* * *
Halloween was in full force as Maxie and Lucas stepped off the elevator on the executive floor of Blink. Gothic candelabras greeted them. Black cobwebs hung in the corners and across the walls, fake spiders showed up in odd places, and portable strobe lights along with creepy music set the mood.
According to Lexie, Lucas, Kade, and Derek had been generous with the Halloween party plans, providing money and carte blanche for the arrangements. Since they agreed to invite key investors, Lexie had even hired a catering company and a professional to handle the décor.
“Money well spent,” Lucas said, nodding his head in approval.
“It does look great. Let’s check things out,” she said, grasping his hand.
“I feel like an ass,” he muttered, obviously hesitant about showing his face in front of his employees. Or his costume, as the case might’ve been. He’d been complaining while getting dressed.
“Well, you don’t look like one.” If he’d worn tights, she’d give more credence to his complaint. “You look hot,” she assured him.
In his black jeans, turtleneck top, a nice amount of facial scruff, and a mask over his eyes, he was her superhero. Even the bat ears were a fun touch. Though she couldn’t deny she’d have preferred to see him in black tights that outlined his delectably large package and spandex showcasing his impressive muscles. Still, she’d take what she could get, and the man made a sexy Batman.
“Actually you’re the one who looks hot,” he said in a gruff voice.
He turned her toward him and pulled her close. “Those skintight black leggings gave me a hard-on the second you walked out wearing them. This top?” He ran a hand around the outline of her scoop-neck sweater, his calloused touch causing goose bumps on her skin as her nipples hardened painfully. “And I want to fuck you with those thigh-high boots wrapped around my waist.”
She shivered with desire, her sex growing heavy and wet. “Lucas,” she murmured.
“Tell me you want that too.” His dark gaze, surrounded by the mask, bored into hers.
“Of course I want it.” Badly.
A grin formed at his lips. “Want what?” He stepped in closer, protecting her from prying eyes, and tweaked a nipple in one hand. “Say it, beautiful.”
She all but moaned as sensation struck, shooting from her breasts to her clit. “I want you to fuck me while I’m wearing these boots.” Her own words embarrassed her, but Lucas had her beyond reason.
“Later, I promise.”
She cleared her throat and took a step back, hoping to clear her mind. “We need to mingle.”
“Thank God it’s dark or this whole place would know how much I want you.”
She laughed but was equally aroused. Still, she pushed the feelings aside for later. “Come on, killjoy. I see Lexie and Spiderman, and if you think you have issues with your costume, go look at your friend.”
That instantly cheered Lucas up, because he stopped dragging his feet, and they headed across the room to where Kade was dressed in a red-and-blue one-piece costume with a full headed covering.
“Hi!” Lexie said, her gaze darting from Lucas to Maxie.
“Hi! You look great!” Maxie took in the other woman’s white-blonde wig, black mask, her black bustier, and spandex leggings.
“Isn’t this fun?” she asked.
“I’m out of here in ten minutes,” Kade said, clearly grumpy.
“Can’t say I blame you,” Lucas said, doing his best not to laugh at his friend.
“Screw it.” He pulled the head covering off. “I’m going without this damned thing.”
Lexie didn’t say a word. She obviously knew her husband had had enough.
“Where’s Derek?” Kade asked. “I don’t think we should have to suffer alone.”
“He left a message with Becky that he had a family crisis and he’d be late.”
“Lucky son of a bitch,” Lucas said. He scanned the room. “I see Etienne Roberts. Groucho Marx over there. He’s a major investor. I think Kade and I should go talk to him for a bit. Can you hold your own here?” he asked Maxie.
“I’m good,” she assured him.
He braced a hand on her shoulder, leaned down, and kissed her cheek. “Back in a few minutes.”
Kade planted a kiss on Lexie’s lips before joining Lucas and heading across the room. “I’d say things are going well,” Lexie commented.
“I… I think they are. He’s not pressuring me for things I can’t handle.”
“One day at a time,” Lexie said with a smile.
“That’s been my motto.”
The women stood in silence for a few minutes, then Lexie’s face lit up. “Oh! There’s Kendall. She didn’t want to come early with me to oversee setup. I should go get her. She doesn’t know anyone.”
“I’m going to take a quick trip to the ladies’ room. I can meet up with you later. Can you direct me?”
Lexie pointed across the room. “Over there. In the corner. It’s unisex,” she explained. “I’ll go grab Kendall and get us some punch. Alcohol-free because we wanted to keep things under control.”
“Smart,” Maxie said. “And punch sounds great. I’ll be right back.”
She headed for the back corner, smiling at people she didn’t know along the way. Just as she reached the bathroom, a large male body blocked her way.