Page 21 of Pleasure Control

“Thanks.” Setting her drink down, she reached for the pack and anchored it in place. She graced him with a smile. “I got it.” His hand grazed hers as he pulled it away. The rough caress heated her blood and aroused all her senses, leaving her warm and wanting.

And wet.

His eyes regarded her tenderly as he brushed a wayward strand of hair from her eyes. A shiver raced down her spine.

“When that melts, let me know and I’ll refill the bag.”

Warmth flowed through her and touched her deepest corners. She felt an odd closeness between them as he sidled impossibly closer. There had always been an easy comfort between them, but she sensed a curious shift, some sort of unspoken intimacy with him that hadn’t been there before. Maybe it was just her wishful thinking.

A sudden breeze blew through the backyard and helped cool the heat inside her. Jay remained at her side, obviously not in a hurry to bond with the others or to take a dip in the pool—a pool swarming with a bevy of blond piranhas just waiting for their prey.

Fearing that he’d want to discuss their botched experiment the previous evening, she guided the conversation to Bonnie and Clyde.

She arched a questioning brow. “Did the new serum work on Clyde last night?”

Once again, his brow puckered into a frown as he gave an impatient sigh. Thick muscles flexed and relaxed again as he moved himself to the foot of her lounger, gathered her feet in his hands, and draped them over his lap. He scrubbed his hand over his chin and shook his head. His square jaw clenched as he donned his professional face.

“No, dammit. That’s why we really need to test it again tonight, on me. I need to feel and record the results myself.” He muttered curses of frustration under his breath.

Laura, too, slipped into her professional mode and directed her thoughts. “I don’t know Jay, I still feel something is missing from the formula. It’s like we’re overlooking something. Something small but vital.” Deep in concentration, she nibbled on her bottom lip. “I just can’t seem to put my finger on it.”

Bare feet padding on the cement walkway a few feet away heralded the arrival of their director and pulled her from her musings.

“Well, well, look at you two. Both deep in thought.” Laura tilted her head, shaded the hot afternoon sun from her eyes, and watched Reginald Smith saunter closer.

He dipped his head. Thick gray hair, too long for a man of his stature, fell forward as his attention glided over her ice pack. “How’s that elbow, Laura?”

She flexed her arm and ignored the dull ache. “It’s fine. Just stiff,” she assured him.

He drove his hands deep into the pockets of his tight neon-orange swimsuit that undoubtedly had been kicking around his closet since the sixties. Not a real great look for a man his age or size.

Although Reginald appeared laid back and easygoing, the look on his face spoke volumes. First and foremost, he was a businessman and not to be underestimated.

“Good. I wouldn’t want that to interfere with you two presenting your findings to the board next week.”

Jay’s fingers slid over her bare skin and closed around her ankle. He gave a gentle squeeze. A silent message to play along. The feel of his strong hands on her naked flesh brought back heated memories of last night, making it most difficult to form a coherent thought. She suppressed a shiver, censored the provocative slide show in her mind’s eye, and worked to speak.

“Nothing will interfere with our presentation,” Jay said. He glanced at Laura. “Right?”

Laura tried for casual and prayed her voice didn’t betray her. She gave a tight nod as they exchanged a look. “That’s right,” she agreed.

Reginald slanted his head and focused on Laura. “I’m assuming everything is going according to plan, then?” he inquired with an unwavering stare.

Jay squeezed again. His touch was most distracting and evoked a myriad of sinful thoughts.

She cleared her throat and centered herself. “Naturally,” Laura said with much more confidence than she felt. “We’ve been working long and hard into the night on this.”

Long and hard being the key words. She neglected to tell exactly what was long and hard.

“Of course, you both know how important the grant money is to the research center. And if all goes according to plan, by the time next winter rolls around you can both begin preliminary trials on Pleasure Prolonged, the new serum designed to give men prolonged erections and multiple orgasms.”

They nodded in unison and then Jay redirected the conversation. “Any leads on the break-in?”

“We’re still working on it.” Reginald gave an angry shake of his head as his gorgeous wife Veronica came up beside him. “Detective Doyle seems to think it’s an inside job.”

Veronica puckered her pouty lips, shook her silky raven locks off her shoulders, and slipped her slender arm around Reginald’s protruding middle.

“At least Laura was smart enough to keep the files outside the office,” Reginald added.

---