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  “Congrats you guys! Rocky? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” I swat him on the chest as he pulls me in for a hug.

  “I know, I’m sorry. I was going to wait a bit longer, but when she came out in this dress, I couldn’t stand it. I had to make her mine,” he beams as he pulls her into him and kisses her once more.

  My heart is melting for my friend, the waves of love pouring off of them so palpable, it brings tears to my eyes.

  “Besides,” Rocky adds, “I figured you had enough on your plate this week. The room looks great, Dani,” he says while smiling up at me. “Hey, man! Did you hear the news?” Rocky asks someone standing behind me, and based on the goosebumps appearing all over my skin from his proximity, I’m guessing I know who it is.

  “I thought you were going to wait?” Jake chimes in jokingly, garnering a chuckle from Rocky and Lochlin.

  “I couldn’t, man. I had to claim her tonight,” he answers, forcing me to turn to take in the sight of Jake in his tux up close.

  His scruff is neatly trimmed, his hair styled effortlessly, the bob of his Adam’s apple as he takes me in as well reminds me of how much of a man he truly is. I swear, I can see the outlines of his muscled chest beneath his jacket, making my palms sweat and a puddle form in the juncture between my legs. Good thing I didn’t forgo underwear tonight.

  “I know the feeling,” Jake replies while still staring at me. The only two people that exist at this moment are him and me. My control is quickly crumbling, the need to reach out and pull his lips to mine pushing my buttons with each passing second.

  I clear my throat. “Well congrats again, you two. Please go get a drink to celebrate and I’ll catch up with you later,” I smile over at them, breaking my eye contact with Jake, giving them each a quick hug before striding off to check on the caterers.

  I leave Jake, Rocky, and Lochlin in my dust, confident they can figure out the evening without me by their side. Besides, I can’t let myself get close to Jake again, at least not here when I’m technically on the clock.

  Toying with the idea of touching him is like when your mom told you something was hot, so you shouldn’t touch it, so it makes you want to do it that much more. Well, I am seriously about to get burned.

  I stay busy throughout the evening and dinner, nibbling on my meal in the kitchen whenever I get a free minute. I rarely sit, making sure that the silent auction is running smoothly, the speakers for the evening are running on time, and the guests are satisfied and content, their drinks never empty for too long.

  By the time all the speeches are finished, so are my feet. I reach down to remove my shoes but then realize I need to use the restroom, so the relief will have to wait.

  I stumble down the hallway as each step makes my feet throb even more. I’m so focused on the pain in the arch of my feet, that the hand reaching out to grasp my arm startles me, making me jump out of my body. I turn so fast, landing a smack to the face of the person touching me, and only two seconds too late do I realize who that hand belongs to.

  “Jake! Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” I exclaim, my hands coming up to cover my mouth in shock.

  “Damn! Good to know you could cause some damage if need be, woman,” he teases while rubbing his cheek where my palm connected with his face.

  “What are you doing? You scared the crap out of me!”

  “I wanted to talk to you. I’ve barely seen you all night,” he says cautiously, closing the distance between us.

  And suddenly I’m exactly in the situation I was avoiding—alone with Jake—so close I could grab him by the collar of his coat and throw my willing body at him, resolving never to come up for air.

  “Well, I’m kind of working,” I throw at him, as he takes another step forward.

  “I know. The night has been great, Dani. I’m so proud of you. You clearly love this job.”

  “I do,” I nod, knowing that I honestly love him more.

  “Sure is a shame that this job is keeping us apart though, huh?” He whispers, grabbing my hand, stroking the skin with his thumb.

  I look down to where our hands are joined, then back up to this man that changed my life with one look, the same look he’s giving me right now.

  “Jake… we can’t do this,” I whisper back, retreating backwards down the hall towards the restrooms and coat check-in.

  “I know. But I know I want to. And I think you do too,” he says confidently, leading me into the closet where the coats have been hung. I look around and notice there isn’t an employee around, meaning we’re all alone.

  “Jake…”

  “I can’t stay away from you, Dani… we could keep this quiet, you know,” he offers, backing me up finally until my back hits a wall, the door creaks shut, and nothing but the soft light of the lamps above us fills the room.

  “Why are you doing this?” I plead, only a few seconds from giving in. He’s right. We could keep it to ourselves, but I feel like we’ve done that before, when the press was relentless and we were both cautious about what we were.

  The next time I get to be with Jake, I want the entire world to know about it. I want no doubts about that the fact that he’s mine.

  “Because I know that deep down, it’s what we both want,” he challenges me. “Tell me otherwise, Dani. Tell me you don’t want me and I’ll walk right back out that door,” he points behind us to the door we just walked through together, both literally and metaphorically.

  Our eyes are locked, his hand still on mine as he closes the gap between us and I feel the hard lines of his torso press into my soft curves.

  “I… I can’t,” I whisper right before I pull him by his coat and attack his mouth with my own.

  “Fuck,” he growls as we connect and fireworks fly around us. Sparks ricochet off the connection of our bodies, the slide of his tux on the satin of my dress making it that much easier to move against one another.

  He meets me in desperation, our lips pressed so tightly together, our tongues swirling so intensely, I don’t know where he ends and I begin.

  I feel his hands grip my hips, the urge to jump up and wrap my legs around him so strong, yet impossible in this dress.

  Jake holds me tightly, pressing his rock hard erection into my belly, making my core drip with need.

  “Fuck it, Jake. I need you,” I whisper breathlessly, desperate to relieve the ache between my legs. I’m throwing caution to the wind, deciding to deal with the consequences later.

  He leans his forehead down to mine, the quick breaths we’re both taking filling the space between our mouths.

  “Are you sure? Because once I get you alone, Dani, there’s no turning back.” Jake’s grip on me tightens, one of his hands reaching up to cup my face.

  I nod, scared to death but my need for him overpowers my fear.

  “Yes. Take me home, Jake.”

  He drops his head down to give me one more toe-curling kiss, grabs me by the hand, and leads me out of the hotel, the pain in my feet forgotten as I anticipate the pleasure I’m about to feel.

  Chapter 47

  Jake

  My heart is pounding as I lead Danielle out of the back entrance of the hotel, avoiding the crowd of my teammates and sponsors in the main ballroom, the only thought on my mind is getting Danielle alone and naked in my arms.

  We arrive at my truck, where I help Danielle inside, securing her safely in her seat, before making my way around and taking off for my house.

  The drive to my condo is silent but filled with the words that neither one of us needs to say.

  I’ve been waiting so long for this moment that I feel like my entire body is about to detonate as soon as I get her home. My dick is achingly hard in my pants, uncomfortable no matter how I try to adjust myself. I glance over at Danielle while I’m driving, watching the rise and fall of her chest, her breathing sporadic and filled with anticipation, the trembling of her hand in mine makes me aware of how pivotal this moment is. Our eyes continue to meet at different times throughout
the drive, but no words need to be spoken. Our bodies say it all.

  Tonight is going to change everything.

  Once I shut the door to my place, Danielle tackles me, resuming our heated kiss from the banquet. Her hands weave up the back of my neck and into my hair, pulling me closer to her with each pucker of our lips. I can taste the desperation and hunger in her as our mouths meet again, my hands reaching to grasp any part of her body I can find.

  “Dani… Christ woman, I want you so much,” I mumble on her lips, before flipping her around, finding her zipper with accurate precision and stripping her of her gown in one fell swoop. The red satin pools on the floor beneath her, leaving her standing in front of me in nothing but a delicate grey lace bra and thong, still standing in her heels.

  “Fuck,” I growl, grabbing a handful of her ass, nibbling on her shoulder once, before turning her back to face me and attacking her mouth once more.

  I back her up frantically to my couch, not wanting to waste any more time than necessary to claim her again.

  She pushes me down onto the black leather, bending at her waist to unbutton my slacks and pull my shirt open beneath my coat in one movement, the buttons flying off in all directions, clattering as they hit the hardwood floors. The view of her bent forward in front of me, her perfect cleavage spilling over her strapless bra is enough to make me lose my cool already.

  “I need to taste you, Jake,” she mewls, her voice velvety and smooth, just like the rest of her. And with those words, I brace myself on the back of the couch so I don’t embarrass myself this early.

  She frees my cock from my slacks, pushing my pants and boxer briefs down far enough so she can access all of me, and brings me to her wet and willing mouth in an instant.

  “Oh shit,” I bark, my head falling backward, my mind fighting off my orgasm the second she pulls my length inside, the wetness of her mouth unbearable but astounding. My head pops back up just as she looks up at me with those wild brown eyes, watching me as she takes me in, licking and sucking me perfectly. Her tongue flicks and twists around my head and then back down my length before she tightens her lips and sucks me as hard as she can. It’s like I’m a lollipop she can’t devour fast enough. But boy, do I want to let her.

  I feel the twitch in my spine, telling me I’m about to blow. And as much as I want to fire off right here and now, filling her mouth with my cum, I’d rather be buried as deep as possible in Danielle when I do.

  I reach under her arms, dragging her up so she’s straddling me on the couch, her legs framing my lap, the evidence of her arousal apparent in the hardness of her nipples through her bra and the wetness I feel beneath her thong.

  I grasp the thin straps of fabric on her hips and tear, stripping her of the triangle of lace that separates her perfect pussy from my cock. My hands find her back next, releasing the clasp of her strapless bra before I toss it across the room.

  My God, this woman will be the death of me. She’s sitting before me, spread eagle over my dick, her pussy dripping with need, the pink and perky nipples of her breasts hard with her desire for what comes next.

  I pull her breasts to my face, finding one of her nipples with my mouth while holding both in my hands, tasting and teasing her as she arches forward to give me better access.

  “Yes, Jake,” she declares, her eyes closing and her breathing picking up as I pay careful attention to her chest. I switch to the other breast, sharing the pleasure equally as I feel her rub her wetness along my shaft beneath her.

  “I need you, Jake,” she cries, reaching down between us, positioning my hard cock at her entrance and sliding down my length as far as she can, the tightness of her pussy making it difficult to take me all at once.

  “Fuck, you feel incredible, baby,” I encourage her, kissing her neck as she continues to take me, inch by inch, until I’m completed sheathed by her warmth.

  “Oh God, Jake…”

  “Yes, Dani… ride me, baby,” I demand, grabbing her hips and holding on tight as she flicks her hips up and down, back and forth, over and over, leaving me fighting desperately to hold off my release.

  My hands roam all over her silky and toned body, grabbing her ass, stroking her back, fisting her hair as she continues to slide up and down my cock, her moans of pleasure filling the room. Our lips meet sporadically, tongues melding, hands caressing each other’s bodies as sweat drips between our chests pressed tightly together.

  “I’m gonna come, Jake!” She shouts and then explodes above me, the pulsing of her warmth around me brings me over the edge with her. I never take my eyes off of her as she comes all over me, the drip of her wetness sliding down my balls, the bounce of her tits as she rides out each wave, the pure look of ecstasy on her face so mesmerizing, it brings everything into focus.

  She’s mine again. Finally.

  I continue to thrust up into her until we’re both so out of breath that she collapses on my chest, her head and arms resting on my shoulders. Moving lightly across her bare back, I stroke her with my fingers, taking the moment to relish in the feeling of having her in my arms again as we remain joined in my lap.

  When she finally turns to see me, her eyes give her away. She needed that as much as I did. She wanted that as much as I did. And I know she wants more.

  “Jake…”

  “Dani… that was…”

  “Mind-blowing?” She answers, making both of us chuckle.

  “I don’t think that’s strong enough of a word,” I reply, pulling her tighter to me.

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, but that was better than before… right?”

  As many times as I’ve reflected on our physical connection before, this instance definitely takes the cake. Of course, the build-up this time was far more intense.

  “We were always explosive, baby. But that was earth-shattering,” I joke, which makes her smile wide up at me.

  But then I see the reality hit her, and she sits up quickly, disconnecting herself from me as she searches for her clothes. Sucks she will only find scraps of what’s left.

  “Dani…”

  “No, Jake,” she puts her hand up and then continues while her eyes move frantically around the room. “Tonight was great, but let’s be real. This can’t continue. I’ve been resisting you for almost two months now, and I knew that giving in would have consequences, but that’s all this can be… a onetime thing. Our jobs are on the line,” she says as she retrieves her dress and starts to pull it back up her body.

  “What if they weren’t?”

  She stops cold, one of her breasts still exposed as she pulls up her sleeve. If we weren’t in a discussion right now, I’d tackle her to the couch and take her breasts back in my mouth.

  “What do you mean?” She eyes me curiously, her eyes full of hope.

  “What if we can have it all, Dani? What if we can keep our jobs and be together?”

  “How is that possible, Jake?” Her dress is back up, but her hands find her hips as she waits for my answer.

  I stand up and tuck myself away, shrugging off my jacket and open shirt, leaving my chest bare, as I make my way over to where she’s standing.

  Reaching out for her, my arms enclose her waist, pulling her tight to my chest, our faces mere inches from each other. When I set her straight, I want her to only see me, my eyes that only want her.

  “I talked to Tim.”

  She tries to back up, but I hold her close.

  “What? When?”

  “Last Friday, after you blew me off.”

  “I didn’t blow you off, Jake. I came to my senses.”

  “Well, then I guess you can say I came to mine too,” I reply matter-of-factly.

  “What did you say to him?”

  My arm turns us back to the couch, where we sit down so I can explain everything.

  “I told him about us… our history, and our present. I explained to him that as much as I love my job, the idea of being with you again means more to me. So I asked him for his blessing in my
pursuit of you. I assured him we could remain professional when needed, but that I couldn’t live without you.”

  Danielle has tears in her eyes, her lips trembling as they curl up into a slight smile.

  “And what did he say?” She sits up tall, anxiously awaiting the verdict.

  “He told me to go get my girl.”

  Dani lunges at me, sealing our mouths together in contentment, the sigh of her voice absorbed by my mouth, but nonetheless, a sign of relief from her.

  “Really?” She asks when we part, her face so full of hope, her smile so bright, it’s blinding.

  I lean my forehead down to hers, inhaling the scent of her and memorizing this moment, the moment where I make her mine again.

  “Yes. Be mine again, Dani? Please? I can’t stand being away from you anymore.”

  “Oh my God, Jake. I… yes!” She shouts and tackles me once more. “I can’t believe this! Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

  “Because I wanted to know that this was what you really wanted without giving you permission,” I shrug as she swats my chest. “I knew you’d give in, eventually.”

  She lunges forward again, crawling into my lap as we kiss, so wrapped up in each other, that my dick comes back to life, ready for round two.

  “I want you in my bed this time, Dani. I want to spread you out and touch every inch of you,” I growl as I hoist her up in my arms and carry her to my bedroom.

  Once we enter, I lay her down on my bed, stripping her of her gown again, and removing my pants and boxers this time, so the both of us are completely naked.

  My eyes travel up and down her body, soaking up every curve, silky surface, and her glistening arousal between her legs.

  “Touch me, Jake… please,” she begs, arching her back off the bed as I grab her foot, bringing her leg up to my lips, leaving a trail of kisses along her calf, behind her knee, and eventually her inner thigh. Then I grab her other leg and repeat the movements, listening to her breathing become more erratic.

  Just when I feel like she’s about to combust, I bring my tongue to her clit, flicking ever so slightly, her moans and sighs of contentment urging me on. I take my time, swirling her nub, diving my tongue into her wet heat, sucking on her clit, and working her up into a frenzy.