Between The Sheets (15 page)

Well, if that didn't just come as a mixed bag. While she appreciated Wilhemina's confidence in her abilities, knowing John had to be coerced to give her this case wasn't exactly reassuring, given that she was proving his concerns well founded by sleeping with the suspect.

“Then you're not worried about my latest reports?”

Wilhemina squeezed her hands as though she saw right through the question to the doubt below. “I'm an exceptional judge of character. I'm not wrong about Rex. I need him to pull off this launch and I need you to satisfy the board so I can have him. I'll bet he's pulling these late-nighters to get his executive summary together.” Wilhemina smiled reassuringly then released April's hands as she turned back to the window.

Rex was addressing the group, “Not only are you the chief shoppers in your households—” his voice resounded
over the microphone “—you're the people who usually make the beds….”

He was nothing short of skillful in the way he presented sheets with brightly colored couples demonstrating a variety of sexual positions. He might have been handling a stapler rather than a dual-temperature vibrator for all the distinction he made as he explained the use of the hidden compartment inside the pillow.

He worked a middle-aged mom with grown children around her embarrassment and helped a young newlywed who couldn't focus because sex on the brain kept making her crack one-liners.

By skillfully rephrasing his questions, he got the respondents to delve deeper, to honestly consider the product, to offer him the information he needed to advise Wilhemina on successfully placing the Sensuous Collection in the marketplace.

As they stood side by side and watched Rex work, April understood why Wilhemina dismissed Rex's guilt so easily and silently acknowledged that if she'd had to be tossed out from behind her computer, she couldn't think of a job she'd rather have than being Rex's right-hand woman.

 

N
OT ONLY DID
R
EX
appreciate the Westshore Regency Hotel's convenient location to the Yodzis and Associates' offices and the airport, he liked the killer view of the downtown skyline reflected by the dark waters of Tampa Bay at night.

The suites were spacious and the accommodations five-star, which also proved opportune as he and April had enjoyed dinner with Wilhemina and Charles on the rooftop restaurant tonight. Both had been impressed with their observation of the studies today and they'd discussed at length how to factor the different consumer responses into the
line's marketing, a discussion that hadn't put Rex and April back in their suite until well after nine.

And the dinner had taken its toll on April. While she'd kept up her end of the conversation from appetizers to after-dinner brandies and had shared her experience with her stalker post, she'd barely touched her plate. Now she paced the suite as though suffering the effects of a quadruple espresso.

“Let's jump straight to your massage tonight,” he said. “I know we planned to stay up and catch up on work—”

She came to an abrupt halt in the dining room and spun to face him, fine hair wisping around her cheeks. “Oh, no. It's almost nine-thirty and you've got to go through those telephone interviews. That stack was huge. There must be two hundred.”

“Two-hundred and sixteen,” he confirmed. “Groupings of twelve. Different demographics and life cycles.”

She propped her fists on her hips. “We can skip the massage tonight. I've got loads of work, too.”

Rex folded his arms across his chest and contemplated her just as seriously. “
After
the massage. I don't want to break the routine when I'm finally seeing progress.”

“Finally? I've been a model patient.”

“At night, but the effects aren't lasting through the day. We've got more work to do. A lot more work.”

April regarded him as though she couldn't quite tell whether or not to take him seriously. “Are you just looking for a reason to get me horizontal?”

“Yes.”

Those arched brows drew together. “We need to work.”

“We've been working all day. We can take some time to relax.”

She huffed. “A compromise then. Can you give me a
massage without seducing me so I can still have time to work afterward?”

“No problem.”

“Right.” She gave a snort of laughter. “And you've got a bridge in Brooklyn you want to sell me, too, I'll bet.”

“No bridges. Just my hands.”

His hands were her downfall and he could tell by her expression that she knew it. But she didn't say a word, just spun on her heel and took off. Sinking to her knees before the Luxurious Bedding Company product still packed in the shipping boxes, she inspected labels and ripped off mailing tape.

“Need some help?” he asked.

“No. No, I'm just looking for…
this.
” Rocking back on her haunches, she gave him a prime shot of her heart-shaped bottom as she tore the plastic from some small…something.

He waited for her to turn around, noticed the glint in her eyes and the satisfied smile on her pretty face when she did.

“All right. I'll agree to the massage if you wear this.”

She held up a leather loop that reminded Rex of a small dog collar—the Take Control Cock Ring from the Fetish Collection.

“You think
that
is going to protect you from me?”

Slipping her fingers inside the loop, she gave a tug to demonstrate the ring's strength. “Look at this baby. It could cut off the flow of the Alaskan pipeline.”

He resisted the urge to shudder. “I'll have to take my pants off to wear it.”

“Rex.” She shot him a look of pure exasperation. “Your pants would wind up off anyway. I'll take my chances.”

He couldn't exactly argue the point. But what amused him the most was that April didn't seem to have a good bead on what that cock ring would actually do for him. Sure
it would help him control himself for a while…but then she'd better watch out.

Apparently the Fetish Collection literature didn't clarify that point. He'd add this to his list of things to mention to Wilhemina before she left town.

He wasn't going to tell April she'd pinpointed yet another problem with her unusual gift just yet, though. Not when she looked so confident that her sexy plan would work. The Take Control Cock Ring meant he'd have her supine on the bed while he was sans trousers and that worked for him.

“Toss it here.”

Shooting him a pleased smile, she took aim and fired. He caught it neatly, not a little amazed by the need that sliced through him. For a man who'd been making the most of his nights, Rex found himself more preoccupied with making love to her, rather than less.

Every day had become an exercise in anticipating the night and imagining the many ways he might relax her sweet body into responding to his. Rex couldn't ever remember being this preoccupied with a woman and was frankly amazed that she consumed so much of his energy—energy he'd normally have expended on work. Yet he didn't feel any sense of losing focus. In fact, his senses were honed and his energy level was up. Looked like making time to enjoy life was giving him an edge.

“How about a counteroffer?” he asked. “I'll wear
this,
if you help me demonstrate the Kama Sutra Sports Set.”

“Rex!” She exhaled his name on the edge of a breath and popped to her feet in a movement that displayed her graceful curves in fine detail. “That'll defeat the purpose. I really need to get some work done tonight. So do you.”

“We will. I'll be wearing
this,
remember?” He held up the leather ring. “Just a few moves so I can get the logistics
for tomorrow's focus groups. Then I'll let you up and we'll get back to work. Deal?”

She shot her a very skeptical gaze before asking, “An
abbreviated
massage so you don't put me in a coma and just a few moves, right?”

“Right. Think Twister. Right foot blue. Left hand red.”

“And you'll behave?”

Rex nodded, which April seemed to think implied a promise.

A
S MUCH AS
the idea of a lengthy massage that wound up with a game of sexy Twister tempted April, they both needed to work tonight. Wilhemina's visit had thrown them completely off schedule because she'd insisted on going out for long social meals that precluded keeping up with Rex's intense schedule.

Rex indulged her, but he did mention that he'd never known Wilhemina to be quite so hungry before. April hoped her crafty Auntie Wil gained five pounds because the only reason she'd insisted on the meals was to scope out how satisfying the alleged fling was for both parties.

April didn't think she or Rex had behaved in any way but with the utmost of professionalism. At least she hoped they hadn't, because the last thing she needed was for Wilhemina to discuss this subject with John. The second to the last thing she needed was to be distracted by the sight of Rex pushing his slacks over his hips and down those strong legs.

But off the trousers went and he seemed completely unaware of the show he presented, completely oblivious to the way he looked standing there, adjusting
parts
to shed his briefs.

Her heart began to beat slow, heavy beats, her pulse thrumming through her veins in languid bursts, a reaction that exasperated her. She'd gone from never having a real
orgasm to gorging on them. Rather than satisfying her craving, April was becoming addicted.

Why else would watching this man peel away his socks—his
socks
for goodness' sake—affect her so much? Her gaze slipped over the top of his burnished head, his strong broad shoulders, and she ached to step into the circle of his strong arms, a feeling so intense it was almost physical.

And when he lifted his dark gaze, she found her desire mirrored in the depths of his eyes. She captured his image in her memory. A memento to cherish long after the feel of his arms faded, the memory of the hundred delicious ways only he could bring her body to the brink of ecstasy and then drive her crashing home.

“Do you want to make sure it's tight enough?” He'd slipped the leather ring on and displayed what was rapidly becoming an impressive erection above that unforgiving strip of leather.

“Are you…comfortable?” she asked, sounding so much more composed than she felt.

“Comfortable isn't the issue, April.
Uncomfortable
is.”

She wasn't sure exactly how uncomfortable he could be given the size of his erection. If anything, that ring of leather seemed to be stimulating rather than curtailing his reaction.

He motioned to the bed. “Go on. Sit down.”

After toeing off her pumps, she slipped the jacket down her arms and tossed it over the back of a chair. She moved toward the bed, her thoughts swirling around in a mire of excitement and worry, while her body reacted to the promise of his touch and the feelings only he could evoke.

He slipped behind and speared his fingers into her hair. She tipped her head forward and gave him free rein to touch her in a position ripe for arousal….

The cock ring didn't work, plain and simple. April tried to figure out a way to let Wilhemina know so she could
warn the consumer without confirming her suspicions about a fling. That leather band with its D-ring and easy-release snap should have helped Rex maintain control. Instead, he seemed inspired to new levels of craftiness to get around her defenses.

His hands were everywhere tonight, massaging, kneading, stroking and copping feels wherever he could, until her numb brain finally caught on to his game. She told him to stop.

“You like the way I make you feel,” he said, very pragmatically. “So what's wrong with touching you?”

She might have smiled, had she not been fighting the urge to arch backward, thus conveniently moving her breasts directly into the line of fire of his magic hands.

“Nothing,” she said. “But we can't spend all our time in bed.”

“We don't. We spend most of it working.” His voice echoed somewhere above her right ear, sent a shiver through her.

“Work is good. We need to work tonight. Wilhemina has us seriously behind.” There was something so boneless about that statement it rendered any possible validity a joke.

“All work and no play isn't good. I told you I've finally figured that out.”

“I'm delighted I prompted your epiphany, but I would hardly say we haven't been playing.”

He chuckled, a husky velvet sound that cascaded through the quiet suite, through her, even as his fingers stroked those circles between her shoulder blades. “It's not enough. The more I get of you, the more I want.”

His laughter should have lightened the impact of that admission, yet it only underscored the truth of his words, and how amazed he seemed by his own need.

And she ached in reply. She had nothing to offer him,
for all his kindnesses, for all his patience, for all his orgasms. Best-case scenario would be for her to successfully slink out of his life without him ever knowing she'd been spying on him.

It was such a bleak prospect that she could only close her eyes against the sadness. For the first time in her memory she felt
right.
Right when Rex's hands were on her. Right when she worked by his side with the consumer studies. Right sitting with him at dinner discussing the Sensuous Collection campaign.

She actually liked being his assistant, enjoyed working on the computer behind the scenes as Rex worked his magic. She was exceptional on the computer and she loved the challenge of research. Unlike private investigation, where she routinely ran records and databases, Rex's work provided an interesting diversion from the routine. Sleeping styles last week and pillows today. The work was never the same and she could easily see why he found it so appealing.

It was such a shame that he wasn't looking for anything more than a good time and her future didn't allow for husbands and babies.

She was thinking way too much for her own good tonight. She'd had enough practice handling her emotions, both good and bad. So why was she floundering now?

Wilhemina was the culprit, no doubt. She had sex on the brain and she'd started April thinking all sorts of romantic thoughts that were exactly what a woman who'd sworn off sex, men and families didn't need to be thinking about. She'd gotten a pleasant reprieve with the sex, but…

“Thanks.” Leaning forward to escape the pressure of his hands, she slanted a glance back over her shoulder.

“We're done?”

“You said a short massage. That was great.”

“You're not relaxed yet.”

“I'm not in a coma yet,” she corrected. “I'm relaxed enough for a few turns of Twister.”

Judging by his frown, Rex clearly didn't think so, but he graciously didn't push the issue. Instead, he reached over to the night table to grab the game spinner.

“I'll take you at your word. You're sure you're up to this?”

“It's Twister.”

Technically, it would be Twister with a man wearing nothing but his shirt and what looked like a painful erection. But just the sight of him, so comfortable in his odd attire, touched her in a place that had no business being touched.

“Ladies first.”

She plucked the spinner from his hand and said lightly, “So you're claiming to be a gentleman, are you?”

He just shot her that dashing grin and scooted back against the sofa. “Read the directions.”

She scanned the tiny printed instructions and summarized. “This game is not a brain teaser. We start in the middle of the bed and work from right to left, feet first and on up. Whatever position has the most parts on it when we're through is the position we try out. Oh, and we're supposed to follow our imaginations and add
other
body parts along the way.”

His gaze dropped to his lap and he gave a wry laugh. “Really? That could liven things up a bit.”

As if
things
needed any more livening.

Refraining from comment, she set the spinner on the bed between them to move this show along. She snapped the plastic arrow and waited until it spun to a stop on a pie-shaped slice of blue.

“There we are,” she said. “Left foot blue.”

Drawing her legs up, she aimed a toe onto a nearby blue Kama Couple, who was merrily wrapped around each other
while the man pleasured his lady standing up in the Jackhammer. She completed the maneuver without ever moving from her spot.

“All right, slick. My turn.” He twirled the spinner.

Green.

The sneaky man slipped his foot right under her leg to a green Ladies' Tip-Top Thrill, caressing the sensitive back of her knee with his hairy leg.

He grinned.

She ignored him and spun again.

Blue.

She aimed for Missionary Mania.

Red.

Rex went for Posterior Passion.

After their feet were engaged, the game got interesting. Knees meant that they had to get up from their seats and really move. April wondered how long until she could insist she'd satisfied her end of the bargain.

Yellow.

She headed for another Missionary Mania to dodge direct contact with his bare thighs, but he anticipated her move.

Yellow again.

“Oh, yeah.” Rex wedged his knee right between hers to reach a Bound Boy Bliss. “You should be naked.”

She lifted her gaze to his, forced to lean backward slightly to avoid touching his chest in their new positions. “Forget it, buddy. That wasn't part of the deal.”

He dropped a quick kiss to her lips, taking her completely by surprise. By the time she'd even thought to react, he was smiling.

“I've got my work cut out trying to get you to take time to have some fun,” he said.

“Massage you know, but you're no great shakes in the fun department either.”

“I'm a fast learner.” He nuzzled his knee between her legs, just a casual touch that started sparks inside her. “Why don't we learn together. It'll be more fun.”

“Hmm.”

Her skirt had bunched up around her hips and the heat between her legs was so intense she was sure Rex must feel it right through her panty hose.

If he did, he didn't comment, just handed her the spinner.

Red.

She leaned back on an elbow onto a Posterior Passion that put some distance between them. Rex stared down at her as if to say, “Think you're getting away that easily?” and spun.

Blue.

“Now here's a place where we can improvise. I just happen to have a body part that will reach right—”

“Rex!” April shook her head to clear the image of him aiming that erection toward the nearest blue couple but heat was already creeping into her cheeks, though why she should suddenly feel shy was a mystery. They'd just spent a week together 24/7. When she hadn't been in his arms, she'd been thinking about being in his arms.

Rex was right. The effects of his massages weren't lasting long enough, and the one she'd had tonight hadn't done the trick at all. If she'd have been on her feet, April would have tightly clasped her hands behind her back, but as one elbow was currently locked on to a Posterior Position, she'd have to settle for calling an end to this game and taking a few deep breaths.

She sat up but unfortunately Rex chose that exact moment to plant his elbow on a Bound Boy Bliss that brought him full-bodied against her. Her forehead connected with his chin so hard she yelped. He reared back, clearly startled,
and overbalanced enough to skid on the slippery sheets and… Darned if he didn't slid right off the bed.

Again.

“Rex!” She peered over the edge, uncertain at the sight that would greet her, heartbeat arrested in her chest.

He'd landed flat on his back. If it wasn't for the way he winced when he stared up at her—had he bitten his lip again?—she might have laughed at the sight of his buttoned shirt and his erection still bobbling wildly in its leather ring.

April didn't laugh, though. She didn't get the chance.

Rex shot an arm toward her. Grabbing a fistful of her blouse, he gave one mighty tug and before she'd even thought to brace herself, she went crashing down on top of him.

He made a noise suspiciously like “Oomph!” and she thought her knee might have landed on something important.

“I'm sorry. Are you all—”

Simultaneously, his fingers threaded into her hair and his mouth caught hers in a kiss that sucked the air from her lungs.

April didn't get a chance to worry, or to think. She could only react to the feel of his tongue thrusting inside her mouth, to the hands anchoring her close, to the feel of his naked legs pressed against her, the rock-hard erection that was just as rock-hard as he looked.

April wasn't sure whether she'd had the wind knocked from her or if Rex's kiss was stealing her breath, but she was slammed from all sides by the strength of his passion, the intensity of his wanting and her own extraordinary need.

And the realization that once she left him she would never feel this way again.

“Make love with me, April,” he whispered against her lips. “I want you.”

She couldn't have denied him in that moment had her life depended on it. His hands had tightened their grip. His mouth ravaged hers with an intensity he'd never revealed before, almost as if he'd sensed their time together was limited.

In Rex's arms, nerves evaporated beneath desire, high energy focused on her need to touch him, alarm bells and shrieking sirens became surprised gasps and silken moans.

In Rex's arms, she felt
right.

Before she could question her decision, before she could convince herself that work tonight should be priority, she surrendered to the part of her heart that wanted to leave him with fond memories and take away enough to sustain her through the loneliness she faced ahead.