His Luna Warrior

Chapter Four: Organizing The Game Plan

Adam

“Adam…” Jadea moaned against my mouth. She had my back pressed against the wall, her luscious curves pressing against me. Her lips moved with mine, our hands dancing under each other’s clothes.

One of her hands fisted in my hair, pulling just hard enough to sting, forcing my neck open for her. She attacked and I couldn’t help but fall further under her spell. I was hard and aching for her in ways I had never ached for a woman before. I heard my voice, the guttural moans she ripped from my body but I didn’t care.

Her other hand tugged at my pants until she had me exposed and she cupped me in the palm of her hand. I nearly choked at the sensations rocketing through me.

Before I’d had time to get used to her touch, she was easing herself down my body until her hot breath washed over me. My heart was racing, my blood burning, my whole body aching for that sweet release. I stared down at her, wondering how I’d gotten so lucky. Those light green, haunting eyes looked up at me mischievously right before those glorious lips were about to close around me—

I woke with a start, my alarm blaring in my ear.

Fucking hell!

I scrubbed a hand over my face so frustrated the alarm clock interrupted that dream. It was the first good one I’d had in weeks. Hell, possibly even months.

Sighing heavily, I pushed the sheets below my hips and moved my briefs out of the way before gripping the hard length of myself. I groaned as a bolt of pleasure ripped through me.

It had been a very long time since I’d last felt the need to jerk myself off and it had been even longer since I’d been with a woman. Closing my eyes, I imagined Jadea here…

A strangled moan escaped me as I busted all over myself. The burning desire was curbed for now, but I doubted it would go away completely. There was just something about Jadea. I’d felt an instant connection with her, one I’d never felt before with anyone else. One I couldn’t explain or reason with.

And it was dangerous.

I’d nearly been ripped apart by my ex and I had never felt such as strong of a connection with her. Jadea… she was trouble with a capita T. No matter how right she felt, it was just a passing infatuation. She caught my attention because she was beautiful, different. These emotions I was feeling would diminish over time, just like everything else in my life.

***Flashback***

“You are poisonous Leila!” I yelled. “I give and give and give myself to you and yet you are still so ungrateful. I have sacrificed my life, my career to make you happy, to make this—“ I motioned between us “—work.”

“What do you mean to make this work!? You only married me because I got pregnant with your kid! You never wanted to be with me in the first place. You made your choice. You! Married! Me!”

“I did the responsible thing!”

“You did a selfish thing! And now we are both stuck in a loveless marriage neither of us wanted!”

“Well if you didn’t want to marry me then why did you agree!?”

“Because I was scared!”

“No! You wanted someone you could control!”

“Let me make myself clear,” she whispered venomously. “I took pity on you because no one else would want you!” She snarled looking me up and down, reminding me of every single flaw I had. I knew I wasn’t anyone’s first pick, but I was sure I could have been happy with someone else…

“You don’t know that,” I growled back.

She smirked. “I’ll make you a wager. If you can get someone, anyone that is my equal into your bed tonight, we will get a nice quiet divorce and go our separate ways, because that’s what you want right? Freedom?”

“And if I am unsuccessful?”

“You will be forever tied to me. You will not bring up this subject ever again. Because I know I am the best you will ever have.”

***End Flashback***

It had sounded so fantastic at the time. But I’d been put in my place that night.

I was a nobody. Had always been a nobody. Unloved. Unwanted. Even by the one person who should have loved me till death parted us.

So why even try with Jadea? Why open what little of myself I had left only to be ripped apart and left for dead?

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself that was Leila talking. Her poisonous words continuing to cut deep wounds into my heart and soul. Continuing to rip my self esteem to shreds.

After getting up, cleaning myself off and getting dressed, I checked in on Aidan and Anika. Both were still fast asleep. Smiling at their angelic faces, I made my way to the office where I booted up my computer. The contract was there, waiting in my inbox just like Rick, their lawyer had explained the evening before. It was best I took care of this now before the littles woke up, because once their energetic butts were out of bed I wouldn’t have a chance to read it until they went to bed that night. They didn’t have summer school today.

Opening the contract, I read through it carefully. It was pretty straightforward. Rick had run through it with me yesterday and there hadn’t been any disconcerting aspects then, and there were none now. Clicking a few buttons, I electronically signed the contract and sent it back to Rick. As long as there were no glitches, everything would be official by mid day. And by the end of the day, I would have $5 grand in my bank account.

I knew I wouldn’t feel quite so tense after the money was in my account. Until then, Jadea and her band had the power to withdraw their offer still.

It felt like years before noon came and went. Every minute that ticked by, I was almost certain I would get a call saying they had reconsidered.

When my phone pinged with a text message from an unknown number, I hesitantly opened it.

Hey Adam, it’s Garret. We were wondering if you would be able to come by tomorrow so we can start going over a timeline and give you our ideas and places we would like to visit while here in the Golden State?

It took a moment for my heart to start again. I had been certain they were going to fire me before I’d ever been hired.

Yes, I can.

Awesome! We are all usually up early… I would say you can come anytime after 8.

Then I’ll plan to be there around 9.

Sounds good. We will see you then.

Pulling up my account information, I saw the $5 grand had been transferred successfully. My ever self-doubting inner voice was silenced for a moment and I believed my life was finally taking a turn for the better. This was the break I’d been looking for for so long.

The kids and I took a trip to the store so I could purchase a few items I would need: planners, notebooks, pens. The necessities to see this job through. When we got back home, I immediately went to work jotting down my own ideas. I knew the Stanislaus County Fair was going on this coming week. They usually had some fun events every night. If they went for it, that would give me a week to plan out the rest of their stay.

The following morning I took the kids to school, treated myself to a coffee and then headed over to the residence of my in-between, life saving job.

Garret met me at the door this time and I found myself back at the dining room table surrounded by the band members again with the exception of Jadea.

“Jadea won’t be joining us today and sends her apologies.”

“Should I message her later and ask her what places she would be interested in going and what activities she would like to do?”

“No need,” Garret continued. “She gave me her list before she left.”

That was probably for the better anyway. “Ok. So, I guess Garret, we will start with you.”

As he spoke, I took notes and then we went around the table. The places and activities included Yosemite, visiting San Jose, San Francisco, Monterey Bay Aquarium, bowling, going to a fair, going to a rodeo, visiting Lake Tahoe, amongst several other ideas.

“We don’t expect you to be able to fit everything in the two months we will be here,” Briar stated.

“And we will give you a few days to get the ball rolling,” Derrick added.

“About that. The Stanislaus County Fair is starting this next week. If it is ok with you, I would like to start with that? Starting on Wednesday they have big events in the evenings: a rodeo, tractor pulls, monster trucks, that sort of stuff.”

“Perfect!” Briar exclaimed excitedly. She had been the one to ask after the fair.

Garret pulled a credit card out of his pocket and extended it to me. “Here is the credit card we had mentioned before. Don’t be afraid to use it. The limit on it is $50k. If, you reach the max, let us know and we will take care of it.” If I reached the max? Hell! What were these guys? All millionaires? I wish I could waste money like that I thought as I reached for the card. “The pin is the first four digits of the card number. We tried to keep it simple.

“And,” he added sliding a manilla envelope towards me, “here are a few babysitters and nannies we have found who are available for the two months we are here. All of them can do overnight and/or multiple nights in a row. They have all passed background checks and we have also pre-screened them. Take a look through them and let us know if you would like to meet with any of them. Or, if you have your own sitter in mind, we can get you all set up and pay for him or her in advance.”

Wow! They hadn’t been kidding. “Thank you. And, no, I don’t have a sitter.”

“May I suggest Mrs. Lindsay then,” Garret offered, nodding to the manilla folder. “In my opinion she is the best pick out of all of them.”

Nodding my acknowledgment, I said, “Well then, is there anything else I can do?” When they all shook their heads I continued, “Then, I guess I will head on out.”

Garret stood to walk me out. “Please, message me later today or tomorrow and let me know who you would prefer. I can get you an interview with any of them—

“You know Garret, I trust you.” I handed back the manilla envelope right as I stepped outside. It went against everything I’d learned over the years, of trusting others. Leila had nearly destroyed that part of me. For some reason, though, I felt I could trust Garret and his judgement. Those eyes looked like they could cut straight through bull s**t and lies. And, he’d done background checks on all of the candidates. “Call up Mrs. Lindsay and tell her she’s got the job.”

“Alright then, if you are sure?”

“Yes, I am. And if any of you think of anything else you would like me to add, please feel free to message or call me,” I said, taking a step back away from the door, still facing Garret. Right as I was about to turn to walk away, I felt it.

Felt the air shift.

Felt time itself slowing down.

And as I turned I realized too late what was going to happen.

I ran face first into Jadea.

I jumped back, my eyes immediately going to the ground, my shoulders stiffening, waiting for the insults to fly. When that didn't happen, I looked up at her. The sight standing before me was enough to take my breath away.

My gaze moved from her feet up. She was dressed in tight, sleek yoga pants and a black sports bra. Her body and curves were on full display. Her midriff was exposed and sporting a six pack. She was glistening with sweat, as if she’d just finished a vigorous work out.

“Adam,” she greeted a bit coolly, her eyes connecting with mine briefly before moving past me to Garret. In the depths of her eyes I could see frustration and I wasn’t sure if I was the cause.

She breezed on by without a second glance and I couldn’t help but feel a bit hurt by her aloofness. My heart felt the blow too. Which was ridiculous. And only reiterated what Leila had driven home a few years ago.

Besides, she was my boss.

It was better this way. Knowing there was never a chance because I now worked for her. I couldn’t afford to lose this job just because she was the first woman I wanted to d**k down since Leila.

So why was my heart aching so much from the prospect of having only a professional work relationship with her?