by Peggy Hunter
"I beg your pardon?” Jayne said.
David's hands fell to his knees as he looked at her. “Never mind."
How could she ignore that statement? David was clearly not convinced his grandfather really was dying. “You think he's lying?"
"I think my grandfather is a lot of things, Jayne,” David said. “He'll do just about anything to get his way."
Jayne's body tensed when she realized what he was saying. She shook her head as she struggled to fight tears. “How could you think such a thing about your grandfather? You really think he'd lie about his own demise?"
David grinned. “As a matter of fact, yes, I think he's quite capable of doing just that."
That was easy for him to say. Jayne saw his grandfather struggling with tears as he told her about it. “So why bother with me if you're convinced Jacob's lying?"
David regarded her thoughtfully as the limo came to a halt. The window rolled down. “We're here, Mr. Strand."
"Thanks, Stu.” He waited until the window rolled back up before he replied. “You know,” he said, “I'm not really sure. I guess it's because there's unfinished business between us."
This time when Jayne's hand reached for the handle on the door, it opened ... in fact it opened before she'd had a chance to pull it. She looked up at the chauffeur as he stood by the open door. “I don't think there's anything left to say,” she said as she dashed out of the car. “Thanks for the ride home."
As Jayne rifled through her purse to find her keys, David appeared at her side.
"Shall I wait, sir?"
"No, Stu,” he called over his shoulder. “Go on home and give that sweet wife of yours a kiss for me."
When Jayne located the keys, David took them from her shaky hand. “May I?"
"No, you may not!” Jayne cried. She looked to the street in the hopes of calling Stu back. But the limo had already pulled away from the curb and was sailing down the street. Damn!
David smiled. “Jayne,” he said, his voice soft and so darn persuasive. “My ride has left and I'm here at your door. Surely you won't mind if I come inside for a minute or two?"
Her heart melted. Unable to deny him, she nodded. “Just so you can call a taxi,” she said softly, more to convince herself.
* * * *
David held the door open and followed Jayne inside the apartment building. The hall was dim and as his eyes adjusted to the low light, he knew why. The walls were painted a dark grey in an effort, he suspected, to hide the cracks in the drywall.
Jayne wordlessly retrieved the keys from his hand and walked to a wall of mailboxes. He waited patiently as she retrieved her mail and silently made her way down the gloomy hall to the stairwell door.
David saw the elevator doors on the far wall. “What floor do you live on?” he asked.
"Seven.” She kept her back to him as she replied, her voice echoing off the walls.
"That's a long climb,” David said. “Let's take the elevator."
Jayne pressed her hand on the stairwell door and stopped briefly. “Everyone takes the stairs because the elevator can't be trusted,” she said over her shoulder. “But if climbing seven flights is too much for you, be my guest. If you aren't waiting for me by the time I get to my floor, I'll call the repairman,” she paused before she added, “or the paramedics."
David smiled. So she thought he was too soft to walk up a few flights of stairs, did she?
David was very fit. In fact, he jogged five miles every morning and went to the local gym four times a week to weight train.
He followed her through the door, biting back the urge to bound up the steps ahead of her in an effort to prove how fit he was.
As he watched her climb the stairs ahead of him, he was glad he'd resisted. Seven flights with her sweet rounded ass wagging in his face. With each step he took, his cock tightened and grew with need. He'd made a wise decision. Best to hold back for now and wait for the right moment to prove his ability. Why waste his energy on seven flights of stairs when it would be better served showing her how fit he was in a more erotic way?
David watched every move Jayne made as they walked up the seven flights. Her shoulders hunched slightly on the last flight. The little vixen was tiring. As her steps slowed, David closed the distance between them. When he reached the step beneath hers, his hand reached forward and touched her lower back. He felt the shock waves course through her at his touch. She sprang to life and scaled the last few steps effortlessly.
David grinned as Jayne pushed through the seventh floor door. His touch affected her as much as hers affected him. He looked very forward to further exploring the attraction between them.
So the old man had convinced Jayne he was knocking on Heaven's door. David didn't believe it for a minute but there was no reason he couldn't enjoy his grandfather's personal assistant's company while she attempted to persuade him.
Chapter 4
Jayne took a deep breath as she pushed the key into her apartment door. David lingered near; his sweet, spicy scent filling her senses as she opened the door.
She cast a quick glance over her shoulder as she stepped inside her apartment. “I expect you'll find my apartment quite cramped compared to what you're used to,” she said nervously as she hit a switch that illuminated two lamps on either side of her sofa.
Jayne followed his gaze as he took in the small, one-bedroom apartment. The main area, the living room, was decorated in soft earth tones. The rich brown love seat and matching armchair were complimented with cream-colored doilies placed on the back and arms. A lightly varnished coffee table sat upon a jade and cream braided rug. Along the beige walls were various pictures of her family and beloved paintings, mostly of landscapes.
David walked toward one of the paintings and tilted his head lightly as he examined it closely. The painting depicted a beach on Lake Huron in midsummer. A small child walked along the beach, gazing out over the waves.
David turned to her, his eyes lit with understanding. “That's you in the painting,” he said; it wasn't a question. “You painted this."
Jayne bowed her head lightly in embarrassment. “Yes,” she replied. “It was a very happy time in my life. It seemed natural to put it on canvas."
David's gaze shifted to the other paintings on the wall. “You painted all these.” Again it wasn't a question.
"Yes."
He turned to her, his eyes lit with admiration. “Why are you working for my grandfather when you have such incredible talent?"
"Painting is a passion,” she said. “But there's no money in it. And,” she raised her chin indignantly, “I happen to like working for your grandfather. He's been very kind to me."
David's grin was clearly sarcastic. “Yes, I expect he would be kind ... as long as you do his bidding and don't ask too many questions."
Jayne felt the blood rush to her cheeks as anger bubbled within her. “I know there's a problem between you and Jacob,” she said stiffly. “But the least you can do as his grandson is grant him a little understanding...” her voice wavered, as she bit back the tears threatening to spill, “when he's facing the end of his life."
David kept his distance. “I'm here, aren't I?” he said coolly. “Do you think I'd have pursued you otherwise?"
The words stung as cold, harsh reality washed over her. Of course, why else would he be here? It wasn't as if she could compare to the drop-dead gorgeous women he dated. Naturally he was here for Jacob's sake and she had to keep her mind on just that.
A glimmer of hope flickered in Jayne's heart as she gazed at him. “Does that mean you'll see him? He wants you to attend his birthday party. It would mean so much to him,” she said hopefully.
David grinned. His eyes sparkled. “It means I'll entertain the idea, providing I get what I want first."
Jayne struggled to swallow the lump in her throat as David's cobalt blue eyes roved over her. She took a step back. “I'm not sure I understand,” she said as she turned toward the tiny kitchen. “I'll make a pot of tea a
nd we can discuss this further."
Jayne gasped as David's hands closed over her shoulders and whisked her around to face him. “I'm not interested in tea,” he said through gritted teeth. “And it won't take me long to make my demands clear."
David's fingers dug into her flesh as he pulled her to him and planted his mouth over hers. His kiss was punishing as he closed his arms around her and held her against the length of his hard, unforgiving body. When his hands slid to her buttocks, he pulled her up on her toes and rocked his need against her core. Jayne's body sizzled with need as she opened her mouth to accept his kiss. Her arms slid up to cradle his head, holding him in place as she felt her breasts flatten against his solid chest.
David pulled his mouth from hers and trailed molten hot kisses over her neck as one hand slid down her leg and pulled it up slightly. The motion rocked her tighter against his throbbing penis. Jayne's core pooled with need, accepting his erotic touch.
"Ah, Jayne,” he whispered urgently against her ear, “I think you know what I want."
"Yes,” she gasped.
"And you want it too, don't you?"
Jayne's head fell back to give David freer access to her throat. “Yes."
She was suddenly perched on the back of the sofa with her skirt pulled up around her waist. She didn't know how she got there and didn't care either, as long as David continued to hold her, to touch her.
He planted his hands on either side of her on the back of the couch and leaned down to look into her eyes. “Open your blouse for me, Jayne."
As she numbly followed his demand, his fingers flew to the back of her head and quickly pulled her hair out of the bun. He then removed her glasses, tossing them onto the seat of the couch as his gaze focused on her chest. Jayne's body heated to the boiling point when his deep blue eyes darkened as they settled on her lacy bra.
His hand slowly traced the bits of lace and then circled the nipples visible through the sheer fabric. “Just as I thought,” he said softly, almost ominously.
Jayne struggled for breath as her nipples pebbled beneath his gentle touch. “What?"
"Conservative on the outside,” he said slowly as his fingers slid beneath the bra, “but liberal underneath.” He didn't wait for a reply before he dipped his face to her breasts. Her fingers sank into his hair, pulling him closer, needing him more with every breath she took.
Shock waves coursed through her body as his hand slid up her thigh and over her moist core.
"Damn,” he cursed as he raised his face and stared down at her. “You're wearing pantyhose!"
Jayne blinked. “I always wear pantyhose,” she replied.
David leaned back slightly and reached both hands between her thighs. He clenched his teeth as his fingers dug into the nylon and ripped it apart. “Not anymore,” he growled as he moved back between her legs.
Jayne might have argued if it wasn't for his hand brushing aside the crotch of her panties and cupping her core. All thoughts escaped her as his warm fingers slowly opened her and slipped into the moist depths of her being.
"You're so wet,” David whispered. “So ready for me."
Jayne's body quivered in anticipation when his fingers leisurely stroked her slit. “Do you want my finger inside you?” he asked.
"Y—” Her body rocked in exquisite agony as her mind tried to form the word. “Yes.” She closed her eyes, waiting for the moment, waiting for his intimate touch...
"What the hell is going on here?"
The bellowed words seemed to come out of nowhere. Jayne moaned as David's hand slipped from between her thighs. She blinked up at him in confusion, the salacious spell she'd been under now shattered.
David still leaned over her, his breathing labored, his eyes squeezed tightly closed. “It seems we have company."
Jayne leaned to one side to see past him. Her heart stopped; her body broke out in a cold sweat. Oh my God! Tom!
Chapter 5
With his hand still on the doorknob, Tom stood there as Jayne struggled to collect her thoughts. This isn't happening. This can't be happening.
She couldn't begin to imagine what she looked like from Tom's angle. Her ass perched on the back of the sofa with her skirt pulled up over her hips and her blouse wide open. Not to mention David still standing between her legs.
A cold sweat had coursed over her body the moment her mind cleared. She felt her cheeks flush as she lowered her legs to the floor. She placed her hands on David's chest in an effort to push him away. God, the man was like a brick wall. He didn't move.
"I think introductions are in order,” David said smoothly, as though Tom's sudden appearance was no more than a minor intrusion.
"Oh please,” Tom replied, his voice eerily calm, “don't let me disturb you."
"Nonsense,” David said as he stepped back, finally giving Jayne some space. She blinked as David extended his hand to Tom. “David Strand,” he said smoothly. “And you are?"
Jayne almost collapsed in a dead heap when she saw the moisture glistening on David's fingers.
Tom's face blanched as he raised his hands, dismissing David's greeting. “Tom Skirten,” he said tightly. His eyes impaled Jayne. “I'm the boyfriend."
"Oh right,” David said as he tucked his hands into his pockets. “Jayne did tell me she was dating someone."
Tom's cold brown eyes continued to stare at her. “Did she?” he asked.
"Yes,” David replied. He cast his gaze to Jayne. “Well, this is awkward.” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “If you wanted a ménage a trios, you should have told me ahead of time."
Jayne wanted to scream. How could David be so calm? “Don't listen to him, Tom. This isn't as bad as it looks,” she said.
"It isn't?” Both David and Tom responded in unison.
"Well, no,” Jayne said nervously as she tugged her skirt down and pulled her blouse over her chest. “David and I were discussing what it would take to reunite him with his grandfather and we kind of got caught up in the moment."
Tom's face remained stone-cold. “So that's what was going on when I came in,” he said cautiously. “You were working out the details."
"Yes."
"We were?” David asked, his face lit in amusement. “I thought I was finger fucking you."
"That's the impression I got too,” Tom replied.
Jayne's head swirled. This was a bad dream. It had to be.
Tom closed the door and walked to the fridge. He pulled out a bottle of beer and twisted the cap off. After taking a long swig, he nodded to David. “Want one?"
"Thanks, no,” David said. “I think this is my cue to leave.” He turned to Jayne. His eye darkened. “Are you safe with this guy?"
Jayne nodded numbly.
David's eyes narrowed. He studied her face closely as if wanting to make sure she wasn't lying to him. “You're sure?"
She nodded again.
"All right,” he said before he kissed her forehead. “I'll have Stu pick you up at seven tomorrow night. We have some unfinished business to attend to."
When the door closed, Jayne struggled to make eye contact with Tom. “I'm sorry,” she said softly. “I never meant to hurt you."
Tom shook his head before he tipped the beer to his lips and downed it. Jayne winced when the bottle smacked on the countertop. “I knew something was up when you tossed off our anniversary dinner tonight.” He opened the fridge and was about to reach for another bottle of beer. He hesitated and then slammed the fridge door closed. He swung around and glared at her. “You know what pisses me off the most?” He didn't wait for a reply. “The fact that you've strung me along for four months. After what I walked into tonight, I know you never wanted to have sex with me."
"That's not true,” Jayne said as she took a few steps toward Tom. “I wanted to have sex with you. It's just...” Her voice trailed off.
"Just what, Jayne?"
She shook her head. “I don't know. The time just never seemed right for us."
"In ot
her words, you had to work up the courage to fuck me but you opened your legs freely for Strand. Why? Is it his money that attracts you?"
"No,” Jayne said. “It's not like that at all."
Tom closed the distance between them. He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Well then, what was it? I walked in here and saw your tit in his hand. And your cunt was wide open for him. If I hadn't come in when I did, he'd have fucked you!"
Tears pricked her eyes. “I'm sorry,” she whispered. “I never meant for any of this to happen."
"Right,” Tom said sarcastically. He released her and took a step back. His eyes roved over her from head to toe. “You make me sick, Jayne Foxton. I'm sorry I wasted a single moment on you."
Tom dangled the keys to her apartment on the tip of his finger. He threw them across the room in disgust. “Have a nice life,” he spat angrily. “I hope you get everything you deserve."
* * * *
David ducked around the corner just as the apartment door swung open and Tom stormed out. He carefully peeked out just in time to see the shithead push through the stairwell door.
He smiled. Jayne was better off without him. And, he had to admit, the demise of their relationship would mean there should be no further interruptions from now on.
David came out of hiding the moment the stairwell door closed. He walked back to his post by Jayne's apartment door and heard her gentle sobs. His heart tightened. He bit back the urge to knock on her door. Doing so would reveal he hadn't left the building when he walked out of her apartment earlier.
Concern for Jayne's welfare had kept him from leaving. And when he'd heard Tom's outburst, especially when he'd referred to Jayne's sweet pussy as a cunt, he'd been tempted to burst in and take a few rounds out of the jerk.
But when Jayne assured him she didn't feel threatened by the guy, she meant it. As angry as Tom was, he'd been no threat to her.
David laid his hand on her apartment door. “Cry it out, my sweet fox,” he said softly. “Tomorrow, he'll be a distant memory."
Chapter 6
"I don't care about the details,” Jacob said sourly. “Is Davey going to be at my birthday party or not?"
