Now, Jessica stopped pacing long enough to look into her full-length mirror. Every hair was in place. The dress hugged her body exactly right. But still. What if she doesn't like me?
Worth watched her from the rocking chair by the window with a wry smile. He was not quite ready, still barefoot but dressed handsomely in a light blue oxford button down and navy slacks. "You're going to wear out the carpet if you keep that up," he said. "What's not to approve? She loves you already. You cleared my name and enabled me to live my life with no worries about hiding from my past any longer."
He stopped rocking and beckoned her closer. "You chased away my demons, all because you are a good reporter who kept asking questions and putting the answers together." He pulled her down onto his lap. "But mostly, she approves of you because you love me as much as I love you."
Jessica leaned back against him, forgetting her hair for the moment. "Do you really feel like I did all that? It wasn't single-handedly, you know. If you hadn't made me a columnist, I might not have worked on the fire story. Wouldn't have met Audrey Scott—she's the one who got me started. You finally opened up to me on the plane. Fortunately, Todd Granger was compelled to show up after his fires, or he might have escaped notice forever."
She sat up and turned slightly to face him. "By the way, I do not like being lied to, Mr. Vincent. I understand why you kept quiet about your past, but now that I know, I need you to promise that you'll never…ever…keep anything from me again."
Worth smiled. "So that would be a deal-breaker. Got it. Anything else?"
Jessica jumped up and began pacing again. "Nothing comes to mind. But I'm still anxious about meeting Molly. I want it to be perfect."
"You look perfect. You are perfect…for me, anyway."
Jessica stopped and frowned. "Is she bringing her new beau with her to lunch?"
Worth got up and faced Jessica, smoothing a few strands of her hair that had gotten mussed in the chair. "Fred. Yes, Fred will be with her. I gather they are inseparable these days. They met when she broke her ankle, you know. Her physical therapist—not much younger than she is, though. Loves the job, never retired. Quite a handsome fellow. What Skip would call a silver fox." Worth lifted her chin with a single finger. "I think I might know a way to calm your nerves."
"Oh, really? And how would you do that? Without wrinkling my dress?" she asked as he led her to the edge of the bed and pulled her gently over his lap.
"You remember Donna's story last month on the undercover S & M club in town?" As he spoke, he turned her over so that her bottom was across his lap. He raised the hem of her dress over the waist belt and pulled down her lace panties, pulling them completely off before he began stroking her smooth, milky skin.
Jessica giggled in spite of herself. "What in the hell are you doing? I'm all ready; don't mess me up! And yes, Donna's story was a real doozy." As she'd read it, she had silently wondered if Donna's whip reference that day long ago had been what led her to the club, or if she'd written the story because she was already a member. She wasn't going to ask, that was for sure.
Worth put his left hand on her back firmly as he trapped her legs with one of his. His other hand cracked down on her bare bottom with a resounding clap as flesh met flesh. Jessica jumped, surprised by what he'd done. He did it again, hard enough that it actually hurt. When she cried out, he released his grip and she wriggled free, standing up. She was not smiling.
Breathing quickly, she glared at him. "I just thought of another deal-breaker," she finally said. "Pain." She held up her hands to make a point. "No judgment against anyone, but I am much more interested in pleasure." For a second, she looked worried. "Is that really something you've been wanting? The spanking thing? If Donna's article was any indication, a lot of—"
Worth stood and held her gently. "No. Not at all. In that department, we are definitely on the same page. It seems to have shocked you out of the pacing—my single motivation, I assure you. But I know another way—a better way—to take your mind off meeting Molly."
Jessica shook her head against his chest. "I've already got to redo my hair. Honestly! You had me scared for a second."
Worth released her and led her by the hand across the room. "I think it's time for Bathroom Guy to make another appearance, don't you?"
Jessica laughed, shaking her head in scant protest. "Nooooo. Bathroom Guy had me completely wrecked. I am not about to let you—"
Worth closed the door of the bathroom and deftly pushed a rug with his foot into the tiny space under the door, eliminating all light. He backed her gently to the counter. "I won't mess up your makeup. I promise. Going in another direction altogether," he said softly as he reached under her skirt and lifted her onto the marble by her waist, his hands strong on her bare skin.
Jessica moaned in anticipation as he made his intentions obvious, spreading her legs apart and kneeling onto the floor. He pulled her sandals off her feet, caressing them firmly, kneading out the tension, before kissing them softly. He licked his tongue quickly and tantalizingly around each ankle, reaching hands up to her thighs as he did. One hand reached around to cushion one butt cheek as the other found the warmth of her womanhood.
Jessica arched her back at his touch, her pelvis meeting his hand as she gasped. As she began to rock gently and instinctively on the
