Free Book Bitch by Ashleigh Royce Page A

building, leaving me in the taxi.
    When I knew she was safely inside, I gave the cabbie my address. He looked into the mirror and smiled. “Anything you want, boss. You’re my new hero.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Eight
     
     
    The next morning, I woke up with the smell of her perfume on me. I was reluctant to shower. As the water ran down my body, I thought of the memorable cab ride from the night before. Did I dream it all from the time I went to Rebecca’s apartment until I went to sleep? New stirrings tingled inside me. My body wouldn’t let me think of anything but her. The fragrance of her hair, the softness of her skin, the way her lips felt against mine, how she handled me over and over. Memories of how wonderful it felt to be inside her flashed through my head. Remembering the water flowing over her body in her shower. The way the fullness of her breasts looked in her cocktail dress made my breath heave. The rush I felt when she told that jackass Richards off. And, the surprise of her command of me in the cab, taking what she wanted as I surrendered. With one last stroke, I found release. It mingled with the shower water as it circled the drain.
    Making a conscious effort to put my clothing together better, I chose a light grey shirt and paired it with a red, white and black tie. Black shoes finished off at the bottom of black dress slacks. I wrote myself a note and used the magnet on the refrigerator to remind myself that I’d have to go clothes shopping over the weekend.
    With coffee in hand, I walked into the office and greeted Rose. “How was the fancy party last night?”
    “It was… interesting,” I offered a suggestive smile, now knowing how Rose knew that Rebecca wanted me, on multiple levels.
    Rose picked up on my hidden meaning. She smiled in return as she took her cup from the cardboard tray.
    I walked into the office. Rebecca was already on the phone. My heart rate increased when I saw her. I wanted so badly to pull her close to me and kiss her, but I stopped in front of her desk.
    “I told you, I’m not interested, Donovan. I’m quite happy on my own. In fact, I’m doing pretty well without a partner.” She smiled when she saw me. “Well, I appreciate your persistence… Yes, I’ll let you know if I’ve changed my mind. Thanks for the call.” When she hung up, she said, “Pompous ass” to the telephone.
    I handed her a cup of coffee. “Thank you. Good morning.” She took a small sip of the steaming liquid. I watched her lips pucker. A flash of how those lips created magic on my body just hours before caused a pull between my legs. I wished I were a cup of coffee. “Did you sleep well?” The edge in her voice sent a ripple through me.
    “I did.” I walked up next to her and leaned over her chair. Her body tensed with my closeness in the office. My lips brushed her ear, “But I missed you.” I put a light kiss on her hair and then tucked the lock behind her ear, before walking to my desk. I picked up a stack of submissions that I had read. Taking the seat in front of Rebecca’s desk I began what had become our ritual for discussing potential clients. She watched me with amused marvel as I donned my business persona.
    “Well,” there was a playful lilt in her voice. “I think you should request more of the paranormal fantasy and the erotic novel. Gail told me last night that she wants to expand her company’s production of those genres.”
    With our regular business concluded, I stood to return to my desk. “By the way,” she said. I turned to look at her. “You look positively yummy today.” There was that playful word again. Feelings from my morning shower returned. I needed to sit at my desk before she noticed. One side of my mouth lifted. I hoped it conveyed what I was thinking.
    Three hours worth of reading through submissions went by before I got up to stretch. Rebecca had just ended her millionth phone call. She stretched , too.
    “I’m going