Chapter 170

“Regardless to whether you do or don’t, I told you we had reshuffled our job roles. This is just an informality required by legal.” He leans down kissing me on the temple before moving off with the rest of his papers to the table and sitting down. Picking up both the credit card and the contract, I walk over and toss them down in front of him, folding my arms stubbornly.

You will not buy me or control me this way!

“I do not require any more money or a new title. This says I’m your VP … Your second in command?”

“Well, you’re already that. Time you got paid for it, and some recognition.” He’s already flicking through papers and trying to dismiss me.

I don’t think so!

“Jake, first, you don’t even let me go to work anymore so I shouldn’t be getting paid anything at all!” I snap haughtily. “And second, everyone in the building will think you did this because you’re screwing me.” I balk, emotion rising inside of me at an alarming speed.

“Don’t turn this into a fight.” He sighs with a wave of his hand, commandeering Carrero returning in full.

“Don’t make our relationship about money,” I snap again, tears brimming to the surface with this damn crazy sensitivity I have lately.

What the hell is with that?

“You’re the only one doing that,” he snaps back, equally riled and slides his chair back in agitation. “Emma, get used to being rich, because I’ll marry you and like it or not, I’ve no plans to go bankrupt in my lifetime. My money will be your money too and trust me, there is a lot more than either of us can spend in a lifetime.” He gets up, pushing past me and stalking to the fridge, retrieving a water bottle and taking a drink before he turns back to me a little more calmly. I’m still glaring at him with my arms crossed across my chest defiantly.

“Look, I get it … I’m not stupid. I know you. It’s hard for you to ever just accept anything from anyone that you don’t think you’ve earned, crazy independence in case everything goes to shit. This … Us … It’s not going to end, Emma, and you do deserve everything I have to give. I just happen to have shit loads of money and I want you to not need to ask me to splurge on yourself. This way, you can have your own money and do what you want with it, the credit card is for when you get used to abusing my finances and let me pay for things instead.” He sighs watching me, my face still bathed in irritation. Walking back to me he lets his hand wander up my arm to my jawline. I nudge my face away. I don’t know how to feel about this right now. That inner war waging. Independent and fearless Emma showing her face. “Baby, please … I know you’re not with me because of this … You don’t have anything to prove, it’s okay to enjoy having a filthy rich boyfriend. There’s no shame in it.” He kisses me gently and relaxes as I start to respond to it, always incapable with maintaining a mood when he touches me. His mouth opens mine and is soon engulfing me in a hot, searing kiss.

“I don’t want this,” I finally sigh, calmer and push the contract back at him. “I don’t need it.” It’s true. Jake already pays for everything, leaving most of my wages every month untouched. Only the regular bills toward the apartment with Sarah come out. Jake is generous to a fault with having Donna bring me clothes and lingerie often, he feeds me almost ritually, and I never want for anything. I never have to spend anything. I don’t need a bank account filling up with money I won’t even use, money I’m not even earning anymore. I’m not one to go shopping often or splurge on things for fun.

Since Jake has decided that work is out of the question, I don’t do anything to deserve any money at all. I’m only accepting my monthly wage on the understanding we will eventually go back, and I will eventually do something to be paid for, so that I can pay Sarah for my room.

“If you don’t sign it, I’ll stop sleeping with you until you do.” He smiles wickedly, that stubborn look in his eye. He means it.

“You would cave before I did,” I retort, turning my back to him in defiance, folding my arms across my chest again. Not too enamored with threats right now. His hand slides down my summer dress, across the curve of my ass gently and ignites a million sensations so effortlessly.

“Baby, you held me at arm’s length for almost a year … I’m sure I can handle it.” I catch the amusement in his voice, he really believes he has me over a barrel and it only spurs the determination in me. A battle of wills.

“Fine … You want to play games over this then we’re on. No sex until I sign? Get used to a very platonic relationship, baby!” I grin smartly using his own term of endearment, wiggling my ass into his crotch before sauntering off and leaving him standing alone with his contract and credit card on the table. An inner goddess lifting her sassy head and deciding to beat him down with his own methods. He follows close behind, catching me by the arm and pulling me back, a smug look on his face.

“Game on, sweetheart … No rules. First one to cave loses. Either you sign the contract, or I can’t take it anymore and fuck you. I’ve no doubt that you’ll sign it before we head home, bambino.” His voice thick and laden with intent, I can read the glint of excitement in his eye at the chance for a new game. That cocky confidence that he will win only ignites something inside of me.

Well really?

“No rules? At all?” I flutter my lashes innocently before letting my hand run up his sweat pant leg, pushing into his waist band and seeking out his manhood, rubbing him under his boxers until I get a response. He catches my wrist and yanks it away, nose to nose.

“You forget who’s better at the art of seduction, Emma … You’re the one who likes instant gratification and can never wait … I, on the other hand, like to drag things out, remember?” His mouth lingers close enough to mine, I think he’s going to kiss me, our breaths getting heavier as lust builds in both of us. The excitement of this little game sparking something naughty and pushing all anger out of the window.

He moves forward so he breathes against my lips, his hand comes up my inner thigh slowly and deliciously under my short dress, creeping closer to my now wet underwear until he sees my lips part and my eyes get heavy with longing. His mouth teasingly near, the urge to reach up and suck one of his perfect smooth, soft lips. He smiles and pushes off me, turning and walking away. I’m left reeling, my body tingling, and my inner core throbbing with heat. That backward smug look of his as he saunters away only ignites the self-doubt.

Why did I start this? I know better than anyone that he has more sexpertize than most.

I tremble at the thought of what he’s capable of, but I push aside the shrill of excitement I feel. The lure of being chased and turned on by Jake in an effort to have me begging him for sex. The thought of him pulling out all stops to make me yield, is strangely appealing.

We’ll see. I know one thing for sure. When he said ‘no rules’ he didn’t take into consideration that by turning me on he would have to fight himself not to lose control … I, on the other hand, could seduce to my heart’s content and that made the odds tip in my favor. I could make Jake insane with longing, push him to take me forcefully.

The shiver of excitement courses through me; I could pull out all the stops to seduce him, but he has to keep it at a level that leaves him able to stop. I know how to push his buttons, it’s almost a certainty that I’ll win if it comes down to that. I can’t deny that inner excitement at seeing my aggressive lover again. That part of me that needs primal sex and his lack of control.

I walk out into the hall to go in search of him and find him embroiled in a friendly group of people in casual clothes as they all appear from various directions, talking animatedly. He pulls me close to introduce me to his brother again and his current girlfriend, his cousins with women in tow, and a few other family and friends his mother invited.

Arrick and Jake head off into a quiet corner together laughing and joking, I know he’s trying to put distance between us in the name of his game and I’m left in a throng of loud, energetic people all vying to get each other’s attention, in the maternal hold of Sylvana’s arm. The overall atmosphere is loud and bustling, but you can feel the genuine warmth and energy. These people actually like one another.

Before long, Sylvana moves us all out to the pool side loungers where everyone seems to spread out and form little huddles. Arrick’s young girlfriend seems painfully shy and sticks close to me, feeling somehow as left out as I do with both our men seemingly ignoring us. Jake has barely looked my way and is doing a magnificent job of making me feel invisible.