All eyes were on him and I could tell from the way he grit his teeth that he wasn't happy with any of us. Still, he remained quiet.
His silence only stoked her indignation. "Jakey, did you hear me? I said-"
"It's Jacob," he said curtly. "And I think we all need to take a breath." He looked at each of us, daring us to question him. I had a lot more to say, but I jutted out my lip. Rachel flipped her hair. Allegra was still as a statue.
"Now," Jacob said after a moment. "Everyone's a little on edge. Leila, I believe you owe Miss Laraby an apology."
"What?" I snapped. He couldn't be serious.
He moved to my side and dropped his volume level. "I know Rachel can be trying, but she's our client. As such, you have to put aside your baggage-"
"My baggage?" I said in disbelief. "She's been treating me like crap since the moment she met me. Any baggage was already packed and ready to go. Her baggage is you." I stepped away from him, getting Rachel in my crosshairs. "I'm sorry I'm the first person to call you that to your face."
Seeing nothing but red, I found my way to the door and threw it open. Tears of frustration cascaded down my face and I knew I looked a hot mess from the stares I got, but I didn't care. On some level, I knew I wasn't being professional, that Jacob was right about putting aside my issues for the job, but that woman had a way of getting under my skin. I couldn’t just let it go.
As soon as I opened the door to my room and saw Jacob’s card on the bed, I knew it was a little more than a client with an attitude. It was the idea that he'd been with her, that he'd cared about her. It was the thought that maybe instead of coming to my bed last night, he'd gone to hers.
"Doesn't matter now," I whispered, walking to the bed and sinking into the mattress. What came next was pretty obvious--no way Jacob would let our exchange fly, especially in front of a client. I'd gone from applicant to research aide to personal assistant to the boss....and now, back to unemployment.
The door echoed with knocks and I peeked at it. Probably the staff removing me from the premises. Another sets of knocks, more urgent followed--along with a familiar voice that made my heart stop.
"Leila, open the door."
I kicked my legs over the edge of the bed and snatched the door open, looking at him in shock. "Jacob."
The side of his lip curled upward. "So you do know how to obey."
He was upon me, his lips crashing into my lips as he kicked the door closed with his foot. I had no time to catch my breath as he spun me around and slammed me against the door. The spasm of pain was dulled by the tenderness of him holding the sides of my face. It was confusing; the mixture of force and power as he pinned me in place contrasting with him caressing me like I was something precious.
He pulled back, scanning my face and gauging my reaction. I brought a shaky hand to my lips, still feeling him there before I let out a giggle.
"I guess this means I still have a job."
His eyes sparkled and when he smiled, I felt the warmth in it down to my very bones. It was quickly replaced by lust as he roped an arm around my waist and pulled me in close.
"The last thing I want to talk about right now is work."
His touch tightened, the hands at the curve of my back venturing down until he clutched my ass. His mouth possessed mine and with those luscious lips pressed against me I knew I was in major trouble. The boom boom in my chest was more than arousal, the blood rushing through my veins more than the fantasy of finally being with him. I'd do anything for him. Anything.
When we came up for air this time, he reached around and unhinged my scarf. My hands instantly flew to my hair, but he brought them back down with a look that made my core clench. Without using a single word, he'd just given me an order.
He ran his pointer along my jaw line and even that slight touch made me tremble for more. But his hands didn't drop to the usual suspects; not to my br**sts, finding my ni**les solid and aching, or down further, to the part of me that was dripping wet. No--he bit his lip as he toyed with the stray curls from my bun. He reached to the base of my neck, unwrapping my ponytail and freed my wild hair. He threaded his fingers through my locks before dropping his mouth to my ear.
"That's better."
I let out a moan and reached for his pants, trying to get at him, trying to be with him totally and completely, but he gripped my wrists.
"Are you ready?" His eyes ravaged me. "Are you ready to submit to me?"
"Yes," I said without batting an eye. "Whatever you want me to be, whatever you want." I reached out, holding his cheek. "I'm yours."
He put his hand over mine and squeezed before taking a step back and practically growling at me. "You do nothing without my permission.” His bottom lip quivered. “Take off your clothes."
The uncertainty that made me hesitate before was impossible now with him looking at me like I was the sexiest thing he'd ever laid eyes on. I stripped in record time and stood naked, waiting for further instruction.
His hand dropped to the crotch of his pants and I watched him tug at his erection as he poured over every inch of me. I wanted to touch myself too, to drop my hands to the center of me, but he hadn't said so.
"Get on the bed,” he said thickly. “On your stomach, ass in the air."
The curse on his tongue sent pangs of lust ricocheting over me and something as simple as walking became laborious, but I made it to the bed, only clenching my butt muscles once before I decided to relax.
He wants you. All of you.
I moved onto the bed, the friction of the sheets against my heated flesh making me all but writhe for release. I could feel his eyes and it sent heat rippling over my body. When I peeked over my shoulder, I saw him unbuckling his pants. My eyes doubled in size as I took in every part of him. From his broad, muscular shoulders, down his chiseled abs to the sight of him in all his glory.
Glory didn’t do it justice. He had the most beautiful c**k I’d ever seen. It was thick and veiny, protruding from a mass of ebony curls.
"Oh my,” I whispered, an uncontrollable moan rattling in my throat.
He gave me a grin that was pure lust and danger. "You like what you see?"
God yes. I could only manage another moan as he joined me on the bed. He moved his fingers along my spine and I arched into the sensation.
"Up,” he barked.
I rose up on my arms and legs, on all fours. When I felt the head of his c**k rubbing against my cheeks, my limbs turned to jello. I didn't know if I could wait much longer. I needed him as badly as my next breath.