You're reading too much into it,she told herself, shaking the fantasy out of her mind.Men like Carter don't want girls like you. That's all there is to it.
28
Carter
"You want to go out tonight?" Vance asked him that morning in the lobby.
"No, thanks. I have to work on this project," Carter said to him.
"All work and no play isn't good," Vance said. His voice had an intensity Carter didn't like.
"Sorry, maybe some other time," Carter replied, trying to move around Vance.
"I thought we were tight," Vance told him, blocking his path.
Carter was annoyed that Vance wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Business comes first," Carter snapped and pushed past him to step into an open elevator.
He did need to concentrate on business before pleasure, but Allie was taking up so much of his thoughts that it was difficult.
Being with her, even if he was just sitting next to her in the late nights at their desks, made him feel calm and centered. For the first time since his cousins had died, Carter felt as if he wasn't spiraling out of control. He credited Allie with that.
Carter even started coming to work very early so he could sleep with her after he worked out at the gym.
One early morning as Carter was leaving the penthouse, Grant said, "I'm glad to see you taking this seriously. Good for you."
Carter gave him a mock salute. If only Grant knew what was really motivating Carter to arrive at the office so early.
Life was pretty good. He had a job, a nice place to live. He was having a good time. Carter enjoyed spending time with Allie. She was an easy, reliable lay, and he didn't have to worry about taking her out for dates, or meeting her family, or any of the annoying relationship stuff.
He could feel himself grow hard as he watched her type on her computer, her back straight, her fingers dancing across the keys. It was another weekend, and they were in the office alone. Carter grinned at her, and she smiled back.
"I like how simple things are with you," he said, pulling his chair up beside her.
She smiled up at him. He ran his fingertips down her toned arms. Their weekday-morning hookups were quick and powerful, but he enjoyed the weekend ones more when they were alone and he could take his time and satiate his desire.
He had fucked her twice that day already. It was as though he couldn't help himself; just thinking about being inside of her made his pants uncomfortably tight.
"Do you want to go for three?" he asked, standing up and pulling her along with him.
He loved the slight noises she made, the faint smell of alcohol on her skin, the way her hard exterior broke down as he ran his mouth and hands all over her body.
She gasped as he lifted her up. His regular gym sessions made it even more enjoyable to be with her, Carter thought as he held her legs around him, the soft skin of her inner thighs sending shivers through him. Her head tipped back against the wall as he took her.
"You're still raw from our earlier sessions, aren't you?" he whispered to her as he slid in and out of her.
She strangled a moan.
"Don't worry," he murmured. "I'm going to go nice and slow."
She strained against him, her chest heaving as she came. The sensation almost sent Carter over the edge, but he controlled himself. He wanted to see the guarded bartender completely lose control. He continued his rhythm, his pulse jumping as her eyelashes fluttered and her body writhed against his.
"I think I've completely undone you," he said with a small laugh as she came again. This time, he lost control as well, and he gave in to the wave of pleasure.
"Next time," he panted, "I want to fuck you in a bed." Carter kissed the corner of her mouth, wrapped his arms around her, and felt the chill of the print room, which kept the equipment from overheating.
"Can I come back to your place sometime?" he asked, kissing along her collarbone.
