From Boardroom to Wedding Bed?

by Jules Bennett

  Say no more. Tamera took a few more swallows, knowing the swift intake settling in her empty stomach was not a good combination, especially when she needed to keep some sort of control.

  She turned, set her empty glass on the bar and looked up to Cole. “Why the hurry?”

  Her sweet tone, combined with a sultry smile she offered had him slamming his longneck onto the metal bar, grabbing her arm and escorting her back to the rear entrance.

  Laughter bubbled deep inside her, but she didn’t let it out. She’d never seen Cole lose control and if she played her cards right, she’d see it again before the night was through.

  When the security guard bid them a good night, Cole merely raised his arm in a silent farewell.

  Speechless as well? My, my. This was turning into an even better night than she’d planned.

  Fifteen

  Cole maneuvered his car, faster than usual, through the streets of South Beach toward Star Island. Tamera may think she had control over tonight, but he was going to his own turf.

  He’d never taken a woman to his house. Oh, he’d taken them to his vacation homes, but never his private domain. Ever. Star Island was for invited guests only…or, it was supposed to be. And Tamera was definitely invited.

  Damn this woman for getting under his skin. He didn’t want this, nor did he have time for anything beyond a sexual interlude.

  But he would grant Tamera the full night. They both deserved long hours of intimacy.

  He pulled up to the guard, waved and drove over the bridge.

  Cole looked over at Tamera. She was all but spilling from the top of her dress. One jerk of that bow around her neck and his night of fantasies could begin.

  This time of the evening was always beautiful with the magnificent homes lining the beach, their lights bouncing off the water. This was what he’d always wanted. The money, the prestige. The woman beside him.

  And though his goals weren’t that of a twenty-two-year-old boy, they weren’t too far off. But he wasn’t naïve like he was in the past. He knew whatever was going on between Tamera and him now, would likely end when their association with Victor Lawson came to a close.

  But he’d conquered what he’d set out to do. Tamera was willingly coming to his home with the full intention of staying. He didn’t believe she was delusional enough to think they would have anything beyond the bedroom. She was an adult and she fully knew where he stood on relationships.

  Which just made this night all the more sweet. No misconceptions about what tomorrow would bring or what the next step should be. There was no next step.

  The second he pulled into his circular drive he killed the engine. He’d called earlier, before he picked Tamera up, and sent his staff home with a full day’s pay. He wanted this night to be completely about him and Tamera.

  She was out of the car before he could round the hood and open her door. The way the bright, full moon and the exterior lights from his house lit up the driveway, she looked like an angel with all her glowing blond hair and sun-kissed skin.

  Of course, he didn’t think angels wore red dresses. Sexy, short, cleavage-enhancing red dresses.

  Control snapped. Cole grabbed her shoulders, pushed her back against the car as his mouth descended to hers. The breasts she’d been torturing him with all evening pressed firmly against his T-shirt, making him want to rip both articles of clothing off right here in his driveway. Thank God for the privacy gates surrounding his property.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, rose on her toes to meet him and gave him everything he was demanding and more.

  She eased back just enough to whisper, “Touch me.”

  As her mouth sought his once more, he swept her hair aside, yanked the tie around her neck and tugged on the top of the dress until she was bare and all but trembling in his arms.

  “We need to get inside.”

  Cole picked her up, thankful she’d wrapped her legs around his waist. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and nibbled her way up to his jaw.

  “You’re killing me, Tam.”

  Once they were inside, Cole made quick work of resetting the alarm system, and sat her down on the base of the steps.

  The glow from the chandelier suspended from the second floor illuminated them. The two scraps that had covered her chest all night now dangled haphazardly down her thighs.

  “You’d better do more than look,” she threatened with a genuine smile.

  “Oh, I plan to.”

  He tugged his shirt from his waistband and over his head, tossing it without a sound onto the checkered, tiled floor. He stepped up onto the step below hers at the same time she kicked off her stilettos. They fell down the two stairs with a clunk.

  “Condom?” she asked, her bright blue eyes heavy with passion.

  He pulled one from his pocket, laid it on the newel post. “No more talking.”

  Once again their mouths fused as one as he lowered her to the steps.

  They weren’t even going to make it upstairs and that was just fine with him. Why waste time when she was feeling the urgency just as much as he was?

  Cole came to his feet, leaving Tamera heaving, lying back against the stairs. He made quick work unfastening his belt, unfastening and unzipping his jeans and discarding them, along with his boxer briefs, in a puddle at his feet. He kicked aside the unwanted clothing and knelt back down, but not before reaching for the condom.

  Tamera gave his body a hungry glance, then grabbed his shoulders, pulled him toward her and proceeded to make some demands of her own with that talented mouth.

  Without breaking contact, Cole opened the foil packet, covered himself. He eased to the side, so he sat on the wide step and urged Tamera to straddle him.

  Hands roamed in a frantic motion as he bunched the dress up at her waist and pulled on the thin scrap of panties until he had total access to what he wanted.

  Without a second thought of easing into this, Cole took her. He couldn’t be gentle if he tried. He’d left his control back at her house hours ago and he’d been hanging on by a mere thread since.

  A quick thought flashed through his mind as to whether or not he was too rough, too demanding, but Tamera’s soft moan was all he needed to continue. She broke the kiss, rested her forehead against his and closed her eyes.

  Cole wanted to watch her, though. Now that she wasn’t looking, wasn’t thinking, he wanted to watch her face as she lost utter and complete control. He wanted to see that moment when she didn’t hold back, didn’t try to be strong or put up a front. He wanted to see total abandonment.

  It didn’t take long.

  She bit her lip, squeezed her eyes and gripped his shoulders.

  So much for holding his own control. He lost his just as Tam did and closed his own eyes in an attempt to hold this feeling, this time, right where it was. To rein in all the emotion they’d formed together. Why, he couldn’t say, but he wanted it just the same. How could he not? Everything about this night had been perfect. As if their past didn’t exist and they were just two people who found just how compatible they truly were.

  He wanted to hold this moment forever. To revel in the bliss and simplicity.

  Unfortunately, that was impossible. The moment had ended all too soon. The quiet settled around them, encompassing them in its embrace. Tamera would probably want to leave, want to put him back in that professional pocket she liked to keep him in.

  But he had her here all night. She couldn’t go anywhere and Cole would make damn sure she’d stay until he was ready to take her home.

  But he had to be careful. Anything beyond the bedroom was impossible. They’d traveled that journey before and only ended up with broken hearts.

  Cole pushed past thoughts and journeys aside. He had Tamera now and now is what he’d concentrate on.

  Once the tremors ceased, Cole kissed her thoroughly, slowly. He picked her up again, carried her up the wide, curved staircase toward his master bath.

  His walk-in showe
r with six shower heads was beckoning them. And he found himself wanting to care for her, wanting to show her how she should be treated, pampered.

  “You were right,” she murmured in a dreamy voice, her breath warm against his neck. “I needed this.”

  Cole swallowed. Hard. He didn’t want that warm feeling that coursed through him. He didn’t want to care for Tamera any further than right now. Sex was what they had, all they could have. And it was great, so why mess with anything else?

  No, he shouldn’t care. But he did.

  He cared what she would have to deal with in the morning, the next day and the day after that with her father and the company. He especially cared about how she was feeling about him, about this path they’d started down. He knew, in reality, there was no turning back.

  He’d be lying to himself if he even tried to act like he hadn’t developed new feelings for her. The problem was, what did he do with an emotion he didn’t want, and had thought died long ago?

  The water sluiced over them, making Cole ultra aware of just how perfect her body was. But there was so much more to Tamera than her sexy curves and beautiful nature. She was career driven, she was giving, she was everything he’d ever want in a woman…provided he was looking for one.

  Yes, if he were wanting to marry and settle down, he would be a fool not to pick Tamera. Perhaps he was a fool for not choosing her now, but he just didn’t have long-term abilities in him anymore.

  As his hands glided over her wet skin, backing her against the tiled wall, he knew all he could offer and take in return was exactly this. And the emptiness that he knew would follow after their lovemaking would just have to be his life companion.

  He had no other choice.

  “Why am I not surprised you live on Star Island?”

  Tamera settled deeper into the crook of Cole’s arm, content for now.

  “Never came up.”

  With the second-story patio doors open, Tamera enjoyed the moonlight and the sounds of the water rushing to shore and swaying palm trees. She appreciated the romantic ambience. Cole had provided the perfect setting, the perfect night. She wasn’t surprised that the weather gods were in Cole’s back pocket. Everyone else was. And she was no exception. She didn’t want to get hurt again, but she had a sickening feeling that heartache and pain were inevitable where this man was concerned. All she could do was enjoy what he was offering her now.

  “You always told me you’d have the best,” she recalled, thinking of the dreams they’d shared with each other so long ago. “You do.”

  “Yes.”

  O-kay. Not a man of many words.

  Tamera eased up onto her elbow and looked down at Cole. “Care to tell me what’s wrong?”

  He continued to look up to the ceiling. “Not a thing. Just thinking.”

  “About…”

  At her prompting, he turned his gaze to her. “The past. Interesting how some things come back around.”

  She studied his expression, his serious tone. “You’re referring to us?”

  “We both know there can’t be an ‘us’, Tamera. There can’t be more to this, than, well…this.”

  She nodded. Though she’d told herself the very same thing, she didn’t so much like hearing it come from his mouth. She’d hoped to avoid that slap in the face from reality for as long as possible.

  “If you’re worried I’ll get caught up in the magical world of love once again, don’t be.” Tamera got out of bed, suddenly chilly as she went in search of…her dress, which was in the bathroom. “I have too much on my plate as well.”

  She moved into the spacious, tiled bathroom where she found the scrap of red right next to the massive walk-in shower. After sliding into the dress, she recalled her shoes were downstairs. And her car was not here.

  This was why she always wanted her car. She hated being stranded. Especially in an awkward position. Had she been thinking beyond the “fun-filled” night he’d promised, she should’ve known the awkwardness would settle in.

  “You’re staying,” Cole told her as she came back into the bedroom.

  “No. I need to get back.”

  He pushed himself up onto his elbow. “For what?”

  She sighed. “My father. I need to be available when they call.”

  “They have your cell. No need to rush out of here when we can enjoy the rest of our night.”

  He did have a point, though she wasn’t sure anymore if she actually could just enjoy him. Or would she find herself wanting even more than he was willing to offer?

  True, she didn’t want to turn back the clock to pick up where they left off. They were too different now. But she almost wouldn’t mind seeing what would happen if they started over.

  Was that even possible? Had she really forgiven him for all the hurt he’d caused her? God, in eleven years if she couldn’t let go of a grudge, she shouldn’t be here.

  Tamera stared at the gloriously naked chest, tanned and partially hidden beneath the stark white sheets. Inky hair, heavy-lidded eyes. And she knew his solid, muscular body would still be warm and welcoming.

  Her dress slid back to the ground in a whoosh. He was right. Why not enjoy right now?

  She had every intention of doing just that.

  Cole stood in his bedroom, staring at the rumpled sheets. Images of Tamera sprawled across them, her silky blond hair spread over the satin, plagued his mind.

  He’d driven her back home just an hour ago, but he missed her already. The emptiness in his twenty-thousand-square-foot home was never so prominent, so deafening.

  He hadn’t expected any more surprises from her, but she certainly had caught him off guard when she’d appeared like a fantasy for their date. He thought for sure she’d still be smoldering hot about that kiss in his office and how he’d called her on basically being a liar where her feelings were concerned.

  But she’d taken his insults and turned them into revenge. He’d have suffered more had she not come back to his house last night. Or maybe he was suffering because of her visit.

  All he knew, as he walked into the bathroom where more images of her filled his mind from when they’d showered, was that she’d broken through. She’d gotten past that wall of defenses he’d been so careful to construct.

  Resting his palms against the granite counter, he leaned in toward the mirror and laughed. Ironic how an architect of his stature could build multimillion-dollar buildings and homes, yet he couldn’t keep a petite woman from busting through the ironclad fort he’d built around his heart.

  He ran some cool water and splashed his face, trying to make sense of where his thoughts were headed. He wasn’t sure if this thing with him and Tamera would go into anything long-term. The thought petrified him, but he had to pave the way just in case.

  She deserved to be treated better than the last go-round they had at a relationship. As did he.

  There was only one thing to do. A step he’d known all along he needed to take.

  A step that was long overdue and the clock was ticking. If he didn’t act now, he would never get another chance to speak his peace and draw closure to his past.

  Only then could he move forward and see what path he and Tamera would take…together.

  The gleaming white tiles of the Mercy Hospice Center were nearly blinding as Cole made his way from the nurses’ station toward Walter Stevens’ room. He nearly chuckled at the lie he’d told the nurse to get into the room. Pretending to be the son-in-law was laughable.

  He knew there wasn’t much time left and Cole had something pressing to see to before the old man left this earth. More than likely nothing would come of this talk, but Cole had to stand up for the man he used to be, the man he’d become. He couldn’t let his past get the better of him. And he’d regret not talking to Tamera’s father if he didn’t do it now.

  He found the room at the end of the hall. The door was closed, but the nurse assured Cole that Mr. Stevens was indeed awake and, like Tamera said, having a good day…whatever
that meant to a dying man.

  Cole tapped on the door as he slowly opened it. He didn’t know what to expect, hadn’t really given it a thought, but he certainly was taken aback when a frail, balding Walter Stevens sat in the far corner in a plush rocking chair staring out the window toward the lush gardens.

  The door made a slight creak and Walter turned. Cole stepped over the threshold, ready for whatever may come his way.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” the old man grumbled.

  The room smelled of potpourri, something fruity that no doubt Tamera had set out. Touches of her were everywhere—from the family photos on the small, white dresser to the fresh flowers beside his bed.

  “I came for a talk that is eleven years overdue.”

  Cole crossed the room and came to stand beside the chair, but kept facing Tamera’s father. The man had definitely not aged well, but chemo would probably do that to you. His skin was gray and wrinkled, his eyes a bit more sunken in than when Cole had seen him last.

  “Never thought I’d see you again,” Walter said, looking up to Cole. “Never really wanted to.”

  “Feeling’s mutual,” Cole replied, moving to rest against the windowsill, partially blocking the other man’s view. “I’m here about Tam.”

  “I assumed as much.” The other’s man’s eyes narrowed. “What about her?”

  “As you know, we’re working together on the Victor Lawson project.” Cole took such satisfaction in seeing the man utterly speechless. “She didn’t tell you? Just as well. You probably would’ve tried to destroy that working relationship as well.”

  “She wouldn’t work with someone like you,” Walter spouted off. “Not only is my company more prestigious in this industry, you broke her heart years ago and she’s never forgiven you. I don’t believe Victor Lawson would hire two companies, either. So tell me what you really want before I have you thrown out.”

  Cole steeled himself at the frailness of the man, but dammit, he needed to get this off his chest. He hadn’t been able to confront Walter years ago, but he’d certainly do it while he had the chance.