Synergy: New Adult Romantic Suspense (U-District, #1)

by Ashland, Jodi

  She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. “And you’re one hot stud muffin.” She laughed and walked out to the living room.

  He placed the wine glasses and the bottle on the coffee table and sat down on the couch beside her. “This stud muffin needs his shirt back.”

  “No way, it’s too cold in here.” Jade leaned in to him.

  He held her close. “So you’re a Transformers fan?”

  “My favorite character is Bumble Bee.”

  Bryce toyed with her hair as they ate popcorn. He couldn’t keep his mind on the movie, could only think about wanting to touch her again.

  Jade licked salt from her fingers, and that did him in.

  Screw the movie. He pulled her fingers into his mouth, sucking hard, and getting the desired effect. Her eyes clouded over, no longer focused on the TV.

  “Lie down next to me.” He shifted and pulled her down on the couch beside him.

  “Can you see okay?”

  “I can see just fine.” Bryce wasn’t focused on anything but her. Lightly, he ran his finger down her neck, between her breasts, over her stomach, and down her legs. Her skin was soft under his hands. She smelled of salt, strawberries, and sex.

  He slipped his fingers under the shirt, pulling it away and exposing her beautiful breasts. The cool air hardened her nipples. Here, there was no urgent need. Here, he could slowly touch her.

  Jade closed her eyes and her breathing became shallow. He loved the way she turned her body into his touch.

  He slid his hands over the silk between her legs. Her breath hitched and he moved back to her breasts, taunting her. Gently, he circled her nipple with his tongue.

  Goose bumps ran over her body, and moisture spread between her legs. Instinctively, she arched into him when he tasted her breast. As he suckled her nipple, his hand roamed down her stomach and under the red silk. Bryce gently stroked back and forth until her eyes flew open.

  “Shh.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. Her college partners must not have done this for her. He was thankful. He wanted to be the one to give this to her.

  Her entire body tensed, building for the climax.

  “Relax, give yourself to me,” he whispered. “Let yourself feel it.”

  Slowly, she spread her legs and let his fingers slip inside. Her stifled moans grew louder, her breathing became rapid, and her body flushed. She dug her fingers into his hip and the couch beside her.

  Did she have any idea how beautiful she was? He moved his fingers rapidly now, loving the way her body opened up for him. Her breasts pleaded to be tasted, her neck begged to be kissed, the sweet flesh between her legs screamed to be taken.

  She gasped when the orgasm took over. Her body convulsed until she went limp and relaxed beneath him.

  Using his second condom, he gently positioned himself over her, his legs between hers. Bryce kissed her lips, not surprised when he didn’t get a response. If he didn’t act now, she would be asleep within minutes. His lips moved to her chin, down her neck, to her breast. He circled her nipple with his tongue until she responded.

  His lips found hers again. Her mouth slowly reacting to his, opening for him. His tongue caressed hers, coaxing her to respond. He was rock hard, feeling her warm, supple body under his. Delicately, he slid into her, knowing she might be overly sensitive.

  Her tongue reacted to his tender kiss. She caressed the muscles of his back with her fingertips, shooting shivers up his spine.

  Now he felt one with her, not knowing where his body ended and hers started. Bryce moved slowly, deep inside her. It wasn’t the end result he was looking for, it was this. Being inside her, giving himself to her, and she giving herself to him.

  Jade deepened the kiss.

  He didn’t move fast, didn’t need to. There was no release that threatened to escape, and no need to hold back. All that mattered was this, this aching need to be close to her. She was wrapped tightly around him, her leg draped over his, her hands caressing his back, her lips touching his. He was so in love with her, but didn’t know how to say those three words, words he’d never said to a woman before. He couldn’t tell her yet, but he could show her, make love to her.

  Jade skimmed her hands down to his butt and pulled him in deeper.

  Bryce moaned. How did I live without this passion for so long?

  He set the pace Jade demanded, both with her hands and with her tongue. Her hips began to move under him, needing him to go faster. He quickened the pace, but wasn’t ready yet. He could feel her desire ramping up, her breathing rapid and hot.

  She curved her legs around his, her stamina waning, and let him do the work. She was tired. Maybe he should stop. He didn’t know if he could release so quickly after the first time. He started to slow down.

  “Please don’t stop,” she said breathlessly in his ear.

  Those three words blasted a lightning bolt of arousal through his body. This was incredible. She was incredible. He was exhausted and invigorated at the same time. Bryce sped up, unintentionally moving to the beat of the movie’s credits.

  Jade’s legs gripped his, her arms tight around his shoulders.

  He was getting closer as her low, throaty moans intensified.

  “Bryce, please.”

  He held on, waiting for the right moment, letting himself go only when she screamed his name and her body started shuddering.

  The orgasm rocked him to the core. The last of his energy expended in that single moment. He dropped on top of her, their bodies limp. Shifting, he pulled Jade on top of him, her body draped over his, her cheek over his heart.

  Right where it belongs.

  Bryce’s eyelids grew heavy with sleep.

  He woke to a strange scratching on his hand. He opened one eye. Whiskers was licking his finger. Bryce scratched under the cat’s chin.

  “What time is it?” Jade asked, not opening her eyes.

  “I have no idea, looks like dawn. Your DVD player is flashing twelve.”

  “I don’t know how to set the thing.”

  “I’ll do it for you later.”

  “’Kay,” Jade snuggled into him, pulling her leg over his. “Oh, looks like someone is ready to play this morning.”

  “Can you blame me? I have a beautiful naked woman lying next to me.” Bryce ran his hand along her hip.

  “Why don’t we just play hooky today? In fact, why don’t we just lock ourselves in here forever and have sex all day and all night?”

  “What about food?” He placed his lips on hers.

  “We can order out,” she said without pulling away from the kiss.

  “Good idea.”

  “I think we should get started right away.” Jade shifted on top of him and deepened the kiss.

  Tasting the wine on her tongue, Bryce was instantly aroused. He shifted so he was on top of her. If she so much as touched him right now, he’d lose it. “I think we should eat breakfast first.”

  “Need some energy before we get started?” Jade teased.

  “Yeah, I need energy.” He planted kisses down her neck.

  “I could make eggs or pancakes.”

  “I’m hungry for something else.” Bryce let his tongue trail between her breasts and down her stomach.

  “For what?” Jade asked huskily.

  “I’m sure I’ll think of something.”

  Jade gasped when Bryce’s tongue was between her legs.

  She was completely intoxicating. He was hungry for her, hungrier than he’d ever been for any other woman. He wanted to take her to heaven and beyond, not caring what was in it for him.

  Jade quivered. The fire built up fast; he wasn’t taking it slow this time. The heat between her legs increased, her thighs trembled, her body automatically reacting to what he was doing to her. She couldn’t stop moaning; it was almost time.

  He positioned himself over her and drove himself deep inside, loving her scream of pleasure as the orgasm ripped through her. “Bryce… oh my… Bryce.” With every convulsion, she const
ricted around him, Bryce had to grind his teeth together to hold on. Did she have any idea how much she consumed him? Her arms flew around his back, holding him tight. He drove faster and faster, deeper and deeper, feeling her spasms lighten until another orgasm erupted within her. She screamed out again, this one driving him over the edge, until their bodies shuddered together as one.

  He collapsed on top of her, every ounce of his energy sapped.

  Jade wrapped her arms and legs around him, seeming perfectly content having his weight on top of her.

  Bryce shifted uncomfortably. Again, he had this strong urge to tell her he loved her. The words were right there, but they hadn’t been together long. What if he said it, and it freaked her out? Hell, it freaked him out. Could he really be in love with her, or was this some kind of crazy lust-driven infatuation? Why was it every time he looked into her eyes, he had this feeling inside his chest that made him want to blurt out how he felt? He stifled the impulse and lifted up slightly. “Okay, this time I really need food.”

  “Eggs or pancakes?” Jade let his hair flow through her fingers.

  “Eggs.”

  “I don’t know. You might need more carbs for the sex we’re going to have after breakfast.”

  Bryce shifted to his side. “I’m out of condoms.”

  “Oh my, what are we going to do?”

  “I know this sounds crazy, but maybe we should go to work.” He needed a little distance, a little time to make sure this would last before he took that step, said those words. Before he changed everything.

  “Party pooper.”

  “That’s me, all work and no play.” Bryce bounded off the couch. “Last one in the shower is a rotten egg.”

  “Hey, no fair.” Jade jumped up and ran after him.

  CHAPTER 26

  JADE COULDN’T STOP thinking about Bryce as she typed a response to an email. Who knew Bryce had that much stamina? The two of them had been wild sex bunnies last night and this morning. Just thinking about him had her craving more. Oh, for crying out loud, pay attention!

  “Hey boss, you gotta minute?” Roz closed the door behind her.

  “Hold on one sec.” Jade continued typing. When she finished sending the email and getting her sex drive under control, she looked up at Roz.

  “You asked me to keep you informed, right?”

  “Right. What’s going on?

  “Well…” Roz smacked her gum. “Timothy has been asking the employees a lot of questions about you. So today, I kinda followed him to a pub on Fifth and Seneca at lunchtime. I didn’t go in because of course he’d see me. But I could see him sit down at the bar. He kept lookin’ over at two men at a table. One of the guys was Stan Templeman. You know, the guy you fired.”

  “Of course.” How could she forget?

  “Well, Stan was arguing with someone. I couldn’t tell who it was at first. But then the man turned around to leave.”

  “Do you know who it was?”

  “Yes.” Roz smacked her gum, pausing to heighten the suspense. “It was Bryce.”

  “Why was he meeting with Stan?”

  “I dunno, and it seemed kinda fishy to me. I got no idea why Timothy would be asking questions about you, and why Bryce would be meeting with Stan. The weird thing is, I think Timothy knew about it or somethin’.”

  “I agree, it does seem kind of fishy. If you notice anything else, can you let me know?”

  “You betcha.” Roz stood when she was done relaying her gossip. “So, you gonna fire Timothy too?”

  “I don’t know, Roz. I don’t have cause to fire him.”

  “Uh-huh.” Roz walked toward the door. “You gonna promote Patricia?”

  Jade smiled but didn’t respond. Roz sure read people well.

  “That’s what I thought.” Roz returned the smile. “I think it’s a good move. It’ll be good to break up the mostly-man thing. Know what I mean?”

  “I know exactly what you mean.” Jade nodded, then turned her attention back to her monitor. Sometimes, Roz was worth her weight in gold. She checked Bryce’s calendar; he was in back-to-back meetings. She’d have to ask him about Stan over dinner tonight. There must be a logical explanation.

  CONCERN WAS PLASTERED ALL OVER Patricia’s face when she walked into Jade’s office.

  “What is it?” Jade motioned to the chair across her desk.

  “I’m not entirely sure.” Patricia seemed eager to get what she knew out. “I called a new buyer I know, Michelle at Johansson Tek, and asked her why they were charging us so much for the flat-panel displays when other vendors were charging half as much. She pulled up the record and quoted a price similar to the Japanese bid. They were only two-percent higher.”

  “You’re kidding,” Jade blurted, though clearly it wasn’t a joke.

  “When I asked her why we were paying almost thirty-percent more, she didn’t know what I was talking about. What’s even weirder is when I mentioned it to Timothy, he started fidgeting and said he forgot about an appointment and had to leave immediately.”

  Jade leaned back in her chair. “I think I need to take a trip to Johansson Tek myself and speak with their CEO. Something doesn’t add up.”

  “Should I let Timothy know?”

  “No. Do you think Timothy might be dangerous?” Jade asked.

  “I don’t know. He seemed really agitated. I’ve never seen him like that before.”

  “Okay, listen to me. I want you to play it down. Tell Timothy you’ll let him handle it, and you just thought he should know about it. Act like it’s no big deal.”

  “I already kind of made a big deal about it.” Patricia’s brow creased with deep recesses.

  “Okay, well keep it cool. If he asks if you told anyone, say you thought he’d take care of it, and it was probably just some kind of mistake. Do you think you can do that?”

  “Yes. Should I let you know if I find out anything else?”

  “Immediately, but don’t tell Timothy about it. And let me know right away if he starts acting funny or doing anything unusual. Don’t hesitate to call the police. Here’s Detective Hawkins’s number.” Jade scribbled it down on a sticky note and handed it to her.

  Patricia nodded.

  Jade rose and put a hand on Patricia’s shoulder. “Thank you for bringing this to me right away. Keep up the great work.”

  The worry lines on Patricia’s face instantly faded, replaced with a smile. “If there is anything I can help with…”

  “You’ll be the first person I ask.” She walked Patricia to her door. When she opened it, she found Linda waiting outside. “Linda?”

  “I have something I need to discuss with you.” Linda’s tone was firm.

  “Sure, come in.” Jade gestured her toward the seating area.

  Linda didn’t sit. She crossed her arms and had a sternness in her eyes. “Are you having a relationship with Bryce Radisson?”

  Jade froze, her lungs locking up. She forced herself to reply as calmly as possible. “What? No.”

  “I see.”

  You see what?

  “An employee raised this to my attention recently and I’ve been making inquiries.”

  She wanted to ask who, but that would give her away.

  “Our policy strictly states that a manager cannot have a relationship with a subordinate employee. And anyone who is found guilty of sexual harassment will be terminated. Hypothetically, if you and Bryce did engage in a relationship that went bad, you run the risk of him suing for sexual harassment, and he runs the risk of being fired by you.”

  “I—”

  “I’ll be frank, Jade. If you two are in a relationship, it sends a message that company policy doesn’t matter. And if we had another situation, they could point to you two, and we’d lose a lawsuit in a heartbeat. You would be putting this company at further risk.”

  Jade swallowed hard. “Uh, thank you for bringing this to my attention.”

  “If you have any questions on the matter, please stop by and see me anytim
e. I’ll reiterate the same thing to Bryce.” Linda sent her a polite smile and let herself out.

  How did Linda find out? They were keeping it a secret; no one knew. Who am I kidding? It’s written all over our faces. There was no hiding the way her eyes lit up or her lips curved into a wide smile whenever he walked into the room. Bryce was just as guilty with the way he looked at her. And if the employees could see it plain as day, then there were no options left.

  She and Bryce couldn’t be in a relationship unless one of them left the company. And since it was her company, that meant Bryce would have to leave.

  Her chest constricted. Would he do that for me? She didn’t know how strong his feelings were. And if they weren’t strong enough, could she bear to work side by side with him every day, knowing they could never be together? She stood. She needed to find him, to talk to him about this. She prayed he’d help her figure out a solution.

  Stepping outside her door, Jade heard the tail end of Roz’s phone conversation. “Talk to you latah, Joshua.” Roz pulled a string of gum out of her mouth with two fingers and then popped it back in.

  Jade stopped short. Joshua? As in Joshua Greenberg from Johansson Tek? “Who was that?”

  “Nobody.” Roz waved her hand and kept her eyes on her phone.

  Jade’s eyebrows drew together.

  “Need somethin’?” Roz was now looking at her computer screen instead of her.

  “Uh, no.” Jade headed to Marge’s desk to see if she could locate Bryce. Roz was hiding something from her, but she didn’t have time to deal with that now. And what the hell was up with Bryce meeting with Stan?

  Was there no one she could trust?

  IT WAS PROBABLY A STUPID IDEA to traipse across the country and show up at Johansson Tek alone, especially if they were somehow involved in all this. And maybe Joshua Greenberg or others from his company were involved in her attack. At least she’d been smart enough to ask Marge to call Detective Hawkins. Surely they wouldn’t hurt her when others knew she was here. Well, it might be stupid, but at least I’ll get to the bottom of this once and for all.