Page 21

VICTOR

“ G ood morning, Myrtle,” I said, leaning against Mrs. Miller’s reception desk, startling her from a note she’d been writing. She quickly smoothed her gray-streaked dark hair.

“Oh! Good morning, Mr. Cardello. You’re in early for a Monday.”

“Wanted to get a head start on the day. How are the grandkids?”

She beamed. “Oh, they’re wonderful. Growing up too fast, of course.”

I snuck a glance down the hallway. “Is Mrs. Evans in yet?”

“Oh yes, and hard at work. She’s a keeper.”

I dipped my head and smiled. “Yes, I believe she is.” I glanced around the reception area. “Anything going on this morning?”

“Mr. Kowalski’s office called earlier. He wants another meeting. I told him I’d check with you.”

I shook my head. “I want to see his updated proposal first. If I’m happy, we’ll schedule a follow-up meeting.”

She nodded. “Very good. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks, Myrtle. You’re a gem.” I patted her hand and flashed her a smile.

She blushed and adjusted the collar of her blouse.

I strode down the hall, my pulse kicking up with each step, anticipation curling in my chest.

As I rounded the corner, there she was—bathed in morning sunlight, a vision as she sat typing. Her delicate fingers flew across the keys, and waves of golden hair spilled over her shoulders. The sight of Barbara stole my breath, just as it had the first time I saw her.

I paused, taking her in—the graceful line of her neck as she bent over her work, the rosy flush of her cheeks, the way she nibbled on her bottom lip when she concentrated.

She wore a navy-blue dress with a fitted bodice that accentuated her breasts.

A simple string of pearls adorned her neck, drawing my eyes to the creamy skin below.

Every little detail held me spellbound. In that moment, I fell for her all over again.

Barbara glanced up as if sensing my presence. Her cornflower-blue eyes met mine, widening slightly as a blush bloomed across her cheeks.

“Good morning.” Her voice was professional, but her lips betrayed her with a secret smile.

“Good morning, Barbara,” I replied, my voice low and warm. “You’re looking especially lovely today.”

Her blush deepened, and she dipped her head shyly. “Thank you.”

I put my hands up. “Don’t let me distract you when you’re hard at work. I just had to admire the view.” I winked at her before moving toward my office door.

“Oh, it’s no problem. I’m just finishing up my notes from the Kowalski meeting last week. I hate to let a project go unfinished.”

“That works out well. Mrs. Miller said Kowalski’s office wants another meeting. She’s going to have them send over his updated proposal before we agree to anything. When it comes in, go over it and note anything that stands out.”

“Will do.”

“What’s on my schedule today?”

She flipped open my leather-bound calendar. “Nothing scheduled.”

“Good.” I grinned and opened the door to my office. “Finish up what you’re working on while I get myself situated. Then come see me.”

She grinned and went back to her typewriter.

I settled into my leather chair, the supple material creaking as I leaned back and surveyed my desk.

Stacks of papers and files sat in precise order—a holdover from the Army.

I skimmed a handwritten chart from Phil detailing our business owners and collections for the month.

The columns were coded, but the meaning was clear enough.

Things were already picking up after the unfortunate Joey Rizzo complication had been handled.

I was tucking the file away when a soft knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” I called, knowing full well who it was.

Barbara stepped inside, a steaming cup of coffee in hand. The rich aroma drifted toward me, warm and inviting. She moved toward my desk, her hips swaying just so, and set the cup down on a coaster.

“One black coffee,” she announced with a smile, her voice melodic. “Just how you like it. I thought you might need a cup to start your day.”

Warmth bloomed in my chest. “You remembered how I take it.”

“Not exactly a complicated order.” She glanced down, nibbling her bottom lip before looking at me again. “And after your…eloquent declarations, I’d say a cup of coffee is the least I can do.”

I chuckled as I leaned back in my chair. “You got my letter, I take it.”

Barbara nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. “I did. It was…quite something.”

I stood and crossed the room to close the office door. Then I turned to her, stepping close enough to catch the intoxicating floral notes of her perfume. “I meant every word,” I said softly, trailing my fingers along her jaw.

Barbara’s eyes fluttered closed as she leaned into my touch. “Victor…” she breathed.

I silenced her with a long, gentle kiss. She sighed as I pulled back.

“Don’t leave me in suspense, my dear. Will you make me a happy man?”

Barbara gazed up at me, her blue eyes shining with anticipation and desire. “Yes,” she whispered, a delicate tremble in her voice. “Yes, I’ll be yours, Victor. Completely.”

A rush of elation surged through me. I claimed her lips in a searing kiss, pouring all my longing and devotion into it.

Barbara melted against me, gliding her hands up my chest to wind her arms around my neck.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against me.

Her soft curves molding to my hard planes set my blood on fire.

I deepened the kiss, my tongue sweeping into her mouth to dance with hers.

She tasted of coffee and strawberries. A soft moan escaped her, and I swallowed the sound greedily.

My hands wandered the length of her back as I trailed kisses along her jaw and down the slender column of her throat, reveling in her silken skin and the fluttering pulse beneath my lips.

“My darling,” I breathed against her neck. “My sweet, perfect angel. I’m going to worship every inch of you. I’ll treat you like the goddess you are.”

I drew back to gaze into Barbara’s eyes, darkened with desire.

“I want to make love to you properly, to spend hours exploring and savoring you.” I stroked her cheek with the backs of my fingers.

“I need to finish up a few things here. But then will you let me take you to my downtown apartment? It’s not far.

” I traced the plump curve of her bottom lip. “Please.”

Barbara nodded, her cheeks tinged a delicate pink. “Yes,” she whispered. “Sounds heavenly.”

“Good girl,” I purred, my mouth brushing her neck before I caught her earlobe between my teeth, eliciting a shiver. “But first, I need a taste. A little preview to whet both our appetites for later.”

In one smooth motion, I grasped Barbara’s hips and lifted her onto the edge of my desk.

She gasped in surprise as I pushed up her skirt to reveal the lacy tops of her stockings.

I nudged her knees apart and stepped between her thighs, my hands gliding up the silky smoothness to toy with the garters.

Barbara’s breath hitched as I caressed the sensitive skin of her inner thighs.

Heat radiated through the thin fabric of her panties.

Pushing her skirt higher, I revealed the creamy expanse of her thighs. Anticipation coiled tight in my gut. I hooked my fingers in the delicate fabric of her panties and slowly dragged them down her legs, baring her most intimate parts to my hungry gaze.

I paused for a moment to admire the breathtaking sight before me—Barbara spread open on my desk. Slowly, reverently, I parted her with a single finger. Silky, scorching, drenched. She shuddered and bit back a whimper at my touch. I circled her swollen clit, slick and throbbing.

Barbara’s hips twitched, and she pulled back as she gasped.

“Spread your legs wider for me, angel,” I instructed, my voice a low rumble. “And remember, quiet now. Wouldn’t want Mrs. Miller coming to investigate.”

Barbara bit her lip and nodded, her cheeks flushed a deep rose.

I circled her swollen clit with the pad of my thumb, applying the lightest pressure. She shuddered and bit back a moan, gripping the edge of the desk, her knuckles white.

“That’s it,” I purred. “Just relax and let me make you feel good.”

I slipped a single finger inside her and groaned at the exquisite velvet grip—she was so incredibly tight. I pumped slowly, curling to stroke that spongy spot along her front wall.

“Oh God!” Barbara keened before clapping a hand over her mouth. I smirked up at her.

“How many times have I asked you to call me Victor?”

Barbara let out a breathy laugh that quickly became a gasp as I added a second finger, stretching her deliciously. I set a steady rhythm, pumping and curling, building her need slowly, stoking the fire I had started. My thumb circled her clit in tandem with my thrusts.

Barbara writhed on the desk, sending papers scattering across the floor. Her head lolled back, eyes fluttering closed, lips parted on a silent cry of ecstasy. The cords of her neck strained as she fought to stay quiet. A light sheen glistened on her flushed skin.

“That’s it, angel,” I encouraged in a heated whisper, easing her to lie back on the desk. “Keep those beautiful legs wide open for me.”

I drank in the glorious sight of Barbara splayed out before me—golden hair fanned across the dark wood of my desk, cheeks flushed the same delicate pink as her parted lips.

Her chest heaved with each panting breath, the swell of her breasts straining against the confines of her dress.

The flutter of her long lashes against her cheeks as her eyes squeezed shut in exquisite abandon.

Slowly, I withdrew my fingers, relishing her whimper of protest at the loss.

I lowered my head, eyes locked on Barbara’s as I placed a soft kiss on her inner thigh.

She shivered, watching me, hooded eyes dark with desire, bottom lip caught between her teeth.

Slowly, reverently, I trailed open-mouthed kisses along her silken skin, inhaling her intoxicating scent—sweet and musky, the essence of aroused woman.

With a long, slow lick, I parted her. Exquisite.

The moment my tongue touched her swollen clit, Barbara jolted and muffled a cry with her fist. I gripped her thighs, holding her open as I lapped at her, savoring her tangy musk on my tongue.

“Victor!” she gasped, her fingernails digging into the edge of the desk. “Oh God…oh!”

I pulled back. “When we’re back at my place, I want you to scream until the walls come down. But here”—I slid my middle finger in deep, coaxing a soft whimper—“you’ve got to stay silent.” I curled it deliberately, drawing another shaky breath from her. “Can you do that for me, angel?”

She pressed her lips together and nodded.

“Good girl.” I held Barbara’s hips steady as I devoured her, my tongue swirling and flicking in all the places that made her respond so beautifully.

Barbara writhed beneath me, her thighs quivering and taut as bowstrings.

I slid a second finger inside her, curling and stroking in tandem with the movements of my tongue.

Her breathing grew ragged, interspersed with muffled whimpers and gasps. I could feel her begin to flutter around my fingers. She was close, so deliciously close. I wanted to draw it out, to push her to the very precipice and keep her suspended there until she shattered.

I gentled my touch, slowing the thrust of my fingers to a torturous pace, moving my tongue against her in featherlight flicks. Barbara whined in frustration, her hips churning as she sought more friction.

With a wicked grin, I increased the pressure and speed of my fingers and tongue, driving her relentlessly toward the edge. Barbara’s body bowed off the desk, hands scrabbling for purchase on the smooth wood.

“Let go for me,” I coaxed between licks. “I’ve got you.”

A few more firm strokes of my fingers and flicks of my tongue sent her soaring.

Barbara’s hand flew to her mouth to muffle her moans as she came apart, clenching hard around my fingers as waves of ecstasy crashed over her.

I worked her through it, drawing out her pleasure until she collapsed back onto the desk, limp and sated.

I sucked at her gently as she caught her breath, savoring the proof of her surrender on my tongue. Finally, I withdrew my fingers with a satisfied hum.

“That was just the beginning, my darling.”