Overcome? More like ripping mad. She refused to look up as Marcus continued making thank-you noises to guests as they hovered around the sculpture. When she finally braved a look at everyone, Nick was nowhere to be seen.
Marcus bent to her ear, his voice heavy with contrition. “Miri…look, I shouldn’t have kissed you in front of everyone. It was just impulse. You’re so beautiful, and I’m so proud of you and what you’ve achieved.” He gestured in the direction of the sculpture. “After we’ve finished here, would you let me take you to supper tonight? A small celebration. Anywhere you choose.”
Miri was beginning to wonder if Marcus had completely lost it. He just didn’t seem to get it at all. Looking around at the guests, she saw that most had moved away to find more food and wine. Alex had disappeared as well.
Miri cleared her throat, frantically thinking of something to say that would put a stop to the whole thing. “I’m afraid…ouch!” she yelped at Bree’s sharp jab in the ribs.
“Actually, Marcus, we already have plans for a late supper with friends at the Art House, haven’t we, Miri?”
Thank goodness, Bree to the rescue. “Actually, yes, we’re booked, so I’m afraid you’ll have to make other arrangements,” confirmed Miri with a politeness that had the effect of fading Marcus’ pleading grimace. “Anyway, if you’ll excuse me for a few minutes…”
If Marcus didn’t like her plans, he didn’t bother to argue as she made a swift one-eighty on a heel, mouthed a “thank you” to Bree, and headed for the kitchen to find ice water and solitude.
When she put her head through the kitchen entrance, the caterers were still trying to destroy the stainless steel, so she stole into the adjacent supplies room. Resting her face against a stack of photocopier paper boxes, she pictured Nick in his BMW on his way back to his hotel or wherever he might have gone. Her whole being ached at the loss of him. She would gladly give away the whole evening just to be with him.
“Miri, you are amazing.” Nick was behind her, his warm breath grazing her cheek as she felt him slip his hand over hers, turning her to him.
He was here, his gray eyes smiling down at her, his gorgeous mouth curved in a soft grin.
“Nick, I thought you had…had…” Her words stuttered to a stop. “Thank you,” she added shyly.
“Are you okay? That was some show.” He tucked one side of her hair behind her shoulder, and she angled her face to his touch.
As she looked up at him, her giddy relief at his presence made it difficult to answer. “I’m…fine. Marcus didn’t realize what he was doing…” She stopped, knowing Nick wouldn’t believe her words any more than she did. “I don’t know what got into him,” she finished lamely.
Nick shrugged. “He was just marking his territory for my benefit. But it wasn’t respectful. I can thump the jackass if you like.”
Of course he could. So easily. “Oh, no, that’s not necessary…” She stopped when she saw a trace of laughter in his eyes, but even then she couldn’t be sure that he was joking. “I’m sure he won’t do it again. But he really glared at you.”
“Uh-huh, felt it clear across the room.”
“Oh, God, how awful.” She looked at his tailored white shirt, inspecting the buttons in a neat vertical line in front of her. What a pity none were undone. “Did you meet many people before the unveiling?” she asked, wondering if he would mention his conversation with Alex.
“Well, I talked to your Arts Committee chairperson, Janice. I thought she was going to ask me for a date. A few others, including your friend Abe.”
Maybe it was a good thing he hadn’t mentioned Alex. A little of Alex could go a long way, and she’d had her fill tonight. Besides, Alex had disappeared, apparently taken away by something important, which in Alex’s world could be anything from meeting a man to a two-point drop in the Dow. A quick catch-up call tomorrow morning would do.
“Mariette Hastings wasn’t here tonight, did you notice?” Miri asked, still inspecting Nick’s buttons.
“No Mariette,” Nick agreed with a quiet chuckle. “Your client had someone else in mind for tonight. Anyway, I want to know about your art. Miri, you are an artistic and technical genius. How did you do the calculations for those sections?”
“Computer-aided design software,” she murmured absentmindedly, staring harder at his buttons. Would it be too forward to undo one? Then another?
“Right. I thought you must use a CAD system. It’s an incredible work.” He laughed again. “Are you listening? You seem to be thinking about something else.”
“What? Oh, yes, I’m listening.” Now would be perfect if Nick kissed her.
“What would you like to do now? Go back to your friends? Or I can take you home if you don’t have a ride. You must be worn out.”
Miri considered his words for all of three seconds. True, the day had been tiring, and the Art House did a very nice supper, and her friends would want her to be there. But she needed something else this evening or, more accurately, someone else.
“Do they serve supper at the Endeavour?” She looked up at him, running her tongue along her top lip in what she hoped was an appealing invitation.
The small tightening of Nick’s jaw told her she’d got it right. “Uh-huh. The restaurant is open ’til late.”
“Does the Endeavour do chocolate mousse?”
“Yeah, I believe it does.”
“With cherries?”
“I’m sure we can find you a cherry,” he answered with such a low, sexy growl, Miri closed her eyes to cherish the sound.
She ran a nail around a shirt button. To hell with being too obvious. Working the button undone, she pushed her hand through the opening. Mm, just as she remembered it. Lots of warm, hard muscle.
“You’re being very forward, Ms. Jamieson. Should you be doing that sort of thing in a supplies room?”
Miri dove her fingers deeper as she rested her cheek against his shirt. “Well, you followed me in here, Mr. Brannagh.” She shivered as Nick’s hand slid over her shoulder, his thumb tracing slowly along her collar bone.
“So I did.” He eased her back to arm’s length, his fingers lifting her chin to look into her eyes. “Are you sure about this? We can go for supper somewhere.”
She didn’t hesitate. She was going to do this, she really was. “I’m sure,” she whispered.
Miri had never been more sure of anything in her life.
CHAPTER NINE
She looked like a nymph.
An ethereal nymph who was about to float away into the night at any moment.
And he needed a scotch. The nymph had him thrumming like a bowstring. Hell, he wasn’t used to this. Wanting a woman so badly that he didn’t know where to start.
Except this wasn’t any woman. This woman was a genius.
Nick had guessed she was talented, but not to a level that had left him in total awe. No wonder every artist and dignitary from as far as New York had turned out to see her work. The Circle of Life’s sheer beauty, extraordinary detail, and design expertise put Miri’s talent in the sublime. He still couldn’t figure out how those small hands of hers could work such an unforgiving medium.
Nick watched her leaning against the balustrade of his suite. Talented and beautiful. With her back to him, all he could see was her bare feet peeking below the wide fan of her red dress and her long dark hair shimmering under the soft outdoor lights.
“Can I get you anything, Ms. Jamieson?” Nick asked, half hoping the nymph would ask for a drink so he could pour himself a Scotch.
“No, I’m fine, thank you, Mr. Brannagh.” She turned and leaned against the railing, crossing a dainty foot over the other and rocking on her toes. “Actually, I’ve never been to the Endeavour before. I guess you’re used to fancy places like this.”
Nick could barely drag his eyes from her, but he looked around obligingly. After years of travel, hotels all looked the same to him, regardless of star rating. But she was right about the Endeavour. It was impressive, wi
th its sweeping grounds overlooking the harbor.
“Yeah, I guess it’s pretty fancy.”
She turned back to face the harbor, swaying her hips as if listening to some silent tune. “It’s so beautiful out here. I could look at this view for hours.”
Hours? Well, his intention was to take it slow tonight, so maybe he could manage an hour or two admiring the view. The one standing on his balcony that had him aching with need.
Nick chuckled, although he was way past laughing. “Maybe I should get you a chair if you’re intending to be out here for that long.”
She half-turned and aimed a small, shy smile up to him.
Nick had anticipated her shyness. Despite all that flirtiness at the medical center, a hotel room with a man was probably a first. Maybe two sexual relationships in her life, he guessed, and only after a respectable dating period and in her bed where she’d feel safe. Of course, losing her family would have made her ultra-wary of involvement, and for Miri, being here tonight was about as involved as it got. But then he felt pretty involved himself. Hell, if this was what commitment felt like, then he liked it. Very much.
Nick bent to kiss the top of her head. In her bare feet, she barely reached past his shoulder, but even so, she was just right to rest against his crotch. He slipped an arm around her waist, lacing her fingers with his, careful not to let his erection jam into the small of her back. Why he was so bothered, he didn’t know, but for some stupid reason, he wanted to take it slow tonight. Give her plenty of time to relax and settle in.
“Well, I have to compliment you again. You are a creative genius and a damned good engineer.”
“An engineer? I’ve never really thought of it like that. Maybe I can get some tips from you.” She half-turned again, the top of her hip brushing against his crotch. Slow was starting to hurt.
Nick closed his eyes and kissed her hair again, inhaling the fruity scent of her shampoo. “I don’t think I could improve on anything you built. So, what’s next?” He moved his hips back a fraction as she relaxed against him.
“A sculpture for a public library in London. It’s to represent how electronic media are taking over print. It’s called Sine Muris.”
Nick knew he couldn’t do small talk for much longer. His cock was straining against his suit pants, his interest in sculpting all shot to hell. “Yeah? How long…?” He stopped when she gave a small laugh. “I mean, how high?”
“Ten feet,” she murmured with a sigh. Then, as if understanding his pain, she sank back against his crotch and squirmed her butt.
Thank God, Miri didn’t seem to want slow. To hell with slow. He was all out of slow anyway. “That big, huh?” Nick pulled her dress zipper down, worked his fingers over her hips, and cupped her round butt in his hand.
She trembled, a small encouraging moan escaping her throat, so he kept going, gently kneading the warm flesh of her ass, the fingers of his other hand still holding hers.
Nick turned her around, his hand still in her dress, his other tilting her face up so he could bend to kiss her. Her tongue found his in an instant, small moans coming from deep in her throat that told him she didn’t need more foreplay. Withdrawing his hand, he bent to slip an arm under her legs to carry her to the bedroom, but then she started on his shirt buttons. What was it with Miri and his buttons?
She took forever, slowly working each button undone before kissing and humming her way down his chest, making a small grunt of delight when the final button was undone and she’d wrenched his shirt free of his pants. Her fingers stroked over him, her soft mouth working down over his chest, bending to kiss along his abs.
Nick decided enough was enough. If he didn’t get things moving right now, he’d explode. He pushed her dress straps from her shoulders and it fell in a crimson pool at her feet, leaving her naked except for a small pair of white lace panties.
Fuck. He should have known she wouldn’t be wearing a bra with that low-backed dress. Those beautiful breasts he might have already seen, but the sight of her standing on his balcony, practically naked, seemed almost…improper.
Nick acted before she had a chance to react, scooping her up and carrying her through to the bedroom to lay her on the sheets, her long hair spreading like a dark cloud across the pillow, her eyes watching him solemnly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that, Miri. Strip you without any warning.”
She smiled at him then, her eyes telling him she didn’t mind and was ready for him, and Nick knew in an instant that he’d never stop wanting her.
He stood back to strip but paused, fully distracted by the sight of her laid out in front of him. She was, quite simply, the stuff of fantasies. Flawless, pale skin. Perfectly proportioned—willowy with just enough delicate curves to cushion a man. Softly rounded breasts topped with rosy nipples, erect and begging for his touch.
Nick drew a breath for steadiness and slid out of his pants and socks. “You’re lovely, Miri,” he murmured, watching her eyes drop to his briefs. He was as hard as hell, and Miri was staring at the outline of his cock so intently, Nick felt himself going red, despite all his years of experience with women. Jesus, she liked to get an eyeful, that was for sure. Still, he hadn’t exactly kept his own eyes to himself.
“You have the sexiest stare,” he told her solemnly, pulling her attention to his face as he slid his briefs off. “Don’t ever stop doing that.”
“Oh,” she said, her gaze roaming slowly over every inch of him. “Nick, you’re so beautiful. And really big.”
Nick tried but couldn’t stop his laugh at her directness. Not that her scrutiny was putting him off any. She could stare until next week, and he’d still be ready. “Miri, you’re amazing.”
He settled down beside her, wrapping her in his arms. It seemed enough for the moment. Just to hold her, feel her soft body tucked neatly against his, her arm coiled around his waist.
He kissed her gently, savoring the softness of her plump lips and the way her tongue welcomed his. Lifting his head, he felt her shiver as he bent to gently draw the nub of her nipple between his teeth. She whimpered and rose to his mouth, fresh moans coming from the back of her throat as he moved to explore the other breast.
Nick didn’t know how long he could hold out before having her. But dammit, he was determined to make it good for her if it killed him. It probably would, if the ache in his cock was any indication. He gently eased his hand down inside her panties. She was so wet and ready for him, Nick had to fight the urge to just pull them off and get right to it. No, he ordered himself, take it slow.
But he didn’t bother to prep her any more. He slid a finger into her wetness, hearing her gasp. Oh, yes, she was more than ready for him. When he slid another finger into her, she shoved up on an elbow to watch his hand, pushing her hips against his fingers buried in her.
Nick couldn’t stop his groan at the erotic sight of Miri watching his hand working inside her panties, little gasps escaping her lips as she pushed herself to meet his every stroke. Her body gripped his fingers and she moaned for more, so he used his thumb to rub harder at her clit and carefully worked his middle finger to the spot deep inside that he knew would send her over the edge.
Her eyes found his, a barely audible whisper slipping past her lips. “So good.”
“Good” didn’t begin to describe how it felt to have her in his bed. She was incredible. Nick couldn’t tear his eyes off her face. Her head fell back when she came, every deep spasm clamping his fingers.
Nick slipped his arms around her to lay her on her back, but she slid her hand down to stroke his cock. Nick squeezed his eyes shut, adjusting to the sudden bolt of pleasure of her warm hand.
“You’re so hard,” she whispered against his neck, her fingers fluttering all the way up his shaft, then across the head.
Like he needed reminding. He needed to be inside her. Now. Nick hooked his fingers into the back of her panties, pulling them down as far as her knees, but with her body glued to him, he couldn’t work them down her legs.
Miri didn’t seem inclined to help. Not with her so preoccupied in stroking his cock, her face buried in his chest.
“I need to get your knickers off, woman,” he half-growled, half-laughed, as she squirmed against him, seemingly lost in her own little world of nuzzling and kissing his chest.
“Oh…what…sorry,” she giggled, lifting her face to look down at the tangle of legs and underwear. She pulled a leg up to extract a foot before falling back with a deep sigh, her eyes fluttering closed.
Nick couldn’t believe what was in front of him. His fingers had already told him she waxed, but he hadn’t reckoned on such a cute little landing strip or that pretty pussy. She was made for his mouth.
Being inside her could wait.
“Beautiful,” Nick growled as he kissed her, then eased her back against the pillows to kiss his way down over her breasts. Thankfully, her hand slipped off his cock as he moved out of reach, allowing him to concentrate. Grabbing a pillow, he slipped it under her hips, feeling her tense slightly. Nick paused for a moment but kept going, swirling his tongue around her belly button, then tracing down to the tempting strip of dark hair. Man, he was going to enjoy this.
She tensed again. Nick looked up along her belly to see Miri holding herself up on both elbows, staring at him with wide eyes. “Nick…”
Her expression confused him for a moment. Whoa, that red face wasn’t lust. That was embarrassment.
“Nick, I’ve never…”
Shit. This was a first. “Are you okay, sweetheart? Do you want me to stop?”
She blinked in confusion. “I…I don’t know.”
The poor thing looked almost terrified. Nick grinned to reassure her. “Just relax, and if you don’t like it, I’ll stop. Okay?”
She nervously nodded and fell back, and Nick took her. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but a moment later, he heard a little gasp and felt her hips lift to his mouth. She was good with this, that was obvious. Nick delved deeper, his hands holding her thighs steady as she began to tremble with every swipe of his tongue. Then moments later, she was on fire, her little gasps now moans, her fingers gripping his scalp as if to hold him in place. Hell, if she was worried he might stop, she couldn’t be more wrong. Nick couldn’t get enough of her. She tasted unbelievable.
Bid Me Now Page 9