Page 4 of Balancing Act (Soulmate #1)

They stood there, breathing heavily, charged air buzzing around them. Jamie licked her lips, her eyes raking over Beth with a hunger that made Beth blush.

“See, that wasn’t so hard,” Jamie teased. “I’ve wanted to do that all night.”

Beth had, too. She’d felt such an immediate pull toward Jamie that she was at a complete loss for how to even begin to explain it.

Her hands found the lapels of Jamie’s jacket, and she pulled Jamie to her, pressing their bodies together.

“Me too, obviously.” Beth basked in the heat of Jamie’s body against her. Her smirk got lost in Jamie’s lips as she kissed her again—slower this time, wanting to really feel the press of Jamie’s lips on hers.

“So, that painting you wanted to show me...” Jamie shuddered as Beth’s lips moved on to the exposed skin of Jamie’s neck.

“There isn’t one,” she whispered. “I just wanted to get you alone.”

For a moment, nerves prickled at the edge of Beth’s excitement. This was the point of no return, but how Jamie looked at her—steady, sure—chased away any hesitation.

And then they were on each other again, kissing deep and desperate. The last of their restraint burned away as desire surged between them.

Beth’s hands clutched at Jamie as she tried to stay afloat, but it was a losing battle. She let herself get pulled under by the feeling of Jamie’s lips leaving hot kisses along her jawline, nipping slightly at the skin beneath her ear. It all felt so damn good .

She groaned in appreciation of Jamie’s movements, tilting her head to the side. God, she needed her. Now.

Stepping backward, Beth guided their bodies toward the small couch opposite the desk.

Her fingers slipped beneath Jamie’s jacket, pushing it off her shoulders, hands eagerly working on the buttons of Jamie’s shirt.

Confidence surged through her as she pressed on Jamie’s shoulders until she was seated on the couch before climbing onto her lap, straddling her.

Jamie’s hands slid up her thighs before encircling her waist, pulling her in as their lips crashed together again.

Every nerve in Beth’s body lit up. Kissing Jamie felt electric—a spark that spread through her veins and left her trembling with need.

She broke the kiss just long enough to slide Jamie’s shirt off her shoulders, her hands exploring the lean muscles beneath.

She had to be one of those CrossFit girls, with how the definition of her musculature was so pronounced.

She gasped as Jamie’s hand slipped into the front of her dress, her fingers tracing the curve of her breast. A low moan escaped her as Jamie’s thumb brushed her already-hardened nipple.

The feeling was almost unbearable and completely intoxicating—Beth didn’t want to stop as she ground her hips against Jamie, desperate for more.

The flick of Jamie’s tongue sent shivers down her spine as her body arched into the touch.

Oh fuck. The words looped in Beth’s mind like a mantra as Jamie’s fingers moved lower, brushing against her through her underwear, teasing, deliberate. Jamie was in control. Beth couldn’t remember the last time she’d let herself feel this unguarded, this raw.

“Is this what you want?” Jamie’s voice was low, breath hot against her ear as Beth pushed her hips forward, desperately chasing Jamie’s touch. She needed more.

Jamie traced slow, maddening circles over her center, enough to make Beth tremble but insufficient to satisfy. “You want me to touch you so badly, don’t you?” she teased, her tone dripping with confidence.

Beth nodded feverishly, her nails digging into Jamie’s shoulders. “Yes,” she whined. She could barely think, but she didn’t have to. Desperate for more, her body spoke for her, her hips moving instinctively against Jamie’s hand.

“You want me to fuck you like this,” Jamie murmured, dark eyes full of intent as her fingers pressed against Beth’s clit, the fabric barrier still in place. Her entire body jolted at the contact, and even Beth could feel how wet she was.

“Mm-hmm—” she gasped, barely able to form words before Jamie’s hand pulled away.

Beth’s eyes snapped open, a protest rising in her throat. “Wh-what?” she stammered, her voice a mix of confusion and frustration. The loss of contact was unbearable.

Jamie smirked, her gaze locked on Beth’s. “Say it,” she said, her voice smooth. Not a command—a request. “Tell me this was exactly what you wanted when you brought me back here.”

Beth swallowed hard, heat surging through her at the intensity behind Jamie’s dark eyes as she nodded frantically. “Yes. Please. That’s what I wanted.” God , she was practically begging.

But that was all Jamie needed. With a swift motion, she slid Beth’s underwear to the side, slipping two fingers inside her. Beth’s head fell back, a groan spilling from her lips as Jamie filled her, her movements slow and purposeful, making Beth feel every inch of her fingers.

“This okay?” Jamie asked quietly, a tenderness and care slipping in.

She could only nod, breath catching with every deliberate twist as she chased her climax, her body moving of its own accord, meeting Jamie’s hand as pleasure rippled through her.

She clapped a hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the noises spilling out.

Every curl of Jamie’s fingers sent shockwaves through her, unraveling her bit by bit, and Beth wanted to come completely undone for Jamie.

“Don’t stop,” Beth gasped, her hips rocking faster. The tension coiled inside her, tighter and tighter. She wanted this feeling—this utter high—to last forever.

“Tell me when you’re about to come,” Jamie commanded, low and rough.

She couldn’t focus as her mind succumbed to bliss.

“I-I’m—oh, God...” Beth’s words tumbled out in a rush, her release building to breaking point.

“Tell me,” Jamie urged again, her fingers twisting perfectly, and that was it.

Beth shattered, her orgasm rolling through her as her body stilled, trembling, and pleasure surged through her in wave after wave.

She pressed a hand to her mouth, muffling the groan that threatened to echo through the room as her eyes fluttered shut.

Colors exploded in her private darkness, a new hue for each wave of pleasure coursing through her: brilliant violets and rich teals dotted with bursts of vibrant yellow.

Beth let out a soft hum as she floated down, the masterpiece created by her senses fading away.

When she finally opened her eyes, her chest was heaving, her skin flushed, and her mind blissfully blank.

“That was...” Beth said, struggling to catch her breath. “. . . wow.”

Jamie shifted their bodies, and Beth watched in amazement, her eyes widening ever so slightly when she realized what Jamie was about to do.

Jamie licked her fingers clean, her eyes glinting with wicked satisfaction. “I had to know what you taste like,” she said, her smirk both cocky and devastatingly charming.

Okay, seriously? Was Jamie trying to get her all worked up again? Because, c’mon, a move like that, and that smile... Beth was already melting at the thought.

Her own need to feel Jamie overwhelmed her as she reached between their bodies and drove her hand to the waist of Jamie’s pants, unbuttoning them with one swift motion before slipping her hand inside and reveling in the silky wetness that met her fingertips.

Jamie tensed beneath her as Beth began to move, and she was slightly surprised when Jamie’s fingers wrapped around her wrist, holding her still.

“Wait . . .”

“Is this not?—”

Jamie held a finger to her lips. “No, shh, listen.”

Beth did, and that’s when she heard it. A door in the hall had opened, and the sound of footsteps was growing closer. Her body stilled as she heard the door to Sean’s office open and close before continuing down the hall.

Shit, shit, shit.

She had locked the door behind them, right?

Her heart pounded against her chest as the footsteps stopped outside the door. She pulled back to get up, but Jamie held her still, mouthing, “Don’t move.”

The doorknob jiggled as the person on the other side attempted to enter the room. Thank God. She had remembered to lock the door after all. Beth’s cheeks flushed red as Sean’s voice carried through the closed door.

“B, I—uh—was finally able to get Lane Walker on their own. They are extremely impressed with your work and are waiting to speak to you.” Beth’s cheeks burned as Sean’s voice carried through the door. “I can stall for you so you have a few minutes to wrap up... whatever you are currently doing.”

Beth could have sworn she heard his faint chuckle as he retreated toward the party.

Once Sean’s footsteps had disappeared, Jamie let out a low laugh. “I guess we’ve been found out.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m beyond mortified.” At least it had been Sean.

Beth would never hear the end of it, but it was a small price to pay after the way Jamie had made her feel.

Sean and Beth would undoubtedly laugh about it over coffee tomorrow morning, but she couldn’t say she was excited about his inevitable teasing.

She chewed on her lip nervously. “I’m sorry, but I really need to go.

Lane is the one person I absolutely need to impress tonight. ”

“Hey.” She felt the soft touch of Jamie’s fingers against her jaw as she cupped her cheek. “Nothing to be sorry for or embarrassed by. That was one hell of a time for me. I don’t know anything about this Lane person, but for the record, you have me impressed.”

There it was again—that cocky grin that sent a wave of warmth through her.

“But I didn’t even touch you.”

“Who says I didn’t thoroughly enjoy myself, too?

” Jamie smirked. Beth searched her brown eyes and saw only genuineness there.

“Guess that gives me an excuse to ask for your number so I can take you to dinner sometime soon. We can get into a bottle of wine, and I’ll share all my secrets.

” She winked, then pressed her forehead to Beth’s.

Beth leaned into Jamie’s touch, startled by how easy it felt.

Too easy. This was supposed to end here, but something about Jamie already felt like the beginning of more.

This thing between them was supposed to be a physical celebration for Beth and all her hard work from the last year. Nothing more. But if that were true, why did she feel a soft flutter at the thought of Jamie taking her out to dinner?

“I’d like that.”

“Great. It’s a date, then. But right now, we need to get straightened up and get you back out to the party.”

Beth climbed off Jamie’s lap. It was only then she realized how thoroughly fucked she looked. She smiled as she tossed Jamie, who had yet to move from her spot on the couch, her suit jacket.

Beth straightened herself, wrapping her black dress around her again and taming her hair into an elegant low bun.

The two redressed in a comfortable silence, making themselves presentable, and once again, Beth couldn’t help but marvel at how this moment—post-hookup—should have felt awkward, but even as they gathered themselves quietly, the awkwardness never came.

That devilish smile was back on Jamie’s lips as she slipped her suit jacket over her shoulders. “I, uh, should probably go out first, and then you can follow,” Jamie said, her hand on the doorknob.

She was momentarily puzzled, before realizing they of course would need to rejoin the party separately.

“Wait. Give me your phone before you go,” Beth said. Her fingers brushed Jamie’s as Jamie handed over her phone. “You want my number, right?”

She entered her number under “Bullshit-Free Beth” with a sly smile and sent herself a text so she would have Jamie’s number. Too late to turn back now. The ball was officially in Jamie’s court.

“There.” She smiled. “Don’t make me wait too long for that date.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Jamie said, with a wink. “Thanks for tonight, Beth.” She leaned in. Before Beth could fully process what was happening, Jamie kissed her swiftly before slipping out the door and back into the gallery.