Love Squared

by A. E. Neal

  The Alfa Romeo wasn't a muscle car though, it was the pure definition of sexy. It screamed wealth and power, something Jaysen was well known for, even to her. The engine purred as they made their way through downtown and headed towards Cherry Creek.

  "What kind of music do you like?" he asked as he adjusted the satellite radio using the controls on the steering wheel.

  "Anything, really."

  A melodic woman's voice filled the car speakers and Quinn closed her eyes as she listened.

  "Beautiful isn't it?"

  "Yes. Her voice is amazing. Who is this?"

  "Lily Allen."

  "Wow. I've heard of her, but never listened to any of her songs before now."

  As Lily's song continued, Quinn found herself swaying softly back and forth in her seat as they drove. Three songs later, Jaysen pulled the Alfa Romeo onto a long, winding driveway that lead to an enormous Tuscan villa with rich architectural details and beautiful, pristine landscaping that surrounded it.

  "Wow," was all Quinn could manage to say. "Is this yours?"

  "Yes, although my mom still stays here when she visits and both of my sisters have a key, but they all live in New York. Don't worry, no one's here right now."

  She breathed a sigh of relief. "And your dad?" she asked cautiously.

  "He passed away."

  "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

  "It's alright, Quinn. He was a crotchety old, money-hungry bastard who in his final moments told me that if I fucked up his company, he'd come back to haunt me in my sleep."

  Jaysen parked the car and like a true gentleman, opened Quinn's door and helped her out.

  "I'm sorry," she said solemnly.

  "Don't be. I made my peace with him a long time ago."

  "So, not to be rude, but I thought you lived in an apartment. At least that's what the rumors were."

  He laughed. "I have a small apartment adjacent to my office. I usually only stay there if I've been working late."

  "Oh." She wondered how she'd never seen it in all the time she'd known him. They had always used his office for their 'lunch meetings'.

  He held her hand as they walked towards the massive wrought iron entrance with gorgeous stained glass detail.

  "Home sweet home," he said as he unlocked the door and led her inside.

  A baby grand piano sat perfectly polished near the foyer and as they made their way through the house. Quinn spotted a library, a huge sitting room with a stone fireplace and a kitchen that she was sure would make any chef jealous.

  "This is amazing. Holy crap. I don't think I've ever been in a house this nice since...uh...never mind," she stammered as she remembered accompanying Trenton to a party at the Harlow Mansion in Beverly Hills.

  Quinn followed Jaysen into the massive kitchen and set her purse on the counter as he rummaged through the fridge, pulling out an armful of fancy cheeses and meats. He set them on the counter and took her hand in his.

  "Come. We need to find a bottle of wine."

  Once they were downstairs, he opened a door that led to the largest wine cellar she'd ever seen in her life. She eyed the bottles on the racks carefully as he took his time to find the one he was looking for. The years on some of the bottles were older than she was, so she decided to step back before she accidentally knocked one out of its rack and onto the tiled floor.

  "Here," he said handing her a vintage bottle of Biondi Santi Tenuta il Greppo Riserva. She held it carefully tucked in her arms as if she were protecting a newborn baby, then followed him back upstairs.

  He was in his element, much more relaxed than she'd ever seen him at the office, almost child-like as he moved through the house freely. Quinn took a seat at the kitchen island as Jaysen poured them two glasses of wine and began laying out the meats and cheeses on a slab of marble.

  Quinn's first sip of wine was incredible. "This is really good," she said, trying to play down her excitement.

  It was refreshing to watch a guy who was so comfortable in the kitchen, he didn't need a housekeeper, butler or personal chef, it was as if he'd been doing it his entire life and that made her smile.

  After their light dinner and a few glasses of wine, Jaysen led her upstairs, carrying another bottle of wine.

  "Here," he said, opening a pair of doors that led into a massive bedroom. A huge king-sized poster bed with silk organza wrapped loosely around the wooden posts supporting it, matching throw pillows, and an ivory bedspread brought the whole luxurious ensemble together.

  He set the wine and their glasses on the stone fireplace mantel, then turned to face her. She stood quietly, taking in her surroundings. She'd never been in such an amazing room. The walls were lined with beautiful pieces of Tuscan artwork and as Jaysen turned the gas fireplace on, she felt it's warmth encase her body, causing her to shoulders to relax.

  "This room is...wow...just wow."

  "I'm glad you like it," he replied, closing the space between their bodies as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him.

  It had been over a week since they'd had sex and suddenly, it was as if his touch was awakening her from hibernation.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to meet her waiting lips.

  "I've missed this," she purred.

  His lips were on hers in an instant as they both worked feverishly to strip each other of their clothing.

  "God, Jaysen," she moaned as he captured her earlobe between his teeth.

  "Tell me what you want, Quinn," he commanded, but she was out of breath from the assault on her lips, all she could do was muster another moan.

  She traced the lines of his defined muscles along his stomach with her fingertips, before dropping to her knees in front of him. She looked up at him with a hunger in her eyes that told Jaysen, she was about to show him exactly what she wanted.

  Quinn unbuttoned his pants and watched as they dropped to the floor, pooling around Jaysen's feet, revealing his erection straining against his boxer briefs. She licked her lips in anticipation before palming his growing length in her hand.

  Jaysen threw his head back and groaned as she worked her hand over him before removing his boxers with her teeth. He stepped out of both his pants and boxers, then backed to the edge of the bed as he tore the foil package open and rolled the condom over his cock. Quinn followed, on her hands and knees exactly like the day he first claimed her in his office.

  He wiggled his index finger at her, beckoning her to meet him on the bed. She rose to her feet when she reached him, stripping off her bra and panties before straddling him. She positioned him at her entrance and moved back and forth, slowly coating him with her juices.

  "I want to fuck you, Jaysen. I want to fuck you so hard I scream," she said softly as she gently pushed herself over his length.

  He gripped her hips as she took him as far as she could, panting and gasping as she rode him faster.

  "Goddamn it, little girl," he growled through his teeth.

  She threw her head back, closing her eyes as she let her orgasm take hold. As she cried out in pleasure, her body shuttered around him, only causing him to grow harder. He took her by the hips, pulling out of her, then rolling her onto her stomach, before lifting her hips to meet his. He didn't just want to ravage her like he'd always done before, he wanted to savor what they had at that moment, so he released her and padded over to a dresser at the edge of the room.

  She sighed, rolling to her side. "What're you doing?" she asked softly.

  He shot her a wicked smile and returned to the bed carrying a black velvet bag, two silk scarves, and a blindfold.

  "Have you ever been tied up before?" he asked as he pulled a glass phallus from the velvet bag.

  She shook her head, then leaned back onto her elbows and carefully eyed the items in his hands. Before she could protest, he was affixing the scarves around each wrist to the posts on the bed and tying the blindfold securely over her eyes. Her heart raced as excitement built in her chest, causin
g her breathing to falter.

  "Shh," he said placing the glass phallus against her lips. "Lick it."

  She did as he instructed and he pushed the cool glass further into her mouth.

  "Good girl. Now, tell me how much you want to feel this inside you, Quinn."

  She whimpered and spread her thighs apart. "I never wanted to feel anything so much in my life," she breathed. "I want you to make me come with it, Jaysen."

  Jaysen leaned over her and took her right nipple into his mouth, drawing on it roughly before repeating the same on the other. She bucked her hips wildly, begging him to give her another release. Instead, he traced her smooth skin with his tongue; between her breasts, over her stomach, then over her clit.

  Her wrists strained against the silk bindings as she moved against his mouth.

  "More, Jaysen," she cried. "I want it. Please," she begged.

  Jaysen retracted himself and took the glass phallus in his hand as he guided it along each slickened area of her swollen sex.

  "Stay still," he ordered. Her chest rose and fell with each ragged breath, but she remained still as he pushed it into her. "Don't move, little girl, or I won't let you come."

  She bit her cheek, stifling a moan as tears fell from the corners of her eyes. He could see his torment on her was making her wetter by the second. Each time he pushed it inside her, she clenched her muscles around it and he ached to take her to her limits, but for now, he thought, this will have to do.

  "You're a fast learner, sweet Quinn. I think you and I will have nothing to worry about from now on."

  She stayed still as he pulled the glass phallus from her once again and set it to the side. He reached up, pulled the blindfold from her eyes and watched as she blinked back more tears. He wiped them with the pad of his thumb and kissed her forehead.

  "Did I hurt you, Quinn?"

  "No," she breathed.

  "Good. Are you ready for me now?"

  She only nodded and that was all it took. Jaysen positioned himself at her entrance, then drove into her with so much force she took her lip between her teeth and bit down to stifle her cries. As rough as he was with her, she couldn't get enough. She begged him to do exactly what she wanted him to and he rather enjoyed it.

  Jaysen found his release moments after Quinn's, then collapsed against her damp skin as he listened to her heart race. After a moment, he released her wrists from their bindings and they laid silently against one another.

  Chapter 24

  Quinn awoke to the smell of fresh coffee. She pulled back the soft sheets she was nestled under, found her bra and panties, then headed into the bathroom. Like the rest of Jaysen's house, the bathroom was just as magnificent. She turned the shower on and stepped inside, letting the hot water caress her skin. She lathered a washcloth with Jaysen's rich body wash, inhaling the familiar scent as she washed herself. She was so lost in her memories of the time they'd spent the night before, that she didn't hear Jaysen enter the bathroom. Through the foggy glass, he watched as she caressed her beautiful body with his soap. He stripped his pajama pants off and tossed them aside before sneaking into the shower behind her.

  "Good morning, beautiful," he whispered into her neck.

  She jumped, not realizing she had company and spun around to face him. "You scared me."

  "Sorry, you looked like you were enjoying yourself. So, I thought I'd join you. Did you sleep well?"

  "Mmmhmm. What about you? What time did you get up?"

  "I don't sleep much, but it was a pleasure watching you sleep so peacefully."

  Quick to change the subject, Jaysen pulled her into his naked body and traced her lips with his tongue. She returned his gentle kiss with her own and before she knew it, he pinned her body against the tile wall and traced the bare flesh between her thighs with his fingertips.

  "Ah," she moaned against his damp chest as he dipped two fingers inside her.

  "You're insatiable, little girl. I think you want to come for me again."

  Quinn nodded as she closed her eyes and rolled her hips in sync with his movements until her orgasm shook through her body.

  * * *

  Later that morning, Jaysen waited in Quinn's living room as she got dressed for work. She rummaged through her closet, hurrying as fast as she could. She didn't want to leave Jaysen alone with Ziggy for too long since he was allergic to cats.

  "I'm almost ready," she called as she twisted her hair into a messy bun.

  "No rush. Take your time," he replied as he avoided her cat like the plague.

  She returned to him a moment later, tucking her arms into her oversized wool pea coat.

  "You need a better winter coat," he said as he scanned her.

  "It does the trick. Now come on, I'm gonna be late." She brushed off his comment, knowing damn well she needed a new coat, hell, she needed a lot of new things, but she also couldn't afford any of them.

  Jaysen opened the door as Quinn ducked under his arm and into the hallway.

  "Morning LA." Nick stood in his doorway with both arms over his head wearing nothing but a towel snug around his waist. She'd seen him half-naked plenty, but something about the way he stood with his muscles flexing over his body, caused her cheeks to flush.

  "Mornin'," she replied.

  "Nick," Jaysen said through gritted teeth.

  Before another pissing match broke out between the two men, she took Jaysen's hand and pulled him towards the staircase, waving to Nick as they passed.

  "Bye," he called after her. "Have a good day at work," he added, before closing his door.

  "What was that all about?" Jaysen asked.

  "What was what?"

  "I saw the way you looked at him."

  "It's nothing Jaysen. I promise. We're only friends."

  Once they had reached the landing at the bottom of the staircase, he gripped her arm hard and stopped her in her tracks. She had no choice but to look him in the eyes.

  "What?" she snapped.

  "Friends don't look at each other the way you two do, Quinn. So tell me, what's really going on with you and that jerk off?"

  She jerked her arm out of his grip and crossed her arms over her chest. "I already told you, we're just friends. If you don't believe that, then there's no sense in trying to explain myself to you. I get that you still don't trust me, but for fuck's sake, Jaysen, at least give me a goddamn chance before you start accusing me of having feelings for my neighbor." Her cheeks were hot and her heart raced in her chest. She swung the door open and stomped through the parking lot towards Jaysen's car.

  Even though he wanted to pursue the matter in question with her further, he wasn't willing to lose her over an accusation that may or may not have been true.

  He unlocked the doors to his Alfa Romeo as he walked through the parking lot. Quinn flung the car door open, got in and buckled her seat belt. By the time Jaysen had reached the car, she had already made up her mind and had nothing else to say to him.

  "Quinn," he began.

  "No Jaysen. I don't want to talk to you right now and the only reason I'm in this car, is because I'm already late for work. So please, do us both a favor and start the damn thing and drive."

  He would have loved to apologize to her, wrap his arms around her and kiss her beautiful lips just one last time, but he didn't and the opportunity to do so was already long gone.

  * * *

  When Quinn reached her cubicle at quarter after nine, she was in no mood to talk to anyone, not Jaysen and definitely not Hannah who was carrying a stack of files, standing outside Quinn's cube.

  "Morning, Quinn," Hannah said with a smile plastered across her Barbie doll face.

  "What?" Quinn snapped as she shot daggers at Hannah.

  "Sorry. Mr. Wells wanted me to bring these to you," Hannah said as she handed Quinn the files. "Are you alright?"

  "I'm not really in the mood to discuss it. Especially not with you," Quinn snapped.

  "Ouch," Hannah replied. "I just thought with everythin
g that's been going on with you that maybe you'd need a friend to talk to."

  "Well, we're not friends, Hannah, so just leave me alone. I have a shit load of work to do and I don't need you buzzing in my ear all day recounting your one night stands. Got it?"

  Hannah shrugged and let out a frustrated huff, then walked away. "I'm sorry."

  Quinn ignored her and pulled up her email inbox. Her flight to LA was confirmed for the following Monday and as she printed out the itinerary, she stopped on an email from Jaysen.

  From: Jaysen Beckett

  To: Quinn Langley

  Subject: Apology

  Quinn,

  I'm sorry for the way I acted, it was out of line. I need to talk to you about something. Actually, it's sort of a pressing matter that requires your immediate attention. Can you meet me for lunch around 1:00?

  Jaysen

  Quinn knew exactly what he meant by 'pressing matter' and she wasn't having anything to do with it. She quickly pressed 'reply' and began typing.

  From: Quinn Langley

  To: Jaysen Beckett

  Subject: RE: Apology

  You're joking, right? Look, I have a ton of work to do and I can't meet you for lunch. I'm sure whatever it is can wait until later. Please leave me alone, I don't have time for your games.

  - Quinn

  She read it twice before clicking 'send', then logged out of her email altogether. Whatever he had to say could wait until later, she thought to herself.

  Jaysen hadn't sent Will to physically remove her from her desk, so she knew his pressing matter was only a ploy to get her into his office. Alone.

  Five o'clock came faster than Quinn had expected and just like any other day, she gathered the finished files from her desk and headed up to Mr. Wells' office to drop them off.

  Since he was on an important phone call, Tracy took the files from Quinn and gave her a weak smile. Just as Quinn had guessed, Mr. Wells wasn't exactly an outstanding boss to her either, from the look on Tracy's face.