Burning Up (5 page)

“Stop fighting me, Layla. You’re so tense and it’s making me edgy. I’m going to do something that’s going to give us both what we need. Just calm down. It’ll be okay. Trust me.” My breath caught in my lungs and gazing back at him, I bit my lip anxiously. Kneeling, he leaned over, hooked his thumb beneath my chin and kissed me lovingly.

“I would never hurt you. Trust. Me.”

I nodded weakly. I had no reason not to trust him when it came to sex. He’d never steered me wrong yet
, and I was eager to learn more, experience more, and
be
more for him.

Moving back to his previous position, he slid his tongue back between my cheeks. I couldn’t help the uneasy feeling I had as his tongue moved closer to an area on my body that I really didn’t consider sexual. But Jared was an expert when it came to sexual euphoria and he knew my body better than I did. I had to have some faith and besides, if I
truly
wanted to stop, I had the safe word. His tongue pushed further, and as it flicked, licked, and swirled around, I discovered why he was so keen. It wasn’t uncomfortable. It wasn’t horribly embarrassing; it was … amazing. Every nerve in my body became charged with electricity. I moaned and my legs grew weak. My body moved with the motion of his kisses and the more I relaxed, the more pleasurable it became. Much to my annoyance, he didn’t linger there for long. Clearly encouraged by the reactions of my body to his touch, he slid his tongue down to my sex and thrust it inside me. I let out a loud groan and rocked my hips back and forth against his skillful mouth. His fingers snaked between my thighs to my clit, rubbing, rolling, and teasing my orgasm closer.

I could feel it building and desperation for relief was making me impatient. I writhed and pressed my thighs together, trapping his hand
, but heightening my pleasure. I pulled on my restraints, causing the leather to pinch and dig into my skin.

Withdrawing his tongue he kissed the back of my thigh. “Let go, Layla. I’m going to give you this. That spanking was a penalty. You took it and made me unbelievably happy. I want to give you the same.”

Relaxing my body, I released his hand from my thighs. His fingers continued their gentle playing on my clit, and I growled in frustration. “Please, Jared, now, I need it. Please.” I was begging shamelessly. Slipping his tongue back inside me, he increased the pressure of his fingertips. I thrust my hips against him, and as my orgasm flooded my veins with ecstasy, I shouted his name. “Oh, God, Jared!”

Biting gently on my behind I felt him smile as he murmured against me. “Good girl.”

Collapsing onto the sheets, I breathed heavily and erratically. He lay down next to me and gazed at me, grinning broadly.

“You really are incredible, Layla Jennings. You continue to astound and amaze me.”

I laughed breathlessly. “Because I come on demand?”

He chuckled. “That, and the way you put your trust in me. You also took that punishment very well, which reminds me
…”

Reaching across to the bedside table, he pulled out some moisturizing lotion. Squirting a little in his hand, he caressed and stroked it onto my behind. “Does it hurt?”

I nodded weakly and winced as the cool liquid soothed the burn of my sore cheeks. Shifting his weight onto his elbow, he leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. I smiled and rested my forehead against his.

“It only burns a little and nothing beyond what I can handle. I could have stopped you if I’d wanted to. I’m fine. Stop with the guilt. I like it when you spank me. I always have.”

His mouth pressed into a hard line. Reaching up, he released the belt around my wrists and rubbed his thumb over the red marks that had formed on them. He sighed deeply and I could see regret in his eyes.

“Will you stop that? I hate that face you make whenever we do this. If I didn’t want it, I would stop you. I like the bondage. I like the teasing and I even like the way you spank my ass till I scream.”

He chuckled softly and placed a kiss on each of my wrists.

“You say that, but I sometimes wonder if I’m a little too rough with you.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed; exasperated. “I’m not made of glass, Jared. Please, stop worrying about me getting hurt. What hurts is feeling that you have no faith in me. I have a voice and I can use it. Coffee. Remember?” He continued to caress and fondle my wrists attentively.

“Okay. I’m sorry. You’re right
, of course. Now, speaking of coffee, I need some and then I have to get ready for my meeting.”

Kicking his legs into the air, he jumped off of the bed and held his hands high above his head, stretching out his back and giving me a wonderful view once again. I sighed contentedly. Shaking his head and smiling, he made his way to the bathroom. Shakily, I rolled off of the bed and got to my feet.

Pulling on my robe that hung neatly beside his on the back of the door, I giggled as I heard him singing in the shower. Elvis was the artist of choice this morning. It was usually a choice between him and Fleetwood Mac. Today was
Burning Love
. It was hard to believe that he was only twenty-two sometimes.

The way he carried himself and his taste in music, would suggest he was considerably older. Shrugging to myself, I left the room and headed for the kitchen and hopefully, if I could get the damn machine to work, some coffee.

Jared’s kitchen was filled with every gadget imaginable. From the waffle iron to the champagne chiller, every surface had some sort of cooking or meal preparation equipment. It was daunting. My battle with the coffee machine had been an ongoing argument since I’d arrived. Jared had shown me how to use it several times, but for some unknown reason, it simply didn’t work for me. Oh, it would start up, make all the right noises and do its little light show, but the damn thing continued to spurt out foul, luke-warm and disgusting, coffee scented water every time!

Cursing and growling at the machine, I huffed, held my hands in the air and yelled at it. “Fine, have it your way! I guess it’ll be
and good old Mr. Teapot and me. Oh yeah, these hands, all over those curves. Your loss coffee machine.”

A loud laugh echoed through the kitchen
, and I turned to see Jared in his crisp white shirt and work pants. His tie was resting around his shoulders as he leaned against the door frame.

“Arguing with the appliances won’t get you anywhere. And, for the record, yours are the only curves worth handling around here. Cut the coffee machine some slack, it simply can’t cope and gets over heated whenever you’re around. Here
…”

Walking over, he took my hand and led me over to the machine that I had now dubbed ‘the bane of my mornings
.’ Standing in front of it, he turned the dial and hit the ‘coffee’ button. The machine whirred and sprung to life. “See, you just have to know how to push its buttons.”

I rolled my eyes. “I do! Hell, I’d give the damn thing a blow job if it would just give me my coffee!”

He laughed and grabbed a cup from behind me. Holding it under the spout, he grinned as steaming hot coffee began pouring into the mug. Handing it over, he held his hand over mine. “Now, I do believe you were offering blow jobs for coffee? Here’s your coffee …”

I bit my lip seductively and smiled at him. “You’re right.” His grin widened and as I breezed past him to the coffee machine, he gave me a confused look. Pressing my lips to the top of the machine, I gave it a small kiss, stroking it as I did so. Bending over, I leaned in and blew gently on the steaming nozzle
from where my hot drink poured. I placed my finger beneath it and caught a drip of hot coffee. Slipping it into my mouth, I sucked my finger and gazed at Jared. His eyes were full of lustful desire and amusement as he watched my lips caressing my finger. I moaned deeply. “Mmmm. Delicious.” Turning back to the machine, I winked. “Was it good for you, too?”

Jared cleared his throat loudly. “That really shouldn’t turn me on so much. But, I’m finding myself extremely jealous of an inanimate object right now. Damn you and your rules.” Lifting my coffee to his lips, he sipped it and looked down at me over the rim of the cup. Taking it from him, I placed in on the counter top, stood on my tiptoes and ran my tongue over his lips.

“Perfect. Coffee and Jared. Is there any better combination in the world?”

He shook his head and wrapped his arms around me tightly. “You, Layla Jennings, are an infuriating, amazing, incredible
, and sexy woman. Do you know how much I love you?”

I
clasped my hands together behind his neck and cast my eyes to the ceiling. “Hmm. I’d say about seven inches right now.” He glanced down to where his erection was pressing against my thigh.

“And then some.” Lifting me up, he hoisted me onto the counter that sat in the middle of the room. His hands grasped my thighs firmly as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He kissed me hungrily and with urgency.

Pulling away, I nipped his bottom lip and rubbed the tip of my nose against his. “Don’t you have somewhere to be, Mr. Garrett?”

Sighing heavily, he nodded and kissed my forehead. “Unfortunately, yes. Why? Are you eager to get rid of me?”

A smile played over his lips. I shook my head and smiled. “Absolutely not. In fact, I highly recommend taking the day off to spend time wandering around the city with your girl.”

He winced and rubbed his brow with his thumb and index finger. “Layla, you know I can’t. I know I promised to show you around
, but everything is a little crazy right now. Besides, what’s the rush? This apartment is here forever and you can see New York anytime you want.”

I pouted and slid myself off of the counter. Pushing past him, I grabbed my coffee and walked toward the living room.

“Layla. Layla, come on. Be reasonable.”

He followed me into the hallway and
seized my elbow, forcing me to halt.

“You promised me weeks ago that we would go sightseeing. Aside from the functions, dinners, socials
, and sports, we don’t spend time together. You’re always working. You need to figure out the balance between your job and your life because right now, your job
is
your life.”

Running his fingers through his hair, he growled in frustration.

“You know I would love to spend every waking moment with you, but this project in Europe is huge. I have to get it right. If I screw up, hundreds of people are out of jobs, millions of dollars are flushed down the drain, and you and I end up working even harder to clean up the mess. Please, try to understand. It’s not that I don’t want to be here with you. I do.”

Letting go of my irritation at his having to work so much, I rolled my eyes. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m just going a little stir crazy. Maybe I
will
take in some of that sun today.”

Smiling, he gave me a deep and lingering kiss. His arms snaked around me
, and I arched my back a little. My coffee almost spilt as his fingertips glided up and down my spine. “Thank you for being so understanding. I promise I will make this up to you.”

Giving me another quick kiss, he released me and headed for the home office, fastening his tie on the way. Considering that I now faced another day of lounging around, drinking coffee and watching
TV, my motivation to get out of the house was growing more powerful every minute. Sitting on the couch, I sipped my coffee and listened to Jared as he moved about the apartment, getting ready to leave. Walking down the stairs in his Hugo Boss suit, he caught me gazing at him. Jared always looked sexy, but when he was in a suit, my insides immediately turned to Jell-O, and I melted into a puddle of lustful need every time.

Taking his cellphone and keys from the hall table, he slipped them into his pocket and checked himself in the mirror. Leaping from the couch, I walked over to him and placed my hands on his arms, turning him to me. He watched me with a raised brow and a smile as I re-adjusted his tie and straightened his collar. Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed him gently.

“Have a good day at work, honey.” Okay, it was cheesy and old-fashioned, but I had been itching to say that line to this man for weeks. Chuckling, he shook his head and held my hand in his. Leading me out to the elevator, he held me tightly, rubbing his thumb back and forth over my knuckles.

“Where’s your ring, Layla?”

Damn it.
I bit my lip. “Back in L.A.”

He sighed, lifted my hand to his lips
, and placed a kiss on my finger where the ring once sat.

“Can you get it sent here?”

I shrugged. “I could ask Amy and Mel to mail it to me. They packed all my stuff and took it to my parents’ place after I left.”

He nodded. “Tell them I’ll pay the cost to have it couriered. I want that ring back on your delicate little finger. It would mean a lot to me.” I wasn’t entirely sure what was so important about it. It was diamonds and a star sapphire. I was here and that should have been enough, but as always, Jared didn’t elaborate
, and I didn’t ask.

“Sure. I’ll tell them.” The elevator chimed
, and as the doors opened, he gave me a rueful look. “I wish I didn’t have to go. I am sorry, Layla. It’s for your own safety and my peace of mind that I make these rules. Don’t hate me for wanting to keep you safe. I can’t be sorry for that. I’ll try to get out as early as I can. I love you.” I nodded weakly in response. Giving me one last kiss, he let his hand slip from mine and stood inside the waiting elevator. I waited until the doors closed and he’d gone before cursing and stomping my feel like a child having a tantrum. It
was
childish
and
immature, but I was going crazy being in the apartment all day while he worked.

Hurrying to the window, I watched as his Jag exited the underground parking lot, ten floors below. Smiling, I ran upstairs and grabbed my cell phone from the bedside table. I bit my lip anxiously as I dialed.

“Dan! Are you busy today?” I held my breath waiting for his response. My plans were already unfolding in my mind.

“Not at all
, Miss Jennings.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Excellent! Can you bring the car around in about half an hour?”

He didn’t answer. “Dan?”

I heard him exhale loudly. “Miss. Jennings, I really don’t think Mr. Garrett would like
…“

I cut him off mid-sentence. “Mr. Garrett said I should take in some sun. And that’s exactly what I intend to do. Now, do I go alone or
…”

“For the love of God, do not leave the apartment! I’ll be there in half an hour.  ”

Success! Hanging up, I bounced on my heels and danced with excitement and triumph. I was going to see New York with, or without Jared; something I already knew would make him instantly mad at me. I’d been in the city no less than two days when he’d introduced the ‘no walking around New York alone’ rule. A rule that, he claimed, was for my safety. I was less convinced and was more inclined to believe that it was just another way to keep tabs on me. Jared hated not knowing where I was or what I was doing. Worry, I could handle, but rules and regulations on my freedom? That was something else. I’d already decided that I would not be controlled or dictated by the man I loved when I’d arrived, and that included where I could or couldn’t go. Besides, I wasn’t going to be alone. I would be with Daniel.

Picking out my favorite blue sundress, I quickly yanked a brush through my mass of blonde hair. I stared at myself in the mirror and sighed.

Thanks to my new stylist Philippe and my new beautician Gabriella, I now had a full head of highlights running through my golden blonde locks, and my skin was glowing from the buffing and pampering it received at least twice a week. I looked great, don’t get me wrong, but I kind of missed the old Layla. Okay, she had dull blonde hair and she was sometimes prone to a zit here or there, but they were
my
lifeless locks and
my
problem pimples.

I glanced down at my make-up bag. It was crammed with every piece you could imagine. Taking out some mascara and lip-gloss, I decided to go for the minimalistic and natural look. My hair might have belonged on a porn star, but my face was still my own
, and I was going to wear it with pride. It was the one I was born with, after all.

Grabbing my purse and sunglasses, I slipped into a pair o
f cute summer heels and waited anxiously in the foyer for the elevator to chime. When it finally did, I hurried over and grinned as the doors opened. Wearing his usual grey suit, Daniel held his hands up in front of him and shook his head as he exited the elevator.

“This is a very, very, very bad idea. He will go nuts, Miss Jennings. Please, stay here, I can bring you anything you want. Just, please, for the sake of my job and his sanity, stay in the apartment.”

I fisted my hands on my hips and stared at him from beneath my long, mascaraed, lashes.

“No. I want to see New York. I am so tired of staring out of the window at the city. I want to be a part of it.”

He rubbed his temple with his thumb and index finger in a way that reminded me of Jared.

“I can’t talk you out of it?”

I shook my head. “Nope.

He sighed loudly, closed his eyes
, and gestured toward the elevator. “Then please, after you, Miss Jennings.”

Smiling, I walked over, pressed a kiss to his cheek
, and wiped the gloss away with my thumb. A slight smile of his own played across his lips. “Stop calling me Miss Jennings. It’s Layla. If we’re going to be out together all day, I don’t want to feel like a woman and her driver. I want to be Layla and Dan having a nice day in New York. Agreed?”

Pressing the elevator call button, he nodded. “If that’s what you want Miss Jennings. I mean, Layla.” I grinned at the sound of him saying my name. Now we could finally be getting somewhere with this friends thing. “Good. Just one more thing, Dan, you have to change.”

He gave me a puzzled look. “Change?”

I giggled at his confused and worried tone. “Clothes, Dan, your clothes. You look all business and uptight. We’re going to be New Yorkers today. You should dress like one. Come on.”

Grabbing him by the elbow I dragged him into the elevator and pressed for the ground floor. “We’ll go to your place and you can change. Then … the city!”

Daniel was visibly anxious the entire ride down. I placed my hand on his arm supportively. “Hey, relax. It’ll be fine.”