Playing with Temptation
Page 5
“Yes.” Branson leans back in his chair and threads his fingers behind his head. “Do you have plans for the weekend?”
My heart jumps into my throat, at the thought of a weekend with Branson, even though I’m trying to be mad at him. “I umm… no.” Stammering isn’t what I was going for, but I’m tongue-tied.
Branson frowns at my strange answer before he leans forward. “I need to attend the launch of Fitness Trainers’ advertising camping in Florida tomorrow morning; since you helped me with the design, I’m inviting you along.”
My mind races as my hope drops into my sexy new heels. He wasn’t planning a weekend with me, he was just being courteous. Before I can make up my mind, Branson speaks again interrupting my thoughts. “This is a great opportunity. Besides that, I think they’ll appreciate you joining me. Usually, I take Lisa, but since she had no input on the design, it only makes sense to take you.”
I take a deep breath and sigh. Hearing him mention Lisa, and me now knowing their history, makes me burn inside.
“Please?” He asks with sparkling eyes.
I swallow hard, not able to say no. “All right. When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning, we’re taking a 6am flight.”
“Then we’ll be back late afternoon?”
Branson shifts in his chair. “No, we’ll be returning on Sunday. Will that be a problem for you?”
The idea of spending the night in a hotel with Branson make my knees tremble. Picking up on my anxiousness Branson laughs. “Don’t worry Riley; you’ll have your own room. It just makes more sense, as I don’t know how long the launch is going to take. They’ve invited us to dinner as well, but I said we’ll see how we feel after the launch.”
Setting my confused feelings toward Branson aside, he was right. This is an excellent opportunity for me to network and to make a name for myself in the world of advertising. Not that anyone would notice me standing beside Branson, but I’d still be present and in the moment. “Great. Thanks for inviting me. I’m interested to see what a launch entails.”
“Jocks, athletes and models,” Branson says with a smirk. “Fitness Trainers has become very popular in the world of sports and models are never far behind. The Who’s who will be there.”
Great, I think to myself. I’m going to be surrounded by hunky men and gorgeous women. Oh well, too late to back out now.
He hands me a small travel pack, and I open it finding the plane tickets inside. “How did you know I wasn’t going to say no?” I asked surprised to see my hotel booking included in the package.
“Let’s just say I had a feeling you’d want to brush up on your ball skills.” His eyes shine with humor as he briefly cocks his brow.
I feel the tell-tale signs of desire pump through my veins at his words. There’s no way I will be able to control my hormones when he looks at me like that like I’m everything.
I walk out of his office clutching the travel pack to my chest. I will need iron resolve to get through the next forty-eight hours, especially if I don’t want to jump Branson on a plane, or an elevator, or even in a restaurant.
9
Branson
I look out of my hotel window and watch the sunset over the palm trees. Miami is one of my favorite cities. It’s a different world compared to New York. I didn’t have to invite Riley along, but I wanted to. For some reason, I wanted to see if there was chemistry outside of the office.
It’s even stronger.
After a quick shower, I remove the towel that’s wrapped around my hips and dress. The launch was a major success and judging by the mob of people waiting to buy a pair, I’d say Riley, and I definitely hit the right mark with the campaign. Watching Riley at the event made me think of how excited I was when I attended my first launch. The celebrities, free gifts and champagne, I’d come accustomed to it all over the years. But seeing it all through Riley’s eyes made me feel like a kid in a candy store again.
She was reserved when she met me at the airport this morning, but that reserve soon dissolved and transformed into excitement. Throughout the morning she would pull me close and whisper into my ear, or tug at my hand to show me something. Of course, I’ve seen it all before, but her excitement was contagious.
According to Riley, we were joining the executives for dinner, what she didn’t know is that I canceled. I spent the entire day complimenting them on their success and watching various men try to get Riley’s attention. I want her to myself now.
Instead of a dinner filled with celebrities and fancy dishes, I want to have dinner with her, alone.
For weeks we’ve been dancing around our attraction and sexual innuendos. It was time to decide where I would let this go. I had a pretty good idea, but I was hesitant. My brief affair with Lisa had proved exactly how complicated office affairs could be, but Riley was different.
Everything about her was different.
I slip on my jacket and glance briefly at my reflection in the mirror before I leave the room. As I cross the thickly carpeted hallway to Riley’s room, I wonder what she’s going to say when I tell her we’re not joining the execs for dinner. Will she be disappointed or will she look forward to having dinner with me?
I knock twice and wait. When she opens the door, my breath catches. She’s wearing a black cocktail dress that hugs her figure suggestively. It ends midway between her hips and her knees, giving me a glorious view of her long, smooth legs. Her hair is loose, cascading in rich ebony waves over her shoulders. The eyeshadow on her eyes making them appear even greener than usual.
“Are you early or am I late? I thought I still had ten minutes to get ready?” She asks me with a smile.
“I’m just on time,” I say, drinking her in. Desire coils in my groin as our eyes meet.
Riley laughs and shakes her head. “Okay, just give me one minute.”
She disappears into the room, leaving me waiting at the door rattled by how gorgeous she looks. A few seconds later she reappears with a clutch in her hand. “I’m ready.”
We walk side by side to the elevator and step inside. As the doors close I feel the oxygen sucked out of the tiny space. Our eyes meet, and for a moment I consider taking her right there. But the elevator whooshes down and the doors ding and open. An old lady and her husband step inside. As soon as the doors close the old lady starts laughing.
“Joe, can you remember when we first got together? It was just like this, we couldn’t wait to be alone.”
The husband chuckles and kisses her briefly on the cheek. “I still can’t wait to get you alone.”
I watch the exchange before glancing at Riley who is blushing furiously. I wait for her to correct them, to tell them that we aren’t together, but she doesn’t. She holds my gaze, but her eyes are unreadable.
When the elevator finally reaches the ground floor, I wait for the other couple to step out before I follow. Riley starts walking toward the main entrance, but I grab her hand and stop her.
“We’re not meeting them for dinner, I canceled.”
Riley’s eyes narrow in confusion. “But I thought…”
“I thought we’ve had enough of them and all the celebrities for one day.” I smile as I lead her toward the upscale dining room of the hotel.
“Thank you,” she says. “I kind of wanted to go exploring with you.”
My heart palpitates as we enter the restaurant. She wants to be with me as much as I want to be with her, this much is obvious.
Once we are settled with a glass of wine and view of the beach, Riley sighs. “This is amazing. It’s so different…”
“Than New York?” I interrupt her and put down my glass. “I was thinking the same thing earlier.”
“It’s like a different culture, a different pace… I would love to come here for a holiday someday.”
“We can stay for a few days if you want?”
Riley laughs and shakes her head, her skin illuminated by the candle in the center of the table. “We can’t do that. I don’t ev
en think I qualify for leave yet. Besides I’m sure I can’t afford to stay in this hotel.”
I smile and take another sip of wine as the waiter arrives to take our orders. Once he leaves, Riley sighs contently and smiles at me. “I had fun today, it was quite an experience. I’m certain the shoes be a hit.”
“You were a hit. Everyone loves you.” Throughout the day I had to resist a few times from throwing Riley over my shoulders and dragging her to my cave. Everywhere we went it seemed she drew attention. Men wanted her and women wanted to be her, and yet it appeared Riley was utterly oblivious to their envious stares.
The waiter brings our food, but we only pick at it. My appetite wants more than what’s on the plate in front of me. I want to taste her.
“You’re just saying that. They were too fascinated by Branson Carter too even notice me. You’ve really made a name for yourself. What does it feel like?”
“What does what feel like?” I ask taking a bite.
“Being as successful as you are. Knowing people respect you and know you even though they’ve never met you before.”
“It’s… I don’t know. I worked hard to get where I am and as for respect; in advertising respect is directly linked to the success of your latest campaign. One bad campaign and the respect disappears in a flash. It’s a show.”
“That must be hard.” Riley’s eyes soften as her hands close over mine. “The way you said that it seems you know from experience. I can only imagine how hard it must be to pick yourself up and start again. Knowing everyone will be judging, waiting to see if you crash and burn again.”
A smile tugs the corners of my mouth up. “Nothing gets past you, does it?.”
Riley shrugs and smiles at me. “You’re just not as tough as you want people to think. I can see through that exterior.”
“I can be tough; in fact, I’ve been known to be ruthless. Especially when it comes to something I want…” My words trail off.
Riley’s leg grazes mine underneath the table as she glances at me over her glass. “I’d like to see that.”
My breath hitches as her leg trails higher. “I’m not sure you could handle it.”
She throws back her head and laughs as her foot retreats from my leg. “I’m not sure you can handle me either.”
Our eyes meet, and I know there was no way I was going to enjoy any food until I had the one thing I really wanted. “Are you done eating?”
Riley looks down at her barely touched the plate before her eyes meet mine again. “I’m not really hungry…”
“Neither am I…” I say as I stand up and hold out my hand to her. I throw a few hundreds on the table and grab her hand. We rush out of the restaurant toward the elevator. As soon as the doors close, my eyes meet hers. I want to take her right here, my hands bunched in her hair as she moans my name between levels. The small space is suffocating with sexual tension, but I don’t touch her, even though I want to. I just hold her gaze. The doors finally open and we step out. As we reach her door, Riley looks at me with sultry eyes.
I contemplate what to say for a moment, but I know I’m stepping through that door. I want Riley more than I have ever wanted anything or anyone. All my doubts about mixing business with pleasure, letting my hormones rule my mind and not wanting to get involved float down the hallway as I lose myself in her eyes.
I take the keycard from her hand and slip it through the electric lock. My mouth quirks into a cocky grin as she leads me into her room.
For weeks I’ve wanted to do exactly what I was about to do, I’m going to make Riley Harper mine.
My groin twitches as she looks at me wide-eyed, her excitement is almost tangible as I reach for her hips and drag her against me.
She gasps softly as I thread my hands into her hair and drag her mouth against mine. She tastes as sweet as I remember, honey mixed with ecstasy. My dick hardens at the soft moan I capture with my mouth as I pull her toward me.
Her hands hesitantly reach for me, running up and down my back before they clutch my shirt. She wants this just as bad as I do. Her narrow hips grind against mine, and I nearly lose my shit. My one hand sneaks up her dress seeking the warmth of her skin. As I shove her underwear away, I run my fingers through her slick heat. She’s already drenched her goddamn panties. I growl as I tug her hair and deepen the kiss.
Riley grabs my ass, holding on for dear life as I slip a finger inside her. Her hips buck against my hand, and a smug smile spreads across my face.
“I need you right now,” Riley demands as she tugs my belt loose. Tremors shake my core as her small hand reaches into my pants and closes around me. Her breath comes in short pants as she strokes my length. I’m rock hard; I could go all night judging by the throbbing need of my dick.
I’m going to lose my shit if she doesn’t stop right now. Ever since she moved to my floor, we’ve been leading up to this moment, and I want to make it last. I push her slightly back and grab her wrist. “You’re driving me fucking crazy.”
Riley giggles and captures her bottom lip between her teeth. “Touché.”
“Take off your clothes,” I demand as I kick off my shoes.
“Are you going to make me do all the work?” Her eyes twinkle with humor, but I don’t respond.
I take another step back and smirk at her. “Strip, Riley. Now.”
She teases me before bending over with her ass in the air and kicking off her shoes. She reaches behind to undo the zip of her dress, before letting it whisper to the floor.
Riley stands in front of me wearing nothing but a thong. Her nipples are hard little nubs, perfect for me to suck on. I drag at the tie around my neck, tugging it loose before I reach for her again.
This time her hands are no longer hesitant; she reaches for me with confidence and need. Scraping her nails down my back, she tugs my shirt out of my pants. I break our kiss for a second to pull it over my head; I’m too impatient to unbutton anything right now.
As soon as our mouths crash against each other, Riley tugs at my pants until they pool around my ankles. I step out of them standing in front of her wearing nothing.
Her emerald-green eyes darken with arousal as they trail over my body. I’ve never been vain, but I know I have a body that women want. My frequent workouts have rewarded me with definition from my legs to my shoulders. I can see appreciation in her eyes.
Like a wolf approaching a lamb, I grin while reaching for the waistband of her panties. I hook my thumb into the waistband and watch her reaction as I rip them from her body. I wait for her to cover her lady bits, but she doesn’t. Instead, she gives me a sultry smile and begs me to fuck her with her eyes.
My hands grab her hips and slides around to her ass before I pick her up. With her legs straddling my hips I walk us to the nearest flat surface.
Riley’s suite was a mirror image of mine. The bedroom is too far at this moment, and I need to bury myself inside her, and I need to do it now.
She lets out a sigh when I set her down on the dining table, shoving the vase with fresh roses aside. A giggle escapes her as I climb onto the table with her.
As I look down at her luscious body, I shove away any doubts. I couldn’t give a damn right now about anything but her.
I spread her legs with my knees and grin down at Riley like the devil who had just won another soul.
10
Riley
Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.
The words repeat themselves over and over in my mind as Branson moves over me. His muscles are toned and ripped. He’s every woman’s wet fantasy.
My heart sizzles like oil in a hot pan as Branson shoves my knees apart. Being this turned on should be illegal because I feel as if I’m high.
I’ve never wanted another man as much as I want him. He looks down at me with those bright blue eyes and my body shivers in excitement as he teases my entrance with his rock-hard cock.
Branson grins at me and shakes his head. “I’m going to have a little feast first.”
He lightly blows over my folds making me quiver with need. Branson chuckles before he gently trails a finger between my folds. I’m so wet already and almost lose my mind when he finally slips inside.
I gasp as he starts to fuck me with his fingers. Just as I think it can’t get any better, his tongue follows the trail of his fingers, slipping and teasing me endlessly. He flicks and sucks my clit, and it’s not like anything I’ve ever felt before. Taking his time, he slides his fingers in and out, licking and sucking me as if he doesn’t want to waste a drop.
The pressure begins to build, the heavy sensation of pleasure pushing me closer to the edge. Branson moans against my clit, the vibrations making me clutch his shoulders.
“Branson,” I pant his name.
“Come, sweetheart. I want to taste your orgasm, you dirty girl,” he mutters.
Everything clenches and Branson flicks my clit with his tongue. Sensations spiral through my body even as my muscles clench with release. I buck and shiver beneath his mouth as he removed his fingers and tongue fucks me. He finally pulls away with a grin, my slick wetness shining on his lips. I can’t wait another second, I want Branson inside me, and I want him now.
I drag him toward me by the shoulders and lift my hips. He slips into me with the speed of lightning, the first thrust sending my body into another wave of spasms as he bites down on my nipple. His length feels me, causing me to gasp.
Just as I start to feel my body relax he pumps into me. He fucks me hard, reaching the hilt every time. His thick length touching every nerve ending deep inside, my body begging for more.