Skin Deep by Cher Carson

“After I earned my MBA, I started a jewelry design company. We were doing quite well until I had to put that on hold to help my father.”
    “Interesting,” Mrs. Collins said, shooting Ryan a side-long glance. “Brains and beauty. I do believe this is a first for you, my dear. Dare I say, at forty-two, you’re finally ready to grow up?”
    Ryan laughed, settling his arm along the back of Alana’s chair. “I won’t be forty-two until next month, Joan. Don’t rush me.”
    Alana tried to dismiss her irritation that they were talking about her as though she were a prize he found at the bottom of his Cracker-Jack box. “Ryan and I just met,” she said, between clenched teeth. “I can assure you it’s not serious.” That should put them, including him, in his place.
    Judging by the grim expression on his face, it worked.
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Joan said. “It’s about time he found a nice girl and settled down.”
    “I’m working on it, Joanie,” he said, folding his hand around the back of her chair. “Looks like it may take a little longer than I thought.”
    She set her napkin on her lap, trying to avoid their dinner companions’ intense scrutiny. Apparently their disagreement was the most action these old busy-bodies would see all night.
    “Tell us about the new clinic, Ryan,” Dr. Collins said when the awkward silence lasted  a minute.
    “Not much to tell yet,” he said. “We’re still in the planning stages.” He looked at Alana pointedly. “What I need is a good business consultant to help me get this off the ground.” 
    Alana shifted in her seat, refusing to look at him. “I know a couple. I can give you their names if you like.”
    “Alana,” he growled, sending a clear warning to her and everyone at the table that she was treading into dangerous territory by baiting him. “I thought I made it clear; you’re the one I want.”
    She smiled sweetly, looking around the table. “Obviously he thinks all he has to do is snap his fingers and he’ll get whatever he wants.”
    “Damn it, Alana,” he muttered under his breath.
    “Will you excuse me?” she said, rising.
    He grabbed her wrist. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
    “I’m going to the ladies’ room. Or do I have to ask your permission first?”
    Gaping at her, he let her hand fall to her side.
    She practically ran to the ladies’ room, trying to avoid the on-lookers’ curious stares.
    Two ladies, a blonde and a brunette, were touching up their make-up at the mirror when she walked in. They glanced at each other, smirking. “Oh no, what did he do this time?”
    “Excuse me?” Alana said, leaning against the closed door. “I’m sorry, were you talking to me?”
    “You’re here with Ryan, right?” the attractive blonde asked, turning to face her. “What did he do, suggest a ménage a trois your first night?” She laughed, nudging her friend. “I’m telling you, that guy is crazy.”
    The brunette in the skin-tight dress joined in her laughter. “Honey, you don’t have to remind me. I have first-hand experience with him, remember?”
    The blonde clapped a hand over her lacquered mouth and said, “That’s right! He did you and that psych nurse in the staffroom, didn’t he? Did he even lock the door?”
    “What does he care? He can do whatever he wants since he started banging the administrator.”
    “That’s true.” She sighed, shaking her head. “He really is a pig. We should just tell him to fuck off the next time he calls in the middle of the night looking to get laid.”
    “Yeah, but that man can do things with his tongue that most men couldn’t do with written instructions and a guide.”
    “You’re right about that.” A shiver moved through the blonde, making her enormous tits bounce up and down. “God, I get turned on just thinking about it.”
    The brunette took a step closer, crowding her against the sink. “Anything turns you on, you horny little bitch.” She