“So who’s next?” Grandma asks. “I love those men, but damn if my ears aren’t bleeding.”
“Next . . . a very special performance,” Hannah says. The music slows, not the silly club mixes, but I’ve heard this in clubs before.
The voice I hear next shocks me. I’ve never heard it like this before.
I watch in pure amazement as Jake comes through the curtain, stripped to the waist, his body gleaming under the lights as he approaches me with pure love in his eyes, singing Take My Breath Away by Berlin.
The song finishes, Jake saying nothing as he lowers the microphone, and I feel tears in my eyes. “Jake . . .”
“HIT IT!” a booming voice comes from the back, and suddenly, Gavin and Oli are back, having changed clothes, thank God, this time with Nathan joining them as they suddenly break into the Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way.
“My fucking ears!” Mindy screams in laughter as Gavin and Oliver both sing their parts. Nathan’s even worse, but he’s a good sport as he swings his hips in front of Grandma and Mom.
I barely notice, my eyes on Jake as he sings, reaching out for me. I lift my hand to his, not even realizing it until he pulls me to my feet. I look in his eyes as he sings the final lines.
The music fades away as the other ladies clap, but I can’t do anything but look at Jake. “Roxy, my sweet, beautiful Angel,” he says softly, wrapping his arm around my waist. “I can’t live without you. When I heard your song . . . I’m sorry. I was wrong. I was an idiot . . . please don’t leave. Stay here. Stay with me. I need you. I love you. I didn’t mean what I said. You were blameless. I was angry and scared for Sophie and took it out on you.”
I nod, putting my arms around his neck and pulling him into a soft kiss. His tongue caresses mine, and I hear cheering behind me. I turn to see Mindy and Brianna in their husbands’ arms while Grandma and Mom wipe away their tears. Even Hannah is wiping away a tear or two, and Nathan looks like he’s got some allergies going on.
“Looks like I’m staying,” I tell Mindy, who grins and gives me a thumbs-up.
“But what about the apartment?” Hannah mock whines. “I’ve got two potential roomies wanting to see the place tomorrow!”
“Well, I’ve got a spare bedroom,” Jake says, “and Sophie would love to have you around.”
“Deal!” Hannah says, grinning. “Roxy, you’ve got twenty-four hours to get your shit out!”
There’s laughter all around, and Nathan disappears to the back to return with four bags of Chinese food. He starts divvying it out, and I turn to Jake, looking into his eyes. “You’d really want me to move in?”
“I want to start with you moving in,” Jake says quietly. “And Mindy already told me you want to leave Franklin. If you still want to, that’s fine. You can pay your share another way.”
“How?” I ask.
“Next Saturday, we’re doing an outdoor concert for Club Jasmine. Know of a hot pop act who can work the stage and has a song that’s rocketing up the charts who can sing her ass off for us?”
I blush, giving Jake a raised eyebrow, and he nods. “Only if you want to,” he adds.
I nod and jerk my thumb over my shoulder at Nathan. “Talk to my manager,” I say, giving Jake a huge smile. “He’s the brains of the outfit, remember?”
Chapter 30
Jake
I grin at the happy, exuberant guy looking back at me in the mirror, stunned at the image. I can’t help myself and start humming Heartstopper, even dancing a little, popping my hips. The world seemed so dark a few days before, and now everything is looking up again.
“Oh. My. God.” Sophie laughs quietly behind me, and I turn around. “Next thing I know, you’re gonna pull out those hot pants and start doing the YMCA.”
For this first time in my life, I think I blush. Sophie comes over and pats me on my chest, grabbing my tie and pulling it around my neck. “Now you’re dressing me?”
“You always take forever with your tie,” Sophie teases. “And this is your special tie.”
I glance down at the cornflower blue tie and lift my eyebrow. “Really?”
“Sure is. You only seem to wear it when you’ve got stuff planned or you’re really happy. So which is it?” she asks as she starts wrapping the silk around itself. “I think I know.”
“What?” I ask, and Sophie laughs.
“My big brother is in loooove!” she teases, tugging on the knot that’s magically appeared. “Now, fix your collar, and you can fix me some eggs. And I don’t want to see that with your hips ever again!”
This is what being in love gets me, I think as I tug at my collar and find myself snapping my fingers as she walks out. Doing things I would never do. It’s pretty awesome.
I thread my belt, and as I adjust my fly, Sophie sticks her head in again. “Hey, eggs?”
I look up, glad I had things mostly done. “Don’t you ever knock?”
Sophie shakes her head. “You leave your door open all the time. Nothing to knock on.”
“Huh,” I think. Point, Sophie. “Okay, well, how’d you like some bacon in your eggs?”
“Always up for the fine swine,” Sophie says with a grin. “I’ll help.”
The first half of the day flies by, and as I get ready for the monthly meeting with the advisory board and corporate, I still feel like I’m walking on clouds. Elena knocks on my door, and I call her in. “Yes, Elena?”
“Miss Price has asked to see you,” she says, smiling a little. She knows, but she seems to actually be pleased by the whole thing. Maybe Elena’s a romantic at heart. “Shall I show her in?”
“Please,” I answer, but before Elena can, she’s practically pushed out of the way as Matt bursts into the room, along with Byron and Maria Bennett, the woman corporate sent down to talk face to face with the Franklin Consolidated board today. She’s from human resources and was going to talk about the changeover of retirement and health insurance plans next fiscal year.
“There he is!” Matt says, stabbing a finger at me. “I told you he’s been breaking Rule 34(b) of the Corporate Code of Conduct!”
I sigh, giving Maria a look. “What’s he talking about?”
“Don’t try to play innocent!” Matt says, his reedy voice grating on my ears. “They’ve been carrying on an affair. As the regional president, that’s a clear conflict of interest. I’ve watched them!”
“Watched me do what?” I ask as I see Roxy slide in the back of the office, her eyes blazing. I hold up a hand, and she nods, keeping her peace. “Have any of you seen me or Miss Price do anything unprofessional in the office?”
Sure, it’s a gamble—we did have the elevator . . . and the supply room—but nobody was there either time. Matt blusters, then points at Roxy. “She’s singing at your nightclub, and you two have been seen cavorting there!”
“Is this true, Jake?” Maria asks. “You know the rule applies regardless of time or place.”
Anger burns in me, but before I can respond, Roxy steps forward.
“It doesn’t matter,” she says, staring Matt in the eyes. “I was just asking to see Mr. Stone so I could personally turn in my resignation. This was my last day here. So you see, no conflict. On the other hand, I can think of some people in violation of Rule 72(f) . . .”
I don’t even know what the rule is, but Matt and Byron, who’s just been a spectator, both immediately look guilty. Maria gives them a once-over, then she shakes her head. “Matt, I think you and I need to have a talk later about wasting HR’s time with baseless accusations. Jake, I’ll see you in the boardroom in fifteen?”
“Sure,” I say, giving Matt and Byron a raised eyebrow as Maria turns on a heel and walks out. “You two . . . I suggest you both start polishing your resumes. I think Franklin Consolidated could use some manpower reductions. Now get out of my office.”
They leave, Elena laughing softly as she watches them. She gives me a nod and leaves as well, closing my door behind her. Roxy looks adorable as she shifts from s
ide to side, giving me a shy smile. “Sorry, I hadn’t really planned on doing that. But since we talked about it, I figured I’d drop the bomb a little more dramatically.”
“Well, that’s how you divas are,” I tease, crossing my office to take her hand. “So, you get invited to move in, and now you’re going all Hollywood on me. What’s next, gonna want that condo in Beverly Hills?”
Roxy laughs, stepping in closer. “No, I want to sing for love. Jake, I’m gonna sing at Club Jasmine because I love it. You and my family are the number one priority in my life, and singing is number two. I don’t care if I get a Grammy or sell a single CD. I’m going to sing because I love it, make the music I like, and sing the music I want. Whatever happens, happens.”
“So, me and your family are tied at number one?” I tease, and she lifts my hand, kissing my knuckles.
“Mindy likes you, so yeah, you’re tied. She already asked me when you’ll officially join the fam.”
I blink and grin. “Tell her we’ll see, but it might be damn soon.”
Roxy grins back. “Well, then, you go do your executive ish, and I’ll go clean out my desk. See you later at home?”
Without waiting for an answer, she turns and walks out, swaying her ass and humming Heartstopper under her breath. I grin and would probably still be grinning if Elena didn’t knock on my door again. “Sir? The meeting?”
“Oh, yeah,” I say, grabbing my report folder. “You have everything prepped?”
“Of course. Have a good meeting, sir.”
I stare at my computer, wishing the meeting had gone more quickly. Everyone and their brother on the board had questions about the new retirement system. Of course they would. Most of them are over fifty-five. I’m surprised they didn’t ask if that came with a golden ager discount at the local steakhouse.
Everyone left—even Elena said goodbye as the sun went down—and now I’m left trying to handle this last bit of busy work before I go home.
“What are you still doing here?”
I look up, seeing Roxy at my door. “Just wrapping up a last email. What about you? Figured you’d be out the door long ago.”
“Cleaning my stuff out took longer than expected,” she says. “Hannah insisted on running out and getting red velvet cupcakes for the floor to share as a parting gift. Everyone but Matt and Byron got one. So . . .”
She pulls the plate out, and I see a pair of red velvet cupcakes with what looks like vanilla frosting on top. “You want to share?”
I smile as I click and send off my last email, shutting down the system and closing up. “Looks delicious.”
She brings the plate over and sets it on my desk. As she crosses my office, I watch her seductive smile and the way her hips sway as she walks in her high heels. “I thought you said you hated pencil skirts.”
“One more day won’t matter,” Roxy says, handing me a cupcake. “A toast. To the future.”
“May it be as sweet as this,” I say, touching cupcakes with her. I take a bite, but I’m distracted as Roxy’s sensuous lips wrap around the soft, rich cake and she bites down, crumbs dropping down onto her chest and a smear of frosting staining her lips and cheek. “You missed some.”
I lean in, kissing Roxy and licking the sweet vanilla frosting off her mouth before pulling her closer, letting our kiss deepen more. “Mmm, well, it’s almost the fantasy,” she teases when our lips part. “I’ve wanted to be seduced by my boss ever since seeing you.”
“Well, isn’t it lucky for you that your resignation form won’t get turned into HR until tomorrow morning then?” I reply, reaching up and cupping her breast through her blouse. “So you still work for me, Miss Price.”
Roxy moans as I squeeze her left breast, massaging the soft flesh as she presses herself up against my body, my cock quickly hardening in my pants as she grinds against me, and I growl, kissing down her neck as I feel the few crumbs of leftover cupcake smear against my dress shirt. To hell with it. I need her now, and I turn her around, pushing her against my desk as I lift her up to sit on the edge. “Oh, sir,” she whispers as she runs her fingers through my hair. “God, I’m glad I’m quitting this job. I’d need this every night if I stayed.”
“I’m glad too,” I growl as I pull open her blouse, buttons flying everywhere. Fuck it, someone will clean it up later. Roxy’s breasts rise and fall with her gasping breath as I feast my eyes on her flushed skin, and a naughty thought comes to me. Reaching next to her, I take the uneaten half of my cupcake and smear the frosting over her breasts and bra. Roxy grins as she realizes what I’m doing.
“Hungry, sir?” she asks, her words torn from her throat as I lick and suck at her skin. The sugary frosting adds to the sweetness of her skin, and I suck her nipples clean through her bra, biting and pulling on them as Roxy cries out gently, her fingers pulling at my hair as she fights the sensations swirling through her. “Sir . . . oh, fuck, Jake . . . oh, God.”
I kiss back up to her lips, stroking her hair and looking in her eyes. “Roxy, I love you.”
“I love you too . . . but my fantasy isn’t done yet,” she jokes, pushing me back. Taking me by the hand, she leads me over to my office chair and pushes my shoulders down, making me sit before she sinks to her knees. “Now, Mr. Jake Stone, sir, I think I need to show you just how devoted I am to my boss.”
My hands tremble as Roxy has me grip the arms of my chair and pushes me back, leaning back as she undoes my pants and takes out my throbbing cock, cooing as she takes it in. Turning around on her knees, she grabs the other cupcake and lets the tip of her tongue swirl through the frosting for a minute before she scoops the rest of it off with her fingers and traces them down my cock, covering my pulsing skin with the creamy white sweetness.
“An appetizer before dinner,” Roxy says, reaching out with her tongue and tracing up the whole length of my cock. I moan. Her touch is electric as she swirls her tongue all around my cock, licking it glistening clean before spreading her lips and swallowing me.
“Oh, God, baby,” I moan as she slowly sucks my cock deeper and deeper between her magical lips, rolling my balls between her fingers as she scratches her other hand down my chest. Feeling Roxy work her lips up and down my thick cock, I lean back, relishing the warm, wet prison of her lips as she pleasures me. “That’s it, show me what you love, Roxy.”
She bobs her head up and down, soft whimpers and moans coming from her chest when I put my hand on her head and force more of my cock down her throat, taking over. I don’t jam myself down her throat. I just don’t let her up until she’s gagging, choking on my cock before I pull her off and pick her up, kissing her lips hard and lifting her.
I put her down on the edge of my desk, pulling her skirt down hard enough that I hear fabric rip. Fuck it, she didn’t want to wear this thing again anyway. Roxy gasps as I pull her panties down and rub the head of my cock between the wet, pink lips of her pussy. After all the teasing and erotic torture of her lips and tongue on my cock, I can’t hold back, and I thrust into her with a single long thrust. I bury myself deep into her, and Roxy grabs my forearms, hissing in pleasure and digging her fingernails into my skin. The pain is delicious, and I grind against her, feeling her clit rub against the base of my cock as I stare deeply into her eyes.
Pulling back, I lightly put my hand on Roxy’s throat as I thrust again harder, our hips slapping together as she wraps her legs around me. I don’t squeeze. I just pound her pussy harder with the throbbing heat of my cock, both of us soon gasping and crying out as our hips slap together sharply.
“Fuck me, baby, oh, fuck, yes,” Roxy groans as she squeezes me, massaging my cock as she tries to give it back to me. I thrust harder and faster, long strokes as I swirl my hips, grinding inside her tight body until I’m trembling, lost on the edge again. Roxy sees my eyes roll back and scratches my forearms again, digging her thumbs in and pulling me back from the edge.
I grunt my thanks as I let go of her throat and push her knees up and apart, hammering her body o
n top of my desk as hard as I can. Sweat runs between our bodies as our hearts race, and I give everything I can to my angel, shuddering as she starts to tremble.
“Roxy . . .” I barely get to gasp before I’m on the edge again, and this time, there’s no holding back. With a hard gasp and a scream that I’m sure can be heard all the way to the parking lot, I slam my cock as deep as I can into her as I come, filling her. Roxy wraps her legs around me and throws her head back, crying out her own climax as her pussy squeezes me tighter, drawing out my orgasm.
When I can focus again, I gather Roxy into my arms, holding her trembling body as my cock softens before slipping out of her. I kiss her soft lips again, Roxy wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her head in my shoulder. “I’m going to miss this office.”
“Yes, but now we have a whole apartment to explore,” I remind her.
Roxy thinks, then starts laughing. “An apartment, huh? We’ve never had sex in bed at your place.”
I laugh, holding her close. “Nope. Weird, isn’t it? I hear some people actually like it that way.”
“Fucking perverts,” Roxy jokes, unwrapping her legs from around my waist and standing up. “Next thing you’re going to tell me is that you’re going to want to actually start naked too.”
“It does happen.”
Roxy shakes her head, laughing. “What sort of weird shit are you getting me into?”
Epilogue
Roxy
The day is exactly as I’d dreamed it’d be for the past six months. It seems impossible that I could have such a picture perfect day, but I do. The sky is blue, the weather warm but with a light breeze off the ocean for our ceremony, and now . . . now comes the cherry on the sundae.
“You ready?” Mindy asks me as we wait in the back of the hall. She can’t believe that I’m doing this, but ever since Jake got on his knee in front of all of Club Jasmine and asked me to marry him, it seemed like there was only one way that I could start off our reception.
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