Into the Flames (Out of the Ashes Book 2)

by S. M. Lynn

  My phone rings and I don’t even have to look to know who it is. I accept the call but there are no words for what I feel, for how happy his gesture has made me.

  “Parker phoned me when he dropped you off. Do you like it?” His hushed tone tells me he’s anticipated my stunned silence but there’s also a hint of longing there.

  “Mr. Jacobs, this is grand gesture for one’s assistant. I’m not entirely sure it’s appropriate.” I tease, knowing it drives him crazy with want when I call him Mr. Jacobs.

  “Oh sweetheart, don’t play with me. It’s been too long since I’ve been inside you. Tempt me too much and I’ll fly back there now and bend you over in those flowers.”

  I would fan myself but it would do no good; the fire inside rages out of control and I almost want to keep pushing his buttons so he’ll make good on his threat. But somehow I manage to behave myself.

  “Thursday.” I say in hushed tones. “Oh and I expect to have our bedroom treated this way as well. I’ve always wanted you to make love to me in a garden.”

  “Enough Lauren. I only have so much control and you are testing every last inch of it. But definitely Thursday. We may not be able to go work.” I want him now; I want him so badly I would say screw doctors who say I can’t travel and jump on a plane. That would only infuriate him though. Hmm, angry Ian sex!! Stop!! This is doing neither of us any good.

  “Alright, work. I have the proposals and will go over them first thing this morning. I sent Connor your schedule yesterday and all your materials.”

  “You truly are perfect, woman. I could kiss you right now.”

  “Hey, I thought we were calming down. Don’t start that again. Bad enough I’m going to have to work in this flower shop all day thinking of the things that you could do to me if you were here.”

  “Now you’re just not playing fair. I can almost picture you, standing there surrounded by blooms and fragrance. I would stand behind you knowing that you smell better than anything in that room. I would wrap my arms around your waist and turn you toward me before kissing you so deeply you might think you’ll suffocate.” I look around the room half expecting him to come up behind me and do just what he said but it’s all fantasy.

  “Well, Mr. Jacobs, I’m hanging up now to go change my panties. It was nice talking to you this morning.”

  “Don’t even get me started on what I would do to your panties or those lovely demure blouses you were to the office. I know what’s underneath them and you have no idea how I long to see your bare breast, to take them in my mouth, to roll your hardened nipples in my fingers.” His seduction is definitely working but I doubt my body can handle two days of anticipation. With just his words, I am on the brink.

  “Do you want me to touch you, sweetheart?”

  Right here in the office, business day just starting and all I want are his hands all over me. “Yes, Ian.”

  “How would you like me to touch you?” Are we really doing this right now, right here?

  “Ian…” He can hear the hesitance in my voice.

  “No sweetheart. I want to know how you would like me to touch you. Go sit at my desk. On the desk. Move some flowers if you have to. I want you sitting on my desk like you would if I was in the chair.” I happily obey though this is a completely new experience for me. I hear him cover the phone momentarily and speak to someone then he is back with me.

  “Are you on my desk?”

  “Is there someone else there with you?”

  “No, I’m in the car with Connor. I was just telling him to drive for a while. Now answer me, are you at my desk?”

  “Yes.” I place the phone on speaker and set it down on the desk.

  “Good, prop your legs on my chair like you’re opening yourself to me. And hike up that delicious skirt around your waist. I want to see those pretty, wet panties I’ve had to hear so much about.” My legs quiver as I part them, wanting, needing his touch, his hands on me.

  “Ian.” I plead but for what I don’t know, for him to leave and come to me now maybe, for him to miraculously appear definitely.

  “I know, but we have to do it this way for now. I promise I’ll take care of you.”

  “Ian, I want you to touch me.”

  “How, love? Tell me, show me.”

  Slowly my hand descends until I feel my wetness through my panties. My other hand rest lightly on my breast massaging; my whole body wants to explode.

  “I can’t see you, beautiful. You have to tell me how I’m touching you.”

  “You have one hand up my skirt, teasing me through my soaked panties and your other hand is gently massaging my breast. Though the massaging is becoming ever more insistent and I know it won’t be long before you’re in me.”

  “Fuck, Lauren. Hang on a second.”

  I hear some rustling on the other end before he picks the phone back up.

  “Do you want to be in me, Ian?”

  “Sweetheart you have no idea.”

  Carefully I work my panties down to my ankles and sit bare assed back on his desk. “What would you do to my pussy if you were here right now?” Even I’m surprised at my boldness. “Is your cock hard with need right now? Do you want me to touch you, Ian?”

  “Fuck, I want to tell Connor to drive me to the airport right now. God I want that sweet pussy and those fuckable tits that I know are waiting for me. Rub your breast for me and let me know how good it feels when I touch you.” I do as I’m told and can’t stop the moan that escapes me. My sex throbs with need for release.

  “Ian, I want your cock. I want to wrap my hot, wet pussy around it.”

  “God, sweetheart. You’re going to make me come and I’ve hardly even touched myself.” I can picture him in his suit in the back of that car as I have seen it so many times. Though now his pants are undone and are dropped down to his ankles, his jacket is on the seat next to him, his hard length beautifully erect and waiting to attention. The thought of his hand wrapped around himself, stroking himself, turns me on like nothing else.

  “Oh god Ian, stroke your cock for me. Shove it into my pussy.” I insert first one finger, then another into my soaked core while toying with my hardened nipple. It’s definitely not Ian but I close my eyes and see him here doing all these things to me, feel him in me, his hands on me.

  His breath on the other end has become labored. “How does that feel, love?” I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to keep up this conversation. I’m barely coherent and electric shocks course through my body with my building orgasm.

  “God, Ian, yes. Are you stroking yourself? Do it faster? I want to come with you.”

  “Shit. Keep talking like and I’ll be coming all over in a second.”

  I plunge in my fingers faster while using my thumb to circle my clit. The sensation has me crying out.

  “Scream for me, sweetheart. I want to know how good I make you feel when you come.” His words are tight and I’m sure he’s struggling to keep his own orgasm at bay while waiting for me.

  “Ian, god, Ian.” I cry out as I swipe my thumb once more and my orgasm rips though me. I feel my muscles contract around my fingers at my release.

  “Shit, Lauren. Fuck, sweetheart.” I know he has found his own release as well. I can hear his pants of breath through the phone for several minutes afterwards while I try to collect myself as well.

  “What I wouldn’t give for the en suite in the office right about now.” He says playfully after a while.

  “That was certainly unexpected Mr. Jacobs. I’m not sure how you expect me to get any work done after that.”

  “You? I have to figure out how to get cleaned up and then explain to the people waiting in the board room why I’m 30 minutes late and completely wrinkled and disheveled. I’m sweaty and extremely lucky that my gym bag was in the car with me. Damn, woman. Don’t start that with me when I haven’t had you in over a week. It’s too much for me to handle.”

  “Too much for you? I want you just as much as you want me. Somet
imes I think I would like nothing more than to have you buried in me 24/7.”

  “Stop trying to work me up again. I have to clean up and get to this meeting and you, Ms. Carmichael, have a boss that is expecting you to get some work done, not have hot, sweaty phone sex with your boyfriend.” I can’t help but giggle. I knew what we just did but to hear him say it out loud. I blush and feel a little a self-conscious. “Now don’t start that, Lauren.” As if he can see me through phone, “I love you and I love making love to you. Make no mistake that was me making love to you with my words and you did the same to me. There is no shame in it. In fact I like knowing I can do that to you just with my words. Sweetheart, you have no idea how incredibly hot that is. Even when we’re both home I think we should call each other up and do that. Damn it now, you’ve got me all hard again. I have to go before I make a mess of my pants.”

  “Ian?”

  “Yeah, love.”

  “I love you. I’ve never done anything like that and it was incredible but I can’t wait until your home. Please hurry back.”

  “I will, Lauren. Nothing could keep me from you. I’ll call you later. I love you.”

  The somber turn of our conversation and my muddled emotions from our hot phone sex as he called it has me bursting into tears the minute I hang up the phone. I go to the en suite to collect myself then try to get some work done. I turn on the sound system hoping to let the music and work distract me from my thoughts. Coldplay’s The Scientist immediately greets my ears making me think more of Ian.

  Thankfully or unhappily depending on how you look at it, the rest of the morning goes by without further incident and I’m able to finally concentrate on some work. The proposal that Ian sent seems to be in order but there are a couple budget concerns I plan to discuss with him when he calls later.

  I run out at lunch, security in tow, to grab a sandwich and get back to the office to get Ian prepared for tomorrow and send everything over to Connor before their dinner tonight. I try not to stress over the dinner as Ian and I have put the topic of Elizabeth Burke to rest and in fact, I look forward to meeting her on our next trip down. Part of my mind can’t help but compare us though and while I know Ian has no desire to be with her, I wish things could be easier for us.

  When I arrive back from grabbing lunch, there is another delivery; this time of fresh cut flowers in a box. I throw my bag on the desk and pull the ribbon to open the box. Brushing the white tissue paper aside, I find a single red rose amidst 11 other black and withered roses. I ring the desk and Danielle answers immediately.

  “Who delivered these flowers?”

  “The same florist that brought the ones from this morning. Why?”

  “Was it a different delivery boy or did anything seem odd about it?”

  “No.” Her replies are becoming curt and I can tell she is growing tired of answering my questions.

  “Okay never mind. Please call for Parker and have him come up immediately.”

  “Yes, Ms. Carmichael I will send him straight up.”

  While I wait for Parker, I examine the contents of the box once more. Tucked in the folders of the tissue paper, I notice a small envelope. Panic holds me to the spot but I have to know who sent them and why. Slowly I pull the card out of the envelope, sure that I will be in trouble with Parker for touching it.

  I’m glad to see you are finally getting some of what you deserve. A whore like you deserves to die not be with him. I’m not the only one watching you am I? Horrible accidents happen to people like you. Like the remaining rose in this box, you will also wither and die and become like all the others who have tried to get in the way. Leave now. Stay away from Ian and stay out of our lives.

  Parker appears just a few moments later; the note still in my hand. “Ms. Carmichael?” He looks into the box on the table and sees the flowers while I slowly hand him the note that came along with them.

  “Miss, I must alert Mr. Jacobs immediately.” His statement sounds more like a question like he is waiting for me to argue it with him. Waiting for me to tell him not to involve Ian but I haven’t the strength and I’ve let secrets eat at my soul for far too long. I simply nod as he pulls his phone from his pocket.

  He moves to the conference room but I can still hear his voice through the doorway.

  “Connor, Parker here. She received another letter today and a package. No, the same florist that Mr. Jacobs used this morning delivered the package so we assumed Mr. Jacobs was sending her something else. I understand sir. No, no packages regardless of whom they are from will be delivered without being inspected first. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. No, we will not let her out of our sight until he returns. Yes, sir. I will call you when we leave the office and notify you immediately when we arrive at the apartment. No, I will not leave the building. Yes, sir; I have everything I need. Ms. Carmichael is perfectly safe with me. Thank you, Connor. I’ll notify you immediately if there are any other developments.” His one sided conversation offers me little hope that Ian is on his way home to me but I know that I am well taken care of by Parker and Gavin will be home tonight as I have promised him dinner.

  I try not to dwell on the loneliness that settles into my chest at the thought of still not seeing Ian for almost two more days. As soon as I can I let Parker know that I want to go home; I just can’t stay in the office any longer. There are very few places anymore that don’t feel violated by either Rebecca or Dean. I wonder if Ian and I will ever find solace from them.

  Chapter 16

  As I begin to wake, I feel hot breath on my neck. I continue to hope that it’s just remnants of the nightmare that plagued me all night. Only as I stir I know that this isn’t part of any dream. A hard body presses against my back and the breathing grows louder. I try to remember if Gavin stayed with me last night but I’m almost positive that I went to bed alone. Still disoriented from just having wakened, I try to get my bearings. If he is in the room with me, there is nothing that can be done for me anymore. I stir slowly so that the person next to me knows I’m waking. I fear what will happen when he knows I’m fully awake but am prepared for anything. His hands run along my side and grip my waist, trying to hold me in place. His lips hot and wet touch my neck and I try not to cringe away. There is nowhere to escape to anyway and any noise I make now will only draw Gavin and then he could be hurt because of me as well.

  I want to turn and face him but he holds me in place. When his hands venture further down my side and begin to work at the edge of my panties, I am unable to stop the scream that escapes my throat. He presses into me and he’s starting to speak when Gavin bursts into the room.

  “Lauren, what the… Ah, hell you two, if you’re going to do this shit get a fuckin’ hotel room. Or the very least you could do is warn me that you are playing some game. God, I could have shot you or with my aim, her.” His words take a moment to sink in. It takes a minute for me to realize that he isn’t concerned for my safety because it isn’t Dean with me, as I feared but Ian instead.

  I turn and wrap my arms around him but I see all too well in his eyes that he knows exactly what I thought was happening. He knows I feared he was Dean and I know there will be questions to answer when Gavin leaves the room.

  “Don’t you think you owe me an apology? Jesus, you two. I have every mind to kick both your asses out onto the street. Lauren, you’re fucking lucky that I love you. God, I just can’t believe you.” With that he walks back out the door slamming it behind him. I’m going to have to sit down with him later and explain everything to him as well. What a mess I’ve made of everything. Again.

  My eyes turn up and meet Ian’s, still filled with shock and fear from my earlier reaction. If I had been more awake, I would have known it was him by his smell, by his touch but waking up that way clouded my senses.

  “Lauren, I’m so sorry. I should have woken you… I should have realized that after everything… God, I’m such a fool. Please, sweetheart, forgive me? I’ll have to apologize to Gavin and hope that I can mak
e this up to him. Talk to me, love.”

  “No, Ian it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have overreacted like that. I should have known that there would be no way for him to get in here. I feel like such a fool right now.”

  “Lauren stop. I’m the one to blame in this. I should have made sure you were awake. You weren’t expecting me until tomorrow but after everything I couldn’t stay away. I missed you so much after our phone call yesterday. And I was so afraid for you, which now I see that I have good reason to be.”

  I gently brush my lips against his. “Ian, I have something else that I have to tell you. The other night before you called Dean called me. I was waiting for your call and answered before checking the caller id. He was standing outside the apartment watching the building, waiting for a slip up in security or me to do something foolish so he could get to me. He said he left something for me with the doorman but I haven’t bothered checking yet. Then this morning when I felt someone here with me I was sure that he had broken in and this was it for me. Probably just some left over fear from the nightmares I’ve been having.” The look on his face makes his anger clear. “Please, Ian. I know I should have told you that night but with everything. I just didn’t want to upset and worry you.”

  His face softens a bit. “Lauren, you cannot do this. You cannot keep these kinds of things from me. Not with everything going on. There is too much risk; you risk our whole future when you don’t allow me to keep you safe. You must see that.” Exasperated hands grab at his hair.

  “Ian, I understand. I do and I know I should have told you immediately but there was so much going on at the time. And I didn’t want to worry you. Please forgive me.”