High-Rise Heat

The glass doors hissed open, welcoming them into the cool, marble-and-steel interior of Chaseur Pharmaceuticals. The air-conditioned breeze kissed the back of Joe’s neck, but did little to calm the heat still simmering under his skin from the parking lot.

Scarlett walked just ahead of him, her heels clicking a deliberate rhythm against the polished floor. Each step made her charcoal skirt hug the sway of her hips and the curve of her ass, the fabric shifting teasingly with every movement. She’s doing this on purpose, Joe thought, his gaze tracing the line of her legs. And fuck, it’s working.

When they reached the security gate, Joe handed her the stack of papers, trying to keep his expression neutral; at least from the neck up. Scarlett took them with a grateful smile, but her fingers didn’t simply grab the bundle. They lingered on his forearm, brushing slowly along the sensitive skin just inside his rolled sleeve. Her touch was warm, feather-light, and electric, sending goosebumps racing up his arm and a rush of heat straight down to his groin. His cock stirred, thickening slightly against the front of his jeans.

He didn’t overthink it. “You doing anything later?” he asked, his voice low and casual, though the weight behind the words was unmistakable.

Scarlett paused, hugging the papers to her chest in a way that lifted and pressed her breasts together beneath the white blouse. The memory of that sheer red lace and those pierced nipples flashed through Joe’s mind, making his pulse spike. Finally, she thought, a fresh wave of warmth flooding between her thighs. He’s making a move. I’ve been dying for this.

She smiled, slow and sultry, like a fuse burning down. “I’d have to check my calendar…” She swayed a fraction closer, her voice dropping into something syrupy and inviting. “…Why? What did you have in mind?”

Joe’s thoughts flooded with raw images: slamming her back against the nearest wall, tearing her blouse open, ripping that delicate lace bra away so he could suck on those silver-barred nipples until she arched and moaned. Turning her around and spreading her legs right there, hiking up that tight skirt, and driving into her deep and hard enough to leave her fingerprints on the glass for the cleaning crew to find tomorrow.

He swallowed hard, forcing the fantasy down. “Dinner,” he said. “Someplace nice.”

Scarlett tilted her head, her blue eyes sparkling with knowing amusement. I hope we do a lot more than just dinner, she thought, imagining his strong hands gripping her hips. She could already feel herself growing slick with anticipation, her nipples tightening against the lace.

“Yeah… I think that’d be nice,” she replied, her tone laced with promise. Then she smirked, leaning in just a touch more. “But only if it’s on me.”

God, I’d rather be on you, Joe thought, trying to keep himself from straining against his zipper, the shift obvious if she looked down.

“I’ll text you some spots,” he managed, voice a little rougher than intended. “Say… 7:30? 8?”

She nodded, biting her lower lip in a way that made his stomach tighten. “Yeah. Sounds like fun.”

They lingered there a beat too long, the silence thick with everything they weren’t saying. Scarlett’s gaze drifted slowly down his body; lingering at his chest, then lower; before flicking back up. Joe shifted his weight, trying to ease the pressure in his jeans, but the way her eyes darkened told him she’d noticed.

Scarlett felt another rush of arousal at the possibility of a prominent bulge. He’s so hard for me already… Good. I want him aching all day. “Um… I gotta get back to it,” she said, lifting the papers with a little shrug, though her voice had gone husky. “Something about a new plant strain boosting bee populations in the Amazon. They’re testing it on Floor 4.”

Joe cleared his throat, shoving away the vivid mental images of her moaning his name while he thrust into her from behind. “Right. Yeah. I’ll see you tonight.”

Scarlett smiled, slow and wicked. “Yeah…”

She turned and walked away, hips rolling with exaggerated sensuality, the skirt flirting with the tops of her thighs as if daring him to follow. Joe couldn’t look away, drinking in the sight of her tight body moving just for him. Halfway down the corridor, she glanced back over her shoulder, that smirk still in place. “Tonight.”

Her gaze held his, that kind of look that said she wanted him to take her, hard and raw.

Joe exhaled shakily once she disappeared around the corner. I am absolutely going to be on time.

He pulled out his phone, thumb hovering over the restaurant apps, but the search could wait. First, he had to survive the workday; preferably without the constant reminder of how badly he wanted to bury himself inside Scarlett Heart.