Whiskey and Lace(4)

I kissed his lips softly and then Carter pulled my body tight to his and consumed my lips in a passionate kiss. He leaned me back on the couch and kissed me fiercely, then pressed the length of his body flush against mine, and I was lost to Carter Morgan again.





Two





When I went home Sunday Cate grilled me for all of the information about my night, and subsequent morning, spent with Carter. She bounced off the walls to hear that we'd spent time between his sheets, and on his counter top, and then died a little more when she found out I was spending the weekend with him in Aspen.





-How's your latte? A text from Carter came in while I was working at the corner table at the coffee shop Monday morning.

-Delicious. I smiled to myself.

-I miss the taste of your skin. I blushed and glanced around the busy tables. I felt sure that anyone around could tell I was exchanging sexy texts with one very hot CEO.

-I miss your lips on my skin… and other places… I smiled to myself, knowing it would drive him wild.

-Evangeline… I’m in a meeting.

-Naughty you for texting when you should be paying attention.

-I can't stop thinking about laying you out on my kitchen counter again. My heart skipped a few beats.

-Look forward to it. A few seconds later my phone rang.

"Parker will be there in 10 to pick you up," Carter's rough voice came over the speaker.

"Where am I going?"

"Lunch, with me in my office. I'm going to take you over my desk, Evangeline." My nerves tingled in anticipation.

"What if I have work to do?" I teased him.

"Don't toy with me, Evangeline. Ten minutes." And with that he hung up. A smile spread across my face as I gathered my notes and shut down my laptop.

A few minutes later Parker came into the coffee shop.

"Ms. Austin." He nodded and picked up my bag.

"Hi, Parker." I gave him a small smile. Was he used to picking up women to deliver to Carter for a lunchtime liaison? I didn't want to think about it. I couldn't think about it, or I wouldn't get into that car, and I really wanted to get into that car.

I slipped into the back seat of the Bentley. With the privacy window down I decided to probe Parker for some answers about his enigmatic boss. I imagined he would know things no one else did. I bit my bottom lip as Parker slid into the driver seat and glanced at me in the rear view mirror.

"How long have you worked for Carter?" I smiled at Parker as if I were making casual conversation. This was anything but casual, I was on a fact-finding mission.

"Eight years." Parker pulled away from the curb.

"Does Carter do lunchtime meetings often?" I chewed my bottom lip, steeling myself for Parker's response.

"No, Ms. Austin." My eyes darted to Parker's in the mirror. I wasn't expecting that. "He's good to work for; takes care of his employees." It felt like Parker was trying to tell me something more about Carter. That he had integrity and empathy.

"Here you go, Ms. Austin." The car pulled up to the curb in front of Hancock Tower.

"Thank you, Parker." I smiled at him as I slid out of the car. I walked through the glass doors of the impressive building and made my way to the security desk.

"Straight up to the 60th floor, Ms. Austin." A security guard escorted me to the elevators. I stepped in and was whooshed to the top floor of the skyscraper in less than a minute. My heart began to pound in anticipation. The doors slid open to a brightly lit lobby with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city.

The receptionist gave me a genuine smile. "Go right in, Ms. Austin." She nodded her head to a pair of dark mahogany doors with a smile. I felt instantly uncomfortable. Did she know what I was doing here? I suddenly felt like a high-class hooker. In that instant I wanted to turn and run, but I knew that I wouldn't. The pull Carter had on me was too strong.

I paused for a moment before knocking softly on the door.

"Come in," the clear and confident voice came from inside the office. I opened the door slowly and peered in. He sat behind a large, mahogany desk and I immediately felt nervous. What was I doing here? I had half a mind to turn on my heel and run as far away from Carter Morgan as my feet could carry me. In that instant I knew Carter wasn't just a good time and great sex, he was creeping into my heart and I wouldn't be able to stand it when he walked away and crushed it.

"Evangeline." Carter stood and closed the space between us in a few quick strides. The energy sparked between us and my heart began to flutter in my chest.

"You look beautiful." He nuzzled into my neck as he slid the jacket off of my shoulders. "Good enough to eat." He trailed his tongue up the curve of my neck, skimming my ear with his teeth. My heart began to pound and my stomach clenched in arousal. He guided me to the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city streets and the river beyond.