A laugh escaped her lips—nerves or exhilaration, she wasn’t sure—but it died when she dropped her gaze and was faced with the expanse of his chest.
Oh, she did so want him.
She moved forward, aching to touch all that defined muscle and smooth golden skin.
He shifted out of her reach. ‘Quid pro quo, bella.’
But he was smiling, and it hit her deep. So deep she knew she had no idea what was happening here, or whether she could handle it, but she knew one thing: she was in trouble.
What the hell was she doing?
‘Come on Selina,’ he teased, the rasp in his voice turned deep and husky. ‘Fair’s fair.’
A game. He was making this a game.
Somehow, that made it easier. She reached for the bottom of her plum-coloured silk tank, pulled it up over her head. Extending it to the side, she met his gaze and let it drop to the floor. He held her gaze for a long, hot moment, then dropped his gaze to take in the plump rise of her breasts, showcased in red silk and lace.
Her mouth went dry at the heat in his eyes.
He raised them again and her breath hitched.
She was impatient suddenly. He must have felt the same because he shucked off his boots. She lost her heels, her pants. His jeans were next, once he’d delved into his pocket and extracted a condom, tossing it on the bedside table. Their gazes never left each other even though the temptation to gorge her sight on all that flesh and muscle so close was building a fire inside her so hot she might just combust.
They were down to underwear. Jack had already changed careers once; if the PI thing didn’t work out, he could always go model for Calvin Klein.
She didn’t need him to prompt the final step. She’d go first if it would get her to one hundred per cent Jack. She slipped off her panties and bra, and watched his gaze trail slowly down her body. The heat in his eyes, the reverence there … It warmed her skin, her bones, everything. She completed a slow turn, heavy on the hips.
‘You’re fucking Venus. You know that, don’t you?’
She knew it—she’d been told often enough. But she loved that he thought so. For the first time, it felt like a good thing.
‘What were you saying before about quid pro quo?’ He’d had his look; now it was her turn.
He dispatched his underwear without further ado.
She’d felt him up against her already, but seeing him … Gorgeous man.
If she were Venus, what did that make him?
‘Come here,’ she commanded.
‘You come here.’
He smiled, and she wasn’t sure who stepped towards who, but all of a sudden his arms were around her, his body deliciously close, and they were falling back on the bed, his body covering hers, mouths tangling, hands everywhere. She clung to him, needing his strength and warmth and passion like she’d never needed anything in her life.
He pulled away a little and she whimpered.
‘Hush. I’m just looking.’
He raised himself up a little. His hand followed the path his eyes made, trailing down between her breasts, across her stomach and over her hip. All she could hear was the sound of their breathing—hers erratic, his harsh. All she could feel were Jack’s hands on her.
Fingers stroked up over her ribs, brushed along the undersides of her breasts and rubbed over tips. Shivery hot-cold sensations passed all over her, and she put her hands on his biceps, squeezing. It was so good, it was too good. She was falling, no longer in control. Panic fluttered in low in her chest.
He trailed his hands down her body, over her ribs, her waist, her hips and around to clasp her buttocks. Pulling her closer, he took a nipple gently between his teeth and licked. She gasped, head falling back, and shoved her hands in his hair, but she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to push him away or keep him there. When he blew warm air over her wet nipples, she jerked and cried out. Pleasure so exquisite it was almost painful. Overwhelming.
‘Too much?’ he asked.
‘No.’ But it was. He was too much.
She wanted hard and fast and mindless but this was veering towards something more. Something she wasn’t sure she wanted. Something she was pretty sure she couldn’t handle.
She brought her hands to his chest, trying to push him back on the bed, so she could take control and speed things up, but he didn’t budge. Looking down, she saw the corners of his mouth turn up. ‘What’s the rush?’
‘You’re driving me crazy.’
‘Maybe just a little,’ he conceded, raising his head. ‘Relax and enjoy.’
She didn’t do relax and enjoy. Not with anything.
He kissed his way down, slowly down her stomach, muscles quivering at his breath across her skin. Hands curved over the curves of her bottom as he drew her higher, and then a sharp tongue to the apex of her thighs. Dio Mio. Pleasure surged through her.
Her hands came to his hair, gripping hard. She could hear herself whimpering—alien sounds of pure need. Every single thought in her head had turned to ash.
Something wild and uncontrollable rose in her. It was chaos. Glorious, delicious chaos, and she was losing herself in the tides.
‘Stop!’
He pulled back. Joined her at the top of the bed, hair mussed, colour high and questions on his face.
‘I don’t like that,’ she said.
His mouth quirked. ‘Yeah, I could tell how much you didn’t like it.’
He was right. She’d liked it way too much. She looked down at his chest.
A gentle hand came to cup her cheek. ‘What’s the problem, bella?’
She met his eyes, solemn all of a sudden and unsure of how to put her feelings into words. She wanted pleasure, but not too much. She wanted to lose control, but not really. She wanted to fall in love, but she didn’t want to lose everything.
He’d already made her feel more than any other partner. She appreciated the effort, but she’d decided this was already everything she’d hoped for. This was enough. They could move on and she’d be satisfied. ‘No problem. I just … We should just … you know … finish.’
His eyes narrowed in disapproval as he considered that, his hand shifting to her hip. ‘What happened to making you into a believer?’
‘You have. Honest. This has been great.’
He gave her a funny look. ‘Not yet it hasn’t.’ His hand, still warm at her hip, squeezed. ‘I can give you what you want, Selina, but you have to let me.’
She wanted to but she wasn’t sure she could.
‘I’ve got you. Stop worrying.’
No one ever ‘had’ her. And she could never stop worrying. She bit her lip.
His hand left her hip as he shifted back a little. He was giving her space, she knew. She should be relieved but she felt cold and bereft without his hands on her.
‘We don’t have to do this,’ he said.
But he wanted to. She shifted her gaze to his erect penis. His beautiful, erect penis.
‘I’ll live.’
Would she, though?
She’d only meant to look quickly, to make a point, but her gaze got stuck. She just literally couldn’t look away. Gorgeous man.
Gorgeous, willing and able. He was everything she’d been waiting for and dreaming about, and she was thinking about taking the coward’s way out? Is that who she wanted to be?
Unable to deny herself any longer, she reached, gripped him. His whole body tensed, he exhaled sharply.
‘I don’t want to stop,’ she said, hearing the husk in her voice.
He studied her intently, blue eyes so hot she almost melted. ‘Come over here then.’
She was on him in an instant, her hands on his face, cleft pressed against his hardness. He shifted her more snuggly against him, then his hands came to the backs of her thighs. Skin to skin, he was warming her again, making every cell sing.
His fingers traced up, round to her inner thighs and intruded just a little into her wet heat.
She gasped at the unexpected int
imacy. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Checking for secret weapons.’
She let out an outraged chuckle, her head falling to his chest. God, he made her laugh. ‘You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?’
‘Now where would be the fun in that?’
She raised her head again, feeling the smile on her face matching the one on his. His expression changed as they stared, to something she’d never seen before. ‘You’re so beautiful,’ he said on a whisper.
And with that whisper, the atmosphere shifted. Slowed. The air was thicker—she could hardly breathe. She had a choice—she could hang on or she could let go. If she wanted everything he could give, she would have to let go.
Why was she fighting this?
She couldn’t anymore.
Hands on his jaw, she leaned down and kissed him with all the passion in her. His hands were all over her, sending every nerve cell into a frenzy. Hot pleasure raced through her. Seeking, demanding, more. A need that wouldn’t be denied; an ache only he could fill.
‘Jack,’ she begged.
He half-rose, holding her against him with one arm while he reached for the packet on the bedside table. He released her for a minute to rip it open. Selina shifted aside just enough to let him get the condom on. Something which she’d never considered a turn-on before but right now …
She didn’t know what Jack’s plans were, but she couldn’t wait a moment longer. Face close to his, she positioned herself and eased down, taking him in. She didn’t even realise she was holding her breath against the incredible sensation until she exhaled, moaning quietly.
Jack was supporting himself with one arm. The other fisted a gentle hand in her hair, bringing her close to kiss her neck and jaw. ‘God Selina,’ he muttered into her ear. ‘I’ve been dreaming about this, about you, since the second I saw you.’
He kissed her mouth, desperate, hard and needy, and settled back, taking her with him. She broke the kiss and rose above him, riding, slowly at first, but when each roll of her hips brought so much pleasure, how could she resist going faster?
She couldn’t take her eyes off his face. The tension in his jaw, the slashes of colour high on his cheekbones. His hard, jerky pulls of air. The way he was looking back at her. The way he was letting her take him.
Hers. He was hers.
Heat and energy. Raw need building. Building. And she needed … She needed… ‘Jack.’
His hands were on her hips, gripping, holding her in place as he started to thrust, strong and fast and barely controlled, reminding her that he might be hers, but she was his too. And God, if she’d thought it was good before. She heard herself, the rough sound of her panting. She’d lost every hold she had on herself, but she didn’t care. Couldn’t even remember what she’d been worried about, because this was heaven. It must be.
Her hands were on his ribs, grinding into him. Her body tightened. When he added a pad of thumb to her centre, her world broke around her and she screamed. He pulled her down, kissing her deep and bucking hard as his own release ripped through him.
She collapsed on him as he fell back. Breathing hard, arms heavy around her, he held her to his warm solidness.
Cheek to his chest, his heartbeat coming through strong, Selina couldn’t stop smiling.
Weren’t women supposed to be teary after really, really good sex? Not that she’d know, but that’s what happened in all the movies. She couldn’t have contained her broad grin if she tried. Nose at the juncture of his neck, she breathed him in; ocean breeze—the salt of fresh sweat, pine and citrus—surrounded her.
Her heart slowed, her breathing calmed, and a heavy languor spread through her.
Jack kissed the top of her head and she felt like everything was right in her world. Even if it was just for tonight.
‘Sleep, bella,’ she thought she heard him say. A soft command that was entirely unnecessary, because she was already there.
Chapter 13
Selina woke feeling like she’d had the best sleep of her life. A quick glance at the slim, gold watch resting on the bedside table confirmed it. It was mid-morning, which meant she’d slept a long time. After a moment contemplating the lace doily, green Victorian tassel lamp shade and how amazing she felt, she sat, stretched, and smiled. A big broad smile that blossomed over her face. Which must be what great sex did for a girl.
Jack must have given up on her waking and left. Luckily his ego was well-developed enough to stand that kind of treatment. Whatever. She’d make it up to him next time.
Next time?
Where had that come from?
Sleeping with Jack had been a mistake.
It didn’t feel like a mistake, but it must be, because she’d known since day one that he wasn’t for her.
Not for you, she told herself again but the goofy grin didn’t want to leave her face.
You’re not the type that goes gooey for a guy, she reminded herself. But judging by the smile still plastered all over her face, she was pretty far gone in the gooey stakes.
She tried again. Do you want to end up like your mother and your grandmother – falling for the wrong guy, getting swept away and winding up with nothing? Alone and broke to boot?
The smile still didn’t vanish.
If he was a mistake, he was a glorious one. And anyway, Jack wasn’t like that.
Oh really, Selina? You’ve known him less than a week. You don’t know what he’s like.
But she did. By now, she knew quite a lot about Jack. She knew they shared a connection that went way beyond physical chemistry. Though they also had that in spades. She knew he wasn’t a pushover, could more than hold his own against her powers of persuasion, but he’d never treated her with anything less than respect. He’d insisted on telling her a truth she’d already known before he’d kissed her. He’d driven her all the way to Maribyrnong, would have waited there all night if that’s what she’d needed. He’d held her when she’d almost cracked, expected nothing in return.
All up, what she knew was Jack Tierney was a pretty good guy.
And anyway, her thinking about her future husband needed updating. If she was a Holloway, if she was going to inherit, her old criteria about what she needed in a partner could be tossed out the window. She was free to choose who she wanted and there was no reason why it couldn’t be Jack.
Unless Jack didn’t want to be with her. Last night had been mind-blowing for her, maybe it hadn’t been for him. Maybe that was his regular Wednesday evening. And she smiled again because she knew that wasn’t the case.
Maybe he’d be willing to give it a shot.
Maybe he would.
She called home to confirm Anna was doing better, showered and dressed, then went to knock on Jack’s door. No response.
So now what?
Selina was at a loose end, and she was never at a loose end.
She wasn’t looking for the necklace anymore. She wasn’t meeting Lewis until tomorrow. Mark had probably sent a stack of work through, enough to keep her occupied until she managed to track Jack down, but … she wasn’t even sure she still worked for Mark. Even if she did, she was supposed to be on leave.
She left the hotel and went to a nearby café in search of a decent coffee. She took an outside seat and tipped her head back, soaking up the sun’s rays and the faint tinge of blossom she was almost sure she could make out through the city smells of fried food and exhaust.
A sound, a ringtone, tugged at her consciousness. It sounded like it was close, and no one was getting it.
It stopped, and was quickly followed by a signal that indicated a text had come in.
She started as she realised why it had disturbed her so much. It was her phone. Her new one, that Lewis had given her. No wonder it’d sounded close.
She dug the new phone out of her handbag and checked the message. Lewis wanted to meet her in the dining room in an hour.
Something must have come up. An emergency meeting with the architects? Something e
lse she could become involved with?
Thank God. She didn’t have to sit here and pretend to be relaxing anymore. Her involvement with Holloway Enterprises couldn’t come soon enough. Bring it on. She just wasn’t built to sit around, drinking coffee and not much else.
She texted back that she’d be there, paid her bill, and motored back to the hotel. She was halfway across the lobby when an arm snaked around her waist, pulling her into a corner.
Jack.
‘Hey,’ he said.
She had just enough time to take in his height, which still took her by surprise, his bright eyes and warm smile, before he proceeded to kiss the daylights out of her. Lucky they were half-shielded by a somewhat dusty, very overgrown potted palm.
‘Hey yourself,’ she replied, breathless as he pulled back. ‘Where’ve you been? I knocked on your door before.’
He squeezed her shoulder. ‘Working.’
She smiled, wondering where he’d been looking and wishing she’d woken earlier so she could have tagged along. ‘Did you find it?’
He paused, looked at her all intense and serious, then looked away. ‘No.’ He swept a hand through his hair. ‘I was looking for something else actually.’
Something else? Like what? Wasn’t Jack being paid to find the necklace?
She was about to query him, but he spoke first. ‘Have lunch with me?’
‘I’d love to, but I’ve already made plans to meet Lewis.’
***
No. Fuck. Fuck.
He did not want Selina anywhere near Lewis.
‘I thought you weren’t meeting him until tomorrow,’ he said, hearing the edge in his voice but unable to do anything about it. The only reason he’d left her alone this morning was because he’d thought Lewis was completely out of the picture today.
She gave him a sharp look, no doubt a little put out by his tone. ‘Something must have come up. Some problem with the new building plans maybe.’
Hands on Selina’s shoulders, glaring down at her, he must have looked a little too intense because she frowned. ‘What’s the matter?’
Lewis is going to kill you. If you spend time with him, sooner or later, you’ll wind up dead. That’s what’s up.
Blue Steal Page 18