Oliver braced against the wall out of necessity. His legs had gone almost totally weak. Minka sighed, content as their tongues tangled in a light tentative duel. The kiss transitioned from tentative to thorough within moments.
Minka loosened her hold on Oliver’s collar, and she felt the floor give way beneath her feet when he lifted her.
Oliver broke the kiss, groaning deep into Minka’s neck. “I don’t want to take you against a wall, but you’re close to making me do just that.”
“What should I do about that?” She trailed her fingers across his nape and over his shoulders before tangling them in his hair.
“Don’t worry about it,” Oliver said as he gently took her hand.
He found his way to the guest bedroom suite with the surety of a man familiar with his surroundings. Within minutes, Minka felt her back touch the pillow-top decadence of her guest’s bed. Oliver studied her there, the stunning stare he possessed raking her from head to toe and back again. Then, he was moving in, hunching over her—his arms and torso creating a potent, sensual cage.
“Are you sure?” he murmured, then skimmed her calf with his lips. “I need to hear you say it, Minka,” he urged when she only whimpered obligingly.
“Yes, yes...” Her chant ended on a throaty moan when his mouth reached her inner thigh. “Oliver,” she began to tug at the lacy panties hugging her hips.
Oliver captured Minka’s wrists and pressed them into the folds of the dress bunched above her waist. The garment’s lush folds covered her breasts, the hem tickled at her chin.
The sensation was lost on Minka. Her senses were more in tune to his skillful mouth grazing the dip of her inner thigh. She arched her back, offering her body in anticipation of him feasting upon the part of her that most craved for the pleasure his mouth promised. His forearm across her belly gave Minka hope that she was on the verge of receiving what she desired.
Oliver hooked a thumb beneath the side stitch of the lacy lingerie. He held it there but did nothing to remove the garment. He increased the pressure of his arm over her stomach when she tried to arch her back once more. She squeezed at the offending arm, then pulled her fingers through her hair when he refused to budge.
Minka shuddered his name when he launched a tormenting nibble at her skin. It was just the slightest movement of his coaxing lips. They eased closer, deliberately seeking until they skimmed the panties’ crotch. She squirmed beneath the rush of sensation spiraling through her womb.
Her whimpers and soft words of encouragement did nothing to spur him on. Minka accepted that she’d have to settle for the delicious yet inadequate pleasure gleaned from his touch.
“Oliver, please.” She was mad with expectation of having his mouth where she most wanted it. Her hips bucked in earnest, her pleas gaining volume when he kissed her sex, tonguing her folds through the middle of the panties he didn’t seem interested in removing.
He didn’t seem to mind Minka’s wriggling and twisting to free herself of her clothing. But at last, she had worked herself free of the dress’s sheer fabric.
Oliver worshipped the rich, chocolaty hue of her skin—even and flawless, it accentuated her curvy proportions. How was it that this woman had enchanted him as completely with her mindset and manner as she had with her body? he wondered.
“Oliver...” Her whimper held the clear tinge of impatience then when she tugged at the tails of the crisp shirt lying outside his trousers. He rose up slightly, aiding in her removal of the shirt. Together they turned and tussled, soft laughter coloring the room as they undressed each other.
Soon, nothing but the satin comforter and sheets lay tousled about their nude bodies. Oliver muttered an obscenity that held all the chords of appraisal. There was something comforting about the way she felt next to him, bare and alive carried a novelty—a rare beauty.
He smiled, nuzzling his face beneath her jaw while trying to accept that he had definitely lost all control over his reason.
Minka moved against him with such a seamless sensuality, it almost stopped his breath. Her bottom nudged his sex as he spooned her, keeping her back flush with his chest by cupping one breast and subjecting the nipple to a merciless round of strokes and squeezes.
Her cries were low and unsteady. She turned her face into a pillow when he exchanged toying with a pebbled nipple for skimming his hand down her torso. His fingertips curved into the faint dusting of curls framing the juncture of her thighs.
“May I?” He murmured against her ear as he nibbled the lobe.
Resistance wasn’t even conceived, especially once his middle finger commenced its assault upon her clit. Her cries into the pillow, gained volume while her thighs trembled and provided Oliver with the entrance he requested.
Soft, satisfied rumbles in his chest mingled with her cries when he breached her sex. Moisture coated his fingers, galvanizing his arousal to a sweltering pitch. He needed to be inside her, plundering and exploring the secrets of her body the way his fingers had the honor of doing just then.
“I want this to last, Mink.”
She smiled, hearing the ragged element in his tone that seemed to accuse her for foiling his plans. Her delight was evident when he put her on her back and took his own delight in the silken texture of her thighs once he’d settled between them.
He groaned her name as though he’d been newly stricken by the joy their current position allowed. She moaned his name but offered no additional details of what it was she wanted.
Oliver required no clarification. He smoothed out the bedcovers until he fisted the trousers tossed aside earlier. He handled them awkwardly until he’d extracted what he’d been attempting to retrieve from his pockets.
The sultry curve of Minka’s mouth grew more defined when she heard the distinct crinkle of the condom’s packaging. He ended the suckling kiss he’d given to her earlobe and she whimpered her agitation. The emotion was short-lived when she saw that he’d only broken contact in order to rip open the foil wrapper with his teeth.
Minka took it upon herself to retrieve the wrapper and proceeded to apply their protection. Oliver had made it clear that her intimate touch was a bit more stimulation than he wanted then. Minka took great pleasure in examining his thick length filling her hand as she set the condom in place.
Time wouldn’t allow for further exploration, though. Her eyes locked with his when he took possession of her thighs and claimed her body in a swift plunge that forced a throaty gasp from the back of her throat.
They were sheltered amidst the tangle of covers, but Oliver changed that. He freed Minka from the twisted sheets, her bare legs lying atop the covers while he remained shielded beneath them from the waist down. His lean hips moved vigorously back and forth, thrusting with a savage energy as he branded her sex with his.
Minka wrapped her legs high around his back, shuddering out moans that were wrapped in his name as the penetration deepened. Her hands curved into half fists against his chest. She didn’t seek to push him away, merely to brace herself to accept every erotic pump that rocked her hips in a devastating sway she wished to fully absorb.
Oliver sheltered his face deep at the dip between her neck and shoulder. He didn’t want to deny his sex one second of the pleasure it enjoyed being inside hers—pampered by the sweetly painful squeeze of her intimate muscles.
He feared he’d be coming much sooner than he wanted, especially when her round nails began their rhythmic stroking of his spine. He gave freedom to his restraint, shuddering her name into her skin as waves of his need coated the inside of the condom with repeated sprays of satisfied longing.
Depleted, they worked to slow their rapid, heavy breaths, which, for a while, were the only sounds to fill the room.
* * *
“Mr. Spring, I really do appreciate you working with my schedule.”
Calvin Greg
ory Spring waved a hand and shook his balding head. “Not a problem,” he told the man seated on the other side of his desk. “It’s not every day someone with your skill shows up in our applicant pool.” Apology filled the man’s vivid green eyes. “We’re only sorry that we can’t offer you a more competitive salary, one befitting someone with your level of expertise.”
Will Lloyd waved off Spring’s words. “I’m thankful to have the job, sir, considering the way I was so abruptly let go from my previous employer.”
“Ah, yes.” Spring’s understanding smile showed signs of tightening, and he shuffled through papers in the folder on his desk.
“These things happen, Lloyd.” Spring tapped at something in the folder. “You’ve stated your reason for dismissal as a difference of opinion.”
Will nodded, tugging the cuff of his olive-green jacket while shifting in his chair. “I didn’t see eye to eye with one of my supervisors in the handling of certain aspects of Mr. Wilder’s charitable foundation. The supervisor had seniority as well as previous experience in the position I held, so...”
Spring nodded in understanding. “I commend you on being so forthright in explaining those circumstances. Most wouldn’t be quite so cordial about their former employer, seeing how hard a job is to come by in this economy.”
“Well, sir, it was an honor to simply be brought in to Wilder in the first place. Qasim runs a top-notch firm, with top-notch people. I can only hope my experience there has prepared me to be a greater asset to your business.”
“I’m sure it will.” Spring stood behind his desk. “If you’re ready, I’d like to show you around and introduce you to the people you’ll be working most closely with in the accounting pool.”
“Thank you, sir.” Will was already on his feet.
“Aside from the manager over there, no one else on the team holds quite as much financial expertise as you do. Having someone to provide your level of guidance on the allocation of our funds will prove quite beneficial.” Spring rounded his desk.
“I agree, sir.” Will moved closer, extending his hand for a shake that Spring accepted. “Don’t worry, sir. Your money is in good hands.”
* * *
Sleeping in was something Oliver Bauer was quite familiar with and greatly enjoyed. He believed in playing and relaxing as seriously as he worked. When he woke that morning to find the bedside clock reading 10:12 a.m., he wasn’t stunned by the time. He was stunned, though, for he was quite unfamiliar with sleeping in with any woman who had graced his bed the night before.
He never stayed over—never had to deal with women staying over either for he had never put himself in a position of inviting one to his bed. He hadn’t broken his second rule of thumb. Yet, he knew that, if given the opportunity, he’d not only invite Minka Gerald to his bed, he would do everything in his power to keep her there.
For more than just one night? Yes. Most definitely, yes.
Last night, for him, had gone beyond his other experiences. He’d never questioned that he would stay the night.
Minka had curled into him trustingly, nuzzling her dark and lovely face into his neck and falling asleep almost instantly. Oliver recalled the way his eyelids had grown heavy from the pressure of exhaustion. The sweet pressure of contentment had coaxed him into the precious depths of sleep.
Now, the first to wake, he lay there propped up on his elbow, watching her. Long brows drew closer as though he were in the midst of solving some mystery.
How had this woman stopped him as no other had? He wanted to solve the riddle of her but would have to be content with just enjoying what she did for him. Perhaps it was the fact that she was a riddle, and once it was solved...
Oliver shook his head, not wanting to contemplate what lay beyond. Her breathing pattern had changed, and he noticed her flinch a bit in her sleep.
Minka opened her eyes, frowning as she attempted to focus. She smiled sleepily when Oliver’s face sharpened before her eyes.
“What time is it?” She stretched as best she could against his lean frame crowding her.
“I’m pretty sure there’s a meeting we’re late for.”
“I should care.” She indulged in another stretch. “But for some reason, I don’t.”
“I believe Miami is working its black magic on you.”
“I believe you’re right.” Minka laughed then watched his expression more closely. “What?”
Oliver brushed his thumb across her clavicle. “I’m sorry, Mink—what happened at dinner last night—making you think you’d misjudged me. You were really dead-on about the way I operate.”
Her expression grew more astute. “I’m guessing that the way you operate has somehow changed.”
He grinned, nodding. “Somewhere along the way it has, and that scares the hell out of me. It was so unexpected.”
Minka propped up on her elbow, smiling when his eyes dropped to where the sheet slipped a few inches from her chest. “How unexpected?” she asked.
Oliver tugged up the sheet. “I didn’t realize it until I heard what you thought of me.”
“And? Was I right?”
“I thought so. Yet I don’t want to stop seeing you when we’re done here.”
“Oliver...” She pushed herself into a sitting position. “I told you that wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“You told me.” He nodded slowly. “But you didn’t tell me all of why.”
“I don’t want us on the outs again.”
“Then stop trying to talk me out of this. You won’t.”
“So my words mean nothing?”
“Oh, they do. But only ‘Oliver, I never want to see you again’ has a hope in hell of doing the trick.”
She opened her mouth to respond, but Oliver leaned in, cupping a hand behind his ear to indicate that he hadn’t heard her.
“Case closed,” he said as he covered her body with his and settled her back to the bed.
Minka purred, reveling in his touch. Her pulse quickened in expectation of what part of her body he’d touch next.
“Didn’t you say we were late for a meeting?” she teased, laughing when he responded with a purr of his own.
“We’re already late.” He nuzzled her ear. “May as well make it count.”
Their laughter filled the room.
Chapter 8
“Hello? Yeah? No, you got it right... Hello?” Oliver grinned at his sister’s obvious surprise when he answered Minka’s phone later that morning. “Vecs? You there?” Laughter held thickly to his every word.
“What are you doing, Olive?”
Oliver leaned against the counter, watching Minka at the kitchen island. “What am I doing? Well, I’ve been at it with Minka all night.” He laughed even when Minka rushed over to swat at his chest.
“Oliver!” Vectra was screaming through the line. “That is not a good idea.”
“Calm down, Vecs.” Oliver laughed while fending off Minka’s blows. “We’re down here working on a huge project that’s got to be put together in record time, and we had to pull an all-nighter. What’d you think I meant?” His grin turned more devilish, and he hugged Minka to his chest when her blows ceased.
“What are you doing with her phone?” Vectra asked.
Oliver’s demeanor changed and Minka couldn’t help but notice the transformation. She understood why after his next words to his sister.
“We got our phones mixed up, Vecs. I must’ve thought it was mine.” He studied Minka closely.
“Can I speak to her?” Vectra asked.
“Sure, here she is.”
Oliver held the phone just out of Minka’s grasp and leaned in close, indicating the price for the phone was a kiss.
Minka obliged, expecting the gesture to be a quick sweet peck. What she got instead was
a thorough claiming, as lusty as it was possessive.
“Vectra, hi!” Minka prayed her breezy, sweet manner would prove an effective cover for her arousal.
“Hey girl, how’s everything going?”
“It’s such a great place, Vectra. Thanks for letting me stay. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m here for work and not play.” She swatted at Oliver’s hand when he tried to tug the belt free of her robe.
“Well good, good.” Vectra sounded completely satisfied...and relieved. “We’ll get together for lunch when you get back.”
“Sounds good. I want to hear some stories about your getaway with Sim.”
“Oh, yes.” Vectra laughed. “That getaway took a really exciting turn.”
“Oh? Any details to share?”
“Lots but...better if I tell you when I see you.”
“Okay.” Minka smiled at the playful mystery. “Did you want to talk to Oliver again?”
“Yeah, thanks, Minka. Bye.”
“Vecs?” Oliver greeted when he had the phone again.
“Just wanted to remind you of what I said regarding your health.”
Oliver chuckled. “I remember it very well. If that’s it, I need to be getting back on the grind with Minka.” He grinned adorably until his arresting stare settled to Minka and became more heated.
“’Bye,” Vectra hastily grumbled and disconnected.
Oliver went to Minka and dropped the phone into her robe pocket. “You don’t want to lose that...or do you?”
“What?” She laughed while turning to face him.
“You looked at the thing like it had the plague when it rang before.” All traces of play had diminished from his eyes. “Something you’d like to tell me?”
She maintained her playful air. “Maybe taking a call right now isn’t ranking high on my list of preferred activities.”
“Mmm-hmm...is that ‘taking a call’ in general, or ‘taking a call’ from Will Lloyd?”
“Oliver.” Minka threw back her head. “You got here during a really awkward moment. Will just showed up. I wasn’t expecting to see him here, is all.”
Treasure My Heart Page 8
