Free Propositions by Tania Joyce

… and just what she needed.
    “Oh, Jess,” Nate groaned as he came. Jessica clenched her thighs around him tightly, savoring the feel of him inside her.
    It took a moment for her to catch her breath. Nate held her against his chest and she could feel his heart racing. He chuckled as he looked down at her. “I thought you were adamant about keeping our relationship strictly professional.”
    “I might have to change professions,” Jessica said matter-of-factly.
    Nate smiled as he released her from his arms. “I’m glad you changed your mind about the sex thing. I hate to admit it but I was suffering under duress.”
    Jessica shuffled off the table onto wobbly legs. Yes—she certainly felt like she’d been fucked.
    “Do you have to go back to the office?” he said as he pulled his pants up and buckled his belt.
    “Yes, I have a four o’clock.” She realigned her skirt and looked around for her panties.
    “Cancel it.”
    “No, I have to get back.”
    “How about a cup of tea before you leave?” he asked as he slipped on his shirt.
    “Look, I think I should go. Let’s not make this complicated, okay? It’ll make it easier on both of us.”
    “So was this just ‘ once more ’ or is this going to be a regular occurrence, Ms Mason?” He smiled at her, making her legs feel unsteady at the seductive sight of him. How could she have sex with a man and not get involved? Could she do it? Max assured her it was possible.
    “Nate, I’m not sure what to make of it. Maybe I should get Alex to look after your launch.”
    “I don’t want to work with Alex. I want to work with you.”
    “But we can’t go on like this. You’re my client. I can’t be involved with you; it’ll make working together uncomfortable … well more than it already is. I don’t need my staff getting suspicious, and I don’t want emotions to get in the way of decisions that need to be made.”
    “Me either. But, I find it very difficult to keep my hands off of you.”
    She sighed because she had to agree. Something inexplicable attracted her to him.
    “So what do you propose we do?” she asked as she slipped on her stiletto pumps.
    He stood in front of her, his eyes zeroing in on to hers as he tucked her hair behind her ears.
    “We either have to stop this, or … I’m only here for a few months.” His words full of suggestive connotations.
    She gasped. Was she drawing to the correct conclusion?
    “You really want to have an affair? With me? She blushed at the notion.
    Nate’s subtle nod and sparkle in his eye sent her head into a spin.
    “Nate, I’ve never done the casual thing. You’re only here for a while and neither one of us wants to risk getting hurt. I’m sure you agree.”
    “Wholeheartedly.” He hesitated as if deliberating on many ideas before his expression turned serious. “Let’s consider this like any other business proposition … a negotiation if you will. If we agree, great. If not, we’ll have to find some way that we can work together. Okay?”
    Jessica couldn’t believe her ears. But more shocking, was that she was contemplating the whole idea. “Okay.”
    “If we continue to see each other, my number one priority would be discretion.” Nate said as he put on his jacket. “I’m sure you can appreciate where I’m coming from considering recent events surrounding my father. Unfortunately there are people out there, like those at the gossip magazines, who think my life is interesting, so the paparazzi often hang around when I attend functions.”
    She nodded in agreement because she didn’t want to be front page news for the wrong reasons. “Discretion is a must.” She paused, wondered what on earth she was doing discussing terms of having an affair with this man. It was such a crazy concept. “And I don’t need any gray areas, so let’s keep the intimacy out of it—no staying the night, romantic dates or weekends together.” Jessica looked at him anxiously. She didn’t really know