She suddenly felt irritated that she could even think that way. They both knew why they were here. Two nights of passion they both wanted and undoubtedly needed. Nothing emotional, just physical. She didn’t intend to settle down anytime soon, so she should have no problem being his bed partner for the next two nights.
Victoria knew she needed to unwind, and this was the perfect way to do it. She hadn’t had sex since she’d been with Cortez, and she was hungry. And she thought he was, too.
“Are you looking forward to our time together, Victoria?”
It was as if he’d read her thoughts. She couldn’t and wouldn’t lie. “Yes.”
“Why?” he then asked, his voice soft.
She swallowed. “It’s hard to explain.”
He nodded. “Could it be because of this?” he asked, reaching out and taking her hand by the wrist, then placing his thumb on the pulse beating there. “Or that,” he said, his gaze zeroing in on the enlarged nipples pressing against her blouse in a way that made their meaning obvious.
He held her gaze for a moment. “Passion is a powerful thing.”
She sighed deeply. He wasn’t joking. The passion they would share here together had been the only thing on her mind since he’d suggested this trip. But she realized she hadn’t considered a few things. Like what happened when they left here? How would they react to each other when they met again? Would family members, those not privy to their secret, know they’d settled some score in one hell of an electrifying way? And did it even matter what people thought?
She finally decided to say something, knowing her words would set the tone for the rest of their time here together. “Yes, passion is a powerful thing. And the reason I’m looking forward to our time together, Cortez, is that I’ve lacked passion in my life since that one night with you. I’ve been too busy to become sexually involved with anyone. But I came here because I know you can deliver.”
There was no need to tell him how things had been for her. How many nights she’d laid in bed, remembering? And every time she saw him, she was reminded of what she’d once had.
Their gazes were locked, and she could see the blatant desire in the depths of his dark eyes. “Yes, I can deliver,” he said in a husky tone. “All you have to do is to tell me how much passion you want.”
She thought for a moment of her upcoming schedule. Another franchise would be opening in Orlando and she would be working her butt off to make sure it started off on a positive note.
This was her opportunity to let herself go, to give in to the overwhelming chemistry between them. She knew she’d never again experience anything like it, so she might as well go all in. “I want as much passion as you can stuff into forty-eight hours, Cortez.”
She watched as his oh-so-sexy-mouth curved into a “push-all-your-buttons smile. “Then be forewarned, Victoria Adele Bennett. I intend to give you all the passion your heart desires. And then some.”
CORTEZ GLANCED AROUND THE bedroom after his shower. After promising Victoria all the passion she could handle, she’d quickly finished off her wine, saying she felt hot and wanted to take a shower. She’d then hurried back inside.
He’d remained sitting outside, enjoying the view, although he’d been tempted to go inside and join her in that shower. Instead, he decided to let his words marinate a while. He wanted her ripe and ready for what he had in store for her later on tonight.
A short while later, when he returned inside, Victoria had finished her shower and was in the kitchen, starting dinner. That’s when he’d decided to take his own shower. Evening was settling in, and it would be night soon. Not that the time of day meant anything. He could make love to her at any time and intended to do so. By the time Victoria went home, they might not have made any specific plans about their future, but his personal imprint — both hands and mouth — would be all over her.
It was sad that her father and grandfather’s way with women had affected her so much. He wondered if either man knew just what they’d done to his Victoria. She had grown up believing she couldn’t count on love. Could it be trusted? Would it cause her pain? The unknowns had made her unwilling to find out.
She had gone almost nearly four years without sex, but she wouldn’t last that long again. And he intended to make sure that the person satisfying her sexual needs was him. Always him. He would be there, ready, willing, and able to give her what she wanted, while showing her there was so much more between them than sex. He wasn’t worried that he was manipulating her. His plan would only work if she cared as much for him as he did for her. Although he doubted she’d care that much because he was head over heels in love with Victoria Bennett.
“Something smells good,” he said, moving toward the kitchen.
She had been bending over the stove to check whatever she had in the oven. After her shower, she’d tied her hair up on her head away from her face and changed into a long, flowing dress that looked good on her. Sexy. Sensual. Hot.
She straightened and glanced at him. “I hope you like it. It’s one of the French recipes I picked up when I lived here before. I’ve made it for my cousins and my mom and Edison. They all like it.”
He leaned against the breakfast bar. “You get along with your step-father?”
A huge smile touched her lips. “Yes, tremendously. Edison has made Mom happy.”
“She wasn’t happy before?” he asked.
“I think she was content, but never truly happy. To be honest, I don’t think she was even happy when she was married to Dad. It’s my guess that she suspected what he was doing, but she hadn’t wanted to believe it, that he wouldn’t disrespect her in such a manner. But she found out how wrong she was when one of my father’s other women, Evelyn, paid my mother a visit and let her know she was pregnant with my father’s child.”
Victoria sighed. “I will never forget the pain I saw in her eyes that day. After they divorced, Dad hurt Mom even more by marrying Evelyn. Mom went close to twelve years without ever getting involved with anyone. That’s when I realized just how bad Dad had hurt her, and it was hard for me to remain neutral. By then he was on his third wife and was treating her the same way he’d treated Mom.”
“Did you ever talk to him about it?”
“No, although I probably should have. I figured it wouldn’t change anything. Besides, Mom wouldn’t let me get involved. She didn’t want me taking sides. She constantly reminded me that no matter what, he was my father, a man I should respect.” She paused. “That was hard to do at times. The only thing that got me through it was knowing that my father truly loved me. I always knew that. But still, knowing what he’d done to Mom made me feel resentful. He’d essentially taken my family away from me.”
He nodded. “How did you get through those times?”
She sighed. “My Aunt Brandy was there to help me.” Brandy was her dad’s sister and was married to Quinn’s brother Grey. “She made me see that all men weren’t like Gramps and Dad, and told me that one day, I’d meet someone who would prove her words true. I told her I didn’t need to meet someone to know. I saw how much in love Grey was with her, Quinn was with Alexia, Michael was with Taye, and Ryan was with Rae’jean. My older cousins married guys who loved them and treated them like queens.”
It was the way he intended to always treat her, Cortez thought. Like a queen. “So, are you open to taking a chance on love?”
She shrugged. “Maybe one day. However, I will admit it’s hard for me to fully trust a man. That’s something I need to work on.”
And he intended to help her do just that. “What type of wine do you suggest for dinner?” he asked, deciding to change the subject. He had purchased several bottles while they’d been out.
“I think a white will be fine.”
He nodded and then moved to the cabinet to select a bottle. “White, it is.”
“And right on time. I’m about to set the table for dinner.”
“Not yet. After you left to take your shower, I realized there
was something I hadn’t done yet.”
She lifted a brow. “Oh? What?”
He moved to stand in front of her. “Something to set the mood for our time here together.”
Then he reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Victoria didn’t even think about resisting. And when his lips captured hers, she got lost in the same whirlwind of desire she hadn’t felt since the last time they’d kissed. Only this was different. This was the kiss of a mature man, an utterly confident man. One who knew what he wanted and who went after it.
He was deliberately arousing her with this kiss, and she was beginning to feel greedy with pleasure. Her skin felt over-stimulated. She wanted more, and she was going to take it, even if doing so made her appear needy. Because in essence, she was.
Over the next forty-eight hours, she would be getting all the passion she could handle, and it was starting now. He was doing more than setting the mood, he was priming her for what was to come later. Suddenly, he deepened the kiss and she gave back, demanding as much of him as he was of her. The more he gave the more, she gave back.
He suddenly broke away, allowing her to draw air into her lungs. Victoria suddenly felt hot all over. His arms were around her waist, and he was staring at her with an intensity that made her even hotter.
“I’ve missed your taste, Victoria.”
She’d missed his, as well. “Did you?”
“Every night. Remember those dreams and fantasies I told you about?”
“Yes. And do you remember mine?” she boldly asked him.
“Yes.”
“Good.” She took a step back. “Now, if you’d let me put dinner on the table we can sit down and eat.”
He gave her a rakish smile. “I don’t have a problem lying down and eating.”
She immediately knew what he meant, and the thought of him doing that very thing flooded her mind, causing her sex to tingle with desire at the thought of his tongue invading there.
“Later?” she asked, anticipating making her shiver
His smile broadened. “Definitely. You, Victoria, will be my dessert.”
“Oh, my.”
“Oh, yes, sweetheart.”
Less than fifteen minutes later, they were sitting across from each other at the dining room table. “This food is delicious, Victoria.”
She couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips. “I’m glad you like it. I appreciate your help in setting things up.” Without her asking, he’d immediately pitched in and set the table. They’d worked well together, which made her wonder how things would be for them if they were to…
“You okay?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“I’m fine, Cortez. Just thinking.”
He lifted a brow. “About what.”
She decided to be honest. “Us. Although I know there’s not really an us… Have you given any thought as to what happens after we leave here?”
He shrugged. “Why? Have you?”
She released a deep sigh. “Yes.”
“Is it something we need to talk about?”
Was it? Yes, she thought so. She nodded. “To be honest, I’ve been so looking forward to spending these two nights with you, that I hadn’t considered the fallout.” Too late she’d realized what she’d done, basically confessing that she’d looked forward to spending time with him.
“The fallout?” he asked.
She glanced at him over the rim of her wineglass. “Like what happens when we leave here? What will be our reaction to each other when we meet again in public? Will our family members, those not privy to our personal business already, know about our time together here? Will they suspect something is going on between us?”
He shrugged. “Does it honestly matter what people think? Last time I checked, I was a grown-ass man and you’re a grown-ass woman. What we do is our business.”
She nodded as she placed her glass down. “That’s true. But just so you know, if you don’t already, I have a somewhat nosey family.”
He grinned. “You’re not alone. Most people do.”
She picked up her glass again and took another sip of her wine. “Tell me about yours.”
He grinned. “With two Masters already married to two Bennetts, are you honestly saying your family didn’t do a thorough background check to make sure Grey and Quinn were worthy?”
She laughed, then leaned in close to him. “For your information, Cortez Masters, I was too young to consider checking your family out. And Alexia and Brandy’s family were probably all too happy that they were getting married to ask questions. I heard they used to be a handful back in the day. Especially Brandy.”
He’d heard that, too. “Well, just in case you want to vet me, I’ll tell you about my family,” he said. “The Masters have deep roots in Savannah. My grandfather had four sons. Quinn’s father was the oldest and my father is the youngest.”
She nodded. “I’ve met your parents. They’re nice.”
“Thanks. They worked hard to give us the things we needed growing up, and I appreciate them for it.”
“How did you decide to work for…I mean, work with Quinn?”
For a brief moment, he wondered if perhaps she was trying to piece together the timeline for his decision to join Quinn’s firm after discovering her true identity. If she studied it really closely, she would find the connection. Although she didn’t live in Los Angeles, he knew she had business interests there and frequented the city a lot.
“Quinn and his brothers were great role models for me and my brothers. When Quinn left Savannah to attend college in California, he didn’t come back, but would make frequent trips home to check on the family. In fact, he’s the reason I became an attorney. I guess you can say I followed in his footsteps.”
After taking a sip of his wine, he continued, “After passing the bar, finding a job with a firm wasn’t hard. I was lucky and got hired on with a well-known firm in Savannah within a couple of months after my Paris trip.”
“Did you not like working for that firm?”
“I loved it. But I didn’t see myself growing in Savannah. Everyone knew me. Neighbors, church members, school friends would call on me to handle their legal issues. Unfortunately, since they grew up with me or knew me before I became an attorney, they figured my services were pro bono.”
She shook her head. “Didn’t they know you worked for a firm and not for yourself?”
“Oh, they knew but didn’t care. Lucky for me, Quinn was about to expand, venturing into other types of law, not just entertainment. So, like everyone else, I had to apply.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. Like he wouldn’t hire anyone with the last name of Masters.”
“He might not have, and I would not have wanted him to if I hadn’t met his qualifications. The last thing I wanted was for him to be accused of nepotism.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. I’ve heard that you’re pretty awesome.”
He gave a rueful chuckle. “Honestly, is that what you heard?”
She nodded, then placed her glass down again and met his gaze. “So, what else do you want to talk about, Cortez?”
“A number of things, but I think we should consider taking the conversation in there,” he said, angling his head toward the bedroom door.
“I agree,” she said.
Draining the last of his wine, he placed the wineglass on the table, then got to his feet. Coming around the table, he leaned down…and swept Victoria into his arms.
VICTORIA’S EYES HAD CLOSED the moment Cortez swept her into his arms. When she felt her back touch the bed cushions, she opened them to gaze into the handsome face looming over hers. Leaning in close, he whispered against her lips, “You have no idea just how much I want you, Victoria.”
He was right, she honestly didn’t. “Show me,” she whispered back.
A smile touched his lips, extending from one corner to the other. Victoria shivered. She could climax just by looking at his smile.
It was such a turn-on.
“Oh, I intend to show you, Victoria. I’ll show you everything.”
Then he leaned closer to capture her mouth, sliding his tongue inside while slipping his hand underneath her dress to trace a slow path down her thigh. The feel of his hand on that part of her made it impossible for her to hold back a moan. He suddenly broke off the kiss. “Time to get naked.”
She watched as he moved away from the bed, whipping his shirt over his head and tossing it aside. Kicking off his shoes, he released the snap at his waistband, lowered his zipper, and then eased his pants, along with his briefs, down his legs. Heat consumed her when she got a good look at him, remembering the first time she’d seen him naked and how she’d been filled with apprehension. But he had made things okay by delivering pleasure, not pain. At least, not much pain.
He returned to the bed, wordlessly scooping her into his arms to place her on her feet. Since he’d undressed, Victoria figured she might as well get naked, as well, so she started to disrobe. He didn’t say anything as he leaned against the dresser, watching her.
When her hands went to the top of her dress, she glanced over at him and saw his gaze had followed the movement. When she paused, he repeated her earlier words. “Show me.”
Victoria felt emboldened by his request and decided to let him look his fill. Sliding the dress past her shoulders and then down over her hips, she stepped out of it. She was about to dispense of her panties when he said, “Let me do the honor. Please.”
She could clearly recall the last time he’d removed her panties. “Certainly,” she said, licking her lips as he strolled back toward her.
He dipped his mouth to her chest and latched onto a breast, drawing a nipple into his mouth and starting to suck on it. She groaned at the sensations his greedy mouth and tongue were causing as he devoured one breast before moving to the other. Her nipples were expanding in his mouth, and she could feel the lower part of her body tighten and quiver with each tug on her breasts.
Moments later, he got on one knee in front of her and reached up to rub his fingers across the crotch of her panties. She caught her breath as a quiver of electricity shot through her. He tilted his head back and met her gaze. The look in his eyes almost had her dissolving into a puddle of pleasure.
THE BENNETTS' WEDDING (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family Book 5) Page 21
