Jack
I lean against my sedan in Mia's apartment parking lot, arms crossed over my chest, knowing I shouldn't be here.
The afternoon sun beats down on the asphalt, making the air shimmer with heat.
I've been waiting twenty minutes, rehearsing what I'll say when she arrives.
Something professional. Something that establishes boundaries.
It's all bullshit and I know it.
Her car turns into the lot and I straighten, my pulse kicking up. She spots me immediately. Our eyes meet through her windshield and I watch her hands tighten on the steering wheel. She doesn't pretend not to see me. Doesn't drive away. She pulls into a spot three spaces down and cuts the engine.
For a long moment, she just sits there. I can see the war happening behind those blue eyes even from this distance. Then she opens the door and steps out, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Jack." My name sounds like an accusation. "What are you doing here?"
"We need to talk." I push off from my car and close the distance between us. She's wearing a simple sundress that shows off her legs, and I force myself to keep my eyes on her face.
"There's nothing to talk about." She moves toward her building, keys already in her hand. "It was a mistake. We both know it."
At least she isn't pretending that what happened in my office didn't happen.
I catch her elbow gently, stopping her. The contact sends electricity up my arm. "Was it?"
She looks down at my hand on her arm, then back up at my face. The wariness in her eyes is mixed with something else. Attraction? She can't hide that she's attracted to me, even as she's trying to keep distance between us. "Yes. You're my boss, Jack. My father's best friend. This can't happen."
"Can't or shouldn't?" I step closer, backing her against her car. She doesn't move away. "Because those are two very different things, Mia."
Her breath catches. I'm close enough now to see the pulse hammering in her throat, to smell the vanilla scent of her shampoo. "Both."
"Liar." The word comes out rougher than I intended. "I saw your face when you came apart on my desk. That wasn't a mistake. That was all these years of wanting finally breaking through."
Color floods her cheeks. "Jack, please. This is complicated enough without—"
"Without what? Without admitting we still want each other?
" I brace one hand on the car beside her head, caging her in.
Not trapping her. She could duck under my arm easily if she wanted.
But she doesn't. "I never stopped thinking about you, Mia.
Do you know that? After you left, I looked for you.
For months. Your mother wouldn't tell me anything.
Your father was devastated and I couldn't even explain why I was so desperate to find you. "
Her eyes widen. "You looked for me?"
"Of course I did." My voice drops lower. "You disappeared without a word. I thought maybe what happened between us scared you off. Or maybe you regretted it. I drove myself crazy wondering if I'd hurt you somehow."
"You didn't hurt me." Her voice is barely a whisper. "I just ... I had to leave."
"Why?" I lean closer, my forehead almost touching hers. "Tell me why you ran, Mia. Make me understand."
She shakes her head, her dark hair brushing against my hand. "I can't."
"Can't or won't?"
"Does it matter?" Her hands come up to rest against my chest, but she doesn't push me away. Her fingers curl into my shirt instead. "Jack, we work together. If anyone finds out about us, it could destroy your career. Mine too."
"I don't care." The words surprise me with their honesty. "I've spent ten years being professional. Being responsible. Doing the right thing. And where has it gotten me? Divorced. Alone. Watching you walk through my school every day and pretending I don't remember exactly how you taste."
Her breath hitches. "We can't do this."
"Then tell me to leave." I brush my thumb along her jaw, feeling her tremble. "Tell me you don't feel this pull between us. Tell me that night in my office meant nothing. Tell me you don't lie awake at night remembering how good we were together."
"Jack." My name sounds like a prayer and a curse.
"Say it, Mia. Tell me to go and I will. I'll maintain professional distance.
I'll pretend that having you in my building doesn't make me hard every time I see you.
I'll be your boss and nothing more." I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes.
"But you have to say it. You have to tell me you don't want this. "
Her blue eyes search mine for a long moment. I can see the conflict there, the fear and desire warring for dominance. Then her hands fist tighter in my shirt and she pulls me down to her.
"I can't," she whispers against my lips.
I kiss her hard, pouring ten years of wanting into it.
She opens for me immediately, her tongue sliding against mine with a desperation that matches my own.
My hands find her waist, pulling her flush against me.
Letting her feel just how hard I am for her.
She's all soft curves and warm skin, and I want to devour her.
"Inside," I manage between kisses. "We need to go inside before I take you right here, in broad daylight, in front of God and everyone else."
She gasps, but the sound is more excited than startled, then grabs my hand and we practically run to her apartment.
She fumbles with her keys, her hands shaking.
I take them from her and unlock the door, then hold the door for her to go in first. The moment we're inside with the door closed, I have her pressed against it.
"This is insane," she gasps as I kiss down her neck. "We're going to regret this."
"Probably." I find the zipper of her sundress and pull it down slowly. "But I'm done being patient."
The dress pools at her feet and I step back to look at her.
She's wearing simple white cotton underwear and a matching bra, nothing fancy, but it works for her.
Hell, a potato sack would work for her. Her breasts are full and perfect, straining against the cotton, just begging for my hands and mouth.
Her legs are long and toned and I can almost feel them wrapped around my waist.
"You're staring," she says, her voice breathless.
"I'm memorizing." I pull my shirt over my head and toss it aside. "In case you come to your senses and kick me out."
Her eyes roam over my chest, and I see the heat flare in them. I've kept myself in shape, hitting the gym most mornings before work. The appreciation in her gaze makes me feel twenty years younger.
"Your turn to stare?" I ask with a slight smile.
"Maybe." She reaches out and traces the muscles of my chest with one finger, sending shockwaves throughout my body. "You've ... you look good, Jack."
"So do you." I capture her hand and bring it to my lips. "Better than good. You're stunning."
I walk her backward toward the bedroom, kissing her the whole way. We leave a trail of clothes behind us. My pants. Her bra. My boxers. Her panties. By the time we reach her bed, we're both naked and breathing hard.
I lay her down on the mattress and cover her body with mine. She wraps her legs around my waist, just as I've been wanting, and pulls me closer. The feel of her skin against mine is almost my undoing, and we haven't even got to the good stuff yet!
"Jack," she whispers, her hands sliding down my back. "Please."
I don't make her wait. I push inside her slowly, watching her face as she adjusts to me. Her eyes flutter closed, and her mouth falls open in a silent gasp. She's tight and wet and perfect.
Despite my almost desperate need, I move, slow and deep, and she matches my rhythm. Her nails dig into my shoulders as the pleasure builds. I'm amazed at how quickly the passion consumes us. If I don't get some damn control, this is going to be over before we even started.
"That's it," I murmur against her ear. "Let go for me, Mia. I want to feel you come apart."
She shatters with a cry, her body clenching around me.
Her inner muscles grip my dick, pulsing around it, milking me.
A low growl escapes me as I realize I can't hold back anymore.
She feels too fucking good. I pump into her faster, harder, deeper, then one last time as my orgasm hits me full force.
"Christ, Mia!" I gasp, lying atop her but leaning on my elbows so I don't crush her. I can hardly talk through my harsh breathing and racing heart.
She chuckles, but the sound is breathless. After placing a quick kiss on the tip of her nose, I roll off to the side, onto my back. My hand flops onto my chest as I work to control my breathing.
After a few minutes, I pull her close, tucking her against my side. She fits perfectly, like she was made for this spot.
My fingers find the delicate necklace she always wears. Two small birthstones on a gold chain.
"What do these mean?" I trace the stones gently. "Whose birthdays?"
She tenses immediately, her body going rigid against mine. "It's nothing. Just something I like."
"Mia." I tilt her chin up, forcing her to look at me. "Talk to me. What are you hiding?"
"I'm not hiding anything." But her voice is too defensive, too quick.
"You're lying." I study her face, seeing the fear and guilt there. "You've been lying since you came back. About why you left. About where you've been. About these birthstones."
She pulls away slightly, wrapping the sheet around herself. "Jack, please. Don't push this."
"Why not? What are you so afraid of?"
"Everything." The word bursts out of her. "I'm afraid of everything, okay? I'm afraid of what people will think. I'm afraid of losing my job. I'm afraid of hurting my father. I'm afraid of..." She trails off, shaking her head.
"Of what?" I reach for her hand. "Tell me."
"Of this." She gestures between us. "Of you. Of how much I still feel for you after all these years. It terrifies me, Jack."
I pull her back into my arms, holding her close. "I'm terrified too. But I'm not going to run from this ... whatever this is."
She's quiet for a long moment, her head resting on my chest. I can feel her heart beating against my ribs. Finally, she speaks. "What do we do now?"
"I don't know." I press a kiss to the top of her head. "But we'll figure it out together."
She doesn't respond, but I feel her relax slightly against me. I hold her close, my fingers tracing patterns on her bare shoulder, and realize with startling clarity that I'm falling for her all over again.
And despite knowing it could destroy everything I've built, my career, my reputation, my friendship with her father, I can't bring myself to care.
Because having Mia in my arms again feels like coming home.