MrTemptation

by Annabelle Weston

  Preston didn’t try to argue any further. He kept his disappointment to himself.

  * * * * *

  Cadence returned to her hotel and asked the concierge to take messages for her calls in case Preston tried to reach her. She was going for a run. What’d she’d learned this morning weighed heavily on her. She needed physical exercise now to get rid of the unbearable tension in her shoulders and neck and to think.

  She ran all the way down Third Avenue, took a dogleg over to Fifty-Second Street and Grand Central Station. She stopped and bought a bottle of water from a vendor. As she was taking the top off the bottle, who should appear but Cyrus. He was dressed in a suit and tie as if he’d somewhere important to go. His hair was combed back off his forehead, revealing a sprinkling of freckles.

  “Why are you stalking me?” she asked.

  He grinned. “Not very friendly, sis.”

  “I told you not to call me that.”

  “Why not?”

  She couldn’t arouse his suspicions. He couldn’t find out about the hidden trust or her mother’s secret marriage.

  “I just prefer people using my name. ‘Sis’ sound childish.”

  Cyrus shoved his hands in his pocket but continued grinning. “Whatever you say.”

  “What do you want?”

  “You stood me up last night.”

  “I had other plans.”

  He snorted. Funny how he didn’t look a thing like the mayor. Maybe Maryanne had gotten it wrong.

  “Anything else?” she asked.

  “The family wondered why you were hanging around the city,” he answered.

  She downed her water. What could she tell him that didn’t sound as if she was hiding something? She wiped her mouth with her shirttail and put the cap on the water. Cyrus watched her like she was something good to eat. She knew how to wipe that grin off his face.

  “I’ve consulted a lawyer. One of the best.”

  “You’re contesting Dad’s will,” he scoffed. “You don’t stand a chance.”

  “Maybe, but a court battle will chew up a lot of attorney’s fees.”

  “Where will you get the money for that kind of legal representation?” he asked.

  She’d love to tell him about her fortune just to see his reaction. She held back. “My lawyer will take the case on contingency.”

  “That’d be a stupid thing to do.”

  “Think about the publicity. The newspapers will love reporting on a catfight in the mayor’s family. When the public finds out the mayor left his daughter without a cent, what do you think the sentiment will be?”

  Cyrus started jingling the change in his pocket.

  She started walking.

  “You’ll be sorry,” he said behind her.

  “No, I won’t.” She sped up. “If you’ll excuse me.”

  By the time she reached her hotel, she felt strong. The workout had helped clear her head but the confrontation with Cyrus had done wonders. Talking with him hadn’t been easy but now he knew the score. She wasn’t a pushover.

  As she showered, she realized how angry she was, and not at Preston or his mother but with her mother. She doubted her mother had loved her. Edward Burke had included her as his child to further his own ambition but he hadn’t loved her either.

  The mayor and his wife had made mistakes, hurt each other, used each other. Cadence had only been a prop to both of them.

  Edward Burke and her mother were gone. Cadence had only one person left whom she wanted to belong to.

  She got out of the shower and dried off. She decided to take the train to New Haven and pack up her condo, put her things in storage. After that, she would go to Scotland. She had to meet Bryce McClain. She wouldn’t be intrusive, wouldn’t ask anything of him except an introduction, but she had to meet him, even if under the pretense of a nobody. She didn’t have to tell him who she was—then she wouldn’t lose her inheritance. She’d knock on the door, pretend to need to use the phone or something.

  She dressed in the same outfit she’d worn earlier in the day. She was almost finished brushing her hair when the phone rang.

  “Mr. Night is here.”

  Cadence checked her watch, nearly one o’clock. Had he come by to take her to lunch? She was ravenous after her run. Maybe he wanted to make good on his promise of bed play.

  “Send him up, Melody.”

  Where did Preston fit into her future?

  She couldn’t say. She’d like to be in a relationship with him. Maybe that would be asking too much.

  She fussed with her hair, realizing the curls at the nape of her neck were still damp and she’d no time to dry them. Her pulse quickened at the first knock at the door.

  When she opened the door, she gave him what she hoped was a happy, eager smile. A rejuvenated smile.

  “Hi,” she said a little breathlessly.

  “You okay?”

  “Getting there.”

  “What have you been up to?” he asked. “There’s something different about you.”

  “I went for a run. Running always puts me in a good mood.”

  “So you feel better?”

  “Yeah.” She opened the door wider and he came into her room.

  “About this morning, you took it well,” he said.

  “I know I’ve been acting like a complete bitch. But now that I’ve had some time to reflect on all I’ve learned about my family, I’m not so confused and angry. I’ve actually come to terms with their failings and now I can deal with the future.”

  “Good. I know it’s a lot to absorb and nothing makes me happier than to see you happy. If something like this had happened to me, I would have serious issues.”

  “You and your mother have been tremendous. I hope I didn’t sound too harsh. I really do appreciate all you’ve done. I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney.”

  Her mouth was getting ahead of her brain but she didn’t care. She felt energized and ready to face whatever came next.

  He took a step toward her and grasped her hand. Just that connection made her skin tingle. “Do you think you could ever look at me as more than just your attorney?”

  The lust in his eyes was something she’d hoped to see. She ran her tongue over her lower lip, feeling her entire body come alive. Her nipples tightened, her pussy was instantly wet. Didn’t he realize how attracted she was to him? That she already saw him as so much more than just an attorney?

  “Do you think you could see me as someone other than a client?”

  He pulled her hand up to his lips and pressed a kiss across her knuckles. Her flesh instantly sizzled. She gasped and he pulled her into his embrace. His big arms wrapped around her made her feel safe, protected, even loved. But better yet, her breasts were pressed to his chest and her hips were pressed enticingly against his cock.

  “I really don’t know what I would have done without you,” she said, resting her cheek against the Armani. She breathed in his spicy, male scent. His cologne was beyond delicious. “It is so wonderful to have someone like you here to help me.”

  “I’m so glad you feel that way.” He hugged her tighter, stroking his hands over her back. “I know I told you this before but the first time I saw you, I wanted to be with you. You are the most amazing woman. Just these past two days we’ve been together, I’ve seen such resilience and strength in you.”

  “You don’t have to say those things,” she said.

  He released her, held her at arm’s length and looked into her eyes. “I want to, I want you to understand how much I…” His voice trailed off as he lowered his face to hers.

  The moment his lips touched hers, fireworks exploded within her. She had been waiting for what seemed an eternity for him to kiss her again. She arched her body into his. Their tongues twirled around each other and her lips burned with fevered passion.

  If he stopped kissing her she would die. But he didn’t stop. The kiss deepened, they were both so hungry. Every nerve in her body tingled with anticipation as
his hands, which had been pressed against the small of her back, began to roam. The lightest of feathery touches glided across her hips and then down to her ass as he gripped her tighter to him.

  She felt the length and hardness of his cock against her hot, wet pussy. She moaned into his mouth, her tongue licking his lips. When she sucked on his tongue, he growled low in his throat. Her body awakened, remembering each and every caress of times past and the ethereal places he took her with each orgasm.

  Gripping her ass, he lifted her into the air and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist.

  Preston carried her, without ending the kiss, his hands still massaging the curve of her ass, to her bed. He laid her there, his body covering hers as his hands explored her. Her legs, her waist, her ribs, then exquisitely and undeniably her breasts were in his hands. He massaged them, his thumb rubbing across the taut nipples beneath her bra.

  She moaned and tightened her hold on him, letting her own hands caress his body, the muscles of his back, then sliding down to grip his tight ass, pressing his cock harder against her. She lifted her legs and shocks of white heat pulsed through her.

  Preston took off his jacket and threw it on the chair. He rubbed against her, his husky groans urging her to continue her exploration. She yanked his shirt out of his slacks and let her hands glide along the smooth ridges of his chest. Her thumbs brushed against his nipples, just as he was doing to her. Then lower, she gripped his belt buckle, undoing the clasp then his button, the zipper, until she could reach inside.

  His hard cock throbbed through his boxers and she reached farther in to grip the sizzling heat of his length. So hard, so long, so thick. She stroked him from the base to the mushroom tip, letting her fingers tease the sensitive spot around the top. Nothing was going to stop her from shoving his cock forcefully into her hot, wet pussy.

  His hands roamed her hips, her thighs, gripped the edges of her skirt and pushed it to her waist. He made quick work of removing her pantyhose. As he shed his own clothes, Cadence practically ripped her blouse and bra from her body and, although it had only been a minute at most since their mouths had touched and their bodies had been pressed together, it was too long to wait.

  Preston came down on her, his mouth reclaiming hers as he sought to touch every inch of her skin. He tore his mouth from hers and his lips seared a path down her neck and shoulders, coming to a stop just above her breast.

  They both panted. She kneaded his shoulders, gliding up and down his arms, loving the weight of his body on top her. She waited achingly for him to kiss her breasts. He hovered there, breathing his hot breath on her nipple, placing achingly gentle kisses along the slopes of her breasts.

  Cadence cried out her need. “Preston, please…”

  She cupped the back of his head, begging him to take the sensitive tip of her nipple into his mouth. With a primitive groan, he lowered his lips, his tongue flicking the bud, teasing her as fiery sensations ripped through her body.

  She arched her back and, lifting her hips, could feel the tip of his cock just on the edge of her wetness. His fingers danced their way down her waist and over her hips then moved lower still to gently caress the triangle of hair between her legs. His thumb massaged her clit, causing her to buck against him. The sensations throbbing through her were the greatest of pleasures. His fingers continued their sweet torture, rubbing, caressing. Finally, one finger, then two slipped inside her.

  Cadence was sure she would melt through the bed from the heat of her desire.

  Preston moaned as his fingers slid in and out. His thumb still rubbed her clit as his mouth went from one breast to the other, driving her closer and closer to the edge.

  “I want you so bad…” he growled.

  His lips slid up her neck to meet her mouth in a lusty kiss. His tongue thrust into her mouth, imitating what his fingers were doing to her pussy.

  Cadence lifted her hips higher, begging for him to fuck her—now. He shook his head, a teasing smile on his lips, but when she frowned his smile widened. He leaned over the side of the bed and pulled a foiled packet from his trousers, quickly opened it and stroked the condom over his rigid cock. God, he was so hot. He spread her thighs wide, his gaze roving hungrily over her pussy.

  “You are so hot, Cadence. God, and so wet.” He slipped a finger inside her, stroking gently, then rubbed his thumb over her clit. She lifted her hips, once more begging for him to enter her.

  “I want you inside me,” she said with a gasp as he found her G-spot with his finger.

  “I want to be inside.” He moved his hands to grip her hips and with one forceful thrust, his cock filled her.

  Her body exploded, her legs tightened around his hips and a loud scream escaped as orgasmic gratification rocked her body. He thrust into her again, deeper and deeper, the length of his hard cock pulsing through her. She gripped him tighter, sucking on the skin of his neck and shoulders as wave after wave rocked her. He was relentless in his efforts. He thrust again and again, not letting her body recover from her climax.

  Preston buried his face into the crook between her shoulder and neck, and his tongue flicked out to tease her sensitive earlobe.

  Her body, still recovering from her first orgasm, began its climb again. Her limbs shook, her insides quivered. Pleasure pounded her from every direction. Every inch of her begged for more of the exquisite torture he was performing. When Cadence thought she would die from pleasure, white-hot light exploded around her and the cry she let out was drowned out by his primal howl.

  His hard cock pulsed within her and his body shuddered on top of hers.

  They stayed locked together for a few moments as each waited for the vibrations to settle through their bodies. When Preston did move away, he kissed her gently on the lips.

  “Wow,” she said.

  “You’re amazing,” he replied.

  They lay naked on the bed, still breathing hard, Cadence in an utter state of euphoria. No one had ever made her body respond or come the way Preston had.

  He leaned up on his elbow, gazing down at her. “You know I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”

  “I know.” She was still breathless from exertion.

  “Now that it’s happened, I’m a happy man.”

  “I only wish you hadn’t waited so long.”

  “I didn’t think I stood a chance.”

  “What made you change your mind?”

  He lay back and stared at the ceiling. “When you came in yesterday, I knew this time I couldn’t let you get away.”

  “I’m not expecting anything serious,” she said in case he thought she was some needy chick.

  He turned his head and looked at her. “I want to take care of you, Cadence. I want to be the man you turn to when you need a soft place to fall.”

  “You’ve been all those things and more.”

  Cadence hadn’t ever heard this kind of declaration before. It had to be something more than just a fling. “Thank you for being my knight.” She kissed him on the nose.

  He smiled, and not the enigmatic smile of a lawyer but a genuine “Scout’s honor” kind of smile.

  “I’m hungry. Want to grab something to eat?” she asked.

  “You really want to stop?”

  Cadence laughed out loud. What a strange, wonderful man he was.

  “You want to go for round two?” She raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

  “Oh yeah?” He growled as he kissed her fully on the lips, not a kiss of lust but something better.

  She put her hands on either side of his face and returned his kiss. A deep feeling of peace entered her. She would remember this forever—what it was like to love and be loved.

  She pulled back from him and stared again into his eyes. She wanted to see if he would show her what he was thinking. A satisfied gleam sparked there and she knew there was a deep bond forming between them.

  His gaze clung to hers, analyzing her reaction. She smiled back at him, letting her contentment seep th
rough. She had kept herself so controlled, so emotionless for so long. She had been fighting her own personal battle of restraint with him since she had met him less than forty-eight hours ago.

  Now that she had let go, she’d been transformed into a sexy, desirable woman. Those green eyes didn’t lie.

  She rested her head on his shoulder and squeezed him tight, wanting the moment to last a little bit longer. “I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

  He kissed her shoulder.

  She shuddered at the feeling of his lips on her skin again. He teased her gently with his tongue. She giggled and nipped him on the neck.

  “Do you want to shower with me?” he asked, a devilish glint in his eyes and the double meaning in his gaze evident.

  “Race ya?” With a wink, she stood and walked to the shower in her most seductive way, her hips swaying. She turned around and glowed. He had been staring, a look of desire in his eyes.

  “Like what you see?”

  “Oh yeah,” he said deep in his throat as his feet hit the floor.

  Chapter Ten

  Cadence was exhausted. She and Preston never had lunch. By the time they checked, it was after six o’clock. They had spent hours making love. She lost count after the fourth time.

  Every little thing set them off.

  The way she soaped her body—and he took her against the shower wall. Then she bent over to dry her legs, only to find him caressing her from behind. She’d unwrapped her towel and begun to blow-dry her hair, when he’d propped her on the vanity.

  He’d looked so sexy buckling his pants, she had quickly unbuckled them, slid them down his legs and wrestled him to the ground. She’d sucked his cock like the seductress she’d become. Whirling her tongue, licking him from base to tip and sucking him deep into her throat. She wanted to swallow him whole. He completely lost control when she sucked his sac into her mouth, and stroked his cock with her fingers. When she’d put her mouth back around his erection and sucked him deep, he’d come with enthusiastic force, and with each draw of her mouth she’d milked him dry.

  He knew how to show his appreciation. She had never met a man with so much stamina. He flipped her over and gone to town on her pussy. His tongue like a lasso whipping deliciously over her clit, her pussy lips, sliding inside her slit. She never had a chance to feel anything other than exquisite pleasure, until she screamed it out as white heat engulfed her, burning her in an inferno. And he hadn’t let up. Oh no, Preston had sucked her clit until she came again.