And she wanted him inside her, thick and hot and pulsing. He slipped his hands up under her blazer to find the curves beneath, and she made a noise of approval deep in her throat. It wasn’t enough, but better. He trailed his hand down over her waist, toward the hem of the flowing skirt she’d worn today. When he pressed his hand between her thighs she could feel the heat through the fabric. She caught her breath and moved against him.
She was getting wet. She had no choice, her body was responding to his touch. How much she wanted to just unzip his pants right there, to bring him out, work him until he was hard, to guide him into her, to feel him—
The click of heels sounded out nearby with it the rising murmur of voices.
Ottavia’s eyes flew open. “Oh my. Julian, someone’s coming.”
“Not yet, but they will be,” he murmured in response.
When she realized what he meant her eyes widened. Before she could open her mouth to respond, he removed his hands from between her thighs then pulled her further down the aisle toward a corner hidden by a decent sized bookshelf.
She stood still in his embrace, inhaling Julian’s scent, trying not to notice the feel of his body rigid against her. And getting harder, she realized abruptly. There was a definite distinct swelling down below his belt, and she had a pretty good idea what it was.
She smothered a snicker.
“It’s not nice to laugh at a man in a problematic position,” he whispered into her ear. “Especially if you’re not prepared to help.”
“You’ve got hands, don’t you?” she asked prissily.
He chuckled softly. “Oh, yeah, I’ve got hands.”
She stiffened. One of those hands was still around her waist, holding her securely in place.
The other one was migrating south again.
Her eyes widened. “What are you doing?” she whispered furiously.
“Shhh,” he murmured in her ear. “You don’t want to make any noise. We’re in a library. You must keep your voice down.”
His lips began moving down the side of her throat, soft and warm, even as his fingers worked their way up under her skirt.
They heard the sound of feet walking into the room. “This is our periodical room,” her assistant said. “It’s not very large so we usually operate on a reservation basis. However, if it’s not in use, you’re more than welcome to sign in to use it.”
There wasn’t any space to move away or even to get her arms down to block him, for that matter. The wall was rigid against her back and Julian was hard against her front. She could feel the swelling of his erection against her thighs. And then his hands slip between her legs, under her skirt, under her panties.
She jerked against him.
“Quiet,” he whispered. “They’re right there.” With a quick twist, his fingers found where she was slick and wet.
And lust flooded through her.
“Are there any specific hours for the periodic room?” someone asked.
“Mmm, you’re feeling pretty wet,” Julian murmured.
She couldn’t speak, she couldn’t move, she couldn’t see. All she could do in the dark corner was feel. All she could do was focus on that spot, that one burning spot and the tightening of tension within her. And, oh, his hands, his clever, clever hands worked at her, one curving around the fullness of her buttocks, the other sliding steadily back and forth, now teasing her where she was achingly sensitive, plunging up all the way inside. And with each stroke he drove her closer to release, closer until he had to press his mouth over hers to stifle her pants.
“The periodical room is available from the time we open until an hour before we close.” the assistant’s voice drifted toward the corner. “We have a pamphlet that tells you all about it. I’ll be sure to give you one.”
As for Ottavia, there was nothing that could disguise the need raging through her but that delicious, exquisitely maddening stroke slowly driving her over the edge. Adrenaline swirled with fear, excitement and pure dry-mouthed lust to send her straining against him, struggling to swallow the sounds that threatened to rise up in her throat. She didn’t give a damn about the library, about the tour her assistant was conducting, about the risk of discovery or anything but the orgasm that loomed tantalizingly close, tantalizingly out of reach.
“What books are over here?” the same voice asked. “Is this the non-fiction section?”
Instantly all thought of orgasm flew out of her head as brisk footsteps headed toward them. She stiffened in utter, breathless horror.
There was a loud clang as something bumped into the metal bookshelf next to them and everything stopped. The motion of Julian’s hand, her breathing, his lips, her heart, and, very possibly, time itself.
“Oh, I’m sorry about that. Hopefully I didn’t damage the book.”
“No, it looks fine,” her assistant said. “But yes, this is the non-fiction section. We have a great selection of non-fiction works. Now let me show you a few other parts of the library then we’ll get you signed up for your library card. After that, you can explore more of the library on your own.”
The seconds stretched out. Ottavia stared at the rapidly beating pulse in Julian neck, in panic, feeling the thud of her own heart trying to hammer its way out of her chest.
And after approximately a hundred trillion years, the footsteps receded.
Sudden relief washed through her, leaving her giddy and weak. Julian pressed his mouth to hers hard. They kissed with an exuberant urgency borne of the near mishap. His fingers stroked her sensitive bud, swirling around it, against it, every slick touch drawing flares of vivid sensation. Ottavia growled in demand, nibbling and licking her way over his lips, twisting against him in fevered demand.
She could feel how wet she was, how swollen, as he touched her. There was no subtlety, no coyness as he brought her back up to a fever pitch. He was hard, relentless. Then he pressed his finger up inside her where she was empty and needy, and sent her over. She twisted against him as he muffled her faint cries with his mouth, even as the footsteps continue to fade.
It took long moments for the shudders to end. It took longer for her pulse to settle as she sagged against him on legs too weak to hold her.
Finally she swallowed. “Wow,” she managed.
“That was only a taste of what you could have,” Julian murmured, pulling back a little. “You wait until you and I get somewhere where we’re alone.” He pressed her hand against his stiff cock. “And then I do believe you have a little gift giving to do yourself.”
Chapter Five
“Okay. Are you going to tell us what’s going on or are Yves and I going to have to drag it out of you?” Trinity asked.
Ottavia closed her eyes and said a quick prayer for mental strength and fortitude. She’d hope she’d be able to make it through the evening without being cornered by her friends. They were supposed to be distracted by the meeting they’d just had, especially since Yves had just gone a few verbal rounds with the mayor.
But no, it seemed her friends still hand enough energy left to pester her, but she wasn’t going to give into them without a struggle.
“What are you talking about? Nothing’s going on.”
Yves shook her head. “Come on, Ottavia. How long have we all known each other? You know that isn’t going to fly. So come on and tell us. Don’t make us force it out of you.”
Ottavia opened her mouth to protest, but the instant she met her friends’ gazes, her mouth snapped shut. “If we are going to talk about this, it won’t be here. There are way too many busybodies around.”
“My place is the closest,” Trinity volunteered.
“Fine.” Ottavia stood, gathering up her notes and purse. She said goodnight to the other committee planning members and headed outside to her car.
After the day she’d had all she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and go to sleep. But that must have been asking for too much. Then again, after what she’d done in the library with Julian, perhaps this was he
r punishment.
A short time later she pulled up in front of Trinity’s apartment. Her friends pulled into spaces right beside her. She got out of her car and followed Trinity up the walkway.
“Anyone want anything to drink?”
Ottavia sat down on the sofa. “As much as I could use one, I’ll pass. I’m tired as it is and I still have to drive home.”
Yves sat down next to her and placed a comforting hand on her leg. “What’s wrong, Ottavia?”
Ottavia leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes. “You’re probably not going to believe me, but I’ll tell you all anyway. I experienced the best orgasm of my life in the library today with Julian.”
When her friends remained silent, she found the strength to open her eyes again. The sight before her was amusing. Both of her friends sat there staring at her with their mouths wide open.
Trinity was the first to recover. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I heard you correctly. What did you just say?”
“You both heard me correctly, but don’t worry. I can hardly believe it myself.”
“Okay. You need to start from the beginning,” Yves stated.
Ottavia took a deep breath. “When the two of you asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I really started thinking about it. I wanted to come up with something I wanted, but didn’t have. Four days ago, Julian came to the library, as you know. What I didn’t tell you all is he touched me. Not in a bad way, not even in a sexual way when I think about it. But when he did feelings I can’t name raced through me.”
She paused to clear her throat. “The next day I went to see Julian at the bank. I asked him if he would be willing to give me one night of unadulterated pleasure as a Christmas gift. Unfortunately, he turned me down. Or so I thought. It seems Julian wants to romance me. Yesterday he sent me flowers. Today he sent me chocolates. Then he showed up at the library. The next thing I know we’re at the back of the library and I’m doing everything possible not to scream my head off as Julian is coaxing me through an orgasm like I’ve never had before.”
“Oh, my God,” Trinity exclaimed.
“Tell me about it,” Ottavia retorted. “A week ago, if you told me I’d be sitting here telling you this tonight I would’ve laughed. But the bottom line is I’m in a bit of a situation now.”
“You are?” Yves asked.
“Yes. Julian claims he wants more than sex.”
“And you don’t believe him?” Trinity questioned.
Ottavia shook her head. “It’s not that I don’t believe him. But this is Julian we’re talking about. I don’t think the man has had a serious relationship in his life.”
“You don’t know that,” Yves stated.
“You’re right. I don’t,” Ottavia responded. “But I do know he’s left behind a trail of broken hearts and I have no desire to be one of them.”
Trinity frowned. “Personally, I think you’re nuts. A man tells you he wants try to pursue something serious with you and you shoot him down. Something is definitely wrong with this picture.”
Ottavia sighed. Her friends wouldn’t understand. Why in the world should she set herself up for failure? She wasn’t anything like the women Julian had dated in the past. She was more reserved and simple. If the other women hadn’t kept his interest, there was no way in the world she stood a chance. He’d grow bored with her before the sheets grew cold. Right now he just wanted her for the thrill of the chase. Once the excitement wore off, he’d move onto the next woman. As he always did.
Nope. She refused to go down that path.
“You’re right. But it’s not going to be solved tonight. Not when I’m as exhausted as I am.”
“So what are you going to do?” Yves asked.
Ottavia smiled. “I’m going to go home, get a good night’s sleep, and avoid Julian at all costs.”
Julian leaned back on his couch and chuckled. He had Ottavia running scared. While the situation was frustrating as heck, it was also amusing. For once he’d become the predator going after the prey and he liked it. A little more than he probably should, but Ottavia was so worth it. He just couldn’t figure out why she didn’t realize it.
If the men she’d dated in the past hadn’t taken the time to show her what a jewel she was, he planned to rectify that. It wasn’t until she came to his office and mentioned just what she wanted as a Christmas gift he’d realized there really was more to Ottavia than met the eye. He looked forward to bringing that to the surface a bit more.
He wanted her in his life. She’d already begun to enrich it in a way he hadn’t expected. While he was happy with his life and the way it’d turned out, he knew there could always be more. When he’d turned thirty-five something had started to change for him. He hadn’t quite been able to figure it out yet. He just knew his old lifestyle of being a playboy didn’t appeal anymore.
While five years ago, the idea of being committed to one woman would’ve made him scoff in amusement, that wasn’t so now. It’d taken everything in him to turn Ottavia down when she propositioned him for a casual night of passion. He hadn’t been dishonest when he said he felt as though she deserved more. For some reason, he didn’t think Ottavia realized just how much. There was no way he’d be able to settle for a casual one night intimate encounter with her and there was no way he could to pretend he would.
He closed his eyes and thought back to their earlier encounter today. He hadn’t expected to nearly take her against the wall. But the instant he’d seen her bent over that desk, his level of lust had risen so fast he’d almost been knocked over.
He’d tried to resist, but the moment her lips touched his, he was a goner. The feel of her body against his, the taste of her mouth, the way her soft skin felt...yep, it’d been nirvana. Fortunately, he’d been able to show a little self-restraint after he’d pushed her over the edge. Otherwise they probably would’ve ended up on the floor.
That wasn’t the way he wanted it to be with Ottavia. She deserved a lot more. What made him nervous as hell was the fact he didn’t think he could give it to her. Not because he wasn’t capable, but because she wouldn’t allow him to.
He’d been trying to romance her the past few days as discreetly as possible. But he had a feeling she’d drop into a dead faint if he suggested they go out on the town for a date. For once his reputation was a hindrance to him, even if it was no longer relevant.
He exhaled heavily wondering what it’d take to get Ottavia to see he was serious. Other than declaring his intentions in front of everyone in the town, he couldn’t think of anything. Something told him she’d attempt to murder him if he did that. If there was one thing he’d learned from observing her over the few years she’d been on his radar: she was a private person.
So that meant he had to continue to come up with ways to woo her subtly. Good thing he didn’t run away from a challenge. Ottavia definitely was one.
He opened his eyes and sat up as an idea came to him. A chuckle escaped him when he realized how perfect the budding plan could end up being. He just might end up getting the best Christmas gift ever.
Chapter Six
Julian couldn’t believe how nervous he was as he paced the living room while waiting for Ottavia to show up. It’d taken a lot of convincing over the past few days, but she’d finally agreed to have dinner with him at his place. He’d figured out as long as he was in close proximity of her when he asked, she couldn’t resist.
Now he just had to make it through the evening without ravishing her. He wanted to show her how good things could be for them outside of the bedroom, before he coaxed her into it. For he knew that would play right into her hands. For once he was the one fearful he’d be the one left in the wind, once she got what she wanted from him intimately.
He’d kept dinner simple by preparing a prepackaged ready-made meal that consisted of lobster ravioli, tomatoes, spinach and feta cheese. The oven was preheated for the Italian loaf sitting on top of it. There was a bowl of salad on the counter and a bo
ttle of wine in the refrigerator chilling.
The doorbell rang and he stopped mid-step. It was show time. Wiping his palms over his jeans to make sure they weren’t moist, he made his way to the door. After taking a calming breath, he unlocked and opened it.
The sight of Ottavia on the other side of struck him speechless. Her dark hair peeked out from underneath her winter hat. The scarf and jacket she wore hid the gorgeous frame he knew she had, but she was still gorgeous. He bit back a groan. Man he had it bad.
“Hi, beautiful,” he managed to get out as he collected himself.
She smiled as she stepped over the threshold. “Hey.”
He closed the door behind her and turned to find her observing his apartment. “Can I take your coat?”
“Sure.” She took of the scarf and hat first.
He took the items from her before assisting her with her winter coat. When he came back, he wasn’t prepared for the sight in front of him. She had on a pair of form fitting jeans and a peach vee neck sweater that made it hard to keep direct eye contact.
“Do I need to take my shoes off?” she asked.
His brows furrowed together. “What?”
She inclined her head toward his bare feet. “You aren’t wearing any shoes. I didn’t know if you required that of your guests.”
He smiled at her keen eye and thoughtfulness. “No. You don’t have to, unless it’d make you more comfortable. I just have a habit of walking around without shoes on when I’m at home.”
She nodded and knelt down. A few moments later, her boots where off and she stood clad in sock covered feet.
“I hope you’re hungry.”
One corner of her mouth curved upward. “Starved.”
“Good. Right this way.”
He led the way into the kitchen and held out her chair as she sat. “Would you like wine with your meal, or something else?”
“I’m driving so I’ll just have one glass then I’ll switch to water.”
Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances Page 7
