"What was their reason for laying you off?"
"Not laid off. Fired. Either way, they escorted me from the premises and pushed me out the door." I tossed the manila envelope on the table. "This is my parachute. Let's find out if it is golden or leaden."
The phone rang and vibrated on the coffee table. I knew it was Lilah, and I wasn't in the mood to talk. I pressed the Sleep/Wake button on the side of my phone and ignored the call.
"Dammit. Looks like I am back in the job market. I better call a headhunter."
"Why don’t you take some time for yourself? A break could replenish your energy before you start the next job."
"I can't afford to take off. What if my skills get stale?"
"Two to three months? Not gonna happen. New budgets go into effect at the start of the new year. Why not wait until after the holidays to search for a job? Why not take a bit of time for yourself?" He pulled me into his chest. "Let's go on a real vacation. I'll book us a few days at a tropical resort where we'll spend our days lounging in a cabana and dancing at night. You'll wear an enormous hat and a yellow bikini. A thong. Definitely a thong. We'll shop for souvenirs, kiss inside a cenote and make love on a secluded beach. The ocean waves will crash around us as I smash into you. We'll return tanned and rested. What do you say?" He squeezed his arms tightly around me, and I squealed and threw my head back with a laugh.
"That sounds wonderful. I want to see you in a pair of tiny swim trunks."
"I'll do whatever you want. Just go with me."
"Okay."
"You mean it? You'll go?" He smiled so brightly and looked at me through hope-filled eyes.
"We'll fly to Atlanta. We'll have Sunday dinner with my family. You'll meet everyone, and they'll pull you into the fold. Best part is that you'll eat some of the best food prepared by loving hands: cornbread, green beans, fried pork chops with brown gravy, and caramel cake. We'll go back to my townhouse and make mad passionate love. You'll be too fat and full to move, but I'll do all the work."
He leaned in closer. I parted my lips and let his tongue in. With our lips meshed together, I forgot all of my troubles. The only things that mattered were Garrett and me. Together.
We kissed for an eternity, until I was out of breath and dazed. Slowly, real life returned to focus. The unopened envelope on the table beckoned. I needed to open it and find out what my future was worth to ER Wallace.
I nodded to it. "You do it. I trust you. I need a drink. Do you have any red?" He hadn't answered before I walked to the kitchen and looked in the wine fridge.
He tore open the envelope and read over the stack of paper.
"Jazzy, get a bottle of champagne. ER Wallace offered a year and a half salary and healthcare. You'll receive a separate cash payment for your estimated annual bonus and unused vacation. They’re giving you six months of outplacement assistance and executive career coaching."
My heart thumped in my chest. That was almost four hundred thousand in cash. Why would they offer such a package to an associate? Someone had taken the time to make me an offer worth my while. They didn't want me to sue.
I wondered if they felt that I had the justification to sue.
"What do you think? Should I take it? They advised me to consult an attorney to review it. I'll sue. There was bias in this decision. Do you think I should?"
"I'm no attorney, but it wouldn't hurt to speak with one."
"I'll talk with Alexandra. She'll help me out." I nodded and took a seat next to him. "I need you. Make me feel better."
I'd gone through three days of uncertainty, not knowing the twists and turns of office politics would leave me wounded and exposed. Reliance on others made me vulnerable to their whims. But there in his arms, I felt safe.
Slaying mythical beasts was something that I took on alone. I wasn't a woman that relied on a man to fight my battles or expected a handsome prince to shield me from harm. I fucking rode the dragons. Hell, I was a dragon. Each day I set out in the world determined to conquer it, unafraid to do what was right. I did that, and I did it without feeling or being obligated to anyone.
But damn, having muscular arms supporting me felt good and filled me with optimism. Being fired was a temporary blip in my lifeline. This moment would fade until it disappeared. The only thing I would remember is how I bounced back from this.
My grandmother's wisdom echoed in my head.
This too shall pass.
I pushed him against the sofa cushions. He fell back with a soft thud. Straddling his lap, I sank down against the hard lines and muscle while cradling his head and gazing into his eyes. My hair curtained around us, blocking us from the outside world.
His eyes stared straight into my soul. Adoration spilled from his honey brown irises. We sat like that for an eternity, until our breaths fell into the same rhythm, and our hearts beat as one.
"Fuck. You're so pretty." Eyes softening, he reached out, grabbing a stray tendril that fell onto his cheek. He stroked the strands between his fingers. "You're magnificent. Any company would be happy to have you. I'm glad that you're here with me."
I unbuttoned my cardigan and shrugged out of it. He rubbed his growing erection against my clothed pussy, making me dizzy.
"Take this shit off." His fingers fumbled for the button to my navy trousers, and I pulled off my open-toed platform shoes. My fingers reached for his t-shirt and pulled at the hem, yanking it over his head. Using my fingernails, I ran them along his exposed chest and stomach down to his waistband. I unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans and stood to step out of my trousers and panties.
He eagerly pulled down his pants until his glorious dick sprang free. His now fully erect cock waved in the air saluting me while his six-pack flexed and twitched. My mouth watered, and my blood rushed straight to my pussy as I stood there mesmerized.
"What are you going to do?" He raised an eyebrow in challenge.
I pulled off my lace-trimmed camisole and bra, flinging both to the floor. Two confident steps and I landed on his lap. I curled my fingers around his thick shaft, clasping it tightly against my cleft. I slowly slid up and down him until my wetness coated the entire length. Breath hissed between his teeth and his fingertips pressed into my back.
His hips bucked underneath me, angling to plunge inside of my soaked tunnel. I was sure that he was ready to get to fucking, but I wasn't. Where was the fun in that? I held him by the base and hovered at my entrance, taking the tip in. He sighed. I rose off and slid him between my folds, bumping my clit along the way.
"Are you teasing me? I like it." He let out a dream-like chuckle.
"Whose dick is this?" I guided him around the mouth of my entrance before settling the tip inside of me. It took the strength of fifty horses not to slam down until our pelvises touched.
"It's yours." With a growl, he held my thighs and thrust in deep. He was unrelenting as he pounded into me over and over, his body showing me the truth behind his words.
I held on for dear life with my head tossed back and my breasts bouncing uncontrollably. My hands ran up my stomach and cupped them. I closed my eyes tightly and ran my thumbs over my swollen nipples, and concentrated on enjoying the ride. When I peered out of hooded eyes, he'd bit his bottom lip as he zeroed in on my special spot.
His pace slowed, and I took that as a cue that it was my turn to take over. His thumb made its way to my clit and rubbed in circles. I bounded on his cock with reckless abandon until the room faded to black. My body contracted and contracted before shattering into a million pieces.
"Oh. Oh. Oh, God." My eyes squeezed tightly as the waves of ecstasy flowed through me. It felt so good it scared me. I let go and rode out the sensations. I held back tears as it all ended.
"Yes. Just like that. Let it all out,” He murmured sweetly as he continued to thrust inside of me. "My special, perfect one."
He ruthlessly pumped me until I came for the second time. A sly smile spread across his mouth. Arrogant ass. But he was my arrogant ass. Wow. Mine.
<
br /> He thrust deep and shuddered as he erupted. His body stiffened, and he boomed as he came. His hot, thick cum spurted deep inside me. His chest rose and dropped. I continued to sit on him until his dick softened inside of me. He stared at me in fascination.
Then I felt his fluid ooze out of me and land on his balls. Fuck. He came inside of me. In an expression mirroring my thoughts, his eyes drifted to our juncture and widened when he saw the trail of semen.
"We didn't use a condom," I said.
"I'm clean. I always practice safe sex." His hands brushed down my arms until his fingers met mine. He interlaced his fingers with mine and stroked my hand with his thumb.
"Same here. I'm on birth control."
He expelled a sigh of relief. Pulling me tight to his firm torso, I stretched out on top of him. He wrapped his arms around my waist. We lay like that until our heartbeats slowed.
"This is no longer a work thing," he murmured against my temple.
Garrett
Seven months ago . . .
The four walls knew my secret, and if they could talk, they would reveal what I don't want to admit to myself.
Rich exotic florals wafted from a bouquet while rose petals and flickering tea lights lit the path from the marble entry to the oversized bed. On a white tablecloth, a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries rested next to a silver ice bucket. A small wired brass basket contained tubes and containers necessary to make the evening's activities fun.
I'd angled the hotel's club chair to face the door before taking a seat. The only sound in the space was the ice cubes clinking as I slowly swirled my glass of whiskey. I lifted the tumbler of the caramel-colored liquid to my lips. My anger simmered beneath the surface, and nothing could chill it. Not even the frigid temperature of the ice kissing my mouth.
Three months later, our secret trysts were confined to dark, isolated spaces.
Just when my impatience had reached its peak, the magnetic card entry system clicked. The tap of her four-and-a-half-inch stilettos echoed against the cool marble floor. She'd worn a long black overcoat buttoned up to the collar. Her crystalline eyes transfixed on mine as she slowly unfastened each button, prolonging the anticipation.
Once unbuttoned, she threw the floor-length coat on a neighboring marble and steel entry table. My breath hastened as she stood before me wearing a crimson bra that pushed her ample breasts into two palm-sized globes. The matching G-string panties disappeared between her toned ass cheeks. On her feet were the pair of stilettos with distinctive red bottoms tilting her forward and emphasizing her flawless ass.
Berry-red lipstick outlined her perfect pout, and my cock sprang to life. I wanted that lipstick smeared all over me. My cock shoved into her mouth until it touched the back of her throat, and tears fell from her steely blue eyes would serve as an ideal punishment for making me wait.
"You're late," I scolded.
"I know. I couldn't help it. We both know you would have waited all night."
"We both know I'll do anything for that cunt."
"You're such a romantic devil. I should have picked a more patient fuckbuddy." Her voice dripped in sarcasm. I recognized the playfulness in her tone and watched as she surveyed the cart's contents before selecting a crystal flute and filled it with champagne. After biting into a chocolate-covered strawberry, she chased it with a gulp of the golden fluid.
My impatience got the best of me as it was hard to control my desire. I loudly patted my hands against my thighs. She ignored me, directing her attention on the champagne and strawberry.
Her reaction summarized our relationship. I desired her. I needed her. She denied me.
She didn't look at me as she nibbled off the cart. "I'm leaving before midnight. I can't stay."
I beckoned with my finger, and she ambled over before straddling my lap. "That's why you arrived wearing next to nothing." I growled when she pushed her pussy against the ridge of my clothed cock. Colette was a breath away from my lips. Her hand stroked my chin as we gazed at each other.
I tipped the flute to her lips, pouring the remaining contents into her eagerly awaiting mouth. I gingerly placed the glass on the table before I leaned in and ran my nose from her ear to her long, lithe neck, inhaling along the way. Like her personality, her perfume was expensive and sinful. She tilted her head back, an invitation to continue.
I grabbed handfuls of her ass as she swayed over my cock. We both hummed in appreciation as she rocked against me at a faster and faster pace. My cock was hard as steel and throbbing and yearning for release. I didn't want to come in my pants. I let her use me to get to the brink before I stood with her on my lap. She groaned as I interrupted her chase to orgasm. Her body slid against mine until her feet thumped noisily on the floor.
"You were late. I decide when and how." I walked her backward until the backs of her legs hit the mattress. "I fuck you crazy and then send you home. This is what you wanted. Remember?"
Before she could protest, I spun her and pushed her face down, ass up against the white duvet. She moaned. I nudged her limbs apart to stabilize her position. "This happens when bad girls arrive late and don't obey the rules."
I bent down and kissed her exposed ass cheek. "I hate to do this because I know you like it."
Thwack!
The slap reverberated in the hotel room.
She gasped and moaned loudly. I watched the red blush bloom against her creamy white flesh. "You are such a naughty girl." She moaned while swinging her hips. She pushed her ass back toward me. She wanted more, and I happily obliged.
I murmured, "This is for being a smartass and not appreciating my plans." My hand landed against her ass again.
She inhaled and turned her head to face me, "The Drake Hotel didn't have Veuve Clicquot?" She pressed her lips tightly to disguise her smile.
"Just for that, I don't care if you come or not." I reached into my pocket and pulled out a condom. I unzipped my pants and tugged out my rock-hard cock.
The chime of a cell phone went off. She leaned over and reached for her purse.
"No. Let it go to voicemail," I whined and moved to stop her from pulling out her phone.
She ignored my protests, holding the phone out of reach, and pressed the answer button before she wiggled away from me and took the call in the bathroom. The sound of running water echoed in the small space, muffling her words.
"Great. Just great." A frustrated sigh hissed through my teeth as I fell back against the mattress, adjusting my slacks to make room for my cock. What have I gotten myself into? First, she showed no respect for my time. Now, she took a phone call when we were about to fuck.
Nothing compared to the exhilaration from an illicit tryst. We met in dark corridors and bars or luxurious hotels. We spent our brief moments together, impressing each other with sexual tricks. She enjoyed sending nude text messages—the tops of the silk stockings she routinely wore to work or an upskirt photo taken in front of the window. She'd flash me her tit when we passed each other in the hallways, and I took photos while jacking off at my desk.
The more time I spent with her, the more desperate I became. Once she discovered that she was my weakness, she exploited it. Like a sick game of romantic chicken, we run headfirst toward the other and swerve when we are millimeters apart. It was a dangerous game for two people hungry for power and domination. I found myself in a spiral of desire, need, and denial.
I was no longer an equal or at least a worthy opponent. I was her plaything, a human sex toy for her benefit. When she felt like it, she took me out of the box, manipulated me as she saw fit, and tucked me into the deep recesses of her closet.
There was a shred of dignity that lived in my chest. I needed to take back control. I needed my life back.
It was time to tear down the walls, enclosing me and my heart. I sat up in the bed and waited for the water to stop.
"Colette!" I called out. When she didn’t answer, I yelled, "Nic, when you finish, I would like to talk.
G
arrett
ER Wallace finding the balls to fire Jasmine had Nic's name written all over it.
No company in their right mind would terminate a top performer without pressure from somewhere. I talked with Parker Wallace and believed him to be a smarmy prick. He was so hell-bent on making a dollar that he'd bend over and kiss his own ass if I bet him. I wouldn't be surprised if Nic held the post IPO work over his head.
I asked Hunter to meet me at HeidelBurger for drinks. The after-work crowd was lighter than usual. I settled at the bar and watched the replays of the recent Bears versus Raiders game. I mindlessly stared at the screens while sipping a Macallan 12 on the rocks.
"What's up, Hoss?" Hunter nodded a greeting before lumbering onto the neighboring barstool. His body was too large for the room. He held out his hand, and I shook it. "What are you drinking?"
"The usual,” I grunted, hating that I wore my emotions like a tattoo on my forehead. I was angry and could do nothing to make it go away.
He flagged the bartender and ordered a double along with another for me.
"We miss having you on the job. Someone needs to take care of that damn place. No company should depend on one person. I've been running around like a madman trying to keep the systems and network operational and fielding random questions and requests. I didn't realize everyone was so high maintenance. I'm a gnat's length away from turning in my notice. I deserve hazard pay. How did you do it?"
"Some men aren't built for the job." I shrugged and tried to hide the smile behind the words.
"Good to see your sense of humor is back. Are you shocked by any of this?"
"Not my circus. Not my monkeys." I looked at the televisions above, taking a sip of the amber fluid in my glass.
"And Jasmine? How is she?"
"She's in Atlanta for meetings. Once she got over the initial shock, she put together a list of next steps."
"She's Type A for sure." Hunter chortled and slowly moved his cocktail glass from side to side. "We've spent the last month dancing around the subject of Jasmine. Are you prepared to discuss?"
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