Her New Boss: A Rouge Erotic Romance (17 page)

‘Nice, Marta,’ Zoe drawled sarcastically. The woman had evidently gone through the package. On opening it she found a letter from her sister on the inside. It lay flat on the top, free of creases and envelopes. Eagerly, Zoe read it. ‘Dear sis, these should get your boss’s temperature rising. Don’t be a good girl and you just might snag you a rich man like me. Kat.’

Zoe held her breath and read it again. If Marta had opened her box and read Kat’s note, she wouldn’t know her sister was joking. The soft folds called to her and Zoe climbed on top of the giant bed. She let her body sink into the feather comforter, only then realizing how exhausted
she
felt. Closing her eyes, she let the tension drain from her limbs. She didn’t want to think and worry any more. What the future held would come regardless.

Jackson stood at the end of Zoe’s bed, watching her sleep. She’d kicked off the jeans and they were now a crumpled pile on the floor at the foot of the bed. The T-shirt covered her down to her upper thighs and, since she rested on top of the covers, the long lines of her bare legs spread out over the gold comforter. Warm sunlight streamed in through the window, past the brightness of midday but not yet heavy with shadow. A box and a suitcase sat on the edge. He’d sent Rachel to town for Zoe’s clothes before taking his meetings. His web conferences were finally over, having lasted two and a half hours past the time he’d allotted. It was well after six o’clock and the housekeepers had left for the day. On Sunday they had the day off and he’d have Zoe all to himself.

He set the tray of food he carried down on the floor and crawled onto the bed with her. Lying on his side along her back he lifted his hand, hovering it over her body without touching her as he traced his fingers over the gentle swell of her hip. Jackson inched closer to her, part of him willing her to wake up and turn to him, while another part of him willed her to sleep so he could have this moment next to her. It struck him how lonely his life could be. He had his family, business associates and friends. Anytime he wanted a party, there was one. Anytime he wanted company, he’d find some. But what about the times in between?

What about the times when he’d had a hard day like today? He had nothing in particular to complain about, but it was just tough and long all around. What about the nights? When he didn’t want sex? Who would hold him
then?
Who would whisper secrets, laugh with him, spontaneously dance around the house? Who would bring him soup when he got sick? Who needed him in a way that had nothing to do with money or power?

As she slept, it was easy to imagine she could be that woman. But his mind, always logical, refused to buy into the fantasy. He knew what Zoe wanted. She’d made it clear enough. Before she’d found out who he was, he hadn’t got one kind word from her. She was with him because of who he was and what he could do for her. Jackson lowered his hand, touching her smooth outer thigh. He might as well get something out of this, too. Pleasure.

Zoe wiggled her hips, moaning softly. Jackson scooted closer to her, spooning his body to hers. His arousal met the soft cleft of her ass.

Reaching for his waist, he unbuckled his belt and unfastened his pants. With one hand supporting his head, he pulled up her T-shirt and pressed against her once more. His silk boxers caused him to slide against her as he rocked his hips.

Zoe inhaled a deep breath, her sudden movement attesting to her alertness. Jackson slid his hand up to the soft folds of her pussy. The warm lips parted to his gentle probing and he easily discovered the hard bud of her clit buried in the velvet hold. Intimately massaging her, he felt moisture pooling around his fingers. Her butt held his cock tight against it, moving along with his circling hips.

She arched against him, her voice heavy with sleep as she whispered his name. ‘Jackson.’

He increased the pressure of his exploring hand, letting a finger dip inside her. The walls of her pussy enclosed him, contracting lightly. Jackson pressed his face to her hair, smelling his shampoo in the locks. Licking the back
ridge
of her ear, he continued to fuck her with his hand, becoming more aggressive the more she responded. Zoe reached around, grabbing his ass to hold him along her back. The soft pants and weak cries washed over him in bittersweet torment. He wanted her so badly, wanted to pull her into his chest and never let go.

Her ass rocked harder and he let the pleasure of it overtake him, not holding back as the tension of release built inside his cock. His tender balls ached and he found himself bucking hard against her. Zoe came against his hand, jerking violently. It was enough to send him over the edge and he came inside his silk boxers.

Zoe let go of his hips, turning to face him. His boxers stuck to his cock, glued to his flesh. She placed her hand over her mouth, clearly blocking her breath. His fingers slipped from inside her, still wet with her cream.

‘You’re done with your meetings. How did they go?’ Her lashes dipped lazily over her eyes as if she were still only half awake.

‘Fine,’ he answered, brushing a strand of her hair back from her forehead. ‘Are you hungry? I brought up food.’

‘Mmm,’ she moaned, smiling. ‘I thought I smelt something.’

Jackson rolled off the bed. Leaning to pick up the tray, he said, ‘I didn’t have much to work with in the refrigerator. Rachel and Rita normally only leave me enough to snack on while they’re not here.’

‘You cooked for me?’ She honestly looked surprised.

‘I might not be a world-renowned chef, but I have picked up a few things over the years.’ He set the tray next to her and grinned. ‘A very gourmet roast beef sandwich on wholegrain gourmet sliced bread. Gourmet chips fresh from the grocery store bag.’

Zoe laughed. ‘Gourmet tea straight from the pitcher?’

‘No, I milked a tea cow for that.’ He grabbed a potato chip and popped it into his mouth. ‘It’s a lot more difficult than you think.’

‘You know –’ Zoe picked up a chip ‘– I’ve heard that.’

Jackson laughed, trying to ignore his sticky boxers as he buttoned his pants. ‘I’m going to go change out of my work clothes.’ As he walked to the door, he added, ‘There are some days I really want to hurt the person who invented webcams. Before that, I could wear whatever I wanted for phone conferences and the client never knew the difference. I even stopped wearing my cowboy hats around the same time everyone went to webcams because everyone expected me to be some kind of eccentric cowboy when they finally met me in person. I got tired of being taken to strip joints and being offered cigars.’

‘Thank you for the sandwich,’ she called after him as he left the room.

Jackson went straight for his shower, his steps lighter than they’d been before.

Despite the fact that it was later in the day and she had nowhere to go, Zoe wanted to look pretty. So she shed the oversized T-shirt and slipped on one of the dresses her sister had sent to her. The cobalt-blue wrap was simple, comfortable, and definitely more feminine than baggy denim jeans. White piping along the hems gave it just enough accent to make it stylish, as it fell to her knees. The deep V of the neckline worked well with the new bra-and-panties set her sister had sent with it. Kat had even included shoes, cute little blue pumps with open toes and a low heel.

She stepped out of the room and began walking down
the
hall. As if by some divine timing, Jackson’s door opened. He wore a pair of fleece exercise pants with a dark-red strip down the sides and a black, tightly fitted V-neck muscle tank.

‘Wow,’ Jackson said, taking a couple of steps toward her before stopping. ‘Hold on, I’ll change.’

‘Wait, no.’ She lifted a hand to stop him, though she was too far away to make contact. The tight shirt looked really good on him and she saw no reason for him to change. ‘It’s fine.’

His gaze called to her and she willingly answered. They walked toward each other, their eyes dipping unashamedly over the other’s body as they met at the top of the stairs. Zoe stared at his body, from his strong, naked feet to his damp hair. She wanted him, always wanted him, but it was more than just a physical attraction. She wanted to know him, to connect to him, to understand him. But she was afraid of what taking that route would mean for her career and their relationship. Jackson hadn’t so much as hinted at anything serious with her and who was she to start that kind of conversation? To do so might make her lose what she did have with him. Besides, if she said she wanted more, how could she do so without making him think she was into him because of who he was?

He smiled at her, an adorably handsome look as he nodded down the stairs. ‘I thought maybe we could go horseback riding tomorrow. The Thompsons have a new stud I’d like to check out.’

‘Oh, OK,’ Zoe answered, biting her lip.

‘Have you ever been?’

‘Ah, once. They had pony rides at Central Park. I was pretty young and the horses went around in circles. I always felt so bad for them, walking around and around
all
day long, carrying child after child. I used to have fantasies that I could sneak away and free them.’

‘Yeah, those horses never look happy.’ Jackson nodded. ‘They really don’t belong cooped up in the city. They need open fields and grazing pastures, fresh air.’

‘You can tell they’re not happy?’ Fascinated, she glanced at his mouth as he spoke.

‘Each horse has a different personality, but normally you can just see it in their eyes.’ They reached the bottom step and Jackson lifted her hand, placing it on his shoulder. Holding her close, he began dancing with her in the front hall. There was no music beyond the soft sound of his voice as he talked. ‘Their coats can lose a bit of their sheen, they lose interest in things around them, pin their ears back whenever someone comes near, they can pace, not eat. In many ways they’re just like humans. If you know how to hear them, they will tell you what they’re feeling.’

Zoe swayed against him. Jackson led her around the room. His effortless movements attested to his ease on the dancefloor.

‘Do you think that is why you’re so good at reading people?’ She laid her head on his shoulder. Could he read her? Did he know the thoughts she tried to push from her mind?

‘Perhaps. I’m sure it helped. Working with horses you learn to look for signs that aren’t clearly stated.’ He twirled her away from him and Zoe laughed at the sudden move.

Zoe became entranced by the euphoria of his nearness. They didn’t need music. Her head became filled with a secret song only they could hear as they danced their own private ball.

Jackson danced with her along the hall, bringing her toward the covered stone porch in back. Evening started
to
darken the sky and a few stars began to show. A cool breeze stirred the air, carrying with it the sweet scent of flowers. Insects hummed in the background. Jackson twirled her around the porch, continuing their dance.

Zoe laughed, carefree feelings washing through her. For the first time, conversation flowed between them. They spoke of food, of restaurants, Jackson’s many travels, of art and music. What they didn’t talk about was what was happening between them.

‘Are you done rebuilding?’ Zoe asked, glancing at the view from the porch.

‘Why?’ He laughed. ‘Does the house look unfinished?’

‘No, but you look happy when you talk about horses. Maybe you should rebuild the stables.’

Jackson shook his head. ‘I don’t want to compete against the local businesses.’

‘Then don’t. Why does something you so clearly love have to be a business? Why don’t you just do it for yourself because it makes you happy?’ Zoe stopped dancing. The movements of his body against hers were arousing beyond measure and she needed to put distance between them to catch her suddenly choppy breath. ‘You redid the house because you loved it. Why not the stables?’

‘I might,’ he said, as if considering it for the first time.

‘If you think the other ranchers will worry, buy your stock from them, invite them over for a stable-warming party, like a house-warming for your horses, and assure them it’s for personal pleasure.’ She pretended to study the horizon when really all her attention was focused to the side where Jackson stood next to her. ‘Or, if you want to make extra cash, bring clients here and showcase your neighbors’ horses as well as your own. Or, make deals with them to help you out when you’re gone, to breed together,
something
so everyone wins.’ She finally looked at him. ‘From what I’ve seen you can’t do anything wrong in the eyes of this town. I doubt they’d have hard feelings about you rebuilding a historically important part of this plantation.’

‘You make a pretty persuasive argument when you want to.’ Jackson slid closer to her so his arm touched her as they both held onto the stone rail.

‘I have four sisters. Persuasive arguing is a necessity.’ She moved her little finger to touch his. ‘I can also do math in my head.’

‘Hmm, can you now?’ He turned to lean his hip against the rail as he studied her. ‘What’s twelve plus twelve?’

‘Are you mocking me?’ She crossed her arms over her chest. ‘Ask me a hard one.’

‘342 multiplied by 763?’

Zoe closed her eyes for a few seconds, visualising the numbers, before grinning. ‘260,946.’

Jackson cupped her cheek. ‘I have no idea if that is right, but I will tell you a secret. I prefer to use a calculator.’

‘You like pushing buttons?’ Zoe tilted her head coyly.

His hand trailed down her throat, stopping to rest between her breasts. ‘If they’re the right ones.’

The moonlight caressed his face, shadowing the hard planes. Her heart beat fast and hard and she knew he could feel it against the backs of his fingers. She waited to see what he would do. When he merely stood, she lifted her hand to mimic his movements, drawing the back of her hand down his cheek and neck to rest on his strong chest. His heart beat as fast as hers.

‘Would you like to take this inside? I could open a bottle of wine and light a fire.’ Jackson dropped his hand from her.

Zoe knew what he was asking, what he thought would happen once he got her inside by the fire. She couldn’t blame him. It wasn’t as if she’d protested against sex so far. The truth was, she wasn’t about to start protesting against it now.