I told him, I don’t know if I'm ready for more. But with him, I feel like I could be, like I want to be.

While I dwell on that, Ani gets my attention when he rolls over and jumps to his feet, looking around before running out of the room. Before I’m even out of my chair, I hear a knock on the door which makes Ani bark. I definitely feel safe with him around.

By the time I get to the door and open it with Ani sitting by my side, as Clay said he’s trained to do, I watch the delivery driver pull down the long, snow covered driveway. At my feet, on the doormat, is a brown box. “Ani, that was a lot of excitement for nothing.”

I reach down and grab the box, noticing the plain packaging. But it’s addressed to me, which is odd because I have uncharacteristically avoided online shopping since I’ve been out here. Walking back in and closing the door behind me, I set the box on the counter and grab a knife to cut the packaging tape. I hold a finger over my lips when I look at Ani. “Your dad doesn’t need to know I’m using the fancy knives to open it.” To my surprise, Ani steps closer to me nudging me with his snoot. “Damn, ok. But I’m telling you, I didn’t order you treats or another sweater. ”

I open the box, pulling away the black and gold tissue paper when my jaw drops.

It’s a dildo.

Not just any dildo.

No, it’s a big, veiny, knobby, ridged, dragon fantasy dildo. I pull it out, half admiring it, half terrified of the soft, smooth silicone toy. It’s pretty. A shimmery pink and orange ombré. I set it on the counter to root through the rest of the box when I find a note.

I shake my head, wishing he was here to see my eye roll before I read it.

I saw you got the book I suggested and you’re reading it. Chapter Thirty-Three. Enjoy slaying those dragons.

I bring my hand to my still gaping mouth, giggling. I grab the toy and head over to the kitchen sink. Clay says he won’t counter surf, but I’m still skeptical after he grabbed my other toy off my nightstand. After rinsing it, I set the toy on top of its silk storage bag to dry, still shaking my head.

It never ends with him. It really doesn’t. He’s a unicorn. He reads smut. He opens my car door for me. He’s secure in himself and he’s not intimidated by some sex toy. He really is something. How has he never been locked down by someone like Kayleigh?

That’s when my phone buzzes, distracting me from that unwelcome thought, and I see Jessica’s name flash across the screen.

Shit. I completely forgot it’s time for our one on one. I head back to sit down at the desk, with Ani following me.

I will always be grateful that I like my job at Fischer and work for Jessica. I feel like if I didn’t actually work for her, we’d be friends .

Sure, we’re both bright, bubbly, and outgoing blondes. But I don’t think that’s why we get along so well. We both know we got to where we are because we worked our asses off to get there.

And the second that someone doubts us and treats us like something less, that’s when we pounce. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen someone doubt Jessica, rolling their eyes at her or saying something patronizing only for her to come back and catch them off guard with a half dozen detailed reasons.

I sign on and turn on the video when her familiar voice comes through my headset. “What’s up, girl?”

“Not much. Just crunching these numbers. You weren’t kidding. This place is a hot mess, but we can get them where we want.”

She laughs. “I knew you were the right one for the job. Also, no video today. I’m heading out of the office early and I’m out on vacation tomorrow. Heading to Red River Gorge for the weekend with the husband.”

“Nice, enjoy it. We’re leaving for Bend next Thursday. Looking forward to the time off.”

I switch off my camera and relax, leaning back in the desk chair. Knowing Jessica, this will be a pretty casual call with her if she’s distracted in the car with her husband.

After a couple minutes of chatting, Ani gets up and trots excitedly to the kitchen, which is when I hear the front door open and close. Seconds later, Clay stops in the office door, grinning from ear to ear. Of course, he’s shirtless, part of his normal lunch routine to come home, do house chores, eat and let Ani out.

Is it distracting? Yes.

Do I mind it? No, definitely not.

I’m glad I’m not on video though because I turn fire engine red, knowing that he’s grinning because he saw the toy on the counter. His dimples and his muscles immediately disarm me. It’s criminally unfair to look like that .

He continues to stand there, grinning at me. I roll my eyes at him and mouth thank you, cocking my head side to side, trying to show I’m being sarcastic.

He crosses his arms and chuckles, which only makes his muscular chest puff out more. He mimes in question video, one side of his lips quirk up into a smirk.

I give him a puzzled look shaking my head no and shrugging my shoulders. He grins and disappears, leaving me to my call.

“So, what’s your timeline looking like for next steps?” Jessica asks. I reply, but my attention is only half there because Clay has reappeared in the doorway. Still shirtless, which is distracting enough, but now with a flat-out sinful grin. His smoldering green eyes lock on me and I can feel my skin heat under his gaze.

He walks towards me, practically like a wolf stalking his prey. He leans forward on the other side of the desk, looking down at me and mouths no video?

I nod, almost unable to form words in his presence and unsure of what he’s thinking about it. Until he pulls his hand from behind his back and sets it on the desk. The big, sparkly fucking dildo and a bottle of lube.

My eyes go wide and I click mute, hearing Jessica in the background arguing with her husband about the GPS. “Clay, what the actual fuck? I’m not playing with that right now. Are you batshit crazy?”

He laughs, smug as ever and grins back at me with a smile that makes me ache between my legs. His deep, gravelly voice only heightens how much I want him. “ You are not going to play with it. You are just going to scoot that pretty little ass to the edge of the seat, lean back, and let me have the meal I’ve been thinking about all morning so I can focus when I go back to work.”

Holy shit. The balls on him. Like literally, I’ve seen them. But also figuratively. Not wanting to let him enjoy getting to me, I collect myself and flick my ponytail over my shoulder, and thank god I’m still on mute. “Aw, did you get that because you knew you couldn’t please a real woman?” I know very well that he can, but I’m not letting him have the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve been thinking about him all morning too.

He snorts a laugh before grabbing the dildo, dropping to his knees and crawling under the desk. His desk. It’s almost as comical as it is hot. He’s 6’3”, but this man is on his knees now, barely fitting under the desk. He rests his head on my thigh and is looking up at me with nothing but playful lust in his deep emerald eyes. I drop my hand to him, running it over the stubble on his jaw.

“So, Lizzy, do you think you can send over your initial findings?” Jessica’s voice makes my eyes go wide for the second time in minutes.

Shit. I click unmute. “Yeah, that’s doable.” I click mute again, looking down at Clay. “Are you serious?” I don’t even know why I asked. I know he is. Everything about him is always so serious.

He nods, which only drags his stubble along my leggings, making the ache in my core that much more intense. “Fine, but you have to be quiet.”

I grab the bottle of lube from the desk, tapping it against his forehead while I raise my eyebrows at him. “And don’t you need this?”

He snorts a laugh, reaching both of his big hands around me and looping his calloused fingers into the waistband of my leggings. Even with them on, I still can feel the warmth of his breath, making me squirm. “I’m not the one who should worry about being quiet. And that-” He snatches the bottle from my hand. “That was more of a courtesy. I know you’re already fucking soaked for me.” He takes one finger, running it down from my waist over the fabric to my clit. I watch him grin as I squirm when his finger traces over the wet fabric.

“Oh, fuck you, Clay.” His lips quirk up and he takes both hands, tugging my leggings down slowly to my ankles .

“Careful what you wish for.” The sensation of his warm breath and stubble between my now very bare legs is almost too much already.

I roll my eyes until he looks away and starts to plant a trail of kisses up my legs until he reaches my clit. He wraps his big hands around me and pulls me closer to the edge of the seat, spreading my legs wider and propping them on his shoulders. I’m completely exposed to him, but I trust him completely right now.

“So, let’s put some time on the calendar next week before you’re out. We can go over your notes and next steps.” The tip of Clay’s tongue traces from the wetness pulling at my opening up to my throbbing clit.

I click unmute. “Yes, perfect, that works.”

I click mute again, just in time for a whimper to escape my lips.

Clay’s muffled laugh against my clit makes my thighs squeeze his head. Except the burn of his stubble only drives me more insane because it feels so good against my skin. “Careful now, you almost let that one slip out and I’m just getting started.”

Holy shit. This is hot. This is wild.

I run my fingers through his hair looking down at him. The sight of this man with no shirt between my legs working my body is pornographic. This is the stuff I read about. Men like him don’t exist in real life.

He lowers his lips back to my swollen clit, sucking and flicking his tongue. I can hear the sound of just how wet I am as he works my body. “You taste so fucking good, Lizzy. This pussy is so perfect.”

“Cool.” Jessica’s voice is almost a distant whisper in my headset. “I will put something on the calendar for Monday or Tuesday. How does that sound?”

I click unmute again. “Sounds perfect.” My voice is breathy, but hopefully masked out by the background noise from her car ride. “Yeah, that sounds great.” Clay’s tongue moves faster and I feel him dip a finger in right before I click mute again, digging my finger nails further into his tousled hair.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be? Like fixing my condo?” I don’t know why exactly I’m still so insistent on playing with him like this when he already has me so close to coming apart on his face. Maybe I’m crazy. That thought is immediately erased when he plunges one thick finger into me, curling deep inside me.

“So fucking wet.” He pulls his finger out and licks it before plunging it back in. “And there’s literally fucking nowhere I’d rather be, princess.” Before I can even register that or look down at him, he slides his finger back out, trailing it down my thigh leaving a trail of my own wetness behind and leaving me feeling suddenly empty.

His mouth is already back to work on me when I hear Jessica fumbling with her phone, probably trying to juggle speaker phone and looking at our calendars. “Is the morning or afternoon better? Looks like you’re wide open, girl.” You have no idea.

I look down, catching a glint in Clay’s eye while he still works wonders on me with his tongue. He winks and I eye him suspiciously until I realize he’s reaching down to grab the toy.

I unmute my headset again. “Yep. Wide open. Just put it in there. The sooner, the better.” I mute right when Clay notches the head of the toy at my entrance and I moan so desperately, ready for that full feeling again. “You sure you’re bigger? That’s a lot.”

His deep laugh reverberates through my clit, through the toy, through all of me. He slides the toy further in and the knobby ribs sends shivers through me. “You’re such a fucking brat. You and I both know the answer to that question.”

Almost in defiance, he pumps the toy in harder and faster, all while still working his tongue on my clit. Watching this is so damn hot and it’s bringing me closer and closer to the edge. It feels so good, too good. The tension grows and I curl my hands into fists .

“Such a pretty, good boy.” The words escape my mouth as a playful whisper.

I hear a questioning hum on my headset. “What was that?”

Oh my fucking god. I squeezed the mouse. I made a fist and I squeezed the mouse.

If I wasn’t on cloud nine with Clay between my legs about to combust from pleasure, I’d combust from embarrassment at what I just did.

“Oh! Sorry. I was talking to my roommate's dog. He’s sitting under the desk.” I look down at Clay and stick my tongue out at him. “He’s being such a good boy today.”

Jessica snorts in what I hope was amusement. “Anyways, I’m going to be coming out to touch base with the team at the plant in a couple weeks. Who knows, we could even talk about this being a more permanent thing for you, over dinner, if you’re enjoying being out there. The team there has nothing but glowing reviews of you. My husband is also going to join so he can hopefully get some skiing in too. If I find a good place for dinner, would you join us?”

“Yeah.” I practically mutter and whimper through heavy breaths. “Yeah. I’ll definitely come.”

I can feel Clay laugh against me as he bottoms out the toy. His tongue, the fullness, the vibration of his laugh all send me completely over the edge. The knot of tension deep in me explodes as I come apart. I dig my nails into his scalp while my other hand covers my mouth, trying not to scream.

“Awesome,” Jessica says, “Speaking of my husband, he says it’s time to hangup. I’ll catch up with you next week. Bye, bye!”

“Sounds good. Talk soon.” I barely get the words out and hang up.

“Oh my god.” My chest heaves. “You.” I grab him by the hair. “You’re fucking crazy. ”

He looks up at me, his jaw propped on the edge of the desk chair between my thighs. He looks up at me and licks my own arousal from his lips, which suddenly makes me want more. “Yeah, crazy good at making you come on my face.”

He grins and pulls the toy out and a sudden gasp leaves me at the empty feeling. He eyes the toy and flicks his eyebrows at me. “Glad you like it.”

I palm my face, smiling and laughing before looking back down at him. That toy isn’t the only thing I find myself liking right now.

No, I definitely like being around Clay Chapman more and more.