by Tiana Cole
David gifted her with a stunning smile that made her breath catch in her throat. “I did, actually. The guys of the company I’m trying to acquire just needed a bit of hand holding from the big guy.”
She listened as he told her all about the gadget that would give solar panels a longer life. “Wow, that’s incredible. So they become more accessible now for regular people?”
He nodded. “That’s the idea. Plus, you know, environment and all that.”
Ebony laughed. “Well, as long as its at least an afterthought, you’ll still be in the running for a Nobel.”
He barked out a laugh that startled her and enchanted her all at once.
“Then all is right with the world.” They paused long enough to place orders and then he turned back to her. “What are you in school for?”
Ebony told him all about her hospitality management program. “I’m getting restaurant experience now, as you know, but I hope to work hotels and resorts long term.” It might mean moving around a lot, which wasn’t ideal for Kim, but it would allow her to learn about the world and have enough money to take care of them.
“Why not business?”
“I have no interest in the business world. I want enough money to support my family and have some left over to live my life, which is hard to do when you work ninety hour weeks.” She was sure that was how his life played out most of the time.
“But the rewards are greater.”
“Maybe that’s true. But you don’t have time to enjoy it during those long work days.” She wanted a family that took vacations together, went on outings to amusement parks, festivals and the zoo. Not one lavish vacation once a year.
“I make time for what’s important.”
So far he hadn’t deemed women or family important, and Ebony needed to keep reminding herself of that when she caught herself slipping. Falling under his spell was a bad idea, a really stupid idea. This was not a man who did happy family time. “Good for you.”
~
David had no idea what was going through Ebony’s mind. Her demeanor wasn’t exactly chilly but she definitely wasn’t as open as she’d been previously. If he wasn’t mistaken, he would say she disapproved of him. She definitely didn’t seem impressed by him, that much he was sure of. Most women loved that he worked long hours, thought it made him ambitious and that meant more money for them to spend. Or him to spend on them. Ebony thought of it as time away from her. He smiled. Interesting.
The meal had gone mostly okay, as far as dates went. It was all just…a little unusual. “Dessert?” He needed more time with her, dammit. Quality time that was uninterrupted and preferably more private.
Ebony leaned back and dropped her napkin on the table. “No, thanks. I am completely stuffed.”
She was so hard to read. It was frustrating as hell. “I think I’ll have a scoop of sorbet, if you don’t mind,” he added as an afterthought with his best seductive grin.
“Have at it.”
No matter what, David couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She was so beautiful in a way that few women were. Her skin was luminescent as though someone sprinkled glitter or gold dust on her skin but she wore almost no makeup. Lush pink lips looked perfectly kissable without any ridiculous gloss or lipstick. The only real enhancement on her face was mascara, giving those golden brown eyes a bedroom quality. Ebony didn’t play up her beauty, if she was even aware of it. “Are you seeing someone?”
“If I was, do you think I’d be here with you?” Apparently his look told her he thought exactly that. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I wouldn’t.”
Dammit. She didn’t find his cynicism at all charming. “It’s not a statement on your character, but it wouldn’t be the first time I found out my date had a boyfriend or a husband.”
“Maybe you should ask that question before you ask for the date. If that sort of thing matters to you.”
Ouch. “Yeah. Silly me, thinking a woman should say no when asked on a date if she already has a significant other. What was I thinking?”
“You’re right. But how they answer that question could be more important than what they answer.” She pulled a few bills from her purse and set them on the bill holder.
David frowned. “I’ll pay for dinner.”
“Why would you do that?”
What could a man do with an answer like that? David had no idea so he laughed. “I thought this was a date. The guy usually pays.”
“I think you’ve spent enough money on me, don’t you?”
Pushing his finished glass away, he stared at her. “Are we ever going to get past that?”
At least she had the grace to look chagrined. “I am past it. That doesn’t mean I want you spending more of your money on me.”
“So what is it that you want from me, Ebony?”
Her shrug spoke volumes about her confusion. “I just want to get to know you.”
Dammit. The one thing she wanted, David wasn’t sure he could give her. No one really knew him, not even Sarah. It had been a very long time since he let someone get close enough to know him. The last time hadn’t worked out so well and he’d vowed to never let a woman get that close again. Marci had done a number on his heart, his ability to trust and how he treated women in his life. Like commodities, his conscience whispered. He realized that was why Ebony was keeping him at arm’s length. “That means you’re saying yes to our second date?”
“That’s what it sounded liked.” She gave an impish smile. “Didn’t it?”
~
“You’re going out with him again and you still haven’t told him?” Her mother’s tone told Ebony everything she needed to know about what she thought of the current situation.
“Yes. I know I should tell him about Kim, but is it so wrong to want just a few dates for myself?” Of course it was. She knew it was a bad idea to keep seeing David because her heart would get involved and then it would get smashed to pieces. And she’d have to put on a happy face if he decided to be a part of his daughter’s life.
Tonya shook her head. “Nothing wrong with that. We all need something good for ourselves now and again. But you might want to think about what happens after you’ve had your few dates.”
She had thought of little else since agreeing to the second date. He would be furious and she’d have to contend with a pissed off billionaire. Fun times. “I have thought about it, and I’ve decided this is the last date with him. I’ll set up a time to meet tomorrow and then I’ll tell him.”
Tonya raised her eyebrows. “Only three dates? Is that enough?”
“No.” She dropped down onto her sofa and flung her body backwards. “That’s why it has to be then. I like him, Mama. More than is smart considering who he is.” And how we met, but she couldn’t say that. “I know nothing will come of it so this has to be our last date.”
She pursed her lips in disapproval. “I don’t think he’ll agree to that, but do what you have to.”
That was exactly what Ebony planned to do as she slipped on a pair of nude stilettos she’d found heavily discounted online and kissed her baby goodbye. They met outside one of the fanciest restaurants in town, well known for how fiercely they protected the ultra rich clientele.
“You look beautiful, Ebony.”
She practically swooned at his softly spoken words. “Thanks. You look great too.” He looked more than great. The man always looked like he’d just stepped from the pages of Handsome Billionaire Magazine, if such a publication existed. In his slate grey suit, minus the tie, he looked like every male fantasy she’d ever had all wrapped into one delicious package.
He flashed his killer smile and she braced her core to keep her standing upright. The next thing she knew his face was coming closer and closer to hers, until their lips touched and his tongue swept into her mouth. His hands, warm to the touch, seared her lower back. They were making out like teenagers and she loved it. David pulled back first, smiling down at her and smoothing his hands over her arms. “Thanks,
sweetheart.” He guided her inside the swanky eatery decorated in dark leather and heavily draped curtains on the wall. All the glasses were crystal, twinkling prettily under the fancy mid-sized chandeliers.
They were seated right away and Ebony immediately felt uncomfortable in the overpriced place. Everyone was dressed in designer clothing and shoes. Arms, ears and necks were draped with jewels, gold and platinum. It was all very intimidating. “This place is something.”
“You don’t like it?”
“I’m sure the food is very delicious. This is a very highly rated restaurant.” She’d done her homework because she wanted to make sure she was dressed appropriately. “So how was your day?”
David smiled, surprised by her question. “It was great, actually. We signed the contracts today for the solar panel component.” He flagged down their waitress—a stunning blonde with mile-long legs, of course—and ordered a bottle of Dom. “To celebrate.”
“I’m touched you’re celebrating with me instead of your workers or the tech guys.” She really was, and that was why she was relieved this was their last date. His kind words were touching her too much, affecting her in a way they shouldn’t.
“You’re prettier to look at, Ebony.”
“You’re such a charmer.”
“That’s just the truth.”
The waitress returned with a bucket of ice, glasses and a well-known green bottle. “In that case, congratulations on doing more than your share to help the earth.”
~
“That’s the first time anyone has ever congratulated me for the greater good.” Truthfully, he was touched she thought he was doing that. Reality was it was a smart investment in an emerging market.
“Well, we tend to congratulate people on what’s important to us. I guess your friends would congratulate you on increasing your wealth.” Ebony lifted her glass again to toast him.
She was right, he mused. Everyone else would have given him a job well done for making more money. Except Ebony. “I like yours better. Makes me sound like a good person.”
“Maybe you secretly are,” she whispered, and darted her eyes back and forth like it was a secret.
David did something he rarely did on dates. He laughed. His body felt warm, flush and completely turned on. Ebony was a conundrum. She was obviously not very experienced sexually yet she’d agreed to his horrendous proposal. He couldn’t figure her out. But he liked her anyway. “You would be the only person who thought that.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, David. I’m sure there are some tree huggers out there fighting to put your face on a coin or something.” Her smile took the sting off her sarcasm.
He frowned. “A coin? I look much better in digital.” He stroked his chin, modeling his profile for her.
“True, but coins are forever.” She took another sip of champagne and looked at him closely. Too closely. “What is it that you want from this, David?”
He rubbed his neck, aching from the swift change of topic. “What?”
“You asked me what I wanted from us meeting like this and I never asked you. What do you want?”
To bury myself deep inside you. That wasn’t the answer she wanted, but it was the truth. “I don’t know how to answer that.”
She smiled. “Sex. That’s it, right?”
David smiled but said nothing. There was no right answer to that question. If he was honest, she would be upset because all he wanted was sex. If he lied, she would get her hopes up. Damn. “Yes.” He frowned when she sagged in relief. Relief!
“Okay.”
“Okay? That’s it? You’re not mad?” He felt more confused than ever.
“Why would I be mad about your honesty? I appreciate it.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I can admit that the night with you was the best I ever had. I don’t have much in the way of comparison but it was good. Really good.” She smiled at him. “And knowing there’s no hope of anything more between us gives me permission to indulge in another night with you.”
“Or many nights.” If she was down for another night, why stop at just one?
Her smile was sweet and…wistful? “I think one is all I can handle. Is that a problem?”
David shook his head. “Check, please.”
She held in a smirk. “What, no dessert?”
His gaze darkened and he took in the swell of her breasts moving under shallow breaths. Then he smiled. “You are dessert.” Masculine appreciation washed over him when her golden eyes flared with desire, her breath hitched.
“O-o-okay, then. Let’s go.”
~
What the hell was I thinking? Even though she’d asked herself that the entire drive over to his apartment—no hotel this time, apparently—she already knew the answer. She wanted it. One more night with David before everything turned ugly and confusing. She blew out a long, contemplative sigh.
“You’re thinking entirely too hard over there,” David told her as they rode in an oversized elevator up to what she was sure was a luxury multi-million-dollar apartment.
“Just wondering if this was going to be another mistake.” What a way to kill the mood. But it had to be said. She was terrified that she’d drive home in a few hours with a broken heart.
His gaze intensified, lasered in on her. “There’s still time to change your mind.”
Ebony knew she could leave now. She just didn’t want to. She stepped closer to him on his side of the elevator and placed her hands on his chest. “We both know I’m not going to do that, David.” Her heart pulsed at the way his gaze turned to liquid gold with flecks of green each time her hand slid over his chest. His torso.
“You sure? Because I’m not going to talk you through this.”
She sighed heavily. “You won’t have to.” Then she pressed her mouth to his neck, to that little pulse beating in his neck, and licked across that prominent vein there. God, he tasted delicious! She licked and kissed his neck, and nibbled his earlobes until his hands tightened at her waist.
“Ebony,” he growled, taking her mouth in a fierce kiss that bordered on erotic. His tongue plunged in her mouth and tasted her, tangled with her tongue and owned it before sweeping out and licking at her lips. His mouth glided across her cheek and to her ear, sucking and soothing, kissing down her neck and shoulders. He couldn’t get enough of her. Not this time. The elevator doors stood open and he grasped her wrist, pulling her to the only door on the floor.
“How did I know you’d have the whole floor?”
He flashed her a smile. “Because I only like the best?”
“Something like that.” She laughed when he pulled her backside tight against his front and kissed the tendons in her neck that drove a woman crazy. “David,” she moaned, pressing her ass against his erection.
He pushed the door open and they both stumbled inside. He spoke between kissing his way across her neck and shoulders. “You want a drink, a tour, Netflix?”
She giggled and wrapped an arm around his neck, leaning to give those sweet lips greater access. “No, I’m good. What you’re doing is a good place to start.” Her other hand went behind her and stroked the hard length pressing against her. Ebony turned, needing to taste his mouth again. To feel his kiss again.
David smiled against her lips and squeezed her ass. It was a great ass and he kneaded it as he made love to her mouth, swelling with male pride at the sounds she made. Hoisting her up, he held her round ass and walked them down a long hall to his bedroom. He groaned when her hips swirled against him. “Ebony, you’re killing me.”
She stopped and looked at him with a seductive smile. “Right back at you, killer.” Ebony screamed when she began falling, ending with a laugh when she met an insanely soft landing. “Oh, this is nice. Soft and cool. It feels so good on my overheated skin.” She looked up when David groaned.
“You’re so damn sexy,” he growled as he unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it behind him and climbing on the bed beside her. “Even curvier than I r
emember.” One hand ghosted over her side from her hip to her breast. “And in all the right places.” He cupped a breast before pulling down the zipper hidden at her side.
Ebony’s eyes went wide at the sight of his body, golden tan with muscles everywhere. “Damn. Were you this hot a year ago?”
He chuckled and opened her bra clasp, pulling one caramel nipple in his mouth and sucking. Hard. “I don’t know, was I?”
She gasped and arched her back. “I-I was too overwhelmed with all of it to really pay attention.” Later she would cringe at the honesty but right now his mouth felt too damn good.
“Overwhelmed by the money?” He moved to the other breast, suckling and flicking with his tongue while she writhed beneath him.
She shook her head. “No. I’d only ever been with one guy and he was my boyfriend so I didn’t know what to do.” Her voice was deep, heavy with lust. “Didn’t you notice?”
He released her breast with a pop. “I thought it was an act.”
She ignored that and lost herself in the feel of his mouth on her skin. David kissed the underside of her breasts, nibbling on them before giving her tummy the same treatment. She ignored the slight pudge she hadn’t been able to get rid of after Kim was born, and reveled in the way he worshipped her body. Warm breath fanned over her bare mound and she moaned loudly. “David, please. Don’t tease.”
He smiled and continued to do just that. He paused over her glistening pussy lips, licking each one before hitting each spot with a gust of cool air. “Tease? Who’s teasing?” David gave her no time to respond, simply spread her open with his hands and lapped at her juices.
“David,” she groaned from deep within her chest.
He loved the way she growled his name, so lost in what she was feeling. But instead of telling her, David’s tongue snaked out and licked her from opening to clit and back again. Over and over he licked, sucked and flicked his tongue over her most sensitive parts, humming on occasion just to make sure she paying attention.
“Oh, David, yes! Yes!” Ebony felt like her body was floating on a cloud, or maybe barreling through space at a million miles an hour. His tongue was delicious. And thorough. Her thighs clenched the sides of his head, fingers gripped his hair as her hips thrust forward, chasing down her orgasm. When two fingers plunged deep and his mouth pulled on her clit, she screamed. Now I’m barreling through space. Then her body went limp. “Goodness, you’re good at that.”