Accepting His Terms Read online

  “If you’d like to take the rest of the day off, it’s fine. The budget can wait another day.”

  “No, I need to stay busy, but thanks for the offer.”

  “As you wish,” he answered as he left her office.

  He buried himself in work for the rest of the afternoon, working long past quitting time. When he heard a knock on the door, he was surprised anyone was still in the office.

  “Who is it?” he asked.

  “Jill.”

  “Come on in.” When she walked in, he immediately was on his feet. As he started toward her, he asked, “What on earth are you still doing here? Is anything wrong?”

  “I thought you’d be gone and I was planning to put the budget in your box, but when I saw the light was on, I decided to hand it to you instead.”

  “Thank you, but I didn’t expect you to stay late to finish it. Sit down, Jill,” he said quietly as he took the papers from her.

  “I won’t keep you. You probably want to get home,” she said.

  “What were you thinking, staying here this late? It’s dark outside.”

  “I’ve stayed late before. Is that a problem?”

  “It is after what happened today, yes. Did nothing I say soak into that gorgeous red head of yours? Don’t you realize the parking garage is dark and empty? Who’s to say our friend, the mail clerk, isn’t lying in wait for you to get his revenge or to finish what he started? Did you think of that? Muggers and rapists prey on unsuspecting females in dark parking garages late at night. I realize you sometimes work late to meet a deadline and that’s admirable, but from now on, I don’t want you working past six during the months it gets dark early. In the summer, not past seven, is that understood?”

  “I… I’m sorry… I didn’t think,” she stammered.

  His tone softened as he said, “I know you’re an adult who is capable of making your own decisions, but I don’t think you understand the seriousness of the situation. I’m looking out for you, whether you believe that or not. I’m not trying to use the hard-ass boss card with you.” He stood up and walked around to her, pulling her up from her chair.

  As she looked at him in surprise, he said in a low voice, “You know, if you were my woman, you’d have been across my knee about five minutes ago.”

  He could have bitten his tongue. He’d never spanked a woman in his life, had never wanted to. The fact that this woman could frustrate and infuriate him that much almost frightened him. But the fact that he may have frightened her with his statement frustrated him even more.

  As he turned his attention to her face to gauge her reaction to his words, a thrill ran through his entire body. What he saw was not fear, shock, or disgust. What he saw was a sexy, beautiful woman, whose face held a look of anticipation, and whose body showed obvious signs of arousal. As his gaze dropped, he saw nipples erect and pert, and as he looked back up, he saw that she was biting her lower lip, and her deep blue eyes told him all he needed to know.

  “Have dinner with me?” he asked suddenly.

  “Dinner?” she asked in a surprised tone.

  “You know, the evening meal, dinner,” he teased.

  “Uh… I… I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. I mean after what happened… earlier… and you lecturing me and all,” she stammered.

  He cocked his handsome head to the side and smiled as he answered softly, “Ronnie no longer works here. You don’t have to worry about him ever bothering you again. I know the truth, Jill. You weren’t engaging in a quickie in the elevator. You could have found yourself in a heap of trouble if I hadn’t come along when I did. You do realize that, don’t you?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ve cautioned you to be more careful from now on. And I’ve told you what I would have done if… our situation were different. But given the fact, you aren’t my woman, I’d like to take you to dinner instead. So you can relax after the day you’ve had. That little hair-twisting thing you do is a dead giveaway. And yes, I’ve noticed you do that quite often. You’re stressed and you need to get a handle on your emotions. And I’d like to get to know Jill Lincoln a little better. So what do you say?”

  Gazing into his beautiful eyes, she said, “I guess I should thank you.”

  He grinned. “Well, then, how about that dinner?” he asked again.

  “Sure, I’d like that. Thank you, Mr. Baine… for everything.”

  “Call me Jarrod and don’t think this discussion is over. You need to tell me how you’ll protect yourself in the future. I may not always be on the other side of the door or still here to walk you to your car when you think you need to stay late.”

  “Okay,” she replied as she waited for him to grab his briefcase and walk out with her.

  As they walked to the parking garage, he placed his hand on her back possessively. Seated in his luxury car, he turned to her and asked if she had a preference as to where they had their dinner.

  “You choose,” she replied softly as she buckled her seatbelt and attempted to smile.

  “I know just the place.”

  ****

  At one of the better restaurants in town, they sat drinking wine and relaxing in a secluded corner table. He began to ask questions. “Jill, tell me more about what you like to do for fun,” he asked in an attempt to ease into the conversation they needed to have.

  She blushed as she answered, “I like movies, going to the beach whenever I get the chance for a vacation, reading. How about you, what do you do for fun?”

  “So, you like the beach,” he replied with a smile.

  “Yes, I do, but I’ve only been a few times.”

  “I have a beach house. I like to go there to unwind when I can get away. I also like to work out at the gym, like to visit wineries.”

  “Wineries, that sounds intriguing,” she replied.

  “I’ll take you sometime, if you’re interested,” he replied cautiously.

  “I’d like that. Where’s your beach house?”

  “Naples, Florida,” he replied as he took a sip of wine.

  “Oh, I’ve been to Myrtle Beach once and Daytona Beach once.”

  “Living in Tennessee, it’s not that far away. Sometimes I drive to Florida if I have the time, and other times I fly,” he told her as their salads arrived.

  “I drove both times, with a couple of friends.”

  “Maybe you’ll agree to go with me sometime,” he said with a smile as he buttered a roll.

  “Uh… I don’t know…” she said.

  “Jill… I don’t know what else to say about this afternoon, other than I’m sorry you had to put up with that kind of behavior. I don’t condone it. I know there are rumors of a few office affairs, but I’ve never seen proof of it, and as long as the work gets done and the ones involved keep it private, I can’t say anything. But what took place in that elevator today was uncalled for and you should never have been put in that position. If I sounded harsh when I told you to be more careful, I’m sorry.”

  Taking a sip of her water, she replied in a low voice, “You said something about my needing to be more aware of my surroundings. Do you really think I could have prevented it from happening?”

  “I think you need to make sure it never happens again. If someone else were to try something like that, tell me what you would do to protect yourself.”

  “I could think of one thing,” she said with a giggle.

  “Kick him where it counts?” he asked with a chuckle.

  “Well, yes, for one thing. I was attempting to do just that when the door opened.”

  “Remind me never to get on your bad side,” he said with a low laugh. “Seriously, though, just make sure if you are ever alone in an enclosed place again, you’re able to defend yourself. I don’t want anything to happen to you or to any of my employees. You need to feel safe in the office.”

  “I’ll be careful, but you make me sound like a defenseless woman, or a child,” she replied.

  “That wasn’t my intent at all. I don
’t think of you as defenseless. I think of you as…” He took a drink and didn’t finish the sentence.

  “What were you going to say?” she asked. “I’d like to know how you think of me, Mr. Baine.”

  “Jarrod…” he reminded her. He reached across the table and took her hand. “I think of you as a beautiful, smart, intriguing woman. I think it’s time for me to admit, I’m very attracted to you.”

  “Are you serious?” she asked as she nearly choked.

  “This surprises you?” he asked in a low, sexy voice.

  “Yes, it does, but what I don’t understand is, if you were attracted to me, why didn’t you say something before now? Was it because you’re my boss?”

  “That was part of it.”

  “Did what happened today have anything to do with this sudden admission?”

  “In part. It probably prompted me to say something sooner than I would have otherwise. If that boy had hurt you, I don’t know what I would have done.”

  “What exactly does this all mean, Jarrod?”

  “Isn’t it obvious? I want you in my life, outside the office as well as inside. I want to see where this leads. But we still work together, and there will be talk. You have to be able to handle that. Or would you rather I back off? Are you not interested?”

  “Well, let me think about it…” she said with a grin. “You’re not the easiest person to be around, you know.”

  “I should really turn you over my knee for that remark, not to mention for almost getting yourself into a compromising position this afternoon. There is a panic button in the elevator, you know.” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

  She laughed. “You’re right about one thing, it all happened so fast I never thought about the panic button. But as far as the other thing you said, you wouldn’t dare.”

  “You don’t think so?” he teased.

  “Eat your dinner and behave, Mr. Baine,” she teased back as she took a sip of wine.

  “You’re telling me to behave,” he said with a grin.

  “Does anyone else at the office know what happened today?” she asked suddenly.

  “No one else knows, nor do they need to. I was the only one who saw and Ronnie is no longer working there.”

  “I think I’m enjoying this dinner very much,” she said with a smile.

  “Does that mean you’re not opposed to the two of us seeing each other outside the office?” he responded. “This isn’t going to be easy, you know. There will be talk among the other employees and maybe some jealousy. I’m sure some of the other men have considered asking you out. Some of the women may give you problems, as well. You need to let me know if they do. I won’t tolerate you trying to handle it on your own. We’re in this together. Is that understood?”

  “I’m getting that feeling,” she said. “It’s going to be hard to mix work with pleasure. Are we going to have any rules about that?”

  “We might need to set some or I might find myself calling you into my office just to kiss you… or punish you for something you’ve done to frustrate me. But I’m serious about anyone giving you grief about us.”

  “You might call me in your office for a private discussion. And that would be a problem?” she teased.

  He laughed. “Maybe not…”

  When dinner was finished, he took her back to her car. “I’ll see you in the morning. Try to get some rest.”

  “Yeah… sure, in the morning,” she said.

  “I hope you were able to relax a little at dinner,” he replied with a smile, as he leaned over to kiss her. As his tongue raked across her teeth and she allowed him to venture inside her mouth, he was in heaven. He explored every crevice, and even though his body was responding to the signals she was giving him, he thought it best not to rush things, especially not that day, of all days. But still, it was hot and exciting, and when he ended it, he said in a voice barely above a whisper, “It’s been a stressful day for both of us. Get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Jill took extra care in her preparations for work. She carefully chose her clothes, her hairstyle, and took more time than usual with her makeup. The impossible had happened. Jarrod Baine had told her he was as interested in her as she was in him. And he had kissed her. Not just any old kiss, either. It had been a kiss beyond any she’d ever had before. If that was a preview of what was to come, then let the games begin. And what was that crack he’d made about a spanking? Little did he know, that had long been a fantasy of hers, one that she might have to make a reality, especially now that he’d mentioned it. He may only have been teasing, but the thought of lying across Jarrod’s knees made her entire body tingle with excitement.

  As she breezed into the office, she attempted to appear normal, as if her whole world hadn’t changed overnight.

  “Good morning,” Susie said as she passed her in the hallway.

  “Hi, Susie, how are you?”

  “Feeling much better, thanks for asking. I think it’s going to be a good day. The boss is in a good mood for some reason. Maybe he got some last night,” Jarrod’s assistant said with a laugh.

  Jill hurried to her office. Oh dear God. What would Susie say if she knew what had really happened to put the smile on the boss’s face? No, he didn’t get any last night, but that kiss had been pretty damn hot. As she poured water into the back of her coffeemaker, she smiled. Can’t wait to see what’s next on the agenda.

  She didn’t have to wait long to find out. Just as she was pouring her first cup of coffee, the phone on her desk rang. She picked up the receiver and said, “This is Jill.”

  “Jill, could you come into my office for a minute?”

  It was Jarrod!

  “Sure, I’ll be right there.” She hung up and set her coffee on the desk. Smoothing her skirt and her hair, she walked down the hallway to the plush private office that belonged to the owner of Baine Condominiums, Incorporated.

  She knocked lightly on the door. When she heard him tell her to come in, she opened the door and made her way to one of the leather chairs across from his desk.

  “Did you sleep okay?” he asked with a smile. An actual full smile greeted her.

  “I did,” she replied, returning the smile with one of her own.

  “Good, I was afraid after what happened yesterday, you might have trouble. I was hoping our dinner relaxed you. You were pretty tense last night.”

  “I enjoyed our dinner and the conversation very much,” she said.

  Gray-blue eyes met hers. “And you’re still on board with the other thing we talked about? You haven’t had second thoughts?” he asked.

  “The two of us… dating?” she asked as she met his gaze. Her heart stopped. He had the most beautiful eyes of any man she’d ever seen.

  “Yes,” he replied as he stood up and walked around the desk to where she sat. He reached down and pulled her up to face him.

  “Jill, I meant it when I said I want to get to know you better,” he said as he lifted her chin with his left hand and brought his lips to hers.

  As his kiss deepened, she leaned into him, putting her arms around his neck. Her limbs were like rubber, her heart pounding, and every nerve ending in her body acutely aware of the sparks flying between them. As he pulled away and gazed into pools of deep blue, he said, “Good morning.”

  “Yes, it is,” she replied with a nervous smile.

  “How do you feel about the staff knowing about us?” he asked.

  “I’d rather keep it under wraps for now, if you don’t mind.”

  “Okay, for now, but we may not be able to for long,” he agreed. “I guess I’d better let you get back to your office.”

  “Yes, I have things I need to do.”

  As she walked out of the room, she smiled, but quickly regained her composure at she saw another employee approaching. She spoke to the other girl and made her way quickly to the safety of her own office.

  Pouring a fresh cup of coffee,
she sat down and attempted to work. At eleven, she glanced at the clock and realized she had promised to meet her sister, Jan, for lunch. Grabbing her purse, she rushed out the door and walked hurriedly to the café down the street, where Jan was already seated. She waved across the crowded room to let her sister know she’d seen her and made her way to her.

  She sat down and smiled. “Hey, sis, how are you?”

  “I’m good. Classes start back up next week, so I’m enjoying the break. How are things in your life these days?”

  “Well, funny you should ask,” Jill replied with a giggle.

  “Okay, fess up, what’s got you so happy?”

  “I had a date last night.”

  “Yeah, so, you have dates every once in a while. Why was this one any different?”

  “It was with Jarrod.” Jill scanned her sister’s face for a reaction.

  “Jarrod who?” the other girl asked. “Wait a minute, not the Jarrod, the one you think is the best thing since sliced bread?”

  “Yep, that would be the one.”

  “Your boss?” Jan clarified and Jill nodded. “How did that happen?”

  “It’s kind of a long story, but I worked late last night finishing some things. When I went by his office to drop the work into his inbox, he was still there. We talked for a few minutes and he asked me to have dinner with him.”

  “And… go… on. Will there be a second date?”

  “Yes, and a third, and a fourth, hopefully,” she replied happily.

  “How do you know that?”

  “It seems Mr. Baine has been as interested in me as I am in him.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “As a heart-attack, that’s what he told me.”

  “Oh gosh, I can’t believe this,” Jan said with a grin. “Dreams really can come true.”

  “So it would seem.”

  “Are you still in shock? Give me the scoop! Is he a good kisser?”

  “Jan! Really, do you think I’m going to tell you anything else?”

  “Well, is he?”

  “Yes, he is. Now hush. Tell me what’s going on with you, other than school and work.”