“And you wouldn’t expect anything less,” Giana said, following him inside with both empty wineglasses. “So how about this.” She placed the glasses on the counter. “I saw a pool table in your bonus room down the hall, so I’ll offer you this challenge. If I win the best of three games, you’ll give me your business after you hear me out tonight.”
“And if I win?”
Giana shrugged. “I don’t know. What do you want?”
“If I win, you acknowledge the chemistry between us, even if it means we become better acquainted.”
Giana wondered if it wasn’t a fair trade, because in her opinion she won both ways. On the one hand, she would finally garner Wynn’s business, which had eluded her for the past year. And on the other, she would find out if Wynn made love as well as he kissed.
“You’re on.” She shook his hand.
* * *
Giana has no idea what she’s gotten herself into, Wynn thought as he racked the balls into a triangle in the middle of table. Once the table was set, he walked over to the pool cues, but Giana was already grabbing hers and chalking the top.
“You play?” he inquired. He’d been looking forward to leaning over her round derriere and showing her how to put her hand on the table and make the cue pass through her index finger.
“Of course, or I wouldn’t have suggested it,” she responded flippantly.
He stopped chalking his cue stick to regard her. “Feisty much?”
“You’ve no idea. Are we flipping a coin on who goes first?”
“No need. You go.”
“Okay, I’ll break.” Giana sashayed right in front of him and bent over the table, giving him a delectable view of her pert behind. With a quick tap, she distributed the balls across the billiard table. “Seven striped. Center pocket.”
She took the first shot easily, knocking it into the first pocket. The second one soon followed. It was only on her fourth shot that she missed.
“You’re good.”
“Did you imagine otherwise? I grew up in a family surrounded by men. I had to learn. When my brothers were outside playing football, I went out there with them, because I didn’t want to be stuck in the kitchen with my mother. She hated it because her daughter kept coming back inside with scrapes and bruises.”
Wynn took his turn. “But they only made you stronger. Tougher.”
“That’s right. I know some people think I got my position because of nepotism, but you don’t know my father. He brought me to the table as head of marketing because he’d seen my success with branding the team.”
“Red ball. Left pocket.” Wynn leaned over and executed a perfect move. He missed the third shot, leaving Giana to take another run for it.
“So, you see, I’ve learned the business from the ground up and can tell you that the Atlanta Cougars’ core values are based on family, teamwork, commitment, dedication and service.” Giana hit a ball into the right pocket. “My family and the players stand behind those principles. You’ll find many give back to the community, as does my family. It’s why we created the Lockett Foundation.”
“You sound like an infomercial.” Wynn’s comment made Giana lose focus, and she missed her shot.
The hurt expression on her face made Wynn realize he’d offended her. She was placing her cue stick on the pool table like she was about to quit. “Giana, I—I’m sorry.”
“I can see I was deluding myself. You’re never going to give my family a break, because you think all of us rich folks are alike, which is the pot calling the kettle black. I mean, look at this place.” She made a sweeping gesture with her arm, indicating the expensively furnished room. “I’m here to tell you, we are not all the same. We’re not. Some of us care about other people. It’s not all about the money.” Giana rushed from the room and was nearly to the great room, but Wynn caught her in the hallway and clasped his hand around her arm.
“Giana, please wait.”
“Why?” she asked, jerking her arm away. “So you can ridicule me and my family some more? No, thank you.”
“So I can apologize. I was rude and completely insensitive. I’m sorry. Please don’t go.”
She stared at him for several long beats. Wynn silently willed her to stay. He enjoyed her company and didn’t want the night to end. Not like this. Had he gone so long without dating that he didn’t know how to talk? “Let’s finish our game. You do want the chance to convince me to do an endorsement deal with Curtis, right?”
That brought a smile to her face, and Wynn had never felt more relieved. He hadn’t fumbled the ball.
* * *
They returned to the game room and Giana easily won the first game, but Wynn took the second round. He was revved up when they began the third and final game. As they played, Giana quickly explained how Curtis would be a great athlete for Wynn’s endorsement. She was getting ahead of herself since the pitch was supposed to come after the game was over, but she had Wynn’s attention and for the first time, he listened.
“Most players have their own agents, who of course help them get their endorsement deals, but since the Cougars are one of the most popular and recognizable brands, we’ve started going after endorsements on behalf of our players.”
“What makes my company any different?” Wynn took his shot, landing another ball in the center pocket.
Giana’s heart sank. Her chance was slipping away.
“Simply put, Tim Jackson. Curtis’s father is his agent and holds a lot of sway over his son. Mr. Jackson likes what he’s seen in you—a young man from a single father who has pushed himself to achieve great success, same as his son. He really identifies with you.”
After missing his next shot, Wynn turned to her. “Why have you never said this before?”
This was Giana’s chance. She took a tough shot but missed it. Damn! “Because you’ve never given me the opportunity, Wynn.”
“I was wrong. Curtis might be the right man to represent LEAN. I’d like to meet him. I’m sorry for not realizing that sooner.” He put his cue stick down. “Seems as if all I’ve done is apologize to you tonight.”
“I appreciate you finally hearing me out.” She glanced down at her watch. “And it’s late. I should really head home.”
“Not so fast. I think there’s one ball left to play.” They both glanced at the table; indeed, one colored ball was on the table, and it was Wynn’s turn. He leaned over and with a smooth motion executed the shot, sending it sinking in the left pocket. “I do believe I’m the winner.”
Giana frowned and folded her arms across her chest. “If you were a gentleman, you would have let me leave.”
Wynn tossed the cue stick on the table and stalked toward her. “I’m no gentleman.”
Suddenly Giana was in his arms and he was kissing her so hungrily, she gasped. “Yes, Wynn, yes.” One last stab of reason coursed through her, telling her to stop before it was too late, but she simply couldn’t ignore the passion between them anymore.
She wanted him too badly.
She coiled her arms greedily around his neck, and Wynn took that as an invitation, wrapping her legs around his waist and carrying her down the hall to his bedroom.
Seven
Wynn laid Giana down on his bed and kissed her the way he’d wanted to do all night. His teeth nipped at her bottom lip until she opened her mouth. She moaned when he slid his tongue against hers. He loved how open and responsive Giana was, because it fed his own desire. He couldn’t resist sweeping his hands down her body to her breasts, which swelled in his palms. He used the hard pads of his fingertips to brush the sensitive flesh back and forth until they pebbled beneath the dress—a dress he wanted off.
He reached for her dress and quickly dispensed with it. Then he returned to her side, taking her in his arms again. He used his mouth to explore the curves of her throat, and then his tongue found the vulnerabl
e area behind her ear and teased it until she trembled against him. And he would have continued, but it appeared that Giana no longer wanted to be on the receiving end, because she was pushing him down so she could slide on top of him and take off his shirt.
“Do you think you’re the only one who can be in charge?” she asked as her hair fell around him like a curtain. Wynn lifted his shoulders so Giana could remove his T-shirt and toss it aside.
“You can take off my clothes any day,” he teased, but talking stopped when her wet tongue brushed over one of his nipples. Wynn couldn’t help but release an involuntary groan. He wanted to touch her, too, but she pushed his hands aside and moved to the waistband of his jeans. He heard her unsteady intake of breath as she eased down the straining zipper. He shifted uncomfortably on the bed and watched as Giana peeled his jeans along with his boxers down his legs until they too joined the shirt on the floor.
When he was completely naked, Giana boldly reached for him, taking his hot, hard length in her hand. She squeezed him firmly and then began working him up and down with her hand. She was a master, as evidenced by his choppy breathing. Wynn tried to grab her hand to stop her and take back control, but she had him in a death grip. So he just gave in, especially when she leaned over and began to stroke and tease him with her mouth. His thighs went rigid and his hands ran through her hair, mussing it up as she pressed her mouth to him. “Giana...”
Wynn was powerless to stop the rising passion she stirred in him or the feverish movement of his hips. He was close. So close. Giana gripped him firmer and faster, signaling she wouldn’t stop until she’d tasted him, all of him. He tried to hold on, but a hoarse cry escaped him. His pelvis pistoned and his fingers knotted in her hair as he gave her everything.
* * *
Giana licked her lips as she looked up at Wynn. She was gratified knowing she could give him such a powerful release. She was no stranger to sex. She knew it could be fun and had always enjoyed it, but sex with Wynn was like a whole other high.
And she suspected she was going to have to pay a hefty price for working him into a lather, because Wynn had her flat on her back in seconds and was unclasping her bra and sliding her panties down her legs. Then his hands and mouth began roving the length of her, both worshipping and arousing.
His hands found her breasts and toyed with her nipples, and then his lips were brushing across them. Giana loved the way Wynn suckled them deep into his mouth and she rocked up to him, but it wasn’t enough. She was frantic with desire, having nearly come from having had him inside her mouth. She appreciated he’d been willing to give up control, but now desire was swirling around her. There was an insistent pulse between her legs that needed to be answered. So, when Wynn’s hands and mouth leisurely traced a path to her quivering belly and the source of her need, Giana wanted to cry out with joy.
His tongue parted her folds, and Giana held her breath in anticipation. She cried out when he focused on the center of her—sucking, licking and going deep to show proof of his attraction to her. Unbearable heat flooded through her, and her head fell backward and then she screamed. But Wynn wasn’t finished; she watched him move from the bed to produce a condom from his jeans, don protection and slither up the bed to cover her with his body.
Even though she was coming off the high of her climax, Giana felt Wynn’s swollen length against her belly. He gently and slowly kissed her lips before making his way along her jawline, down to the slender column of her throat. She tilted her head back and groaned. Only then did he ease her thighs a little wider to accommodate him. Finding her warm and moist, Wynn easily slid inside her. Once he was settled deep, he withdrew and then plunged deep again. Giana shrieked with delight.
“You like that, do you?” he murmured.
“Yes, Wynn,” she moaned. “I want more.”
With her fingers clutching his muscular back and her nipples pressed firmly against his rock-hard chest, Wynn began to move faster with firm, measured strokes. She followed his steady rhythm by locking her legs around his waist and writhed helplessly, grinding her hips against his.
If she had her way, she would burrow closer, have him touch her everywhere, because his lovemaking both drugged her and ignited her desire with equal measure. She loved the way his tongue teased, the way he nipped at her ear and his sure strokes.
Giana could feel herself on the brink.
“Let go, Giana,” he urged.
And she responded instinctively. She cried out as sensation after sensation overtook her body. She let the throaty sighs come through as she absorbed each of his thrusts and abandoned herself to pleasure.
He did the same and buried his face in her neck. Wynn shuddered violently and she squeezed him hard with her inner muscles so she could make the intense moment last, but eventually her mind went blank and she descended into sleep completely satisfied.
* * *
When Giana finally awoke sometime later with Wynn as her pillow, she caught the smug expression on his face. “Don’t give me that look,” she murmured. “This wasn’t a foregone conclusion.”
His brows rose. “Wasn’t it? You were always going to end up in my bed tonight, Giana.”
Was he right?
Maybe.
She had been consumed by lust and needy for the satisfaction Wynn could give, but she hadn’t been the only one. He’d wanted her just as much, and to prove it, she pushed him down and rolled on top, kneeling astride him. Then their mouths fastened onto each other, tongues searching. There was no doubt as to what they both wanted and would have. After he’d eased on another condom, Giana lifted her bottom and sank down onto him. Wynn accepted her and took her tight nipples into his hot mouth. Giana lost it and began rocking her hips back and forth.
“Yes, that’s it,” he murmured. “Take what you want, Giana. The night is young.”
They kissed and touched like they were starved for sensation only the other person could give. She felt Wynn reach between them, his fingers teasing, swirling and stroking the sensitive nub of her clitoris. He exploited it, drawing out her sobs as she rode him up and down. When she began to tire, his fingers dug into the flesh at her hips and he held her there while the lower half of his body pumped into her with sure deep movements. He curled strands of her hair around his finger and tugged her downward, kissing her long and deep. He pushed Giana to the limit, and she gave him what he’d been seeking—total surrender. He lasted until she climaxed, and then their bodies shuddered as one.
Giana climbed off Wynn in a fog and collapsed back on to the bed, unable to move or speak. Then she heard the sound of Wynn’s even breathing. He was fast asleep.
At first, Giana didn’t move, because she was afraid of disturbing him. But she was the one who was disturbed by what had transpired between them. She felt dazed and disoriented. The sex had been phenomenal. And she was no novice. She’d had other partners, some of whom left her satisfied, but any other man she’d ever been with paled in comparison to sex with Wynn. Giana felt free and liberated to be the sexual creature she’d known was underneath. Wynn matched her enthusiasm, and it was both thrilling and scary. She could get addicted to this feeling.
She needed some space to gather herself and get herself back under control. The rational part of her brain told her to take tonight for what it was—two consenting adults enjoying each other. But she also couldn’t ignore the risk that bringing intimacy into their relationship could jeopardize Wynn’s doing business with the Cougars. Did he think she’d slept with him for the deal? She hadn’t. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. If her family found out about their relationship, she doubted they’d approve. And what if they had a falling out and he reneged on their deal? So she rose as quietly as she could, collected her dress, lingerie and shoes, and crept to the bathroom. She dressed and then looked in the mirror. She was quite a sight, with her lipstick clean gone, her mascara smudged and her hair going in every directi
on. She looked as if she’d been thoroughly tumbled in bed.
And hadn’t she?
Wynn had been the most exceptional lover she’d ever had.
But she couldn’t face him in the morning light, and...what? Have an awkward conversation about what came next? No, thank you. Her flight instinct was best. She opened his bedroom door and stole a glance at the massive bed. Wynn was still sprawled out, completely satiated. And so, after one final look at his sleeping face, she retrieved her purse from the great room and left.
* * *
It was after 2:00 a.m. when Giana made her way into her parents’ kitchen. After the aerobic adventures of the evening, she was starved and in the mood for a late-night snack. The stove’s overhead light was on. She would quietly make herself a snack and head back to the guesthouse. She was closing the fridge after gathering all her ingredients when the back door suddenly opened and a hooded figured crept inside.
“Xavier!” she whispered, dropping her items on the counter. “You nearly scared me half to death!”
He jumped as if he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Giana! What on earth are you doing up? And here at the main house, no less?”
“I could ask you the same thing. I’m not the only one creeping at this ungodly hour,” Giana said, getting a plate from the cabinet and returning to her fixings.
He grinned unabashedly. “That’s my business.”
“Yet you want to know mine?” Giana asked. She cut a large bagel and topped it with cream cheese and smoked salmon. “What’s up with you, Xavier? You’ve been very secretive lately.”
“I’m sorry, sis.” Xavier sat down at the island. “I’ve been going through some stuff.”
“Care to elaborate?” Giana asked, cutting the bagel down the middle. She picked up half and took a large bite.
Holiday Playbook--A Christmas workplace romance Page 5
