“Like what you see, miss?” Josh asked with a chuckle.
Chelsea almost shot to the ceiling. “You scared me!”
“So it seems.”
Chelsea looked down, aghast, when she realized what she’d grabbed to save herself when she almost fell. It was now completely rock hard in her hand. “Sorry.” She tried to unwrap her fingers but couldn’t seem to let go. What was the etiquette with new boyfriends when you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar, so to speak?
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I like it very much.” She grinned before planting a kiss on the tip. “How long have you been awake?”
“Since your fingers started doing the walking.”
“Sorry.” She wasn’t really. Maybe a little embarrassed that she got caught.
“No need to apologize, darlin’, you can touch me whenever you want. In fact, I’d love it if you wrapped that sweet mouth around me now. “
Chelsea leaned in and flicked her tongue around the outside, and then delicately slipped her lips over the top of him, only too pleased to fill Josh’s request. She loved the way he urged her on. His hands in her hair, guiding rather than shoving her where he wanted her.
“That’s it, baby, that’s so good,” he panted in rapture, “but I want to kiss you.”
When he gently tilted her head, she searched his eyes, hoping she had pleased him; given him at least some of the same pleasure that he’d given her. “Josh? Wasn’t it good?”
“It was great! I just want you,” he said, pulling on her arms gently.
Chelsea crawled up the bed and straddled him, sighing as he slid into her fully while worrying each of her nipples. Sparks of pleasure shot through her, urging her to ride him faster.
“Slower,” he ground out.
He held her still, forcing her to slow her pace while he sank deeper with long slow thrusts that had her on the edge within minutes. “Oh, oh,” she whimpered, unable to form a sentence.
Josh’s large hands felt warm on her bottom as he spread each cheek wide, pinching her, holding her open, allowing cool air to tickle her back hole. Though she hated to admit it to herself, she liked it. It felt so decadently naughty.
Chelsea was in rapture at the way Josh could make her feel. She’d had sex, but it occurred to her that she’d never made love, or at least had anyone make love to her. When she finally collapsed on top of Josh, both of them spent, Chelsea knew that was where she wanted to stay, forever. Not necessarily at this house, but definitely in these arms.
* * *
It was the last thing he wanted to do. It was magic having Chelsea purring gently in her sleep with her hair splayed all around him. Her soft breasts pressed against him and her bottom cheeks were still in his hands. Her skin felt like fine silk. His cock was already reacting to her so reluctantly he moved her to lie beside him. They couldn’t start anything else now; they had to get back.
“Chels, honey?” he said softly. He ran the tips of his fingers up and down her arm, trying to wake her. His girl was still fast asleep, the only sound coming from her was a low groan. “Chelsea, it’s time, we have to get you home.” He took each of her hands in his and gave them a small shake.
“Get off me, Tom,” she blurted.
Josh stared back at her now open but non-comprehending eyes. “It’s ok. I’m not Tom.” He was confused but anger simmered deep in his gut; not at Chelsea but at the man who had put that look of fear on her face. Why was she dreaming about Tom and more important, why would she be telling that moron to get off her? “Chelsea, you need to wake up.”
“Josh,” she said sleepily.
“Honey, we have to go back. Unless you want to take off today.”
“No, I can’t.”
“Ok, then we’ll go back.” He was of two minds whether to ask her about Tom. They really should get going. He checked his phone. It was after midnight. Damn the time, he had to know. He sent a quick message to let the pilot know they were almost ready to leave and then he dove in headfirst. “Chelsea, you were crying out and telling Tom to get off you.”
“I had a dream.”
Her answer was too short. He wasn’t satisfied. “You sure? He hasn’t hurt you, has he?” He watched as her eyes shifted to the side before she answered, too fast.
“No. I haven’t seen him yet since I got back.”
Josh narrowed his eyes. “This is a big call, but I don’t believe you.”
“I need the bathroom.” Chelsea gathered the sheet around her naked body as she made a dive for the edge of the bed.
Josh grabbed the corner of the voluminous fabric, managing to stop her in her tracks. “I will get to the truth.”
Chelsea’s eyes were wide.
She tugged at the fabric and Josh let it go. “Chelsea?” He wanted her acknowledgement.
“Ok.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
* * *
Chelsea closed the bathroom door and leaned against it. Things had just changed. She wasn’t sure how, but they had. The atmosphere had gone from new and romantic to being filled with unanswered questions and irritation. Why had she talked in her sleep like that and why had she lied about it? It wasn’t like she’d done anything wrong. It was that damn apartment. Tom held all the cards and he knew it. She knew that Josh was just waiting for a reason to confront the man, but there was only one way that would end and that was with her jobless and on the street. Maybe not exactly on the street, but going back to her parents with her tail between her legs and that was never going to happen.
Chelsea took care of what she had to and washed her hands. On a whim she decided to have a quick shower, but she couldn’t dawdle in there all day. May as well get the questioning over with; she’d stalled as long as she possibly could. Maybe she could convince Josh to just let her handle it.
When she opened the door carefully, Chelsea wasn’t surprised to find Josh still sitting where she’d left him. He had gotten dressed though.
“I used a different bathroom,” he explained. He patted the bed beside him.
“I’m naked, silly.” She held onto the thick towel she’d wrapped around her. He pointed to her clothes that he’d placed neatly on the bed and she started to get dressed. It was a little embarrassing to get dressed while someone watched. It was somehow different when in the throes of passion. She dressed quickly in the clothes she’d arrived in, all except her panties.
“Commando,” Josh said, allowing a grin to escape. “Now come sit.”
She sat beside him, hands in her lap, having no idea why she felt so shy or scared. Although neither word really described the way she felt.
“What happened?”
Chelsea worried her bottom lip and then sighed. Josh’s eyes hadn’t left hers; clearly he wanted an answer and didn’t intend to budge until he got it. “Tom is annoying but I can handle him,” she said.
“Was there an occasion when you had to tell him to get his hands off you?”
She nodded. “Earlier this evening. I thought it was you and I went to the door in my robe.” She tried to not let his look of fury interrupt her train of thought. “He pushed his way in and he tried to open my robe.”
“That bastard,” Josh said. “Did he hurt you?”
“No. It was the other way around. I kneed him between the legs.”
“Really? I’m impressed.”
“I thought you were angry.”
“I’m more angry at Tom, but I’m not entirely happy with you either.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong, except maybe go to the door in my robe, but I swear I thought it was you.”
“Why did you lie to me? Especially about Tom. I just don’t understand why you would want to protect him.”
“Because I knew you’d go after him. He’d fire me and kick me out of my apartment.”
“You think I would ever see you on the street? You’d always be welcome to live at my place.”
“And be a kept woman?”
“That’s just silly talk.”
“Will you just let me take care of it, please?”
“I won’t hit him, but I will have a quiet word and I’ll be watching him.”
“Ok, I guess.”
“It’s the best answer you’re going to get. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I sat back and said nothing while a creep hit on my girlfriend?”
Chelsea couldn’t help but smile. “Is that what I am? Your girlfriend?”
“I hope so. Is that what you want?”
She nodded. “Yes, I think it is.”
Chapter Six
Tom sat staring out the window with bleary eyes. The pain had gone, but his memory of it hadn’t. When the last person had left, he’d locked up and taken a seat, determined to wait for Chelsea to come home. She’d been gone for hours. Little slut was probably off sleeping with her new boyfriend now. He could have gone to check if that interfering Sophie hadn’t taken his car keys. Well, no matter, everything he needed was right in his hand. He lifted the tall bottle of bourbon to his lips and guzzled, the pretense of filling the hip flask long gone.
* * *
“You seem nervous,” Josh said, glancing at Chelsea from the driver’s seat. It was four in the morning. Neither of them were going to get much sleep.
“I’m a little tired. It’s late. Or early.”
“You could call in sick.”
“No. That would be a nail in my coffin for sure. I’ll manage.”
“You want to come and stay with me?”
“Nah. Work is just downstairs. Why don’t you stay with me?”
“What about Tom?”
“He’ll be at home by now. He doesn’t get to work until ten anyway most days and he was drinking yesterday; we might not see him at all. You can leave early in the morning if you don’t mind, so he doesn’t see your car.”
“I need to get started early anyway.”
“I sense a ‘but.’”
“I won’t hide from this guy. You have every right to see whoever you want. “
“I know, but this is his apartment.”
“Which I assume you pay rent for.”
“It’s pretty cheap rent.”
“I don’t care if it’s free. He lets you live in the apartment above his diner so he can get you to work when it suits him.”
“I guess.”
They’d had such a special date. Josh didn’t want it spoiled. “Look, I’ll stay tonight and I’ll leave early. I don’t want to make things difficult for you. I’m just saying that he doesn’t have a right to make you feel like he can tell you what you can do in your private life. He’s your boss and your landlord and that’s all.”
“Ok,” Chelsea said with a grin.
“Good.” Josh smiled back.
* * *
Light flittered across the diner from car headlights. “Well, well, well,” Tom muttered acidly. “So sweet innocent little Chelsea has company again. Live it up, honey, ‘cause it ain’t gonna last.”
* * *
When the alarm buzzed, Chelsea winced. She didn’t want to move. They hadn’t made love again; she needed sleep if she was going to stand on her feet all day. It was so cozy though to wake up with her man folded around her body. He kissed her bare shoulder.
“Still want me to leave?”
“Oh, you don’t know how much I want to just stay here all day.” She snuggled back against the firm rod pressed against her bottom. She sighed with contentment when his hand crept between her legs.
“I think I have some idea.”
She wriggled her bottom against him and giggled, laughing harder when he smacked her teasing target. “I have it on pretty good authority the traffic isn’t bad this morning. I could probably spare ten minutes.”
“It’ll only take five. I do my best work under pressure.”
The whole time they were talking he’d been teasing her with his fingers, running his tongue along the back of her neck.
“On your belly.”
She did as he bid. The sheer tone of his voice sending a thrill through her. He parted her legs and gave her a quick lick before crawling forward and covering her entire body with his own.
“Hands above your head, honey, and hold on.”
She gripped the wooden headboard and held her breath. Chelsea knew Josh wouldn’t be gentle this time and she was glad. She wanted him to take her hard and fast, leaving her with a gentle chafing all day as a reminder. He didn’t disappoint. After teasing her entrance for only a second, he slammed into her all at once, pounding her mercilessly as he rolled her nipples between his fingers.
“On your knees, baby,” he said, an arm wiggling under her and lifting her into position.
“Oh, yes, Josh, there,” she whimpered, almost frightened to move for fear she would lose the decadent sensation that was building. “Oh, please.”
“You like it like this? You like it from behind?”
“Mm hmm,” she moaned as her body began to tense. She took one of her hands down from the headboard and thrust it between her legs, only to have her bottom smacked hard.
“Put it back,” Josh growled.
“Please, no,” she whimpered, reluctantly removing her fingers. When Josh’s fingers replaced hers, she almost cried with relief. Then it hit her, wave after glorious wave of pleasure rocked through her, spiking when Josh joined her with his own release.
* * *
Fresh from the shower and dressed in her uniform, Chelsea dragged her hair into a bun and slipped her feet into her shoes. “I have two minutes.” She ran over to where Josh was holding open the front door and planted a kiss on his lips. “Will I see you today?”
“Bet on it. Have a good day, baby.” He pulled her back for a last kiss and then reluctantly followed her down the stairs.
* * *
Chelsea headed straight for the back door of the diner and edged her way through the kitchen, suddenly more nervous than she’d let on to Josh. “Is he in?” she asked the cook.
“Never left.”
Chelsea’s eyes widened. “Seriously? He slept here?”
“Yep. Been drinkin’ up a storm half the night by the looks.”
“Damn.”
Chelsea took a deep breath before pushing through the swing door. She had nothing to feel sorry for; all she’d done was defend herself. Still she doubted that Tom would see it that way.
“Nice of you to grace us with your presence,” the man in question said.
Chelsea gaped when she saw Tom. For all his faults and bad taste, his appearance was usually immaculate. Now he looked, well, bedraggled. The man was a hot mess. “I’m only two minutes late,” Chelsea said, checking her watch.
“Two minutes that you’ll make up at lunch or after work. I’m not paying you to canoodle with your new boyfriend on the stairs.”
Had he been spying? “Fine.” She wasn’t looking for an argument so she let the subject drop, even though she would have loved to have brought up the countless hours she put in without receiving any overtime.
“Before you start out here, the bathrooms need cleaning.”
“Yes, Tom.”
Tom narrowed his eyes. “Make sure you scrub the men’s out well. Some people don’t have a good aim.”
Chelsea didn’t answer for fear she would say what was really on her mind. That her boss was being petty and immature. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
Chelsea was almost finished with the men’s room when Tom stuck his head in the door. “Hurry it up in here, Chelsea, we have customers.”
“Coming.” So this was the game he was going to play. He was going to make her pay but in his own cowardly way.
“About time, girl. Get moving.”
Chelsea felt relieved that she could start waiting tables again. She knew he would watch his p’s and q’s in front of the customers. Her morning went as usual, making niceties with the customers and pouring coffee, but she could feel Tom’s eyes boring into her wherever she went. Her heart sk
ipped a beat when Josh walked in, but she felt odd even taking his order. When she delivered his food, he grabbed her hand.
“You ok?”
“Fine. Tom’s being a bit of a bear, that’s all.” Although Tom didn’t say anything, she knew he was watching and no doubt saving his displeasure for later after Josh had gone.
“Oh?” His eyes narrowed when he caught sight of the diner owner. “If you’re sure you’re ok here.”
“I am, I swear. This is a public place, remember? I’ll tell you later.”
“I’ll be back when I finish this afternoon. We can talk about what you want to do tonight.”
“Something that involves sleep,” Chelsea said. “Or bed at least.”
Josh smiled. “Sounds like my kind of evening.”
* * *
“What did you do to Tom?” Sophie asked with a grin. “I think you broke him.”
“I had to. I was only defending myself. He tried to rip off my robe.”
“Whoa, back it up a little, Chels. I was talking about his sad-looking dress code. That sounds a lot more interesting though, spill.”
Chelsea sighed, annoyed with herself for jumping the gun. There’s no way Sophie was going to settle for not hearing all about it now. “It’s a long story, I don’t think we have time.”
“Cut to the interesting bits then.”
Chelsea looked nervously at the door of the ladies’ room, half expecting Tom to come marching in. “Josh and I are together.” She continued to tell the story, sticking to the earlier part of the evening and the dramatic encounter with Tom.
“Oh, I would have loved to have seen that,” Sophie said. “I don’t suppose you thought to video it.”
“Um, no!”
“Shame. It does explain though why he staggered in here and drank himself stupid half the night. I took his keys.”
“Wow, I didn’t think you cared.”
“He’s a pain in the ass, but I wouldn’t want to see him wrap himself around a pole and I definitely wouldn’t want to see him hurt anyone else.”
The Billionaire and the Waitress Page 8