Her New Boss: A Rouge Erotic Romance (23 page)

‘I can’t tell you everything. Try being honest.’

‘I don’t know if I can risk it. I’m nervous, Kat.’ Zoe rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. The afternoon light glowed softly across it, highlighting the tiny bumps. She’d spent most of the day in her room, only going down for Marta’s breakfast of toast and eggs after the woman’s insistent knocking. Lunch had been delivered on a tray to her room – a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. The soup had come from a can and the
cheese
had been a cheap sandwich square with not enough milk and too much oil. With reluctance, she’d eaten every bite. Thinking of it made her stomach ache and she gently rubbed her hand across her ribcage.

‘Then be partially honest, but start by being nice to him and his family,’ Kat said.

‘I wish you were here. I need someone on my side.’

‘You’ll be all right, Zoe, I promise. You’re a good person. They’ll see that.’

‘I just miss you all.’ Loneliness washed over her. ‘Everyone here worships Jackson as the town hero. I have no one.’

‘Do you need a nap?’ Kat sighed heavily into the phone. ‘Because you’re starting to sound depressed and that is not the Zoe I know. Get some rest before tonight. You’ll feel better.’

‘OK,’ Zoe mumbled. She hadn’t slept too well. The nap would probably do her good.

‘Oh, and I miss you, too.’

Being back at Jackson’s house brought forth a rush of memories, vivid recollections of what they’d done, so potent they made Zoe blush heavily. The surroundings tempted her back into their fairy-tale world, a place where Jackson had been hers, even if only for a short while. As she looked at his front door, her body heated up, cream dampening her panties. A shiver worked its way over her entire being. Would they be alone tonight? Would he seduce her? Would she let him?

The same driver that had picked her up from the airport drove her to his home and dropped her off. She was too ashamed to ask his name a second time, so found herself calling him ‘sir.’ Turning to lift her hand in farewell, she waited there until he was down the drive.

She knocked on the door, gripping the handle to Marta’s floral suitcase. The woman had insisted she use it again. Zoe waited several minutes before the door was answered.

Madelyn poked her head out, grinning. A light haze to her eyes showed that she’d been drinking heavily. Seeing Zoe, she eagerly waved her in. Her white linen dress featured tiny embroidered pink roses. ‘Hello, shug! I’m so glad you could make it. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. When Jackson said the caterer he’d hired had come down with the flu, I almost had a nervous breakdown. Oh, look at that dress!’ The woman’s eyes drifted down over the blue, black and green of Zoe’s strapless dress. The velvet bodice had a sequin motif with embroidered floral pattern, a sweetheart neckline and boning to form. Beads embellished the inset waist, leading to a printed chiffon skirt with a gold-striped ruffled hem. ‘So cute! Is that chiffon?’

Zoe nodded. ‘I believe so.’

‘It’s gorgeous. I love chiffon.’ Madelyn waved her hand for Zoe to follow. ‘Everyone is in back checking out the decorations. Tonight it’s just the wedding party and family.’ She paused, grabbing Zoe’s arm. ‘I can’t believe tomorrow’s the wedding. I thought I’d be more nervous than I am, but then I’ve had a lot to drink.’

‘It’s early yet,’ Zoe said. ‘You’re allowed to party before the big day.’

‘I so agree.’ The Southern drawl deepened. ‘Everything is set. All that’s left is to show up. Well, everything is set now that we have you.’ Madelyn again stopped, halting their progress near the stairwell. She patted Zoe’s arm. ‘You are such a lifesaver. I would have panicked, but you seem so competent. Jefferson’s mother says great things about you.’

‘She does?’ Zoe asked, surprised. ‘I don’t think we’ve even been introduced.’

‘Really? Constance said you two cooked together while she had the shift at the diner.’ Madelyn looked confused.

‘Constance is Jackson’s mother?’ Zoe asked, before she could stop the question.

‘She didn’t tell you?’ Madelyn laughed. ‘That sounds like Connie all right. Anyway, she says you’re capable and that’s good enough for me. Plus Jackson likes you.’

It was a small confession, but one that gave her immense pleasure.

‘Just as long as you don’t try to make something like ground-turkey-based sauce on green noodles. The first caterer I interviewed suggested that. I suggested we try elsewhere. Disgusting. Actually, the menu is already planned. I hope that’s all right with you. Everything’s ordered and I believe started. Oh!’ She covered her mouth. ‘There I go again. I promised Jackson I’d let him handle it and I’m babbling like a ninny. Come on, let’s join the party.’

Outside, miles of tulle and pink satin covered Jackson’s backyard from the distant gazebo surrounded by long rows of chairs, to the stairs and stone banister, over the round tabletops and chairs and the long bar. Light from inside the long windows shone over the covered porch, mingling with the soft play of evening stars and moonlight. Madelyn turned, grinning widely like a little girl just named princess for the day. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and pleasure.

‘Zoe, I want you to meet my Jefferson.’ Madelyn motioned to a younger, sloppier version of Jackson. Long floppy hair brushed around the man’s shoulders and an air of playfulness lined his brown eyes.

‘Hey, Zoe, I’ve heard so much about you.’ Jefferson didn’t stand from his place at one of the tables near the bar, merely lifting his beer in her direction. Cards were dealt around the tabletop. Next to him sat Constance and a woman who had to be Madelyn’s mother. Across from her was an older man who was most likely Madelyn’s stepfather. Zoe remembered the story about how he’d drunkenly gotten Madelyn hurt as a child, resulting in the woman’s current troubles. It was impossible to tell if he was drinking by the glass of tomato juice in front of him. It could have been a mixed drink for all Zoe knew. Madelyn didn’t appear to be holding a grudge for that long-ago event as she went to take a seat next to him.

‘Zoe.’ Jackson’s voice sounded at her side. She felt his hand brush her elbow, guiding her forward. She looked up at him, her heart pounding wildly at his nearness. Shadows crept across his face, but she’d remembered every detail of it and didn’t need light to remind her how handsome he was. ‘This is my sister, Callie.’ He motioned to the woman next to Madelyn’s mother. ‘And her husband, Bob. The boys are upstairs asleep.’

‘So you’re the little schemer who stole my job, eh?’ Bob said, frowning.

Zoe felt the color draining from her features. ‘Ah, well, I …’

‘Oh, Bob.’ Callie laughed, hitting him lightly. ‘Don’t tease. She doesn’t know you’re joking.’

Bob suddenly grinned, standing to offer Zoe his chair. ‘Do you play?’

At Jackson’s gentle push at her back, indicating she should join them, she asked, ‘What’s the game?’

‘Bullshit,’ Jefferson said. When Zoe shook her head to show she didn’t know it, but sat in the proffered chair
anyway
, he continued, ‘We deal all the cards out and the object is to get rid of your hand in the discard pile. One person starts, discarding one or more cards on the pile. The first player discards aces, the next twos, one after threes and it continues around. Since the cards are face down, you don’t have to play the cards you are calling out. If another player suspects you are discarding a card out of rank, they yell …’

‘
Bullshit!
’ the group screamed in unison, giggling profusely.

Zoe laughed. ‘Sounds simple enough. Deal me in. I’ll learn the rest as we go.’

‘I remember you like red.’ Jackson slid a wine glass in front of her on the table. He then moved a chair and sat next to her.

‘Ah, Jackson has a girlfriend,’ Callie teased, pretending to study the cards being thrown in front of her.

‘Callie!’ Constance scolded. ‘Don’t embarrass Zoe.’

‘It’s all right.’ Zoe glanced at Jackson before quickly looking away. ‘I have four sisters. I doubt she can say anything to upset me.’

‘Don’t tempt her,’ Jackson said.

‘Hey!’ Callie took an ice cube out of her glass and tossed it at him.

The game started and Zoe learnt quickly, despite the fast pace at which they played. She took Kat’s advice, making a point of smiling at every person around the table. After a couple of hands, she found it easy because they were all very likable. She wasn’t sure about Madelyn’s father, who she learnt was named Hank, because the red liquid was indeed liquor. As her eyes adjusted in the dim light, she detected the red lines on his bulbous nose, giving away the fact that he was still a drunk.

With each passing hand, each loud bout of laughter, Jackson’s leg moved closer to hers under the table. The light touch tested her response and she didn’t pull away, letting him know she wanted him touching her. A few times his hand brushed her thigh, moving dangerously close to her sex before pulling back.

‘All right, kids,’ Constance announced. ‘It’s getting late and we have a long day tomorrow.’ Everyone automatically stood, except Jackson, who busied his hands picking up the card decks and separating them into two piles. ‘Oh, don’t bother with that tonight. I’ll take care of it later.’

‘I’ve got it,’ he said, glancing in her direction. ‘You all go to bed. Zoe can help me pick up the drinks.’

‘All right.’ Constance leant over and kissed his head. ‘Goodnight.’

A chorus of goodnights and sweet dreams rang around the group as they made their way in, some stumbling, others laughing. Zoe reached for the beer bottles on the table, pulling them toward her.

‘You really don’t have to pick up,’ Jackson said. ‘I just wanted to get you alone.’

‘I don’t mind.’ Zoe blushed. Jackson had ensured she’d kept a full glass and, as she lifted the wine bottle he’d set on the table, she realized she’d drunk over half of its heady contents.

‘Come here,’ Jackson said, pulling her onto his lap. The thick press of his erection nudged her outer thigh. ‘As you can see I couldn’t exactly stand up when everyone was here.’

‘Jackson, I need to apologize to you.’ She touched his cheek, looking deep into his eyes. ‘I shouldn’t have said those things about Madelyn and I shouldn’t have yelled at you.’

He opened his mouth to answer, but Zoe didn’t let him speak. She crushed her mouth down on his. The almost bitter taste of beer mingled with the wine on her lips. Heat whispered across her cheek when he sighed. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

When they parted, she took Kat’s advice and quickly changed the subject, leaving her apology and their fight in the past. ‘I like your family. They’re very nice people.’

‘I have a small confession of my own.’ He paused, nuzzling her throat. ‘All the guest rooms are taken. Even the library is overrun with my nephews playing camp-out.’

‘And where does that leave me? Sleeping in the kitchen?’ Her lashes shaded her eyes as she looked at his mouth.

‘I think we’ll be more comfortable in my room.’ He touched her chin, nudging it up so she was forced to look into his eyes. ‘No one will know you’re staying with me. Everyone is so preoccupied with the wedding they won’t think twice about it and you can sneak out while they’re getting ready for the ceremony.’

Zoe’s nature reeled against the idea, but she wanted to be with Jackson more. Too much time had passed since he’d touched her. ‘I don’t care if people know. I want to be with you.’

Tension ran over her as she awaited his response. Jackson’s smile came slowly, but it did come, curling his sexy mouth with pleasure. ‘I want to be with you, too. I’ve wanted to be with you since I first saw you. I …’

‘Go on,’ she urged, relaxed by the wine, seduced by his nearness.

Jackson hesitated. ‘Ah …?’

‘How come, if we’re not having sex or going to have sex soon, you hardly talk to me? Like at lunch.’

‘What lunch?’

‘That afternoon, here, when we dined. You sat there reading your paper.’ She pulled back, still feeling his arousal next to her. ‘You barely spoke to me. And when you did it was a lecture. Then, at the restaurant, you didn’t even try to make it better between us. You just left.’

‘Why do you care? After we have sex you act like nothing has happened, like it’s nothing to you either way,’ he countered. ‘Besides, what am I supposed to say?’

‘I …’ Zoe knew what she wanted him to say, but would not force him.

‘What am I supposed to say?’ he repeated. ‘When everything I want to say I can’t.’

‘Like what?’ She held very still, breathless and waiting. Her eyes moved to his lips, in case she missed a single utterance.

‘Like …’ His grip on her waist tightened. The night air fell away, as did the humming insects. ‘Like I care for you.’

The soft words made her doubt what she was hearing. ‘Really?’

‘Yes, damn it.’ This time his words were forceful, angry. ‘I care for you, Zoe, and I’m tired of pretending I don’t.’

‘I care for you, too, Jackson.’ Their lips met and happiness exploded over Zoe at his admission.

Chapter Eleven

JACKSON LED ZOE
up the stairs, taking her quietly to his room. He gripped her suitcase, carrying it for her. His feet whispered past the closed doors to the guest rooms. They didn’t speak, sneaking like hurried teenagers to the master bedroom. As the door clicked softly behind him, he dropped her suitcase and turned to pull her into his arms.

Her lips tasted of wine and the heady liquor only added to his desire to kiss her. Passion had always coursed between them, but this time it went deeper. She cared for him. For the first time with her, Jackson felt hope – hope for the future, for them, for something more happening.

He grabbed her hips, pulling her hard against him, letting her feel the full length of his cock. His erection pressed into her, stiff and aching for release. He rocked his hips in a steady rhythm. Groaning, he said, ‘I want to be inside you.’

‘I want you inside me,’ she whispered.

Jackson couldn’t help the smile crossing his lips. Her lids were heavy over her eyes and he slid a hand down to reach beneath her skirt. The warmth of her pussy called to him and he worked a finger beneath the lace he found guarding it. He walked her back until she was trapped against his door. Rubbing her clit in small circles, he moaned as her cream flooded his finger. Zoe gasped, her mouth opening wide as he thrust one finger inside, then quickly joined it
with
a second. He worked it along her slit, leaning into her to keep her upright against the door.