A Tropical Rendezvous: A BWWM Interracial Bad Boy Billionaire Multicultural Romance (African American Romance) (47 page)

“Oh,” he exhaled when she threw herself into his arms. “I guess I should have been paying attention to you, wife.” His arms immediately tightened around her and pulled her in close, his erection throbbing under his zipper. “To what do I owe this erotic torture?” Her smile nearly knocked him on his ass.

“I was just saying thank you. Again.” And taking any opportunity she could to press up against his hard muscled body. She squealed when his erection pressed into her, “Oh husband, are you happy to see me?”

“Always sweetness.” Their lips met in the middle and the kiss was short, sweet and full of unfulfilled promise.

Rory stepped back and fanned herself. “Damn Jackson you’re way too potent,” she laughed and shook her head. His laugh was deep and vibrated through her body.

“Resistance is futile.”

Wasn’t that the truth. “Come on, we’ve got tons of work to do.”

“What the hell are you wearing?” Jackson was going out of his ever loving mind. Every night Rory, his sweet little Rory came to be in some flimsy piece of fabric and called it pajamas. The first night she wore a black lace nightgown that came to mid-thigh
and
had a split. Then there was a peach colored thing that was all lace and totally see-through. Tonight, she was trying to make him either die from a prolonged hard on or jump on her and pump until she screamed herself hoarse.

Rory smiled and twirled slowly for him. “It’s called a teddy.” This black and pink lacy piece was a new purchase, made with Jackson in mind. The black lace wasn’t much more than three strips that looped around her neck and covered the nipples, leaving the rest of her breast exposed. The panty part was all lace and the entire thing was held together by pink ribbons. She twirled again because the way he looked at her made her feel sexy.

“There’s no crotch in it!”

Oh, and it was crotchless! She felt positively wicked in it and she wore it because tonight was the night. She was going to have sex with her greatest crush, her biggest fantasy. Her best friend. “Is it?”

“Rory,” he moaned and covered his eyes.

“Jackson,” she replied, surprised the sexy voice that belonged to her.

He opened his eyes and she was standing right next to the bed. He could see her lips, swollen and glistening. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you Rory?”

She felt sexy, bold. Wanton. Stretching her muscles she arched her back, pulling the material tight and highlighting her exposed lips. “I don’t want to kill you Jackson. I want to
taste
you.”

“Yep definitely trying to kill me,” he groaned, pulling her by the waist and twirling her until his body covered hers. His hips circled, pressing his cock into her swollen folds. “Fuck, you look…breathtaking Rory. I don’t know where to look first.”

She squirmed under him. “Pick a place and start looking.”

He stared deep in her eyes and pulled the pink ribbon tied between her breasts and at her neck until she was exposed to him. “Damn sweetheart you look good enough to eat.”

A moan escaped at his words and her back arched. “What…are. You. Waiting. For?” Her words came out in short pants when his tongue pulled one dark berry tipped breast into his mouth. “Jackson, yes.” Her fingers tunneled into his dark waves and held him where she wanted him most.

“You like that sweetness?” He didn’t want for answer because he needed to taste the other one, just to be sure they tasted the same.

“Hell yeah I do!”

Jackson chuckled. Rory was always one to say what was on her mind and it was one of the things he loved most about her. But he could only imagine how that would translate in bed. Eager to find out he began kissing a path around each breast and down her stomach. “Mmm you smell good,” he told her and buried his nose between her lips. She smelled like vanilla and god he hoped she tasted like it too.

“Uh Jacks, you don’t have to, you know.”

He looked up at her, uncertainty written all over her face. He dipped down and sucked her clit before looking back up at her, “Oh but Rory I want to. I can’t wait to taste you, to feel your juices coat my tongue as you tremble under me.”

“Oh,” she said on a breathy moan. “In that case, what are you waiting for?” He wished he could wipe the uncertainty from her face so he looked at her, the tip of his tongue running circles around her clit. “No one has ever,” she closed her eyes, “Just do it already Jacks.”

He laughed again. So none of her douchebag exes had been man enough to pleasure her with their mouths, he was glad. It was their loss and he would show her just how amazing it could be. “As you wish.”

His big hand spread her thighs wide, leaving her feeling completely exposed and on display. She couldn’t help but moan at the reverent way he took her in. She felt the juices running between her legs and she wanted to close them,
tried
to close them but Jacks wouldn’t let her. Then his lips wrapped around her lips and for several long minutes she was sure he was French kissing her pussy. “Oh! Jacks, yes oh yes, Yesssss!” When he slid his tongue inside her opening and twirled it around, fucking her with his mouth until her legs quivered and she couldn’t silence her screams. “Jackson. So good.”

He smiled into her wetness, glad it was him making her lose control in this way. “Tell me you like it sweetness. Tell me.” He dove back in, savoring her sweet flavor with every swipe of his tongue and scrape of his teeth. Her moans were making him want to rise up and slam into her, to feel her wet heat wrapped around him, squeezing him in ecstasy.

“Jacks your mouth is the best thing I’ve ever felt. The way your mouth is fucking my pussy is making my head spin. I’m so wet for you and I can’t wait to have your cock deep inside me.”

He growled his satisfaction, pulling her clit into his mouth with his teeth and sucking hard until she was screaming his name and shaking violently under him. His tongue slowed and carried her down from her orgasm. “Fuck Rory you’re gorgeous when you come in my mouth.”

“Damn that dirty mouth of yours,” she groaned. “I fucking love it!” She sat up and pushed him on his back, “Now my dear friend and husband, I believe it is my turn to taste your magic stick.”

He groaned and laughed. “Magic stick?”

“What? I’ve heard really great things about it. I’m eager to see it, to touch it, taste it. Drink it.”

“Rory as much as would love to bury my cock in your throat, I’m dying to get deep inside that sweet pussy.” He lifted her and sat her on top of his cock, groaning when she rocked against him.

“You should have just said so,” she smiled coyly and rose up until she was lined up with his impressive cock. She sank down taking delicious inch by delicious inch inside her. “Ah, Jacks. That’s definitely more than a mouthful,” she grinned and then she started rocking.

With his hands grasped firmly on her hips, he guided her up and down, up and down on his cock until she took the rhythm on her own and increased the speed. “Goodness you are a vision,” he rasped as he watched her beautiful caramel breasts bounce up and down. He sat up and tilted her back for a deeper angle and also so he could take one of those glorious tits in his mouth.

“Jackson,” she moaned and bounced harder and faster on his cock. She felt her pussy tightening around him, the pulsating making her extra sensitive with every drag of him inside her.

“Let go Ro, I’ve got you. Always.” His kiss stole her screams and she jerked furiously on top of his, squeezing and pulling him in. Milking him until he splashed his orgasm inside of her.

“Jackson! Fuck me, Jackson! Jacks,” her screams slowed as she came down. “Jacks,” she squealed with a laugh when he flipped their positions and hammered into her for all he was worth.

“Rory you feel so fucking good, baby. You’re tight and wet.”

“Just for you Jacks. Always for you.” She probably shouldn’t have been so honest but this was the best damn loving she’d ever had.

“Ro!” He shouted loud when his orgasm washed over him and he gave her a few final strokes that brought her to another orgasm.

“Damn Jacks, you just rocked my world.”

He laughed at her. She was still his crazy, sexy best friend and together they’d just had the most explosive sex of his life. “Right back at you, sweetness.”

“Now let’s see how well you do in the shower.”

~

Rory was in love with her best friend. She knew it was inevitable, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. If she wanted to be cynical, which she didn’t, she could blame it on the amazing sex they’d been having and it was amazing. He’d taught her how to let go and enjoy herself during sex and she’d allowed him to explore some of his kink and found she actually enjoyed.

But that wasn’t why she’d fallen for him. It was because Jacks was incredible. He looked out for her the same way she looked out for him, leaving delicious meals in the new warming oven for her when he knew he’d be at work late. She dropped off his chef whites for dry cleaning and had the kitchen outfitted with high end appliances so he could practice new recipes at home.

They made a good team and that had made the past few months a dream come true. When McKnight-Farthing dropped by unannounced for his visits he found a happily married couple, cooking in the kitchen, vegging in front of the TV and one time having sex in the pool. He was satisfied they were a real couple and yesterday she’d signed the papers giving her the first fifty thousand plus access to her trust fund, which contained about five million dollars.

So far life was good.

She wanted desperately to tell Jackson she was in love with him but that was an unfair burden. He didn’t sign up for forever. He was only trying to help her out because that was what they did. When one of them needed help the other stepped up and did all they could. That’s what Jacks what doing and she was the idiot who’d gone and fallen in love.

She stared at the computer looking at the new website for
Rory Lane Designs
hoping like hell she could keep her feelings from Rory hidden. For four years. “Yeah like that’s possible,” she shook her head in disgust with her pathetic self. “What were you thinking girl?”

“My girl is always thinking about something,” Jacks laughed from the door.

He looked so beautiful framed in the door with that casual smile and lean that highlighted its body to perfection. The sun streaming in behind him made those golden waves look like a halo. “Fucking perfect,” she muttered under her breath. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be home late.”

He shrugged and pushed off the door. “The doors are closed but the house is still packed but I left my manager in charge because I wanted to spent time with my best girl.”

Was it any wonder why she loved this gorgeous man? “You’re so sweet Jacks.”

He grunted and stalked to her, resting his hands on the arms of her chair, locking her in his arms. “I’m not sweet. I’m sexy, manly, rugged.”

She hopped up and kissed his lips. “All that and sweet too? I’m a lucky girl.”

“No Rory, I’m the lucky one.” He lost himself in her smile until he heard the sound of a zipper falling.

“Want me to show you how lucky you are?” She sank to her knees before he had a chance to respond, loving the taste and smell of him. Tasting him and giving him pleasure was turning into her favorite pastime and she planned on doing it until her time ran out.

Chapter Four

Jackson loved being married. Well to be fair, he loved being married to Rory. She was his best friend, his wife, his lover and he was pretty sure he was starting to fall in love with her. It was weird, not that he could love Rory, but that it hadn’t happened before then. He realized how much he’d compartmentalized his feelings for her. It took no time at all to start falling for her, which meant they could have had this amazing
thing
at any time during the past two decades.

Except he was an idiot. A big idiot who’d spent much too long thinking with the wrong head. Now he had his beautiful brown sugar by his side and life was great.

Well life would be great if he knew what was bothering Rory. For the past few days she had been tired, withdrawn and kind of depressed. He wasn’t sure what brought it on, but being married to your best friend meant you could always tell when something was wrong. He just hoped it wasn’t something he’d done.

He sat in the kitchen waiting for his dough to rise and paying bills online. When he got to his culinary school loans his jaw dropped. Zero balance.
That little sneak
. “Rory!” He wasn’t going to chase her down, she’d better get her cute little ass down to this kitchen so he could talk to her. She’d paid off his credit card debt, now his student loans and she’d bought the building his diner was in and gave it to him so he’d “always have it”. While Jackson appreciated the gesture, he knew something was wrong. “Rory!”

“Keep your pants on buddy. Where’s the fire?”

He didn’t buy that casual lean and he could see the strain around her eyes when she pretended to smile. “You want to explain something to me?”

“Sure, what would you like me to explain Jacks?”

That tone told him something was wrong. “Explain why you’re giving me a hundred grand a year yet you paid off my debt
and
bought my building.”

She shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “Jacks you’re my family and I just want to make sure you’re taken care of if anything happens.”

If anything happens?
“Is something wrong Rory, are you sick?”

She sighed and took a seat across from him. “I’m not sick Jacks but if for whatever reason you decide to leave,”
which you will
she wanted to add. “I want to make sure you’re good.”

He rounded the counter and grabbed her, pulling her into him. “Jesus Rory you’re scaring me. Tell me what’s going on?” He stared into her gorgeous hazel eyes and he could see something in them but he didn’t know what. It wasn’t quite sadness, more like resignation and despair.

“Where do I begin?” She wasn’t prepared to have his conversation but she knew Jacks and wouldn’t give up until he’d wrung every truth, every secret from her vault.

“Why don’t we try the beginning, sweetness.”

His tone was so soft, caring and it was making her love him more not less. “Don’t Jacks, please. I can’t think when you’re touching me.”

He smiled and stepped back. “Okay, better?”

She nodded even though his scent was still invading her senses and making it impossible to put words together. “I’ve done something really stupid Jacks and I don’t want it to wreck our friendship.”

“It won’t.”

She shook her head, “You don’t know what. What if you can’t forgive me and I lose you?” If she lost Jacks she’d be well and truly alone.

“Sweetness you could never lose me.”

“Don’t say that if you don’t mean it.” She couldn’t bear it if Jacks hated her or worse, couldn’t be around her because he thought her a lovesick puppy.

“I mean it. Now tell me, what is so awful that I’m never going to forgive you?”

“I fell in love with you.”

He sucked in a breath and looked at her hazel eyes as they bored into him, deep into his soul. She was searching his face for any sign of what? Disgust or hate or pity, he guessed. But hell it was the best news he’d heard in a long time. “Rory,” he said on a long breath.

She held herself stock still so the tears building up couldn’t fall. She wouldn’t put that on him too. If he didn’t love her that was his choice and she wouldn’t force him to watch her fall apart on top of having to reject his best friend. “It’s okay Jacks.”

Her voice was small and defeated and he hated that he did that. He loved her too, was in love with her. So why wasn’t he telling her, easing her pain and fear? “I,” he paused searching for something but nothing would come out. He watched her hop off the stool and pull her shoulders back in a show of confidence, he loved her strength, and looked at him as though memorizing his face.

“I’m sorry,” she said and walked out of the kitchen.

At least now I know what’s wrong
.

~

Rory spent the next few days holed up in her home office processing orders. She had received dozens of online orders that were going to seriously deplete her inventory, a good problem to have. Now she needed to find time to make new pieces and move locations. Even though she now had the money to pay the rent increase, she didn’t want to pay that much just because the landlord wanted more money. Now she was looking for a new location for her store and turning one of the rooms on the east side of the house into a work studio.

It was better than crying in bed over her own stupidity. So instead of wallowing in the misery that consumed her she threw herself into work as much as she could. Jackson’s rejection had hurt her deeply but what hurt most was that she didn’t get to share the best news with him. She was having his baby. They would be wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. Unfortunately it wouldn’t be as a family. She already decided she would give him half when their time was up. It was the right thing to do.

“God I’m so stupid!” She was so angry at herself for ruining what they had. The friendship, the laughter, the passion. She should have just kept her stupid feelings to herself, no matter how much it hurt her to do so. Now things were awkward when they did see each other and that almost hurt more than being rejected. At least she was used to rejection.

This was Sean and Kirsten all over again, only ten times worse. Instead of losing her boyfriend to her close friend and roommate she was now losing her best friend and the man she loved, all in one.
Like a sale, woo!
“At least depression doesn’t lessen my sarcasm.” She should probably also stop talking to herself. Then again she may as well get used to being alone and having the walls for conversation.
I should probably get a few cats.

She didn’t even know if she could have pets with an infant. She would have to ask her doctor at the appointment next week.

“Are we going to avoid each other forever?”

“Shit!” She was startled and nearly fell from the chair she was using to recline too far back. “You scared me.” She removed her hands from her belly when his gaze flew to her midsection.

“I do still live here,” he said with that gaze that saw too much.

“I know that, I just thought you might still be at work.” Hoping was more like it.

“I told you before I was letting my manager have more responsibility so we could spend more time together.”

She swiveled so her back was to him. “That was before Jacks.”
You will not cry, you will not cry.
She heard his steps move closer to her and stiffened.

“Does that mean you don’t want to spend time with me anymore Rory?”

She shook her head and discreetly wiped away a few tears. “No Jacks, I always want to be with you. But I just need some space to feel normal about you again. Is that alright?”

She gasped when he spun her chair to face him, his blue eyes alight with fury. “No dammit, it’s not alright. Not when you can’t even look at me!” When she did look at him what he saw in the depths of those green and brown and gold eyes gutted him. She was in so much pain and it was all his fault.

“How can I look at you, Jacks, and not remember the things you did to my body? The way you made me feel? How I’ve shared more with you in a few months than I ever have with any other man?” She pushed at his chest. “I need to get to a point where I look at you and see my friend, not the man I love- damn you.”

“But Rory I love you too,” he whispered. His heart was breaking at the pain he heard in her voice, that was written all over her face.

“Yeah I know Jacks but it isn’t the same and you know it.”

He nodded. “But it
is
the same. I am in love with you Rory. I don’t know why I didn’t say it the other day. I opened my mouth and tried but nothing came out.”  He would regret that moment forever, especially if she didn’t forgive him. He’d never acted like such a coward in his life.

“This isn’t something you can fix Jacks. You can just say you’re in love with me because you want me to stop hurting. It doesn’t work like that.”

She walked out of her office and he followed her upstairs. “Damn you Ro you can’t tell me how I feel! And you know I’d never tell a lie to make you feel better. Ever.”

She did know that but there was a reason he was telling her this now. She stilled and turned to him on the steps and plopped down. “You know.” It wasn’t a question, he knew she was pregnant and that’s why he’s suddenly in love with her. Tears began to fall faster and faster, but she wouldn’t let the sobs wrack her body. “You know. Of course you do.”

Jackson knelt in front of her on the stairs, holding her face. “What do I know Rory?”

She bowed her head and just let the tears fall. It would never be real, not for her. “I should have known you couldn’t just love me,” she shook her head, disgusted with her naiveté yet again. “Silly girl.”

“Rory,” he growled. “Tell me what it is you think I know!”

“About the baby. You somehow found out about the baby and that’s why you’re suddenly in love with me, right?” She swiped violently at the tears that wouldn’t stop coming. “If you can’t love me for me Jacks, I don’t want it. God help me I might take it when I’m feeling weak but I deserve more than that.”

“We’re having a baby,” he whispered but she didn’t hear him.

“I haven’t changed my mind Jacks. You can always live here and you probably should so we can raise the baby together if you want. But if you don’t want, I won’t hold you to rest of the will. You can take half of the money and have a really great life. I want that for you.” She reached out to touch him but pulled her hand back.

“You’re pregnant? We’re going to have a baby?”

The look of love shining in his eyes just made her cry even harder. Her heart refused to believe in that look, refused to believe that someone like Jackson would honestly fall for her. “Yes. I found out the, the last time we spoke.”

His smile disappeared. “You weren’t going to tell me?”

“I was. My plan was to tell you after my other unnecessary declaration but for obvious reasons I was unable to say anymore. But I was going to tell you Jacks.”

His eyes brightened in acknowledgement. “That’s what paying off my debt was about, wasn’t it? You wanted me to be taken care of if I decided to leave. Dammit Rory I want to be so pissed at you but you’ve just given me the second best news I’ve heard in a long time.” He grasped her upper arms, “You love me and you’re carrying my baby! How could you think I would walk away from either of you?”

She wiped away her tears again. “Jacks we’ve known each other since we were nine and you haven’t shown any interest in me ever. What’s so different now?”

He pulled her for a kiss and stepped back. “Honestly it’s only because I didn’t want to lose our friendship that I never made a move. But if I knew how amazing it would be to have you as a friend, a lover and a wife? Hell I would’ve burned the city down just to make you mine.”

At that moment Rory understood how a woman could swoon under the sensual onslaught of a man as potent and powerful as Jackson. “Jackson Bennett, you give good compliment.”

He laughed at her breathy words. “Rory I am so in love with you it's tying me up in knots. I don’t want to leave you, our marriage or this baby. I want it all with you until we run out of time.”

She smiled. “It should take at least 60 or 70 years before our time runs out.” Her heart was full to bursting for this man with the big heart and heart stopping smile.

“Then we better make the most of every single one of them.”

“Starting now,” she said and stood, running to the bedroom with Jackson chasing after her. As he always would.

The End