Bloody.
Mighty.
FUCK.
Lurid, lecherous imagery filled my wanton mind. My mind slushed. My cock pulsed. And I knew then, with complete and utter certainty, I was well on my way to capitulation. Gisele Weber-St. James would inevitably be my undoing.
Slowly, progressively, tenaciously, my perpetual addiction would inevitably devour my existence.
It had already begun. It steadily closed in on me.
Lock, stock, and barrel.
And I was petrified. Rightfully so.
With my mind heavily dwelling on Gisele and everything in between, Takeshi and I engaged in conversation that momentarily diverted back to business. While Gisele sat in between Haruto and his British wife, Eunice, I could faintly hear him subtly ask questions, though indirectly. After Peter’s death, it was understandable, but Web Technologies, Inc. was a multi-billion-dollar company. Our ingenious designs and innovations led the world markets. Our intricately engineered cutting-edge web security was the best out there. Therefore, this meeting could also be a mere formality to forge a stable bond and confidence in my new role in the company. Gisele’s attendance was vital to soothe whatever qualms they had. And as the dinner went on, it was apparent how pleased they were with her. We were all predominantly geeks here. It was a given they adored her. This was a constant repetition wherever she was concerned. Geeks or otherwise. A fact I’d yet to get used to…barely managing to quell the jealousy each time one of these men ogled her.
“Are you seeing anyone, Miss Weber?” Eunice, Haruto’s wife, directed a question to her, warm hazel eyes approving.
The table quieted down. Her lapping admirers patiently peeled their ears to hear her response. As did I. My hand involuntarily gripped the chopsticks so hard I almost broke the silver utensils.
“Not at the moment, no,” she responded smoothly, as if she hadn’t orgasmed from my fingers, tongue, and cock for the past fifteen hours or so.
Satisfied with her answer, Eunice gazed across the table to where I rigidly sat, eavesdropping on their conversation. The Brit gave me her keen attention, delicate features lit with fresh interest. “Are you strict, Mr. St. James? As her guardian, I’m sure you screen every potential suitor with diligence. Thank heavens I didn’t bear daughters. My husband would go mental with each potential suitor.”
“I try.” I merely nodded, feeling like a damn fool. I was secretly married to the woman in question but felt powerless to stop men from pursuing her. All due to my specifications to continue my everlasting bachelor lifestyle. I was sure Gisele couldn’t wait to divorce me and have a handful of men to savor before choosing her husband-to-be.
It was a horrid thought, but if the time ever arose, I’d bloody make sure he was worthy of her. She deserved the very best, and I wouldn’t let her settle for less.
Takeshi and I engaged in a conversation, and Eunice and Gisele carried on discussing Stanford and her passions. While Haruto and Kosuke seemed quite taken whenever Gisele spoke, I found it rather amusing to see aged men being played by a young, beautiful woman. Since they had known Edna Weber through the years, their conversations revolved around her sweet, kindhearted mother.
Edna had been as sweet as she had been fierce. She’d had Peter eating out of the palm of her hand. I remembered watching the couple and being infuriated that Paige and Penny had been taken away from me, because had they survived, I’d be sharing that deep entrenched kind of love with Paige as well. My mood had soured after witnessing them sharing a moment. While little Gisele had played the piano in the background, I remembered Edna coming to me with a sympathetic smile pasted on her face. She’d merely held my hand, as if in an unspoken understanding of how I felt and if there was ever a need to vent, she was there for me. She had been a gentle soul, the very life of the Weber household, and when she’d died, the house had never been the same.
Gazing over at Edna’s daughter, I acknowledged she had brought up a brilliant woman. I was quite certain Gisele’s fluency in languages was her doing since Peter hadn’t left the country without his wife. As his wife, she was thrust into certain situations, so being fluent in other languages sure made it easier to conduct business.
Just like Gisele is doing now.She was the perfect partner, in business and in bed.
Could I fathom truly granting her a divorce even if it was to happen years from now?
I had given her my word…
Yet I was starting to feel inclined to backtrack on my promise. Where was the honor in that? Surely, sex hadn’t jaded that aspect of me as well, had it?
Why pretend to consider when I already knew the answer.
Damn it all to hell.
CHAPTER26
Jared
Dinner was quite a great affair.After agreeing we’d resume business talks and signing contracts tomorrow at lunch, Gisele and I left the restaurant in a great mood.
Glancing over at the woman sitting next to me, Gisele appeared absorbed as she looked out the window. Reaching out, I took hold of her soft hand before leaning in to gently kiss it. “Are you tired, kitten?”
Breaking her reverie, she twisted her pretty head, granting me her undivided attention. “Never for you…” she murmured before she unbuckled her seatbelt and slid closer to me, capturing my lips in an explicit, mind-altering kiss. “Jared,” she moaned while her hand traveled southwards, running its own exploration.
Without extricating from her, I realized the car had stopped. But instead of putting a stop, I continued devouring her lips. After all the banter and innuendoes this woman had put me through tonight, the minx had to be taught not to tease a man who was on the brink of combustion.