Endless Obsession Page 12

  He’s stopped and talked to me a few times over the last couple days; not saying much, just asking how my day was going. The first time he did it, I was shocked. Dinner was a fluke thing. We just happened to be in the same restaurant at the same time alone. His eyes twinkled while he waited for my answer.

  After he left, Liv looked at me curiously. I hadn’t told her about the dinner. I don’t know why, but I wanted to keep it to myself. I just shrugged and looked away from her.

  Asher walks to my desk and drops a file on top.

  “I need you to log this into Mr. Maverick’s file before you leave today, Poppy.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll get to it right away.”

  The memory of Asher’s hands on me last night from my dream has me blushing and looking down at the file. My core starts tingling, and I have to shift in my chair.

  “What are you thinking about?” Asher’s quiet voice has my head jerking up to find him eyeing me curiously.

  My eyes go wide and my mouth goes dry.

  There’s no way in hell I’m telling him what I was just thinking.

  “Nothing,” I mutter. I scoot the file to the side and move the cursor on my computer to bring it back to life.

  “Ah, Miss Lexington. It’s so nice to see you again.”

  I look up to see Mr. Maverick making his way over to my desk. He’s smiling with his hand outstretched. I glance briefly at Asher out the corner of my eye and stand to take Mr. Maverick’s hand.

  “Hello, Mr. Maverick. It’s nice to see you too. I’m surprised you remember me.”

  His eyes flicker to Asher for a second, and something passes between the two before their focus returns to me.

  “I never forget a pretty face.”

  “Thank you.” I smile and feel my face heat at his compliment. As you can see, I don’t generally do well with compliments.

  Mr. Maverick is a good looking man with his short brown hair and deep green eyes. He has on a dark gray suit that brings out the color of his eyes.

  “How do you like working for my old friend Asher here?” Mr. Maverick asks.

  “Mr. Knight has been very nice. I enjoy working for him.” I return his smile.

  “Asher,” Asher says from beside Mr. Maverick.

  I turn my attention back to him. Why is he so intent on me calling him by his first name, even in front of business associates? He stands there, holding my gaze, not letting me look away.

  “Asher,” I say softly, and watch as something flares in his eyes. My breath catches for a moment at the look. I reach out to the table when my legs turn to jelly. I wish he’d look at me like that all the time.

  Someone clears their throat, reminding me we aren’t alone. I look down with embarrassment.

  “I’ve got to get going. It was good seeing you, Miss Lexington. Asher, walk me to the elevator, would you?”

  “Sure,” he tells Mr. Maverick, before turning to me. “I’m headed out. Do you have everything here?”

  “Yes, sir.” I tap the file on my desk. “I just need to put this into Mr. Maverick’s file and then I’ll be done for the day.”

  “I’ll see you on Monday, Poppy.”

  “Okay.”

  I watch as the two men walk to the elevator, then shake my head as I sit back down. Asher has been acting strange all week, and I’m unsure as to how to take it.

  I open the bottle of Ibuprofen and shake out two into my palm. After downing them with some water, I get to work. Fifteen minutes later, I glance down at my phone and note that it’s five after five. I look over to Liv’s desk and see her grabbing her purse. I close down my computer, grab my water bottle, my purse, and stand, just as she stops by my desk.

  “I am so ready for the weekend,” she sighs.

  “Me too,” I agree, hearing my shower calling my name.

  We make idle chitchat as we walk across the lobby. Jared and Nathan are at their stations as we pass by. Jared is on the phone but waves at the both of us. Nathan is standing at the bank of computers, but he’s not watching them. Instead, he has his eyes planted firmly on us.

  “That guy gives me the creeps,” Liv says, not lowering her voice. Nathan’s eyes narrow on her.

  I elbow her in the side. “For goodness’ sake, Liv. I think he heard you.”

  “I don’t give a shit if he did. He needs to learn to keep his eyes to himself,” she says, and glares over her shoulder at Nathan.

  I wince with her harsh words and look over at him, intent on apologizing for her, but stop when I see the way he’s watching us. The look in his eyes is purely carnal. Not in the appreciative way, but in a way that says even as he’s watching, he’s imagining doing very dirty things to us. Things I don’t think either of us would be interested in. Things he knows we wouldn’t be interested in, but he does them anyway because he knows we wouldn’t enjoy them.

  Nathan catches me watching him, and literately rakes his eyes down my body, slowly, landing on my ass for several seconds before bringing them back to mine. His lips tip up into a sneer. I whip my head back around, disgusted.

  I may not know Nathan that well, and from what I just witnessed, I don’t want to. He’s never looked at me that way before. Yes, he’s been quiet, and I’ve felt his eyes on me before, but I’ve never seen that lewd look from him before.

  Maybe Liv is right in her assessment of Nathan. I definitely got the creepy vibe from him. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out from now on.

  I pull up to my house an hour later and grab my purse and the takeout bag from the small Chinese restaurant I sometimes stop at on my way home. The smell makes my stomach rumble, so I hurry along the walk leading to my door. Throwing my keys on the counter, I go straight for a plate and scoop some of the shrimp chow mein on my plate, then grab a water bottle out of the fridge. I lean back against the counter with my plate in my hand while I eat.

  I’m three bites in when there’s a knock on my door. I’m startled at first; I never get visitors. Thinking it may be a neighbor or something, I set my plate down and check the peephole before opening the door. A man in a white dress shirt and tie, with some type of name tag is standing there holding a small brown package.

  I open the door. “Can I help you?”

  “Miss Lexington?” he asks, looking up from the clipboard in his hand.

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  “I have a delivery for you.”

  “But I didn’t—”

  He thrusts the clipboard and pen at me. I look over the invoice, but it gives nothing.

  “If I can just get you to sign right here,” he says, tapping the bottom of the page.

  Confused, and a little dazed at what the package could possibly be, I numbly scribble my name across the signature line and hand him back the invoice. He flips the page over and rips off the sheet beneath it and hands it, along with the package, over to me.

  “Have a good day, ma’am.”

  I watch as he turns and walks away. I look down at the package in my hand, absentmindedly closing the door and walking to the kitchen. I try to rack my brain to see if I bought anything recently and come up blank.

  I set the package down on the counter and look at it cautiously. It’s in plain brown paper and about the size of a small laptop box. I scoot it around and see no return address. I don’t really have any friends besides Liv, and she would have told me if she had sent me anything. Is it normal to receive packages out of the blue? What could it be?

  Oh well, I guess there’s only one way to find out.

  I turn it around so the end is facing me and slide my finger beneath the tape. Once the tape is loose, I pull a white box out. I suck in a sharp breath when I see the words Cosabella across the top. It’s one of my favorite lingerie brands. It’s also very expensive.

  Nervously, I lift the lid and put it to the side. Pink tissue paper lays across the top. I lift it away and see a small white envelope resting on top of a sheer piece of fabric. I pull out a cream postcard size piece of paper.

  Wear
me tonight.

  Sterling

  That’s it. That’s all there is.

  Does this mean he’s going to show himself tonight? Warmth and excitement hits my chest at the possibility, then nervousness and uncertainty set in. Am I really ready to meet him?

  I carefully slide the card back inside the envelope and put it on top of the lid, then reach out for the sheer material. It feels so soft and smooth in my hand. I’ve always had a thing for expensive lingerie; it’s my guilty pleasure. I know it’s a habit I shouldn’t have, since it’s such an expensive one, but it’s one thing I refuse to give up. There’s no better feeling than having the softest silky material against your skin all day. The contents of my underwear drawer are probably the most expensive thing in my house.

  What I lift out of the box has me gasping in delight. It’s a white Juliette babydoll with a lace-covered satin bodice and short flowing sheer skirt that I know will show more than hide. There’s also a pair of satin white low-rise bikinis that would barely cover the curve of my ass, and a piece of soft scarf-length material. I pull the long piece of fabric out and run my fingers over it. It’s just as smooth as the babydoll.

  I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t wait to feel this against my body. I should be scared of the possibility of meeting Sterling, and yes, I am a bit nervous, but the anticipation outweighs the nervousness tenfold. I just hope he’s everything I’ve dreamed of him being, and not the psychopath he could be.

  I carefully put everything back inside the box and carry it to my room where I put it on the bed. I’m not sure what Sterling has planned tonight, or what time I should be ready, but I figure it won’t be until later.

  Leaving the gorgeous lingerie behind, I walk back to the kitchen to finish my food, bouncing on my heels the entire time with a huge grin on my face.

  I step out of the shower after spending a good thirty minutes underneath the spray. I’ve shaved and reshaved my legs, pits, and my girly bits. With regards to my girly bits, I left a small patch of hair in the center. I’ve shampooed and deep conditioned my hair so it will be soft and glossy once it dries. Standing in front of the mirror, I apply a sweet lavender scented lotion all over my body. Next, I brush my teeth twice and swish around some mouthwash until my mouth feels like it’s on fire. After drying my hair and leaving it falling loosely down my back in soft waves, I leave the bathroom and walk to my bed where the lingerie is still sitting in its box.

  Some people may say I’m crazy for going to such lengths to impress a guy I’ve never met, and they’re right. But you know what? I have no fucks to give and have decided to throw caution to the wind and take a chance. It’s a chance I may well regret, but it’s one I’ll regret even more if I don’t.

  I’ve never had a man think so much of me that he would go to the lengths that Sterling has just to know me. For eight long months, he’s taken the time to send me flowers that he knew I loved. Who does that? Every woman wants such a man, but even I have to admit the circumstances here are worrisome. But I have to know what this is, and figure out if it’s something worth going forward with.

  He talks to me like he’d do anything to please me. He’s already shown me that he wants to take care of me, making me think of him as one of the heroes you read about in romance novels. You know, the guys that will do anything, be anything, and will drop everything for the girl? The whole idea of him is like a fantasy come true. I want that fantasy to become a reality so bad.

  I slide the lingerie out of the box and run my fingers over the lacy cups. I haven’t heard from Sterling yet, and the more time that passes, the more anxious and nervous I get. I let my towel slide to the floor and slip my feet into the panties. Just as I predicted, my ass hangs out of the sides. But it looks sexy. I pick up the nightie, slip it on, and let it glide down my body. The material feels like heaven against my skin.

  Walking back to the bathroom, I look at myself in the mirror. Although I love expensive bras and panties, it’s not often I wear nighties. I sleep naked, and I haven’t had a sexual relationship in over a year, so there wasn’t really any need. Looking at myself now, with my hair down around my shoulders, my tanned skin against the stark white of the nightie, my cheeks pink from excitement, and the smile I can’t keep off my face, I have to admit, even to myself, I look sexy.

  The cups of the nightie hug my breasts and push them up, giving me ample cleavage. You can see my dark nipples through the material. Right between my breasts, it separates and flows loosely down my stomach until it reaches just below my waistline. I feel sensual and decadent.

  I walk out of the bathroom, unsure of what to do next. Obviously, he has something planned, but I have no idea what. It could just be him calling and us talking on the phone. I want to hear his voice again, but I’d rather hear it in person.

  I grab a bottle of Moscato from the fridge and a wine glass out of the cabinet before walking back to the bedroom. I pour myself a glass and set it on my nightstand, just as I settle down on top of the covers with my phone in my lap. I feel like a desperate hussy waiting on a booty call, and it makes me giggle.

  I decide to bring up the kindle app on my phone and read for a bit while I wait on whatever is going to happen next. I recline back against my fluffy pillows and curl my legs beneath me. I admire the silky feeling rubbing against my stomach and upper thighs.

  A few minutes later, I’m so absorbed in my book that I jump when my phone starts playing Take Me To Church by Hozier. My stomach quivers and my palms start to sweat as I look down at the screen and see Sterling’s name. I wipe my palms on my bedspread and swipe my finger across the screen. I can’t help the rush of excitement I feel as I bring the phone to my ear.

  “Hi,” I say breathlessly.

  “Hello, Poppy,” comes his deep, velvety reply.

  Chapter Nine

  Asher

  I slide from my car and quietly close the door behind me. Walking across the dark street and into Poppy’s front yard, I make my way to the side of her house. I stop by the electrical box that’s screwed to the siding, pick the lock, and disengage the floodlights that are placed on both corners of Poppy’s house in the backyard. Next, I pick the lock on her fence, leaving it slightly ajar behind me. If tonight doesn’t go according to plan, and Poppy doesn’t cooperate, I’ll need to get away quickly. She may be reluctant at first, but I think she’ll see the benefits of what I have planned. Her need to see and know me is almost as strong as my need to touch her, and that makes me a very happy man.

  I come up to her window and peek inside. I know she’s in her room, but it’s not because I’ve been watching her all day. I only watched her as she opened her gift, but then I made myself turn the video feed off. It was pure torture, but I wanted to see her in the lingerie I got her in person, not from my phone or computer screen. When I pulled up a few minutes ago, I brought up the video feed just long enough to see that she was reclining back on her bed with her phone in her hands. I forced my eyes to stay on her face and not travel down her silk-clad body.

  My cock turns rock solid when I see her curled up on her bed, her breasts almost popping out of the satin top of the nightie. Her thick brown hair is left down to fall over her shoulders. The length is long, and will be a good way to keep her in place as I fuck her from behind. I can see the dark points of her nipples poking out of the soft material. She’s slightly facing me, so I can see a glimpse of toned stomach peeking out of the split of the fabric.

  My mouth waters at the thought of sliding my tongue all over her gorgeous body. I was intent on waiting until we went to Dallas to finally touch her, but I just can’t wait any longer. Seeing a new side to Poppy and having her really talk to me without intimidation has really pushed my buttons. I found myself several times damn near snatching her body to me and devouring every inch of her skin. Sitting across from her at dinner on Wednesday and seeing her relax in my company gave me one of the best feelings in the world. It’s a damn good thing she got in her car when she did, because I was seconds
away from saying fuck it and pinning her to the door and fucking every hole she has. I feel crazy with need for her.

  Although I’m allowing myself to give into the need to touch her, I’m still not giving my identity up yet. That’s where the scarf comes in. A wicked smile touches my lips with all the things I could do with that scarf.

  Keeping my eyes pinned on Poppy, I pull my phone from my pocket. It’s not my usual phone. I bought one specifically for Poppy. As her boss, she knows my personal cell number, so I had to buy another one when I came up with the idea to start texting her. Her number is the only one programmed in, so I don’t need to search for it. I hit the green phone icon by her name and bring it to my ear. Satisfaction soars through me when I see her reaction at seeing my name on her screen.

  “Hi,” she says, her soft voice making my already rock-hard cock to jump.

  “Hello, Poppy.”

  I watch through the window as a stunning smile crosses her lips. It almost takes my fucking breath away.

  “What are you doing right now?” I ask, just to see what she says.

  “Lying on my bed, talking to you.”

  “Did you like my gift?”

  “I did… it’s beautiful. Thank you.” She lovingly fiddles with the hem of the nightie. “I’m wearing it right now, actually.”

  “I know,” I reveal softly.

  Her fingers stop playing with the material and her body gives a small jerk. Her eyes begin darting around the room. “What? How?”

  “Hush,” I soothe, and watch her body relax slightly, although she still seems a little tense. “I’ll explain later. Tell me how it feels against your skin.”