Then I missed Jessa's call when the generator near our office trailer went out and plunged Mike and me into darkness. I fumbled for my phone in the dim office, but by the time I found it, I'd missed the call.
Then I went to look at the broken generator, and I found myself standing in an inch of water. Someone had spilled one of the orange construction barrels we used to mark off our loading zone. Had I touched any part of the generator, I'm sure I would have gotten a serious jolt.
The final straw appeared when I was on the second floor, and a tangle of wires tripped me up. It was hidden under a tarp, and if I hadn't grabbed on to the railing, I might have fallen down the hard marble stairs to the lobby.
I went straight to the elevator, determined to find Jessa and tell her the danger I believed Robert now posed. The elevator was out of order.
I swore a blue streak as I headed to the stairwell. Just as I started jogging up the many flights of stairs, I heard a stairwell door open above me. Jessa's head peeked over, and she gave a cry of relief when she saw it was me.
"Thank god," she signed. "I've been trying to reach you."
Then her eyes went wide. I spun around and barely ducked the first blow of a crowbar. Three day laborers crowded onto the landing, determined to bring me down.
Jessa smothered a shriek, but I held up a hand. "Don't move, Jessa. Don't worry. I've got this."
The man with the crowbar took another swing and cried out when I twisted the hard tool out of his hands. I would have put the guy ten feet under if his two friends hadn't jumped me.
One wrapped his arms around my chest from behind, trying to hold me open to a hard mid-section punch. All he did, though, was hold me up while I kicked out with both legs and sent the first man sprawling down the stairs.
It occurred to me that showing Jessa my prison brawling skills was no way to win her heart, but I still had two men to contend with.
With my feet back on the ground, I slammed the man behind me into the stairwell wall and heard his head crack hard. His arms went limp, and I came out swinging at the last man.
He was thick-armed and dodged like a street fighter. A smile spread across his face as I had to adjust my fighting style to block his hard upper cut. Then I wiped the confident look on his face with my fist.
"Who paid you?" I snarled.
The men scrambled out of the stairwell without saying a word. I took two steps to chase them and then remembered Jessa leaning on the railing one story up. I ran up and caught her in my arms.
"Are you hurt?" she cried.
I smiled and hugged her tight. "I'm fine."
Chapter 11
Jessa
Once I saw that Dayton was still standing, my vision went gray around the edges. The floor seemed to tilt under my feet. I grabbed the railing, but my fingers felt weak.
"I got you." Dayton's face appeared above mine, my body supported against his hard body.
He must have sprinted up the steps, no matter that he had just fought off three men intent on doing him harm. He and three men had smiled grimly as if it was something he would never seek out but still enjoyed. Dayton sent those men running in a matter of minutes.
My heart raced and stumbled. "Are you hurt?" I asked him.
Dayton let out a bark of laughter. "You're the one barely standing."
I pulled myself up and tried to calm my galloping pulse. "I'm sorry if I'm not used to random acts of violence."
"I'm not sure that was random," Dayton said, in a heated tone.
His arm still supported me around the waist even as I pushed against him with both hands in a weak effort to display self-sufficiency. I finally pushed free of his arms only to immediately wish his hands were on me again.
My body burned to touch Dayton even as my brain struggled to comprehend what I had just seen. "Did you know those men?"
"How about we get out of the stairwell." Dayton peered down the steps to where the men had disappeared. "Is there an office nearby? You should sit down for a minute."
I nodded and led the way on shaky knees. The floor we were on had fully furnished offices for lease, and during the renovation, many stood empty. I found the first one and lowered myself gratefully onto a dove gray couch.
"Where did you learn to do that?" I asked.
Dayton sat down next to me. "Defend myself? I was provoked a lot as a teenager because of my family. And then I picked up a few extra tricks here and there."
My cheeks colored remembering his past incarceration. "Well, I'm glad because I wouldn't have known what to do if you got hurt."
"I saw you. For a second there I thought you were going to rip off those stilettos, charge down the stairs, and stab one of those guys." Dayton tipped my chin up and looked me in the eyes. "You didn't run."
"I, I couldn't leave you." My jumping heartbeat affected my ability to speak without a stammer.
I stood and walked over to the window. I watched as the people below walked down the sidewalk with their Christmas gifts, and small groups of people sang Christmas carols, collecting for charities. A moment later I caught Dayton’s reflection in the glass as he walked up and stood behind me. His hands grazed my arm as his other hand slid behind my neck and he pushed my hair to the side exposing my neck. I could feel his warm breath on my neck. “You’re stunning, Jessa.” He growled and then I felt his warm lips touch my collarbone.
I felt weak in the knees. Nothing like wasted time, I thought. I watched him through the reflection of the glass. He was watching me too as his arms went around me and he started to unbutton my pink blouse. I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath. I felt the fabric slide down my shoulders leaving me in only my lace bra and skirt. My nipples instantly peaked like stone.
Dayton’s hands moved without hesitation as each one gently kneaded each breast through the lacy fabric of my bra. I tilted my head to give him more access as his tongue traced lightly across my skin and drew my ear lobe into his mouth.
“So beautiful.” He whispered. “You have no idea of the things I want to do to you Jessa.” Dayton spun me around so I was staring at him, looking up into his piercing eyes. He pushed me up against the glass window. His fingers hooked into the waistband of my skirt, and then slid the fabric down my legs, letting it pool around my ankles. I stepped out of it and he kicked the skirt aside. He nudged his knee between my legs slowly pushing them apart. I watched as his eyes devoured every part of my body. I felt totally exposed standing there in my lace bra and panties, my body pushed up against the glass window where people busily raced on the streets below. All they had to do was look up and they would see me.
I felt his thumb trace along my clit on top of the lace fabric and I let out a moan I couldn’t control. My pussy pulsed with anticipation.
“You’re soaked, Jessa.” Dayton said with a wicked grin. I watched as he licked his lips and fell to his knees. A second later I heard and felt the rip of my panties as he tore them off and threw them aside. My body jolted at the first touch of his tongue. He ran his tongue along my clit teasing it, flicking it back and forth. He was barely touching it but it was enough to drive me insane. Jesus Christ.
Then a full lick; his entire tongue dragging along my tight hole all the way up between my silk lips and then to my swollen nub. He sucked it into his mouth and I couldn’t control myself any longer. My hands dove into his thick hair as my hips writhed of their own volition. My breaths were starting to come as pants.
“I need you Jessa. All of you.” He whispered.
I looked down at him as his head tilted up staring at me. He wore a primal look on his face. I could see my juices on his mouth and the need on his face. It made my breath hitch. In that moment I wanted him. All of him.
"Yes," I gasped, opening the space between my legs giving him full access to do as he pleased. Was I really leaning up against a glass window while this gorgeous man below tormented her body? I struggled to keep silent when I felt the pad of his thumb run across my clit, back and forth, and then his fi
nger trailed lower to enter me. Oh my god. I dropped my head back against the glass as I felt his thick finger slide into my pussy. My God. It felt so good. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my mouth when he slid in a second finger.
Dayton groaned as he felt my inner walls wrap around his fingers and pumped them in and out. "I'm-" My words wouldn’t come out as I hurdled into an explosive orgasm that wiped out my every thought. I felt like I was spinning as the wave crashed through my body over and over again. He pumped faster and sucked my clit at an intensity I thought would kill me.
"Oh...my...god!" I gasped. My hands hung on to his head to keep me from falling over. Seconds later I felt him withdraw his fingers and his strong hands slid up my thighs and grabbed my ass.
"So beautiful." He whispered in a husky voice. "You’re so perfect, Jessa. I want every inch of you."
I opened my eyes to see he was standing. My chest was heaving when his mouth crashed onto mine. I could taste myself on him as he pressed his tongue between the seams of my lips. I could feel his hard bulge press into my belly as our tongues dueled for top spot. Dayton pulled away from my mouth and swept me up in one quick movement, making his way to the office sofa.
Dayton kneeled at the edge like a cougar ready to pounce, never looking away. Jesus, his eyes were so mesmerizing. Eyes that I could get lost in. He unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the floor below. My God, he was stunning. He stood before me, and all I could see was rock hard muscle and rippling abs. The silence in the office was deafening as I watched him remove his pants and underwear. His large hard cock jutted out. It was huge.
He edged to the sofa with a predatory look, his eyes focused on my lips. He bent down, taking a long draw of my mouth making it one of the most intense kisses I had ever experienced. Dayton let out a deep moan as he pulled away and groaned, "I need you. You belong to me, Jessa." His voice was a deep, menacing growl. My pulse quicken as his hands wrapped around me. The sofa dipped more as he climbed on top of me, his mouth engulfing a full nipple.
I could feel his cock press into my thigh and I arched my back to give him more. "Mmm." I moaned. My nipples were rock hard and aching for more attention.
He eased his tongue out and traced a circle around each areola before drawing one in for a long tantalizing suck. God, I was going insane as the sensation took over. I wanted more. I needed more.
Dayton rubbed himself against my wet folds and I felt him twitch in excitement as his hard length slid into me slowly. He stretched me open like never before. It was pain and pleasure all at once as my pussy tried to accommodate his width.
"Jesus, you feel so good." Dayton said in a husky voice. I closed my eyes as he pulled back and then thrusted back in deeper. He gave me a few more slow thrusts before snaking his arm underneath me and pulling my hips up off the sofa. He held me there while he moved in and out. At this angle, his cock rubbed against my clit with each thrust. I could feel the buildup of another orgasm as he slammed harder threatening to push me over the edge. I could feel my walls clamp tighter around him and then he groaned. "You like that, don't you?"
"Yes!" I gasped.
He smiled and slipped in further. My moans were enticing him on. His hand reached down to tweak my clit as he fucked me harder. "Oh god." I moaned, not being able to control myself. I could feel the orgasm building when I finally went rigid and felt the rush of warm liquid between my legs. My gasps and moans got louder and Dayton rode out my orgasm, each thrust making me shudder harder against him. It seemed to take forever to finally come down from the ecstasy I was feeling. I felt lightheaded and dizzy from the sensation.
He pushed in harder and deeper than before and I sucked in a breath. I could feel the tension in his body. He was on the verge. His pace picked up and I clenched my inner muscles around him as he dug his fingers into my hips and let out a moan as the orgasm rocked through him. Panting, he rested his head on my forehead smiling. When I looked into his eyes, I watched the smile spread across his face. I stroked his back in silence for a few minutes, all but purring at my new found freedom and pleasure.
"So are you going to tell me what was going on with those men?" I finally asked.
He shifted off me, gave me one last lingering kiss, and then sat up. "Are you going to tell me what's going on in your father's office? The whole building's in chaos."
I shimmied my skirt back down and sat up, my head a lot clearer than it had been earlier. "Some very important software was stolen from Lauren Corp. There's a theif in the office, or maybe the building and we have to figure out who it is."
Dayton ran his fingers through my hair and smoothed it down. "They didn't have something like that on lock down?" he asked.
I nodded and smoothed a few wrinkles from his shirtfront. "Of course. There's only a small team of people with access to the software."
"Small? I've seen board members parading in and out all day. Doesn't seem like a small team to me," Dayton said. He stood up and offered me his hands.
I let him help me up and couldn't help but nestle into his arms again. "My father was the only board member with access, and that's why he's coming down so hard on this. He has to find the spy before people start saying he did it."
Dayton hugged me and dropped a soothing kiss on top of my head. "Your father doesn't have a motive; no one is going to think it was him that stole the software."
"I'm still worried," I admitted. "My father was counting on that software release to be his crowning achievement. He was going to retire on it and finally have more time for his family."
"Speaking of your father's family, how about I get you out of here? I'm sure he doesn't want you trapped here and tangled up in all of this. Plus, I'm starting to think it isn't very safe," Dayton said.
I considered it for a moment. My father had been absent a lot lately. I knew there was a wedge between him and my mother. She had been conspicuously absent, and I knew if I left everyone would assume I was checking on my mother.
Should I really just take off with Dayton?
The thought rushed through my body like a heat wave, but I pushed back the temptation. My father was in a panic, and my family's business was on the verge of collapse. No matter how entitled I was to my own impulses, I couldn't leave my father.
I shook my head. "No. I have to stay. What about you?"
Dayton hugged me close again. "I'm staying as long as you're here. Besides, it's going to be very entertaining to watch those suits try to interrogate Mike. I intend to enjoy every second of that."
I pressed my ear to Dayton's chest as he chuckled. My body fit against his so perfectly that it was impossible to think of moving, but I finally broke away. Once I did, I wasn't sure I could face the door. What if some of the office workers noticed us?
"Here, let me go first. You give it a minute or two and then head straight for the stairwell. I'll make sure no one sees you," Dayton said.
I caught his arm as he reached for the door. "I'm not embarrassed by you; you know that, right?"
Dayton gave me a crooked smile. "It's not that, I just don't want to get caught compromising the boss' daughter in the middle of the day," he replied. "I've got a reputation to uphold."
I laughed and blew him a kiss as he slipped out the door. I needed a minute or two to process the major breakthrough I had felt. The old Jessa Lauren would never have had sex in a vacant office in the middle of the day. The old Jessa hadn't known how to let her passion out.
I fanned my cheeks and hoped that my satisfaction was obvious on my face. Then I popped open the office door and walked briskly towards the stairwell without looking back.
Once the door closed behind me, I felt a quick squeeze of fear. I had gotten so distracted that I hadn't asked Dayton anything else about his confrontation with those men. He didn't seem to think it was random and I couldn't help but think that had an ominous ring to it. Dayton had hinted that someone had paid those men to attack him, but he hadn't elaborated on his suspicions.
Was the same pe
rson set on destroying my father's corporation the same one threatening Dayton?
I jogged up the stairs, despite my stiletto heels, and headed to my father's office. If anyone could put things together, it was him.
"And don't come back until you have something concrete to show me!" My father chased the IT guy out of his office and stood heaving like a bull ready to charge.
The rest of the floor ducked behind their reports and devices, eager to stay out of his line of sight.
Then my father saw me. "And where have you been? Why are your cheeks all red?"
"I just ran up the stairs. Something's wrong with the elevator," I said.
My father grunted and held open the door to his office for me. "Someone call that guy that's been monkeying around with the building. Tell him it better be fixed in five minutes!"
He slammed his office door behind us and leaned against it heavily.
"Are you okay? Father?" I ran back to him.
"I'm ruined, Jessa. Ruined. All my plans, my retirement, gone," my father said.
I helped him into his office chair. "Nonsense. You can still retire. It's not like you need the money," I said.
He swatted me away. "I can't. Not free and clear. Your mother has groused for years about how her dowry paid to save this corporation from going under. I wanted to be able to earn it back for her ten-fold so I could walk away free. From the job, I mean."
His last words were hasty, and my father gave me a quick glance before clearing his throat. It sent a sliver of ice into my heart. Was there more to my parents' coldness than just a passing argument?
"Any word on finding the spy?" I asked.
My father cleared his throat again and then slammed his fists down on his desk. "No, but we know what they did with the software."
"What? How? Isn't that good news? Can't the police trace the sale back to the person that stole it?" I asked.
I sank into the hard-backed chair my father pointed out and gripped the arms. The look on his face said things were worse than I had suspected, and I was feeling the first pinpricks of guilt for disappearing the last hour.
Billionaire's Match Page 7
