by Leah Brooke
Half the time he spent with her he wanted to sink his cock into her, her mouth, her no-doubt sweet pussy, or her tight, rounded ass. The other half he spent just wanting to hold her, running his hands over her body as he held her against him, having whispered conversations in the dark and learning all about her. She tried to hide parts of herself, normal under the circumstances, but something he wouldn’t—couldn’t allow. He would have to show her right from the start that secrets that would create distance between them wouldn’t be tolerated.
A mass of contradictions, Julianna made him crazy to know all of her secrets, her hidden desires.
Her scraped-back hair, low heels, and cool tone didn’t work with him at all. Instead of getting her hair cut short and practical, she wore it long, and he would bet she wore it loose when she was alone. The enticing little peek he’d had of her lace bra told him she was a woman who liked to feel alluring and enjoyed feeling sexy, even if only in the privacy of her apartment.
He thought he better understood her awkwardness at wearing heels the other night.
She’d worn low heels to the job interview, but he hadn’t thought much about it, assuming she knew of the construction taking place there.
But tonight was a different story.
Any other woman would have worn high heels with the dress she wore now, but Julianna hadn’t. He bet himself that when he looked in her closet, he would find various versions of the same low-heeled shoes she wore now.
And she slouched.
When she’d stood up to Ken Phillips, she’d straightened to her full height, but other than that she appeared to do everything in her power to make herself appear smaller.
At almost six feet tall, she was tall for a woman, but not for him. And those legs…
Didn’t she realize that she had the kind of legs other women would kill for and men fantasized about having wrapped around them?
She probably had no idea how her vulnerability made him want to wrap her in cotton and protect her from the world, especially when she tried to appear so sophisticated and cool.
Didn’t she know that her bottom lip trembled enticingly when she felt vulnerable? Or that she nibbled at it when she got nervous? Or that her eyes shot blue fire whenever she got angry? Or darkened mysteriously when she was aroused?
He couldn’t wait to deal with that temper she’d, so far, managed to keep contained. During the ride here it had almost broken free. He knew only the fear of losing this contract had reined it in.
What would it be like when she could no longer contain it—when she no longer feared losing her job? Just the thought of dealing with the fire she tried so hard to hide had his groin stirring.
Shifting in his seat, he shared a look with Steve.
Never before had they been in this predicament. Hell, they didn’t even have the same taste in women.
Steve preferred the cool ones. He liked the challenge of making them hot, drawing out the passion beneath. Whether it happened in bed or an argument, Steve absolutely loved fanning the flames until they burned out of control.
Nick preferred the fiery ones, usually darkly exotic like the woman who’d dropped her purse a few minutes ago in a play for attention. He loved their passion in the bedroom and with life and loved the challenge of controlling it.
Julianna appeared to be a mixture of both.
He’d bet anything Julianna would find the ultimate pleasure in having the flames of her passion burn hot, only to have a man strong enough to control it and teach her to rein it in.
From the moment he’d held her in his arms, he’d known he wouldn’t be satisfied until he had her. Now he knew it would take much more than just sex to satisfy his need for her. Her resistance to both his and Steve’s advances challenged him like he hadn’t been challenged in a long time. Bored with women who practically threw themselves at them, her resistance was like a breath of fresh air.
Impatient for her to sign the contract, he carefully kept his face blank and broke in on her discussion with Steve. “The condition for the clothing is, again, not negotiable.”
Purposely easing back in his seat to give her a little room, he hid his impatience. They’d crowded her in the limo, wanting to increase her awareness of them, but to do so here when she was so close to signing might scare her off.
Keeping her off balance would be the only way for them to lead her right down the path they wanted her to go. She fought her attraction to both of them, adopting that cool, professional tone whenever they got too close, probably never realizing just how futile her efforts were.
At her apartment, though, she’d weakened, giving him a glimpse of the passion just beneath the surface, and he wanted more.
* * * *
Julianna’s breathing became a little more ragged each time they moved closer. She found it hard to stay on her toes while her senses went on overload, even without the pressure they kept adding with apparently little effort. “I can see why both of you are so successful. Neither one of you gives an inch.”
Steve leaned close, smiling in that way that made her pussy clench. “Oh, I can do much better than that, sweetheart.”
Julianna blinked. “Are you sexually harassing me?”
Steve laughed again, drawing attention from other diners. Apparently it didn’t bother him at all. Sobering, he took her hand in his, his voice soft and low. “That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you. Any advances I make have nothing to do with your job. You’re a beautiful woman, and I’m going to try my best to get to know you better.” He gestured toward Nick, who leaned back and swirled his wine, but she could sense the tension in him. “We both are. But the only thing keeping you from having the contract is your signature.”
Her mouth suddenly dry, Julianna took a sip of water, knowing she needed to keep her wits about her. “Just as long as you know that I’m not interested in getting involved with you or any other man.”
Nick nodded. “Fair enough. Just as long as you know that Steve and I are going to do our best to change your mind. Are you going to sign the contract, or do you have any other concerns?”
Julianna wanted this job desperately. Needed it. “No. Everything seems to be in order. I’ve already started some preliminary sketches for the penthouse and offices. I just need the measurements.”
Nick held out his pen. “You can take care of that tomorrow.”
Accepting the gold pen, she signed the contract and handed it back to him, watching as he folded it and stuck it in his pocket. The look of satisfaction on his face gave her the niggling sensation that there was more to this than either man let on.
By the time dessert came, she was sure of it.
Nick sat back, his eyes indulgent as she savored her sorbet. “Over dinner, we answered all of your questions. Now I have a few of my own.”
Julianna shifted uncomfortably, mesmerized by the sight of Nick’s hands on his glass. His fingers moved deliberately up and down the smooth crystal, conjuring images of having them move over her body. Long and blunt-tipped, his fingers would look dark against her skin, his touch sure as he explored her.
Squeezing her thighs closed against the ache those images created, she noticed that it had grown silent, both men staring at her knowingly. Clearing her throat, she scooped up another bite of the sorbet, trying to hide the fact that her hand trembled. “I guess that’s fair.”
Nick took a small sip of his drink and leaned in a little closer. Although he kept his voice low, the small bite in it was unmistakable. “How did you meet David?”
Her face burned, and she dropped her spoon into her sorbet, no longer enjoying it. “I don’t know why you keep bringing him up. That’s personal. I don’t want to talk about it.”
Nick lifted her chin, taking the dessert from her and scooping up a small bite of the sorbet. Holding it to her mouth, he ran the spoon lightly back and forth over her bottom lip. “We’re on personal time now. The business parts of our meetings are over dinner. Dessert is personal time. Remember that.
The thought of having personal time with either one of them tantalized her with possibilities. She would love to get to know them better, and if it eventually led to a brief affair, that was just fine with her. Going with her gut, she decided to tell them. Anticipating their shock, she hid a smile. “I met David at one of Gabriel’s clubs.”
Steve looked shocked for just a moment before he quickly recovered. “You go to Gabriel Durand’s clubs?”
Nick didn’t look at all surprised. “Tell us about it.”
Julianna took another bite of the sorbet he offered and shrugged, swallowing the cold treat. “When Gabriel wanted his club redesigned, he called Avante’s. I got to design it. That’s how I met him. He’d closed the club for a month so I could work. David hadn’t known about the club being closed and showed up there while I was working to talk to Gabriel.”
If anything, Steve looked relieved, which puzzled her. “So that’s how you met Gabriel. Did you two ever date?”
Julianna laughed softly. “No. We’re friends. As a matter of fact, he’s in love with my best friend. I introduced them.” Sobering, she shook her head. “She’s in love with him, too, but won’t even go out with him.” Sighing, she forced a smile. “Thank God he’s a patient man.”
Nick offered her another bite. “Doms usually are. Good ones anyway. Unlike David. How many Doms have you had?”
Julianna choked on her sorbet. Waving off their attempts to help her, she took a drink of water. She should have been prepared for the question, but she hadn’t been prepared for the bluntness with which he’d asked it. “Is no topic off limits to you?”
Appearing to give it some thought, Nick smiled faintly. “With you? None that I can think of, but I’ll let you know.”
Glancing over, she saw that although Steve didn’t join in the conversation, they had his rapt attention. “I’ve never been in a relationship like that. I’m not submissive.”
Nick laughed softly. “You sound so indignant when you say that, like it’s something bad. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be swept away, to lose yourself in your passion.”
Steve frowned. “I don’t understand. If you’re not a sub, why were you with David? He says he’s a Dom, and Gabriel confirmed it.”
Shifting uncomfortably, Julianna knew that her face had to be bright red, but it appeared neither of the men would let up until they knew more. Maybe it would be better to set the record straight right from the start, especially if her suspicions about Nick were accurate. “If you must know, it was an experiment. I didn’t like it. End of story.”
Steve sat back, nodding and looking more than a little relieved. “That makes sense.” Leaning back, he eyed her hungrily. “You seem like the type of woman who’d want your sex wild and uninhibited.” Leaning closer, he kept his voice low and seductive. “Hot, sweaty sex that burns up the sheets, with a man who isn’t afraid of all that passion. Do you scare men with your passion? I’ll bet you never had a man who could handle you before, have you? Do you scream when you come, Julianna? Or do you whimper?” Leaning closer, he whispered softly. “I can make you scream, Julianna.”
Seduced by both his words and his tone, Julianna flushed and looked away, closing her eyes against the raging need. They flew open again when his fingers traced lightly over her arm, raising goose bumps all over her.
He leaned close, keeping his voice low but loud enough that Nick would have no trouble hearing it. His eyes darkened to a deep blue, shot with little sparks of silver. “Does the sound of your clothing being ripped from your body excite you? Being so hot and aroused that you can’t wait another second to be taken? Is your clit throbbing right now? Are you imagining what it’ll feel like when I suck it into my mouth and hold on to you so tightly that you can’t get away from me while I make you come so hard and fast you can’t catch your breath?”
Oh, God. Julianna gasped at the surge of need to her clit, which throbbed terribly, his words like a stroke on the swollen bundle of nerves.
Her lips parted, her breath coming out in pants as she stared at his mouth, tightening her hands into fists as wave after wave of need shot through her. Her clit did throb, and just thinking about Steve’s wide shoulders between her thighs, those firm lips taking her clit between them, aroused her unbearably. Her pussy clenched as moisture soaked her panties, her nipples pressing painfully against her lace bra.
She couldn’t move, couldn’t draw enough air into her lungs.
Sitting back, Steve’s eyes glittered as he glanced at Nick, smiling in satisfaction. When his eyes met hers again, she all but melted at the heat in them. “You need to be fucked often, honey, by a man who can handle all that fire.”
Nick eyed her thoughtfully, before shooting a glance at Steve, some sort of silent communication passing between them. “Or two.” Leaning close, he murmured softly. “I’d make you whimper. I’d make it last so long you’d cry, begging me to give you relief.”
Speechless, Julianna clenched her fists on her lap, amazed that her body trembled with the series of mini orgasms their words created. Nothing in her sexual past had prepared her for these two. If they could arouse her so easily with words, she could only imagine what they could do with their bodies.
Nick offered another spoonful of sorbet, his eyes hardening when she firmed her lips and shook her head. “Open your mouth for me, Julianna.”
The silky cadence of his voice had her entire slit tingling. His eyes held hers as she parted her lips and he slowly slid the spoon inside. “That’s a good girl.”
She gulped down the cold sweetness, barely managing to swallow it without choking. Pressing her thighs together, she shifted in her seat, trying not to embarrass herself.
Nick took her hand in his, lightly kissing her knuckles. “Don’t do that. Spread your thighs, darling.”
Unable to believe she’d heard him right, she swallowed heavily. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Julianna. Spread them.” His voice held a touch of impatience, a touch of steel that hadn’t been there before.
She didn’t stand a chance of denying him, especially when he slid his hand beneath the table to lay it on her thigh and gently caressed her.
“Spread them.”
Trembling, she spread her thighs an inch or two apart.
“Come on, darling. You can do better than that.”
Julianna licked her suddenly dry lips. “Why?”
Nick raised a brow. “I’d like to show you something. Aren’t you curious?”
Amazed at how aroused she’d become with only casual touches, she nodded shakily. If they could give her some of the answers she’d searched for, she’d do anything they asked. Taking a deep breath, she moved her thighs another few inches apart. “What are you going to show me? What if someone sees?”
Removing his hand, Nick shot a look at Steve and sat back. “No one will see anything. First answer something for me. What did David do to you that upset you so much? No, Julianna. Keep them spread.”
It took considerable effort to keep her thighs open, and she had to brace her feet against the table legs in order to do it. Her slit continued to leak moisture, her pussy clenching more frequently and harder than before, her abdomen becoming so tight it hurt.
Preoccupied with the riot of new and overwhelming sensations racing through her, she jumped when Nick squeezed her hand. “Tell me, Julianna.”
Embarrassed at the subject but aroused even more by his tone, she swallowed heavily before speaking, her words breathless and rushed. “Experiencing it is different than reading about it. It’s not so arousing when it hurts. And I don’t like being treated like someone’s pet.”
Nick kept her hand in his when she would have pulled away, his eyes hard. “The night we met you was your first experience with being dominated, wasn’t it?”
Shrugging, Julianna pulled her hand out of Nick’s and played with her water glass. “I told you I wanted to try something new. It failed.”
Blowing out a breath, she stared at the tablecloth, knowing that the two glasses of wine she’d had with dinner made it possible to admit the rest. “It’s not an easy thing to ask for. I felt stupid.”
Nick took her hand again before she could stop him and ran his thumb back and forth over her knuckles, making her want him to do the same thing with her nipples. “You’re right. It’s not an easy thing to ask for. It’s not easy for a man either, especially now. It’s lucky we discovered each other’s needs right away, isn’t it? No misunderstandings, no hurt feelings. David didn’t know what he was doing. You need something he could never comprehend.”
Shifting her gaze to Steve, it surprised her to see him watching her so curiously. “David does that kind of thing all the time. No, it’s me, but it doesn’t matter. I’m done with all that. It was a mistake I don’t plan to repeat. I’d like to go home.”
Leaning over her until their faces were only inches apart, Nick touched her thigh again. “Keep them spread.”
She’d already started to close them and stopped at his demand. Meeting his unblinking stare, she did as he said and put her legs back to their previous position. “I think we should go.”
Nick caressed her thigh before removing his hand. “In a minute. Put your hands on the table.”
She hesitated, glancing at Steve. “This is a waste of time.”
“Quiet.” Nick’s sharp reprimand made her jump, but then his voice became low and silky again, making her shiver. “I like knowing that your thighs are spread. Your panties are wet, aren’t they?”
Biting her lip, Julianna remained silent.
“Julianna, I’m waiting for an answer.”
Julianna stared at her hands, drawing a deep breath. “Yes.” She’d never experienced such vulnerability before, their undivided attention sharpening her awareness of her own femininity. Her arousal couldn’t be ignored, and as hard as she tried, she couldn’t resist taking another step into his web of seduction. “Yes.”
Running his fingers over her hand, he kept his voice low. “I’d like to strip you, one piece of clothing at a time until I have you completely naked. Totally at my mercy. Then I’d look at you. I’d lay you on the bed and take my time exploring every inch of you. I’d trace my fingers over your breasts, feeling your soft skin and moving closer and closer to your nipples. Close your eyes.”
-->
