by Peggy Hunter
Tired eyes gazed back at him. “You just might be right."
* * * *
As yet another old crony lumbered up to the microphone to share humorous anecdotes about Jacob Strand, Jayne's gaze slid to the empty seat on the other side of her boss. They were well into the second hour of Jacob's eightieth birthday party yet David had not shown up.
Jayne was grateful Jacob had not brought his grandson's name up even once during the cocktail hour, nor when they took their seats at the head table. If ever there was a time the old man would ask, she'd have thought it would be when he noticed the empty seat beside him ... the one he'd insisted be reserved for his estranged grandson.
As time wore on, Jayne's hopes dwindled. David had no intention of showing up at all. He'd been playing her all along.
And that's why I hate the old bastard!
Truer words were never spoken. It wasn't until the crowd burst into applause that she realized she hadn't thought the words; they were the last of the latest speaker's humorous tribute to Jacob. Jayne quickly followed suit when everyone in the room, including the head table, stood and applauded even louder. She looked down at Jacob, seeing the smug, all-too-satisfied look on his face and knew they had just moved from the dinner speeches to the party. She cleared her throat as she approached the podium. “And now, we'll ask you to join Mr. Strand in welcoming the Five Star Orchestra."
The band, which had taken Jayne months to secure, immediately struck up a waltz and couples quickly moved to the dance floor to sway to the music.
Jayne sighed. Other than making sure the kitchen staff brought the cake out on time and then set out the midnight meal, her job was done. Everything had gone to plan ... well almost everything. The one thing she'd worked hardest on hadn't come to fruition. David hadn't come.
Jacob rose from the table and grasped her hand. He smiled at her fondly as he patted her hand. “You did a fine job, Jaynie,” he said. “A very fine job."
"I wish that were true,” she replied, trying to ignore the bitter disappointment that seeped into her soul. “I failed at the one thing that mattered most."
"Did you?” The old man smiled as he released her hand. “Why don't you get some night air?” he suggested. “You look like you could use it."
As Jacob quickly disappeared into the throngs of well-wishers, Jayne pressed her hands against her cheeks. They were heated and no doubt, flushed. Getting some fresh air sounded like a good idea.
It took much longer than she'd expected to make her way across the ballroom to the terrace doors. People greeted her with every step she took, all offering congratulations on such a fine evening. Some, like Mrs. Cathcart, the nosey witch, asked why the seat to Jacob's left remained empty during the dinner. Was it true it had been held open for David Strand? Was it true Jacob hoped to make amends with his grandson? If so, why hadn't he shown up?
Jayne never stopped walking toward the terrace as she gave a noncommittal reply. “I don't know what Jacob hoped for."
She wasn't lying. She'd expected the old man to chastise her after the weeks he'd spent grooming her to woo his grandson. Why he wasn't disappointed in her was something she hadn't figured out yet.
Jayne opened the terrace doors and walked through. It was a cool night yet her heated skin relished it. With the doors closed behind her, the music and sounds of the guests quickly muted.
Sweet sanctuary.
Jayne took a deep breath and walked across to the railing; the only sound she could hear was the ticking of her high heels on the wooden floor. She braced her hands on the railing and tilted her head back, taking in a long cleansing breath. The cool night air tickled her nostrils yet felt so good against her clammy skin.
"Jaynie."
Jayne's body went rigid. Had she heard someone calling her name or had the night wind caused the sound? Her ears pricked, and her hands tightened on the rail. Surely she hadn't heard her name.
The sound floated over her again. “Jaynie.” This time there was no mistaking the soft, gravelly voice. David.
Jayne whirled around and peered into the shadows. How appropriate was this? David had done a lot of big talking in the past three weeks but now he hid in the shadows, afraid to be seen. Why hadn't she seen this side of him long ago?
"Get out of the shrubs, you coward,” Jaynie said as her gaze fell on the far corner of the terrace.
David stepped from behind the plants and walked toward her. She glared at him. “You didn't live up to your part of the bargain,” she said angrily.
David smiled down at her. “I most certainly did.” His eyes roved over her little black dress. “Did you leave the panties at home?"
"I'm not about to tell you,” Jaynie spat. “Just how do you think you lived up to your end of the bargain? Jacob reserved a seat for you and you weren't in it."
"He wasn't expecting me to sit there,” David said. “We worked out our differences hours before the party. Now about those panties."
When David took a step toward her, Jaynie took a step away. “Forget my panties,” she said angrily. “My mission was to bring you to my boss’ birthday party and I failed."
David chuckled. “Jacob would be thrilled to know just how literally you take your job.” He took a step toward her. “You didn't fail."
When Jayne would have taken another step away from him, David quickly moved forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"No!” Jayne cried. “Don't you get it? The game's over."
David frowned as she looked down at her. “It was never a game. I want you now just as much as I always did,” he said softly.
As his mouth crushed hers, she so wanted to believe what he'd said. She pushed all disbelief from her mind as she gave herself up to his scorching touch.
Jaynie tore her lips from his. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gazed up at him. “I don't know what you want from me,” she whispered.
"Yes, you do,” David said. “You know exactly what I want."
Jayne gasped when David lifted her off her feet and carried her to the shadows he'd come from. For a moment, she imagined she'd been absconded by Dracula, and taken into the shadows so no one would see what he was about to do.
When she felt the cool brick wall as he pulled her dress up over her thighs, Jayne knew this was no fantasy, in fact, the fingers she felt press against her core were very real.
"You're so ready for me,” David said as his hand flew to the fly of his pants. “You've been waiting for me all night."
Jayne wanted to tell him how wrong he was, she wanted to tell him that she didn't need him. But the moment he unleashed his iron-hard cock and it pressed between her thighs, she knew she was lost. For the life of her, she'd never get enough of him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him closer to her, begging to be filled again.
She cried out when David answered her wish, ramming his cock into her with a force that almost took her breath away. Together they set an age-old rhythm. Her pussy tensed when he drove into her, relaxed when he pulled out and gripped his girth again when he thrust back into her.
With each stroke, Jayne's body grappled to accept him; surely he was bigger than ever before. Yet, when he pulled his throbbing cock out, her body cried out with need to be filled again.
"Fox,” David whispered. “My little fox. Tell me you'll never know another lover."
Jayne's head tilted back against the cool bricks of the building as she gave herself up to David completely. Her teeth gritted against the pain her buttocks felt each time he drove into her. And yet, it was welcome, the bricks were cool in contrast to the heat rising within her. She opened her mouth in an effort to voice her thoughts but nothing came out.
David's groin slammed against her again and again, taking everything she had, leaving no room for her to save even her soul. And he demanded more.
"Jaynie!” His body was tensing, his orgasm near and his touch would take her there soon too. “Tell me you'll never know another lover. I'm the only one you'll
ever want, you'll ever need."
"Yes!” she cried out. “Yes, you're the only man who will ever touch me this way. I love you, David! I love you so much!"
With that, the world around them exploded. David shouted his release as Jayne's world spiraled and shattered into a million stars around her. Her body convulsed as David's molten hot cum filled her.
She gritted her teeth when her bare butt scraped against the brick wall as David slowly let her down, her feet finally hitting the wooden floor. Both his hands braced on the wall over her head as he struggled to catch his breath.
Jayne waited patiently, pulled her dress back down over her hips and, in an effort to help, even pulled David's pants up. He laughed when she delicately tucked his now limp penis behind the fly and pulled the zipper up.
"Now what?” she said as she looked up at him.
David grinned. “Now we face good ol’ Grandpa."
Chapter 10
"Are you sure you want to face your grandfather?"
David chuckled as he grasped her hand and pulled her toward the terrace doors. “Yeah, I'm sure."
Jaynie pried her hand out of his grip and took a step back. “Well, I'm not sure,” she said.
David peered down at her. She never looked as beautiful as she did at that moment. Her eyes deepened to a sea-green, her stance rigid with uncertainty and her cheeks glowed with the knowledge she'd been thoroughly loved. David's heart filled to the brim with love for her. He ached to drag her away from his grandfather's party and show her just how much she meant to him, just how much he loved her.
But he had a mission ... they had a mission. He had to take Jaynie with him to face his grandfather. She needed to hear what the old man had to say. David knew he was taking a big chance. He wasn't prepared to lose his little fox but the truth just might drive her away. It was a chance he had to take. Jaynie's loyalty, to both David and his grandfather had earned her the right to know the truth.
David smiled. “Jaynie,” he said softly, “you trust me, don't you?"
Deep green eyes sparkled and blinked. She hesitated. “I don't know."
He reached for her hand and held it against his cheek. “Jaynie, my sweet fox,” he said gently. “You've given your body to me time and time again. I know you trust me. I just need to hear you say it."
Jaynie's eyes softened. She sighed. “Yes,” she finally said. “I trust you."
David's fingers twined in hers as he nodded, feeling quite jubilant. “Good,” he said as he turned toward the terrace doors. “Let's go."
David checked his watch as he led Jaynie through the throngs of people in the ballroom. It was almost nine thirty, he was right on time.
Who knew he'd have time to fuck Jaynie again before having to meet the old man? Definitely an added bonus for being ahead of schedule, another lesson he'd learned at his grandfather's feet as a kid. Always be ahead of the competition. In this case, the competition was time.
David wasn't sure if he'd ever get enough of her. In fact, knowing what lay ahead, he was reluctant to follow through.
"Where are we going?” Jayne asked as he led her to a door near the kitchen.
"Patience, little fox,” he said as he led her down the hall and pushed through the doors to the hotel lobby. David looked around and spotted his grandfather sitting on a black leather sofa.
The old man rose as they approached. “Davey, Jaynie,” he said, his face beaming. “I'm so glad you're here. It's time to set things right."
David snickered to himself. The old man wouldn't have agreed to set things right if they hadn't discussed the situation before the party. He loved the old man in spite of everything that had happened between them but was under no illusions. If Jacob didn't see an advantage for himself, he'd never have agreed to ‘fess up to the truth. And Jaynie needed to know the truth ... all of it.
Jayne was the first to speak as she came to a halt beside David. “What is there to set straight?” she asked. She turned to David before she went on. “David told me what happened the night his parents died."
Jacob frowned, his bushy grey eyebrows lowered as he peered at the floor. “I'm not proud of that,” he said, “but David already knows how sorry I am."
Jaynie twisted and looked up at David. Her sea-green eyes flickered, clearly stunned. “You do?"
"Well, uhm, yeah,” David began. “You see—"
"Davey wanted all the cards on the table before my birthday party,” Jacob quickly interjected.
Her eyes darkened to emerald green as her brows lowered. “You did?"
David shifted on his feet. Perhaps he'd made a mistake. Maybe he should have told Jaynie everything before they came to see his grandfather. He'd expected her to be overjoyed knowing he and his grandfather had worked out their differences already, that she wouldn't have to mediate their reconciliation.
Fuck!
All right, Strand. It's too late now.
His mind quickly shifted to damage control. When it came to the corporate world, David was in his element when all hell broke loose. He was known for his cool demeanor as he skillfully defused financial bombs. The right moves, the right words. David had it down to a science. There was absolutely no reason it couldn't apply to the situation he found himself in right his minute.
He looked at Jaynie, whose glare ate through to his bones. He put on his best and brightest smile. “Yeah, honey,” he replied as nonchalantly as he could muster. “As a matter of fact, Grandfather and I worked out our differences this afternoon.” When her frown deepened, David was quick to add, “It wasn't easy but Grandfather and I came to a few agreements."
"That's right,” Jacob said. “In exchange for David coming back to Strand Enterprises, I've agreed to come clean about my health issues."
David breathed a sigh of relief when Jaynie's attention was quickly drawn to the old man. And still, the tension built. This was not how he envisioned the evening would go.
Jaynie took a tentative step toward Jacob. “What do you mean?” she said slowly, as if she was afraid of what she was about to hear.
Jacob shrugged nonchalantly. “Well, that whole thing about my dying,” he said. “I kinda made that up."
Jaynie's chin shot up, her back stiffened. David winced inwardly when she asked, “Kinda?"
Jacob offered a mischievous smile. “Well, okay, I made it up."
"You lied to me,” she said.
"Well, that depends on how you look at it,” Jacob replied. “I'm eighty years old, let's face it, my time is limited."
"But you aren't at death's door."
David wished he'd grabbed a shot of whiskey before he brought Jaynie here.
"No,” Jacob conceded. “Last time I saw my doc, he said I was as healthy as a horse."
Jaynie's body began to shake. “You played me,” she said softly, as if to herself. Her hand went to her brow as her legs buckled under her.
David leapt forward and grabbed Jaynie before she hit the floor. He carefully placed her in a chair opposite his grandfather. He grabbed a magazine off a nearby table and fanned her face.
"Oh my God,” she moaned. “I've been such a fool."
David sat beside her and pulled her into his arms. “Don't blame yourself,” he said. “It's not your fault. My grandfather can be very convincing."
Jaynie's eyes shot open. Before David knew what was happening, he felt the sting of her hand against his cheek. “How dare you blame your grandfather for any of this!” she hissed. “He might have sent me after you but you're the one who proceeded to mess up my life!"
David blinked as she flew off the couch. “You son of a bitch,” she cried. “You drew me into your bed, then screwed the living shit out of me, all the while you knew how this was going to play out. You'd have been here for your grandfather whether I'd slept with you or not."
"You're wrong,” David said as he got off the couch and took a step toward her.
"Am I?” Jaynie spat. “There was a seat reserved for you at Jacob's birthday dinner to
night. If you and Jacob had already worked things out, why weren't you there?"
David turned to look at his grandfather. It had been the old man's idea for him to lay in wait on the terrace. It would provide an element of surprise for Jaynie; she'd appreciate the fact that they'd settled their differences that much more.
Jacob shrugged innocently. “I really should return to the party."
You old prick! David knew he was on his own even before the old man disappeared through the doors that led back to the ballroom. David stared at Jaynie. How had things gotten so fucked up?
"Listen—"
"There's nothing you can say that I want to hear,” Jaynie said as she turned to the door.
David leapt forward and grasped her arms. Jaynie whirled around, her eyes burning with unshed tears. “I hate you, David Strand,” she whispered. “I never want to see you again."
David released her as if he'd been stung. Her words cut into his soul. He watched wordlessly as she stepped back, turned and walked out the door.
Chapter 11
"That was one hell of a shindig you put on for me,” Jacob said proudly. “My birthday party made the society pages of the paper this weekend."
Jayne's head buzzed and her eyes felt like sandpaper as she stood in the office Monday morning. Sleep had not come easily all weekend. She'd shed so many tears she was certain she was dehydrated.
The only thing that came easy was the letter of resignation she'd written Sunday morning. What she once thought would be difficult to do was made easy after knowing both Jacob and David had used her.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the party, Mr. Strand,” Jayne said as she leaned forward and placed her letter in front of him.
"What's this?” Jacob didn't look down at the letter. Instead he reached for a cigar, lit it and leaned back in his chair.
"It's my resignation,” Jayne said tersely. “I'm sure you expected it."
"And why should I accept your resignation?” he asked. “For the past two years, you've been my right hand."
"I can't stay,” she told him. “Not after everything that's happened."
