“That sounds very interesting,” Lissa smiled as she tucked the card into her clutch purse.
“If you’ll excuse us, Thayer,” Gregory said abruptly, “I have a few things I want to discuss with Lissa.” Taking her by the arm, he steered her in the direction of the back courtyard.
Lissa was so bewildered by the abrupt change in Greg’s demeanor that she could only follow him mutely as he led her outside into the evening air. Finally, he slowed and let go of her arm, coming to a stop next to a large potted tree. When she looked up at him searchingly, his face was drawn and tense.
“Greg, what’s wrong?” she asked in confusion.
“I...” he stopped, his jaw twitching. “Nothing,” he finally muttered. He looked away, refusing to meet her gaze. Lissa’s heart was pounding in her chest as alarm bells sounded within her. What could she possibly have done to make him so angry at her?
“Well... That’s certainly not what it seems like,” she retorted. She had never seen Gregory Thorne’s face so stormy, not even on the first day they’d met. All the stress and nerves of the day had worn Lissa out, and now as she stared at this confusing, infuriating man, she realized her patience had worn thin. “If you didn’t want to talk to me, why did you lead me out here?” she asked, a note of irritation in her voice.
“I’d be careful of Barrett Taylor if I were you,” Thorne blurted, turning to her. “He’s not a trustworthy man. And he looked at you like you were one of the appetizers.”
Lissa scoffed, a bubble of laughter escaping her. “That’s what you dragged me out here to tell me? Greg, I just met him five minutes ago. He gave me his business card. That’s all. It’s not as though he asked me to go home with him.”
“Not yet,” Greg muttered.
Lissa’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Why do you care, anyway?” she said before she could stop herself. “It’s not like you have any interest in me. First you ignore me, then you...” she blushed furiously as she thought of what he had done to her in the car. “Then you pretend to be nice to me, and then you ignore me again. And now you tell me that some man I just met wants to... what, take advantage of me? What right do you have to even pretend that you care?”
Almost before she could take a breath to continue, Greg was on her, his mouth crushing down on hers in a deep, agonized kiss. Her body responded in spite of her, and her mouth opened to his probing tongue, licking and tasting as though she were starving and he was her last meal. Greg’s arms went around her, pulling her to him, and she felt the heat and hardness of him pressing against her needful, throbbing sex. The moan that wrenched itself from her was primal, feral. His hands went to her ass, cupping it and tilting her hips to his aching shaft. Their bodies found a rhythm as they thrust together, their breathing accelerating as everything else fell away.
Greg tore his lips from hers. “Come with me,” he said in a thick, strangled voice. He took her hand and pulled her away to the opposite side of the courtyard, to another door that led to a back elevator. The second the doors closed on them, his lips found hers again, his hand reaching up to cup and tease first one breast, then the other while she moaned and writhed against him.
After what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened onto the floor of Thorne Investments. Greg took her hand and pulled her through the glass doors, down the hallway to his office. The second his door was closed, he pulled her to him again in the darkened room, his mouth bruising hers with his intensity. “God damn it, Lissa,” he whispered against her ear. “I have been trying to stay away from you from the day I met you. It’s no good; I can’t take it anymore.” His lips and teeth caught at her earlobe, nipping at it, as he once again pulled her hips towards his. His pulsing length pressed against her dripping sex, giving her momentary relief from the ache between her legs as she pressed back, stifling a moan. Thorne lifted her up, cupping her ass in his hands, and carried her to his desk, pushing some files that were in his way off onto the floor to clear a space for her. Then one hand was pulling down the zipper at her back, the other reaching inside the fabric to push it down and find the heaving breasts that were waiting to be teased and punished by him. His mouth lowered onto her areola as his hand cupped, and Lissa, already so enflamed by his touch, gasped and cried out as his hot, slick lips and tongue closed over her hardening nipple. He teased, licked and laved at it as she writhed, driven half out of her mind with need. Oh, God, everything he was doing, she needed more of it, more right now! Her hand raised of its own accord and fisted in his hair as he moved to the other breast, teasing that nipple erect as well. By now, Lissa’s breathing was coming in hot, shallow gasps. Her legs were spreading of their own accord under her dress as she slid herself forward and thrust against his erection, needing him to bring her the relief that only he could bring her.
Blindly, her other hand went down to the fly of his pants, as she worked frantically to unbutton him and release his throbbing sex. With a low growl, he helped her, unbuttoning and unzipping until her hand could slip in and touch the taut steel of him. As her hand closed over his cock, he drew in his breath and froze. Lissa drew back from him and their eyes met for a moment, his tortured with barely contained lust, hers urging him on. “Please, Greg, now...” she begged in a whisper.
“I... should we...” he hesitated, looking at her questioningly.
“I’m on the pill. Please... don’t stop.”
It was all he needed. He reached down and gathered her dress up around her hips. Lissa raised her buttocks so he could pull her black lace panties off, dropping them onto the floor. Her eyes locked on his, she scooted forward on the desk, her legs opening for him. Greg’s hand went to her sex, and he found her dripping with want and slick for him. “Oh, God, Lissa...” he moaned. Before he could stop himself, he was inside her, sliding his girth into the welcoming heat of her slit. He pushed himself in up to his hilt, and her head went back as she let out a low, guttural sound and wrapped her legs around his hips. Then he was rocking, thrusting inside her, his slickened shaft sliding against her nub in the most delicious, perfect way. Her soft moans turned to harsh cries as she neared her release, and Greg knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Suddenly, she shuddered and clung to him as her orgasm took her, her walls clenching around his cock and bringing him over the edge with her. Soon his cry echoed hers as he froze and flew over the edge, the culmination of every time he had thought of her with his hand between his legs leading him here, now, as he let go, released his hot desire inside her like a confession.
Afterward, as he held her close against him, panting, he inhaled deeply the scent of her hair – her hair, which he had so often had to stop himself from reaching out to touch. He risked that now as he reached up and stroked the softness of her tumbling curls, which had come loose in the heat of their passion.
“Lissa,” he whispered reverently into her hair. His voice sent a shiver through her, and she pressed against him, closing her eyes and breathing his manly scent deep into her lungs. Eventually, they pulled apart regretfully, and silently began to compose themselves. Lissa sat down on his couch and began to rearrange her hair, which had tumbled out of its chignon and was falling loosely around her shoulders. Gregory went to a small bubbler at his wet bar and poured them two glasses of water. He set the glasses down on the coffee table and came to sit beside her.
As the moonlight streamed in through the window, the silhouette of the city skyline in the background, he spoke softly to her. “Lissa, I don’t mix business and pleasure. I’ve tried so hard to resist you. Believe me, if I could, I would. But you... you’re so beautiful. You have a woman’s curves, a woman’s body. You were built for pleasure. From the first moment I saw you, I somehow knew you would be... like this. So responsive.
“The day of the interview, I tried to keep from looking at you. I could barely concentrate, you were such a distraction. The only thing I wanted more than for you to leave my office immediately was to stand up, lock the door, and take you right here on this couch.” He took her hand b
ut continued to stare out the window, his eyes troubled. His thumb began to caress her palm distractedly as he spoke. “After you stormed out, I looked over what you had brought to the interview. I realized that everything Barbara had told me about your reputation was true. And, having met you, I saw there was a spark in you —you were strong, determined, ambitious, uncompromising. We were like minds, in short. You were definitely the one for the job, but I was going to struggle mightily. It was clearly the best business decision, and I couldn’t let my personal feelings cloud my judgment. So, I tried my best to stay away once I told Barbara to hire you.
“Lissa,” he breathed, turning to her now, “I’m not a man who has time for a relationship. I’ve never been able to give a woman all of me. And that has been a problem in the past. It’s better for me – for everyone – for me to be up front about that. I’m saying this to you now.” His eyes blazed with something she couldn’t quite define. “I want to be honest with you. I want you, Lissa – I want you unbelievably badly. I would like this to continue. I’m breaking all my personal rules by even considering it. But at this point, I don’t care.”
Greg’s words both frightened and exhilarated Lissa. She didn’t know how she felt, only that she could not resist the unbelievable attraction this man held for her. Even now, exhausted and sated, her body was responding to the slight pressure of his thumb against her palm. Her skin seemed electrified by his presence. She knew she was taking a huge risk, but she also knew that her body had already made its choice.
But... a sudden realization hit her. “Greg...” she began, “After tonight, we don’t technically have a business relationship anymore. This job has been a fantastic stroke of luck for me, and I can already tell it will end up bringing me business from other firms. There are other catering businesses in the city. Why not just use one of them? You don’t need to break your rule.”
But Greg shook his head. “I’m not talking about using you as a caterer in the future. Look, clear your schedule – do whatever you have to do. You’re coming with me to New York next week. I have business there, and there’s something I want to discuss with you. I want you all to myself for a few days.”
“Business or pleasure?” she asked.
“Both. I want to financially back an expansion of Select Catering. I want you to move up into the big leagues, Lissa.” He kissed her and cupped her chin. A devilish spark in his eye, he continued: “And, I want some time alone with you to convince you to take my offer. I can be very persuasive, you know.”
“But...” Lissa began. “You know nothing about the catering business. Why would you want to do that?”
“Thorne is an investment and private equity firm. I started out investing in small businesses that I knew had great potential. And you have great potential, Lissa. Any idiot can see that. With my financial backing, you’ll be able to do more, more quickly. You’ll be able to compete with any catering outfit in the city.”
Lissa stared down at the coffee table soberly. In any other situation, she would have been thrilled beyond belief to have the financial backing of an investor who so obviously believed in her. But this was Gregory Thorne. For all the complexities of whatever was happening between them, actually going into business together threatened to make things even more complicated. Lissa could hardly believe that a man who was so resolutely against mixing business and pleasure was even contemplating this. “Can I have some time to think about it?” she asked him. “It’s a big step, going into business together.”
“You can have all the time you need to think about my proposition. But you’re coming with me to New York. On that, I won’t take no for an answer.” He kissed her deeply, then pulled back with a smile. “So you may as well say yes.”
Her heart fluttering, she heard herself say the word: “Yes. I’ll come with you to New York.”
Greg smiled, and brushed her cheek briefly with his thumb. “Good.” He stood up decisively, and reached his hand down to help her up. “Now, let’s go back downstairs. If we’re lucky, no one will have noticed we were gone.”
Lissa took his hand and stood. They walked out of the office toward the party, the secret between them.
Hi, readers, this is Daphne! I hope you enjoyed this stand-alone erotic romance between Lissa and Gregory. If you want to find out what happens next, the second story in the series, Tempting the Billionaire, will be out soon!
To be notified when it comes out, join my mailing list at http://eepurl.com/O1MhP ! I’ll notify you of new releases and special limited-time-only deals! No spam, I promise! Just information on new book launches and sales.
Are you interested in more steamy stories about hot alpha males and the women who just can’t resist them? Check out my motorcycle club novel, Los Perdidos MC! It’s available now at your e-bookseller!
Synopsis:
When she and a group of her friends decide to check out the local biker bar on a whim, Jenny has a steamy encounter with Smoke, vice-president of the Los Perdidos motorcycle club. The chemistry between them is instant, and Jen finds herself propelled into a world of danger and passion unlike anything she’s ever known. What will Jen be willing to risk for the biker bad boy who gives her the ride of a lifetime?
Bonus excerpt from Los Perdidos MC (Sons of Glory Motorcycle Club Romance):
His voice traced a path down my stomach to my core. I had never been in the presence of sex on wheels before, but this was definitely it.
“You look a long way from home, little girl,” he purred, and took a swig of his drink. “Are you sure you wanna play in the big pool?”
His eyes went straight to my tank top, and his lip curled in a slight smile. I smiled self-consciously and willed myself not to sound like an idiot.
“My name’s Jen,” I said, since it seemed like the safest thing.
“Smoke,” he replied. Smoke, like his smoky, velvety voice. “You sure you ready for this, Jen?” he asked again.
“Ready for what?” I stammered.
“For what you’re signing up for. Or are you just a tourist?” he asked, grinning.
Smoke stepped closer to me. His musky scent filled my nose; my lips parted involuntarily. The raw masculinity of this guy was intoxicating. Everything about him said power. None of the guys I had ever been with had affected me this way. He flashed a smile and I felt my eyes half-close in anticipation. I couldn’t think about anything except what it would feel like if he kissed me. I glanced over at Kara again. Her guy had her back against the wall now, and he towered over her as she smiled flirtatiously up at him.
I looked up at Smoke and said bravely, “I’m up for whatever you have in mind.” He grinned, and said sardonically: “Are you now?” In truth, I was terrified, but also terribly excited. All my nerve endings were on edge; I felt alive, really alive, for the first time in forever. Smoke laughed, a deep, rumble in his throat, and wrapped one strong arm around me. Pulling me to him harshly, his mouth came down on mine. The smell of his leather mixed with the whiskey taste of him, and I opened my mouth willingly to his probing tongue. A little moan escaped me as he pressed me against him, possessing me with his mouth as his whiskers punished my face.
Smoke pulled his lips away from mine and put his arms around my waist. Backing me against a pole in the middle of the bar, he growled, “Honey, you got no idea what you’re gettin’ yourself into.”
Continue reading Los Perdidos MC (Sons of Glory Motorcycle Club Romance), available now at your e-bookseller!
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Catering to the Billionaire (The Billionaire's Appetites) (BBW Billionaire Erotic Romance) Page 4