Chapter Eight

Jessie wrestled with the keys to her Charleston, West Virginia, apartment while balancing flowers and a box filled with going away presents. At least she would finally get to spend some time here as it was just a short drive to BJ’s new store. Heck, she might even buy a house plant.

The week had passed quickly. Jessie had thrown herself into work and even surpassed her sales record for the month. It felt good to end her time with Bauer’s on a high note. A surprise farewell party had awaited her as she made her last stop at her employer's. She would miss her coworkers and several offered to take her out for drinks at closing time. She declined with the excuse of having other plans.

Some plans, she scoffed—laundry, buying groceries, and doing the finishing touches on her interview questions for applicants on Monday. She was exhausted and if she sat down, she’d probably collapse. A six pack of the same beer they’d shared sat on the kitchen counter. BJ’s handsome face floated across her mind. He hadn’t called again but emailed daily.

She kicked off her shoes and traded business wear for comfort. Grey shorts, flip flops and her West Virginia Express shirt, the one that BJ had given her. Returning to her car, she grabbed some grocery bags out of the trunk.

“Need some help with that?” The deep Southern drawl raised goose bumps along her back. Bent over the bags in her trunk, her heart skipped a beat as she caught a glance of tanned, well-muscled legs behind her.

BJ, here, in her driveway!

“Yeah, that would be nice.” Her trembling arms offered him a bag. He looked good, damn good. A sexy, five o’clock shadow graced his strong jaw. His hair looked tousled and brushed his forehead. The pair of shorts slung low on his hips. Jessie’s breath caught. He was wearing the same grey T-shirt she’d worn that morning at his house. Was that deliberate?

“So what brings you to this neighborhood?” Her voice shook. Her heart pounded so loud, he could probably hear it. She twisted to grab another bag and shut the trunk.

“I needed to talk to you and I didn’t want it to be on the phone.”

On wobbly legs, Jessie started toward her apartment, leaving BJ to follow. “Oh, yeah? Business or pleasure?” Jessie clamped her mouth shut. He was her boss. She had to stop with the flirting.

“A little of both.”

She risked a look in his direction but couldn't read his face. His eyes spoke volumes, though. He did want her. She licked her lips, swallowed, and crossed the threshold of the apartment door.

“You can just set those on the table. I better put some of these things in the fridge before they spoil. Could you hand me the milk?” Her hand reached out.

BJ did as she asked and chose some other refrigerated items from the bag. His fingers grazed Jessie’s and her nipples puckered as if he had touched them. Her cheeks blushed and her ears were aflame. Chills ran down her legs, and it wasn’t from the cold air of the refrigerator.

“Where do you want these?” BJ held a cereal box in each hand.

“In the cupboard above would be great.” She indicated the correct cabinet as she bent to pick up a plastic bag that fluttered to the floor.

Rising, her eyes locked on the two masculine hands that came to rest on the counter top, one on each side of her.

“You smell like sunshine,” he whispered and his breath tickled the back of her neck. A stubbly chin tickled her ear. BJ’s strong arms wrapped her in a tender embrace. “I can’t seem to get you out of my mind.”

She inhaled a whiff of musky cologne. Jessie clutched the counter with quaking hands. Without thinking, she leaned back in his arms and a moan escaped her lips. He held her tight, his arousal warm and throbbing on her lower back. Her nipples ached, eager and ready for his touch. The pleasure of being in his arms again was overwhelming. Turning, she tried to read the look in his dark, brown eyes. Desire, yes.

The countertop pressed into her back as he leaned in. Her breasts heaved and pressed into his chest. Sexual tension filled the room with heavy breathing the only sound. She pulled his pelvis tight to hers, the anticipation of making love again stimulating her no end. Her clit throbbed and her panties flooded with moisture, the scent of her arousal filling the air. BJ unraveled the scrunchy from her hair, letting it tumble free to her shoulders as he tossed it aside. Her fingers threaded in her locks as his lips inched closer. Jessie’s heart pounded so loud she could hear it. He stopped, his eyes questioning.

“Jessie, open the door, we know you’re in there.” Loud voices and heavy knocking rattled the door.

“Were you expecting company?” BJ rested his forehead on hers.

“No. I better go see what is going on.” An aggravated groan exploded from her lips as she marched to the pounding on the front door. She flung it open to find.

“Surprise!” The crowd of coworkers hollered.

“You didn’t think we would let you leave without a party, did you?” her former manager asked.

Jessie stood speechless. An imaginary bucket of cold water thrown on her body still pulsated from BJ’s touch.

“Oh, wow. You guys didn’t need to do that.” She wanted to sound excited but it didn’t come out that way. The voice in her head repeated the sentence complete with few swear words added. She smoothed back her hair and straightened her shirt.

“The rest of the group is waiting at the bar down the street. No need to grab you purse, drinks are on us.” All eyes looked behind her. She followed their gaze to BJ leaning against the kitchen doorway. His shirt now hung loose, hiding his desire.

“Uh, sorry, we didn’t know you had a visitor.”

She had told them she had plans. Unfortunately, everyone knew about her lack of social life and didn’t believe her. Jessie inspected the floor while hoping some answer was written there.

“Hey, that sounds great.” BJ draped a possessive arm across her shoulder. “You have to have a farewell party. Drinks would be great, wouldn’t they, Jessie?”

“Sure. Let me grab my keys and we’ll meet you there.” She half-smiled and waved them on. The group backed off her doorstep and headed for the bar. Some called back to remind her not to be late as she shut the door.

“We don’t have to go, you know.” She frowned while stuffing her keys in a pocket.

“Yeah, we do. They are your friends and you’ll regret not going if you don’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come on to you like that. We have a lot of things to talk about.” He watched out the window. “We should probably meet in public from now on.”

Her heart sank.

“I can’t control myself around you. You light me on fire like no woman ever has.” He twisted in her direction. “I want to do right by you, Jessie, but I’m your boss.” He walked over and dropped a light kiss on her forehead. “I’ll wait outside for you.”

What the hell just happened? Jessie took a drink of water and put the scrunchy back in her hair. She was determined to win him back no matter what it took. Her heart couldn’t take much more of the hot and cold treatment.

****

A rowdy bunch greeted them as they entered the front door of the bar. They looked like a couple wearing their matching baseball team shirts. BJ knew some of the guys so he fit in just fine. Jessie appeared to be having a good time laughing and drinking with the people who had been her coworkers. He couldn’t help but stare at her. She shone like a bright light. He grabbed a seat next to Brad Johnson, the guy that gave Jessie the glowing job reference.

“So, what’s up with you and Jessie?” Brad motioned with his beer bottle and took a drink.

“What do you mean?” BJ signaled to the waitress for another round.

“You know damn well what I mean. We interrupted something and I don’t think you were there helping to hang curtains.”

BJ continued to stare at Jessie.

“The guys and I think of her as a member of the family. You hurt her and we’ll beat the shit out of you.”

BJ shook off the threat. “I have no intention of hurting her.” He took a swig of his beer, setting it down harder than he intended.

“Well, something has been bothering her for the last two weeks. She’s been moping around like she lost her best friend. I know you’re a few years younger than her, but don’t make the mistake of thinking this is some kind of game.” Brad’s finger poked him in the chest. “Jessie’s a class act and don’t forget it.”

“I won’t. I hired her, didn’t I? I have no intention of compromising one of my employees.”

“Good.”

After the lecture from Brad, the conversation returned to baseball, fishing, and former classmates. BJ was getting a headache. Coming here was a mistake but he didn’t want Jessie to miss out on spending time with her friends. They obviously cared about her a lot. Jessie was always in his eyesight. Her bright smile lit up the room. He couldn’t help but glare whenever a male coworker approached to hug her goodbye. BJ made sure to keep an eye out for any overaggressive hands, but everyone treated her with love and affection.

As the evening progressed, everyone bought her drinks. She returned from the bathroom and BJ could see her step looked a little shaky. He leisurely rose from his stool and walked to her side.

“How are you doing?” He had to speak loudly in her ear over the blaring jukebox.

“Great,” she yelled, spinning so fast he had to reach out to steady her.

“Whoa, I think we better get you home while you can still walk.”

Jessie threw her arms around him. “You’re so sweet. Are you going to tuck me in bed, too?” She trailed a fingertip along his jaw.

BJ could feel Brad’s eyes scorching his back. “Whatever it takes to get you out of here, grab your stuff and let’s go.” She was going to have one hell of a hangover if he didn’t get her out of the bar.

They left the bar and walked in silence. Their fingers bumped a few times before he grasped her small hand in his. Hand and hand they walked down the sidewalk. So much for acting like her boss, but he didn’t care. BJ made it known to any men giving her the eye that she was taken, even if it was just for the walk home.

“It was a fun night. I’m going to miss those guys,” Jessie finally said.

“Yes, they obviously think very highly of you. I’m sure the feeling is mutual.” The cold night air a welcoming relief to the fervor the he felt whenever she was near.

Within moments they returned to her apartment. Jessie fumbled with the keys before opening the door. He hesitated. It was a mistake to be alone with her, but his feet moved on their own, obviously not listening to any commands coming from his head. His gaze glued to her gorgeous ass. His cock jerked and his body hummed. Damn he wanted her and wanted her bad. He followed her inside to the kitchen like a puppy dog begging for a treat. He’d take any handout she gave him.

BJ braced a hand on the kitchen chair, watching her as she staggered to the couch and lay down. He closed his eyes in a half prayer. Give me strength. His grip on the chair tightened, his knuckles white. Again, the traitorous limbs led him to kneel by her side.

Hot pink polish accented her tan slender toes. His glaze floated to trim ankles that had once crossed behind his back. A moan escaped his lips remembered that moment too long ago. Her shapely legs were entwined and her tight ass. Breathing labored, BJ traced his fingers where his eyes had just been, starting with those delicate feet. They traveled over the delicate bones of her ankle, around the bend of her knee and glided upward along her thigh.

He dropped to his knees. BJ cupped her ass cheek and squeezed, his balls tightening. Jessie purred and rolled toward him. She grasped his other hand and pulled it between her breasts. His hand regretfully left her ass and skimmed the length of her back before tangling in her silky hair. He breathed deeply. It may be wrong but damn it felt right. He wanted to kiss her until she begged him to make love to her. Her pouty lips parted as if reading his mind and a slight snore escaped. What the fuck? Her eyes were shut.

“Jessie?” He gave her a gentle nudge. No response. “Are you asleep?”

“I’m so tired.” Jessie mumbled, shifting and rolling over. The light, alcohol-induced snore continued.

BJ laughed and sat back on his heels.

“Son of a—” He ran shaking fingers through his hair. “Well, I guess that decides that.” He covered Jessie with a nearby blanket and dropped a lingering kiss on her forehead. BJ couldn’t leave just yet so he watched her sleep, afraid she might wake up and become sick. Being in the same room with her was a comfort he wasn’t ready to relinquish. He spent the next few hours reading some newspapers and studying an auto supply catalogue that had been lying on the kitchen table. When the clock hit two, he remembered Buddy. He had to get home. His lips touched her hair one last time.

“Sleep well, beautiful.”