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He took my mouth with a fevered urgency, like he was a dying man and my mouth his only salvation. I met his tongue, dancing and swirling in time as everything faded except for his body and my body and the maddening pulsing inside me. We found our fevered pace as I rocked my hips and pulled him in before slowly drawing him back out, watching the ticks and furrowed pleasure ripple across his face.
His fingers ran down my spine, pausing on the round curve of my buttocks while he whispered that he loved every inch of me, how I made him come alive. It was an exhilarating contradiction; him gripping my waist, digging his fingertips into my heated flesh and the sweet nothings that tugged at my heartstrings, The competing lash of controlled dominance and the powerlessness at the overwhelming love that I felt for him.
I could feel the tension, turning the air electric around us. Even with him deep inside the velvet contours of me, I pulled him deeper, closer, my nail clawing at his back. I got lost in him, mixing and swirling and morphing and changing as we climbed to the peak together.
His fingers threaded in my curls as he rained kisses up and down my neck. “Now what did you want to talk about again?”
I went rigid. How could a guy who’d just been so full of passion be so cold and dismissive? Without another word I stepped around him and snatched my skirt from the rumpled pile, turning my back to him as tears of shame burned in my eyes.
"Leila-"
"’Now what did I want to talk about again?’" I snapped, zipping my skirt in one vicious stroke. "Could you be anymore patronizing?"
I was mad at him, mad as hell even, but I was just as mad at myself. How could he take me seriously if I just melted every time he came within five feet? I couldn’t even look at him. I couldn’t even look at myself.
He put one hand on my shoulder, silently trying to get me to face him. When I didn’t turn voluntarily, both hands pivoted me 180 degrees. Still, I kept my eyes on the floor.
"Look at me, Leila."
When I made no moves to obey, he caught my chin and tilted it upward. I rolled my eyes but when they were done with their rotation, I finally settled on his piercing gaze.
"I don't mean to be patronizing," he said, releasing me with a sigh. "Or to disrespect your wisesh. Hell, I thought I was granting your wish."
"But I told you no more favors." I caught the accusatory edge in my voice along with the tightening of his jaw. The wary expression he wore said the obvious—I could give an inch. Jacob was trying to say he was sorry, even if he was acting like saying the actual words were akin to water boarding. "Last night I thought I was being clear. I said I didn't want you to promote me because we were dating. When I get a promotion, I want to have worked for it."
"And you have worked for it," he said, folding a curl behind my ear. “You did a great job with Rachel.”
I gave him the most incredulous look I could muster. "I bumped heads with Rachel at every turn. I could barely be in the same room as her, let alone work with her best interests at heart."
"I don't know if that's the best example of your abilities-"
"It's the only example of my abilities," I interrupted gently. "And even though I hate to admit it, she showed me I have a ways to go before I can be the professional that Whitmore and Creighton deserves."
He still had a guarded look on his face, but his voice softened. “You forget how amazing you are Leila—and how amazing you make me feel.”
I nibbled on my lip coyly. “How do I make you feel?”
“Crazed,” he answered without missing a beat. When I scowled, he held up his hands in defense. “Let me finish. I say crazed because you’re the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning and you don’t leave my mind all day. Even when I’m doing the most mundane things I find myself thinking about you, wondering what you’re doing, and wondering if you’re thinking about me.” If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was blushing, but he turned away quickly, obviously shying away from being too sappy. “You’re always on my mind, Leila. Making you happy is always on my mind.”
I couldn’t help but smile, even with the whole promotion thing. That feeling—the tingles and butterflies that fluttered all over—it never went away. I went back to the desk, propping on the edge and watching him. “You really do love me, huh?”
He breathed deep and exhaled with a chuckle. “I do. You drive me crazy, but I do love you, Leila.” He tightened his tie, his eyes flashing with mischief. “Which is why I’ll drop the promotion—under one condition.”
I didn’t even hesitate. “I’ll do anything, Jacob. Anything.”
He leaned forward and brushed his thumb over my hand, sighing softly like he was imprinting the feel of my skin on his heart for safe keeping.
“Don’t ever change, Leila.”
****
I plunked my tray down on a table in the corner and sat down with a weary sigh. After sending me on several errands all over town, I had a feeling Jacob was still punishing me for our argument. Before sprinting to 18th to catch a lead before they left the country, Jacob had given me the once over, noting my heavy breathing and the sweat that glued my blouse to my chest and asked if I had everything under control. My answer had been, "what's next?"
And here I was, finally taking my lunch at 3pm and only after Jacob said he'd physically carry me down to the cafe and tie me to a chair. And while I'd never admit it to him, it was nice to kick my feet up and inhale some food instead of oxygen to keep from keeling over.
I took a swig of apple juice to wash down the panini and glanced around the room. I could see now the reason everyone called it a 'cafe' instead of a 'cafeteria' wasn't out of smug elitism but because it was the gospel truth. The expansive room had muted walls with framed art and boutique vases. The tables were lined with crisp white linens and fresh flowers. I'd drawn more than one look when I'd walked toward the back area, expecting a buffet style setup and asking about trays. Apparently we placed our orders at our table unless we wanted to grab something to go. The menu was a glossy mix of American and ethnic dishes but I decided to save pad thai for another day.
I settled back in the plush armchair and took in the view from the window. The city looked so beautiful, so full of promise. I scooped a forkful of veggies in my mouth, crunching them slowly. Things were finally looking-
