“That’s my girl.” He kissed her before she could answer.
Allison sighed against his mouth. This was what she’d been waiting for. The simple pleasure of being in his arms. She couldn’t imagine ever not wanting this man.
“So responsive,” he said, his lips slanting over hers. “I love that about you.”
As if it was a challenge. All he had to do was walk into the room and her body stood at attention.
“Sam will be back soon,” she whispered.
“Wouldn’t want him catching us,” he agreed.
“So stop kissing me,” she said, pressing her mouth back against his.
“An impossible request.”
She knew the feeling. Closing her eyes, she let herself enjoy the taste of him on her tongue. His hands ran down her body and she wished they were someplace where they didn’t have to have so many layers of clothing separating them.
Darian drew back, glancing at the door. “Footsteps,” he said, turning her to face the door with him.
No sooner had she composed herself did Sam appear.
“What do you think?” he asked, his cheerful expression open and excited.
“I think you’ve got yourself some business,” Darian said. “We loved the food.”
Allison had to smile at the joy on the proprietor’s face. Securing a King Enterprise account was no small thing and would no doubt do wonders for his business.
“Thank you for accommodating our schedule,” she said. A hand slid under the back of her blazer, startling her.
“We appreciate it,” Darian added, as if he wasn’t caressing her lower back.
Trying not to alert Sam to the touch, she pasted a smile on her face. “We’d like to select the salad and beef combo. It was excellent. I’m sure your chef can come up with some hors d’oeuvre trays that can be passed around during the cocktail hour.”
“Everything will be perfect,” he assured them. “Our chef will be thrilled with your review.”
“Our pleasure,” Darian said, his hand loosening her tucked-in shirt to run light fingertips along the naked skin of her waist.
“We really need to get back to the city,” she said. “Call me if you have any other questions regarding the menu. Otherwise we’ll leave it in your hands.”
“You won’t regret that decision, Ms. Reed. I promise.”
“I’m sure.” Resolutely, she stepped forward, flicking her jacket before buttoning up the front to ensure everything was in place.
A soft chuckle followed her as she strode from the reception hall. With a few more effusive good-byes from Sam, they piled back into the car.
“Home as quick as you can, Tim,” Darian said to their driver. “You can drop Ms. Reed off first.”
“Will do, sir.”
“And put the divider up, please.”
It slid into place as they pulled away from Sahra.
“So.” She turned in her seat to face him. “You’d better not try that when we’re in front of clients.”
His grin was unabashed. “Scouts’ honor.”
“You’re like a naughty teenager. Honestly, where’s the suave Mr. King I’ve grown to know?”
“He’s here. You’re just gaining access to a wider segment of his personality.”
“Heaven forbid,” she teased.
He reached out and pulled her closer, hooking her legs over his. “Do you prefer the straight-laced version of me?”
She cupped his face in her hands, staring into his eyes. “No,” she breathed. “I like this version better. When I can see all of you.”
His expression softened. “Crazy, isn’t it? We’ve known each other for years and yet there’s still more to discover.”
She laughed at that. “Do you really think there’s much more to me that you don’t know?”
“Angel, I think you’d still surprise me after a lifetime.”
She smiled, knowing she would never get the chance. “Your loss,” she whispered, lifting her lips to his.
…
He rather suspected it was, he mused as he kissed her. Every time he touched this woman he wanted more. He wanted to memorize every inch of her body. Unlock every secret in her mind. Never before had he been so invested in understanding a lover.
She’s dangerous, he thought. She made him care in a way he never intended to care about anyone. Loving his sister was enough. He didn’t need to add anyone else to his life that he was afraid to lose.
“You know you can’t get out when Tim drops me off,” she said, her fingers threading through his hair. “He’d run back and tell everyone at the office.”
Darian groaned. “Tomorrow then.”
“Mmm,” she purred. “Absolutely.”
“My place or yours?”
“Dealer’s choice.”
“Yours.” He knew she’d already been in his bed, but it was easier to maintain his distance if they didn’t repeat the event. It was easier to meet at her apartment, small though it was. She didn’t ask him to spend the night as they had the first time they’d slept together. Though part of him wondered what it would be like to wake up in her arms, a far more logical voice cautioned against such an action. There was no need to borrow trouble, after all.
“Fine by me.” Her fingers slipped under his shirt, trailing along the muscles of his abdomen.
“Careful,” he said.
“I remember Tim.” She pressed a kiss to his throat. “Worried you can’t be quiet?”
He laughed at the teasing words. In fact, he’d been doing that more and more with her. Nothing good could come of examining that happiness too closely. Better to just enjoy it while it was here. Wrapping his arms around her, he cuddled her onto his lap.
“I’m going to have a whole night to dream up things to do to you,” he whispered in her ear, gratified when she shivered in his arms.
“I might have an idea or two of my own,” she said, her voice equally soft.
“A match made in heaven.”
Her gaze met his and he wondered if he’d ever seen such a soft expression on her face. Looked like he wasn’t the only one basking in this newly discovered contentment.
For how long? How long before he got bored or she found a man willing to give her more than he could? Temporary was just that. This happiness wouldn’t last.
And when it ended, he’d have to find a way of being okay with letting it go.
His arms tightened automatically around the woman in his arms. After a lifetime of challenges, saying good-bye to Ali might be the hardest one he’d face.
Chapter Ten
Anticipation was killing her.
Allison twirled in her chair, biting her lip as she tried to fill some rare down time. Her calls were made, files approved, and crises handled. With most of the wedding details taken care of, there wasn’t much left to fill her dull Thursday.
Which left far too much time to think about tonight when Darian came over.
Sex, sex, sex. All it had taken was a few days with Darian and that part of herself had come roaring back to life. When she’d been alone, sex had been one of those things she’d think of rather mournfully from time to time, but her work had always taken precedence. Now, it was all she could think of. She counted down the hours until she could spend time with Darian again. And right now the hours left till the evening were far too many.
“I should have just gone back to his place last night,” she said to herself. Then she wouldn’t feel so wound up. She’d be able to focus.
The chair whirled back to its original position. She could go bug Gillian, but her friend had her own work to do.
Reaching toward her computer, she pulled up Darian’s schedule. He was free for the rest of the day.
Allison rested her cheek in her palm. Was there any reason she had to go see him? She’d already delivered her reports this morning. Nothing new had come in.
With a sigh, she closed her eyes. This was what she’d been reduced to. Trying to fabricate excuses to see her b
oyfriend.
Not boyfriend, her mind scolded. Not ever.
Lover, then. Either way, he was someone she wanted to see. Working with Darian had always fulfilled her, but now her heart raced when she stepped into a room with him. Her palms were damp and heat spiraled through her body. Though they’d promised their friends with benefits relationship wouldn’t change anything at work, she knew it had.
I’m just feeling amped up, she thought, straightening. That was all there was to it.
Still didn’t change the fact that she was bored.
“Screw it,” she said, pushing to her feet. She grabbed the catering quote from Sam and headed for the door. Darian didn’t need it. She had full autonomy over negotiating deals, but it was at least an excuse to get through the door.
“Come in,” he called when she knocked.
Allison stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.
His head was tipped back against his chair as he stared at the ceiling.
“Am I interrupting?”
Her voice brought his attention to her, and the smile she received had her heart fluttering again.
“Not at all. I was just thinking.”
“Slow day?”
“Haven’t had one of those in a while, eh?” He tapped a file on his desk. “I was going to call Bill about these figures when I remembered he’s on vacation till next week.”
“Then you’ve got some time.” She moved to the side of his desk.
“Something like that.” His eyes dropped to the page in her hand. “What can I do for you?”
So many things. She cleared her throat and pushed the thought back. They were at the office. Innocent thoughts only.
“I thought I should check Sam’s quote with you.”
His brows rose in surprise as he reached for the paper. “You know I trust you with these details.”
She leaned a hip against his desk as he skimmed over the figures.
“You did well. Sounds like an excellent deal to me.” He held the paper back out to her.
“Oh, good.”
When she didn’t reach for the paper, a smile tugged at his lips. “Or was there something else you wanted?”
“I’m having a slow day, too.”
The smile deepened. “And?”
“And…” She huffed out a breath. “I don’t know. I wanted to see you. Is that against the rules?”
He studied her for a long moment before tipping his head. “Yes.”
Pain stabbed into her chest. This had been a silly mistake. She knew very well what boundaries he’d set.
“Sorry, I’ll—”
He held up his hand to silence her. Gesturing for her to stay where she was, he walked to his door and turned the lock.
“It’s against the rules,” he said as he sauntered back toward her. “At work we need to focus on business. Outside the office we can play.”
“I get that. I just…”
He stopped in front of her. “Just what?”
She shrugged. “Missed you.”
“Dammit.”
Before she could say another word he hauled her into his arms.
Yes, her mind cried. This was exactly what she wanted. Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed him back. His touch was like water in a drought. Her boredom and caged energy fell away, leaving her happy in his arms.
Of course, satisfying her desire for his company only helped raise yet another hunger.
“We should stop,” she whispered.
“You came looking for me, remember?” he teased.
“I didn’t think this through. There’s still three hours till the end of the day, and I have to survive them somehow.”
His teeth grazed her ear. “Do you need me that much?”
“You know I do,” she replied.
With a groan, his lips returned to hers. One of his hands tangled in her hair, pulling it free from its bun. He tilted her head to the side as he slanted his lips over hers. She moaned against his lips at the delicious touch. Shivers raced down her spine as every cell in her body felt alive and starved for his heat.
Her fingers ran up his hard body to cup his face, pulling him closer to her.
“All day I’ve been sitting here,” he growled. “Imagining kissing you just like this.”
Allison threw back her head as Darian trailed his lips down the long column of her throat. “That can’t be anything new to you,” she said.
His hot breath flowed over her skin as he laughed. “Are you kidding? I choose the women I see specifically so this won’t happen.” He cupped her face. “Why are you so maddening?”
“God-given talent,” she replied.
A crooked smile shaped his lips. “The last thing I need is to sit in this chair and fantasize about hauling you into this room and pressing you down against the desk. I should be focused on my job, not on how much I goddamn ache for you.”
“Do you think it’s easy for me to concentrate with you just down the hall?” she demanded, threading her fingers into his hair. “We’re at the office. We shouldn’t be making out like teenagers.”
“Sounds like we agree.” He shifted his leg between hers, pulling her forward until she rode his thigh. “So why aren’t we stopping?”
“Because it feels so damn good.”
…
He couldn’t argue with logic like that. Not that he was too inclined to speak when she darted forward to claim a kiss. Lust pounded through his body, turning him into a man he didn’t recognize. He wasn’t the sort of person to fool around at the office. He never let a woman distract him from his work.
And yet here he was, reveling in both.
His fingers tangled in her hair. He loved seeing it fall loose around her shoulders. Loved how she looked with her head tipped back, desire etched into her expression. This was what he’d been dreaming of since he’d dropped her off last night.
How was it possible to want someone as desperately as he wanted her?
Gripping her waist, he lifted her onto the edge of his desk. Pens and papers rained down onto the carpet, but he ignored it, stepping between her parted legs.
“This is ridiculous,” she said as he pushed her blazer down her arms. “We’re adults. Our control should be better than this.”
“Should I stop?” he asked, tossing the jacket to the floor.
She reached for him. “Don’t you dare.”
“That’s my girl.”
With deft hands she undid his tie but left it hanging around his neck. With an impish grin, she used it to pull him closer, raising her mouth for a kiss. He was more than happy to oblige when her fingers turned their attention to the row of buttons down his shirt. In no time, she had the clasps undone and leaned back to part the navy material. He couldn’t stop his groan when she pressed her hands against his bare skin. Need hammered through his brain as her fingertips traced the contours of his muscles.
“So perfect,” she said before pressing her mouth to his skin.
Pleasure rocked him, her tongue flicking over a nipple. Tipping his head back, he gave himself over to the teasing touches. Every lap of her tongue had his cock pulsing with anticipation. He needed to touch her. Be inside her.
Her fingers slid down his chest. Ever so lightly she raked her nails along his waist, sending a shiver up his spine.
When she cupped him through the material of his pants the breath hissed from his lungs.
“This would be mightily uncomfortable to work with,” she said, rubbing her hand against his cock.
“You have no idea,” he replied.
She stared up at him, her chin resting against his chest, and grinned. “We need to do something about it, then.”
Only a fool would have stopped her as she undid his belt and pulled down his zipper.
He bit back a groan when his cock sprang free. A soft, appreciative sigh left her before her fingers curled around him and caressed the soft skin.
“More,” he begged.
She didn’t need
to be asked twice. Gripping him more firmly, she pumped her hand up and down on his shaft. Logical thought blasted from his mind, leaving only blind need in its place. As good as her hand felt, it merely increased his desperation to be inside her.
Allison moved her hand a few more times before her pace slowed.
“Is this all you want?” she asked, her voice a breathy purr.
“No,” he panted.
With knowing eyes, she leaned back, her fingers going to the buttons of her own shirt. In rapt attention, he watched the material gape and part. When the shirt hung open she rolled her shoulder back to give him a better view. A barely-there black lace bra was all that covered her breasts from his gaze.
He’d thought it was impossible to need her more. He was wrong.
Unable to stand not touching her for another moment, he pushed the bra up and latched his mouth around one hard nipple.
Her soft moan rewarded his efforts. Fingers delved into his hair as his hand slid down her body. Allison was so unlike the women he usually dated. His normal rotation of bed partners tended to be slender, perfect examples of femininity—by societal standards at least. But he was quickly realizing how much he’d been missing out. He far preferred the generous curves of Allison’s body to that of the stick-thin models who’d preceded her. He loved cupping breasts that barely fit in his hands, liked the full hips that cradled him so perfectly when he pressed against her.
Hell, there wasn’t much about this woman that didn’t drive him to utter distraction.
Slipping a hand down her body, he grabbed her skirt and hiked it up. It was a simple thing to tear the flimsy material of her nylons.
“Really?” she teased. “I’m not going to be able to wear those again.”
“You don’t need them.”
“Says you. I still have a few hours of work once we’re done here.”
“Too bad we’re not back in your apartment, where I could savor you for hours.”
“Tonight,” she said, her teeth nibbling at his ear lobe.
That was a promise he’d hold her to. But as for right now…
He slid a hand between her thighs and groaned. “You’re so wet for me.”
“Always,” she breathed in his ear.
Right Billionaire, Wrong Wedding (Sexy Billionaires) Page 11
