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“I got you,” he says firmly, a hand gripping my waist and pulling me closer to him.
So close I feel his hard body through his coat.
Feel his breath on my face as he hitches me up.
It’s warm. Like spring.
Everything about him is strong, his arms, his coat.
He smells like the woods mixed with something spicy, almost sweet.
With an undertone of something else, which I can only interpret as the smell of a real man.
I feel my eyes rolling back, fluttering in time with that space where my heart used to be.
“Oh no, you don’t!” he orders me, pinching both my cheeks in one of his hands, leaning down closer.
So close I can see myself reflected in his eyes.
Those eyes.
“I just got you, don’t wanna lose you now, do I?” he says, smiling.
His smile gives me permission to melt into him, which I do.
Not even needing to wait for his introduction.Chapter FourJack“I’m Jack,” I tell her. “A-and I’ve got you… You’re all mine now.”
I hear myself stammer a little, something I haven’t done since I was a kid.
God, did I ever really do that? I did. I must’ve been a teenager.
But there’s something about her that makes the words hard, but so easy at the same time.
“You’re all mine,” I tell her again, whispering as my face falls close to her ear.
I’ve caught a few fainters in my time, usually shareholders or business moguls who swoon at the sudden loss or gain of a few million. A billion usually does it.
But with her, it’s different. And instantly.
It’s like… Coming home.
Sounds silly, I know. But that’s just what catching her in my arms feels like just now.
Something I’ve never known, and yet something it feels like I’ve known her my whole life.
“Who are you?” I ask her, finding my best commanding tone. Needing to know now. Jack Cole doesn’t leap before he looks.
Or does he?
“I’m Avery,” she says dreamily, her clear blue eyes finally settling on mine.
“Jack?’ she almost whimpers, sinking deeper into me and making me groan out loud.
Something I didn’t want to do on the first meeting. But hearing her say my name is like a key springing open a lock.
That heart of mine that’s lay rusting for years.
I also know there’s an office full of employees waiting outside just past that narrow doorway.
“Let’s get you to sit down someplace?” I suggest, noting the tremor in my voice as I take her out, back into the office.
A cheer erupts, and there’s applause and what looks like about a hundred people or more, all crammed into the ground floor workspace.
Some lurid creature launches herself at me, followed by the district manager who I recognize.
“Fetch this young lady a seat, will you?” I ask the district manager, sitting her down and holding up both hands with a smile I reserve for public appearances.
God, how I hate a crowd.
But the secret’s out I guess. Probably the security guard. Never mind.
Money walks and then money talks.
“Jack?” she murmurs from behind me, and despite all introductions, I’m on my knees in front of her.
“Hang on, will you? Just hang on a minute.”
There are calls for 911 from some of the employees, but I wave them off.
“Just needs a little air, I think. A bit overwhelmed,” I announce, standing up again and straightening my tie under my coat, which I shed and hand to someone without looking.
There’s always someone waiting to serve.
I think it’s that terrible doll-like woman again, but I’m that man now, aren’t I?
This girl though.
What am I doing? I want nothing more than her and me alone again.
Best make this short and sweet.
“I’ve paid a surprise visit,” I nearly shout above the murmur to get them all quiet, “To confirm everything I said in my memo to you all.”
The crowd erupts with Christmas cheers.
Holidays safe. Jobs secure. I actually feel their relief. It means something.
It means I have a company I can build from the ground up.
People actually care for once. That’s great.
Trouble is, I only care about her. And the aching bulge in my pants isn’t going to go unnoticed for much longer either.
I need to get her alone. Need to rethink my whole plan coming down here.
“I came down to introduce myself, see how you all are, and to… uh…”
Should’ve really thought this through a little better.
I feel my stammer starting up, but something behind me, someone has their hand flat on my lower back.
I know it’s her.
“I came down here, to also announce a Christmas bonus for every casual and part-time employee… to help you through the season,” I manage finally with confidence.
There are a few murmurs from obvious salaried staff, maybe pissed they don’t get a bonus too.
“Those of you on salaried positions will find an extra few dollars as well and the option to have more time off over the break if you need it,” I continue, totally on the fly and noticing the district manager wincing as he realizes it’s gonna be him and his office that will have to make all this happen, most likely.
