by C. C. Snow
I had her body, but winning her soul– and her heart– was going to be a challenge.
“When you are interested in someone else, you let me know and we end it. I’ll do the same.” Fuck that! If any man came near her, I’d take him out and dump him into the deepest part of the lake.
“When you move on…” Not if but when.
I pushed aside my surge of anger. She didn’t trust us…yet. She was wary of getting close to anyone because she was afraid she’d lose them, just like she lost her parents, but if we were to work, she needed to have some faith in us.
She was suspicious of my reputation of using and discarding women, but I was determined to show her that was my past. She was my future. She made me want to be a better man. I was a cold-hearted bastard who was cynical and jaded, but I wanted to be worthy of her. She was too good for me, but it was too late for her to change her mind.
I needed to find a way to get through to her that what we had was the real thing.
Inspiration struck and I gazed at her with a twinge of pity. I hadn’t planned to call in the big guns just yet, but like any smart tactician, I knew when I needed help. My poor baby wouldn’t know what hit her. I almost felt bad about what I was about to unleash. Almost.
I kissed the top of her head and smiled.
Chapter 14
It turned out Jake’s apartment was right upstairs in the same building. I had a moment of confusion about why he would want me to move into his own building when there were so many other properties he could have suggested. When we ended our affair, it would have been far less messy if he didn’t have to see me everyday. In the end, I decided it was impossible to figure out how his brain worked. His thinking was too convoluted for a mere human like me to puzzle out.
I was right. He lived in the penthouse. It was humungous and not at all what I expected. But then, neither was the man, an inner voice reminded me. I thought it would be like his office, stark and cold, but it wasn’t. The décor was very masculine, with liberal use of leathers and wood, but it was offset with warm touches, like expressive paintings on the walls and accent furniture pieces in bold colors. Yes, it had the professional stamp of an interior designer, but I felt Jake’s personality come out in many of the elements.
Jake guided us directly to his master bedroom. I only got an impression of a large room dominated by a king-sized bed covered with dark sheets before I found myself in his sumptuous bathroom, which could fit my bathroom ten times over. The shower looked like it could accommodate a football team.
He started to unbutton my blouse and I swatted away his hand. “Jake! What are you doing?”
“We’re taking a shower together.” He smirked. “To save time, of course.”
After the intense intimacy, I wanted a few moments to myself. “I’m sure you have more than one shower. I’ll use the other one.”
His arm snaked around my waist as I tried to walk out. His nose nuzzled into the side of my neck and my stupid knees grew weak. “Stay baby. I want to take a shower with my girlfriend.”
His girlfriend? My knees weakened and I stayed. I had never taken a shower with a man and I was both apprehensive and intrigued.
He turned on the spray and adjusted the temperature. No less than seven streams of water jetted from overhead and the sides of the walls.
I had started to unbutton my blouse, but he took over, telling me he wanted to undress me. At first I was self-conscious about exposing my curves, but his lustful looks and words of praise told me he wasn’t disappointed I wasn’t a size four. I slowly relaxed, gaining confidence that Jake loved my body.
“Fuck, you’re the sexiest thing.” He pushed my blouse off my shoulders, staring at my plain white bra like it was the sexiest lingerie. Without taking his eyes off of my chest, he reached behind me and expertly unhooked my bra. As if he were savoring the moment, he slowly peeled off my garment until my breasts were fully revealed.
I could feel the tide of pink washing over my chest all the way to my hairline as his eyes moved over me hungrily.
With a muffled curse he brought his hands up to cup my breasts. “Baby, you’re more beautiful than I could have imagined. Your skin is so soft. Your nipples are begging for my mouth.” Bending his head, he licked around my areola and I felt my legs buckle under me.
I clasped his forearms to hold me up. He took my weight easily and continued to torture my nipples until they were hard and distended and I cried out with each pass of his tongue. He reached behind me and unzipped my skirt, letting it fall onto the tiled floor. Still supporting me, he looked down at my lower body.
“You’re so pretty and pink.” He started to reach for me, then changed his mind. “Step into the shower or we’ll never get clean.”
I turned around and walked under the water and gasped as the pulsing jets massaged my body. It felt utterly decadent.
Through the fog of the steam, I saw Jake shuck off his clothes and I wished I had been the one to undress him.
Then he was in the shower with me.
I didn’t realize how greedy I was to see him naked until now. Even as the water was running into my eyes, I didn’t want to blink.
I was right to call him a Greek god. Every inch of his body was sculpted by a master. He was lean and muscular, with a ripped chest and a washboard stomach. His longs legs were hard columns and I almost swallowed my tongue when I saw what hung between them. From a base nestled in dark curls, his veiny shaft curved upward, widening into a mushroom shaped head. It was long and thick and I had a hard time believing he had fit into my body.
“Enjoying the view?”
My eyes darted up to see aquamarine eyes dancing in amusement. Deciding I didn’t want to feed his ego, I sniffed and turned my back on him. “I’m sure you’ve got plenty of female admirers.”
I bent down to pick up his bottle of shampoo and I almost slipped and fell when his hands groped my ass. I shrieked. My back snapped straight so fast, my vertebrae made a cracking sound. My hands slapped onto the slippery tiles.
“But your opinion is the only one that counts.”
I pretended his sweet talk didn’t affect me even though my insides melted into a puddle. Jake was a natural charmer.
He kneaded my buttocks and hauled my back against his front. He was fully hard again. I wiggled slightly against him and smiled when he muttered a curse under his breath.
“I’m going to take your ass one of these days.”
The dark promise sent shock and I had to admit, anticipation, buzzing through me. I’d never considered anal sex before, but with Jake, I wanted to try everything.
His thumbs met at the top of my crevice and swept down until he touched my rosebud. It felt forbidden and erotic.
A little moan escaped and Jake turned my head so he could take my mouth. When he let go, he whispered into my ear, “I’m going to do all the dirty things I’ve dreamed of to you. Now that you’re mine, all bets are off.”
Forgetting about my aching body, I started to turn toward him, but to my surprise, he held me still and plucked the bottle from my hands. Pouring the liquid into his palm, he proceeded to shampoo my hair and then sudsed up his hands with shower gel to wash my body. It felt so luxurious to have someone take care of me.
But getting me clean didn’t seem to be at the top of his priority list. No, his number one goal was to torment me. He stroked and fondled every part of me until I was ready to attack him, sore body or not.
Then somehow I found my back pressed against the shower tiles with one leg slung over his shoulder and his face between my thighs. He sucked and licked my pussy until I was screaming like a banshee. The orgasm was so intense I didn’t even have energy left to be embarrassed. I didn’t have any previous experience with oral sex, but seeing stars surely was a sign that Jake had excellent technique. As to how he acquired the skills, I had to forcefully bury the nauseating thought.
When I regained strength in my legs, I insisted I get a turn at making him crazy or as I told h
im, “helping him.” I let him wash his own hair since the height difference made it uncomfortable for both of us.
Copying his earlier motions, I ran my soapy hands over his chest and arm muscles, making sure I cleaned every inch. I loved the feel of his taut skin under my palms. As the water rinsed off the soap, I followed the streams of water with my lips and tongue. His breathing became more labored as I worked down his rippling abs. I came ever closer to his swollen penis, but at the last second I bypassed touching him. I giggled when he accused me of being a tease, enjoying the playful side of being with him. When I slid down onto my knees to wash his legs, he turned down the shower to a gentle rain and braced his arms against the shower walls.
“Please, baby. Touch my cock.” His voice was hoarse with need.
I peered up at Jake and was awed by the desire flaring in his eyes as he returned my gaze. This gorgeous man really wanted plain Cora Branton.
Tentatively, I wrapped one hand around his base while the other stroked his flared crest. He felt like raw silk wrapped around iron. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, but Jake seemed to enjoy my touch. He grunted and thrust his hips toward me. Emboldened by the effect I had on him, I started to stroke his length, marveling at the satiny texture of his skin.
“Harder. Rougher.” One of his hands lowered to wrap around my fingers, showing me how much pressure he liked. I tightened my grip and increased my speed. He murmured instructions and moaned when I followed them.
I raised my eyes to gauge Jake’s reaction to my touch. His eyes were closed and his mouth was parted, rasping breaths pushing past his lips. Instinctively, I put more pressure against the underside of his cockhead.
“Fuck! Do that again!”
I didn’t care that he barked at me. The surge of sensual power I felt in that moment was intoxicating. My thumb rubbed the same sensitive spot and Jake threw back his head, exposing his strong throat. His chest expanded and contracted with each deep breath.
“Baby, if you don’t want to get dirty again, you better stand back. I’m so fucking close.”
My heart thumped like a drum. I wanted to make him lose control. Instead of pulling away, I renewed my efforts and after two tight strokes, his cock jumped in my hands and Jake shouted. I gasped in surprise as white viscous liquid sprayed onto my neck and chest. He reached down to guide my hands in wringing every drop of pleasure out of him.
Finally, he pushed my hands away and dragged me to my feet. My knees were killing me, but the look of utter satiation on Jake’s face was worth the discomfort.
His eyes gleamed possessively as he touched the remnants of his silky release on my torso. “Baby, so sexy. So goddamn sexy. You’re going to take my dick in your mouth soon.”
I shivered, imagining taking his hard length in my mouth and driving him crazy with my tongue.
“Hmm… your mouth was made to take my cock. Just like every part of you was made for me.” Eyes burning with heat, he brought his hand to my mouth. “Taste.”
I hesitated, but remembering the way he licked me to climax, I stuck my tongue out and lapped at his fingers. It tasted slightly salty and all Jake. I swallowed the tips of his fingers into my mouth and suckled. “Hmm…”
He pulled them out of my mouth with a pop, his eyes dark and intense. “You are a temptress. No more of your seductive wiles or we’ll never make it to dinner.”
Ignoring my gasp of outrage, he turned the shower on to full blast and washed off his seed from my breasts.
When he stepped out of the shower, I checked out his spectacular buns and mourned the lost opportunity to wash his backside. Next time, I promised myself. I giggled, not recognizing this new Cora that was emerging. I was a shameless hussy, I told myself and I wanted to do a little happy dance. I hadn’t felt so carefree in years.
“Come on, baby. I’m starving. You’ve drained all of my energy with your insatiable demands.”
“Ha!” As far as comebacks went, it was pathetic, but I was enjoying his teasing too much to want to argue.
We dried ourselves hastily. I had to put on my old clothes and without my panties, I felt exactly like the hussy I had dubbed myself.
Jake changed into jeans and a t-shirt that complemented his eyes. It was the first time I’d ever seen him in casual clothes and I thought he looked even better than when he was in his designer suits. He still looked inhumanly beautiful, but I could pretend he was just an ordinary guy. I could pretend the Grand Canyon sized social gap between us didn’t exist.
When he was in his expensive suit, I knew I was living in a fantasy world. Because what did a billionaire CEO see in a poor secretary with little education, little prospects, and a lot of baggage?
Chapter 15
When I called Marcus to let him know Jake was taking us out to dinner, he sounded a little too excited for my comfort. Again, I wondered if I was making a mistake in letting Jake get involved so deeply into our lives. If I got hurt, I was a big girl and I knew the risks going into this relationship. I wouldn’t be able to stand it if my brother got hurt as well.
As if he knew the direction of my thoughts, Jake put his hand on my bare thigh and squeezed. “Stop overthinking everything.”
The selfish side of me fought with the responsible side. Finally, I pushed away my concerns and decided to enjoy our time together. I had to talk to Marcus when we were alone. The key to building a relationship with my brother, I had come to realize, was to treat him like an adult and include him in decisions that affected us both.
After I changed– and put on panties– Jake took us to a mom-and-pop Chinese restaurant, which made the most amazing pot stickers. He made me blush when he teased that the stir-fry was not up to my caliber. Marcus loved having another male to talk to about his interests and Jake was incredibly patient with my brother.
“Marcus, your sister and I are dating. Are you okay with that?”
I choked on a water chestnut. I had not expected him to talk to my brother about us like this.
Without looking away from my brother, Jake patted the middle of my back while I guzzled my water.
Marcus’s thin shoulders shrugged. “Sure, I knew that a couple of weeks ago.”
Say what?
“When you went to my principal’s office with her.”
Jake and I both gaped at him.
Marcus looked at us with a mix of superiority and disgust. “Come on. I’m a kid, not stupid. Why would your boss drive you there unless there’s something personal going on? And why would he offer to move us into a luxury apartment?” As if he hadn’t dropped a bombshell, he looked over at me and asked, “Cora, can you pass me the sweet and sour pork, please?”
I handed him the plate, my brain still catching up to his. Sometimes his intelligence was a bit terrifying.
Jake sat back in his seat. With admiration in his voice, he offered, “When it’s time for college, pick whichever one you want and I’ll make sure you get a full scholarship.”
My chopsticks fell to the table and I made a sound of distress. That was five years away. Jake wasn’t going to be around that long.
Jake’s eyes narrowed at my expression and he leaned over and gave me a hard kiss. His hand held the back of my neck possessively.
“Eww… just cuz I was okay with you two dating doesn’t mean I want to see you kissing.” Marcus made a gagging sound.
Breaking away, Jake sat back and grinned. He kept his hand on my neck, his fingers playing with the baby hairs on my nape. “Sorry, buddy. You’re going to have to get used to it. Do you have a lot of homework this weekend?”
“I finished most of it after school.” Marcus made a face and then confessed, “I have one history paper due on Monday.”
“If you finish your paper by tomorrow, I will take you and your sister sailing on Sunday.”
Marcus was practically vibrating with excitement. “Really?”
“As long as Cora proofreads it and approves, then yes.”
Marcus pumped his hand into the a
ir and I laughed at his enthusiasm.
Saturday was a lazy day. While Marcus was doing his homework, Jake hung out in our tiny apartment. He brought his laptop to do some work, but he told me he just wanted to spend time with me. It was sweet and undemanding. Once Marcus was done with his paper, I read it over and then we went out to dinner again, this time to a pizzeria.
Jake and I managed to gross out Marcus a few times with our kissing. I placed the blame squarely in Jake’s lap because the man couldn’t keep his hands and lips to himself. I never took him to be an affectionate person in public, but I guess I never knew him that well to begin with.
Of course, I didn’t fight him too hard. I hoped that over time, his effect on me would wear off some so that I could think straight. I inadvertently muttered that out loud and Jake smiled like a cat that swallowed the canary.
Marcus and I woke up early on Sunday, excited about the prospect of sailing for the first time. Jake picked us up in a sedan instead of his two-door Bentley and drove us out to the harbor. He had a sixty-eight feet yacht that was shiny and sleek and cost more than most people made in a lifetime.
The evidence of his wealth discomfited me, but Marcus didn’t share any of my apprehension. My brother was enthralled with the vessel and all the instruments on the bridge. “This is so cool!” Marcus leaned down to study a panel.
“Captain Lawrence, I think we have a budding sailor on our hands. If you won’t mind giving Marcus the dime tour?” Jake suggested and the middle-aged captain was happy to oblige.
I was about to follow when Jake dragged me in the opposite direction. “Jake, I want to see too,” I protested.
“I have something else to show you.” He opened up a door and yanked me into a cabin.
“Wha–”
A hungry kiss cut me off and before I knew what was happening, my back was against the wall and Jake was stripping off my shorts and panties. Then his fingers were stroking my damp folds. I was instantly aroused by his urgency. He released my lips and I gulped in much needed air.
