Bastard In A Sut (Book Three) (Bastard In A Suit 3)

by Ivy Carter

  She freezes, not blinking, not breathing.

  “I can’t stop thinking about you. Wanting you. Craving you. Missing you.” The words tumble out of me; her hand shakes in mine, but she grips me tighter, and I continue speaking now—unable to stop. “You’ve shown me what it feels like to care again, to stop being afraid of getting hurt. And I know I’ve fucked up badly, but I get it now. You need someone who shows you you’re worth the effort, who gives you a hundred percent. Let me be that man, because I don’t know how I can go through another day without you in my life.”

  She bites her lower lip, her eyes wide, the brims filling with tears. “I…can hardly believe I’m hearing this.” She gives an embarrassed laugh and swipes at the wetness with her other hand. Her fingers are trembling; her whole body is trembling now.

  I get up and take the chair right beside her. Her body falls against mine, and I rest my chin on the top of her head, pull her into my arms. For the first time in seventeen days, I feel a sense of peace.

  I press a kiss to her forehead, then down her cheeks to her mouth. My desire for her comes screaming to the surface, but I push it back. This moment isn’t about wanting to fuck her. Next time I have her, it will be making love, me not holding anything back.

  But before I can get there, I have to show her I’m serious. That I’m in this.

  She smells so fucking good. I breathe deeply and tip my head down to her ear. “Tell me I’m not too late.”

  “You’re not too late.” The reply is whispered, but it’s loud in my head.

  I cling to the words and take her mouth in another kiss, this time slipping my tongue between the seam of her lips. I taste her, drink her in. “I’m falling so fucking hard for you,” I say against her mouth.

  “I love you,” she says back, and the shredded pieces of my heart seem to fuse back together again. Stronger than ever.

  I keep her against me as I make myself pull out of the kiss. It’s so hard though, because I want to bend her over this table and fuck her until she can’t breathe from exhaustion. Later. I’ll touch her whole body. First we need to figure out the work shit, because I don’t know where she is in her job hunt, or if she really still needs to go.

  I want it to be her decision though.

  I’m not my father. I want this woman to feel empowered, not used. And if that means she works somewhere else, I’ll make sure I give her the best fucking reference ever. I’ll call in favors and help her find her dream job.

  But I’m not letting her go.

  “You said you’re job hunting,” I start.

  She nods and glances up at me. I can see all her love and emotion shining through her eyes, and it’s a balm to my soul. I can’t resist pressing another kiss to her lips. “I started right after the trip, actually.” A flush works its way up her throat and across her cheeks. “I, uh, felt it might be better for both of us if I left.”

  My body stiffens, but I fight the reaction. “I don’t know what this will mean for us work-wise, but I want to be with you, out in the open. Not through notes, not just through secrecy and illicit meetings in conference rooms. Don’t get me wrong—if you still want that, I won’t turn it down.” I give her a smirk, and she laughs, bumping her shoulder against my chest. “So if it makes you feel more comfortable working elsewhere, or under another manager, that’s fine with me.”

  She pauses and nibbles on her lower lip for a moment. “I hadn’t intended to be your assistant forever, and I wanted to explore my options anyway after I graduated. But I love working at Rossi Design. I feel like I’m finally finding my ground, and I’m making friends. Plus, going to Sanderson’s site with you was exciting—I want to be a part of that if I can.”

  “Then we’ll keep you there as long as you want to be, but just not working for me anymore. Though I don’t know if I’ll find another assistant as savvy as you.”

  “Oh, stop it.” Her mouth curls into a shy smile.

  “Maybe you can work with Carl,” I muse out loud, laughing when she digs her finger into my side to tickle me.

  “If that’s the case, I’m quitting right now,” she declares.

  “I know. He’s difficult to deal with, but his clients seem to like him.”

  “You should finish your coffee,” she says as she kisses my jaw. The nerve endings in that location come to life, and blood starts pumping harder through my veins. “We have to get back to the office.”

  “In case you didn’t know, I own the company.” I close my eyes as her mouth slides closer to my ear. “I can write you a note so you won’t get in trouble with the boss. I’m sure he’s willing to bend if you’re a little late getting back.”

  Her tongue darts out to touch the shell of my ear. “I was thinking,” she says, her breath warm against my skin, “that we could have a lunch break. An extra long one. But I have to finish up some tasks first before I can take the time off.” She moves back, and I see the desire in her eyes, the flare of her pupils, the flushed spots on her cheeks.

  I reach down to cup her hip, letting my thumb stroke the seam of her thigh where it meets her pelvis. “Then I guess we’d better get our asses in gear. Because I’m really fucking hungry right now.”

  Her sharp intake of breath has me boiling with desire. I said before that I was going to make love to her tonight. But that doesn’t mean I can’t find other ways to make her come for me before then, right?

  Emme

  “This lobster is so good,” Dane’s mom declares as she dips a forkful into the melted garlic butter. I can see where Dane gets his good looks; she’s elegant and striking. Her dark hair is twisted up, and she has high cheekbones and piercing eyes. “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”

  “Me neither. This was a great idea. Thanks for letting me intrude on your mother-son date night.” I smile and take a bite of shrimp scampi. I was nervous as hell when I first got here to meet his mom, but she’s been so friendly that the anxiety faded away fast.

  Dane’s hand reaches over and strokes my thigh, and I fight the urge to shiver from his touch. I shoot him a warning glance—he shouldn’t be getting me turned on here. He knows better.

  His response is a raised brow. The hand slides higher, and my sex clenches.

  Ass. But I can’t really be mad at him, not when I’m so damn happy. Since our talk in the coffee shop two weeks ago, things have been a dream come true. As promised, Dane started looking for a new assistant when we got back to the office, and he has a potential person he’s interviewing tomorrow.

  Once he replaces me, I’m going to be working as Lauren’s assistant until I graduate, a prospect that thrills me—and scares me too. Dane wants me to start taking on more responsibility, so he’ll have me train under Lauren to learn about dealing with clients and managing design work implementation.

  To compensate Lauren, he gave her a promotion and a nice bump in pay. She didn’t complain, and we’ve already started making plans on what I can do to help her.

  He and I haven’t been all over each other in the office in front of people, and I’m fine with that. No one has said anything to us yet, though Carl has slid me a couple of side eyes. He saw us sitting together at lunch and I think he’s putting two and two together.

  Dane clears his throat and spears a broccoli with his fork but doesn’t raise it to his mouth. “So, Mom, about Thanksgiving.”

  She tenses a fraction, her lips thinning for a second. “Are you changing your mind about coming?” I can tell she’s struggling to keep the emotion out of her voice. She’s not as good as Dane with the smooth expressions, but she’s still better than I am.

  “I called Eric to let him know I’m coming.” Dane’s tone is even, but I find myself tensing along with his mom. He mentioned to me the other day that he was going to, and admitted he wasn’t sure how it would go. I’ve been nervous for him about it.

  “I see.” His mom takes another bite of lobster, then dabs her mouth with the napkin from her lap.

  “We didn’t t
alk for long.” Dane drops the fork and lowers his hands to his lap. I reach over and cup one, and he squeezes my fingers back. “It was hard, but I wanted him to know I’m done hiding from family events.”

  His mom’s face softens, and she gives him a watery smile, then presses the corner of the napkin to her eyes. “I’m so happy. I’ve missed having my whole family around.”

  My heart swells for them, for the progress they’re making, growing closer. I miss my mom so badly, and knowing he was estranged from his family made me ache for them. Their relationship might never be the same as it was before, but he’s making strides to evolve a new one with them.

  “I’m proud of you,” I whisper, and he shoots me a small smile in response. I know how difficult this is for him, and that Thanksgiving is probably going to be a stressful day. I’ll make sure when he comes to my house in the evening afterward that it’s fun and relaxing, so he can shake it off.

  I stand and make an excuse that I’m going to the bathroom, leaving the table. They need some time to talk to themselves about this. I dawdle in the restroom, fixing my lipstick, fluffing my hair. I look myself in the eye and smile at the glow on my face. Dane’s not a perfect man, but since our conversation in the cafe, he has shown me every day that he cares.

  I’ve found flowers on my desk, a note under my windshield wiper, even a postcard of Boston mailed to my apartment with a big smiley face drawn on the back. Small things, but I know I’m on his mind. And we talk all the time about what’s on our mind.

  I’m almost overwhelmed by it all, and it just makes me love him that much more.

  After a few minutes of lingering, I go back to the table. They’re chit-chatting, but I can tell by the smile on her face and the slight redness of her eyes that she’s been happy crying.

  “So we’re getting dessert, right?” I ask with a grin. “Because I passed a woman eating a slice of cheesecake and I almost asked for a bite. It looks amazing.”

  “Of course we are,” his mom says in a tone that brooks no argument. “That’s the best part of the meal.”

  “I can see you two will be ganging up on me quite a bit,” Dane says drolly. “Not fair.”

  I can’t stop the laugh that comes out. “Get used to it, buddy.”

  The rest of dinner goes well. We devour desserts, and with the rest of my shrimp scampi in a to-go box, I don my coat and give his mom a hug.

  “It was so great meeting you,” I tell her.

  Her smile is sincere as she hugs me back. “I’m glad Dane found you. I can see you’re good for him.” The compliment warms me.

  Dane kisses his mom’s cheek, and we head back to his car. He opens the passenger door for me and drops a hot, open-mouthed kiss on my lips. “You’re beautiful,” he tells me, his brown-eyed gaze raking my face.

  A stupidly wide grin spreads across my cheeks. I’ve seen the women he dated before me. Yet a couple of times now, he’s told me that my true beauty comes from my heart, and it makes me melt every time. No one has ever said such a thing to me before, has ever looked at me the way he’s looking at me right now. Like he could fall into my eyes and live there. “You flatter me.”

  He strokes my cheek. “I mean it. My mom loves you, by the way.”

  I move into his touch, relishing the feel of him touching me. It never gets old; I never stop craving his hands on my body any way I can get them. “She’s really sweet. I’m glad you guys are working things out. I know it’s going to be hard for you, but I’m here however you need me to be.” I get into my seat, and he goes to the driver’s side and starts the car. It’s cold, so we give the car a few minutes to warm up. While we wait, his hand strays to mine, and he clasps my cold fingers.

  “Mom wants you to come to Thanksgiving,” he says; I’m pretty sure there’s an edge of nervousness in his voice.

  I blink and study his profile in the dark, the length of his nose, the curve of his lips, the set of his eyes. “Really? But…it’s a family thing. I don’t want to complicate things.” And I don’t know if me being there would make it better or harder for Dane to get through the event. I’d hate to add to his stress while meeting his family for the first time.

  He presses a kiss to my knuckles, his breath brushing over my flesh. “I want you there.”

  My chest warms. “I’d love to. But I can’t leave my brother alone.” I give him an apologetic smile. “And I think both of us being there would be an intrusion on your family time.”

  He narrows his eyes at my protests. “Emme, I assumed he’d come with you, of course, but I should have made that clearer. Mom asked for both of you to join us. I don’t want him to be alone on a holiday, and I want to get to know him better as well. But only if he wants to come, of course.” He pauses, and he has a real scowl on his face now. “And you’re not an intrusion, so stop speaking like that. You’re my girlfriend. Though that word doesn’t really seem to encompass the depth of what I feel for you.”

  It’s getting warm in here, and it’s not just the car heater. I flush and unzip my coat, then take his hand again. “We should find a new word then.” My words come out all breathy. It’s getting harder to speak; his tongue is sliding across my knuckles, into the seam between my fingers, and I can feel my panties growing wet. That tongue is the most wicked thing ever created on the face of the earth.

  He locks eyes with me, the scowl gone now, and his eyes pierce my chest. “You’re my love.”

  The statement is so simple, so unpracticed and honest, that I find my chest tightening in response. “I love you, Dane. So much. You have my heart. You have everything.”

  Dane closes the space between us until there’s only a scant breath separating our mouths. “I love you too, Emme. Thank you for bringing me back to life.” Then his mouth is on mine, and we’re devouring each other.

  We kiss like we’re on fire, our passion burning into a deep blaze. My skin, my bones, my body aches for him. I feel my nipples harden to painful tips that press through my thin shirt. Despite the cup holder between our seats, we somehow manage to get closer, fingers entwined in each other’s hair.

  I need this man like nothing I’ve ever needed before.

  After a minute, Dane pulls away, regret in his eyes mingling with the arousal. “I don’t want to get arrested for indecent exposure in the parking lot. We should head out.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” I sigh and straighten my clothing, run my fingers through my messy hair. I’m sure I look like I’ve just been thoroughly devoured. I sure as hell feel that way. And I love it.

  We go to my apartment, our fingers still connected. I crave these simple touches as much as I crave our heated sex. The car ride goes way too fast, and soon we’ve pulled into our apartment building’s parking lot.

  I’m still aroused, my core pulsing with need.

  “So, my brother is at his group therapy meeting and won’t be home for another hour,” I say in a husky tone. I run my fingers down his chest, down to his hard dick, which twitches from my touch.

  “Is that right?” He crooks a grin at me, and his lips part. His gaze drops to my mouth. “A whole hour. How will you kill the time?”

  “I have an idea or two.” I wrap my hand around his hardness through the fabric of his pants, and he moans. “Do you want to come upstairs?”

  “There’s nothing else I want more than that right now.”

  We scramble to get out of the car. His body is firm against my back as I key the door, then push it open.

  “Hello?” I say, just in case for some reason Robert is home. But the whole place is dark, and his bedroom door is wide open. We’re all alone.

  Dane spins me around and takes my mouth in a searing, possessive kiss that leaves me reeling. I clutch his shoulders. “Bedroom, now,” he growls as he tears his mouth off mine. “If I don’t taste that wet pussy soon, I’m going to explode.”

  I nod my agreement and take his hand, leading him to my room. He’s been at my apartment a couple of times now, but since my brother has
been home every time, we haven’t had sex here.

  I close the bedroom door behind us and head to the bed.

  “Turn the lamp on.” Dane sounds so bossy right now it’s making me drenched in my panties. “I want to see your face as I’m eating you.”

  My skin breaks out in goose bumps. I comply.

  He strips off his shirt and pants, and I do the same. Soon we’re naked and pressed against each other once more, lying on top of my bed, our limbs tangled, our hands everywhere. My heart might explode from all the things I’m feeling—the arousal and love are mingling in me, making every brush of his mouth on my skin feel ten times stronger.

  “I hate that I hurt you before,” he says as his tongue makes its way to my nipple. He suckles me, and it pulls right at my clit. I groan. “I’ll never hurt you again, sweetheart.”

  I arch against his mouth. His fingers reach down to stroke the apex of my thighs, and my ecstasy grows. “I know,” I tell him breathlessly. “And I won’t hurt you either.”

  My heart is just as defenseless as his, but the fact that we trust each other so strongly is empowering.

  He looks up then, a wicked smile on his face. I flutter in response. “So, have you written anything new about me? Where do you keep it? Can I read the new entries?”

  I fight to keep my face straight. Rotten, this man of mine. I can tell he’s teasing me, though. “I think we’re a little busy right now, don’t you?”

  “I just want to see if you have any good ideas we can try out.” He moves down until his mouth is hovering over my clit. My whole pussy throbs in response to his nearness. “You come up with the most creative fantasies.”

  “Well, I do have one I’d like to attempt that I never have before,” I admit. My face flames and I try not to squirm. I shift until my torso is facing the end table and remove the bottle of lube, putting it on the bed beside us.

  He goes still, eyeing the bottle. “You have my full attention.” I can feel his dick pulse against my leg. Yes, I certainly do.