James stayed still for a moment before grabbing my legs and hiking them over his shoulders. The unexpected angle gave him deep access to my womanhood and I moaned and gripped his shoulders as our bodies began to rock back and forth in the graceful rhythm of love. Soon, we were drenched in sweat as James pumped in and out of my waiting body. Ecstasy and lust were swirling through my veins and I tangled my hands in James’s dark, unruly hair and moaned loudly, thrusting back against his body until our skin was practically stuck together.
“Hanna,” James grunted in my ear, bucking and gasping and groaning.
I could feel that he was close. As I rocked my body against his, James slid a hand between us and began rubbing my clit with his thumb as he thrust in deeper and deeper. His touch was just enough to push me over the edge and I moaned loudly as the pleasurable sensations rocked my entire world.
James bucked his hips and arched his back, groaning through his clenched teeth. He was silent for a moment, and then he growled before leaning down to kiss me. I felt his teeth nipping at my lower lip and a little aftershock of lust went surging through my body as I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close.
James sat up and climbed onto the leather bench seat before reaching down and taking me into his arms. We were both breathing hard and covered in sweat and I pressed my face to his chest and listened to the frantic sound of his heartbeat as the car moved slowly through the Boston night.
“So,” I said with a grin. “Have you ever done that before?”
James snickered. “No,” he said. He leaned down and brushed my sweaty bangs away from my forehead. “But I couldn’t wait until we got to your apartment to kiss you. I needed you, Hanna.”
James’s words sent a hot thrill of pleasure and excitement through my body and I smiled happily as I nodded.
“But there’s just one thing,” James continued. He smirked lazily.
“What?” I narrowed my eyes and sat up. “What is it? Are you going to tell me that Nick was listening the whole time?”
James snickered. “No. But he’s been circling your building for the last twenty minutes.”
I groaned. “Oh my god,” I said, burying my face in my hands. “I’m so embarrassed!”
James pulled my hands away from my eyes and leaned down. “Don’t be,” he said tenderly as he pressed his lips to mine. “It was perfect, wasn’t it?”
I flushed. “Yes,” I said softly. “Yes, it was.”
Chapter Nine
James
“So,” Harry said with a lazy grin as he reached for his Manhattan and took a long swig. “Your plan worked?”
I shrugged. “Actually, it worked much better than I expected,” I said. “Hanna took the job on the spot. Now she’s off my desk…”
“And on your cock?”
I narrowed my eyes. “That’s my girlfriend you’re talking about,” I said. “Don’t make me regret telling you.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “I have no idea when you got so stuck up,” he said, shaking his head in obvious disgust. “Besides, I thought you just had to get her out of your system. Isn’t that what you said?”
I glared at him. “In no way I did say that,” I said. “I said I wanted to reconnect with her.”
“And so now you have, and you can get over this stupid schoolboy crush,” Harry said dismissively. “I’m going to a great party later – you should come, James.”
“I should catch up on work,” I said. In my excitement over my date with Hanna, I hadn’t been paying as much attention to my duties at Magnate Group. I knew that my father was probably rolling in his grave, but so what? It was my company now, after all…of course, that didn’t mean I was going to drive it into the ground or anything like that.
“Boring,” Harry said. He groaned and got to his feet. “At least come with me now,” he said, turning his attention to the end of the bar where a group of young women were sitting. “I need your help.”
I got to my feet and followed Harry across the bar, rolling my highball glass in my hand and thinking about Hanna. It had only been a few days since our date – I’d texted her a few times, but I hadn’t seen her again. I was already dying to make plans, though. I couldn’t wait to show her everything I loved about Boston – the good restaurants, the tiny little wine kitchens and cellars hidden in back alleys that most people would ignore. I knew Hanna was a few years younger, and just out of college…she wouldn’t have had a chance to discover a lot of those places on her own.
And I couldn’t wait to be the man who showed them to her.
Harry led me across the room and paused in front of a group of blondes. They were laughing and smiling, but when they saw us, their giggles fell silent.
“Hello, ladies,” Harry said. “My friend and I were feeling lonely. Would you join us for a drink?”
Inwardly, I groaned and shot Harry a dirty look. But he ignored me.
One of the girls blinked. She locked eyes with me and her cheeks turned pink.
“Oh my god,” she said. “Are you James West?”
I nodded.
“Wow,” she said, fanning herself and biting her lip. “I read that profile about you in The Sun, and I can’t believe it’s really you!” She leaned in closer and winked. “And you’re much cuter in person.”
“She thought you would be ugly,” another blonde interjected. She, too, batted her lashes at me. “But obviously you’re not, or anything,” she added quickly.
I laughed. “That’s flattering,” I said. “But I was just leaving.”
Harry turned to me and frowned. “No, you’re not,” he said. “Come on, James – stay and have a drink with us.” He turned to the girls with a flirtatious smile on his broad face. “James is such a workaholic,” he said. “That’s part of what makes him so charming, don’t you think?”
The blonde turned back to me and I could practically see dollar signs in her eyes. I felt like groaning – she was just another Boston wannabe socialite, someone who saw my charge card instead of my eyes.
Hanna would never be like this.
“Yeah,” the blonde said. She licked her lips and pursed them seductively. “I think you should stay, James. Is it okay if I call you that, James?”
“It’s my name,” I said drily. “But I’ll be going now. Bye, Harry.”
Harry tried to grab my arm but I stepped backward and smiled ironically. He stared at me for a long moment before rolling his eyes.
“Don’t forget about the Langdon’s Christmas party,” Harry called as soon as I started walking away. “You still need to find a date.”
“So I do,” I said, smirking as Hanna’s face filled my mind. “So I do.”
The next week of work was like torture. I was insanely busy – I barely had time to take a piss, much less go down a floor and see Hanna. My new secretary was unremarkable – an older woman, who took great pleasure in forgetting my daily coffee every morning. But I was glad for that, the lack of excitement…especially after what had happened with nearly every secretary before her.
Finally, on Thursday, the offices closed early for the holiday. Just as I was stepping onto the elevator, I saw Hanna waiting in the lobby. Pushing past everyone else, I grinned at her.
“Hey, you,” Hanna said coyly. She cocked her head to the side and smiled, showing her creamy white teeth. “I thought you’d forgotten about me.”
I snorted. “Not possible.”
“Well, did your chauffeur ream you out?” Hanna raised an eyebrow and winked at me and for a moment, I felt my heart stop in my chest. How did she do that – fluctuating wildly between flirtatious vixen and blushing girl and leaving me breathless. I’d never been with a woman like Hanna before.
“No,” I said coolly. “He didn’t mention it.”
“Ah,” Hanna said. She smirked. “He was probably embarrassed.”
I shrugged. “So, I’m sorry this is a little last minute, but I want to ask you something.”
Hanna laughed. “Don’t you know yo
u’re supposed to ask a lady out three days in advance?” She pulled out her phone and glanced down at the screen. “Although I should tell you, I’m wide open this week.” She stepped closer. “I probably shouldn’t have told you, though. Now you’re going to think I’m fast.”
I grinned. “Faster than sleeping with me in the back of a limo?”
“Hey,” Hanna said, narrowing her eyes.
“I was kidding—”
Hanna winked. “I know.” She tossed her hair over one shoulder. “I was just giving you a hard time. So, what did you want to ask me?”
“There’s a Christmas party every year – it’s not Magnate-affiliated,” I said, trying to read Hanna’s face as I talked. “It’s pretty stuffy, but I have to go. And this year, I’d like you to be my date.”
“Oh, a big Christmas party full of rich people?” Hanna raised an eyebrow. “I don’t really think that’s my scene, James.” She bit her lip. “I don’t think I’d fit in.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t be ridiculous,” I said. “Of course, you’ll fit in. My friends are dying to meet you,” I added. “It’s held by Richard Langdon – he’s an old family friend – and I have to go. It might suck, but afterwards we can go out and have some real fun.”
Hanna blinked.
“What?” I asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Hanna said. “Really, James…it’s just…”
“It’s just what?”
“I don’t know that I’m ready,” Hanna said. She glanced down at her feet. “I mean, what are we doing? Won’t there be gossip at work?”
I rolled my eyes. “There’s always gossip here,” I said. “It’s an office – just because it’s mine doesn’t mean it’s not normal.”
“I just don’t want someone to think I’m…” Hanna trailed off. “Never mind.”
I groaned. “Tell me,” I said, reaching out and putting my hands on her shoulders. “What’s bothering you?”
Hanna stepped closer and a wave of floral perfume washed over me. It wasn’t overly sweet, but instead sensual and heated and I felt my cock throb in my pants as I stared at Hanna’s bright eyes.
“I don’t want people to think I’m only interested in you because of your money,” Hanna said. She swallowed and suddenly, I saw that she was nervous. “I mean, James – look at me. I’m twenty-four years old. I don’t have any business being with someone like you.”
Her words felt like a punch in the gut and I frowned.
“I really like you,” Hanna continued. Her forehead was creased with lines of worry as she talked. “But I don’t want people to think I like you for the wrong reasons.”
“Hanna…” I sighed, leaning against the wall and crossing my arms over my chest. “For one thing, you have to believe me when I say that some people will judge, no matter what. You could be rich on your own and I guarantee there are still some people who would think you were trying to take my money.”
Hanna frowned. “That makes me feel even better,” she said sarcastically. “James, I don’t know about this. How about if you go, and I meet you afterwards? If it’s as bad as you say, well, you probably won’t wind up staying long.”
I sighed. “I’d really love it if you’d come with me,” I said. “You’re fun and you’re charming – everyone is going to love you, I just know it.”
Hanna stared at me for a long moment, inhaling so fiercely that her nostrils flared. I could practically see the wheels churning in her brain, but she stayed silent.
“And I swear, if anyone is rude to you, we’ll leave,” I said. “I won’t let people treat you like that.”
Hanna snorted. “You think I’d let people treat me like that?” She cocked her head to the side and laughed. “James, this is exactly what I’m saying – we’re from two totally different worlds, and women from your world wouldn’t call out bitches…but I do, and I’m not going to change for you.”
A warm rush of affection surged through me and I grabbed Hanna and pulled her close, not caring if anyone saw.
“And that’s exactly why I like you so much,” I said. “And why I think you’re perfect for me.”
Hanna blushed. She looked into my eyes and I realized that she was scared.
“Really? You think I’m perfect?”
Leaning down, I kissed her forehead. “Yes,” I said softly. “I think you’re perfect.”
Hanna swallowed. “Okay,” she said. “You win, James. I’ll come to the party with you.”
I grinned. “Excellent,” I said. “You won’t regret it.”
“Good,” Hanna said. “I’d better not.”
***
The next day, I met with my shareholders for an all-day meeting. Most of the Magnate employees – even Hanna – weren’t in the office. Despite the important things I had to discuss with Mark and the others, the day seemed to drag. By the time I was ready to go home, I was exhausted. I thought about calling Hanna, but since the Christmas party was the following night, I figured that she’d be busy finding a dress or whatever women did the night before boring parties.
I barely slept that night. I tossed and turned in my bed, thinking of Hanna and her words. What if she was right? What if I was making a huge mistake bringing her to this party?
I rolled over and sighed. God damnit, James, I thought as I opened my eyes and began staring at the blank, white ceiling over my bed. You’ve got to cut this shit out. Besides, it’s not like I can un-invite her, can I?
The next day, I had Nick drive me over to Hanna’s apartment at exactly six-thirty. The party started at seven, and I figured we could go, drink, and schmooze for a couple of hours before beating a hasty retreat and getting dinner somewhere out.
When I knocked on Hanna’s door, she appeared almost instantly. She looked fantastic in a gold strapless minidress that hugged her curves and platform heels in patent black leather. I leaned down to kiss her cheek and inhaled a delicious blend of vanilla and spice.
“Do I look okay?” Hanna pulled away and gave me a flirtatious smile before twirling around in a slow circle.
“You look good enough to eat,” I said, licking my lips and giving her a wolfish grin.
“You don’t think it’s too much?” Hanna glanced down, plucking at the stiff material of her dress. “Danielle told me it would be perfect, but I don’t know.”
“I think you look amazing,” I said. I glanced down at my watch. “And besides, we’re only going to be there for a few hours – how do you feel about dinner after?”
Hanna flushed. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” she said, tossing her head and holding her chin high in the air. “I might decide I’m sick of you after an hour or two.”
I pretended to wince. “Of course,” I said, bowing deeply. “I understand. I am your slave.”
Hanna grinned and stepped closer, putting her hands on my face. “Good,” she said softly before leaning in and kissing me deeply. She moaned softly as she slipped her tongue into my mouth and I took her by the waist and pulled her body close to mine. Our kiss grew passionate and intense and I groaned as my cock twitched in my pants. Just as I was about to hike up Hanna’s skirt and take her right there in the hallway, Hanna pulled away and smirked at me.
“Down, boy,” she said, shaking her head and licking her lips. “We shouldn’t be late.”
I took Hanna’s hand and guided her down the stairs, watching the heart-shaped curve of her ass as she walked in front of me on the landings. On the street below, Nick was waiting with my car. I helped Hanna into the backseat, then climbed in after her.
“So, who is this family friend, anyway?”
“Richard Langdon was a friend of my father’s,” I said. “And my brothers.”
“You have a brother?”
“Two, actually,” I said, glancing out the window as we crawled down Manhattan street. When I turned back to Hanna, she was frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Hanna said. She bit her lip. “It’s just, wow. I
can’t believe I didn’t know that about you – that’s like the most basic information there is. Why didn’t you tell me that night, you know – the night you ordered that massive amount of Indian food?”
I shrugged. “I didn’t think it was something you needed to know.” I cleared my throat. “Besides, I haven’t been in touch with them for a long time.”
Hanna reached over and touched my hand with hers. “Sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have tried prying like that – I know it’s not a good look on me. I just…” She trailed off, biting her lip. “I just want to know you, James,” she said softly.
“You’ll learn about them sooner or later,” I said darkly, thinking of Jeremy and Jordan. “But not tonight,” I added in a firm voice. “We’re going to have fun tonight, Hanna.”
“I hope so.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Should I be?” Hanna looked down at her bare legs. “Maybe I should’ve worn something more conservative.”
“You’re fine,” I told her as I squeezed her hand. “There are going to be so many people there, you won’t stand out at all.”
“Good,” Hanna said. But her voice was quiet and I heard a ripple of apprehension as Nick pulled up outside of the Boston Gallery of Fine Arts and stopped the car.
“Here we are,” I said. I handed Hanna her wrap and I pulled my scarf close around my neck.
The Xmas Conquest Page 8
