Chapter 24

ASHER

We stare at the photo of us locked in each other’s arms sharing a kiss outside the art gallery. I want to kick myself, because I should have known better. A major exhibit like Ta’Nelle’s would definitely bring the press out in droves. I’m usually so careful to avoid the paparazzi, but last night I wasn’t as diligent as usual.

Whoever took this picture used a wide-angle lens and made sure they stayed out of sight. This type of invasion of privacy is the main reason I avoid such public spaces. It’s also the reason I prefer my cars to have tinted windows, because these photographers have no limits. My private life shouldn’t be fair game for the public masses to scrutinize over their coffee and eggs in the morning.

Amelia’s early morning call about the photo, and the fact that the office phones have been ringing off the hook, made me sick to my stomach. The paparazzi are a headache and a major pain in my ass. The last thing I need right now is a million questions fired at me, or even worse, rumors getting started about what people think is going on.

“I’m so sorry,” I say. “I’m usually better about avoiding the cameras and I hate that I’ve put you in the middle of this. Going to that art gallery was a major mistake on my part.”

I run my fingers through my hair and try to think of ways to run damage control before this thing gets out of hand. I’ve had photos go viral before, but usually I have time to get ahead of the story and pay off the necessary people before it gets too bad, but this time social media beat me to the punch.

Jade walks over and sits on the edge of the desk, flashing a bit of thigh as she crosses her legs. “Is it really that bad?” she asks, leaning in closer to me.

I take a deep breath and click through the various tabs I have open. We are front page news on several different media outlets and there’s countless tweets and private messages.

“Billionaire bachelor caught kissing mystery blonde,” she says, reading the headline of the last tabloid.

Once they figure out who she is, what are people going to think? Hell, I don’t even know what to think. Disgusted, I turn off the computer and drop my head into the palms of my hands. This is strike two. If the secret I need to tell her doesn’t run her off, the media harassing her definitely will.

We’ve yet to clearly define our relationship. Never said we were being serious, but in this moment she’s all I can think about. I want to protect her, or at the very least, fire back at the photographers for invading our privacy.

“Are you upset we were seen together?” she asks.

“No,” I answer quickly. “Well, yes and no, if I’m being honest. You know I like to keep my private life private. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed to be seen out with you. It’s just… I know how things can get with the media and I don’t want you being subjected to that. As soon as people figure out who you are, they’ll start photographing you everywhere, trying to get a glimpse into your life, and I don’t want people following you around, harassing you.”

I never gave it much thought before, but Jade is more than a good time with a beautiful face. She’s more than a nanny with a fiery attitude. Jade is mine, and I want to protect her at all costs.

“I’m fine with it if you are,” she says, gently placing her hand on my shoulder. “I understand how you feel about keeping this private. In fact, I haven’t told anyone we have been seeing each other either. Of course, I don’t want to be the talk of the town, but if I must, then I’m glad it’s with you. I can handle whatever they dish out. Although I hope they don’t figure out who I am too quickly. I really don’t want to be followed around, especially if I’m out and about with Jacob. Heath and Magdalene would kill me.”

I reach for her hand and pull her into my lap. “I’m so sorry,” I say before kissing her forehead.

Not only am I sorry I put her in this invasive position, but I’m also sorry that the thought of how this photo would affect my image even crossed my mind.

So what if they find out who she is and that she’s a nanny? She’s mine and that’s all that matters.

Jade gets up and straddles my lap. The phone call distracted me so bad this morning, I didn’t bother getting completely dressed, opting for my black Versace robe instead.

“Don’t be sorry, Asher. As much as we go out, it was bound to happen sooner or later,” she says.

She’s right, and I know it, but I was hoping something like this would happen much later if it were to happen at all.

“Are you sure you’re okay with it?” she asks, slipping her hand under the robe. She wraps her fingers around my dick and strokes up and down painfully slowly. “I’d hate to think it stressed you out.”

I groan softly and try to stay focused. “Well, I am a little stressed, but I think if you keep this up, I’ll be fine.”

She lifts up, and slides my length into her wet folds. “Keep doing this? Are you sure this is helping?” she asks, flicking her tongue over my earlobe.

“Yes,” I say, my voice coming out in one long continuous hiss.

Jade smiles and pulls out a condom from the pocket of her robe. I go to grab it from her, but she clutches it to her chest. I nod and she slowly unwraps it and rolls it over my hardness. She even makes putting on a condom an erotic experience. She holds my dick steady and slips it inside her, her body welcoming me in with a warm wet hug. She wraps her arms around my neck and slowly bounces up and down.

“I think we both need a little early morning stress relief,” she whispers, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

“Mm-hmm,” I say, not trusting myself to say anything coherent.

Her body molds to the curve of my dick so perfectly, as if she’s made just for me. I can’t imagine another woman capturing and truly holding my attention like Jade. On more than one occasion, I’ve been rendered speechless by her beauty, intellect and sincerity.

I guide her hips and thrust upwards to meet her body in hard wet smacks. All doubts I had about the picture, my image and our invasion of privacy soon melt away. Jade runs her fingers through my hair just as I feel that familiar tingle in my toes. There is no holding back this time. I used up all my focus and self-control last night.

Her walls tighten around my rod as she moves her hips in tiny circles, first one direction and then the other. It’s not long before the thrusts of my hips suddenly fail to keep up with the steady drum-like rhythm as the orgasm sends my entire body into spasms. Jade keeps bouncing up and down for a few seconds more before her own orgasm takes over.

We sit still for a few moments as I twitch inside her warmth, only our heavy breathing breaking up the silence. My blood slowly flows back to the rest of my body and the fog going on in my brain slowly dissipates.

“Do you feel better now?” she asks, keeping her arms wrapped around me as she leans back against the desk.

I try to focus on what she’s saying, but all I can see are her breasts and the picture-perfect way the sunlight is hitting her face. Now this is a moment worthy of a photograph.

“Um, I don’t know how to answer that. If I say yes, I’m scared you’ll get up, and if I say no I’m scared you’ll want another round and right now I don’t have another round to give you.”

Jade laughs and gives me a tight squeeze. “Mr. Jordan, you can have as many rounds as you can handle after we get something to eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”

I gently lift Jade up and help her to her feet. She reaches for my waist and ties my robe back into place.

“If this is what you’re like before breakfast, I’d hate to see you once your stomach is full and you have a fresh burst of energy.”

She takes my hand and leads me out of my office and up the hallway to the kitchen.

“Well, let’s hurry up and eat so I can show you how much energy I really have,” she says.

“I hate to keep bringing it up, but are you sure you’re okay about the photo being taken?” I ask reluctantly.

“Yes,” she says, running her fingers through her hair. “It’s out there now, and I’m sure there’s not much you can do about it at this point. Like I said, I’m sure Heath and Magdalene won’t be too happy about the extra attention, especially if people figure out who I am. They made it very clear when they hired me that they like keeping Jacob out of the limelight.”

I know exactly how private they are considering all the information that was blacked out on Jade’s background check, but I certainly can’t bring that up.

“I don’t want to jeopardize your job or anything, so I’ll do damage control to at least keep your name private for a little longer. You’re right, there’s not much I can do about the photo at this point, but I do have some connections who can keep your identity out of headlines for the time being.”

Jade walks over to the cabinets and starts taking out the few cooking items I have in the bare kitchen. “That sounds like a plan, and in the meantime, I just won’t bring up the photo to Magdalene or Heath unless they ask about it. Now, enough about that, let’s get some breakfast.”