The Unwilling Executive

by Miranda P. Charles

  “Yes,” she heard herself answer, her heart pounding in her chest.

  “You’re beautiful, Jade,” he said as he worked on her buttons. When he was done, he parted the material and his eyes roamed her chest. Her bra was the ordinary kind—she didn’t have much need for sexy underwear—but Lucas seemed enthralled.

  “Can I kiss you here?” he asked hoarsely, running a finger on the deep valley between her breasts.

  “Yes,” she said without much thought. Most definitely, yes.

  With a low groan Lucas started raining kisses on her neck, then down to the exposed skin of her chest. He was unhurried yet insistent.

  His fingers traced the upper edge of her bra as his erection rubbed against her mound. She didn’t need to check to know that her panties were soaked. Goodness. No one had aroused her this quickly before.

  “Let me see you,” Lucas whispered, tentatively pushing her bra cup while looking at her for permission.

  She nodded, on the brink of mindlessness. Just exactly how much of this did she think she could handle? She had no freaking clue. All she knew was she didn’t want to say no.

  Gently, Lucas pushed her shirt and bra straps down her shoulders. She lifted herself a little to help him bring them down far enough so he could move the cups and bare her breasts before his eyes.

  “Jade,” he said with wonder, staring before dropping his head back down to kiss her creamy skin.

  He paid attention to every exposed inch, kneading as he kissed and laved.

  But he avoided her nipples. They were hard and sensitised, crying for his attention. What a tease he was.

  “Lucas,” she cried, arching her back.

  He grunted and went back to kissing her neck and face. Then he went on all fours above her, breaking the intimate contacts and leaving her bereft.

  “Lucas.” She heard the plea in her voice.

  He reared to look at her face. Now even his mouth was no longer on her!

  “I don’t want to stop yet,” she whispered.

  Lucas let out a gushing breath, his gaze going to her erect peaks. He was breathing through his mouth, his tongue poking out.

  “You can kiss them,” she said shyly.

  Lucas buried his head in the crook of her neck. She could sense how much he was trying to control himself.

  “I want you to,” she murmured, much bolder and more certain.

  “I can’t go any further without reaching the point of no return, baby,” he said softly, still not moving.

  “Then let’s go past that point together.”

  “What?” he asked, staring at her in surprise.

  “I want you.”

  “But you said...”

  “I’ve changed my mind.”

  “No, Jade,” he said, sitting up. “You just got too horny. We shouldn’t continue. You said earlier you don’t do sex on the first date.”

  She smiled. How sweet and gentlemanly. It made her want him more. “I told you I changed my mind. Besides, haven’t we had coffee and lunch on two occasions already? I’d say we can consider those as dates.”

  He gulped, then shook his head. But his breathing was still laboured and his eyes were trained to her chest.

  “Can you just... um... kiss them before we stop?” Her face burned at her request, but she was finding some kind of liberation with Lucas.

  “I already did,” he said weakly.

  “I meant my nipples,” she said. Wow. She’d never been this forward before.

  Lucas rubbed his face as if pained. When he looked at her again, his eyes were blazing.

  He lay back on top of her, settling his hips once again between her legs. Ooh, the bulge in his pants was definitely harder.

  “So you want me to lick these?” he asked, his seductive demeanour returning as he thumbed her hardened buds.

  She gasped her answer as pleasure and desire raced in her veins.

  Lucas rolled his hips against hers a couple of times, making her moan unashamedly. Then he bent down to lave a bud with his tongue while his fingers continued to play with its twin.

  Oh, God. She was going to have sex on the first date after all.

  She was tugging at Lucas’ shirt when the intercom buzzer rang in a staccato kind of way. She froze.

  “You expecting someone?” Lucas asked.

  “No. But that would be my brother. They probably had dinner with his in-laws, who live in the next street. I better get that in case it’s an emergency.”

  Lucas climbed off her and she trotted to the intercom, hurriedly fixing her bra and buttoning up her blouse.

  “Hey, Jerry,” she said.

  “Hey. You sound breathless. Did I make you run?”

  She blushed. Luckily, her brother couldn’t see. “I’m fine. Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. We’re on our way home from dinner at Mila’s parents’, but we thought you might want to see Mickey tonight. Can we come up?”

  “Of course,” she answered, looking down to check her outfit.

  Lucas appeared by her side, an amused smile on his face. He fastened the last button of her top, which she’d missed.

  “Jade?” Jerry said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Are you going to buzz us in?”

  “Oh, sorry.” Gosh, she was well and truly flustered. She glanced at Lucas’ clothes to make sure he was decent before letting her family in the building.

  “Do I look okay?” she asked Lucas, smoothing her skirt.

  “You look perfectly fine. Especially with this you-caught-me-having-sex look.”

  “What?” She ran to the bathroom to check herself.

  Lucas followed her, chuckling. “You look fine, Jade.”

  “If it ever comes up, don’t you dare tell Jerry we were making out when he buzzed,” she said to his reflection on the bathroom mirror.

  “Making out? Heavy petting would be a more apt description, I’d say,” he teased.

  “Lucas!”

  He laughed. “Do you have an overprotective brother? Should I climb out the window now?”

  “No. It’s just that... this is totally out of character for me.” Truth was she was more worried that Jerry might be all over Lucas and scare him off.

  For months now, Jerry had been pushing her to find a boyfriend. She knew her brother carried guilt that she might be putting her life on hold to help care for Mickey. Her having a boyfriend would alleviate some of Jerry’s concerns.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “They’re here. Sorry about this,” she said.

  Lucas caught her before she left the bathroom. “Relax,” he said with a comforting smile, squeezing her arms.

  She smiled and nodded.

  *

  “Hey, guys,” she said, immediately holding her arms out for her nephew, who grinned cutely and went to her willingly.

  “Is Cassie home?” Jerry asked as he and his wife Mila stepped inside.

  “No. She’s at Lexie and Erin’s.”

  “Why aren’t you with them?”

  Jade didn’t have to answer. Jerry had spotted Lucas.

  “Jerry, Mila, this is my friend Lucas. He’s Ruby’s son—you know the lady who I buy flowers from?”

  “Oh,” Mila exclaimed. “Pleasure to meet you, Lucas. I love your mother’s flowers.”

  “Thank you,” Lucas said with a smile. “Mum has mentioned you love tiger lilies the best.”

  “I do!” Mila said, beaming.

  Jerry held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Jerry. Great to meet you, Lucas. Sorry we turned up unannounced. We should have called first. But we won’t stay long.”

  “Don’t be silly, Jerry,” Jade responded, smiling at her nephew. “I’m glad to see this little one tonight. Say hello to Lucas, Mickey.” She held the baby’s hand and waved to Lucas with it.

  Lucas took Mickey’s hand, pretending to shake it. “Hi, Mickey. Glad to meet you.”

  “What do you guys want to drink?” Jade asked Jerry and Mila.

  “
Nothing. We had a big dinner,” Jerry answered.

  “Have something, at least,” Jade insisted, handing Mickey to Mila. “I’ll make tea and coffee.”

  “Okay,” Jerry and Mila said.

  “I’ll help you,” Lucas said, following her to the kitchen.

  She smiled at him. “You don’t have to help.”

  “I want to,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Scared of my brother, are you?” she teased, getting cups from the cupboard.

  Lucas chuckled. “Nah. I just want to do this.” He cupped her face and gave her a sweet, lingering kiss.

  She melted, snaking her arms around his neck.

  She loved her family to death, but why did they have to turn up tonight of all nights? With a sigh, she placed her head on his shoulder.

  “I had a wonderful time tonight,” Lucas murmured, kissing her hair as he wrapped her in his arms.

  “Me, too,” she said, looking up at him.

  They stared into each other’s eyes, and Jade knew without a doubt she was falling for him. Fast. The kind of fall she wouldn’t be able to stop even if she tried with all her might.

  Mickey’s loud cry broke the moment.

  She sighed and reluctantly pulled away from him. “We better make these hot drinks.”

  “Okay. I’ll watch you,” Lucas said, standing behind her and putting his arms around her waist.

  “I can’t move,” she said in half-hearted protest.

  “What are you talking about? Your arms are free.” Lucas ambled with her as she went to the sink to fill the kettle with water, his arms still firmly curved around her.

  She giggled, not minding at all that Lucas’ embrace was restricting her movements.

  *

  “I should go,” Lucas said, checking the time.

  “Oh, no, Lucas,” Jerry said. “Please stay. We’ll be on our way soon.”

  “I really have to go,” Lucas said, rising from his seat. “I haven’t packed yet and my flight leaves early tomorrow. It was great meeting you, guys.”

  Disappointment hit Jade but she didn’t let it show. It was a shame Lucas couldn’t stay.

  She was aware of Jerry’s and Mila’s eyes on her as she walked Lucas to the door.

  “See you in two weeks,” Lucas said, giving her a kiss on the lips.

  She forced a smile, not liking how far away two weeks were from now. “Have a good trip,” she said. “And good luck with the race.”

  “Thanks. And hopefully we’ll get to talk about what Thomas tells you in your meeting when I come back.”

  She nodded, feeling flat. He hadn’t even gone yet and she already missed him.

  Would things between her and Lucas still be like tonight in two weeks? She could only hope the moment hadn’t passed.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Lucas took the unwanted coffee that Fely, Ruby’s part-time assistant, insisted on making for him. “Thank you. You really didn’t have to,” he said.

  “I wanted to,” Fely purred, giving him the eye before heading to a customer and leaving him behind the counter.

  He repressed his sigh. Fely had been angling for another date, even though he’d been clear from the beginning that there wasn’t going to be a repeat of their one-night stand five months ago. Unfortunately, she was quite a determined woman.

  When was his mother coming back from the errand she had to run?

  He should have timed his visit to the shop better. But he didn’t want to miss Jade when she turned up to get her flowers for Mila and Jerry. When her family had interrupted them two weeks ago, he’d totally forgotten to get her contact details. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to call her at work. Thomas Bilton could overhear.

  He’d been dying to know if Thomas had revealed anything to Jade yet. Would Jade talk to him about it? He hoped so. Even if she’d been told not to say anything, he’d still try to pry some information out of her. He couldn’t not find out what kind of scheme Thomas was concocting involving him and his mother.

  Apart from that, he simply couldn’t wait to see Jade again, and resume what they’d started on her couch. He got hard every time he remembered how hot it had been. Jade’s shyness just added to her sizzle.

  He was glad they were interrupted though. In the heat of the moment, he’d forgotten to warn her about his no-strings policy.

  Except that, once again, he was reluctant to do so. Why was that?

  You damn well know you want to keep her, Lucas.

  He let out a heavy, ragged sigh. In all honesty, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for a relationship. It was something that never interested him in the past. Was he ready to give up his bachelor lifestyle, even though he hadn’t been with anyone else since he met Jade?

  He still didn’t know the answer to that. All he knew was, right now, he wanted to be with Jade—and only her.

  But it was okay if he didn’t know what he wanted for the future yet, wasn’t it? He and Jade had only just started going out. Surely she wasn't expecting anything serious at this point, either?

  He snapped out of his musing when Fely walked towards the counter carrying a pre-prepared bunch of gerberas. She was followed by an elderly woman with the thickest makeup and pinkest lipstick he’d ever seen.

  “Do you mind if I pay you with loose change?” the lady asked him.

  “Not at all,” he said cheerfully.

  “Oh, thank you.” The customer fumbled with the strings of a heavy-looking cloth pouch and emptied its contents on the counter.

  Lucas scrambled to stop some of the coins from rolling off the table.

  “I should have enough here, I think,” the woman said. “Now, is this five cents or ten cents?” she asked, holding up a small silver coin and squinting at it.

  “That’s ten cents, ma’am,” he said, trying not to grin too widely lest the lady thought he was laughing at her.

  “Yes, I thought so. It might be faster if you helped me count.”

  “Sure,” he said, starting to arrange the coins in order.

  “You know, young man, my eyesight isn’t perfect but I must say you’re very good-looking.”

  He smiled. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.”

  “You’re one lucky girl,” the lady said to Fely.

  “We’re not together,” Lucas said.

  “You mean you’re not a couple? Well, this could be my lucky day. What do you say, young man?” The elderly lady actually wagged her eyebrows at him.

  Lucas smothered his laughter. “Aw, a beautiful woman like you would surely be taken already,” he said.

  “Eh,” the customer said with a dismissive flick of her hand. “My husband can’t get it up anymore. He said I could find myself a toyboy so I wouldn’t be chasing him around the house. Anyway, we should probably stop this flirting and start counting. I have a bus to catch.”

  Lucas glanced at Fely, who was putting colourful wrapping and a ribbon around the stem of the bouquet. She was trying hard not to giggle.

  He bit his lip to stop the chuckle that wanted to come out and focused on helping the spunky customer with her payment. He proceeded slowly, making sure the lady was keeping up with his counting.

  Finally it was all settled and the customer left, looking very pleased with her purchase.

  “She forgot to give you her address,” Fely said when the woman was gone.

  They burst out laughing and Fely was clearly overcome. She doubled over, clinging to him for support.

  “I know I can rely on the two of you to man the shop while I’m gone,” Ruby said with bemusement.

  Lucas turned to his mother, only for his laughter to subside.

  Jade was with Ruby, a hint of dismay evident on her face.

  “I have a big rival for Lucas’ affections, Ruby,” Fely said through her giggles.

  “Oh?” Ruby asked.

  “A customer was here. You should have seen how she flirted with him.”

  “I see,” Ruby murmured, although she looked confused.
/>
  “She was in her seventies, maybe eighties, with deteriorating eyesight,” Lucas said dryly, his gaze focused on Jade. She looked uncomfortable.

  A couple entered the shop. “Hi,” said the woman. “Can we ask about your wedding packages?”

  “Of course,” Ruby replied. “Fely, could you put together Jade’s bouquet, please,” she said before escorting the couple to a small round table in one corner of the shop.

  “What would you like in today’s arrangement, Jade?” Fely asked.

  Lucas watched as Jade gave her order.

  God, he’d missed her.

  Yes, he knew that already, but seeing her now made him realise just how much he’d really missed her.

  He shook his head. Just how bad did he have it?

  Fely went to the back room, presumably to get some supplies.

  “Hi,” he said to Jade.

  Jade smiled at him. Thinly. “Hi.”

  “I was waiting for you.”

  “You probably want to find out if my boss and I have met about you-know-what, don’t you?” she said in a low voice, casting a glance at Ruby.

  “And have you?”

  She nodded.

  “That’s good. But of course, that’s only partly why I want to see you,” he said with a smile. “Can I see you tonight? Maybe we can either go to your place or mine. We can have dinner first somewhere or order in.”

  Jade’s gaze flickered to the back room door. He could read her face.

  “You can’t think that Fely and I are together, Jade,” he said with censure. Surely she wasn’t thinking he was trying to date two women at the same time.

  Not that he’d generally cared about women thinking that in the past. The more they’d believed he wasn’t after anything serious, the easier it had been to unlatch them from him.

  But he did care about what Jade thought.

  A smile spread to Jade’s face. “Cassie will be home tonight. So maybe we go to yours?”

  He grinned with glee. “My place then. I can pick you up after work outside of your building if you like.”

  “I have to drop by Jerry and Mila’s to give them the flowers. How about I meet you wherever we’re having dinner?”

  He pulled his phone out. “What’s your number? I can’t believe that after all this time, I don’t have it.”