“Tamera,” Cole said, coming into the room. “Everything okay?”
She looked up and nodded. “Yes. The night shift nurse just wanted to let me know my father was doing okay and eating.”
“Which is what you should be doing,” he told her.
Tamera shook her head. “I don’t need anything. We need to get this outline completed so we can present a flawless plan to Victor on Monday afternoon.”
Cole stepped forward. “You need to rest.”
“Why do you keep insisting on what I should be doing? I’m fine.”
“You have circles under your eyes and you’re looking pale.” He squatted down before her. “Take thirty minutes and rest here. I can get the food set out and make sure everything’s ready while you take a breather. No is not an option.”
Tamera looked down at this man who insisted on doing for her what she should be doing for herself. Without notice or warning, tears sprang to her eyes. She laid her cell beside her on the bed and covered her face with her hands.
“Hey. Come now, Tamera.” Cole grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward, looping her arms around his neck. “Don’t do this to yourself.”
“It’s just, when my c-cell rings, I get so scared.”
She hadn’t even admitted that until now. But she knew the day was coming when the nurse would call and tell her that her father had passed.
“I know,” he whispered. “Let me care for you. Just for a few minutes.”
Tamera nodded, unable to fight any more tonight. “Only thirty minutes. Get the food ready and I’ll be out.”
Cole kissed her on the forehead and urged her down onto the bed. He pulled off her tennis shoes and tugged the navy throw from the end of the bed over her legs.
“I’ll yell when it’s all set up. Just rest.”
Tamera smiled, closed her eyes, giving in to the fatigue that overwhelmed her.
Ten
One hour turned into two and Cole didn’t care. He could’ve stood in the doorway to his master suite and watched the rise and fall of Tamera’s chest for two more hours.
He wasn’t denying himself the opportunity to watch her. No, this wasn’t professional, but they had long since passed professionalism. They’d teetered on a fine line and damn if he wasn’t less than an inch from crossing over.
Between checking on Tam while she rested, he’d tweaked the design more and had pretty much gotten it to where he and Tamera had wanted. Hopefully, that would be where Victor wanted as well.
His eyes traveled down the dip in Tam’s waist and up over the swell of her hip. When he’d seen her rushing down the dock in nothing more than skimpy workout shorts and a tank, he nearly dropped to his knees and thanked God.
He’d ached to see her smooth, creamy skin once again. But, on the other hand, if he wasn’t touching her, he felt cheated. There wasn’t a man alive who wouldn’t want to run his hands over those well-toned curves. Cole wanted nothing more than to reacquaint himself with everything Tamera had hidden beneath her vulnerable exterior.
She hadn’t moved. Since the moment he’d covered her with the navy throw, she’d slept peacefully. He didn’t want to wake her, not only because he knew she’d be furious that he’d let her sleep this long, but because she needed the rest. She was running herself ragged and if she didn’t want to take care of herself, then he damn well would.
But he wouldn’t let his heart get into this mix. No, he was strictly looking out for her because they were working on the biggest project of their careers.
Cole crossed the room, gave her shoulder a gentle shake and waited on her lids to flutter, waited to see those vibrant eyes shine with irritation. They didn’t.
Damn. She was in a deep sleep which required him to do more than a subtle approach. Wonderful.
He eased onto the edge of the bed, running his finger along the satiny softness of her bare arm. Her skin instantly reacted by popping out in goose bumps. Always so responsive. That was one thing he’d remembered, and loved, about her.
“Tamera.”
He didn’t raise his voice. To be honest he wanted her to sleep, but he didn’t want her to regret waking up in his bed in the morning. If she was going to sleep here, he wanted her to be fully aware of why she was there and what she was doing…and he wanted the benefits of having her in his bed.
“Tam.”
Running his palm down her arm and back up over the curve of her shoulder, he watched as she started to come to. She rolled over onto her back, her arm went above her head, doing amazing things to the pull of her tight, white tank over her breasts.
Desire stirred even more in his gut. This woman was really testing his control. Of course, he could get up, walk away and let her wake on her own. He could, but he wouldn’t.
“Wake up, Tam, before you hate me even more.”
She let out a little moan, her lids slowly lifting, blinking against the subtle light filtering in through the doorway from the galley.
The awakening was just as beautiful as the rest. Her eyes focused on his face, as if she were struggling to figure out where she was. But her gaze never left his and that irritation he’d expected to see was absent. In its place…pure desire.
The silence aboard his yacht enveloped them, as did the darkened room. With just the glimpse of light, Cole could barely make out her face, but the slant of the glowing lamp from the galley made her eyes sparkle.
Instinct had Cole not thinking of his actions. He leaned down slowly, giving her ample time to resist or to stop this moment from happening. It was inevitable, though. They were meant to be here, right now. The project had nothing whatsoever to do with what was about to take place.
And he knew precisely once he started kissing her in his bed, neither of them were going to get back to work tonight.
Her eyes shifted to his mouth as her tongue darted out, moistening her plump lips. The invitation was clear, all he had to do was accept.
“Be sure,” he warned, a split second before he closed the gap and captured her mouth beneath his.
The sudden intake of breath from Tamera was quickly followed by total abandonment. He knew she wouldn’t fight him, not on this. Not when everything that had transpired before this moment had led them here.
This is where he’d wanted her since being reunited in that boardroom weeks ago. The familiarity of her kiss, her touch, rushed back to him and he had to clamp down those long-ago buried memories of love and foolishness and concentrate on the now. This was nothing more than physical attraction. Absolutely. Nothing. More.
Cole rested his hands on either side of her face, the feather pillow giving beneath his weight. Nothing could be sweeter than getting Tamera back in his bed.
Not only did he want her for purely selfish reasons, he wanted that instant gratification he’d receive knowing he’d won. He’d not only bettered himself to a level Tam’s father never would’ve believed, but he also got Tamera right where he wanted her. In bed.
Love was definitely not something he wanted at this point in life. Why would anyone need love when there were contracts to be won, designs and structures to be created?
No, what he wanted was right here beneath him. Tamera’s warm, willing body moving in a familiar rhythm with his. She was more than accepting, more than giving.
Her hands came up, wrapped around his neck and toyed with his hair. Subtle touches were one of the things he remembered most about Tamera. The woman was potent, but in an easy, nonaggressive way. But she made her point just the same and she continued to give as much into the kiss as he took.
Cole kept his body weight on one hand and allowed the other hand to move freely down the side of her curvy yet trim body. He wanted her out of these clothes five minutes ago, but he couldn’t rush, not when he was so close to getting what he wanted.
Still in a dreamlike state, Tam arched her body beneath Cole’s, silently begging him to rip her clothes off and take what they both had been denying themselves for weeks.
The
weight of his body felt so familiar, so good pressing against hers. Consequences would come soon enough, as would regrets, but right now she needed, wanted, Cole to possess her. She wanted him to take control. She didn’t want to think about what she was doing or where this would lead.
Nothing mattered but what she was feeling now and how much she’d missed the touch of a man. The touch of Cole.
Sensations she’d only experienced long ago tingled down through her body as Cole’s hand slid behind her bare thigh, lifting her leg.
“Cole.”
So much for silent begging. Her body had far surpassed the longing and craving of normal sexual desires. The need to feel his skin against hers consumed her and she didn’t care if she did beg…so long as it got her closer to what she needed.
His hand moved to the elastic waistband of her running shorts. He lifted his body slightly and tugged the shorts down. Tamera scissor kicked her legs to move the unwanted garment on down the line.
Cole trailed kisses down her neck. “You feel so good,” he murmured.
She could feel better if he’d finish this undressing process instead of chitchat. Obviously she was going to have to take control here for a bit. She tugged at his Polo shirt until it flew across the cabin to parts unknown.
Before he could settle back down against her, though, she placed both hands on his chiseled chest.
“Wait.” Her fingertips explored every dip of smooth, hard muscle beneath bronzed skin. “Just…let me…”
Words were lost as Cole crushed her mouth beneath his, still keeping his chest levered off hers. As she continued to run her fingers over his pecs, his hips tilted into her.
Perhaps his desire was as urgent as hers.
Cole broke the kiss, sat up and pulled her up with him. Sitting on their knees, they made quick work discarding the rest of their clothing.
Then they froze.
Tamera’s eyes traveled over Cole’s as his did the same over hers. The gentle light streaming through the doorway beamed just enough glow across the bed to provide a romantic ambiance. Though romance was the last thing either of them were looking for…at least she wasn’t and she highly doubted Cole was.
“Amazing,” he whispered. “I didn’t think you could get more stunning.”
Tamera smiled. “Cole, I’m already naked, there’s no need for compliments.”
Fingertips trailed over her collarbone, down the slope of her bare breasts. “Perfect.”
Cole’s mouth dropped to her nipple as his hands wrapped around her waist. Tamera’s head dropped back as sensation after sensation of arousal coursed through her.
The force of his affection on her chest had her falling backward again. Cole followed her down, hands roaming up and down her sides as he turned his attention to the other breast.
Tamera wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him to hurry.
He lifted his head, quirked a smile and fumbled with the bedside table until he revealed a condom. Once he was ready, he glanced down to the part in her legs and guided himself in.
Tamera watched his face, hoping he’d look at her, but he kept his eyes closed. Distance. He was still keeping distance.
Perhaps she should do the same. After all, she didn’t want more than tonight…did she?
No, no way could she put herself on the line any more than that where this Casanova was concerned. She would take this moment and revel in it, but then she would get back to business and hopefully get Cole out of her system and her life. Maybe she could finally have closure. Maybe.
Their bodies moved in an urgent need. Tamera locked her ankles, keeping Cole right where she wanted him.
As her climax slammed into her, Cole’s body arched above hers, the muscles in his biceps straining as he held himself still.
Once the tremors ceased, Tamera waited to see what he would do, say. She didn’t know what she expected, a little term of endearment, a little kissing, snuggling maybe, but him levering himself up off her and immediately getting dressed? No, that was not what she’d expected at all.
But this colder side of Cole was no match for the iciness she’d encountered years ago. She should be used to his reaction toward her. Still, she pulled the soft sheet up over her chest, suddenly feeling the chill.
“I’ll be in the galley when you want to come in and finish working,” he told her before disappearing into the living area.
Ahh, the romance. Not that she was looking for it, but seriously? Couldn’t he have just thrown a bucket of cold water on her? The freezing effect would be just the same.
Eleven
Cole pulled a beer from the mini fridge beneath his bar and twisted the lid off. Well, he’d gotten what he’d wanted, now what? Tamera certainly wasn’t out of his system. If anything, she was deeper under his skin.
How the hell had his perfect plan backfired? He’d gotten her in his bed by purposely having them meet aboard his yacht, yet her vulnerability made him feel like a complete ass for taking advantage.
God, he was even contradicting himself. Did he or did he not want to seduce her just because he still could? Did he not just get what he wanted, on his own turf? And was he not still just as frustrated as he’d been before?
To top the icing on the proverbial cake, he’d treated her like a cheap hooker when he’d all but jumped out of bed, discarded the condom and basically ordered her back to work.
Smooth, really smooth.
Good thing he wasn’t looking for romance or love, because those qualities were obviously long gone.
He heard her shuffle across the carpeted galley, but didn’t turn. He wasn’t ready to see the regret or hurt that would no doubt be in her eyes.
She opened the larger refrigerator, moved some things around and finally closed the door. Cole moved over to the work area he’d set up on his long, rectangular table before she’d arrived.
While she’d been asleep, he’d spread out her sketches and worked off them. Now, he returned to the work he’d done mere moments ago.
Yet so much had changed since he’d stood here last time.
Tamera came around to the table. From the corner of his eye, he noted she’d dressed in her running wear again, right down to the tennis shoes. She stood sipping a bottle of water, glancing down at her designs, which he’d altered.
“You need something to eat,” he told her, keeping his gaze on the table.
“I don’t like what you did here.” She ignored his remark and pointed to the entryway of the hotel. “This wall cuts off that airy feeling we were going for.”
He followed her perfectly manicured finger across the sketch to the area of the lobby they’d set aside for the registration desk. “There’s no way to avoid it. They will need a safe and counter space to work and columns can only offer so much support. Especially on the ground floor.”
“I don’t like it,” she insisted.
“I don’t think it matters what you like or don’t like,” he snapped, turning to look at her. “Victor makes the final judgment calls and we have to be professionals about this and realize that the wall has to remain where it is.”
She jerked her body around, slamming her bottle on the table…thankfully the lid was on it.
“Professional?” Her hands went to her hips. “Don’t you dare question my professionalism. How professional was that?”
She pointed toward his cabin.
“That had nothing to do with business,” he told her.
Tamera let out a clipped laugh. “No, you’re warmer to business associates than you were to me. You’re absolutely right.”
Guilt wrapped around his chest and squeezed. “We both knew going into that that we were just acting on physical attraction.”
Tamera held up a hand. “Forget it. Just forget it. I don’t know why I expected more from you. Obviously I didn’t learn from my previous experience.”
She crossed to the couch, grabbed her purse and marched up the steps onto the deck.
Cole didn’t have to go
topside to know she was gone. She wasn’t just up there getting air. She was pissed and had every right to be.
She’d be fine once she cooled off. They had to meet with Victor in two days. This design had to be completed by then. So, whenever Tamera was done with her tantrum, he’d be waiting. If nothing else, she was a professional. She wouldn’t let this project fall behind simply because of what had happened in his bedroom.
Tamera knew Cole, at least the business side of him. Even though it was Saturday, the man would be in his office. There was no need to call to confirm, she didn’t want to give him a heads up so he could plot and scheme more ways to make her feel inadequate.
The only way she’d call is if the front doors to his building were locked, but even then, he’d only have minutes to come up with some way to mistreat her.
After storming off his yacht last night, she’d calmed down enough to know they had a project that needed their attention. Surely they could put hormones, their past and whatever else was crackling between them on hold for the duration of this design phase.
Once Zach took over on-site for the actual construction, which would take months, she wouldn’t have to see Cole nearly as much, if at all.
Tamera pulled her BMW in front of The Marcum Agency’s three-story glass structure and took a deep, calming breath. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t calm, but she was trying here.
She grabbed her tote bag and locked her car. The sun was shining bright today, the glare bouncing off all that shiny glass, making Tamera even more annoyed. Even the sun shone down upon the high and mighty Cole Marcum.
One tug on the door and, praise God, it opened. She took the elevator to the top floor and marched down the hall toward his office.
She heard laughter. Female laughter.
Two-timing jerk.
Wait. Two-timing? No. That would imply that she and Cole had a relationship. They’d had sex. Big difference.
Tamera shifted her white designer bag on her shoulder, smoothed a hand down her pale yellow sheath. Taking another deep breath, she entered Cole’s office where she encountered the body behind the female voice.
From Boardroom to Wedding Bed? Page 8