Sweet Salvation (33 page)

“You look gorgeous. Did I mention I like this look? With your hair up, those soft tendrils trailing along your neck and the power suit, mmm… add some glasses and you’d be the sexy librarian from my teenage fantasies.”

“You had a sexy librarian in high school?” Her mind conjured up an image of Mrs. Herbert from Freemont High. She found it hard to imagine the 62-year-old grandmother inspiring any boy’s fantasy.

Jared was smiling, obviously imagining a very different sort of librarian. “Miss Alger. All the guys were in lust with her. She wore tight skirts with a slit up the back and you could sometimes tell she wore stockings instead of pantyhose.” His mouth brushed her ear as he whispered, “But she didn’t have your sexy ass, baby.”

“You have a weird obsession with tight skirts and asses, sugar.”

“Not plural anymore, Stacy. I just have an obsession with your skirts and ass. I’m a one-ass man now and forever.”

He chuckled into her hair as she rolled her eyes. Thankfully, his antics took her mind off the meeting; by the time she turned in his arms to embrace him, it was six o’clock. Show time!

* * *

Damn computer! Although cursing inside, she tried to tamp down her agitation in order to maintain an outwardly calm, in-control demeanor as she passed out hardcopies of her presentation. Due to technical difficulties that neither Marc, Jared, nor Ben could fix, she’d abandoned her PowerPoint presentation and switched to good old-fashioned paper. Having learned never to jump without a back-up chute, especially when technology was involved, she had printed copies of her slides on hand.

“If you will turn to page four, we can begin with the new business proposal.”

They spent the next two hours sifting through the financial data. In the end, the proposal for the new business venture was passed by unanimous vote. As the board filed out, Stacy moved around the long table, gathering packets and discarding Styrofoam coffee cups.

“You did an excellent job tonight, sweetie.”

Stacy turned at the sound of Joanne’s voice to find her smiling from the open doorway. “The board was quite impressed. You were organized, concise, well-prepared. You should be proud of yourself.”

“Thank you,” she beamed. “That’s high praise coming from you.” In the healthcare business for decades, Joanne had also been a board member since the clinic opened. She’d seen many such presentations over the years. “I have to admit I almost had a meltdown when I couldn’t get the slideshow to run.”

“Yes, but you were prepared and the wonderful color portfolios you had ready were impressive and didn’t take anything away from the presentation. You were instrumental in getting the votes. Jared will be pleased, I’m sure.”

“I’m more than pleased, Mom.” Jared said from behind her. “I am proud to have a top-notch practice manager who can talk circles around investors, bankers, and healthcare executives.”

“And practicing partners, don’t forget.” She winked at Stacy. Also married to a surgeon who didn’t have a head for business, Joanne could relate. “I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that Jared got the science gene from his father, but lacks the math gene from me. Must have been recessive, hmm?” She patted Jared’s cheek to soften her tease. “I’m happy for you both. It was a successful evening. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to head home. Your father will be looking for me.”

“I thought he was out of town at a conference.”

“He is, but he likes to call and check in.” Joanne squeezed his arm before digging her keys out of her purse. “You know your dad, if I don’t pick up at ten p.m. on the dot, he’ll be sending out a search-and-rescue team. He’s a dear man, but a worrywart.”

She walked over and hugged Stacy. “Congratulations. Have Jared open up a bottle of champagne to celebrate your success.” She surprised Stacy with a kiss on the cheek, gave her shoulders a tight squeeze and then left with a wave.

Stacy smiled as she looked over at Jared. “Your mother is a sweetheart, isn’t she?”

“Yes, I’m glad you’ve finally figured that out. She loves you and wants to do whatever she can to help you succeed and make you happy. It’s genuine, and I promise there is no hidden agenda where she’s concerned.”

As he spoke, he walked into the conference room, closing the door behind him. The soft snick of the lock had Stacy’s eyes widening. She got the idea he was still thinking about Miss Alger as he walked around the room closing the blinds.

“What is
your
hidden agenda, Dr. Baker? You can’t be thinking about, uh—, you know. Not with all these people wandering around.”

“I’ve got that covered.” His lips turned up into a sexy grin as he approached her, pulling the pile of papers out of her hand and setting the stack of cups she held in the other out of the way.

“Covered, how?”

“My good friend and partner in crime has agreed to show everyone to the door and lock up behind him as he leaves.”

“You told Marc we were going to—”

“Christen the conference room? Not in so many words, but he got the idea.”

“Jared! You didn’t really, did you?”

“You know I don’t kid about important matters. I definitely consider sex with you on the conference table an important matter.”

She shook her head wryly. He had no shame. His large hands were stroking down her back and over the swells of her bottom as Stacy warmed to the idea—the deliciously naughty idea.

“Your presentation was riveting, baby, but the whole time I had one question on my mind that I never did get an answer to.”

“What’s that?”

“Are you wearing pantyhose or panties under this smokin’ hot skirt?”

Stacy giggled. “I’m glad you held back and didn’t ask during the meeting. That would have short-circuited Harry Davidson’s brain. He couldn’t keep his eyes off my butt as it was.”

“I noticed there was quite a bit of that going on. I was ready to clock Jerry Price if he didn’t quit drooling over your tits, the dirty old man. He’s old enough to be your grandfather.” Pulling her against him, his hands went to the hem of her skirt and he inched it up her thighs. His lips brushing softly against hers teased gently. “So? What’s the answer?”

“Aw, darlin’, you can’t expect me to give away all my secrets.”

As he inched higher, Stacy trembled as his fingertips brushed her sensitive skin.

“I’ll just have to find out for myself.”

“If you insist,” she said with an impish grin, “but the answer is both yes and no.”

“Such a tease—”

“Yes, I’m wearing panties—the black lace ones with the pink bow—your favorites.”

“Mm… so hot, what’s the no answer?”

“No hose—garters and stockings—just like Miss Alger.”

Strong hands wrapped around her waist, lifting her swiftly onto the table as if she weighed nothing.

“Show me.”

Eagerly compliant, she pulled her skirt up her thighs, revealing the sheer black lace-top stockings. Leaning from side to side, she pulled her skirt up and over her bottom, exposing her panties and garters.

“Damn, baby. Lie back for me and spread.”

Not minding his brusque commands, which only amped her need higher, she leaned back, lowering herself on the hard broad surface. His hands skimmed up her thighs, moving over her hips. He pushed the skirt higher until it was bunched around her waist. Fingers gripped her hips firmly and yanked her bottom to the very edge of the table. He was a bit rough in his exuberance, but she didn’t mind that either.

“I’ve got to have a taste,” was growled past his lips as he dropped to his knees. He tugged her panties to the side and buried his face between her warm fragrant thighs. She felt his tongue, hot and firm, attack her clit. He bypassed teasing and tender, heading full on to pure sexual torment. His lips and tongue sucked and laved the throbbing bundle of nerves until she arched and squirmed upon the table. She was close, but couldn’t form a coherent word. Instead, they passed as continuous keening moans from her lips, but they still clearly communicated her approaching release.

His hands wrapped around her thighs and held her immobile, spreading her further for unimpeded access. His tongue moved beyond the sinfully wicked point of pleasure, licking along her swollen inner flesh and dipping inside her.

“Jared!”

“That’s it, Stacy. Come for me now.”

With an upsurge, the wave of her orgasm crashed over her, sweeping her along in its intensity and robbing her of breath. She quivered and writhed against his tongue, which insistently held her at a peak until the last wave receded and she collapsed, sated and weak atop the hard table.

Pushing to his feet, Jared made quick work of his belt and fly, his cock heavy in his hand for an instant before plunging deep, in one stunning stroke, into her sultry center. Her still recovering pussy muscles clamped around him tightly and pulled a throaty groan from him. Her half-lidded eyes watched as he moved inside her, setting up an unwavering pounding rhythm.

“Unbutton your jacket. I want to see you.”

With trembling hands, she slipped the buttons through their holes and pulled the lapels apart. Her taut nipples tingled as she pulled up the thin silk of her camisole, revealing the smooth demi-cups of her white pushup bra. Still tight from her release and the steady friction of his sizeable presence gliding along her g-spot, her nipples ached for his touch.

As if reading her mind, Jared propped her heels against his chest and leaned into her. She gasped as he sank deeper, at the same time pulling down the cups of her bra with his eager hands. When his near scalding mouth captured one peak, Stacy’s hands wrapped around his head and pulled him against her, silently begging him to take more. He concentrated on one nipple—sucking, licking, and nibbling until it ached—before moving to her other breast and according it the same treatment.

His mouth moved higher and captured her lips. “So freakin’ hot, baby, your pussy’s like nothing else.”

Standing, he ran his hands down her body, over her breasts, giving each taut peak a tweak and a little tug, before gliding over her belly and hips, and around to her ass, claiming a cheek in each palm. He pumped into her harder, bringing her along with him as his own pleasure built. Releasing one ass cheek, he slipped a hand between her thighs and began tweaking and rubbing her clit.

“Keep pace with me, honey.”

She did, moving her hips to meet his thrusts as best she could in this position. Her heels dug into his pecs as she pushed off, rocking into him.

“I’m close. Pinch your nipples, Stacy. My hands are occupied.”

Beyond control, her hands latched on to her aching peaks and squeezed.

“Harder, pinch them like I do.”

Staring deeply into his eyes, she pulled and rolled her nipples, using her thumbs to compress the sensitive flesh against the side of her forefingers, imitating the exact pressure he usually provided. She felt naughty, following his commands and playing beneath his powerful gaze, and it made her hotter, wetter, and aching with need.

“That’s my good girl. Keep it up, while I take you to heaven once more.”

He power-thrust into her, the strength of his motion rocking the sturdy table, drawing a carnal cry from her lips. By this time, she was mindless to their surroundings, forgetting that she was spread, almost naked atop the conference table, where only moments ago twelve fully dressed, conservative professionals calmly discussed business.

Jared leaned forward, the new angle stimulating her clit with each downward stroke. He captured her mouth and the cry of pure pleasure that rose from deep inside as he drove her toward another mind-numbing orgasm. Her feminine moans were soon drowned out by Jared’s masculine growl of completion as he joined her. She watched his face through hooded eyes as he came hard and deep within her, head thrown back, face tense, neck corded with the strain of his passion.

A moment later, his eyes opened and connected with hers. They burned intensely with the hot amber glow of his passion. She was once again mesmerized. “Chameleon eyes—so very beautiful,” she breathed.

Propping himself on his forearms, he smiled down at her, and gave her one more deep stroke as he came to rest against her, deeply embedded in her moist heat. His voice was low and husky as he chuckled, “You are the beauty, sweet Stacy. I love you, baby.”

“Love you too, darlin’.” Her hand came up and stroked his jaw, covered with a sexy evening scruff of beard. “It was a success, don’t you think?”

“Fucking you on the conference room table, you came twice and I got mine. Yeah, I’d call that a success.”

Her hand slid to cover his mouth. “I meant the meeting.”

“Stacy, twelve yes votes, a seven-digit bottom line, you charming and impressive as hell—it was more than a success, it was a triumph. You knocked their socks off.”

“No one even noticed the staff bonuses I snuck into the budget while still keeping that seven-digit bottom line. I was thinking St. Barts for a honeymoon, what say you?”

“I’d say that makes my office manager fiancée a very sneaky woman.”

“Hey, it was there for all to see—fully disclosed. Besides, being not-for-profit we have to roll it back into the business somehow. Them’s the rules.” She winked up at him, then lifted her head and gave him a lip-smacker on his smiling mouth. “Booyah, baby!”

“I can’t argue then, can I? You know I’m a stickler for the rules.”

Her grin turned into a dazzling smile.

“I’m so proud of you, Stacy.”

She froze.

“Are you really, Jared? Proud, that is. I thought—” She paused, not wanting to ruin the moment.

“You thought I doubted you because I asked my mother for help.”

“Uh—yes, I did think that. How did you know?”

“Marc helped me figure it out. I didn’t realize I was undermining you by asking for her help, Stacy. I’m sorry for that. It was habit really, not reservations about your abilities. You know I don’t like the finance and accounting end of things, so I’d ask her to look at it and summarize it all for me. Pretty lazy, huh? You are a capable, intelligent, accomplished woman and an asset to our practice. Despite all you’ve been through, you’ve overcome so much. You could have given up, but you didn’t. You could have withdrawn from the world, but you didn’t do that either. You are strong, honey, much stronger then you give yourself credit for. If I haven’t said it before, I’m sorry, but I’m saying it now—I’m damn proud of you, baby.”