Complications

Ally stayed out on the balcony for another half hour, waiting for the rest of Eric’s guests to leave. Finally she strolled back inside, poured herself another club soda and took a seat beside Eric on the couch. “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” he asked, reaching up to loosen his tie.

“Eric, you’re a liar,” she said flatly. “This party wasn’t already planned, was it? You put it together for my benefit.” His sheepish shrug served as her confirmation. “How’d you get all those people to show up at such short notice?”

“I made some phone calls, called in a few favors. It was nothing, really.”

“Nothing?” She shook her head. “God, I’m such a fucking idiot. I should’ve suspected as much when I got this damn dress this morning.”

“A dress that looks damn good on you, I might add.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t need your help!” she snapped, banging her glass down on the table. “I’m perfectly capable of landing a job on my own.”

“Did I ever imply otherwise? Martin already knew who you were when I mentioned your name to him. All I did was facilitate the introduction.”

His calm, measured tone should’ve had a soothing effect, but it only managed to piss her off all the more. “You can’t buy me, you know.”

“What are you talking about?”

“This dress, the party, taking me to Alfredo’s the other night. I know why you’re doing all this.”

“Because I like you, and I enjoy spending time with you?” He sat up, forehead crinkled in what appeared to be genuine confusion. “Is there something wrong with that?”

“Is that really all it is, just friendship?”

“Why, do you want it to be more than that?” The touch of his hand on her arm sent her pulse spiraling, and when his eyes locked on hers, deep bottomless blue, she knew she was a goner.

Damn, but Eric was a good-looking man. Why hadn’t she ever noticed before? “Say the words, Ally. I can’t read your mind.”

Oh, hell. She was going to say it, wasn’t she? “W-Will you shut the fuck up and kiss me already?”

She wasn’t sure what to expect, but as usual, Eric surprised her. He nipped slowly at her lips at first, teasing her open before darting his tongue inside. It was a welcome change from her last date’s all too typical battering-ram approach. Eric, by contrast, moved at a relaxed, deliberate pace, deepening his kisses until the room began spinning and Ally could barely catch her breath.

It was like water from the coolest, purest well on the face of the planet, and Ally drank it down greedily, winding her fingers in Eric’s hair to make sure the precious fount didn’t suddenly slip away. God, she’d forgotten how fucking good it felt, needing the touch of a man’s hands and mouth like this. It was all she could do to keep from dissolving in grateful sobs. Her entire body thrummed like a plucked violin string, every molecule vibrating.

Trailing his lips down to her throat, Eric found her fluttering pulse-point and sucked hard, easing one hand behind her, scrabbling in vain for something near the middle of her back. “Wh-what’re you doing?” she mumbled thickly, puzzled and irritated by the distraction.

“Trying to unzip your dress-or maybe I should say my dress, since I paid for it.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Indian giver.”

“Do that again, and I’ll send you home in the limousine naked.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Oh yes, I would.” Tangling his hand in her hair, he yanked her head back, kissing her so hard she knew her mouth would be bruised and swollen the next morning. But as long as he kept on doing it, she didn’t give a damn. “Maybe I’ll ride along, and fuck you in the back seat with the windows rolled down, so everyone we drive past can look in and see us. I’ll bet you’d like that.”

She choked out a tiny, desperate laugh, unsure whether she was more afraid he’d actually do what he’d threatened, or that he wouldn’t. She’d often fantasized about sex in public places-but Jesus, how the hell did Eric know that? “I-I had no idea you were so kinky.”

“Judging from the way your heart’s racing, it doesn’t look like you’re terribly averse to anything I’ve suggested.” Then, flashing his trademark smirk, he got up, holding his hand out to her. “C’mon, let’s move this to the bedroom. We both know you’re not going home tonight.”

It was a good thing she hadn’t had any alcohol, though lust-drunkenness apparently still counted; even with her high heels off, she nearly tripped over her feet twice before she’d made it down the hall. Eric just laughed and swung her up into his arms, carrying her the rest of the way to the bedroom. Ally had never envisioned him as the caveman type before. The mere notion had her erupting in giggles.

He set her down on her feet right next to the bed, then slipped off his jacket and started unbuttoning his cuffs. “Wait,” she said, putting one hand on his wrist to stop him.

His eyebrows shot up. “Wait, you don’t want me to get undressed, or wait, you’d rather do the undressing yourself?”

“A little of both,” she purred, turning so that he could unzip her gown. Once done, she slid it slowly off her shoulders, letting it slither sinuously to the floor. “After all, since you’re so eager to get this back, I thought I should oblige you,” she added, swinging around to face him.

To his credit, Eric’s eyes didn’t immediately zoom in on her bust line. Instead, he gave her a measured, leisurely once-over, from her toes to the top of her tousled head. “You honor me,” he whispered, leaning down to brush her lips with the softest of kisses. She trembled with delighted, delicious anticipation, her knees nearly buckling again. “But are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’m still here, aren’t I?” “I know, but I wouldn’t want either of us to wake up tomorrow morning thinking this was the biggest mistake of our lives.”

“Not gonna happen.” With a smile, she drew him down to the bed beside her, every bone in her body turning to rubber when he started raining kisses down upon her face and throat.