by Sandy Lynn
“We’ll take a break. I’m sorry, you are so easy to talk to and efficient, I forget you aren’t used to our world.”
She blushed at the compliment. “I don’t know about that. I feel like I’m all thumbs.”
“No, trust me, you aren’t.” Jack approached her. “Would you like to order something to eat, or perhaps we could go out and get something? If you do not mind having a vampire for company...”
She was confused. Why would she mind? “Of course I don’t mind. But are we allowed—can we leave the building to get something to eat?”
“If you would like to, we can.”
“I—” She was about to refuse, but stopped herself. Why should she? He’d been nothing but a perfect gentleman. The only reason she could think of was because he wasn’t Demetri. And as she thought about it, that reason didn’t seem like a valid enough one to be so rude. “I would really like that.”
Jack extended his hand, offering her assistance in getting out of the seat that her ass now felt welded to. She accepted his help, her muscles practically groaning as she straightened. “You know what I find amazing?”
“What?” He placed his hand on her lower back to help steady her.
“Since I got to BSC, I’ve been treated with nothing but respect. I’ve met men who treat me like I’m a lady.”
“Is that a complaint? How are we supposed to treat you?”
“A little. Where were all of you before?” Part of her wondered how she could be so at ease teasing her boss. Because, for the night, he was her boss.
“It’d be bad for our reputation if word got around. Haven’t you read the books?” They traveled through the hallways. “We are supposed to be bad boys. The ultimate alpha men. Isn’t that what women want these days?”
“I think you misunderstand. Yes, we want a man that knows how to be an alpha. But it’s nice to know that you don’t think of us as bitches or sluts or any of the countless other things that goes with the persona. Being a bad boy doesn’t mean you have to be a disrespectful thug.”
“Hmmm, an alpha who knows how to be caring. That’s a novel idea. Perhaps you should write a book. Perhaps tell men how to accomplish that particular feat?”
“If I could tell men how to do that, I doubt I’d be getting—” Her easygoing manner was gone in a second.
“I won’t lie to you and say I’m sorry you are getting a divorce. If you weren’t, I’d never have had the pleasure of your company tonight.”
“Maybe you should write the book.” She nudged Jack with her shoulder. She didn’t ask how he knew about her divorce. Everyone seemed to. “You seem to be doing just fine when it comes to the charm and alpha qualities.”
“May I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure.” What could it hurt?
“What is between you and Demetri Edwards?”
He had to ask a hard question. Asking her to deliver the President’s private phone number would’ve been an easier question. “We’re friends.”
“Cara, you are many things, but I doubt you are just a friend.”
“Why does everyone keep asking if there is more between Demetri and me?”
Jack opened his mouth, then shook his head. “You will have to ask him about that.”
“I did,” Stacy sulked.
“Really?”
“Well, sort of. When I ask him questions like how someone knows I’m talking about him, he changes the subject. Why does everyone know I’m talking about him? Why do you think there is something between myself and him?”
“And now it’s my turn to dance around the question. I would tell you if I could, but it is not my place.”
“Okay, I’m going to have to tie that man down and demand answers,” she grumbled, talking more to herself than to her companion.
“And that sounds like a very tempting method of persuasion. I know it would have me more than willing to talk.”
They were silent as they entered the elevator. It lasted until they were on the street. “What would you like for supper?”
“Is it horrible of me to admit that I’m a fast food junkie?”
Jack placed both hands on his heart. “Say it isn’t so. Well, we must correct that. There is an Italian restaurant not too far from here. They have an excellent selection.”
“Can—can you eat? I don’t mean to sound rude. I just—okay, I’ll be quiet now.”
“You are fine. We can eat. It doesn’t provide any of the nutrients we need, but we may eat. It’s more like complete comfort food. Mortals gain no nutrition from candy bars or chips, but you eat them.”
“Well, yeah. Because they taste good.”
“Exactly.” He smiled.
Stacy blushed, feeling even more ignorant than ever.
“Don’t be embarrassed.” Jack placed his arm around her waist, directing her through the crowd. “As I said before, I admire your desire to learn about our world. Not everyone takes the time to learn about us. With some mortals, it is clear they only want to do whatever they must to get away from us as quickly as possible. With others they only want to become like us without realizing all it involves.”
“That’s horrible.” She could not imagine anyone being rude to the wonderful man. He’d shown her nothing but respect.
“C’est la vie. I’m sure you have met at least one person you would rather not know in our world.”
An image of the bitch nurse popped into Stacy’s head. “Maybe just one,” she admitted. When Jack stopped, she looked around. “I thought we were going to an Italian restaurant.”
“We are. Appearances are not always what they seem.” Opening the door, he allowed her to precede him into the rundown-looking building.
* * * * * *
Over an hour later, Stacy was stuffed as they exited the building. “Thank you so much for that. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted food so delicious.”
“It was my pleasure. But now, I’m afraid I have ruined our evening.”
“What do you mean?” A drop of water fell onto her hand. Soon it was joined by others.
“I did not think to bring an umbrella.”
Stacy laughed. How could her evening be ruined by a little rain?
“Your clothes will be ruined.” He sounded so disgusted with himself.
“Relax,” she said, turning to face him. It felt a little weird to tell someone else the words her guru had been trying to pound into her head. “A little rain never hurt anyone. And my clothes won’t be ruined. Besides, they’re just clothes.” She tilted her face and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the cool rain as it landed on her.
“I have never met another woman like you. The ones I know would have run back inside and insisted I get something to cover them with.”
“I love the rain,” she told him truthfully. “As a child, I loved dancing in it. My family all thought I was crazy. But I loved it.” Lifting her arms, she paid no attention to passersby as she spun around.
“May I have this dance?”
“There’s no music.” She stopped, suddenly embarrassed.
“Does that matter? Did it stop you when you were younger?”
It hadn’t. “I’d be honored.” Stacy curtseyed and placed her hand inside of Jack’s with a giggle.
He wrapped his arms around her and spun her, the way she’d seen happen many times in movies. When she stopped he pulled her so close she could feel the heat radiating from his body. Unlike all those vampire myths, he didn’t feel cold to touch. Her head dropped backward and her eyes closed as they danced in the middle of the street. She could hear people mumbling about crazy tourists and the silliness of youth, but it didn’t stop her or detract from her enjoyment.
As the rain poured down on top of her, Stacy felt alive. She felt relaxed and free. She felt young and carefree again.
Opening her eyes, she saw Jack staring at her and smiled. She was positive her makeup was ruined and her hair was becoming stringy, but she didn’t care. She gasped slightly when his lips tou
ched hers, softly. There was no demand in his kiss, and he pulled back almost immediately.
Lifting to her tiptoes, she covered his mouth with hers. Her tongue traced his lips and when his tongue darted out, she sucked it into her mouth. She arched against him, pressing closer, uncaring of the rain that fell on them.
Jack was the first to pull away. “I’m sorry, that was inappropriate.”
“Why?” She stared up at him, not understanding what he meant.
“You work for...and I am...”
“I understand.” Pulling away from his embrace, Stacy started walking down the street, her carefree attitude gone. She was just the hired help.
He stopped her. “I didn’t mean it like that. I—I know about BSC’s contracts.” Shifting from one foot to the other, he seemed uncomfortable. “I know they tell you to make yourself available to clients. And I don’t want to be with you because you think it’s part of your job.”
“Funny. I didn’t even remember I was still on the job until you brought it up. But you’re right, I am. And if I remember correctly you still have a ton of work left for me to do...”
“Stacy, please. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
That’s what made it so hard. She knew he hadn’t been deliberately trying to hurt her. She was the one who had forgotten she wasn’t out on a date. So she’d acted as she would with a man she found attractive, and she was angry at herself for that. “Don’t worry about it.”
She strode back toward the office. Her good mood was ruined.
They returned to the conference room in silence. Scooping up one of the towels that were lying on the table, she was amazed at how much the company seemed to know about what went on outside of its walls.
“Why don’t you go on home and get into some dry clothes? It can’t be comfortable sitting there soaking wet.”
It wasn’t. But she had a job to do, and she’d make certain it got done. “We have too much left to work on, and not much time.”
“Stacy, I would never forgive myself if you got sick for indulging me in a dance.”
“I—” She sighed. She knew she could deny it until she was blue in the face, but he’d continue to insist she indulged him rather than the other way around. Oh yes, in some ways she was getting to know this world. “Is there anything in the rules that say we have to finish our work here?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Then why don’t you come with me. I think I might have a pair of men’s sweat pants that will fit you, at least until your suit dries some. You can dictate more of your notes while we both dry off. Then we can both return to the office and finish up.”
“I don’t think—”
“I insist. Or I’ll stay and do my job.”
“Very well,” Jack conceded. “Lead on.”
Twenty minutes later, Stacy was in her room, changing into a pair of pajama bottoms and a baggy shirt. It wasn’t the most romantic or professional outfit in the world, but it would warm her up while they waited for Jack’s suit to dry. He’d insisted that so long as they kept the temperature on low, his pants would not be ruined by being in the dryer.
Reluctantly, she’d followed his instructions. Now she just had to brave leaving her room in the light blue pants and oversized shirt. Fortunately she’d gotten into the habit of buying men’s jogging pants to wear around the house. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had anything for Jack to wear, other than a towel. And she doubted she’d be able to concentrate with him walking around in just a towel and his underwear. If he even wore underwear.
“Are you coming out?” He asked through the door.
“Do I have to?”
“I don’t like dictating notes through the door. I prefer to be able to look at whomever I speak to.”
“Fine,” she pouted. Opening the door, she paused. “Don’t laugh.”
“I won’t,” he responded, though she could already hear the laughter in his voice. When the door was open, she did her best runway model impression. She stopped when she saw him, bare-chested standing in her hallway. He had on the sweat pants and his socks, and nothing else. He looked good enough for her to eat.
“And you thought I was going to laugh. Though, I think I’d actually prefer to see your pajama top to a shirt that is swallowing you whole.”
“I didn’t think—that is—I have...” Her hand rose to her chest. She was littered with marks from her sex-capades with Demetri the previous week. And while most of them had faded, there were still several that would linger for a few more days.
“I’m sure you do. But, if you don’t mind, I’d rather see you wearing something that fits. Whether it’s a gown or a pajama top or just a shirt you threw on. Will you change for me?”
“Fine. I’ll be back in a minute.” Returning to her room she took a deep breath. Returning to her dresser she pulled out the teddy bear top that went with the bottoms. It had a large brown teddy bear covering most of the camisole style top. There was a large blue bow around his neck that matched the blue from her pants. It only took her a few minutes to switch her clothes, and she felt incredibly exposed.
It didn’t feel right to be writing down notes with a man as incredibly sexy as Jack while showing off the marks her lover made on her. Especially when she wanted to drool on her guest, to attack him and see if he was as yummy out of those pants as he looked with them on.
Opening the door once again, she fought the urge to cover herself. She wasn’t sure which she wanted covered more, the darkest hickey or the bite on her shoulder. And why was she so obsessed with that damn bite mark anyway? It’s not like it was the only place Demetri had bitten her. Though it was the only spot on her body that bore any sign she’d been bitten.
“Much better,” Jack smiled. Stacy could feel herself blush with embarrassment. “Why are you so red, Cara? There is nothing to be ashamed of. Trust me, I’d be more than a little curious if you didn’t have any marks on you. They do not bother me.”
“I—It’s been so long since I’ve been,” she cleared her throat, “marked like this. I’m not sure how I feel having them be seen by my boss.”
“But I’m not really your boss, am I? I’d certainly like to think we passed beyond the coworker stage tonight. Especially after you kissed me. Why did you kiss me?”
She’d hoped he wouldn’t ask that. “I—uh, that is I—um...Can I plead the fifth?”
“We’re not in court.”
Nodding, she still avoided the question. “Can I offer you anything to eat, to drink?”
He chuckled. “As wonderful as that sounds, I don’t think you have what I need here.”
Her blush, far from gone, darkened. “I—I don’t mind if you want—that is if you’d like to—”
“That is a very generous offer, but I do not expect it.”
“I don’t mind. Honest.”
“And you are not afraid?”
“A little,” she told him truthfully. “But I’ve had a really nice time talking to you. I know I’m going to do this sooner or later. Is it horrible of me to want to get it over with? I mean, I could be wrong, but I don’t think you’d try to hurt me.”
“I would not.” He stepped closer and caressed her cheek.
“Then I guess the question is, do you mind.”
“Is there anything you’d like to know before I...start?”
She thought about her shoulder. “Will you—will I have a scar?”
“No. I will not scar you. There are ways to do it that will not mark you permanently.”
“I would appreciate that.” Closing her eyes, she waited patiently for him to bite her.
“Relax. If done properly, this can be just as enjoyable for you as it is for me.” He waited until her shoulders relaxed slightly. She hadn’t even realized she’d tensed them. He was standing behind her, his hands kneading her shoulders. He kept the massage up for several long minutes. “Does that feel good?”
“Oh yes,” she moaned. “I didn’t realize how tense I was.”
“Shall we move to the couch?”
For a second all of her anxiety came back, but she agreed.
He led her to the soft dark green couch. When she sat down, on it, Jack nudged her to angle her to the side then sat down behind her. His hands continued to work their magic on her shoulders then down her back.
“I’m not complaining, but how is this me helping you?”
Jack chuckled. “I gain pleasure from giving it.” He pressed a kiss against her shoulder, near her neck. She was embarrassed when she jumped slightly.
“I’m so sorry. I really am trying to relax. But I’ve only been with—that is, I’ve only had four lovers.”
“In your life?” His hands froze.
“Yes.” Stacy determined at that point that she really would have to go with that earth swallowing her whole option the next time she got a bonus. Certainly nothing could be as painful as having to admit her sexual inadequacies.
“That explains a lot.” He pressed another kiss against her. Thankfully, she wasn’t surprised this time. His massage began again, his hands slipping up underneath the flimsy top she wore to knead the muscles on her lower back.
She groaned. His hands felt so good, especially when combined with what his mouth was doing to her throat. She could feel his teeth nipping at her flesh, but never hurting her. Instead, it sent pleasurable tingles through her body. Those combined with the feeling of his talented hands had her shifting to find a slightly more comfortable position on the couch. Her pussy ached for attention.
She leaned backwards, her head tilting to the side to give him better access to her neck. When he approached her ear, his tongue darted out and traced her earlobe. Reaching behind her, she grabbed his hands and circled them around her waist. Once that obstacle was no longer between them, she leaned backwards, closer to his body.
He sucked her lobe into his mouth and she arched against him. Bringing her arms up, she wrapped them around his neck. She gasped when he cupped her breasts. Jack trailed kisses down her and started to suckle her neck harder. She felt one of his hands release her breast and tried to grab it, to put it back where it was until she felt it slipping under the waistband of her pants. He cupped her through her panties. But he wasn’t content to stop there. With slight nudges, he let her know he wanted her to lift her hips slightly.