glanced upwards and caressed his cheek, guiltily noting the dark shadows below his deep chocolate orbs. “I’m sorry I disturbed you last night.”
“I didn’t mind one bit, particularly when we ventured back to bed.”
Heat flamed my pale cheeks. “I’m sure you didn’t.”
“You look lovely today, by the way.” Ari’s splayed hands actively stroked my backside over the top of my white Capri pants. “The blouse, especially.”
“Thank you. Your shirts not bad either,” I purred trailing both palms down the front of his slim-fit navy-blue shirt. “It hugs your gorgeous body perfectly.”
“It’s one of the shirts you bought me if I recall,” he added, staring at me with such a dangerously searing gaze, my knees began to buckle.
“So it was.” Nuzzling his chest, I breathed in the heady scent that was Ari Jaeger; citrus and woodsy scents. I tilted my head to skate the tip of my tongue over his bottom lip purely to saviour his taste. “Mmm, yummy, every single one of my favourite flavours rolled into one.”
Ari’s brows raised in amusement. “You make me sound like an ice cream.”
I chuckled. “No, you’re more like my favourite chocolate; sweet and rich on the outside with a creamy, decadent surprise on the inside.”
“So, so bad.” He tutted, grasping my nape firmly as he dipped his head to claim my mouth savagely. He kissed me with such languid skill I was ready to take him on the kitchen floor.
Weaving my fingers through his hair, I tugged him closer and mewled, desperate with want as the roughness of his designer beard scratched along my jawline. “Just sayin’, but we’re home – alone –“
Carnal hunger took over as hips pressed suggestively and soft breathing became hardened panting.
“If I didn’t have to attend a meeting across town -,” Ari growled imprisoning me between his grinding bulge and the kitchen island, digging the edge of the square-cut counter into my lower back. “I’d have you bent over this bench right – about – now,” he illuminated between hard, chaste kisses.
I moaned, licking the inside of his mouth. “Such a pity we’re out of time then.”
Growling hoarsely, he reluctantly he withdrew. “Tonight?” One word. Yet so full of promise.
“Tonight then,” I hummed, waving as he headed out the door.
∞
Ari
SUMMER HAD INDEED MADE its presence known. Along with the soaring temperatures, short light showers had sprinkled over the city, turning the air rancid and humid.
The decision to opt for a more casual appearance with a short-sleeved shirt and tan chinos was undoubtedly the right one, a choice pleasing Teddy immensely judging by her reaction. My staff too, gathering by their stares and hushed whispers amongst them. My outfit was an anomaly to them, I’m sure. Not surprising though. They were more accustomed to my usual attire of a well-tailored suit. So in light of that fact, I was sure to acknowledge their surprise with an equally bright smile and a cheerful hello whilst journeying towards the bank of elevators at the back of the building. My chuckle resonating as reached the lifts and pressed the inset button on the wall.
But as I waited and my gaze darted around the airy foyer of my building, I couldn’t help but marvel. I’d achieved what others thought impossible, and all within a year of completing my MBA too. Years of planning and due diligence had partially contributed to JPD’s success, but overall, if it weren’t for the part my loyal staff played in the day to day running, my company would fall apart. So whoever said owning a business was nothing more than a pipedream could kiss my arse. The same applied to the disbelievers who said expanding was an impossibility. Now look at me, I was the proud owner of two colossal sized towers, with the secondary building located in Sydney. And when inquisitive minds usually queried as to who owned them, I took momentous pride in telling them every square inch was mine. Incredulous looks typically followed. The design I had input, yes, but the construction was an accomplishment that belonged to my retiring architect James Newman.
Undeniably it was with great sadness we were losing him, but circumstances behind his reasoning were out of my control. His wife of forty years, Helena, an MS sufferer, was ailing rapidly and home was where his heart lay. As it stood, in recent months he’d spent more time there than the office simply because of Helena’s illness. And after she took a turn for the worse, begrudging the man for putting family first would have branded me a hypocrite. So, as opposed to making him hang on until his original offer of March, I granted him an early retirement which James readily, and gratefully accepted along with an extra financial contribution from me to assist him through such a challenging period. Allowing him to retire sooner meant bringing forward our plans to find a suitable replacement.
Never mind, a new and fresh mind was on the horizon, pleasing me greatly. But it seemed, nothing could dampen my buoyant mood: hence the smile ceasing to leave my face. Something my loyal assistant Thomas noticed as I stepped off the elevator car and strolled across the small foyer with my arm outstretched to grab the stack of messages waiting for me in the palm of his hand.
“Good morning, Mr Jaeger.”
I noted his mirroring expression. Perhaps something was in the water?
“Good morning, Thomas,” I cheerily replied, dropping the latest addition to my newest look at my feet: a green khaki messenger bag courtesy of Teddy. Compared to my stuffy briefcase, it was much more hip, giving me a younger appearance. I got the distinct impression my father and uncle were next on her hit list. “What’s my schedule for today?”
He passed me the open iPad over the counter. “You have one cancellation: a Mr Chandler, he rescheduled for tomorrow morning, indicating it was for personal reasons and passed on his apologies.”
“Thank you. I’m assuming you’ve organised the staff Christmas party invites?” I enquired speedily scanning the rest of the page.
“Done. Sent out last week with RSVP’s flying back to me already. Most are a yes, of course.”
Pleased, I smiled. “The Dome? Is it...”
“…Already booked,” Thomas proudly informed, pushing round, black brimmed spectacles back up the ridge of his crooked nose.
Impressed by his efficiency, I beamed. “Thomas, you are a gem! Without you, I’d be lost and tearing my hair out by now.”
“You are most welcome, sir.” Delighted by my compliment, he blushed, making me laugh. I was full of surprises today, I guess.
“I’ll leave you to it then,” I joyfully murmured picking up my messenger bag. Giving Thomas a satisfied smile, I strode into my office and closed the door, hanging my bag on the hook on the wall beside it.
Settled into my chair, I leaned back, trailing the pad of a finger across my bottom lip as I stared at the framed picture beside my computer. My favourite. A rare moment in time of Teddy and I merely minutes after we’d made love for only the second time. The two of us smiling up at the camera clasped in my hand, dishevelled and
