Drive Read online

  “Why don’t you like me flirting with you?” I asked, jealousy creeping into my tone.

  “Who says I don’t?”

  Damn. The challenge in her golden brown eyes and the sweet, fresh smell of her made my cock stiffen. I kept my eyes locked on hers and put a hand on her outer thigh, running it up beneath her dress.

  “What’s with the pantyhose?” I demanded.

  Her lips quirked into a smile. “They’re leggings. It’s winter.”

  “I want to see your legs.” I lowered my face to her neck, taking in her intoxicating scent.

  “I’ve got some pictures of me in shorts from last summer I could show you,” she murmured.

  I ran my hand up to her ass and squeezed a firm, rounded cheek, enjoying her gasp of surprise.

  “Not what I have in mind,” I said.

  “I don’t sleep around,” she responded in a breathless tone.

  The alcohol was clouding my judgment, I knew that. This was really fucking stupid, having my hand under Sadie’s dress with Luke in the next room.

  “I can’t sleep with you anyway,” I said, regretting it deeply. Damn, she had a nice ass. And she smelled so fucking good. But it was more than that. My interest in her had reached a new level on Thanksgiving. I’d seen her with her defenses down that day. And what I’d seen was beyond physical attraction. She was resilient, strong, smart and compassionate. I’d never known what a turn-on those things would be in a woman.

  “Why not?” she asked. I smiled at the alarm in her tone. I didn’t want to tell her Luke had warned me off, knowing it could create tension between them.

  “The 60 day thing,” I said softly, brushing my nose against her neck. She smelled like heaven.

  “Oh. Right.”

  I had a nice buzz going, and I couldn’t bring myself to let my mind take over yet. I slid my hand beneath the leggings and panties, giving her ass another good squeeze. Her bare skin was about to do me in. Warm, smooth and soft.

  “Damn, your ass is perfect,” I said in her ear. “The things I’d love to do to it …”

  She sucked in a sharp breath and I knew she wanted to hear more. I was more than happy to oblige.

  “I want to bend you over and pull these leggings down to your thighs,” I said, my blood pumping with arousal at the image. “And then spank you ‘til those gorgeous white cheeks are pink and throbbing. Then I’ll lick that tight, perfect ass that no man’s ever been in before.”

  She shuddered against me and I knew she was hot enough for my words to get her off. I wanted to give her the release she was craving so fucking bad. More than I even wanted it for myself.

  “I can tell, baby,” I continued in a low tone. “You’ve never shared that ass with any man and I’ll make you so glad you saved it for me. I’ll play with it and let you get used to my fingers fucking it before I give you my cock. I’ll make you come so hard, Sadie.”

  A soft moan from her lips made me want to pull the panties and leggings off and fuck her against the wall. Fuck the consequences. We both needed it like hell right now.

  “You want it, don’t you?” I murmured. I felt her hips flexing against me, but with the height difference, she was against my thigh. I slid my other hand around her ass and hiked her up on the wall, grinding my hips into hers.

  “Ah,” she cried, gasping loudly.

  “When you want to be flirted with, let me know,” I said. “Call me. Text me. Beat my fucking door down. Don’t let random assholes have the pleasure. I’d love nothing more than to get you so hot over the next two months that you’re begging me to fuck you on Day 61.”

  I hadn’t had sex since getting to Chicago almost a month ago, and my rock hard cock was begging for release. I wanted to make Sadie gasp and beg and moan my name right here and now. And based on the way she was grinding her pussy against me, I knew she wanted it, too.

  A ringing sound caught us both by surprise.

  “Shit,” she mumbled. “My phone. It’s Dell texting me.”

  I lowered her to the ground and stepped back, running a hand through my hair. What the fuck was I doing? Luke would kick my ass if he found out about this. Sadie cast a spell on me that got more powerful each time I saw her, and that was dangerous. I couldn’t afford a distraction. My drive to succeed for my family had gotten me here, and I wouldn’t let my goals slip away. Sadie was the kind of woman I’d be calling and texting on the road, wanting to spend every night with when I was home. If we were together, I wouldn’t be able to handle wondering if there was anyone else, and I’d never ask her for fidelity without giving her the same thing. A girlfriend? This was fucking crazy. I couldn’t afford the distraction of a girlfriend right now.

  Sadie adjusted her dress, avoiding my gaze as she pulled it down.

  “Uh … I’m gonna …” She pointed to the hallway and turned toward it. She couldn’t make eye contact with me, so she just rushed away. From the woman who had been dry humping me shamelessly a few seconds ago, it made me smile. Seeing the shy, uncertain side of this confident woman only stoked my desire for her.

  But this was one desire I’d have to forgo. The teasing flirtation had turned into something more for me, and it had to stop here. That was what was best for both of us.

  ***

  Sadie

  I worked my foamy face wash into a lather, scrubbing the day away. I’d stayed out too late tonight, considering I’d been awake since my six a.m. trip to the gym. But hanging out with Dell always made me lose track of time. And apparently, dry fucking a hot Russian athlete had the same effect.

  Although I’d been unable to look at Niko again for the rest of the night, he was all I’d been able to think about. Feeling the ridged lines of his hard biceps beneath my fingers had worked me up more than foreplay with other men ever had. His faint, freshly showered man scent still lingered on my shirt. And the words he’d spoken in that deep, cocky tone of his had sexual frustration coursing through my veins.

  He’d made my shit list at Luke and Dell’s wedding, and he was still on it. Well, sort of. Niko was an over-confident manwhore. He could have any woman he wanted, and he wanted me? The thought scared and excited me at the same time. I was no match for a man with his experience. Or his body.

  A charge of arousal ran through me as I dried my face off and stared at my expression in the bathroom mirror. The way he’d touched me … that was too mild a word for it, actually. He’d taken hold of me, mixing sensations in a dizzying way. The smooth slide of his huge palm up my thigh. The hard squeeze of that same hand around my ass. His warm, soft breath against my neck. And the mind-numbing way he’d pressed his hard as hell erection between my thighs …

  I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath, admonishing my reflection in the mirror. This was no time to be working myself up over a man. I was on a strict no-men diet. And Niko was like an enormous hot fudge sundae with a cherry perched on top. And a stream a fudge running down the side, just begging to be licked off …

  Stop, Sadie. You don’t even like this guy, remember?

  I changed into flannel pants and an old t-shirt and got in bed, picking up my e-reader. I stared at it for a couple seconds before setting it back on the bedside table. Rarely was I too tired to read, but tonight I was. I snuggled into my feather pillow and slipped into a blissful sleep.

  Niko was in bed with me. He was laying on top of me and leaning on his elbows, giving me a perfect view of his dark, sensual eyes. I reached up to touch his cheek, running my fingertips down his short, black beard. It was soft. I was about to wind my fingers into his hair when a smile started tugging at the corners of his lips.

  “Not yet,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver of arousal between my thighs. I arched my body against his and his smile widened.

  He moved off of me and pulled me up with him, guiding my body around until I was on my hands and knees on my bed. I sighed with pleasure at the feel of his hand rubbing my ass through the silky fabric of my panties.

  “You want me,
don’t you, Sadie?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I admitted.

  “You’re a bad girl for pretending otherwise. A tease.”

  His words sent a ripple of pleasure straight to my core. I leaned on my elbows, a moan escaping in my deep exhale of desire. Cool air met my skin as he gently pulled down my panties. My ass was on display to him now, and I didn’t feel the least bit shy about it.

  He stroked his large hand over my ass again and I bit my lip to hold myself back from begging him. I was practically shaking with desire, knowing what was coming next.

  The first slap was hard, and I gripped the bed sheets in my hands and let out a strangled cry. His satisfied groan nearly sent me over the edge into an orgasm. I stayed there – on the verge of exploding – as he slapped my ass over and over, occasionally soothing it with a tender touch.

  “So fucking hot,” he muttered. “You’ve wanted this all along, haven’t you?”

  “Yes.” I said it loudly, wanting to make sure he knew.

  “So have I, baby.”

  He pulled me up from the waist so we were both on our knees, my back to his chest. His hand wrapped around my chin firmly and he turned my face to his. When he kissed me, his warm mouth on mine made me slide my fingers between my legs.

  “No,” Niko said in a warning tone. He pulled my hand away, holding on to it. His breath was warm on my neck and I panted with desire. He ran his other hand up the length of my body – over my stomach, between my breasts, up my neck – before sliding his fingers past my lips into my mouth.

  “Suck, baby,” he said softly. I couldn’t wait to obey him. I sucked eagerly on his long fingers, his low groan forcing my hips to arch forward into the empty air. I moaned and licked at his fingers in my mouth, desperate for release.

  He slipped his fingers from my mouth, using his other hand to push on my back and return me to my hands and knees. I trembled with anticipation. This man did things to me I hadn’t known possible – brought out desires I’d never known possible.

  His wet fingertips traced gently over my untouched ass, and I cried out loudly for more. He slid a finger all the way in and I pressed my hips back against him.

  Niko groaned as he pushed his finger in and out of me, and I rocked my hips in rhythm with him. He added another finger and I swore loudly.

  “Fuck yeah,” he muttered. “You like that, baby? You like having me in your ass?”

  “Yes!” I cried, my body humming with arousal that had me on the verge of tears. With just one touch, he would put me over the edge.

  I turned my head and looked at him, his eyes dark as he stared at me.

  “You’re all I need, Sadie,” he said.

  I woke up with a loud gasp, sitting up in bed. I was sweaty. And incredibly turned on. Where had that dream about Niko come from? Well, from our encounter in the back room of the bar earlier tonight, of course.

  But I’d just fantasized about Niko spanking me and violating my ass. And I’d loved it. What kind of dream was that for a modern, independent woman? Surely I wouldn’t really be turned on by him spanking me.

  That was bullshit. I was beyond turned on by it.

  I sighed and threw the covers off, reminding myself it had been a dream. No one but me ever had to know how depraved I apparently was.

  I was wide awake now, every nerve pulsing with desire. It was time to count sheep or something. I needed to get back to sleep. And hopefully, back to that dream.

  ***

  The cursor on my computer screen blinked in rhythm, and I started imagining words keeping time with it. Send. It. Send. It.

  But what if it wasn’t perfect? This was the biggest assignment I’d ever pitched for. A travel magazine was seeking queries from ‘experienced writers offering fresh takes on popular vacation destinations’. I was proposing a story about Ireland tailored to 20-somethings. Ten days of pub-hopping and majestic landscape-viewing. A dream assignment.

  I’d written my query nearly a week ago, and now I was down to obsessing over it. Was that line funny or stupid? Too long? Too short? Overly confident? And even though I’d pored over the spelling of every word, I continued checking it again, just in case.

  Was that line about getting lucky too cheesy? Getting lucky. That made me think of sex, which of course made me think of Niko.

  I clicked on to my latest column, which I needed to get to Miranda by five. I’d written about my renewed commitment to yoga and pilates, and how no one could ever appreciate or care for my body as well as me. Not exactly the truth, since Niko had done things to my body at the bar the other night that I was still fantasizing about. What would it be like to turn myself over to him for an entire night, and let him do as he pleased?

  I blew out a breath. That wasn’t an option. I had to finish this column and get to the arena so I could take Kyler off of Dell’s hands. There was a home game tonight, and he and I would be watching it from our usual seats.

  It would be easy to send both of these things off right now. Close them and be done with it. I wanted to hold on to the query for another day or two, but why? Only because I was scared to send it. But it was as polished and professional as it was going to get. I sent my column to Miranda and then attached the query to an email to the editor of the travel magazine. Before I could lose my nerve, I hit ‘send’.

  My stomach rolled with nervous anxiety. I got up from my desk and went to change clothes, deciding to put the query out of my mind.

  I had my favorite jeans almost all the way on when I paused. Maybe I’d wear a skirt again. Not because I wanted to send some sort of message to Niko, just because I liked skirts. Right. I needed to wear skirts more.

  I found a black one I liked, adding leggings, boots, a black V-neck shirt and a scarf. I grabbed my coat and slipped it on, stopping in the doorway. Perfume, maybe? And some lipstick? In a rush, I went to the bathroom to freshen my makeup and add some finishing touches. Now I was ready to watch hockey with my favorite six-year-old.

  By the time I walked in to the arena, it was already buzzing with pre-game excitement. I felt a little of it, myself. The more I watched hockey, the more I liked it.

  The usher recognized me and let me on the elevator that took me down to the locker room. I texted Dell that I was here and then stood in the hallway outside the locker room to wait.

  Niko was on the other side of the wall, potentially only partially dressed. I bit down on my lip as I pictured him sitting on a bench in the locker room, shirtless. He was probably taping his stick, those gorgeous, dark eyes focused intently on it. That made me think of his hands, and the way he’d touched me at the bar the other night. No man had ever come on to me like that. Niko had shoved me against a wall in the back room of a bar and felt me up. And I’d been so turned on by the way he’d taken control of me, completely confident in his ability to get me going. Would he be going to Lucky’s again tonight?

  “Hey,” Dell said, walking out of the locker room. I snuck a peek in the door as it closed, hoping for a look at Niko. Kyler came out next, his attention focused on a handheld video game.

  “Hi,” I said. “Has he had dinner?”

  Dell immediately looked guilty. “No. I’ve been crazy busy.”

  “It’s fine,” I said. “We’ll get hot dogs and nachos. I haven’t eaten, either.”

  “Yes, hot dogs!” Kyler said, glancing up at me with a grin. “Hey, why are you all dressed up, Aunt Sadie?”

  “I’m not,” I said, a little too defensively.

  “You do look extra nice,” Dell said. “Are you going out later?”

  I shrugged. “No plans to.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had a date.” Dell looked at me through narrowed eyes.

  I glared at her and hugged Kyler close. “The only date I have is right here.”

  “Aunt Sadie,” he groaned, pulling away.

  “What? Are you too cool for me all of a sudden?”

  “The guys might see,” he mumbled.

  I rolled m
y eyes at him and squeezed tighter. “Just tell ‘em I’m your girlfriend.”

  “I need to get back to work,” Dell said, wrapping a ponytail holder around her long red hair. “See you guys in the meeting spot after the game.” She ruffled Kyler’s hair and kissed his forehead. “Be good.”

  Kyler tucked his video game into his pocket as we boarded the elevator.

  “Aunt Sadie, do you have a boyfriend?” he asked, wrinkling his brows at me.

  “No, Ky. Why do you ask?”

  He looked up at me, his hazel eyes wide. “I think Niko should be your boyfriend.”

  I laughed lightly at his suggestion. “I don’t have to have a boyfriend. Sometimes people are in a relationship and sometimes not. It’s okay either way.”

  He kept the pleading gaze up as the elevator opened. “But he’s really nice. He showed me how to make a wrist shot.”

  I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face. “So you think he should be my boyfriend because of that? Your standards for me are pretty funny, kid.”

  “He thinks you’re pretty.”

  His casual tone made it clear this was a tiny detail to him, but my heart was suddenly racing.

  “Why do you say that?” I asked. We’d approached the concession line, and Kyler was scanning the menu board.

  “Can I get a slushie?” he asked. “A blue one?”

  “Sure. Why did you say Niko thinks I’m pretty?”

  “He said so.”

  I told myself not to read too much into the words of a first-grader, but it was hard not to feel a little giddy. I knew Niko found me fuckable, but pretty?

  “When did he say that? And how did he say it?”

  Kyler scrunched his face at me. “He just said it. I don’t remember when.”

  “But, were you guys talking about something else? How did it come up?” We’d made it to the front of the line and I had to order. “Two hot dogs, two nachos and two blue slushies.”

  Kyler sighed as he thought about it. “Some of the guys were talking about who’s the prettiest girl they know. And he said you.”