Bank On Love

by Iris Bolling

  “No,” Sydney answered. “Oh, make no mistake, Grace. I love Mr. Michael. Not in the man-woman kind of way. I respect and adore everything about him. However, I am not, nor will I ever be romantically interested in him; although, he is a looker, but he is a nerd. I need a bloke with a little mystery and excitement. Besides, Jonathan lost his heart to a two-sided coin when he was in college.”

  The bluntness of the woman surprised her and she liked that. In an instant her opinion of Sydney changed. “I’ve met a few that could use a woman in search of a little excitement. I will see who is available and hook you up.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.” Sydney smiled. “I’m happy we had this chat to clear the air.”

  “Me too,” Grace nodded. “Now, I have to get him straight on a few things.”

  “Be my guest. Will you tell him I am going to the do in the atrium?”

  “Sure.”

  “Shall I lock the door?”

  Grace beamed. “I like the way you think.” She walked in, closed the door behind her then leaned back against it. She heard the lock go into place. “I like Sydney,” she said as Jonathan looked up from his desk.

  He sat back in his chair placing the pen he held on the desk. “Do you now?”

  “I do.” She slowly walked to his desk, kicking her heels off along the way. “She said to tell you she was going to the party in the atrium,” Grace said as she pushed him and the chair he sat in away from the desk. She placed her behind on his workspace, propped her feet on the sides of his hips in the chair, then pulled him back to his original position.

  “I think we need to clear the air of all pretenses.”

  “Do you now?” He responded as his eyes roamed her thighs where her skirt had risen exposing a generous amount of her for his viewing.

  “I do.” She pulled her skirt up higher, giving her the freedom to spread her legs a little wider. “I have been in need of a good stiff dick for days now. Any other time I would have found some man to handle that for me. However.” She grabbed his tie bringing his face closer to hers. “None seemed to be the least bit interesting. I have come to the conclusion that it is your fault.” She gazed directly into his eyes. “Since you have been back in the States, no other man has appealed to me.”

  “Is that so?” The tone of his voice had deepened as his eyes moved from her eyes to her lips.

  “It is.” She leaned forward a breath away from his lips. “Since you are the cause, I figure you will have to be the cure.”

  What happened next surprised the hell out of her. Grace was used to having her way with men. Few had ever met her boldness with a little of their own. She should have known better than to put Jonathan in the same class. He was far above them all.

  Gently, he kissed her lips, then lowered his head to kiss the inside of her arms, then her thighs. After the kiss, he placed her thigh over his shoulder, resting it on the back of the chair. A moment and another kiss later, her other thigh joined it. With his hands on her hips, he pulled her core to him giving her no time to prepare for the onslaught of his lips. The thin piece of material of the thong was pushed aside as his mouth covered her completely.

  Taken by surprise, Grace grabbed his shoulders as she leaned back on the desk. The sensations, from his lips sucking her core, raced through her body like a high speed locomotive. The rough, stiff flips of his tongue up, then down, her clitoris sent shivers spiking through her body. The moisture from his mouth mixed with the juices flowing from her. His lips sucking so vigorously she did not have time to recover from one jolt to her system to the next. The stroking of his tongue pushing deep inside of her, then pulling out, flicking her clitoris, then back inside continuously building the fire raging out of control. It was not supposed to happen this fast, she thought as her head thrashed from side to side, her breath hitched, her nails dug into his shoulders searching for some kind of leverage against him. But…there was none, not against him. Searching deep for some control within her to block the intensity of his touch was fruitless. She stopped fighting the tremendous feelings engulfing her, threw back her head and allowed the explosion to rock the very core of her. Her heart skipped a beat as wave after wave of sensations rolled through her. The experience, known as Jonathan Royal Michael, was what had just been the rough surface of his tongue only moments ago, to what was now a soothing stroking, like a tiger cleaning her cub, tenderly licking her dry.

  One by one, Jonathan kissed her legs, then eased them down to their original position. He stood between them, pulling her limp body up to meet his, resting her head against his chest.

  Grace purred like a kitten. “Your nipples are hard,” she whispered against his chest.

  “That is not all that is hard, Love,” he chuckled. “You said you needed a good stiff one. Now you have it. What are you going to do about it?”

  Grace smiled against his chest as her hands roamed up his arms. She had waited years to feel this man’s arms around her again. Years more to feel him inside of her, she thought as his hardness weighed heavily against her thigh. Lifting her gaze to his, she wrapped her arms around his neck, then brought his lips to hers. Her tongue licked his lips, tasting a bit of her essence on them as she pushed them apart. Their tongues tangled together in a battle of longing for the ecstasy of their hearts. Their bodies, pulsating for more as the years of wondering eased away. Her hands roamed, down his back, to his firm ass, around the hard thighs until she felt his erection. Lord how she wished she had time to explore that more as they kissed. She squeezed, he moaned. She rubbed her hand up and down his shaft as her tongue continued to tango with his. She wrapped one leg around his waist, giving his hard shaft a feel of the heat between her legs, as she brought the kiss to an end. His hands cupped her butt holding her tight against him.

  She lowered her leg, then gazed into his eyes. She could see the anticipation, the longing.

  “I have to go,” she said abruptly as she stepped to the side breaking contact with his body.

  “Go? What? Go..go where?”

  Grace smirked at him as she stepped into her shoes. “People are waiting for us at the party, Love.” She hurried to the door. Unlocked it, then gazed back at him. “This is going to be fun. Catch me if you can,” she giggled then ran out of the door.

  Jonathan was paralyzed. The rhythm of his heart was still speeding at a rate that prevented him from thinking clearly. She left. Literally walked out of the door knowing the state he was in. How in the bloody hell could she do that? He was so weak from the brief, yes, brief in his mind, encounter. There was so much more he wanted to do to her, with her.

  He fell back into his chair. There was no way in bloody hell he could leave the office, much less be around people. It took him a moment to get his breathing under control. Closing his eyes, he licked his lips. The essence of her was still there, lingering to a point where he could feel himself growing more. Longing from over the years filled him with a different determination. Over the years there was never a doubt in his mind that Grace Heather Dunning was going to be his wife. How that came about was more important to him than anything else in his life. The one trait that frustrated him was the very one that fascinated him. That fact that he was sitting there, hard as steel and the laughter in her eyes when she walked out the door made him laugh at his situation. Her free spirit was something he loved and never wanted to shatter. However, it was time for Grace to understand who was going to wear the bloomers in this relationship. But first, he had to take a shower, he thought as he stood. “Thank the bloody heavens for luxury offices.” For there was no way in hell he would have been able to walk into a do with a stiff pecker.

  CHAPTER 14

  The Atrium was located on the top floor across from the indoor-outdoor gym that Jonathan was eager to try out. The area was great for an office get together for any level of employee. It was a place designed to mingle, or simply relax. The place was packed with employees drinking, chatting and enjoying the atmosphere. It was easy to see why. The light
ing was brilliant he thought as he entered the room. The sophisticated stylish decor of the interior was accentuated with the natural views of the city skyline giving the place a sensual feel.

  The do was in full swing as a few employees greeted him at the door. A smile and a slight nod of his head seemed to appease them. Guilt filled him as his attention was not where it should be. His mind was focused on locating the woman who had left him in a state of desire. The room was packed, but it only took him a moment to spot her in the back of the room. Good, he thought. There were a few things he had to say to her and he did not want to be overheard.

  The turnout was a reflection on the executive staff. Usually when there was an after hour work party a few employees would hang around for an hour or two then leave. Not here at Dunning, apparently. The room was filled to capacity as he moved through the crowd.

  “You made it.” Sydney danced to the music. “This new gig is growing on me, boss.”

  “That is evident by your state of intoxication.” Jonathan smiled.

  “They are strictly top shelf here,” Sydney announced.

  “Cool beans. Be sure to fetch a taxi for home.” He began to walk away, his focus still on Grace.

  “Have a drink, boss.” She put a glass in his hand.

  “Thank you, Sydney.” He took the glass then tried to walk away again.

  “What’s your hurry, boss? Trying to keep up with the Princess Grace?”

  “Ha ha,” Jonathan smirked, then continued with his mission. It pleased him to see that the impact of their earlier meeting had caused her to shower and change as well. For now she was dressed in a white form fitting dress that hugged every curve of her body. He was certain she was trying to muck with his head in those outfits.

  He headed straight to Grace nodding his head in acknowledgment to people as he walked by, determined to have his say.

  “Jonathan.” Mike stopped him. “There are a number of things you mentioned this morning that I’d like to discuss with you sooner rather than later. Can you make some time for me tomorrow?”

  Jonathan shook his hand. “How does nine sound to you?”

  Michael nodded. “That works. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Jonathan nodded then moved on.

  “You look like a man on a mission.” AnnieMarie smiled. “And I’ve seen that look on a man more than once. Grace got under your skin, hmm?”

  He glared at her for a minute, then eased into a smile. “Yes, she has and if you do not mind, I really need to speak with her.”

  “I’ll block for you.” AnnieMarie smiled. “Follow me.”

  Jonathan was pleased to have her help. A number of other people spoke or attempted to stop him to talk, but AnnieMarie, with a very polite, easy conversational way about her, blocked each allowing him to get to Grace before she was able to disappear.

  When he reached her, Grace was standing next to Chrystina talking. She held a drink in her hand and a look of mischief in her eyes.

  “Good evening, Chrystina,” Jonathan said as he stood in front of Grace. “Will you give Grace and me a moment, alone?”

  “Don’t you dare move,” Grace demanded as she took a sip of her drink.

  Chrystina looked from Grace to Jonathan, then nodded. “Sure, I’ll be over by the wall, out of the way of whatever is happening with the two of you.” She stepped to the side.

  “You stir me up with your teasing, then walk away leaving me in a full state of desire, Grace.” He stepped closer, a lot closer to her.

  “Please don’t talk to me right now,” Grace said to Jonathan.

  “Why not?” Jonathan inquired, still a little miffed.

  Grace gazed at him, then eased by him to lean against the wall behind Chrystina. Jonathan followed stopping a breath away from her.

  “When you speak, your voice causes my panties to get wet. As you can see I changed into a white dress for this party.” She ran her hands over her hips. “I didn’t think it would look good so I decided not to wear any…panties that is.” She gazed up at him. “If you talk to me, I’m sure to wet something and since the panties aren’t there, that could cause a situation. You know what I mean?”

  Jonathan watched the movement of her hand as it roamed down the hips he’d had his head between less than an hour ago.

  Every vessel in his body sprang to life, as he thought of getting her out of that dress. The blood rushing to the very core of him demanded that he pay attention or he would have a situation of his own. He walked behind her, eased his arm around her waist, and pulled her body close to his, ensuring she felt his reaction to her words.

  “Bloody hell, Love,” he whispered in her ear. “Now, we both have an issue. Shall we cure it here with an audience, or shall we take this back to my office where it all started?”

  Grace leaned back into his chest. “I’m good right here, if you can handle the public viewing.”

  Chrystina glanced over her shoulder at the two. “I’m not good with that,” she stammered out.

  Jonathan’s hand tightened around Grace’s waist, closer to where his hardness was rubbing against her behind. She slightly bent her butt into him causing a groan to escape.

  Chrystina jumped in front of the couple.

  Jonathan assumed it was to block them from the crowded room. He did not care one way or the other. This was about staking his claim with the immodest woman who had no filters.

  “Stop that,” she whispered loudly at the couple. “Stop that right this instant.”

  Her response was a moan from Grace and a groan, she more than recognized, escaped Jonathan.

  Whispering loudly over her shoulder, “You can’t do that here, not with all these people around.”

  Jonathan heard the urgency in Chrystina’s voice, but he wasn’t going to stop. He needed Grace to understand that he could handle whatever she threw his way and more. She had always been the dominant one in her relationships. Not with him, they were going to be equals on this front and many more.

  “Myles,” Chrystina called out with a wave of her hand.

  Jonathan’s hand eased up the back of Grace’s thigh, dipped into her wetness, then pulled out, covered in her essence. Grace gasped as he released her waist.

  “What is it?” Myles asked as he approached Chrystina. “Are you all right? You are as red as a beet.”

  “Get them,” Chrystina said as she glanced over her shoulder.

  Myles looked from her to Grace then to Jonathan, then back to Chrystina.

  With mischief in his eyes, Jonathan gazed into Grace’s eyes, put his finger to his lips, then sucked her juices from it. “I live for dares, Grace,” he whispered so only she could hear him.

  “Are you two playing nice?” Myles asked.

  Jonathan smiled. “Blinding do you have happening here, Mate. Blinding do, indeed.”

  Myles give him a strange look.

  “Nice party,” Grace clarified for her brother as her gaze held Jonathan’s. “Very nice party is what he is saying.”

  Chrystina glared side eyed at Jonathan and then Grace. “What did you two do?”

  “Just a little taste of a dare.” Jonathan licked his lips.

  A seductive smile appeared on Grace’s face as she stared at him. He could tell his message was received.

  “You are….”

  “Yes, I am,” he said before Grace could finish her statement. “More than you know.”

  “This is for you,” Myles said as he looked around the room. “To show how excited we all are to have you onboard.”

  Jonathan and Grace both turned slowly to look at him.

  “The party,” Chrystina explained. “The party is to give the employees an opportunity to get to know you. Why don’t I take you around and introduce you to some of them?”

  Since she was addressing Grace as she took his arm, Jonathan determined she was blaming Grace for the display more so than him. He whispered in Grace’s ear, “Love, I moved 3700 miles away from home to claim you. Prepare your min
d, for I will prevail.”

  “Would you give me a moment to wash my hands?” Jonathan said more to Grace than to Chrystina. “Where are the facilities?”

  “Come with me,” Myles suggested. “I’ll show him then I will introduce him around,” he said to Chrystina.

  Chrystina nodded then turned back to Grace.

  Grace watched as Jonathan walked away with Myles. She couldn’t seem to pull her eyes away from the man.

  “Finally.” Chrystina began laughing.

  The laughter gained her attention. She narrowed her eyes. “What is it that you find so funny?”

  “The expression on your face and the fact that you have finally come up against a man who can stand up to your shenanigans.”

  Grace sighed. “He didn’t back down at all, did he?”

  “No, he did not.” Chrystina smiled as she took a sip of her drink. “I must say, he surprised me.”

  “How so?” Grace asked as she tried to settle the nerves still sparking inside of her.

  “Well, the way he rattled off those numbers in the board meeting this morning, made me see just how much of a numbers nerd Jonathan is. It made me wonder what drew the wild Grace Heather to him.” She huffed. “Now I know.”

  “What can I say? Intelligence turns me on.”

  “I’m sure that bowlegged, arrogant stride doesn’t hurt, either.”

  “No, it does not. It adds to the overall sex appeal of that man.” Grace exhaled. “That man has it all.”

  “That may be enough for Grace,” Chrystina declared. “The question is still on the table if that is enough to tame Heather.’”

  Grace thought back to the scene in his office. “All I can say for certain at this moment is that I will definitely have to increase the inventory of panties in my office desk drawer.”

  Jonathan walked inside the men’s room, surprised to see Myles follow. Before shaking any employees’ hands, he wanted to wash the essence of Grace away. That he would not share with anyone. Through the mirror he noticed Myles checking the stalls. He turned as he pulled a paper towel from the stack on the vanity to wipe his hands dry.