When he flipped his cards over, Zara gripped her cards and simply stared. Seriously? She’d dealt him a flush? There hadn’t been a gleam in his eye one time during the entire game, and she’d thought he’d been bluffing.
Narrowing her eyes, she tossed her cards down as he raked in his pretzels. The kitten chose that time to dart over and walk right through the cards and the pretzels as if he owned the place. He swatted at a pretzel and kept swatting it until he was moving too close to the logs. There was a screen around the fireplace, more for looks, but she still didn’t want the little guy rubbing against it and singeing his fur.
Zara reached out, stretching to grab hold of him and his pretzel, then deposited him on the other side of her away from the heat.
“I believe it’s my deal,” Braden stated with a smirk. “Hold tight. We’re about to take this to a whole new level.”
She tipped her head in a silent question.
“We’re playing for answers now,” he told her as he reached down, grabbed a pretzel and popped it into his mouth. “Whoever wins the hand can ask the other player anything, and they have to answer.”
Still eyeing him skeptically, Zara asked, “Just questions? No touching, no clichéd strip poker?”
Shuffling the cards, he smiled. “I’ll touch and strip if you want. Hell, that can even be one of your questions. Up to you, so ask what you want.”
Mercy, the man was incorrigible, and she was finding that she loved every second of his quick wit, his flirty side and the fact he made no secret that he wanted her.
Thankfully, she won the next hand with a pair of kings, beating out his jacks. Zara reached to push the cards back in order to shuffle them as she pondered her question.
Staring down at the cards as they shuffled and fell into place, she asked, “If you believe in marriage and family so much, why are you still single?”
That sexy laugh filled the room. “I’m so glad you didn’t ask something as boring as my favorite color or movie.”
Risking a glance, she looked him in the eye. Okay, fine, her eyes may have lingered a little longer on his bare chest, but they eventually hit his eyes, where she saw amusement staring back at her.
“Well?” she asked, raising her brows as she started dealing.
“Haven’t found the right one.”
He studied his cards, offering nothing else with his response. Zara gritted her teeth. If he was going to be vague, then so could she when the time came...though she didn’t intend to lose.
As she stared at her cards, though, a pit grew in her stomach. Unless she was dealt something spectacular in the next round, she was going to be answering a question, and she was almost afraid to see what he’d come up with.
The second he realized he won, he dropped a question she definitely hadn’t expected.
“Why do you choose assholes to date? Because of commitment issues?”
Zara refused to be rattled. “That’s two questions, so your round is disqualified.”
Just as she reached for the cards, Braden’s hand covered hers. As if knowing he was naked beneath that blanket weren’t enough to sizzle her mind, his warm touch only added fuel to the proverbial fire.
“I’m not disqualified.” Gently squeezing her hand, he turned her palm over and laced their fingers, holding their joined hands up between them. “Tell me why you only date jerks.”
“How do you know I date jerks?”
His thumb stroked hers as he spoke, as if the man were trying to put her under a spell. Too late. He’d done that the moment she’d walked into his office months ago. But once he’d held her at the party, once he’d shown a more personal side, she’d turned a corner and she wasn’t sure she could ever get back.
“Who did you date before Shane?” he asked.
Zara stared at him for a second before laughing. Damn. That came out sounding nervous. She wasn’t nervous. Just because he was holding her hand, looking at her as if he cared and asking about her love life. Why should any of that worry her?
And even as much as all of that worried her, it was the desire, the lust staring back at her that had her stomach in knots.
“You’re asking way too many questions,” she whispered.
“Your silence tells me all I need to know.” Inching closer, he set the cards between them and kept his eyes locked on to hers. “You don’t like commitment because your parents weren’t loving or affectionate. You didn’t get the attention a child deserves. Now as an adult you’re dating jerks because you know you won’t get attached. Same reason you haven’t unpacked, if I’m guessing right. You can’t even commit to this house.”
Zara jerked her hand back. “Whatever you’re trying to prove, stop. You don’t know me well enough to analyze me.”
Coming to her feet, she smoothed her hair back from her face. “I’m done playing.”
Before she could turn away, Braden slowly rose. That predator look in his eyes as he closed the space between them held her firmly in place. The fact he could be so menacing, so arousing while holding on to a bulky comforter at his waist with one hand proved just how far she’d fallen from her initial mind-set. She was crumbling right at this man’s feet.
And the more her resolve deteriorated, the more she wondered, why was she holding back? He’d pegged her perfectly when he said she wasn’t looking for any commitment. First, she didn’t have time with her business soaking up her life. Second, well, she just didn’t want to. She wouldn’t have any idea how. Since she’d signed on with the O’Sheas, she’d seen the close-knit family they were. A piece of her wondered what a connection that strong would be like. Leaning on someone else, expecting support was too much of a risk. But she didn’t need a man.
He’d made it clear he didn’t want a commitment, though. Once the roads cleared he’d be gone, and whatever happened here would stay right here. Braden wasn’t one to talk, of that she was sure. Her reputation wouldn’t be tarnished, she wouldn’t be known as the woman who slept with her clients or her boss. Honestly, what was holding her back?
From the look in Braden’s eyes, he wasn’t looking for a walk down the aisle...just a walk to the bed.
Nine
Braden didn’t know what changed, but the look of determination and stubbornness was wiped clean. Now Zara stared back at him with passion blazing in those striking eyes. She didn’t step forward to meet him, but she no longer looked as if she wanted to flee the room.
As he stood within touching distance, Braden took in the rapid pulse at the base of her throat, her shallow breathing and wide eyes. She wasn’t thinking how angry she was now.
“You’re not running,” he muttered, delighting in the fact she tipped her head up to look at him instead of backing up. Braden reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear and sliding his fingertip along her jawline. “Why is that, Zara?”
“Because this is my house, and I’m not afraid of you.”
For such a petite woman, he was impressed. He intimidated men twice her size, yet this woman wasn’t backing down. He admired her—more than he should, because all he wanted from her on a personal level was right here and right now. The scroll business had no place in this bedroom.
“Or maybe you’re finally giving in,” he stated, raking his finger over her bottom lip. “Maybe you see that we’re both adults, we’re stuck here together and this attraction isn’t going away.”
Her chin tipped up a notch. “Maybe I am.”
Braden smiled at her bold statement. How could he not find her charming and sexy and confident all rolled into one perfect package?
Wait. Perfect? No. Nobody was perfect, but she was perfect for him right at this moment.
In all of his thirty-five years, Braden had been taught to take chances to get what he wanted. There was no greater time to test that theory than right now.
Braden dropped the comforter and the towel. Both fell to his feet without a sound. The light coming through the plantation shutters gave enough for her to see that he was completely ready for her.
“You have all the control now,” he told her. “Whatever you want to do from this point on is your call. You can humiliate me and reject me, you can quit your job and claim I’m just like the jerks you dated, or you can start stripping out of those clothes and join me by the fire so I can show you exactly how much I want you.”
He didn’t wait on her response. Braden stepped out of the mess of comforter and tugged the blanket toward the fireplace. As he spread it out, he thought for sure he heard her shifting behind him. She wouldn’t deny him or herself. That longing look in her eyes, the way she was speechless and flushed were all telling signs of what she was afraid to admit aloud.
He stilled when her hand settled on his shoulder blade. Slowly, as if to drive him completely out of his mind, she started trailing her fingers over his bare skin. She was tracing his ink, and he wasn’t about to turn around and stop her no matter how much he wanted to see her, touch her. He meant it when he’d told her she was in control.
Even though he only wanted something physical from Zara, he still wasn’t about to prove to her that he was like the other men she wasted time with. He would put her needs first, let her know she mattered here and what was about to happen didn’t have to be ugly.
“Why did you get this?” she asked as she continued to trace the pattern. “I always wonder why people choose certain images to mark their skin for life.”
On this he could at least tell her the truth. “It’s a symbol that has deep meaning to my family. It dates back to the sixteenth century.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
He couldn’t wait another second. Braden turned, causing her hand to fall away, but the loss of her touch was made up for with the sight of her standing before him completely bare, completely giving and completely trusting.
“We need to set some rules,” she told him.
Braden snaked an arm out around her waist and pulled her flush against his body. From chest to knee they touched, and there was no way in hell he was going to start in on some ridiculous conversation now.
“To hell with the rules.”
He crushed her mouth beneath his. Zara stiffened for a second. Then, as if she couldn’t deny herself anymore, she wrapped her arms around him and returned the kiss. Her passion came alive, bursting on to the scene in ways he hadn’t experienced before.
She matched his desire, raising the bar to a level all her own, and Braden was the one who was nearly brought to his knees. He allowed his hands to roam over her, wanting to memorize the feel of her body, wanting her to get used to his touch because he planned on doing a whole lot more.
Braden eased back from the kiss, ignoring her protested groan which turned into a moan when his mouth traveled down the column of her throat and continued lower.
She gripped his hair as he palmed her breasts. Arching her back, she silently offered herself up to him. Braden’s lips covered her breast as he lowered her to the floor. He couldn’t get enough of her, not her gasps, not her kisses, not her touch. He wanted it all, and willpower and trying to hold back were going to be a struggle.
“Do you have protection?” she asked.
Braden froze. Considering he’d only come here in his party attire, he hadn’t planned on getting lucky that night. Damn it.
A smile spread across her face. “Go to my nightstand.”
Thankful she was prepared, Braden made a mad dash to the drawer and found what he needed. Also thankfully, the cat stayed out of sight.
By the time he’d stepped back to the comforter, Zara was practically on display. Her arms on either side of her head, hair fanning out all around her. But it was those eyes that watched him so cautiously that made something twist in his gut. She may be trusting him with her body, but she was still not letting him in.
That fact should have given him a sense of relief, considering he was technically using her, but it didn’t. He didn’t want to just be some prick who proved to her that all guys were jerks.
But when she reached her arms out to him in a silent invitation to join her, there was no way in hell he could deny her or himself. Consequences be damned. Yes, this started with the scrolls, but the moment she’d walked into his office he’d wanted her, and he refused to feel guilty now. Allowing feelings to override what he was literally aching for would just leave a void that only Zara could fill.
Braden reached for her hand and settled down beside her, propping himself up on one elbow. While he wanted to devour her all at once, he also wanted to take his time, because this was a one-time thing and he wanted to savor every single second.
Trailing his hand up and down her abdomen, watching her muscles contract beneath his touch and hearing her swift intake of breath, had him appreciating the fact he was practicing that self-control now. He had a limited supply of it and was using it all up on her, on this moment.
Braden watched her, studied her. He wanted to know what she liked, what she responded to. The moment his hand started trailing down her stomach, her lids fluttered closed, her legs shifted in response and he was damn near crawling out of his skin.
As his fingers found her most intimate spot, he captured her lips, swallowing her moan. Zara’s arms wrapped around his neck, her hands sliding up into his hair, holding him still...as if he would be anywhere else.
Braden eased back, enough to get protection in place, before he settled between her legs.
“Don’t look away,” he commanded. “Your eyes are only for me.”
Why the hell did he want her to be so focused on him? Why did he have that overwhelming primal feeling to keep her all to himself?
Because he was selfish. Plain and simple and for right now, Zara was his. He wanted to leave an imprint in her mind of this moment and have her compare every single man to him. He wanted to ruin her for others...and if he thought too much about that, he would scare the hell out of himself.
Braden pushed all other thoughts aside as he joined their bodies. When her eyes closed, he shifted to his elbows, using his hands to frame her face as his lips hovered over hers.
“Only me, Zara.”
When he started to move, she held on to his shoulders, keeping her gaze on his. “Braden,” she whispered.
Hearing his name on her lips as he filled her only exacerbated this unwanted emotional ache.
The second her body started pumping against his, her face flushed, and Braden slid his mouth over hers, pushing her even further. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders as her body tensed. Braden lifted his head, wanting to watch her as she peaked. With Zara’s head thrown back, a sheen of sweat covering her face and neck, Braden couldn’t resist gliding his lips over her heated skin as she came undone around him. As he gripped her hips and tasted the saltiness of her skin, his own body started to rise.
Her trembling slowed, and Braden rested his forehead against hers. “Zara,” he whispered, wanting her name to be the one he cried out, needing her to know he was fully aware of the woman he was with, that she mattered.
Before he could delve into that too much, his control broke. Braden covered her lips with his, wanting to join them in all possible ways. Her tongue met his as he shattered. Wave after wave washed over him, leaving only one thought, one thing that mattered at that moment...and it wasn’t his family or the scrolls.
It was Zara.
* * *
Zara didn’t do regrets, and there was no way she was going to start now. How could she when her body had lit up and was still tingling? Was tingle even the proper verb? She couldn’t pinpoint what her body was doing, but the thrill that kept pulsing through her had everything to do with the man whose body still covered hers.
Those long, lean legs rubbed against hers, the coarseness of his hair tickling her, sending new sensations throughout.
Part of her wanted to get out from under him, to get dressed and go on like nothing happened. He was her boss, for crying out loud, and she’d been so clichéd as to sleep with him.
But the other part, the part of her that was still lit up with passion, wanted to lie just like this wearing nothing but the weight of a powerful man.
“I can hear you thinking.” Braden’s warm breath tickled her ear. He eased up, propping himself on his elbows on either side of her face. “Maybe you need a replay so you can relax.”
There was no way she could replay anything that just happened because then she’d want more. She’d want him. Sex was one thing, but wants were an entirely different matter she couldn’t afford right now...and not with this man.
Zara pushed on his shoulders and slid out from under him. “No replays,” she told him as she gathered her clothes. She tried like hell to not think about the fact she was walking around naked in front of her boss, but after what they’d just done...
“Already running, Zara?”
She risked a glance over and wished she hadn’t. With a wrist dangling over one bent knee and his other hand holding is body upright, Braden’s intense gaze pinned her in place. She clutched her sweats to her chest as if she could use them as some sort of defense against feelings. Damn emotional womanly feelings. Why did this have to be the man to stir something within her?
“I’m not running,” she said. “I’m getting dressed and checking on the cat that’s probably peed all over my floor.”
“The cat is fine, and there’s no rush to get dressed.” He came to his feet and crossed the space between them. Just like he had before they’d gotten intimate. Only this time, Zara backed up.
“Braden.” She held up a hand, thankful when he stopped. “I don’t regret what just happened, it was amazing, but we can’t do that again.”
“If you’re going to pull the whole boss/employer card, we’re past that.” His kissable mouth quirked.
Trapped with the Tycoon Page 9
