“She looks just like you,” she said, studying the picture with interest.
I took a seat as Owen gushed about his daughter and Jayden joined me on the couch, hot coffee in hand. I looked over to him and smiled as he took my hand. So this was domestication. I could totally get used to this.
“She’s so big,” Jayden said, grabbing Owen’s phone. “It’s been way too long since I’ve seen her. We need to set that up.”
“What’s her name?” I asked, noting she did look a lot like Owen.
“Olivia.”
I felt a tug as I stared at the blonde haired, little girl with chubby cheeks holding up the Frozen DVD. It looked like she was at her birthday party surrounded by her friends. Her eyes were lit up as she proudly held her movie.
“Do you want kids?” Jayden asked in a low voice meant only for me after I’d handed Owen back his phone and he and Alexis resumed their chatter. I took a long look at Jayden as he studied me before giving him an honest answer. “Sure, if it’s in the cards.”
Alexis interrupted our private conversation before I had the chance to decipher his expression. “My mother wanted to extend the invitation for Sunday brunch, Jayden.” I glared at Alexis, knowing this was her plan all along. She had obviously plotted with my mother to bring it to fruition. I looked quickly to Jayden who hesitated briefly, sipping his coffee before answering, “Sure, I’ll be there.”
“Really?” I asked in a whisper.
“Yeah, baby, I’d love to come.” He squeezed my knee before making an excuse of needing more coffee to leave the room, offering everyone else a cup. We all declined as he made his way back to the kitchen. I contained my venom as Owen looked between my sister and me, clearly reading the situation.
“Well, I’m going to get going,” Alexis said, taking her leave before I could get her alone. Jayden came back out holding a fresh cup and said his goodbyes.
“I’ll see you both Sunday,” she mused at my pissed expression as she turned to Owen who said, “I’ll walk you out.” We all said our goodbyes as they made their way out and I resisted the urge to kick my sister in the ass as she crossed the threshold.
When the door was shut, my eyes met Jayden’s.
“I won’t subject you to them until you are completely ready. Seriously, babe, I’ll make an excuse for you.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry.” Even as he said the words, I sensed his hesitation.
“Meeting the parents, it’s getting serious,” I said playfully, passing him on the way to rid myself of my outfit. “But I’d like to meet your Mom,” I added before entering his bedroom. He was at his door watching me change into my new, sexy, red slip negligee. I made a show of it, slowly unhooking my bra and letting it fall to the floor and then pulling my hair out of the ponytail I’d been wearing. I stood my back to him in the matching lace, barely there panties as the silky material caressed my skin. When I turned around, I saw his eyes were heated.
“I’m going to walk Trip,” he said, staring at me as my expectant smile disintegrated. I’d hoped for several reactions from my show, but the one I got was far from the one I desired.
An hour later, I was in his bed cruising around on my laptop searching for my career destiny. Jayden had been a welcomed distraction from the fact that I still hadn’t reached a decision, but I still hadn’t lost sight of my goal.
“Did you ever think that your career decision shouldn’t be something you had to research, babe?” he asked as he made his way into the bathroom and began washing up. “You know that it should just come to you naturally.” I stopped my reading to look up as he pasted his toothbrush, looking at me through the reflection in the mirror. He made a smartass display of capping the toothpaste, holding the pieces in each hand before screwing them together and putting it back in the cabinet.
“Impressive...and of course that’s what I’d hoped for years, but it never happened. I don’t want to be someone’s employee forever. I’ve figured out that much. I want to work for myself.”
“Everyone has someone to answer to,” he said thoughtfully.
“That may be, but I’m more of an on my terms kind of gal.”
“You don’t like your job?” He paused at the doorway before turning off the light.
“I love it, actually,” I said, taking in his half-naked frame as it came toward me. His thick thighs and full ass perfectly filled out his boxers and made my mouth water, not to mention the bulge in front and its impressive résumé.
“Then why this need to find something else?” he asked, taking a seat at the foot of the bed.
“What’s with the fifth degree?” I asked, staring at the mix of bright colors on his right bicep that extended to his wrist.
“I’m just trying to understand why you aren’t satisfied,” he said testily.
I frowned at his reaction. “I told you I want to contribute to the world in some way, not be behind the scenes.”
“Sometimes the people behind the scenes are most important.” I jerked my head back, confused by his sudden interest in my career path.
“I don’t disagree, but that’s not what I want for me.” I went back to my browsing as he lifted my feet and began to rub them. I gave him a thankful grin as I navigated my way through another list of career choices.
“Dentist, boring. Telecommunications, not interested. Oh, food critic, this sounds right up my alley. Mmmm...” I said as Jayden’s hands moved from my feet to my calves. “I wonder what one must do to be an expert in food.” I typed quickly only to become disheartened. “Says here I’d have to be an experienced chef with worldly experience in cuisine in order to even be taken seriously. Well, that’s out.”
Jayden chuckled as I clicked on the next link, his skilled hands moving up to my thighs. I raised a brow over my laptop as his eyes turned heated. “Nope, should have done something earlier when I was trying to seduce you. That window is now closed.”
“You sure?” he asked as he gently parted my legs, my laptop shifting slightly on my lap.
“Positive,” I said defiantly. “Now, where were we?”
Jayden prowled above me, leaning over and grazing his fingers over my sex then moving my panties to the side as I inhaled sharply. Determined to beat him at his game, I played indifferent. “Programmer, nope. Too repet...repet...repetitive,” I pushed out as Jayden slid his fingers inside me.
“You’re soaked. Damn, baby.” My eyes attempted to close as I read on and my voice quivered as Jayden kissed up my thigh, hooking his arms around my legs to bring me closer to him. I adjusted my laptop so I was still able to read.
“Social worker, too depressing. Air traffic controller, hell no. I’d be bald from the pressure alone.”
Jayden paused to laugh before resuming his make out session with my thigh. I continued to read, my words half moaned. “Wedding planner, that could be...fun. Oh fuck,” I gasped as Jayden’s tongue touched my center. He licked me smoothly then looked up with hooded eyes.
“You were saying?”
I cleared my throat. “I was saying ...” I trailed off as his tongue resumed its pace. I gripped the side of my laptop as Jayden took turns licking and sucking my middle while his fingers explored me.
“Oh, God,” I said, pushing my laptop off my lap and gripping his hair.
Jayden looked up at me without humor and so much heat as he gripped, then slowly pulled my panties down so he had more access to me. He made his way back up as his hand drifted up to my silk covered chest, caressing my breast before his tongue darted back out and unbelievable pressure built inside me. His mouth was pure skill as he laved me with his tongue.