Just a Number (Thirst Trap #2)

25. Mel

Chapter twenty-five

Mel

E verything seems to be under control. It’s the inaugural Creative Awards at the Arts Centre and I need it to run smoothly. I wrestled with the board to take full control of the event rather than share it with a colleague. I know I’m fully capable, but I need to prove myself. I’m getting fed up with some of the board's decisions recently; they’re leaning more towards micro-management than the strategic direction they’re supposed to be there for and it’s pissing me off.

Not for the first time, I give myself a moment to daydream about running my own business and doing it my way. My life is so up in the air at the moment, perhaps I should just embrace the chaos and go for it.

“Mel, can you come and check this?” Stacey calls from the other side of the hall where the awards ceremony is being held. I head over to see what she needs and once I’ve put out that fire I take a slow lap of the room, checking all the details like the table decorations and how the stage is set up.

I’m backstage when Alex appears, strolling towards me with a grin on his face.

“Hey, I’ve been looking for you,” he says as he steps so close that our toes are touching and tucks a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. “How are you doing?” I draw in a breath. There’s a hint of frustration bubbling in my veins after earlier when that woman had been flirting with him. And in my professional capacity, I couldn’t exactly tell her to take her eyes off him just because I want him all to myself. Dammit. She was closer in age to him and attractive in an edgy, artsy way. They looked like they’d fit together as a couple. “Mel?” he states again, drawing me out of my envious thoughts.

“I’m fine, thanks, Alex. What do you need?”

“I just wanted to check how you were. It’s a big event. All going okay?”

“Yes, getting there.” I check my watch. “Almost time to open the doors. Is everything organised in the studio?”

“Yep, done all my prep work and made some samples too. How long have we got?”

“What do you mean? The doors open in an hour,” I reply with a frown.

“Come with me. I’ve got something to show you.” He grasps my hand and tugs me further backstage.

“Where are we going?”

“In here.” He opens up a door that’s invisible apart from its handle.

Inside, there’s a rack full of costumes and shelves stacked with props. “Why are we in here?” I ask as I look around, trying to take it all in. He closes the door.

“For this,” is all he says before he reaches for my face and walks us backwards until my back hits the hard, cold wall behind me. His long fingers tangle in my hair as his other hand cups my breast through my blouse. I moan low as his heat spreads through me. His thigh pushes between my legs, but my pencil skirt is tight and there’s not enough room in it for him to give me the pressure I need.

His mouth eases back, and he peppers my face with kisses. “These tight skirts you wear give me such dirty thoughts,” he rasps. “And paired with these silky, almost see-through blouses… fuck, Mel. I just wanna strip you down and worship you.”

My eyes close and a blush works up my cheeks as I picture him at my feet, my skirt abandoned while he feasts on my clit.

“Look at me,” he demands, and I open my eyes before I can even question if I will do what he says. “You’ve got two choices: I can pull your skirt up here and now, turn you round and fuck you until your pussy weeps all over my cock. Or you can wait until later and we can take it slow and I’ll make you come all over my tongue before I fill you. Which one, Mel?” His voice is low and gravelly and his chest rises and falls as he pulls in breaths. He’s as into this as I am. I love his dirty mouth and wonder if he’s been taking lessons from the romance novels he’s been sneaking out to read.

“I need you now. But you have to be quick. I have to get back out there.” I’d love nothing more than to spend hours in his arms, but I don’t have time. And he’s got me so worked up with just a kiss that I need some kind of release.

“Good girl. Turn around,” he tells me as he steps back, giving me room. “Hands on the wall.” His hands skate over my rear and down towards the hem of my skirt. He pulls it up over my thighs and bunches it at my waist. “Fuck,” he growls as he pings the lacy top of one of my thigh-high stockings. My pussy clenches as it snaps against my skin. He tugs at my silky underwear, pulling them down my legs and holding each ankle up in turn to free them from my legs. I’m standing, palms flat against the wall, in my heels and stockings but otherwise bare below the waist. It’s a vulnerable position, but the goosebumps on my naked body and involuntary shiver aren’t from fear. I need him.

“Alex, please,” I beg.

“If we had all the time in the world, I’d be on my knees right now, worshipping this tight cunt with my tongue.” He palms my pussy as he says it.

I whimper as one of his fingers eases inside me and swipes at the wetness building there. “Fuck, you’re already so wet.”

He pulls it out slowly and I clench to try and keep him there. He chuckles. “Such a needy pussy. Let’s fill you up.” His breath fans my ear as he whispers it, causing me to shudder.

His belt clunks open and then there’s the rasp of his zipper easing down. “Good job I bought supplies,” he murmurs as he rips open a condom packet. I want to turn around and watch while he puts it on, but he’s fast and the crown of his cock is soon nudging at my entrance. This never gets old. I close my eyes, ready to savour the feeling of being completely filled. He grips my hips and we both moan as his cock pushes inside me. I wiggle my hips to find an angle that works and let out a gasp as he slides home.

“Fuck, Alex.” I want to chant his name.

“I wish you could see this, Mel. You look so fucking hot standing there in heels and stockings, stretched around my cock.” He pulls out slowly and pushes back in, building up the speed of his thrusts until our skin slaps together with each push. I pant, getting wetter with every stroke. “I’m going to reach around and touch your clit. I want you to come all over me.”

It can only be minutes and yet every nerve in my body is already at fever pitch, desperate for release. I welcome the brush of his callused finger rubbing at my swollen clit, moaning loudly. I’m too far into this now. I don’t even care if people can hear me getting off. When he pinches it, I detonate. My whole body quakes with the orgasm as I give in to every sensation. Our breathing is laboured, and he rocks his hips, letting out a low, sexy groan as he thrusts deep and gives in to his own release.

We’re both quiet while we catch our breath and he eases from me. His hands are gentle as he smooths them over my rear. He crouches down and kisses each cheek before helping me back into my underwear and easing my skirt back down. Thank goodness I have a change of clothes for the event because it’s badly creased. But I needed that. The stress from the last few days has been overwhelming. I’m grateful he took me out of my head for a moment to just focus on the physical.

I turn round as he removes the condom and wraps it in a tissue before putting it in the bin by the door. He fastens his trousers and his belt with a smile on his face.

“Okay?” he asks, reaching out to brush a thumb over my cheek.

“I think so.” I lean into his hand. I want to stay and talk to him. I want more than just a quickie in a store cupboard, but we’ve both got jobs to do. This isn’t the time to discuss where we go from here. What this thing between us actually means. “I’m sorry to rush out on you but I really need to go.”

“I know. You’re an important woman. Go be awesome. We can catch up later.”

I stand to the side of the space, clapping as the last award of the night is given out. My gaze sweeps the room and satisfaction settles inside me at the happy faces and atmosphere of celebration. There’s been a few small dramas that have needed my attention, but that’s par for the course in my job. Now the ceremony is finished, the staff will move the tables to create space for a dance floor in front of the band that will play on the stage. We’re not done yet, but there’s a midnight curfew, so hopefully I’ll be tucked up in my bed in a couple of hours.

And maybe if I’m lucky, Alex will be there with me.

I’m draining a tall glass of chilled water at the bar when I hear my name. I turn to find a couple approaching me. Plastering a polite smile on my face, I greet them.

“Hey, Susie, Mark. How are you both?”

“I thought I spotted you earlier, Mel. You’re running this event?” Susie asks as she leans in to air-kiss my cheek. Mark raises his brow with a nod in greeting.

“I am, yes. I hope you’ve had a good night.”

“It’s been amazing. I was invited through work. They’re trying to do their bit to support the arts. How have you been? I was so sad to hear about John and you getting divorced. I’ve not seen you for ages.”

“I’m good, thanks.” My polite smile is fully in force as I try to work out how to get away from this conversation with a colleague of John’s and his wife. I get caught making small talk with them for a few minutes while Susie decides to update me on the comings and goings of John’s office.

“Did you hear about Nancy?” Susie asks as she leans closer, eager to spill the tea.

“No.”

“She ran off with a man half her age. The whole office was shocked, wasn’t it, Mark?” Mark nods along with his wife. “I mean, it’s bad enough cheating but to do it with a younger man and then leave her husband. Appalling. And what’s her toyboy going to want with her after this little fling anyway? He’ll soon find someone younger and more suited.”

Shame courses through me. Is that what people will think if Alex and I go public? What the hell am I playing at? I’m lost for words.

“Oh,” is all I can muster.

Susie eases away, disappointment painting her face at my lack of response to her hot bit of gossip. “I’m sure you’ve got lots to do. We won’t hold you up.” She gives me a very fake smile and my eyes widen at the blatant dismissal when they approached me in the first place.

“I do need to check some details. It was good to see you both.” I keep my smile pinned as I turn away and let out a sigh as I walk away.

As I step into the foyer, Alex is locking up the pottery studio. I spend a moment trying to decide if I should hide or not. Too late. He turns and his face lights up with a grin when he sees me standing there. He lopes towards me as panic churns my stomach. I glance over my shoulder to check who’s loitering by the door and then hurry to meet Alex further away from the events hall.

“Hey, what’s the rush? Everything okay?” He cups my elbows, and he’s too close. If someone stepped out now, they’d see us.

“I’m fine.” I paste on that same polite smile from a moment ago. The one I’ve used all my life to be ‘perfect Mel’, who doesn’t put a foot wrong. Fuck. “On your way out?”

“Brenda asked me to lock up while she dances the night away in there.” He nods to the hall. “It sounds like it went well. I’m so fucking proud of you.” Warmth enthuses me at his praise, but it’s competing with shame after that run-in with Susie and Mark. The look on his face is so earnest that I step back. He frowns as I move away. “You sure you’re okay? You’re kinda pale.”

“I just need to sort out some problems. I should go.” I gesture vaguely over my shoulder.

“Anything I can help with? I’m happy to wait and see you safely home. We can carry on where we left off earlier.”

Laughter and good cheer spills from the space behind us and my paranoia of being caught increases.

“No, no, there’s no need. Head home and I’ll catch up with you later.” I keep my tone light and slightly dismissive to get him moving along.

“If you’re sure?”

“I really need to go and find my staff. See you later.” I school my features into my most professional look and give him a nod. His brows knit and he hesitates for a moment but doesn’t say anything or step any closer. Thank goodness.

Pain radiates in my chest as I turn and walk away from him. When I get back to the doorway, I look back and he’s headed out the main door. I hurry inside in case he looks back at me.

I can’t keep doing this. I need to put a stop to it. But it might be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, to push him away.