Things with Jared were also beginning to fall into place and I felt truly in awe of his world with all the beautiful places he was taking me. Stunning gardens, museums, fancy restaurants and tonight I was escorting him to a formal dinner and dance at the Hyatt Regency, one of Long Beach’s finest hotels and home to an exquisite ballroom. He looked so distinguished in his black tux that I could fully appreciate the powerful and influential businessman that he was during the week. But the way he grinned at me when I had stepped out of the door in my new designer dress he had insisted on buying me, he was every bit the sexy, smoldering twenty-two year old I had grown to adore. Grecian in style, the dress was a striking blue that he said matched my eyes perfectly. Floor length and held by a strap on only one shoulder, it had a long slit that ran from the hem to the top of my thigh; stopping just before my panty line. A glittering silver design weaved and sparkled around my waist and a matching pattern adorned my shoulder where the front attached to the back. A mischievous smile was spread across Jared’s face and he struggled to keep his hands to himself in the car on the ride over to the venue. I’d been introduced to some of California’s elite and although I felt extremely out of place, Jared hadn’t left my side all evening and I had been holding his arm tightly as we circulated the room. I thanked god for my overbearing mother having sent me to dance classes as a teen, because when the band started up, Jared had eagerly led me to the dance floor where we danced effortlessly and easily to every tune that was played. Ballroom dancing was something I had always excelled at in class and I’d dropped all other styles just to focus on it. If it hadn’t been for my sudden growth spurt, I could have pursued it as a career but unfortunately, no sixteen year old boy wants to dance with a girl who’s almost a foot taller than he is. Gratefully I’d stopped increasing in height and stayed at a comfortable five foot six while the boys who had originally snubbed me as a partner shot up. As we danced and mingled with California’s finest, I became fully aware that I was a direct reflection on Jared and tried to carry myself with elegance and grace and be a little less Layla than usual. Standing amongst a group of large men who were considerably older than he was, Jared leaned into my ear. “Stop worrying. You look stunning and everyone here thinks so. They’ll think you’re as amazing as I do. Relax.” Kissing me tenderly on the cheek he grinned. A gong sounded and an announcement was made that everyone should take their seats for dinner. Sitting at the table I was surrounded by businessmen in designer tuxedos. Jared sat on my right and placed a possessive arm around my shoulder, letting everyone at the table know I was his and his alone. The gesture excited and thrilled me. Knowing that he felt strongly enough about us to be so openly attentive was endearing. The food was truly spectacular and according to the menu, it was being prepared by Renee Dupree, a well-respected and highly praised chef. Jared had taken the liberty of ordering for me and I dined on the finest chicken tagliatelle of my life. Mindful that people would be watching how I carried myself during dinner, I carefully ate my food, slowly and with as much elegance as I could. Jared was seemingly engrossed in conversation with several men at our table who were looking for investors in some of their new building projects. Leaning into the table he rested one hand on his glass and the other on my leg, squeezing and rubbing it suggestively. I continued to eat and tried desperately to hide the arousal that was building inside me as his hand caressed my thigh. I let out a small moan and his eyes immediately darted to me. My cheeks immediately colored as he leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Was that vocal praise for your meal or something a little more carnal? Because either way, I like it.” Placing my hand on his underneath the table I smiled wickedly. “I guess you’ll never know.” “ Is that a challenge my lady? Because I am more than happy to rise to it in every sense of the word.” I bit my bottom lip as a thrill of anticipation ran through me. Leaning into the table I decided to play his tempting game. Addressing one of the gentlemen Jared had been conversing with, I began asking about his project to build a new mini mall aimed purely at students and their interests. “So Mr. Trent, tell me, this new building project you’re proposing, you say it’s mostly aimed at the growing student population in Long Beach. I think that’s a wonderful concept. However, I’m concerned that with the current economic crisis and hardships faced by those studying these days, your new stores and restaurants will be left desolate due to the insufficient finances available to students such as myself. How do you plan on appealing to us on a consumer level?” Jared’s eyes widened and he had a look of surprise as though he were amazed that I knew so much about such subjects. But a distinct smile of what I hoped was pride was now very visible and he immediately moved his hand from my leg to my back in a supportive gesture. Mr. Trent cleared his throat and smiled at me. “Well, that’s a very good question Miss Jennings and something my development team and I have been poring over for a while. I would very much like to get your insight on the matter if you are willing of course. I can arrange a dinner perhaps? Jared, old boy, we should arrange it. Have your assistant check your schedule and call me. This charming young lady is an absolute delight. How on earth did you manage to catch such a creature Garrett?” Tracing his fingertips up and down my bare spine, Jared grinned at him. “I didn’t know what hit me Arthur. She was truly a wonderful surprise. And I’d have to agree, she is spectacular.” His hand returned to my thigh and he gently slid his fingers through the split in the side of my dress. I gasped as he softly caressed the lining of my lace panties which were hugging my hip snuggly. He hardly batted an eyelash as he listened intently to the conversations across the table, making comments where required. I squirmed in my seat as his hand travelled down and over the inside of my thigh. Hooking his foot over mine beneath the table he firmly pulled it towards him and parted my legs. His hand darted between them and my body began to react quickly to the feel of his touch against my sex. His finger softly stroked back and forth over my cotton panties teasingly. Closing my eyes I bit down on my lip, trying to maintain my composure but the darkness I saw in his eyes revealed that he was extremely aroused. Seizing my opportunity I ran my fingers over his zipper and tugged at it. Removing his free hand from his glass he grabbed my wrist and lifted my hand to his lips, running them across my bare knuckles before kissing them gently. His eyes met mine and he shook his head slightly in warning. He would deny me my fun yet he continued to torture me under the cover of our table. Slightly irritated, I shifted in my seat in an attempt to stand but his hand pressed firmly into my thigh, keeping me pinned to the chair. Pulling my panties aside, he slid his finger up and down the slit of my sex teasingly. I stared at him in disbelief. Was he seriously going to do this here? Now? I got my answer as the next thing I felt were two of fingers sliding inside me, as he began to rub my throbbing clit with the pad of his thumb. I jolted in my seat, startled, which earned me a concerned look from the other members of our dinner party. “ Are you quite alright my dear?” Mr. Kent was regarding me with curiosity. Swallowing hard I tried to sound as unflustered as possible. “Oh yes, sorry. I’m just a little cold. Had a slight chill but I’m fine now.” Placing his mouth against my ear Jared growled low and hungrily. “I’d say you’re a little hot myself; you’re positively scorching.” He nipped gently on my earlobe with his teeth and I moaned deep in my throat. His hand moved rhythmically over my sex, his wet fingers sliding in and out as I grew more and more aroused. I was practically drooling as his thumb brushed against my clit, driving me into a frenzy. Cupping me in his hand, he pushed his fingers deeper and I felt the tips brush against my g-spot. A shock of pleasure rippled through me as my orgasm built, growing closer and closer with every stroke of his tempting digits. My chest rose and fell sharply as I had to try frantically to mask my panting. Jared’s demeanor was cool and calm but his eyes were showing me just how excited he was. Hooded and dark, I could see the lust blazing inside them. He was just as hot and I could imagine he was probably in agony as his solid hard cock pressed against his slacks, begging to be released. My heart was hammering so hard beneath my ribcage that I could feel my body pulsate with every thundering beat. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins knowing that we could be caught at any moment and with my orgasm building, there was a very distinct possibility that I wouldn’t be able to control myself enough to be quiet. Feeling the urgency of my release growing, I leaned into Jared’s shoulder and his head immediately turned to me. A wicked smile on his lips, he leaned over to my right ear, allowing me the chance to hide my face by nuzzling into his neck and out of sight of our present company. “Let go baby. Come for me, right here, right now in my hands. Do it for me.” With one last thrust of his fingers I was tipped over the edge as my orgasm came crashing down inside me. My insides convulsed as pulsating waves of pleasure caused my back to arch which Jared masked by shielding me from view with his broad shoulders and back. I bit down on his shoulder groaning softly as I tried to calm my ragged breathing. Placing a gentle kiss behind my ear he smiled against my skin. “Good girl.” Withdrawing his hand, he sat back in his chair, took a napkin from the table and began to wipe his hand beneath it. Giving me a satisfied grin he folded it up neatly and placed it in his pocket. I shifted in my seat, uncomfortably aware that I was flustered and was no doubt a deep shade of crimson. Getting to my feet I excused myself and headed to the ladies to clean up. I gazed at myself in the mirror and tried to calm myself as my cheeks continued to glow and flush a dazzling shade of pink. What the hell was that about? When I returned to the table Jared was standing against the far wall with his cell to his ear. I couldn’t hear what he was saying but his face was visibly twisted with rage. Hanging up, he walked over and took my hand. Apologizing to our fellow diners for the interruption, he said his goodbyes and informed Mr. Kent that he would be in touch about the dinner date. His hand resting on my lower back, Jared guided me out of the building and back to the car. “What was that call about? You seem distressed.” Shaking his head firmly, his mouth pressed into a hard line. “Nothing for you to concern yourself with. Just something I have to get sorted out. It’s nothing for you to worry about.” Deciding not to press him for information while he was still so irritated, I remained silent as we approached his car. He had hired a chauffeur for the evening and I was pleased to have him next to me in the back seat for a change where his attention could be on us rather than driving. Holding out his hand he assisted me into the back before sliding in behind me. His thumb brushed back and forth over my knuckles as we sat side by side with my hand resting on his knee. Leaning forward, I knocked on the glass that separated us from our driver. “Would you be so kind as to take us for a drive around the city? I do love Long Beach at night.” “ Of course madam. Just inform me when you are ready to return home.” The dark glass glided back up, leaving us totally alone. Returning to my seat I glanced at Jared, who had a very puzzled look on his face. “What was that about?” “ I could ask you the same thing Mr. Garrett. That was a very risky game you played in there tonight. We could have been caught.” Leaning over to me, he brushed a lock of hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek with his thumb. “Oh darling, if there were any chance of that I wouldn’t have done it. But I certainly enjoyed it. Dinner and a show. And what a performance you gave Miss Jennings. I demand an encore.” Happy to oblige, I jumped onto his lap and straddled him firmly between my thighs. Unbuckling his belt, I leaned against his chest and placed a soft kiss on his lips. I could feel his erection press against my ass as it rested firmly against his perfectly tailored slacks. The fabric pulled taut against the zipper and in one swift movement I lifted up and released his hard, temptingly solid cock from its restraints. His hands slid around my back and he pulled me determinedly against him. Kissing me deeply, his tongue darted into my mouth seeking mine. He tasted of delicious mint and chocolate which was still lingering from the perfectly sculpted soufflé he had eaten for dessert. The smell of the leather seats paired with the scent of Jared’s sweet cologne was a heady combination and my arousal began to build once more. Uncontrollable lust was taking control of my body as I leaned back and ripped his shirt open impatiently. Buttons pinged and flew around the cabin but I was too caught up in the moment to care. A small chuckle left his lips but I silenced it quickly as I pressed my palms against his chest and kissed him passionately and urgently.