“Don’t you know by now that I’d live in a cardboard box, as long as it was with you?”
“A cardboard box, you say?” he asked with a wink in her direction.
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes, baby, I do. And that means more to me than anything you could have said.”
Chapter Thirteen
Jill and Jarrod had finally decided to cool their ardor at the office, at least temporarily. Jill wasn’t comfortable with it now that her sister was working at the office and she was afraid the other employees would catch on to what was going on during the hours she spent in his office.
He hadn’t put up the fuss she’d expected. In fact, he’d agreed to abstain during working hours. But after five o’clock, when the office was empty, he wasn’t making any promises.
“We can go home at five o’clock, you know,” she said when they discussed it at great length.
“We could, but I like taking you on my desk, in my chair, on my floor,” he teased with a gleam in his eye.
“Fiend,” she teased back.
“And you’re a fine one to talk, need I remind you?” he asked.
“Drop it,” she said.
“Consider it dropped. Anyway, before long, we’ll have several rooms to try out.”
She laughed. “Yes, we will. That’ll take a while.”
“And I’m going to enjoy each room to its fullest potential.”
Rolling her eyes, she came back with, “I’ll hold you to that, big boy.”
He looked down at his lap. “Hear that, big boy?”
“Get to work!” she teased.
“The woman’s cracking the whip. Something’s wrong with this picture. See you later, baby.” He grinned as he shooed her out of his office.
The reception loomed in the near future. Jarrod’s mother had spared no expense. She planned to hold the party at the country club and several hundred people had been invited. There would be more people to meet for both of them and Jill was becoming increasingly nervous about it.
She sensed that Jarrod was aware of the state of her nerves. She also knew he was waiting for the right moment, and then, once again, he would masterfully relieve her tension. He knew her so well. And she’d come to depend on that knowledge.
What had begun as a reinforcement of his admonishment for a lack of judgment he felt she’d shown, had blossomed into a much-needed release for both of them, usually followed by the two of them making the sweetest, hottest love either of them had ever known. Jill was thankful for the bond that formed between the two of them. She had wanted to be the woman he couldn’t live without, but in fact, he was the man she could never give up.
One afternoon, as she was busily working, he called her into his office.
“What’s up?” she asked as she walked in and sat down.
“Did you remember to call the movers?” he asked curtly.
“No, I haven’t had time. I thought you would do it,” she replied.
“I specifically asked you to do it.”
“And I forgot. I’m sorry.”
“So are you going to do it today?” he asked.
“Why can’t you do it?” she asked irritably.
“I asked you to take care of it. One simple, little thing, Jill, I’ve been a little bit busy with work.”
“Really?” she asked. “And what do you suppose it is I do in my office every day from nine-to-five? Give myself a mani-pedi?”
“Jill, stand up,” he said in a no-nonsense tone.
“No,” she said, as she glared at him across the desk.
“Jill, I’m not kidding around.”
She continued to pout.
“Jill, I said stand up. You can make this harder than it has to be or you can do as I ask. I’ve had enough of the sass and enough of the attitude. I know you’re stressed. I am, too. I’ll take care of that in the proper way and in the proper place but for now, stand up.”
Slowly, she stood. As he walked toward her, the anticipation was almost more than she could bear. He’d never attempted to punish her while she was standing. By the time he reached her, she was trembling.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” He reached around and pulled up her skirt. Applying five swats to her ass through her panties, he said, “You need to settle down. You’re working yourself into a frenzy between work, the damn reception, and the move. You know I don’t like to see you this way.”
“Are you going to call the movers?” she asked quietly.
His eyes met hers. “Is that what you want? Will that really mean so much to you?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“Fine, consider it done.” He walked back around his desk and sat down.
“Thank you,” she said as she turned to go.
“I told you I didn’t expect to win every argument,” he said as she put her hand on the doorknob.
“And that’s one of the reasons I love you so much. Now, I’m going back to my office. Tonight, we need to have a discussion, if you catch my drift.”
“Loud and clear,” he replied as he picked up the phone, grinning.
When five o’clock rolled around, he met her in her office. “How soon will you be ready to leave?” he asked.
“I’m ready when you are,” she said as she cleared her desk and turned off her computer.
“Let’s get the hell out of here, then.” She placed her hand in his as they walked together to the elevator.
As he pulled out of the parking garage, he asked, “Dinner out?”
“Whatever, I don’t mind cooking.”
“Well, I mind if you cook, so let’s go out. You need a break.”
After a leisurely dinner, he drove to the condo. She walked in ahead of him and headed to the bedroom. When he entered the room, she had stripped off her clothes and was putting on her short, satin robe. She caught her breath as he began to loosen his tie and walk toward her.
With another sharp intake of breath, her eyes met his. “Discussion?” she asked.
“I had planned to wait until the morning of the reception, but I think it’s time, right now.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she tilted her face up and kissed him. “I don’t want to fight.”
“Neither do I,” Jarrod replied as he removed her arms. “I don’t intend to fight with you.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, still dressed in his suit, his tie loosened in the sexy way that drove her mad. He held out his hand to her and she immediately went to him. He patted his lap and she complied. He was right. It was time.
As he caressed her butt cheeks, he said in a low voice. “I love you so much and it hurts to see you so stressed out.”
“I can’t help it. Things stress me out. That’s me. You know that,” she replied softly.
“I know. And this seems to be the best way to help you. You know I don’t ever mean to hurt you. If you ever want this to stop, say the word. That’s all you have to do. We can find another way to deal with your anxiety.”
“I don’t want you to stop,” she murmured.
He closed his eyes and continued caressing her back and her ass. “I’m going to spank you now, baby.” And he gave her a tap on each cheek. When she didn’t put up a fuss, he did it again, and again. Finally, after a fourth swat to each cheek, he turned her around and held her close. “I love you.”
She buried her face in his chest and curled up on his lap. “Jarrod, I don’t know what I’d ever do without you. You understand me, you love me, and you put up with me and my moods.”
“You’ll never have to worry about it, baby. I’ll never leave you.”
“I just want to fall asleep in your arms tonight.”
“Consider it done,” he said as he stripped to his boxers. She allowed him to lead her to the bed and together they curled up under the blankets, falling asleep in each other’s arms.
****
The rest of the week passed without incident and on the day of the reception, Jill was as cool as a cucumber.
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br /> Once again, she realized that Jarrod had known exactly what she needed and he had come through for her.
The day was pleasant from the get-go. They introduced each other to their extended families and to numerous friends. Members of the staff at the office had come to celebrate with them, the food was good, the music was good, and Jill was good. She could tell from the smile on his face when he glanced at her that her husband was a happy man.
Jill’s dad took Jarrod aside at one point in the afternoon. “I have to hand it to you, boy. I’ve never seen Jillie as relaxed as she is today. Whatever it is you’re doing, keep it up.”
Jarrod laughed. “I’ve learned exactly what it takes to calm your feisty daughter’s nerves.”
Mr. Lincoln glanced at his son-in-law. “I’ll not ask what that is, if you don’t mind.”
“Thank you, I’d appreciate that,” Jarrod replied as he took a sip of his drink.
“Now that you’re moving into the big house, should I expect to hear the pitter- patter of grandbabies’ feet in the near future?”
“I’ve left that decision entirely up to Jill. I’ve told her that when she’s ready, she only needs to say the word. Until then, we wait.”
“Smart man, you know when to take control and when to give it to your wife.”
“I’m learning.” Jarrod and his father-in-law shared a laugh.
Jarrod’s father joined them after that and the three men enjoyed a pleasant conversation.
As the day neared its end, Jill thanked both of their parents and for the beautiful reception.
“It was the least we could do for the two of you,” Jarrod’s mother gushed.
“I enjoyed it very much. We had fun putting it all together, didn’t we, Grace?” Jill’s mother asked.
“You two are on a first name basis, I see,” Jill said with a grin.
“Why yes, your mother and I hit it right off, honey.”
Jarrod joined them and said, “If you ladies don’t mind, I’m going to take my bride home now. The party seems to be dying down. She’s had a very busy week and another one ahead of her with the move.”
“You two go on, get out of here,” his mother said.
“Get some rest and I’ll be around next week if you need any help,” her mother added.
As they drove home, she laid her head back and relaxed.
He reached over and took her hand. “That went well.”
“It was perfect,” she replied as she smiled at him.
“Tired?” he asked.
“A little,” she said.
When they had arrived home and were snug in their bed, he rolled over and said, “Goodnight, baby.”
“Goodnight, baby?” she asked. “That’s it, we just had our wedding reception and you’re rolling over and saying goodnight. Are you trying to tell me the honeymoon’s over already?”
“I thought you were tired,” he said as he turned to look at her.
“Not that tired,” she teased as she kissed him.
“Well, all right then,” he said as he claimed her lips with his. He murmured against her ear, “Our honeymoon will never be over.”
Chapter Fourteen
The next week proved to be extremely hectic as they moved from the condo to the house. As Jarrod walked her from room to room encouraging her to add her own little touches, he could see it was finally beginning to feel like home to Jill. The two couples had decided what furniture would stay in the house and what furniture would stay in the condo. It really was the perfect solution for all of them to trade residences. Jarrod could tell that Jill was still in awe that she was going to live in such an exquisite home.
“Now you do whatever you want to the place, baby. Spare no expense. We’ll be living here a long time,” Jarrod said as he walked into the library and saw her looking around.
“I only need to make a few changes here and there. I love what your mother has done with the place, actually,” she said as she smiled at him.
“She hired a professional decorator, just like you, to do it. I can assure you, she only picked it out. Someone else did the work. Mom was a lady of leisure.”
“Your mom never worked?” Jill asked.
He laughed. “If you call her various charities work, then yes, I suppose she did. But Dad had a huge construction company, she didn’t need to.”
“Why did you start your own company instead of taking over his?” she asked.
“We discussed it. I knew what I wanted to do. Condo communities were the new thing. I could have done what I do with his company, but I wanted to make a name of my own. Dad wasn’t opposed to it. He sold his company, made a nice profit, and they’ve traveled the world in their retirement.”
“Wow,” she said in reply.
“Don’t worry about keeping the place up. Mom’s housekeeper, Jenni, is willing to stay on and work for us. She and her husband, Jake, the gardener, live in the little house behind us. Dad built it for them a few years ago. They used to have their own rooms in this house, but he wanted to do something nice for them on the tenth anniversary of their working here, so he built them a house.”
“I can’t get used to all this,” Jill said in wonder. “Your dad built a house for his housekeeper and his gardener. I’m just not used to gifts like that.”
“Get used to it, baby, it’s all yours now. The house, the grounds, all of it,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her on top of the head.
“No, it’s all ours now,” she corrected him.
As the weeks flew by, it was growing close to the holiday season. He smiled as he realized Jill was in her glory decorating the house. She really was good at her chosen profession. They were throwing a party for the staff and the plans were shaping up. She wasn’t a bundle of nerves as Jarrod had expected her to be. And the morning of the party, when he’d planned to treat her to a little maintenance reminder to calm her down, there was really no need to do so. He was feeling disappointment in that fact, as he’d missed the intimacy their agreed upon reminders had brought them. As he helped her move some furniture around, he grabbed her to steal a kiss.
“Jarrod!” she exclaimed. “We don’t have time for that.”
“May I remind you, Mrs. Baine, sass like that might land you across my knee?”
She looked at him and grinned. “You’d like that, I’m sure, but we don’t have time for that, either.”
As he stole another kiss anyway, he said, “Don’t you miss it?”
“I really have been much too preoccupied to even think about it, hon,” she said as she went on with what she was doing.
“Jill, look at me,” he commanded softly.
By the tone of his voice, he was telling her to heed his warning. Jarrod went on as she turned to look at him, “I’m glad you’re in control of the party planning. I really am. And I’m glad you’re not stressed, but I miss you, baby. I can’t have you being too busy for me.”
“And you pick this morning, of all times, to bring this to my attention?” she asked in an exasperated tone. “You’re really being insensitive here. You know that, don’t you?”
He pulled her into his arms. “Go upstairs with me for one hour, that’s all I ask. I’ll forego the maintenance spanking I had planned for you if you’ll agree to that.”
“Jarrod, really, you’re impossible.”
“I won’t have you turning into my mother, Jill.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I love your mother.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I love my mother, too, but she was always busy with her charities, and her parties. I agreed to your staying on at the office, I really don’t think I could find a better person for the job. And it wasn’t my decision, anyway. It’s your career. You’re an awesome decorator. But I don’t want the mother of my children becoming a social butterfly. It’s not happening, no way, no how.”
“For one thing, we have no children, yet. And I don’t consider throwing a staff Christmas party in our new home becoming a social butterfly. I
suppose if I want to have a family party, you’ll balk at that.”
“No, of course not,” he said as he ran his hand through the shock of black hair. “Am I being selfish?”
“A little, yes, but I love you, anyway. And if you’ll let me get finished here and get this party over with, I promise to spend the rest of the weekend in bed if it will make you happy.”
“Kiss me properly and I’ll agree,” he teased as he playfully smacked her ass.
“And you can do that properly later, too,” she said with a grin. She raised her face to his.
Cupping her chin with his hand, he tilted it upward as he lowered his face. As his lips met hers, he sighed. He devoured her mouth in a molten hot kiss that sent shivers down her spine. As her hands went around her neck, she was ready to tell him to take her upstairs when he released her.
“Jarrod,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes, baby?”
“On second thought,” she began.
“No, a deal’s a deal. I made a deal with you and I’m a man of my word. Tell me what needs to be done and I’ll help you get ready for this damn party.”
She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll make it up to you.”
“Oh, yes, you will,” he teased as he picked up a box of garland and carried it to the fireplace.
When the final preparations were finished, he saw her go upstairs to get ready for the party before their guests arrived. He followed her and as she was stepping into the shower, he was stripped and joined her before she had even turned on the water.
She looked at him with a startled expression and grinned. “This is a first in a long time. We haven’t done this since our honeymoon.”
“I figure it’s the only chance I’m going to have you all to myself until very late tonight.” He turned on the water, adjusting the heat, and leaned down to kiss her. As she melted into his arms, he grazed her chin and her neck with his lips before moving down to her protruding nipples.
As he took one of them into his mouth, she moaned. “Oh, my God, I’ve missed this more than I realized.”
“I tried to tell you,” he said as he bit gently.
She yelped. “Hey, be nice.”
Accepting His Terms Page 9
