“Definitely ready.”
He popped up to remove the offending oysters and put them back in the fridge.
For the second course, he scooped the piping hot pasta into the small bowl. “Second course, my lady.”
“Thank you.”
He poured a glass of wine, an Australian chardonnay, to go with the pasta.
She devoured everything in her bowl. He loved that she ate. In his experience, most women were salad eaters, or they didn’t eat at all.
When the pasta bowls were cleared, he placed a small piece of steak and chicken on her plate. The asparagus was next, then one of the braised pears. “Eat up.”
She smiled and moved her stool closer to the bar. He poured a second glass of wine to go with the steak and chicken—a cabernet sauvignon from California.
The sounds she made when enjoying food were the same sounds she made during sex. His pants grew tighter with every soft sigh; he was already on edge. He could only hope that his overt attempt at seduction worked, because the musical moans that came with her every bite didn’t help to tamp down his desire.
By the end of the main course Jack’s libido was on overdrive. He shook himself out of his lustful haze and walked over to the freezer to grab a container of sorbet. “This will cleanse your palate for dessert.”
“There’s dessert?”
“Of course there is. It’s my favorite part.” He wiggled his eyebrows. He desperately wanted to serve himself up on a platter for dessert. But he went the traditional route. “I must admit,” he said, “I cheated a little. One of the desserts I stole from Cole.”
She giggled. “It’s the thought that counts.”
He gestured to the sorbet in front of her. “Go on and take a spoonful.” While Sterling tried the sorbet, he cleared the platter and dirty dishes, leaving them in the sink to clean up later.
“Oh, is that chocolate mousse?” she asked while he removed a glass bowl from the fridge. “Yum.”
“It is.” Chocolate was, after all, an aphrodisiac. “And we also have—” he reached back into the fridge and pulled out the dessert he’d stolen from Cole “—this.”
“Hmmm…what is that?”
“
Dulce de leche
. If it sucks you can blame Cole.”
She laughed. “I doubt it will suck. Your brothers are just as good as you…if not better?” Sterling gave him a playful grin.
“You mean
almost
as good as me.” He leaned across the counter. “I have moves my brothers couldn’t even imagine. In
and
out of the kitchen.”
She stuffed another spoonful of sorbet into her beautiful mouth, smiling around the utensil, but not before he saw her shiver.
Her very smile made his insides quiver. When Sterling was happy, he was happy. Add to that her moans and groans, the swipe of her tongue against her lips tasting his food—it was all too much to take. It was like watching her experience food for the first time. And he didn’t want to stop there. He had the opportunity to be her first in many areas, not just in the culinary arena.
He placed a bowl of mousse on the counter and settled into his seat beside her.
She scooped a huge dollop out of the bowl and let out a mewl of pleasure when the spoon touched her lips. He could only imagine how her tongue swirled and swayed inside her mouth around that utensil. Just as it would if it was him between her plump lips. Luckily, she was a messy eater. “You have some chocolate on your lip.”
“Oh…”
Before she wiped away the small dot, Jack grabbed her hand. “Allow me.”
He rubbed his thumb along the side of her lip and removed the chocolate. Her body quivered under his touch. Instead of retreating, he took it one step further and leaned in, licking along her bottom lip. He heard the clatter of the spoon on the counter, then her hand grabbed at his thigh.
Green light.
He pressed his lips against hers, gently, enjoying the sound of her tiny whimpers. Her fingers flexed on his thigh and her free hand threaded through the hair at the nape of his neck.
“Wait,” she whispered. “We didn’t finish dessert.”
“I’m having my dessert right now.” He gripped her biceps and stood over her, pushing her against the edge of the bar. “Besides, I like to play with my food.”
They locked eyes for a moment. Sterling gave him a slight nod, granting him permission, letting him know she wanted this, too. Victory.
Jack grabbed the hem of her tank top and yanked it over her head. She lifted her arms and it came off in one fluid motion, dropping behind her. She wore the same white lace bra she’d worn earlier that week. But it didn’t last long on her body. He unclasped it and let it slide down her arms.
When she leaned back, gripping the edge of the bar for balance, he cupped her round breasts. Bending forward, he took one rigid peak into his mouth and suckled before moving back up to her mouth. He nipped her bottom lip, then proceeded down the opposite side of her body to the next pebble, lavishing it with attention. Just when he intended to move to her other breast her finger blocked the way, a thick dollop of chocolate mousse on the tip.
He intended to lick the chocolate off her finger, but Sterling quickly pulled away. When he looked up, he was greeted with a shy grin offset by a wicked gleam in her eyes.
After his second attempt to capture her finger she brought it to her mouth. Her tongue darted out and licked the tip, then her plump lips captured her finger. She whimpered—or maybe it was his own whimper…he couldn’t tell over the rush of heat that raced through his body. He knew all too well what she could do with those lips. But he could play games, too.
Reaching for the bowl of mousse, he scooped a dollop with his finger, then circled it around her rosy nipples.
“I like where you’re going with this,” she murmured, and licked the remaining chocolate from her finger.
He sucked one nipple coated in chocolate, swirling his tongue around the peak. With his hands splayed across her back, he drew her tighter against his mouth.
“Jack?” Sterling moaned, a low groan that came from somewhere deep. Her hands fisted in his hair and he knew she was holding back, keeping herself from pushing his head down to the place she needed it the most.
He looked up as he switched to the other nipple and caught her eyes rolling back just as they shut tight. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips parted. It had been so long since he’d seen a woman let go from pleasure. But this woman still had a ways to go.
“Do you like what I can do with my tongue, Sterling?” He lowered, bringing himself eye level with the heaven he knew waited for him. Not stopping for her answer, he put his hands to work and undid the top button on her pants. Her stomach jumped with every slow release of the teeth of her zipper.
He slid her pants down, taking with them her sensible cotton thong, revealing creamy, soft thighs he couldn’t wait to feel gripping the sides of his face. When her pants hit the floor, he straightened, letting his body glide against hers while he pulled his own shirt over his head. He loved the feel, the heat, of her nakedness against him.
He pushed aside the dessert plates—one fell over the edge into the sink with a clatter. She jumped when he grabbed her bottom and lifted, placing her on the cool granite. Making a circle with his finger, he motioned for her to spread across the length of the breakfast bar.
Her body and face gave away her nervousness; she shook with every slight movement and refused to make eye contact.
Jack moved to the end of the counter and grabbed her feet. Her toenails were a perfect pink, her skin as soft as satin. He snaked his hands up her calves to her knees, where he spread her legs open, revealing her tender flesh.
She leaned back, resting her hands palm-down behind her on the counter. Her breasts jutted out, tiny smears of chocolate still covering her skin.
He moved up, his thumbs sliding across the inside of her thighs, but he bypassed her center. Taking her hips, he dragged her forward until her bottom rested just at the edge of the counter. His tongue licked at her breasts, then he captured her lips.
Something took over when Sterling was around. Something animalistic. Primal.
“Jack?” Her voice shook, just like her body. “I can’t lose this job.”
He tensed. Putting her in this position wasn’t being the better man.
Letting out as much sexual frustration as he could, he exhaled deeply. He may want her in the most physical way possible, but not if she wasn’t one hundred percent on board.
“You’re beautiful.” Jack nipped at her lips, slow, lazy kisses. “And I want you. So very badly.” He cupped her face. “But you have to know that this is completely separate from the job I’ve hired you to do.”
A soft smile appeared on her face. “Are you giving me permission to sleep with the boss?”
“You have my full permission.” He slipped his hand between her legs. He wasn’t surprised when he found her hot and slick. “Mmm…just the way I like you. Ready.”
“Jack?” She bit her bottom lip. Desire burned in her eyes but her face expressed her hesitancy.
He leaned in, whispering in her ear, “You’re always ready for me, Sterling.” Placing openmouthed kisses along her jaw, he moved toward her neck, locating the spot just below her ear, and bit down.
Her head fell back, exposing the long line of her neck.
“Our arrangement is about having fun. Doing things that excite you.”
His fingers moved inside her folds, rubbing her tender flesh. When his other hand rubbed at her clit, she shuddered.
“Does this excite you, Sterling?”
“Yes.” A long, low moan escaped from her throat. “God, yes.”
She stumbled back, her hands skidding against the granite, but she let herself fall away, opening her legs wider and raising her hands above her head, luxuriating in his touch.
“Beautiful,” he whispered against the soft skin of her stomach.
Jack reached into his back pocket and pulled out the condom he had planted for this exact purpose. She whimpered when he pulled his hands away to put it on. But never ceasing to amaze him, Sterling picked up where he left off, and brought her hand between her legs.
“Hurry, Jack. I need you.”
He unzipped his pants and fumbled with the wrapper, but regrouped quickly. When he was sheathed, he positioned himself at her center.
She stroked his cock a few times before placing the tip at her opening to guide him inside, slowly, ever so gently, until he was buried to the hilt.
Never in his life had he thought he’d find something that brought him as much pleasure as cooking, but here it was. Here
she
was.
He moved inside her, picking up speed with every stroke. His hands latched on to her hips as he thrust. Sterling’s hands found her nipples, tugging at the stiff peaks.
“Faster,” she pleaded. “Harder.”
Jack was always one to give a lady what she wanted.
He moved his hips faster, the sound of flesh slapping flesh echoing in the kitchen. Sweaty skin squeaked against granite, and his knees banged into the counter. But he didn’t stop.
He couldn’t stop.
Sterling let her hand glide down her body and she reached for him. He grabbed her arms and pulled her up, fusing their bodies together as he pumped into her over and over. When their lips collided, he found his heaven.
Maybe expanding Chicago wasn’t where he belonged. Maybe he belonged with Sterling. It felt right. And she was worth sticking around for.
“There is so much I want to show you, Sterling.”
Her fingers curled around his nape and when he pumped harder, her nails dug into his skin. “I don’t need anything from you, Jack.” She moaned. “Just you. Like this.”
Something tightened inside him at her words. He didn’t have to pretend with Sterling. He never had to be “on.” He was just Jack. He was good—just as he was—because she wanted nothing. But for the very first time, he wanted to give a woman everything.
The countdown to his release had begun. “So close.”
“It’s all right.” Her hands moved from his neck to his cheeks. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Before she had even finished her sentence, the waves of release had rippled inside him. He tensed, his cock pulsing in a mind-blowing orgasm that triggered hers, her muscles tightening and clenching around him while she shuddered in his arms.
When their sweat-soaked bodies had recovered, Jack took Sterling’s face into his hands and gazed into her satisfied eyes.
Having Sterling one more time didn’t mean their deal was back on, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to survive the next three weeks without her in his bed.
He was just going to have to do everything in his power to convince her that this was a damn good idea.
Chapter Nine
The week had gone by in a blur and Sterling’s new favorite day had finally arrived. Saturday. Madewood Day.
Although things had escalated last week to a level she hadn’t intended, it was the best sex of her life. Jack Vaughn was impossible to resist and he didn’t have to do much coaxing to get into her panties again.
After they did it on the counter, they continued to feast. There wasn’t much food left by the time midnight rolled around. That’s when they took the party to Jack’s bed, where he pleasured her two more times before the sun came up.
Waking up next to him in the morning had been her favorite part, and before he left for work he had brought her breakfast in bed. But then he was gone, leaving Sterling alone to contemplate the gravity of her actions.
What would happen now that she’d slept with her employer? Again. She was making things much more complicated than they should be. This job was about money. Money she needed to secure her future. And she hated to admit it, but her heart might also be at stake. If she wasn’t careful, Jack was going to conquer that, too, just as he had her libido. This situation was so screwed up.
So then why did “screwed up” feel like the most awesome thing in the world?
Sterling was working in the closet when a booming voice from the main floor made her jump.
“Jack!”
She tensed at the sound of the strange man’s voice as it grew louder, closer.
“Jack?”
She poked her head out of the closet, a nervous tremble in her stomach, but she sighed in relief when she recognized the man. “He’s not here.”
“Shit.” Cole grabbed at his chest. When he saw her there, he smiled. But he still looked concerned, shaken. “Sterling. You scared me.”
He stood in the doorway, his thick frame taking up most of the space. His eyes were intense, sad. He brushed his hand through his hair.
“It’s a little weird to see the house empty.” He gestured out into the hall, where all of the picture frames were now missing from the wall.
“Everything’s still here. Just packed away.” She ached for him
.
She could only imagine what it would be like to lose a parent. She didn’t even want to think about losing her own. But these boys, these men, had not only lost their real parents, but had now lost the one woman in their life who gave a damn.
She held out her hand. “Come with me.”
Cole hesitated but took her hand and followed her out of the room.
She led him into the spare bedroom where she had piled the framed pictures on the bed alongside three banker’s boxes of loose photos. Admittedly, she was a little nosy and did look through them for a minute…or thirty.
“The photos are all here.” She motioned to the bed. “I’m going to organize everything properly. Eventually.”
Cole approached the bed and studied the tabs, a weak smile curving at the side of his mouth.
“Nothing is being thrown away,” she reassured him. “Unless one of you tells me to.”
He flipped through the pictures in the top box while he spoke. “Jack told us he was doing this, but to be honest, I didn’t believe it.”
Her heart hurt for Jack. Despite achieving his own success, he was still questioned at every turn. “Jack’s been working really hard.”
Cole nodded.
Seeing the soft side of Cole, she could see why Penn would be attracted to him.
“Thanks, Sterling, for doing this. We’re all just…” He blew out a harsh breath. “Busy.”
She knew it wasn’t time that kept them from completing this job. The pain was still so fresh. So devastating.
Cole sat on the edge of the bed and moved the photos around. “He’s going to leave again and I’m afraid that without Mom here, he’ll have no reason to come back.”
Jack loved his brothers. She didn’t believe that for a minute.
“But maybe…” Cole gave her a curious look. “That might change.”
Did he think
she
was going to keep him here? Oh, he had it all wrong. Not only did Jack make it very clear he was leaving, but she had no intention of getting wrapped up in a man for a very long time.
You’re already wrapped up.
“Hey, brother.” Jack sauntered inside the bedroom just in time to save her. But the concerned look on his face made her forget her own trouble. “So you’ve seen what we’re doing with the house?”
Cole nodded.
“And you’re cool with it?” he asked.
“It has to be done.” He shrugged. “I was just surprised. This is a good thing.”
Jack didn’t acknowledge Cole’s praise. Instead he looked in her direction. “Sterling, you’ve made great progress.” He slid his gaze over her body. Like the touch of his hands, she felt his eyes on her, intense and scorching.
“At this rate I’ll be out of your hair in no time.” Making light of things was the only way she could keep her reality in check.
And sometimes being too efficient was a bad thing. She needed to slow down. She had to admit to herself that she didn’t want to be out of this house, out of Jack’s life, so quickly. This job would probably come back to bite her in the ass. But she was too intrigued with his proposition of helping her have fun to care.
“I guess I should get out of your hair, too,” Cole said as he backed away.
“What did you want, anyway?” Jack asked.
Cole’s face lit up. “I came to raid the garden.”
“Take whatever you need.” Jack approached the bed and paged through the pictures. “There are bags in the kitchen pantry.”
“Thanks. See you soon, Sterling.” Cole smiled and walked out with a small wave.
“What are you doing with all these photos?” he asked.
“Oh, I was going to sort them all and then figured I could purchase some photo boxes so they can be preserved.”
So many memories. So many good times. These pictures were irreplaceable. Plus, she had a surprise in mind for each of them.
“I wasn’t expecting you back so early,” she commented. “I don’t see any bags.” Sterling peeked into the hall to confirm.
“Not today.” He smiled, a mysterious grin that foretold of his intentions. Did he have something up his sleeve? “You did as I asked? You brought a change of clothes?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He pointed his thumb in the direction of the doorway. “We’re leaving in forty-five minutes.”
“But…” She had too much work to do. “I’m not done.”
He smiled. “I think your boss would be all right with you taking off early.”
Sterling’s stomach jumped excitedly. “Where are we going?”
He crossed his arms. “That’s a surprise.”
She moaned. “I hate surprises. Of course,
you
like them.”
“I like surprising
you
.”
Her heart raced. This man was full of the unexpected, and not just when it came to making plans.
“Double-check that you have everything you need. We’re on a schedule.” He sauntered out, whistling as he headed toward his bedroom.
With every minute they spent together, their relationship threatened to move away from the word “casual.” But maybe she was okay with that. She wanted to experience new things. She wanted to have some fun. This was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up. Now she just needed to make sure she kept her heart out of the equation, because what could a man who has everything want with a woman who couldn’t even afford to buy underwear? And who, for all intents and purposes, paid for two households? Not to mention the fact that in two weeks he’d be gone and she’d still be stuck in the same place, never able to make a start on her own.
Sterling raced around finishing a few last-minute things. When she rummaged through her bag to make sure she was prepared she found items that didn’t belong to her. She peeked inside and gasped. None of the items she had packed were in the bag, and on the very top was a note from Penn.
You’re the worst packer in the world.
It’s time to get your sexy on. Have fun!
P
She must have switched it before she left the night before. Instead of Sterling’s three-quarter-length skirt and black scoop-neck shirt was a slinky black halter dress. Instead of her sensible cotton bra and panties was something black, lacy, and like nothing she would ever wear. At least the tags were still on. The garments mocked her. What the hell was Sterling going to do with sexy lingerie? And her passport? What the hell did she need with a passport?
“Damn it, Penn!”
But there was nothing she could do about it now. She would just have to do everything in her power not to have a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of their date. That stupid dress Penn had forced her to wear on the boat was traumatizing enough. She would not have a repeat of that night.
Zipping up the bag, Sterling checked her appearance in the mirror one last time. Excitement tickled her stomach. She had a feeling that tonight was going to be one of the best nights of her life.
…
When they arrived at the airport, her stomach twisted. When they boarded a shuttle, her stomach danced. When she stepped onto the tarmac where a small jet waited, she could barely breathe.
“Jack? What are we doing here?”
“You and I have a date.” He winked as he directed her toward the plane. “Got your passport?”
Sterling nodded. “A date is dinner and a movie. Not boarding a plane.” This was…above and beyond the idea of having fun.
“Do you get the impression I do things according to the norm?”
“If I did before, I definitely don’t now.” She scurried behind him, the sun beating down on them from above. The air-conditioned plane lured her inside.
The interior was subtle, beige and cream and unassuming. To the left, behind a locked door, was the cockpit. Directly in front of them was the attendant area, and to the right was the passenger area. A bench seat lined the right side of the plane and there were two rows of two seats to the left.
He motioned for her to sit on the bench and he settled himself down next to her.
The attendant, a tall, lean man, approached with a tray of champagne. “The pilot has advised that everything is ready and we should be taking off in the next five minutes.”
Jack nodded and grabbed two glasses from the tray, handing one to Sterling. This was all too much. There was no need to impress her. That’s not what their relationship was about. No, not a relationship. An arrangement. Impressing her with his money was not why she agreed to the short-term fun.
“You look nervous.” Jack grinned, then took a sip of his champagne. “Are you afraid to fly? Maybe I should have asked first, but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I’m not afraid to fly. Just…overwhelmed.” That was an understatement. “This is not just a regular date.”
He set down his champagne, turned toward her, and grabbed her hand. “I wanted to do something for you that you’d never forget. Something that will force you to come out of your shell.”
“Mr. Vaughn?” The deep voice over the intercom addressed her date. “We’re set for takeoff. Our estimated time of arrival in Miami is fourteen hundred hours.”
“Miami?” Sterling cried. “What on earth are we going to do in Miami?”
He took another sip of champagne and smiled. “We’re going to dance.”
“But I—” Looking down at her outfit, she sighed. Maybe she should have changed before they left. She definitely wasn’t sexy enough for Miami.
“You look beautiful.” Jack leaned forward, resting his hand on her knee. As usual, he knew exactly what she was thinking and knew just what to say to put her at ease. “You’re the most gorgeous woman in the room.”
“I’m the only woman in the room.” She gave him a sly stare. “You have to stop saying things like that, especially when—”
His hand slid up her thigh and rested between her legs. Her stomach fluttered and she fell back against the seat.
“Relax, Sterling. Just enjoy.”
A Jeep waited for them on the tarmac when they landed in Florida. They drove down the interstate, the wind whipping around them. She definitely wasn’t the polished woman whose hair blew back elegantly. Oh no, her tresses flew every which way.
The air filled her lungs, the fresh scent of salt and sea invigorating. Water surrounded them on both sides of the highway, the water crystal clear and still.
“We’re going to have to make a quick stop and pick up some supplies,” Jack said, his voice straining over the sound of the wind.
“What kind of supplies?” She hooked a piece of hair that stuck to her mouth and secured it behind her ear.
“A bathing suit, for one.”
“So we’re going to the beach?”
He nodded. Soft sand. Warm water. She sighed. This trip just got even better.
They parked at a roadside gift shop. Signage advertised beer and cigarettes, souvenirs and gifts. Fluorescent noodles sat in a large bin by the door, turtle and shark blow-ups hung from the warped awning. T-shirts and bathing suits blew lightly in the breeze from their position on clothing racks next to the entrance.
He parked and jumped out of the Jeep. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get you naked.”
“I’ll be wearing a bathing suit, Jack.” She shook her head. The man always had sex on the brain.
“We’ll see about that.” He winked, grabbed her hand, and guided her into the shop.
What did that mean? He just said they needed to buy bathing suits. Nervousness churned inside her stomach. He had something else up his sleeve. Despite her growing unease, she couldn’t help but be excited about whatever else he might have in store for her.
“First things first.” He guided her to the back of the store. “Pick one.” He gestured to the wall and the few racks that displayed all types of bathing suits.
Sterling sifted through the racks. Actually, there was only one type of bathing suit. They consisted of mostly string. Thong bottoms and triangles cut out for the bra. The racks of tiny pieces of fabric could barely be considered utilitarian for swimming purposes.
“Um, Jack. Do you think we could go to another store?” She held out the hanger with the so-called bathing suit, giving it a once-over. “I don’t think they have my size here.”