I had to work hard not to let finding Scott at my apartment complex put me in a bad mood all night. However, I refused to let him or anyone else have that much control over me. After the day I had, the only ones I was worrying about were Iceman and me.
We’d gone inside, and I greeted the dogs, my sisters, and Iceman properly. Icicle and Blizzard were all over Iceman. He thought they were funny and roughhoused and petted them. They were instantly in love with him. They had been at the vet when he stayed the other night. Finally, they settled enough for my sisters to get them in their halters. They were spending the night with them. Their friend, Heather, who they were staying with, adored the dogs, too. And her parents didn’t care if they came, so the four of them were going. Their family had dogs, and ours had been around them numerous times. The dogs got along. I had to hug and kiss all four before they left. I warned them to be careful and call if they needed me.
We had to rush to get ready since he made a reservation for seven, but we made it with a few minutes to spare. Despite being January, I’d taken time to dress in a lovely dress and heels. Iceman wore black jeans, dress boots, and a matching long-sleeved, button-down black shirt. The only thing identifying him as a biker was his cut. His tattoos were covered.
It was a fancy Italian place. I’d heard people talk about it, but I hadn’t been here. It was on the pricey end, and we didn’t spend our money on those kinds of places. I discovered that it was as good as people said. We ate until we were stuffed and still had leftovers to bring home. We took our time and chatted about our day. The only topics not discussed were Scott and Joni.
It wasn’t until the drive home that he wanted to know what had happened with the Joni situation. I hated to spoil our night, but I was dying to talk to him about it.
I explained that it wasn’t long after I got to work that I was called to Director Higgins’s office. I was so sure I would be fired that I marched in there with my back straight and my list of issues wrong with the place in my hands. I sat across from him and silently dared him to reprimand or fire me. My coworkers were still staring and whispering when I came to work. Some had approached to ask what was happening and if the rumors were true about me and Joni.
Director Higgins studied me for several tense moments before he began talking. “Meadow, thank you for meeting with me. I’m sorry that I was out yesterday when you stopped in. I had an all-day meeting, which didn’t end until six last night. Ines called me and said that you and your supervisor seem to be having a conflict. I’d like to know what happened yesterday.”
“You mean someone hasn’t already shared it with you? I find that hard to believe. People are still staring and gossiping today. Several witnessed parts of it,” I challenged.
“I’ve heard from some people, but I’d like to hear your side of the story before I comment or decide.”
Based on that remark, I knew Joni had run to him first thing this morning to make sure she told her version first. Even knowing it was likely useless to try to save myself, I did it anyway. I took him through it all, even the part where she’d tried other underhanded or unfair things on me recently. I made sure to let him know Scott’s influence in this, which I claimed was innocent.
However, after tonight’s scene at the apartment, I wondered if Scott might not be getting off on having two women at odds because of him, even though I wasn’t interested in him being mine. It had to be feeding his ego on some level, even if he was uninterested in her.
When I finished, Higgins leaned back in his office chair, his fingertips pressed against each other, lost in thought. I stayed quiet. It took him a while to say anything.
“Meadow, I’ve heard some versions that differ from yours, plus rumblings from others that somewhat match yours. Since you were alone with Joni and again with Scott, it’s your word against theirs as to what happened. I’m not saying you’re lying. I’m telling you, I need time to gather all the information and weed out the inaccuracies.”
His mentioning of Scott made me realize he had talked to Higgins this morning as well. Did he do it with Joni? Were they now ganging up on me? Well, I had news for them. Bring it. I’d show them how I could fight. I might be pleasant and even-tempered at work, but a part of me could get mean and ugly if required. Usually, it only came out when my sisters were in danger.
“What does that mean for me and my work?”
“I want you to carry on business as usual. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation with Joni, then walk away. You can even go to Scott Harrison if you need to. Once I know everything and have my ducks in a row, I’ll meet with you and Joni. We’ll resolve these unfortunate issues.”
I knew it wouldn't get better as long as she and I were here. She wanted Scott and thought I stood in her way. Higgins might end up in an unwanted situation. He seemed to believe it was all easily resolved. I had news for him. He had no clue.
“ What about being forced to go to Knoxville to work for our sister office? I told her I can’t go, that I won’t. She didn’t even ask me. There are other therapists who would love to go there. I told her to ask them. My answer is still the same. I won’t go. I can’t be gone for weeks on end.”
“I’ve already informed her that she’ll have to find someone to volunteer to go to that office. You won’t be forced to go anywhere.”
“Good. Well, if that’s all, then I should get back to work.” I went to rise, but his following words stopped me.
“Meadow, I’ve been told—again, it could be merely someone passing along a rumor they heard—that you’re looking for a new job. Is that true? Are you planning to leave?”
I didn’t see any sense in denying it, so I didn’t. “Yes, sir, I am looking. I’ve been putting out resumes since the start of the new year.”
“I’d hate to lose you. You’re an excellent therapist. If this situation with Joni is resolved to the point where I can promise you won’t have to worry about her, will you stay?” he asked.
“Director, the only way you could do that is if she no longer works here. I don’t see that happening.” I left the rest unsaid. He could read between the lines.
His frown deepened, but he didn’t prevent me from leaving his office. I did tell him goodbye before I left. Not half an hour later, Scott came to see how the talk had gone, proving that people were watching and reporting back to him. He insisted there were things we needed to talk about. I informed him that my conversation with the director wasn’t up for discussion, and anything personal wasn’t either. I sent him on his way without talking to him, which I knew he detested. I’d been able to dodge him the rest of the day until I left for home.
As for Joni, she suspiciously stayed hidden in her office behind closed doors all day. Only those who really needed to talk to her braved knocking on her door. I’d been able to complete my day without her in my face or stirring up more trouble.
I was in a better mood coming home until I pulled into the parking lot and saw Scott there. I hadn’t even noticed Iceman and my sisters were outside. All I saw was him, and I was out of my car, rushing over to confront him. The rest hadn’t helped my mood or temper.
When I was done telling Iceman everything he missed, he was suspiciously quiet. The silence stretched until I had to break it.
“Say something, Jake. I know you have something to say. Don’t hold back.”
“I’m trying to think of what to say other than that I don’t trust Scott Harrison, and I distrust him even more after today. I think he’s pitting you and this Joni against each other and getting some sick thrill out of it. Now he needs a bigger one, so he’s trying to get you to commit to dating him to really stir her up. I’m not saying he doesn’t want you. He’d be a fool if he didn’t, but it’s deeper than that for him.
“As for Joni, she needs to get some self-esteem and forget about chasing a man who doesn’t want her. Even if he suddenly decides to date or sleep with her on the sly, he’ll never give her what she wants. And as for your director, he needs to get out of his office and get a clue about what’s happening in his building rather than be hidden at his desk or out to meetings. Do you think he’ll do anything to Joni, or will it all fall on your head? Does it change how you feel about leaving?”
“Thank you for telling me what you really think. I agree with you about Scott. Today, even before I found him in my parking lot, I wondered if he was stirring it somehow. I believe it’s possible even more now. I won’t believe anything he says, nor will I allow him to have any kind of conversation with me.
“I agree that Director Higgins should be out talking to his employees and seeing what’s going on more often. I know his job is huge and extremely busy, but it still would help. As for whether he’ll do anything to Joni if he determines she’s out to get me for no reason, I honestly can’t say. I always thought he was fair, but who knows? I’m still assuming that one way or the other, I’ll need a new job, so I’ll continue to send resumes and do interviews.”
“Good. I don’t think a change for you would be bad. You need to be where you have the opportunity to advance if you want. I’m not sure this is the place, even if Joni and Scott were gone. Okay, enough talk about that. I want us to enjoy our night alone. Don’t take this wrong. I like your sisters and even those two furballs of yours, but I love it whenever I get you alone.” There was an underlying growl to his voice that sent shivers of desire shooting through me, and my body responded. Everything was tightening and throbbing.
He glanced over at me to see why I hadn’t responded to his remarks. I smiled seductively back at him. “I’m happy to hear you say that because I love them too, but I adore having time alone with you.”
He gave me a wink, and then the truck sped up. My excitement kept building as we finished the drive to my apartment. When we got there, he came around to open the door as usual. When I was out, he shut the door and then pressed me against the side of the truck so he could kiss me. He took over with his commanding mouth. I moaned as I returned it.
So far, whenever he’d been dominant, it had been in the bedroom, and I hadn’t minded. I hoped it meant when we went all the way, he wouldn’t change. I was about to find out because tonight was the night that I would let that last restraint go. He was no longer my patient. Some may say I was wrong to do what I did with him while he was, but they had no idea how he consumed me.
When we came up for air, we were both breathless. He took my hand and led me to my door. Earlier, I’d given him my keys, which was good since my hands were shaking. I was in a haze as he opened the door and whisked me inside. When it was closed and locked, he led me toward my bedroom. I knew he expected us to fool around like we’d been doing. And even if we were alone, he was sticking to the bedroom for that, at least to start.
Abruptly, he halted to look at me. “I’m sorry. Am I jumping ahead? I didn’t mean to assume. We can watch television or a movie or even talk first if you want.”
I knew he was aroused by the bulge in his pants. I didn’t want to wait, but I did tease him. I pretended to think. “Hmm, let me think. We could watch the latest cooking show, or there’s a romantic comedy I’ve been waiting to watch.”
He did an excellent job of not flinching, but I couldn’t hold back my laughter for long. When I let it out, he growled. Then, I was swung up in his arms, and he finished the trek to my bedroom. There, he tossed me on the bed.
He was removing his cut as he muttered darkly to me, “Just for that, I’m not letting you come for a while. You know, that was cold, babe. To do that to me, you almost killed me. I’ve now got your nickname. It describes you so well.”
“Oh yeah, what is it?” I sat up and removed my jewelry.
“I think it’s only suitable if I’m Iceman that my woman be Killing Frost. You can be so hot and full of life, but you can also turn into someone frosty with a killer instinct if the situation calls for it. What do you think? Can you live with that nickname?”
I let out an undignified squeal and clapped my hands together. He grinned as I said, “I freaking love it! Yes, yes, you can call me your Killing Frost, honey.”
“Good. Then, Iceman commands his Killing Frost to go faster. I want us both naked in less than sixty seconds.”
His challenge had me off the bed, and we both removed our stuff as fast as we could. I didn’t know if we did it in sixty seconds, but it was quick. Seeing him standing there with his delicious body covered in tattoos on display made me wetter. But it was the sight of his erect cock, all red and glistening, that made me moan. I wanted to suck him so badly, but I was battling myself not to make him come that way. I wanted him to fuck me with it first. I’d been dying to know what it would feel like to have him inside of me.
He groaned, then stalked over to me. His hands came up to caress my tits and tug on my nipples before he ran them to my core. He had no trouble feeling how turned on I was. I was slick, and my cum was coating my entire pussy. He raised his hand to his mouth and sucked his fingers clean. The look of bliss it put on his face was humbling and thrilling.
“Lie on the bed, Meadow. I think we need to do sixty-nine right now,” he muttered.
“I will if that’s what you want. But I have another suggestion if you’re willing to hear it.”
He’d been backing me up to the bed. He stopped. “I’m willing to listen, but I make no promises. I’ve been thinking of this and you naked all night. I’m ready to come. We have all night to do it slow or another way.”
“True. I just thought I’d offer to let you get off by putting that cock in my pussy rather than having me suck you off, but it can wait,” I said casually.
Suddenly, I was yanked against him. His eyes were burning into mine when I glanced up at him.
“Say that again,” he demanded.
“I said, would you like to fuck me now or wait? I want your cock inside of me, Jake,” I asked crudely.
He moaned, and his hands gripped my ass cheeks tightly. His cock was digging into my stomach. “Christ, I didn’t imagine it. Are you sure? Don’t do it unless you are. I want us both to be ready.”
I lifted my hands to rub on his chest. “Jake, I’m more than ready.”
“Shit, you don’t know how badly I’ve wanted to hear that. Okay, before I lose all ability to think, a couple of things first. One, if I do something you don’t like, tell me. Two, if I’m too rough, tell me. Finally, I’ve got to ask you if you’re protected?”
“I will most definitely tell you if I don’t like something or you’re too rough but don’t treat me as if I’m made of fragile glass. I’m not. As for protection, I am on birth control.”
He inhaled deeply. “I’m gonna ask something. You can say no, and I won’t be mad. The truth is I’ve always worn a condom, no matter if a woman said she was on birth control or not. It not only prevented pregnancy but protection against diseases. However, in your case, I’m not worried about either of those things. And I can promise you, I’ve been thoroughly tested since I met you. All my tests came back negative. I know this might not be sexy to talk about, but we need to. I’d like to go without a condom, Meadow, but if you’re not alright with that, I’ll wear them and wait until you’re ready. No hard feelings, babe, I promise.”
My breath caught. This was a big deal. I’d always had a guy wear one, even those I dated for a while. I’d never been able to trust them not to lie about their test results, and I’d been scared that I’d end up pregnant. To let him go without would be a massive leap for me. However, unlike in the past, my heart wasn’t racing or my brain screaming no at the thought of doing it. I trusted Iceman even though we’d only known each other for such a short period.
“Baby, we don’t—” he started to say, but I cut him off.
“You’re right, we don’t have to. I’ve always made my lovers wear one even if I was protected. Call it distrust because I never knew if they were lying about their tests or weren’t cheating on me. Plus, I was terrified to get pregnant. But, with you, I trust you’re not lying, nor will you cheat, which is crazy. If I end up pregnant, I know I can raise a baby with or without your help. So my answer is yes, you can go without one.”
I swear that what I called flames made his eyes brighter. The next thing I knew, I was lifted by my ass cheeks and placed on the bed. He pushed me to the center of it, then climbed up to loom over top of me. My heart skipped a beat as I waited to see what he’d do.