Taking It All Read online

  The all clamored for answers to questions that Leon didn't indulge, not even for a moment. Jade held her arm in front of her eyes as Leon led her through the crowd and up the stairs. Soon, after passing a team of burly guards in sunglasses who confirmed their identities, the two of them entered the building.

  Jade gasped as the light from the flashbulbs faded from her eyes and she took in the sight of the gorgeous, expansive ballroom. The place was full of fantastically-dressed men and women, and a small symphony in the corner filled the air with light music. Jade scanned the crowd and, to her amazement, found that there were some very, very familiar faces there.

  "Is that…" asked Jade, looking towards a tall man with silver hair surrounded by partygoers.

  "Yep," said Leon. "That's the mayor."

  As Jade continued looking through the crowd, she spotted even more familiar faces. Some were bigwigs in the New York business scene, some were well-known politicians, and some were actors and models.

  "I have to admit," she said. "I'm kind of feeling like the biggest fish out of water of all time, here."

  "You're doing fine," said Leon. "Just don't ask anyone for their autograph."

  He then flashed Jade a smart-assey half-smile and nudged her playfully with his elbow.

  "Please," said Jade, returning the smile. "I'm not that much of a small-town yokel."

  "I don't know," he said. "You can take the Midwest out of the girl…"

  "I think you're forgetting that I'm a middle-class brat and not a farm girl."

  "Well, just as long as you don't invite a state senator to a cow-tipping, I think we'll be fine."

  "I'm not making any promises," said Jade.

  With that, the two of them began their evening. Leon led Jade through the party, introducing her to the who's-who of the city. Jade was at first totally overwhelmed, but by the time Leon brought her over to the mayor, she was a little more warmed up to the idea. Still, she couldn't believe that Leon was on a first-name basis with so many of these people.

  They drank champagne, had delicious food from the trays of the passing waiters, and after a time, Jade went from feeling in over her head to having a pretty good time. After a time, the attendees took their seats at the many large, circular tables in the ballroom and dinner began. During the meal, a series of speakers took the stage, all discussing Mr. Delahunt, Leon's mentor. Evidently, it had been one year since his passing and the gathering was a celebration of his life.

  Then, to Jade's shock, as the applause from one of the speakers died down after his turn at the podium, the MC announced the next speaker.

  It was Leon.

  He stood up to raucous applause, striding onto the stage like he owned the place. Her eyes wide with surprise, Jade settled into her seat and listened to Leon's speech. Just as she would've guessed, he was a wonderful orator. He was funny, serious when he needed to be, and always engaging. He took the audience through his years with Mr. Delahunt, sharing with the crowd how this man took a chance on a kid from the streets like Leon, giving him the opportunities that he needed to live up to the potential that Mr. Delahunt evidently saw in him.

  By the time he was done, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

  The rest of the evening went wonderfully, and by the time midnight approached, Leon took Jade aside and whispered something gently into her ear.

  "I'm tired of sharing you with the rest of these people," he said. "I think I'm ready to make you all mine."

  They were the precise words that Jade wanted to hear.

  "Then we should probably get out of here," she said, a sly smile forming on her lips.

  Leon nodded and called for the limo.

  By the time they climbed into the back, the two of them were all over one another. The city passing by through the windows of the limo, Jade and Leon kissed like they were back in college, kissing with such eagerness and passion that they seemed to be on the verge of devouring one another.

  The events of the evening rushed through Jade, adding to the buzz from the many glasses of champagne.

  "One sec," said Leon.

  He pressed the call button for the driver.

  "Mitchell," he said. "Take the long way back."

  "You got it, sir," came the voice on the other end.

  With that, Leon turned his hungry eyes back to Jade.

  "This is..." she said with a breathy voice as Leon set upon her with kisses. "…is this a bad idea?"

  "I think it's the best idea that we've had since you walked into my office."

  Jade found it hard to argue.

  She closed her eyes as Leon continued to kiss her, the feeling of his lips down her neck and along her collarbone absolutely heavenly. He reached around the back of her dress, undoing the back and pulling it down slowly, revealing the ruby-red, lacy bra that she'd chosen for the evening.

  "Goddamn," he said. "You're fucking gorgeous."

  "Not so bad yourself," she said, running her hands through his thick, blond hair as he kissed her cleavage.

  "It took every bit of restraint I had to not take you to the nearest hidden corner and fuck you right then and there."

  "I think that's frowned upon in those circles," said Jade.

  Leon went back to it, pulling down Jade's bra and exposing her pink nipples, now hard with arousal. He lashed the sensitive skin with licks and kisses, the sensation of his mouth on her driving Jade wild. She moaned and gasped as he attended to her breasts, making her want even more and more. Leon continued downwards, pulling Jade's dress down until it was at her waist. Leon kissed her along her flat stomach, running his hands along the curves of her hips as he did. Once the dress was down to her panties, Leon pulled the entire thing down Jade's legs, leaving her totally nude.

  And once she was naked, just how Leon wanted her, he turned his attention to Jade's legs. He kissed her along the soft skin of her inner thighs, moving closer and closer to her sex. And just when the anticipation was on the verge of driving Jade totally made with passion, Leon began licking her pussy.

  "Oh, fuuuck," she said, the words dripping out of her mouth like honey.

  The feeling of Leon's warm tongue on her pussy pushed Jade to the brink of orgasm nearly immediately. He was beyond skilled in the oral arts, and gave her clitoris the attention that it needed. Finally, after a minute or two of licking and fingering, an orgasm ran through Jade's body, causing her to break out in a full shudder as she filled the back of the limo with moans and wails.

  And by the time it faded, all she could think about was what she needed next.

  Jade's hands moved all over Leon's body, getting him out of his tuxedo as fast as possible. Soon, he was down to nothing but his skin-tight black boxer-briefs, his large cock straining against the fabric. Jade slipped her fingertips down the waistband of the underwear, yanking them down Leon's legs and pulling them off, his huge member springing out. Jade felt her pussy somehow become even wetter than it was before as she took in the sight of Leon's god-like, fully nude body. She'd almost forgotten just how sexy he was. His shoulders were broad and thick, his biceps were ropy and powerful, and his chest seemed to be cut from marble. And that's not to say anything about his perfectly-sculpted abs.

  Jade could hardly control herself. She lunged towards Leon's cock, taking it into her hands and wrapping her mouth around his head. She bobbed down on his prick like she'd never done with any man before, her full, wet lips moving along its many, many inches. She had a brief flashback to her first time taking his cock into her mouth, remembering just what a struggle it had been to accommodate him. But now, like remembering how to ride a bike, she was right at home with it. She sucked and stroked him, bringing Leon to the brink of orgasm.

  But before he could finish, Leon gently pulled Jade up from where she sat, his cock falling out of her mouth with a slight pop. Leon grabbed Jade by the hips and tossed her back onto the soft leather of the limo's seat, her legs opening up for him instinctually. Leon climbed on top of her, gazing down at her for a mo
ment with those stunning blue eyes of his. Leon seemed almost more like a wild animal at that moment than the cool, composed businessman that he normally was.

  "You have no idea how much I've been wanting this," he said, his voice a low purr.

  "Then take it," said Jade.

  He didn't need to hear another word.

  Wrapping his hand around the base of his cock, Leon penetrated Jade, plunging his cock into her so deeply that she felt as though she were being split in half in the best way imaginable. Once he was fully buried in her, Leon held still for the moment, and Jade savored the feeling fullness that only Leon's prick could provide for her.

  Then he began thrusting, shoving his cock into her over and over again, filling Jade in a manner so satisfying that all she could do was hold onto Leon's wide, strong back so firmly that she worried she might dig her nails into his skin deep enough to draw blood. But if it hurt, Leon didn't say a word. He was totally focused on Jade, fucking her harder and harder by the moment penetrating her deeply.

  "Cum in me, baby," she said, her voice breathy. "Please."

  "You want me to fill you up?" he asked.

  "I do, I do," she said, barely able to stand the pleasure.

  "Then beg for it."

  Jade didn't hesitate for a second.

  "Please, please, cum in me," she said. "I need it so goddamn bad."

  And right as the words left her mouth, a second orgasm exploded through her body, starting at her sex and spreading out to the tips of her limbs. And as she came, so did Leon. With a grunt, he emptied himself into her, filling her full with his cum. Jade watched as the muscles of his body tensed, his face in a tight expression of overwhelming pleasure.

  Soon, Leon was spent. He collapsed at Jade's side. The two of them lay in silence for a time, their chests rising and falling as they caught their breaths. And a small smile formed on Jade's face at the thought of being filled with Leon's seed. She was satisfied beyond compare. Jade let her eyes drift to the passing city, part of her not wanting this moment to ever end.

  "I'm a little hungry," said Leon. "How about you?"

  "Now that you mention it," said Jade. "I could go for a bite."

  "Mitchell," said Leon, pressing the speaker button once again. "Take us to Vinnie's on 70th."

  "You got it," came the response.

  The two of them put their clothes back one, Jade not being able to help stealing little glances of Leon's gorgeous body as he dressed. Soon, the limo came to a stop in front of a pizza place decked out in red and green décor. They climbed out of the car, stepping out into the cool evening air. Leon opened the door of the pizza shop for Jade, and as soon as she stepped in the smell of fresh pizza rushed into her nose, her mouth watering instantly.

  Leon greeted the men behind the counter like old friends, and soon after a few slices of perfectly greasy pizza on a couple of paper plates were placed in front of Leon and Jade at their sidewalk table. The two of them laughed and talked as they ate, falling instantly into the sort of easy conversation that Jade had loved about their time together.

  "So," said Leon, taking a sip of his soda, "what's next for the soon-to-be most famous writer in the city?"

  Jade raised her eyebrows.

  "Getting ahead of ourselves, are we?" she asked.

  "Not at all," said Leon. "You heard how many people at the party were interested in the article. They're going to fall all over themselves buying the issue when it comes out. Soon, Jade Ingrid will be the name on all of their lips."

  The idea sent a tinge of anxiety through Jade's stomach.

  "But I can't think of more talented, deserving girl," said Leon. "You're about to get the life that you've worked for."

  Jade, her heart full of happiness, reached over and took Leon's hand into her own.

  "And you are going to be a part of that?" she asked.

  "Well," said Leon. "This all started years ago with me taking you on adventures. And now, I can't think of one I want to go on more."

  Jade smiled. That was that.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Two months later…

  Jade stood on the balcony of Leon's apartment, the early morning air chilly with the first traces of fall. Looking out onto the balcony, she held her cup of coffee close, a smile on her face as she considered the events of the last few months.

  After their night out, Jade and Leon decided without hesitations to give their relationship another shot. Jade was quickly moved into Leon's apartment, and they both feel almost instantly into a comfortable sort of domestic bliss for which they'd both been secretly yearning. Though Oliver was a little surprised by the news, he and Jade became fast friends. She was more than happy to be the mother figure that he'd been missing, and in taking care of him, Jade found a satisfaction deeper than anything she'd ever known.

  Her article was finished a month or so after the final interview, and the word from the editors of the New Yorker couldn't have been better. They loved the piece – so much so, in fact, that they wanted to expand the article into a book-length treatment, with the article serving as a teaser of sorts. They put Jade's agent Ari in touch with one of the biggest publishers in the city, and once they hear about the idea, they were sold on it right away. To Leon's surprise, they felt that his story would make a wonderful non-fiction book.

  "I still don't know what the hell they're talking about," said Leon the night that Jade told him the news from the publisher.

  "Come on," said Jade. "You have to see it – you're from the streets, you made good, and now you're one of the most powerful men in the city. Not to mention a great father, loving boyfriend…incredible in bed…"

  "Maybe keep that last part out," said Leon. "I don't think New York needs to know everything about my life."

  "I don't know," said Jade. "A sex scene here and there might do wonders for certain demographics."

  Jade laughed as she remembered the conversation. Glancing back to the balcony table, her eyes settled on the piece of paper that she'd received from the visit to the doctor's last night, the one that held the new that would change her and Leon's life forever.

  The news that she was pregnant.

  Jade wasn't sure quite how to handle it. Things were going well with her and Leon, sure, but a baby was something that they hadn't spoken of, not even once. And she had no idea what could've happened; she was almost positive that she'd been taking her birth control regularly.

  Pretty sure, she thought. Mostly sure.

  Anxiety pooled in her stomach as she checked the time and saw that it was almost noon. Leon had told her that he wanted to take her out to lunch today, and she knew that she needed to tell him the news as soon as possible. After all, she knew it really wasn't the type of thing she could keep hidden for too long;

  What if he's furious? she thought, now pacing back and forth across the balcony. I mean, it's not like he doesn't have enough to worry about as it is. What if he asks where the hell he's supposed to find time to raise a child while being a senior executive at one of the biggest financial firms in the world?

  Jade felt worse and worse by the second. Part of her was sure that he'd be mad, that he'd yell at her for not taking her birth control properly. But the image of him yelling at her struck him as silly; he could have a hard edge at times, sure, but she knew that Leon was about as unflappable as it gets.

  Still, she thought, wringing her hands, we haven't even talked about marriage, let alone starting a family. What if he's been thinking this whole thing was a mistake? What if he's been planning on breaking up with me? What if the second I tell him that I'm pregnant he sends me packing out the front door? What if-

  Her stream of anxious thoughts was interrupted by Leon striding in through the front door. Jade' eyes latched onto him right away; she never got tired of the sight of Leon in one of his exquisitely-tailored suits. The man knew how to dress.

  OK, she thought, here goes nothing.

  She rushed over to the balcony table and snatched up the piece
of paper with the information about the pregnancy. Just in time, as Leon opened the door right afterward.

  "You look like you have something on your mind," said Leon, coming over and planting a kiss on Jade's forehead.

  "Um, no," said Jade. "Just, um, enjoying the view."

  Leon gave her a sly look.

  "You know that you're a terrible liar, right?"

  "Um, I'm not lying."

  "I heard a little more through the grapevine about your article," said Leon.

  "Oh, really?" asked Jade, her face turning hot as it normally did when her writing was discussed. "And?"

  "It's…a hit," said Leon. "But you already knew that. People are chomping at the bit to get ahold of that book of yours."

  "I'm sure you love that," said Jade. "A whole book about you, loaded down with personal details about your upbringing."

  "It's…not something I'd normally be in favor of, but after I read the article I realized that if anyone would handle this material well, it'd be you."

  "Thank you," said Jade, a warmth growing in her heart.

  Leon stepped over to Jade and took her hands into his.

  "I still don't think you understand how talented you are," said Leon, looking into her with those big, beautiful blue eyes of his. "What I can do with business, you can do with words; maybe even more so. I can't tell you how proud I am that you're finally finding the success that you deserve."

  "I'm pregnant," said Jade, the words coming out in a blurt.

  Leon's mouth opened just a bit, and his eyes opened wide.

  "You're…what?" he asked.

  Jade fumbled in her pocket and pulled out the paper from the doctor's. Unfolding it, she dropped it into his hands. Leon looked it over, nodding as he did.

  "You're…pregnant."

  "Listen," said Jade. "I have no idea how this happened. I'm so sorry; I don't know what to say; I mean, I wish it weren't the case, I know that we haven't even talked about this, and that we've only been dating for a few months, and I know this is a lot, but-"

  Leon held up a finger.