“Let me show you how to run those reports.” He moved closer to her, taking her hands in his. “I want to get any distractions out of the way, so that we can finish what we started last night.”
“Yes,” she whispered, feeling the tension morph from insecurity to white-hot desire.
He looked at her carefully as he said, “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”
She shook her head, looking up into those silver eyes that had previously been so cold and sardonic. But now they promised…heaven! “Not even a little.”
He hesitated. “Deni, I can only offer you sex. This won’t change the future. I just don’t have it in me to feel emotion any longer.”
Deni’s heart ached, but she understood. “Meredith really hurt you,” she murmured, laying her hand gently over his heart. “I get that.”
“And you’re okay with where this is going? And where it won’t go?”
She wished it were otherwise, but she’d take what he was offering and savor every moment. “I understand what you can give me.”
He moved closer, cupping the back of her head. “Have no doubts about this, Deni. I don’t want to hurt you. But I can’t offer you flowers and forever. That part of me died a long time ago.”
She nodded. “I understand. I’ll protect myself.”
He lowered his head, giving her a light kiss that she felt all the way to her toes.
All too quickly, he lifted his head, almost-smiling down at her. “Let’s get those reports out of the way then. Once Chloe is asleep, I don’t want any distractions.”
Deni gulped, shocked by the heat in his eyes, the determination. It made her more than slightly wobbly, but she followed him into his office. She’d passed by this room a couple of times, but had only stepped inside it that one time he’d told her to meet him there. That day had only been a few weeks ago, but it seemed like forever. Looking around now, she felt as if the room was an extension of the man and stepping inside was an invasion of his privacy.
“Come on over here,” he waved her to the other side of his desk. “I have this computer set up to connect directly to the bank system, so anything you need, we can download from here.” She leaned over his desk when he sat down in the big, leather chair, but he put his hands on her hips and pulled her over so that she sat on his lap. “You can’t see from over there,” he explained, as his hand smoothed up her back, silently telling her that their position wasn’t only because of the view.
She smiled, enjoying the fact that he wanted to touch her.
“Okay, so you have to pull up this data first…” and he explained how the reports worked, and went into detail about the data and how to analyze it. In less time than she would have thought possible, the reports were not just ready, but she’d written up the analysis of the data, going far beyond what she normally would have done.
“Thank you!” she said, turning to face him. He had his hands on her hips and they shifted, pulling her closer.
“You’re welcome,” he told her a moment before he kissed her. This kiss started off as just a gentle, teasing touch. But it soon burned hot. She opened her mouth at his urging and she moaned when his hands slipped under the material of her tee shirt. The almost-painful desire that had been banked last night along with the fire, flamed back to life, hotter than before, heating her up and making her almost dizzy with the need for more. So much more.
“Daddy!” Chloe called out.
Deni jerked out of his arms, jumping away from him as she turned to face the little girl who was standing in the doorway to Sebastian’s office. Chloe’s hand was over her mouth, giggling at what she’d just seen.
“I have your phone,” Chloe announced, waving it to her. “I kept taking pictures on the drive home. I’m sorry.”
Deni hurried over to the girl, noticing Jenny standing just outside the room, looking into one of the other rooms, demonstrating that the nanny had definitely seen Sebastian and Deni kissing. “That’s fine. Thank you for returning it.”
Her grey eyes glowed hopefully up at Deni. “You’re coming swimming with us, right?” she asked.
Deni looked over at Sebastian who sat behind his desk, looking like a king with an amused smile on his handsome features. He knew exactly what she was thinking and Deni hoped that he was in the same state she was in.
“Please?” Chloe begged.
Deni couldn’t resist her. “Of course I’ll go swimming with you! Let me just bring these reports up to my room and get on my bathing suit. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”
Five minutes later, Deni walked into the indoor swimming pool, smiling when she found Sebastian and Chloe already in the pool. Chloe was jumping into the water, right into Sebastian’s arms. Over and over again, she’d jump, then he’d help her swim over to the edge, and then do it all over again.
Deni understood that Sebastian was teaching her how to swim while she was enjoying spending time with her father. It was ingenious and she felt that melting sensation once more.
“Coming in?” Chloe asked, wiping water from her eyes as she looked at Deni.
“Absolutely!” she replied and tossed her towel onto one of the chaise loungers.
She pulled off her tee-shirt and dumped that too, then dove quickly into the water. It was a heated pool so there was no shock upon entering. Goodness, it felt divine to swim through the clear water, glorying in the sensation of floating and being free.
For the next hour, they swam and played. Chloe decided that she was going to throw the ball and they had to catch it. Then she climbed onto her father’s back and rode through the water while he swam from one end of the pool to the other. She squealed with delight when Sebastian swam over to Deni, grabbing her legs and lifting her up. Chloe hung onto his neck while he held Deni in front of him.
When Chloe started to get a bit cranky, Deni and Sebastian decided it was time to get her out of the pool so she could eat dinner. She whined a little, but when her nanny showed up, she willingly went with her to change, but only because Sebastian promised to get out as well so that they could all eat dinner together.
As soon as Chloe was gone though, Sebastian pulled Deni into his arms and kissed her until she melted into him. When he lifted his head, she clung to him.
When he lifted his head, they were both panting. He smiled as his hands smoothed along her slick back. “Just wanted to remind you of what’s on the agenda tonight.”
She laughed. “I don’t think I could have forgotten.”
“Good,” and he took her hand, leading her out of the pool area. They walked up the steps silently, but separated at the top of the stairs to get to their rooms.
Deni quickly showered, put on makeup, and blow-dried her hair. It seemed a bit nonsensical to get all glammed up for a casual meal, but it also felt right. Very right!
Dinner was a bit quieter than usual since Chloe was pretty wiped out. Between hiking in the morning, packing up their camping equipment, and swimming in the afternoon, she could barely keep her eyes open.
Before Martha brought out dessert, Sebastian laughed and picked his half asleep daughter up. “Time for bed, honey,” he told her.
“I’m not ready for bed,” she announced, even as her head dropped onto his shoulder.
Deni helped clean up with Martha, who kept trying to shoo her out of the way. “I can handle this, ma’am. You go and relax with Mr. Hughes.”
“I don’t mind helping,” she told the friendly housekeeper. In reality, it helped keep her mind off of what was to come. Even though she wanted very much to make…uh…have sex…with Sebastian, it still terrified her. She wasn’t exactly sure what to do, how to handle herself. When she was in his arms, she instinctively moved, kissing him back and enjoyed herself. But their interludes up to now were spontaneous.
She knew what was going to happen tonight as soon as Chloe was tucked into her bed.
“Deni,” his deep voice called.
She turned, found him standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
“May I s
peak with you?” he asked softly.
She might have nodded. She might have simply floated over the tile floor. Deni had no idea. But he took her hand and led her out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Neither of them said a word as he led her into his bedroom and closed the door.
When they were alone, he turned to face her, his eyes again a smoldering silver. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she told him, but she was terrified. If he would just…kiss her, then she wouldn’t be so nervous.
“You don’t look very sure, Deni. This isn’t torture. But you’re looking up at me as if I’m going to beat you.”
She laughed, but the sound came out as a burst of nervousness. “I’m nervous. I just…”
He took her hand and lifted it to his chest, pressing it against the material of his shirt. “I’m the same man as yesterday and earlier today.”
“I know.” She shifted her fingers against his shirt, feeling the heat through the material. “If you could just…kiss me. I don’t think I’d….”
He interrupted by kissing her, covering her mouth with his and lifting her up into his arms. That was all it took for her to lose her nervousness and get into the kiss. His lips were demanding and she gave in to his silent command, kissing him back even as her hands crept up his chest, her fingers tangling in his hair. She noticed vaguely that his hair was softer than she would have thought, but then his hands cupped her breasts and she gasped, closing her eyes to savor the sensation.
Her shirt was tossed onto the floor and she stood before him as he admired her. Deni was relieved that she’d donned her prettiest bra after her shower this evening. The look in his eyes told her that he appreciated the sight.
“You’re so beautiful,” he groaned, lifting her back into his arms, high enough so that her breasts were even with his mouth. He latched onto her nipple through the lace of her bra.
Deni cried out, the heat rippling through her and she wrapped her arms around his head, pulling him closer, needing so much more. She wasn’t aware of her legs wrapping around his waist but she sighed when her back touched the mattress. He stood up and moved to the edge of the bed, pulling her pants off and tossing them onto the floor as well. It took him only seconds to discard his own clothing. Deni lifted up onto her elbows, wanting to view him in his full glory.
When he tossed his slacks and boxers to the side, Deni gasped at the size of him. He was amazing and awesome and she unconsciously licked her lips in anticipation.
“You okay?” he asked, as he slipped his fingers into the lace of her underwear, pulling them down and tossing them onto the pile of discarded clothes. He pressed her legs apart and moved his body between them, settling so close, she couldn’t believe the intimacy already.
“You’re trembling,” he commented as he braced his hands on either side of her head. “Why are you nervous?”
She didn’t answer, not wanting him to know. “Kiss me,” she begged, caressing his arms and shoulders, sliding her fingers over his muscles like she’d imagined doing all weekend.
With a growl, he lowered his head, his muscles straining and she let her fingers glide everywhere, not stopping to ask permission. She needed this, felt that it was very right.
Deni closed her eyes when she felt his lips nuzzling her neck, her body shivering with excitement. “More,” she whispered, her legs tightening around his hips as she strained to get closer, to feel more of him. Her hands moved along his arms, his shoulders and back as her inner thighs reveled in the feeling of his hips.
She was too absorbed in her own exploration so when his hands moved up, cupping her breast, she gasped in shock, stiffening for a short moment, then arching against his hand when his thumb scraped over her already-taut nipple. “Yes!” she hissed, unaware of her hips shifting against his. She heard the deep groan come from him and loved it, needing another.
“You’re so gorgeous!” he whispered into her ear as his thumb teased and she closed her eyes, trying to control her reaction, but the sensations were too much, too intense. She let her desire sweep her away.
When the heat of his mouth closed over her nipple, she gasped, her fingers moving to his head to pull him away. But when his teeth scraped, she couldn’t stop him. In fact, her fingers tangled in his surprisingly soft hair, holding his head in place as she arched again, pressing her breast into his mouth.
“Sebastian, I don’t …!” his mouth pulled against her nipple and whatever she’d been about to say was lost as she moaned.
He moved to the other breast while his hands continued to tease, driving her wild with need and Deni was lost in a sea of desire and sensation. Lower and lower, he moved down her body and her fingers slid against his shoulders...
Sebastian inhaled the scent of her arousal, needing to taste her and feel her. Sliding one finger into her tight, hot sheath, he closed his eyes as he discovered how ready she was. He knew that he could press into her right now and take both of them over to oblivion, but he wanted more. He wanted to taste her, to feel her throb against his mouth. Because he couldn’t give her his heart, he wanted to give her as much pleasure as possible to compensate.
So instead of grabbing a condom and burying himself in her heat as he so desperately wanted, he moved lower and lower, his finger moving in and out of her body. Her fingers in his hair were soft and he could feel her desperation. She was so damn close already! So responsive! Everywhere he’d touched her, it felt like she was on fire and that turned him on further, made every touch hotter.
Something inside of him needed her surrender. He wouldn’t stop until he had all of her, her body melting in his arms.
The first touch of his lips against that nub was almost all it took. He pulled back, not ready to let this taste end. He smiled at her whimper. “Oh, no, my dear. This isn’t going to be over that quickly,” he warned her.
She gasped, most likely unaware of how wanton she looked at this moment. That was so damn erotic and Sebastian took a moment to admire her from this angle. So hot! So beautiful! His finger continued its rhythmic torture and he smiled, but the glistening temptation was too much for him and he moved in for another taste.
And that’s all it took! She was so tightly wound up now that the smallest touch against that nub had her body arching, tightening…then throbbing with a beautiful release and he absorbed it all from the most perfect angle.
When she fell back against the mattress, he moved away, grabbing a condom and looking down at her completely relaxed body as he rolled on the protection. Her eyes were closed, that sexy tongue darting out to wet her lips. Everything about her right now made him feel…powerful. She was replete and he’d done that to her! No, he might not be able to love her as she deserved, but he could damn well give her this!
Moving back to the soft, sensuous curve of her stomach, he kissed her, sliding his hands against her shockingly silky skin. “Are you okay?” he asked her, and Sebastian could have sworn that he felt her sighs against his back. Hell, even that turned him on!
“Yes!” she replied, laughing as her hands moved back to his shoulders. Damn, he loved the way she touched him. It was as if she needed to touch him almost as much as he needed to feel and explore every part of her.
That word, just one word, and he could barely hold back the need to thrust into her, bury himself deeply into her heat.
She wrapped her legs around his waist again, beaming at him. “Thank you for that.”
“It’s not over,” he teased, bending his head to kiss her nipple. But that just wasn’t enough, he took that tip into his mouth, enjoying the moans coming from Deni as her body tightened, the sensuous relaxation leaving her. She bent her knees and the action cradled his hips, pulling him in closer. Exactly where he wanted to be!
Shifting, he moved so that he was poised right at her core and looked at her. “Deni, look at me,” he urged.
When her long lashes fluttered open, he looked down into her eyes, needing that connection as he pressed into her this first time.
/> She was so tight! So hot and tight and perfect! As he pressed deeper into her heat, he watched her eyes widen. He might have grinned, but he felt like a wild lion, needing to roar.
Moving in, then pulling out again, he watched, trying to be gentle as he pulled back on the intense need to press into her fully, to feel her inner muscles around his shaft. She was so slight! So tender and amazing. He didn’t want to hurt her.
Her hands explored his back and he groaned, pressing in deeper and deeper, looking into her eyes to determine if he was hurting her. When he was finally fully embedded in her heat, he shuddered, pulling her closer. “You feel so good!” he groaned before starting the rhythmic thrusting that would take them to that pinnacle.
Slowly, trying not to hurt her, he pressed into her. Again and again, shifting until her eyes widened, silently telling him that she liked the movement. Too soon, Sebastian knew that she was right on the edge. She felt so good like this and he wanted to savor the moment, enjoy the feelings. But she was too tight. When her body arched, stiffening as she exploded with her second climax, the feeling and the sight of her like that, her body arching against him as she tightened even more…her orgasm pulled him right over the edge as well.
Thrusting harder, he couldn’t hold back and didn’t try. Again and again, he pressed into her body and…the mind-blowing climax was so intense, he held onto her, trying to gentle his thrusting but he couldn’t. He needed…all of her!
A long time later, Sebastian pulled his face out of the curve of her neck, surprised by the tender feelings rolling over him as he slowly slid his weight off her. Kissing her shoulder, he rasped, “I’ll be right back,” and he left the bed, going into the bathroom to clean up. Sebastian took a look at himself in the mirror, shocked to find a ferocious expression on his features.
He paused, but his mind couldn’t process his expression. Especially when he knew that Deni was still in his bed, her body replete. Immediately, his body reacted to that image and he turned away from…whatever was going on inside of him. He didn’t care at the moment. He just wanted to get back to Deni, to hold her. After what he’d just experienced in her soft arms, he…?
Wanted: Wife for Hire (The Diamond Club Book 8) Page 14