FIVE
The EPE was going to take the world by the storm. Carla was certain that the world had never seen the likes of such large conglomeration. She knew that never in her life had she been in an assembly of so many dignitaries as she had been on the second and third day of the conference. Everyone who was anyone had made it to the conference. Presidents, head of states, prime ministers, ministers, commissioners, ambassadors, movie stars, musicians, heads of organizations, popes, and all kinds of people in all positions were present to show their support for the project.
Mostly, the project will be prominent in the developing countries, but each continent had representatives from its furthest parts. The people were finally taking an active part in ensuring better lives for all – Carla was simply glad to be a part of it. If nothing else, she had learned of the dire circumstances that people were in all over the world and that there were good people willing to combat the world’s problems.
The conference finalized, the banquet was to begin on Friday evening. Carla had brought her white sequined dress just for the evening. The dress was a gift from Brad and tonight, she was wearing it for him. Brad might not be here to see her, but she was going to wear it with him in mind. Perhaps she would take a selfie too and tell him she had thought about him taking the dress off her the whole night. Yes, she should definitely take a picture.
Carla finished brushing her hair and looked in the full-length mirror in her hotel room. The dress clung to her body like a second skin making her feel sexy. She had thought about pinning her hair at the crown and letting it fall in waves along her exposed back but decided against it. That way, it would stop a little above where the back of the dress started. She was feeling a little bit brave, so she took her time to pile her hair in a bun on top of her head and held it in place with bobby pins, leaving half her back exposed. Carla didn’t mind; she was sure her dress would be modest compared to those of most other women tonight. She knew for a fact that women who had been stuck in suits and formal attire all week would not pass off the opportunity to show off tonight.
A gold necklace with a round seashell pendant rested above her breasts while similar seashell earrings adorned her ears. Her ensemble was completed with a matching pair of gold three and a half inch heels. She had applied only the barest make-up – nude lipstick, mascara, eye shadow and some blush – and that was because she had decided to take a picture and send it to Brad with a lewd message for effect.
Satisfied with her appearance, Carla grabbed her purse and left the room.
She reached the foyer and saw Jackson first. He was talking to a lady seated in the recliner next to him; actually, he looked more like he was flirting with her. A smile danced around his lips as he said something which made the lady laugh. The lady appeared to be in her early twenties. She looked his type – tall, blonde, vacuous blue eyes and a short skirt that showed a hint of white panties from where Carla stood. Jackson himself was wearing a blue jacket over grey shirt and black pants looking distinguished and handsome.
Carla noticed that the lady he was talking with wasn’t the only one eyeing him. Other women in the lounge openly ogled him and some shot the blonde hateful looks simply for commanding his attention. Carla rolled her eyes. Really, couldn’t the man enter a place without having a flock of female admirers? It was a good thing she was over her initial infatuation with him.
As if he could hear her thinking of him, Jackson’s head snapped in her direction.
Their eyes met across the distance and held. When at last he broke the eye contact, it was to slowly drag his gaze along her body. She could feel the touch of his eyes on her. His gaze took in her dress, her necklace and her heels. His heated gaze traveled up again and fastened on her face once more. There was something in his eyes that she hadn’t seen in them before. She couldn’t move. Suddenly, her mouth was dry, and she swallowed hard.
She watched him turn to his companion. The girl had been yapping on and hadn’t noticed that for all of thirty seconds, she didn’t have his attention anymore. He stood abruptly and interrupted her midsentence. Stunned, the girl watched at he left her side unceremoniously and headed for Carla. The look on the blonde’s face was almost comical.
“You look absolutely amazing,” Jackson said reverently when he reached her.
Carla had to swallow again before she could find her voice.
“Thank you,” she said. “I don’t have to tell you that you look much more amazing. The blonde is still shooting daggers at me.”
He laughed but did not look in the blonde’s direction. He only took a step up to her side and held out an arm. “Shall we?”
Feeling like Cinderella at the ball, Carla placed her hand on his arms. Together, they left the foyer for the car waiting outside to take them to the venue of the banquet. All the way, Carla was sure she felt more than one pair of eyes shooting daggers of ice at her back.
****
They had just finished having dinner and Jackson had asked her to come meet someone. The ‘someone’ turned out to be an old English lady in what could only be described as a frock, with a shock of white hair.
“Is she your new girlfriend?” the old lady said as soon as they arrived before her. Adjusting her glasses, the little lady examined Carla from head to toe. “This one looks perfect for you though. I must say, you two, look absolutely stunning together!”
Carla blushed in embarrassment at the old woman’s rather loud pronouncement.
“No Aunt Elizabeth, she’s not,” Jackson said in a gentle tone, surprising Carla at the title. “Carla is my assistant at work. We came for the conference together. Carla, this is my aunt, Elizabeth Daniels. She runs a charity organization in Europe and her organization is a partner in the EPE project.”
Carla smiled at the old woman. “Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Daniels,” she said.
“Oh, it is Miss Daniels,” the old lady said. “Never saw a need to marry, not even once. My sister, Jackson’s grandmother, already did and that’s enough for the family. And a shame she did too, I tell you. Now her grandsons can’t agree on how to share her wealth after she is gone. And don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t speak ill of the dead.”
“Aunt May, nobody asked you to recount the family history,” Jackson groaned.
“I don’t need your permission to say what’s on my mind, young man,” his aunt retorted smartly. She turned to Carla and with a grin said, “So tell me, are you two sleeping together?”
Carla sputtered on a cough as she stared at the woman wide-eyed.
“I take it that you aren’t, yet,” the old lady said tartly. “Well, that’s good. A woman should lead a man on a merry chase before going all the way. I wonder where Jackson finds his other girlfriends though.” She leaned close to Carla and said in a stage whisper which Carla was sure could be heard by the next three or four people. “If you ask me, I think they come to him only for his money…”
“That’s quite enough Aunt Elizabeth,” Jackson said firmly. “Carla and I need to keep moving.”
“I’m so sorry about that,” he apologized as soon as they were out of ear shot. He led them to a quiet place in the verandah of the banquet hall. “I should have known it was a bad idea to introduce any female companion to Aunt Elizabeth.”
Now that they were away from the old lady, Carla actually found the whole incident funny. She laughed a little as she said, “It’s okay, I guess she knows you really well.”
Jackson chuckled. “She reads all the tabloids too and calls me every now and then.”
“But why is she just making it to the banquet tonight? Didn’t you say she’s also an EPE partner?”
“Well, she’s been a little under the weather of late and had already declined the invitation to come. I was surprised to see her here tonight too. Odds are she came just to embarrass me.”
Carla laughed hard at that. “Come on!”
She was leaning against the rails and looking through glass doors into the hall. Jackson had his back to the hall and stood facing her. The verandah had a single fluorescent lamp that glowed softly above them. Jackson looked even more dashing in the light as he smiled down at her.
“But I think she is right though, she wasn’t the only one who has told me tonight that we make a lovely couple,” he said softly.
Carla looked up at him. “I guess we do, huh?” she said just as softly.
They stood that way for the longest time, simply staring into each other’s eyes. When one of Jackson’s hands traced her jaw line, Carla’s eyes fluttered closed.
“So beautiful,” she heard him murmur. “You were the belle of the ball tonight, did you know?”
She felt his hot breath against her face and her face rose to meet him unwillingly. Her stomach was clenched tight in anticipation and her fingers curled into her palms.
She felt his lips graze hers and…
“Jackson Daniels!”
Startled, Carla and Jackson turned as one at the voice.
Apart from his aunt, it had really been a lovely evening and Carla had been thoroughly enjoying herself. It was hard to say if it was the six-course dinner, the music or his presence but Carla couldn’t remember a time she felt so relaxed, so at ease in her own skin. Then, he had brought her to this verandah and she had allowed herself to fall into a world that was hers and Jackson’s alone. Only to be shocked to see a very lovely brunette jump into his arms.
“I thought it was you! Of course, it is, I could never mistake you for another man in the entire planet.”
The woman had plastered herself all over him and was gazing at him as if he was the answer to all her problems. Jackson smiled warmly at her and gently untangled himself.
“Hi Jocelyn,” he said. “It’s been a while.”
The way he said it, Carla knew immediately that she was one of his ex-lovers. In that moment, her bubble of contentment burst.
“It has been a while, hasn’t it?” the woman repeated.
Still stunned, Carla couldn’t take her eyes off the woman. Red painted lips, short spiky brown hair and a figure to die for, the woman had the airs of a woman in her late thirties which placed her older than both Carla and Jackson. She was beautiful though, very beautiful and Carla imagined she must be a model.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I came with a date,” she replied and then with a sexy pout added, “But now that I have found you…” Her voice had turned sultry and she ran a hand along Jackson’s chest.
Carla was still rooted to the spot. The woman couldn’t not have seen her, of that she was sure. As far as this Jocelyn was concerned, Carla might as well be invisible.
As she should be, Carla thought. She was Jackson’s assistant; she would do well to remember that. Just when she would have mumbled an apology and swept away with as much dignity as she could muster, Jackson said, “You’ll have to go with your date, Jocelyn, I came with a date of my own.” Carla was surprised as he grabbed her waist and pulled her to his side. She managed to muster up a smile which she knew would look more like a sneer. “In fact,” Jackson continued, his voice full of humor, “we were about to make out when you interrupted.”
Now, the woman had no choice but to acknowledge Carla. For the second time that night, she felt herself being thoroughly examined. She didn’t know what the woman saw in her, but her eyes were narrowed when she turned back to Jackson.
“I see,” she said.
“So, if you will excuse us…” Jackson said.
His words were so curt that Carla almost felt some pity for the woman. Head held high, the woman threw Carla one last dirty look before she turned on her heels and left.
Carla counted to ten and dragged out a long breath.
“I think I’d like to go back to the hotel now,” Carla said, cutting him off.
He stared into her face and nodded. Five minutes later, they were in the backseat of their rental car and heading to the hotel. Neither of them said a word during the ride. Carla’s emotions were in turmoil. Back at the banquet, she had forgotten everything she had decided about Brad, and let herself fall into Jackson’s charming web. For a moment on the verandah, they had been about to kiss! And she had wanted it too; to the core of her soul. If that rude woman hadn’t shown up just when she did, Lord only knew what would have happened.
When they got to the hotel, Carla went straight for the elevator with Jackson following behind her. He didn’t leave when she got to her door.
“Go away Jackson,” she said tiredly, her back to him.
“Carla,” he started.
“I guess she is an ex,” Carla said quietly, trying to be calm despite the turmoil raging in her. She still wouldn’t turn to face him.
“Yes but…”
She held up a palm. “You don’t owe me an explanation,” she said.
Inside, she was seething quietly even though she had no idea why she was upset. She shouldn’t be, but she was, and she was trying so damn hard to control it.
She noticed Jackson’s jaw clench. “Don’t say that.”
She whirled to face him.
“But it’s the truth!” Carla screamed at him, letting the anger burst out. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but she felt like crying and hitting him all at once. That woman had just breezed in and ruined her perfect evening and it was all his fault! “You could have gone with her and had a great night – she sure was willing to give you one! Why did you have to lie? Why did you say you were with me?”
“Because I am,” Jackson answered quietly.
“We both know what that means,” Carla scoffed. She should stop now before she said something stupid, but she just couldn’t. She turned fiery eyes at him. “You should have gone with her. Why didn’t you?”
“Because you’re the woman I want to be with tonight, Carla. I don’t want Jocelyn, or any other woman.”
And just like that, all the fight went out of her. A tear leaked out of the corner of her eyes as she stared into his brown eyes. She had always loved his eyes. Now, they stared into her own blue ones and she could see nothing but the truth of his words in them. Was it tonight or had Jackson always looked at her this way?
“Open the door, Carla,” he told her softly.
It took all of fifteen seconds to decide that she wanted to open the door and let him in. When they were in her room he tried to hold her hand, but she slithered away from him. With Jackson in the room with her, his presence overwhelmed her. Her back to him, she called on every ounce of willpower she possessed. She needed to remain calm; she couldn’t afford to get carried away…
“I’m really sorry about tonight,” he said, interrupting her thoughts.
He was already behind her and he turned her to face him. Her eyes searched his. They were gentle, and she fancied she could see into his soul. She shook her head, trying to deny what she saw, what she felt, but he only took one step closer until he was toe-to-toe with her. She took a step back, but he followed. They continued this dance until she reached the edge of the bed. Falling down onto it, he followed still. Her breath held as he lay on top of her.
“I swear it is nothing but the truth,” he whispered. “I want you.”
Carla felt her resolve betray her as his fingers touched her face. His fingers burned her skin and she heard his breath hitch too.
“I’ve wanted to touch you since the first day, Carla.” His fingers traced the contours of her face ever so slowly and gently. She searched his face, afraid to believe him, but all she saw in those brown depths of his was raw desire for her. “You were like a siren that called to me. I couldn’t keep away and Lord knows I tried. But your lips, your sensuous lips, they beckon.” He traced her lips and they trembled at his touch. “And your hair. You have the most beautiful hair.” He began to remove the pins which held her hair in place until her it was totally free, falling down her back in gentle waves. Her eyes fluttered close.
With his other hand, he pulled her to him and she could feel his hard cock. Burning with desire for him, she ground her pussy into him. It felt so good she couldn’t even recognize the sound that escaped her.
“Ahh,” he groaned as his hands began to roam over her body.
She couldn’t say a word. The pleasure coursing through her body kept her frozen on the bed, anticipating his next words, his next touch.
Jackson leaned down to place the softest kiss on the corner of her mouth.
“Your eyes haunt my sleep until all other women became insignificant. These baby blues have given me too many sleepless nights.” He kissed one closed eyelid. “Open them for me, Carla. Do you know that your eyes give you away almost every time? Look at me, Carla. I want to see into your soul.”
She was helpless to disobey him. Her eyes opened at his command and he smiled into them. He held her chin in his hands. “I must confess – seeing you in this dress tonight almost drove me mad.”
His index finger slowly slid down her neck, tracing her necklace until it rested against her cleavage. “I saw all those men taking a peek and I wanted to kill them.”
Carla gasped when he dipped the finger into her cleavage. She closed her eyes again.
“No, open them Carla,” he cajoled in his smooth voice. “I want to see every emotion in your eyes. I want you to see mine; I want you to see what you do to me.”
When her eyes were open once more, his finger began to move in between her breasts. She held her breath as it found one nipple and tweaked. She hissed. He sighed.
One more finger joined the first and with both, he played with one nipple after another. Carla’s mouth was dry. One hand went to her back to manipulate her zip open while the other pulled down the bodice of her gown to expose her breasts to his ravenous gaze.
“I spent sleepless nights imagining what these would look like,” he murmured, gazing down at her bosom in appreciation. “My imagination did you a grave injustice.”
He cupped a mound in his palm and twisted a nipple between his thumb and index finger. She moaned. “Look at yourself, Carla,” he instructed. “You fit my palm so perfectly.” She looked down and she couldn’t agree more. Her white breast was heavy, and it sat in his palm as if it was made to sit just so. When his lips found her nipple, she couldn’t hold it anymore.
“Jackson!” she cried.
Quickly, she pushed him off her, knelt up on the bed and grabbed him, pulling him back to her. She began to tear at his clothes mindlessly. Carla was on fire. Her breath was coming in short gasps as she removed his jacket and got to his shirt next.
“Lord, the fire in your eyes will drown me!” he exclaimed before he did the same for her gown.
With the cry of a man dying of thirst, he crashed his lips against hers. His lips tasted of food, wine and heaven. Her tongue warred with his even as sequins and buttons scattered everywhere as they ripped each other’s clothes in a frenzy. When she had his pants off, Carla grabbed his cock in her hand and guided him to her. He thrust forcefully eliciting aloud moan from Carla. Their joining was like none other. Carla felt him pound down to her very soul. It was like nothing she had ever felt before.
When he began to move inside her, she held on to him like her life depended on it. Her nails sank into his back in mindless pleasure. His hands were on her butt as he kept guiding her back to him thrust after thrust.
They both came quickly. And when they did, Carla heard herself scream his name.