Seducing Simon(7)

His lips lowered to her neck, sucking, nipping at the tender flesh. She wrapped her arms around him as her orgasm rippled through her abdomen. She twisted and shuddered, and she gripped him even tighter.

“That’s it, baby,” he murmured against her ear.

He tensed above her and moaned low in his throat. She wrapped her legs around him as he surged more deeply into her. He expelled his breath in one long hiss before he relaxed and slowly sank down over her.

She sighed and snuggled deeper into his arms. He felt so good.

Wrapped around her like he owned every inch of her.

“I love you,” she whispered.

He shifted so that his weight settled to the side, and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her against his chest.

“Starla,” he mumbled.

Toni stiffened.

“I’m so glad you came back to me,” he whispered.

Every hope, every dream came crashing around her. Humiliation replaced her earlier euphoria. She closed her eyes against the tears swimming in her vision. God, what a fool she was. What was she going to do when he realized she wasn’t Starla? Could their friendship survive such an awful mistake?

She wiggled slightly until she was enough away to see he was sound asleep. She had to get out before she completely lost it. Carefully, she withdrew, sliding out of his embrace, praying he wouldn’t wake up and see her naked in his bed. She tensed as he stirred, but he merely swung his arm over his head and resumed his even breathing.

She collected her clothes and ran for the door, bolting down the hall into the living room. Tears flooded her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

What was she going to do?

She yanked her pants on then pulled the shirt over her head. She wanted to scream, wanted to hurt someone as badly as she hurt right now.

She closed her eyes. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

She wilted on the couch, burying her face in her hands. What had been the most beautiful experience of her life now flopped in the final throes of a brutal death. And worse, she’d have to face Simon when he woke up and realized what a horrible mistake he’d made.

She sat there all night, dreading the morning when Simon would awaken to what they had done. She couldn’t sleep, couldn’t focus on anything but the moment he’d called her Starla.

Long after the first light of dawn peeked through the French doors leading to the deck, Toni heard the sound of Simon’s door. She tensed as his footsteps shuffled along the carpeted hallway.

Anxiety settled in and began eating away at her insides.

He walked into the living room wearing shorts and a T-shirt, his hair rumpled and his face haggard. He looked like hell. Much like she felt.

“Hey,” he said softly.

She swallowed, her mouth gone dry.

He padded over and sat down beside her, squeezing her knee with his hand.

“I just wanted to say thanks,” he said.

She stared at him. Was he out of his mind? He was thanking her?

“I really appreciate you being there last night. You’re a great friend.” Realization began to dawn, and her heart tripped and sped up. He didn’t remember. It had to be the explanation. How else could he casually walk in as if nothing happened?

As much as the idea of him not even remembering making love to her stung, she was vastly relieved she’d been saved the humiliation of the whole messy ordeal.

She closed her eyes briefly, sadness mixing with the overwhelming relief. She had gone back to being the little sister, the best friend, anyone but the desirable woman she wanted him to see…

With a sigh, Toni gave up on sleep. The memory of that night burned too brightly in her mind. She crawled out of bed and headed for the shower. The guys would be getting off soon. As she usually did, she prepared breakfast for them and left it out for them to eat. After some dry toast, she locked up and left.

The morning was busy and passed in a blur. She took a quick lunch break and ate half a sandwich and some water. When she went back up front, Mrs. Hauffrey was waiting with her two poodles.

“Antonia, darling, how are you?”

“I’m fine, Mrs. Hauffrey. How are Fritz and Fifi?”

“Oh they’re lovely. Just here for a check-up.” Her gaze sharpened, her mammoth earrings dangling fiercely as she leaned forward. “Now darling, you know I’m not one to pry, but I saw you come out of the clinic yesterday and couldn’t help but be concerned. Is everything all right?” Her eyes were wide, innocence etched on her heavily made up features.

She even managed a look of concern.

Toni sighed. Not one to pry, my ass. The woman could pry a steel trap open with her teeth. Her eyes gleamed in excitement at the prospect of juicy gossip. Well Toni wasn’t going to be fodder for the ladies group at the Baptist Church.

“Couldn’t be better,” Toni said with a smile. “If you’ll bring the dogs back, Doc will see them now.”

The look of disappointment on the older woman’s face was priceless.

She’d have enough to gossip about when Toni started showing. Which shouldn’t be too far in the distant future.

Shortly after four, Toni saw the last scheduled appointment out the door and began closing up. Exhaustion permeated every pore in her body. It would be a miracle if she could stay awake enough to drive home.

She trudged out to the parking lot and slipped into the seat of her Jeep. God, it felt good to sit down. It had been a crazy day in the office, and breaks had been few and far between.