Bar None (Aeon Book 3)

by Wendy Smith

  Molly done good.

  The receptionist beams as I walk toward her. “Jackson Booth to see Miranda Clarke.”

  She nods. “I’ll just see if Ms. Clarke is out of her meeting.”

  After some taps on the computer, she looks up again. “I’m sorry. She shouldn’t be too much longer. Would you like a coffee? She told me to expect you.”

  I nod. “A coffee would be amazing after my flight.”

  She smiles. “Coming right up. How do you take it?”

  As she walks through the door at the left of her desk, I sit on the large, leather sofa in the reception area. It’s even more comfortable than my one, and that’s been worn in by years of use. I wonder if I could get one of these for home.

  The lift doors open, and Miranda walks out. She’s flustered, and wringing her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

  I stand and open my arms to her. She leans in and takes a deep breath. “It’s okay, darlin’. I know you’re busy.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t make me feel less guilty. I’ve just excused myself for a minute to say hello, and I’ve got to go back in. Hopefully won’t be too much longer.”

  I smile. “Take as long as you need to. I’ll be right here. Our weekend’s still ours, right?”

  She nods. “Of course it is.”

  “Mr. Booth. Here’s your coffee.”

  Miranda turns and takes it. “Thanks, Kelly.”

  She hands me the coffee, and gives me a peck on the lips before dropping her voice. “I promise I’ll make up for the delay tonight.”

  I grin. “You’d better.”

  “You know I will.”

  I let out a sigh as I watch her ass sway when she walks back to the elevator. She’s worth the wait, and worth the angst over her being so far away.

  I’m in love with her.

  It’s around half an hour and another coffee later when she finally walks back out of the elevator with her laptop bag in hand.

  “I’m sorry,” she says.

  “I’m fine. There’s a PokeStop just outside your office.”

  She laughs. “You’ve been playing Pokémon Go?”

  I nod. “Playing back home is hard. The PokeStops are few and far between.”

  “You’ll have a ball while you’re staying here, then.”

  Chuckling, I pick up my bag. “I won’t be playing Pokémon while I’m in town. I’ll be busy with other things.”

  She places her palm on her heart. “What will be keeping you busy?”

  “Let’s get to your place and I’ll show you.”

  Miranda waves at Kelly. “See you on Monday.”

  She nods. “See you on Monday. Nice to meet you, Jackson.”

  I slip my arm around my lady’s waist. Nothing and no one is going to slow us down getting out of this building now, even if I have to carry her. “Good to meet you too.”

  Miranda snuggles in against me as we walk out the front door. At least her park is right outside the doors.

  “Perks of being the boss, right?” I say as she unlocks it.

  “Sure is.”

  “I’m not sure I can fit in your car, darlin’.” I laugh. It’s a Ford Focus. They’re not really designed with men like me in mind.

  “I’m sure you’ll be fine for a couple of days.” She shrugs as she climbs into the driver’s seat.

  Throwing my bag in the back seat, I shift the passenger seat and climb in. It’s not the worst fit.

  “You okay?” she asks. “Poor baby. I’ll make it up to you when we get back to my place.”

  “The number of things you have to make up for is climbing, Miranda. I hope you’re ready for what’s about to happen.”

  She grins. “Bring it on.”

  I lean back in the seat, buckling my belt. “Oh, I intend to.”

  I’m not a fan of big cities with concrete building after building. There are plenty of trees around, but as we make our way to Miranda’s place, they grow fewer and fewer.

  Our drive is quiet until her phone rings. I don’t miss Molly’s name coming up on the screen.

  “Sorry. I have to take that.”

  “Don’t apologize. I’ll keep quiet.”

  She grins and presses the button to accept. “Molly.”

  “Hey, Miranda.” Molly’s voice echoes through the Bluetooth. “What did you think of that meeting?”

  Miranda sighs. “I wish they were moving faster. But as I’ve said before, some pain in the ass decided to log literally everything.”

  Molly laughs. “That pain in the ass might just be the answer to our problem.”

  “True. I guess we have to be patient and let them work through it.” Miranda turns into an apartment building. “Anyway, I’m about to get home, so I’ll talk to you on Monday unless something urgent pops up.”

  “Sure thing. Don’t wear my girl out, Jackson. I need her on form while we work out our little issue.”

  I chuckle. “How did you . . .”

  “Nothing gets you out of Nettle Downs. I went to the bar for lunch and Kayley said you were out of town. So, I took an educated guess and you just answered.”

  Grinning, I lock gazes with Miranda. “I walked right into that.”

  “It’s not rocket science. Jackson and Miranda sitting in a tree. K I S S—”

  “Bye, Molly.” Miranda terminates the call and laughs. “She’s impossible sometimes.”

  “She loves you.”

  Miranda nods. “I love her too. She’s the best friend I’ve ever had.”

  I shrug. “I’ll just have to find a way to topple her off that perch.”

  She unbuckles her seat belt. “You’ve got your own perch.”

  “Is it lower or higher than Molly’s?”

  Miranda rolls her eyes. “It’s on a totally different scale.”

  “Better than Molly, though?”

  She leans over and presses a kiss to my lips. “If you want it to be. Sure.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  Her eyes flash with mischief. “You know that’s not true.”

  “I really do. Let’s get upstairs before I pull you out of this car and throw you over my shoulder.”

  Miranda’s laughter is music to my ears. Why do I get the feeling that this work thing is heavy on her shoulders, and this is just what she needs?

  I grab my bag from the back and follow her out of the car toward the elevator.

  She presses the number four and for a moment, we stand in silence.

  “I’ve been looking forward to this,” I say as the number on the display climbs.

  “I’ve thought of nothing else all week.”

  When we get out, we walk down a corridor until she stops at a door. Sliding her key into the lock, she opens it, and I’m greeted by a spacious apartment. It’s a lot bigger than my humble abode.

  “Just drop your bag there and we’ll sort it out shortly. I want to show you around.” She already looks so much more relaxed than she did when we were in the office.

  “So, this is your place.” I place my bag on the floor.

  She beams. “It is.”

  A large ball of fluff sits on the sofa. It looks up at me with an expression of absolute disdain and meows.

  “What’s your name?” I address the cat.

  Miranda scoops the fluff ball into her arms. “This is Mr. Snuggles.”

  “Mr. Snuggles? No wonder he looks pissed.”

  She laughs. “He’s named Mr. Snuggles because he likes to snuggle.”

  “Oh, does he now?” I reach out, and the cat nuzzles my fingers. “Do I have some competition?”

  “His snuggles aren’t as good as yours. But don’t tell him that.”

  I chuckle, scratching the cat’s head. “He seems friendly.”

  “He’s very friendly.” Her eyes dart from side to side. “He sleeps on my bed at night.”

  “Is this you telling me that I don’t have a choice in the matter?”

  Miranda shrugs. “He’s an indoor cat. We’ve lived alone toge
ther for a while now.”

  “I’m not about to disrupt his life.”

  She puts him back down on the sofa and slides her arms around my waist. “You’re not here long enough to do that. But I guess that means that we have to make the most of it. Want to see the bedroom?”

  “Does a bear shit in the woods?” I dip my head and taste the lips I’ve dreamed about. Kissing Miranda is like coming home. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted.

  She lets out a sigh when we break apart.

  “This tour of the bedroom. Are you naked while conducting it? Because if not, I want a refund.” I grin.

  She nods. “That could be arranged.”

  “Good. I hope that Mr. Snuggles isn’t too easily shocked.”

  “He won’t care,” she whispers.

  Sensing the change in atmosphere, I kiss her again, more forcibly this time. I hold her tight against me, knowing that just having her in my arms, and smelling her skin is making me hard. To be fair, I only have to think of her to make that happen. Being with her is bliss.

  She takes my hand in hers and leads me through a door. The bedroom’s large, and the bed’s much bigger than the one she had at her parents’.

  “It’s a super-king like yours,” she says.

  “I love it.”

  “I knew you’d need more space than the double I had before.”

  I study her expression. “You bought this for me?”

  She licks her lips nervously. “I bought it for us. This is serious between us, and if we’re going to make it work, we both need to be comfortable, and at home at each other’s—”

  We’ve been at her house five minutes, and this is the third time I kiss her. And this time, it’s with all the love I have. So far, I’ve felt like she’s holding back because she’s scared, and because she’s not sure she can commit.

  Buying a new bed is a huge commitment.

  She tugs my shirt out of my jeans and I reluctantly break the kiss to let her take it over my head. With it out of the way, I pull her to me again, cupping her face and making that contact again.

  Her warm hands unbutton my jeans, pushing them down with my boxers.

  “How come I’m naked and you’re not?”

  “No time.” She shoves me onto the bed before unhooking her skirt and dropping it to the floor. I lie back as her panties follow suit.

  Opening her side drawer, she takes out a condom. I’m already getting hard at the sight of her half-naked, and the thought of her touching me.

  She grips my cock, and I’m all the way there.

  “Woah. What’s the rush?” I laugh as she rolls a condom down my cock and straddles my hips. “You’re still partly dressed.”

  “I need you.” She slides herself down my length, engulfing me with her heat. I groan at the sensation.

  “But I haven’t made you come yet. You know that’s my favorite thing to do.”

  “It’ll have to wait. I need you inside me.” She rocks her hips.

  “How’d you get so fucking wet without me?”

  Miranda leans over. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.”

  I reach for her shirt, unbuttoning it all the way down, and grinning at the sight of her front-clasping bra. It takes seconds to get her topless and those pretty little breasts in my hands.

  “I think I like you like this. Bossy Miranda.”

  She lets out a moan as she bucks her hips against me, pressing herself down hard.

  Pulling her to me, I flick my tongue over her nipples, one by one. If I can’t taste her pussy yet, these will have to do. They harden at my attention.

  I push her back up and slip my fingers between us, finding her clit. Her eyes flash with desire, and she presses her palms on my pecs as she throws her head back.

  “That’s so good.” She’s rocking harder and faster.

  “I love you, Miranda.”

  I’m not sure if she’s heard me for a moment, she seems so lost in sensation. I keep stroking her clit until her body tenses and mine tightens.

  “I’m going to come,” she cries. Her whole body shudders, and her hips slow.

  “I’m right behind you.” I groan when my orgasm hits me.

  “Jackson.” She says my name with so much affection, and I always want that from her. I never want to let her down or disappoint her. What I want is to take her home and cherish her.

  Miranda rolls to my side, panting. “That was incredible.”

  “Let me get rid of this condom, and we can catch our breath.”

  “There’s a bin beside the bed over there.”

  I climb out of bed, spot the bin, and gently remove the condom. Once it’s in the bin, I get under the blankets with her.

  “You know, one day we’re going to do that with no condom, and I’m going to find out what it’s like to be inside your sweet pussy with nothing between us when we’re not in the water.”

  She smiles. “Have I ever told you how much I love it when you talk dirty?”

  “I only do it for you.”

  When I roll onto my back and pull Miranda into my arms, My forearm’s nudged by a wet nose.

  “Miranda?”

  “Yes?” She presses a kiss to my chest and gazes at me with a look of complete and utter contentment.

  “I think your cat’s joined us.”

  She laughs, looking down the bed. Mr. Snuggles squeezes into the gap between us, his head resting on my arm.

  “He likes you.” She licks her lips. “I can move him to the spare room if you want.”

  “No, he’s fine. I just hope he doesn’t get in the way when we begin round two.”

  Her eyebrows rise. “Round two?”

  “You think when we’re only together for weekends that there’s not going to be a round two?”

  Laughing, she plants another kiss on my chest. “Oh, I’m expecting multiple rounds.”

  “With Mr. Snuggles interrupting, that’ll be interesting.”

  “He just wants to be close to me. Although, he seems to have taken a real liking to you.”

  I look at him. He lets out a loud purr and rubs my arm. “Are you the key to this lady’s heart, buddy?”

  Miranda reaches for my chin, tilting my face to look into her eyes. “You don’t need a key. I’m pretty sure you broke the door down.”

  “Only pretty sure?”

  She looks thoughtful. “Maybe ninety-nine-point-five percent sure?”

  “That’ll do.”

  Seventeen

  Jackson

  I don’t want to tell Miranda that I’m not a fan of the city.

  Nettle Downs has always been big enough for me. Here, everything moves so fast, and there’s traffic everywhere. It’s hard to focus as she drives me around and points out all her haunts.

  “You’ll like this.” She slows down for a red light and points out the window on my side of the car. “Did you see the movie Winchester?”

  I nod. “Is that the house?”

  “It sure is. Supposedly the most haunted house in America.”

  I turn to look at her. “Do you really believe that?”

  Miranda shrugs. “I’m not sure. I’ve always been too afraid to do the tour.”

  Grinning, I look back at the house. “It surprises me that you’re scared of anything.”

  “You’d be surprised.”

  The light goes green, and we set off again.

  I know she wants me to see the city she lives in, so I take it all in. It doesn’t help that my mind keeps wandering to thoughts of having to leave her again. Each time it’s a little harder to say goodbye.

  She doesn’t make it easy.

  I told her I loved her last night, and she didn’t respond. I’m so sure of our feelings for each other, but her not saying it back leaves me a little deflated. I thought we were at the same stage, but all I can do is give her time until she’s ready.

  After an afternoon of driving around, I just want to get home and strip her out of her clothes. And then I want to bury
myself in her and not emerge until I have to.

  I’m going to miss her like crazy when I go home.

  She disappears into the kitchen to feed the cat when we get back to her apartment, and I sit on the sofa. Tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be home and without her again. It doesn’t bear thinking about.

  I sigh at the sound of my phone ringing and slide it from my pocket.

  Amy.

  For a second, I debate whether I should answer or not, but it’s not like her to call me. She must have news on the property I was after.

  “Hello.”

  “Jackson, it’s Amy.”

  “Hey. What’s up?” At least she’s sounding professional and not all flirty. I can tell by her tone that it’s business she’s calling about.

  “I’m sorry, Jackson. I’ve tried to get some movement on that property, but the owner isn’t budging. It has a lot of sentimental value apparently. Maybe if we could make a higher offer.”

  My heart sinks. “I don’t have any more to offer.”

  “Then maybe we wait until you do have more. Or, I can lease it to you.”

  I sigh. My heart was set on buying the place. I’m used to doing my own thing without interference, and I don’t want to deal with a landlord.

  “I’ll have to think about it. I appreciate your efforts.”

  She laughs. “Maybe you can show me how much.”

  Here we go. “Sure. Free lunch with a drink at the bar. Whenever you want it.” I’m not in the mood for her games.

  “You’re a tough nut to crack, Jackson Booth. I’ll wear you down.”

  Miranda walks back into the room. At first, she smiles, but her brows knit as she looks at me. Am I that transparent?

  “I’ve got to go, but I’ll text Kayley and make sure she knows if you go into the bar, lunch is on me.”

  “You’re not there?”

  I look up at the ceiling. “No, I’m out of town for the weekend.”

  “See you next week, then.”

  “Bye.”

  I hang up, not caring if I’m abrupt. While I appreciate her help, I’m not going to drag this out any longer than I have to. Not when I have limited time with the woman I love, and her face is full of concern.

  “Everything okay?” Miranda asks. She sits beside me on the couch, and I open my arms to her. She leans her head against mine.