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.
