Beauty and the Boss (Modern Fairytales)

by Diane Alberts

  Guess she was about to find out because, despite her inner voice jumping up and down and screaming no…

  She wanted to invite him in.

  Chapter Eleven

  The night had been one tedious conversation after another, followed by endless snide remarks about his engagement to someone no one had ever heard of. Not even the open bar had helped dull the monotonous company. If one good thing had come of tonight, it had been Maggie.

  She’d handled the night with grace and even managed to win over a few of the older members of society while she’d been at it. The younger ones had been too busy judging them from afar to actually talk to her, but if they were too blind to see how special she was, that was their loss.

  After that odd encounter with his ex, and Maggie’s even odder reaction to it, the night had been fairly hiccup free. She had remained by his side the whole evening, and the few times she’d wandered off, she hadn’t hesitated to come right back and claim him as her own. Repeatedly. He was proud to call her his.

  Even if she thought it was only for pretend.

  In the car on the ride home, she shifted in her seat and fidgeted with her purse. She’d been a nervous mess ever since they pulled away from The Frick, probably because of what he’d said after that kiss he couldn’t stop thinking about. That had been on him. She wasn’t ready, but when she’d kissed him like that, he’d forgotten all about rules and patience. He wanted her. She wanted him, too.

  Sometimes, when her soft lips were pressed to his and her hands were on him, it was hard to remember that she didn’t want to want him. That for her, it was all for show.

  It killed him that he had to play it safe with her, when all he wanted to do was grab her, kiss her, and show her exactly how well the two of them would fit together. He’d never fought this hard to get a woman before, but the thing was, he didn’t even mind. She was worth every second he spent trying to prove she should trust him.

  She might want him, but she wouldn’t act on those impulses, because she “knew” how it would end. He disagreed. She was all rational thought and consequences, and he had to respect that. No matter how badly he ached to make her cry out his name again…

  With more than just his fucking knee.

  He sat forward and rested his elbows on his thighs. “You did great tonight, darling.”

  She startled before turning to him. The force of those gray eyes of hers stole the rest of his words out of his mouth. Her hair looked even softer than it had earlier, and he ached to touch it. “Thanks. I think it went fairly well.”

  “It did.” He smiled. “Thank you, again, for doing this. There are more exciting ways to spend your nights than with snobs who have nothing better to do with their lives than gossip about everyone else’s.”

  “It’s fine. I didn’t mind doing it…for you.”

  That’s what made her so unique. His fingers itched to touch her, to show her just how special she made him feel, but he didn’t move a damn muscle. He’d already crossed the line once tonight, when he misinterpreted her kiss to mean she wanted something more. Mistaking her intentions twice would be unacceptable.

  When the car stopped outside her apartment, he got out and walked around to her side, waving his driver off. He could damn well open the door for the woman who had done so much for him, in such a short time, and asked for nothing in return.

  Once she stood on the sidewalk, hugging herself, he closed the door. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at five for Rockefeller Center, and then two on Sunday for the theatre.”

  “Okay.” She hesitated, not moving toward her stairs. “Look, about earlier, when I kissed you, and you said—”

  He held a hand up. “I got caught up in the moment. You made it quite clear you want to keep this thing between us platonic, and I shouldn’t have pushed for more.”

  “But—”

  He locked eyes with her. “I’m sorry, and I take it back. All of it.”

  “Okay.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “Well, then…good night, I guess.”

  He inclined his head. “Good night.”

  She still didn’t move.

  Neither did he.

  The tension built between them, fast and thick. If this were any other woman, he’d think she wanted him to kiss her, but she’d made it pretty damn clear she didn’t want that at all. But, holy shit, he did.

  “Do you want to come in?” she finally asked. “Have a drink?”

  Yes. Hell yes. “I do. But if I come in there, I’m following through on every promise I’ve made, and you’ll be screaming my name within the hour.”

  She cocked her head. “Is that a promise?”

  “Damn right it is, which is why I should leave.” He reached out and grasped her chin, unable to resist. “You’re not ready, darling. I shouldn’t have pushed you earlier.”

  She shrugged, still clinging to her purse as if it could save her. They stared at one another, the tension mounting even higher than his heart rate. It was as if she silently asked him to do something—anything. What? He had no idea. He didn’t speak “woman.”

  “Like I said…” She tugged on her hair. “Wanna come in?”

  He’d resisted the first time. He wouldn’t be able to do so twice. “Hell yeah.”

  He waved his driver off and followed her up the stairs. Her hips swung with each step, as if she sought to torture him with the very thing he couldn’t have, since she’d more than likely change her mind before he could kiss her. And yet he followed her inside anyway because he was a masochistic asshole like that.

  She flicked the lights on and glanced over her shoulder. “Beer?”

  “Sure,” he said, shrugging out of his coat. He laid it across the chair where she’d dropped hers. “Thanks.”

  She went into the kitchen, and he wandered around the living room. The picture on the shelf above the sofa was askew, so he nudged it straight before settling on the couch. She had a bunch of photos of herself with what he could only assume were her parents, a few of her with her roommate, but none of them had men in them.

  He wasn’t sure why that made him happy, but it did.

  When she came back into the living room carrying two open beers, he smiled at her. She kicked off her heels but still wore her dress, and was as gorgeous as always. He took the beer she offered him, and copied her, taking his shoes off and sliding them side by side under the table with his foot.

  She sat down beside him, turning toward him and tucking her foot under her. Her knee touched his thigh, and he stiffened. Resting her head on a hand, she leaned against the back of the couch and smiled at him. “So…”

  He raised a brow. “So?”

  “How do you think tomorrow—?” She broke off, pressed her lips together, and shook her head. “You know what? Screw this.”

  After setting down her beer, she yanked his out of his hand mid sip. He blinked. “Hey. I was drinking that.

  “I’m done.” She straddled his lap and cupped his face. His heart lurched, and his cock thickened with need. “I invited you in. Now it’s time for you to fulfill your part of the bargain, Benji.”

  He held her still, digging his fingers into her thighs, but didn’t move. “Say it. I need to hear you say it.”

  “Kiss me. Take me.” She buried her hands securely in his hair. “Make me yours.”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” he said, sliding his hands down her legs, and back up—only this time under her skirt. “Maggie.”

  He kissed her fully. All the other times they’d kissed, minus the time he’d made her come, he’d held himself back. Hadn’t let himself get caught up in the moment. Well, not this time.

  This time, he was all fucking in.

  She gasped and clung to him, rolling her hips against him hungrily. He entwined his tongue with hers, loving the way she tasted. Hell, she tasted like she was his—and he liked that. He slid his hands up her curves. If he was a poetic man, he could write a verse or two about the way her waist flared out slightly at her hips, i
ntoxicating him. He arched up, rubbing against her warm core, and she moaned, pressing down firmly.

  She broke the kiss off and drew in a ragged breath. “I need a minute…I need…”

  He brushed her hair out of her face. “I’ve made many mistakes in my life, but this isn’t one of them.” He picked her up and laid her down on the couch, lowering his body over hers. “You never know what life will throw at you, or how things will go, but this isn’t a mistake. And you sense that, too, which is what scares you so much.”

  He kissed her again, gently, and after a moment of hesitation, she kissed him back, wrapping her legs and arms around him. That was all the answer he needed. This.

  Skimming his fingers up her soft thigh, he cupped her ass, hauling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. She gasped and dug her nails into his shoulders, her tongue circling his. Something that felt this good, this right, couldn’t be wrong.

  And he refused to believe it could be.

  Smoothly, he stood and picked her up without breaking her hold on him, or their kiss. He headed for the hallway to the left, where she’d come from earlier. When he pushed through the door, he strode to the bed in the middle of the room, tossed her on it and yanked his bowtie off.

  There was a meow, a hiss, and claws scratching against wood as her cat bolted out of the room. “Oops.”

  A laugh escaped her, and he joined her as he dropped his bowtie to the floor. And it felt fucking amazing to be undressing a woman and laughing over something as silly as a damn cat.

  “Don’t worry about him. He was just hiding under the bed, like usual.” She watched him closely, licking her lips and pressing her thighs together. It was, hands down, the most erotic thing he’d ever seen. Just like that, his mood shifted from amused to unquenchable lust for Maggie. “Close the door,” she said.

  Crossing the room, he did as told. “Protection?” he managed to grit out.

  “Oh, right.” She rolled over and opened the drawer next to her bed. Taking out a foil packet, she tossed it at him. “There you go.”

  He undid the buttons of his shirt, and she lifted herself up on elbows. When his shirt was off, he grabbed his waistband, uncertain whether he should take his pants off or not. She hadn’t removed a single article of clothing yet.

  “Benjamin,” she said, her voice coming out a little bit strangled “I…I want to see you. All of you. Don’t stop.”

  He bit back a moan. He planned on making her say that again, later, louder. And naked. Not wasting time, he flicked his wrist and let his pants hit the floor.

  Her breath came in short bursts, her chest rising and falling in short bursts. “You’re…you’re not wearing any underwear.”

  He cocked a brow. “Your turn. Take. It. Off.”

  She rose up on her knees, turning her back to him. He studied her for any signs of hesitation. As much as he wanted her, he needed to make sure she wouldn’t regret this. Wouldn’t regret him. “Unzip me?”

  He swallowed hard, stepping closer. Gently, he pushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing the nape of her neck. Leaning down, he kissed the spot directly above her spine. “You’re so pretty.” He unzipped a bit, and kissed the skin he bared. “So soft.” Some more, and another kiss halfway down her spine. “So sweet.” He hit the bottom of the zipper and pushed the dress off her shoulder. This time, instead of a kiss, he nipped the skin at the small of her back. “So mine.”

  Shuddering, she faced him, holding her dress on at the shoulders. After taking a deep breath, she let go, and he staggered back. Actually staggered back. The swell of her hips was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen, and he couldn’t look away. Her large breasts were encased in a sheer black bra, and her panties were pretty much nonexistent.

  That was somehow even sexier than no panties at all.

  “Jesus,” he gritted out, grabbing a hold of her and flipping her onto her back. “You’re perfect. Unbelievably gorgeous. And unbelievably sexy.”

  She gasped and arched her back, digging her nails into the comforter beneath her. “Benjamin. I need… I need…”

  “Me. You need me.” He nipped right above her knee, swirling his tongue over the love bite to sooth the sting. She hissed in a breath, writhing against him. “Say it, Maggie.”

  “You,” she breathed. “I need you now.” She cupped her core, shooting him the naughtiest look he’d ever seen. “Here.”

  When she bit her lip and rolled her hips, touching herself, he laid his hand over hers, stilling her fingers. He was all too happy to give her what she wanted. He kissed a slow path up her thigh, slowing even more when he neared her barely there lingerie, and she struggled to move her fingers underneath his.

  Arching her hips up, she threaded her free hand in his hair. He inhaled deeply. She smelled like heaven. “Ben…please.” She lifted herself up. “I need you.”

  He removed her hand, tore her thong off, and tossed it over his shoulder. Groaning, he ran his fingers over her small patch of soft brown curls, and over her clit. She cried out, spreading her legs more for him. And what a pretty picture she was. All swollen lips, pink skin, and desire.

  Leaning in, he flicked his tongue over her, sliding his hands under her perfect ass to lift her up. She cried out and closed her thighs around his head. “Oh my—yes. Benjamin. Yes.”

  He closed his mouth over her, swirling his tongue in wide, gentle circles. His cock begged to be buried inside her, but it would have to wait. First, she had to scream, cry, and plead. She had to need him, damn it.

  Like he needed her.

  Chapter Twelve

  Benjamin was going to kill her. He kept teasing her with soft caresses of his tongue, then he’d pull back so she couldn’t come and start all over again. If he kept it up, he might find out what it felt like to be punched by a farmer’s daughter. She had a strong uppercut, thanks to her father’s tutelage, so he’d be surprised.

  Then again, maybe he wouldn’t be.

  He seemed to understand her better than any other man she’d ever been with, and it was kind of scary. Cool, too, but mostly frightening. She kept pushing him away, but he hadn’t let her drive him off, like she had other men. And he was right. What they had together did feel like it was meant to be, which made this whole mess even worse, because they didn’t stand a chance of making it.

  But she was going to do it anyway.

  And he’d be with her the whole time.

  He ran his thumb over her clitoris, watching her as she tensed—and then he did it again. “Yes.”

  “I love it when you make that sound,” he said, lifting his head from between her thighs. Lucky for him, he showed no signs of retreating. If he had, she would’ve jammed her heel into his upper back till he finished what he started. “So sexy.”

  He flicked his tongue over her again, and she cried out, so close to the edge it hurt. All she needed was one last push and she’d be flying, soaring, floating. He dug his fingers into her skin and deepened his intimate kiss, and she got what she needed. She came explosively, and the whole world froze around them.

  Everything ceased to exist except this. Them. What he made her feel.

  And it was incredible.

  “Maggie,” he said, his voice broken and raw.

  He let her hit the mattress and grabbed the condom off the side of the bed. While he rolled it on with steady fingers, she looked her fill. She’d always thought he couldn’t possibly look any hotter than he did in his business suits, but she was wrong. He was ridiculously hot out of them, too.

  So not fair.

  His broad shoulders and hard pecs narrowed down to an admirable six-pack, and he had a heck of an erection, too. So much so that she wondered if the condom would even work for him because oh my God, he was huge.

  He really had it all.

  He lowered his body over hers again and kissed her, his tongue seeking and finding hers as he slid his hands behind her back and undid her bra without a struggle. When he closed his palms over her breasts, dragging his thumb o
ver her aching nipples, she moaned into his mouth. When he did it again, even rougher, the same broken sound escaped her.

  Breaking off the kiss, he rested his forehead on hers, his breathing uneven and harsh. His hard length pressed against her, close but not close enough. Nothing would ever be close enough. “I’m trying to take it slow. To make love to you slowly, but damn it, I need you, darling.”

  “Then stop trying.” She dug her heels into the muscles of his butt. “Go slow next time.”

  “Next time,” he uttered almost reverently, as if he couldn’t believe he’d get one. As if this was a one and done deal. Maybe that was all he wanted, and she’d just made a fool of herself by assuming he’d want more. He touched her cheek softly, eyeing her with a possessive strength that took her breath away. “Yeah.”

  “Unless you don’t want—”

  “Oh, I want.” He buried his face in her neck. “I fucking want.”

  And then he thrust inside of her in one long, hard motion.

  She dug her nails into his back, closing her eyes. Biting down on her shoulder, he moved his hips in a way that made her think she’d died and gone to heaven, because the things he did to her weren’t possible.

  Nothing real could feel that good.

  He pulled almost all the way out of her and then drove back in, hitting some magical, mythical spot she’d only ever read about, but never felt. She wanted to shy away from it, because it was so out of her control, and that scared her, but she couldn’t fight it.

  Couldn’t fight him.

  She arched her back, dragging her nails down his arms. “Benjamin.”

  “Shh. I’m here, Maggie. I have you.” He lifted her hips. “Hold on tight, darling. I promise I won’t let go.”

  He caught her mouth with his and drove even deeper.

  She clung to him, no longer fighting the feelings he brought out in her. Tension pooled in her stomach, drowning out everything. All that remained was what he was doing to her, sweeping her into an inferno of passion and pleasure until she was weak.