“About six months,” she said, before swallowing a gulp of air. “It was gradual. I just started having these feelings for you beyond our normal relationship. I imagined long, romantic dinners. I imagined us sharing a bed, making love. I imagined us sharing a home as well as a career.”
“I–I just don’t understand. I’ve never given you the impression I was interested, have I?”
Catherine shook her head. “No, you haven’t. These thoughts were brief, at first. Little glimpses here and there. Gradually, they stayed in my mind longer and longer. I started having visions of our relationship going to the next level. Now, it’s all I think about, other than dance. I want you, Jack. I want to be your girlfriend and maybe even your wife.”
Jack felt a wave of dizziness start to wash over him. It wasn’t that he didn’t think Catherine was attractive. To the contrary, she was gorgeous, with honey-blonde hair, a lean dancer’s body, and an impeccable sense of style. There were times when, in moments of sexual dry spells, he had imagined her naked and sprawled out in his bed.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like Catherine, either. He would be the first to admit that she was frequently difficult to deal with, that she had a temper. But he’d also taken the time to get past her fiery exterior to get to know the real woman beneath. He cared for her, he enjoyed her company, and he trusted her. They had a history together. She’d taken care of his home on the rare occasions when he went on vacation and had cared for him while he convalesced from knee surgery five years ago. She even had a key to his vacation cabin on the lake and had free reign of the place whenever she needed to get out of town for a weekend. They’d been dancing together for nearly a decade, and she was as close to a wife as Jack anticipated having.
That didn’t mean he wanted her as an actual wife, though. Jack was too committed to his career to want to get involved in a serious relationship with someone. Even though as his dance partner Catherine would understand his busy schedule and in fact be able to spend most of the day with him, he wasn’t interested in that. He had seen too many all-star partnerships implode when the dancers attempted to add sex and romance to their relationship. Despite his closeness with Catherine, and despite the fact that he found her attractive, he also knew that his professional partnership with her was more important than sex. He could find other women, but there was only one person he would trust with his career.
Jack took a deep breath while he formulated a reply to Catherine’s confession. “I care about you very much, you know. You mean the world to me, and nothing is more important than our partnership. But that means certain sacrifices need to be made.”
Catherine dropped her eyes. “Of course you’d say that. You don’t care about what I want.”
“I don’t want to risk our competitive career over something like sex. Even the possibility of love is too fickle, too uncertain, to risk a partnership as amazing as ours. I don’t think I’d be as successful a dancer as I am if I hadn’t met you. I’m sorry, Catherine, but I just can’t reciprocate your feelings.”
“I was hoping maybe you’d make an exception to your rules for once. I mean, you almost kissed Tiara right in the middle of the studio. If you can loosen up with her, I don’t understand why you can’t loosen up with me.”
Jack felt himself start to sweat as he began to wonder just how many people had noticed what he’d almost done. “That—I mean—that wasn’t what it looked like. Besides, that has nothing to do with this. I’m sorry, but I just can’t get involved romantically.”
Catherine started crying even harder. Jack couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Even though he couldn’t reciprocate her feelings, he hated that he’d hurt her.
“Come on,” he said, taking her by the hand and steering her toward the staff lounge. After a peek in the door to ensure it was empty, he pulled her inside. “Let’s talk this out somewhere private. I don’t want there to be tension in our partnership over this.”
“You love Tiara, don’t you? You love some woman you barely know, someone you don’t even like very much, someone who can just waltz in here and usurp your schedule and push me aside.”
“Catherine, please, be rational. I don’t love her.”
“Then why did you try to kiss her? Why would you do that with someone you barely know?”
“Because I find her attractive and because I wasn’t thinking. It wasn’t intentional. I didn’t start dancing with her in an attempt to kiss her. We were just dancing, and suddenly, it was all I wanted to do. It felt completely right. But she didn’t feel the same way.”
“You didn’t even want to coach them in the first place, and suddenly, you’re all over her.”
“My emotions and opinions don’t always speak the same language as my libido. I try to keep my body in line with my logic, but it doesn’t necessarily listen. Today was an example of my body taking over. I guess it really has been too long since I’ve, uh, been intimate with a woman.” He cringed, hating to use vulgarity of any kind, especially around people he respected.
“I could meet your needs, you know,” Catherine said, looking up at him with wide blue eyes.
He didn’t see lust in her expression, though. He saw a cold gaze devoid of passion, and he didn’t understand why her face didn’t match her words. “I’m sure you could. I’m willing to bet you’re an amazing lover. But that’s not an option for us.”
“Well, fantastic. Now my ego is bruised, and my whole day is ruined.”
“I guess it’s just not a good day for anybody’s self-esteem.”
“You’re not—you’re not going to fall for her, are you?”
Jack laughed off the edge in her voice. “She’ll be in town for two weeks, and then she’ll go back to Denver. What on earth could possibly happen between us in that little time?”
“I don’t know.”
“Look, Catherine, if you’re going to be jealous of every woman I’m attracted to, we have to deal with that right now. If you’re going to be jealous every time I find another woman attractive, if you let the hurt of rejection gnaw at you, that’s not going to make our partnership any stronger.”
Catherine sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Don’t worry, Jack. I won’t let that happen.”
“Are you sure? I know it can be difficult to keep emotions in check. So if you need to get more off your chest, don’t hesitate. I don’t want this issue to drive a wedge between us.”
She nodded. “I can handle it. Believe it or not, I do have ways of dealing with my troubles. You’re right. Our professional partnership is more important.”
“I’m glad we agree.” He gave her a cautious hug and then stood up. “Practice at eight tomorrow morning?”
Catherine nodded. “Unless, of course, Tiara and Seth want another last-minute lesson.”
“That won’t happen again, I promise,” he assured her.
“Good,” she said. “You know how I get when my life gets out of order.” She stood up and hurried out of the room.
Knowing she was no longer looking at him, Jack finally allowed himself to shiver at her tone as she spoke those final words.
Chapter Three
Tiara’s heart and pussy were both pounding with anticipation as Taletha pulled into the parking lot of Phosphorescence, the wine bar where she’d arranged to host a happy hour reception for Tiara and Seth. Tiara was looking forward to enjoying a glass of wine and getting to know people better, but there was only one person she actually wanted to see, and she didn’t think he’d show up. Jack didn’t seem to be the type of guy who showed up at events like these. He seemed to have an air about him that suggested he was too good for bars, or happy hours, or fraternization with colleagues. Still, the way they’d flirted during practice a few days before gave her hope that he might stop being a snob for an evening so she could spend more time with him. It didn’t matter that they’d be in a big group or that their chances for conversation would be minimal. She would be content just to be in the same room. Even if it didn’t lead anywhere
, even if she went back to hotel room that night and all she had for comfort was her vibrator, being in his presence would be enough.
She tried not to let herself feel disappointed when she walked into the bar and he wasn’t there. This isn’t his scene, and it’s not like he ever said he’d show up or anything. Briefly, she thought about flirting with Seth, just so her feelings wouldn’t be completely bottled up. He’d already admitted in practice that he could tell she was attracted to him. Maybe giving in to those feelings wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Almost as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she shook it away. Yes, her pussy yearned for Seth’s cock. Yes, she’d developed feelings for him after years of dancing together. But giving those feelings a chance to grow and thrive could destroy their professional partnership. Considering how tense things had been on this trip so far, she wasn’t about to add more volatility to the mix.
Tiara smiled graciously at the applause the other dancers gave when she and Seth pushed through the doors. She willed herself not to be upset, ordered a glass of champagne, and joined the party. She knew that if she just made enough conversation, she’d forget all about him, at least for a few hours.
After an hour of chatting and laughing, Tiara had managed to stop thinking about Jack and was enjoying herself. Even her pussy had stopped yearning for immediate sexual release from the men she had been fantasizing about. She and Taletha were involved in a deep discussion about dance politics on the East Coast when she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she found herself face-to-face with Jack. Suddenly, her heart began racing again, and her pussy started to throb, desperate to find out what his cock would feel like when it was deep inside of her.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said, offering her a slight grin. “I got held up with a few errands after my last lesson of the day.”
Tiara realized she was almost too nervous to smile but managed to eke one out anyway. “This is a nice surprise.”
Jack shrugged. “I do try to get out every now and then. Believe it or not, there are times when I actually do feel social. I’m not the hermit everyone seems to think I am.”
“Though the times you go out with us really are few and far between,” Taletha said with a laugh. “Seriously, Jack, I think this is the first time you’ve been to a staff event in a year.”
Tiara couldn’t help but notice that Jack had developed a slight blush on his face. “Well, this seems like a special occasion. It’s not every month that we have such esteemed guest instructors in our midst.”
“Regardless of your motivation, we’re glad you finally joined us for once,” Taletha said. She waved her empty glass in the air. “Excuse me, I need a refill.” Tiara thought she saw Taletha give Jack a wink as she turned and walked back to the bar.
Tiara turned to Jack and smiled as an awkward silence settled around them. “So, can I buy you a drink?” she asked, searching for something to say.
“I’m not sure you should be buying the drinks at the reception being held in your honor. Isn’t Taletha putting this entire evening on the company credit card, anyway? I was under the impression that anyone who chose to schmooze would get free wine.”
“Oh, right, of course.” Tiara could feel the blush rising on her face.
“Maybe if she did more events where there was free booze, I’d come out to these things more often,” he said with a laugh.
“Are you saying you’re cheap?” Tiara asked, hoping the wink she gave him was enough to indicate that she was kidding.
Jack leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I’m most definitely not cheap. I’m just very selective about how I spend my money. There are luxuries I prefer that don’t include overpriced alcohol.”
The feel of his breath rushing against her ear set Tiara’s entire body on fire. “And what would such luxuries include?”
“Maybe I’ll tell you later,” he whispered, pressing his mouth so close to her ear that she could practically feel his lips on her skin. “It’s not the sort of thing one discusses when surrounded by colleagues.”
“Then perhaps we should get away from said colleagues sooner rather than later. There are few things I hate more than being kept in suspense.”
“But I just got here. Wouldn’t it look odd if I stayed for only five minutes and then suddenly took off with you on my arm? Wouldn’t that make people talk?”
“I see it as a lesser of two evils. They’ll probably talk a lot more if we cozy up in a corner and look like we’re sharing secrets. If we’re not around, there’s nothing for them to look at.”
Jack pulled away, a slight frown appearing on his face.
“Either way, people are going to talk. I’d rather not be the subject of idle work gossip, if it’s all the same to you. Maybe we should go mingle for now.”
Rather than turning Tiara off, Jack’s sudden switch in attitude made her heart beat faster and her cunt throb with more intensity. The challenge of wooing Jack was proving more difficult than expected, but each new obstacle left her pussy wanting him even more. She tried to remind herself that she shouldn’t flirt with Jack while Seth was there. Her body, though, was speaking louder than her brain. The only possible option to get what she wanted was to get out of the bar.
Tiara leaned back in, ensuring that her lips really did brush up against his ear as she spoke. “I need some fresh air,” she whispered. “And so do you.”
Before Jack had a chance to protest, she wrapped his tie around her hand and started leading him out of the bar.
* * * *
Jack looked around, and Tiara hauled him out of the bar, hoping that nobody was paying attention to the fact that she was dragging him out the glass doors to do who knows what. But nobody seemed to be paying them any attention. He breathed a sigh of relief as Tiara pushed open the glass doors and pressed herself against the wall, drawing his lips dangerously close to hers.
“There, isn’t this better?” she asked. “The atmosphere is much nicer.”
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“What do you think I’m doing? I’m trying to seduce you. Isn’t it obvious?”
Jack hesitated for a moment. He couldn’t deny that he wanted her, that his cock was already fluttering to life as he stared at her lips and then focused on cleavage that threatened to spill out of her plunging neckline.
“You are ruining my reputation for discretion,” he said, before he gave into his desires and kissed her.
As his lips finally met hers, he found that discretion didn’t matter. He didn’t care if someone saw him kissing her. Hell, he wanted someone to walk out and see him kissing her. For the first time in his life, he was excited by the possibility of getting caught.
He loved the way she tasted. The aftertaste of the wine didn’t cover the earthy-yet-sweet flavor of her skin. He darted his tongue in and out, gently biting her lips, desperate to savor every second.
“Harder,” she murmured in between kisses.
“What?”
“Bite my lips harder when you kiss me.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Trust me, you won’t.”
“Are you sure?”
Rather than try to convince him with words, Tiara bit down hard on his bottom lip, then pulled away and bit his neck. Jack’s cock, which had been steadily hardening with each kiss, now stood at full attention, pressing so hard against the fabric of his pants that it was almost painful. The sensation exploding across his skin had an edge to it, pleasure with just a tinge of pain, making it even sexier.
“Fuck, you’re right,” he whispered and then bit down on her neck, reveling in the way her flesh yielded to his teeth. He turned his attention to her lips and finally gave his hands permission to wander, to explore the body that had been driving him crazy all week. Snaking his fingers up her curvy waist, he went right for the breasts that had drawn his stares ever since he’d arrived at the bar. Tiara groaned as he pressed his palms against them and then gently began to tease her by dr
agging his fingertips around in slow circles.
Slipping his hands under her shirt, he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra. His hands were in direct contact with her flesh, providing direct stimulation to her nipples. Pinching them gently between his fingertips, he started to twist.
“Harder,” she gasped again.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m not fucking fragile. I won’t break. Now pinch harder.”
Jack gripped her nipples with all the strength in his fingers, rolling them faster and faster. A few moments later, he realized how quick and shallow her breath had become, how close she sounded to an orgasm. Kicking up the speed as fast as he could, he worked her until she closed her eyes and slumped back against the wall, an unmistakable moan escaping from her mouth.
Jack pulled his hands away. “Did you just…” He trailed off, not entirely able to believe what he had just witnessed.
“Come? Yeah. You’ve never experienced that before?”
“Never.”
“I guess you’ve just been doing foreplay wrong,” she said with a wink.
“Does it feel the same as a regular orgasm?”
Tiara shook her head. “It’s smaller and not quite as forceful. But it’s still an orgasm, and it’s still amazing.”
Jack smiled. “You are the most amazing woman I have ever met.” Then he kissed her again, bringing his hands up to play with the beautiful blonde hair that he’d wanted to touch ever since she’d walked into his life.
* * * *
Seth knew it wasn’t proper etiquette to shoot wine, but when he saw Tiara wrap her fingers around Jack’s tie and pull him out of the bar, his sense of propriety slipped away. Ordering his favorite merlot from the bar, he downed the entire glass, barely tasting the liquid that passed his lips. When he slammed the fragile stemware down on the bar, it shattered. Before Seth knew it, every eye on the bar was focused on him.
“I–I’m so sorry,” he gasped. He turned toward the bartender. “I’ll pay for that.” He started fumbling for his wallet.
Jordan, Olivia - Tiara's Foxtrot Fantasies [Studio Seductions 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3
