by J. L. Mac
“Jo. My name is Jo. Call me that or nothing at all.”
“Fine. I’m Mr. Sutton. See you tomorrow morning, Jo. Don’t be late or I’ll fire you.”
“I’ll be here, Captain.”
I’m snapped out of my lamenting when my phone buzzes against my butt cheek. I stand and pull it from my pocket. I have a text from Mr. Tall, dark and handsome.
Can I steal you away for lunch? Subs?
I sigh. I honestly would love to see Damon right about now. I could use the distraction from this disaster, but I can’t go. I have entirely too much to do around here. I plan on conning Sutton into ordering takeout for us. He’ll do it. He always does. I send a text back.
Sounds great but I can’t. Swamped here.
I hate that I have to spend my lunch with Sutton instead of Damon. I am teetering on the edge of a total nuclear meltdown today. I am dealing with the after effects of the sixteenth anniversary of the accident, I had an awful nightmare reliving all those feelings of abandonment, and I agreed to…whatever with Damon. I feel so unlike myself and it’s fucking with my head. I could use a glass of wine or two. I stride over to Sutton’s office and walk right in. The old grump is knocked out cold in his old chair.
“Sutton!” The old man lurches up out of his seat looking like he is going to have a coronary and I end up feeling just a tad guilty for startling him.
“God-bless-it Jo! You scared the shit out of me.”
“You wear those old man diapers so you’ll be okay. Are you going to order some lunch for your slave girl or shall I starve while you dash my hopes and dreams?”
“Oh, cut the shit, Jo. You know this is hard on me too. What the hell do you want to eat?”
“We can order Chinese from that place you like.”
“Gives me heart burn.”
“Everything gives you heart burn,” I toss over my shoulder as I walk out of his office to get the menu from under the front counter.
“Holy hell! You scared the shit out of me!” I nearly jump out of my skin at the sight of Damon holding a big brown paper sack in front of the counter.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. You said you were swamped so I thought you would like some lunch?” He grins feeling very proud of his charming gesture, no doubt. It is nice. I smile and snatch the bag from him.
“What the hell did you bring? This thing is heavy!” He shrugs and looks sheepish again which does something weird to my insides. I get all mushy when he looks at me with those bashful amber eyes.
“I don’t really know what you like yet, so I bought one of each.” There are enough sub sandwiches in the bag to feed a dozen people. I can’t believe he would order all this food. I would have eaten whatever he brought. The gesture alone has me feeling gushy and giddy on the inside. It’s bizarre.
“Oh and I didn’t know what you wanted to drink so I got a variety.”
“Thank you.” I smile broad and I swear it feels like the first time I have smiled…ever.
“You’re breath taking, you know that?” His voice is low and lust filled. It makes my insides stir and crave his touch. I set the bag on the counter and then take the other bag from his hand and turn to set it on the counter. I step forward and get up on tip toes to kiss him. I wrap my arms around his neck and his chiseled arms enfold me. He pulls me into him and lifts me from my feet. I lean in to cover his mouth with mine and do my best to show him my appreciation. Not just for the lunch, but for the distraction too. I feel like my world is crumbling beneath my feet but Damon walks in and I have something to grab onto. It’s frightening and comforting all in the same. His velvet tongue slips over my lips and moves rhythmically against mine. I moan into his mouth and his arms tighten around me. I can feel his erection pressed against me and damn I wish we were at his place right about now. I can feel my skin turn flush with heat and arousal. I break away from his amazing lips and press my cheek to his while I catch my breath.
“Has anything come to mind yet?”
“No.” I answer honestly. I still have no clue why I feel like I know him and really haven’t had much time today to explore my memories.
“You?”
“No. Nothing.”
“Let’s eat.” He lays another kiss on my lips before setting me to my feet. I sigh and grab his hand to lead him. I pop my head into Sutton’s office. The old bastard is sleeping again. Pitiful. Maybe it’s a good thing the store is closing. He really should have retired a long time ago. I don’t want to give him another heart attack but I know he is hungry.
“Pssst!” His eyes crack open and he peers at me sleepily. I grin and hold up the bag.
“Looky, looky Captain. Come eat old man.” He rumbles and grumbles under his breath as he sits up and stands from that rickety chair. One day it’s going to give out and he is going to break a fucking hip. I’ve told him that, but he ignores me. We sit down at the small table at the back of the store and I drag over an extra chair for Damon. I dig out the multitude of subs and make the introductions. “Damon this is my boss Stanley Sutton. Sutton this is my friend, Damon Cole.” They shake hands and Sutton eyes Damon speculatively.
“Friend huh?” Sutton grumbles. I give him the stink eye, but he ignores it. I’m afraid he has grown accustomed to my dirty looks over the years.
“Yep. Friends. That alright by you?” Damon says nothing while watching me verbally duke it out with Sutton.
“Fine by me as long as nothing interferes with your work.” He stares across the small table at Damon and they are exchanging some subliminal man thing. I don’t get it but, whatever. I have never introduced Sutton to anyone I have hooked up with for obvious reasons. I have the feeling Sutton may be a tiny bit territorial here. Maybe he is being protective?
“Okay boys, chill out. Let’s eat. Sutton you want the ham with Swiss right?” I don’t have to ask. I have been ordering his food for seven years. I know him better than even he knows himself some days.
“Yeah,” he mumbles as he pops open a soda. I glance at Damon and he watches me observantly. I sort through the sandwiches and choose one for myself. Damon picks one and we all devour our food. I begin clearing our mess and putting away the left-over food.
“Damon, may I have a word?” I pause and shoot a death glare in Sutton’s direction. He doesn’t even acknowledge my irritation.
“Of course.” I snap my attention to Damon and he winks at me before following Sutton into his office. I hear the door click shut and I debate on whether or not I should eavesdrop. Fuck it. I don’t care. Let them talk. I finish cleaning up from lunch and busy myself with labels while I wait on Mr. Tall dark and handsome to reappear. A full half an hour later I hear the office door open and Damon walks toward me. I can’t help it. I want to know what they were talking about.
“I have to get back to the office. I have some time sensitive matters that need my attention. Walk me out?”
“Sure.” He extends his hand to me and I take it. He leads us out the front door and we walk at a snail’s pace to his car. This time he is driving a BMW and it matches his appearance. He looks amazing in his gray suit, dusky blue shirt, and silver tie.
“You should know that he loves you.” I snap my head back in shock.
“What?”
“Sutton. He loves you. Trust me.” I scoff and shake my head.
“He does not love me. That’s total bullshit. He can barely stand me and trust me the feeling is mutual.” He shakes his head and chuckles in amusement. He releases my hand and cups my face in his big hands. My heart speeds and my stomach flutters. He is just so damn handsome and charming. He has no glitches. He seems to be perfect aside from his semi-screwed up childhood. He has got to be too good to be true. Has to.
“You have a dirty mouth,” he breathes.
“Yeah, but I think you like my dirty mouth.”
“I like a whole lot more than this mouth of yours.” He runs his thumb across the seam of my lips and I bite it. He sucks in air through gritted teeth and fire blazes in
those amber eyes.
“Text me your address. I’m picking you up as soon as you get home from work. Your ass is mine tonight. All night.” His lips silence the protest that I was contemplating on making. Oh to hell with it. I kiss him back and give as good as I get. I agreed to more sex and I am a woman of my word. Besides, I won’t deny that I am starving for more of him. He ends the kiss too soon for my liking and I groan in protest. He smiles and presses my cheek to his stubbly jaw as he wraps me up in a tight hug.
“Okay,” I say softly. He plants a kiss on my cheek and releases me. He slips into his fancy ass car and drives away leaving me to count the seconds until I feel his skin against mine again.
I turn and stride back to the store. When I walk in I see Sutton busying himself with my abandoned labels. I put my hands on my hips and fire away.
“What the hell was that all about?” Sutton peeks up at me as nonchalantly as he can.
“What?” Oh he is really pressing his luck today.
“Don’t you play dumb with me, Captain! Why did you drag him into your office and just what the hell did you two talk about? You put on a big display at lunch too, by the way. Nice. Very nice.” Why the hell does his lack of courtesy towards Damon have me so riled? I should not care, but I do. This can’t be good news.
“I had to have words with him. Last I checked this is America and I am free to talk to whoever I please so don’t get your panties in a twist you prima donna.” My blood boils and I see red. How dare he make fun of me. I am no damn prima donna. I never have been and never will be.
“Don’t you dare talk to me like that, Captain! I am no fucking prima donna and my panties are not in a twist!” I growl at him and his face falls a little. What the hell? Is that remorse? I didn’t think he was capable of that emotion.
“I apologize okay. I was only joking with the name calling. I just wanted to check him out. Too many jackasses out there these days. It’s not safe for young women to just pick up any man.” He shrugs and my jaw hits the floor. He gives a shit?
“Babysitting me huh?”
“Well someone has to! You’re as careless as they come. Now…stop…lollygagging and get to work here. I’m uh…going to be in my office.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and fidgets nervously with loose change. I watch quizzically as he shuffles off to his cave. I’ll be damned. He’s babysitting me. I shake my head in disbelief and get back to work in hopes that the rest of my day zips by. By five o’clock I have conquered the task of packing up inventory. Sutton had me draw up a huge going out of business poster board to hang in the window. Just like the old jerk to force me to do the dirty deed. It broke my heart to scrawl those words. I hung the sign in the front window and gathered up my things. I pop into Sutton’s office to say goodbye to the old fart.
“Hey I’m- what’s wrong?” I freeze in my tracks when I see how pale he looks. He glances over to me and shakes his head.
“Nothing. It’s that damn sandwich you fed me for lunch. I have indigestion from hell. Get me some antacids will ya?” I draw in a quiet breath of relief. I guess I kind of care about Captain a little too. It’s a love hate thing maybe. I have spent the last seven years of my life putting up with the old grump’s bullshit, it would be normal to be a little attached right? I don’t… love him or anything. He is my boss and I’m loyal is all. My silent ranting has my head spinning and even I have to admit that I sound like I am trying to persuade myself that I don’t care. I grunt in disgust with myself and snatch his antacids from behind the counter. I walk back into his office and plop two in his wrinkly palm.
“There you are Captain, my Captain. Anything else? Shall I spoon feed you now? Sponge bath?” He narrows his blue eyes on me and grumbles a few obscenities while he chews up the chalky tablets.
“Better?”
“Yeah. Get out of here you smart ass.” I snicker under my breath and stride out of his office. I snatch up my bag and high tale it to my place in record time.
When I get to my apartment I fire a text away relaying my address to Damon. He responded right away with a simple ‘okay’. I strip off my jeans and graphic tee and hop into the shower. I shave and exfoliate every inch of myself. I don’t know why the hell I am so damn compelled to get extra gussied up for him, but I do. I kind of want to impress him. A little. Okay a lot. I am all tied up in knots over this crap. This is not like me and it’s infuriating! I shove away my irritation with myself and jump out of the shower. I dry off and lotion up. I dart into my room and dig through my dresser in search of something lacey and sexy. I snatch out a lacey black thong and slip it on. I drag out a black bra and shove my full breasts into the cups. The warm weather makes picking out clothes easy. I grab a pair of denim shorts and a teal tank. I slip my feet into gladiator sandals and fasten the buckle.
I check my ensemble in the mirror and approve. Summer nights in Vegas make wardrobe choices simple. Less is best. It’s still hot at night around here. I scurry into my tiny bathroom and blow dry my wavy brown locks. I never style my hair. It’s either down or in a pony tail. Honestly I don’t even know how to do all that fancy shit the other woman my age do. I grab my cosmetics and line my lids like normal. I coat my lashes with mascara, and skip the blush since I am sure I won’t need it. I pop my lips together after applying my tinted gloss and ruffle my hair a bit more. I snatch up my perfume and give my collar and wrist a spray. I hear a knock at my front door and my stomach clenches. Oh geez. He’s here. I give myself one more glance in the mirror and then make the short walk across my apartment to the front door. I swing it open and there he is. Damn I can never tire of drinking in the sight of him. He is still in his gray suit and high-shine dress shoes. His hair is a little less disheveled and he is clean shaven. I guess he primped too. I wave him into my crap hole apartment and get a whiff of his cologne as he passes by me. Panties on fire. I’m like a rabid dog in heat. I need to calm myself. I glance down and see he is holding a black wardrobe bag in his hands.
“What’s that?” I ask with an arched eyebrow. He smiles and unzips the bag. He reveals an amazing cocktail dress. I may not be fashion forward, but even I know a cocktail dress when I see one.
“I am taking you to dinner and though I really, really, like those little shorts and tank top, you can’t wear that where we’re going.” He fishes down into the bottom of the wardrobe bag and pulls out a pair of sky high stilettos and I instantly panic. I don’t own a pair of stilettos and I doubt I know how to walk in them. I shake my head vigorously.
“The dress is beautiful, but there is no way in hell that I am going to wear those heels.” He narrows his warm amber eyes and it only heightens my desire for him.
“Yes you are.” I cross my arms over my chest indignantly.
“The hell I am!”
“And why won’t you wear the heels?” My puffed up indignation deflates and my shoulders slump fractionally. I feel stupid. How embarrassing is this shit? I am twenty-five years old and have never worn a pair of stilettos. I can’t just put those on and go out to dinner with him. I’ll break my neck or at the very least, embarrass the shit out of both of us when I wobble all over the place.
“I don’t know how to walk in them,” I mumble as my cheeks scorch red. I peek up at him. He shoves the heels into the bag and sets it all across the back of my futon/couch. He steps forward and wraps me up in his arms. His smooth jaw brushes against my cheek as he whispers in my ear.
“Don’t worry about it. You can wear different heels tonight but I promise you will learn how to walk in these heels. Understand?” His words set me trembling. I can tell he is dead serious and though he sounds all bossy and cave man-macho, I find myself nodding my head in agreement. There is just something about his dominating personality that turns my insides into searing hot pure arousal. I can feel the heat between my thighs. I’m a mess over him and honest to God, I have no desire to send him packing just yet.
“Your wet for me aren’t you?”
“Mhmm,” I hum seductively.
<
br /> “I know. I can smell you.” Holy fuck, that’s hot. He grips the nape of my neck with one hand and I close my eyes as the other skates down my body. He flicks the button of my shorts open and unzips them. They drop off my hips slightly. It’s just enough space to allow him access. His hand slips into my shorts and I moan. He holds the nape of my neck, keeping my head from lolling forward to rest on that hard chest of his. His hand starts moving back and forth over my center.
“Open your eyes.” I pop my eyes open. We gaze at each other while he keeps up his movements. The pure heat and lust in his eyes has me ravenous for him.
“Let’s skip dinner,” I say in a pleading voice that sounds alien to my own ears.
“I know what I plan on having to eat, what will you have?” His voice is husky and dripping with desire.
“You.”
“Fine, if there is anything you need I suggest you pack a bag.” I gape at him. What the hell does he mean pack a bag?
“A bag?”
“I told you, Jo. It’s mine. All night. Let’s go.”
“Oh yeah.” I swallow hard and hurry to my bedroom. I grab a backpack from beneath my bed and toss in a bunch of random shit that makes no sense, but I am so flustered by him. He screws up my head and I end up tossing dumb shit into an overnight bag. I take a deep breath and dump out the bag on my bed. I toss aside the bottle of asprin and my bedside flashlight. What the fuck? I sigh and shake my head. He is being really bossy so he can wait a damn minute while I get my things. I calmly walk over to my dresser and pull out extra panties and another bra. I toss in a pair of jeans and another tank top. I dig into my nightstand for my birth control pills and shove them in along with my cosmetic bag. With a zip I sling the backpack onto my shoulder and walk back out to my small living room. Damon has his hands stuffed in his pockets and looks like casual male yummy-ness waiting for me.