Cruel and Beautiful (Cruel & Beautiful #1)

I open my mouth. She shakes her head. “Don’t say a word. Tell me on Friday. It will give us something to talk about other than Daniel. Anyway, I’m glad your assignment’s over. We missed you.”


I spend the rest of the morning making sure my billable hours are in the system and I compose an e-mail to my boss about my two minute meeting with Ted. I currently don’t have any assignments, so I’m able to duck out a little early.

At home, I take a quick shower and get dressed. When my cab arrives, I finish placing my takeout order to be delivered to Andy’s. The Thai place he recommended says it will be about forty five minutes. The ride to his place is just over thirty.

I knock on his door and he opens it with grand smile.

“Hey gorgeous.”

“Hey you,” I say before lifting on my toes and giving him a quick kiss.

When he asks me, “How was work?” it feels so domestic it’s as if I’ve arrived home.

“Boring. I’d much rather have spent the day with you. What did you do all day?”

He takes my coat and my skin feels electric everywhere he touches me.

“I went to the gym, did some laundry, picked up my dry cleaning, boring stuff. I would have preferred being with you as well.”

He kisses me as his hands slide down and rest at the small of my back. He pulls me closer and I can feel how happy he is to see me.

I pull back far enough to say, “I ordered dinner on the way. It should be here in about fifteen minutes.”

He grins. “I can accomplish a lot in fifteen.”

“Is that a challenge or a dare?”

His eyes twinkle and before I know it he’s kneeling before me. I run my fingers through his blond hair liking his blue eyes radiating up at me.

We don’t speak. Holding eye contact with me, he pushes my skirt up my thighs. It might have been more practical for me to wear jeans since we didn’t have plans to go out. But I wanted to wear the garters because they make me feel sexy.

When my skirt is bunched up at my waist, he tugs a little at the garters that hold up thigh highs. “You know I like these.”

I bite my lips because I remember all too well.

Then his mouth is on me. First through the fabric, then his breath heats my bare skin before he feasts on me. He’s good, so very good and easily gets me there. I let out an unladylike scream seconds before a knock sounds on the door.

I cup my hands over my mouth as my eyes widen. My face gets hot as Andy grins at me, still on his knees. I point at him and then at the door.

He laughs and gets to his feet. My feeble attempt at angry face is a massive fail because I’m flaming hot from embarrassment.

“Just a minute,” he calls out and heads to the kitchen to wash his hands. He uses the towel to wipe his face and I duck in the shadowy hallway.

I don’t worry about coming out of my hiding place because I’ve already paid by credit card over the phone. Andy only has to give the guy a tip. When the door closes, his guffaws have me narrow-eyed. He sets the bag down on the counter and comes to the hallway.

“It’s not funny,” I try to say straight faced but blow it.

“There is nothing to be embarrassed about. So you like sex. Who doesn’t?”

“I screamed,” I say, feeling a little silly.

“So what? You’re vocal about it. I like hearing you scream knowing I can do that to you.”

He silences further protest with a long kiss. I can taste myself on his tongue as he presses me into the wall. His rigid cock rubs against me and I moan, wanting him inside me more than the delightful smells of the food.

I reach behind me and unzip my skirt. I let it fall to the ground unceremoniously. Andy is in the process of undoing the button on his jeans when a knock sounds at the door.

Andy frowns. “Maybe he gave me the wrong credit card copy. Stay right here.”

I nod. I’m no longer embarrassed by the scream. I’m turned on to the point of not caring who sees me. Andy has a way of doing that to me. I curl a finger into my unders to take them off, ready for what’s to come. A man barrels past Andy.

“Drew, my boy. I haven’t heard from you for over a week. That woman has you tied into knots. And you need to get out that funk. I brought food.” He holds up a bag. “And beer.” He holds a six pack of Yuengling with the other hand. “We can watch the Capitals play the Blackhawks. Or I have a hook up with a set of twins who live not too far from here if you’re ready to finally get laid. If we hurry, I can make that call and get them over here.”

The guy finally looks up and even though the hallway is shrouded in darkness, it’s clear I’m not wearing pants. For a moment, I’m the deer and this stranger is hunter. I’m not sure who is more surprised.

“Oh, you have company.”

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