He hung up the phone, and Rachel had to fight back another round of tears. She wiped her nose with a napkin, making some sort of a noise that could only be described as a cross between a laugh and a sob. So that’s why he’s so tall; he’s freaking Super Man.
Chapter Nine
Rachel sipped her tea slowly, waiting for Joe to arrive. She still couldn’t shake the feeling that she was a week away from losing her job, but she wasn’t panicking anymore. There were happier things to focus on, at least for the moment — like the fact that Joe was on his way. She took a deep breath and exhaled, the thought calming her more as the minutes ticked by. And within the hour, she spotted the Tahoe pulling up.
Her heartbeat picked up again, this time in a way she would happily accept. She couldn’t help but smile, tickled at the way in which he stepped out of the car, a look of urgency on his face. Joe was a man on a mission; he took long strides from the car, which he’d carelessly parked in a no standing zone, and burst into the coffeehouse. Joe knew exactly where to find her; as he approached, his face morphed from one of concern to one of a man who was clearly over the moon.
She stood and smiled, happier to see him than she thought she’d be. And that’s something, because I knew I’d feel better once I saw his face. His jeans hung off of his hips as he lengthened his steps to reach her faster, his fitted shirt boasting his perfectly constructed chest, abs, and arms.
Before Rachel could say a word, he took her face in his hands, leaned forward, and kissed her full on the mouth. And here come the vapors. His lips merely pressed against hers firmly, but she was practically panting by the time he released her.
“Joe, are you nuts? What if someone sees?”
He sucked his teeth. “Oh, shush. Come here.”
Winding his arms around her, Joe bent and swept her into his embrace for the hug of a lifetime. He spun slowly on the spot as he held her, and she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder. Her long dark tresses fell into his face and he inhaled gently.
They remained there for a moment, until Joe opened his eyes and realized that random coffee drinkers were stopping to steal a glance or two, mostly with goofy smiles on their faces. He gave a small laugh and, reluctantly, put her down. She kept her head against his chest, and he leaned down to plant a kiss on the top of her head.
“Do you wanna talk about it?”
Rachel nodded, her face rubbing against his chest and stirring up the shivers that Joe couldn’t get enough of when she was around. “I do, but let’s go back to your place first.”
“As you wish,” he grinned, a reference to their favorite book.
Rachel had calmed considerably by the time they were on the highway and headed back to Joe’s apartment. She realized in the Tahoe that she was exhausted; no doubt a side effect of the panic attack. Joe placed a comforting hand on her knee.
“Close your eyes, hon … we’ll be there soon.”
Rachel was surprised and wonderfully delighted at how safe she felt with him, and let that knowledge wash over her as she closed her eyes and dozed.
Rachel was in his arms when she came to. She opened her eyes sleepily, and let out a tired giggle.
She teased, “Is this your idea of a good time?”
He smiled as he stared ahead. “Any time you’re in my arms would classify as a good time.”
Rachel giggled, as she tended to do when he was around, and laid her head on his shoulder. She listened to his heartbeat, a quick and steady thump, as he carried her into the building, over the threshold. Rachel couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Don’t go there, Rach. She giggled again.
“You all right there, Miss Sirianni?”
She looked up at him. “I’m fine, Mr. Pavon. I think I’d like to ride the elevator on my own two feet, if you don’t mind.”
He put her down, sliding her down his body. A delighted sigh escaped her lips, and she looked up at him with a grin.
“I’m so glad to see you,” she confessed, placing her hands on his powerful chest.
His muscles flexed as he reacted to her touch, and the movement made her palms tingle. Joe looked down at her, lifting his hand to twirl a lock of her hair in his fingers with an affectionate look on his face.
“Same here, gorgeous.”
Rachel leaned in, pressing her body against his as he leaned against the wall of the elevator car.
“You make it really hard for me to behave myself,” he admitted.
She smiled, stifling a giggle. “I’m sorry. If it’s any consolation, you’re all I think about. I actually miss kissing you right now.”
His eyes brightened. “Oh yeah? Right now?”
Rachel nodded playfully. “Right now.”
He cupped her face in his hands, pushing her backward to the opposite end of the elevator car. “Well, who am I to deprive you of something you want?”
She giggled excitedly just before his mouth closed over hers. Rachel’s back hit the elevator and his arms were locked around her waist shortly after. She was lost in his embrace, breathless from his touch. In distance, she heard a bell and a rushing sound. And suddenly she felt incomplete — the elevator door opened and Joe had let her go. With a wicked grin, he grabbed her hand and pulled her out, leading her to his front door.
Rachel couldn’t help but marvel in the way he made her knees weak. Joe opened the door and led her inside.
“Here she is,” he said, closing the door behind them as she looked around, “My humble abode.”
It looks like my place, she thought with a smile, except his furniture is bigger. A tiny shudder reverberated through her body as it reminded her that Joe was indeed the size of an Olympian, with a need for like-sized furniture. And then of course, there was the fact that she was staring at the couch, imagining what it’d be like to make out with Joe while sitting on it. Rachel took a seat and sat all the way back — her legs dangled helplessly, and she tilted her head back to laugh. He gave her an amused expression, and she looked up at him to explain.
“I need these couches in my life … they make me feel so small!”
Joe laughed. “They’re custom made. A guy like me needs room to stretch out.”
With a delighted chuckle, Rachel kicked her legs back and forth, and then leaned back into the amazingly squashy couch cushions. Her eyes rolled briefly, and then closed. She let out a tiny little moan; unable to remember when she’d been this comfortable. When Rachel opened her eyes, she noticed Joe watching her. And his eyes had gone dangerously dark. This was the kind of dangerous she liked to see. Joe stepped forward, his head tilted downward as he approached the couch with a mischievous smirk.
“Let’s see just how much room I’ve got on this bad boy.”
Joe placed a knee on the couch and deftly crawled to the other end, covering her body with his massive frame. With one hand, he reached under her and tugged — she was beneath him instantly. The carnal expression on his face combined with the lopsided grin she had grown to crave seeing set her core on fire. Pinned beneath him, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, gently at first.
His pace quickened as his desire for her intensified, and soon she was breathless again. She gasped as he released her mouth to nibble on her neck and satisfy his urge to roam the length of her body with his hands. Her own hands found their way into his hair as she urged him on. Rachel whispered his name as she let her hands trail down his powerfully built shoulders and back, marveling in the way his back flexed and stretched beneath her fingertips.
His mouth captured hers again, and she gently grazed his back with her fingernails as his kiss continued to drive her mad. Joe reacted intensely, parting her legs with his knee and pushing himself against her. She accommodated his sizeable frame willingly, and soon he was pressing against her most private of parts. Whoa! Rachel couldn’t
ignore how perfectly heavy and thick he felt against her, and she gently rolled her hips against him.
Joe growled in response; in one deft movement, he wrapped his arms around her waist and got up on his knees, taking her with him. Rachel very suddenly found herself straddling him, and he was pinning her in place with his marvelously skilled hands. She locked her arms around his neck and pulled him close, matching the intensity of his kiss with all the lust-driven energy she could muster.
Suddenly, Joe pulled back. He held her in place, tilting his head back as he tried to catch his breath. “Wait, Rach … wait.”
Crap. Rachel steadied herself by placing her hands on his chest and twisting her body to climb off of his lap. He grabbed her by the hips with both hands, holding her still while inadvertently pressing her against his massive erection.
His voice lusty, he explained, “I didn’t say move. I said wait.”
The tiniest of whimpers slipped from her mouth, and she gladly sat still. It took every bit of willpower not to roll her hips where she sat, just to see how much Joe could take before deciding to take over and have his way with her. She watched him carefully as she struggled with the idea of where things were headed. He tilted his head backward, exposing his neck. She licked her lips, silently wishing she were brave enough to be truly aggressive with him. With an inward giggle, it occurred to her that maybe — just maybe — she couldn’t actually handle a man his size. But boy, am I willing to find out!
Joe finally lifted his head and looked at her. “I want you to know that this isn’t all about sex. But I can’t seem to control myself around you.”
She took his face in her hands, finally leaning over him. “You don’t have to say it. I know it isn’t.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I just don’t want you to think that I — ”
Rachel shook her head, bringing her head down to press her lips against his. “Don’t do this, Joe. Let’s just save it for when we’re both ready, okay?”
He gave her an expression that she didn’t quite understand. Was he thankful? Worried? Damn it, what the hell is he thinking? Rachel almost wished she were at work so that she could actually know what was going on inside his head. The thought that he could open up to Kirby faster than he could her consumed her thoughts, so much so that she clamored off of him without another word.
“Rach?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Joe?”
“You’re not upset are you?” Now he looked concerned.
She smiled assuredly. “Why would you think that? I’m just glad today is over, and I get to spend time with you. Maybe we should just make dinner.”
He rolled his eyes at his own anxiety. “That’s a good idea. Why don’t you hang out here and I’ll get things started?”
“No, let me help,” she said, following him into the kitchen. “Cooking soothes me … and you do too.”
The comment was deliberate; she was trying hard to make him see just how much she cared. Thankfully, it wasn’t lost on him. He turned away from the fridge and paused to give her an affectionate kiss, allowing his mouth to linger on hers tenderly. Rachel smiled as he moved away, that single kiss somehow meaning more than the brutally hot moment they’d just shared.
Cooking turned to dinner, and dinner turned to conversation. The conversation somehow made its way into his bedroom, where they laid on his Cal King bed to watch 50 First Dates. He gave a running commentary throughout the movie, and she either laughed or swooned at every single statement he made. Rachel wrapped her arm around his waist as he softly sang “Forgetful Lucy” along with the movie, and she couldn’t help but crush on him harder. And when the movie ended, Rachel and Joe were both half asleep.
Their legs were entwined, and she was buried in his warm embrace as they spooned on the huge bed. The sound of his rhythmic breathing soothed Rachel, and she loved — loved — being in his arms. They cuddled for what felt like hours, until it occurred to Rachel that she should probably head home. She attempted to get up, and Joe pulled her back down. He groaned in protest, and she giggled sleepily.
“It’s late, honey,” she murmured. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Mmm-mm. Stay here.”
Rachel sighed. I could get used to this. “Are you sure?”
He pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her waist. “Mmm.”
Within seconds, he was snoring gently as he held onto her the way a child would his favorite teddy bear. She twisted her body as quietly as she could without disturbance, so that she could face him. She planted a kiss on his chin, the only part she could reach being that she was locked in his muscular grip.
“Good night, babe.”
He sighed. “Good night, Rach.”
Within moments, Rachel was lulled into a deep sleep by the calming, steady beat of his heart. She dreamed of Joe, and his arms, and how safe she was with him. She dreamed of his kisses, and his laughter, and the heart of gold that beat beneath his rib cage. And when Rachel opened her eyes the next morning, she knew. I’m in love.
• • •
Camille couldn’t stop smiling at Rachel. “Love, huh?”
Rachel sighed. “Cami, I’ve fallen so hard that I’ve smacked my face on the pavement. I’m bleeding from the mouth right now.”
With a tickled grin, Camille remarked, “No one said it was easy.”
“This was too easy,” Rachel said with a shake of her head. “He made it so easy to fall for him. He’s so unreal, that I have no choice at this point to just believe he exists.”
She paused, and rolled her eyes at her own dramatic statement. “Sorry, Cam — I haven’t been making much sense lately.”
Camille sat on Rachel’s couch, handing her best buddy a glass of wine. “It’s all good. I’ve been waiting for it to happen to you. You had me worried for a little bit.”
Rachel smiled, taking a sip from her glass. “Thanks.”
Camille studied Rachel, trying to figure out what it was that just wasn’t adding up. She should have been happy, yet she still seemed to be stressing over something.
“What are you not telling me?”
Rachel had zoned out; she looked to Camille, her eyebrows raised. “What?”
Camille tilted her head. “You should be on top of the world right now. What are you not telling me?”
“Things just aren’t panning out the way they were supposed to.”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it? I mean, a couple of months ago you were all set to turn Mr. McCoffeehouse into a conquest, and it turned into love. You’re closer than ever to making junior editor, when you didn’t think you could — and now you’re just about ready to leave Orchid, right?”
When Rachel didn’t answer fast enough, Cami’s expression immediately became concerned. “I don’t like that silence, Rach — you’re going to leave Orchid now, right?”
She took a deep breath. “I can’t, Cam — ”
“Why the hell not? You can’t keep this up; especially knowing you’re in love with Joe! Are you out of your mind?”
“Are you seriously flipping on me right now?”
“Why can’t you quit?”
“Michelle’s on the war path with me right now,” Rachel answered with a sigh. “And Lucy’s been acting strange. She’s postponed my evaluation and has been asking questions about tension between Michelle and I — I don’t know what’s going to happen. I might be out of a job soon.”
“You can’t be serious,” Camille groaned, covering her face in her hand.
“I can’t afford to be out of a job,” Rachel stated matter-of-factly.
“And what about Joe? Can you stand to be without him? I can’t believe you’re going to stay at Orchid knowing what a risk it poses. You have to get out while you still can without him finding out!”
“Wha
t am I supposed to do?”
“Find another job! You majored in English Lit, not phone sex,” Camille hissed, draining her glass in an attempt to stop the pending migraine that Rachel was causing her.
Rachel stood abruptly, her eyes wide. “Thanks for the reminder, Camille — I might have forgotten about my college degree if you hadn’t just put me in check! How about you back off of me for a minute, by the way? I feel like I’m backed into a corner!”
“Do you even know if your job is at risk? How do you know that you may be on the way out?”
Rachel recounted the story of The Assistant and filled her in on all of the details surrounding Joe’s manuscript, and how Michelle is obviously threatened by the interest that Lucy’s taken in her progress. She brought up Amy’s observation, and Lucy’s cryptic questioning in her office. Camille closed her eyes.
“We’ve known each other forever, Rach,” she said, her voice shaky, “And you’ve never frustrated me more than this very moment.”
“I can’t take any chances just yet. If Equinox falls through, I can use Orchid as a safety net until I find another publishing job.”
Camille looked up. “I’m saying this as your sister, Rachel — you’re an idiot.”
“Camille!”
“I’m serious! Why aren’t you thinking about what Joe will say when he finds out what you’ve been doing, and who you are when he’s not around? Why would you even consider staying at Orchid when we’ve spent the last few weeks going over and over how horrible you feel about the secret you’ve been keeping from him?
“How are you going to explain this to him if you stay at Orchid? What if he starts calling more? What if you break character and he finds out — pardon the expression — the hard way?”
“Cami, that’s enough.”
Camille pressed, “And what if he doesn’t find out, Rachel? What if he goes on thinking that Kirby is a hot stranger, and he decides that he wants to partake in a little of what you normally do? How are you going to feel if he starts enjoying conversations with Kirby? Only it’s not actually Kirby, because she’s not a real person!”
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