"I have to warn you that I'm an exacting taskmaster," Jack said.
She met his stare.
He curved a smile. "Well?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way," she assured him.
"So, do we have a deal?"
"We have a deal," she confirmed.
"It's usual to shake hands on a deal."
And touch him?
"I'll meet you halfway," he said.
They came together like a force of nature, and shaking hands was the last thing on their minds. Instead, it was a crazy ride to see who could get the other's clothes off first. Jack won. She had no complaint. Just to feel his naked skin next to hers—so hot, so hard, and to feel those big, sensitive hands on her body again, was all she had ever wanted.
"Would you like to pay the first year's lease now?" he suggested.
"Only the first year?"
"You do remember that the lease is for a hundred years?"
"Then you'd better make a start," she agreed.
She laughed with excitement when he walked her backwards towards the table. "On the table?" she queried.
"Why not?" Jack shrugged. "There are so many surfaces to trial, we should make a start."
The table was okay. In fact, it was great. The big, fluffy rug on the floor was better, and the small table against the wall wasn't bad, either. But even with Jack's big hands supporting her buttocks, there had to be more comfortable places to do this.
The pool table in one corner of the library proved to be one such, as did the Chesterfield sofa—in fact, that was a great choice. Would she ever make it across the room and up the stairs to her bedroom? That seemed unlikely as Jack bent her over the arm of the sofa...and, anyway, what was the rush?
Finally, Jack said, "We need a bed"
If Jack wanted to continue this in bed, who was she to argue?
They made it halfway up the stairs. The carpet was a little worn, and he might have to rub some cream into her carpet burn later, but it was more than worth it.
But it still wasn't enough.
They were both laughing as Jack dropped her on the bed. "At last," he groaned, pulling her on top of him. "Now we can get serious."
"What have we been doing up to now?"
"Warming up," he said. "Now, take your clothes off nice and slow."
She had barely started when Jack dragged her close. "You're too beautiful to do that on your own. You need help."
"Do I?"
Making short work of her clothes, Jack moved down the bed so he could ease her legs over his shoulders. She was right on the edge when he pulled away.
"Hold that thought."
"What?"