I hand him the note. He glances at it, holds up a finger, and shakes his head.
I’m not sure what he means.
“Thanks so much for all your help.” He hangs up and looks at me. “Did you know I have a private plane license?”
“Yes, Mr. Graham. I did know that.”
“Did you know my Learjet 75 can fly almost Mach One? That’s really fast.”
“I can’t say that I’ve studied your plane’s capabilities.” I put my hands on my hips, ready to sass him.
“Well, what takes a commercial flight six hours will take us under five. I know Matt, and I know how he padded the time because he thinks I’m always late.” He stands, throws a few things into his bag, and picks up his dark cashmere coat. “He also knows I know he likes to fly fast.”
“He didn’t give me a drop-dead time to leave. I just felt I was putting pressure on him.”
Jackson swings the coat over his shoulders and looks more delicious than usual. A part of me can’t believe I’m going to Hawaii with him, but the little voice in my head reminds me I’m not going as his date but his assistant.
“How many times did you call him?”
I shake my head and smile. I’m caught. “Twice.”
“You’ve been a naughty girl.” He winks at me, and my insides melt. Maybe all the flirting we’re doing will lead to something. Would that be a good thing?
I can’t help myself. “I suppose I must be punished then.”
Jackson stumbles a bit and grins as he looks at me. “Ten spanks it is,” he says.
My heart beats fast. “Ten?”
“Yes. Five for each call.”
I don’t know why, but the idea of being spanked by him is very appealing. I bite my lip and try to control my breathing. I gather up my things under his watchful eye. The guys stand to escort us out.
I reach for my coat, which he holds for me, and as he slips it over my shoulders, he leans in and whispers, “If you continue to bite your lip, I might have to add five more spanks.”
In the elevator, our reflection shows he’s watching me. I chew on my lower lip, and I wish he’d step in and kiss me. I really do. I’m staring at his beautiful, plump lips, and I want to taste them. I want to feel them pressed against my lips while our tongues explore.
He stares back at me, and I think he wants the same thing.
As we near the ground floor, we continue watching one another, waiting for the other to make the first move.
When his phone rings, I close my eyes. I can’t let him see me disappointed.
“Mason.” He looks at me and shrugs.
Divine intervention, I suppose.
He’s watching me and ignoring Ben and Brian. I pull out my phone and scroll through my PeopleMover page. This is for the best. Maybe I can take care of myself in the bathroom while he works and get him out of my system.
Not likely.
Downstairs, we get in the back of the car and Brian heads for the private plane terminal at San Francisco International Airport. I pull out my Kindle and start reading a steamy romance, but it only makes things worse. I turn it off. I can’t believe how sexually frustrated I am.
Jackson jumps to another call. “Cheryl? I’ve spoken to the attorney, and I can offer you the two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar base pay with stock options that will vest over the next ten years.”
As he listens, he looks at me and winks.
Two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar base salary? Being an admin sucks wind. I make forty-six-thousand dollars a year. No wonder I can’t make ends meet. Fuck. It doesn’t surprise me. I know Jeremy made less money than what Jackson just offered Cheryl, but he joined the company back when we didn’t have all the funding secured.
“I can’t do twenty percent, but I can do fifteen in stock options—the same amount Jeremy had.”
I know I’d see all this eventually in the paperwork that crosses my desk, but hearing it is different. My sour feelings about all I do for the company and how little I get for it ruin my mood. Does Jackson think I’m a Barbie too?
We arrive, and Matt is waiting for us with a co-pilot that isn’t introduced to me. I’m invisible. It’s a stark reminder that I’m just the admin.
Jackson continues his call as I find a seat on the plane. It’s smaller than I thought, with only eight captain’s chairs, but it’s much more luxurious—pale leather seats that recline flat, plush gray carpeting, and shiny wood accents, each seat with its own screen.
I sit next to the window, and I’m shocked when Jackson sits next to me and winks as he takes his seat. Out the window, I catch Brian loading my giant suitcase into the back of the plane. I know I brought too much. I brought more than half of everything I currently own.
The plane taxis out onto the runway. The flight attendant gives me a quick rundown on safety, and I sit back and try to relax.
“Cheryl, I’ve got to run,” Jackson says into his phone. “My plane is taking off. Let’s talk on Friday. I should have your agreement at that time.”
He hangs up and turns to me. “Are you nervous?”
I shake my head. “Not really.”
“We have access to tons of movies we can watch on the big screen. I’ll let you pick the first one. Or if you’re tired, you can put your seat back.”
I look at him, and I’m not sure if that was an invitation or not, but I go with the movie option. “What sounds good—comedy or action?”
“Action, I suppose,” he says. “No romance?”
“I have books for that.” I shrug. I’m still miffed. I don’t even have any stock options. Every other employee who joins us will become a millionaire, and maybe I’ll make fifty thousand dollars with a small bonus—oh wait, I’ve already gotten that in wardrobe form. And I should be grateful, but at the moment I’m not. I’m regretting agreeing to go to Hawaii. I don’t know where I wish I could go, but I suppose I should take this opportunity to rethink my future with Soleil Energy. I’m not exactly in a position to ask for a raise at the moment.
“What kind of books?” Jackson wiggles his eyebrows at me.
“If you’re asking if they’re steamy, the answer is yes.” I search through the movie selections and spot a good one. “How about The Bourne Identity?” I push a few buttons, and the movie starts.
“Is your book in here?” He holds up my Kindle.
I nod.
“May I?”
Shrugging, I try to concentrate on Matt Damon. Damn, he’s hot in this movie.
“Holy shit! This is what you call steamy? This is explicit,” Jackson exclaims after a moment.
“So?” I’m not going to explain to him that women are more cerebral, while men are visual.
He grins wide. “I like it.”
I look over, and he’s skipped a bunch of pages to get to the sex scenes. “You missed a bunch of the story.”
His brow creases. “I’ve never been able to do what this guy is doing.”
I’m not sure I want to know what he’s referring to. “What?” I ask anyway.
“He’s gone three rounds in one session.”
I smile. “Oh. Well, it’s fiction.”
“But I’d love to see a girl do that to me.”
I glance over, and the girl is deepthroating the guy. “Your girlfriends don’t give you blowjobs?” I’m stunned at this thought. I get the swallowing thing, but if the girl’s not going to go down on him, why would he go down on her?
“Of course they do, but I’m more into their pleasure. They don’t… Well, never mind.”
I’m a little stunned by his admission. He goes back to my book, and I shift uncomfortably, trying to take the pressure off of my clit. It’s begging for some serious attention.
I lay my chair back, and he grabs a blanket from somewhere and covers me while I watch the movie. I doze off to sleep.
Sometime later we hit turbulence, and I immediately sit up. I shake the sleep from my head. “I’m sorry.”
“What do you have to be s
orry for?”
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“Don’t apologize for that. The last few weeks have been stressful. I’m sure you’re not sleeping well.”
I shake my head. You know what? Screw it. What do I have to lose? “The only night I slept halfway decent was when you slept with me.”
I threw it out there. It’s the truth. His eyes become hooded. I know if I’m not careful, I’m going to sleep with Jackson and end this portion of my career. But after what I was reminded of about my salary compared to other employees, I’m not sure I care so much about this job anymore. Jackson’s company is doing important work for the environment, but it’s not the only place I can make a difference. So maybe I should just sleep with him and not regret it. Then I can move on—and he certainly will. San Francisco and I may be about done with each other anyway. My decision made, I feel more relaxed. I give Jackson a sassy grin and turn over to resume my snooze.
Sometime later, he rubs my arm. “Hey, we’re beginning our final descent.”
I sit up. “That was fast.” There’s a different movie playing, and I’m a little disoriented.
He hands me back my Kindle. “I actually quite enjoyed that.”
“Don’t sound so shocked.”
“You’re certainly a woman of many surprises.”
“You have no idea,” I warn.
When the plane lands, Brian and Ben step out of the back section, bring a Suburban around, and load our bags.
I look at my watch and see we just made it before the airport closes. Phew. Also, I’m starved.
I stand up and stretch. Jackson’s eyes go to my obviously pebbled nipples. He forces a smile and walks out the door to our waiting car.
The warm air seeps into the cool cabin and removes the chill of the airplane, and I can smell the salt from the ocean. I pick up my things and make my way to the door and down the steps. Jackson disappears ahead, leaving me to walk out on my own. So much for chivalry.
I’m shocked to find him standing at the base of the stairs with a beautiful yellow and pink plumeria lei. Ooohhh… He steps into my space and places the lei over my shoulders. “Welcome to Hawaii.” He kisses me on both cheeks.
“Thank you. I can now say I’ve been laid in Hawaii.” I laugh at my own joke as his eyes darken, and I decide I’m throwing all caution to the wind.
I’m going to have fun with Jackson in Hawaii. I have no apartment, my best friend is probably getting married soon, I’m underpaid, and I can use the fuck-up of sleeping with my boss and ending my job as my excuse to leave San Francisco.
I lean in and kiss Jackson softly on the lips. He kisses me back, furtive and sweet. Suddenly he breaks the kiss and steps back. I try to hide my disappointment. Boy, did I read that wrong.
He only wants to flirt. So much for throwing caution to the wind. I’m embarrassed. Now I have an awkward weekend with him ahead—and I’ve likely trashed my ability to work at Soleil Energy for no reward at all. Great work, Corrine. At least I’ll have my own room here.
“Thank you for bringing me.” My voice cracks, and I bite back tears as I follow him to the car.
Chapter 12
Jackson
I step away from Corrine, and my cock is pounding.
While she slept, I read her deliciously naughty book and determined she is a little minx. She sighed while sleeping, and I knew right then that I wanted to hear her moan my name and have her come all over my tongue.
I was surprised when she leaned in and kissed me. It was soft and delicious. I had the urge to take her here, but with Ben, Brian, and the flight crew close by, I wanted to be respectful. However, later? I’m going to make her scream my name and beg me to let her come.
It’s almost dark. “Let’s go check this place out.”
We settle into the car and begin the drive, but it’s difficult to see much. The houseman who greets us when we arrive shows us to a table on the cliffs above the ocean, where there’s a beautiful torchlight dinner set for two.
“I’d say this is more than a beach house,” she says, taking in the view of the ocean.
She’s not kidding. I thought it was a large home on the water, not an estate with a large house and several buildings.
We’re served an excellent whitefish, with seasoned white rice and a mix of vegetables. It’s perfect for the day we’ve had. Corrine moans her appreciation, and again my cock strains against the buttons on my jeans. I look at her across the table and I realize she’s more than beautiful in the torchlight. She’s perfect.
She sits back in her chair with her glass of wine and looks out into the darkness. “I don’t know about your other properties, but I might hold on to this one for the view alone.”
Right now, I’ll do anything she asks. “I may not allow Viviana to win this back. It would be a great place to get away to.”
She nods, and I notice her eyelids are heavy with exhaustion.
“Let’s check out the inside. You look tired.”
Her eyes blink slowly. “It’s hit me all of a sudden.”
We walk inside, and the houseman shows us to our rooms. I was secretly hoping they’d assume we were together and put us in the same room, but I’m glad she’s at least next door.
“Goodnight.” She yawns.
I’m a little disappointed. I don’t usually have to ask a woman to come to bed with me. Often, they offer. “Goodnight,” I tell her. “Sleep well.”
My large bedroom opens to the ocean and overlooks the pool, which is beautifully lit at night. The sounds of the ocean will put me to sleep, no problem. Someone has unpacked my clothes, and it takes me a few moments to find my pajama bottoms. When I travel, I wear pants to sleep. It only takes one time for a fire alarm to go off in the middle of the night…
I pull on my pajamas and walk shirtless toward what I believe is the bathroom. I open the door and jump as I spot Corrine brushing her teeth. She jumps, too.
“Oh my God, you startled me.”
“I’m sorry. I thought this was my bathroom, not a shared bathroom.” I stop to take in what she’s wearing—a black, baby-doll negligée—and feel my cock rise.
She bends over to rinse her mouth, and I have all sorts of dangerous thoughts, but she says, “I’m done. I’ll get out of your way.”
As she rushes past me, I reach for her. “You’re never in my way.”
She smiles and steps aside. I can see she’s upset about something. I could ignore it and go to bed, but instead, I quickly brush my teeth and knock on the door she exited through.
“Corrine? Is everything okay?”
She sits up in her bed as I open the door and strains to smile. “Yes, I’m fine.”
I know women well enough to know that’s not what fine looks like.
“Are you sure?” I ask.
She nods. “Sorry if I was too forward earlier. It won’t happen again.”
“Wait. What?” My heart beats triple time. “You were not being too forward earlier. It was perfect. I only stepped back because if I didn’t, I would have bent you over the hood of the car and fucked you until you screamed my name. I have too much respect for you to do that with an audience.”
She turns scarlet, including her chest, and I wonder what her breasts would feel like if I played with them.
“Oh.”
I walk over, open the covers, and crawl in to lie next to her. “You can tell me to leave at any time.”
Her breathing hitches, and I kiss her. It’s soft and delicate, but I can only hold myself back for so long. Our kiss becomes sensuous. I want her to know the depth of my desire for her. Our tongues do an aggressive dance. I pull her on top of me, and she straddles me with her wetness rubbing against my hard cock. God, she feels so good.
I reach for her breast beneath the lace, and it’s soft and pliable—so much better than the hard rocks of so many of the women I date. I roll her nipple between my finger and thumb and pull.
Corrine breaks our kiss, throws her head back, an
d moans as her hips move back and forth.
I don’t think I can get any harder. I want Corrine Woods. I want her on me, under me, and in front of me.
When she rubs her slit against my cock, I’m in heaven. The straps of her negligee fall from her shoulders and expose her breasts. They are incredible. A little more than a handful with dark pink, pebbled nipples. I circle her chest with one hand while my fingers dip deep into her slick channel.
“Jack…son,” she moans, short of breath. “That…feels…soooo…good.”
God, I want this woman.
She kisses me. Her delicate hand reaches into the opening of my pajama bottoms, and she begins to stroke me.
“I want to taste you,” she moans.
I’m euphoric. Corrine slips my pants over my hips, and my cock springs to attention, waving its desire.
She bites her lip as she looks at me. Then she bends down and licks the head of my cock while she cradles my balls, watching my reaction with a lusty smile.
Her mouth envelops the head and then the length. This feels so good. I can feel her relax her jaw, and my cock slides down her throat while her other hand rolls my balls.
“Holy shit!” I say between clenched teeth. It’s taking all my willpower not to come down her throat.
The suction pulls as she takes me to the crown, and her tongue flicks the tip. She goes down again, and her moans send vibrations around my cock, which nearly causes me to lose my load.
My dick is wet, and when she comes up, she licks the tip. “You taste amazing,” she breathes.
She releases my balls, and I watch her hand disappear down her panties as she strokes herself. She’s enjoying this as much as I am, and that only makes it better.
“If you don’t stop, I’m going to come,” I warn her through clenched teeth, concentrating hard.
She moves up and down on my cock, her big doe eyes watching me lose control. When she releases me, I’m almost there.
She rolls my balls again in her hands. “I think we might be able to get you off at least three times tonight.”
“Holy hell,” I groan as I feel my cock hit the back of her throat and slide farther down. I try to hold back, but between the moaning, the playing with my balls, and her sucking a steady rhythm on my cock, I can’t hold it any longer. I send rope after rope of cum down her throat with a loud grunt.
Royally Flushed: Tech Billionaires Page 10
