8
Lenny
The last person I expected to see walk past my office this afternoon was Jules. From the cold shoulder I received this morning, I thought she’d avoid me at all lengths today, but with the way she’s swinging her hips, I suspect she has no clue that I’m watching her as she enters the space next door. I give myself a mental high-five as I’ve never been happier to have these glass wall partitions between our offices before. Yes, they give off the modern look that we were going for, but now I can turn in my chair and admire the girl next door whenever she’s here. Maybe, just maybe, this will help calm me down. Nope, that’s going to be a lie. Maybe the frosted glass needs to stay on at all times while she’s here. Because watching her right now as she looks around the space, I land my eyes on her chest. The royal purple material ducks deep between her breasts, showcasing them as if they want to play a game with my mouth. Jules hasn’t done this on purpose, it’s the simple way the design is made. But Lord, I want to be the one to strip it from her body right now. Clearing my throat, I turn around to avoid eye contact with Jules again. It’s really the fact that I need to conceal the massive hard on that I’m sporting in my jeans. There’s no reason to salute prying eyes today.
Focused on my emails, I don’t notice Jules entering my office until she clears her throat. My eyes scan up the length of her body, slowing as they move over her breasts before reaching her eyes. I lean back, flexing my chest for no reason other than to appear unaffected by her presence.
“Did you find everything you needed?”
“I did, thanks.”
“I hate to pester you, but have you looked at the flyers yet?”
“I did, and before you ask, I’ve found a few that I like, but I’m still not sure about this. Things right now are a little messy.”
“Messy how?” I ask as my ears perk up. I wonder if this has anything to do with David, or is it the fact that I’m trying to do something nice for her?
“Just complicated, let’s leave it at that.”
“Jules, we are the same age, and there’s no way I could live with my parents after being alone all these years. I’m a friend trying to help someone out in a time of need.”
“See, that’s the thing, Lenny. We aren’t friends, and we don’t know each other well enough for you to be doing something like this. Not to mention you are my boss, so the lines need to be set.”
“I might be your boss, but I’m not a total asshole. Pick a house, Jules, and let’s go.”
“I don’t have time to house hunt right now. Maybe a rain check?”
“No, because the next time I want to show up in the evening, I’m hoping I don’t get molested by boy band posters and teddy bears that scare the crap out of me,” I say with a slanted smile. Jules shifts her weight before I thrust out my hand for her to take a seat. I might not know her well, but something is on her mind. I watch as she lowers herself down into the chair, crossing her legs at her ankles like she’s the Queen of England. One thing is for sure, Jules has been bred to be a true Southern lady.
“Can I ask you a question, Lenny?”
“Sure, and if I don’t like it, I have the right not to answer.”
“Why are you being so nice? Why? I mean you’re painted as this huge asshole who loves to use women, and you play hardball in the conference room. I mean, the kiss was crossing the line for business partners, but it was a moment of weakness that I can overlook.”
Leaning forward in my chair, I prop my elbows up on the desk while I hold her stare before answering. I wait a few extra seconds just for good measure. “Something about you, Jules, is different, I won’t lie about that. The magazines, the rumors—they all make me out to be an asshole, and I let them. It keeps people from wanting anything from me. I only offer to those that I want to offer things to, and that person right now is you. As far as that kiss, you need to know that I never have moments of weakness. That happened because if I didn’t taste those lips of yours when I did, things would get out of hand sooner or later. I did what I did because I wanted to, not because I’m weak.” I hold our intense stare down until Jules’ eyes fall to the floor. She’s at a loss for words. Excitement courses through me as I’ve finally been able to stump her. It’s the clearing of her throat that warns me more is coming.
“I need to ask you one more thing, but before you respond I need you to know that this could be a deal breaker for me working with you.”
“You’ve already signed the contract, but go ahead,” I say, leaning back again as I motion for her to continue.
“You’d already said you don’t know my husband, or soon to be ex-husband, but I need you to verify that you have no relations with David and that you haven’t hired me or brought me here under false pretenses. Also, since you are helping me find a house, can you to confirm that there are no cameras inside to spy on me or find information that can be used against me or for my ex-husband to gain full custody of my daughter, Sophia?”
I let that question sit for longer than I intend. There’s a part of me that never thought about how this looked to her. How she would be scared to enjoy something like this because of the fear that she has for her scum bag ex-husband—or soon to be. I clear my throat and shift my weight a little before opening my mouth to speak. “Jules, I need for you to listen to me because this is the only time I will say this. David Aldridge could rot in Hell for all I care. I’ve never—in the past or in the present—worked with him. Let’s just say we are two very different people. Anything that happens here at Ward Properties is all done by either myself or Blake. We do not spy on our employees or house guests. Believe it or not, I’m a family man, and my employees are family. For that, I protect what’s mine. You need something handled with him, you come to me, and I’ll make it happen. Pick a damn house, Jules, and let’s go.”
I stand and grab my keys as I look back down to Jules. She’s processing what I just said, and I’m thankful for that. Maybe our lines are getting crossed, but I didn’t lie when I said our employees were family. They are, and I would protect Jules and Sophia in a heartbeat. Before she joins me at the doorway, I make a mental note to find out what the story is behind her and David. Why she would feel that I’m the reason she wouldn’t get full custody of their daughter. I’ve heard that David is one that you don’t want to cross, but I wonder just how far you can push him before he breaks. Would he have a problem if Jules and I were dating? Whoa… Where in the hell did that just come from? I don’t date… EVER.
“This one,” Jules says, breaking me from my thoughts as she tosses a flyer at me. I pick it up off the pile it landed on and take a look. It’s one of the smaller houses that we have. Only two bedrooms and two baths with an eat-in kitchen. With only twelve hundred square feet, I wonder if this would be big enough for her.
“Fine, let’s go, but you won’t like this one. It’s small, Jules, and you need more space.”
“No, I don’t. It’s plenty big enough, and y’all have to stop making decisions for me.”
“Who is ‘y’all?’ Last I checked it was just me doing the house thing,” I state, as I walk past her and wait for her to step toward me before I lead her down the hallway and to my car. Once outside, I notice she passes mine and heads to hers. Clearing my throat, I point to mine and wait for the lashing that she’s about to give.
“I’ll follow you. I have to pick my daughter up from school soon.”
“I do have a backseat, Jules, and maybe we can look at them together.”
“No, just me. My daughter has nothing to do with you nor my house hunting,” she states firmly as she ignores me and gets in her vehicle. I follow her lead and slide down into my seat. Making sure she’s ready, I back out and wait at the edge of the parking lot for her to get into position. Once we have the clear, I join the light traffic that we have at this time of day. I made sure that I gave us both enough room for her to be right behind me.
As I drive, my mind wonders to Jules. She has me all kinds of messed up, a
nd I don’t know why. Is it the cat and mouse game that we seem to be playing? Is it because all I want to do is see her naked body under mine? To taste those lips again? To see how good she would feel when I enter her? That’s all I can focus on as I almost past the turn into the subdivision.
Quickly I flip my right blinker on, alerting Jules that we need to turn. It hits me when we enter that she probably already knows where we are going. Making our way through the side streets, I park as close to the side of the driveway so I can allow Jules enough room to park next to me. I don’t wait for her to exit as I continue up the side path to the front door. Hitting the code to the keypad, I push the door open and can hear the clink clink of Jules’ heels approaching.
As I step over the threshold, I continue forward, giving her space to see the place as I don’t want to get into another pissing match with her about houses today. Leaning against the counter in the kitchen, I wait for her to make it to me. This house is one level with bedrooms off to the right and living quarters to the left, and in the back, the kitchen overlooks a small yard. I notice that the grass is dying in a few patches, making a mental note that we need the landscaping company to come by and add some fertilizer to the bare sections.
“This is nice,” Jules says as she approaches me.
“It’s okay, but I still say it’s too small for y’all.”
“Good thing you aren’t paying my rent.” She smirks as she walks to the sliding glass doors.
“I’ll have the grass fixed by the end of the week.”
“Don’t care about the grass, that’s not the selling point in this matter.”
“What is? I really would love the answer to this one. I mean a straight answer.”
“Price, location, and price.” Jules shrugs as if it’s no big deal.
“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”
“I do, but I’m pretty sure you will anyway.”
“What’s the deal? Why do you worry about price and location?”
“I’m about to be a single mother, I have a company to run, and as you know the market can turn at any moment.” Her answer is straightforward, but I know there’s more. I decide to leave it alone for now, but not for long.
I watch as she enters the small kitchen, taking her in and wondering if she had a large kitchen in the home she shared with David. Would this be big enough to cook in? What would this place look like with her in here making her morning coffee, rushing around as she tries to get the two of them ready to leave for work and school? Instantly my feet gravitate toward Jules, bringing me closer and closer to her back as she opens and closes the block of top cabinets. Her shoulders tense, knowing that I’m close. I can smell her shampoo—a mixture of jasmine and honeysuckle, but a faint hint of vanilla circles around her. It’s engulfing but in a good way. Slowly I raise my hand to her shoulder, letting her know it’s just me. She shrugs it off, stepping to the side as she turns around to face me. Jules wasn’t prepared to come this close to my face again, but we’re mere inches away. As she exhales, I can smell the peppermint from her breath. I can’t stop my hands from engulfing the sides of her face. I don’t move them, or my face. I take her in, examining the worry lines that have formed around her eyes. The way her emerald eyes have specks of hazel floating through them that I never noticed before. Is it because she’s excited? Do they do this when her heart rate picks up? Like we’re two people in a video on slow motion, I move my lips closer to hers. Taking my time before I press mine to hers, I spread her lips with my tongue as I beg for permission to continue. All I need is that moment where she opens, allowing me to seek out her tongue. It’s enough ammunition to give me hope for my next move.
My hands break free, moving down to her waist as I lift her up and place her on the counter. With her chest now eye level, I break free from Jules’ mouth, placing kisses all the way down her neck, caressing the bare skin of her collarbone as I make my way toward her breasts. Cupping one in my right hand, I squeeze the top of her hip with the other. A low moan emits from her throat, coursing me along as I move the material away allowing me access to push her lace bra aside. Jules wraps her legs around my waist, hooking them behind me as she pulls me into her. My free hand pushes up the material of her dress so I can slide my hand across her bare skin toward her core. Pushing her panties to the side, I continue exploring as I take a chance to flick her clit just a little to see if I can get a response from her.
She surprises me instead of stopping me. The moan that fills the air around us fuels me along. I don’t stop; instead, I apply more pressure to her clit as I swipe my finger up and down. Breaking away from her breast, I capture her mouth and moan. Jules is wet and ready, but I can’t take her like this—or can I? Pushing all thoughts from my mind, I focus on her and the way her body contours to my touch. The way each time I push in I can feel her tightening around my fingers. I slide them out just a little, so I can pinch her clit before thrusting forward again. Jules breaks our kiss, throwing her head back as far as she can before it hits the cabinet. I stall for just a moment, glancing up to make sure she’s okay.
Her eyes are hooded with desire, begging me to not stop as she pants out my name, “Lenny.” I reposition myself, and before I know it, Jules has moved her hand to the front of my slacks where my rock-hard cock is begging to come out and play. Mentally, I tell him later, but I’m not sure if I can wait any longer before taking her. I never said I was a gentleman, but I do have respect for Jules and her situation. Jules thrusts her hips into my hand, bringing me back to what we’re doing. I take the hint and continue to play until her orgasm reaches its limit, and I know that I’ve done my job well. I’m seconds away from tossing the towel in and rethinking my choice to not take her for my pleasure when the sound of her phone buzzes loudly through the empty space.
The moment I pull away, I notice the panicked look across Jules’ face. She’s no longer red from the heat of the moment; no, she’s as white as a ghost.
“This… This shouldn’t have happened, Lenny,” Jules says as she slides down from the counter. I don’t move as I fear she’ll make a run for it. Instead, I tighten my grip around her waist and rest my forehead against hers, giving us a few moments to let this sink in for the both of us. What just happened was a first for me. If this would’ve been any other woman, I’d have fucked her senseless right here in this kitchen with no care in the world. But Jules deserves better. She needs to be caressed until she screams out my name. Then and only then will I take her and claim what I want.
“Nothing wrong with what just happened, Jules. You’re beautiful, and I can’t help myself when I’m around you.”
“This can’t happen,” she says as she sidesteps me.
“Honey, I hate to break it to you, but it’ll happen again. But the next time, you’ll be under me when you call out my name. The next time, I’ll taste you before sinking my cock into your pussy. That, I can promise you.” The second it slips from my mouth, I know I should’ve put that filter on my mouth. Jules shoves me out of the way and straightens herself up as she covers her breasts. Before I can even say another word, she has her phone in her hand and scrunches her face up.
“Everything okay?” I ask with concern laced through my voice.
“Yes, I just… I need to go pick up Sophia,” she states as she grabs her purse and runs from the kitchen. Yes, I mean Jules runs from me. Not a fast walk, or even a trot—it’s a full-on Tom Cruise run.
“That’s a first,” I say to nobody but myself.
Leaning against the counter, I run my fingers through my hair as I try to figure this out.
9
Jules
I’ve never run from a man like I just did with Lenny. But then I’ve only dated two men in my life, and we all see how the last one turned out. Normally, I have better control over myself and my actions. That all got thrown out the window the moment I walked into my conference room and met Lenny Ward. This man has me more confused than I’ve ever been. When I’m around hi
m, I lose focus. I lose self-control. I lose everything smart about me. Sitting out front of Sophia’s school, I pull down the visor and check my makeup and sweep a few loose strands of hair out of my face. I look normal, but my gut feels anything but. I apply a quick swipe of gloss over my lips, just to make it look like I’ve been in meetings all day and not getting off with my new boss on a counter that doesn’t belong to me. Yes, Charlotte is a full-blown hussy.
The slam of the car door brings me back to the reality that I’m sitting in the car line while daydreaming of Lenny and all the things he said he wanted to do to me.
“How was your day?” I ask my very moody teenage daughter.
“Fine,” she says as she buckles her seat belt and moves her book bag over her chest.
“Just fine? Learn anything? Do anything fun?”
“No, Mom, just another boring day in prison.”
“Sophia, it’s not prison. It’s school, and you have to get out of this funk.”
“Not a funk, just hate the world right now.” I let those words sink in for a moment as I pull out of the parking lot and head toward my parents’ house where I hope David will arrive to do our exchange. If not, then it’s a shame on him because at this moment I’m tired of being his rug. If he wants shared custody with Sophia, he needs to do his part.
“Your dad is going to pick you up at Grandma and Grandpa’s,” I explain as I try to make small talk with her.
“I know, he texted me,” is all I get back.
“Sophia, we have to find a happy medium here. Can you meet me in the middle, please?”
“I am. I’m not mad at you, Mom. It’s dad. I’m tired of this game that he thinks he’s playing with you. He’s the one who messed up and broke our family and made us move in with your parents. I mean, doesn’t that depress you?”
“It does, but we have to make it work for just a little longer.”
Forty Candles: A Standalone Romantic Comedy Page 6