Page 28 of Hidden Heart

“It was nothing,” Jessica flat-out lied. Royce could feel the trembling in her hand, the stiffness of her spine, and her breathing deepen. Whateveritwas, wasn’t nothing.

“Jess, we should be going. I’m sure James and Helen will be getting a table soon, although without a reservation on a Saturday, it’s a pretty long wait.” Royce tucked Jessica’s hand in the crook of his elbow and escorted her through the front door, effectively dismissing James and his date.

They walked in silence for a few moments until they reached a red light. “Any chance you’ll forget we ran into him?” Jessica asked, keeping her eyes forward. Her hair blew gently around her face with the cool breeze, but she made no move to keep it out of her eyes.

“What do you think?” he asked with what he hoped was a light tone.

“No chance.” She sighed.

“So, he’s an ex. Not a happy breakup,” Royce prompted as the light changed, and they crossed the street. She hadn’t let go of his hand, not that he would have let her if she had tried.

“No. Not really. We met senior year. Dated off and on until after graduation. It was pretty casual, but after we graduated, things got a little more serious. Well…for me they did,” she confessed, still not looking up at him. “For him, not so much. Veronica was a receptionist at the publishing house where he managed to land an internship. He was an aspiring author at the time, and the internship was supposed to help him get contacts he could submit his manuscripts to.”

Royce walked in silence, listening. She’d never opened up so freely before. He was almost afraid to breathe too loudly; she might close up again if he interrupted her.

“I had gotten the job with the law firm. I wasn’t as interesting as Veronica. Not as warm and open as Veronica.” Her voice tensed as she continued. “I wasn’t into sharing, and he wasn’t into me—so he left. Packed up his stuff, paid for one month’s rent, and moved out.”

Royce stopped walking and pulled her into his arms. The tension in her shoulders released with his embrace. “He was a fucking idiot,” Royce growled. “Don’t tell me he’s the reason you stayed away from publishing.”

“No, not really. I mean, not because he was a writer—a really shitty one at that. After he moved out, I still had nine months on the lease. I hadn’t intended to stay at the firm. It was supposed to be a bridge. You know, what you do while you’re working toward your real career. But I had to keep it and work more hours to make rent. Next thing I knew, I’d been there over a year.”

“He left you with rent on the apartment?”

“It was a long time ago.” She pulled away from him and took a deep breath. Her body shook with what he hoped was only a shiver from the chill in the air.

“And after James? How many men have you dated since?” he asked, moving to get back in step with her.

“Not many. I haven’t been lucky in that department. Like I said, I’m not looking for love.” She gave him a shy smile.

“He was your bad senior year.” Royce linked their hands back together as they walked down the last block to his apartment.

“Yeah. I shouldn’t have moved in with him. Kelly warned me, and you know how lovesick she is—I should have listened. Oh well, live and learn, I guess.” She released another shaky breath.

Before they entered his building, he pulled her to his chest again, and gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. “Thank you.”

“For what?” She gave him a puzzled look.

“For being such a good girl tonight,” he mused. “Do you know what I do with good girls?” He kissed her lips with a hard, pressing, wanting kiss. “I reward them.”

Chapter 9

Jessica stepped into his bedroom with a trembling stomach. Seeing James after so many years had thrown her into an emotional tornado, one she wasn’t sure she’d have been able to handle without Royce at her side. That idea spun her around even more. Royce had been the picture of perfect control. No insults or chest thumping, he simply held her close, showing everyone around them who she belonged to. She was his. The idea made her head spin.

She needed to stop thinking. Royce promised a reward. She wasn’t exactly sure what she’d done to earn a reward, but the delicious grin he’d had while making his promise didn’t leave her with the idea of asking more questions.

“Still in your clothes,” his deep voice playfully chastised as he entered behind her. “I’m glad. Now I watch you remove them.” He pinched her bottom and headed to the bed. Jumping on it, he leaned against the headboard, crossed his bare feet at the ankle, and folded his hands behind his head. “I will, of course, have to give you at least five strokes for not following instructions.”

“You were right behind me. I didn’t have time—” His hand in the air stilled her.

“I know, Jess. I’m teasing. Well, not really. I planned on spanking you anyway. Relax.” He waited for her to close her mouth. “Now. Your shirt is blocking my view of your beautiful tits. Remove it.”

Deciding to go along with him and receive whatever reward he had planned for her, she lifted the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Once it was folded and placed on the floor at her feet, she waited for the further directions. She’d learned right away he liked to give directions, and she wasn’t to anticipate the next one. Even though she knew what was coming, she waited until he told her which article of clothing to remove next. The black slacks went then her bra.

“Very nice,” he said casually from the bed, as though he were looking over a new throw pillow. “Turn for me, Jessica. I want to see your ass. Turn and bend over. Touch your toes.”

Her eyes widened at his instruction. He’d never asked her to do that before. He didn’t repeat himself or say anything, merely tapped his fingers on his knee. When she still didn’t move, he twirled a single finger, signaling her to get moving. Reminding herself pleasure would follow, she slowly moved her feet until she faced away from him and bent over until her fingertips brushed her toes. The black lace panties she’d worn stretched across her ass. The cool air brushed across her wet sex. Just his words filled her with lust. His gaze, coupled with his direction, soaked her.

“I like these panties,” he mused, sliding off the bed and coming to stand behind her. “They don’t hide your ass, but they don’t show me everything either. But there’s too much fabric here.” He touched the thin fabric covering her pussy. Her achingly wanting pussy. She swallowed hard as he casually petted her. “Ah, nice and wet for me already.” The pleasure in his voice helped soothe some of the embarrassment of her position.

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