23. Jess
Three weeks later (One week left)
It certainly is an interesting next couple of days.
Once Sean and I hook up, that intense tension between us doesn’t go anywhere. I was all wrong in thinking it would. In fact, things only amp up. Every time we’re in the same room it’s like there’s an invisible tether between us. We’re drawn together no matter how hard we try to put distance between us. And by distance, I mean physical distance. Not because we don’t want to be in each other’s company, but because we wouldn’t get anything done otherwise.
When we’re alone, all it takes is one look before we’re going at it. It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex on a regular basis and my body definitely is thanking me for it.
Our sex is hot.
Our sex is quick.
Our sex is mesmerizingly and luxuriously long.
No room or surface is safe from us.
That’s not to say that during business hours, Sean and I don’t disagree once in a while. But we’re able to figure things out. No matter how slow or quick we come to a solution, it typically leads to sex, which is honestly a win-win for everyone.
Sex aside, our working relationship makes me feel better about Blackwood buying Westerlyn.
I trust Sean, and even though I know he wants to buy me out, the idea doesn’t fill me with indignation anymore. I even entertain it from time to time.
Sean and I see each other after work most nights after he returns from Blackwood Inc., unless either of us gets stuck late, like today. Today, he got caught up at Blackwood. Usually, we’re not texting each other unless it’s work related. Not only that, but we also have this unspoken understanding that nothing’s ever strained between us. That’s one of the things I cherish about us.
My phone buzzes just when I turn off the bedside lamp, eyes heavy with sleep.
Sean:
Stuck at work. You still awake?
Me:
Just climbed into bed.
How was your day?
thumbs-up emoji
Glad to hear it. Night, Jess. Sleep well.
Did he just reach out just to see how I’m doing? Could it be that he’s been missing me? The smile on my face doesn’t fade even when I fall asleep.
In the morning, it takes me a little longer to get out of the warm cocoon of my blankets and into the shower. I’m just finishing getting ready when I hear Sean’s front door open and close.
Knock. Knock.
I’m surprised to find Sean standing there with his signature well-fitted suit. Despite the fact he worked an extra-long day yesterday—I only heard him arrive home after eleven p.m. before I dozed off again—he appears well rested. He hadn’t texted me or anything saying he was going to pop over in the morning before work.
I want to ask, Hey, you missed me that much? but instead, I ask, “Hey, everything okay?” and point at the clock. It reads 7:32 a.m.
He doesn’t usually stop by in the mornings, and it’s hard to tell by his expression how he’s feeling. “Yeah, everything’s fine,” he assures me. “I figured since I’m up early, and on property today, I’d save you some gas and drive you in.”
His response takes me by surprise. Aside from the one time I left my car at the hotel, we drive separately because we typically don’t leave at the same time. It’s also more discreet that way.
“Oh, okay,” I say. “Are you sure?”
Sean slips his hands into his pockets and shrugs. “Sure, why not?”
“I just assumed it wasn’t appropriate or so people would get the wrong idea.”
“I don’t care about that. It just makes more sense to take one car since I’m going to be at the hotel all day.”
“Driving together sounds great. Goodbye, Pippin!” I call into my apartment. “Be a good birdie while I’m gone.” Pippin twitters in response, fluffing his feathers and giving a little hop.
I lock the door behind me, and we walk toward the elevator.
I understand there are practical reasons for carpooling, like convenience and being eco-friendly, but perhaps he genuinely missed me. “You just want us to drive together for the hell of it?” I ask.
“Is that such a strange concept?”
“For you? Yes.”
“All right, well, that’s vaguely insulting,” he grumbles. “There are no ulterior motives.”
As we step onto the elevator, and he presses the button next to me, he leans in and growls into my ear, “Well, maybe one.”
“What?”
He slips his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “I enjoy the distraction you provide.”
“I distract you?”
The next thing I know, his mouth is on mine, and I’m pressed against his chest. I melt into his kiss, sliding my arms around his strong shoulders. When he draws away, he fixes me with a mind-numbing look. “You have no idea,” he grumbles darkly, “how much you distract me.”
Instant desire.
God, I can’t handle it when his voice is this low and he’s leaning in this close.
I swear this man is going to kill me before we even get to work. “Oh, yeah? Good distraction or…bad distraction?” I manage to ask, sounding way too breathy.
“Bad,” he rumbles and winks at me. “So very bad.”
Sean Blackwood has the cutest wink.
It’s a rare sight, but when it happens, his long lashes do this flutter that somehow highlights the depth of his dark, forest-green eye color. There’s an undeniable charm in the way his eye crinkles slightly. It’s one of those things that always catches me by surprise and never fails to make my heart skip a beat.
When I keep staring, he winks again (can he read my thoughts?), even cuter this time.
Without a second thought, I press the “Emergency Stop” button.
I mean, any rational person would.
The elevator jerks to a halt, making Sean raise an eyebrow, and a tiny grin tugs at his lips. I take full advantage and throw my arms around his neck. His mouth crashes onto mine as he shoves me against the wall. I hook a leg around the back of his so that every part of us is touching.
“You want us to be late, huh?” he mumbles against my lips, hands already shoving my skirt up. His cock presses into my pelvis, hard, long, thick.
“Not if we’re quick about it.”
“Excellent thinking.”
Giggling, I reach down and unbuckle his belt as his hand slides into the back of my panties. He squeezes my ass in appreciation, and it makes me fumble with his dumb zipper, feeling his steel-hard cock bulge against it. I don’t know what’s come over me. I’m all for spontaneity, yet this is more than that. Something about Sean makes me want to act absolutely feral (he wasn’t off with the monster thing, and it’s not limited to Tuesdays) when we’re alone together.
He doesn’t even pull my panties down, only shoves them to the side before thrusting into me with a quick jerk of his hips. I gasp, and my head falls against the wall, my body already shaking in anticipation. Heavens. No one ever made me as full as Sean makes me. I barely get a chance to adjust before he’s grinding into me.
All I can do is cling to him and enjoy the ride.
“Fuck, Jess,” Sean groans into my mouth. “Do you know how much you drive me crazy?”
I want to say, “Oh, believe me, it’s my special talent.” All I manage to utter is “Huh?” My brain is off-line. Sleeping. Undergoing some major update.
“You look perfect like this,” he rumbles, thrusting, “with my cock inside of you. Your cunt is mine and only mine.”
God, I could hear him talk this way for hours.
At least this quickie will hold us over a minute.
Or two. Ha!
When I come, it’s because of how he’s grinding into me. I moan his name and crush my face against his neck as I ride out my orgasm. He keeps thrusting, his fingers digging into the tender flesh of my thighs from holding me so tight. He comes a few seconds later with a deep groan that is the hottest sound I’ve ever heard in my life. “Arghh.”
Unfortunately, there’s no basking in the afterglow.
We’re acutely aware that we’re holding up the elevator, and it’s only a matter of time before someone calls for it, and creepy superintendent Mr. Fletcher shows up. He’s the last person I want to see on a fiery morning like this.
With matching grins, we pull ourselves together and Sean presses the button to resume our trip to the parking garage.
The elevator grinds to a halt with a cheerful ding.
As the gap between the elevator doors widens, there he stands. He’s furiously whacking the elevator button: the superintendent, Mr. Creeper himself, with a protruding belly and a few wisps of hair attempting to cover his bald head. It’s as if he has an uncanny sixth sense for inconvenient moments.
At first, he looks annoyed, as if the elevator had taken a detour to Mount Vesuvius, the infamous volcano in Italy, known for its historic eruption that buried the ancient city of Pompeii under layers of ash and lava. And well, it basically had. Judging by the scorching heat in here, we might as well be roasting marshmallows. However, as soon as the doors open wide enough for him to spot Sean, his demeanor changes in an instant.
“Good morning, sir,” he oozes, laying on the charm. (That kiss-up!) “How are you doing, Mr. Blackwood? It’s a pleasure to see you. Is everything in order? Did you notice the elevator took longer this morning?”
“Yes, of course I noticed.” Sean gives him his signature curt dark nod, a clear signal that he’s not in the mood for pleasantries.
“Oh, I see. How unfortunate, Mr. Blackwood. I’m very sorry about that. Just a minor delay, I suppose.”
“Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
A smile settles on my lips, and I quickly wipe it away.
“Of course, sir.” Mr. Fletcher steps aside for him, and when his eyes fall on me, he gives me one of his intrusive stares with his unblinking eyes. Ugh.
Before he can utter a word, Sean steps forward and leads me out, blocking Mr. Fletcher’s view of me. He’s not allowed to even look in my direction. That legendary grumpy glare on Sean’s face says it all: Hands off, buddy. Watch your eyes—if you wanna keep ‘em.
He might as well have said it out loud, because Mr. Fletcher’s expression shifts abruptly, his smile vanishing into a nervous one.
With a fawning tone, he quickly says, “Thank you, Mr. Blackwood. If there’s anything you ever need, don’t hesitate to ask. We aim to ensure your stay is nothing short of perfection. Have an excellent day ahead.”
“Have a good day, Mr. Fletcher,” Sean says as we head out the door.
It’s official. I’ve got the best bodyguard in town.