by Linda Cajio
He caressed her, driving her higher, further into ecstasy’s flame than she ever meant to go. She touched him in kind, until he was groaning with his need for her. Whatever she had imagined Jake would steal from her with his touch, never to be retrieved, she hadn’t been even close to the reality. It didn’t matter where their lovemaking happened. She was in love.
The realization brought panic, then confidence. She kissed him with renewed fervor, caressing him with knowledge and wonder, wanting to drown him in her so that he never emerged again. Murmuring in her ear, he pressed the packet into her hand. When he was ready, she cradled him in her thighs, loving the feel of his body, warm and solid and real, on hers. She buried her face in his shoulder and wrapped her legs around his hips, not wanting the feeling to end.
She gasped as he plunged inside her, the invasion shocking and sensual. He pressed his face into her hair, his hands knotting in the tresses, and held her for long minutes. Just held her. No words were spoken and yet things were said. Finally, he raised his head and gazed down at her. He kissed her gently, then again, and again. Long, lingering, drawn-out kisses that slowly intensified the passion between them. At last they moved together in counterpoint. Charity clung to him, straining against him, the ancient rhythms catching her in their intricate emotions. They moved faster and faster and higher and higher until she thought her body would break. And then it did.
Satisfaction spasmed through her, flooded her. She dug her nails into his shoulders, trying to keep from shattering in the onslaught. Jake cried out and thrust into her one last time. She went gladly with him into the velvet darkness.
Eventually she resurfaced. Jake was collapsed contentedly on top of her, his face buried in her neck. He held her close to him as if he wouldn’t ever let her go. She had the oddest feeling that the world had tilted on its axis, never to be righted again.
“I think my backside is getting a sunburn,” he murmured against her skin.
She ran her hand up and down his back in a light caress. “It’ll be cute.”
“Cute!” He raised his head. “I don’t want to be cute. I want to be sexy.”
“Too late.”
He chuckled. “I was afraid of that.”
It didn’t matter, somehow, that he hadn’t said “I love you,” or that she hadn’t said the words either. This free and easy companionship had its own building blocks for her.
“Charity,” he began, his expression growing serious.
“Shh.” Reaching up she touched his cheek, then pulled him down for her kiss.
“Do you suppose anyone saw us?”
From the other side of the kitchen Jake laughed as he watched her frowning out the window. She had put on his shirt as a covering. The shirt had never looked better. Neither had she, except when her face was a mask of ecstasy. No woman was more beautiful then. He didn’t know why she’d made love with him, but he wasn’t about to question his good fortune. Pouring more coffee, he said, “I doubt we were seen. I haven’t noticed anybody myself since I moved in. Anyway, it’s too late now.”
She turned, grinning at him. “How’s your backside?”
“Warm.” He rubbed the seat of his pants, all he was wearing.
He brought the coffee over to her. She took a sip, the faltering afternoon sun sending red-gold glints along her skin. He reached out with his free hand and touched her cheek. “Thank you.”
She smiled. “I think I’m late getting back to work.”
He put his arm around her and pulled her to his side. She felt good there, as if made for it. “I guess I’ll have to dock your pay.”
She laughed. “The explanation ought to be interesting.”
He chuckled with her, then the amusement faded to a comfortable silence. Finally, he asked a question that had been burning in his mind. “Do you have regrets, Charity?”
“No.” Her answer was instantaneous, and very reassuring. “No regrets.”
He kissed her hair, content. She’d broken every one of her personal rules, and she’d done it for him.
“Jake, can you do anything for the people at work?” she asked.
“I tried, Charity. I argued all morning with the board of directors, but they aren’t budging.” He snorted. “They’re looking to save money any way they can. Health benefits are very expensive now, nearly fifteen hundred dollars per person annually. Multiply that by the hundreds of people Wayans employs.”
“But, Jake, the men there, they have dependents, children who need health care, new babies. Mary’s husband has heart problems. A private company will never accept them.”
“I know!” He stood and paced restlessly, not finding anywhere to turn from the truth. “I know. Don’t you think I told them all that?”
She rose and put her arms around him. “I know you did.”
He held her, grateful that she believed him and startled to realize that he had wondered if she would. Obviously, he still didn’t know her as well as he thought he did. “A lot of companies are eliminating health care.”
“That doesn’t make it right,” she said.
He nodded. “The worst part is, Charity, they left the health care for upper management.”
She stiffened and pulled away. “You’re kidding.”
“No. That’s how far their idiocy went.”
She muttered curse words he didn’t even think she knew, putting them in combinations that would have done a sailor proud. Then she rounded on him. “Dammit, Jake, that’s unfair!”
“Yes, it is,” he agreed mildly. “And that’s exactly what I told them. Do you feel like you just made love to a traitor?”
Startled, she stared at him, the anger draining out of her. It was easy to see he’d taken her by surprise. She stepped back into his arms. “No. You’ve played fair with us. I know how hard you’re working to get new contracts for the company.” She lifted her head, a funny expression he couldn’t define on her face. “Have you been teaching the board about this men’s movement, Jake? The whole thing smacks of unbridled machismo.”
He chuckled. “I’m innocent. Besides, three of them are women. There’s nothing more I can do today. Let’s go up to bed.…”
He began to turn as he said the words, then realized she wasn’t turning with him. He looked back, his arm still around her, and searched her gaze for an explanation of her hesitation.
“Charity?”
“I’d lose myself in your bed,” she whispered. “I’m not ready to do that.”
“What?” The words didn’t make any sense to him, yet they hurt like sharp knives plunging into his heart.
“I can’t.” Her expression was pleading.
“Okay.” He pulled her into his embrace again, stroking her hair, letting the strands encircle his fingers like trails of silk. Forcing aside his hurt and confusion, he reminded himself that an hour ago she had responded to his emotional needs. He could only do the same for her.
“It’s silly, I know,” she added.
“It’s okay,” he repeated. “I’ve been pushing you. I won’t hurt you, Charity.”
“Can you really promise that?” she asked. “Can anyone?”
“I can promise.” He knew it was true. And he knew another truth. He wouldn’t be the one to do the hurting if that time ever came.
It would be her.
“It’s late. I need to go.”
Even though she said the right words, Charity didn’t move. Her head rested on Jake’s naked chest and his chest hair tickled her nose, but she didn’t bother to shift herself. She couldn’t. Her body felt like contented jelly. The scent of him drifted along her senses, enticing her emotions with an age-old satisfaction of a mate found.
He tightened his arms around her. “You said you had to leave an hour ago, and look at how far that got you.”
“To the couch in the living room. It’s closer to the front door than the window seat.”
They both laughed.
“It’s not so bad here,” he said. “You’re getting close
r to my bedroom too, you know.”
She knew. She tilted her head up. “I’m not there yet.”
“Hell, I have been. It’s no prize. You have funny notions, Charity Brown.”
“It’s my upbringing.”
“There ya go.”
She knew he didn’t understand, and even if he did, he’d still be hurt. What could she say to explain better? Nothing. She wished she were less wise and less cautious … and less confused.
Finally, when contented jelly began to turn to uncontented cramping, she disentangled herself to gather up her clothes. As she put them on, she said, “I really do have to go.”
He rose and nuzzled her shoulder, running his tongue along her skin. His hand reached around and covered her breast. For a long moment Charity gave herself up to the lazy sensations he was creating. Then she put his hand away from her. “Behave. I can’t go back to work with you, and that’s what I’ll end up doing if you keep that up.”
“It’s already up,” he said innocently.
“So I see.” She eyed him, tempted to accept the invitation again. Firmly, she said, “You’ll survive.”
“You have no sympathy, woman.” He kissed her shoulder again. “Anyway, if we show up at work together, it’ll give the gossips something else to talk about.”
“Jake, I don’t think anyone would be surprised about anything after today.”
He sighed and slumped back against the sofa. “I’ll bet. Damn those idiots! Don’t they know this isn’t any way to run a company?”
“Probably not. That’s why they’re the board of directors.” She pulled her blouse on, forgoing bra and stockings, then slipped her feet into her pumps.
“You sure you want to go?”
She smiled at him. “No. But I really have to.”
He stood again, putting his arm around her as he walked her to the front door.
“Ahh … Jake,” she began. “Don’t you think you’re forgetting something? Like clothes?”
“Naaa.” He grinned. “I have no shame.”
“I can tell.”
At the door he gave her a long, lingering kiss that nearly seduced her into staying. Nothing was more sensual than being fully clothed while in the arms of a naked man.
Somehow she made it out the door … more vulnerable than ever.
Charity walked by the ladies’ room without stopping.
Actually, she slinked by, she admitted to herself without an ounce of remorse. She didn’t want to face another dead-silence greeting. And she didn’t want to face further fury about the health care memo. She’d probably wind up defending Jake and blowing any last vestige of her reputation.
Face it, girl, she thought, your reputation’s long gone. She was appalled at herself for walking out of work the way she had the day before … yet she’d done what was right. She didn’t regret anything that had happened between her and Jake. She had wanted to make love. And if she had it to do all over again, she would. He was right; it was personal between them. And it had been very personal until she’d finally and reluctantly dragged herself from his arms to go home.
She reached her desk without incident, only nodding to the few people who were already at their own desks. Her backside had no sooner touched her chair when Dave materialized out of nowhere.
“Where were you yesterday?” he asked. His tone was snide and his eyes gleamed with knowledge.
“I took the afternoon off, Dave.”
“That was obvious. So did our boss.”
“I have work to catch up on,” she said, smiling blandly and shuffling through the papers on her desk.
“See that you do,” he snapped, and walked away.
“Happy now that you got your dig in?” she muttered under her breath.
Mary was the next one at her desk, along with several others among the Wayans staff, both men and women. Charity decided it must have been an interesting morning in the ladies’ room.
“Did you talk to him?” Mary asked.
Charity cleared her throat. “Well … yes.”
“And what did he say? About the health care benefits.”
“The decision came down from the board. He said he argued until he was blue in the face, but they had to cut them to help put the company back on its feet.”
Grumbles began all around.
“He’s going to talk to them again,” she added, wondering when exactly he’d be able to do that.
“I bet it’s illegal,” one woman said in bitterly angry tones.
“We all ought to quit,” said another.
“This place would collapse if we did.”
Slowly they walked away from her desk. Charity bet very little work would be done that day. Why did management do this stuff that took the heart out of everyone?
“Keep talking to him, Charity,” Mary said before she left. “He listens to you.”
“Mary, he does whatever he has to do, no matter what I or you or anyone says. We both know that.”
“But you get through.”
Mary walked away before Charity could reply. Why, she wondered, would Mary think she’d get through when no one else would? Besides, Jake was already on their side. He had to get through to his bosses, an apparently impossible task.
Fifteen minutes later everyone was back at her desk—and they brought friends. “We want you to talk to him now,” Mary said.
She gaped at them. “Now? Me?”
They all nodded, their expressions serious. Mary came around the desk, took her arm, and urged her to her feet. “Talk to him now, tell him how we feel about this. Maybe if we put pressure on him, he’ll put it on the board.”
“But … but …” Charity stuttered as they swept her along to Jake’s office.
Oh, brother, she thought. This was going to be a humdinger of a day.
Jake looked up as his office door opened. Charity walked in, his secretary squawking behind her, and a melange of faces in turn behind her.
“It’s okay,” he said to his secretary, who frowned but shut the door.
Charity made a face as she crossed the room and slumped into a chair. “I’ve been delegated to talk to you about the benefits.”
“I figured it was either that or my lynch mob.” He came around the desk and leaned against its edge, staring down at her. She looked beautiful, a contentment in her eyes he’d never seen before. And he’d put it there. With her prim gray suit, she didn’t resemble the sensual creature of the night before. He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the chair arms, and kissed her soundly. Her arms instantly encircled his neck, her tongue meeting and swirling with his. Perfume and woman filled his senses, beckoning him into the velvet vortex.
“Good morning,” he murmured when he finally lifted his head. “How about another ‘Great Escape’?”
Her arms slid away slowly. “Very tempting, but they’d come looking for us.”
“Probably. Okay, what do they want? And how did you get delegated to do this?”
“I don’t know,” she answered, running her hand through her hair. “Mary, I think. She seems to think I get through to you.”
“She’s not wrong. Did you tell them I lost?”
“Yes. They think you ought to keep the pressure on the board, and they’re going to keep the pressure on you.”
He looked heavenward. “Wonderful. Can I see you tonight?”
She shook her head. His stomach clenched as if he’d been hit, until she said, “I have a class.”
“Can I drive you? I’ll carry your books.”
She chuckled. “You’d be bored, hanging around for me.”
“I can reread War and Peace. And we could fool around in the backseat afterward.”
“After my class or after War and Peace?”
“Whichever comes first.”
She cleared her throat. “I won’t touch that line with a ten-foot pole.”
“Better not,” he agreed.
“Will you talk to the board again?” she asked, bringing the subjec
t back to reality. “I think you should.”
“I already have a conference call scheduled for tomorrow at ten.” He smiled wryly. “I’m doing my best, Charity. Now they”—he gestured toward his door—“have to do their best and bring in the work.”
“I’ll tell them that.”
She stood and touched his cheek. Her hand was soft and comforting … and loving. He didn’t think he’d ever been so grateful for a woman’s touch before. He took her hand and kissed her palm. She shivered deliciously … then she was in his arms, kissing him with everything she had.
Charity’s heart was pounding by the time they finally broke the kiss. She laid her head on his chest, shuddering as his hands stroked her back. “Oh, Lord, Jake. What have we done?”
“Opened the floodgates, Charity. Can I take you to school tonight?”
“Yes.” She didn’t want to go to school. She wanted to go straight to his bed. She knew she shouldn’t, but it was what she wanted with all her heart. Not yet, she told herself. “Shall I tell everyone that you have a conference call?”
“Yes. Reassure them I’m on their side. But tell them, too, we’ve got some hard choices ahead, especially if we get the health bennies back.”
“You’re talking about people being laid off, aren’t you?” she asked, not raising her head to look at him. She didn’t know if she was ready for that.
“Yes. That can happen if we don’t get the work. It’ll be streamlining, however, not mass cuts.”
“They won’t like that, but at least they’ll be prepared if it happens.” She raised her head and was immediately swept up into another kiss. She gave herself over to it gladly.
Finally, she got out the door, praying she’d managed to fix her hair and blouse properly. To her shock, the crowd was still in the foyer of Jake’s office, waiting for her.
“What did he say?” Mary asked.
Looking around at the eagerly waiting faces, Charity wished she had better news.
“He’s already got a conference call scheduled tomorrow with the board to discuss the health benefits,” she said.
“Did you put the pressure on?” another asked.