Loving Jack (18 page)

Jack opened her door and Grace climbed out. He took her hand and they crossed the parking lot like that. He was playing with that stunning ring that adorned the fourth finger of her left hand. Grace felt weird about wearing it when she hadn’t agreed to marry Jack yet. But he’d asked her to put it on so he could see if it fit. Once it was on her finger the possessive and triumphant light in his eyes was unmistakable. He didn’t want her to take it off. He asked Grace to wear it while she thought about the future. If she decided she couldn’t be his wife —he scowled furiously at the idea— she could give it back to him. If she had it on then he knew she would think of him every time she looked down. Lord, the man could be a romantic. So she wore the ring to please him. Honestly, she hated the idea of taking it off herself.

Grace worried about what the employees of Artifex would think when they saw one of the owners and the woman in line for the CFO position walking hand in hand. Grace’s character was sterling. Her reputation for being loyal, hardworking, and driven had been earned. But this wasn’t New York. She wasn’t at Stein and Watson. And these people didn’t know her or the fact that she was qualified for the position she’d been offered. Grace didn’t want the employees to believe she’d been handed the job because she was with Jack.
 

She also had concerns about accepting a business partnership from the man in her life. What if it didn’t work out? What if it did? Mixing business with pleasure was a bad idea in most cases. She worried about what her personal relationship with Jack would mean for the professional dealings.

Grace tried to pull her hand free but Jack wouldn’t let go. He peeked down at her with a knowing grin. “You’re thinking too hard, baby. Nobody will judge you.”

Damn. How had he known what she was thinking? She still thought they should exercise some restraint in the office but Jack held on to her hand and continued to stroke her ring with his thumb. Once up on the floor that housed the executive offices and administration they parted ways. Rachel was expecting him and she was going to grab her charger. Grace saw the look that told her Jack wanted to kiss her, but he refrained for the sake of her professional code. It seemed he might actually be able to learn the art of compromise in his personal life.

When Grace reached her temporary office she found the door closed and locked. She stopped by the ladies room before going to ask Jack who would have the key to open the office door. Rachel’s admin, Douglas, wasn’t at his desk. The door to Rachel’s office was pushed nearly shut but Jack could be heard through the inch wide opening. She didn’t want to interrupt them if they were talking business before Jack took time off. She seated herself and waited for Douglas to return. Surely he could help her locate the key.

 
“You spent one night together, Jack. I’m glad to see you happy, but don’t you think this is sudden?” Rachel said to Jack beyond the door. That got Grace’s attention. She knew it was rude to listen in, but they were talking about her. She couldn’t help it.

“I’ve known her for over seven years, Rachel.” Jack sounded like he was trying to calm a concerned mother.

“No,” Rachel countered, “you knew her for a year in college. You’ve been busy 'not knowing her' for seven years.”

Grace couldn’t blame Rachel for her concern. She was constantly trying not to second guess her decision. Things had progressed so quickly. One day she was moping about Jack’s complete inattention. The next she was wearing his ring. How the fuck had that happened? Rachel was likely wondering the very same thing.

“I’ve loved her for over seven years, Rachel. Isn’t that enough? Haven’t we wasted enough time? I want a family too, Rachel.” The longing in the statement was plain to hear. “You have your happily ever after.”

Warmth filled Grace. Jack wanted a family with her. It didn’t sound like they would wait long to start having their own babies. She thought of how wonderful it felt to hold Rachel’s baby, Rebekah, in her arms and how she’d enjoyed watching little Anthony run and play. Grace wanted that happy ending too.

“Oh, hello, Ms. Yates. I hope you haven’t been waiting long to be announced.” Douglas startled Grace. She blushed. He’d caught her listening avidly. She stood and approached his desk.

“Actually, Douglas, I was looking for you.” That was mostly true. “I left something in the office I was using. I went to look for it but the door is locked.”

“I see. I’ll give Nina a call and have her meet you over there. She has the keys for that office.” He picked up the phone and dialed. A moment later Grace met Jack’s assistant down the hall. Nina opened the door for Grace and stepped back.

“Just lock up when you’re done, Ms. Yates,” Nina said politely.

“Thank you, Nina, I will.” Grace entered the office and flipped on the light.

“Ms. Yates?” Nina said.

Grace turned back to Nina. “Yes?”

“I hope this office will be yours permanently one day soon. It was a pleasure working with you. If you decide to join us here at Artifex I’d be glad to help you in the hunt for your own admin. I look forward to it.” Nina’s welcoming expression was heart felt and greatly appreciated.
 

“Thank you, Nina. It won’t be long before I’ll be crossing that bridge.”
 

Nina left her and Grace started looking for her tablet charger. It wasn’t plugged in near the sideboard where she’d left it. Maybe the cleaning crew moved it. Grace hoped to find the charger in the desk. She didn’t want to waste time searching for a replacement. She moved to the desk and set her purse down. She opened every drawer before she found it tucked in the bottom drawer.

Grace’s purse slid off the end of the desk and its contents scattered on the floor. She got to her feet and was busily stuffing her things back in the oversized bag. The air in the room stirred and she had the sudden feeling that she wasn’t alone. When a large pair of hands grabbed her hips and pulled her ass back against a very stiff and familiar erection, Grace chuckled softly and wriggled her hips. Jack’s hands slid down her thighs to the hem of her dress and slowly drew it upward.

“Do you think tormenting me is funny, Ms. Yates?”
 

She smiled to herself and waited for him to realize she hadn’t bothered with panties. When she’d dressed for the day she decided to put as few barriers as possible between herself and the pleasure she knew Jack could give her. She’d need to store it up for the long weeks they’d be apart. Jack let out a loud groan and his hips jerked against her backside. She chuckled again. He noticed.

“Grace. Fuck.” He held her steady with one hand while the other slid around to cup her naked sex.
 

Grace stood slowly and pressed her back against Jack’s solid chest. Jack’s long fingers slid easily over her heated flesh to separate her folds. He instantly narrowed in on the spot that made her do some moaning of her own.
 

“Did you lock the door?” she asked him in a naughty purr. Jack nodded. One hand moved to her breast, the other steadily strumming her clit. “Good.” She turned in his arms and backed Jack toward her chair. She pushed him gently and Jack sat for her. “Do you remember the last time we were in an office together?”

He groaned and adjusted his cock in his pants. “Yes. You rode me in a chair.” His hands changed direction and began to unfasten his belt. Grace bent and gripped the arms of the chair. She licked a path from his neck to his ear. He shivered and slid down his zipper.

“Do you know what I’ve never done before, Jack?” she delicately nibbled his earlobe.

“What’s that, baby?” Jack’s boxers had buttons down the front that allowed him to free his cock without pushing down his pants. It seemed as though she wasn’t the only one who’d thought about easy access this morning. She watched him pull out his erection and give it a long slow stroke.

“I’ve never let anyone watch me masturbate. It’s kind of a fantasy for me.”
 

“Fuck, Grace.” He stroked his cock again, faster this time. “Are you going to show me how you like to touch yourself, baby? Make yourself come while I watch. Then I’ll fuck that wet little pussy right here on your desk.”

Grace was the one shivering now. She was so hot and needy already. The idea of Jack watching her pleasure herself was so erotic. It wouldn’t take her long to find release. She pulled away from Jack and turned so her forearms rested on the surface of the gleaming wood desk. She knew he would expect her to hop up on the desk and spread her legs for him. That wasn’t what she had in mind. Bent over the desk she spread her feet farther apart and presented Jack with her ass. The height of her heel and arch of her back gave Jack an unimpeded view of her hidden treasures.
 

“Oh damn. Baby, I need to fuck you right now.” Jack grabbed her hips and stood to rub his rigid cock against her glistening folds. He twisted his hips, teasing her with the promise of penetration. It felt so damn good Grace almost forgot to protest.

“You don’t want to give me my fantasy?” she pouted.
 

Jack groaned and slid the head of his erection over her sensitive clit. Grace faltered in her plan to tease him. She wanted to torture him and make herself come while he watched. It was a fantasy that turned her on, but she’d never been comfortable enough with a man to do it.
 

He growled and settled back down. He rolled the chair forward until his knees were between her spread legs. He had a front row seat. Jack was going to watch really closely.

Grace took a deep breath and slid her hand down her belly and between her legs. She couldn’t see what she was doing and she couldn’t see Jack. This first time that was probably a good thing. Her cheeks warmed and she suddenly felt timid, but she pushed through it.
 

Grace slowly slid two fingers through her damp folds and into her pussy to gather moisture before easing them out. Her middle finger circled the aching bud of nerves sending a shot of pleasure through Grace. She moved slowly at first, trying to drag out the pleasure. The sounds Jack made as he stroked himself drove her need higher. She added her index finger and circled her clit with more pressure.

Knowing Jack was watching and touching himself while he enjoyed the show was an added layer of pleasure. She was getting close to exploding. Her juices coated her fingers. Grace moved her finger up to plunge into her entrance. This blocked Jack's view for a moment, but the need to come was building fast. Penetration was an aching need in her belly. Grace forgot for a moment that she had an audience and reached for the orgasm lingering so closely. She pressed the heel of her palm against her pulsing bud while applying the penetration she needed to bring herself to orgasm. It hit hard and fast. Grace felt her inner muscles tighten around her fingers and she struggled to contain her shout of release. She shook and leaned heavily on the desk.

 
“That was so beautiful. You smell so fucking good. I want to taste you before I take you, baby.”

Jack’s voice brought her back to Earth. His panting breaths blew over her damp flesh a moment before his tongue searched out to join her fingers. She jerked and froze for a moment, totally caught up in the feel of his hot tongue making circuits from her clit to her entrance and back.
 

“Mmmm . . . So good,” he said against her flesh. Grace moved her hand and Jack sucked her clit into his mouth.
 

“Oh fuck. I’m so sensitive,” she panted.
 

Jack didn’t tease. He zeroed in and vigorously massaged her clit with his tongue. Grace gripped the edge of the desk. She was going to come again. She couldn’t hold back the loud moans he was pulling from her. Just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore Jack thrust his thick fingers into her pussy and pressed down, rubbing that perfect spot inside with just enough pressure. She bit her fist and nearly sobbed through the intense climax.

Grace was a puddle on the desk when Jack stood from the chair and positioned himself behind her. His legs bracketed hers. Jack had her hips in a tight hold and he curved his body over her possessively. His cock was poised at her entrance.

“I’m on the edge, Grace,” he rumbled against her ear. “This is going to be hard and fast. The sight of you touching yourself like that drove me insane. The smell of you . . . fuck, the taste of you is making me crazy. I can’t hold back, baby.”
 

He had her pinned to the desk when he pushed inside, filling her in one long stroke. Jack held her steady and he let go. She moaned at the fullness. With every inward thrust and outward stroke his cock was dragged along overly sensitive nerves. Jack was chasing his own release and reawakening her desire. He leaned back and brought both hands up to cup her breasts and gently pinched her nipples. Grace couldn’t breathe. She was going to explode and this time she might never come back down. The change of position and twisting of Jack’s hips hit a spot that made her shout his name. He pounded at that perfect spot and Grace was gone. She came. It was so intense she may have passed out for a moment. Jack continued thrusting behind her until his booming cry of release joined hers as it echoed through the building. He lifted her away from the desk and cradled her against his chest in the chair. She breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of Jack’s spicy aftershave and essence of sex in the air. Screw her sterling reputation. At the moment nothing mattered except Jack.

****

Grace spent three glorious days in Jack’s bed. When they weren’t making love they talked and snuggled and she began to feel like she really knew him again. They showered together, cooked together, and spent time looking over Jack’s plans for the house. She didn’t think the house needed work, but Jack was looking for a fresh start and Grace could understand that need. She was searching for the same thing. They talked about their families, work, and they even briefly discussed having children. Jack didn’t push that subject. He was probably afraid to scare her away. She hadn’t even agreed to marry him yet.