Alluring

by Curtis, Sarah

  He ignored her hand, walked his body flush up to hers and cradled her face in his hands. "Thank you," he said, before bushing his lips to hers. It was their first kiss. Alexis hadn't had many kisses in her life, but she'd had a few, and none of them made her feel what she was feeling now. He traced his tongue along the seam of her lips, coaxing them to part and, as if they had a will of their own, with no thought from her brain, they fell open. His tongue invaded her mouth, swooping in. Claiming her. Alexis didn't know what to do, so she grabbed fistfuls of his hair and held on, feeling entirely consumed.

  He slowly pulled away, nipping her bottom lip, then running his tongue over the spot to take away the sting. Jack's kiss left her in a daze. Her body leaned heavily into his, and her breathing was rough and choppy.

  "Open your eyes, sweetheart."

  She did as she was told without hesitation, still befuddled, and stared into his intense, green eyes. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Before closing his own eyes and leaning his forehead against hers. "Let's get you home." He led her to her car, opened the door, then angled her behind the wheel. "I parked a few spots down. I'll follow you."

  Alexis gave him a nod and started her car. As she sat, waiting for it to warm up, she leaned her head against the steering wheel and tried to compose herself. As she got her wits about her, she became certain of three things.

  One: Jack could rob her of her senses with only a kiss, leaving her hungry for something she couldn't even name.

  Two: He was bossy, domineering, gentle, kind, and unbelievably attractive.

  And

  Three: She was in big trouble.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Jack sat behind the wheel of his SUV, watching Alexis's apartment. He had just walked her up, made sure the apartment was safe, and that she had locked up behind him before he left.

  He didn't like that she lived there alone. He didn't like a lot of things, actually. He didn't like being away from her for even a minute during the day. He didn't like not having her in his arms when he fell asleep at night or when he woke up in the morning. He didn't like her exhausting herself by working two jobs. And, he especially hated that Charlies Danbridge checked out her ass while she was at work.

  He knew all that made him a possessive, controlling, asshole. Not that he cared. He was what he was. He had always been controlling and that made him an asshole, but possessiveness was a new trait that Alexis brought forth. He wanted to know where she was and whether she was safe. The thought of anything happening to her made his skin crawl and his stomach clutch. He'd never felt jealousy until he met Alexis. He'd never been in a relationship or cared about anyone enough to feel jealousy over. He wanted to rip the eyes out, of any man, who even looked at her. He knew his thoughts were irrational, but he didn't give a fuck about that either. He wasn't acting on them was he?

  He knew she needed time to get used to the idea of them, but he had never been a patient man. If he wanted something, he went after it and got it. The wooing of Alexis was torture, but it was a torture he would gladly endure as long as Alexis was his at its end.

  Their kiss was everything he hoped it would be. Passionate. Arousing. All-consuming. Addicting. He could still taste her on his tongue, and he wanted more. More of her sweet lips. More of her panted breaths. More of her soft moans. More Alexis.

  Now, he just had to get started on changing the things he didn't like. He had a feeling, Alexis would try to resist his every move. The thought made him smile. "Bring it on, sweetheart."

  * * * * *

  Saturday morning, Alexis lounged against her kitchen counter, sipping a cup of coffee, waiting for Steph so they could go to the gym. She was in a pair of black yoga pants, a white tank top, and tennis shoes. Decked out for an hour of flat-out torture.

  The rest of her week had been fairly typical, with the exception of Todd. A big brute of a man that drove her, in a big black car, to and from work every night. She also hadn't heard from Jack since he dropped her off Wednesday morning. She honestly, didn't think he had given up (if so, why send a driver), but she was perplexed as to why he hadn't called. He had been so persistent the first few days and now, nothing. She was so confused. She didn't know what the heck was going on. She needed help. Time to talk to Steph.

  They were working out on adjacent stair steppers, and Alexis had just gotten through telling Steph everything about Jack from the time they met until now. Sweat dripped into her eyes and coated her chest and back. Her breathing was labored, and she was developing a cramp in her right thigh. She was hot, tired, and miserable. God, she hated exercising. Whoever invented it, needed to be shot. She looked over at Steph. She was barely sweating, and she wasn't even breathing hard. Bitch.

  "It's because you don't exercise enough," Steph smirked.

  She shook her head, not following, "What?"

  "You're giving me a dirty look, wondering why I'm not a hot mess, like you are. It's because you don't exercise enough."

  Alexis just laughed. "Back on topic. What do you think about Jack? What should I do?"

  "Well if it were me, and I'm kicking myself right now that it's not, I would march right up to his spectacularly lavish penthouse, throw off all my clothes, climb on his massive bed, and beg him to have his evil way with me. But, seeing as it isn't me but you and knowing it would take a crowbar to pry you out of your panties," she gave her a sly smile and a wink, "I'd say whatever you're doing must be working, because you turned, one hell of a player, into a one-woman man."

  "He never said anything about other women. How do you know he's not still hooking-up? After all, it has been three days since I've heard from him." That was the part that bugged her the most. She should be grateful that he took a step back and wasn't hounding her so much anymore. After all, isn't that what she wanted? So why did the thought of Jack giving up on her make her heart hurt? Boy she was an emotional mess. She didn't know what she wanted anymore.

  "If he wanted to hook-up with other women still, he wouldn't have said all the shit he said to you. And, in regard to not calling, I think he's giving you some time to get used to the idea of a relationship with him. You can be a bit stubborn and I think he knows that. Trust me, he'll give you a few more days reprieve, then he's gonna come at you full force, back you into a corner, and leave you no room to retreat."

  Steph was both right and wrong. Jack did come after her full force, but he didn't wait a few more days to do it. He came after her that night close to the end of her shift.

  She was at the bar, filling the last of her drink orders. Steve, a likeable, twenty-something, with shaggy, brown hair and a quick smile, worked the bar. He had just gotten though telling a joke, and it was funny, as in, really funny. Alexis tipped her head back slightly and laughed. Steve laughing with her.

  She was still laughing when she felt an arm curve around her waist and a warm body hit her back. She recognized his scent right away. His lips found her neck and he mumbled, "Love the sound of your laughter. Not liking the fact, that some other man made it happen." He picked his head up and placed his chin gently, on the top of her head.

  Throughout this, Alexis stayed immobile. Her eyes went to Steve. He was just as still. First of all, it was against policy to fraternize at work, be it with fellow employees or patrons. Secondly, everyone knew she would never do anything to jeopardize her job. And last, was the fact, that this was Jack, and he was a lot to take in.

  Jack reached his free arm around Alexis's body and held out his hand to Steve. "Jackson Cole."

  Steve took hold of his hand stuttering, "Steve Holgram, Sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." Steve obviously recognized the name.

  Jack settled his han
d on Alexis's shoulder. "You almost done here, sweetheart?"

  Alexis answered, barely above a whisper, "I have these last drinks to deliver, and then I need to change my clothes."

  "I'll wait for you by the employee lounge." At the word employee, her body tensed reminding her, once again, that fraternization was against policy.

  She felt him walk away and her body relaxed. That is until Steve said, "What the hell was that?"

  Alexis didn't know how to answer. And that was because, she didn't know what the hell was going on, either. Jack took her out for two meals, sent her flowers, gave her a mind-blowing kiss, hired her a driver, didn't call for three days, and then showed up while she was at work. She didn't feel comfortable saying they were dating. This, whatever this was, was too new, too uncertain, but it was clear to Steve that something was going on, so she had to say something. "Um ..."

  He stayed quiet while she processed her answer. Then, he wasn't quiet anymore. "Are you dating Jackson Cole?"

  Alexis thought it best to say something, anything before things got out of hand. "I'm not sure what we're doing yet. It's too new, so don't say anything to anyone. Okay."

  "He called you sweetheart."

  She couldn't deny it, so just shrugged. "You won't say anything?" She waited a few beats for him to respond. When he didn't, she said, "Right?"

  "Yeah, yeah," Steve said seeming to come out of his stupor. "Don't worry, I've got your back."

  Alexis gave him a nod. "I should get these drinks delivered. People are going to wonder what happened to me." She picked up her tray and turned to leave.

  "Hey, Alexis."

  She looked back over her shoulder, "Yes."

  "Whatever might be happening, it couldn't be happening to a nicer person. I'm happy for you."

  She gave him a soft smile. "Thanks, Steve."

  Alexis came out of the employee lounge and spotted Jack leaning against a nearby wall. A cocktail waitress who from the back looked like Erica, was talking to him. His eyes were on her, but he looked bored.

  He must have caught her movement out of the corner of his eye, because when she came into view, his head raised and his eyes locked with hers. He stood from the wall, said something to the person talking to him, and started toward her.

  The person turned, and to her chagrin, it was Erica. Great. What was she going to do? Jack was headed straight for her, and he wasn't shy about PDA. Erica was the last person she would want, seeing something like that. She wouldn't hesitate to start gossip, making Alexis look bad, so she could go after her position in the high roller section.

  She took a step back giving Jack wide eyes and a hard stare. He seemed to get the hint because he came to stop about two feet from her, lowered his head a little, and whispered, "What?"

  Speaking low herself, she said, "I don't want you doing your, Jack thing, in front of my coworkers."

  She watched him shake his head, then said again, sounding slightly bemused, "What?"

  She hissed in a low voice, "You know, coming in close, hugging me, and attacking my neck."

  He tipped his head back and laughed. He then, tipped it forward again, humor in his eyes, still talking low. "Attack is a rather strong word, don't you think?"

  "Whatever, what I'm saying is, my coworkers can't know about us. They'll gossip. They'll think I'm sleeping my way to the top. They're already suspicious about how I got the high roller section in such a short time, this will only confirm their suspicions."

  That sobered him up, quick. Anger transformed his features. "People talking shit about you?"

  "It's work politics, Jack. There's always talk."

  "Jealousy."

  "What?" Now, it was her turn to sound bewildered.

  "They're jealous. You're funny, sweet, sexy as hell, beautiful and your smile lights up a fuckin' room. They cut you down, in the only way they can cut you down, and that's by accusing you of sleeping your way to the top. It makes them look and feel better about themselves because if they admitted, you did all that on your own merit, they'd be wondering what the hell was wrong with them, and they don't want anything to be wrong with them, they want something to be wrong with you."

  "Jack," Alexis said softly, unconsciously closing the distance between them. She quickly blinked her eyes, trying to dissipate the sudden moisture that formed.

  "But baby, what they don't understand is, you are perfect." At the word perfect her head plopped against his chest. "Can I do my, Jack thing, now?"

  Alexis giggled, her whole body shaking, but still managed to nod. Jack wrapped his arms around her and lowered his lips to her ear. "Good, 'cause there's nothing I like better, than attacking your neck."

  Alexis erupted in laughter.

  Jack took her up to his penthouse. She noted, not for the first time, it's grandeur, but did note for the first time, the details. The last time she was here she was so set on escape, she didn't notice the finer points. Like the beautiful beveled mirror, hanging above a black marble fireplace. The black leather couch, with cream and light-gray throw pillows, atop a thick cream carpet. Huge floor-to-ceiling windows, that had no coverings, and that she planed on staying well away from, seeing as she was scared of heights.

  A hall (that previously had the voice coming from it) was to the right, but she didn't know what was down it. The stairs led to Jack's bedroom, but again, she had no idea what else was up there. As she looked around, taking it all in, Jack stayed at her back.

  "You have a lovely home," she said, turning to face him.

  "It's lovelier now," he said, taking a step closer to her.

  Alexis giggled.

  "What?"

  "That was a corny line," she said, still smiling.

  "Sweetheart, that wasn't a line." He took another step closer to her.

  Alexis was a little apprehensive about being alone with Jack in his penthouse. Coming up here wasn't one of her brightest ideas. She just knew, after their scene downstairs, she was still in a 'Jack' fog as he led her to the elevators. And it wasn't until she stepped into his foyer, that her brain began to clear. To late, said the fox to the rabbit.

  Alexis started roaming the room, being sure to stay away from the windows. "I should probably go home. It's really late and I'm tired."

  "It's Sunday," he said, cryptically.

  She looked over at him, a frown marring her brow. "Yes."

  "You don't work on Sunday. That means you're mine all day.

  "Jack—" Alexis started, but he interrupted her.

  "I have waited all week for this day. Patiently, I might add." He began stalking toward her. "I have not bothered you at work. I have not called you because I knew if I heard your voice, I would get in my car and beat your door down until you let me in."

  Well, that explained why he didn't call, Alexis thought, feeling something in her stomach unfurl. She didn't realize that was still bothering her so much.

  Jack continued. "I knew you didn't have time for me, and the little time you did have, you needed your rest, and rest is something you would not get with me around. So, I patiently waited for my day. And this, sweetheart, is it." By the last word, he reached her. Capturing her face in his hands, he tilted it, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I have waited all week to do that," he said softly, his lips so close they brushed hers as he talked.

  Alexis licked her lips, and because his were so close, she licked his as well. His hands moved into her hair, gripping it and tilting her head farther back. His next kiss was not gentle, but fierce and all consuming. He plundered her mouth, and the only thing she could do, was hold on. And she did, grabbing his shoulders, trying to find purchase, but
his suit jacket was pulled too tight. Feeling her fingers slipping she moved her hands up, one going to his neck, the other tangling in his hair.

  He moaned in her mouth and she felt it in the back of her throat, in the tightening of her nipples, the flutter in her stomach, and the clenching of her sex. She pressed her body closer, rubbing against him, searching for something.

  Jack seemed to know what she was searching for. His hand drifted down, covering her breast, pinching her nipple through her T-shirt and her bra. His leg moved between hers, grinding against her. Now she moaned into his mouth, she couldn't help it. Something was happening. A mounting pressure was building, growing so close. She ripped her mouth away from his, tilting her head back farther, panting. He latched on to her neck, sucking the skin in, rolling it between his teeth, pinching her nipple tighter and grinding harder between her legs.

  And then it hit. She gasped as her body shuddered before it started to tingle. She slowly became aware of herself and her position and opened her eyes. Jack's were there, his green eyes staring intensely into hers. She felt her checks heat, knowing she was turning red.

  She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but Jack spoke first, his voice hoarse. "I can say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. But, when you come you are magnificent."

  Moved by his words, she didn't guard hers. "I've never felt anything like that before."

  Jack studied her a slight frown forming on his brow. "You've never had an orgasm or you've never come so hard?"

  Embarrassment flamed her cheeks. She must be as red as a tomato. Jack, she was learning, was a straight talker. She so did not want to have this conversation. "The first one." She tried to pull out of his arms to get some space. He was having none of that, his arms locked tight.

  "What kind of insensitive jerks have you been fucking, and why wouldn't you take care of it yourself?"