The Boardroom (New Adult Contemporary Romance) (8 page)
Read The Boardroom (New Adult Contemporary Romance) Online
Authors: Jacee Macguire
They dressed quickly. When the car eased to a stop in front of Avery’s luxurious home, she felt as though she were home. The sudden unexpected thought panicked her. This was not her home. This man was not her man. But she wished he was. He made her feel things she had never felt before, feelings that ran far deeper than just mind-blowing sex. Those feelings scared the hell out of her. She knew she could love him, did love him, if she was honest with herself. But she would not share that with him; not yet.
Chapter Twenty-four -- Peyton
The next morning, after returning home, Peyton hurried around the house doing all the random but necessary chores that had been put off.. She had been so wrapped up in her weekly classes, her job, and spending time with Avery that she had let a lot of things slide. As she made her way upstairs to put away the laundry, the doorbell chimed. She placed the basket on the landing and headed for the door. It chimed again. “Coming!” she shouted. “I’ll be right there.”
She opened the door to see a woman holding a large box in her arms, with a bag dangling from her wrist. “Can I help you?” she asked.
The woman smiled. “You must be Peyton. I’m Alice, Mr. Roderick’s assistant. He asked me to deliver these packages to you for the charity event. May I come in?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. Please come in, Alice.” she stepped to the side, letting the woman in.
Alice placed the packages on the sofa just inside the living room and took a seat beside them. “Could I trouble you for a glass of water, dear?”
“Sure. I’ll be right back.” Peyton rushed into the kitchen, returning with a glass of ice water for her guest.
“Thank you,” Alice said, taking the glass. “At my age, trucking around town and making deliveries is quite exhausting. But I’m so glad to meet the woman that has brought Avery back to life.”
“What... What do you mean?”
Alice’s eyes teared up. “I’ve known Avery for some time, my dear, and he’s been so lonely for so long. It’s just nice to see him enjoying life again. I worried he would... oh never mind dear.” She quickly wiped her eyes and smiled. “He’s just so happy now.” She handed the box of Peyton. “Now let’s take a look at this dress, shall we? If it needs alterations, I can take care of them today.”
“Sure.” Peyton untied to large red bow wrapped around the box, excited to see what kind of dress lay within. Removing the lid and placing it on the cushion beside her, she eased the tissue paper to the side. She gasped. Before her was the most amazing red dress she had ever seen. She reached into the box and slowly lifted it out, admiring the way the soft material felt beneath her fingers. “Oh my goodness,” she said breathlessly. “It’s beautiful… and it looks like it’s the right size, too. I don’t think it will need any alterations.” At least she hoped not. It looked beautiful and perfect just the way it was.
“It is lovely, my dear. Avery picked it out himself. He has impeccable taste.” She handed the bag over to Peyton. “The shoes are in the bag, dear. I think you’ll love them, too.”
Peyton dug into the bag and pulled out a pair of killer black heels. Combined with the dress, she’d look like she stepped out of a fashion magazine. The dress – by far the most amazing one she had ever seen – was strapless, and designed to show off cleavage to its maximum potential. Fortunately, she had plenty of cleavage to show. It was simple, yet very, very sexy.
Unable to contain her excitement, Peyton grabbd the dress and heels, and excused herself to go try them on. She took a long look in the mirror after she was dressed. “Wow!” she said softly, not believing her eyes. “I look gorgeous.” She almost didn’t want to take the dress off.
After slipping back into her regular clothes, Peyton returned to the living room. “It’s perfect,” she told Alice, unable to keep the big smile off her face. Alice reminded her the charity event was Monday night and went on her way, telling Peyton again how wonderful it was she was in Avery’s life.
Chapter Twenty-five -- Avery
Avery had finally persuaded Peyton to allow him to pick her up at her home. In the weeks since their meeting, she had never invited him over, not even to pick up or drop her off for their dates. It didn’t bother him exactly, but he wished she was comfortable enough to let him into her life. He just wanted to meet her family and friends.
Avery’s limo pulled to the curb in front of what he thought to be a charming two-story house. The driver opened his door and Avery slid out, heading to the door, straightening his suit jacket and tie. He rang the bell, eager to see his beautiful woman. He hadn’t yet told her he loved her, but it would be foolish to deny the fact to himself. He had loved her since the first time he saw her face. A young girl opened the door. He saw the resemblance instantly and realized she must be Peyton’s sister.
“Hi,” he said. “I’m Avery. What’s your name?”
“I’m Maggie. Peyton isn’t ready yet. Come in.” She stepped back to let Avery in and closed the door behind him, and then led him into the living room where he was introduced to Peyton’s roommates and brother. They looked at him, their eyes filled with curiosity. He knew what was coming, and hoped he was ready for it.
“I’m Jade,” one of the girls said, grinning wickedly. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I hope it was all good,” he said, smiling at the girls.
“I’m Mandy,” another girl said. “Do you have any single friends, Avery?”
“Mandy!” Jade said, narrowing her eyes at the girl. “Peyton will kill you if you embarrass her!”
“Calm down, Jade,” Mandy said. She looked at Avery and smiled. “I’m only asking what you girls won’t. He’s hot!”
“It’s okay, ladies,” Avery said, smiling. He looked at Mandy. “As a matter of fact, I do have several single friends.” He resisted the urge to laugh when Mandy blushed and looked away from him. Peyton’s friends were just as lively as he had imagined them to be.
After several other innocent and not-so-innocent questions, Avery heard a door close upstairs. He turned and looked up the staircase, anxious to see his Sweetness. He couldn’t wait to see her in the sexy red dress he had bought for her. He thought of her spinning around the dance floor, just as she had in his dreams, and his cock began to swell, his heart racing.
Peyton stepped from the landing, slowly coming into view. With each slow seductive step she made, desire flooded him, raging through his body. The first sight of those sexy black heels and her bare ankles made his mouth dry. He was speechless and frozen as he watched her descend slowly.
The seconds seemed to stretch into an eternity as he anxiously waited for the moment he could see all of her. By the time her bare thighs came into view, peeking beneath the hem of the short dress, his cock was full-on hard. He could hear the girls giggling and cheering but he pushed the sound aside, focusing on the object of his desire... his passion. Peyton finally came in to full view. He stared for a few seconds, his eyes drinking in her beauty. “Enchanting,” he said, breathlessly. He looked into her eyes. “You are the most gorgeous creature to ever walk the earth.”
Taking her into his arms, Avery pulled Peyton tight against him, slipping one hand behind her head, forgetting about the others as he pressed his lips firmly to hers.
Judging from the stunned silence that suddenly filled the room, Avery guessed her friends had never seen Peyton in such a way before. He pulled away, wanting to kiss her more deeply, but realizing this wasn’t the time or place. He looked into her eyes, seeing the flames of desire building within her. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
She blinked, licked her lips, her cheeks flushed. “It’s... It’s okay. I’m sorry I took so long. Are you ready to go?” She avoided looking at her friends, her face red, but her eyes still said she wanted him.
“I’m ready if you are.” He glanced at her friends, his mouth quirking into a small smile as he took in the stunned expressions on everyone’s faces. “It was nice to meet all of you.”
“I’ll be late so don’t wait up,” Peyton said, taking Avery’s arm as he walked her to the door. A chorus of goodbyes followed them as they walked towards the waiting limo.
****
Did you enjoy The Boardroom? Have a little more spicy fun when you meet
The Professor’s Lover
.
Visit Jacee on the web at:
Blog:
http://jaceemacguire.blogspot.com/
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@JaceeMacguire
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