Strictly Business Read online

  “Well, yes. Eventually. Things are good right now between us. I don’t want to mess it up or push him into thinking I want something permanent if he’s not ready. It's really only been a month or so. I’ll tell him once things are official. We sign the partnership paperwork tomorrow and we have several properties lined up to view as well. Just, don’t mention it to him yet. Please?”

  He still seemed reluctant, but he nodded. Jess could tell he was uncomfortable with some part of this plan, but before she could ask him why she caught sight of Bethany plastered to the front of Jake trying to get her lips on his.

  At her quick intake of breath, Cody turned to see what caused it. A wicked gleam came into Cody’s eyes as he whirled Jess closer to them. Before she had a chance to think, they were dancing right next to Jake and Bethany. Jake looked over and caught Jess's eye right before Cody leaned Jess down in a low dip.

  Cody bent over Jess, pressing his lips against her ear and whispered, “Just follow my lead.” He brought her back up, pressing her close against him, slowing his pace, making the simple two step sultry and steamy.

  Jess had always caught on quick, and being friends with Mike, who had a penchant for mischief, had sharpened that trait. She played along as Cody put just enough twist in his hips to piss Jake off. As Jake rudely pushed Bethany away, Jess caught her sexy, staged pout and the very real hatred in her eyes.

  When Jake tapped Cody’s shoulder, a little harder than Jess thought strictly necessary, Cody looked up and said, “You’re welcome,” as he strode away.

  Jess laughed at Jake’s baffled expression as he pulled her into his arms. “That was strictly for your benefit. Well, Bethany’s too.”

  At once, Jake’s fierce expression eased, even settling into a smile. “I should have known. Cody would never make a play for you.”

  “Oh, I guess I’m not his type?” Jess smirked, raising her eyebrows.

  “Oh, no. You’re definitely his type. But you’re mine.” Jake smiled. “It’s the Guy Code. He keeps his hands off.”

  He whirled her away, pulling her in so her back was to his front. He whispered in her ear, “I think it’s time to go.”

  She looked back at him. She didn’t want this night to end. “Not yet, please? This is too perfect. It's our first night out as a couple.”

  She felt him sigh against her hair. “Then, we’d better quit dancin’. I still can’t have you this close to me.” He pushed her back, spinning her to face him. “I wonder how long that’ll last?”

  Jess hoped it would never stop.

  As the song ended, Jake headed to the bar and Jess headed to the bathroom. She used the toilet and found Bethany waiting by the sink as she emerged. She ignored her, washing her hands in silence. Bethany waited until she was done to start spewing her venom.

  “You know, you’re only temporary. Just like Karen. He may want you for now, but he always comes back to me.”

  Jess looked at her. This hit too close to her own worries, bringing defensive anger to the front. Her mother had always taught her if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. Jess held onto that for about five seconds. “You know, Bethany, throwing yourself at a man when his lover is right there makes you look cheap and desperate. Everyone in here saw you and knows it. Everyone but you. I’m not Karen, and I’m here for the long haul, sweetheart, so put away your kitten claws and go find someone else. I’ve got something you’ll never have.” She turned on her heel and headed for the exit.

  “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

  Jess turned around, just as she reached the door, smiling gleefully over her shoulder. “His love.” She opened the door and walked out, hearing Bethany as she chased her down screaming obscenities.

  “You bitch! You’ll never get him, do you hear me? He’s mine. I will make you regret this, you just wait and see.”

  Everyone in the bar turned to see what was going on. Jess drew on every year of training from her mother and walked calmly to Jake without turning back. She saw some guy grab Bethany around the waist in the mirror over the bar. She was still yelling as he hauled her outside.

  “Are you ready to go?” she asked Jake, forcing a smile.

  “Sure. What was that about?”

  Jess shrugged her shoulders. “Your ex is jealous.” Jake looked down at her, clearly waiting for more details. “It’s fine, Jake. Nothing I can’t handle.” She reached onto her tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his mouth. “Take me home? I think it’s time to be alone now.”

  That was all the sidetracking Jake required.

  As they dozed off to sleep, Jess decided to brush away the incident with Bethany. She had been mad, furious even, but really what could she do? Short of flipping into the crazy category and killing Jess off, or maybe boiling her rabbit, there was nothing Bethany could do to spoil this. She and Jake had only known each other a short time, but it had been intense, and they’d come through a lot to get here. Self doubt on both sides, misunderstandings and distrust. Fighting. Lots of fighting. And they’d still made it this far. She wasn’t going to let Bethany play on Jess's own insecurities and drive another wedge between them.

  Jake hadn’t said anything at all about ending things and he wasn’t acting like it either. Her body sighed as she remembered the passion in their lovemaking less than an hour before. No, Bethany was wrong. She was here to stay. And soon she would have her business established here. Then she would truly have it all.

  She looked at the man sleeping next to her. She was still amazed at how much she’d changed in just a few short months. She hardly recognized herself sometimes. And it was more than just her appearance. That was merely an external reflection of the internal changes.

  Jake had changed too. He’d become less angry, he smiled more often. She thought about the scowling man she’d met that first day in his office. Now when he looked at her, she could see the light, the love in his eyes. She smiled softly as she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 26

  Jake got up Saturday morning trying to get through the chores as quickly as he could. It still took all morning and part of the afternoon. When Jake didn't see Jess come for lunch, he knew she was still at the new house dealing with the kitchen. As soon as he could, he headed over there. It was already three when Jake walked in and found her smiling at the walls. He felt a little tug on his heart. He loved seeing her here, in what would soon be their home. As he walked toward her he thought of next weekend, placing the ring on her finger. He needed that, needed to know that she was truly his. That intense feeling of possessiveness surged through him, making him want to grab her and scream, “Mine!” This wasn’t the first time he’d felt this way with her, but it was previously unknown.

  He’d never been possessive or jealous. That’s why it had been so easy for Karen to cheat on him. He didn’t think these feelings had anything to do with Karen, though, or her indiscretions. This was all for Jess. He never wanted to let her go, wanted her with him always. And now he had to kiss her goodbye.

  Jake snuck up and slipped his arms around her waist, his lips against her neck. She turned meeting his mouth with hers. “Doesn’t it look amazing?” she asked when she finally pulled her lips away. “It looks better in here than I thought it would.”

  He looked down into her shining silver eyes, “It’s beautiful.”

  She playfully punched his shoulder. “Seriously, look at this kitchen. It’s perfect!”

  Jake looked around, finally taking in the surroundings, not just her. The kitchen was mostly in place. Some details still needed to get done, but the basics were all there. “It looks good. Really good.”

  “You sound surprised.” At his shrug, she asked, “So, why’d you choose it? You obviously weren’t sure it would work.”

  He put his hand under her chin, tilting her face up to his, meeting her eyes. “Because you liked it. It’s important to me that you like this place.”

  “Oh,” she breathed. “But we weren’t, I mean…we hadn’t… We weren�
�t even speaking.”

  “This house is for us, Jess. I think I knew that almost from the beginning. I knew even before I knew. That’s why I fought so hard. It’s always been our house.”

  This was the first time he had referenced a future together and he watched her face closely, hoping to see the answer he wanted in her eyes.

  She stepped closer, placing her lips against his with soft tender kisses. “So, you’re heading out early tomorrow morning?”

  “Yeah. I’ll only be gone a few days.” He had no idea why he felt like asking if she would still be here when he got back. He just had this strange sense that this was too good to be true. He kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. He hoped that would stop once he saw his ring on her finger.

  “Well, maybe we should head back to the house. Make an early night of it. We wouldn’t want you to be tired when you leave tomorrow.”

  He kissed her, teasing her lips with his tongue, slipping his tongue in to gently taste. “I do need to get my sleep.” He ran his hand up her side, grazing her breast, teasing her nipple and settling behind her neck. He stepped in, rubbing gently against her, bringing his mouth back to hers, just shy of touching. He wanted to kiss her again, but wasn't entirely sure they'd make it back to the house if he did. After a long minute, he pressed his mouth against hers, fast and hard, then he stepped back. “Let’s go to the house.” He needed her in his bed.

  When they reached the house, they went around to the front door, the door no one used, and headed straight to his bedroom. As soon as the door shut, he pushed her against it. Heat flared instantly, her body responding to his need. He stripped her shirt off, throwing it across the room. As he unbuttoned her jeans, Jess shoved her boots off with her toes. By the time her jeans joined her shirt, her little moans of pleasure told him she was ready. He drove her higher, bending to suckle the other nipple deeply, his tongue rasping through the lace. She lifted her leg, wrapped it around his thigh, straining to get closer to him. As he felt her body tense he stopped, stepping back. He slid off his shirt, then his boots and jeans.

  Jake took her hands, leading her to the bed. He knew she’d been on the brink, could feel it in her muscles, but he wanted this to last. He called on all his strength, fighting for calm as lust raged through him. When he thought he was calmer he sat back on the bed. Jess surprised him, kneeling in front of him, placing her hands on his thighs.

  Oh, God…she wasn’t going to…he couldn’t take that. Not right now. He wasn’t in control… She’d never…

  As her hands ran up his inner thighs, butterfly soft, pulling down the waistband of his boxers, freeing his aching shaft, he groaned. He shouldn’t let her do this, not now. He’d never last. He put his hands in her hair, intending to push her away. No matter how much he wanted this.

  Her lips closed over his tip, he felt the wet heat of her mouth as she gently suckled him, teasing him with her tongue. “Aaaaggghh…so hot.” His hips bucked against her, though he tried to stop.

  She let the suction go, taking time to run her tongue up and down his shaft, teasing him, tormenting him. When her mouth slid back up, wrapping around the head, sucking deeply, he cried out. When her hand wrapped around the base, squeezing and sliding in rhythm with her lips, he knew he was close. He couldn’t last much longer. As good as this felt, he wanted to be inside her.

  With no small amount of effort, he pushed her away then pulled her back up and onto his lap. He felt her wet heat against him and moaned as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He was on the edge of the bed, the only thing supporting her was his lap. He lifted her, sliding into her waiting sheath with one long, slow thrust.

  As he filled her, Jess cried out, her body already pulsing around him. With him sitting the way he was, he could slide her body up and back at the same time. She could twist her hips but had no control over the pace.

  Jake heard her whimper, felt her writhe her hips, silently begging him to increase the pace. He felt the pressure building and knew he couldn’t hold off for long, but he kept his pace slow. He lifted her back and up, gently sliding her back down, thrusting hard as he finished his stroke. She moaned, head thrown back in abandon as her body pulsed and squeezed, milking his shaft. He thrust hard and fast now as his own orgasm ripped through him.

  Even as he felt the last pulses of pleasure, he felt her tense again, already heading toward another orgasm. Somehow, he wasn’t finished. The need that should have been appeased, raged through him. He swung her around, onto her back in the middle of the bed.

  * * * * *

  Jess was amazed at his strength. He tossed her on the bed like she weighed no more than a rag doll. Before she could register the loss of his body, or even catch her breath, he was there again. Thrusting inside her, his eyes wild. He pressed his mouth to her neck, his tongue licking, his mouth sucking as he drove her up and over the edge.

  Jess met him, thrust for thrust. She’d wanted to see him lose the ever present control, and he finally had. However, she was just as lost as he was. She felt her nails digging into him, too aroused to worry about hurting him. She grabbed his hair, pressing his mouth to hers, feeling him groan against her. “Aahh, you’re so hard…Yes!”

  “Jess…aahhhh…need…you.”

  Jess slid her hands down his back, grabbing onto his ass, squeezing, trying to bring him even closer.

  When she dug her nails into the cheeks of his ass, he yelled out, “Going to…come…hard!” As his body crested that final peak, he squeezed her hips, the little bite of pain pushed her into her own release.

  Jess threw her head back and screamed. She knew there were people in the house, she usually tried to hold down the noise, but there was no way to stop this. This orgasm shredded her, tearing through her body almost painfully. She could feel it in the roots of her hair.

  After what could have been minutes, or hours, Jake rolled off her and onto his back. She was surprised when he said, “I hurt you.”

  She opened her eyes, though they were almost too heavy. She smiled. “No.”

  “But you were crying.”

  She reached and felt her cheeks, feeling the lingering dampness beneath her eyes. “No. Not crying. Just…intense.”

  “So, I didn’t bruise you?”

  She glanced at him. He looked really worried. “I’ll have bruises on my hips, but that’s it. And Jake…it was worth it.” She snuggled into him, laying her head on his chest, hearing his heart still beating faster than normal.

  Finally he smiled. “I’ve never…been that way before.”

  “Not with anyone? Ever?” She desperately wanted that to be true. He was the only man she’d ever been with, but she didn’t think that was the norm. She wanted to know it had been special for him too.

  “No, not ever. I’m not sure I knew that was possible.” He chuckled, pulling her close. “You do something to me Jess. Something I don’t understand. My reactions to you are never what I expect.”

  He sounded so genuinely surprised that she knew he was being honest. “Like what? I mean, other than what just happened.”

  “Well, did you know I’m never jealous? Or, I wasn’t until you. I’m also not possessive by nature. Yet every time I see you, some animal instinct kicks in and I feel like growling ‘Mine’ to every other male in the room.” He shook his head, a little chagrined over his admission. “I’m not a hundred percent sure I like these feelings, but there they are. I’m not completely reasonable when it comes to you.”

  Jess thought back to Bethany and her own over-reactions to Bethany's behavior. She thought about how strong her emotions were when it came to Jake. She felt very territorial herself. “If it makes you feel any better, I feel the same.” She thought about the conversation she’d had with Mike. “Love, real love, isn’t comfortable. It makes you grow and stretch as a person. And makes you discover things you never knew about yourself. I think that’s how you know it’s real.”

  Chapter 27

  Tuesday morning Jake ambled into the kitchen,
tired but happy. He’d found a couple of bulls that looked like they would be excellent studs and picked up a few more cattle as well. He had left California early this morning, around two, desperate to get home, get back to Jess. It was well past breakfast but not yet lunchtime, so Jake grabbed some coffee and a leftover biscuit, and headed into the living room looking for Jess. He figured she was probably over at the new house. Maybe he should head over there? He shrugged the idea off as soon as it hit. He was too tired to do anything productive over there. He would check his emails and then take a nap. That way he would be awake when Jess made it back.

  * * * * *

  As she pulled into the drive, Bethany couldn’t believe her luck. She’d hired a private detective to dig up dirt on Jessica Wythe, something she could use to split them up, and he had come up with nothing. She’d found out that Jessica came from money, big money, but she couldn’t figure out how to use that. It would only make her more appealing to Jake. She obviously wasn’t after his money. She’d never dated, had no long lost lover in her past. She was a model citizen. Bethany snarled. Everyone had something to hide, and her PI hadn’t been able to find it. Finally Bethany had fired him, deciding she would try another route. She would seduce Jake, get him drunk if necessary, and make sure Jessica found them in bed together. It was trite, and obvious, but she was sure it would be effective.

  Then, while she was in Evanston, getting her weekly massage/mani/pedi, she’d seen Jessica there with Mike. There had been some blonde there as well, but she could always feign ignorance on that point. And now, she was on her way to make sure Jake knew just what his little fling had been up to this weekend. She smiled again, an evil glint in her eyes. She was going to get him back. He always came back to her.

  Bethany let herself in the house, heading straight back to Jake's office. She opened the door just as he was sitting down at the desk. His face lit up with a smile only to fall into a confused frown. Bethany refused to be disappointed. “Beth, what are you doin’ out here?" When she didn't answer right away, he continued, "If you came to apologize to Jess, she's not here."