by Emery Cross
Open as I was, there was nothing barring him from plunging to the hilt, but he didn’t. He entered me with slow deliberation. I sensed his restraint as he allowed me to adjust to his size. I moaned low in my throat as he rekindled the same intense longing with his rock-hard cock. It was pure torture looking up into his handsome face, knowing I couldn’t kiss him because of my own stupid pride. I imagined sucking on his delicious tongue, the solid masculine weight of him on top of me as he fucked me.
I lifted my head and watched where we connected. His gorgeous cock sliding in— sure and deep. I wanted to dig my hands into his silken black hair, clutch the muscles of his back, wrap my legs around him.
The nylon ropes chafed as I struggled against the restraints.
He stilled. “Had enough, baby?”
“I need to touch you.”
He studied my face as he thrust forward, a slick, deep dive to the core of me, and then he pulled out completely. I was left panting and frustrated. The craving to hold him overwhelmed me. “Rafferty, dammit, untie me.”
He released my hands first. I ran them over his sweating chest as he pulled the knot free and lowered my legs. I squirmed in pleasure as he settled his body atop mine. I smoothed the sole of my foot down, over his straining thigh muscles, and along the crisp hair on his calf. Because of my rejection of him, he would not lean in and kiss me, and I had too much stubborn pride to initiate it.
He held his face just above mine, staring into my eyes. I stroked his squared jaw, the stubble feeling so sensual beneath my fingertips it made my eyelids flutter. A drop of his sweat fell on my lips, and I eagerly licked it away. His gaze darkened at the sight, and he crushed his mouth over mine in a hard kiss that set our teeth clashing. His body shook as his tongue plundered my mouth. His kisses were devastatingly possessive as if those few minutes when I had denied him had been more than he could bear.
He tore his mouth from mine, and lifted his head to watch me, his eyes dark with lust. His fucking became demanding. My knees fell open spreading myself wide for the rough, raw ride. The thrust of his huge cock soon dominated all my thoughts. His rhythmic, relentless timing took my breath away. I dug my fingers into his back as my muscles clenched around him, milking his shaft. I cried his name as I climaxed. He soon followed, his big body shuddering as he spilled his hot seed inside me.
His chest was still heaving when he settled me on top of his long frame, my legs tangled with his, my cheek pillowed on his heated skin. I knew the games I played to protect myself were useless. It was inevitable that he would break my heart. “Now you know,” I said against his chest.
“Tell me what I know.” He combed his fingers through my hair. “I deserve to hear it after what you just put me through.”
“That I crave your kisses. That I crave you.” I pulled in a shivering sigh. “I might as well confess it all.” I drew circles on his chest. “When I was blindfolded up on that stage, I recognized your voice. The smoking hot guy I’d conned into buying me an expensive bottle of booze. I’d never wanted anything so badly as a night with you. But you turned out to be so much more than a gorgeous suit. A man who was in complete control. The only man who’d ever given me an orgasm.”
“Holy fuck.” He wound my hair around his hand so I was forced to lift my head and look at him. “You threw my phone away,” he reminded me. “I had to beg for a couple of short weeks with you.” Gauging by the tone of his voice, he was still frustrated over those slights.
“I’d never enjoyed my work before you. I considered you a professional complication to be avoided.”
He released my hair and stroked his fingers through it where it draped over my shoulders. I stared into his eyes. “I’ve made myself vulnerable. Please don’t exploit that.”
His eyebrow arched. “Baby, you’re talking to the son-of-a-bitch who took advantage of your devotion to your sister to get you in bed.”
I couldn’t help smiling at his blunt assessment of himself.
His hand smoothed down my back to cup my bottom and position me so that I would know how hard he was again.
“And did you crave Sam?”
“Our connection wasn’t physical.”
“But Sam wanted it to be?”
“Yes,” I answered with frustration and shoved off his chest.
“So, Saint Sam was a mere mortal like the rest of us assholes?”
I scooted off the bed and picked up his discarded t-shirt and pulled it on. “I don’t want to discuss him anymore.”
He propped himself on his elbows. “Why?”
“Because in about a week, you will be a stranger again and Sam is forever.”
“Baby, you are giving me whiplash.”
I frowned at him before stalking out of the room, but he was right. One second I was pulling him close. The next, I was shoving him away. I should never have agreed to this arrangement. I was falling in love with my client, and I had no idea how to cope.
CHAPTER THREE
RAFFERTY
After the first couple of days of obstinacy Remi had become more cooperative, yet I couldn’t completely tame the brat. But it was her attitude toward me outside of bed that was really starting to frustrate the fuck out of me.
When I’d reached for her in bed this morning and discovered her gone, I’d felt something uncomfortably close to panic. I’d found her downstairs in the kitchen puzzling over the coffee machine. Her long hair, wet from the shower, had soaked her t-shirt, and it clung to her gorgeous tits. I was pissed that she didn’t feel comfortable bathing in front of me after her crying jag, and had taken to using a guest room shower. But I hadn’t pushed the point.
She’d refused to let me show her how the machine worked. “Don’t bother,” she’d said. “I’ll be leaving before I get the hang of it.” She’d reached up and opened the cupboard. “There’s some instant espresso up here which is more my speed.”
That exchange had put me in a shit mood.
The light blinked on the intercom. “Mr. Cade,” Patricia’s voice came through the speaker. “They’re ready for you in the boardroom.”
“I’ll be right there.” Another short week and no more playing house with my slinky little redhead. And tonight I had to waste hours at a social event just to corner Rockmore about the development deal.
I dialed Remi. “I’ve got to go to a cocktail party tonight. I want you to join me.”
There was a pause.
“You can’t be serious?”
“Completely. Wear that black number and the matching stilettos.”
“What will I say to those people?”
“Anything. Nothing. It really doesn’t matter, you’ll be there for me. The car will pick you up at eight.”
“You mean I have to walk in alone?”
“You can text me as soon as you arrive.”
“And, Remi, wear the choker.”
“Someone might recognize me as Diamond?”
“Wear it,” I said before ending the call.
***
I checked my watch again. Remi was taking her sweet time getting here. I’d been cornered by John Rightwood, an influential banker who was big on opinion and short on knowledge and scruples. The man had being a douchebag down to an art. His martini sloshed over the rim as he leaned toward me. His lack of balance and focus assured me this had not been his first drink.
“So, Cade, how is that little jewel of yours?”
My face shot up from my drink. “What?”
“Veronica,” he said with a big sloppy grin.
I relaxed my shoulders and took another sip of bourbon. “She just got back from Europe. I haven’t seen her yet.”
“Ah, I see.” He leaned in confidentially, and I moved back a step. “Still running that on again, off again gauntlet, eh? You’ll end up t
ogether eventually.” And, it seemed, the litany of baseless opinions had begun. “She’s the perfect match for —”
“If you’ll excuse me,” I interrupted, “there’s someone I need to talk to.” I headed through the crowd of people clutching their highball glasses and cocktail napkins listening to each other with feigned interest. I’d never been one to enjoy these mixers. Networking, though necessary, had never been my strong suit. I preferred zeroing in on a good deal or investment, making the kill, and doing it all without sticking my lips to anybody’s ass.
My phone buzzed. “I’m here,” Remi texted.
“Finally. I’ll find you.” I slipped the phone into my pocket and moved toward the foyer.
She stepped through the door, and a shower of stars falling from the ceiling couldn’t have made more of an impact. She’d disobeyed me and put on a shimmery silver dress, and, of course, she’d left off the diamond necklace. Her hair was swept into a messy, sexy bun secured at the nape of her neck. She stunned and I could almost hear the jaws drop around me.
I was crossing the marble entry when Terrence Odekirk, a high-rolling commercial realtor, made a beeline for her. He stuck out his hand in greeting. Odekirk watched me approach out of the corner of his eye and shifted his big bulk to hide Remi from my view, as if I was encroaching on his fucking territory. I cursed under my breath when I heard her introduce herself as Francine, my cousin from Alabama. She obviously sensed my annoyance because she shot me a pleading look to go along with the ruse.
“Cousin?” Odekirk turned a smile of relief on me. “You’ve been holding out, Cade.”
I shot the asshole an annoyed look.
“Come, Cousin.” I took her elbow and steered her through the maze of nosy attendees. A few people tried to get my attention, but I ignored them. We reached the bar, and I scooped my hand around her waist, tucking her against my side.
“Why, Rafferty,” Remi said in a damn fine southern accent, “do you think it’s appropriate to be holding your cousin so tightly? You know how people will talk?”
“Very cute.” I glanced sideways at her. “Why the hell did you introduce yourself as my cousin?”
She shrugged. “I was trying to save you from having to answer embarrassing questions. How would you have explained me?”
“As my date, brat.”
She lifted her eyebrows and mouthed, “Oh.”
“Wine?”
She climbed up onto the barstool “Yes, please. Is it my imagination or are we the center of attention in this room?”
“They’re wondering why the hell I’m fondling my cousin.” The bartender set down our drinks. “You completely defied me.”
She veiled her big green eyes with her long lashes and plucked at the silver dress. “Not completely. I did wear the heels.”
I stepped back so I could better appreciate her legs. My eyes raked from her delicate ankles to her slender thighs. I caught a glimpse of the lace at the top of her thigh-high nylons.
She smiled as she took a sip of wine then crinkled her nose at the taste.
“I realize it’s not Boone’s Farm,” I said.
She laughed and tried another sip and then set the goblet down on the bar. “Could I get a Mai Tai, instead?” she asked me.
The bartender, who’d been stealing glances at her, started mixing her one before I had the chance to order it. He loaded up the umbrella toothpick with cherries before setting the drink on the bar.
“Thank you kindly.” The sultry southern accent was back. The lovestruck bastard actually blushed.
The ice in her glass clinked as she swirled the straw.
I leaned in as if I was whispering something to her and pressed my mouth to her ear.
“This is probably how the phrase ‘kissing cousins’ came to be.” she said.
“No doubt. Some poor sap had a cousin who was so damned sexy he couldn’t keep his mouth off of her.”
“Lucky girl,” she said. I had a raging cockstand watching her suck a cherry from the toothpick. I adjusted my jacket hoping to hide my erection.
“Rafferty!” Max called from across the room. He strode over, straightening his tie as he eyed Remi.
Max had escaped the raid at the whorehouse merely because he hadn’t won an auction. We’d confirmed that we’d been the intended targets of the vice sweep. Lampton’s retaliation for not getting to fuck Diamond. Our payback was in the works. We were in the early stages of erecting a luxury hotel which would throw Lampton’s establishment into the shade. Yet despite collaborating with Max, I had yet to share the fact that I’d actually benefited from the raid. That I’d used it as leverage to get Diamond into my bed.
As he reached us, he smiled at Remi, and a flicker of recognition crossed his face. “Rumor has it you brought your southern cousin to this party.” The entire time he spoke his gaze kept snapping back to Remi. “Which I find interesting since your mother was an only child and your father only had one brother who died in a car accident when he was a teen.”
He stared at her fully now, a bemused expression on his face. “You look so familiar. Have we met?”
Her cheeks instantly colored.
“Yes,” I answered for her. “At the family reunion I dragged you to last year,” I said in a tone that warned him to stop his fucking prying. “What were you talking to Rockmore about? Has he heard anything about that development on Westfield Beach?”
With obvious reluctance, he pulled his gaze from Remi. “As a matter of fact, it looks like it will be prime for the plucking. The developer is going through a nasty divorce, and apparently, his wife is set to make off with everything but his balls.” Max offered Remi an apologetic shrug. “At any rate, the man’s done, and his high-end housing project is standing like a ghost town. But there are a lot of sharks with deep pockets circling, so you’re going to need to make a move fast.”
“Mixing a few metaphors there, Max,” I said, which elicited a giggle from Remi.
I wondered how many gin and tonics Max had downed when he leaned confidentially toward me, but then failed to modulate his voice. “Veronica’s back in town,” he said loud enough for half the room to hear.
Remi frowned slightly and swiveled around in her seat to face the bar.
“I’m aware of that,” I said.
“Would you fucking contact her then? She’s driving me insane with phone calls.”
“Where’s Rockmore?” I asked, ignoring his pleading.
He inclined his head toward the buffet table. “He’ll fill you in on the details.”
Max slid next to Remi along the bar counter. “I’ll keep an eye on your sweet little cousin.”
I shot him a threatening scowl that made him blink. I clenched my jaw, as I walked away. Jealousy was a new emotion for me. It was primal and painful. Christ, I was even jealous of a dead man. One of the first things I’d checked tonight was that her upswept hair had covered the memorial tattoo for Sam.
By the time I reached the corner where Rockmore was standing, Max had been joined by two other men, all eagerly trying to introduce themselves to Remi.
“Cade, I hear you’re interested in the Westfield project.” Rockmore was one of those guys whose voice carried across the entire room, and his comment earned us both unwanted attention. He laughed. “Of course you are. No good deals get past you.”
My ear was turned toward him, and I half-listened as I stared across the room at the small group huddling around Remi. Her beautiful white smile flashed under the glowing recessed lighting of the bar. And a sudden burst of laughter came from the men standing around her. Max caught me glaring their way and shrugged.
“Idiot,” I muttered.
“What’s that?” Rockmore asked.
“Nothing. Sorry. Why don’t you call me at the office tomorrow, and we can firm up
an offer.”
“Right,” he barely had time to utter that one word before I headed back to claim her. I didn’t care what people thought or how much gossip my actions stirred up. I couldn’t stand to have other men licking their lips over her. Someone caught my arm as I headed toward the bar. I hadn’t seen Fremont since the night he’d stormed out of the auction. His tight smile couldn’t hide the fact that he was still nursing a bruised ego.
“I see you’ve hooked up with my girl again.”
I clasped my hands behind my back to stop myself from bashing in his face. “She’s not your fucking anything.”
He fiddled with his pinky ring. “Really? She gave me her virginity.”
I flexed my fingers. It took everything I had not to grab him by the throat. “Gave? What, like a lover?” I sneered. “You’re out of your goddamn mind. You paid for the privilege, old man.”
After Fitch had returned with her meager possessions stuffed in grocery bags, it was obvious Remi hadn’t profited from her choice of profession. I couldn’t help feeling that her decision to become a prostitute went beyond amassing the funds for her sister’s medical care. To give her virginity in such a cold transaction, struck me as self-destructive. It was as if she was punishing herself over Sam.
Fremont’s lips thinned into a malicious smile. “You can’t fucking fool me, Cade. You’re eating your heart out about it.” He inclined his head in the direction of the bar. “Looks like your associate wants a piece for himself.”
I caught flashes of Remi’s silver dress as she and Max made their way through the darkened bar area. I wondered if I was going to have to murder my best friend.
I bared my teeth at Fremont. I was going to starve the bastard of work. “Platt was considering your company for our new joint project. I was going to shrug it off. Let him choose the contractor. But I’ve just decided to let Platt know that I’m out if he so much as mentions you again.”
I left Fremont looking as if he’d just been sucker punched.