by Mia Ford
“Ah, Belle!”
When I looked up again, she was wearing a warm smile.
“You’re a guest of Mr. Rhodes! Why didn’t you say so?”
I smiled tightly. Because he’s got me over a fucking barrel, I thought. And what? Am I supposed to tell you that technically, we’re related?
The concierge pressed a large brass key into my hand. “You’ll be staying in the penthouse,” she said kindly. “Mr. Rhodes requested nothing but the best.” She raised her eyebrows. “Are you his girlfriend?”
My jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
She blushed. “Never mind,” she said quickly. “I shouldn’t have asked. This way, please!”
It was hard to keep from gawking at the luxurious splendor all around me as the concierge led me from the lobby to the elevator to my room. Everything was splendid – there was more gold and marble together than I’d ever seen in my life. I couldn’t believe that it was real – that I was really there, in such a nice place.
“And here we are,” the concierge said lightly. She pushed open the door. “Just let me know if you need anything, okay?”
I nodded. Stepping into the apartment made me mute. It was the grandest place I’d ever seen. My shoes sank into the plush white carpeting and there were floor-to-ceiling windows with a beautiful view of the park. It made me feel small, almost agoraphobic. I stepped hastily back from the windows and looked around the rest of the apartment in similar awe.
It was all beautiful. The couches were upholstered in Italian silk and there was real art on the walls – all too gorgeous for me to even look at for more than a few seconds. The kitchen was stocked with artisanal food and wine, and I gasped when I realized the fridge was stocked with bottles of Dom Perignon.
“Wow,” I whispered softly. “This can’t all be for me. This is too much!”
The bedroom was the best yet. The large, king-sized bed was covered in a duvet of purple silk and the walls were draped with tapestries, also silk. The windows overlooked a beautiful meadow in Central Park, and even the closet was stocked with designer clothing, shoes, and handbags.
I figured that maybe this was Jackson’s apartment that he owned just for the sole purpose of having someplace to bring women.
The phone rang and I jumped at the sound.
“Hello, Miss Harrington?”
“Yes?”
“I have a message for you, from Mr. Rhodes,” the concierge said. “He’ll be there in half an hour. He requested that you be ready for him.”
I frowned and blushed. “What…what exactly does that mean?”
“I’m not sure, miss,” the concierge replied. “Would you like me to call him?”
My blush deepened to one of crimson red. “No! I mean, no, thank you.” I gritted my teeth. “And thanks for passing along the message.”
When I hung up the phone, my heart was slamming against the walls of my ribs. I couldn’t make it stop – I didn’t know what to do. What the hell did he mean, “ready”?
With a sigh, I walked into the bathroom. There was a silk gown with ostrich trip hanging on the back of the door, and I blushed when I saw it. The tub was huge – big enough for four people, at least – and even though I knew I didn’t have much time, I felt like taking a bath would relax me.
After soaking in the hot water for twenty minutes, I climbed out, dried off, and put the robe on. My heart was still thudding like a jackhammer, but at least it would be over soon. I looked at myself in the mirror, hating my unruly brown hair.
“Not much longer now,” I said softly to my reflection. “Everything’s going to be okay, just get it over with and then you can go home.”
The sound of the apartment door opening made me jump. With a shriek, I ran into the living room.
Jackson was standing there, looking hotter than I’d ever seen him. His blonde hair was swept perfectly off his forehead and his grey eyes were shining in the morning sun. He gazed at me – first, my face, then his eyes slid down my body, lingering on my exposed cleavage.
I shivered under his intense scrutiny. My stomach was tied into knots of nervous panic and my hands were shaking but I somehow managed to untie the knot in the silk belt of the robe. I let the robe drop noiselessly to the carpet below.
The room was cold. My nipples hardened into stiff little points and I shuddered as goose bumps broke out over my skin. The hair between my legs was still damp from the bath and I could smell the rose-scented body wash lingering on my skin.
Jackson licked his lips. The way he was looking at me was making me feel more naked than ever before. My pussy was tingling in anticipation as Jackson stepped closer.
I closed my eyes, suddenly fearing his touch. But when I felt something brush against my shoulders, I gasped. It wasn’t skin, but silk.
Jackson had put the robe back on me.
He smiled. “Not now, Belle,” Jackson said. “We’re going to take our time.” He raised his eyebrow. “I thought you would appreciate that.”
I blushed bright red as Jackson tied a clumsy knot at my waist. I was so confused! What the hell was his problem?
“Let’s watch a movie,” Jackson said. He slipped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “In here,” he added, pointing towards the bedroom.
The sight of the bed made my heart start going crazy once more. I couldn’t believe this – what the hell was going on? Did he want me or not? Was he trying to drag this out, to make it deliberately uncomfortable for me? Why couldn’t he have just fucked me in the back of a Town Car?
“Why are you doing this?” I asked in a quavering voice. “Why can’t you just, I don’t know, fuck me and get it over with?”
Jackson turned to me with an odd look on his face. “Belle, that’s not how I work,” he said. “I can tell you’re uncomfortable…I want you to be relaxed.” Jackson smirked and I swallowed hard. “So let’s relax, shall we?”
After queuing up a movie, Jackson disappeared into the kitchen. When he returned, he was carrying a bottle of Dom Perignon and two flutes.
“Refreshments,” Jackson added with a smirk. “Would you like some?”
I accepted and greedily drank half the flute, swallowing the expensive champagne before I had a chance to savor the taste.
“Slowly,” Jackson said. He raised his eyebrows. “This isn’t a two-for-one happy hour, Belle. We’re two adults, getting to know each other.” He put his hand on my knee and I felt the warmth from his skin soak through the thin silk. It was enough to set my heart racing once again.
For a few minutes, I tried to pay attention to the movie. But it was impossible with Jackson so near. With every breath, I could smell his delicious cologne. His hand on my knee was hot and heavy – his fingers squeezed at my skin under the robe and I had to actively work to keep from moaning.
Just being next to him was making me feel more turned on than I’d ever felt in my life. It was torture. His breath was sweet with champagne but scent radiating from his skin was masculine, sexy – dark. My breath was catching in my throat and my heart was pounding. Touch me, I thought, staring at Jackson’s elfin profile. Touch me. Pull me into your arms and make me yours. Make me forget everything, make me scream with lust.
Jackson turned to me with amusement on his face. “Yes?”
I licked my lips. I knew this was it. I could tell him what I was thinking – or I could just do it. The seconds passed like hours as I stared into his grey eyes. Do it, I told myself angrily. Just do it, now. Just do it and get it over with.
I closed my eyes, leaned forward, and kissed Jackson on the lips.
For a moment, the kiss was chaste. But then, after a few seconds, a delicious warmth began to spread through my limbs. Jackson’s body pressed against mine, his tongue slipped between my lips and caressed my own. As his hands gripped my shoulders and slid down my chest, I arched my back, hoping that he’d take my breasts in his hands and caress them.
Jackson’s touch was enough to send shivers and chills all the way through my body. He pu
lled my lower lip into his mouth and began to suck. I moaned softly and Jacked tangled his fingers in my brown hair, pushing my head close to his. As our tongues danced, he slid his hands down my body and grabbed my waist. Jackson pulled me onto his lap and I cried out as arousal spread through my body. My skin was so hot that it almost felt like I was burning as the kiss grew deeper with each passing second.
“God,” I moaned softly. “I want you, Jackson.”
Jackson shifted his weight underneath me. Through the silk robe and the material of his slacks, I could feel a huge bulge between his legs. My cheeks reddened when I realized that he had an erection, and that I was sitting on his cock. That’s not going to fit, I thought in anticipation as I felt Jackson’s cock twitch beneath my lap. He’s too big. He’s huge!
Jackson kissed me again, more deeply this time. I slipped my tongue in his mouth, exploring the hidden cavities and corners. He was such a good kisser that I could feel a wet spot growing between my legs, soaking the silk of the robe. I was barely aware of Jackson’s fingers sliding down my body, stroking my breasts through the silk. When his fingers rubbed over my stiff nipples, I cried out into his mouth and Jackson kissed me all the harder.
“Belle,” Jackson grunted huskily in my mouth. “God, you’re so sexy.” He kissed me savagely, until my lips felt flayed by his own. Our bodies moved together in a frantic rhythm of lust. I could feel the robe slipping off my shoulders and I twisted my body in a futile attempt to preserve my modesty. Jackson growled, ripping the material away from my body. As my breasts were once again exposed to the cold air, I threw my head back and moaned softly.
Jackson’s warm hands covered my breasts. He stroked the skin gently, making me shudder with arousal. When his fingers began gently pinching at my stiff nipples, pleasure that I’d never felt before swirled through my body. I arched my back, throwing myself against Jackson, wanting more.
“Jackson, please!” I begged. “Take me!”
Jackson pulled away slowly. He pulled the robe back over my naked body, then put his hands in his lap and gently pushed me off his muscular thighs. When he looked at me, his grey eyes were glittering with lust.
I frowned. “Wait,” I said. My voice came out as a breathy moan. “What’s going on? Why are you stopping?”
Jackson grinned, making my heart lurch to the side. “Because,” he said coyly. “I want you to beg for it.”
I stared at him. My heart was pounding faster than ever before in my chest and my pussy was soaking wet. I could feel my clit – hard as a little pebble – thumping between my thighs, desperately wanting to be touched. My lips felt chapped and raw from Jackson’s intense kissed, and I reached out as if to pull him closer.
“I want you,” I said softly.
Jackson climbed off the bed and grabbed his jacket. He winked at me. “That’s not good enough,” he said. He smirked, raising his eyebrows. My cheeks flushed bright red.
“What do you mean?” Protectively, I wrapped the robe tightly around my body. “What’s wrong?”
Jackson grinned. “I want to make you wait,” he said in a low voice that sent desire pulsing through my body once more. “I want to make you wait, Belle. And then, once you can’t wait any longer, I want to make you mine.”
I frowned. “So…you’re leaving? Now?” I shook my head. “Wasn’t that good enough for you?”
Jackson smirked as he slipped his jacket on over his shirt. “Like I said,” he said casually, taking his flute of champagne and draining the whole thing at once. “You’ll have to wait just a little bit longer.”
I stared at him, my heart slamming inside my chest. I was filled with so many strange emotions – lust, confusion, anger. Part of me wanted to slap Jackson across the smug face again – the other part of me wanted to grab him and pull him back down in bed once more.
“I want you to beg for my cock,” Jackson said slowly. He smirked at me. “And until you do that, I’m not going to fuck you.”
I watched him gather his things and leave. I was still seething with anger – and my pussy was throbbing so hard, I knew that I’d have a hard time not touching myself as soon as Jackson was gone. When he left, I wanted to grab something and throw it at the door in his wake. But all I could do was stare at my reflection in the mirror.
I didn’t look like me. My lips were swollen with kisses; my brown hair was wild. There was a dark look in my brown eyes that I’d never recognized before now – the look of a girl driven wild by lust.
Chapter Seven
I stood in the foyer, fidgeting nervously in my Vera Wang cocktail dress. It was five minutes past seven and Jackson was late. He was supposed to pick me up at quarter till, but that had come and passed and still, he wasn’t there.
When he finally arrived, I could tell he wasn’t in a good mood. Jackson put a hand on the small of my back and guided me into the Town Car. The sensation of his fingers against the silk of my dress were enough to turn me on, but I could tell Jackson wasn’t thinking about sex.
“Where are we going, anyway?”
Jackson shrugged. “Some work event.” He snickered. “I needed a date.”
I frowned. “And you wanted to take me?”
Jackson turned to me, his grey eyes wide. “Why, Bella. You’re my temporary assistant! Of course, I’d want to take you.”
I narrowed my eyes. “So you’re going to lie,” I said flatly. My bad mood was turning even worse with each passing second.
Jackson shrugged. “It won’t hurt anyone. Besides, I thought you’d be glad to get out.”
I was, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. The past week I’d spent cooped up in that apartment, getting an early start for next semester’s reading. Despite my luxurious surroundings, Jackson hadn’t provided any actual cash…and as a result, I couldn’t really afford to leave. Still, it hadn’t exactly been torture. I’d been subsisting on all of the delicious snacks in the fridge. The expensive caviar had been top-notch, as had the smoked salmon and artichoke hearts in some kind of delicious olive oil. I hadn’t eaten food like that since the last time I’d dined with Mom and Mitchell. Thinking about it brought back all kinds of bittersweet memories.
“Belle, we’re here,” Jackson said impatiently. I stared out the window – the Town Car had pulled up in front of the Waldorf Astoria.
I raised my eyebrows. “So just some work event?”
Jackson shrugged once more. “I told you, I don’t pay attention to these things.”
Inside, I practically sprained my neck from looking around so much. The inside of the hotel was decorated splendidly – ropes and garlands of shiny tinsel hung from the ceilings, and everything was a bright, shiny silver. The people were all gorgeous, too – those slender New York City types, all dressed in black with bright red lips and smoky eyes.
I tugged at the hem of my Vera Wang, feeling more self-conscious than ever.
“I don’t know about this,” I said slowly. “Are you sure?”
Jackson nodded impatiently. “Of course I’m sure,” he growled. “Why the hell would I bring you if I weren’t?”
I could tell something was bothering him the whole night. He wasn’t the way he’d been the other day – if anything, he was back to his old, snide self. Every remark that came out of his mouth was a sarcastic jab. Finally, I decided to abandon Jackson and stay by the cocktail table. At least this way I can drink, I thought miserably.
The night dragged on and on. Jackson flitted throughout the room, laughing too loudly. I cringed whenever I heard his booming voice sailing through the air. It was like he was trying too hard to impress someone, but I had no idea who Jackson would even bother trying to impress.
“Hey there,” an unfamiliar voice said. “You new here?”
I turned around to see a handsome guy leaning against the wall by the bar. He had a friendly smile, dark hair, and brown eyes. He wasn’t as gorgeous as Jackson, but he must have been rich – his tailored suit and shiny shoes spoke of wealth.
“I�
��m actually here with Jackson Rhodes,” I said. “He’s…um, my boss. I’m his temporary assistant.”
The guy threw his head back and laughed. He handed me a glass of champagne. “You’d better drink, then, I bet you need it,” he said. “I’m Dustin. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Belle,” I said. “Pleased.” I extended my fingers, expecting a handshake. Instead, Dustin lifted my fingers to his lips and kissed the back of my hand. A pleasurable shiver crawled down my spine, mingled with guilt. I should find Jackson, I thought. He’s probably not going to like this.
“Nice to meet you, Belle,” Dustin said. “That’s a pretty name.” When he dropped my hand, I rubbed it against my dress as if to rid myself of his kiss.
“Thanks.”
