Chapter 10
10
JACK
I t’s downright ridiculous how much I miss Violet.
Our dinner date was just a few days ago, on Thursday evening. On Friday she stopped by for a quick lunch in the conference room after delivering two of the “plant stations”, as we’re calling them. She set one in the reception area, and another at the entrance to the research department.
Jerry seemed amused by the new displays. Personally, I was not amused at the way Violet’s delivery guy Chad was so friendly with her, at least until she explained that he’s an old family friend – practically a cousin. I was startled by my flash of jealousy, which honestly, I’ve never experienced before in my life.
I didn’t invite her out on Saturday, wanting to give her some space. Especially since the shop is open, and I’m not quite sure what her hours are there yet. It wouldn’t be fair of me to place huge demands on her time.
Yet it’s obvious she wants to be with me as much as possible. We’re both crazy about each other. Which means…I grab my phone… Surely she can’t have plans for a Sunday evening?
Hey, gorgeous. Dinner at my place tonight? I could pick you up at six?
She responds almost immediately.
Violet: Sure. Fancy? Casual?
Super casual. Wear pajamas, if you like.
The next message flies from my thumbs without me even thinking about it.
In fact, you’re welcome to sleep over. I would love to hold you all night.
Once again, there’s no hesitation.
Violet: I’ll bring my toothbrush just in case. See you at six!
Thank goodness my housekeeper was here this morning and left me some pre-prepped food.
When I arrive to pick Violet up three minutes early, she’s already waiting out front of the shop. I draw her into my arms, then my mouth dips to her ear. “You know, one of these days I might have to ring the doorbell and come in to meet your family. Would that be so terrible?”
“There is no doorbell, actually, but you’ll meet them soon.” Her lovely blue eyes peek up at me from under her lashes. “I guess I want to keep you to myself a bit longer before my sisters have a chance to chime in.” Her eyebrow quirks up. “They’re bound to have some…opinions.”
“I’m sure they’re just overprotective. Don’t worry, I’ll be on my very best behavior.”
When we reach my house, I try to see it through her eyes. Not much color. A bit cold – sterile, even. More formal than homey. Not a single plant. Thank goodness I have this incredible woman to bring some spark into my life now.
“Wow.” Violet sweeps into the foyer and extends her arms, doing a slow twirl. She looks stunning, even in casual leaf print leggings and an oversized mauve sweater. “This place is wild. You live here all alone?”
“For now.” I hope she understands my significant glance.
Violet twirls over and wraps her arms around me. “You know, we’ve ordered most of your green wall plants, and the ones for the other office areas. Should I get some more for your house?” Suddenly her face falls. “Oh… Sorry. That’s probably overstepping.”
“Not at all. I want your opinions. I want to hear everything.” My hands slide down her back to caress her luscious round ass. “Now, fancy dinner in the dining room, or chill in the kitchen?”
“Definitely the kitchen.”
Our meal is fantastic, especially since Violet makes herself at home, selecting mismatched dinnerware and improvising a table arrangement from a huge silver teapot and the fruit bowl. I adore how she makes everything so charming wherever she goes.
We chat about plants for a bit, which I find fascinating. By the time we’re loading the dishwasher, Violet is telling me all about the latest plant trends.
“It’s fluffy greenery. It all goes together. How could one be more popular than the other?” I ask.
Her sparkling laugh echoes around the kitchen. “There are trends for everything. People see something they like in a decorating magazine and copy the look. Monsteras have been popular for decades, but about ten years ago there were some lifestyle blogs that made them go viral. The leaves ended up on mugs and wallpaper and stuff.”
“Monster leaves?”
“Monster- a .” Violet grabs my shopping list notepad and starts sketching. “You’ve seen these, with the holes in the leaves?”
“Those are natural? I always thought someone had decided to cut the leaves with scissors.”
Violet spins into my arms while laughing, and I hold her tightly against me. Our mouths gravitate to each other, meeting in a slow, sultry kiss. We’re completely alone. The possibilities are endless. I hope that doesn’t make her nervous.
“When I suggested you stay over tonight,” I begin, “I really would be thrilled to simply hold you close all night. I don’t want you to think for a second that I’m trying to rush things.”
Violet looks up at me, stroking the side of my face with her soft palm. “Really? Because I was thinking… Maybe we could play it by ear and see what happens.” From the way her eyes blaze, I know precisely what she means.
Thank goodness. Keeping my hands to myself has been almost impossible. Our bodies press together as we lean in, losing ourselves in this perfect, breathless moment. Her lips are so soft, her warm mouth so eager as the kiss deepens until I have Violet caged against the wall.
“Tell me which room we’re heading for,” I rasp.
“Bedroom.”
Scooping her into my arms, I carry Violet upstairs, alternating between kissing her lips and the hollow of her throat. At the end of the hall, I nudge the bedroom door open with my foot, then gently lay her across the bed.
She sits up, looking around. “Wow. Your house really is gorgeous.”
I sit beside her, running my hand down her back. “Only because you’re here.”
She leans forward, already reaching for me until we’re kissing again. Her hands gently cup my neck, pulling me closer to lie beside her. Her mouth is as hungry as mine, our lips moving firmly. Possessively.
A deep shudder runs through me. I’ve been lonely for so long. I’ve needed a bright light like Violet in my life and didn’t even realize it. How much have I missed while devoting every waking hour to work?
I swear, I’m going to make the most of every moment with Violet, forever. Yes, I’m already thinking in terms like that.
The room blurs around us when my hand reaches under her sweater to discover she’s not wearing a bra, just a silky tank top.
Her faint peach scent wraps around me as I nuzzle her throat, my mouth moving across her delicious skin as she moans in my arms. Her nipples are already tight as I stroke gently, caressing her gorgeous, smooth skin.
Violet tries to undo my shirt, but I only allow her one button before I shift, moving to the center of the bed and dragging her with me. My palms push up her sweater and she lifts her arms, allowing me to peel it off and fling it across the room. Then my fingers hook into her leggings and underwear together. I wait for her eager smile and nod before pulling them slowly down her legs. She’s left in nothing but a green silky camisole, looking like an old-fashioned pinup.
My deepest instincts take over. I spread her thighs and bury my face between them as if I’d been waiting for a thousand years. Violet is delicious and so wet for me. Already giving me every signal that she’s as far gone as I am.
When it comes to investments, it’s important to run the numbers. This is a very different kind of equation.
Complete infatuation plus physical desire plus obsession with my beautiful girl equals only one possible outcome.
We belong together.