They spread their towels over the lounge chairs lined with comfortable cushions and moved them closer to one another. The glistening ocean was quiet, it accurately represented both of their emotions as they lay next to one another. The weather was hot, sunny, not a cloud in the sky and the humidity was relatively low. Berkleigh seductively lathered sunscreen on her flat stomach, lean legs and slender shoulders. Jack watched appreciatively.
It did not take long for Berkleigh to doze off. Jack took the opportunity to observe just how peaceful she seemed to look, a huge difference than how she looked after the ‘Stan incident’. His conscious began to chastise him again, how could I get in so deep with her this quickly? Maybe I should tell her the truth, perhaps she will be understanding. He knew he couldn’t say anything. Then again, I cannot compromise the reason I’m here, so everything just needs to remain as is. He stared out into the deep, blue ocean and reflected on the last few days. They certainly had been incredible and Berkleigh seemed serious about coming out to Virginia to visit him. He smiled as he envisioned what that visit would entail.
After a half an hour or so, Berkleigh began to stir and stretch. She glanced at Jack and murmured softly, “Hi, I guess I dozed off.”
“It was a late night and early morning,” smiling as to why it was a late night, “are you hungry? I could go for a burger or something.”
“How do you keep your nicely toned abs with the kind of food you eat and all of the beer and wine you consume?” she teased.
“Hey, I had cardio last night and at the waterfall today,” he seductively reminded her.
“Mmm, that is true! C’mon, let’s go grab something to eat!” she teased.
They grabbed their belongings and started toward the pool that had a small restaurant service area. They both ordered burgers, fries and beers and found lounge chairs near the pool.
“Hey Berkleigh,” shouted Ken Rogers, one of her clients, as he approached them. “Where have you been the last couple of days, I’d thought I’d see you hanging around the pool a little more.”
She stole a glance at Jack and smiled, “Actually, I golfed and did some sight-seeing, I even swam in the extraordinary Waimoku Falls, it was…uhh,” she blushed, “exhilarating, an amazing experience that you could not even imagine.”
Jack smiled but it went unnoticed by Ken.
“Good for you,” Ken replied genuinely, “I wish I would’ve taken advantage of the free time sightseeing more than I did, but I enjoyed just relaxing these last couple of days before returning to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”
“I understand,” Berkleigh said, “It was good seeing you, be sure we get a chance to talk tomorrow at the conference.” She meant that, too. Ken Rogers was one of only a few guys who did not fawn all over her or make her feel uncomfortable. In fact, Ken’s daughter was getting married about four weeks out and Berkleigh was honored to have been invited.
Ken finally acknowledged Jack, shook his hand and said, “Hey Jack! How’s it going Buddy? Are you or John coming into the bank anytime soon? It’s been a couple of months.”
“Hi Ken, doing well, thanks. I believe we plan on coming into town soon. Once I get back and settled from this conference, I will call you and set up dinner with you and Brad,” he replied. Brad was Ken’s right hand man.
“Perfect! See you guys around,” Ken took off toward his hotel room.
“I didn’t know you and Ken know each other,” Berkleigh commented.
“Yeah, funny story. They are old family friends. We lived near them growing up, I was friends with his daughter, Emily, until they moved away the summer between 7th and 8th grade. Then when I got this consulting job he was one of my first clients that I acquired when I came on. He’s a good guy,” Jack responded.
“Yes, he is. I met Emily several years back at a conference and have been friends since. What a small world.”
Berkleigh and Jack got settled into their lounge chairs near the Caribbean-blue pool and waited for their lunch to be delivered pool-side.
“I can’t believe we have to leave this beautiful place tomorrow,” Berkleigh said out loud.
“I know,” he grabbed her hand, “I’ve had a fun time with you.” He thought for a moment, “What do you think about us taking a look at flights and booking your visit out to Virginia later tonight?”
She smiled, growing more comfortable at the opportunity to see Jack again after the conference ended, “Sounds like a plan.”
“Your flight is on me,” he smiled.
“You know I have a pretty decent paying job, I can afford a plane ticket,” she joked, a little uncomfortable about his generosity. No man had ever treated her so well.
“I know. I want to pay for your ticket to show you that I really want you to come stay with me,” he smiled sweetly again.
“That’s very nice of you Jack, thank you.”
He did not want tomorrow to be the end for them, so he was going to ensure her flight was confirmed before the end of the day. Additionally, he had not yet accomplished his assigned task by his boss and was confident it wasn’t going to be completed in the short time he had left in Maui.
The server brought their lunch and beers, so Jack released Berkleigh’s hand and signed for the bill, charging it to his room. Berkleigh let out a sigh, acting exasperated, “Once again, thank you for lunch, Jack.”
“My pleasure,” he smiled and took a bite of his burger, “I know it’s only lunch time, but what do you want to do for dinner?” he asked presumptuously.
“What makes you think I don’t have plans?” she teased having already assumed they would enjoy dinner together.
“I know a great place; can I make reservations for around eight tonight?” he inquired.
“Sure!” she said agreeably.
They enjoyed their lunch and cold beer as they watched kids splash around the pool. Berkleigh loved to people watch.
Jack’s phone rang, he looked at it, decided he should answer it, so he politely excused himself.
“This is Jack,” he said as he walked away.
“How’s my favorite womanizer?” John Stevenson’s voice joked on the other end.
“Funny, boss. You know I’m not like that,” Jack responded, he hated that term. He was blessed with good looks and charm, but he did not use women. “Glad to hear that you sound like you are in a better mood, though.”
“I am,” he replied, “we have had some progress on our end regarding Titan Global Systems. I don’t want to discuss on an unsecure line but keep moving forward on your end. Take those boys out to dinner,” John insisted.
“Okay, you’re the boss. Shoot me a secure email. I’d like to hear what you’ve got.”
“Will do,” John stated and hung up.
Jack looked guiltily toward Berkleigh’s direction. She looked his way and saw the conflicted look on his face. Something is going on. I know I am not just being paranoid, she thought.
“Everything okay?”
“Yep! Nothing major, just my boss is really pressuring me to take those three guys you met the other night out to dinner tonight.”
Berkleigh frowned trying to remember.
“You know, the guys that were all from international banks?”
“Ah yes, I do remember. It’s okay if you must entertain tonight, I can find something to do on my own. We are here to work, after all,” she reminded him politely.
“Actually, I was hoping you would be willing to join us,” he asked expectantly.
“Well, if you think they won’t mind. I guess that would be good, too, since they are clients of our international division.”
“Good point!” Jack acted as though he hadn’t thought about that added benefit, though secretly he had planned all along for the international boys and Berkleigh to join him for dinner. “Give me a second to shoot them an invite for tonight.” He punched away at his iPhone as he composed an email to them.
The rest of the afternoon consisted of fun flirting and relaxation be
tween the two. Around 5:00 pm, Jack started to gather his belongings and suggested they head up to his room to get cleaned up.
Berkleigh stood and collected her items; she raised an eyebrow to his suggestion, “Your room to clean up? Both of us?”
“Yes,” he moved so their bodies were touching, and whispered in her ear, “I want to shower with you and lather up every part of your body.”
“Hmmm, that sounds enticing,” she leaned up and kissed him, not caring if anyone happened to witness the public display of affection. She loved the idea of his hands exploring every part of her body, once again.
Berkleigh grabbed a change of clothes and her hair products from her room and joined Jack in his room.
10
Jack had already started the shower, so the bathroom and mirrors had steamed up as he seductively dropped his swimsuit while Berkleigh watched, with pure desire in her eyes.
He certainly has nothing to be modest about. The man is well-endowed even when soft. His body is so amazing, he’s got to be the sexiest man alive.
Jack thoroughly appreciated the lustful look that Berkleigh had in her eyes. Loving the fact that they had the same effect on one another.
“May I?” Jack asked politely as he gestured to her bikini.
“I’m all yours,” she whispered huskily.
He turned her around, so she faced the mirror. He untied her bikini top and slowly removed it. He kissed her neck and held her lean, tan stomach with his sexy, large hands and said, “You sure about that? You’re all mine?”
She responded to his gentle kisses, the scruff on his face tickled which caused her nipples to harden as she moaned out loud, “I’m very sure about that.”
Jack then untied both sides of her skimpy bikini bottom and let it fall to the floor, she could feel him hardening as he poked her backside.
“I hope you stay mine,” he said then led her to the shower.
As he lathered her hair and massaged her scalp, Berkleigh groaned approvingly. He soaped up a washcloth and softly washed her chest and tight stomach. Turning her around to clean her back, he allowed the washcloth to explore her backside, stimulating her with his hand.
He reached around her waist and began to gently rub her clit, while she braced herself against the shower wall with her back arched. His hard erection rubbed between her legs, threatening to enter her at any time, given how slippery she was.
She felt weak in the knees as his muscular body consumed hers between him and the shower wall. As the water rinsed all the soap off Berkleigh’s body, Jack bent her over ever-so-slightly and spread her legs further.
He entered her easily and fit perfectly inside of her. She let out a cry of pure pleasure.
His soft, warm hands held her hips as he slid in and out of her, going deeper with every thrust. As minutes passed, he grunted, confirming that his own needs were being fulfilled right alongside of her, except she had the pleasure of experiencing multiple orgasms.
After his own release, he embraced her and explored her neck, leaving a trail of kisses until he found her mouth. His tongue explored her mouth in a way that he had never kissed a woman before.
Jack’s emotions were raw, and he knew what was happening between them, recollecting the surprising relief he felt when Berkleigh declared that she was “all his”. He was already falling for her, fast and deep. Berkleigh noticed the heartfelt kiss that seemed to come from deep within Jack and responded in-kind. She was crazy about him.
Jack looked at Berkleigh and said, “And I’m all yours,” concluding their conversation that started prior to their shower together.
He gently kissed her a few more times, all she could whisper was, “that was incredible.”
Though the warm water coupled with his embrace felt amazing, Berkleigh did not want to turn into a wrinkled prune so she exited the shower as Jack washed his hair and body.
Jack watched appreciatively as Berkleigh dried off and applied lotion all over her slender, beautiful body.
Berkleigh was getting dresses as Jack emerged from the bathroom.
“So, I was thinking that we could get ready and go to the restaurant early to have a couple of cocktails before the others join us,” he looked especially hot wearing just boxers with his hair a little messy.
“Yes, that’s a great idea,” she approached him and kissed his lips softly. “I’m going to go next door and finish getting ready.”
“You look beautiful the way you are.”
“You’re too sweet, but if I don’t put gel in my hair, blow dry and style it, it will be hopeless, I assure you. Once it air dries I cannot promise how it will look.”
“Come back when you’re done. I’ll miss you,” he said sweetly.
“Aww, just when I think you can’t get any sweeter, you do. I’ll miss you, too. I’ll be back.” She exited her room with a glow on her face.
11
Jack opened his computer, logged into a secure intranet site and checked email, looking specifically for the one from his boss regarding Berkleigh’s company, Titan Global Systems.
From: John Stevenson
Sent: Wednesday March 12, 2014 6:32 PM (EST)
To: Jack Ashford
Subject: TGS
Jack,
I’m not going to go into detail, but everything is set on our end for you to do consulting for TGS upon your return. Does your lady friend seem to know anything about the international side of things? Let me know how dinner goes.
Regards,
JS
From: Jack Ashford
Sent: Thursday March 13, 2014 12:03 AM (EST)
To: John Stevenson
Subject: Re: TGS
John,
It doesn’t seem like she has any knowledge regarding the international division. Glad to hear my consulting job is good to go when I return.
John~ I genuinely like her…a lot. I don’t think she’s aware of anything TGS related, if you catch my drift. She’s coming to stay with me for a few days or so once we leave paradise. I don’t think I will be able to get the info we’re looking for before her visit.
I’ll touch base with you tomorrow. Assuming dinner goes well, I anticipate eating dessert off my, as you call her ‘lady friend’s’, tight, tanned stomach.
Have I ever told you how much I love the benefits of my job? This perk is by far the best. You have got to stop working late, too, my friend. Maybe you need to find yourself a ‘lady friend.’
Take Care,
Jack
Jack was careful to log out of the intranet and shut down his computer. A few minutes later there was a knock at his door.
“Hey you, wow, you look beautiful,” he smiled as he opened the door wider, so she could enter his room. Berkleigh chose to wear a strapless, knee-length white dress accented with large black flowers appropriate for a dinner in Hawaii. Her long, blonde hair was straightened and left down, the color contrasted against her tanned, lean shoulders.
“Thank you, I see you are still in your boxers, did you change your mind?”
“No, I was responding to emails, it will only take me a few minutes to get ready,” and with that he went into the bathroom, put wax in his hair, styled it and returned to get dressed. He chose a navy-blue Armani suit, solid white, French cuff with onyx cuff links and a baby blue Talbot tie. He finished getting ready by spraying himself with his amazing cologne.
“It’s official, you look great in everything… and nothing,” she flirted underneath her long, curled eyelashes. His scent had a way of awakening her desire without any effort.
“I’m hoping we will be wearing nothing later tonight. Well, I did have a fantasy of licking chocolate off you,” he teased, “but still-that would count as wearing nothing, right?”
“I still don’t know how you keep your hot physique.”
“I told you,” he leaned down and kissed her, “I work it off. In this case…by getting you off,” he smiled naughtily. She flushed at his comment and felt heat rise between her legs.
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“Keep it up and we’ll be skipping dinner. We will just go straight to dessert.”
“Don’t tempt me, Berk,” he teased, “my boss will kill me if dinner does not happen though.” He caressed her hand, then lifted it to his lips and sweetly kissed it, “Ready to head out?”
“Let’s go, my handsome man.”
Jack, once again, pushed Berkleigh up against the elevator wall and kissed her similarly to the way he did in the shower.
“I can’t get enough of you,” he whispered.
“God, Jack, how am I supposed to function in a professional environment after that?” she inquired.
“Okay, I will try to behave myself,” he pouted a little. Berkleigh nudged him and laughed.
He wrapped his arm around her as they exited the elevator. Any observer would’ve thought this was a long-time couple as they seemed so comfortable together.
◆◆◆
The Lincoln Town car that Jack had arranged for them was waiting outside of the hotel lobby. They arrived at the Maalaea Waterfront Restaurant around 7:00 pm so they had about an hour before the “Internationals” were set to arrive.
Jack paid the driver, “You’re heading back to pick up my other guests, now, correct?”
“Yes, sir, I will have them here at 8:00.”
“Good. You have two cars arranged to pick us all up from here at 10:30 tonight?” Jack asked.
“That is correct,” the driver confirmed.
“Great, thanks my friend,” Jack shook his hand and the driver got back into the car and sped away.
The restaurant’s atmosphere was very romantic. The table Jack had reserved for their party was ready, so the hostess led them to it. It boasted unobstructed views of the ocean and the beautiful orange glow of the sun set.
“Breathtaking!” Berkleigh said quietly.
“I know, I wish it was just me and you tonight.”
The server came by and offered Jack the wine list, but he rejected it and said, “Please bring us your most expensive European bottle.”
“Right away, sir,” the waiter responded.
You and Only You Page 8
