The Boardroom (New Adult Contemporary Romance)

by Macguire, Jacee

  Chapter Fourteen -- Peyton

  Her heart was beating rapidly as Avery carried her up the winding staircase. She couldn’t believe this was happening, and she wouldn’t dare stop it. His kiss had set her on fire, burning deep into her soul, freeing her wild side; the side she tried so hard to keep under lock and key the past year. Tonight, she would let that wildness – that deprived hunger – run free and enjoy the intoxicating touch of a man who was way out of her league.

  Avery gently placed her on the black silk comforter of his king-size bed. She closed her eyes, taking in the smell of the vanilla candles twinkling around his bedroom. She knew the moment he joined her as his weight caused the bed to dip beside her. He leaned over her small body, placing a firm kiss upon her lips. For what seemed like an eternity, she felt nothing but the hunger of his mouth and an ache for his touch upon her skin. Just as she was about to beg him to touch her, his fingers grazed the hem of her dress. Higher please, she thought to herself.

  As if he could hear her silent plea, he slowly eased her dress up her thighs. She shivered under his touch, the wetness of her folds moistening her delicate panties. She wanted him to touch her there, to slide his fingers inside, to tease her until she came.

  Avery’s fingertips lightly touched Peyton’s satin panties and her hips arched up, her body begging for more. “You like that, Sweetness?” She trembled at the lusty growl within his voice. “Does it feel good?”

  “Yes... please... more,” she moaned.

  “Open your eyes,” he said firmly. “Look at me. I want to see your eyes when you come for me.” She opened her eyes, saw the wicked grin upon his face, and felt a new surge of heat between her legs.

  He pushed her dress up past her hips. Within seconds, he had his hands on the thin satin fabric that stood between him and what he desired. He took the thin material between his fingers and slowly eased her panties along her soft skin to her knees, her strong legs trembling. Once past her knees, he pulled the soft material down further, freeing them from her body and tossing them to the floor. He looked at her, placing a kiss on each knee and slowly easing her legs open.

  Peyton watched every move he made, her mind totally in the moment, consumed with a growing desire for the man between her legs. There was no school, no club, no worries, no responsibilities. In this moment, it was just her and the man who desired her… and that was all that mattered.

  Avery’s mouth descended upon her swollen bud. Peyton gasped as his lips surrounded her sensitive flesh. “Oh, Avery,” she gasped. “That feels so good. Don’t stop.”

  He hummed against her clit, her hips immediately lifting and thrusting against his mouth. His tongue slid down her folds and up again, greedily tasting her. She moaned as his tongue made teasing circles around her swollen clit. He ran a finger around the opening of her heated core, teasing her, and then slid it into her pussy slowly, feeling her muscles hug his finger tight.

  “You’re pussy is tight, Sweetness. You’re so damn wet,” he groaned.

  “Now,” she whimpered softly. “I need you now.”

  Avery slid a second finger into her tight core, easing in and out of her slowly. Peyton shifted her hips, matching his rhythm. He groaned as her muscles contracted around his fingers. She was so close.

  “Let go, my Sweetness. Come for me,” Avery demanded. “I want to taste you.”

  “Don’t stop,” Peyton moaned. “So close.” She gasped, her eyes rolling back as she went over the cliff, falling into complete ecstasy. “Oh, god! I’m…” Her back arched, thrusting against Avery’s mouth as she came. It was the most intense orgasm she had ever experienced.

  Chapter Fifteen -- Avery

  Avery eased off of the bed and retrieved a condom from his nightstand drawer as Peyton lay gasping and trembling on the bed. He had waited long enough to make love to this woman and she was more than ready now. Wasting no time, he removed his clothes quickly, noticing Peyton watching him. Feeling her eyes devour his naked body turned him on even more.

  “You’re so beautiful, my Sweetness,” he said, putting the condom on his engorged cock.

  “You’re quite beautiful yourself.” she replied, her cheeks flushing as she stared at his hardened shaft.

  “I’ve wanted to make love to you since the first moment I saw you,” he said, climbing back onto the bed. Peyton spread her legs as Avery eased over her, an insatiable hunger – the same hunger he felt – shining in her eyes.

  He kissed her on the lips softly as he eased his cock into her tight slit. She moaned as he filled her, her muscles gripping him firmly. He held still, afraid if he moved, he might come just from the feel of her slick pussy around his cock. Taking a ragged breath, Avery continued to thrust forward, burying his cock to the hilt. He groaned at the intensity of being inside his beautiful woman. He could never let her go after being with her this way. She was his.

  “Mine,” he said, as he began to thrust in and out, over and over again. “You are mine.”

  Peyton moaned as she lifted her hips, meeting each of his thrusts. Their kisses went from soft and gentle to hard and demanding in an instant as they became one, frantically loving each other as if there was no tomorrow. Their bodies collided in a passion neither of them had ever experienced before.

  “Harder,” she demanded in a lust-filled voice, thrusting up against him. “Faster.”

  Avery pounded into her as if his life depended on it. Peyton’s nails scored his back as his thrusts became more demanding. He was giving her what she wanted there was no doubt about it. She writhed beneath him, her hands cupping his ass and giving it a thorough squeeze, pulling him towards her with each forward thrust.

  “Come for me, my love,” he said in a gravelly voice.

  As if she had been waiting for instructions, she arched her body against him, her inner muscles gripping him tightly. “Oh, Avery,” she cried. “I’m coming.”

  He thrust into her one final time, falling into the abyss with her, his cock throbbing inside her as he came. They lay there for a moment, catching their breath. Avery leaned towards Peyton and kissed her swollen lips, before sliding out of bed to discard the condom. He returned quickly slidding in to lie beside her, pulling her close to him. Soon, he noticed her breathing had changed. She had fallen asleep. Curling against her, he soon joined her, no longer worried about encountering the woman within his dreams because she had been made flesh and blood beside him.

  Chapter Sixteen -- Peyton

  “Oh my god,” Peyton mumbled under her breath when she woke, her mind still struggling to wake up. “Where am I?” She looked around at the strange bedroom and then it all came back to her. She smiled at the memory of the night before, but then immediately began to worry. She hadn’t checked in at home. They were probably worried sick, wondering what had happened to her.

  She cast a glance around the room, looking for her bag but was unable to locate it. Did she bring it with her from the club? She couldn’t remember. She had been so busy being swept away by Avery that she could’ve easily forgotten it. Pulling back the sheets, she reached for the crumpled black dress lying on the floor. She needed to find a bathroom and get back to the club, and then get home to face the questions that would surely be asked.

  “Good morning, Sweetness,” Avery said from the doorway. “How about some breakfast?”

  He looked delicious, standing there in nothing but a pair of drawstring silk pajama pants. Damn! The man was sexy as hell. “Morning,” she said. “Breakfast sounds great, but I need to call home and let everyone know I’m alright. Can I use your phone?”

  “Sure,” Avery nodded. “Of course you can. I had Adele, my housekeeper, run out and pick up something for you to wear. I won’t have you taking a walk of shame because of me.” He flashed that wicked smile that drove her wild.

  “Thank you. I’ll get cleaned up and be down shortly.”

  “The clothes are in the bathroom. And fresh towels are set out for you, too.” he said

  Peyton heade
d for the bathroom and quickly took a shower in his insanely large shower. There was enough room for a dozen people in here. She stepped out of the shower and dried herself off, taking a minute to notice the smile plastered across her face in the mirror. She couldn’t believe the night she had had. Things like this didn’t happen to girls like her.

  She dressed quickly, noticing that Avery – or his housekeeper – had gotten everything in just the right sizes, including the sexiest bra and panty set she had ever worn. Against her better judgment, she glanced at the price tags that were still attached. “Wow!” she gasped. He spared no expense. It was way too much just for clothes. Very nice clothes, but still just clothes. She remembered what Trixie had said about clients giving gifts and pushed the thought out of her mind, telling herself that gifts didn’t have to mean payment for something other than dancing. She did appreciate the thought, though.

  Peyton made her way downstairs to the kitchen and found Avery at the table, reading the newspaper. He glanced up as she entered the room, his smile nearly stopping her in her tracks. It was the most gorgeous smile she had ever seen. Women would kill to have a guy smile like that at them. They ate breakfast together, sharing little tidbits about their daily plans. She wouldn’t mind seeing Avery again… a lot, but she was pretty sure this was closer to a one-night stand than a committed relationship.

  “Would you like to attend a charity event with me?” he asked.

  So maybe this wasn’t a one-night stand, after all. “I would like to… but it depends on when it is. I’d have to check my schedule first before I commit.” She didn’t want to seem too eager.

  “I’ll make sure to give you my contact information when I drop you off at your car,” he said. “The event is a black-tie affair but I’ll provide you with a dress and anything else you might need as well.”

  “I’ll let you know,” she said, her face heating. “I had a really nice time with you last night, Avery.”

  Chapter Seventeen -- Avery

  Avery had dreaded this moment all morning and hated the idea of parting with Peyton. He missed her already, even though she had just gotten into her car. As much as he wanted to keep her all to himself, he needed to not rush her into anything too fast. After their night together, he could see himself proposing to her right now. But he knew it was too soon for her.

  If he couldn’t be with her all the time, he could at least help take care of her, make her life easier so she wouldn’t have to worry so much. She had mentioned several times that she was raising her brother and sister without financial help, and she was going to college on top of that. He smiled, realizing what he could do. In time, he would do more but this was a start.

  He grabbed his phone and called Peyton’s college. The operator transferred him to the business office where he spoke with someone about paying her tuition in full for the semester, making sure his identity would be kept secret. If she were to ask about the payment, she would simply be told it was taken care of by an anonymous benefactor. No need to make her think she owed him. With that taken care of, he went to work. It was going to be a good day.

  Chapter Eighteen -- Peyton

  Peyton arrived home to a full house. Her roommates had gotten her brother and sister off to school, so she didn’t have to face them this morning. Her roommates, however, were another story, wanting to hear every detail about the club and her time with Avery.

  The girls piled up on the sofas in the living room, listening intently to Peyton recount everything that happened at the club. It was nice to be able to share that much with them. It seemed like they always heard about the bad stuff in her life. Sharing happy news was a nice change of pace. But she didn’t want to share everything about her and Avery’s time together.

  Mandy smiled wickedly, asking the question on everyone else’s mind, “So how was he? I know you did the deed. You look well-fucked… and you haven’t had that look in a long time.”

  Peyton blushed. So much for not telling everything. “He was fantastic. I won’t give details… but he was amazing.” Her cheeks grew hotter at the memory of their time together.

  “Will you be seeing him again?” Brianna asked.

  “I think so. He asked if I would attend a charity event with him. I really want to.”

  “What would you wear to an event like that?” asked Jade.

  Peyton shrugged. “Avery said he’d provide what I need. He told me not to worry about that.”

  Jade opened her mouth to speak but quickly shut it. Peyton noticed, but didn’t say anything when it became clear that Jade wasn’t going to say whatever she had been about to say.

  Chapter Nineteen -- Peyton

  It had been a few days and Peyton decided she needed to let Avery know she wanted to attend the charity event with him. She fished around in her purse, retrieved her phone, and dialed his number.

  After several rings, a woman answered. “Roderick and Associates. How may I help you?”

  “I’d like to speak with Avery Roderick, please,” Peyton said with a shaky voice.

  “May I say who is calling?” she woman asked

  “Yes. Tell him Peyton Jameson is calling.”

  “Hold, please.”

  Peyton waited for what seemed like an eternity before hearing his rich deep voice. It was insane how quickly his voice could so easily melt her worries away.

  “Peyton, it’s great to hear from you. I’ve been waiting for your call. Have you made your decision about the charity event?” he asked

  “I have,” she said, suddenly feeling nervous. She had never been to anything formal… but it was another chance to be with Avery. “I’d like very much to attend.”

  “Wonderful. I’ll have my assistant deliver your dress. What’s your address, my love?” he asked.

  She provided her address, trying desperately not to sound overly eager. She hated to see girls throw themselves at a guy and she didn’t want to appear cheap.

  “Got it. The party is next Monday night. I’d like to see you again before then if you’re free,” he said.

  “I’d like that, too, Avery. I do work at the club on Friday and Saturday though.”

  “I’m sure Miss Davenport won’t mind if I steal you away for a night,” he said, his gravelly voice filled with need.

  “I... I can’t lose this job, Avery. It’s important. I...” she mumbled, not wanting to tell him no but not wanting to risk her job, either.

  “You won’t,” he said. “I promise. I just need to see you again.” The urgency in his voice – the possibility of not being able to see her – made him sound sad. It broke her heart.

  “I have to go,” she said. “Lots of studying and assignments to get done before the weekend. We’ll talk again soon. Bye, Avery.”

  “Bye, Sweetness. I’ll let you know when to expect the delivery.”

  Chapter Twenty -- Avery

  Avery wanted to make sure Peyton felt like a princess at the event so he dialed up an old friend, Denise Wong. She had become a major fashion designer and wouldn’t let him down.

  “Hello,” said a seductive feminine voice.

  “Denise? This is Avery Roderick. I need a favor.”

  “Oh? What kind of favor?”

  “I need your help in acquiring a very fabulous dress for the most enchanting woman I’ve ever met,” he said.

  “Why, Avery,” Denise said, a hint of amusement in her voice. “I haven’t heard you sound this happy in ages. She must be a remarkable woman. Of course, I can help you.”

  “Great. And she is more than remarkable.”

  Denise laughed softly. “I’m sure she is. What size does this more than remarkable woman wear?”

  “What size?” Avery asked, feeling foolish for not realizing he’d need the answer to that question. “She’s... well... I don’t actually know. Hold on a second.” He placed Denise on hold. How was he supposed to find out her size? Adele had picked up clothes for her before. She’d know. He dialed his home. No answer. She must be out shopping
. He didn’t want to call and ask Peyton a question like that. Trixie! She would know. He quickly dialed another number.

  Trixie answered. “The Boardroom.”

  “Trixie, it’s Avery Roderick.”

  “What can I do for you, Avery?”

  “By chance, do you know what size dress Peyton wears?” he asked

  “Sure. Let’s see... here we go... size 6. What are you up to Avery?” she asked

  “I’m buying a dress for her for a charity event and I just realized I had no clue what size she was. Thanks for your help, Trixie,” he said, disconnecting the call.

  He sighed with relief and pressed the button for the holding call. “Denise, she’s a size six.”

  “Such a tiny little thing. Okay. Hair color?” she asked.

  “Blonde. Can you have a few dresses sent to my office today?” he asked.

  “Sure. Give me a couple of hours and I’ll send over the best I have.”

  “Fantastic! You’re the best, Denise. I owe you one. Thanks again.”

  Chapter Twenty One -- Peyton

  Friday finally arrived and it couldn’t have gotten here any sooner. Peyton was thrilled with the idea of seeing Avery again and the week had crawled by at a snail’s pace. Ugh! She got dressed as fast as she could, eager to get to the club and get dressed up for a night of dancing and whatever it might bring. Backing her car out of the driveway, she decided to check the mail. She pulled up by the mailbox, leaned out the window, and snagged the stack of envelopes.

  “What the hell is that?” she muttered to herself, recognizing the university’s logo on one of the envelopes. She ripped the envelope open, wondering what it could be since her tuition payment wasn’t due for several more weeks. Hopefully, tuition wasn’t going up again. She could barely afford it now. Removing the letter, her eyes went straight to the ‘balance due’ line at the bottom of the page. A big fat zero stared back at her.