by Layla Hagen
Letting go of my hands, he grabbed my waist, holding me tight. When he deepened the kiss, I just couldn’t hold back and ran my hands through his hair. Urgency coiled through me. I whimpered involuntarily, and he deepened the kiss. I was aching for him.
The way he kissed me made me feel like I was the only thing that mattered tonight. He pulled me flat against him and feathered his lips down the side of my neck. Every kiss sent little shockwaves of pleasure reverberating through my body. His cologne, juniper and pine, overwhelmed my senses. I slipped my hand under his suit jacket, moving toward the button that had been teasing me all night. I wanted to rip it away, along with all the other buttons. I wanted to—
Loud honking made us jump apart. I blinked for a few seconds, disoriented. Then I noticed the cab and the smirking concierge.
“The cabbie honked three times before you noticed,” the concierge informed us.
I wasn’t even sorry, because that kiss was worth being honked at.
My legs were a little shaky as I walked toward the car with Liam at my side. He opened the door for me. As I lowered myself into the cab, he tilted forward, kissing my cheek before bringing his mouth to my ear.
“Next time I see you, I’ll make sure there won’t be any glass of spilled wine or honking cabs getting in our way,” he said.
When he pulled back, the promising glint in his eyes was just pure heat, and I was certain that next time, nothing would keep him from going after what he wanted: me.
Chapter Twelve
Liam
I wasn’t the type to linger over moments, playing them over in my mind. It just wasn’t who I was. But I couldn’t forget my evening with Tess. If kissing her felt that way, how would exploring her in bed be? I wanted to keep her with me the whole night.
Spending time with her had been intoxicating. She actually listened to me when I spoke about Grandpa and that tough period of our lives. No one usually asked, and I wasn’t used to talking about it, but it felt so easy with Tess.
I sent her and Skye the revised contract that night after the show, but I hadn’t heard from them since. Granted, I sent it Thursday evening and today was Monday, but I was getting impatient. I didn’t want to be the one reaching out, though. I knew when to push, and I knew when to wait. I wanted the contract to be signed. Then I’d have free rein to pursue Tess.
“You getting old or something? You’re running slow today,” David said.
We met at seven o’clock three times a week, running before we started the day. We had showers at the brownstone and kept fresh clothes there so we could still be at work at a decent hour.
“No, just have a lot on my mind.”
“That hasn’t stopped you from beating my ass before.”
We always raced the last mile. I wasn’t going to let David beat me. He’d never stop bragging about it.
My lungs were struggling with the chilly air. Damn, it was cold for the end of September. If this weather trend continued, I’d only be able to keep up the running routine throughout October and November.
I pushed my thighs to move faster, then even faster on the pavement. I only looked back once I reached the front door of the brownstone. David was right behind me. My whole body was burning, but even that effort didn’t drown out thoughts of Tess.
“Only five seconds faster,” he said through loud panting. “I’ll catch up to you one day.”
I punched his shoulder. “No you won’t. Let’s get to work.”
David went to the shower first, and I headed to my office to retrieve the fresh clothes.
When I passed Dexter, he said, “You got a few calls while you were running.”
I always left the phone inside when I went on a run, and the intern’s first task was to check for any missed calls.
“I’ll look at them later.”
“But there is—”
I didn’t hear the rest of the sentence, because I closed the door to my office. Tess was inside it. That was probably what Dexter was trying to say.
“Tess, what a surprise.”
I was drenched in sweat, and my shirt was clinging to me. Tess didn’t seem to mind as she slowly looked me up and down. I cocked a brow. She blushed.
Since she was so openly checking me out, I saw no reason to hold back. She was wearing a black dress, the same coat from the fashion show, and stilettos. All I wanted was to strip her of everything...except those red shoes.
“Sorry to barge in here like this, but your intern said you didn’t have any appointments this morning.”
“What can I do for you?”
She put her bag on the desk, taking a stack of papers out of it and placing them next to my laptop. “Skye and I signed the contract.”
“This is great news. Fantastic. But you didn’t have to bring them in person.”
“I know. I wanted to. I’m just so excited.” She clasped her hands together, smiling from ear to ear. “So, what are the next steps? When do we get the ball rolling? When can we show you the space we’re thinking about leasing? And start working on the new online shop?”
I smiled, reaching for the gym bag in the corner. Taking out a towel, I put it on my shoulders. “You don’t do anything in half measures, do you? First, you roasted my ass, but now that you’ve signed, you’re all in?”
Her smile dimmed a bit. “Yes, well, I am kind of known for doing everything...enthusiastically.”
She sounded a bit uncertain. Dropping the gym bag to the floor, I walked closer to her. “I like that a lot about you, Tess. Just as I like everything else. I’ll sign this morning, along with Becca and David. Then we can have a general meeting.”
“So, should I come back later with Skye? When you...have more clothes on?”
I smirked. “You have a problem with my outfit?”
“Yes. Your abs are on display. You know how distracting that is? All I can think about is touching them. Licking them.”
Fuck, is she trying to kill me? I was going to get a hard-on if she continued. Something told me that not only was Tess all on board with the contract, but she’d also made up her mind about us. And she was letting me know in her usual overexcited way.
I stepped even closer. “Tess...you can’t say those things to me right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not going to have you on my desk while I’m sweaty from a run.”
Her eyes widened before she narrowed them. “I see. So you like flirting, but only on your terms?”
“Yes.”
“See, that doesn’t work for me.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “You don’t know how to handle me right now, do you?”
“No,” I admitted with a laugh.
She lifted her hand, touching my chest. I clasped her wrist and then the other. Her eyes widened as I held her arms to one side and covered her mouth with mine. She tasted like maple syrup and coffee, and I wanted to taste her all over. I explored her mouth until I felt her squirm, then heard her moan. I held her hands firmly, kissing her on my terms. I also didn’t want her touching me like I knew she wanted, because I had a raging hard-on already. She parted her thighs, accommodating me. I groaned in her mouth, letting go of her hands. I needed to explore more than her mouth. And I desperately needed her to do the same with me.
I pulled back only long enough to say, “Touch me. Tess, fuck. Touch me,” before kissing her again.
She slipped her hand between us, touching my erection. I nearly exploded at the contact. She teased me, rubbing two fingers up and down. I pressed her ass against the edge of the desk.
This was torture. Pure torture. Kissing her felt so good, but touching her waist and thighs was not nearly as satisfying. She had too many clothes on. I moved my hand lower from her belly, applying pressure as I went farther down. I touched her clit over her clothes, and her knees buckled. She whimpered, tugging at my drenched shirt with her free hand. Then she slipped her hand under it, tracing the lines of my abs with her fingers, just as she’d promised. I was determined no
t to let her mouth anywhere on my body, because there would be no holding back then.
It wouldn’t take much to make her come. She was even more on edge than I was. But I didn’t want the first orgasm I gave her to be like this—quick, while she was still clothed.
I wanted it very dirty and very hard, but not here in the office. I moved my hands back up her body. I was learning every curve even over her clothes, and I couldn’t wait to explore them again when she was naked. She protested, taking her own hand away as well...but then she rolled her hips, grinding against my erection, and I nearly toppled over her.
“Tess, babe.”
She brought her hand to the waistband of my shorts, but I stopped her, looking her straight in the eyes.
“Not here.” My voice was rough, like I hadn’t used it in a while. I wanted to do things the proper way with her, and a quickie at the office definitely wasn’t the way to start things. She deserved better. We were both acting on instinct right now, but I wanted to romance her a little first. I’d never even done that before, but I was certain she’d like it. She was special to me in a way no one had been before.
I pulled away, taking a step back so I wouldn’t completely lose my head. “Tonight, I want us to celebrate signing the deal. Just you and me.”
She nodded, eyes slightly hooded. I felt victorious. The ink was dry on the papers, and nothing was going to stop me from making Tess mine.
Chapter Thirteen
Tess
The rest of the day was a little insane. Liam texted me right after I left that they all signed, and we agreed on the following morning for the general meeting. I had Liam on my mind constantly, and there was no getting him out. I still felt his lips on mine, his hands on my body. We agreed to meet at seven o’clock in front of the store, and I might have been counting down the hours...and minutes. I was so giddy!
I thought I’d have all day to play around with customization options and reminisce about that sexy-as-hell way he pushed me against his desk and kissed me like there was no tomorrow.
But in the afternoon, I discovered we had one hundred mismatched orders. Our online shop hadn’t recorded some sales. The girls had double-checked all of them and inserted any missing items, but I had to repack them. I was really looking forward to having a better website. This one often crashed or just registered orders wrong. Since the orders had to be shipped tomorrow, I only had today to sort them out. No way was I going to be ready at seven.
I didn’t want Liam to think I was playing hard to get, so I snapped a picture of the boxes and sent it to him.
Tess: I don’t know when I’ll be done with these. Rain check on the celebration?
I smiled when the words Liam is typing appeared in the small box. Was he always so fast to respond, or was I getting special treatment?
Liam: No.
Liam: I want to woo you tonight.
Oh my God.
Tess: Don’t tempt me. Pleeease.
Liam: Hell yes, I will. Cheese? Champagne? A kiss? My naked abs?
I laughed, holding a hand to my belly. I eyed the pile, then the armchair, and then the phone. Okay, so since I was my own boss, I could allow myself a flirting break. Grinning, I sat down, legs up on one armrest, dangling my feet in the air.
Tess: Is this a negotiation?
Liam: Only if I’m winning.
I shimmied in the armchair. I’d only been looking for a little flirting. How was I simmering already?
Tess: Not how negotiations work.
Liam: Tell me your terms.
Tess: Do they have to include kissing?
Liam: Yes. I’m not budging on that.
I was on pins and needles as I wrote three texts before deciding on one. I pressed Send before I could talk myself out of it again.
Tess: What exactly do I get to decide?
I wasn’t just simmering now. I was on fire. I held my breath as the words Liam is typing popped on the screen. What’s taking him so long?
Liam: Where and how many.
Tess: I’ll think about the terms and get back to you.
That’s right; I could tease too. I could flirt.
Liam: Tess...the longer you wait, the more kisses I’ll demand. One for every hour you make me wait.
Holy shit. Clearly, I couldn’t beat him. He was a master at this.
Liam: You’re not working on those orders alone, are you?
Tess: Yes, I am. Skye is meeting a supplier, and the sales associates are busy with customers.
Liam: Okay. I understand.
I laughed, wondering if I should point out that he told me he’d demand more kisses for every hour I took...but perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to remind him. Who knew what other requirements he’d throw at me.
Liam didn’t write anything else, and I was grateful for that, because this man’s flirting skills were dangerous enough to make me forget my tasks.
My hands were numb after the first twelve boxes. I was going to be here even after closing time, and I couldn’t ask the girls to stay; they’d been on their feet all day and were even more tired than I was.
About one hour later, I heard Liam’s voice in the front and jumped to my feet. I told the girls we just signed with him as an investor, so they’d probably send him to me right away.
OhGodOhGodOhGod. My stomach was full of butterflies as I heard heavy footsteps approach. I swear my heart stopped when he entered the back room.
He pinned me with those sinful eyes. Heat flashed through me, and he hadn’t even said anything. The man was simply delicious. He was wearing washed-out jeans, a black shirt, and leather jacket on top of it. His hair was disheveled, as if he’d run his hands through it.
“Hello, Tess.”
“Hi!”
He was carrying a paper bag.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Tacos. And your favorite champagne. We don’t have to go out to celebrate. We can do it here. That way I can also help with the boxes.”
“You want to help me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I’m a partner, remember?” His eyes were playful.
“That’s the only reason?”
That playful glint turned hot in a fraction of a second.
“And to claim all those kisses I negotiated.”
I gasped, covering my mouth. “I forgot to answer.”
He winked again. “I know. Lead the way, Tess.”
He shrugged out of his leather jacket, leaving it on the back of one of the armchairs.
Surveying the room slowly, he frowned at the pile of finished boxes.
“Tell me you didn’t make all of those on your own.”
“’Course I did. Easy-peasy. I just have to rotate my wrists a bit. They’re stiff.”
I flexed them, doing a bit of wrist gymnastics.
Liam put the paper bag on the coffee table in front of the armchairs. I thought he might start on the boxes, but instead he came right for me. He captured one wrist, then the other, pressing his thumbs exactly where I was sore. I closed my eyes, letting my head drop back a bit.
“Mmm, this is too good,” I murmured. My whole body was relaxing even though he was only working my wrists. With my eyes closed, my other senses became hyperalert. The faint aftershave smell was wickedly sensual. The heat of his body was just too much. I blinked my eyes open and almost whimpered when I realized how closely he was watching me.
“Better?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Let’s sit down and eat. Then you relax a bit, and I’ll get started on the boxes.”
“Oooh, I won’t say no to that. Let me show you exactly how I do it before we start eating.”
Liam gave me a half smile, pointing to the small piles of unfolded cartons.
I tried focusing on the box and not how close he was, or the fact that his lips would brush my ear if I leaned backward just a smidge.
I finished the demonstration as soon as possible, then watched him do the next
one.
“Okay, you’ve passed the test.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” he said with a laugh.
“Hey, I want our customers to feel important.”
He sat in an armchair, and I took out the tacos. There were three of them each packed on a separate paper plate. I also grabbed the bottle and hurried to one of the shelves where I kept champagne glasses.
He laughed when he saw them.
“What? Skye and I like to celebrate milestones. But maybe let’s open it once we’re done with the boxes.”
“You got it, boss.”
“There’s a thought. Me bossing you around. Hmm...that has so much potential.”
He cocked a brow.
“Oops, did I say the last part out loud?” I teased.
“Yeah you did.”
“Well, I didn’t mean to.” He was still looking at me expectantly, so I added, “Hey, let’s eat fast so you can start on the boxes. No slacking. I’m the boss, remember?”
Chuckling, he bit into a taco. We both ate in silence, practically inhaling our food.
“These tacos are so good,” I said once I was done, putting the empty plate on the coffee table. Liam mirrored my movement, as he finished too. “Kevin’s really talented.”
Liam stilled. “You know him?”
“Yes.”
When I didn’t say anything more, he asked, “Did you two...date or something?”
“No. Why?”
“During the ‘get to know each other’ dinner, I saw a message from him. It had heart emojis.”
I blinked, caught off guard. He was looking at me expectantly. I wasn’t sure what to say.
“So, we didn’t date, but...I did ask him out. He just turned me down.”
“What?”
“Said we’re better off as friends. So...we’re friends, I guess. He keeps asking my advice about how to date other women.”
“He’s a fucking moron.”
I smiled, feeling a bit self-conscious.
Liam rose from his armchair, sitting on the armrest of mine.
“But you asked him out,” he said, more to himself. “Do you still have feelings for him?”
