9. Jim

Jim

" T hank you, but it's fine, I can call an Uber."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Jorden, there's no Ubers here, you're smack dab in the middle of nowhere in a town so small it's only a dot on a map. Let me give you a ride home."

She hesitated for a second, and I wondered if I was going to have to throw her over my shoulder and take her to my truck myself.

"Okay," she said finally. "Thank you."

"I'm parked over here," I said, touching her elbow to direct her before moving my hand away.

We walked across the lot towards my truck. It was a beast, something I'd purchased when I was younger and more easily impressed by large trucks, but it was still in good condition and completely paid for, so I'd held onto it.

"I'm going to need a step ladder to get in," Jordan joked as I opened up the passenger side door for her.

I could have pointed out that there was a little step partway up as well as a grab bar to help her get in, but instead I placed my hands on either side of her waist and boosted her up into the seat. She made a little squeaking noise as her feet left the ground.

"Give a person a warning first," she grumbled.

"Sorry about that."

As she settled into the truck I closed the door and jogged over to the driver's side. Jordan was fumbling with the seat belt, and I took it from her hand and snapped her in.

"There you go," I said, giving her a bright smile as I started the truck and put it in gear.

"Do you need directions?" she asked.

"Nope, I know right where you are."

We headed through town, passing the strip of stores that made up the main drag. As we drove, the air in the cab seemed to get hotter by the minute, electricity snapping in the air the way it did before a big thunderstorm. But it wasn't the weather causing the change in atmosphere in my truck, it was us being close together in tight quarters. When I saw Jordan stretch her collar away from her neck a few times like she was overheating, I knew she felt it too.

It didn't take long to get to her apartment building. I eyed the squat building with distaste. It looked like no one had updated anything in this place since I was a kid. I bit my tongue to resist telling her that she couldn't stay here. I had no right to tell her what to do. Yet.

Pulling into a parking spot, I turned off the engine.

"Hold on, I'll help you."

She opened the door but waited for me, which made me feel inordinately happy. I reached for her waist and lifted her down, accidentally on purpose dragging her body against mine on the way down. It was a quiet night, and I heard her sharp inhale as our bodies slid against each other.

When her feet hit the ground I told myself to step back, but my legs didn't seem to want to move. I stared down at Jordan, my hands on her waist. She looked up at me with wide eyes, her breath sounding ragged.

"There's something about you Jordan," I whispered. "Something that makes me want to take you home and keep you with me forever."

She made a show of laughing, as if I was joking, but when I continued to stare at her, she got serious again.

"I don't know if you're just playing with me or what…," she started, her eyes showing her confusion.

"I'm not playing with you," I interrupted. "The minute I laid eyes on you I was attracted to you. But it's more than that, I felt a strong connection. Don't you feel it too?"

"You're too young for me," she protested. "And I'm your boss."

"I'm not hearing you say you're not attracted to me too," I pointed out.

"It doesn't matter," she said, but she sounded unsure, like she was trying to convince us both.

I lifted a hand to cup her cheek. Her skin was soft against my palm and instead of pulling away, she leaned into my palm. Jordan licked her lips, and my gaze fixed on her mouth. When I slid my thumb along her lower lip, she let out a soft gasp.

"I'm going to kiss you now," I said, moving slowly, giving her time to move away.

When she didn't move away, I touched my lips against hers. We stood stock still for what felt like hours, then I pressed a little firmer and slid the tip of my tongue against the seam of her lips. She groaned, opening for me, then her arms flew around my waist, pulling me close enough that her large breasts flattened against my chest.

I kissed her like it was the only chance I would ever get, pouring all my emotions into the connection between our mouths. Jordan was no passive participant. Her tongue swirled around mine and her fingers ran up my back and down again before sliding underneath my tee shirt to explore the skin of my back. My skin burned everywhere she touched.

I wanted to kiss her forever. I also wanted to suggest we go into her apartment and finish what we started. But I knew instinctively that she would freak out if we took this any farther, so I gentled the kiss, then slowly pulled back. She made a tiny noise of protest that went right to my already rock hard cock.

"We better stop before we do something we're not ready for," I said.

Her eyes widened as her mind caught up with her body. The regret in her gaze hit me right in the gut. When she opened her mouth, I pressed my finger against her lips.

"Don't tell me it was a mistake Jordan, nothing that feels like that is a mistake."

"I shouldn't have let that happen. Not when you're my employee, and especially not when you're so young."

I was tempted to argue with her, but now wasn't the time. Instead I grabbed her hand and walked her to her front door, pulling her in for a quick hug once she opened the door.

"I'll pick you up at seven thirty," I told her.

"What?" This close I noticed that she got a little crease between her eyebrows when she frowned.

"Your car is still at LJ's, remember? You'll need a ride to work."

"Oh, I…," she paused, clearly looking for a different solution.

"I'll see you at seven thirty," I said, making my voice deep and firm. "Now lock that door behind you."