A Heart to Trust

by A. L. Brooks

  Jenny gazed down at her; her eyes held a mix of wonder and a still-burning desire.

  “That was wonderful.” Olivia shook her head. “That doesn’t even do it justice.”

  “Wonderful is fine, don’t worry.” Jenny kissed Olivia, then carefully moved her hand from its position between Olivia’s legs. “Sorry, I need to move. I’m in danger of getting a cramp.”

  Olivia grinned. “It’s quite all right. As long as you promise to get back there another time.”

  “Oh yeah, that is a promise I have no trouble making.” Jenny’s mouth quirked up in a sexy smile.

  God, this woman. Although she’d barely got her breath back, Olivia knew she couldn’t wait a moment longer to touch her.

  Jenny gasped as Olivia rolled them over to pin Jenny beneath her.

  Olivia raked her gaze down Jenny’s body, feeling as if she had the most delicious buffet laid out before her and didn’t know where to start.

  “Olivia.” Jenny writhed beneath her. “Jesus, just touch me somewhere. Anywhere!”

  Smiling, Olivia did as she was told. She tried to take her time, but the first touch of her tongue against Jenny’s hard nipple, the small bud rolling so perfectly between her lips, once again had her acknowledging slow would have to be another time.

  Jenny groaned and pushed up toward Olivia’s hungry mouth.

  She lavished her attention on Jenny’s breasts for a few moments longer, then hunger for another part of Jenny’s glorious body consumed her. “I want to taste you.”

  Jenny groaned. “Be my guest.”

  Olivia’s center ached at the passion in Jenny’s voice. She kissed her way over Jenny’s ribs, over the flat of her abdomen, then licked and kissed her way down the inside of Jenny’s thighs.

  “You don’t need to tease. I’m more than ready.” Jenny looked down her body at Olivia.

  “Good to know.” Olivia blew her a kiss but knew she wouldn’t actually keep Jenny waiting any longer; her own need was too great, never mind what Jenny had to be going through. She shifted position so her shoulders were comfortably set beneath Jenny’s thighs. The action opened Jenny up to her, and she took a moment just to look, to take in the wetness that awaited her. It’s been far too long. She dipped her head and licked a slow circle over Jenny’s center.

  Jenny bucked and gasped.

  Olivia placed her hands on top of Jenny’s thighs and pressed down, then licked another circle. Delicious. Then words deserted her as she pushed the tip of her tongue inside Jenny and the heat that met her took her breath away. Olivia feasted—licking, kissing, sucking, until she herself was soaking wet once more and Jenny writhed beneath her.

  She finally focused on Jenny’s clit, starting soft but soon adding more pressure as Jenny’s hand pressed against the back of her head, pulling Olivia in. She licked with long, firm strokes, over and over again, exulting in the sounds Jenny made. The noises soon increased in volume, and her legs thrashed beneath Olivia’s hands.

  “I’m going to—” Jenny gave a strangled cry and arched her hips.

  Olivia held her as she rode her orgasm out, her own pleasure at what they shared almost causing her to peak again.

  “I can’t move,” Jenny said after a moment, then laughed. “I think you broke me.”

  “I sincerely hope not.” Olivia wriggled up Jenny’s body to lay on top of her. “I have plans for more of this, you know.”

  Jenny wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. “Uh-huh.”

  Olivia tugged the blanket that lay over the back of the couch down to cover their entwined bodies.

  “Don’t do that.” Jenny blinked. “I’ll fall asleep.”

  “That’s okay.” Olivia kissed her. “Have a little nap. You need to keep your strength up, after all.”

  Jenny smirked, but she was already drifting, her eyelids drooping.

  Contentment washed over Olivia as she watched Jenny fall asleep in her arms.

  Jenny jerked awake. For a moment, she had no idea where she was. Then the warm body in her arms stirred, and every fantastic moment came flooding back.

  “Hey.” Olivia gazed up at her. “How are you?”

  Jenny chuckled. “Good. I fell asleep on you though. That’s pretty bad.”

  Olivia kissed her. “It’s fine.”

  “Okay.” Jenny’s voice was a croak. “Ugh, I need some water or something.”

  “And I need the bathroom.” Olivia eased off Jenny’s body and stood. She looked incredible naked in the low light from the lamp and candles. “Let me do that first and I’ll get you some water afterwards.”

  “Let’s multitask.” Jenny needed to stretch. “I’ll get the water, you pee.”

  Olivia smiled. “Deal. But you’d better put some clothes on. I have no idea if Broderick is home yet.”

  Laughing, Jenny picked up her shirt.

  She found bottles of water in the kitchen and returned to the room. When she stepped inside, Olivia was blowing out the candles.

  “I thought we could get even comfier in the bedroom.” Olivia’s smile was wicked. “Yes?”

  “I like that plan.”

  Olivia led her down the hallway to her bedroom. The room was decorated in cool blue tones, the bed covered in a supersized duvet with a cream cotton throw.

  “Which side is yours?” Jenny asked.

  Olivia smirked. “The middle. So, take your pick.”

  Jenny scrambled onto the large bed and slid under the covers on the right side, her usual side in her own bed. “This spot is perfect. Well, nearly.” She patted the bed beside her. “It needs you next to me to absolutely make it right.”

  “You are such a sweet talker.” Olivia climbed onto the bed and crawled over it to straddle Jenny’s thighs.

  Heat flushed through Jenny.

  Olivia was ridiculously gorgeous and all kinds of sexy, and Jenny’s fingers itched to learn more of her body, more of what made her gasp and moan.

  Olivia draped her arms around Jenny’s shoulders and leaned in. Her kiss was soft but passionate, fueling Jenny’s desire and turning it up to an almost unbearable level.

  “God, Olivia.” Jenny struggled for breath at the feel of this woman in her arms.

  “I know.” Olivia’s voice was husky. “Believe me, I know.”

  They stared into each other’s eyes.

  Emotion rushed through Jenny. What they were building together felt so right she almost wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming.

  “What?” Olivia tilted her head in concern.

  “I… This is…” She shrugged, unable to find the words to explain her feelings.

  “I know,” Olivia repeated, and the corners of her mouth lifted in a gentle smile. “I never thought I’d find this. I thought I’d be on my own for a while after things ended with Broderick. The last thing I thought I’d find was—” She bit her lip.

  “What?” Jenny’s heart pounded, but she didn’t know why.

  Olivia took a deep breath, linked her hands behind Jenny’s neck, and pulled her in for a lingering kiss. Then she leaned back so she looked directly into Jenny’s eyes. “I love you.”

  She loves me! Jenny blinked as tears formed. Her heart raced even faster. “I love you too. I realized it this afternoon. I thought it was too early to tell you but…”

  “It just feels so right, doesn’t it?”

  “It does.”

  Olivia kissed her again, and Jenny pressed as close as she could. She returned the kiss with everything she had, her heart soaring. Within moments, the kiss had moved beyond tender and loving to passionate and greedy, and they lost themselves once more in each other’s bodies.

  Chapter 35

  Jenny was on cloud sixty-three when she strolled into work on Monday. She and Olivia had spent the whole weekend together at Olivia’s apartment ta
lking, laughing, and making love. They’d managed to venture out for a walk with Barnaby in a park on Saturday afternoon, and cooked a meal together on Sunday, but other than that, they’d hidden from the world, wrapped up in their little cocoon of love.

  She couldn’t remember when she’d last been this happy. If ever.

  She’d slept over at Olivia’s the previous night, and although they’d left Olivia’s building together, they’d parted at the bagel shop two blocks away from the office so they wouldn’t be seen arriving together. Hiding would soon get old, Jenny knew, but she was okay with it for now.

  She also knew she needed to change her job and leave C&V. In the small hours of Sunday morning, lying sated in Olivia’s arms, she’d realized nothing should get in the way of what she and Olivia had. She knew Olivia had a great chance of getting the production manager’s job, and she knew Adrienne was right when she said Jenny could—and should—do more with her working life than staying a PA forever. She wasn’t sure what she wanted instead, but it didn’t matter. It was time for a change, a positive one, and she was going to be the one to make it.

  She reached her desk and set up for the day.

  Olivia appeared a few minutes later with Maxwell by her side.

  “Morning!” Jenny called.

  “Hey.” Maxwell grinned at her. “How was your weekend?”

  “Good. Very good.” There was no way she could wipe the big smile off her face, and she simply shrugged as Maxwell nodded knowingly at her. “Yeah, whatever.”

  Maxwell laughed and threw Olivia a glance, who stood nearby with a bagel bag in hand, blushing.

  “Here.” Olivia thrust the bag in Jenny’s direction. “I still can’t believe you asked me to order that.” She shuddered in mock disgust.

  Jenny chuckled and opened the bag, licking her lips. “PB and J is an American classic. You need to get behind our cultural icons if you want to live here.” She pulled out half a bagel smothered in peanut butter and jelly and held it out to Olivia. “Want some?”

  Olivia tutted. “No, thank you.” Her eyes sparkled as she threw Jenny one more glance and then sat at her desk.

  They worked quietly through the morning, sharing the occasional secretive glance that left Jenny tingling with excitement each time.

  Olivia left around noon for some meetings, and Maxwell disappeared at one to head uptown to a studio where he was helping out with a show on the greats of boxing. He looked happy for the first time in a while, and Jenny was pleased for him.

  The regular staff vacancy bulletin pinged into Jenny’s inbox a few minutes later. As usual, more from idle curiosity than anything else, she opened it and browsed the open positions. Right at the bottom of the list something caught her eye and had her sitting upright.

  The marketing and creative team were expanding and looking for someone to bring new ideas to the table. The new person would work with the whole team, helping with ideas and administration for every marketing campaign and every pitch the company made to the major networks, with a specific emphasis on sports and entertainment shows.

  Jenny’s mind whirled—the role sounded interesting, challenging, and fun. Plus, it kept her working for a big name in the business and able to continue dating her girlfriend without any issues over the company policy. Not only that, it was a role two pay grades above her current one, and it was open to applications from people outside of a marketing background. It’s your ideas that count, not your experience, was the key phrase that leaped off the screen and into Jenny’s consciousness. It was almost too good to be true.

  She sat back in her seat and blew out a breath, her gaze on her screen but not at all focused on the words before her.

  Adrienne had said she had excellent ideas. So had Olivia. And although Jenny, unlike Roz, didn’t believe much of that stuff about the universe sending you a message when you most needed it, she couldn’t help thinking it was a sign. The same day she decided to get off her butt and take charge of her career direction, a fantastic job vacancy turned up in her inbox.

  But would they truly consider someone like her?

  Well, only one way to find out.

  She picked up the phone and dialed the number for Harper, the HR assistant. “Hey, Harper, it’s Jenny Quinn from production.”

  “Oh, hi, Jenny. How are you?”

  “I’m good. I’m wondering if you have some time free today?”

  “Let me just check.” Harper clicked a few keys. “Yes, at two-thirty. Work for you?”

  “It does. I’ll come up then.”

  Jenny’s hands shook as she replaced the receiver. When was the last time she’d just run with something without thinking it through eighty-six times? It was kind of scary.

  But also kind of cool.

  At a little before two-thirty, Jenny took the stairs up to the next floor and walked to Harper’s cubicle.

  “Hi, Jenny.” Harper stood. “Let’s go into Zoey’s office—she’s out for the afternoon.”

  Once they were seated, Jenny took a deep breath. “So, I wanted to talk to you about the role that’s being advertised in the marketing team.”

  “Oh?” Harper’s blue eyes held Jenny’s.

  “Yes. I know I don’t have a marketing background, and I know the posting says that isn’t essential, but I wanted to check if that was true?”

  Harper leaned forward. “It is. Broadly. But Martina, the hiring manager, would still want to know what you could bring to the table. Any projects you’ve worked on where your ideas made the difference, that sort of thing.”

  Okay, here goes. “Well, the change in direction for Project Catwalk was my idea. I presented it to Derek and he ran with it.”

  “Wait.” Harper held up a hand. “You came up with the idea to change Project Catwalk?” Her eyebrows were raised, but Jenny couldn’t tell if it was from surprise or skepticism.

  “I did.” Despite her churning stomach, Jenny’s voice held firm. “And I can prove it, if necessary.” She swallowed. “I’m not sure how it was presented to the board by Mr. Flanigan, but it was my idea and my presentation.”

  “Good for you.”

  “I can also provide examples from my time at TC where my ideas led to successful changes and improvements in other projects.”

  Harper threw her a wide smile. “Well, then I think you should definitely consider putting in an application. Martina wants to close this one out quickly. You noticed the submission deadline?”

  “I did. Tomorrow.”

  “Exactly. I suggest you spend a bit of time thinking about what to say, include as many examples of your ideas as possible, then get that application in. Okay?”

  Jenny exhaled a slow breath. “Sounds good.”

  “Good luck.”

  Jenny left Harper’s office on shaky knees. Am I actually going to do this? It was all so sudden, but it all felt so right. Well, Adrienne said I needed to own change, rather than it owning me. So, here I go.

  When Olivia rang Jenny’s doorbell later that evening, Jenny couldn’t help the excitement that coursed through her. They had the apartment to themselves, as Carl was at Solomon’s once again. And that meant they had plenty of opportunity to talk—and other things. Her skin goose bumped at what those other things might involve. “Hey!” she said as she opened the door.

  “Hello.” Olivia gave her a sultry smile that made Jenny’s hands tremble. Every damn time.

  Olivia stepped in, Jenny shut the door, and they were off. Olivia pushed Jenny against the door and kissed her fiercely. She pushed her hands under Jenny’s sweater and across the skin of her stomach. “Missed seeing you today.” Olivia’s voice was muffled against Jenny’s neck, where she’d moved her lips to nuzzle against the super-sensitive patch of skin just below Jenny’s ear.

  “You…saw me…this morning.” I’m not sure we’re going to get to the news about the job.
Or even to the bedroom.

  Olivia chuckled. “You know what I mean.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Olivia’s mouth traveled back to Jenny’s lips and she kissed her passionately once more. Then she released her and stepped back. “Hello.”

  Jenny laughed. “Hi. Again.” She shook her head to try to free herself from the haze that one of Olivia’s kisses always seemed to induce. “Want a drink?”

  “I’d love a peppermint tea.”

  “Coming right up.”

  Peppermint tea was something neither she nor Carl ever drank in this apartment, but now there was a stock of teabags in the cupboard for whenever Olivia visited.

  Jenny loved that; she loved that there were now pieces of her life at Olivia’s and vice versa. And she loved the fact that Olivia seemed totally comfortable slumming it in Brooklyn, in this cute but shabby apartment Jenny knew didn’t remotely compare to the one Olivia shared with Broderick.

  After making Olivia’s tea, she joined her on the couch, and they took each other’s hands straight away.

  “How was your afternoon?” Jenny asked by way of leading into the conversation she actually wanted to have. She was glad the make out session at the door hadn’t progressed; she was too wired from everything that had happened in relation to the marketing job and needed to get that out of her system before she could entertain naked thoughts.

  “It had its moments.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “I can honestly say, if I don’t get Derek’s old job, I’m definitely looking for a new place to work.”

  “Uh-oh, who poked the beast today?”

  Olivia laughed. “Most people. But I don’t want to talk about that. How was your day?”

  “Well, it’s funny you should ask.” Jenny turned in her seat so she didn’t have to crank her neck to gaze at her girlfriend. “I applied for a new job.”

  Olivia’s eyebrows rose. “A new job?”

  Jenny nodded.

  A nerve twitched in Olivia’s left cheek. “How long have you been planning that?” There was an edge to her tone that made alarm bells ring in Jenny’s head.