Finally Read online

  Finally

  A Windy City Novel

  Sammi Starlight

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2018 by Sammi Starlight

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  1. Lauren

  2. Marcus

  3. Lauren

  4. Marcus

  5. Lauren

  6. Marcus

  7. Lauren

  8. Marcus

  9. Lauren

  10. Marcus

  11. Lauren

  12. Marcus

  13. Lauren

  14. Marcus

  15. Lauren

  16. Marcus

  17. Lauren

  About the Author

  Also by Sammi Starlight

  1

  Lauren

  I was busy working at my desk well after everyone had gone home when a message popped up on the screen from the intercompany messaging system.

  All ready for the meeting tomorrow?

  I couldn’t help but break out into a huge smile when I saw the message from Marcus. I quickly typed my reply.

  Yep. What time do you get in tomorrow?

  I tried to read my email, but I couldn’t concentrate while I waited anxiously to hear back. It wasn’t long before he answered.

  My plane lands at 8:00. Getting up to catch a flight that early is going to kill me.

  A giggle escaped my lips as I imagined him groaning about getting up at dawn to get on a plane. I typed a quick response.

  Poor baby. Meeting starts at 9:00. Gives you plenty of time to get here.

  Marcus was coming to town for a customer meeting. I was the account manager at our design firm and he was the head engineer. We’d worked together on this customer for two years, but at different locations. I was at our Chicago main office while he worked out of the Denver engineering branch.

  I’m looking forward to the weekend. See ya tomorrow.

  I got butterflies in my stomach when I read that. Despite having worked for our company for two years, he’d never been to Chicago. Meetings had always taken place in Denver or at the customer’s location in Atlanta. He’d always wanted to visit, so he’d arranged his flight so he could stay a couple extra days and do some sight-seeing. Since he didn’t know anyone else in town, I was looking forward to showing him around.

  I decided to keep it simple so I didn’t sound desperate at all. Travel safe.

  I sat back, nearly swooning in my desk chair. I couldn’t believe Marcus and I would finally get our chance to be alone.

  I’ll never forget the first time I met Marcus. I’d gone out to Denver to meet with him and his team of engineers before a presentation for our customer. We had spoken on the phone a few times prior and the instant I walked into the conference room I knew which one he was. He was talking to someone, but my eyes were instantly drawn to him and his 6’4” frame, his broad shoulders covered in a black suit coat. I could tell from his physique he obviously was very active. His dishwater blonde hair was cut short, but left long enough to give me visions of running my fingers through it. He’d turned to look at me as I walked in and his blue eyes looked me up and down before settling on my face. He’d shaken my hand with a sexy crooked smile on his lips when we were introduced and I almost pulled back when I felt the electricity that seemed to flow between us.

  My blouse suddenly felt too tight thinking about the flirtation and strong attraction that continued to exist between the two of us throughout the course of our relationship. Nothing ever happened because I’d been dating Kyle. Kyle and I had even been engaged. Marcus and I never crossed the line past anything professionally friendly, but I was always painstakingly aware of chemistry we seemed to have.

  I threw my pen down and scrubbed my face with my hands. I had ended my engagement to Kyle about six months ago when I caught him sleeping with his secretary. How cliché. Honestly, things with Kyle had been over long before the affair. We’d been college sweethearts, but after we graduated, he had law school and I concentrated on my career. When he became a lawyer, it didn’t get any better and our romance fizzled out. Kyle’s affair was the last straw in our already crumbling relationship.

  Thankfully work had kept me too busy to dwell on it too much but it’d been a big adjustment. I’d been with Kyle for so long I forgot what it was like to be alone. I hadn’t given much thought to dating anyone else yet. I didn’t have a lot of free time to meet someone new. It felt liberating to be on my own for the first time in years and I was enjoying my newly found freedom.

  When this visit was scheduled a few weeks ago, the flirtation between us seemed to pick up. This was the first time we would be together when I was single. From what I’d picked up from our conversations, Marcus wasn’t seeing anyone seriously either. His job as head engineer kept him pretty busy. I also got the feeling from some of his past comments and the teasing he took from his coworkers, he liked to play the field.

  I was ready for some fun since Kyle and I had broken up and Marcus might fit the bill perfectly. I’d never been a person who had one-night stands, but I wasn’t ready to jump into a relationship with anyone right now. If nothing else, maybe Marcus and I could have some sexy fun with each other. Living so far apart from each other would make a romantic relationship difficult, but having someone I could hook up with once in awhile might not be a bad thing.

  I checked my watch. I was supposed to meet my best friend Amanda at the bar she managed. I closed my laptop and gathered all the notes I would need for the customer meeting so I wouldn’t have to in the morning.

  I looked down as my phone started to ring. It was Amanda. I’m sure she was going to yell at me for still being at work. “I know, I know, I’m on the way,” I said as I answered, continuing to organize papers on my desk.

  "Where are you? Not still at work, are you?" Amanda asked, almost shouting in my ear.

  I cringed at her question. She always yelled at me for working too much. "Yes, I’m still at work. I’m just getting things ready for tomorrow. I’ll be there in thirty minutes, promise."

  Amanda let out a snort. "Yeah right." She paused. “Wait, tomorrow’s the day you see Marcus, isn’t it?”

  My heart skipped a beat at the thought. “Yep," I said as I powered down my computer.

  "What are ya gonna wear?” She asked.

  "Well, it’s a work thing, so I can’t look slutty, but I want to be sexy. Classy and professional, but sexy too. Think I can pull that off?” I sighed. Why was I so nervous about seeing him?

  "It’s about time you get laid. How long has it been since Kyle? And you’ve only been lusting after Marcus forever,” Amanda said dryly on the other end. I’d confided in her long ago about my attraction to Marcus, so she knew what this trip could mean.

  “I know! But I was with Kyle. Now I’m not,” I trailed off, unable to even say out loud all of the possibilities running through my head.

  “So now you can fuck him,” Amanda finished for me. Leave it to her to be so crass. Just one of many reasons why I loved her.

  “Amanda!” I scolded her, but couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe he won’t even want me.”

  “From all the flirting you tell me about, I think he’s had the hots for you just as long as you’ve had for him.”

  “I hope so. Maybe I’ve just been imagining it all these years. Maybe that’s just how he is and he flirts with everyone,” I murmured into the phone.

  “Whatever. Listen, we’re slow tonight at the bar, so I’ll meet you at your place. We’ll figu
re out what to dress your sexy ass in for tomorrow. I’m going to hang up now and I’ll see you in 20 minutes." There was a click on the other end as Amanda hung up before I could even say goodbye.

  I threw my phone into my purse with a smile. For the first time ever, I was actually looking forward to a customer visit. I couldn’t wait to see Marcus.

  2

  Marcus

  I had trouble sleeping the night before flying out to Chicago. I was worse than a kid at Christmas; I couldn’t wait to see Lauren. Even though we talked almost every day at work, I hadn’t actually seen her in about six months. I was glad I’d decided to stay in town a few extra days to see Chicago. I’d told her I wanted to stay longer because I’d never been there, but I really just wanted to spend the extra time with her. This would be the first time we would spend time alone outside of work. My heart started pounding when I thought about it.

  I rolled over in bed with a sigh, looking at the clock on the nightstand. It was 2:00 AM. I had to get up in a few hours to make my flight; I was going to be so tired.

  I crossed my arms behind my head, thinking about the first time I saw Lauren. I’d been in the middle of a conversation with someone when she walked into the conference room. I’d stopped mid sentence, distracted when I noticed her long legs in her black pencil skirt, frustrated that it wasn’t shorter. She must be about 5’7”. I had a vision of her long legs wrapped around my waist. Her purple, button-down blouse was tucked in, accentuating her waist and was tight enough to show off the swell of her breasts. Wavy black hair fell to the middle of her back and was pulled off her face with a headband. I found myself wanting to get lost in her hazel eyes. Her lips were full and looked totally kissable.

  It had taken me a few seconds to regain my composure before I’d walked over to introduce myself to her. As I had shaken her hand, I could feel the chemistry between us. I knew she had a boyfriend though, so she was off limits. I might be a player, but I wasn’t a home wrecker.

  We had a great working relationship over the next two years. We would see each other regularly for work. The sexual tension always seemed to be there under the surface, but since she had been in a committed relationship, we never moved beyond casual flirting. I’d even met Kyle once or twice when she’d brought him along on a couple trips. He’d seemed like a nice enough guy, and as her friend I’d been happy for her.

  This time, the game had changed; now she was single. I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened between her and Kyle, but she’d ended her engagement. She hadn’t given me the details and I didn’t ask. We were friends, but we’d always kept it at a professional level. I didn’t want to pry. I was sorry she’d been hurt though. He was an idiot for messing up his chances with a girl like Lauren. I wasn’t interested in a serious relationship with any woman, but if I were it would be with someone like her. She was smart and funny and sexy as hell. Any man would be lucky to have her.

  In the months after her break up, our flirting seemed to intensify. When I found out about this business trip, I wondered if something would finally happen between us. I mean, why not? We’re both adults. I wasn’t sure if she’d be ready, although she had commented a few times about needing some fun in her life again. Maybe we could have some friendly fun.

  Around 4:30, I decided to get up. I wasn’t going to sleep anymore so I looked over my notes for the day. After going through some emails and checking the slides for my presentation later, I perused our company website for any job postings in Chicago. There were a couple jobs listed pretty close to what I was doing now.

  Maybe it was time for a change, especially if this weekend went well with Lauren. What was I thinking? Moving for a girl? No way. I shook my head, closed my laptop and headed for the shower.

  As I washed my short hair, I started thinking about Lauren. I pictured her next to me, the water beading on her skin before I ran my tongue across the droplets. I squeezed my eyes shut as the soapy water ran down my face, desire coursing through me.

  Until recently, I’d tried really hard not to think of her that way. I’d always been attracted to her, but she was taken. I’d never let my mind wander about all the things I wanted to do to her delicious body; I didn’t make it a habit of wanting what I couldn’t have. Now she was single and I was going to see her in a few hours; I couldn’t help but let my imagination run wild. She’d been the object of my masturbation fantasies more than once these past few weeks.

  My cock hardened as I thought about kissing those sexy lips of hers. As I washed my chest, my hand wandered down to touch myself, already semi-erect. I bet her lips would look great wrapped around me. I stroked myself a few times, closing my eyes I leaned against the shower wall with my other hand. It wasn’t long before I was rock hard.

  I let myself get lost in the fantasy of her for a minute but stopped. A soft groan escaped my lips. I was going to wait. If I was going to sleep with her at all during this trip, I was going to save myself. Reaching for the shower handle, I turned the water a bit colder to calm myself down.

  I quickly rinsed and got dressed in some tan dress pants and a navy blue polo shirt. I hoped Lauren would be in one of her sexy suits. She’d worn the one I’d met her in a few other times that I saw her and I always had to fight off an erection when I saw her in it.

  I finished getting ready and headed out the door of my apartment to my car. Driving to the airport, I couldn’t help but think more about Lauren. I wasn’t even sure if I should sleep with her. I wanted to, yes, but I also didn’t want her to think I was just using her for a quick fuck. I respected her way more than that. Maybe she wouldn’t be interested in sleeping with me anyway. There were just so many possibilities. I would have to wait and see, but I had a feeling these next few days were going to be an adventure.

  At the airport, I met up with another engineer I was traveling with. We talked work, seeing Lauren in a few short was never far from my mind. I was relieved when they called our plane to board. I was ready to get to Chicago and to Lauren. This was going to be the longest trip ever.

  3

  Lauren

  I slept fitfully the night before Marcus arrived in town. I eventually got up around five AM and tried to look over my presentation for the meeting, but I couldn’t concentrate. I tried to read, but my eyes moved over the page, barely comprehending what I was reading. I even tried a quick nap, but I was too excited to sleep. I would be running on coffee and pure adrenaline today.

  I showered and got ready, putting on the black pencil skirt that was my standby for these meetings. It was professional, but also showed off my legs nicely. For some reason, I felt especially daring and decided to forgo the panties. I made sure to wear my best push up bra; it was black lace and made my breasts look fabulous. Guys usually had trouble looking me in the eyes while talking to me when I wore it. I didn’t like wearing it to the office, but today, I was on a mission to look as sexy as possible. A blue button down blouse and my black high heels completed the outfit. Since it was hot, I put my hair up on my head in a messy bun and kept the make-up to a minimum.

  I checked myself in the mirror one last time before leaving for work, pleased with what I saw. I looked professional, but sexy. Let’s hope Marcus agreed.

  Just then a text popped up on my phone from Amanda.

  All sexy for ur man?

  I slung my purse over my shoulder with a grin. I couldn’t believe she was awake already. Being a bar manager, she usually partied until the early hours of the morning and slept in late. I rarely heard from her before eleven in the morning. I hit Amanda’s number on my phone as I walked out of my apartment and into the hallway.

  "Hey girl!" she said, answering the phone on the first ring. She even sounded alert already this morning.

  "Yes, I’m all ‘sexy’ for my man,” I said, rolling my eyes. “As sexy as I can be since it’s a work thing. And by the way, he’s not ‘my’ man.”

  "Not yet anyway,” she said with a laugh. “I just wanted to see how your nerves were.”

/>   I gave a nervous giggle. "I’m ok. My stomach is in knots. It's silly, really. I mean, I’ve talked to Marcus a million times. It’s not like we’ve never seen each other either. We didn’t talk about this being anything more than two friends hanging out, so I could be reading too much into this."

  "Don’t be silly. Now is the chance for you two to finally hook up. He’s staying in town a few extra days to spend time with you," she replied. I couldn’t help but smile. Amanda always knew what to say to make me feel better.

  I chewed on my lower lip as I walked onto the elevator. "It does seem like the timing’s perfect, doesn't it?" My voice was barely a whisper, my blood rushing in my ears.

  "Yes. And you know what? After all you’ve been through with Kyle, you deserve this. Don't think for once. Just go with your gut, ok? Have a good time." Amanda said. She hadn’t been a big fan of Kyle the whole time I’d been with him. She’d been bugging me for to get back out into the dating pool or even to get laid.

  "I will, I promise. Listen, I gotta go," I replied as the elevator arrived to the first floor. I walked out the front door, watching for a taxi. I usually took the L to work, but I didn’t feel like walking very far in these heels, especially with the heat.

  "Ok, I expect a full report as soon as you can get me one,” Amanda sternly ordered.

  I laughed. "I promise! As soon as I can. Talk to you later." I waved my hand, flagging down a cab.

  "Most definitely. Later!" She said hanging up before I could get in another word.