by MacKay, Cali
“So…not to put me under a magnifying glass, but…how do you know you can trust me?” When she chewed her lip, he couldn’t help but steal a kiss.
“The truth is I don’t know that I can trust you—even though I do.” Before Claire, he’d thought himself a pretty good judge of character. He swore Harper wouldn’t betray him, even though a part of him—the part of him that had gotten burned by a cheating, lying spouse—left him questioning how trustworthy anyone really was, when there were few people who didn’t have a price. “That said, if there’s just the two of us working on a design, and it shows up elsewhere, then at the very least we’ve narrowed the field considerably.”
“I don’t know if I want that sort of responsibility, Marshall. And no offense, but I don’t know what lengths your competitors will go to for that sort of information. I know we’re not exactly dealing with world-changing technology, or nuclear weapons and such, but there’s a lot of money to be made in this industry, and…people get greedy.” She let out a deep breath and shifted her gaze, refusing to let it settle on him for too long. “And that’s all the more reason why I can’t sleep with you again, Marshall.”
“One has nothing to do with the other, Ms. Jones—and this discussion isn’t over. Like I’ve said before—I’m a determined man.”
***
It was late by the time they got to the hotel in London, but their suite was perfect, though he wondered just how smart it was to stay in the hotel the conference was actually being held in. It was already bustling with people, though the conference didn’t start for another day, with tomorrow being a soft open, allowing the vendors to get set up while people continued to fly in.
“Why is there only one bed?” Harper spun on him and pinned him with a glare as he tipped the porter and locked the door.
“There’s only one bed because originally I was going to be the only one coming to this event.” Granted, he probably could have found a way to change it afterwards, but it wouldn’t have been easy. “With the hotel already fully booked for the conference, I figured it’d be easier for me to sleep on the pullout sofa if it came to that.”
“If it came to that? You’re unbelievable.” With a hand on her hip, she shook her head, her eyes narrowing as he closed the distance between them. “This is not going to work.”
“Well, it’s going to have to, since there aren’t any other rooms available.” If he only had a week with her, then he was going to make the most of it, even if they were there for work. “I promise to behave myself. Cross my heart and hope—”
“Don’t say it, Marshall.” He swore the color drained from her face, making him wonder if there was more to it than just keeping him out of her bed.
“Hey…” Concerned, he crossed to her side and ran a hand down her arm, hoping to reassure her. “The sofa should be a pullout, okay? I’ll sleep there.”
She nodded though her gaze refused to meet his. And then she was stepping away from him to get her suitcase. “Do we have a set schedule of when and where we need to be? And will we be manning a booth or table?”
“We use a distributor in Europe, and they’ll be the ones highlighting our products at the show and manning the booth. I do have a panel I’m speaking on in a few days, but I’m here primarily to get a feel for upcoming trends.” He couldn’t tell if she was worried about something or just upset, but it was making him crazy to see her upset. And as skittish as she was looking, he didn’t want to push her, suspecting that if he didn’t give her a bit of space, he’d kill any chance he had to make things work between them, professionally and otherwise. “Why don’t we go grab some dinner and then we can go over the schedule once we get back? There’s a party we might have to hit too, since our distributor is the one hosting it.”
She looked a little nervous at the prospect of going to the party—and she was probably right to think it was going to be pretty risqué. But she managed a brave smile anyway. “Sounds good.”
Instead of ordering takeout or heading to some fancy restaurant with pretentious food, they ended up at this mom-and-pop Indian place that Marshall had been to on some previous visits to London. “I know it’s a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but I swear this place has some of the tastiest curries I’ve ever eaten.”
She took a few bites of the different dishes she spooned onto her plate, and gave him a look of ecstasy. “This is really amazing, Marshall. Thanks for bringing me along, even though I fought you every step of the way.”
“I’d happily do it all again. Believe me. I hate coming to these things alone.” He helped himself to some more lamb Vindaloo and fragrant basmati rice.
“So, what else is scheduled for the week? Anything in particular you want to accomplish?” Clearly she was determined to keep him focused on work. And that was fine. The night was still young, there was only one bed in their room, and he still had the whole week ahead of him, if she needed more time.
“I just want us to get inspired…get a feel for where the market and our competitors are headed. There might be some panels worth sitting in on, and other than that, there are a few parties we’ve been invited to. I’d prefer to give them a miss, but I need to, at the very least, make an appearance.” Most of the parties would likely be too extreme and crazy for Harper, but there were still a few he’d need to attend.
“I can just imagine the sort of parties that happen at these sorts of conventions.” Of course, she was right, especially since the convention wasn’t just sex toys, but everything sex related, from BDSM equipment to adult movies and entertainment.
“Honestly, I don’t think your imagination could dream up half the stuff that goes on at these things, and frankly I think it’s best kept that way.” She was already so standoffish, and he didn’t want to push her over the edge with the sort of things that bore no relevance to his life or business.
“I’m not some prude, Marshall.” She gave him an annoyed glare. “And my motto’s always been ‘to each their own.’ I don’t judge people for what turns them on as long as everyone involved has fully consented to the activities. So don’t go assuming I’m some sort of close-minded and sheltered nun who needs her virtue and purity protected.”
He barked out a laugh and gave her a sly smile. “Fair enough. Does that mean you’ll share the bed with me tonight?”
She shook her head with a smile. “I swear, you have a one-track mind.”
“When it comes to getting you naked? Damn right, I do.”
Chapter Ten
Harper took another bite of her curry, not quite sure how she’d get Marshall—and herself—to behave themselves once they got back to the hotel. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about their one night together, which immediately sent a shiver of need through her body, reminding her that she had a whole lot of time to make up for when it came to her lack of a sex life.
“I’ll have to get changed before we go to this party, although…I just hope I have something appropriate. I’m not exactly sure what the dress code will be at these sorts of things.” She could just imagine what it’d be like.
Reaching across the table, Marshall ran a finger over the back of her hand, his touch lingering before he slipped her hand into his. “Sweetness, no matter what you wear, you’ll look smoking hot—and that’s all you need to be for these sort of parties.”
“And what about work? Anything I need to focus on while we’re there?” She had to keep reminding herself that she was there to work—not to have sex with her boss. Or at the very least, not to just have sex with her boss.
“Just be your charming self, and have a good time. I’ll take care of everything else.” Why the hell did everything he say sound so damn sexy? Or maybe it was her, and being around Marshall had permanently put her mind in the gutter.
Knowing she was heading down a road that would only lead to the two of them getting naked, she forced herself to focus on work—and the biggest problem he’d mentioned thus far. “So the competition…they have some of our designs? Are you
sure?”
“Pretty sure, unfortunately. But I think that we can stay ahead of the competition, especially now that we’ll be pursuing your design for delivering deeper vibrations.” He ran a rough hand across his stubbled chin as if in thought. “Have you shown your designs to anyone but Todd?”
She had to give it some thought, wondering if she’d mentioned it to anyone in her department. “No. I don’t think I have, though that’s not to say that my work wasn’t ever left unattended at my desk. Until now, there’s been no reason to be careful about locking away our work. But…damn, Marshall. I still can’t believe someone at Clio is actually betraying us.”
It was such an amazing company to work for. She couldn’t believe someone would go to such lengths. She had to wonder who it might be. There were too many people who could easily access the designs they were working on.
“We’ll figure it out, but that’s why it’ll be just the two of us for these upcoming projects. Hopefully by the time we’re ready for production, we’ll have figured out who the mole is.” With their hands still linked, he brushed his thumb over the back of her hand, his smile making her heart race as her body came alive, making her fully aware of the effect he could have on her, even with a simple touch. “And in the meantime, I’m going to make sure you have everything you need at your disposal to bring your designs to life. Whatever you need, you just let me know.”
She knew her design was a good idea, but too often, ideas got scrapped because they might be too costly, especially when it came to production, and reconfiguring the manufacturing. The fact that Marshall was willing to give her the chance to perfect her design and technology was huge. But something nagged at her, making her doubt his motivations. “Tell me this isn’t just because you want to sleep with me.”
Giving her hand a squeeze, he shook his head no. “Harper…it’s a brilliant design. Don’t you dare question it just because I’m going to fuck you until your knees go weak. Our competition would kill to get their hands on this sort of technology. And we’ll patent it, of course—with your name on the design so you get a percentage of the profits.”
His generous offer had her forgetting about the little fact that he’d just told her he was going to fuck her again.
“Really?” She’d been working for Clio when she developed the design, and most companies wouldn’t have given her that sort of credit nor would they allow her to profit from it, having signed all sorts of non-competes and disclosure forms. This would give her the right to a percentage of the income, even though she’d have been happy just to be given the credit. “Marshall…that’s really generous of you.”
“You went above and beyond the scope of your job, Harper, so it’s only fair that you reap some of the rewards.” His fingers teased a path over the delicate skin on the inside of her arm, forcing her to press her legs together to try to keep her clit from throbbing.
“Well…” Bloody hell, she sounded breathless. “I truly appreciate it.” The money would go a long way to getting her father the help he needed—if she could get him to agree to go.
He must have caught a glimpse of something in her eyes, because he suddenly looked concerned about her. “Harper, if there’s anything at all that you need…if you need money or help… It’s just that I’ve seen glimpses of worry and hurt in your eyes, and it’s killing me. I’d love to help you if I can.”
“And that’s awfully sweet of you, but…I’ll manage.” The last thing she wanted was to involve him in her messy life.
“Will you really?” He clearly didn’t believe her. Not that it mattered.
“Don’t you have enough of your own problems to deal with?” She pulled her hand away from his and played with the food on her plate, her good mood evaporating though she knew she’d been short with him when he was just worried about her. “Look, Marshall…I appreciate your offer to help, but…my problems are my own. And frankly, I’m not looking to be reminded of them.”
“Except that you know my problems. Everyone does. Yet you haven’t told me a single thing about you, even though I only want to help.” He sat back, frustration tensing his body so that it was clear he was now wound tight.
Feeling like a jerk for pushing him away, she reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. “I suppose being a doctor and all, you always want to help…always want to fix things.”
“If I can, then why not?” He twined his fingers with hers, the tension in him now gone as he pinned her to the spot with his charismatic gaze and sexy smile. “I know you want to push me away, but I’m not going to let you.”
The way he looked at her, the determination in his voice, left her body thrumming with need, her clit swollen and aching to be stroked by his strong fingers and his stiff tongue. She squeezed her legs together as she went wet, desperate for some relief, and fully aware that Marshall could easily give her what she needed.
A knowing smile slipped onto his lips, his eyes glinting in the glow of the soft restaurant lights. “You’re thinking of me fucking you. Aren’t you, Ms. Jones?”
She felt her cheeks flame, even as she denied the truth. “I have more important things to think about, Marshall.”
“Like what?” His tone was so matter-of-fact, and the thought of having to answer his question left her squirming in her seat, knowing she’d been caught in a lie. “Because I do believe you’re lying to me, sunshine—and if that’s the case, then I do believe you’ve been rather naughty and might need to be punished.”
She huffed in exasperation, wondering how he always managed to leave her so turned on and frustrated at the same time. “Fine. I lied. I was picturing you with your head between my legs, licking my cunt. Is that what you want to hear?” She ignored the wide-eyed looks the woman at the table next to them was giving her, her fork paused halfway to her mouth.
“I suppose it’s a start.” He picked up his glass of wine and took a sip, though his eyes remained locked on hers. “What else would you like me to do to you, Ms. Jones?”
She wanted to cringe…not just because he could feel her blush travel all the way down her neck to her chest, but because her nipples had gone hard, and her pulse was now echoing as a needy beat in her swollen clit. “I’m not having this conversation with you. Not here, not now.”
“As you wish, love, since we still have that party to get to. But this conversation is far from over…and there will be consequences for your disobedience.”
She should be appalled…and yet she’d never been so turned on in all her life.
Damn it.
Chapter Eleven
Marshall didn’t know what had gotten into him, but one thing was sure: he was going to thoroughly enjoy himself—and if he only had a week alone with Harper, then he was going to make the most of every moment they had together.
“Just because we have to head out to this party doesn’t mean I’m not going to have fun teasing you—especially since you’re downright stunning.” She looked gorgeous in a slinky little black dress with a plunging back that all but guaranteed he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her.
Pulling her close, he nuzzled her, loving how she went soft in his arms, her breath catching in her chest. And then he was kissing her, like she was the only thing that could sustain him. His tongue clashed with hers as she fisted her fingers in his shirt, and the fact that she clearly wanted him as bad as he wanted her made him want to tear her dress from her body so he could feast on her.
Knowing he was too close to losing all semblance of control, he forced himself to break away from their kiss, though he still held her close. Letting his hands skim over her thighs, he caught the hem of her dress and he lifted it high enough to hook the edge of her lace panties. “These here? I hate to tell you, sunshine, but they’re not coming with us.”
“Marshall…what the hell are you doing?” The way she blushed and bit her bottom lip only made him want her all the more, his self-control tenuous at best.
“Hush, sunshine.” Kneeling down before her, he sl
ipped the panties down past her hips and plump ass, his hands lingering over her skin as he pulled them down, her hand on his shoulder to steady herself as he helped her step out of them. He stuffed them into the pocket of his dark jeans, and then, unable to resist, he pressed his lips to her soft skin and trailed kisses up her thighs before nudging them apart just a little so he could run his tongue against her slick folds. “You’re so fucking wet and ready for me. Aren’t you, love?”
Her breath caught as he flicked her clit with his tongue, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she tangled her fingers in his hair. “What would you do if I said no?”
“I’d call you a liar.” He pulled the small vibrating plug from where he’d stashed it in his pocket while she was getting dressed, and slipped it against her slick lips before applying just enough pressure to ease it inside her, slowly teasing her clit before forcing himself to pull away. He hadn’t turned it on yet, but there was plenty of time for that, and since it was one of his products, he knew the vibrations would not only be discreet, but powerful.
When Marshall got to his feet and let the fabric of her dress slip back down over her thighs, she frowned at him. “You can’t expect me to go out like this. This dress is way too short to be running around without any panties on.”
“I do expect it, and you will, Ms. Jones. Unless you want a butt plug to join the vibe.” He gave her a stern look, knowing that she liked it when he was in control. “Or perhaps you’d like your ass paddled to keep it warm now that it’ll be bare.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, Marshall.” She glared at him, though there was no heat in her eyes. And when he pulled her close with a firm arm around her waist, her body softened against his, her breath catching as he bent his head to hers so he could bite her lip.
“Sweetness, if that’s what you really want, I’m happy to oblige you—after we’ve returned from the party.” Marshall knew that by waiting until they got back, especially when they’d be teasing each other through the night, would only intensify every touch, every sensation, when he did finally have her. “Not that we’ll be staying long if I can help it.”
