by Gemma Hart
“Why don’t we sit in the living room?” I said, leading the way.
Settled on the couch, Clara set one cup in front of me while she curled her hand around the other. Knees tucked up under her, her hair fell across her face. It was clear she felt a little uncomfortable.
I stared at her before taking in a deep breath and taking this horse by the reigns.
I sighed deeply. “God,” I said expansively, “I wonder how it must feel to be so popular, you have the upper crust of New York clawing with jealousy over you.”
Clara’s head shot up. She quirked a brow in confusion before saying, “Well, I highly doubt you need to wonder that, Mr. Lowell.”
A smile played at the corner of my lips. “Touché,” I gave her. After all, not too many billionaires had as prolific a track record as I did.
“But to come from small beginnings to this, now that’s pretty amazing. I inherited my name and fortune. You built it. No wonder people are so crazy over you.”
Clara gave a little shrug. “I dunno what you mean by crazy….” she said, although she knew exactly what I meant. But it was alright. I was willing to spell it out for her.
“Well,” I said in an almost innocent tone of voice, “you have large companies fighting over you, one of them being mine, thank you very much.” I saw a small smile twitch the corners of her lips. I pressed on. “You have reporters fighting to get the next best photo of you. You have well known fashion designers clamoring for your newest pieces.” I paused for just a moment. “And you have socialites ready to make a fool of themselves to prove that they are better than you.”
Clara’s hand paused, her coffee cup half way to her mouth. She slowly lowered the cup as she raised her gaze.
“What do you mean?” she said, stubbornly refusing to yield to me.
“I mean that Vanessa is incredibly jealous of you and was trying any means of proving it to herself that she was better than you,” I said calmly, wanting her to see her value, her worth. “And unfortunately, she had no other means than to throw herself at me and act a fool. If there’s one thing Vanessa is confident on, it’s her ability to attract men. If nothing else, she could at least have that over you.”
Clara ran a finger over the rim of her cup. “But,” she said softly, looking down, “she didn’t attract you.”
She said it as a statement but I heard the question in it. Seizing my opportunity, I said in a firm voice, “No, she didn't. She didn’t come even come close.”
Clara let out a shaky breath that she seemed to have been holding.
I reached out and grasped her hand. “And you know why, right?” I said.
When Clara didn’t respond, I put a hand under her chin, lifting her head. I wanted her to look at me when I said this. Once her clear sweet gaze met mine, I said quietly, “Because I love you, Clara.”
I saw her cheeks flush slowly at my words.
“I’ve loved you from the first moment I met you a year ago,” I said. “When you were carrying Geoff.” I grinned thinking of the memory. Clara gave a short, watery laugh. Her eyes were brimming with tears but I could see the light shining through them. They weren’t tears of sadness.
“I’m sorry I hurt you,” I said. “I’m sorry for every way that I hurt you, intentional or not. I know that you suffered because of me and I’m sorry for that. But if you let me, I’d spend the rest of eternity making that up to you.”
My hand moved from her chin to her cheek, cupping the side of her face, her skin so smooth and soft against my hand. Clara closed her eyes, moving slightly into my palm.
She opened her eyes after a moment. “Why didn’t you come to me sooner?” she asked, her voice soft but clear. Her eyes searched me, probing me. “Why didn’t you come back and explain things to me?”
Now I wanted to close my eyes. But in shame. Instead I pressed my lips tightly and forced myself to tell the truth. “Because I knew I was no good,” I said. “I’m a fuck up who’s never been able to not make a woman cry. And I knew you were too good for me. I wanted you to have someone better. Someone who wouldn’t make you cry.”
As if on cue, a tear rolled down her cheek. I wiped it with my thumb.
She leaned forward and pressed a hand on my chest. My body immediately heated to her touch.
“All I saw was you, Jonah,” she said, her eyes steady on mine. “All I saw was you, nothing more, nothing less. And what I saw, I wanted. I loved.” She took in a slow breath. “I love you, Jonah.”
It felt as if a searing hot hand was squeezing my heart. It felt so good that it hurt. Her words pierced me with a satisfying bolt of heat. I wanted to hear those words every day for the rest of my life.
Plucking her coffee cup out of her hands, I set it on the coffee table. Then using my good arm, I wrapped it around her waist and pulled her towards me. She gave a gasp as she was pressed against my chest.
“Should you exert yourself like that?” she asked in concern. “I don’t want your arm to—”
I cut off her worries by taking her lips hungrily into my own. I wanted to keep her close to me, never wanting to let her go. I heard her gasp against my mouth as I tightened my hold on her but I didn’t care. I had been dreaming about her, longing for, aching for her for over a year now.
And I had no intention of slowing down now.
Her hand ran down my chest, leaving a trail of fire behind. Unable to use both arms, I used my body to press her back against the sofa.
“Your arm,” Clara said under me in a breathless voice.
I kissed her again. “Barely even feel it,” I said honestly. With her beneath me, I hardly felt the ache anymore. All I felt was desire. Heated, intense, and consuming desire.
Balancing over her, I kissed her deeply, letting my tongue explore her as my hand shot down between her legs. Clara gasped as my hand went under the elastic of her leggings and panties.
Immediately, she arched as I stroked a finger hard down her wet pussy. Her hands gripped my biceps, clinging to me as she rode the wave I sent her on. I watched her moan and writhe beneath me as I fingered her rhythmically, circling her swelling clit.
“Oh god,” Clara cried out as her body suddenly tightened and then exploded within my arms. Shudder upon shudder ran through her body as I milked the last few twitches from her body.
With a ragged sigh, she slumped into the cushions, spent.
I kissed her gently. Then pressed my forehead against hers, enjoying the sounds of her trying to get her labored breathing back under control.
Clara suddenly kissed my nose then pushed me back up. With the grace of a cat, she rose to her feet, eyeing with me a twinkle.
“Since you’re a little handicapped right now and I don’t want you yanking and pulling on anything,” she said smiling, “why don’t I help you a little?”
Moving with a seductive grace, she stood before my legs. I stared up at her, wondering what she was going to do.
But I didn’t have to wonder for long. With slow, sensuous movement, she began stripping. She removed the clothes that I wouldn’t have been able to with my arms. Slowly swaying her hips, she pulled the sweater over her head, revealing her creamy full breasts held up in a yellow lace bra.
Was it possible to die of a hard dick? Because I think I was about to. My cock was already rock hard but now seeing the woman I loved before me, slowly undressing—my cock now could probably cut a diamond.
She smiled a warm smile that made my pulse rise. She bent over, giving me a good glimpse of her breasts, as she pulled down her leggings and stepped out of them.
Now in just her panties and bra, she walked slowly over to me. Kneeling down between my legs, she ran her hands up and down my thighs making the muscles twitch and clench.
With deliberate movements, she unbuttoned my jeans and pulled out my aching cock.
“Holy fuck, you look so gorgeous,” I muttered in a strangled voice.
All I got was a sensuous smile in return before her mouth descended on my cock, making
me throw back my head and mutter, “Fuck!”
The warm wetness enveloped me. She ran her tongue down the sensitive underside and quickly found her rhythm. She kept a firm hold on the base of my cock and kept sliding her mouth up and down, driving me to the point of no return.
Not wanting it to end here, I grabbed a fistful of her hair and gently pulled her head up. Leaning over, I kissed her thoroughly.
With her help, we got my pants off. Reaching out an arm, I said to her, “Climb on top of me, sweetheart,” I said.
Clara quickly straddled me, poised right above my cock. I gripped it, aiming it right at her entrance. I looked up at her, the heat of my passion written all over my face.
“Now, baby,” I said thickly. “Ride me now.”
She lowered her hips in one swift movement and my cock plunged into her tightness.
We both groaned at the same time, allowing the impact of the sensations to hit us. She felt so fucking good. Warm, tight, and wet, I could barely keep my eyes from crossing.
I squeezed her ass hard. “Jesus Christ, baby, you feel so fucking good,” I muttered.
She put her hands on my chest, her eyes closed. “Oh god,” she whispered. “I missed you so much.”
Hearing her admit that, I squeezed her ass tighter, never wanting this moment to end.
Then I slowly began pumping my hips. Clara answered in response by riding me. Together we found our own pace and it made us pant with glory. It felt too good. I could tell by her trembling that she was unable to hold back the ecstasy that was taking over her. She could hold it back no more than I could.
Quickly, her breathing began to grow ragged. I could see her body tightening for release again. I gripped her by her hip, stilling her.
“No,” I said firmly, although my body was screaming for release. “Not yet.”
Clara looked down at me, her eyes glazed with immediate need. “What?” she asked, confused. She tried to grind her hips against me, nearly driving me mad. But I squeezed her hips again, stopping her.
“No,” I said. “You’re not to come yet.”
Clara’s eyes widened as she understood. She tried to grind again but I stopped her, pulling out a little in response.
“Why?” she almost whined.
I looked up at her, holding her imprisoned and impaled on my cock. “Because I want you to ask for it,” I said thickly, my arousal so intense, I was sure I could come for days.
Clara’s eyes heated at my words. Her cheeks flushed and she licked her full lips.
“Please,” she said in a husky voice. “Please, I want to come on your cock.”
God, will I ever get enough of this woman? Holy fuck, no matter what kind of control I might exert, it was clear, she had me wrapped around her finger. And I was perfectly content there.
“Say it again,” I ordered, voice harsh and ragged.
“Please,” she said, running her hands down my chest. “Please, let me come on your cock. I need to come on your cock.”
With that, I began pumping furiously into her and she responded back. I watched as her full breasts bounced beautifully before me. Clara’s moaning grew louder and I knew we were both close.
And in perfect harmony, we found our release in one intense moment. I threw back my head and roared as I came with an intensity that made my vision go white.
Clara’s pussy clenched reflexively over my cock, milking me, as she came over and over again. I groaned as every last ounce of me was drained inside her.
After only a moment’s pause, Clara collapsed on top of me and I wrapped my good arm securely around her, holding her to me, still connected to her body.
“I love you, Jonah,” she whispered hotly into my neck.
I put a hand protectively over her head. I turned a little and kissed her cheek roughly. “I love you, Clara.” I sighed. “God, I fucking love you.”
And I closed my eyes to her giggling, the absolute best sound in the world.
Chapter Nineteen
Jonah
I shrugged as the elevator doors open onto the executive floor of my office. There was only a slight twinge left in my shoulder. I had to smile to myself knowing that my shoulder would have absolutely no ache in it if I hadn’t decided to tease Clara all night long.
But she was too damn irresistible. My body hummed as I remembered how fucking beautiful she had looked last night on her hands and knees as I had plunged myself over and over again into her. Her creamy ass…her smooth skin…her silky hair as I gripped it tighter with each thrust….
“Must be having a pretty good day already with how you’re smirking,” a voice said, interrupting my thoughts.
I was jerked out of my reverie. My eyes narrowed as I saw Martin lounging on the sofa in my office. I quickly stepped in and closed the door behind me. I had been meaning to speak to this elusive man for ages now. It was time we had a serious talk.
“You’re a hard man to get a hold of,” I said mildly as I leaned back against my desk, staring at my uncle straight on.
Martin had one leg crossed over his thigh, an arm resting easy against the back of the sofa.
“I’ve been busy,” he said simply, his eyes cool and calculating.
“I’ve gathered,” I answered dryly. “And may I ask what you’ve been so busy doing?”
Martin grinned suddenly, looking very much like a shark.
“You may,” he said. “I’ve basically been waiting until all the pieces had been lined up but I’ve hit a little snag and I think it’s time enough to let you know.”
I crossed my arms and shrugged, giving him a look of bored anticipation. “Well, I’m at the edge of my seat,” I said dryly.
Martin leaned forward a little. “There’s a new market that I’m opening Lowell Enterprises to,” he said, clearly enjoying the big reveal.
I raised a brow, indicating him to go on.
“Weapons,” he said suddenly, leaning back in satisfaction at the look of surprise on my face.
“You’re going into the weapons market?” I asked incredulously. That was most definitely not what I had been expecting him to say. Lowell Enterprises was an even more conservative company than DXC Global. They liked to keep their assets and interests in steadier, non-volatile markets. They were usually involved in real estate, property management, government investment, etc. etc. All the boring things that could make you roll your eyes.
Weapons, or the arms market, was a highly volatile market. It fed off of war and the danger of it. The more heightened the danger was, the better the market. It was not a good business. And most of the people making the money were making it off the backs of terrorists and radicals. There was more money to be made in funding the other side than our own military.
“We’re going into the weapons market,” Martin corrected, his gaze sharpening.
“Like hell we are,” I said instantly. That was no place I wanted to be associated with.
I suddenly thought back to those six containers. So they were filled with weapons, possibly meant for illegal or shady trade with a partner that possibly wasn’t an ally to the US.
Martin shook his head. “It’s business, kid. And it’s a good business. There’s an untapped goldmine there for DXC Global and Lowell Enterprises. I already have several interested buyers who are ready to put in very sizeable orders.”
“And these interested buyers?” I said, my eyes narrowing. “What terrorist cell do they belong to?”
“Bah!” Martin said, turning his head away in annoyance. “Why bother with the politics? It’s all money in the end. Business doesn’t care about race, gender, or age. It cares about money. And these people have it and are willing to pay top dollar for our inventory.”
“Not our inventory,” I corrected sharply. “Your inventory, if you’re fucking serious about this. Where the hell did you get such a shit idea, Martin?”
The man was seriously losing it. A competent and capable businessman, Martin had definitely become a little more erratic and un
predictable lately. But this was just fucking crazy. He was gambling all of Lowell Enterprises here.
Martin shook his head at me. His eyes had a sharpened quality that looked like sheer mania. “You don’t understand it. You never understood it. You were never meant for a position as high as this. You don’t have that shark’s blood in you to go after the next sweet spot.” He snorted. “That’s why I had to do all this for you. And now you’re going to do something for me.”
I was completely confused. “What the fuck do you mean for me? And what would I do for you?”
It was so odd. Lowell Enterprises was doing fine. They even had an increase last quarter. It definitely wasn’t as if they were hurting for revenue. Martin’s greed was getting the better of him. He was getting too out of hand now.
“I need you to speak with a customs agent for me to get approval for ten ships,” Martin answered immediately. “They are dead in the water unless I get that approval and the man is being an obstinate ass. I need you to talk to him. I think if the head of Lowell Enterprises and the head of DXC Global talks to him, he’ll know what to do.”
I straightened up. “Martin, I’m not talking to a customs agent,” I said firmly, pinning him with my gaze so he knew exactly where I stood. “I’m not going into the arms trade with you. And I highly recommend you don’t do it either. Do you know how quickly Lowell Enterprises will implode if it is caught doing dirty dealings with known terrorists and radicals?”
Martin suddenly gave me a cold, chilly smile that made me freeze. “Son, you’re already in the game. When we signed that merger months back, there were various investments situated in the Middle East—oil fields, construction projects, you know the like. And why do you think I wanted those investments?” His smile widened. “To help me find the buyers I have now. It was kind of like a calling card, so to speak. And on all those work contracts, DXC Global’s name is signed right there next to Lowell Enterprises.”
I stared at him. The man was fucking insane. I couldn’t believe he was willing to gamble not only his company but mine as well. And after trying to steal DXC Global all these years, too.
That brought me up short. Was that his aim? He couldn’t have both so he’ll just kill everything?
