Second Time Around (Yvonne's Naughty Story Collection) (3 page)

Serena followed her down the stairs to the coat closet. “And you know this how?”

“Let’s just say that his brother prides himself on his own divorce being due to the fact that his ex-wife couldn’t handle all of his late hours. Personally, I think it had something to do with the fact that his assistant looked like she stepped out of the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.”

“Well I’ve never known you to be a bad judge of character, so I’ll have to say that your man must have some redeeming qualities.”

Erica released a loud sigh. “Either that or I just need to get laid really bad.”

Erica couldn’t stop herself from grinning. Here she was, sitting in the most expensive restaurant in town and William looked exactly like she imagined he would. Perfect hair, immaculate black suit, subtle- yet elegant necktie, and charming. What had her giggling was the fact that he was holding a beer in his hand. Somehow she had pictured a martini or an expensive glass of wine. Beer was not what she thought William Preston Landers Junior drank. Ever.

“What’s so funny?” William’s eyebrows drew together.

Erica was sure they resembled one long angry looking caterpillar. It was that thought that sent a snort erupting from her mouth and nose.  Embarrassed heat flooded over her so that Erica was positive she was the same color as her hair. William appeared to be fighting back his own laughter causing Erica to fall into a fit of giggles. After all, it was either laugh or cry. At least laughing wouldn’t make her mascara run.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever had a woman burst out laughing in the middle of a date.” William set his beer down.

His smile was bigger than before and Erica was almost positive his eyes were shining with tears from holding back the laughter.

Fanning herself with her hand, Erica took a drink of water hoping to cool herself off. “I’m sorry. I . . . well I just never pictured you with a beer in your hand.  I mean you’re a big time divorce attorney. I thought you’d have some classy drink.”

“So you think that I’m a snob like my father?” his voice lost some of the warmth from before.

“Well, yes.”
Erica watched the physical withdrawal as the words seemed to instantly turn William’s mood from warm to cold. His smile faltered and he sat back in his chair. She wanted the happy William back. “That didn’t come out right. Please,” She grabbed his hand from the tabletop hoping to keep him from withdrawing more, “Please don’t be mad. I didn’t mean anything by it.” Erica leaned forward as he tried to pull his hand from her grasp.

The food came and she had to relinquish her grip on his hand. William dove into his roast duck, but Erica couldn’t seem to do more than poke at her salmon. Her stomach was doing more flips than a professional acrobat.
Well this sucks as a first date.
“Can we call a truce? I won’t make presumptions and compare you to your family and you can stop giving me the cold shoulder.”

“Okay, truce.” He smiled pulling the right side of his mouth up higher than the rest.

God, he is so cute when he does that
. Erica picked up her own glass of merlot and downed several gulps.
Nothing like liquid courage to help your libido
.

“How come I don’t remember you from high school?”

“You were extremely busy with football, baseball, pep rallies and numerous girls.  I wasn’t in that crowd. I hated cheerleaders and tended to spend more time with people in the art department or drama club. “

William nodded seeming to understand her logic. “So why is it that you remember me?”

That made her smile. “Every female at Terrance High School knew who William Landers Junior was. Hell, every girl that had hit puberty and lived in a 30 mile radius knew who you and your brother were. “

“
That’s news to me.”

“I’m sure it is
considering Cheryl threatened to dismember any girl that tried to make a move on you.” Her mood changed. A twinge in her chest reminded her of the depression she suffered after he left her alone in that bed so many years ago. “Did you always plan on working for the family firm? I got the impression that you wanted to do something different with your life.”

“
I tried my best to go a different route but I guess law is in my blood. I was actually a public defender in Chicago until Dad got sick a few years ago. It was then that I moved back so that I could help out with the business.”

No matter how hard she tried, Erica had a hard time imagining him to be
as heartless as his father and brother. “And what about your brother; has he always been a divorce lawyer?”

Will
took a drink and stared into the mug. He looked up with a question on his face, but no question came. “Yes, Cameron is like Dad, he seems to have brass ba. . . um. . . the temperament that it takes to succeed in this business. Personally I think that getting death threats as a prosecutor and then handling divorce cases has been what kept me from the alter.”

Erica swallowed hard. “I suppose that would do it.
I’m guessing even the right woman couldn’t convince you to make the leap?”

William laughed. A deep throaty laugh that sent tingles of excitement shooting through all of her most sensitive spots.
“I haven’t found the one that would make me jump through hoops to get her to spend the rest of her life with me if that is what you’re asking. There’s only been one that got away but I think it was more wishful thinking than love.”

Thoughts of his hands on her body, of him moving against her, that one remembered night sent her mood crashing.
They had been inexperienced teenagers back then; her more than him. But now, now they would know how to please each other. “Look I know there’s this tension, this attraction that we both feel.” She felt out of breath, “I know it’s the kind that would probably have us stripping each other naked the moment no one else was around.” She knew she was right by the way Will shifted in his seat and her entire body ached at the visual image. Erica quickly glanced down at her hands to break free from the promise in his eyes. “But . . . but because of what happened in high school I’m not sure that this, us, that we are a good idea.” Her eyes locked with his as she finished. She silently pleaded for him to understand.

“What was so bad that you can’t let go ten years later?” Will rubbed the back of his neck. “I feel like I’m on trial and no one will tell me what I’m accused of.”

Erica looked around the exclusive French restaurant. A handful of small tables were scattered through the dining room that was no bigger than that coffee shop they had visited earlier in the week. People were everywhere but they all seemed to be in their own little world. Laughing, kissing, holding hands and completely involved in what the person across from them was saying or doing. She couldn’t discuss it here.
Girl it was one night between two teenagers that got carried away. What does it matter anymore?
But it did matter. She was pretty sure every girl’s first time mattered.

“I understand if you don’t remember me, but the memories I have of you sort of taint the present.” She
wanted to jump up and run away. The warm, liquid feeling in her stomach was slowly being replaced by shards of ice.

William
reached for her hand this time. His grip was firm but didn’t hurt. “Hey,” his thumb brushed lightly over the back of her hand, “tell me what I did. Sometimes you try to block out some of the awful things you did as a kid. I’m sorry you were hurt by my callous, self-absorbed teen self. Tell me. Let me make it right.”

Erica closed her eyes. All of her senses were focused on
the light teasing circles of his thumb on her hand. They were more erotic than anything she had ever felt. It felt so good to be touched.
Just screw him and get him out of your system. Then he can go his way and you can go yours. There, problem solved. Proposition him. Surely he’ll chicken out. If not, then you get laid for the first time in a year.

“I have a better idea.
Let’s go back to your place and take care of this physical attraction.”
Now the ball is in his court.

He hesitated for a few seconds before lifting her hand to his mouth.

Erica couldn’t pull her eyes away from the playfulness she saw in William’s. His lips brushed the back of her hand.

“
Do you want to finish your dinner first?” the seductive tone in his voice put her body on full alert.

“
Perhaps we should skip straight to dessert.” 
I’ve lost my freaking mind.

“Done.”
 

His grin reminded her of the
proverbial cat that ate the canary. It made her wonder if she was about to be eaten. And why did that thought sound so enticing?

William placed his keys on the small table beside the door, watching Erica as he hung up his jacket.  She gazed around the living room with an unreadable look on her face.
He tried to see things through her eyes. A few colorful works of art and miniature sculptures covered the walls of the living room. A brown leather couch and loveseat created a comfortable conversation area with a black coffee table and a small television set. A set of bamboo blinds covered the windows.  Everything was neat and tidy, completely unlike his life.
Too late to turn back now, man
. “Not what you were expecting?”

Erica turned and smiled, “
Am I that obvious?”

Time to test the water
. “I gathered it was either that or you had changed your mind and you were trying to figure out the nearest exit.”

Erica glanced down at her hands that were tightly clenched together in front of her. William noticed she seemed to do that when she was nervous. He needed to make her feel more comfortable, to help her relax. Placing his hands on her shoulders, William gave them a reassuring squeeze. “Hey, if you don’t want to do this all you have to do is just say so.”

She looked up. The desire in her eyes left no room for questions. “I want this more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.

He couldn’t resist the pull of her soft lips. The need to taste them, to taste her overwhelmed him. Her head tilted up in anticipation of what they both knew would happen. His lips brushed hers not wanting to scare her off. Her mouth opened eagerly, her tongue dancing with his. For what seemed like eternity, the two stood pressed against each other their mouths exploring the taste and need. Erica wrapped her arms around his neck running her hands through his hair. William f
ought the urge to touch. Erica seemed so fragile already. Without breaking their kiss, her gentle hand took hold of one of his. The bulge in his pants grew more painful as she led his hand to her breast. The dress provided no real barrier; he can feel her nipple hardening beneath his touch.

“Are we alone?” her lips barely leave his.

“Yes.”

That was all it took for her to begin unbuttoning his shirt. William begins removing her jacket before reaching down to the hem of her dress and pulling it over her head.
Stepping back he gazes over her full teardrop breasts and round hips. She remains dressed in only her thigh highs and high heels.

“God you’re beautiful.”

“And you’re wearing too many clothes.”

William shook his head. Grabbing a handful of hair, he pulled her head back before bringing his mouth to hers. He cupped the weight of her breast brushing his thumb over her already sensitive nipple.

“Is this what you want?” he gazed down at her.

“Oh God, yes.”

William backed her against the wall his body aching for release.

“Please William.” She pressed her hips against his.

Her legs weakened as his mouth came down on that same peak, sucking and biting on her nipple through the satin. Erica leaned against the wall to keep herself upright. She felt the cool air brush the wet fabric as his mouth moved back to hers. His tongue danced with hers. His lips were no longer gentle. They were insistent, bruising. The dampness between her legs had nothing to do with the beer from dinner. She felt the tightening of her hair in his fingers. As if sensing her need, William’s hand travelled down to the center of her desire.  Her legs parted of their own accord. The gentle brush of his fingertips shot the flames higher.

Pulling back William couldn’t miss the raw sexual need in her eyes. Dipping his fingers into her moist heat he couldn’t resist taunting her, “
Are you sure?”

To his satisfaction Erica pressed her hips against his hand. “Yes.”

He nuzzled her neck as his fingers continued to stroke inside her. “Is this all you want?”

“More. I want more. I need you. All of you.” Her hand reached out to cup his hard length through his trousers.

It was his turn to groan. “This was the last thing I thought would happen tonight.”

Erica placed a finger on his mouth. “Don’t talk.”
Her hands moved quickly leaving him naked in seconds. She wrapped a hand around his hard length causing him actual physical pain.