Hell (11 page)

Was she sick?

Problems with the company?

I wanted to be the one she looked at and came to.

“I’m fine, Yoshi…more than fine,” she spoke a few seconds later with a warm smile on her face. “We have a previous engagement to get to and need to leave before we’re late.”

“Promise?”

“I swear.” For some reason I didn’t believe her.

Thursday 2p.m….

I’m a simple man in many ways.

Appreciate the simple things in life and beautiful women. One in particular more than any other.

Janelle Walker was the epitome of everything I found sexy—desirable in a woman. Dressed up, or as she was now: simple yet oh so tempting.

There was something to be said about a beautiful woman wearing understated clothing: a concert tee, which I found sexy. Especially on a woman who was so much smaller than I was, yet had bigger balls than her entire crew.

Curvaceous in a way that reminded me of a Vargas girl; she was poised and glamourous without even trying.

Her vintage T-shirt of choice today was an old Ramones shirt; tiny, black, and tight beyond all measure. Molded onto her skin as if it were painted on, her breasts stretched the fabric. The delicate lace of her bra becoming visible through the thin cotton.

She paired it with a loose pair of cargo shorts and work boots on her tiny feet.

So sexy.

“I’m not paying you to gawk at me,” Janelle sassed as she grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her. Warm, slim fingers entwined with mine; everyone saw this, and I smiled. It didn’t bother me one bit. It had the opposite effect. “We have a lot of shit to get done today, Yoshi. I need my guy on point.”

Her guy. I liked it.

“It’s stated in my contract that I can in fact appreciate your beauty as often as I like.” At my words, she blushed a bit and ducked her head. Cute.

“You are incorrigible.” She giggled.

“Your point?”

Releasing my hand, Janelle turned around and eyed me shrewdly. “If you behave and we finish the bar tops today, I’ll gift you a kiss.”

Scratching my jaw, I pretended to think. “Anywhere?”

“Anywhere,” she breathed, and my cock stirred.

“That’s a dangerous offer, sweetheart.” And it was. I’d be damned if I’d lose the opportunity to have those lips close to my cock.

“Is it a deal?”

“Deal.”

“Good. Now get to work.” With a wave of her hand she dismissed me, but just as I turned to head over to my work area, she smacked me. Right on my left ass cheek, and it stung. Felt good.

This was becoming the norm for her.

“Move it.”

“Payback is a bitch, Janelle. Keep that in mind.”

“I’m counting on it.”

Today we would be finishing the restaurant renovations; custom bar tops for three of the higher-end bars and eateries on the upper-level floors. One in particular would be her pet project. Seeing as the stadium was mostly built for the city’s basketball team, one of the grills close to the sky boxes was dedicated to them and as such, had memorabilia adorned throughout.

Janelle had been excited from day one about this specific project.

She had designed a custom-made bar top with nothing but the team’s theme throughout; buttons, players numbers, their cards, and in the center, the entire team’s picture. It would be protected under a thick layer of resin. Durable and with easy upkeep; all within would be protected, and when the idea was presented to Mr. Thurston, he couldn’t have been more pleased.

Moreover, there was the added bonus of watching her work. Close, and just a few feet away from me in those godforsaken cargo shorts bent over while she placed everything to her liking.

She was meticulous, garnering attention from everyone within the room. They were more than obvious, showing admiration for her. Coveted her smiles and jokes. My girl didn’t give a fuck about their attention, just mine.

Often looking my way and rolling her eyes with their sad attempts.

“Looks amazing,
boss,
” Chuck, our newest installer, commented, much to her dismay.

She shot him a reproachful look. “You’re new so I’ll let this fourth interruption slide, but Chuck, I don’t pay you to kiss my ass.”

“That wasn’t…I—”

“While I do enjoy the flattery, it’s unwanted, and quite frankly you’re delaying my day.”

“Ouch, Janelle. Don’t be so mean,” Stephan interjected, and it was the wrong move. Could I have stopped him from calling undue attention to himself? Yes, but after the water fiasco, he had it coming.

“Mind your own business, Stephan.” You could tell by the small smile on his face that he had a crush in her. Maybe he thought that any attention was good. Idiot. “I don’t care how badly you need this job,” she spit out, clenching her small fist around a spatula. “One more fuck-up like the broken pipe, and you’re done. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” he answered meekly.

The room exploded in laughter. Men who worked construction were not known for their finesse or tact; we lost it and he left the room, embarrassed.

Turning to look at my girl, I raised a brow and appraised her. “Why so cruel, sweetheart?”

“I didn’t peg you for the give-a-shit kind of man. Since when do you defend idiots? Or did you already forget the disaster that caused every single one of us to work well into the midnight hour the other night?” Her perfectly arched brow mocked me; she knew how pissed I’d been to be knee-deep in water and dirt after his monumental mistake.

“I’m not. Actually give less than a flying fuck.”

“But…” She waved her hand around in a circular motion.

“It’s fucked up to rip into him like that in a room full of overgrown assholes that will do nothing but ride his ass now.”

“And your point is?” she asked, exasperated.

“Aren’t we extra bitchy this afternoon? I love it.” A cute giggle escaped her; she tried to control it, but before long she was bent at the waist, full on laughing. I joined her, causing the other occupants in the room to chuckle under their breaths while they walked out of the room.

Break time.

Twenty minutes. Enough time to at the very least kiss those perfectly swollen lips.

“We’re alone, Janelle.”

“Should I be afraid?” There was amusement in her tone at this. It excited me to see her so at ease and open around me. Warmed my heart and told me that despite whatever was going on with her, we would be okay.

I lusted after this woman on a daily basis, but the fact that I also loved her had never been more apparent. We’d become a bit distant over the last few days. Mixed signals coming from her; one minute I could see the same emotions I felt reflected back at me, and others, she was blank.

Worried.

Secretive.

I didn’t like the distance between us.

My need to have her as mine, in every sense of the word, was killing me. Scorched my veins. Forcing me to cherish those few moments in between, when in our power play she looked at me as more than just the man she hired to run her sites.

I needed her and wanted her to need me.

“Do you want to give me a hand for the rest of the afternoon?” Her eyes were mischievous, held amusement. “Would be fun.”

“Fun?” I smirked while taking a few steps closer. “What do you have in mind?”

“Some rearranging,” she crooned, “light touching, and that kiss I promised if you behave.”

Scratching my chin, I mused over my options. “That kiss does tempt me.”

“Good.” Her small hand reached out and pulled my face down toward hers for a quick nip to my lips. “Now get to work.”

Shaking my head with amusement, I turned around and began to help her rearrange the memorabilia she’d had set up. Fourth time, and she still wasn’t happy with the result. Picky little thing.

“For Christ’s sake, Yoshi, be gentle. Slow…fuck, yes…just like that.” My hands gripped the edge of the bar with all my might, knuckles white and straining. Palms sweating, my fingers itched to reach out and grab her. Breathing harshly, I tried hard to clear my head.

Flashes of her bent over this very fucking bar with my cock buried deep within her pulsating walls.

“Are you okay, Yoshi?” There it was; that breathy tone she used whenever we were alone. “You seem a bit flustered.”

Motherfucking Satan in disguise.

“Janelle, sweetheart, you know I respect you and your title as my boss, right?”

“Do you, now?” Her eyebrow rose in challenge, and I waved her off.

“But if you say the words: fuck, slowly…just like that one more time…” I trailed off, my hard eyes set on her wide ones “…I will lose the last bit of self-control I have left and take you.”

“And if I want you to lose it?”

“Your call, sweetheart.”

“Really?”

“Don’t tempt me, woman.”

Janelle winked at me before leaning back against the edge of bar we’d been working on. “In that case…fuck. Yes. Harder. Never slower, baby.”

I attacked.

Arms wound tightly around her narrow waist, enclosing and drawing her closer to me. Refusing to let even the tiniest of space between her body and mine. My lips descended upon her bee-stung ones with vigor, swallowing every tiny whimper that escaped her, every moan she released after I nibbled on them.

My tongue sensually massaged hers, invading every inch of her mouth and praising every goddamned deity in the universe as her flavor embedded itself into my every pore.

No flavor would ever entice me as hers did. Janelle was my perfection.

“Oh shit, Joshua,” she cried out against my lips. “Fuck, you taste so good.”

“Want you.” My grunt was animalistic, loud in the silence of the room. I was harder than steel, my hips pushing against hers, searching for the tiniest bit of relief from the increasing pressure my cock had put against the fabric of my jeans.

“Please,” she whimpered, her tiny fingers clutching my shirt in a vise grip.

“I never want to taste another’s lips, Janelle. No one could ever measure up to you, sweetheart.” Her body melted, sagged against mine. My lips descended down her neck, lavished her with open-mouthed kisses over that little spot behind her ear that made her shiver. “Want to spend hours devouring every fucking inch of your skin. Run my tongue over those perky nipples,
nipples
that tempt my resolve on a daily basis.”

“Oh God,” Janelle moaned low, hips pushing up to meet mine.

I smirked against the soft skin of her neck before embedding my teeth over the same spot I’d just kissed. The need to mark her, fucking brand her as my own, nearly bowed me over.

“Slowly, I’d follow the path down between those two perfect breasts. Kissing, nipping…biting on the soft mounds until you screamed.”

“Joshua, I—” Running a finger down the same path I described, I watched her as she surrendered to my touch. Circling her puckered nipples, once, twice, before flicking the tip harshly—she bucked against me.

“Continue on the same path until I reached your belly button, run my nose across your flat stomach, and lick the skin around it. Watch you squirm while I continue to taste you.”

“Goddammit, touch me!”

Ignoring her outburst, I continued. “Open those luscious thighs and bury my tongue deep inside you…let the wetness that seeps out of you bathe me. You’re all I dream about, sweetheart.”

“Joshua,” she mewled, her back arching as a ripple of pleasure ran through her body.

Not willing to miss the opportunity presented to me, I leaned down and bit her nipple through the thin fabric of her shirt, the pebbled flesh so hard and tender at the same time.

I wanted more.

“Let me fuck you with my tongue,” I begged around the hardened tip. “Please.”

“Fuck, yes.”

“What the hell?” a voice boomed from across the room by the door.

Fuck my life and fuck you, Kevin.

Friday morning…

Mother of fuck, this woman was out to kill me today.

If there was ever one thing that could drive men to salivate over a woman, it was confidence. Add to that confidence a pair of tiny denim shorts, an extra small company T-shirt, and you had a deadly combination. On her feet she wore the pair of work boots I adored on her, with a pair of white tube socks with black striping around their edges.

Then we had Janelle; the woman was all of the above with the added bonus of a power tool in her hand. A drill from what I could tell: old and scuffed from overuse. In her other hand she held a white rag, the same kind I always carried in my back pocket.

She wiped her brow, and then rolled her eyes at something the man next to her said.

My eyes wandered lower, past the threadbare shirt and to her slim waist where a tool belt hung from those hips, every hole filled with some kind of tool or whatnot. A screwdriver with an all-red handle gleamed in the bright sunlight.

“So that’s where it went,” I muttered low while shaking my head. Figured. The woman had sticky fingers. Fucking maddening how even her bad habits pulled me in.

The shorts, if they could be called that, were tiny, miniscule, and almost indecent. Barely covering the tips of her tight, round, and oh-so-bitable ass. So much skin on display, and it both angered and turned me on.

That fucking body was mine.

When she turned, a glimpse of red caught my eyes against the white of her top.

“Are you kidding me?” A pair of suspenders hung off her delicate shoulders and framed out the almost see-through shirt. I was dead. Surrendered.

Two pig tails and a hard hat on her head finished the sexy ensemble, completely ruining me. How the fuck was I expected to function? Pure fucking torture for my poor neglected cock.

A cock she still owed a kiss to.

The county inspector was here on site, watching for any sort of violation of the city codes. Looking for potential fire hazards on the finished electrical that had to be redone last week.

The inspector, Julio, or asshat as I called him, showed up earlier than expected with a cup of coffee for him and one for my girl. Something Janelle didn’t appreciate.

Immediately shutting down his offering and calling him out for trying to snag a date in exchange of a passing certification.

“Ms. Walker,” he cooed, and my girl glared, “come out with me tonight. Small dinner downtown…some time to get to know each other. We both know you want me.”

“Get the fuck out of my work site.”

“Don’t be so hostile, babe. Let me take you out.”

Janelle’s eyes grew large, the hazel orbs flashing with anger and indignation. “Did you just proposition me?”

“Look at it more as an incentive.” The asshat nodded, and that was his third mistake of the day. Before I could jump in and knock his ass out, my girl drew her fist back and decked him square in the mouth. Blood spewed from the newly acquired split, making the room erupt in snickers.

“Listen here, you pretentious prick,” she said, barely containing her ire. “I don’t know how the hell you conduct business, but here, we don’t hold titles to find fuck buddies.”

“Watch it,” he began, eyes narrowed and holding a rag up to his lip. “I can shut this shit project down with a snap of my fingers. Add assault to that too…I’ll ruin this company.”

“Get the fuck away from her.” I’d taken a step forward, arm semi-cocked back when Mario placed a hand on my chest and pushed me back. I glared at him, but he shook his head and stood firm before turning to face the inspector.

“I’d be very careful if I were you,” Mario spoke low, calm. “I have you on video both threatening and harassing Ms. Walker. Fucked would be the best way to describe your current position, asswipe.”

The man turned red right before turning ghostly white—it finally dawned on him the position he know found himself in.

“Now this is what you’re going to do,” Janelle interjected, a broad smile on her face as she high-fived Mario. “You are going to check everything and make sure it’s up to code. No cheating or bullshit from you. We know our jobs and won’t hesitate to call you out on a wrong inspection.”

“I would never,” Julio began, but Mario, who had grown on me and deserved my respect, interjected.

“Yes, you would fuck us over, and my father will be looking into this personally.”

Julio sneered at my girl before turning to answer Mario. “Why would your father matter to me? Or my job?”

“Because he’s the city commissioner.” It was my turn to gape at him.
No shit.

“Commissioner Martinez is your father?”

“Yes.”

Janelle was laughing under her breath at Julio’s sudden ash face. I, on the other hand, was struck dumb. Why was this kid working here?

“I didn’t mean…”

“Yes, you did,” Janelle sneered at him. “Now get the fuck on with the inspection and quit wasting our time.”

“You people are full of shit. I don’t believe you. Why would the commissioner’s kid—”

“Well, Julio,” Mario spat out, “my father was friends with the late Mr. Walker and as such, his family. When I was a few years younger, I got into some trouble and he set me up with a job here. A job I take very seriously.”

“Mario, don’t.” Janelle tried to interject while squeezing his arm.

“It’s cool, boss lady.” He smiled at her before turning to look at the inspector once more. Gone was the soft look he’d given my girl— now there was only a show of disdain on his features. “My
father
,”
he emphasized
,
“wanted me to learn the true value of a dollar. Get some real work experience under my belt and after talking with their father, sent me here. Best decision he’s made. They’ve taught me a lot, but more than anything how to conduct myself and be respectful toward others.”

“Nice speech, but—”

I was done. Three short steps and I had the fucker slammed up against the nearest wall. His head banged against the unfinished drywall, producing a hole; he choked out a scream.

“Shut the fuck up,” I snarled, my elbow pressed down over his neck. “Not another derogatory word, asshole, or you’ll be walking out of here with a broken limb or two.”

“Baby, stop!” Janelle cried out, and the room went quiet. All eyes snapped toward her after the outburst. “Please don’t…he’ll just use it against you.”

Ignoring her, I leaned in closer and spoke low. “Do me a favor, dick head…don’t fuck with her again. Outcome won’t be pretty. Next time, not even her begging will save you.” Taking a step back, I threw my arm back a bit and punched him in the stomach, knocking the air out of him. Julio doubled over, wheezing while glaring at me from below. “Problem?”

“No,” he coughed and after three failed attempts pulled himself off the ground and walked off.

Once he was out of sight, Janelle turned her fiery eyes on me. “Are you out of your fucking mind?” she yelled, lip trembling. “He could have you arrested…what if…shit!”

“It’ll be fine.” Reaching out for her, I pulled her in, knocking the hard hat to the ground and kissed the top of her head. “Trust me.”

“I need a minute,” she sniffed and extricated herself from my arms, heading down to her office. I watched in silence until she was inside the elevator shaft, not once taking my eyes off her tense form.

“You okay, JT?” Mario asked.

“Yeah, I’m good.” After running my hand down my face, I turned to face him. “Just a bit worried about her.”

“Boss lady is fine…trust.”

“Thanks for what you did, kid,” I praised him; he’d earned more than my respect at this point.

His smile was goofy; if he was surprised by my praise, he never mentioned it. “Thanks, man, but none needed. She’s our boss…friend. That bastard had no right to use his lowly title to fuck others over.”

Smart kid.

“Well, what you showed back there was true character and loyalty. I’m glad to have you on my crew, Mario.”

“Thanks, bro.”

“Now get back to work. There’s some rubble from yesterday’s demo in the locker rooms that needs to be cleared out as soon as possible.”

“Oh, come on,” he whined, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to hold in the laugh that threatened to escape. “Can’t the hero catch a break today?”

“No. Not really.”

“Thought as much, Yoshi.” My glare didn’t deter his laughter in the least. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, boss.” Fucker was a smartass, but he’d definitely earned my respect today.

The rest of the day, my personal hell in boots had become a nervous, skittish kitty around me. Small covert glances thrown my way to see if I was watching, but when our eyes would meet, she would turn away from me. Pretending as if she’d never been caught watching me with longing in her eyes.

I saw her, though.

Noticed the way she became detached after our last interaction. How she called me “baby” in front of everyone else with a scared look on her face. Why the fear? I saw the way she’d withdrawn into herself after our last interaction.

That day I had her alone upstairs—her tight little body bending to my will.

It was a thing of beauty to watch. To experience.

The feel of her in my arms kept playing in my head on constant loop. Just days ago she had been mine.

I loved that fucking woman.

Janelle stared at me when she believed no one was looking. Those stunning hazel eyes burned through me: the desire, want, and animalistic hunger between us pulsed. Beat in tune with the cadence of my heart whenever she was near.

She was cautious now around me, fighting the all-consuming compulsion that pushed us together. And her refusal burned like acid.

Funny. How did one pull with one hand and push with the other?

It’d become her specialty.

What are you hiding?