Provocative Attraction

by Altonya Washington

  “I need to be there.”

  Rook held firm. “I’m sorry, V.”

  The pleading look cooled and her gaze went flat. “Don’t let all the permissions my sister’s granted you go to your head. I’m only putting up with this ‘hiding out’ nonsense to make Sophia happy.”

  “Maybe you should’ve considered what that would mean before you agreed to it.”

  Viva burst into quick, harsh laughter. “Like I had any choice!”

  “Are you trying to say I bullied you?”

  She tilted her head and sneered. “Do you really need to hear me tell you that you did?”

  He shrugged. “It’s news to me. You never struck me as a woman who reacted well to being bullied. Had I known differently, I may’ve tried it years ago.”

  “I know what you’re up to.” Viva massaged an ache forming near her temples. “This side argument isn’t going to make me forget about wanting to go be with my friend.”

  “Even if it means putting your own life on the line to get there?”

  Viva steeled herself against reiterating the fact that Murray wouldn’t hurt her—not now. Not when Bev was— God...had he really been responsible for that? She looked to Rook again.

  “Does your information say what her condition is?”

  Rook’s mouth tightened, and he didn’t look too eager to share. “She’s in bad shape,” he confirmed finally. “Broken leg, fractured collarbone. There was some internal bleeding, but they’ve been able to stop that.”

  Viva turned her back to Rook when the news reached her ears. She could feel the pressure of tears returning with a vicious intensity. She despised the feel of tears, despised even more anyone seeing her give in to them. Correction—she despised Rook Lourdess seeing her give in to them.

  He moved closer, halted within a few inches of touching distance. “You’ll know anything I do, the moment I do.”

  She turned back to him. “And then what?”

  “And then you’ll know.” Rook told himself to let her go when she elbowed past him to leave the room. “V?” he called anyway.

  She stopped, but didn’t turn to face him.

  “Your room’s behind the double doors to your left.”

  Some of the rigidness left Viva’s shoulders as despair claimed her. They’d both been of one accord when they’d stepped into the suite. They’d thought of nothing but finishing what they’d started in the car. Now, one more element of unrest between them made that possibility seem more like fantasy.

  “Good night, Rook.”

  He winced at the finality of the statement. Regardless of how unfortunate the evening had turned out, he knew it was best to set out the rest of the ugly cards before they parted ways.

  “I know a trip to Italy or anywhere else in the world for you is like going to the post office for others.” He smiled grimly when she remained where she was, her back still turned to him. “You can find your way back from here to LA with your eyes closed,” he continued.

  “I hope you won’t do that, but to cut down on the confusion, I thought I’d go on and take this.”

  Viva turned then, the renewed exhaustion in her eyes making way for a sudden storm to brew as she fixed on what he held—her passport.

  “You horse’s ass,” she spat, bristling when the delicious roughness of his laughter vibrated in the room. She’d heard enough of the gesture to know he was genuinely amused.

  “I know you can swear better than that, V. I have the chance to hear it every Saturday night between the hours of ten and eleven.”

  “Wow.” Her smile was chilly. “I’d expect you to be up to more than sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday night.”

  He responded with a playful roll of his stunning eyes and a lopsided grin. “A man can do a lot in front of a TV. It all depends on what he’s watching.”

  She noticed the glint in his gaze and knew he was teasing her ruthlessly. Realizing that stung. Between the two of them, she was clearly the only one who gave in to pleasuring herself to the memory of their sex life.

  Images emerged as those memories surfaced and she was suddenly sweltering inside the already warm dress. She considered him with a look as suspicious as it was measuring.

  “I guess you really don’t trust me, do you? I gave my word to Sophia, you know?”

  “To Sophia—not to me.”

  “I thought that was understood.”

  “So did I—once.”

  She gave an amused snort. “You were right. I didn’t think this through before I gave my word. It was so not a good idea.”

  “Well, it’s done.” He slipped the passport book into a back pocket. “You’re stuck with me, so we better make the most of it.”

  “There was a time when that would’ve been all I wanted.”

  He wouldn’t let her remark rile him—couldn’t let it rile him. “A time, huh? When was that? While you were planning your great escape?”

  “Like you noticed!” Viva had no problem releasing the tethers on her own temper. “You didn’t have a clue until I was practically waving my plane ticket under your nose!” She watched his remarkable gaze flare before he closed his eyes with a slow flutter of unfairly long lashes and bowed his head. It was another move she’d seen often enough—usually when he was stressed over some business matter. Now, she knew the reaction was all for her. Some perverse part of her welcomed the coming explosion.

  Such was not to be. Viva watched, fascinated by the way he tamped down the anger as suddenly as it had risen. It was as if he’d made a silent decision against saying anything more. She laughed, unamused when he began to leave the room.

  “So even here, even now, we aren’t going to discuss this?”

  “We aren’t going to discuss this,” he replied as he stopped and looked at her, “especially not here.”

  “I’m not afraid of you, Rook.” The tiniest sliver of her apprehension eased when his laughter mounted—the one signifying honest amusement.

  “I know you’re not afraid of me, V. I’m a damn good teacher and I taught you how to defend yourself.”

  That sweltering feeling returned to place a fiery layer over those memories. Those lessons hadn’t been sensual in nature, yet they’d led to events that were of the most carnal variety. She couldn’t control her memories and knew by his emerging smile that he could tell his words had taken her thoughts down the route he’d intended.

  Viva managed a quiet clearing of her throat and hoped that her voice would cooperate. “I meant I’m not afraid of anything you might say. Chances are high I’ve probably said the same thing to myself a million times. Rook, we need to put this to rest once and for all, regardless of where it leads...or doesn’t lead.”

  “You’re not afraid of what I might say, but I am.” He swept her with a probing, potent stare. “We aren’t getting into this now, V.” Just wait until we’re back home, he silently begged her. I’ll tell you everything you think you want to hear. He knew the only place it would go would be back to the lives they’d led for the past six years.

  Viva knew more conversation on the subject would prove useless, but she couldn’t resist one last jab. “Once again, it’s about what you want.”

  “Guess it’s about time I know what that feels like.” His smile was a chilly slash across his face and he resumed the trek to his room.

  “Don’t try making any clever travel arrangements with your phone either. I wouldn’t mind having it to keep your passport company,” he called over a shoulder.

  Viva stood steaming inside her dress and stewing in anger as she watched him stroll from view.

  * * *

  Plain stubborness kept Viva from venturing outside her room to hunt down breakfast the next morning. By some miracle, she’d been able to fall asleep following the episode—the latest ep
isode in the Rook and Viva Show. Unfortunately, she’d awakened after way too few hours of total oblivion. Accepting that additional sleep would not be forthcoming, she performed the morning rituals of washing her face and brushing her teeth. Her plan was to settle back into bed and review the script she’d brought along until she was sure Rook had left the suite to begin his day.

  She’d read through three scenes, when knocking sounded at the bedroom door. Rook opened it without waiting on her permission to enter. He stood leaning on the jamb with an amused, knowing smile softening the brutal handsomeness of his face.

  “Do diva actresses have something against serving themselves breakfast?” he asked.

  Viva continued studying her script, hoping he couldn’t see how badly her hands shook. His voice practically reverberated in the room. The effect sent her heart thudding to her throat.

  “No,” she said with a coolness she didn’t at all feel, “but they do find it difficult to stomach breakfast in the presence of cowards.”

  The word was as stinging as it was unexpected. Rook’s reaction to it played all over his expression and he couldn’t seem to suppress it.

  “Coward?” He gave in to a few seconds of silence before reiterating the insult.

  “Mmm...” Viva confirmed, continuing to idly flip through the script.

  Rook’s chest expanded as he took deep breaths to induce a calm he desperately wanted to feel. He’d expected to hear her call him almost anything but a coward.

  “In what way?” He braced himself for her response.

  She didn’t give him the benefit of eye contact. “You’re a smart man, Rook. I don’t think an explanation is necessary.”

  “Maybe not, but why don’t you give me one anyway?”

  Viva at last put down the script and observed him with bold interest while he stood with his arms folded across his stunning chest.

  “So let me get this straight,” she began. “I’m required to provide explanations while you...get to duck and dodge them like...I don’t know...a coward?”

  Rook betrayed that the word stung him a second time by giving in to a reflexive jerk of his shoulders beneath the black fleece sweatshirt he wore over a denim shirt of the same color. “Does it matter that I plan to talk through this once we get back to Philly?”

  “Ahh...so you’re just afraid to talk to me here?”

  “Don’t push me, V.”

  “Rook,” she said as she scooted to her knees in the bed, “what’s going on with you?” Concern had overruled her anger or the need to pout. “What do all these little comments really mean?” She rolled her eyes and flopped back to the bed while waving off the sigh he uttered in response. “I know, I know...you can’t talk about it here.”

  “This isn’t easy for me, Viva.”

  “And you think it’s easy for me?” she cried, inwardly cringing at the loss of composure. “There’re things you need to know, Rook. Things I need—want—to tell you and I—I’ve waited too long to.” She studied her palms as if they held answers to a puzzle she was desperate to solve. “It was easy to live with that when we were on opposite coasts. Just know, Rook, it’s as hard for me to keep quiet as it is for you to talk.”

  She shook her head then, mutinous fire turning her gaze to molten chocolate. “At least I’m willing to get over myself and try to get through it.”

  Rook pushed off the doorjamb then. “This is about more than the two of us trying to get closure over some old drama. You’ll have to excuse me if this isn’t as easy for me as it is for you—”

  Viva shoved off the bed and charged. “Damn you, Rook.” She shoved at his chest once, then again. Her anger skyrocketed when the push didn’t even cause him to stumble.

  “Go to hell,” she breathed and then gave a regal turn to settle back against the decadent king bed. “Take your cowardice issues with you.” She prepared to delve back into her script.

  Moments later, the item was yanked from her hands and Viva watched it sail across the room. Her eyes flew to Rook’s and she was struck by the raw hunger she found there. She knew what came next—and she welcomed it. He’d be in for a different finale this time, she promised herself.

  Rook made good on what his gaze promised. He made no attempt to mask his intentions from Viva. Frustration had all but consumed him. He was a man used to having his plans adhered to and going off without incident. It was what made him such a success in his business.

  This wasn’t business though. It was a matter all too personal. He’d wanted to hash out everything between them and then have them retreat to their opposing corners for reflection.

  Circumstances hadn’t allowed for that, however, and now they were in the midst of tension, with her believing him to be a coward of all things. Yes, frustration was tormenting him like a wound rubbed raw and refusing to heal.

  Like some injured creature seeking solace from the pain, he was ready to pounce on anything that could prevent it. With the script hurled off to parts unknown, next was the scrap of cotton that had served as Viva’s sleep attire the night before.

  He had her naked within seconds. But for her heaving breasts and the malice spewing from her dark eyes, she made no other movements.

  Rook appreciated the silence challenge.

  Chapter 9

  Aside from an almost inaudible grunt of surprise, Viva gave no other reaction to Rook’s touch. Her nightgown was gone and he’d jerked her down toward the edge of the bed, his fingers curling into the side stitching of her panties. Determined, she refused to give him the satisfaction of letting him see her blink in response as he tugged her free of the delicate white lace. Her eyes remained fixed on his though. The look was challenging and yes, accusing even in their coolness.

  Once he’d freed her of the undergarments, Rook tossed them aside as carelessly as he had the script and her sleepwear. Palming her bare hips, he then eased around to knead her lush bottom.

  Viva couldn’t resist blinking then as she swallowed noticeably. Her heart gave a reactionary lilt when he tugged her closer to the edge of the bed as he knelt there. For long moments, he studied her, his eyes slowly tracking her with desire continuously darkening his vivid stare.

  “Coward,” she breathed, though the insult had lost much of its kick.

  “Right.” His voice was a guttural slur as he dipped his head to pamper her inner thighs with firm strokes from the tip of his nose.

  Viva bit her lip to resist flinching when his probing reached the folds of her center. There, he skimmed the velvety flesh and inhaled her arousing scent.

  “Coward—” She verbalized the taunt again only to have it cut abruptly short when his tongue teased apart her intimate folds and lightly explored the treasure beyond. A shudder rippled through her and she fisted the tangled linens as she cursed her reaction to him. No longer could she deny her need to moan. She gave in to a long, quivering one when his tongue lengthened its exploration into her tight, hot, wet core.

  Her hips began a slow writhe only to be stifled from movement when he held her fast and feasted. She melted into the covers, dragging her fingers through her hair and faintly rocking her hips in time to the rhythm he set with his skillful tongue.

  Waves of orgasmic pressure turned her into a creature of need, one bent on achieving one goal—pleasure. Rook’s head moved this way and that as he alternated speed and deepened penetration. Tentatively, she dropped her hand to trail over the sleek cap of his hair and was further stimulated by the feel of his head bumping her palms.

  She tried to speak his name, but the attempt resulted in only a garble of sound. Rook was taking his task seriously, kneading her thighs and keeping them spread to accommodate the breadth of his frame.

  Viva continued to melt into the bedding. Orgasm was a fervent pursuer and she was suspended between wanting to deny its effects and totally oblige
them. Surrender, she feared, could result in having the man she desired withdraw far too soon. Satisfaction gripped her like a vise then, sending her breath shaking. Renewed spasms jolted, spewing fiery tingles along her nerve endings. She embraced them like the missed sensations they were.

  Rook was in tune to her reactions as usual. Slowly he withdrew, but it was only to kiss his way up along her damp skin until he was outlining her breasts with his tongue. He abandoned them though, preferring the sweetness of her mouth. He kissed her, plundering her mouth as thoroughly as he had the rest of her.

  Viva accepted the kiss enthusiastically as she attempted to draw every ounce of her taste from his tongue. Her efforts cooled as she achieved her goal. Then, it was on to her next feat.

  She had to stifle a smile when she took advantage of Rook’s loosened hold. Suddenly, she shoved him off her, and saw his eyes flare with disbelief and simmering temper.

  “Thank you for this. It took the edge off.” She scanned the bed and then pinned him with a coy look. “But we both know you aren’t going to finish what you start and I’m in no mood to be...frustrated again.”

  Showing off her agility, Viva scooted from under him and rolled to the other side of the bed to lie on her stomach. “Shut the door on your way out, will you?”

  Rook’s surprise over her sudden turn of the tables had begun to wane. Even his temper—only a subtle flare—had eased back. Frustration, however, had continued to rage hot and heavily. He stood then, watching as Viva lay there, a curvy, caramel-doused picture. She lounged at length, as though she had no care for the state she was leaving him in. He couldn’t blame her for torturing him as she was. With that thought in mind, he turned to the door.

  Viva heard the slam behind her and fought the urge to curse and plant a fist to the bed. Before she could fully wallow in disappointment over calling his bluff, she felt his crushing weight at her back. Heat engulfed her at once. Rook’s mouth was everywhere, skimming her nape, the tops of her shoulders, her spine, his tongue feverishly grazing its dip before he nibbled at the rise of her buttocks. All the while, he tugged the shirt from his back.