“Not necessary.”
She stood. “Let’s get started.”
He started rolling a chair around her desk.
“Not here. Let’s spread out on the conference table.” No, no spreading of anything. She grabbed reports, laptop and bottle of water.
His quiet moan landed in the apex between her legs. Going forward, she’d ignore her damn physical reactions. So what if he was the sexiest, most handsome man on the planet? He pulled out a chair at the conference table and gestured for her to sit, then sat next to her. She crossed her legs. He eyed them. His delicious cedar scent reminded her of their bodies curled around each other’s like vines crawling up a tree.
Stop.
She handed him a copy, set meeting expectations, then launched into her summary. While listening, he furrowed his brow again. Something—besides the MobiCom merger and his ailing portfolio—was eating away at him. She wanted to run her finger down his forehead and erase the knot.
“You’re concise and organized,” he said.
“Are you okay?” she blurted before she could stop herself.
He stared into her eyes for several seconds as if contemplating a response. “I’m good.”
What is wrong with me? Brigit Farnay didn’t sleep with her clients and she certainly didn’t pause during a meeting to inquire about their emotional status. But she felt his pain, and for reasons she couldn’t explain, she wanted to help him through it. “Why isn’t Francesco using multiple investors or borrowing from a financial institution?”
“No outside investors.” He strummed his fingers on the polished wood. “I need complete control over this project.”
Stroking her bracelet, she stared into his eyes. “Control is fickle and fleeting.” She pulled up his portfolio and highlighted her recommendations.
At one point, he placed his hand over hers to direct the mouse. The heat from his hand skirted up her arm while arousing tingles flowed through her. She’d craved his touch all day. Time to douse her internal fire. She wiggled her hand out from beneath his and picked up her water bottle. As soon as her lips curved the rim, he stopped talking, midsentence, to watch. The cool liquid should have drowned the smoldering embers, but their eyes met and the sparks burst into flames. She set the bottle down, but couldn’t look away. The longer she held his gaze, the stronger his pull. He glanced at her mouth and started to lean toward her.
No!
She whipped her face toward the laptop, severing their explosive connection.
He had so many questions. Why liquidate these mutual funds? Why dump those international stocks? Why purchase those positions? Why unload his junk bonds? Why invest in that biotech company over this one? Why purchase those particular shopping centers? He fired question after question. Like ripping a Band-Aid, she was candid and succinct.
He disagreed with each of her recommendations and his own suggestions were a clear indication of why he needed her to manage his wealth. His flaring nostrils and exasperated tone proved he wasn’t adjusting to their agreement. She stayed calm, the voice of reason, patiently explaining why her decisions were necessary to grow his business to the next level.
In the end, he acquiesced. She’d execute the trades in the morning and he’d have his thirty million as soon as they sold. Although he wasn’t pleased, this new financial direction would lead to a more lucrative future.
Ten o’clock. Shane had delivered dinner hours ago and they’d eaten while they worked. Even so, she’d still lost track of time.
He cracked his knuckles. “Losing is a new concept.”
She shook her head. “No, Colton. You didn’t lose. You just didn’t get your way. Big difference.”
“This damn well better work.” He pushed out of the chair and stretched. He’d long since removed his sport coat and the blue shirt clung to his hard body. “Let’s swim. I need to blow off some steam.”
She shifted her gaze from his broad-shouldered torso to his eyes, then she cleared her throat. “No, thank you.” Seeing him bare chested would not help.
“No one swims alone here. You’ll have to join me. Plus, you’ve been sitting for too many hours.”
“You’re so bossy.” She closed her laptop.
“I find that ironic coming from the woman who spent the last several hours dictating the direction of my financial future.”
“Why don’t you work through your frustration at your club?”
His eyes turned stormy and he moved dangerously close. “Seeing you in a bathing suit will help me far more than anything at Uninhibited.”
Her insides quivered low in her belly. Fighting the urge to smile, she stood. Though she wasn’t impervious to a compliment, she’d swim because she needed the exercise.
Once behind her closed bedroom door, she slipped into her black bikini. The halter-top hugged her breasts and she repositioned them beneath the spandex. After throwing on a long tee, she left her bedroom and almost bumped into Colton. Like a posted sentry, he stood outside her door, clad in brown swim trunks.
That man was nothing but broad shoulders and strong, well-defined traps and lats. Mouth-watering hot. And then she glanced at his firm ass. Oh, God, help me. Why swimming? Why not ping pong in really baggy sweats?
He didn’t say a word, nor did he hide his frustration. She was his wealth manager, not his therapist, and under no obligation to help him work through his angst. So she too remained silent as they headed downstairs. She fully expected Colton would be headstrong and he’d proven her right. Her recommendations were sound, made with the best of intentions, and would yield handsome profits. I need complete control over this project. Those words echoed in her mind. Why was he so protective of her company?
The Olympic-sized heated swimming pool was painted Bermuda blue. White chaise lounge chairs were positioned around the perimeter with a folded white beach towel atop each. The sauna was nearby and the hot tub bubbled at the far end. This is heaven.
They were alone. She pulled her T-shirt over her head.
His eyes grew dark as he perused her body. “Laps,” he grumbled. “Join me.”
She dove in. The heated water soothed her aching muscles. Together they swam back and forth, but she kept her distance.
Swimming seemed to calm him. The tightness around his eyes and mouth disappeared. With their laps completed, he pretended to be a shark and her squeals of mock fear made him laugh so hard he stopped chasing her to catch his breath. Their play continued until he trapped her in his strong embrace. Before the message of no physical contact had been delivered to her limbs, she’d wrapped her arms and legs around his torso. Chest to chest. His erection pressed against her.
“No, Colton. I’m not your fuck buddy. You told me and I quote, ‘this shouldn’t have happened.’ Rest assured, it won’t again.”
She dropped her legs, but in one fluid movement, he reached under the water and strapped her legs around him, then with his hands on her bottom, held her close. “I also said, ‘but it did,’” he murmured. “Chad burst in and I never finished.”
“We can’t do this.”
“Brigit, this shouldn’t have happened, but it did.” With a furrowed brow he clenched his jaw muscles. “I can’t turn back. I have to have you. I don’t regret one second we’ve spent together, nor am I going to apologize for what I want now. If you don’t want the same thing, tell me and I will back off, for good.”
She wanted him in every way imaginable, so she tightened her hold and remained quiet. Was she trapping him in her web or clinging to his? Her eyes stung, but not from the chlorine. They burned from staring so intensely into his.
Delicious, erotic feelings came online as her senses took over. His hard body pressed against hers, but she wanted him even closer. She needed him inside her to complete their connection. His achingly handsome face made looking away impossible. And his moist lips beckoned to be kissed. Every part of her wanted more of him. Now.
He kissed her, hard. No mercy. No easing into the moment. A rush
of adrenaline left her breathless. He claimed her, devoured her and when he pulled away they gasped for breath, and for the unspoken expectation. Standing in water up to his chest, the warm liquid flowed between them but when he tightened his grip, not even air separated them. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and deposited lingering kisses on his glistening skin.
His breathy, husky moan vibrated against her mouth.
Muscles deep inside clenched in anticipation. She pulled away and gazed into his eyes. His frustration from earlier had been replaced with a fiery desire. He caressed the sides of her body, pausing to appreciate the swell of her breasts. He kissed her again. Slow. Sensual. Intoxicating.
And, a third kiss, but something was different about this one. Gentle. Soft. Romantic. She whimpered. His breathing had quickened, but he didn’t deepen the kiss. It was filled with so much passion there was no need. Kissing this man in this moment felt right.
Her lips curved into the subtlest of smiles. Shit, shit, shit, maybe he can’t tell.
“Having fun, are we?” A smile danced in his eyes.
Yes.
“The big, bad wolf wants you to enjoy yourself before he eats you.”
“Oh, God, yes.” Her nipples hardened. Wetness pooled in her suit. She needed to get out of the water. Now. Right now.
Colton closed the door as hot, dry sauna air surrounded them. She picked up a plush white towel from the pile and opened it across the length of the extra-wide wooden bench. With her eyes on his, she unclasped her bikini top and slowly removed it.
His gaze floated over her breasts and down her torso. “You’re a gorgeous woman, Brigit.”
A smile breezed across her lips. What was it about his compliments that affected her so deeply? With her gaze fixed on his, she wiggled out of her bikini bottoms, lay on the towel, and after draping her wet hair over the teak bench behind her, gripped the wood. She placed one foot on the floor to balance herself and lifted her gaze to his. “Come here.” Her sultry command dripped with need.
He removed his suit springing his erection free. After kneeling next to her, he kissed her breast, then covered her nipple with his mouth. Pleasure spiraled through her. “Harder,” she murmured. Burrowing her fingers into his wet hair, she fisted a handful when the sting of his teeth tugged her nipple.
Pleasure and pain.
In an instant he was on her, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. As her hands slid down his wet back, her core ached for him. Covering her hot skin with his passionate kisses, he blazed a scorching path toward her belly button. “Tell me what you want,” he murmured.
“I don’t want. I need your mouth, your tongue, your—”
“My what?” Lifting his head, he stared into her eyes.
“Penis.”
“Boys have penises. Call it what it is.”
“Light saber,” she snorted.
“I’m about to wipe that snark right off your hot little lips.” He sat up and grabbed his shaft. “This is a cock.”
“I need that cock inside me.”
So much fire radiated from his eyes. “Yes, you do.” With his gaze cemented on hers, he placed his face between her legs.
Reaching over her head, she gripped the bench. The eroticism tore through her. Her world spun away. Surrounded by suffocating heat, she sucked down breath after breath as she writhed from the unrelenting pleasure. He licked her folds, thrust his tongue inside and moaned. His guttural sounds shot right to the deepest, darkest part of her. “Oh, God, I like how you do that.” Her sultry voice ripped through the silence.
The pleasure skyrocketed when he thrust thick fingers inside her slickened core. Her eyes flew open and she lifted her head. His face—his face—buried between her legs was too much. He stopped, his thumb poised over her clitoris, and gazed into her eyes. “Do you like what I’m doing to you?”
She loved it. “Yes. Don’t stop.”
“I want you to come for me.” His commanding voice hurtled her toward a crescendo.
Then, he buried his face between her legs. Her orgasm started low in her belly and she cried out, waves of ecstasy pounding through her. Shattered, she slowly drifted back to earth. How could being with the wrong man feel so right?
He rewarded her with a smoldering kiss. In one graceful movement he added water to the rocks. “No snarky remark?” He laid another charged kiss on her lips, then straddled the bench.
“Me? Snarky?” she rasped. Feeling sated, she sat up and straddled the bench, facing him. As she pressed her mouth to his shoulder, his salty skin piqued her taste buds. He cupped her face and kissed her.
“My turn.” She knelt on a folded towel.
Lust poured from his heavy-lidded eyes and she couldn’t wait to taste him. She placed her mouth around the smooth head of his cock and twirled her tongue over his sensitive skin. On a long, slow moan, she eased him inside.
The more she pleasured him, the louder he moaned. And the more ravenous her need became. When his juices seeped down her throat, her insides quivered. Though she desperately wanted to finish what she’d started, she needed to prove a point, so she slowed to a stop and pulled him out. He’d tilted his face to watch her, his chocolate-brown eyes black with desire.
He gave her a crooked smile. “Wow, that felt great.”
Checking his swimsuit pockets for a condom, she found one. “You’re a naughty boy, you know that?”
With an expression of complete confidence, he nodded, slowly. Straddling the bench, she ripped the packet and sheathed him.
“I’m all yours.” His gravelly voice made her wetter still.
She wanted to bury him inside her and ride him hard. Instead, she lifted off the bench, positioned him at her opening and with his shaft in hand, rubbed him over her sensitive folds. Back and forth she teased, placing his head inside, then pulling him out. Her thighs burned from holding up her weight, but she wouldn’t give in to the pain.
As soon as she pressed her lips to his, euphoria spread through her like wildfire. With each stroke of her tongue, she picked up speed, building to a ravenous pace.
Panting, Colton squeezed her waist. “Take me inside you.”
“No.” Her breath came in short, fast bursts.
Raking his hands down her back, his cock grew firmer. She tightened her grip around his shaft, positioned his head at her opening and, at last, took him inside.
“Oh, Brigit,” he growled. “You feel so fucking good.”
With him deep inside, she stilled. As he cracked open his eyes, a faraway look lit up his handsome face. Then, gyrating slowly, she rocked forward and up, taking him, again and again. Gasping for air between kisses, she rode him so hard she thought she’d pass out from the pleasure.
“You’re making me come,” he bit out. The orgasm tore through him and he tightened his embrace, his body rocking with ecstasy. When he stopped, he clasped both arms around her back and rested his forehead against her chest. Holding him securely in her arms felt good and she caressed his back while they caught their breath.
Once quieted, he raised his head and gazed into her eyes. “You’re amazing and that was—that was, wow,” he murmured. “I needed control, but you wouldn’t give it to me.”
She smoothed his hair out of his face. Speaking softly, she said, “Even though I took control, you still benefited greatly from the outcome, didn’t you?”
Searching her face, he stayed silent for a long moment. “Point well taken.”
Neither made any move to separate, and stayed entwined until he slipped out. In a satisfied and peaceful silence, they dressed. Exiting the sauna, Brigit caught a glimpse of someone, shrouded in black, rushing out the door. Bile rose and she swallowed, hard.
Was someone watching us?
32
Alexandra Reed
Brigit spent the remainder of the week in a frenzy of activity. After executing the trades in Colton’s portfolio, she kept an eagle eye on their performance while hunting for new opportunities. Friday’s arrival allow
ed her to take a breath.
“Payday,” Red said from Brigit’s doorway.
From behind her desk, Brigit blinked. “C’mon in.”
“Your first Mitus paycheck.” Red handed her a sealed envelope. “And now, it’s officially happy hour. I’m going to plant my ass on a kitchen stool with a bottle of wine.”
“You’re not working out tonight?”
“Let me demonstrate my workout.” Red lifted her hand to her mouth, brought it down and repeated the motion a few times. “Filling the glass adds weight resistance.”
Brigit laughed. “Is the team going to Colton’s benefit tomorrow night?”
“No, just you two. My work ends when yours begins. Taylor and I have immersed ourselves in that fundraiser for months. My reward is one long weekend sleep.” Red took a few backward steps, then spun toward the door. “I’ll save you a barstool.”
Tearing open the envelope, Brigit gaped at her paycheck. This would buy a lot of Francesco stock. Even though she didn’t know what the top secret Crockett Boxes did, or what Francesco would be doing with Colton’s thirty million, ignorance would be a hard thing to prove if charged with insider trading. For now, she’d put Francesco stock buys on hold.
Her cell phone rang. The Pennsylvania District Attorney’s number flashed on her screen. Brigit jumped up and bolted outside.
“Hello,” Brigit said as she closed the patio door behind her.
“Ms. Francesco?”
“Yes, it is.”
“This is Tanya from Jim Sausalito’s office. You called regarding an inmate status check.”
Brigit’s pulse soared. “That’s correct.”
“The prisoner is still incarcerated. Can you hold a second? I’m alone in the office and the phones are going crazy.”
Before she could reply, Brigit was placed on hold. As she paced on the cobblestone path, she questioned whether she’d heard correctly. Vinny Ray behind bars? She raked her fingers through her hair. If Ray was still in prison, he must have hired someone to trash her home.
“Thanks for holding,” Tanya said. “Did you have any further questions?”
THE MITUS TOUCH: Book One of The Touch Series Page 19