“That’d be me,” he said.
“You were always so glum.”
The corner of his mouth turned up. “I had a lot on my mind.”
“Were you at Mother’s funeral?” she asked.
“Yes. I’d escorted my mother.”
“Really? Did we talk?” She wished she could remember more but the whole day was a blur.
“You asked me where the bathroom was. I couldn’t stop staring at you.” His eyes, even in the dim light, mesmerized her, and his lips, full and luscious, begged her to try them out again for size.
“Oh really?” she teased.
“I remember my mother giving me a look that said ‘you better turn around right now and wipe that drool off your face’.” His laugh was low in his throat and stroked her insides.
It seemed impossible he could’ve had the hots for her all those years ago and she hadn’t picked up on the vibes. Just good luck, from what she’d experienced upstairs, that he still did.
“Well I assure you I’m all grown up, so you can look all you like.” A wicked laugh escaped her. “I’m not so sure about the drooling part.”
She could try to convince him she noticed him now but words were so inadequate. Her thoughts wandered to how she could hike up her dress and straddle him, eagerly and with no reservation. The image made her smile. Her face coming down on his at the same time as she gripped his hips and met his mouth passion for passion.
Would that just take the starch out of his collar? What was she waiting for?
She swept her fingers through his hair and tugged, pulling him closer. His tongue, hot and wet, swirled with hers as they kissed in a mind-blowing frenzy.
Euphoria took over. She’d live in the moment for a change, with Preston. His hands roamed over her breasts, thumbs over her hard nipples, his mouth hot on hers. She was on the edge of a mile-high cliff, ready to jump and not caring about the consequences. Her body anticipated every move, hungered for it. One more minute of this exquisite torture and she would come completely undone.
She gripped his hand and lowered it to her crotch. She sucked harder on his tongue as his strong fingers pressed and stroked over her clit. She caressed his hard-muscled chest, down to his rigid abs and didn’t pause at his belt buckle. She wanted to touch his cock and she went for it, palming over his thick, stony erection. He was huge.
Preston growled deep his thought at her touch and stroked her clit faster. Her legs shook as he elicited pleasure from her. He stroked her clit in easy, quick circles, with just the right amount of pressure. His lips traveled from hers to her neck, nipping at her collarbone. His other hand pinched her nipple—hard.
“Oh God,” she moaned.
“You’re so hot… I want you so bad,” he murmured against the flesh at the top of her breast. He pulled her shirt down and clamped his hot mouth over her nipple through her bra. “You smell so good, taste even better.”
Cadence could think of nothing but pleasure. What he was doing with his hands and mouth, the way his cock pulsed as she stroked him through his pants. She wanted to tear off her clothes and fuck him right there on the seat.
“Come for me, Cadence,” he demanded. “I want to watch you come and think of what we can do later all through dinner.”
Her breath hitched at his words. She was so close. Sparks of pleasure fired along her nerves. Her insides fluttered and with one more stroke of Preston’s thumb and suck of his lips on her nipple, she was flying over the edge.
“Here we are, sir.” Frank’s voice interrupted from the intercom.
Cadence sighed. Preston chuckled. She hoped dinner would be quick.
He pressed a kiss to her lips, his fingers pressed to her pussy. “Are you all right?” Preston asked.
She licked her lips. “Oh yeah.”
“We’ll finish this after dinner.”
“Without a doubt.”
She climbed out her side of the Caddy, and she saw where he had taken her.
Nobu. She’d heard it took six months to get a table. He really had found somewhere special. He joined her on the sidewalk, shifting his cock in his pants—even still he couldn’t hide how much he wanted her.
She turned and smiled at him. “Good choice. The food is supposed to be fabulous here.”
“It is,” Preston replied.
She grasped his hand. “I feel like a kid who’s just gotten a treat.”
“I wanted to impress you.”
“Oh, you have.”
Preston led the way toward the entrance of the restaurant. His sturdy grip made her feel connected to the past in a strange way. Her mind spun off in every direction again, remembering his strong hands as they gripped her, stroked her.
If he wanted her, he could have her. She’d give him no arguments. Wouldn’t play hard to get. If he wanted to bend her over right here in the lobby of the restaurant, she would gladly accept him.
She laughed. Maybe not a PDA. That would be going too far for the daughter of a former mayor.
“Something funny?” he asked.
“I was just thinking how scandalized the management would be if you kissed me like you did in your SUV.”
“Would you like to find out?”
She widened her eyes in mock horror. Until tonight, she hadn’t even considered doing such a thing.
“Behave yourself,” she said. “I have a reputation to uphold in this city.”
“Not anymore.”
She squeezed his hand. Preston was right. The perfect daughter no longer existed.
As she led them through the doors of the restaurant, she noticed other how women watched him, followed him with catlike gazes. She moved closer to him, possessive in a way that was so unlike her. He was hers tonight and how dare they look at him? Of course she was being silly. He was an attractive man. The women were showing their appreciation of one of the finer things in life.
They were seated next to a window, with city lights and bustling crowds creating a mood of excitement.
Preston swore he was an expert with chopsticks but when their orders of sushi arrived, his tuna roll went flying through the air. With a gasp, she covered her mouth with both hands and tried to control a fit of giggles as she watched the flying piece of fish land in an elderly woman’s glass of saki, spilling the drink on the man with her.
The lady wore a crepe sheath cut low enough to see her considerable cleavage. To think where the fish could’ve landed.
Laughter bubbled to the top. To hell with it, Cadence decided. She didn’t try to hide her emotions any longer. She laughed openly and loudly.
Preston stood, his eyes sparking with a potent combination of confidence and humility.
“My apologies!” He bowed to the elderly woman, who glared at him. He asked the waiter to send the couple a round of fresh drinks on him. He took his wallet out of his jacket pocket and handed the man his business card. “Please send the dry-cleaning bill to me.”
His thoughtfulness and abundant charm quelled the matron’s hostility and Preston had her smiling with good humor seconds later. Her escort joined the laughter.
Cadence smiled as Preston resumed his seat opposite her. He was everything she wanted in a man. He was perfect.
He picked up the chopsticks.
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing with those things, they seem more like deadly weapons for you,” Cadence teased.
“I think the lady over there would agree with you.” He put them down and picked up his fork. “I’ll stick with this bad boy.”
“You could always use your hands,” she said with a devilish wink.
“Technically the proper way to eat sushi.” He wiggled his fingers, only causing further interest on her part of what exactly he could do with them.
The food was delicious. The service was faultless. The music in the background soothed with the soft purr of Alicia Keyes. Cadence listened intently as Preston told her more about his practice and his desire to set up an office in London.
E
very time his gaze met with hers, her heart turned over.
“I’m going to be busier than ever,” he said between bites.
Cadence nodded. “When am I going to see your mother?”
“Tomorrow. Can you come to the office at ten?”
“Yes and no.”
He cocked an eyebrow.
“Depends on how my evening goes.”
“He’s a keeper, young lady.” The elderly woman who had been the victim of Preston’s flying appetizer had finished her meal and was leaving.
“I think so too.” Cadence smiled, her face coloring slightly.
The woman bent down to whisper in Cadence’s ear. She was a little tipsy. “If I were younger…”
Cadence looked at Preston. He was smiling rather smugly.
She turned to watch the elderly couple walk out hand in hand. A feeling of longing stirred inside her. Of completeness.
What was with her? She was turning into a hopeless romantic with a couple kisses and caresses.
It wouldn’t hurt to have a little fling. Especially with a man whose list of good qualities was a mile long. And who happened to be an excellent kisser. She was wet with just the thought of one of his kisses. Her nipples pebbled beneath her shirt at the thought of his hands wandering there again.
Her imagination ran wild, thinking about what else he could do, where his fingers would explore, the other places he’d kiss her.
The rest of the meal went without incident. It was the most fun she’d had in a long time. They got along so well. She was excited to find out that he also had a fascination for history, and they were able to a share a few stories about their travels abroad.
He’d just returned from Paris last week, where he’d insulted his landlady by calling her mademoiselle.
Cadence added a quirky sense of humor to her list of all of his wonderful qualities. He made her laugh until her sides ached.
“You have an apartment in Paris?” she asked.
“A pied-á-terre,” he replied.
“I’d love to see it,” she said and realized she’d just invited herself.
“You will one day,” he said.
He sounded so certain. She didn’t doubt his sincerity.
The waiter cleared their empty dishes and brought a pot of tea and two tiny cups. Cadence poured, adding a packet of Sweet’N Low to hers. Preston took his tea straight.
“I used to hate going out in public,” she confessed to him after a few sips. “There were always paparazzi popping out of nowhere, taking pictures. They wouldn’t leave me alone.”
“Is that why you hid out in New Haven?”
She frowned. “I wasn’t hiding. I was studying. I was doing research.”
“In the university library.”
“And the Museum of Art,” she protested.
He covered her hand. “Don’t be defensive. Being a politician’s kid was tough duty and I know what you’ve been up against.”
She realized he did know and wasn’t just saying the words to sound like a nice guy. He was someone who said what he meant.
“Thanks for the sympathy.” She smiled.
“Your happiness is important to me.”
The conversation was getting entirely too serious. “Let’s have some fun,” she said.
“What do you have in mind?”
She wanted Preston to spend the night with her, to make love to her. “You’ll see.”
He used his cell to call Frank. The SUV was waiting by the time he’d paid the check and she’d used the ladies’ room.
“Where are we going?” Preston asked.
“To my hotel, Frank.”
The big man nodded and headed uptown.
She composed herself and turned to look at him. Right this second, his pant leg was snug against his crotch. Certainly, he knew how irresistible he was. So what if she was another of his conquests?
“I’m thinking about firing you,” she said petulantly.
“What have I done wrong?”
“That’s the problem. It’s what you haven’t done.”
He stared at her but she didn’t explain. She shouldn’t have to.
They arrived at her hotel. Frank cleared his throat.
“Would you like to come up for a drink?” she asked Preston. She held her breath and bit her lower lip. She looked out the window, hiding her face, which she was sure had turned the color of a New England sunset. Why had she been so embarrassed to ask him up to her room for a nightcap? Hadn’t he given her the signal all evening?
“I would love to.” He got out of his side of the SUV.
That was easy. Frank opened her door. Preston was there with an outstretched hand and helped her out.
“I’ll call you when I need you,” he told Frank.
Cadence winked at Frank and he winked back.
A cell phone rang. “That’s me,” Preston said. “Excuse me, just one moment.” He pulled the phone from its case on his belt.
Cadence looked at the brightly lit hotel entrance as he talked. What was she doing? She didn’t want to seem too desperate. Maybe she shouldn’t do anything but offer him a drink. Maybe he was right. They should talk, get to know each other better.
Who was she kidding? She itched to get her hands on his naked body. He’d agreed to come upstairs with her for round three, he wasn’t interested in conversation. Most likely, he wouldn’t even be able to pour a drink, she’d be on him so fast.
“Cadence, I have to apologize,” he said, returning to her with irritation and disappointment etched on his perfect face. “I have to go. Something’s come up in our London office.”
Cadence hid her own disappointment. “Don’t worry about it.”
“How about a rain check?” he asked.
“Sure.” She turned to leave him. She wanted to be anywhere but here on the sidewalk.
“I’ll pick you up for some breakfast in the morning before we meet with my mom?” he said behind her.
She looked over her shoulder. “Breakfast? I don’t usually eat breakfast.”
He caught up with her and grabbed hold of her arms. “There’s a bagel and coffee shop near my office.”
She sighed. His power of persuasion was more than she could resist. His touch sealed the deal. “Okay. That sounds great.”
He leaned over to kiss her but she shied away. She was keeping him from his work. She didn’t want him to kiss her as an obligation.
“Thank you for dinner, I had a fabulous time.”
“Me too.” He let her go.
She’d had such a great evening with him. She really did like him. She wanted to see him again, even if it was only for breakfast.
He held his BlackBerry in his hand, ready to make a call.
Don’t be so uptight, she thought. How many opportunities do you have to kiss a great guy?
Cadence turned to face him, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. He returned the kiss. Boy, did he return the kiss. He sucked on her lower lip sending her body into spasms.
Reluctantly she pulled away, knowing if they kept it up she would be stripping on the sidewalk.
She laughed. When did she become this brazen, thinking such bawdy thoughts?
“That’s better,” he said, holding her by the waist. “I’m truly sorry our evening has to end so soon.”
“Yeah? Well…” She could say something smart, sophisticated, but she opted for honesty. “I know you’re busy and I’ve taken up too much of your time today already.”
He let her go. “It’s been my pleasure.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.” She smiled and, despite her body screaming for another round of kissing, headed for the entrance, giving her hips a little extra sway for his benefit.
She pushed through the revolving door and when she was inside the hotel, looked outside. The Caddy was already gone.
That was a quick getaway, she mused. Was he really going to the office? Maybe he’d made up the excuse to ditch her? It was early in t
he morning in London. Who’d be up at that hour?
She berated herself for such thoughts. She was being ridiculous, why ruin a perfectly wonderful and erotically charged evening with her insecurities?
And yet she couldn’t help herself. The doubt was always with her.
The elevator door opened and she went inside. She pressed the button for her floor, sighing heavily. The door closed and she leaned her head back on the mirrored wall. He’d practically admitted he’d carried a torch for her for ages. He wanted to see her again in the morning for breakfast.
She looked at her face. There was a dreamy quality to her expression that amused her.
Oh, well. Tomorrow was a new day.
It’d be wrong to give in to impulse, wouldn’t it? She just met him. She shouldn’t really get involved with someone anyway. She’d a lot on her plate right now, what with moving out of her condo and finding a job, she decided but without conviction.
The elevator opened with a ping and Cadence walked somberly into the hall.
She missed him already.
She found her room card in the bottom of her purse and opened the door. She threw her purse on the floor in her room.
She strode through the double doors to her bedroom, flopped backward onto the bed and dramatically threw her arm over her eyes. A smile lit her lips.
She wasn’t normally one for theatrics but the day had just been amazing. The evening had almost fulfilled her every wish. Almost.
She fell asleep where she was.
She dreamt of Preston.
Chapter Six
Preston held his cell phone tight in his grip. What a jerk he was. Why had he ditched Cadence to call his contacts in London? The call could easily have waited until morning. She’d been so hot in the Caddy…the way her eyes had darkened and she’d sucked her lip into her mouth as she came. God, he wanted to see that over and over again, except next time he wanted his cock to be buried deep inside her. He’d had a chance tonight too, and he’d blown it.
Why did he put work before pleasure?
Keeping his nose to the grindstone was ingrained in him. He’d always wanted to be a financial success and his strong work ethic had propelled him to the top in record time.
He’d soon learned success didn’t mean squat with nobody to share it with. He was tired of eating alone, staying alone in hotel rooms, having no one to come home to.
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