Chapter 11

Home felt good. Her apartment was her palace and Zoe was happy to be there again. The past few days had been more than she could have ever imagined. From first meeting David and then succumbing to her desire over and over again, her date with Matt, and then spending the night in the hospital with a concussion; she could not be more glad to be in the comfort of her own home.

Abby had first watch and was showing a strange, albeit very welcome, restraint when it came to questions about David. The living space and bedroom were all one room. This had forced Zoe to get creative with the space and she had done so in a way that made it cozy and welcoming, with plush places to sit, perfect for snuggling up with a good book or a long Netflix marathon. The living space served as bedroom in one corner, living room in another, and the other half of the space, furthest from the windows, was where she worked on her art. She had art all around the exposed brick walls, mostly from others she admired but some of her favorite pieces were up as well.

Abby helped Zoe get into bed, propping Zoe's foot up on every pillow she could find.

"Here is your cell phone and I'll grab you your laptop, anything else you need before we settle in for the Friends marathon I have planned?" Abby asked.

"You have done more than enough. Thanks A." Abby brushed the comment off and walked to get Zoe her laptop. Zoe glanced at her phone.

15 Missed Calls. 

30 Text Messages. 

Zoe should have been shocked by the fact that every missed call was from work and more than half the texts were as well but she did not have the strength or energy. Cheryl had sent a series of long texts with work related questions and she knew her days of rest would probably just turn into working from home. Zoe hoped it would make the time go faster. The idea of being stuck at home in bed for three days was daunting. 

She flipped through texts from some friends and co-workers checking in to make sure she was ok and she responded to each with a generic message of "I'm home now and I am ok! Thanks for thinking of me but I am fine." 

There was a series of sweet and concerned texts from Matt, each of which included an unneeded apology. Zoe would respond to those later. As she looked through the rest of her messages a new one came in from a number she did not recognize. 

555-8726: Zoe, Make sure you are getting plenty of rest and please do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything. I want you well. - D.M.

"Holy Shit, Zoe. What is going on with you and David Moore?!" Abby was standing over Zoe looking at her phone with her jaw open. 

"Nothing, it's nothing. I am pretty sure he is just worried I might sue or something." Zoe turned the screen off on her phone and reached for the laptop. "Anyway I have a zillion messages from Cheryl, I need to do work while you start the marathon, that ok?" Zoe could have sighed with relief as Abby happily sat next to her on the bed and flipped on the TV. 

Zoe worked on e-mails as Abby got sucked into the world or Ross and Rachel. She could feel her phone go off a few more times but was too nervous to open them around Abby. Not that he would say anything, he didn't want Zoe, the moments they had were fleeting and Zoe knew it. But what about what he had said at the hospital. "Don't you ever scare me like that again." Just thinking about it made her ache for him, to feel him again deep inside her, to feel his arms wrapped around her, his lips on her neck. She had never desired something so fully, with every fiber of her being. 

"I'm going to grab a soda, want anything while I am up? Need more pain meds?" Abby asked standing next to the bed.

"No, I'm good. Thanks." As soon as Abby turned towards the kitchen Zoe had her phone out. 

The new messages were not from David, but more from friends. Disappointed, Zoe added him as a contact in her phone. The hours of TV with Abby continued as Zoe kept working on her computer. 

Abby got a text. "Shit, Zoe. I am so so so so sorry but I have to go! Are you going to be ok if I go? I just, crap, they are calling some kind of emergency meeting at the firm. Don't they know it's a fucking Saturday!?" Abby spoke frantically while gathering her things. "I'll call Lexie and see if she can get out of the party early and take the night shift tonight, k?" Abby was so panicked, all Zoe could do was nod and say it was okay, and for the most part she believed it. She had crutches next to her bed and her apartment was easy to get around. 

"I'll be fine, go. Thank you for everything today!" And before she could finish her sentence Abby was walking out the door talking frantically to someone on the phone. Zoe's phone buzzed. 

David: How are you feeling? 

Zoe: Fine, tired but better. 

David: Good. Are your friends taking good care of you?  

Zoe hesitated, she was not sure how he would actually react if he knew she were alone and she was not entirely sure she wanted to find out, she knew so little about him, about his temperament. 

Zoe: Excellent care, Thank You. And Thank You again...for everything. 

David: ...Everything? If we are saying thank you for everything than I have quite a few things I should be thanking you for as well. 

Her stomach dropped and the ache for him rushed deep inside her. 

David: Tell your friend to open the door. 

Shit. He isn't here. He wouldn't do that, right? Zoe began to panic. 

Zoe: Why?

David: Just do it. I got something for you.

Zoe pulled herself up in bed and reached for her crutches. She was in lavender pajama shorts and a white tank top with her hair piled into a giant bun on the top of her head. When she used the crutches her tank top pulled up and revealed her flat white stomach. Please don't be him. Please just be pizza. She thought as she hobbled to the door. She couldn't look out the door before opening it, opening it was a big enough of a challenge and as she pulled the heavy wood door open towards her she lost her balance on her crutches and fell forward, right into his strong solid arms.  

As he steadied her stance she looked up into his grave face, it was betraying him yet again. Normally void of emotion, his face showed the slightest signs of anger on it's edges. Their eyes met and it was clear he was mad but he did not say a word as he wrapped one arm around her and helped her to the couch. Setting her down he went back for her crutches and a bag of take out he had dropped when he caught her mid-fall. 

"Where are your friends?" He growled the words with an anger that put her desire for him on edge. I know almost nothing about this man. The thought made her uneasy. 

"She had to leave, something came up. Another friend will be here in the morning, possibly sooner if she can." Zoe felt like she was trying to apologize with every single word, as if she had committed some terrible sin but as soon as the words were out she regretted it: what did she owe this man?

He was practically pacing. Pacing like a wild animal getting ready to strike. Zoe became brave. 

"Why are you even here?" She wanted the words to come out like daggers but instead her voice was a whisper, almost a whimper. How does he do this to me? 

He sat on the ottoman facing her, she was sitting on the edge of the couch so their knees touched. Her ankle hurt from the fall so she was trying to hold herself up with her arms to help keep the weight off her leg. Their eyes met, she tried hard to show she was in pain but she couldn't help but wince as her weight shifted uneasily. He reached a hand up to lightly move a stray hair away from her eyes, just as he had at the hospital and as he placed the hair behind her ear his fingers ran along her jaw bone, down to her chin which he lightly lifted towards his. 

The aching inside her filled her with longing for him. She had goose bumps all over as he slowly, lightly, lifted her chin higher and moved his lips closer to hers. She couldn't take it, she thought she might explode from the desire and longing. She ached deep down inside and could feel he had made her wet with wanting. She could barely breath. 

He kissed her softly just once, and pulled back to meet her eyes. 

"You." He finally answered her question. 

He moved in again with more force, moving his hand into her hair and drawing her to him. She returned his kiss deeply, her body begging for more, begging for him to be deeper within her. He moved his free hand to her waist and began to pull her from the couch onto his lap but her ankle turned as the pressure pushed down on her foot she leaned back and cried in agony from the pain. It was sharp and blinding and pulled her quickly from the flood of pleasure he had filled her with. In one swift movement he put his arms around her and she was in his arms again. 

"It's ok, you're ok. Put your arms around my neck." She could feel the hot tears streaming down her face as did as he said. He moved her through the apartment like she weighed nothing at all, his arms solid beneath her, she could feel the lines of his muscles. 

He placed her softly on her bed and began moving the pillows Abby had gotten for her ankle back into a pile. He pulled the coves over her and ran his hand along the side of her face, using his thumb to wipe away her tears. 

"You're ok." He said softly, looking deep into her eyes. "When was the last time you took the pain medication they gave you?" 

"I haven't...I haven't taken any." She whispered. She was no longer crying but all she could think of was the pain she was in. She could barely take him in and she barely noticed how it broke her more when he stood and walked away to the kitchen, grabbing the bag of take out on his way. 

Zoe caught her breath, she took a sip of water from the glass on her night stand and pushed herself up slowly to a seated position. 

David, with a plate of food in hand, moved quickly to set it down and help her up. 

"Here." He whispered as he lifted her up to sit up straight. He turned and grabbed the plate he had set down. It was filled with mostaccioli in tomato sauce. "Eat this and then you are going to take your medication and rest." 

"Are you just going to drop everything and take care of me?" She teased. 

Without missing a beat and with his face like stone he met her eyes and said, "That is exactly the plan." 

Chapter 10

"Zoe!!!!"
"Are you ok?"
"Matt told us everything! He feels terrible!" Abby and Lexie talked over each other. They were waiting in the hospital room when they brought her back from her last round of x-rays. The pain killers made it so Zoe had no idea how long she had been at the hospital but she knew was ready to go home.

"I'm fine, they said that once they get the x-ray results for my ankle I should be able to go home. I am so glad to see you two." As the nurse left the room Abby and Lexie pulled chairs up next to Zoe.

"You look like shit." Abby stated.
"Jesus Abby, be nice." Lexie smacked Abby's arm.
"Did David Moore really carry you out of the club? We know he brought you here but Matt said he was the one to carry you out! David Moore?!" Abby whispered.

Zoe was relieved when the doctor entered before she had to try and answer the question.

"Well Zoe, it looks like the ankle is just sprained, you will need to ice it and stay off it for a couple days but you should be fine. All in all, your injuries look a lot worse than they actually are. With a couple days rest you are going to be ok. You just need to stay home, rest, and be sure to have someone with you to keep an eye on you. The concussion seems to be mild but with head injuries it is essential to monitor those first few days." Dr. Reddy gave a sweet smile to Zoe and the girls as she put the chart down. "If you don't have any further questions we will get you checked out of here."

"Thank you, Doctor." Zoe said "That would be great."

The Doctor smiled and nodded then left the room. Zoe sighed and looked at the girls who were both on their phones texting.
 "Kelli says she hopes you feel better and she'll be by to visit once she is back in town." Lexie said without looking up from her phone.
"Matt says he hopes your okay and said to text him if..." Abby looked up in shock at the door way and Zoe looked to see what could possible stop Abby mid sentence.

David stood in the doorway in a fresh suit, Zoe realized it was morning as her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to be in his arms again. He looked only at her, his stone face showing no emotion but his eyes looking brighter than they had as his face had faded from her vision the night before. He had looked so concerned last night and that made her ache for his touch even more. Maybe he was more complicated than she had believed, maybe he wanted her for more than...what did he want her for?

"Matt is so hot Zoe, you really need to pursue that option ASAP, especially while he's still feeling awful for the whole dance floor incident." Lexie continued talking, eyes glued to her phone, oblivious to the new person in the room. Abby smacked her arm and Lexie's jaw dropped as she watched David walk over to Zoe's bedside.

"Good morning Zoe, how are you feeling?" It was as if Abby and Lexie did not exist, his eyes stayed on nothing but Zoe.

"Better, much better. Thank you so much for everything and I am so so-"
"You have nothing to apologize for." He cut her off.
"Zoe, we'll be right out here if you need us." Abby was dragging Lexie from the room as she said it. Zoe was thankful that David did not seem to notice what fools they were making of themselves, he didn't even glance at them.

As Zoe sat in her hospital bed she realized how awful she must look compared to this chiseled god like man standing next to her. Her long red hair was wild and dirty, she was sure her makeup was smeared if not completely gone, and she wore nothing but a thin hospital gown. She could feel a light throbbing from her forehead where she was sure there was a bump and probably some bruises from where she hit her head. She felt ridiculous as the same ache for him grew inside her as it had before, she knew that with how she must look it could only be her that felt the pull of him, the wanting for him.

He lifted a hand and gently ran his fingers along her hair line, moving some wild stray hairs back behind her ear. Her breath hitched at his touch.

"Did that hurt? I am so sorry. I just..." He sat on the edge of the bed, as if it were exactly where he belonged. He stared deep into her eyes and she was lost to him. He had to know the power he had over her.

"No, it's fine. I'm ok." She could barely hear herself as she whispered the words. She felt a longing deep within her.

"I just wanted to check on you, see if you were doing better. It sounds as though they will be sending you home soon?" His eyes searched her face for an answer.

"Yeah, they are just getting the paperwork in order. I'll be very glad to go home."
"I've told them to contact you employer with your off work notice and all bills will be sent to V. I will take care of everything so if they try and contact you let me know." The fantasy playing out in Zoe's head ended, he was here for business. She had been injured at opening night at his club and he was here to cover his tracks, not to profess some fondness for her. As much as she ached for him the reality of what they were was purely a physical escapade that he could easily pass by. "I also wanted to give you my personal cell number, if there is anything you need while recovering please let me know. I take it you live alone?"

"Yes, but I think Abby and Lexie are going to take turns watching me. You really don't need to do any of this, it's really all too much - "
"No. It's not. You shouldn't be alone the next few days, if they can't be there I expect you to call me. Understand?" His voice was all business as his eyes stayed locked on hers.
"Yes. Thank you." She nodded with reluctance. She could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes as the exhausted amplified her embarrassment at misreading the situation. Yet again she mistook his intentions as possibly being something more than what they were and she only had herself to blame.

He nodded and looked her over slowly, starting at her feet and working up to her eyes again. He ran his fingers along her jawbone, lightly raising her chin towards him. Chills went down her spine as he gently held her face in his hand. He moved in close, bringing his lips to her ear. She felt his lips brush her skin as he spoke n the softest whisper. A whisper that melted her very core.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again."

Chapter 9

"Clear the way."
"This way, can you carry her up the stairs?"
"Yeah, just lead the way."
"Did you see what happened?"
"She was behind me. I felt her pull and then all of the sudden she wasn't holding my hand anymore so I looked back and she was down and out. I thought they were going to step all over her."
"How much did she have to drink?"
"Two, maybe three at most. I don't think that had anything to do with it."
"Here, set her down here. Sarah, go get some water and a cold damp rag an- Jesus, look at her head. Get some ice."
"Yes, sir....Should...should I call 911?"
"No! No...Not yet."

Zoe could hear them talking over the roar of the music. Fuzzy images faded in and out: black chandeliers floating above her, a tall figure in a suit ahead of her, a girl looking at her nervously, David's face no longer made of stone, etched with concern.

A shrill voice broke through, "Mr. Moore, is she okay? This is all my fault! I didn't see her and I jumped back and I think I broke her ankle and..." Something stopped the panicked girl from talking and Zoe felt a warm touch along her calf followed by a sharp pain at her ankle. She winced.

"Zoe...Zoe...Hey, there you are." Her eyes had never felt so heavy as she struggled to open them. Matt's soft voice and beaming face still held a smile but a smile that was trying to hide concern. Just behind him was David, she saw his attention turn towards her as soon as her eyes fully opened. His stone face looking more grave than usual. She felt a cool damp towel on her forehead as she struggled to take in her surroundings.

She realized she was in the upstairs balcony on one of the plush couches overlooking the dance floor. She could see the party below had not stopped but she was surrounded by concerned faces. Matt was kneeling in front of the couch in front of her, to his side was David sitting in a chair brought over from a nearby table. Next to David stood a young woman holding a bag of ice, an employee of the club waiting for David's instructions. Near her stood small a group of girls, lightly sweaty, probably from the dance floor, the girl in the front of the group looked as though she was near tears. Behind them stood a few more employee's ready and waiting for instructions. All eyes were on Zoe.

"I don't know what happened." Zoe struggled to get the words out, they felt like molasses in her mouth. A sob broke out as the girl from the dance floor turned to her group of friends sobbing "It's all my fault!"

"Sarah, take these ladies downstairs. Get them a cab home, " David said to one of the employees standing at the ready behind him. He added in a hushed tone, "and get them some coffee to sober them up."

"We were trying to walk off the dance floor and from the looks of things, one of the girls jumped up and landed right on your ankle, knocking you down. You hit your head pretty hard." Matt spoke calmly, never loosing eye contact with Zoe as he spoke. As if he believed he could reassure her every thing would be ok as long as their eyes were locked.

Her head was pounding and everything ached. She had never felt pain like this before. She tried to lift herself up but Matt put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't move, okay?"

Things were starting to clear up for Zoe, she was gaining focus again and starting to understand what had happened, but most of all the pain was catching up with her. She turned to Matt, "I'll call Abby, she can drive me home."

Matt nodded and started to hand Zoe her clutch.

"No, that is not going to happen. You hit your head pretty hard Zoe. You are going to the hospital." David stood as he spoke, then turned to give instructions to one of the employees near him.

It happened in an instant. She went from the couch to his arms in a blink of an eye. Matt looked as shocked as Zoe felt. She was in his arms, for the second time that night David had his arms wrapped around her body.

"David, I 'll get her to the hospital." Matt attempted to argue. "You don't need to do this. I'll take care of it."

"While I appreciate the offer Matt, you've had a few too many to drink. I'll have Sarah call you a cab. Just call her friends and tell them I will be taking her to St. Mary's." And just like the Zoe watched elevator doors close and Matt was gone. She was in an elevator in David's arms and while she wished she could take in the moment, the feel of his arms around her, the sound of his breath and his heartbeat, the smell of his cologne, she could barely keep her eyes open as the pain overwhelmed her yet again.

"Shit, Zoe. Come on. Stay awake. Just a little bit longer. Please." She wasn't sure if it was the pain from her head of the pain in his voice that finally pulled her back into the darkness.

Chapter 8

It had taken Zoe all of three minutes to put herself back together in the ladies room. That left twelve long minutes of standing alone in silence. Twelve minutes to dwell on all the reasons she should have walked away. Zoe knew she shouldn't be with David; he was a client who would be moving into her building this weekend. She knew all the reasons it was wrong from the way he treated her like an object to the way she submitted to her desire without thinking of consequence. But being with him made her feel alive in a way she had never felt before. Logically she knew what she was doing was wrong, but the pleasure of being with him overwhelmed her. It made all logic disappear. It made Zoe become someone else. It made her become someone she never thought she could be.

After the longest fifteen minutes of her life, she made her way down the stairs again to find the music was louder, the crowd was bigger, and her date was starting in on yet another drink. As she walked up to their table, Matt put his arm around her waist as if he had done it a thousand times before, and pulled her close.

"I thought you'd never make it back." He said into her ear as he handed her a drink. She could feel his hot breath on her neck as he squeezed her close. "Do you want to dance?" Zoe tossed back the sweet vodka drink he had handed her and nodded her head meeting his eyes. His eyes were warm and inviting, but that could have been from how much he had to drink. She let him take her hand and guide her out to the dance floor near his friends. There was a DJ now and the music had grown loud and rhythmic. The dance floor was crowded and Matt seemed to use that to his advantage as he faced Zoe, placing his hands on her hips and pulling her close to him as they danced.

Zoe was not the type of girl you would find in a club, she was usually out at gallery openings, concerts, or home reading on the weekends. Clubs usually made her anxious and she was not the biggest fan of large crowds but with all that had happened in the past two days, all the things she had done that were so far from the norm for her, she found herself giving in to the rhythm. Matt had pulled her close but not too close, his hands rested firmly on her hips and only ever moved to her lower back when he did dare to move them. She found the warmth of his eyes comforting, and while his smile seemed permanent it was sincere.

This is normal. She thought. This is what normal people do. Not David. David is anything but normal. 

She had no idea how long they had been dancing, but her toes began to ache in her heels as Matt leaned in close, "Care for another drink?" He shouted over the music in her ear. She met his smile with her own and nodded. He grabbed her hand to lead her off the crowded dance floor and as she looked up ahead, past the seemingly never ending sea of people, she saw David.

Stone faced, with eyes like daggers pointed straight at her. He was standing at a table along the edge of the dance floor. It was as if he wanted to make sure she knew. He wanted to make sure she knew that he saw her. She felt all her breath leave her. Her smile disappeared and just when she thought she would never be able to tear her eyes away a hard heavy jolt of pain hit her ankle, her grip was torn from Matt's hand, and suddenly all she could see were high heels and polished shoes and she felt a heavy blow as her head hit the floor and everything went dark.

Chapter 7

The drive to V with Matt had been uneventful. He had been a gentleman from the start, complimenting her, opening the car door for her, and generally doing all the expected first date rituals but Zoe was relieved when they pulled up to the red carpet entrance of V and the Valet opened the door as local reporters snapped blinding photos. Zoe found Matt generally likable but nothing seemed to draw her to him. As he came around the car to meet her, he slid his hand onto the small of her back and guided her up the red carpet walkway to the entrance.

The outside of V looked like a gray cube. Made of concrete, and with no windows on the front, a large black V stood out from the top corner the building. The V was backlit with white neon light creating a glow around the edges. The two story building looked simple, elegant, and understated. Two tall models with long blonde hair in tight black shift dresses stood at either side of the door with trays of drinks in their hands. Their red lips said "Welcome to V" in unison. Matt and Zoe both took drinks and walked into V to discover a large dark, gorgeous room with everything in black and gray. Black chandeliers of all different sizes hung from the ceiling in the center of the room, a bar ran along the East and West walls with a warm glowing light coming from under the black bar top and behind the bottles on the wall behind. The second story was a balcony that ran along all sides of the square building with cozy couches surrounding small tables, perfect for intimate conversation. The center of the downstairs was a large dance floor with tall tables around the edges, the place was crowded but not yet full. 

Matt was finished with his drink before they had made it to a table. He guided her to a table where he quickly introduced her to a group of lawyers he worked with, whose names she would never remember. They all had dates that looked like models and immediately Zoe felt out of place. He grabbed another round of drinks as their conversations continued. 

"So where did you meet Matt?" One of the blonde dates eventually asked Zoe. 

"We actually met last night, a mutual friend introduced us." Zoe felt even more out of place as everyone looked behind her instead of at her as she answered the question. She could feel the pink rising in her checks as the realization that she did not belong here set in. 

"Hello, Gentlemen." Zoe froze at the sound of his voice. She had heard him say so few words and yet it was unmistakably him. Matt put his hand on the small of her back and turned her body so she was facing David. 

"Hello David, thank you again so much for the invitations. The place looks amazing. Congratulations on the opening." Matt beamed, reaching out to shake David's hand. David cooly accepted, never breaking his face of stone, showing no emotion. 

"Thank you, and how could I not invite the legal team that got me this place?" His eyes scanned the men but his expression stayed, "I'm sorry I can't stay and chat. Please drink up and enjoy yourselves." His eyes met Zoe's for a moment, to her it felt like an eternity. She could feel her heart beat quicken as her desire for him slowly crept up from deep within her. David walked away into the crowd. 

With her head spinning, Zoe excused herself to the ladies room. As she walked up to the main one downstairs she saw an endless line and her panic increased. A tall model with a tray of drinks must have seen the state Zoe was in as she mouthed the word 'upstairs.' Zoe was grateful for the tip as she walked right in to the restroom that was hidden down a dark hallway in the corner of the upstairs balcony. It was quiet and empty as she placed her clutch on the counter and looked in the mirror. 

She wore her hair in big loose curls that rested just on her breast. He long black designer dress was borrowed from Kelli and while it hugged her curves perfectly, showing how her figure formed a perfect 8, she wished she had pinned the revealing slit up the side that went almost to the top of her thigh. She took a deep breath and sighed, there was no way she would see him again, she thought. He was the owner and it was opening night, his night would be handshake after handshake as he went around and followed the formalities of thanking everyone for coming out. Having caught her breath, she reapplied her dark red lipstick and headed down the long dark hallway to the railing of the balcony taking in the whole bar below. 

The balcony was empty and still. From there she could see the bar below was packed and more people were coming in the door. The music was low enough you could talk but not so low that it was forgotten, it was a mix of slow sultry rock songs and blues. She could see Matt grabbing another drink as he laughed with his friends from the firm. She did not notice David was next to her until he spoke. 

"They weren't supposed to let anyone up here tonight." She turned to face him, he somehow seemed even taller today as he looked down into her eyes. He was standing about a foot away from her and it gave her enough space to take him all in. His tuxedo made his frame look strong and even in formal attire his dark curly hair was just the right amount of messy. 

"I'm sorry, one of the girls-" Zoe began to explain.

"It's ok." He cut her off and took a step closer. Zoe could feel it again. She could feel the pull of him. Her body became tense as she tried to fight off the desire she had for him but she could feel the ache deep inside her rising up faster than she could control. 

He was inches away now and she watched as his eyes looked over every inch of her. She watched his face as he started at her black high heels, followed her leg up to the top of her thigh where the slit of the skirt began, and scanned her small waist up to the rise of her chest, along the soft skin of her neck, and finally he met her eyes again. His face was still stone but she could see his chest rise and fall faster as his eyes made their way to hers. She thought she could see desire in his eyes. 

He stepped closer. She could feel his breath on her face now and she had to lean her head back to look up into his eyes. He gently moved his hand to the small of her back, his touch was soft but powerful and it made her breath hitch. He used his hand to guide her away from the balcony railing and walked by her side as he led her to the dark hallway in the corner. 

She was aching for him. Every inch of her burning with desire. They were halfway down the hallway when he moved his hand away from her back. She stepped back from him, pressing her back against the wall. He moved towards her, almost wrapping his body around her but he still left the slightest bit of room between them. 

He leaned one hand above her against the wall, his feet were just enough apart that he had one on either side of her. With his free hand he took his forefinger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze. Her breath was racing now, she could not breath fast enough. Their eyes were locked as he lightly tipped her head back, she could feel herself becoming wet. Her body ached for his touch so much that she had to close her eyes as he moved his lips down towards her face. 

He did not kiss her. Instead his lips hovered just above her ear, she could feel the moisture from his warm breath on her ear lobe.

"Why did you run this morning?" He whispered softly. He nuzzled his nose against her neck and chills ran up her whole body. She had to stop herself from moaning with pleasure. Just being this close to him, just his touch set her on fire. 

"It's not right." It was a struggle to get the words out. He moved his head back and looked into her eyes. He searched them and she wondered what he was searching for. His face was still unreadable but his eyes were starting to let down their walls. 

He inhaled deeply, and set his jaw, mulling over what he would say next. 

"My understanding is that you just met Matt Allen. Am I wrong?" He asked cooly, and once again he was a statute standing over her, not a flinch betraying him. 

"No, you're right. I just met him. He's not. We're Not. It's not because of him or anyone else." Her thoughts were jumbled with him there. All she could think about was how it had felt to be with him, how he had made every muscle in her body radiate with pleasure. 

"Then what?" He waited. She could not find the words to explain it to him. The thousands of reasons she had listed last night and again this morning seemed meaningless when he was standing right here. Standing over her, just inches away, so close she could feel his warmth, she could feel his pull. 

And all the reasons and excuses were gone as she tilted her head back and brought her lips to his. As she leaned forward to kiss him, his right arm left the wall and wrapped around her waist as his left hand gently reached for the base of her neck, his fingers in her hair. The taste of his lips drove her wild. His kiss was strong, powerful but his lips were soft. His tongue played in her mouth with hers as he pulled her closer, leaving no space between them. Her hips rested just below his and she could feel him through his tuxedo. She pulled away from his kiss and her head fell back as she moaned with pleasure feeling how much he wanted her. 

He took the opportunity to kiss her exposed neck lightly from the top all the way down to her chest. He held her as she melted into him. He kissed her along the edge of her dress, right were the hem of the fabric pressed against the top of her breasts. He took his time slowly kissing her from right to left as she struggled to catch her breath. As he came up from the last kiss he used the hand at the base of her neck to bring her gaze forward to meet his. 

When their eyes met she could see his breath had quickened. She moved the arms she had wrapped around him to his coat button and gently unbuttoned it without letting her eyes leave his. She walked her fingers down to his belt and unlatched it slowly, softly. Quickly moving her hands to the button of his pants, she smoothly unbuttoned and unzipped them. She did all this without ever looking away from his eyes. They were alight with something she had not seen in them before. 

He did not move a single muscle as she reached for him. He closed his eyes as her long soft fingers gently brought him out. Thick and hard, she could feel his desire pulsing in her hand. He reached into his inside coat pocket and unwrapped a condom. As she placed the condom on him, he took a deep breath and moved his hands to her hips, gently he pulled her dress up and her lace thong down. 

She pressed herself against the wall, bracing herself for him. He lifted her just slightly and placed his right arm against the wall above her head and then he entered her. Slowly, purposefully he entered her. She gasped with pleasure and titled her head back. He pulled back painfully slow and then began the slow, steady thrusts deep inside her. She put her arms around his neck, bracing herself as the pleasure became to intense to stand. He slowly picked up speed and she could feel his thrusts from her head to her toes. The pleasure resonated through her body as she lost herself to him. As he picked up speed she lost her breath, every inch of her was on fire with pleasure, her mouth hung open as she tried not to scream with ecstasy. 

Just when she could not take any more of him, he moved his left arm under her, cradling her lower back and his right arm moved from the wall to behind her shoulders as he lifted her off the ground. He pounded into her quickly while holding her in the air. While holding her in his strong arms. She buried her head in his neck and she could her his quick breathing. She couldn't hold back the moans any longer as she started to reach her climax. She could feel him so deep inside her, he was pushing the air out of her, she could not breath. 

A blinding white light took over her vision as she came. Her head tilted back and he held her close as the pleasure washed over her like waves and her body squirmed in his arms. She heard his breath quicken and then he gasped as she felt him fill her with his pleasure. He leaned forward, pining her against the wall and pushing himself further into her. Once his breath slowed, he lowered her down softly and stepped away from her. 

"Wait fifteen minutes before you come downstairs." He said and then he turned and walked down the hall to the men's restroom. She stared at the wall in front of her and the list she had made herself the night before, the list of reasons why she should never have been with him in the first place, the list she had forgotten just minutes ago, came flooding back to her.

Chapter 6

Zoe did not know how it happened but suddenly she was running down the hallway towards the elevator. She had never felt so physically torn before. She was torn between succumbing to her aching desire for him and the regret she felt from how far she had already let it go. She was torn between wanting and dignity. So when he whispered softly in her ear the very words that had melted her the night before, she bolted.

She pushed past him and ran at full speed through the front door. She did not stop until she hit the elevator button. She pressed the button until the bell rang and the door opened. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her head was spinning as she got in the elevator. She turned to lean on the back wall and waited for the doors to close.

She could see him, standing in the hallway, eyes locked on her and for once his face gave some indication of what he was thinking. As their eyes met she could see confusion in his. She sighed in relief as the doors closed and the image of him was gone.

This could ruin her. Yet again she had let him drive her to a place that could ruin her professional life, her career. Not that she had a passion for property management, but it was a steady job that provided her with a nice place to live and enough money to support her art. She caught her breath in the ride down the elevator and tried to shake his eyes from her memory.

25 flights later and the elevator bell rang as the doors opened to the lobby. There stood graceful, gorgeous Maria talking coolly on the phone. She beamed her gorgeous smile to Zoe and mouthed the words “I’ll be right in.” As Zoe feebly smiled back and walked into the Main Office, where once again Cheryl was ready to pounce.

“What did she say?” Cheryl looked as though she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown as she ran up to Zoe and begged for an answer.

“I think he is going to take it. His assistant said she would be right in to do all the paperwork.” Zoe turned to the safety of her desk, hoping to hide in paperwork to avoid any more conversation with Cheryl about David Moore. She froze at the site of the most elaborate bouquet of two-dozen pink roses on her desk.

“Zoe!” Cheryl squealed with delight, “I could kiss you! You have no idea how huge this will be for us!” Cheryl was right, she did not understand all the fuss surrounded David Moore renting the penthouse. Their property had two Penthouse apartments and one had been rented for years, the other had just been made available three days ago and the phone had been ringing off the hook since then with clients demanding to see it. What was so important about David Moore renting this apartment? Wasn’t he just another rich 30-something with too much time and money on his hands? To Zoe, the clientele here were all the same; overly rich, overly arrogant, and too young to have earned the money themselves. But at that moment her mind was no longer on the pretentious clientele, it was on the mystery of the pink roses.

As Zoe walked slowly to her seat behind her desk she stared at the roses in bewilderment. As she sat down, she looked to Cheryl for answers.

“Oh! The roses! You, my dear, have been keeping secrets!” Zoe panicked, of course she had been keeping secrets. How could she tell her boss about the way David had held her steady over him, making her ache for him more and more as he slowly brought her down thrusting himself deep inside her. Steady, slow, and deep, making every part of her pulse with pleasure.

And there he was, walking in the office with Maria, looking as cold and stone faced as ever. Cheryl did not see them enter and continued; “I did not know you were going to the opening of V tonight. And who, exactly, is Matt Allen? Why am I only hearing about him now?”

Zoe was not sure if she should be relieved that Cheryl knew nothing about her and David or mortified that Cheryl was airing her personal business in front of David and Maria. Her only option was to take control of the situation; she turned to Maria and David, “Ready to start the paperwork?” Maria smiled sweetly but David glared at her, his usually cold face now burning with anger. He whispered something to Maria as she nodded in understanding.

“I have to be going, Maria will take care of things from here. Thank you.” David stated briskly and walked out of the office. Maria sat down in front of Zoe’s desk and beamed her soft gorgeous smile, “Let’s get David all moved in, shall we?”

Chapter 5

Zoe had always brought her staff coffee and pastries on Friday so it meant getting to the office early to set everything up. She was hoping to beat Cheryl to the office so she would have time to settle in before the interrogation began but as she fumbled to unlock the doors to the main office she could see all the lights were already on. As soon as their eyes met, Cheryl pounced.

"Tell me everything." Cheryl said coming out of her office to follow Zoe to the break room. Zoe had her arms filled with pastry boxes and a travel box of Starbucks coffee but Cheryl ignored Zoe's struggle and began demanding details.

"Did he say anything about the price? The apartment? The furniture? You did tell him that we could provide it with different furniture or no furniture, right? Did you show him the spa? The Sauna? The Bill- "

"Cheryl," Zoe interrupted her incessant questioning, "I will tell you everything once my hands are free. Let me just set up the coffee and I will be right in your office, I promise." Cheryl, caught off guard, nodded and walked back to her office as quickly as she had pounced.

Zoe had rehearsed her story about 100 times last night and another 100 this morning. She was not going to lie, she was just going to omit the details of how he had managed to get her wet without even touching her. She was going to forget to include the part where she screamed in ecstasy as he thrusted deep inside her. Zoe closed her eyes and shook her head, the regret she felt continued to shake her to the very core. She could hear voices in the main office, she checked herself in the mirror to make sure she looked exactly as Cheryl had instructed and walked out to see her boss.

In the main office she saw Cheryl talking with a gorgeous woman in a crisp, pressed white button up blouse and a tight black knee length pencil skirt with black high heels. She had long thick straight brown hair, dark eyeliner that accented her green eyes, and bright red lips. She looked like a Victoria Secrets model with the large perky breasts barely contained by her button up blouse and long tan, toned legs. She carried a black patent leather Filofax and an iPhone.

"Zoe! This is Maria, she is Mr. Moore's assistant." Cheryl was trying to hide her panic by overcompensating with enthusiasm. Zoe reached out to shake Maria's hand and was relieved when Maria took her hand with a warm smile.

"Mr. Moore was very impressed with what he saw last night. He just needs me to make sure that what he likes and what he needs are in alignment." Maria spoke with a cool grace. "He has sent me to check measurements and look at it more critically."

"Of course, it would be my pleasure to show you around." Zoe couldn't believe it. He liked the apartment. He hadn't even seen the whole place, they had barely made it through three rooms before she lost herself to him.

The elevator ride with Maria was much more pleasant than the rides Zoe had taken with her boss. Maria asked questions and listened to Zoe as she explained the amenities and features of the community.

As the elevator bell rang and the doors opened to the 25th floor, Zoe led Maria down the hallway and opened the doors just as she had the night before but this time instead of feeling David's pull, Maria made the penthouse feel light, cool, and calm.

"He is right, it is a gorgeous view. Do you mind if I take measurements?" Maria asked.

"Feel free to take as many as you need, let me know if you have any questions." Zoe stood at the island in the kitchen with her back to the door. She looked out across the living area to the same view she had seen the night before. It was amazing how different everything looked in the daylight. She still couldn't believe the night before had happened, the intimacy she had felt with him was unlike anything she had known. Every time she thought of him she could almost feel him standing behind her again. She could not forget the powerful pull she felt from him, even before they had touched. Thinking of it now made her breath quicken and she could feel her pulse increase as a longing stirred deep inside her.

"Good morning, Zoe." Even at a whisper his voice echoed deep inside. She could feel his voice in her bones. Her breath hitched as she realized he was really there, the electricity between them was palpable. Even when he stood a few inches away it felt as if they were connected again.

She turned to face him and met his eyes. They were cold today as they met hers and some how that made her want him more. His hair was perfectly messy again, and his dark gray suit draped his body in way that showed he toned form underneath. He stood above her, looking down into her eyes as if he were trying to read her without giving any hint of what he was thinking on his own face.

"Good morning, Mr. Moore." Zoe said unevenly. "Maria just went into the Master Bedroom to take measurements if you were looking for her." Zoe felt like she couldn't breathe, she couldn't look away from him but the more she looked at him the more she ached for him. She felt foolish for everything that had happened the night before and she felt more foolish now for letting the feelings of desire rise in her again. She needed something to break the silence before he pulled her in again.

"I did not know Matt Allen was seeing anyone." He said softly, without flinching, without looking away or batting an eye.

"Matt Allen?" Zoe was caught off guard by the statement. All of her focus was on not wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. She did not have room in her mind for names that made no sense.

"The man you were sharing margaritas with at Rodrigo's? Or do you make it a habit to entice strange men?" His tone remained unchanged as the insult slid from his soft inviting lips. Before she could defend herself David's attention shifted to Maria as she entered the room.

"So?" He asked cooly, stepping towards Maria and acting as if Zoe had never existed.

"It's perfect and the view truly is the best in the city. You would be an idiot not to take it." Maria said in her soft, calm voice that almost sounded like a gentle waterfall. She beamed a gorgeous smile at David and Zoe watched as his eyes smiled back at her, and yet his face stayed perfectly still.

"Zoe, I'll handle all the logistics and paperwork for Mr. Moore. I just need to make a few phone calls and I'll meet you back in the office." Maria collected her things and moved towards the door. David's face dropped back to stone, cold, and unreadable. "Mr. Moore." She nodded to him as she walked past him and out the door leaving Zoe and David in the penthouse alone again.

David stared at Zoe. The aching for him almost felt as though it was turning into a fear of him as he stood silently, waiting, and watching. She wanted him desperately but in the morning after it all happened it had become clear what a mistake she had made, and how it had to never happen again. As she silently begged for this moment alone with him to end, he stepped closer. She felt her knees weaken and she could feel how much she wanted him, she was wet with wanting for him.

"Do you have any other questions?" Zoe whispered. Her heart pounding in her chest as she fought every urge she had. He stepped closer and leaned in so his mouth almost touched her ear. She hoped he could not see that she was shaking.

And softly, so quiet that she almost could not hear it, he whispered with heartbreaking desire, "What's next?"

Chapter 4

"Holy Shit, Zoe." Abby practically screamed it as Zoe walked into Rodrigo's."I mean, holy fucking shit! You look like you walked off the cover of Cosmo. Did anyone know Zoe could look this fucking hot?"

Zoe walked up to their usual table on the outdoor patio at Rodrigo's to find Abby, Lexie, and Kelli already into their second pitcher of margarita's. Zoe had been expecting some kind of reaction from the girls on her new work attire but after the day she had she was hoping for something a little more low key.

"Boss-lady was right about that outfit, there isn't a guy in this city who wouldn't rent an apartment from you now. Is that why you were late? Were you making out with a client in the penthouse or something?"

The girls broke into fits of laughter at Lexie's comment. Zoe laughed too, hoping that she wasn't blushing as much as she thought she was. They were right to laugh, Zoe thought. The idea of Zoe hooking up with a random client was far-fetched. Or at least it was until about an hour ago. The image of him flashed through her mind. She could almost taste his salty skin and his memory made her ache in a way she had not felt before.

But that wasn't Zoe. Zoe was all professional at work. She had risen to Assistant Manager of the companies flagship property because of her professionalism. When Cheryl told her she needed to change her attire to fit the upscale clientele it was her professionalism that forced her to put aside her personal taste and opinions and put on the short black pencil skirt that hugged her shape and showed off her hour glass figure. It was her professionalism that told her to suck it up when her feet ached in three inch stiletto heels and it was her professionalism that put $500 worth of new low cut silk blouses and push-up bras on her credit card.

"Ha Ha Ha - you are hilarious." Zoe said with playful sarcasm, "Now hand me that glass and the pitcher, I need a drink." Kelli obliged and soon Zoe was sipping the cool refreshing margarita and listening to the girls talk about their jobs and the usual workplace drama. Zoe felt comfortable here and she lived for feeling comfortable. She was never the center of attention and that was how she preferred it. She liked it best when her life was comfortable, predictable, and ordinary.

Zoe had known Kelli, Abby, and Lexi since college. They had taken all their freshmen classes together and just clicked. They had taken turns being roommates, even sharing a house together at one point, and they had seen each other through college and the treacherous reality of adulthood that followed. They met every Thursday at Rodrigo's for Happy Hour margaritas and tacos. And every Thursday, conversation would inevitable fall to their love lives.

"Tristan is proposing this weekend." Kelli squealed with delight.

"Are you sure?" Lexie exclaimed, bright eyed.

"Very sure. He booked us rooms at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas and sent me shopping with his credit card yesterday for a new outfit. This is the weekend." Kelli would never openly admit it but her dream was to become a pampered housewife and Tristan was her Prince Charming with a trust fund. She was tall, blonde, and addicted to Spin classes and tall, muscular, beach blonde, Tristan had inherited a fortune giving him all the money to make all her dreams come true. Zoe loved Kelli but this was the part of her she would never understand. Zoe did not believe in fairytale romance and certainly did not need a man to provide for her.

"Matt!! I am so glad you made it!" Abby jumped out of her seat and threw her arms around a tall blonde in black slacks, a crisp white button up, and black tie. "Ladies, I would like to you meet Matt. He is Junior Partner at the firm. Matt this is Kelli, Lexie, and Zoe." The girls all smiled and said hello as they were named off. "Zoe is the one I was telling you about." Abby said as she pushed Matt closer to Zoe.

Cornered, that is exactly how Zoe felt. She hated when the girls did this. They had serious committed boyfriends and it was not that Zoe was single because of a lack of trying. She had profiles on three different dating websites and regularly went out on first dates. But that was just the problem. She regularly went out on first dates because there never seemed to be the need for a second. The girls were constantly trying to set her up and lately Zoe had been taking them up less and less on their offers. So now they resorted to tricks like this.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Abby has told me so much about you." Matt said as he moved in closer. She couldn't blame Abby for trying, Matt was handsome. He was just over six feet tall and clearly hit the gym daily, his shirt could barely contain his muscular build underneath. "Should I grab us all another pitcher?"

And in unison the three girls Zoe had hoped to spend the night laughing and chatting with were suddenly listing off reasons they had to leave Happy Hour early that night. The chorus of good byes would have only been more obvious if they had actually rehearsed it ahead of time.

Abby's excuse came last, "I'm so sorry but Zack is working late and I have to go home and walk Jagger. Have a great night you two." Just like that, the three girls walked out the door of Rodrigo's and left Zoe and Matt alone. Without hesitating, Matt pulled a chair across from Zoe and called over the waitress to order another pitcher and a plate of tacos. As she walked away with his order he turned and smiled at Zoe, "Might as well make the most of it, right?"

His eyes scanned Zoe from head to toe and she could tell by the ways his eyes lit up that he was pleased with what he saw. The pitcher arrived and after he poured them both a round he leaned in closer.

"Abby did not mention that you were a model." Do not roll your eyes, was all Zoe could think. He was so stereotypically good looking with his blonde hair, tan skin, perfect smile, and clearly chiseled body that he probably never had to perfect the art of the pick up line.

"Thank you, but I'm not. I work in property management." Zoe took another sip of her Margarita and looked out across the patio. The girls always liked it here because you could see all the way down Main Street, you could see the entrance to every major bar, club, and restaurant in town.

"Cool." He said after guzzling down an entire margarita. He poured himself another. "Yeah, Abby mentioned you work at one of the fancy high-rise apartments in Newport. I've heard the views there are sweet. I've been thinking about renting there." As Matt took over the conversation, Zoe watched three black SUV's pull up to the front of a new bar that was opening later that week. She watched as the men in suits all got out and shook hands, the universal greeting of businessmen. "Maybe you could give me a tour?"

The weight of his hand on her thigh got her attention and she turned to meet his stare. He was close, too close for someone she had just met. She could smell the salt of the margarita on his breath. She looked down at his hand and glared back up at him. "What do you think?" He removed his hand and grabbed his drink, finishing off his second margarita and pouring a third.

"What do I think of what?" Zoe said bluntly.

"Giving me a tour of the apartments." Matt said, oblivious to her irritation.

"Oh, yeah, of course." Zoe took another drink of her margarita and looked back out across the patio.

"I've heard that place is going to be the next big thing." Matt said using his drink to indicate the bar with the black SUV's out front. He was right, all anyone at work was talking about was V the new bar that would host the top mixologists from all around the world. She looked at the entrance and almost spit out her drink as she saw him. Standing in the light of the neon sign with his cell phone in his hand was David Moore. But he wasn't staring at the phone he was holding. He was staring straight at her. David Moore, the client from the penthouse, the man she had inside her just over an hour ago was across the street staring straight at her. All at once her skin felt hot and she felt an ache rise from deep within her. How could she long for someone she didn't know?

"So, do you want to?" She was so consumed by the man across the street that she hadn't noticed Matt's hand on her thigh or how he leaned in so close he was practically whispering into her ear. She looked at Matt and looked back at David across the street, his eyes were still locked on her. He still stood frozen.

"Ok." She nodded, if only to be able to move away from Matt. "Sure." Zoe said, almost breathless. She met Matt's smile.

"Cool. I'll pick you up around 6? The invitation says black tie, will that be enough time for you to get ready?" Matt was smiling from ear to ear as he took another drink of his margarita. Shit, thought Zoe as she realized that she had just agreed to attend the Opening Gala of V with Matt, the almost overly hunky lawyer with zero romantic potential.

"That'll be perfect." She lied through her smile and took another drink. When she looked back across the street David was gone.

Chapter 3

And just like that, they were in the elevator riding down to the lobby in complete silence. Zoe did not know what to say when it was all over. He smoothly cleaned up and got dressed again, looking as though nothing had happened. She had frantically remembered that security would be walking the units any minute and she would be out of a job if they had any idea what just happened. He stood, watching her fumble through getting dressed, but he never said a word.

If he wasn't going to say anything, neither was Zoe. She had never been in a situation like this before and probably never would be again so it was best to just pretend nothing had happened. The elevator ride was the longest of her life. 25 floors to the bottom and she had never been so relieved to hear the ring of the bell indicating they were on the first floor.

She stepped out of the elevator and stopped. From here, he could go back to his car and she could go back to her office. There was no way he was going to rent the penthouse and there was no way she could make it through the usual sales spiel that happened at the end of these tours. So she stopped and turned to look at him, anxiously waiting to see what he would do.

He looked just like he did when she first saw him in her office: calm, serious, all business. He looked down to meet her eyes and Zoe felt it again, the ache for him, the longing.

"Thank you for the tour." He said and then he turned and walked towards the parking garage as if everything was completely normal, as if nothing had happened. She watched him walk through the glass doors to the parking garage, not that she expected him to turn around or say anything else. She just watched in disbelief that anything that had happened in the last thirty minutes was real.

She shook her head and turned towards her office. As she sat down to finish the data entry for all the clients she saw that day, panic set in. She didn't know his name. She didn't get a number. Cheryl, her boss, would be expecting to see his information in the computer system first thing in the morning.

"Shit." Zoe said to herself, shaking her head in frustration. He was long gone by now and this was the sort of rookie mistake that got people fired. What had she been thinking? Everything she had just done was wrong. She had sex with a stranger in the penthouse apartment. But she had never felt so alive. Nothing had ever felt like when he was inside her.

"Stop it." She said to herself, grabbing her cell phone to check if the girls were still at happy hour, she needed a drink. If she was going to get fired tomorrow she might as well have a few whiskeys tonight.

5 missed calls. 

15 missed texts. 

She scrolled through quickly to find the normal "Stop working! Come get a drink!" texts from the girls but of the missed texts and calls 10 of them were from her boss, Cheryl.

Cheryl:  David Moore is on his way to see the Penthouse RIGHT NOW. Check yourself in the mirror and call me as soon as he leaves. He is the biggest client we have ever had and if he rents here we will become the new "IT" property so make sure you are dressed to impress and call me!
Cheryl: Call me as soon as he walks out the door! I need to know how it went!
Cheryl: Corporate knows he is on his way, I need a report ASAP.
Cheryl: Call me.
Cheryl: You better not be calling me because he is signing paperwork. Call me as soon as he is gone! 

Zoe picked up the office phone and called Cheryl while entering the much needed name into the computer system: David Moore.

"Did he rent it?" Cheryl didn't even let the phone ring once before answering.

"He did not." Zoe said as calmly and professionally as she could. Panic rising in her that some how Cheryl would know from the sound of her voice that she had not exactly shown him the apartment but instead had the best sex of her life with him.

"Why not?" Cheryl practically yelled it into the phone. "Dammit, Zoe! As soon as I got the call I should have driven over and shown him the place myself!"

"He didn't have a lot of time, he seemed very rushed." Zoe lied. She couldn't exactly say that he was more interested in entering her than in entering a lease agreement.

"I'm sorry to snap. I am sure you did great. There are just a lot of people watching him and waiting to see where he moves in this neighborhood. Corporate has not stopped calling or texting me as soon as they found out he was there. Finish up the paperwork and head home. We will talk about this more in the morning." Zoe felt a flood of relief at the words "in the morning." She had time to make a plan and find a way out of this with her job and dignity intact.

"Thank you, Cheryl. Have a great night." Zoe almost sighed the words and then set the office phone down. She finished adding the name David Moore to the list of clients for the day and texted the girls as she grabbed her things to walk out the door.

Happy Hour Group Text: Ladies, I am on my way & I need Whiskey NOW!

Chapter 2

Zoe tried to catch her thoughts up with everything she was feeling as the words he said made her drunk with lust. She had never done anything remotely close to this in her entire life. No night of passion or one night stand had ever felt anything near this. But they hadn't actually touched yet. Layers of clothing separated them and she knew nothing about this impeccably well dressed man who had said so little and been so arrogant. And yet, she had never felt an aching want like this. She had never wanted someone inside her like this. She had never felt desire like this. 

She stood up and turned around to face him. He moved his hands away and she took a step back to keep space between them. He did not move, he just watched her. They stood in silence, the only sound was their breathing. Her rushed panting, his quick quiet breaths. She looked him over, from his head to his toes and saw that he truly wasn't moving. He had stood straight up when she turned around and just lifted his hands from her hips and they were still there, hovering in air just above where her hips had been. The only thing that moved were his eyes because they were following hers. 

She met his gaze again, his face giving nothing away as she searched it for answers. She looked away. 

"What's Next?" He said so softly she almost thought it was a memory but when she met his gaze she saw that his face had softened, he almost looked concerned. And that was her tipping point. 

With eyes locked, she pushed him back on to the bed and hitched her skirt up as he sat back so she could straddle him. He firmly grabbed her hips and she straddled her legs around him. She could feel him underneath his pants, thick, hard and she could swear she could feel his aching. He reached in his pocket and gave her a condom. She reached down and undid his pants as he lifted her by the hips to move her panties out of the way. He held her there just above him as she pulled his pants down and saw him for the first time. He watched her face as he lowered her onto him. He watched her face as she gasped at him entering her. 

Zoe had never felt anything like it. He was so deep inside her, so hard and thick that he made all of her ache with pleasure. She could barely breath as he lifted her up again and brought her down slowly. She had had every intention of riding him and taking control of the situation but she was lost to him when he was inside her. She let his strong arms lift her and bring her back down slowly. She could feel herself dripping on him, she could feel him pounding inside her, she could feel ache and lust and pleasure through every part of her as he slowly began to move her faster, deeper, and harder. 

And he just watched her. He watched as she threw her head back and moaned in ecstasy. He watched her as she arched her back in pleasure. He watched as she could barely control herself as waves of pleasure brought her closure and closure to orgasm. 

She ran her fingers through his hair and tilted her head back, trying to catch her breath, knowing she was moments from losing herself to him. And he lifted her one last time and brought her down so deep and hard she lost herself in him screaming in pleasure as he grabbed her waist, rolled her onto her back and thrusting again harder and deeper while kissing her neck. She screamed again as her pleasure impossibly increased and yet he was pulling back again, kissing her neck, and entering her hard, deep, and impossibly strong. She was blinded with pleasure, every part of her on fire with it, as he moaned in ecstasy on top of her, filling her completely.   

Chapter 1

She was an hour into overtime trying to finish a client file so she could meet the girls at happy hour. Her feet were killing her from a full day of giving tours of the penthouse in three inch heels. Her boss had told her that she had to dress to impress and that had meant trading in her signature flared skirt and flats for a skin tight pencil skirt and high heels. After the last client left she had let her red hair down from the severe up-do her boss had requested and let it fall in big messy curls as she worked on data entry. Under her desk she had removed her heels, her blazer rested over the back of her chair, and she didn't even notice that the top button on her blouse had come undone when she heard him clear his throat.

Startled, she looked up and all she saw was business. A sharp, clearly custom, business suit and tie draped perfectly over his tall frame. Dark perfectly messy brown hair made a sharp contrast to his blue eyes and his 5 o'clock shadow made him look rugged. Zoe knew his type and hated men like him, overly aware of how handsome and powerful they are. Overly aware of how rich they are.

"I'm here to see the penthouse. Cheryl said there would be someone here to give me a tour." He said with blunt agitation.

"Of course, I'm so sorry.' Zoe fumbled over papers as she stood and reached out her hand to shake his, ready to introduce herself. "I'm Zoe. Would you like a - " He did not take her hand.

"I would like to see the penthouse. Now." Zoe made her way around the desk and held the door open for him but all he did was stare at her. All he did was stare at her feet. When she realized what he was staring at she was mortified, her face turning as red as her hair as she went back to her desk to put on her heels. His face didn't flinch. There was no way she was going to make this sale.

With heels on, she led him to the elevator and attempted to make sales person small talk. He barely responded, Zoe wondered if he was even breathing at times because nothing changed in his demeanor through all the "What brings you to the area? The penthouse is 10,000 square feet and has views of the entire valley, mountains, and even out to the ocean! Our olympic size saltwater pool is the envy of every high rise in the area."

She was thankful when the bell rang, the doors opened, and she was able to lead the way to the front door. As she opened the door for him and gestured for him to enter she saw his eyes run over her body slowly, thoughtfully, and it stirred something deep inside her. "Feel free to have a look around." She said as she walked towards the open kitchen and took in the view from the kitchen, over the lavishly furnished living area, to the floor to ceiling windows with their view of Orange County twinkling in the moonlight.

When she looked towards him again she saw he was staring at her, not the apartment. "I would prefer you show me around." And for the first time, she saw the faintest hint of a smile cross his face.

"Of course, please follow me." She led him to the living room area and stood looking out the window ready to explain the view as he came up right behind her, so close she could feel his breath on her neck. Her knees weakened and her heart rate increased as she pointed out the different landmarks visible from this high up.

"Lovely." He said. He wasn't touching her, but it felt like he was. It felt as intimate as you could be with a person. "What's Next?" He whispered in her ear.

She led him down the hallway to the first guest room, a large white bed sat in the center of the room looking out at the floor to ceiling windows. She walked in and stood at the foot of the bed, she was almost frightened to turn around and look towards him so she kept staring out the window as she described the features of the room. "This guest room is one of three in the penthouse..." before she could continue on he was there again, right behind her, somehow closer than before but still not touching her. She could feel her panties get damp and she had trouble catching her breathe. "What's next?" He purred into her ear, she could almost feel his words on her skin.

She led him down the hallway to the master bedroom. Her legs were shaking, she wondered if he could see how unsteady she was on her feet. She wondered if he noticed. When she entered the room she went straight to the window, and stood staring out again over the never ending view of lights from the city below. He came up behind her, just as he had before, so close that nothing had ever felt so intimate and yet, he did not touch her. She was aching for him, panties wet, and she could not even remember what she was supposed to say about this bedroom or the apartment or the high rise. She could barely breath, she was so overcome with desire and what had he done? Just stood there.

"What's next?" This time it melted her and she melted back, right into him. He was strong and did not flinch or move as she leaned back into his tall, muscular frame. She could feel herself dripping down her legs with want. He simple took one hand to move her big red curls behind her ear and leaned his head in so close as he whispered the faintest "What's next?"

She moaned as her head tilted back and her round firm ass pressed up against him. That's when she felt it, she felt his desire for her strong, thick, and hard. He moved his hands to her hips and pulled her into him so she could feel it even more. She bent at the waist and laid her hands on the glass in front of her. He bent forward to meet his lips to her ear and growled "What's next?"