Saved: A Billionaire Romance (The Saved Series Book 1) (5 page)

"You're in me so deep, Jackson. I never knew it could feel like this. It's so-"

His mouth met mine and cut me off mid-sentence. It was Jackson's way of letting me know that he knew exactly how I felt. His large hands gripped my full bottom as he helped me rock up and down on top of him. I used his shoulders as leverage so that I could move at the pace that made his breathing become ragged.
 

Jackson moved his hands from my ass to the top of my dress, pulling apart the wrap top to expose my lace-covered breasts. As I continued to ride him, he yanked at the lace of my bra cups, tearing them as he set my full breasts free for his hungry mouth. He pushed them together so that he could swirl his long tongue around both of my nipples. When he bit down gently on one of my hardened peaks, I cried out in pleasure. All of my senses were working together to create a fire inside of me that I wasn’t sure
 
I could handle.

From the hard breaths and loud grunts coming from Jackson, I knew that his control was waning. His hands moved from my breasts back to my ass where he gripped both sides hard, holding me still so that he could thrust up into me hard and fast. I pressed my mouth to his, needing the contact as he claimed me once again.
 

"I can't hold back much longer, Allie. I want to make you mine. Please let me make you mine."

"Jackson, I am yours. Please don't stop. Please give it to me. I need you!"

Hearing those words must have been too much for him because he pushed in and out of me two more times before becoming completely still as he spilled himself deep inside of me. This time there was plenty of light shining into the back of the car, and our eyes were locked, making the moment much more intimate than the previous night's scene in a public bathroom.

I had no words, so I leaned in and kissed him gently. Then I stayed on his lap, not wanting him to pull out of me just yet. I was worried if we broke our contact now, we would never be able to recreate the perfection of that moment.

Unfortunately, the car came to a stop, and I knew it was time to move. I lifted myself from Jackson's lap, immediately feeling empty as we broke contact. I felt cold without his warmth. I didn't feel the safety of his arms around me, and I was just me again. Alone in a world where I would never be able to hide from everything that happened to me in my past.

"Well, I guess I should go inside. I'm sorry if I got carried away, Jackson. I guess I will see you at the office tomorrow." He was finishing readjusting his clothes, but he stopped when I spoke.

"You got carried away? Allison, that was way more than getting carried away, and you know it. Don't you dare try to downplay what just happened between us. You can't deny that you feel something for me. You will see me at the office, and I promise to act professionally at all times. But outside of work, I plan to see you. I plan to know you. I plan to win you over."

"I do feel something for you, but this whole situation terrifies me. Please just give me some space. I don't know if I'm ready for this. I don't know if I will ever be ready. The best advice I can give is for you to give me time. And I can't make you any promises."

"I will give you time, Allie, but I'm not going anywhere. I will make you see that I can make you happy. Please let me see you inside." I knew that was a bad idea because it might lead to more. I wasn't ready for any kind of sleepovers. Plus I didn't want him to see what little I had in my life. He would definitely change his mind if he saw how I lived.

"No, really, I'm fine. I take care of myself all of the time."

"I see that, but I just want to be safe. At least let me have your number." I agreed and gave him the digits as he added me in his fancy phone. I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth before hurrying out the door and onto the street. I couldn't risk losing my nerve and staying with him.

Chapter 5

I ran up the stairs to my apartment as fast as I could, unlocking all of my locks in record time. I exhaled when everything was locked up and took off my beautiful, but painful red stilettos. It was late, and I needed to get to bed.

After performing my nightly ritual of washing my face, brushing my teeth, and checking my locks three times, I slipped under the quilt in my full-size bed and enjoyed the comfort of its warmth. I made sure my alarm was set and only then did I allow myself to reflect on the night. After years of keeping to myself, I had just spent two nights in the arms of one of the most powerful men in Chicago. And he wanted me to be a permanent part of his life.

As much as I loved being with him, I had a feeling he would change his mind once he found out about all of the baggage that came along with being in my life. Tears welled in my eyes as I realized that no matter how much I wanted him, happily ever after was not a reality for me. I drifted off to sleep on a tear-soaked pillow, wishing to every saint and star that my luck might change.

When my alarm sounded with one of Harter's stations early the next morning, I pounded on the snooze button. I wanted to stay under my covers and keep everything just as it had been the night before, but I knew I couldn't afford to miss a day of work.
 

After a quick shower, I pulled my hair back into a messy knot and added a headband with rhinestones to dress it up. I put on a pair of black wide-leg pants with a white blouse decorated with tiny black flowers. My feet were still killing me from the red shoes, so I put on low-heeled black boots. A simple silver bangle on my wrist completed the outfit. A touch of mascara and some lip gloss made me look fresh and awake, and I headed out the door.

Since I had stayed in bed too long, I didn't have time for coffee. I walked into the lobby of Harter Communications with just seconds to spare before I was late. Brielle greeted me with a smile and looked like she was full of information.

"Hey, Allie! I missed you yesterday morning. We had the best time at the club the other night. There were so many single, good-looking guys there. The only thing missing was you! Speaking of hot guys, have you had the opportunity to feast your eyes upon Jackson Harter, CEO? Aren't CEOs supposed to be 50-something-year-old men who love to golf and are on their third wives?" I couldn't believe she got all of that out in one breath.

"I'm glad to hear you had such a good time. I got in early yesterday to get started on some work for Joe. As for Mr. Harter, yes I have seen him. He is quite handsome."

"More like scorching hot! I swear sometimes you are an elderly woman trapped in a young woman's body. Live a little, girl!"

"Oh, I think you do plenty of living for the both of us, Brielle. See you later!" I could hear her giggling behind me as I made my way to the safe haven of my little cubicle. My message light was blinking on my phone as I settled in, turning my laptop on.
 

I picked up the phone and punched in the code for my voicemail, expecting to hear Janet or Joe on the other end. I was shocked to find out who the message was really from.

"Good morning, beautiful. I just wanted to start your day on a good note and let you know that I can't stop thinking about you. I hope you're thinking of me, too. See you soon."

I smiled in spite of myself, happy to hear Jackson's voice. He figured out a way to speak to me without everyone in the company knowing what was going on between us. I deleted the message and hung up the phone, a little bit distracted but ready to take on whatever the day had in store.

Janet stopped by a little while later with some research she needed me to do for Joe. He was nervous about the changes that were coming down from the top, and he needed all the help he could get. I threw myself into the job completely, only stopping for a short time to grab a sandwich and a water from the street vendor out front.

By the time 5:00 came, I was exhausted. I hadn't even had time to think about Jackson, and I hadn't laid eyes on him all day. I gathered up my purse after shutting down my work station and headed to the elevator. This time there were no surprise visitors, and I rode in silence. When I reached the lobby, I stepped out and headed for the bus stop. I was looking over my shoulder, checking my surroundings like I always did, when I ran into someone.

"I'm so so-"

"Ms. James. So good to see you again." It was George from the night before. I flushed a deep red when I thought about what I had done in the back of his car. He must have known. There was no way he thought we were just talking. Plus, I wondered if he was responsible for cleaning the vehicle. I was absolutely mortified.

"Hi George. It's great to see you, too. I was just headed home."

"I know. I have once again been asked to take you where you need to go. Mr. Harter has late meetings, but he wanted to make sure you were safe."

"Thank you, but I am fine with taking the bus."

"Please let me do my job, Ms. James. Mr. Harter will be angry if I don't do what he asks."

"Okay, I guess it wouldn't hurt. But please hurry before anyone else sees me get in this car. I don't need to be the talk of Harter Communications in the morning!"

George ushered me to the car and quickly tucked me inside. I had to admit that it was nice to get another break from the bus. It only took about 10 minutes to reach my apartment building. George parked the car and opened the door for me.

"Thanks again, George. You are too kind."

"The pleasure is all mine, Ms. James. It's not every day that I get to escort a beautiful young lady like yourself home. I hope you have a pleasant evening."

"You too." I gave him a smile and a wave as I headed for the door. Like always, I headed up the stairs, but as I neared the top, something wasn't quite right. I saw that there was a light on in my apartment, and I knew that I never left lights on.

When I went to unlock the door, only two of the locks were locked. My heart started to beat fast, and I was transported to the past. My body had a knack for sensing danger after years of being in terrible situations.
 

I unlocked the door carefully and reached into my small purse to get a good grip on my pepper spray. I pushed the door open slowly, and at first everything looked perfectly in place. The only thing amiss was that the lamp on the small table by the door was on.
 

I gripped the spray in my hand so tightly that my knuckles were as white as a freshly bleached shirt. I clicked on the bathroom light and looked behind the door and the shower curtain. Nothing was out of place in there. My bedroom was also completely clear, including the closet and under the bed. I moved around the kitchen and the small sitting room, but there was no one else in the apartment.

When my shoulders began to relax a little bit, I went to put my keys down on the table with the lamp on it. That's when I noticed the piece of paper that was sitting there. It was from the Omaha Inn, and there was familiar writing on it.

"You can take the girl out of Omaha, but you can't take Omaha out of the girl. Hiding from your past never works. I found you just like I said I would. I hope you're ready to come home. Not like you have a choice…"

I immediately felt my legs go weak as I slid down the wall to the floor. He had found me, and there was nothing I could do. He would never stop harassing me until I went with him willingly. He always said I was his forever, and even though I tried to fight it, I knew that there was no way out. As tears rolled down my cheeks, I heard my phone go off in my purse. I pulled it out to find a text message.

"Thinking of you. Can I see you when I get out?"

"Can't. I've been found. Forget me. I'm a lost cause. I'm gone." I let my phone fall to the floor next to me, ignoring the fact that it was going off over and over. Jackson was probably furious, thinking that I had just rejected him. He would get over me fast and forget all about me as I was on my way back to hell.

I closed my eyes and let it sink in that my freedom was gone. I didn't move to eat or get up to sleep. I just sat there in disbelief that he had finally caught up to me. I didn't even get up when I heard pounding on my door. I figured it was the past knocking, ready to collect me and take me back.

I didn't realize the door was unlocked until I was being picked up off the floor and carried out of the apartment. I let my body go limp and closed my eyes tight, not wanting to see his face again. I wasn't ready to relive the terror. It was only when he spoke that I knew what was happening.

"Everything is going to be okay, Allie. You're safe now. Just close your eyes and breathe."

I did just that, resting my head against his shoulder and wrapping my arms around his neck. I was safe. For now.

Acknowledgements

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This book is Part One of “The Saved Series”

1. Saved Part One
   
2. Saved Part Two (Coming Soon)
   
3. Saved Part Three (Coming Soon)
   

About the Author

Lexi Larue has been writing suspense and romance short stories since she was a young girl.
 
She loves romances with a little bit of mystery.
 
She loves creating strong characters who love life and live with abandon.
 
Lexi lives in Chicago where she enjoys the hanging out in jazz clubs and dining in hole in the wall restaurants.
 

Keep in touch with Alexia at
lexilarue.com
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facebook.com
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For even more romance, check out
Brazen Romance