She bit her lower lip as she avoided looking at herself in the bathroom mirror. She wasn’t ready to see herself just yet. The mirror was fogged anyway.
What am I doing? She walked from the bathroom into her bedroom. A total stranger could have sent all of this to me. And whoever it is definitely has sex in mind.
She didn’t do casual sex on a first date, much less with a stranger.
What if it’s an old boyfriend?
Not likely. Those relationships had ended amicably or coldly, not really anything in between. She hadn’t been lucky in love and could count actual adult relationships on one hand. Well, three fingers for that matter.
Fifty-four minutes later, Chessie finished sliding the heeled sandals onto her feet. She straightened up slowly, almost afraid to look at herself in the mirror—so afraid she closed her eyes for a few seconds.
Andi’s voice teased her in her head, then Greg’s. “Time to take a chance. Time to take a risk.”
Yeah. Well, this is really doing it, right?
Deep breath.
She opened her eyes.
Amazement slowly trickled through her, warming every inch of her skin. The carefully selected and perfectly sized sapphire satin clung to her curves and plunged low enough to show her generous cleavage, and man, did the lacy bra accent the swells of her ample endowment. It felt so soft too, like whispers against her sensitive spots.
And the thong, the garters, so silky against her skin, so sensual and wanton. Those heels were an absolute sin. She had put her hair up, this time in a soft and elegant sweep instead of the usual business style she used every day to get her through work.
She felt pretty.
Not just pretty, but sexy.
Whoever had done this, he knew her better than she knew herself. Was it really Nick? Could it possibly be him?
Was this some sort of treat for being a good employee?
Oh, yeah. That makes perfect sense. What man bought a woman thigh-highs and thong underwear if he wasn’t after one thing—sex?
Chessie shook her head and reminded herself that Nick Tarantino had given her zero hint he was interested in her in any way outside of her job. But tonight…if it was Nick trying to get her attention, if it was him who had tempted her into this fantasy, even if he just wanted a good fuck, she’d be happy to oblige.
Oh, hell, more than happy. It wasn’t as though she hadn’t done him in her mind a hundred different ways, a hundred different times.
But…
Her heart gave a hard thump, and her chest tightened. Those fantasies always ended with him loving her as much as she loved him. With Nick down on one knee, confessing his undying affection, and asking her to be his forever.
“Okay, Cinderella,” she muttered to herself. “He’s not a prince, and you’re not headed to a ball in glass slippers. Fairytales are for kids.”
She absolutely could not, would not, allow herself to think there could be more to the invitation than just a man wanting sex. Not after years of wanting him in every way a woman could want a man.
And yet…
She loved everything about him, from his powerful presence to his sharp mind to the way he made each employee feel important. He didn’t tolerate incompetence, but he had a gift for hiring well-qualified and efficient people, and inspiring their loyalty. Staff turnover had been practically nil. And despite being strong-minded, he was fair and ethical in his business deals.
Plus, she loved how generous he was with local charities, from breast cancer research to homeless shelters. She only knew about his large donations because all his correspondence crossed her desk. Nick was a very private man and she doubted anyone but her knew just how generous he was.
It was all she could do not to hide in her closet just out of sheer nerves. Her mind whipped through dozens of images of Nick waiting outside her little home, coming to…what?
Whisk her away in his carriage? Ride off with her on his magnificent steed?
Get a grip.
She took a deep breath, picked up the evening bag and the long-stemmed rose, and walked to the living room. The air was cool on her bare shoulders, the satin dress rasped her nipples through the bra, and the thong snaked up her slit and pulled against her folds.
Wow.
That’s…different.
And sort of hot.
No, really hot.
The sensations did nothing for her self-composure.
Smells of dinner met her as she walked into the living room. If someone lame ended up standing on her doorstep, she could stay at home with Greg and eat casserole.
What a letdown that would be.
Greg popped into the room at the same time she walked in. He whistled when he saw her. “Damn, Chess. You’ve been holding out.”
Warmth flushed her cheeks.
Greg twirled his finger in a way that told her to do a turn and she obeyed. “Yep. You walk around like that and Nick will be beating the other guys off.”
She came to a stop and rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh.”
“No kidding, Chess.”
The doorbell rang, jolting her.
Greg was already headed for the door. “I’ve got it, Cinderella.”
He opened it before she could tell him to wait, and there on the other side was—
A man dressed in a sleek Italian suit standing in the doorway, a strap of blue satin the same color as her dress in his hands. The man was in his late thirties, she guessed, devastatingly handsome with sandy blond hair and ice-blue eyes.
Not Nick.
Her steps faltered. A noise escaped her, something between surprise and disappointment. Behind the man, out in the darkness, Chessie saw a long black stretch limo at the curb, and her pulse picked up to an alarming pace. Is this blond man the one who sent me the invitations? But she didn’t even know him. He wasn’t—
“You’re not Nick,” she said, barely loud enough for Greg and the man to hear.
“Indeed, I am not,” the man said. “But we’re acquainted.”
He smiled at her.
Chessie kept her distance for a few seconds, then she raised her chin and walked across the room. When she stood directly in front of the tall and good-looking man holding the satin strip, she mustered enough courage to say, “What do you want?”
Because no way was she leaving there with some guy she didn’t know, even if he did claim to know Nick.
The man said, “Please turn around, Miss Lane. I’ve been instructed to blindfold you.”
Chapter Five
Chessie’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me? That is so not happening.”
Greg laughed out loud.
The man’s expression remained stoic. “Blindfold you, yes. Turn around, if you will.”
“Nope.” She glared at the guy. “Even if you talk like Yoda and swear you know Nick, I’m not going anywhere with you.” She moved her evil eye to Greg. “Is this something you’ve done? Because if it is, I’m killing you now.”
“Not me, I swear.” He held his hands up in surrender. “Just wait a sec. I’ll check out the limo.”
Chessie pointed at Mr. Blindfold-You-I-Will. “Don’t you move while he’s gone.” She lifted one pointed sandal heel. “This would hurt like hell if I poked it through your knee.”
Blindfold-Guy gave her a respectful nod, and he didn’t move.
In the distance, she heard the sound of a door being opened and Greg’s voice, but she couldn’t understand a word he was saying. Then he came back toward the door, close enough to holler, “It’s all good, Chessie. Do it.”
“Greg—”
“Trust me, girlfriend. Give that blindfold a try.” Greg sounded happy and excited.
Nick? Is he in the limo?
With a little shiver of uncertainty and excitement, Chessie turned her back to the handsome hunk of man holding the blindfold and gestured for him to get on with it. While blood rushed in her ears, he carefully placed the blue satin over her eyes and tied it behind her head just snugly enough to k
eep it from slipping.
Greg was talking again, low but fast, punctuated by quick chuckles. While she strained to hear him, the man carefully turned her by the shoulders so she faced the same direction as the door.
“I’m going to put your cell on vibrate,” the man said, and Chessie felt a tug on the bag she was holding. She didn’t object. “There. The ringer is off, but it’s still in your bag if you need it, in the main section of the purse.”
He paused, and Chessie nodded.
“Excellent. Now, let me guide you, Miss Lane.” The man held her by her upper arm and helped her over the threshold and down the sidewalk toward the curb. Her heels clicked against the sidewalk and the purr of the limo sounded louder now that her vision had been eliminated. Her steps were uncertain but the man strode confidently ahead, not giving her time to worry about tripping over her high heels and tumbling to the concrete.
The moment the man brought her to a stop, she felt her friend’s hand on her wrist. Greg’s lips brushed her forehead and she caught his familiar scent of testosterone, sunshine, and coconut suntan oil. “It’s really all right. It’s more than all right. Have fun, Chessie. You deserve it.”
Then he walked away.
Chessie took a deep but shaky breath, and let the man help her into the limo.
Nick’s gut tightened as Greg Stuart kissed Chessie’s forehead. His military training helped him cycle through at least twenty-three ways to kill the bastard instantly, but he kept breathing slowly, in and out, reminding himself what world he was in, and that the roommate was a friendly.
Greg gave one more warning glance to Nick, but gave him a thumbs-up before turning away and sauntering back into the house.
In all honesty, Nick appreciated the fact Chessie’s friend had watched out for her, giving him a speed-drill third-degree on what he intended to do with her. Nick had been polite but restrained himself from telling Greg that he intended to fuck the hell out of Chessie Lane.
That and win her heart.
Greg had given him the typical big-brother threats. Hurt her, I’ll tear your balls off. Make her cry, I’ll feed those balls to the seagulls.
Nick wasn’t worried. He would not disappoint Miss Lane. And it was good she had friends who cared about her safety and happiness. To a point. If he had his way, she wouldn’t be needing Greg’s protection much longer.
And he always had his way.
He remained silent as Dave, his chauffeur, helped Chessie into the limo and closed the door behind her, and he caught a whiff of her floral perfume. It settled over his senses. She settled over his senses.
Yes.
This was as it should be.
Nick studied her petite form as she nestled into the seat, the long-stemmed rose and her evening bag clutched in her trembling hands. The dress had been made for her at the finest dress shop on Rodeo Drive. It presented her mouth-watering breasts to perfection and clung to every curve. The color was perfect for her. It matched her sapphire eyes. Her hair was up in a softer, prettier style than she wore in the office, but he intended to set it free, to strip all of her bare.
Nick wanted more than Chessie Lane’s body. He wanted her heart and soul. He intended to have all of her.
Very, very slowly. Then fast. And hard.
As soon as Dave Carson was in the driver’s seat, Nick rapped his knuckles on the dividing glass, letting his chauffeur and friend know he was ready to leave.
“What’s happening?” Chessie asked as soon as the limo went into motion, but Nick placed his finger on her lips.
“Shhhhhh,” he murmured, “I want you to just listen. Listen and feel. All right?”
At the sound of his voice, Chessie shivered. Trepidation and caution shifted to excitement right before his eyes, and he felt the gratification deep in his chest.
Chessie nodded, her lips rubbing against his finger. His cock ached at the feel of them, and he wished only to push up her dress, pull aside the thong he knew she was wearing, and slide his cock deep within her.
But that would be soon enough. First, he’d tease her and bring her close to the brink again and again before he finally allowed her release, and before he allowed himself to have her. They had waited this long, and he wanted to make their first time more than memorable.
Chessie swallowed as the limo moved through traffic and at the heat of Nick’s body near hers. Even without her sight, anywhere, anyplace, she’d recognize the sound of his voice, his scent, his very presence.
She didn’t know whether to laugh or weep.
What is this all about, really? Fun? Sex?
More?
Nick moved his hand from her mouth and placed it on her thigh. The warmth of his hand close to her center made her ache so badly she had to fight not to squirm in her seat.
She almost called him Nick, almost said his name, but old habits took over.
“Mr. Tarantino?” she whispered.
His low rumble of satisfaction let her know he enjoyed that, and oh, God, that sound.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“No talking.” Firm, but gentle. Teasing. Like a dare. Nick brushed his mouth over her ear and she shivered again and again. “After being in my employ all this time, Miss Lane, you know I expect my orders to be followed without question. Are you willing to do that?”
Chessie parted her lips to argue but he put his finger to them again and murmured, “Careful. It’s yes, or we turn around.”
Follow his orders.
Well, I have done that for how long, now?
And she wanted to. She really, really wanted to.
Chessie nodded.
“Say yes, then be very quiet, my sweet.”
Chessie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yes,” she managed, though she had no idea how she spoke without blathering.
Nick pried the rose and evening bag from her tight grip. “Good. I want you to know, I plan to pay you back for teasing me all these years, Chessie, even if it wasn’t intentional. And I do believe you are going to enjoy what I have in mind for both of us.”
She made a sound of amazement and turned toward his voice, even though she couldn’t see him. Teasing him? She was about to argue with him, but remembered his command to be quiet. She settled for giving him a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding frown.
“Oh, yes.” He took her by the shoulders and moved her so she faced him as much as possible on the seat of the limo. Gently he brought her hands in front of her, lightly stroking her wrists before binding them with another piece of satin. “Did you think I never noticed the look in your eyes when you watched me? The way your tongue traced your lower lip when you brought documents to me for my approval?”
Chessie made another sound, this time in protest, but he simply turned her so now her back was to the luxurious leather seat, her hands bound in her lap. She felt the limo make a turn and she wondered where he was taking her.
“As much as I wanted you, there was nothing I could do about it as long as I was your employer.” He cupped her breasts through the satin and Chessie moaned. “But now I intend to have you, Miss Lane.”
Confusion and amazement coursed through her veins at the thought of Nick wanting her sexually all this time, the same way she wanted him. She’d thought she’d been so careful to hide her longing for him, but apparently she’d made it only too obvious. “Nick,” she whispered, but he tapped her lips again.
“This is my time, sweetheart.” He slid his hand from her mouth, down her throat and settled at her cleavage.
Chessie sighed and arched her back, offering herself to him. He could have her any way he wanted her, and the sooner the better. Her clit ached, and her thong was soaked.
She heard the soft intake of breath and his thumbs circled her nipples through the satin of her dress, bringing the nubs to hard, tight peaks.
In a slow and sensual movement, he pulled down the front of her strapless dress along with her bra, so her breasts spilled out of their confines and into his hands. “Gorgeo
us,” he murmured. “As lovely as I imagined so many times.”
The head-rush almost made her pass out, but Chessie held on. For a split second, her mother’s voice tried to intrude, warning her that her body wasn’t perfect, that she was too large, that—
“Whatever you’re thinking about,” Nick murmured, “make it go away. I don’t want to see that frown again.”
Chessie sucked in a breath then let it out. Heat crawled along every inch of her skin, not all of it pleasant. She worked to keep the frown off her face—then she felt Nick’s warm breath fanning the soft skin of her breasts.
“You are beautiful, Miss Lane.”
Excitement warred hard with embarrassment and worry.
Chessie tried to believe. She did.
“Someone hurt you in the past,” Nick said. Not a question. He sounded displeased. “Someone convinced you that your body isn’t desirable.” More warm breath across her breasts. “They were wrong.”
The heat against one of her nipples doubled, as though he might be about to kiss, or suck, or bite.
Chessie whimpered with desire.
Nick gave a growl of pleasure. Then that beyond-sexy accent when he spoke again. “You can hear how much I want you. You can hear how much I appreciate what I’m seeing. What I’m about to touch.”
Oh, God. Could she ever.
Her mother’s voice strangled, then died. Chessie gave herself over to the sound of Nick’s breathing, to the feel of his mouth so close to her skin.
“Yes,” he said. “That’s it. You’re mine now, and payback for all that teasing will be very, very pleasurable.”
Oh, lord, she wouldn’t be able to take much more of his payback if this was any indication of how he intended to extract his payment. What an incredibly erotic feeling it was to be bound and blindfolded, and totally at Nick’s mercy.
Nick pushed her breasts up high and Chessie moaned again as he slowly circled one nipple with his tongue. It was hot and wet and the light stubble on his face was rough against her delicate skin. She felt the brush of his soft hair over her breasts as he turned to her other nipple, attending to it in the same manner.
Shameless Surrender Page 4
