Lana, our budget analyst, begins her PowerPoint presentation. Looking at how much my company has grown, pride swells in my chest. I’ve done well for myself over the years. I own the most successful construction company in the south. Starting the company to build homes, I slowly slipped into commercial buildings. My patience paid off; success finally achieved.
I’ve made a few enemies over the years, notably William Johnson of the now bankrupt Johnson Construction Company. He’s a crooked bastardwho’d do anything to make a dollar. Irritation flares at the thought of my rival, but I force it down. I haven’t heard from him in a month.
My mind drifts back to Brooke, and I want to see her tonight, but tomorrow’s duties start early. I have another meeting first thing in the morning. Being the owner of the company, I know I should be more interested in the numbers. But I can’t get my mind off ofher. I still smell her vanilla scent, wrapping around me like a warm breeze on a cold winter’s day.
Finally, the room is quiet. Before leaving, I glance at Barbara, and she pins me with another glare. She knows I lose focus at these meetings, and she’s not afraid to scold me. I grin and wink at her, earning an eye roll. I head to my office, sifting through the mound of paperwork on my desk. I spend the next hour reviewing contracts and invoices.
Unable to concentrate any longer, I head to the gym. After a long, hard work out, I opt for a shower.
Once I’m dressed, I check my phone. Brooke replied to my text, thanking me for the restaurant information.
Me: What are you doing right now?
Brooke: I just finished editing a book. It was a dark romance novel. I had to break out the wine for that one.
Me: Was it that bad?
Brooke: No, it was that good! ;)
Interesting.
A smile tugs at my lips. She seems more at ease talking through text, or maybe it’s the wine. Either way, I won’t waste the opportunity.
Me: What was so good about it?
Brooke: Ugh, where do I begin? The male main character was dark and broody. Dominant. He was so commanding, and it was hot. The female main character was annoyed by it at first and resisted, but then she realized he liked to be in control and keep her safe. When she finally gave in to him, he brought her pleasure beyond anything she had ever known.
Me: It sounds like a good book. How many glasses of wine have you had?
Brooke: Two. Three? Why?
I don’t answer. I’m already in my truck, pulling out of the parking lot. I need to hear her voice.
“Hello?” She answers, sounding a little breathless.
“Hey, beautiful. I want to hear more about this book.” Putting her on speaker, I lay my phone in the cradle.
She giggles, the melodic sound releasing all the tension from my body. “You really want to hear about it?”
“Of course, tell me everything.”
“Okay, Gabriel. You asked for it.” Clearing her throat, I chuckle at the determination in her voice.
“The main characters, Mia and Wade, meet in a bar. Mia is drowning her sorrows after a bitterbreakup with her cheating boyfriend. Wade is blowing off steam after a long day of work. They strike up a conversation, and Wade falls hard. Their chemistry is explosive, but she fights it, until she can’t anymore.”
“What happens next?” My ears perk up when she inhales deeply.
“Things get heated when they get to his house. As soon as the front door closes, he pushes her against it, kissing her like he needs her to survive. She climbs his body, desperate for his touch. He takes her to the bedroom, tossing her on the bed.” Her breathing accelerates, clearly turned on.
“Keep going.” I demand, my own body responding to her voice and the story.
“He crawls up her body, ripping her dress open, licking and biting every inch of her. Mia tells herself to slow things down, but Wade is giving her what she craves. She’s completely lost to his touch and his primal needs. She let’s go, having the most intense sexual experience of her life.”
Fuck.
Brooke’s lust-filled voice makes me wish I was there with her. All the earlier tension in my body has returned. Knowing she’s turned on and there’s nothing I can do about it is killing me. We need to move this along.
“What happens once they’re together?”
