Simple Arrangement (6 page)

“What are you planning to make?”

“Rosemary lemon chicken with rice and carrots. Dessert will be a surprise. I’ll get started as soon as you tell me where to find pots and pans.”

“Pots under the counter, baking as well as cooking, then any utensils you need on either side of the stove.” Iona made a humming sound. “What you are making sounds good.”

“Hopefully it tastes good.” Jackson glanced at her. “Go and continue the work you were doing.”

“Sounds like I am being told to get out of the kitchen.” Iona smiled. “Do you swear and mutter like Chandler when your cooking is aggravating you?”

“Nope.” Jackson pointed a finger. “Now go and let me cook.”

“Ahhh… So you’re one of those who doesn’t like others to watch them cook.”

“Yes.” Jackson grunted then said, “Why are you still here?” He smiled to show he was teasing.

“I’m going.” Iona stood and turned to leave.

“Iona—”

She paused and looked at him.

“I was looking forward to seeing how the knee socks looked against your skin.” Jackson glanced down her body then met her gaze. “But now I’m wondering what you have on under your housedress.”

Iona drew in a breath then ran her hands down the tie-dyed, short-sleeved sundress from her shoulder to almost the hem, where it rested just above her knee. She gripped the cloth then started to slowly lift it while looking at him. Jackson took a step toward her.

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” Iona pivoted then sauntered out of the room.

“Such a tease.”

“You know it, buddy,” Iona called, laughing.

Jackson’s laughter followed her as she left. Iona went back into the living room and sat again on the floor at the center table. She stretched before she got back to work. Iona rubbed her eyes then blinked as tiredness filled her. She yawned then leaned back against the couch.
I’ll rest just a second then get back to it.
She put her arm over her eyes and relaxed.

Iona woke, not sure how long she’d been asleep. She frowned as she felt the softness against her back. Touching by her side, she realized that she was lying on the couch.

“I took you off the floor.” Jackson spoke from the direction of her feet. “You didn’t look very comfortable as you were. You didn’t wake when I put you on the couch.”

She lifted her head and saw him standing at the arm of the chair, by her feet. “I didn’t know I was so tired. I’m usually a lighter sleeper. And I sure wouldn’t have slept through your moving me.”

“Dinner is ready. I have it ready to warm if you need some more time to work.” Jackson came around the couch and sat on the center table beside her open laptop.

“I might be doing some more work.” Iona sat up, moving so that her legs were on either side of his. She placed her hand on his upper thigh. “But it will be toward pleasure.”

She leaned nearer, eyes locked with his. Jackson moved forward to meet her and she closed her eyes as their lips met.

Chapter Three

Iona shook at the first brush of his lips on hers. The kiss was soft but ripped through her with such force that if she hadn’t been sitting, she would have been on her ass in shock. Jackson cupped her face in his callused palms, pressing his mouth on hers and moving his tongue along the seam, searching for entrance. She opened, granting him access and scooting closer. She slid off the couch and he caught her, pulling her into his body. He cradled her against him as he stroked his tongue inside her mouth seeking all she was. Iona stiffened, trying to build a wall against him, but in the next moment she gave in, surrendering to his keeping. Jackson moaned deep in his throat, making the sound vibrate in her mouth as he continued to kiss her. Iona gripped his shoulder, digging then relaxing her fingers. Jackson slowly released her from his kiss.

“
Bed
.
Now
.” His voice was deeper than usual and his face harsh with need.

Iona pulled out of his arms before standing on shaky legs and holding out her hand. She noticed the slight tremor in her hand as she waited for him. Jackson rose, sliding his fingers along her palms and she shivered at the sensuality of his touch. Soon she would have it all over and she couldn’t wait for it. She walked across the living room then into the hall, bringing him along with her. They went up in silence to the staircase then up, turning left to go to her bedroom. Inside she didn’t notice the oasis she had created for herself. All her focus was on the bed. They stopped beside the bed and she went to turn but Jackson stilled her movement.

He stood behind her and lifted her hair off her neck. She quivered in anticipation of his touch. Jackson pressed a kiss along the nape of her neck then followed with by a gentle bite. After, he licked the area. Iona moaned then lifted her hand to the side of his head, holding him as he continued repeating the caress. He placed his large hand over her stomach and pulled her back into his frame. Iona rocked her ass against his erection, whimpering at the bulge she felt through their clothing. She needed skin, so turned on she couldn’t even think straight.

“Naked. I need to feel you. Get naked now,” she demanded.

“Impatient woman,” Jackson spoke on the pulse of her neck.

“Yes.” She turned but he stopped her, holding her firmly by her hair and his hand on her belly. “I—”

Jackson scrunching up her dress stalled her words. As the cool air filtered on her skin, Iona made a pleased whimper in the depths of her throat.

“The sounds you make are so good,” Jackson whispered again against her neck.

He pulled the dress up then stepped back briefly to remove it and replaced his hand on her stomach. Iona shook at the touch on her bare skin just over her panty line.

“I thought you would be naked under your dress. But this is so much better. I get to remove your panties.” Jackson put a finger under the waistband then slid along it, pressing on her as he did.

“Stop teasing me.” Iona gripped his head, digging her nails in.

“But you react so wonderfully to teasing.” Jackson’s decadent chuckle at her neck made her shake.

“Jackson.”

“That warning tone makes me hard. But since I am already so hard, it should make it impossible for me to get harder, yet it does.” Jackson groaned.

Iona moved along him, feeling him pushing more against her ass. Jackson, in one glide downward, moved between her pussy lips with his fingers. He pushed deeper into her and jerked her firmer into him.

“
Jackson
.” She lifted on her toes, moaning as she rocked into his touch.

He moved with fast, deep motions as he fingered her. Iona put her hand on his wrist then slid her fingers down to join his. She lowered to her feet then widened her legs to give him more access. Iona met his strokes as he filled her, pushing into her. Jackson rubbed his thumb over her clit and she shuddered.

“Yes. Right there. Harder, now.” Iona pressed his touch into her, grinding into his caress.

“You are so sexy when you try to order me around,” Jackson teased.

“There is no time for teasing me.” Iona continued to move her hands along with his under her panties.

“This is a perfect time for it,” Jackson retorted then said softly, “You lose control so well, Iona.”

She stiffened, realizing that what he was saying was true. She never lost control like this. Not even during sex.
Why am I doing it with him?
Jackson plucked at her clit, scattering all her thoughts. She lost herself in the passion he was building within her. He pushed his fingers into her and she clenched on them, rocking into the caress.

“
Jackson
. Take me.”

“I wanted to drive you out of your mind. But screw it. Next time.” He took out his hand from under her underwear then pushed them off before he stepped back.

Iona turned and she took over undressing him. She yanked off his T-shirt before going to work on his jeans. In moments, she had them off along with his briefs. When she’d bared him to her sight, she licked her lips as she saw his length and girth. Jackson lifted her full-figured body into his arms. She wrapped her legs around him and kissed him urgently. He returned her fevered kiss with one of his own as he took a step to the bed. Jackson laid her down and immediately followed, covering her with his body. She opened her legs giving him space between them.

“Fuck.” Jackson paused. “Protection.”

“Nightstand drawer.” Iona pointed.

Jackson retrieved the unopened box then looked at her, a question plain on his face although he didn’t ask.

“I got them when I decided to ask you,” Iona reluctantly added. “I was hoping you would agree.”

“I already knew my answer from the time you asked.” He ripped the package open. “But my process, even if I’ve decided something, is to mull things over before moving forward or not.”

“We spoke earlier today.” Iona frowned. “From how you said it, it seems like you usually take more time than a few hours to make a decision on things. Why did you decide so fast about us?”

He took out a condom, opened the packet and slid on the protection on his shaft before he looked at her. “It was you.” He settled once again between her spread thighs. “I couldn’t stop thinking of you and that look on your face.”

Iona frowned. “What look?”

“That first time you asked, with that controlled expression you used to ask me for this arrangement.” Jackson held her leg then plunged forward, filling her in one thrust. “I wondered what it would take for you to lose control.” He set a hard, quick pace. “To make you unravel and give yourself into my keeping.” Jackson moved quicker and he breathed out. “I never expected that you would shatter my control too.”

Iona’s air caught as she watched his face etched with desire. Jackson thrust into her, filling her and making her crave more. She clenched her inner walls around him, hissing at the wonderful friction of the glide of him within her. She grabbed his shoulders, holding him while he pleasured her. Iona moaned and shook as he took her higher and higher toward release. Each of her senses were sharpened and focused on the man above her. With each movement he set her body on fire. In one moment she wished for it to end and in the next for it to never stop.

“Jackson… Pleas…e… I need.” She panted as the pleasure became so much she feared it would rip her apart.

“Iona.” Jackson growled. “Mine.”

“Yours,” she instinctively replied, pausing only a moment before she grabbed his hair and yanked him down to her. “Mine.”

She kept her gaze locked on his, not asking but telling him.

“Yours,” Jackson agreed, a smile curling his lips.

She wrapped her legs around him, moving with him. His sweat dropped on her and she pushed back his slickened hair, jerking him close to her. She kissed him and Jackson opened, groaning into her mouth. Iona tightened around his cock, which filled her, as the heat in her belly contracted then released as she came. She quaked as pleasure flowed out of her. Jackson continued to thrust into her, prolonging her pleasure.

Jackson stared at Iona as she became undone by her release. He plunged into her, moving with her as she continued to come. Each grip of her pussy drove him on as he strove toward his own pleasure. His heart pounded in time with his thrusts.

“Iona,” Jackson grunted, with each forward movement. He groaned when she tightened on him.

She kissed the side of his face then licked his skin before pressing her lips to the side of his mouth.

“Come for me, Jackson,” she urged.

He continued to stroke with urgency then suddenly his sac tightened and he shuddered while he came. The force of his release made him weak and he collapsed against her. Iona held him, whispering words he didn’t really comprehend. He inhaled then exhaled, trying to calm his racing heart. Finally, he understood what she was saying.

“I’ve got you, Jackson.” Iona kissed the side of his face. “I have you and won’t let anything happen to you.”

Jackson lifted his head and stared at her. “That’s good to know.”

Iona licked her lips. “Can I just say…damn, that was good. Almost knocked my curls out.”

“We can keep working on it. An alternate way to straightening your hair. You could throw out your hair dryer and curling irons.” Jackson laughed.

“It’s going to take a lot of work.” Iona gave him a sassy grin and cocked an eyebrow. “Are you up for it?”

Jackson immediately hardened and returned her look. “Definitely.”

She laughed and he kissed her, swallowing the sound. Iona hugged him to her and they rolled on the bed.

* * * *

Jackson absently tugged on the edge of the sleeve of his tux. He fiddled with his cufflinks before he caught himself. Shaking his head, he glanced back at the room of people at the event. He searched the crowd and, spotting Iona, the now familiar need filled him. This was the third such event he’d attended with her in the last few weeks. She’d come to one for him. Over seven weeks they had been together, and he still couldn’t get enough of her. They had explored each other in so many ways sexually as well as getting close by just being with each other.

Across the room, Iona and Bradley—one of her business partners—were talking with a man she was trying to make sure knew that Edge Design Group was interested in designing his possible new office building. Nothing had been actually said as to whether it was going to happen, but Iona wanted to make sure the man knew that they were the firm for him.

“When she is in ‘Get that client to pick us’ mode, she is something to see,” a man said by his side.

“That she is, Tarak.” Jackson smiled at his friend. “What are you doing here? I thought you were out of town.”

“I was, but I made it back in time to help my business partners. I’m escorting one of the partners.” Tarak gestured to the woman Jackson hadn’t noticed standing by his side. “I don’t think you’ve met Clarissa Kincaid.”

“I did briefly, at Shannon’s wedding. You’re related to Carmen,” Jackson said.

“Yes.” Clarissa smiled.

Jackson had also met the rest of her sisters who resided in McKingley but knew she had other sisters who lived elsewhere. Like Carmen and Clarissa, they all had honey-toned skin, mysterious, heavily lashed amber eyes, with flecks of green, as well as similar features, showing that they were related.