by Hope Paris
I snort.
“It wasn’t debt. Just bad choosing on Mom’s part.”
“How do you mean?”
“You remember I spoke about my dad?”
“I do.” He arches an eyebrow. “Not in very good words, from what I recall.”
“Trust me, what I said before was tame compared to what I think about him now.” I take a deep breath. I haven’t said anything about this to anyone, not even my friends. It is just too embarrassing. “He left us high and dry. He wasn’t content with just running away with a woman my age. He took all of our money—everything—for his new life.”
Mom and Dad had had separate accounts as well as a joint one. Mom had always been under the impression that her single account was hers alone and she and Dad contributed to the joint one, so they shared the money. Dad had other ideas. The day he left, he withdrew all the money and closed the joint account before using his next of kin status to take out all of Mom’s money. The only amount he didn’t take was Mom’s paycheck—and only because it wasn’t deposited until the next day. By the time Mom realized what Dad had done, it was too late. He was gone.
I had struggled to believe that he could cheat on Mom and then leave us with nothing. Dad was a bastard, but I never thought he would stoop to that level. Mom kept calling and texting him, pleading to have her share of the money back so she’s not left raising Claire with nothing—I was in college at that point, but still living at home trying to pay my way—and Dad had simply blocked her on everything. We couldn’t afford a lawyer and the police said there was nothing they could do. We were on our own.
Five years later, we still haven’t got ourselves back on an even footing. And it didn’t help that Mom was now unemployed. She had been made redundant and the life just went out of her. She didn’t want to do anything, and the stress of Claire’s behavior is taking its toll on her. I’m scared that Mom might keel over dead before the year is finished.
Meanwhile Dad’s with his new bird, happily married with baby twins. Claire and I have two little brothers, and I have no desire to see them. Mostly because I will happily attack the bitch who is now my stepmother. She tore the family apart and left Mom in her current state. In my eyes, she’s just as guilty as Dad—if not more so.
There will certainly be no happy greetings if our paths ever cross again.
Jason is staring at me in shock.
“Your father left his own children with nothing?”
“Yep.” I scowl. “I don’t think he really loved us. He was always a little cool in his approach, especially towards Claire. She’s adopted, came to us as a baby, and Dad’s always made it clear that he wasn’t happy raising a baby that didn’t have his DNA.”
Which makes it all the more painful, as Claire adored him. She still does. Dad never bothered to tell her that she wasn’t his biological child. It wasn’t until her eighteenth birthday that Claire learned the truth about her adoption. Melanie had never felt so helpless seeing Claire go through a multitude of emotions as she realized that everything she had grown up believing was a lie.
But her problems had started long before then.
“How long has Claire been troubled?” Jason asked
“You mean how long has she been getting in trouble with the cops and skipping school, doing drugs and experimenting with guys? Since he left.”
“What?” He blinks. “She was thirteen.”
“I didn’t say all of them started at the same time.”
Jason shakes his head.
“That man doesn’t deserve a family. Even the wealthiest, most respected people can be the lowest of the low.”
“I can’t agree with that comment more.” I shake my head. “And Dad is certainly the lowest of the low. He divorced Mom, took all the money and married his new bird within six months. We couldn’t afford to fight it and get what we deserved in terms of our money, so we had to agree to it.”
“Have you had any contact with him?”
“The last time was four years ago, when he sent us a picture of him with his new bitch on their wedding day for a Christmas present.” I still remember that day and I realized that I’ve never spoken about this to anyone. It ruined Christmas for all of us, especially Mom. “I ripped it up, sent it back to him, and said I would do that to his manhood if he ever came back.”
“I don’t doubt that you would,” Jason murmurs.
He is regarding me thoughtfully, his eyes drifting over my face. Is it getting warmer in here? I can feel my breasts getting very heavy. The tingling is almost painful, and I have to grit my teeth. How can I feel so aroused when I feel like I’m going to cry?
“Look, Mr. Ford...I mean, Jason, tell me what you want from me and then I can go home. I’m sure you don’t want me to work anytime soon after what happened.”
Jason is silent. Then he reaches over and takes my hand, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. The tender way he touches me has my resolve wobble. I could handle the alpha male, the big boss. I couldn’t handle this part of him. It was too...intimate.
“Actually, I want you at work. But not in your original role.”
I stare. I wasn’t expecting that response. Now I am confused.
“I don’t understand.”
“My VP is currently... indisposed.” Jason makes a face. “And my PA is on maternity leave. She’s not going to be back for a while, and I haven’t had the time to get a replacement. I have a lot of work to get through, and I think it’ll be the perfect job.”
He wants to make me his personal assistant? Is he saying what I think he’s saying? I’m not sure if I like the sound of that. Mostly because it means working in close quarters with Jason himself.
My pulse picks up. He must feel it with his fingers against my wrist.
Admit it, that’s what makes it tempting. Close quarters with a man who can make your whole body quiver.
“You mean you want me to work exclusively for you?”
“Essentially.” Jason’s eyes gleam. “You work only for me, and you do what I say.”
Now that sounds like a proposition. I know what he wants, and I have to admit the thought of it is exciting. Who doesn’t want a piece of a gorgeous man like Jason?
No one else is having a piece of him. He’s mine.
No, he isn’t. Stop it. And don’t sound eager giving him a yes.
“You want to make up for your sister’s actions?” Jason sits forward. “You become my PA.”
“Are you blackmailing me?”
“No, I’m giving you a proposal. Put things right. In return for being my PA, you get some benefits. A good income, a stable place to live, and I’ll even have jobs found for your mother and sister if they want them.”
Now I’m sitting up. That makes this deal even sweeter. A place to live where they didn’t have to worry about rent or living with strangers. And Mom is desperate to have a job, but her depression knocks her so low I get surprised if I see her out of bed. Claire keeps moaning about not having any money for things, so getting her a job would sort that out, and it might give her a sense of responsibility. Hopefully.
But it still all sounds too good to be true. As much as I want to say yes, I need to not sound so eager. I need to be professional about this.
“You would do all that for me and my family?”
“Of course,” He smiles. “But that’s only if you say yes.”
Then I feel his hand on my leg. I can feel the heat through my jeans, and that heat is travelling up my leg. Damn, it feels good, and I want to clamp my thighs together, trap his hand.
Only if I say yes. I want to say yes so much. I lick my lips.
“How long do I have to do this for?”
“Until my PA comes back. That could be a while, seeing as she’s due any day now. But even after you’ve done your duties, I won’t take away everything I’ve given you. I’ll even give you a job more suited to your qualifications.”
“You’ll find me a job as a nurse?”
“Of course. On condition that
you do as you’re told.” His hand drifts up my leg. “And if you say yes, of course.”
Come on. Say yes. Now. But my brain feels like it has short-circuited. I’m in a public place with a gorgeous man’s hand on my thigh, getting closer to where he is going to feel how aroused I am. I should be pushing him away, but I find myself shifting to the edge of my seat. The thought of doing this out in the open, whether anyone could see what we were up to, has my arousal spiking. I bite back a groan, focusing on the man whose hand is so close to touching me where I need him.
“What’s the catch?” I ask. “There has to be a catch in there somewhere. I mean, what’s in it for you?”
“I get you.” Jason leans in closer, his mouth inches away from mine. “I get you whenever I want you. I’m sure you get my meaning.”
I do get his meaning. It has my clit throbbing enough for me to bite back a gasp. Never has a man turned me on simply with words and suggestions. I lick my lips, and Jason’s gaze zeros in on my mouth. His nostrils flare and his eyes darken. I gulp and manage to smile, touching his thigh in return.
“I’m sure you had more to this argument, didn’t you?” I purr. “Am I allowed to see what the benefits will be?”
Jason
Dear God. She wants to find out the benefits. I have to stop myself from grabbing her and pulling her onto my lap, in front of the other customers. Especially when her hand is drifting up my thigh. My cock is now at full attention.
I stand and take her hand, tugging her to her feet. No one seems to be watching us, but I wouldn’t have cared anyway. I do not care if people see where we go. I just have to have Melanie now. I have been keeping my hands to myself until a few moments ago, and now my control snaps.
I pull Melanie behind me as we go into the back of the coffee shop. The disabled restroom is empty and I push her inside. Then I follow her, closing the door and locking it. Melanie stares at me with wide eyes.
“What... Someone could’ve seen us coming in.”
“Or they’ll hear us in a moment.” I pull her towards me, pressing her against my erection. “Do you really care?”
Melanie whimpers and her eyes darken. She sighs and rolls her hips against mine, which makes me groan. She puts her arms around my neck.
“Not really.”
Her kiss is so sweet, so gentle. It sparks the fire in my belly. God, I have never imagined that a woman’s sweetness could be a turn-on. I kiss her back, taking control and I swipe my tongue into her mouth. Melanie responds eagerly, her fingers digging into my hair. My hands go down her back and cup her buttocks, lifting her onto her toes. I need to feel her closer than she is right now. I need her.
My cock twitches, pressing against my pants. Melanie mewls and reaches between us, rubbing her hand over my erection. I break the kiss with a groan and Melanie grins.
“I thought I’d imagined how big you were.” Her hand squeezes me. “You’re living up to last night’s expectations.”
“Oh, am I?” I feel myself shaking as I reach up and press my hands on her shoulders. “Why don’t you go down there and find out how big I really am.”
“Is this part of my job description as well?” Melanie smirks as she lowers herself to her knees, sliding her body down mine. The friction of my erection between her breasts is beautiful. “Is this what you meant by doing what you want when you want?”
“Exactly.”
“I see.” Melanie undoes my pants and lowers the zipper. Her hand slips inside and brings out my cock. She makes an approving noise as she strokes me. “Nice.”
I run my hands through his hair, winding her locks around my fingers.
“I want you to fill that mouth with my cock.”
“Yes, sir.”
Her eyes are on me as she slides her lips over my cock. The sight of her swallowing my cock almost makes me lose it. She looks stunning on her knees, sucking my cock with her hand pumping my shaft. She never takes her eyes off me as she works me, her tongue sliding over the underside of my shaft and occasionally scraping her teeth across the soft skin.
I have never seen a woman look so powerful on their knees with a man’s cock in their mouth. I was meant to be in charge, but Melanie is turning the tables. That is not what I want.
I want—no, need—to be in charge.
Grabbing at Melanie, I haul her to her feet, kissing her hard as I turn us so she is pressing against the door. I undo the button on her jeans and I shove my hand into her panties. Melanie throws her head back with a loud moan as I slide my fingers over her pussy. God, she is so wet. She is so easily aroused.
I love it.
“Fuck, Melanie.” I whisper into her ear as I flick her clit with my finger, which has her shuddering. “I love how responsive you are. And I love hearing you.”
“Fuck!”
Melanie clamps her hand over her mouth as she lets out another low moan. I circle my finger around her clit before dipping into her pussy. She clamps down on my hand. I smile and kiss her neck, licking down to her shoulder.
“Don’t stifle yourself.” I nibble at her shoulder. “I want to hear you. I want people to hear us enjoying each other.”
Melanie doesn’t take her hand away from her mouth, but her pussy tightens around my fingers. I groan.
“You like the thought of that, don’t you? You like the thought of people hearing us fucking.”
Melanie lowers her hand, her body writhing against mine.
“I shouldn’t.” She pants. “But I do.”
“Good.” I reluctantly take my hand out of her panties and I shove her jeans and panties down her legs, bunching them around her ankles. “Turn around. Hands on the door and stick your butt out.”
Her eyes bright, Melanie turns and presses her hands onto the door. She looks over her shoulder at me as she arches her back and sticks her gorgeous backside out at me. I shove my pants down my thighs and nudge her feet out wider, as far as her jeans will allow. Then I rub my cock against her pussy, feeling how soaked she is.
“Tell me you want this.” Why am I stalling? “Tell me to fuck you.”
“Please, sir.” Melanie is breathing heavily. “Fuck me. Now. Please!”
I press forward and we both groan as I slide my cock into her tight pussy. Melanie pushes back, her stunning body arching as my cock slides in deeper. It takes all of my self-control to not cum right then.
Last night had been incredible, but this is something else.
I grip Melanie’s curvy hips and I start up a hard, fast pace. I pound into her pussy, feeling Melanie push back against me to meet my thrusts. Melanie bends even more and I go in deeper. Neither of us bother to keep quiet. I do not care if anyone hears us. This is just too damn good, and I am not stopping now.
I lean over Melanie’s back, shove my hands under her t-shirt, and push her bra out of the way. Melanie moans as I pinch her nipples, rolling them between my fingers. I can feel her arousal building. She is going to cum soon, and her pussy tightening around my cock makes me see stars.
“Cum for me, Melanie.” I put one hand between her legs and flick her clit.
Melanie cums, her whole body tightening and then shaking hard. I grit my teeth as I cum as well, feeling my release filling Melanie’s body. It leaves me lightheaded and my legs threaten to give way. I lean against Melanie as she falls against the door, and I gather her into my arms.
“I know what I want, Melanie.” I cup her breasts and give them a firm squeeze. “And I want you. You can have this as much as you want. But only if you agree to my terms.”
Melanie smiles. She rolls her hips, which sparks another jolt of arousal. I can feel myself going hard again.
“You drive a pretty hard bargain, Mr. Ford.”
“Absolutely.” I pinch her nipples. She gasps. “I always drive a hard bargain..”
Melanie
We really are crazy. I can’t believe that I just had sex in a public restroom. Or that I was that loud. I’ve never been loud during sex, but Jason knows how to push
my buttons. And how to make my pleasure sky-rocket so fast.
My bag is still at the table but I am too embarrassed to go back and get it. I know people will be watching us, especially with how loud we were. Jason goes out as I dress again and adjust my clothing. He returns with my bag and says we can sneak out the back door. This makes me feel like a naughty teenager who is caught necking in the alley.
Except what we did was certainly not necking.
Jason walks me up to my apartment and tells me to come in at eight the next morning so we can go over my duties. He kisses me before he leaves, and I can feel someone trembling. I don’t know if it is him shaking or myself. But it is a good feeling. I like the thought of having such a powerful man on his knees because of me.
I try not to smile as I enter my apartment. If Mom sees me smiling, she will know what’s happened.
Mom is on the couch watching TV, the remote in her hand. But she is just staring at the screen—one of those soap operas she seems to watch all the time. I put my bag on the armchair.
“Mom?”
Mom looks up and blinks at me.
“Mel. I didn’t realize you were back.”
“I’ve just got back. It was only a quick coffee.”
Mom frowns.
“I hope you didn’t spend too much. We haven’t even got enough for that.”
“Don’t worry, it’s sorted. Where’s Claire?”
I’m not going to tell her about Jason’s proposition just yet. I need to speak to Claire first.
“Claire’s still in her room.” Mom murmurs, turning to stare at the TV again.
I press a kiss to Mom’s head and head to Claire’s bedroom. When I tell her that Jason has a job lined up for her, she is going to be much happier. Mom loves to be kept busy, and this will certainly help. I want my old Mom back again.
I knock on Claire’s door, but there is no answer. I try the door, and I find that I can get in without any resistance. Then I see why. Claire is not in her room. The window is open. Claire uses the fire escape all the time to either slip out with her friends or go up onto the roof to smoke—that way Mom and I don’t know she is smoking weed.
