Accepting His Terms (11 page)

Jarrod looked at Jill. As he looked back at his dad he said, “Are you really ready to give up the house?”

“We’re gone more than we are here. Your condo would be perfect for us. And in a few years, if the two of you decide to start a family, this house would be the perfect place. Of course, if it’s not to your liking, we can sell it and find something else for the two of you.”

“I love this house,” Jill replied. “And I would love to raise a family here, but only when you’re sure you want to give it up.”

“Honey, we’ve been sure for a while now. We’ve been waiting for this playboy son of ours to find the right woman and settle down,” his mother said.

“And it’s plain to see, he’s found the right woman,” Mr. Baine added.

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you both for paying me such a compliment.”

“I haven’t seen my boy this happy in ages, so it’s me who should be thanking you, my dear Jill,” Mrs. Baine said as she hugged her.

“I told you they would love you, baby,” Jarrod whispered in her ear.

“Whispering sweet nothings to your bride, son?” his dad teased.

“She’s been very worried about meeting both of you, although for the life of me, I can’t imagine anyone being afraid to meet the world’s most doting parents. I was telling her ‘I told you so.’”

His parents laughed as they walked them out. “Come back soon, Jill, so we can start making plans for our moves.”

“Do you need my help with the reception?” Jill asked.

“You’ve helped me today with the plans. Your mother and I will take care of the rest. I can’t wait to meet your family. If they’re as lovely as you, I know I’ll love them.”

“Her folks are the best, especially her dad,” Jarrod said as he winked at Jill.

Jill punched him in the ribs. She explained, “Yes, Jarrod and my dad hit it right off from the start. Whatever was said in their little chat before the wedding turned them into pals for life.”

Jarrod’s dad laughed. “Maybe we don’t want to know, dear girl.”

As they drove back to the condo, Jarrod asked, “Feel better now?”

“Yes, but I’m a bit in awe about moving into the house so soon. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“I figured they’d bring it up, if not today, soon. I wanted to see your first impression of the place before I said anything.”

“Don’t you know by now that I’d live in a cardboard box, as long as it was with you?”

“A cardboard box, you say?” he asked with a wink in her direction.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, baby, I do. And that means more to me than anything you could have said.”

Chapter Thirteen

Jill and Jarrod had finally decided to cool their ardor at the office, at least temporarily. Jill wasn’t comfortable with it now that her sister was working at the office and she was afraid the other employees would catch on to what was going on during the hours she spent in his office.

He hadn’t put up the fuss she’d expected. In fact, he’d agreed to abstain during working hours. But after five o’clock, when the office was empty, he wasn’t making any promises.

“We can go home at five o’clock, you know,” she said when they discussed it at great length.

“We could, but I like taking you on my desk, in my chair, on my floor,” he teased with a gleam in his eye.

“Fiend,” she teased back.

“And you’re a fine one to talk, need I remind you?” he asked.

“Drop it,” she said.

“Consider it dropped. Anyway, before long, we’ll have several rooms to try out.”

She laughed. “Yes, we will. That’ll take a while.”

“And I’m going to enjoy each room to its fullest potential.”

Rolling her eyes, she came back with, “I’ll hold you to that, big boy.”

He looked down at his lap. “Hear that, big boy?”

“Get to work!” she teased.

“The woman’s cracking the whip. Something’s wrong with this picture. See you later, baby.” He grinned as he shooed her out of his office.

The reception loomed in the near future. Jarrod’s mother had spared no expense. She planned to hold the party at the country club and several hundred people had been invited. There would be more people to meet for both of them and Jill was becoming increasingly nervous about it.

She sensed that Jarrod was aware of the state of her nerves. She also knew he was waiting for the right moment, and then, once again, he would masterfully relieve her tension. He knew her so well. And she’d come to depend on that knowledge.

What had begun as a reinforcement of his admonishment for a lack of judgment he felt she’d shown, had blossomed into a much-needed release for both of them, usually followed by the two of them making the sweetest, hottest love either of them had ever known. Jill was thankful for the bond that formed between the two of them. She had wanted to be the woman he couldn’t live without, but in fact, he was the man she could never give up.

One afternoon, as she was busily working, he called her into his office.

“What’s up?” she asked as she walked in and sat down.

“Did you remember to call the movers?” he asked curtly.

“No, I haven’t had time. I thought you would do it,” she replied.

“I specifically asked you to do it.”

“And I forgot. I’m sorry.”

“So are you going to do it today?” he asked.

“Why can’t you do it?” she asked irritably.

“I asked you to take care of it. One simple, little thing, Jill, I’ve been a little bit busy with work.”

“Really?” she asked. “And what do you suppose it is I do in my office every day from nine-to-five? Give myself a mani-pedi?”

“Jill, stand up,” he said in a no-nonsense tone.

“No,” she said, as she glared at him across the desk.

“Jill, I’m not kidding around.”

She continued to pout.

“Jill, I said stand up. You can make this harder than it has to be or you can do as I ask. I’ve had enough of the sass and enough of the attitude. I know you’re stressed. I am, too. I’ll take care of that in the proper way and in the proper place but for now,
stand up
.”

Slowly, she stood. As he walked toward her, the anticipation was almost more than she could bear. He’d never attempted to punish her while she was standing. By the time he reached her, she was trembling.

“I’m not going to hurt you.” He reached around and pulled up her skirt. Applying five swats to her ass through her panties, he said, “You need to settle down. You’re working yourself into a frenzy between work, the damn reception, and the move. You know I don’t like to see you this way.”

“Are you going to call the movers?” she asked quietly.

His eyes met hers. “Is that what you want? Will that really mean so much to you?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Fine, consider it done.” He walked back around his desk and sat down.

“Thank you,” she said as she turned to go.

“I told you I didn’t expect to win every argument,” he said as she put her hand on the doorknob.

“And that’s one of the reasons I love you so much. Now, I’m going back to my office. Tonight, we need to have a discussion, if you catch my drift.”

“Loud and clear,” he replied as he picked up the phone, grinning.

When five o’clock rolled around, he met her in her office. “How soon will you be ready to leave?” he asked.

“I’m ready when you are,” she said as she cleared her desk and turned off her computer.

“Let’s get the hell out of here, then.” She placed her hand in his as they walked together to the elevator.

As he pulled out of the parking garage, he asked, “Dinner out?”

“Whatever, I don’t mind cooking.”

“Well, I mind if you cook, so let’s go out. You need a break.”

After a leisurely dinner, he drove to the condo. She walked in ahead of him and headed to the bedroom. When he entered the room, she had stripped off her clothes and was putting on her short, satin robe. She caught her breath as he began to loosen his tie and walk toward her.

With another sharp intake of breath, her eyes met his. “Discussion?” she asked.

“I had planned to wait until the morning of the reception, but I think it’s time, right now.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she tilted her face up and kissed him. “I don’t want to fight.”

“Neither do I,” Jarrod replied as he removed her arms. “I don’t intend to fight with you.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, still dressed in his suit, his tie loosened in the sexy way that drove her mad. He held out his hand to her and she immediately went to him. He patted his lap and she complied. He was right. It was time.

As he caressed her butt cheeks, he said in a low voice. “I love you so much and it hurts to see you so stressed out.”

“I can’t help it. Things stress me out. That’s me. You know that,” she replied softly.

“I know. And this seems to be the best way to help you. You know I don’t ever mean to hurt you. If you ever want this to stop, say the word. That’s all you have to do. We can find another way to deal with your anxiety.”

“I don’t want you to stop,” she murmured.

He closed his eyes and continued caressing her back and her ass. “I’m going to spank you now, baby.” And he gave her a tap on each cheek. When she didn’t put up a fuss, he did it again, and again. Finally, after a fourth swat to each cheek, he turned her around and held her close. “I love you.”

She buried her face in his chest and curled up on his lap. “Jarrod, I don’t know what I’d ever do without you. You understand me, you love me, and you put up with me and my moods.”

“You’ll never have to worry about it, baby. I’ll never leave you.”

“I just want to fall asleep in your arms tonight.”

“Consider it done,” he said as he stripped to his boxers. She allowed him to lead her to the bed and together they curled up under the blankets, falling asleep in each other’s arms.

****

The rest of the week passed without incident and on the day of the reception, Jill was as cool as a cucumber.

Once again, she realized that Jarrod had known exactly what she needed and he had come through for her.

The day was pleasant from the get-go. They introduced each other to their extended families and to numerous friends. Members of the staff at the office had come to celebrate with them, the food was good, the music was good, and Jill was good. She could tell from the smile on his face when he glanced at her that her husband was a happy man.

Jill’s dad took Jarrod aside at one point in the afternoon. “I have to hand it to you, boy. I’ve never seen Jillie as relaxed as she is today. Whatever it is you’re doing, keep it up.”

Jarrod laughed. “I’ve learned exactly what it takes to calm your feisty daughter’s nerves.”

Mr. Lincoln glanced at his son-in-law. “I’ll not ask what that is, if you don’t mind.”

“Thank you, I’d appreciate that,” Jarrod replied as he took a sip of his drink.

“Now that you’re moving into the big house, should I expect to hear the pitter- patter of grandbabies’ feet in the near future?”

“I’ve left that decision entirely up to Jill. I’ve told her that when she’s ready, she only needs to say the word. Until then, we wait.”

“Smart man, you know when to take control and when to give it to your wife.”

“I’m learning.” Jarrod and his father-in-law shared a laugh.

Jarrod’s father joined them after that and the three men enjoyed a pleasant conversation.

As the day neared its end, Jill thanked both of their parents and for the beautiful reception.

“It was the least we could do for the two of you,” Jarrod’s mother gushed.

“I enjoyed it very much. We had fun putting it all together, didn’t we, Grace?” Jill’s mother asked.

“You two are on a first name basis, I see,” Jill said with a grin.

“Why yes, your mother and I hit it right off, honey.”

Jarrod joined them and said, “If you ladies don’t mind, I’m going to take my bride home now. The party seems to be dying down. She’s had a very busy week and another one ahead of her with the move.”

“You two go on, get out of here,” his mother said.

“Get some rest and I’ll be around next week if you need any help,” her mother added.

As they drove home, she laid her head back and relaxed.

He reached over and took her hand. “That went well.”

“It was perfect,” she replied as she smiled at him.

“Tired?” he asked.

“A little,” she said.

When they had arrived home and were snug in their bed, he rolled over and said, “Goodnight, baby.”

“Goodnight, baby?” she asked. “That’s it, we just had our wedding reception and you’re rolling over and saying goodnight. Are you trying to tell me the honeymoon’s over already?”

“I thought you were tired,” he said as he turned to look at her.

“Not
that
tired,” she teased as she kissed him.

“Well, all right then,” he said as he claimed her lips with his. He murmured against her ear, “Our honeymoon will never be over.”

Chapter Fourteen

The next week proved to be extremely hectic as they moved from the condo to the house. As Jarrod walked her from room to room encouraging her to add her own little touches, he could see it was finally beginning to feel like home to Jill. The two couples had decided what furniture would stay in the house and what furniture would stay in the condo. It really was the perfect solution for all of them to trade residences. Jarrod could tell that Jill was still in awe that she was going to live in such an exquisite home.

“Now you do whatever you want to the place, baby. Spare no expense. We’ll be living here a long time,” Jarrod said as he walked into the library and saw her looking around.

“I only need to make a few changes here and there. I love what your mother has done with the place, actually,” she said as she smiled at him.

“She hired a professional decorator, just like you, to do it. I can assure you, she only picked it out. Someone else did the work. Mom was a lady of leisure.”

“Your mom never worked?” Jill asked.

He laughed. “If you call her various charities work, then yes, I suppose she did. But Dad had a huge construction company, she didn’t need to.”