She smiled at him and lifted her sunglasses to the top of her head, her warm brown eyes sparkling. “Great to know.” She paused, and her smile grew wider. “Really great, actually.” A stray strand of hair blew across her face, and he caught it, smoothing it behind her ear. God, he wanted her, and the urge to be with her was only getting stronger by the minute. “Where to?” he asked gruffly.
She inclined her head to the side. “Desigual. I want to show you what I’d like to order.”
“Okay.”
“Well, that was easy.” She laughed.
“I’m excited about our plan—what can I say?” He shrugged. “You still want to go, right?”
“I do, but there’s something I want more.” She stared up at him.
“Brunch?”
“You.”
He looked at her, her eyes full of flirtation but something else too—a sweetness that grasped his heart and sucked him right in. He glanced over at Charlie and Larry, who were turning their heads in tandem, watching the street. Then he looped the shopping bags over his arm and stepped close, cupping her elbows. “I want you more than anything, Virginia.”
She stared up at him, her breasts rising and falling.
“I haven’t been able to think straight since I walked out of your office yesterday.”
The corners of her lips raised a bit, and she laid her palms on the front of his shirt. “What will happen if I kiss you right now?”
“We’ll never make it to Desigual or brunch. I’ll figure out a way to kidnap you and take you back to my place and—”
Her breasts brushed against his chest as she put her fingers over his lips. “I’d rather not visit you in prison, Dex.”
“Good point,” he said, his voice muffled.
She caressed his lower lip, and then her hand trailed back down to rest on his shoulder. “But I will kiss you now.”
“That works for me,” he said thickly, and when she leaned up, he captured her mouth in a lingering kiss, hot and sweet. The rest of the world passing by on the sidewalk flew away as his hands came up to cradle her face. A few seconds later, the shopping bags slipped down his arm, and one of them ripped down the side, spilling the contents of the shoe box onto the sidewalk.
“My sandals!” she gasped against his mouth, and, chuckling, he bent to retrieve them. As he was crouched on the sidewalk, he saw a bunch of tourists on the corner. They were gawking and pointing at Virginia—whose back was to them. The sudden urge to protect her made his chest tighten, and he picked up the shoes quickly, then straightened and gathered her into his arms. “We need to get moving. Is that Desigual over there?” He jerked his head toward the bright façade across the street.
She gave him that slow smile again. “Hang on.” With a wink, she walked over a few yards and muttered something to Larry, who nodded. A minute later, they were back in the SUV, and though he wanted to ask why, the secretive look on her face made him hold his tongue. She probably had places where she could shop privately—and that was fine. A hell of a lot better than watching strangers ogle her, which had seriously pissed him off. He let out an aggravated sigh.
Virginia giggled. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he muttered. “Just blowing off steam.”
“Was shopping that much torture?” When he turned his narrowed eyes on her, her giggles became a snort and she reached into a shopping bag. “But you looked so adorable in that pink hat. You want to try it on again?”
“If I said kiss my ass to the president’s daughter, would that be disrespectful?”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Probably, but given the context, I’ll let it slide.”
“Wow, thanks.” He grinned at her. “So where are we—?”
“I think you’re right, Dex,” she said quickly. “Once we get a handle on the first floor layout, we can better determine sportswear placement.” He frowned at her, confused, but she ignored that and scooted closer to him, dragging her purse with her. “Now, I know the blueprints are back at my place, but take a look at this idea.”
Blueprints? There weren’t any blueprints yet. What the hell was she talking about? Dex glanced at her and then down at the notebook and pen in her hand. She flipped to a blank page and began to scribble. “So here’s a rough sketch of my idea. What do you think?”
When she moved her hand away, his heart jumped into his throat. She hadn’t drawn anything—she’d just written four words. I want you. Now. A thrill spread straight down his spine and pooled in his crotch.
“I see,” he managed. “That . . . appears to be . . . pretty great. If you’ll allow me?” He reached for the pen. Are we going to your apartment?
“Mm-hm,” she said. “And this?” She wrote quickly. “I can’t take it anymore. You’re so sexy, it’s killing me and that’s the truth.”
“Maybe just a little adjustment.” He took the pen again. The minute we’re through the door, I’m going to devour you.
A soft sound rushed out of her lips, and his cock swelled painfully. “Interesting,” she said, taking the notebook back. “I think that will work nicely.” Then she leaned up toward the front seat, the side of her breast dragging against his arm. “Silent, I need to stop at Duane Reade, okay?”
Dex nearly groaned out loud. Oh, God. If they weren’t back at her place soon, he’d look like he was smuggling a pipe wrench in the front of his jeans when they got out of the SUV. He grabbed the notebook out of her hand and flipped it open over his erection.
“What do you need, Miss Fulton?” Charlie asked. “I’d be happy to run in for you.”
Virginia turned around and stared at Dex, her eyes wide. “Condoms,” she mouthed.
“That’s okay, Charlie,” Dex said. “I need to pick up some shaving cream. I’ll go.” He pulled Virginia down next to him. “You want to give me a list?”
“Sure.” She grabbed the notebook and wrote. Fair warning: I’m going to open your pants with my teeth. Smiling, she stared pointedly down at the swollen front of his jeans.
This time it was Dex who made a noise, and he snatched the notebook and pen back. You do realize that even though I have a raging hard-on, I’m running into the drugstore for you?
She nodded, her face serious, and then her lips began to tremble. A few seconds later she was laughing.
“We’re here,” Charlie announced, and Dex didn’t think. He just shoved open the door, jammed his hands in his jeans pockets, ran in, grabbed the condoms, slapped a twenty on the counter, and was back in the SUV within two minutes. “Let’s go,” he said a bit too eagerly.
Virginia smiled and slipped the notebook back into her purse but didn’t say another word on the short ride back to Tudor City. In the elevator, Dex stood as far away from her as possible. He didn’t trust himself, even with the agents standing shoulder to shoulder right in front of him. When they stood in the hallway waiting for the agents to check her apartment, his whole body throbbed, but he didn’t reach for her. Finally, when he followed her inside and the door clicked shut, he let out a low groan and grabbed her around the waist.
She pulled on the back of his shirt and yanked it out of his jeans. “Devour me?”
“Oh, hell yes,” he answered, crushing his mouth down on top of hers. He plunged his tongue into the heat of her mouth and let his hands slide down to grip her hips. She pulled away from his lips with a shuddering breath, reached for the hem of her top, and raised it over her arms. In a whoosh, the fabric floated to the ground.
Dex stared, panting, at the sheer fabric covering her breasts, and then he cupped them, running his palms over their fullness before sliding his hands around to unhook her bra. When it popped open, he pulled the straps from her shoulders, his eyes half closing as her amazing breasts came into view. When he groaned again, she sucked in a breath, and he glanced up at her flushed face. “Beautiful Virginia,” he murmured, dipping his head to taste her breasts.
As his lips skimmed over the tight pink buds of her nipples, she reached for hi
s shirt, yanking it up and running her hands over his rib cage. “Dex—I need to touch you.”
“Not yet,” he growled and opened his mouth over a nipple, dragging his tongue across it slowly. “Dex,” she repeated, drawing his name out in a throaty whimper. He lifted her soft breasts into his palms and focused his tongue on the other nipple, going even more slowly this time. He felt her fingers thread through his hair and her body begin to tremble.
He placed a lingering kiss on each breast and raised his head. “Your bedroom,” he said. She shook her head, gasping, and pulled him up, taking the edge of his shirt in her hands again. He allowed her to peel it off and then watched as she ran her hands over the curve of his biceps, over his chest, and down to the silver button on the front of his jeans, where she paused. Smiling, she slowly knelt down in front of him, skipped past the button, and splayed a palm over his fly. When she began to rub—side to side—he almost lost it.
It was close to unbearable because he was getting harder and harder, but he gritted his teeth and forced his hands to stay at his sides as her lips came closer and closer. Hot breath swept across his belly as she took the top edge of his jeans in her teeth and tugged, moving her head in a circular motion. The button came open, followed a few seconds later by the zipper going down. Slowly she stood up, a satisfied smile on her face, and then she walked, her hips swinging, to where Dex had dropped the drugstore bag. She picked it up and, with a little wiggling motion, shimmied out of her skirt. “Now we can go to my bedroom.”
She gave him a slow smile, and his gaze raked down her body. He stared at her belly button, her hips, and stopped at the gently curved mound hidden underneath her tiny panties. She looked thoroughly erotic standing there in nothing but panties and high heels, her eyes fiery and her lips parted. When he held out a hand, she grabbed it and tugged him through a doorway into a small bedroom, and then she lay across the bed, her arms over her head, her hair spilling onto the bedspread beneath her. When she opened her mouth and sighed, Dex sprang into action, ripping his jeans and briefs off, throwing his shoes and socks in all directions. When he’d finished undressing, he stood there for a moment, his chest heaving as he forced himself to slow down. His body had other ideas, but she deserved every bit of his attention, and yeah, while he intended to devour her, he wanted to savor it.
He paused, looking at her. She was more beautiful that he’d imagined she would be—her soft skin flushed, her eyes promising pleasure. He felt incredibly lucky. Virginia wanted him, and that knowledge alone made his heart soar. “You’re amazing.”
She smiled, and her pink face got even pinker. “So are you.” Her gaze traveled over his body slowly, and then she met his eyes again. “Come here,” she said, her voice raspy. She raised a hand toward him.
Dex took it, and he knelt beside her on the bed, facing her. He leaned down to stroke a strand of hair from her cheekbone. His fingers drifted across her jaw, down her throat, featherlight, and he lifted her hand to his lips. When he turned it over and kissed her palm, she sucked in a breath. Encouraged, he swirled the tip of his tongue on her wrist, his breath warm on her skin.
“Mm.” She reached up and cupped his jaw, staring into his eyes. As he continued his hot, wet little kisses, working his way up her arm to the sensitive crook of her elbow, he watched in fascination as her mouth fell open and her hand dropped away from his jaw to clutch at his bicep. “Please,” she whispered. “I want to touch you.”
Dex released her hand and she sat up. Her hands roamed over his chest, down his rib cage and lower, until her palms rested low on his hips, pausing there. It was his turn to suck in a breath as she got to her knees and pressed herself against him, her belly pliant against his aching hardness. Her fingers slid around his hips and then dragged up his back as she raised her lips to his. He took them, kissing her slowly, his tongue lingering inside the sweetness of her mouth as his desire spiraled higher and higher. When she began to undulate against him, he groaned, reaching for the fullness of her hips, lifting her against him. She opened her eyes. They were glazed with lust. “Closer,” she said, panting. “I have to be closer to you.”
“Sweetheart,” he murmured, and laid her on the bed.
Settling between her parted thighs, he bent to kiss her again, his tongue plunging into her mouth as his hands slid under her back. He lifted her body up until they were skin to skin, her breasts snuggled against his chest. His heavy cock pushed into the softness of her abdomen, and her hips shifted under him restlessly as she gripped at his shoulders.
Dex broke the kiss and burned a trail with his tongue down the side of her neck, reveling in her responsive low moan. He focused his attention on her breasts again, but she started to move against him, little rhythmic rolls of her hips, and, as his tongue slid around a nipple, his cock slid against her belly and then lower, until he was lodged against the front of her panties. “Condom,” she gasped, and Dex reached for the box, ripping it to shreds as he pulled one out and rolled it on.
Her fingers slid into the sides of her panties, but Dex brushed them away, curled his hands around the silky fabric, and pulled the panties off her body. Then he parted her thighs and opened her slowly, his thumb sliding back and forth against her wet heat, slowly at first, and then faster . . . faster. As he sank a finger inside of her, she threw back her head and pushed against his hand. “Yes,” he whispered, watching her head writhe back and forth as she came. She’d come so quickly—and just the thought that she’d been that ready for him made him even harder.
When she lifted her head and stared at him with glassy eyes, he slowly removed his hand and raised her knees up, dragged his fingers down the backs of her thighs, and then cupped her ass. Finally, gloriously, he pushed the tip of his cock inside of her, and when she let out a breathy “ohhh,” he pushed again, farther and farther into her tight heat until he was encased. “Okay?” he murmured. She nodded and let her arms fall to her sides.
Dex covered her body with his and buried his open mouth in the side of her neck. He pulled his hips back and thrust slowly forward. She moaned again, grabbing at his back. “Take me,” she whispered—and he couldn’t go slowly anymore. Gathering her in his arms, he thrust into her, every stroke deeper and deeper until she cried out, her legs squeezing around his back. Her felt her contract around his cock, and, with a long groan, he let go, bucking against her, coming hard. Wave after wave crashed through him, and he shuddered against her, lost in her arms, her scent, her skin.
Her breasts pressed against his chest as she panted, and her hands stroked his back, eventually falling away as her body relaxed. With great effort, he braced himself and rolled to the side, taking her with him. They were half off the bed, but, completely spent, he couldn’t move any closer to the middle, so he braced one foot on the floor and gathered her against his chest, smiling as she dropped a kiss onto his collarbone. “Oh, sweetheart,” he rasped out. She shuddered.
“You cold?” he asked.
“Hardly,” she murmured against his collarbone. It’s your voice—it’s so sexy, I sometimes get a little shiver when you talk.”
“Mmm,” he responded, deep in his throat. She shivered again, and then, her face still buried, she gave him a little lick. It turned into a longer lick, and she raised her head with that naughty grin he was beginning to love. He winked at her. “Give me a few minutes.”
“Oh, I think you just proved that you’re worth the wait,” she said, her fingers trailing up and down his belly.
“You think so, huh?” He kissed the top of her head. “You are too, and I would have waited much longer—but I’m really glad that the wait ended today. It was getting very tiresome walking around Lilah’s, constantly worrying that I had a hard-on.”
Her head snapped up and she began to laugh. “Hard-on? I haven’t heard that expression since—like, my freshman year of college.”
“So? Guys my age still say it.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “Just not around women they’re not comfortable with.”
> “You’re comfortable with me?” she asked.
“Completely.” It was the truth—at least right now, when it was just the two of them.
“Well, I think you’re amazing. In all kinds of ways.” She gave him a radiant smile and snuggled back against his chest. Dex held her close, his heart swelling with something unexpected. It was pride. He relaxed, half closing his eyes, listening to the sound of her breathing. He was content to just be there, in the quiet, and look at her.
A moment later, out of the corner of his eye, Dex saw a large shadow close to the ground, and he glanced at it quickly, not wanting to take his eyes from Virginia. “What is that?”
She raised her head briefly and chuckled. “Junior Mint. He’s a cat. Mostly harmless.”
“Oh. Not interested in him right now.”
“He’s interested in you, though,” she said against his chest.
“That may be, but getting scratched is not something I’m looking forward to.”
“Oh, he won’t hurt you. Probably.”
After a moment, she lifted her head again, her eyes dancing. “It feels good to have a lot to look forward to, doesn’t it, Dex?”
He smiled back, knowing from the sweetness of her smile that she wasn’t talking about the cat. “Yes. It’s a good feeling.” It was, but he couldn’t help but wonder what would happen long-term. His road ahead was a lot more complicated that hers. It included moving to London, and he ought to tell her. When they barely knew each other, there was no reason to, but now? He should. Not right now because he didn’t want anything to deflate the amazing intimacy, but he would tell her . . . soon.
Chapter Eight
SURROUNDED ON ALL sides by circular racks, Virginia stood in a sea of men’s suits on Monday morning, sipping a coffee and attempting to ignore Ruston, who hovered across the sales floor near a display of ties. He’d just finished arranging them by color, but there was no way she was going to let them stay that way. That tie display—along with the rest of the menswear layout—was going to get a drastic makeover. Pretty soon the rows of racks would be replaced by themed areas. The glass-topped cabinets? Turned into platforms for new mannequins. The circular racks that held every size of each style? Swapped for single racks hung with a variety of options, each sporting a theme. Club wear. Business casual. Fun weekend. Have-to-go-to-a-wedding-and-just-want-to-be-comfortable wear.
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