by Mia Ford
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 pulled 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.
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.”
“So, how long have you worked for Jackson?”
I frowned. Just as Dustin spoke Jackson’s name, I spotted him across the room. Jackson was talking to a group of women – they were all laughing, like he’d said something hysterical. Jackson turned and I watched his eyes search the room. When he found me and Dustin, his gaze hardened.
I frowned. “Why?”
Dustin shrugged. “Oh, just wondering,” he said. As he talked, I kept glancing over at Jackson. He’d stared angrily at Dustin for a minute, then turned away. My heart dropped in my chest as I watched Jackson reach over to one of the women and pull her close, kissing her on the lips.
“Oh!” I cried out. “Oh my god!”
Dustin frowned. “What’s going on?”
Tears welled up in my eyes. I can’t believe it, I thought. He brought me here just to flirt with other women in front of me! He brought me here to make me think that I’m nothing special!
I shook my head and broke into a run. Running across the marble floor of the Waldorf Astoria wasn’t easy, but I somehow made it. Tears blinded my vision and I started sniffling and gasping for air before I’d even reached the doors. I hate Jackson Rhodes, I thought angrily as I ran. I hate him so much! I wish he were dead!
Stumbling over my own feet, I almost fell right on my face but I managed to grab the door and jerk myself to my feet. Outside, the cold air assaulted me through my thin dress but I didn’t care. I knew that I had to get back to the apartment, get my stuff, and go home.
This whole plan had been stupid – it had been a ridiculous idea! Why the hell had I fallen for something like that? Why the hell had I listened to Jackson?
A sharp hand on my elbow made me whirl around.
“Belle!” Jackson yelled. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“I hate you!” I screamed. “I hate you so much!”
Jackson was staring at me with his lips open. His grey eyes clung to my body and I shivered under his gaze.
“Why did you run away, Belle?” Jackson crossed his arms over his chest. “Just tell me why, and I’ll let you go.”
I bit my lip. “I was jealous,” I said through sobs. “You only brought me there to make me miserable! You brought me there to show off in front of me with other women!”
Jackson pulled me close and crushed me savagely against his chest before I could move. I tried to push myself away from his body but he was stronger. For a moment, we tussled on the street. The wind whipped around us, obscuring my vision as strands of hair covered my eyes.
When I felt Jackson’s lips against my own, I couldn’t help but melt.
“Come on,” Jackson growled in my ear. “I’m taking you home.”
--
As soon as we entered the apartment, Jackson scooped me up in his arms and carried me down the hall. He dropped me on the edge of the bed and then stood back, his grey eyes boring intense holes into my face.
“Come to me,” Jackson growled. Nervously, I scooted down to the edge of the bed and got onto my hands and knees, moving slowly towards him. His shirt looked so crisp and white in the candlelight, like he was a dream, or some kind of vision. This is too perfect to be a dream, I thought as I stroked my hands down the crisp cotton. As I began to fumble with his shirt, I looked into Jackson’s intense grey eyes. His expression was calm, serious, but I could see the fire there as I pulled the fabric away from his body and laid it on the side of the bed. With a growl, Jackson pushed his shirt onto the floor. He laid a hand at the center of my chest and pushed me backwards on the bed, then crawled on top of me. His skin felt like hot silk pressed against my body. His muscular arms cradled me, making me feel safe and protected. As our lips met, particles of light flew between our bodies. I could see them floating around us like electric sparks and particles in the air. Moaning softly, I arched my back and buried my head in the pillows.
Jackson slipped a hand under my back and eagerly pulled my body to his. His other hand trailed on my bare thighs, pulling the hem of my dress up to my waist. I didn’t even think about pushing him away. It felt completely natural, completely right to be practically naked under this perfect vision of a man. Jackson nudged my head up and planted a scorching line of kisses down my neck as he slid down my body. He nipped at the delicate skin around my collarbone and I cried out with pleasure as his hands slid under the tight fabric of my dress, pushing it up to my neck.
“Belle, I’m going to take your dress off now,” Jackson growled. I shivered – I knew that he wasn’t asking permission…instead, it was a demand. I arched my back as Jackson slipped his hands under my skirt and lifted it over my head. Jackson tossed it to the floor, then ran his hand down my breasts. I shuddered – I was wearing a lacy bra, but my nipples sprang to his touch and stiffened under the itchy, thin layer of fabric. Slipping a hand behind my back, Jackson unclasped the bra expertly, then eased the lace away from my body.
“You’re so sexy.”
Jackson’s eyes travelled over my almost-naked body. Even though he’d seen me completely naked, I still felt more exposed than ever.
“I’m not.”
“You are,” Jackson growled. “End of discussion.” I groaned softly when I felt his lips fasten around one of my nipples and begin to suck. Heavenly pangs of feeling raced through my body and I groaned softly, arching my back and spreading my thighs under Jackson’s body. Between my legs was a wet, pulsing mess and I wanted him to touch me there so desperately that I thought I would die. He slid a hand between our bodies and rested his fingers against my crotch. The heat from his hand was enough to stimulate me, just a little, and it was almost more agonizing than not being touched at all. Groaning and writhing, I shoved my body close to Jackson’s and eagerly rubbed my pussy against his fingers.
Jackson was panting when he took his mouth away from my swollen nipple. Jackson sat up and I reached forward, fumbling with the silky material of his trousers and tugging them down his hips. Nervously, I traced my fingers down Jackson’s rock-hard abs, until I got to the waistband of his briefs. Jackson licked his mouth, his muscles bulging at my touch. I smiled – there was something intensely satisfying about knowing I was giving him pleasure. When I pulled my hand away, Jackson groaned. He grabbed my wrist, sliding my fingers over the hard bulge at the fork of his legs.
