by Emily Sharpe
He eased away enough so that he could look at her, her curves, her beautiful breasts, the little mound of stomach she tried so hard to get rid of with endless crunches, the soft triangle below it.
From her own vantage point, Jessica gasped a little at the completely naked man staring at her with such frank appreciation. He looks even better than I imagined, she thought, her eyes taking it all in, from the furry chest, to his hips. She drew in a breath sharply. Bigger and better. My word! She had never felt so loved. She had never been so loved. And she had never been so ready.
"I feel like I'm sixteen," Worth said. "A little unsure what to do next. I've longed for this, Jessica. I blundered so many times in the last few months, I'm genuinely amazed that we're here."
"I feel the same way," Jessica murmured. "Not just that it's our first time. It feels like my first time."
As they talked, Jessica curled her upper leg around his legs. Next, she rolled over on top of him. "How about this, Mr. Vincent?" She pulled herself higher and slowly slid herself onto his erection as he raised his head from the bed to meet her breasts with his lips. She let out a moan of delight as he sucked first one nipple and then the other.
Lying back, he began to move his hips slowly, purposefully, rocking her gently, building her excitement, then suddenly, he grasped her buttocks in both hands, entering her more deeply. Faster and faster, they rocked into each other. His eyes were closed in concentration, but as she took his hands and pinned them above his head, they opened.
"You really are a wonder, Wonder Woman," he whispered hoarsely as he shuddered in the throes of his climax.
Jessica cried out as a wave of pleasure rippled through her, followed by the rush of gentle bliss. When their movements quieted, she laid her head on his chest and slowly twirled some of the hair around a finger. They lay like that as their breaths slowed a little, instinctively adjusting, breath for breath, heartbeat for heartbeat, still joined, still one.
This is where he rolls over and goes to sleep, Jessica thought. Or maybe I'll fall asleep like this, with him inside of me. Whatever happened now, she would be content.
There was a stirring inside her. Deep inside her. She raised up in mock surprise. "Why, Mr. Vincent! Whatever are you doing?"
He was the picture of innocence as he grinned, showing both hands with a little shrug. "Nothin' much, Ms. Daniels. I promise I'll make it 'worth' your while," he said, curling two fingers on each hand before grabbing her again, pulling her even closer as he began to rock his hips.
Jessica straightened her arms as she arched her back, catching another sudden wave of absolute euphoria. She'd never had more than one orgasm at a time before, but, oh my God. Again?
There would be several more "agains" before Jessica and Worth agreed that they could resume after some much needed rest. Pretzeled together on the bed, as Jessica felt herself drifting off to sleep, she could not suppress a tiny giggle. I have never experienced such joy as this moment. But seriously. He's going to pay for those air quotes.
Chapter 16
Meeting Molly
"Do you think she'll approve of me?" Jessica asked nervously as she paced the floor of her bedroom. She'd chosen her outfit carefully—a comfortable but stylish above-the-knee floral knit with a cowl neckline that showed just a hint of cleavage. Her makeup was immaculate. She and Donna had gotten mani-pedis on their lunch hour the day before, but she and Worth had taken this morning off. She'd given him a key to her apartment, and he had stayed with her almost every night since the fire.
If there was time after lunch with Molly, they'd head to the office, but with Molly, there was no telling, apparently. Lunch might last well into the afternoon. And since Todd Granger's arrest, the office had been abuzz with stories and rumors, not only about their new editor and his family, but about Jessica as well. Donna had tried to get her to divulge just why both Jessica and Worth had been at that fire, but she had finally given up.
Now, Jessica stopped pacing long enough to look into her full-length mirror. Every hair was in place. The dress hugged her body exactly right. But still. What if she doesn't like me?
Worth watched her from the rocking chair by the window with a wry smile. He was not quite ready, still barefoot but dressed handsomely in a light blue oxford button down and navy slacks. "You're going to wear out the carpet if you keep that up," he said. "What's not to approve? She loves you already. You cleared my name and enabled me to live my life with no worries about hiding from my past any longer."
He stopped rocking and beckoned her closer. "You chased away my demons, all because you are a good reporter who kept asking questions and putting the answers together." He pulled her down onto his lap. "But mostly, she approves of you because you love me as much as I love you."
Jessica leaned back against him, forgetting her hair for the moment. "Do you really feel like I did all that? It wasn't single-handedly, you know. If you hadn't made me a columnist, I might not have worked on the fire story. Wouldn't have met Audrey Scott—she's the one who got me started. You finally opened up to me on the plane. Fortunately, Todd Granger was compelled to show up after his fires, or he might have escaped notice forever."
She sat up and turned slightly to face him. "By the way, I do not like being lied to, Mr. Vincent. I understand why you kept quiet about your past, but now that I know, I need you to promise that you'll never…ever…keep anything from me again."
Worth smiled. "So that would be a deal-breaker. Got it. Anything else?"
Jessica jumped up and began pacing again. "Nothing comes to mind. But I'm still anxious about meeting Molly. I want it to be perfect."
"You look perfect. You are perfect…for me, anyway."
Jessica stopped and frowned. "Is she bringing her new beau with her to lunch?"
Worth got up and faced Jessica, smoothing a few strands of her hair that had gotten mussed in the chair. "Fred. Yes, Fred will be with her. I gather they are inseparable these days. They met when she broke her ankle, you know. Her physical therapist—not much younger than she is, though. Loves the job, never retired. Quite a handsome fellow. What Skip would call a silver fox." Worth lifted her chin with a single finger. "I think I might know a way to calm your nerves."
"Oh, really? And how would you do that? Without wrinkling my dress?" she asked as he led her to the edge of the bed and pulled her gently over his lap.
"You remember Donna's story last month on the undercover S & M club in town?" As he spoke, he turned her over so that her bottom was across his lap. He raised the hem of her dress over the waist belt and pulled down her lace panties, pulling them completely off before he began stroking her smooth, milky skin.
Jessica giggled in spite of herself. "What in the hell are you doing? I'm all ready; don't mess me up! And yes, Donna's story was a real doozy." As she'd read it, she had silently wondered if Donna's whip reference that day long ago had been what led her to the club, or if she'd written the story because she was already a member. She wasn't going to ask, that was for sure.
Worth put his left hand on her back firmly as he trapped her legs with one of his. His other hand cracked down on her bare bottom with a resounding clap as flesh met flesh. Jessica jumped, surprised by what he'd done. He did it again, hard enough that it actually hurt. When she cried out, he released his grip and she wriggled free, standing up. She was not smiling.
Breathing quickly, she glared at him. "I just thought of another deal-breaker," she finally said. "Pain." She held up her hands to make a point. "No judgment against anyone, but I am much more interested in pleasure." For a second, she looked worried. "Is that really something you've been wanting? The spanking thing? If Donna's article was any indication, a lot of—"
Worth stood and held her gently. "No. Not at all. In that department, we are definitely on the same page. It seems to have shocked you out of the pacing—my single motivation, I assure you. But I know another way—a better way—to take your mind off meeting Molly."
Jessica shook her head
against his chest. "I've already got to redo my hair. Honestly! You had me scared for a second."
Worth released her and led her by the hand across the room. "I think it's time for Bathroom Guy to make another appearance, don't you?"
Jessica laughed, shaking her head in scant protest. "Nooooo. Bathroom Guy had me completely wrecked. I am not about to let you—"
Worth closed the door of the bathroom and deftly pushed a rug with his foot into the tiny space under the door, eliminating all light. He backed her gently to the counter. "I won't mess up your makeup. I promise. Going in another direction altogether," he said softly as he reached under her skirt and lifted her onto the marble by her waist, his hands strong on her bare skin.
Jessica moaned in anticipation as he made his intentions obvious, spreading her legs apart and kneeling onto the floor. He pulled her sandals off her feet, caressing them firmly, kneading out the tension, before kissing them softly. He licked his tongue quickly and tantalizingly around each ankle, reaching hands up to her thighs as he did. One hand reached around to cushion one butt cheek as the other found the warmth of her womanhood.
Jessica arched her back at his touch, her pelvis meeting his hand as she gasped. As she began to rock gently and instinctively on the counter, Worth kissed his way up her legs, reaching both of them around now, breathing harder as his tongue found her little button.
Jessica murmured with delight as he breathed in her scent and licked every inch of her in the darkness. Just as she was about to reach her climax, he stopped and whispered, "Shall I keep going? I know you're worried about staying tidy."
Jessica gave a little laugh. "You asshole," she whispered. "Like I care about that now." She sat up straight and put her feet under his armpits, gently but strongly guiding him up. "But I want you inside of me. All of you." She fumbled in the pitch-black darkness to find his belt and his zipper, pulling down his clothing to release his full erection.
Worth stepped out of his trousers and came close enough in the dark for her to smell the sex on his skin. As she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, he lifted her off the counter and maneuvered the two of them to the wall until her back was flat against it. "I've always wanted to try this," he whispered as he reached down with one hand, guiding his penis into her wetness. He returned his hand to support her bottom and began to push rhythmically, hard, against her.
The sensation of the cool wall at her back and his hot cock ramming deep inside her sent Jessica immediately to the peak of orgasm, her fingernails digging into his shirt as he continued thrusting, his breath coarse as he cried out at his own climax. In this position, she could feel the explosion and began moving quickly against him. "More," she murmured. "Don't stop. Don't…" She sighed as she climaxed a second time, even more exciting than the first.
Worth held her against the wall for a few moments more before he picked her up gently off his still-erect penis and lowered her feet to the floor. "I want you on top of me," he said hoarsely, opening the bathroom door. "And I want to see you."
He unbuttoned his shirt and dropped it as they walked to the bed. He lay down in the middle as Jessica untied the belt of her dress and pulled it quickly over her head. In a frenzy, she unhooked her bra and threw it aside before straddling him on the bed, sitting down, onto his erection, and leaning her breasts forward to meet his hungry mouth. As he sucked first one nipple, then the other, Jessica rocked hard and fast. She'd had two orgasms—this was all for him. Roughly, she pulled his hands from around her bottom and pinned them over his head.
"I don't mind it a little rough," she said breathlessly as she pounded him into the mattress, "as long as the emphasis is on pleasure."
As she spoke the word, his back arched in climax. He shuddered a little as he gripped her hands and rolled her over. They lay there together, sweating, recovering from the wave of complete intimacy that had overtaken them.
Jessica raised her left arm from the bed to glance at her watch, then she sat straight up. "Oh my God, Worth! We're going to be late if we don't get up right now!"
In the scurry of getting dressed again, Worth couldn't stop chuckling. "It will be fine, honey."
Jessica was a whirlwind of activity, underwear and clothing flying in every direction as she tried to put herself back together. She ran into the bathroom and shrieked at the sight in the mirror. Just as quickly, brushes of various sizes flew this way and that. Jessica hopped on one sandaled foot while she put the other one on as she came back into the room and posed as if for a big reveal. "Well?"
Worth clapped appreciatively from the chair before slipping his feet into loafers. "You just set a record for speed, beautiful lady. You look great."
As they drove to the restaurant a few minutes later, Worth took a deep breath and chuckled.
"What?" Jessica asked.
He took his eyes off the road long enough to give her a smirk. "Take a deep breath and tell me what scent you detect. That's not perfume."
She did so, blushing and rolling her eyes. "Oh, Worth. I forgot my perfume! The smell of sex is all over us! What will your mother think?" Jessica turned to look out the window. It had started to rain. "Maybe the rain will help if we don't use an umbrella," she said ruefully. And then she started laughing. "You certainly took my mind off my nerves; I'll say that for you!"
They were just pulling into a parking space now; soon, she would be sitting at a table with Worth, his mother and her boyfriend. She decided that in a big room, her scent would be less noticeable than drenched hair and clothes, so she handed Worth an umbrella before he got out to come around to her door.
Inside, the hostess smiled. This was one of their favorite places for dining out.
"The rest of your party has already arrived, Mr. Vincent," she said. "Please, follow me." The table Worth always reserved was located near a beautiful stone fireplace that in a few months, when the weather turned colder, would be ablaze. When the weather turned colder. We'll have known each other a year. Jessica shook her head at the thought then concentrated on what was about to happen.
As they approached the table, a handsome silver-haired gentleman in his sixties stood and welcomed them, "Hello, Jessica. I'm Fred. We've heard so much about you from Worth."
"Hello," she said warmly, taking the hand he offered.
Fred sat back down, and the petite woman with a short salt-and-pepper hairdo seated next to him smiled broadly at her, unable to contain her delight. "Oh, hurry! Sit! I'm so happy to finally meet you, my dear! I'm Molly. Please call me Molly."
Worth held out a chair for Jessica, seating her across from his mother. "Thank you. I'm glad to finally meet you, too." She took a sip of water and blotted her lips with a linen napkin. Well, we're here. That wasn't so bad after all.
The server jotted down drink orders, and then Molly bubbled excitedly, as if she had been holding it all in. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Jessica! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I mean, I was grateful for you before—you were so sweet on the phone, and my son was so obviously in love. But now! What you've done for our family…" Her voice trailed off as she became emotional. Molly breathed deeply and dabbed at the corner of her eyes with her napkin, shaking her head slowly. "Now, Worth can live his life in peace, and we can hold our heads up in this town again." Molly paused, regaining control. "When we decided to buy the magazine, we thought maybe it would all crash in around us again, but it was divine providence, in my opinion. Without the magazine, we wouldn't have you, and you—on top of being a fine writer—have made all the difference." Molly beamed at her son. "In so very many ways."
Molly's emotions had brought out Jessica's. For the first time, she understood Molly's lack of presence at the office. She'd been concerned about old ghosts! "You're very welcome. I'm so grateful things came together as quickly as they did. Not only was Worth's name cleared, but there's one less criminal roaming the city. And that poor man will get the help he needs to overcome what happened to him all those years ago. To ove
rcome what he's become."
Molly nodded as she looked at Fred, whose face was a study in relief. "Yes, a tragic childhood." Molly let out a breath, as if still trying to come to terms with Todd's story, then she smiled back at Jessica. "And tomorrow, I'm having lunch with Audrey Scott! I almost forgot to tell you. She was a dear friend at one time, and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with her, which also would likely never have happened without you."
Worth found Jessica's hand under the table and squeezed it gently. "So, you'll be around more now, Molly? I think it's about time everyone at the magazine got to meet their publisher, don't you?"
"We still plan to do some traveling, but, yes, I'll be making an appearance at the magazine tomorrow morning, to introduce myself. Ten sharp, so be ready! And I hear the two of you are going to make an announcement to the staff as well?"
Jessica blushed a little. "We had planned to do that after our weekend together in Boston, but that never happened with the fire and…everything. We made a quick flight back before we even checked into our hotel."
"Well, I hope you plan to reschedule. Boston is gorgeous this time of year, and it would be good for both of you to take a few days away after all the excitement," Molly said as the server approached with their tray of drinks.
"As a matter of fact, I've already booked a flight and reserved the same room for this weekend," Worth said, thanking the server as he took his goblet.
"Excellent!" Fred said. "If you have time, take Jessica to the Faneuil Hall Marketplace." He looked at Jessica with clear blue eyes. "It's a great place, outdoor dining, only a short walk from the waterfront."
"Tomorrow, I meet everyone, have lunch with an old friend, and you two head for a romantic weekend—all things to celebrate," Molly said, raising her wine glass for a toast. The others touched their goblets to hers as they voiced the obligatory "Cheers!" Molly took a sip of her Shiraz and then continued. "When you return, you can tell the staff everything."