Chapter 8
eight
Jaclyn
I’m still mostly asleep when I struggle to kick off the comforter.
I’m hot—too hot. My semi-conscious mind can’t understand why the heat isn’t going anywhere.
Something is stopping it from moving. Why is a massive tree limb wrapped around my waist, holding me against a wall?
Wait. What the actual fuck? Am I still dreaming?
Shit. Okay, this may be a personal daily record for cursing before my eyes open in the morning.
The sleep fog clears in record time, allowing my brain to kick in, bringing along all the memories of last night.
Dammit. Not a tree limb—nope, it’s Andrew’s arm plastering me against his lethally hot body.
And…oh gawd. His hard dick is pressing against my ass, rubbing between my butt cheeks like it’s searching for a new home.
It’s official. I’m certifiable. I have to be, because I’m lying in bed with my boss wrapped around me like a sloth.
Where did my common sense disappear to last night?
Andrew not only caught me mistressbating—Cheri and I decided it was a much better term than masturbating—but I let him get me off.
Go down on me. Oh. My. God. The man ate me out like I was his favorite meal.
Shit. I thought I was already hot, but now my cheeks feel like they’re on fire as I try to settle my rising panic. I need to get out of this bed, but I can’t wake Andrew because I sure as hell don’t know how to face this man.
“What’s wrong, Sweetpea? I know you’re up, and I can tell you’re thinking too hard already.”
Fuck, fuck, FUCK! I’m dead, toast, stick a fork in me, I’m done.
It doesn’t matter that he said my job is secure—how can it be after this fiasco?
I’m going to lose it for sure. As if how I let him get me off wasn’t bad enough.
Nope, I had to add whipped cream and a cherry on top by begging him to stay with me.
Seriously, what the ever-living fuck was I thinking?
Sighing, I try to find any words at all, but all I can think of is the need to keep my traitorous pussy under control. She’s not allowed to do my thinking for me. It’s a sure way to end up homeless and starving on the side of the road—or maybe deep in the forest and bear food.
“Jaclyn?” His voice is rough, and his arm tightens around me. Goosebumps pop up on my skin.
“I’m fine. How are you?” Crap! Cringing as the words leave my mouth, I pray I’m still sleeping. How are you? What kind of moron am I?
“I’m afraid you’re awake, and you definitely don’t sound fine, little bit. What you’re not is a moron. Unless you want to end up over my knee, I’d suggest you don’t talk about yourself like that.”
“I said that out loud?” Fuck. Because, of course I did. Is it possible to humiliate myself any further? I highly doubt it. Cheri is going to love this. She’ll probably write it into her next book—I guess that’s one positive.
“You did. Baby, there’s no reason to panic. Nothing is wrong. You’re safe with me. I promise.” His voice both calms me and sends shivers through me.
It doesn’t make sense. Shit. None of this does. It’s like I stepped off the plane yesterday into some kind of alternate universe.
“I’m really fine. Just a little, um—” What am I?
Clueless, still horny, and mortified beyond my wildest imaginings.
Yeah, that’s a good start. “I’m sorry. I really need to use the bathroom.
Can you let me go, please?” I beg. Peeing is on the agenda, for sure, but so is hiding for as long as possible.
His chuckle shouldn’t fill me with need, but fuck if it doesn’t. Thankfully, he lifts his arm, and I move to the other side of the bed, throwing off the comforter and gasp, “I’m naked!”
Andrew snorts, and my skin burns with embarrassment. “Do you remember any of last night, Sweetpea? I know you weren’t drunk. Did you take medication or something?”
“No,” I squeak. God save me. I lower my eyes and take a deep breath.
There’s no way I can look at him. I’m not ashamed of my curvy body; it’s not something I ever think about, nor do I care what others think.
Though I’m usually dressed. This is the first time I’ve been naked with a man, or anyone for that matter.
Luckily, I spot my nightgown on the floor next to the bed, and I drop off like I’m spelunking into a cave.
No, I’ve never done it, but it might be a new hobby to check out.
After grabbing the pink silk, I pull it over my head.
The soft fabric caresses my skin, the opposite of how Andrew’s work-roughened hands felt on me last night.
Why am I thinking about his hands? Shaking my head, I push up from the floor and run for the bathroom, keeping my gaze focused on the ensuite.
The overwhelming relief when I click the lock on the bathroom door helps slow my rapid heartbeat.
After using the toilet, I wash my hands and catch my reflection.
Are those bites on my neck and chest? Leaning closer to the mirror, I sigh.
Yup, bite marks, or maybe beard burn—I guess they could be either or both.
What the fuck do I know? Ms. Virgin, or my classmates’ favorite—Ice Princess.
I have no experience with sex. The few attempts in college were colossal failures and convinced me that working toward my career goals was much more important.
Andrew knocking on the door startles me. “Are you okay, Jaclyn?”
No, no, I’m definitely not okay. Not gonna tell him, though, and I press my lips together.
“Jaclyn? I’ll bust this door down if I have to. Answer me, baby. I know you’re freaking out, but I promise everything is okay…”
“I’m fine. Gonna grab a quick shower. I’ll be out soon.” To make it more convincing, I reach into the walk-in shower and turn it on.
“Okay. I’m going to wash up and get dressed in the other room, then we’ll head over for breakfast.”
Great. Perfect. Fantastic. Not only will I have to face him, but his entire family.
And he mentioned talking today. Wonderful.
I need to talk to Cheri, but it’s too early; I’m sure she was up late writing.
Okay, Jac, you’re a big girl, you’ve got this.
You’ve been through so much worse. People have sex all the time. It’s no big deal.
I’m still repeating those words as I shower, dry my hair, and dress in another pencil skirt and silk blouse that Cheri packed for me. Thankfully, the top covers most of the marks Andrew left on my shoulders and chest. Concealer takes care of the few on my neck.
Not sure whether I’m flushed from the heat of the shower or permanent embarrassment, I follow my normal makeup routine, my armor.
The face I’m staring at in the mirror looks mostly like me—but different.
My eyes are brighter, and my usual resting bitch face is missing.
I almost look happy, or at least relaxed.
I guess an earth-shattering orgasm will do that for you.
How that’s possible with the turmoil threatening to make me barf, I don’t know.
Still, I’ll take it over the mortified ass I usually feel like.
I head back into the bedroom to find my shoes. Where the hell are they? I’ve already torn apart my suitcase, and I’m searching under the bed when the door opens. I’m about to yell at him for not knocking, but it’s his room.
“You left your shoes by the front door last night. I figured you’d want them.” His deep voice sends heat to my core.
“Thank you,” I answer as I pull myself up from the floor. “I didn’t remember.”
“I’m not surprised. Yesterday was a lot.”
He’s not shitting, either. It’s the understatement of the century, or maybe the millennium.
I take the shoes he’s holding. When I step into them I immediately grow four inches. These guys are so tall, I need every advantage possible.
Andrew’s gaze slides over me, approval shining in his gaze as his eyes meet mine. “Ready, baby? I bet you’re hungry. You didn’t eat that much last night.”
“Yeah, let’s do this,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel as I follow him down the hallway toward the front door. I’m not the only one who’s dressed for work today.
Andrew could be in the California office, not at the top of the mountain, dressed like this.
I almost sucked my tongue down my throat when I looked up and saw his ocean-blue eyes staring down at me while I was kneeling on the floor.
The sky-blue button-down he’s wearing makes them even more vibrant.
But walking behind him, I can’t pull my gaze away from his perfect ass.
His bespoke black slacks hug it like a second skin, and I lick my lips in appreciation.
“See something you like?” he asks.
Heat radiates from my face when I realize he’s watching me over his shoulder. Oh well, might as well own it. It is a very fine ass. “For sure. Your tailor knows what he’s doing.”
His chuckle settles the butterflies swarming in my stomach. “I’ll be sure to let him know. You look gorgeous. It’s going to be hard to concentrate with you around.”
What does he mean by that? Am I in for another inquisition after breakfast?
After taking a deep breath and letting it out, I follow him out the door and onto the front porch of the cabin.
I couldn’t see much last night in the dark, but with the sun shining bright in the cloudless sky, the view is breathtaking.
Every inhale fills me with air so sweet-smelling, it doesn’t seem real after growing up in the city.
There’s no exhaust fumes, either, only the scent of pine.
No honking horns or sirens, just the chatter of the birds in the trees.
To quote The Wizard of Oz, “We’re not in Kansas anymore. ”
Andrew leads me toward the garage next to his cabin, as I carefully navigate the uneven ground. High heels may be part of my daily uniform in the city, but up here, my sneakers would be better.
“Are we driving somewhere?” I ask as he raises the heavy garage door, revealing a large black truck.