I would live in the present and open my heart and my mind to new possibilities. Come tomorrow morning, I would be back to work, leaving the hurt behind, lesson learned.
I helped Jules pack the two suitcases that lay upon my bed. I was retrieving my toiletry necessities when Ben approached, leaning on the door frame.
“No pressure,” he whispered.
It was like he had to say it. But it was also a gentle reminder of his feelings as the tenderness in his words coursed through my body, melting its way down to my very core.
“I know you want to believe that,” I replied.
Knowing Ben, I recognized his every emotion. It would go against his grain to sit idly by and do nothing. I had anticipated I would be pursued. What he didn’t know, was that I would welcome it.
Packed and loaded, I placed the front door key in the mailbox attached to the house. I didn’t want to bother with the ongoing project. I left no valuables behind, so I felt confident that this would be the most convenient plan.
Jules left, leaving Ben and I alone. Once I reached his car, I gave the okay to follow him.
When we arrived in the parking garage, I realized we were only three short miles from the office, which was definitely a plus. I parked in one of his four spaces and helped with the luggage, despite him telling me not to.
“Here’s your card.” He handed it to me. “It will give you access to the garage and the elevator, to the top floor.”
“The penthouse.”
“Right, the penthouse.”
He was underplaying his wealth, but he didn’t have to with me. We made our way up in silence, and the door chimed a light note, announcing our arrival. His entryway was jaw-dropping. I wondered if other women had gawked and admired his belongings, more than admiring the man. If so, they were fools.
“Is this your bachelor pad?”
There was a twist in my gut, knowing most women would be willing and able to please a man who owned all this. An unwelcome feeling of jealousy emerged in my heart.
“Far from it.” His velvety laugh, coupled with his head shaking, was hard to resist. “You’re the only woman who’s been here. Well, I had a designer helping me, but she doesn’t count. She’s a friend of my mother’s.”
“It’s beautiful. Everything is…”
The reality hit me as heat soared up my body. There was moisture on my brow, and I suddenly felt dizzy.
“You’re pale. What’s wrong? Let me get you a water. Sit here, and I’ll be back.”
Once the cool water flowed through me, distinguishing the flames, I felt fine.
“Dehydrated. Thanks, Ben. I’m much better now.”
“Okay,” he drew out the word, as if waiting for proof, standing close by and waiting.
“You can show me my room.”
“Of course. This way.”
I followed him up the stairs, turning to the left.
“First door on the right. Mine’s the other way. Your room has a private bath.”
“Nice.”
“Hungry?”
“Starving. Jules and I were going to grab a bite before the water escapades started.”
“Well, why don’t you shower, change, and meet me in the kitchen? I’ll whip up something.”
“Whip up something, since when…” Then suddenly stopped myself. It hadn’t occurred to me I didn’t know all of Ben, the private side, the one no one saw.
“I’m happy to oblige Jordan.” And descended the stairs leaving me to myself.
My room was like something out of a magazine, done in all white. There were different textures throughout, the king-size bed was the focal point. A wall of windows looked out over the vast landscape of the city. I looked forward to the night view, when the city would light up, stars would appear bright. It settled me, causing a feeling of home.
I showered and noticed that Jules hadn’t packed anything to sleep in. Seriously? She was definitely the little matchmaker.
I made my way to Ben’s room, feeling quite bold my first night. A shirt lay over his hamper. I smelled it, but it wasn’t gross. In fact, I liked it. I slipped it on, a small giggle escaping me.
“You do remember,” I said, coming down the stairs. The smell of bacon lured me in closer.
“Your love your breakfast food at night, of course I remember.”
His hands stilled, his gaze raking up and down my body.
“Is that my shirt?”
“Hmm?”
“From the laundry?”
“Yeah, so?”
“It’s dirty.”
“I like the way it smells,” I said, laughing as my eyes danced playfully.
I reached for a glass located on the top shelf.
“Are all shelves height-friendly?”
He turned to answer as the shirt rose while I was on my tiptoes. The thong I was wearing caused my bare ass to peek out from beneath the shirt.
I heard him choke on his orange juice and I quickly turned.
“Are you okay?”
He nodded yes, unable to speak, and after a few coughs, he recovered.
My amusement flourished. Ten years of wanting this man, and here he was, choking on my behalf, a small reward for my patience. It was very satisfying indeed.
Seated at the island, my eyes instinctively took him in. I’d always wanted to be close to him, and now I would open my heart to see where we could go.
I would learn to trust again, still scarred by Steel’s recent betrayal. I willed myself to be open to the man standing in front of me. After all, how long had I loved him? We deserved every possibility.
“Remember Happy’s pancakes?” I asked, and we shared a smile as he sat beside me.
“How could I forget? Amarillo, Texas, where everything is bigger. All you can eat in an hour. I ate seven plate-size pancakes. Then I felt sick, and you had to go to the meeting without me.”
“I remember,” I said as I took a bite of bacon and drizzled syrup on the pancakes he’d just made for me. “Delicious,” I said with my mouth full. “Humm, you can really cook.”
I could feel his gaze on me. It was so real and so raw. My feelings stirred. What I needed to find was the passion. Could we recapture the hunger we had shared all those years ago? What would it take to capture it again?
“There’s a party at Alex’s this Saturday, a BBQ. Go with me.”
“Just like old times.”
“You could say that.”
But just the thought of it, Ben, fighting for my attention left me wanting more, more of him.
I woke to an empty bed, reminded of the fact that Jordan was only feet away. But it may as well have been a mile. I would endure my temporary sexual abstinence until her heart found mine again. Last night had been my first test. She had been wearing nothing but my shirt. I pushed the thought away now as my morning hard-wood rebelled.
I had promised her support. That was all. But now I wanted more.
The shower became my hidden oasis, where fantasies came to life under my own hand. Desperate times…
She insisted we take separate cars to work. I understood the rumor mill, and for now, I would accept her independence from me. But that wasn’t my long-term plan.
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise that she felt comfortable with me. Not as a man or potential lover—but as a friend. I had no one else to blame but myself.
I made it to the office before her and turned right down the hall, opening her office door. Then I left a note on her keyboard. This romance shit was new territory for me.
I wanted her to see me for the man I was today, not someone caught in the web of our past. Trying to have something after so many years of denying it needed tender nurturing.
Follow your heart,
and you’ll never get lost.
Take my hand,
and I’ll lead the way.
Bare your soul,
and I will protect it.
~B
We had a morning meeting together, just her and
I, so business moved forward. Separating the two would prove to be a challenge as we ran a company together. And for the first time in many long years, the mask I’d been wearing was gone. I didn’t have to hide, or wear the facade of indifference. How would that play out professionally? I wasn’t entirely sure.
“Right on time,” her secretary called. “Miss Mitchelle will see you now.”
I usually summoned her to my office. I didn’t mind the exchange of power—at least not in the office.
I reached her open door, but she wasn’t behind her desk. Instead, she was sitting on the couch, revealing her long, lean legs folded over one another. Her tight charcoal skirt rose mid-thigh as one shoe dangled off her toes.
Fuck.
“Good morning,” I said, as she looked over her shoulder.
“Come in. I have the files ready for review.”
I took my seat next to her, respecting her space. Although selfishly, the view was spectacular even from a slight distance. Her tailored silk blouse hugged her full breasts. It was supported by a lacy fabric and the texture showed through. The color was unknown.
I tried to focus and give myself a mental pep talk. The business at hand was more important than the color of her bra. I begged my cock to settle down, although he’d never listened to reason before.
“Thanks, that will help. I have the following information, so I’ll gather the proposal and present it today.”
Our meeting finished, I gathered the files, ready to leave.
“Trust me, you’ll knock ’em dead. You’ve got this.”
I appreciated her confidence in me. I was quite sure it had always been there, but she’d never actually spoken about it so freely before.
“Ben, before you go…”
She was unable to make eye contact.
I relaxed casually into the cushion, resting my arm on the back of the couch.
“I just didn’t know you’d be like this,” she said.
“Like what?’
“Romantic.”
“Thoughtful and sweet, that’s me.”
“Since when?”
“Since you.”
I wanted to bottle that look.
Her smile spread across her face, and her body responded, her thighs rubbing together. I noticed her nipples rise and peak through her blouse. Then her tongue ran the length of her lower lip.
I caved and slid close enough that the sides of our bodies touched. The heat between us was apparent as I gazed into her eyes with a warning.
“If you want me to be a gentleman, we can’t play this game, tantalizing as it may seem. It’s taking every ounce of strength to keep my distance. It’s too soon, I know. I’ve already proven I can control my actions, although last night’s shirt shenanigans about broke me.”
I knew I should take my things and leave, but it didn’t stop me from leaning in to whisper in her ear.
“My feelings are something else entirely. One may coerce the other, and you might just find yourself underneath a big, hard predicament.”
Her breath hitched as I gathered my files and placed them strategically over my full erection. Then I walked straight from her office back to mine, where I could breathe.
Once settled in my leather-bound chair, I tried to calm the fuck down. I finalized my presentation and the meeting went as anticipated. I worked through lunch, and didn’t see Jordan until the end of the day, when she stopped by.
“Dinner plans?” I asked as her eyes narrowed, attempting to read me.
“Anything you want.” She answered with a quirked eyebrow. I see my warning hadn’t changed a thing.
“You decide.” Taking in a cleansing breath. “I need another thirty, and I’ll be on my way.”
“I’ll be ready when you get home,” she said, turning to leave.
Checkmate. How was I going to stick to my word? Didn’t she just get her heart broken? It would be a dick move to pounce so soon, right?
I called Alex, my big brother, for advice. I needed him to give me some clarity.
“Who’s this?” he answered, punishing me for the lack of contact.
“Funny, I give you no shit when you fall off the face of the earth. I need some women advice. Should I speak to Madison, or do you want to take a stab at it?”
“Well, when you put it like that… Shoot, little brother.”
“Jordan is staying with me while her house is under major repair.”
“Sounds like a win-win for you, bro. What’s the problem?”
My pen started tapping, a nervous habit of mine.
“Stop with the tapping. What’s the question?”
“Jordan had a thing with Steel.”
“She did? Our Steel? Shoot-’em-dead-rock-em sock-em, Steel?”
“Yeah, dumbass. He broke it off, so here I am, single and willing. I’ve waited forever to have this opportunity. My question is when can I…”
“Make your move? Well, is she crying? Eating ice cream? Watching The Notebook in her pj’s? After all that is over, then you can make your move.”
“You’re no help. She hasn’t done any of those things. I should have talked to Madison.”
“I’m right here, Ben. Alex has you on speaker. He’s right, though. Have you ever thought about just asking her? Maybe she wasn’t really in love. It’s possible she got her feelings hurt, and only really needs to work through that.”
“That’s insightful.”
“I basically said the same thing, Ben,” Alex said, scoffing. “Anyway, you’re still coming Saturday?”
“Of course. Oh, I’m supposed to ask if Jules, Jordan’s BFF, can come.”
“’Sounding like a true boyfriend already, And yes, the more the merrier.
“Thanks guys. Bye.”
Was she serious? My eyes closed for a long moment. Then I slowly shook my head as I peered at her freshly showered body wrapped in only a towel. Her damp waves were slightly dripping down her shoulders, leaving wet tracks down her body. She grabbed a coke from the refrigerator, and brushed by me like it meant nothing.
“It’s not too late for us, you know,” I said with a smirk.
“I know.”
Her laugh floated in the air as she climbed the stairs, throwing a subtle peek over her shoulder. It was as if I had been tempted by fire. I took off for the stairs, two at a time. I heard her let out a little squeal the moment before I grabbed her and pinned her to the wall. She was clutching her towel, but the bite of her lip gave her away.
Her amber eyes with gold flecks were heated, and I fell into them as our lips met. It was our first kiss, and I wanted it to be memorable.
First gentle and soft, soon the waves rolled in, taking me with them. Then we were crashing. I tore my lips off her mouth, searching for any sign to stop, but all I saw were green lights.
Grabbing the back of her neck, I yanked her mouth back to mine. Her lips stole my breath. I’d dreamed of this very moment a thousand times: my tongue mating with hers, beckoning for more.
Did she realize she was playing with fire?
I pressed into her, absorbing the feel of her body. The aching tension between us was evident as I slipped my hand under the towel. She was wet and waiting for me.
“Tell me to stop, Jordan.”
My fingers found their path as I penetrated one finger into her warm heat. The other circled her bud, which was swollen and needy.
“Don’t stop,” she whispered.
I was breathlessly aware of this moment, and what it meant. She would become mine. Her moans called me home.
“Jordan, this is our first time.”
My forehead pressed against hers, and my breathing was hard and fast.
“I’ve wanted it just as long as you have, Ben. Take me to your room.”
Christ.
I led her to my bed, my mouth unwilling to leave hers. I heightened the bold caresses of my tongue with hers.
She circled my neck with her arms as the towel dropped. Breaking the heated kiss, I gazed over
her body for the first time. Her heavy breasts were perfect. Her rose-colored nipples pebbled as I discarded my shirt, and then my jeans. I kept my eyes on her the entire time.
“My dreams didn’t do you justice, angel.”
My Calvins were the last to go.
I had never had sex with a woman I’d loved, a woman I’d wanted and waited for. I needed to take it slow, even if the charge of excitement urged me on. I feared that we’d lost the passion between us, but it was just the opposite.
“You’re beautiful, Ben.”
A gentle laugh escaped her, and her hands roamed freely, finding their way down my chest to my tight abdomen, finally circling my hard length.
“Your touch heals a man, Jordan, and you’re healing me.” Our gaze locked. “I can no longer pretend this isn’t exactly what I’ve wanted.”
We fell upon the bed, her body undermine. My forearms supporting my weight. I kissed her neck, nuzzling through her damp hair.
“I want to savior you, worship your body, and sit at your throne. I want all of you.”
I kissed her deeper, teasing her tongue against mine.
My brazen hands were fascinated with the soft roundness as I cupped and massaged her breasts, covering my mouth over each peak. My tongue traced down her belly as she began to tremble with breathless urgency.
“Ben,” she whispered through needy breaths. “I need you.”
“I want you too, baby.” Answering her pleas, I slowly made a path down her body, her sounds echoing in the room. “I’m desperate for you.”
Positioned between her legs, I kissed the delicate interface of her thighs, eager to sample her own unique taste. I was breathtakingly aware of her needs, as desire heightened the feelings we’d held back for so long. My tongue explored her wet core with feathery strokes. I felt a fierce flare of yearning rise in her, and I purposely let it build. My firm lips sucked on her clit as her body focused on the sensation. The frenzied pace of my tongue running over her folds had her driving her hips as she moved toward completion. I grasped her knees and eased them apart as my greedy mouth took bold procession once more.
”Ben, it’s so good, so close…”
Surviving Jordon Page 11
