She took long, calming breaths and her desire subsided, not all the way, but moved to the background. Was this what he wanted? To arouse her at his command, then withdraw the stimulation, make her suffer? Was he stoking an addiction? Turning her into a junkie, one solely dependent on him?
He kissed her lips and whispered into her mouth, “This is not a performance. It is being still—a journey, not a destination.”
“I want it, Teo. Take me there.” I want you.
“I will. I promise.” He rose to his knees and removed his shirt, then with Amy helping, he lowered his jeans, leaving his boxers.
With a low growl he pounced on her, grinding his erection against the outside of her soaked panties. It was so freaking hot. So sinfully delicious, and his movements were far from calm. His bare skin and faintly musky scent drew out her want as her fingers explored his body.
She plunged her tongue into his mouth and wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands gripping his neck. Heat flashed like a firestorm between them, igniting her every nerve.
Her breath caught and she broke the kiss, forcing him back. The look in his eyes was wild, lustful, unguarded.
His thumb swept her lower lip, made swollen by his kisses. “Amy, give all of yourself to me. Don’t hold back.”
There was no way she could deny him. She’d never been so drawn to a man before, especially one who showed his vulnerability, one who was afraid of being abandoned, who needed her to be complete.
“Teo,” she whispered her invitation. “Make me yours.”
He scooted down her body, his lips nipping a trail between her breasts and down to the junction of her thighs. His hands cupped her breasts as he nosed her panties, inhaling and moaning. Using his teeth, he tugged them down.
His hot breath licked flames over her clit before his mouth encircled it, licking and sucking.
“Ahhh!” Amy arched and pressed into him, her entire body alive to pleasure. Could this be it? Could he finally fulfill her?
As if the gods were laughing at her, the pleasure subsided with the rise of anxiety. Sweat popped over Amy’s brow. Teo’s tongue and lips teased, tangled, and moved up and down. Intense bolts shot through her. But how could he keep it up? It was too much. Too stimulating. Almost painful. She ached to release, to let it go, but what if she couldn’t?
She tensed and jerked her hips, hoping he wouldn’t notice her discomfort. Maybe she should let out a moan or a satisfied grunt.
Teo lifted his head and pierced her with his eyes. “You’re doing it again. Thinking and worrying. There’s this little observer in you that won’t let go. Is it the same when you’re acting?”
“Yes.” She slashed her forearm across her eyes, unwilling for him to see the pain, the ache of disappointment. “It’s why I suck as an actress.”
“No, you don’t.” He moved up her body and wrapped her in his arms. “Empty your mind, and go with me. Take yourself out. Let the sensations overflow you. Stop trying to control it.”
“What should I do?”
He grinned and took her hand, placing it over his hard cock. “Feel how much I want you. Get lost in me. Go ahead.”
She’d play with him. Learn his body and give him pleasure with no expectations. No judgments. She shut her mind and slipped his boxers down. She wouldn’t even describe what she saw, or what she did, except her mouth encircled his cock.
His moans and the way he gripped her head, his sexy scent, and the way his hips moved swept her into a heady thunderclap of passion. He let go, throbbing and sticky. He wasn’t self conscious as his eyes rolled back, his mouth oblong, his groans and heavy breathing ragged in his throat.
She’d done it. Giving him heaven on earth. Satisfied, she slipped her body over his and kissed him, the taste of him still in her mouth.
Chapter 23
If this was love, Teo was in way over his head. Never before had he been as obsessed over a woman’s pleasure as he was with Amy. Come to think of it, he hadn’t ever cared. He’d pushed the right buttons, made the correct sequence of motions, and they’d screamed in ecstasy on cue.
A chill grabbed him. What if they’d all been faking?
Maybe he wasn’t as awesome as he thought. Maybe his money covered up a multitude of sins. Teo’s ardor deflated along with his fading erection. He shouldn’t have come in her mouth. What was he thinking or not thinking?
“That was awesome,” Amy said, breaking the kiss. She licked her lips and smiled, as if she’d won a gold medal—which she had, because even if she didn’t know it, she’d just stolen his heart.
Teo clutched his chest. It was still there, beating, but dammit, it didn’t belong to him anymore.
“I love you, Amy.”
The words caught both of them by surprise. Teo gulped, coughed, and almost gagged. Amy slapped her hand to her mouth, her eyes popping wide.
He waited for a joke, a put down, a snide remark or a piece of snark to break the tension. But none came. Perhaps Amy was too kind hearted to crush him—crush the first time he’d ever told a woman he loved her.
She stroked his cheek, her eyes questioning. Her lips trembled and she said, “Thank you. I don’t even know what to say, but thank you.”
Her words crushed him anyway. “Thank you” was not what he wanted to hear after opening up his wounded heart and putting it on display.
Gently she kissed him, her eyes open, never leaving his. Then she hugged him and caressed him, long smooth strokes over his shoulders and on his back, softening the blow. She couldn’t say she loved him back because she didn’t. He couldn’t make her come, fulfill her and make love to her. He could only pay for her presence, but he could never capture her heart.
“Are you getting hungry?” She was still face to face with him, looking for all practical purposes like his lover. Yet he knew she was changing the subject. Turning the awkwardness into normality.
“Yes, let’s get dressed and have dinner. But first, I need to take you shopping because I sort of kidnapped you.”
“You did.” She smiled and tipped two fingers to his lips. “It was fun, though. Something I would have never done. Spontaneous, like you, to ride off to Napa. It’s something I’ll be telling my grandchildren someday.”
Not a hint he would even be in the picture. ‘My’ grandchildren and not ‘our’ grandchildren. Teo cleared his throat and rose from the bed. “We ought to do this more often.”
“We should, especially since you’re ahead two to nothing.”
Ouch. The woman was keeping score.
“Night’s still young.” He pulled her from the bed and fondled her breasts. “It’s not over until you’re all shopped out and thoroughly wined and dined.”
* * *
Gag! Amy could kill herself. When she said “two-to-nothing” she was thinking about kidnapping and surprises, not the fact he’d had two orgasms to her big, fat zero.
And here Teo was being so sweet. She rushed to kiss and reassure him. “I meant surprises. You’ve surprised me twice.”
“You don’t have to pay me back.” He grinned cockily, his confidence seemingly restored. “Let’s go before the shops close. I want to buy you a dress, shoes, purse, and all the jewelry you can wear.”
“Actually, why don’t we call in for dinner. I’m really grungy from the ride and I’m not fit to be seen in public.”
She didn’t want to owe him even more. Have him feel he had to buy her affection.
“You have extra underwear? Your toothbrush? Anything?”
“Of course not. I’m not usually prepared to be swept away by a handsome guy on a bike.”
“Okay, then let’s hit the shower and I’ll order us some clothes. Have them delivered.”
“You can do that?”
“I have a personal concierge service. He’ll make the calls and it’ll happen. Shoe size, dress size? Underwear preference or you’ll go without?”
“Okay, sounds great. Include a pair of lacey thongs, bright red. Mia has my measurement
s and sizes, but I can forward them to you too.” She pulled her cell phone from her purse. Strange how they could segue from awkward to conversational at the flip of a switch. Perhaps Teo had some acting talent too.
“Got it.” He fingered his phone after receiving her message. “Mind if I shower first? I need to make a few stops before dinner arrives. How does Wagyu steak with lobster claws and black truffles sound?”
“Heavenly.” Her eyes tracked him as he draped a towel over his shoulder and stepped into the no doubt luxurious bathroom.
Must be nice to be super rich. Amy relaxed into the soft, plush pillows and raised her hands stretching. She hadn’t even checked out the luxuriously decorated room, the antique pieces, the art on the wall and the sumptuous drapes and eggshell vases.
She closed her eyes and replayed what had happened. It was a habit to see if she’d captured the right emotions, performed the correct gestures to portray a scene. Except she hadn’t been acting, at least she wasn’t sure.
He definitely wasn’t acting when he’d blurted that he loved her. Could it be true? Or had he been carried away with the way she’d made him feel. Amy hugged the pillow Teo had lain on. If only she could lose herself, stop analyzing and critiquing. Just let go and trust.
No seat belts! Let the chips fall wherever, even if her heart was crushed flatter than road kill. What chance would she ever have again to be loved by a man so real, so in the moment, daring, brave, and a bit crazy?
Her phone rang. Groaning, Amy swiped it to answer. It was Peter, her agent and roommate.
“How’d Germany go? I heard you cancelled out and had to leave early.”
“My father had a triple bypass.”
“They’re holding back payment.”
“What?” Amy’s calm mood disintegrated. “Ronaldo has to pay me for what I did. Teo and I went ziplining. They filmed it.”
“Apparently, they couldn’t get a full episode out of it since you diva’ed out of the prelude, the seduction interruptus they’d planned.”
“Did you see the dress they wanted me to wear? My parents would freak. Basically, a few strips of red cloth.”
“Come on, you’re an actress.”
“Not a porn star.” Amy kicked the mattress. “Besides, I was supposed to tease Teo and reject him on camera.”
“So? It’s part of your job. Anyway, Ronaldo’s giving you one last chance to get paid. You’re either on the plane to Indiana, or they’re cancelling all of it, including the episodes already filmed.”
“I’m not sure I can go. My father needs home care after the operation.”
“What? I don’t believe this.” Peter’s voice screeched. “Isn’t he the guy who wants you to quit acting and move back home? I can’t believe you’re going to give it all up.”
“He doesn’t want me to give it up. I want to stay with him. I have to.”
“This is looney tunes, Ames. You’ll end up working in his office as a receptionist. The very thing you dreaded.”
“He needs me. He’s my father.”
“Anyway, I also called because you have an audition with Altamount Pictures. The Dark Samurai is a fantasy series on the scope of The Game of Thrones. It’s extremely popular in Japan. You’re auditioning for the role of Akiko, the daughter of the lord daimyo.”
Amy sank to her knees. “Seriously? How did that come about?”
“Ronaldo showed the tapes of you and Teo to his grandmother and she thinks you’re perfect. You can’t pass this up, Amy. Can you make it here by tomorrow evening?”
“For an audition? My father’s still in the hospital a few more days. I guess I can sneak away.”
“This is big. If you get the part, who cares about Romancing the Racer, right?” Peter’s voice calmed and he chuckled.
“True. When does this series start?”
“They won’t be done casting until end of the year. Call me when you get in. I’ll pick you up from the airport.”
“Thanks, Peter. Thanks so much.” She hung up, and stared at the sunburst painting over the bed. Unbelievable. This was her big break. If she got the role, she could still take care of her father while learning her lines. Everything was panning out perfect.
“Hey, did I just hear what I thought I heard?” Teo dried himself as he exited the bathroom. The bed sagged under his weight.
Amy turned and met his curious gaze. “Yes, I have a chance for an epic fantasy series. Daughter of a warlord.”
“Wow, that’s great.” He reached over and pulled her into his arms. “When does it start? Would you still be able to finish Romancing the Racer?”
She twisted the bedspread and swallowed. “I’m not sure. My father needs me.”
* * *
Teo watched the waiter set the table while Amy was in the shower. Dread weighed heavy on his heart. Amy didn’t need him anymore. She was on her way to an epic fantasy series, a start to a long running and successful acting career. There was no amount of money he could give her to make her stay with him. She’d shown that when she’d pledged the entire twenty thousand to the Wishes Come True Foundation.
He’d have to close his heart and take it back from her. He didn’t need her. He had Oba-Chan, Tasha, Mia, and his friends. Plenty of women threw themselves at him. He could find another one to take her place easily.
Except his stubborn heart wouldn’t let go. Her perfumed scent lingered in the room, and her kindness infused him with longing. It had to work. He couldn’t go back to Oba-chan and admit failure. Even worse, he couldn’t stand the future of empty nights and lonely days. Amy was his missing half, his soul mate. He could no longer go back to filling his emptiness with random females, parties, and thrills. He had to convince her he was the one meant for her. Failure was not an option.
The waiter lit the candles and placed the food on warming trays. He uncorked the wine and poured Teo a glass. “Anything else?”
“Everything’s perfect.” Teo tipped him a wad of bills.
After the waiter left, Teo arranged a diamond necklace designed with the square spirals of the Greek key pattern inside a box of chocolate truffles, weaving it amongst the round and square candies. He popped a piece of chocolate in his mouth and dropped the matching diamond earrings in its place.
The bathroom door cracked open and Amy peeked out. “Everything ready?”
“Yes, come on out. Let me feast my eyes on you.”
Amy stepped out wearing the fuchsia colored cowl neck dress he’d selected for her. The fabric was so sheer he could see the outlines of her breasts. She modeled it for him, turning and walking away from him.
Yow. Those firm butt cheeks over her shapely slender legs were definitely for his eyes only.
He shot her a wolf whistle and rubbed his chin, checking her out up and down. “You’re missing something.”
Amy rolled her eyes and wagged her fingers. “I even did my nails. Haven’t chewed on them in ages.”
“Ha, didn’t realize you did that.”
“You didn’t?” Her eyes crinkled with amusement. “The day I met you, I’d dipped my fingertips in Tabasco sauce. That’s why I couldn’t remove my contacts.”
“Oh …” Teo couldn’t help the big grin. “I owe it all to nail biting and hot sauce.”
“My eyes were swollen for days.” Amy winked. “And so were my lips.”
Ah ha. She hadn’t been as upset as she’d seemed. Teo leaned forward and offered her a golden box. “Have some chocolate.”
“I never eat dessert before dinner.” She lifted the lid of a silver platter and sniffed the savory aroma.
“Have you ever kissed after eating chocolate?” He opened the box to display the jewelry nestled inside. “I recommend you try a piece of dark chocolate, a sip of Pinot Noir, instant nirvana.”
“Diamonds?” Amy’s mouth dropped wide and she gasped. “These are too good for me. Too expensive.”
“Nothing’s too precious for the woman I love.” He unclasped the necklace and wound it around her neck. �
��You want me to stick the earrings on or will you find the right holes?”
Amy rolled her eyes and plucked the diamond dripping earrings from the candy box. She stood in front of the dresser mirror, her eyes sparkling, glittering like the diamonds, her expression radiant with joy. “Thank you, Teo. I love these.”
Yes! Teo’s heart warmed. She had no clue she’d accepted a family heirloom. The necklace and earrings were a gift from his Greek grandfather to Oba-chan more than fifty years ago.
* * *
This was a dream date. Perfect. From the Sevruga caviar to the heirloom tomato salad with squash blossoms, Burrata cheese and Kalamata olives to the main entrée, Amy was in culinary heaven.
Add to that, she had to fend off a charming billionaire bad boy serving her wine and pushing sinfully delicious mascarpone polenta onto her already burgeoning plate of mesquite grilled Wagyu steak and Scottish lobster claws.
Amy swirled the wine and inhaled, enjoying the fragrance and bouquet of the impossibly expensive wine. She couldn’t figure Teo out—a sophisticated man, a player of epic proportions, if what the scandal sheets said about him were true, and a breakneck daredevil racer. How could he truly love her when he had all the money in the world? Perhaps he played the part, craved the drama, and paid off broken hearts with cash and gifts.
“Tell me, Teo.” She sipped the wine. “What made you become a racer? I know your grandmother bought you a pocket bike when you were three, and you practically grew up racing. But at some point, you must have decided to keep going.”
“It’s important to me, an escape.” His eyes grew larger, serious and he set his fork down. “When I’m out there on the track, I forget who I am. Nothing matters except for the moment. Everything happens so fast that if I thought about it, I’d react too late and crash out. I’m calm as a sniper, every heartbeat measured, every muscle twitch controlled. But there’s nothing like breaking for daylight, leaving the pack, and I’m flying, not me, but the bike is taking me for a ride. There’s nothing like it.”
Roaring Hot! (Contemporary Romance): A Billionaire Biker Romance Page 17