“Just making conversation, Sarah. Answer the question.”
She did so automatically. “Italian,” she said with a sigh, leaning back in resignation.
“Do you have brothers or sisters?”
“No.”
“Want me to kiss you?”
“Yes.” Once again Sarah’s gaze shot to his. Jake was close, very close. “No!”
“Too late. You said yes.” Jake leaned forward, grasped her chin, and kissed her gently.
“Jake. Don’t do this.” Sarah closed her eyes, fighting back tears.
“I have no choice, my sweet Sarah. I can’t lose you.” Jake pulled back, his eyes warm and gentle. “I’ve missed you Sarah.”
“You have a funny way of showing it. You’ve been back two days Jake and you haven’t made any effort to talk to me or…or anything.”
“I’ve wanted to come to you every night.”
Sarah’s heart was thudding painfully. “But you didn’t.”
“No. I had things to finish first.”
The car slid to a stop. Jake straightened. “I want to show you something, Sarah. Will you come with me?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” She tried for prim and in control even though she was feeling far from being in control. She stepped out of the limo. They were parked in the loading zone in front of the new office building.
Jake led her into the empty lobby. The first thing she noticed was the smell of fresh paint. Workmen, ladders, and tarps were everywhere. The air was filled with the sounds of hammering and the buzz of drills.
A man in a hard hat hurried toward them. “Mr. Anders. Good to see you.”
Jake made the introductions. Sarah shook the man’s hand.
“Is everything ready?” Jake asked.
“Yes, Sir. We’re getting ready to head out. Shall I lock up?”
“Yes. We’ll be upstairs, going over plans for a while yet.”
The man nodded and turned, yelling for his workers to finish up.
Jake lead Sarah across the lobby and down a short corridor to an elevator. She frowned. “Twenty floors? We can’t use all this space.”
“No. I bought it because it’s in a better location and it was empty which allowed me to gut it inside and redo it the way I want. I plan to lease half the building.”
He stepped in. Sarah hesitated. Every elevator she got into with Jake led to sex.
“Afraid?” He looked amused.
Tipping her chin, Sarah stepped inside. They stared at each other then Jake hit the button for floor twenty.
Sarah’s nerves were stretched taut. She wanted Jake, needed him. His attitude in the limo had hope singing through her veins.
“Sarah.”
Her heart hammered at the sound of his voice, the deep timbre that set the ends of her nerves tingling. She stared at him, remembered the first time he’d spoken to her in that sensual tone and looked at her through eyes glittering with desire.
“Do you want me to stop the elevator?” he asked.
Yes, her mind and body screamed. No, her heart said. Protect yourself.
The lift passed the tenth floor, the eleventh floor, the twelfth floor. The seconds ticked by. Floor sixteen. Stop the elevator. The words wouldn’t leave her mouth.
“Decide now.”
“Yes!”
Jake hit the emergency stop and the elevator came to a halt. Sarah wanted to fall to the floor and weep. She wanted this time, these last few hours or days with Jake. Whatever he offered, she’d take.
Jake stood in front of her. “What do you want, Sarah?”
Tears streamed down her face. “Dammit, Jake you know what I want.”
“Then tell me.” He framed her face in his hands. “Tell me that you want me, that you can’t sleep, or even think. Because that’s me without you, Sarah.”
“Oh god, I want you, Jake. I want you,” she sobbed.
He pulled her close and just held her. “I need you, Sarah. I love you. What do you want? Do you want me to submit to you? Get on my knees and beg? I will. Just say the word. You can be in control.” His hands cradled her face and his eyes were bright with love.
Hope sang in her heart. Sarah realized that when she submitted to Jake she ultimately was in control. She ran her fingers along his jaw. “I like pleasing you, Jake.” She slid her hands down his shoulders. “I like being your submissive. I want you to be my Dom. Tell me what you want. Please, Jake, tell me how to please you.”