by Snow, Jenika
I knew nothing would sate me until I actually had her, until I knew without a doubt she was mine. Because her being constantly on my mind, knowing she was the one for me, that no one else would ever compare to her, had me so obsessed, so addicted to her that I knew I would never be able to be happy until she was mine irrevocably.
I closed my eyes and thought about what I’d done to her earlier that day in my office.
“Christ.” I lifted my hand and brought it to my nose, inhaling deeply. I might have showered, but I swore I could still smell her on my fingers. My cock jerked at the memory.
I finished up in the bathroom and turned off the light, now wearing a pair of boxer briefs and heading toward my bed. I was exhausted mentally and physically from the week I’d had, but also from trying to fight, trying to control how I felt for Linda.
I pulled the comforter back on my bed and slipped in, lying on my back as I stared at the ceiling. My apartment was fifteen floors up, and despite being so elevated, I could still see the city lights reflecting across my walls.
I should have just tried to go to sleep, not reach under the covers and grip my dick. Shit, the bastard was like a rod in my palm.
I gave the length a squeeze, my other hand gripping the sheets, my hold tightening with each passing second as my arousal rose to an uncomfortable level.
I started moving my palm up and down, feeling the pre-cum on the slit and picturing Linda in my mind as I jerked off. I thought about all the things I wanted to do to her.
She was mine. I knew that without a doubt. I couldn’t give her up, not with how she made me feel, not when I’d become completely obsessed with her.
I really started jerking myself off then, bringing my hand up and down my shaft, going faster, adding a little more pressure. I thought about what we’d done in my office, how she’d climaxed for me, because of me. She’d been so fucking beautiful when she let go, when she finally let her pleasure explode. And all I’d been able to do was stand there, my eyes wide, my mouth slightly open as I had my hand between her thighs.
I flung the blanket off me with my free hand and continued to pump my palm up and down my cock. I grunted, my abdomen clenching painfully as my pleasure peaked inside me and I finally gave in. I tipped my head back, my throat arching as I groaned and thought of Linda.
I pictured her in my bed, spread out before me, my face between her thighs as I got lost in her pussy, my lips on her, my tongue inside of her. I wanted to suffocate from the smell and taste. I wanted to completely memorize everything that was her. And as my orgasm was created in me, as my cum came out of my cock in hard, white jets and landed on my stomach, I knew one thing for certain where she was concerned.
She was mine.
I would have her.
And God help me... I fucking loved her.
Chapter Eighteen
Linda
I shut down the computer and stood, walking over to the small closet that was nearly hidden in the wall. I pulled out my jacket and slipped it on before grabbing my purse and putting the strap over my shoulder.
It was a miracle I was leaving at a normal time and actually excited like a teenager going on her first date with the idea I’d get to see Jason. He said he’d make me dinner, that he wanted me at his house, to see his things, to be around him.
And I was hoping tonight was the night.
I was hoping things would just naturally, organically move in the direction I desperately wanted. And that was finally being with Jason, giving myself over to him and saying screw everything else. Screw the rules. Because I felt when I was with him nothing else mattered.
I heard someone approach and I smiled, immediately picturing Jason in my mind. “Hey, you.” I turned around, a smile on my face, assuming it was Jason, but my grin faltered when I saw it was Logan, one of the employees at the office.
He was a nice enough guy, a hard worker and knowledgeable in his field, but the way he looked at me, winked at me as if it were appropriate, told me he probably wanted something from me I wasn’t about to give him.
And I hated confrontation. It wasn’t like I had a lot of experience with letting guys down—or with guys in general—but I knew turning Logan down would definitely be awkward and make things uncomfortable.
He stopped on the other side of my desk and grinned, his front teeth a little bit crooked but in kind of an adorable way. His nose was on the bulbous side, and his dark blond hair always looked a little unkempt and greasy. But I thought it was because he put more gel in it than was necessary, giving it that wet, dirty appearance.
“Hey, Linda. Finished for the day?”
Right away, I wanted to come back with a smart-ass response, because obviously I was getting ready to leave, as I had my jacket on and my purse slung over my shoulder. Not to mention it was the end of the workday for everyone in the office. But instead, I smiled and nodded. “I am.”
I didn’t need to be a bitch even though I was on edge because of my emotions and everything else going on in my life. We stood there for a moment not speaking, but he kept staring at me, this weird little smirk on his face.
He cleared his throat and looked around before settling his eyes back in me. “I was—I was wondering if you would…”
He was stammering over his words, and I already knew where this was going. But I kept my smile in place. When he finally did get the words out, I’d just let him down easy.
“I was wondering if maybe you wanted to get a drink… or dinner or something with me after work one night?” He lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his neck, glancing away so he wasn’t making eye contact with me. “Maybe even tonight, if you’re free?”
He was nervous, and I couldn’t help but compare him to Jason, how Jason would look me right in the eye as he asked me out, how he’d show me he was assertive and dominant, that he knew what he wanted.
“Oh,” I said softly, even though I wasn’t surprised that he asked me out. “Well...” I was trying to think of a nice, gentle way to let him down.
“Mr. Richards.” The sound of Jason’s deep, authoritative, and very disappointed voice seemed to fill the space around us.
Instantly, my body reacted. I felt my heart start to race, felt my mouth dry. I looked to the side to see Jason standing there, the position he was in right around the corner making it so neither of us would have seen him.
And I knew he’d heard Logan ask me out. I knew by the way he stared at Logan. It was in his predatory expression, the proprietary tone in his voice.
Jason stepped more fully into view, and I glanced at Logan to see him straighten. He was uncomfortable; that was clear. Although it was a completely innocent gesture on Logan’s part, the threat I felt from Jason was as if he were all but roaring out “mine!”
Jason hadn’t taken his focus off Logan, and the stern, hard set of his expression was a little intimidating, a little unnerving.
“Mr. Richards, are you finished working for the day?”
Logan cleared his throat and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Shelby.”
Jason made a deep sound from within his chest. “Fraternization between coworkers is frowned upon, is it not?”
I could’ve called Jason out in that moment, but I kept my mouth shut. I did glare at him though. Lord, did I glare at him.
“I—I….” Logan kept looking between Jason and me, and I smoothed my hands down my skirt, never really seeing this side of him before.
“Mr. Shelby. Logan was inviting me out for drinks with some other coworkers.” It was a lie, and I didn’t know if Jason had been standing there the whole time and knew I wasn’t being honest. But I thought he was being hard on Logan.
Jason slowly turned and looked at me, his expression hooded, this wave of possessiveness slamming into me so forcefully I actually took a step back.
“I better get going then,” Logan stuttered, turned, and left after a prolonged moment.
I didn’t bother looking at him, just focused on Jason, saw him staring at me still. For
long seconds, we stood there in silence, neither one of us saying anything, but I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest.
“What was that about?” I asked softly, a part of me liking that he was acting so possessive, but another part of me slightly annoyed that he saw me as some kind of property he owned.
“You lied,” he said matter-of-factly.
I lifted my brows. “What?”
He took a step closer. “Telling me that Logan asked you to go out with him and other coworkers.” He stared at me right in the eyes. “You lied, Linda.”
I swallowed, tightening my hand on the strap of my purse, and refused to back down, refused to break eye contact. I straightened, pulling my shoulders back and tipping my chin up slightly. “You were too hard on him.”
Jason didn’t say anything in response at first, but he did take a step forward, crowding me, his body heat slamming into me.
“I don’t think it was acceptable the way you talked to him,” I scolded and narrowed my eyes in defiance when he kept a stoic expression. “What I or any of us do outside of office hours is not your concern.” My back was pressed against the wall now, Jason so close that if I inhaled sharply, my chest would brush against his.
The office was pretty quiet, with the majority of everyone already having left for the day. But just around the corner I heard a couple people talking, laughing. They could see us at any moment, see how close Jason was to me, inappropriately close.
But it was apparent Jason didn’t give a shit.
“What you do is my concern, Linda.” He said those words with so much authority, so much assertiveness, that I actually believed him.
He turned his head and looked in the direction Logan had disappeared and then slowly looked back at me. “I don’t want you talking to another guy who’s interested in you.” There was a deep rumble in his voice, and I couldn’t help the arousal that moved through me so swiftly it actually took my breath away. “Because even though Logan works for me, even if he does a decent job at his position, the fact that he wants you…” Jason said on a growl. “The fact he fucking wants you pisses me off so much I want to be one of those hooligans in the alleyway that would beat the shit out of him for even looking at you.”
A shiver moved through my body from his words, at the low pitch, the way he said it so only I would hear. He seemed so fierce right now, so possessive.
“You’re acting crazy.” My voice was so soft I didn’t even think he heard me.
“Do you know what I think, Linda?” He was looking at me right in eyes now, his tone brokering no argument. “I think you like the fact that I’m so jealous. I think you love how I don’t even want another guy looking at you, let alone speaking to you.” I felt that familiar, sexually charged shiver race up my spine. “I want you to admit it.”
I couldn’t speak, not for the life of me. He leaned in an inch closer, and I felt his warm breath move along my cheek. It took everything in me not to moan.
“Tell me you like that I’m jealous,” he said in a whisper.
I should have told him to fuck off, that I wasn’t going to bend to anyone, but instead, I whispered back, “I like it.”
Chapter Nineteen
Linda
Several days later
I held the two bags in one hand as I walked down the busy city sidewalk. People were walking on either side of me, kids laughing, babies crying, their mothers trying to soothe them. The sounds of cars rushing past, of horns honking, was city life. I was used to it. I thrived off it.
I thought about the last few days, how things had been with Jason.
And all I could do was smile and feel giddy.
He shook my entire world, changed how I saw things, how I felt. He shifted the very foundation I was on, and all I could think about was how I was falling in love with him, how I loved him. And I did love him. So much.
I felt myself smile, but then again, when I thought about Jason, that was always my reaction. I felt euphoric, as if everything were right in the world, that a light surrounded me. And I’d never felt this way before, never been in love. He was all I thought about, all I wanted. I had butterflies in my stomach just thinking about him. And when he touched me, when he whispered dirty things in my ear, told me I was his, that he didn’t want any other man to look at me, I felt this electricity take hold in the root of my body.
I was his world. I knew that without a doubt.
And then I felt myself blush as I thought about being with him tonight, about what I wanted, how I wanted him to touch me, make love to me... fuck me.
The sound of my cell vibrating had me reaching in my pocket to pull it out.
Michael: Want to get drinks tonight?
I stepped off to the side so I could type out a reply.
Me: Can’t. Have plans with Jason ;)
Michael: Like plan-plans? I mean, I should know with the winky face you put at the end lol
I smiled and shook my head as I responded.
Me: Yeah, like plan-plans.
I started laughing, not caring if anyone saw me.
Me: I think I’m in love.
I just went right ahead and told Michael. I wanted him to know. I wanted to be able to be open about how I felt, because it felt good to say it out loud.
Michael: Whoa. Well, I want details in person the next time we see each other. Telling me this bombshell through text is a no-go.
I smiled.
Me: Deal. Text you tomorrow
Michael: You better!
I tucked my phone back in my pocket and just stood there for a second, feeling my smile spread as I thought about Jason. I turned, about to head back to my apartment, when I happened to glance inside the window of the little restaurant I’d stopped in front of. It was this small Italian café, the decor consisting of grapevines and ancient-looking cobblestone walls with the cracks in place for authenticity. I could practically smell the homemade marinara coming through the glass.
I was about to start walking, when I felt my heart race at the sight of Jason. He’d told me he’d call me later, because he had a last-minute work meeting to attend, and although I knew corporate men did have meetings at restaurants, my heart started racing for other reasons. My belly tightened, tingling moving through my entire body.
I didn’t know what I expected or what I’d see, but as I watched him focus on his phone, as I watched him and time seemed to stand still, I just knew something wasn’t right. Maybe it was the setup, the perfect storm, so to speak.
And then I saw her, this gorgeous woman in a tailored pantsuit heading right to Jason. She had this smile on her face, and it was like her presence pulled him out of his cell phone focus. He lifted his head and his eyes widened a moment before he stood, setting his phone down and holding his hands out, maybe to embrace her, maybe because he was surprised. Either way, it was like the world completely stopped as they hugged, and he pulled back and started speaking to her, her smile wide.
I should have left right then and there, but it was like a sick feeling held me in place, this grotesque curiosity that had me waiting for him to kiss her. Because that’s usually how this went, right? That’s usually how things ended?
* * *
Jason
I couldn’t believe I was standing in front of Soraya. She might be my ex-girlfriend, but we’d parted mutually and on good terms. I hadn’t seen her since, so the initial shock was definitely there.
“Oh my God, Jason. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.” She had me pulled in for a hug before I could stop her.
The truth was, it did feel a little strange giving her a hug. And although there was nothing sexual about it, I didn’t like it. It felt wrong, and so I pulled back immediately, wanting to keep that distance, because all I could think about was Linda and getting back to her.
Because Linda was the one thing, the only one I wanted.
“What are you doing here?” She pointed to a table off to the side. “I’m having some drinks with a frien
d. I happened to glance over and see you, and there was no way I wasn’t going to come say hi.” She looked me up and down, but it was sincere, not as if she were checking me out. “You look good.”
I smiled and nodded. “Thanks. You look happy.” I saw her cheeks turn pink and couldn’t help but chuckle. “I assume that happiness has something to do with a certain someone in your life?” She was nice and genuine and she deserved to be happy. Just because it didn’t work out with us didn’t mean I had to be an asshole.
“Maybe. But he’s a complicated guy, so there’s that.” I chuckled softly, not asking for more details or delving into it. That was her business and not something I needed to know. “So are you here for business or pleasure?” She glanced around, her focus landing on the table I’d been sitting at. “I know you liked to take your work home with you, so to speak.”
“Business tonight.” I smiled. Just as I said those words, I saw Larry Schneider head toward me. Larry was a developmental art director in one of the companies Baxter and Klein was working with. “And speak of the devil, there he is.”
Soraya looked behind her and stepped to the side. She glanced back at me once more, giving me a friendly smile. “Well, it was really great seeing you again, Jason. You look like you’re doing well.” She looked me up and down again. “In fact, you look really happy.” She looked at me in the eyes, and I couldn’t help but give her a sincere, genuine grin.
“Thanks. I am really happy.” I was about to tell her about Linda, how we were, what she meant to me, but I happened to glance to the side and felt my heart plummet. There, standing on the other side of the front window with wide eyes and this heartbroken expression on her face, was Linda.
My heart dropped to my stomach, just fucking sunk. I didn’t have to hear her say anything to know that what she saw—the hug from Soraya, the smiles—she probably mistook.