“Don’t you have a business to get back to?”
“Not until after the New Year. My company shuts down for two weeks so my employees can enjoy the holidays.”
“Was it your intention to spend those two weeks here, badgering me?”
“No. By now I’d intended to be on a beach, soaking in the sun and badgering a waitress for another drink.”
Tori turned to him. “So you’ll stay in Cornwall until you wear me down, right?”
Wade met her gaze momentarily before turning back to the road. “Yes.”
“And what if I deliberately stalled just to keep you around?”
Wade slowed the SUV to turn into the parking lot of the restaurant. For a packed night, there weren’t many cars, but the dining room was small and didn’t have many tables. Or a menu, for that matter. They served a series of tasting courses, chef’s choice. Wade pulled into a spot and turned off the car.
Unbuckling his seat belt, he pivoted to face her. “If you’re really interested in keeping me around, there are better ways to go about it.”
“Like what?” she asked. The challenge lighted her eyes like sparkling hunks of aquamarine.
“Like making wild, passionate love to me until I can’t bear to leave your side.”
Tori’s mouth dropped open. Her lips moved in vain for a moment, but there were no words. He seemed to have that effect on her, and he had to admit he liked it. Wade grinned wickedly and climbed from the car. He came around and opened the door for her, taking her hand as she slid from the seat.
They walked to the restaurant with his arm around her waist. He liked the feel of her body against his side. She fit perfectly there, and he needed only to turn his head toward her to breathe in the floral scent of her shampoo. It made him want to spread the strands across a silky pillowcase and bury his face in them. Soon. Hopefully.
Just as they opened the door, he leaned in and whispered, “And I hope you’ll put that new plan into place tonight after dessert.”
The sounds of the restaurant eclipsed any response she might have cobbled together. He focused instead on greeting the hostess, the executive chef’s wife, and following her to an intimate table for two by the fireplace. Wade helped Tori out of her coat, then handed both their jackets over to the hostess to be checked.
Moments later their server, Richard, arrived with two glasses of white wine. After welcoming them and introducing himself, he placed the glasses on the table, adding, “We’re starting tonight with an ’83 sauvignon blanc and a tasting of caviar and white asparagus.”
A second server swooped in behind Richard with their first plates, and then both of them disappeared into the kitchen.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Wade said, admiring the artistry of their first dish. “There’s nine more courses.”
They’d need every bit of spare room to eat all the food and wine presented to them. There was a fois gras terrine, butter-poached lobster, potatoes with black truffles, lamb, sorbet and the most delicate white chocolate mousse with cherries he’d ever put into his mouth. The food and wine flowed as easily as their conversation.
Wade had been concerned at first that their usual antagonistic banter might ruin the evening. As much as fighting with Tori aroused him, he wanted tonight to be about something else. The more she got to know him, the more she seemed to open up to him. The information Brody had been able to uncover about Tori had proved fairly useful so far. Talking about her work and her passion for environmental causes had opened a door to him.
Tonight the romantic atmosphere and the multiple courses of wine seemed to help her relax and enjoy herself. After about the third course, he could see the tension ease from her shoulders and a lazy pleasure settle into her eyes. She laughed and flirted, smiled and watched him over her glass with warmth in her gaze. He liked this side of Tori just as much as, if not more than, her fiery red side.
They talked about their work and their college experiences. Tori shared details about her travels as a child and all the things she’d seen. Wade had to admit he was a touch jealous that she had seen so many things at such a young age. When he was young, he was poor. And now that he was no longer poor, he was too busy to travel.
In turn she asked him a lot about his high school years and growing up with brothers and sisters. They had lived quite different lives.
Before he knew it, he looked up and found they were the only customers left in the restaurant. There was only the sultry music playing in the background and the crackling of the fireplace beside them. Even the servers seemed to blend into the background, well-trained not to interfere with their customers’ romantic evenings.
“Did you say you never went to prom?”
Tori looked up from her last half-eaten plate. “No prom. No high school graduation. None of the normal stuff.”
“Do you like to dance?”
She hesitated a moment before she answered. “I don’t know. I’ve never actually danced with a man before. I mean, I went to a few nightclubs in college, but not real dancing. There’s never really been the opportunity. No school dances, no family weddings…”
Wade frowned and eyed the area just beside their table. “That is a travesty.” He stood, placing his napkin in his seat, and reached out for Tori’s hand. “Come here.”
Despite a flash of wariness in her eyes, Tori didn’t argue with his demand, and he was glad. Instead, she rose gracefully from her chair and took the few steps over to the open area that was the perfect dance floor for two.
Wade pulled her into his arms, giving her time to adjust to the proper stance before pressing her body against his own and rocking in gentle time with the music. At first she was stiff in his arms. He worried that it was him, but her glance kept nervously shifting down to her feet. She was uncomfortable not knowing how to dance.
“I don’t think I’m very good at this,” she said, worrying her lip with her teeth.
“Just relax,” he cooed into her ear. “No one is watching. It’s only you and me.” Wade splayed his hand across her lower back, pressing her into him and guiding her movements. “Close your eyes and feel the music. Feel the movement.”
Tori closed her eyes, her body relaxing after a few moments. Then she leaned in and placed her head on his shoulder. Wade reveled in the feel of her in his arms, closing his own eyes to block out everything but the experience of holding her.
Her skin was like satin against his. The soft curves of her body fit into each hard ridge of his own. He could feel the crush of her breasts against the wall of his chest and the rapidly beating heart behind it. The rhythm of it matched the pounding in his own rib cage. The blood had started rushing in his veins the moment he touched her. Every nerve in his body was tingling with arousal and anxiety.
Despite all the complications and reasons he shouldn’t want Tori, he did. He wanted her very badly. And he was fairly certain she felt the same way.
Tori shifted in his arms, and he opened his eyes to see her pull away just enough to look him in the eye.
“I’m ready,” she said.
“For what?”
The corners of her red lips curled up in a seductive smile. “To make you never want to leave my side again.”
Seven
Tori had never seen a man pay a check so quickly. A wad of large bills was tossed onto the table, and he grasped her hand to lead her out of the restaurant. They paused only long enough to collect their coats, and then they were back on the road.
Whereas on the way to the restaurant his engine had purred, now the German motor roared and devoured the highway ahead of them. The speed only fueled the desire burning inside her. Its flames licked at her skin, flushing her pink and melting her core into a pool of liquid need. She wasn’t exactly sure where they were going, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to get there fast.
Her left hand crept across the gap between them and planted itself firmly on his thigh. Her fingers rubbed over the soft material of his suit, his muscles tensing b
eneath her grip. The speedometer surged in response, and the reaction urged her on. She stroked his leg, inching ever higher.
When she glanced up at Wade, his face was rock hard, his jaw locked and his eyes burrowing into the road. His knuckles were white as they gripped the leather steering wheel. He was fighting hard for control. So far, he seemed to have it managed.
That made Tori want to push him. The road was deserted and dark. With a wicked smile, she moved her hand higher, dipping between his thighs. She found the firm heat of him struggling against the confines of his pants. Wade jerked and groaned at her touch, but the SUV remained steady and in control as they traveled.
With curious fingertips she explored him. She gently stroked his length and swallowed hard when he extended beyond her expectations. She wet her lips in anticipation and clamped her thighs tightly together to quell the ache building inside her. She wanted him so badly. Even back when she was his employee, she’d fantasized about this. At least before…
No. She wasn’t going to ruin tonight with thoughts about the past. She’d always wanted a taste of Wade Mitchell, and tonight she was going to have it. When she spied the apple-shaped sign of the tree farm, a rush of relief washed over her. They were almost there.
As the SUV’s tires met the gravel of the driveway, Tori palmed his fly with one last firm stroke. Wade growled low, whipping the car to a stop. They’d parked in front of a building that looked like a barn, but without the hayloft, large swinging doors and livestock. Thank goodness they weren’t heading to the big house. As much as she wanted him, she just couldn’t… Not there with Ken and Molly so close by.
The engine went quiet. Wade stretched his hands to relax the tense muscles and turned in his seat. His gaze dropped to her hand, which was still touching him, and shifted back up to meet hers. “I’ve got to get you in the house before I’m forced to make love to you in the backseat like a teenage boy.”
Instead of responding, Tori gave him another firm squeeze. Wade’s hand grabbed her wrist and tugged her away before she could move again. “No, seriously,” he said, his eyes closed. “It’s not very comfortable back there.”
“Okay,” Tori agreed with a grin. “But only because having sex in a bedroom without wheels is a rare treat for me.” With a laugh, she climbed out of the SUV, too anxious to wait for him to open her door. He met her around the other side and took her hand, leading her to the front door.
Once inside the building, Wade locked the dead bolt behind them and swept her into his arms. His mouth crushed hers, devouring her with an enthusiasm her body had been craving since their fourth course. Tori let her purse fall to the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was glad she’d chosen to wear these heels, because they brought his mouth closer to hers and aligned their bodies perfectly. His erection pressed into her lower belly, and she tilted her hips to grind against it. A growl vibrated across her lips, followed by the glide of his tongue along hers.
Wade’s hands moved up her back until they reached her zipper. A hum ran along her spine to the base as it glided down and exposed her back to the cool air. His fingers delved beneath the fabric to caress her skin and undo the snaps of her strapless bra.
As much as she hated to break away from him, she knew she needed to if she wanted to feel her bare skin on his. Tori pressed against his chest until his lips left hers. His warm hands cupped her shoulders, pushing her dress down until it pooled around her ankles with her bra. Now she was wearing only her lace panties, sheer thigh-high stockings and heels. She could feel his eyes on her, drinking in every inch of her body. Tori thought she would feel self-conscious, but the fire in his eyes was undeniable. He wanted her. There might be other layers of conflict between them, but his desire was genuine.
To tempt him, she reached behind her head to pull out the few pins that held her hair in the twist. Her breasts reached out to him as she moved, the tight nipples aching for his touch. His gaze went to them, his tongue darting across his lower lip as he watched. Instead of reaching for her, he tugged down his tie and threw it to the ground.
Once the pins were removed, the thick red curls fell down over her bare shoulders. She gently shook her head and stepped out of her dress.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he said, his voice a hoarse whisper. “Come here.”
Tori closed the gap between them. Her palms ran over his chest and up to his shoulders to slip his jacket off. It fell to the floor beside his tie, and Tori made quick work of the dress shirt buttons.
When Wade shrugged out of his shirt, Tori’s breath caught in her throat. His chest was broad and chiseled, with each muscle well-defined. A dark sprinkle of chest hair trailed down to his stomach. Her gaze followed the line of it down, but before she could reach for his belt, he reached for her wrist and tugged her to him. She slammed into his chest, her nipples pressing against the firm, tan skin she’d just been admiring.
His mouth found hers again and then traveled down her throat. He nipped at her skin with his teeth, soothing it with his lips and tongue. Wade buried his hands in her hair, rubbing the strands between his fingertips. She closed her eyes and just focused on the sensations he coaxed.
Wade’s hand slid down her back, caressed a round cheek through the lace of her panties, then continued along the back of her thigh. He tugged her leg up around his hip, then wrapped his arm around her waist. With his mouth still on her throat, he lifted her off the ground, hooking her other leg around him.
Clinging to his shoulders, Tori squealed at the sudden movement. Then with a laugh she threw her head back, arching her spine and offering her breasts to him. He accepted, taking one nipple into his mouth as he walked them slowly through the large open room. The tug of pleasure shot straight to her center, and Tori groaned loudly. She thought she remembered him saying his brothers had left, but she didn’t know that for sure. She hoped no one else was here, but frankly she didn’t care. She needed him now.
“Bed?” she whispered.
His lips parted with her flesh only long enough to say, “Upstairs.”
Tori glanced at the staircase behind them. They’d been moving toward it since he picked her up. He began to carry her up the stairs, but she shook her head. “Too far,” she gasped between ragged breaths. “Right here.”
“On the stairs?”
“Yes, now.”
Wade didn’t argue. He eased her onto one of the steps, the plush carpeting meeting her bare skin. She leaned back onto her elbows, sprawled across the steps as he pulled away to look at her. His breath was rapid, his chest rising and falling as if he’d been running a marathon. His gaze slowly traveled up her body until it met her eyes. The green depths were almost penetrating.
He didn’t look away as he unfastened his belt and eased down his own pants and briefs. Tori caught only a quick glance of his magnificent body and the flash of foil in his palm before he was crouched down, kneeling on a step between her leather-wrapped ankles. He lifted one leg and planted a kiss on her ankle, then on her inner calf and knee. He placed a searing kiss on her inner thigh just above the lace band of her stocking. Tori’s leg quivered in his hands, his hot breath near torture on her exposed center. His fingertips glided across her panties, hooking around the edge before tugging them down her legs and tossing them to the bottom step.
Tori let out a heavy sigh as his body moved back up to cover her own. His blazing-hot skin glided deliciously across hers. The man was as hot-blooded as they came, like a furnace. He picked up where he’d left off, placing a kiss on her hip bone, then on her belly. The evening stubble on his chin scratched and tickled her delicate skin. His mouth moved over her stomach to the valley between her breasts. Braced on his elbows, he took his time teasing each nipple into fierce, throbbing peaks with his tongue.
She could feel the brush of his arousal along her inner thigh. Her whole body ached to have him inside her, but Wade didn’t appear to be in the same hurry she was. “Wade, please,” she said, her hands tugging impatiently on his
upper arms.
He pulled away for just a moment, quickly sheathing himself in latex and moving back between her thighs. This time he covered her completely, and she was glad. She’d quickly become accustomed to his warmth, and losing it, even for a few moments, had left her shivering. Now that he was back where he belonged, Tori tilted her head to look him in the eyes. Wade dipped down to kiss her again. As his tongue slowly penetrated her, so did the rest of him. He surged forward. Inch by inch he filled her. Tori held her breath and eased her legs open farther to accept all of him.
When at last he was buried deep inside her, Wade stilled. His lips parted from hers so he could suck in a ragged breath. “Victoria,” he murmured against her lips, “you feel so incredible.”
His words were nearly as sexy as the almost pained expression on his face as he said them. Tori drew her stocking-clad legs up and wrapped them around his waist. That movement alone was enough to draw a hiss from his lips. She placed a hand on each side of his face. Feeling the rough stubble in her palms, she drew him down for another soft, brief kiss. “Love me,” she said.
A flash of challenge lit in his eyes. Pulling back, he thrust into her again without breaking their visual connection. This time it was Tori who cried out. Before she could recover, he moved again and again. The desire that had been building inside her for the past few hours was now a constant throb of pleasure. The ache of it increased with their every movement.
Everything else faded away but that feeling. There was no land to be bought. No lost job. No animosity between them. Not even the burn of the rug on their elbows or the bite of the stair across her back registered. There was only their frenzied drive to fulfill the need.
Tori clung to him, panting and whispering words of encouragement in his ear. “Yes,” she repeated, the pressure building inside reaching the critical point. “Yes, Wade, yes!” Tori cried out as the wave of her climax crashed over her. Her body trembled against his as he quickened his pace and found his own release. The roar was almost deafening as he poured everything he had into her, then collapsed.
Undeniable Demands Page 10
