I broke our kiss and slowly knelt between his thighs.

“Baby,” he said hoarsely.

The endearment sent relief spearing through me. I had missed him calling me that. Without looking away from his gaze, I unbuckled his belt. The button was stubborn, but I triumphed. His eyes darkened to a mossy green as I lowered his zipper slowly. His shaft was already straining the material of his boxer briefs.

I tugged on his waistband. He raised his hips to let me pull the material past his hips. I looked at him in fascination. Ignoring his raging erection for a moment, I traced his hipbones with my fingers. His skin was soft and sensitive.

“Touch me, Cora.”

I didn’t need to ask where he wanted my touch. I wrapped both hands around his shaft and stroked. I looked up to gauge his reaction. His hands gripped his armrests so hard his knuckles were white. His eyes were wide open, as if he couldn’t bear to look away.

Having never given a blowjob before, I went with my instincts. I licked at his crown, letting my saliva mix with his drop of arousal. Jake’s jaw ticked. I did it again. He moaned. I blew air on his cock and it jerked in my hands.

“Baby, take me in your mouth.” He wrapped my hair around his hand and tugged on my head.

I swallowed his tip and started sucking slowly. Initially I was clumsy and awkward, but Jake’s murmured instructions and moans told me what pleased him. I couldn’t take his full length in my mouth, but I used my hands to stroke the inches I couldn’t reach.

“Jesus Christ. That feels fucking amazing.” He pulled on my hair and I whimpered at how sexy it made me feel.

I didn’t think I would enjoy this, but I loved having Jake in my mouth. I closed my eyes and concentrated on driving him insane. As I gained confidence, Jake’s moans grew louder and his movements less controlled. His pleasure fed mine.

“Baby, I’m going to come. If you don’t pull away…”

I made my intentions clear by increasing my suctioning and with a loud expletive, Jake bucked his hips and exploded. His warm seed hit the back of my throat and I swallowed convulsively. He jerked again in my mouth and I sucked softly, savoring everything about the moment. The slightly salty taste of him on my tongue. The savage way he gripped my head as he came. The husky moans that pushed out of his lips.

My hands continued to work his shaft until he softened and only then did I let him drop out of my mouth.

Jake dragged me into his lap and kissed me softly on my lips. He pushed my hair back so that he could look into my eyes. His eyes were still glazed with satisfaction. “I’m not complaining, but what brought all this on?”

I laid my head on his shoulder. “I saw Dale Richards downstairs.” He stiffened under me and I petted his chest soothingly. “Don’t freak out. You have nothing to be jealous of. He told me what you did for his dad’s company.”

“So you blew me because you’re grateful?” His muscles tightened further.

I smacked his shoulder and sat up to glare at him. “No! Your willingness to trust me opened my eyes to my feelings. It made me realize how much I…” I squeezed my eyes shut, all of a sudden shy.

His hand cupped my face. He leaned his forehead against mine and whispered urgently, “Tell me baby. Please.”

I almost smiled at hearing that please, but the moment was too important. I opened my eyes, needing to see his reaction to my words. “I… I love you.”

He inhaled sharply and closed his eyes. “It’s about damn time. Because I’m crazy in love with you, Cora Branton.”

“Really?” I asked, that damn insecurity rearing its head.

His blue-green eyes saw right into my soul. “Yes, baby. I think from the moment I saw you outside the building months ago.” He described the night that I thought I saw him in the shadows. It was so romantic, I couldn’t resist kissing him until we were panting for breath.

Jake caressed my cheek. “Then you started to work for me. It took a few weeks before I was ready to admit it, but you’ve had my heart from the very beginning. It killed me each time you pushed me away.”

I kissed his chin, feeling the hint of stubble against my lips. “I’m sorry, Jake. I was scared.”

“I know, but it pained me to know you expected me to walk out on you. I saw it in your eyes. You had no faith in me. In our relationship.”

I saw the vulnerability in his eyes and I vowed to never hurt him. “Jake, it was so fast. I had only known you for a few weeks. You have to admit that you had a reputation with women.”

He scowled, but grudgingly said, “Maybe.”

Giggling, I hid my face in his neck. My man was definitely not one for concessions. I felt a little glow. Jake Weston was my man. It sounded primitive, but my feelings were primitive where he was concerned.

“I’ve never told another woman other than my mom that I love her. Do you understand what I’m saying, Cora?”

Scared, but exhilarated, I nodded.

“Good because I expect better from you from now on. You need to know I’d stand by your side no matter what.”

I kissed his neck. “Yes, I know. I love you.”

He turned my head, kissing the tip of my nose and then my lips. “Say it again.”

I never knew what it meant to be bursting with happiness until this moment. “I love you.” I dotted his face with kisses while chanting, “I love you.”

I straddled him and we made love on his chair. Then on his desk.

“Jake, you have a meeting in twenty minutes.” I was cuddled in his lap while he played with my hair. We were both naked.

“Screw the meeting. Let’s go back to my apartment for the rest of the day.”

I hopped off his lap. Even after all the things we did, I still blushed when I felt our wetness on my thighs. “Nope, you have to go. Let’s get cleaned up in your bathroom.” I bent down to pick up his trousers.

He moaned and grabbed my ass. “Screw the meeting.”

“Jake!” I laughingly scolded as I jumped out of the way. I handed him his pants. Luckily, they weren’t too wrinkled. “You have to go. It’s to discuss the bid for the new project in Dubai.”

He grumbled, but allowed me to drag him into the private bathroom to clean up. We almost got sidetracked again, but in fifteen minutes, I pushed him out of his office. Both of us were presentable, but if anyone looked closely, they’d notice the flushed skin and swollen lips.

The afternoon passed in a dreamy haze. I probably smiled indiscriminately at everyone like an idiot, but I didn’t care.

I could tell something was wrong when Jake came back from the meeting. I tried to find out why he was upset, but he shook off his bad mood. By the end of the day, he seemed to have recovered completely and wanted to take Marcus and me out to dinner. To celebrate, he said. I had never seen him look so carefree. His eyes were sparkling and his dimple seemed to have taken up permanent residence. I didn’t recognize him as the imperious boss I met over a month ago.

When we were about to leave the office, he tensed, his face somber again.

Instantly, I knew why. Smiling at him, I laced our fingers together. The look of surprise and joy on his face was worth any ugly rumors that might start. Walking hand-in-hand, we left the office and walked to the elevators.

Most of the staff had left, but we got a few speculative glances from those who were still working. To my surprise, it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would.

Alana got into the elevator with us. Her eyebrows almost met her hairline when she saw our clasped hands. But when she got off on the ground floor, she winked at me over her shoulder.

I smiled.

Chapter 20

On Saturday morning, Jake showed up early with pastries and coffee. Marcus had already left for the day to hang out with his school friends and Jake and I were looking forward to having some alone time. We were expected at his parents’ house again for dinner and I needed to bake two pies for the hungry Weston men.