She huffed a breath. Why oh why did she agree to this wager anyway?
“Taylor?”
“Just a minute,” she called out, frowning at her reflection once more. “I don’t claim to be a good dancer, you know that.”
“Uh-huh.”
Fingering the short skirt of the dress, she bit her lip. “I’m not even sure I can remember the entire routine.”
“I don’t care.”
“I don’t know if I can do this,” she groaned. “At least I didn’t know anyone in the club that night. And I wore a mask.”
“What’s your point?”
“It was anonymous. That made me more comfortable.”
“It’s just you and me. Nobody else.”
Which wasn’t any better. Dancing in front of Cooper was way worse. “I don’t know if I can—”
“Taylor,” he warned exasperatedly. “Stop stalling.”
“Okay, okay.” She pulled the door open and peeked out. “Promise not to laugh?”
Laugh? Was she fucking kidding? Cooper could barely hold his excitement in check. It was a miracle he hadn’t hauled her ass out of the bathroom so he could see what she was wearing. He had an erection that wouldn’t go away. It was getting uncomfortable as hell, trying to sit here while she hemmed and hawed about everything under the sun.
He pulled in a couple of deep breaths, glaring at his dick, willing it to stand down. The thing had a mind of its own, always erect and needy whenever Taylor was around. Even when she wasn’t around, for that matter. The nights he spent away from her were torture.
His imagination was running riot, thinking of what she could be wearing. He absolutely refused to think about the men in the audience who’d seen her performance that night. That was a different kind of torture he didn’t want to dwell on right now. Once again, there was that familiar spurt of irrational anger—which he refused to qualify as jealousy—at the thought of those who’d been lucky enough to see her dance.
Bastards.
“Okay,” he heard her say from behind the bathroom door. “Here goes nothing. Cue the music.”
Cooper pressed the play button on the remote control he held in his hand. Deep bass boomed from ceiling-mounted speakers. He wasn’t familiar with the song, but it was catchy, not slow, not fast, a low sexy tune that filled the air. The bathroom door opened. Taylor was framed in the doorway, light spilling out from behind her. His heart thudded in his chest. She was wearing some kind of maid’s uniform with a short—very short—frilly skirt and a top that if cut any lower would show her nipples. Her legs were encased in sheer, thigh-high stockings and she was wearing a red garter belt. And of course her feet were encased in stilettos.
The sight hit him squarely in the solar plexus, knocking him for a loop. Damn. He fought to breathe, to relax the tension that suddenly gripped his body. The outfit was sexy as hell
When Taylor began to move, his cock jumped in his pants. The sway of her hips, the bounce of her breasts, the swish of the short skirt that showed glimpses of her ass…it was almost too much. But he’d asked for it. He was damn well going to enjoy the show.
He gripped the arms of the chair as she moved toward him. How the hell could she breathe in that tight, lace-up top? Her waist was cinched in, emphasizing the swells of her breasts, which were presently jiggling ever so slightly. He itched to palm the enticing mounds, his mouth watering for a taste.
He almost swallowed his tongue when she leaned forward, giving him a blockbuster view of her chest as she slowly pulled the laces through the loops. He held his breath as the top loosened by degrees. Taylor stopped before it completely fell off. Cooper was tortured by teasing glimpses of her breasts afforded by the top that still clung to her by some miracle.
She turned her back on him and gave him a smoldering look over her shoulder. Her fingers went to the waistband of the skirt and pulled the zipper down. The sway of her hips was hypnotic as they swung from side to side, the skirt sliding ever so slowly over the curve of her buttocks where it hung precariously for long seconds before it fell into a puddle at her feet. Her ass was encased in the sexiest, fire-engine red G-string he’d ever seen and damn if he nearly jumped out of the chair. The luscious curves beckoned and sweat dotted his forehead as she briefly jiggled her buttocks at him.
The G-string, the garter belt, the stilettos. The only thing that was in the way was…Cooper gulped as the corset top joined the skirt on the floor and she faced him full on.
Fuck me.
There was no sexier sight in the whole damn world than Taylor at that moment. His tongue wedged to the roof of his mouth at the sight of her bare breasts, full and crowned with hard nipples. His cock jerked, protesting its confinement. He clenched his fists. He needed to touch her. Soon.
The music faded. His heavy breathing echoed in the room. His ears buzzed. Cooper surged to his feet and grabbed her, slanting his lips over hers and taking possession. He walked her backward until her knees hit the bed and she fell. Without missing a beat, he followed her down. Finally letting her up for air, he slid down her body and did what he’d wanted to do since she’d thrown off that sorry excuse of a skirt. He tongued her pussy through the G-string.
“Ahhh,” she moaned.
Out of his mind, urgency riding him hard, he tugged at the delicate material until he heard a satisfying rip. That’s more like it. He tossed the scrap of silk somewhere over his shoulder and buried his face between her legs. Taylor’s muffled scream sailed over his head as he greedily ate her. There wasn’t an inch that he left unexplored, licking and lapping at the cream that coated her cunt. She cried out, writhing in his arms.
He pulled away briefly, pulling off his shirt and chucking off his jeans, grimacing as his cock sprang free of its confines. Gritting his teeth and shutting his eyes, he pulled in a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm the tingles running up his spine. When he felt a fluttering touch on the slit of his cock, he nearly came anyway.
Taylor cupped his balls in her hand, softly squeezing, as she licked again and again at the moisture leaking from the tip. He opened his eyes and watched her lips enclose the head of his shaft, her tongue teasing the sensitive underside, which had him jumping out of his skin. He clenched his jaw, fighting for control and failing. Unable to help himself, he thrust into her mouth, a series of quick lunges that pushed him deeper. Christ. His cock between her lips was the most erotic sight he’d ever seen, one he would never forget. But now was not the time to indulge. He was on a hair trigger. One deep push in her mouth and he would be a goner.
Pulling out, ignoring her protest, he nudged her back on the bed and slipped inside her in the same instant. He didn’t stop until he was in balls deep, clasped inside her tight, slick pussy. Their low moans mingled. He plunged, hard and deep, pounding his way to ecstasy. Her legs wrapped around his hips, and he groaned as he slid in deeper. Fuck. This was how it was supposed to be. Him lodged deep inside her, thrusting, thrusting…
Just like that, he came. His vision faded. His ears buzzed. His brain shut down. Dimly he was aware of her shuddering beneath him. Thank God, he thought dazedly as he jerked inside her again and again. By the time he was aware again, he was lying heavily on top of her, his face buried in her neck. He was breathing like he’d just run a marathon.
It was an effort, but he was able to get up on his elbows and look down at her. Taylor’s eyes were closed but her lips were curved in a satiated smile.
“I’m glad you weren’t naked when you danced at the club.”
She choked on a breathless laugh. “That’s the first thing that you can think of after we just did that?”
“It did take a minute or two for my brain to start functioning again.” It seemed as if his brain cells had poured out of him as well when he came.
Taylor cupped his cheek. “I did that just for you.”
“I gotta tell you, when you wiggled that ass, I wanted to spank it.”
She flushed.
“What? You’ve never been spa
nked before?” Taylor shook her head, her expression faintly shocked. At the thought of being the first to spank her luscious ass, Cooper stirred inside her.
Her eyes widened. “Cooper—”
He groaned and nuzzled her neck. “It’s all your fault. Just the thought of spanking these,” he cupped his palms around her buttocks and squeezed, “is exciting as hell.”
She let out a soft, sexy moan when he rotated his hips.
“We’re going to have to try it sometime. But for now,” he grunted as she tightened around his dick, “time for round two.”
She uttered something he didn’t quite understand, but then he was past the point of talking and proceeded to make love to her.
Chapter Seven
The next day, it was all over the internet and gossip rags that Cooper was the illegitimate son of John Callas.
Taylor clicked on the article, clenching her teeth as she read the so-called expose that Bettina had orchestrated. Fury choked her. Bettina had declared that Cooper was motivated by revenge because Mason had discovered early on that Cooper wasn’t his son and had written him out of his will. Bile rose up her throat as Bettina’s words screamed at her from her computer monitor. Vile, disgusting bitch, she thought. It was clear Bettina would stop at nothing in her quest to destroy Cooper, using the media to do her dirty work.
She stood up and hurried to the elevator. Her only thought was to see Cooper and make sure he was okay. By now, he would already know about the article. She pulled a deep breath and glanced anxiously at the numbers as the elevator climbed higher. As soon as the doors opened, she strode down the long hallway, stopping briefly at his secretary’s desk.
“I need to see him, Laura.” She was breaking the rules in going to his office but she didn’t care right now. She fought to keep her voice steady. “Is Cooper in?”
Laura nodded. “Yes he is. But—”
“Sorry. It’s an emergency,” Taylor muttered as she opened the door without waiting for her to finish. Inside, she found Cooper standing by his desk, speaking on the phone.
Laura came rushing behind her. “I apologize, Cooper, but she just walked right past me and—”
Cooper murmured a few words in the phone before he hung up. “It’s all right, Laura. I’ll take it from here.”
The other woman retreated and pulled the door shut. When he drew near, Taylor wrapped her arms around him. “Hey. What’s going on?”
“Are you okay?” she asked anxiously, trying to gauge his expression. “I read about what Bettina said.”
His arms came around her. “Oh yeah, that.”
“That?” she echoed incredulously. “That was the most disgusting thing I’ve ever read. I had to come up here and see you. I was concerned.”
Incredibly enough, Cooper grinned. “Ah, so you do care.” Without waiting for her to answer, he leaned down and captured her lips in a long, lingering kiss. Taylor had no time to ponder the implications of his reaction and just responded to the touch of his lips on hers.
“Don’t mind me, both of you.”
Taylor jumped. She whirled around, well, as much as she could with Cooper’s arms around her, and saw a tall, well-built man in his sixties standing by the bank of windows. She instantly recognized John Callas. Hot color crept up her neck and warmed her cheeks. She hadn’t even noticed him there.
Cooper made the introductions. “Taylor Sanders, meet John Callas.”
Taylor held out her hand shyly. “Hello.”
“Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, Taylor.” There was a twinkle in John’s dark eyes. “I must say, when Cooper said you were pretty, he didn’t do you justice.”
Cooper talked about her to John Callas? The thought was absolutely mortifying. “Umm…thanks.” She had absolutely no idea what to say.
John grinned. “Don’t worry. He sang your praises the entire time.”
She glanced at Cooper and found him looking at her with an enigmatic smile on his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were here. I just rushed up here to see him and…” She disengaged from Cooper but found her hand locked tight within his. “It was very nice to meet you. I will leave you two now.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” John inclined his dark head toward Cooper. “Why don’t you bring her with you to dinner tonight?”
“Oh no,” she responded quickly, “please don’t think you have to include me in your plans. Cooper and I don’t…” She trailed off, not knowing how to explain to the older man that she and Cooper didn’t really go out on dates. She glanced at Cooper, silently asking for help, but he remained stubbornly quiet.
“Young lady, I would consider it an honor if you would join us. I would love for you to meet Monica, my fiancée.”
It would have been rude to decline at that point. Feeling like she’d just been bulldozed, Taylor mustered a smile and accepted. “I would love to come.” Cooper’s grin told her he knew that she’d just been outmaneuvered.
John gave her a big smile. “That’s settled then. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Thank you. Well, I better go back to my office.” She headed to the door, Cooper following closely behind her, her hand still clasped in his.
He stopped her before she opened the door. “I’ll pick you up tonight. We’ll talk later, hmm?”
Taylor could only nod right before he gave her a soft kiss. Mindful of John’s presence, she murmured a hasty goodbye and walked out. She threw Laura an apologetic smile as she hurried by. All the way down to her office, a million thoughts flitted through her brain, foremost of them was having dinner with Cooper and John Callas tonight. Contrary to her initial concern, Cooper didn’t look at all worried or fazed by Bettina’s revelation. In fact, he seemed…happy. What the heck was going on?
* * * * *
John Callas was a charmer.
Taylor came to that conclusion after spending about an hour in his company. The older man was funny and sharp. Looking at him in the glow of the candlelight and the muted lighting in the five-star hotel’s posh dining room, she recognized the physical resemblance between Cooper and John. But beyond that, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to see the closeness between the two men. It was an easy camaraderie born of understanding and affection. Cooper was relaxed and in a good mood as they talked about a variety of topics, mostly revolving around business.
“Men.” Monica, John’s fiancée, leaned over to Taylor. “These two always end up talking shop. Can’t help it, I guess.”
Taylor grinned. Monica was somewhere in her fifties, with a flawless complexion and perfect makeup. She was also funny as hell, her wicked sense of humor a perfect counterpart to John. “Are they always like this?”
The older woman rolled her eyes. “Whenever Cooper visits us in Palm Beach they spend half the time with their heads together. All about business.” She patted Taylor’s hand. “I’m glad you came tonight.”
“Me too.” She was. Her initial reluctance at going tonight had dissipated within the first half hour. Seeing Cooper with John and Monica was a revelation. It was a softer side, one he didn’t always show.
“Cooper can’t take his eyes off you.” Monica lowered her voice conspiratorially. “He acts nonchalant about it, but really, he looks at you when he thinks nobody’s looking.”
Taylor’s gaze flew to Cooper.
Monica chuckled. “See what I mean?”
“What are you two talking about?” John asked, his fond gaze on Monica.
The other woman blushed prettily. The pianist began playing a soft, romantic tune on the baby grand. “I was just saying that Cooper hasn’t danced with me in ages.” She turned to Cooper. “Well?”
Cooper stood up and held out a hand to Monica. “Come on. Let’s show them how it’s done, shall we?” He dropped a hand on Taylor’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
She watched as Cooper led Monica to the small space near the pianist and pulled her into his arms. Other couples followed suit, the makeshift dance floor filling up.
“I can see that.”
“Cooper is not an easy man to understand. He’s a bit reserved. Holds himself back.”
“That’s somewhat of an understatement, don’t you think?” she joked.
John threw his head back and laughed. “I knew there was a reason I liked you. I think you can hold your own against him.”
Taylor felt herself blushing. They seemed to be laboring under a misconception about her and Cooper’s relationship. “John, Cooper and I, we’re…”
“Cooper’s been through a lot and he became stronger for it. I’m proud of him. Immensely.” There was such a wealth of love and pride in John’s face, it was touching. “I won’t tell you the entire story, that’s not my place. But suffice it to say, I would be very proud to proclaim from the rooftops that he’s my son.”
She swallowed the lump that suddenly lodged in her throat. There was inherent strength and determination in his tone.
“Everything will come out in the next couple of days. I’m here to support him in whatever he decided to do.”
“He’s lucky to have you.”
He took her hand and squeezed it briefly. “You’re different. I can tell. Otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to bring you here tonight.” John held up his hand when Taylor would have responded. “Just remember that anything worthwhile requires a bit of work.”
Cooper and Monica came back to the table. Cooper looked at her thoughtfully before his gaze slid over to John, but he didn’t say anything. Monica kept up a light chatter until they all stood up to say their goodbyes. Taylor really did enjoy their company. They were warm, accepting people.
Tempting Taylor Page 11
