Chapter 14
The pool is the perfect temperature on this balmy June evening. I haven’t been swimming for ages since I moved to the city. I did a few laps while Jordan hugged the edge of the pool watching me glide through the water.
“You’re good.”
“I swam in high school. It kept me in shape.”
“You have good technique.”
I swim over to where he is and press my body against his. Even in the cool water, I can feel his body heat. The pool is illuminated in red as requested by me.
“Emma, you make me very happy.”
“You told me that before.”
“It’s true. I want to say it as often as I can.”
“Jordan, I had a conversation with Nicky this morning.”
“Oh? Your tone of voice tells me it wasn’t good.”
“No, it wasn’t. He said you mentioned that I should get a promotion. Is that true?”
“It’s partially true. I told him that good employees deserve promotions. I don’t have any control over that part of the company. My role is strictly financial, but I can make recommendations.”
“He told me that I couldn’t fuck my way to the top.”
“Dammit, I’m going to kick his ass. That wasn’t my intention. As normal, I review the work that my employees do every week. Those that are most productive get rewarded. You should be rewarded. You do more manuscripts per week, then most of your peers.”
“I love my work, but I don’t think it’s a good idea you make any more recommendations to him.”
“I’m sorry he said those things to you. Nicky has no finesse, which is why I asked him to leave my company. He was a poor manager. I’m quite surprised my stepfather put him in his position. I could have picked a better person to helm Scarborough.”
“I’m sure. One that isn’t fucking interns.”
“I had a talk with him about it. His fiancée would dump him in a minute if she found out, though they are like two peas in a pod. I wanted to ask if you’ll join me at my mother’s garden party at the end of June. It’s next weekend. We can stay at her home.”
“Is Nicky going?”
“Yes, but I’ll ask him to behave himself or else. It won’t be the first time I gave him a beating.”
“You’ve had physical fights with him before?”
“When we were kids. He was a little punk and rude. He gave my mother a hard time when our parents first married, and I taught him a lesson.”
“I’d like to go.”
“Great. I’ll let my mother know. She’s anxious to meet you.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Good because she always felt Natalie was all wrong for me. She was right.”
I yawn against Jordan’s chest, “Excuse me.”
“Doll, do you want to go to sleep? ”
“I’d like to lie in bed with you, at least. You promised me something.”
“That I did, but we didn’t sleep a lot last night, so maybe rest tonight, and I can fulfill my promise tomorrow, all day.”
“I’m counting on it. How are you not tired?”
“I’m used to sleeping four hours a night. My schedule demands it. I rarely sleep past five. You’re a bad influence these past three weeks.”
“I guess I am, but you love me for it anyway.”
“I do. Let’s get to bed.”
I wake while it’s still dark out to Jordan talking in his sleep. By the time I lean in to hear what he’s saying, he’s stopped. His arms are still around my naked body, and my head is tucked against his muscular chest. I plant a kiss on his pec and gently bite the tanned flesh. He moans but doesn’t wake.
I’m thirsty and wiggle my way out from Jordan’s arms so I can get a drink. He grumbles as I leave the bed but turns over when I walk out of the bedroom. I feel the chill of the air conditioner and shiver a bit as I head to the kitchen. It gets worse when I open the refrigerator to take a bottle of water out. When I shut the door, I yelp as I see Jordan standing there.
“I’m sorry. You weren’t in bed.”
“I’m thirsty.”
“You should have woken me. I would have gotten you some water.”
“Jordan, you sleep little as it is. I can get my water.”
I look out the patio window, and the pool is glowing blood red, “You left the lights on.”
He picks up the tablet, taps a button, and the pool lights wink out.
“Going back to sleep?” he says .
“Do you have something else in mind?”
“Doll, don’t tempt me.”
Damn him with his suggestions. “Do you need to be tempted by me?”
“Emma, you tempt me each and every day. In my thoughts and dreams.”
I nervously laugh because no one has ever said these types of things to me. At twenty-five, I realize how little experience I’ve had in life. Jordan has seen and done it all. I feel inferior to him. I could never tell him that because he would be angry, but I feel it.
“So, what should we do about it?”
“There is plenty. I haven’t gotten you to scream my name yet.”
I shudder because the sex we’ve had has been unbelievable as it is. What could he possibly do to get me to scream his name?
“Would you enjoy that?”
“If it was caused by ecstasy, yes. I would never want to hurt you.”
“Then show me.”
Jordan takes me by the hand to the bedroom. He stands behind me and snakes his arm around my body, seeking the most intimate part of me. His fingers rub me gently, but it’s unneeded since I’m already slick with desire.
“You’re always so needy for me.”
“Only you, Jordan.”
He continues to rub me until my breathing becomes heavy, and I’m on edge, then he stops. I whimper in protest, and he turns than pushes me to the bed. My back hits the mattress, legs hanging over the side. He roughly spreads them, kissing the tender flesh of my inner thighs.
“You always smell so good.”
I clench the sheets in my fists as he kisses everything but the part that will make me come. I’m desperate for him to make me climax. I gasp as his tongue strokes through my folds, then tickles the tip of my clit just enough to stoke the fire inside me. I whisper his name and reach for his head, but he pulls away.
“Behave.”
“Jordan, please. I want to come.”
“Don’t worry, doll, you will, but it has to be my way.”
He pushes my feet up onto the bed and holds my heels against my ass. I’m wide open for him, and he blows cool air over my sensitive tissue. His tongue once again strokes through my slit until I’m close, then he pulls away. I make a mewling noise like a wild animal. Jordan continues to bring me to the edge three more times. I can feel my anger rising.
“Are you ready for me, doll?”
Ready? Ready for what? To come? Absolutely. But come is not what Jordan has in mind, not yet. He rises from his knees and turns me so that my body is entirely on the bed. Then he positions himself in between my legs while he strokes his cock, I can see the tip glistening with precum.
“Emma, I’m going to fuck you until you scream my name. Do you understand?”
Before I can answer, he spears into me, hard enough to make me lose my breath. Then he begins to move rapidly, like a machine. His mouth covers mine, and I tug at his hair, wanting him to feel the pain that I do from his teasing. My tender flesh is under assault from him, but my body has bloomed with white-hot heat.
I moan loudly as Jordan shifts his hips, searching for that spot inside that’s going to tear me apart. He finds it, and he fixes his gaze on my face. His eyes have gone dark as he continues his unrelenting thrusts. I’m coming to the edge, and in a matter of seconds, I scream his name as the most powerful orgasm I’ve ever had tears through me. It’s almost painful.
“Yes, baby, squeeze my cock. Make me come.”
I’m weak and sated when Jordan comes; he moves until he finishes then collapses onto my body. I’m unmoving for several minutes as my pounding heart and rapid breathing tries to return to normal. He pulls out of me, moving to my side and taking me in his arms.
“Em, are you okay?”
“What do you mean by okay?”
“You haven’t said a word since you came. Did I hurt you?”
“I’ve never had an orgasm like that before.”
“It was the delay. I brought you to the edge so many times that when you finally released, it was huge. Did you like it?”
“Oh, God, it was incredible. Now I’m exhausted.”
“We can sleep late this morning. I have nothing on my schedule. I want to spend the weekend with you.”
I don’t answer because I’ve fallen asleep in his arms.
The next time I wake, Jordan is still next to me. He looks so peaceful and at ease when he sleeps. I prop my head on my arm and watch him in the morning light. His gorgeous blue eyes flutter open, and he greets me with a smile.
“Good morning, beautiful. How long have you been watching me?”
“Only a few minutes. You looked so peaceful that I didn’t want to wake you.”
“What time is it?”
I look over at the clock, and I’m surprised to see it’s only a little after 9:00 AM. After what we did a few hours before, I expected to be out until noon.
“It’s only around nine.”
“Would you like breakfast?”
“I’m famished. After all that expended energy.”
“You’re going to have to eat well to keep up with me. What would you like? Bacon, eggs, pancakes?”
“Yes, to all three, if possible. ”
“Anything for you. I’m going to have to teach you how to cook if this is going to work.”
“Oh, so me not knowing how to cook is a deal-breaker?”
“It’s not a deal-breaker, but I don’t want to come home to a fire one night.”
“So, you want me barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen?”
“Barefoot, maybe. Pregnant, I don’t think so. We have plenty of time for that, don’t you think?”
“If that’s your way of asking me if I’m taking my pill, I am. I would never intentionally trap you.”
“Emma, I’m not concerned about that. I’m stating that I would like to enjoy you before we bring a child into the mix. We have several more steps before we even consider children.”
“Like dating for a while? It’s only been three weeks.”
“I agree, but I know what I want, and I want you. I want a future with you. If you don’t want that, then let me know.”
“Jordan, I’m stuck on you. I don’t want anyone else.”
“Good because I don’t either.”
Our first really serious talk about our relationship, and we made it through. I inwardly breathe a sigh of relief before we get out of bed for breakfast. Jordan pulls on a pair of sweatpants, and I scoop his shirt up from the padded bench at the end of the bed. I like wearing his shirt after he’s been in it all day. His masculine scent comforts me.
“That shirt is big on you, but you look sexy in it.”
He kisses my neck, and we head to the kitchen. I offer to help with breakfast, but he declines telling me to sit on the barstool and watch the master.
“Where did you learn to cook?”
“My mother. After my father died, my mom had to go out to work. I was a latchkey kid. Albert and his wife Miranda used to keep an eye on me until my mom came home. She taught me to cook on the weekends so, during the week, I could help put a hot meal on the table. ”
“You had it hard for a while, didn’t you?”
“Until Robert came into our lives, things were tight. I learned not to ask for stuff like expensive sports equipment or money for class trips. I knew my mom was working hard to support us.”
“And after she met him?”
“We moved to his mansion. What a change, but I still knew that just because he was providing it didn’t mean I had to slack off. I didn’t expect things from him. I did odd jobs and earned my own spending money while Nicky sat around the pool in the summer.”
“Did he help with college?”
“Yes. I appreciated him paying my tuition, but I still worked for spending money.”
“Is that why you’re so driven?”
“I don’t want my future family to suffer if something happens to me. I want to give them a legacy.”
“And you’ve achieved that at a young age.”
“I have, but there is so much more for me to do.”
I’m silent because it brings up the argument in my head about him peeling off some time for me. It seems that even when he clears his schedule, something comes up to take him away from me. I don’t want to be one of those wives that sits around during the day drinking wine and lunching with her girlfriends to make up for her absentee husband.
“Hey, Emma, are you alright?”
I snap out of my thoughts, “Yes, why?”
“I asked how many pancakes you want.”
“Two are fine.”
“You were lost for a time there. Anything I can help you with?”
“No, just thinking about Nathaniel. Do you know when he can come home?”
“My contact told me that he should be ready to travel by Monday. I’ll send my plane out on Sunday night.”
“I wish he would call me. I want to talk to him. ”
“He’s fine. He just needs some rest. I know losing those gigs is going to be tough for him. Do you want me to check with some of my contacts to hook him up for the rest of the summer?”
“He’s working in the Hamptons for the entire month of August through Labor Day. I think only July is a problem, but it depends on how he feels.”
“If you just ask, I can keep him busy all year. He has a good reputation, and I’m sure that he would have no problem getting work.”
“I’d appreciate that, but I can’t talk for Nate. He has to make the decision.”
“The offer is there if he wants it. I can put him in some of my clubs.”
“How many clubs do you own?”
“Nine. Mostly in LA and Vegas. If that deal goes through with Jensen, I’ll be working on part ownership of a few here besides Haze.”
“I thought that Jensen was going to put a bar on the roof of your hotels?”
“He was, but what I’m proposing is more funds than he can afford. He asked me to take part ownership, and I agreed. We’re working out the details now.”
“How enterprising of you.”
“The more diversity I have, the better. I’m working on a deal for a gaming company. There’s a lot of money to be made in games development.”
“Olivia works in software. She used to work for Google but wanted to come back to the city.”
“What part?”
“She does programming. She is head of her division at Eltech.”
“Hmm, I wish I knew that last night. I would have picked her brain a bit.”
“They’ll be other opportunities. She’s Lexi’s best friend, so I see her a lot. ”
“Good to know. Now I have to stick with you.”
“If I had a pancake, I would throw it at you.”
“One Frisbee coming up.”
After breakfast, cleaning the kitchen, and sex in the shower, we’re sitting on the patio reading the paper. Every so often, Jordan reaches out to stroke my face with his knuckles or kiss me. Each time he does it, my heart beats rapidly.
“Jordan?”
“Yes, baby.”
“Where does your mother live?”
“Greenwich on the Long Island Sound. My stepfather gave her a good settlement, and I bought her the house. It’s bigger than she needs, but she wanted it, so I gave in.”
“Isn’t she lonely in such a big home?”
“Not really. She has a maid who is more her friend than anything. They stay up late chatting and playing cards. She has a good social life, and if it makes her happy, then I’m happy.”
“You’re a good son.”
“She took care of me, so I’m returning the favor.”
“It’s still early. Would you like to do anything today?”
“I thought you wanted to play house this weekend?”
“We are playing house. I feel more like a housewife than I’ve ever been.”
“But you’re not a wife yet?”
“One day, I will be.”
“If you are, I hope your last name is Grayson.”
“Yeah, Nicky is coming on strong. Maybe it’s time to give him a chance.”
Jordan startles me by throwing down his paper, scooping me up and carrying me to the pool.
“Take that back, or it’s in the drink for you. ”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Don’t push me, woman. Take it back.”
When I don’t, Jordan begins to countdown, “Five, four, three, two, one and a half, one and a quarter…”
“Okay, I take it back.”
“Too late,” he says as he jumps in the pool with me in his arms. I come up sputtering and wipe the water out of my eyes, then splash him.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“I would have even if you made it in time. You look sexy in wet clothes. I love how they cling to every curve.”
He approaches me and cups my face in his hands. His lips are cool when they press against mine as he gives me a toe-curling kiss.
“Would you like to spend some time in bed today?”
“Nah, not in the mood.”
Jordan raises his eyebrows, “Emma Stanford, you are full of shit.”
“Nope, not in the mood. I’d rather sit out here and read.”
As I’m climbing out of the pool, Jordan’s phone rings. He hoists himself up in the deep end and shakes his hands out before he picks it up.
“Grayson. Why does this shit keep happening on the weekends? I pay you to keep things from falling apart. Yeah, well, now I have something personal to do these days. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
He puts down the phone and pulls off his shirt, then his shorts, leaving him in skin-hugging boxers that allow me to see every bump and curve of his bulge.
“Emma, please don’t give me that look. I would love to get you on all fours, but right now, I have an emergency. Let me change, and I hope I can get this straightened out with Kenji in an hour or two. Wait for me?”
“I don’t have much of a choice now do I? ”
“I’m sorry. This needs my attention.”
He kisses me and steps into the bedroom to change. I sit on the lounge chair to catch some sun and dry out. I’m annoyed, and what I assumed was true; it seems like it is. That I’ll end up playing second best to Jordan’s business. I’m not sure I want to take on that role, but I’m in love with him, so what choice do I have?