Her mom snorted. “I can see Brandon now with a walker at the old folks’ home telling some young nurse he’s only thirty. That’s so true.”
I forced myself to giggle and then added, “See? Not a big deal. Don’t worry about anything, Mrs. Stewart. I’m sure that it’s all just rumors again.”
She shrugged. “I shouldn’t let it bother me, but I resent how he works through those girls like tissue paper. The thought of him one day dating someone literally Tammy’s age, or younger, makes me want to throw things.”
Well, at least I’m older than Tammy by a few months.
Sighing, I set my plate aside and made a huge show of checking my cell phone. “Well, I have to get going. Like I said, always a layout to do or coffee to fetch.”
Tammy frowned at me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I dunno. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but you seem jittery this morning.”
“Trust me, I’m good.”
“Then that’s a great thing to hear,” Tammy said, although her tone implied she didn’t really believe me. Trying to force an unconvincing smile, she added, “Mark your calendar. Mom and I just settled on doing my big twenty-first bash in a couple months at her and Bert’s penthouse.”
“I wouldn’t have any plans exciting enough to miss,” I replied.
“Still, I want you to get it on your calendar early. If I don’t remind you, you’re likely to work right through it.”
I shrugged. “Heh, you got me.” With that, I hurried out the door.
***
By the time I got to my desk, my nerves were rubbed raw. First, I figured I’d been just about the worst liar out there in front of Tammy and her mother. Then, my mom had called, begging me for money I didn’t have. I didn’t even get my first paycheck from my internship for another ten days. I wasn’t surprised. Mom had been a great mother once, but back when I was still in high school, she’d gotten mixed up with opiates and the same bullshit that was choking most of West Virginia to death. Her addiction was the main reason I knew I had to stand on my own, and the reason going back to West Virginia would be the last thing I’d ever do. I didn’t care if I literally had to live on the streets, I’d never go back to Beckley; never sit around and watch her destroy herself like that.
And even if I had money, I sure as hell wasn’t giving her a damn dime to continue destroying herself with. Not anymore.
Forcing myself to smile, to be the bubbly go-getter my supervisor, Becky, expected me to be, I nodded toward her. “So, what do you have on tap for me today?”
She adjusted her glasses on her nose and checked the pile of papers in front of her. “Your article from last night was a good start. I have that in editing, and a senior staffer will polish it for you.”
“That’s great.”
“Yes, but I need you to go down to the research room. I have an interview coming up with an up-and-coming designer, and I need all the bits about her from social media and print media you can find. I want the best dirt so I can dig in deep.”
I offered a tight smile; a bit crestfallen that I hadn’t been asked to do another feature piece or big-time story. I knew that the Vera Wang show article only happened because Brandon had pulled strings. Still, I felt like my work spoke for itself, and I was always ready to pounce on anything that would help me get my writing out there; to get eyes reading over my byline.
It didn’t take long to get lost at the desk in the tiny, windowless room. Within minutes, I was lost down the timeless rabbit hole of trying to figure out all the details behind the latest fashion flavor of the month. So far, I was learning she had a fiery temper and the tendency to get into feuds with everyone from her own fans to Kanye West on Twitter. At least she might make for an intense interview for Becky.
A knock sounded on the door behind me, and I didn’t even think before shouting, “Come on in.” I just assumed it was Becky checking on me.
It wasn’t.
Brandon stood there, looking delicious in his pin-striped charcoal gray suit and bold crimson tie. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”
I jerked in my seat, my damn clit already throbbing at the things his voice did to me. That voice, like velvet, made me want to do things to him in return. “I’m working.”
“You’ve been working all day, Tiger. You must have lost track of time; it’s almost six p.m., and most of the building has cleared out.”
I cursed under my breath when a cursory check of the computer’s bottom right screen confirmed what he’d said. “Shit, I only emailed Becky the first half of this at lunch.”
“I’m sure, with how thorough you are, she had enough research to make a good start.” He smiled, a look that could probably make women’s panties melt, and then he locked the door behind him. “Now, we’re alone together in a room no one can see in. I think that calls for a bit of a celebration, don’t you?”
I bit my lower lip and sighed. “I’m not sure.”
Chapter Six
Brandon
I was taken aback by that. Honestly, I’d been expecting Selena, my little tiger, to be as ready and desperate for another round as I was. I still hadn’t fucked her properly, and my cock ached to be buried balls deep in her amazing pussy. The fact that she was hesitating confused me. She’d been more than resolved to be part of our arrangement last night. Hell, she’d been the one screaming my name and coming like a river all over my hands.
“What’s up?”
“I… It was so hard to avoid Tammy this morning. In fact, I failed at it completely. And her mom was there—”
“What? Melanie was there?”
“Yeah. The two of them were doing a shopping day.”
“With all of Bert’s hard-earned hedge fund cash I bet.” I shook my head. “That was always the thing about my ex-wife. She hated me not being around for her, hated the long hours, and bitched about it all the time, but then she burned holes through my credit cards. I can’t say I’m surprised that not much has changed in all this time.”
Selena stood and twisted her hands in front of her. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this. It’s not too late to call it all off.”
“Do you want to?” I asked.
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“But wouldn’t someone get hurt?” I inquired. “Think about it. We’re both feeling something. After the dressing room and the great time we had last night, you can’t deny it. There’s something passionate and raw here. I haven’t felt like this in years.”
And that was true; something so painfully deep that I hadn’t let myself think about it since this had all started. I’d kept everyone at arm’s length, and hadn’t felt passion like this since the early days with Melanie. And even then, with Mel, it wasn’t like this; the desire Selena stokes in me.
I didn’t want to give it up now, and I knew my tiger felt the same way.
She just had to give herself permission to feel.
“I know. This is new for me too,” she said, glancing up at me with those hazel eyes shiny with unshed tears. “But Mrs. Stewart… Tammy… Your merger… My career. All of this could get smashed to nothing by us being involved. I can’t do this forever. I don’t think it’s right.”
“And your heart?” I asked, stepping forward and stroking her cheek. “What does your heart want?”
She shivered at my touch and mewled a little. “You, Brandon. I only want you.”
“Then it’s time to let yourself feel; to give yourself that chance to have what you want. I’ve spent a lot of the first half of my life sacrificing things—my marriage, my time, my relationships—to build this company. Sometimes, it’s okay to take things for yourself. To have everything you’ve ever wanted. And you want me, don’t you, Tiger?”
She nodded. “God, yes.”
I grinned and reached down with both hands to undo the buckle of my pants. “Are you on the pill?”
She frowned. “Yes. Wait, what about you?”
“I
’m clean but don’t happen to have a condom on me at the moment. If you’ve been taking your pill regularly, we won’t have a problem, will we?” I asked, lowering my voice to that rumble women always responded to.
“I guess so… I…” She hesitated.
I stepped out of my pants and let my cock spring free. I’d given her some space last night, let her enjoy the event and get her interviews in, but my balls had been a frosty shade of blue last night by the time I got home. I wasn’t going unsatisfied again. No. Today—right now—I was going to claim my tiger for myself.
“What else is it? You don’t think I can make you come as hard this time?”
“It’s just… this is my first time,” she said. “I don’t know if I’m ready.”
A virgin?
My mind whirled through this new information. My tiger was a virgin. It made me rock fucking hard. Of all the women I’d fucked, I’d never had a virgin before, never had the honor of popping someone’s cherry. My cock jerked its approval.
“I’ll be gentle,” I said. “What happens this evening will make you feel better than you’ve ever felt. It’ll make yesterday feel like a damn handshake. Are you ready, Tiger? Are you ready to scream my name so loud you’ll be hoarse after? Are you ready for me to make you come like a freight train screaming off the tracks?”
“I don’t want to disappoint anyone.”
I chuckled. “Trust me, baby, there’s nothing you can do that I wouldn’t like. It feels like your pussy was made for me, like it was mine. Now I want my cock inside of you, and I’m going to do it.”
She nodded eagerly. “Where?”
“Bend over your desk, Selena. I’m going to give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”
She complied instantly, planting her hands, palms down, on the desk and bending her back with the motion. My cock jerked again and, for the first time in a decade, I had to start reciting baseball stats in my head to keep myself from being too ready too soon. Selena was just so damn sexy, and the way that tight, little skirt of hers hugged her ass should probably be illegal.
I hurried over to her sprawled out for me on the desk. I couldn’t keep my hands from cupping the round cheeks of her ass; from feeling the fucking amazing curves she hid underneath her too-uptight librarian outfits. I was seriously going to have to change the dress code around here.
Having her in anything more than a fucking bikini was a crime against nature.
I slipped my fingers under the strap of her cotton panties. I loved to pull those fucking things apart. It was harder than it looked, took just the right touch; one I’d perfected over the years. Twisting my thumbs under the hem of her panties, I gave the right tug. They snapped as I knew they would. Grinning, I pulled the scrap of fabric out from under the lines of her skirt. Then I pushed the hem up to her waist, ensuring I could enjoy the firm, rounded mounds of her ass. I ran my hand over one side and then smacked it. She went still, at first, then giggled.
“You weren’t expecting that, were you, Tiger?”
“I’m beginning to realize that I have to expect anything with you,” she said, her voice a low, sultry purr that made my dick feel like granite between my legs.
“Then you have nothing to worry about, babe,” I said, arching my hips so that my cock could find the rim of her entrance. I nudged it against the wet lips of her pussy. She moaned, and I fought to keep my own control. It was harder than usual, especially with my virgin princess waiting for me, her curvy body begging for anything I could give it.
And I intended to give it all to her. To take her for my own.
I lined my cock up with her opening and pressed once more against it, letting her know that I was ready. “Do you want me, Tiger?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice wobbling.
“Do you need me?” I asked. “Does your dripping wet pussy ache for me, Tiger?”
“God, yes!”
“Then I’m coming,” I said, dragging that last word out, playing with the double entendre.
I eased myself into her. Desperately, I wanted to shove myself balls deep into her. Still, I knew she was untouched down there, and needed a bit of preparation. After all, I wanted to make this good for her. It meant more for my experience and, yes, my ego when I knew that the woman in my arms was enjoying herself even more than I was. She was dripping as I entered inch by inch, so slick and warm that I groaned, rolling my eyes back in my head. It felt better than anything I could have imagined, like pleasure personified.
My knees almost went weak.
I kept plunging into her until I was finally balls deep inside of her. I’d never had a virgin before. God knows I’d fantasized about it, but I’d never felt the tightness of untouched territory like this. My cock jerked and pleasure arced over my body, sparks playing over every nerve. I slapped her ass once more, just a playful touch. I had no interest in anything harder than that. BDSM had never been my scene, but a butt as juicy as hers deserved a bit of appreciation.
I flexed my hips experimentally, plumbing into her.
She reared her ass back and mewled like a naughty kitty, like the Tiger she was.
Then I shoved my hips forward, comfortable now that she was good and ready for me to jackhammer into her. Reaching my hand forward, I twisted my fingers over her clit. Flicking my finger tightly against it, I continued slamming into her from behind. The juices of her pussy flowed over my dick, so wet and hot. I kept pounding into her, giving her everything I had. She screamed at my intensity, her body shivering under me with pleasure. Ecstasy started to build within me, and I became a man possessed, someone driven to fuck her no matter what.
Thrust, thrust, thrust.
The only sounds filling the room were her moans and the slap of my balls against her ass. She shuddered and screamed my name loudly. I felt her clit spasm underneath me, and I knew that she’d come. It was all I needed to come as well, my balls released their load, and my cum finding its way deep inside her.
It felt so fucking fantastic.
Normally, I’d never go bareback, but I trusted Selena; trusted her when she said she was on the pill. Besides, once I knew she was a virgin, coming inside of her was the only thing I could think of. I’d wanted to claim her, make her mine, and now I had.
She shivered again underneath me as I slipped out and grabbed some Kleenex off the table to clean myself off. Then I slid my boxers and pants back on. Selena sprawled against the desk, her body still limp from her orgasm. I leaned down once I was settled and brushed her hair back from her face.
“Was that a good first time?”
“Is it always like that?” she asked, her breath coming out in ragged gasps.
“When it’s with me, it is. I promise you that,” I kissed her cheek. “Get cleaned up and keep working, Tiger. This weekend though, I have everything planned for us. Don’t you worry about it. In fact, don’t worry about anything. This is our secret, our passion to share. And the merger and Tammy… All of it. It will survive this too.”
“Hope so.”
“I’ll make it so.”
***
That Friday afternoon, I was preparing to leave my office. I’d given Selena the address to meet me at in Brooklyn for dinner and the rest of my surprises. I had quite the weekend planned, especially because I knew Tammy had gone out of town to California with her mother. That would probably alleviate some of her guilt and hesitation. My tiger loved to let go in the moment, but I could tell that the shadow of doubt was creeping over her expression even as we’d cleaned up the other day. I understood the feeling, but I wasn’t going to sacrifice the first thing that had made me feel truly alive in years over fears.
I wasn’t going to let this hurt Tammy. I loved my daughter more than anything, but I could compartmentalize my life. I could do what made me happy with Selena, even if she was Tammy’s best friend, but I could also have my affair with my tiger. I was a master of publishing, a titan of industry in New York, damn it. Men like me never had to pay penalties. That was for
mortal men.
Men who didn’t have much left in their bank accounts at the end of the month.
A knock on my office door startled me out of my thoughts. I frowned when it turned out to be Jonathan poking his head into my office. He’d been giving me withering glances all week. I wasn’t an idiot, and I’d worked with my right-hand for decades. I knew when he wanted to take me to task. Frankly, it was why I kept him around. A CEO who only surrounded himself with “Yes Men” became a CEO who was out on his ass and broke.
That didn’t mean I wanted to be grilled with whatever concern over the Orbit merger he was harboring.
“I have early dinner plans.”
Jonathan stalked into the room and shut the door behind himself.
Oh, he knew. He definitely knew.
“That’s why I have to talk to you, Brandon. What the hell are you thinking?”
I stood up and crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not going to pretend that I’m dense about what you mean. So, you’ve figured out that things between Selena Cole and me over at Swagger are less than professional?”
“Yes.”
“My personal business isn’t part of your job, Jonathan.”
“Yes,” he said, shaking his head. “But this is more than just where you wet your dick. This is about doing something very stupid with a friend of your daughter’s.”
“How dare you say that about Selena.” I clenched my jaw and reminded myself that the last thing I needed to do was slug my best friend. That would be a scene I couldn’t explain away. But the asshole had said something unforgivable about Selena; implied she was some goddamn pump and dump when she was anything but. “She’s not just some whore.”
“I didn’t say that, exactly, but it’s what it looks like, man. You look like you had a mid-life crisis, and now you’re jeopardizing everything this company was built for, everything we’ve all wanted. Do you know how crazy this looks? Orbit already has a reputation for being tight European asses. If it gets out to them what you’re doing, they’ll dump any chance to merge with us. It’ll be far too tabloid-esque for them.”
Billionaire Boss's Unexpected Child Page 5
