“Marvelous.” He tilted his head back and drank from the water bottle.
His Adam’s Apple bobbed as he consumed almost half the bottle’s contents. No reason to shy away from also broadening her gaze to parts of his body that were exposed, like his neck. Thick, sturdy, and sort of perfect.
The man had size on him. Hard to miss. Wasn’t due to overdoing calories. His jacket lay across his leg. The long sleeve white shirt did little to hid the muscled planes of his chest and mass of his shoulders. The muscle corded along his neck, the sculpted masculine face that showed off the sharp angles of cheeks, forehead, and chin, and the span of the material against his arms as he moved clued her that Dane had a well-toned, athletic body.
“And thank you for the car. Very thoughtful.” She gestured toward the driver with a slight nod toward Richard.
“De Rien. You’re welcome. More champagne?”
“No. I’m satisfied.” She handed back the empty glass. Time to pay attention and whittle down on distractions.
“Since I’m sure you have a busy schedule, I thought that we’d head to the Palisades first. The property is in the northern region.” He looked at his watch. “We can have a light lunch there before the tour.”
“I’d like that.” Yasmin found that trying to avoid his piercing blue eyes was impossible. His gaze fastened on her with so much intensity that there was almost a physical hold keeping her in place.
She wasn’t the type to sink and melt into a puddle over a man’s eyes. And she wasn’t about to do so. Yet, she didn’t understand the tiniest of flickers in her belly as she continued to look deep into the crystal blue depths. She blinked to break away, to concentrate, to stop the meandering thoughts.
“Do you treat all your clients with this personal touch?” Yasmin opted for bluntness to snap loose from the connection.
“Our clients have individual requests and needs. I aim to exceed their expectations every time. Out-think them, if you will.” His mouth hitched into a half-smile that felt too automatic.
“Ah. I’m a difficult woman to pin down. Rising to my expectation might be a bit much even for you as if bored by their conversation.” She looked out the window and paid attention to the scenery.
“I suspect your past experiences may be at the feet of lesser men. And I do not belong to that category—never have and never will.”
“Then I hope you’re up for the challenge.” Yasmin looked down in her lap to conceal her true feelings that there would be one winner—her, one loser—him in his near future. Then she looked up into his eyes. This time, she readied herself for the magnetic pull. “You’ve come highly recommended, Mr. Laurent.
“As it should be. And please call me Dane.”
She nodded. “Call me Yasmin. All my friends do.” Her smile spanned the width of her face full of friendly invitation.
Friendship accepted.” He offered his hand for the second time.
Oh! This time his hand didn’t relax and release hers. Or was that her doing?
It wasn’t the car hitting a rough patch in the road. It wasn’t her champagne diet on the plane and in the car beside Dane. The tummy flip occurred so suddenly over a mere handshake that she almost burst out in giggles.
Maybe the off-kilter feel had something to do with his cologne. Subtle, woodsy, and alluring. Maybe she should stick her head out of the window to clear her brain.
The alternative—to lean over, press her body against his arm, and inhale deeply—had better appeal, though.
Why did he have to be so damn … gorgeous?
His affected casualness didn’t fool her. Although he sat back in the seat with his legs still extended and that smirk popping on and off his face, she didn’t trust him. She certainly couldn’t read him, but she had that warning ping in her gut that he wasn’t an innocent.
Shrewd eyes, hard face—serious, chiseled, and a square jaw with a right-angle dimension, and a mouth that was neither wide nor a flat line. Good looks that weakened her knees.
She bit her lip to stem the inner happy dance that his lips had body. That if kissed, there would be a good mix of firm and soft in its fullness. Damn, she needed another fucking drink.
“Would you like some water?” He leaned forward with a new bottle of water. Before she took it like a dehydrated victim, he untwisted the cap and poured it over ice in a glass. Then he handed it to her. Again, the half-smile appeared.
Sipping on the water, she dug deep for any acting skills to appear equally as calm as her host. While her reaction was a shock to her system, she didn’t need to reveal to him how much he revved her engine.
She licked her lips of the moisture from the water.
His nostrils flared. Ever so slightly. His hand stroked over his knee and gripped it. Were these signs that he wasn’t as cool and unaffected by her.
Such an idea appealed to her ego. This time her mouth hitched into half-smile.
Soon the car turned onto the Palisades property and passed through the security gates after the driver talked to the guard and swiped an access card. A short drive brought them to the front of the main doors where a doorman promptly stepped into place and opened the limo door.
Yasmin slid out and adjusted her clothing. She was grateful to be out of the confines of the car with her host. A small taste of freedom with the fresh, warm air feeling heavenly against her skin. She inhaled and closed her eyes to enjoy the moment before she reset her brain for the next phase.
“Let’s go in, shall we?” Dane’s voice startled her from behind.”
When he stepped up to her side, she joined him for the walk to the property. There was a strong chance that they’d be added to her collection of homes for the next few months.
They entered through the automatic doors and into the cool palatial lobby. The brochure didn’t do justice to the architectural beauty of the place. Art deco with a modern twist of chrome, glass, and black marble carved a half-moon-shaped reception area. Uniformed attendants wore a silver-gray ensemble that blended their presence in a seamless transition with the interior decor.
“We have one hundred units in this building. Many of the floorplans have two stories, with a few having an additional third floor. Elevators are programmed to service specific floors. This building also has an available penthouse at the top with an exclusive elevator.”
Yasmin nodded as she listened to the impressive details and amenities, but withheld any real judgment until she saw the space. “Let’s check it out.”
He pushed the button to summon the elevator and it came within seconds. The doors whooshed open and they entered.
“Security?” she asked. She knew there would be surveillance, but was interested in where it was since she didn’t see any cameras or extra staff overtly guarding the premise.
“There is a ten-person security detail. Along with cameras, there is in place other secret technology that we use to protect our clients’ interests. However, we prefer a look that is inviting rather than a formidable setting.”
“A serious breach could ruin your reputation. Have you had any issues?” She knew the answer from the reports. There had been a botched attempt over five years ago before Laurent Holdings bought the property. But she wanted to remind him of that vulnerability.
Now that got him.
Yasmin watched him bristle. The upward tick of his mouth wasn’t a smirk, but more like a grimace.
But then his expression relaxed. “Our security protocols are constantly reviewed and updated. I’d be happy to schedule a meeting with the head of our security so that customizations for your specific needs can be addressed.”
“Hmmm. We’ll see.” She had her own security detail and rarely relied on outside assistance. Her mercenaries, as she liked to call them, were well-funded, loyal, and deadly. She doubted Laurent’s security protocol or their team could outmatch hers. Her disdain pretty much said so.
The doors opened and Yasmin stepped out into a small hallway. Only four units shared this set of elev
ators.
“This way.” Dane walked ahead and opened one of the doors. Taking her time to walk through, she paid attention to the details that mattered to her. Confined floorplans with too much structure didn’t appeal to her. One room should lead into the other without walls and other contrived obstructions.
Her footsteps clicked against the polished faux wood floor. Persian area rugs anchored the center point of each room. She didn’t have to touch the fibers, scrutinize the pattern, and coloring to know they were of high quality.
“The property is ten years old built to accommodate the resurgence in popularity of the Cannes Festival, car racing, and the annual regattas. People can’t get enough of Monaco. It’s one of our first investments. Initially, we only planned to run not manage properties. But, here we are.”
“Very interesting. I just need a pit stop for the summer but mainly for my staff, you understand.”
“Maybe a member of your staff should have been the one to see the property.”
“Not if I’m paying for it. Besides, wouldn’t want them getting bamboozled and given a shitty property.” She turned slowly in the room. “Not that you have shitty property.”
“Nor do I bamboozle anyone.”
“And with such pristine reputation, of course, you wouldn’t.” Her wide smile was meant to agitate.
He didn’t respond, instead continuing with the tour. His presentation left out no unnecessary details but lacked any further inviting charm. She wondered how long he’d stay tensed and out of sorts. Toying with him revealed which buttons to push or linger over for her enjoyment.
“Here’s a remote to darken the window to your preference.” He pointed to the device that was within reach of her hand.
Yasmin tested it on the window darkening it a smidgen. “A good feature for when I walk around nude. You wouldn’t believe the complaints from sanctimonious hypocrites in other places I live. You’d think they never saw tits and ass before.” Yasmin had no compulsion to attain Laurent’s admiration. This wasn’t the normal business deal. She was willing to disrupt by any means necessary. And the rugged sexiness that Dane possessed appealed to her in more ways than she could’ve imaged.
“Maybe it’s your particular assets that caused the consternation rather than the general idea of privacy.” His accusation left her wondering if he held any appreciation of said assets. It would be a pity if he didn’t have the matching tingling bit of excitement from standing next to him. Not that she needed his approving nod. But she was used to men seemingly dissolving in her wake. A boost to the ego.
“Think I’m going to like it here,” she declared.
“You will.”
“A personal guarantee?” She bit her bottom lip as her flirtatious cue.
“Absolutely.”
“However, these condos are more suited for my staff. It would never do for me.” She closed the gap between them. “I want a condo befitting a billionaire.” She paused and sniffed at the stylish apartment. “Can you handle that order?”
Without as much as a blink, he said, “This was the appetizer.”
“Well, then I’m ready for the main course.” And with you as part of that meal.
Crossing the line with the devilishly handsome Laurent hadn’t been in the plan at all. But for her enjoyment, she certainly would add him to the menu.
CHAPTER THREE
Dane thought he sat in the driver’s seat for this potential transaction. One second in Yasmin’s presence and he’d been flipped into the passenger’s seat with the urgent need to fasten more than one seatbelt for an unexpected adventure.
What he’d read in the files didn’t quite capture the reality of the woman’s vibrant energy. The spoiled, daddy’s girl image was undeniably in place, but he surmised that the façade, and he truly believed that it was one, had purposeful intent to disorient. However, he wasn’t sure if her game was innocent flirtation or was standard operating procedure.
What he knew for certain was that he had no plan to deviate from finding out more about Yasmin and her mission. If he didn’t get drawn into her web, he could retain a common-sense approach to get her business and shut down any ulterior motives. But that was a big if. Because he felt his feet sliding toward her allure.
“Before you show me the condo of my dreams, you’d mentioned lunch. I’m willing to take a break. Let’s get to know each other, so you understand what I want.”
He suspected that what she really wanted would change at the whim of her appetite.
“Why don’t we eat here?” She spun around and stopped on point to face him. “Any objections?”
“No. It wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Good.”
Dane ignored her bright smile—those lips—and texted his personal assistant to execute his request and then addressed Yasmin, “Should be here in fifteen minutes.”
“In the meantime, let’s talk about the amenities I want. Could have done it by phone or email.” She shrugged as she admired her polished nails. “Figured I’d wait until I arrived to check out your property and measure your attentiveness to guests. At the end of the day, I want to feel special. Hence the unusual move to deal with you directly rather than with Sheera, my assistant.” Her smile delivered its thousand-wattage gleam.
“And so far … ?” Dane didn’t harbor any unease with her demanding style.
Somehow, he didn’t think she was going anywhere regardless if he did mess up. There was too much of an edge in the manner with which she looked at him or spoke that kept his defenses raised. This wasn’t a casual coincidental trip to the Laurent Holdings business that much was clear.
“So far, I like what I see.” She actually sized him up with a lingering scan over his body. “And I’m wondering…?”
“Yes?” he prompted strangely turned on, revved up, by her brazen regard.
“Are there rules to getting to know you? I mean … outside of the day job trappings?” she asked as if talking about a mundane subject.
“Usually I do the asking.” Dane did his best to maintain a stoic mask, rather than reveal the popping beat of his pulse. Now he wasn’t in the passenger seat but felt as if he was hanging on the bumper.
“And were you going to ask?”
“That would be inappropriate,” Dane said almost with regret.
“I expected more of a yes or no. Explanations don’t work for me. Even my staff knows not to deliver excuses.”
“I’m not a member of your staff.”
“Of course not. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be hitting on you. Don’t be so uptight. I’m woman enough to handle rejections. But I’m also woman enough to read signals.”
Dane’s throat instantly craved a long drink of cold water. “I don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“Trust me, this is all business for me.” She smiled tapping her red polished nail against her lip. “Quite sure it would be a pleasure for you. Not that I like to brag.” She shrugged as if his benefit from the situation didn’t matter.
Damn, it was hot in here. If he broke out in a sweat, he suspected she’d get a kick out of seeing his breakdown.
“Tongue tied?” she pushed when he stayed silent as his thirst grew to the point of discomfort.
“Not at all. Just noting that you have a penchant for games.” He shook his head to rid her seductive influence from his thoughts. “And I’m not in the playing mood.”
“Really? Now is that your mouth talking? Cause I’m sure that the rest of you would disagree.” She relaxed her expression into a playful one. “You can be honest. Promise. I won’t tell.”
“Nothing to confess. Nothing to hide.”
She leaned in without touching him. Yet the space between them might as well not have existed. His hand ached to touch the smoothness of her skin. And though he tried to look away, he couldn’t stop his fall into the depths of her beautiful eyes framed with thick, dark lashes that enhanced the seductive stare.
“Has anyone ever said no to you?”
; She shook her head. “Come on, Dane. We’re adults. Be honest with yourself.” Slowly she smoothed her hair along past her chest and followed the S-curl of its end that draped just past her breast.
His tracking of those long slender fingers was not lost on her. Flirting was one thing, but this was the next game level that came with all sorts of warning signs. But the thrill of the danger to walk such dangerous ground egged him on to succumb to temptation.
He nodded or he thought that he’d nodded.
She didn’t react. After a long gaze, she took a deep breath and said, “Has anyone ever told you that you’ve got gorgeous eyes. Kind of Chris Pines-like. Such a vivid blue. Reminds me of the Aegean Sea. The color is one thing, but there is an edge to your gaze. The way that you look at the world compels me to know more about you. You’re complicated. And I like getting my hands dirty with complications.”
“You play with no safety net.” Dane saw Yasmin as one of a kind.
“When the situation demands it. Don’t you feel it too? Like now, I’m dying for a kiss. Don’t tell me that you don’t want to kiss me.” Her incredulity was almost funny.
“Just because the feeling may exist doesn’t mean that you act upon it.” The advice was more for him than her.
She pulled back a little. “If I had an immortal life, I might agree with that strategy for the long-game. But life is short.” She fingered his collar as if she wasn’t going to wait for his surrender to the demanded kiss. She groaned and let him go
Her pout almost did him in.
His hands shielded his rock hard desire.
“Kiss me,” she delivered in the softest, sweetest whisper.
And he did. His mouth crushed hers fitting against her partially opened mouth.
No introduction was necessary. They’d been dancing with each other for the past hour. Stirring up feelings that needed not much prodding to rise to the surface.
He moaned against her mouth and it sent tingling chills along her spine. Tasting her was sweet and intoxicating. In a snap, he didn’t care about control.
Their tongues sparred, a friendly match of domination. He wasn’t pressed to win but had no shame with his wish to claim her. His arms tightened around her body, sealing her to him. His dick had no shame—hard and bulging. Instead of freaking out, she ground her hips into his, rolling one hip and pressing against his pelvis until the other hip finished off the motion.
To Tempt A Billionaire (Men of Monaco Book 2) Page 3
