by Ava Claire
“Rachel, I insist!” she drawled. “After all, I’m not that much older than you.” She winked before strutting over to the refreshment table.
Jacob followed her and as soon as his back was to me, I rolled my eyes, slumping a little in my chair. This was going to be the longest meeting of my life.
I tried to focus on happier things than the snark I knew was in store. Like how Jacob was wearing the hell out of a white button down shirt and tan slacks. His pants hugged him in all the right places, drawing my eye to the snug fit of him. I wanted him so bad that I could feel the dampness spreading in my panties. My mouth watered at the image of us wrapped up in each other.
I forced my eyes to the table, crossing my legs and saying a prayer that I’d make it through without mouthing off to Rachel.
“Leila.”
I lifted my head, surprised to see Jacob staring down at me. “Y-yes?”
“I hope your room is satisfactory.”
If I’d had a pencil in my hand, I probably would’ve snapped it in two. “You hope my room is satisfactory?” I tried to take a breath, but it did me no good. “That’s all you have to say to me?”
His eyes softened, but Rachel’s laugh cut through whatever moment we were about to have and he glanced away. When he turned back to me, the mask was back in place. “We’ll talk later.”
“Oh that’s not necessary,” I said frostily. “Unless you have further business or...submissive needs, we don’t really have anything else to say.” I pushed back from the table. “Excuse me.”
I knew he was stewing and I would get an earful later, but it was in the best interest of us both that I get a little space.
When I made it to the table, Allegra offered me some bread and cheese. “Affamato?” Remembering, she clarified. “Hungry?”
“Starved,” I said, taking the small crystal plate.
Allegra had a second that she probably meant for herself, but Rachel was hovering so she offered it to her.
“No thank you, Al,” Rachel said, crinkling her nose. “Carbs go straight to my hips.” Her green eyes zeroed in on me before she pivoted on her stilettos and strut back to the table where Jacob sat.
Allegra and I exchanged a look and I plunked a piece of bread in my mouth, savoring it with an exaggerated moan. Allegra laughed and gave my shoulder a supportive squeeze.
“Ready?” she asked gently.
“Nope,” I said honestly, dusting off my hands. “But let’s get it over with.”
We filed over to the table and sat down, all eyes turning to Jacob.
"Alright," Jacob said, calling the meeting to order. "I believe introductions have been made so we'll jump right in." As I flipped open my tablet and poised the pen over the paper, his brow arched in surprise. "Where is the iPad?"
"The iPad?" I licked my chap lips, trying hard to ignore Rachel's glare. "It's up in the room."
His mouth crossed in displeasure and I geared myself up for a chewing out, but instead, he leaned in, his voice quiet. "In the future, your iPad doesn't leave your side. All of the information and important correspondence will be maintained and exchanged electronically."
Duh, Lay! "O-Of course. It won't happen again."
Rachel set her glass of ice water down and the cubes were like nails on a chalkboard. "But how would she draw hearts in the margins if she had an iPad?"
I looked her square in the face, a storm brewing that was really gonna get me in trouble. Allegra cleared her throat, grounding me, and I just let it go, turning back to Jacob.
We discussed the press junket that was scheduled after lunch, complete with all the talking points from the director and studio. If any reporters asked about her recent stint in rehab, she was to refer to it as a period of growth and divert attention back to the film. During the screening, she was to pause for photographs only and then exit discreetly for the charity after party.
Jacob's voice deepened to the low, authoritative tone that gave me chills as he wrapped it up. "There is to be no alcohol consumption of any kind, Rachel." He gestured at her glass of water. "We've arranged for a substantial amount of Evian and Perrier and I don't care if you tape it to your wrist like a corsage, but when you're in public, no glasses, no cups. Everything is bottled and clearly H20."
She bat her eyes at him dismissively. "You and your rules."
"I mean it," he said, no undercurrent of joking to be found. "Remember what we discussed last night. My terms are non-negotiable."
The gasp that shot from my lips was gone before I could stifle it. The rational part of me knew that it was possible that the two of them met platonically. But since Jacob Whitmore touched me, there was no room for anything except irrationality and doubt. And Rachel squeezed right into that hole of uncertainty.
"What is it, sweetheart?" she said, with condescension practically oozing from every word. She steepled her fingers beneath her chin and let out a gasp of her own. "Are you finally getting that the billionaire doesn't ride off into the sunset with the help?"
I shoved back from the table, my anger erupting from my lips. "I'm not gonna sit here and put up with this bitch for one more second."
Rachel went wide eyed. "What did she just call me?" She too stood up, crossing her arms tight against her chest. "I refuse to work with her, Jacob. I absolutely refuse."
All eyes were on him and I could tell from the way he grit his teeth that he wasn't happy with any of us. Still, he remained quiet.
His silence only stoked her indignation. "Jakey, did you hear me? I said-"
"It's Jacob," he said curtly. "And I think we all need to take a breath." He looked at each of us, daring us to question him. I had a lot more to say, but I jutted out my lip. Rachel flipped her hair. Allegra was still as a statue.
"Now," Jacob said after a moment. "Everyone's a little on edge. Leila, I believe you owe Miss Laraby an apology."
"What?" I snapped. He couldn't be serious.
He moved to my side and dropped his volume level. "I know Rachel can be trying, but she's our client. As such, you have to put aside your baggage-"
"My baggage?" I said in disbelief. "She's been treating me like crap since the moment she met me. Any baggage was already packed and ready to go. Her baggage is you." I stepped away from him, getting Rachel in my crosshairs. "I'm sorry I'm the first person to call you that to your face."
Seeing nothing but red, I found my way to the door and threw it open. Tears of frustration cascaded down my face and I knew I looked a hot mess from the stares I got, but I didn't care. On some level, I knew I wasn't being professional, that Jacob was right about putting aside my issues for the job, but that woman had a way of getting under my skin. I couldn’t just let it go.
As soon as I opened the door to my room and saw Jacob’s card on the bed, I knew it was a little more than a client with an attitude. It was the idea that he'd been with her, that he'd cared about her. It was the thought that maybe instead of coming to my bed last night, he'd gone to hers.
"Doesn't matter now," I whispered, walking to the bed and sinking into the mattress. What came next was pretty obvious--no way Jacob would let our exchange fly, especially in front of a client. I'd gone from applicant to research aide to personal assistant to the boss....and now, back to unemployment.
The door echoed with knocks and I peeked at it. Probably the staff removing me from the premises. Another sets of knocks, more urgent followed--along with a familiar voice that made my heart stop.
"Leila, open the door."
I kicked my legs over the edge of the bed and snatched the door open, looking at him in shock. "Jacob."
The side of his lip curled upward. "So you do know how to obey."
He was upon me, his lips crashing into my lips as he kicked the door closed with his foot. I had no time to catch my breath as he spun me around and slammed me against the door. The spasm of pain was dulled by the tenderness of him holding the sides of my face. It was confusing; the mixture of force and power as he pinned me in place c
ontrasting with him caressing me like I was something precious.
He pulled back, scanning my face and gauging my reaction. I brought a shaky hand to my lips, still feeling him there before I let out a giggle.
"I guess this means I still have a job."
His eyes sparkled and when he smiled, I felt the warmth in it down to my very bones. It was quickly replaced by lust as he roped an arm around my waist and pulled me in close.
"The last thing I want to talk about right now is work."
His touch tightened, the hands at the curve of my back venturing down until he clutched my ass. His mouth possessed mine and with those luscious lips pressed against me I knew I was in major trouble. The boom boom in my chest was more than arousal, the blood rushing through my veins more than the fantasy of finally being with him. I'd do anything for him. Anything.
When we came up for air this time, he reached around and unhinged my scarf. My hands instantly flew to my hair, but he brought them back down with a look that made my core clench. Without using a single word, he'd just given me an order.
He ran his pointer along my jaw line and even that slight touch made me tremble for more. But his hands didn't drop to the usual suspects; not to my breasts, finding my nipples solid and aching, or down further, to the part of me that was dripping wet. No--he bit his lip as he toyed with the stray curls from my bun. He reached to the base of my neck, unwrapping my ponytail and freed my wild hair. He threaded his fingers through my locks before dropping his mouth to my ear.
"That's better."
I let out a moan and reached for his pants, trying to get at him, trying to be with him totally and completely, but he gripped my wrists.
"Are you ready?" His eyes ravaged me. "Are you ready to submit to me?"
"Yes," I said without batting an eye. "Whatever you want me to be, whatever you want." I reached out, holding his cheek. "I'm yours."
He put his hand over mine and squeezed before taking a step back and practically growling at me. "You do nothing without my permission.” His bottom lip quivered. “Take off your clothes."
The uncertainty that made me hesitate before was impossible now with him looking at me like I was the sexiest thing he'd ever laid eyes on. I stripped in record time and stood naked, waiting for further instruction.
His hand dropped to the crotch of his pants and I watched him tug at his erection as he poured over every inch of me. I wanted to touch myself too, to drop my hands to the center of me, but he hadn't said so.
"Get on the bed,” he said thickly. “On your stomach, ass in the air."
The curse on his tongue sent pangs of lust ricocheting over me and something as simple as walking became laborious, but I made it to the bed, only clenching my butt muscles once before I decided to relax.
He wants you. All of you.
I moved onto the bed, the friction of the sheets against my heated flesh making me all but writhe for release. I could feel his eyes and it sent heat rippling over my body. When I peeked over my shoulder, I saw him unbuckling his pants. My eyes doubled in size as I took in every part of him. From his broad, muscular shoulders, down his chiseled abs to the sight of him in all his glory.
Glory didn’t do it justice. He had the most beautiful cock I’d ever seen. It was thick and veiny, protruding from a mass of ebony curls.
"Oh my,” I whispered, an uncontrollable moan rattling in my throat.
He gave me a grin that was pure lust and danger. "You like what you see?"
God yes. I could only manage another moan as he joined me on the bed. He moved his fingers along my spine and I arched into the sensation.
"Up,” he barked.
I rose up on my arms and legs, on all fours. When I felt the head of his cock rubbing against my cheeks, my limbs turned to jello. I didn't know if I could wait much longer. I needed him as badly as my next breath.
I rocked backward, feeling one hand on my hip, his other thumping his erection against my rear. Already I felt myself teetering close to the edge, like the smallest movement would send me falling into bliss.
Somewhere in the jumbled fog of arousal my brain put two and two together and I pleaded with him. "Please, Jacob."
As if he was waiting for me to beg him, he punched inside me with a guttural moan that I echoed. My muscles strained to take him on, sparks of pain swirling about waves of ecstasy. My heart was no longer roaring in my chest or my ears but instead, beating in the place between my legs. It beat for Jacob.
His hands dug into my hips as he rowed in and out of me, the sound of skin and bodies colliding the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.
"Sweetheart," he murmured. "Leila."
The sound of my name was enough to push me into bliss, but I gripped my climax with both hands, remembering. You do nothing without my permission.
"Please, Jacob. Let me come. Let me come."
He kept pounding, strong and sure, and when I felt him trembling, I worried that I couldn't wait any longer. Not with him filling me so completely and struggling to hold tight to his own self-control.
"Come," he said, his voice betraying his own nearness. "Come with me."
I released everything and I felt my body contracting, holding onto him for dear life. He was coming too; I could tell from his wild thrusts, from the way he held me as if I was the only thing keeping him grounded. I cried out his name, over and over and he said mine. Both of us; together, lost and found in each other.
I felt hollow when he pulled from me, but eagerly dropped down to the mattress with exhaustion. I scooted to one side, wanting him to join me. The only way this wouldn't be a dream was if I felt his arms wrapped around me. He didn’t disappoint.
"Can I ask you a question?" I said softly, hating myself for knowing it was something that would sour what we’d just done together. But I couldn’t ignore it. It was killing me.
He kissed my shoulder. "Mmhm."
"What happened between you and Rachel?"
He let out an annoyed sigh. "Leila, I'm with you. Why ruin a good thing?"
"But-"
"Not right now." There was a finality that shut the book and I tried to let it go.
He's with you, I thought, snuggling closer. That's all that matters. With his arms tight around me, feeling the rise and fall of his chest, I almost believed it.
###
About the Author
Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her Kindle, Ava likes road tripping, karaoke, vintage fashion, and searching for her own brooding billionaire.
More about the His Submissive Series:
The His Submissive Series will be released in a serial format, with a new part of Jacob and Leila’s story being released every 3-4 weeks. Stay tuned to Ava’s blog for more info!
http://avaclaireromantica.blogspot.com
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