The Gentlewoman

by Lisa Durkin

  “I wanted you here with me tonight, Rory. I don’t know what has upset you, but I don’t want you to go. I’d rather everybody else leaves, anybody, but not you.” She thought it was amazing how earnest he seemed.

  “Your fuck friend, lover, girlfriend or whatever she is over there told me exactly what you want from me. Sorry to disappoint, I’m not into your games, and I’m not staying. Let go,” she sneered and jerked her arm out of his grasp. She stepped back and closed the door behind her.

  He looked at the door for a moment before he turned and looked at Jennifer. What the fuck had happened? Jennifer held his gaze as he stalked back to her. She smiled sweetly.

  “What did you say to Rory, Jennifer?”

  “What do you mean? We were having a pleasant conversation,” she stated innocently.

  “What did you say to piss her off and make her leave?” Jackson demanded. “She was fine when I left her sitting at the bar, and ten minutes later she’s angry and leaving. What the fuck did you say to her? And try for the truth.”

  “I was just having some fun with her.”

  “What kind of fun?”

  “I thought she was hot, and I thought we could all have some fun together, like we used to.” She placed her hand on Jackson’s chest as she spoke.

  Jackson tried to keep the lid on his anger. He grabbed her hand and placed it back on her lap. God damn it. He couldn’t believe she would do this. But then again, why wouldn’t she? Every time he’d ever been with her, it was in some sort of ménage. Why would she think for a moment that Rory was any different?

  “Jennifer, that’s not going to happen with Rory. She’s not like that, and I’m not into it.”

  “You’re not into Rory Morgan? Give me a fucking break. You came alive when she showed up, and you haven’t been able to keep your eyes off her. You want to fuck her so badly it’s all over your face, not to mention your body.”

  “That’s correct. But I’m not sharing Rory. Are we clear?”

  She stared at him. “I see. So I guess I’m old hat, is that right?”

  “That’s not how I see you. We’re still friends.”

  “Will you be fucking me tonight?”

  Jackson looked at her and realized he had been careless. He shouldn’t have expected that she would just accept without insult that he had feelings for another woman beyond those he had for her. He hadn’t thought of her feelings at all in his haste to have Rory at his party and in his life.

  “Jennifer, I’m sorry I didn’t make it clear to you before you came that I didn’t intend tonight to include our past fun and games.”

  “Past…wow. Rory Morgan has really gotten to you. Wow, so that’s how it is… Okay,” she said incredulously.

  “I’m sorry but that is how it is. At least until I know what’s going on with Rory and me.”

  “Ha!” she barked “Wow… ‘Rory and me’.”

  “I’m sorry, Jennifer.”

  She held her hand up. “No, no, it’s okay.” She rose from the chair and headed for the entrance. She grabbed her fur coat and purse and quickly headed for the door with Jackson following closely behind. He tried to open it for her, but she was already there. “It’s okay, Dorn. I can see when I’m no longer necessary.”

  “Jennifer, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you, I still consider you a friend. We’ve only ever been friends.”

  She laughed haltingly again. “Agreed. And one more thing, don’t call me for any more favors.” She slammed the door and was gone.

  Jackson felt bad but didn’t dwell on her for long. He was more concerned with the fact that Rory was gone, and he was left with a house full of company when he would rather be with her. What a mess he had made of this situation. He stalked into the kitchen. He tossed bottles into the trash and cleared away silverware and dishes. Finally, realizing what an asshole he was being, he grabbed a couple beers and headed into the living room. He sat down and watched the rest of the game with his guests. As he looked at the television, he only saw the look of anger on Rory’s face, and was surprised at the fear he felt that she wouldn’t want anything more to do with him.

  Rory sat on the couch. For a while she was frozen to the spot. She felt so stupid. Why had she thought the playboy would be any different with her than with other women? And did it matter? She had figured this wouldn’t be about much more than sex, so why was this so upsetting? She wasn’t into the things he apparently did. Lots of men and women were into that kind of thing. It just wasn’t for her.

  Why did she feel deceived? It made no sense, but here she sat, staring at the wall. Happiness was something that existed for others, not her. What would it take for her to learn? She had thought Jackson was a nice guy, had gotten comfortable, and was handed more proof that she was meant to be alone.

  Numb and withdrawn, she headed into her bedroom. She efficiently showered and dressed for bed. She stretched out slowly on top of the covers, feeling stiff and depressed. She had been looking forward to the possibilities with him, a mistake she wouldn’t make again. She stared at the ceiling and cursed herself. Her chest ached, the gaping hole back. Funny, she hadn’t realized it had closed for a minute.

  As she began to drift, her mind was brought suddenly awake by the clicking of the front door. She slowly eased onto her elbows as Jackson appeared at her bedroom door.

  “Holy hell!” she gasped, slapping her palm to her chest. “How the hell did you get in here?”

  “You left the damn door unlocked again,” Jackson said as he approached her mattress. “It’s a wonder somebody hasn’t stolen you blind or worse.”

  “Well, I’ll lock the door after you leave.” She began to rise from the bed.

  Jackson pushed her down with one hand as he straddled her body. “I don’t think so.”

  She began to protest, but he covered her mouth with his. His lips came down hard and he forced his tongue into her mouth, tasting her and demanding more. He grabbed her wrists and held them in one hand above her head. Erotic sensation slammed through Rory’s body, heating her blood. Feeling vulnerable, she began to buck with her legs, and as she did, he spread out, covering her body with his from head to toe. With his full weight upon her, she couldn’t move, and after another moment of his voracious tongue, she didn’t want to. His heat sank into her skin and warmed her from the inside out. Her anger flared, as did her body’s reaction. She was still so mad at him, but it did nothing to stem her body’s desire. She responded to him as she had never responded to anyone in her life.

  He trailed kisses down her neck, licking and sucking as he went. His hand moved underneath the tank top she wore and cupped her breast. A gasp escaped Rory’s throat as his thumb and forefinger found her nipple and pulled on the hard tip. He moved to lift her shirt over her head, and Rory took the opportunity to push hard on his chest, forcing him away from her at least a few inches.

  “Stop it, wait!”

  Jackson lifted himself and hovered over her, looking deeply into her eyes. “Rory, I want this. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anyone so much in my life.” He studied her eyes for a moment then bent to recapture her mouth.

  “No, wait,” she said, twisting her head. “I can’t do this. I’m not into the kind of stuff you are. I don’t think I’ll ever be interested in doing what you do.” No matter the heat he sent coursing through her body, she didn’t want to get into the wrong situation with him. If what Durand had described was what he wanted, she wouldn’t do this.

  “Listen to me, Rory. I can imagine what Jennifer must have said to you, and yes, I’ve done a lot of different things in my life. But that’s not what I want with you. That has nothing to do with anything I need from you.”

  “What do you need from me?” she whispered, wide eyed.

  His palm slid down her throat, between her breasts. “Let me show you.”

  She stared up at him. She was so turned on she could feel her taut nipples and the throbbing between her legs. Her skin burned in the wake of his touch.r />
  “Rory, please trust me.” She didn’t know why, but she wanted to believe him. She wanted to trust him.

  “Okay,” she breathed and his mouth swooped down. He tore her shirt off, throwing it to the floor. She cried out as he sucked a nipple deeply into his mouth. He palmed the other, worshipping her full breasts. Rory breathed rapidly and tried to keep from writhing with each new touch.

  He shrugged his shirt off and grabbed Rory’s hands, placing them on his sculpted chest.

  “Touch me,” he breathed. “I want to feel you.” In her unaccustomed and surprised state, she hadn’t made a move to touch him. She gently massaged her hands over his chest and onto his muscular back as he returned his wet mouth to her breasts. She moaned, breathing deeply and slipped her hands down his back to the waistband of his jeans. All hesitation abandoned, Rory slid her hands underneath the waistband and over his tight ass, squeezing and kneading. A groan escaped from his throat.

  He went lower, trailing kisses down her torso and sucking and biting at the skin on her belly. The thought of her scarring skipped across her mind, but she made no move to stop him. She let go, freeing herself to follow where her body led. Her hips thrust against him.

  He spread his palm over her sensitized sex and gently rubbed.

  “Oh God,” she moaned as she raised her hips, seeking more. He pulled away and removed her pajama bottoms, tossing them aside. Bracing himself on one elbow, he drank in the sight of her.

  “You’re so fucking sexy, Rory,” he breathed with wonder. He trailed his fingers up her body and wrapped his hand around her neck, looking deeply into her eyes. “I’m going to have you. All of you,” he demanded as he kissed her again.

  He nuzzled and sucked her skin as his fingers slowly caressed the soft folds of her sex. As he felt her wet core, he slowly inserted his middle finger and raised his mouth to her lips to absorb her cry. She became wetter as his long finger impaled and massaged inside her. As he finger-fucked her rhythmically, he pulled back and looked into her eyes.

  “Does it feel good, baby? I want to make you feel so good.” He gazed at her as she fought to control her breathing. “This is where I want to be. I want to be inside you so badly, Rory.” He continued as he watched, and then he shifted low and ran his tongue up her clit.

  Her whole body jumped as she cried out. He settled in and began rhythmically laving her clit, sucking her into his mouth, then releasing and teasing with his tongue. He was relentless and she spread her legs wider. He applied more and more pressure until finally she burst into an orgasm that left her weak and seeing stars. Jackson leaned up and applied his fingers to her clit, gently massaging to prolong the pleasure.

  When she opened her eyes he was hovering over her again. “I have to have you, baby. Are you ready for me?” he asked huskily, unfastening the buttons on his jeans. He stood and quickly removed them. Rory got just a quick glimpse of his thick erection before he was on top of her, his large hands spreading her legs. He placed her thighs around his hips and grasped his cock, slowly sliding it up and down her hot, wet clit.

  “I’ve been fantasizing about doing this to you ever since I met you.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips before lifting and thrusting the full length of his cock into her. Rory cried out and when she opened her eyes, found that he was staring at her with a look of reverent pleasure. He slid out of her completely and moved slowly back inside, moaning deeply as he exhaled. He lowered his body and began to thrust deeply inside of her. He impaled her again and again with his hard, long erection, pounding into her as he quickened the pace. Soon, she was crying out as she found a new release, more intense than the first, and as it hit, Jackson shouted, grinding into her several more times before his back arched and he froze, coming hard and pressing into her.

  Neither of them moved for several minutes, their breathing rapid. Jackson’s face rested against Rory’s neck and he felt her elevated heartbeat. He blew out a hard breath, wanting to stay this way, with Rory lying underneath him, so soft and warm, cradling his cock inside her. After several minutes, he leaned to the side, still not withdrawing. He looked into her eyes. She was even more beautiful with her tousled hair and pink cheeks.

  He raised her hand in his and brought it to his lips. He kissed it in a most gentlemanly manner, before turning it and kissing her palm. He kissed the inside of her wrist as she watched him, her big brown eyes intense. He continued kissing up her palm, gently biting the skin until he was at her fingers. He took the tip of her middle finger between his teeth and bit, looking back at her erotically. He gently dropped her hand and leaned down to take her lips.

  He kissed her with a passion he couldn’t ever remember feeling with any other woman in his life. Their tongues brushed together seductively and it didn’t take long before he was once again fully erect and ready to take her. He rocked against her gently and slowly, savoring the feeling of his dick sliding in and out of her tight pussy. Nothing had ever felt this good. No other woman had ever been so hot on his cock or underneath him. As the intensity built, Jackson quickened until he was plunging deeply into her. She keened with each thrust, his long, thick erection completely filling her, and he felt her shudder as she climbed toward her surrender. She clung to his neck and ran her hands into his thick hair, damp with sweat. He didn’t know why, but he felt he was losing himself to this woman. He knew he had never felt this before and would never feel it again with any other.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rory woke and breathed deeply of the masculine scent of Jackson’s skin. She snuggled closer and kissed his warm neck, reveling in the affection, and the way his light chest hair tickled her breasts.

  Memories of the previous night flooded her mind, and her breath caught. She smiled broadly when she thought of him waking her again in the middle of the night for another go. She was amazed at his prowess and stamina. She finally lifted her head and opened her eyes to check the clock.

  “Damn it!” she exclaimed, shooting up. A heavy arm clamped over her back and held her down.

  “You’re going nowhere; you’re my prisoner,” he moaned huskily, smiling into her eyes.

  “We are so freaking late, we have to get up now!”

  “Nope, I’m not letting go.”

  “It’s Monday, we’ve overslept, it’s eight o’clock! I never oversleep!” She struggled against his grasp. He held her, smiling and enjoying the resistance. “I have a meeting in an hour.”

  “Cancel it. Stay with me.”

  “I can’t!” she squirmed against his hold.

  He crushed her to him and kissed her deeply. “What would it take to get you to cancel your day and spend it with me?” he asked, lingering and kissing her seductively several more times.

  She slowly broke the contact, breathing heavily. “I can’t. I have too much to do.”

  He leaned up and gathered her into his arms, pulling her back down and rolling over onto her. He stared into her eyes. “Please, let’s just do this. Just today, just the two of us for one day. No Congress, no constituents, no budgets or bills and no politics. Let’s just spend some time enjoying each other’s company…please.”

  Rory was entranced by Jackson’s heartfelt plea and wanted to give in. She knew she didn’t have any meetings or business that couldn’t be rescheduled, nothing urgent or earth-shattering. She sure wasn’t used to this though, interrupting her work, much less her life, to spend time with a man.

  “Please, Rory, just you and me today,” he urged again against her lips.

  She searched that gorgeous face, those blue eyes, that straight nose and those luscious full lips. She placed her hand on his cheek.

  “Okay. But just today.”

  He smiled and kissed her hard. “Get showered and dressed, I’m taking you to breakfast,” he announced as he left for his apartment.

  They sat in a booth at Milo’s café in DuPont Circle, sipping coffee and waiting for their breakfast orders.

  “I like how you look in jeans,” Jackson said
, reaching under the table and putting his fingers through the ripped knee of Rory’s favorite pair. “Your ass looks fantastic in them.”

  “You must be an ass man, huh, Dorn?”

  “I do like a nice ass, Rory, and you have one fine behind.” She bet he did.

  “So tell me what Durand said that got you so upset last night,” he said, leaning back and bracing with a staunch look.

  Rory gave him a steely gaze. “I believe the implication was that the two of you were a kinky item and that I was invited to be her new toy, a gift from you.”

  “Wow, interesting.”

  “I thought so. She made it sound as if it was a foregone conclusion.”

  “I’m sorry, she was completely out of line, and I told her so. Although I have to admit that I should have set her straight before your arrival, so it’s partly my fault.”

  “So it’s true, your relationship with her?”

  “I don’t have a relationship beyond friendship with her.”

  “But you had sex with her.”

  “Many times. I won’t lie to you. But not for a while.”

  “So were you more than friends when you were having sex with her?”

  “No. We’ve only ever been friends, even when we were sexual partners. I haven’t had a relationship with a woman that went beyond friendship since I was married. Since then it’s only been sexual partners and friendship.”

  “Oh.”

  “There are others we may run into, women I’ve had sex with. But no longer. It’s just you. I don’t want you to think I’m still having sex with anybody else.” She wondered why it was so important that she know that, what that meant to him. He made it clear enough that friendship was his modus operandi.

  “Jennifer made it sound like a night at the circus, going to bed with you. Threesomes and such…” She faded, shrugging.