A few minutes later they pulled up in front of Falling Grace, a chateau-style restaurant built near the edge of a cliff. Candles flickered in every window, and brilliant white lights lit up the woods on the periphery of the property, giving the evening a magical feel. In-ground lights illuminated a stone walkway that snaked through gardens with a fountain on one side and ornate sculptures on the other.
Kat looked down at her jeans, then at the expensive cars parked all around them. “I’m not sure I’m dressed for this.”
“Darlin’, clothes do not make someone appropriate for a restaurant. You’re just as gorgeous in your jeans as you were in your dress and your suit.” He pressed his hand to the small of her back, bringing her body flush against his again.
She would never, ever tire of this closeness.
His eyes moved from hers to her mouth, then back up again, stealing her worries about her clothing one brain cell at a time.
“We’re both wearing jeans. The way I see it, we can lose the clothes altogether and go in naked, or take our chances.”
His smile was contagious, and his sense of humor only made him even more attractive. “Nothing ever rattles you, does it?”
“Life’s too short to get too rattled over things that don’t matter. Clothes are meaningless.” He took her hand and led her toward the entrance.
“I really do like the way you think. Have you always been this confident, or did that come with your success?” She noticed the way his eyes flashed serious for a second, then just as quickly brightened again. He did that a lot, momentary deep thinking.
“That, my darlin’, is a great question.” He held the restaurant door open without answering, making Kat wonder about the sore spot she’d just touched.
A pretty brunette greeted them with a pleasant smile. “Good evening. Welcome to Falling Grace. Do you have a reservation?”
“Yes,” Eric answered. “Two for James, please.”
The hostess’s eyes widened, as if recognition suddenly dawned on her. “Yes, of course, Mr. James. Your table is ready. Please, follow me.”
Eric’s hand never left Kat’s back as they followed the hostess through the dimly lit restaurant, past tables full of important-looking people dressed to the nines, with regal voices and assessing eyes. They passed through double doors at the rear of the restaurant, and to Kat’s surprise, they were led to an open elevator. A handsome gentleman dressed in a dark suit greeted them.
“Mr. James. Ma’am.” He moved to the side as they stepped inside.
Kat looked at Eric, hoping for a clue as to where they were going. His easy smile wasn’t giving anything away. He pressed his hand to her waist, and she moved happily against his side. They stood behind their host, and Eric’s hand slid to the curve of her butt. She glanced up at him, and he arched a brow. God, she loved this rakish side of him.
The elevator doors opened and the gentleman stepped out and led them down a hallway lit by candles. It was chillier than the restaurant, and Kat realized that they were surrounded by stone. The ceiling, walls, and floor were all hard rock. The hall opened up to a single room, carved into the side of the mountain. A glass wall overlooked a spectacular waterfall. Colorful lights beamed from the mountainside into the cascading water, providing the most magnificent, magical view she could ever imagine. She reached for Eric’s arm to steady herself.
“Eric,” she whispered, full of awe.
“Yes?” He smiled, and she couldn’t find her voice.
The gentleman pulled out a chair for Kat. She sat, and before she could thank him, Eric did.
“I’ll retrieve your drinks,” the man said before leaving them alone, and Kat finally breathed.
“I don’t think they minded our attire,” Eric said, settling in beside her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered you a lemon-drop martini. I figured we could start over.”
“Start over?”
He reached for her hand. “I hope to be with you long past tonight, and the story you tell your friends should be a bit more romantic than picking each other up in an airport lounge.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “That’s really thoughtful.”
“And a little selfish, I’m afraid. I’m sure you have guy friends, and I don’t want them picturing you doing naughty things with me in the men’s bathroom.”
She laughed. “I’d never tell anyone that.”
He arched a brow. “I have a feeling Brianna knows.”
She nibbled on her lower lip, and he used his free hand to draw her closer by the nape of her neck.
“That’s okay, darlin’. I was kidding. I just want you to have a story you’re proud to tell, not one that makes you wonder if you made a mistake.”
“Thank you.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
He deepened the kiss, sliding his knee between her legs and moving closer. The press of his lips sent a rush of heat through her. She’d been dying to kiss him all evening, and now, with the crashing of the waterfall just beyond the glass and shadows dancing in their private candlelit room, she took her fill. His tongue swept over every dip of her mouth, over her teeth, and then he pulled back and slicked it over her lower lip, leaving her breathing hard and moving hungrily in for more. She wound her arms around his neck, and their mouths came together hard and fast. His hands slid to her hips, holding her there, burning right through her clothing. She wanted to move from her chair to straddle his lap and let their bodies decide where to go next, but the sound of footsteps brought her mind back to reality, and she moved away with a whimper of loss.
His hand slid from her hip, down her forearm, and his fingers laced with hers, as if he, too, couldn’t stand losing the connection.
She was acutely aware of the heat consuming them, and she was sure that when their waiter returned with their drinks and set them on their table, he felt it, too.
“Would you like a few minutes to consider the menu?” he asked.
“Yes, please. We’ll ring for you when we’re ready.” Eric nodded toward a button near the doorway that Kat had somehow missed. She wondered how he knew what it was for and realized he’d probably been there before.
She told herself it didn’t matter. He was with her now, and that was all that was important.
“As you wish, sir.” With a nod, the waiter retreated again.
“Where were we?” With both hands, he reached for her hips and pulled her onto his lap. He gathered her hair over one shoulder and kissed her cheek. “You’re incredibly hard to resist. I truly had the best of intentions for tonight’s date, so don’t try to get into my pants.”
“Tsk! You are infuriatingly sexy, and funny, and—”
His mouth covered hers hungrily, and his hands tangled in her hair, holding her as he devoured her. His lips were hard, like the rest of him, as he kissed and nipped and sucked her lower lip into his mouth before taking her in another greedy kiss.
She pressed her chest to his, and then his hands were on her back, traveling down her sides, and finally—Lord, finally—he caressed her breasts. Her head tipped back with the sheer pleasure of his touch. His teeth dragged over her collarbone, and his tongue made a hot path between her breasts.
“God, I want to taste you,” he said between kisses. He cupped her cheeks in his hands and searched her eyes. “I suck at good intentions with you, Kat. I can’t help it. When I’m alone with you, you obliterate my rational thoughts. “
“Stop talking,” she said as she pressed her lips to his.
His thumbs brushed over her nipples, bringing them both to tight peaks. They ached for more. She ached for more, as she writhed against his erection. His lips were demanding; then they softened, in a stretch of slow, drugging kisses that drew a moan from her lungs.
“Kat,” he said against her lips. “Open your eyes, darlin’. Let me see you.”
She blinked, only then realizing how lost in him she’d become, how hard she was breathing.
“Hi.” He tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Hi.”
“I’d like nothing more than to lay you on that table and make love to you. To watch your beautiful eyes as you give in to your pleasure.”
Her breath left her lungs in a rush.
“You’re so fucking sexy, you kill me.” His lips tipped up, and he touched his forehead to hers. “I want to touch you, Kat. Tell me no, and I’ll back off. Tell me yes, and I’ll make you come before dinner.” He pressed his cheek to hers and said, “And after, many times over.”
Chapter Fifteen
HE WAS SCREWING this up, he was sure of it, but Eric was powerless to stop touching Kat. He needed to feel her shudder against him, and he could see by the flush of her skin and the darkening of her eyes that she was wound just as tightly as he was.
He’d called ahead to request the private room, but his intentions had been to talk, not to make out. But with Kat, he was lucky he’d made it as long as he had. Everything about her, from the way she watched him to the feel of her hand in his, turned him on, and he knew he’d never get enough of her.
Her eyes never left his. “Okay,” she said with a tremble in her voice.
“Kat.” Her name came off his lips seconds before he took her in another mind-blowing kiss.
“Come with me, sweetheart.” He brought her to her feet and kissed her again, deep and slow, savoring the feel of her pressed against him as he unbuttoned her jeans and slid his hand inside her panties. “Oh, baby, you’re so ready for me.”
He sealed his lips over hers as he teased her with his hand and deepened the kiss again. He dipped his fingers inside her, earning a needy moan. He backed her up against the wall. Aware of the harshness of the cold stone, he was careful not to push her back too far as he made love to her mouth and brushed his thumb over her clit, earning another heady moan.
“Love those sounds. So sexy.” He sealed his teeth over her neck as he pressed his fingers in deep, using his thumb to bring her clit to attention, while seeking the spot that would send her over the edge.
Her head tipped back, and he slid his other hand beneath her shirt, squeezing her nipple as he recaptured her mouth in a rough kiss. Electric currents seared through him as she went up on her toes, gripping his biceps so hard he was sure he would bruise.
“I want my mouth on you, darlin’,” he said in a heated breath.
He sucked her tongue into his mouth, but even that wasn’t enough. He wanted to drop to his knees and feast on her sweetness, but she was so close to coming, her breathing was hitched. He lifted her shirt and tore down her bra, exposing a perfect rosy nipple. With a moan of his own at the gorgeous sight, he took her breast in his mouth, grazing his teeth over the taut peak.
“Oh God,” she cried. “Eric…Yes…God…”
He sucked harder and quickened his efforts down below. Her legs trembled, and she fisted her hands in his hair, holding his mouth to her. He used his teeth, sensing her greed for more.
“Yes. Yes. Oh God.” She sucked in a sharp breath as she shattered against his hand. Hot and wet, her sex pulsed tight around his fingers.
He brought his mouth to hers again, bringing her down slowly. His fingers remained inside her until the last of her climax shuddered through her. He gathered her into his arms and held her until her breathing calmed and her body melted against him. And in that moment of intimacy, he was so damn sure that she was the only woman for him that he nearly told her so.
She gazed up at him, and the sensual look in her eyes nearly laid him flat. “What about you?” she asked so fucking sweetly that he nearly came undone.
“I can wait.”
“But—” She reached between his legs, rubbing his throbbing cock.
“My release is a bit messier than yours.” He kissed her again. “Anticipation will heighten the pleasure. It’ll be worth the wait.” He helped her right her pants and walked her to the ladies’ room they’d passed on the way in. “I’ll wait for you here. Take your time.”
After she went into the bathroom, he turned to the wall and pressed his fist against it, trying to regain control of his emotions.
The bathroom door opened, and she reached a hand out, snagged his shirt, and tugged him inside. Before he could get a word out, she was unzipping his pants and tugging them down.
“Kat, we don’t have to—”
She sealed her lips over his, cupping his balls and making him groan.
“Fuuuck.” He fisted his hand in her hair and held their mouths together.
She pushed from his chest. “Shush,” she said with a finger over his lips and a challenging gaze. “It’s my turn to play.”
She dropped to her knees, looking like his darkest fantasy come true, and licked his shaft, base to tip, lingering over the wide crown before taking him in deep.
“Holy fuck.” He pressed his palms to the walls to keep from grabbing her head and guiding her as he fucked her insanely talented mouth.
She cupped his balls again, sliding her finger over the sensitive skin behind them as she worked him with her other hand and her wicked mouth. She squeezed his sac and his hips kicked forward. It was useless. He couldn’t hold back. He tangled his hands in her hair as he rocked his hips. Holy hell, she was going to make him come fast if she kept up this pace. He closed his eyes against the tingling heat crawling up his spine.
“Kat,” he growled. “Stop, Kat. I’m gonna come.”
She released his throbbing cock and licked her lips. “Less mess this way.” She took him in deep again, holding his gaze and driving him out of his fucking mind.
“You don’t have to,” he said through gritted teeth. But fuck, did she feel good. Her mouth was a treasure trove of pleasure, hot and wet and oh so willing. Seeing her lips stretched around his cock was the most erotic thing he’d ever witnessed, and when she pulled back and ran her tongue over the sensitive glans and lapped up the glistening bead, he nearly lost it right then and there.
“I want to taste you,” she said, then she took him in deep again, and holy fuck, she ran her finger between his cheeks, shredding the last of his control. He came hard, groaning through his clenched teeth, and she swallowed every last drop.
His chin tipped forward with a hiss, and he lifted her to her feet as she licked her shiny, swollen lips. “You’re unfuckingbelievable.”
He sealed his lips over hers, tasting himself and not caring. Her desire for him turned him on even more. He was hard again in seconds, aching for more of her, to feel her wrapped tightly around him. He reached for the button on her jeans, but she was already pulling them down. He tore off his boots, pushed from his own pants, kicking them to the side, and helped Kat with hers.
“Condom,” she said quickly.
He snagged one from his wallet and tore it open with his teeth, sheathing himself quickly. He lifted her easily and lowered her onto his hard shaft. They both groaned with their intense coupling.
“What is it with us and bathrooms?” He pressed his lips to hers as he thrust into her hard and deliciously deep.
“Some people like hotels. I think we’re sexier.” She used his shoulders for leverage as he clutched her hips, and they moved together in a fast, even rhythm.
“You’re fucking sexy. But I’m going to get you in a bed eventually.”
“I can’t wait.” She lowered her lips to his, and he pressed her back to the wall so he could drive in deeper. “Wait,” she said against his lips.
She shifted from his arms and placed her hands on the wall, bending over slightly at the waist. When she looked over her shoulder and her hair fell over her eye, Eric nearly lost it.
She crooked her finger. “Take me harder.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist from behind and drove into her. “Fuck. I’m not going to last like this.” He used his other hand to stroke over her clit, and she was right there with him on the brink of release. He could feel it in her trembling limbs, in the tightness between her legs. He sank his teeth into the curve of her shoulder, and her hips bucked, her inner mus
cles clenched around him, and he followed her over the edge, chasing his own intense release.
He rested his cheek against Kat’s back, lost in a fog of lust and greed and fucking love. It was right there on his tongue. Three fucking words he never thought he’d feel, much less want to say. But he swallowed them down, holding her tightly until they were both breathing normally again. Then he turned her in his arms and kissed her sweetly.
“I WANT MORE than this with you, Kat.”
His gaze bored right through her. His words wrapped around her frantically beating heart and squeezed. She was afraid to admit she wanted that, too.
“I mean it. I want to talk with you, get to know you even better, and spend more time with you. I want to love you properly, in a real bed, and preferably, wake up with you in my arms.” He pressed his lips to hers. “I’ve never wanted that before.”
She wanted desperately to believe him, but she wasn’t naive, and she was afraid to believe he really meant that he wanted more, as in a future. “We’ve got this weekend. Let’s focus on that.”
His brows drew together. “Focus on that? You don’t want more?”
“I do. More than you could ever know, but I’m not going to fool myself into thinking that a guy like you can be satisfied with a girl like me.”
He ran his hand through his hair as he tugged on his jeans. “Seriously? I knew we shouldn’t have fooled around. A guy like me?”
Frustration rolled off of him as she pushed her legs into her jeans and zipped them up. She touched his arm, and he bristled.
“All I meant was that I don’t want you to feel like you have to make promises you can’t keep. I’m a big girl, Eric. I know you’ve got women galore, and you have a whole life out there that doesn’t include some bartender slash waitress turned PR girl from Richmond, Virginia.” She held his gaze, and when he offered his hands to her, she took them willingly.
He gathered her close, and his serious tone softened. “Kat, I’m not that guy. I don’t make promises I can’t keep. Hell, I don’t make promises. Period.” He searched her eyes, and she wondered if he could see how she was hanging on to his every word and her hopeful heart was hanging by a thread.
Daring Her Love Page 12
