His expression didn’t change, but he was done playing games. “Fifteen thousand.”
For a moment, Nikki touched the bridge of her nose. She peeked at Katie, who shook her head once. “Going once, going twice. Sold to our gracious host.”
An excruciating hour later, the live auction was over and Annie released me from duty.
“Let me find out where you can change out of your fifteen-k gown.” She shook her head. “Go have a drink. But don’t go too far.”
I nodded and trudged back to the bar, feeling drained now that all the adrenaline had left me.
Cole greeted me with a wolfish grin and a glass of champagne. “Dance with me.”
“What was that all about?” I took the glass from him. I really needed a drink.
“Dance with me.”
“Why? Because you paid an insane amount of money for this gown?”
He smiled, his usual scorching-hot, sure-of-himself smile. “No. Because you want to.”
I glanced at the clock over the bar. It was fifteen minutes to midnight. We had a little bit of time, and he was right. I really did want to dance with him. And he had to know about Bridget’s plans. I nodded. He took my glass and handed it to the bartender. He ushered me to the dance area by the stage, on the opposite side of the warehouse, but we didn’t stay there. We strolled through the double doors on the side of the stage. A bouncer with massive arms stood at attention as we approached him. His eyes dropped to my wrist.
He started to say something, but Cole put up his hand. “She’s with me.”
The man nodded and let us through. This was life with Cole—an all-access pass. My heart pounded hard as I followed with fickle steps. The next room was a different world, and it screamed sex a bit louder. Instead of tables, there were resort pool tents along the wall. No DJ here, but an actual band playing jazzy tunes. When we reached the dance floor, he turned me once and brought me close to him. Of course, the man could dance.
“This place is incredible,” I said, aware of how close my lips were to his neck. I wanted to kiss him on the lips…to hell with Bridget and the stupid promise he made of not kissing me until I asked.
“Did Max get grounded today?”
What? The mention of Max diffused the sexual tension building up inside me, the ache between my legs. Was he doing this on purpose?
“No. After all, it wasn’t his fault. You were the one who threw me in the pool.”
He laughed. His deep, smooth-as-honey laugh. “Technically, I jumped in. You just happened to be on me.” His thumb slid under the line of my breast, sending a current of electricity down my back.
“Is there a place where we can sit for a bit?” Better to get our conversation over with.
He pressed his lips together and nodded. “Of course, I have a private tent in the other room.”
My intent hadn’t been to act so mysterious. But if he wanted to yell or throw me out after we spoke, I didn’t want all these people ogling us.
The VIP of the VIP room in yet another section in the ginormous warehouse was smaller and more intimate than the last two. At the far end of the room, a violinist played an old tango I knew well, “Mano a Mano.” The sensual and melancholic melody added to the decadent setting of the place. Probably the reason Cole didn’t want to bring me here.
His tent was cozy, all done in white leather furnishings and infused with a faint scent of vanilla. Under the shimmer of the small chandelier overhead, my dress looked scarlet red. I swallowed and smoothed out the fabric around my waist. This was the worst place to tell him about his ex’s plans. I plumped myself on the sofa, and a few pillows dropped to the floor.
“Oh, sorry.” I bent to pick them up.
“Leave it.” Cole caught my hand. He unbuttoned his tuxedo jacket and sat.
Out of habit, or cowardice, I inched over to my left to make room. He gave me a bright smile that said nice try. “Make up your mind, Valentina. I can’t take this any longer.”
A hot puddle of unrealized desire, I melted a little every time he said my name. I squeezed my legs together and scooted some more. This sofa wasn’t big enough for the two of us. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Do you want to kiss me or not?” He slid across the cushion, closing the space between us. “Ask me.”
I adjusted my weight on the seat. He tightened his hold on my fingers. God, even if I had wanted to flee, I didn’t think my legs would respond. Cocking his head, he rubbed his thumb across the inside of my wrist where my pulse was visible.
“I want you.” The words left my lips of their own accord. I had meant to say something else, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember what.
“Close enough, sweetheart.” Cupping the nape of my neck, he took my mouth with a longing that sent a wave of adrenaline from my core to my toes. Heat pulsed between my thighs as the tip of his tongue teased mine. I leaned in and sucked gently. I might not get another chance to taste him.
He eased me back on the sofa, and I landed on a bed of soft and silky decorative pillows. A groan escaped his lips, making my nerves dissolve. Did he want me as much as I wanted him? The knowledge that he might fueled the daring side of me. My hand trembled as I slipped it inside his jacket and kneaded the hard muscles under his shirt. I pulled on it, my fingers itching to touch his skin.
Eyes closed, he dropped his chin to his chest. “You are so beautiful.” He planted hot kisses on my neck and the hard nipples trapped under my dress.
Earlier tonight, the gown had fit me perfectly, but now it felt tight and in the way. Cole must’ve read my thoughts because he reached behind me and pulled on the zipper, just enough to free my breasts.
His mouth found my taut nipple just as the dress slid down an inch. I moaned against his temple. One night, all I needed was one night to feel alive again. Tomorrow he’d hate me, but for now, he was here and he wanted me. I didn’t stop him when he pushed my skirt up and rubbed my legs on the way up. I was completely at his mercy. He squeezed my butt cheek. God, I needed more than that, but I didn’t know how to ask.
His eyes bore into mine. “Tell me what you want. How far?”
How far I wanted to go? I needed him. No more waiting. I sighed, let one knee fall to the side, and guided his hand from my hip to below my navel and farther down. The heat from his hand brought a new wave of sensation. I pushed on his wrist. He bit his lip, pressing his forehead to mine, sending goose bumps down my neck.
“Please.” I was so hot for him I couldn’t wait.
He nodded as his fingers tapped my entrance. Something in his eyes told me he’d do anything I asked. My mounting need responded to his jagged and warm breath against the valley between my breasts. Having a beautiful man like Cole wanting me was pure ecstasy. And I found I didn’t have the will to turn him down anymore.
“Oh, sweetheart, you have no idea what you do to me.” His fingers went deeper inside me, and I buried one hand in his soft hair and brought his lips to mine with the other. “I only wished you’d let me in somewhere less crowded.” He captured my mouth again.
His words didn’t register. What did he mean? Oh crap, we were still at the party. I turned toward the entrance of the tent, but he had already lowered the curtains. I had no idea when he’d had time or a free hand to do that.
“Now I’m going to have to wait my turn.” He thumbed circles around the apex of my sex, sending an electric current down my legs.
Everything around me went quiet as the hum below my navel grew bigger and bigger. I kissed him again. Desire had turned to heat, and the heat to a glorious ache. Fully in tuned with what I needed, he slid his fingers out and then in; his thumb never ceased its torture. Each time he reached deeper and deeper, until I clutched his shoulders and found my release. His mouth crushed mine and muffled my cry.
“Let’s get out of here,” he whispered, out of breath, sending small waves of pleasure to where his hand still rested.
Chapter Fifteen
If One Night Is All We Ha
ve
Cole
“Of all the places you could’ve said yes, why did it have to be here?” I held Valentina’s hand in a tight grip as I pulled her behind me toward the general admissions room.
“I didn’t exactly plan it.” She struggled to catch her breath. “Wait.” She yanked her arm back. My stomach dropped. Had she changed her mind? “I have to return the gown.”
I spun to look at her. God, she really did look beautiful in that dress. “Don’t worry about it. You can return it to me later.” I grinned at her. She blushed, and my cock stood at attention.
Shit, we’re not going to make it home.
“Text your friend and tell her I’m taking you home.” I signaled for the valet to call for my car.
For once, she didn’t question my intentions or high-handedness. Instead, she texted Annie while she kept her body next to mine.
While we waited for my car, Valentina cuddled up next to me and shivered.
“Are you seriously cold?” I shrugged out of my tuxedo jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“There’s definitely a chill in the air.”
I hugged her close, glad for an excuse to keep my hands on her. When the car arrived, we climbed in the back seat of the SUV, where our driver had a couple of bottles of water waiting for us.
“Drink.” I handed her a bottle.
“Make up your mind. Do you want me drunk or sober?” she teased.
“Drunk before, sober now.” I planted a chaste kiss on her cheek, though I wanted to do way more than that.
“Going home, Mr. Cole?” the driver asked.
I gave him a look that said he had to work on his timing. “Yes, Jose. We’re going home. Is the escort ready?”
“Just about. They’re wrapping up staging.”
“Thanks.” I turned my attention to Valentina and placed my hand over hers. I didn’t trust myself to get any closer.
“Like a police escort?” she asked.
“Nikki’s idea. Traffic during events like this one can be impossible. They’ll get us out of here fast.”
She blushed, and my cock pushed on my zipper. Jesus. I took a deep calming breath. Valentina knew why I was in rush to get home, but I didn’t want to do or say anything to scare her off or make her change her mind. She squeezed my fingers, sliding her thumb across my palm. She might as well have been stroking me, the way my body reacted. Forcing myself to take even breaths, I slanted a glance at her. She gazed out the window, though everything around us was pitch black. Did she not realize what she was doing?
The electric charge in the air echoed against my chest. I snuck a peek at Jose and made a mental note to get a car with a divider. Or maybe just drive myself next time. Scratch that. What kind of an asshole pulls over to the side of the road for a quickie, especially for the first time with someone like Valentina.
She continued her torture on my hand, completely unaware of how her nerves fueled my desire for her. I adjusted my weight on the seat, pants tight, cock in sheer agony.
“Jose.” I turned to the driver.
“Yes, sir. That’s them now.” The emergency siren blared a couple of times to get cars out of the way and let us through. A minute later, our SUV rolled forward. About goddamn time.
Valentina turned to me and smiled. I inched a little closer, and she leaned forward.
“I never asked you how the cottage is working out for you.” Anything to get my mind off the tightness in my trousers.
She cleared her throat. “It’s great.”
The SUV flew down Skyline Drive. Valentina rolled down her window and exhaled before facing me. “I never thanked you for helping me that day.”
I shook my head. “You did.” I paused when she sat a little straighter. “I mean, please don’t think I offered you the cottage just so I could…you know.”
The police car lights flashed ahead of us. A red glow shone on her hair and bare shoulders as she shifted in her seat again and leaned closer to me. Her cleavage made me forget my words. I wanted to kiss her, caress her the way I had back at the fund-raiser. I touched my forehead to hers, and she squeezed my hand—it might as well be my heart.
“I don’t think that at all,” she whispered.
I ran my fingers down her cheek. Only a few weeks had gone by since she walked into my life, but I felt as if I’d waited a lifetime for her, for this. Putting a finger below her chin, I lifted her lips up to mine. I couldn’t wait any more.
She shot a glance to Jose before she turned her attention to me. “There’s something I should tell you.”
I gripped her hand. Right now, Jose was my least favorite person. No. This wasn’t his fault. This was on me and my poor planning. “What is it?”
She peeked at Jose again. “Umm. Let’s wait until we get home.”
By the time I opened the door to the house, the urgent need that assaulted us back at the party had subsided to a manageable level. Thank God. Valentina deserved more than a quick tumble. She never said it, but I was sure the last time she had sex was when Max was conceived. Or right around that time. Either way, it’d been a long time for her.
She whipped around in the middle of the great room when I threw the deadbolt, her eyes big on me. I caught up to her before she decided to run out the back door.
“Are you hungry?” I held her by the waist tighter than I intended to. She gave me a weak nod. And I got the impression she didn’t have the ability to say no to me tonight. I felt the same way, and it terrified me.
In the kitchen, we found more champagne, a cheese platter layered with fruits and nuts, and a plate of macarons. I cursed under my breath. Valentina knew I didn’t know she’d be at the party. Had she already guessed this midnight snack was meant for my guest for the night?
Hiding a smile behind her index finger, she sauntered around the island, the way she had done back at the live auction. Her other hand trailed along the edge of the granite countertop. Confidence looked good on her. “Okay.”
“Okay, what?” I tapped my fingers on the cold stone. I was losing control.
“What happens if I eat the cheese and drink the wine?” she asked in a husky and playful voice. “Do I officially become Saturday?”
Sexy and confident, a lethal combination. God, I was enjoying this side of her.
“Don’t say that.” I raked my hand through my hair to buy some time. I couldn’t think straight. Her words from earlier tonight flashed in my mind. I want you. She was here and ready, and now a stupid cheese platter might ruin my plans. “Em knows I get hungry after a night out.” Not smooth or convincing at all.
She raised an eyebrow to tell me she wasn’t buying it.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I know who you are. I know you can’t love me. We’re worlds apart. But I don’t care. Not tonight. I want you.” Her voice was low and hoarse. “One night. That’s all we have.”
Valentina and her rules. But she was here. And that was progress. I had all night to prove to her that one night wouldn’t be enough. At least not for me. I prowled around the counter. She almost took a step back, but she caught herself and stood her ground instead, daring me.
“So you’re telling me…” With my hand on her waist, I thumbed the silky fabric below her navel. “That tomorrow…” I leaned closer, and our breaths filled the small space between our mouths. “This won’t have any effect on you?”
She sighed, nodding a yes.
“Yes, it will?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m telling you.” She gripped the edge of the granite, her chin in the air.
It wasn’t a dare. She believed her own words. “Okay. We’ll do it your way.” I grabbed the bottle and her hand. “Your rules. If one night is all we have, then let’s make it count. Get the macarons.”
“Where are we going?” She laughed as she snatched the plateful of sweets.
“I want to show you something.” I waited by the patio door. “You’re into astronomy, right?”
“Ye
s. How’d you know that?” Her gaze flicked to mine.
“You work for me, remember?”
She gave me an inquisitive glance before we dashed outside and followed the path up to the terrace. At the foot of the stairs, I took her elbow and helped her up the stone steps that led to the back door of my bedroom. The view from up here never failed to take my breath away. I hoped it would do the same for her.
She let out a long sigh when we reached the top. “Oh, wow. I always wondered what was up here.”
“It’s my bedroom.” I pointed toward the french doors, wide open with sheer curtains dancing in the warm breeze.
“Oh. I didn’t…” She cleared her throat. Was she losing her nerve? “I didn’t know that.” She held my gaze for a moment. Heat slowly reached every fiber in me.
The smell of wet dirt and gardenias lingered in the air. Clouds swiftly brushed past us, giving way to a bright sky. A perfect night for stargazing, except I couldn’t stop looking at Valentina. We unloaded our loot on a nearby table, and I ushered her toward the telescope set at the far end. She hesitantly ran her hands over the device before she peeked through the lens. When the tech came to install it yesterday, I never dreamed I’d get to show it to her so soon.
“I can see Saturn.” She glanced at me over her shoulder. “Wait, that can’t be. Right?” I couldn’t keep my eyes off her and that dress clinging to her shapely backside. “This is incredible. No wonder there’s always naked women prancing around in your house. I have to admit I’m fighting the urge to take my clothes off right now.” She donned one of her two-dimple smiles before she turned her attention back to the stars.
The gleam in her eyes was something new. Was she teasing me? I hoped she wasn’t kidding about the getting-naked part. I wanted her so badly I couldn’t breathe.
I took her waist from behind and whispered in her ear. “I never bring anyone up here. But I’m glad it’s having this effect on you. Never fight the urge to get naked in front of me.” I spun her and kissed the mounds standing proudly over the top of her dress.
She wedged her hand between us. “Why did you bring me up here?”
Love Over Lattes Page 12