by Virna DePaul
She’d rest for just a few seconds before heading back downstairs. Maybe she wouldn’t even stay. Maybe she’d just call an Uber and leave.
The enveloping silence of the room enfolded her, and a sense of contentment and safety washed over her. She surrendered herself to the calm. Took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Then blinked them open when she felt something soft settle over her.
Abruptly, she sat up. She was slightly disoriented and realized with horror that she’d actually fallen asleep.
She looked down at the cashmere throw that now covered her. It was soft. And it smelled good. Clean. Spicy. Sensual.
How long had she been out? And who had—
When she saw the man standing across from her, she knew without a doubt it was his scent she was enjoying.
He was well over six feet, with broad shoulders and a lean, athletic build, wearing a suit that even her drowsy mind registered as expensive and definitely custom made. His hair was quite dark, maybe black. It was hard to tell in the shadowy room. But it looked mussed in contrast to the rest of his appearance.
His strong jaw had a tense set, but enough moonlight filtered through the windows for her to guess what he looked like when and if he smiled. There were faint lines on either side of a mouth that had a sensual fullness. His lips tightened for a fraction of a second as he looked back at her, his expression somehow radiating both sensuality and displeasure.
Was he the party host—D&M’s mystery client? If so, of course he was displeased. She’d rudely intruded into his private space. An automatic apology hovered on her lips, but when a corner of his mouth flickered upward and his expression lightened, the words froze in her throat. A flush of heat spread through her core. Her stomach quivered and she swallowed against a dry mouth. A racing heartbeat had her parting her lips to breathe.
All she could do was stare at him, transfixed, and sternly tell herself that no, she couldn’t stand, grab his face, and pull him down for a kiss to see if he tasted as good as he smelled. Or could she?
What was it she’d told Iris?
Got it. Reach out. Hot sex. If the opportunity comes along, I won’t let it go to waste.
Promise?
Promise.
Chapter 2
As seconds stretched together and Cara replayed her promise to Iris over in her mind, the man’s gaze focused on her mouth. He looked as if he wanted to take her. Right here. Right now. Any way she wanted to be taken.
And she couldn’t deny it—one heated glance and mere seconds in his presence, and that was exactly what she wanted. Hell, she yearned for him to show her ways to be taken she’d barely even heard of.
She gave her head a quick shake. Time to gain control, Cara.
The man stayed where he was, his hands deep in his pockets. “You weren’t enjoying the party?” His deep voice reverberated in the room.
Conversation, she reminded herself. The first step in meeting someone was to converse, not strip naked and jump their bones. She hesitated, then said, “Everything was beautiful.”
He smiled slightly. “You weren’t enjoying it,” he said decisively. His calm self-assurance was very different from the young men she worked with, although he didn’t look much older than they did. He was probably around thirty five. Just. But he had a tough, ruthless look about him as if he’d literally fought his way to the top of the world.
“I got a little overwhelmed by the crowd. What time is it?” Slowly, she moved the cashmere throw down her body, touching the buttons of her cream blouse (yes, Iris, cream; she just happened to love the color) first to make sure she wasn’t carelessly revealing herself. Every button was in place. It was her imagination working overtime that made it feel like they’d jumped loose and given him a glimpse of her lacy bra before she’d opened her eyes.
“After midnight.”
She rose from the sofa, straightening her rumpled clothes. “I have to go.” Somewhat awkwardly, she slipped a foot into one high heel, then the other, and stood tall. He was still a whole lot taller.
“You can stay for a bit if you like,” he offered. “The party’s winding down.”
“I guess this must be your house.”
He inclined his dark head in a nod.
“It’s spectacular. Really nice.” Cara told herself not to babble. “I’m sorry, we weren’t told who owned the place.”
“I’m Branden Duke.”
A regal name, but he was no Prince Charming. He was gorgeous but there was an edge to him that Prince Charming would never have. “Nice to meet you. I’m—” About to introduce herself, she stopped when she noticed the door behind him was closed.
He’d opened it, seen her sleeping, and had come in, closing it behind him. Why?
As if he picked up on the nervous question that buzzed in her mind, he turned and strode to the door, opening it again. But he came back.
Two things registered. First, she wasn’t being dismissed. Second, he wasn’t blocking her way, and that appeared to be deliberate on his part. He’d known she felt threatened and had immediately acted to reassure her. With actions, not words. In her world, that immediately set him apart from most.
She stepped toward him, fully intending to make a swift exit—and made the mistake of looking up. His dark, burning gaze hypnotized her for a moment longer. He raised a hand and ran his fingertips over her sleep-flushed cheek as if he couldn’t help himself.
Cara was mesmerized. The unexpected contact was tender and also erotic.
Tempting.
“Don’t.” She was barely able to breathe out the single word. She wasn’t angry or afraid—just wildly confused by his daring and her own crazy reaction. He dropped his hand.
“Okay,” he said softly.
Assured by his instant agreement but still frightened by the intensity of her attraction to him, she blurted out, “I really should be going—”
Cara stepped back, nearly falling when her leg connected with the low glass table. Branden reached out and held her arms, the strength in his large hands flowing into her somehow. She swallowed hard, reluctant to shrug him off.
Seconds passed. A minute. He didn’t release her. Instead, his soft grip slowly turned into caresses, with his hands smoothing over her arms and then up her neck until his hands lightly framed her jaw.
She still didn’t pull away. Her fear had vanished. For some reason, she trusted him, and all she wanted to do was give in and see what happened.
“I think you should stay,” he said softly.
Remember your promise, Iris’s voice whispered in her brain. Seize the opportunity to do something for yourself for once.
Cara lifted her chin, whether in defiance of her thoughts or of him, she didn’t know. “Do you?”
He smiled ever so slightly. Cocked a challenging brow. Stared at her with eyes filled with a taunting dare.
So what if we’re strangers, his gaze said. You want to kiss me. So why not kiss me?
She could think of so many reasons why not, foremost being that Branden Duke was a client of D&M. But she didn’t want to think. The memory of her promise to Iris… The fact that she wanted to kiss him more than she’d ever wanted to kiss a man in recent memory… The lingering dreaminess of being caught unawares and the intimate solitude of their chance encounter…
It all made her inhibitions crumble.
For once, she wanted toss logic to the side and just feel.
She rose on her tiptoes to give him her mouth, loving the ebony fire that blazed in his eyes just before she made contact. The kiss was a brush of the lips at first, then a searching, urgent opening of her mouth as his tongue met hers. Branden Duke kissed with expert sensuality. The strong body underneath the fine suit conveyed a rising heat as she relaxed against it, not surrendering just yet, but savoring the pleasure of a scorching kiss.
His sensual skill made her feel like a beginner. Never, never had she so much as dreamed a kiss could be so powerfully erotic.
The desire he
awakened could easily turn into obsession.
She didn’t know how much time passed. The kiss continued. His hands glided over her curves—front and rear, but mostly rear—but he didn’t try to get underneath her skirt or blouse. She thrilled to his touch, enjoying the subtle slide of material over her hips as he pulled her closer and made her move for him. He knew exactly what he was doing, bringing forth visions of platforms beds and silky sheets and ropes tied around her wrists—
She immediately flinched at the erotic vision of her bound and helpless to this man’s hands and mouth. Whether it was at her movement or because he’d guessed at her thoughts, his kiss became rougher. His touch more possessive, pressing her against him with an unmistakable air of dominance.
She couldn’t help but respond. Cara raised her arms and draped them over his shoulders, breaking off the kiss to nuzzle his neck and press her nose into his heated skin, warmed by that delicious spicy scent. His chin rested lightly on her head and he groaned as she rubbed her breasts against his front, shamelessly enjoying the feel of her nipples tightening against the fabric of her bra and blouse.
Thank God she’d come. Thank God she’d made that promise to Iris. Cara needed this. It had been so long, and now she was here with him, and he was making her feel so good...
“Yes,” she murmured, more to herself than to him. “God, I’ve been waiting for you.” She didn’t even realize what she was saying. She was so lost in his touch, her head lolling back, eroticism making her spine grow weak, that she could barely believe she’d spoken out loud.
But clearly Branden Duke was aware of what she was saying, and clearly he didn’t like it. Abruptly, he set her away from him, leaving her disoriented and cold. His grasp on her arms was hard, frantic yet conflicted, as if he wanted to keep her at a distance but was unwilling to let her walk away completely. Her eyes flicked open and she stared, perplexed, at his now hard expression. Then he landed a sudden blow. “Did you really come up here to rest or were you hoping this would happen? Just what is it you’ve been waiting for? A hot fuck or some cold hard cash?”
She actually recoiled at his harsh words and immediately tried to pull away from him. Her spine snapped up, rigid, and she shot him a glare. “Fuck you.”
He frowned, his grip loosening enough that she could rip herself away. She backed up several steps and simply stared at him. She couldn’t help it. He’d shocked her and she knew by the expression of regret that instantly flashed across his face that she probably looked like he’d slapped her.
He held up a hand. “Okay, maybe that was unwarranted.”
His voice snapped her out of her paralysis. “You think?” she asked nastily. She immediately turned and strode toward the open door. She gasped when his hands gently grasped her arms from behind.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “You…that kiss…it took me by surprise.”
You think? This time she asked the sarcastic question silently. His tone seemed genuinely perplexed and she relaxed even more at his willingness to admit he could be taken by surprise. It was a concession of vulnerability he probably didn’t make a habit of giving.
Deliberately, she took three testing steps forward. He didn’t try to stop her, and instead let her go. And he didn’t try to force her to turn around when she just continued to stand there, trying to get her bearings.
Cara felt dizzy and a bit conflicted. For him to imply she’d been lying in wait for him had been insulting yet, if she were being perfectly honest, understandable given where he’d found her and how she’d initiated that mind-blowing kiss. A man so wealthy probably had ample experience with women coming after him for his money.
With a sigh, she turned to face him. “I understand why you thought what you did. But you’re wrong. I really did come up here to be alone for a second. I wasn’t expecting…”
At her trailing words, he sighed. Ran his hands through his hair. “Neither was I. But I liked it. I don’t suppose you’ll forget what I said?”
She shook her head. She’d seized the opportunity for passion and enjoyed the hell out of it, but he’d reminded her who she was and how very different the two of them were. He had wealth and power and control of his life. Cara wasn’t there yet and probably never would be—in the meantime, she just needed to keep her head down, make a living, and support her family. Their kiss had been a nice diversion, but that’s all it could be. “I think it’s best I go.” She slid her hands over her skirt and checked her blouse buttons again. Still in place, every damn one of them. She hadn’t known it was possible to get that turned on fully dressed.
She needed to get out of here before she did something else to embarrass herself. Even if he had been Prince Charming, with a cool waterfront castle and the ability to kiss like a sex dream come true, she wasn’t his Sleeping Beauty, just a girl who conveniently conked out in an upstairs room.
“Good night,” Cara said as she headed to the door, uncertain how soon an Uber could come pick her up with a place this isolated.
“My driver can take you home. He’s in the porte-cochere. Tell him I sent you.”
Her initial instinct was to politely decline. She didn’t. She needed an escape hatch and he’d just given it to her. She wasn’t about to turn him down. Without even saying thank you, she walked quickly to the mahogany staircase, going down the stairs with silent speed.
“Cara!”
Shit! It was her boss, Max Dubois, and he was walking toward her.
“Cara, I didn’t realize you were still here.”
“I’m sorry, Max, but I have to run,” she said, just as she felt heat behind her back. Max’s gaze went over her shoulder.
“Oh, did you have a chance to meet Mr. Duke?”
A quick glance confirmed that Branden had caught up with her and was standing behind her, his heated gaze unwavering.
“Um…yes, I did. I was just thanking him for hosting a lovely party.”
“Good, good,” Max said with a grin. He paused, looking like he was waiting for her to say something. When she remained silent, he said, “Oh come on now, Cara. Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”
She frowned. “I’m sorry, Max. Congratulate you on what?”
“My retirement, of course. Or did Branden not tell you? Not only is he the new owner of D&M, he’s taking over my position, as well. Your gracious host is also your new boss, Cara.”
Cara sucked in a breath and stared at Branden. Oh God, you’re my new boss. And I kissed you. And you thought I’d been lying in wait for you. Literally.
“That’s right,” Branden said. “I’ve had my eye on Dubois & Mellan for some time. Your company seemed like a very attractive acquisition, Cara.”
She smiled weakly. “It’s not my company. I consider myself lucky to work there.” Somehow, her words had come out steady but inside she was a mess, thinking things like, I’d like to keep working there. Please don’t fire me or make my job dependent on sleeping with you…
For a moment, Branden’s expression softened. “You’re far too modest. I have a feeling you’re invaluable to the operation of D&M.”
Vaguely, Cara heard Max agree but despite his and Branden’s words of praise, she kept imagining the worst case scenario. New ownership often meant restructuring, and even if she and Branden had never met upstairs, there was the real possibility that her job was in danger.
If she was let go, she’d be out on the street. So would her mother and her brother. She wasn’t worried about herself. She could crash with Iris. If needed, her mother could stay with a distant relative. But her brother…
“Cara,” Branden said quietly and Cara blinked.
Max had stopped talking and was looking at her strangely.
Pull it together, Cara.
She cleared her throat and turned to Max. “I’m sorry to hear you’ll be leaving, Max, but happy for whatever new adventure you’ll be moving toward next.”
God, the look on her face at Max’s announcement… For a split second, Cara looked h
orrified and humiliated. At one point, Branden swore she even looked scared. It pissed him off, until he realized it had more to do with her fear of losing her job than fear of him. In any event, she quickly gathered her composure and basically dismissed him while she and Max talked about the man’s upcoming retirement.
Never taking his eyes off her, Branden took several breaths and tried to calm down. He had to work hard to suppress the urge to whisk her away and get her alone again.
The instant he’d seen her upstairs, he’d known he should wake her and get her the hell out of his house. Chances were she was a D&M employee, or if not, that she was dating one. But instead of chasing her off, he’d covered her with a blanket and given in to the temptation to look at her. He’d wanted to rouse her, see those thickly lashed lids flutter open to reveal the color of her eyes.
When they had, he’d sucked in his breath at how spectacular her blue eyes were. They reminded him of a cross between aquamarines and sapphires. He’d wanted to kiss her then and there. Thank God she actually had made the first move. He’d quickly taken over, shocked at how fast he’d surrendered to his need to touch her. To have her. When she’d rubbed against him, he’d barely stopped himself from shoving up her short skirt and bending her over the sofa so he could plunge inside her. Only then she’d said something about waiting for him, and his cynical mind had immediately thought she was using him, wanting him more for what he could buy her than anything else, and his pride had made him speak out in anger. Of course, she’d pulled away and her defensive walls had come up and Branden had immediately wanted to kick his own ass. Not just because he’d lost the feel of her, but because beneath her anger, he’d seen embarrassment and hurt, and he’d hated the idea that he’d caused that. Despite the fact she was obviously capable of taking care of herself, she brought out his protective instincts, along with a whole lot of other instincts.
