by Susanna Carr
He was wary. She should have expected it. She thought he would jump at the chance to be with her, no questions asked. She didn’t want his caution. She wanted him so overwhelmed with desire that he would do anything to fulfill his fantasy. Anything to fulfill hers.
“I want you, Cooper.” It felt like a risk to say it, to admit to her weakness. She understood why he was holding back. She could use his desire for her gain. What did she need to do to make him believe that this was real? That her only goal was to give and receive pleasure? “I want you in my bed,” she continued. “Naked. Underneath me. Deep inside me and...”
He slapped his big hands on the door frame and leaned close. “So help me, Serena. If this is some kind of mind game...”
“I’m very serious,” she promised as she tossed her evening bag on the table next to the door. She kicked off her shoes and was suddenly much shorter than Cooper.
It should have made her feel vulnerable. She was used to wearing heels so she could directly meet a man’s gaze. But the way Cooper was looking at her, the way he watched every move she made, she knew she was the one with the power.
And she wasn’t going to lose it tonight. This was her decision and her territory, Serena reminded herself. She still had the file on his father and he wouldn’t do anything to displease her. She was in total control. After tonight, they would be equals.
No, worse, Serena thought. After tonight she would have no power over him.
Tonight was the night. The only night she could have him. She would sleep with Cooper, discover the pleasure only he could give her, and then she would leave Portugal tomorrow. She could lower her guard temporarily and remain unscathed.
“Come inside, cowboy.” Her invitation sounded husky to her ears.
His eyes narrowed at the nickname. Did he notice when she used it? She didn’t even think about it now. It came out whenever she was nervous or emotional and trying not to show it.
“This seems too good to be true,” he muttered.
“What you see is what you get,” Serena said as she removed one of the heavy chandelier earrings and set it next to the table. “But this offer isn’t going to last.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why not?”
She removed the other earring. “Because I’m leaving tomorrow and we probably won’t see each other again.”
He gave her a thunderous look. “Not if I have anything to do with it, sweetheart.”
Trepidation trickled down her spine. He spoke quietly but with authority. Maybe she had overestimated her power over Cooper. No, she decided as she saw the lust pulling at his features. She was still in control. She had the power over him.
“Are you saying no to me?” Her question was a taunt as she pushed the fragile strap of her gown over her shoulder. She held her breath as she slid it down her arm, allowing the fabric to gape and reveal her naked breasts.
Cooper growled at the back of his throat before he surged into the room. He kicked the door closed. Her stomach tightened with excitement as he thrust his hands into her hair and kissed her hard.
She ripped off his tie and pulled at his fine linen shirt before she found his hot, smooth skin. Her hands were clumsy, her movements awkward as she bumped and collided against him. She heard him kicking off his shoes. Sliding her hands along the soft hair on his chest, she felt the heavy beat of his heart.
She did this to him. She made him hot and reckless.
Cooper’s hand trembled as he shoved the bodice of her dress to her waist. He cupped her naked breast and his calloused hand grazed her tight nipple. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and leaned her back. She didn’t like how she had to rely on him for balance and was about to tell him when he took the tip of her breast in his mouth.
Her gasp echoed in the room as her knees buckled. She hadn’t felt like this before. Overwhelmed. Overpowered. She couldn’t let that happen. Not with Cooper Brock. He was the one man who was strong enough to stand up to her, take care of her or tear her down.
She felt her dress fall to the floor with a whoosh. She stood in front of Cooper in nothing but ivory lace panties. Everything was moving too fast. They were still in the sitting room of her hotel suite. She was almost naked and all of his clothes were still on.
“Wait,” she said past her swollen lips. She felt Cooper fight for control over his body. His muscles shuddered like a racehorse at the gate.
“Serena.” He said her name as if it was a raw plea. A prayer.
She grabbed at his waist. Her fingers fumbled as she unbuckled his belt and unzipped his trousers before pushing his clothes off his legs. Cooper shucked off his tuxedo jacket and wrenched off his cummerbund and shirt with such speed that it momentarily stunned her.
Serena’s core clenched as she gazed at his masculine beauty. She guided Cooper to a nearby chair. “Sit down,” she commanded as she hooked her fingers against the lace panties and dragged them off her legs.
She stood before Cooper. The way he looked at her was intoxicating. He made her feel more than beautiful. She felt like a goddess.
Cooper reached for her waist and she quickly straddled his hips. His hands were everywhere as he caressed her, his expression dazed, his eyes unfocused, as she responded to his touch. She knew that the power she held over him was tenuous. He was bigger and stronger and, more important, he knew just how to touch her. Cooper could drive her wild and out of control with a long kiss.
She longed for his mouth all over her but she knew it was a dangerous path. She wanted Cooper but on her terms. Under her control. Serena grasped his throbbing erection in her hands. She moaned as she felt the heat and hardness under her palms. She watched him squeeze his eyes shut as he fought for control.
She lifted her hips and pressed the tip of his penis against her. Cooper was dragging air into his lungs and she sensed he wanted to thrust deep inside her. Serena smiled. She had this magnificent beast tamed. He would do anything to please her.
Serena slowly lowered herself onto him. Her breath hissed between her teeth. Heat washed over her as he slowly stretched and filled her. She saw the way he clenched his jaw, the chords straining in his neck. She felt his hands bite into her hips as he guided her slowly.
She rocked her hips as her skin tingled. Cooper groaned and tossed his head back. She flattened her hands on his shoulders as she began to ride him. He opened his eyes, his hands clenching her buttocks as she found a ferocious rhythm.
The wildness caught her blood and she couldn’t stop. Cooper’s hands were no longer holding her back and instead urging her on. She couldn’t look away from his silver eyes as the climax ripped through her. She cried out as Cooper gave a fierce thrust. The pleasure was incandescent as she heard his hoarse shout of release before she tumbled on top of him.
* * *
“I am perfectly capable of walking,” Serena said stiffly as he carried her into the bedroom.
“I don’t mind.” Cooper grinned at her surly attitude. She had been soft and warm a few moments ago. Then he had made the mistake of lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed. He should have known that she wouldn’t have appreciated the gesture. She didn’t like the loss of control and power. Serena didn’t want to rely on anyone in any way.
“I mind,” she retorted as he laid her down. She looked mystified when he joined her in the wide bed. “It’s okay if you need to go to your room. I’m not one of those women who needs to be held all night.”
Cooper watched the tension in her face. Instead of being insatiable, Serena wanted him to leave. That had never happened to him before. Most women wanted to cling to him for the rest of the night. Was she regretting what they just shared or was she uncomfortable about sleeping next to him?
He rolled over, his stomach pressing against hers. He braced his arms on the mattress and peered down into her gold eyes. “You shouldn�
�t leave Portugal tomorrow. We still have paperwork to sign.”
She frowned at him. “We don’t need to do that together.”
“Stay,” he whispered. “Just a couple more days.”
Serena stared at his mouth and parted her lips. She suddenly shook her head. “I have to get back home. I’ve been gone too long.”
He didn’t think that was the only reason. She had to get away because of what had just happened between them. She thought that she could enslave him with the passion. Only she found out that he could do the same to her. That scared the hell out of her.
“I can make you stay,” he drawled.
Serena gave him a cold look. He wondered if she knew it, too. “Are you going to hold me against my will?”
“I don’t need to,” he said with a smile. “You’re going to agree that remaining in Portugal is the best option. And you’re going to promise that you will stay until all the paperwork is in order.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You’re very sure of yourself.”
No, he was sure of how Serena responded to his touch. “And while you’re at it,” he said as he slid his hand between her legs, “you’re going to beg for me to stay the rest of the night.”
“Cooper, this has gone...”
Her eyes widened when he cupped her sex. She seemed surprised that she was still hungry for his touch. Ravenous. Her body was already primed for him. She shouldn’t be shy about it. He wasn’t hiding the fact that he needed her again, his erection painfully hard.
Cooper placed a kiss at the base of her throat while he caressed her with his fingers. “You were saying?”
She swallowed hard and gave a smooth roll of her hips. “You...you need to...”
He placed another kiss in the valley of her breasts. “I need to stay right here with you?” he said as her flesh gripped his fingers. “Is that what you were going to say?”
She started to pant. She punched the mattress with her fist. “Damn it, Cooper.”
He bent his head and placed his mouth on her sex. Serena’s hips vaulted off the mattress. He teased her with his tongue and his lips as her pleasure rippled under her skin. She let out a shuddering moan as he tasted her. Her resistance didn’t last long. Serena grabbed his hair and guided him even closer.
“More,” she said in a whimper as she bucked her hips.
He gave her what she wanted. He couldn’t deny her this. He wouldn’t deny himself the joy of watching her. Serena chanted his name as she climaxed hard. Her body convulsed as he continued to pleasure her. He wanted to make it go on and on.
“Please, Cooper,” she said.
“Tell me what you want, Serena.” He wanted to see the anticipation tighten her body and the desire glow from her eyes as she told him exactly what she needed.
She shifted restlessly underneath him. “I need you inside me.”
He needed it, too. He was desperate to drive into her wet heat and bury himself deep inside her. “I thought you wanted me to leave,” he teased.
She gripped his shoulders, holding him close. “Don’t leave.”
“Are you sure?” he asked as he knelt between her legs. “You said...”
She wrapped her legs around him, her thighs clenching his hips. “Stay,” she pleaded.
He knew how much it cost her to ask. Beg. It had been difficult for her to admit how much she longed for him. And yet, he knew she was still holding back. He pressed the tip of his penis against her entrance. Cooper felt the sweat drip from his skin as he paused. “I need more than that, Serena.”
She tossed her head from side to side. “Stay the night.” The plea tore from her lips as she rocked her hips against him.
Cooper knew that was all he was going to get. Serena wouldn’t yield any more than that. And he was only human. His restraint was legendary but he couldn’t hold out for much longer.
He plunged into her and her flesh gripped him tight. She went wild underneath him. He couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. As the white-hot sensations washed over him, Cooper knew that this was all that mattered.
He would do everything in his power to be with Serena.
CHAPTER TEN
THE MORNING WAS hot and sunny as Cooper headed back to the hotel from the beach. The walk did nothing to improve his sour mood. He couldn’t find Serena anywhere.
He passed a woman in a big hat and long colorful sundress heading to the beach. She lowered her sunglasses and shook her head at his wrinkled tuxedo shirt. He didn’t care. He didn’t have time to change from his evening clothes, not when he knew that Serena planned to leave Portugal today. Knowing that she had snuck out of bed.
Why did she leave? Out of her own room? He had been tempted to stay in the luxurious suite until she had to return to get her things, but that required a level of patience he didn’t have. He was going to find her, confront her and set down the rules. Cooper’s mouth twisted as he imagined Serena’s response. Anticipation pulsed in his veins. She was going to fight back every step of the way.
Cooper heard the harsh chime of his cell phone. He retrieved it from his tuxedo trousers and frowned when he recognized the number. It was rare for his father to call and he immediately answered. “Dad, is something wrong? Is Mom okay?”
“She’s fine.” Aaron Brock dismissed the questions with his typical brash attitude. “I’ve come up with a plan to take care of that Dominguez woman.”
Dread settled heavily in his stomach. He did not want his father anywhere near Serena. Aaron Brock was retired but that didn’t mean he was declawed. “That’s not necessary,” he replied coolly. “I’ve taken care of it.”
“Do you have the file she mentioned?”
Agitation sharpened his father’s tone. His dad was worried and was trying not to show it. Would Aaron feel better if he knew Cooper was risking his own reputation to save his father’s? Probably not. Cooper had been born and raised to serve the empire. How it was done didn’t matter as long as it was successful.
Cooper stopped walking and turned to face the deep blue ocean. He inhaled sharply, drawing in the briny scent of the water. “I will.”
“Will?” Aaron barked out the word. “You’re going to take her on her word?”
Yes, he was. He believed Serena when she said her need for revenge was over. He wanted to believe her, yet he suspected she was looking for a reason to use her biggest weapon. She was waiting for him to fail her.
But his father wouldn’t understand that. Instincts only went so far and didn’t compare to cold, hard facts. Cooper wasn’t going to lie, but he wasn’t above using the art of distraction. “I will also have the Alves land deal.”
“Good.” Satisfaction permeated the older man’s voice. “And what did you do to silence her?”
He had no idea. The logical arguments and the seduction had backfired. “It’s not your concern anymore.”
“It’s very much my concern,” his father argued. “This Dominguez woman is trying to tarnish my name. My legacy. Bring down our family.”
“You mean she is trying to bring down the empire. But she won’t. She can’t. Serena Dominguez doesn’t have that much power,” Cooper said. Serena could cause damage but Cooper had strengthened the company to withstand an onslaught. “Our family would be fine if this information got out.”
“The family and the business are all the same,” his father declared.
Cooper closed his eyes as his grip tightened on his phone. “No, it’s not.” One day he was going to prove that his father was wrong. He wasn’t sure if he would be an example. He knew how to love but he had learned he wasn’t lovable. The women in his life had been more interested in the lifestyle he could provide than sharing a life with him. His parents wanted nothing more than for him to preserve their legacy.
Those who were closest to him only wan
ted him to succeed in business. And yet, he wanted something else. He wanted more. Cooper didn’t realize his restlessness and his drive to make one deal after the other was to ignore the emptiness in his life. It was only when he was with Serena and saw how her revenge consumed her that he noticed he was heading down the same path. His need to succeed, to constantly prove his worth, was destroying him.
“What’s gotten into you, son? Has she turned your head? I wouldn’t blame you,” his father said. “I’ve been looking into her and I see why she has the Brazilian Bombshell nickname.”
Alarm shot through Cooper. “Leave her alone, Dad.”
“I would but she’s trying to draw first blood.”
Cooper speared his hand through his tousled hair. “The way she sees it, you’re the one who started it.”
There was a beat of silence. “And what do you think?” Aaron’s voice was gravelly and low. “Whose side are you on?”
Serena’s. Cooper clenched his teeth before he said it out loud. It made him feel disloyal to his family but he knew Serena had been the innocent bystander. Would he be on her side if she went back on her word? Cooper wasn’t sure. He had a feeling he needed to make a decision before that happened. Instincts told him that Serena could change her mind in an instant.
“I know you would do anything to protect what is yours,” he told his father. “Your name, your status, your power base.”
“I taught you to do the same.”
“You did.” And Serena is mine. All mine. Cooper went still as the thought ran through his mind. The possessiveness startled him. But then, why else would he be hunting down Serena because she’d vacated their bed?
“Are you listening to me?” his father asked.
Cooper swallowed hard and tried to push down the intense emotions swirling inside him. “I am and I have everything under control.”
Aaron Brock gave a humorless laugh. “It sounds like that Dominguez woman has you under her control.”
She did, Cooper silently agreed as he slowly walked to the pool. It would make him panic if he didn’t have the same power over Serena. It was a constant balancing act that frustrated and fascinated him. No other woman made him feel this way.