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  “Stop doing that if you don’t want to skip dinner.”

  It was my turn to chuckle now, satisfied with the effect I had on him. “Now that would be a shame because I want to try your dishes.”

  “Then let’s go inside before I change my mind and do something to you right here.”

  My core throbbed at his words, and I was so close to giving up on dinner and doing exactly what I wanted right now.

  Shaking my head at myself, I followed him inside. As he walked ahead of me, I used the opportunity to check his sexy backside, imagining my hands on it and every other part of his body.

  Okay, I was seriously losing my mind here.

  He led me into an enormous dimly-lit kitchen that could easily compete with those seen only in celebrities’ homes. All the elements were designed to impress, with the seemingly never-ending surfaces, and once more, my naughty mind began creating a fantasy with Jared.

  I’d like him to take me right there, in the middle of that kitchen isle. Or right against that wall. Or on top of that huge dining table that now had flowers, lit candles, and the deliciously-looking food he’d prepared placed over it.

  It was definite. I’d lost my mind.

  “So how do you like my grilled chili lime steak?”

  I swallowed another bite of the delicious meat, enjoying its rich taste. “It’s really good.”

  He raised his brow, casting me a smirk. “Only good?”

  My lips curled into a smile. “Okay, it’s excellent!”

  “That’s better.”

  I took a sip of white wine, more relaxed than I’d been lately. “So how is your work these days? Is it as stressful as before?”

  “You can say so. We’re working on a new project that is supposed to bring us a lot of cash, but we’re working on a short deadline.”

  “What is this project about?”

  He tensed, his eyes flashing with something I couldn’t decipher easily, and looked away. “It’s about some condos. The board is pressuring me to speed things up and start the project sooner than planned.”

  “I see.”

  “This is, of course, causing me a lot of stress, but I’ve been reading some articles about dealing with stress for the past month and they help me to some extent.”

  “How about anger? How do you react to triggers?”

  He shrugged his shoulders and took a gulp of his wine. “Believe it or not, there were a couple of times when I stopped myself right before I started arguing just because I remembered your words.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Really?”

  “Yes. I was in denial. I always refused to believe I have a problem, but that only made things worse for me. I didn’t know how to deal with it, and the anger has only accumulated... So I decided to mend my ways and focus on the root of the problem.”

  “Have you discovered it? The root, I mean.”

  “Yes. I would say most of my stress comes from not being able to make my own decisions in the company. If I was the head honcho, I’d do a lot of things differently. Then again, I wouldn’t be in this line of work, because as I’ve told you, I have a hard time with the ethical nature of my job.”

  “Have you ever considered changing your career or starting your own company?”

  He looked into the distance, his eyes glazing over as he thought about the answer. “Actually, I have. A lot. There were times when I was so close to quitting and starting a new company, but then my family did everything possible and impossible to keep me.”

  “Why? Why can’t they let you follow your own path?”

  “Because I am—and I quote—the best thing that has happened to our company in the last thirty years. We’re an old company, which has existed for several generations, but according to my father, the profits have doubled since I stepped in as the new CEO.”

  “I understand. Honestly, this whole situation sounds complicated.”

  “To put it mildly. So, it’s not that easy for me to do whatever I want, which brings us to my anger issues.” He exhaled heavily, shaking his head. “Do you have any advice on how to deal with the pressure and stress before I start spitting fire again?” he asked half-jokingly.

  I slid my finger over the rim of the glass, playing idly. “You recognized the underlying issue and that’s extremely important. This means you can address the cause and resolve the issue eventually. Don’t be hard on yourself. You’re already under a lot of pressure, so try taking it easy and accepting that things can’t always go your way. Especially when you’re in charge of a company. There are so many things that can go wrong there, but if you let every single one get to you, you’re going to be worn out in the end, and breakdown is not an implausible option.”

  I took another sip of wine, not failing to notice the way his eyes had darkened while I talked. He was looking at me like he wanted to swallow me whole. I squirmed in my seat, turning hot.

  “So the bottom line is—failure is not the end. Observe failure as a stepping stone. If you start seeing good in negative things, you’ll be able to transform the obstacle into a challenge, which will allow you to overcome the problem at hand. You’ll also feel much calmer and ready to deal with your colleagues without starting an argument.”

  My heart was pounding against my chest, reacting to Jared’s heated stare. Just like that, the sexual tension between us returned with full force. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “Because I’m impressed. I’m impressed by you. You’re strong and knowledgeable, and just looking at you talking like that makes me want to...”

  I bit my lip, glancing at him underneath my eyelashes. “Makes you want to—what?”

  He let out a low moan, standing up. “It makes me want to devour you. You’re a gorgeous woman, Claire.”

  The next moment, he was right beside me. He grabbed my upper arms and pulled me to my feet before he kissed me, crushing his lips against mine. I brought my hands to his chest and grasped his shirt, letting him back me to the kitchen counter as our kiss turned into something much more passionate.

  My breaths were shallow, my blood humming through my veins, and the pleasure was too powerful. My hands were restless as they slid all over his waist and chest, trying to feel more of him. He took off my blazer and threw it to the floor, kissing the tender spot beneath my ear.

  “Jared,” I moaned, already wet and ready for much, much more. I needed him inside of me. “What are you doing to me?”

  “I could ask you the same thing,” he muttered into my neck. “Here’s something that will probably surprise you.” He left a trail of open-mouthed kisses along my neck and shoulder. “I’ve been fantasizing about you since our first meeting last month.” He leaned away to look at my face, holding my waist firmly. “I was so pissed off, but I couldn’t get rid of those thoughts. I wanted you. I want you.”

  He buried his head into my breasts, kissing them over the blouse and the bra. I moaned again, throwing my head backward when he cupped my butt and pressed me against him.

  “I also have to admit something.” I grabbed his face and made him look at me. “I fantasized about you too. I even had wet dreams.”

  His pupils were now so dilated that I could barely see the green of his orbs. “Fuck me.”

  With a growl, he grabbed my hips and planted me on the top of the kitchen island. He pushed me down, stopping in between my legs at the same time.

  “So you’re a naughty girl, huh? You wanted me from the start?”

  He raised my skirt to my waist, exposing my lace panties to him. “Yes. But I hated it.”

  His eyes found mine, stealing my breath away. “How about now? Do you hate it?”

  He caressed the back of my thighs, taunting me each time he came to the edge of my undies before he moved his hands back to my knees. I was now lying with my legs widely spread for him, left completely exposed.

  “Absolutely not,” I breathed out, desperate for his next move.

  “What do you want?” I barely recognized his
husky voice. I shuddered under his hands that were now tracing my waist before they stopped at my hips. “Tell me.”

  My undies were so wet. “I want you to touch me.”

  His smile was devilish. “Where?”

  “You know where.”

  “No, I don’t. I need you to tell me exactly what you want.”

  I groaned, arching my back when he ran his hands across my chest again. “Down there. I want you to touch my pussy.”

  “Oh, you’ll get more than that, baby.”

  He ripped my panties off and pressed his head into my mound, his hands on my thighs holding me in place.

  “Jared!” I screamed when his tongue darted out to meet my clit, arching my back.

  His mouth wrapped around my clit, and pleasure overcame me. I threaded my fingers through his hair and pulled it, moaning louder and louder. He was sucking me, then licking me, then sucking me again, and the rapid changes were too much, pushing me quickly to an orgasm that would shatter me.

  “Ah, ah, ah! That’s so good! Don’t stop, Jared! Please, don’t...”

  He ground his face against my pussy, sucking me faster, and my mind turned blank. All I was aware of was a feeling of ecstasy that grew stronger and stronger until it overwhelmed me...

  He brought his fingers to my hole and entered me, adding to the explosive sensations, and I was so close... He was fingering me fast, two fingers ripping through my wet walls...

  “Ah! Yes! I’m going to come... I’m going to come, so don’t stop... I’m going to—”

  He thrust three fingers inside of me, stretching me widely, which was all I needed to erupt into a powerful orgasm.

  “Jared!” I clung onto him, beyond myself with ecstatic sensations rushing through every part of me.

  My body felt like it was made of lead when he picked me up and carried me across the kitchen to the nearest wall. His lips pressed against mine as he ground against my swollen mound, growing impatient.

  “I need to be inside of you right now,” he said in a deep voice, working on the zipper of his jeans with one hand. A second later, he slid his jeans and boxers down, freeing his erection, and pressed the tip against my pulsating folds. “Do you want this?” he taunted me again, sliding his silky tip up and down my pussy. “Do you want my cock deep inside of you?”

  I moaned, wrapping my legs around his waist tighter. “Yes.”

  “Good girl.”

  He pushed into me, not stopping until he was fully inside. “Ah! So deep!” He pulled out and thrust back inside right away, hitting my cervix. “Ah!”

  His fingers dug into my hips when he began a steady tempo, driving himself deep into me again and again. I couldn’t look away from him, mesmerized by the dark look on his face that was twisted from desire.

  “You’re so tight. You feel so much better than I’ve imagined... So much better...”

  He bit into my neck and licked the spot, fucking me relentlessly. I could barely stand the intensity of his thrusts, amazed at how good this felt. Each time he went in so deep, pushing through my sensitive walls that hugged him firmly, and I was closer to another mind-blowing climax.

  Our moans mixed together when he brought his mouth back to mine, and the pressure in me quickly reached its bursting point once more.

  “Mhm!” I moaned into his mouth and came hard, digging my nails into his shoulders when the most powerful aftershock went through me.

  “Fuck! So tight!” With a growl, he lowered me down and spun me around, making me face the wall. I barely had time to support myself against it when he rammed into me. This time he was drilling me so fast that I was incredibly wet and hot.

  I couldn’t stop screaming, pushing my hands against the wall, and it was barely bearable. I was drowning in pleasure, too dazed to think about anything as each sharp move of his hips brought stronger sensations.

  “I’m going to cum, baby. You’re so good.”

  “Yes, Jared. That’s it.” I moved to meet his hips, our bodies moving in sync, which allowed him to slide easily in and out of me.

  A few seconds later, he pulled out of me abruptly, pushed my skirt higher up my body, and jerked himself off. One, two, three spurts of his load ended on my butt.

  “Claire, that was...”

  “Amazing?” I offered, grinning like a fool.

  “Yeah.” He was breathing heavily, leaning his head against my shoulder as he hugged me from behind. “You’re amazing.”

  “You’re not bad yourself.” I could barely stand, feeling as if my wobbly legs would give out on me any second. “I think our dinner got cold.”

  His chuckle joined mine. “Don’t move. I’ll help you clean up first.” He went to grab tissues, leaving me to catch my breath.

  I couldn’t believe I’d just had an explosive sex with Jared Holmes. Wow. It had been better than I’d ever thought, and now that I had a taste of him, I wasn’t sure I would be able to stop. Not that I wanted to.

  I think I’m in trouble.

  6

  Last night had been a blast, and that was putting it mildly. After a couple more rounds, Jared and I had finally hit the sack, completely worn out by our after-midnight “activities”.

  Just thinking about it made me want to giggle non-stop, keeping me restless and jumpy. Even though I’d slept for barely four hours, I felt more energized than ever, and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

  I tried to remember when the last time was I clicked with someone like I had with Jared... Nope. I couldn’t think of anyone who made me feel the way Jared had. Just one gaze or touch was enough to create a whirlwind of emotions in me, and the attraction was irresistible. I had won the lottery with him.

  How ironic was this considering the fact that we’d gotten off on the wrong foot?

  “You’ve had that smile plastered on your face ever since we got up from the bed,” Jared teased me when we got out of his building, on our way to the parking lot.

  “You got a problem with that?” I pinched his cheek, tickled pink. “I’m addicted to smiling.”

  “And I’m addicted to you.” His lips brushed mine, his hands pulling me closer to him as his tongue skimmed over my lower lip. “I want you to smile like that for me all the time, sweetheart. Deal?”

  I let a low moan into his mouth, pressing myself closer to him, when his phone rang, interrupting our little passionate moment.

  The groan that left his mouth depicted perfectly how I felt. Alison would call his phone a cock-blocker, not that we were anywhere near getting busy.

  He checked his screen and frowned when he saw the ID of the caller.

  “What’s going on?”

  “They’re calling me from my company. Hold on a sec.”

  Taking me by my hand, he answered the call and led me toward his Porsche. “Yes?”

  I glanced at him, noticing tense lines forming on his face. His stride was slightly difficult to keep up with, and his grip on my hand was a bit firmer than it should have been.

  “But I told them we should wait!” he bit, and I winced. His cold voice reminded me of the Jared the day we’d first met, which could only mean some serious business. “Yes. I know what’s at stake.” He clenched his jaw, his green eyes turning tempestuous. “You don’t have to remind me about it. I know.”

  There was no way for me to make out anything out of this conversation. I could hear the hurried murmur from the person on the other side of the line, but I couldn’t discern the words.

  “I’m coming there in twenty, so stay put.”

  He ended the call abruptly and halted right next to his car, breathing fast, his body completely rigid now. He let go of my hand.

  “What’s happening, Jared? Is everything alright?”

  His back was turned to me, so I couldn’t see his face. All I could see was the way his shoulders turned stiff as soon as my words came out of my mouth. He was furious about something, and I wondered if I could help him with it.

  “Jared?” I asked again when he denied
me the answer, remaining silent.

  He made a heavy sigh, finally facing me. However, for some reason, he didn’t look me directly in the eyes. “Just some issues at my work.” He clenched his fist. “It’s nothing important. Come on, I’ll drive you to your place.”

  It was clear that whatever bothered him was important, but I understood his reaction. He didn’t want to divulge the issue, not trusting me, so I couldn’t press him for answers. Still, it hurt a little. I didn’t expect him to open up to me, but I thought we’d managed to get closer to each other after last night.

  Or maybe last night wasn’t as important to him as it was to me. Maybe we would never see each other again after this morning.

  My stomach protested at the thought, filled with lead. I didn’t know how to feel about this. If he said he’d call me or something vague like that at the end of the drive, it would be a clear sign he had no intention of seeing me again. Then I would feel dejected. I wanted to see him again. He made me feel good. He made me feel alive.

  I glanced at him when he started the engine and found his gaze already on me. “I’ll tell you everything,” he muttered, his words referring to something I couldn’t fully grasp at the moment. “Soon.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He brushed his knuckles against my cheek, gazing at me softly. “Nothing. Let’s get you home, okay?”

  We’d barely spoken a word during our drive, both of us lost in our thoughts. I was worried that something bad had happened in his company, which could cause him more stress. I really liked him, so, naturally, I wanted to help.

  Minutes passed, but instead of calming down, he was becoming more nervous, until he was simmering with anger. I didn’t need to be an expert on anger to realize he was having difficulties controlling it, so the moment he shut down his car in front of my building, I unfastened my seat belt and pressed my lips to his, hoping to help him relax.

  Our lips molded perfectly, moving against each other in sync, and all worries or doubts didn’t matter as the heat spread through our bodies and fuelled our passion. He’d been trembling, but now that we were kissing, I could feel him unwinding, his hands tracing my back tenderly.