“I see that. It’s right in front of me. Tell them that’s fine but make them go lower on the price. Just because we won that lawsuit doesn’t mean we’re stupid enough to spend all of it on high bids.” Justice cleared his throat. “Tell them you are calling others to acquire bids on the job. That should make them lower their price. Go with the number we spoke of and if they don’t accept it, call others and reopen the bidding. We’re set on a budget.”
Jessie fed him another bite when the other person on the phone kept talking. She hadn’t fed a man…ever. She enjoyed it. He flashed another grateful look, smiling at her. She wondered if a woman had ever fed him, hoped not and wanted him to remember her. She fed him all of the fruit and cake until the plate was empty. She returned the dish to the tray and picked up a few sodas for them to drink. He pointed at the table next to him, grinned his thanks and reached for something in his briefcase. Jessie opened the soda for him and set it down. She went to the couch and ate the apple pie.
“I’m so sorry about that.” Justice collapsed on the couch next to her a few minutes later after ending the conversation. Three feet separated them. “Thanks for the fruit. It was really good.”
She turned to face him. “I understand.”
His phone rang again and his smile faded to a grimace. “I’m not going to look. For a dime I’d toss that thing into a wall and break it.”
She touched her front pockets. “Sorry but I don’t have any change.”
He laughed. “I wish you did.”
“Does your phone always ring nonstop?”
“Only when it’s on and that’s always.”
“You should get someone to help you. One man can’t possibly do everything.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know who would do everything that I do.”
“I’d train a dozen of them and disappear for a month of vacation. I bet you dream of hiding from cell phones and other people.”
“Don’t tempt me.” A look of longing crossed his features. “Do you think they’d hire me if I ran away to the circus?”
Jessie laughed. “I’m sure they would. I don’t think you’d enjoy that job any better though. You wouldn’t have calls to deal with but the people factor would be a hell of a lot worse.”
He adjusted his big body on the couch, bringing up his foot to rest on the edge of the coffee table. “What did you want to talk about? I would really be interested in hearing your ideas.”
Jessie hesitated. “You get this all the time, don’t you? People wanting your attention for something?” She felt bad for him. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll write you a letter, send it to your office and you can look it over when you find some free time. You shouldn’t have to deal with work right now. You really need some time to relax.”
“You want to leave?” He tensed. “I understand. I’m sorry about dinner getting interrupted. It was rude of me but I really had to take those calls. I swear I will read them if you want to send your ideas by mail. Just put your name in bold black print on the back of the envelope and I’ll tell my secretary to bring it to me as soon as it comes in. It will get my full attention.”
Jessie stood. “I don’t want to leave. You’re so stressed out.” She peered down at him. “You work more than anyone I’ve ever met. My father is a workaholic but you make him pale in comparison. Don’t worry about dinner or the calls. Do you know what you need?”
He shook his head but curiosity sparked his pretty eyes. Jessie hesitated. Oh hell, who cares if it is unprofessional? He’s stressed out, I want to help him and I’m doing it. It’s such a bad, horrible idea but screw it.
“You need a massage.”
His eyebrows lifted. “What?”
His baffled expression was adorable and drew a chuckle from her as she repeated her words. “You need a massage. I can rub your shoulders if you have some lotion around here. I used to do it for my father when he got stressed out. It made him feel better and it will feel nice on top of it.”
Justice swallowed hard. “There’s some in the bathroom. All the rooms come with those things.”
“That way?” She pointed at the hallway.
“Yes.”
“I’ll go. You relax. Put both of your feet up, get comfortable and don’t you dare touch that phone. Let it ring.”
Jessie realized she’d lost her mind. Justice could order her boss to fire her ass and Tim would. Justice was the leader of the NSO and she planned to rub the tension out of his thick, broad shoulders. Oh hell, she thought as she looked around the bedroom and walked into the bathroom. Justice was a stress case and he needed to unwind. A massage would do him a world of good. She located the lotion and returned to the living room.
Justice had followed her orders by resting his big feet on top of the coffee table. Jessie smiled as she bent, took off her own shoes and met his unsure gaze. He watched her cautiously as if he had no idea what she’d do. She fought back a laugh over his bewilderment. She figured he was probably wondering if she was insane or not.
“I’m going to climb on the back of the couch and sit behind you. Can you take off your shirt?”
He only hesitated for a second before reaching for his waist, leaned forward a little and tugged the tank top higher up his chest to reveal those amazing muscles on his flat stomach again. Jessie stepped onto the couch, sat behind him and planted her feet next to his hips. She flipped open the lotion cap, studying his massive shoulders, understanding how much responsibility rested on them. They were impressive enough that she guessed he was the one man who could handle being the face of Species before the world.
His hair fell in the way and she set the lotion down and reached to her ponytail, pulling out the thong holding it in place. Her fingers dangled it out in front of Justice’s face.
“Could you put your hair up on the top of your head to get it out of the way, please?”
He hesitated before accepting it, pulled all his hair up on top and secured the strands. She figured she’d laugh if she saw him from the front. She concentrated on his tempting back instead, longed to touch him and poured lotion into one palm. She set the bottle down and warmed the creamy substance between her hands.
“The trick to relaxing is closing your eyes and letting everything go.” She spread the lotion over his shoulders, her fingers gripping the muscle. The tension in him couldn’t be denied. His shoulders felt like stone under her fingers and palms. She let her hands glide over his heated skin until the lotion coated the area she intended to massage. “Do you think you can do that?”
“I’ll try.” His voice came out deep and raspy.
“Good. You just close your eyes and relax.”
Jessie dug her fingers into tense muscle. She used her palms to push into his skin to massage deep, knowing she wouldn’t hurt him. Her hands weren’t strong enough to do that. Enjoyment filled her at touching him, her gaze locked on the tan skin she manipulated and hoped it would work. Justice needed to unwind. He worked way too hard.
He groaned, drawing a grin from Jessie—she hadn’t lost her touch. Her hands worked up his neck to knead his muscles before slowly lowering to the tops of his shoulders then back. He groaned and made soft sounds occasionally.
The phone rang a few times but he ignored it. He didn’t tense at the disruptions or move under her hands. Jessie’s hands started to hurt eventually from the strength she’d used. She stopped.
“Is that better?”
He groaned. “Yes.”
“Are you feeling stress free?”
“Yes.”
“My mission of relaxation is now complete.”
She released his shoulders with regret. It had been a pleasure to have her hands on the tall Species leader. She tried not to allow her thoughts to linger there and knew it was a really bad thing that she was so attracted to him. Her fingers slid the thong free from his hair and she shoved it into her pocket. Talk about barking up the wrong tree. He’s way out of my reach and Tim would kick my ass if he knew I was here.
Jessie climbed off the back of the couch and studied Justice’s handsome features. His dark, sexy gaze met hers. She had to swallow hard over the intense look he concentrated on her, not sure what it meant with him so serious. He was really good at keeping her off balance.
“Is anything wrong? You’re staring at me as though you might want to say something.”
He slowly rose to his feet and he was so tall her chin had to lift to keep her gaze on his. She held still. He stood nearly a foot taller than her and he was really impressive in size. Too big. She let that thought slide. It didn’t matter because she didn’t feel threatened by him. He continued to watch her intently until he finally spoke.
“Thank you,” he rasped.
“You’re welcome.”
He blinked. “You should probably leave before I do something I’ll regret. Thank you for sharing dinner with me and…feeding me the dessert. I especially want to thank you for the massage. It was wonderful and needed.”
Jessie’s heart rate accelerated a little and curiosity wouldn’t be denied. “What are you thinking about doing that you’ll regret?”
His gaze searched hers and a long moment passed while he seemed to debate answering. “Touching you.”
Her heart did a flip. She identified the look in his eyes now that she had a hint. Desire. Justice wanted her as a man wanted a woman. His nostrils flared and he made that soft sound in his throat that did wonderful things to her libido.
“You do purr,” she whispered.
Justice ordered his hands not to fist at his sides, worried Jessie might take it as a threat but he longed to touch her so desperately that it became a nearly impossible urge. Having her hands on him, inhaling her feminine scent so close to him while she’d massaged his shoulders, had driven him a little insane.
She was human, worked for the task force assigned under his command and he’d read up on proper human etiquette in the workplace. Sexual harassment. Those two words repeated in his head. She wasn’t Species, her society’s rules were totally different than those in the world he lived in and it wasn’t a simple solution of asking her if she wanted to share sex with him. That’s what he’d do if she were one of his women. They knew they could freely deny him and he’d respect it. She might be afraid or insulted if he dared utter that question.
He tried to reason with his turned-on body. He couldn’t possibly share sex with Jessie Dupree. She wouldn’t want him. Her actions were based on kindness and not an invitation to put his hands on her in return. She’d come to discuss work, not end up in his bed.
The image of sweeping her into his arms and carrying her down the hallway to his room filled his head. He’d tear her clothes off, explore her pale skin and run his hands over every inch of her body. His cock responded full force as blood rushed to his groin and the uncomfortable heaviness of the hard-on made him want to adjust his stance since it pressed against the confining denim of his jeans.
Breathe through it, he ordered his body. Resist. You can’t offer her sex. She’s human and you’re not allowed to have her regardless of how much you want her. Those thoughts helped him regain some control on his raging need to take her. He’d growl at her if she were Species, show his dominance and offer her his body. He’d strip her in under a minute if she agreed to share sex with him and show her his skill as a lover.
A small trace of uncertainty struck and kept that growl of intent locked within his throat since she wasn’t Species. He had no idea if anything he’d learned about humans would apply to her. He swallowed hard, kept silent and hoped he appeared nonthreatening. She was much smaller and weaker than Species women. That was another thing that cooled his heated blood. Jessie appeared frail in comparison and he feared he’d cause her harm in some way if he followed through with his instinct to attempt to get her into his bed.
Jessie stared back into Justice’s beautiful gaze while he remained absolutely silent. I want him, she silently admitted. Tim will have my ass, fire me, but oh hell, he’s worth the risk. He wants to touch me and I really want him to. Tim doesn’t have to know, right? Who would tell? Her gaze broke contact to sweep around the room. No witnesses, no one to judge and we’re both adults. She peered up at him again, met his intense stare as he continued to regard her, almost as if he waited for unspoken consent.
It could lead to sex if they put their hands on each other. Justice was a big guy, really strong and a Species. She wondered how that would work out between them in bed. She knew that some women had hooked up with them. She had gone to Tammy and Valiant’s wedding and Tammy had sure seemed more than happy despite their drastic size difference.
“Have you ever slept with a human?” Those words popped out and couldn’t believe she’d said the thought aloud.
“No.”
Their gazes remained locked and it encouraged her to keep talking. “I’ve never been attracted to your kind before but I’m drawn to you in the worst way. Am I being too blunt? I know total honesty is supposed to be normal for Species. Just tell me to shut up if I’m wrong.”
“You want me too?” His voice lowered to a raspy growl.
Kinda scary but hot, she decided. His voice change made her heart race faster. Justice moved slowly, leaned his body closer and his hand lifted to cup her face with his big palm. His other hand slid loosely around her waist while he studied her eyes. Answer him.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“You’re so small and I’m afraid I’ll bruise or accidentally hurt you.”
She grinned, finding his nervousness reassuring. It proved she wasn’t the only one on shaky ground and all her doubts about getting involved with him disappeared. “I’m tough and willing to risk it.”
“I saw that you were strong in the lobby when you were attacked.” He nudged her closer with his hand at her hip until their bodies pressed together. “You turned me on. You were small yet fierce. You fought incredibly well.”
“I did?”
“Mmmm,” he growled as his face lowered. “Pull your hair back, please. I want access to your neck.”
She gripped her long hair without hesitation and shoved it back over her shoulder. She tilted her head to the side to give him open access to her shoulder and throat. He leaned in more and Jessie shivered in anticipation when she felt his hot breath tease her skin below her ear. Justice inhaled slowly and ran his nose from that area, as gently as the caress of a breeze, downward to where her shirt started at her bra strap.
“I won’t touch you with my teeth. Don’t be afraid. I’m aware that sharp canines scare humans.”
“I’m not worried about it and you can touch me with your teeth as much as you want.” The concept excited her but she did have one exception. “Just try not to break the skin. I’m not into love bites. I’m not a fan of pain.”
He purred deeply, a sexy rumble coming from him. Her hand pressed against his chest and she drew closer until her breasts flattened against his big frame. She could feel vibrations when he purred that way. Jessie gasped softly from surprise when his tongue suddenly traced her skin. Jessie turned her head, found her mouth pressed to skin and opened it to lick his nipple. She latched onto it and nipped him gently with her teeth while sucking. The body against hers tensed and he growled, vibrating again.
The annoying shrill of his cell phone interrupted them. The mouth on her neck stopped kissing and Justice uttered a snarled curse. She released his nipple, lifted her chin and met his passion-filled gaze.
“Don’t get it. Let it ring.” She held her breath, hoping he’d choose her instead of whoever called.
“Let’s go into the bedroom away from it.”
She pulled air into her lungs, the tension eased from her body and she smiled. That was one way to get her into his room. Of course, she wanted to follow him anywhere at that moment.
He pulled away to put space between their bodies and his eye color appeared noticeably darker. She didn’t usually move this fast with someone but she wanted him, he wanted her and she refused to think
too deeply about it. He held out his hand and she eagerly placed her smaller one in his. He turned, his focus remaining on her and led her out of the living room.
Justice released her hand when they entered the large master bedroom, reached back and pushed the door closed. A lock clicked into place, the sound easy to identify. “It’s not to keep you in but to keep anyone from interrupting us. Sometimes the males assigned to guard me enter my suite and the locked door will keep them from just opening it.”
“Okay.”
Jessie reached for the front of his jeans and unfastened the top button. She watched his face as she pulled the zipper down, looking for any signs of protest. Passion blazed in his heated stare and she lowered her attention down his body to watch her fingers hook the opening to spread them apart. He wore red flannel boxers.
They looked expensive and were amazingly soft when she brushed her knuckles against them. He hadn’t been kidding about liking comfort between his skin and jeans. She shoved the pants down his muscular legs before going for his boxers to remove them too. His hands suddenly gripped hers and Jessie’s gaze jerked to meet his.
“Am I going too fast? Do you want to slow down?” She resisted smiling over how amused she was at the thought that a man might resist getting naked as quickly as possible with a willing woman in his bedroom. He isn’t like other guys, she remembered.
“There are some things you should know first.”
Uh-oh. “You have the same parts, right? Male parts?”
He flashed a grin. “Yes.”
“Then what else is there to know?”
He hesitated. “We’ve been told we’re larger than typical males.”
Larger. She swallowed. “I can deal with that. Larger as in ‘just a bit bigger’ or as in ‘that is never, ever going to fit inside me’?”
A laugh escaped his lips. “Your kind and my kind have shared sex. They didn’t seem to have any problems with that.”