Her New Boss: A Rouge Erotic Romance (24 page)

‘You feel so good.’ His words sounded gruff, even to his ears. He didn’t think, just acted. ‘Tell me you want this. Beg me to fuck you.’

Zoe grabbed his shoulders, kneading her fingers hard into the muscle. Her hips rocked, meeting his thrusting hand. ‘Yes.’

‘Say it. I want to hear you say you want me. I want you to beg me to make you come.’ He bit lightly at her neck. ‘Talk dirty to me.’

‘Yes,’ she breathed, pushing harder along his hand so that she rubbed her clit on his palm. ‘I want you to fuck me. Take me. Make me come. Give me your big hard cock.’

Her words nearly made him come there and then. Still he resisted pulling down his pants. Her hand slid down his arm, reaching to cup his dick and balls. He groaned, his breathing harsh.

‘Oh, yeah,’ she moaned, a truly feminine sound that curled his toes. ‘That’s it. I want you to …’ She hesitated, as if trying to think what to say next. ‘I want you to do whatever you like with me. However you like. I’ll do anything for you.’

‘Mm, that’s good.’ He moved his cock against her massaging hand. ‘You like me taking control, don’t you?’

‘Yes.’

‘First, you’re going to come on my hand.’ He finger-fucked her harder. ‘Next, you’re going to undress me and tie me up on the bed with my silk ties. I want you to suck my dick so I can watch.’

Zoe came hard against his hand. Jackson crushed his mouth to hers, silencing her would-be cry of pleasure. He
pulled
back, taking his shirt off and throwing it aside. Despite what he’d said he couldn’t wait for her to undress him, so he made quick work of his clothes himself. She kicked off her shoes before stumbling toward his closet. He grinned, knowing she was going to obey him.

Zoe fingered the rack of ties, from satins to silks, all stylish, all expensive. Pulling a couple of red ones out, she held them in her hand. Unsure of her choice, she carried them to his room. Jackson was already naked and on his bed, limbs spread out in evidence of his over-eagerness to play. The combination of wine and desire made a light fog fall over her senses.

‘Are these all right?’ She held up the red ties. Jackson nodded. She crossed over to him, binding one wrist and then the other. Since she didn’t know how to tie the right knots, she merely made pretty bows out of the ties. When Jackson looked at what she’d done, he smiled. The handsome look nearly took her breath away.

His body sprawled out over the bed, his thick muscles strained like some beautifully carved statue. She didn’t tie his legs and his heels dug lightly into the mattress. Zoe watched his eyes, losing sight of his gaze only as she pulled her dress over her head. With her bra and panties on, she crawled onto the bed and straddled his thighs.

Zoe wet her lips and ran her hands along his hips before taking the towering length of his cock in her hand. Guiding the tip to her mouth, she took him between her lips like he’d asked her to, sucking gently, rolling her tongue along him, tasting him. His soft gasps of pleasure filled her head.

‘Stop,’ he ordered. ‘I can’t hold out much longer. I want you to ride me. Condom’s by my hip.’

Zoe debated whether or not she’d continue. His knees
bent
, squeezing along her sides as if he could force her up. Finally, she let up, but only because she needed to feel him within her. She ripped open the condom, fumbling to get it on. Hurrying to rid herself of her panties before crawling on top of him, she brushed her pussy along his cockhead. Dark, beautiful eyes met hers as she slowly lowered her body onto his. The leisurely movement as she rode him made her sex quiver and tighten. She rubbed her clit, sending small jolts of pleasure throughout her body.

Jackson jerked, his mouth opening and his eyes closing tight. Every muscle in his body seemed to tense. Zoe’s release followed his. She fell forward, her hands digging into his chest.

Afterward, she curled along his side, running her hand over his stomach. ‘I should get to sleep. I would hate to mess up your brother’s wedding.’

His head pulled back so he could study her. ‘I’m sorry you have to cater tomorrow.’

‘It’s fine. I’m glad to assist.’ She giggled, realising she still had him tied. Reaching for a wrist, she tugged on the bow, easily freeing his arm. ‘You can’t help it that the caterer got sick.’

‘Actually, I fired him.’ Jackson moved to untie his other wrist before pulling her into his arms. He kissed her briefly, before confessing, ‘I wanted to ask you to my brother’s wedding tomorrow, but when you insulted Madelyn I ordered you to work it instead.’

Zoe wasn’t sure how she felt about what he’d said.

‘Are you mad?’ he asked.

‘You were going to ask me on a date? To your brother’s wedding?’ A slow smile curved her lips. She was disappointed that she wouldn’t be going in that capacity, but
knowing
he had been going to ask was almost as good. ‘Really?’

‘Would you have said yes?’

Zoe nodded. ‘I guess it’s my fault as much as yours. I did say some mean things to you, things I didn’t intend.’

‘I thought you were going to be a lot madder at me. I even have a peace-offering gift for you.’ Jackson smiled.

Zoe pushed up. ‘You do? What is it?’

His grin widened. ‘Well, I don’t need it now. You’re not upset with me.’

‘Ah!’ She hit his chest. ‘What did you get me?’

‘I’ll give it to you after our next fight.’ He pretended to go to sleep, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

Zoe hit him just a little bit harder before reaching over to pinch his nipple. His body jerked in surprise at the act and he looked at her again. Forcing a frown she didn’t feel, she said, ‘You’re about to get a fight if you don’t tell me.’

‘Since you put it like that.’ Jackson untangled his arms from her and rolled off the bed. He went to his dresser, and opened the top drawer. Taking out one of the large white-and-blue envelopes used by the United States post office, he handed it to her. ‘For you.’

Although aware that she was naked, she didn’t bother to hide herself. Jackson pulled back the covers before once more joining her. The envelope was addressed to him from
Chef d’oeuvre
magazine. ‘What is it?’

‘Just look.’

Zoe chuckled. ‘You are giving me your magazine subscription?’ she asked, only to teasingly add, ‘Smooth present.’

The envelope was already open and she tipped it on its side, letting the magazine slide out. She was about to make a joke about his pretend present when the glossy cover stopped her. It bore a picture of her in her chef uniform.
Her
heartbeat quickened. Along the edge, the title ‘Culinary diamond in the rough’ was printed in large red letters.

‘Is this a joke?’ Her hands trembled as she lifted it up, holding it gently like delicate porcelain.

‘No. One of the women from California who ate at the restaurant works at the magazine as a critic. She contacted me for information about you.’

‘Where did they get this picture?’ She touched the image of her hair. It was longer than she wore it now. The photo had been taken about three years earlier. Beatrice had read an article about women who worked and had been inspired to have all her girls’ portraits done. Kat had taken it one afternoon at their parents’ house.

‘I’m not sure, but I know they interviewed some of your family.’

‘Why didn’t they talk to me?’ Zoe asked, finally opening it up to the table of contents before flipping to the feature article written by Josine Gray. Smaller pictures of her cooking at the diner decorated the long article. The angle of them came from outside the pick-up window, from the direction the reporter had been sitting in.

‘It’s not that kind of piece. I offered to get them in contact with you, but they said they wanted to tell the story from outsiders’ perspectives. Josine thought it would add to the mystery of your situation.’

‘My situation?’ Zoe eagerly read the opening paragraph.

In the gentle south of Dabery, South Carolina, a culinary gem lies hidden within the secret tree-lined folds of this small town. Chef Zoe Matthews, relatively unheard-of in prestigious cooking circles, is a star on the rise. There is no doubt for this reporter that she will soon be a household phenomenon, as common as sliced bread
.

‘Omigod.’ Zoe looked up at him, torn between fainting and screaming. She opted instead for breathless wonder. ‘How did this happen?’

‘You made it happen. I don’t know what you made for her, but Josine loves you. She even pushed to have you on the cover.’ Jackson brushed a length of her hair off her cheek. ‘This hit news-stands today and I’ve been getting messages for you all afternoon.’

Zoe continued reading. Josine had spoken to her family, all of them except Ella. Megan talked about her original recipes and the journal she still had. Kat raved about her homemade ranch dressing. Sasha commented that it was about time her talented sister got her big break. Beatrice spoke of Zoe’s first apron and how she’d been a cook since before she could talk, making everyone meals in her pretend plastic kitchen at the age of two. Her father talked of a feast of burnt cookies and ground-filled coffee from when she was six.

After her past, the article spoke of her present and future. Seeing Jackson’s name, she glanced up. He watched her, his eyes shaded as if waiting. Swallowing nervously, she turned her eyes back to the page. It spoke of him discovering her in a bar where he’d had a meeting, leaving out her rudeness and his come-on lines. According to Josine, she’d impressed Jackson with her skills and he’d hired her that same night, bringing her to his secret restaurant in the South where she could perfect her recipes before moving on to bigger things. It was only by chance that Josine had discovered this hidden talent, thereby gaining the knowledge to out her to the culinary world.

‘That’s not how it happened,’ she said. ‘I was mean to you.’

‘Would you rather I told her I drunkenly came on to you
and
was shot down, only to try and punish you by bringing you to this small town to teach you a lesson?’

Her expression fell. ‘You brought me here to punish me?’

‘I was drunk and it seemed like a good idea. But now I know it was more than that. I needed an excuse to get to know you, to get you down here.’

She sighed. ‘I should probably care, but I don’t. Whatever the reason, I’m glad you did.’

‘Finish reading.’ He didn’t smile, but neither did he frown as he moved his gaze to the article, urging her to do the same.

Zoe turned her attention to the page once more. Reading aloud, she said, ‘Mr Levy, who is known for his impeccable taste when it comes to all things culinary, says, “Zoe Matthews is a lady whose poise is only outdone by her great talent. She is a culinary force to be reckoned with and one I see a great future for. Any of my restaurants would be lucky to have her.”’

Tears clouded her eyes at his comment. To have had him say that, publicly, made her tremble.

‘You’re upset.’ The matter-of-fact tone made her look at him.

‘I think I love you,’ she said, not knowing what had prompted the honest revelation.

The admission shocked him and he gave a nervous laugh. ‘Then you like it?’

‘It’s the single nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me.’

‘I didn’t do it. You did.’ He sat up, his hand brushing hers where it pressed down on the mattress to hold her weight. ‘Josine wants to fly you to California for a follow-up piece. I told her I’d ask you.’

‘But you never even let me cook for you. Each time it was ruined.’ She studied each and every one of his movements, trying to read his thoughts. It was impossible. Her own words echoed in the back of her mind.

I think I love you. I think I love you
…

He didn’t answer the admission.

‘I ordered take-out. I figured it was the only way I’d keep my hands off you long enough to try. I particularly enjoyed your take on the beef dumplings and the lasagne.’

‘You’re my standing mysterious daily take-out order?’

‘What did you use on that garlic bread?’

‘It’s a secret.’

His eyes widened in challenge. ‘I have ways of making you talk.’

He leant toward her naked thigh, but she stopped him. ‘That’s a way of making me scream and your family is here.’

‘Let them hear us.’

She managed to get his face away from her leg. ‘It wouldn’t be right. Tomorrow’s the wedding.’

‘Fine,’ he said grumpily. ‘I’ll get the lights.’

Jackson turned the lights off as Zoe set the article aside and got under the covers. Bathed in complete darkness, she felt the bed shift with his weight. Soon, his hands were on her waist, pulling her back tight against his chest.

‘I’m glad you’re here,’ he said, nuzzling his face into her hair so he could kiss the outer ridge of her ear.

‘Me, too.’ She closed her eyes, not knowing how she’d sleep with Jackson so sweet and so near. Thoughts of the article zoomed through her head and she had never felt so close to her dream. The giddy excitement pumped in her veins.

‘Hey, Zoe?’

‘Yeah?’

‘What is your secret to that garlic bread?’

She giggled, snuggling into him as she closed her eyes. ‘Ask me again later when your family isn’t in the next room.’

Zoe barely saw Jackson save for glimpses through the crowd during the long day. Her only break came halfway through the wedding, when all her prep work for the dinner was finished. She caught the end of the wedding. Madelyn’s white gown seemed like something from a Victorian dream, with thick bell-like skirts and a train that reached back as far as the first two rows of chairs. Six bridesmaids and a maid of honor were decked in pale-pink gowns. The satin Renaissance-style halter gowns had a sash of black at the waist. The women were escorted by groomsmen with matching pink vests over their black shirts, ties and three-button tuxedos. The elegant cut bespoke the richness of taste, from the satin lapels to the longer length of the jacket. Jackson was particularly handsome as the best man, drawing her eyes from the back.

Afterward, drinks and appetizers were served to well over five hundred guests and Zoe was once more stuck in the kitchen. It looked like Jefferson had invited most of the town. Though tired from her sleepless night, she managed the staff with relative ease. They were trained and didn’t need much instruction to do their jobs. The only difficulty was one waiter who kept eating half the shrimp puffs off his tray before they even made it out the kitchen door.