Jason could see two pink spots of anger rising on her cheeks. “I would never do anything like that! You said you found out about Corporate Secrets? That I wrote it on company time.”
“Mmmm.” He was practically drooling over her curves. He couldn’t wait to see all of her again. “Yes, I knew all about Corporate Secrets. We’ll get to that later, believe me. But, that had nothing to do with the firing. I really thought you had betrayed me. I was devastated. Now, if you want to talk some more, take off your bra.”
She folded her hands across her chest and lifted her chin in defiance. “If you want me to take off my bra, then you take off your shirt.”
He had his shirt off in less than two seconds.
The quick flash of rebelliousness drained from her face as she drank him in. She was even smiling playfully as she unhooked her bra and tossed it aside. “So, you’re telling me that this was all just a big misunderstanding? Like one of those crazy misunderstandings you read in romance novels?”
“Really? This happens in your novels?” He couldn’t tear his eyes from her breasts.
Her hand slid down the front of her panties. “Well, not this. Not corporate espionage. That’s too crazy.”
His cock throbbed painfully in his pants. He checked his watch. He’d miscalculated – 15 minutes was much too long.
“How did you find out about Mr. Travers? I heard you were fired right after…” She didn’t finish her sentence.
“Your panties…” He wasn’t sure how long he could hold out.
She slipped out of her panties, and finally she was standing before him gloriously naked.
He owed her an explanation, but he could barely think straight. “I did get pushed out of the company. Travers and some of his allies on the Board planned the whole thing. They needed me out because Triton is orchestrating a hostile takeover of Kaine Industries. Someone tipped me off and I was able to confirm it.”
“Are you going to stop it from happening?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know if I could even if I wanted to. My first priority when I found out what happened was to win you back. That’s all I care about.”
She met his eyes. “And that’s what you’re doing now?”
“I hope so.”
She nodded. “There’s still a few minutes left before my time is up.” She very deliberately swirled a finger around her nipple and then let her hand slide down her stomach and in between her legs. Her head rolled back slightly and her lips parted softly on a sigh.
He groaned. “Do you know what you’re doing to me?”
She began circling her finger around her clit. “I see a bit of a clue in those weird pants you’re wearing.”
He could barely focus on their banter anymore. “I knew you’d get turned on by the pirate outfit.”
She looked him up and down. “I’m glad you ditched the eye patch, at least. And the pirate accent. Now, it’s time to ditch the pants.”
She didn’t have to ask twice. He pulled off the brown pirate breeches and his boxer briefs at the same time. “Are you done with the questions yet?”
“That’s not how any of this works.” She frowned. “You’re a pirate. You’re not supposed to ask. You’re just supposed to have your way with me.”
He crossed the space between them and pulled her tight against his body. “That’s not very politically correct.”
Her arms curled around his neck. “That’s the point.”
“Okay, I can work with that.”
That was the last bit of talking he allowed out of her for the rest of the night. He kept her breathless and moaning. He could never get enough. He was surprised she could keep up with him; he was insatiable.
She was curled up sleeping in his arms when he awoke in the morning. Judging from the sunlight streaming in from the windows, it was fairly late in the morning, maybe even close to noon. They hadn’t left the bearskin rug. Luckily, he realized it was faux, because it was likely he’d have to replace it after the night they’d just had. He smiled as he thought of all the orgasms he’d coaxed from her.
He stayed with her while she slept for a while, absurdly content. When his hungry belly started growling demandingly, he extracted himself, careful not to awaken her. He covered her with a light blanket he found resting over an armchair and then slipped into the brown breeches.
He headed into the kitchen and quietly began making a pot of coffee and whipping up a breakfast for them both. He was almost finished when Lilliana came padding into the kitchen. She looked adorable with her sleep-rumpled hair and wearing nothing but his white pirate shirt.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
She rubbed her eyes. “Did we even sleep? I’m not sure.”
He slid a cup of coffee across the counter to her. “We can nap later – if you like. We’ve got the whole weekend. Or even longer…I know you have work on Monday though.”
She sat at the barstool across the kitchen island from him while he scooped some scrambled eggs onto a plate for her. “Speaking of work, do you have a job?”
“No.” He added some breakfast sausages to her plate and then set it before her. “I’m at a crossroads. A few interesting options have turned up, but I haven’t made any decisions yet. I’m not going to end up in the poorhouse if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“What about Kaine Industries?”
“That’s not really my problem anymore.” He tried to keep the bitterness from creeping into his voice.
She picked up her fork and began eating, before causally asking, “So, you’re going to let the takeover happen?”
“What can I do?” He shrugged. “I was forced out of there. I’ve got no power to stop it.”
She looked up from her plate, a challenge burning in her eyes. “That’s not what you said last night. Last night, you said you might not be able to stop it. But you could try. If you wanted to.”
“There are a few things I could do.” He refilled his coffee mug. “If Kaine gets taken over by Triton, it will essentially cease to exist. That’s a tough pill for me to swallow after all the blood and sweat I put into it. And a lot of people I care about would get hurt. My guess is that they’d plunder Kaine’s assets and streamline redundancies, so Kaine’s workforce would be completely gutted. And Travers will profit immensely from his part in it. None of it sits well with me.”
“From what you told me last night, Travers played dirty to get rid of you. Are you going to let him win?”
She was a fighter and he loved that about her, but the issue was complex. And time was running out. Triton had systematically weakened his company, discredited and removed him as it’s leader and then inserted its own Trojan Horse as head to facilitate its demise.
“I might be able to fight off a takeover if I could consolidate the shareholder’s power. It would take a lot of persuasion. Even with indisputable evidence of Travers’ treachery staring them in the face, most of them would be fearful of rocking the boat. Maybe they’d hope that if they remained loyal to him, it’d preserve their jobs in the event of a takeover. A lot of their so-called principles go right out the window when their livelihood is threatened.”
“You are very persuasive.” She gave him a sweet dimpled smile. “I have no doubt that you could do it. When you want something, you are a force to be reckoned with.”
He put down his mug. “It would take all of my time. And, all of my capital. It would be going ‘all in’ - like putting all your chips on one number at the casino. It would be a huge financial gamble. If I lost, I’d lose it all. If I just walk away right now, I’d keep all my chips – and those chips would keep me financially set for life. We’re talking millions, Lilliana.”
She set her chin. Her eyes were steely in their resolve. “It’s your company. I think you should fight for it. The millions don’t matter to me.
He was surprised that his jaded heart believed her. Coming from any other woman, he’d have his doubts, but from Lilliana – he was sure. She didn
’t care about the money.
“It would be a tough fight. I don’t know who’s in my corner.” He pursed his lips as he thought about it.
“I’m in your corner.”
Her quiet declaration flooded him with strength. He circled the kitchen island and wrapped his arms around her.
“That’s all I need.”
Chapter 27
“Is this really happening?” My head was contentedly resting against Jason’s chest as I relaxed in his lap, both of us submerged in the warm soapy water of the huge bathtub.
He chuckled. “I’ve had a few days to figure it all out while I planned my pirate persuasion campaign – you haven’t. Speaking of my plan – you were pretty easy to persuade.”
“You had me at Arrgh.” My accent was just as terrible as his. “Well, you had me as soon as I figured out you weren’t a crazy serial killer. I can’t believe Becca was in on this. Wait until she hears what happened! She won’t believe it.”
A soapy hand slid over my breast. “Oh, she’ll believe it. I made it crystal clear how determined I was to get you back. And I threatened her mightily into not spilling the beans.”
“So. Just to be clear, you and I… Are we really together?” My back was to him, so thankfully he couldn’t see just how much I needed that reassurance.
“We are together. And nothing is going to tear us apart again. I promise you.” His answer was adamant and forceful.
Months of heartache and despair erased just like that. Could it really be? Was it possible that I was going to get my perfect happy ending? Did I dare even think that it could be true? “Pinch me, so that I know I’m not dreaming.”
He tweaked my nipple. “You’re not dreaming.”
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his hands gliding all over my chest, hoping that they’d soon slip down between my legs and turn the throb of need that I felt building into a frenzy of desire.
Instead they stopped their delicious teasing. After a few minutes of inaction, I squirmed a little against him. “Jason? Are you asleep back there?”
“No. I was just thinking.” He was silent for a moment and then continued, “sit up. I need to get out and get something.”
“What?” I didn’t want him to leave. “What do you have to get?”
He started getting out of the tub. “Ummm…champagne. So we can toast to our future.”
I tried to grab his arm to keep him from leaving. “No. Stay. We can toast later.”
“I’ll be right back.” He stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist before leaving the bathroom.
I added some more hot water to the tub while I waited for him to return. I wasn’t ready to let my soapy fantasies of wild sex in the tub go down the drain while he searched for champagne.
He had a flute of champagne in each hand when he returned. Instead of getting back in the tub, he knelt by its side.
I frowned. “Aren’t you coming back in?”
His answer was the last thing I expected. “I love you.”
I sucked in a breath. “Jason!”
“I love you,” he repeated. “I have for a long time, but I only figured it all out in Miami.
My heart was pounding hard in my chest. “I love you, too. I’ve known it all along.”
His smile was blinding. “I love you. And I know what I want. I have no doubts. I know its crazy and you don’t have to accept right away.”
He handed me the champagne glass and I saw it right away, a diamond ring sitting in the bubbling liquid.
Pinch me.
“I want you to marry me. There’s no pressure. You don’t have to answer right away-”
“Yes.”
He kept babbling. “I bought this ring to remind me what was at stake when I realized I had to win you back. That I had to convince you to forgive me. I didn’t plan on proposing to you now. I know it’s too early. I know our-”
“Yes,” I said it louder this time.
“relationship is still new. I’m just so eager to start our life together-”
I swigged the champagne down in one gulp and then shoved the glass back into his hand. “Put the ring on my finger! I said, YES.”
He looked dazed. “Are you sure?”
My hand was shaking, but I’d never been more sure of anything in my life. “Positive. I love you. I want to be your wife.”
He poured the ring out of the glass and then slipped it onto my finger. We both stared at it in shock.
“God, I want you as my wife.” He laughed at himself. “I want to make love to you every night and sleep with you in my arms. We can travel. Anywhere you want. I’ll buy a yacht. You name it – I’ll give it to you.”
His exuberance was contagious. “Can I quit my horrible job?”
“Definitely. You don’t have to work if you choose. You can stay at home with the baby.”
“Baby?” My eyebrows shot up. “I was an only child and I was lonely. Did I mention that I want lots of kids?”
“Fine, then we’ll have tons.”
I couldn’t believe that I was sitting in a bathtub, bantering with Jason Kaine about having his children. “But, what if I find out that I’m not able to have children?”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Then we’ll adopt.”
“What if we can’t adopt for some reason?”
Jason placed the champagne glasses on the ground. “Then we’ll have lots of fur babies.”
“Dogs or cats?” I asked.
“Why not both?”
I giggled. “Can we have lots of kids, adopt a few more and have dogs, cats and maybe a pony? And a yacht?”
“It sounds amazing.” Jason patted the edge of the tub. Hop on my back. There’s a really comfortable king-sized bed here that we should check out. We can practice the baby-making part.”
“Practice makes perfect.” I clung to his back as he brought me into the master bedroom. “I’m soaking wet!” I protested when he placed me on the bed.
“Perfect.”
Within moments, he had ripped off the towel around his waist and joined me on the bed. “I seem to recall a certain scene, hmmm, chapter seven I think it was-”
“Oh God,” I groaned. “I forgot you read that.”
“I read it, Lilliana. It drove me absolutely wild. And I want to do every last one of those things you wrote about.”
My face flamed red. “It’s embarrassing having all my fantasies laid bare. I can’t imagine what you must have thought of me?”
Jason smirked. “Every time I looked at you I was imaging this. Sex. It was torture. Now, I’m going to have a hell of an amazing time making all your fantasies come true.”
His hands were already sweeping over my body as his lips captured my own. It was impossible to have any more rational thoughts. His kiss was like a drug pulling me under and fogging my brain with bliss.
Jason pulled back from the intoxicating kiss. “If I recall correctly, this scene requires a blindfold, a necktie and a feather.”
My stomach clenched with arousal. The kinky scene from Corporate Secrets was definitely one of my favorites. “You have a good memory.”
“Well, I’ve read it at least a hundred times. After all, I’m your number one fan.”
“You are not.” I slapped him playfully and then realization washed over me. “No! Tell me you’re not… Jane? Oh My God!”
I caught a glimpse of Jason’s cocky smile before he was kissing me mindless again.
Chapter 28
It seemed that happy endings did exist in real life. It was over a year since Jason had proposed to me and after what seemed like an eternity, I was finally slipping into my wedding gown for the big day. I had asked Becca to be my maid of honor and Rina, my cousin Beth and a few friends from high school and college all agreed to be bridesmaids. They were all in various states of readiness themselves, but were focused on helping me get ready.
A lot of change had occurred over the last year, the biggest of which was that Jason had successfully sto
pped the takeover of Kaine Industries by Triton. It had taken tremendous time and resources from him, to the point that I almost regretted it, so there was no one happier when he finally prevailed.
Jason was back as CEO of the company and William Travers and most of his loyal cronies were weeded out. There was a complicated legal case transpiring against Triton and Jason thought they’d eventually settle to avoid more serious consequences.
I was back at Kaine Industries, too. I was working in the PR department, making less money than I used to, but learning a whole new skill set. About once a week, Jason made the hard sell to me to come back to my old job as Administrative Assistant. No one he seemed to hire lasted in the job more than a few months. He was never satisfied with their performance, so he desperately wanted me back.
He knew how to be very persuasive, but I held strong. We had agreed when I came back to Kaine Industries that it would be better if we stayed strictly apart at work even though our relationship was no longer a secret. Once we hit the parking lot, though, all bets were off. There had been countless times when our passions had erupted in the parking lot and more than a few lunches that had run a little late.
Even though I held firm to our agreement and stayed distant at work, I didn’t argue when he asked me to move in with him shortly after our engagement. I never wanted to spend a night without him anymore. Spending all day in same building and not seeing him was already torture enough. Living together had been a fairly seamless transition. Now, I was anxious to get married, because I couldn’t wait to start a family with him.
Rina smoothed down my dress and I studied my reflection in the mirror. I didn’t really notice the fabulous dress, the glamorous hairdo or the stunning makeup. That was all on the periphery of what I saw. What I could see clearly was that I was insanely happy. It was shining through from the inside out.
Rina stood beside me and squeezed my hand. “You look so beautiful, darling!” She swiped a tear at her eye. “I’m so happy for the two of you.”
I wagged my finger at her. “No crying! Don’t get me started. I can’t believe this day is finally here.”
Impossible (to Resist) Boss: Billionaire Romance Page 19
