She turned and led the way to a booth at the far end. Josh ordered bourbon. Nathan raised an eyebrow before ordering a beer for himself.
The waitress walked away to retrieve their drinks, leaving Josh alone with his very intuitive friend. Josh rubbed tiredly at his forehead. “I hate it when you look at me like that.”
“How would you prefer I look at you?”
Josh sighed and dropped his hand back to the table. “I don’t know. How is she?” he asked quietly, finally relenting.
“As miserable as you, although she hides it better.”
Josh’s lips twitched in wry amusement as the waitress set their drinks on the table and then took their dinner orders. Once she was gone, Josh asked, “Are things going well with the fellowship?”
“So far, although she hasn’t gone beyond the planning stages yet. The search for the patients has turned up some interesting…talents. She and Connelly have also become very close. She even came to the club a couple of weeks ago.”
Josh jerked his gaze to Nathan’s. “What?”
“She didn’t sub for anyone. She started to but then couldn’t go through with it.”
Josh wasn’t sure if that made him feel better. He’d had the same problem. He hadn’t been with anyone else since that night with her at the club. He hadn’t wanted to.
“She needs to move on,” Josh said.
“Like you’re moving on?” Nathan asked as he stared pointedly at the glass in Josh’s hand.
Josh took a long sip of his bourbon. The drink burned all the way down, igniting his stomach. Josh winced but took another, hoping to numb the feeling of loss that gnawed at his gut day in and day out.
“Josh,” Nathan began as he set his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “I’m going to tell you the same thing you once told me. Get off your ass and go after the woman you love.”
Josh started to say something, but Nathan held up his hand, stopping him. “You’re not too old for her. That’s ridiculous. You can’t use your job as an excuse anymore because it makes you miserable now, and don’t even try to deny it, because you fucking know that I know better. Stop punishing yourself for the mistakes you believe you made in the past. She’s good for you. You’re good for her. She needs you. Need I go on? Because I can.”
With a sigh, Josh sat back and stared silently at Nathan. He was right. She was good for him. She made him happy. Happier than he’d ever been before…or at least that he could remember. It was time he hung up his agent hat. It didn’t make him happy anymore.
“And how do you suggest I proceed?” Josh asked.
Nathan grinned. “What was it you told me? Do what you do best.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Jennifer sat in her office chair and pushed against the desk, making her chair spin in a circle. As it slowed, she would push again, gaining speed, hoping the centrifugal force would push the thoughts of Josh from her mind. As she watched the ceiling spin, she realized it didn’t work.
He never left her mind, despite the efforts of Connelly, whom Jennifer had come to love like a sister. Connelly had been so good to her, taking her shopping to get her mind off Josh, helping her decide the best way to design her compound.
Jennifer still couldn’t believe this was happening.
Her own compound. When it was finished, it would be a safe haven for teens, where they could explore their abilities without censure or fear of standing out—where they could feel safe. Jennifer hoped to figure out what caused these anomalies. She finally had control of hers, but if given the chance, she would get rid of them completely.
She just wished she could get rid of her feelings for Josh.
They hadn’t lessened. They probably would never go away. She would spend her entire life wondering what could’ve been. She’d give her fortune if she could go back in time and tell him how she felt, tell him she loved him.
“I love you, Josh,” she murmured toward the spinning ceiling. “I’ll always love you.”
“That’s good to know.”
She grabbed the desk, stopping the chair, and bolted upright. She spun and stared at the door to her temporary office. Josh leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest. The jeans he wore hugged his slim waist and thighs, and the T-shirt stretched tight across his shoulders, accentuating the width. He hadn’t changed. He still looked as incredibly handsome as the day he’d left and still made her heart skip a wicked beat in excitement.
Was he really here, or was she seeing things?
“What are you doing here?” she asked, barely able to get the words out.
His lips twitched in that adorably amused fashion she remembered so well. “Before I answer that question, perhaps we should talk more about the I-love-you thing.”
She felt her face heat with embarrassment. “I didn’t…”
His grin widened. “Yes, you did. I heard you, so don’t even try to deny it. Lying to your Dom is a no-no and worthy of a spanking. Or better yet, a pussy spanking.”
Jennifer swallowed as memories from the last pussy spanking ran through her mind. She masturbated to them. “What makes you think you’re my Dom?” she asked. “You left me.”
Josh glanced down at the floor before bringing his gaze back to hers. “I apologize for that. I was wrong, and I never should’ve done it.”
“Why did you?” she whispered.
“Because, as Nathan says, I’m an idiot.”
She bit her lip to keep from smiling. “Yes. You are.” She sat back and gave him an assessing stare. “You passed up a gem in me. I could’ve made you happy.”
“Could’ve…or can?”
She licked her lips nervously. Was he here because he missed her? Because he really regretted leaving? “If you’re here to get another quick fuck, then you might as well just turn around and leave.”
Devilment sparked in Josh’s eyes, sending sparks all up and down her spine. Even after months, the electrical connection still raged between them.
“I do plan on a fuck,” Josh murmured as he walked closer. Or stalked was more like it. “But there’ll be nothing quick about it.”
“And then what?” she asked.
“What do you want, Jenn?” Josh asked as he grabbed the back of her chair and spun her so she fully faced him.
She watched, barely able to breathe as he bent and braced his hands on the arms of her leather office chair.
“I don’t want a one-night stand,” she choked out.
“That’s what you don’t want. What do you want?”
“I want forever.”
Josh’s gaze never left hers. Even if his hands weren’t on the arms of the chair, pinning her in, she wasn’t sure she could’ve gotten up.
“Will you take until death do us part?” he countered.
Her stomach did a little flip. Was this his way of asking her to marry him? “Will you buy me a ring?”
Josh’s lips twitched. “Will you promise to obey?”
She smiled slightly. “No.”
“Good.” He pulled something out of his pocket and held it up between them. “Will this ring do?”
Jennifer gasped at the pear-shaped diamond perched on a slim gold band. It was beautiful. She started to reach for it but narrowed her eyes as a thought occurred to her. “So do you expect me to just jump up in your arms, happy that you’re here, ready and willing to forget how much it hurt when you left?”
Josh grabbed her hands and stood, pulling her up along with him. With his left hand, he touched her cheek, but it was the look in his eyes that had her melting. All the other times in the past he’d kept his emotions guarded, his true feelings hidden. But now she could see the love in his eyes along with the desire, and it sent her heart soaring.
“I’m sorry, Jenn. I was a fool. I thought I wouldn’t be good for you, but now I know I’m nothing without you.”
His touch was soft, the look in his eyes tender. Jennifer knew in her heart he spoke the truth, but part of her wanted to make him s
uffer, to make him really work for it—for her.
She started to pull away, determined not to make it so easy for him, not after she’d cried herself to sleep so many times.
“I love you,” he whispered.
Jennifer froze and stared at him with what she knew had to be a shocked expression. She’d hoped he felt that way, but to hear him say it, well…it made her want to throw her arms around him, shove him to the floor, and screw him until he couldn’t walk.
He tilted his head, the light in his eyes turning very mischievous. “It’s customary to say something back.”
Her own devilish streak reared its ugly head. “I said it first.”
Josh snickered. “Technically, you’re right, but…I want to hear it again.”
“First I want you to answer something for me,” she replied, turning very serious.
Josh took a slight step back but continued to hold both of her hands down by his thighs. “Okay, shoot.”
“How are we going to handle you living in Washington and me living here?”
“Well.” Josh let out a long sigh. “That’s not going to be a problem, since I turned in my notice at work.”
“You what?”
“The job had lost its appeal, or maybe I just found something I want more.” Josh bent his neck, bringing his forehead in line with hers. “And no, I will not regret that.” He stood back straight. “Now. Anything else?”
“What will you do for a job?” she asked.
“What?” Josh asked in feigned innocence. “I can’t lie around and be a bum, living off my wife’s success?”
She snorted. “Like you would even consider such a thing.”
Josh laughed and leaned down to place a quick kiss on her forehead. An electrical spark ignited, and the sting made her gasp.
“I see some things never change,” Josh drawled as he rubbed his fingers across his stinging lips.
Jennifer giggled but didn’t let herself be distracted. It wasn’t that Josh had to hold a job. She just wanted to make sure he would be happy. “You didn’t answer my question. You love that job.”
“I did love that job,” he acknowledged as he grabbed her left hand and slid the ring on her finger. “But I love you more.” He brought her hand up and kissed her ring finger, as though sealing the ring in place with his kiss. It made her heart melt. “Plus I’m getting too old to chase the bad guys. Nathan loves reminding me of that fact, by the way.”
Jennifer pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. Josh might be older than her, but he wasn’t old. Not to her anyway, and if he wanted to keep chasing bad guys, she was sure he would’ve done very well at it.
“But he is right about one thing. Is a life worth living if you don’t have someone you love to share it with?” Josh’s lips twisted. “He’s turned into a sentimental old fool since meeting Connelly. I think I liked him better the old way.”
This time Jennifer did smile.
Josh sighed. “The job had lost its draw, sweetheart. I didn’t enjoy going in anymore. I looked for reasons to leave early, to pass on cases. I didn’t want to be there, and I’m sure it showed. I want to be here with you. Besides, from what I understand, since you want to run the medical side of things, you’re in need of a good administrator.”
“You want a desk job?” she asked.
Josh moved closer, invading her space. So close his chest brushed across her nipples, making her breasts thicken in need. She tilted her head back so she could see his face.
“I can do a desk job.” His voice dropped to that sexy timbre that never failed to heat her blood. “Provided I can occasionally bend a certain submissive across it and torture her until she’s begging me to take her.”
Jennifer drew in a shaky breath. She was close to begging now, and he hadn’t even really seduced her. “You do realize, of course, that I would have to actually try you out first? See if you can truly perform to my standards.”
A wicked gleam shone in Josh’s eyes just before he put his hand at the back of her neck and stepped aside. With a quick move she didn’t expect, he turned her slightly and pushed her head down, forcing it to her desk.
Despite the speed with which he’d moved, her face didn’t hit the desk hard enough to hurt, but with enough force for her to know exactly who was in charge.
“I think you’ll find me to your satisfaction,” he growled in her ear, and every part of her body tingled with need. “But just to prove it to you, shall we begin?”
“Yes, Master,” she replied breathlessly. Her gaze caught the open door to her office. “Josh, the door.”
“Shut it,” he ordered.
“I can’t.”
“You stopped a bullet, Jenn. Do you mean to tell me you haven’t tried to move anything else?”
“No. I haven’t tried that again,” she whispered.
“Manipulate the energy around it just like you did the bullet. Make it shut.”
Jennifer sighed and tried to push herself up, but Josh’s hand on the back of her neck kept her pinned to the cool wood of the desk.
“From here,” Josh said as he ran his free hand up the outside of her thigh and under her skirt.
How could she possibly concentrate when he touched her like that?
“I like it when you wear skirts,” he murmured as he moved his hand over her ass. “But these panties have to go. Pull them off.”
Jennifer swallowed as she reached for the cotton panties and pushed them down as far as she could. Josh pushed them the rest of the way to the floor, allowing her to kick them aside.
“You better get the door, Jenn. Otherwise there’ll be a very hot show.”
Jennifer returned her concentration to the door. She’d been practicing a lot lately, learning to focus, to better control her abilities. Now she only exploded lightbulbs when she wanted to. But she’d never tried to move anything. Hadn’t even thought she could. She’d always believed that night at the house with Josh had been an adrenalin-fueled fluke.
The door swung shut with a loud bang, rattling the pictures on the wall next to it, and she gasped in surprise.
“Very good, sweetheart,” Josh purred. “Now spread your legs.”
She did as he ordered, enjoying every second of his rough commands.
“Let’s see,” he said as he spread her labia and slid his fingers through the thick cream that leaked from her opening. “Where were we? Oh, yes.” He thrust two fingers into her already wet pussy, bringing her to her toes. “I was going to show you how I was the man for the job.”
Jennifer almost came instantly. The feel of his thick fingers stretching her, preparing her for his entry sent her over the edge in a blazing-hot ball of fire.
“It’s been way too long since I’ve felt this hot pussy gripping my cock,” Josh whispered in her ear as he continued to finger fuck her into pure bliss.
In and out. Slow and deep. It was wonderful and not enough all at the same time. He pulled his fingers out and circled her clit. Her hips jerked, seeking more. Her fingers dug into the edge of the desk, holding tight as she fought the rising tide of her orgasm. She wouldn’t be able to hold off much longer.
Josh removed his hand from her pussy and slapped her hard on the right ass cheek. Jennifer gasped as the sharp pain sent a wave of pleasure to her womb. He shoved her skirt up around her waist, giving him a clear view of her ass as the afternoon sun slashed through the window and warmed her flesh.
“Oh, this is nice,” Josh murmured as he smoothed his hand over the spot that burned.
Jennifer hissed as his touch sent another wave of lust to her core.
“Definitely nice,” Josh said in a casual voice before he slapped her ass again a little harder than the first time. Jennifer squeaked in surprise, then moaned as he harshly gripped the spot where he’d slapped, intensifying the burn. “I just realized,” Josh murmured. “You never said I love you back. Perhaps I should refuse to give you what you want until you do.”
“I love you,” she quickly r
eplied.
Josh laughed. “Greedy little sub.”
He swatted her ass again, this time hitting lower on her ass cheek. Jennifer bit her lip as the walls of her pussy clenched in need.
“I bet this pussy is weeping for me to fill it,” Josh growled before he slapped her ass again.
Jennifer wanted to cry…she was so hot for him. She didn’t want him to torture and play around. She wanted him to take her, hard and deep, force her to accept every inch of him until his balls slapped against her pussy. She loved this position the best. She loved the way he dominated her.
“Master, please,” she begged. “I love you. Please.”
“Please what?” Josh asked as he circled her opening with his fingers.
“Please take me. Show me you’re the man for the job.”
“I like a sub who knows how to beg, but you haven’t begged enough, I don’t think.”
“Josh,” she gasped as he pressed his fingers halfway in before sliding them out again, teasing her.
“I want you so turned on that you come the second I enter you. Then I can take my time fucking you. I want you coming and screaming over and over,” Josh growled as he leaned down and gently nipped at her shoulder.
“Oh, yes. Please,” she whispered, moving her hips and trying to force him to go deeper.
“That sounds nice,” Josh whispered. “Again.”
“Master, please.”
Josh pushed his fingers in very slowly, making Jennifer groan in frustration.
“Again,” Josh barked as he thrust deep enough to make her lift to her toes.
“Please. Oh, God. Please, Master. I need you. Please fuck me. Please.”
With a satisfied chuckle, Josh pulled his fingers free. She heard his zipper lower, and her breath quickened. He removed his hand from the back of her neck, but she remained glued to the desk, her legs shaking as she listened to him rip open a condom and roll it on.
Josh put the head of his cock at her entrance, and she gasped in excitement.
“Oh, yes,” she whispered.
Before entering her, Josh grabbed her hands and brought them to the small of her back. It didn’t take much pressure to keep her pinned to the desk. She couldn’t move anything with his hand holding her just above her ass.
Crime and Punishment 4: Burning Submission Page 22