Vanilla On Top(43)

Tony stalks toward me, a glimmer of mischief in his eye. “Do you now? You don’t think it was unfair…having me in such a compromising position?”

I square my shoulders and stand tall. “If I remember right, you didn’t think so at the time.” I cock my head at an angle and jut out my chin. “Are you going to renege now that I don’t have you bent over your desk?”

Tony wraps his arms around me and gives my butt a playful swat with the paddle. The wood hitting my bottom sends a jolt of awareness through me. “Nope, not on your life. But I plan on keeping this handy in case you’d like to feel it, too.”

Anticipation thrills through me at the thought of being at Tony’s mercy. Eager to place my feelings firmly under control, I nip him lightly with my teeth on his shoulder. “We’ll see.” I pull out of his embrace and grab my purse to dig around for a mirror, anxious to see what type of damage was done to my hair and makeup.

“You look fantastic, but there’s a bathroom behind that door, if you need it.” Tony directs me and I gladly escape for a moment to collect myself. I close the door softly, still slightly uncomfortable with the situation. Thinking back, Tony said no to me during our sex play and I was okay with it. Even then, a part of me knew he’d never hurt me. And if I’m honest, that same part of me knows he only went along with my orders because he wanted to. He could easily ignore me or overpower me anytime he wants.

I look in the mirror, expecting the worst.

The attractive woman staring back at me takes my breath away. My lipstick is long gone—the lips swollen from recent attention and appearing plumper than normal. My curled hair is still wavy, but fuller and a little wild. The overall glow of my skin must be from increased circulation. My eyes twinkle with an untold secret. I look like I’ve slept well for a week and been to a designer salon.

Maybe this is what being happy does to a woman.

Quiet. Don’t place more on this than it seems. Sure, you had great sex and spanked his tight bum with a paddle, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to pick out china and go over your bank accounts together.

I sigh. The logical workings of my mind are a nice, harsh reminder of a reality I’d like to ignore.

I use the bathroom facilities and wash up before opening the door. Tony lounges in one of the club chairs by a round table positioned near the window. He rises when I emerge, looking as breathtaking as he did at the meeting but more relaxed. His tousled hair and olive complexion make my hands itch with the desire to touch. Sexy caramel eyes, gold lighting their depths, gaze at me with heat and longing.

Banging my brains out over his desk obviously agrees with him.

“You look beautiful.” He draws my right hand to his lips and kisses the knuckles.

The moment he says it, I believe it. For the first time in I don’t know how long, maybe ever, I feel deserving of the words. “Thank you.”

The handsome executive cocks his arm, offering an elbow to me. “Shall we?”

I rest my hand on his forearm and a smile of pure happiness spreads over my features.

We journey to an exclusive uptown restaurant where I’ve never eaten. The old me would have worried my sexy boots may not be right for the establishment, or that my mussed hair looked uncouth. The new me glances around at the other diners, consciously aware my good looks are drawing attention from the men.

Tony’s hand at my waist drifts lower, cupping my bottom briefly as he whispers in my ear, “Are you missing something?” He squeezes one cheek and lets go. “I have your thong in my pocket.” He hands me off to the server holding out a chair. A flush creeps up my neck as I sit. The waiter pushes my chair in, and drapes a napkin over my lap.

“Good evening, Mr. Carmine,” our over-forty and dashingly dressed waiter says. “It’s a pleasure to see you back. It’s been a while, no?” his Italian accent barely detectable.

Tony’s face transforms into a jovial patron, instead of secret seducer. “You’re right, Leo. I’ve been working long hours for a while now.”

Leo looks to me and then back to Tony. “It’s good to take the time to enjoy the finer things of life, yes?”

Tony’s light eyes lock onto mine. “I couldn’t agree more.” A thrill of pleasure runs through me. I don’t think I’ve ever dated a man so…charismatic and appealing. He makes me feel desirable with a simple glance. “May I order a bottle of white wine, Heather?”

I nod and reach for my water while he discusses choices with the server. I can’t believe less than an hour ago I had this man bent over a desk while smacking his cute butt. I gulp the water and sputter. Heat rushes to my cheeks and Tony raises an eyebrow in my direction. The waiter leaves and he asks, “Are you okay? Is the restaurant too hot for you?”