One Night at Her Place Read online

  One Night at Her Place

  By Natalie Pratt

  Property of Lowe Interactive Media, LLC

  Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved by the Author

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  1

  Once you start having great sex, even if it's not a so-called relationship, the great becomes the usual, which becomes boring.

  Very fast.

  Kathryn Ross was finding that out quickly. She would never have called herself Chris Masterson's girlfriend, or even his friend with benefits, but she would admit that since their first night together, she hadn't found anything to match the thrill of him inside of her.

  And these days, nothing illustrated that point more than a weekend night at Ovation.

  "This is so not the same," she muttered as she sat in front of a craft cocktail the bartender called a "Cucumber Cooler." Before she ordered it, the same bartender told her the drink was part of the spring drink list at the bar. When it arrived, it had a large cucumber, mint leaves, some vodka, and too much sugar. Kathryn drank it anyway.

  "What did you just say?" Kathryn's friend and former roommate, Jessica, swung her head in Kathryn's direction.

  "Just that it's different here."

  Jessica narrowed her eyes at Kathryn. "Different how?"

  "It's all just..." Kathryn looked around the room at the mix of downtown regulars and people trying to "be somebody." Then she glanced at the list of overpriced cocktails with names that recalled Prohibition's heyday. "It's nothing."

  "I know you better than that. It's not nothing."

  Kathryn waved a dismissive hand at her friend. She'd managed to keep her sexual escapades with her boss quiet for the last three months, and she didn't want her friend catching on to anything now.

  "Seriously," Jessica said, still unconvinced. "You used to love this place."

  "Looks like you love it tonight."

  Jessica laughed. For at least the last fifteen minutes, she and her tumble of blonde curls had engaged in some hard flirting with the guy two seats down from Kathryn. His sweater had the white triple C embroidery of the Cincinnati Country Club and he wore thick glasses that Kathryn didn't like. He was rich, though. Kathryn could almost smell that about him, and she knew Jessica could, too.

  "Well," Jessica glanced back at the guy. "His name is Jeff."

  "And he'll do?"

  Jessica leaned in so only Kathryn would hear her. "For one night."

  Kathryn nodded and sipped some more of her Cucumber Cooler. Jessica thrived on the one night stand; she never wanted a relationship with anyone. She had sex with men and then kicked them out of her bed before they knew what had hit them. Kathryn had tried to mimic her friend a thousand times with basically no success. The fact was, somewhere along the line, and no matter how much she tried to prevent it, Kathryn would start having feelings for whatever guy decorated her bed.

  Which meant at this moment in her life, Kathryn had feelings for Chris Masterson. Everywhere she looked, she saw him at Ovation. He chatted with girls at the wide, white, marble bar. He ordered bottle service from one of the large couches by the front door. He greeted her at the communal sinks outside the bathrooms. He stared at her from the upstairs mezzanine.

  "So," Kathryn shook her head to try and shake the obsession away. She grinned at her friend, "think Jeff has any friends?"

  Jessica bit her lip. "He's here alone."

  "Nice."

  "He works at Procter & Gamble." Jessica said "Procter & Gamble" as if Jeff's employment ticked off some kind of internal buzzer in her vagina. "And he went to Stanford."

  "Nice."

  "And he's from here. Guys that when to Stanford are never from Cincinnati."

  "Great."

  "One word answers, huh?"

  "Yep."

  Kathryn still couldn't shake the image of Chris's naked chest, the spray of stubble on his chin, the way he walked, and the way he looked when he was naked above her. In fact, if she wanted to be honest with herself, Kathryn had even shown up at Ovation that night with a vague hope that he'd be there and take her home with him.

  God, Chris Masterson was really killing Kathryn's mojo.

  Suddenly, she stood up from her chair at the bar. "Listen, I think I'm going to head out."

  Jessica frowned. "What?"

  "Yeah," Kathryn signaled the bartender for her check. "It's time. I've had a long week."

  Jessica glanced at her friend and then back at Jeff. "Suit yourself."

  2

  Settled in on her couch in front of a rerun of Saturday Night Live, Kathryn had to laugh at herself. Just one year ago, the idea of a Saturday night at home would have disgusted her. She did everything she could to make her weekends epic, full of activities, and unforgettable. Some of the time, she succeeded.

  "This is fine," she said aloud to no one but herself. "Perfect. I'd rather watch a bunch of skits anyway." She picked up the fresh glass of wine next to her on the side table and saluted the television.

  On the TV, the cast of SNL acted out a sketch about people having an awkward time at a wedding. It was funny and followed by a digital short music video. Kathryn laughed at that, too, but after fifteen minutes had passed, she found herself thinking about Chris Masterson again.

  And this time, not even a second glass of wine would shake the thoughts of him from her head. They wrapped around her like bad cologne. They dominated everything. She wondered if she'd ever shake them.

  Then, from across the room, Kathryn's phone buzzed. It lit up the darkness in her kitchen. When she reached it, her heart stopped for a nanosecond.

  Chris Masterson had just sent her a text message.

  What's up?

  Kathryn grinned. Chris had this uncanny ability to read her mind. It was like some sort of bizarre sexual connection she couldn't replicate with anyone else. More than that, though, this text message served as confirmation for Kathryn. She'd been thinking about Chris, and he'd been thinking about her, too. She unlocked her screen and typed out a reply.

  Nothing much. Busy night. You?

  Satisfied that her answer didn't sound too desperate, she took the phone back into her living room and settled in on the couch. SNL buzzed back from a commercial, but she wasn't listening anymore. She was staring at the screen, waiting for his next message. It finally came about 90 seconds later.

  Did you go out tonight?

  Kathryn let about a minute pass before she replied.

  Yes. Just got back. Was out at Ovation with a few friends.

  There, that didn't sound like she had a social life built around obsessing about him. That sounded like she was a normal, active, well-rounded twenty-something with her whole life ahead of her.

  Chris's reply came less than ten seconds later.

  You were at Ovation? I must have just missed you.

  Kathryn laughed and typed another reply.

  What a shame.

  Now, Chris's messages came very fast, almost as if he were typing them at the same time she typed hers.

  Total shame. I'll have to make up for it some way.

  Kathryn:

  And how are you going to do that?

  Chris:

  Depends on you.

  Kathryn:

  Hmm. Sounds tempting.

  Chris:

  It should be. Are you home right now?

  Kathryn:

  Maybe.

  Chris:

  Well, if you are...

  Kathryn:

  If I am, what?

 
Chris:

  I think you need some company.

  Kathryn:

  What makes you such an expert on things that I need?

  Chris:

  Oh, I think by now I'm an expert, Miss Ross.

  Kathryn:

  I'll be the judge of that.

  Chris:

  Then judge me... later tonight.

  Kathryn:

  Maybe I will.

  Chris:

  Fifteen minutes. I can be at your place in fifteen minutes.

  Kathryn:

  Pushy, pushy.

  Chris:

  Hey, whatever works. I promise you won't regret it.

  Kathryn:

  *sigh* I guess you twisted my arm. You can come over.

  Chris:

  Good. Now...where is this amazing downtown apartment of yours?

  Smiling, Kathryn tapped out her address. As soon as she sent the message, she stood up from the couch and hurried to the bathroom. She couldn't let Chris see her in an old bathrobe. Her makeup needed fixing, too.

  3

  True to his word, Chris rang the doorbell to her apartment exactly fifteen minutes after their last text, and just after 12:30 a.m. Kathryn buzzed him up and waited by the door.

  Knock. Knock.

  Kathryn breathed twice, counted to ten, and opened the door.

  "Hello," she said in her throatiest, sexiest voice. Fifteen minutes had been enough time to swap her terrycloth bathrobe for a light blue and pink one made of satin and a pair of matching underwear. She didn't bother wearing anything else. At this hour, both of them knew where this encounter would lead.

  "You look nice."

  "Thanks." Kathryn stepped aside so Chris could walk into her loft apartment. She was proud of it, of course. In two years of living here, she'd managed to create an artful mix of mid-century furniture, quirky antiques, and heirlooms set against a dark blue, red, and dark green palette. She loved the open floor plan and hardwood floors the most.

  "Interesting," Chris said as he walked into the foyer and turned back toward her.

  "Interesting?"

  "In a good way," he said, taking off his light jacket and placing it across the back of one of the barstools in her kitchen. Beneath the jacket he wore a tan polo shirt, dark jeans, and tan Sperry shoes. The shoes came off, too. "I can see you in a place like this."

  "I love it," Kathryn took a few steps toward him, unsure how to begin this. It wasn't her first booty call by any means, but she wasn't sure if he wanted to get right to the sex or talk to her first. Men could be so fickle.

  Chris walked over to the wide leather couch in the center of the room and took a seat. The last few minutes of SNL still danced across the TV screen. "Nice. You watch this, too?"

  "Doesn't everyone?"

  "Sometimes the show sucks, but this season it's really funny."

  Kathryn hesitated for a moment while she thought about where she should sit down; then she took a place next to Chris on the couch. When she put her feet on the ottoman, a section of her robe slid up, showing off her thigh. Chris's eyes took in the sight, and Kathryn thanked herself for keeping up some grueling running workouts during what had been a bitterly cold winter and frosty spring.

  "So you were at Ovation earlier?" she said.

  "Not for long." Chris shrugged. "Same old, same old."

  "I know what you mean."

  Chris settled further into the couch. "So, have you ever stopped and thought about how weird that place is? I always feel like it has some kind of schizophrenia."

  She laughed.

  "No, I'm serious," Chris said. "The decor doesn't make sense. And is it a bar or a nightclub? It's like they're not sure what they want to do with that place."

  "Agreed."

  "This town needs better bars. More options. There just isn't enough. And I keep running into the same people."

  "Totally."

  "I was thinking the other day, there's a lot of opportunity for our firm in this market. We can partner with a developer, maybe launch a few social media campaigns--"

  Kathryn raised her hand. "Look, if you came here to talk about work flow or projects..."

  Chris reached out and grabbed her hand. "Of course I didn't come here for that."

  "Good. Because you know, it’s the weekend. You gotta turn your work brain off sometimes."

  Still holding onto her hand, he scooted closer to her. "Oh, it's turned off."

  "Good, because I was about to kick you out.” She smiled. "There will be no talking about KRM Public Relations while you are in my house."

  "I sure hope not," Chris said. "That would just be boring."

  Then his mouth found Kathryn's for a rough kiss.

  4

  Kathryn kissed him back, of course.

  As always, the feel of his lips on hers opened something primal inside of her. Her lips parted and his tongue entwined with hers as their kisses grew furious and needy. Soon, Chris had Kathryn pinned against the back of her couch, and she was almost breathless as they kissed for what felt like an eternity.

  When she felt she couldn't take it anymore, though, he pulled away.

  "This robe of yours is very nice," Chris said slowly, wrapping the sash around a few fingers of his right hand. "Very sexy."

  "That's the idea."

  "But I'd rather have it off you."

  Chris pulled the tie of the sash, loosening it enough that Kathryn's naked breasts broke free. She drew him toward her and his lips kissed hers again. Soon his hands found her breasts and his body wrapped around hers, pushing Kathryn against the sofa. She moaned against his mouth and he responded. Chris planted soft kisses in a trail along her jawline to her ear, then down Kathryn's neck. When his lips reached her collarbone, he stopped.

  "Don't stop," she said.

  "Do you want me to take you here, or in your bedroom?" he said against the grooves of flesh near her collarbone.

  "Here." Her breath was coming out heavy and hot as the passion inside of her increased. "I want you here."

  Chris's tongue licked her creamy skin and then he kissed her collarbone. "How bad do you want me?"

  "Bad."

  "What if I made you wait for it?"

  "Don't. I can't take it."

  Kathryn was barely aware of her words now, all she could focus on was the need to have Chris inside of her and the desire that had been building all night. It was like a slow boil that had almost reached the breaking point, and Kathryn was vaguely aware of how little effort it took for him to arouse her so much.

  "I'm sure you can take it," Chris said, his breath hot against Kathryn's skin.

  Then he resumed the kissing. His lips made a smooth trail to her shoulder, then a diagonal pattern down her chest to the top of her breasts. Kathryn's breath hitched when Chris's lips found the nipple of her left breast and his hand found her right.

  "Yes," she said. "That's what I want."

  Chris murmured his approval. His tongue traced a wide circle around her nipple and then his teeth nipped and teased it until it hardened in arousal. Satisfied, he turned his attention to the other breast.

  "You have the best breasts," he said before he kissed and sucked Kathryn's right one.

  "Mmmmm."

  Kathryn moaned again and arched her back. The wetness between her thighs grew warmer and needier with every passing second as Chris pushed her to new heights. She never wanted him to stop. Never. After a moment, though, he pulled away from her breasts and picked up the trail again, this time moving down her cleavage and over her flat stomach. His hands moved away from her breasts and dug into her hips as he traveled further and further down her belly.

  "Yes," he said somewhere between her belly button and her pussy. "You're ready for me. I can tell."

  "Mmmhmm." Kathryn didn't know how much longer she'd be able to keep herself from exploding. "Please, Chris, take me."

  His lips reached the hem of her blue lace panties. "Looks like we've got a problem. You're still wearing clothes."
<
br />   Kathryn raised up and reached for them. "Let me fix that right now."

  "Oh, no." Chris gave her a mischievous smile. "I'll do it."

  As Kathryn watched, Chris bent down and grabbed the thin strap of her underwear with his teeth. One hand held down the back, and his mouth pulled upward, shredding the panties in one quick, seamless move. Her eyes widened, and she almost said something, but before she could, his mouth did the same to the other side of her panties, leaving her underwear in a shred.

  "I hope you weren't too attached to those," he said.

  "I wasn't." Kathryn's heart pounded and her clit cried out for attention. "Who needs underwear, anyway?"

  Chris laughed. "Now, Miss Ross, where were we?"

  5

  Kathryn spread her legs. "Right here."

  Chris grinned and leaned down to kiss her again, this time tracking a path along the soft skin near her pussy. His lips lingered there and her wetness grew, until she could finally take it no longer.

  "I need it," she said, clearly begging. "I need it now."

  "Oh I can tell you do."

  "Please. Don't make me wait any more."

  Chris didn't. He spread her legs and his tongue found her wet clit at last. He licked and sucked at it as she opened beneath him. His hands reached up and massaged her breasts and she gave herself over to the sensation of his tongue between her legs. The sounds of the TV faded into the background and Kathryn decided that this was better than any overpriced cocktail at Ovation.

  "You taste amazing," Chris said after a few minutes, and then he slipped his finger inside her pussy and pushed her further toward climax. "I love your wet little slit."

  "I want your cock." Kathryn groaned as his finger began to move inside of her.

  "I'm going to make you wait," he said. "Because I'm not done with this just yet."

  His tongue returned to her clit and his finger moved inside her with a building fury. He licked and teased every part of her, not stopping when she moaned or begged him to fuck her. His tongue traced a pattern on her pussy lips, bringing her to an orgasmic oblivion she knew would be unlike anything she had ever felt.

  And then, as she teetered on the edge of release, he stopped.