“Pardon me?”
“Let’s face it, we’re good together. Real good. It’s not every day that you are with someone who makes you feel the way we feel now. Are you willing to walk away from what could be the best night of your life?”
Her eyes searched his and he knew he’d struck a nerve.
“How often have you felt this comfortable with someone? This excited? I know it hasn’t been very often for me.” He kissed her again, softer, slower, with more meaning. “We have something here. Don’t you want to see where it goes?”
“I do. I…”
“Consider this night a gift to ourselves. To each other. Consider it a beginning of something incredible.”
“But… But the foundation,” she said, as his lips devoured hers, licking, probing, searching.
“A gift,” he murmured. “For you. Only for you.”
His hand slipped to her breast and she sucked in a deep breath as his fingers sought and then found her nipple, sending exquisite pleasure pulsing through her.
“Yes,” she murmured. “A gift. To ourselves.”
“And each other.”
Chapter Ten
Derek swept her out of the ice cream parlor as quickly as he could before she changed her mind. Phlegyas was waiting for him, key card in hand, a smile on his face. “A suite, room twelve-ten.” Derek grabbed the key without breaking his stride. He ushered Jaclyn inside the elevator and pressed the button for the twelfth floor.
He didn’t take his hands off her. He held her close, kissing her exquisite mouth, her neck, waiting impatiently until he could get her alone in the room. He thought about taking the pins out of her long, unruly hair and watching it cascade around her bare shoulders. About seeing her naked, beneath him, looking up at him with those large green eyes heavy with desire. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted a woman this badly. It certainly hadn’t been in this century.
As they reached the twelfth floor, he held her hand, brimming with expectation as they hurried toward the room. He slipped the key card into the lock and the door clicked open. He moved her through the front room. She appeared almost as anxious as he was. Afraid to stop, afraid if he did she’d change her mind, he guided her into the bedroom. He stopped behind her and drew a finger down the bare skin of her back, leaning down to place a soft kiss on her shoulder.
“Your skin is so soft,” he whispered as his finger found her zipper and pulled it down. Slowly, he slipped the straps of the red gown off her shoulders. It fell and nestled around her hips. She turned and faced him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him fiercely. Her tongue sweeping into his mouth as her hands moved down his chest to unbutton his shirt. Slowly, one by one. Each soft touch sent fire shooting through him. He hooked his fingers under her dress and pushed it over her hips until it puddled with a swoosh to the floor.
To Derek’s surprise and absolute delight, she stepped out of the material and continued kissing him in nothing but a black lacy bra, black thong panties, and tall come-fuck-me black spiked heels. This good girl gone bad was making his blood boil.
Her hands slipped down to his pants, moving over his cock until it was ready to explode. Her touch would be his undoing. Within seconds he was undressed, her lacy bra was off, and one delicious breast was in his mouth. He sucked on it until her nipple turned rock-hard between his lips, her pleasure-filled moans echoing through the room. He eased her onto the bed.
She was sexy, enchanting, and he had to have her. Now. He couldn’t wait a moment longer. Dropping down between her legs, he kissed the soft skin of her thighs. Then with a growl, he ripped off her panties and buried his face between her soft curls. He wanted to go slow, to draw out the moment, but he was lost in her scent. In her passion. He took her swollen nub into his mouth and lashed it with his tongue as he slipped his finger deep into her moistness. She was dripping wet, hot, tight, and more than ready for him.
He contemplated turning her over on the bed, and easing her long legs to the floor. Still in her heels, her ass would be lifted high, giving him a wonderful angle as he stood behind and entered her. But before he could fulfill his fantasy, she tightened, then screamed as she came in his mouth, her climax taking her instantly. He dug his fingers into the sweet cheeks of her bottom, kneading as he gently kissed her nub until her climax waned. Pulling back, he stood and smiled as she gulped air to catch her breath. He leaned down, took one of her pert breasts into his mouth, and sucked hard. She moaned and he opened his eyes to see a smile of content stretching across her face.
He grinned. She might be happy now, but he wasn’t done with her yet. Not by a long shot. Lifting himself above her, he captured her mouth with his and thrust his tongue deep inside. She rolled onto her side and threw one leg over his hips, leaving herself wide open, then she reached down and grasped hold of him. Her touch, firm and sure, almost sent him over the edge. And then she started to move, tightening her grip as she pumped him, moving her hand up and down his shaft. No more.
He rolled her under him, spread her legs with his knee, and slipped his aching cock inside her. Slowly at first, though it took all the willpower he possessed. She was extremely wet, her sheath tight. It rubbed against his skin with exquisite friction that almost had him coming like a schoolboy.
She gasped, and he gritted his teeth and stilled, waiting for her to expand around him, her back arching, her breath coming in shallow little gulps, until finally she grabbed his ass and pulled him deeper inside her. Fuck, she was exquisite.
He started bucking and rocking. In tandem they moved together, dancing as they had on the dance floor at the ballroom, fitting into one another perfectly, one starting where the other left off. He pulled out and then thrust inside her, again and again, feeling the pressure build within him, feeling her hands on his ass, hearing her call his name as she begged him for more. She took him to heights he hadn’t been to since who the hell knew when.
He clamped his mouth over her breast, once again taking her tight nipple, sucking it, rolling it around his tongue until she screamed her passion, lifting off the bed as she came once again. Her delicious channel tightened around him, milking him with her vibrations until he could hold back no longer and exploded within her. So caught in the moment, in her enchanting spell, he forgot to restrain himself and spilled his seed deep inside her. One unbelievable spasm after another shook him until, finally spent, he collapsed into her sweet softness.
A moment later, as his pulse slowed and his head cleared, he realized what he’d done, or had not done, and rolled off her.
Fuck, what the hell just happened?
He’d fucked up.
Totally fucked up!
Chapter Eleven
The next morning Jaclyn opened her eyes, rolled over in the massive bed, and was overcome with a moment of panic. She froze as memories of the night before flashed through her mind. It hadn’t been a dream. She stared at Derek’s handsome face deep in sleep and fought the urge to bolt. To get out of that bed and run as fast and as far as she could. But first, she’d have to find her clothes. She lifted the sheet. Yep, stark naked. It was true; she’d had unbelievable, amazing sex and had come over and over, again and again. Damn. She tried to rise up but cringed as pain sliced through her head. She’d had way too much wine.
She took a deep steadying breath. Of course she’d had too much wine. How else could she have ended up here, naked and practically purring like a kitten? God, she did feel good. Her whole body was thrumming. As long as she didn’t move her head. But she couldn’t stay. She definitely had to get out of there before Mr. Gorgeous woke up. She didn’t want to face him. Not now. Not when she was feeling so…vulnerable. As he’d said, last night had been a gift to herself. Permission to indulge in a fantasy. To have the night of her life, even if it would only happen once. And a wonderful fantasy it had been.
Even if it had cost her ten grand.
Damn, she was a fool. And an idiot.
She had to get out of there. Better
to end it that way. Better to disappear before he woke up and brought awkward reality crashing in. Carefully, she inched toward the side of the bed, but before she could make it, he turned toward her, his sleepy blue eyes opening.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
He reached for her. She rolled, moving as if the building were on fire and someone just yelled, “stop, drop and roll,” right off the edge of the bed where she landed with a heavy thump. She popped up, looking over the edge, trying desperately to keep herself covered.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“I, uh, I have to go.” She tried to stand, but crouched back down, not wanting him to see her naked. Which, of course, was ridiculous. Especially after last night. Her cheeks burned at the thought of what they’d done. Hell, what would it matter if he saw her naked now; he’d practically tasted every inch of her. Talk about “seeing” her—up close and personal.
“I’m sorry.” She pulled the bedspread toward her as she stood, in a feeble attempt to cover herself. “But I really have to go.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay just a little longer?” He was looking at her with those dreamy eyes and, for a brief second, her traitorous body urged her to jump back into the bed with him. She was still tingling in all the right places. How was it possible he could make her feel so damned good? His body was more than just a perfect vessel; it was a masterful tool in the hands of an incredible artisan. He took her to heights she wasn’t even aware were possible. Made her forget where she was, and who she was. Nothing else mattered except the taste of his lips on hers, the touch of his fingers, the way his body moved, stroking and filling her until she’d screamed her release.
Oh yes, she remembered. In fact, she was quite sure she would never be able to forget. And the way he was looking at her right now, he remembered, too.
“Not even for breakfast?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” She was also sure if she didn’t high-tail it out of there, she would succumb to him and climb right back into that bed.
He shrugged, stood, and walked into the bathroom. Her gaze following his incredibly well-shaped butt until he disappeared. Damn, he was good looking. Too good looking. Obviously, he turned her brain cells into mush. She turned away, quickly searching for her bra and panties. She heard the shower start and was almost dressed when a knock sounded at the door.
Taking a last quick glance around the room to make sure she had everything, she moved through the front room and opened the door. A woman in an expensive business suit with impeccable make-up and not an auburn hair out of place smiled. “Good morning, is my brother here?”
“Your brother?” Jaclyn stepped back, patting down her own hair that must be circling her head in a wild Medusa mess.
“Yes, Derek. I was told he was here.”
Jaclyn looked toward the bedroom door. “He’s in the shower.”
“It’s all right. I’ll wait.” She walked into the room, headed straight to the phone, and ordered coffee.
Jaclyn debated whether she should go into the bathroom and tell Derek his sister was there, or disappear while the going was good.
“I’m Deirdre.”
Unable to see an easy way out, Jaclyn took her outstretched hand. She couldn’t very well turn and bolt for the door. “Jaclyn.”
“I see Derek won his bet,” she said with a sly grin.
Jaclyn’s eyes widened and she felt her cheeks flame. He’d told his sister about their bet? What kind of creep does that? The heat of mortification rushed over her and her stomach soured. Yes, she’d just had sex with a virtual stranger she’d met on the Internet, and she’d lost ten grand doing it. Yep, she was a real loser all right. “I… Uh, I’ve got to go,” she said, and rushed out the door and toward the elevators. How could she have been so stupid? She’d been nothing more than a bet to him. A game he wanted to win. And boy had he ever.
…
Derek came out of the shower, a towel slung around his waist, another drying his head. “Are you sure we can’t get some breakfast downstairs before you go? They make a killer brunch.” He walked into the bedroom and then stopped on the spot, surprised to see his sister standing in the doorway.
“Coffee’s just arrived, along with croissants.”
Anger squeezed his chest and his fists tightened against the towel. “What the hell are you doing here?”
She grinned. “Wanted to see the little mouse for myself. I’m afraid she scurried away, though.”
“My mouse?” He sucked fire into his lungs, and growled deep in his throat. “I’m going to kill Minos.”
“What fun would that be? Then who would you have to push around?”
“There’s always you.”
“In your dreams, brother.”
He threw the towel at her, but before it reached its mark she flicked it away. “You make me ill,” he snapped.
She grinned. “Don’t I know it?”
“Again, Deirdre. What do you want? Besides my coffee?” He strode over to the cart and poured himself a cup.
“They do have the best coffee here.” She picked up a chocolate croissant off the tray and took a bite.
“Answer me. What do you want?”
“Mother wants to see you. Something about a new job, and follow-up on the Fredricks’ case. But why she even bothers with you, I can’t imagine. You aren’t wicked enough to be the Prince of Hell, and soon even our misguided mother will see that and turn it all over to me.”
“And yet, she couldn’t call?” he asked, ignoring her complaint. “She had to send you?”
“Your phone is dead. Not that that is any big surprise. And besides, I volunteered.”
“Not dead. Off. So, where’s the fire?”
“Does it matter? She said to be in her office within the hour.”
“You mean she didn’t bother to tell you.”
“She did say something about a ferry accident. But surely you…”
“So why did you feel the need to track me down?” He interrupted, then finished the last of this coffee and refilled his cup.
“I wanted to see the woman you found on an online dating site.” She licked the chocolate off her fingers. “Cute little thing. Very pedestrian. Not at all your type.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, not rising to her bait. Deirdre loved a good game, and she always took it a little farther than was necessary. “Fine. Tell Mother I’ll be there as soon as I can. And trust me, dear sister, you don’t have what it takes to do my job. Mainly discipline.”
“We’ll see.” She smiled.
Without waiting a beat, he pulled open the door and was relieved when she left without a fight. This morning wasn’t going at all like he’d planned.
…
Jaclyn sat in the back of the cab and tried not to think about the night’s events or even that morning’s. Her best bet would be to forget Derek Wescott even existed. She felt so humiliated. Even as she tried not to think about it, she imagined Derek and his friends laughing over their stupid bet. A bet she’d lost. Badly.
What had she been thinking?
Of course she was going to lose. Derek was way out of her league and they both knew it.
She paid the cab and hurried into her house, hoping sweet Mr. Andrews across the street wouldn’t notice her returning home in an evening gown. She closed the door and found Rufus standing behind her, his head cocked in confusion, waiting for his breakfast.
“I know. I stayed out all night. I’m sorry.”
He barked, the sound cutting through her skull.
She shuffled into the kitchen, filled his bowl with food and freshened his water. “After my coffee and shower, we’ll go for a run on the beach.” Massaging her temple, she started the coffee pot. “Make that a walk.”
She rubbed his head. “You are such a sweetie and the only guy I need in my life.” She moved toward her shower, disrobing as she went. But when she took her dress off, the scent of Derek’s cologne reached her
. Quickly, she threw the dress into the dry clean bin and tried to get the smell out of her head. She stepped under the hot water and scrubbed herself until she was pink and raw.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid.”
Thirty minutes later, dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a steaming cup of coffee in her hand, she downed two ibuprofens and took Rufus for a quick walk. She came back, turned on her computer, and stared at the rolling headlines filling her local newspaper’s homepage.
“Buyout of Tellon Inc. sends stock plummeting.” The story went on to talk about Mr. Fredricks artificially inflating the company’s revenue. He’d been arrested. Stock dropped, buyout complete. Rufus curled up at her feet as she flipped through the screens. Many of the people Derek had told her about last night were listed on the internet, their sins right there in black and white. A poultry plant using illegal labor and paying pennies on the dollar. A Chinese restaurant in Fort Lauderdale cited for human trafficking. Workers from Nicaragua, who didn’t know enough English to ask for help, becoming indentured servants.
She looked for any mention of the woman with the diamonds running the sweatshop. What did he say her name was? She wracked her brain trying to remember. The Franciscans. That was it. She searched, but found nothing. It didn’t matter.
Last night didn’t happen. She was going to forget it. All of it. Especially the part where she lost ten grand because she couldn’t control her libido. What was wrong with her? A couple glasses of wine, a hot guy, and her brain stops functioning. She knew better. She knew her limitations and still she let herself get sucked in. Chalk it up to another lesson learned, and with any luck, she’d never see Derek Wescott again.
She was about to turn her computer off when she heard a small chime. A new message from Derek popped up on her screen. She clicked it open.
Had a great time last night. When can I see you again?
She chewed on her bottom lip, trying to think of a way to respond. To let him down gently. Who was she kidding? Men like him didn’t need to be treated with kid gloves.
All Bets Are On Page 6