Andrea lounged on the super-king hotel bed beside Derek, her friend and colleague. Their notes were scattered around them. She frowned and chewed a pen absent-mindedly.
"I still think the conclusion of my presentation needs more work," she sighed.
"Nonsense," Derek declared. Resting on his elbows, he lay so close their noses almost touched. "It's perfect the way it is."
Andrea narrowed her eyes. "You're just saying that because you don't want to do any more work tonight."
"Guilty as charged," Derek grinned. He sat up and stretched cautiously, then winced.
"Is your neck bothering you again?" Andrea asked in concern. "Here, let me help."
Derek sat on the edge of the bed and she scooted over to sit behind him and started kneading the tight muscles on his shoulders. He sighed in appreciation and leaned back. "Thanks. Working on a bed doesn't exactly promote good posture."
"It was your idea," Andrea reminded him, amused. She closed her eyes and breathed in the musky smell of his cologne. His back was surprisingly muscular and she could feel the heat of his skin through his shirt. Derek was a very good looking man. Tall and lean, with curly dark hair that hung over the square rims of his glasses. Unfortunately for her, he was also gay.
Andrea started working with Derek two months ago and they had clicked immediately. He was smart and funny and so easy to talk to, unlike her ex-boyfriends. If it wasn't for that one little problem, he would be her ideal man. As it was, she had to be content with a platonic relationship. What went on inside her head, however, was a different story.
"This would probably work better without your shirt on," she said casually.
Derek wasn't the type to be shy. He whipped his shirt off and leaned back again. Andrea tentatively touched his bare skin. It was smooth and warm and slightly tanned. She continued massaging his shoulders and he groaned appreciatively when she found the tight spots.
Eventually her hands got too tired to continue. She leaned against his back and rested her head on his shoulder. "Better now?"
Derek smiled and turned his head to kiss her on the cheek. "You're an angel," he said cheerfully. He was very affectionate like that, often putting his arm around her or hugging her or kissing her like just now. Andrea certainly didn't mind. She just smiled guiltily. With her breasts pressed tightly against his back and her legs straddling his hips, her thoughts were anything but angelic.
"Can I return the favour?" he asked.
Andrea was sorely tempted but she was also afraid that if she got too relaxed she would do something stupid and reveal that her feelings for him went beyond friendship. That would be awkward. She shook her regretfully. "No, I'm good thanks."
Derek almost seemed disappointed as she moved away. "How about we stop working now and order room service for dinner," he suggested.
"Room service, huh. That sounds so decadent."
Derek shrugged. "Just because this is work-related travel doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves."
Andrea grinned. "Ok, but I want the New York cheesecake."
"Anything for you, my dear." Derek planted another kiss on her forehead.
Andrea blushed slightly and pretended to be busy collecting the reports and notes that were scattered across the huge bed. Derek found the room service menu and placed an order by telephone.
"I might take quick a shower before dinner arrives," he said, picking his shirt up off the floor.
Andrea stood up and realised she could do with freshening up as well. "Good idea, I'll have one too. I bags the big bathroom."
They were staying in a two-bedroom hotel suite far from home, in order to present some market research to clients in the morning. The master bathroom had a luxurious spa bath while the ensuite had a smaller, but still serviceable shower.
Derek made a face. "You can't 'bags' the big bathroom when it was my idea first," he admonished her.
Andrea smirked at him. "Maybe not, but I can if I get there first." She made a dash for the master bathroom. Derek was on the other side of the bed and had a distinct disadvantage. But he hurdled the bed at super speed and tackled her before she could close the bathroom door.
"Hey, put me down, you cheater!" She struggled against the strong grip around her waist. But he was taller and stronger and easily lifted her off the floor. Derek dumped her unceremoniously on the bed and made his own dash for the door. But he wasn't quite fast enough and Andrea slipped in behind him.
Derek turned around in surprise. "It seems we're at an impasse here," he observed.
Still breathing heavily, Andrea put her hands on her hips and grinned triumphantly. "I guess we are. But I'm not leaving."
He looked her up and down. "We could both fit in the tub at the same time," he suggested.
Andrea's confidence deserted her entirely. "Wait, what?"
Still holding her gaze, Derek began to unbuckle his belt, as if issuing a challenge. Andrea bit her lip. "You're bluffing," she said finally.
"Am I?"Derek finished taking off his belt and dropped it on the floor. His torso was muscular with a fine layer of dark hair. His hands moved slowly down to the zipper of his pants. Andrea could see the outline of a firm bulge underneath. As much as she wanted to see his cock, she knew it was wrong, very wrong, to lust after a gay man. She suddenly realised she was ogling him and lifted her eyes back to his face. He smiled knowingly and she blushed at being caught.
"Ok, you win," Andrea exclaimed. She whirled around and practically ran out the door, her cheeks flaming. She headed for the poky little ensuite bathroom and grumbled under her breath. It was so unfair of him to flaunt his body like that. It was like giving a box of chocolates to a diabetic.
Soon Andrea was standing under the steaming hot water. She ran her hands down her body. At twenty-seven years old she was reasonably happy with her toned figure and firm, round breasts. Certainly no man would have any complaints in that regard. But the one man she wanted didn't want what she had to offer.
Andrea soaped her breasts and watched as the nipples hardened. She thought about the man in the next room, who was no doubt just as wet and soapy as herself right now. Her hand dipped between her legs and she shuddered in pleasure as the lightest touch almost brought her to the edge. She forgot about having a quick shower and instead decided to relieve some tension with an orgasm or three.
Eventually, Andrea stepped out of the shower and dried herself off. She didn't bother getting dressed again; just wrapped herself in a warm fluffy bathrobe. If she was staying with any other man she would have brought some sexy nightwear but it wasn't like it would have any effect on Derek. She padded barefoot into the other room. Derek was already lying on the bed watching the large LCD TV, dressed in a matching bathrobe. He smiled and patted the bed next to him. "Hey gorgeous, dinner's here."
Andrea glanced at the covered dishes on the bedside table and her mouth watered. "Shouldn't we eat out there on the couch or something?"
Derek shook his head. "More comfortable on here," he said cheerfully. "I think this bed is bigger than my whole apartment."
Andrea shrugged and sat cross-legged on the bed with the dinner tray in front of her. They shared a large helping of crispy fish and chips while watching The Mentalist on tv. Mesmerized by Patrick Jane, she unconsciously licked the salt off her fingers. The Mentalist was the only tv show she made an effort to watch these days. Luckily Derek liked it too.
Andrea noticed Derek glancing sideways at her several times. "What?" she finally asked in exasperation.
"Nothing," he replied with an enigmatic smile. "I just think it's cute that you have a crush on Simon Baker."
She rolled her eyes. "I do not."
"Oh? Why do you stare so intently when he's on screen then?"
Andrea blushed slightly. "Ok, so I think he's hot but I bet you do too."
Derek raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Relieved, Andrea licked the last few crumbs off her plate and leaned back into the voluminous mass of pillows. He casually put his arm around her shoulders and she snuggled closer while they finished watching the show.
Andrea suddenly realised they hadn't discussed sleeping arrangements yet.
"Derek?"
"Hmm?" he replied, still watching the screen.
"Since you got the bigger bathroom, I think I should get the bigger bed tonight," she suggested.
