"You're welcome," he answered, another smug grin spreading across his face.
"Don't let it go to your head," I shook my head in mock disgust.
"Too late." Andy's grin widened and I opened my mouth to insult him, when I noticed Dad in the doorway. He was pursing his lips with a serious expression on his face. His hair was a little disheveled, like he'd been nervously running his hands through it.
"There you two are," Dad announced as he walked in and closed the door behind him. "We need to talk."
I didn't like the grave look in our dad's eyes. I shared a worried glance with Andy, who looked just as concerned as I did. He shook his head slightly, letting me know he didn't know what this was about any more than I did. An uneasy feeling of foreboding came over me, and I didn't like it. Dad sat there staring down at his hands with a lost expression for several long moments.
"Dad?" I finally prompted when I couldn't take it anymore. "What's wrong?" His head popped up, and he focused on me. A brief look of shame crossed his features so quickly that I almost missed it. What the fuck?
"I'm sure that you're both aware of how tight things have been recently," he finally began speaking, avoiding our eyes now. Andy and I both knew that. My brother managed the service department, and I managed the office. It was impossible not to notice that the budget wasn't what it used to be. Icy fear trickled through my body.
"Um...I'm...I'm considering bringing a new business partner into the dealership," Dad announced sheepishly. Andy and I stared at Dad in complete shock for several long moments.
What?!" Andy finally blurted out in indignation. "Why the hell would you do that? We're a family business, not some money grubbing corporation."
"Andy," Dad answered in a placating tone. "I don't think we have a choice here."
"No," Andy rebuked harshly. "We don't need some stranger coming in here and butting in where they don't belong. We can take care of ourselves." He looked at me for support. "Right?"
I wanted to back him up, but I'd seen the financial reports. I knew how much we were hurting for money. I'd just been trying not to dwell on it too much so it wouldn't keep me awake at night. Purcell Auto was in trouble, and Dad was doing what he thought he had to do to keep us afloat.
"Jenny?" Andy asked in a desperate tone when I didn't answer him right away.
I let out a deep resigned sigh. "It's pretty bad, Andy," I confessed, feeling bad as his eyes filled with concern. He threw an accusing eye on our father.
"I'm not making this decision lightly, son," Dad added. "I know it's a big deal, and I'm not going to jump into it blindly, but we need to look to the future. We need to plan ahead so Purcell Auto stays a successful family-owned business. We need help. That's why I'm telling you about it now. I want you both to be involved in this decision since it affects your future."
"Well, I say fuck no," Andy blurted out angrily. He was reacting emotionally, and I couldn't blame him. Admitting we needed help was painful, and Andy wasn't as practical as Dad and me.
Andrew," Dad said chidingly.
"No," he bit out angrily. "This is complete fucking bullshit, and you both know it." He stood and stormed out without another word.
When Andy was gone, Dad let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry to drop this bomb on you, princess," Dad said apologetically. "And I knew your brother would take it badly."
"I've seen the financial reports, Dad," I confessed. "I know it's bad."
"I'm so sorry, Jenny." Dad stared at his hands in defeat. "I've let both of you down."
"No," I snapped out sharply. "You've done everything you could to keep us afloat. Admitting that we need help isn't failure, and you know it."
"But your brother-"
"Dad," I interrupted him gently. "Andy just needs time. This was a shock for him, but he'll come around."
"Okay," Dad nodded as he rose to leave, his expression still filled with doubt. "I've got a possible candidate coming in next week. I hope your brother comes around by then."
"He will, Dad," I told him. "Just give him some space, and he'll see that you're just looking out for us."
Dad pressed his lips together and nodded with a troubled expression.
"Don't worry, Dad," I said comfortingly. "Everything will be fine." I was reassuring him as much as myself because to be honest, I was terrified. I kept that to myself though. He didn't need that knowledge to add to his burden.
"Okay, princess." He somehow managed a wan smile before walking out.
As soon as I was alone the fear hit me hard. I slumped down in my chair as the weight of it crashed down on me. I suddenly wished Ford was here to hold me and comfort me, and this day that had started out so hopeful and happy, now couldn't end soon enough.
**********
"Can I help you?" the girl behind the reception desk at Apex Ink asked with a welcoming grin. She looked like she was barely out of high school despite her many tattoos and stretched earlobes. She was dressed in a Motörhead T-shirt and jeans, her black hair cut into a shaggy mane that framed her round face perfectly.
"I'm here to see Ford," I told her with a smile. I'd been stressed and worried all day about Dad's bombshell about the dealership. On a whim, I decided to visit Ford on my way home from work, hoping he'd be able to distract me from my shitty day.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked as she glanced toward her computer screen.
"Well, I'm his girlfriend," I answered with a wry smile. For the first time, the word "girlfriend" didn't feel strange. "So I hope I don't need one to see him."
Her eyes met mine again and lit up in interest. "You must be Jenny." Her smile widened. "I'm Liz. He's with a client, but I think he's just about done. Do you want to wait in his office for him?"
"Alright." I nodded. I began walking toward the hall that led to Ford's office, but paused as a thought occurred to me. I turned back to the girl. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"What kind of boss is Ford?" I asked curiously. "Do you like working for him?"
"Well," she looked thoughtful for a second. "He can be pretty demanding at times, and he likes things a certain way, but I think that's because he's a little O.C.D." She grinned, and I could see genuine affection in her eyes. "But he's always fair, and he always has our backs. He's the best boss I've ever had."
"That sounds just like him." Demanding was an understatement since I'd been on the receiving end of that when he had me restrained and at his mercy. I liked him demanding, and he could have things any way he liked when he got his rope out. "Thanks," I told Liz and took off down the hall before she noticed how flushed and overheated I suddenly was at the thought of Ford binding and dominating me.
When I passed Ford's tattoo room, I glanced in to see him at his workstation bandaging up some tall skinny guy's bicep tattoo. I paused in the doorway just long enough for him to glance my way. His eyes lit up in surprised happiness, and a wide grin spread across his lips. His joy was so raw and real that it took my breath away. No man had ever looked at me like that before. I smiled back and wordlessly pointed toward his office. He nodded and winked at me, then focused on his client once again.
I went into his office, smirking as I noticed how clean and perfectly ordered the room appeared. O.C.D indeed. I dropped down onto the black leather couch that was along one wall. I glanced up to admire the distressed metal wall sculpture of a motorcycle hung on the wall behind his desk. I breathed in deeply and took in the familiar scent of Ford, hoping it would relax and comfort me. It worked for a little while, but then my mind turned back to that defeated look on my father's face, and Andy's angry outburst this morning. I let out a deep sigh. I could feel the first inkling of a tension headache forming. I closed my eyes and began massaging my temples in the vain hope of heading off the pain before it worsened.
"Hey, gorgeous," Ford's deep rumble said softly. "Are you okay?" I opened my eyes to see Ford squatting down in front of me, concern in his deep indigo eyes.
"Not really," I answered with a tired smile. "
I had a bad day, and someone kept me awake most of the night." Hours of makeup sex could do that after all.
"I'd apologize for keeping you up half the night, but I wouldn't mean it." He reached out and cradled my face in his large palm, a lopsided grin of amusement on his lips.
"I'd complain about it, but I wouldn't mean it either." I sat up and leaned closer to his face, eying his lips longingly.
"I missed you, honey" he murmured as he leaned closer. His lips met mine in a gentle yet insistent kiss. Sudden arousal spiked inside me, my pulse rising. He pulled back with heated desire in his deep-set eyes. "I can't get enough of you, Jen."
"You can have me right now," I whispered seductively. "All you have to do is drag me upstairs." I glanced at his open office door. "Or just close the door," I suggested hopefully. A deep rumbling growl bubbled up out of Ford's chest, making me shudder with desire.
"As much as I'd like that, Jen," he said with obvious disappointment. "I have another appointment that's going to show up any minute."
I pushed my lower lip out in a dissatisfied pout that drew his eyes to my mouth. I leaned even closer, and watched in satisfaction as his eyes darted down my blouse to stare at my cleavage. I pressed my lips against his chin then nipped him gently. His eyes gleamed with arousal.
"Holy hell, woman," he whispered breathlessly as he grabbed my shoulders. "You're killing me." He pushed me a few inches away.
I grinned impishly in triumph and slid my tongue along my lower lip then bit into it. I let out a low moan for his benefit. His eyes were riveted to my mouth as they lit up with fiery passion. He shuddered, his grip on my arms tightening, then he managed to lift his eyes to mine.
"That's enough," he spoke in a low growl to rein himself in as much as me. "Nice try though." A smirk played across his lips as he stood and pulled me up with him. "I have a better idea. Why don't you go up to my bedroom and take a nap? Then you'll be rested for when I wake you up later."
"Okay," I immediately agreed as I wrapped my arms around his waist. To be honest a nap sounded good, and maybe it would stave off my building headache.
He hugged me close for a moment, resting his head on top of mine. "I love you, Jen," he whispered in a sincere and heartfelt tone that made me shiver.
"I love you, too." I snuggled my face into his chest, breathing in his delicious scent and letting his love and warmth seep into me for several long moments.
A gentle knock on the open door drew our attention. I looked over to see Liz in the doorway wearing a wide grin of amusement. "Sorry to interrupt, but your next client is here."
"I'll be out in a minute," Ford said as he continued holding me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Sure thing, boss," she glanced at me and smiled knowingly, winking at me before walking back down the hall.
Ford pressed a soft kiss to my lips. "I'll be up when I'm done." He extricated me from his arms and swatted my ass before moving toward the doorway. I blew a kiss at him as he walked out of the room smiling back at me. I sighed, feeling a little bereft as I left the room myself.
Once I was upstairs in his room, my fatigue caught up with me again. I slipped out of my clothes swiftly and crawled into Ford's bed, snuggling under the blankets with a contented sigh as the scent of Ford surrounded me. It should have been enough to lull me to sleep immediately, but my mind instantly focused on my family's business woes. I laid there fretting for a long time, my head aching and filled with worry, before I actually managed to fall asleep.
"Jen." Ford's deep rumble managed to pull me from a restless sleep. I opened my eyes to focus on his face, grumbling unhappily as I realized that my headache was still there. He was hovering over me with a worried expression. "What's wrong, honey?"
"I have a headache," I said, whinier than I intended, but my head was throbbing painfully now. "And today sucked."
"What happened?" he asked in genuine concern. He was sitting on the edge of the bed looking down at me. He reached out and ran his knuckles softly against my cheek. His gentle caress felt so good, easing some of the pain away already.
"The...the dealership is in financial trouble," I told him sadly. "Dad told us today that he's looking for a new business partner. Andy's pissed, Dad's a wreck, and I'm trying to hold it together for all of us." A few tears managed to trickle down my cheek onto Ford's pillow. "But I'm scared, Ford." A small sob escaped. "What if...what if our family business fails? What if...if..." I started sobbing in earnest, words failing me as the worry and fear overwhelmed me.
Wordlessly, Ford gathered me into his arms and pulled me onto his lap to cradle me against him. He held me close, letting me cry and comforting me with his mere presence. It made me wish I'd met him sooner, because no one had ever been there for me like this before. He just got me. I could be myself, and let it all out without worrying about what he thought. He loved me, all of me, even when I was a wreck. He always gave me what I needed.
"Ford," I pleaded, knowing what I needed now. "Take it away. Make me forget for a while. Please. I need you." I looked up to meet his eyes, just as he began to shift into his Dom persona, his eyes hardening and focusing intently on me as power rose up from deep inside him. It spilled out and crashed over me in a wave of comforting heat. I shook in anticipation.
"Kneel on the bed," he snapped out demandingly, his voice firm and authoritative.
"Yes, sir." I instantly scrambled to obey, needing this so much right now that I ached for it. I knelt in the middle of the bed and looked to him for my next command.
"Eyes down and do not move."
"Yes, sir," I repeated immediately as I stared at my clasped hands in my lap. I stilled and waited for whatever was next. I didn't have to think or worry about anything. Ford had me now, and he'd take care of me. I felt my worry start to slip away, replaced by a calm feeling of safety. Holy shit, I needed this.
Ford moved away from the bed and crossed the room toward his closet. I knew exactly what he kept on a shelf in there. I had to suppress a shudder, somehow managing to obey Ford even though I wanted to crawl to him and beg shamelessly for my rope. Who'd have ever thought that being bound by this man could set me free?
I could see the rope in his hands out of the corner of my eye as he approached me. A small sigh escaped my lips, but I stayed still.
"Arms straight behind your back," he commanded with a low growl.
"Yes, sir," I breathed out as I complied.
"Your only focus right now is me." He set the coil of blue rope in front of me. I stared at it longingly. "Your pleasure is mine. Your body is mine." He bent over, and his lips brushed against my ear. "You are mine," he whispered so softly that I barely heard his sweet words. He straightened. "Now look at me," he growled out.
I raised my eyes to see heat in his intense gaze. It made me shiver with need. "And you're mine, sir," I whispered aloud without meaning to. I watched his eyes soften as adoration filled his gaze.
"Yes," he said in a deep rumble. He leaned down until his lips were almost touching mine. "I am." His lips hit mine with scorching heat as he kissed me into insensibility. I have no idea how I stayed still as his lips and tongue claimed every inch of mine. Needy whimpers spilled from my mouth as bone deep desire ignited inside me in a heady rush. I was grateful he hadn't told to be quiet. There was no way in hell I could have managed that right now as he assaulted my senses and set me on fire.
He pulled away and climbed onto the bed behind me on his knees. He reached around and grabbed the rope, then set to work. Within moments, my arms were bound together straight down my back, my hands clasped. The rope felt snug where it wound around the length of both arms. My shoulders were pulled backward, making my chest jut out in front of me. My nipples were hard and tight, my breasts already feeling heavy and swollen with arousal.
"Lay on your stomach now," he commanded, then helped me lay down. He took up the rope again, this time binding my ankles together before tying them to my wrists. Now I was hogtied and completely helples
s. I groaned in ecstasy, all my worries and stress starting to melt away as the endorphins began to hit me, and I began the ascent into subspace.
Ford leaned close to my ear and spoke. "Good girl." He let out a pleased growl then slid his hand between my legs, his fingers gliding through my soaked labia. Two fingers slipped inside me, making me gasp. "Holy hell, your pussy is so fucking wet," he murmured under his breath. His fingers began thrusting in and out of me, rubbing a perfect spot inside me again and again. I moaned wantonly as my climax started to build.
"It's getting closer, honey," he growled in my ear. His fingers moved faster, pushing me further and further toward the edge. "You're almost fucking there."
I felt the orgasm coiling and tightening inside me, just waiting to be unleashed. I hovered right there over the abyss, needing that final push to get there, but never quite getting it. I knew Ford was purposefully keeping me there, and a frustrated whine bubbled out of my mouth. I fought against my restraints, reveling in the helplessness and the feel of the rope biting into my skin.
"Beg," Ford snapped out vehemently. "Beg for it and I'll let you fucking come. I'll make you come until you can't take it anymore, and then you'll be begging me to stop." His fingers kept stroking in and out, and I was out of my mind with lust. The begging came easily.
"Oh fuck, oh please," I mewled out desperately. "Please let me come. Please sir."
"I think you can do better than that, Jen." His voice was deceptively calm, but I could hear the tension in his tone. "Try again." He was getting off on this just as much as me. He enjoyed the torture that this was causing both of us.
His fingers crooked inside me, rubbing a new spot that pushed me even closer to orgasm, but Ford's control was iron clad. It felt like I was hanging over a cliff, desperate for the fall as Ford gripped me tight and dangled me over the brink.
"Please..." I blurted out desperately. "Oh God, oh fuck. I can't take it. I need to come, sir. Please, Ford. Please, please..."
Ford pulled his fingers out, and I was bereft for only a second before he pressed his fingers into my clit. The pressure was firm and perfect, and a massive release barreled into me. I screamed as the pleasure ignited inside me, blasting through me with an unbelievable force. My back arched, my pussy rippling and spasming uncontrollably. I came down to a giddy endorphin soaked haze. It was pure bliss.
An Act of Release: Order & Chaos Book 2 Page 7