Her body quivered with need and she yanked harder, freeing her hands and tossing the garment to the floor. She ran her hands over his broad shoulders, his sweater preventing her from feeling his skin.
As if reading her mind, he pulled it off, baring his chest. The stuff of fantasies, she thought, gliding her hands over his hair-roughened flesh, allowing her nails to rake over his nipples.
He groaned and kissed her once more before sitting up, bracing his knees on either side of her body. Raising himself up enough to give him leverage, he flicked open the button on her jeans, sliding down the zipper. He eased his hand into her bikini underwear. She moaned at the touch of his fingers against her sex.
He raised his hips. “Lift,” he instructed.
She complied, allowing him to pull her jeans down until they were stuck on her hips. He didn’t seem to care, his gaze intent on her damp panties. “You’re wet,” he murmured. “All for me.”
Her cheeks burned at his frank talk.
“Let’s see the rest.” He pulled her panties down, exposing her sex.
“Bare. So sweet.” He slid his fingers over her outer lips, and she arched her back and moaned out loud.
He grasped her thighs and pulled her legs as wide as her restrictive clothing would let them go. She was a combination of embarrassed and beyond turned on.
“You’re beautiful when you blush,” he said, jarring her because she hadn’t realized he was watching her face.
“You’re just so … frank.”
“And honest. I like looking at you. Any reason I shouldn’t tell you?” he asked as he began to play with her sex, sliding the moisture all around until she was coated with her own juices.
He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead he pressed his thumb against her clit, and stars flashed behind her eyes. She lost all inhibition and embarrassment because he focused on the one place sure to send her flying. He slid a long finger inside her, and her body contracted around him. His finger felt good but it wasn’t enough. She needed more thickness, more friction in order to come.
And she needed to climax badly. He pumped a finger in and out of her core, his thumb circling over her clit again, alternatively pressing down, moving in maddening circles, pausing so he could fuck her with his finger. Her entire body shook as her climax neared.
He’d found his rhythm, and between the digit inside her and the hard press and grind on her sex, she was lost in sensation. Her entire being, her focus came down to that one sensitive spot.
He pumped harder. Pressed more insistently. And when he curled his finger against her inner wall, finding that elusive spot, she came hard.
“Derek, Derek! God!” White stars exploded behind her eyes, her entire body shook, and she cried out, his name a chant on her lips.
Suddenly the dog started barking, startling her. Derek jumped at the sound, levering himself up and off her. “Jesus, Oscar, quiet!”
The dog barked some more, so he headed over and calmed Oscar, murmuring to the canine until he whined and settled back into his bed.
On his way back, he bent down, picked up her sweater, and handed her the garment, a grin on his handsome face.
“What?” she asked.
“You came so hard you scared the dog.”
Once again tonight, her face flushed with embarrassment. “How kind of you to point that out.”
“Sorry. Here. Let me help you up.”
She accepted the gesture and allowed him to pull her to a sitting position. Cassie slid her panties and jeans back on, followed by drawing her sweater over her head.
He rejoined her on the couch. “I guess Oscar isn’t used to … entertainment.” He chuckled and held up one hand. “I’m not laughing at you. I’m being serious. I don’t usually bring women here. He’s not used to—”
“Why don’t we let it go,” she suggested, her lips lifting in a smile despite it all.
Derek settled back on the sofa, sliding one arm behind her shoulders, pulling her against him. “Okay, but I appreciate you being such a good sport.”
She grinned. “It’s not his fault. Besides … I think I owe him a thank you.” She wasn’t sure how much further things would have gone between them if Oscar hadn’t interrupted, and the fact was… “I don’t mean to be a tease, but I’m not ready for … more.”
Not that she didn’t want to sleep with him. She did. Oh, how she did. As hard as he’d made her come, she’d felt empty without him inside her, filling her while the waves crashed over her body. But her mind and her heart were a little slower to catch up. For one thing, Derek ran hot and cold with her, and that made her wary.
He brushed her hair off her shoulders and pressed a kiss against her cheek. “I wouldn’t pressure you tonight.”
She tilted her head, meeting his gaze. “If we’re being honest, it’s been awhile for me. I got hurt pretty badly and I’ve been careful ever since. I don’t just—”
“Sleep with any guy you meet.” He curled her hair around his fingers and brushed his thumb over the strands. “I think I figured that out about you from the get-go.”
She grasped his hand, trying to show him she appreciated his understanding. “I’m glad you get it. Some guys don’t.”
“I’m not some guy. Besides, I said I wouldn’t pressure you tonight. Not that there wouldn’t be a next time.”
Pleasure and a warm sense of gratitude washed over her. “I’m very glad to hear that,” she said, wanting him to understand that no for now didn’t necessarily mean no for good. “Because I never said I couldn’t be persuaded.”
* * *
Derek didn’t sleep well. In part because he had a raging hard-on that not even his hand helped abate, but also because the woman he desired slept a wall away. Early the next morning, he pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, planning to head out and take Oscar for his morning walk. But as he brushed his teeth and got ready, he couldn’t stop going over the events of last night.
Cassie had been a revelation. There was an innate sweetness about her he’d never experienced before. Despite how he’d all but snarled at her when she’d asked about his parents, she had been genuinely sorry for him and caring about his loss. Which made her a nicer person than he was, that was for damned sure.
And watching her come apart in his arms affected him more than any experience he’d had before. And that threw him, making the fact that Oscar had interrupted what would have come after, namely him stripping off his clothes and burying himself deep inside her wet heat, a good thing. Something they both would have regretted come morning.
Another reason she stood out to him. She wasn’t eager to jump into his bed. To sleep with a billionaire. To use him for his money. And he sensed her lack of greed had little to do with her having money of her own. She was just that genuine a person.
Which didn’t make his waffling feelings toward her easy to deal with. Nor did it help his conscience. Especially since she’d admitted to being betrayed in the past. He didn’t want to hurt her too, but he still wanted to acquire her father’s company and run it into the ground. He just felt more guilt about it now.
With his mind heavy, he quietly made his way to the family room, where Oscar slept if he chose not to join Derek in his bed. The dog bed was empty. Which meant there was only one place the traitor could be.
In the room where Cassie slept.
He ran a hand through his hair, debating whether to knock or open the door and let the dog slide through. It sounded quiet, so he turned the knob and glanced in. Sunlight began to stream through the slats in the window shades, casting a golden glow on Cassie’s brown hair. She slept on.
As for Oscar, instead of bounding toward him as Derek expected, the dog lay tangled around Cassie’s feet.
“Come on,” Derek whispered roughly.
Oscar raised his head and whined. Hell. If Derek were wrapped around Cassie, he wouldn’t want to leave either. But the dog needed his morning walk or he’d pee on the floor when he finally got his lazy ass out
of bed.
Derek shook the leash in his hand. No luck.
He padded into the room, wearing only socks on his feet, trying to remain quiet. “Oscar, come,” he tried again, using his stern indoor voice.
“Derek?” Cassie murmured, pulling herself up against the pillows, taking the comforter with her.
One glance told him why. Her shoulders were bare beneath the covers, and when he guessed what was underneath, his mouth went dry. If he’d thought about the fact that she was naked next door, he wouldn’t have made it through the night.
“Sorry. Need to walk the dog.” He leaned over and hooked the leash onto Oscar’s collar, at which point Oscar rolled over onto his back, making himself dead weight.
Stupid shit. Derek couldn’t help but laugh.
“He likes me,” she said on a giggle.
He wasn’t the only one, Derek thought. A few more tugs and Oscar grumbled his way off the bed. “I’ll be back in a little while. I’ll bring up muffins too.”
She treated him to a grateful smile. “Thank you. And thanks for the toothbrush and everything in the bathroom last night.”
He nodded. “Maybe next time you’ll find all the necessities in my room,” he said, then pulled on the leash and headed out of the room before she could reply.
Chapter Five
Cassie waited until Derek left the room before falling back against the pillows and closing her eyes. Staying alone here had been difficult last night, especially after she’d peeled off her clothing and climbed into bed naked. Well, with her panties on, but no way was she sleeping in a bra. Ouch. But knowing Derek was next door and she was in here with barely a stitch of clothes made it difficult to stick to her resolve to get to know him better before sleeping with him.
She’d persevered … until he’d shown up in her room this morning, unshaven, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, looking sexy as hell while he tried to wrangle his dog for a walk. He wasn’t the billionaire the world wanted to know better, he was a damned fine-looking man she wanted to know intimately.
She blew out a harsh breath, climbed out of bed, and got ready for the day. By the time she walked into the kitchen, Derek had returned. They ate muffins and coffee, a blessing to her rumbling stomach.
“Did the weather clear up?” she asked.
He nodded. “The sun is shining and the roads are clear. Can I give you a ride back home?”
She had no intention of being stubborn and sitting on a train. “Thank you. I’d appreciate it.”
“Mind if Oscar hops in the back? He loves the car and doesn’t get to drive around much because we live in the city.” He gestured to the dog who lay frog-legged on the floor, staring up at her with moony eyes.
She did her best not to laugh. “I’d love the company.” She knelt down and petted the dog’s furry back, and he rolled over for a belly rub.
A smile lifted the corners of Derek’s mouth. “You have a fan.”
“He kept me warm last night,” she said. And she’d enjoyed the sensation of the big, comfortable body against her legs.
“I would have kept you warm.” Derek glanced at her, his gaze simmering at his more sensual meaning.
“Maybe I wish I’d let you,” she admitted, her nipples tightening beneath the soft sweater. She’d held off for reasons that still made sense, but a part of her knew she wanted more from Derek than a one-night stand. She liked him a lot. And she wanted to see where things could go.
A pleased smile lit his handsome face, giving her hope he felt the same way.
“There’ll be another time,” he assured her with a wink, and her stomach flipped in the most pleasant way while her sex had a clenching reaction of its own.
A little while later, with Oscar in the back, hooked up to his seat belt harness, panting in her ear, they headed for Long Island.
“You know, there’s a park near the house where you can take Oscar off-leash. He’d love the snow. And I’d love to see him flying around with the white stuff all over him.”
He laughed. “Sounds like a date.”
She liked the sound of that idea. He pulled off the familiar highway exit to her house. “So … is it okay if I shadow you at your office this week?” she asked, bringing up the interview. “I’d like to see what a normal day in the life is like. Plus, I can talk to your assistant and partners, if that’s okay with you.”
He grumbled something under his breath.
“Now you sound like Oscar when you asked him to do something he didn’t want to do.”
He shot her a sideways look before turning back to the road. “Yes, you can shadow me.”
“Thank you.” She already knew he wouldn’t enjoy the process, but it was necessary.
From memory, he drove the back roads to the estate, but when they reached the secondary driveway that led to her house, it hadn’t yet been plowed. “Can you pull through the gate and drop me off at the front of the main house? I’ll go through the back. I hope they at least shoveled the walking path.”
“Hard to get good help these days, hmm?” he asked sarcastically. His father used to shovel the walkways and plow the driveways.
She ignored the comment.
He pulled into the driveway and put the car in park.
She bit down on her lower lip. “You know, if we’re going to spend time together apart from the interview, you’re going to have to really get past our history, and at this point, I’m not sure you have.”
She reached for the handle before turning around to face him once more, her heart pounding hard in her chest. “I’m not giving up on the interview. But you should think about whether or not you want to see me outside of a working relationship. Because I don’t want to deal with the snide remarks and sudden change of temperature when something you don’t like comes up.”
She yanked open the door as he called her name.
“Cassie, wait.”
She ignored him, climbing out of the car and slamming the door shut behind her. Within the last twenty-four hours, he’d snapped at her twice, and she didn’t appreciate it. Let him deal with her attitude for a change.
He met her around her side of the car, grasping her by the shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
“Maybe you are. For the moment. I just don’t know if you can really separate us now from the past. You need to think about it. And I need to get inside. It’s cold,” she said, grabbing on to the excuse she needed.
Although it was warmer than yesterday, her nose was already cold from the wind. And Derek did need time to think.
He released her and she headed for the front door. “Thank you for last night,” she said over her shoulder.
“Cassie—”
Instead of answering, she lifted a hand in a wave before letting herself into the house, aware of her snow-covered boots on the marble floor. She shut the door behind her and blew out a long breath.
She released the zipper on her jacket as a combination of sadness and anticipation rolled through her. Who knew what decisions Derek would make about her once he gave it some thought. Still, she didn’t regret her outburst. She didn’t want a man who was only half in when it came to anything beyond business between them. She’d had enough of relationships built on lies and partial truths about the other person’s motives.
“Where have you been?” Spencer asked, walking out of the study to the left of the front door.
“You scared me!”
“I was doing work when I saw the car pull up by the front door. Who was that guy? New boyfriend?”
“None of your business! What’s wrong with you? I don’t question your relationships.”
He raised one eyebrow over eyes the same brown as her own. “Oh, so it’s a relationship.”
“I didn’t say that.”
He studied her, his gaze going from her feet, all the way up. “You didn’t have to. You’re in the same clothes you were in when I came by your house yesterday.”
She bit down on the inside of her cheek. “I got snowed in while I
was in the city looking at apartments so you can move in.”
“So who drove you home? Your broker? Come on, sis, fess up.”
“Fine, it was Derek West,” she said, if only to shut her brother up. “I’m interviewing him for Take a Byte, and he was kind enough to help me find a place to live.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? The gardener’s kid?”
She stiffened at the disdain in Spencer’s tone.
“No, the self-made billionaire,” she countered, hoping her brother got the hint that his own wealth hadn’t been earned.
God, what was wrong with men? She’d had enough of the class difference bullshit with Derek, though his had been more subtle and more personal.
“You can do better than him.”
“And you don’t care who I see, so why do you have a problem with him?”
As if he was suddenly uncomfortable, Spencer rolled his shoulders and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. “It’s just awkward. They used to work for us until Dad caught his mother stealing. You need to stay away from them.”
“Whoa. Wait. What?”
“His mother’s a thief. Of course, she got away with it, but Dad let them go, no references. Which is what they deserved. So steer clear.”
Nausea filled her throat. “No. I don’t believe that.” His mother was the sweetest, kindest woman. She wouldn’t steal from them. “Dad told me they moved on to a new job.”
He shifted from foot to foot. “I guess they didn’t want to upset you. You always were too nice to the help.”
That was it. She wanted to go home, to her house, while it was still hers. “You’re a pig. Please tell me the walkway is shoveled so I can get home.”
“Yes. The snowplow broke. They’re coming back later to do the secondary driveway.”
“Good. I’m going home.”
“Find an apartment?” he asked.
“When I move out, you’ll be the first to know.” She turned and walked away, consumed by the information he’d provided.
She didn’t know the whole story and probably never would. Not from her family, but she now understood why Derek resented her so much. And if she’d held out any hope, subconsciously or otherwise, that he’d come around and want a relationship, her brother had shattered those dreams.
Going Down Hard Page 6
