Until India. She had gotten under his skin.
"Does she know about what we do?" Marc's voice changed, deepened, and Wade knew he had been right about Marc’s feelings for India. His best friend not only wanted her, he needed her.
"Not sure. She knows something is up. I did find out she reads some very naughty stuff."
Marc whipped his head around, and Wade wanted to shout with happiness at the heat he saw in his best friend’s eyes.
"What kind of naughty stuff?"
"Erotic romances...with two guys and a girl."
Marc shook his head and turned his attention back to the milling crowd. "I don't believe you."
"I'm serious. Remember the bag she had the other day at lunch? After you left, the bag toppled over on the table, and I noticed the title.” He could still remember the way she stammered as she shoved the book back in the bag. Finding out the book had been a ménage left his dick hard and his knees weak. “I looked it up later and was amazed when I saw the subject matter."
Marc slanted him a look. "Doesn't mean she would be into it."
Wade didn't argue because he knew Marc said it more for himself than for Wade.
"I'm taking her home tonight, so don't look for me until morning."
The hardening of Marc's jaw was the only sign of his reaction. With a quick, sharp nod, Marc stalked off, but Wade hoped he planted enough images to keep his friend up for the night. Because, like it or not, tonight Wade planned on making Ms. India Singer his. Marc would have to decide if he planned on joining them.
Chapter Four
Marc watched India as she moved through the milling crowd and tried to ignore the warmth growing in his chest. It was hard to overlook her even in a crowded room. There was something about her, a light from within that drew him whenever she was near. From the moment he met her, he had been drawn to her. Wade had that much right. But he knew there were lines he couldn’t cross, and bedding someone he saw as an employee was one of those lines.
She noticed him watching her, smiled, and started in his direction. He should be used to the way his heart sped up and the way his palms started to sweat…but he wasn’t. Every time he talked to her over the last few weeks, he had the same reaction. And it was getting worse.
“Marc.” Even over the din of partygoers he could hear the warmth in her voice. It slid under his flesh, curled around his heart. “I hope you’re pleased with everything.”
He smiled. “Of course. How could I not be?”
A cute blush worked its way up into her cheeks. Over the last few weeks, he realized that India wasn’t used to compliments. It was so odd because he had never seen a more competent businesswoman. She had been thorough and confident in her bid. But she seemed completely befuddled when she was complimented.
“That’s good.” He could barely hear her.
“Making a lot of good contacts?”
She nodded, but her gaze moved over the crowd.
“If you need to get back…”
She shook her head. “No. It’s just that…I feel as if someone is watching me.” She shrugged. “I think I am just a little crazy because of today. So many details I wanted to get perfect for you and Wade.”
“It is perfect.”
She smiled, and opened her mouth to respond, but snapped it shut. Any color she had drained from her face.
"India?"
"India. It's a pleasure to see you here."
Marc turned at the sound of Nelson Delgado behind him. It showed just how distracted he was that he hadn't noticed Nelson had been approaching them.
"Nelson." India didn't look that happy to see her uncle by marriage. In fact there was a mixture of disgust and fear that passed over her expression before she schooled her features. She was afraid of her uncle?
"Nelson, I'm happy to see that you could make it tonight."
Nelson moved his attention away from India to look at Marc. "I would never miss an invitation from T and J, especially when catered by India. Top class."
Marc waited for India to thank him, but she said nothing. He glanced over to find her gaze moving back to the crowd as if looking for someone. Wade? Did she feel that if Nelson were to try something that he couldn't protect her?
"I agree. India does have a special gift."
"I was wondering if you would be interested in catering an event for me."
Slowly, she turned her attention back to Nelson, her eyes so cold that Marc was amazed the temperature in the room hadn't dropped twenty degrees.
“I don’t think so.”
Nelson gave her a smile that sent ice sliding down Marc’s back. Before Marc knew what he was doing, he stepped closer to her.
“Come now, you don’t know what day it is, or for what.”
“Nelson, when I said no, I meant it. I appreciate any recommendations you might have given me, but I am doing this on my own. And I’m not going to handle Bunny’s birthday.”
A flash of anger lit Nelson’s eyes before it dissolved into a patronizing look. “You know where to reach me if you change your mind. Thank you again, Marc. My wife and I are having a wonderful time.”
He turned and walked away, people moving out of his way without him saying a word. Marc glanced at India, and he could tell nothing from her expression. It was so unlike India, so frozen. He always thought of her as a colorful person, but it seemed that Nelson zapped every bit of that out of her.
“India?”
She shook herself as if she had forgotten where she was. When she finally met his gaze, she had hidden whatever emotion she’d been feeling. The smile she offered had no warmth.
“I’m sorry about that. Nelson, if you know how he handles business, you know he is a bit of a control freak. I just want to make it on my own.”
He hated the professional smile she offered him. It was as if she were a different woman than the one he had been talking to the last few weeks.
“You don’t have to explain it to me. I’ll let you in on a little secret.”
He waited for her to look over at him, her eyes lighting with interest, some of the coldness already dissolving from her expression. “What?”
Marc leaned closer, which was a mistake because he could smell her vanilla scent. His mouth watered, his blood went hot. He pushed away the urge to grab her and drag her off to the nearest flat surface.
“Marc?” Her voice was a little breathless as if she felt it, too. Just knowing she might be aroused sent a shot of heat straight to his dick.
“What?”
“The secret?”
For a second, he said nothing, couldn’t. His brain seemed to shut down but for one thought…kiss her.
Then, a loud jolt of laughter had him jerking away. He closed his eyes and counted backwards. Then he opened his eyes to find India staring at him as if he’d grown another head.
“Sorry. The secret is my folks come from a lot of money. They wanted to front us the capital we needed to start the business.”
“And you said no.”
He nodded. “It would come with strings attached and neither Wade nor I wanted that.”
A look of understanding passed over her expression. “The price is too high.”
He knew from her tone that she spoke of her own experience.
He nodded, then looked away. He couldn’t deal with the intimacy of the situation, the way she looked up at him. It made him want things that were never going to happen. And he did want them, more than he ever did. Not even with Michelle had he wanted it this much. Marc knew that with India it would be hot. He hadn’t even kissed her and he knew she would be delicious. Taking her with Wade, watching her give over to pleasure…that would be the ultimate thrill. But there was something else there, something that was a little too close to an emotion he didn’t want to deal with.
“Well, I need to get back to work.”
“Yes.”
When he said nothing more, she turned away, but he couldn’t let her go with a curt comment. “India.” She
looked over her shoulder at him. “The party is amazing. Thank you.”
She gave him a brilliant smile, her eyes lighting up. “Thank you. I aim to please.”
Marc watched her walk away and tried not to think of just how he wanted to take her to bed and put that claim to the test.
* * * *
India parked her clunker on the curb in front of her rental house and watched Wade pull his truck in behind her. A delicious little tremor curled in her stomach even as she reminded herself this was just a drink between friends. By the time she slid out of the car, Wade was there to hold her hand and shut her door. They walked around her car, then side by side to her porch.
"You live here alone?" he asked as he took the keys from her and unlocked her door. It was a gesture that should irritate her, as if she couldn't unlock her own door, but his mannerisms told her that he had been raised in the South. And there was a little part of her heart that did somersaults each time he held the chair for her.
"I don't think I could handle a roommate. I do a lot of work from home and at odd hours. I think anyone living with me would be ready to kill me after a few weeks in the same house."
He waited for her to step over the threshold then followed her in. "I doubt anyone would want to kill you."
Before she could answer that, he shut the door, the definite click sounded so loud in her quiet house. As they made their way to her kitchen, she thanked God she actually cleaned her house a few days ago. After her weeks of contact with Wade, she had to find some way to work her frustrations out. Her house hadn't been this clean since she moved in.
"I don't have much to drink," she said with an apologetic smile. "But I do have some beer and a nice Riesling."
When he said nothing, she looked over her shoulder. The gentle, sexy smile curving his lips had her breath clogging her throat.
"I didn't come here for a drink."
She frowned at him, or tried, but wasn't quite able to achieve it. Her body shimmered little sparks of heat, her nipples so hard, she was amazed they didn't poke holes in her cotton bra. She didn't even want to think about the condition of her panties.
"W-why did you come?"
Lust swirled in his gaze, his smile widened. With measured steps, he approached her and backed her up against her table. Everything in her stilled, except for her heart. It beat out of control. He rested his hands on her hips.
"I came here to be with you."
Images of having him in her bed, naked, his cock thrusting into her sent her head spinning. She shook it, trying to bring some sanity back.
"Be with me?"
He stepped closer, pulling her up against him. There was no doubting his arousal. She could feel his long, hard shaft against her sex. Wetness seeped from her slit, her clit throbbed.
"I want you." He dipped his head and stole a kiss, sliding the tip of his tongue over her lips. "If I don't have you, I’m pretty sure I could go out of my ever-loving mind."
India shivered as Wade continued to press soft, wet kisses on her mouth. After a few moments, he pulled back and looked at her, a frown marring his gorgeous features. Of course, it just made him even more attractive to her.
"Is there something wrong?"
She shook her head, still trying to separate her fantasy life and her real life. They seemed to have bled into each other, and she didn't know what to think.
"N-no, I'm just..."
How did she explain that she couldn't imagine that a man like him would want to have a woman like her without sounding pathetic?
"I didn't read you wrong, did I? I was sure you wanted this as much as I did."
She suppressed a snort. There was no way on earth he wanted her more than she wanted him. Life just didn't work that way for India Rae Singer.
"No. You read me right, and I do want you...but I thought you were with Marc."
"I thought I could get away without talking about this, but I guess not."
"Are you and Marc lovers?"
He shook his head. "I'll not tell you that something doesn't pass between us at times, but it is always while we’re sharing a woman."
"Sharing?" She gulped and looked up into his eyes. He hadn't moved away, still held her hips. The sincerity in his gaze told her he wasn't kidding. Good Lord, it was just like one of her fantasy books.
"We share women."
He said it as if she didn't understand. Just the thought of being taken by both men, being at their mercy as they pleasured her again and again sent a bolt of heat blazing through her blood.
"But...you're here by yourself."
He grimaced. "Marc is dealing with some issues. I couldn't wait."
What did that mean? That Marc didn't want her, but Wade did?
She didn’t have time to contemplate the answers to those questions. Wade pulled her more tightly against him. "Enough about my partner. What I want to talk about is getting you naked."
Need crawled through her, causing a flash wave of heated pleasure to dance over her flesh. She wanted this, needed it. The craving for him grew each time she saw him. Never in her life had she needed a man like this. Her whole body throbbed, yearned. The tension grew thicker, her breathing shuddered. As she looked up at him, she found him watching her, his intent gaze waiting, full of hope.
He was younger, way out of her league, and normally she wouldn’t do this. But right now, she didn’t give a damn. She didn’t want to be the good girl tonight. Tonight, India Singer wanted to be the bad girl, the one who always did the things she wanted.
India offered him what she hoped was a sultry smile, and her heart jumped when his own widened.
"As long as you’re naked, too."
* * * *
Wade's head spun as most of the blood drained from it and shot straight to his cock. When she hesitated, his heart stopped. He worried that she didn't want him, but only he and Marc together. If that was her thinking, that she only wanted a thrill for the night, Wade would have forced himself to offer it and walk away after. But, thankfully, that hadn't happened.
With a whoop, he leaned down and picked her up. Her surprised gasp was so erotic, his knees almost buckled. She wasn't a virgin, but she seemed so unaware of her sexuality, as if she had no idea just what she did to him.
"Wade, put me down."
He could hear the embarrassment in her voice and he smiled at her blush. "No, way. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on you since I ran into you in the elevator."
Her brows rose. "You have not."
He made his way into her bedroom and smiled when he saw her bed. Lordy, she was a bundle of surprises. The room was relaxing, draped in cool, soothing colors, but the massive king-sized bed was what caught his attention. He could barely make it around it since it took up most of the room. With a laugh, he dropped her on the mattress and then followed her down on it. She squeaked then moaned when he pressed his mouth to hers, sliding his tongue in for a taste.
Damn, but the woman was a morsel. Sweet, tangy, filled with so much passion, it took his breath away.
She shivered against him, her nipples biting through the fabric and into his chest. When he pulled away, resting his weight on his hands, he looked down at her. She was in pleasant disarray, her curls a mess, her lips swollen from his kiss, and the most adorable blush still burning her face.
Jesus, once he buried his cock deep inside of her, he didn't know if he would last more than a few strokes.
"God, woman, you drive me crazy." He meant to keep the tone light, but he failed. His voice had deepened, speaking his need for her even if he didn't say the words. He couldn't help it. He’d been truthful with her. He had wanted her the first time they met, and it had been a test of his control not to take her before the party. But he had kept his promise, and now he planned on getting his just rewards.
He rested his body alongside hers, undoing first her vest then her blouse. The skin beneath it was soft as a feather, golden as the sun.
He slipped his fingers beneath the bra, and she
shuddered. She had a front enclosure on her sensible cotton bra. With ease, he undid the snap, and her breasts poured out.
"Holy Mother of God." He had known she was built, but he had not been prepared for the luscious bounty he unearthed. Full, rosy nipples puckered, begging for his touch, his mouth. Her breasts were bottom heavy, rounded, too big for his hands. Without the ability to wait, to coax, he leaned down and took a nipple fully into his mouth. She moaned his name and speared her hands through his hair. She shifted against him, restless. She tempted him to rush as she slid one hand down his body to his cock. She stroked him through the fabric of his pants, teasing him with the barest of touches.
His cock grew, his balls drew up, and, Lord, he felt a drop of pre-cum ease out. He hadn't even gotten his pants off, and he was ready to come. Wade raised his head and looked down at her. She was already flushed, her body soft and willing, and she had barely had any foreplay.
"You better stop that, or it will be over before I even get us started."
Her full, swollen mouth formed a perfect “O.” God, he couldn't wait to ease his shaft between those lips and have her tongue slip over the head. His hands shook at the images swirling in his head. But that would have to wait because tonight he planned on being buried deep in her pussy when he came.
He pulled away and started grasping at her skirt. It didn't take him but a few seconds to slide it down her legs and throw it on the floor behind him. Her damp panties followed a second later.
"Take off your shirt and bra."
She hesitated, and he could understand why. He had never heard his voice so stark with need, and it scared the hell out of him. But there was something about her, something that urged him to take complete possession of not just her body, but also her soul. It went above and beyond simple lust. This was almost primal.
She removed the rest of her clothing, and he kneeled beside her on the bed taking in the entire view. Damn, she was gorgeous. He knew if he told her she would just ignore it, say it was because of the sex, but he meant it. The woman was so giving, so loving, and she had a body that he could only dream of before tonight. Full breasts, rounded hips, and shapely legs. He knew without a doubt she would have them wrapped around him tonight. The surprise of the night was the stockings. They weren't fancy, but they hugged her thighs and became the perfect frame for the golden brown curls at the apex of her thighs. He slipped his hand over them and felt a shock of excitement when his fingers came away wet.
Conquering India Page 5
