Another Read online

  He cocked his brow, considering his options. “Okay. I guess that makes it better. They can be both our sugar daddies.”

  His hand rested on my thigh and stroked up my skirt before moving back down to my knee. Leaning close, I nipped at his ear and whispered, “We can watch our dirtiest fantasies.”

  “Dirty girl,” he growled, sliding his hand up further.

  “What would you choose?” I breathed against his neck.

  “Right now,” he said, his thumb sliding over my panties. “I want to bend you over my desk and slide deep inside you.”

  “I have to go,” I protested weakly. “We don’t have time.”

  “Then, I better make you come quick.”

  He moved fast, standing us both up and pressing my chest down to the desk. The clink of his belt buckle had adrenaline flooding my body, heating me up, preparing me for him.

  “Better be quiet. Wouldn’t want all those employees to know that the bold Carina Russo is getting pinned to a desk and fucked like a slut on her lunch break.”

  The words had fire burning in my core. I’d forgotten how much I loved dirty talk, and Ian was all too eager to try it all out and test my boundaries.

  He made me remember how much I loved having my boundaries tested.

  I heard the crinkle of the wrapper a moment before Ian pulled my panties to the side and pushed in all at once. He’d kept to his word to go easy the first few times, but since then we began screwing like animals—hard, rutting against each other like we’d never get another chance.

  “You could make life so much easier if you just stopped wearing panties,’ he growled against my neck.

  “I like you working for it,” I moaned.

  He laughed softly before standing up and gripping my hips and thrusting into me like a freight train. I tried to hold myself steady and plant my hands on the desk, but I knocked over a stack of papers, and an organizer went crashing to the floor. Finally giving up, I rested my chest to the hard surface and brought my hand to my mouth to stifle my cries.

  “Fuck. Your pretty pussy is going to make me come,” he groaned.

  “Do it,” I whimpered.

  A few more pumps and my orgasm had me seeing white spots as all the air left my lungs. I almost missed the way he pushed deeper inside me and stayed there as he came.

  After getting our breathing back in order, he pulled out and slapped my ass.

  “Ian,” I gasped. “That was loud.”

  I stood to face him, tucking his cock back in his pants, an unapologetic smile on his face.

  “Good. Let them know I was buried deep inside your tight little pussy. I want them to know you’re mine.”

  I should’ve been mad. His company was my client, but I liked this possessive side of him. I remembered how much I’d wanted Jake to be jealous of any man hitting on me. I wanted him to have even a hint of jealousy when Jackson was screwing me, and it never came.

  So, to see it so plainly laid out in front of me by Ian made it hard to reprimand him. Instead, I stepped close and pressed up on my toes to kiss his bottom lip. “So.” Kiss. “Fucking.” Kiss. “Incorrigible.”

  He held me close and took my lips in one last possessive kiss before pulling back to rest his forehead against mine.

  “What do you usually do for Thanksgiving?”

  I’d kind of forgotten Thanksgiving was this week. These past few months had been crazy, and the past week I’d spent in Ian’s bed had been a blur of pleasure and happiness.

  “I usually go to my dad’s for lunch and then head home to watch movies and fall into a food coma.”

  “Come to Erik’s with me for dinner. They’re my family away from family, and I go every year.”

  I pulled back enough to look in his eyes. “What about your family?”

  His eyes dropped. “They’re traveling. They usually are around the holidays, but hopefully, this will be the last one this year.”

  I wanted to soothe the little boy I saw in that moment who missed holidays with his parents, but I knew Ian would just make a joke and brush it off. He usually avoided talking about them. So instead, I pressed one last kiss and gave him my best smile.

  “Then, I’ll be there.”

  The hurt marring his face vanished and back was the man who was slowly claiming my heart, one easy smile at a time. Jarred by that thought, I stepped back and collected my bag, heading to the door.

  Before I opened the door, I turned, finding him right behind me. “But you need to come to my Thanksgiving for lunch.”

  “Deal,” he agreed, kissing my nose. “And maybe I can eat you for dessert,” he muttered into my ear. “I’ve never had pussy for Thanksgiving.”

  I cocked a brow and gave a dubious stare. “You’ve never spent Thanksgiving with another woman?”

  “Nope. Not in any of my thirty-three years.”

  He held up the Girl Scout pledge hand sign and had me laughing, the joy of knowing I’d be the first to meet his other family flooding me.

  “What am I going to do with you?”

  “You could always have dick for dessert? Like a sixty-nine treat.”

  His finger stroked my cheek, where I knew I was blushing. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Now, don’t go falling in love with anyone today. If you have any daddy fantasies, I’m happy to oblige.”

  “Such a noble volunteer.”

  “I aim to please.”

  Looking up into his slate eyes and warm smile, I hesitated to leave. Our relationship was still new—only a few days old, and I hated to walk away just yet. “How busy are you this afternoon?”

  “Umm, not very. A few phone calls and contracts to look over.”

  “Would you want to play hooky and come to Voyeur with me?”

  His eyes lit up. “Hell, yes.”

  “They’re not open for performances right now,” I said, bursting his bubble. “But you can check it out.”

  “I guess.” He heaved an overdramatic sigh but quickly perked up and pecked my lips. “Let me grab my stuff.”

  As soon as I opened the door his eyes flicked beyond my shoulder. “Oh, hey, Hanna.”

  “Hey, sorry to interrupt.”

  “Nothing to interrupt now,” Jared said, flipping through papers by Laura’s desk. “Now if you would have come ten minutes before when Ian was trying and failing at having quiet office sex, then you would have been interrupting something.”

  My eyes almost bugged out of my head, and heat consumed me. Ian, on the other hand, had no shame. He bobbed his eyebrows at me and flipped Jared off at the same time.

  “You’re just jealous.”

  Jared laughed and disappeared in his office again, leaving Hanna still standing beside me, her red cheeks rivaling mine.

  “Ignore him,” Ian said. “What’s up?”

  Hanna swung a depressed look my way before visibly pulling back her shoulders. It was a move I was very familiar with. She was hurt but trying to hide it. I had a moment of feeling bad for Hanna. I always felt a connection to a woman in a male-dominated office, and to have a crush on one of your bosses didn’t make it any easier. I liked Hanna. She was quiet at times, but funny if not a little socially awkward.

  However, the fact that she was crushing on my boyfriend dimmed the empathy for her situation.

  “I was just coming up to run some numbers by you.”

  Ian winced. “Can we do it tomorrow? I was going to leave the office early.”

  “Yeah. Yeah. Of course. Are you feeling okay?”

  “In perfect health,” he answered, puffing his chest up like a goof. “I’m just skipping out to spend some time with my girl.”

  “Oh, yeah. Of course. I’ll catch you tomorrow.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. Have fun.” With a forced smile, she left, heading to Erik’s office.

  “Ready?” I asked.

  “For a sex club? As I’ll ever be.”

  We drove together to Voyeur and pulled into an overly full lot. �
�They must be doing some training. Usually, there aren’t as many people during the day.”

  “Hopefully they don’t mind you brought me along.”

  “I’m not worried. Daniel and Kent are pretty relaxed.”

  When we walked in, the club was quiet, and I checked my phone to make sure I didn’t get the time wrong.

  “Maybe they’re all back in Daniel’s office?” Usually, for the meetings, they moved all the club chairs into a circle and conducted them there.

  I’d taken two more steps into the dim interior when all the lights flashed on and a crowd of people popped up from behind the bar.

  “Surprise!” they shouted in unison.

  Adrenaline flooded my veins, leaving tingles in its wake. “Holy shit,” I gasped, my hand to my chest. “What the hell?”

  “It’s a surprise baby shower,” Jake explained.

  I blinked a few times taking in the group of people behind the bar, including Jake and Jackson. “What the hell are you two doing here?”

  “Well, hello to you too,” Jackson joked.

  “You know what I mean. Why aren’t you on your honeymoon?”

  “Flights are cheaper on Wednesdays,” Jackson answered as Jake rolled his eyes beside him.

  “We never got to throw you a shower before the baby, so we figured better late than never,” Kent explained, stepping out behind the bar.

  Warm goo filled my chest as everyone came over to give hugs. Kent and Daniel co-owned the club together, and I helped them set up their bar. Kent was also one of my first independent clients who I was helping set up multiple hotels.

  “A little party from your family here,” Daniel said, wrapping me in a tight hug.

  “Even I was allowed to come,” Olivia said behind him.

  Daniel grumbled about his niece being in his sex club.

  “Carina would want her here,” Kent said, slapping Daniel’s back.

  I raised my brow at his explanation because I did love Olivia. I’d gotten to know her while she interned with Kent at his hotel, but I knew Kent liked to keep Olivia close when he could.

  I was also pretty sure that Daniel had no idea his business partner was boning his niece, who was almost twenty years younger.

  But it wasn’t my place to say anything or judge, so I pulled Olivia into my arms. “I am glad to have you here. We need to balance all this testosterone.”

  “Is this the famous Ian I’ve heard about? The baby-daddy?” she asked.

  “In the flesh,” Ian answered, offering Olivia his hand.

  “Not bad, Carina,” she said from the side of her mouth.

  Next up was Oaklyn, Olivia’s friend and a former employee of Voyeur. As well as a few other employees.

  Ian smiled and shook hands with everyone as cake was brought out, and drinks were served. He only grumbled and placed a possessive hand on my hip when Jackson pulled me in for a tight hug, rocking me back and forth.

  “It was last minute, but we couldn’t forget our favorite baby-mama,” Jackson said.

  “Thank you. I feel like I had a million before Audrey came.”

  “Well, there’s no harm in one more. Especially since we’re the coolest.”

  Ian wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to his side. “Especially since her boyfriend gets to attend this one.”

  Jake’s brows shot up as he looked between us.

  “Boyfriend, eh?” Kent asked.

  “Yeah,” Ian answered over his shoulder before looking down at me. “I changed my Facebook status and everything. It’s pretty official.”

  I rolled my eyes and earned a slap on my ass. “Watch it,” I warned.

  Ian leaned down to my ear. “I’d love to watch my hand on your ass. Is there a room for that?”

  “There’s a room for everything.”

  “God, yes,” he groaned. “New favorite place.”

  We moved the chairs around to sit in a circle, and I opened my gifts. I gushed over every baby outfit, hairbow, and tiny shoe. Of course, there were more diapers and wipes, but I almost cried over the spa package Olivia and Oaklyn, had given me.

  “Callum chipped in too,” Oaklyn explained, talking about her professor boyfriend.

  “It’s perfect.”

  “I’ll give you a massage any time you want, hellcat,” Ian promised, his eyebrows waggling.

  “Let me guess,” I deadpanned. “A chest massage?”

  “Hey, you said it. Not me.”

  “So predictable.”

  So perfectly predictable.

  I didn’t know what drove me to invite Ian to Voyeur today, but I knew I was happier than I ever thought possible with him by my side.

  He was becoming a fixture.

  One I was coming to never want to be without.

  24 Carina

  “It was good to have a little more testosterone this year at Thanksgiving,” my dad said, shaking Ian’s hand goodbye.

  “Had to balance out the extra female at the table,” Ian joked, gesturing to Audrey who was asleep in her car seat already.

  My dad wasn’t always the lone male at Thanksgiving. Jake and his mother usually joined us, even after the breakup. Our families had always been close, spending most holidays together. But Jake was on his honeymoon and Joanne was on what she called a mothermoon.

  I had to admit, not having Jake there with Ian and Audrey was kind of nice. I was able to relax more and enjoy my little family’s first holiday together.

  “So, what can I expect,” I asked, once we were on our way to his Thanksgiving. My family’s lunch was always more formal with a catered meal, but I knew that wasn’t always the norm.

  “Much more casual than yours. Louder,” he said with a smile that let me know he loved every loud noise. “Momma Brandt cooks everything despite everyone asking to help. The men drink beer and watch football, as the kids run around hopped up on any candy they managed to sneak in before dinner.”

  “Sounds like the Thanksgivings you see on TV.”

  “Exactly like that.”

  “It sounds perfect.”

  We pulled in the driveway, and I had to wipe my sweaty palms on my leggings. What if I didn’t fit in? What if they didn’t like me? I’d met Ian’s parents, but this felt like I was meeting his real family for the first time.

  We didn’t knock. Ian just opened the door and called out a loud, “Honey, I’m home.”

  A short woman with dark short hair came around the corner with her arms open. The apron had me guessing this was Momma Brandt.

  “Ian, my favorite son,” she gushed, pulling him down for a hug.

  “Thanks, Mom,” Erik said, coming over to give Ian a manly, backslap hug.

  “Ian brought me a baby,” she practically swooned, looking down at a now awake Audrey. Her wide eyes blinked, taking in the crowded room. Momma Brandt looked about ready to burst, and I couldn’t help but smile. When someone looked at your child with that kind of love, you automatically approved of them. “But first, let me gather my manners.” She shook her head at herself and turned to me. “Hello, dear.”

  “Momma Brandt, this is Carina. Carina this is Amelie.”

  I considered offering her my hand to shake, but something told me this woman didn’t do handshakes. She stepped forward and embraced me, pulling me down to squeeze me tight and rock back and forth. I’d never had a hug from a mother, but something told me this woman did it the best.

  “I’m so happy you’re here, Carina.” She stepped back but held onto my hands. “And I promise it’s not just because of that adorable squishy baby.”

  “It’d be okay if it was. She’s pretty adorable.” We both laughed and then she finally gave in and held her arms out for Audrey, who Ian had just taken out of her car seat.

  Amelie gushed over her orange dress and thick thigh high stockings that exposed the rolls on her chunky little legs.

  “Carina, this is my husband, Luka, and I understand you know my daughter, Hanna.” A tall man stood with his arm around Ian,
after some more manly hugs. He gave me a firm handshake before looking down at Audrey. Hanna lifted her wine glass from where she stood by Erik and Alexandra in greeting.

  Three kids came barreling through the room, followed by four other people I discovered were Erik’s aunts, uncles, and cousins.

  “Hanna, can you take their coats, please?” Amelie asked.

  “Nonsense,” Ian said, winking Hanna’s way. “I know where it all goes. I’m hardly a guest here.”

  I swallowed down the jealousy at Ian’s wink to Hanna and the smile she gave in return.

  “Erik, when are you going to give me grandbabies?”

  Erik gave a deadpanned stare like this wasn’t the first time his mother had asked. “I’m assuming Alexandra would want to finish college first.”

  Alex gave a rueful smile and tucked her hair behind her ear, looking down. Sometimes I forgot how young she was. Kids probably weren’t on her twenty-year-old mind.

  “Don’t worry, Amelie,” Ian said, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head as he walked by with our coats. “You’re basically her surrogate grandma.”

  Amelie smiled down at Audrey, brushing their noses and talking baby-talk, getting a gummy smile in return. Her shoulders shrugged on a heavy sigh. “I guess I should hand her back so I can finish dinner.”

  “Do you need help with anything?” I offered. Ian said she did it all, but I had to try, at least.

  “Absolutely not. Ian, get your girl a drink and go relax.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  I was bouncing Audrey in my arms, taking in the photos on the wall when Ian brought me a bottle of water. One picture had me pulling up short and leaning in to get a closer look. “Hanna’s a twin?”

  “Yeah.”

  Something in Ian’s tone had me turning to look at him, but he wasn’t looking at me. His eyes were trained to the photo of the two younger-looking Hannas. His clenched jaw and haunted eyes had my mind racing. Had something happened between him and the other twin? Was I jealous of the wrong woman? Maybe he was so close to Hanna because she reminded him of who he truly wanted?

  “Is she here?” I asked, my voice tight.