Mirroring him, I took a sip, enjoying the delicious tang of orange and expensive champagne, and ran over what I knew about him. He was a self-made billionaire but so far he’d not acted spoiled. Though from what I’d seen he could be considered bossy.
He was the kind of challenge I usually rose to but I was here to please him. The client, my addled brain corrected my erotic musing.
Wilder might as well have had heartbreak central stamped on his forehead. And I’d had more than my fair share of that. Those internal alarms were there for a reason.
“Are you going out? Am I making you late?”
“Follow me.”
“May I get my equipment from the car?”
“No need.”
Behind his back, I took a gulp of bubbly.
I set the glass on the bar and followed a few steps behind him, relieved to be getting to the reason why I’d driven all this way. Strolling down the well-lit hallway and vigilant for any more geisha-like surprises.
“Perhaps I could see more of your inventions?” I said softly. He threw me a doubtful smile.
“Perhaps a warning next time? Before you show it to me.” I wondered what other stuff he was working on. “What kind of application does the hologram have?”
“Security, mainly. I’m currently working on a touchable hologram. One that reacts to movement.”
“That sounds incredible.” I secretly ogled his bum.
Tobias had the kind of height and confident stride most women would swoon at. We’d not gotten to the place where I could pry about his personal life. I wondered if we ever would. My lips pressed together when my brain nudged me to ask the meaning of his Latin tattoo.
“No 3-D glasses, Zara, did you catch that?” He smiled my way. “Don’t tell anyone what you saw.”
“Of course.” I breathed out in a rush of giddy excitement, realizing I’d witnessed something special.
The fact Tobias had trusted me made me beam with happiness. Being here was fricking amazing. “So the seller lent you the painting so you could have it appraised?”
He pushed open a door.
Inside the modest room there was merely a central island. A couple of boxes resting on top of it.
One wall was a mirror from carpet to ceiling. There, in the corner, hanging on an ornate tall cupboard, was an elegant black satin gown, the kind you see worn on the runways of Paris. Tobias strolled over to the island and lifted the box sitting in the center. He opened the lid to reveal the strappy silver shoes inside.
I caught my breath. “Those are pretty.”
He was showing me his girlfriend’s things, and I feigned this wasn’t awkward at all. I looked around for the painting. There wasn’t one.
“You’ll need this.” He gestured to the box beside the shoes.
My frown deepened as I stepped forward, lifted the lid and rifled through the soft tissue paper, looking for the handheld X-ray scanner.
I pulled out a strip of black silk material and realized I was looking at Coco de Mer lingerie.
My breath left me in a rush as the bra slipped from my fingers back into the box. He came closer, his expression intense, his green irises fierce under the light.
“Tobias?” My gaze dragged from his and fell back onto the tag on that thin strip of material that was meant to serve as a bra and it was my cup size. My cheeks blazed like fire. “What’s this for?”
He glanced at the dress. “Please, put on the Alexander McQueen.”
“Why?”
“You can’t go dressed like that.”
“Go where?”
“To see the painting.” He brushed a strand of hair out of my eyes and tucked it behind my ear.
It felt as though I’d been struck by lightning and the echo of his touch lingered where his fingers had brushed my cheek; my eyelids fluttered. “We’re not staying here?”
“No, Zara.”
“We’re going out?”
He gave the kindest smile. “Yes.”
My stare returned to the sexy underwear and then moved from the strappy shoes and hovered over the dress. “That’s for me?”
He gave an assured nod. “Meet me in the foyer.”
Tobias left and his heady cologne lingered behind him, its effect just as powerful.
I leaned on the central island and clutched the edge, knuckles white, fighting this wave of light-headedness.
As though rising from a dream, the situation became glaringly clear. I’d stepped inside the world of the truly wealthy and just proven I was out of my depth. Yes, I’d come from money, but it had all been tied up in property and paintings and never had I experienced moments of decadence that took my breath away—
Until now.
5
Reason caught up with my arousal and nudged it out of the way, helping me see clearly without the distraction of that sex god clouding my view.
You don’t invite a professional woman over to your home, which is in the middle of nowhere, show her some erotic lingerie and tell her to put it on, and then force her to wear a gown from one of the world’s top designers. No matter how much it must have cost or how gorgeous those strappy straps looked with that risqué off-the-shoulder design and elegant ruching, and the way it fell to flatter a woman’s curves just so.
Even if you do go around flaunting you’re the sexiest man alive and a hero to wildlife, with the ease of someone who pretends he has no effect on those around him.
“No, you bloody well don’t.” I stomped down the hallway, through the foyer and out into the cold night air.
And headed for my Range Rover.
From what I’d seen, everyone back at Huntly Pierre seemed reasonable. I’d merely relay my concerns about our client’s eccentricities and be off the hook—
A burst of noise above.
A blinding fluorescent white lit up the house.
I forced my lips shut against the tornado of dust and leaves swirling around me and brought my hands up to protect my face from the scattering debris, crouching against the metal monster looming above, the force of wind shoving me back and blasting my clothes.
Whirling blades came into view—
The sleek helicopter turned a 180 and landed smoothly before me. Heart pounded, blood roared in my ears, my legs weakened.
The chopping lessened as the blades stilled. The air now quiet.
I blinked against the bright blur of headlights directed at me. Out climbed Tobias.
He walked toward me with that casual swagger of confidence, wearing a bow tie now to round out his intimidation, looking even more formal than before, even more handsome, with that familiar earthiness and a splash of bad-boy billionaire.
He stopped short of where I stood and locked his gaze on me.
Brushing off a few leaves that were stuck to my trousers and dragging my fingers through my hair to remove a few more to make my point, I raised myself to my full height, trying to regain some decorum.
That’s right, buddy, I’m not wearing it.
I stared him down.
Tobias stepped toward me, closing the gap between us.
And closer still until he towered over me, his expression calm.
Slowly, my chin rose as though daring him to kiss me and earn himself a slap. I knew better than to let this man in despite my thoughts scattering like those wayward leaves still finding their way around my feet.
I hardly knew anything about Tobias and yet he was seducing me with the ease of a man who always got what he wanted.
That was twice he’d scared the hell out of me. I was damned if I was going to give him the chance to do it again. He still hadn’t touched me, his hands tucked inside his trouser pockets in that seductive pose.
I flashed a glare. “It appears we ha
ve a misunderstanding, Mr. Wilder.”
“Yet I see the situation clearly.”
“Really?”
“Zara.” His breath felt warm on my mouth.
“Yes.”
He tilted his head slightly and his left cheek hovered near mine, his mouth close to my ear as he whispered, “It’s just a painting.”
I tried to remember the last time I’d been this daring and nothing came close to being whisked away by a gorgeous man in a helicopter to view a secret masterpiece. My universe was all about respectful whispers around century-old paintings housed in well-lit galleries in carefully controlled settings.
Was I going to let this adventure slip through my fingers?
“I promise to keep you safe.” He looked sincere. “Aren’t you even a little intrigued?”
“A little.”
“I want you to want to come,” he said without a hint of sarcasm.
My gaze moved over to that flashy helicopter.
“Say yes,” he whispered.
Whoever that girl was who’d stormed out of his house was nowhere to be seen now.
Instead, with my hand firmly in his grip I followed him back in and we walked through the foyer and down the hallway and back into the room with the dress.
He guided me into the center.
“I’ll put it on.” My gaze swept over the dress.
“I appreciate that, Zara.”
He was gone again, and I was left staring at my own stunned reflection.
It didn’t take me long to undress, peeling out of my underwear and then putting on his Coco de Mer. Staring at the mirror, I marveled how the lingerie flattered my figure, the bra with its delicate design that barely skimmed over my breasts and the Venetian lace panel on the back of the panties showing off my pert bottom. All self-consciousness left me, all embarrassment, as though it was quite natural to stand here wearing Tobias Wilder’s gift that barely covered anything.
My nipples beaded and nudged my bra.
A rush of blood to my head that he might have cameras installed in here and from another part of the house might be ogling me. The thought of me arousing him sent tingles between my thighs, his strong arms pulling me into him and holding me tight against his firm body and delivering a kiss so fierce it took my breath away; his full lips, his tongue teasing mine and delivering that unspoken promise he’d fuck me harder than I’d ever experienced.
The kind of passion that had women screaming for more.
I’d never reached those kinds of erotic heights with Zach. Not even close.
There’d been too many intimate moments where I’d feigned release with him because I just couldn’t get there, that elusive orgasm well out of reach, and until now I’d believed there was something wrong with me.
My breathing stuttered as my reflection came back into view and I realized I’d never thought of myself as sexy until now. Auburn curls tumbled over my shoulders and brushed my breasts.
I’d never been turned on by my own reflection. Until now.
Keeping my focus on why I was actually here was essential if I wasn’t going to lose my way, or lose my heart again and screw this up.
Within minutes I’d pulled myself together and put on the Alexander McQueen. I took a few more minutes to admire how well the dress fit over my curves and how incredibly gorgeous it looked on me. The intricate crystals woven into the material proved this was worth at least three months’ salary for me.
I used the counter for balance to slide into the high heels that were surprisingly comfortable. I opened my handbag and found my lipstick and dabbed my lips with a soft pink.
I went in search of Tobias, hoping he’d be pleased at least with the way I looked. I found him texting on his phone in the foyer.
When his gaze rose to mine he viewed me like something he’d created; his back stiffened as he stood taller.
A flash of excitement burned in his eyes.
Despite the fact that he was a virtual stranger, I somehow trusted him. This alluring enigma that was Tobias William Wilder was seductively hypnotic.
I loved being around him, and never had I met anyone as exciting as him.
I wanted, no, needed his approval. “Will I do, Mr. Wilder?” Searching his face for any sign of attraction to me, I forced a confident smile.
He merely held a fixed, stern expression and blinked my way.
I broke his gaze. “I’m afraid my handbag doesn’t match.”
“Do you have your magnifier?”
“Yes.” Rummaging through my bag, I felt for my miniature magnifier.
He stepped forward and took it from me. “Thank you.” Tobias tucked it into his jacket pocket. “You don’t need your bag.”
“But my phone—”
“Please—” He gestured for me to set it down on the table near the stairs. “You won’t need it.”
With each step toward it I questioned the sanity of leaving my phone behind and my credit cards, but his glare edged me on.
“Good.” Tobias gave a reassuring smile.
Staring through the glass window, I caught sight of the helicopter. “We’re really going in that?”
He gestured for me to follow. “Of course.”
Following him out into the crisp night air, I said, “I feel like Cinderella.” I giggled at my cuteness.
“I’m not sure what that makes me.” He smirked as he opened the passenger-side door of the helicopter and beckoned for me to get in. “Cinderella, we have to get you out of there before midnight.”
“Out of where?”
“Blandford Palace.”
My heart fluttered with joy.
We were heading to one of England’s most beautiful estates and seeing inside it had been merely a pipe dream. The manor was closed off to the public, and its rumored impressive collection of artwork was inaccessible, until now.
I vaguely remembered reading that large country estate was owned by one of the wealthiest siblings in England—the Blandford twins, their empire merging old money with the new from a thriving news corporation.
Tobias shrugged off his jacket and turned to face me, placing it over my shoulders. The warmth was welcoming. Until now adrenaline had made me forget the chill. I pulled his jacket around me and snuggled into it.
Focus, Zara, be professional.
The dashboard was all black leather and shiny controls.
When he wrapped his fingers around the central phallic control I had to look away to hide my blush.
Tobias handled his surroundings like his toys, with a focused intensity. That, and the way he broke into a relaxed smile had an addictive quality.
I counted myself lucky to be merely a professional colleague. God knew what kind of damage this man could do if you let him get under your skin.
A few equipment checks later and a brief chat into his headphones with air traffic control, we lifted off smoothly. Gravity forced us into our seats as we made a fast ascent.
With my heart in my throat and my knuckles white from gripping the seat belt too tightly, we banked left, and Tobias’s home shone brightly like a beacon below.
Within minutes we were flying over countryside, homes, farmland, and the city lights shrunk beneath us.
* * *
As I scanned the flickering lights below, it was easy to forget we were suspended merely in a machine, and now and again I braved a glance over at Tobias, who seemed lost in his own thoughts too.
We landed in the middle of a field and, after the blades stilled, we made our way over to an Aston Martin parked beside a deserted barn. This trip had been well thought out apparently.
We sped off into the night.
Large oak trees lined the driveway, arching above as a wooded tunnel and grandly welcoming visitors wit
h its dramatic forest. Onward through the surrounding acres, their landscape shielded by darkness. When we drove over a bridge there came the view of two great lakes.
“They won’t let us land close?” I was forced back into my seat—Tobias accelerated around a corner.
“No-fly zone over the house,” he explained.
The drive up to the mansion was no different to the flight here, with Tobias quiet and our conversation lacking. With him focused on his speed I was happy to let him concentrate.
I could only assume my meandering back at his house had lost us time and he was trying to make up for it.
My breath caught at the sight of the monumental seventeenth-century Baroque palace that dominated the horizon. It was truly the most striking home I’d ever seen. Vast stone pillars towered at the entryway, and before it spread out a splendorous courtyard.
“Wow,” I said in a rush.
“You’re starting to sound like an American,” he said playfully. “We can’t have that now, can we?”
I was too exhilarated to stop my giggle and slapped my hand to my mouth before I embarrassed myself any further.
We parked left of the house, his Aston Martin fitting in perfectly with the other high-end Bentleys, Ferraris and Mercedes-Benzes.
He leaned right and his arm brushed mine. He opened the glove box and reached in and removed two masks. One black and simple, masculine, and the other, which he handed me, was beaded with shiny studs and delicate feathers rising from the top.
“Put this on.” He gestured for me to turn my head so he could help me secure the ribbon behind, his fingertips moving against my hair and making my scalp tingle.
I couldn’t wait to share my adventures back at the office. Elena was going to freak out when I told her about what kind of mission Adley had unwittingly sent me on.
After repositioning my mask to fit perfectly, I pulled down the rearview mirror. My reflection was that of a mysterious sultry siren.
Tobias of course looked gorgeous in his and when he caught me staring at him flashed a grin. “Ready?”
“Yes, I’m excited.”
“You look beautiful.”
I was grateful he’d already gotten out of the car and hadn’t caught my reaction to his compliment. Tobias Wilder had a kind side. And as we were about to spend the evening together at a party, discovering this about him would make tonight easier.
The Chase Page 6