Moonlight Indulgences Excerpt

10:55 PM

Lucia Waters glanced up at the sky and her crinkled her brow into a frown. Damn, a full moon. Another night of mayhem. She pushed her car door shut and struggled to balance the load of papers and her tote bag in her arms. It had been a terrible past few nights and she figured tonight was going to be just like the rest. Busy. Lucia didn’t care what anybody said, she knew first hand that on full moon nights all of the creeps, nuts, drug addicts and lunatics came out to play. And yes, it was always her hospital, City General, where they loomed.

She didn’t care; she realized she wasn’t going to have to worry about it much longer. Her resignation was written, and all she needed to do was put it on her Directors desk in the morning. No more headaches. No more eighteen-hour shifts. No more crap. It wasn’t worth the hassle. At first Lucia thought she would miss the chaos, but only a nut would miss this. She’d worked at the hospital as a nursing supervisor for almost five years; plenty of time to realize enough was enough.

Anyway, she told her sister this town hadn’t really satisfied for her. All she did was work. She had no life outside of her own. No man and not too many friends either. She wasn’t a prude, she just liked her privacy and from all of the past heartaches she’d experienced in relationships a man would only complicate her life right now. At least that’s what she kept telling herself. Complicate and confuse. Yes, that is what men did. For a brief second her ex’s face flashed across her mind.

When he said, “don’t hate the player,” she didn’t. After all, she didn’t have any papers on him. However, when he actually thought she was property and wouldn’t mind a two, three or foursome, that was it. Not now, not ever was she going to be passed around. And at no time was she going to prance through an apartment in a make shift nurse’s uniform wearing fishnets and a thong.

Lucia laughed. It was one of those kinds of sadistic laughs that pissed people off. The kind that makes you wonder what the person is thinking but they won’t tell you. On a whim she’d answered an advertisement for a nursing position in Baltimore, Maryland. She didn’t think it was going to be easy, but she got the job on the spot. She’d heard Baltimore was a fun place, especially if you were single. She was about to find out.

In one month and two days she would be there, checking it the city for herself. She figured it couldn’t be any worst than where she is now. The hospital was even going to pay relocation expenses, a handsome sign on bonus and help her find an apartment. You couldn’t beat that with a stick. Lucia approached the employee entrance and was glad she wore flat shoes. She hadn’t gotten into the building and her feet already hurt.

♥

Fredrick Simms, the head of security at City General leaned into the surveillance monitor and gently ran his fingers across the cold screen. The static prickled his fingers and the edges of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He felt beads of sweat pop out on his neck. Just like yesterday and the day before that, something about this woman drew his attention. He welcomed the chance to work the night shift. When he did, he made it a point to be in the surveillance room at the beginning of Lucia’s shift, just so he could get a glimpse of her. Maybe it was the way she walked or the clothes she wore. Regardless of the hospital policy about skirt length and cleavage, she made it a point to show her legs almost every day.

He slid his tongue across his top lip, slow. Tonight her skirt stopped at mid-thigh. It sashayed with each sway of her hips, and her blouse dipped into her cleavage just right. When she moved, her ample bosom bounced with each step. And her long, curvaceous legs seemed to go on forever. Closing his eyes, he envisioned them wrapped around his body, pulling him closer as hips rhythmically pumped the length of his shaft embedded in her, deep. He licked his lips. His body shivered at the sudden tingle in his groin. Only in your dreams man, only in your dreams.

Most of his encounters with Lucia had been brief, usually just in passing. He met her almost a year ago, and they’d talked, might even have laughed, he couldn’t remember. He had asked her out, once. She said yes and then she said no, something about not getting involved with co-workers, and hospital policy. Hospital policy, my ass. He watched her walk across the parking lot. A soft breeze caught her skirt and lifted it just enough to kiss and cool her heat. She scrambled to push it back down. He wished he were the wind, caressing her hot center, teasing her flesh. Something was going to have to give.

He refused to go another day without making this woman know he meant business. He wanted to hear her call his name, loud, passionate and desperate with need. He glanced at his watch, pushed back from the desk and walked toward the door of the security office. Fredrick knew her routine to a T. It took her precisely seven minutes to walk from the parking lot to the employee elevator. That is, if no one stopped her to talk. He even paid attention to when and how she made rounds, just so he could be in some of the same places at the same time. Thinking about it now, he probably could have been classified as a stalker. He shook his head, Nope, just a man in lust and afraid to say it. But that was going to change.

The high tech hospital was a blessing, with almost every aspect of its interior under surveillance. Only a few choice places were private. He knew where they were too. With one last glance at the screen, he pulled the door shut behind him and walked towards the service elevator. The entry door to the elevator slid open as Fredrick turned the corner. His timing was right on the money. There she was, leaning against the side panel. God, she looked good. The sight of her made his heart leap into his throat; his groin muscles swelled against the fabric of his pants.

“Looks like you need some help.” He stepped into the elevator, his voice low, charismatic. He wished he could get in her head. He wondered what she thought about when she didn’t answer, but instead, stared at him. “You here all night?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Lucia looked up into his eyes. "What did you say?”

“Asleep already and it’s not even midnight.” He awarded her with one of his brilliant smiles. Lucia shook her head to acknowledge his last statement. She didn’t smile.

“Funny,” she murmured under her breath. “Real funny.”

 Silence fell, and he watched her through veiled eyelids. What was she thinking about that would cause her breathing to take on that slow sexy rhythm?

♥

Just wanting to get a whiff of the sexy man sharing her elevator, Lucia took a long deliberate breath. If she did it subtly enough, he wouldn’t notice. Her body recognized him the first day she saw him. She couldn’t remember who started at the hospital first, but she knew each time he was present that all she wanted was to rip his clothes off and take him. It didn’t matter where, the hallway, the café, or the lobby. Shucks, she would do him right there in the elevator if it didn’t mean instant termination. Lucia stared into space and inhaled another breath.

Why did this man have to get on this elevator? Damn. She’d been hoping to avoid his tonight at all cost. He occupied her mind constantly, at home in the shower, at work, even driving her car or shopping. Every time she saw him she felt her chest and inner thighs tighten. The butterflies fluttering in the pit of her stomach made her knees wobble. And why did he have to smell so good? A woodsy herbal scent that wouldn’t smell as delicious on any other man. It only complimented his cappuccino skin and his almost clean-shaven head.

As always, he was dressed neatly in business casual: slacks, dress shirt and jacket and, depending on the time of day, a tie. Lucia liked it best when he wore a jacket. It covered his beautiful tight, drew attention to his long legs and made her think of ways she could sneak her fingers under the back flap and cup those hardened globes. She squeezed her pelvic muscles tight and tried unsuccessfully to stave the feelings building between her thighs.

She wanted to turn and speak to him, but her lips wouldn’t move. Each time she opened her mouth sucked in much-needed air. Each breath she took in was hot, just like the special place between her legs. Why is he touching me, she thought when she realized his smooth fingers where running along the length of her arm.

“Excuse me, this is my floor.” Fredrick commented, as his hand stroked her arm.

“I’m sorry.” Lucia stepped to the side so he could exit.

Leaning into her ear he whispered, “What ever that perfume is you’re wearing, it’s the bomb.” He stepped out, turned to the left and disappeared.

Lucia leaned out of the elevator and watched him move away, his stride long and powerful. She wondered if his legs could balance her in mid air or would he need to support her against the wall. The elevator doors slid shut and she was alone. Her knees shook and she fell against the wall of the elevator. Had he meant what he said? The elevator passed her floor before she had the strength to push herself from the wall and press the button that would get her to her office.

♥

Fredrick turned the corner, his pace almost a run. He’d chickened out. He felt his throat tighten each time he drew in a breath of her perfumed body. God, she smelled wonderful. Did she taste just as good? If he hadn’t gotten out of the elevator when he had, there would be no hiding the erection that pulsated in his pants. He needed to walk it off. He didn’t know if these feelings were embarrassment or raw hunger, because a woman shouldn’t have that much power over him. But damn it felt good.