Accepting His Terms by Isabella Kole Page B

promises.
    “We can go home at five o’clock, you know,” she said when they discussed it at great length.
    “We could, but I like taking you on my desk, in my chair, on my floor,” he teased with a gleam in his eye.
    “Fiend,” she teased back.
    “And you’re a fine one to talk, need I remind you?” he asked.
    “Drop it,” she said.
    “Consider it dropped. Anyway, before long, we’ll have several rooms to try out.”
    She laughed. “Yes, we will. That’ll take a while.”
    “And I’m going to enjoy each room to its fullest potential.”
    Rolling her eyes, she came back with, “I’ll hold you to that, big boy.”
    He looked down at his lap. “Hear that, big boy?”
    “Get to work!” she teased.
    “The woman’s cracking the whip. Something’s wrong with this picture. See you later, baby.” He grinned as he shooed her out of his office.
    The reception loomed in the near future. Jarrod’s mother had spared no expense. She planned to hold the party at the country club and several hundred people had been invited. There would be more people to meet for both of them and Jill was becoming increasingly nervous about it.
    She sensed that Jarrod was aware of the state of her nerves. She also knew he was waiting for the right moment, and then, once again, he would masterfully relieve her tension. He knew her so well. And she’d come to depend on that knowledge.
    What had begun as a reinforcement of his admonishment for a lack of judgment he felt she’d shown, had blossomed into a much-needed release for both of them, usually followed by the two of them making the sweetest, hottest love either of them had ever known. Jill was thankful for the bond that formed between the two of them. She had wanted to be the woman he couldn’t live without, but in fact, he was the man she could never give up.
    One afternoon, as she was busily working, he called her into his office.
    “What’s up?” she asked as she walked in and sat down.
    “Did you remember to call the movers?” he asked curtly.
    “No, I haven’t had time. I thought you would do it,” she replied.
    “I specifically asked you to do it.”
    “And I forgot. I’m sorry.”
    “So are you going to do it today?” he asked.
    “Why can’t you do it?” she asked irritably.
    “I asked you to take care of it. One simple, little thing, Jill, I’ve been a little bit busy with work.”
    “Really?” she asked. “And what do you suppose it is I do in my office every day from nine-to-five? Give myself a mani-pedi?”
    “Jill, stand up,” he said in a no-nonsense tone.
    “No,” she said, as she glared at him across the desk.
    “Jill, I’m not kidding around.”
    She continued to pout.
    “Jill, I said stand up. You can make this harder than it has to be or you can do as I ask. I’ve had enough of the sass and enough of the attitude. I know you’re stressed. I am, too. I’ll take care of that in the proper way and in the proper place but for now, stand up .”
    Slowly, she stood. As he walked toward her, the anticipation was almost more than she could bear. He’d never attempted to punish her while she was standing. By the time he reached her, she was trembling.
    “I’m not going to hurt you.” He reached around and pulled up her skirt. Applying five swats to her ass through her panties, he said, “You need to settle down. You’re working yourself into a frenzy between work, the damn reception, and the move. You know I don’t like to see you this way.”
    “Are you going to call the movers?” she asked quietly.
    His eyes met hers. “Is that what you want? Will that really mean so much to you?”
    “Yes,” she replied.
    “Fine, consider it done.” He walked back around his desk and sat down.
    “Thank you,” she said as she turned to go.
    “I told you I didn’t expect to win every argument,” he said as she put her hand on the doorknob.
    “And that’s one of the reasons I love you so much. Now, I’m going back to my office.