by Karen Booth
“You can start by making peace with Liam. You two have some things to work out and I’d like it taken care of before you head back to Seattle tomorrow morning.”
“Certainly. I’ll track him down,” she responded, then continued down the hall.
Nadia couldn’t help but wonder what that exchange had been about, but she needed to focus on controlling herself. Her desire to take off Matt’s shirt right now was overwhelming. She couldn’t stop looking at the buttons of his shirt, her fingers twitching at the thought. “I heard the TBG story went away,” she said quietly.
He nodded and placed his hand on her back, sending waves of warmth though her. “Come inside. This isn’t a conversation for the hallway.”
Nadia froze for a moment, knowing exactly how she was going to feel the minute they were alone.
“It’s okay, Nadia. I won’t bite.”
She blew out a frustrated breath and breezed past him. “I know that.”
As soon as the door was closed, he took her hand. “That is unless you want me to.”
Five
Here they were, all alone, no one to bother them. “Matt, I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I could have found a nicer way to say what I did. I don’t want you to think I regret last night.”
“You sure? I’d rather you just be honest with me if you’re really feeling that way. I’m big on honesty. You should know that by now.” His voice was a low, sexy rumble that shook Nadia to her core.
“I do not regret it. Scout’s honor.”
“Good. I would hate that.” He stretched his arms above his head and yawned, his biceps straining against his shirtsleeves. It was one of the sexiest things a man had ever done in her presence.
“You tired?” she asked.
“Exhausted. Somebody kept me up until four thirty in the morning.” His eyebrows bobbed up and down.
“And it nearly ended up being an international incident.”
He shrugged. “I’ve seen worse. And even better, it’s gone now. No one from the office has said anything to you, have they?”
Teresa wasn’t really a coworker, so she let it go and shook her head. “No. Crisis averted, I guess.”
“So that’s that, then. We go back to the way things were before. We don’t say anything about it. We pretend like it doesn’t exist?”
All she could think about was that she didn’t want to go back to the way things were before. She didn’t want to pretend like it hadn’t happened, even when she knew that was the sensible thing to do. “I’m worried I haven’t fully gotten you out of my system.”
He grinned and walked across the room, then poured them each a drink. “You already know I haven’t gotten you out of mine. I told you as much earlier.” He turned and handed her a glass, clinking his with hers. “Here’s to a woman with all the power.”
Nadia took a sip for courage, wondering if that was really true. Could she have a man like Matt at her beck and call? Was it as simple as telling him she wanted him? Her heart was beating so fiercely at the prospect that it was threatening to march its way outside of her body. “So I’m calling the shots here?”
“Whatever you want.” He took a sip of his drink, but he didn’t take his eyes off her. When he set his glass back on the table, he stepped closer. “We’re all alone.”
Everything about him was so overwhelming—his woodsy cologne, his hair begging to be touched and her knowledge of what his chest looked like out of that shirt. “I do like that thing you do with your mouth.” She bit her lower lip as soon as she’d said it. She’d never uttered anything so bold to a man, but it was freeing to be honest.
“This?” He placed the softest tease of a kiss on her lips, making her light-headed.
“That’s a good start.”
“Or maybe I should kiss you somewhere else.” He popped the buttons of her blouse free, one by one. His determined fingers traveled lower, while want and need were the strongest forces at work in her body. He peeled back her blouse and slipped her bra strap from her shoulder. Pulling the lacy cup down from her breast, he lowered his head and drew her nipple into his mouth, gripping her rib cage with both of his firm hands.
Nadia gasped. He swirled his tongue. Her skin puckered and drew tight. She dug her fingers into his thick hair. “Both. Please. Now.”
“Wait. One more.”
A clever and slightly devious smile crossed his lips. He dragged his hands down her waist to her hips, dropping to his knees. He slipped his fingers under the hem of her skirt and pushed up the fabric, gathering it as he went, palms flat against her thighs. Nadia could hardly believe what was happening—one of the most brilliant and powerful men in the world was about to pleasure her. His eyes swirled darker and he tugged her black lace panties to one side, leaving her bare to him. He nestled his face between her legs, his tongue finding her apex. A jolt of electricity hit her so hard her legs nearly buckled. She reached for the back of the chair behind her, but that only gave him better access. He had her at his mercy. She would give him anything he wanted.
“Matt, please. I want it all. I want you.” Even in the moment, wrapped up in the urgency of wanting him naked and the heat that was coursing between her legs, she couldn’t escape the weight of her words. She wanted it all—this magnificent man and the amazing job that went along with him.
“Good.” He rose to standing and took her hand, leading her to the bedroom while he used his free hand to untuck his shirt. They stepped inside the gloriously appointed room and Nadia took charge, turning him around with a tug on his hand. They smashed their bodies and mouths against each other. Tongues swirling. Hot and wet. Her fingers scrambled through the buttons of his shirt and she pushed the garment off his shoulders, never letting the contact of their lips break. Next were his pants, which fell to the floor. Matt stepped out and pulled on her elbows, walking backward to the bed. He sat on the corner of the mattress.
“Why are you still wearing so many clothes?”
She laughed quietly. “Because someone hasn’t taken them off yet.”
“It’s impossible to get good help these days. Let me start with that skirt.” With a twirl of his finger, he invited her to turn her back to him. He drew down the zipper, then the skirt and finally her panties, all the way to her ankles. A groan escaped his lips. She loved hearing that noise, knowing that he wanted her. “The shoes stay on,” he said.
She looked back at Matt over her shoulder. His normally bright eyes were dark with desire. “Yes, sir.” She bent over and carefully stepped out of the panties while Matt cupped her bottom with his hands and got an eyeful in the process. She straightened and turned in his arms, wearing only her bra and black stilettos.
Still sitting, Matt wrapped one arm around her waist and pressed soft open-mouth kisses against her belly while dragging his fingers up the inside of her thighs. Everything she had been feeling that morning was tenfold now. Her thighs weren’t merely on fire. They felt like they would never cool down. He spread her folds with his fingers and pressed his thumb against her center, working in circles and making her dizzy. She reached behind and unhooked her bra, casting it aside. She raised one leg to give him better access, planting her foot on the bed. She’d never felt so sexy in her entire life. Matt slid a finger inside her, his thumb still applying the perfect amount of pressure.
“I love how wet you get for me.” Matt slipped a second finger inside, slowly gliding deeper.
“Honestly? Just being around you makes me wet.” It was so liberating to let go of these things she normally held so tightly in her head. She dug one hand into his hair and with the other cupped her own breast, rolling her nipple between her fingertips. The pleasure coiled between her legs. Matt had her so close.
Matt groaned again. “Seeing you touch yourself is so hot.”
The pressure was becoming too much. She was having a hard time keeping her eyes open
. “I’m going to come if you aren’t careful.”
“Just let go. I want to watch you unravel. Then I’ll do it to you again.”
That was all she needed. She sucked in a breath and the orgasm rolled through her, her muscles drawing tight and releasing. Again. And again. She looked down at Matt and their gazes connected, hot and intense, as the waves of pleasure continued. She lowered her head and kissed him slowly and deeply, telling him just how incredible that had been. “Your fingers are amazing, but I want to feel you inside me,” she muttered against his lips. “I want you holding me down against the bed.”
“That’s what I want, too. I’ll get a condom.” Matt sprang up from the bed and Nadia tugged back the fluffy white duvet, then took her few seconds of alone time to arrange herself seductively on the bed, lying on her side, black heels a sexy contrast to the bright white of the bedding.
When Matt reappeared, he was a vision, and a naked one at that—long legs, firm muscles and abs she wanted to outline with her tongue. He tossed her the foil packet and she tore it open as he set a knee on the mattress. She reached out and wrapped her hand around his rock-hard erection, stroking firmly and rolling her thumb over the swollen tip. Matt closed his eyes and placed his hands on his hips, jutting them forward. Nadia scooted closer on the bed and took him in her mouth, her tongue pressing against the underside of his length. She felt the tension in his pelvis. She wanted every ounce of energy he was holding back. The need was centered between her legs, but she needed him on an even more primal level, like she was hardwired to want him. Unable to wait any longer, she gently let go and rolled on the condom.
She rolled to her back and spread her legs wide for him. Matt climbed onto the bed and positioned himself between her knees. He took his length in hand and lowered himself, slowly driving inside. Inch by inch she learned all over again how perfect a fit he was. This was even more sublime than it had been last night. She was no longer wrapped up in surprise. She could enjoy it, and she did, relishing every artful rotation of his hips. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him in closer, feeling at one with him. His strokes were deep and strong, already aiming her straight for her peak. She was so torn. She loved to look at him, but it took so much strength to keep her eyes open. She pivoted her hips to let him go even deeper. Closer. But that’s when the pressure started to become too much to take. She sucked in a sharp breath and Matt’s breathing grew choppy and short. He dropped to his elbows, planted them above her shoulders and burrowed his face in her neck. He kissed the sensitive skin beneath her ear, licking then nipping at her lobe. Meanwhile, he employed the most glorious rocking of his hips, which doubled the hot friction against her center. Every pass had her a little bit closer, but she wanted to wait for him. She wanted them to reach this point together.
“Are you close?” she asked.
“Mmm-hmm,” he groaned. “Very.”
Nadia focused on holding on, but after a few more strokes, it became too much and she gave way. That was apparently enough for Matt. He followed right behind, pulsing inside her as she felt her own body grab on to his. Everything had fallen into rhythm—breaths and heartbeats, kisses and moans. Matt pulled back his head and smoothed her hair from her face. He kissed her deeply as the final delicious swells of satisfaction rolled through her. She knew then that this was way more than sex or a mind-blowing orgasm. It was like she was rolling around on a cloud, floating up in space, light as air.
“You’re amazing.” He dotted her collarbone with dozens of kisses, then rolled to her side.
“You’re the amazing one.” She curled into him, pressing her lips against his chest and drawing in his perfectly masculine smell. She knew she shouldn’t feel so content in his arms. So happy.
“I want you to stay the night. No one will have to see you sneaking out. We can be together. All night. Until morning.”
She smiled, but on the inside her heart was breaking. She knew this wasn’t right. They couldn’t continue like this. Their day away from the office was a fantasy. As soon as reality crept back in, this connection she had with Matt would go up in smoke. “Until morning. Sounds perfect.”
* * *
Matt had asked Liam to experience as much of The Opulence as he could during his brief overnight stay. Liam was nothing but a good friend, so he’d holed up in the bar, enjoying a manhattan and taking note of the ambience and amenities. There were several dozen people around, mostly couples enjoying the multitude of fireplaces and cozy places to sit, while off in the dark, Centennial Falls continued its endless churn.
Liam had found a quiet corner booth in the bartender’s direct line of vision so he could signal for a refill. At the table next to his, a man and woman were kissing. Liam had never understood public displays of affection. He didn’t believe in putting on a show. Still, he felt a pang of jealousy. He wished he could tune out the rest of the world like that. Get lost in a woman. Take a break from the endless cycle of work, work and more work.
He finished his drink and decided he couldn’t stomach any more time spent alone while things were heating up at the next table. He was about to slide out of the booth when in walked Teresa St. Claire. He froze, unsure whether he should try to sneak out or stay put and hope she wandered off elsewhere.
And then there was a third option—sit back and admire her. She still hadn’t spotted him and he would’ve been lying if he’d said he wasn’t enjoying watching her. She’d changed clothes and was now wearing a showstopper of a dress—black, off both shoulders and hugging every curve. Her blond hair was up in a high ponytail and he could imagine how much fun it might be to tug on it. He still wasn’t sure what to make of her. The few times he’d had his investigator look into someone, he’d gotten at least an initial report lightning-fast. Usually within an hour. Not with Teresa. Everything discovered so far was the stuff he already knew. Dig deeper, he’d told his investigator. Everyone had dirt. Everyone.
Teresa turned in his direction and caught sight of him. She wasted no time and sauntered toward him, hips in full sway. “There you are.” She looked down at him, perfect eyebrows arched high, crimson lips pursed.
Liam struggled to find an appropriate response. Matt had told him to make peace. “You found me out. I’m in the bar, drinking too much.”
She set her clutch handbag on the table. “Scoot over, okay?”
He did as she asked and she slid into the bench seat right next to him. Her perfume hit him first, something he hadn’t noticed earlier when he’d been so angry. It was sweet and soft, everything he wasn’t. “Can I get you a drink?” he asked.
“What are you having? Or I guess I should say what were you having?” She picked up his empty glass and rattled the ice.
“A manhattan.”
“How very stodgy and old-fashioned of you.” She smiled, letting him know she was only having fun.
“It’s a classic.”
“Fine. I’ll have one, too.”
Liam flagged the bartender, flashed him two fingers and pointed at his empty glass. “To what do I owe this visit? Were you seriously looking for me?”
“Matt wants us to iron out our differences and I do everything Matt says. This job is very important to me.”
Just when he was starting to relax, the reality of the job before them hit hard. “He expressed the same sentiments to me. He’d like us to at least make peace.” Liam still wasn’t sure how he felt about the idea. He’d been holding on to ill feelings toward her for years. Her physical presence was certainly helping to soften his opinion of her, though. He could admit that much.
The waiter brought the drinks from the bar, removed Liam’s empty and then moved away to give them privacy.
Teresa held up her glass to toast. “To peacemaking.”
Liam wasn’t convinced it was possible, but this was his third drink so he was certainly more optimistic than he’d been an hour or two ago.
Teresa stirred her drink, stabbing at the ice cubes, then sat back and looked at Liam. They were shoulder to shoulder, arms touching. He admired the exposed contours of her collarbone, the shimmer of her skin. She was stunning. On any other day, with any other woman who looked like her, Liam would have been making a concerted effort to seduce her. Not Teresa. He might be tempted but he wasn’t stupid.
“So. Tell me why you hate me,” she said.
“That’s a question straight out of high school if ever I heard one.”
“It wasn’t a question, it was a directive, and I’m sorry if my getting to the point bothers you, but I’d just like to know what the hell happened today.”
He pressed his lips together tightly, choking back the grumble in his throat. He needed to come out with it and find a way to get past it, at least temporarily. “Your relationship with my father was the beginning of the end of my parents’ marriage. Now neither of them is happy, especially not my dad, who had to move out of the house and is now even more of a workaholic than he used to be.”
“My relationship with your dad was a two-way street. I never forced him to take me under his wing. And he approached me. I was too intimidated by him to say a thing.” She took another sip. “And almost no one intimidates me.”
“Take you under his wing? Is that what we’re calling it? I’m not a fan of that particular spin, honestly. Let’s call it what it was. An affair.”
Teresa clunked her glass down on the table and shot him a look that was equal parts insulted and astonished. “An affair?” she asked, a little too loudly.
“Hold your voice. People are looking.” Liam shifted in his seat. “I can’t afford to have an argument with a beautiful woman in a public place. Some idiot with a camera phone will make my life a living nightmare.”
“I did not have an affair with your father. That’s a lie. I don’t know who told you that, but it’s not true.”