Finding You Read online

  “Hey, easy,” Josh said, refilling the glass.

  “Do you know anything about these people Dad wants me to meet?” she asked.

  “I saw them when they arrived. They’re in Dad’s study. You want to go introduce yourself?” he asked.

  “Isn’t that what dinner is for? If it was a formal gathering I’m sure it could’ve waited until tomorrow at the office.”

  Josh nodded in agreement.

  “I need some air, someone call me when it’s time.” Dinner was at seven and they had arrived a few minutes early. She needed to get Jesse out of her head.

  “You want some company?” Jaime asked.

  Devlin laughed, thinking she was joking. When she saw the serious expression on Jaime’s face, she shook her head. “Oh uh, no, thanks.”

  They were more like friends at that point. The need for closeness had varnished long ago, but at times Jaime surprised Devlin when out of nowhere she made it appear as if she wanted more. Then again, Devlin also wanted to put up a happy face for her family’s benefit, just not at that particular moment.

  She slowly sipped on her wine now when she had a moment alone and took a deep breath, enjoying the cool evening breeze. She loved the balcony because it was in a large open space but somehow still private. When someone was out there, it was difficult for a person in the house to notice a presence. Perhaps because even if the partition was a sliding glass door, it was heavily curtained by drapes.

  There wasn’t much of a view, just a spacious green yard where Devlin fondly remembered playing with her siblings when they’d been younger.

  “I hope you don’t mind me smoking,” a familiar voice said and Devlin thought her mind was playing tricks on her.

  “Not at all,” she said in nonchalance.

  “Devlin?”

  She turned around in surprise and met the eyes of the woman who had taunted her since their last meeting.

  Jesse seemed equally as shocked by the encounter.

  “What’re you doing here?” Devlin asked.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” Jesse countered.

  “Is this a joke or something?”

  The confusion on Jesse’s face said otherwise.

  They stared at each other for a while, then Jesse said, “This is your house, these people, the Daniels’, they’re your family?”

  Then it occurred to Devlin. “You’re my father’s business associate.”

  They both silently absorbed the information then a smile broke on Jesse’s lips. “Guess fate doesn’t want us to part.”

  In their encounters, the two had never spoken much. Devlin had known Jesse was successful, but she’d figured it’d be less complicated for both of them if they never exchanged personal information. Now she wondered if that had been a smart idea, seeing as what it had led to.

  “Cat got your tongue?” Jesse asked in amusement.

  She was dressed in formal wear, and was such a stunning creature Devlin couldn’t take her eyes off of her. Jesse walked up to her and took the drink in Devlin’s hand.

  She’d already lit a cigarette which was now burning out in her hand. She took a sip of the wine, then slowly ran her tongue around those full red lips which were no longer swollen from their intense afternoon of their impassioned and unbridled love making.

  Jesse took a step closer to her and Devlin inhaled her sweet intoxicating scent. She’d gotten used to it over the couple of weeks and in her mind, it represented those moments of madness when she allowed herself to let go.

  She’d bid Jesse farewell that evening hoping it was for good, but now, being in her presence made Devlin want to abandon all reason and take Jesse right there. The only thing was, her family and her girlfriend were right in the other room.

  Jesse took a dangerously close step to her and Devlin held her breath. “Last time you were this nervous was the first time I touched you,” Jesse said in a low sensual voice. “We spent the entire weekend in bed. By the time we were done, one would’ve said you were the one who seduced me. You were insatiable.”

  Devlin remembered it all too well. “Jesse,” she mouthed breathlessly.

  “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  Before Devlin could stop her, Jesse leaned forward and captured Devlin’s lips in a kiss. Her lips were soft and possessive, and Devlin found herself automatically responding and feeling everything she was trying so hard to fight. The problem was, it all felt too amazingly good.

  Jesse plunged her tongue in Devlin’s mouth and a hazy swirl of desire consumed her as her body reacted to the sensations Jesse was provoking in her. Devlin sighed softly as Jesse’s lips moved over hers with ease and a bit of restraint.

  Their bodies came close as heat traveled back and forth between them and Jesse broke the kiss, exhaled raggedly as though she’d been holding her breath. “I need to feel you inside me again,” she whispered against Devlin’s mouth.

  The words hit Devlin’s core so hard, her entire being shuddered. She moved her hand over Jesse’s belly, eagerly anticipating undoing the buttons on the light white formal shirt she had on.

  They were interrupted by someone trying to get past the drapes, and quickly moved apart. Caitlin appeared, her face still buried in her phone and said, “They say it’s time for dinner.”

  She got back before she looked up at them and Devlin was relieved because anyone else would’ve noticed the raw sexual desire between them.

  “I must-,” Devlin said, but wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. She was still aroused and wanted to create as much distance from Jesse as possible in attempts to cool herself down.

  She was glad the dining room was in a whole other area away from the living room because it gave her space to compose herself. She found everyone seated and took a seat next to Jaime.

  “Hey Dad,” like Josh, she saw him quite often at the office therefore it was unnecessary to be overly affectionate.

  “Devlin,” he acknowledged her.

  A minute later, Jesse calmly walked into the room and Devlin avoided making eye contact as she sat next to some male stranger Devlin hadn’t taken note of before.

  “Oh, Ms. Mathews, welcome back. I’d like to introduce you both to my family. You already met Josh, Caitlin and my wife, Lily, when you arrived. This is my daughter Devlin and her girlfriend, Jaime Stein,” Devlin’s dad, Peter, said in introduction.

  Devlin met Jesse’s gaze. She’d never mentioned having a girlfriend before and wondered what went through Jesse’s mind at the knowledge.

  “Devlin, Jaime, this is Jesse Mathews and Michael Andrews,” he added.

  Devlin couldn’t help wondering if Michael had any form of a personal relationship to Jesse.

  “Actually, Devlin and I already met,” Jesse said and Devlin looked at her in shock, wondering if she was about to reveal the two had been sleeping together. “Outside, several minutes ago.” She paused long enough to almost give Devlin a panic attack.

  “Good, I’m glad we’re all acquainted now,” Peter said, indicating they’d discuss business after dinner.

  A moment later, the food was brought by one of the housekeeper’s and in a few minutes, they were all serving themselves to the scrumptious looking meal.

  “Would you like some more wine?” Jaime asked her and Devlin remembered she’d left Jesse with her glass. Noticing she was still using it when their gazes met, Devlin shook her head.

  “I’m fine, thanks,” she said.

  Every time she made eye contact with Jesse, her mind flew back to their moment at the balcony and warm sensations paraded through her. She noticed Jesse kept her gaze on her as well, and only looked away when Peter or anyone else at the table addressed conversation to her and Michael.

  “May I ask what you do for a living, Jaime?” Jesse asked.

  Devlin pretended not to care as Jaime answered. “I’m an artist, mostly painting.”

  “Jesse, are you and Michael in business together? Or is there more between you?” Josh asked the same question
Devlin had been dying to know.

  “We’re partners, I guess you could say in everything,” Michael said.

  An unpleasant jolt went through Devlin at the bit of information. She looked at Jesse, who was still keeping her gaze on her. She didn’t know how to read her. So they had both kept things from each other.

  “Oh, I see,” Josh’s answer made Devlin look at him and she noticed, sympathetically, her brother had developed a crush on their stunning guest.

  He seemed less interested in the conversation after that. Caitlin appeared to be in a world of her own, but at least she was cordial enough not to be on her phone during dinner. Lily, her mother, mostly carried out conversation with Peter and their two guests while Jaime quietly ate beside her.

  At the end, it felt like the longest meal they’d ever had.

  After dinner and dessert, Peter and Devlin went to a different room in the house accompanied by Jesse and Michael. She’d tried not to delve into questions about Jesse’s business during dinner and was now eager to learn what her father wanted her to get involved in.

  Her family business had started small with her grandfather and had successfully grown over time. Offering security at a commercial level to large scale businesses was very lucrative.

  The types of business security systems they offered depended on a building’s configuration. From that point forward they sent workers to the site to collect data and check for all the necessary information needed, then within days, weeks or months, equipment was purchased and the company sent a whole other department for installation.

  As the vice chairman, Devlin was mostly in charge of meeting with new and potential clients and making sure deals went through. Her father handled the big clients and the large businesses.

  The company offered comprehensive services, which mostly included video surveillance systems, fire alarm systems, security alarm systems, access control, wireless sensors, remote monitoring among others.

  “Ms. Mathews and Mr. Andrews are interested in our security services for their businesses,” Peter addressed Devlin.

  “What kind of businesses?” she asked.

  “Jesse and I own a chain of hotels, restaurants and a couple of casinos around the country. We’re not entirely happy with the services we receive from our current security provider and we’re looking for a new company,” Michael said.

  Devlin was surprised by how successful Jesse actually was, but she failed to physically show it and went straight to business, knowing how much this kind of opportunity could potentially bring in. Her father had a talent for pulling in that kind of work to the company.

  “Michael is traveling in a couple of hours, which is why we decided to have dinner on such short notice to discuss what we can do for the business,” Peter said.

  “I handle the hotels and restaurants while Michael takes care of the casinos,” Jesse said. “I suppose you and I will be collaborating together.”

  Since it was such a huge business opportunity, there was no way Devlin could turn it down. They discussed it further, with all of them sharing ideas and about an hour later, they wound down.

  When they rejoined everyone in the family room, Jesse and Michael were on their way out. They bid their goodbyes and Devlin and her father, escorted them to the door.

  “Come over tonight,” Jesse whispered to Devlin.

  Peter and Michael were involved in a conversation neither Jesse nor Devlin were interested in so they didn’t pay them much attention.

  “I can’t,” Devlin said, even though deep down she wanted to. “We ended things today, remember?”

  Jesse brushed her shoulder against Devlin’s. “Did we?”

  They had left it at an impasse. Even Devlin wasn’t sure it was truly over.

  The thing about Jesse, Devlin had come to learn, was that she didn’t flirt. She said what was on her mind and took what she wanted when it pleased her.

  “Don’t you feel guilty for cheating on him?” she asked.

  Jesse shook her head. “We have an arrangement.”

  She was curious to know more, but didn’t ask as they approached the door.

  “My assistant will contact yours to schedule a meeting at my office tomorrow,” Devlin said when they were all together.

  They shook hands and a moment later, walked out. Devlin and her father rejoined the others but since she was exhausted and her body was still in a state of confusion, she and Jaime left.

  “How did it go?” Jaime asked on their way to the loft.

  “It was okay. A lot of work for the company if they like our ideas and decide to sign us, but it’ll be good and challenging.”

  “Are you going to be the one in charge?”

  Devlin nodded.

  “The lady, Ms. Mathews, seemed very curious about you,” Jaime said.

  Devlin didn’t physically react, but her heart picked up pace. “Probably because she was wondering if she wanted to work with me.”

  “I doubt that’s it. She didn’t seem much interested in anyone else at the table.”

  “You seem to have been quite observant tonight,” Devlin said.

  “When such an attractive woman expresses so much interest in my girlfriend, I have to be.”

  Devlin looked at her and scoffed. “Ironic how selective your attention can be.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Jaime asked, turning to face her.

  “Look, I’m really tired. I just want to get home, take a quick shower and sleep.”

  “Maybe we should try spending some more time together,” Jaime suggested. “We both love what we do, but we love each other more. We can try and take some time off and maybe go somewhere, like a romantic getaway.”

  Devlin would have been happy to do something like that over a year and a half ago when she’d actually been genuinely interested in saving their doomed relationship, but at that moment she had too much on her plate. “I just got a huge project. I can’t do that right now.”

  “How long do you suppose it’ll last?”

  Her sudden interest in Devlin’s work was suspicious. If she’d noticed any type of chemistry between Devlin and Jesse, it was unclear. Since Devlin wasn’t used to her expressing so much interest, she shrugged it off. “I don’t know. They own hotels, restaurants and casinos. I’m not sure what exactly they want us to work on.”

  “They sound successful.”

  Devlin remembered the soft satin sheets on Jesse’s bed in her luxurious apartment and failed to comment. The rest of the drive was mostly quiet and Devlin was happy when they finally got home.

  Chapter 3

  “When was the last time you let someone touch you, Devlin?” Jesse asked in the hotel room after their first night of wild sex.

  Devlin looked uncomfortable at the question. “Do we have to talk?” she asked.

  Jesse smiled and shook her head. “What would you like to do instead?”

  Devlin got on top of her and pressed her lips against Jesse’s. She’d picked up a lot of women in the past. Some lasted a night, some a day, she wasn’t sure how long she wanted to spend with Devlin quite yet.

  The woman was an incredible sight. She had long golden hair, bright grey eyes and a mouth Jesse couldn’t get enough of. Apart from that, she had an extremely sexy allure, an easy smile and a body that made Jesse feel like she never wanted to touch anyone else.

  The first moment she’d slipped inside Devlin’s warmth, an unusual tightness had enclosed around her and a wave of need had corrupted her insides. She’d wanted so much to please this woman, to feel more of her, to discover the secrets lying hidden within her smooth, velvet skin, on every inch of her body and once she’d witnessed a glimpse of it, something within her had changed.

  She’d undressed Devlin and completely devoured her, wanting desperately to possess her and take everything, even though she’d doubted Devlin would be able to handle it. It had felt so good to touch something so virtuous.

  She’d taken all she could and later on, they�
�d both fallen into a deep slumber. She’d woken up to find Devlin positioned between her thighs with her warm breath playing along the dark nest of her centre. Jesse’s longing had plunged to new heights.

  She groaned when Devlin’s mouth had finally covered her, writhing as sensation after sensation fiercely took a hold of her. After her body had erupted into a powerful orgasm, she’d thought that was it, but Devlin had devoured every other inch of her body, taking complete possession of Jesse until she’d fully surrendered herself.

  She’d always been the one to take, to demand, to possess, but she’d offered Devlin all control that weekend, soaring to heights of pleasure she’d forgotten her body could reach.

  She’d given Devlin her number and asked her to keep the key card so they could meet again, only to find herself even more eager for their next rendezvous.

  When Devlin finally called, it was Wednesday evening. They made plans to meet at the hotel, and when they did, no words were said. Their bodies did all the communication necessary and after spending the night together, they parted ways the following morning.

  The following few days were spent the same way. Jesse couldn’t get enough of Devlin. The things they did together would’ve made the gods frown.

  She’d known it’d eventually come to an end, but she’d hoped for more time. She hadn’t been prepared for Devlin to end it so soon, and hadn’t expected the shocking disappointing blow it had delivered.

  At the same time, she’d known it was the best thing to do because she’d started feeling things that were unfamiliar and that wasn’t the type of situation she’d been looking to get into.

  Now she was headed to meet her for business, something she was still unprepared for. Their chance meeting the previous night had surprised her. Michael was the one who’d set it up and Jesse had found it odd it was taking place at someone’s home. She hadn’t expected to see Devlin so soon after they’d parted ways, much less meet her girlfriend and entire family.

  Their mutual attraction was undeniable and Jesse found it hard to control herself because this woman had entered parts of her she hadn’t been aware she had.