by Lee Wardlow
“I see that.” She laughed softly.
“I hope I didn’t offend you?” Jeremy glanced at her in the rear view mirror.
She smiled at him. “You didn’t. I’m not easily offended.” CeeCee was proof of that last weekend since she felt sorry for the woman moments after she had insulted her.
“So what do you and Zach do for fun?”
“When I can get his nose out of his phone he and I go to the movies,” she replied. “He’s been so absorbed recently. I hate it. We used to watch the Bulldogs every Sunday without fail.”
“But not recently?”
“Nope.” She appeared sad for a moment.
“Something on his mind maybe?”
“I don’t know. He won’t talk to me.”
“That’s a shame.” He kept looking at Nova who was looking out the window. “You’re really close to him?”
“I am.” She stopped looking out the window. “I was. Not that he doesn’t still love me because I think he does. He’s just busy. I miss him.”
“I bet you do.” He sounded sympathetic.
She saw the hotel up ahead on the right. “We’re almost there.”
“We are. I hope Zach gets his head on straight.”
“Me too Jeremy.”
He pulled into the circular drive and got out of the car. He grabbed Nova’s suitcase and opened the door for her. He extended his hand to her and she took it. His hand was warm and soft. She smiled at him as she climbed out of the back.
“It was nice meeting you,” Jeremy told her. He handed off her suitcase to a bellman. “Ask for Peter Johnson when you get inside. He’ll take you upstairs to the penthouse.”
“Thank you. Did Jamie happen to tell you how long he would be?”
“He didn’t.”
“Thanks again.” She followed the bellman inside the hotel.
“Did you get that?” Jeremy asked pushing a button on his jacket. “Yeah, I don’t think she knows anything either.”
Inside the hotel, Nova asked for Peter Johnson. Five minutes later he appeared and took her to the penthouse. She went up the elevators with him and he showed her how to access the penthouse keycard system. She thought that Jamie had just swiped his card but he had pushed a series of buttons before he did. Peter showed her exactly what to do.
“Anything else you need?” He asked.
“No,” she replied. “Thank you.”
Nova took out her phone and texted Jamie.
Will you be long? A bubble bath is calling my name.
Maybe an hour or two at most. Go ahead.
Nova took her things into the spare room and hung them up. She thought this weekend would be different. She thought this weekend she would make love with Jamie but she couldn’t assume anything.
After her things were hung up in the closet she stripped down to her bare skin and walked across the hall naked to the bathroom. She started the bathwater and dumped in bubbles. Then she climbed into the heated bath and relaxed.
Jamie was across town at the offices of the FBI. When they saw her walk across the hall naked, he almost choked on the energy drink in his hand that he had just taken a huge gulp from. “That’s enough,” he growled. “Turn the cameras off. I’ll head back to the penthouse and let you know if anything else comes up.”
The men were smirking at him. He just wanted to quit this case now. He hadn’t been able to crack the code but he had tracked the creator. He had been monitoring traffic to the firewall. That is the one thing that the creator hadn’t thought of. He traced some pings that were occurring periodically back to Nova’s internet account at the apartment. Jeremy was an undercover agent. He hadn’t believed for one second that she was involved which only left Zachariah Daughtry.
He had tracked his phone information down and started tracing his calls, texts and internet use. He had a high use of data but nothing was traceable which was strange. He was blocking his own traffic somehow.
There was also blocked traffic that came from Nova’s account. They decided it was a laptop that was being used after further investigation. They were building a case against Zachariah Daughtry. They were eliminating Nova Daughtry’s involvement. Jamie hoped that she forgave him when this was done.
He had heard it with his own ears. She loved Zach. He was her cousin. She missed him because Zach was busy these days. Distracted by something. She had even told him she was worried about Zach.
He rode up the elevator to the penthouse. He watched the numbers as they changed. As soon as he stepped off the elevator he flipped a switch in the closet and cut off the access to the FBI in his penthouse. This weekend was for him and Nova. Not about the case.
“Nova,” he called her name. He was already disgusted that those men had seen her naked. He expected her to go into the bathroom and get undressed.
“In the bathroom,” she called.
He stopped in the door she was still chest deep in bubbles. Her hair was piled on top of her head. Damn she looked beautiful. Her eyes turned up to where he stood.
“You look exhausted.”
“I am. Care if I join you?” He asked.
She looked surprised. Then she sat up in the tub and moved forward. The only invitation Nova was giving him.
He just wanted to hold her. Jamie kicked off his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt at the same time. Her eyes never left his. He dropped his shirt to the floor at his feet. Jamie hesitated. He wanted to tell her so badly what was going on but he couldn’t. He just had to protect her as best he could. He didn’t believe for one second that she was involved in Zachariah’s activities.
When his clothes were removed he walked across the bathroom floor and slipped in behind her. He pulled Nova against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “Damn you feel good in my arms.”
She tilted her head up so she could see his face. She pressed her lips to his jaw. He covered her bare breast with his hand and she moaned. Jamie cupped the back of her head and turned her gently so she was on her side in his arms. His kiss was urgent. Almost desperate. His tongue slipped between her lips and touched her tongue. With their desperate movements, water sloshed over the side of the tub and she giggled.
“Maybe the tub isn’t the best the best place to get too passionate,” she declared.
He was gazing at her. Nova could see everything that he was feeling. He wanted her; more importantly Jamie needed her. “I’ve been waiting on you all week.”
She touched the stopper with her toe letting out some of the water. Then she pushed it down and turned to Jamie. “How’s that?”
“We’ll see,” he replied.
Jamie pulled her close to him. His arms wrapped around her slender waist until her breasts were pressed against the rock hard wall of his chest. He groaned. His nose pressed against her nose. He rubbed against her nose wanting more. Then his lips hovered over hers.
“I want you Nova.”
The words were harsh and demanding.
“I want you too,” she replied softly and full of need. Their approach so different like them.
He kissed her with everything that he was feeling. Fear that he would lose her. Frustration that this was happening to them. He had put them in this positon. Hunger from waiting for her.
As she moved over him her nipples brushed over his chest driving him crazy. His hands moved down to cup her beautiful ass. He kneaded her ass cheeks gently in his big hands. One hand dipped lower and his fingers slipped insider her. They groaned together.
Her hair was falling out of her bun from where his fingers tangling in the messy bun she had put up to keep her hair from getting wet. He pushed her higher and held her so he could reach her breasts with his mouth. He held her tight against him while he caressed one then the other with his tongue.
Nova was breathing heavy while Jamie’s mouth and his fingers caressed her body. Her eyes were closed but his were wide open watching her every move. She gripped his shoulders hard.
“That’s it sweetheart. Come for me
,” he whispered to her. Then he kissed her neck below her ear. He tugged on her earlobe with his teeth. His breath was warm near her ear.
“Jamie,” she cried out his name as her body shattered in his arms. Her chest heaved against his as her body throbbed against his hands. “Stop,” she hissed. “Let me come.”
He chuckled. “I want you in my bed now.”
He rose in the tub with her. He was so steady on his feet. She didn’t know how he managed to not fall carrying her weight too. He stepped over the side. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to his room. They were both dripping wet. He laid her on his comforter. Then he followed her down on the bed.
“Am I crushing you?” He asked.
“No,” she replied.
Nova caressed Jamie’s face with the tips of her fingers. His hands dug into her hips. Then he buried his face in the curve of her neck as his body sunk into hers. A sigh of relief. A groan of pleasure escaped them both.
Nova wrapped her legs around his; moving her body with his. Her hands went down his back. Her fingers gripping him hard just as he had imagined they would. Then she cupped his ass in her small, delicate hands.
“Jamie,” she moaned his name.
He had never heard a sweeter sound. Jamie pushed up on his hands so he could watch her. Every thrust of his body brought her closer to another orgasm. He could tell when she was close. Her body tensed. Her head went back and her body arched into his. Her mouth formed a perfect O but no sound came from her mouth.
Her hands were gripping his back hard. His body was tight wanting his own release. Her heat and tightness was undoing his control. He groaned as her nails dug into his back.
“Baby, you need to come for me,” he ground out between his teeth. He was barely holding on now.
Her smile was all he saw. Her groan of pure pleasure was all he felt. He collapsed on top of her and held her tight as his body brought her to the edge and sent her over with him in raw, aching need.
His lips were hard against hers when he kissed her. Punishing hers. Not intentionally. He was scared. Jamie had feelings for Nova. He was afraid that everything he was learning about Zachariah was going to come between them.
He rolled to his back taking her with him. She was lying on top of him now. Their bodies were no longer connected. Her hair completely out of the bun now cascaded over them in ringlets of blonde curls. Finally, he stopped kissing her.
“Are you all right?” She asked.
“How could I not be after that?” He asked. His voice was husky with desire.
“You just seem different.”
He caressed her ass and gave it a squeeze. “I’m fine.” He wasn’t but he couldn’t tell her what was wrong with him right now.
“I’m starving.”
He laughed. “Me too.” He rolled her over to her back. He hovered over her for a moment. Then he kissed her tenderly. “I’ll order dinner. We can eat on the balcony since it’s such a beautiful night.”
“I’ll meet you there shortly,” she told him.
Nova cleaned herself up and fixed her hair as best she could. It was wild and untamed now from their lovemaking. She put on pajama shorts and a sweatshirt then she met Jamie in the other room. He was sitting in a chair watching the news. As Nova passed him, Jaime pulled her into his lap and held her close.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’ve been practically working around the clock. I’m just exhausted sweetheart.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “For a man who is exhausted you did pretty well in there,” she said tossing her head towards the bedroom.
“You enjoyed yourself huh?”
“I did.”
He squeezed her hard.
“Did you find anything yet?” She asked.
“Not enough.”
She didn’t ask him anymore questions. He didn’t know if he was happy or sad about that. He was prolonging what would eventually happen. She would find out about Zach Daughtry.
“What will you do when you’re done here?” She asked.
“Go back to Atlanta.”
“Only two hours away,” she said to him.
“You like that idea?” He asked. Jamie brushed her hair aside. He kissed her neck and she shivered.
“I do,” she said breathlessly.
“Me too.”
His lips drifted across hers. Their breathing was slow and shallow as they enjoyed the simplicity of just a kiss. His tongue traced a pattern across the line of her jaw and Nova trembled. Their lips kept finding each other between strokes of his lips on other areas of her neck, her shoulders, her face.
The quiet of the penthouse was interrupted by the elevators arriving on the penthouse floor. Jamie stopped kissing Nova.
“Dinner is served,” he whispered.
“Suddenly, I’m not so hungry at least not for food.”
He stood with her in his arms. “Well if you want me to do to you what I just did I need sustenance woman.”
“Damn,” she replied.
He sat her in the chair when the server called his name. He tapped her nose. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He laughed, glancing over his shoulder at her. Damn, he liked her. He was kicking himself in the ass for taking this job. The challenge had appealed to him. Never in a million years had he dreamed that it would lead back to her or Zachariah Daughtry.
The server set the table on the balcony. Dusk had fallen over the city of D.C. The soft lighting only made their dinner outside that much more romantic. Jamie had to get a shirt to wear because it was chilly on the balcony. When he returned he was wearing his U.S. Navy sweatshirt and a pair of shorts.
They dined on lobster and steak. She was stuffed full when the food was gone but Nova kept picking at the fresh fruit. It melted on her tongue it was so sweet.
The server returned to retrieve their dinner dishes. Nova stood at the railing of the balcony looking over the city. The lights were bright now as it was nearly dark. Traffic was still heavy but moving faster than when she arrived earlier. Jamie slipped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
She could feel every inch of his hardness against her body. She leaned back into him. He brushed her hair aside and kissed her neck. He heard the elevator doors close indicating the server had left. He yanked her shorts down to the ground. His hand went immediately between her legs.
His fingers were soft against her, rubbing her gently. She wrapped her arm around his neck holding on tight while his hands sent sparks of lust through her body.
She was wiggling against him making him hard as steel. He turned her around. Nova’s legs felt like Jell-O. He dropped to his knees at her feet. He pushed her legs apart, touching his tongue to her center. He watched her head go back on her shoulders. Her arms were resting on the railing. They slid out flat, parallel to her body. She moaned in her throat as he lapped at her with his tongue. He was enjoying what he was doing to her.
Nova was biting on her lip trying not to cry out because they were outside. Even though they were on the top floor, the penthouse, she was self-conscious of the fact that someone, somewhere could see them.
His finger slipped inside her and she felt her knees buckle. She caught herself grabbing the railing. She clung to it desperately as Jamie continued to taste and tease her.
She felt hot all over with the sweatshirt on. She wanted to rip it over her head and let it float to the sidewalk below. She felt her muscles tightening and knew that she was getting close. Her breathing alone was loud. Carrying across the wind as if everyone in the city could hear her, knowing exactly what they were doing. Nova cringed with that thought.
Then she came undone. Her body trembled with release. He caught her before she fell to the ground. He stood with Nova and carried her inside. Back to his room, where he laid her on the bed. He kissed his way up her thigh. She wiggled out of her sweatshirt. Then when he got close enough she started pulling on hi
s. When his shorts were down around his ankles, he stepped out of them and climbed up on the bed with her.
Jamie settled between her thighs. He knew he wouldn’t be able to get enough of her. Not ever. She was his now. He would never let her go.
Then Jamie rolled to his back. Nova straddled him. She braced herself with her hands on his chest. She slid down his body and began rocking herself over him. Her hips rolling over his hips.
Jamie gripped her in his hands and let her use him. He setup on the bed and she stopped moving. He cupped her face in his hands.
“I’m falling hard for you Nova Daughtry.”
Nova began to move her body once again. Slowly. Seductively. Never taking her eyes off his.
“Baby, you feel so good.”
Nova kissed his shoulder. With her tongue she traced the shell of his ear. He gripped her butt in his big hands causing her to whimper.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No Jamie, you didn’t,” she moaned. “I love how you make me feel.”
“I can’t hold out much longer,” he told her.
“Then come for me Jamie,” she whispered huskily.
His head tilted back on his shoulders and she bit into skin near the curve of his neck and shoulder.
“Christ, stop moving,” he begged. His cock throbbed hard inside her. He was too sensitive. Gently he laid her on the bed and his body pressed hers into the mattress. “I want you to remember this next week when you are back in Georgia and I’m here.”
She wrapped her legs around him. Nova cupped his face in her hands. “I will.”
“I really care for you Nova. I want to see where this is going.”
“I believe you.”
Chapter 12
Famous last words. I believe you.
On Thursday Nova was in her classroom when Jamie showed up. She was shocked to see him standing in the doorway with her principal. She was confused as to why he would be there at all. She was squatting beside the desk of one of her students, Mason Thompson. A little boy who was having trouble with math. She was providing him with individual help.
“Jamie, what are you doing here?”
