All I Want for Christmas

Chapter Four

Dex barely touched his dessert, waiting for Erin to return from the ladies’ room. As she made her way back to the table, she stopped numerous times to talk to various people from work. Before she'd even made it back to the table, some of the execs were giving their speeches, mercifully keeping them short and sweet. They drew for a few door prizes, creating a buzz in the air as people claimed their winnings, then the lights were lowered, and the dancing started.

Several couples immediately took to the dance floor while others just stood up and started mingling.

"So who's going to be the talk of the office tomorrow?” Marty, one of the accountants, asked with a smirk.

"It's always someone,” Joe replied. “Remember last year, when the CEO's secretary did a striptease?"

"Ha! Do I! That was a classic! How about the year that Bob Russell puked all over the VP of Marketing?"

"Man, he was in rough shape that night,” Marty agreed.

Dex listened with amusement. Yeah, these parties were just an invitation for trouble if you weren't careful. He turned in his seat and pushed his chair back so he could talk to Erin.

"How was dinner?” he asked.

"It was great. Did you enjoy it?"

"Oh, yeah.” He paused. “Would you like to dance?"

There was the briefest of hesitation, and then she said, “Sure.” They stood up and walked to the dance floor. Dex didn't mind dancing, but usually it was something he did because women expected it. Erin was a good dancer, not too flamboyant, and they moved to the beat of a current popular dance song. They stayed up for one more song, conversation difficult with the loud music, and then a slow song started. Erin hesitated, but Dex had been waiting for this and took her hand in his and pulled her close.

"Um...” Erin started to say something.

"What?” He bent his head. He was much taller than Erin, but she felt incredible in his arms.

"Nothing.” She smiled up at him, eyes warm and sparkling, cheeks flushed. God, she was gorgeous. He smiled back at her as they swayed slowly to the music.

"Did I tell you that you look gorgeous tonight?” he murmured.

The corners of her mouth kicked up. “Um ... no. Actually, you said I looked beautiful."

"Oh. Well. Beautiful and gorgeous. And hot."

"Are you flirting with me?” she asked, tilting her head appealingly to one side.

"Yes."

"Oh.” She swallowed. “Okay, then. Good."

"Is it good?"

She nodded slowly, her dark eyes fastened on his, and the rest of the room faded away as they moved to the slow, sensuous music, their bodies pressed together. They moved well together, no stepping on feet or awkward moves. When the song ended, it was several heartbeats before they realized and stepped away from each other.

Erin reached up and moved a long shiny tendril of dark hair away from her face. “How about another drink?” he offered and led the way to the bar.

He kept her by his side for the rest of the evening, while they mingled and talked to coworkers, danced again, waited with bated breath for door prizes to be drawn, commiserated when they won nothing. He'd never had more fun in his life. She was vibrant, entertaining, sexy as hell.

"How old are you?” Erin asked him when they were actually alone for a few minutes.

"Thirty-one. You?"

"Twenty-six."

"A baby.” He grinned, and she smiled back.

"Have you ever been married?"

He shook his head, sipped his drink. “No."

"Me neither. Have you ever been in love?"

"Whoa, what's with the questions?” he asked lightly. “Yeah, I guess I have."

Erin nodded thoughtfully. “Just trying to get to know you better. I know you're very smart because you're the youngest director in the company. Apparently you're a mathematical genius. I know you like playing baseball and pool, and I know you work long hours. Although you surprised me earlier when you said family takes precedence over work."

Why would that surprise her? Did he have some kind of reputation as a workaholic slave-driver or something? “Of course family is most important,” he said. “I also like to ski and play hockey, and I'm not a mathematical genius. I just like numbers."

"I dislike numbers very much,” she told him. He laughed. “And Excel spreadsheets and I do not get along."

"If you ever need help with a spreadsheet, I'm your man,” he said softly, touching a long curl that rested on her shoulder.

"Good to know."

"What about you? Tell me more about you. I know you're also a hard worker, you're smart and funny and a bit of a pool shark. Do you ski?"

She nodded. “A little. I'm not very good. Definitely don't play hockey."

He laughed again. “That's okay."

"I like going out for dinner and trying new restaurants, shopping and doing stuff with my nieces on weekends."

"How old are your nieces?” He remembered her watching the kids visiting Santa at the mall.

Her face softened. “Four, five, six and seven."

"Yikes."

She grinned. “The four-and six-year-olds belong to my sister, Anna, and the five-and seven-year-olds are my other sister, Jillian's. They're very competitive, and it was a race to produce the first grandchild. Jillian won."

"No boys yet in the family?"

She shook her head. “No. Anna and Jillian say that's up to me.” She laughed. “Could be waiting a long time for that, though."

"Don't you want kids?” He'd gotten the impression she really liked kids.

"Oh, yes, some day I do, but you kind of need a man for that. Well, actually these days I guess that's not totally true. But I'm not sure I'll ever get to the point where I'd go to a sperm donor just so I could have a baby."

Usually talk about having babies made him extremely nervous, but for some reason tonight the idea of Erin going to a sperm donor annoyed him. He had no idea why. It's not as if he were going to father her children ... although ... the idea wasn't as off-putting as it should have been.

The evening was a joyful haze of Christmas lights, music and laughter as Dex took her arm and kept her with him while he mingled with staff. Before tonight, she'd admired him from afar, although she did know some things about him. She'd been in meetings with him many times, and it wasn't just his good looks across the boardroom table that made her pant with desire. He was sharply intelligent, and he cared about the people who worked for him. She'd seen him stand up for someone who'd made a mistake because he encouraged his people to take risks. Unusual for a Finance guy. Usually they saw everything in black and white. She'd seen him argue for a decision that he believed in and others didn't, and later seen him proved right. But tonight, getting to know him better on a more personal level made him even more attractive. The way he looked at her so intently, those sparkly golden-brown eyes seeming to see right inside her, made her feel all warm and melty. He laughed at her jokes and smiled deliciously down at her, dimples deepening, giving her all sorts of achy, yearning feelings that she wasn't entirely sure what to do about.

Go for it, had been Kayla's advice.

So she stayed with him, smiling and making conversation with the two vice presidents at his side even as she wondered what they were thinking about Dex and her being together. A few people were giving them curious looks but, maybe because it was Dex, nobody said anything.

They danced again later in the evening, another slow dance, surrounded by couples barely moving to the music. Erin felt so good in his arms, but the boner in his pants was starting to get noticeable. As they danced, he tried to keep Erin at a bit of distance so as not to embarrass her (or himself), but she was determined to get closer to him. When she snuggled in against him and felt the happy package, her gaze flew up to his. He met her eyes steadily, watched her pupils explode, ready for her to pull back. Instead, she moved closer, if that were possible, letting go of his hand to wind both her arms around his neck. Her soft breasts pressed against his chest as she nestled closer, and he put both arms around her.

He realized they were practically standing on the dance floor making out and were starting to attract some knowing looks. But damn it, he did not want to move away from her at that moment. Or ever.

"Erin?” he murmured in her ear.

"Mmm.” She moved her hips against his enticingly. Jesus.

"People are looking at us. I don't mind, but..."

She raised her head and looked at him. “You don't want to be the talk of the office tomorrow?"

"Like I said, I don't care.” Hell, people could say what they wanted about him; it was Erin he was concerned about. “You might care, though. Somehow guys can get away with more."

She looked up at him and blinked. “True.” Then she smiled. “But I've wanted this forever."

"Really?” He smiled back at her, pleased and excited by her admission.

"Really. You're so hot, Dex.” She stroked his shoulder gently. “I've had such a crush on you."

He swallowed. “Uh ... wow.” She nodded dreamily, barely moving to the music. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. She was into him, too! Although she did seem the tiniest bit woozy, her words ever-so-slightly unclear. He hoped like hell it wasn't the booze talking.

The song was coming to an end. “Meet me out in the hall in five minutes."

Huh? She pulled away from him and disappeared through the crowd, presumably back to her table. He followed at a slower pace, back to the table where he'd sat for dinner, found the drink he'd left sitting there. He talked to a couple of people there for a few minutes then, as instructed, left the ballroom. The small hallway outside was empty except for Erin, standing by the door to the ladies’ room. When she saw him walking up to her, she grabbed his hand, pushed open the washroom door, and dragged him inside.

"Whoa!” Startled, he tried to resist but the element of surprise was on her side so, despite his much greater size, she was able to drag him into one of the stalls and slam the door shut.

"Shh!” she hissed. She locked the door then turned to him. He glanced around. Wow. Ladies’ bathrooms were really nice. She turned him and pushed him down to sit on the chair with the red velvet seat. He could just stare at her as she hiked her snug skirt up over her thighs so she could straddle his lap.

Holy shit. All the blood in his veins immediately rushed to his dick, which hardened painfully and made him dizzy. “Erin...” he croaked.

She put her hands on his shoulders and leaned in to kiss him, a luscious, soft, lingering kiss. He put his hands on her waist almost helplessly and held her, kissed her back. Her lips were velvety and warm and, when she opened her mouth over his and touched her tongue to his lips, his head started spinning.

He slid a hand up her back, over the smooth bare skin above the strapless dress and into her long silky hair to hold her head. He tilted her head for a better angle and deepened the kiss. On and on it went, deep, open-mouthed, devouring, something he'd wanted to do for months.

"Erin,” he groaned. Her small hands clamped onto his shoulders through the suit jacket, and he felt her squirming on his lap to get nearer. “God, Erin.” Then her hands were in his hair, gripping and tugging. Jesus, she was hot.

He moved the hand that was on her waist down so he could slide it along the silky skin of her thigh, and she moaned into his mouth. He was throbbing everywhere, insanely turned on by this outrageous conduct, even more aroused by the knowledge that all their coworkers were just feet away merrily partying.

She wriggled closer to him, and he could feel the damp heat of her panties against his crotch. Then she bit his lip, just hard enough to make him jump. “Sorry,” she whispered, and licked his bottom lip. Then she kissed him again. My God, she was going to kill him. Lust rose in him like a tidal wave, threatened to sweep them both away, and he ate at her mouth hungrily, fiercely.

She sat up and arched her back in invitation, her breasts so close to his face. He hesitated only a nanosecond before reaching for the back of her dress.

"The zipper's at the side,” she murmured, and lifted her left arm. He found the tiny tab and yanked it down, loosening the snug bodice, then tugged it down to her waist. God in heaven, her breasts were a work of art. High, round, just full enough, with tight dark nipples that begged to be sucked. He salivated as he looked down at her in awe.

"Beautiful, Erin,” he muttered and, closing his eyes, he bent to taste her. He took the tip of one breast into his mouth, and she was sweet against his tongue. He felt her quiver, arch her back even more, head falling back so her long hair was on his knees. He fisted one hand in that hair and tugged hard, tugged her back even farther, and he covered her chest with kisses, returning to the other hard little nipple to tug and suck.

"Dex, oh, God,” she cried out softly.

"Shh,” he whispered. “We have to be quiet."

"Yes, yes, quiet,” she babbled mindlessly. Then she let out a long moan as he sucked hard on the budded tip of her breast. Her pelvis pressed against his hard-on, and he pushed her thighs farther apart to allow her closer. Rocking against him, she was clearly seeking satisfaction.

"Hold on, gorgeous,” he whispered and shoved his hand inside the black lace panties she wore. His fingers found her wet and hot and slick, and he stroked through her creases, as low as he could go in the position they were in, finding the entrance to her tight sheath, then back up over the swollen button that was her clitoris. She jerked on his lap when he touched her there, bit her lip, eyes closed.

"Is that good?” he asked softly, stroking her there.

"Yes,” she sighed. “So good."

He felt the tension building in her body, her thighs quivering, muscles tightening, and then they both heard the door to the ladies’ room open. High-pitched voices chattered as two—or was it three?—women came in.

Erin and Dex tensed and leaned their foreheads together, panting, trying not to make a sound. Erin didn't recognize the voices. Damn! She'd been so close! She tried to suck oxygen into her lungs. Her head whirled, and she throbbed between her legs.

She put a finger on Dex's lips and smiled. He looked panicked, and she almost giggled. She sat there on his lap, throbbing and aching to finish what they'd started while the girls took their time fixing their makeup and gossiping.

Dex tried to remove his hand, but she grabbed his wrist and glared at him. He grinned and left his hand where it was, resumed stroking and rubbing ... yes ... right ... there. A whimper escaped her mouth, and she clapped a horrified hand over it.

The bathroom grew quiet, and Erin heard muffled giggles. Oh, no. They probably spotted Dex's shoes beneath the door. The door of the stall went almost to the floor, so she'd been hoping they wouldn't notice the shiny black dress shoes. Maybe they hadn't. Maybe they were giggling about something else. She closed her eyes, quivering with need.

When the room was silent again, she opened her eyes to look at Dex. He was fighting a smile, eyes gleaming. “I think they might have noticed us,” she whispered.

He nodded and bit his lip. “Ya think?"

"I'm sorry, Dex."

He grabbed her ass and hauled her closer. “Might as well finish what we started."

His hand delved into her panties again, his fingers slick with her moisture, and her body tightened and twitched as he stroked her. “God!” she cried out, unable to keep quiet as the tension spiraled up and up and over, her body shuddering in delight as she collapsed onto Dex's broad chest.

She lay there, limp and quivering. The room tilted and twirled around her, and she wasn't sure if it was the orgasm or the wine that made her all dizzy and weak.

"I can't believe we just did that,” he muttered in her ear, laughter tingeing his deep voice.

"Believe it,” she whimpered into his chest. “That was incredible.” Then she lifted her head. “But not for you.” She started to move on his lap, and he put his hands on her hips to still her, shaking his head ruefully.

"It's okay,” he said, his voice raspy. “You owe me, but I'll collect later."

She looked into his eyes and smiled slowly. “I owe you."

She climbed off his lap and straightened her clothing, enjoying the admiration and lust she could see in his face as he watched her. He ran his hands through his hair and straightened his tie, but otherwise he didn't look any worse off. Her reflection, on the other hand, revealed a wanton woman with tangled hair, swollen lips and just the faintest hint of whisker burn on her chin. She rolled her lips in as she dug in her little purse for her lipstick.

He stood behind her, stroking her long hair back off her face and running his fingers through it to tame it. “I don't have a hair brush,” she whispered.

"It looks fine,” he told her. “Very sexy."

She stood up and turned to face him. He was sexy. Insanely sexy. She kissed him lightly on the mouth, then rubbed the lipstick away with her thumb. “Thank you,” she said softly.

"Don't forget. You owe me,” he reminded her with a wicked gleam in his eye.

He let her leave first as a scout. She checked the hallway and finding no one there, beckoned him. He then disappeared into the men's room so she wouldn't go back into the ballroom with him.

Erin walked casually back to her table. Kayla and Brent were sitting there.

"Hey,” Kayla said, looking Erin up and down. “Where were you?"

"Dancing,” she replied, picking up a half-drank glass of wine.

"Oh. ‘Cause Wendy and Melissa just came back. Apparently there's a couple getting it on in the ladies’ room."

Erin fought to control the heat that would make her cheeks pink and hot. “Really?” She tipped the last of a wine bottle into her glass.

"Are you okay?” Kayla asked. “You look kind of flushed. Maybe you've had enough wine."

"There you go, being a mother again,” Erin teased. “I am totally fine.” Although she did feel a nice little buzz. She sat back in her chair and wondered where Dex had gotten to. Oh, man, did he know how to get a girl off. She'd been so wound up and hot for him it had hardly taken anything. Now they just had to hope that no one would realize it had been them in there.

She looked around at the party. It was getting late, and some people had started to leave. In fact, Kayla was picking up her purse and looking for her husband.

"Do you want to come with us?” she asked Erin.

"Um...” She wanted to see Dex again. But if she didn't get a ride with them, she'd have to take a taxi. She looked around the room for him, but didn't see him. Since they'd left the ladies’ room he'd disappeared.

Oh no. Maybe she'd been a bit too aggressive. Maybe she'd scared him away.

They'd been having so much fun, she'd really thought he was as attracted to her as she was to him and that maybe this evening was the start of something more. What an idiot she was.

She bit her lip. Oh, God. Had she just made a total fool of herself with the director of finance? What on earth was she going to say to him the next time she saw him in the office?

Trying to maintain her composure, she smiled brightly at Kayla. “Sure, I'll take that ride."