I can’t help but smile. He does that to me. “Okay, bye.” I step away, heading to the elevator. I get to the parking lot and pick one of the company cars. As the COO’s assistant, I have access to them. I get into the car and drive quickly to Sheryl’s house.

She lives in a decent neighborhood with a lawn in the front of her charming house. She’s made it as a junior associate, working in a top law firm in London. She opens her door, grinning at me in her nightgown. “Chasmin! I saw you from the window and had to run out. You look great.”

“You too.” I hug her tightly. She is a plump, curvy woman with a soft side, but only for those she cares for. She has hazy auburn hair in a messy updo and shrewd, dark eyes, Sheryl looks motherly.

“Come in. Don’t mind the mess. I just arrived and haven’t gotten around to cleaning just yet. I should have my Christmas decorations up soon.” She ushers me into the house. I take a seat in one of her soft, comfy stuffed armchairs.

“I expected you to stay home for Christmas,” I say to her. She’s in the kitchen. She brings out a plate of cookies and juice.

“Sorry, I haven’t prepared much yet. Oh, yes, I want to arrive next year but work calls, and the family drama at home during Christmas is going to be a headache. Now, you tell me, how have things been since I’ve been away?” She takes her seat on the couch, her legs crossed on the center table with a cookie in her mouth.

I tell her everything from Paul’s attack to Claudette’s emergence and my growing fear. When I’m done, Sheryl is between a laugh and full seriousness. “To hell with Paul, but you worrying about Claudette or whatever her name is, is funny. Lance doesn’t seem like a man even remotely interested in such a woman. You should give him more credit. In time, he'll tell you about it.”

“I want to know about it now. If I were on the internet more, I’d have known the ins and outs of this situation.” I gulp down my drink.

“The internet is only going to confuse and poison your mind against him. He’s the one to tell you the truth; and to get it, you might need to resort to your womanly wiles.” She winks, and I get the message. Nonetheless, my insecurity about Claudette's presence in Lance’s life doesn’t ease up.

I smile and quickly find out Lance’s location. He’s still at the company. I hug Sheryl goodbye and speed back home. On my way, I get rose petals. When I arrive, I begin to set up. I turn on the ambient red light and sprinkle the petals on the ground, from the door to the dining table. I quickly set the dining table for a meal for him, and I go to change into my nightgown, hiding my black lace lingerie under it. Soft piano music sets the mood.

I look out the window to see Lance’s car pulling into the parking lot. I go to the dining table and wait for him. I hear the door click and Lance’s footsteps as he walks in. My chest beats fast in excitement. This is the first time I’ve taken the initiative. I’m not sure if it will work.

He steps into the dining room. Although the lights are dim, I see the smile on his face. He has taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. “This is beautiful, babe. Why did you do this?” He hugs me, caressing my back through my dress. I twist out of his embrace, leading him to his seat. He sits at the head of the table and spreads his legs for comfort. A stream of warmth flows through my body, burning pleasantly in my core.

“I noticed you’ve been moody and I wanted to cheer you up. I don’t know if it’s working.” I rise from my seat, pulling up the hem of my nightgown to show my thighs as I walk to him.

“There are two meals here, and it is so hard to focus.” He smiles, unbuttoning his shirt. His eyes drink me hungrily, and that delights me.

I sit in front of him, pushing the plates closer to us. “Why don’t I make the decision easier for you?” I press my foot to his crotch, feeling how hard he is. I clench my toes, feeling the heat coming from his member – all for me. He groans in pleasure and stands to kiss me. I wrap one hand around his neck while the other hand rests on the table for support. We kiss, and I lose my mind. His hands trail up my body, squeezing my breasts. He pinches my hard nipples through my dress.

We break apart for a minute, and he undoes his tie. I lick my lips and feel up his thigh with my foot. He brings my foot to his lips. He kisses it, sucking on my toes. He then kisses my feet, going higher to my thighs, searching for my core. He leaves a burning trail of passion to my core.

I throw my head back, my gown falling off my shoulders. He uses his teeth to take off my panties and brings his lips to my nether region, kissing my lips. I gasp, feeling his tongue slurp me as well.

“Lance!” I cry out. He grips my waist firmly to keep me from moving. I lie back on the table, and he places my legs on his shoulder to eat me deeply and expertly.

I moan endlessly, reaching my peak when he sucks my bud and thrusts his fingers into me hard and fast. He comes up, and I look at that handsome face with hazy eyes. I kiss them, hugging him tightly with the little strength I have.

“Baby, I’m not satisfied,” I moan, caressing his chest. My hand goes to his thighs, seeking his member.

He growls in my ear, biting my neck and kissing it. “We’re just getting started.” He pins my hands behind my back with one hand and uses the other to take off his belt in one smooth fluid motion. He uses it to tie my arms. I stand on wobbly legs, and he takes off my lingerie slowly, slapping my ass and running his teeth over my skin. He sucks on my breasts as he plays with my bud. I moan loudly, pressing my body to him for even more.

He smiles and lifts me to my feet, then back onto the table. He parts my legs into an M- shape. He leans over me, kissing me before sliding his member into my core. He is groaning and his eyes roll back. He whispers under his breath, “Fuck!”

I cry in ecstasy as a deep sense of fulfilment and fullness spreads over me. I clamp down hard on him, feeling his hot throbbing rod sliding deeper. I shiver with warmth and electricity clawing up my back. When I look at him, he’s the sexiest man in the world, and I can’t get enough of him.

“Oh, take me!” I yell.

He growls in response. I wrap my legs around his waist and sit on his member. He kisses me and takes me to his room. On the way, he pounds into me, his hands molding my ass to his desire. In bed, he wrecks me, tearing my clothes off. He sucks and caresses my boobs as he thrusts, pounding continuously alternating with eating me out. We stand by the open window; as the air scoots in, he rides me hard from the back. At this point, I’m not able to move without help.

He seems to have boundless energy to release. We return to the bed; he climbs on me, inserting himself while pinning my hands over the top of my head. I gaze longingly into his eyes, overcome with emotion. We breathe heavily, kissing slowly as he thrusts and groans. He throws his head back, growling into the air as he releases his warmth into me. I call his name, hugging him and kissing his sweaty skin. My body burns hot and bright. I thrash in bed as my mind and body become flooded with pleasure.

We crash into each other, enjoying each other’s embrace as we fall asleep. The next morning, a shrill ring of the doorbell wakes both of us in bed. He’s still sleepy and goes back to sleep. “Forget it. They can come back later,” he mutters.

The ring doesn’t stop. I sigh, getting out of bed and putting on a robe. It doesn’t seem to stop, so I go answer it. “Wear your clothes, dear. This might be your guest.” I kiss his cheek before leaving the room.

I get to the door and open it. “Hello?” The ringing stops, and I sigh in relief. “How may I…” The words get stuck in my throat.

There’s a woman who I vaguely recognize and a boy who looks like Lance at the door. “Hey, I want to see Lance. His son can’t wait to see him.” She smiles, but her eyes look at me with derision.