Page 96 of Middle Ground
I chuck my shirt toward the pile of laundry teetering on the chair in the corner. I normally wouldn’t be caught dead doing something so disorganized, but in the absence of a hamper, I’m making do.
“Youalwayssay that.”
“I know, Mom. There’s just a lot to do when it comes to taking over a business.”
“We couldhelpyou! And Meyer. We…”
My mother’s words fade to the background as I turn toward the wardrobe that houses the rest of my clothing. A wedge heel that definitely does not belong to me rests at the base. My gaze moves upward, scanning the rest of the room.
A perfect match to the heel sits beside the bed. And beside that, a silky blouse. A familiar pencil skirt points toward the bathroom like a compass guiding me due north. And there, sitting outside the ajar bathroom door, is a pair of panties and a lacy black bra.
“Jackson Vaughan, are you listening to me?”
My mouth feels dry, my tongue leaden. “Sorry. It’s— Well, there’s something I have to…take care of. I’ll call you later.”
She huffs. “You better. Or I might just have to show up and force you to have a conversation with me.”
“I’ll call,” I promise, though I’m surprised I can get the words out now that my brain and body are preoccupied. “Bye, Mom.”
“Bye, sweetie. Love you!”
As soon as I hang up, I toss my phone toward the laundry chair, not at all concerned at this precise moment about where it lands.
I push open the bathroom door and then lean against the frame, simply admiring. Meyer rests in the clawfoot tub, bubbles surrounding her. Her hair is fastened in a knot on top of her head. She holds a glass of wine in her hand. Andwhen her gorgeous eyes land on me, I feel like I’ve been set aflame.
“I’ve always wanted to take a bath in one of these,” she says, running dexterous fingers along the lip of the tub.
“Is it living up to expectations?” I ask. My voice has gained a husky edge.
“Almost.” Her fingers brush along the exposed, glistening skin of her clavicle. Then her hand dips below the surface of the water, obscured by the foamy bubbles, but I can imagine what it’s doing. The small and sharp intake of her breath confirms that her hand has found a home between her legs. “I just can’t quite seem to relax.”
In two quick strides, I cross to her. I pluck the half-full glass of wine from her hand, set it aside, and then I slide my palm along the curve of her jaw. Her skin is soft and her lips plump, begging me to savour them.
My thumb caresses her lower lip. “Would you like some help?”
An answering nip to my thumb is all the confirmation I need. I tilt her chin upwards. She sits straighter, hands braced on either side of the tub, the swells of her breasts now visible amongst the bubbles. I groan low in my throat as I bend to her will, my lips descending on hers.
I can taste the strawberry wine on her tongue. It’s intoxicating, a heady mix of her and her favourite drink.
I lower myself to the floor beside the tub, knees biting into the tile. Meyer watches me with a satisfied smile. Fuck, the things I would do to have her look at me like that all the time.
“What happened to your shirt?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Not important right now. Right now, I need to touch you.”
She leans back again, head resting on the edge behind her. “What are you waiting for, Hotshot?”
Grinning, I don’t waste another second. My arm plunges into the bath water. Settling first on her knee, my hand makes a slow exploration of her silky skin. Meyer’s eyes flash as my fingers trail along the inner side of her thigh, and she lets them fall farther apart the closer I get to her centre.
Just before I arrive, I pause. Her eyes flash again, this time with frustration. I only smile as I stroke her inner thigh, so close to being where she wants me. Needs me.
“Abusing your access to guest rooms?” Itsk.
“Oh, so you’re aguestnow? Remind me to call someone to escort you out the next time I find you in my”—she gasps as my thumb brushes her clit—“office.”
With my free hand, I grasp the back of her neck, tugging her face to mine. I can’t resist tasting her again, so I do. She gasps into the kiss when one of my fingers enters her pussy, and I take the opportunity to sweep my tongue into her mouth again.
Everything about Meyer is like a dream come true.
