Her almond eyes widened. “And then what?”
“I’ll leave that up to you.”
Chapter 6
On the way to dinner, Jada sat beside Damian in his car with her heart in her throat. His declaration of just how much he wanted her had floored her. He’d thrown down the gauntlet, and Jada had to pick it up and accept it. She knew it wasn’t the smartest or wisest move, but she couldn’t deny that she was feeling the same emotions that were also swirling through Damian.
So, now she was throwing in the towel and giving in—to what, she wasn’t sure. She would just have to see how the night progressed.
“Why are you so quiet?” Damian asked, taking a moment to glance at her.
“Am I?”
“Yes. Are you nervous about spending the evening with me?”
“I agreed to dinner. I never agreed to more.”
Damian chuckled. “Sure, Jada. If that’s what you need to believe, then so be it.”
Jada wanted to comment on why he was trying to irk her, but she held off. It was time they put this—whatever it was—to bed. If going to dinner would accomplish that and get it out of their system, she would do it because the physical chemistry between them was dangerously strong and threatening to erupt at any minute.
They drove in silence, each deep in their own thoughts until Damian pulled up to Gary Danko’s in Fisherman’s Wharf. Jada loved the warm, enveloping atmosphere of the restaurant and the eclectic artwork lining the walls. Damian had good taste. She was exiting the vehicle on her own steam when he came around to close the door behind her.
“I didn’t take you for a gentleman.”
“That’s because you don’t know me,” he whispered low and deep in her ear, “but tonight we’re going to change that.”
Jada hated that her stomach curled at the prospect of his words. He tucked her arm in the crook of his and led her into the restaurant. Since the restaurant took limited reservations, she was surprised when they were immediately seated at a table for two in the corner. “You must have some pull,” Jada commented as the host placed a napkin in her lap.
Damian smiled. “Some.”
While he ordered the wine, Jada allowed herself to truly look at him. With his dark good looks, smoldering eyes, tall stature, and excellent physique, Damian McKnight could easily be a model. Every woman in America would drool over him as Jada had since the day he’d walked into the conference room.
“Would you care for some wine?”
Jada blinked and realized the waiter was in front of her. “Yes, please.”
Damian smiled from across the table as if he knew she’d been sizing him up. When the waiter had filled her wineglass and his, Damian held up his glass. “To a great night.”
Jada held her glass up too and took a sip. Red wasn’t her favorite wine, but she had to admit it was a delicious and robust vintage. She also noticed that Damian hadn’t taken his eyes off hers and that his eyes had traveled to her lips. She squirmed. She didn’t like his scrutiny even though she’d scrutinized him as well.
To throw him off, she said the first thing that came to her mind. “Why do you want me?”
He grinned and placed his glass on the table. “I would think that would be obvious. You’re an incredibly beautiful woman.”
“Whom you’ve clashed heads with since the moment we met.”
“I’m sure you’ve heard that anger can, under certain circumstances, produce passion in its stead. You know the old adage that love is the opposite coin of hate.”
“So, I’m an itch that needs scratching?”
“So to speak, but I would also like to know more about Jada, and not her representative.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I mean I’d like to know the real you, not the one you portray to the world—the beautiful heiress with a penchant for flashy fashion.”
Jada was appalled that he thought so little of her, thought her that superficial. “Is that really how you see me?”
“I did.”
“Did as in past tense?”
Damian nodded. “The file on you was light with not much to go off of, and I made some assumptions which, thus far, you’ve proven wrong. You’ve shown more tenacity and spirit than I imagined a woman in your position would.”
“Why does that sound like an affront coming from you?”
He stared at her from across the table with those deep, penetrating eyes. “I didn’t mean it as one.”
“Didn’t you? That’s the second time you’ve mentioned my position or heiress status. Do you have a problem that I’m rich, Damian? Because if so, I would say that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“Touché.” He raised his wineglass and took a sip.
“But I’m right?” Jada pressed. She didn’t understand why it was so important for her to know, but she wanted to know exactly what he thought of her. It would tell her whether this attraction between them would go beyond this dinner.
“I admit,” he began, “that I had some preconceived notions about who you were and I was wrong. You’re much more than a pretty face or a rich debutante. You’ve got heart and a lot more depth than I gave you credit for. You’re extremely talented with a passion for your career, a talent which has been overlooked at the station for years. You’re inquisitive. You’re independent and charming. And the more I get to know you, the more I like you. Does that answer your question?”
Jada swallowed the lump in her throat. Damian had no problem being completely forthright. Could she be the same? “Yes, it does.”
“I’ve surprised you, hmm?” He leaned forward and into her personal space. “Imagine my surprise to find that you both anger and enchant me, Jada.” He reached across the table and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Stop saying things like that,” Jada said as she looked downward. He was messing with her equilibrium, and she didn’t like it. She was used to being in charge in her relationships, but Damian was changing all the rules.
“Why? Wasn’t the purpose of this dinner to ease the tension between us? The sexual tension.”
“Have you made your selections for dinner?” The waiter returned to their table to take their order, and Jada didn’t have to answer Damian, at least not right away. She could compose herself and figure out what she was supposed to say and do next.
She opted for the scallops. Despite the fine dining establishment, Jada wasn’t interested in eating much, not when there was a knot in her stomach the size of Mount Everest. Meanwhile, Damian went for the halibut. Once the waiter walked away, however, Damian returned his full attention to Jada.
Damian was bewildered. Outwardly, Jada portrayed herself as self-assured and queen of the jungle, but he could see now that it was all for show. There was a hidden vulnerability beneath her, and he was more intrigued that she appeared to be just as out of her depth in this scenario as was he. But that didn’t stop him from pushing the envelope; he wanted, no, he needed her to come out of her shell. He needed to force her to confront this sizzle of passion between them that wasn’t fading.
“Don’t retreat from me, Jada. I want to know how you feel about me.”
“I find you to be headstrong, arrogant, and bullish.”
He rolled his eyes. “Ah, stop with the compliments.”
Her face creased into a wide-open grin. She genuinely smiled for the first time since they’d sat down, and Damian sighed in relief. He was hoping she wouldn’t be this defensive all night. “You’re impossible, do you know that?”
“And yet that turns you on.” It certainly did. He couldn’t wait to strip her out of her black skirt and silk top and touch her. Each day, it had grown harder and harder to concentrate on work when her eyes would flare fire when she was fascinated by something or someone, like now. Her entire being came to life. It was something h
e wanted to capture, to taste.
Jada’s face stilled and turned red. His directness embarrassed her.
“Do you always speak what’s on your mind?”
“I do. And so do you, Jada.” When she began to speak, he interrupted her. “Don’t even try it. You do the same when it suits you. I’m doing the same now.”
“It suits you to disarm me?”
“If it means you’ll be real with me, then yes.”
“Alright. Despite how insufferable I find you can be at times, I have found you to be fair, open to new ideas, and a man of integrity.”
“Wow. Did that hurt you to give me a compliment?”
Jada held up her thumb and index finger. “Just a little.”
He let out a loud belly laugh. “I think this evening is going to turn out to be more than either of us bargained for.”
There’s never been a truer statement, Jada thought a few hours later after she and Damian had shared a delicious dinner and intriguing conversation. It had been a bit stilted between them initially, but once Jada got over her anxiety, she found Damian was good company and an excellent conversationalist.
Although he hadn’t talked about his childhood or family, Damian had revealed his wide range of hobbies, from music and art to sports. He’d amused her when he offered to take her to a game and at his frown, she’d realized he was serious. He wanted to spend more time with her outside of tonight.
But do I want to spend more time with him?
She was asking herself that very question on the drive back to the station to pick up her car. It was nearly midnight, and the parking lot would be empty until the early shift came on at three a.m.
“We’re here,” Damian said as he pulled up beside her car.
“Thanks for a fun night.” Jada turned toward him. “I had a good time.”
“But?”
“I should go inside. I left a file that I need.”
“Why are you running away, Jada? I didn’t take you for a coward.”
Her brown eyes flashed fire. “I’m not a coward. If you thought the evening was going to end with you taking me to bed, that’s not my problem.” She opened the door, hopped out, and began stalking toward the station door. She swiped her card and was entering when Damian’s footsteps suddenly echoed behind her. She walked more quickly into the newsroom. It was empty with only the television screens in the background illuminating the room.
“Jada.” She heard his deep voice behind her and spun around. He was several feet away, but it wasn’t lost on Jada that they were alone.
“Why are you following me? Can’t you take a hint?”
“I could if you weren’t sending mixed messages,” Damian said from where he was standing. “One minute, you’re happy and relaxed at dinner with me. The next minute, you’re coiled up as tight as a spring, jumping out of the car and running away from me. Which is it, Jada? Do you or do you not want this?”
Jada bit her lip and looked away. His sexual magnetism made him supremely desirable, but she was afraid of what might happen if she allowed herself to go there.
“What are you so afraid of?” Damian marched toward her. All the while, his steady gaze traveled over her face and searched her eyes for a sign. Jada felt a tingling in her stomach, and her heart jolted. He was disturbing to her on every level, and she knew she should take a step back.
But she didn’t.
When Damian stood in front of her, he slowly and seductively stroked her cheek. “Jada, sweet Jada.”
He said her name in a soothing and smoldering manner.
“Damian.”
“Yes, baby?” His words were husky with desire.
Hot needles of excitement prickled Jada’s flesh as she could no longer deny what was inevitable between them. She glanced up at him between lowered lashes. “Take me.”
Blood roared in Damian’s ears. Had he heard her right? “What did you say?” He needed her to repeat herself so that there would be no misunderstanding afterward. It would be very difficult to stop once they were in the throes of passion, though he would if that’s what she asked him to do.
She smiled. “You heard me. I want you. So take me.”
Damian grabbed Jada by the waist, and she slammed against him. He exulted in feeling her breasts squashed against his chest. Then he crushed her mouth beneath his. The kiss was fast and potent, sending pure fire directly to the pit of his stomach. When Jada wound her arms around his neck, Damian felt as if they were meant to be there. He tilted her back, and she made an inarticulate sound as he leaned in for a deeper, more fervent kiss.
Her mouth met his with equal ferocity, and in Damian’s mind, the world ceased to exist. He just knew he had to have this woman. Tonight. Right now. He maneuvered her backward into a nearby office and closed the door. He surmised they were still alone, but he didn’t want an audience when he finally was able to do the things he wanted to do to her.
His hands dug into her hair as he kissed her gently, seducing her mouth with slow, practiced kisses. Her entire body quivered underneath his as she rubbed herself against him. He loved the friction of her softness yielding to his hardness, the way her hands caressed the back of his neck, roving to his broad shoulders and downward to cup his buttocks and bind him to her. It caused something primitive and elemental to come over Damian because hadn’t the seeds been sown between them since day one? Now it was time to reap the reward. He pushed her backward against the wall, driven by the need to explore this explosive physical attraction that he’d never experienced with another woman. He fumbled with the buttons on her silk shirt and cursed when he couldn’t get the damn things loose.
She merely laughed and unbuttoned them herself, opening herself up to his admiring gaze. He’d suspected she had beautiful breasts. He was right. They were perfect twins and more than a handful. He pushed the fabric of her satin bra upward and lowered his head to take a nipple between his teeth. He heard her gasp. He liked the sound and that she was so sensitive. The next time, he put his mouth on her entire breast. He drew it in, rolling his tongue around her nipple before treating the other breast with equal attention.
“Yes, Damian,” she moaned. “Yes.”
He liked his name on her lips and planned to give her even more, but the little minx must have felt equally as needy because her hands were taking off his jacket while their lips never parted. His jacket, followed by his tie, fell to the floor. Then her greedy hands were on his shirt, tearing at the buttons causing them to fly in every direction. But Damian didn’t care. He just luxuriated when her head lowered to flick her hot tongue across his nipple.
Sweet Jesus!
He reached for the zipper on her skirt that allowed him to glide it upward from her legs. The time was here and now for him and this woman to finally become one, but first, it was time for a long overdue feast. Slowly, he slid down her body and onto his knees.
Damian’s fingertips slid upward to the cradle of Jada’s thighs. She felt him kiss the hollows behind her knees and the back of her calves. She closed her eyes, waiting with tremulous suspense for the quivery sensations when he stroked her there, the place that ached for him.
“I need to touch you.” Damian glanced up at Jada, and her breath caught in her throat at the lust in his eyes. His thumbs reached up and hooked into the waistband of her bikini panty. He drew it down ever so slowly until the scrap of fabric was at her ankle. “Step out of it.”
She did as instructed and watched with amazement when Damian scrunched the panty and put it in the pocket of his suit jacket. “Spread your legs,” he ordered. “I’m going to make you come.”
Jada had no choice but to do as she was told—he’d reduced her to a quivering mass. One moment she’d been running away from him, and the next minute he had her up against the wall in the office, kissing her breathless. Every cell in her body responded and rejoiced to the right
ness of this man in this moment. She wanted to be taken, possessed by him and vice versa.
Her blood was racing at the exhilaration of the pleasure he was about to give her. But the first touch of his tongue at her core was so profound, Jada damn near slid down the wall; but Damian held her up by gripping her waist. His thumbs held her open so he could blow, lick, and suck on her clitoris. She shuddered under the assault, and her senses became completely alive as need spun through her like a whirlpool. There wasn’t a bit of her he wasn’t encompassing with the skilled accuracy of his mouth and tongue. He clearly knew his way around a woman’s body and how to give her the most pleasure.
“Oh yes.” Jada let out a loud moan, trying to quiet herself, but that only egged Damian on. He began tonguing her feverishly, thrusting in and out of her soaking core. Her sighs of pleasure became quicker, higher, and louder until soon she was in the grip of a mind-numbing orgasm. She cried out her release, and Damian lapped her up like she was the most delicious ice cream cone he’d ever licked.
Only when the spasms had lessened did he rise to his feet and begin unzipping himself, pulling his trousers down and freeing his bulging erection to life. He was incredibly beautiful. Jada went to reach him and take him in her mouth, but he pushed her hand away.
“Another time. I need to be inside you.” She watched as he took a foil packet from his pocket and glided it on his burgeoning member.
And she needed that too. Although she’d loved the orgasm, she wanted to feel him and experience climaxing with him together. Arcing, she hooked her leg around his hip, opening for him and Damian answered. He positioned himself between her legs. She was so wet and ready for him that with one powerful thrust, Damian surged deep inside her. Jada gripped his shoulders as her body accommodated his size and the sensation of him filling her so completely. Then slowly, ever so slowly, he began moving inside her.
Jada was overwhelmed by the feeling of completion. “Damian.”
And when he slid his hand under her butt and drew her closer, heat rushed through her, sending sparks through her core. “Omigod!”
Captivated Hearts Page 7