Page 184 of Under Her Skin

‘…headof the multinational property corporation that has not only specialised in high-end properties but also worked closely with Habitat for Humanity to bring much need shelter to those in need around the world. I’m pleased to introduce to you, TheodoreStorm.’

Jess felther heart flutter as the guy from the corridor stepped up and shook hands with the dean. Her first glimpse of him had not done him justice. He was gorgeous, a Greek god amongst his serfs. His expression serious but kind, and there was a smile on his full mouth. Looking at him was like staring at the sun, Jess decided, dangerous, risky, a threat to sanity but she tried to look away and couldn’t. As he began to speak, his low, melodic tone made his speech even more compelling and Jess was gratified to hear him speak of opportunity, and of hardwork.

‘You’ll heara lot from other about how this is your time…,’ Theo Storm fixed his audience with a confident and authoritative stare, ‘…and maybe it will be. What they won’t tell you is just how hard you will have to work if you want to achieve even one per cent of your ‘dreams’. Nothing – nothing – will be handed to you in this world. I say this as someone who grew up in a poor family. Yes, now I can live comfortably as anyone – but it took every ounce of everything I had to get there. Determination, willingness to work every minute of every hour. There was a point when I lived in my car to save on rent money.’ There was a murmur in the crowd and Theo grinned, shrugging good-naturedly. ‘I know, a property mogul living in his car. But,’ – his face turned serious again – ‘that’s what it takes. That kind of sacrifice. If you’re just interested in the latest iPhone, the latest cool sneakers as soon as you graduate then…go work for someone else, do the nine-to-five. There are some among you who will do that – and believe me, there’s nothing wrong with it if that’s all you’re looking for. Me, no. I couldn’t. I believe in going after what Iwant.’

And he looked directlyat Jess, caught and held her stare… and held it…. and held it. Jess felt her heart falter then quicken, her cheeks flame scarlet as they gazed at each other. The crowd, silent, now started to murmur and Jess was aware of the people turning to gaze at her. A minute turned to two, then Theo cleared his throat and smiled ather.

‘There are alwaysthings beyond our reach seemingly,’ he spoke again, his even tone belying nothing of the fire burning in his eyes, ‘But the best way to combat that is this – pretend that it isn’t. Pretend you can have anyone – anything, I’m sorry, anything you want and you’re halfway there. So there it is. Thank you, Dean, for inviting me to speak and finally, my last words of advice are these…’ Storm grinned them and the sharp angles of his face softened, became boyish. He laughed briefly, still gazing at Jess, who couldn’t help returning his infectious smile. Theo nodded at her slightly then leaning into the mic, he spoke his final words. ‘’Be excellent to each other… and party on,dudes.’’

Jess was still gigglingas she made her way back to the art department. Theo Storm was rich, gorgeous and as funny as hell. The whole package, she sighed, almost with longing. She relayed what had happened to an appreciativeGerry.

‘Well, you got your wish,’ he said before returning to his work. Jess sighed, flushing slightly. Almost. Her mind flittered back to that moment in the corridor, that feral need inside of her for Storm to take her in his armsand…

‘An Art Department with its own living, breathing work ofart.’

His voice made her start, spin around. Theo Storm was leaning on the doorframe, grinning ather.

‘Hey,’Theo couldn’t help from chuckling at her painedexpression.

‘Um….hi.’ She had a low voice, almost a purr and it made his pulse quicken and his groin tighten. She was achingly beautiful: big brown eyes, long dark hair, and a curvy figure but it wasn’t that which drew Theo to this young stranger. It was her sense of humor, and her obviousintelligence.

He wasaware he was staring and her face was becoming redder and redder from his intense scrutiny. He stepped towards her and saw her quiver, glancing into an office at the side of the big room. He saw a middle-aged man bent over his desk. Theo looked back at the girl and held out hishand.

‘Come with me.’He was gratified when, despite a little hesitation, she slid her little hand into his and allowed him to lead her out of theroom

Jess hadno idea where he was taking her. All she knew was she would follow him anywhere. He led her outside to a waiting limo, opened the door for him and she slid into the back seat as if in a daze. He got in beside her and spoke to the driver, who nodded then put up the privacy screen. Theo smiled at her, touching his finger to hercheek.

‘Hey there, I’m Theo.’

She swallowed, wanting to lean into his touch. ‘Jess…I’mJess.’

Next to him, she felt tiny, dwarfed as he moved his body closer, his palm cradling herface.

‘Hi Jess…’ he whispered, his face close to hers and then his mouth was on hers. She sank into the kiss, his soft lips moving against hers tenderly, his tongue gently exploring hers. She moaned softly and his kiss grew rougher, his breathing as laboured as hers. He pulled her onto his lap and she curved her arms around his neck as his hands slid around her waist, his big thumbs stroking her belly in a way that made herweak.

‘Christ, you’re beautiful,’he murmured against her mouth. She opened her eyes to find him gazing at her with clear green eyes. She gasped slightly as his hand slid between her legs, caressed her through the cotton of herpanties.

‘Iwant you,’Theo Storm told her and every cell in her body melted at his words. She nodded, wanting him to tell hermore.

‘We’re going to my apartment, Jess, and when we get there, I’m going to peel that dress from your glorious body and fuck you all night long. You are mine now,understand?’

She nodded, breathless, speechless. Was this really happening? If it was a dream, then she didn’t want it to end. She wanted this man to possess her completely, to never wake up from it. He kissed her again, a long, intoxicating kiss that made her head spin and then the limo wasstopping.

She didn’t rememberhow they got from the car to the elevator, all she knew was that once inside, Theo drew the spaghetti strap of her dress down and exposed her left breast, catching the nipple in his mouth and sucking on it. She gasped at the feeling and felt her legs quiver. She tentatively slid her hand down to his groin, the feel of his thick heavy cock huge against her hand and the hot length of it thrilling her. Theo moaned at her touch and smiled down ather.

‘It will beinside you very, very soon, Jessica.’ His hand, stroking her already wet panties, slipped inside the cotton and his fingers started to rub her clit, sliding along her cleft to her sex. He slid two fingers into her, moving them in and out of her. Jess’s head was swimming now and she barely heard the elevator stop. Theo swung her up into his arms and kissed her as he carried to her towards what she supposed was his bedroom. He set her on her feet and true to his word, he unhooked the dress from her shoulders and let it slither to the floor. He dropped to his knees, burying his face in her soft belly and she felt his tongue circle and dipped into her navel, his lips against her skin. God, she wanted him so badly. She tugged at him and he laughed at her impatience, sweeping her onto the bed. He stroked her facetenderly.

‘Okay,but this is the last time you get to set the rules, my Jess.’ She heard him unzip his fly, heard the condom snap on then he was pushing her legs apart and he plunged his huge cock into her. Jess almost screamed with pleasure as he fucked her harder and harder, her legs curling around him as she rode him. He pinned her hands above her head, his hips grinding into hers so roughly she felt pain but she didn’t care, she wanted to take all of him in, feeling him pounding her into otherworldly pleasure. She came again and again, but he kept on, his massive cock driving into her deeper and deeper until she was crying with pleasure. She felt him come, finally, his amazing body jerking and shuddering with the force of his climax. He stayed inside her as he shivered to a stop and then kissed her so passionately that it made her headswim.

‘Jessie, Jessie, Jessie…’The way he spoke her name, a name no-one else called her, in a way was so intimate, so tender that she wanted to cry. He buried his face in her full breasts, breathing her in, catching his own breath. She cradled his head for a moment then as he shifted so he could look at her, she placed her palms flat against his immense, hard chest, marvelling at the feel of his solid body. His face had softened from the sharp angles of his arousal now and he smiled down ather.

‘Well,hello.’

She chuckled. ‘Hello,’ she suddenly felt shy, ridiculously, incongruously. Theo brushed her lips withhis.

‘Jessica… I wanted you from the minute I saw you in that hallway. This morning I had a wicked hangover and a speech to give. I didn’t expect to find agoddess.’

She blushed furiouslyat his words and suddenly felt vulnerable. Was he giving her a line? Why bother now he’d already hadher?