by Cynthia Dane
Jasmine resumed her earlier position, sitting back on her legs as the heels of her feet dug into her now pink ass. “Do I please you?”
“Yes.” His eyes went from her face to her breasts, still threatening to pop out of her negligee while her straps continued to fall toward her elbows. “Very much so. You’re absolutely beautiful, and I don’t say that lightly.”
Jasmine unleashed a coy smile. “I will do whatever you want.” Without his bidding, Jasmine pulled on her lace, slowly lowering it over her breasts until he had a full view of her hard, pink nipples. She did not miss his eyebrows popping up in tune to her nipples popping out. “Anything you want. I’m all yours.”
There were still some things they had never done before, mostly because Ethan showed no interest. Jasmine was game enough to forget a few things to try some new things. It would be quite the way to begin a new phase of their relationship.
But he didn’t ask for anything new. Not that it surprised Jasmine, because the man was almost painfully erect and pointing in her direction. Precum glistened against his skin. He wanted her. He wanted to take her. To be fair, Jasmine wanted him to take her in turn.
“I want you to face the wall, on your knees. Ass in the air.”
Delightful shivers enshrouded Jasmine as she did as told. Ethan finished undressing while she got into position. Most nights with the collar on, Ethan would tie her up, usually to the bed. Tonight he was too eager to wait that long. He climbed onto the bed and knelt behind her, hands massaging her ass as his fingers dexterously moved the lace of her scarlet lingerie out of the way. Now Jasmine felt chilly, but she only realized it after he pulled her hips up and the cool air of their bedroom showed her how wet she was between the thighs. I knew I wanted him. Will he give himself to me now? Jasmine wouldn’t beg for that, just in case he decided to withhold it as appropriate bedroom torture.
“Don’t say a word,” he whispered in her ear. Jasmine clamped her mouth shut, hands pushing beneath the nearest pillow as she prepared to bury her face in it. “I’m going to fuck you like this, because I’m desperate to lose myself in you.” He pulled her hair away from that side of her face and tossed it over her head, so it fell in wavy torrents of black toward the bed. “Because I need to feel you tight around my cock.” Jasmine withheld a whine as her legs spread apart, Ethan’s cock pushing against her wet folds already. Please, give it to me. It’s been so long. How long? She couldn’t remember now… but however long it had been, it had been even longer since she felt this free with him. “If I hear you make any of those delectable sounds you make,” he continued, pushing deeper into her, “I might come, and I don’t want to yet. So don’t make me.”
“Yes, sir.” Jasmine knew that would be the last thing she said until he finished this stage of their scene.
Staying quiet while he thrust into her like this, however, was much easier said than done. Jasmine silently screamed into her pillow while Ethan held onto her hips and fucked her as if it was nothing. As if she was a tool to be used to court his pleasure. Pleasure that would ultimately cure them both of their ornery feelings.
“Fuck,” he groaned, doing just that as he increased his speed and the intensity with which he took over Jasmine’s body. If she were going to endure this without even so much as a light moan, however, she was going to have to distance herself from the sensations flooding her body. The way her center opened up to him, welcoming his body into hers… the way the lace rubbed her skin, and the way her hips froze beneath his hands… the way his breaths, his curses of relief filled the air and thus her ears… the way her soul took off from her shell and floated in the air above, looking down at the sexual escapism taking place in one bed out of billions in the world. A bed for every dollar he has. Jasmine clung to that thought as Ethan clung to her and fucked her hard, unprotected. Is it okay if I come? If she did, then surely he would too, and that would not make him happy. He asked one thing of me, so I should deliver. Give herself over. No sounds. Just existence. Just the warmth and tightness of her body giving him the reprieve he so desperately needed.
The bed began to rock as Ethan’s thrusts increased yet again. He’s going to come if he keeps this up. Jasmine already felt that sweet swell of his cock she had come to love experiencing across the span of her relationship. Fuck…
Just before he reached the point of no return, Ethan pulled out, fingers digging so hard into Jasmine’s hips that she almost whimpered in pain. Instead, she concentrated on his heavy breathing, his self-control winning out over his body’s need to orgasm. The man had brought himself to the edge and back. That would either prolong their lovemaking session…
…Or bring it to an abrupt, frustrating end.
The way Ethan handled her now was almost barbaric. He was another person – another being – as he flipped Jasmine over and buried himself in her chest, in the crook of her neck, and against her ear. “I want to come so badly,” he confessed, rubbing his hardness – wet with her arousal – against her stomach. “I want to come on your skin right here. I want to come on these breasts,” he grabbed them, squeezing them until Jasmine finally released her pent-up whimper, eyes closed and face scrunching in both pleasure and discomfort, “and see my cum all over your curves. I think about you all the time, Jasmine. I think about how much I want to fuck you, make love to you, whatever the fuck we call it. I don’t pay enough attention to you. I don’t give you enough. I don’t give you enough of me.” He kissed her, tongue forcing itself down her throat, where his cock was only a few minutes ago. “You deserve everything a man like me can give you. Now tell me, what do you want the most, and I will give it to you.”
Jasmine stared into his countenance, yearning for him to take her again, but this time with more emotion filling every corner of her body.
“I just want you, Ethan,” she said. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I can give you more than that.”
“Let’s start there.”
He held her against the bed, hips digging beneath her ass until she was propped up around his waist. His cock brushed against her slit, and she moaned, hopeful that he would finish the job. “Do you love me, Jasmine?”
How was it possible to be so taken aback? Ethan rarely asked such a thing during sex. He was the confident one. The one who only asked if she was having a good time, if she would do something, if she would like to try something new. It was Jasmine who usually asked, “Do you love me?” She needed to hear it, at least once a day. Especially during lovemaking. For Ethan to ask… even with his usual bravado peppering his words… what did it mean?
“Of course I love you,” she replied. “And I need you. Please. I want to come with you.”
He kissed her, one last time before his body sank into her. This time, without the order to stay quiet, Jasmine happily moaned against his mouth and gasped in ecstasy when he pulled from her, looming over her body as he grabbed her hip with one hand and braced himself against the bed with the other.
Jasmine almost couldn’t bear to look at him. He was so intense, so determined that looking at him had the power to make her come right now, and she wanted to enjoy the few minutes they had like this. I am definitely going to come soon… there’s no doubt about that. So was Ethan, who thrust into her with such force that Jasmine jerked against the bed, a prisoner even if she wasn’t tied up for once. There was no escaping him now. Not until he had finished with her, had his way with her body and played with her heart. Ethan was always like that. Sometimes, even now, Jasmine wasn’t sure what he truly felt deep inside. She didn’t doubt that he loved her… but she also didn’t doubt that other thoughts plagued his mind. Thoughts he would never share with her, or at least not anytime soon.
That was fine. She would come to understand him through these motions of fervent lovemaking instead. It was the only way to live once it began.
The closer they came to their mutual climax, the more extreme Ethan became. His words were nothing short of vulgar, but it was the kind of vu
lgarity that turned Jasmine on and made her swear there would be no other man who could make her feel this good. When he was like this, deep inside her, consuming her, taking over her entire person, he could say whatever he damn well pleased. Call her body parts whatever he wanted. Demand she respond however he wanted. Every word riled Jasmine. She was screaming, her body suddenly losing control and coming so hard that she forgot what a proper lady she was now expected to be outside of the bedroom – because no proper lady would cry for her man to do the naughty things Ethan currently did.
Her body was determined to take his down with it. Not two seconds after the pleasure hit her like heavy wind, Jasmine felt her core become tight enough to destroy her, let alone Ethan, who was currently losing his breath and control of his voice.
His hand slammed against her thigh and forced her leg to stay open, even though all she wanted was to wrap both around his waist and succumb to the fire blazing between them. But Ethan was in control, even when he was losing it just like her. He shouted her name, as wave after wave of his climax informed her that she could belong to no other man than the one inside her.
Experience told her that Ethan would collapse on top of her, maybe pulling out, maybe languishing inside of her as they fought for their breaths. Except Ethan did not collapse. He now propped himself up on both arms, gazing at Jasmine as sweat rolled down his chest and to his stomach. When it dripped onto her skin, Jasmine came down from her orgasm and sighed.
With one final grunt Ethan pulled out, resting beside her while still propped on one arm. Jasmine was too tired, too sore to close her legs. There it goes. Her whole body was done. She stared at the ceiling while Ethan watched the culmination of their lovemaking get all over the bed. Jasmine’s ability to care was just as gone as her ability to get up and resume her life – as if there was life beyond that room.
“Are you satisfied?” Ethan’s hand massaged her inner thigh before he bent down to kiss her softening nipple. “Or do I need to find another one in me to make sure my lovely lady goes to bed not wanting for anything?”
Jasmine rolled her head toward him. Her hair tangled between her cheek and the pillow. “I am so satisfied that I think I’m going to sleep for a week.”
“Me too.” Ethan relaxed against her. “Was waiting for you to say it first.”
She turned against his chest, leaving soft kisses on his chin as her hand wrapped across his shoulder. “I love you,” Jasmine muttered. “I really could have no other man but you.”
Ethan secured her in the firmest embrace he could muster. “I love you, too.” After a quiet minute, he continued. “You’re the only woman who has made me this happy. I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately.”
Jasmine intertwined her fingers with his. It was the most intimate thing either of them had experienced in too long of a time.
Chapter 14
“Nobody loves provolone as much as me, shut up.” Nadia held up one hand while the other shoveled a sandwich down her throat. “You don’t understand,” she said between rounds of chewing. Flecks of sandwich fell from her mouth and landed on her plate. “If I could, I would put it on everything. Everything. One day, when I’m elected president, I will change the world by declaring provolone be on everything.”
Jasmine chuckled as her friend inhaled her lunch. I already ate. A big breakfast, that Belinda had waiting two hours ago when Jasmine came downstairs on that fine Wednesday morning. She had planned to stay home, but a text came from Ethan halfway through her pancakes. “Would you be able to join me at the office after lunch?” When Jasmine inquired what this was about, Ethan merely said he would greatly appreciate it. So here she was. Ethan had yet to return from his business lunch, so Jasmine accompanied Nadia on her lunch break to the cafeteria on the ground floor of Ethan’s building. Apparently, someone really loved provolone.
“So, got any idea what Ethan wants with me?” Jasmine asked. Nadia was still eating, albeit listening. “He’s being hush hush about it, and that can be dangerous.”
Nadia shrugged. “I barely know what’s going on with him. I field his calls and track visitors. He’s been getting a lot of those lately.”
“Yeah, I know. Looking for a new partner.”
“No kidding. The tension in the office is overwhelming. The whole building is feeling it. I know what’s going on better than most around here, but even I’m wary. He’s not… planning on laying people off, is he?”
“What? I highly doubt that. Ethan’s looking for someone to help share the workload is all. He can’t do it all by himself anymore. Ever since… that man…”
They both fell silent. Nobody wanted to bring up Jackson if they could help it. As far as Jasmine knew, Nadia never dealt with the full brunt of that man’s creepiness, but she had certainly interacted with him plenty of times. He seemed to like brunettes, so maybe that’s why he left Nadia alone. Jasmine doubted something as “petty” as the receptionist’s sexuality would have stopped a man like Jackson from attempting his perverse form of seduction. Like kidnapping. Real smooth way to woo a woman.
“No, don’t worry about losing your job. Or anyone else for that matter. If he does go around firing people? I’ll personally tear him a new asshole.”
“Good. I don’t dare bring it up with him.”
“Probably a good idea.”
Nadia finished up her lunch and accompanied Jasmine back to the executive office. Since half the crew were either starting lunch or still had yet to get back, the whole place was quiet, save for the fountain splashing in the background. Jasmine glanced at Amber’s desk and saw it as meticulous as ever. Nadia caught her gaze and said, “I haven’t noticed anything.”
“Hm?”
“I know what you’re thinking. You don’t have to worry about Amber. If she’s interested in Mr. Cole at all, she hides it well. Helps that he talks about you a lot.”
Jasmine perked up at that. “He does?”
“He makes her remind him all the time to reply to your texts, if you can believe it.”
“That… sounds very much like Ethan.” So busy that he had to put off non-emergency texts until he had time. Except when he had some time, he was likely to forget the little things and jump right into the big things. Back when Jasmine was his assistant, she was always leaving reminders to call his father back or something of the sort. I still haven’t met his father. Jasmine barely knew his name.
Something beeped in the intercom on Nadia’s desk. “Oh… he’s already here. I didn’t know he was back from lunch already.” Nadia pushed a button. “Yes, Mr. Cole?”
“Good. You’re back. Is Jasmine there yet?”
“She’s right here, Mr. Cole. Should I send her in?”
“Please do.”
Jasmine pushed Nadia’s hand out of the way, leaning across her desk and practically shouting in to the intercom. “Hi Ethan! I love you!” Sometimes a girl had to have some fun around the office – especially if former coworkers were lurking about.
There was a pause on the other end. “Hello, Jasmine. Please join us.”
Jasmine stood back. “Us?”
Nadia shrugged.
Bag hooked over her shoulder, Jasmine straightened out her coat and fluffed her hair. Don’t know why I feel like I have to look super nice for him. Because it made her feel special? Because it made him feel special? Let’s be real, it’s because he has a guest. Jasmine always felt the responsibility of being presentable to his business associates.
“See you,” Nadia said, checking messages she missed while on lunch.
Jasmine was already halfway to Ethan’s office when she heard that. I remember when I used to walk through here wondering what I was going to have to suck next. “See you.”
She opened the door, stepping through with a smile on her face. After all, she was going to see her handsome boyfriend, who always made her smile – assuming everything was fine.
Things were not fine.
Things were very not fine.
Jasmine
felt it the moment the door closed behind her. By then, she saw not only Ethan getting up from behind his desk, but the feminine form rising from the seat in front of him as well. Tall. Thin. Legs that went on forever as they sprouted from her cute little dress and ended in sexy heels. Dark hair was pulled back into an elaborate twist that followed the turn of this woman’s head, her prominent, beautiful jaw slicing through the air before her lips parted into one of the most dazzling smiles Jasmine had ever seen.
It made her sick.
“Jasmine,” Ethan said, buttoning the bottom of his jacket, “I’d like you to meet my new partner, Adrienne Thomas.”
***
“Charmed.” Adrienne extended her hand, fingernails tipped in white, just like the whole wardrobe Jasmine had seen on this woman so far. “We’ve met before. At Monica’s party.”
Ethan glanced between both women, Jasmine tentatively approaching. “Is that so?” he said. “I had no idea you attended Monica’s party.”
“I was invited at the last minute.”
Adrienne couldn’t see his face, but Jasmine recognized that look of, “She would.” Who else would hire his ex-girlfriend to be his new business partner? Ethan would. He had. Now Jasmine was trapped between them, seeing a past flare up that she scarcely knew of.
“You’re his ex-girlfriend.”
Adrienne’s smile flickered. Ethan squared his shoulders. “I suppose so,” she said with a sigh. “So he has told you about me. Hope it’s nice things. Being the ex and all.” She looked over her shoulder, to Ethan, looking as if he had nothing to do with this. “Still, it’s a pleasure meeting you, Jasmine.” Adrienne held out her hand. “Ethan never stops talking about you.”
Jasmine slowly extended her hand as well. When their fingers clasped, she felt something – a spark of friendly rivalry, of “let’s let bygones be bygones” – course through her. This used to be Ethan’s girlfriend. This was the woman he proposed to. He loved her enough to propose to her. Now… Now Jasmine was the one Ethan was with. Not Adrienne. She had to shake those thoughts right now.