Shades of Submission: Fifty by Fifty #1: Billionaire Romance Boxed Set

by Hunter, Adriana

  "Oh?" Jonah replied.

  Anna waved her hand dismissively. "I'm being silly."

  Jonah put down his plate and grasped her fluttering hand. "Your feelings aren't silly, Anna."

  Memories of their tryst in the lab flooded into her mind. Her skin pinked and she softened inside. "It isn't every day that I have sex in the lab. In fact, it isn't any day."

  "I haven't been involved with a co-worker before myself." He left unanswered the question of whether he'd brought a woman to the lab before.

  Anna met his eyes. "It makes things complicated. Working together, I mean. I know we brought it up before, but …" Her thought drifted off, unfinished.

  Jonah rubbed her palm. "It's not against policy — not strictly. I supervise you in the most general way. I'm not your boss."

  Anna shook her head. "I wasn't so concerned about that. I don't want anyone to think there is favoritism. It makes me uncomfortable."

  Jonah shrugged. "They might. Anyone who knows us should know better. Does it bother you enough to change course?"

  "No." Her answer was quick and sure. She reminded herself to redirect her thoughts when they started along a negative path. She did not intend to let her chance with Jonah slip away.

  "Good." Jonah pulled her to him, depositing her on his lap.

  Anna straddled his legs and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She smiled as she brought her face close to his, nibbling across his jawline. "You make me crazy, Jonah. I feel like I'm going to burn up."

  He grasped her ass in his hands. "You know what they say."

  Anna looked into his eyes. "What's that?"

  "Scientists have chemistry."

  Anna collapsed into him, giggling.

  Jonah's hands traveled the curves of her body. He squeezed and stroked, exploring every hollow and crevice.

  Anna's skin burned in the wake of his touch. Emboldened, she reached for the buttons of her shirt. She bit her lip as her eyes locked with his, but didn't hesitate. One by one, she slipped the buttons free until her blouse hung open.

  Jonah swept the fabric off her shoulders. He reached between her breasts and unfastened the hook holding the cups of her bra. As the fabric loosened, he pulled the cups away, replacing them with his hands. His thumbs grazed Anna's nipples and her flesh became firm with desire. "I want you, Anna."

  Anna blinked as tears threatened. How long had she waited to hear those words? She covered her surging emotion by stealing a kiss. Her tongue coaxed his lips open and met his tongue in a sensual duel.

  "Take off your skirt." Impatient excitement roughened his voice.

  Anna rose off his lap, more than happy to follow his directive. She removed her skirt, sliding it slowly down her body as he watched. Her hands shook as she slipped off her panties.

  He gestured toward the couch. "This time, I get to be on top."

  Anna shivered. Did he know she wanted him to take charge? She arranged herself on the cushions.

  Jonah stood and divested himself of his clothing under Anna's admiring regard. His eyes returned the favor, gazing at her appreciatively. "You're so beautiful."

  With Jonah so clearly aroused by her, Anna saw herself as he did — as a beautiful and desirable woman. She usually receded into the background, a proverbial wallflower. But not here. Not now.

  Anna held out her hand and drew him down on top of her. He crushed her into the soft cushions of the sofa, stoking her arousal. She wanted him. She wanted to feel him everywhere.

  Jonah's legs tangled with Anna's as he smoothed her hair off her face and kissed her, making his way from her lips to her neck.

  Anna twisted underneath him, her desire reaching a fevered pitch. "Jonah, I can't wait."

  Jonah's low, rumbling laugh vibrated through her. "I think you can." His fingers brushed against her responsive bud and Anna quivered. He rubbed her clit side to side and slid his fingertips into her feminine channel.

  Her wetness coated his fingers. Jonah took his slick fingertip and traced a wet line across Anna's bottom lip. His tongue tracked the streak, licking her essence off, and his movements dissolved into a kiss.

  Anna recognized her unique flavor on his tongue and twitched inside. His action was so unexpectedly erotic. She'd known Jonah would be a revelation, but she would never have guessed to what extent.

  Jonah shifted and his hardness probed at her entrance. "I want to be inside you."

  Anna spread her knees wide, opening herself fully to his body. She lifted under him, lodging the tip of his erection just inside.

  Jonah pressed forward. "Oh, Anna. I wanted to go slow, but you tempt me so."

  "Don't go slow. I need you now." Her grasping hands urged him on.

  Jonah closed his eyes and inched into Anna. Despite his words, he drew out his entry, tantalizing them both.

  Anna grasped his biceps and tilted her hips up toward him. She wanted him — all of him. She wanted him close and deep. Tingling heat grew within her with every stroke, every touch. The rising tide of pleasure lifted her higher and higher, transporting her toward her peak.

  "Tighten around me. Hold me inside you." His commanding order called to her female core.

  Anna clenched him inside, contracting as he plunged into her. She reveled in the onslaught and wanted more. Hot tingling shocks consumed her as he pushed her over the edge.

  Jonah's chest heaved with exertion as orgasm ripped through him and he collapsed against her. Moments passed before he gasped, "Anna, you wrung me out."

  A purring laugh tumbled from her. "That's a good thing, I hope."

  "It's an excellent thing. The mind wants another round, but the body disagrees." He rolled and squeezed next to her on the cushions, closing his eyes.

  Anna sat up. "Perhaps I can assist."

  Jonah opened one eye, peering at her.

  Energy danced through her. Invigorated, she was eager for more. "How about a deal? I'll do all the work."

  Jonah propped himself up on an elbow. "Oh yeah? That sounds enticing. What do I have to do?"

  Anna issued her invitation with a slow smile. "Lie back and enjoy it."

  Jonah rose off the couch and offered Anna his hand. "I can agree to a deal like that."

  Anna grasped his hand. Together they made their way out of the living room and through the hallway.

  Jonah gave Anna a playful slap on the ass as they entered the bedroom.

  Anna enjoyed the spank, more than he probably would guess. It crossed Anna's mind that she needed to speak to Jonah concerning her preferences. She put it out of her mind for now and motioned Jonah onto the bed. She crawled on after him, lying between his legs. His half-hard cock glistened with wetness from their encounter. She reached out her tongue to him, and he stirred as she licked.

  Jonah swallowed a moan. "Don't stop."

  Anna had no intention of stopping. She nibbled her way along his soft flesh and took him into her mouth. She rolled her tongue around, playing with his responsive shaft. She felt him swelling, hardening. His reaction fueled her own growing response.

  Anna rose to her knees and kissed Jonah's abdomen. Cool air brushed the wetness between her legs. She cupped his velvety sack in her hand, massaging him with her thumb as she licked his full length. She met his eyes. "You're ready for me."

  Jonah smiled. "I feel ready."

  Anna crawled up toward him, straddling his hips. She guided him toward her opening and settled against him, sinking down until he was fully inside. A soft, sensuous smile filled with feminine promise lit her face. She squeezed her internal muscles and rose off him slowly.

  Jonah gasped and lifted his hips, seeking her warmth. "Anna! Do it now!"

  Anna took her time, sliding him deep and grinding into him. Rocking her hips, she pressed him even deeper. She settled into a rhythm, fast enough to keep the passion rising but slow enough that they were both left wanting.

  Jonah reached for her, caressing her shoulders, and slid his hands between her breasts. He tweaked her nipples, which w
ere already dark and rigid with desire.

  Anna jerked. When she was sufficiently aroused, she enjoyed nipple play. "More. Please more."

  Jonah curled his fingers under her breasts, exploring the silky skin he found there. He slid his thumbs up and across her nipples.

  "Pinch them, just a little." Anna surprised herself by articulating her needs. She knew what she wanted, but in the past, she'd often been hesitant to say.

  Jonah grasped the tip of her breast between his thumb and forefinger and squeezed.

  Anna's electric response shot through her — all the way to her core. "Harder …"

  Jonah squeezed again with slightly more force.

  His touch triggered her release, and Anna shook as wave after wave of sparkling pleasure washed through her.

  Jonah watched, mesmerized by her arching body. As Anna slid down into lethargy, Jonah thrust up beneath her. He drove inside again and again. Anna collapsed on his chest as he came deep within her. He stroked her hair and wrapped his arms around her.

  They lay still and entwined until sleep claimed them both.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  Anna tapped her foot. "Maybe we shouldn't walk in together."

  Jonah's mouth twitched. "We don't have to go out of our way to hide. I thought we'd settled this."

  "Okay. Okay. You're right," Anna agreed.

  Jonah squeezed her hand. "Relax."

  They exited the elevator and walked down the hall to the lab. Jonah reached for the knob of the door, but found it locked. "I guess Gordon isn't in yet." He fumbled in his pocket for the keys and unlocked the door. He pushed it open and gestured for Anna to precede him.

  They both stopped in their tracks at the sight of Carrie and Gordon locked in a passionate embrace.

  Anna broke the silence. "Carrie?"

  The stunned couple broke apart. Carrie covered her mouth with her hand and Gordon coughed.

  Anna said nothing. It was hard to imagine chastising the couple after what had occurred between Jonah and herself.

  Carrie moved swiftly toward the door with a murmured, "Pardon me." She fled into the hallway.

  "If you would both excuse me." Gordon trotted out of the lab after Carrie.

  Anna turned to Jonah. "What just happened here?"

  Jonah wore a wry smile. "I think our assistants were partaking in an office encounter."

  "What do we do?"

  "What can we do? I guess we both speak to them separately and make sure it won't interfere with work. We're on rather slippery ground, given our own involvement."

  "Yes." Anna shook her head. "I thought Carrie disliked Gordon?"

  "I don’t know what to tell you, Anna. Gordon has never said a word about Carrie that I can recall. Admittedly though, we don't discuss our personal lives with one another."

  Later that morning, Jonah got the four of them together. Anna wondered if he'd decided to take a different approach regarding the relationship issue.

  Jonah plunged right in. "We have a problem."

  Gordon nodded. "Sir, I understand. It was very unprofessional. I can assure you it won't happen again."

  Jonah wrinkled his forehead. "I'm not talking about your romance. There's a data notebook missing from the inner lab." He turned to Anna. "You were the last to leave yesterday. Are you sure you secured the doors?"

  Anna didn't have to think about her answer. She recalled her exit clearly. "Yes, I'm absolutely sure."

  "I thought as much." Jonah pointed at Carrie and then Gordon. "Which of you arrived first today?"

  Gordon responded first. "I'm not sure. I saw Carrie in the lounge getting coffee when I passed. The lab was unlocked when I entered. I locked it again … later."

  Carrie shook her head. "I hadn't been inside yet."

  Gordon heaved a sigh. "I didn't think anything of the unlocked door. I figured Carrie had been in the lab already."

  Jonah grimaced. "Okay. I'm going to have security review the camera feeds for this floor. In the meantime, I want everything gone through to see if the book was moved. It's a standard composition book with my name and the month on the front. I know I put it away. To take it, someone had to unlock the outer lab, the inner lab, and the cabinet. That's a lot to get through. They needed access to the floor, too."

  Anna reviewed her actions again. She'd gone back to the lab, but she was sure she'd locked everything up. "I'd better check my materials as well."

  "You're right," Jonah added. "Everyone check to see if anything else is missing."

  Carrie and Gordon moved off and immediately began searching the lab space.

  Anna grabbed Jonah's arm as he turned to leave. "Do you think someone broke into the lab?"

  "I don't know, Anna. I do know that important information is gone. You are completely sure you secured the lab?"

  "I am." Worry etched her face. Did Jonah believe she would be so careless? But you were careless, a little voice reminded her.

  Jonah gave her a penetrating look. "Okay. I'm heading to security. I'll inform you when I know something."

  Anna combed through her items in the lab, relieved that nothing seemed to be missing. She, along with Gordon and Carrie, searched the lab thoroughly with no sign of the notebook.

  The phone rang in the lab. Anna picked it up to find Jonah on the line.

  "Anna, can you join me in security?"

  "Sure, I'll come right now." The line went dead and she hung up the phone. She hurried down the hall to the elevators. As she stepped inside, she deliberated about which floor to press. She hadn't been to the security office since receiving her identification card. She found her way and the chief's secretary waved her into the office. She'd only met Damon Baldwin briefly, but recalled he was a big, intimidating man.

  Her memory served her well. Damon stood as she entered, and she was reminded anew how imposing he was. "Anna, please be seated."

  She situated herself into the chair beside Jonah. The blinds were drawn and the light was dim. Several computer monitors flashed between interior and exterior camera views of the building. Oddly, there was nothing but the computer on the desk. The office was devoid of any personal touches.

  Damon took his seat and placed his hands on the desk. "Anna, Jonah briefed you on the suspected breach?"

  "Yes, he did," she acknowledged.

  Damon watched her closely as he continued with his questions. "Jonah tells me you were the last one to leave the lab yesterday."

  "Yes, we were leaving together, but I went back. I'd been debating whether to do more work and I'd left a notebook and some samples out." Anna squirmed under Damon's gaze. Was she a suspect?

  Damon's dark eyes didn't leave her face. "Jonah and I have been viewing the security footage. I'm going to play it for you."

  Anna wondered what the footage would show. "Okay."

  Damon turned a computer monitor slightly, giving her a better view. The time index showed the previous evening. She watched as she and Jonah left the lab together. Jonah locked the door, and they walked down the hallway. A minute later, she saw herself come back into the lab. After a time, she exited the lab, locked the door and walked down the hallway again.

  Damon stopped the tape. "What is that in your hand, Anna?"

  "It's the notebook I went to retrieve. I was going to lock it away, but I was in a hurry and I thought I might have time to review my data at home, so I took it."

  Damon pinned her with his eyes. "You're sure it's your notebook and not Jonah's notebook?"

  Anna's mouth dropped. "Of course it was my notebook. All the notebooks look the same. We use the same kind. The labels differentiate them."

  Damon glanced at Jonah for confirmation and Jonah nodded. "It's true. Almost all the scientists use the same ones. Frank buys them by the case."

  Anna shook as realization set in. "You can't actually think I took your notebook, do you?"

  Jonah took a deep breath. "No. I don't. However, Damon wants to be thorough. I apologize for asking, but it needed to be done."

/>   Anna clenched hands. "Aren't there cameras inside the labs?"

  Damon sighed. "There are, but for some reason the ones in your lab have been off for a couple days. There's no footage from inside either lab."

  Anna cocked her head. "Oh, that seems strange."

  "Yes, it is," Damon agreed. "Only someone with very good computer skills could have done that.

  Jonah stood. "Damon, do you want to come to the lab and talk to Carrie and Gordon?"

  "I will. I plan to check the camera feeds and make sure they're working properly. I have a meeting with Marcus to update him and I need to brief the rest of security."

  "Okay." Jonah took Anna's arm and guided her from the office. As they strode down the hall, he let go.

  Anna scanned him. "I can tell something's on your mind."

  Jonah waited to respond until the hall cleared. "Yes, I had a thought about the lab cameras. Several, actually."

  "Okay." She gestured for him to continue.

  "One was, that our … interlude … was probably caught on camera."

  Anna's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh no. I hadn't even considered that."

  Jonah shook his head. "I hadn't, either. The cameras are just there. I never pay attention to them. There's never been a need."

  Anna stumbled, feeling lightheaded.

  Jonah grasped her arm, offering support. "I had a second thought as well."

  Anna steeled herself for more bad news. "What was that?"

  A group of people rounded the corner and Jonah released her arm. He pitched his voice low. "This morning with Carrie and Gordon."

  "Yes?"

  Jonah waited to continue until they were along in the hallway again. "They know about the cameras. They might have feared being caught on tape."

  They reached the elevators, and Anna slapped the call button. "You think that one of them might have turned them off?"

  As the elevator door opened, Jonah gestured for Anna to precede him. "It's possible."

  Anna pressed the button for their floor. "I'll talk to Carrie. Do you want to talk to Gordon?"

  "Leave the questioning to Damon. I'll tell him about the possibility, though."

  "Okay."

  Jonah hit the button for the level containing the executive offices. "I'm going to go talk to Marcus."