“Wow,” whispered Julian as he sat up on his elbows. “You’re gorgeous.”
I drank in his admiration, growing bolder in the moonlight streaming through the open windows, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. I crept up the bed, my eyes on him and the obvious sign of his arousal through his jeans.
My hair blanketed us from the light and I fed from his lips, my hands roving over his chest and then settling on the zipper of his jeans. My throat hurt, but I didn’t care. A little pain was nothing compared to the pleasure I was experiencing.
I kissed my way down his bare chest, and he sucked in a sudden breath as I licked a long line down his stomach, letting out a shaky laugh as I popped the button of his fly.
It occurred to me I was kind of imitating the scene in my dream that afternoon, the one with me performing fellatio on Nobuki, but then all thought fled my mind as I slid his jeans off and took his throbbing cock in my hand.
He was large, with girth, and I took a deep breath of his salty warm skin, putting little kisses along the length of his manhood.
He drew in a quick breath, his hands tightening in my hair, keeping it out of the way as I opened my mouth and took him between my lips.
He groaned low and I took that as encouragement, wanting to do more, work harder, but the bruises made my movements more tentative, not as forceful.
“Stop,” I heard him say and he pulled on my hair, bringing me up short.
The slight sharp sensation made my nerves sing, not necessarily with unwanted pain and I drew back on my haunches, the taste of him still heavy in my mouth.
He was breathing hard. “I don’t want to come. Not yet.”
I smiled. “But I was enjoying myself.”
And that was the genuine truth. It was fascinating to have a man stretched out before me, for me to do as I pleased. I was mildly surprised at the heretofore undiscovered longing for mild domination.
“My turn now,” he said. “And I am going to have so much fun with you.”
He pulled me down and rolled over and I was flat on my back, my head resting along the edge of the mattress.
He kissed me deeply, despite the fact that I still tasted like him. His hands drifted over my bra straps, pushing them down, forcing the cups under my rather pitifully sized breasts.
But the look in his ocean eyes as he watched me and licked my breasts, his teeth nipping at the skin, made me feel beautiful and I basked in his adoration.
His hands made their way down to my panties and he started to tug them past my thighs.
It stopped me short and I made a sound of consternation, embarrassed.
I hadn’t washed down there since the afternoon, when I had grown wet from that explicit dream.
“Wait,” I whispered and he looked up at me.
“Why?”
I felt my face heat. “Because…it might smell…”
He laughed and nipped at my thigh, making me jump.
“Julian, please—”
But all my protests died as his tongue licked one long line up my clit. My hands fisted into the sheets as the exquisite sensation rode through me.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, eyes wide, staring at the white ceiling.
“I think you taste delicious.” He did the same thing again and a soft whimper left my lips. “So stop complaining and stay still.”
As if I could, with his tongue lashing at my cunt, with his mouth clamping around that sensitive spot and sucking softly but thoroughly, forcing my hips off the bed as I jerked against his insistent, incessant mouth.
I wanted to get away.
I couldn’t get close enough.
It was worse when he anchored my hips down to the bed with his forearm against my pelvis and did something with his tongue and teeth along my clitoris. I came, climaxing so hard I saw stars.
There was nothing in my head, just an infinite whiteness. I felt Julian come up the bed, his hands on either side of my head.
I was shaking, still in the throes of that incredible climax, but I had enough strength to draw his head down, to taste myself thick on his tongue. I whimpered, my cunt convulsing, knowing it had been satisfied, but aware that there was still something else, something even better than before.
“Thank you,” I gasped against his mouth. “I’ve never…”
He shut me up with another deep kiss that left me gasping for breath. “So what do we do?”
My heart pounded hard against my chest. “What do you mean, what do we do?”
He looked pointedly down at his member and, even from where I was, I could see it hard and thick along his belly.
“Oh,” I said faintly. “I…”
He tilted my chin back up to meet his serious gaze. “We could. I want you. I think you want me. But if this happens…you can’t say otherwise the next morning. If this happens, it happens and we have to admit it.”
I took a deep, shuddering breath, my belly still quivering from the climax he gave me. “You’re giving me a choice.”
He gave me a perplexed look. “Of course.”
I licked my lips, tasting both of us on my tongue. “I…”
I wanted to say yes. It had been so long since I had a cock inside me and all those dreams, as pleasant as they were, were just dreams.
But…
Could I have sex with Julian? Could I go the last step and fuck him? Even if I was thinking about fucking another man the very next night?
I reached up and kissed Julian on the cheek.
That was answer enough and he drew back with a sigh. “Damn me and my good manners.”
I laughed. “It might happen tomorrow night.”
He grunted. “Can’t say I’m happy to be considered second place.”
“I was kidding, Julian.” I sat up, feeling the sea salt caress my naked body. “You’re not second place. You are never second, so please don’t say that. If Nobuki turns me down, I’ll give up. I’m not going to give myself to you with another guy on my mind. You deserve better than that.”
He grumbled and I went about collecting my clothes from the floor.
“The shower is over there, by the closet door,” he said.
When I stepped into the shower stall and let the hot water run over my skin, I was just a bit disappointed that he didn’t join me.
Toweling off my damp hair, I met him in the hallway.
He looked at me, and my belly quivered at the heat in his eyes.
“Bet you’re wondering why I didn’t join you in the shower.”
I had to avoid his eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He pulled the towel out of my hands and threw it over a chair before putting his mouth against mine. He tasted like mint.
“If I ended up taking a shower with you, we’d never leave the house,” he whispered hoarsely, his lips inches from mine. “I need to give you space. Let you decide what you want to do. Let you figure out who you want more.”
My hands tightened on Julian’s broad shoulders. “Julian, you deserve better than me.”
“Well, then, it’s too damn bad I want you.” He pulled away. “I should take you back.”
So it was with some reluctance I clambered back into the SUV and let Julian drive the hour back to the hotel. Although, now that I knew he was going to have to drive an hour back to his house, I felt very guilty about leaving when we arrived at the hotel.
“I feel terrible about making you drive back home. That’s another hour ride,” I said.
“Don’t worry,” he replied. “I’ve got a room at the Marriott.”
The Marriott was right next to our hotel, so I felt marginally better. “Oh, that’s not too bad.”
He grinned. “It is a few parking lots away, though. Dunno if I can stand to make the trip. If it makes you feel better, how about I just stay with you?”
I did think about that for a while, leaning against the car door, watching him through the open window.
But in the end, I shook my head reluctan
tly. “No. I should go.”
The corners of his lips twisted down. “Ah well. Can’t fault a guy for trying.”
I smiled. “Thanks for tonight.”
He nodded. “You’ll think about my offer?”
“I will definitely give it a lot of thought,” I said truthfully. “Thank you, Julian.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “See you tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
He left, and I kept waving even after he disappeared from view.
Chapter 16
That night, I slept very well.
Gee, wonder why?
I even woke up before my alarm went off at six and I was at the booth first, setting it up with the help of the people in the next booth.
Nobuki stopped at the entrance while I whistled, in the middle of dusting off a shelf that was pristine.
I smiled at him. “Good morning, Mr. Miyano.”
He looked at me askance. “Good morning, Miss Hasegawa.”
This night.
Tonight, something would happen.
I kept shooting him surreptitious glances throughout the day although the crowds were definitely thinner. By the time three o’clock rolled around, about half the booths were closed and disassembled, with the other half in the middle of closing up.
I was busy boxing up the sample books to be sent back home when Julian wandered in.
He said something to Nobuki and my boss left the booth without another glance, leaving the two of us alone.
I groaned. “Is he coming back?”
“Yeah,” said Julian as he came to help me with the remaining stacks of books. “Actually, it’s a bit of a lie, but I needed some time alone with you.”
“Oh?”
“Tonight?” he said.
I didn’t have to ask him to clarify. “Yeah. Tonight.”
He shot me a quick smile. “I’ve even taken the liberty of messing a little with Miss Jimenez’s schedule tonight. I called in a few favors and had some friends take up her dinnertime so she wouldn’t monopolize Nobu again like she has for the last week.”
Even though I told myself I was prepared to do what was necessary, I still felt jittery. “Thanks a lot, Julian. A lot of guys wouldn’t do what you’re doing.”
“Tell me about it.” He looked over his shoulder. “Shit. He’s coming back. Look, whatever happens, happens.” He placed a quick kiss on my forehead and I almost dropped a loaded box on my toes. “Good luck.”
A frown marred Nobuki’s forehead as he came back in. “What the hell, Julian? I thought you said the Harrow people were looking for me.”
“They weren’t?” asked Julian, doing an excellent imitation of a confused person. “Well, damn. I don’t know what I was thinking.” He checked his watch. “Jeez, will you look at the time? I’ve got to run. Got some last-minute stuff to see to before everyone leaves for the weekend.”
He shook my hand very formally and punched Nobuki on the shoulder before departing.
Nobuki stared after him, brow furrowed.
I coughed to get his attention.
When I did, I tried not to shrivel under his fierce gaze. “Mr. Miyano, did you have any plans for dinner?”
“No.” He crossed his arms.
“Perhaps we can get something to eat? Together? This is our last night here and I’ve hardly ever seen you except during the trade show hours.” I paused, more for effect than anything else. “That is…unless you have something else planned.”
His eyes narrowed, as though he was trying to figure out what was I planning.
I kept the smile on my lips because if it slipped, then the game was over before it even began.
“That’s a good idea.”
“Isn’t it?”
He checked his wristwatch. “How about six thirty? There’s a good restaurant on the second floor. A little classier than the lounge. Dress appropriately, Miss Hasegawa. It would be a shame if you were turned down at the door, wouldn’t it?”
I bit down the caustic remark tingling at the tip of my tongue. God, if he wasn’t such a handsome bastard…
“Of course,” I mumbled and turned my back on him so I couldn’t ruin my plan before I even started it.
Well, that was one hurdle crossed.
It was strange to have Nobuki stay from start to finish. It was even stranger and somewhat sad to see the booths getting dismantled. When I left the convention center my heart felt both lighter yet heavier at the same time.
Lighter because I didn’t have to walk around with a pretend smile for eight hours at a time.
But heavier because of what was supposed to happen in a few hours.
Nobuki and I separated at the elevators as he headed to the commissary and I spent the next two hours staring into my suitcase.
It was clear I had not come prepared for a seduction.
The best thing I had was a deep blue and black sheath dress that supposedly made me look like a model, but every time I saw myself in the mirror I felt like an overdressed scarecrow.
Still, it would have to do.
I took a long shower, taking extra care to scrub my skin so that it almost gleamed. For the first time in a very long time I actually put on a thin line of kohl around my eyes and used dark eyeshadow to create a smoky effect that hopefully looked come-hither, not I-got-punched-repeatedly.
Because I’m a naive optimist, I selected a black bra and panties set, the raciest set I’d ever had, and pulled the sheath over my head, letting it settle around my body.
I still had plenty of time, but I found myself shooting glances at the nightstand clock, convinced I was going to be late.
Being late to the dinner date wasn’t going to help with my seduction plan, but on the other hand, looking good took time.
And, looking at myself in the bright bathroom lights, I had to admit I looked good.
The black eye makeup made my eyes look bigger, tip-tilted at the corners, and I had used a dark red tint on my lips.
I had no idea what to do about my hair so I kept it loose down my back. It was not unbecoming and I turned several angles, relieved that the bruises were hidden behind my hair.
Why couldn’t I stop trembling?
In truth, I was terrified.
Terrified of meeting Nobuki.
Of letting him see me like this.
Of having him reject me for one night of supposed bliss.
But time was ticking and I had to take a deep breath, adjust my bra to display cleavage I didn’t have, grab the small black clutch purse, and walk out the door.
My mouth was dry with trepidation as I took the elevator down to the second floor. I followed the small discreet black signs pointing me to a restaurant called Raphael.
The interior was dark, almost smoky, with a lot of black and red velvet, but very classy, and I felt awkward as I gave the maitre d’ Nobuki’s name.
He checked the list, grabbed a menu, and told me to follow him.
Most of the tables were filled with well-dressed couples and I didn’t feel so awkward in the sheath dress.
Until I saw Nobuki sitting at a table at the very end of the room, his face illuminated by candlelight. He was flipping through the menu, a glass of wine next to his hand.
I felt jittery all over again.
He looked up as we approached him and stood as the waiter pulled out my chair for me.
I sat down, heart racing as though I had consumed several cups of coffee, and accepted the menu from the waiter before he slipped away, leaving me alone with the boss I was supposed to proposition in a few hours.
I gave Nobuki a tremulous smile. “Were you waiting long?”
He shook his head, eyes on me. “I was early. You’re right on time.”
“Thank goodness.” I opened my menu, although I had no idea what the hell I was going to eat without getting it all over the dress I was wearing for the first time.
The wavering candlelight turned his eyes into luminous pools of dark chocolate and a corn
er of his lips kicked up. “You look very nice, Miss Hasegawa.”
“Thank you,” I managed to say without stammering. “You look very nice as well, Mr. Miyano.”
Truth be told, he looked great no matter his attire.
He wore a deep blue silk shirt with his tie undone, as though he had pulled it down a bit, and the top button of his shirt was open, showing off lightly tanned skin that made my mouth go dry and my hands damp with nervousness.
Oh my God.
Was I going to do it?
Was I going to ask my boss to sleep with me?
I used to think Aimi and Mr. Abe were sexual deviants for fucking most of their free time in his office, but here I was about to suggest the same thing.
I was no better than them. I had no right to mock them, and that knowledge was humbling.
A waiter came by and filled up my glass with a rich dark red wine that smelled like berries and something smoky, while Nobuki tapped his menu.
“Do you know what you’d like?”
I shook my head dumbly. “I’m at a loss.”
“Mmm.” He glanced at the waiter, who stepped back, although it was obvious that he was ready to take our order. “Do you mind if I order for the both of us, then?”
“Not at all,” I said with some relief and he handed both our menus to the waiter.
“Two filet mignons, medium, with sides of asparagus and sauteed greens.”
The waiter bowed low and left us alone as the strains of a piano playing something classical wafted through the heavy, sultry air.
I shifted in my seat and tried to be calm. Or at least, pretend to be.
“Is something wrong, Miss Hasegawa?” he said, glancing at me.
“What? No.”
He seemed less then reassured. “You seem somewhat…nervous.”
I laughed, and this time it definitely sounded nervous to my ears. Oh my God, was I going to do this? Could I? “Nervous? No, of course not. I’m just glad to get some time with you, Mr. Miyano. We haven’t had dinner together since our first night here.” I tried not to sound bitter, but I didn’t think I was very successful. “What with Miss Jimenez taking up a great deal of your time.”
His eyes surveyed the other couples around us. “She will no longer be a problem.”
A One Night Affair (Kissing the Boss Book 2) Page 18