Emily didn’t know what to say. She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it with a snap. Her heart thumped in her chest. It felt like he was waiting for a reaction from her, for her to say something to acknowledge his revealing words. She had, after all, forced them from him. But they felt far too close to what Sarah had said, that she wasn’t the type of girl who could be with a nerd.
She wanted to run away, to escape his penetrating scrutiny. But where could she go? She was stuck in this hotel room, at least until tomorrow. She had nowhere to escape to. So she did the next best thing; she turned back to the TV, ignoring the hurt that flashed across his face as she did so. She felt a warm gust of air against her cheek and knew he had taken a deep calming breath. It smelled deliciously like him. She forced herself to ignore that too.
After a few minutes, she felt him shift besides her. It felt like he had moved closer. “Emily.”
“Yeah?” she answered, studiously keeping her eyes on the TV. She was too afraid to turn to face him.
“Emily?” He was more insistent this time. It sounded like he was murmuring directly into her ear. His voice was deep and hoarse, as though he was fighting to keep his words steady. It sent a shiver through her.
She turned her head, gasping when she saw how close his face was to hers. His eyes were blazing. The hunger she saw earlier was now so powerful, so penetrating, that she couldn’t breathe. He reached out and cupped her cheek, his touch sending a wave of arousal through her. She was too stunned to move. “Emily, last time I kissed you, you gave yourself briefly to me. I felt it. You wanted it as much as I did. But you pulled away. Was that because I’m your manager? Or was it because I’m not… right for you?”
“I don’t know…” she admitted, unable to tear her eyes away from his.
“Sarah said—”
“I know what Sarah said,” Emily interrupted, not wanting to hear those horrible words voiced. They sounded so shallow and cruel and, she could admit, untrue. She was in a different place now. “She was wrong.”
He nodded, still holding her cheek. “And if I kiss you now? Like I so desperately want to? Like I’ve wanted to ever since you joined the company?”
Emily swallowed. Her entire body trembled with desire. He was speaking softly, as though she was a frightened animal, and his gentleness was so at odds with his sheer size that she couldn’t help but shiver. She desperately wanted him to kiss her too. She needed it.
They stared at each other. Then Jack nodded, as though he heard something she hadn’t said. His fingers curled firmly around the side of her face, knotting in her damp hair, and he pulled her into a crushing kiss that spoke volumes of his hunger and need. She didn’t resist him; her overwhelming desire made it impossible. She clutched at the front of his tee and pulled him flush against her eager body. She opened her mouth to him, gasping at the feel of his tongue sliding eagerly against hers.
Jack groaned. He tore away from the kiss and pressed hot, urgent kisses down her jaw and neck line. His touch sent impossible waves of need through her body; she wanted it on every inch of her skin. When he wasn’t kissing her, he was panted her name, his voice low and desperate in his throat. Then his huge hands were on her body, touching her, tracing her curves, shaking with his need for her. When they slid beneath her tee, stroking the soft swell of her breasts, she moaned, unable to control her reaction.
“Jack!” she gasped. “That feels…”
He stroked and teased her until she was writhing in pleasure. She could hardly believe it. Jack—awkward and obnoxious Jack, her manager Jack—was touching her in places that she never thought possible. And she wanted it. She needed it. She was achingly wet for him already.
Then he pulled back, giving her an intense searching look. His face was as flushed and damp as hers must be, his eyes were burning with lust. “Emily, are you sure you want to do this?”
“I want it. I want you,” she answered, unashamed of how thick her voice was with yearning.
Jack closed his eyes briefly, as though momentarily overwhelmed, then he captured her lips in another crushing kiss, only breaking away when he pulled the t-shirt and the satin top she was wearing over her head, baring her upper body. He stared down at her in amazement. “You’re so beautiful, Emily. So beautiful…”
When he bent and sucked her erect nipple into his mouth, she arched her back in pleasure, pushing her breast deeper into his mouth. His tongue moved quickly, swirling around the peak in circular motions, causing little sparks of arousal to pulse between her legs. His other hand gently pulled down her pants. Just as they were sliding over her hips, he pulled back once more, checking to see whether she would stop him. When she nodded shyly, the relief in his face was immeasurable.
Then his fingers were on her, in her, moving so deeply in her heat that the pleasure was almost unbearable. She cried out, her body trembling. She couldn’t help put buck helplessly against his fingers. “Jack!”
He lifted his head. His hair was gently messed from where she had grabbed him, his eyes dazed. He was breathing heavily. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Better than okay. Can we…?” She trailed off, but there was no denying what she wanted from him.
He blinked. “Of course. Give me a minute.”
Heaving himself from the bed, he hobbled over to the dresser to where his wallet was. She almost giggled when she saw the uncomfortable bulge in the front of his jeans. Quickly, Jack pulled out a condom. When he turned, he froze, breathing raggedly. He stared at her, his eyes shining with awe.
Worried that he might have changed his mind, she started to cover herself. “No, don’t,” he said, his voice breaking, “You look so beautiful just lying there. I…”
“You what?”
He took a deep breath and she could see him force the words out. “I just can’t believe this is happening. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted you.”
The words were raw and she knew they were the truth. His past behaviour—his distance, his awkwardness, his obnoxiousness—were all down to this; he wanted her. The sudden realisation made her bold. She held her arms out, beckoning him back to bed. “Then why are you still over there?”
He came back willingly, eagerly, his mouth pressing against her hot flushed skin. He started at the curve between her neck and shoulder and trailed his kisses lower and lower until she squirmed with lust, her eyes clenched shut. When she felt the first flick of his tongue on her clit she almost came. As overwhelmed as she was, it took him less than a minute to bring her to one of the most powerful climaxes she had ever experienced. She cried out with the power of it.
With her body still tingling in all the right places, she felt him yank his jeans off and position himself between her thighs, one forearm resting besides her shoulder. He held himself still until she opened her eyes. When she did, he stared at her—his own eyes so hot and adoring that she couldn’t bring herself to break the gaze. Then he slid forward, penetrating her so deeply that even as prepared as she was, she still felt uncomfortably full. They both moaned with need.
“Are you okay?” he asked again. His face was shiny with perspiration and he was trembling. She could tell he was close to losing it.
She touched his cheek. “I’m better than okay, Jack.”
“I’m better than okay too. Fuck. You have no idea how amazing you feel. How tight.” He started to move his hips, carefully at first but then more and more insistent until he slammed into her with urgent need. Beneath their moaning she could hear the shameless slapping of their bodies coming together. Ripples of pleasure were starting to rise once more and she knew she wasn’t far from coming again.
“Emily, can you…?”
“Yes. I’m almost…” She bit her lip, desperate to ride the wave that seemed to be hovering just beyond her reach. She clutched at his firm arse, trying to pull him deeper into her. Understanding what she needed, Jack slid his hand down between them and thumbed her clit, pushing her over the edge. She came hard, her inner muscles clenchin
g around him.
“Fuck! Fuck!” Then Jack slammed into her one last time, finding his own release. He held himself rigid for a brief moment and then crumpled heavily on top of her, panting. “That was…fuck.”
Emily nodded against his damp shoulder, unable to speak. It was amazing. The best sex of her life, bar none. But now her lust and desire were taken care of, now her body was completely and deliciously sated, the reality of what had just happened sank in.
She had just slept with her manager.
Chapter Seven
Jack’s breathing was shallow and rhythmic. Emily listened for it to deepen, knowing that as soon as it did she could escape from his embrace. Even in his sleep he didn’t let her go. He was behind her, spooning her tightly, the soft curls of his chest hair scratching her back. His arm was heavy across her stomach. She didn’t like it; it felt like a barrier. She’d been fighting the urge to scramble away for the past ten minutes.
But the feeling of being trapped, coupled with the anxiety of sleeping with her boss, was becoming too much for her. She didn’t regret the sex—how could she when it had been so amazing?—but the knowledge that it might be more to Jack made her nervous. She could safely admit to herself that she liked him, a lot, and she was incredibly attracted to him… but he was her boss. She could lose her job, her independence. That wasn’t something she could risk. Not after how hard it had been to recapture after Trevor.
And she wasn’t sure she was ready for another relationship.
Feeling nauseated, Emily carefully untangled Jack’s heavy arms and tried to slide away. Almost immediately he drew her back, nuzzling sleepily at the back of her neck. “Where are you going?”
“I just need a bit of space,” she said, pulling away. She hated how distant her voice was.
Jack recognised her tone and immediately sat up, the blanket falling to his waist. He looked deliciously rumpled and the knowledge that he was still naked beneath the covers made her ache between the legs. She rolled away, not wanting to see the temptation of his bare chest. If she just reached over and slid her hand down there then this uncomfortable moment would dissolve into a second round of mind-blowing sex. She could easily make it happen.
“Emily? Are you okay?” His voice was tinged with concern.
“I’m fine. Just tired.” She said, her eyes still on the wall.
He scooted over so he was spooning her from behind again. She felt his semi-erect length pressing against the back of her thighs. “You’re not fine. Tell me. Is it because… did I do something wrong?”
Emily stared at him over her shoulder and was startled to see the uncertainty on his face. She smiled to reassure him, putting everything into it so he knew she was telling the truth. “Of course not. I don’t regret it all. It was amazing. You were amazing.”
His relief was palpable. “Then what is it?”
She swallowed, hating that she could feel tears burning in her throat. “You’re my boss, Jack. We can’t…”
He cut her off by lowering his head and pressing his mouth to hers. He kissed her slowly, leisurely, as though they had no cares in the world. When he lifted his head, he stared at her with such obvious need that she couldn’t help but smile. “Emily, you have no idea how long I’ve wanted you. How long I’ve wanted this…” he said, waving a hand between them. He grinned happily. “From the moment you stepped onto the gaming floor, I wanted you to be mine. Not just sex. I wanted you. It was unbearable having you so close and not being able to do anything about it. How could I? I was your manager. It would be such a breach of position. I couldn’t do that to you.
“So I did what I had to. I pushed you away. I was rude and abrupt and I did everything I could to make you keep your distance. I even offered you that damn placement, hoping with everything I had that you wouldn’t take it but knowing it would be easier for me if you did. Maybe if you took it then I would have a chance of getting over you, I told myself.” He trailed a finger down the exposed skin of her neck, making her tremble. “Though I knew there was no chance of that, even back then.”
“I never knew,” Emily said, amazed. Her heart ached at his words. “I just thought you didn’t like me. I had no idea at all.”
“I made sure you didn’t. Even if I decided to act on my desires—which I absolutely could not—you weren’t ready for a relationship. Anyone could see that. So I kept it to myself. But everyone else seemed to pick up on my feelings. Tim for one,” he said, dryly, his eyes flashing his annoyance. “He warned me away from you. None too gently either.”
“He told me. Or at least Sarah did. The evening that we… you know.” Despite what they had just done, Emily couldn’t help but blush.
“The night I couldn’t stop myself from taking what I desperately wanted?” He said, laughing bitterly. “I almost ruined everything.”
“I just thought you were being controlling.”
His face darkened. “I know. Sarah told me about your past. You know I’m nothing like him, don’t you? You know I would never make you do anything you didn’t want to do or control you in anyway.”
“I know,” Emily whispered, not wanting to talk about Trevor right now. “It just felt like you weren’t treating me like the rest of the team.”
“That’s because I wasn’t. I don’t want any of them the way I want you.”
She threw back her head and laughed, feeling some of the anxiety melt away. “I should hope not.”
He kissed her again, obviously not able to help himself. “So is that what you were worried about? Or am I…” He faltered, his face tight as though he was trying to remain expressionless.
“Or what?” Her voice shook on the last word.
Jack took a deep breath, a gesture she now recognised as him steeling himself to say something unpleasant. “Or am I not what you want? I know this isn’t the question to ask when I’ve just sprung my feelings on you but…” He shrugged self-consciously. “Sarah said something about—”
“I know what Sarah said,” Emily answered, a bit too sharply, causing him to wince. She softened her tone, “And it was completely out of line.”
“It’s not true then? The geek versus nerd philosophy. You never said that?”
She blushed. “I guess I did. But it was a way of distancing myself from Trevor. I didn’t want anyone like him again.”
“So, it’s not me?”
“No, Jack. I guess… well, I guess I like you too.” She said, feeling a wave of giddiness pass through her.
“Then that’s sorted then,” he grinned as though he couldn’t believe his luck.
Emily wavered. She didn’t want to throw cold water over his sudden excitement but she made herself speak. “Not really. You’re still my manager. We could both get fired.”
He trailed soft kisses along her neck so his words came out muffled. “Not a problem. I’ll request a transfer.”
“You can’t—”
He lifted his head to stare at her. His gaze was so urgent, so needy, that her lips parted with arousal. She could feel his erection pressing firmly against her, more insistent than before. He kept bucking it into her, groaning in the back of throat. She knew the time for talking was almost over. “Yes, I can, Emily. Now that I have you, I’m not letting go. I’ll do whatever I can to make this work. As long as you’re sure, that you want this too…” he said, raising his inflection to make it a question.
“I’m sure,” she assured him. She pressed her arse back, rubbing herself against him blatantly. He grabbed her hips, digging his fingers almost painfully into her flesh, halting her grinding.
“Good. Now, enough talking.”
Chapter Eight
“So you two finally got it together then?” Tim asked, taking a deep swallow of his drink. He studied them over the rim of his pint glass, his expression smug and knowing.
Emily hadn’t realised she was leaning toward Jack and she jerked away, feeling an irrational wave of guilt. For the past two weeks, she had been trying hard to maintain the
air of dislike she normally wore when Jack was nearby. They decided that the best way to hide their relationship was to pretend nothing had changed between them. It was difficult though; Jack looked far more irresistible than usual, wearing well-worn jeans that hung low on his hips and her favourite Star Trek tee. His wore a smug and satisfied expression, one that transformed to amazement when his eyes fell on her.
Without warning, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly against his broad chest. For one moment, she tensed. The embrace felt possessive, like he was staking his claim on her. She relaxed as soon as she stole a look at his face; he was grinning happily. She knew he was still amazed that they were together. His eyes raked over her, something deep and indescribably hungry there. It made her want to blush with pleasure.
“Are we that obvious?” Jack asked, still looking at Emily.
Ben snorted. “Er… yes? You two have been making bedroom eyes at each other for the past hour. It’s enough to make me want to be sick in my pint.”
“Well no one’s making you watch,” Jack said. He leaned down and gently brushed his lips against hers. She would have liked for the kiss to explode into passion like it normally did, but she felt self-conscious with her work colleagues watching them. She pulled away, her cheeks tinged pink.
“Well, it’s about time,” Tim said, raising his almost empty glass in celebration. “Does this mean we don’t have to suffer through your bickering each week?”
“Definitely not. I’m still better the bigger geek, therefore I know more geeky stuff, and therefore I will continue to beat my Emily at the quiz.” Jack said, eyes shining with humour. He slid an arm around Emily’s waist, holding her even more tightly.
“You’re the biggest nerd,” Emily corrected, unable to resist. She leaned against him, loving the feel of his warmth around her, loving that he called her my Emily. “But you’ll never be cool enough to be a true geek. Us geeks will never accept you as one of our own. Not until you leave Star Trek behind.”
“What, and give up sacred knowledge like knowing how many ears Captain Piccard has?”
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