by Layla Hagen
“Nope.”
I took a detour when I reached her inner thighs, licking once across her center. Then another detour when I was drying off her breasts, pulling each nipple in my mouth. I was getting hard again.
All I wanted to do was flip her around and bend her over. But I didn’t know if she was ready for all that yet.
“Let’s go downstairs,” I suggested while I was kissing her neck.
“I don’t like that idea.” A second later, I registered that she was unbuttoning my shirt.
“Val, baby....”
I straightened up to look at her, and those beautiful green eyes were full of desire. I slid my hands to cup her ass and lifted her in my arms. She whimpered with anticipation as she wrapped her long legs around me. I carried her to the bed, lowering her on it. I could hardly hear anything past the thumping in my ears. I wanted this woman more than I’d ever wanted anything.
When I lowered her on the bed, she attempted to close her knees.
“No, stay like this. Spread wide for me. I want to watch you while I take off my clothes.”
Her eyes flared, but she kept her legs where they were. I’d never gotten naked faster. Then I remembered one small detail....
“My wallet is downstairs. I have a condom there.”
Val licked her lips. “I’m on the pill, and I’m healthy.”
I leaned on the bed over her, feathering my lips on her jaw. “I’m healthy too, but...baby, you want me bare inside you?”
She nodded, and I wrapped her in my arms, kissing her. Our release just before had been satisfying but quick. I wanted this to last. I kissed down her collarbone, then I flipped her onto her belly, touching my lips to her spine until I reached her tailbone. She moaned when I kissed her right ass cheek, covering the left one with my palm before I pushed a finger inside her. She was wet and ready, but I wanted to drive her crazy with anticipation first, so I flipped her around again and skimmed my lips right over her pussy. Then I gave her my tongue.
I held her pelvis up at the angle I needed it, making her dig her heels deep into the mattress and grope at the sheets. I was lying flat on my front, and my cock was wedged between my body and the mattress. It was almost painful. When her breathing became too labored, I turned to explore the rest of her body. Her inner thighs, her breasts, until our faces were level.
She looked at me as if I was everything to her. I kissed her deeply while I positioned my erection between her thighs. Val moaned when I gave her the tip.
Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck.
There was no feeling in the world comparable to being inside this woman, to feeling her snug around me without any barriers. I pushed inside inch by inch, watching her beautiful face crumple with pleasure. She opened up her thighs wider, drawing her knees up. I drove into her, my pelvis pushing against hers. We were both relentless, chasing our release. But when I felt I was too close, I pulled out, bringing my lips to her ear.
“On your hands and knees.”
Val complied, and through a haze of lust, she turned. I kneaded her ass cheeks, kissing up her back as I slid inside her, fast and hard. I had easy access to her clit in this position, and I circled it, spurring her to tremors. Then she moved her hands from the bed to grip the headboard. She had better leverage like this, and she slammed into me with the same hunger I was pushing inside her. Her arms were trembling slightly, as if her body couldn’t take any more pleasure.
When she started clenching around me, calling out my name, I was completely done for. I came hard, holding on to her. Her legs shook even after she climaxed, and I cocooned my body around hers, propping my thighs outside hers, keeping an arm around her waist and my chest pressed against her back. I was kissing what I could reach of her neck, needing as much contact as possible.
“Are you okay, beautiful?”
Her breath was ragged, but she chuckled. “I’m still recovering.”
After we showered, she wrapped a towel around herself.
“Oh, hell, no. You are putting on actual clothes.”
“Or what?”
“Or I’ll eat you instead of dinner.”
She grinned. “I don’t think I’d mind.”
“Come on, tempting girl. Put on some clothes.”
Pouting, she complied, heading to her bedroom.
“I don’t have a T-shirt big enough for you,” she called. “But if you want to walk around shirtless, I won’t mind.”
“Should I just not put on clothes at all?”
“You won’t hear me complain about that.”
I didn’t put my shirt on in the end, because I needed to let it dry. Watching Val peek at me while we were bustling about the kitchen gave me a lot of satisfaction. For once, she was the one at a disadvantage.
“You were singing earlier,” she commented.
“Really? I didn’t notice.” I didn’t usually sing, Val had this effect on me—I was extremely relaxed and also extremely turned on around her. Val arranged the sandwiches I’d made on two plates at the counter.
I massaged her shoulder blades, partly because they were still a bit hunched, and partly because I couldn’t keep my hands off her.
“You’re still a little tense.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really. My lawyer will handle it. I’ve discussed all the options with him; I had just hoped it wouldn’t come to it.”
“How good is he?”
“My lawyer?”
“Yes.”
“He’s one of the best.” She gave me his name, and I wasn’t too happy. He was good, but I was better.
“What if I took your case?”
She turned around, her eyes widening before she shook her head. “No, that’s not a good idea.”
“Why not? I’m a very good lawyer—”
“I don’t doubt that, but I think it’s smarter to separate our professional and personal lives.”
She looked down, and I got the hint. In case things between us didn’t work out, it was easier if we kept the two spheres separate. I understood the message. A vein pulsed in my temple. I didn’t like it one bit, but I understood it.
“Val, I want to be honest with you. Whenever I’m with you, it just feels surreal. This past week, I’ve thought more about you than anything else. I know my life isn’t easy, but I’d like for us to enjoy this between us. As I said before, without expectations. You said you want to take things easy and I respect that.”
Her eyes searched mine for a few seconds. I could give her what she wanted. Easy fit well in the whirlwind of obligations that was my life. Being in this woman’s house, surrounded by her, gave me a glimpse of who she was. Her warmth reached all the way inside me, and I felt alive in a way I hadn’t before.
When she rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to mine, I swear something melted inside of me.
“Hell, yes. Now come on, mister. Show me your massage talents.”
She laughed as I carried the plates to the table.
“You’re doubting me?”
“Not at all. I know some of your other talents, and I can’t wait to discover all of them.”
To prove her wrong, I stood behind her as she ate the second sandwich, working the pressure points of her neck and shoulders.
“Oh, this is so good. Dinner, and your hands. Aren’t you hungry?”
I brought my mouth to her ear. “Not for food, no.”
She sucked in a deep breath, pressing her thighs together.
“Well, I think you should eat anyway.”
“Why, are my hands distracting you?”
“Maybe.”
“Impressed with my massage skills, I take it?”
She sighed. “Yes, yes I am. What other skills do you possess? Just so I’m prepared.”
“I’ll keep them a secret for now.”
“Wait a second, you’ve been inside me and you’re gonna keep secrets?”
I sat next to her, playing with a few strands of her h
air. “Before I divulge anything, I need to be inside you a couple more times. See your beautiful face when I make you come.”
She swallowed, and I nearly boosted her up on the table. My appetite for this woman was insatiable. I kissed her exposed shoulders, moving from one to the other, enjoying how it made her squirm. We chatted leisurely during dinner, and after we were done, we moved to her couch. I pulled her feet into my lap, massaging her arches.
“I’m going to make dessert,” she said after a while, half rising from the couch before I pulled her back and she plopped right into my lap.
“Val, come here.”
“Why?”
“I want to hold you for a bit.” I inhaled her sweet scent, touching her neck with the tip of my nose. “I’m glad you’ve agreed to bring me here with you tonight.”
“As I recall, I didn’t have much of a choice.”
“I forgot that detail.” I smiled, kissing her jaw, then her earlobe. After I let her go, she skidded to the kitchen, whipping up a smoothie that tasted delicious. I couldn’t stop touching her no matter what she did. So when we returned to the couch, I pulled her right in my lap again. Her thighs were at my sides, and I nibbled on her neck.
“What are you doing?” she inquired.
“I’m about to thank you for the dessert.” I kissed her collarbone, then pushed her strapless dress down, to have access to her breasts. When I sucked a nipple in my mouth, she rewarded me with a delicious moan.
“And how are you going to do that?”
“I have a few ideas.”
Chapter Seventeen
Val
“Ms. Connor, I like what I’m hearing. I’ve been keeping an eye on your company for a few years, and I believe your products are a great fit for our clients.” Davis spoke in a low, even voice.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
I smiled politely, even though I was doing an inner dance. I’d worked for years to get his attention. He was the founder of one of the biggest perfume-only chains in California that sold high-end fragrances. I hadn’t believed my luck when he’d called to set up a meeting. I’d met him for lunch at one of my favorite restaurants near my office, and I couldn’t help sweeping my gaze across the terrace, hoping to catch a glimpse of Carter. He said he’d eat here with a group. I’d met my lawyer on Tuesday evening last week, so we hadn’t gone out on a date yet... but we had tentative plans for tonight. And we’d had lunch together every day for the past week and a half.
“It’s mid-November, so we won’t catch the Christmas rush, but in the new year we could start by featuring one of your trademark lines like the Dreamsetter, and after we see how it performs, we could potentially talk about an exclusive line like the one you have for Sephora.”
“You know about it?”
“A man like me doesn’t come to a meeting without doing his due diligence. You have a fresh perspective. Not corporate, nor artisan. You’re somewhere in between, and that’s what we’re looking for.”
“You did feature a few artisan lines though.”
“We tried that route, even though I was against it from the beginning. Artisans have the craft in mind first and foremost, not the consumer, and that is reflected in sales. But you, Ms. Connor, have found your niche and you did very well for yourself.”
Davis smiled shrewdly from under his bushy, pearl-white mustache. Being complimented by a business legend like him was high praise indeed.
“Would you like to go by my office afterward? I could show you some of our current top-secret projects.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I’m heading straight to LAX from here. However, I’m going to put you in touch with my grandson. He handles the field work, so to speak. I’m sure you two will hit it off.”
“Sure.”
We chitchatted about the latest trends in fragrances, which were likely to last and which would be summer fads. We were halfway through our lunch when I saw Carter walk in with a large group. He winked at me before choosing to sit in a chair from which he had a direct view of me.
I winked back as discreetly as possible, then focused on Davis, continuing our conversation. I felt Carter looking at me, though. Out of the corner of my eye, I spied on him from time to time, and every single time, he met my gaze. Did the man not care that the others at the table could notice? Evidently not. I felt very flattered by that... but all those scorching-hot gazes he was sending me were messing with my focus. I trained my attention on my future business partner, who was now telling me all about his grandson and how he’d groomed him to take over when he retired because his son had no interest.
I was doing so well, concentrating on our small talk, ignoring those scorching-hot looks a certain someone was sending me. But then my phone pinged with an incoming message. I had it on the table, out of habit, and saw the message.
Carter: I’ve missed you.
It was bad form to answer, so I tried to ignore it, but something fluttered in my belly. A second message arrived a few minutes later.
Carter: You’re a knockout in those clothes. I can’t wait to take them off you.
The flutters migrated south. I pressed my thighs together on reflex. Oh, Carter. Where were his manners now? Seducing me when I was in the middle of a business lunch.
I discreetly pushed the phone away and even more discreetly sent Carter a glare across the restaurant. The joke was on me when a few minutes later, the screen of my phone lit up with another message. I couldn’t see it, and I was dying to know what it said.
I clasped my hands together to keep myself from reaching the phone. When lunch ended, Davis asked for the bill.
“It’s my treat,” I said.
“Oh, no, no, no. When an old man like me goes out with a young lady, he never lets her pay.”
“I insist. I was the one who wanted to meet at a restaurant.”
He chuckled. “Fiery. I can’t wait for my grandson to meet you. He’s quite a fiery personality himself.”
I squinted my eyes. Was he trying to set us up?
“You’d make a great pair.”
Oh my God, he was. I laughed at his brazen attitude but wasn’t surprised. Davis was known for doing things his way and not caring one bit about business protocol.
We shook hands as we stood up, and I glanced at the screen of my smartphone before slipping it into my purse.
Carter: Meet me inside the restaurant after you’re done.
I lifted my gaze just enough to see Carter rise from his chair and leave the terrace, heading into the building.
After bidding Davis goodbye, I followed Carter inside. My heart was thundering in my chest, as if I was about to do something illicit.
Even though it was pleasantly cool inside, the restaurant was empty, since all patrons had chosen to eat on the terrace. I felt Carter’s presence before even noticing him. I knew he was watching me before I turned on my heels and spotted him in the far corner, in a nook of sorts. He smiled at me, and I swear, I felt a zing everywhere on my skin. I headed right to him, attempting to sound stern.
“You can’t do this.”
“What?”
“Distract me like this during business hours.”
He lifted one corner of his mouth. “You were having lunch.”
“A business lunch.”
“Come here.”
Before I could even reply, he tugged me by the waist, bringing me close. His mouth came down on mine the next second. He licked my lower lip before biting it slightly. I felt the touch straight on the tips of my breasts and pressed myself against him as he deepened the kiss.
“We’re in a restaurant,” I whispered afterward. “Did you forget your manners?”
“You make me forget even my damn name, Val.” He spoke against my lips, twirling strands of hair between his fingers. “I wasn’t joking when I said I missed you.”
“So that was why you were sending me hot texts during my business meal? Because you missed me?”
“Wasn’t the only reason. Wanted
to remind you that I wasn’t far away, in case old Davis was too charming.”
“Don’t worry. He was just complimenting my business skills.”
“You’re going to work together?”
“Looks like it. He was even talking about the possibility of an exclusive line.”
“That’s great, babe. I’m happy for you. Will you be working directly with him?”
“No, he mentioned that he’s grooming his grandson to take over.” On a chuckle, I added, “I think he’s hoping we’ll hit it off. Said we’d make a good pair.”
Carter’s smile fell. His jaw tightened, and he looked at me strangely, then cast his gaze away.
“And what about you?” he asked eventually.
I was confused.
“What about me?”
“Are you hoping you’ll hit it off?”
“Well, I certainly hope he’ll be as impressed as his grandfather.”
“I didn’t mean in the boardroom.”
I furrowed my brow. “I don’t understand.”
“Do you want to go out with him?” I’d never heard him sound so strained.
“What? No, of course not.” My stomach knotted, wondering where exactly this conversation was going. We hadn’t explicitly set boundaries, but I had to know exactly where we stood... I couldn’t make the mistake of assuming again.
He cupped one side of my face, tilting my head back, running his thumb over my lower lip. “I don’t want you to go out with anyone else.”
I let out a breath of relief. “I won’t. I ditched the guy who was supposed to be my date for the charity event because I discovered he hadn’t wanted us to be exclusive but didn’t bother to tell me.”
“I’m sorry.” Carter pulled back a notch, taking my hands in his and kissing each cheek before looking back up at me.
He smiled lazily, feathering his lips over mine. “But I want to make one thing clear, Val. You’re the only woman I even think about.”
I didn’t think he knew how much those words meant to me. They made me feel valued and important, not like an afterthought. He smiled, bringing our interlaced hands up to the sides of my face. Next thing I knew, he kissed me so heatedly that I nearly climbed him right there in the restaurant.
